Dunmore Pony League Team Wins Big in Championship Game

Posted on August 4, 2021 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

Memories are often created by youngsters on a baseball diamond.

Take the case of the Ackourey and Turel Pony League team in the Dunmore Little League.

This group of youngsters came into the Dunmore Pony League Tournament as underdogs this past June 27.

Coached by Mark Levendoski, the boys had a 12-5 regular season record entering the Pony League Tournament. The team defeated Eastern Residential Solutions 6-2 in the first round of the playoffs. Then after a bye, the team faced the undefeated 3 Jacks Bar and Grill in the championship game. The 3 Jacks team was 16-0 and the favorite coming into the game.

But the Ackourey and Turel Pony League team, a group of youngsters between 6 and 8, rose to the occasion and easily beat the favored team, 16-2, to capture the Dunmore Pony League championship.

“I can’t even single one player out,” said coach Levandoski. “Every player on our team had multiple hits. They kept hitting and hitting. It is just a great group of kids who all get along with each other. They are all students at Dunmore Elementary Center.”

Levandoski is assisted by coaches Mike Coleman, Chris Bantell, Ashley Lancia and Luke Coleman, a former college baseball pitcher.

“It is coach-pitch, so our kids really rocked Luke Coleman, a former college baseball pitcher, who was pitching to them,” said Levandoski, a 1998 Dunmore High School graduate who works for Schiff’s Food Service, Taylor. “We were kidding him about that.”

“The kids were all excited after we won. They were presented with medals and all had pizza at the field after winning the games. It was an all day tournament. They really enjoyed it.”

Levandoski said most of the youngsters will be playing fall baseball in Dunmore starting in early September. “They are looking forward to it already,” he said.

This was Levandoski’s second year coaching the team. He has been involved in the program for the past five years.

“All of the kids played great during the tournament,” Levandoski said. “They were all hitting and making the plays. These kids are all friends in school. They are all good kids and love playing the game. They get along well.”

Levandoski said the kids were so excited after winning the championship that they poured water all over him. “Yes, I was soaked. But it was all good. The kids were happy and having fun.”

Team members include Marcus Levandoski, Michael Coleman, Jack Coleman, Kate Coleman, Connor Sciartilli, Brady McCarthy, Hunter Smolskis, Carter Bantell, George Siracuse, James Archer and Hannah Scanlon.

The graduating members are Marcus Levandoski, Connor Sciartilli, Hunter Smolskis and Michael and Jack Coleman.

“The graduating players kind of led the way for us this year,” said Levandoski. “They got us going.”

Levandoski said the graduating players will go on and play in the Dunmore Minor League which consists of 9-10-year-old youngsters. After Minor League, the kids progress to the Dunmore Little League.

“These kids will just keep on playing and having fun,” he said.

Family Service Association Gets Grant to Support Guardianship Program

Posted on August 4, 2021 by The Dunmorean

Participating in the ceremonial check presentation, from left, are Janyne Gurnari, chief operating officer, FSA; David Hawk, Hawk Family Foundation; Ann Hawk, Hawk Family Foundation, and Nancy Hudack, BSW, supervisor, Guardianship Program.

The Family Service Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania (FSA) recently received a three-year financial commitment from the Hawk Family Foundation in support of the nonprofit agency’s Guardianship Program.

The Hawk Family Foundation’s $45,000 grant will support the services FSA’s social workers provide for people who have been declared legally by the court system to be unable to make decisions on their own behalf and do not have family or friends available to care for them.

FSA’s program provides guardianship services for anyone aged 18 or older, which includes managing their legal, financial, personal, health and end-of-life care.

“Guardianship is one of our most vital programs, as it ensures the most underserved and vulnerable members of our communities have a voice and advocate in their overall care,” said Gertrude C. McGowan, Esq., chief executive officer of FSA. “FSA is extremely grateful for the generous investment David and Ann Hawk have made through the Hawk Family Foundation to ensure people who are unable to care for themselves have the proper resources available to them in the greater community.”

The Guardianship Program’s clients usually have an intellectual disability, dementia, physical issues, and/or age-related health problems that cause physicians to refer decisions about their care and overall well-being to the legal system. More than 80% of clients in FSA’s program qualify for medical assistance, which provides very modest reimbursement. Community foundation grants and fundraising assist with operating expenses and assure the program remains financially sustainable.

David and Ann Hawk established the foundation in 2006 and permanently endowed it in 2017. The family foundation represents and promotes the philanthropic interests of Mr. and Mrs. Hawk, the family’s descendants, and Gertrude Hawk Chocolates by working to improve the quality of people’s lives, particularly children, senior citizens, and the most vulnerable people in society.

“It is important that the Guardianship Program, and other similar programs, remains viable so everyone has a say in the physical, financial and emotional aspects of their lives,” said Ann Hawk. “David and I are intimately familiar with caring for a loved one, and we believe in the importance of everyone receiving proper care in a dignified and respectful manner. We are extremely pleased to be able to support the Guardianship Program and the people it represents.”

FSA was established in 1895 by a group of involved and concerned members of the community in order to provide diverse services that empower children, individuals, seniors and families to reach their full potential by building healthier relationships and ultimately stronger communities. Today, its 13 programs provide services to residents in 17 counties in Northeastern and North-Central Pennsylvania. For more information about FSA or to support its programs, please log on to www.fsanepa.org or call (570) 823-5144.

Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Company Receives $100,000 Grant

Posted on August 3, 2021 by The Dunmorean

The Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Company (SLIBCO) – the economic development affiliate of The Greater Scranton of Commerce – received a $100,000 Local Share Account (LSA) grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for a national advertising campaign targeted at remote workers and talent attraction.

The goal is to draw awareness of career opportunities available and recruit new talent to Lackawanna County.

Local state-elected officials who gave their support in receiving the grant are shown, from left, with Bob Durkin, president, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce; Rep. Kyle Mullins, Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski, Senator Marty Flynn, Rep. Mike Carroll, and P. Timothy Kelly, Esq., Needle Law.