Doin’ Dunmore: December 2019

Posted on December 4, 2019 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

The late Alfonso “Al” Frioni Sr. was the eternal optimist.

He was a professional baseball player, Dunmore School Director, member of the Dunmore Sixth Ward Civic Association, youth baseball coach at Schautz Stadium, practiced as an accountant for 35 years, and loved discussing politics with his late pal, James McHale, Sr., at the old Sunshine Cafe in Dunmore.

He was also Dunmore’s Santa with the wing tip shoes.

Frioni died in April of 2011 after a courageous bout with colon cancer. He was 72.

Married 49 years to the late former Angela Morelli, the couple had two sons, two daughters and several grandchildren. Frioni was a proud family man and proud member of the Dunmore community.

A graduate of West Scranton High School, he signed professional baseball contracts with the Detroit Tigers and Milwaukee Brewers, toiling in the minor leagues as a pitcher for those clubs before settling with his beloved wife Angela in Dunmore. A graduate of Lackawanna Junior College, he worked 35 years at Emory Air Frieight in the accounting division. He was on the picnic and finance committee for Christ the King Church.

He was a man who loved to talk and tell stories and had plenty of them. He dressed as Santa Claus every Christmas season for the preschool children at Country Day School.

But his favorite story was about Dunmore’s Santa with the wing tip shoes.

Not too long ago in Dunmore, there was a Santa Claus with wing tip shoes. And his name was Al Frioni, Sr.

Frioni accomplished a lot in life, but he loved being Santa the best.

For many years Frioni donned a Santa outfit and visited children in his West Grove Street neighborhood and surrounding areas every Christmas Eve.

It was Christmas Eve in 1970 when Frioni, dressed as Santa, made a special visit he talked about often until he passed away.

“I dressed as Santa,” he said. “and went about the neighborhood wishing all the kids a Merry Christmas. I went to a friend’s home on Clay Avenue. His name was John Jason. He had a four-year-old boy, Jeffrey.

“I rang the door bell and Jeffrey answered. He stood there staring in amazement.

“I shouted to him, ‘Ho, Ho, Ho! Merry Christmas!’

“The little boy looked at me and stared innocently. I shouted again, ‘Ho, Ho, Ho! Merry Christmas!’ I asked him what he wanted from Santa.

“He continued to stare and looked startled.

“Then I asked him to sit on my lap. He did and I asked him what he wanted for Christmas. He said he wanted a truck and a few other toys.

“He continued to stare.

“I told him it was Christmas Eve and to please leave Santa some milk and cookies before he went to bed.

“He looked at me in wonder and astonishment. I wished him Merry Christmas and began to walk to the front door. I will never forget the innocent look on his face.

“Then I looked back and heard him say to his parents, ‘I think that is Mr. Frioni. He is wearing wing tip shoes.’

“Well, I didn’t have boots like Santa. I always wore wing tip shoes. He is the only one who caught me in all my years playing Santa Claus. It would take the innocence of a child to discover this.

“It’s funny how time goes by. That little boy, Jeffrey Jason, became the owner of the Old Brooke Inn in Moscow. I would dine there and visit with him time to time. When I would see him, it was as if time stood still. I would tell him Santa Claus is coming to town.

“But I will always remember him as the little four-year-old boy who caught Santa with the wing tip shoes.”

And to all of the little children out there today, I am sure the late Al Frioni, Sr., Dunmore’s Santa with the wing tip shoes, would love to be here today to wish you Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Another Successful Football Season for Double “R” Twirlettes

Posted on December 4, 2019 by The Dunmorean

The Double “R” Twirlettes were well represented this football season as 20 group members twirled with six different high schools, including Dunmore, at games, pep rallies, and other events throughout the fall.

The performers are all students of Kathleen Y. Mercatili who is director of the Double “R” Twirlettes.

Shown seated from left: Natalie Nareski, feature twirler at Old Forge High School; Natalie Buchinski, Miss Spartan at Mid Valley Secondary Center; Nina Sampogne, Miss Comet at Abington Heights High School; Meghan Murray, Miss Trojan, and Alexandra Taffera, feature twirler, both at North Pocono High School.

Kneeling, same order: Lauren Zajaczkowski, Lily Lucsky, twirlers at North Pocono; Sara Swavola, Scranton twirler; Madison Waltz, Dunmore High School twirler; Eliyana Kubelis, Scranton twirler; Jordan Gioupis, North Pocono twirler, and Autumn Major, North Pocono captain.

Standing, same order: Sadie Solensky, Jocelyn Bringhurst, Tiana Searfoss, Lindsey Kausmeyer, all Mid-Valley twirlers; Olivia Major, North Pocono twirler; Madison Doyle, Morgan Tullio, and Sahara Searfoss, all Mid Valley twirlers.

DHS Class of ’49 Celebrate 70th Reunion

Posted on December 4, 2019 by The Dunmorean

Dunmore Class of 49 reunion at La Cucina - 1

Class members and their guests included, front from left: Judith Riggi, Angela Richards, Philomena Errico, Carmel Novak and Angela Lacertoso. Standing, same order: Nick Riggi, Frank DiVizio, Ernie Gatto and Tony Lacertoso.

The Dunmore High School Class of 1949 celebrated their 70th Reunion on Thursday, Nov. 21, at La Cucina.

Class Historians Frank DiVizio and Angie Cordaro Richards have submitted this brief history of their class of ’49:

Their Principal, E.J. Devine, named their class “The Golden Class of 1949.” They were the last ninth grade class to graduate from the Dunmore Junior High School on Apple Street.

This same building was previously the Dunmore Senior High School, where many of their parents graduated and received their senior high school diplomas.

The Senior Dinner was held on Monday, June 13, 1949 at the Hotel Casey in Scranton. Commencement exercises were held on Wednesday, June 15, 1949 at the Dunmore High School Campus.

The class officers were Jean Marie O’Connor Hurley, president; Robert Ragnacci, vice president; Michael Zabatta, treasurer; and Marie Vellela Margotta, secretary.

Dunmore Class 1949 At the Senior Prom Robert Batyko and Diane Bochicchio Batyko were named the King and Queen respectively.

The Class size was 187, of which 107 are known to be deceased and 22 have been unable to be located.

Paul Richards, the only astronaut coming from Northeastern Pennsylvania, is the son of classmate Angela Cordaro Richards.

Anyone seeking or having information on any member of “The Golden Class of 1949” are encouraged to contact class historians Frank DiVizio at 570-955-9854 or Angie Cordaro Richards at 570-346-3406.