Category Archives: February 2021

UNICO Still Adhering to “Service Above Self” Despite Pandemic

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  • Several members of the UNICO Scranton Chapter volunteered to help distribute the Family to Family Thanksgiving food baskets to area needy. More than 3,000 packages were distributed the day before Thanksgiving. Shown rom left: Kristen and Anthony Cianfichi, Karen Clifford, Louis and Chris DiMattio, and Vince Russoniello. Brian, Jason and Joe Castrogiovanni also participated.
  • The UNICO Scranton Chapter Ladies Auxiliary delivered Christmas gifts to the Catherine McAuley Center in Scranton for a family of four and a family of five. Pictured from left: Eileen King of the McAuley Center and Patti Montalbano, chair of the Ladies Auxiliary.
  • Enjoying their Keystone UNICO Pasta Dinner are, seated from left: Michael Mecca, Cherie’ Mecca, Dolores Mecca and Tanya Skurka.
  • The UNICO Scranton Chapter Veterans Committee presented a DVD salute of greetings and gratitude along with gift certificates for a sheet cake to veterans who reside at the Gino Merli Center and Saint Francis Commons. Shown from left: Jack Trapani, Janice McCallister and James Miller of the Merli Center, Chapter President Gail Cicerini, Mary Marrara and Charlie Spano.
  • Enjoying the Dunmore’s Keystone UNICO annual pasta dinner was the Rizzo Family. From left are Geena, Joe, Vito and Gloria Rizzo.

The Scranton Chapter of UNICO National, the largest in the Italian-American service organization, has adapted to the realities of the current COVID-19 pandemic while still adhering to the group’s credo: Service Above Self.

“Our members have truly been dedicated and done a wonderful job of ensuring that our service to the community has continued,” said chapter president Gail Cicerini. “The needs are greater than ever, and I am grateful to everyone for all they are doing to help in so many different ways.”

Gail noted that the chapter is ensuring that safety and health protocols are followed while being creative with respect to its activities and service projects.

The Chapter’s monthly dinner gatherings are suspended, but the Board of Directors meets every month via Zoom. Regular emails, and postings on the website and social media by Jim Sagona and  Lori Nozzi aim to keep everyone connected.  Mary Marrara, chair of the Membership Committee, continues to reach out and contact Chapter members.

Among the many areas of life affected when the pandemic began to spread more widely last spring was education. Despite the interruption to in-class learning, the Scranton Chapter maintained its tradition of presenting the Brian Piccolo Award to graduating high school seniors of Italian-American heritage who exhibit achievements in athletics and the qualities of hard work, integrity, leadership and courage exemplified by the award’s namesake, who played professional football before succumbing to cancer. The Piccolo Award Committee chaired by  Ann Genett, Lise Bieri and Cindy Farino reviewed the nominations and selected six students to receive the 2020 award.

The Chapter honors the men and women who have served our country in the armed forces. This year, in lieu of the annual bingo party held for veterans at the Gino Merli Center and Saint Francis Commons, the Veterans Committee presented a DVD salute of greetings and gratitude along with gift certificates for a sheet cake. This effort was coordinated by Charlie Spano, Jack Trapani and Mary Marrara.

The Ladies Auxiliary, with  Patti Montalbano as president, has been typically busy and productive. Through its various activities, including the Mystery Purse raffle, donations were made to Trinity Child Care Center at Saint Joseph’s Center, Family to Family Thanksgiving food basket program, Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen, Meals on Wheels, NEPA Teen Shelter, Wright Center Food Pantry, Women’s Resource Center, Children’s Advocacy Center, and the Catherine McAuley Center.

Since the weather began to chill, the Chapter has been collecting slightly used coats for men, women and children as well as donations and gift cards to help Friends of the Poor, the agency sponsored by the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary that offers food, clothing and shelter to those in need.  Diana Giovannini is chairing this effort, with help from  Renee Rinaldi, Camille and Louise Frye, and  Linda Stafursky, who has graciously lent space in her home as a drop-off spot for many of the coats.

An issue that might not be visible to many – the problem of students who experience periods of homelessness – has gotten the attention of the Chapter. Coordinated by  Ann Genett, clothing and other items are being provided to a number of students.

Although the celebration of Christmas might have been somewhat different for many, the Scranton Chapter was able to make the holidays a bit more festive through a new endeavor.

Harkening to the tradition of the 12 Days of Christmas, the Chapter took it up a notch with a “13 Days of Christmas Raffle Extravaganza.” Each ticket gave the purchaser a chance for prizes with a total worth of more than $3,900. Raffle chairman Jim Sagona conducted drawings each evening from December 11-23, live on the UNICO Scranton Facebook Page. More than $12,500 was raised to support the Chapter’s charitable causes.

Another holiday event, the Minicozzi Run/Christmas Party at the Boys & Girls Club in Scranton, was held according to safety protocols. This event normally is funded by proceeds from the Annual Cpt. James R. Minicozzi Memorial Race conducted at La Festa Italiana. Although the 2020 race was canceled due to the pandemic, the Minicozzi Race Committee led by  Leslie Minicozzi Galacci and the UNICO Scranton Chapter made sure the kids enjoyed a nice luncheon party.

With the holidays behind and winter upon us, is it too soon to think about spring? Not if you’re a golfer! If you are, mark your calendar for May 26 and plan to participate in the Scranton Chapter Golf Tournament on the links of Mount Airy Casino and Resort in the Poconos.  Vince Martino is chairing the committee for this event, which will follow safety protocols. Please call 570-499-8469 or email vcmartino@gmail.com for further information about the Tournament. 

AOH Helps Charity Groups Stay Afloat During Pandemic

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The AOH Paul “Hook” O’Malley Division Four has been donating to numerous charitable organizations during the pandemic. 

The organization understands that our community needs more help now than ever and we are there to help meet those needs. 

Whether it is a food pantry or a shelter, our division will make every effort possible to meet the needs of Lackawanna County’s residents.

Shown from left: Treasurer Joe Holland, President Patrick O’Malley presenting a $500 check to Amy Everetts, the Director of Development for the Women’s Resource Center; Father Richard Fox of St. Patrick’s Church and AOH Chaplain, and member Mark McDade.

Honeychild’s Legacy Remains on 100th Block of East Drinker Street

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By Steve Svetovich

If you grew up in Dunmore and are over 35, then you knew “Honey.”

That was Mike “Honeychild” Cantarella who died in 1994. 

“Honey” died close to 27 years ago, but his family is making sure his legacy remains alive at 109 East Drinker St., Dunmore, the site for Honeychild’s Bar and Grill. 

It is the same exact site Honey occupied for close to four decades. 

But Honey operated what was called Trouser Outlet, later to be called Shar-Eles Jewelry. The Shar-Eles name was a tribute to his two daughters, Sharee and Michelle. 

Honey sold anything and everything, including suits, pants, jeans, trousers, shirts, socks, watches, belts, all kinds of jewelry and even 8-track tapes.

If you were looking for something, he probably had it. 

And those in Dunmore all knew Honey well. He was a fixture at Dunmore corners.

He was a great conversationalist, street smart and savy. He often wore a fancy, brimmed hat tipped a bit forward. 

And whether it was called Trouser Outlet or Shar-Eles, the regular customers knew it strictly as “Honeychild’s” or “Honey’s.” 

If you were from Dunmore, you knew why. 

Everyone in Dunmore knew Honey. 

After he passed, his family ran the business for a time and leased it out for a few years.

But 10 years ago his daughter, Sharee Cantarella Gentile, decided to renovate the building and turn it into a bar-restaurant. 

She named it “Honeychild’s,” as a dedication to her late dad.

“It’s a fun place,” said Dunmore’s Mike Jones. “The food is great, especially the wings.”

Honeychild’s has two floors, with the second for entertainment. There is an wide bar menu and seven flat screen TVs creating a sports bar atmosphere on the first floor.

The menu includes a large variety of wings, including honey, mild, hot, honey hot, garlic parmesian and the famous boom boom choice. Other menu items include the popular 8-oz. angus burger, a wide variety of fries, pizza, pierogies, calamar, homemade potato chips, the famous pot stickers, butterfly shrimp, chicken tenders, Italian platter, a wide variety of sandwiches and subs, soups and salads, chicken quesadilla, boneless bites and variety of handcrafted burgers. Grub hub is available nightly. 

And Honeychild’s is open seven nights a week. Catering is also available. 

“We try to make it a fun, warm, friendly environment with casual dining,” Sharee said. “Our customers mean a lot to us.” 

Sharee said she usually hires two or three-piece bands for musical entertainment on weekends, although not as much during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We will certainly get back to that soon,” she said. “The second floor is for musical entertainment.”

All social distancing and COVID-19 precautions are strictly followed at Honeychild’s, said Sharee.

“I wanted to continue this as a family business in honor of my dad and that is why we named it, Honeychild’s,” said Sharee. “We wanted it to stay a family business. Everyone in Dunmore knew my dad and I am sure they still think of him when they come in here for a drink and a bite to eat. We want customers to relax and have fun here. We have a wide variety of food. 

“So in honor of my dad, this will always be Honeychild’s.”