During the absence of injured Dunmore stalwart Ciera Toomey, Lady Bucks sophomore guard Sophia Talutto has taken on a leadership role.
Daughter of Joseph and Lori Talutto, Dunmore, Sophia led the Lady Bucks to four wins in its first five games this season averaging 17.0 points and 5.0 assists per contest.
Sophia led Dunmore with a game-high 19 points in the Lady Bucks 58-42 win over Scranton Tuesday, Dec. 27, at the Lackawanna College Student Union in the semifinals of the 19th Lynett Memorial Girls Tournament.
The contest marked the return of North Carolina-bound center Ciera Toomey who has been sidelined since March with a torn ACL. The three-time all-state center returned at the start of the second half and hit a top-of-the key 3-pointer. The shot, her only one, swished through the nets to the crowd’s delight. She played a little more than two minutes in the contest as her teammate Sophia took control of the game for the Lady Bucks.
Dunmore held a 28-22 halftime lead before Ciera entered the contest.
Dunmore lost to Scranton Prep, 52-33, in the Lynett Tournament final Thursday, Dec. 29.
Sophia is a second year starter on the Dunmore Lady Bucks basketball team.
The talented sophomore guard has a 98.5 academic average at Dunmore. Her favorite subjects are chemistry and math.
Sophia is unsure where she will attend college, but most definitely wants to play basketball and probably study business in college.
The scrappy sophomore said her parents taught her a lot. “They taught me to be humble and above all be consistent and work hard at anything I do.”
She talked about the Lady Bucks starting the season without Ciera on the court and under new coach Carrie Bowen Toomey, Ciera’s mom, who replaced Ben O’Brien.
“It was definitely different without Ciera’s leadership early on. And we lost Moriah Murray to graduation. So I did take more of a leadership role. As long as we stay consistent and focused at practice, we will be successful as a team.
“This team is very good. We saw that some are doubting us, but that keeps us very motivated. We are going to have another good year. With more practice, we will be very good. We are focused on it. We also know Ciera will be with us at full strength during districts.
“Our new coach was an assistant under coach O’Brien. So we are doing many of the same things. The transition is going very well.
“Sure, we miss coach O’Brien. But Carrie Toomey is doing great as our new coach.”
Well-spoken and polite, Sophia is also a left wing on the Dunmore soccer team. She is a member of TACT and the French Club at Dunmore.
Sophia enjoys listening to music and would like to see Bruno Mars in concert.
The hard-working scholar-athlete talked about what it takes to excel as a guard in high school basketball. “You need to stay consistent and focused,” she said. “And you should be humble.”
Sophia was an honorable mention on the Lackawanna League all-star team last season. She was named the 570 Sports Freshman of the Year. “That was surprising,” she said. “A lot of people talked about it and I received some very nice messages. A lot of people supported me.
“It was a great feeling.”
Sophia said she loves living in Dunmore and playing for the Lady Bucks.
“It’s definitely memorable,” she said. “I have loved Dunmore since being a little kid. Our community is great. Everyone supports us.”
The Dunmorean Scholar of the Month for January is Jack Maloney, son of Casey and Erin Maloney. A student at Scranton Prep, Jack’s activities include basketball, baseball, Spanish Club, Business Club, Chess Club, shadowing program, and freshman orientation guide.
Jack’s favorite sport is basketball, and he likes the following quote by Tim Notke: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” Jack believes in working hard every day toward one’s goals. To prepare for a game, he listens to pump-up music, and does stretches and visualizations of the plays.
His favorite subject is English, and he loves to read and write. Jack says: “There is nothing better than reading a piece of literature and being in suspense, wondering what will happen next.”
His favorite place to visit is his grandparents; house, which is just a few blocks from his, and his favorite way to relax is is to out back to play basketball with some music. He also likes to hang out with his friends and younger cousins during his free time.
Jack’s favorite spot in Dunmore is Grande Pizza, where he goes often with his friends. “It is a fun, local place to watch sports and eat great food.”
Jack says, “I love growing up in Dunmore because it is such a close-knit and kind community. I have made so many friends at Prep, but I am still so close with my buddies from Dunmore. When I reached sixth grade, I gained a lot more freedom to go out and walk around with my friends down near the Corners, where we would get food and just hang out. I love that we can walk around and have many businesses to visit within a short distance.
Jack Maloney, Dunmorean Scholar of the Month is shown with his parents, Casey and Erin Maloney of Dunmore, and his sisters, Mollie, 8, second from left, and Ally, 13, second from right. Jack is a sophomore at Scranton Prep.
“I have learned many things from growing up in Dunmore, such as how to be a good neighbor, how to help others, how to be a good friend, and how important it is to have strong values and morals. It’s important to be willing to help others in the community when needed. People of Dunmore are tightly bonded together and root each other on in a positive way.
Jack’s goal after high school is to attend the University of Notre Dame (“My dream school”), and then attend law school and one day join my uncle’s law firm, Maloney Law P.C.
Jack’s high school plan is “to enjoy everything and not take anything for granted. I do not want to look back years from now and regret not doing something, which is why I try to get involved with anything I can and try new things. I want to make sure to excel, not only in academics and sports but also to help out in the community and contribute to something more important. “
Jack’s advice for others? “My hope for other Dunmore kids is to be selfless and just take a little time out of your day to help a neighbor or friend, who you see is struggling. Sometimes it only takes a second to listen or just be kind. That can help turn someone’s day around.”
Diners will enjoy the quaint dining areas of the Parador de Cardona in Spain.
One of my favorite lodgings throughout the years was the Parador de Cardona, located in the Pyrenees in Catalonia, Spain. You can luxuriate in a medieval castle with stupendous views at very affordable rates. One night next June starts at $139 for a double.
When I stayed in London years ago this was the foyer of the Russell Hotel in Bloomsbury, now the Klimpton Fitzroy. But same staircase by same designer as that on the Titanic!
Keep your packing light and color-coordinated. Aim for a small suitcase plus an under-the-seat bag.. Smart travelers do not check baggage in these chaotic times, so check for carry-on size regulations on your airline.
If you are thinking about a trip in the near future, here are some hints I’ve learned throughout decades of traveling—not only in Europe, but anywhere outside of the U.S.
INDEPENDENT OR TOUR? Both tours and independent travel have good aspects. Early on, I took organized tours because traveling abroad was all new to me and I had no idea how to navigate on my own, nor do I speak any other language. Way back then, it was more difficult to plan things on your own without the advantage of the Internet for doing research on your itinerary and making reservations. It involved old-fashioned snail mail and costly overseas phone calls.
Today, if you are not a veteran traveler (or even if you are) who is determined to cover a lot of territory, a tour is still probably the best idea. Everything is planned out for you and your guide can help you if any problems arise.
However, since the 1990s, I have planned our trips independently, including my most recent trip to Italy, as well as a month-long tour of Spain, my so-called “Mozart” trip to Prague, Vienna and Salzburg, and a trip to England and Scotland.
HOTEL OR AIRBNB: Early on, I booked hotels, but now I prefer Airbnbs or VRBO because they offer me more of the ambience of another country. Think a Tuscan-themed apartment right near the sites in Florence; a white-washed apartment in the midst of Rome with its own courtyard for evenings relaxing with Prosecco, or your own cabin on a hillside in Sorrento. Also, if you need more than one bedroom, a hotel will be more expensive. I have done this in the States and abroad.
But do allow for special accommodations in various countries. For instance, in Spain we booked rooms at their famous Paradors, which are renovated palaces, castles, abbeys, etc., which also offer wonderful local cuisine. I loved having Spanish hams, goat cheese, and figs with my breakfast. In London I booked modest accommodations except for a splurge on a hotel on Russell Square featuring a staircase by the same designer as the one on the Titanic. One time in Austria we booked a gorgeous schloss (once an aristocratic hunting lodge) in the Vienna Woods, only to disccover it had a fantastic.view but no air-conditioining! So always check the details!
You have to be careful choosing your bookings—read every review available, and check out the location so you are not too far from the main sites, but not too close to noise and traffic. Check if there is a metro or bus stop fairly nearby.
BUSES AND TRAINS: Oh yes, don’t be afraid of using local transit. The trains and buses in Europe are far superior to ours and can get you anywhere you want to go quickly and cheaply. We also used cabs in Italy, which were affordable enough, but then we figured out the bus and train schedules and off we went.
SPECIAL HINTS: Look for specific hints from seasoned travelers on travel bulletin boards online. But, allow for differences in opinions. For instance, I was convinced that I would look like a fool in Italy if I did not eat the traditional 3-course meal of appetizer or soup, pasta course, and main entrée, plus dessert. I thought the waiter would throw up his/her arms in disgust. But guess what? That did not happen. They are used to tourists who have different customs. The three courses were too much for me. So, I might have a Caprese salad and a pasta. Or soup and entrée. Nobody blinked.
PACKING: This could be a whole separate article, and maybe it will be in the future. But please, please take my advice, especially in these days when airports are in such chaos.
On my most recent trip abroad, I took a 21-inch carry-on suitcase onboard for overhead storage and a tote that fit under the seat. Believe me or not, but there was actually one pair of slacks I didn’t even wear!
On the plane I wore black capri pants, a striped tee top, a black jersey sweater, and black walking shoes.
IN MY TOTE: In my underseat tote I packed my Iphone, a small pillow, water bottle, medications, passport and vaccination cards, masks (this was last May), copies of our plane/ lodging reservations, electronics including air pods, charger, and travel adapter; a clear bag of liquids according to TSA guidelines including hand gel, shampoo/conditioner, hairspray, toothpaste/brush, small perfume; a cosmetic bag with lipstick, eyeliner and shadow with brush, hair pick, Kleenex, shower cap, floss, deodorant, sleep mask, small mirror, Suduko booklet, pencil, pen, wipes, sunglasses,and snacks (pretzels, biscotti).
IN MY SUITCASE: I bought a Travelon purse that provides extra security with straps that resist cutting, and which I packed flat in my suitcase, along with a beige sunhat and small umbrella.
Also in my 21-inch suitcase (the size required, and which cannot weigh over 22 pounds) were a light laundry bag, underwear, bras, 2 nylon nightgowns (easy to launder), another pair of black shoes, black sandals for beach and shower, pink wristlet purse, 3 sundresses, 2 skirts, beige cotton slacks (did not wear), and dressier black capris with lace trim. These were paired with a pink polka dot top, black and white polka dot tee top, black long and short-sleeved tee tops, white cotton gauze blouse. Also, a pink cotton shawl (pink was my accent color), beige scarf, blue scarf, bathing suit and travel towel (available on Amazon, foldable with mesh bag).
I wore things that were light and cool but not messy. Scarves dressed things up. I used a black, white and beige theme with some pink accents.
What I did not need: Beige cotton slacks (I preferred sundresses and skirts in the heat), small Sudoko book (no time), and pink wristlet purse. I could have done with one pair of shoes and the sandals. What I did need: It was cold and rainy our first night in Florence and I bought a pashmina from a street vendor. But I am glad I did not pack one as it gave me a souvenir.
HINTS: Whatever you might forget, trust me, they have it there. I thought I lost my deodorant, but bought another one there. Also, allow that you might want to buy tee or sweat shirts, a pretty hat or handbag, beach tote, sandals, or jewelry on your vacation. Jewelry is a great souvenir because it is small and every time you wear it, you remember where you bought it.
I do not take any extra jewelry with me, having lost valuable/sentimental pieces a long time ago in a hotel theft in Miami Beach. I wear my wedding/engagement rings, another ring, a bracelet, and a pendant necklace that go with everything—no losing or leaving behind. I do not take them off in the hotel room for fear of forgetting or losing. (A friend of mine lost her heirloom diamond by knocking it down a drain.)
Why you should do this: There are thousands of stories of lost luggage right now. A friend recently asked my advice before leaving for Scotland with her sister and brother-in-law. Upon her return, she thanked me because she did the 10-day trip with one small suitcase and a carry-on with no problems. Her relatives said such light packing was impossible, but their luggage was lost when they landed, they had no extra clothing for the tour (always pack at least one change in your carry-on if you insist on checking baggage), and their suitcases have yet to be found, months later.
