The Mayor’s Message: January 2024

Christmas at the Corners brought holiday spirit to throngs of Borough residents

By Mayor Max Conway

I can’t thank everyone enough who played a role in turning our 2nd Annual “Christmas in the Corners” event into a massive success! 

Special thanks to the members of the Dunmore Business Association, our incredibly generous contributors, Dunmore’s first responders, DPW, and our volunteers who made the whole event seamless. A special round of applause goes to Cara Lowe from Cara Mia’s Delicatessen, who worked her magic for months, hustling to secure donations, find vendors, snag sponsors, book entertaining acts, and find the perfect gifts for the children of Dunmore. 

What makes me proudest about this event is that no child left the event empty-handed. Witnessing the entire Dunmore community come together in this selfless Christmas Spirit was a heartwarming reminder that there’s truly no place like Dunmore. 

Ally, Mollie, and I want to wish everyone a safe and joy-filled Holiday season! We will see you again next year!

P.S. The number of times I heard “I feel like I’m in a Hallmark Movie” would make the Hallmark channel blush!

Dunmorean of the Month: Robert McAllister

By Steve Svetovich

Robert W. McAllister, formerly of Dunmore, was promoted recently to the rank of Colonel and assumed duties as faculty instructor assigned to U.S. Army War College at the Carlisle Barracks.

Son of Rosemary Lewis, Throop, and the late Robert J. McAllister, Dunmore, Colonel McAllister is a 1987 graduate of Dunmore High School.

Major General John J. Gronski, former Deputy Commanding General, United States Army, Europe, and former Commander, 28, Infantry Division, hosted the promotion ceremony that took place at the Scranton Armed Forces Reserve Center this past September.

“I was very honored with this promotion,” McAllister said. “I came into this 32 years ago as a private. I never thought I would see this day. It means so much to me.”

McAllister, 54, commanded the Scranton-based 1-109 Infantry Regiment from 2018 through 2020. He enlisted in the PA National Guard in 1991 and served as a citizen soldier in the 1-109 Infantry through 1997.

Colonel McAllister will be guest speaker at the I-109 Infantry Regiment Dining Out on Saturday, January 6, at the Hilton Conference Center, Scranton.

Colonel Robert McAllister is congratulated on his promotion by Major General John J. Gronski.

“I’m very excited about that,” he said. “I will be back in my hometown of Dunmore. I should be in town the entire weekend. My sister Erin (Klatt) lives on Butler Street in Dunmore, so I will get to see her. My dad (Robert McAllister) lived with my stepmother Sharon McAllister on Fourth Street in Dunmore, but he passed away last year.”

Colonel McAllister received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1998 through the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s Officer Candidate School at Fort Indiantown Gap.

A 32-year veteran of the PA Army National Guard, McAllister served on multiple overseas deployments, including Bosnia-Herzegovina and Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he commanded A Company, 1-175 Infantry, (Maryland Army National Guard) in Qayyarah, Iraq.

In addition to deployment overseas, Colonel McAllister served in numerous Homeland Operation missions such as Hurricane Katrina and Operation Jump Start, assisting the U.S. Border Patrol Agency and Department of Homeland Security with securing the United States’ southwest border.

“I was in Bosnia in 2002 and 2003 during a peacekeeping operation,” he said. “I was in Iraq in 2007 and 2008 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. I was company commander of a light infantry unit.”

McAllister served in numerous staff assignments at National Guard Bureau Headquarters in Arlington, VA and at Headquarters TRADOC in Fort Eustis, VA.

He is a graduate of numerous military schools, including the U.S. Army War College and Command and General Staff College.

Colonel Robert McAllister, center, is flanked from the left by his mother, Rosemary Lewis, and his son, Ryan, and to the right by his wife, Gloria, and daughter, Kelly.

He earned his associate degree from Keystone Junior College and a bachelor of science degree In engineering from Wilkes University. He earned a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College as well as a master of science degree in engineering management from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in operations and national security from the University of Maryland.

Prior to his current assignment at Army War College, he served as Chief Collective Training for the Army National Guard in Arlington, VA.

He resides in Burke, VA, with his wife, the former Glenda Sanchez, and his 13-year-old twins, daughter Kelly and son Ryan, and dog Teddy.

Colonel McAllister and his wife Glenda have been married 15 years. The couple met in northern Virginia. His wife is from Puerto Rico.

“I was a student at Wilkes University when I joined the Pennsylvania National Guard,” said Colonel McAllister. “I joined for both the benefits and the adventure. I knew it would help pay for my education. Pennsylvania National Guard Sergeant first class Billy Hartshorn of Dunmore was one of my recruiters. His son wasalso  in my unit.

“I never dreamed I would be spending my entire adult life wearing this uniform. I’ve been wearing this uniform from age 21 to 54 now. It’s an honor and I’m very proud of it. It’s very rewarding.”