Joanne Arduino of Dunmore, who is director of Ballet Theater of Scranton, took time out from rehearsals for the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend production of The Nutcracker to take a walk at Dunmore Cemetery which she snapped this photo of an actual Dunmore buck!
By Steve Svetovich
He can do it all. That’s Dunmore senior Danny Pigga who has scored 16 touchdowns this season in a multi-faceted role as a running back, wide receiver, and punt and kick returner.
Son of Danny and Lacey Pigga, the senior stalwart scored three touchdowns in Dunmore’s 47-21 win over Honesdale Friday, Oct. 20. It was the Bucks fifth straight win as Dunmore moved to a 7-2 overall record.
Danny ran 76 yards for a touchdown, breaking a tie with 9:31 left in the third quarter, and sparking the win.
The shifty senior’s three touchdowns either tied the contest or gave Dunmore a lead. Dunmore senior quarterback Tommy Bowen fired two touchdown passes, one on an 11-yard pass to Pigga with 16 seconds left in the first half and the other on a 63-yard toss to Dom DeSando with 3:18 left in the third quarter.
Danny’s 7-yard run tied the game after the extra point kick, 7-7, with 8:34 left in the first half. His 11-yard touchdown catch from Bowen put the Bucks ahead, 14-7, after the extra point kick.
Pigga scrambled 76 yards for a touchdown with 9:21 left in the third quarter giving Dunmore a 21-14 lead after the extra point kick.
The senior standout rushed for 164 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries. He also had four receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown.
The four-year Dunmore football player has a 3.0 academic average. His favorite academic subject is economics.
Pigga has 914 rushing yards, with a prolific average of over 13 yards per run after just nine games this season. He has 22 catches for 296 yards.
He has scored touchdowns on runs, receptions and long kickoff and punt returns this season.
He is a major threat to score every time he touches the football.
His favorite position? “I like them all,” he said. “Wherever I get the ball more.”
Pigga, who played two years of basketball at Dunmore, wants to play college football.
But right now he is focusing on the task at hand.
“I want to go to a state championship this year,” he said. “We expect this team to make a strong run to the state title.”
Being a versatile performer on the gridiron is something he strives for. “It all comes from the weight room,” he said. “You need to push yourself in the off-season to be the best.”
The confident senior said he learned a lot from his parents and Dunmore football coach Kevin McHale.
“My parents tell me to keep my cool on the field and play my game. They tell me to be me.
“Coach McHale tells me to work hard in the off-season and good things will happen. Working hard makes you a better player.”
He talked about what it takes to excel as a running back and as a punt and kick returner in high school football.
“You need to see the small holes and read your blockers well.”
The hard working, multi talented senior talked about his future goals.
“First of all, I want to win a state championship this season,” he said. “Then I want to play college football and win a championship there too. I did not choose a college yet, but do want to play college football.”
Pigga also excels as a cornerback on the Dunmore defense.
He likes listening to music in his spare time. Cabinet is his favorite local band. “I was on stage with them once when I was about 12,” he said. “My mom knows them. I love their music.”
A football die-hard in every way, the speedy senior said he is enjoying his years at Dunmore.
“I’ve had a lot of good times at Dunmore. Our school has great spirit, especially when it comes to football. There are a lot of fun activities related to football. I’ve made lots of great friends. A bonfire and pep rally we had the night before a football game recently went over big with the entire Dunmore community. I love playing football for Dunmore. We’re going after a state title. That’s the goal.”
Editor’s Note: At the Friday, Oct. 27, football game against West Scranton at Dunmore, the Bucks rolled up 310 yards on the ground behind a tough offensive line led by Nathan Reuther in beating the Invaders 42-19, for its first Lackawanna Football Conference Division II title since 2017. Pigga led the way with 98 rushing yards on 10 carries and scored his 17th touchdown this season on a 78-yard kick return. He also went over the 1,000 yard rushing mark for the season.
By John M. Hart III, Esq.
Thanksgiving is just around the corner now that we’re finally in November. If you’ve been reading my articles for a while, you’ll know that it is one of my favorites. It’s a great holiday, often considered a prelude to Christmas, that brings families together to celebrate gratitude, share meals, and create cherished memories.
Thanksgiving is a time when relatives and sometimes friends come to your home to enjoy each other’s company. However, it’s essential to be aware that there are legal distinctions among the people who come onto your property. Depending on their purpose, there are different applicable levels of liability in the unfortunate event that they get hurt.
The Warmth of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a special time when homes fill with the aroma of roasting turkey (along with smoked turkey and deep-fried turkey), my annually anticipated sausage stuffing, the sounds of laughter and storytelling, and the joy of being surrounded by loved ones.
It’s a holiday where each family has their own quirky tradition… I watch The Godfather saga each year while cooking, for instance. It’s a holiday that encourages people to open their homes and hearts to relatives and friends. However, this warm and inviting atmosphere also comes with certain legal considerations when it comes to your responsibility as a homeowner or host.
Distinguishing the Visitors
When guests arrive at your home for Thanksgiving, they can be broadly classified into three categories for legal purposes:
1. Invitees (Business Invitees): Invitees are typically family members and friends you’ve invited to your home to share in the Thanksgiving celebration. As the homeowner or host, you owe them the highest duty of care. You must maintain your property in a safe condition, warn them of known hazards, and take reasonable steps to prevent accidents.
2. Licensees (Social Guests): Licensees are individuals who have your permission to enter your property for social reasons but may not be invited specifically for the event. You still owe them a duty of care, including warning them of known hazards. (Think delivery personnel, utility workers, etc.)).
3. Trespassers: Trespassers are individuals who enter your property without permission. While you’re not expected to invite trespassers or create unsafe conditions intentionally, you generally owe them the lowest duty of care. However, there is an exception known as the “attractive nuisance doctrine,” which can apply when children are involved and potentially hazardous conditions exist on your property. (Think trampoline)
This categorization of visitors into three types is broad, but it’s not always easy to tell the difference. To figure out whether someone is a licensee or an invitee, we usually need more information about the visit’s purpose and who benefits from it, either the property owner or the visitor. But performing this analysis is what lawyers do!
November’s Unpredictable Weather
November is historically unpredictable with weather. It can be unseasonably warm, or it can be a time for snowstorms, with ice-covered walkways adding more danger and concern to your company. As a homeowner or host, you should consider weather conditions and take precautions to ensure the safety of your guests.
Snow and Ice Removal: In Pennsylvania, the “Hills and Ridges Doctrine” is relevant to sidewalk maintenance with ice and snow removal. This doctrine recognizes that property owners are not automatically liable for accidents caused by natural accumulations of ice and snow on sidewalks. To be held liable, it must be proven that the property owner’s actions, or lack thereof, created an unnatural and hazardous condition.
Property owners are, however, responsible for taking reasonable steps to remove or mitigate hazards once they become aware of them. (*It should be noted that the PA Supreme Court is currently reviewing an appeal that raises two questions about the Hills and Ridges Doctrine, particularly its application to business invitees and more specifically, when business invitees are visiting a winter-weather business like a ski-resort! Either way, HART LAW is keeping a watchful eye on this hills and ridges caselaw development*)
Safety Precautions: Given the unpredictability of November weather, it’s essential to keep walkways clear of ice and snow and to promptly address any hazardous conditions. Adequate lighting and proper footwear can also contribute to guest safety.
Insurance Coverage: Review your homeowner’s insurance policy to understand the extent of your liability coverage. It can help protect you in case of accidents or injuries on your property.
Thanksgiving is a beautiful holiday filled with love and joy, and taking precautions to ensure your home is safe for your guests can help you enjoy the day without legal worries. In the unfortunate event that an accident does occur, consulting with a legal professional experienced in premises liability can provide guidance on how to handle the situation and navigate any potential legal issues.
So, as you prepare for this special holiday, remember that safety and legal considerations go hand in hand to create a memorable and trouble-free Thanksgiving gathering. And if an accident does occur, remember to be smart, call Hart.