Category Archives: October 2017

Mike “Sid” Hallinan Returns to Dunmore Roots as Baseball Coach

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DHS Baseball - Coach HallinanBy Steve Svetovich

Mike “Sid” Hallinan is returning to Dunmore High School.

And this time it is as the new head baseball coach.

Hallinan said the circumstances creating the opening were very unfortunate and sad, but his wife, the former Aubrey Budzyn, encouraged him to apply for the position.

The sudden passing of Dunmore athletic director Mark Rinaldi this past summer led to former Dunmore head baseball coach Mark Finan being named to replace him.

That led to the opening of the head baseball coach position.

“At first I was not sure if I should apply,” said Hallinan. “But then my wife encouraged me. She gave me the ultimate push. I had her blessing. It was an unfortunate situation, with Mark Rinaldi’s passing.

“I didn’t know if I would ever get this shot again. There were only three baseball coaches in Dunmore in the past 40 years, so the position doesn’t come up a lot.

“And I played for all three of those coaches. I played for Lanny Mascucci, Gino Tempesta and Mark Finan. They were all great coaches.

“It’s incredible that I got the job. In the back of my mind, I always wanted to get back to Dunmore when Mark Finan eventually was done. Now I’m back.”

DHS Baseball - Hallinan family

Michael Hallinan is shown with his wife, Aubrey, and the couple’s three daughters Lainey, Adyson and Reese.

Son of Sheila and Sid Hallinan, Sr., Dunmore, the baseball lifer graduated from Dunmore High School in 1999. He was a second team All League shortstop at Dunmore.

He went on to play baseball at Lackawanna College and Wilkes University eventually graduating with a B.S. in criminal justice administration from the University of Phoenix.

He was the team MVP in his sophomore year at Lackawanna.

Following college, Hallinan immediately went into baseball coaching, but took his time learning.

He started as a volunteer baseball coach at Dunmore for three years. He was assistant baseball coach at Scranton Prep for five years. He became Dunmore junior varsity baseball coach for a year and then served two years as an assistant coach under Finan. He was head baseball coach at Riverside High School from 2014 through 2016.

Hallinan, who played four years of both baseball and football at Dunmore, talked about his goals as the new baseball coach.

“First of all, I want to give 100 percent to the job. Coaches Finan, Tempesta and Mascucci all did a great job at Dunmore. Every one of my coaching jobs have been awesome and I am grateful for all the opportunities. But this one is really special. I am really excited.

“My goal is to get people excited and talking about baseball in Dunmore. I want to see a district title here in the future. Dunmore is a baseball rich town. We want to win, but teach kids the right way.

“We want to enhance the baseball program. The previous coaches here taught the kids life lessons. I know, because three of those coaches coached me. I want to carry on that tradition of teaching life lessons. I want the kids to be able to look up to me. “

Hallinan and his wife Aubrey are the proud parents of three girls: Adyson, 8, Reese, 5, and Lainey, 1. Hallinan also has a sister, Kim Coyle. “My three girls and wife are my life,” he said.

“You know, I have to give credit to my dad for my love of the game. Baseball is the greatest game on earth. I was always around baseball as a kid because of my dad. He had me in the yard throwing the ball and pitching to me. He taught me a lot about the game. Those are great memories. Just being around him and his love of baseball had a big impact on me.”

 

$2,200 Raised at Annual Card Party

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Cards for Charity 2017

Cards for Charity recently raised $2,200 for the Little Sisters of the Poor at Holy Family Residence. The successful fundraiser took place at the organization’s annual card party at the Elmhurst Country Club. The fundraising party included a luncheon followed by an afternoon of bridge, mahjong, pinochle, and dominos. The Little Sisters also sold their famous scones and cookies.

Pictured presenting the check to Mother Theresa Louisa, l.s.p., superior of the Little Sisters of the Poor’s Scranton community are seated from left: Rosemarie Martin; Betty May, co-chairwoman; Mother Theresa Louisa; Barbara Whitford, co-chairwoman, and Maureen Pesavento, event secretary and treasurer.

Standing: Sister Marie Therese, l.s.p.; Rose Baas; Joyce Tressler; Marianne Ferrario; Joan Hrycow, and Liz Yurkovic.

Also serving on the committee was Mary Ann O’Boyle; Mary Lynn Sciaccia; and Mary Ann Hazzouri.

Artist of the Month: Linda Norton

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Artist of the MonthLinda Norton of Scott Township is the October Artist of the Month at Dunmore Activity Hub. Linda joined the center’s painting class six years ago, after being invited to an art show by her friend’s father, Leo Olivetti.

“I was inspired because the talent and scope of the show was amazing and I wanted to try it,” Linda explains. “I came and learned that you are always welcome, and there’s no pressure. I also attend a knitting class here that is so much fun.”

Her featured painting is entitled “Sheep.” Linda explains how it came about. “I found this adorable picture in a magazine and enlarged it from a 1-1/2 inch square to a 3×3 inch painting. It was the first animal painting I ever did, but not the last!”

Linda finds inspiration in many places — flowers in her garden, pets, scenes on the television, places where she has traveled. “All of this, and more, is my inspiration,” she says. “Once you start, you become more attuned to your surroundings, and appreciate the simple things like an acorn among the leaves or the sun casting shadows off a fence.

The artist gives lots of credit to the class instructor, Jill Swersie, saying, “Jill is talented and patient. She knows when to let you do your own thing, and when you might need a little help. What you get at the end is your idea, your vision — only better!”

Linda can’t say enough about the Dunmore Activity Hub. “This is more than a building that serves a hot meal and teaches a class. It’s a place where acquaintances become friends and friends become family.”