Athlete of the Month: Nico Ruggiero

Posted on October 5, 2022 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

Defense, a strong running game, and timely passing are the keys to the Dunmore Bucks 5-1 start this season.

And senior Nico Ruggiero is bolstering the running game big time from his tailback position. Senior quarterback Tommy Bowen leads the offense.

Nico rushed for 110 yards on 16 carries and one touchdown in Dunmore’s 37-2 romp over Mid Valley on Friday, Sept. 30, at Dunmore Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Mid Valley fell to 2-4 as Dunmore upped its record to 5-1 under coach Kevin McHale.

Nico rushed for 163 yards on 14 carries, including a 54- yard touchdown scamper, in Dunmore’s 24-7 win over Lackawanna Trail, Friday, Sept. 23, at Clinton Township. Nico also had a 69-yard burst up the middle in the first quarter that put the football at the Trail one-yard line for Dunmore.

Nico led the Bucks with 525 rushing yards and six touchdowns last season. He averaged an impressive 4.8 yards per carry. He also snared 14 passes for 209 yards as a receiver last year. Nico earned honorable mention from the Lackawanna Football Conference Division III coaches.

Son of Vito and Chrissy Ruggiero, Nico, 18, has rushed for close to 600 yards and seven touchdowns so far this season.

The multi-talented, hard-working senior also starts on the Dunmore baseball and basketball teams. He is a four-year member of the football, baseball and basketball teams.

As a point guard for the basketball team, Nico averaged 8.0 points and 4.0 assists per game last season. He batted .500 with a homer as a center fielder and pitcher for the Dunmore baseball team last season. He was named team MVP and best pitcher on the Bucks baseball team last year.

The senior scholar-athlete has a 3.7 academic average at Dunmore. Well-rounded, he is a member of TACT, the Health Careers Club, the Earth Club, and French Club. His best subject is economics.

The workhorse tailback talked about what it takes to excel at his position.

“You need to be able to find a hole and have very good lateral speed,” he said.

Nico said Coach McHale has been a strong influence on him. “He always tells me to get right back up after I’m down.”

His parents also have been strong mentors. “They tell me to never give up.”

Nico said he wants to study criminal justice in college and is interested in attending West Chester University or Penn State.

“I want to play baseball in college and possibly go on after college to become a lawyer.”

Nico said he likes the direction the team is going in. “Our goal here at Dunmore is to win a district championship and then try to go further. We are playing great football now. Our defensive line and defense as a whole was outstanding against Mid Valley. We only gave up two points and that was on a bad snap on a punt leading to a safety. So our defense really gave up no points,”

Nico feels on top of the world at Dunmore, “It is like no other experience. I would not want to be anywhere else. It’s home…forever.”

Mayor’s Message: October 2022

Posted on October 5, 2022 by The Dunmorean

Chris and Cara Lowe of Cara Mia’s Delicatessen; Lori Iannielli Hart of Sheeley’s Drug Store, and the Iannielli Family Partnership recently donated these strong lights to brighten up Dunmore Corners. Dom Lalli and Rich Gammaitoni of Dunmore’s DPW Department hung the lights to begin the start of improvements coming to the Borough’s dowtown area. –See Mayor Conways’s column for more information.

It’s been a busy September in the Mayor’s office. As I am sure you’ve noticed, our paving projects are off and running! My car is taking significantly less of a beating driving on Prospect Street and West Drinker Street, just to name a few. Thank you to our Council and especially Council President Vince Amico for spearheading this badly needed project!

On another note…A big piece of the future of the Borough is our downtown district or more commonly known “The Corners.” Over these last few months, I have been working with Council, our business community, architects, and consultants to put together a “Downtown District” plan…think downtown Pittston.

I am happy to say that over these last few weeks we made significant progress in getting the ball rolling. This plan will be al- encompassing, from streetscapes to facades. It will not be done overnight and will take a large amount of work, but I think if we want to move the Borough forward we need to focus on our downtown.

In the meantime, I am happy that we have had business owners step up to beautify our downtown with smaller upgrades that make a big difference. A huge thank you to Chris and Cara Lowe of Cara Mia’s Delicatessen, Lori Iannielli Hart of Sheeley’s Drug Store, and the Iannielli Family Partnership for donating the string lights that you may have noticed are brightening up our Corners!

If you would like to keep up to date on other announcements and information, please follow me on Facebook at Mayor Max Conway!

Holy Cross Theatre Ensemble to present “Annie”

Posted on October 5, 2022 by The Dunmorean

Cast members of the popular musical “Annie” to be presented by Holy Cross High School Theatre Ensemble on Nov. 18 & 19 at 7 p.m. are shown during rehearsal. Tickets go on sale Nov. 1 and can be reserved at the main office at Holy Cross at 570-346-7541.

The popular musical “Annie” will be presented by Holy Cross High School Theatre Ensemble on Nov. 18 & 19 at 7 p.m. Tickets go on sale Nov. 1 and can be reserved at the main office at Holy Cross at 570-346-7541.

Members of the cast include: Norah Kennedy as Annie; Teddy Novak as Oliver Warbucks; Mary McHugh as Miss Hannigan; Jenna Robertson as Grace Farrell; Brooke Bilski as Lily St. Regis and dance captain, and Christopher Tierney as Rooster Hannigan.

Also featured are Shannon Ryan as Sophy/NYC star; Ryan Boyce as Franklin D. Roosevelt/Bundles; Grace Gregorowicz as Drake; Gavin Brennan as Bert Healy/Justice Brandeis; Cameron Kelly as Cecelie/Harold Ickes; Ally Bilski as Corell Hull; Grace O’Malley as Morganthau/Annette; Audriyanna Kushner as Perkins.

Also, Liz Meyers as Lt. Ward; Gianna Tucker and Chloe D’Avella, as dogcatchers/servants; Bianca Tolerico as apple seller/NYC child; Lily Turnbull and Olivia Meola as NYC children/servants.

The High School ensemble includes: Elizabeth Coval, Alyssa Hartland, Keira Lalli, Libby Lalli, Cole Lapinski, Jonathan Novak, Anna Polishan, Claire Polishan, Ally Romanski, and Julie Walsh.

The Orphans will be played by: Katie Apolinario, Duffy; Adriyanna Kushner, Pepper; Brynn Gabello, July; Emma Triano, Tessie; Juliana Dudley, Molly; Ava Nitch, Katie, ande Molly Sherman, Emma; along with Ally Bilski, Lily Healy, Cameron Kelly, Kelcie Kochis, Kiera Lally, Libby Lalli, Olivia Meola, Leah Otasevic, Anna Polishan, Claire Polishan, Adrianna Tucker and Lily Turnbull.