Category Archives: September 2015

La Festa Italiana Celebrates 40th Year

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As La Festa Italiana celebrates its 40th year, the annual end-of-summer festival in downtown Scranton is expanding its schedule by opening on Friday evening for the very first time.

La Festa take place over Labor Day weekend—Friday through Monday, Septe. 4 – 7—on the Courthouse Square in the heart of the city. The event hours are: Friday, 4-10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Monday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. As usual, more than 80 vendors will be offering great Italian food, and continuous live entertainment will be featured on multiple stages around the square. There is no admission charge.

This year’s event also coincides with First Friday in the city, giving visitors a full array of entertainment, culinary and cultural activities at nearby venues—all within walking distance.

La Festa’s inaugural Friday night will feature one of the festival’s most popular acts, the Duprees, who will perform on the main stage at 7 p.m.  The Duprees are well known for their romantic interpretations of beautiful love songs. They have made a career out of giving new life to old hits. Starting out in the early 60’s, in Jersey City  the Duprees were discovered by George Paxton of Coed Records and former big band leader. Impressed with their smooth vocal quality, he had them record Jo Stafford’s 50’s ballad “You Belong To Me” with big band arrangements. It was an instant national hit and the group’s first million seller.

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La Festa Italiana will conclude with a superb act that will be making its debut performance at the event—the Bronx Wanderers. The group will hit the stage on Monday, Sept. 7, at 6:30 p.m. Consisting of a father and his two sons, the Bronx Wanderers are living the American rock n’ roll dream by performing 50’s, 60’s and 70’s hits, including a tribute to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

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A variety of other continuous live entertainment for both young and old tastes will be presented on the Mohegan Sun Main Stage, the ShopRite Picnic Tent Stage, the Spruce Street Stage and the Children’s Stage each day.

Among the many other acts that will perform are the famous Poets, Italian tenor Christopher Macchio, comedian Uncle Floyd, Ray Massa’s EuroRhythms from Ohio, Chris DiMattio’s tribute to Sinatra, a Connie Francis tribute featuring Nikki Rasmus, Deano Noto’s tribute to Billy Joel, Los Vega New York Italian Show Band, the Italian Continentals, the Magics, Gene Dempsey Orchestra, Paul LaBelle’s Exact Change, country recording artist Dani-Elle plus many others including jugglers, magicians, street acts, cooking demonstrations, favorite local bands and dance groups.

The annual Mass in Italian will be held at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6, in St. Peter’s Cathedral, located one block from the festival site. Reverend David Cappelloni, La Festa chaplain, will be the principal celebrant. The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, will preside and give the homily. The Mass will also be televised live by CTV, Catholic Television of the Diocese of Scranton. Fireworks will be displayed on Sunday night.

A new tradition will also continue this year. While Coney Island has its hot dog eating contest, and Philadelphia is the site for Wing Bowl, La Festa will crown a Cannoli Eating Champion. The contest will take place at 3 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 7  in front of the main stage.

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In celebration of La Festa Italiana’s 40th year and the City of Scranton’s 150th birthday, two local yoga studios are hosting special events to benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center. On the festival’s opening night, Friday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m., Jaya Yoga Studio is holding “Glowga On The Square,” a one-hour event—taught with glow sticks—on the grass near the fountains on the North Washington Ave. side of the Square. Then on Saturday, Sept. 5, Mind Body Spirit Co-op will lead a session at 11 a.m. on the grass. Participants are asked to meet in front of the stage on Linden St. on Courthouse Square.

For both events, all levels and children are welcome. Recommended donation is $10 per person. All proceeds will go to the Children’s Advocacy Center. Checks should be made out to La Festa Italiana; credit cards also accepted. Participants for both events are asked to register at the merchandise tent on North Washington Ave.

For more information and the complete entertainment schedule, visit www.lafestaitaliana.org.

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La Festa Italiana will literally hit the ground running with the James R. Minicozzi Memorial 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, Sept. 5. The race is being sponsored by the Scranton Chapter of UNICO, the Italian-American service organization, and proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Pre-registration for the race must be received by Aug. 27 by contacting Jack Trapani at (570) 878-3780 or unico5k@gmail.com by or sending the $20 entrance fee by check made out to UNICO National Scranton Chapter, P.O. Box 278, Dunmore, PA 18512. Registration will also be accepted the day of the race from 8-9:30 a.m.

Festival patrons are also invited to Lackawanna Railfest ’15, hosted by the nearby Steamtown National Historic Site Sept. 5-6. Shuttle transportation will be provided between La Festa and Steamtown. For details on Railfest, visit www.nps.gov/stea.

Money Matters: 10 Reasons Why You Might Be Financially Stressed

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By Nathaniel Sillin

Stress can come from everywhere—career, school, family, relationships, health—and especially money.

The American Psychological Association (APA) recently reported that money remains the number one stressor for 72 percent of Americans. In fact,money has led the APA’s annual stress survey since its debut in 2007, the year before the financial crash that took the U.S. economy into its worst slump since the Great Depression.

Are you financially stressed? Here are 10 major signs of financial stress and ways to take action.

  1. You wonder if your job is secure. Even though the economy has improved in recent years, employers still cut and reassign workers and make occasional adjustments in pay and benefits. If you’ve spotted changes in other departments or news accounts suggest a shift in your industry, start thinking ahead. Action plan: Build up your emergency fund to cover six months or more of basic living expenses, update your resume and get organized for a potential job search.
  2. There’s no money to save or invest. If meeting basic expenses is a struggle and you have no savings or investments at all, it’s time for a serious review of where your money is going. Action plan: Making a basic budget is the first step to tracking every penny spent. Figure out extras you can cut and set more aside for savings and debt payoff.
  3. You have disagreements with a spouse or partner about money. A 2013 University of Kansas study noted that arguments about money are the top predictor of divorce. Action plan: Share information about all debt and legal issues and exchange respective credit reports and credit score data as you plan to solve all money problems together.
  4. You are paying bills late. Late payments can hurt your credit score. Action plan: Set up a physical or digital calendar to keep track of payment dates and budget in order to put more money toward debt and eventually savings
  5. You imagine a windfall. Waiting for a bonus, an inheritance or even a winning lotto ticket to ease your financial stress indicates you have a tendency toward financial denial. Action plan: If your current efforts at budgeting, saving money or paying off debt aren’t working, consider a reality check with a qualified financial advisor.
  6. You use your home equity like a cash register. Home equity loans or lines of credit can provide an interest-deductible solution for a variety of important needs, but a down housing market can wipe out your equity. Action plan: Either refinance if you qualify or stop using the line entirely until you can pay down the balance.
  7. You’re considering drawing from retirement funds to solve money problems. Think twice before taking out loans against these funds. Interrupting your retirement planning, particularly over the age of 50, can have significant financial consequences. Action plan: Re-budget your finances and seek qualified advice to help you find another solution.
  8. Late and overdraft fees are piling up. According to the Pew Charitable Trusts, the average bank overdraft fee is $35; credit card late fees are similar. Action plan: Schedule bill payments and opt for online billing when possible to save time on mailing. If you have to pay additional late fees, ask your bank or credit card company if it might forgive the fee; many will remove one fee a year.
  9. You’re late on student loan payments. It is difficult to have student loans forgiven, cancelled or discharged (eliminated) in bankruptcy if you can’t pay. Paying late can also hurt your credit score. Action Plan: Seek qualified financial advice that specifically addresses the type of student debt you have and resolve to pay bills on time.
  10. Your accounts are disorganized. It’s difficult to reach important financial goals when you really can’t track your finances. Action plan: Get some advice from a trusted friend or a qualified financial professional about how to best organize your accounts and whether online account management may be right for you.

Bottom line: Reducing your financial stress is a healthy decision. Review your money habits and get qualified help if necessary to lessen this burden.

Mega 60’s Reunion

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Alumni of the former St. Mary’s and South Catholic High Schools, Scranton, will hold a Mega 60’s Reunion on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Genetti Manor, Dickson City. Classes of 1959-69 are invited to attend the celebration which will begin at 5 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres. There will be a buffet dinner and cash bar. Cost is $50 per person.  Make reservations by calling Jim Holleran at (516) 639-3224 or at jholleran@nyc.rr.com, or Denise Lynnott at denise.lynott@gmail.com or (570) 947-5901.

Mega 60s Reunion Planning Committee

Pictured are alumni of the former St. Mary’s and South Catholic High Schools. In the first row from left are: Kathy McDonough Ives of Dunmore, Renie Marx Lavelle of Scranton and Jayne Garnecki Brabrooke of Clarks Summit. In the second row from left are: Jim Brennan of Bear Creek, Kerry Scheller of Scranton, Jim Holleran of New York City, Bill Jackowitz of Scranton and Jim Timlin of Scranton.