Tag Archives: 2016

Doin’ Dumore

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By Steve Svetovich

It is time for the annual New Year’s wish list which now enters its 25th consecutive year:

adrianA reduction in high priced concert tickets to see artists such as The Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen…The Beach Boys back with Brian Wilson…a new CD from The Who…crumb cake from Cwikla’s Bakery in Avoca…a German brownie from Minooka Bake Shop…a special place in Heaven for Sister Adrian Barrett…Nardozzi’s Pizza loaded with pepperoni in Dunmore…Ken Griffey, Jr.; Trevor Hoffman, Allan Trammell, Curt Schilling, Fred “The Crime Dog” McGriff, Edgar Martinez, Jeff Kent, Big Lee Smith, Jim Edmonds, Mike Mussina and Tim Raines in the National Baseball Hall of Fame…Ken “The Snake” Stabler, Ken Anderson, Andre Reed, Bob Kuchenberg, Marvin Harrison, Terrell Davis and Kurt Warner in the Pro Football Hall of Fame…Jimmy Connors singing Johnny B. Goode with The Fortunes…Bob Dylan back at Montage…Shania Twain anywhere…a Dunkin Donuts in Forest City…

Another book and continued recovery from a health setback for Dunmore’s Guy Valvano…a visit to Tim Wagner’s sporting goods in Green Ridge…a Hank’s hoagie in Green Ridge…good health for Dunmore mayor Patrick ‘Nibs” Loughney and his wife, Donna…good health for Dunmorean owners and publishers John and Maureen Hart…a special place in Heaven for former Dunmore community activists Addie Michalek and Carmel Arnone…a trip to Point Pleasant, mick jaggerNew Jersey…a night at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey…breakfast at Sonny’s Restaurant in West Scranton…Mick Jagger singing Satisfaction at 74…Keith Richards alive at 74…Rod Stewart doing back flips, kicking soccer backs and croning for the ladies at 73…just one more performance from Gene Guarilia and the Cadillacs…a trip to Yankee Stadium with with my boys Dylan and Ryan and great friends Jim and Jake Decker…Alysa Milano anywhere…The Wannabees at Kilcoyne’s in West Scranton…a Rolling Stones and Beatles station on Sirius-XM Radio…a Sirius-XM radio in every vehicle…summer nights at the Waldorf Tiki Bar in East Mountain…Jorge Posada back in Yankee pinstripes as a coach…Sam the Greek’s rice pudding straight from Greece…a recovery to the economy in Greece…a cruise to the Greek islands…Cher…more financial support for the Dunmore Community Center and its senior programs…a large decrease in potholes in the city of Scranton…reimbursement to drivers who ruin their cars and tires due to the large number of massive potholes…lower real estate property taxes…a reduction in the Scranton wage tax…lower garbage fees in Scranton…pasta at Rossi’s in Archbald…Joe Tomko back in politics…

giantsChris DiMatteo singing Sinatra…a return to the playoffs for the New York Giants next year for Dunmore Councilman Paul Nardozzi…less real life desperate housewives…less desperate husbands…a decrease in the alarming divorce rate…a decrease in sewer bills…clean water…breakfast at Marie’s Diner in Old Forge…Nicholas Pizza in Green Ridge…Terri Hatcher…the New York Yankees back in the World Series…Bob Barker back on The Price is Right…Bob Barker in another Adam Sandler movie…Happy Days reruns…a Brunetti’s hoagie in Green Ridge…Mike Brunetti’s chilli…My dad’s chilli…good health to South Scranton’s Bill Hoppel who always looks at the bottle as half full…another solid season for New York Mets fan Steve Gall…another solid season from Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon at 43…more of Pete Rose on Fox baseball broadcasts…a chilli burger from Carbondale’s Carawana Diner…a Texas wiener from Keystone Lunch in West Scranton…Starbucks coffee…Nina’s wing bites in Dunmore…

Taylor Swift at Montage…the Cincinnati Bengals in and winning the Super Bowl…more band jobs for my dad, the leader of The Fabulous Fortunes…soup and salad from the Olive Garden…Ringo and his All-Star Band…continued faithful work in the prisons from West Scranton pastor mcgloinTom Duggan…Tim Tebow back in the NFL…a starting NFL quarterback job for West Scranton’s Matt McGloin…Maroni’s Pizza with anchovies in West Scranton…a Subway hoagie for my son Dylan…a Red Robin chocolate malt for my son Ryan…a gyro and chicken platter from Crown Chicken in South Scranton…Rob Dibble, the Nasty Boy, back on talk baseball radio…a slice of pizza or any hoagie from Antonio’s Pizza in Pittston…a stop to the large yearly increases in health care insurance…an end to Obama Care…health care coverage that is really affordable…Good health to my good friend Maureen Bennett Reggie, R.N….wings at Zaleski’s in South Scranton…a chocolate cream pie from Minooka Bake Shop…a Blue Moon draft beer…

kobeA nice finish for Kobe Bryant…another NBA MVP for Stephen Curry…a continued resurgence for the New York Knicks..Crown Pizza in Dunmore…peanut sticks back at Krispy Kreme…good health to my good Dunmore friends Gary and Lynne Duncan…good health for my late mom’s best friend Annette…Jimmy Tigue on keyboards…Roger Finnerty on guitar…Jack Meade on sax…Tom Gavern on guitar…Vince Parise on vocals…my dad on drums…my son Ryan on drums…Gene Dempsey performing with his orchestra at 90…Cookie’s Travelers back in full swing…good health to the Burne family in Dunmore…more honest politicians like Senator Bob Casey, Jr….Bill Woelkers back with The Fortunes one more time…Art Stanton on sax and Johnny Cognetti on guitar once more…a comeback from Peckville sax player Chuck Morris…wings from Mickey Gannon’s in Green Ridge…

coppersBarbara Eden in a Jeannie bottle…more of Tina Fey…my dad’s pizza…more education on autism…more rights and advocacy in the school system for autistic children, many who are brilliant…a Texas Wiener from Coney Island…less taxes…lower insurance bills…a zero tolerance on domestic violence…less DUIs…a strawberry frosty at Wendy’s…Eva Longoria…Maryland crab bisque soup from Cooper’s…my dad’s Greek spinach pie (spinakopeta)…good health for my Aunt Stella…a return to health for my cousin Chester, an avid local sports fan stricken with cancer…people with cmanners…less tattoos (sorry tattoo lovers)…a slice of pizza from M-6 Deli in Olyphant…a Pappas Pizza grinder…Bob Weir and Rat Dog back at the Kirby Center…a texas wiener from McIlwee’s in North Scranton…my friends and I singing Thunder Road…zero tolerance on animal cruelty…

barrettThe New York Yankees officially retiring Paul O’Neill’s number…Bernie Williams strumming guitar…Derek Jeter back in baseball as an owner…a special place in Heaven for West Scranton’s Rebecca Barrett who fought a courageous battle with cancer…a day in Hawley during Winterfest…chicken strips with rice from Roberto’s Pizza in West Scranton…Suzanne Somers…a return to health for former West Scranton baseball player Nick Ivanoff…an interview with Pete Rose…clean air…less congestion…no road rage…polite people…breakfast with my sons Dylan and Ryan at Neen’s Diner in North Scranton…more music from Cat Stevens…Jim Croce in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame…a concert performance from Carly Simon…success for the Dunmore Freedom Baseball League (formerly CSBL) at Dunmore’s Sherwood Park…

henzesMore teams and recognition for the Dunmore Freedom League…another strong playoff run for the exciting world champion Kansas City Royals…a Jimmy Buffett concert…D.J. Jason Miller spinning discs…A few more years at the helm from Dunmore legendary football coach Jack Henzes…a softball diamond in Heaven for X.E. McAndrew…a return to health for local DJ Johnny Superstar…More good people like Gary DiBileo…Neil Young back at Montage…a a Springsteen concert anywhere…a home someday soon in Dunmore…more success on the drums, piano and guitar and some gigs for my son Ryan, my favorite musician…more success on the baseball diamond and for someone to take notice of my son Dylan, my favorite center fielder…a trip with my boys to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York…

Cloud-HeavenGood health and happiness to my sister Denise who always reminded me of Mallory from Family Ties…success in basketball and softball to my niece Alyvia…success in cheerleading to my niece and Godchild Mia…success in Little League baseball to my nephew George…health to my brother George and his wife Maria…a special place in Heaven for my sister-in-law’s brother Nick Stelmak who died at 43…health and happiness for my dad…a special place in Heaven for my late in-laws, John and Elva Hoffman…a special place in Heaven for my Uncles Art, Wally and Gus…a kiss to my grandmothers in Heaven…a most special place in Heaven for my wonderful mom who always taught me to take a chance…health, happiness and love to my sons Dylan and Ryan…

No war…Peace and quiet… For everyone to take the time to smell the roses and enjoy the simple things in life. 

Life is short. Happy New Year, everyone.

 

Dunmore seniors gearing up for New Year at the Hub

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By Steve Svetovich

It was a successful year in 2015 for the Dunmore Activity Hub and Cafe and now members are gearing up for the New Year.

Jeanne Hugenbruch, is executive director of the Dunmore Activity Hub and Cafe for Seniors, 1414 Monroe Ave., Dunmore.

“We hope everyone stays warm this January and joins us at the Hub for our many programs,” said Hugenbruch.

Members of the Dunmore Activity Hub and Cafe celebrated Older Driver Awareness Week with a special Yellow Dot Program provided by PennDot on Wednesday, Dec. 2. Those who came to the program were able to obtain needed information to keep safe and in the driver’s seat, said Hugenbruch.

The Dunmore Activity Hub and Cafe’s annual Christmas party was held Friday, Dec. 11. There was great food and musical entertainment. Everyone in attendance joined in for some singing and good old fashioned fun. It was once again a success.

The Dunmore Activity Hub and Cafe was closed Christmas Eve and Christmas, so that all members could celebrate Christmas with their families.

Hugenbruch last month started offering classes about Facebook at the Dunmore Activity Hub. The classes were held for anyone interested in learning more about Facebook. “We learn how to safely use this social media phenomena and how to follow us there for more updates about the Hub,” said Hugenbruch.

Hugenbruch said there is an activity sign up sheet in the Dunmore Activity Hub monthly newsletter. “Check out the sign-up sheet,” she said. “With enough interest there will be new classes held. It will be a lot of fun.”

A free non-fasting Glucose Screening was held Tuesday, Dec. 29, at the Dunmore Activity Hub.

Tracy Borgna is the new cook at the Dunmore Activity Hub and Cafe.

“Tracy is here cooking every day from scratch and serving up wonderful homemade meals,” said Hugenbruch. “Come on in and say hello.”

The Celebration of Life Series continues to be held the last Wednesday of each month at 12:30 p.m. in the Dunmore Activity Hub and Cafe.

Other activities and programs at the Dunmore Activity Hub and Cafe include reminisce group, chair exercises, beginner’s ukulele, bible study group, speakers, tai chi, Mahjongg, craft group, sketching, ballroom dancing, oil painting, pinochle, chorus and comedy troupe, Stretchin’ with Gretchen, bingo and yoga.

New classes members can sign up for include Brain Games Thursdays at 10 a.m.; Learn to Write Poetry Tuesdays at 10 a.m.; Laughter is the Best Medicine Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m.; and Book of the Month Club on Mondays when the Bookmobile comes to the Hub. Call 570-207-2662 for more details.

A 2016 membership is $12 for an individual renewal or $15 for a new individual. The cost for a couple renewal is $18 or a new couple membership is $25.

Beginning this month, all classes will offer discounts for members. Anyone not renewing their membership by March 1, will be removed from the mailing list.

Membership discounts are $8 classes for non members, $5 for members, or $5 for non members, $3 for members. Discounts on special events will also apply as well as contests in the newsletter throughout the year, said Hugenbruch.

All proceeds from this and other fundraisers held by the Dunmore Activity Hub for Seniors help benefit programs held on site, said Hugenbruch.

“We thank everyone for their support throughout the year.”

Shirley Martinelli is reservationist at the Dunmore Activity Hub and Cafe. Carol Angerson is lead volunteer. Lottie Collins is site council president. Tracy Borgna is kitchen coordinator.

Create a Financial Calendar for the New Year

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By Nathaniel Sillin

When was the last time you made a financial resolution on New Year’s Eve? If you can’t remember, you’re in good company.

The Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America’s annual New Year’s resolutions survey for 2014 reported that 49 percent of respondents said that health and wellness were their first priorities for the coming year, up from 43 percent in 2013. Only 30 percent ranked financial stability as their top goal for the year.

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In 2016, maybe it’s time to push financial fitness to the top of your list by creating an annual financial calendar that helps you save, spend and invest a little smarter. Here are some suggestions to build your calendar:

Set three important money goals for the year. Three money goals may not sound like a lot, but if you’ve never thought about money goals before, establishing these targets can make a major difference in your financial life. Set goals that address key money concerns or serve as a springboard for a solid financial future. Choose what makes sense for you, but here are three basic goals to start with:

Create or reset your budget. If you’ve never made a budget before, spend a month or two tracking everything you spend. Review your findings closely and see whether you’re spending less than you earn. If not, determine if you can cut spending to direct more funds to meet key goals. If you already have a budget, consider reevaluating your finances to see where you could cut costs.

Build an emergency fund. An emergency fund (http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/emergencyfund) contains between three to six months of living expenses you can draw upon only in a real financial emergency such as unemployment, illness or a major unplanned expense.

Save for something special. Make one of your three goals a fun goal – a vacation, a new bike, a wardrobe upgrade – something that feels like a reward.

Here are calendar items that might help you reach those goals.

Make sure you note staggered receipt dates for each of your three free credit reports from Experian, TransUnion and Equifax so you can keep a steady eye on your credit and spot irregularities if they happen.

Prevent severe money surprises by marking key repair or replacement dates on home, appliance and other personal expenses that might be coming up in the future. Use the time you have now to schedule inspections and estimates for each so you’ll be able to start setting aside funds in advance.

Retirement readiness is another key calendar item. At least once a year, consider reviewing your holdings in retirement or investment accounts to make sure they’re still performing as you’ve planned or if not, whether you need to restructure the investments in your portfolio.

Put the open enrollment dates for employer- or self-employment benefits on your calendar and then mark a date several weeks before to allow you to start thinking through necessary changes. The way you choose employer or self-employment benefits is a key part of your financial planning and should intersect with other independent money decisions you’re making for yourself and your family.

Insurance renewal dates are important to mark as well. If you’re not comparison-shopping for the auto, homeowners or health insurance coverage you buy on your own, there’s a good possibility you’re losing out on money, service or coverage.

Set two dates each year to review your overall finances. You might consider dates in June and November to see how you’re doing with budget, savings, spending, investment and tax issues. The June date is for corrective actions; the November date is to determine the last-minute spending, savings or tax moves you want to make before December 31 and to set financial goals for the New Year. If you work with a qualified financial or tax expert, consider involving him or her in the conversation.

Bottom line: If you use a calendar or datebook to keep on schedule, add important money dates and activities so you can meet your lifetime financial goals.