Doin’ Dunmore: Bucktown Music Fest announces summer concert series

Posted on June 7, 2023 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

The 2023 Bucktown Music Fest is gearing up to kick off another summer of free musical entertainment on the streets of Dunmore from June through September.

Dunmore’s Tom Hallinan and Brian McGurl are once again co-chairpersons for the summer event.

This year the series will feature nine concerts with 15 different bands performing.

In addition to seven of the free concerts held at Dunmore Corners, two of the free shows will be held at different sites: the 500 block of Chestnut Street near the Roosevelt Beer Garden, and the 100 block of West Grove Street near The Bar at The Patch.

Daddy-O and the Sax Maniax along with Cullen, Bordo and Ambrosia get things started Sunday, June 18, at 5 p.m., at Dunmore Corners.

The Bucktown Music Fest is pleased to welcome the always popular 12-piece Daddy-O who bring its high energy show to the streets of Dunmore. Dunmore’s Nick Costanzo will be on drums. Dunmore’s Sal Scrimalli, Daddy-O himself, will be on keyboards. Jim Cullen, Jack Bordo and Sharon Ambrosia will start the evening off with bluegrass, The Beatles and more.

Sunday, July 2. will feature Dashboard Mary along with Friend of the Gypsy on Drinker Street. Rob Roman and Joe DelRosso started Dashboard Mary back in the 1990’s. Friend of the Gypsy features music of the 1960’s and 1970’s, including The Grateful Dead, Tom Petty, and Bob Dylan. Bring your tie dyed t-shirts. The crowd will be rockin’.

Two Dunmore bands, QBall and East Coast, take to the showmobile stage at Dunmore corners Saturday, July 22, at 5 p.m.

The “Q” in Ball is Dunmore resident John Quinn who along with Brian McGurl bring their busy quartet home to rock. Started by Dunmore’s Chuck Scrimalli, East Coast had a long heyday in the 1970’s and 1980’s and was later joined by the great Dunmore drummer and singer Phil Rossi and then by keyboard player/vocalist Brian McGurl.

The Wannabes will bring their music and merriment to Dunmore Corners Sunday, July 9, at 5 p.m. The Wannabes will play numerous fan favorites from their extensive list. The Wannabes always aim to please their big following of fans. Ron Pascoe and Fran Festa make sure of that.

Saturday, July 29, marks the first time the Dunmore Music Fest moves away from the Corners. The 500 block of Chestnut Street near the Roosevelt Beer Garden will be the site of Past Our Prime and Two Minute Warning. Past Our Prime includes Dunmore’s Joe Pappa, Phebe Beckage and Tom Boylan and features Sean Loughney and Lenny Carlucci. The Roosey will be rockin’ outside.

Sunday, Aug. 6, at 5 p.m. the Music Fest returns to Dunmore Corners. Mike Kwaitek with Strangers is a long time Dunmore favorite who will sing Elton John and Billy Joel hits, among others. Strangers features Dunmore’s P.J. Stoko on bass guitar playing The Ramones to The Stones and everything in between.

Picture Perfect will bring their 11-piece band to Dunmore Corners Sunday, Aug. 29, at 5 p.m. This popular wedding show and party band have been pleasing audiences for many years. The Music Fest is happy to welcome them to Dunmore.

The Music Fest will move to The Patch Saturday, Sept. 2. Corner Pocket Blues and Rattlin’ Bones will perform. The Labor Day weekend show will take place at the 100 block of West Grove Street near The Bar at The Patch. Corner Pocket Blues features Dunmore natives Danny Cox on guitar, Jim Kernan on bass, Joe Pannick on drums and Jack Garvey on sax. Rattlin’ Bones opens up with Dunmore’s Joe Ferguson on acoustic guitar and vocals.

The finale for the 2023 Bucktown Music Fest, Shindig/Dunmore’s Got Talent, is set for Saturday, Sept. 9, at 5 p.m., at Dunmore Corners. The finale brings more great Dunmore talent to the snowmobile stage, plus more performances from many of the Dunmore musicians who performed over the summer.

McGurl said he expects many of the popular performers over the past few years to return. This includes many who performed at original Shindig shows at Dunmore High School back in the 1970’s. He also has some new faces and voices lined up to perform. All are backed up by the Bucktown Music Fest house band.

Any Dunmore musicians interested in performing can contact McGurl by email at: mcgurlb@gmail.com. He can also be reached via private message on Facebook.

“We will work with you to rehearse the numbers and give the audience a great show,” he said.

Hallinan said the Bucktown Music Fest is registered as non-profit. “We are asking for donations to offset the costs of putting together the concert series,” he said. “We thank all of the businesses and individuals who generously donated so far. Every penny we get goes to bring these free concerts to the people of Dunmore.”

The top sponsors are the Lackawanna County Commissioners, Lehigh Valley Hospital in Dickson City, Atlas Landscaping Company, and the DeNaples family of Dunmore.

“We are really looking to a great music filled summer season as Dunmore corners comes alive,” said Hallinan. “The event does not happen without the support of our Dunmore business community.”

McGurl can’t wait for the third annual event. “We are very excited to have 15 bands playing at nine free concerts for the people of Dunmore throughout the summer. The Shindig Dunmore’s Got Talent finale will be bigger than ever. The summer of 2023 will have lots of music in Bucktown. Anyone who wants to sing or perform can e mail or message me on Facebook.”

Freshman Jackie Brown, an unsung hero in Lady Bucks state title run

Posted on April 5, 2023 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

With a team deep in seasoned talent, a freshman bench player emerged as an unsung hero in the Dunmore Lady Bucks run to an unprecedented state championship.

That unlikely freshman is Jackie Brown.

Daughter of Judy and the late Carl Brown, Jackie, 15, is now expected to play a big role for the Dunmore Lady Bucks over the next three years.

Jackie stepped up in her role as a backup forward/center in the District 2 Class 3A championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes Barre Township Saturday, March 4.

Tears flowed from the eyes of her mom watching from the stands as her daughter entered the contest and sparked a 25-1 Lady Bucks run as Dunmore defeated Holy Redeemer, 50-30, to win the District 2 Class 3A title.

“My mom always says she can’t wait for me to get on the court,” said Jackie. “Then I gave her a hug after the game and she was so happy.”

Jackie and her mom share a very close-knit relationship. Her mom is easily her biggest fan. Jackie’s dad died in 2009 when she was only one.

“Her and-one changed the entire game,” said Dunmore star senior center Ciera Toomey. Ciera spoke of Jackie’s three-point play that capped a 7-0 spurt at the end of the third quarter, turning a 29-25 deficit into a 32-29 lead in the district title game.

“And then she came down and made a better move and I just thought the momentum was with us.”

The scrappy freshman scored seven clutch points and added a key assist on a pass to Toomey in the district title win, Dunmore’s second straight and fifth in the past six seasons.

Jackie took one of Cadie Lewis’ seven assists and powered for a three-point play late in the third quarter and Holy Redeemer never recovered.

Dunmore basketball coach Carrie Bowen Toomey called Jackie “a gem in the rough.

“She turned the game around, turned the momentum. She is just going to keep getting better and better. She is just tough. And on this stage.”

Humble in nature, Jackie said she just wanted to help the team. “It’s Cadie’s, C’s (Ciera) and Ana’s (Pacewicz) last year. I wanted to help them feel that victory.”

As a freshman coming off the bench, Jackie averaged 5.3 points per game this season. She became a big contributor on a team full of standout players. Her contributions continued throughout the state playoffs.

Ciera rejected Emilee Staat’s 3-pointer with less than four minutes remaining, and Jackie turned it into the biggest basket in a late run as the Lady Bucks won for the first time in four trips to the state final, beating River Valley, 42-30, in the PIAA Class 3A girls championship game at the Hershey Giant Center Thursday, March 23.

“I went up with my left hand and blocked it,” said Ciera. “Jackie came out of nowhere, scooped it up, got it to me. A couple passes, hit her with a reverse layup and I thought that was the hammer.”

Dunmore’s lead was down to 34-28 midway through the fourth quarter, but Ciera’s two free throws, a floater in the paint from Sophia Talutto, Ciera’s block and Jackie’s finish, and another baseline bucket by Sophia upped the lead to 42-30 with 2:35 left.

Besides her clutch basket, Jackie added two rebounds as she hustled all over the hardwood in the state title win.

“It was an unreal feeling when we won,” said Jackie. “It’s just a great feeling to be state champions. We finally did it.

“It was great to be able to get into the game and be a part of it. It was a great feeling to help us get this win.”

Jackie was asked about her role in the district title win. “Our shots weren’t falling in the beginning. I was happy to help get the momentum going and kept finishing. Then our shots started to fall. I was just so happy for all of my teammates that we won.”

Jackie has a highly impressive 99.3 academic average at Dunmore. Her best academic subjects are biology and math. She is a member of the Earth Club and Spanish Club and is a catcher/third baseman as a freshman member of Dunmore’s softball team.

She has been playing in Dunmore Biddy Basketball Leagues since the fourth grade. For the past five years, Jackie has been playing AAU basketball. She plays AAU 15 and under basketball for Riverfront Elite.

The energetic, hard-working freshman said the Lady Bucks seemed to rally under first year coach Carrie Bowen Toomey. “She is a great coach and helped us get really close as a team. We clicked with her immediately.”

The scholar-athlete said she would like to work with animals and possibly become a veterinarian someday.

She talked about her relationship with her mom. “My mom gives me confidence. She keeps me positive. She tells me to never get down. She is always there for me. All the time.”

Polite and good-natured, Jackie talked about the great success of this year’s historic Dunmore team. “We are definitely all like a big family. We are very comfortable with each other. We all hang out together. We just do a lot with each other and are so connected as friends and teammates.”

Jackie now looks forward to her next three years at Dunmore.

“I have high expectations for myself next year. I want to step it up on the basketball court and help our team to keep winning.

“I love Dunmore. I would not want to live anywhere else or go to any other school. Dunmore is the best.”

Doin’ Dunmore: Enrico Galassi among Hall of Fame class

Posted on October 5, 2022 by The Dunmorean

The 2022 inductees into the Northeastern Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame are shown at Sunday’s event with Jerry Valonis, chapter vice president, second row, far left, and Bob Walsh of Dunmore, chapter president, second row, far right.

By Steve Svetovich

Former Holy Cross track and field and cross country star Enrico Galassi was among a class of 10 who were enshrined into the Northeastern Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame on Sunday, Oct. 2, at Fiorelli’s, Peckville.

The other inductees in the class of 2022 included Ross Zanghi, Bob Timlin, Mike Lucarelli, Natalie Winters, Laura Fitzpatrick O’Malley, Jess Armillay Cacchioli, the late John Bucci, Donnie Collins for the Media Award, and Mike Serino for the Service Award.

Bob Walsh, Dunmore, is Northeastern Chapter president. Jerry Valonis is vice president.

Judy Igoe Carr is secretary of the Northeastern Chapter. Tom “Doc” Dougherty is treasurer. Other members of the executive committee include Dunmore’s Rich Revta, Terry Greene and Jerry Dempsey.

Retired sports broadcaster Jim Coles served as toastmaster for the 38th annual Induction Ceremony which was attended by about 180 persons.

The U.S. Marine Corps had a presentation of colors prior to the pledge of allegiance. Walsh provided the welcome address.

Galassi was three times All-Regional in both cross country and track and field at Holy Cross. He was the Scranton Times cross country male Performer of the Year and first team All-State in both cross country and track and field. He was a two-time,District 2 Class AA first place champion in both the 1600m and 3200m. He was voted Atlantic 10 outstanding rookie at Dusquesne University where he was a two-time first team All-Conference cross country runner. He holds the school’s 3K outdoor track record with a time of 8:21.95.

Zanghi was an all-star in baseball, basketball and football at Scranton Tech. He was a three-time All-Scholastic in football and three-time Scranton Times Athlete of the Week. He was Scranton Times Athlete of the Year runner up and twice a state PIAA honorable mention. In basketball, he was a three-time second team All-Scholastic and MVP in both the Dream Game and Forest City Holiday Basketball Tournaments. He earned Athlete of the Week and was a PIAA state honorable mention.

In baseball, he was a three-time first team baseball All-Scholastic. Small in stature, he was blessed with power and speed accompanied with hard work and all-out hustle. He was a PIAA basketball official for 30 years and PIAA football official for 27 years officiating numerous district finals in both sports. He refereed the PIAA Class AA state football final in 1998.

Timlin was a PIAA basketball official for 37 years and IABBO college basketball official for 32 years. Known as “Sugar,” he was the Dean of District 2 basketball officials. He officiated 14 Lackawanna League championship games, 21 District 2 championship games and 26 PIAA state playoff games. He officiated every round of the 2002 PIAA tournament, including the PIAA state championship at Hershey. He officiated 111 Lackawanna League All-Star games and mentored countless young PIAA officials.

Armillay was a member of three straight District 2 Class 1A and Lackawanna League Division championships as a softball pitcher for Old Forge. She was a two-time Times-Tribune All-Regional pitcher and selected Times-Tribune Softball Player of the Year as a junior. She finished 18-3 with a 2.26 ERA and 153 strikeouts. She threw back-to-back perfect games which was a first in PIAA playoff history. She was named first team All-Star pitcher. She had a 34-3 pitching record in her final two seasons at Old Forge. She was a three-year starter at Misericordia University, winning 23 games.

The late Bucci had a 171-47 record in his nine seasons coaching basketball at Bishop Hannon. His teams were five-time Lackawanna League champions, four-time District 2 champions and appeared in three state finals, winning the PIAA Class AA Boys’ Basketball state title in 2002. He founded, owned, operated and coached a Northeastern Pennsylvania Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) program which exposed local athletes to college coaches throughout the country. He is in the Wayne County Sports Hall of Fame.

Lucarelli led the Lackawanna League in scoring playing basketball for Old Forge. He was Northern Division Player of the Year, first team All-Regional and selected to the third team for Small School Pennsylvania All-State basketball. He was a 1,000 point scorer at Old Forge. He played shortstop and third base on Old Forge’s baseball state championship team and was named Lackawanna County Athlete of the Year.

He was a three-year letterman in basketball at Franklin and Marshall College. His 1994-95 team went undefeated at 24-0. As coach of the Cal Ripken Baseball League team in Marlton, New Jersey, his team won the Regional and New Jersey state titles.

Fitzpatrick O’Malley lettered in four sports at Lackawanna Trail High School. She participated in field hockey, basketball, softball and track and field. She was a two-time NAC All-Conference Field Hockey All-Star and Player of the Year. She was an NAC All-Conference track performer at Syracuse University.

She was Big East Conference Rookie of the Year as a freshman field hockey player. She was a 2000 AstroTurf National Field Hockey Coaches Association third team All American, first team All-Mideast Region and first team All Big East performer. She was a three-time Big East Academic All-Star and selected an alternate to the under 21 U.S. Olympic team. She was presented the Soladay Award for outstanding achievement in academics, community service, leadership and athletics.

Winters Aniska was a three-time basketball Lackawanna League first-team All-Star, twice Times-Tribune Athlete of the Week, two-time Times-Tribune All-Regional selection and Times-Tribune Athlete of the Year. She is Carbondale Area’s all-time leading scorer with 1,887 points and a PIAA Class AA second team All-State selection. She was two-time basketball captain at West Chester University where she received the Carol Eckman Award given to the player who best exemplifies sportsmanship and dedication. She coached basketball at Forest City and Western Wayne.

Serino spent 65 years as a volunteer for Little League baseball. The first 30 years were spent at the West Scranton Little League where he was coach, manager, umpire while holding numerous league office positions. He was a District 17 Umpire-in-Chief, District Administrator of District 17/32 for the past 23 years and a Pennsylvania State Coordinator for 11 years. He was elected to the International Board of Directors where he served a three-year term. He was instrumental in getting our Local Challenger Division to play baseball in Williamsport.

Collins, a Pittston Area and Penn State graduate, has covered area sports at every level for the past 24 years at the Scranton Times-Tribune. He covered local product Gerry McNamara’s entire basketball career at Bishop Hannon and Syracuse University and Matt McGloin’s football career at West Scranton, Penn State and into the NFL. He covered the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Red Barons/RailRiders beat for 15 years interviewing and writing about the likes of Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard and later Aaron Judge.

For the past 20 seasons, he has been the Times-Tribune’s Penn State football beat reporter. He takes great pride in telling the stories of local and professional athletes. He maintains the same enthusiasm he exhibited when he began a career in sports journalism 24 years ago.