Dunmorean of the Month: Chas Ehnot

Posted on July 5, 2023 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

Chas Ehnot has been a part of Dunmore’s Sherwood Youth Association for a long time, but now he plays an even bigger role.

Ehnot, 40, Dunmore, was named by the Board as the new president of Sherwood Youth Association this past March.

He succeeded Matt Fedor who served as president the past six years. Charlie Ehnot, his dad, is also one of the past presidents of the Sherwood Youth Association.

Ehnot works in Dunmore with his dad as an independent financial advisor.

His dad has always been a strong influence and mentor. “I learned from the ground up,” he said. “I learned from my dad. I started learning the business from him at age five. I started working with him at a young age. We work right out of the house now. My dad taught me a lot about everything.”

Son of Charlie and Deborah Ehnot, Dunmore, Chas is a 2001 Dunmore High School graduate. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 2005.

“The military institute was an experience like any other good college,” he said. “But it was most definitely the most physical and emotional rewarding experience I ever had.

“It taught you about personal character and a code of ethics I was able to take right into my personal life.”

Ehnot is a proud father of his son Charlie III, 10, who will enter the fifth grade at Dunmore Elementary Center.

Hard working with a strong work ethic, Ehnot is excited about his new position as president of Sherwood Youth Association.

“It was a little bit overwhelming to hear the Board selected me,” he said. “I was happy to see the Board placed that kind of faith in me. I have a lot of support. I want to help make Sherwood Park as great as it can possibly be for the children of the community.”

Ehnot talked about some of the renovations during his first four months as president, “We have a new center feature for the splash pad at Sherwood Park. We also worked on the pavilion. We are always looking for the next project to beautify the area.

“We continue to use Sherwood Park for the Dunmore Miss E League and Dunmore/Green Ridge Youth Soccer. We are looking at programs to add for next year.”

Ehnot talked about even more future goals for Sherwood Park. “We want to create a walking path around the park. We are also thinking about having a small section for a dog park. We want to continue having a positive relationship with everyone who uses the park. We want to continue the maintenance of the grounds and make sure Sherwood Park is enjoyable to everyone who uses it.”

Right now the always busy Ehnot is preparing for the annual Sherwood Park Summer Festival to be held on the grounds August 17-18-19. There will be an assortment of home made food and deserts, games for children and youth, live music and a beer tent for adults,

“It’s our biggest fundraiser and we are already holding meetings and getting ready for it. It’s going to be great as always.”

The Sherwood Youth Association is known for its many outstanding past presidents. The list includes the late Addie Michalek, Carol Scrimalli, Charlie Ehnot, and Matt Fedor. Chas Ehnot has some big shoes to fill, but already he’s off to a great start.

“This means a lot to me and I want to do my best for everyone who uses the park. I’m excited about the opportunity.”

Actors Circle to present “Moonlight and Magnolias”

Posted on April 4, 2023 by The Dunmorean

Cast members and staff are shown seated from left: Brink Powell, director; Marnie Azzarelli, actor, and Courtney McCreary, state manager. Standing are cast members David Hunisch, Paul J. Gallo and Seth Golden.

Actors Circle will present the comedy “Moonlight and Magnolias” by Rob Hutchinson at Providence Playhouse, 1256 Providence Rd. in Scranton beginning April 20. A hilarious telling of the 13^th hour rewrite of Hollywood’s all-time biggest film features three men, five days, one classic.

Show dates are April 20, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, and 30, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 general, $12 senior, and $10 student. A preview show on Thursday, April 20, at 7 p.m. will have all tickets at $10.

The show is presented through special arrangement with Dramatist Play Service, Inc. and special grants from the Lackawanna County for the Arts and Culture, and the Scranton Area Community Foundation.

For reservations, call 570-342-9707. Pay cash at the door or visit Actorscircle.com for online advance ticket sales. Like Actors Circle on Facebook.

The play takes place in 1939 as legendary producer David O. Selznick is making the mother of all movies, Gone with the Wind. The cast is in place and cameras are rolling, but the screenplay doesn’t work. So, Selznick locks himself, director Victor Fleming and script doctor Ben Hecht in his office with a typewriter, and little else. Fighting against the clock, exhaustion, hunger, and each other, they act out the lengthy novel to create a workable screenplay. This comedy is a hilarious homage to the men behind an American movie classic.

Brink Powell is director and Courtney McCreary is stage manager. Members of the cast are: Paul J. Gallo as producer David Selznick; David Hunisch as script doctor Ben Hecht; Seth Golden as director Victor Fleming, and Marnie Azzarelli as the secretary, Miss Poppenghul.

Holy Cross senior is a strong leader

Posted on January 4, 2023 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

Holy Cross senior small forward Gabe Gonzales is one of the leaders on the hardwood for veteran coach Al Callejas this season.

Coach Callejas has not missed a game this season following a cancer diagnosis the previous year. His players continue to support and rally around him.

“Coach Callejas is doing good,” Gabe said. “He comes to practice ready every day. He hasn’t missed a practice or a game. He is going right after it and we continue to support him.”

Son of Melissa Gonzales, Gabe said his mom is a strong support for him.

“My mom tells me to always work hard because nothing comes easy. She tells me you only get good results with hard work.”

The senior stalwart said coach Callejas has taught him so much about life.

“Coach Callejas has taught me so many life lessons,” he said. “There are so many. He tells us that people will get on you all the time, but you just have to keep fighting.

“He tells us life is full of highs and lows, but you need to learn from the lows. The lows are the most important, That’s where you learn. You have to keep moving forward.”

The senior scholar-athlete has a 3.3 grade point average. His favorite subject is math. Gabe is not sure where he will attend college, but is leaning towards Wilkes University. He wants to study nursing and play college basketball.

The talented forward scored 16 points in his team’s 58-52 loss to Scranton in the semifinal of the 71st Lynett Memorial Basketball Tournament Tuesday, Dec. 27, at the Lackawanna College Student Union. Oliver Almonte led Scranton with 18 points.

Gabe scored 10 points in the consolation game–a 61-48 Holy Cross win over Dunmore–of the Lynett Tournament.

The hard-working senior is also a tight end on the Holy Cross football team.

Gabe, who led the Crusaders to four wins in the first seven games this season, talked about what it takes to excel at the forward position in high school basketball. “You need to create three things,” he said. “You need to be able to shoot the ball, post up, and finish off. You need to be a good overall scorer, to make the right passes, and play good defense.”

He talked about his future goals. “I want to play some more basketball, finish college with a nursing degree and make good money with a great career. I want to be a registered nurse.”

His goal for the rest of the basketball season is an ambitious one. “We don’t want to lose another game for the rest of the season. We want to win the league title and go on from there.”

The strong-willed senior talked about his decision to study nursing in college. “It’s a great career and you get to help people. You are always secure with a job, too, so it is an easy decision for me.”

Gabe enjoys listening to music and would like to see Drake in concert.

He has enjoyed his experience at Holy Cross. “It’s been just a great overall experience,” he said. “The education here is great. The faculty, teachers, students, my teammates and coaches have been great.”