By Maureen Hart
I sat down to write my New Year’s column, and despite the joyousness of this season, I cannot say very much good about 2016, and I don’t expect better from 2017.
It’s not like me to be negative and depressed, but what can you think of a year that brought us so much heartache?
Looking back, however, this is what I remember:
January 2016: The World Health Organization announces an outbreak of the Zika virus, which causes birth defects during pregnancy. Boko Haram raids village in Nigeria and kills 65 people while also abducting many children. A suicide attack in Damascus kills 70 people. State of emergency declared in Flint, MI, after two year water crisis. Earthquake in Taiwan kills over 70 people. Deaths: David Bowie and Alan Rickman.
February 2016: North Korea launches a long-range rocket into space, violating multiple UN treaties and prompting condemnation from around the world. Suicide bombing at a refugee camp in Nigeria kills dozens. (The camp is for people fleeing Boko Haram—at least 2.5 million have fled from attacks by the militant group.) Deaths: Antonin Scalia and Harper Lee.
March 2016: Three coordinated bombings in Brussels, Belgium, kill 32 people and injure another 250. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant claim responsibility for the attacks. Torrential rains hit the South, resulting in flooding rivers, deaths, and massive destruction. Deaths: Nancy Reagan and Patty Duke.
April 2016: The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and a German newspaper publish a set of 11.5 million confidential documents from a Panamanian corporation providing detailed information on more than 214,000 offshore companies and their shareholders, including noted personalities and heads of state. Series of earthquakes strike Southern Japan and Ecuador. Deaths: Prince and Merle Haggard.
May 2016: EgyptAir Flight 804 crashes with 66 people on board over the Mediterranean on a flight from Paris to Cairo. Three car bombs kill over 80 people in Baghdad and ISIS takes responsibility. 88,000 Canadians evacuated during wildfires. Deaths: William Schallert and Alan Young, staples of 1960s television comedy.
June 2016: The United Kingdom votes in a referendum to leave the European Union. ISIL claims responsibility to attaching Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, killing 45 and injuring 230. A total of 49 people are killed and another 53 wounded at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, FL. There is another terrorist attack in France, killing two policemen. A heat wave and fires strike the Southwest, and West Virginia suffers from massive flooding. Deaths: Sports legends Muhammad Ali and Gordie Howe.
July 2016: Revelers killed in Nice, France, during Bastille Day celebrations, as truck crushes 84 and injures 200 more. ISIS sponsors attacks in Bangladesh, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. On three different days there are terror attacks in Germany. There is a mass 
stabbing in Japan, and a priest is murdered by ISIS in France. Deaths: Elie Wiesel and Garry Marshall.
August 2016: The Summer Olympics were held in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, which should be listed under good news except that the Zika virus frightened some travelers away. An airstrike hit a hospital in Yemen, a suicide bomber attacked a Turkish wedding celebration, and a new policy in the Philippines led to thousands being killed in a war against drugs. Even the UN admitted responsibility for a cholera epidemic in Haiti. Deaths: Gene Wilder and director Arthur Hiller.
September 2016: The government of North Korea conducts its fifth and reportedly biggest nuclear test and world leaders again condemn the act. The Syrians dropped a chlorine bomb in Aleppo, while the U.S. and Russia called for a Syrian cease-fire, which was quickly over. A typhoon hit Asia. Deaths: Arnold Palmer and Shimon Peres.
October 2016: Protests were held in Venezuela, South Korea and Morocco, while a police van plowed into protestors in the Philippines. Hurricane Matthew hit Haiti and the Eastern Seaboard, and more earthquakes rocked Italy. Death: Bobby Vee
November 2016: Hundreds of migrants drowned off Libya, and ISIS captured hundreds of civilians outside of Mosul and killed Shiite pilgrims as well. An earthquake and tsunami hit New Zealand, and a plane carrying a Brazilian soccer team crashes. Deaths: Fidel Castro and Leonard Cohen.
December 2016: Kurdish militants killed dozens in Istanbul. There is another earthquake in Indonesia. A terrorist drives a bus into a Christmas market in Berlin. (The month is not over yet.) Deaths: John Glenn, Alan Thicke, George Michael, Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds. A month in which Princess Leia dies is a bad month indeed..
I’ve skipped so many things—university shootings, and police shootings, and more natural disasters than I could cite above. I was going to total the number I listed as killed, but decided that was too awful. I just want us to remember that each of those victims is not just a statistic.
They were loved and cherished by their families and friends. They will be missed.
Most notably, I skipped the entire cesspool that was the U.S. presidential election—which, in itself, marked a new low with such highlights as discussions of the size of a candidate’s penis, the use of the F word, his belief that he can grab women anywhere on their bodies, a billionaire cabinet which also boasts a white supremacist, and so many other strange incidents that it deserves a whole category unto itself. But that is all over now, and we have to wait and see how it all plays out.
If you got depressed and gave up reading the news headlines for 2016, just remember how debilitating it was to live through all of it.
And, as I said, 2017 does not look any more promising. Britain has to move ahead with Brexit. We have to find out just what kind of a Leader of the Free World has been elected. We can’t prevent the natural disasters. I don’t expect peace in the Mideast anytime soon. In fact, I don’t expect Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men anytime soon. Not in my lifetime.
And, so, what do we do to keep from jumping off a cliff at the prospect of yet another year of war and upheaval, earthquakes and terrorists?
All I can really suggest is that we set out priorities and keep our family and friends close. That we cherish the small moments. That we try to help those less fortunate. This Christmas season offered us many ways to do that – a donation to Toys for Tots, helping at a soup kitchen, turning over old but still nice coats and clothing to the homeless, crocheting hats and mittens for the poor. There are so many ways to help that don’t take a lot of time or cost a lot of money.
I suggest we keep on doing that. A friend of mine gives a small donation every month to a different organization or charity. She learned this philanthropic habit from her mother. I think it is a great idea. Give to those you really care about – political, educational, scientific, religious—whatever organizations best represent your values. Remember the local ones, too — they need it more than most.
Decide to be kind. To do one good deed each day, even if it is only opening a door for somebody. Make this part of your routine and it will become the largest part of who you are.
These small things are the only way we, as common citizens, can try to change this world. Let’s not talk about the “others,” as if they are less than we are. Those parents in Syria are experiencing the same excruciating pain at the loss of their children that we would feel. The Italians and Ecuadorans and Japanese who lost their houses in earthquakes this year mourn the loss of home as much as we would. In the end, we are all the same. We may look different, eat different foods, enjoy different music, read different books. But we are all part of humanity, and we mustn’t allow the inhumane amongst us–the ISIS, the Boko Haram, the KKK, all of the haters–take it away from us. Happy 2017.
Crumb cake from Cwikla’s Bakery in Avoca…Bruce Springsteen’s new book, “Born to Run”…Springsteen and the East Street Band at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park…another Adam Sandler movie…a guest appearance from Bob Barker on The Price is Right…a visit at Madam Marie’s (where fortunes are told better than…) on the Asbury Park boardwalk…a Dunkin Donuts in Forest City…Bob Weir and Rat Dog at the Kirby Center…another reunion with the remaining members of the Grateful Dead…Dunmore native Joe LaTorre strumming Bob Dylan numbers…a swift repeal and/or end to Obamacare…real affordable health care…Shania Twain anywhere…good health and happiness to my good friend Maureen Reggie, R.N….a German brownie from Minooka Bake Shop…a cheese omelet with onions from Marty, Patty, Kelly and the crew at The Brunch House in West Pittston…a night at Legends in Dickson City…more honest politicians like Senator Bob Casey, Jr….a new CD from The Who…Alyssa Milano…
McGriff, Edgar Martinez, Trevor Hoffman, Tim Raines, Curt Schilling, Vlad Guerrero, Jeff Kent, Jorge Posada, Mike Mussina and Larry Walker in the National Baseball Hall of Fame…Kurt Warner, Ottis Anderson, Morten Anderson, Alan Faneca, Joe Jacoby, Terrell Davis, LaDainian Tomlinson, John Lynch, Mark Bavaro and Kenny Easley in the Pro Football Hall of Fame…Future consideration for Kenny Anderson in the Pro Football Hall of Fame…a happy marriage for former Dunmore Councilman Paul Nardozzi and his fiancé Teresa McLaine…Dunmore’s Joe Tomko back in politics…a special place in Heaven for late Green Ridge native Ellen Dragotto who lived a humble and noble life traveling the world and giving to those in need…more people like West Scranton Pastor Tom Duggan who counsels prisoners and those in need of a spiritual lift…less pot holes…a reduction in real estate taxes…a reduction in the Scranton wage tax and garbage fee…no road rage…no domestic violence…no animal abuse…no child abuse…less divorce…less desperate housewives…less desperate husbands…Larry King doing interviews again…
chilli…my dad’s chilli…Sam the Greek back in town…Teri Hatcher anywhere…increased health care coverage and lower costs for senior citizens…more programs and understanding for autistic and special needs children…Barbara Eden in a Jeannie bottle…another book from Dunmore’s Guy Valvano…an NFL MVP for Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr…for West Scranton’s Matt McGloin to get his big break and compete for a starting quarterback job somewhere in the NFL next season…the return of Cookie’s Travelers…Sirius-XM radio in every vehicle…Jimmy Tigue on keyboards…Jack Mead on sax…Bill Vargas on guitar…Vince Parise on vocals…Tom Gavern on guitar…Roger Finnerty on guitar…my dad and son Ryan sitting in for each other on drums…Jimmy Connors singing “Johnny B. Goode” with The Fabulous Fortunes…a Fortunes reunion with my dad, Billy Woelkers, Johnny Cognetti and Art Stanton…more band gigs for my dad…Gene Dempsey performing at 92 with his orchestra…
tattoos (sorry tattoo lovers)…less meters and more free parking which helps local businesses…a Texas wiener from McIlwee’s in North Scranton…a hamburger with chili sauce from Carawana Lunch in Carbondale…a Wendy’s taco salad…the Ruby Tuesday salad bar…a hot fudge sundae from The Creamery in Old Forge…a gyro and chicken platter with rice from Crown Chicken in South Side…chicken strips with garlic and rice from Roberto’s Pizza in West Scranton…a trip to Mace sports memorabilia in West Scranton…more of Betty White at 95…Eva Longoria…wings at Bigsy’s in West Scranton..lower cable TV rates…Valerie Bertinelli anywhere….a gold Ford Pinto with an eight-track player…politicians who listen to Bernie Sanders…a subway hoagie for my son Dylan…a Red Robin chocolate malt for my son Ryan…
Another Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga CD…a Bob Seger concert…James Taylor at Montage…another 15-win season from Bartolo Colon at 43…another Bartolo Colon home run…the return of cassettes…more Peyton Manning commercials…a Maroni’s steak and cheese…a tuna grinder from Pappas Pizza…rice pudding from Pappas Pizza…Chris DiMatteo singing Sinatra…gun control on military firearms…less violence…good health to Dunmore’s Fran and Santa Burne who is recovering from back and hip surgery…good health to Dunmore publishers John and Maureen Hart and their wonderful family…the New York Yankees retiring the number of Paul O’Neill…good health to North Scranton’s Sam and Glenda Cortese…a fresh Blue Moon draft…Holy Cross and University of Scranton baseball product Anthony Duchnowski lacing line drives in the Dunmore Freedom League…
Fame…The Wannabes performing at the Taurus Club…good health for my good friend DJ Jason Miller…Starbucks coffee…Chuck Morris back on sax…Springsteen singing “Thunder Road”…Savo’s wing bites in Pittston…
A 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…
New 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…
Chris 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…
Tom 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…
A 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…
Barbara 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…
The 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…
More 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…
Good 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…