Dunmorean of the Month: Myron Fedor

Posted on October 2, 2024 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

Myron Fedor, 69, has always had a strong work ethic.

He spent about 25 years working for RCA at Keystone Industrial Park until the company folded, and then put in 14 years as a Dunmore DPW worker.

When he retired, he wanted to keep busy. So, he became a volunteer worker. He has a loyal commitment and passion when it comes to volunteer work.

The lifelong Dunmore resident is a paragon of what represents a volunteer.

He is a longtime active member of Sherwood Park and Saint Anthony’s Park Associations in Dunmore. He volunteers for both.

Over the years, the retired Dunmore DPW worker has put in countless hours cutting the grass at Sherwood Park. He always makes sure the grass is not too high and nice and trim.

For the past 20 plus years, the humble Dunmore native has been a key cog and planner for the annual Sherwood Park Festival held each summer in the borough. And you will find him selling the potato pancakes all three days of the event.

At Saint Anthony’s Park, you will find the hard-working Fedor at the concession stand providing service for the Holy Cross high school football games, plus an assortments of other activities.

This past summer he volunteered to work at Saint Joseph’s Festival at Marywood. He signed up to volunteer his time there when he went to purchase his “Go Joe (Snedeker)” 2024 t-shirt and cap.

These are just a few of the senior citizen’s volunteer activities. He always makes himself available when family and friends call.

“Anything for the kids,” is one of his famous lines.

The 1973 Bishop O’Hara graduate said he enjoyed his 25 years working at RCA, but when the plant closed he welcomed the opportunity to work outdoors with the Dunmore DPW department.

“I spent all of those years working indoors with RCA,” he said, “so it was nice to finally get an outdoor job. I really liked being outdoors.”

Fedor said his hobbies are reading and fishing. “You know,” he said, “I used to fish all the time when I was working. However, I don’t fish too much since retiring.”

Fedor, who retired from the DPW department in 2021, said he has been volunteering at Saint Anthony’s Playground for the past decade. He ran the pancake stand at the Sherwood Park Summer Festival this past August.

He works the concession stand at Saint Anthony’s Playground for both the Holy Cross practices and football games.

“I also cut the grass and take the garbage out at Sherwood Park,” he said.

“I grew up in Dunmore and never left. A friend asked me to join these organizations as a volunteer and I’m happy I did. I love it.

“I love Dunmore. I’ve lived here my whole life. I used to play pickup basketball every night at Sherwood Park. In the old days, kids were out there playing every night.

“Now they have a soccer program with 580 kids involved at Sherwood Park. It’s quite a program. I always liked living in Dunmore and love volunteering. It keeps me busy and I like helping out.”

Well Dun: Retired fireman writes best-selling book

Posted on October 2, 2024 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

Dunmore’s Vince Sardo, 58, is living proof anyone can overcome hardships and hard times. And he’s used those life experiences to write an international best selling book.

He will promote that best-seller during a book launch Friday, October 4, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Scranton Art Haus, 301 Lackawanna Ave., Scranton.

Son of the late John “Beansey” Sardo and Nancy Alunni Bevan, the best-selling author is a retired Dunmore fireman. He worked for the Dunmore Fire Department for 19 years, retiring in 2019. He took after his late dad, who was a Dunmore firefighter from 1966 through 1995. His dad died in 2022.

Sardo’s book, entitled “Legs on a Table,” is about overcoming adversity. He interviewed 18 people who overcame adversity to become successful in life. Noted local business owner and entrepreneur John Basalyga is one of his subjects.

“It’s about the four core pillars that turn dreams into reality,” Sardo said. “You need to be determined, resilient, persistent and love yourself.

“This book is about people who experienced fear and failure and came out of it,” Sardo explains. “I’ve been part of a religious cult and came out of it. I was clinically dead years ago from drugs and came out of that alive.

“This is a love story about overcoming adversity in life. It’s my story and that of 18 others.”

The book was released August 21 and soon hit number one in three categories on Amazon in America.

A motivational speaker, Sardo enjoys writing and became very goa- oriented following his retirement from the Dunmore Fire Department. He held various leadership positions in the fire department such as secretary, treasurer, vice president and lobbyist/legislative liaison.

“Those leadership roles most definitely helped me in life,” he said. “Those roles helped to inspire this book.”

Sardo’s debut book, “Legs on a Table: The Four Pillars to Transform Dreams into Reality,” reached number one in the Inspirational Personal Testimonies category on Amazon USA and Testimonies category on Amazon Canada, highlighting its powerful message of resilience and transformation.

The book launch signing at the Scranton Art Haus will provide attendees the opportunity to meet Sardo, hear about his inspirations for the book, and get copies signed.

The book features his personal story of overcoming near-death experience and rebuilding his life, along with the other 18 everyday champions who faced and triumphed over significant challenges. From Basalyga, who built a successful real estate career from humble beginnings, to Joseph Barna, a World War II veteran who became a published author at 93, and Dr. Jill Murray, who rose from driving a UPS truck to becoming President of Lackawanna College, the book offers practical insights on resilience, determination and the power of self-belief.

“I’m overwhelmed by the support the book has received,” said Sardo. “These stories are meant to inspire people, no matter where they are in life. I’m thrilled to celebrate this journey with the community.”

Sardo’s best-selling book, available on Amazon, features a 30-day action plan to help readers implement practical lessons from the book in their own lives. The book is also a best-seller on Amazon Canada.

“There was a time when I thought my story had already ended,” said Sardo. “That came January 1, 1990. I was lying on a hospital bed after a drug overdose. My heart had stopped. I was only 23 years old.

“I had lost everything. I lost my business, marriage, and nearly my life. I was clinically dead.

“In that dark, suspended moment, I faced the truth. I had become everything I never wanted to be. I had become a quitter, filled with failure and disappointment.”

“But against all odds, I survived,” Sardo explains. “ And in that moment, I made a vow that if I ever got a second chance, I would not waste it.

“That’s why I wrote this book. I wrote it to share the tools that helped me rebuild my life and to show that no matter how many times you fail, that you can also rise. This book isn’t about perfection. It’s about perseverance. It’s about reclaiming your dreams, potential and life.

“With the right mindset and actions, you can turn even the darkest moments into stepping stones.”

The Dunmore native is the proud father of three children: Angel, 32; Shala, 30, and Vincent Rocco, 28.

Holy Cross senior quarterback Lentowski leads team to quick start

Posted on October 2, 2024 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

The Holy Cross Crusaders football team looks impressive early on with senior quarterback Josh Lentowski leading the team to two wins in the first three games.

The Crusaders easily defeated Montrose, 48-12, in the team opening game, Saturday, August 24.

Holy Cross earned its second win of the season over Hanover Area, 24-20, Saturday, September 7.

Son of Andrew and Tricia Lentowski, the Holy Cross senior signal caller scored two touchdowns and passed for another as the Crusaders converted on two-point conversions on each en route to the 24-20 win over Hanover Area.

The senior standout scampered into the end zone on a 10-yard touchdown run with four minutes left in the first half as the Crusaders took an 8-7 lead.

He then fired a 7-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Vincent in the third quarter. The two-point conversion gave Holy Cross a 16-7 lead.

Hanover Area cut the lead to 16-14 when running back Dewayne Downey picked up his second rushing touchdown of the game.

Josh’s 37-yard pass to Leland Wudarski highlighted the final Holy Cross drive. The drive ended with Josh scoring his second rushing touchdown of the contest.

Josh also plays free safety on defense where he excels with three interceptions at press time.

He said his parents taught him a lot. “My parents always tell me to stay calm. Life goes so fast, so be calm.

“And they always tell me to strive to get the most out of everything. They tell me to do what God wants us to do,”

He talked about his improvement as a quarterback this season.

“Well, I put in a lot of work in the off-season. My head coach Joe Giorgio and assistant coaches Ryan Runco and Dunkin Cooligan helped me so much to improve my game. They helped me with quarterback mechanics and safety and installing that into the offense.”

Josh totaled five rushing touchdowns and two passes for scores in the team’s first five games this season.

He talked about what it takes to excel at the quarterback position.

“You need poise and a calm demeanor. You need to trust your line and find your open receivers.”

He praised Holy Cross head football coach Joe Giorgio. “He communicates extremely well with the team. He has helped me the most and taught me a lot.”

Josh also plays outfield on the Holy Cross baseball team. He hit his first homer last season.

He played golf as a freshman and was on the basketball team for three years.

He has a highly impressive 3.89 grade point average taking honors classes where he received several academic awards.

The scholar-athlete hopes to attend either Rowan University in New Jersey or Penn State. He will study engineering in college.

He enjoys listening to music and attending concerts in his spare time. He saw ACDC, Metallica, and Guns N’ Roses, all with his dad. He enjoyed ACDC the best.

Josh is proud of the team’s first two wins. “Against Montrose, we worked very hard to beat them. We played our game and proved we can do this. We lost to Lakeland, but came back very strong to beat Hanover Area. We took our lumps against Lakeland, but we learned from that and continued to work hard. We are proving this team can win.”

He talked about playing free safety. “You need to be deceptive. Stay back, especially on teams that run where you have a tendency to move up.”

Mature, hard-working and wel- spoken, Josh is enjoying his years at Holy Cross.

“It’s a great experience,” he said, “The teachers are the best. I’ve been playing sports here since my freshman year and all of those experiences have been great. I’ve been a part of two district title teams for basketball and one for baseball. Just tremendous experiences.”