Dunmorean of the Month: Marguerite Garbolino Bradley

Posted on January 1, 2025 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

When you love your work, it’s not easy to retire. Take Marguerite Garbolino Bradley of Dunmore, for example.

Marguerite, who turned 65 last month, has been the librarian at the Dunmore Elementary Center for the past 34 years. Her last day working on the job was the final school day before the Christmas break last month, but she will officially be employed by the Dunmore School District until June.

Daughter of Theresa and the late Jake Garbolino, Marguerite was born and raised in Dunmore. She graduated from Dunmore High School in 1977 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and Library Science from Marywood College in 1982.

She taught sixth grade at Saint Rose of Lima Elementary School in Carbondale for one year before teaching second grade for three years in South San Francisco, California.

She then took on the position as the Dunmore Elementary School librarian, a position she has held for over three decades.

“It was my dream job,” she said. “I always wanted to go into education and teach. “Early childhood education was a big thing and I had other family members doing that, so I went a different route, eventually becoming a librarian.

“It is the most fulfilling job ever. I love telling the kids stories and reading to them. I like making reading important to the students. With modern technology, kids are not reading as many books anymore. We went from encyclopedia to Wikipedia. Technology has changed things a lot over the years.”

Marguerite’s final day in the library was Friday, December 20. “I didn’t want to make a big thing out of it. I just told the kids I wouldn’t be back for the New Year. I decided to work until the end of the Christmas break, but will officially retire in June.

The dedicated long-time librarian has two sons of her own, Jake and John, both Scranton Prep graduates. Jake, 34, graduated from the University of Colorado. John, 31, is a Temple University graduate.

“My goal as a librarian,” she said, “was to see the students enjoy reading. I absolutely loved being with the kids.

“I especially liked Halloween. I loved decorating the library for Halloween and telling scary stories to the kids. They loved it.

“It’s very rewarding when the high school students came over to the Dunmore Elementary School building just to say hello.

“I will miss the kids and the faculty at the Dunmore Elementary Center. Many of the current teachers were my students. Now I have their kids. I taught two different generations.”

Marguerite, beloved at Dunmore, acknowledges school libraries are becoming a thing of the past.

“There is no longer a library in the high school,” she said. “With new technology, many school districts do not have libraries anymore. The Dunmore Elementary School library is one of the few left.”

The lifelong educator is going to enjoy her retirement. “I’m going to start a new chapter and see where it goes,” she said. “I plan on traveling and seeing different places and meeting new people. I never had the time before.

“It gives me some me time. It’s a gift to me. I look forward to it.”

Athlete of the Month: Brayden Canavan

Posted on January 1, 2025 by The Dunmorean

Canavan ls big reason for Dunmore turnaround basketball season

By Steve Svetovich

Dunmore High School junior forward Brayden Canavan has picked up his game and it’s showing with the Bucks off to a fast start this season. And it’s a huge turnaround from last season. The Bucks won their first five games under coach Mark Finan.

Son of Wayne and Faith Canavan, the 6-2 junior power forward scored 16, 13, 12, 12, and 16 points in the first five games. He has been a model of consistency,

“We have a team that’s going to make a really good run this season and next year, too,” he said. “We have the right players on this team to make it work. We are going to be very strong for a couple years with this group. We think we can win a district title and go far into the state playoffs.”

The Bucks were 8-14 last season, but are already getting close to exceeding last season’s wins total.

Brayden’s sister, Tristan Canavan, was a standout all-state softball player and key member of the Lady Bucks basketball state championship team at Dunmore. She is currently a freshman at Cecil College in Maryland.

Brayden’s parents play a big role in his life, “They say to respect the people above me. Work hard in school. Always work very hard on and off the court.”

The scholar-athlete has a 3.5 academic average at Dunmore. He was a cornerback on the freshman football team. He is a member of TACT as well as the Earth and French Clubs.

Multi-versed, Brayden said his best academic subject is math. He is undecided on a future college, but would like to study engineering and play basketball in college.

He talked about what it takes to excel at the power forward position in high school basketball. “You need to play physical, box out, and crash the boards,” he said. “You need to play big in the point and be able to distribute the ball.”

The tough-minded forward said he has learned a lot from Coach Finan. “He teaches us to always be on time and respect others. Be kind to others. Always work hard in life.”

Brayden talked about his future goals.

“Well, first I want to help Dunmore win a district title or two. Then I want to play basketball at a Division I or II college and eventually become an engineer.”

He talked about the vast improvement of this year’s team. “We have a lot of character,” he said. “We have great team chemistry on and off the court. It shows with our performance,”

Brayden enjoys listening to music in his spare time and would like to see Creed in concert. He plans on seeing them at Montage Mountain this summer. “I can’t wait.”

A three-year member of Dunmore’s basketball team, Brayden was a member of the All-Lynett Tournament basketball team last season. He was also the recipient of the Joseph McDonald Award as the Dunmore basketball team MVP.

“Dunmore has been a very good school for me,” he said. “The sports here are very well organized. I like it here a lot.”

Badyrka helps lead Holy Cross to strong start

Posted on January 1, 2025 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

The Holy Cross Crusaders won four of its first five basketball games this season and one of the big reasons is sophomore center/forward Adam Badyrka.

Poised and confident, Adam scored 20 points in each of the first two games this season and has been consistently in double figures in scoring. He also averages about eight rebounds per contest.

Son of Daniel and Johanna Badyrka, Adam last season averaged over 10 points per game for the Crusaders. This season he is averaging over 17 points per contest.

His brother Peyton Badyrka, now 21 and a senior at Penn State, was an All Region kicker at Dunmore.

Adam, always a hard worker, attributes his and the team’s strong improvement to the coaching staff.

“The coaching staff as well as teammates push us in practice. We have come together as a team. We bought into it. My coaches and teammates make me better.”

Adam talked about what it takes to excel at the forward and center positions. “It really depends on how the game is going,” he said. “You get rebounds, post, and transition. Some games you need to score more. You drive to the basket, kick and find your open teammates. You score when you have the right shot.”

The sophomore scholar-athlete has a highly impressive 4.1 grade point average at Holy Cross. He is a member of the chess club. His best academic subject is math.

Adam also is an excellent soccer player. He was a second team all-star as a striker for the Holy Cross soccer team.

Mult- talented, he is also a member of the Holy Cross golf team and plans to be on the track and field team this season.

Adam said he is not sure where he will attend college yet, but would like to study radiology. He would also like to play college basketball. His dream college is the University of Tennessee.

“My goal right now,” he said, “is to help this team get back to the state title game. Only this time we want to win it. We have a solid team and can win it all. That’s the goal.”

Adam has high praise for Holy Cross basketball coach Al Callejas Jr., and his assistant Corey Joyce.

“Coach Callejas has made a big impact on me,” he said. “He is a phenomenal coach. He built up my game. He has a high basketball IQ. He is very hard on us when he needs to be. He tells us we need to realize our mistakes.

“He also teaches us discipline and the human side of things. It’s kind of like learning life lessons.

“Corey Joyce has a lot of energy. I learn a lot from him too. He’s a really cool guy too.”

Personable and outgoing, Adam gives a lot of credit to his parents.

“My parents taught me discipline,” he said. “They told me to hold my emotions. They tell me not to worry about being better than everyone else. Just be kind to people.”

The sophomore stalwart said he loves listening to music in his spare time and saw John Fogerty in concert at Bethel Woods last summer. “He was great. I definitely want to go see him again. He was amazing.”

Adam said he is thoroughly enjoying his experience at Holy Cross.

“It has been nothing but perfection,” he said. “The school has shown nothing but kindness and love to me. I especially appreciate it coming from a public school. I have made lots of friends here. The teachers and faculty are great. The education is great. It’s just been a great experience and good choice for me so far.”