Well Dun: Donations now being accepted for May sidewalk sale

Posted on April 2, 2025 by The Dunmorean

The Saint Joseph’s Auxiliary is busy taking donations and collections for the upcoming sidewalk sale.

The fifth annual Saint Joseph’s Center Sidewalk Sale will be held Saturday, May 17, at Saint Joseph’s Center Blakely Street campus, 320 South Blakely St., Dunmore.

“We started this after COVID because the 2020 Saint Joseph’s Festival was cancelled.,” said chairperson and auxiliary member Jeannie Kreis McDonald. “We had so much inventory at our warehouse.”

The committee members for the Saint Joseph’s Center Auxiliary are Jeannie Kreis McDonald, Ann Hinton, Cindy Hoban, Debbie May, Debbie Walton, Cathy Refice, Jan Needham, Trish McDonough, Joanne Teevan, Leslie Corby, Mary Lou Grogan, Mary Lynn O’Bell, Nina Flanagan, Sue Doud and Debbie Zielinski.

Principals involved with the upcoming Sidewalk Sale at St. Joseph’s Center include, kneeling from left: Diane Carey, Deb Walton, Mary Lynn O’Bell, and Cindy Hoban. Standing, same order: Leslie Corby, Trish McDonough, Sharon Mulherin, Joanne Teevan, Debbie May, Jeannie McDonald, Ann Hinton, and Cathy Refice. Missing from photo are Jan Needham and Sr. Mary Alice Jacquinot.

Donations will be accepted at the DeNaples Building, 320 South Blakely Street, Pine Street entrance (facing the Dunmore Fire Station) every Saturday in April from 9 a.m. to noon. The scheduled dates are April 5, April 12, April 19, April 26.

Donations will be accepted of new or gently used items for the annual spring sidewalk event.

Items of interest include housewares (pots and pans, glass sets, serving platters and trays), home accents and decor, purses,, jewelry, children’s toys and games, tools, small furniture, holiday decorations, garden decor, tools and accessories and sports items.

“We strongly encouraged donations to be used or new,” said McDonald. “Gifts that were never used or items that you have around your home that you no longer want.

“We benefit from those who are downsizing or spring cleaning. We are fortunate enough to get overstocks or goods that have damaged packaging from local stores.

“We have a warehouse team of women from the Auxiliary who donate their time every Saturday during the month of April to accept donations at our Blakely Street building. Collections are 9 a.m. until noon.

“We also accept donations year round, but drop off needs to be scheduled by calling me at 570-335-7150.

“There is going to be something for everyone. Please no clothes or large furniture.

“Remember if you can’t sell it, neither can we.

“This event has been a great success over the past few years and we expect it to be a success again. We are looking forward to accepting everyone’s donations and are thankful for the generosity. It’s all for a good cause to benefit Saint Joseph’s Center. All proceeds will go for the programs at Saint Joseph’s Center.”

Well Dun: February 2025

Posted on February 5, 2025 by The Dunmorean

Dunmore native J.C. Roberts at 62 writes first book of poetry

By Steve Svetovich

Most people at 62 start to think about retirement.

But not Dunmore native J.C. Roberts. He is starting a new career. And it’s his passion.

The 1980 Dunmore High School graduate recently published his first book of poetry, “The Cobblestones I Know.” The book was published by Foothills Publishing, Kanona, New York.

Roberts grew up in Dunmore and spent his youth and young to middle adult years as a “daydreamer” of sorts before dedicating his past five years to serious writing.

From his teen years, Roberts transformed his daydreams into poetry and prose.

His passion for writing led him to earning a master’s degree in creative writing from Wilkes University. He is currently pursuing his MFA at Wilkes.

Roberts recently was added to the Artists in Education Roster. He was published in other local and state anthologies and is presently a Fullbright Scholarship candidate to assist teaching English in Romania. He is currently in the process of writing another book.

Roberts previously worked as a gas contractor for UGI. He surveyed gas lines for 11 years until February of 2020.

Roberts previously attended Marywood University, but never graduated.

He began writing in 2020 after leaving UGI and applied to the Master’s creative writing program at Wilkes. He was accepted without a bachelor of science or bachelor of arts degree and began intensified work in creative writing earning his Master’s degree in 2022.

“I was accepted based on creative work and life experience. It was intense and involved a lot of writing, which is my passion. Now I am a Fulbright candidate at 62 to teach English in Romania.

“My friends tell me I am doing things backwards in life by pursuing my true passion and career interests in my retirement years,” Roberts reveals. “However, this is all about expression and creative healing. It’s not about the money.

“Literature is a love that moves you. It’s how you turn these feelings into an elusive observation. My purpose in writing is to bring out reading and creativity back to Lackawanna County.”

“I love Dunmore and much of my writing and poetry is based on my experiences growing up in the borough,” says Roberts.

The gas contractor turned writer said his experience at Wilkes University was the best in his life.

“I was exposed to so much creativity and great writers. We just wrote and wrote. It was so beneficial.”

Roberts currently works at Pride Mobility in Duryea. He works the 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. shift which gives him time to,pursue his writing projects and new career interests.

“I dedicated myself to writing. This job gives me the time to do that. They were very supportive of my journey.”

His book, “The Cobblestones I Know” was part of his Master’s thesis at Wilkes.

Roberts’ daughter Jessica Ehnot, Dunmore, graduated from Wilkes University with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. His son, Ian Roberts, resides in Falls. Both are Dunmore graduates.

“Ironically, I graduated from Wilkes after my daughter did,” he laughs.

Roberts said he will continue to enthusiastically pursue his passion for writing.

“It’s never too late to start doing what you love,” he said. “This is my retirement plan.”

Well Dun: 35th annual New Year’s wish list

Posted on December 31, 2024 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

It’s that time of year already. This marks the 35th consecutive year of the New Year’s wish list in The Dunmorean.

So here this scribe goes again with the 2025 wish list:

Less political talk…less angry political talk…no sexual abusers in politics…less potholes…Ichiro, Billy Wagner, Jimmy Rollins and C.C. Sabathia in the National Baseball Hall of Fame…Dick Van Dyke celebrating his 100th birthday…Jimmy Carter celebrating his 101st birthday…Barbara Eden in a “Jeannie” bottle…Barbara Eden back at the Scranton Cultural Center…a peanut butter frosty at Wendy’s…A Dunkin in Forest City…hot coffee and a toasted everything bagel with butter from my friends Liz and Angie at the Retro Cafe in the Pinebrook section of Scranton…my picture a bit closer to Cher and Taylor Swift in the celebrity bathroom at the Retro Cafe…a smooth transition to whatever awaits Senator Bob Casey, one of the most honest, moral, ethical men I know…Joey Votto back with the Cincinnati Reds as a coach or broadcaster…Dunmore’s Joe Tomko back in politics…a nice playoff run for Joe Tomko’s Minnesota Vikings…a night at The Roosey in Dunmore…a Guiness draft at The Bog…a glazed donut from Krispy Kreme…a trip to Cooperstown with my sons…more of Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo…another Bob Dylan concert…a Robert Plant and Jimmy Page reunion…Dunkin hot coffee…Gomer Pyle reruns…my dad’s chilli…Hazleton’s Joe Maddon back in baseball…a Hank’s hoagie from Tommy Owens in Green Ridge…Tommy Owens firing his wicked curve with a wiffle ball…another AL MVP for Aaron Judge…a Brett Gardner Day at Yankee Stadium…The Yankees back in the World Series and winning it…Taco Bell…Nardozzi’s Pizza in Dunmore…an Italian hoagie from Roseanna’s in West Side or Dickson City…Carly Simon…breakfast at the Bucktown Diner…Eva Longoria…no rainouts this summer for Brian McGurl and Tom Hallinan at the Bucktown Music Fest…a stop to American Water Company’s unjust and skyrocketing bills to Dunmore and Scranton consumers…a Pappas Pizza grinder…more Howard Stern interviews…pasta at Carmella’s in Dunmore’s Bunker Hill…Shania Twain anywhere…Strangers Rock…QBall…the return of Saint Parrick’s picnic in West Side…Marie Osmond continuing to turn the clock back with Nutrisystem…Cher turning back time…less drones…Jackie the Jokeman back at the Dunmore Holiday Inn…wings at Honeychild’s in Dunmore…Cara Mia’s hoagies in Dunmore…Stuttering John back on the Howard Stern Show…David Letterman back on TV…Johnny Carson reruns…Mick Jagger and Keith Richards rocking at 81…another Rolling Stones tour…Springsteen at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park…Kenny Anderson, Isaac Curtis, O.J. Anderson and Torry Holt in the Pro Football Hall of Fame…Warren Zevon, Jim Croce and The Guess Who in the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame…wings at Haggerty’s in West Side…a night at Legends in Dickson City…burgers and sausage at the Clarks Summit VFW…Alyssa Milano…dinner at Ragnacci’s in Dunmore…crumb cake from Cwikla’s in Avoca…a square tray of pizza with onions from McAlpine Pub in Avoca…a West Side Flava’s hoagie…a Taylor Swift concert…Dunmore’s Anthony Duchnowski back for another season in the Tri-Valley Baseball League…a healthy year for former Dunmore councilwoman Atty. Melanie Naro who is kicking cancer in the butt…Mickey Gannon’s wings…a Lady Gaga concert…a decrease in real estate taxes…peace in the Ukraine…Olena pouring fresh drafts at The Patch…a visit with Tim Wagner at his sporting goods store in Green Ridge…a Rod Stewart concert…a German brownie from Minooka Bake Shop…the return of peanut sticks in donut shops…Susanna Hoffs…Rolling Rock bottles…Joe Snedecker weather reports…Vince Sweeney back as a weatherman…Vince said it would be like this…Maroni’s Pizza in West Side…Gold Crown Pizza in Dunmore…Local music talent Alyssa Lazar back at Crotti’s on Ash…The Wannabes…less haters…less division in our country…less divorce…peace and quiet…good health to our departing President Joe Biden…Miller Genuine Draft…Jimmy Connors singing “Johnny B Goode” in heaven…Nicholas Pizza in Green Ridge…a new Neil Young CD…the return of Bartels beer…the return of cassettes…the return of the Throop Cow Flop…more of Bernie Sanders…Dunmore’s Brian McGurl on keyboards with QBall…another Sperazza Band reunion…a Popeye’s chicken sandwich…an Arby’s gyro…Saint Ubaldo’s in Jessup…Paul McCartney in concert…Willie Nelson at 92 at Bethel Woods again…another Lynyrd Skynyrd concert…more band jobs for my dad, the leader of The Fabulous Fortunes as he begins his 78th year of performing…Valerie Bertinelli back on a TV sitcom…Happy Days reruns…a Happy Days reunion…no road rage…no school shootings…Madonna…Thunder Road…a night with Bugeye McGuire…Richie Kossuth and Sugar Ray Nemetz with Flaxy Morgan…Martina McBride back at the Kirby Center…continue success for Kevin McHale and the Dunmore football program…Success to all of the Dunmore and Holy Cross sports programs…a successful New York Mets and flea market season for my friend Steve Gall…Lori Loughlin back on the Hallmark channel…Dunmore’s Shannon Miele back dancing with her sister Michelle at the Waldorf Tike Bar…Dunmore’s Paul Nardozzi back in politics with his New York Giants on the winning side…continued success for former Dunmore basketball standout for Moriah Murray as a starter for Penn State…a successful basketball season for Dunmore’s Ciera Toomey at the University of North Carolina…a return to good health for my great friend and Dunmore community activist Gary Duncan…my son Ryan singing “Yesterday” in any music venue…success to my son Ryan in the music industry…success to my son Dylan in the medical sales industry…my son Dyan out in centerfield chasing fly balls in the Tri-Valley Baseball League…my dad on drums…Jimmy Tigue on keyboards…Vince Parise singing and on guitar…Jack Mead on sax…The Fabulous Fortunes back at the annual Bucktown Music Fest at Dunmore corners…good health to my great friend Tom Duggan who continues his great work counseling prisoners…Everybody Loves Raymond reruns…Ray Romano back on a TV sitcom…a beer with my buddy Brian Bosley at his Moscow country home…my talented musical friend Diane Luke singing “White Rabbit” with her great voice…The Sperazza Duo at Ernie G’s in Avoca…more Carolina Panthers wins for my dear friend Miranda…Cooper’s Maryland Crab Bisque soup…three great summer nights of St. Rocco’s and Saint Anthony’s picnic at Dunmore’s Bunker Hill…another trip with my sons to the Montrose and Hawley Winterfests…a special place in heaven for my lifelong friend Jim Gregorowicz, family friend Santa Burne and my cousin Jeff Kardos who all passed away in 2024…King of Queens reruns…a successful year for Dunmore’s Bob Walsh, president of the Northeast Chapter of PA Sports Hall of Fame…success to my nephew George as he pursues a political science degree at West Chester University, my niece Livy as she pursues a master’s degree in Special Education at West Chester University and my niece Mia as she pursues her career in the restaurant management field in Orlando, Florida…a special place in heaven for Dunmore’s Guy Valvano, a legend in local sports journalism…Sirius-XM…a special place in heaven for late Dunmore community activists Addie Michalik, Blanche Shaw, Carmel Arnone, Leonsrd Verrastro, Fritz Voytek, Tom Cali, Sam Cali, James McHale, Sr.; Al Frioni, Sr.; Philomena Errico, Lou Perrella, Mike Mashurak and Billy Weller…a special place in heaven to my friend Bill Hoppel who taught me to always look at the bottle as half full…good health to my great friend Jeannie Hoppel…good health to my ex wife Beth, a cancer survivor…a special place in heaven for recently departed Sandra Buzas, my eighth grade English teacher who inspired me to be a writer…a special place in heaven for my aunts Stella and Annette, Uncles Gus and Wally and my two wonderful grandmothers…a most special place in heaven to my wonderful mom, a strong believer in education, who always told me to take a chance…continued success to Atty. John Hart III who continues to honor his late dad’s wish to keep The Dunmorean alive as its publisher…and a big cigar in heaven for his dad, John Hart, former publisher and local legend…great health to Maureen Hart as she continues her role as dedicated editor of The Dunmorean…great health and lots of hiking and kayaking for my dear friend Janet Fargo…good health to my brother George and his wife Maria…great health and happiness to my sister Denise…great health, happiness and lots of family gatherings for my dad who is always there for me…continued health and happiness to my son Dylan, the best center fielder and base runner I ever saw…continued success and happiness to my son Ryan, the best guitarist, drummer, pianist, harmonica player and singer I ever heard…little baby ducks, old pickup trucks, tomatoes on the vine…peace, love and tranquility…just the simple things in life…nothing ventured, nothing gained…life is short…and finally a wish for 35 more years of the New Year’s wish list…a Cool Yule…Happy New Year, everyone.