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32nd Annual Pittston Tomato Festival August 20-23, 2015 Pittston, Pennsylvania

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2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

2 August 2015

Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

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2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

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It’s

August 2015

3

TOMATO TIME

32nd Pittston Tomato Festival gets underway Thursday By Nick Wagner

[email protected]

Four days of fun, food and fights! More than 50,000 people are expected in downtown Pittston this week as the 32nd Annual Pittston Tomato Festival gets underway on Thursday. During the four days of tomato fun, the Quality Tomato Capital of the World offers something for everyone. The festival runs from Thursday, Aug. 20 to Sunday, Aug. 23 and is considered one of the best, tastiest festival in Northeast Pennsylvania. The festival features a plethora of homemade American and ethnic food, live entertainment, a gala parade, a 5K run and fun ralk, games, rides, beer and, of course, home-grown Pittston tomatoes. The festival officially opens at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20

with an opening ceremony set for 6 p.m. at the city’s bandstand, followed by live entertainment by Windfall. The festival continues Friday with performances by Danny Argo and Friends and a few other bands. Saturday begins the real party. The 5K Race will begin at 10 a.m. through the streets of downtown. Registration for the 16th Annual Pittston Tomato Festival 5K Run, sponsored by Geisinger, is set for 9:30 a.m. at the Greater Pittston YMCA. The awards ceremony for the race will be at 11:30 a.m. Following the race, the parade will begin on South Main Street and swing around to Kennedy Boulevard. The parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday and will be televised live on Fox 56. The parade will start at the A-Plus Mini Mart, continue through

South Main Street and down Kennedy Boulevard, ending at the Cooper’s Co-op building. Tomato Festival Treasurer Tom Sewatsky is grand marshal. Saturday also features the Tomato Festival Queen Scholarship Pageant from 1 to 2 p.m. and live entertainment on the bandstand throughout the evening. The biggest of all, however, just might be the Tomato Fights in Cooper’s parking lot. Hundreds of willing, and unwilling, participants will line up on either side of the parking lot and bombard each other with tomatoes. That starts at 1:30 p.m. The tradition of the tomato fights began in 1944 in Bunol, Spain. Every year, truckloads of tomatoes are dumped into the town square and everyone is fair game as they crush and throw tomatoes at each other. The Pittston Tomato Fights

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2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

4 August 2015

Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

2015 Pittston Tomato Festival Committee will be a bit more organized, albeit still chaotic, and truckloads of fun. The Tomato Contest begins at 7 p.m. at the Committee Stand. The largest, smallest, ugliest and most perfect tomatoes will be judged. The Little Miss & Little Mr. Tomato Contest will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Sunday. Entertainment will be another highlight of the day on Sunday. Until the festival closes at 10 p.m., local musicians will be at the bandshell. After a brief haitis from the festival two years ago, Sauce Wars returns for a second straight year. In 2013, the event was cancelled due to a scheduling conflict. CrisNics in Wilkes-Barre took home the award for the best

sauce last year. You can vote for the best sauce throughout the weekend at the Greater Pittston YMCA stand. For the second straight year, the Sunday Dispatch will see how good your aim is. At booth 47, contestants can bring their Dispatch Dollar, found in today’s edition as well as in the Aug. 23 edition, for three bean bag tosses at our Dispatch door. Make all three bags and pick a prize of your choice. This year’s prizes include a die-cast limited edition Dodge Challenger featuring the Sunday Dispatch logo. For a $1 donation, or a Dispatch Dollar, patrons get three tosses. Prizes also include Sunday Dispatch neon hipster sunglasses, limit-

ed edition T-shirts, key chains, water bottles and many others. All money raised at the Dispatch stand on Thursday, Friday and Sunday will be donated to the Care and Concern Ministries and its food pantry. Stop by the Dispatch booth on Saturday to make a donation to the Jenkins Township Little League. Former Major League Baseball player Andy Ashby will be on hand from 6 to 7:30 p.m. to sign autographs. The Dispatch will provide 8x10 photos of Ashby for autographs. A donation is asked for an autograph. Reach Nick Wagner at 570-991-6406 or on Twitter @Dispatch_Nick

Chairperson - Lori Nocito Co-chairpersons - Michael Lombardo and Jim Zarra Vendor chairperson - Susan Lombardo Committee Stand chairperson - Ben Tielle Parade chairperson - James and Judy Deice, Mary Ciarelli and Clairellen Hopple 5K Run chairperson - Jay Duffy Little Miss/Mister Tomato Contest chairperson - Judy Strelish and Angel Noone Grounds supervisors - Mike Lombardo and Jim Zarra Treasurer - Tom Sewatsky, CPA Queen Scholarship Pageant chairperson - Jamie Andrews

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PITTSTON TOMATO FESTIVAL!

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August 2015

5

Keeping them straight Treasurer Tom Sewatsky will lead annual parade By Nick Wagner

[email protected]

Since the beginning of the Pittston Tomato Festival, Tom Sewatsky has been keeping the books of the city’s largest event. In his 32nd year as Tomato Festival treasurer, the certified public accountant has seen 31 different grand marshals lead the annual parade around downtown Pittston. This year, however, Sewatsky will lead the parade himself. Sewatsky was recently named the grand marshal of the 32nd Pittston Tomato Festival Parade by the festival committee and will lead the parade starting at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22. The parade is televised on Fox 56 each year.

“I was humbled by it to say the least,” he said. Sewatsky will ask his nephew to throw out candy during the parade. A few weeks back, Sewatsky headed to the monthly Tomato Festival meeting, thinking the group was going to discuss the grand marshal. In years past, he said, the group would meet and decide on an individual. While at the meeting, Sewatsky said the group turned to him and said, “You’re the grand marshal.” “What did you do — run out of people?” he said he asked committee members. “I was a little taken back. In my opinion, the volunteers make the Tomato Festival. They are the people that really

Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Local accountant Tom Sewatsky has been named the 2015 Tomato Festival Parade Grand Marshal.

PAST PARADE GRAND MARSHALS 2014 - Rose Randazzo 2013 - Ray Preby 2012 - Jerry Mullarkey 2011 - Dr. Joseph Lombardo 2010 - Care and Concern Clinic 2009 - Biagio Dente 2008 - All volunteers, vendors, performers and loyal festival attendees 2007 - Val D’Elia (posthumously) 2006 - The Joyce Brothers: John, Joseph, William and David 2005 - Joseph Traviglione 2004 - Local officials: Mayor Michael Lombardo, John Gavigan, Chris Latona, Ken Bangs, Phil Campenni, Donna Connors, Charles Infantino, Gerry Mullarkey, Savino Bonita, Paul Porfirio, Frank Roman and Tom Tigue 2003 - Rev. Robert Romano 2002 - Russell Gunton 2001 - Michael Marranca 2000 - Maria Capolarella Montante 1999 - Robert Conroy Sr. 1998 - John Grimes and Mae Reddington McHugh 1997 - Arthur Bartolai 1996 - Albert Melone and Margaret Labarre Daniels 1995 - Joseph Joyce 1994 - Samuel Falcone 1993 - Mayor Thomas Walsh 1992 - Michael Insalaco 1991 - Eleanor Adonizio and Dolly Saporito 1990 - Joseph Amato

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2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

6 August 2015

make sure everything is welloiled.” Sewatsky, 63, knows all about the Tomato Festival and the surrounding area. A 1970 graduate of St. John’s High School, he graduated from King’s College in accounting prior to working for Albert B. Melone CPAs from 1974-88. Sewatsky was then named Regional Manager for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue in Scranton, a position he held from 1988 until he retired earlier this spring. “I’ve lost 20 pounds since I retired,” Sewatsky laughed. “I’m not sitting at a desk all day eating. It’s enjoyable.” Back in 1983, Sewatsky was under the tutelage of Albert Melone Sr., calling Melone one of his early mentors. Melone always told Sewatsky civic duty was the most important thing. When 1983 rolled around,

Val D’Elia and Bob Conroy had the idea to create a Pittston festival. Sewatsky was also the treasurer for the Pittston Bicentennial Committee, the group behind the Coal Miner Statue on Kennedy Boulevard and North Main Street. “It was kind of a no-brainer,” Sewatsky said about being named treasurer for the Tomato Festival. He’s been handing the cash flow ever since. Once the Tomato Festival rolls around each year, Sewatsky’s job begins. According to him, most of the event’s profits come from the 5K Race and the committee’s booth at the festival. There is a charge for vendors, but, with tents and other materials being purchased, that cost is usually a wash. Sewatsky’s role hasn’t changed much since 1983 as he still handles the day-to-day

treasurer duties. “Basically, I’m in charge of depositing all the funds and writing all the checks,” he said. “I make sure the insurance policies are correct and prepare non-profit tax returns.” Sewatsky also lets the committee know how well each event is doing. Sewatsky’s favorite part of the festival? Food. “I like the food,” he said. “I enjoy getting outside and, fortunately, over the years, the weather has been good to us. There is always good music and I always check out the Tomato Fights.” Tomato Festival Chairperson Lori Nocito noted Sewatsky’s longevity, consistency and his dependability as the reasons he was selected as grand marshal. “He’s been there since day one and has been instrumental in our success by doing the

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PITTSTON TOMATO FESTIVAL COMMITTEE ON 32 SUCCESSFUL YEARS

Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

financial reports and paying the bills. He is so dedicated to the committee. We’re all volunteers and that means a great deal,” she said. Nocito thinks it’s impressive that the Tomato Festival has a CPA who worked for the State Bureau of Audits as a treasurer. “He’s like a rock,” Nocito said. “He is always available and we wanted to show our appreciation to him.” Sewatsky is married to the former Mary Catherine Finan, Chief Medical Officer at Moses-Taylor Hospital in Scranton. The couple has two children, Mary Laura, a pediatric nurse practitioner at Columbia University; and Thomas Patrick, who will start medical school this month at The Commonwealth Medical College in Scranton. Reach Nick Wagner at 570-991-6406 or on Twitter @Dispatch_Nic

Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

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2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

August 2015

7

Sauce Wars in its seventh year By Jimmy Fisher

[email protected]

It’s about to get saucy in Pittston. The annual Sauce Wars competition will make its seventh appearance at the Pittston Tomato Festival this year. Restaurants from far and wide and individual entrants will gather to taste and sample sauces from spicy to mild to just needing a pinch more pepper. This year’s entrants will not compete for money, but for bragging rights to say they had the best sauce at the Pittston Tomato Festival — a feat they can brag about for the next 364 days.

Last year’s winner, CrisNics Irish Pub in Wilkes-Barre, will return to defend its title against River Street Jazz Cafe of Plains, Grico’s Restaurant of Exeter, Abbella’s Cafe of Wilkes-Barre and Formaggi of Luzerne. The Sauce Wars will take place throughout the entire Tomato Festival and the winner will be announced at the event’s closing on Sunday, Aug. 23. Voting will take place next to the festival committee stand. For a $1 donation, festival-goers can taste and vote on their favorite sauce. All proceeds benefit the Greater Pittston YMCA. Reach Jimmy Fisher at 570-704-3972 or on Twitter @SD_JimmyFisher Bill Tarutis File Photo | For Sunday Dispatch

COMING SOON

The winner of the 2014 Sauce Wars was CrisNics Restaurant, Wilkes-Barre. From left, Mike Sowinski, Greater Pittston YMCA board president; Mary Ann Dziak, former Greater Pittston YMCA executive director; Mark Flaherty, winner and owner of CrisNics; and Courtney Richards, 2014 Tomato Queen.

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2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

8 August 2015

Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

Dispatch unveils Challenger You can have a free throw at the booth with this Dispatch Dollar.

Toy car just one of newspaper’s giveaways at booth 47 at festival Staff reports

A limited edition Dodge Challenger featuring the Sunday Dispatch logo is the most recent addition to the Dispatch fleet garage. The die-cast sports car will be awarded with numerous other giveaways at the 32nd Annual Pittston Tomato Festival. The Challenger will be the 14th vehicle in the fleet. Last year’s vehicle, a Ford Mustang, beat out the Challenger in a Facebook contest. The red Challenger is sharp, and a great addition to the Dispatch fleet. Other vehicles from years past include a F-150 pickup, a Porsche Boxter, a 1953 Chevrolet 3100 pickup truck, a 1957 Corvette, a school bus, a Volkswagen Beetle, a PT Cruiser, a

The Sunday Dispatch Dodge Challenger can be won at booth 47 at this weekend’s Pittston Tomato Festival.

Chevy SSR, a Mini Cooper, a Hummer Humvee, a Volkswagen Microbus and a Sunday Dispatch delivery truck. The Challenger can be won by competing at the Dispatch’s own version of corn hole at the Dispatch booth at the festival. You can have a free throw with a Dispatch Dollar, found inside this issue and the Aug. 23 issue of the Sunday Dispatch or a cash donation. Donations from Thursday, Aug. 20, Friday, Aug. 21 and Sunday, Aug. 23 will go to the Care and Concern

Free Health Clinic. Proceeds collected on Saturday, Aug. 22 will go to the Jenkins Township Little League. Other prizes include last year’s favorite neon hipster sunglasses, a key chain, neon plastic cups, a purple water bottle and a limited edition Sunday Dispatch Tomato Festival T-shirt. You can also win a coupon to place a free classified ad in either the Times Leader or the Sunday Dispatch. Reach the Sunday Dispatch newsroom at 570-655-1418 or by email at sd@ psdispatch.com.

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2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

August 2015

9

Seeing red again Cooper’s Seafood House parking lot playing host to annual Tomato Fights By Jimmy Fisher

[email protected]

Bill Tarutis | For Sunday Dispatch

Wyoming Area athletic trainer Laura Mudlock, of Pittston, goes on the offensive during the 2014 Pittston Tomato Festival tomato fights.

Grab your goggles and white T-shirts, the popular Pittston Tomato Festival Tomato Fights will be back to paint Kennedy Boulevard red. The contest will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22 in the parking lot of Cooper’s Seafood House, located at 304 Kennedy Blvd.

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The Tomato Fights feature truckloads of tomatoes being dumped into the town square and everyone is fair game as they crush and throw tomatoes at each other. With over 5,000 pounds of rotten and squished tomatoes being used, the fights will last around five minutes and participants will divide and face off in a battle in which there are no losers.

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Entry fee is $8 and includes protective eye goggles. T-shirts can be purchased for $12, and all participants must register in advance on Saturday at Cooper’s Seafood House. Space is limited to the first 150 people, and participants must be at least 15 years of age. The event is sponsored by Cooper’s and all proceeds will benefit Greater Pittston charities.

2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

10 August 2015

The trick is not only to gather and throw, but also to duck and throw. Nicole Best, general manager of Cooper’s in Pittston, is a big fan of the fights, but not just because of the tomato throwing. “My favorite thing about the fights is where all the money goes to,” she said. “I love that the community comes together to participate and volunteer their time and then the money goes towards the food banks in the local community. It’s a lot of fun for a very good cause.” The tradition of the tomato fights first began in 1944 in Bunol, Spain, and it is safe to say local participants are happy that Pittston adopted the event. The cleanup process involves bulldozers scraping up the tomatoes and fire hoses washing the red off the parking lot. The tomatoes are then ground up and dumped into the sewers. Reach Jimmy Fisher at 570-704-3972 or on Twitter @SD_JimmyFisher

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Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch A frontend loader cleans up remains after the 2014 Pittston Tomato Festival tomato fights in Cooper’s parking lot. Bill Tarutis | For Sunday Dispatch

Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

August 2015

11

Bill Tarutis file photos | For Sunday Dispatch

At left, Jake Vaxmonsky, of Port Griffith, fires a case at opponents in the 2014 Pittston Tomato Fights. Above, Chris Hulse, of Swoyersville, wears his ‘My Tomay-to Tomah-to Throwin’ Shirt’ as he launches another round.

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Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

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The Little Miss and Little Mister Tomato Contest will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23. All contestants are asked to be at the festival bandshell by 10:30 a.m. The first category, “Little Miss Pittston Tomato,” is open to girls, ages 2-6. The second category, “Little Mister Pittston Tomato,” is open to boys, ages 2-6. Categories will be judged with 50

points for beauty and 50 points for personality. The children are asked to wear something they would wear to a day at the Tomato Festival. One winner will be chosen in each category with one runner-up. Entry fee is $5 and prizes will be awarded. Chairpersons for the event are Judy Strelish and Angel Noone. Questions should be forwarded to Angel Noone via email at [email protected]. Reach the Sunday Dispatch newsroom at 570-6551418 or by email at [email protected].

2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

August 2015

13

Every tomato can be a winner Tomato Contest to judge different looking tomatoes By Jimmy Fisher

[email protected]

In possession of a very large tomato? What about a very small one? Is there one on the vine so ugly it can’t be looked at it anymore? How about a tomato too perfect to eat? If the answer is “yes” to any of these questions, those tomatoes should be entered in the tomato

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contest, one of the Pittston Tomato Festival’s biggest highlights. Tomatoes will be judged and awarded ribbons in four categories: smallest, ugliest, largest and more perfect. Entering the contest is free. Judging will take place at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22 at the festival committee stand.

The 2014 Tomato Contest contestants. Local growers vie for wins in four different tomato categories. Bill Tarutis File Photo | For Sunday Dispatch

Reach Jimmy Fisher at 570-704-3972 or on Twitter @SD_JimmyFisher

Best Wishes on the 32nd Annual ITTSTON Pittston Tomato Festival Tomato Festival Pittston, PA

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2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

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Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

Market vendors will be here, too Farmers market vendors return for festival [email protected]

In addition to the kiddie rides, the parade, tomato fights and various activites, the tomato festival also has… you guessed it, tomatoes! Vendors that can be found at the weekly farmers market selling their fresh produce include Golomb’s Farm and Greenhouse, who will have vegetables and tomatoes will be plentiful at the time of the festival, even though the tomato season started late due to weather. Golomb’s Farm has sold produce since the second year of the Tomato Festival when it was on Kennedy Boulevard in 1984. Another vendor known to be at the festival since

Reach Jimmy Fisher at 570704-3972 or on Twitter @SD_ JimmyFisher

Laura Kosco, of Golomb’s Farm, stocks up freshlypicked tomatoes prior to the 2014 festival opening. Tony Callaio File Photo | For Sunday Dispatch

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2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

August 2015

Use #SDTomatoes to interact with us The Sunday Dispatch is turning the Pittston Tomato Festival into a social media experience! Facebook, Twitter and Instagram — you name it, let’s post it. Throughout the 32nd Pittston Tomato Festival, use the hashtag #SDTomatoes when posting photos of you eating a sopressata or housing some tomatoes. Maybe a selfie with Danny Argo? How about one with a former Tomato Queen? The Sunday Dispatch will keep tabs of these photos and publish our favorites in the Sunday, Aug. 29 edition. For those of you who don’t delve into social media, send us an email to sd@ psdispatch.com.

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Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

Congratulations to the 32nd Annual Pittston Tomato Festival 1555 N. Keyser Ave. Scranton, PA 18504 570-344-8221 5 Spring Street Wilkes Barre, PA 18702 570-822-3562 103 Broad St. Pittston, PA 18640 570-654-4686

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Vendor locations 1. Two Gentlemen Catering 2. Two Gentlemen Catering 3. Mr. P’s Potato Pancakes 4. Mr. P’s Potato Pancakes 5. 4 Guys 6. Tony Thomas Deli & Catering LLC. 7. Ben & George’s Ice Cream 8. Valenti’s Restaurant 9. Tony’s Pizzeria 10. Lisa Ann’s 11. Sammy’s Caribbean Grill 12. Crazy Cow 13. Webby’s MiddleEastern 14. Webby’s Concessions 15. Bindi Desserts 16. Yogi’s 17. Yogi’s 18. Hiram’s A Beefstro 19. Gramma Aita’s Kitchen 20. BBQ Barry 21. Grico’s Restaruant 22. LaRosa Italiana 23. Lou’s Concessions 24. Callahan’s Cafe & Coffee House 25. Downhome Rice Pudding 26. Old Country Style Almonds 27. Giovanni’s on the Go 28. Sabatelle’s Market 29. The Chicken Coop - Old Forge 30. Nico’s Pizza 31. Nico’s Pizza 32 Paluck’s BBQ 33. Notis the Gyro King 34. Fresh Fruit Cup 35. Marianacci’s Restaurant 36. Patti’s Pies 37. Dan Figura Concessions 38. Pittston Area Basketball 39. Scentsy 40. Ray Bartoli 41. Wyoming Valley Alcohol & Drug 42. Coats/Shoes for Kids 43. Lady Patriots Basketball 44. Pittston Memorial Library 45. Knights of Columbus 46. Blue Chip Animal Farm 47. Sunday Dispatch 48. Catherine McAuley Center 49. PSP Strong 50. Funstuff Toys 51. Dominick’s Jewelry 52. Dominick’s Jewelry 53. Dominick’s Jewelry A. Tomato Festival Booth B. YMCA Sauce Wars

2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

August 2015

17

2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

18 August 2015

Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

Something for everyone Bands, race, parade, contest schedule set THURSDAY, AUG. 20 5 p.m. - Festival opens 6 p.m. - Opening ceremony 6:30 to 7 p.m. - Windfall 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. - Somethin’ Else 8:45 to 10 p.m. - AM Radio

1:30 p.m. - Tomato Fights at Cooper’s 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. - Danny Argo and Friends 4 to 4:45 p.m. - Groove Train 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. - Phyllis Hopkins Electric Trio 7 p.m. - Tomato Contest at the committee stand 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. - Fab 3 Beatles Tribute 8 to 8:30 p.m. - Eddie Appnel 8:45 to 11 p.m. - Flaxy Morgan

FRIDAY, AUG. 21 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. - Fake Uncle Jack 7 to 8 p.m. - Cinder Brothers 8:30 to 11 p.m. - Sweet Pepper and the Long Hots

Submitted photo

Somethin’ Else will be the second act to perform to open the festival on Thursday, Aug. 20. The group will play from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m.

SATURDAY, AUG. 22 (Streets are blocked for the race and parade at 9:30 a.m.) 10 a.m. - 5K Race and Fun Walk 10:30 a.m. - Parade 11:30 a.m. - Race awards ceremony 1 to 2 p.m. - Queen Scholarship Pageant

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SUNDAY, AUG. 23 10:45 a.m. to noon - Little Miss and Little Mr. Tomato Contest 1 to 1:45 p.m. - Perfect Harmony Center for the Arts 2:15 to 3 p.m. - County Lines 4 to 5:30 p.m. - The Poets 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. - The Sperrazza Band 8 to 9 p.m. - The Jeanne Zano Band

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Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

August 2015

19

Liz Vanesko performs with Sweet Pepper & the Long Hots at St. Barbara parish bazaar. Sweet Pepper & the Long Hots will play from 8:30 to 11 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21 at the Tomato Festival. Bill Tarutis File Photo | For Sunday Dispatch

Tony Callaio File Photo | For Sunday Dispatch

Krysten Montgomery, lead singer for Flaxy Morgan, sings a Lady Gaga song to open the band’s first set of the night at last year’s Tomato Festival.

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2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

Strong-arming the competition Annual arm wrestling tourney set for Aug. 22 By Tom Robinson For Sunday Dispatch

Adam Blannard wrestles his opponent at Diane’s Deli & Internet Cafe in the 2011 IAF State Open Arm Wrestling Championship.

PITTSTON – Diane’s Deli & Internet Café has played its own part in the Pittston Tomato Festival for each of the past 13 years. The deli has hosted the Arms of Steel Arm Wrestling Championship during that time, each year on the Saturday of the Tomato Festival. This year’s event will be the 21st annual, dating back to other venues prior to settling at Diane’s Deli, 206 S. Main St., Pittston. The event is scheduled for Aug. 22 with weigh-ins from 1:30 to 3 p.m. and competition starting at 3:30 sharp. Competition is divided by men and women and into multiple weight classes as well as right-hand and left-hand divisions. “We’ll also have a Novice Division for people in town who want to go against

Matt Powell is on the verge of defeating his opponent in the 2011 IAF State Open Arm Wrestling Championship last Saturday at Diane’s Deli & Internet Cafe in Pittston.

Bill Tarutis File Photos | For Sunday Dispatch

Lindsey Ross of Wyoming, left, Ashley DeLucca of Swoyersville, and Mia Raymond of West Wyoming cheer on the arm wrestlers.

2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

August 2015

21

Tournament director and referee Tom ‘Nitro’ Simko declares a winner.

each other,” said Diane Simko, from Diane’s Deli. Professional arm wrestling Tom “Nitro” Simko, who coaches a team of arm wrestlers based out of Diane’s Deli, created the event and organizes it each year, helping to draw professional competitors. Simko, of Harding, is a veteran of international competitions in the sport. Prizes will include T-shirts, medals and plaques. Each division will be double-elimination and an overall champion will also be determined. Food will be served throughout the event. No one under 18 years of age will be admitted. Reach the Sunday Dispatch newsroom at 570-655-1418 or by email at [email protected]

OUR CITY IS PROUD TO HOST THE 32nd ANNUAL

FESTIVAL Congratulations From Pittston City Officials Councilman Joe McLean Controller Chris Latona Treasurer Kathy Cunard Administrator Joseph Moskovitz 80667881

Community Development Director Joseph Chacke

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Mayor Jason Klush Councilman Michael Lombardo Councilman Kenneth Bangs Councilman Danny Argo

2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

22 August 2015

Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

Meet Andy Ashby at Dispatch booth Former MLB pitcher will sign autographs Saturday Staff reports

The Sunday Dispatch booth (booth 47) at the Tomato Festival is always a hit. This year, however, the Dispatch is bringing star power to its stand. Former Major League Baseball player Andy Ashby will sign autographs and pose for pictures from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22. The Dispatch will provide each person with an 8x10 photo of Ashby to sign. For each autograph, a donation of any amount is asked. Dispatch Dollars may be used. All proceeds from the Sunday Dispatch booth on Saturday will go directly to the Jenkins Township Little League. Ashby’s four daughters, Ashton, Madison, Eastin and Taryn, all played Little League for Jenkins Township and all four have attended Pittston Area High School or Scranton Prep with a focus on sports. While playing for the Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre Red Barons in Moosic, Ashby met his wife, the former Tracy Tigue. When he retired, Ashby made a home in the Grreater Pittston area in which he played early in the 1991 and 1992 seasons on the last step

A donation at the Sunday Dispatch booth on Saturday, Aug. 22 will get you this photo autographed by former Major League Baseball player Andy Ashby. Proceeds benefit the Jenkins Township Little League.

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A look back at Andy Ashby’s professional baseball career: • Debuted in minors as an 18-year-old in 1986 with the Bend Phillies half-season Class A team in the Northwest League. • Played his final game with Portland Beavers in Class AAA Pacific Coast League in August, 2005 at 37 years of age. • Completed six games with three shutouts while winning 11 games for Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre Red Barons in 1991. • Went 11-14 with 3.38 ERA and 131 strikeouts in 194 1/3 innings with Red Barons in 1991 and 1992. • Made Major League debut with Philadelphia Phillies June 10, 1992. • Final Major League game in 2004 with San Diego Padres. • Teams: Philadelphia (1991-1992, 2000); Colorado Rockies 1993; San Diego (19931999, 2004); Atlanta Braves (2000); Los Angeles Dodgers (2001-2003). • Ranked third in National League with 2.94 ERA in 1995 with San Diego. • Best season was 17-9, 3.34 ERA with National League champion Padres in 1998. • Pitched in playoffs for San Diego in 1996 and 1998 and Atlanta in 2000. • Career playoff stats: 0-1, 4.71, 7 games, 5 starts, 28 2/3 innings, 20 strikeouts. • Started Game 2 of 1998 World Series, taking loss against New York Yankees. • Appeared in 1998 and 1999 All-Star Games. • Career Major League stats: 98-110; 4.12 ERA; 1173 strikeouts; 1810 2/3 innings; 309 games; 285 starts.

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August 2015

23

Former Scranton/ WilkesBarre Red Barons and major league pitcher Andy Ashby, center, huddles with his family on the mound at PNC Field in Moosic. From left, daughters Ashton, 14; Madison, 17; wife Tracy, daughters Eastin, 18; and Taryn, 15.

before debuting in, then settling into, his career in the majors. The family now resides in Jenkins Township in the Pittston Area School District, the school from which Tracy graduated. San Diego, where Ashby had his greatest successes, became the family’s second home. Ashby worked 20 Padres broadcasts last summer as a studio analyst for Fox Sports San Diego and is doing eight more this summer. Eastin, Madison, Taryn and Ashton are responsible, however, for the bulk of the time Andy spends watching and analyzing sports these days. Their multiple sports interests, including occasionally as opponents or on teams playing in different places on the same nights, make it challenging, but Andy and Tracy are there cheering on their daughters at the vast majority of their events and performances.

Bill Tarutis File Photo | For Sunday Dispatch

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2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

24 August 2015

Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

Fun Walk added to 5K Race By Nick Wagner

[email protected]

Nothing wrong with a run, or stroll, through the Quality Tomato Capital of the World. The 17th Annual Miles for Michael Pittston Tomato Festival 5K run will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22 in downtown Pittston. But if you’re not a runner, don’t worry. For the first time, a Fun Walk will accompany the 5K through the streets of downtown Pittston. The walk will be 1.5 miles and won’t take on the hills of downtown. Race coordinator and the Tomato Festival committee used Barb Sciandra’s template for the Fun Walk from her Paint Pittston Pink race last October. “We wanted to get older (and) younger people involved,” Duffy said. “Running up hills is brutal. We go over both bridges and finish at the festival ground. It’s flat and great for walkers.” The event benefits Miles for Michael, a local nonprofit organization that helps families battling cancer. Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the Greater Pittston YMCA, Main Street, Pittston. Participants can also register by logging onto raceroster.com and searching for Miles for Michael. Cost to run is $30, while a walker pays $15. The run course is relatively flat with moderate hills. A 5K loop around the perimeter of Pittston includes running over the

Members of the Pennsylvania State Police Honor Plattoon make their way along Main Street during the Pittston Tomato Festival 5K Run last year.

Water Street and Fort Jenkins bridges. Streets will be traffic controlled and miles will be marked. The course begins just north of William and North Main streets and ends at the Tomato Festival grounds on South Main Street. Two-time defending champions Mike Flynn, of Media and formerly of Pittston, and Caitlin Gaughan, of Scranton, successfully defended their crowns at the 16th running of the 5K. Last

year’s run was slowed a bit by a light rainfall. From each application, $4 will be donated to Miles for Michael Fund. Runners will have full use of the YMCA facilities on the day of the race. Long-sleeve T-shirts will be given to the first 150 entrants of the race and the first 30 walkers to register. Trophies will be awarded to the top three male and female runners. A split time will be provided at one mile with a water station at two

miles. An award ceremony will be held on the Tomato Festival grounds following the race. Medals will be awarded to first place in the following age categories: 14 and under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-59 and 60 and older. The walk will begin from the same spot as the run. It will head over the bridges and up Kennedy Boulevard to the Columbus Statue. It will finish at the Tomato

Festival grounds. A total of 300 participants enjoyed last year’s race and many stayed after the race to enjoy the festival. This year, Duffy hopes to reach 400 participants with the inclusion of the Fun Walk. “Hopefully, this brings more people around,” he said. “We thought it would be a great idea to incorporate more people.” Reach Nick Wagner at 570-991-6406 or on Twitter @Dispatch_Nick

Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

August 2015

MILES FOR MICHAEL

Supporters applaud runners at the finish line of a previous Pittston Tomato Festival 5K Run.

Last year’s first-place female Caitlin Gaughan, of Scranton, crosses the finish line at the Pittston Tomato Festival 5K Run.

Bill Tarutis File Photos | For Sunday Dispatch

Runners take off down Main Street in Pittston for last year’s 5K Tomato Festival Run.

The Miles for Michael non-profit organization is a way for family and friends of the late Michael Joyce, a resident of Duryea, who passed away in 2006 at the age of 43. Michael was president of Joyce Financial Group and was well-known across the region for his loving ways. The thousandplus friends who attended his memorial service are a testament that his life was spent helping others and there was never one person who went to him for assistance that he turned away. It was that selflessness that led to the formation of the Miles for Michael Event held on Saturday, June 17, 2006. Throughout his 14-month battle with head and neck cancer, Michael never asked anything for himself, but asked his friends to provide support to other families who might not be as capable of handling the financial burdens of long-distance treatments. Although the original goal of the Miles for Michael Event was $10,000, more than $100,000 was raised. A large portion was given to the American Cancer Society Wyoming Valley Unit for cancer research and $50,000 went toward establishing a permanent fund within The Luzerne Foundation. Addressing the needs of cancer patients and their families, this fund provides support for unexpected expenses such as travel, lodging, food, gas and tolls that help families to remain with loved ones during treatment and recovery.

25

2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

26 August 2015

Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

A look back at past festivals

A very enthusiastic Rock Street Music float.

Sunday Dispatch File Photos

The crew from the YMCA gets into the act in celebrating the 30th Annual Pittston Tomato Festival. Outgoing 2012 Tomato Festival Queen Marina Maida crowns the new Queen, Rebecca Lyn Colwell, of West Pittston.

Congratulations tomato Festival on Your 32 nd Year

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Pittston’s own Jane Adonizio, left, and Lori Nocito host the annual Tomato Festival Parade on Fox 56.

Parade Grand Marshal Ray Preby and his wife, Nancy at a previous Tomato Festival.

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August 2015

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27

2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

28 August 2015

Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

We used to be scared of tomatoes Staff reports

The tomato has a curious history. Like its relative, the potato, the tomato originated in South America, was taken to Europe by the Spaniards in the early 1500s and from there was brought to the American colonies. Although Thomas Jefferson’s diary mentions “dwarf tomatas” and “Spanish tomatas come to table,” most people in this country and northern Europe were afraid to eat them until about a century ago because of their kinship and similarity to the poisonous nightshades.

The hallucinogenic properties of the plant were said to produce “visions” and the sense of flying. This led to the association of the nightshade family with witchcraft. German folklore claims that witches used plants like mandrake and nightshade to summon werewolves, a practice known as lycanthropy. The common German name for tomatoes translates to “wolf peach” and, because of this, it was universally avoided. In the 18th century, the tomato species was named Lycopersicon esculentum, which literally means, “edible wolf peach.”

As the tomato arrived in Europe, the plant became associated with poisonous members of the Solanceae family, specifically henbane, mandrake and the aforementioned deadly nightshade, to which it bore more than a passing resemblance. Deadly nightshade is a poisonous plant which has been used as both a hallucinogenic drug and a beauty aid in different parts of Europe. In the medieval courts of Europe, ladies would apply a few drops of nightshade extract to their eyes to dilate their pupils, a look considered most fashionable at the time.

Because of the tomato’s association with witches and the Black Arts, early efforts to peddle it were not highly successful. Instead, they were raised in old-fashioned gardens as ornamental plants and their brightly-colored fruit, red or yellow but wrinkled and much smaller than modern tomatoes, were used to decorate mantelpieces and called “love apples.” Tens of centuries ago, the pre-Incans in Peru began to cultivate a nightshade-like vine plant with little red sourish berries. It still grows in the highlands of that country. There is also a shrubby tree

tomato with yellow fruit found on the slopes of the Andes Mountains, as high as 13,000 feet above sea level that can withstand severe frosts. The pottery of these ancient people includes accurate models of several types of tomatoes as well as corn, potatoes, peppers, beans and squashes they had developed from wild plants and grew as crops. Over the centuries, the tomato was carried from Peru to the Maya Indians of Central America and thence to the Toltecs of Mexico and their Aztec conquerors who called it ‘“tomat.” The Spaniards called it “tomate.”

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The name “tomato” derives from “tomat,” its name in Nahuatl, the language of the Aztec people. The English form “tomate” first appeared in the 17th century and was later modified to “tomato,” probably under the influence of the more familiar “potato.” Most of these early fruits were yellow and became known as “manzanas” (apples) and “pomi d’oro (apple of gold). They were considered poisonous but appreciated for their beauty. Today, tomatoes are a staple food and Americans eat an average of about two bushels per person per year. One bushel is processed commercially into canned tomatoes, soups, tomato juice, green pickles, relishes and ketchup. Oil from the seeds is used in soap and paint. The other bushel is bought fresh or raised in gardens.

The heaviest tomato ever, weighing seven pounds, 12 ounces, was of the cultivar “Delicious,” grown by Gordon Graham of Edmond, Okla. in 1986. The largest tomato plant grown was of the cultivar “Sungold” and reached 65 feet in length, grown by Nutriculture Ltd. of Mawdesley, Lancashire, UK, in 2000. While the tomato has a high water content, it is an excellent food. In addition to carbohydrate and protein, it is rich in vitamin A, nicotinic acid and still more so in vitamin C. Six ounces of tomato juice are said to provide the average adult with his minimum daily requirement of the latter and about one-third his need of vitamin A. Today, tomatoes are grown outdoors throughout the world except in frigid and semi-frigid zones. Even in climates with

August 2015

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short growing seasons, large crops are possible if the plants are started “under glass.” It will grow on almost any soil but is killed by the first touch of frost. Something of a vegetable hobo, it often thrives on ash piles, garbage dumps and, because its small seeds are not digested, on beds of sewage sludge. About half the commercial yield in the country is grown in California, Indiana and New Jersey. The rich black nat land in southeastern Cook County is the principal tomato area in Illinois. In winter, some tomatoes are grown in hothouses but most are shipped from Texas and Florida or imported from Mexico and Cuba. Reach the Sunday Dispatch newsroom at 570-655-1418 or by email at sd@ psdispatch.com.

Sunday Dispatch File Photo

Harold Golomb, of Golomb’s Farms, stocks his tomato booth at a recent Tomato Festival.

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State lottery benefits older Pennsylvanians The Pennsylvania Lottery contributed over $1 billion to programs that benefit older Pennsylvanians last year — programs like senior centers and hot meals, long-term living services and home-care, property tax and rent rebates, transit rides — and much more. To learn more, visit palottery. com and check out the interactive map to see how the Pennsylvania Lottery benefits older residents in your county.

August 2015

Beer tent back thanks to fire department The Pittston City Fire Department will host its annual fundraiser throughout the 32nd Annual Pittston Tomato Festival. The station’s beer tent is located at the firehouse, 20 Kennedy St., next to the Tomato Festival grounds. The department will donate all proceeds from Thursday, Aug. 20 to Sunday, Aug. 23 to worthy causes. Last year, the department donated $5,000 to Camp Cadet and another $2,000 to a firefighter in need. The department is asking

for a $75 donation to sponsor a keg. In return, the name or business will be put on the sponsor list, which will hang all year in the station. The department will donate all proceeds from a Saturday, Aug. 22 to a local girl who has a seizure disorder. Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor may send a check payable to PVFC, 20 Kennedy St., Pittston, PA, 18640. For more information, call the station at 570-6556663.

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2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

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A look back at past festivals

Above, Leo Sperrazza, John Terrana and Dave Fusco atop of the UNICO float.

Jaylynn Silva, 6, front, Angelina Mayfield, 8, left, and Tabitha Moran, 15, all of Pittston, have a front row and center view of the parade.

Blaise Alan Dente lights the sparklers on the 30th birthday cake for the Tomato Fest while his dad looks on and the community sings ‘Happy Birthday.’

Nancy Clucking, of Washington state, poses alongside of her mom, Irene Matthews, of Luzerne, in the tomato head cut out at the Tomato Festival.

State. Rep. Mike Carroll addresses the crowd at the Tomato Festival.

2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

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A look back at past festivals

Sunday Dispatch File Photos

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Golomb’s sells various types of tomatoes at the Tomato Festival.

2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

34 August 2015

1

Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

Things to do with tomatoes

Summer ratatouille — a Provencal “stew” of tomatoes, eggplant and zucchini.

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2 56

Make a tomato, mayonnaise and white bread sandwich and eat it standing over the kitchen sink.

Stir up a bowl of gazpacho, a soup made of raw vegetables served cold, usually with a tomato base.

Re-experience a classic BLT (bacon, lettuce and tomato) sandwich with homemade mayonnaise.

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2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

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Enjoy bruschetta — crusty bread slices grilled or toasted, then rubbed with fresh garlic, topped with crushed red tomatoes, and drizzled with olive oil.

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Construct a New York City steakhouse salad, alternating thick slices of steak, tomato and sweet onion.

Stuff a large tomato with creamed spinach and lots of minced fresh basil; top with grated cheese and bake until bubbly and heated through. Serve for lunch.

Top pizza dough with crushed ripe plum tomatoes; sprinkle with minced fresh oregano, chopped olives, mozzarella and bake.

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Congratulations To The Tomato Festival Committee On Celebrating Another Successful Year!

10 August 2015

Make Panzanella — a bread and tomato salad from Tuscany. Soak crusty day-old bread in cold water. Squeeze out excess. Crumble soaked bread and combine with chunked ripe tomatoes and other fruits or vegetables.

Enjoy them at the 32nd annual Pittston Tomato Festival, which begins on Thursday, Aug. 20 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 23.

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I can’t believe it’s been 32 years Society sold sausage and pepper sandwiches (the sausage was purchased from Argento Brothers). The Second Presbyterian Church wowed the crowd with pasta e fagioli. Greeky Guarneri became known for his fruscha and cardoon sandwiches. Sabetelli’s Market introduced the original chicketta sandwich. St. John the Evangelist Church members manned a booth. The DAV Nino Montante Post and the Italian American Association of Luzerne County sold raffles. Sam DeAlba became Community comes together a famous figure, spinning a Downtown Pittston, once wheel for the Rotary a metropolis business Club. Mae McHugh, district that housed noted union official, dress shops, men’s called bingo with the clothing stores, shoe help of the ILGWU stores, two Five and Retirees. Dime stores, J.C. PenIt truly was a homeney’s, photographer town festival. studios, two movie Maria Recalling the houses and more, had become a shell Remembers Tomato Festival in the old days brings to of a town with empty Maria buildings, many of Capolarella- mind a good friend whose heart was in them earmarked for Montante this event. Bob Condemolition. Maybe the roy was named the time was right? grounds chairman in 1984 The first Pittston Tomato and served until 2005, spendFestival was held in August ing many hours on the lot 1984 for three days during wiring electricity and corthe third week of August on recting mishaps along the Kennedy Boulevard where way. The troubleshooter Burger King and CVS Pharstayed on the job even when macy are currently located. he no longer had the use of Ken Scaz was named chairhis left arm and leg. He was person, and Paul McGarry and Wil Toole were in charge seen on his scooter riding the grounds and supervising. Bob of vendors, all from the was named grand marshal of Greater Pittston area. The the Tomato Festival Parade idea was to give local people in 1999. and organizations the opportunity to raise funds. Several local businesses Racing with memories and organizations answered The First Tomato Run, a the call. The Serridefalco two-mile run, sponsored by The Pittston Tomato Festival was born from an idea by Val D’Elia because of his love of tomatoes and his knowledge of growing them. Who would have thought this hometown festival would be celebrating a 32nd anniversary? It began when businessman Ken Scaz and a few friends took the idea to Mayor Tom Walsh with the concept that the morale of Pittstonians needed a boost of Pittston Pride.

the Pittston City Parks and Recreation Committee was held at 10 a.m. on Aug. 26, 1984 on the MarkData parking lot. Carmen Falcone was chairman, and Sam Falcone, president of Falcone Beverage Company, sponsored the T-shirts. The committee consisted of Sandra Ostrowski, Roseann Ricotta, Mimi Shovlin, Bill Gladish, Ann Marie Stelma, Vince Gubitoso, Mary Rita Gayz, and this columnist, a councilwoman at the time. The run was followed by the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center Tomato Festival Criterium Bike Race sponsored by the Lackawanna Bicycle Club. Bikers raced on Main Street and Kennedy Boulevard circling several times, causing difficulty for residents who wanted to attend church services. The planning committee consisted of Will Toole, councilman Jim Kolmansberger, Mark Ercolani and Ann Bradbury. After a few years, because of the conflict on Sunday morning, both races were discontinued. In 1999, the Tomato Festival 5K Run was reintroduced, with Jay Duffy serving as chairman and Jerry Mullarkey as co-chairman. It is a spectacular event to witness hundreds of runners competing to the finish line. This year, as in the past several years, Jay Duffy Jr. will serve as chairman in memory of his father. Enthralling entertainment My brain is filled with memories of the primary years of the festival, when it

was still on Kennedy Boulevard and you could only take a few steps before running into someone you knew, either from home or out of town. Those kinds of joyous reunions still occur at today’s festival. Entertainment had a local flavor with Joey “I” Infantino serving as chairman. A renowned musician, Joey I is remembered for his love of music, quick wit and his infamous trombone. Opening night always featured the famous Pacci Band with renditions of lively marches that created hand clapping, foot stomping and a great sense of pride. Other popular locals featured were the Glenn Michael’s Orchestra with Mickey Baldo attired in a white jacket conducting popular tunes of the 1940s era. Bobby Baird’s Dixieland Orchestra shook up the crowd, along with the Joey “I” Orchestra, Herbie Green’s Orchestra, Take Four with Charles Infantino and the High Lites, featuring the tenor and powerful voice of Pat Aita, all provided entertainment. In years past, Turning Point with Diane Dixon rocked the closing of the festival Sunday nights with her dynamic voice and energy. The performance was followed by beautiful fireworks, filling the black sky with splashes of color and creating such pleasure to onlookers. The fireworks were discontinued due to an ordinance that stated no loud disturbances after 10 p.m. An up-to-date note: Diane and her husband have been the opening per-

formers of the festival for many years. Just in case you don’t remember or didn’t know, the Pittston City Police Department got itself all wet in a dunking booth, giving town folks the opportunity to dunk their favorite policeman or local official. The booth’s ad read “Come dunk us if you can.” Many tried but few succeeded. Brave officers included Ptlm. John Jugus, Sgt. Greg Policare, Sgt. David Roglich, Police Chief Ed Doran, Ptlm. Joe Viccica, state Rep. Tom Tigue and Billy Hopple, city electrical inspector. Pittston loves a parade I have been walking down memory lane with past festivals and would be remiss if I didn’t recall my favorite event — the parade. It was my pleasure to serve on this committee for five years under the chairmanship of Bill Burke before I became chairperson in 1990. How I loved it and still do Events are not successful with the efforts of one person, but by the efforts of many people who choose to become part of the planning and work. The Tomato Festival Committee included Jim Deice, Judy Russo, Chet Montante, Sam Miceli, Gertrude Manganaro, Toni Reggie, Lou Calabrese, Ross Dominick, Debbie Lampman, Claire Ellen Hopple, Mary Chiarelli, and Jean Bantell. Applause, applause to Jim Deice and Judy Russo who are now Mr. and Mrs. and have chaired the parade since the year 2000!

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2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

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2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

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A ‘grand’ tradition One of the exciting aspects of serving on this committee was the selection of the grand marshal. The first grand marshal to lead the parade was Joe Amato in 1990. Joe was the owner of Keystone Automotive in Exeter and a nationallyknown drag racer. Joe rode in the parade with his drag car on a trailer. Following the parade, the drag car was parked in front of the Pittston Post Office for children and teens to get a closer look. Riding in the parade gives one the opportunity to observe the reaction of people who come to enjoy. It is a wonder to see the expression on children’s faces as they smile and wave and so grand to wave to people you recognize enjoying the festivity. This year will mark my 32nd year riding in the parade. Each parade has been special, but the one I cherish most is the parade of 2000, when I was named grand marshal. My husband Chet and I rode in an open car so proud of our hometown and the good-hearted people of Pittston. It was a happy day for my daughter Marilyn, who resided in Florida but came home to ride and enjoy the parade with us.

Congratulations to Thomas Sewatsky, treasurer of the Pittston Tomato Festival Committee since its inception, for being named the grand marshal of the 2015 Tomato Festival Parade. It is an honor most befitting to Tom, for he has given his talent, expertise, time and heart to our hometown event. Committee members today We’ve come a long way to the credit of the committees of the past and those currently serving. In 1998, the chain of command changed. Michael Lombardo, newlyelected mayor at the time, took over the reign and appointed Lori Nocito and Jim Zara as chairpersons. To this day, they are known as the dynamic trio. Lori, a natural leader and calm in nature, has a vision of what’s to be done and follows through, while Michael and Jim are the hands-on guys who are often seen moving chairs, hammering stands, carrying ladders and climbing poles. In 1999, Lori was named chairperson of the Tomato Festival with Michael and Jim serving as co-chairpersons. Food for thought The festival has grown

Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

to accommodate thousands of people locally, out of town and state. There is something for everyone, especially the food with a wide variety on the menu, quite delicious and prepared by local vendors. One never goes away hungry or disappointed. If you’re looking for tomatoes at the festival, be sure to stop at the Golomb’s Farm and Greenhouses stand at the entrance of South Main Street. Harold, Audrey and Harold Jr. have sold their locally-grown tomatoes and vegetables at the festival since the beginning. They are also original vendors of the Pittston Farmers Market held every Tuesday on South Main Street. See you there Thirty-two and counting! With the interest and dedication of the Pittston Tomato Festival Committee and patronage of our local people, who knows what number will be realized? Good luck and thank you to all those involved this year. See you at the festival scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 20 to Sunday, Aug. 23. Maria Capolarella-Montante was grand marshal of the Pittston Tomato Festival Parade in 2000. She is a lifelong public servant of the Greater Pittston.

Continued SuCCeSS to the

tomato feStival

Sunday Dispatch File Photo

Maria Capolarella-Montante served as Grand Marshal of the 2000 Pittston Tomato Festival Parade. Here she is in her garden after being named the grand marshal.

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Fun tomato facts Staff reports

Here are some fun facts about tomatoes: • It’s pronounced “toe-MAYtoe.” • Fruit or vegetable? Botanically speaking, a fruit. Horticulturally (and legally), a vegetable. In 1893, the U.S. Supreme Court legally classified the tomato as a vegetable because it’s used as one. • Cold or room temperature? Never refrigerate. Picking them right off the vine and shoving them into a refrigerator kills the aromas and flavors. • Red and soft to the touch means ripe. A tomato shouldn’t be picked until it is completely

red, unless fried green tomatoes are on the menu. The touch test is the best way to check for ripeness. If it’s hard and the skin is stretched, leave it on the vine. It should be firm with a little give. • If you make a habit of eating tomatoes in the form of sauce, ketchup or tomato paste, you can reduce your chances of getting cancer. In fact, men can reduce the risk for developing prostate cancer by up to 43 percent. • Tomatoes do not have to be cooked to make tomato sauce. Raw or living tomato sauce is delicious and can be made with almost the same recipe as cooked sauce. Just add sweetener (such as medjool

dates, de-pitted) and throw the ingredients into a food processor. Adjust seasonings to taste. Makes a great meal for hot days on shredded zucchini or cold pasta. • A Bloody Mary (tomato juice, vodka, salt, pepper, Tobasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce) helps cure hangovers. The tomato juice is full of vitamins and the vodka, well, it helps ween your body off the alcohol. • Drinking tomato juice, and bathing in it, has been advocated for skin disorders such as eczema. But using tomato juice after being sprayed by a skunk is an old wives’ tale. The best remedy is to neutralize the odor by using a solution of hydrogen

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peroxide on humans and animals and bleach for everything else. • Tomatoes were the original pin cushion. Did you ever wonder why there are so many tomato pin cushions out there? Apparently they were pretty handy when it came to sewing, a practice that is now outdated. • The best way to ripen tomatoes is to put them next to apples or bananas. Apples and bananas give off ethylene gases which speeds up the ripening process. • Tomato leaves are poisonous. Reach the Sunday Dispatch newsroom at 570-655-1418 or by email at sd@psdispatch. com.

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How the festival started Tuesday night at the Gramercy Restaurant in Pittston was what we called Bowling Night. I won’t go into who the “bowlers” were but most were well-known Pittston Area guys. Conversation was always lively and the image of Pittston was often the topic. Having lived in South Pittston all my life, I had many Italian-Americans as friends and there was not a bad guy among them. We didn’t understand nationalities and it never mattered to us from where our families migrated. The character of the person is the only thing that mattered. I’ve been asked how the idea Wil of a Tomato Festival originated Toole so I will tell the story of how and Contributing why the festival began. During Columnist those days, Pittston was known as the Voter Fraud Capital of the World. It was also known as the birthplace of the Mafia in America. That was my childhood background and the reputation of Pittston at that time and that was the basis of the Tomato Festival — to change the image of our city. After much discussion of our city’s image, I thought it was time for a real change and so I, along with P.J. Melvin, Ken Scaz, Anne Bradbury and the late Paul McGarry, began to meet. Our thought was to create an event to facilitate the needed change. At first, it was our thought to renew the former Miss Wyoming Valley pageant, a stepping stone to Miss PA Pageant and, eventually, to the Miss America Pageant. The logical person to go to for advice was the late Joe Ristagno of Ristagno’s Bakery. Joe was always involved in the arts and, in particular, the Wyoming Valley Beauty Pageant. We invited Joe to a meeting and explained our goal. The first thing he said was the pageant is a one-day affair and we needed a weekend event. We talked about various events around the country, including a Garlic Festival and even a Cow Chip Festival. We needed a “thing” that would be catchy and never used before. Scaz mentioned that his neighbor Val D’Elia was a tomato enthusiast — thus the Pittston Tomato Festival. At first, the name sounded ridiculous and impossible to make into a big event, especially one that would last a weekend. But that’s what

Joe Tavaglione, driven in a vintage U.S. Army Jeep by Carmen Falcon was the Grand Marshal in 2005.

Rosemary Kresprski, left, and several children enjoy the activities during the 1989 Tomato Festival. Sunday Dispatch File Photos

2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

42 August 2015

we settled on and we invited Val to meet with us and to say he was thrilled would be a gross understatement; he loved the idea. It was agreed that he and Ken would go to Mayor Tom Walsh to seek the city’s blessings and Tom being his usual self said he never stood in the way of a party. He allowed Paul, then city administrator and me (I was the mayor’s deputy) to spend a few working hours devoted to organizing the soon-to-be-great and long-lasting Pittston Tomato Festival. Val explained the 1920s term “Pittston Tomato” as the term the New York and New Jersey wholesalers used to describe the tomatoes grown in this area because they were shipped out of Pittston. Make no mistake, these dealers wanted the Pittston Tomato as it was known for its taste. Val explained the name referred to all tomatoes grown between Tunkhannock and Berwick which got their great taste from

Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

the acidity in our soil due to the presence of coal. We promoted the Pittston Tomato as the greatest-tasting tomato in the world and Pittston as the Tomato Capital of the world. I recall an incident when an out-of-town newspaper reporter called city hall and spoke with Paul McGarry and asked him how he knew the Pittston Tomato had the greatest tomato taste in the world. With his quick wit, Paul said he knew it because Mayor Walsh said it and everyone knows Mayor Walsh would never lie. So there it was, proof positive that the Pittston Tomato is the greatest tomato in the world and Pittston City is the world’s tomato capital. The success of the Tomato Festival was due to hard-working and dedicated citizens and the cooperation of the late Pidge Watson and the Sunday Dispatch, along with the other Wyoming Valley media. We even had help with Since the beginning of the Tomato Festival, fresh produce has been a staple. This photo was taken during the 1989 festival.

There’s just something special about home grown

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the production of free TV commercials and constant media coverage during the festival. The small group quickly grew with dedicated members such as Emil and Honey Posluszny, Jimmy and Judy Deice, Stanley, Judy and daughter Angel Strelish, Sam Micelli, Bill Hopple. Bob Conway, Jay Goham, Gary Bradbury, Sam Valenti. the Farugia brothers, Sal and Steve and so many others who contributed. I apologize if I’ve forgotten someone. The generosity of Atty. Michael Cefalo, the Insalaco brothers, Walter Kuharchik Electric who all donated to the purchase of the bandshell and the late George Menn of Pittston Electric who believed in our effort and gave us the electrical equipment on credit, the Pittston Tomato Festival was off and running. The spin-off benefit of the event, which became a driving point for us, was the opportunity for small non-profit and volunteer organizations to have the facility available to them for the cost of only $150. We provided a space 10 feet wide by 20 feet deep with lighting, electricity, tent cover-

2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

Sunday Dispatch File Photos

During the 1989 Tomato Festival, a man wheels around tomatoes.

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The Pittston Tomato posed with some youngsters during the 1989 Tomato Festival.

Congratulations to the

Pittston Tomato Festival

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age, entertainment, restroom facilities, security and garbage removal. Space was given on a first-come/ first-served basis with non-profit and volunteer groups getting preference, followed by local individuals working as a neighborhood group and, finally, professional vendors. During the management of the original festival, organizers, nonprofit and volunteer groups made up over 65 percent of the stands with the remaining spaces filled with neighborhood friends and professional vendors. The finance committee determined each year the minimum amount of “rent” needed to cover expenses of the festival. It was never the goal for the festival to make money, just to cover expenses. At the same time, the first festival was being planned, Ken Scaz and I drove to every farmers market we could find in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties, begging farmers to come to the newly-formed Pittston Farmers Market. As the chairman of the farmers market, I was about to pull the plug on the idea because farmers said they didn’t have time for another market; they needed Members of the Luzerne County Italian American Association march in a previous Tomato Festival Parade. time to work the fields. With just days to go before the planned opening date, Plains farmer Harold Golomb and a few othMonsignor Burns ers decided to give it a try and the and Father Rossetti farmers market was a huge success ride in coach during (Golomb Farms continues to sell the 1990 Tomato FestivalParade. produce in Pittston). Every Tuesday, we had fresh locally-grown produce, entertainment, great news coverage, the cooperation of the late great Manny Gordon and help from the state’s Dept. of Agriculture. The parking lot on Kennedy Boulevard, now the home of Burger King, became a busy spot on Tuesdays and was the original location of the Pittston Tomato Festival. Now, 32 years later, the Pittston Tomato Festival and the Pittston FarmSister ers Market survive and flourish and, Adrian Barrett with the new addition of the Pittston waves to City St. Patrick’s Parade, Pittston will the crowd soon become known as the Citizen Volduring unteer Capital of the World. the 1989 Wil Toole was an original organizer of the first Pittston Tomato Festival. Reach the Sunday Dispatch newsroom at 570-655-1418 or by email at sd@ psdispatch.com.

Tomato Festival.

Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

Sunday Dispatch File Photos

Below, the Pittston Knights of Columbus march in a Tomato Festival Parade in the late 1990s.

2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

A look back

August 2015

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Monsignor John Bendik and Gianna Charney, 11, lead the singing of ‘Happy Birthday’ at the Pittston Tomato Festival.

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Matt Brucher helps 3-year-old Hevaeh Evans climb the rock wall at the Tomato Festival.

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Kara Corbett holds her 11-month-old son, Colin, as she wins a fish at the Tomato Festival.

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2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

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Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

A look back at past festivals

Josephine Lazzari, all of only 100 years young, is perched in a Corvette for the parade.

The dinner time rush is well worth the wait for food at the Tomato Festival.

Sunday Dispatch File Photos

The Tomato Festival lot was full of people for opening night of the Pittston Tomato Festival.

Tyler Gregory, of Avoca, enjoys a pasta and meatball dinner during the opening night.

People flock to downtown Pittston for opening night of the 29th Annual Tomato Festival.

Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

August 2015

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2015 TOMATO FESTIVAL

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Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch

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