I love Scranton, Pennsylvania. The way Di Nero loves NYC. The way Bostonians love David Ortiz. I love it.
I love the endless rows of nearly-identical homes wrapped in faded aluminum siding. I love slate sidewalks. I love sitting on the front porch, the fake “grass” underfoot and talking to the neighbor across the street who’s sitting on his porch, for hours at a time.
I love the chili dogs served at St. Ann’s Novena. Travel the entire planet and you’ll not find a tastier combination of hot dog, bun, chili and mustard. Served on their own, each ingredient is ordinary, but the combined result is transcendent. Don’t ask me how.
I love that I can still recall skits performed by 107 DJs Daniels and Webster when I was in jr. high school because they were that damn funny. I love that the Christmas lights in the Times Tower never come down.
I love a city populated by 70,000 honest, hard-working blue collar people who want to put in a week’s labor, catch a Yankees game, grab a tray from Maroni’s, bring the kids to Nay Aug and go to bed content with happy children, bills paid and friends and family nearby.
I love that while my wife and I were touring Italy for our honeymoon, she turned to me upon entering a small, family store selling meats and cheeses and said, “Wow, this is just like Catalano’s.”
I love buying bootlegs in The Electric Mind Shaft. I love Electric Mary. I love people who remember Skateaway, Hatchy Milatchy and Manny Goron. I love the IGA and South Side bowl. I love driving down Fireman’s Hill with the lights off.
I know that you love Scranton, too. Really love it. Let’s talk about Scranton. What do you love? The comments are now open.
I love The Office.
You can take the man out of Scranton, but you can’t take Scranton out of the man.
You earn Bonus Points for mentioning Hatchy Milatchy. And Manny Gordon too. Enjoy, enjoy!
PS – Failed to mention in earlier comment: One of Scranton’s greatest assets (besides the strong sense of community) is its rich architectural heritage. Grand old buildings throughout the city like the Albright Library, Scranton City Hall, the Lackawanna County Courthouse, the Finch Building, and the Hotel Jermyn just to name a few.
And also, who doesn’t love the annual La Festa Italiana each Labor Day weekend? The best!
Global:
You said it. I remember when so many buildings were taken down to make way for the Steamtown Mall. I was bummed to see some of them go. However, many treasures remain. Like the old Globe building and the Jermyn.
And yes, the Italian Festival is awesome, even if it means the school year is about to begin.
I have been doing a lot of reminiscing, thanks to reconnecting with old friends on Facebook. We talk about the fun we had at Nay Aug and Rocky Glen. About skating parties at Skate-A-Way in Taylor. And about how many times we each appeared on Hatchy Milatchy with our girl scout troop or dance class. Fun times.