The LuLac Edition #2563, December 15th, 2013

 Vice President ad Governor Tom Cornett last night in New York. (Photo: Newpittsbughcourieronline,com)

BIDEN HONORED AT PA. SOCIETY

Pa. Society logo. (Wikipedia,com). 

Vice President Joe Biden was honored last night at the Pennsylvania Society Annual Dinner in New York City. The dinner is the biggest social event of the season and politicos take in the sights and sounds of New York. The Pennsylvania Society has been in business since 1899 and is an audition event for aspiring Pennsylvania politicos who want to be Senator or Governor.
Biden’s speech was filled with Pennsylvania anecdotes as well as stories about his upbringing in Scranton. He paid tribute to various politicos and his complimentary remarks were bi partisan in nature especially singling out Governor Corbett, Senators Casey and Toomey as well as former First Lady Ellen Casey.
Say what you want about Biden but he really can give a good speech from the heart. Usually the honoree is an afterthought because of so much political positioning and wrangling among the power brokers but despite that in 2013, people actually were entertained by the speech given by the scrappy kid from Scranton, now political powerhouse, Joe Biden.

White House insider John Podesta. (Photo: Politico).

PODESTA TO THE RESCUE

The Obama administration has finally got the message. Bring in some old hands familiar with Presidential politics to help save the wretched second term of this Presidency.
President Obama has a rebounding economy, has made progress in foreign affairs and still is weighed down by the false start of his signature legislative achievement, the Affordable Care Act. With House Speaker John Boehner finally growing a set and pushing back toward the Tea Party bullies, maybe an old experienced, non sexy hand like Podesta can get through some legislation that will salvage the Obama legacy. After all he did wonders with Clinton's ,secod term in the aftermath of Lewinsky and that pesky navy blue dress.

Coach Paul Leonard during the '71, '72 Baseball season at St. John's. (Photo: LuLac archives).

PAUL LEONARD

Paul Leonard of Upper Pittston died this past week. For many people of my age growing up in Pittston he was a mainstay of our youth. Leonard coached at St. John’s in Pittston managing the Varsity, Junior Varsity Basketball teams as well as the baseball team. He also conducted the gym classes and made sure everyone was treated with respect. While we had fun and there was a relaxed atmosphere, you did your work to get the PE credit.
Leonard also was a prominent undertaker in the Pittston area offering consolation and competence for many of our families. He raised 8 great kids and knew the names of almost every kid he taught at St. John’s and then later Seton Catholic. As we get older those people who were with us in our formative years become a distant memory. We might be at a game or restaurant with friends and say, “Who was that guy who taught us whatever?” With Paul Leonard we never had to ask that question. We knew his name and he knew ours. The best consolation for his family during this tough time (especially right before the holidays) might be this: he left an impression. RIP Coach.