WILKES-BARRE — It’s almost Christmas Eve, and with any luck, Santa will arrive while every good little boy and girl is asleep.
My pal, Mike Harper, of Sharper Embroidery in Swoyersville, asks if anyone knows the name of Santa’s 10th reindeer?
We all know Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and, of course, Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. So who is the 10th reindeer?
Harper offers, “Olive.” As in, “Olive, the other reindeer, used to laugh and call him names.”
OK, so Santa will try to leave everything on everybody’s list under their tree — that is, everybody who actually has been good, not naughty!
But just in case, here are a few gifts Santa might not leave, but perhaps should:
• Pauline Bailey (mother of Phylicia Thomas) — For her daughter’s case to be closed — to find out what happened, who all are responsible and to find her remains and bring her home. It’s been almost 22 years. Closure is all Pauline asks for, and she deserves it.
• Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown — Keep bringing people downtown to events like the Farmers Market, Fine Arts Fiesta, Downtown concerts and development; more shows at the F.M. Kirby Center; continued great services — police, fire, DPW.
• Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo — A World Series championship for her beloved Yankees — and Brian Cashman’s cell number to offer guidance.
• Will Beekman — To call Carol King and convince her to appear in Wilkes-Barre — with Bob Dylan and James Taylor. And more success for his kids’ softball teams and, of course, the RailRiders.
• Joell Yarmel, F.M. Kirby Center: Continue to bring big-name acts and sell-out crowds to the “Jewel of the City.”
• Luzerne County Arts and Entertainment Hall of Fame: It’s been three years and three awesome induction classes — the fourth should also be great! Bravo!
• Joe Nardone Sr.: More oysters at Kevin’s. More oldies concerts that bring back memories for so many.
• Alan K. Stout: More visitors, more events, more good things! Donnie Baseball in Yankee pinstripes as manager and Derek Jeter as GM.
• King’s College President Thomas Looney and Wilkes U. President Greg Cant: To be true to their mission of educating the people of our region who desire access to quality higher education and to strengthen the entire campus community — and higher enrollment.
• Luzerne County Community College President John Yudichak — To continue growing LCCC by offering students more quality programs at an affordable cost and expanding opportunities for high school students, creating partnerships with regional business and industry for student learning internships. And to keep listening to his dad, Joe.
• All veterans — To continue getting the utmost respect and admiration from a forever grateful nation. Thank you all for your service!
• Luzerne County Council — To work together for the betterment of the county and its hard-working people.
• Wilkes-Barre City Council — Same here, to effect positive change for the city and its residents and visitors.
• Chamber President Lindsay Griffin-Boylan — Continue her outstanding leadership with a great team, and they will convince major employers that pay family-sustaining wages to locate in NEPA.
• Diamond City Executive Director Larry Newman — To keep the plan moving forward in the downtown and for more downtown businesses to open in available spaces — and key corners in the City to see buildings built in 2026.
• Downtown Wilkes-Barre Business Association Chairman John Maday — Increased membership in the Downtown Wilkes-Barre Business Association, his own Viking boat, and an invite to lunch with him, the Easter Bunny, and Santa Claus — at the same time!
• Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport: Another vital part of the region’s economy, we hope for more flights, great rates, and continued solid leadership.
• Lou Barletta — A World Championship for the Yankees, a good cigar, and more time with family, and to continue to speak out on critical issues.
• Clancy Harrison: To continue helping people through her Food Dignity Movement program.
• Melissa Obuch: Ditto with her MamaBird program.
• U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan — To secure large amounts of federal dollars for Northeast Pennsylvania.
• U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser — To continue to make a positive impact in Washington, D.C., and to secure funding for NEPA.
• U.S. Sen. John Fetterman: Continued recovery and success in effecting positive legislation.
• Gov. Josh Shapiro: To order a few dozen quarter-zip pullovers from Sharper Embroidery and to continue getting “[stuff]” done for all Pennsylvanians.
• Plymouth Mayor Frank Coughlin: The “Marrying Mayor” and “Colonel of Fantasy Football” has Old Shawnee looking better every year. Kudos to Plymouth Borough Council as well, and the folks at Plymouth Alive and the annual Kielbasa Festival!
• Pittston Mayor Mike Lombardo: Same shout-out to you and the Tomato Festival crew — awesome for the city and the region.
• Edwardsville Pierogi Festival: Congrats on growing this great event every year!
• State Sen. Lisa Baker: — To continue her commitment to represent all her constituents and thinking outside the box.
• State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski — A new dance hall at Sandy Beach, and to continue to help wherever he can. And more dances!
• State Reps. Alec Ryncavage, Jamie Walsh, Jim Haddock: Work for your constituents and put petty politics behind us — we need better roads, better schools, more bipartisanship in Harrisburg.
• State Rep. Brenda Pugh — To work hard on issues that concern constituents, regardless of political affiliations.
• Notre Dame fans — For football coach Marcus Freeman, the Fighting Irish appear to be on the right path to that pot o’ gold.
• Penn State fans — For new Coach Matt Campbell, to get wins over the Buckeyes and Wolverines, and for the fans to continue to faithfully support the Nittany Lions — “You are!”
• Yankees fans — Stop with the analytics already, play real baseball, and get more real baseball players and stop striking out!
• Frank “Scooter” Cerreta: Championships for the Yankees, Knicks, Giants — and just one time, when he watches the Yankee replay of a loss, the Yanks win the replay.
• Mets fans — Relax, “believe” — your team should be playing deep in October.
• Phillies fans — Another great season for this real baseball team — a throwback to the glory days of real baseball. At least they wear pinstripes sometimes, even if they are red.
• Eagles fans — Great coach, QB Hurts, solid defense — the Eagles are an elite NFL program.
• Giants fans — Maybe someday — maybe — they are NOT an elite program.
• Steelers fans — Coach Tomlin is the best in the NFL — hang in there.
• Red Sox fans — Just be grateful and savor the fact that you have Fenway Park and the Green Monster — the absolute best ballpark in baseball.
• Dodgers fans — Spending is what they do. Enough already. Anybody but.
• Hollywood: Make some better movies, please. It’s been too long.
• Casinos: How about a higher winning percentage for the people?
• George Toma: Thanks for all he has done in his “field.” A true gentleman who never forgot where he came from — we all love Mr. Toma!
• Youth athletic volunteers: Just keep doing what you do — so many kids benefit from these programs. Thank you for all you do.
• Victory Sports: Special program for great participants. You make a significant difference in the quality of their lives.
• Wyoming Valley Challenger Baseball: Another amazing year for an amazing program! Role models who represent their peers with dignity.
• Political pundits — To stop the antagonistic, partisan approach to covering politics in general — it’s silly, actually — return integrity to your industry. Neither side can be right all the time. Learn to debate, not degrade. Good luck to Santa on this one.
• SPCA, Blue Chip Farm, et. al. — Great organizations that need more kind-hearted, compassionate souls to adopt abandoned pets and give them a good home. Please.
• My Canadian Fishing Buddies: Huge pike, more walleye to enjoy, and big suckers for bait.
• Vinny and Lucas Sharp: More time with Nana and fun with Mommy, Daddy, and Abby!
• Barbara “Nana” DiGiovanni: More time to send homemade food — especially her red soup — to her friends in NEPA. And more hugs from Vinny and Lucas.
• Wayne Bevan and George Miklosi: To get the band back together.
• Joe Pacuska and friends: Speaking of getting bands back together — we want to hear you!
• Jody Busch: Continue his podcasts — just let Piper co-host!
• Penguins and RailRiders: Bigger crowds, more victories, and forever success.
• Pizza parlors — To actually put $2 worth of toppings on a pie. C’mon, man. (Annual request.)
• All first responders, health care workers, law enforcement, scientists: To get the respect they have earned and have always deserved.
• Democratic Party: Create a bench of candidates in waiting for the future — it’s almost here.
• Republican Party: Ditto.
• All nonprofit groups: To continue their missions and to find the funds not just to continue, but to expand services.
• Quilts of Valor, Elks Club, Plymouth Rotary: And all others that do so much for so many — stay the course.
• Convenience store groupies: More Wawa coming! More Sheetz! Turkey Hills forever!
• Fast food faithfuls: Bigger wings, juicier Whoppers, more stuffed tacos, foot-long hot dogs, strawberry Frosties, more Big Mac secret sauce, more meats at Arby’s, and pizza, pizza, pizza!
• Pennsylvania drivers: Slow down, stop texting and driving, and be courteous.
• Times Leader Publisher Kerry Miscavage: Continue her great leadership of a team that is second to none!
• TL Executive Editor Jake Higgins: Welcome aboard! Continue to lead a great team, and when you golf, hit the ball straight, not often.
• TL News Editor Liz Baumeister: More cool pics of birds and first place for Ugly Christmas Sweater of the Year!
Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good year ahead!