The words of that Italian proverb are about as true as it gets.
I would be remiss if I let the day end without taking a moment to remember my grandmother, Grayce Cassidy, who passed away five years ago today. Aside from being a wonderful grandmother, she was undoubtedly my most unabashed supporter.
When I first ran for office back in 2004, she was recovering from a major back injury, but she insisted on going door-to-door in February to get signatures for my nominating petition. She was a force of nature not to be denied.
On the day of the 2004 Primary Election, she was still recovering from back surgery and was unable to be out in the field with us, so her and my grandfather spent the entire day at their kitchen table in their campaign shirts. When they received word of some trouble at a local polling place involving some pathetic hack would-be politico, she got down there so fast she nearly hit him with her car.
Watching her body break down as cancer ate away at her was one of the most difficult things I have ever endured, but she was a trooper until the end. For what turned out to be her last meal, she had us smuggle a Big Mac and a milkshake into the hospital.
My grandmother taught me more things than I could ever list here, and I miss her dearly. I only wish that she had lived long enough to see get elected and sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives, because it was thanks to her as much as anyone that I have been able to achieve what I have in life.
I am very bummed out. I just learned that John Barbaro, longtime Penguins public address announcer, principal at Waynesburg High School and Washington County resident has lost his battle with a brain tumor that had forced him out of action since the end of the 2008-09 season.
As someone who was lucky enough to see hundreds of games at Mellon Arena, I never could get used to anyone else calling the games. His absence was palpable at the final game in Mellon Arena earlier this season. To this day, when I think of my favorite goals of all time, I am invariably reminded of John’s booming announcement that would somehow manage to drive the energy level at the Igloo just a little bit higher.
Do yourself a favor and take a few minutes to check out these videos. The first one is particularly sad; it was a brief profile of John Barbaro from back in 2007, and there are moments that will make any true Pens fan’s heart tug, especially knowing the amazing run to two consecutive Stanley Cup Finals that was right around the corner at the time this was filmed.
Now, to lift you up a little bit, here are two of the most signature goal calls in Pens history. It’s almost as though the goals weren’t real until John announced them. First, here’s Mario’s late game-winner against Chicago in Game 1 of the 1992 Stanley Cup Finals, which is one game I would give anything to have seen live. The atmosphere is just insane:
Second, here is the first goal Mario scored in his 2000 comeback. Another electric night.
My condolences go out to John’s family. Thank you for so many memorable moments, and so many great nights of Penguins hockey.
I will be the first to admit it. I have been slacking on this blog. But in my own defense, it’s not like I’ve been sitting around playing Nintendo for the past two weeks. Between my legislative duties and getting out on the campaign trail, I haven’t had much time to breathe, let along blog. [...]
As I write this, we are 119 days from November 2, which also happens to be Election Day, and I am up for re-election as the State Representative in the 46th District. I am working hard to get ready for the political onslaught I have been warned awaits me over the next few months, and [...]
Had everything gone according to plan, I would be walking in the Canonsburg Fourth of July parade right now, sweating off about 15 pounds in the process. But instead, this is the sight that greeted me when I walked out my front door this morning: Yep, I’m sitting at my desk in the Capitol right [...]
Just a few minutes ago, the House passed a balanced state Budget on time and sent it to the Governor for his signature which is expected shortly. Just like in last year’s budget, we heard loud and clear the cries for no broad-based tax increases and have again answered that call. Not only is this [...]
So as the kids say, it’s apparently on like Donkey Kong. If there was any doubt that campaign season was in full swing, check out this ridiculous letter to the editor in a recent issue of the Weirton Daily Times: To the Editor, This editorial is in response to actions by the Washington County Hanover [...]
I am happy to announce a new project I have been working on for several weeks now. This morning I am unveiling www.yourpabudget.com, which is a website for Pennsylvanians to give direct input to their elected officials on how they would cut spending or raise revenue to balance the state budget. You can also vote [...]
