Michael T. Mondak speaks about the year that was: 2023

As 2024 begins, I take this opportunity to reflect on the past year that was.

In 2023, I began my current employment where I basically assist folks in Pennsylvania receive medical benefits and food stamps.  What I enjoy the most about it is that I get to work from home so that I can achieve a work-life balance, which is something that I needed.  One thing that I have learned about my line of work is that no two Pennsylvanians have the same set of circumstances.  For instance, you might have a family of six living in Erie seeking medical coverage or you could have a 80 year old widower in Bowmanstown seeking home and community based services along with food stamps.  You could also have a couple in a common law marriage with one son living in State College seeking medical coverage for their son or you might have a 20 year old college student at Temple University in Philadelphia looking to apply for food stamps.

Also in 2023, I attended three weddings.  In June I attended a wedding at historic Stambaugh Auditorium in Youngstown where my neighbor Sean Zippie married Yuliana Ruiz Nunez.  Less than one month later, I attended another wedding where one of my friends from softball Matt Durisko married Abby Ferlin at church and the reception held near Warren, Ohio.  In October I attended a wedding near Atlantic where one of my mother's colleagues at the county elections office got married.  But if it wasn't for Penn State playing their home opener against West Virginia on September 2, I would have attended a fourth wedding.

Just two days before my birthday, I attended my 20 year high school class reunion at Thunder Alley where I got to see all of my high school classmates again.

Just one week after my class reunion, the Covenant Speed/Power softball team won its seventh consecutive Lawrence-Mercer County Church Softball League championship in the most exciting tournament finale in the nearly 50 year history of the league.

But I believe the major highlight of 2023 for me came on November 18 when I served as the grand marshal of the City of Hermitage Holiday Light Parade.  I was chosen as grand marshal for my service over the last fifteen years as The Balloon Man.  In my book, after experiencing this, I do not believe that I will experience anything like this again in my life.

Today, 2024 begins with a clean slate and 366 days of opportunities.  Yes, I said 366 days as this year is a leap year.  The coming year will see me continue to serve in my role as The Balloon Man at the Hermitage Arts Festival as well as Buhl Day.  I will also return for my tenth year as the voice of Covenant softball.  And I also plan to apply to volunteer at the 2025 U.S. Open golf championship that will be held at historic Oakmont Country Club outside of Pittsburgh.  In addition, Sean Zippie, Ryan Zippie, Peyton Columbus and myself will launch our new line of golf apparel called Zippely in February.

Until next time, help in the fight against childhood cancers by contributing to the Four Diamonds Fund.  And take care of yourself and each other.

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