Scranton Insider on “Dwight’s Speech”
As always, Dave gives us the view as a Scranton Insider:
First of all, let me say it’s good to be back! Let’s wait a couple of years before we do that Olympics thing again, ok?
In this week’s episode, Dwight is named Dunder-Mifflin Paper Salesman of the Year, and Pam continues the wedding preparations while Jim plans to skip town. I have to admit, there were a couple of puzzling references for me this week, but we’ll get to those later.
The best reference in this episode was so quick, I never would have caught it if not for my TiVo. While chatting in the break room with Pam, Jim is drinking from a mug that says, “Together building a better Scranton. Restoring the Pride.” In the fact, the scene begins with a head-on shot of the mug, but pans up very quickly. I was floored to see it.
“Restoring the Pride” is the slogan of a major initiative to revitalize the city, both physically and economically, especially the downtown area. Banners and signs are posted all over the place, especially at sites of great construction and renovation. There are a lot of great, old buildings in town that have been in disrepair for a long time, that are now being worked on and given new life. It is highly likely that most office buildings in Scranton have at least one “Restoring the Pride” mug in residence.
Later, Dwight regales the staff with a story about a fictional car accident on Rte. 84 West. Rte 84 is one of the main highways (along with 380 and The Eternal Construction Project, Rte 81) that intersects the city. In fact, the staff would have travelled Rte. 84 West to get to Lake Wallenpaupack in nearby Hawley, Pa., which they visited in the “Booze Cruise” episode.
Now we get to this week’s puzzlers. Pam mentions that her wedding reception will be held at “The V.A.” I’ve got to say, I’m stumped. What’s The V.A.? Earlier in the episode, Jim mentions that his status as the ninth most successful Dunder-Mifflin salesperson got him a pizza from “Pagino’s?” Of course, there’s no Chili’s in Scranton either, despite the show’s depiction. So, I guess they’re allowed the occasional error.*
So that’s it for this week. Thanks for reading, and I’ll talk to you again soon.
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March 3rd, 2006 06:48
As a Scranton native, I did notice the mug. That slogan, “Restoring the Pride” is considered to be a joke among Scrantonians, as is the current mayor.(Maybe that’s why they used it) This tag is also the slogan for Binghamton, NY, catch-y, isn’t it?
I never heard of Pagino’s Pizza, either!
March 3rd, 2006 06:53
http://www1.va.gov/directory/guide/facility.asp?ID=593&dnum=ALL&map=1
VA stands for Veteran Affairs.
They’re called VA Halls down here in Texas and are often used for celebrations…wedding receptions, 50th wedding anniversaries, etc. It sounds just like something Roy would choose.
March 3rd, 2006 06:55
Pretty sure the VA is a veteran’s hall.
March 3rd, 2006 06:59
V.A. stands for Veteran’s Administration, a catch-all term for organizations/buildings/etc associated with assistance for US Veterans.
March 3rd, 2006 07:26
Want a true picture of Mayor Doherty’s “Restoring the Pride,” as well an accurate picture of what life is like in Scranton? Visit this site created by Scranton residents: www.dohertydeceit.com
Also, there is a Scranton message board liked to that site: http://www.chumster.co.uk/forum/index.php?mforum=dohertydeceit
March 3rd, 2006 08:02
I was going to ask about the Chili’s.. There’s one in Wilkes Barre, right? And I thought they were going to put on on Montage, but neither would be within a “few blocks” as they stated.
Neat site, keep it up.
March 3rd, 2006 09:27
Hey Dave,
The V.A., as others here have suggested, is likely a reference to a veterans hall. Doesn’t sound like a patent Scranton reference though. Better would have been “the Legion”, “the VFW”, or “the hose house”, meanining local (not in the city but “suburbs”) volunteer firefighters banquet/reception hall.
And I thought the pizza reference was “Gino’s”? Don’t know of a well-known one but isn’t it a chain? Dunno. Anyway, enjoy the column as always! And the show just keeps getting better. A Mussolini speech that in the end was met with a rousing response? The best.
John Webster
webster@rock107.com
March 3rd, 2006 09:41
PS
Just took another look at Michael’s “Faces of Scranton” video and in the part where we meet Pam, she’s sitting at the table in the break room with a can of Birchola in front of her. Birchola, of course, a kind of birch beer/cola hybrid manufactured by the Crystal Soda Water Co. of Scranton, PA!
March 3rd, 2006 10:35
John
You know, I was sure it had something to do with Vet centers, but I guess I was trying to associate the abbreviation “AV” with a specific building or hall (like Vthe FW and the other locals you suggested).
I don’t know what was funnier: The crowed roaring their approval at a dictator’s speech or Dwight’s awkward and inappropriately timed fist-pounding and arm-waving. He totally missed the intended emphasis and it was a riot. Are we sure Dwight lives “outside Wilkes Barre” as he once mentioned? Because I’m sure I knew someone just like him in West Side.
As far as the can of Birchola in Michael’s video: Good catch! I used to drink that stuff while on my old Scranton Times paper route of Bryn Mawr avenue. Ah, the memories.
PS-Who wants to send me some Birchola in the mail?
March 3rd, 2006 11:52
I believe they didn’t get pizza from “Paginos” but Cugino’s, just up from Dunmore Corners on Drinker Street.
March 3rd, 2006 12:36
Sue: Ah, it very well could be “Cugino’s!” I listened to it a few times, but just couldn’t make out what Jim was saying. Thanks!
March 3rd, 2006 13:38
I was surprized to see the mug also, especially with that logo on it. Scotty above is right, the true pictures lies within the website mentioned above. Please all visit that website and you will see for sure not all Scrantonians Pride is restored, especially since it didnt need to be.
March 3rd, 2006 14:27
Dave,
are you really a west sider? find it hard to believe that a true west sider refers to Bryn Mawr as Avenue. we all know it is a street!
As for the Restoring the Pride, remember, PRIDE IS ONE OF THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS!.
Kelli
March 3rd, 2006 15:02
Brandon:
There might be a Chili’s in W-B or Clarks Summit. But I did notice on the episodes that mention Chili’s, there were also Chili commercials during the show..It’s all about Product Placement. Other things I have noticed in previous episodes: Crystal Club Soda, Abe’s, Scranton Travel, Bishop O’Hara HS, Raidsson, Farley’s, Poor Richards, what am I leavng out??
March 3rd, 2006 17:35
Kelli: Of course! West Side is the Best Side!
You’re right, though. My friend Lou had the Dartmouth street as his paper route, and our respective bundles were dropped off just a block apart in the afternoons. He and I would meet, then race to see who could get to the end of his route first..from Main St. all the way down to Parrot Ave! Not a quick jaunt.
Luckily, there was a small corner store at the very bottom block of Dartmouth St (just a block before Parrot Ave) that we called “Nick’s.” He would let us warm up in there during the winter and eat Tasty Kakes. Mmmm.
March 3rd, 2006 19:48
so dave, did you guys sometimes have to put up with your friend’s little brother tagging along?
March 3rd, 2006 20:07
timmy:
Oh, all sorts of people came with me. I’d drag various friends along to keep me company, or “trainees” who would fill in if I wasn’t able to work on a given day. Usually, though, I was just walking along solo w/my walkman cranking the Van Halen to dangerous levels. It’s amazing I can hear at all.
March 3rd, 2006 21:43
Dave, Who is Lou? I shared the Dartmouth Street paper route with my brother. I think the Pete Stulgis had it prior to me. Give credit where credit is due. I had to suffer the sight of the old ladies coming to the doors when I collected in their see through nighties. I must admit that it may have been a fantasy, however the see through nighties never came to the right doors or on the right customers.
March 4th, 2006 07:41
Greg:
Yes, you’re right. I must be getting old, because I swapped the two names in my head. So…
I had Dartmouth St. at the time Louie had Bryn Mawr. When I gave up Dartmouth St. to go work at the South Side IGA, I gave my route to Pete, who I think shared it with Matt and Jimmy (Chris may have done it on occasion too, if I remember). It’s pity getting old.
PS-Louie usually got to the end of Bryn Mawr before I reached the end of Dartmouth. Oh well. It must have been all the time I spent eating cupcakes at Nick’s.
March 4th, 2006 08:23
Speaking of forgetfulness:
Greg: Don’t you remember listening to the Beastie Boys with me on the walkman in 8th grade?
Tim: Don’t you remember making that winning shot on my father’s basketball team at St. Ann’s?
…that is, if you guys are who I think you are.
March 4th, 2006 13:59
I know that the plan is to make this short and to point, however as a former 18504 resident I thought that the following list would help outsiders understand the Joy of Scranton more. I Promise I won’t do it again.
> ” Scranton may not be the best place to visit…but it is the best
place
> to be from!”
> You know you are from Scranton when……
>
> You can name every town between Wilkes-Barre and Carbondale (in
order!).
>
> You know that there is a huge difference between Scranton and
> Wilkes-Barre.
>
> Your Church and favorite “beer garden” are conveniently located on the
> same corner.
>
> You know the difference between halushki and halupki.
>
> Your three favorite holidays are: St. Paddy’s Day, the first day of
buck
> season, and the night they light the Times Tower.
>
> You know “up da line” from “downda line”.
> Driving to your brother-in-law’s in Wilkes-Barre constitutes going out
> of town for Thanksgiving.
>
> You’re on the local funeral director’s Christmas card list And you
have
> one of his calendars hanging in the kitchen.
>
> It takes you a good three minutes to read the Sunday paper
>
> You’re one of the few Americans who cares where Hillary’s father is
> buried.
>
> You’re not worried about that fire plug in front of your house working
> because there aren’t enough firemen left to turn it on anyway.
>
> You know the airport’s really in Avoca.
> It’s pronounced “COOpan”, DOOOpont”, and “Troop”
>
> You can tell the difference between an “Irish” church and an “Italian”
> church just by the name.
>
> When giving directions you always mention at least one bar or funeral
> home.
>
> You know what a “corpse house” is.
>
> You insist on calling them “column banks”.
> You tell everyone from out of town that the reason you live here is
> because “It’s the best place in the world to raise a family,” and then
> complain because there’s nothing for the kids to do, no jobs except
> minimum wage, etc.
>
> You brag about your brother who has a big job in Philly.
>
> Your immediate family has at least one person who “works” at Tobyhanna
> (or “The Depot”).
>
> You’ve ever ridden a bus to Atlantic City, ” ‘Cause it only costs 12
> bucks
> and they give you 10 in quarters”.
>
> You plan your summer vacation “to the shore” around the fireman’s
and/or
> Church picnic.
>
> You love/hate Penn State, Notre Dame, Yankees, and the Red Sox.
>
> When you were a kid you used to get your sneakers at the A-cummy.
>
> You would never walk down Mulberry Street at night. (or, for the older
> generation, Lackawanna Ave)
>
> You’ve never even been to Steamtown.
>
> As far as you’re concerned it’s “Rude 81″ because you think Jersey
> drivers are the worst in the world.
>
> You pronounce the following correctly: chimbly, li-bary, sangwich,
> Scra-in, and brudder.
>
> Your chuchi lives next door to your noni.
>
> Kill-bossy is the main course at Christmas dinner.
>
> They’re HOAGIES dammit!
>
> Someone in your family “went tudda U”.
>
> You order a “tray of pizza”
>
> You have seen the largest pothole in the world
>
> You miss Sugerman’s
>
> You have seen an accident on Route 6 (two points if you have been in
an
> accident on Route 6)
>
> You think that all of the local town names are really part of “cotton
> eye joe” lyrics (thanks to krz)
>
> You have seen the olyphant anchor
>
> You have seen a war tank on the side of the road
>
> You know what a “smidgen” is
>
> You have drank keystone light for six nights in a row
>
> You have ever hung out in Dunkin’ Donuts or on the Old Forge Main
Street
> for an entire night
>
> You remember the Globe store (2 points if you ever ate at the
Charlmont)
>
> You have ever felt the Steamtown Mall’s floor shake beneath your feet
>
> You have recently become a Syracuse Basketball fan, even though you
> never were before (due to Gerry McNAmara with help from Billy Celuik)
>
> You own a Quint’s Army or NAvy t-shirt
>
> You have eaten an entire box of Krispy Kreme donuts in 20 minutes
>
> You know who Tilly and Tony the elephants are
>
> You know someone who has ridden in the Grump’s cart around Lackawanna
> stadium
> You don’t brag about your brother who’s at least 30 and still lives at
> home with Mom & Dad
>
> You have had to explain to your buddies on your a) dart team, b)
bowling
> team, c)softball team, d) all of the above, that you can’t make it
> Wednesday night “bee-in dat” you are on swing shift
>
> You have at least one article of clothing with a picture of The Grump
on
> it that you’d never wear in public in a million years
>
> Your mom makes the world’s best piggies and smashed pa-tay-das
>
> You can’t give directions without pointing, even if you’re on the
phone
>
> You know the difference between the Riverside & Nebraska sections of
> Archbald
>
> You have eaten a “ha-dawg” from Coney Island
>
> You have ever taken the highway over to the next town just to avoid
> traffic lights
>
> You have ever wondered how Sneaker King keeps going out of business
>
> You can depict each town by the Christmas decoration on its telephone
> pole
>
> You have ever put off bringing your college friends home until St.
> Patty’s Day
>
> You are connected to everyone through at most 3 people
>
> You have carried a keg in the woods to party
>
> You spend at least two nights of La Festa week walking around in a
> circle
>
> You catch yourself singing the “Van Scoy” diamond song
>
> You know that Schiff’s dresses up their Mr. Schiff maniquin as Santa
> Claus every year
>
> You have ever joked about rocks falling into Wal-mart
>
> If only in the background, you were on local television at least once
>
> You hate that radio commercial that says “on Munday street, on Munday
> Street, that’s right, on Munday Street.”
>
> You, your brother, your sister, your mom, or your dad was born in CMC
>
> You count one, two, tree
>
> “Haina” is the last word in most questions you ask.
March 5th, 2006 11:24
Hey there fellow former West Siders! I stumbled in here and saw reference to me and my brothers. Yes, I did deliver newspapers for Pete for awhile. Dave, did you get the route from Michelle M.??
Oh and Dave, to varify who I am….I think I may have tried to saw you in half once?! Sorry for that!
March 5th, 2006 11:34
The V.A. was established to provide comprehensive medical and mental health care for veterans (often indigent veterans). V.A.’s, physically, are self contained complexes (think sanitorium) with a generally full-service hospital, which generally lends something of a creepy air to things. The one near where I work is in a suburban/rural setting has a golf course. The only V.A. in Scranton I could find was the Gino Merli, and from the aerial shot, is an office park. If they are talking VFW hall, they mispoke.
I could have sworn they were talking about _Papa Gino’s_ pizza — which is a northeast chain that John Krasinski and BJ Novak would be familiar with. I love Papa Gino’s pizza, and shrieked and squirmed in my seat when I heard them mention it… Along those lines, Rainn Wilson’s blog as Dwight Schrute on myspace references Del Taco, which he’d be familiar with in CA, but not in PA.
March 5th, 2006 13:13
Chris, yikes! Yes, you nearly did. Please send me an email at daddydaze [at] gmail.com so we can chat.
March 6th, 2006 04:19
wow.. we’re too damn old to be talking about our paper routes.. besides greg, i thought darren and jeff had that route
greg and dave—> hope u guys are doing well
March 6th, 2006 10:08
Pete, damn, send me an email at the address I gave your sister above.
March 6th, 2006 14:37
dave,
I think 84 west would be a very bumpy road as it does not exist from Scranton. I take 84 east when I go to Wallenpaupak.
March 8th, 2006 04:32
Dave,
Did you get my email? If not, i’ll try again.
April 19th, 2006 12:10
I love the Froggy 101 bumper sticker. My dad listens to that all of the time.
And why no “Heyna” on the show?
Finally, I’d like to see the gang attend a “cow pie bingo”.
May 5th, 2006 12:58
I just found this site and I love it!
It was Cugino’s pizza referred to. My works near there and the place was abuzz the day after this episode. They know they would be getting the mention. I belive the show is working with the Chamber of Commerce.
May 16th, 2006 10:34
Jeez Greg….you nailed it on your March 4 comment…you are all over it.
As a former Mid Valley boy now living in Virginia, I miss the valley alot. Think it would be cool to include the Throop Cow Flop in an episode.
Dave, was it da morinin paper or afternoon paper…Scrantonian v. Times?