After experiencing a tragedy while traveling home from a parade last year, the band is now back to performing at local parades, weddings, funerals and other celebrations in Northeast Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n
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The band’s bus crashed while traveling home from Milford in 2025. <\/p>\n
One year later<\/p>\n
It was March 16, 2025, when the band was traveling home from Milford\u2019s St. Patrick\u2019s Day parade, and the bus lost control.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was right behind the driver, and I heard [the driver] say, \u2018There\u2019s no brakes, we\u2019re going,\u2019\u201d said Jenkins. \u201cWe were going around the curve at such a high speed, went right over the embankment, hit a drainage ditch, went airborne and landed on the back of a parked tractor-trailer.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The Black Diamonds Pipe Band’s bus landed on a flatbed truck after losing control.<\/p>\n
Cheryl Kaiser had the most severe injuries.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was in the hospital for a week, two of those days were in ICU,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The band was forced to cancel appearances for the rest of the season and took a break from weekly rehearsals.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt really knocked the band down for several months,\u201d lead drummer Andrea Leshock said. \u201cWe had to really take some time to just heal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Luckily for followers, the band was back on the streets this year, marching in parades in Pittston, Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. They will travel to Pike County again for the Milford St. Patrick\u2019s Day parade March 21.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re still not quite back to full strength,\u201d said pipe major Jimmy Losavich. \u201cBut I think our resolve and our mental capacities are even stronger than they were before. I think it solidified the group.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI decided the best thing was to just get back with my friends and get back on the street and have fun doing it,\u201d Kaiser said. \u201cBecause that\u2019s what we do in March. Come rain or shine or snow.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Greater Scranton Black Diamonds Pipe Band <\/p>\n
The Greater Scranton Black Diamonds marched in Pittston’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.<\/p>\n
\u2018That\u2019s what we do in March\u2019<\/p>\n
In the weeks surrounding St. Patrick\u2019s Day, the clan is booked to appear at parades in Pittston, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Stroudsburg and Milford.<\/p>\n
The band’s presence is a must at the Friendly Sons and Society of Irish Women banquets.<\/p>\n
The group rehearses weekly and performs at weddings, funerals and other events throughout the year.<\/p>\n
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The Greater Scranton Black Diamonds Pipe Band’s drummers pose before marching in the 2026 Pittston St. Patrick’s Day Parade. <\/p>\n
Haley O’Brien \/ WVIA News <\/p>\n
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Members of the Greater Scranton Black Diamonds Pipe Band color guard lead the way when marching in parades.<\/p>\n
Haley O’Brien \/ WVIA News<\/p>\n
The Black Diamonds Pipe Band started with five people in 1995.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe camaraderie in the band is terrific,\u201d said business manager Bill Hetherson. \u201cPeople have come and gone over the years, but the band itself and the culture stayed the same.\u201d<\/p>\n
Keith Baylor joined in 1997, first learning to play the bagpipes and then becoming a bass drummer.<\/p>\n
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Haley O’Brien<\/p>\n
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WVIA News<\/p>\n
The Black Diamonds play at Cooper’s in Scranton following the 2026 St. Patrick’s Day parade.<\/p>\n
\u201cI came into the band not knowing really anybody,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s something I’ve always wanted to do since I was a kid.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Haley O’Brien<\/p>\n
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WVIA News<\/p>\n
Brigid Baylor and her father Keith are both members of the Greater Scranton Black Diamonds Pipe Band.<\/p>\n
The band offers free lessons for anyone interested in learning.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is work. You do have to learn,\u201d Hetherson said. \u201cWe like to sound good when we play, but we like to have a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ten-year-old Brigid Baylor, a student tenor drummer, is Keith\u2019s daughter.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really fun when we get to do parades and stuff because all of our friends and family get to be there,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Matthew O\u2019Boyle started taking lessons a few years ago and caught on quickly.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes me feel really good being able to play for people,\u201d O\u2019Boyle said. \u201cEverybody I know is really excited that I\u2019m playing the pipes.”<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re all coming from different backgrounds, but we all have a common love for the music\u2026 even people who can\u2019t read music, we\u2019re here to help them learn. So it brings everybody together,\u201d Kaiser said. \u201cI can\u2019t imagine not being part of the group.\u201d<\/p>\n
“We’re close-knit,” said Baylor. “I think the accident we had last year… it brought the band even closer together.”<\/p>\n
Rehearsals are every Tuesday at Eagle Hose Company in Dickson City. Lessons are offered at 7 p.m., and the full band rehearses at 8 p.m. <\/p>\n