DICKSON CITY - Robert Davis' Welsh roots run deep into the soil.
His family came from Wales in the 1880s and settled in Taylor. He still lives there, within a couple of blocks of the original homestead.
On Saturday, Mr. Davis took the opportunity to celebrate his Welsh pride with the rest of his community during the St. David's Society of Lackawanna County's 103rd banquet, held this year at Genetti Manor in Dickson City. St. David is the patron saint of Wales.
"You're celebrating St. David," Mr. Davis, the outgoing president of the St. David's Society, said Saturday. "And our heritage."
Founded in 1910, the society is a organization comprising people of Welsh descent or those with an interest in Welsh culture. The purpose of the society is to foster friendship between the county's different ethnic groups and preserve the area's deep Welsh heritage.
"A lot of Welsh came to Scranton because of the coal mines," Mr. Davis said.
Past President Brian Kaeb said the evening also honored the St. David's male chorus, which has performed at several Welsh festivals, notably the National Festival of Wales. The 125 people who paid for a $25 ticket were also treated to entertainment by the Dallas Middle School chorus.
"The primary goal is to foster the Welsh heritage through song and through festivals," Mr. Kaeb said.
While Mr. Davis is proud of his heritage, he admits he struggles with the difficult Welsh language. However, he can speak a smattering.
"My great-grandmother taught us how to count to 10 when we were kids," Mr. Davis said with a laugh.
Contact the writer: jkohut@timesshamrock.com, @jkohutTT on Twitter