25 ¢
s e r v i n g m i d va l l e y & u p pe r l ac k awa n n a va l l e y thevalleyadvantage.com | June 30, 2017
The annual Queen City Nights festival begins next week |PAGe 5
A father and son have presented a gift to local police |PAGe 7
A Valley View graduate has received a college scholarship |PAGe 14
A time for fAmily Jessup’s annual Family Day features food, music and fireworks by Christopher Cornell
ADVAntAGe eDitor
Jessup Borough officials and the members of Jessup 21st Century Association like to bring families together for a party. They have other parties during the year, but this is a big one. This will be the 22nd year they’ve thrown their annual Family Day celebration at Veteran’s Memorial field on Hill Street, and after all that time, they know what people like. The celebration and fireworks extravaganza will be held on Wednesday, July 5. The program will begin at 5 p.m. with the singing of the National Anthem by Riley Loftus, daughter of Jim and Renee Loftus of Moosic Lakes. That will be followed by a performance by students at the Kelly Patrick Studio of Dance, who have appeared at Family Day year after year and they’ll demonstrate the ballet, jazz, tap, modern and hip hop dance techniques they’ve been learning at 134 Lincoln St. in Olyphant. At 5:30, there will be a demonstration of chops and kicks by the students of AMR Gymnastics. At 6 p.m. Juggler extraordinaire Rob Smith, who’s been gracefully hurling things about at these festivals since 2004, will be back again with all sorts of scary
TS_CNG/ADVANTAGE/PAGES [A01] | 06/29/17
and amazing things to juggle. At 6:30, Riley Loftus will return for a few more numbers. Loftus is a guitarist/ singer who, last year, was named best new artist at the Steamtown Music Awards. She’ll be followed by Friend of the Gypsy, a classic rock band that has been around for years playing oldies from the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Guess Who, Van Morrison, Grateful Dead and The Who. At dusk, a grand fireworks display will cap off the day. While you’re waiting, there will be children’s face painting by the Valley View cheerleaders, and food will be prepared by Grace Canevari and Debra Evans of the VFW, including clam chowder, wimpies, buttered pierogies, sausage and peppers, cabbage and noodles, pizza and grilled hot dogs, along with beverages. When you’re ready for dessert, Ginger’s Pies will offer a selection of minipies and other pastries, and Scoop’s Ice cream will also be there just when you need it. And of course there’ll be a bounce house for the kids once they’re done getting their faces painted. Joanne Zelinka of Jessup will be showing/selling her handmade bracelets. Jeff Conrad will be selling novelites and cotton candy. Admission to the whole shebang is free, but hey, fabulous festivals don’t grow on trees, so donations will be accepted at the gates. Don’t forget to bring blankets and lawn chairs.
11:03 | CORNELLCHR
Singer-guitarist Riley Loftus will perform twice at the event.
The oldies band Friend of the Gypsy will perform.
Planning the fun are, from left, front row: Nancy Wasilchak, Betty Bushta, Angela Muchal, Sue Grunza and Lisa Simon. Back row: Alice Vanston, Gene Varzaly, Genevieve Lupini, Bill Muchal, Joanne Pirrami, Karen Salinskas, Grace Canevari, Debra Evans, Sharon Wrightson and Ron Kordish.