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s e r v I n g tay l or , ol D f or g e , moosIc & surrounDIng areas trIborobanner.com | June 29, 2017
High Schoolers were chosen as students of the month |PaGe 3
An area student received a scholarship to study water systems |PaGe 4
Old Forge sixth-graders were treated to pizza and ice cream |PaGe 5
Summer Social
Church fest in Duryea kicks off picnic season By Josh McAuliffe
special to The Triboro Banner We’re now in the thick of church picnic season in northeast Pennsylvania, which means the parishioners of Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Duryea are gearing up for their yearly rite of summer. Nativity’s annual parish picnic will take place next weekend on the parish picnic grounds at Sacred Heart, 529 Stephenson St. in Duryea. As always, the family-friendly affair will feature its usual combination of delicious ethnic foods, live entertainment, games and prizes. The picnic’s dates are: Friday, July 7, from 6 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, July 8, 5 to 11:30 p.m.; and Sunday, July 9, 5 to 10 p.m. and, on Thursday, July 6, the annual flea market will get a jump on the proceedings from 5 to 8 p.m. in Sacred Heart Hall. The picnic started seven years ago following the merger of Nativity’s three parishes. Of course, they all had their own decades-long picnic traditions, according to picnic volunteer and church organist Dave Tighe.
TS_CNG/TRIBORO/PAGES [T01] | 06/28/17
From left, front row: Ashley Kabacinski, Mercedes McHale, Helen Negvesky, Rosemarie Rava, Melissa Meckalavage, Michelle Piontek, Jonathan Pietrowski and Alan Hoover. Second row: Denise Decker, Bob Kundrat, Joe Minchak, Katie Brudzinski, Jef Bauman, Krista Gromelski, David Tighe, Father John and Lois Hanczyc.
“There’s people who schedule family vacations around the picnic. People come from all over for it,” Tighe said. Tighe is one of about 60 parishioners who volunteer for the picnic. The planning typically begins about 10 months in advance, given all the “little details” that need to be ironed out, he said. Tighe’s specific picnic duties include making the batter for the wildly popular potato pancake stand and the sauce for the Buffalo wings. Over the picnic’s three days, he makes about 2,000 pounds of pancake batter and roughly 10 gallons of wing sauce. The wings come in three varieties — hot, mild and, new this year, honey garlic. “This will be only the third year we’re doing (the wings),” Tighe said. “The sauce is my sister’s recipe, and people really seem to like them.” Of course, the wings and potato
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pancakes are just two of many menu items. Like every other reputable church picnic, Nativity features homemade versions of the great Eastern European staples halupki (pigs in the blanket), haluski and pierogies. In addition, there will steamed clams, Blue Ribbon ice cream, a beer tent and a bake sale featuring all manner of delectable goodies. Besides the food and the flea market, the picnic will feature kids’ games, a cash raffle, designer purse stand, variety stand, tool stand, toy stand, indoor bingo and baskets galore. Meanwhile, a different NEPA band will take the stage each night of the picnic. Jake’s Rockin’ County Band will perform July 7 from 7 to 11 p.m., followed by The Sperazza Band on July 8 from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. and Flaxy Morgan July 9 from 6 to 10 p.m. For those worried about the weather
taking a turn for the worse, there will be a huge tent on the grounds. Typically, the church raises more than $60,000 for the parish, according to Tighe. It’s a good time for a good cause. “Each year, I love watching people give up their time and treasure to come together and give back something beautiful for the community and beautiful for God,” Tighe said. “Come out and join us.” If you go What: Nativity of Our Lord Parish annual Parish Picnic Where: Nativity of Our Lord Parish Picnic Grounds at Sacred Heart, 529 Stephenson St., Duryea When: Friday, July 7, 6 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, July 8, 5 to 11:30 p.m.; and Sunday, July 9, 5 to 10 p.m. Details: For more information on the picnic, visit nativityduryea.org, or the parish’s Facebook page.