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150 Years in the Making
Blakely Borough plans a month of events to celebrate by Christopher Cornell
ADVAntAGe eDitor
A century and half ago, the land where Blakely Borough now stands was verdant farm land, a small parcel of an area called Blakely Township (named for Jonathan Blakely, a naval hero of the War of 1812). Waverly Township, at that time, began
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at the Scranton city limits and stretched all the way to Carbondale, an enormous region. In 1867, only two years after the end of the Civil War, a smaller, more manageable parcel of land, Blakely Borough, was founded on Aug. 27. That makes this Blakely’s sesquicentennial, and borough officials are planning events through the next few weeks.. “I am so honored and proud to be serving as mayor at this very historical and monumental time,” said Mayor Jeanette Acciare-Mariani. “This is a time for acknowledgement to the founders, and also to those who governed it from its beginning.” Mariani is in charge of the first event: a non-denominational prayer service, which will be held on Sunday, July 16, (rain date July 23) at Blakely Borough Recreation Complex, from 3 to 5 p.m. “All churches, congregations and choirs have been invited,” she said. (Bring your own seating). “I feel that every important event in our lives should start with prayer and thanksgiving.” At the end of the service, in the spirit of a birthday celebration, birthday cake and coffee will be provided by the borough. If you have any questions about the service, call Mayor Mariani at 570-383-9946. The festivities will continue on Saturday, Aug. 5, 3-8 p.m. with the “Main Street Crawl.” “The Main Street Crawl is a walking/ riding event to support the businesses of the town,” said borough councilman Jeff Cruciani. “There will be some static historical displays, including antique fire apparatus. Participating businesses can use their own imaginations to honor the
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An aerial view of the Blakely Borough Building.
town and offer specials. Parking will be at recreation complex. Next, on Saturday, Aug. 12, at 6 p.m., will be a riding lawn mower race dubbed The Hubshman 500. “Participants are encouraged to bring any kind of ‘rider’ they have and dress in a crazy outfit to add to the calamity,” Cruciani said. “It will start at the Riverside Drive entrance to the Blakely Borough Recreational Complex, rain or shine. There is no entry fee for this event. Longtime residents probably recognize the name, but for newer residents: “The Hubshman name has been around Blakely for more than 100 years,” Cruciani explained. “Emil Hubshman was a men’s clothier, with a building that still bears his name in the uptown Peckville section. One of the streets that this event will be run on is Riverside Drive, which used to be called Hubshman Street. Next on the agenda, on Sunday, Aug. 13, there’s the Columbus Climb. “This will be a run/walk from Blakely Hose Co,. 315 Second St., to Columbus St. which is pretty steep-grade hill,” Crudiani said. “It will end at the top of Columbus Street at Swansee Field. After the partici-
pants reach the top, there will be a presentation on the history of the Swansee Club. This is also a free event and open to all. It will begin at 11:30 a.m.” The final event, a parade, will be held on Saturday, Aug. 19, starting at 5 p.m. with lineup at Cemetery and Hickory streets. It will end at the Recreational Complex with entertainment and food and music. Gino Merli Jr. will be Parade Grand Marshall. Anyone wishing to submit a parade entry is welcome. “These scheduled events are meant to create a fun, family oriented, affordable and memorable experience that will hopefully leave everyone with a great appreciation of the history of our great borough,” Cruciani said. For more information you can email jeffcru@hotmail.com “We should look back with pride and elation as we celebrate our 150th anniversary,” Mariani added. “We should also consider it a great opportunity to teach our children and grandchildren the history of where they live.”