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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 | JULY 26, 2019
The Greater Carbondale YMCA will hold its annual carnival for kids | PAGE 4
Area residents beat the sweltering heat by diving in to county swimming spots | PAGE 12
Annual picnic kicks off Volunteers make fest possible BY CHRISTOPHER CORNELL ADVANTAGE EDITOR
On those cold and miserable days in February, we dreamed of weekends like this one: warm, clear evenings full of music, food and friends. One highlight of the weekend will be one of the premiere summer events in the midvalley. Christ the King Parish in Archbald will hold its annual picnic Friday through Sunday, July 26-28, on the grounds of St. Mary’s Church, Betty and Main streets in Eynon. The picnic will open at 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 4 p.m. on Sunday. Music will be provided by AM Radio on Friday beginning at 6 p.m.; by the Tommy Guns Band on Saturday beginning at 6 p.m.; and by Flaxy Morgan on Sunday beginning at 5:30 p.m. This will be the 29th year for the party, which will feature ethnic foods and typical picnic fare, along with a pastry tent, a beer and wine tent and lots of activities. The picnic is a fundraiser for the church, and 100 percent of the profits help support the Christ the King Parish and its operational expenses. “The most important part of our picnic is the homemade ethnic food,” said Chris Tomaszewski, one of the picnic organizers. “So we have a variety of foods available, such as pierogies, pigs in the blanket, porketta, potato pancakes, pizza fritta, funnel cakes and homemade baked goods.” There will be plenty to do, Tomaszewski
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added. “There are basket raffles with chances to win handmade quilts, a patio set and cash,” he said. “There are also children’s games and raffles. Bingo will be held every night and there will also be a flea market.” Tomaszewski has volunteered at the fair for nine years. “My favorite part of the picnic is working with the committee and with all of the volunteers,” he said. “I’ve always been amazed on how many people come out to volunteer parishioners.” This year, the committee set up a volunteer signup website to better organize who comes and does what when. “In the past we have had to turn volunteers away that would show up, and we hate to turn people away.” Tomaszewski notes that there are still volunteer opportunities available. “We need wait staff for the food and funnel cake stands, dishwashers and picnic setup is all week.” Volunteers can go to volunteersignup. org/CTTQX to sign up. “Every little bit of help adds up to a big help,” he added. Tomaszewski said that, every year, some unexpected complication crops up, but it’s nothing they can’t handle. “There are always small issues that come during the planning, but since we have such a great group of people helping out that have been doing it for years, the picnic runs very smoothly,” he explained. Tomaszewski has a long list of people to thank. “I want to thank all of those who help in the kitchen,” he said. “They start making pierogies in March and April and without
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From left, first row: Rich Bianchi, Mary Lynn Krushinski, Kasey Hart and Maria Tomassoni. Second row: Carlene Chorba, Tracy Bazil, Ed Sokoloski, Sharon Williams, Judy Rudalavage, Elvira Partyka, Chris Tomaszewski, Dough Hart, Rich Ercole and Wally Checefsky. Third row: Jay Bianchi, Nick Bianchi, Joe Rudalavage, Bob Beadle, Dan Hart and Dave Moran. Jennifer Collarini is also a committee member. the delicious homemade food our picnic would not be such a success. Next, I want to thank everyone from the community for all of their support. We get so many donations, either monetary, baskets or other items that help out so much.” Asked which of the food offerings are his favorites, he couldn’t quite decide. “Everything is so good,” he enthused. “But I always love to get the pierogies and
the steak subs and, of course, the potato pancakes.” But most of all, Tomaszewski enjoys getting together with friends and neighbors. “I love how the picnic brings so many people together to enjoy themselves,” he said. “I feel that we offer an affordable time out and we are able to raise money for our parish and also support the local community.”