Lake Goers of Long Ago

For hundreds of years families have travelled to the lake to refresh, recharge and

relax. Envision images of Victorian ladies and gentlemen loading into a wagon, train or trolley for trips out of the sweltering city to enjoy cooler hours by the lake. Places like Harvey’s Lake, Lake Ariel, Moosic Lake, Newton Lake and Chapman Lake were options for leisure in

Northeast PA. Area residents flocked to lakes by the thousands for the summer months. Many offered picnic groves, bandstands, games and even amusement parks to keep lake goers entertained. Enjoy a look back a some past lake visitors. H

Who is the cutest of them all?

Baby

Baby is 13 years old and lives with the Lombard family in Jefferson Twp. She loves being cozy and enjoying treats. This mini Goldendoodle, Bailey, is lovable, friendly, energetic and crazy. She loves hikes and walks with her Strauch

family.

Bailey Bella

Bella is a 14-year-old sweet cat rescued by the Cordier family when she was just a kitten. Her kind and loving personality make her joyful company.

Bowie

Bowie, who lives with the Norella family, has a favorite toy fox that he shows all visitors. He enjoys his naps, and is always ready to sit pretty for a treat.

Chloe

Chloe loves naps, walks, bones and TV shows. This 12-year-old is a member of the Whitiak family of Jermyn.

Diesel Mac

Diesel Mac is a good boy who loves to play ball in the yard and enjoys his treats. He is a member of the Holland family of Dickson City.

Vote for your favorite July pet at

www.HappeningsMagazinePA.com! The winner receives a Happenings bandana!

The votes are in... June’s Pet of the Month is Bella Congratulations!

Esther

Esther is an Easter Egger chicken and lays blue eggs. The Browns from La Plume are her family.

Heidi Blue

Heidi Blue is a member of the Carl family of Nanticoke. She loves to play fetch with the ball and she is 10 years old.

Luna

Luna is a 6-year-old rescue dog who is the queen of the Donati household. Not a fan of rain, she loves enjoying the sun on the porch.

Peanut

The Graff family says that Peanut loves hanging out with his best friend and going fishing with his Dad and Mom.

Skye

Skye is a 2-year-old rescue Yorkie who came to the Polednak family and is really enjoying her new home in NEPA!

Teddy

The Strelecki family of Scranton says that Teddy loves walks, his brother Finn and bones.

Faithful Flock to St. Ann’s in Scranton

From July 17 to July 26, Saint Ann’s Monastery and Shrine Basilica in Scranton hosts the annual Solemn Novena to Saint Ann. The nine days of services honor Saint Ann, the mother of the Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus Christ, and lead up to the annual Feast of Saint Ann. Thousands of visitors are expected to attend. A typical novena service includes celebration of the Eucharist, prayers to Saint Ann and hymns. St. Ann’s is one of only 60 churches in the U.S. granted basilican status. In the Catholic faith, a basilica is a church building that has been accorded special privileges by the Pope. Minor basilicas, such as St. Ann’s, are traditionally named because of their antiquity, dignity, historical value, architectural and artistic worth and significance as centers of worship. A basilica must “stand out as a center of active and pastoral liturgy,” according to a 1989 Vatican document. The Solemn Novena to Saint Ann in Scranton dates back over 90 years. It is an experience of faith for all generations; families gather together to pay tribute to Saint Ann. Many people in attendance also believe Saint Ann has watched over them in the past. The Novena allows all to pay their respects, show their gratitude and ask for blessings. Saint Ann’s Basilica was founded by the Roman Catholic religious order known as Passionists over a century ago. They chose to settle in Scranton on a plateau above the city known as “The Round Woods.” The Passionists chose this new home on the day of the Virgin Mary’s birth and named it in honor of Saint Ann. Mass was celebrated for the first time at the monastery in 1904. Today, the church community has grown from a handful of devoted members to thousands. Call 570-3475691. Visit stannsmonasterybasilica.org. H

James (“Jim”) O. Donnelly

recently joined Wayne Bank as its new President and Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Donnelly has over 30 years of banking experience, most recently with Bangor Savings Bank where he served as its Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. A well-rounded community banker, he has extensive experience and leadership skills in the areas of commercial lending, retail and mortgage banking, credit, financial management, wealth management and franchise growth through acquisition and market expansion. “It is my honor and privilege to be asked to lead an organization with a track record as impressive as Wayne Bank’s,” commented Mr. Donnelly. “I am so happy to be here as the new President and CEO and it’s been wonderful to receive such a warm welcome from our employees. I am excited to move Wayne Bank forward by working together with our employees, officers and Board of Directors to continue to build lasting relationships with our customers, help our local businesses grow and thrive, reinvest in the commu- Wayne Bank is a subsidiary of Norwood Financial nities we serve, expand into new markets and Corp., Member FDIC, and is located in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. The Bank has 29 Communityreward our shareholders.” Offices serving Wayne, Pike, Monroe, Lackawanna, and Luzerne Counties in Pennsylvania, along withMr. Donnelly earned his B.A. from the University Delaware, Sullivan, Otsego, Ontario, and Yates of Maine at Presque Island and his MBA from Counties in New York State, including those offices Post University. He has a long and distinoperating under the Bank of Cooperstown and Bank of the Finger Lakes brands. The stock guished history of community service, including in the areas of health care, higher education trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol— NWFL. H and the United Way. He resides in Wayne County with his wife, Melissa.

James O. Donnelly Joins Wayne Bank as President & CEO

Bradford County Pennsylvania

The population of

Bradford County is approximately 62,600. Its county seat is Towanda and it is surrounded on the east by Susquehanna County, southeast by Wyoming County, south by Sullivan County, southwest by Lycoming County and west by Tioga County.

The rolling hills of Bradford County offer visitors camping, hunting, fishing, kayaking and hiking, fairs and festivals (when appropriate) and wineries. Museums and heritage opportunities abound amongst postcardlike streets brimming with eclectic shops and romantic restaurants.

The residents of Bradford County warmly invite visitors to experience their county, where you will find it to be your home away from home. www. visit-

bradfordcounty.com

570-265-TOUR H

160th Wayne County Fair

It’s back! 2022 marks the 160th

anniversary of The Wayne County Fair, running August 5 through

August 13. Billed as the “most fun you'll have all year,” the nine day fair packs every day with shows, thrills, rides, games, food and of course, farm! With 26 big time rides and an ever expanding kiddie land, there's so much fun for kids of all ages. The annual Wayne County Fair, an agricultural fair, is one of the largest fairs in Northeastern PA and boasts an affordable pay one price model of only $12 per day, per person, that includes rides, parking, animals, exhibits and most entertainment! The Wayne County Fair also offers two days for seniors, 62 and over, to attend at half price. Veterans and active military persons will also be honored with the same deal for both on August 5 and August 10. New to the entertainment is a daily World-Class Wild West Showdown show and Michael Griffin, escape guy extraordinaire. At the grandstand, there's world class cover bands, Gypsy and The Best of the Eagles. You’ll also continue to find your fair entertainment favorites returning on both the small stage and grandstand.... including the Black Cat Hell Drivers, Rosaire's Royal Racing Pigs, Dino Roar, Buffalo and Brandy, two nights of the demolition derby, harness racing and of course, Monster Trucks! The Wayne County Fair celebrates the area’s rich agricultural history with numerous exhibits, contests and farm animals. Take in a pony or tractor pull then watch a 4-H competition featuring local animals raised by local kids. If you like farm animals, head to the north end of the midway for horses, cows, pigs, chickens, rabbits and more. Nothing beats the food you'll find at the Wayne County Fair! If your passion is sausage and peppers, homemade ice cream, corn on the cob, funnel cakes or artisan grilled cheese, you'll be sure to find something delicious to eat. The 160th Wayne County Fair, a family tradition where farm meets food and fun! For more information on entertainment and the full schedule of events, visit waynecountyfair.com. H

A Career That Really Holds Water

Corey Welch was

recently inducted into the Luzerne County Sports

Hall of Fame. He has been recognized as a champion in swimming and water polo. Though born at Nesbitt Hospital in Kingston, Corey and his family lived in Tunkhannock. During his childhood, he spent his summer playing in the pool at his grandparents' house in Luzerne. At age 4, he received a certificate from the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program. He began swimming competitively when he was 5 years old. He earned four state championships at the Wilkes Barre YMCA. His first one was in the 50m backstroke at age 10. When he was twelve, he won two more — the 50m backstroke and 100m individual medley (IM). In the 50m backstroke, he broke the YMCA National Record. During his last year at the YMCA, he won his final two championships (200m IM and 100m backstroke) when he was 14. "What I mostly remember from these competitions are the fun times I had with teammates and coaches on deck and visiting the different stores and restaurants in the State College area, since the competition was at Penn State," he said.

While at the Wilkes Barre YMCA, Corey tried his hand at water polo. He recalls himself and his fellow students playing an informal version of water polo taught by coach Jerry Rynkiewicz in the diving well on Friday nights after swim practice at Kistler Elementary School. He continued water polo at Wyoming Valley West Middle School, which had the only water polo club in the area. Therefore, he and his team traveled to tournaments, including the Junior Nationals at the Naval Academy in Annapolis. He was selected to represent Northeast PA at the Youth Development Camp at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. "We spent the week training and doing different drills and learning techniques from the best youth coaches who were selected from throughout the country," he said. "At the end of the week, the coaches each picked teams, and we had a little tournament. It was a really huge learning experience for me, as I was still pretty much new to the sport at that point." Corey then attended Wyoming Valley West Senior High School, in which both of his parents were track students. Corey's father held the school's shot put record for nearly 20 years. In fact, his parents' track coach Frank Tribendis became Corey's swim coach.

"When we were living in Tunkhannock, my parents signed up my older sister for the Fullerton Aquatics Sports Team (FAST) Swim Team at Wyoming Valley West because of Frank," said Corey. During high school, Corey was on both a swimming team and a water polo team. He changed his technique from the backstroke to the breaststroke. He was voted Pennsylvania's Best Freshman player, helping Wyoming Valley West win four consecutive team

division championships and 4th place at the 2000 state championships, earning three All-State and two All-American honors. He was a 15-time district champ at the AAA District II Championships. He was District II's only AAA Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) state championship winner in the 200m IM and 100m breaststroke. He was named "PIAA Swimmer of the State Meet." He set records in five events. He was voted the Outstanding Wyoming Valley Conference (WVC) Male Swimmer three times. He was three-time AllAmerican and four-time All-State, which made him the first Wyoming Valley West athlete to earn All-American in two sports. Corey credits his WVW/FAST swim coach Nina Wozniak for his development. "Of all the Olympic coaches and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) coaches I've had over the years, she was by far the most passionate and enthusiastic about the sport and was really able to pass that to her athletes," he said. Corey was an Academic AllAmerican as well. After graduating in 2001, he took recruiting trips to universities including Penn State and Georgia Tech. He ultimately selected the University of Florida because they were perennially in the top 10 of the NCAA Championships. Plus, he enjoys Florida's weather. The University of Florida, where he majored in health science, gave him a scholarship. He qualified for the Olympic Trials in 2004, 2008 and 2012. He won the 2004 U.S. Open (400MR, men's team title). He was also a three-time All-SEC (Swimming & Diving Championships) Champion setting the SEC and College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA). He was a 2005 USA Swimming World Championship Trials finalist.

Corey went through tough practices, but the lifelong friends he made from his swim team helped him see it through. "Swimming for such an elite program has its challenges," he said. "Everyone there is the best. So while in high school and age group my versatility was on display and at any given meet I could be competing in four different strokes, in college I was forced to specialize and focus on breaststroke. Once you get to meets, again the level of competition is just so high. If you were a little off or not having a great day, someone was going to beat you. There is really no room for error when you're competing at that level." Corey graduated from the University of Florida in 2005. He was awarded the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship and pursued his doctorate of physical therapy with a concentration in neurological rehab at Drexel University. He performed research on proper inflation techniques for pneumatic wheelchair cushions. He was selected to present this research at the International Seating Symposium in Orlando. In 2008, Corey broke the United States Masters Swimmers (USMS) National Record for the 200m breaststroke and ranked #1 in the world for his age group. He also broke the USMS National record in the 50m breaststroke in 2009.

Corey lives in Florida with his husband Luis, whom he married in 2019 after 11 years of dating. They don't have children but have many nieces and nephews. Corey and Luis both participate in the Swim for Alligator Lighthouse — an open swim from the beach in Islamorada in the Florida Keys. "It's absolutely beautiful on a sunny day but also usually has a lot of jellyfish!" he said. "Luis and I were in the top overall swimmers of the first race held in 2013."

Corey and Luis once volunteered for Thumbs Up International, in which they assisted an adaptive athlete in completing the swim. They also participate in the Swim Around Key, which goes 12.5 miles with lots of seaweed through more developed areas around Key West.

Corey thought it was a great honor to be inducted into the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame.

"It's always fun to come home and see family and friends!" he said. "It was also great, of course, to be inducted with my sister (Shana) and see so many familiar faces at the ceremony, like Coach Frank, who was inducted in a previous year, and Matt and Kelsey Kolojejchik who were actually also swimmers for the Wilkes Barre YMCA."