Parade celebrates heritage
BY STEPHEN J. PYTAK STAFF WRITER
09/02/2007
ASHLAND - Baton twirlers and string bands, re-enactors
dressed as coal miners and floats celebrating the borough's 150th
anniversary drew applause from crowds on street corners Saturday night.
Borough Police Chief Adam Bernodin Jr. estimated over
10,000 people came to town for the 107th Annual Ashland Boys Association/Mummers
Parade, which featured 63 units.
Helen McCoy of 523 Walnut St. held a house party with
25 guests. They were part of a cluster of approximately 200 people
when the parade began at 7 p.m.
"I like the people. I like being with my family.
And I like the mummers the best," said Jess Paulukas, 16, of
Ashland.
Bernodin led the parade driving a vintage 1961 Dodge.
Following close behind was a group of 10-15 local actors
in period costumes walking alongside Schuylkill Transportation System's
Miss Molly Trolley.
They included re-enactors from Eckley Miners Village
and Nuremberg Players.
"We're dressed in Sunday clothes for that time,"
said Vince J. Kundrick, 19, of Freeland, referring to himself and
Bobby M. Maso, 19, of Freeland.
Becky L. Nensteil of Weston and Barbara A. Bartusik
and Kathleen I. Rhoads, both of Zion Grove, were in high fashions,
purple and black.
Daniel J. Fedako, 52, of Ashland, was dressed up as
a coal miner. And he said he actually worked the job underground from
'70s to mid- '80s.
A contingent was dedicated to Upper Schuylkill, a regional
revitalization effort. It's six member communities - Ashland, Frackville,
Girardville, Mahanoy City, Ringtown and Shenandoah - each had floats
all in a row.
Shenandoah, for instance, brought the float used in
its ninth annual Parade of Nations and Heritage Day Aug. 25. It's
graced with a banner which reads "Shenandoah. Daughter of the
Stars. Home to the World."
Upper Schuylkill also marched with its new sidewalk-cleaning
"Green Machine" and other cleaning equipment purchased with
$300,000 of a $1 million grant the revitalization group received in
April, said Upper Schuylkill Downtowns Executive Director Patrice
K. Rader.
Meanwhile volunteers from Ashland, Frackville and Ringtown
prepared Coal Region delicacies at the Upper Schuylkill food and beverage
pavilion near Community Banks at 735 Centre St.
"They're selling ethnic foods like kielbasa, pierogies
and halushkie," Rader said.
Upper Schuylkill is in the middle of its Second Annual
Homecoming Weekend, which celebrates the heritage and history, culture
and ethnic pride of its six member communities.Among the floats devoted
to the borough's 150th anniversary was one featuring a giant paper
mache layer cake presented by ITT Goulds Pumps.
Pat A. Monaghan of 500 Walnut St. and her mother, Mary
M., 88, clapped as marchers including the Avalon String Band, Philadelphia,
filled the street with color and music.
She reminisced about when the borough held its 100th
anniversary celebration in 1957.
"I remember all the men had goatees and top hats,"
Monaghan said.
No other big events were held to celebrate the
150th this year, she said. And while she enjoyed the annual ABA parade,
the biggest annual event in the borough, she was hoping for something
more. "I just think there should have been a bigger celebration,"
Monaghan said.
© The REPUBLICAN & Herald
2007
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