Published: August 10, 2008 10:54 pm            

Persons of the Week: Organizers plan for Richland’s 175th anniversary

Richland Township is celebrating its 175th birthday this weekend and is inviting people to the party.

Organizers say the event, called Richland Community Days and held at the corner of Theatre Drive and Schoolhouse Road, will be the largest of its kind in the municipality. They are promising to hold the event annually with proceeds benefiting the East Hills Recreation Commission, based in the former Richland High School.

The event begins at 4 p.m. Friday with entertainment, crafts and food. The second day’s festivities begin at 11 a.m. with a parade on Theatre Drive, followed by activities for children, entertainment, food and a giant fireworks display after dusk. The event concludes at midnight both days.

Admission, activities and parking are free.

The last time the township celebrated a milestone was 25 years ago during its 150th anniversary. But that event was not the massive one planned for this weekend, organizers said.

Joe Ponchione of Richland Township, sponsorship committee chairman, said the inaugural event will be a great way to celebrate the anniversary and showcase the township, which he described as one of the most vibrant municipalities in western Pennsylvania.

“It will be a good time for a family celebration,” said the principal owner of Ponchione Financial in Richland.

Meghan Stahl-Skinner, head of the event’s marketing committee, said the money raised will help the recreation commission to build a field house.

“It (field house) will be a great place for families to spend time,” said the Richland resident, who is a donation center representative for the Red Cross in Richland.

G. Henry Cook, president and chief executive officer of Somerset Trust Co., came up with the idea to hold the event, and he and his staff have been instrumental in making it come true, she said.

Thanks to the generosity of businesses and individuals who contributed more than $100,000, the event has become a reality, Stahl-Skinner said.

Bobbi Ream of Richland, head of the parade committee, said everyone in the community is looking forward to the event and many are volunteering to help.

Ream, a vice president at Somerset Trust, said the reason the bank decided to initiate the event is because it wants to give back to the community it has called home for more than 30 years.

Shirley Stuby of Schellsburg, crafts committee chairwoman, said there will be plenty of activities such as magicians and clowns for the children plus music and craft vendors for adults to enjoy.

The manager of Somerset Trust’s Richland office said businesses in the township and nearby communities were eager to be sponsors.

Bob McGowan Jr. of Richland, a partner with Mission Critical Solutions of Alum Bank and the logistics committee chairman, said the event will bring residents together and serve as a homecoming for former residents.

Cook, who lives in Somerset, said it has been extraordinary to have had so many people with a “can do” outlook step forward to make Richland Days happen.

Cindy Grose of Johnstown’s West End, who is in charge of the children’s committee, said she has many dedicated members on her committee who worked hard to organize numerous activities for the children. The development director of The Learning Lamp in Richland said the school conducts its summer camp with the help of the recreation commission.

Anthony Rizzo of Richland, chairman of the food committee, said the event will give residents a chance to celebrate the great place to live and work that Richland has become.

Rizzo, a member of the business development office at Somerset Trust, said the proposed field house will improve the quality of life in the township.

Vince Strugala, event coordinator, said the event could not have become a reality without 60 people who have worked on the various committees during the past year and another 150 or more volunteers who will help during the event.

For their efforts, the nine are the Persons of the Week.

Strugala said other committee chairpersons who were instrumental in organizing the event are Dave Hudak, Kristi Mash, Bonnie Leverknight, Doreen Miller, Rick Buck and Jim Miliauskas, executive director of the recreation commission.

        

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