Connellsville teens seek local support
CONNELLSVILLE – Two local teens are seeking community help to further their initiatives to restore an historic landmark and honor a city hero. Connellsville Area High School students Ethan Keedy and Michael Parlak approached council Wednesday to garner support for their separate projects.
Keedy is hoping that an Aug. 28 walk-a-thon will draw attention to East Park where in the past young people and their parents would gather weekly and watch movies or enjoy some other form of entertainment and raise funds to re-institute the activity.
“Help me help the city by walking in the walk-a-thon,” said Keedy, noting that while he has received much praise for the initiative it has not translated into event participants. “If you want to thank me, come out.”
The walk begins at noon at Yough Park, with participants then proceeding to East Park. A water distribution service will be located at East Park. Walkers then will return to Yough Park.
“It is about a two-hour walk,” said Keedy.
At Yough Park, several musical groups will provide entertainment. Additionally, there will be a river raft poker run, a climbing wall and other activities.
Musical entertainment begins at 2 p.m., with performances by Ben Haines, Tyler Hough, Kamry Uhazie, Katelyn Ritenour and Alex Salyers. At 6 p.m., the musical group Bennington Road will perform.
The river poker run will begin at 2 p.m. at the St. Rita’s social hall and continue along the Youghiogheny River to Yough Park. There is a $20 fee for each boat.
Councilman Tom Karpiak, who is overseeing the river event, said rafts, canoes, boats or any type of floating device can be used. Cards will be distributed at various river locations. Prizes will be awarded in several categories.
Pre-registration is $15 and forms are available at the Connellsville Redevelopment Authority Office, Dollar General Store and the city municipal building. Participants can register the day of the event. T-shirts will be distributed to walkers.
Parlak, meanwhile, a member of Boy Scout Troop 101, indicated that he will erect a monument in honor of Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Samuel Johnson as his Eagle Scout project.
“Samuel Johnson was awarded the medal of honor for his actions during the Civil War at the Battle of Antietam,” said Parlak. “He is Connellsville’s lone medal of honor winner.”
Johnson was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor after he recovered two Texas state flags that had fallen to the ground during the battle. During the recovery of the flags, Johnson was struck by fragments of an artillery shell in his right leg, but managed to return to his commanding officers and turn over the Texas colors, according to historic documents.
Parlak has requested the monument be made a part of the Veterans Memorial located at the intersection of Memorial Boulevard and North Pittsburgh Street or another location approved by the city.
Mayor Charles Matthews said that it is unclear as to the ownership of the memorial property. However, a location will be made available for the monument, he said.
“I think this is a great idea,” said Matthews.
Parlak said that he anticipates the project to begin in the spring with a dedication ceremony to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the Civil War in 2012.