DURYEA — One of Greater Pittston’s more popular church picnics, Nativity of Our Lord Parish, completed another summer bazaar after three successful days.
The picnic grounds are not large but, judging by the limited parking within five blocks in all directions, good times were highly anticipated.
There were games of chance, plenty of food, games for children, fine entertainment and, of course, the long potato pancake and pierogi lines, typical for the parish.
Michelle Piontek has been a volunteer for the picnic longer than she can remember. According to Piontek, prepping for the event takes several months.
“I help with the flea market and I help put the stands together,” Piontek said. “We started the flea market in May and, as the donations come in for the church, that’s when we put the stands together.”
Piontek said planning of the picnic is an all-year event as it is the church’s biggest fundraiser.
“If we have good weather, we hope to do well. At least I hope so, after all the work we do,” she added.
The biggest attraction is always the food and the potato pancakes, Piontek said, as she pointed to long lines.
In addition to the flea market, food and potato pancakes, the parish picnic offered cash and basket raffles with nearly 100 baskets up for grabs.
On opening night, local band favorite Flaxy Morgan performed. Led by drummer Richie Kossuth, Flaxy Morgan is celebrating 25 years of performing in the Greater Pittston area.
Chuck Hannon, a native of Avoca, has been attending the picnic for the last 10 years.
“The food is good and the people are nice,” Hannon said. “The food is awesome, the beer is cold and the entertainment is always good.”
With Hannon was Evie Kuhn, of Scranton, who has also been attending Nativity of Our Lord Parish picnic for many years.
“I’ve been here many times,” Kuhn admits. “We have picnics like this in Scranton, but they are fading away. This is one of my favorites.”
Gene and Pattie Anderson attend the picnic with a twist. Their close friend and neighbor of the church grounds Ed Smichowski allows the church to use a portion of his property for the picnic.
“They (Smichowski) let them use their lot and let them put their stands up and they have to park their cars across the street for a few days,” Pattie said. “When the bands play, we will go to Ed’s house and sit by the pool and stick our toes in the water.”
Pattie said she and her husband love attending the picnic annual.
“We’ve been coming here for the last 15 years and this is the best picnic,” she said. “The have the best people here.”
