LeRaysville celebrates Labor Day

BY ERIC HRIN (STAFF WRITER)
Published: September 5, 2010

Article Tools
Font size: [A] [A] [A]
Sign Up newsletter

LERAYSVILLE - There were mums, juniper bushes, silver maple trees, holly plants, and two round pumpkins.

But it wasn't a greenhouse.

These items and more - much more - were part of the annual Chinese auction Saturday at the LeRaysville Fire Department's Labor Day Celebration.

You could also find a Sony entertainment system, an electric automated hammer, a birdbath fountain, a wireless indoor/outdoor speaker, a stuffed unicorn and an American flag. And that was just the tip of the card table.

Jeff Flanagan, who heads up the Chinese auction, estimated that the fire department would probably hit 500 items with the auction this year, up 434 from last year. Each year, they're donated. Flanagan made a guess as to why more items were coming in. "It could be some of the activity with the gas, people getting their checks, workers spending some of their money with the businesses," he said.

Barbara Smith of Wyalusing was one of the people trying to get lucky in the auction. "I enjoy helping the LeRaysville Fire Company," she said. "We've come here for many, many years. There are so many good items to choose from."

She liked the gift certificates that were available. And Flanagan said there were about 70 of them. Fran and Jim Vajda were also checking out the auction in hopes of winning something.

"They always have a nice selection," Fran said. She also liked the gift certificates.

"We usually come up every year," she said.

The drawing for the auction, located in the new fire hall, is Monday at 5 p.m.

Also on Saturday, there was open mic karaoke with DJ Bob Brenner.

Eleven people had participated after an hour and a half, he said.

He said the open mike karaoke gave people a chance to see if they liked it and whether they wanted to participate in the karaoke contests today and Monday.

Shauna VanDyke, 13, of Sayre, sang "Unfaithful" by Rihanna.

"I love it," she said. "I sing it all the time at home."

Jim Alderson, president of the fire company, said the cooler weather on Saturday made it more comfortable for everyone and he was looking forward to the weather getting a little warmer for the rest of the event. He thought the fireworks tonight would be "a good show."

He added that the three-day Labor Day celebration is a major fundraiser for the fire department and helps it meet its expenses.

Here is the schedule for the rest of the Labor Day celebration:

Sunday: baseball; midway; Chinese auction; chicken barbecue, 11 a.m.; karaoke for ages 17 and under and duos, 1 p.m.; music by Dave Green, after karaoke; Heart and Soul band (Keegan's), approximately 5:30 until the fireworks; 5K race, 6 p.m.; fireworks, 9 p.m. or soon after.

Monday: parade, Main Street, 10:30 a.m.; ham dinner, at community hall, after parade; karaoke, ages 18 and over, noon or 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.; horseshoe tournament, 2 p.m.; Chinese auction drawing, 5 p.m. (There is no chicken barbecue on Monday.)

The race is open to all ages, according to organizer Bob Moore. Following the streets in town, it begins and ends on the carnival grounds. Runners may start registering at 4:30 p.m.; entry fees are $10 for runners and $2 for walkers. Prizes will be given to male and female winners in various age groups. For more information, call Moore at (570) 744-2825.

Those eating at the ham dinner will notice new sidewalks, steps and flowers outside the community hall, as well as a new ramp beside the nearby United Church of Christ. The improvements were made possible by donors who wish to remain anonymous. Milnes Engineering built the sidewalks, ramp and steps, and Gibbs Gardens planted the flowers and shrubs.

Eric Hrin can be reached at (570) 297-5251; or e-mail: reviewtroy@thedailyreview.com.

Ads by Yahoo!
We welcome user discussion on our site, under the following guidelines:

To comment you must first create a profile and sign-in with a verified DISQUS account or social network ID. Sign up here.

Comments in violation of the rules will be denied, and repeat violators will be banned. Please help police the community by flagging offensive comments for our moderators to review. By posting a comment, you agree to our full terms and conditions. Click here to read terms and conditions.
comments powered by Disqus