GRC
EVENTS
2nd Annual Mon River Communities Dinner Cruise
The Mon River Cruise was enjoyed by nearly 250 attendees. The Gateway Clipper Empress departed from the Charleroi Trustees Park and cruised toward California. The guests enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner, sightseeing, networking and an awards presentation, honoring a member from each participating community.
The event was organized this year by the Greater Rostraver Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Brownsville, Donora Smog Commemorative Committee, Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, Monessen Historical Society and TEAM Charleroi.
The Greater Rostraver Chamber of Commerce recognized Mayor Gerald W. Jackson II for his preservation of the Beehive Coke Ovens located along the banks of the Mon River in Belle Vernon and for his many contributions and service to the community. Other honorees included; Gary Stelick from Monessen, John Detisch from Brownsville, Cora & Tom Ducoeur from Charleroi and Don and DeAnne Pavelko from Donora.
The Annual Mon River Communities Cruise was developed as a way to bring community residents along the Mon River together to share their history and assets. The planning committee is dedicated to this annual event and is pleased to bring the Gateway Clipper to this area. The committee members are Norma Ryan, Judy Kovalcik, Diane Martin, DeAnne Pavelko, Ron Kesten, Candis Kelley, Caroline Fecek, Rachel Willson, Daneen Troupe, Deb Keefer and Gina C. Lynn.
1st Annual Mon River Communities Cruise
On the evening of Tuesday, August 4th over 300 folks boarded the Gateway Clipper vessel, Empress for the 1st Annual Mon River Communities Cruise. The evenings’ festivities began with a warm welcome from committee member, Norma Ryan of the Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation. The participating communities of Brownsville, Charleroi, Donora, Monessen Monongahela, and Greater Rostraver were introduced, along with the event honorees. Each partnering organization honored a Distinguished Citizen from their community with a brief introduction and engraved plaque. The Distinguished Citizens from each community included, Mrs. Caroline Fecek, Brownsville, Charleroi Area Historical Society, Charleroi, Dr. Charles E. Stacey, Donora, Dr. Martin Dudas, Monessen, Mr. Aldo Bartolotta, Monongahela, and Mr. Stephen V. Russell, Greater Rostraver. The blessing was given by Rev. Joseph Oppong, M. Th. from the Diocese of Konongo-Mampong, Ghana. A dinner buffet was served followed by music, dancing, networking and sightseeing from the top deck.
The Mon River Communities Cruise was a great way for the communities along the Monongahela to join together and promote their history and assets. The Mon River Cruise committee included, Judy Kovalcik, Diane Martin, DeAnne Pavelko, Don Pavelko, Norma Ryan, Caroline Fecek, Tracy Zivkovich, Candis Kelley, Deb Keefer, Ron Kesten, Martha Muniz and Diane Martin. The committee would like to thank the cruise attendees, California University for their help with printing the tickets and Beegraphix for assistance with the honoree plaques.
The 2010, 2nd Annual Mon River Communities Cruise will be hosted by the Greater Rostraver Chamber of Commerce. Watch for Save-the-Date information and details.
Ron Kesten, GRC President with
Distinguished Citizen honoree Stephen V. Russell.