IN McKeesport Fall 2016 | Page 10

WHAT’S NEWS IN McKEESPORT 93RD ANNUAL SLOVAK DAY The 93rd Annual Slovak Day took place on Thursday, July 21, at Kennywood Park. It was an exciting day for Americans of Slovak descent to celebrate their heritage with each other while enjoying colorful displays, authentic costumes, a Slovak liturgy, spectacular Slovak Folk Dance performances, scrumptious Slovak food, special children’s activities as well as foot-tapping music for dancing. Special guest appearances included a representative from the Slovak Embassy in Washington, D.C., and a representative of the Heinz History Center. Another highlight of the day was the con-celebration of the Slovak Liturgy in the Main Pavilion directly behind “Garfield’s Revenge.” The Eucharistic Liturgy was celebrated by Catholic priests from the Pittsburgh, Greensburg and Johnstown-Altoona dioceses. A presentation of vibrant Slovak music, songs and dances presented by the Pittsburgh Slovakians and the Pittsburgh Area Slovak Folk Ensemble (PAS) followed the service. For more information about the 93rd Slovak Day, contact Sue Ondrejco at 412.421.1204. WARRIOR QUILT WINNER Dawn Capecci knows who she is fighting for when it comes to the battle against cancer. It’s all about family, as she has supported many relatives who have suffered from the disease. When Capecci received her Warrior Quilt at Jim Shorkey Ford on Friday, June 3, it symbolized her commitment to events like the Susan G. Komen-Pittsburgh Race for the Cure. “I keep coming back, hoping that we won’t have to come back. My focus is all about cancer research and cure,” she explains, noting From left to right: Dawn Capecci, Walt that her first Race for the Cure Swanstrom (Jim Shorkey Ford Vice President of participation was in 2009. Sales), and Jim Shorkey III The Warrior Quilt Capecci won was made by Neighborhood Ford Store Quilt For The Cure volunteer Deby Males of New Bethlehem. Capecci, a professional who works in early childhood education by focusing on families through the East Allegheny Family Center and is a California University of Pennsylvania graduate, was drawn as the winner of a Warrior Quilt from entries gathered at the Neighborhood Ford Store’s Patchwork Station at the recent Mother’s Day Race for the Cure event held in Schenley Park. Each year, race attendees come to Patchwork Station to decorate quilt squares that are later incorporated into Warrior Quilts made by volunteers. The quilts are then either donated for fundraising events or given to treatment centers to bring comfort and support to those battling breast cancer. “Coming to Race for the Cure, you meet so many people – Pink Survivors – and they are very willing to tell you how long they’ve survived. This year, I actually saw somebody taking part in the race who was being pushed in wheelchair. It’s amazing how many people are cheering for survivors. The best way to find out more about helping those in the battle against breast cancer is to go to an event and talk to people,” Capecci says. The Warrior Quilt program is a local program associated with the Warriors in Pink campaign. Launched in 2006, Ford’s national Warriors in Pink campaign recognizes the strength and courage necessary to deal with the everyday challenges of fighting breast cancer. To date, Ford has dedicated more than $128 million to the cause. For more information on the Warrior Quilt Project, please visit QuiltForTheCure.com. Neighborhood Ford Store is a group of 81 Ford dealers in western Pennsylvania, southeastern Ohio, the panhandle of Maryland and north central West Virginia. CELEBRATING THE SEASON WITH THE WHITE OAK RECREATION BOARD The White Oak Recreation Board will be hosting many great upcoming seasonal events including a Truck and Treat Halloween Parade starting at the American Legion Post 701 on Oct. 29 and Fall Arts and Craft Show on Dec. 3. For more information and a full list of events call 412.672.9727. n 8 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | McKeesport Area