McKeesport Area Ministerium
Good Neighbor Day
The McKeesport community gathered on Fifth Avenue for the city ’ s annual Good Neighbor Day celebration on June 16 .
Local businesses , churches and human service organizations set up tables along Fifth Avenue in the downtown business district – welcoming individuals who live or work in town to get to know one another and enjoy a great day outdoors . This year , participants braved the rain while playing games , making crafts , sampling foods and even watching a fashion show .
“ Good Neighbor Day is a great event every year ,” recreation director Jim Brown said . “ It ’ s a chance for people downtown to get out and meet one another , and for businesses and community groups to show McKeesport what they have to offer .”
Memorial Day
The McKeesport Area Ministerium reached out to the city on two occasions this summer – offering its annual Summer Blessing and a special gesture for local police .
The Summer Blessing , formerly known as the Blessing of the River , Boats , City and People , took place on May 28 . Pastors and laypeople from McKeesport Area churches and ministries joined city officials at the Marina at McKees Point to join hands in prayer and wish a safe summer season to all .
The ministerium visited the McKeesport Police Department on July 19 , offering prayers and Di ’ s Kornerstone Diner gift cards at each shift change . With this gesture , local pastors left McKeesport police know they are loved and appreciated and that someone is looking out for them as they work to keep the city safe .
McKeesport Hostel Grand Opening cKeesport CITY OF MCKEESPORT NEWS
cKeesport
The City of McKeesport honored local veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice with two Memorial Day ceremonies in town . The first took place in Memorial Park with participation from local veterans groups , McKeesport Area students and city officials . The second took place at LaRosa Boys and Girls Club – paying homage to eleven young men who were killed in action in Vietnam .
Each year , the LaRosa club hosts a ceremony to remember the lives of Norman Wallace Johnson , Michael Joseph Nemchik , James Francis Brooks Jr ., Tyrone Gregory Burse , James Edward West , Gregory Francis Popowitz , Curtis Taylor Gay , Thomas Edward Sweeney , Louis Howard Huff II , John Alan Germeck Jr ., and Lee Daniel Thomas .
“ We have a tradition in this club so that we never forget the history or the sacrifices these men made for the freedoms we have today ,” club director Jim Barry said .
Also a city councilman , Barry said this year ’ s program owes a special thank-you to Burt Foster American Legion Post 361 Cmdr . Bobbie Billsborrow and city Councilwoman Jamie Brewster-Filotei , who led a partnership to recognize these 11 veterans publicly by sponsoring banners in their honor . Through the McKeesport Veterans Banner Program , the club , legion and city presented their families with banners .
“ The city has a lot of highly decorated veterans within our community – bronze stars , silver stars , purple hearts ,” Legion Cmdr . Bobbie Billsborrow said . “ We are proud to offer these banners in a show of respect for these McKeesporters who gave their lives in the name of our country in Vietnam .”
30 McKeesport Area
The McKeesport Trail Commission revealed its new McKeesport Hostel to the public with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 8 .
Located along the Youghiogheny River near the Marina at McKees Point , the facility provides overnight accommodations for travelers along the Great Allegheny Passage . It is a fourbed hostel that appears to cyclists completing the trek from Pittsburgh to Washington , D . C ., specifically those who want to rest their heads in no-frills lodging that is more secure than a campground , but less formal than a hotel .
The trail commission converted a former concession stand into an accommodating space , complete with areas where guests can sleep , relax , eat and shower . While there are expensive hotels along the Great Allegheny Passage in Homestead and bed-and-breakfast lodging in nearby Elizabeth Township , McKeesport volunteers were looking fill a niche for individuals who prefer backpacking-style travel or local scouting groups .
“ The McKeesport Trail Commission is made up of volunteers who have a great vision of what McKeesport can offer to travelers on the Great Allegheny Passage ,” commission president Linda Brewster said . “ We are proud of our city , and we want people from across the country and around the world to see McKeesport as a destination .”