BY KATHLEEN BOLUS

DUNMORE — With planning for the St. Joseph’s Center’s annual summer festival beginning in January, members of the center’s auxiliary were unsure what COVID-19 restrictions would still be in place by July.

Although statewide limits on activities and gatherings have eased completely, the center will again host a chicken dinner drive-through on July 25 at Marywood University.

“One constant in the history of St. Joseph’s dating back to 1888 is the commitment shown by the community,” said Sister Maryalice Jacquinot, president/CEO. “We are truly blessed and know Go Joe 24, the telethon and chicken dinner will be successful because of the wonderful community that has always supported us.”

St. Joseph’s various summer fundraising events help enable the center to continue to meet the needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities, as well as those experiencing homelessness with a critical need, she said.

“We hopefully look forward in 2022 to gathering again at the Summer Festival,” said Jacquinot.

Auxiliary co-presidents Kathleen Timlin and Maria Lawler agreed a lot of work went into planning the dinner not only this year but also last summer.

“We’re building on their success,” said Timlin, outside the center Wednesday.

WNEP-TV’s Joe Snedeker is back on the road for his annual Go Joe Bike Ride after riding stationary in 2020. Since 1997, Snedeker has cycled hundred of miles in the television station’s viewing area and beyond while raising funds for the center. Snedeker is inviting community members to open cycle with him during a “Go Joe Ride Along” and, new this year, local bike groups and cycling gyms have joined in to host rides in June and July.

Indoor events are being held at TRYBE in Scranton and the Cycle Yard in Wilkes-Barre. The Wilkes-Barre Bike Gang and the Anthracite Bike Coalition, who is partnering with the Lackawanna Heritage Valley, will host outdoor open cycling rides along the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. Other rides are scheduled in Forest City and Dunmore. The center is asking community members to ride alone, with family or with one of the groups.

On July 9, the City of Scranton will host a family fun night at Weston Field for the center; Lackawanna County will also host a night on July 15 at McDade Park.

The annual telethon, hosted by WNEP, will again be condensed from six hours to two on July 24 from 8 to 10 p.m. on WNEP-TV 16. The center is also hosting an online Tricky Trays basket raffle which opens on July 23.

Shannon Ives, owner of Mr. Yock’s BBQ in Lake Ariel, will prepare the chicken dinner for the second summer in a row. It will feature potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw, a dinner roll, water and a cookie.

For more details, raffle tickets or dinner tickets, which must be purchased in advance and sold out quickly last summer, visit stjosephscenter.org, email auxiliary@stjosephscenter.org or contact 570-207-6656.

Contact the writer: kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114