Out & About: Laurel Faith in Action hosts neighborhood picnic

Shirley McMarlin
Monday, May 6, 2019 1:30 a.m. | Monday, May 6, 2019 1:30 a.m.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

Providing event entertainment (from left), Nick Pietrusinski, a Saint Vincent College student from Monroeville, Tom Octave of Lower Burrell, assistant professor of music and chair of music department at the college, and Justin Massetto, Saint Vincent College student from Murrysville, gather for a photo at the “Ice Cream Joe” photo booth May 3 during the Laurel Faith in Action Neighborhood Block Party! at the Fred Rogers Center at Saint Vincent College in Unity.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

Laurel Faith in Action board members (from left), Shanon Wilson of Ligonier, Lillian Crusan of Ligonier and Joyce Novotny-Prettiman of Greensburg gather for a photo May 3 at the “Ice Cream Joe” photo booth during Laurel Faith In Action’s Neighborhood Block Party! at the Fred Rogers Center at Saint Vincent College in Unity.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

From left: Alan Blahovec of Westmoreland Transit and Cheri Cavanaugh, manager of marketing and planning, Westmoreland Community Action, pose for a photo May 3 at the “Ice Cream Joe” photo booth, during Laurel Faith In Action’s Neighborhood Block Party! at the Fred Rogers Center at Saint Vincent College in Unity.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

Representing Excela Health (from left), Maryann Singley, Erica Shaffer and Gretchen Peske, gather for a photo May 3 at the “Ice Cream Joe” photo booth during Laurel Faith in Action’s Neighborhood Block Party! at the Fred Rogers Center at Saint Vincent College in Unity.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

From left: Joe Wyant, director of training for Valley Dairy Restaurants, joins Jane Kerr, executive director ofLaurel Faith in Action, Simon Chamberlain, board president, and guest speaker Jim Bendel for a photo May 3 at the “Ice Cream Joe” photo booth during Laurel Faith in Action’s Neighborhood Block Party! at the Fred Rogers Center at Saint Vincent College in Unity.

Laurel Faith in Action celebrated community connections during a Neighborhood Block Party on May 3 in the Fred Rogers Center at Saint Vincent College in Unity.

More than 160 attendees were treated to a bountiful spread of picnic foods, including hot dogs, hamburgers, potato and pasta salads, fruit and dessert. Jim Bendel, a community leader and Saint Vincent director of planned giving, offered a warm and funny inspirational message.

What would a Latrobe-area picnic be without a nod to some local icons?

A larger-than-life cutout of Valley Dairy’s Ice Cream Joe was available for selfies.

Guests received a bag containing an Eat‘n Park smiley cookie and a suggestion for a random act of kindness to perform.

Students of Saint Vincent associate music professor Tom Octave ended the program with a sing-along of Mister Rogers’ “It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” and “The More We Get Together.”

Founded in 2002, Laurel Faith in Action provides companionship and assistance to Greater Latrobe, Ligonier and Derry area residents 60 and older. Jane Kerr is program director.