Riverside Reunion

Just three more days to go until the 4th Annual Riverside Reunion gets underway. As shown the members of the Wellsville Elks organizing committee have already got the stage in place for this years reunion. That's just one step. Many hours have already been put in getting everything lined up and organized.

The Reunion is sponsored by the Elks Lodge 1040 and will take place on Riverside between 7th & 9th Street. The street will be blocked off to traffic beginning Wednesday evening so members and vendors can get set up. The Reunion is a three day affair with entertainment, induction of this year's class of Wellsville Legends, videos, food & beverages.

The Riverside Reunion is the brain child of Eric "hootch2" Shephard four years ago as a way to fill the gap between the Five Year Reunions. The first year was more or less just a street party with bands & vendors. In the second year they added the Wellsville Legends honoring village residents that have contributed to Wellsville's history. This portion has grown extremely popular and there are seven new Legends to be added to that honor roll . Following the induction ceremony Thursday evening will be a short video on each of the new Legends. Another popular feature is a video paying tribute to all that have passed on in the past year and for the first time this year they are presenting a video of all the new borns in the ville for the past year. All videos will be shown Thursday evening.

This year's class of Legends include Darlene Porter, Tom & Jean Broderick, Jack Gallagher, Tommy Haugh, Chuck Amato & Frank Daniels. Porter was the long time owner & operator of the Dairy Queen. The Brodericks were in charge of the All Class Dinner held each time of the 5 Year Reunions. They have been doing that since the first one. Tommy Haugh was the owner of Center Pharmacy and Gallagher, Amato & Daniels were long time police officers in town. Amato served as the town's Safety-Service Director for awhile as well as being part of Amato Realty. All seven were active supporters in various things over the years promoting the ville.

The Reunion is open to the public and the schedule of activities is:

Thursday - July 2 - 6:00 to 8:00 - The Generations Band

8:30 - 9:30 - Legends Induction followed by the three videos

9:30 - closing - The Silver Eagle Band

Friday - July 3 - 6:00 - Opening

8:00 - Midnight - The 7% Superstar Band

Saturday - July 4 - 5:00 - 8:00 - Classic Car Cruise of antique cars

8:00 - Midnight - Wellsville's popular Route 45 Band

There will be temporary Elk memberships available. Entry for the Classic Car Cruise is free and dash board plaques will be presented to each owner. There will be food & beverage vendors to satisfy your appetite & wet your whistle. There's a possibility that the WVFD will be on hand serving up their world famous french fries. The Lodge has got their license amended for the event to cover the side yard, the porch, sidewalk and street from 7th to 9th for anyone wishing to partake of an adult beverage while enjoying the entertainment out doors. WHS Class of '84 and possibly the Class of '79 will be holding reunions in the side yard on Saturday evening.

With music, dancing in the street, good eats, honoring the Legends, videos and just getting together with old friends there's something for everyone. Admission is free and the committee guarantees a good time for all three evenings. You won't want to miss it. It's a fun time put together by the brothers & sisters of the Wellsville Elks for all to enjoy. In case of rain everything will be moved indoors but that ain't gonna happen.

Information is available on http://www.theriversidereunion.com/. Check out the Photo Album section for pictures of past events. This year's videos will eventually be added to that collection.

Look forward to seeing y'all...

ole nib