Mountaintop Comes Out For 'Go Joe XIII Tour

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Maybe meteorologists really do control the weather.

On July 21st, WNEP Morning Meteorologist Joe Snedeker pedaled from Tamaqua to Mountain Top under bright and sunny skies, while most of the rest of Northeastern Pennsylvania had rain. Many surrounding areas had severe thunderstorms and high winds, while the weather in Wright Township was dry with a pleasant breeze.

A crowd estimated at over 300 people turned out at the mini-festival, held at the Wright Township Municipal Building, to welcome Snedeker to the area as part of the “Go Joe XIII” fundraising tour.

WNEP broadcasted live spots from the mini-festival during its newscasts between 4:00 and 7:30 pm. WNEP Personalities Tom Clark, Noreen Clark and Tom Williams, all of whom live in Mountain Top, were in attendance.

This is the thirteenth year that Snedeker has embarked on a longdistance bicycle tour to raise money for St. Joseph’s Center (“St. Joe’s”) in Dunmore, which cares for severely physically and mentally challenged children and young adults. However, this was the first time that the Go Joe Tour has visited Mountain Top.

“Mountaintop Comes Together”

Wright Township Supervisor Dan Frascella organized the evening’s events. The mini-festival allowed groups to raise funds for St. Joe’s, and assembled a crowd to give Snedeker a warm welcome to Mountain Top.

“We had a lot of good people helping us put this together for a good cause” Frascella stated. “Joe is doing a tremendous job, along with Channel 16 [WNEP]. “

“The people just came out tonight,” he continued. “You know when something goes on, Mountain Top comes together.”

The Crestwood Cheerleaders were out in full force for the event, resplendent in red, white and black. During one of the WNEP live television spots, they performed a specially written “Go Joe” cheer. “I think we’ve got the best cheerleaders we have seen on the ride right here,” commented Noreen Clark.

One of the most popular spots for the younger set was large moon bounce, donated to the event by The Moonwalk Guy. Under the watchful eye of Wright Township Summer Program Recreation Staff, children jumped and bounced inside the inflatable structure. “I liked bouncing the best,” stated Hayden Koller, age three, who visited the moon bounce twice.

Riverside Rehabilitation provided face painting, balloon hats, neck massages and children’s games, among other things. Marketing Director Lacey Johnston coordinated the event for Riverside, which has a branch location on Route 309 across form III Guys Pizza.

The Kiwanis Club’s stand offered hot dogs and snow cones, as well as carnival games. The snow cones were particularly popular on the humid evening. One Kiwanis member estimated that 150 snow cones were sold during the event.

The crowd enjoyed other sweet treats that evening. The Webby Family’s stand served up their ever-popular funnel cakes. Additionally, the Mountain Top Welcome Club sold baked goods donated by members; however, the cold beverages seemed to be equally as popular as the cake and cookies. “With it being so warm tonight, we had a lot of interest in our cold waters and juice boxes,” stated Diane Keating, who chaired the bake sale for the Welcome Club.

One Big “Pizza Party”

Additionally, the Welcome Club teamed up with the Rotary of Mountain Top to put on the “Best Pizza in Mountain Top” contest. Ice House Pub was declared the winner, amongst a very competitive field.

Snedeker and Williams stated onair earlier stops that day that they were looking forward to the “Big Pizza Party” that Mountaintop was holding that evening.

Participating in the pizza contest were Ice House, Januzzi’s, King’s, Luigi’s, III Guys, Tony’s and Wheels. Whistlestop Pizza was unable to participate due to a scheduling conflict; however, the restaurant donated an equivalent amount of for large pizzas.

In the end, Ice House won decisively, beating the first-runner-up, Tony’s by over 20 votes. However, each restaurant had strong support from festival-goers.

Rolling in to Mountaintop

The crowd, which began assembling as early as 4:00 pm, eagerly awaited Snedeker’s arrival.

“Mountaintop has turned out for Joe,” stated WNEP Morning Anchor Tom Williams. “We can’t wait for him to get here.” Williams, a Mountaintop resident, attended the event with his son, Ryan, who happily said hello to his grandparents on-camera during one of the live spots.

A group of fire and police vehicles met Snedeker on Route 437 to give him a triumphant escort into town.

Just after 6:00, Snedeker came rolling down Park Road to an enthusiastic greeting from the crowd. Festival goers lined up along the sides of the Municipal Building parking lot to applaud and cheer Snedeker, who stopped to wave and give high-fives along the way.

As Snedeker rounded the corner to the stage area, he pedaled through a long corridor of Crestwood Cheerleaders, who welcomed him.

Snedeker was smiling and jovial upon arrival, receiving a special greeting from his WNEP colleagues Williams, Tom Clark and Noreen Clark.

When asked about his ride, Snedeker stated “it was great coming in. It was a lot of hills, as expected.” He continued by acknowledging the crowd for its support. “They’re coming out to support a great cause and to make some good tv for the [WNEP] viewers, so it is good for everyone.”

Frascella formally welcomed Snedeker to the area with one of his favorite dishes. Junie G’s Restaurant donated a tray of pierogies, specially homemade for Snedeker.

Additionally, Frascella called Snedeker’s wife to the stage. “We know that behind every good man is a great woman,“ said Frascella, ever the gentleman, as he presented Dawn Snedeker with a bouquet of red roses.

Elaine Bernstein, President of the Mountain Top Welcome Club, presented Snedeker with a plaque which displayed a “Key to Mountaintop.” Bernstein encouraged Snedeker to include Mountaintop as a stop on future “Go Joe” tours, and joked that the “key” had been specially fitted to open the front doors of the Clark and Williams families. “So feel free to come back here anytime,” she stated.

Funds Raised for a Good Cause

A fundraising total for the mini-festival was not immediately available; however, it was clear that the event raised over $1,000 for the cause that evening.

The combined efforts of the Welcome Club and Rotary raised $627. Riverside Rehabilitation raised over $200 on-site and through some earlier employee fundraising efforts.

Mountaintop Pride

It was an evening filled with community spirit. Many festival-goers commented that they were happy to have the chance to come together to raise money for a good cause.

“This is Mountaintop Pride right here,” stated Tom Clark.

“There’s no better place than Mountaintop, PA,” said Frascella.

This is part of the July 28, 2010 online edition of The Mountaintop Eagle.

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