Small Town America

     I really enjoy living in "small town America".  The perks are great at times.  And living within a half hour drive from Pittsburgh allows me the pleasure of city and township/borough living.  A few examples.

     Last Sunday and this coming Sunday during the month of June the community sponsors evenings of music at the local park.  In one corner of the park they have a beautiful little bandstand and during a number of Sunday evenings they invite bands to come and entertain.  People bring their lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the music and the company.

     Every Saturday morning during the summer months they have a "farmers' market" on Fourth Street.  Not overwhelming large, but a nice opportunity for people to gather and purchase home grown garden items.

     Last evening was the first of three summer "Jazz Nights" sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce.  Parking along Main Street was restricted so that people could walk the sidewalks, listen to great jazz music (driving through I saw at least five individuals or groups entertaining), and do some shopping.  It was a beautiful evening, and to hear the sound of live music filling the streets was wonderful.

     Monthly during the summer our neighboring parish of Immaculate Conception hosts a Saturday "Burger Bash", a fund raiser that draws people from throughout the area for a great lunch and a worthy cause.  They sale thousands of burgers.

    This little borough of Irwin, along with the larger Township of North Huntingdon and the borough of North Irwin, are to be commended in keeping "small town America" and the experience of "Main Street USA" alive.

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     Also this past Wednesday I helped with a prayer service and the Sacrament of Reconciliation for a group that was staying at our school building at Queen of Angels.  This group is a part of Catholic Heart Work Camp, a program which brings kids and adults in from various parts of the country to pray together and to reach out in service and ministry to those less fortunate.  Being available for the Sacrament for these youngsters is always a blessing, and this year was no exception.