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Street Dance 2022 returns to Youngstown's Main Street on June 23. (File photo)
Street Dance 2022 returns to Youngstown's Main Street on June 23. (File photo)

Beginning of Summer Street Dance and Car Cruise among topics at YBPA members session

Fri, Jun 17th 2022 10:25 am

Officials welcomed; area business honored

By Terry Duffy

Editor-In-Chief

As summer 2022 opens, the Youngstown Business and Professional Association held a busy dinner meeting for its members and guests Tuesday at Bandanas on Lake Road.

Newsmakers were plenty and included a swearing-in of the YBPA board and a welcome to Angelo Morinello as the River Region’s new state representative in the reconfigured 45th Assembly District. Also, new faces in the village were noted, and plans heard for YBPA’s 12th annual Street Dance celebrations on Main Street.

Introduced to visitors by Porter Town Councilman Tim Adamson, Morinello told visitors he is looking forward to serving the community and its needs.

“I’m excited to be here and working on potential projects with you,” Morinello said.

Also in attendance were new faces with the Village of Youngstown, including newly elected Mayor Rob Reisman, Trustee Catherine Stella, and Kyle Heath as newly appointed deputy mayor.

“It is a privilege to be an elected official. We are your service; it’s service and not expecting anything. It’s a privilege, it’s an honor, and it’s great to be here,” Reisman said as he spoke for the village officials.

Also announced was YBPA’s naming of The Ontario House, aka The Jug, as its Business of the Year for 2022. The Main Street site is owned and operated by Mike and Barbara Costello, owners of Lakeside Landscaping on Lake Road.

“It’s definitely my pleasure to introduce this year’s Business of the Year award. It’s a wonderful establishment in our community,” said member Colleen Johnson-Summerville, coordinator for the annual YBPA recognition.

Johnson-Summerville offered her praise to the Costello family for its efforts to renovate and improve what is regarded as one of the village’s oldest landmark business fixtures.

 “Mike Costello had big dreams,” Johnson-Summerville said as she recalled the family’s takeover of the business from Eddie Wojak, whose family operated The Jug since 1931. “He’s really done a wonderful job. We’re really proud of him.”

YBPA announced it would officially honor The Ontario House and the Costello family at its Sept. 18 meeting at the Old Fort Niagara Officers Club.

See Johnson-Summerville’s related profile online at www.wnypapers.com.

Soon after came news updates on one of YBPA’s signature events – its 12th annual Beginning of Summer Street Dance and Car Cruise. Sponsored by YBPA, this no-cost, family-oriented event runs from 6-10 p.m. Thursday, June 23, along the Main Street strip.

A yearly favorite in the River Region, the 2020 Street Dance was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It returned for ’21 with new entertainment and enjoyable offerings. For 2022, the event promises to be even better with the return of the popular Thurman Brothers and many of the favorites of prior years.

YBPA Street Dance coordinators Stella, Melissa Kudel, Johnson-Summerville and YBPA President Cheryl Butera invite residents to check out the early summer happening.

“Last year, we had the Thurman Brothers, which was the first time. It was a success – such a huge success that Dave Thurman agreed to come back again this year,” Butera said. She told meeting attendees Thurman is looking forward to being a part of the team and promises a fun time on the street.

Street Dance has something for everyone, including a car show of antique and classics on the Main-Hinman end for the older set, a dunk tank, pony rides by Lakeside Quarterhorses, a Kids Corner, coloring contests, 400 beach balls by Anchor Spirits, balloons, visits from the Niagara Clown Alley, a chalk walk and more for the younger ones.

Food and other vendors expected this year include the Village Diner, the Stone Jug, Hill of Beans, the Youngstown Free Library, the Youngstown Garden Club, Youngstown Historical Society, the Niagara Post Theater, Body Mind and Soul Connection, the Youngstown Volunteer Fire Co., Youngstown Lions Club and Youngstown Boy Scouts. YBPA will offer 50/50 draws and an information table.

“We have so many things going on – It will be one our best. We hope that everyone stops by,” YBPA Secretary Mark Butera said.

For more on Street Dance 2022, visit www.youngstownny.com or check out the YBPA on Facebook.

Members of the YBPA board are sworn in Tuesday by Porter Town Justice Dave Truesdale. (Photo by Kevin Cobello, K&D Action Photo and Aerial Imaging).

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