2005 Memorial Service

Commemoration of the 136th Anniversary of the Avondale Mine Disaster

Honoring the 110 miners (including immigrants newly arrived from Wales)
September 10, 2005 at the Site of the Avondale Mine Disaster, Plymouth Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
&
September 11, 2005 at the Washburn St. Cemetery, Scranton’s Hyde Park Section, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania
Sponsored by The Anthracite Living History Group

With support from the following Organizations:
The newly formed Avondale Mine Disaster Site Preservation Committee
Plymouth Historical Society, Greater Pittston Historical Society
The Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation
Huber Breaker Preservation Society
St. David’s Society of Wyoming Valley, Incorporated
St. David’s Society of Lackawanna County
Lackawanna Historical Society, Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority, Anthracite Heritage Museum
Boy Scout Troop #160-Clarks Summit Methodist Church, Boy Scout Troop #456, Plymouth
South Valley Partnership, Nanticoke Historical Society, The Historical and Preservation Society of the Greater Shickshinny Area
Luzerne County Historical Society, Luzerne County GIS Mapping Department
Luzerne Conservation District, Bethania Presbyterian Church, Plymouth Christian Church
Earth Conservancy, South Valley Partnership
Plymouth Township Board of Supervisors & Planning Commission
Plymouth Township Recreation Association
Susquehanna River Basin Commission, Susquehanna Greenway Partnership
PG Energy, Lackawanna Management, Bloomsburg Children’s Museum
National Welsh-American Foundation
The Northeast PA Genealogical Society, Incorporated, The Genealogical RESEARCH Society of Northeastern PA
Susquehanna Warrior Trail Council, NE Office of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Lt. Erza S. Griffin Camp #8-Delany-Delacy Guard, Amvets Honor Guard of Dupont
The COALition for A Coal Miner Commemorative Postage Stamp

September 10, 2005 at the Site of the Avondale Mine Disaster, Plymouth Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania

WHEN : Saturday, September 10, 2005
WHERE: Avondale Mine Disaster Site and Colliery Grounds

TIME: 11 AM to 1 PM (on the Avondale Colliery Grounds located in Plymouth Township, Luzerne County, PA. The site lies between Route 11 and the abandoned railroad bed of the former Delaware Lackawanna & Western RR and Susquehanna Warrior Trail

1 PM to 4 PM (Light Refreshments, Drinks, & Mixer at the Plymouth Township Rec Park)

Avondale Exhibits, Poster boards & Memorabilia: John Dziak, Member, Anthracite Living History Group

Plymouth Historical Society (PHS) to sell Avondale Memorabilia (a portion of the proceeds will be donated towards the future preservation of the Avondale Mine Disaster Site)

Eckley Miners Village Dressed in period clothing, the re-enactors will portray life in the mining villages.

“Breaker Boys” Live: Shane Suchar, David and Logan Chacke, & Robby Judizkowski

Welcome Audience: Mistress of Ceremonies- Georgetta Potoski, President-PHS

Invocation:
H. Merritt Hughes, Chaplain of the St. David’s Society of the Wyoming Valley, Inc.

National Anthem & Pledge of Allegiance: Audience Participation

Welsh National Anthem: The Horwatt Daughters

Recognition of Special Guests, Recognition of Any Miners & Their Families Who Are Present
Descendants of Relatives of Deceased Avondale Miners

Welcome Remarks & Introduction of Speakers:
Deputy Director of the Governor’s NE Regional Office, James P. Connors
The Honorable Congressman Paul Kanjorski (Invited)
The Honorable Senator Raphael J. Musto
The Honorable State Representative John T. Yudichak
Dr. Philip Davies, President, National Welsh-American Foundation

Joe Keating, Founder, Anthracite Living History Group &
Co-Chair of the Avondale Mine Disaster Site Preservation Committee

Robert E. Hughes, Regional Coordinator, Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, Co-Chair of the Avondale Mine Disaster Site Preservation Committee

Principal Address: Diane B. Rooney, Coal Region Historian and Preservationist, San Francisco, CA

Special Recognition Awards: Bill Best, President of the Huber Breaker Preservation Society & Member, ALHG

Presentations

Welsh Hymns & The Avondale Ballad:
Wes Simmers, Bill Hastie, Members, St. David’s Society of Wyoming Valley

Avondale Ballad Reading
Dr. Richard Loomis, Member, St. David’s Society of Wyoming Valley & ALHG
Megan Hastie, Member of the ALHG; Guitar Accompaniment or CD Rendition

Closing Benediction:
Rev. David Edward Quesenberry, Plymouth Christian Church

DIRECTIONS TO THE AVONDALE MINE DISASTER SITE:
From Plymouth and areas N, take Route 11 S past Syl’s Auto and turn left into the Plymouth Twp. Rec Park (the soccer/baseball fields and service buildings are clearly visible). Park here. It’s a 10 minute walk to the site N along the railroad grade or a shuttle will provide access to the site for those individuals with handicaps. Too many vehicles on the RR is prohibited for safety reasons and due to liability concerns.
From I-81N or S, take the Nanticoke Exit 168 (South Cross Valley Expressway/State Route 29) across the Susquehanna River, join Route 11S, turn right at the stop sign and drive ~ 2/10 of a mile to the Rec Park entrance.

From West Nanticoke, Berwick, and areas S, take Route 11 N, continue through West Nanticoke beyond the stop light at the bridge until you come to a stop sign about .2 of a mile, bear left, just before turning right back onto State Route 29S, proceed through the stop sign, and turn right into the Rec Park after about .1 of a mile.

September 11, 2005 at the Washburn St. Cemetery, Scranton’s Hyde Park Section, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania

WHEN: Sunday, September 11, 2005
WHERE: Washburn St. Cemetery, Scranton’s Hyde Park Section

TIME: 1 PM to 3 PM (at the Cemetery located in the Washburn Cemetery, Lackawanna County, PA. (Light Refreshments, Drinks, & Mixer at the Cemetery following the Program)

Avondale Exhibits, Poster boards & Memorabilia: John Dziak, Member, Anthracite Living History Group

Plymouth Historical Society (PHS) to sell Avondale Memorabilia (a portion of the proceeds will be donated towards the future preservation of the Avondale Mine Disaster Site)

Welcome Audience: Linda Scott, Member, COALition for a Coal Miners Commemorative Postage Stamp, & ALHG

Robert E. Hughes, Master of Ceremonies
Co-Chair of the Avondale Mine Disaster Site Preservation Committee,
Regional Coordinator, Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation

Invocation and Original Eulogy:
Carrie Simpson, Resident of Hyde Park to introduce
Rev. JoAnn Germershausen, Bethania Presbyterian Church

National Anthem & Pledge of Allegiance: Audience Participation led by Boy Scout Troop #160 Clarks Summit Methodist Church

Welsh National Anthem: Mary Salmida, Welsh Singers, The Horwatt Daughters

Recognition of Special Guests, Recognition of Any Miners & Their Families Who Are Present
Descendants of Relatives of Deceased Avondale Miners

Welcome Remarks & Introduction of Speakers:
Scranton’s Mayor Chris Doherty
Robert E. Hughes, Co-Chair of the Avondale Mine Disaster Site Preservation Committee
Everett Jones Jr., President-St. David’s Society of Lackawanna County
Warren Watkins, Member-St. David’s Society of Lackawanna County

Principal Address:
Diane B. Rooney, Coal Region Historian and Preservationist, San Francisco, CA

Welsh Hymns & The Avondale Ballad:
Bill Hastie, Member of the St. David’s Society of Wyoming Valley & ALHG

Avondale Ballad Reading:
Dr. Richard Loomis, Member, St. David’s Society of Wyoming Valley & ALHG
Megan Hastie, Member of the ALHG; Guitar Accompaniment or CD Rendition

Rifle Salute and Taps Members of the Amvets Honor Guard of Dupont

Closing Benediction:
Rev. JoAnn Germershausen, Bethania Presbyterian Church

Cemetery Tour of the Avondale Miners’ Gravesites:
Bill Hastie, Member of the St. David’s Society of Wyoming Valley & ALHG

Viewing of Flowers & Cross around the Gravesites:
Audience, Carrie Simpson & others

DIRECTIONS TO THE WASHBURN ST. CEMETERY:
From Route 11, Plymouth Township, drive N on Route 11 to W. Pittston, Duryea, Old Forge, Taylor, until you get into W. Scranton. Turn left onto N. Main Street, proceed two through 2 lights and make a left on Washburn St, near the Mars Furniture Store. Follow Washburn Street several blocks until you come to Cemetery Gate on your left.

From I-81 N/S, proceed to Exit 180 (Route 11 N/Birney Avenue). Continue N on Route 11 for about 4 miles and turn left onto N. Elm St. Continue on Elm St. for about .5 mile which becomes 4th Ave. for .2 mile. Turn left onto Luzerne St. for .6 mile, then right onto S. Main Avenue for .2 mile, then left onto Washburn St., near Mars Furniture.

Commemoration of the 136th Anniversary of the Avondale Mine Disaster

September 10, 2005 at the Site of the Avondale Mine Disaster, Plymouth Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania

September 11, 2005 at the Washburn St. Cemetery, Scranton’s Hyde Park Section, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania

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