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Plymouth’s Kielbasa Festival continues ‘bringing people together’

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‘For anybody and everybody’: Mountain Top class aims to get word out on yoga

<p>Summa summa summa time.</p><p>With the wacky weather we&#8217;ve had recently, it was a nice reprieve to feel &#8220;summery&#8221; on Tuesday night.</p><p>I attended the Salvation Army&#8217;s Summer Luau at Appletree Terrace at Newberry Estates in Dallas, where the honoree, or &#8220;Big Kahuna&#8221; of the night, was none other than one of my favorite people: Bill Yeager, the owner of Yeager Insurance Agency, Inc.</p><p>Attending the luau meant dressing Hawaiian (or attempting to) and imbibing in blue Island-style drinks on the deck overlooking Newberry&#8217;s gorgeous pool and grounds.</p><p>Bill&#8217;s dedication to the community &#8211; specifically youth &#8211; won him the big recognition of the night.</p><p>Friends from all over attended to support him and the Salvation Army, the international organization dedication to enriching the lives of those in need.</p><p>I enjoyed my time spent talking with supporters like Mitch Kornfeld, Jeff and Kim Woytowich, District Judge Thomas Malloy, Luzerne County Judge William Amesbury, Richard and Michele Hojsack and Wilkes-Barre City Controller Darren Snyder and his wife, Kelly.</p><p>In all honesty, there were too many people to name. It seemed every time I turned around more people were walking in, which is a testament to Bill and his work. People want to support those who work hard and do good. It&#8217;s natural to be drawn to those types of people. I know I am.</p><p>I first met Bill several years ago at a networking event. He talked to me about his work with youth organizations, particularly Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bridge that night.</p><p>We became fast friends, and I continue to be in awe of the time he devotes to others.</p><p>On another night, Thursday, I was invited to a mixer for PA CareerLink.</p><p>The host of the affair was none other than the fabulous Kathi Bankes, the Director of Sales-Catering and Private Events, at Ruth&#8217;s Chris Steak House. She and her staff put on quite the night.</p><p>The food spread consisted of salmon, fresh fruits and other deliciousness.</p><p>The purpose was to meet and talk with college-aged interns, part of a specially funded CareerLink program where the students are just as motivated as their mentors.</p><p>Times Leader Publisher Mike Murray and Wilkes-Barre City Special Events Coordinator Patty Hughes also volunteered their time. We talked with two young men in particular about their current internships and their plans after college.</p><p>Mr. Murray was impressive &#8211; sharing stories from his years of experience running media companies and agencies.</p><p>The students listened intently, and I learned a few things myself.</p><p>When I was in college, I was fortunate enough to do internships at four organizations: Luzerne County, Joint Urban Studies Center, WBRE/WYOU and the Times Leader. I told the students that&#8217;s what shaped my professional career. I learned how to network, talk articulately and take on new challenges.</p><p>Those experiences shaped me.</p><p>In closing (and in full transparency), I am writing this column on Friday, so I can&#8217;t share my Saturday at Plymouth&#8217;s annual Kielbasa Festival, but I&#8217;ll be sure to fill you in next week.</p><p>I hope you were able to attend and enjoy the many eats, live entertainment and vendors as I planned to.</p><p>If you weren&#8217;t able to get there, consider the 35th annual Pittston Tomato Festival next weekend.</p><p>Our Times Leader team will be there marching in the parade on Saturday and we&#8217;re super excited about it.</p><p>See how lucky we are to live in an area with so much to do?</p><p>Don&#8217;t listen to naysayers who say otherwise.</p><p>This area is chock-full of events, so it&#8217;s up to us to pick our pleasures.</p><p>Enjoy the rest of your weekend.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Mike McGinley is the Times Leader Media Group&#8217;s major accounts executive. Reach him at mmcginley@www.timesleader.com or 570-704-3945.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Around Town: Salvation Army Luau honored one of my favorite folks