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Hikers follow Game Land trail to scenic overlook

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Beyond the Byline: A bittersweet celebration of 2 great people

KINGSTON &mdash; Deprived of the usual series of activities that take place on the banks of the Susquehanna River this time of year due the coronavirus pandemic, John Maday just wanted to give people a chance to come to Nesbitt Park.
				&ldquo;I wanted to show everyone that this hasn&rsquo;t defeated us,&rdquo; Maday, the executive director of the Riverfront Parks Committee, said on Saturday. &ldquo;This was our way of getting people out for a few hours.&rdquo;
				Saturday&rsquo;s &ldquo;A Picnic Along the River&rdquo; event echoed the committee&rsquo;s usual summer events like Riverfest, but on a smaller scale.
				&ldquo;Everything&rsquo;s being canceled because of COVID, and I understand that completely,&rdquo; Maday said. &ldquo;We knew we could do something safely, and everyone&rsquo;s got their own space here.&rdquo;
				With a vast expanse of room to work with, picnic-goers were encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets to sit on, with plenty of distance between groups.
				Food, drinks and ice cream were on hand courtesy of two food trucks from Maddy&rsquo;s Doghouse. Everyone was invited to get their grub and congregate on the grass for the picnic&rsquo;s main attraction: live music.
				The four-hour picnic was played by two local bands: Three Imaginary Boys and Don Shappelle and the Pick-Ups.
				&ldquo;I know the singer and the drummer,&rdquo; said Theresa Vetack in reference to Three Imaginary Boys. &ldquo;They&rsquo;re excellent.&rdquo;
				Vetack, from Wilkes-Barre, was excited for Saturday&rsquo;s picnic in large part because of the chance to feel like things were, at least somewhat, normal.
				&ldquo;It&rsquo;s so good to be out and trying to be normal,&rdquo; Vetack said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s so hard because everything&rsquo;s been getting canceled.&rdquo;
				The autumn air was crisp and refreshing, the music was good and everyone seemed to have a good time at the park.
				&ldquo;It&rsquo;s simple, really: just a day at the park,&rdquo; Maday said. &ldquo;Come out for a few hours, hear some music and then pack up.&rdquo;
				The Riverfront Parks Committee&rsquo;s next event is the 11th annual ChalkFest set for Oct.3 on the other side of the river in Wilkes-Barre.

Food, music translate to good time by the river