St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church, Dunmore, was the setting Sept. 14 for the wedding of Emily Fedor and Alec Gerchman. The Rev. John A. Doris officiated at the 1:30 p.m. ceremony.
The bride is the daughter of Matthew and Patricia Fedor, Dunmore. The bridegroom is the son of Eric and Cathy Gerchman, Dunmore.
Melissa Fedor, sister of the bride, was maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Kayle Gerchman, sister of the bridegroom; Danielle Bistran, cousin of the bride; Faith Maciolek; and Alexis Torquato.
Eric Stivala was best man. Groomsmen were John Glinsky; Dominic Behler; and Matthew Walsh and Griffin Gerchman, both cousins of the bridegroom.
A reception was held at Silver Birches, Hawley. The couple later honeymooned in Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe.
The bride is a graduate of Dunmore High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a minor in theater from Ithaca College. She is a news producer at WNEP-TV, Moosic. The bride is also the online editor for the Dunmorean.
The bridegroom is a graduate of Dunmore High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in game design and development with a minor in music and technology from Rochester Institute of Technology. He is a software engineer.
The new Mr. and Mrs. Gerchman reside in Archbald with their two cats, Fred and Velma.
It’s show time once again for members of the Dunmore High School Crimson Company. In the coming days, the cast and crew will present the final showings of their spring production “Beehive: The 60’s Musical.”
On Saturday, the curtain will fall for one last time — marking the end of not just another successful show and season for this drama club, but also the end of an era.
Brian and Dawn McGurl took over as drama club directors all the way back in 2005.
“Beehive” will be the 32nd show produced under their leadership, and it will be their last.
“We were back and forth with it, but it’s time,” Dawn said.
“When I started I was 45 years old. I’m 60 now,” Brian said with a chuckle. “Climbing up ten foot ladders and climbing on the catwalk, that’s not as much fun as it used to be.”
“And lugging costumes,” Dawn chimed in. “It’s a lot of work.”
The choice to step back from the drama club was sparked by another big decision.
Brian has taught seventh grade geography at the Dunmore Middle School for more than 30 years. He has decided to retire at the end of this school year.
The district would have allowed the McGurls to stay on with the Crimson Company, but Brian said he believes the club should be led by a teacher.
“The part of this that is the best part is that you’re extending the classroom,” he said.
Brian and Dawn will look back on these years fondly, saying they’ve left everything they have to offer on the auditorium stage.
Over the last 14 years, the two have brought upon several big changes that have transformed this program into quite a showstopper.
When the McGurls first took over, the club only put on one play a year for only one week.
Now, each Crimson Company season features a straight play in the fall and a musical in the spring, and each production spans two weekends. Another big change to the schedule is the newly added Sunday matinee.
Brian and Dawn also helped secure funding to purchase new curtains, a new sound system, microphones and more. Their most recent project involved building a new sound booth in the back of the auditorium — a major game changer for the club’s crew members.
“This is a sports town, but in the time that we’ve been here, we’ve made great strides in pushing the arts to the fore and making it as important as sports,” Dawn said. “I think that’s one of the things we’re most proud of.”
While they are excited to spend more time with family and friends and enjoying other aspects of life, Brian and Dawn say they will miss their days in the auditorium and people they shared those days with — the people who have become like a second family to them.
“One of the great parts of this is the friendships we develop,” Brian said with a smile. “As our students get older, we have all these friends now.”
“I’m going to miss seeing that freshman come out, and just seeing the growth by the time they’re a senior. It’s so rewarding,” Dawn said. “The impact that this can have on a person’s life is just awesome.”
Of course, as one chapter comes to an end, another must begin.
During the next school year, the Crimson Company is set to present two shows — an original work in the fall and the Charles M. Schulz inspired musical “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” in the spring.
As far as who will fill the McGurls’ shoes, someone has expressed interest in taking charge of the Crimson Company.
But as far as who that someone is, the Dunmorean is sworn to secrecy until the school board gives its final approval.
***
“Beehive: The 60’s Musical” continues this week with performances on April 3, 4, 5 and 6 at 7:00 p.m. each evening inside the DHS Auditorium. Tickets will be $10 for adults; $8 for students/seniors, and $5 for children under five.
Sitting behind the wheel. Stopped at a red light. It’s something the majority of us do every day — multiple times a day.
Most of the time, nothing comes of it. The light turns green and off we go.
But a little over a year ago, Michelle Mecca, a Dunmore resident, found herself stopped at a red light in Dickson City, and she didn’t just take off. She took a moment to look up and saw beautiful banners dressing the streets. On each: The photo of a hero.
“They had just put up their banners,” said Mecca, “and I thought, what a wonderful idea.”
Mecca contacted borough council and eventually found herself at a council meeting, making a pitch to get new banners made featuring Bucktown’s own hometown heroes.
“I thought driving through town and being able to see your loved ones face would bring so much comfort and joy to people,” said Mecca. “…if you are running errands and stop somewhere and see your father, mother, son, daughter, uncle, aunt — whoever is close to you — looking down from a banner, that would bring some piece of mind to you. Hopefully brighten your day. Hopefully make you proud.”
“As council, we all said it would be a great idea,” said borough councilman Vince Amico. “We voted unanimously for the project to go forward.”
From there, Mecca and Amico met with other borough officials, including borough manager Vito Ruggerio and councilwoman Carol Scrimalli, to iron out all the details and put together an application.
Over the past few months, dozens and dozens of Dunmoreans have submitted applications along with photographs of their loved ones who have served in our armed forces. Those photos will now hang proudly throughout our borough along Wheeler Avenue, East and West Drinker, North and South Blakely, Electric and West Warren Streets
“This project and the overwhelming response exceeded our expectations in every way,“ said Mecca. “[The people of] Dunmore always put their whole hearts into something, and this was no exception.”
Both Mecca and borough officials would like to thank the Dunmore DPW workers for hanging all the banners, as well as those at Jaworski Sign Company for their involvement in making this project a success.
There is no deadline to submit applications. However, time is still a factor. Borough officials tell the Dunmorean there are a limited number of spots available. So any outstanding applications should be submitted as soon as possible.
“We’re at about 250 now,” said Amico. “Based on the locations that we as council decided would be the best places for them…we have room for approximately 40 to 50 more. Once those spots are taken, we’re at capacity for lack of a better term.”
Councilman Amico tells the Dunmorean he is honored to be a part of this project honoring our hometown heroes. Mecca seconds that sentiment.
“It means a lot to me,” said Amico. “I’m a veteran myself…and it’s amazing to see all these people who have served before you. I still get choked up when I look up and see all these people who have served from our community.”
“Being a part of this project has forever left a lasting mark on my heart,” said Mecca.
“Seeing everyone come together to support this project, working together, helping people, and caring about each other is what life is all about, and I think Dunmoreans do that the best.”
By Emily Fedor
Over the past few months, dozens and dozens of Dunmoreans have submitted applications along with photographs of their loved ones who have served in our armed forces. Those photos will now hang proudly throughout our borough along Wheeler Avenue, East and West Drinker, North and South Blakely, Electric and West Warren Streets
Councilman Amico tells the Dunmorean he is honored to be a part of this project honoring our hometown heroes. Mecca seconds that sentiment.