Friday, September 29, 2023

Blairstown Celebrates Pride Day at Footbridge Park on June 4th

Photos by Joe Phalon for the Ridge View Echo

Blairstown’s own Alison Bolshoi, world-renowned operatic contralto, opened the Pride Day ceremonies with “God Bless America
Blairstown Pride DaY
Blairstown resident celebrated Pride Day in Footbridge Park Saturday. Mayor Rob Moorhead readies the Pride flag for raising.
Patti Doell reads a poem and talks about the importance of family support.
Blairstown Mayor Rob Moorhead reads a proclamation honoring Pride Day Saturday in Blairstown
Organizer Henry Doell describes his journey to self-acceptance during Pride Day at Footbridge Park on Saturday.
Joe Phalon
Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer
Contributing Writer

Joe was lured out of retirement by the opportunity to be a part of the Ridge View Echo. During a decades-long career in publishing and journalism, he has covered government on many levels from local school boards to the United States Supreme Court.

Along the way, Joe has worked at American Lawyer Magazine, The National Law Journal and The Record among other publications, and as the Press Officer of Columbia Law School. His work has been recognized with several first place awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and the New Jersey Press Association.

Being part of the Ridge View Echo brings Joe back to his roots and the kind of news coverage he loves: Telling the stories of people and local communities as well as keeping an eye on how their money is spent by their government officials.

Joe lives in Blairstown with his wife Rose, the founder of Quilting for a Cause, and their two wiener dogs. He is an artist in his spare time.