An old tradition came to light last week with the resumption of the bonfire at North Warren Regional High School.
Sponsored by the North Warren Parent-Teacher Organization, the bonfire has been subjected to conditions in the past few years that have forced several cancellations, chief among them, drought and COVID-19.
But not this year, though it was a close call, PTO President Claudia Lobycz said.
“This year we were kind of in the same situation again,” Lobycz said. “The weather was kind of dry. We were on the fence about whether or not we could do the bonfire.”
But after consulting with the forest and fire departments that monitor such things, the PTO was given the go-ahead. In fact, Blairstown Hose Co. No. 1 was on hand to manage the flames of fandom for the several hundred in attendance.
Another tradition revived this year was the Patriot Powder Puff Game between juniors and seniors, which was played prior to the lighting of the bonfire.
“We really wanted to do something special for the kids,” Lobycz said. “So, we brought back Powder Puff, which is something that North Warren used to do a long time ago.”
Proceeds from the Powder Puff game, including admission and concessions, are used to help keep costs to students down for the junior and senior prom, she added.
The bonfire was fueled by wooden pallets provided by M&H Enterprises, which, among other things, operates a trucking company.
Joe brings decades of journalism experience to the Ridge View Echo, covering everything from local school boards to the U.S. Supreme Court. A former National Law Journal editor and Columbia Law School press officer, he now enjoys telling community stories in Blairstown, where he lives with his wife, Rose, and their two dachshunds.
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
