First Posted: 6/30/2014

The eclectic and distinctively upbeat Jeffrey James Band is bringing their multi-faceted professional talent to the Abington community on July 9.

The third installment of the Lakeside Concert Series at Hillside Park on Winola Road is set to kick off.

The Jeffery James Bandhas a versatile playlist, with music from almost every era and style, which feeds into the band’s main priority- energizing the audience with made-for-dancing songs.

The band consists of founder and leader Jim Kovaleski on lead vocals and percussion, Carl Canedy on drums, Gary Chesik lead guitar/vocals, Ray Decker guitar/percussion/vocals, Berni Olenick keyboard and vocals, Tony Garuba bass guitar/vocals, Chris Worobey, saxophone/vocals, and Jack Partyka, trumpet/trombone.

Besides the danceable sounds of the Jeffery James Band, concertgoers can check out the work of local artists that will be on display at the concert. Elizabeth Baumeister, of A. Elizabeth Baumeister Images, is the featured artist for this week. Her business offers outdoor portraits, senior portraits, event photography, music photography, print media, advertising design and more.

Joan Mead-Matsui, Abington resident, will be sharing her artistic talent with her donation of Chigirie Brook Trout. Mead-Matsui donated the original work, but a copy of can be viewed on the Boardwalk Art Trail.

Her mastery of Chigirie, a Japanese torn paper collage art, will be sold in a silent auction, with proceeds benefiting the continuation of the concert series. Mead-Matsui contributed her work to the park because she appreciates, “afternoon strolls along the boardwalk, memories of my two sons, Kento and Yoshi, reeling in their fishing lines, family festivals and a devoted board of directors [at the park].”

Community members may build similar memories at Hillside Park, especially with the chance to use canoes in Lake Eston Wilson, provided by the Abington Lions. The Lions will also be serving up summer cookout favorites . Park visitors should get to the event early to check out the major improvements to Hillside Park. The handicapped and stroller-accessible boardwalk around the lake, the art trail and woodcarvings of flora and fauna native to Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Boundless Playground, artificial turf field, Dog Park and Community Garden all are available for the public to enjoy before heading to the lakeside pavilion for the concert.

“Hillside Park offers so much to our community,” Mead-Matsui said. “There is a cause for celebration, when throughout the year, anyone who drives by the park can count on seeing a flurry of activity. Anglers young and old alike fishing along the shores of [Lake] Eston Wilson, woodlands, waterfowl and a plethora of sports are all examples of why I am compelled to support this park.”

Parking is free to the public. However, due to the increasingly high turnout , people are encouraged to arrive early or carpool with friends. Concertgoers may also bring lawn chairs and blankets to spread out on the lawn.

For those who missed last week’s concert with Kenny McGraw’s Brass and Ivory Orchestra featuring Chris DiMatteo, a recording of their Hillside Park performance will be played multiple times on Electric City TV (Channels 19 and 61). Photos of the band and audience members taken each week by Baumeister or Yvette Collins will be shared on Facebook’s Hillside Park site.