LAKE WINOLA – The Lake Winola Fire Co. celebrated summer with its annual Lake Winola Carnival held at Station 12 from June 29 to July 1. David McGovern, the fire company’s president for 20 years, directs the carnival with his wife, Cheryl. Together, they purchase raffle ticket prizes and man the raffle ticket station.
David has been a Lake Winola firefighter for 44 years and remembers when the carnival first came to Station 12 in 1964. Before that, it was at Pleasant Manor Tavern, across the lake.
The Lake Winola Fire Co., now in its 90th year, continues the carnival, drawing crowds to enjoy the food, games, and live music.
“Good food and a good cause,” said Nicholson resident Matt Austin, who has been coming to the carnival for 30 years. He brought his wife and two sons to the carnival Saturday evening. One of his sons, 7-year-old Alexander Austin, tried his hand at the milk bottle toss, which was supervised by Pearl Pierce, wife of paramedic firefighter Jeff Pierce, and daughter Brittney Lopes.
Members of the fire company made food such as potato pancakes, mozzarella sticks, clams and wings with Danielle Dziak, ambulance captain, cooking many of the potato pancakes. There was also a chicken BBQ.
The Firemen’s parade took place on Route 307 Thursday and, on Saturday morning, 45 runners participate in a 5K race called the Lake Winola Wiggle with winners from many age groups. There was even a weight group called the Clysdale, in which runners in the category were 200 lbs or over. Runners Dan Toye, who came in overall first place, and Tim Nowakowski, who came in overall second, used to be cross-country teammates at Keystone College from 2005-08.
Toye grew up in Lake Winola, but currently resides in Montrose. He has competed many times in the Wiggle but this is the first time he finished first.
“It’s a challenging race,” he said. “It’s pretty humid this year.”
Philadephia resident Roger Davis, who came in third, competed with his son, Max. Although he lives about three hours away, he knew of this race because he owns a house on Chapman Lake in Scott Twp.
“It’s a nice family event,” said Roger. “We have a father and son running.”
Each evening had a live musical performance from a local band, which played at the fire company’s pavilion. On Thursday, June 29, Them Boys Band played Thursday, Mace in Dickson BAnd performed Friday and Infinity Band played Saturday.
Lake Winola Fire Co. continues to celebrate its 90 years of service and will host an open house in August.
Girls Gone Winola ran in the Lake Winola Wiggle on July 1. From left, first row, are Melissa Hedge, Sarah Biggar, Linda Caballero and Lee Shand. Second row, Jenny Weinster, Katrina Schmaltz, Amanda Koras, Maureen Rodgers, Krisen Depersis, MJ Kim and Kati Jones.
Tim Nowakowsku, of Factoryville, crosses the finish line, coming in second at the Lake Winola Wiggle.
Danielle Dziak, ambulance captain of Lake Winola Fire Co, flips potato pancakes for the carnival.
