ST. PATRICK'S DAY Something to smile about

Most of the organizers have familial ties to the parade.
BOARDMAN -- Irish eyes will be smiling March 13 when the 27th annual Mahoning Valley St. Patrick's Day Parade steps out on Market Street beginning at 1 p.m.
"When Irish Eyes are Smiling" is the theme of this year's parade, said Joyce Pesta, president of the parade committee.
She said organizers were seeking a happier, more uplifting theme for the event, which she said was suggested by Atty. Vince Gilmartin, a member of the committee for several years.
Pesta noted that it is a well-known Irish song. "Many people relate to it, whether you're Irish or not."
She added that the bands will be playing it as they march, and the theme will be carried through on float decorations and the judging categories.
First woman president
Pesta, who has served on the committee since its inception, is serving as president for the first time and is the only woman in history to head the parade.
"I got involved originally because my mother, Bessie Spangel, was a member of the Ladies Ancient Order of the Hibernians (AOH), and I just drove all the little Irish ladies in a car from the start of the parade route on Belmont Avenue to downtown Youngstown," she mused.
The first president and founder of the St. Patrick's Day event was Pete Gabriel, a talk show host on WKBN radio. After a 16-year tenure, he was followed by local residents Tim Muholland and Wally Dunne.
Pesta said the parade has come a long way since those beginning years. She emphasized that it is the 10th largest St. Patrick's Day Parade in the country behind such larger cities as New York; Chicago; Cleveland; Pittsburgh; Savannah, Ga.; and Charleston, S.C.
With so many responsibilities connected with an event of such a large proportion, what is her greatest challenge?
"The weather," she promptly answered. But Pesta said there are other concerns she will deal with on the day of the parade.
"The other challenge is the lineup, making sure that the divisions are in the right place at the right time, that there's not chaos and everything flows well."
Good attendance
She expects a crowd of more than 13,000 to take positions along Market Street where they will watch the 110 floats, bands and organizations pass by. There will be 10 different divisions.
Members of Mahoning Valley Irish organizations such as the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Mahoning Valley Gaelic Society and the Irish Cultural Organization will be wearing their green as longtime parade participants.
Pesta also said the ever-popular pipe bands will return this year donning their traditional plaid kilts, no matter what the temperature reads.
In addition to the North Coast pipe band from Cleveland, Pittsburgh's Steel City drum and bugle corps, and the Lake Erie drum and bugle corps, new entry St. John's drum and bugle corps will travel from Brantford, Ontario, to participate in the event.
Key participants
Meanwhile, leading off the parade as grand marshal will be Danny O'Connell. Pesta said, "Danny is a very good choice."
O'Connell, a Girard resident, is active in Irish organizations currently serving as president of the AOH, Mahoning County Division, and is vice president of the Ohio AOH. O'Connell, who has traveled to Ireland seven times in the last 10 years, serves on the J. Ford Crandall Memorial Foundation and the Van Sickle Memorial Foundation For-R-Kids.
The recipient of the Ockerman Award, named in remembrance of the late Bill Ockerman, who served tirelessly as a founding member of the parade committee, will be Katie Timlin Weily.
A lifelong resident of Youngstown, she is a development officer in the city's economic development department.
Weily has been an active member of the St. Patrick's Day Parade committee for the past five years.
The recipient of the Ockerman award is selected by past winners of the award and is given to an individual who is a member of the parade committee.
The designation of Lord Mayor of Kilkenny will be shared this year between David L. Collins of Springfield Township and Dave Deibel of North Lima.
Kilkenny was the name of an Old Irish settlement on Youngstown's South Side near Poland Avenue, Powersway and Gibson Street. It was the neighborhood of many prominent Youngstown residents such as Cardinal Edward A. Mooney.
Collins, is president of the Diamond Steel Construction Co., and is president of YSU's Penguin Club as well as a member of the Grow Mahoning Valley Committee.
Deibel, who is president of Boardman Steel, is a member of the AOH, Penguin Club, the Boy Scouts of America and Duquesne Hunting and Fishing Club.
The Lord Mayor of Kilkenny is not necessarily named every year, but Pesta stressed that Collins and Deibel and their companies, have been very strong supporters of the parade and deserve the honor.
Family event
She said the parade is an important community event, but it's really about the children.
"I see their faces lining up on the street, and they have their little bags for the candy. They love seeing all the floats, the marchers and the bands."
Pesta said she would like to be president of the parade for another year, if the committee wants her to continue.
She said she's looking forward to the next generation of Irish descendants taking over the planning and implementation of the parade.
One of her three sons, Robbie Kale, and his wife, Colleen, are active members of the committee as are other sons and daughters of founding members such as Joe Illencik Jr., who has followed his father's footsteps as head parade marshall.
The parade will begin at the Boardman Township Administration building, head north past the reviewing stand at Sweeney Chevrolet, where Gilmartin and Casey Malone of WKBN radio will provide the commentary. The parade will end near the Southwoods Medical complex at DeBartolo Drive.
The celebration will continue with an after parade party at 3 p.m. at the Operating Engineers Local 66 Hall, 291 McClurg Road, Boardman. Entertainment will include the Shaffer Brothers band, Irish step dancers and pipe bands.
The admission, which covers refreshments, will be $2.
Media sponsors are The Vindicator, WFMJ TV and Clear Channel Radio.