Flash Mob surprises Sam Covelli for his 60th

YOUNGSTOWN

About 50 people helped restaurant entrepreneur Sam Covelli celebrate his 60th birthday Friday, dancing as part of a surprise Flash Mob America event at the Covelli Centre.

“It was 40 to 50 people, most of whom didn’t know each other, who volunteered to do something fun. We didn’t even know who we were dancing for until just before arriving at the Covelli Centre just before 8 p.m.,” said Patricia Kelvin.

Kelvin is a part-time instructor at Kent State at Salem, a former instructor at Youngstown State University and Mount Union College, and former Vindicator editorial writer.

She said the Flash Mob America dance was just part of a party that she described as “really over the top.”

Covelli, formerly one of McDonald’s largest franchisees, sold those and became one of Panera Bread’s and O’Charley’s restaurants’ biggest franchisees, and now also owns Dairy Queen franchises.

For more on the event, read Sunday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.