43
Flash Mob celebrates Covelli’s 60th birthday
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 University at Salem, a former instructor at Youngstown State University and Mount Union College, and former Vindicator editorial writer.
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.
In a Facebook posting, Kelvin said: “One more thing off the bucket list. Don’t know the man, but it was fun after rehearsing a few hours to be part of the fun.”
Dance participants rehearsed either Thursday at the Covelli Centre or Friday at Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Boardman.
“We came into the Covelli Centre in small groups and started dancing to make it look spontaneous. We were all dressed up in black. They wanted us to look good,” Kelvin said.
She said the Flash Mob America dance was just part of a party that she described as “really over the top.”
“It [the Covelli Centre] was absolutely packed with tables and entertainment ... the bartenders were juggling flaming bottles. It was lavish and amazing and wonderful. If that had been my birthday party, I would have been up in the stars somewhere,” she joked.