Thursday, June 27, 2013
Staff report
Hubbard
The Jeffrey Jablonski Poker Run and Cornhole Tournament takes place Saturday, with stops at Yankee Lake, Leon’s and Lake Tavern.
The motorcycle ride raises money annually for the Jeffrey Jablonski Memorial Fund, which supports Hubbard High School graduates who intend to go to vocational school.
Jablonski died in October 2011 in a construction accident. He was studying carpentry at New Castle School of Trades in New Castle, Pa.
“Jeff was a good friend to a lot of people,” said Todd Hanley, who helped promote the event. “He was really active in the community and always funny.”
The daylong event started small, when Jablonski’s father, Mark Jablonski, arranged for a few friends to ride with him in memory of his son. But last year, more than 100 riders took part in the ride, and a further 120 nonriders took part in a cornhole tournament that runs alongside the event.SClB“We’re hoping for a lot more this year, good Lord willing,” said his mom, Mary Kay Jablonski.
All the day’s events start and end at Downtown Cafe on Main Street. Poker Run entry is $15 per driver and $5 per rider. Sign-up starts at 10 a.m., and the ride starts at 11:30 a.m.
Mary Kay Jablonski said the event is popular because everyone was drawn to Jeffrey when he was alive.
“There were always a ton of kids at my house,” she said. “He was a jokester with an awesome personality. Everyone was drawn to him.”
The cornhole tournament starts at 6 p.m. with sign-ups one hour earlier. There is a grand prize and runner-up prizes for the tournament and an auction. All proceeds go to the memorial fund, which will benefit a Hubbard High School student.
Mary Kay Jablonski said it is wonderful that an event in her son’s memory can help other children get started at vocational school.
New riders and cornhole teams can call Todd at 330-307-4489 for information and a copy of the flier.