Published on August 03, 2022 at 1:44 p.m.
Steve Teeno grilled hot dogs until they were plump, stuffed them into buns and handed them out to Coaldale National Night attendees on Tuesday.
“We did about 100 last year, and we have the same number this year,” said Coaldale Community Crime Watch member Teeno.
The organization sponsored the event at the Coaldale Complex, and hundreds of people participated throughout the evening.
Everything was free – from the hot dogs and drinks provided by crime watch to the slushies and cold coffees made by David Hempson of Hope & Coffee in Tamaqua.
Caitlin Tongue from Lansford brought her children, Grayson Tongue, 1, and Ella Rivera, 4. She pushed Grayson in a stroller and held Ella’s hand as the family stopped at booths set up by various community organizations.
The kids were among the first in line for the balloon animals made by JustinCredible of Incredible Parties.
They would also visit Constable Matt Jungbaer of the Coaldale Police Department.
“We give out junior police badges and police cars that kids can put together,” Jungbaer explained. “We see a decent number of children.”
Kids and teens could stop at the colorful Panther Valley Book Buggy to select a book to enjoy.
Robert Palazzo, Principal of Panther Valley Elementary School, helped the children make their selections.
The book buggy — a library on wheels — makes frequent stops at community events and will be a staple at upcoming home football games and Panther Valley High School sporting events, he said.
Representatives from St. Luke’s University Health Network had a prize wheel that young and old could spin to win prizes. The network also brought one of its Life Flight helicopters to the event.
The helicopter landed at the grounds at 6 p.m. and was open for people to check out. Local rescue workers also presented their vehicles.
The Panther Valley Book Buggy stopped at Coaldale’s National Night Out so the kids could pick out books. JILL WHALEN/TIMES NEWS
David Hempson of Hope & Coffee, Tamaqua, prepared a number of free drinks for attendees of Coaldale’s National Night on Tuesday. JILL WHALEN/TIMES NEWS
Steve Teeno of Coaldale Community Crime Watch grills free hot dogs for those who attended Coaldale’s national night on Tuesday. JILL WHALEN/TIMES NEWS
Caitlin Tongue and her children, Grayson Tongue and Ella Rivera, stopped by to pick up balloon animals during Coaldale National Night on Tuesday. JILL WHALEN/TIMES NEWS
St. Luke’s University Health Network landed a Life Flight helicopter on the grounds of the Coaldale Complex, as part of National Community Night. JILL WHALEN/TIMES NEWS
Children and adults check out St. Luke’s University Health Network’s Life Flight Helicopter on Tuesday at Coaldale National Night. JILL WHALEN/TIMES NEWS