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HCRHP looking forward to return of annual dinner and auction May 8

HOPEDALE — Because of COVID-19 shutdowns and protocols, the 2020 installment of the Harrison Coal and Reclamation Historical Park Inc. annual dinner and auction had to be canceled.

“But we are back in force this year,” notes Claren Blackburn, spokesperson.

The dinner and auction will be held May 8 at the Hopedale Social Hall, 103 Firehouse Lane. Doors open at 4 p.m. with dinner at 5 p.m, then a brief program and the induction of officers.

The auction will begin around 7 p.m.

The buffet dinner will include fried chicken, beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, noodles, salads and desert. Mixed and soft drinks will be available.

Trevor Welsh is in charge of the kitchen.

“We have lots of items this year, including two Dave Barnhouse pictures,” Blackburn explained. “One is a print from 2007, titled ‘Old Friends,’ done from an original oil painting. It was to have been auctioned last year. We also have ‘The Pike Inn,’ a framed canvass of this well-known bar/restaurant which is on Old 22 between Hopedale and Bloomingdale.”

The restaurant was famous for its steaks, pasta and salads. It was owned by the Gentile family and managed and run by Nina Gentile, then later purchased by Blanche and Dominick Topazio and operated for 31 years. The restaurant was closed in the mid-1990s, but the building still stands.

“People came to eat from Pittsburgh, Wheeling, Cleveland and all over,” Blackburn said of the canvass that portrays the restaurant in the 1940s.

“Aside from these items, we will have Hanna Magazines, coal cups, shovel photos, carbide lamps, wine baskets and many other goodies,” Blackburn noted. Sue Adams will host a Chinese auction, and T-shirts, caps and other photos will be for sale. There will be a 50-50 drawing.

Tickets are on sale now from most members. They are $20 each and also can be purchased by sending a check or money order in care of HCRHP, 143 E. Main St., Cadiz, OH 43907.

Reservations are recommended to be called in to Blackburn at (740) 937-2461 or Marilyn Monzula at (740) 942-3895. Bids on either Barnhouse print can be submitted to either number.

Anyone having items to donate for the auction can call either number as well.

The Harrison Coal and Reclamation Historical Park Inc. is dedicated to the preservation of surface mining and reclamation and the history of the giant earth excavators that had roamed the county, at one time making Harrison County the leading coal producer in Ohio.

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