‘Our Town: The Abingtons’ premieres on WVIA-TV, encore presentation to be broadcast April 24

PITTSTON TWP. — Abington area business owners, community leaders and local personalities gathered at the WVIA-TV studio Thursday evening, April 14 to celebrate the live premiere of the station’s “Our Town: The Abingtons” program and volunteer their time answering phones for a mini pledge drive.

Produced in partnership with the Abington Journal and Times Leader, “Our Town: The Abingtons” is the 25th edition of WVIA Public Media’s “Our Town” series, which began in 2010. The episode showcases the various small communities that make up the Abingtons, with a focus on the people who live and work here. From Manning’s Ice Cream, to the Waverly Community House, to the downtown Clarks Summit business district, viewers are treated to a grand tour, guided by the locals themselves.

“I think the most exciting part (of the series) is people get to tell the story of their own community,” said Joe Krushinsky, WVIA vice president of advancement strategy. “And it’s been working, or we wouldn’t be at number 25.”

Jeff Felkowski, the show’s director and editor, said a main theme he noticed in working with the people of the Abingtons is “selflessness.”

“It’s their passion and their connection to the community,” he said.

He added one resident whose personality impressed him is LaVina Clark Lewis, the oldest living descendant of Deacon William Clark, one of the area’s first settlers. At the age of 100, Lewis contributed her time and knowledge of the area to help make the program even better.

“She’s a prime example of people who care about the community,” Felkowski said.

In addition to highlighting the area’s spirit of giving, the program also touched on the community’s plethora of talents. The Coal Town Rounders, a regional bluegrass band with Abington roots, performed live from the WVIA-TV studio during the premiere.

Thursday’s studio event began with a dinner for the volunteers and concluded with a celebratory “Our Town: The Abingtons” cake, which was ceremoniously cut by Lewis and accompanied by scoops of ice cream (Mannings, of course).

For those who missed the premiere broadcast of the program, an encore of “Our Town: The Abingtons” will be presented at 12 p.m. Sunday, April 24 on WVIA-TV. Those wishing to purchase DVD copies of the program and/or make donations to help the series continue, may do so online at wviaourtown.org.

Abington area community members volunteer to answer telephones during the Thursday, April 14 ‘Our Town: The Abingtons’ premiere at the WVIA-TV studio in Pittston Township.

http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_ABJ-Our-Town-1.jpg.optimal.jpgAbington area community members volunteer to answer telephones during the Thursday, April 14 ‘Our Town: The Abingtons’ premiere at the WVIA-TV studio in Pittston Township. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington Journal

From left, LaVina Clark Lewis, 100, the oldest living descendant of early Abington area settler Deacon William Clark, and her ‘baby sister’ Betty Clark Dodgson, 86, watch LaVina’s interview in ‘Our Town: The Abingtons’ on WVIA-TV at the stations headquarters in Pittston Township.

http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_ABJ-Our-Town-2.jpg.optimal.jpgFrom left, LaVina Clark Lewis, 100, the oldest living descendant of early Abington area settler Deacon William Clark, and her ‘baby sister’ Betty Clark Dodgson, 86, watch LaVina’s interview in ‘Our Town: The Abingtons’ on WVIA-TV at the stations headquarters in Pittston Township. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington Journal

Pastor Dan Miller, of Clarks Green Assembly of God, volunteers at WVIA during the ‘Our Town: The Abingtons’ premiere, answer phone calls from viewers seeking to make a donation pledge to the station.

http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_ABJ-Our-Town-3.jpg.optimal.jpgPastor Dan Miller, of Clarks Green Assembly of God, volunteers at WVIA during the ‘Our Town: The Abingtons’ premiere, answer phone calls from viewers seeking to make a donation pledge to the station. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington Journal

Sherry Dougherty, of Dalton takes information from WVIA viewers calling to pledge donations during the ‘Our Town: The Abingtons’ premiere Thursday, April 14.

http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_ABJ-Our-Town-4.jpg.optimal.jpgSherry Dougherty, of Dalton takes information from WVIA viewers calling to pledge donations during the ‘Our Town: The Abingtons’ premiere Thursday, April 14. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington Journal

Clarks Summit business owner Barry Kaplan, of Everything Natural, talks with WVIA’s Lisa Mazzarella on air during a break in the ‘Our Town: The Abingtons’ premiere Thursday, April 14.

http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_ABJ-Our-Town-5.jpg.optimal.jpgClarks Summit business owner Barry Kaplan, of Everything Natural, talks with WVIA’s Lisa Mazzarella on air during a break in the ‘Our Town: The Abingtons’ premiere Thursday, April 14. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington Journal

A cake celebrates the premiere of WVIA’s ‘Our Town: The Abingtons’ program.

http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_ABJ-Our-Town-6.jpg.optimal.jpgA cake celebrates the premiere of WVIA’s ‘Our Town: The Abingtons’ program. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington Journal

Abington area band Coal Town Rounders performs live in the WVIA studio during the Thursday, April 14 premiere of ‘Our Town: The Abingtons.’ From left, Matthew Hiller, Christopher Kearney, Jason Zarnowski and Ian O’Hara.

http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_ABJ-Our-Town-7.jpg.optimal.jpgAbington area band Coal Town Rounders performs live in the WVIA studio during the Thursday, April 14 premiere of ‘Our Town: The Abingtons.’ From left, Matthew Hiller, Christopher Kearney, Jason Zarnowski and Ian O’Hara. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington Journal