Under a beautiful blue sky, a 10-foot tall red sunset maple tree was dedicated at Hokendauqua Park and Playground in recognition of eight park founders.

Claire Alesick, Dick Bowman, Althea Geiger, Flora Geissinger, Henry Gerhard, Ed Hartman, Joe Humenik and Mary Kalamar were honored at the dedication ceremony for their role in securing land for the park, located off Lehigh Street, in 1958. The tree was planted next to the creek.

With close to 100 people present for the ceremony, the program included reminiscing and lighthearted tales. Among them was discussion about the tradition of tossing the head baseball coach into the Coplay Creek after the season's final game.

HPPA President Mike Frana took the crowd down memory lane with stories from decades past. The first action taken by the founders at the playground was the "A" field, now known as the pavilion. A host of projects took place in the following decades, he said.

HPPA was formed in 1923, moving to its present site in 1958 with the aid of a $2,000 donation from town butcher Ruby Falk. Tony Fassman sold 7 acres of land for the park, then known as The Meadows, where years before the Hokendauqua Soccer team played.

Hartman recalled the steep hill at the north end of the park, which was popular with children sleigh riding during the winter months.

The group also talked about the old Whitehall High School, now a seniors living apartment complex on Lehigh Street. Originally known as Hokendauqua High School, its first graduating class was made up of only two people.

In 1958, the average new home cost $12,700, gas was 25 cents a gallon, the Barbie doll was introduced and NASA was formed.

Frana said in later years people such as Steve Saganovich and Dale Horn became active in the association. Horn was memorialized in 2004 when a fountain was dedicated in his memory.

Along with Frana, HPPA officers at the program included Brandon Szoke, vice president; Lisa McGonigle, treasurer; and Bill Sabol, secretary.