Archive for the ‘Human Interest’ Category

Team Davis got by Team Boney 52-49 in 2012 Annual Game of Hope.  Matt Morrone (above) was named the game MVP.  Morrone hit a three and a layup early and also had a couple of breakaway baskets in the second half.

Not to be outdone by his Lowellville counterpart, Frank Lellio (below), Morrone’s team pulled out the win.  Lellio was sensational in defeat for Team Boney.

Congratulations to Tony Spano as all of his hard work merited a nice turnout for a very worthwhile cause.  “If it wasn’t for the volunteers, the board, the community, our partners and sponsors, this event would never be successful.”

At the half, Ed DiGregorio and Dom Roselli were inducted into the Hall of Fame.  Former players were there to present DiGregorio and Mrs. Roselli, representing her late husband, with kind words and keepsakes.

All-in-all, the Game of Hope was a lot of fun and look for broadcast times on MYTV later this week with Chad Krispinsky and Bob Hannon providing the call and the beautiful Lauren Lidvig doing the field reporting.

Foundation of the Mahoning Valley is presenting “The Game of Hope Charity Basketball Classic” on Saturday, February 4 at 4:30 p.m. at YSU’s Beeghly Center, proudly sponsored by Chesapeake Energy. The game, which raises money for chronically/terminally ill children so that they may have the experience generally afforded other healthy children, is open to the public with tickets $6 each.

This year, Jim Davis (Austintown Township Trustee & Board of Trustee-Hope Foundation of the Mahoning Valley) and Stan Boney (WYTV Evening News Anchor) will match coaching strategy as honorary head coaches for their respective teams. As in past years, both teams are comprised of local celebrities, dignitaries and media members from the area with the game set to be taped and broadcast on various cable outlets throughout Northeast Ohio on Sunday, Feb. 26.  Check  the official website for channel listings.

Those comprising “Team Boney” include Frank J. Lellio Jr, (Owner, Rossi Brothers & Lellio Funeral Home), Joe Schiavoni (State Senate-33rd district of Ohio), John Gocala Jr,. (Boardman Police Department), Ken Johnson (GM-V & M Star), Mary DeGenaro (Judge-Seventh District Court of Appeals), Nick Graham (Assistant Prosecutor-City of Warren), Pete Esparra (HM Partners-2012 Nominate A Player Honoree), Ray Housteau (The Amazing Race, Season 7), Stacie Cepin (Teacher/Basketball Coach-Austintown Local Schools), Timmy Bowser (YSU Student) & Tom Seifert (Minutemen Press).

Dr. Cynthia Anderson, President of Youngstown State University will Assist Team Boney, while Frank Frattaroli, director of marketing for the area Belleria Pizza chain will serve as Team Owner.

Team Davis consists of Amy Nilsson (Teacher-Howland Local Schools), Andrew Scarmack (Teacher-Austintown Local Schools), Bob Wolleben (CEO-Trumbull Memorial Hospital), Chris Jaskiewicz (COO-Evets Oil and Gas Construction), Deana Shade-Housteau (The Amazing Race, Season 7), Dorothy Bowers-Collins (Director-Eastern Gateway Community College), George Dimos (Owner-TanFastic Tanning Salon), Jeff Ryznar (VP-Phizzle, Inc), Matt Morrone (Assistant Athletic Director-YSU Athletics), and Shawn Jordan (Sports Reporter-My Valley Sports).

Assisting Team Davis as Assistant coach will be Dr. Laura Meeks, President of Eastern Gateway Community College with Rey Esparra, Director of Client Advocacy for GBS Computers serving as team owner.

Bob Hannon, CEO of the United Way of Youngstown/Mahoning Valley once again call the play-by-play with Chad Krispinsky, Sports Anchor, My Valley Sports and Lauran Lindvig (WFMJ Anchor) adding color commentary, while Chrissy Patrick from MIX 98.9 Morning Show will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the 4^rd straight year.

Pastor Michael Harrison from United Baptist Church in Youngstown, Ohio and Sarah Turner-National Recording Artist will preside over pre-game ceremonies.  In addition, the Hope Foundation will honor our Charter Class of Hall of Fame inductees – two highly recognizable names from YSU that are equated success in their respective sports. The charter class includes the late Dom Rosselli, former YSU men’s basketball and baseball coach and Ed DiGregorio, former YSU women’s basketball coach.

Other activities planned include performance by the Cheer Time Athletics Dance Teams; $5 for $50 half-court shot and visits from members of the 910^th Airlift Reserve Stations, Ronald McDonald, and mascots for all in attendance to enjoy. The event will also have its own concession stand during the event with part of the proceeds earmarked for the Game of Hope.

The event is proudly sponsored by television stations WKBN 27 First News & FOX Youngstown; WYTV & MyYTV; radio stations 95.9 KISS, 93.3 “THE WOLF” and News Radio 570 WKBN; UAW Locals 1112 & 1714; Refresh Dental, NEOEA (North Eastern Ohio Education Association); Time Warner Cable and the Lamar Advertising Company.

** Photos Courtesy of Ron Stevens

Lisa Neeld has been a busy woman lately.  She has stacked her appearances, started filming a reality show for television, continues to sell barbecue sauce, and is a full-time mother.  I became enamored with Neeld when I asked her ten baseball questions at a Scrappers game.  She played along, the good sport that she is, and had fun with a segment that many Playboy models would scoff away from.  A year later, I followed that up with ten boxing questions.  Same playful Lisa, same comical approach, same demeanor.

Neeld is excited about her new reality show, simply called Lisa Neeld: VIP Style.  The show airs at 6:30 in the morning on the WB Network every Thursday.  It is commercial-free and the interview which I conducted will be featured on one of the upcoming episodes, so set your DVR, it is fun to watch.

Having never interviewed a Playboy model before, I was cautious, but brought my highest line of questioning.  Lisa, as always, was very accommodating and honest.  I have a lot of respect for her because of the way she is going about life without the stereotypical priss label. All too many times, albeit an athlete or a musician with some level of fame, certain media outlets are snubbed because a celebrity feels too “big” to be a part of anything less than TMZ or a major publication.

Paneech: Tell me about the reality show.

Neeld: I was doing small reality clips for 93.3, The Wolf, and all of a sudden we got with some friends who would film and edit.  My producer, Mike Kolovich, signed on with us to do it.  It airs every Thursday morning at 6:30 on the CW Network.  It showcases the lifestyle I lead with all of the different roles in comparison to businesswomen and moms.  Things that people don’t necessarily think of associating with me.

Paneech: You were in Playboy.  How does that work with two children?  Is that something you will have to tell them?

Neeld: My children already know.  My first issue came out in 2008 and then I was on the cover in 2010.  When the first issue came out, my son was ten.  We didn’t let him see the magazine, but we did tell him.  I would rather he hear about it from me rather than kids at school who may have heard it from their parents.  I didn’t want to put him in a bad light because I was proud of it.  Playboy is very classy and to be chosen by them, and later land a cover is honorable, but I would never want my children to think that I did something wrong. My daughter is only eight, and when she is old enough, she will know from me.  My children know everything that I do and there is nothing to hide.

Paneech: How about other family members?  Did they chastise you because of your decision?

Neeld: Actually, I have no family.  My mom passed away five years ago.  She raised me as a single parent and I have not had to deal with that issue.  She would have been proud of me.  The whole time I was growing up, she had me in dance line, pageantry, dancing lessons, and modeling.  She would have been very proud and it is sad that she is not able to see the things that I have accomplished like this show.

Paneech: How much charity work do you do?  Also, do you feel obligated to do charitable work, or is it something you enjoy?

Neeld: I have a personal charity that I work with.  I work with Someplace Safe, a charity that works toward the awareness and prevention of domestic violence, which is pretty important to me.  I always try to arrange something that will benefit them.  We have had bowling nights, a blizzard thing at Dairy Queen, sold cut-out hearts, and many other things.  I feel it is a charity which is often overlooked because victims are afraid to speak up.

Paneech: Lets talk about Hugh Hefner.  This guy is like 90 years old, lands beautiful 21 year-old girlfriends, is loaded, and seems unhappy.  At the same time, he seems humble and grounded.  What have your experiences around him been like?

Neeld: I have met him several times at the Playboy Mansion and he is very down to earth.  He is a nice and sweet guy and actually cares about the younger girls.  There are a lot of girls who come through that have had issues or problems and he is actually there offering his support and helping them.  He is an all-around great guy.  I feel like he sometimes gets a bad rap, but he is an amazing person.

Paneech: You seem busier these days than you were two years ago.  Do you have any spare time?

Neeld: I hang out with my children.  We kind of like to stay at home.  I am always out so much and I am not the best cook in the world, I’m not going to lie, so we prefer to hang out and enjoy our time together.  Personally, when I have spare time, I like to run.  I like to work out, box, run – it’s not hyper it’s high energy (laughs).  I would probably want to go to a spa, I guess.  Well actually, the perfect night to me is just staying at home and watching TV.  I don’t have to be “dolled up”, worrying about appearances, so it is nice to just chill out.  I like a good movie, but I am not into the price of popcorn though.

Paneech: A lot of models who have posed for Playboy have been approached to appear in adult movies.  Have you been bothered for that yet?

Neeld: Yeah…  Yeah, I was contacted about a year ago by a competitor of Playboy to do a shoot and we declined.  If it is something I am asked to do that I feel I would be embarrassed telling my son about, then I will not do it.  I won’t cross a line that would potentially put my child in an embarrassing situation.  If people opt to do that stuff, than that is their option, but I will not cross that line.  It is one thing to do appearances and have fun, but nothing too risque.

Paneech: What is with the barbecue sauce?  How did that start and how are sales?

Neeld: The barbecue sauce came about when my friend Guy Hughes, of Guy’s Barbecue, had all of his products lined up at a press conference.  I picked up one of the bottles and jokingly said, ‘Why don’t you make me a sauce and put my name on it.  I can call it Saucy Housewife’.  Next thing you know, we have attorneys checking copyright facts and it wasn’t taken, so a month later it is in production at Summer Garden on McClurg Road and going into a production run of 1,200 cases or some crazy amount.  The Scrappers made it the exclusive barbecue sauce of the stadium and they made pulled pork this season for the first time.  The label on it shows a little too much cleavage so we couldn’t market it at family grocery-type stores.

Paneech: When does all of this get tiring?

Neeld: Never.  I have my days when I want to stay home in my sweatpants and cuddle up with my kids.  However, it is my job.  There are days when I am sure you don’t want to go to work and do your job.  I love what I do and I appreciate people’s support and I never take that for granted.  No matter how many times, or which venue, I get excited that people are making the effort to come and see me, it is pretty flattering.

Paneech: You have barbecue sauce, security, a reality show, a career you love, but the one thing you don’t seem to have is an agent.

Neeld: At this point, I do not have an agent.  I have contacts in California who handle some of the bigger publications and things like that.  I pretty much handle everything else on my own, not necessarily by choice, but because there is too much of the legwork that I have already taken care of and it is just easier for me to handle it myself rather than explaining everything to a third person.  The third person can easily get things twisted.  As long as I can continue to handle it myself, I will.

Paneech: Tomorrow is a school day, your kids will probably be in school.  How will you spend your day?

Neeld: We start off at six.  My son gets his bus at seven, and my daughter goes by eight, so I am in ‘mommy’ role until then.  After that, I immediately get with my trainer and we will run.  Some days it is five miles, other days ten.  The way I look at it, it is job maintenance plus you always feel better after that anyway.  After that, I go right into making business calls and doing some networking.  It is not a typical day because things always change.

Paneech: If I rub this cup of lemonade you are drinking and a genie comes out and says you can have any three wishes, what would they be?

Neeld: Firstly, I would always wish that my children are safe and that nothing bad will happen to them.  Secondly, I would wish to remain happy, not knowing what that will entail over the next couple of years.  Third, I would say I want to be able to adjust to anything. No matter what happens, I would also want a Jeep for my friend, a red Jeep.

Neeld will be coming to a function you may be attending soon, make an effort to meet her, she is definitely not who you would think, in a good way.

Having a heart and being a wrestling fan are seldom linked.  On Sunday August 28, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers had it all.  Luke Holko, pictured above with his parents (Chad and Nicole), was in attendance.  Luke was hit by a foul ball a couple of seasons ago and has been battling back ferociously ever since.

The Scrappers held a mystery ball sale where people could buy a baseball for $20.  Each bag contained a baseball signed by a different person and the proceeds were donated to the Holko’s.  I bought a bag, not caring who signed the ball, because I believe in the cause.  After opening the bag, I pulled out a Jason Donald signed ball.  The bag sold after mine contained an Al Kaline ball and many people got some great memorabilia through the event.

I talked briefly with Chad and Nicole, who were also busy showing off their new daughter, and learned that Luke is still making progress in the right direction.  Luke himself smiled a few times and seemed to be having plenty of fun at the game.  He also threw out a pretty good first pitch before the game started.

Before Luke through out his pitch, a video of Ben Carlson was played on the videoboard addressing the honoree. “Luke, I really wanted to be there with you today but I was unable to come.  I hope you are having fun and I will see you soon.  I love you”, said Carlson.

There was wrestling after the game, to which Chad claimed Luke is taking a liking to.  Luke got to meet Mick Foley, Al Snow, and Jimmy Hart, as well as Scrapper season ticket holder, the Necro Butcher.

Jordan Taylor and staff rolled a strike with the whole wrestling thing, but to me, the exclamation point was seeing a happy Luke Holko being a kid and having fun.

As an unofficial end point to Spring Football at Youngstown State University, a pancake breakfast is offered to the public to raise money for a good cause.  Head Coach Eric Wolford and his wife are the founders of a charity called No Stone Unturned.  The charity helps families who have had problems financially and fallen victim to the crazy healthcare situations.

Wolford, speaking on the breakfast, commented, “We expect a big turnout and there are a lot of people helping with it.  It is going to be a big day.  Players and many other people will be there helping out.”

The breakfast itself starts at 9 a.m. at Mt Carmel Hall in Youngstown.

Wolford credits his wife for much of the organization of these type of functions.  He says it is their way to “pay ahead” and help people who have children with disabilities continue to provide for their families and not spend every cent they have on medical bills.

The 2nd Annual Ella Rose Solak Memorial Scholarship 3-on-3 Tournament was held Saturday at Lowellville High School.  The 3-on-3 tournament raises money for the Ella Rose Solak Memorial Scholarship Fund, which is awarded to a Lowellville High School Senior who will be attending college.  Ivan and Gina Solak, the parents of Ella, are very active and dedicated to this worthwhile cause.

“Last year, as an English project, Taylor Hvisdak, Emily Carlson, and Ashley Moore, came up with the tournament for my daughter, Ella, who at the time was going through surgeries for heart problems.  It wasn’t meant to be a memorial, but she didn’t make it to the tournament”, explained an emotional Ivan Solak (below).  “We are carrying it on, using it as a scholarship opportunity for the kids, and it worked out really nice.  We had great turnouts both this year and last year.  We want to see how many years we can keep it going.”

Ella was born on July 14, 2008 with a congenital heart defect known as hypoplastic right heart syndrome.  Throughout a period of nine months, Ella had to undergo a number of surgeries with each one bringing more complications.  Unfortunately, this disease took her life on March 23, 2010.  Ella was only 20 months old when she passed away.  Sometimes tragedy hits close to home.  In this case it did, two doors down to be exact.  The Solak’s are terrific people who did all they could while Ella was alive and the tragedy they had to endure never goes away.

The turnout on this cold Spring day was phenomenal.  The limit for teams was set at 50 and people were turned away because accommodations could not handle more than the set limit.  The brackets for the 3-on-3 format tournament are set by gender and grade and a 19 & over group.  There is a round robin to determine bracket seedings and then a single elimination tournament.

Solak went on to say, “The support we have received from the community since Ella was born can’t be described in words.  People here have really helped us, and this tournament helps us too.  It is amazing how many people volunteer to help out.  Everyone from 7th and 8th grade volunteers to 60 year old volunteers who are unselfishly giving their time.”

Have-A-Heart is the name of the foundation that has been set up.  If you would like to make a contribution to the fund, you can visit the Huntington Bank Branch in Lowellville. Sometimes tragedy inspires people to do good for others.  This particular group of people have endured enough stress and persevered to the point of helping someone else.  It is an unselfish cause that proves when bad things happen to good people, they remain good, if not better.