Davy Jones is a ‘believer’ in city’s revitalization

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25or6to4

Davy Jones is a ‘believer’ in city’s revitalization

Lead

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Posts: 4308

(05/07/08 2:31 PM)

Mr. Smarty Pants
Treasure Chest
Rock of Gibraltar

http://www.citizensvoice.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19667116&BRD=2259&PAG=461&dept_id=455154&rfi=6

BY CALEB SHEAFFER
STAFF WRITER

05/07/2008

WILKES-BARRE - It's not every day a celebrity sings a hit song on Public Square.

But then again the goal of Leadership Wilkes-Barre is to get the community to think big things - to believe, in fact.

Yesterday, during Leadership Wilkes-Barre's "Affair on the Square" former Monkees' frontman Davy Jones made an appearance to show his support for Wilkes-Barre's revitalization.

About 150 people watched and cheered as the 62-year-old heartthrob graced the stage to accept the key to the city from Mayor Tom Leighton. Dressed in a sleek black shirt and only aged by his graying hair, Jones sang the Monkees' song "I'm a Believer," changing the lyrics to reflect Leadership Wilkes-Barre's vision.

During the chorus, instead of singing, "when I saw your face," he sang, "when I saw this place, I'm a believer."

Before he sang "I'm a Believer," he spoke to the crowd about his decision to visit the Wyoming Valley. He believes in small town revitalization, in addition to owning a house for 20 years in nearby Beavertown, Snyder County, where he raises horses.

"A 1,000-mile journey starts with a single step," Jones said in his punchy British accent. "You've got to pass the word on. The door to opportunity is marked push. You have to realize everything you do will affect somebody else."

Inspired by Leighton's "I Believe" campaign, Amy Hetro, communications director for Leadership Wilkes-Barre, had the idea to get Davy Jones to visit Wilkes-Barre last year. She and Leadership Wilkes-Barre Executive Director Lori Nocito were thrilled with having Jones attend the "Affair on the Square: Be a Believer."

"We were fortunate to be able to get him here," Hetro said. "Everything turned out so well."

Many people brought Monkees' records and photos of Jones' earlier days for him to autograph. Two self-proclaimed Monkees' fanatics - Bill Shinn, 37, of Orlando and John Roginski, 36 of Factoryville - waited in the lobby of the Ramada prior to Jones' appearance. Shinn showed off his tattoo of Monkees' guitarist Michael Nesmith on his left forearm, while Roginski said he spends his free time recording covers of Monkees' songs.

Carrying old Monkees' records, both said they met Jones before but because of their obsession with the Monkees, they wanted to see Jones again.

"There's no casual Monkees' fans. We're beyond crazy," said Roginski, adding that Jones doesn't do a lot of public appearances. "I grew up listening to the records. I didn't see the TV show until '86, that was when the true fanaticism started. Then I knew what the deal was."

Aside from Jones' appearance, the "Affair on the Square: Be a Believer" highlighted the Leadership Wilkes-Barre Class of 2008's projects. The projects this year included a dog park in West Pittston, a trip to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., for Luzerne County veterans, a competitive blood drive for the local colleges, a mural on the Times Leader distribution building and the re-opening of the Osterhout Free Library's North Branch.

Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs sponsored Jones' appearance, and Jones spent the day with Mohegan Sun CEO Bobby Soper and Leadership Wilkes-Barre staff, touring the casino resort and visiting the racetrack.

Taking a break from directing the line for Davy Jones' autographs, Nocito said there's not a lot of pressure to have a celebrity come every year for the Leadership Wilkes-Barre reception, but she wouldn't rule it out.

"We believe it's a success - pun intended," Nocito said. "I couldn't be happier with all the projects. The Class of 2008 was very dedicated to helping out the community."

csheaffer@citizensvoice.com, 570-821-2083

©The Citizens Voice 2008

Shane

The lost album. In stores June 17th.

NoraLou

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Posts: 8943

(05/07/08 3:54 PM)

Rev. Nora
Paperback writer
Amazing Grace

Good for Jonesy-sounds like a fun time!

Wilkes-Barre, the place where my student loan payments go each month!

JMPOTTER

DAVY

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Posts: 1350

(05/07/08 3:58 PM)

Picture Sleuth

Good find!

LittleMetalBottletops

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Posts: 2798

(05/07/08 4:23 PM)

Mistress of the Marathon
Mod Squad

"Two self-proclaimed Monkees' fanatics - Bill Shinn, 37, of Orlando and John Roginski, 36 of Factoryville - waited in the lobby of the Ramada prior to Jones' appearance. Shinn showed off his tattoo of Monkees' guitarist Michael Nesmith on his left forearm, while Roginski said he spends his free time recording covers of Monkees' songs. "

Do you suppose that's our own "Nice Guy Bill" (WaxMinute)?

Thanks for posting this, Shane!

NoraLou

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Posts: 8944

(05/07/08 5:12 PM)

Rev. Nora
Paperback writer
Amazing Grace

It does sound him him (Bill), doesn't it?

marnweb

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Posts: 214

(05/07/08 5:50 PM)

Globetrotter
Cravin' Kasem

Heh, so did mine, Nora - Thank goodness I paid them off a few years ago.

ScreenGemsStage7

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Posts: 415

(05/07/08 8:24 PM)

Gem Finder

Here's another article and some pics.

http://www.timesleader.com/news/20080507_07affaironsquare_sd_ART.html

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 9:13 P.M.

Singing W-B's praises

Davy Jones of the Monkees helps celebrate the city

By Sheena Delazio sdelazio@timesleader.com
Staff Writer

WILKES-BARRE - Davy Jones is a believer in the city of Wilkes-Barre.

Mayor Thomas Leighton smiles as Davy Jones performs Tuesday.

Davy Jones entertains the crowd on Public Square during Tuesday's "Affair on the Square: Be a Believer" event.

FRED ADAMS photos/THE TIMES LEADER

Davy Jones dances the monkey in the Public Square band shell on Tuesday.

Times Leader Photo Store

The performer, famed for being one of the Monkees, made a stop in the city on Tuesday to help Leadership Wilkes-Barre promote its vision of revitalizing the downtown and Wilkes-Barre area.

Jones showed his support of revitalization by singing the hit song, "I'm a Believer," to coincide with Mayor Tom Leighton's "I Believe…" slogan, and even switched up the lyrics to say "…and then I saw this place, now I'm a believer…"

"We couldn't be happier with the success of the five project groups of this year's class," said Lori Nocito, executive director of Leadership Wilkes-Barre. "They have raised the bar for Leadership Wilkes-Barre and we're thrilled to coincide the success of the projects with the mayor's revitalization efforts and the 'I Believe…' theme."

And Jones' performance in the band shell on Public Square puts the icing on the cake, Nocito said.

"The door to opportunity is marked push … you just have to open it," Jones told the crowd of several hundred. "You have to change the way you look at things, and things will change."

Jones said it's important for the community to step up and take charge so that revitalization continues and more shops and restaurants come to the downtown and Wilkes-Barre area.

"…We were at Mohegan Sun (at Pocono Downs) and I've been into racing for a lot of years, and you don't have to go there to gamble, you can just enjoy the occasion," Jones said. "That's what it's all about. Some people think you can only have a good time in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago … but those things are alive and well in rural Pennsylvania. It's not all about Hollywood. It's about sharing and giving in the community."

Leighton said through revitalization, Wilkes-Barre now has street lights and a top-of-the-line movie theater. Garbage is cleaned up, reservations are needed to dine at local restaurants and it's all thanks to programs like Leadership Wilkes-Barre, he said.

"Without them, none of this would happen. I'm proud to be the mayor of this city," Leighton said, and then presented Jones with the key to the city.

At Tuesday's event, the five groups showcased their projects for attendees at the Ramada Inn, answering questions and explaining their process. More than 20 local restaurants provided food for the event, sponsored by Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, and local band Sister Esther entertained the crowd.

By the end of June, the Leadership Wilkes-Barre groups will have their projects completed. They include: Luzerne County's first dog park; a trip for World War II veterans to the World War II monument in Washington D.C.; an American Red Cross blood drive; a past, present and future mural of the Wyoming Valley painted on a downtown building; and the opening of the Osterhout's Free Library Parsons branch.

Jones, a native of England, resides in Beavertown, Snyder County, and was brought to Wilkes-Barre by development and communications coordinator of Leadership Wilkes-Barre, Amy Hetro.

"It was really her idea," Nocito said. "She's been working on it for well over a year, and a lot of people dismissed the idea. She has proven that any dream can become a reality. She has set a fine example of leadership with vision."

Some attendees at the event, such as Theresa Dennis of Hanover Township, were there strictly to see Jones sing. Maryann and Tom Cybula, of Long Island, N.Y., made the five-hour trek to see Jones, too. For the 27th time.

"This is a beautiful town, and I've been a Davy Jones fan for 13 years," Maryann Cybula said. "We might retire here."

Others, such as Aneda Kaplan of Kingston, showed up to see Jones and what the Leadership class is up to.

"Seeing Davy Jones brings back memories. And, it's nice to see what new things are being brought to Wilkes-Barre," Kaplan said. "We need projects like this. People need to get involved."

Last Edited By: ScreenGemsStage7 05/07/08 8:28 PM. Edited 2 times.

beenaround4ever

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Posts: 967

(05/08/08 5:25 AM)

1/2 of the Two Gails