A Tied score-but they’re all WINNERS!
by Cate Murway
Bristol Borough Council “goes through hoops” to provide positive athletic outlets for the community youth! Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe shared “the recreation program was an ok program but Cyndi Wade really turned it around. She is doing an outstanding job and is a total asset to the program.”
The visible enthusiasm portrayed by the Recreation Director, Cynthia Mae [Rigby] Wade, Woodrow Wilson H.S. ’80, is proof that she truly enjoys what she does. Cyndi attests, “I love doing this!” The Borough youth happily benefit from her passion; learning and respecting the value and concept of 'fair play'.
At the “K- 2nd Grade Final Night” held at Snyder-Girotti Elementary School last week, modified versions of the game finished with a “tied score”, thanks to scorekeeper, football/ basketball/baseball athlete, Christopher Cullen, BHS ’08, but knowledge of the basic skills, the tactics of the game, and knowing when to use these skills developmentally creates “athletes in progress”.
The auditorium/gym/lunchroom walls sport affirmative posters: “Be a Buddy, not a Bully” and “You Can Make It Happen!” Rather than just telling them that skills are critical, Cyndi and Coach Fred Cullen, BHS ‘78 lead them to that discovery through a well-designed modified game, a guided discovery method, where the “short shots” learn to pass and dribble and they also have so much fun!
Each mini athlete proudly wearing their “team” colored shirt, was recognized by name and awarded with an engraved plated acrylic trophy designed by Mary Lou [Perkins] Field, BHS Class of ’55, owner of J.R. Sports on Mill Street, who also provided the shirts, both at special reasonable “Borough Rec Program” prices. With a smiling “Congratulations and Good Job!” West Ward Councilwoman/Levittown Real Estate Professional, Robyn Trunell, Woodrow Wilson ‘65/BCCC and Cyndi’s visiting mom, a decade Florida resident, Neoma Rigby, Bensalem H.S. ’52 [husband, Robert Rigby, BHS ‘52] distributed fresh hand rolled baked soft pretzels, graciously discounted from Mill Street’s own “A Taste of Philly” franchise owner, Rob Kerrigan, Archbishop Wood ‘85/BCCC. Robyn voiced, “Cyndi and the volunteers have made the program great! It’s wonderful when the community shares its resources and provides a powerful and successful avenue for its youth.” North Ward Councilman Anthony Muccie, BHS ‘73/ Assistant BHS Basketball coach ’88-91, enthusiastically applauded their success! “The Wades and the Borough Recreation Department have provided a program that is great for the community and will uphold the strong Borough basketball tradition.” Her brother-in-law, Coach Mark T. Wade and his wife, Michele cheer for all the teams and for their “red” team son, Luke. Coach Jimmy Brinkerhoff and assistant coaches, John Scanzella and Sam LaRosa keep the “ball bouncing”! Weekend co-ed basketball clinic athlete, Allyson Nocito, Snyder-Girotti Elementary School 6th grader, amiably volunteered to assist at awards time.
While some of the kids may be eager to get started; others may be apprehensive but Cyndi, astute mother of football/basketball/baseball athlete sons, Steven John, BHS ’08 and Eric Patrick, BHS ’10 has the situations under control. She and her husband, referee Steven Patrick Wade, Bishop Egan ’77/Bristol CBM yard manager, Radcliffe Street residents and St. Mark parishioners, are perceptibly proud of their family and proud of their town!
Originally a volunteer director of the basketball and summer recreation programs, Cyndi was recommended by the Borough Council to coordinate the entire program 4 years ago. Per Cyndi, her “favorite part is the children and that there are so many children involved” and she very professionally organizes not only the athletics but also the group trips. The Council sponsored program, made available with Borough tax dollars, affords Cyndi the opportunity to line up an agenda of excursions, including Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ, where the children can reach out and touch one of the most feared creatures on earth: the shark. They have a chance to watch the Trenton Thunder, a minor league Double-A affiliate of the NY Yankees baseball team, play in the Mercer County Waterfront Park in Trenton, NJ. Ask them to say “Hi” to Boomer for you, the Thunder's well-known and much-loved mascot, a blue "Thunderbird" with a yellow beak and buck teeth, one of the most popular and enduring aspects of the Trenton Thunder. The group jaunts also include a bus trip to the expanded 16-acre Sesame Place, with its variety of rides, shows and water attractions in Langhorne. “The kids pay $10.00 and the Council sponsors the rest!”
“Strike” has an entirely new, positive meaning when Cyndi escorts the “kegler” kids off the streets and into the “alley” at Bristol Pike Lanes in Croydon. They learn to “test the waters”, both warm and frozen, on their by-weekly jaunts to the 5th Ward Pool on Lincoln Avenue and while ice skating at the Grundy Recreation Center on Beaver Street, which boasts two full size ice skating rinks, locker rooms, a game room, a snack bar, a pro shop, and a community meeting room. Camp activities also competitions include ping-pong and table football, also called foosball. A Council-sponsored free lunch is enjoyed by the participants every Friday at Grundy.
Cyndi coordinates the food sales for the summer and weekend 3rd through 8th grade basketball clinics. Anne Q. Walp, BHS ‘70/ Pierce College, owner of Great I.D.'s by Anne on Radcliffe Street personalizes the summer program and older teens’ team shirts with college names such as Villanova and St. Joseph University. The BHS Warrior athletes including Asa Denzell Rankins, Jr., a member of the Basketball 1000 Point Club since January, assist with the program, sharing their athletic skills. The profits go back to the BHS basketball team. Truly, everyone is a “slam dunk” Winner!
Thank you to Director Cynthia M. Wade and the ongoing support of the Bristol Borough Council Members!
Recommend a Spotlight: e-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com
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Anthony Muccie
October 21, 1955 - August 27, 2018
Anthony Muccie of Bristol Borough passed away peacefully on August 27, 2018 at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia surrounded by his loving family. He was 62. Born and raised in Bristol Borough, Anthony was a member of the 1973 graduating class of Bristol Borough High School. He was employed at the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission as a bridge monitor and then moved into the administration department. Anthony was a devoted member of St Ann Church in Bristol and was an original member of the Carnival committee. He was a member of the Bristol Borough Council where he represented the Northward for 6 years, chairman of the Doo Wop Committee and member of the Knights of Columbus. He also was an avid sports fan who loved the 2018 Super Bowl Champions Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia 76ers, Penn State, and the St Louis Cardinals.
Anthony touched so many lives and was loved by many people and will be greatly missed by all. He is preceded in death by his parents Anthony and Theresa Rose (Straccio) Muccie Eppolito, brother Daniel Muccie and sister Lorraine Mosco. Survived by his loving wife Mary Muccie, sons Thomas Muccie (Briee) and Peter Muccie, and his beloved grandsons Brayden, Luca and Sebastian, brother Ronald Muccie (Kathleen), sister Dolores O’Meara (Joseph), Lemanowicz family and many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to call Monday, September 3, 2018 from 6 - 9 pm and Tuesday morning 9:30 -10:30 am at the Galzerano Funeral Home, 430 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, PA 19007. Funeral Mass will be at 11 am at St Ann Church, 357 Dorrance Street, Bristol, PA 19007. Inurnment will be held at St Marks Church Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to The American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852 or the Army Emergency Relief, 2350 Crystal Drive, Suite 13161, 13th Floor, Arlington, VA 22202.
Director Cynthia Mae Wade
Coach Fred Cullen and Cyndi
Councilman Anthony Muccie and Councilwoman Robyn Trunell
