WILKES-BARRE — As the trendy kids say today, ICYMI — In Case You Missed It — the Luzerne County Arts and Entertainment Hall of Fame declared its group of 2024.
This is the second group for the still fairly new organization, established in 2022, and we couldn’t be prouder.
Those chosen this year will be introduced and celebrated on Nov. 16, at a celebration event at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts in Wilkes-Barre.
This is so amazing because so many talented and skilled individuals will get acknowledgment for what each has done to improve our lives through their commitment to the arts and/or entertainment.
What is also remarkable is that more than 50 recommendations were received in each category — Arts and Entertainment.
The Luzerne County Arts & Entertainment Hall of Fame was created in 2022. The members of the Luzerne County Arts & Entertainment Organizing Committee are: myself, Joe Nardone Sr., Gallery of Sound; Lindsay Griffin-Boylan, president and CEO, Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce; Tony Brooks, Wilkes-Barre City Council and Wilkes-Barre Preservation Society; Mayor George Brown, City of Wilkes-Barre; Alan K. Stout, Visit Luzerne County and 105 The River; Jody Busch, musician and recording engineer; Beverly Jean Johnston, artist and community leader, past president, Wyoming Valley Art League; Mayor Mike Lombardo, City of Pittston; Morris Walker, music performer; Memo Lara, Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs; Will Beekman, ASM Global; and Kathy Bankes, Metz Catering.
These dedicated volunteers have again chosen quite a group of nominees and the announcement is worth repeating.
The 2024 inductees in the “Arts” category are:
• Annette Evans — The ultimate supporter of the arts in Luzerne County for decades. She was closely associated with several local art institutions, including the Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, and co-founded the Fine Arts Fiesta with Al Groh.
• Al Groh — The co-founder of the Fine Arts Fiesta (with Annette Evans) and Wilkes University’s original and most active artistic voice. He established the Wilkes University Theater Arts program and spent the rest of his life supporting the program in various forms.
• Erika Funke — The contemporary voice of the fine arts in Northeast Pennsylvania throughout her career in radio and television. Her contributions strike the balance between the creative, journalistic and scholarly. And she’s interviewed countless artists in the process.
• Joan Harris — The child prodigy, turned theater performer, turned pioneering dance icon. Her many accomplishments include opening the dance studio bearing her name, producing numerous television projects, and spearheading the “College for Kids” program.
• Franz Kline — The celebrated expressionist painter who was at the forefront of an artistic movement during the 1950s. His unclear work is displayed across the globe, and much of it is considered to be essential in the world of abstract expressionism.
• Herman J. Mankiewicz — The clever, Oscar-winning writer of Citizen Kane and The Pride of the Yankees who was one of the top script doctors during the Golden Age of Hollywood. His life and work were depicted in the award-winning 2020 film, Mank.
• Joseph L. Mankiewicz — The famous movie director, writer, and producer who made well-known films like A Letter to Three Wives, All About Eve, and Cleopatra. He is celebrated today as one of the most successful writer-directors in Hollywood history.
• Herbert Simon — The artist whose sculptures and insights have greatly enriched Luzerne County’s art scene for over fifty years. His Two Modules at Coal Street Park and Facets at Wilkes University are well known to county residents of all ages.
• Ted Sod — The productive and imaginative educator with writing, directing, producing, and acting achievements. His diverse experiences in every aspect of the dramatic production process have made him a sought-after talent for many years in television, film, and theater.
The 2024 inductees in the “Entertainment” category are:
• Abilene — The popular band that gained widespread popularity in the region with their blend of country and rock music. At their peak, they transcended genres and attracted large audiences, becoming one of the most popular and influential bands on the local music scene in the late 1970s and 1980s.
• George Graham — The radio host and recording engineer whose support of the arts spans over 50 years. His long-standing WVIA-FM programs, “All That Jazz” and “Mixed Bag,” are just two of his numerous contributions to Luzerne County’s music scene.
• Shawn Klush — The impressive singer whose accurate tribute to Elvis Presley has earned him the admiration of fans worldwide and an endorsement from Elvis Presley Enterprises. His live performances celebrating the “King of Rock and Roll” are often considered the closest to Presley’s iconic style.
• Lex Romane — An experienced musician who has drawn from jazz, folk, and various other musical styles. His thoughtful reflections on local subjects, such as the rise and decline of the coal mining industry, have brought Northeast Pennsylvania’s history to a wider audience.
• Jesse Wade and Spencer Cottman — A musical duo whose careers in the entertainment industry are intertwined. The lifelong friends were respected community figures and came together artistically to form the “Just the Two of Us” duet, touring across the state under that name.
• Legends of WARMland — The innovative DJs who contributed to making WARM radio a national success. Their collective talent for promotional broadcasting and ability to spot musical talent brought cultural excitement to the region during the 1960s. The inductees include Tom Woods, Harry West, Joey Shaver, Len Woloson, Don Stevens, Ron Allen, Bill Stuart, Terry McNulty, George Gilbert, and Bobby Day.
• George Wesley — The captivating reggae musician whose work influenced nearly every artist in the county who has followed him, regardless of genre. His unique style, collaborative approach, and extensive output established him as one of Luzerne County’s greatest artistic voices.
It’s a sophisticated class, for sure.
Ticket information for the November 16 induction event at The F.M. Kirby Center will be announced soon. For details, visit www.facebook.com/LCAEHOF.