by Nikki M. MascaliStaff Writer
NEW CHIP ON THE BLOCK
Former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguin Dennis Bonvie will hold a grand opening celebration for his Blue Chip Gourmet (78 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre) July 30-Aug. 1. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be on Thursday, July 30 at 11 a.m. with Bonvie, Blue Chip Gourmet’s Executive Vice President Bob Heine, Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton and Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry President Todd Vonderheid in attendance.
The shop will sell cookies, brownies and cookie cakes, breakfast goods, gelato/sorbetto, coffee, espresso and more.
This weekend, with a $10 or more purchase, customers will receive a chance to win an autographed Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins jersey. With $5 or more, they’ll receive a chance to win an autographed puck. For more info or for shop hours, call 570.208.2700.
GET TWISTED
Wetzel’s Pretzels opens next week in Ben & Jerry’s at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs (Route 315, Plains Twp.) Wetzel’s opened in 1994 in Redondo Beach, Calif., and now has more than 175 locations that offer such tasty-sounding pretzels as Hawaiian with ham and pineapple, sinful cinnamon and pizza, plus pretzel dogs and more.
Hours will be Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight.
OLD FORGE COMES DOWTOWN
Old Forge staple Arcaro & Genell will be among the new tenants when the Mulberry Place complex opens in Scranton this fall. The space is at the site of the former North American Warhorse dealership at 119 Mulberry St.
George Semian, senior vice president of the $7 million lifestyle center/business common, said in a recent press conference that future tenants may include a bakery, a specialty foods retailer and a winery.
SAVO’S HITS THE WEB
Savo’s Pizza (353 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming) is having a Web site launch party Friday, July 31 and Saturday, Aug. 1 from 3-9 p.m. It will features free samples, music by DJ JazzItUp and specials like chicken scampi for $5.95, Savo’s classic pizza for $9.95 and a giant cheese dog and fries for $5.
Sign up for Web exclusive specials at savospizza.com and enter to win a Savo’s pizza party pack. There will be new winners every week. For more info, call 693.9712.
YOU SAY PIEROGI, I SAY PIROHI
Forest City will host its 3rd Annual Pierogi Eating Contest Saturday, Aug. 1 at 3 p.m. on the 500 block of Main Street as part of the Forest City’s Old Home Week. There is a $15 entrance fee and eaters — who must be 18 or over — get “all the pierogi, butter and onions you can cram into your innards in the span of 10 minutes,” according to the contest’s Web site (oldhomeweek.info). Prizes go to the top three eaters, and the champ gets the Brian Richards Memorial Pierogi Trophy. All entrants get an official contest T-shirt.
Proceeds benefit the Forest City Salvation Army Service Extension Unit, which provides food vouchers, an emergency food bank and more to the area. For more info or to sign up for the contest, visit the above Web site or contact Jesse Graytock at 570.446.3353 or Kim Coleman at 570.650.7267.
ROCK ON
Rock Bar (745 North St., Luzerne) will open Wednesday, July 29 in the former site of Champions Pub. Hours are Monday-Friday, 4 p.m.-2 a.m., Saturday-Sunday, noon-2 a.m. For more info, call 288.2983.
HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?
The Vegetarian Way’s 5th Annual Summer Vegetarian Potluck Picnic & BBQ will be Saturday, Aug. 8 from noon-3 p.m. at Reminiscent Gardens (99 Maple Ridge Lane, White Haven). Picnickers can tour the garden and learn about organic gardening from its owner Robin Golden and share, learn and try vegetarian foods. Reservations are required, call 474.2331.
The Vegetarian Way is a Pennsylvania Nonprofit Corporation dedicated to helping all live a healthier and more compassionate lifestyle. For more info, contact The_vegtarian_way@yahoo.com or visit www.thevegetarianway.org.
ON BLUEBERRY HILL
The 30th Annual Montrose Blueberry Festival will be held Friday-Saturday, Aug. 7-8 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on the Village Green in Montrose. Both days begin with a pancake breakfast from 8-10:30 a.m., followed by lunch. There will be baked goods like blueberry muffins and pies, plus fresh blueberries for sale.
Non-blueberry related festivities include a book sale, entertainment, kids’ games, hand-stitched quilt and basket raffles and more. All proceeds benefit the Susquehanna County Historical Society and Free Library Association. Call 278.1881 or visit bluefest.susqcolibrary.org for info.
DAY OF ART AND WINE
The Williamsport Arts & Wine Festival will be on Saturday, Aug. 8 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Historic Pajama Factory (1307 Park Ave., Williamsport).
Features wine tastings from seven wineries, artists and art galleries, musicians and more. Advance tickets are $20, $30 at gate. Cost for designated drivers or people under 21 is $5. Proceeds benefit the Public Art Academy. For info, call 836.7222 or visit www.NEPAwinecountry.com.
SONIC ALL DAY
Late-night cravings commence! Effective Monday, July 27, the drive through at Sonic Drive-In on Kidder Street in Wilkes-Barre Twp. is open for 24 hours a day. That’s 24 hours of tots. And shakes. And burgers. … Oh Sonic, as if you haven’t bewitched NEPA enough, now you go and become even more amazing.
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