First Posted: 1/20/2008

Friends of Pat Ratchford the long-time youth sports coach from Duryea are planning a testimonial dinner for him on Saturday, February 23 at Convention Hall.
Pat is being honored for his dedication to young athletes in Duryea, Avoca, Hughestown and Pittston in flag football, basketball and baseball, especially T-ball, Little League and Teeners baseball in Duryea.
He coached from 1980 to 1999 and though he led teams to numerous championships he emphasized sportsmanship and instruction as much as winning.
He coached basketball in the Avoca Youth League and organized a Duryea flag football team to enter the Hughestown League. Scores of local high school athletes benefited from his mentoring.
Pat graduated from Pittston Area where he was a three-sport athlete in 1969. He was also played football at Wilkes.
He and his wife Maudeen live in Duryea. They have four children, Maudeen Harnen, Patrick, Douglas, and Greg and one granddaughter Madison Ratchford.
Tickets for the dinner are $20 and are available from Patty and A.J. Martinelli at 457-6875, Karen and Joe Sobeski 457-3247, Susan and Kyle Wruble 457-6233, Debbie and Patrick Orner 457-8721, Sherri and Billy Dructor at 457-0868.
Program ads are also available from $25 to $100. Program patrons are $10.
Call the Patty Martinelli at 457-6875 for more information on the program ads.
The deadline for tickets is February 15. Tickets will not be sold at the door.