Frosty Frolic a bone-chiller that warms the heart
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
A member of the Cal U football team is dunked in the water during the 6th Annual Frosty Frolic in Coal Center.
Holly Tonini/ Observer-Reporter
Steven Stone, a middle school student in the California Area School District is dunked in the water a second time at the Frosty Frolic in Coal Center.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Ken Dingler of Perryopolis laughs as he climbs out of the dunk tank used for this year’s Frosty Frolic in Coal Center.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Marie Feick of Carroll Township emerges from the water after being dunked at the Frosty Frolic in Coal Center
Gabe Miller took a hit Saturday unlike any he has absorbed on a football field.
“It’s exciting because it’s for a good cause. That’s the best part,” he said. “Other than that, I’m not going to lie: I’m pretty darn cold.”
A linebacker at California University of Pennsylvania, Miller was drenched, starting to shiver and ready to make haste for the warming tent, He had emerged from a dunking tank of breathtaking chilly water a minute earlier. Frosty Frolic, at this moment, was not a frolic for the kid from Cranberry.
The sixth annual event took place on street level in Coal Center, next to the borough building, instead of the wharf on the frigid Mon below. On a relatively balmy, sunshiny afternoon – two days after local wind-chills plummeted to the minus-20 range – the three dunking tanks wreaked havoc on 35 participants, ages 10 to 57.
But why pour cold water on a fun time for “jumpers,” spectators, media members, volunteers and anyone who happened along.
Frosty Frolic is a mid-winter fundraiser benefiting the California Area School District Foundation. The money goes toward scholarships for some California seniors, plus teachers. John Rohlf won the big award for educators – $500.
“This is our premier fundraising event,” said Walt MacFann, president of the foundation, organizer of the Frolic and the first into the drink in this midwinter tradition. He is a devoted California guy, a 1985 graduate of the high school, possessor of bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Cal U. and a real estate agent for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in – yes – the borough across the river.
He said a decision was made last Monday to go to the tanks for safety reasons. There was concern about damage to the docks caused by high water in late January. The ominous forecast for later in the week proved to be the clincher. This was the first out-of-the-river Frolic
MacFann was among a small group dressed in white tape – mummies – for the costume contest. They could have gone screaming to their mummies after Ken Dingler of Perryopolis, dressed as long-ago daredevil Evel Knievel, was judged the winner. Lindsay Leasure won the youth prize with an innovative jellyfish outfit.
The university had a large presence. Fifteen football players, all shirtless, entered the tank. A number of students from Greek organizations Delta Zeta and Theta Xi worked as volunteers.
MacFann praised everyone involved with the Frolic, including a group he considers to be integral. “This would not be half the event it is without the sponsors.”
Although 35 “dunkees” seems like an impressive number, he said the turnout was “light. We usually get 50.” MacFann surmised that the arctic weather last week was the primary factor.
As bright as the day was, it was chilling for even anyone donning two sweatshirts and a coat. Imagine those who were completely wet. One girl, who appeared to be in her early teens, sprinted to the warming tents following her dunking.
“I’m a little cold, but feeling good,” said Brendan Douglas, a Vulcans offensive tackle from Middletown, Dauphin County. “There’s nothing like this. It’s all for a good cause. I would absolutely do this again.”
Gabriella Papini, not yet shivering, called this “an amazing, adrenaline-rushing, one-of-a-kind experience.”
Papini, a California High graduate and an employee of The Arc of Fayette County, said she had participated in one previous Frolic, in the Mon two years ago.
“The tank was not as bad,” she said, smiling while wrapped in a towel. “The river water is colder.”
Water temperature, however, is secondary to the warmhearted nature of Frosty Frolic.