New Castle in Florida

Nearly 300 former and current Lawrence County residents enjoyed a sunny, windy, and chilly picnic last month in Nokomis, Fla.

Despite temperatures “only” in the 60s, the annual New Castle Day picnic, the picnickers turned out for five hours of hot dogs, beans, pretzels, chips, beer, coffee, soft drinks and friendly conversation.

As always, the highlight of the picnic was Coney Island chili sauce. This year, Dave Boyle of New Castle transported four gallons of the zesty condiment from Pennsylvania to Florida for the event.

One of the older attendees was 97-year-old Walter Van, whose daughter, Barb Trumble, helps to organize the annual picnic.

Any one who’d like information about next year’s event can email Dave Campbell at d.campbell10@comcast.net or Trumble at bltrumble@verizon.net.

Horse guests

The best birthday present ever.

That’s how Mary Roach McKinley of Little Neshannock Stables in New Wilmington felt about her facility accommodating 14 Lippizaner stallions. The horses stayed at the local stables two days last week while they performed at the Chevrolet Center in Youngstown.

“Each one was as beautiful as the next,” said the lifelong horse lover, adding “it’s every little girl’s dream come true.”

Mary and her family also saw the show performed by the horses from Austria, which is a hit with audiences worldwide.

The company that produces the show, White Horse Productions based in Florida, found the stables on the Internet and contacted Mary about a month ago. Her reaction was disbelief at first but that soon turned into excitement.

“They are extremely beautiful animals,” she said. “The Lippizaners are very well behaved and powerful in the loins and limbs.”

Some of the stable’s current occupants relinquished their stalls “for the very special guests.”