Parade recognition
ZELIENOPLE — Two men who worked to make their community better will be honored during Thursday's Fourth of July parade in the borough.
Zelienople Rotary Club will honor Jeff Barkley and David “Skip” Kennedy during the parade, which is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. on High Street.
Barkley, who died in November, will be posthumously given the Doc Viola Service Above Self Award. He was integral in the push to get a skate park built in the borough's community park, serving as co-president. The park is being built in memory of his son, Trevor, along with Elijah Lunsford and Sam Bucci, who all died in a 2010 vehicle accident. Officials plan to break ground for the project Monday.Barkley was also actively involved in the Jackson Township Planning Commission and served as president of the Zelienople Community Park Association.
Meanwhile, Kennedy, an 84-year-old Lancaster Township resident, will serve as the parade's grand marshal. He has been a member of Zelienople Rotary for 52 years, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who was a founding member of the club.Kennedy's community involvement throughout the years spanned numerous service projects, including hosting foreign exchange students, distributing food to the City Mission in New Castle and the Southwest Butler County Food Cupboard, and transporting donated items for the club's annual yard sale.
“I can't think of two individuals who are more deserving of being honored than Dave 'Skip' Kennedy and Jeff Barkley,” said Brian Jodon, Zelienople Rotary president. “Skip has been a Rotarian for over 52 years and is still very active with our club and can be counted on to help when needed.“Unfortunately, Jeff passed away back in November and will be deeply missed. He was actively involved in our community and did many great things at the Zelienople park.”Barkley and Kennedy were honored at Rotary Club's annual Changing of the Guard dinner in June. Barkley's wife, Amy, accepted the award on Jeff's behalf.The parade is part of a daylong celebration of Independence Day. Lineup for the parade begins at 9 a.m. on High Street. The parade route is longer this year, traveling along Beaver Street in Harmony and exiting on Pittsburgh Street to Route 68 before ending at Connoquenessing Valley Elementary School.
