Just a few miles outside of Nesquehoning Borough proper, the beauty of the Hauto Valley was accentuated on Saturday morning when the Nesquehoning Conservation Club held its 10th annual Connell McCall Memorial Fishing Contest, and as calm and serene as the setting was, little could compare to the beauty of the event, where about 65 youths participated, combined with a dedication ceremony and the perpetuation of the memory of McCall, a former Lansford resident.

The NCC club members, who now number about 55-60 strong, paused from the busy morning activities to dedicate their 7-acre Nesquehoning Conservation Club Nature Park to the memory of the late John “Sonny” Kovatch Jr. and his wife, Helen, who years ago donated the land that served as the new site of the fishing contest. A bronze plaque bearing their names appropriately bore the phrase “Enjoy It — Respect It,” something the Kovatches surely would want from users of the stunning facility.

Meanwhile, while the children fished and others socialized, the event was a time to memorialize McCall, who was a longtime fishing enthusiast who passed away Nov. 30, 2006, at the age of 39.

“This is great, absolutely fabulous,” offered Greg Pecha, club vice president. “I used to fish with Connell. He was a great guy, and we’re happy to memorialize him like this, with all of these kids enjoying what he enjoyed — fishing.”

This year marked the 10th anniversary of the contest, but for the first time the event was held at the nature park, giving the NCC members the chance to show off the facility. “It’s open to the public. It’s for them to come in and enjoy,” said club secretary-treasurer Sam Kitchko, who is also the town’s mayor. “We want this to be something the community can use for recreation, to enjoy the outdoors.”

Pecha said, “The place is just unbelievable. People come out here walking, and stop to tell us how they really enjoy it. It’s just beautiful and so peaceful.”

State Sen. John Yudichak, who represents Carbon County as part of his 14th Senate District seat, stopped in for a brief visit while the youths fished, prompting Kitchko and Pecha to recall the parties, in part, who are responsible for the facility.

“The pond and the land were donated to us by the Kovatch family. Without their generosity, this event wouldn’t be held here today,” the mayor said. The couple’s son, John III, daughter Kathy, and her husband, Ric Reaman, and three of the Kovatches’ grandchildren, A.J. and Lauren Reaman and John Kovatch IV, were present for the plaque unveiling.

Pecha recalled Yudichak and state Rep. Doyle Heffley helped the club to secure a $50,000 Local Share Account state grant that helped the club members erect a pavilion and improve fencing around the 3-acre pond, including making it childproof. The revenue will also help the club members to install a solar-powered aerator in the pond, as well as to purchase various equipment.

He said the club members have stocked the pond four times this year, with more than 1,200 trout being put into the waters. Pecha thanked fellow fishermen from the Jim Thorpe Sportsman’s Club, which, he said, has donated fish for the NCC’s last three contests.

“This place is special to the club members,” Kitchko said, to which Pecha added, “Some of our members are here seven days a week, taking care of the pond and the Nesquehoning Creek, doing maintenance work, cutting grass and things like that, making this a beautiful part of the community.”

As for the derby, Kitchko said Bob Perrin of Lansford, a member of the Friends of Connell McCall organization, first proposed the idea of a fishing derby in memory of his late friend.

“He and the Friends of Connell McCall are 100 percent committed in making this event successful for the 10th straight year, and we’d like to thank them, as well as the volunteers, donors and sponsors who make this a team effort.”

Kitchko said the McCall family, headed by Emmett Sr., Carbon County’s Recorder of Deeds, helps by securing donations of funds, food and drinks. “I’ve known the McCall family for years, and we are very happy to remember their son and brother,” the mayor said.

Pecha said, “Mr. McCall (Emmett Sr.) is totally committed to whatever we need. Not a day goes by leading up to the derby that he doesn’t ask ‘what else do you need?’ ”

McCall, who attended with two of his sons, Emmett Jr. and Michael (other sons Pat and Terry were unable to attend), was emotional about the tribute. “From the first year to the 10th year, this has been successful, and, on behalf of our family, I want to thank the NCC, all of its members, Bob Perrin and the Friends group, and everyone who contributes to making this a special day of fishing for the kids, something Connell certainly would want.

“I want to thank everyone who contributes in any way to make the event successful. It is very meaningful and special to me, our sons and our family, as it was to my late wife, Mary Ellen. I only wish she could be here to see the smiles on the faces of these kids.”