Reviews

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Lindstrom-Allan Wedding - October 1, 2022
(comment on Facebook post of event pics)

Reynolds-Zimmerman Wedding - March 5, 2022

Blenkinsop Graduation Brunch - June 11, 2022
(comment on Facebook post of event pics)

McKenney-Traver Wedding - June 26, 2021
(Google review)

Crowl Wake at Ash Grove Church, Paxinos - January 25, 2020

Kathy Vetovich Box Lunches at AOAA and Off-Site dinner at (the now) Bamse Coffee Shop - September 20, 2019

John Wagner (Google review) - September 9, 2019

Faust 50th Anniversary Party - June 29, 2019

Hine-Joseph Wedding - June 8, 2019

Father/Daughter Dance - May 3, 2019

Milbrand Bridal Shower - March 23, 2019
(Google review)

Milbrand Bridal Shower - March 23, 2019

February 18, 2019

SAHS Class of '83 35th Reunion - Octobrer 13, 2018

Brown-Witcofsky Wedding - September 15, 2018

Wegrzynowicz-Rogowsky Wedding - July 14, 2018

Wegrzynowicz-Rogowsky Wedding - July 14, 2018
(Google review)

Petrovich Bridal Shower - March 17, 2018

Cecilia Zaneski Wake - March 10, 2018
(our very first paid event)

I was nervous about having my mom's funeral luncheon at The Springfield Banquet Hall in early March.

The owners — John and Lisa Eccker — were then rookies in the banquet business. And while their renovation of an old garment factory-turned-banquet Hall in Coal Township's Polish Poconos was darn near perfect, I questioned whether two tech geeks had the chops to host and feed 60 or 70 people.

But the couple brimmed with confidence and their hall is in the heart of my old neighborhood, so I rolled the dice.

I'm so happy I did. The Ecckers delivered.

John was a thoughtful host, making sure the dining room was beautiful, helping my wife set up a memorial slide show, and arranging tables for optimal displays of photographs and mementos. Throughout the three-hour luncheon, he kept a sharp eye on proceedings to make sure everyone felt at home.

Lisa, meanwhile, starred in the kitchen, preparing the best banquet meal I've ever had. I picked her preset funeral menu ($16.95 a person) — pot roast and Parmesan baked chicken as entrées with penne alla vodka for anyone who wanted a non-meat option. There was salad for a starter, then sides of mashed red-skinned potatoes, Mexican street corn (four stars!) and a broccoli medley.

All comfort food. All served family style. But all prepared and delivered with verve.

The chicken — boneless breasts and thighs — was succulent and perfectly seasoned to delight a foodie while not being too daring for a crowd. As for the pot roast, perfection — melt-in-your-mouth tender with gravy almost too good to be legal.

An extra nice touch: As the crowd took their seats, Lisa served warm baguettes with ramekins of butter and Boursin cheese for spreads.

The Ecckers are a class act. Start to finish, they may be the best hosts in the Pennsylvania coal region. And in an area known for old-world hospitality, that's saying a lot.

-- Cyril Zaneski

"A Night Out at The Springfield" featuring Double Talk - April 21, 2018

Special Needs Christmas Party - December 9, 2017
(Google review)

Soft Open - October 21, 2017