As another Labor Day weekend has come and gone, I am again left with the melancholy dread of another summer passing.

For so many years my wife and I have spent our Saturday evenings in the same manner. Except for the times we were away on vacations, we would always attend Mass and head home, and I would make pizza while listening to Jerry Blavat’s “The Geator’s Rock & Roll, Rhythm & Blues Express,” from 6 to 7 on the radio.

Jerry had been a part of our lives since our teenage years in the 1950s and early ’60s. He continued to emcee the soundtrack of our lives until 2023 when he passed away.

Jerry Blavit Lititz 2014 Vertical

In this 2014 file photo, Jerry Blavat visits Aaron’s Books in Lititz to talk about his book, “You Only Rock Once.” Blavat, a favorite Philadelphia DJ of the author’s, died in 2023.

LNP FILE PHOTO

His show would continue in reruns for over a year until it finally left the airways after an entertainment career that spanned 63 memorable years.

During that run of broadcasts, from 1960-2023, I could always count on his traditional Labor Day weekend show, signaling the end of summer, and Jerry’s closing of his Memories club in Margate, New Jersey, for the season, heading back to the studio for the rest of the year.

This last show of each year never failed to include the plaintive refrains of Frank Sinatra’s recording, “Summer Wind,” one of Jerry’s favorites.

The lasting influence that Jerry has had on us, and on the thousands of his young teenagers in the Delaware Valley, and beyond, was always a reminder to cherish, respect and love all of those we have known, and those who have known us throughout or lives.


'Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World' sheds light on life of beloved poet [Unscripted column]

As we age, we lose so many of our loved ones, relatives, friends and colleagues every year but all we can do is to heed the advice of three of my favorite “philosophers”: “Don’t get old,” “Life is not a dress rehearsal,” and “Keep on rockin’, ’cause you only rock once.”

The author lives in Lancaster Township.

If you know an interesting, true story, please write it in 600 words or less and send it to Mary Ellen Wright, LNP editorial department, P.O. Box 1328, Lancaster, PA 17608-1328, or email it to features@lnpnews.com. (No fiction or poetry, please). Please include your phone number and the name of the town you live in.

Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.

Error! There was an error processing your request.