Divorces

Florian R. James from Kathleen Ann James, both of 1041 W. Mulberry St., Coal Township. Married May 3, 1991.

Grace Ann Pivarnik, 127 W. Melrose St., Marion Heights, from Thomas J. Pivarnik, 103 N. Walnut St., P.O. Box 165, Mount Carmel. Married Nov. 7, 1996.

Krystal L. Graboski, 271 Romanoski Lane, Paxinos, from Matthew P. Graboski, 1645 W. Lynn St., Coal Township. Married June 11, 2010.

Heather M. Killian, 304 E. Sunbury St., Shamokin, from Chad A. Killian, 15 Harts Road, Apt. 3, Berwick. Married Aug. 25, 1997.

Jill Russell from James T. Russell, both of 819 E. Packer St., Shamokin. Married April 1, 2000.

Holly Hoover, 3416 Snydertown Road, Snydertown, from Milford A. Hoover, 126 Boop Road, Mifflinburg. Married July 23, 2011.

Marriage licenses

Marlin James Paskanik and Richard Robert Koons, both of 608 E. Commerce St., Shamokin. Issued June 26.

Andrew Adam Eia, 128 E. Market St., Beavertown, and Angela Marie Norris, 628 Wilburton Road, Mount Carmel. Issued June 27.

William Charles Leon, 403 W. Pine St., Shamokin, and Sarah Elizabeth Shinskie, 1211 W. Mulberry St., Coal Township. Issued June 28.

Brad Paul Zimmerman and Elizabeth A. Park, both of 796 Fountain St., Ashland. To be issued June 30.

David John Jurewicz, 709 E. Cameron St., Shamokin, and Anjinette Leffler, 1 W. Sunbury St., Shamokin. To be issued June 30.

Property transfers

Kerestes Irrevocable Grantor Trust (by trustee), Donna M. Kerestes (trustee), to Albert N. Dicinque and Iselia S. Martin, property in Mount Carmel, $28,000.

Paul B. Toomey (estate), Cheryl L. Warner (executrix) and Kendra C. Hatch, to Timothy I. Masser, property in Upper Mahanoy Township, $30,000.

Paul A. Petrovich, Kathy M. Petrovich, Christopher J. Petrovich, Dawn Petrovich, Roseann M. aka Roseann A. Evans and Peter Evans to Eric Fegley, property in Coal Township, $39,900.

Roberta M. Galitski to Joseph Girardi and Roberta M. Galitski, property in Mount Carmel, $1.

ARH Properties LLC to Joel E. Contreras, property in Shamokin, $3,350.

Julee A. Pershing, Julee A. Keefer and Michael L. Keefer to Erin G. Williams, property in Coal Township, $26,000.

Britcor Properties LLC to Richard Perles and Deborah Perles, property in Kulpmont, $1.

Reed & Kuhn Inc. to James C. Levan and Janet L. Levan, property in Ralpho Township, $1.

Leocadia M. Spock Living Trust (by trustee), Leocadia M. Spock (trustee) to Jeffrey P. Pontius, property in Rockefeller Township, $1.

Eve A. Rodman to Eve A. Rodman McAndrew, Bernadette T. Rodman Miller, Mark E. Rodman and Jeannette N. Rodman Sidisky, property in Coal Township, $10,000.

Timothy L. Wargo and Jill C. Wargo to Timothy L. Wargo and Jill C. Wargo, property in Mount Carmel Township, $1.

Kevin A. Tressler, Cheryl M. Tressler and Cheryl M. Savidge to Kevin A. Tressler and Cheryl M. Tressler, property in Lower Augusta Township, $1.

Nancy L. Lindenmuth to Brian D. Pedrick, William R. Pedrick and Seth D. Gehman, property in East Cameron Township, $15,000.

Nancy L. Lindenmuth to Brian D. Pedrick, William R. Pedrick and Seth D. Gehman, property in East Cameron Township, $205,000.

Thomas W. Brokenshire and Theresa M. Brokenshire to Paul Lyons and Lana Kocheva, property in Mount Carmel, $1.

William H. Eveland to Tracy M. Donnelly, property in Coal Township, $1.

Fannie Mae Federal National Mortgage Association (by agent) and KML Law Group PC (agent) to Mary T. Melichercik, property in Kulpmont, $46,000.

SK Estates LLC to Klebon Insurance Group LLC, property in Ralpho Township, $1.

Nicholas S. Brokenshire and Patricia L. Brokenshire to Kevin P. Brokenshire, property in Coal Township, $1.

Jean Sherry Weston (estate), William Joseph Weston (executor), to James G. Keller III and Jamie L. Keller, property in Rush Township, $1.

Michael A. Lerch and Kathleen A. Bennett-Lerch to Daniel H. Billig, property in Coal Township, $105,000.

Patrice A. Debach and Wayne J. Debach, to Federal National Mortgage Association, property in Ralpho Township, $292,932.43.

PFI LLC to Northumberland County, property in Ralpho Township, $50,000.

Carol L. Neidig and Carol L. Wiles to Carol L. Wiles, property in Zerbe Township, $1.

Judith Sodrick to Zerbe Township Rod & Gun Club Inc., property in Zerbe Township, $1.

Frances A. Baker, Michael D. Duffy and Candyce L. Duffy to Nicholas D. Baker, property in Coal Township, $1.

James C. Levan and Janet L. Levan to Joseph J. Springer and Susan M. Springer, property in Ralpho Township, $100,000.

SHAMOKIN - "MIDDLE ANTHRACITE METROPOLIS."

That was the title of the souvenir booklet that the borough of Shamokin published for its semicentennial in 1914.

Metropolis - a very large city that is a hub of culture for an entire region. The borough of Shamokin did not become a third-class city until 1950, but in a strong sense, the people who inhabited this small town back then truly believed they were just that - a metropolis.

The Shamokin of 100 years ago was quite a different place than the one we have inherited. Politically, Shamokin was still a borough; however, at a population of more than 25,000 souls, it was three times larger than it presently is as a third-class city. If a person from today could travel back in time and view Shamokin as it was 100 years ago, the

words that may come to their mind are "activity," "progress," "forward-thinking."

The number of automobiles that drove through town were few, though growing. The streets were still a hard-packed dirt, which was easier for the horses to travel on and easier for the "sanitation engineers" - the street sweepers of the time - to clean up after with their rakes. If you had to travel to a "far-away" city like Sunbury, you rode a train, and if you wanted to go clear across town you could hop on a trolley car, whose tracks once criss-crossed Shamokin. Nevertheless, in those days you really did not have to travel too far to get your basic goods since there seemed to be a "mom and pop" store in every neighborhood (and one or more "watering holes" to boot).

For the people back in those days, belonging to a certain section of town, such as "The Bloody Fifth," or living on a particular street, was perhaps more important than just saying they were "from Shamokin." And woe to those who didn't belong to certain neighborhoods who happened to venture there if they didn't belong (i.e., "The Bloody Fifth")!

A time traveler who visited Shamokin back then would mostly be amazed at amount of activity that filled the small, but growing, town. Everywhere on that June week in 1914 the women would be dressed in their white shirtwaists and dark hobble skirts, perhaps carrying a parasol to keep the sun off of their skin, and men with their shirts and ties, older ones wearing a homburg on their heads while the younger, a straw boater, a hat as ubiquitous then as a baseball cap is today. People going here and there on foot to the thriving downtown on Independence Street, or perhaps to just as important streets such as Market, Sunbury or Shamokin. A person from today's Shamokin would be amazed at the jobs available - coal mines, mills, factories, shops, offices, etcetera, etcetera... Business was booming and good, indeed.

Back in those days, there wasn't the need to look back at Shamokin's past with a sigh and long for the time when Shamokin was "important." In the days at the very start of World War I, Shamokin was important. Yes, there were those "old timers" who would sigh for Shamokin's "recent" past when things were quite a bit simpler, less congested, and as a community, much closer. But for the most part, no, it was the future which held promise. And this feeling of promise was made manifest during the celebration the "metropolis" held in 1914, with red, white and blue bunting on houses and buildings fluttering in the wind wherever you looked, long-winded orators giving speeches, music from a great variety of bands, civic, scholastic and ethnic, that once existed in the borough, and one or more parades for each day of that celebratory week.

The list of names in the souvenir booklet that were involved in creating that long-ago week of celebration is rather staggering, looking more like screen credits from an epic movie than just a simple committee of several members who had a good idea for a parade or two. Oddly enough for this day and age, back then, it seemed as though everyone in town wanted to get in on the act.

The week of celebration began Sunday, June 28, 1914, with the day aptly titled "Religious Day." There weren't any parades on that day, but it was noted that special services were to be held in all churches. As an interesting historical note, that very day in far-away Sarajevo, Bosnia, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was assassinated, which precipitated World War I.

Monday, June 29, was dubbed "Forefather's Day," a day filled with commemorative speeches concerning Shamokin, reenactments of Indian civilization in the Shamokin area and other incidents in colonial times, and parades on the principle streets of the city. Some of the surviving photographs of that time show automobiles decorated with flowers. This was due to the floral automobile parade that was held at 9 a.m. that morning.

Tuesday, June 30, was "Industrial Day." The day's events were filled with speeches by various leaders of business and unions, chief of which was the United Mine Workers of America. A grandstand was set up on Market and Arch streets where the addresses were made, followed by an open air concert by the 240 voices included in the Shamokin Philharmonic Choral Society.

Wednesday, July 1, was "School Day," which held reunions of alumni associations from Shamokin, Coal Township and St. Edward's schools, along with alumni of both Shamokin Business and Bliss Business colleges. The main event of that particular day of celebration was the laying of the cornerstone of the former Shamokin High School building on Arch and Eighth streets at 2 p.m., now known as the CareerLink building, that currently houses Luzerne County Community College's Shamokin campus.

Thursday, July 2, was "Firemen's Day." This day was noted for the large parade of firemen and apparatus from Shamokin and surrounding areas.

Friday, July 3, was declared "Young America Day." This day, like the others, started at 9 a.m. and consisted of school children parading in various uniforms and costumes, both historical and ethnic. The capstone on this day was the large parade that was broken into four division - pioneer, colonial, Founding Fathers and modern. This parade alone consisted of approximately 5,000 children.

Saturday, July 4, was declared "Old Glory Day," and was begun with a reading of the Declaration of Independence by the Honorable Fred B. Moser. The day contained parades by the various fraternal lodges, societies, unions, clubs and civic organizations, along with the grand Fourth of July parade. The week of celebration was brought to a close with an impressive fireworks display. Shamokin's 50th celebration - the parades, the pageants, the bands and the orators - have all marched off into history.

(A special thanks to the Shamokin-Coal Township Public Library for their assistance with this article.)

COAL TOWNSHIP - Coal Township native Andrea Treese loves competing, staying fit, teaching children and helping those less fortunate.

The seven-year triathlete who resides in Phoenix, Ariz., will combine those attributes when she participates in an international Ironman competition Nov. 16 in Tempe, Ariz., while pursuing her ultimate goal of becoming eligible for the Ironman world championships in Kona, Hawaii.

The 31-year-old daughter of Andy and Rosemary Treese, of Trevorton Road, has competed in multiple marathons and triathlons in Philadelphia and Chicago for charity and is currently raising money for Smile Train, which provides funding for free cleft palate repair surgeries to those in need and helps train local doctors. Funds raised through the charitable organization make it possible for a child born with a cleft palate to eat, breathe, speak properly - and smile.

The New York City-based organization was founded in 1999 and is the world's largest charity that provides

corrective surgery for children with cleft lips and palates.

Treese arrived in her hometown Friday and attended a $20 night Saturday at the Fairview Gun Club organized by her mother and sister, Lori Schiccatano, to support her efforts at the upcoming competition and raise funds for Smile Train.

'Up against big dogs'

During an interview at the well attended fund-raiser, Treese said 2,000 competitors from around the world must swim 2.4 miles, bike ride 112 miles and then run a 26.2-mile marathon in 18 hours to earn the title of Ironman. It is the most urban full-distance race in North America.

The inaugural Ironman Arizona was held April 9, 2005, in cooperation with the City of Tempe and the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community. With its fast and flat course around Tempe Beach Park and Tempe Town Lake, and spectator-friendly atmosphere, the race quickly gained popularity. Given the desert heat, the race was moved to a cooler November race date in 2008, and it attracts a wide range of triathletes who have the whole summer to train.

The Ironman world championship is held in October.

"Being an Ironman is the ultimate. You're up against the big dogs," said Treese, who competed in a Half Ironman event last week near Flagstaff, Ariz., and plans to enter another one Oct. 12 in Phoenix. "There are incredible male and female athletes who compete in it, but I believe I'm ready physically and mentally. I get my inspiration and extra push from the charities I raise money for in the races."

She has earned honors in various competitions through the years, but views Ironman as the most challenging.

"It's an extremely difficult and remarkable competition," she said. "I train 15 to 20 hours per week and I also make sure I get the proper nutrition and drink plenty of water and Gatorade to stay hydrated."

Treese said she became a triathlete while training and racing with her other sister, Vicki Bobber, when they both lived in Philadelphia.

"I lived in Philly for nine years before moving to Arizona, where I'm a third-grade teacher and yoga instructor," she said. "I love teaching kids and that's why I choose to raise funds for children's charities whenever I compete in a race. It's sad to see children suffer from cleft lips and palates. I'm more than willing to help those less fortunate."

Thanks to everyone

Treese said her goal was to raise $5,000 at Saturday's fund-raiser, which featured food, beverages and free entertainment provided by members of the former group Blue Grass Headquarters and disc jockey Matt Schiccatano, who is Treese's brother-in-law.

"My mom and sister Lori did everything to put this event together," she said. "All I did was show up, shake some hands and say thank you. I can't thank them enough along with the rest of my large family and friends for supporting me and Smile Train."

She said her sister, Vicki, and her husband, Jason, held another fund-raiser for her and Smile Train Thursday in Philadelphia.

"Competing in Ironman competitions is extremely expensive, so I really appreciate whatever money I can raise," she said.

Treese, a 2001 graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School, earned her teaching degree from Cabrini College in Radnor.

She plans to return to the area with the distinction of being known as an Ironman.

My downstairs neighbor, Thierry, who also happens to be my friend, is on the lookout for a Colt, a very specific Colt: he's searching for "the Gun that won the West," a Colt .45-caliber revolver, the 4¾-single action model, with an ejector rod as long as the barrel. He has briefed me well on the subject, showing me photo after photo in a book he treasures - "Colt, An American Legend," by R. L. Wilson, a coffee table book that has been translated into French.

As I write, I have in mind a model Thierry particularly admires, a gun that belonged to Gen. George S. Patton. It's a handsome piece of work, with a finely engraved barrel and an ivory handle displaying a small medallion of a bucking colt, the sign that it's the genuine article. Thierry would settle for a wooden handle and he doesn't need the engraving, but the day he holds an 1873 Colt in his hands, he'll know he can die happy, having realized the dream of a lifetime. In fact, if he gets his hands on that Colt, he plans to carry it with him to the grave.

Thierry is a trained marksman and member of a gun club. He also served three years in the French Marines as a member of an artillery regiment. In the early 1980s, he saw action in Chad during a civil war in that landlocked African country and, for his service, received a medal for bravery. While in the Marines, he trained on 105-mm howitzers abandoned by the Americans during the 1944 allied invasion of Normandy. In other words, he has experience with firearms and takes them seriously.

Sometimes Thierry invites me down for tea. During one of those visits, he showed me his .22-caliber rifle and the medal he won using it in a 50 meter prone marksmanship competition. That was also the first time he showed me his book about Colts. I'll admit that until that time, I'd never given much thought to firearms, and when I did, I thought about them as lethal weapons, associated with atrocities such as Columbine or Virginia Tech.

Listening to Thierry, looking at the photos, I recognized the Colt for what it is, a work of very fine craftsmanship and an artifact that played an important role in American history. For Thierry and many Frenchmen, it is also the ultimate symbol of the American West. Raised on westerns he watched on French TV, Thierry confided to me how much he regrets not having lived in the days of "How the West was won." He would have loved to cross those wide-open spaces on horseback, his Colt pistol in its tooled leather holster, his Colt rifle attached to the saddle of his mustang. He and millions of other Frenchmen feel that way.

That's why they flock to Disneyland Paris, where, months in advance, they reserve their seats for "Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show," with Mickey and his friends. There, after drinks at Doc Cody's Saloon, visitors to the park settle down for a real Texan meal of spareribs and baked potatoes served up in a cast-iron frying pan.

And once they've put on their souvenir cowboy hats, the show can begin: Buffalo Bill, Annie Oakley, the Rough Riders, Sitting Bull with Mickey, Minnie and Goofy (called "Dingo" in French) thrown in for the Disney touch. For nearly two hours, they shoot, ride, hunt and dance around the campfire, recreating the Far West for an audience of Europeans hungry for the wilderness the way Americans might feel hungry for medieval castles or ancient Roman ruins.

Just a week ago, I had the opportunity to observe that hunger myself, standing in a long line at Quai Branly Museum, the museum of indigenous cultures and civilizations, to see an exhibit devoted to the Indians of the Great Plains. The show was packed and entire families crowded around displays of feathered war bonnets, beaded baby carriers, hide shirts and jackets, tomahawks and peace pipes.

There was even an extravagantly beaded hide jacket worn by Buffalo Bill himself, an iconic name to the French, the man who brought the American frontier home to them. In 1889, he was in Paris with his Wild West Show for the inauguration of the Eiffel Tower and the 100th anniversary of the storming of the Bastille. He returned again in 1905 for a two-month run in Paris, followed by a six-month tour of the rest of France. Back again in 1906, France was the first stop on his final European tour that took him all the way to Ukraine.

Yet, Buffalo Bill was not the first American to tantalize Europeans with the call of the Far West. The very first American to bring his "Indian Gallery" to Europe was a man who hailed, not from the Black Hills of South Dakota, but from the black hills of anthracite. Born in 1796 in Wilkes-Barre and raised on a farm in the Wyoming Valley, George Catlin grew up to become one of America's greatest observers and recorders of Native American life. A true child of the anthracite region of northeastern Pennsylvania, he is also responsible for one of the most fascinating Paris-Pennsylvania connections ever made.

At a time when his accomplishments as a painter, ethnographer and naturalist went unrecognized in the United States, Catlin was being celebrated throughout Europe and especially in France. In 1845, during a triumphant tour of his Indian Gallery, he was received by King Louis Philippe, who commissioned 14 paintings of Indian life for the historical museum of Versailles. The painter Delacroix visited the gallery to make sketches and the French poets Baudelaire and Rimbaud were inspired by his work.

Back home, the U.S. Congress refused to invest in Catlin's paintings or expeditions because the government considered him hostile to its Indian policy and too sympathetic to his Indian subjects and their lives. Not all Americans, however, felt that way. In 1852, when Catlin set off to South America to paint, his expedition received the support of none other than Sam Colt himself.

Which brings me full circle to the point where this article began: Thierry and his Colt. If any readers have any ideas, suggestions or 1873 Colts to sell, I'll put you in touch with my downstairs neighbor. As for George Catlin, I'll get back to him next month. This Pennsylvanian who joined East and West deserves an article all his own.

(Honicker can be reached at honicker.republicanherald@gmail.com)

BRYN MAWR - Aqua Pennsylvania announced Friday it has promoted three managers and hired a fourth as part of the restructuring of its operations in the northern, central and western parts of the state in which the company collectively serves nearly 240,000 people.

"The reorganization makes the best use of our existing talent and complements it with the hiring of a tenured water and wastewater engineering professional from outside the company," said Aqua Vice President Anthony J. Donatoni. The reorganization involves the Honesdale, White Haven, Susquehanna, Roaring Creek and Shenango divisions.

The reorganization combines the Honesdale and White Haven operating divisions under the management of former Honesdale Division Manager Steve Clark, who now holds the position of area manager and is responsible for a service area that includes 11 counties and 57 municipalities, and nearly 25,700 customer accounts (about 77,000 people).

The reorganization also combines the Roaring Creek and Susquehanna operating divisions under the direction of Area Manager Steve Draus, who previously managed the White Haven Division.

This new, larger division includes 16 municipalities throughout eight counties, including Northumberland, and also serves approximately 25,000 customer accounts (about 75,000 people).

Draus, a Luzerne County native who grew up in White Haven and currently resides in Drums, joined Aqua Pennsylvania in 2010 following 11 years as a practicing engineer and project manager for several engineering firms. Draus earned his Bachelor of Science in environmental engineering at Wilkes University and is a licensed professional engineer in Pennsylvania.

The Shenango Division service area remains as is serving 26,000 customer accounts (about 78,000 people) spread throughout 26 municipalities in eight counties, but is now headed by new Area Manager Jim Willard, who recently joined Aqua with 26 years of municipal consulting engineering experience.

Clark, Draus and Willard will each report to newly appointed director of operations Patrick Burke, who previously managed all but the Shenango Division as regional manager.

Burke, a native of New Philadelphia, Schuylkill County who currently resides in Elysburg, joined Aqua in 1992 as engineer for Pennsylvania's Roaring Creek Division and was promoted to manager of engineering in 1994 before being named regional manager for the Honesdale, White Haven, Susquehanna and Roaring Creek divisions in 2006 - the position he held prior to this promotion. Burke has a Bachelor of Science in structural design and construction engineering from Penn State University and an Master of Business Administration from Bloomsburg University. He is a licensed professional engineer in Pennsylvania.

"The restructuring has streamlined our operations, created efficiencies and has allowed us to draw on the strengths of some of our existing employees along with those of a new area manager, and will ultimately make a good operations unit even better," said Donatoni.

Burke says he's looking forward to working with each of his area managers in their new positions.

"I consider myself fortunate to take on these new responsibilities with such talented professionals on my team," said Burke. "I've had the pleasure of working with Steve and Steve for a few years now and am confident in their abilities to excel in their new roles. I am also excited about working with Jim, who brings a wealth of knowledge in water, wastewater and engineering to the table."

Aqua Pennsylvania serves approximately 1.4 million people in 31 counties throughout Pennsylvania. Visit AquaAmerica.com for more information, or follow Aqua on Facebook at facebook.com/MyAquaAmerica and on Twitter at @MyAquaAmerica.

SELINSGROVE - Gwendolyn Bodner, of Elysburg, was recently inducted into the Kappa Delta Pi honor society at Susquehanna University.

Kappa Delta Pi is an honor society for educators and future educators that promotes excellence in and recognizes outstanding contributions to education.

Members exhibit the ideals of scholarship, high personal standards and promise in teaching and allied professions. Selection as a member of Kappa Delta Pi is based on high achievement, a commitment to education as a career and a professional attitude that assures steady growth in the profession.

Bodner, a junior majoring in English and secondary education, is a 2012 graduate of Southern Columbia Area High School. She is a daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Benjamin Bodner.

MOUNT CARMEL - The Rotary student of the month for April at Mount Carmel Area High School was senior Brianna Lutz, daughter of Steve and Kathy Lutz, of Mount Carmel.

She was a member of the varsity soccer and basketball teams, president of the WKMC-TV studio, a member of the stage crew and a yearbook photographer.

Lutz has enlisted in the Air Force for four years and plans to attend college afterward to become a physician's assistant.

SHAMOKIN - Your little one would be best served if you read this article out loud.

Ruby Michetti, curriculum coordinator at Shamokin Area School District, said the most important activity for parents this summer is reading and speaking to their children.

This is important for children of any age, but especially essential to children who have not yet begun elementary school.

"A child who is surrounded by a rich vocabulary infused world will absorb all those phonetic nuances," said Michetti.

By age 3, a child who is socioeconomically disadvantaged will have heard 30 million fewer words than the average child.

Michetti said its difficult for a child to make up this

loss; by 5 years old, the child will already be two years behind what is normal for their vocabulary skills.

Children who are behind their peers in reading skills will become frustrated and shut down, which compounds the problem as they are reluctant to engage in an activity they find difficult so they do not improve.

"By third grade if they can't read, they will have a very difficult time in school," said Michetti.

Students who begin school disadvantaged are four times more likely to drop out.

"Reading and writing are the fundamental skills for all the cognitive skills," said Michetti. "Everything requires reading."

Michetti said it is important for parents to continuously engage their children by speaking to them.

The average child watches 21 to 23 hours of television each week, said Michetti, acknowledging that some children's programs are more educational than others.

None are nearly as effective as teaching communication skills as real life conversation, she said.

"Watching TV does not teach good communication skills," said Michetti.

Conversation teaches children both speaking and listening, so simply asking your child a question will help with listening comprehension.

"There is no cost to becoming a good reader, listener and speaker," said Michetti. "Time is the expense."

Tips by age

Having children at home for the summer is the perfect opportunity to engage them in language development activities. Here are tips for various age groups:

Infant: Talking, conversation and singing. Describing sights. Reading books repetitively, and pointing to the words and the spaces between the words. Michetti suggests talking about the pictures in the book rather than just reading the text. "It provides a far more enriched setting," she said.

Preschool: Tracing letters in any medium, even sand or paint. Building simple puppets out of paper bags or socks and creating conversations. Having magazines, books and other reading materials present to look at. Creating silly tongue twisters. Allowing children to read the books out loud, even if they do so slowly. "Often we don't give the child the time to read because we read so much faster," said Michetti.

First grade: Reinforcing what words are. Challenging to identify words. Asking questions while reading books like "What do you think will happen? Who are the main characters?" Playing word games like rhyming words. Practicing reading at home.

Second grade: Creating a "writing toolbox" for the child to take everywhere; use a resealable plastic bag or pencil box and include paper and writing instruments. Asking children to describe the story he or she is making up. Emphasizing the parts of a sentence, how it always begins with a capital letter, has a noun and a verb and ends with punctuation. Asking your child to describe daily activities out loud and in a journal. Encouraging children to use real words rather than "thingy" or "stuff." Establishing a reading routine. "Praise them when they read," said Michetti. "Be a role model. Children mimic their parents because they love their parents."

Older children: Engaging children on their interest areas. Offering "alternatives" to books, like comic books or magazines. Asking children to read activity materials, like pamphlets or maps. Playing games like scavenger hunts where children have to read clues. Encouraging book swaps with friends. "The libraries over summer are absolutely filled with fun, active programs," said Michetti.

BLOOMSBURG - Stefanie Rae Bressi, a daughter of Ray and Theresa Bressi, of Kulpmont, was named to the dean's list at Bloomsburg University for the spring semester.

A senior, she is majoring in early childhood education (pre-K to fourth grade). She earned a 3.92 grade-point average.

Bressi, a 2010 graduate of Mount Carmel Area High School, will be student-teaching in the fall.

PHILADELPHIA - Craig Bober graduated from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Medical School June 1.

He will be doing his residency at Lankenau Hospital in Philadelphia.

Bober is a 2006 graduate of Woodstown High School and a 2010 graduate of Penn State University.

He is a son of Mitchell and Roseann (Rawa) Bober of Pilesgrove, N.J., and a grandson of the late Vincent and Lucille Rawa, who lived in Mount Carmel.

The following statement regarding the Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Products cases was released by the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, (PCC). Bishop Ronald W. Gainer, Bishop of Harrisburg, is the president of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference. The PCC is the public affairs agency of Pennsylvania's Catholic bishops, representing the 10 Catholic dioceses in Pennsylvania. There are more than 3 million Catholics in Pennsylvania.

"'Reason recognizes that religious freedom is a fundamental right of man, reflecting his highest dignity, that of seeking the truth and adhering to it, and recognizing it as an indispensable condition for realizing all his potential. Religious freedom is not simply freedom of thought or private worship. It is the freedom to live according to ethical principles, both privately and publicly, consequent to the truth one has found."(Pope Francis, June 20, 2014)

"In this spirit, religious liberty scored a victory today in the U.S. Supreme Court. In its decision in the Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Products cases, the Court properly concluded that religious conscience of closely held businesses is to be protected from government coercion. Further, the Court determined that the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services mandate is improper as it forces a closely held company to pay for coverage of products and services that violate the owners' firmly held religious beliefs. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), under authority provided in the Affordable Care Act, mandated coverage of sterilization, contraception and abortion-causing drugs in most employer health insurance plans.

Religious ministries of service - such as charities, schools, health care facilities and institutions of higher education - are given, at best, second-class status under the law in the form of a still-murky 'accommodation.' Many religious entities, including Catholic dioceses, are challenging this mandate in federal courts across the country.

"The Catholic Bishops of Pennsylvania express the hope that, in light of this ruling, the Obama Administration will do the right thing and withdraw the mandate as it has been applied to religious ministries. That step will bring to an end litigation which religious ministries were forced to undertake to protect their religious conscience and to assure that statutory and constitutional protections would not be trampled."

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Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11: "This ruling is a clear victory for religious liberty in this country, a fundamental unalienable right that has always been protected by the First Amendment to our Constitution. Obamacare has many objectionable mandates, but among the most offensive was the requirement that employers provide certain kinds of health coverage, even if that coverage violates their religious beliefs. The ruling affirms what I have always believed - that no one should have to choose between their God and their government."

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U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey: "It is great news that the Supreme Court has ruled that closely held, for-profit businesses are entitled to religious protections and exempt from the Obamacare mandate. This is a win for religious liberty.

"I am grateful for Conestoga Wood Specialties' leadership in challenging this ill-conceived mandate. I congratulate them on the success and the relief this Supreme Court decision will bring for many closely held corporations that choose to follow their religious beliefs."

KULPMONT - A 12-hour dance marathon and a flag football tournament that will feature former Mount Carmel Area football players are intended to invigorate fundraising efforts for Geisinger's ThinkBIG Pediatric Cancer Fund, which helps families battling cancer who suffer through unforeseen expenses.

The inaugural tournament will start at noon Sunday, Aug. 10, at the Silver Bowl and is being organized by Mount Carmel alumni Cassandra Niglio, Rachel Niglio, Samantha Spieller and Cassie Mace.

Through various fundraisers, the group last year raised $11,840.78 for the Four Diamonds Fund, which provides financial, medical and pediatric cancer research support.

Tournament

Registration deadline for the tournament is July 21. There will be a $20 participation fee, which includes a T-shirt that is required to be worn the day of the games.

Former and current MCA football coaches will hold a draft the week following the deadline. Coaches involved, so far, include Whitey Williams, Robert Veach and current coach Carm DeFrancesco.

"We figured that, with this town, and with all the football players, we are bound to get a good turnout," Mace said.

"We thought it would be a good idea," Cassandra Niglio added.

Other events

Additional fundraisers are a $3 donation night from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. the evening of July 19 at the Jan Sobieski Club in Kulpmont. The committee will be selling tickets for a cheer basket raffle and 50/50. A DJ will provide music and Jello shots will be sold.

"We were invited with open arms," Rachel Niglio said. "Bruno (Varano, manager of the club) said he would have contacted us if we wouldn't have contacted him."

The committee will also have a stand at the Picnic in the Park at Mount Carmel town park in late July. A variety of desserts will be offered.

Recent fundraisers were a Spring Fling, Bowl For A Cure, a benefit night at Brewser's SportsGrille and a collection during the Great Kulpmont Car Cruise.

Dance marathon

Proceeds from all events will be announced at MCA's ThinkBIG Dance Marathon, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Mount Carmel Junior-Senior High School gym. Registration is $20 for students, which includes a T-shirt and a meal voucher. Adults are welcomed to join the fun with a $5 donation.

Events will include a luminaria service and a guest speaker who has been personally affected by cancer. Times of some events will be changed from last year in order to make things run smoother, the group said.

Personal meaning

The biggest difference from last year's marathon is who will benefit. This year's proceeds go to the Janet Weis Children's Hospital via the ThinkBIG Pediatric Cancer Fund.

One of the main reasons the group decided to switch to ThinkBIG is because Janet Weis Children's Hospital has personal meaning to them. In December 2006, 11-year-old Nate McFadden, a brother of Bryan McFadden, a classmate of the girls, died after a battle with cancer.

"He was treated at Janet Weis," Mace said. "We wanted to keep the money local. It's nice to see where the money is going."

Other factors affecting the switch were that ThinkBIG provided insurance for the marathon and smooth communication.

Last year's marathon raised $6,000. The group hopes to raise at least that much this year.

"I think a lot of people doubted that a group of 20 and 21 year olds could do this," Mace said. "Once they saw what we did, a lot of people were in shock."

For more information, contact Cassandra Niglio at 570-205-8526 or at mcathinkbig@gmail.com.

Several UGI customers have received phone calls stating they owe money for their energy bills and that non-payment would result in having their service shut off later that day.

The scam caller goes on to instruct the customer to purchase a pre-paid Visa card and call back with the card number and details so it can be applied to their account. These phone calls are not generated by UGI or an agent of the company, nor is this the normal process that UGI would follow if a customer is not current on their account. In addition, UGI would not recommend a prepaid credit card as an option for payment.

Most calls have been received by residential customers who are current on their account. UGI advises all natural gas and electric residential and commercial customers to provide no information if they receive this call and contact UGI at 800-276-2722.

UGI Utilities has headquarters in Reading, and serves 660,000 customers in 45 Pennsylvania counties and one county in Maryland. Customers interested in additional information visit the UGI website at www.ugi.com; on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ugiutilities, and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ugi_utilities.

COAL TOWNSHIP - The annual underclassmen awards program was held at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School June 6. Following an opening prayer by Deacon Martin McCarthy, principal/administrator, awards were distributed to the following recipients:

Highest and second highest average in the following subjects:

Religion III: Dakota Maneval, first; Grace Rompolski, second.

Religion II: Cage Crissman, first; Emily Troutman, second; Kayleigh Shovlin, third.

Religion I: Tanner Maneval, first; Olivia Giles, second; Brooke Korkuch, third.

Religion Grade 8: John-Daniel Kerris, first; Nora Rompolski and Dawson Williams, tied for second.

Religion Grade 7: Maria Maresca, first; Frances Czeponis and Madison Munson, tied for second.

Advanced Studio Art I: Claudia Rawa, first.

Studio Art 7: Bailey Trell, first; Caitlin Funk and Jordan Hauer, tied for second.

Art History: Emily Troutman, first; Kayleigh Shovlin and Vincenzo Bucanelli, tied for second.

Art Independent Study: Nicole Komara, first; Maya Khanna, second.

Fine Arts: Elijah Gusick and Tanner Maneval, tied for first; Elizabeth Alexander, second.

Art 8: Selina Albert, first; Dawson Williams, second.

Art 7: Giavanna Candelora and Gianna Picarelli, tied for first; Madison Munson, Mary Richardson and Christopher Stewart, tied for second.

Accounting II: Bailey Trell, second.

Accounting I: Mikayla Persing, first.

Business Law: Dakota Maneval, first.

Exploring Business: Olivia Giles, first; Tanner Maneval, second.

Career Preparation: Cage Crissman, first; Marcus O'Brien and Emily Troutman, tied for second.

Computers 8: John-Daniel Kerris, Carmine Picarelli and Nora Rompolski, tied for first.

Keyboarding Grade 7: Madison Munson, first; Frances Czeponis and Charles Keer, tied for second.

American Literature (Honors): Dakota Maneval, first.

American Literature (Academic): Erich Meloy, first.

English II (Honors): Emily Troutman, first; Kendall Krebs, second.

English II (Academic): Brittney Lahr, first; Maya Yoder, second.

English I: Lawrence Czeponis and Tanner Maneval, tied for first; Olivia Giles, second.

English Grade 8: John-Daniel Kerris, first; Nora Rompolski, second.

English Grade 7: Frances Czeponis and Christopher Stewart, tied for first; Giavanna Candelora, Madison Munson, and Cassidy Shovlin, tied for second; Emily DeManicor, Charles Keer, and Jared Stewart, tied for third.

Reading Grade 8: Nora Rompolski, first; John-Daniel Kerris, second.

Reading 7: Christopher Stewart, first; Frances Czeponis, second; Madison Munson and Jared Stewart, tied for third.

Health I: Emily Troutman, first; Kayleigh Shovlin, second.

Physical Education Junior Boys: William Allen, first; Luke Holleran, second. Physical Education Junior Girls: Caitlin Funk and Bailey Trell, tied for first.

Physical Education Sophomore Boys: Brian Christiana, first; Nathan McDonald and Landon Wary, tied for second. Physical Education Sophomore Girls: Kendall Krebs, first; Kristen Komara, second.

Physical Education Freshmen Boys: Lawrence Czeponis, first; Tanner Maneval, second. Physical Education Freshmen Girls: Carmella Bickel, first; Elizabeth Alexander, second.

Physical Education Eighth Grade Boys: Thomas Schultz, first; Carmine Picarelli and Dawson Williams, tied for second.

Physical Education Eighth Grade Girls: Selina Albert, first; Amanda Horan and Nora Rompolski, tied for second.

Physical Education Seventh Grade Boys: Ty Klembara, first; Adam Sandri, second.

Physical Education Seventh Grade Girls: Sierra Coleman and Madison Munson, tied for first; Giavanna Candelora and Elizabeth Ross, tied for second.

20th Century American History: Grace Rompolski, first; Jessica DeLong, second.

World History III: Jessica DeLong, first.

World History I: Tanner Maneval, first; Lawrence Czeponis and Olivia Giles, tied for second; Carmella Bickel, third.

American History Grade 8: John-Daniel Kerris, first; Nora Rompolski and Dawson Williams, tied for second; Carmine Picarelli, third.

World Geography 7: Frances Czeponis, first; Maria Maresca, second.

Introduction to Family Consumer Sciences: Nora Rompolski, first; John-Daniel Kerris and Dawson Williams, tied for second.

Nutrition/Wellness: Cage Crissman and Emily Troutman, tied for first; Kayleigh Shovlin, second.

Independent Living: Grace Rompolski, first; Kendall Krebs, second.

Homemaking: Carmella Bickel, first; Elizabeth Alexander, second; Tanner Maneval, third.

French V (Honors): Dakota Maneval, first. French III (Honors): Grace Rompolski, first.

French II: Tanner Maneval, first.

French I: Olivia Giles, first; Lawrence Czeponis, second.

Spanish III (Honors): Jessica DeLong, first.

Spanish II: Celine Jones, first; Nicholas Adams, second.

Spanish I: Angelica Masser, first; Elijah Gusick and Michael Henninger, tied for second.

Precalculus: Dakota Maneval, first.

Algebra II/Trigonometry: Emily Troutman, first.

Geometry (Honors): Tanner Maneval, first; Olivia Giles, second.

Geometry (Academic): Elijah Gusick, first; Shane Gadsby, second.

Algebra I: Angelica Masser, first; Brooke Korkuch, second.

Algebra I (Eighth Grade): John-Daniel Kerris, first; Dawson Williams, second.

Algebraic Concepts: Stephen Gresh, first.

Math Grade 7: Jared Stewart, first; Charles Keer, second.

Music Appreciation: Emily Troutman and Landon Wary, tied for first; Kayleigh Shovlin, second.

General Music Grade 9: Carmella Bickel, Olivia Giles and Tanner Maneval, tied for first.

World Music Grade 8: Selina Albert, Emma Gownley, John-Daniel Kerris and Dawson Williams, tied for first.

General Music Grade 7: Charles Keer, first; Giavanna Candelora, Christopher Stewart and Jared Stewart, tied for second.

Chemistry (Honors): Emily Troutman, first; Grace Rompolski, second; Dakota Maneval, third.

Chemistry (Academic): Erich Meloy, first; Tommy Nguyen, second.

Environmental Science: Landon Wary, first; Erich Meloy, second.

Biology I: Tanner Maneval, first; Olivia Giles, second; Lawrence Czeponis, third.

Science Grade 8: John-Daniel Kerris, first; Nora Rompolski, second; Dawson Williams, third.

Science Grade 7: Frances Czeponis and Maria Maresca, tied for first; Mary Richardson, second.

Study Skills: Madison Munson, first; Charles Keer, second; Frances Czeponis, third.

Father Filippelli Chapter National Honor Society: Jessica DeLong, Caitlin Funk, Dakota Maneval, Mikayla Persing and Grace Rompolski.

French 5 (pin): Dakota Maneval.

French Honor Society: Dakota Maneval, Cage Crissman, Caitlin Funk, Grace Rompolski, Kayleigh Shovlin and Emily Troutman.

Spanish Honor Society: Jessica DeLong, Mikayla Persing, Nicholas Adams, Taylor Bozza, Celine Jones, Maya Khanna, Kristen Komara, Marcus O'Brien and Maya Yoder.

Grotto 2014 Staff: Jessica Delong and Marcus O'Brien.

Student Ambassadors: Juniors, William Allen, Jessica DeLong, Caitlin Funk, Luke Holleran, Dakota Maneval, Erich Meloy, Mikayla Persing, Taryn Riegel, Grace Rompolski and Bailey Trell; sophomores, Nicholas Adams, Alex Holleran, Kristen Komara, Nicole Komara and Landon Wary; freshmen, Elizabeth Alexander, Kelsey Conner, Brooke Korkuch and Angelica Masser.

Junior Student Ambassadors: Eighth grade, Emma Gownley, Amanda Horan, John-Daniel Kerris, Carmine Picarelli, Nora Rompolski, Thomas Schultz and Dawson Williams.

Additional awards:

Ronald Garancheski Memorial Award: Stephen Gresh.

Nicholas Girolami Memorial Award: Kayleigh Shovlin.

Laurie Ann Green Memorial Award: Emma Gownley.

Our Lady of Lourdes Home and School Association Scholarships: Selina Albert and Amanda Horan.

Sam and Jenny Sacus Memorial Awards: Dakota Maneval, Samantha Smith and Shane Gadsby.

Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Targonski Awards: Jessica DeLong and Zachary Zarkowski.

Ladies of the Fourth Degree, Bishop L.F. Schott Assembly 959, Knights of Columbus Awards: Amanda Horan and Phillip Hutnick-Kenenitz.

Elizabeth R. Wisneski Memorial Award: Jordan Hauer.

Recipients of Chorus Certificates: Elizabeth Alexander, Charles Aurand, Peyton Baskin, Zoey Bower, Brian Christiana, Sierra Coleman, Cydney Crissman, Alexa Ericson, Nina Ginitz, Emma Gownley, Cassandra Honicker, Erika Kapushinski, Charles Keer, John-Daniel Kerris, Mary Frances Komara, Brooke Korkuch, Bethany Kuehner, Katianna Lapotsky, Corrine Machuzak, Channing Maneval, Angelica Masser, Mikayla Persing, Jordyn Radziewicz, Taryn Riegel, Nora Rompolski, Madison Shields, Zachary Smith, Behret Steinbauer, Christopher Stewart, Jared Stewart, Jarrid Todd, Landon Wary, Darian Wetzel, and Maya Yoder.

Perfect Attendance 2013-2014: Tommy Nguyen, Landon Wary, Olivia Giles, Tanner Maneval, Bailey Marcheski, Sierra Coleman, Maria Maresca, Madison Munson, Kylah Nowroski, Cassidy Shovlin and Lilian Yuschock.

Special recognition was given to Brian Christiana, who represented Our Lady of Lourdes at the Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Conference. This is a conference attended by a sophomore from each high school throughout Central Pennsylvania.

Athletic letter awards/participants:

Juniors: William Allen. soccer, participant in basketball; Jessica DeLong. basketball and soccer; Caitlin Funk, basketball, softball and volleyball; Luke Holleran. basketball and soccer; John Klitsch, soccer; Dakota Maneval. participant in basketball; Mikayla Persing, cheerleading (Lourdes and Mount Carmel Area); Claudia Rawa, cheerleading and soccer; Grace Rompolski, soccer, cheerleading (Lourdes and Mount Carmel Area); Emma Seidel, cheerleading; Bailey Trell, basketball and soccer.

Sophomores: Nicholas Adams. soccer, participant in basketball; Paul Ahrensfield. participant in basketball; Vincenzo Bucanelli. soccer, participant in basketball; Brian Christiana, soccer, participant in basketball, girls basketball stats; Jordan Fobia, basketball and, soccer; Alex Holleran, soccer, participant in basketball; Celine Jones, soccer; Maya Khanna, basketball, soccer and track; Kristen Komara, basketball, soccer and track; Nicole Komara, cheerleading; Kendall Krebs, basketball and soccer; Brittney Lahr, soccer; Nathan McDonald, participant in basketball; Tommy Nguyen, soccer, participant in basketball; Marcus O'Brien, participant in basketball; Emily Troutman, soccer; Maya Yoder, participant in volleyball.

Freshmen: Elizabeth Alexander, softball, participant in volleyball; Carmella Bickel, basketball and volleyball; Kelsey Conner, participant in basketball and soccer; Lawrence Czeponis, basketball; Olivia Dobson, softball; Tyra Ericson, swimming; Jacob Feese, basketball and soccer; Olivia Giles, cheerleading, softball; Michael Henninger, participant in basketball; Brooke Korkuch, cheerleading; Cherisse Kulik, participant in basketball; Tanner Maneval, participant in basketball; Hieu (Johnny) Nguyen, participant in basketball; Michael Padula, basketball; Kenneth Pawelczyk, basketball and soccer; Jarrid Todd, basketball, soccer, participant in baseball; Zachary Zarkowski, basketball, football and track.

From The News Item, August 13, 1988. Resubmitted in recognition of Shamokin's 150th anniversary. (Warning: Contains graphic description of slaughtering)

SHAMOKIN - Donna Crone, daughter of Bert and Gladys Crone and granddaughter of Cyrus and Mamie Crone, is now an Elysburg resident with an avid interest in Gettysburg and The Civil War. As a licensed Gettysburg National Military Park Guide with special interest in the citizens of that era, she writes and speaks on stories and events surrounding those who lived through the Civil War. Donna is also a member of Park Watch, a volunteer group that works with The Protection Rangers. (http://www.nps.gov/gett/supportyourpark/volunteer.htm)

The five Rutkoskie kids enjoyed the distinction of living catty-corner from Crone's Butcher Shop in the western section of Coal Township.

The tempting array of fresh meats and groceries in the butcher shop/grocer's gave little indication of the engrossing activities taking place just beyond the swinging door. The butchering area had walls of brick and cement floors, and was frequently hosed down by men in glistening black rubber boots.

We all knew that Cy Crone was the Big Boss. He always had a broom ready to shoo out the neighborhood kids, or a hose to squirt at them. A white-haired old man with a twinkle in his eyes, Cy loved to play tough with the kids, who tried their best to outsmart him. Step by step, they'd sneak up on him, then run screaming, having narrowly escaped a swat from the broom or a chilly shower! Cy, also called "Pappy Crone," and his son Bert both cherished fat cigars, but more often their cheeks bulged with juicy tobacco. Most of the clerks at Crone's were friendly men who treated kids like real people.

Like many other families, we bought groceries "on tick" at Crone's, paying on the bill every payday. Our mom's store orders were usually quite explicit. She'd drill the unfortunate errand-runner with instructions: "Seven chops if they're big, 10 if they're small, and only get them if they're real nice and not fat." If they didn't suit her, the embarrassed young shopper was sent back to exchange them. Other frequently purchased items were 15 cents worth of minced ham for lunches and 35 cents worth of boiling beef, which made enough soup or pot-pie for the seven of us.

There was no way to avoid this important task. Starting at pre-school age, she'd "cross" a child at the corner. The little one would hand over the list to the clerk and then return to the corner with a loaf of bread, a quart of milk or whatever was needed that day and stand by the telephone pole bellowing, "Mommy, come cross me!"

Besides our daily bread, Crone's provided the best free entertainment in town. The arrival of the cattle truck summoned the neighborhood boys and girls to the shop. The double barn doors were swung out and the inner door of the cattle room opened wise. The truck's tail gate became a wide ramp, the passageway to fame for some of the meanest, meatiest steers in Northumberland County.

After cautioning the watchers to stand back, Bert climbed into the truck, chewing on his cigar, and fastened a bull-rope through the ring in a steer's nose. The rope tying the steer to the sideboards of the truck was loosened and the show began.

Pushing and pulling, the sweating men guided the frightened animal down the ramp and into the stock room. Once in a while an angry steer would make a successful dash for freedom. Three or four surrogate cowboys would run after it, trying to recapture the steer before a tragedy could occur. The audience of wide-eyed boys and girls loved every minute of the unloading, and a runaway steer added thrills of delight to the show.

When I was about six, I was leading my little sister Carol by the hand to Whitey Levan's store (later Gib and Maisie Smith's) down around the corner of First Street, where we would buy candy pies, licorice pipes, watermelon slices and other penny candies. Halfway down the block, a terrified woman ran out of her yard, caught hold of two startled girls, and yanked us into her yard just as an escaped steer galloped down the sidewalk.

The fascination of butchering days drew many neighborhood children to cling to the bottom halves of the double barn doors, accompanied by a swarm of hungry flies expecting a handout. We followed intently every move of the laboring men.

Bert Crone, in undershirt, workpants and rubber boots, was the headline actor in the drama, but the chosen steer was the real star. With one end of the bull rope in its nose-ring, the other threaded through an iron ring in the floor, the doomed animal, reluctantly dragging its feet, would be pulled forward inch by inch until it was drawn down to the floor by the taut rope, and its eyes rolled in fright. Some steers were real fighters, treading from side to side, making a more difficult target.

As I reminisce on the scene, I don't think I could endure watching it today, but back then, it was part of my life and the other kids and I were happy to stand there gawking. (Did I mention that Crone's bologna was the best you could buy anywhere, and their meats were of the highest quality?)

Bert had his 22 ready, and carefully aimed at the steer's head. Usually, the huge animal fell on the first shot, then lay there jerking and kicking. Bert would lift a sledge hammer high in the air and bring it down on top of the steer's head. A few last kicks from the steer, then with a collective sigh, the watchers on the doors resumed their normal breathing. The long tongue hanging out between the dead steer's teeth was evidence the perilous task was done.

To watch them gutting the dead animal, now hung on metal hooks, made our stomachs churn slightly, but only until the butchers had kicked the slippery heap aside with their heavy boots. The next act was the skinning, swiftly accomplished by the experienced butchers. The skin was then unceremoniously dragged over and spread out right inside the doors, the flies buzzing loudly in their hurry to keep up.

There, before our fascinated eyes, the skin of the slaughtered steer would twitch for many minutes, while its former owner was pulled along an overhead track to a cooler awaiting future dissection. The following day, the truly dedicated fans would again hang on the doors to watch the men meticulously scrape and clean tubs full of casings for the new batches of sausages and hot dogs.

A sickening, but sought-after sight among the youthful thrill-seekers, was the occasional glimpse of gouged-out eyeballs. One day a brave boy coaxed the butchers for an eye. We squealed in distaste when the butcher actually handed over the door a staring eyeball on a cardboard meat tray.

Hogs were slaughtered at Crone's, too, brought two at a time, stuffed into the back of a pickup truck. The hogs were just as ornery as the steers, but seemed too fat to do much about it. There was plenty of time to gawk at them as they lolled in the truck parked on our side of Water Street, waiting their appointed time.

A butcher shop - what an unlikely spot to have given us fond memories. But its influence even reached into our playtime, as my brother Ted showed us how he made an intricate little clay steer, filled with clay hamburgers, steaks, Crone's famous ring bologna, minced ham and hot dogs.

Our daily lives were touched by the friendliness and teasing of Cy and Bert Crone and the men who worked for them; by their patience with our enthusiasm for their work. They were the stars of Water Street, performing weekly for the wide-eyed audience of door-hangers just outside of their cement-floor theater.

The old butcher shop still stands at the corner of Owl and Water streets. To us Rutkoskie kids and our pals, it still rings with the clatter of hooves coming down the ramp from the big slat-side truck. The shouts of the children can still be heard echoing in the street. . . . . "Crone's truck is here, come on! They're getting cows!" "Come on, Pat! Audrey, Carol! Hurry up, Teddy, let's go watch 'em!" "Crone's are getting cows again!"

'Release of Holy Spirit' focus of prayer

MOUNT CARMEL - The Rev. Tim Marcoe, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Abbottstown, will share his faith journey at Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish hall, 41 S. Market St., at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

He and the Rev. Frank Karwacki, pastor of Our Lady, will "pray over people for the release of the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives."

The public is welcome.

Swimming lessons in the city

SHAMOKIN - Swimming lessons will be held at the Lawton W. Shroyer Memorial Swimming Pool from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. July 7 to 11. Registration fee is $10. Forms can be picked up at the pool or on the day of the lessons.

Others credited for food bank help

MOUNT CARMEL - Several key volunteers weren't available for a photograph to accompany a story in Friday's edition about the Mount Carmel Area Food Bank and, therefore, weren't given their due recognition.

They are Charles Rosetta, who has volunteered for 20 years; Jackie Olearnick, Tom and Ray Moroz, Mary Ellen Murray and Marie McFadden.

The Northumberland County Juvenile Court Services and President Judge William Harvey Wiest announced 53 victims will be receiving long-awaited restitution checks from the county.

The cases were closed before the victims were paid in full. Some records date back to 1974. The total amount of restitution being distributed is $5,301.86.

Prior to 1998, it was the practice of juvenile court to "purge" juveniles' monetary responsibilities either once they reached age 21, significant time had passed since last payment or the agency was unable to locate the juvenile. Thus, many victims were not monetarily restored to their pre-crime status.

The practice of "purging" juveniles' responsibilities of restitution owed has ceased and juvenile court now attempts to collect every dollar owed through every legal means possible.

In 2006, the Northumberland County Juvenile Court Services established a restitution fund to help reimburse victims who may not have received compensation in full for their loss due to circumstances beyond the court's control. These circumstances include the unfortunate death of the juvenile, a victim who has shown undue hardship as a result of the delinquent act and needs immediate reimbursement or a victim who may not have been reimbursed in a prompt and timely manner.

The juvenile court restitution fund is maintained by a fee charged to all juveniles referred to the agency for a delinquent act. The fee is $25 per referral, plus a $5 per month fee for all adjudicated youth while on formal supervision up to age 21.

Additional funds were collected from a joint partnership with the Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging (AAA), under the direction of Pat Rumberger, in which youth help maintain the lawns of senior citizens who are considered "shut-ins" and run the risk of being cited by the code enforcement officer for having high lawns.

Youth participating in the joint venture include those ordered to complete community service or those who are placed into the restitution accountability program in order to pay back their victims. Any money left after responsibilities are completed or paid in full are placed into the restitution fund.

Taking this into consideration, the Juvenile Court Services Agency did an audit of those files in which restitution responsibilities were purged or the juvenile passed away prior to the establishment of the restitution fund.

Nicole Bozza, Northumberland County JPO Victims of Juvenile Offenders coordinator, and Veronica Moore, student intern from Mansfield University completed the arduous task of researching all restitution cases to locate victims who were not paid; locating the juvenile files from the closed cases archives and finally, dissecting the files to gather as much information on the victim as possible to help locate a current address.

The records indicated that as many as 100 victims were not reimbursed at all or in part. Wiest authorized the agency to release funds from the Juvenile Court Restitution Fund to reimburse those victims who were not fully compensated at the time the juveniles' obligations were purged.

Unfortunately, some of the victims are deceased and will never be fully compensated. Other victims have moved away or changed their name (commonly through marriage) and the office cannot locate them. The court issued an apology for the lack of timeliness in resolcing the issue. . The agency continues to work to improve services to all victims.

BLOOMSBURG-Bloomsburg University is notifying 46 current and former students about a possible exposure of personal data that was contained on a partially secured BU website, the university announced Monday.

An alumnus recently told university officials that two documents containing what he believed to be student names, Social Security numbers and assessment scores from the Haberman Star Teacher Pre-Screener test were publicly available on a university website. The university verified that the documents contained BU student or alumni names and other personal information and immediately removed the documents from the website. The documents, available since November 2012, did not appear directly on the website and were only available via a web search using very specific search criteria.

"We are in the process of contacting all 46 students whose names and Social Security numbers were listed on these documents," Wayne Mohr, associate vice president for technology, was quoted in a statement. "We are providing them free credit monitoring services for one year with one of the three major credit bureaus."

The documents were linked to a report prepared for reaccreditation by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, known as NCATE. Students who completed the screening test were directed to use random identification numbers; instead, some participants provided their Social Security numbers.

Affected students and alumni may direct questions to Mohr at 570- 389-4303.

HARRISBURG - The Senate of Pennsylvania on Monday unanimously confirmed Anthony J. Rosini as Common Pleas Judge of Northumberland County, according to Senator John R. Gordner (R-27). First elected as Northumberland County District Attorney in 1995, Rosini is in his fifth term as D.A. He previously served for 12 years as an assistant district attorney, and three years as an assistant public defender. He will serve the remainder of the unexpired term of former President Judge Robert Sacavage, who retired earlier this year.

"Tony Rosini is an accomplished attorney and a man of high integrity," said Gordner. "I am sure he will continue an exemplary record of public service to the citizens of Northumberland County." Rosini was nominated for the position by Gov. Tom Corbett and received unanimous approval of the Senate Judiciary Committee at his confirmation hearing last week.

By News-Item Staff

SHAMOKIN - Mayor Bill Milbrand hopes people are not only ready to dance, but also talk, at Thursday's sesquicentennial ball.

Milbrand envisions the gathering as an opportunity for people to tell stories. He hopes they take the microphone between songs to share childhood memories or other tales from their time in Shamokin.

"It's a night to share memories of old times," he said.

The ball, set for Thursday at the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge, Rock Street, is one of six events being held this week in conjunction with the city's 150th anniversary. Doors open for cocktails at 6 p.m. and the ball starts at 7.

Max Media's Chad Evans will DJ the event. The Southern Columbia Area graduate is well known for "Shamokin State of Mind," his YouTube video from a few years back that parodied Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind" which Evans, along with video co-star Erica Perrige, plan on performing live near the end of the ball.

Cost is $10 at the door and includes a buffet and entertainment. Drinks are not included.

In other anniversary week news:

Business cleanup

The Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce is inviting all businesses to join for a community cleanup day in an effort to look their best for visitors who will be in town this week, particularly for Saturday's grand parade, at 2 p.m., and the fireworks, at 9:40 p.m.

The chamber asks businesses to consider decorating for the event, as well as sweeping sidewalks and cleaning windows.

The city will pick up any trash collected in the cleanup. Have it next to the city trash receptacles for pickup on Friday.

Books, mugs, fireworks

The anniversary and parade committees continue fundraising efforts to pay for the bands, special visitors and other parade and celebration costs.

A 2014 Chevrolet Camaro is being raffled. The winner will be drawn at 10 a.m. Saturday and will then serve as the grand marshal for the parade in their new wheels. The goal is to sell 7,000 tickets at $10 each to pay for the car and then cover parade costs. Tickets are still available.

Also being sold is an 80-page 150th anniversary booklet ($10) and a commemorative mug ($10) and glass ($8). Most items are available at City Hall, The News-Item, Independence Fire Company and the 150th headquarters, next to Susquehanna Bank's east branch on Independence Street.

Shamokin's annual fireworks display will cap off the week of celebration. As is the case other years, Citizens for a Better Community (CBC) and Citizens Fireworks Inc. (CFI) are raising funds through the sale of fireworks in the garage across Rock Street from The News-Item. The fireworks store also has the 150th mugs and glasses.

CBC and CFI will also being working roadside this weekend to collect funds from passing motorists.

Last year's collections paid for this year's show, and this year's will fund the 2015 display.

Mural unveiled

A new public mural will be unveiled at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Funded in part by the nonprofit Coal City Revitalization, it will be hung in the parking lot of the Irish Isle Meat Market and Irish Pot of Gold Beer Distributor on West Arch Street in Coal Township. Local artist Shawn McGugan was inspired by both Coal Township and Shamokin in creating the fictional market scene depicted in the mural.