COAL TOWNSHIP - Due to a significant enrollment decrease at Northwestern Academy, Shamokin Area School Board unanimously adopted resolutions Tuesday night to reduce educational programs and eliminate 11 teaching positions at the juvenile detention facility.

The board will not renew the contracts of eight temporary professional employees at the end of the current school year, which will result in a 50 percent staff reduction in English (two positions), math (2 positions), science (one position), social studies (two positions), business/computer/information technology (two positions), Title I language arts (one position) and special education (one position).

Non-tenured union teachers who will lose their jobs at the academy as a result of the move are Kendra Cook, Kathy Dugan, Carol Fetterolf, Cristen James, Melodee Lesher, Bridget Smink, Brandy Weaver and Lindsey Williams. Some of the teachers provide instruction to more than one course.

The school district will be able to operate more effectively and efficiently, reallocate resources from other professional educational avenues and conform with standards of reorganization as a result of the move, according to Superintendent James Zack.

Voting to approve the resolutions were board president Ronald McElwee, Richard Kashnoski, Matt Losiewicz, Edward Griffiths, Rosalie Smoogen, Bernie Sosnoskie, Charles Shuey and Jeff Kashner. Director Robert Getchey was absent.

Karen Colangelo, district business manager and federal programs coordinator, presented the board with an overview of the tentative budget in the amount of $32,458,945, which represents a .01 percent decrease from the current spending plan of $32,465,169. Colangelo said the minor reduction is primarily due to an enrollment decrease at Northwestern Academy.

The budget is expected to necessitate a small increase in tax millage.

Colangelo said local, state and federal revenues total $28,442,696. Other financing sources total $4,016,249.

The budget reflects a total decrease in local revenue of $141,970.

In order to balance the budget, district officials are proposing taking $4,016,249 from the current fund balance of $8,407,661.

The tentative spending plan is scheduled to be adopted next month, with the approval of the final budget in June.

In other business, the board approved the retirement of elementary teacher Richard M. Schiccatano and resignations of special education teacher Lori A. Neiswender and National Honor Society adviser Kathy Dowd.

On a 7-1 vote, the board agreed to renew a contract with Nutrition Inc. for food service management services, effective July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016, with a financial guarantee of $62,035.09.

Smoogen, who cast the lone dissenting vote, commended the food service staff but believes the district should be billed on a monthly, flat fee basis like other contracts.

Board members agreed to contract services with Pennsylvania Economy League to provide assistance for the district's pending fact-finding at an estimated cost of $1,600 plus time at a hearing at $100 per hour, out-of-pocket expenses and mileage at the IRS rate of 58 cents per mile.

Kashner was reappointed as the district's representative on the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit Board of Directors.

Directors approved Tim Bousson as a volunteer football coach for the 2015-16 school year.

Kashnoski announced Mid-Penn Bank of Minersville donated $250 to be used for books at the Annex.

Susquehanna Valley gas prices have gone up 12 cents in the last week to $2.652 a gallon, according to AAA East Central's Fuel Gauge report. The national average was $2.457 Tuesday.

On the national front

The national average price of gas has increased about seven cents per gallon over the past week due to sharply rising crude oil costs. Domestic crude oil prices last week reached the highest levels of 2015 as supplies built more slowly than anticipated. Despite the increase, consumers continue to benefit from substantially lower gas prices compared to recent years, with the least expensive average for this date since 2009 at $2.06.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices settled at a 2015 high of $56.71 a barrel last Thursday as the latest EIA report showed that oil supplies increased at the slowest levels since the beginning of the year. The market also weighed potential geopolitical concerns in the Middle East and a weakening dollar.

Global oil prices continue to reflect volatility and industry stakeholders remain divided over where supply and demand fundamentals will send prices. Attention is focused on high-cost production countries like the U.S., where new production has been a key contributor to the sharply lower price of crude. At the close of Friday's formal trading on the NYMEX WTI settled 97 cents lower at $55.74 per barrel.

(AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 83 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.)

SUNBURY - John Laughlin, a candidate for Mount Carmel Area School Board, died April 15, but because the primary election ballot has already been printed, his name will remain on the ballot. Laughlin cross-filed in both the Democratic and Republican primaries.

Alisha Herb, Northumberland County director of elections, said that in the event Laughlin wins the primary, a substitute nomination certificate will be sent to the respective political party inviting the party to nominate a substitute to fill the ballot vacancy.

Herb noted the election code does provide that in the event of a candidate's death, the original signers of his or her petition, or a majority of them, may sign another petition proposing a new candidate. However, this can only be done prior to the printing of ballots and ballot labels.

HARRISBURG - The House last week voted in favor of legislation sponsored by Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-108) to establish the PA Long-Term Care Council within the Department of Aging.

House Bill 753 would update and expand the focus of the current Intra-Governmental Council of Long-Term Care at the Pennsylvania Department of Aging.

"The 108th District has a high population of senior citizens, and it has been brought to our attention that there are several unmet needs among that demographic," Culver explained in a press release. "There isn't a life that our senior citizens don't touch - as they are commonly active in our schools, churches and child care communities - and we need to be doing all we can to ensure resources are available to help them live happy, healthy lives."

The council will consist of 35 members, and would focus on six different areas of concentration: Regulatory review and access to quality care, community access and public education, long term care service models and delivery, work force, housing, and behavioral health issues of seniors ages 60 and older.

"Pennsylvania's aging demographics clearly show the need for a viable long-term care infrastructure, and that's what this bill aims to do," Culver said. "This was a bipartisan effort in the House, and under this proposal, the state would be focusing on issues they weren't before."

SUNBURY - A man accused of killing a 9-year-old boy by giving him more than 12 times the adult dose of oxycodone will forgo a preliminary hearing.

Victor Hare, 58, of 196 Springhouse Road, Northumberland, waived to court Monday afternoon his preliminary hearing for felony counts of drug delivery resulting in death, involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and two counts of endangering welfare of a child and misdemeanor charges of indecent assault and two counts of recklessly endangering another person.

The hearing was initially scheduled for Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge Michael I. Diehl of Milton.

Hare was charged with the five felonies and two misdemeanors by Point Township police March 31 after an autopsy revealed Korbin Rager, 9, had lethal levels of oxycodone in his body when he died.

Police accused Hare of providing oxycodone and alcohol to Rager during an overnight visit between Oct. 12 and 13 at Hare's residence, causing the boy's fatal overdose.

Hare was initially charged with two felonies of recklessly endangering the welfare of children and a firearms offense. He waived his preliminary hearing to those charges Dec. 2.

Hare remains incarcerated in SCI-Coal Township in lieu of $1,040,000 cash bail.

MOUNT CARMEL - On stage at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., one night in 1983, jazz icon Dizzy Gillespie stood front and center.

Vaughn Nark, professional trumpeter and Mount Carmel native, sat behind "the ambassador of jazz" and looked out into the audience of 6,000. His mother and father, Virginia and Leon F. Nark, were in the crowd.

Father, a trumpeter himself, introduced son to Dizzy's records years before. On that night in the nation's capital, son had the privilege of introducing father to the famed musician.

"It ain't gonna get any better than this," Nark thought to himself.

"At that time I felt taller than the Washington Monument," he said this week, looking back on the moment.

It was the musical highlight of a career with many, and it all began in Nark's hometown. He'll perform Saturday night as guest soloist for the Mount Carmel Area Symphonic Band's annual spring concert. Showtime is 7 o'clock at the junior-senior high school auditorium.

Musical beginnings

Nark, 58, of Riverside, grew up on Orange Street practicing trumpet in his home. The music would sometimes carry from an open window and into the ears of Paul Semicek, leader of the Mount Carmel Mounties marching band who lived nearby. Nark joined the Mounties in grade school - the youngest student Semicek took on as band leader.

"He's sort of a phenomena. He has jazz ideas where I'd just get lost. It's natural talent," said Semicek, now 78. "He's a rare, rare jewel."

Nark came up behind two other notable Mounties on trumpet, Samuel Rovito and Joe Mosello, who himself enjoys an impressive professional career.

Semicek's connections helped land Doc Severinsen, leader of The Tonight Show Band, to perform at The Festival of Stars showcase held for several years at Mount Carmel's Silver Bowl. Nark played alongside, not yet a teenager.

Nark became lead trumpet by his freshman year. If he would freelance during a song, Semicek didn't mind.

"He used to jazz up the songs, and I didn't touch him because he was over my head," Semicek said.

Under Semicek's guidance, the Mounties marched in stadiums across the country, performing for tens of thousands of fans at dozens of National Football League games. They competed in drum and corps contests. Nark once performed the Canadian national anthem at a packed stadium for a Canadian Football League game, thousands of "canucks" singing the lyrics as he played the notes on trumpet.

Bernard Stellar, 55, is now superintendent of the school district he graduated from in 1977. He also directs the Symphonic Band. He was a drummer with the Mounties, and spoke about the impression Nark made. On the bus when the other band members were "busy having fun," Nark was polishing his trumpet and focusing on the performance.

"He was an unusually gifted trumpet player. He also had the drive to become a really excellent player. You could just tell," Stellar said. "He took his playing very seriously."

The Mountie experience steeled Nark's nerves and went a long way to prepare him for a career on stage after graduating high school in 1974. He toured globally for nearly 20 years as lead trumpeter with the Airmen of Note, a jazz ensemble of the U.S. Air Force and a group considered among the finest big bands in the world. A featured soloist, he was awarded by presidential order a Meritorious Service Medal while playing with the Airmen. He released three solo albums, too.

Henry Mancini and Wynton Marsalis, Lena Horne and Tony Bennett, are all among the greats Nark blew horn with. Gillespie, though, remains most memorable to him.

When he lived in D.C., Nark tracked Gillespie from one club to the next when he was in town. A chance meeting saw Gillespie listen to a cassette of Nark's solos that he kept on hand. As Nark tells it, Gillespie liked what he heard - "'You sound pretty good, kid'" - and he laughed when Nark asked for a shot to play sometime.

"'You never know,'" Nark recalls Gillespie saying. "What about tonight?" Nark asked.

Nark didn't know it, and maybe Gillespie didn't either at the moment, but he was about to get that shot. Later that night and minutes before the lead act was to take the stage, Gillespie pointed at Nark. All Nark needed was a trumpet. His was blocks away in his parked car.

"I ran like a bat out of hell down that hill. I ran back up, and I could hardly breathe. I didn't warm up one note," Nark said about the first time, but not the last time, he played alongside his musical hero.

Priorities outside of music led to Nark's return to Northumberland County after living for years in Washington, D.C. His mother is now 89, and his father passed away in 2004. His brother, Leon D., a talented accordion player, passed away in 2013.

Nark, a studio musician, remains Yamaha's performing artist and clinician for the D.C. region. He also plays the flugelhorn and valve trombone. On Saturday, he'll perform Mike Crotty's arrangements of "Send In The Clowns" and "America The Beautiful."

The Symphonic Band will perform a variety of music, including the famous Sousa march "The Stars And Stripes Forever," "Mountain Thyme" by Samuel Hazo, Jack Stamp's "Cenotaph" and Mozart's Overture from "The Marriage of Figaro."

Tickets are available in advance by calling the high school band room at 570-339-1500 ext. 3139; also, from any band member or band parent, or at the door the night of the show.

For more information about Nark, visit www.vaughnnark.com.

DALMATIA - The members of Stone Valley Parish which includes Zion Stone Valley and Salem Zion Church, Pillow, are planning an Outreach/KidsCare food packaging event in Herndon.

This year's event will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 2, at 3T Sports Center (formerly the Skatery, Route 225, Herndon). The congregation is seeking approximately 180 people to volunteer their time to package meals of nutritionally-fortified macaroni and cheese. Monetary donations are also being sought. In order to make the project a success, $12,500 must be raised in order to cover the cost of the 50,000 meals.

Last year, the congregation and friends exceeded their goal and raised enough money to package approximately 60,000 meals that were shared with food pantries and organizations throughout Dauphin, Schuylkill and Northumberland counties.

Each individual meal costs 25 cents. Each package contains six meals at a cost of $1.25. A simple donation of $10 will provide a meal for 40 people. A donation of $54 will purchase one case, providing 216 meals of 36 packages.

Once the meals are packaged, they are then distributed to local food banks.

Local food bank/pantry representatives can come to the event and reserve a stock pile of macaroni and cheese meals and take them along that day. The remaining packages will be given to Central Pennsylvania Food Bank which then supplies to all food banks and soup kitchens in the region.

The meals last nutritionally for two years. Every serving contains 21 vitamins and minerals and 11 grams of protein.

People or companys interested in making a monetary donation may do so by sending a check payable to Zion Stone Valley Church, with Beat Hunger Project in the memo line and mail it to 1899 Mountain Road, Dalmatia 17017.

Besides monetary donations, volunteers are also needed. Two hour shifts will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. People may volunteer as individuals or groups. To sign up for a shift, call June Shaffer at 570-847-9712.

For more information or to get involved, contact Pastor Curtis Zemencik at 570-640-4818 or email stonevalleyparishbeatshunger@gmail.com

To learn more about Outreach/KidCare, go to www.outreachprogram.org.

SUNBURY - A plea hearing for Frederick Russo, 49, of 1321 Chestnut St., Kulpmont, was continued Wednesday so charges from a separate incident involving a Shamokin day care could be heard at the same time.

Russo was video arraigned Tuesday by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic on charges of felony criminal conspiracy and possession with intent to deliver and misdemeanor possession of an illegal substance. He is accused of driving two men accused of using and selling heroin in a Shamokin day care to Philadelphia to purchase heroin in exchange for drugs and money.

Russo had been scheduled to plead on charges of possession with intent to deliver heroin and delivery of heroin for allegedly selling four packets of heroin for $60 Nov. 18. His attorney, public defender John Broda, said the hearing will be continued until after the new charges move forward so Russo can plead to all at the same time.

Broda said the two cases would not be consolidated, but he hoped they would be heard at the same time to make the hearings more convenient for everyone involved.

Russo is scheduled Tuesday for a preliminary hearing on the new charges before Gembic.

SUNBURY - Two men pleaded guilty April 10 on charges relating to manufacturing methamphetamine in Coal Township.

Roger J. Shaw, 42, of 1012 W. Spruce St., Coal Township, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of criminal conspiracy to dispose of chemical wastes. He was sentenced to two to four years in state prison with credit for 249 days. He also has to pay a fine of $250 and court costs.

Thomas Michael Reddinger, 31, also of 1012 W. Spruce St., pleaded guilty to felony charges of possession with intent to deliver, improper disposal of chemical waste, possession of methamphetamine ingredients with intent to manufacture, manufacturing methamphetamine with a child present and risking a catastrophe. He is scheduled to be sentenced June 29.

Shaw and Reddinger were arrested after Northumberland County Adult Probation entered their home at about 8:40 p.m. Aug. 4 and found they were manufacturing methamphetamine in the basement while a woman and four children were on the first floor. The block was evacuated so authorities could remove and stabilize the chemicals, and the men were decontaminated in the street before being taken to prison.

Both men initially faced 13 felony charges for the Coal Township bust.

Additional charges were later filed against Reddinger after a witness showed police a location in a wooded area just south of South Market Street where he manufactured methamphetamine. Reddinger admitted in an interview with police he used three outdoor locations to manufacture methamphetamine, including the site near South Market Street.

Reddinger's plea deal included charges from both incidents.

BURNSIDE - The Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) will host its first annual community benefit ride from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Marked loops will be available on the eastern and the western reserves of the park, with open riding available on the eastern reserve. Food vendors will also be on site to provide meals.

Riders of all types can participate in the event for $25. Season passholders do not have to pay the fee but are asked to make a donation. All proceeds from the ride will benefit local emergency responders.

The ride is intended as the first in a series to raise funds for local communities. The AOAA has also contributed to Coal and Zerbe townships through donations.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Debate surfaced at Tuesday night's Shamokin Area School Board meeting over a revised discipline policy that requires students involved in fights to serve 20 days in an alternative education program.

Any student caught fighting must also serve a three-day, out-of-school suspension, attend anger management classes and be suspended from all extracurricular activities for 20 days.

The former policy only called for a student to serve a three-day, out-of-school suspension.

The change was made by the board with the intent to deter fighting at the school and improve discipline in the district that some board members believe is getting out of hand.

Parents of two sophomore males involved in an April 16 fight told the board their kids deserved to be punished, but believe making them attend an alternative education program at Compass Academy in Mount Carmel is extreme.

Jamie Saleski, the mother of one of the combatants, told the board, "I don't think the policy is right or fair. I believe my son should be punished for fighting, but the punishment doesn't fit the crime."

Matt and Ann Bartol, parents of the other student, agreed with Zaleski.

Mrs. Bartol said she didn't think board members understood the ramifications of placing a student in an alternative education program that includes teens with a criminal background. She said, "Alternative education is not a good option. These students don't meet the minimum requirements of the program. I respect the policy, but I don't think the kids should be taken out of an educational environment and placed in a detrimental environment."

Her husband added, "I agree with the suspension, but I believe it should be dealt with on a case-by-case analysis."

Kathy Fanella, a grandmother of one of the boys involved in the fight, also questioned the fairness of the revised policy and said school administrators should have held an assembly to discuss the revised policy instead of just leaving a telephone message with parents about changes made to the policy.

Chris Venna, high school principal, said parents were informed of the change March 2 through the district's Alert Now system. He said the policy was revised by the board in February.

Board members sympathized with the parents and told them they understood their arguments against the policy, but said the district is intent on improving discipline among students.

They said the policy is still being "tweaked" and advised the parents to meet with Venna after the meeting to further discuss the matter.

"We want to get the message out that you don't fight," Director Edward Griffiths said. "We are seeking other options regarding the policy."

Board member Charles Shuey added, "We discussed this policy extensively because we have a major problem with discipline. We want to change the entire culture when it comes to discipline in the district. We must get this under control because it's getting out of hand."

Director Richard Kashnoski claimed the number of discipline problems in the district have actually decreased recently.

Board President Ronald McElwee admitted the policy "needs work", but said discipline problems require firm action. "There were too many kids not conforming to the old policy," he said. "Unfortunately, the students involved in this fight are friends and good kids, but it was still a fight and they need to be punished. We can't make exceptions."

The parents and some other board members agreed with McElwee that discipline is a big problem not only in schools, but in society overall, and that methods used to discipline students have changed drastically from 30 years ago.

Superintendent James Zack said the policy requires the students to attend an alternative education program, but if the parents choose not to send their kids to that program, they could home school their students or have them enroll in cyber charter schools or charter schools at their own costs.

CATAWISSA RR - A Middleburg woman and two young children escaped serious injury in a rollover crash Wednesday near the Southern Columbia Area school complex.

Christina Kreski, a 3-year-old girl and a 9-month-old boy were all taken by Bloomsburg Ambulance to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, for medical evaluation, according to Locust Township police. Kreski was treated and discharged, according to a hospital nursing supervisor, but there was no information available on the children.

Kreski told police that she was driving a Nissan Murano south on Southern Drive, Route 487, about 1:40 p.m. when she lost control of the vehicle on the wet roadway, according to Locust Township Police Chief Allen Breach. The vehicle traveled off the highway and rolled into a drainage ditch. Kreski was wearing a seat belt and the children were secured in safety seats, Breach said.

Dave Beagle, of Danville, and John Whyne, of rural Catawissa, were each driving in the area and assisted in getting Kreski and the children out of the vehicle, Breach said. The accident victims waited in Beagle's vehicle until emergency responders arrived.

The crash occurred in Franklin Township, Columbia County, about one mile east of the school complex. Assisting were Catawissa Hose Co. and Ralpho Township police.

An investigation continues. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to call police at 570-799-5806.

HARRISBURG - Legislation that provides more transparency of the regulatory process in Pennsylvania has been passed by the state Senate. The Senate Tuesday unanimously approved Senate Bill 562, authored by Senator John R. Gordner (R-27).

"Often times, our statutes are implemented by regulations formulated by the affected Department and approved by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC), and many times those regulations need further input to assure legislative intent," said Gordner. "While there is currently a process for public and legislative committee input, I believe it can be improved."

The legislation provides for specific time frames for legislative committees with state departmental oversight to review and comment on the proposed regulations once they are before the IRRC.

"The legislative process is open and is generally well understood by the public, while the regulatory process is not," said Gordner. "We have an opportunity to provide for open and transparent rulemaking that affirms the intent of the General Assembly in its lawmaking."

The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

MOUNT CARMEL - Madeleine Lyash wanted so badly to win a state competition of the Future Business Leaders of America last school year.

Nationals were in Nashville, and within driving distance of Dollywood - a shrine to country music legend Dolly Parton. She missed by a half-point.

This year, she'll have to settle for Chicago.

Lyash and Mount Carmel Area classmate Rachel Startzel won first place at the Pennsylvania competition, where more than 4,000 students competed in dozens of categories. The pair took top honors in desktop publishing and will compete at nationals this summer, when they'll get to network with corporate executives and perhaps leave the Windy City with college scholarships.

Lyash, 16, a sophomore, and Startzel, 18, a senior, were working Monday to fine-tune their project during a class with business teacher Trisha Stockalis. They put it off momentarily to re-watch a clip of last week's awards ceremony at the Hershey Lodge. One by one, schools in the top 10 were announced. As the field thinned, Startzel's eyes widened with excitement and her jaw dropped. They won.

"She got super excited," Lyash said with a laugh. "You can read her mouth, 'Oh my God!'"

Competitors were tasked to create promotional materials for a fictitious band. Theirs is named True Colors, Northeast Pennsylvania's premiere 1980s cover band. They used computer software to create a poster, brochure, business card and print advertisement. While not exactly the easy part, they said the hands-on graphic design wasn't as difficult as the 100-question exams. The exam will double to 200 questions at nationals.

Their work isn't done. Lyash and Startzel continue to tinker with their project. They've stayed after school and gave up study hall to make it this far. Startzel admitted there are times when she wonders when too much tinkering is too much.

"It looks awesome now," Lyash said. "But before when we had drafts, no," Startzel added.

Mount Carmel Area's chapter of the FBLA is in its second year. Stockalis and Kristen Fourspring are the advisers. Seven Mount Carmel Area students in all qualified for states, including Ashley Steif, who placed eighth in digital design and promotion.

Stockalis said the relatively new club is a bit of a secret at the school. She hopes its early successes will stoke more interest.

"It's just fun to see their confidence rise and rise and rise at every level they get to," Stockalis said of Lyash and Startzel.

Fundraising is another challenge for the teens. It will cost more than $3,000 combined for their trip to the national competition. There are benefit events scheduled May 4 at Brewser's SportsGrille, Coal Township, and May 18 at The Hard Coal Cafe, Mount Carmel. Coupons for the events are available at the junior-senior high school.

An online fundraising campaign is active at www.gofundme.com/sg6y5e6, and Lyash and Startzel will sell baked goods May 9 during the Lions Club street fair in Mount Carmel.

SELINSGROVE - A 21-year-old Marion Heights man who committed suicide Monday was described by his pastor as a "really nice kid who was always willing to help others."

Skyler M. Combs, who was identified by Snyder County Coroner Bruce Hummel as the victim of a suicide on the Pine Street bridge in Selinsgrove, was a 2012 graduate of Mount Carmel Area High School and a son of Roger and Sandra Combs, Marion Heights.

He was found hanging from a rope off the bridge between Selinsgrove and the Isle of Que at 9:30 a.m. Monday.

He was a member of the U.S. Army Reserves and attended Restoration Ministries Church in Shamokin.

During a telephone interview Wednesday afternoon, Combs' pastor, Paul Eby, said, "He was just a great kid who always seemed to have things together. Myself and others at Restoration Ministries are shocked by his death. He was one of the leaders in our youth ministry and often prayed for others with the kids. I wish he would have come to me for help if something was bothering him. It's a shame about his death."

Geisinger documentary airs today

DANVILLE - Reinventing American Healthcare, a documentary profiling Geisinger Health System's 100-year history and transformation from a small, rural hospital to a nationally recognized health system, will make its television broadcast premiere at 7:30 p.m. today on WVIA-TV. It will also air at 5 p.m. Sunday, 7 p.m. Tuesday, 8 p.m. Thursday, April 30, and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 3.

WVIA Public Media produced the documentary, which is written and narrated by Susan Dentzer, senior policy adviser to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Reinventing American Healthcare focuses on the issues troubling the U.S. health care system and Geisinger's solutions to improve patient care while lowering costs.

President Barack Obama opens the documentary, praising Geisinger Health System for tackling some of the last century's greatest health care challenges. Geisinger innovators, physicians, nurses, administrators and patients, as well as other health care leaders, then tell the story of how Geisinger's care model is reinventing health care in the U.S. The film features original footage of surgeries performed at Geisinger, as well as footage from Life Flight's three decades in the air.

"The Geisinger story deserved to be told because they have continued to lead by example instead of following other health care systems across the country," said Tom Curra, president and chief executive officer, WVIA Public Media.

HERNDON - St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 1473 Urban Road, invites all the children in Herndon and surrounding areas to participate in its vacation Bible school entitled "Son Spark Labs."

Sonn Spark Labs begins July 1 with registration from 6 to 6:15 p.m. The event will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. each Wednesday in July.

"The staff is ready for a vacation Bible school they'll never forget," said Marie Kehler, VBS director.

"Son Sparks Lab" creates a fun and engaging discovery lab where children will have a great time singing fun songs, watching skits, creating crafts and playing games all the while discovering that God's plan for everyone is Jesus.

Free t-shirts will be awarded to those who register by June 1. For more information, call Kehler at 570-758-5398.

Fair book contest deadline near

SUNBURY - Deadline for the Northumberland County Fair book cover contest is May 15. Entries can be sent to 3920 State Route 890, Sunbury 17801, and rules can be found at http://northumberlandcountyfair.com/specialcontests.html.

Work will begin soon to prepare the site for this year's fair, set for Aug. 19 to 22. More tents, seating and tables have been ordered for this year's fair, organizers reported from their April board meeting. This year marks 15 continuous years for the fair and the second year that it been held at the Tall Cedars Grove south of Sunbury.

Residents are encouraged to watch for the fair's new tri-fold brochure to appear at locations throughout the county. It will announce where fair books can be picked up as well as the final schedule and entertainment lineup.

A new website has been launched and includes a tentative schedule of events and list of entertainment that has been booked to date. Visit www.northumberlandcountyfair.com. The fair is also on Facebook.

The fair is now a member of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce and will work with the organization to enhance its family-friendly fair experience.

Retaining wall seminar to be held

MOUNT CARMEL - Patterson Hardscape and Supply Company, Routes 54 and 901, will host a free retaining wall seminar at 8 a.m. Saturday.

Attendees will learn and see first-hand how to build a wall the right way with Patterson employees and owners. Those wishing to attend should call 570-339-4570 to register.

Shamokin-Coal Township Public Library

SHAMOKIN - The Shamokin Coal Township Public Library has announced that Memorials for March 17 to April 14 have been presented for the following people:

Century club

John R. Bainbridge by Jan and Jeanne Price.

Pamela Jaeger by Anthony and Eileen Peluso.

Judith Porto by Angela Grace Lynn Fasold.

Birthday memorial

John Halcovich by wife Lorraine.

Lawrence "Cue" Swartz by sister Lorraine.

Memorials

Margaret Avellino by Jeffrey and Lynn Barr, Allen and Elizabeth Bradley, Barb and Ed Heromin, Sandy Zurick.

Arlene Baran by Frances Weaver.

June L. Barr by Sandy and John Avellino.

Charles Bartol by Anonymous, Rae Artman, Ed and Nancy Binkoski, Kathy Gonsar, Dave and Sue Hoffman, Marcella Hombosky, Justin and Kathleen Kleskie, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Konopka and family, Linda Latsha and family, Mount Carmel Celebration of Special Athletes, Don and Shannon Myers, Barbara and Rob Oshinskie, Paczkowski and Scandle families: Molly, Denny, Dawn Deneen and Gary, Shamokin Area Retired Educators, Charmaine and Barry Smith, Corrine Thomas and family, Frank and Pat Troxell, Carolyn Weaver, Greg and Donna Wisloski.

Gary Beecroft by Sheridan staff.

Kay Breining by Pearl Snyder and Gail Williams.

George Broscious by Jerome and Mary Jane Barcavage, Sandra, Steve and Adam Derck, Kathy Gonsar, Kitty Klebasko, Corrine Thomas.

John Chiavaroli by Cathy Surak.

Martha Colangelo by Shamokin Area High School and Middle School Teachers, Sandy and Jim Zurick.

Grace Crawford by Aqua Pennsylvania.

Margaret Dunkelberger by Kathy Gonsar, Joe Rocuskie and Mildred Blair.

Ed and Verna Fetterman by Ralph Victoriano.

Richard Foulds by Mount Carmel Disabled Veterans Chapter 129.

Thomas Gallagher Jr. by Coal Township High School Class of 1964.

Barry Getchey by Jim and Pat Bressi, John and Mary Stello and family.

Joseph Getchey by John and Mary Stello and family.

Barry and Joe Getchey by Norma and Robert Albert, Kathy Gonsar, Nutrition Inc. Employees at Shamokin Area High School.

James Glennon by Peggy Ferrari.

Margaret Mungo Hirt by Carl, Loretta, Christine, Dorothea and Margaret Mary.

Robert "Gunner" Hauer by Barbara and John Lamb.

Mary Jane Hoy by Barcavage family, Steve and Connie Dunleavy, Kathy Gonsar, Steve and Bernadette Miller, Corrine Thomas.

Leonard Jennis by Marcella Hombosky.

Constance Jones by Corrine Thomas and family, Jane Williams and family.

Glen A. Kerstetter by Ronald Kuhns.

June Kiefaber by Brandon Bressi, Pat and Jim Bressi, The Heitzmans, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Madigan, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Madigan, Dave and Sandy Navrocki, Gina and Kevin Pedro, Kristen and Krista Pedro, Tony Rosini, Shamokin Area Business Office, Jack and Janet Wachter, Frances Weaver.

Dorothy Klinger by Aqua Pennsylvania.

Ada and Edward Knarr by Ralph and Bruce Victoriano.

Lois Madden by Karen and Irvin Adams, Bill and Shirley Golden and family.

Kathy Marena by Tom and Herma Kutza, Dave and Lorena Porzi.

Constance Martini by Kathy Gonsar, Ann Koshinskie, Susan, Joel and Irvin Liachowitz, Nancy McBride, Rita and Art Rovito, Chet and Marion Stesney.

Jerry L. Mowery by Karen and Irvin Adams.

Clara E. Nahodil by Carl T. Bielski.

Loretta Novrocki by Boots and Flash.

Mary Paul by Bob and Mary Ann Hartman, Doris Snyder and family.

Frank Rovito by Denise Yermalovich.

Theresa Sandri by Danny and Sandee Ciesluk and family, Shirley Golden, Tony Rosini, JoAnn Spears, Janet, Janine and Joe Wahosky, Sam and Gerri Weaver.

Diane Schickley by Priscilla Kobelis, Mary and Jeff Thew, Tom, Lisa Tommy and Laura Thew.

Mary Siddle by Doris Snyder and family.

Jack Snyder by friends Nancy Pasco and Betty Chopyiak.

Francis "Pete" Sobotor by Pat and Jim Bressi, Loretta Brown, Tom and Cindy Carl, Kathy Gonsar, Cindy Heins and Frances Tyson and family, Jill and Todd Heitzman, Sharon, Scott, Jarrett and Tricia Heitzman, Don and Marion Myers, Joanne and Kent Pheasant, Mary and Jeff Thew and family, Corrine Thomas.

John Stahl by Shamokin High School Class of 1944.

Veronica Venesky by The Knights of Lithuania Council #156.

Della and Accio Victoriano by Ralph and Bruce Victoriano.

Marna Victoriano by Ralph and Bruce Victoriano.

Molly Victoriano by Ralph Victoriano.

Joseph Weaver by Aunt Fran, Frances Tyson and Cindy Heins and family.

Irene Willow by Dorothy Hawk and family.

John Woytowich by William and Shirley Golden.

Doris Yost by Boots and Flash, Greg, Susan and Scott Fabrizio, Cindy Heins, Lori Novack and Chico, Sam, Mary Ann and Randy Rumberger, Gloria Treese, Gregory Treese, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Treese, Vince and Marie Stefanowicz.

Frank and Vera Young by daughters: Anna Mae Shaffer and family, Linda James and family.

Kathleen Zyla by Lori Novack and Chico, Gary and Yvonne Timco and Sons, Denise Yermalovich.

Contributions to the memorial fund

Charles Bartol by Frances Berkoski, Vic and Christine Rutkowski, Bob and Suzanne Starke.

Lois Madden by Bob and Suzanne Starke, Bryan and Julie Albert, Robert and Norma Albert.

Theresa Sandri by Charlie Procopio.

Doris Yost by Dave, Tina and Veronica Moore.

Kathleen Zyla by Dave, Tina and Veronica Moore.

Honor a loved one and place a permanent memorial in the Library Century Club.

Shamokin-Coal Township

Monday - Poker game, 8:30 a.m.; game show, 11 a.m.; bridge, noon.

Tuesday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; walk-a-mile, 9:30 a.m.; game show, 11 a.m.; bridge, noon.

Wednesday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; bridge lessons, 9:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; pinochle and Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; ham hoagie sale, $3.50; walk-a-mile, 9:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10:15 a.m.; nickle bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Morning cards, puzzles and shuffleboard, 8:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; bingo, noon.

Saturday - Cards, 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Mount Carmel

Monday - Board games, 9:30 a.m.; 10 Keys to Healthy Aging program, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Tuesday - Wii games, 9 a.m.; exercise, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; unlucky 7's and pinochle, 12:30 p.m.; hoagie prep day.

Wednesday - Board games, 9 a.m.; 10 Keys to Healthy Aging program, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; pulmonary assessments by Family Medical, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - News and coffee, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10 a.m.; horseshoe competition, 11 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; unlucky 7s and pinochle, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Morning news and coffee, 9 a.m.; Wii games, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Kulpmont

Monday - Coffee and gab in the morning; bean bag, 10:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 11 a.m.; Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Music and games in the morning; Wii bowling, noon; cards, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Puzzles and hand held games in the morning; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; exercise, 10:30 a.m.; LCR, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Coffee, gab and music in the morning; lunch at Olive Garden, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., $2; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Hand held games in the morning; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; nickel bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Centralia-Wilburton

Monday - Coffee and current events, 9 a.m.; spring word, 10:30 a.m.; trivia, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Coffee and snacks, 9 a.m.; chair exercise with Carol, 10:30 a.m.; word games, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Coffee and english muffins, 9 a.m.; center, left, right game, 10:30 a.m.; prize bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Coffee and snacks, 9 a.m.; Pokeno, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Fun Friday! Open activities.

Elysburg

Monday - Healthy Steps, 8:30 a.m.; royal rummy, 10 a.m.; Pokeno, noon.

Wednesday - Healthy Steps, 8:30 a.m.; royal rummy, 10 a.m.; Rep. Keith Masser visiting, 11 a.m.; bingo, noon.

Friday - Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; pinochle, noon.

Trevorton

Monday - Members breakfast, 8:30 a.m.; exercise, 9:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.; evening card party, 7 p.m.

Tuesday - Exercise, 10 a.m.; Scrabble, 10:30 a.m.; pinochle, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Exercise, 9:30 a.m.; board games, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; evening bingo, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday - Exercise, 10 a.m.; trip to Marzoni's Brewery, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., $2 copay and lunch on your own; pinochle, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Wii games, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.