Cruisin' details

- The Great Kulpmont Cruise is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Registration will begin at noon at Holy Angels Roman Catholic Church picnic grounds, Scott Street. Registration is $15 on Sunday, $13 in advance.

- It will be held rain or shine.

- Proceeds originally went to Kulpmont youth sports organizations, but in recent years the money has been spread around to various causes in the borough and beyond, including the Celebration of Special Athletes, the Kulpmont Sportsman's Club, the borough playground project and others.

"We give where there are needs," said organizer Joe Cesari.

- For more information about the cruise, call Cesari at 570-373-3561.

SHAMOKIN - A city woman was taken into custody Thursday night after threatening to stab two of her tenants who live next door.

Shixela Rodriguez, 23, of 715 E. Dewart St., Shamokin, is charged by Cpl. Bryan Primerano with misdemeanors of terroristic threats, simple assault and disorderly conduct after making the threat in the presence of police at 9 p.m.

According to a criminal complaint, Rodriguez called 911 to report two unwanted persons in a home she owns at 717 E. Dewart St. She told a dispatcher that she wanted police to remove the two individuals or she would stab them.

Upon arriving at the residence, police said Rodriguez, who was sitting on the front porch at 717 E. Dewart St., repeated her threat. Officers then spoke to Xelena Hernandez and Norberto Ortiz, who told them they had been living at 717 E. Dewart St. for more than a month and that Rodriguez was aware of their living arrangements.

Police then told Rodriguez she would have to go through the legal eviction process to have Hernandez and Ortiz removed.

At that point, Rodriguez shouted at police, "As soon as you leave and don't take them out, I am going to stab them and catch a homicide charge."

Rodriguez was placed under arrest, handcuffed and escorted from the residence, but continued to shout at police, "You better keep me in jail for good because when I get out, I am going to stab them."

Rodriguez was arraigned at 10 p.m. Thursday by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III and released on $5,000 unsecured bail.

ASHLAND - Tommy Ryan is on a streak.

For 60 years, he's collected every yearbook from Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School in Coal Township, whose predecessors include St. Ed's and Shamokin Catholic.

"I have a photograph of every student from 1955 to 2015," Ryan said. "I'm not sure, but it could be the only complete collection of the school's yearbooks," he added, noting even the school's archives are incomplete.

Ryan did not start the collection as a hobby. Instead, it sprang from a nearly lifelong affiliation with the schools that started with him being a young student who received his first yearbook at age 12. He graduated from Lourdes in 1961, the school's second year, and was a basketball coach for the Red Raiders right out of high school. He would also coach baseball there from 1967 to 1983, and he taught at Lourdes for 24 years.

Ryan retired from teaching in 1991, but he's continued to purchased a yearbook every year.

Hard work on display

From 1955 to 1962 the yearbook was called "The Realm," and from 1963 to the present day it's been known as "The Grotto."

Looking through the yearbooks, one can almost guess the era judging by hairstyles and fashion, which inevitably change with the times. Even many of the covers are representative of the decades in which they were published.

But every yearbook in the collection has one very important thing in common, Ryan said: A lot of hard work by the students and their advisers.

"Each and every one is a reflection of the work that went into them," he said.

Plenty of memories

The yearbooks are a great reference tool as Ryan periodically gets calls from friends or former students hoping he'll look up facts such as sports records, old teammates and whatnot. He is all too happy to oblige, and notes with a laugh that he's been able to settle some debates.

The mention of a former student sends Ryan searching, decade by decade, year by year, page by page, until he is found.

"There he is. Class of 1984," he declares.

What is most special to Ryan about his collection is the chance to see and remember the many students he taught and coached through the years.

"What a privilege it was to work with these kids and others," he said. "You just wonder where they are."

Well-wishers welcome

SHAMOKIN - The News-Item welcomes those from the public who want to offer well wishes to retiring publisher Greg Zyla to stop by our office at 707 N. Rock St. during business hours Wednesday.

Zyla's career with The News-Item and its weekly paper in Valley View dates to October 1973.

The News-Item is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Marriage licenses

Kyle Daniel Krieger, of 421 Center St., Coal Township to Nicole Renee Heim, of 419 Center St., Coal Township. Issued June 19, 2015.

Kyle Lawrence Firestone and Meghan Elizabeth Crawford, both of 183 N. Main St., Herndon. Issued June 19, 2015.

Dustin Allen Letterman and Marissa Ann Rhine, both of 140 Ferster Valley Road, Dornsife. Issued June 19, 2015.

George Timothy Kiefabert and Patricia Kisseleff, of 1507 Trevorton Road, Coal Township. Issued June 20, 2015.

Boyd E. Lahr Sr. and Nancy L. Buckles, both of 325 W. Market St., Trevorton. Issued June 20, 2015.

Joshua Dillon Yoder and Tarene Dawn Hunter, both of 5609 Lower Road, Shamokin. Issued June 20, 2015.

Danny Ray Graw and Bonnie L. Kriedler, both of 606 W. Spruce St., Shamokin. To be issued June 22, 2015.

Divorces

Paul A. Barilla, 319 N. Oak St., Mount Carmel, from Jane M. Barilla, 341 N. Oak St., Mount Carmel. Married April 21, 1996.

Property transfers

Mary Ann Dembinsky to Daniel Zlockie, property in Mount Carmel, $10,000.

Mae E. aka Mae A. Pensyl estate, executrixes Debra Kiefaber and Lori Bender and executor James Pensyl to Hedy I. Mittelman, property in Ralpho Township, $140,000.

Michael S. Snyder and Krista M. Snyder to Donald O. Stevenson and Kathryn A. Stevenson, property in Rockefeller Township, $215,000.

M&T Bank and Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company to James J. Bressi, property in Coal Township, $11,000.

Ida A. Dreher (by agent) and Donna Herrold (agent) to Daniel Lysak, property in Shamokin Township, $23,000.

David J. Dallazia and Wanda Dallazia to Rose L. Brozoskie, John J. Brozoskie and Rosemary T. Womack, property in Marion Heights, $77,500.

Anita E. Ruane to Andrew R. Kopp, property in Coal Township, $25,000.

Debra A. Conrad and Edward L. Conrad to Debra A. Conrad, property in Coal Township, $1.

Michael E. aka Michael Colceri to Joseph J. Smith Jr., property in Zerbe Township, $1.

Guy Leroy to Mary Lenig, property in Coal Township, $32,000.

Richard Dressel to Steven E. Dressel, property in Upper Mahanoy Township, $1.

Shane Solomon and Courtney M. Solomon to Shayna Renee Heintelman and Steven Craig Rourke, property in Rush Township, $140,000.

U.S. Bank NA and Greentree Servicing LLC (agent) to Bowen Developments LLC, property in Zerbe Township, $34,900.

Eric H. Bradigan and Kristina D. Bradigan to Steven R. Carr and Tracy J. Carr, property in Snydertown, $1.

David E. Baumgartner and Wanda K. Baumgartner to Aaron N. Baumgartner and Duangkamol Pengkajarng, property in Shamokin Township, $1.

Adam N. Paul and Erica L. Paul to Cody R. Lenker, property in Lower Mahanoy Township, $104,700.

Christian C. Gass and Lisa M. Gass to Ashlee M. Lahr and William J. Lahr, property in Coal Township, $1.

Wells Fargo Financial Pennsylvania Inc. (by agent) and Wells Fargo Bank NA (agent) to Central Susquehanna Opportunities Inc., property in Shamokin. $1.

Joseph E. Shingara and Jacob B. Shingara to Jacob B. Shingara, property in Zerbe Township, $2,000.

R. Cody Fasold (executor), Robert W. Mertz Jr. estate, Roy A. Adams (TA) Anthony W. Adams (TA), Roy A. Adams partnership and Roy A. Adams Limited Partnership to Roy A. Adams (TA), Anthony W. Adams (TA) and Roy A. Adams Partnership, properties in Herndon, Jackson Township, Lower Augusta Township, Little Mahanoy Township, Rockefeller Township and Shamokin Township, $1.

R. Cody Fasold (executor), Robert W. Mertz Jr. estate, Roy A. Adams (TA) Anthony W. Adams (TA), Roy A. Adams partnership and Roy A. Adams Limited Partnership to Roy A. Adams (TA), Anthony W. Adams (TA) and Roy A. Adams Partnership, properties in Lower Augusta Township and Rockefeller Township, $1.

R. Cody Fasold (executor), Robert W. Mertz Jr. estate, Roy A. Adams (TA) Anthony W. Adams (TA), Roy A. Adams partnership and Roy A. Adams Limited Partnership to Roy A. Adams (TA), Anthony W. Adams (TA) and Roy A. Adams Partnership, property in Lower Augusta Township, $1.

Thomas D. Duran Jr. to James Matthew Sage, property in Kulpmont, $1.

SUNBURY - Several of the attractions and contests have been announced for this year's Northumberland County Fair, coming Aug. 19 to 22 at the Tall Cedars Grove.

To kick off the countdown to the fair, the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce will host a kick-off ceremony at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 21 at the Tall Cedars Grove. There will be a ribbon-cutting, light refreshments and a drawing for door prizes. As part of the festivities, local celebrities and dignitaries will help with the Great Balloon Launch, putting hundreds of balloons in the area with invitations to the fair.

So far, entertainment lined up for the fair includes the "Singing Mailman" Jim McClincy, Van Wagner, Jay Smar, the Randall-Ginley Band, K.J. Reimensnyder-Wagner, the Mid-Life Cowboys Band, Tim Latshaw and the Frank Wicher Band.

Fair officials have also invited "Granny Pockets" to shed her special kind of cheer among young fairgoers. You can find out who she is by visiting the fair.

This year's fair book is at the printers and will be ready in July. Chosen for a special competition will be this year's "Outstanding Vegetable" - peppers. For this competition, 12 peppers of any variety are required with a prize of $25 for first place and $15 for second.

Due to the threat of Avian flu this summer, there will be no poultry, eggs or anything with feathers shown at this year's fair.

Also at the fair this year, the Northumberland County 4-H program plans their 5K fundraiser Saturday, Aug. 22, starting and ending at the fairgrounds. Details on the event can be found by contacting the County Extension Office.

More information on the Northumberland County Fair can be found on the fair's website at www.northumberlandcountyfair.com.

Summer is in full swing and there are lots of things for you and your family to do right here in Schuylkill County.

The Tamaqua Public Library will feature a Every Hero Has a Story Summer Reading Program Monday through July 31 for ages 2 to 5 and 6 to 12. Contact the library at 570-668-4660 for schedule.

The Schuylkill County Fairgrounds will host a family-friendly Madsummer Meltdown Friday. A full weekend of music and camping festival featuring more than 30 musical acts on multiple stages, workshops, food and craft vendors, a kids' activity area, late night jams, light shows, fire performances, parades and yoga. Jibberjazz will showcase a variety of musical styles, including jam, funk, bluegrass, folk, blues, rock and roll, reggae, Americana, world, jazz and progressive. Artists are drawn from all over the U.S.

July 4

Mark the calendar for your Fourth of July festivities.

Sweet Arrow Lake will present its free annual Fourth of July Concert in the Park Saturday, July 4. The concert begins at 6 p.m. Come early and enjoy the trails, view the falls, do some fishing or boating. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the concert.

St. Nick's Picnic Grove invites you to join them for their annual parish picnic July 4 and 5. Ethnic food, games and entertainment.

The Anthracite Philharmonic will perform its annual patriotic concert at 7 p.m. July 5 at the Schuylkill County Council for the Arts in Pottsville rain or shine.

There's still time to enroll your children in the Schuylkill County Council for the Arts Summer Art Camp. Session II will be held on July 6 to 9 and from July 13 to 16. Classes are for age groups 3 to 5, 6 to 14, teen and adult. Call 570-622-2788 extension 24 for course and tuition fee information.

There's an increased need for blood donations during the holidays and warm weather. There is no substitute for blood and your donation can save the lives of up to three people. There will be blood drives at the Orwigsburg Masonic Lodge Monday, at the Tamaqua YMCA Wednesday, at the Friedensburg Fire Company Thursday, and at the Schuylkill Mall Saturday. Everyone aged 18 and older who weighs at least 110 pounds and is in general good is encouraged to give.

Community Volunteers in Action is the volunteer center for Schuylkill County. Use the preceding contact info for those specific opportunities and find other listings on our website at www.schuylkill.us/cvia. Call us at 570-628-1426 or e-mail to jjohnston@co.schuylkill.pa.us. Check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/communityvolunteersinaction.

APPRISE volunteers

Times: Flexible, two days per week.

Responsibility: Answer a statewide hotline and answer simple questions about Medicare and its related services and products.

Skills: No experience is necessary. Pleasant telephone voice, organized. Ability to follow instructions and complete a brief client contact form. Mandatory training required. Ongoing staff support provided.

Location: Diakon office in Pottsville.

Contact: Sue Johns, 570-624-3026.

Hospice companionship

Times: Flexible, choose own availability.

Responsibility: Talk, laugh, play cards, tell stories or just be there. It may not seem like much to you but it means so much more than you realize to someone in need.

Skills: Compassionate, good listener. Free training provided.

Location: Schuylkill County

Contact: Eileen, Arcadia Health Services, 484-387-0619.

ELYSBURG - The largest class to participate in fire cadet weekend will graduate today in a ceremony at the Elysburg Fire Department grounds.

Thirty-six cadets, ages 11 to 17, are expected to complete the two-day program. Cadets will be addressed at the ceremony by Tim Solobay, state fire commissioner.

The program prepares children to become junior firefighters, a step away from becoming full-fledged firefighters

when they turn 18. In the first four years, 109 cadets have passed through the program, and more than one-third of them are now active in area emergency services.

On Saturday, cadets were taught the basics of firefighting, including how to use a hose line and fire extinguisher, among other skills. The program focused on fire services, but cadets were also trained to react to a variety of emergency scenarios. Instructors stressed safety and teamwork throughout the day. More than 45 volunteers from over 20 agencies, including the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Geisinger Life Flight, Seven Mountains Health Council, Northumberland County Department Of Public Safety and the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Investigation Unit, organized this year's event.

The concept for the program is credited to Harvey Boyer, department president, who was inspired when his son attended Camp Cadet, a state police program that encourages youths to consider a career in police protection.

Boyer said new this year was a $3,500 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant that was used to fund the cadet weekend and waive registration fees. The grant was designed to increase or maintain the number of trained "front line" firefighters in communities. Also, he said, six cadets will receive an Outstanding Cadet Award.

Before graduating, cadets will take part in a "career day," a roundtable-type setting that gives them an opportunity to ask full-time professionals lifestyle questions. Scheduled to appear are Patrolman Raymond Siko II, Shamokin Police Department; A.J. Pizzi, an EMT and firefighter, and Michael May, a paramedic.

Free children's crafts at playground

COAL TOWNSHIP - St. John's United Methodist Church willhost a free craft time at the McKinley Playground on Arch Street from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays from June 24 through July 29. Children of any age are welcome, and craft supplies and help will be offered free of charge.

Recycling bins available

KULPMONT - Borough residents are reminded that recycling bins are available for pickup Monday through Friday during business hours at the municipal office.

Today, we say goodbye to spring and hello to summer. We also say hello to the days getting shorter again, but no need to expound on that now. The Summer Solstice is at 11:39 a.m. That's when the sun will reach its highest northern position in our sky. This happens because of the 23.5 degree tilt of the Earth's axis with respect to the orbital plane around the sun, causing the sun's rays to favor the northern horizon this time of year. Six months from now, around the time of the Winter Solstice, the southern hemisphere gets the majority of the sun's light.

Because of the sun's far northern position in the sky, it will be the longest day of the year as the sun makes a long lazy arc from the northeast horizon at sunrise to the northwest horizon at sunset. It will reach a maximum midday height of more than 72 degrees above the southern horizon.

Jupiter and Venus

The early evening summer skies will be dominated by the spectacular conjunction, or what I called a celestial hugging, between the very bright planets Jupiter and Venus for the next several weeks. Without a doubt, they are the brightest star-like objects in the evening sky, popping out in the western sky even before the end of evening twilight. If you've been watching the skies over the last month or so, you've probably noticed how they've been getting closer and closer to each other.

At the start of this week, Jupiter and Venus are separated by five degrees, less than your fist width at arm's length, but by the evening of June 30, they'll be less than a half a degree apart, about the width of a full moon. From now until June 30, check out Venus and Jupiter every evening, weather permitting. The shrinking separation between the two from night to night will really be obvious. It's also a great teaching tool if you watch it with your kids. Venus and Jupiter were actually this close last August, but you had to get out in the super early morning twilight to see it. This time the two shiners are visible in "prime" time.

I think it's really cool that one of your fingers held at arm's length will be able to cover up two planets, including the largest planet of our solar system. Jupiter, with its 88,000 mile-wide diameter, is so big that if it were hollow, you could fill it up with more than 1,000 Earths.

All of the planets in our solar system orbit the sun at their own respective paces in nearly the same plane so these kinds of conjunctions between planets are pretty common. Conjunctions are not always this tight of a celestial hug and involving the two brightest planets we can see from Earth. However, Venus, named after the goddess of love, and Jupiter, named after the king of the Greek and Roman gods, meet each other in a close conjunction about every 13 months, some encounters closer than others. There will actually be closer conjunctions of Venus and Jupiter in late August 2016 and in mid-November 2017, but those conjunctions will be so low in the sky and will get lost in the very bright twilight. A super close Venus-Jupiter celestial hugging that's easy to see won't happen again until well after 2020.

Even though Venus and Jupiter look like they are touching, that's certainly not the case. They're actually separated by hundreds of millions of miles. Venus is much brighter than Jupiter because it's so much closer to Earth at less than 45 million miles away. Meanwhile, Jupiter is more than 550 million miles distant. The very reflective cloud cover on Venus is also beaming a lot of sunlight our way.

Both planets are nice to see through even a small telescope, for different reasons. With Jupiter, you can easily see up to four of Jupiter's largest moons: Io, Europa, Callisto and Ganymede. They resemble tiny stars on either side of Jupiter. As they orbit around the big guy of the solar system in periods of 2 to 17 days, you always see different arrangements of the moons from night to night. Some nights, you won't see all of them because one or more might be behind or in front of Jupiter. With your scope, you might also see some of Jupiter's brighter cloud bands made of methane, ammonia and other gases. As soon as it's dark enough, turn your scope to Jupiter while it's still high above the horizon. If you wait until it gets close to the horizon, it will have a much more fuzzy look because of the blurring effect of Earth's atmosphere.

Venus sports a much different look. Because of the solid cloud cover made of acid rain, there's no way you'll see the surface, but you will see that Venus looks like a tiny half-moon. Because Venus's orbit lies inside the Earth's orbit around the sun, both Venus and Mercury go through phases, just like our moon. It's best to observe Venus in early twilight so the glare doesn't overwhelm what you see. From at least June 28 to about July 2, it will be possible to see both planets in the same field of view. That's something you don't see often.

Enjoy the great celestial hugging of 2015.

(Lynch is an amateur astronomer and author of the book, "Stars, a Month by Month Tour of the Constellations." Contact him at mikewlynch@comcast.net.)

Greg Zyla, publisher of The News-Item and The (Towanda) Daily Review, beamed with pride at a retirement party on June 14. He shook hands with employees that had become friends, and friends that had become like family. Speeches made by staff members showed the respect and adoration they hold for Zyla, who in return thanked everyone for their roles in his successful career.

"When you look back on your life, you have sorrows and things happen, but overall, every day has been an exciting day," Zyla said in a recent interview. "I never, ever came to work at a newspaper office and was upset to come in. I always relished the opportunity to be involved in a career that's exciting."

That long and exciting career is coming to a close. Zyla will retire as of July 1, and The News-Item and all of Towanda Printing Co. will be led by new General Manager Dave Barry.

Zyla was born July 1, 1949, in Ranshaw. His father, Michael, was an advertising

salesman for The News-Item and his mother, Dolores, who sill lives in Shamokin, was a full-time mom, but also worked at Woolworth's.

Zyla said he loved growing up in Ranshaw. He said he'd sit on the second-floor porch and watch coal miners coming home from work covered in coal dirt.

"I didn't want to have anything to do with coal mining," he said, adding that his grandfather on his dad's side died of miners' asthma at a young age.

The family moved in 1957 to Vineland, N.J., when Zyla's father got a job as an advertising salesperson at The Times Journal. In Vineland, Greg began to develop his two interests: racing and newspapers.

"There was a track in Vineland, N.J., where I saw my first race in 1958," he said. "After school, I lived at that track."

At home, he pretended to be a race announcer.

"I loved cars and I loved racing and everything to do with automotives," he said.

Entering high school at Sacred Heart in Vineland, Zyla began his newspaper career writing articles and selling ads for the school newspaper.

"I knew I was going to be a newspaper guy, looking back at everything I did in high school," he said.

Active duty and higher education

After graduation, Zyla enrolled at Cumberland County College, "but it was the Vietnam War era, so I got my draft notice."

However, he had also put his name in for the Army National Guard, and thanks to a timely call from a fellow car-nut at the Guard, he was sworn in. He went to active duty in December 1969 at Fort Jackson in South Carolina, and trained to be a field wireman. During his six years in the Guard, he also sold ads for its annual gala program.

When he got out of the service, Zyla planned to return to Cumberland County College to finish his associate degree; however, friend Charles "Chalky" Ottinger asked if he wanted to attend Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Md., with him, to which Zyla said yes.

Greg pursued a major in psychology with a minor in business and marketing. At the same time, he had his own talk/music radio show on WMSM.

"And guess what else I did? I sold ads!" Zyla said. "I was always a natural born salesperson, but I had to believe in what I was selling. It's always been in me to sell."

Vallco Drag Racing Game

For several years, Zyla had been mulling an idea for a drag racing board game. When drag racing really began to take off, he finalized the "Vallco Drag Racing Game." It came out in 1975, based on the 1974 drag racing season.

Ads for the game ran in drag racing magazines and orders started coming in, but didn't really take off until Woody Hatten, a writer for Super Stock Magazine and a fan of the game, tracked Greg down for a feature story. Then sales exploded.

"I was even shocked we got so many orders in," Zyla said. "The game sold originally for $9.95, and it cost probably $4 to $5 to make it. We never made a lot, but what a door it opened."

Working and racing

After graduating from Mount St. Mary's, Zyla took some courses in teaching from Glassboro State College and taught at a New Jersey youth center for troubled boys for a year. He wanted to get back to his roots, though, and in October 1973 he got a job at The News-Item and Valley Citizen (today's Citizen-Standard) as a proofreader.

Less than a month later, when the papers needed an ad salesperson, "I knew I could do it," Zyla said. "Luckily, John Reid (the publisher) decided to send me out and sell ads, and I performed."

He also began a weekly car column while at The Citizen and continued his love of racing.

He got his National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) license in 1976 and, using money from Vallco sales, bought a 1972 Chevrolet Vega Funny Car body and chassis for $1,800. It had no engine and no transmission, but Greg and a neighborhood kid, Ron Shurock, along with the help of former drag racer Jack Kulp, got the car ready to race veteran drivers.

"These people in Pennsylvania didn't know that I came off the street-racing scene in South Jersey," Zyla said with a smirk. "They didn't think I could do it; it was a joke."

By the time the car was ready, there were but four races left at the end of the year, and he won the last one, his first NHRA Super Pro win. The next season, after six wins and three other final-round appearances, he was up against Mark Dennebaum, whom he had never beat, for the championship.

"I finally got him," Zyla said. "I just plain beat him. I finally outran this guy."

The 1981 racing season would never be for Zyla, as his first daughter, Allison, was born that year, and he knew he couldn't hold a job, race and be a dad.

"It's always been my passion and my avocation, my hobby, and when you turn it into your job, it's not as fun anymore," Zyla said about racing, for which he had professional offers. "I'm glad I didn't ruin my passion and my hobby by making it my full-time job."

Zyla also worked a NASCAR race at Pocono for the Motor Racing Network (MRN) in 1981 and, from that, was offered the chance to do a TV show, "Dirt Trackin'," with Cable 4 out of York.

Zyla also merged his love of writing with his love of racing. Beyond writing his columns for the newspapers, he began writing for magazines in 1982 and continues to do so today with Performance Racing Industry.

Writing and publishing

Through all this, Zyla was still working for The News-Item and Citizen-Standard as an ad rep. Of course, he was in charge of all the car accounts.

"Every day I just loved going out there," he said.

In 1982, the general manager at the Citizen Standard quit, and Reid wanted Zyla to take his place. Though ad director Wanda Reid was reluctant to have her star ad rep taken away, she relented, and in December 1982, Greg was the new general manager.

"We went from a $42,000 loss that year, to the next year, we made $42,000," he said.

When News-Item Publisher Phil Yucha was retiring in 1999, he told Zyla he was the guy he wanted to take his spot. He recalled going through the interview process at the same time his dad was fighting cancer.

"Right before Dad died Oct. 11, 1999 ... I remember Dad said, 'You're going to get that job. You're going to do a good job.'"

He began his job as the new publisher on Jan. 1, 2000, at The News Item, which had just prior become a Times-Shamrock publication.

"The great thing about Times-Shamrock is when I met these people, they really are a wonderful family. They really care," he said.

Up to Bradford County

Zyla became publisher at The Daily Review, also a Times-Shamrock paper, on Jan. 1, 2009.

"I get up here, and the first thing that starts happening is we're going through a horrible recession," Zyla said. "I hadn't seen anything like this in my lifetime."

Luckily for Bradford County, however, the natural gas industry was coming to town. Seeing an opportunity to highlight this new industry, The Review put out the first edition of the Northeast Driller in February 2010.

"Everyone across the country in the newspaper business, they're closing, consolidating. It's nasty. People are losing money. Lo and behold we're sitting on a gold mine," Zyla said.

The monthly Northeast Driller grew from that first 12-page edition to a high of 64 pages.

"What a huge success," Zyla said, adding that he's always been up for trying new ideas.

Retiring, but not stopping

Zyla had moved to Sayre for his new job, but in 2013 began spending part of his time in Shamokin as a realignment in Times-Shamrock put him back in place as publisher at The News-Item as well as The Daily Review.

Zyla said his retirement in part is driven by the desire to spend more time with his family, including Allison, now 33, a Susquehanna University graduate who lives in Harrisburg and is a sales representative for Actavis Pharmaceuticals; 30-year-old Trisha, a Manhattan Fashion Institute of Technology graduate who lives in Carlisle and has a management position with Rite Aid; and 25-year-old Tim, who follows his dad's footsteps not only in writing as a reporter for The Daily Review, but also in racing, as he's won two championships at Skyview Drags.

Zyla will continue writing his weekly Test Drive, Car Collector Corner and Cars We Remember columns, which run in about 450 newspapers each week.

And then there's his mother, still active at age 92 and still able to beat her son in Scrabble regularly.

"I'm blessed to have my wonderful mom still with me," Zyla said. "I'm really proud of my family."

Mega-local

From the time Zyla got involved in the newspaper industry to now, things have evolved and changed a lot.

"It has changed to the point where I'm hoping that one day, we will look at it as a real premium to a person's life to be able to get a printed issue of a newspaper and it will be valued for what it really is, because we pay for the community, trustworthy news," he said.

He believes emphasizing local news in newspapers is important to their success.

"If you are not mega-local today, and you don't buy into the importance of giving the community the community news, I think you will fail," he said.

Throughout his career, Zyla has earned many awards, but doesn't list them among his greatest accomplishments. Instead, it's seeing his staff succeed, he said.

"There's nothing better," he said. "My success is directly related to seeing the success of so many throughout my life. That's my greatest joy in working, is seeing my workers succeed."

ATLAS - The Mount Carmel Farmers Market, which was in the planning stages for several years, finally opened for business Saturday morning - with a large number of people waiting to get in.

"When we opened at 8 a.m., the parking lot was about one-third full," said Kelly Klinger, who is managing the market with her husband, Mike. "Since then, it's been a steady stream of customers. They have been filling the parking lot."

Saturday's opening offered a mix of vendors - some who will be part of the market year-round and others who rented space as part of the Kulpmont community yard sale. There were 16 different vendors at the market for the first sale day.

"It feels pretty darn good to see the crowd of people we had today," Klinger said. "We've got a little bit of everything and something for everyone today, and we are just getting started."

"I'm absolutely thrilled with it. It's something we've needed in this area for a long time," said customer Lisa Allen, who was taking a break from shopping to enjoy a soft pretzel with her twin grandsons, Dominick and Dylan.

Allen picked up some fruits and vegetables for herself and some scented wax tarts for the twins' mother.

"I wanted to get some Amish cakes and pies, but they sold out pretty quickly," Allen said.

Business was booming at the Kenny Stehr and Sons produce stand.

"We weren't expecting it to be busy right away this first week," said Summer Stehr, of Pitman. "It's a great turnout."

The Stehrs are among the vendors who will be at the market year-round.

"Whatever is in season, we will have it here," Stehr said. "In the fall, we will have apple cider and pumpkins and everything else."

"We've got a good mix of things, from the produce to the crafts, the wax tarts and the homemade soap. We have a book stand for the readers and some antiques as well. We've just scratched the surface," Klinger said.

The Dornsife couple have been working since November to prepare the former Bi-Lo supermarket for opening day.

Klinger's in-laws, Marvin E. and Lena Klinger, owners of the Dornsife-based school bus company, purchased the former Bi-Lo building in 2011 with the intention of using the parking lot for buses. In January 2012, Jarrett Cohen, of Allentown, and John Miller, of Mahanoy City, announced they leased the building and intended to use it for a farmers market.

That plan never materialized.

Kelly and Mark Klinger spent the past few months living in their camper in the building's parking lot on the weekends as they worked to clean out the building, repaint walls and install new bathrooms.

On the opening day, the two were seen walking around the market speaking to customers and vendors to about how things were going.

"We've been talking to people, seeing what they want and what vendors they hope we bring to them," Kelly said.

With the market finally functioning, the Klingers will be searching for additional vendors.

"Some customers have told us that they want a permanent meat vendor here, and I would love to see some unique foods," Klinger said. "What I hope for is that the public sticks with us. We will do our best to bring them what makes them happy."

Vendors interested in being a part of the Mount Carmel Farmers Market can contact Klinger at 570-850-8947. The market is now open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area Elementary School announced its distinguished honor roll and honor roll for the fourth marking period of the 2014-15 school year.

The honor roll is based on the average of the major subjects. Distinguished honors is the range of 95 to 100 percent and honor roll is 90 to 94 percent, along with earning "satisfactory" in conduct and minor subjects.

Distinguished honors

Grade 6: Amanda Angstadt, Collin Bozza, Thomas Bramhall, Savanna Carl, Austin Haupt, Thomas Herrold, Diana Martinez, Dennis McFee, Bryanna Molzon, Grace Nazih, Joshua Bashore, Emma Dailey, Rosalind Kane, Ariana Nolter, Aaron Frasch, Tyler Kalman, Hayden Kramer, Casen Sandri, Hunter Bates, Faith Carpenter, Jaden Kodack, Emma Kramer, Ashlea Oakum, Emilee Bland, Madison Bridy, Alexis Carl, Olivia Coller, Alyssa Derck, Victoria Fellin, Olivia Haupt, Destinee Leonard, Rylie McCarty, Kierstyn McDonald, Alyssa Persing, Sydney Rhoads, Mackenzie Roman, Megan Roman, Destiny Smith, Mackenzie Snyder, Elizabeth Swilp, Haelee Taylor, Brionna Wyland, Kayla Yadlosky, Freyja Yeager, Emma Zimmerman, Jonathan Bevan, Tia Bressi, Nathan Buranich, Joseph Daya III, Paige Ditzel, Ryleigh Faust, Diana Faust, Jackson Hancock, Kali Leiby, Brenton McCaffery, Jarret Miller, Ian Paul, Nathanael Pennell, Kathryn Slotterback, Jadyn Slovick, Blake Harris, Aleyna Russell, Jessica Simpson, Gwen Sulouff, Alexa Bainbridge, Devin Britton, Carole Hinkle and Tyler Whary.

Grade 5: Skye Balonis, Isabelle Kapushinski, Xavier Negron, Bryce Pancher, Mackenzie Rowe, Dallas Scicchitano, Claudia Seidel, Mackenzie Clattenburg, Abigail Cryts, Dominic Diehl, Anthony Feudale, Mason Hogancamp, Skye Keefer, Garrett Kitchen, Michael Roman, Airiana Smallwood, Allison Walters, Kathleen Amato, Sarah Blenkinsop, Dominic Delorso, Emily Honicker, Madisen Smith, Kloey Baney, Kayla Harvey, Kyle Todd, Miranda Balthaser, Brian Donner, Robert Harvey, Craig Kerstetter, John Kodack III, Iris Mckown, Marcus Moyer, Morgan Nolter, Hunter Rodman, Hannah Schaeffer, Kandi Slodysko, Carter Smink, John Swank, Emily Wheary, Cameron Annis, Makenzie Bixler, Colin Seedor, Brent Costa, Presley Herman, Karrah Kurtz, Madyson Waugh, Cynthia Zheng, Adam Bentinez, Logan Brill, Benjamin Cohoon, Matthew Erb, Rachael Fortune, Sarah Hoover, Annie Hornberger, Cynthia Loftus, Colton Lynch, Riley Macaluso, Carson Ososkie, Sarah Snavely and Henry Stevens.

Grade 4: Mackenzie Bogetti, Kolin Redd, Macie Sassani, Camden Smith, Gracie Maschuck, Brett Nye, Sydney Startzel, Madox Bailey, Chloe Kalman, Jayden Mckeen IV, Emma Nye, Rylee Pensyl, Molly Rossnock, Samantha Stancavage, Mariah Vetovich, Lillian Yost, Jarier Acevedo Jaime, Sebastian Clymer, Kennedy Kerstetter, Nathan Long, Rachel Slotterback, Eric Zalar, Hannah Bashore, Brandon Bellis, Dahlia Brabitz, Sarina Cramer, Carter Kramer, Blake Lahr, Ayden Mikulak, Evelyn Murphy, Emily Smith, Emily Stanton, Brayden Mensch, Madison Rodman, Anthony Feudale and Abigail Noll.

Honor roll

Grade 6: Charles Allen, Clarissa Blom, Cameron Ebersole, Damian Hile, Zajorie James, Ian Morris, Ashley Vantaggi, Austin Heffner, Kaine Bressi, Sean Calabro, Gavin Degreen, Seth Hart, Maximus Madden, Aaron Shicora, Joseph Tarr Jr., Katlyn Brunson, Brianna Bullock, Grace Carpenter, Katye Clark, Cornell Delvalle, Adam Guzik, Zackary Kinsey, Mark Kiracofe, Aaron Leiby, Gabrielle Marrone, Realis Schaffer, Mariah Surace, Mickolas Yarnall, Kyele Dehoutaint, Rebecca Derck, Corrina Schweinebraten, Shelby Searls, Brooke Stine, Jade Swan, Gabrielle Kurtz, Matthew Metzger, Caleb Shingara, Michael Zimmerman II, Madison Frey, Kieran Gallagher, Marissa Lehman, Akeya Schartiger, Jantzen Shoff and Cody Swan.

Grade 5: Jordan Cruse, Tricity Frederick, Kalli Lahr, Owen Sosnoski, Taylor Swank, Sarah Vazquez, Jesse Worgen, Skye Adams, Jenna Barker, Scott Snyder Jr., Gina Carapellucci, Savana Gordon, David Kaleta, Airin Petrovich, Odin Rabka, Rachael Schoch, Libby Shingara, Robert Tilley, Alexis Zawalick, Leann Johnston, Caydin Kern, Samantha Nicola, Ethan Roughton, Francis Sanzotto, Wade Alleman, Samantha Bainbridge, Kaley Hynoski, Mitchell Knowles, Adell Munson, Brian Shawda Jr., Daimyan Thorpe, Isabella Wagner, Bradly Wagner, Brenden Beaver, Kameron Bowers, Terelina Conbeer, Braelyn Duncheskie, Destiny Hinkle, Frank Kinger, Savannah Monroe, Gavin Nye, Noah Phillips, Brenden Rogers, Christian Wesloskie, Reese Alleman, Santino Carapellucci, James Dangler, Matthew Long, Dennis Vanness, Damon Backes, Julissa Bednar and Jesse Shultz.

Grade 4: Aidan Clark, Isaac Deivert, Jason Leiby, Madison Lippay, Kaitlyn Wary, Elizabeth Zalar, Ryder Zulkowski, Bradeyn Ditzler, Blake Fryberger, Samantha Geiswite, Selena Lin, Stephanie Martinez, Desiree Michaels, Ashlynn Molzon, Agam Patel, Scott Segedy Jr., Autumn Barnes, Mikala Bressi, Victoria Maryott, Garret Nye, Melody Powell, Daren Sulouff, Madison Thomas, Gabrielle Thomas, Dylan Chamberlain, Grace Donahue, Dakoma Drumheller, Princess Kiracofe, Karlsen Schaffer, Luke Sejuit, Camry Steinhart, Jocelyn Surace, Jude Frye, Yediel Gonzalez-Ayala, Octavia Henninger, Peyton Korbich, Manny Mcdowell, Sean Poe Jr., Henry Straub, Brayden Wright, Kaleb Bates, Austin Dabrowski, Chet Honicker, Devin Jurevicz, Broc Nye, Sophia Sienkiewicz, Shain Yost, Maya Calabro, Alyvia Charriez, Korbin Kramer, Carly Lubeskie, Payten Puttmann, Katherine Rapp, Eliana Seidel, Dariyan Kreps-Foster, Airis McCarty, Lauren Noll, Nia Reed, Rylie Sanders, Julia Scandle and Ava Weikel.

ASHLAND - Tommy Ryan is on a streak.

For 60 years, he's collected every yearbook from Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School in Coal Township, whose predecessors include St. Ed's and Shamokin Catholic.

"I have a photograph of every student from 1955 to 2015," Ryan said. "I'm not sure, but it could be the only complete collection of the school's yearbooks," he added, noting even the school's archives are incomplete.

Ryan did not start the collection as a hobby. Instead, it sprang from a nearly lifelong affiliation with the schools that started with him being a young student who received his first yearbook at age 12. He graduated from Lourdes in 1961, the school's second year, and was a basketball coach for the Red Raiders right out of high school. He would also coach baseball there from 1967 to 1983, and he taught at Lourdes for 24 years.

Ryan retired from teaching in 1991, but he's continued to purchased a yearbook every year.

Hard work on display

From 1955 to 1962 the yearbook was called "The Realm," and from 1963 to the present day it's been known as "The Grotto."

Looking through the yearbooks, one can almost guess the era judging by hairstyles and fashion, which inevitably change with the times. Even many of the covers are representative of the decades in which they were published.

But every yearbook in the collection has one very important thing in common, Ryan said: A lot of hard work by the students and their advisers.

"Each and every one is a reflection of the work that went into them," he said.

Plenty of memories

The yearbooks are a great reference tool as Ryan periodically gets calls from friends or former students hoping he'll look up facts such as sports records, old teammates and whatnot. He is all too happy to oblige, and notes with a laugh that he's been able to settle some debates.

The mention of a former student sends Ryan searching, decade by decade, year by year, page by page, until he is found.

"There he is. Class of 1984," he declares.

What is most special to Ryan about his collection is the chance to see and remember the many students he taught and coached through the years.

"What a privilege it was to work with these kids and others," he said. "You just wonder where they are."

HARRISBURG - A $3 Daily Crossword ticket turned into a $50,000 bonanza for an Elysburg man in May.

According to information provided by the Pennsylvania Lottery and the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, Robert Medon, of Elysburg, claimed the prize during the month, the area's top winner. All total, lottery players claimed $109,577 in prizes of $1,000 or more, according to the information provided.

Seven players won $2,500 in the lottery's numbers games, most of them in the Pick 4 drawings, but one, Dennis Toolen, of Mount Carmel, claimed his prize in the Cash4Life game, matching four regular numbers and the cash ball for the prize.

Winners of $1,000 or more in the month of April are:

Ashland

- Kevin Fidler, $1,000, $1,000,000 Instant Jackpot, $20.

- Joanne Vaughn, $1,000, Monopoly Jackpot, $5.

- Richard Martin, $2,500, Pick 4 (night), 50-cent bet.

Catawissa

- Cynthia Welkom, $1,000, Super $1,000 Frenzy, $10.

Coal Township

- Lori Smoogen, $1,000, $1 Million Payout, $20.

- Philip Yost, $1,000, 7-11-21, $2.

- Patrick Holleran, $1,000, Monopoly Millionaires Club, $20.

- Leonard Yablonski, $1,000, Monopoly Millionaires Club, $20.

- Leonard Feese, $1,000, The Wizard of Oz, $10.

- Michael Yost, $1,000, The Wizard of Oz, $10.

- James Searls, $1,000, Triple Million, $30.

- Sharon Wincnurowski, $2,500, Pick 4 (night), 50-cent bet.

Dalmatia

- Clyde Schaffner, $1,000, Hot Streak, $2.

Danville

- Louann Jordan, $1,000, $1 Million Payout, $20.

- Alvah Carl, $1,000, $1,000,000 Super Cash, $20.

- Linda Paugh, $1,000, Daily Crossword, $3.

- John Morris, $1,000, Hot Streak, $2.

- Bruce Bauman, $1,000, Lucky Lines, $3.

- Linda Rowand, $1,000, Monopoly Millionaires Club, $20.

- Jesse Shaffer, $1,000, Monopoly MIllionaires Club, $20.

- Dale Chubb, $1,000, Triple Million, $30.

- Mark Kurzawa, $1,000, Triple Million, $30.

- Joseph Ozglek, $2,500, Pick 4 (day), 50-cent bet.

- Thomas Baker, $1,077, Match 6, $1 bet.

Elysburg

- Robert Medon, $50,000, Daily Crossword, $3.

Herndon

- Park Leitzel, $1,000, 10X the Money, $10.

- Keith Wolfe, $1,000, Cash Ka-Pow, $5.

Kulpmont

- Richard Alexander, $1,000, $1 Million Payout, $20.

- Dennis Hummel, $1,000, $1 Million Payout, $20.

Mount Carmel

- John Kealy, $1,000, $1 Million Payout, $20.

- John Kealy, $1,000, $1,000,000 Super Cash, $20.

- Janine Fegley, $1,000, 10X the Money, $10.

- Philip Augustine, $1,000, Solid Gold, $5.

- Raymond Glowacki, $1,000, Super $1,000 Frenzy, $10.

- Gerald Delaney, $1,000, Triple Million, $30.

- Alisha Elliott, $1,000, Triple Million, $30

- Dennis Toolen, $2,500, Cash4Life, $2 bet.

- Gina Miriello, $2,500, Pick 4 (night), 50-cent bet.

Paxinos

- Scott Weikel, $1,000, Super $1,000 Frenzy, $10.

Shamokin

- Robert Apollo, $1,000, $1 Million Payout, $20.

- Rita Markle, $1,000, Cash Ka-Pow, $5.

- Randy Diehl, $1,000, Monopoly Millionaires Club, $20.

- Sarah Good, $1,000, Super $1,000 Frenzy, $10.

- Janet Phillips, $1,000, Super $1,000 Frenzy, $10.

- Fred Metzger, $1,000, Super Sizzling 7s, $3.

- Sue Demsko, $1,000, The Wizard of Oz, $10.

- Sandra Derck, $2,500, Pick 4 (day), 50-cent bet.

- Marie Cerreto, $2,500, Pick 4 (night), 50-cent bet.

Trevorton

- Rita Marquette, $1,000, $1 Million Payout, $20.

- Zachary Allen, $1,000, Monopoly Millionaires Club, $20.

- David Swinehart, $1,000, Super $1,000 Frenzy, $10.

HARRISBURG - Troubled municipal pension plans that municipalities don't reform could be put in state trusteeship under a House bill getting consideration.

The measure, sponsored by Rep. Scott Petri, R-178, Richboro, would apply to nearly two dozen pension plans. These are classified as severely distressed since they are less than 50 percent funded to meet obligations.

Petri, chairman of the Urban Affairs Committee, is getting ready to schedule a panel vote on the bill.

Petri's bill is one of several surfacing after a report by the state auditor general's office in January that more than 500 pension plans in Pennsylvania face some type of fiscal distress because of debt. The 22 pension plans considered severely distressed have a combined pension debt of $5.5 billion.

The bill creates a recovery program for pension plans similar to the receiverships created several years ago for financially distressed school districts, Petri said.

Under the bill, municipal pension managers would be required to develop a plan to increase the amount of money they put into a fund and move into the moderately distressed category within 10 years. Plans in that category are funded in the 50 percent to 69 percent range.

A recovery plan would need approval from the Pennsylvania Employee Retirement Commission. The commission would monitor compliance and could petition a local court to place a pension plan in trusteeship under the auditor general.

The auditor general's office is well equipped to serve as trustee since it audits municipal pension funds, said Petri.

The trusteeship idea is being considering by a recently formed gubernatorial task force on municipal pensions, said Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, the chairman. The task force is preparing to send recommendations to Gov. Tom Wolf soon.

DePasquale said he agrees that his office is a logical one for the trustee role.

The Pennsylvania Municipal League said provisions should be added to the bill to make sure that troubled pension plans don't slip back into the severely distressed category once out of a trusteeship.

The measure needs to address the root causes of pension distress, said League government affairs director Amy Sturges in a letter about the bill. This would include prohibiting a pension plan in a recovery program from improving benefits in a way that increases costs, including through an arbitration award, and moving new municipal government employees away from the traditional defined-benefit pension plan, she wrote.

Petri said his bill is part of overall efforts to address municipal pensions, including the pending recommendations from the gubernatorial task force. He anticipates creation of a legislative task force to tackle the issue, too.

SHAMOKIN - Two artists with links to Shamokin are among 122 finalists featured in the "Art of the State: Pennsylvania 2015" exhibition debuting next weekend at The State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg.

Cheryl Fallon, a photographic artist from Paxinos, entered a self-portrait and composite titled "Silent Sparrow." Pamela Souders, a Shamokin native now living in Lewisburg, entered a painting titled "Light, broken."

Works by Fallon and Souders were chosen among 563 artists who submitted 1,601 entries. There are 126 works in the 48th annual exhibit. More than $6,500 in cash prizes will be awarded to place winners in each category. The exhibit opens June 28, with free admission to the museum adjacent to the State Capitol. It closes Sept. 13.

Fallon serves as her own model, and jokes that she's very easy to schedule. A fine artist and friend, the recently deceased Ron Wing, had advised her early on to create at least one self-portrait each year. The practice would help her grow as an artist, he said.

"So, I thought I'd do a self-portrait once a month," Fallon said by telephone Friday.

The results vary from the traditional self-portrait, but are equally as expressive. She creates "dreamlike landscapes" inspired by fantasy and surrealism. Photographing separate images and merging them in composites, she expresses vulnerability, beauty, frustration and fascination in a medium that mimics painting or graphic design - "something beyond a photograph."

Fallon agreed the self-portrait is to an artist what a journal is to a writer.

"If you're really making true art it is like walking into someone's diary. It really is very intimate and it should be. You're able to connect with people on a deeper level," Fallon said.

Shapes, curves

For Souders, the inspiration behind her paintings is often found outdoors. She's drawn to natural curves and architectural shapes, which are indirectly reflected in works saturated in light and color. As she paints, she layers colors to build a deep, rich light.

"Light; broken," her "Art of the State" entry, is just that - an abstract piece about shape and color done in gouache, wax crayon and oil pastel on paper.

"I never know where a painting's going to end until I get there," Souders said Saturday.

Much of her painting ended in the 1980s after she began a career in education administration. She had painted professionally from the late 1970s and into the next decade, including a one-person show in New York City. The starving artist cliche isn't born from fiction; it's difficult to make a living as a painter.

Souders said she had other talents to rely on, too, and so she transitioned from one profession to another. Work often followed her home from the office. At times, her job was all consuming. Painting became a neglected hobby.

"By the time I would get my work done at the end of the day I was depleted and I didn't have the energy to paint," she said.

The desire remained, though, and so she retired early to return to painting. There was a feeling of relief to resume putting color on canvas, but it took time to find a rhythm. She'd forgotten some of her favorite techniques. They've since returned, evidenced last year when a painting professor from Bucknell University she once studied with came to look at her work and told her simply, "you're ready."

Souders will display her paintings in three shows this summer in Harrisburg. She is featured in an Artist's Talk on the Susquehanna Art Museum website, www.sqart.org/pamela-souders, with two pieces to view.

Fallon's images have been exhibited extensively throughout Pennsylvania and Delaware, as well as in New York City and London. Her work is held in numerous private and corporate collections. For more, visit www.Cheryl-Fallon.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CherylFallonPhoto.

Visit The State Museum of Pennsylvania online at www.statemuseumpa.org. Find a gallery of all 122 entries in the exhibit under a June 9 post at www.facebook.com/StateMuseumofPA.

KULPMONT - The skies were threatening, but the weather held out long enough to get the 13th annual Great Kulpmont Cruise in.

Onlookers crowded Chestnut Street while souped-up hot rods, muscle cars and exotic vehicles cruised past twice.

"We've got a great crowd out there today," said event organizer Joe Cesari. "We don't have as many cars as we did last year, because of the dark clouds. It's about two-thirds of last year's cruisers."

With the feel-good music of the oldies playing through the speakers, car owners and enthusiasts mingled at the Holy Angels picnic grounds.

There were plenty of Camaros, Corvettes and Mustangs as far as the eye could see, but there were some exotic vehicles as well.

Gloria Varano, of Kulpmont, needed plenty of room for the doors of her 2011 Mercedes SLS, opening out and above, rather than the standard hinge.

Stanley Moser, of Atlas, went in the opposite direction with his showpiece, his 1948 Chevrolet truck, painted orange.

"I'm not looking for this one in the parking lot," Moser joked. "I bought her in 1960 and have kept her up ever since. She may not be as fancy as the other cars here, but the truck's been good to me."

Organizers started the cruise a half-hour earlier at 3 p.m. in an effort to dodge impending storms.

As the vehicles rolled out, the "eye in the sky," a drone helicopter piloted by Bill and Dave Marquardt captured the action on video from a small camera mounted on the bottom of the craft.

Bill's participation was touch and go for a bit; he had problems with his own transportation.

"He got a flat tire in Washington D.C. and hustled to get here," Dave Marquardt said about his son. "He made it just in the nick of time."

As the cruisers headed on their route, the drone hovered nearby, catching the vehicles as they pulled out of the parking lot.

The reason for Sunday's event was to raise money for the Kulpmont Cruise Association, which in turn donates money where it is needed. Money was raised through raffles, T-shirt purchases and 50/50 drawings.

"The people all have a great time, and we help some great organizations," Cesari said. "That's why we do what we do."

CATAWISSA R.R. - The Southern Columbia Area High School has announced its distinguished and regular honor roll for the fourth marking period of the 2014-15 school year.

Distinguished honor students have attained an average in their studies of 95 percent or better. Honor roll students have attained an average of 88 to 94.999 percent.

Distinguished honor roll

Grade 9 - Seth Barrett, Gabrielle Bebenek, Cassi Bennage, Breanna Burd, Cecelia Cook, Justin Derk, Meghan Duzick, Joseph Evans, Albert Goodlunas, Abigail Hager, Tristan Heim, Elijah Hoffman, Grace Joseph, Madison Klock, Haley Knoebel, Kristin Kremser, Katelynn Kuijpers, Jaret Lane, Jaden Laskoski, Autumn McDonald, Whitney Morris, Joslin Notestine, Hailey Reeder, Natalie Ring, Marley Roadarmel, Anthony Scicchitano, Paige Sharrow, Amanda Unger, Chase Urban, Casey Winter, Emily Wolfe and Eli Yemzow.

Grade 10 - Alana Bendas, Phoebe Bridy, Elizabeth Bryden, Alexis Burd, Miranda Gipple, Claudia Girardi, Jessica Henrichs, Carter Houseknecht, Mary Scopelliti, Angeli Sen, Tricia Shufeldt, Brianna Snyder, Shane Tripp, Isaac Wynn and Marc Yeager.

Grade 11 - Ahmed Abdul-Al, Jessica Adamski, Lena Becker, Nicholas Becker, Casey Bernhard, Olivia Bodner, Kayla Broscious, Alexandria Brown, Gabriel Delbo, Jackson Dorey, Jadyn Dunkelberger, Kaylee Durovick, Emily Eck. Olivia Greene, Mackenzie Haladay, Stephanie Haupt, Aiyona Hayman, Robert Hergan, Abigail Herr, Gregory Hidlay, Nicholas Jessick, Blair Johnston, Zsofia Kandrot, Tyler Keiser, Katherine Koschoff-Rapkin. Maggie Kushner, Haley Levan, Blake Marks, Elyse Noll, Jillian Oley, Natalia Oliveri, Lauren Parsons, Sarah Pollard, Regan Roadarmel. Hannah Sage, Molly Shoup, Nathan Smith, Bradley Whyne and Samantha Yeick.

Grade 12 - Tia Billig, Bailey Carl, Noah Carl, Brandon Ciocco, Samantha Clark, Trent Donlan, Dustin Durovick, Alexandra Evans, Rose-Ellen Fahringer, Lauren Gedman, Natalie George, Samantha Gregorowicz, Rebecca Harder, Allison Honabach, Connor Houseknecht, Steven Hricenak, Katelin Ivey, Seth Joseph, Michael Klebon, Amie Klinger, Ryan Little, Thomas Marinelli, Ryan Matukaitis, Kailey Morris, Kyle Mostik, Julia Mudrock, Michael Newton, Miranda Payeskie, Brady Petrovich, Cole Roadarmel, Anthony Rodriguez, Samantha Romania, Jacob Ryan, Samantha Schultz, Kirstein Sharrow, Alyssa Stavinski, Connor Swank, Vanessa Thomas, Trystanne Toczylousky, Lucy Williams, John Wilson and Madison Yocum.

Honor roll

Grade 9 - Hosam Abdul-Al, Andrew Bell, Shannon Bendas, Tyler Bendas, Sheila Brassard, Lauren Carl, Luc Champoux, Jeffrey Cox, Blake Day, Vance Erdman, John Fulmer, Domunic Gaines, John Gembic, Mackenzie Gidaro, Lon Gilger, Kristina Hallick, Andrew Haupt, Cole Helwig, Natalie Hunter, Megan Kearney, Justin Kofskie, Hannah Laughlin, Calista Long, Lauren Long, Anna Manley, Thomas Manley, Alexa Mowery, Lauren Mudrock, Ashwini Patel, Veronica Polyniak, Cole Potter, Jacob Renn, Rachel Sage, Maleessa Schreffler, BriAunna Shetterly, Abigail Shimock, Brett Szuler and Dakota Welkom.

Grade 10 - Mariah Adams, Leo Bradley, Kolby Carl, Shane Casey, Zachary Consentino, Hailey Cooper, Howard Cowell, Jessica Derk, Nicholas Fetterman, Francesca Forti, Anthony Girardi, Garrett Henry, Elliot Hicks, Lauryn Hower, Samantha Jankowski, Dominick Kandrot, Emily Knisely, Todd Lane, Ryan Lichtel, Lindsay Lindenmuth, Sarah Lupatsky, Kyla Madara, Marc Malkoskie, Curtis Mommo, Julia Moyle, Erika Patrick, Christina Podpora, Jacob Santor, Elijah Seidel, Deryn Seltzer, Brian Sevison, Danielle Smith, Brooke Sudol, Hunter Whitmoyer, Justin Woods and Cameron Young.

Grade 11 - Laken Anderson, Matthew Bell, Tristan Benware, Marc Boyer, Dustin Chaundy, Mackenzie Chaundy, Mitchell Croall, Gabriella Delbo, Gregory Delbo, Abby Fleishauer, Hunter Flore, Nicholas Freeman, Hannah Gratti, Megan Greenwalt, Arthur Hower, Monica Kleman, Juliet Kramer, Aaron Kroh, Elizabeth Lieberman, William Marzeski, Caitlyn McKinley, Ashley Miller, Hope Miller, Lon Morris, Maxwell Morrison, Amara Nazario, Israel Otero, Austin Potter, Jacob Potter, Madison Purnell, Jordyn Ryzner, Mackenna Shively, Matthew Srednicki, Virgil Sudol, Stephen Toczylousky, Mitchell Tyson, Adam Unger, Rachelle Viruet and Alexys Yannes,.

Grade 12 - Bill Barnes, Grayson Belles, Valerie Burkoski, Amanda Burns, Mitchell Carl, Benjamin Clark, Dalton Danglovitch, Collin Dudanowicz, Kasey Fabian, Matthew Gregorowicz, Taylor Hoffman, Taylor Jones, Stephen Knouse, Kent Lane, Julia Podpora, Luke Rarig, Victoria Ring, William Schu, Edward Shannon, Kortnee Slotterback, Kayla Spotts, Adriana Townsend, Jacob Trathen, Jordan Vincent, Brandon Weaver, Adam Weissert, Cheyenne Welkom, Charles Wertman, Austin Wilcox, Brandon Winter, Hallie Yacko and Lauren Yeick.

The following landlord/tenant claims or judgments were filed in magisterial district court:

Judge John Gembic III

Wayne Derk, of Shamokin, against Esther M. Hutchins and Rick Clark, for $680, filed June 19. A hearing is scheduled for June 29.

Judge Hugh Jones

Michael R. Kaleta Jr., of Mount Carmel, awarded $1,945.75 June 16 from John Britton and Rose Britton, both of Mount Carmel.