ORWIGSBURG — Racing has a rich history in the Coal Region and pieces of that history will be on display Sunday at the Orwigsburg Historical Society.

The historical society is partnering with Coal Region Racing, serving as the repository for the items Coal Region Racing collected over the years. The exhibit will be open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the historical society.

Co-event coordinator Lee Reading said Coal Region Racing was looking for a place to store the items and was thinking about Dillsburg, but decided against it since it is outside Schuylkill County.

“We’re just trying to preserve the history of the Coal Region,” co-event coordinator Mike Clay said.

Vintage race cars, memorabilia and more will be on display and a few old-time drivers, including Russ Smith, Dennis Summers, Dick Mayberry and Aaron Brommer will speak and answer questions about their past experiences. There will be a 45-minute presentation on the 15 dirt tracks in the county. So far, trophies, jackets, uniforms, pictures, newspaper clippings and a modified race car body have been donated for the cause and more items will be collected before Sunday. Some of the trophies include the first championship trophy from Anthracite Raceway won by Hal Lord in 1966 and the Gold Mine Raceway 1964 points champion trophy won by Drick Hendricks, who was from the Orwigsburg area.

One item already on display was a racing jacket worn by Jay Rutter, donated by his wife, Claire. Claire said Jay was one of seven men that founded the Orwigsburg Racing Association in 1969. The other six were brothers, Arlin and Ray Heiser, Charles Mohl, Philip Shoener, Charles Stein and John Walborn. Of the six, only Ray Heiser is still alive. The ORA was a race team that competed primarily at Reading and would also compete at Penn National, Grandview and Nazareth. Jay and his partners bought the car from Toby Tobias and later sponsored it. Laudan Potts was the first of several drivers who raced the car.

Her first date with Jay was supposed to be at Hershey, but the couple ended up at a racetrack in Mount Carbon. Claire said Jay always enjoyed racing and eventually left the ORA in 1978. Due to Jay’s involvement, Claire became interested in racing.

“I enjoyed it. I still do,” Claire said.

Contact the writer: dbarr@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6011

POTTSVILLE — Rebekah Hall, owner of Rebekah’s Creations, is closing her store in the city’s downtown.

The store at 203 W. Market St. closed last month officially, but she will be open today from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, but she must be gone by Tuesday.

“I just wished I could have stayed longer. I hoped I could last more than a year,” she said.

Declining sales forced her hand in closing, she said.

“My sales were not consistent enough to support a brick-and-mortar store at this time,” Hall said.

The Christmas season was great but not something that was duplicated throughout the year. The lack of foot traffic for people shopping downtown was a problem, she said, estimating one to two people a day came into her store.

“There are not a lot of people walking in downtown Pottsville to shop. I do hope the revitalization effort changes that,” she said.

Hall first opened at the former Schuylkill Mall in 2015. Her last day there was May 15, 2017. When she opened her store, Hall was following her passion in opening her own store. She sells homemade soaps, candles, sugar scrubs and other items to soothe one’s senses. Hall started making candles as a hobby six years ago while living in Lancaster.

While she is sad to see the store close, all is not lost. She will continue her business online at www.etsy.com/shop/unitedbyyahweh, her Facebook page, Rebekah’s Creations, and will have merchandise in two locations in the county. Starting next month, Dreamcatchers Art Emporium, 370 S. Centre St., and DMS’S Hair Affair, 2880 Pottsville/Minersville Highway, Minersville, will sell soaps, lotions and other items. Customers may message her, email, or call with questions or requests.

“I’m still planning on making things,” she said.

She admitted it is “quite disheartening” that this attempt didn’t work out the way she wanted.

“A part of me says ‘you failed,’ but a part of me says ‘you tried,’ ” she said.

Perhaps time will give her another chance to follow her passion.

“I’d love to do this again. I’d love to have this be my life forever,” she said.

Meanwhile, she is going to cosmetology school, something she said she never found the time or occasion to do.

“I still think people should follow their dreams. I still believe you don’t get anywhere unless you try. Some times stuff happens and you just can’t give up,” she said.

To contact Hall, call 570-581-1832 or email unitebyyahweh@gmail.com.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

McADOO — A third telephone bid from a contractor will be sought before the borough council decides how to repair a wall in the borough garage, directly behind the municipal building on North Hancock Street.

The council voted 7-0 to seek that third bid to fix the wall, which has to be done before a new roof goes on the structure, or there will be too much weight on the bad wall.

The wall repairs may delay the roof replacement, Councilwoman Marion Debalko said.

“We may not do the roof depending on how much the wall costs,” Debalko said.

Joe Baranko, borough solicitor, said three telephonic bids are needed, and the borough already has two. Obtaining bids by phone is acceptable as long as they are under the $10,700 cap, after which a project has to be advertised.

Joe Madochick, the borough’s streets foreman, discovered the wall was in bad shape in April when he was preparing the garage for a new, A-frame roof.

Madochick said the wall’s mortar joints had deteriorated, and although the blocks are sound, the wall is devoid of concrete, “hollow all the way through.”

When the council drafted its 2018 budget, $17,000 was earmarked to put a new, A-frame roof on the garage and an entrance door estimated at $1,100.

“We need a 36-inch door, but it doesn’t need a panic bar,” Debalko told the council. “The clear opening needs to be 90 degrees, and needs to be over 32 inches.”

Councilman John Shigo said the door has been a 32-inch door since 1970, but Debalko said new regulations have been created since 1970.

Playgrounds

In other matters, Councilwoman Mary Labert said volunteers are needed to paint some recreation equipment.

“Someone may need community service hours,” Labert said. “There are students who need community service hours.”

Labert said interested students can contact borough secretary Diane Minneci.

Madochick said equipment removed from the former Kelayres Playground was donated to the borough and installed on two playgrounds. A big sliding board from Kelayres was taken to the St. Michael’s playground, while a smaller slide was kept for parts because there are already slides that size at the playgrounds.

A small swing set and two teeter-totters were taken to Veterans Playground near the Little League field, Madochick said.

Tax sale

The council learned that four borough properties owned by Schuylkill County will be sold by the county tax claim bureau.

Baranko said the private sale is a last-ditch effort to sell the properties, which the county acquired because their former owners did not pay property taxes on them.

“ A private sale means it is sitting in repository,” Baranko said. “It went to judicial sale and upset sale and went into repository because nobody bought it. It is just sitting there in limbo.”

He said the bureau was asking for the council’s OK to sell them. “All we are commenting on is the purchase price,” he said.

Usually, private sales are held subject to whatever liens are on the property. Baranko said he didn’t know if any liens were filed on these properties.

Shigo made the motion to OK the sales. “It will get them back on the tax rolls,” he said.

The properties, and their sale prices, were listed as: 26 S. Manning St., $7,222.68; 30 E. Jackson St., $7,432.25; 662 S. Kennedy Drive, $5,029, and 404-406 E. Blaine St., $6,949.00.

The Blaine Street site is the only property that is an empty lot, where a brick home stood vacant for years. The other three properties have structures on them.

Fireworks

Mayor Dane Watro reminded borough residents that now-legal fireworks, bottle rockets and Roman candles cannot be ignited unless they are 150 feet from a home.

“Borough police will act on that (violators),” he said.

Contact the writer: jdino@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3585

Church update

St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, 57 Spring St., Tremont, will have service at 10:15 a.m. Sunday. An article in Thursday’s edition said the church was closed and it was not known when it would be reopened.

SHENANDOAH — The upcoming Heritage Day and Parade of Nations was a main topic at Tuesday’s meeting of Downtown Shenandoah Inc., which sponsors the event.

The 20th annual edition of the event will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 25 in the downtown area along North Main Street. The 19th annual Parade of Nations will kick off the event beginning at 10 a.m.

Heritage Day was first held as a two-day event in 1999, created by the Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society, which was founded by the late Valerie E. Macdonald. It became a single-day event the next year when the parade was added. After a few years, the reins to organize and hold the ethnic event were passed to DSI, which was co-founded by Macdonald.

The event, and especially the parade, is to showcase the ethnic diversity in this northern Schuylkill County community. Many groups participate in the parade in ethnic costume.

The Parade of Nations Committee selected Peter Vernalis as this year’s grand marshal. He was instrumental in the construction of the Pennsylvania Anthracite Miners Memorial, was a member and officer for many years with the Greater Shenandoah Area Chamber of Commerce and longtime owner/operator of Vernalis Restaurant, which is marking its 70th year in business.

Promotions Committee chairwoman Anne Taylor welcomed all ethnicities to participate.

“In conjunction with Heritage Day, we will also hold an art show at St. Stephen’s Hall,” Taylor said. “We will be setting it up similar for local artists as we did for the sesquicentennial. We are inviting all northern Schuylkill County artists and we’ll be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.”

Anyone interested in being part of the ethnic festival in the parade or as a vendor, or is interested in the art show, should call the DSI office at 570-462-2060.

Taylor reminded everyone that DSI is sponsoring a “Tribute to the Dorsey Brothers” concert performed by the M&J Big Band at 7 p.m. today in the Veterans Memorial Garden next to the American Legion Anthony P. Damato “Medal of Honor” Post 792, 116 N. Main St. The concert will feature tunes popularized by Shenandoah’s Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey. The concert is arranged by Shenandoah Valley School District band director John Shoener. This year is the 60th anniversary of Jimmy Dorsey’s death. The concert is free. If there is inclement weather, the concert will be at the Shenandoah Valley auditorium.

That same day, the Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society will open its doors from 5 to 6:30 p.m., where there will be a special exhibit featuring photos, posters and other memorabilia associated with the Big Band era stars.

The DSI members were updated on the innovation center project by DSI Executive Director Mary Luscavage and President Karen Kenderdine.

“Right now we’re working on funding. Karen and I are going to Bethlehem on Monday to meet with the Ben Franklin Foundation,” Luscavage said. “We’re going to meet with them because they do entrepreneurial. There is no actual funding, but we can use all the expertise we can get from them. They have a lot of suggestions.”

“They don’t provide funding to build it, but if we would get approved as an innovation center, they do provide annual funding to help run the center,” Kenderdine added. “It’s not a lot. It’s about $5,000.”

Luscavage and Kenderdine have been in contact with Regional Housing Legal Services in Harrisburg that will help with funding, review contracts free of charge and other services.

“They’re an amazing group and everything is free. They will do whatever they can as far as legalities,” Luscavage said.

In another matter, Kenderdine said the vacant property next to M&T Bank on the unit block of South Main Street has been offered for free to DSI by the owner.

“If we take it, we’ll have to pay real estate taxes on it, but then we can do something with it,” Kenderdine said. “We thought we could make it a little park. As a parking lot, it would only hold about 10 cars. We could put in benches and greenery.”

The acceptance of the donation was put to a vote and approved.

Kenderdine pointed out that properties owned by DSI, such as where the innovation center will be located, are on the tax rolls.

During her treasurer’s report, Kenderdine said that a donation of $1,000 was received from Jay Zane through the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation fund he established in his father’s name.

Contact the writer: jusalis@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023

Pyrohy, polka and pysanky are just three of the many cultural traditions to be featured at an event celebrating the heritage and faith of an Eastern European country this weekend.

The 84th annual Ukrainian Seminary Day will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at St. Nicholas Picnic Grove and Hall, Route 901, Primrose. Admission and parking are free and will be held rain or shine. Adjustments will be made in the case of rain, according to the Very Rev. Archpriest Michael Hutsko, dean of the South Anthracite Deanery, and pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Mount Carmel.

“It’s an opportunity to experience the culture and traditions as well as the faith of the Ukrainian people, many of whom emigrated to this Northeast Pennsylvania area in the late 1800s and established churches and communities and who have remained very close to their parishes who now sponsor this event to support the education of seminarians,” Hutsko said. “It’s more than just a picnic; it’s a real festival and celebration of culture and tradition of the Ukrainian people.”

This year’s event, which is sponsored by the 12 parishes of the deanery, will feature some new demonstrations such as cross-stitch, pysanky — the Ukrainian decorating of Easter eggs — and the writing of icons, Hutsko said.

“We have a woman coming who is going to demonstrate and speak about iconography, from the preparing of the wood or the canvas right through the whole process of painting an icon,” he added.

Also new this year will be the performance of a group of 12 to 15 vocalists from around Washington, D.C., who sing traditional Ukrainian music all over the country. The group, called Spiv Zhyttya, or Living in Song, will be performing about 1 p.m. and will be splitting their stage time with Kazka Ukrainian Folk Ensemble, a group of local talent who sing, perform and dance.

Mike Buryk will be returning for a second year for an exhibition on the art of Nicholas Bervinchak, as well as a presentation on the genealogy of Ukrainian ancestors in the region, Hutsko said.

Even with all the music, creative instruction and art, no one would blame you for going solely for the Ukrainian cuisine. The festival will have for sale pyrohy, holubtsi, halushki, homemade soups, cakes and pastries, as well as typical American fare, Hutsko said.

“All the food is prepared by the parishes of the deanery. It’s all homemade and each parish has a specialty and that’s what they prepare,” he said. ”For instance, my parish here in Mount Carmel is known for its pierogies, so we prepare over 450 dozen pierogies and the parish then donates it for sale at Ukrainian Day to help raise the funds. Other parishes’ specialties are halupkies, others make halushki, so it’s spread out across the 12 parishes.”

There will also be more than 50 theme basket raffles, all made by parishes of the deanery, as well as a “sizable” number of vendors coming from the tri-state area with traditional Eastern European and Ukrainian items, such as cross-stitched shirts, woodworkings, pysanky items, books and more, Hutsko said.

All profits from the celebration will benefit St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Seminary in D.C.

“Since 1985, this deanery has raised just short of $900,000 through Ukrainian Day to support the seminary,” Hutsko said. Nevertheless, he mentioned, none of the donations could be made if it weren’t for Ukrainian Day, which takes a colossal amount of time and labor to hold.

“The dedication of these lay people is very inspiring. Their devotion to the church and to this cause through all of the years — 84 years is a long time to do this — is something that we’re all very proud of and we understand how much work it takes. It’s a tremendous amount of work and sacrifice, but everyone is fully involved and fully committed to the success of this event because they believe in supporting the seminary and the education of young men for the priesthood.”

Next up for the South Anthracite Deanery is the Call to Prayer Pilgrimage that will be held at noon Aug. 26 at Assumption BVM Church in Centralia. The event was borne out from a visit in 2015, when the head of the Ukrainian church came to the United States. He was so moved with the church in Centralia and the parishioners’ commitment to the church in the otherwise desolate community that he decided to make a pilgrimage of it.

“We bring the entire town back to life for one day,” Hutsko said.

Contact the writer: dprosick@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6002

Leah Barron and Amy Pinder believe they were destined to help people with special needs through creative means.

The central New Jersey women each taught special education and incorporated non-traditional therapy techniques into their work with people with autism and various disabilities. They also happened to share a love for festivals, and when they met five years ago, they learned from their first conversation that they both held the same dream.

The 2018 Inclusion Festival happening Saturday and Sunday at Mountain Sky in Scott Township realizes that dream. The all-ages, sensory-friendly, outdoor music and wellness event was designed to cater to people with autism, sensitivities and all abilities. The weekend will feature live music and other entertainment, educational and play-based workshops, a community resource fair, yoga, art and more.

Inclusion Festival is made possible through not only Barron and Pinder’s vision and hard work but also collaboration with sponsors such as NEPA Inclusive, a local nonprofit that connects people with special needs with their passions and goals; the Jerry Garcia Foundation, which supports music, arts and environmental causes that further the late musician’s legacy through giving back; and Accessible Festivals, a nonprofit that works with large music festivals (such as Peach Music Festival) to make them more accessible to people with physical disabilities. The latter organization, Barron noted, believes Inclusion Festival may be the first festival made with that exact mission in mind.

“I kind of feel I was put on the planet to work with people with special needs,” said Pinder, who holds a master’s degree in speech-language pathology. “I incorporate yoga, circus art and singing in my therapy with kids and adults. It’s about finding universal themes for all disabilities, and this was informed by all the festivals I loved going to.”

“I ended up at the venue last year,” said Barron, who attended University of Scranton and has worked in a self-contained autism class and as a yoga instructor focused on teaching people with special needs. “As soon as I landed at Mountain Sky, I felt validation (that) this was the place for this event.”

Among the 20 expected vendors for Inclusion Festival, guests will find crafts and healthy food as well as information promoting local services to connect families with locations and people they can access throughout the year.

“We hope to impact people and let them take home tangible strategies far beyond the festival,” Pinder said.

Daily workshops include drumming, hula-hooping, inclusive art, mindful drawing, interactive theater, whole-body percussion and music therapy. There will be puppet shows; yoga; a skit performed by adults with disabilities from the Gathering Place in Clarks Summit, which will become an interactive workshop; plus teams of sign-language interpreters and speech-language therapists on hand.

Among the musical acts are headliner EmiSunshine, a 13-year-old multi-instrumentalist who became a YouTube sensation and performed on NBC’s “Little Big Shots” and “Today”; Brady Rymer, a children’s artist who wrote an album specifically for kids with autism; the Merry Rockers, comprised of musicians from Berklee College of Music and featuring a lead singer with cerebral palsy; plus the Hoppin’ Boxcars, whose three albums, when performed simultaneously, create a “decibel opera” based on the 1890s railroad era that features 25 to 30 people in costume and with props.

Inclusion Festival also will offer four designated sensory zones to facilitate relaxation and play. One will focus on music, another on yoga and mindfulness, and a third on art and play, while the fourth calls for breathing and relaxation and offers massages.

Camping is included in admission, and reservations in designated room blocks at nearby hotels will earn guests a free shuttle to the festival. Each facet of the accommodations put in place for the event was done to make it inviting to all so it can continue locally and throughout other states.

“We’re hoping families with neurotypical children will come to the festival, too,” Barron said.

“Our philosophy is sharing space together — inclusion,” Pinder said. “It’s going to be an amazing venue to meet people and see how we can support one another and how we all add value.”

Contact the writer: pwilding@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100, ext. 5369

MINERSVILLE — In March, Seth Hubler joined a small, prestigious group of young men who sacrifice and dedicate their time to earn Scouting’s highest honor, Eagle Scout.

“I really didn’t get it easy. It’s pretty cool to be rewarded for it,” Hubler, Minersville, said.

To earn rank of Eagle Scout, a Scout must spend at least six months in his troop after earning the Life Scout rank; demonstrate how he lives up to the Scout Oath and Law in everyday life; earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, 13 of which are required; serve in a leadership position in his troop; plan, develop and lead a service project helpful to school, religious institution or community; participate in a unit leader conference; and complete an Eagle Scout board of review.

These requirements are listed on scouting.org.

In Boy Scouts, ranks and merit badges are presented at a special ceremony called a Court of Honor. The Eagle Scout badge is awarded at a separate Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Hubler’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor was June 23 and he was presented with his Eagle badge then, but that wasn’t the only award with which he was presented.

A Scout has until he is 18 to complete the above requirements to earn his Eagle badge. If he earns his Eagle before his 18th birthday, there are additional awards he can earn. A scout is considered an adult leader when he reaches 18. Those awards are called Eagle palms and Hubler was presented with eight of them alongside his Eagle badge.

According to scoutingmagazine.org, as of Aug. 1, 2017, all earned palms may be awarded instantly to new Eagle Scouts at their Eagle Court of Honor if the scout has enough merit badges.

Previously, an Eagle Scout had to wait three months after earning his Eagle rank to earn a palm and an additional three months after that for another palm, even if he had enough merit badges at the time of his Eagle Scout Court of Honor for a palm.

To earn more palms after being presented with them at his Eagle Court of Honor, an Eagle Scout must be active in either his troop or the Boy Scouts of America for at least three months after becoming an Eagle or the presentation of the last palm; demonstrate Scout Spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law; continue to set a satisfactory example of accepting responsibility or demonstrating leadership ability; earn five additional merit badges; and participate in a unit leader conference, according to scoutingmagazine.org.

There are three levels of palms: Bronze, Gold and Silver. Silver is the highest level.

A palm is presented for every five additional merit badges earned after the minimum 21. That means if a scout has 26 merit badges, he can earn a Bronze palm, 31 merit badges equals a Gold palm, and 36 merit badges is enough for a Silver palm. Huber earned 61 merit badges, which qualified him for a total of eight palms, three Bronze palms, three Gold palms, and two Silver. According to scoutingmagazine.org, the correct way to wear that many palms on his uniform is one gold palm and two silver palms to show the two complete sets along with the gold, which is the highest level he currently has.

Huber started his Scouting career at age 6 as a Tiger Cub and joined Troop 600 in Llewellyn after crossing over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. He will not turn 18 until November. For his service project, he installed a new roof on the Branch Township Youth Building.

Hubler said as he continued to earn merit badges, his primary focus was on advancing up the ranks and not on palms, but said “it’s definitely more significant” because there aren’t a lot of boys who earn the Eagle rank, much less palms. Hubler shared a statistic that said only 5 percent of all boys who enter Scouting earn the rank of Eagle, and of that 5 percent, only 1 percent earn a single Eagle palm.

“I can say Seth truly enjoyed the program,” his father, Jeff Hubler, said. “He enjoyed being a Boy Scout.”

The first merit badge he earned was Mammal Study and the 61st was Composite Materials. Seth Hubler said his favorite merit badge was Aviation because he had a hands-on experience where he sat in a pilot seat and steered the craft a bit while completing the requirements. About half of his merit badges were earned at Hawk Mountain Scout Reservation, but a lot were earned in-house, meaning he earned them working with merit badge counselors in his troop, especially those required for Eagle.

Jeff Hubler said they knew he was being presented with several palms at his Eagle Scout Court of Honor, but “we didn’t think it was a big deal until they mentioned it.”

The “they” was state Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, Rush Township, who was presented with the Outstanding Eagle Scout Award in 2014 by the National Eagle Scout Association, for his “distinguished service to his profession and community.”

Hubler still has a little over three months until he ages out and to earn one more silver palm, he would have to earn another five merit badges.

“Scouting has been a really nice journey. It’s really neat to see the recognition for it,” Seth Hubler said.

Contact the writer: dbarr@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6011

SHENANDOAH — It was a swinging time in the auditorium at Shenandoah Valley High School on Friday evening as the borough’s famous big band brothers were celebrated.

The M&J Big Band took to the stage at 7 p.m. for the “Tribute to the Dorsey Brothers,” recognizing the talents of Jimmy Dorsey and his brother, Tommy Dorsey Jr. The program had been scheduled outdoors at the Legion Memorial Garden, but inclement weather prompted the change in venue.

More than 100 people came for the free performance sponsored by the Downtown Shenandoah Inc. revitalization group. The 18 band members who performed some of the most famous and popular big band era songs had the audience in awe with the awesome combined sounds of trumpets, trombones, saxophones, guitars, piano and drums, as well as strong vocals from Jacob M. Shoener.

Other Shoener family members, in addition to Jacob, were brother, John P., who is the bandleader, and their father, Craig, all of Pottsville and all playing trumpet. John Shoener is the band director at Shenandoah Valley, and Craig Shoener is band director at Pottsville Area.

John Shoener explained a day before the program what was planned for the audience:

“The program will include many Dorsey Brothers hits including ‘Song of India,’ ‘Marie, I’m Gettin’ Sentimental Over You,’ ‘Oodles of Noodles,’ ‘Contrasts,’ ‘Opus One,’ ‘On the Sunny Side of the Street,’ and an assortment of big band hits by other artists including Glenn Miller, Schuylkill County’s own Les Brown.”

He said the band was formed back in 2010 as a history night project on the history of big band jazz at Pottsville Area High School.

“The original leaders were Mike Denchy and Joe Senawaitis, which is how we ended up with M&J,” he said. “I have taken leadership of the band starting in 2011, and have led it to new heights ever since with assistance from Jacob Shoener, our associate bandleader, and Joshua Kovich, our assistant bandleader.”

The band features members from Pottsville, Orwigsburg, Shenandoah, Mount Carmel, Valley View, Hegins and the surrounding areas.

Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey were raised in Shenandoah and honed their musical talents with the instruction of their father, Thomas Dorsey Sr., who worked his sons hard to become amazing musicians. After playing in different bands, the brothers formed the Dorsey Brothers Band and became major stars during the big band era. The brothers had their differences, and eventually broke up and formed individual bands. With individual bands, the two estranged brothers did even better than before, vying for the top spot on the music charts.

John and Pat Pekala drove down from Mountain Top to enjoy the performance.

“He loves this big band music,” Pat Pekala said of her husband.

“I used to play with Nick Hubb out of Pottsville,” he said. “He had a big band, and I was the drummer for him.”

“This is so nice that they’re doing this,” Pat Pekala said. “Jimmy Dorsey is buried in a cemetery here.”

“I listen to a music station and they’ve said how Frank Sinatra got his start with Tommy Dorsey,” John Pekala said.

During the 20-minute intermission, Brian and Veronica Sidle, Shenandoah, bought a band CD recorded during a performance in York.

“It is such great music to bring back. It’s hard to get great jazzy music in the area. It brought back a lot of memories,” she said.

Veronica Sidle said those memories are connected to her father, who was a big fan.

“My dad was a big listener of it and my husband loves it,” she said. “It’s been part of the family for a long time.

The M&J Big Band will next perform from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Heisler’s Dairy Bar in the Lewistown Valley near Tamaqua.

Contact the writer: jusalis@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023

Deeds

Butler Township — Clarence A. Sr. and Angela J. Traugh to Travis G. Erdman and Tori A. Wariki; 17 Cedar Creek Drive, Fountain Springs; $199,000.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to George and Carol Eyster; 366 Main St., Lavelle; $41,000.

Clair C. Jr. and Shirley A. Wolfgang to Dionne Wolfgang; 121 Spruce St.; $1.

Pearl B. Hocking to Brian Hocking and Harold W. Hocking; 868 Fountain St., Fountain Springs; $1.

Delano Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Goliath Properties Inc.; 155 Maple St., Delano; $15,100.

Frackville — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to M&T Bank; 59 N. Nice St. ; $1,369.18.

Girardville — Timothy J. and Mary Alice Smith to Mary Alice Smith; 220-222 W. Main St.; $1.

Middleport — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Wells Fargo NA; 19 Coal St.; $955.77.

North Manheim Township — Invest Realty LLC to Anthracite Investments LLC; 0.55-acre property on Route 61; $35,000.

Jaymie E. and Barron G. Line to Tyler S. Frick; 142 Dana St.; $115,000.

Palo Alto — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Federal National Mortgage Association; 412 E. Bacon St.; $1,170.16.

Pine Grove Township — Julie C. Nketia and Nancy Lynn Reed to West Schuylkill G.E.M. Realty LLC; 44-46 Circle Drive; $10,000.

Port Carbon — Lisa Mullin, administratrix of the Estate of Edward Lonergan and executrix of the Estate of Doris F. Lonergan, to Michael and Mary Melincavage; property on Valley Street; $1.

Pottsville — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to U.S. Bank NA; 1109 Mahantongo St.; $1,177.04.

Kenneth W. Jr. and Angela M. Elrod to Frank Hart and Ashley Delowery; 5332 1/2 E. Norwegian St.; $11,000.

Ringtown — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to JMAC Realty LLC and 150618 Portfolio Trust; 198 E. Main St.; $7,000.

Ryan Township — Anthony M. Shimukonas, administrator of the Estate of Alice E. Berger, to Anthony M. Shimukonas; 7.183-acre property on T-489; $1.

Schuylkill Haven — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Heffner Investment Properties LLC; 504 W. Columbia St.; $17,000.

Minnie P. Porter to Minnie P. Porter and Lois J. Snead; 414 High St.; $1.

Shenandoah — Mary E. Oshman and Alicia M. Petritsch to Brent L. and Rhoda G. Stoltzfus; two properties; $75,000.

Tamaqua — Richard W. Fenstermacher Jr., Nancy J. Kirmani and Pauline M. Fenstermacher to Kimberly D. Balogach; 525 Washington St.; $32,000.

Joseph and Tammy Sword to Power & Faith LLC; 433 Mountain Ave.; $14,000.

Union Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to JMAC Realty LLC; 413 Ringtown Blvd., Pattersonville; $48,641.

Upper Mahantongo Township — Ronald J. and Kelly S. Jacobs to David M. and Krystle Danik; 1164 Ridge Road, Klingerstown; $290,000.

Walker Township — Richard S. Sinton to Adam Sinton; 1.167-acre property at Wildcat and Valley roads; $1.

MAR LIN — Two human services providers will begin leasing space from the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 Maple Avenue campus on Aug. 1.

The lease agreement with Justice Works and Children’s Home of Reading will expand access to “much-needed human services” within the county, while also assisting the IU with its bottom line, according to a release issued Friday by the IU board of directors.

The IU board unanimously approved the arrangement in which the two providers will be using a previously underutilized section of the building on the first floor with a private entrance. The lease with Justice Works is for five years, and the final lease with CHOR has not been finalized yet, according to IU Executive Director Gregory Koons.

“The decision to lease space to the two service providers will not only enhance community access to beneficial resources, but it will also offset operational costs for the IU 29 by maximizing facility space usage,” Koons said.

Some minor modifications will need to be made by CHOR but nothing that requires moving or removing walls, Koons confirmed Friday.

Justice Works, an alternative educational services provider currently serving 40 Pennsylvania counties, will lease a 3,000-square foot space and focus on alternative education. CHOR will lease a 4,500-square foot space, offering an acute partial hospitalization program for school-age children. “Access to juvenile partial hospitalization services has not been available within Schuylkill County,” the release said.

“The IU board was very supportive of the creative use of space,” IU 29 board President Scott Jacoby said.

For additional information regarding the programs being offered by the service agencies, contact Cary Moyer at cmoyer@choreading.org, 610-478-8266, Ext. 475, or Audrey Williams at AWilliams@justiceworksyouthcare.com, 570-728-2346.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

POTTSVILLE — Schuylkill County will spend almost $100,000 to improve handicap access to a West Penn Township church that is more than 200 years old.

At their Wednesday meeting, the county commissioners awarded a contract for $99,600 to Lehigh Asphalt Paving & Construction Co., Tamaqua, for an access improvement project at Zion’s Stone Church, Snyders.

The money for the project, which will improve handicap access to the church under the Americans With Disabilities Act, comes from the Community Development Block Grant program.

Zion’s Stone Church was founded in 1790 and hosts Evangelical Lutheran and United Church of Christ congregations.

The commissioners also approved four agreements for renovations at the Human Services Building, 410 N. Centre St., Pottsville.

Perrotto Builders Ltd., Reading, will serve as general contractor for the project under its $754,000 contract. Other agreements include Spotts Brothers Inc., Schuylkill Haven, $262,970, for electrical work; Antz Energy Systems Inc., Shenandoah, $112,443, for HVAC work; and Bognet Inc., Hazleton, $85,000, for plumbing.

“These numbers did come in under budget,” commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr. said.

Also, the commissioners approved the following contracts and agreements with the indicated providers.

• Kova Corp., Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, $23,570, for a service agreement with the Communications Center for the 88-channel Audiolog Max Pro Recording System.

•Maximum Care, Whitehall, for personal care services for the Community Development Block Grant program at a rate of $17.75 per hour.

•Increasing contract caps for the following providers for the Drug & Alcohol program: Clinical Outcomes Prevention, to $38,000 from $35,000; Crossroads Counseling, to $18,000 from $10,000; Firetree Ltd., to $100,000 from $85,000; New Directions Treatment Services, to $20,000 from $15,000; Pyramid Healthcare Inc., to $125,000 from $105,000; Schuylkill Wellness, to $16,000 from $12,000.

•David M. Pastucka, licensed psychologist, for psychological testing for the Adult Probation & Parole Office, to run through July 8, 2021.

• Bloomsburg University, a one-year internship agreement.

•National Bond & Collection Associates Inc., Kingston, for collection services for the county’s seven magisterial district judge offices. The county will not incur any costs, since the company will collect its fees from defendants.

Contact the writer: pbortner@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6014

Elizabethville

The Elizabethville Area Historical Society, 100 E. Main St., will hold open houses from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 4 and 18. It will also be open the first and third Saturdays in September. The museum contains a military/first responder room, Bender information, military uniforms, pictures of the area from the early 20th century, artifacts and antiques. The library contains many books on local history and genealogy. For more on the society go to its website at www.elizabethvillehistory.org or go to Facebook, Elizabethville Area Historical Society.

Lansford

The weekly Music in the Park program at the gazebo in Kennedy Park will feature singer/songwriter Darren Frehulfer of Lehighton. The park is located near the Panther Valley football stadium and the event is sponsored by the Lansford Alive Events Committee, which is working to refurbish Kennedy Park. All are welcome; refreshments will be served.

Locustdale

The Locustdale Fire Company will have a penny auction at 2 p.m. Aug. 11 at the firehouse. The cost is $2 plus a gift. All are welcome. Proceeds will benefit the equipment fund. For more information, call 570-875-3297.

Mahanoy City

Elks Lodge 695 will have a breaded pork chop dinner beginning at 4 p.m. Aug. 7 at the East Centre Street lodge. The cost is $10 per person and meals will include two breaded pork chops, mashed potatoes, vegetable, cole slaw roll/butter and dessert. For more information, call 570-773-0629.

Pottsville

Terri Rock, human relations manager, and Mike Koinski, sales manager at the Pottsville Lowe’s store recently gave a presentation to the Pottsville Rotary Club about the store and Lowe’s involvement in the community. The Lowe’s Pottsville store is celebrating its 20th year and is involved in the community through its employees and corporate outreach programs, they said. Rock said the store employs about 130 people throughout the year with spring and summer the busy season. She said Lowe’s corporate policy is to pay no less than $10 per hour, which is well above the minimum wage. The Pottsville store participates in the Lowe’s Hero project, an annual effort to help a nonprofit group with material and manpower to meet a need. This year’s project was at the Pottsville homeless shelter, where Lowe’s and local contractors cooperated to build two restrooms with showers plus an employee restroom and also installed a water heater. Koinski said is pro sales team is not just out to sell products, but also strives to develop lasting relationships with the community through customers, contractors and businesses. He also spoke about a Lowe’s corporate grant program called the Lowe’s Toolbox for Education. More about the program is available online at toolboxforeducation.com. In the program, Lowe’s donates up to $5 million to K-12 public/charter schools and to parent/teacher groups at up to 1,000 public schools per school year. Grants of up to $5,000 per school are given. Local schools that have benefited already include Pottsville Area, Minersville Area, North Schuylkill and Shenandoah Valley. The program is in its 12th year and Lowe’s has donated more than $54 million to 12,000 schools across the country, Koinski said.

Saint Clair

The Saint Clair Lions Foundation is sponsoring a bus trip Nov. 7 and 8 to Turning Stone Casino, New York. The cost is $150 per person. The overnight trip includes bus, room, tips and package. For more information, call 570-527-8240.

Tamaqua

The Sheldon L. Shafer Memorial Concert featuring the Cressona Band has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at East End Park. The concert is free and all are welcome. For more information, call 570-622-8784.

Tuscarora

The Tuscarora Fire Company will have a one-day-only block party today with a fire truck parade beginning at 3:30 p.m. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-668-4320.

RAVEN RUN — The Municipal Authority of the Borough of Shenandoah board decided to move forward Friday to refinance its existing debt and borrow $2.5 million for much-needed upgrades.

Before the vote, the board was updated on the current status of the refinancing plan by two representatives of PFM Financial Advisors LLC, Malvern: Jamie Schlesinger, director, and Melissa Hughes, senior analyst. Also attending was bond counsel Timothy B. Anderson, a partner with Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, Philadelphia. PFM is the authority’s financial adviser for the debt restructuring.

The current debt of the authority is about $4 million, which is owed to the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PennVEST) and the Rural Utilities Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The intent of the authority is to restructure the debt and add approximately $2.5 million in order to replace and upgrade equipment needed for supplying drinking water to customers in Shenandoah, most of West Mahanoy Township, plus small portions of Butler and Mahanoy townships.

One proposal had been received a few months ago from PNC Bank that offered an interest rate of 3.88 percent. At the time, the best scenario in the restructuring process was to have the Shenandoah Borough Council agree to guarantee the new debt to receive the best terms from PNC through a bond pool loan.

The borough council received requests to approve the guarantee, but each time decided to table a decision either way. PFM has searched for other funding options, such as a bank loan. PNC Bank had responded to the request for proposals.

“PNC Bank has been working with us and they have formally provided us with an update to that proposal,” Schlesinger said. “Time has gone on since they have their initial proposal. The only major change is that the rate is a little bit higher than what was originally because, frankly, interest rates have gone up since the first time we started speaking of this. The rate did not go up dramatically, but it did go up.”

The new rate is 4.05 percent, which would be fixed for seven years.

“The idea is that we would refinance the authority’s outstanding debt in three different issuances — two of which are from PennVEST and the third is from the USDA,” Schlesinger said. “The goal is to have overall level payments over a 20-year period. However, in this case, the rate that the bank will offer is for seven years fixed at 4.05 percent.”

Schlesinger said the refinancing would extend the PennVEST debt and shorten the USDA debt.

“The payments that the authority would make from their current budget would go down, so from a cash flow perspective, the authority would be in a better place in the initial years,” he said.

He said the downside to the refinancing is that since the overall debt, along with the new loan, would be over a longer period of time, the total amount of interest paid would be higher than leaving everything as is.

Schlesinger said that once the seven-year period is over, the bank has options. It can extend the loan agreement for a minimum of three years to a maximum of seven years. The rate could increase depending on market rates.

“Another risk is that since the proposal is fixed for seven years, so prior to the seventh year, the bank will have the right to have a ‘put’ feature, which means that if the bank so chooses, they can tell the authority that ‘we don’t want to be with you. You need to find another source of funding and refinance us,’ ” Schlesinger said. “That may or may not be a benefit to this authority, of course, because there may not be funding available. It’s possible, and I hope it doesn’t happen, so we’re going to do our best to make sure of that. The financials of the authority may be worsened and you may be able to get a loan because of that.”

“The put is definitely the biggest risk that you should consider,” Hughes said. “The second big risk you should consider is whether $2.5 million is a sufficient amount of money to meet your capital needs.”

Alfred Benesch & Co. project manager Christopher McCoach explained that the $2.5 million will address the immediate needs of the authority. There are also long-term needs that would have added to the loan.

“One of the things that Melissa and I have been talking about for the last few months is that in moving forward, we will be working with the authority if this loan happens,” Schlesinger said. “We’re not going away. One of our suggestions is that we meet at least annually and build a long-term projection for the authority, and annually we will review that to make that we are comfortable that things are going well financially.”

Currently, the authority pays about $53,000 per month for the existing debt service ($43,000 to PennVEST and $10,000 to USDA/RUS). The refinancing and new loan will reduce the monthly payment to $39,742, which is about $13,000 less.

The estimated total of the refinancing issue is $6,530,000, according to PFM, broken down as follows:

• Required to call PennVEST loan 161 — $138,037

• Required to call PennVEST loan 275 — $1,957,511.99

• Required to call USDA Note Series 2009 — $1,862,698.86

• Legal Fees — $25,000 (estimated)

• Financial Advisor Fees and Expenses — $26,500 (estimated)

• Bank Counsel — $3,000

• PennVEST legal fee — $1,500 (estimated)

• Construction Fund deposit — $2,515,751.45

The settlement date is Sept. 4.

After considering the options, the board in a 3-0 vote approved the refinancing plan. Voting were board Chairwoman Donna Gawrylik, Vice Chairman Joseph Anczarski, and Treasurer/Secretary Gary Wood.

Chief Plant Operator Daniel Salvadore said the filtration plant is in need of improvements and the new loan will help in getting that work done.

“The plant is working fine, but there are a lot of upgrades that we need. We haven’t had any major upgrades for 23 years,” Salvadore said.

Schlesinger said the next steps now that the refinancing was approved.

“From your perspective, what’s going to happen next is we will reach out to PennVEST today,” Schlesinger said. “We will begin the process with the documentation. We will also reach out to USDA, as well, to get the payoff numbers.”

After the presentation, Hughes explained the original refinancing plan was created with the possible loan guarantee approved by the borough council.

“They (MABS) don’t need it (borough guarantee) with this type of a loan,” Hughes said.

Contact the writer: jusalis@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023

Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill E. Norwegian Street

To Kevin Carrington and Jessica Schaffer, Pottsville, a son, June 26.

FOUNTAIN SPRINGS — The Butler Township supervisors held a required public hearing Tuesday for comments by township residents on the use of Community Development Block Grant funds.

The hearing was conducted by Faith Rickert, of ProDesign Plus LLC, Shamokin, the township grant coordinator. The township will receive $100,251 in CDBG funds in 2018, of which 70 percent must benefit low- to moderate-income residents.

Some of the funding will be used for the replacement of windows at the Fountain Springs Daycare Center, which is owned by the township and operated by Child Development Inc.

Chairman David Kessler asked the public for comments or suggestions, and when none were offered, Kessler closed the hearing.

During the regular meeting, the supervisors approved the 2018-19 day care center contract with Child Development Inc.

Lehigh Engineering LLC building code official Ralph Hummel gave the monthly engineering report. He said the day care center’s CDBG grant request for proposals on contract bid documentation for submission to the county for advertising is being finalized, which will include the window specifications.

Contact the writer: jusalis@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023

The reward being offered for information that leads to a wanted fugitive’s arrest increased by $10,000.

The FBI announced Friday afternoon that it is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of Shawn Christy, 26, of Rear South Harrison Street, McAdoo. The U.S. Marshals also have a reward to offer — $5,000 — for information.

Christy should not be approached as law enforcement called him a public threat and know for certain he is armed and dangerous, but anyone with information on his whereabouts should call 911 immediately, according to the marshals.

The FBI asks the public to remain vigilant and report any sightings to the FBI at 215-418-4000 or the U.S. Marshals tipline at 877-926-8332.

Christy has been on the run from law enforcement for roughly five weeks after U.S. Marshals and other law enforcement officials, including the FBI, tried to apprehend him June 20 for threats he made through social media posts between June 3 and 12 against President Donald Trump, the Northampton County district attorney and law enforcement. Authorities said Christy threatened to “put a bullet” in Trump’s head.

Law enforcement began their search in wooded areas and buildings in both McAdoo and Kline Township and then turned north after Christy allegedly stole a vehicle from his former employer in Banks Township on July 7 and ditched the car near the Canadian border, where law enforcement found it the following day.

Marshals said he then stole a vehicle in Convington, New York, and abandoned it after it overheated on Interstate 81.

On July 17, federal, state and local law enforcement searched woods behind the Scranton School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children in Clarks Green, Lackawanna County, after video surveillance from four days earlier shows someone who “strongly resembles” Christy breaking into the school and stealing food.

On Wednesday, Christy allegedly broke into his uncle’s home in Butler Township, took three semi-automatic handguns and left notes for his mother and uncle.

A federal arrest warrant was issued for Christy by the United States District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Wilkes-Barre, after he was charged with interstate communication of threats and threats against the president of the United States.

Though he was previously captured on video surveillance during the break-ins with facial hair, he may now be clean-shaven.

Law enforcement said he is white, 5 feet 10 inches tall, has brown hair and green eyes and weighs 150 to 165 pounds.

The search for Christy continues as it’s believed he is hiding somewhere, likely in the woods between Butler Township, Luzerne County, and McAdoo, Schuylkill County.

Contact the writer: achristman@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3584

Police investigate

lawn tractor theft

ZION GROVE — State police at Frackville are investigating a burglary that occurred at 857 Ringtown Road in North Union Township between 9:50 p.m. Wednesday and noon Thursday.

Police said someone entered a barn on the property of Robert Schreffler and removed a 1996 Toro Wheelhorse 520H lawn tractor with a serial number of 790100.

The tractor is red and has a 48-inch mower deck, police said, adding that the thief or thieves then fled the area in an unknown direction.

Anyone with information is asked to call state police at Frackville at 570-874-5300.

POTTSVILLE — A Valley View man is headed to state prison after admitting Wednesday to a Schuylkill County judge that he committed seven sets of crimes, including drug and weapon offenses.

Tony A. Schannauer, 37, must serve 2 1/2 to seven years in a state correctional institution, Judge John E. Domalakes ruled.

“You’ve been a busy boy,” Domalakes told Schannauer. “Now, you’re going to jail and paying the price.”

Schannauer pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal mischief, two each of possession of prohibited offensive weapon, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia and one each of simple assault, receiving stolen property, criminal use of a communication facility, conspiracy, resisting arrest, false identification to law enforcement, improper possession or use of documents and possession with intent to deliver drug paraphernalia.

Under the terms of Domalakes’ sentence, Schannauer also must pay costs, $300 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Harrisburg, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Prosecutors said Schannauer committed his crimes between Oct. 1, 2017, and Jan. 2.

Also on Wednesday, Albert J. Besparis, 59, of Shenandoah, pleaded guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia. Domalakes accepted the plea and sentenced him to time served to 12 months in prison with immediate parole and to pay costs and $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund.

Shenandoah police charged Besparis with possessing a pipe on June 15, 2015, in the borough.

Contact the writer: pbortner@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6014

Frackville

Elks Lodge 1533 will host its fourth annual designer bag charity bingo at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 12 at the lodge. Featured purses will be by Michael Kors and Coach. There will be 20 games, but additional games and specials will be available for purchase. Tickets are $20 per person in advance and $25 at the door on the date of the event. The lodge kitchen will be open and there will be a cash bar. There will also be door prizes, raffles and a 50/50. Doors will open and the kitchen will begin serving food at 5:30 p.m.; bingo till begin at 6:30 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the Pennsylvania Elks Home Service Program.

Gordon

An American Red Cross blood drive is slated for 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Christ United Lutheran Church, 437 Airport Road. People 17 and older (16 with parental consent), weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health are urged to donate blood. Walk-ins are welcome. For more information or to arrange for an appointment, call 800-733-2767.

Mahanoy City

St. Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Church will commemorate a statute of St. Teresa of Calcutta in memory of the late Monsignor Anthony F. Wassel, former long-time pastor of the former St. Joseph Church. The statue will be placed in the 24-hour perpetual adoration chapel at the parish office next to the church. The chapel was established by Wassel. Donations are being requested. Checks can be made to St. Teresa of Calcutta Church and mailed to the parish office, 614 W. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City, PA 17948, or dropped off there.

Minersville

The St. Matthew summer food fest is set for noon to 6 p.m. Aug. 19 featuring pierogies, bleenies. halushki, golabki, bean soup, kielbasa, baked goods and other items. People May eat at the parish center, 120 Oak St., or take food out. All are welcome. For more information, call the parish center at 570-544-5485 or the rectory at 570-544-2211.

Pottsville

An American Red Cross blood drive is slated for 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 300 W. Arch St. People 17 and older (16 with parental consent), weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health are urged to donate blood. Walk-ins are welcome. For more information or to arrange for an appointment, call 800-733-2767.

Pottsville

The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce and Schuylkill Young Professionals Organization’s Night at the Reading Fightin Phils is set for Aug. 16 for the 7:15 p.m. game with the Hartford Yard Goats. The sponsor is Riverview Bank. The bus and picnic area package if $45 and the deadline for reservations is July 31. Coolers are not permitted on the bus. Limited tickets are available for the third-base picnic area at additional cost. For reservations or more information, call 800-755-1942.

Shenandoah

Primary Health Network’s Shenandoah Health Center has officially opened at 624 W. Centre St. adjacent to Domino’s Pizza in the building that once housed Movie Gallery. Initially, the center will have behavioral health services five days a week and a physician available on Tuesdays to provide family medical services. Offerings will increase according to the community’s needs, according to a network official. The building is within the Boyer’s Market campus on West Centre Street that also includes a Family Dollar store. The health center’s newly installed sign welcomes people to call 570-671-0300 for information about appointments and services.

Tamaqua

Environmental educator Robin Tracey will lead three classes on the basics of kayaking at Tuscarora State Park. Classes will meet by the lakeside concession stand at 10 a.m. Aug. 12 and at 9 a.m. Aug. 26 and Sept. 2. People may sign up in advance in person or by calling 570-467-2506. The cost is $10 and includes use of a kayak, vest and paddle. For kayakers with their own gear, the cost is $3.