Deeds

Ashland — Kathleen A. Dietrick to Michael and Trace Dietrick; 1310 Market St.; $1.

Branch Township — Mark Loeper, individually and as executor of the Estate of Michael Mataka Sr., to Jan Mataka; 0.694-acre property on Bunting Street; $1.

Butler Township — All American Baptist Church to Tyler L. White; 895 Beaver Dam Road; $5,000.

East Brunswick Township — James D. and Tammie L. Dunn to Nicholas Schuler; 2763 Summer Valley Road; $188,000.

Mahanoy City — Andri Cabrera to Humberto Peregrina and Yeni Campos; 529 W. Centre St.; $9,750.

Mary Brassington to Jorge Otero; property at Centre and Locust streets; $25,000.

Jennifer M. Lott to David Melendez; 11 S. Catawissa St.; $9,500.

New Philadelphia — William G. Schwab, trustee in bankruptcy, to Neil David Leonard; 12-18, 20 and 22 Wiggan St.; $54,500.

Pine Grove Township — U.S. Bank NA to Grant M. Kurtz and Bradley S. Kurtz; 206 Sweet Arrow Lake Road; $37,000.

POTTSVILLE — Pottsville scored a “Good” night for the city and America’s Oldest Brewery on Saturday.

At least 5,000 fans flocked here for the 190th anniversary celebration of D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc., which culminated in a free concert by Better Than Ezra and fireworks that danced across the skyline.

Band members Kevin Griffin, Tom Drummond, Michael Jerome and Jim Payne took the main stage at Progress Avenue and Laurel Boulevard at 8 p.m. “Good” is one of the rock band’s songs that fans list as a favorite.

“We are America’s Oldest Brewery. On behalf of my sisters and my dad, (Richard L. ‘Dick’ Yuengling) we are so thrilled to celebrate our 190th anniversary right here in Pottsville with all of you, the Yuengling fans,” Debbie Yuengling said.

She and her sisters, Wendy, Jennifer and Sheryl, greeted the crowd on stage as the sixth generation of the brewing family. Debbie introduced the lead act and welcomed visitors to the city.

“It’s 190 years, and there’s not a lot of companies that can say that,” she said. Debbie thanked the local bands who performed throughout the celebration — The Boys Upstairs, Toolshed Jack and Hooligan — the City of Pottsville for the fireworks and all of the brewery’s local partners, employees and volunteers.

“We’re going to toast everyone that worked so hard to make today possible and to you all for getting us here for 190 years. Cheers to the 190th anniversary!” she said.

The New Orleans-based band opened with “King of New Orleans,” “Misunderstood,” “Extra Ordinary” and one of their newest releases, “Grateful.”

Crowds could be seen waving from the Capitol Parking deck and were perched along Progress Avenue and the Laurel Boulevard incline.

Several Better Than Ezra fans won passes for a meet-and-greet with the band Saturday. They entered a contest on Yuengling brewery’s Facebook page, commenting about the band and their best loved song. They were originally scheduled to meet band members before the concert, but were later told they’d get that opportunity after the show.

“I love Better Than Ezra,” Alaina Fernbach, of Pottsville, said.

When Fernbach entered the contest, she said her favorite BTE song was “Good.”

“ ‘Good’ came out when I was just 6 or 7. It takes me back to great times when my parents were together and reminds me of cruising around with my dad. That always seemed to be playing on the radio when he’d take me to Dairy Queen,” she said.

Her father, Alan Fernbach, passed away in 2008. He was an auto technician who used to own a garage specializing in foreign autos in Cumbola, she said.

“He was my everything. My dad was always there for me. It will be great to hear ‘Good’ live,” Fernbach, 31, said.

Her fiance, Matthew Pagenhardt, was joining her at her first BTE concert. His Yuengling beer of choice is Black & Tan, she said.

Gina Cavaliere and her husband, Joe, were some of the first in line to meet the band — and they were willing to wait for the meet-and-greet.

“The first time I heard them I just fell in love with them. If you see them perform live, you can see they’re having a good time,” Cavaliere, of Chester Springs, Chester County, said. She said “Live Again” was her favorite song, while her husband liked “Rewind.” As for the Yuengling beer, Joe Cavaliere said the Golden Pilsner was “nice” and “very good.”

Rebecca Koppenhaver, of Tower City, stood in line to get her CD of BTE’s Greatest Hits signed. She brought along friends Jen Rhoade and Ricky Leese, also of Tower City.

She said “Good” is her BTE favorite and praised the Yuengling family for organizing the event.

“It’s good for the whole area and Schuylkill County, and really gets the community involved,” Koppenhaver said.

Meanwhile, Brandy Kessler, of Ashland, said the contest win caught her by surprise.

“They messaged me on Facebook that I won and I said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me!’ ”

“It’s going to be neat to meet them and it’s neat that they’re having it here in Pottsville,” Kessler said earlier Saturday.

Her favorite BTE hit is “A Lifetime.”

“It’s always been one of my favorite songs and I can’t remember when I first heard it,” she said. “I started listening to them in the ’90s. I do like ’80s and ’90s music,” Kessler, 43, said. Other BTE songs she likes are “Good” and “Desperately Wanting.”

Even if she hadn’t won the meet-and-greet passes, Kessler said she and her family were planning to attend the Yuengling celebration. Her husband, Jason, and 12-year-old daughter, Sophia, were expected to join her. She said her other daughter, Grace, 16, was unable to attend.

Another event-goer, Bill Ebert, said he grew up in Pottsville.

“I think it’s awesome they did something for the public,” he said of the Yuenglings. Ebert took the day off work Saturday so he could spend it at the event with his wife, Nicole.

Jazzmyn McCoy and Brian Sosnoski, both of Catawissa, were among those taking in the sights. McCoy, a nurse, is originally from Pottsville.

“You look for that sense of community, and Pottsville’s always been welcoming,” she said. Light Lager was her beer of choice, while Sosnoski said he liked the Golden Pilsner.

Heidi and Jason Moser, of Saint Clair, had just attended a Third Eye Blind concert in Scranton on Friday and were looking forward to the BTE concert Saturday.

They both donned BTE T-shirts they purchased at Saturday’s event, showing their support for the band.

“I’m a big concert fan,” Heidi Moser said, crediting the Yuenglings and the city for Saturday’s celebration.

“I think it’s pretty impressive and I don’t know how they pulled it off,” she said.

Attendance was estimated at 5,000 at 5 p.m., according to Jessica Seiders, Yuengling communications manager. There were visitors from 25 states who attended the show, Seiders added.

“All of the local bands and Better Than Ezra really spread their wings and brought a fun energy to Pottsville that ignited our fans,” Debbie Yuengling said at night’s end.

No major incidents were reported by police.

“We have been very busy but the cooperative law enforcement effort between the Pottsville Bureau of Police and several other county, state and federal agencies has been smooth with a few minor problems toward the end of the evening,” Pottsville Police Chief Richard F. Wojciechowsky said in an email Saturday night. “Please note we greatly appreciate the support we received from the Schuylkill County Sheriff’s Office, the PA State Police, the PA LCE, and the FBI.”

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

In his tumultuous childhood, Scranton High School student Isiah Ortiz found clarity and stability in music at the Salvation Army.

It took years of practice for him to learn how to elicit clear and powerful notes from his trumpet, and as much time to find his path to becoming a dependable person who tries to lift up other children from tough situations similar to those he has known.

Each week, Isiah helps lead free youth programs at the Salvation Army on South Washington Avenue — the very same ones he grew up with and benefited from — giving him the chance to use his experience and talent for the good of others.

“The children can be a handful sometimes. I think it’s a huge advantage (that) he’s been there,” said Maj. Bob Schmig, corps officer of the Scranton community center. “He knows what it’s like to come through the programs and be sending down help from the mountaintop of achievement. He’s got insight other people wouldn’t (have) to help.

“Isiah has come a long way,” Schmig added. “I’ve seen tremendous growth in his leadership skills and maturity.”

“It’s a lot of responsibility for me,” Isiah said, speaking on his role guiding younger students. “Growing up here as a kid, maybe one day they’ll be in my shoes. I’m their friend, but they also can come to me with problems.”

As Isiah continues his academic studies in the hope of becoming a music teacher, the 18-year-old city resident also represents the Scranton Citadel Corps of the Salvation Army as part of its Pendel Brass Singers, Brass Timbrels & Arts ensemble at notable events, including last year’s Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California, and a music and mission trip to Cuba.

Isiah grew his leadership abilities during his time in Cuba, where he was among others from the church teaching workshops to people without access to formal music education and also played for them during a block party after sermons. Before he came home, Isiah had the chance to visit museums and also explore the culture of Havana.

Brad Kull, regional music director for NEPA’s Salvation Army outpost, has acted as mentor to Isiah for the last 11 years, from Isiah’s introduction to music all the way up to his internships through conservatory programs at Camp Ladore in Waymart, where he graduated from young camper to staff member.

“Like all kids, he was rambunctious, but he was the quiet one among his four brothers,” Kull said. “He’s definitely grown up to be a good influence on the kids, for sure.

“Part of my job is to cultivate leaders in the church, and this past year has seen him transition from student to leader,” Kull added. “A lot of the kids we cater to are underprivileged or from broken homes and don’t know how to respect or how to act. I’m teaching the kids to be more Christ-like. (Isiah) knows what it’s like for some of the kids to come (to the Salvation Army) for their parents’ sake. It’s nice to have that quality in him as a leader.”

Isiah showed a natural talent for instruments, Kull noted. Although he started on baritone, Isiah eventually switched to trumpet after picking up the instrument during a trip to Puerto Rico with his father in 2009. Since then, he joined the marching, jazz and show bands at Scranton High School, which has him practicing two hours a day at school plus at least an hour at home in addition to all the time he puts in for practices with the Salvation Army band.

“He has become a phenomenal musician, even in the last couple years,” Kull said. “Growing up, he caught on real quick. He always excelled in it. The past four years, he became a really marvelous musician. He just loves music and just wants to be better.”

Isiah has seen the positive effects of music education not only in himself but also in friends at school who suffer from depression and other issues, he said, adding that he’s certain it has saved several people he knows from suicide.

“Music puts kids at ease. It knocks them out of that phase,” Isiah said. “For me, it’s my way of showing how God uses me to show His gift to me. It always kept me focused. I never got suspended or written up. It kept me on a good path.”

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

Meet Isiah Ortiz

Age: 18

Residence: Scranton

Education: Finishing his junior year at Scranton High School

Extra-curriculars: Plays trumpet in the marching, jazz and show bands at SHS and is learning the French horn.

Claim to fame: As a member of the Salvation Army’s Pendel Brass Singers, Brass Timbrels & Arts ensemble, Isiah was headed to Cuba this weekend to do cultural and spiritual outreach; he also played in the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California, last year.

Future goal: To become a music teacher.Find out more

POTTSVILLE — A teenage boy was jailed early Saturday morning charged with stabbing another person in Pottsville on Friday night.

Pottsville police Detective Joseph Welsh charged Christopher J. Rojas, 17, with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, disorderly conduct and possessing instruments of crime.

Schuylkill County Assistant District Attorney Thomas Campion Jr. decided to charge Rojas as an adult due to the serious nature of the crime.

Rojas was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $100,000 straight cash bail.

In his affidavit of probable cause filed with the court, Welsh said the stabbing happened at 8:10 p.m. at North George and East Norwegian streets.

Welsh said officers were called to the area for a report of a male with multiple stab wounds to his chest.

The victim, identified in paperwork as Owen Kelly, was provided immediate medical care and interviewed, during which he verbally told officers that he was stabbed by Rojas.

Kelly was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill E. Norwegian Street with life-threatening injuries to his chest. He was then transferred to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown, by helicopter, Welsh said.

Welsh said officers immediately began looking for Rojas and tracked him to an area near the railroad tracks at the Pottsville-Palo Alto line and took him into custody after a brief foot chase.

Due to the age of Rojas and the fact he had no legal representation, Welsh said, no interview was conducted at that time.

Video images from security cameras near the scene appear to show Rojas and Kelly engaged in a verbal argument that quickly escalated into a physical confrontation.

Welsh said the video shows Rojas making multiple stab-like motions with his hand until he and Kelly disengage and Rojas flees the scene.

Statements from other witnesses confirmed Rojas was responsible for the injuries to the victim, Welsh said.

Pottsville police were assisted by police from Orwigsburg, Schuylkill Haven, New Castle Township, Minersville, Saint Clair, Port Carbon, New Philadelphia and Pennsylvania State Police from both Frackville and Schuylkill Haven and Schuylkill County Domestic Relations.

Rojas will now have to appear for a preliminary hearing at 11 a.m. July 22 before Reiley in his Pottsville courtroom.

Contact the writer: fandruscavage@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6013

POTTSVILLE — Yuengling beer lovers from near and far came to the city to enjoy a cold one on a hot day in celebration of the company’s 190th anniversary.

Sarah Lytle, 36, and her husband, Jonathan Lytle, 38, both of Seattle, Washington, flew into Philadelphia on Saturday and drove to Pottsville to partake in the history event for America’s Oldest Brewery. They were staying in Pine Grove during their first trip to Schuylkill County.

“We love Yuengling and we love Better Than Ezra,” Sarah Lytle said.

Sarah’s favorite song is “Rolling,” while Jonathan’s favorite is “Live Again.”

The New Orleans-based band played a free concert at 8 p.m. Saturday on the main stage at Progress Avenue and Laurel Boulevard. The Yuengling sisters, Debbie, Jennifer, Wendy and Sheryl, announced the band’s performance in April.

A beer garden on Mahantongo Street was a popular spot, with three Yuengling beers to choose from: Lager, Light Lager and Golden Pilsner. Wendy Kowalick, a Yuengling employee and event volunteer, said Light Lager was the most popular.

“We tapped into 12 so far,” Kowalick said before 3 p.m.

Debbie Gregitis, 58, of New Philadelphia, and Cyndi Wile, 54, and her husband, Al, 56, helped to empty those. Debbie and Cyndi each refilled their 20-ounce mugs three times. Al refilled his four. Gregitis enjoyed the Light Lager while the others had Golden Pilsner.

“It’s hot out,” Gregitis said.

Gregitis said they were drawn to the event by Better Than Ezra.

“They are great. That is why we came, to hear them,” Gregitis said.

Among those mingling around 2 p.m. was owner Richard L. “Dick” Yuengling Jr.

“All these people turned out for this. They are having fun,” he said. “It took us 190 years to get to this point. We appreciate the people that supported us and we thank them.”

If visitors were hungry after drinking beer, there were numerous vendors selling food.

Amanda Albertini, 52, of Pottsville, ate crabby tots from The Rolling Macaroni, a food truck.

“It’s really good,” she said.

Lori Kane, owner of The Rolling Macaroni, said business was good. She said the favorite Saturday was Skook Sunday, which included macaroni and cheese and pulled pork topped with a bandukie.

Local businesses were also busy, such as Wheel restaurant. Kyle Lechleitner, general manager, said alcohol sales increased from 12 to 15 percent of sales to 26 percent as of 3 p.m.

“We are selling a lot of Golden Pilsner and Yuengling Lager,” Lechleitner said.

City leaders react

Mayor James T. Muldowney said the turnout was impressive and the weather was sunny as he had forecast.

“The beautiful weather I ordered showed up,” Muldowney said.

City council member Mark Atkinson also said the attendance was good.

“I think it’s a great day for the city. A really great turnout,” Atkinson said.

A booklet regarding preparations for the event estimated about 30,000 could attend the celebration.

Savas Logothetides, executive director of Pottsville Area Development Corp., estimated 10,000 people were downtown as of 3 p.m.

Pottsville Fire Chief James E. Misstishin Sr. said there were no incidents to report, and Paul Kennedy, deputy chief of operations for Lehigh Law Enforcement, which provided event security as well as traffic and parking services, said there were no traffic incidents.

The Pottsville police department and other law enforcement also had a presence downtown Saturday. Some state police officers said Saturday they didn’t have any incidents to report as of late afternoon.

Yuengling sisters comment

Debbie, Wendy and Sheryl Yuengling spoke about the event and how it resonated with the public.

“I’m overwhelmed,” Debbie Yuengling said.

“We are extremely proud the community came together,” Wendy Yuengling said.

The sisters thanked the city and others for the effort to bring the event to fruition.

“It’s a feat that not a lot of companies can say, let alone breweries and family-owned American breweries, so it’s very special,” Debbie Yuengling said.

Sheryl Yuengling said the family is appreciative for all of the support.

“I think we are just thankful for everyone whose shown up already, whose going to show up to the concert and the community, the City of Pottsville, our volunteers. Everyone has done an amazing job in pulling this together. This is huge for the city,” Sheryl Yuengling said.

The sisters said they were looking forward to seeing Better Than Ezra.

“We’ve been listening to the songs all week,“ Debbie Yuengling said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

James K. Reiley

POTTSVILLE — Defendants whose cases James K. Reiley considered, the charges against each one and the judge’s disposition on the matters included:

Donald E. Dower Jr., 28, of 11 Fidler Court, Pine Grove; waived for court: fraudulently obtaining food stamps or assistance.

Robert D. Steffie Jr., 48, of 114 Vaux Ave., Tremont; waived for court: flight to avoid apprehension, trial or punishment and disorderly conduct, theft and receiving stolen property.

William M. Hiester, 28, of 207 W. Market St., Pottsville; waived for court: simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct.

Michael B. Mabry, 48, of 108 N. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove; waived for court: aggravated assault, simple assault and harassment.

James A. Scheifley, 21, of 213 E. Union St., Pottsville; waived for court: possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Josh M. Marsh, 24, of 225 N. Third St., Pottsville; dismissed: unlawful restraint and simple assault.

Bobbi Jo Facnacht, 38, of 224 W. Laurel St., Tremont; waived for court: DUI, DUI-highest rate and obedience to traffic control signals.

Chris M. Turofski, 25, LKA 480 N. Claude A. Lord Blvd., Pottsville; waived for court: failure to verify address and/or be photographed.

Traci Jane McNulty, 27, of 412 Market Square, Apt. D12, Pottsville; waived for court: endangering the welfare of children.

Stephanie E. Santai, 26, of 426 Harrison St., Pottsville; waived for court: endangering the welfare of children.

Jennifer S. Hilbert, 43, of 5128 Lincoln Highway, Gap; waived for court: conspiracy.

John W. Goetz, 53, of 101 Mahantongo St., Apt 201, Pottsville; waived for court: theft and receiving stolen property.

Susquehanna

Kara Pytko, Minersville, a daughter of Bernie and Kathy Pytko, received the American Chemical Society Outstanding Scholar Award and the American Chemical Society Outstanding Physical Chemistry Student Award at Susquehanna University’s annual student awards luncheon. These awards are given to a senior chemist/biochemist who demonstrates strong scholastic ability and intends to enter the chemical profession.

Pytko also received departmental honors.

Geisinger CSOM

Douglas Wells, Barnesville, and other student leaders at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, helped the school secure a $25,000 grant from the National Curriculum Initiative in Developmental Medicine to increase inclusion of patients with intellectual disabilities and developmental disorders into GCSOM’s MD curriculum and to diversify elective choices for medical students.

The grant was obtained thanks to the combined efforts of GCSOM faculty and the student leaders.

Wells and other medical students at GCSOM organized the eighth annual ALLEY-OOP FOR AUTISM three-on-three charity basketball tournament. The event also features a three-point contest for $10.

Winners of the tournament and three-point contest received basketball tickets to a Philadelphia 76ers game, and all proceeds benefit the Northeast Regional Autism Center at Friendship House in Scranton.

Wells and two other GCSOM medical students received scholarships from American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry to attend and present their research on “Caring for Patients with Differing Abilities: Enhancing Medical School Curriculum” at the 17th Annual AADMD Conference in Rochester, New York.

The students also participated as panelists discussing the topic of getting students involved in transforming medical school education.

Wells is a member of the MD Class of 2020 at GCSOM.

MAHANOY CITY — A beautiful sunny day brought out many people downtown on Saturday for the annual Mahanoy City Community Day.

The annual event has been held by the borough for two decades and has been a popular time. Community Day was designed to bring together borough residents and visitors in a family-friendly atmosphere and to promote civic organizations and businesses. It is also a way to show people what Mahanoy City has to offer as a place to raise and educate a family, start a business, and learn about the ethnic, religious and cultural diversity the borough has.

Held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the event stretched along East and West Centre Street, where vendors and organizations had tables covered with tents and food trucks. The unit block of South Main Street has a bounce house, while the unit block of North Main Street had the Mahanoy Area high school and elementary bands performing separately during the early afternoon. When the bands were not performing, music was provided by DJ Party Time.

Near where the bands performed was a dunk tank that had Mahanoy City Borough Council President Thom Maziekas volunteering to be dunked. Maziekas drew people from all ages to take their chance to put the elected official into the drink. For $2, each participant was given three softballs by council Vice President Francis Burke.

After three throwers were unable to dunk Maziekas, borough resident Sandi Kufro decided it was necessary to test the dunking device. She went to the target and pushed it in hard, causing Maziekas to drop from his perch into the water tank, proving everything was working well.

“When I went down, I wondered if there was a bottom,” Maziekas said. “I went down and thought what the heck did I get myself into.

Most of the throwers were unable to dunk him, though some showed their throwing abilities. Some others decided to throw the three balls and then ran to the target to manually dunk Maziekas, including new borough secretary Angela Hughes.

While taking a break, Maziekas said Community Day is a great time every year to show Mahanoy City is still a great place.

“This year I think we outdid ourselves,” Maziekas said. “We’re loaded with a lot more food vendors, arts and crafts, the dunk tank. The recreation committee did a fantastic job putting this together. Like I’ve said, Mahanoy City is not dead. We’re going to be like the Phoenix. We’re are going to rise.”

A special feature at the even was a piece of Mahanoy City memorabilia prized by collectors and beer fans. Bricks from the original Kaier’s Brewery building were on sale. The brewery building was a blighted property and demolished in 2017. The property now has a children’s playground and other amenities. Some additional work will be done in the near future.

There were about 40 vendors and organizations lining the streets. The Mahanoy Area Historical Society opened its doors for visitors to see the extensive collection and to learn about the borough’s history. Vendors participating included Brenda Rutko, Pampered Chef; James Reitnour, Mahanoy City Womens’ Club, baked goods; Elaine Hydock, crafts; J&J Jewelry; Mahanoy City Tree Lighting Committee, 2019 Christmas ornaments; Arlene Donato, crafts; Mahanoy City Public Library, book bag sale; Taja Dixon, herbs, plants and spice blends; Matt Heckman; St. Teresa of Calcutta Church, bleenies, funnel cake and baked goods; and West End Fire & Rescue and Humane Fire Company.

In addition to Community Day, Saturday also included a townwide yard sale. More than 30 yard sales were registered.

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

NORFOLK, Va. — An Ashland native and 2000 Mahanoy City Area High School graduate is serving in the Navy aboard the service’s newest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford.

Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffery Troutman is a mass communication specialist aboard the carrier homeported in Norfolk, Virginia. As a Navy mass communication specialist, Troutman is responsible for telling the story of the ship through multimedia content management and administration.

Troutman credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Ashland.

“The desire to grow and expand personally was planted in me from home,” Troutman said.

Commissioned in 2017, Ford, or ‘Warship 78’ as she is known by the crew, is 1,106 feet long; longer than three football fields. The ship, a true floating city, weighs more than 100,000 tons and has a flight deck that is 256 feet wide.

The ship is named after the 38th president of the United States, and Navy veteran, Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr., who after the attack on Pearl Harbor, enlisted in the Naval reserve.

Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Troutman is most proud of participating in the 75th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack.

“I was the lead journalist for the Navy Public Affairs Support Element West Detachment-Hawaii,” Troutman said. “We released more than 250 images, 10 stories and three videos to the world. This was all produced by a joint team of reservists and active-duty personnel.”

Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Troutman, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Troutman is honored to carry on the family tradition.

“I had a great-grandfather who served in World War II, but I didn’t know that when I joined,” Troutman said. “I joined to see the world and expand my opportunities, which may inspire my family to join in the future.”

Sailors’ jobs are highly varied aboard the carrier. Approximately 2,600 men and women currently make up the ship’s crew, which keeps all parts of the aircraft carrier running smoothly — this includes everything from washing dishes and preparing meals to handling weaponry and maintaining the nuclear reactors. Another 2,500 men and women will form the air wing responsible for flying and maintaining the aircraft aboard the ship.

“Sailors are the lifeblood of any warship and the men and women of the USS Gerald R. Ford are the absolute best that our Navy has to offer,” said Capt. John J. Cummings, commanding officer of the ship. “Because of the work they do, Warship 78 sailors will take our ship over the horizon and answer our nation’s call in ways that have never been done before. Our sailors are strong, resilient, and truly embody our ship’s motto of ‘Integrity at the Helm.’ ”

Ford, like each of the Navy’s aircraft carriers, is designed for a 50-year service life. When the air wing is embarked, the ship will carry more than 70 attack jets, helicopters and other aircraft, all of which take off from, and land aboard, the carrier at sea.

All of this makes Ford a self-contained mobile airport and strike platform, and often the first response to a global crisis because of a carrier’s ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans.

As a member of one of the Navy’s most relied upon capital assets, Troutman and other Ford sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.

“Serving in the Navy reminds me that I have a sense of responsibility for service, and it represents an opportunity to better myself for the benefit of others,” Troutman said.

It’s incredibly difficult for me to believe that Tuesday is the 50th anniversary of the liftoff of the Apollo 11 moon landing mission. I was 13 years old, but it just seems like yesterday.

It was the culmination and fulfillment of a challenge made by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 after Alan Shepard completed the first American manned mission into space. JFK challenged NASA to send Americans to the moon by 1970. This was a daunting challenge to say the least because when he made that challenge to a joint session of Congress, we hadn’t even put a man in orbit around the Earth. John Glenn wouldn’t do that for almost another year.

To be sure, the goal of getting men to the moon in the ’60s was for scientific exploration, but a great part of the motivation was also political and military. The Cold War was on and it was imperative that an American flag was planted on the moon instead of the red hammer and sickle of the communist Soviet Union. After all, they embarrassed the USA by getting the first satellite into space, Sputnik, in 1957. Then they really rubbed it in when they put the first man into space and in Earth orbit in 1961. They even launched the first woman into space. It was imperative that America catch up and beat the Soviets to the moon and exceed them in overall space and missile technology.

The race to the moon probably wouldn’t have happened as it did, though, without German scientists’ leftovers from the Hitler-World War II era. They were at the leading edge of rocket development and both the Soviet Union and the U.S. had them in fold. The V2 rockets were developed by the Germans and were constantly hitting Great Britain and other European ally targets during WWll. The V2 was developed by Dr. Werner Von Braun, who eventually ended up on the American side with NASA. In fact, it was Von Braun who designed the Saturn V rockets that launched Apollo astronauts to the moon. There’s never been a bigger powerful rocket since then.

The 1960s pursuit to the moon was truly an exciting time. In less than 75 years, we went from flying the first airplanes to landing on the moon. As a kid I was really, really caught in the manned spacecraft program in the 1960s. In fact, my best friend and next door neighbor, Don Falenczykowski, helped me build a space capsule out of plywood in my backyard. We even went on pretend missions into space.

I remember the night in July 1969 before the Apollo 11 moon mission took off. I was so excited I stayed up all night before the launch. That almost proved to be a big mistake. I almost missed the launch but somehow, I woke up 15 minutes before launch and caught Walter Cronkite’s call of it on CBS TV.

As the Apollo 11 coasted to the moon in its three-day journey, I journeyed to CYC (Catholic Youth Camp) on Big Sandy Lake near McGregor, Minnesota, for 10 days. I almost didn’t go because I was afraid I’d miss the TV coverage. I had my dad call the camp to make sure all the campers would experience this anticipated history. He promised that he would. The rules of the camp prohibited transistor radios, but I smuggled one in anyway and the first night I was there I crouched deep into my sleeping bag with my cheap earphone listening to any news I could about Apollo 11. I never got busted!

Then Sunday, July 20, 1969, arrived, the day Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin climbed into the lunar module lander and left Mike Collins in the command module to continue orbiting the moon awaiting the moon landers safe return.

I remember the head camp counselor, Louie Grams, making the announcement over the camp loud speakers that we were invited to main lodge to watch the coverage of the moon landing. I was surprised that only about half of my fellow campers came. We were glued to that little 16-inch black and white TV as Walter Cronkite proclaimed about 3:20 in the afternoon…. “Man on the Moon!” Shortly after that happened, we were shooed away from TV. I just wasn’t going to settle for that. I knocked on the door of the counselor’s lodge and short of pounding fists on the walls I insisted that I get to see more of the coverage. They didn’t want a scene so I got my way!

I wasn’t through though, because that night Neil Armstrong was to set foot on the moon around midnight local time. Lights out for the campers was at 10:30 p.m. I was prepared to listen to the coverage on my transistor radio in my sleeping bag but by 11, I couldn’t stand it anymore. I snuck out of the tent and once again pounded on the door of the councilor’s lounge where all the camp staff were crowded around that same black and white TV.

Once again I got my way and watched that historic moment when Neil Armstrong proclaimed “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Those ghostly images of the late Neil Armstrong hopping around on the moon with Buzz Aldrin are burned in my memory forever.

In 2011, NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter took many images, high resolution shots, of all the Apollo landing sites, including Apollo, I included its image of the Apollo 11 site. The detail is amazing!

Appropriately enough, Tuesday evening we’ll have a full moon in the Pottsville skies, but as a bonus the planet Saturn will be camped just to the right of the moon. It’ll be an amazing celestial hugging!

(Lynch, an amateur astronomer and professional broadcast meteorologist, can be reached at mikewlynch@comcast.net)

Hometown

The Men of Marian support group and Marian High School will host a flea market in the school’s gymnasium from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 21. People willing to donate items should call 570-668-2225 or 570-647-0641. Drop-offs will be accepted through Wednesday. No clothes or books will be accepted. The group will have its annual picnic at the school grounds July 26-28 featuring ethnic food and entertainment 5 to 9 p.m. July 26 and 27 and noon to 5 p.m. July 28. The event is the group’s largest annual fundraiser and this year’s goal is to raise $20,000 for the school and its activities. Entertainment will include Jean and American Dream July 26, Sakes Alive July 27 and disc jockey Zac Mrochko July 28. There will also be a bake sale, raffles, games for children, face painting, a bounce jump, cornhole tournament and the second annual summer games, which include a 5K run and 3K walk, boys basketball tourney, punt/pass/kick event, volleyball tourney and other events. For specific information on times and eligibility for slated games, go online to www.mariancatholichs.org.

Pottsville

The Rotary’s Service Above Self Award, which recognizes a non-Rotarian who has demonstrated exemplary community service with an emphasis on helping others, has been presented to Kenneth J. Huebner, vice president and chief financial officer for the Cotler Group, according to the Pottsville Rotary Club bulletin. “Huebner, along with the owner, directly manages and oversees the everyday operations of the various companies in the Cotler Group, including: Stoudt’s Ferry Preparation Co., Locust Valley Coal Co., Mountain Valley Golf Course, Yudacot Development Co., Mountain Beauty/Comfort Inn and Suites, C&R VIP Gambling Tours, Luxribus, Marcot Equipment Services (and) Locust Valley Culm Co.,” according to the bulletin announcement. Huebner has more than 20 years experience in the financial services industry. He is an alumnus of the University of Pittsburgh and the Northwestern University Graduate Program of Trust. His community involvement includes executive director of the Herman Yudacufski Foundation, past president and current member of the Cressona Lions Club, board member of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, past board member of the Good Samaritan Foundation, president of Lasting Legacy, chairman of Schuylkill County Affordable Trust Housing Board, board member of the Orwigsburg library, SEDCO and St. Joseph’s Center for Special Learning. He also is a regional board member of Susquehanna Bank, chairman of the SWIC golf tournament, the Schuylkill County Buddy Walk and Boy Scouts of America, according to the bulletin information.

Pottsville

NAMI, the county’s “voice on serious mental illness,” meets at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the Pottsville Senior Community Center, 201 N. Centre St. A program and support group are available at each meeting. “Anyone interested in mental illness, especially families and friends of persons with a serious mental illness, are encouraged to attend,” Colleen Kelly said in a release.

Quakake

The Quakake community yardsale will be held Saturday and July 21. Registrations are being taken at the home of Susan Bowman, directly across from the post office, or by calling 570-467-2457 or 570-952-4884. The deadline to register is Friday.

Shenandoah

The regional schedule for God’s Chuckwagon meals by Outreach of the Ministry of the Water, 600 W. Pine St., Shamokin, is on Wednesdays in the Schuylkill region as follows: 4 to 4:30 p.m., Pottsville Salvation Army; 5:15 to 5:45 p.m., Anthony P. Damato American Legion “Medal of Honor” post; 6 to 6:30 p.m., Mahanoy City Zion Baptist Church; 6:45 to 7:15 p.m., Ashland Senior Towers. For more information, call 570-492-3902 or 570-492-2392.

Shenandoah

Knights of Columbus Francis Cardinal Brennan Council 618, 201 W. Cherry St., has monthly hoagie sales. Regular, Italian or ham-and-cheese hoagies are $5 each and remaining sales are from noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 13 and Sept. 10. To order in advance, call 570-462-1430 or 570-590-1188. Free delivery is available for the Shenandoah, Frackville and Mahanoy City areas.

POTTSVILLE — A Pine Grove woman returned to prison this month after a Schuylkill County judge sentenced her in a case involving liquor and a minor.

Nicole Ann Hudock, 23, must serve three to 12 months in prison, and undergo drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations, Judge James P. Goodman ruled. Goodman imposed the sentence after revoking Hudock’s probation.

Hudock originally pleaded guilty on Aug. 1, 2018, to selling or furnishing liquor to a minor. At that time, Goodman placed Hudock on probation for 12 months, and also sentenced her to pay costs and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account.

Pottsville police charged Hudock with furnishing the minor with liquor on July 18, 2017, in the city.

Goodman also revoked the probation of Kashif E. Harris, 32, of Pottsville, and sentenced him to serve three to 12 months in prison.

Harris originally pleaded guilty on Jan. 21 to possession of a controlled substance. At that time, Reiley placed him on probation for six months, and also sentenced him to pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and a $50 CJEA payment.

Pottsville police charged Harris with possessing drugs on Nov. 20, 2018, in the city.

In another case, Goodman revoked the parole of David R. Cipko, 41, of Tamaqua, and recommitted him to prison.

Cipko originally pleaded guilty on July 12, 2018, to possession of drug paraphernalia. At that time, Goodman sentenced him to serve two days to 12 months in prison and pay costs, a $100 SAEF payment and a $50 bench warrant fee.

Also in the county court, Rhoda E. Sedlak, 45, of Pottsville, pleaded guilty to retail theft, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.

Judge John E. Domalakes placed her on probation for two years, and also sentenced her to pay costs, a $100 SAEF payment, a $50 CJEA payment, a $50 bench warrant fee and $239 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Harrisburg.

Rush Township police charged Sedlak with committing her crimes on May 21, 2018, in the township.

In another case, Domalakes revoked the parole of Donald Ignjatovic, 28, of Pottsville, and recommitted him to prison to serve the rest of his sentence, which will end on Sept. 25.

Ignjatovic originally pleaded guilty on Sept. 12, 2018, to retail theft. At that time, Domalakes sentenced him to serve one to 12 months in prison and pay costs, a $50 CJEA payment and $11.43 restitution.

Pottsville police charged Ignjatovic with committing the theft on Sept. 28, 2017, in the city.

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

MAHANOY CITY — Schuylkill County Crime Stoppers and police in Mahanoy City and Mahanoy Township are asking for the public’s help in identifying the person responsible for a rash of burglaries in both the city and township.

The crimes, police said, happened over the past two weeks and are believed to be related to each other.

Officers from both departments have been working together to process scenes and follow up on leads and have several persons of interest at this time.

Evidence from the scenes has also been transported to the Pennsylvania State Police crime laboratory for analysis and that both departments are waiting for the results.

Schuylkill County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information on the person or persons responsible for these crimes or on any other unsolved crime in Schuylkill County.

Callers are asked to refer to case 07-14-19 when calling with information about the burglaries in Mahanoy City and Mahanoy Township.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 877-TIPS4SC (877-847-7472).

Callers can also relay their information directly to Mahanoy City or Mahanoy Township police through the Schuylkill County Communications Center by calling 570-462-1991.

In addition, police said that anyone who may see or hear something suspicious in their neighborhood should call 911 immediately.

All information will remain confidential.

Contact the writer: fandruscavage@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6013

POTTSVILLE — The Schuylkill County Prison benefited from the Schuylkill County commissioners’ actions on Wednesday, receiving a new fingerprinting system and two new vehicles.

In their vote, the commissioners authorized the purchase of a Livescan/CPIN All-In-One fingerprinting system for $36,080, with annual system maintenance for $6,840 per year, a 2019 Transit-150 XL low-roof passenger van for $39,504.71 and a 2020 Ford utility police interceptor for $37,872.77.

Both vehicles are from Kovatch Ford, Nesquehoning.

“It’s a security issue,” County Administrator Gary R. Bender said of the new fingerprinting system.

He said the new system will enable deputy sheriffs to fingerprint prisoners without having to bring them to the courthouse.

“The sheriff will continue to do” the fingerprinting, Bender said.

Bender also said the system will supplement, not replace, the one at the Central Booking Office in the courthouse.

He also said the van will be used for transporting prisoners, while the interceptor will be used by the prison for official duties.

Bender said prison officials like having new vehicles. In the past, he said, the prison has received hand-me-down vehicles that required lots of expensive maintenance.

“They were unreliable,” according to Bender.

Also, the commissioners approved an agreement with the Borough of Gordon for a demolition project for 312 McKnight St. Bender said the property is a rundown single house that has been broken into.

“It’s been a problem,” he said.

In another matter, the commissioners approved a contract with the Schuylkill Transportation System setting rates for its medical assistance transportation program at $46.25 for a one-way, which is unchanged.

“These are only the trips that involve medical-assistance transportation,” Bender said.

In other business, the commissioners:

• Approved a 2019 budget adjustment of $1,500 for the register of wills office. Director of Finance Paul E. Buber said the adjustment is a transfer between line items and involves no new spending.

• Approved a supplemental budget appropriation of $13,609.11 for Human Resources. Buber said that the money will be for reimbursement of up-front costs of the internship program.

• Extended three fee-for-service contracts until June 30, 2022: Automated Security Alert, Munhall, for personal emergency response services with a cap of $8,796 per fiscal year; Avenues, Pottsville, with a cap of $43,456 per fiscal year; and Golden Years Adult Center, Shenandoah, with a cap of $152,150 per fiscal year.

• Approved the attendance of Register of Wills Theresa Santai Gaffney, First Deputy Gloria Adamski, Second Deputy Nancy Briggs and solicitor Hank J. Clarke to attend the Pennsylvania Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans’ Court Annual Conference this month in Erie. Commissioner Gary J. Hess voted against Clarke’s attendance.

• Appointed Megan Kroner, Mahanoy City, as a county caseworker I for Children & Youth at a salary of $17.7923 per hour.

• Appointed Cherise Yost, Ryan Township, as a conservation program technician for the soil conservation program at a salary of $17.5736 per hour.

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

Aristes

A Chinese auction to benefit the Aristes Fire Company will be held in the firehall, 350 Columbia Ave., with a shop-and-drop from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 5 and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 6 and calling to start at 2 p.m. Oct. 6. People need not be present to win as the prizes will be available at the company’s monthly breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon Oct. 20. Tickets are $5 each. There will be additional special tickets for larger prizes at two for $5 or five for $10. The doors prize will be a 50/50 at $1 each. The alcohol table will require a photo ID to claim the prize. Food will be on sale during the events; all are welcome. For more information, email Heather Neel at hneel32@gmail.com.

Elizabethville

The Lykens Valley Children’s Museum, 33 S. Market St., will join NASA on Friday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moment when humans first landed on the Moon. LVCM will host the Apollo 11 celebration with live streaming from NASA starting at 1 p.m. with Giant Leap. At 3 p.m. NASA’s Apollo STEM show will invite guests to participate in STEM — Science, Technology, Engineering, Math — activities for children. The museum will be open from noon to 5 p.m. and all are invited to explore the museum with special guests and activities throughout the day. NASA and its museum partners will each host a challenge to build a component (rocket, gateway, lander, rover) of NASA’s return to the Moon using simple household material. LVCM will join the fun using #VirtualMoonshot. There will be a lot of activities at the museum in honor of 50th anniversary through July and August. For more information, call 570-809-6379 or email lykensvalleychildrensmuseum@gmail.com.

Locustdale

A penny auction will be held from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Locustdale Fire Company, Firehouse Street, to benefit the company’s equipment fund. People are invited for “bring your spare change and join us for an afternoon of fun,” according to an event release. There will be prizes, and refreshments afterward. Admission is $2 plus a gift. The fire company holds the penny auctions the first Saturday of every month; all are welcome. For more information, call 570-875-3297.

Pottsville

The Pottsville Area High School Class of 1970 will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Stadium Bar, Peacock Street, to plan for its 50-year class reunion. For more information, call Bill Pugh at 570-573-1773 or Mary Lipton at 570-622-7500.

Shenandoah

The Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society recently acknowledged the following memorial donations: For Joan Lorman Henninger by Joe and Andrea Pytak; for Elaine A .Schreppel by Joe and Andrea Pytak; for Kathryn Achenbach by Joe and Andrea Pytak; for Dr. Joseph J. Matunis by Joe and Andrea Pytak; for Eleanor Oravitz by Joe and Andrea Pytak; for Ulysses Flores by Joe and Andrea Pytak; for Francis and Dorothy Nause by Thomas J. Nause; for Frank Savitsky by Bob and Eileen Hopkins; for E. Jean Stanulonis by Rose Ann Markunas, Joe and Andrea Pytak; for Silas Thompson by Robert P. Thompson; for Cassandra Grutza by Joe and Andrea Pytak, Kathleen Merchlinsky, Rose Ann Markunas, the Dopkin family, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Acalin, William Kalenkoski, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Taylor, Joan and Bob Racis, Anita and Marty Dwyer, Bob and Ellen Selgrade, Diane and Dan Monlish, Mary Flannery, Carol Zitka, Eddie and Diane Chowanes, Ellen Fell, Roseann Grutza Behyaker, Gloria Laudeman, Ron and Mary Luscavage; for Joan Lorman Henninger by Joe and Andrea Pytak.

Tamaqua

An American Red Cross blood drive will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Salvation Army Gym, 105 W. Broad St. The drive is open to the public and it is suggested people scheduled appointments by calling 800-733-2767 or going online to RedCrossBlood.org and entering “Tamaqua.” People who donated blood during July will be entered for a chance to win a trip for four, according to a release.

POTTSVILLE — A Carbon County woman will not have to serve more time in prison after a Schuylkill County judge sentenced her recently in connection with a September 2018 incident in McAdoo.

Ashley M. Sist, 33, of Tresckow, pleaded guilty to access device fraud and theft, with prosecutors withdrawing a charge of receiving stolen property.

Judge John E. Domalakes sentenced her to 92 days to 23 months in prison with immediate parole, and to pay costs and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account.

McAdoo police charged Sist with committing her crimes on Sept. 22, 2018.

Also in the county court, Ahmed Fuad-Talal Hamash, 24, of Lawrenceville, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to retail theft, with prosecutors withdrawing a charge of conspiracy.

Domalakes placed Hamash on probation for two years, and also sentenced him to pay costs and a $50 CJEA payment, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Rush Township police charged Hamash with committing the theft on Dec. 16, 2017, in the township.

In another county court case, Jacob Wondoloski, 23, of Mount Carmel, pleaded guilty to retail theft, with prosecutors withdrawing a charge of receiving stolen property.

Domalakes placed Wondoloski on 12 months probation, and also sentenced him to pay costs, a $50 CJEA payment, a $142.89 bench warrant fee and $1,494 restitution.

Rush Township police charged Wondoloski with committing the theft on Jan. 25 in the township.

Also in the county court, Domalakes revoked the probation of Kelsey Ann Anderson, 26, of Tamaqua, and resentenced her to spend 12 months on probation and undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation.

Anderson originally pleaded guilty before Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley to two charges of defiant trespass and one charge each of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Reiley placed her on probation for 12 months, and also sentenced her to pay costs, $200 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and a $50 CJEA payment.

Pottsville police filed all four cases against Anderson, alleging she trespassed on Oct. 5, 2018, and again on Oct. 8, 2018, possessed drugs on Sept. 5, 2018, and possessed paraphernalia on Dec. 12, 2018. All four incidents occurred in the city.

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

The Republican-Herald will publish stories this week about the 50th anniversary of the first man to walk on the moon, which occurred on July 20, 1969.

It’s a moment in history that, for those old enough, they remember exactly where they were when they heard the news.

So, where were you?

We encourage readers to share their memories, brief or lengthy, with us. And if you happen to have a photo of yourself in a space suit or perhaps visiting NASA through the years or anything else pertinent, those are welcome too.

We’ll publish some of these remembrances as part of this week’s coverage.

Content can be sent to The Republican-Herald at:

• 111 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, PA 17901 (for return of photos, you must include a self-addressed stamped envelope.)

• Email bsmith@republicanherald.com (include subject line “Moon Landing.”

• Or through a direct message on our Facebook page.

Deeds

Porter Township — Cindy Minnich and Randy and Sharon J. Minnich to Timothy Galen Rebuck; 12 Snyder Ave., Orwin; $55,000.

Pottsville — Scott M. Hahner to Hahner Property Management LLC; 2180 W. Norwegian St.; $1.

Quicken Loans Inc. to Secretary of Veterans Affairs; 10 properties; $1.

Eugene Melocheck to Candida Leonardo Martinez; 532 Jefferson St.; $34,500.

Stephen L. Zucal to Juan Gil; 611 W. Arch St.; $500.

Carl J. and Carol A. Forster to Acorn Estates LLC; 13 S. Centre St.; $27,500.

Ryan Township — Robert Neal Hatton, administrator of the Estate of Deborah Engle Hatton, to R. Douglas and Kathleen M. Bair and Christopher D. Bair; property n Barnesville; $5,600.

Saint Clair — Edmund A. Quirin to Carolyn A. Quirin-Morris; 139 S. Second St.; $1.

South Manheim Township — Joan L. Douglas, trustee of The Joan L. Douglas Revocable Living Trust, to Joan L. Douglas; 650 Wynonah Drive, Lake Wynonah; $1.

Stephen P. Fessler and Pamela Donmoyer to Kody Dunlap; 1275 Doe Drive and 1269 Squaw Drive, Lake Wynonah; $161,000.

Tremont — Dustin R. and Chelsea Wetzel to Amanda L. Daubert; 64 Vaux Ave.; $78,000.

Walker Township — David L. Angst Jr. to Daniel R. and Jackie James; 1227 Valley Road; $249,900.

Washington Township — Robert T. and Linda A. Pavlesich to Cynthia Motter; 14.3554-acre property on Camp Road; $76,000.

Wayne Township — Grant and Michele Scatchard to Chad M. James; 1170 Running Deer Drive, Lake Wynonah; $165,500.

Susan J. Kramer to Dark Horse V LLC; 78.324-acre property on Township Road T-378; $630,000.

Pamela B. Valkos to Craig Tranovich and Laura Leigh Liszcz-Tranovich; 1305 Running Deer Drive, Lake Wynonah; $162,800.

West Brunswick Township — David E. and Melissa M. Mehle to Patrick McBreen; 1292 Chestnut Road; $245,500.

Todd A. and Janice M. Wessner to Adam M. Wessner; 7 Homestead Lane; $1.

MOREA — Schuylkill County residents can dispose of their electronic waste and various appliances this Saturday at an electronics and metal recycling day hosted by the Northern Schuylkill Council of Governments.

The COG will hold the event rain or shine from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Skytop Coal Co., 547 Morea Road, in Ryan Township near Mahanoy City.

Due to the difficulty of disposing of electronic devices, such as cathode ray tube and flat-screen televisions, computers, monitors and other devices, and large metal appliances, such as stoves and clothes washers, the items accumulate at homes and businesses, or in some cases are illegally dumped on rural roads and other sites, such as the county recycling program locations.

J.P Mascaro and Sons, Audubon, and its affiliated facility, TotalRecycle Inc., will conduct the recycling event with the assistance of volunteers from the participating COG communities: the boroughs of Ashland, Girardville, Gordon, Mahanoy City and Shenandoah, and the townships of Butler, Delano, Mahanoy, Ryan, Schuylkill and West Mahanoy.

COG Chairman Clyde C. “Champ” Holman explained that the idea has been discussed by the COG municipal delegates since last year.

“We tried to do this before but it fizzled out because there wasn’t much interest,” Holman said. “I said let’s try this again and there was more interest and a committee of the whole was formed from the municipalities who are sponsoring it now. Each community has to send at least one representative to work that day.”

Holman said the need for the project is evident to anyone who drives along local roads.

“When you drive down the Burma Road and many other roads, it’s horrible when you see a couch or a computer or a TV thrown off on the side,” he said. “The argument is if you’re charging for them, that’s when they’ll throw them, but there are people who are conscientious who don’t want to throw something out and will pay to get rid of it. There are a lot of those conscientious and good people.”

Holman added, “We think that if we charge a little bit of money, we can break even or make a little bit of money for the COG that we can do more things to save the taxpayers’ money.”

The recycling effort is mainly for electronics, but other metal items, such as metal case or shelving will be accepted, Holman said.

“I also want to emphasize there is an additional $10 fee for those who are not residents of the 11 participating municipalities,” Holman said. “For example, if someone comes up from Blythe Township and brings a TV, it will be $10 extra. That’s not $10 extra on each item. It’s just one flat $10 fee. You can have 10 items, but it will be only one extra $10 fee and whatever each item will cost.”

Holman thanked Skytop owner Ettore DiCasimirro for volunteering the use of his property for the event.

All payments must be cash only. The following fee schedule is in effect:

• $1 per item — Adding machine, audio/visual equipment, barbecue grill, bicycle, blender, cables and cords, calculator, cellphone, coffee pots, desktop computer, DVD player, fax machine, gaming system, keyboard and mouse, laptop computer, metal furniture, mixer, printer, scanner, stereo, string Christmas lights, telephone, UPS battery backup, vacuum cleaner, VCR and water heater.

• $5 per item — Dishwasher, stove, washer, dryer.

• $10 per item — Computer monitor, floor copier.

• Televisions — Under 40 inches, $20; over 40 inches, $40; large wooden cabinets and projection TV, $50. Televisions with broken glass will not be accepted.

• Not accepted — Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and items with refrigerant; bulk items and wood.

The Borough of Gordon is offering to residents the opportunity to drop off their items and have them taken to the recycling site. Drop off is from noon to 2 p.m. today until Friday at the borough building. Cash payments only and proof of residency is required.

Holman, who is the Ryan Township vice chairman, said, “I will also do that here. That would make it a lot easier for Ryan Township residents to make arrangements with me.”

For more information, call the COG delegate at a participating municipality and/or call Holman at 570-778-1278.

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

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — A colorful photograph of a butterfly caught Maria Swain’s attention Sunday at the Allied Artists 58th annual Judged Art Exhibit.

“Oh, I like that one,” Swain, 15, of Schuylkill Haven, said while looking at the photograph of a multicolored butterfly on a leaf.

The colors green, blue and red were among those that popped out at her. Her mother, Dianna Swain, Schuylkill Haven, said they attended so her daughter could learn more about the benefits of art, although they have been to art shows previously.

The photo by Pam Foley received honorable mention in the exhibit’s photography category. There were four categories that participants could enter: Photography, Not Under Glass, Under Glass and Mixed Media. Prizes were awarded for first, second and third place in each category and two honorable mentions per category.

Held in the Health and Wellness Building at Penn State Schuylkill, the exhibit featured art from 41 artists and included 124 entries and 22 works of art by featured artist Marg Wolf, who is also president of the Al-lied Artists of Schuylkill County, a drawing from graduate Matt Miller, from Blue Mountain School District and two pieces of art by the judges, Fran Parzanese and Bill Kreiger.

“Our show is our big thing,” Wolf said.

Usually, the event is held at Foursquare Gospel Church, Pottsville, but it was moved this year to Penn State because it has air conditioning.

“We had a real good relationship with them,” Wolf said of the church, where it was held the last seven years.

Last year, 39 artists displayed their work and 202 people attended the show. The exhibit started Saturday and continues from 6 to 8 p.m. through Saturday. As of Sunday, about 120 attended.

Wolf said she believes more publicity via social media has helped to promote the event.

This is the first year Wolf has shown her art at the exhibit.

“I work from photos,” she said, from ones she captures or from photos that can be given to her.

For example, “Twining,” an oil painting, comes from a photo her son took of Wolf’s daughter and her dog in Long Beach, New York. The dog has since died. A seal, goat and other animals are also subjects of her artistic talent.

Sandy Frinzi, 67, of Lake Wynonah, admired an oil and water color titled “Wise old owl.”

“This one is really pretty. I like this one because of the fall colors,” Frinzi said.

It was for sale, but Frinzi said she has enough decorations on her walls, so she wasn’t likely to buy any art to hang. She looked at postcards instead.

“Nature is beautiful because God made it,” Frinzi said.

Mixed media entries included items featuring Winston Churchill, former president Dwight D. Eisenhower and others.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028