This year’s Pittston Tomato Festival will serve all the usual fun fans have come to expect from the annual celebration of the fruit.

But this time, the mid-August event also will help draw awareness to the plight of one of the men who has helped make it happen over the last two decades.

Pittston resident Ben Tielle, 52, is in need of a new kidney after treatment for a heart attack and the subsequent cardiac troubles he endured damaged his kidneys to the point that he retains 14 percent function. Doctors at Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Philadelphia, recommended he do outreach to find a living donor.

“I’m a very outgoing person, as I’ve been saying to everybody, but when it comes to asking for something for myself, I was very, very reluctant. ... (The hospital) mentioned to me in Philadelphia (that) one of the best platforms is social media,” said Tielle, who also has diabetes. “That was just very difficult for me, but the Tomato Festival committee — (chairwoman) Lori Nocito and the rest of the committee — just sort of rallied around me.”

Their support came in the form of “Ben needs a kidney” T-shirts they’ll don for this year’s festival. Tielle was put on the list to receive a transplant in May, and he said doctors have held off on starting him on dialysis because doing so would push him further down the transplant list. While a family match would have been ideal, Tielle’s brother has a different blood type (Tielle is B positive).

The committee shirts include Tielle’s phone number — 570-430-1924 — so potential donors can get in touch with him. Potential matches will then need to get in touch with Jefferson to start the matching process, he said.

Tielle, who also is active in community outreach through First Baptist Church of Pittston, said he started volunteering with the Tomato Festival “to get involved with something that was going to do good for others.”

“I’m feeling very overwhelmed right now,” he said. “I never expected the outpouring of support and everything since the pictures first appeared in the paper and people started sharing it on Facebook. But I’m feeling very positive that I’ve already gotten a few calls, nothing that really turned out to be perfect matches or real possibilities, but there is interest out there. ... I always feel like I’m complaining, (but) I’m just so tired and worn out every day from my condition, and this has sort of given me a boost.”

The possibility that the festival — which runs through Sunday in the city’s downtown — could help find an organ donor for Tielle excites Nocito, its chairwoman for the last 22 years.

“Originally I thought we would just put (the information) out on our Facebook page, but then I had some other ideas as well,” she said. “I thought, ‘Let’s really do it up big for Ben this year.’ ... If we can get a kidney for Ben, that would be the most wonderful thing.”

Even with a positive outcome for Tielle, thought, the festival will feel bittersweet for Nocito, who plans to step down from the top job this year, although she will remain active with the committee in other ways going forward. Pittston Mayor Michael Lombardo will take over as festival chairman.

“It’s been 22 years — a labor of love — and the festival has a great momentum right now,” Nocito said. “We see more people stepping up to take on volunteer roles, and I think now it’s a good time to encourage others to take the lead because it can only grow. And I would never leave if times were tough. To go out on a high note or a good note would be the best thing. ... It’s nice because the transition will be very smooth.”

Initially, Nocito expected to lead the group for a year, but she decided to stick around and has watched the festival grow during those two decades. It added the famous tomato fights, a 5K run and a new merchandise headquarters in addition to moving from one area in the city to another and improving the event’s layout and design. While the festival has used two tiers of a parking lot, this year it will add a third tier in a lot behind Pittston Memorial Library, 47 Broad St., where visitors can find artists and other vendors.

“I’ve very proud of our committee and how well we work together,” Nocito said. “And I’m proud of the events and the things at the festival that we’ve added over the years. ... There’s just so many different things that we’ve been able to do together to make it even bigger and better.”

Visitors can hear live music every night and check out other special events. On Saturday, the 5K race and fun walk will take place at 10 a.m.; the parade, 10:30 a.m.; tomato fights at Waterfront Warehouse (formerly Cooper’s), 304 Kennedy Blvd., 1:30 p.m.; and the tomato contest, 7 p.m. The Little Miss and Little Mr. Tomato contest will follow on Sunday from 10:45 a.m. to noon.

Nocito believes the food and camaraderie bring people back to the festival year after year, with the events like the tomato fights, race and parade keeping people engaged. She knows groups have even planned class reunions around the festival so they could attend the tomato festival.

“The festival has always been the major event of Pittston city, and I think it has helped put Pittston city on people’s radar because the festival is so unique,” Nocito said.

The festival also has helped her fulfill her goal of raising enough money for it to give back to the community, something it does by donating to civic organizations. She hopes, too, that guests take note of Pittston’s recent revitalization work when they visit.

“I would say that someone who hasn’t come back for a year would see a lot more life in the city,” she said. “People are living in the city. ... I think they’re going to see all the revitalization efforts and of course enjoy something they maybe never tried before. ... There’s something for everyone.”

Contact the writer: cwest@timesshamrock­.com; 570-348-9100, ext. 5107

Blazing a trail into the past on old tracks is the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train, Ashland, with its 27th annual Pioneer Day event celebrating the history and heritage of the area.

The event, which also celebrates the tunnel’s 57th anniversary as a tourist attraction, will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at 19th and Oak streets.

For the special occasion, the Pioneer Tunnel will be offering combination tickets for the coal mine tour and scenic rides on the steam train, Chastity Moran, business manager, said. The tickets will cost $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 2-11.

Visitors waiting to board, and while taking the coal mine tours, will be entertained with coal mining songs and stories by Stu Richards and Tommy Symons, known locally as the Breaker Boys.

Another regionally popular band, Light Weight Band, will be performing in Higher-Ups Park from 1 to 4 p.m.

“Bring a lawn chair and sit back and relax while listening to some great music,” according to an event press release.

Food and craft vendors, along with other groups and activities, will also be set up in the park.

Food, always a “highlight of Pioneer Day,” according to the release, will be sold by several local churches, organizations and food vendors. Dishes will include chicken barbecue dinners, bleenies, rib-eye steak sandwiches, haluski, halupki, hamburgers and hot dogs, pierogies, apple dumplings, bundukies, authentic Egyptian food and more.

Other organizations will be selling raffle tickets on themed baskets, fundraising items and will also offer pictorial displays and free information.

Free parking and shuttle service will be available from the Gitman Bros. parking lot at 23rd and Centre streets. For more information, call 570-875-3850 or visit the tunnel’s website, www.pioneertunnel.com.

Contact the writer: cwertz@

republicanherald.com; 570-628-6004

POTTSVILLE — More than 70 structures in 18 Schuylkill County municipalities were demolished from a $1.4 million state grant the county received in 2017.

“We’re here to celebrate the end of a very successful anti-blight effort,” state Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, Rush Township, said in front of 525 S. Centre St.

The property, which was demolished about five months ago, was one of eight in Pottsville — all on the city blight list — to be removed with the funds.

“I was very impressed with what the county was able to do with the grant,” Argall said. He helped secure the grant, which was funded through the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

He said the work isn’t over.

“What is important is not just the properties coming down, but what happens next,” Argall said.

The removal of the eyesores can spur investment and more pride in the communities, he said. Overall, structures were razed in Pottsville, Girardville, Palo Alto, Tower City, Shenandoah, Mahanoy City, Coaldale, Frackville, Ashland, Schuylkill Haven, Gilberton, Gordon, Minersville and Delano, Butler, Reilly, Porter and Frailey townships.

Argall, Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, Pottsville, the Schuylkill County commissioners, County Administrator Gary Bender, City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar and city codes officials were among those who attended Thursday’s announcement.

“It helps all of us when we are able to remove a structure,” Palamar said.

Bender said the county didn’t know how many they would be able to knock down with the funds, but he said the county did the best it could with the money.

“The money to tear down structures was always the limit,” Bender said.

The former American Legion building, 3 E. Sunbury St., Minersville, which was reduced to rubble in July 2017, was the first property demolished with the grant funds. A park will take its place. The last property, 312 McKnight St., Gordon, was knocked down in July, Bender said.

“Blight can be contagious, but so is community revitalization,” Argall said.

“It’s a revitalization effort. Cleaning up some of these properties is the first step,” Tobash said.

Schuylkill County commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr. applauded the cooperation between everyone.

“This is our future. We always say that Schuylkill County is a great place to live, work and worship, and a great place to raise our children,” Halcovage said.

County commissioner Gary Hess said demolition of the buildings is a start to a better future.

“It’s the revitalization of communities,” Hess said.

“We need to continue to address blight,” Schuylkill County Commissioner Frank Staudenmeier said.

Breakdown

Shenandoah was awarded the most money from the grant. It was used to demolish 14 properties. The property totals in other municipalities were: Pottsville, 8; Girardville, 7; Mahanoy City, 7; Ashland, 6; Gilberton, 6; Minersville, 5; Frackville, 4; Coaldale, 2; Tower City, 2; Palo Alto, 2; Gordon, 2; Butler Township, 2 Porter Township, 1; Delano Township, 1; Frailey Township, 1; Reilly Township 1; and Schuylkill Haven, 1.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

DOUGLASSVILLE — Seventy-seven boys and girls are taking part in the 2019 Pennsylvania State Police Troop L Camp Cadet program underway at Camp Manatawny in Berks County.

Kurt E. Katzenmoyer, president of the Troop L Camp Cadet Program and a member of its board of directors, said the children attending the camp are between the ages of 12 and 15 and represent Schuylkill, Berks and Lebanon counties, the three counties covered by Troop L.

Katzenmoyer explained that Camp Cadet, in its 34th year, is a weeklong, police-oriented event designed to instill values on the cadets that they can use the rest of their lives, even if they choose not to go into law enforcement.

Those values, he said, are growth through discipline, achievement through teamwork and pride through respect.

“These are three basic values that you can take with you and use every day of your life,” Katzenmoyer said.

Katzenmoyer said he hopes each of the attendees will choose the right path in life and maybe Camp Cadet will play a role in that decision.

“They (cadets) just have to want to better themselves and have the drive and desire to better themselves in life, no matter what path they choose,” Katzenmoyer said.

Camp director Trooper David Boehm, public information officer for Troop L, said Camp Cadet is a disciplined, military-oriented program that stresses responsibility, honor and teamwork.

“This can set them up for the rest of their lives,” he said. “When they leave here on Saturday we hope they take what we taught them and use that knowledge in their lives.”

In addition to the various activities, cadets are introduced to the diverse criminal justice system and can have a positive relationship with law enforcement personnel.

Camp Cadet, Boehm said, also focuses on discipline, self-esteem, drug and alcohol education, violence prevention and many other issues facing today’s youth.

Some of the activities throughout the week were marksmanship, swimming, horseback riding, volleyball and kick ball.

Boehm said that all camp activities are supervised by a counseling staff of state and local law enforcement as well as those who have attended the camp and have since moved on to military service.

All participants who attend Camp Cadet are addressed as “cadet” during the week and are required to participate in all scheduled events.

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

POTTSVILLE — Schuylkill County voters should see new machines when they cast their ballots in the 2020 primary election, officials said Thursday.

The machines will produce a paper form that voters can use to check the ballots they cast to make sure they have registered their choices correctly, County Administrator Gary R. Bender said.

However, that should be the only new feature voters will notice in the machines, which have not yet been selected, according to Bender.

“It’s not going to be a big change for our voters,” he said.

Robert S. Carl Jr., chairman of the Schuylkill County Board of Elections, said that panel, which also includes Jeanne Porter and Mark J. Scarbinsky, plans to make the choice this fall from the four systems being considered. The board will hold meetings the week of Aug. 26 to keep the process moving, Carl said.

“It is highly unlikely” that the new machines will be in place for the Nov. 5 General Election, he said. “Our goal always has been to have them for (the 2020 primary).”

Frannie Brennan, director of the county Election Bureau, said the commissioners, who usually comprise the board, are not on it this year because they are running for re-election.

“The commissioners can’t be involved,” she said.

States are examining new voting machines in the wake of fears of possible tampering with election results. In particular, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has mandated that counties have new machines in place for the 2020 elections.

Carl said the four choices include the three most common in the country. He did not give the names of any of the four companies whose machines are under consideration.

“We’ll look at all four,” he said. “We want to look at what each one does. We haven’t ruled anything out.”

All the systems have firewalls to prevent hacking, Carl said.

Whichever one is chosen will have a “verifiable paper trail,” by which a voter can be certain the machine has registered his or her choices correctly, according to Carl.

“This is the mandate,” he said.

Carl said the state is arguing about how much help it will provide to counties, and Schuylkill County does not yet know if it will get any reimbursement at all.

“We have to find a way to pay for it,” he said.

Bender said the cost will be between $1,600,000 and $1,800,000.

“We’re in the process of setting up financing,” he said. “It will be a bond issue.”

Whether to buy or lease the system also is an issue that must be resolved, Carl said.

He said the board, not the commissioners, will make the final decision.

“They are letting us do it the right way,” Carl said.

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

The drive northeast seemed interminable, but then my directional device insisted upon taking me upon roads that wound through the woods of northern Pennsylvania and southeastern New York.

But once the GPS led me to White Lake, New York, I was shocked by what I saw.

There, in the countryside that once included Max Yasgur’s farm, the site of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair 50 years ago, stood a thoroughly modern set of buildings.

But, first, the back story.

Earlier this month, I had some vacation days, and they included a Monday.

Monday is never a good day off in sports. With the weekend just concluded, there often are few sports events scheduled that day to see.

But I don’t just love sports.

Music, particularly classic rock, has been a passion for years. I grew up in rock’s heyday, when many of the acts that played at Woodstock created some of their best work.

But I was just 13 years old in 1969 and, growing up in a conservative Berks County community on the edge of Amish country, any thought of traveling to Woodstock would have been met with stern disapproval. My parents had read about the atmosphere — specifically the mud, the drugs and the behavior — among the half-million attendees and feared their children would have been caught up in a pattern of misconduct that couldn’t be reversed.

Instead, Woodstock now is not only history, but an actual National Historic Site. Yasgur’s farm wasn’t just the site of chaos, but hosted a convention of like-minded people with a purpose to change the nation and its attitude about the Vietnam War.

Renovation in the countryside

That wasn’t in my thoughts when I was deciding how to spend the Monday during vacation. I simply wanted to find a concert to attend. An online search drew me to the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts and a show featuring Heart, Sheryl Crow and Elle King.

What I didn’t realize was that, after 50 years, I was finally going to Woodstock.

So, after a drive of 2 3/4 hours, I pulled into the parking lot and suddenly learned I really was at Yasgur’s farm. Now though, the once muddy hillside with thousands of celebrants contains two performance areas and a multi-level museum dedicated to the iconic festival. One is a massive pavilion — the site of the night’s concert — located near the site of the stage where musicians entertained thousands in 1969.

If there was any doubt about the aura of the place, the lead singers of all three acts that night called the site “hallowed ground.”

What the site really is, though, is a renovation in the countryside. Alan Gerry, who made his money in cable television, bought the 37-acre site of the then-Woodstock Music and Art Fair, plus 700 additional acres, and created Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in the 1990s.

The result is that, while the promoters essentially lost big money in attempting the original Woodstock, the site is now the height of commercial enterprise, especially now that Bethel Woods is celebrating the golden anniversary of Woodstock this year with a series of major concerts like the one I attended.

The museum is living history for me as the exhibits detail both the 1950s and 1960s and the cultural causes that led to Woodstock, along with a surprisingly candid look at the events of those days. There are three theatres, one detailing the events of 1968; an IMAX room, including bean bags on which people can lie down to look up at musical performances during Woodstock; and the last one with a film with speakers talking about the event’s impact on society.

Copycat festival in Berks

I lived through that impact in an odd way. One of the effects were copycat festivals, including the first Jesus festival held in 1973 in Morgantown, Pa. As a junior in high school, I was a reporter for a now-defunct weekly at the time and recall covering the event, a religious mini-Woodstock blanketing John Mast’s potato field just west of the town.

While some townspeople genuinely feared a repeat of Woodstock itself, it actually was a more sedated and much smaller event filled with Christian music, sermons and prayers. But the thousands who attended did overwhelm the town, including the general store where I also had a summer job. Eventually, my employer there just wanted all of them to go away, even though he was making a big profit.

Yet, that event shared one characteristic with Woodstock. Those who attended were not the same afterward.

Legacy of Woodstock

In the Bethel Woods museum, I encountered a couple whose husband kept remarking how Woodstock changed his perspective of the world. Watching a video in the final room before — as with most museums — you finish in the gift shop, he wistfully remarked how well Richie Havens, who was the first performer at Woodstock — looked in the video. His wife turned to him and said, “Honey, you do know that Richie Havens died, don’t you?”

Yes, we are now getting to that point. Just as there are fewer World War II and Korean War veterans remaining daily, the same will be said in coming years for those who served in Vietnam and for those who protested the United States’ participation in that war.

And what will be left?

There will be the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, teaching all born after the Summer of Love about one of the most turbulent times in the nation’s history, that we got through it and how a popular movement of ordinary people can change the direction of a nation.

Contact the writer: ccurley@republicanherald; 570-628-6019; @ChuckCurley

POTTSVILLE — An early morning fire Thursday in the city resulted in two people being arrested and jailed.

Pottsville Police Chief Richard F. Wojciechowsky said police and firefighters were called to the area of Second and Arch streets around 4:20 a.m. for a report of a structure fire.

The building where the fire was discovered had previously been secured by Pottsville code enforcement officers and no one was allowed to be inside, the chief said.

Upon arrival, firefighters found the rear of the property, 204 N. Second St., owned by T&D Pottsville Holdings LLC, was on fire.

They began to make entry into the building to extinguish the fire when Tyler Hall, 19, and Jessica Yerger, 19, who have no known addresses, exited the structure through the basement, police said.

The two were taken into custody. Wojciechowsky said they admitted they illegally entered the building and had been illegally staying in the basement of the building for about three days prior to the fire and were using candles for lighting.

Also, Hall had an active warrant for his arrest from Virginia, police learned.

Criminal complaints were filed by Cpl. Charles Webber, charging Hall and Yerger with felony criminal trespass.

They were arraigned by Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $10,000 straight cash bail each,

Wojciechowsky said the investigation into the cause of the fire remains active.

All seven fire companies from the Pottsville Fire Department and the Schuylkill Haven Rapid Intervention Team responded to the fire, which was contained in a matter of minutes.

Assistant Chief Kevin Sibbett said the fire was to the rear of the building in the alley. He said he didn’t hear any working smoke alarms in the building.

A firefighter sustained a leg injury and was taken for evaluation. His name was not provided.

Firefighters cleared the scene at 6 a.m. Schuylkill EMS also responded.

Contact the writers: ; 570-628-6028; fandruscavage@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6013

POTTSVILLE — Mayor James T. Muldowney said he is impressed with the interest in the construction of the Mahantongo Parking Garage.

A pre-bid conference was held Thursday in City Hall for the those interested in bidding on the job.

“I think it’s going to be a very competitive bid,” Muldowney said, because of the number of contractors who attended the non-mandatory conference.

John Levkulic, engineer for the Pottsville Parking Authority and interim executive director, was also pleased with the approximate 20 people who were there.

City council member Joe Devine said the contractors seem very interested in the project.

“They realized the task that is ahead of them,” Devine said.

Earlier this month, the project was put out for bids that will be accepted until Sept. 3. City council could award the contract at the Sept. 9 council meeting.

The original Mahantongo garage met its end last year when the final wall fell in November. The city council hired SDL Construction, Orwigsburg, in August 2018 to demolish the garage that closed in October 2016 due to deteriorated structural reinforcing.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture provided a $5 million loan for the garage. Other money, including $2.8 million pledged from Richard L. “Dick” Yuengling Jr. of D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc. will be used.

The city’s Historical Architectural Review Board looked at the concept drawings for the garage and recommended approval by city council at its April 3 meeting. The city council, the Pottsville Parking Authority and the USDA all needed to provide feedback on the drawings and have done so.

There will be 221 parking spaces at the garage, of which 214 are regular size, four are designated handicapped spaces and three are van accessible. Motorists will need permit parking or use the new cellphone app, Parkmobile. Drivers lacking a smartphone can call a 1-800 number, which has not yet been provided, and give information such as license plate number and credit card information.

Levkulic said the entrance to the garage remains on South Second Street but its location has been changed to the middle of the block.

Previously, drivers had to enter near the end of South Second Street and Howard Avenue, causing traffic to back up at times. Small street signs will be placed on the brick on the South Second Street and Mahantongo Street sides. The new garage will have internal ramps and an elevator. Two glass towers are also proposed, the one on the corner of Mahantongo and South Second Street will have an elevator. The one on the corner of South Second and Howard will have steps.

The plaques that were on the previous garage will be placed on the corner of South Second and Mahantongo streets. Two more are possible, with one mentioning the garage project and the other incorporating a “historical timeline” of what was on the site before the old and new garage. Plans also call for LED lights in the garage and small lights on the tower areas. Lights will also border the garage. Parking is prohibited near the sidewalk. Bike racks are also incorporated into the plan.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

Cressona

Bethany Christian Fellowship, 102 Front St., will have a pork barbecue luncheon from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Meals are $8 each and include a pork barbecue sandwich, macaroni salad, potato salad, chips, pickles, dessert and beverage. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-385-0609.

Mahanoy City

The Mahanoy City Public Library recently acknowledged the following memorials: For Leroy Seiger by KME Fire Apparatus; for Rose Fletcher by Arnie and Lisa Broomell; for Irene Walters by Arnie and Lisa Broomell; for Janet Palmer by Jim and Tina Davidson.

McAdoo

The McAdoo Lions Club is sponsoring a fundraiser trip to Wind Creek Bethlehem Casino, formerly Sands Casino, on Sept. 12. The bus will leave at 10 a.m. from the former St. Kunegunda Church and leave the casino at 5:30 p.m. for the return trip. The cost is $25 with a $25 slot rebate from the casino. To register for the trip or for more information, call 570-929-1012 or 570-778-6956.

Pottsville

The Benevolent Association of Pottsville is accepting applications from charitable non-profit organizations in Schuylkill County. Grant money must be used for projects that benefit children, according to an association press release. Since 1988, the association has given grants totaling $839,000, averaging about $29,000 over the past 29 years. To request an application, contact Catherine S. Zimmerman at zimcathy@gmail.com. The deadline for applications is Aug. 23.

Pottsville

Events at the amphitheater in the East Side Joulwan Park include a free Jazz, Wine & Spirits Fest from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday. People should bring chairs to enjoy the event. For more information, call Bob Dallago at 570-294-3200. A free concert at the Joulwan Park amphitheater is set for 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday featuring the New Individuals band. People again are advised to bring chairs. Call Dallago for more information.

Schuylkill Haven

St. Mark’s Brown’s Church, 151 Summer Hill Road, will have a catered dinner from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Aug. 24. Patrons will have a choice of roast beef or stuffed chicken breast with sides and dessert. Tickets are $10 each. For tickets or more information, call 570-640-7748.

Shenandoah

The Greater Shenandoah Area Senior Citizens group is sponsoring a trip to Mount Airy Casino on Sept. 18 to see The Capris. The cost is $65, which includes $15 slot play and lunch buffet. Pickups will be at the R&J Tours garage in Cressona at 7:35 a.m., Home Depot in Saint Clair at 8 a.m., M&T Bank in Frackville at 8:10, Burger King in Shenandoah at 8:25, Main and Centre in Shenandoah at 8:35 and the senior center in Mahanoy City at 8:50. The group also is sponsoring a trip to Mount Airy Casino Nov. 12 to see The Diamonds. The cost, slot play and pickup schedule are the same. To register or for more information on either trip, call Dolores at 570-462-3222 or Fran at 570-467-0147.

Shenandoah

The Shenandoah Community Ambulance Association is holding its 2019-20 subscription drive. “The professionals at the Shenandoah Community Ambulance Association strive to provide the best medical care possible to the residents and visitors in our communities,” according to a release, which adds, “They depend on donations and membership fees to staff the ambulances, purchase equipment and train EMTs and paramedics.” Donations may be sent to: Shenandoah Community Ambulance Association, 229 N. Main St., Shenandoah, PA 17976. For more information, go to the SCAA website at www.shenems.org. SCAA includes the Lost Creek and Ringtown Valley associations.

Sheppton

The Sheppton-Oneida Volunteer Fire Company, 900 Center St., will have its monthly bingo games from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. The bingo, according to a release, features large prizes and special games. Homemade food and refreshments will be available. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-384-4746 or go online to www.sovfc.com.

ORWIGSBURG — Due to mold that was discovered in the building this summer, on Aug. 26, the first day of school, there will be no children walking through the doors of Blue Mountain Elementary West.

While construction workers clean and renovate the school, kindergarteners, first-graders and second-graders will attend St. Ambrose School in Schuylkill Haven, while third-graders will attend Blue Mountain Cressona. The Blue Mountain school board unanimously approved the leasing of St. Ambrose for that purpose at Thursday’s meeting. The lease is on a month-to-month basis at a cost of $14,000 monthly.

At the meeting, which had to be relocated to the Blue Mountain Middle School auditorium due to a swell of attendees, the audience got an unexpected vocabulary lesson on different types of mold, such as basisiospores and myxomycetes.

“We want to drill a hole into every wall in every classroom,” Blue Mountain Superintendent David Helsel said. “We’re going to fix and clean up every wall, and do it right.”

Construction workers found mold in 13 rooms while repairing several busted radiators. The plywood behind the classrooms’ walls had rotted away and the level of water intrusion could be seen from the exteriors of the school. Helsel said there should have been an air barrier to increase air circulation between the walls.

“A lot of these cork boards acted like, I call it, mold sponges,” he said.

Like sponges, they absorbed various allergens, including mold and bacteria. All moldy areas were sealed off to prevent further infection. Each and every classroom’s belongings had to be wiped down.

“All four walls in every room were cut open, they were inspected,” said Mike Lebowski, president of H&P Construction, the company that was fixing the radiators and will now be de-molding the school. Air tests of the entire facility found that there was one-third less mold inside the school than there was outside of it. Lebowski also stressed that the school was safe for construction workers to enter.

“Even though there was growth, there is not necessarily harmful mold,” he said. Throughout the renovation, the air and surfaces will be tested for mold. The process will take at least one and a half months.

“We’re going to make sure that we have a good education for our kids,” Helsel said in response to a woman who asked what the school’s childcare program will look like in the wake of the closing. “Bottom line is it’s not going to start on the 26th. We’re going to show you a schedule of what it’s going to look like.”

Other concerns at the meeting included the fact that St. Ambrose’s kitchen has a broken refrigerator and a broken stove. If necessary, meals will be cooked at the high school and trucked to St. Ambrose. Blue Mountain Transportation Director Tina Gerlott said that the busing situation will be very similar to what it looked like before the closing.

There have been many ideas for what the renovation is supposed to look like, but Helsel said that nothing could be confirmed until the engineers who assessed the building completed their report. In Pennsylvania, elementary schools are required to have at least 900 hours of instruction. Helsel is planning to petition the state for an exception to the rule that all schools must have 180 days of instruction, appealing based on the fact that their hours of instruction far exceed the 900-hour minimum.

ORWIGSBURG — Some young fans hoping to meet children’s book author Suzanne Nelson rearranged their vacation plans Thursday to attend her book signing.

For Nelson — a Ridgefield, Connecticut, writer who has family in Schuylkill County — it was a time to reconnect with aunts and cousins while celebrating her latest literary offering, “A Tale Magnolious.”

It’s an adventure about “an orphan, her elephant and some rather unusual seeds,” the book’s jacket cover describes. Nelson dedicated the book to her late grandfather, George Tallman, a Tower City farmer. Her mother, Virginia Morton, also resides in Tower City and attended Thursday’s event at the Schuylkill Country Club. Nelson arrived at her mother’s home Wednesday and will stay in the county until Sunday, she said.

Nelson offered a reading and a presentation about her writing process and the idea development for “A Tale Magnolious.”

“It’s a story of hope. It’s about people and creatures rescuing each other and unexpected families,” Nelson said.

“A Tale Magnolious” was developed after Nelson did some research about a real circus elephant, named Mary, that was publicly executed in 1918. She also had a dream about a little girl and an elephant that she incorporated into her novel. “I wanted to give Mary a different ending than the one in real life,” she said, noting Mary in this case, became Magnolious.

The SCC Book Club hosted Nelson’s appearance and luncheon, and Seil Michalik, SCC board and book club member, welcomed guests.

“We were in Williamsburg this morning and cut our vacation short just to get here,” Christina Shannon, said, who joined with the Dutcavage family for the author’s visit. “My son picked up the book when we got here and hasn’t stopped reading it.”

Shannon’s family resides in the Pennsboro area near Quakertown.

She and her husband, Colin, brought their two sons, Caleb and Caeden, both 8, after Christina’s grandmother, Gloria Dutcavage, told her about the event. David Dutcavage and Christina’s aunt, Diane Pizzo, of Barnesville, also attended.

Christina Shannon said her sons started reading the Harry Potter series and enjoy writing stories together. Caeden said he does the writing and Caleb comes up with the characters.

Meanwhile, Nelson’s daughter, Madeline, who turns 9 shortly, passed out free raffle tickets for a book drawing. Madeline introduced her mother at the luncheon. She shared that her mother could rely on the family dog when she became stressed or needed some editing help. “I’m proud of her,” the young girl said.

Robert Snyder, 8, of Valley View, was the raffle winner and received six book titles. “I’m going to read that one first,” Snyder, said of the Magnolious book. He likes reading super hero books and Dr. Seuss, he said.

Diane Bokunewick, of Valley View, brought her grandson, Snyder, along with her granddaughter, Brielle Schwalm, 12, of Hegins. Bokunewick is the sister of Nelson’s aunt, Sue Tallman.

Gita Patel said Nelson’s presentation about the writing process was fascinating. “I never knew it would take that long. It was interesting that something that came from her dream then became a book,” she said.

Patel, a SCC book club member, bought “A Tale Magnolious” for her granddaughter, Sonia Hett, 4. “She loves books and every night she needs to have three or four books read to her before she goes to bed,” Patel, of Orwigsburg, said.

At most book signings or meet-and-greets, Nelson said, there are usually three common questions people ask. They want to know how long it takes her to write a book, if her books are based on real people, and where her ideas come from.

For her Scholastic books, it can take three months to write a rough draft and up to nine months to a year to complete. For books, like “A Tale Magnolious,” it can take at least a year for the rough draft, and more than three years total to finish.

Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers, the 368-page hardcover of “A Tale Magnolious” sells for $12.15 to $16.99 and is available in bookstores and online. She’s written more than 20 books.

Nelson’s latest novel that promotes a message of hope was something that Debra Leibensperger could appreciate. She was getting a signed copy for her great niece, Kendall Daley, 3, of Minersville. “She’s our miracle baby,” Leibensperger, of Schuylkill Haven, said. Kendall had heart surgery when she was born, Leibensperger said.

Nelson fielded audience questions and met guests during her signing.

Michalik said she found the character Twitch interesting and asked about his development in the story.

Twitch is an amateur detective who lives on a neighboring farm and reads detective comics, the author said. He’s convinced there are dastardly deeds going on and enlists the main character’s help, she explained. “He’s spunky and can never sit still,” she said.

Aliyah Kershner, 12, of Bethel, asked Nelson how she came up with another character in a different book, “Hot Cocoa Hearts.” Kershner’s mother, Jennifer Kershner, is Nelson’s cousin.

“I wanted to write a main character who was going to be scrooge-like, and I also love the holidays. I would listen to Christmas music year around,” Nelson admitted.

She also had copies for sale of her newest Scholastic Inc. book, “Shake It Off,” just released July 30.

“It’s a country mouse, city mouse story,” Nelson explained. The story features a Chicago girl who gets stuck at her aunt and uncle’s dairy farm in Iowa. She starts creating crazy milkshakes at the local creamery.

“It’s about her learning to appreciate farm life, and there’s a crush involved,” the author said.

For more details, visit www.suzannenelson.com.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

FOUNTAIN SPRINGS — The story of a bunch of newsboys who took on two successful newspaper publishers in 1899 for better wages will be told this weekend in the musical “Newsies” at North Schuylkill High School.

The musical tells of the Newsboys Strike of 1899 and the boys who sold newspapers on the streets in the afternoons and evenings. They earned a half a cent per paper for their efforts. The newspapers were sold for one cent.

The strike was held in July and lasted about two weeks. The newsboys blocked the Brooklyn Bridge, causing distribution problems for the papers and severely reducing the number of newspapers being distributed.

Members of Artists In Motion Performing Arts will hold two performances in the high school auditorium. The first performance is at 7 p.m. today and the next will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $12 each and are available at the door.

The show’s director is Andrew Umphrey, who co-founded AIM with his wife, Erin Umphrey. He said the musical has 40 youth and adults. The youth attend seven area school districts: Minersville Area, Blue Mountain, Schuylkill Haven Area, North Schuylkill, Tamaqua Area, Pottsville Area and Pine Grove Area. The post-secondary schools represented by students in the cast are Fairleigh Dickinson University, DeSales University and Bloomsburg University.

“When we did Peter Pan last year, we look for shows that really cover a wide range of ages and opportunities for performers, but we typically look for shows with predominately younger roles because a majority of our participants in the shows are between 9 and 18 years old,” Umphrey said. “So ‘Newsies’ fits the bill for that. One thing we really like about this show is that it’s an impactful and powerful message that’s being sent. It’s also based on history of the newsboys strike of 1899. As a director, I love shows that do that, draw from real stories and real experiences that have happened in history.”

Umphrey said the one thing considered was being able to cast the large amount of dancing roles for boys.

“One thing we were worried about this year with ‘Newsies’ is that it calls for a lot of boys,” he said. “Typically, in this area when you’re looking for dancers, it’s a lot of females, a lot of girls are in dance. We were so thrilled when we saw all the boys show up to do auditions. We have about 15 boys in the show. Of course there were still some opportunities to do more true casting with the adult roles, as well.”

Since the musical has a strong dance element to it, Umphrey said, it is a very good fit to what AIM is about.

“This is a very dance-heavy show, so we’re really able to bring our forte to the forefront to the show,” he said.

The story of the newsboys strike is not well known to most people.

“It’s really where unions were formed,” Umphrey said.

The cast leads are:

• Jack Kelly, played by Jake Hepler, a senior at North Schuylkill.

• Katherine Plumber, played by Leigha Keitsock, who recently finished her freshman year at DeSales University studying theater. She is a Pottsville Area graduate.

• Davey Jacobs, played by Max Babcock, who is attending Fairleigh Dickinson University and is a Pottsville Area graduate.

• Les Jacobs, played by Bo McDonald, a fifth-grader at Assumption BVM School in Pottsville. Les is the brother of Davey.

• Joseph Pulitzer, played by Tom Pat Noon, Ashland.

“Kelly is the leader of the newsies and has aspirations of saving enough money to move out to the fantasy that he’s created in his mind of this place called Santa Fe, where he has never been before,” Umphrey said. “He has seen pictures of it and thinks about it to keep him motivated to sell newspapers so that one day he can make his way west as the west was being settled.”

Keitsock is the romantic female lead. While Kelly is the leader of the strike, Jacobs is the brains behind it.

“What was really exciting to see at auditions was over half of the performers who came out for auditions were brand new to Artists In Motion,” Umphrey said. “A lot of them came to see Peter Pan last year, and they were impressed with what we did. They showed up to audition because they wanted to be a part of it.”

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

PINE GROVE — Heath W. Renninger remains at the helm as superintendent in the Pine Grove Area School District.

The school board Thursday reappointed Renninger for a four-year term. However, conditions of his contract were still under negotiation, according to board President David Lukasewicz.

Director David Frew was absent.

Renninger thanked the board for its confidence in his leadership and said he was looking forward to working through a contract. He’s served the district since 2016.

Members of the state champion softball team and their coaches received accolades and special recognition by the board Thursday.

Athletic Director Scott Dimon introduced the team.

In June, the Cardinals capped a perfect season, defeating Bald Eagle Area 7-3 in the PIAA Class 3A championship game at Penn State University’s Beard Field.

The state championship marks the first for Pine Grove’s softball program, which went 28-0, and was under the leadership of Head Coach Ryan Leffler.

Several directors, Renninger and Dimon praised the team for its actions on and off the field.

“We will be lucky if we ever see this type of group again,” Dimon said. He called the team “selfless” and said the work of the coaches also could not be understated.

“It’s the greatest bunch of girls I ever watched,” Wes Ney, director and extra curricular chairman, said.

“I think it’s the greatest sports team in the history of Pine Grove,” Director Randy Stump said, noting plaques featuring the championship run had been ordered from The Republican-Herald.

Stump said he’d never seen a team so dominant in any sport, and he wished those softball players who were headed to college careers the best of luck.

“I’m just amazed. We had a ton of stars,” Stump said.

Renninger said the team became famous very quickly and showed a level of respect for peers and opposing teams.

Leffler thanked the board and the community for its “amazing” support.

In other business, the board welcomed the following personnel:

• Jill Hlavaty, director of special education, effective Aug. 5, at a pro-rated salary of $76,000.

• Sarajane Depp-Hutchinson, physical education at the elementary school, $43,105.

• Selina Daubert, special education, $45,095.

• Jason Albon, crisis intervention counselor, $43,105. The board previously accepted the resignation of Erin Stramara as crisis intervention counselor effective July 31.

• Travis Mumma, physical education at the high school, $41,915.

• Kyler Burke, high school social studies, $42,815.

A few staff positions still need to be filled prior to the start of school, and the board granted Renninger authorization to fill those positions.

The board and superintendent thanked the district’s staff for preparing the facilities for incoming students.

New hires will have a campus orientation Monday; all faculty members return Tuesday; and the first day of classes for students is Aug. 26.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

POTTSVILLE — A new type of business is coming to Fairlane Village mall next month.

Rocco Arruzzo, Pennsylvania regional manager for Lexington Reality International, manager of the mall, said Athletics In Motion, or AIM, will set up shop in a site adjacent to the Super Shoes store.

The space previously was home to an arts and crafts store and currently sits empty, but not for long.

Sometime in mid-September, Arruzzo said, AIM will open to provide a safe location where children can practice baseball or softball.

Athletics In Motion also operates a facility in Schuylkill Haven and will continue at that location, Arruzzo said.

In Schuylkill Haven, AIM has an 8,000-square-foot facility catering to outdoor sports of all kinds. It offers an indoor practice facility with batting cages, pitching machines and a padded indoor turf floor. AIM also has a golf simulator.

Arruzzo, who was named mall manager effective May 1 and has been operations manager for five years at Laurel Mall near Hazleton, is hopeful Fairlane Village will be making more news soon.

“We are working on several (businesses); this is the first of many to come,” he said of AIM.

As a family-oriented business, AIM will fit right well with the atmosphere of Fairlane Village.

“There is no question that this will help the mall tremendously,” Arruzzo said.

By attracting a new and different client base, Arruzzo said, the thought is that those people will ultimately visit other merchants.

AIM representatives could not be reached on Friday for additional details.

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

MAHANOY CITY — A policy is in the works to make sure that Mahanoy City borough vehicles are checked every day for safety before being put on the road.

The proposed policy was discussed at Tuesday’s meeting of borough council after the idea was raised by Vice President Francis Burke.

“Borough workers, code enforcement, police department should do the walk-around, checking the tires and the vehicle itself, check that nothing is behind the vehicle, clean the windows in the wintertime, raise the hood and check the engine oil, belts and so forth,” he said. “And in this age, make sure there are no devices planted on the engine.”

“That should be no problem,” President Thom Maziekas said.

Burke made the motion, seconded by Scott Kline, who participated by telephone.

The motion was approved unanimously. Borough solicitor Eric Lieberman will draft the policy.

During the public comment portion, Susan Kester thanked borough foreman Larry Levy and work crew for “cutting down the jungle over on Centre Street. It is definitely an improvement.”

Frank Loeffler spoke about a rental property a short distance from his home that had garbage on the sidewalk that was later thrown on the front porch, and furniture in the backyard. Code Enforcement Officer William F. Killian III told Loeffler he had visited the property Tuesday and issued a quality of life ticket.

The council acted on the following agenda items:

• Adopted Resolution 2019-10 approving the Community Development Block Grant fiscal year 2019 budget.

• Adopted Resolution 2019-11 in compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Act (Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968), the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, and any local laws and ordinances.

• Adopted Resolution 2019-12 to modify FY 2016 CDBG program to reallocate $51,808 for Market Street to cover cost overruns on the East End Park ($40,000) and Kaier’s Park Phase II ($11,808) projects, and file the revision with the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

• Approved the preparation and submission of a sealed bid to the Mahanoy Area School District for the purchase of the district’s bus barn building. The vote was 5-1 to approve, with Councilwoman Diane Rachuck voting against.

• Approved Bill Davis Cement Contractors to patch hollow sidewalks at 637 and 639 E. Mahanoy St. at $80 per square foot.

• Approved an offer from The Skook Recovers to help the borough with cleanup and restoration projects.

• Approved interviewing applicants for the police/code clerk position and hire a qualified applicant.

• Approved moving the benches from the Main Street side of M&T Bank to Kaier’s Park subject to the approval by the Area Revitalization and Development Corp., which purchased the benches as part of downtown revitalization.

• Approved the following county repository sales: 416 E. Railroad St., bidder Anny Ceballo at $1,234; 38 S. 10th St., bidder Mary Gennaro Beverly at $1,977.

• Approved a request from the Tamaqua Fire Police Association for Mahanoy City Fire Police assistance in traffic control and detour routing at the Schuylkill County Firefighters Convention parade in Tamaqua on Aug. 24.

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

Police investigate Saint Clair break-ins

SAINT CLAIR — State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating a series of burglaries that happened to Saint Clair businesses earlier this week.

Police said they received a report Wednesday that someone broke into several businesses at the Coal Creek Plaza on Terry Rich Boulevard.

The investigation, police said, revealed that between 7:10 p.m. Tuesday and 6:30 a.m. Wednesday someone gained access to several businesses by damaging the rear door handles.

The thief or thieves then entered and removed cash and other items from inside.

The person or persons also cut through a safe in one of the businesses and stole cash that was inside.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 570-754-4600.

Man ejected in one-vehicle crash

LAVELLE — A Ranshaw man was injured in a one-vehicle crash in Barry Township early Friday morning.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said the crash happened around 5:30 a.m. on Deep Creek Road, just south of Hill Road.

Police said Corey Gruszewski, 25, was driving a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche west on Deep Creek Road when he went over the double yellow lines that separate the east and westbound lanes, before correcting his vehicle to return to his lane of travel.

Gruszewski then drove over the white fog line, went off the road and struck a tree, causing his vehicle to overturn and come to a stop on its roof.

While the vehicle was overturning, police said, Gruszewski was ejected through the sunroof of the vehicle.

Gruszewski was treated at the scene by Hegins EMS and Hegins ALS and then taken to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

Gruszewski was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash, and police said they were assisted at the scene by Lavelle firefighters.

By the time they got to Woodstock, they were half a million strong, but my wife of seven months, Betty, and I were not among the gathering at Bethel, New York, as we had planned.

I remember reading an ad for the Aug. 15-17, 1969, event that spring in the New York Times — of all places — and saying, “Hey, honey, they’re having a concert in upstate New York in August. It’s not far from the Baseball Hall of Fame, so let’s go.”

Plans were made, family was informed and the Tuesday before the event we headed north on Interstate 81, making it almost to the New York/Pennsylvania border when the car blew a soft plug. We got towed back to Lansford, reorganized and decided to use our other car to spend the weekend in New York City visiting restaurants, clubs and taking in the four-game series at Yankee Stadium between the Yankees and Detroit Tigers.

Somehow, we forgot to tell our parents about our change of plans and shock began to set in for them when the NBC Nightly News brought Woodstock into their living rooms. Betty’s mom was in a state of shock, her dad didn’t have much to say, my mom wasn’t sure what to think and dad just rolled with it.

We got home Sunday night, but didn’t get around to calling home until Monday afternoon. Let’s just say the conversations were memorable.

Since then, Betty and I have seen 19 acts that performed at Woodstock, the latest being Santana two years ago at MusikFest in Bethlehem. Of all the groups, we agree none capture the spirit of Woodstock better than Canned Heat, and we really wish we had been goin’ up the country.

Barnesville

The fourth annual Gone M.A.D. (Make A Difference) 5K Wet & Wild Run/Walk will be held beginning at 10 a.m. Aug. 24 at Tuscarora State Park. Check-in will be from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Advance registration is $17 up to Monday and $20 thereafter. Shirts will be guaranteed for the first 200 registrants. Proceeds will benefit various charitable organizations “nominated by you,” according to the flier. A new event this year is called “Get Soaked!” Participants will “get wet at miles 1 and 2, then jump in the lake after you cross the finish line.” Checks may be made payable to Kids Gone M.A.D. and mailed to Sarah Laible, Kids Gone M.A.D., 31 Woodlawn Drive, Lehighton, PA 18235. For more information, call Laible at 443-926-3071 or email slaible13@gmail.com.

McAdoo

All 2019 Hazleton Area School District real estate taxes for McAdoo Borough property owners have been mailed. The Homestead Exclusion can only be received on a primary residence and can only be claimed once. Tax collection hours are listed at the top of each tax bill. For questions or more information, call Andrew DeBalko, borough tax collector, at 570-929-1628.

Pottsville

The Pottsville Public Library, 215 W. Market St., is having a used book sale sponsored by the Friends of the Library support group from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today. All are welcome.

Pottsville

The Schuylkill County Historical Society will present a program on the Pennsylvania German healing practice of Pow-Wow from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 28 at its headquarters, 305 N. Centre St. Patrick M. “Porcupine Pat” McKinney, environmental education coordinator with the Schuylkill Conservation District, will discuss the history and practice of the Bible-based folk medicine, which uses verbal incantations, gestures and manipulation of material objects, according to a society release. Admission is $5 and free to society members.

Saint Clair

An Apple Festival at Saint Clair-Wade United Methodist Church, 23 N. Front St., will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 7 featuring apple crisp, apple pie slice or apple dumpling with ice cream and a beverage. Tickets are $5 each. For tickets, see any church member or call 570-429-1951. All are welcome.

Schuylkill Haven

A Carnival of Hope to advance breast cancer awareness will be held at Penn State Schuylkill, 200 University Drive, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 9 on the campus mall walk. There will be a dunk tank, pie-in-the-face contest, carnival of games, prizes, basket raffles and other activities. It is free and open to the public. All money raised will benefit the Pennsylvania Breast Coalition, according to an event release. For more information, call 570-385-6059.

Schuylkill Haven

The 13th annual Island Park Festival is on for 2 to 10 p.m. today, featuring music, other entertainment, food and a variety of activities at the park. Proceeds will be used for continued improvements at Island Park. All are welcome. General admission is $5; free for children 4 and younger. For more information, call 570-385-2841 or go online to www.facebook.com/events/2457464810954446.

Sheppton

Children living in East Union Township who are entering kindergarten through eighth grade are invited to “Stuff Your Backpack Night” from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Sheppton American Legion pavilion.

Tamaqua

Tamaqua Area Middle School will have an open house at 6:30 p.m. Monday. Parents and students will have the opportunity to meet students’ teachers and follow their schedules. Parents should report to the student’s homeroom. Homeroom rosters are posted on the auditorium doors. Parents are encouraged to participate in the event.

POTTSVILLE — Dr. Jack Dolbin came home to Pottsville after his pro football career, and his hometown friends honored him Friday evening by flocking to Martz Hall for a public visitation before today’s Celebration of Life service.

“He cared about the people of his hometown,” Josh Dolbin, his eldest child, said after the visitation for Dolbin, 70, who died Aug. 1. “He cared about his school.”

At least 300 people attended the public visitation at Martz Hall, according to Angela M. Mestishen Regnier, a licensed funeral director for Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, Pottsville, which is handling Dolbin’s arrangements.

Additional visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 1 p.m. at the 300 W. Arch St. church.

Dolbin played wide receiver for the National Football League’s Denver Broncos, for which he wore number 82, from 1975 through 1979, and was the team’s top receiver in Super Bowl XII. After retiring from the Broncos, he became a chiropractor, and had a long and successful career in medicine, which his son said was his passion.

“(Football) allowed him to do his real passion, which was helping people through chiropractic,” Josh Dolbin said. “That’s his legacy.”

State Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, said Dolbin contributed to the city and the Pottsville Area School District in many ways.

“He did some amazing things. He was a great community leader,” Tobash said. “We’re saddened by his loss.”

Although he had not played for them in 40 years, the Broncos remembered Dolbin, according to his son. The team honored him with a video on its website and sent the family a letter of condolence, he said.

Bronco memorabilia, including a jersey, helmet, footballs and even an Orange Crush soda can picturing Dolbin — the Bronco defense of Dolbin’s era was called the Orange Crush — dominated several displays at Martz Hall.

Displays also showed a jersey and banner from Wake Forest University, Dolbin’s alma mater, as well as numerous items from Pottsville Area football.

Regnier said several of Dolbin’s classmates from Wake Forest came to Friday’s visitation.

Tom McGeoy, the Crimson Tide’s football head coach, brought almost the whole team to the visitation.

“Doctor Dolbin was a big part of Pottsville football,” he said. “He just represents what Pottsville is all about.”

McGeoy also said today’s players should be reminded of the Crimson Tide tradition.

“It’s important for our players to pay respects to the guys who came before them, to the guys who made it a great program,” he said.

Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley said he knew Dolbin his whole life and was glad he never forgot from where he came.

“What I admired about him was that he was a local boy who made great,” Reiley said. “He came back. He was a wonderful man, a very good human being.”

Part of Dolbin’s legacy is his service on the Pottsville Area school board, service his son said was something he loved.

“They loved working with him and saw the passion he had ... for the students and the student-athletes,” Josh Dolbin said.

Schuylkill County commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr. said Dolbin was one of several men who grew up on Howard Avenue who served the city well.

“They do things for the right reasons, quietly, for the betterment of the community,” he said. “He’ll be sorely missed.”

Josh Dolbin said he was overwhelmed, but not shocked, by the support shown.

“I knew dad’s impact,” he said. “I knew first hand the people he helped. He has a lot of friends. Ultimately, the people of this community remember him every time they get a twinge in their back.”

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

Deeds

Barry Township — Anita K. Bixler, Angela R. Schellis and Beth A. Huntsinger, executrices of the Last Will & Testament of Darlene S. Hinkel, to MacKenzie T. and Daniele A. Spicher; 1223 Deep Creek Road; $83,000.

East Norwegian Township — Jay D. Tobias Jr. to David Cook and David Cook Jr.; 1.515-acre property on Port Carbon-Saint Clair Highway; $1.

East Union Township and Hazle Township, Luzerne County — PFNONWOVENS LLC to PFNONWOVENS LLC; 101 Green Mountain Road, Humboldt Industrial Park; $1.

McAdoo — Julian J. Tomushunas to Julian J. Tomushunas and Kaidian J. Gordon; four properties; $1.

Mechanicsville — Bayview Loan Servicing LLC to Narine Booden; 1407 E. Norwegian St.; $4,500.

Norwegian Township — Bruce W. Herb to Zackary E. Novak; 504 Walnut St., Mar Lin; $125,000.

Timothy L. Terway and Laurie A. Kosick, co-executors of the Estate of Lawrence H. Terway, to James R. Fessler; property at Main and Fishbach streets, Seltzer; $95,000.

Orwigsburg — Richard W. Hevner and Stephanie L. Orphanides to Jeffrey J. and Lorrie B. Hemerly; 524 E. Mifflin St.; $129,900.

Palo Alto — Richard W. and Carole E. Kline to Jessica L. Miller; 264 W. Savory St.; $75,000.

Justin Seabolt to Samantha Dalton; 120 Tuscarora St.; $111,300.

Pine Grove Township — Ronald E. Fidler to Ronald E. Fidler; 560 Oak Grove Road; $1.