TAMAQUA — Those traveling through the borough over the holidays have no doubt noticed the work of Frank Fabrizio.

For more than a dozen years, the Brockton man has been stringing thousands of lights at Depot Square Park at routes 209 and 309.

This year’s display might just be his most impressive. In addition to illuminating the park’s pavilion, shrubs and trees, he transformed the fountain into a sparkling Christmas tree.

“We bought 20 6-foot white Christmas trees and drilled off every branch of those trees,” he said of work he did with his mother, Theresa Fabrizio.

They made a frame out of PVC pipe donated by Jay Hollenbach Plumbing and Heating of Tamaqua. They began adding the branches in September.

“We built the tree in my backyard,” Fabrizio said. “I had to keep my mouth shut because it was a surprise.”

The tree was assembled piece by piece over the fountain and features cascade lights that look like falling snow.

Save for a few hanging wreaths, the park is done in blue and white lights.

“Blue and white are the school colors,” Kevin Steigerwalt, borough manager, said.

When Fabrizio began the planning process in March, he had no idea that the school’s Blue Raider football team would go on to have an impressive season, winning a district title for the first time and making its way to the state semifinals.

He estimated that 30,000 and 35,000 LED lights hang in the park. The borough chipped in to help purchase new lights.

The park will remain decorated until early January.

Illuminated New Year’s

And after a one-year hiatus, Fabrizio said that the New Year’s Eve Ball Rise is returning to the borough.

For it, Fabrizio lights the side of the Tamaqua ABC Hi-Rise with a series of eagles. When the countdown begins, the eagles “soar” to the top of the building.

Folks gather on East Broad Street to watch the spectacle.

The event was postponed last year when a roof project was underway. Property manager Pat Freeh-Stefanek said she’s happy to see it return.

“Frank redid the lights,” she said. “After 20 years, the lights were getting old. He converted them to LED lights.”

Doing so cost $500. Eric Orach of the Station Fitness Center and West Broad Barbell in Tamaqua chipped in the funds.

It was later learned that the lighted eagles’ switches didn’t work with the new LEDs. Elk Group International Lighting of Nesquehoning donated $500 to replace them.

Freeh-Stefanek received calls from others wanting to help but directed them to a GoFundMe account that had been set up to support the Depot Square project.

“The response from the community was overwhelming,” she said.

Fabrizio is also known for the elaborate light displays at his home every year.

“My dad started it in 1965 and I took over when I was 12,” he said. “A lot of the people who come here with their kids or grandkids say that they were here when they were kids.”

Contact the writer: jwhalen@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3592

Due to a water line break, the emergency hotline for Schuylkill Women in Crisis is operating at a limited level, according to Amy L. Newton, Communications Director for SWIC.

“This time of year, we’re usually pretty busy with our hotlines. We want people to know, if they get a busy signal, to keep trying. Our phone lines are just limited, in that we can’t take quite as many calls at once,” Newton said.

“We’re here 24/7, 365 days a year for victims and always will be here to help.”

SWIC discovered the water line break on Thursday evening within the server room of the administration building in Pottsville. It damaged the building, the computer and phone systems. Living space was not affected, according to Newton.

Currently, the business phone line is inoperable, while the hotline is operating.

“We hope to have this situation rectified within the next 72 hours,” Newton said this morning.

The internet service has already returned.

Anyone needing to contact SWIC in an emergency can use the hotline numbers 570-622-6220 or 800-282-0634. For regular business matters, forward questions or concerns to swicagency@comcast.net.

“Your patience and support are greatly appreciated, and we thank you for your understanding and cooperation while we work to get this problem resolved,” Newton said in a prepared release.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

POTTSVILLE — Driving under the influence twice in one year resulted Monday in a Tremont woman going to state prison after a Schuylkill County judge sentenced her on each charge.

Lisa M. Scheibley, 50, must serve six months to two years in a state correctional institution, Judge Charles M. Miller decided.

Miller also sentenced Scheibley, who wore a prison jumpsuit during Monday’s hearing, to pay costs, $800 in fines, $200 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $125 restitution to the state, and perform 30 hours community service.

“Do yourself a big favor by not driving, especially when imbibing alcohol,” Miller, who noted that the cases were the defendant’s second and third DUIs, told Scheibley.

Scheibley pleaded guilty Aug. 16 to two counts each of DUI and driving under suspension. Pennsylvania corrections officials evaluated, but eventually rejected, her request to be placed in the state intermediate punishment program.

State police at Lykens charged Scheibley in the first case, alleging she was DUI on May 26, 2016, in Tower City. Scheibley had a blood alcohol level of 0.094%, police said; the legal limit for driving in Pennsylvania is 0.08%.

In the second case, Tremont police alleged Scheibley was DUI on Sept. 29, 2016, in the borough. Scheibley refused to take a blood alcohol test in that incident, according to police.

Also in the county court, Tianna A. Bigush, 23, address not known, recently pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance, with prosecutors withdrawing a charge of possession of contraband/controlled substance.

President Judge William E. Baldwin sentenced Bigush to spend 36 months on probation, pay costs, a $100 SAEF payment, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

State police at Frackville charged Bigush with possessing drugs on Oct. 19, 2015.

In another recent county court case, Baldwin sentenced Thomas J. Racho, 44, of Beaver Meadows, to serve five days to six months in prison, pay costs, a $300 fine, a $100 SAEF payment and a $50 CJEA payment, and perform 10 hours community service. Baldwin made the sentence effective at 9 a.m. Jan. 2, 2020.

Racho pleaded guilty to DUI, with prosecutors withdrawing charges of disregarding traffic lane and careless driving. State police at Frackville alleged Racho was DUI on Jan. 1.

Also recently in the county court, Miller sentenced Robert J. Davis Jr., 23, of Pottsville, to spend 12 months on probation and pay costs, a $50 fine and a $50 CJEA payment.

Miller had found Davis guilty in a nonjury trial on Nov. 1 of improper possession or sale of documents. Minersville police had charged Davis with committing that crime on Feb. 27 in the borough.

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

MINERSVILLE — Combining her knack for using recyclables with an elf tale twist, a Minersville mother has created a new Christmas tradition for her daughter.

Amanda Boris, an LPN and a waitress at Palermo Pizza & Restaurant, drew inspiration from an empty roll of aluminium foil. The premise was to encourage positive behavior before Santa’s arrival from her 8-year-old daughter, Gabriella Angelo, similar to the picture book character from Elf on the Shelf.

She used the thick, cardboard roll to design daily entertaining settings for a stuffed toy puppy. Like the elf, the toy dog would be placed in different scenarios about the house. She started with a dog, named “Jingles,” when Gabby was in kindergarten.

“Everyone was doing the elf thing and I couldn’t bring myself to buy it because I thought it was creepy. Plus, I hated the idea of not touching it. So ‘Jingles’ arrived. He came with a note from Santa asking Gabby to watch him because he was a mischievous puppy and Santa was way too busy to watch him.”

Some of the scenarios Boris has created with recyclables this year include “Jingles Junior,” the new “reindog” puppy, getting a spa treatment, taking a shower, playing hockey, painting on an easel, receiving a manicure, watching a favorite television show, eating at a restaurant, attending a carnival and even making a snow angel.

For the carnival scene, toilet paper rolls were used as spokes to create a ferris wheel; cardboard foil rolls were made into a carnival ball game; and tea cups were set up for a spinning amusement ride.

Boris used a behavior system where her daughter had to earn bones to help her puppy report back to Santa every night. If successful, she got a small prize. Originally, the first dog, “Jingles,” was to go back to Santa on Christmas Eve, but Boris decided to let her daughter keep her stuffed companion.

“She was devastated and became so attached that instead under the tree was another note from Santa with a collar and name tag,” Boris said.

This year, Gabby has ‘JJ,’ Jingles Junior — a half reindeer, half puppy dog.

“His mom is a reindeer and he has come to meet his daddy to see what he wants to be. I sewed little antlers on. She has a list of how to earn or how to lose bones and it makes such a difference,” Boris said.

Besides the doggy backdrops, Boris has created many items using recyclable materials.

“I originally wanted to make a chandelier for Gabby’s bedroom and was at work, used the last of the foil and thought they would be great,” she said of the empty rolls. Her coworkers save the recyclables for her.

Boris has used an old window sill to make an overhang for her daughter’s dress-up clothes, and used old dresser drawers to make benches with cushions. Spare ceiling tiles from the attic became hanging, wall signs. Boris used old nail polish and paint markers to create children’s wall murals. She transformed an old bunk bed frame into gates to keep the dogs and cat separated, and cut cardboard rolls to fashion a safe haven to house small toys.

Boris repurposed the bottom of a fan into a rotating nail polish holder for Gabby, and turned a broken lamp base into a stand for her daughter’s headbands.

Her daughter has also found artistic joy in using the recyclables.

“She is very creative and loves to do crafts together. She likes to surprise me,” Boris said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

TAMAQUA — Tamaqua Area school board members and district administrators recognized members of the school’s Blue Raider football team during a meeting Dec. 17.

With records for passing, receiving and rushing, and a trip to a state championship game, Superintendent Ray Kinder called it a “historic year” for the team.

“The 2019 football team is without a doubt the best football team in the history of the school,” Kinder said.

Players and coaches received framed certificates.

In other business, directors hired Frank D’Agostino III, Pine Grove, as an assistant elementary principal at a $70,000 salary, and Abby Shumgart, Brockton, as a teacher with a $41,833 salary.

Directors made a number of appointments to coaching positions for the 2020-21 school year. Among them are Richard Gibson, New Ringgold, head tennis coach; Thomas Kanger, Orwigsburg, head cross country coach; Clem McCarroll, Tamaqua, head girls’ soccer coach; Jennifer (Kromer) Fayash, Brockton, head volleyball coach; and Matthew Stine, Orwigsburg, head golf coach. Stipends will be determined.

As for trips, directors approved a Drama Club trip to New York City on Jan. 4 and a Christmas party for the band this month. The board approved marching band trips to New York City on May 17 and Disney World Theme Park in Orlando, Florida, in February 2022.

Directors appointed Jeff Bowe, of Bowe and Odorizzi Law, as the district’s solicitor at a retainer of $5,200 and $175 per hour.

Contact the writer: jwhalen@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3592

CHRISTMAS TOWN — The perennially happy mood in this tiny town at the top of the world turned unseasonably sad this morning. A sobbing Mrs. Claus shooed all the elves out of her kitchen and went back to bed on the busiest day of the year!

Santa’s Better Half is very upset, and it’s all this reporter’s fault.

Every Christmas Eve morning, Mrs. Claus bakes a batch of magic Christmas cookies for Santa. They give him extra energy to make his trip around the world, and he looks forward all year to gobbling them up and delivering toys to billions of good girls and boys.

“Those magic cookies are my Christmas gift from Mrs. Claus!” the jolly old elf says when he catches a whiff of them baking.

“They’re almost as sweet as she is! HO-HO-HO!”

The recipe is very complicated and requires several hard-to-find ingredients, including extra-fine elfin flour, Northern Lights extract and a pinch of the magic oats that make Santa’s reindeer fly.

Mrs. Claus has made bunches of batches of these cookies. She could probably rely on her memory, but she wants them to be perfect and reading the recipe reminds her of her mother and grandmother, who taught her how to bake everything with love.

Mrs. Claus kept the recipe safe in a cupboard, but it was written on an index card so old it was turning to dust. She asked this reporter to take a picture of it on my Santasung cellphone. I promised to text Mrs. Claus the picture, but I got sidetracked.

I was in Pottsville just after Thanksgiving to cover the city Christmas tree lighting for our North Pole edition, and who did I spy in Garfield Square? Elsa and Olaf, right before the world premiere of “Frozen 2!” I was star-struck, and rushed to get the exclusive and a selfie with two of the biggest stars of Christmas.

Elsa and Olaf were so nice and gave hugs to children for hours. I gave both of them a copy of my new coloring book, “Towering Tradition,” and they signed two copies for Greta and Loretta Poinsettia, Santa’s official spokeselves. It was a great night, and this reporter was so excited, texting Mrs. Claus just slipped my mind!

I was going to do it the other day, but I got distracted by Rudolph! He offered to take this reporter on a flyover of the Candy Cane Forest and Lollipop Lake, and somewhere along the way I lost my phone. Now the battery is dead, so there’s no way to find it!

This reporter had no choice but to go Santa and break the awful news. He was helping Chief Sleigh Mechanic Harry Hollyberry with last-minute repairs to the Believe-O-Meter, which measures belief in Santa and powers his sleigh.

“S-s-anta?” I said. “I’ve got something terrible to tell you. It might earn me a permanent spot on the Naughty List.”

“Timmy,” Santa said with a raised eyebrow. “Whatever you’ve done, it can’t be that bad.”

This reporter assured him it was. I told him what I did, and that I was very sorry, and that I would gladly never see another present under my tree if it meant I could save Mrs. Claus’ recipe.

Santa was quiet. He frowned. He stamped a big, booted foot on the floor, scratched his head and stroked his beard.

“Do you know how much I love those cookies?” he asked.

I nodded in the affirmative.

“And do you know much Mrs. Claus treasures that recipe?” he said.

I do.

“And do you know how naughty it was to break your promise to text her the recipe?”

Yes! Yes! A thousand times, yes!

“All right,” Santa said, pulling on his red coat. “Do you how much we love you, and that we would never stop loving you, no matter what you did?”

“Yes, Santa, and I love you, too!” this reporter cried, bursting into tears. “But if I lost Mrs. Claus’ cookie recipe, I ruined Christmas forever!”

“Nonsense!” came a sweet but stern voice from the doorway. It was Mrs. Claus, standing her ground in her fluffiest, fuzziest reindeer-down slippers.

“Nothing and no one can ruin Christmas, and there is no problem that can’t be solved with love,” she said.

“I’ll fix Santa a big bowl of magic oatmeal to tide him over and we’ll count on the mothers and grandmothers of Schuylkill County to bake the cookies with a few extra teaspoons of love. I’ve heard some daddies and granddaddies are good bakers, too.”

“HO-HO-HO!” Santa boomed. “It’s a splendid idea! Darling, you always know just what to do when the eggnog hits the fan! Bring me some mistletoe! My Better Half has a big, fat Christmas kiss coming!”

“Hold your holly,” Mrs. Claus said with a giggle. “I have a special job for Timmy.”

“What is it, Mrs. Claus?” this reporter asked, excited for a chance to redeem myself.

“You write a special story for all the good little girls and boys of Schuylkill County asking them to believe in Santa and the spirit of Christmas with all their hearts. It’s easy to do. You just hug your loved ones tight and tell them you will always love them, no matter what.

“All that love and belief and Christmas spirit will radiate from Schuylkill County and beam throughout the world. All that positive energy will locate your phone, and we’ll have my recipe for next year, and all the years to come!”

This happy reporter rushed back to The Republican-Herald’s North Pole newsroom and filed the dispatch you’re reading now! A few minutes later, Santa and Harry Hollyberry fired up the sleigh to the cheers of the Poinsettia Sisters and every smiling soul in Christmas Town. The Believe-O-Meter glowed like the brightest bulb on the biggest Christmas tree! This reporter believes with all his heart that the children of Schuylkill County are going to help me find my phone and Mrs. Claus’ treasured recipe!

As Santa and his reindeer took flight, the White House reauthorized Special Executive Order 12/24, putting the nation on red-and-green alert, which grants Santa special clearance in American airspace until Christmas morning. You can track Santa’s progress at www.republicanherald.com.

“That magic oatmeal really hit the spot, but I’ll need lots of cookies to keep me going tonight,” Santa called from the sky. “If I make Schuylkill County my first stop, I’ll bet I get a jelly-bellyful of sweet treats! Speed it up Rudolph! Santa’s hungry, and these toys aren’t going to deliver themselves! HO-HO-HO!”

As of 6 a.m., air traffic controllers at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport said they hadn’t picked up any sign of Santa’s sleigh, but they reported a huge spike in Christmas spirit throughout the region.

“You can just feel it in the air, like a magical glow that makes you feel good from head to toe,” said a controller who declined to be identified for security reasons. “It makes me want to hug somebody. And for some reason, I feel like baking cookies.”

Santa usually comes through Our Stiff Neck of the Woods about 11 p.m., but the controller said he received word that St. Nick’s sweet tooth might bring him here much earlier.

“With that in mind, we advise the children of Schuylkill County to get to bed early, and no peeking!” the controller warned with a merry grin. “And leave out an extra cookie or two for Santa. Mrs. Claus will love you for it.”

(TIMMY TINSEL is actually (Scranton) Times-Tribune columnist Chris Kelly, but don’t tell him.)

Contact the writer: kellysworld@ timesshamrock.com, @cjkink on Twitter. Read his award-winning blog at timestribuneblogs.com/kelly.

Collections are expected to meet this year’s $95,000 goal when the Salvation Army’s handbells fall silent at 2 p.m. today, closing the Red Kettle Campaign.

“I’m pretty confident that we will reach it,” Salvation Army of Pottsville Envoy Brad Harris said Monday afternoon, with $13,000 to go. “Folks have been very generous this year. Some of the businesses and community service groups have just been exceptional ... We’re very thankful for them.”

Last year’s campaign generated $87,000.

Kettles were set up at 15 locations in Shenandoah, Pottsville, Pine Grove, Valley View, Schuylkill Haven, Orwigsburg, Frackville and Saint Clair, with about 25 people volunteering to ring the bells.

Since Nov. 15 through today, donors have been able to drop money into the kettles or pay through Apple and Google Pay.

On Friday, Dec. 20, also known as “$20 Day,” the Salvation Army was able to generate thousands through a matching challenge from the Salvation Army’s Eastern Pennsylvania/Delaware division, Harris said.

It is a challenge where people contribute $20 and, in return, the division will match the donation, up to $5,000. On Friday, $9,076 was raised with the “$20 Day,” and with the matching grant of $5,000, that brought contributions up to more than $14,000 for that one day, he said.

All the red kettles will be picked up, beginning at 2 p.m. today. Staff will calculate what was collected by the handbell ringers, as well as money contributed in smaller kettles that were placed at business registers, according to Harris. Those donations will be added into the total.

The Salvation Army may have a grand total for this year’s campaign by the end of the week, he said.

Funds generated benefit the organization’s social and youth programming, including camp programs, rental and utility assistance, soup kitchen and food pantry.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

As expected, Tamaqua Borough Council adopted its 2020 budget Dec. 17 with a slight tax increase.

The budget sets real estate taxes at 22.50 mills, with 21 mills for general purposes, 1 mill for the Building and Equipment Fund and 0.5 mills for the Wabash Capital Improvement Fund.

Borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt said that the millage increase amounts to an extra $6 or $7 per year for a person with a house assessed at $50,000.

There are no increases or decreases of note in the budget, Steigerwalt has said.

The borough will begin the year with about $3.6 million in its coffers.

Benesch helps food truck project

MAR LIN — Representatives from the Pottsville office of Alfred Benesch & Co. recently presented a $1,000 check to the Schuylkill Technology Center Food Truck Project.

Staff from Alfred Benesch & Co., according to a release, read about the food truck project in the newspaper and heard from STC staff about students from each program of study working together to build the truck and they thought it was a fitting project for an engineering company to support, project manager Jennifer Kowalonek said in the release.

For more information about the programs and services available at STC, go online to www.stcenters.org; contact Stacey Minahan, assistant director, at minas@stcenters.org or Chris Groody, assistant director, at cgroody@stcenters.org.

St. Luke’s earns safety recognition

BETHLEHEM — St. Luke’s University Hospital, Bethlehem, has been named for the second year in a row one of the nation’s top hospitals in the teaching hospital category by Leapfrog Group, an independent nonprofit hospital watchdog organization.

The recognition, according to a St. Luke’s press release, is based entirely on an independent, scientific review of objective data.

For more information about St. Luke’s Health Network, go online to www.slhn.org.

Weis launches food banks drive

SUNBURY — Weis Markets has launched a food drive in all its stores to benefit more than 150 local food banks and pantries. The program will run through Tuesday, Dec. 31.

During the drive, customers will have the opportunity to donate non-perishable food products, including food bank staples, according to a Weis Markets release.

Customers will also have the option to donate a dollar or the amount of their choice at checkout.

In Schuylkill County, a Weis Market is located in the Pottsville Park Plaza.

For more about Weis, go online to WeisMarkets.com or to Facebook.com/WeisMarkets.

Janet Weis facility marks 25 years

DANVILLE — From illness to injury, the Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital has taken care of more than 3 million children through its 25-year history and to mark the special occasion recently, staff and patients replaced stethoscopes and tongue depressors with balloons and cake during a birthday celebration in the children’s hospital lobby, according to a Geisinger release.

The celebration, hosted by the hospital’s Child Life Department and Children’s Miracle Network at Geisinger, commemorated the hospital’s opening on Dec. 14, 1994. The 91-bed children’s hospital is a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center and offers inpatient and outpatient services including a neonatal intensive care unit, a range of specialty pediatric services and a pediatric intensive care unit.

To celebrate the anniversary, Geisinger partnered with local organizations and businesses throughout 2019 to host several events and programs. In September, Geisinger hosted a Superhero Ball that raised more than $500,000 for the continued support and advancement of the Janet Weis facility.

For more about Geisinger, go online to geisinger.org or go to Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Sheetz offering free holiday coffee

ALTOONA — Sheetz, a family-owned-and-operated convenience store chain, has announced it will celebrate the holidays by offering customers a free cup of freshly brewed coffee from midnight to midnight on Christmas Day and from 4 p.m. New Year’s eve to 4 p.m. New Year’s Day.

Guests will be able to walk into any one of Sheetz’s 600 stores and receive a free cup of coffee, according to a Sheetz press release. All of the stores are open 24/7/365.

In Schuylkill County, Sheetz outlets are located along the Gordon Nagle Trail near the Pottsville/Minersville Highway and along Route 61 south of Schuylkill Haven.

For more information about Sheetz, go online to www.sheetz.com or follow on Twitter, FAcebook or Instagram.

Second Winterfest set to go Jan. 11

POTTSVILLE — The second annual Winterfest event presented by the Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11 on South Second Street between West Market and Mahantongo streets.

This event, according to Savas Logothetides of the Pottsville Area Development Corp., will feature local craft and food vendors as well as family friendly activities, including a two-hour live ice sculpture demonstration sponsored by the Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau. Entertainment will include a performance by the band Sapphire sponsored by Riverview Bank, dancers from The Crimson Academy, performers from Spotlight Kidz and introductions by Winter Carnival royalty.

Potential vendors and volunteers can sign up and find out more information at www.downtownpottsville.com/events.

LionLaunch sponsors business programs

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs are being invited to strengthen their business skills by attending programs sponsored by Penn State Schuylkill LionLaunch, according to a release.

LionLaunch is part of the university’s statewide initiative, Invent Penn State, aimed at spurring economic growth throughout the commonwealth.

The local LionLaunch Innovation Hub is at 154 E. Main St., Schuylkill Haven.

Susan Williams is the LionLaunch program coordinator and is based at 119 Administration Building, Penn State Schuylkill Campus. To RSVP for programs, people should email her at sxw831@psu.edu or call 570-385-6065.

LionLaunch’s community partners include the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, Schuylkill Economic Development Corp., Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Association, Schuylkill County’s VISION, Berks-Schuylkill SCORE and the Pottsville Area Development Corp. and the revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc.

The LionLaunch agenda includes:

• A Supervision Essentials series certificate course aimed at improving management skills has spring and summer sessions on tap with two eight-week sessions via Penn State Schuylkill Campus. Email or call Williams for more information.

Chamber updates mixers, seminars

POTTSVILLE — The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce has an upcoming session on its agenda. People may register for all chamber programs online at www.schuylkillchamber.com or by calling 570-622-1942. The chamber headquarters and the SEDCO/chamber conference center are at Union Station, 1 Progress Circle, Suite 201, Pottsville, PA 17901.

The agenda includes:

• Economic Forecast Breakfast, “2020 Boom or Bust,” will be held at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, at Massari’s Blu Tavern, 1323 Bunting St., Llewellyn. The presenter will be John L. Naroff, Ph.D., Naroff Economic Advisors.

Vending opportunities at Walk In Art Center

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Vending opportunities are available for 2019-20 at the Walk In Art Center, 220 Parkway, according to event fliers.

WIAC has a wide variety of events on its schedule and “no two are alike,” organizers said in a flier: “Some shows are for strictly handmade vendors and artists, others are open to both artists and direct-sales vendors”

More informationis available by emailing WIAC at information@walkinartcenter.com or going to the WIAC website at www.walkinartcenter.org.

The center’s calendar includes:

• Walk In Wedding Expo, formerly bridal fair, 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, main gallery, for artists and director sales; setup 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

• Second annual Corks & Chocolate, 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, call is out to wineries, with vendor setup from 11 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Registration includes three eight-foot tables and two chairs.

• Sweetheart Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, accepting reservations for art vendors, direct-sales vendors and bakeries; each vendor required to donate an item of a raffle to be held the day of the event.

Vendor registration can be done online at walkinartcenter.org. People may also call the center at 570-732-3728.

Tobacco control program free

LEBANON --- Free tobacco control programs are available for workplaces or multi-unit housing complexes via Lebanon Family Health Services.

The service involves free on-site group cessation classes for employees, according to a flier forwarded by the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce.

For more information and to participate, contact LFHS by calling 717-273-6741, Ext. 224 or emailing ginny@lebanonfamilyhealth.org.

Cooper redo is ongoing project

SHENANDOAH — The effort to transform the former J.W. Cooper High School building at White and Lloyd streets into a multipurpose community center is ongoing and people are welcome to become in the nonprofit restoration and revitalization effort.

Supporters are led by jeweler Kent Steinmetz, who bought the building in 2009, and a board of directors.

Although progress has been slow due to funding restraints, work is continuing thanks to volunteers and local companies who periodically provide material and equipment.

The intent of the local project is to transform the building into a regional hub for business/commerce, recreation, arts and crafts, relaxation and entertainment including musical and theatrical performances.

The J.W. Cooper Community Center is the official name under which the building is listed with the Internal Revenue Service as a non-profit entity under Section 501(c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code, meaning contributions to the effort are tax deductible.

To reach Steinmetz, call 570-617-8920 or email kent@steinmetzjewelers.com. For more information about the community center, go online to www.jwcoopercenter.org.

‘Prominence’ goal for Shenandoah

SHENANDOAH — The mission and vision of the revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc. are to return downtown Shenandoah to “an active pedestrian-oriented business district that will promote and sustain further economic, cultural and civic growth within the borough; to stimulate economic development by encouraging cooperation and building leadership in the business community; to develop a marketing strategy that will provide an improved retail mix, strengthen the tax base and increase investor confidence; to build a viable tourism effort; to promote a unified, quality image of downtown Shenandoah as a center of goods and services; to create an attractive, coordinated visual impression of Shenandoah through facade improvements, streetscape and historic preservation of our existing buildings.”

The group’s motto is “Return to Prominence.”

DSI meets at 5:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month in its downtown center at 116 N. Main St.

Mary Luscavage is DSI’s executive director and Main Street Program manager; Karen Kenderdine is president and treasurer and Bob Kane is vice president.

For more information or to volunteer to help the revitalization effort, call Luscavage at 570-462-2060 or email dsi@downtownshenandoahinc.com.

Any individual, business or organization wishing to financially back DSI’s ongoing revitalization effort should call the downtown center, stop by during regular hours or mail contributions to: Downtown Shenandoah Inc., 116 N. Main St., Shenandoah, PA 17976.

Ashland

Free community soup-and-sandwich luncheons are held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Zion’s Reformed United Church of Christ, 2400 Centre St., on the third Wednesday of the month. For more information, call 570-875-2700.

Frackville

The Frackville Indoor Walking Club meets from 9 to 10 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the gymnasium in the Frackville Municipal & Community Center, 42 S. Center St. Participants, according to a release, enjoy the benefits of walking, improving endurance, balance, strength and walking pace while avoiding weather interruptions and uneven pavements. The club is for people 50 and older of all fitness levels. People should use the side entrance to the gym. For more information, call 570-624-3017.

Mahanoy City

People have the opportunity to clean out their closets and at the same time support Trinity Academy in the Father Walter J. Ciszek Education Center, Cherry and Chestnut streets, Shenandoah, the lone Catholic pre-K to eighth-grade school for northern Schuylkill County. People will be able to recycle items, including shirts, pants, hats, towels, belts, outerwear, scarves, linens, bedding and shoes. Pillows cannot be recycled. An indoor cart is in the cafeteria to accept the items, which will be ultimately sent to areas in North, Central and South America. Trinity Academy will receive a check after the items are weighed and the cart emptied. “We are excited about this outreach project to make textile recycling convenient as well as providing an opportunity to help those less fortunate than ourselves,” school officials said in a bulletin announcement. For more information, call the school at 570-462-3927.

Mahanoy City

A St. Teresa Golden Age group bus trip to Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina, is set for Sunday-Friday, June 14-19, 2020. The cost is $789 per person double occupancy. It includes five breakfasts, Southern-style lunch at Paula Deen’s Restaurant, tram tour of Magnolia Plantation, a show at Savannah Theater, Baltimore Inner Harbor in Maryland and a live casino, according to a release from Elizabeth Frye. For more information, call 570-773-1753.

Pottsville

Free blood pressure and blood sugar readings are offered monthly at Diakon Senior Community centers for people 60 and older. Those interested should call for dates and times at the following senior community centers: Mahanoy City, 138 W. Centre St., 570-773-0738; Pottsville, 201 N. Centre St., 570-628-3513; Schuylkill Haven, 340 Haven St., 570-385-5611; Shenandoah, 116 N. Main St., 570-462-1965; Tremont, 139 Clay St., 570-695-3500.

Shenandoah

Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Parish has a needed and ongoing collection of items for the food bank that distributes food from the parish office, 108 W. Cherry St. Donations of nonperishable food items can be taken to Divine Mercy Church, Cherry and Chestnut streets, or to the parish’s St. Casimir Church sacred worship site, 229 N. Jardin St., on weekends, or dropped off at the parish office. Useful items include tuna, Spam, canned meats, powdered milk, peanut butter and jelly, cereal, spaghetti, sauce and pasta. For more information, call the parish office at 570-462-1968.

Valley View

This year’s family holiday display and fundraiser at 521 W. Maple St. includes 75,000 lights, 55 inflatables, more than 140 lighted figurines — all synced to more than 300 songs, according to a press release. The display is steady during the week and dances to the music on the weekends. In the event of inclement weather, the yard will not be lit as to not damage the display, which is lit nightly from 5 to 9 p.m. through Tuesday, Dec. 31. In the event of inclement weather, people should follow the display’s Facebook page for possible rain dates. During nonevent days, people are welcome to park in the driveway to walk around the display and are asked to stick to the pathways. This year’s local charity beneficiary is the Schuylkill County Therapeutic Riding Program, which has locations in Friedensburg and Ringtown and helps disabled individuals by providing horseback services to them since 1985. All money raised at the lighting event’s drop-off box will go directly to the charity. The display itself is 100% self-funded with donated material, according to a release.

POTTSVILLE — Schuylkill County police officers are teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to remind all drivers about the dangers of drinking and driving this holiday season.

“We’ll be working together to remind everyone of the importance of planning a sober ride home before heading out to enjoy the holiday festivities and en route to seasonal travel destinations,” said David Everly, regional coordinator for the North Central Regional DUI Enforcement Program.

“The holidays are a special time for every community, and it’s more important than ever for us to stress the importance of safe driving habits,” he said.

Everly said amid the rush of the holidays, including running last-minute errands and attending parties, it is important to plan ahead.

“Help us spread the message that even one drink is one drink too many,” Everly said, adding that “buzzed driving is drunk driving.”

According to NHTSA, 37,133 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2017 and 29%, or 10,874, of the fatalities happened where a driver had a blood alcohol concentration over the legal limit of 0.08%.

In fact, 885 people lost their lives in traffic crashes involving a drunk driver during the month of December 2017 alone.

“The holidays prove to be extra dangerous to drivers as more people, drivers and pedestrians alike, are out on the roads,” Everly said.

If drivers are impaired by any substance, alcohol or other drugs, they should not get behind the wheel of a vehicle.

Everly said it is illegal in all states to drive impaired by alcohol or drugs.

He said the alternate to a safe ride home could mean the loss of lives for passengers, pedestrians or of other drivers and their passengers nearby.

The bottom line, Everly said, is to “party with a plan,” and make sure you demand the same of friends or family who may be drinking and still believe they can drive safely.

Anyone who sees a suspected drunk driver should report it immediately by calling 911.

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

State police at Frackville are working to identify a man wanted for an attempted home invasion in the borough last week.

Police said the crime happened around 7 a.m. Friday at a home on Valley Street when a man wearing a mask and armed with a sniper rifle smashed a video surveillance camera and tried to enter the home through the front door.

The man is described as being white and wearing a black ski mask. He was holding a black rifle with a black telescopic lens, police said.

Police said the incident was captured on surveillance cameras and ask that anyone with information on the identity of the person to call them at 570-874-5300.

Man flees scene of crash on Route 61

MOUNT CARBON — A Pottsville man escaped injury when the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta he was driving crashed on Route 61, just south of Mount Carbon Arch Road in North Manheim Township, around 6:30 p.m. Dec. 8.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said James D. Mickshaw, 46, was driving south in the right lane of Route 61, in the area of the Penske Curve, when he failed to negotiate a left curve, traveled about 66 feet through both lanes and struck a concrete barrier.

The right front and right rear of the car struck the barrier at the same time and, after hitting the barrier, the vehicle continued south along the barrier for about 100 feet before coming to a stop.

Police said Mickshaw fled the scene, leaving the vehicle in a blind spot around the curve.

Southbound traffic was reduced to one lane due to the crash, and as a result, Mickshaw was cited for accidents involving damage to unattended vehicles or property.

A Lehigh County man sits in federal prison after a U.S. district judge sentenced him to more than four years behind bars for his participation in a methamphetamine-trafficking conspiracy in Schuylkill and Berks counties, prosecutors announced Monday.

Malcolm Wilfong, 28, of Allentown, must serve 55 months in prison for his role in the conspiracy, U.S. District Judge Robert D. Mariani ruled Thursday in Scranton.

Wilfong becomes the fourth person sentenced as part of the conspiracy.

He previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of meth between July 2016 and May 2017, according to U.S. Attorney David J. Freed.

One of the other defendants, Anibal Rodriguez, whom prosecutors allege was the leader of the conspiracy, currently is serving 20 years in a federal prison.

Another, Ernest D. Schaeffer Jr., 43, of Schuylkill Haven, was sentenced in July to serve 15 years in federal prison, plus five additional years on supervised released, after he pleaded guilty on April 13, 2017, to conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of meth. Schaeffer also agreed to the forfeiture of a residence and property in Schuylkill Haven that was connected to the drug-trafficking ring, along with four firearms.

Schaeffer is serving his sentence at Federal Correctional Institution/Hazelton in West Virginia.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case against Wilfong.

The FBI, Pennsylvania State Police and Shenandoah police investigated the case.

Prosecutors brought the case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve in an effort to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer.

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

HECKSCHERVILLE — A truck driver died when the semi he was driving crashed Monday night at Valley Road and Highridge Park Road in Cass Township.

Cass Township police are investigating the crash that occurred just before 9 p.m.

Police said the driver was traveling on Highridge Park Road, downhill toward Valley Road, when he lost control of the truck, causing it to flip onto its driver’s side.

The truck slid through the intersection and came to a stop on its driver’s side along Valley Road after severing a utility pole in the area.

At 9:40 p.m., a Schuylkill County deputy coroner arrived at the scene and spoke with police.

No one approached the truck due to the dangers from the fallen electrical lines.

Firefighters said PPL was notified and was sending a crew to the scene.

The crash shut down Valley Road and Highridge Park Road while the victim was removed and the investigation was completed.

Firefighters from Minersville, Cass Township and Pottsville assisted at the scene along with Minersville EMS.

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

Samuel J. Chiodo Jr., of North Wales, Montgomery County, was born in Pottsville, Sept. 11, 1949, and graduated from Pottsville High School in 1967. He graduated from Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science in 1972 and spent his career as a pharmacist.

His father, Sam Sr., was a well respected mechanic in Pottsville who built the family house on Mount Hope Avenue.

Sam Jr. has also been an avid writer though the years, authoring more than 200 short-short stories that culminated in publication of a book, “Thirty Twice Tiny Tales of Terror,” in 2000, with a second printing this year.

With his accompanying tale about Christmas in Pottsville, he sends his best wishes for a Merry Christmas to those in his hometown.

Ashland

In the holiday trash schedule for the borough this week, today’s garbage will be picked up Thursday, Dec. 26, and Thursday’s garbage will be picked up Friday, Dec. 27. This schedule will also be followed for the week of New Year’s Day.

Deer Lake

The Deer Lake & West Brunswick Fire Company, 1 Ash Road, will sponsor bingo games on Tuesday, Jan. 7, in the firehall. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and games will begin at 6 p.m. The company sponsors bingo games on the first and third Tuesdays of the month; all are welcome. For more information, call 570-366-0152.

Girardville

The Girardville Historical Society welcomes new members or donations toward its work of compiling and preserving the community’s history. Membership dues are $10 a year and the group meets at 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of every month at 1 W. Main St. Its mailing address is: Girardville Historical Society, 1 W. Main St., Girardville, PA 17935. Information and photos about Girardville are available online at the Girardville, Pennsylvania Facebook page.

Lansford

The borough’s snow ordinance goes into effect and is enforced following any snowfall of four inches or more. On even-number calendar days, vehicles must be removed from the south and west sides of the street (the even house-number side) and on odd-number calendar days vehicles must be removed from the north and east sides of the street (the odd house-number side). The owner of any vehicle in violation of the ordinance is subject to a minimum fine of $25 plus associated costs with towing of the vehicle. The borough asks for everyone to cooperate with the ordinance. For more information, people may call the police department at 570-645-5844.

Mahanoy City

Collection of ashes in the borough will be on Friday, Dec. 27.

Orwigsburg

The Orwigsburg Free Public Library, 216 W. Independence St., will have an event called E-book workshop from 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, in which participants will learn how to use their reader/tablet to borrow E-books from the library, with nearly 2,000 books to choose from. People, who must have active library cards, should bring their devices, power cords and passwords, according to an event release. For more information, call 570-366-1638.

Pine Grove

A New Year’s Day pork-and-sauerkraut dinner will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, at the Outwood Lutheran Church Pavilion, Old Forge and Oak Grove roads. Takeouts will be available. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children 5 to 12 and free for children under 5. Meals will also include mashed potatoes, applesauce, beverage and dessert. For more information, call 570-294-6915.

Shenandoah

Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Parish has a website — www.dmparish.com. The site includes the weekly bulletin, upcoming events, lector, Eucharistic minister and altar server schedules. It also has Father Walter J. Ciszek Chapel hours and other information. For more information, call the parish office, 108 W. Cherry St., at 570-462-1968 or email info@dmparish.com.

Shenandoah

The Anthony P. Damato American Legion “Medal of Honor” Post 792, 116 N. Main St., is continuing its quest to enlist new members. “Come visit our post, see what we have to offer for you and your family,” enlistment effort organizers said in a press release that called for Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines veterans to consider joining and suggested that National Guardsmen and reservists could “continue serving your country” at the post. Veterans who belong to a post or who previously belonged to a post can transfer to the Damato post, according to the release. For more information, call 570-462-2387.

POTTSVILLE — Pottsville is home to a real live Elf on the Shelf.

In fact, that elf has gained national attention.

Dylan Eubert, 6 months, the son of Alyssa and Malcolm Eubert, was recently featured on “Good Morning America,” a national television show produced by ABC News.

The show featured pictures of Dylan dressed in a red elf costume and in various, cute poses, thought of by his mom.

Alyssa Eubert said having her son’s photos be an internet success was the furthest thing from her mind when she went to a local craft store looking for Christmas decorations.

It was at Michaels Arts and Crafts at Fairlane Village mall that Alyssa said she was shopping for decorations and came across the material that would eventually turn her son into an elf.

After buying the material, Alyssa said she showed it to her “super creative” mother, Janet Boris, who transformed it into an elf costume.

With the elf costume made, Alyssa said she thought about the Elf on the Shelf craze.

Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas tradition where a special scout is sent from the North Pole to homes to encourage children to behave.

The idea behind the tradition is that Santa’s little helpers watch children during the day and then each night return to the North Pole to report to Santa if the child has been naughty or nice.

Having a love of dressing Dylan in cute outfits, Alyssa said she took a photo of her little guy and posted on Facebook simply as a way of bringing the joy of Christmas to others.

“Facebook is all about politics and negative things. I just wanted to do something funny,” she said.

Although her intention was to take a photo of Dylan and post it, soon came the idea of doing a countdown to the 25 days of Christmas with 25 different photos.

The photos featured different cute Christmas related themes finishing on Christmas Day with Dylan in a battery-operated Jeep with the back filled with Christmas presents.

Alyssa said she never thought her idea would gain Dylan a spot on national television.

She explained that her husband’s cousin saw the photos, contacted “Good Morning America” and brought it to their attention.

Alyssa said a representative of the show contacted her through Facebook and the rest is history.

She said that taking Dylan’s picture each day is sometimes difficult because there are times he is simply not in the mood.

“It’s not all fun and games but it’s worth it,” she said. “I will have these sweet memories forever and maybe a picture for his senior yearbook one day.”

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

It has come to my attention, Santa, that you do not believe Christmas in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, exists anymore.

Who put that wild idea into your head — the Tooth Fairy or the Easter Bunny? To think that is so wrong!

Perhaps you have been under too much stress lately to remember how much fun it was. Allow me to take you back to the time when the Christmas season in Pottsville was special and you were an important part of that — the 1950s and 1960s.

Shopping downtown

Oh, Christmas then was the greatest time of the year! I recall Pottsville being called the “New York City” of Pennsylvania — a vibrant, fun place to grow up.

I still remember my parents taking us downtown to see you (or your helpers) and the Christmas lights, and to shop. Dad always seemed to get a parking place near the Sunray Drug Store on Centre Street. And as we left the car, we stepped into a Norman Rockwell painting. Many times it snowed — never severe — but those light flakes would waft lazily down, blanketing everything with a comfort pillow of white! The imperfections of buildings were hidden under the fluffy snow and there seemed to be a perfect soft cover on everything. It was the first snow globe I had ever experienced ... and I was living in it! Remember, Santa?

As we started our downtown adventure I tried to take in every minuscule detail, from the Salvation Army bells to the decorations on every light pole. Christmas music seemed to originate from thin air! Everyone — children and adults — walked with a purpose, and joy shaped every face. Smiles dominated, and more than a few people could be heard singing along with the carols. There was a crackling atmosphere of happiness, love and anticipation. The end of the year confluence of religious celebration and your arrival set this most wonderful feeling.

The windows at Pomeroy’s!

Do you recall how many Santa’s helpers walked the pavements, much to every child’s delight? We knew — we just KNEW! We could tell your helpers what we wanted and you’d receive this important information in case we couldn’t see you. There wasn’t the plethora of toys or games available then as there are now, so it was critical to tell YOU our favorite few. And how could we insure this? We had to see you in person at Pomeroy’s!

Yes, we certainly enjoyed the window displays on our walk. Every store was decorated for the holiday, like Green’s department store, Woolworth, Sears, Raring’s and the Grace Shop — to name only a few. But our ultimate destination was Pomeroy’s. For weeks (not months like now) leading up to Christmas, the front windows were shrouded with paper to hide the special decorations within. Did you see our bubbling anticipation? What secrets were only inches from our grasps, yet hidden so well? Then, one day, after an almost intolerable wait, Pottsville awoke to the beautiful, magical window displays!

I must say the producers of “The Christmas Story” were spot on with their Higbee’s window scenes, as we did line up several deep to view the wonder contained just beyond the glass. I guarantee that the majority of kids left hand, nose and lip smudges on the windows, usually at 4 feet or so above the sidewalk, as we could barely control ourselves. Pomeroy’s also played Christmas music, so an almost perfect nirvana was created. And when they added animatronics — well, suffice it to say, many kids went over the edge!

Meeting you!

Even after this sensory overload there was one very important detail left — seeing YOU inside! Heaven was so close! Being with you was the highlight of the entire experience. Do you not recall the myriad children standing in line (some fidgeting, others scared stiff) who trained their eyes on you? Our rapt attentions must have seemed misplaced to our beleaguered parents, but we focused so intently on you, not wanting to miss a thing. As we drew closer to the head of the line, many times bravado gave way to nerves and sometimes, as we tried to answer your questions, we suddenly found that a desert had formed in our mouths and no words sprang forth. But you always seemed to know what to say or do so we left on clouds. It could not have been better than that!

Later that night at home, our parents would read Christmas stories that had been printed in The Republican newspaper, and those tales acted as a balm for the excitement. Borrowing that oft-used phrase, we were “nestled safely in bed,” and our dreams were those of pure joy. We could not have imagined a better life.

Forever needed

Why, then, do you not believe now, Santa? Like every generation, we grew older and, yes, some of the magic disappeared. Times always change — for better or worse — but the aura of the season remains, hidden perhaps by the rapid treadmill of life. Don’t think for a second that you’ve lost your impact and there’s no place for you now. In today’s intense world, the need for Santa is even greater than ever!

Pottsville’s past has passed. Pottsville Present needs the joy and wonder only you can provide. The children still believe in you, Santa. Now just believe in yourself!

As Christmas dawns, think of all the happiness you’ve spread over, what, centuries? And know that you are needed now and forever so that people can carry wonderful memories of this joyous season. The children of Pottsville will always be waiting with their beautiful dreams!

NUREMBERG — Walk inside the former bank, the counter where tellers worked is still there. It’s been cut in half and serves as a desk for Cindy Zimmermann.

Her husband, William, parked his desk in the bank manager’s office.

The vault still holds treasures — family photos and other items with sentimental value.

To make the bank at 193 Mahanoy St. their home, the Zimmermanns added personal touches. Around the rooms, Cindy placed figurines of nurses that she collected during her 40 years in the profession. William filled floor-to-ceiling shelves with books acquired during a career as a Lutheran pastor.

But they’ve also become caretakers for the community’s souvenirs. Neighbors brought in old passbooks, photos and calendars from the bank. They also gave items from the village’s past — such as a poster from the Ritz movie theater, photos of a dress factory and a cap worn by a member of the Nuremberg Band — that make the former bank akin to a museum.

Earlier this month, the Zimmermanns decorated for Christmas and reopened the 96-year-old bank for one day to show the remodeling that they’ve done and the items that they received from villagers.

“We kept it all. Hopefully today everybody gets to see,” Cindy said.

Many who entered returned to their past.

“My first bank was here,” Sharon Feifer said when telling about passbook accounts into which she and other students at the former Nuremberg Elementary School put their coins. The exercise taught them how to save money and had a fringe benefit.

“It was my candy money,” she said.

Gary Houseknecht recalled how things changed from when he was a customer.

Pointing to Clyde Rhodes, a retired manager who came to look around, Houseknecht said, “He used to call me to see if I needed any money.”

A little later, Rhodes joked about Houseknecht, “When we had a surplus, we used to call him. He could always use it.”

Rhodes started working at the bank in 1955, and in 1963 moved into a home next door, where he still lives.

His predecessor as bank manager had lived upstairs, where the Zimmermanns have remodeled the kitchen and bedrooms and made the board room into a sitting room.

Rhodes said the vault door weighed 10 tons and arrived in Fern Glen by railroad. A team of horses pulled the vault over Nuremberg Mountain to the bank.

That was some time after Sept. 29, 1923, when the Hazleton Standard-Sentinel reported, “The directors of the First National Bank established at Nuremberg has purchased the meat market of Roy Kammerel, opposite the Frank Wharmby Hotel. They will dismantle the building and erect a modern two story brick structure.”

Locking the vault every night took five to 10 minutes after Rhodes learned to manage the timers. The combination changed often.

From the opening of the bank until 1969, the sign out front said First National Bank of Nuremberg.

Hazleton National Bank took over next, succeeded by First Valley Bank in 1985.

Then came Summit Bank and United Jersey Bank, the owner when Rhodes retired in 1999, followed by Fleet Bank and Bank of America, which shut the doors for good seven years ago as other enterprises also closed in the village.

“We lost the grocery store, the gas station. There were a lot of businesses … Five bars were in town at one time,” Rhodes said. Adams Bus Lines stopped making runs to shuttle mail and passengers between the village and Hazleton.

“It’s kind of sad, not just for Nuremberg. All small towns,” Rhodes said.

The closing of the bank, by happenstance, provided an opportunity to the Zimmermanns.

They met here, where Cindy grew up after William arrived to lead Emmanuel Lutheran Church. At a blood drive, Cindy jabbed him three times with a needle to start his donation and their romance.

From here, they moved to churches in Brodheadsville, Monroe County, West Lawn, Berks County, and Hillsborough, New Jersey, where they were living when Cindy heard about an auction at the former bank. She drove back, hoping to buy some souvenirs while visiting her mother, who still lives three doors from the bank.

The auctioneer wasn’t selling curios from the bank. Instead, the whole building was on the block, along with several other properties in which buyers were more interested.

Everyone else left before bidding opened on the bank, so the auctioneer asked if Cindy wanted it.

She telephoned William, who said the price was about what he had saved to buy his next car. How can we not buy it? He asked rhetorically.

Then Cindy called her mother and said, “I know who bought the bank.”

“When we tell people the story of how we bought this bank and the craziness that went on with that, you know that just doesn’t happen,” Cindy said.

For the next seven years, the Zimmermanns visited from Hillsborough, and a friend who lives here checked on work that their contractors did.

First workers tore down an unstable deck and built a new one. From the deck, the Zimmermanns look down on a farm that Cindy’s grandparents once owned and see the sun rise over mountains behind the bank.

Workers also repointed the brick, replaced the coal stove in the kitchen and stacked a washer and drier into a hall closet. Plus they removed, insulated and reinserted floor-to-ceiling windows into the original frames.

“The scroll work is one of the things we love most — the woodwork,” William said.

In July, he retired as a full-time pastor, and the couple moved into the bank.

Since they returned here, William has helped out when local churches need substitute preachers. Cindy found a job at the village’s medical clinic to which she can walk.

She also found a slip of paper inside a piece of furniture, a dry sink, that a neighbor gave to them when they first lived here. When packing up the dry sink for the move back to the village, Cindy opened a drawer and noticed a piece of paper stuck to the bottom. She peeled it up, realized it was from the former owner and now regards it as a good omen.

It said, “Welcome home.”

Contact the writer: kjackson@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3587