Mahanoy Area

Mahanoy Area High School Principal Thomas Smith announced that 2015 graduates Courtney Levy and Colin Casserly were named April students of the month by Mahanoy City Elks Lodge 695.

Courtney is a daughter of Lawrence Levy, Mahanoy City. A member of National Honor Society, she was a homecoming candidate and was a member of Interact club, Bear Pride program, SADD, Teens Against Tobacco and Theatre Arts.

She was a volunteer for Mahanoy Area Middle School track, Hershey track and field meet and Meals on Wheels during school time and summer.

She served as captain of the basketball and cross country teams, and was a member of the track and field team, lettering in each sport.

Courtney plans to attend Lehigh Valley College majoring in exercise science.

Colin is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Casserly, Mahanoy City. He was a member of the National Honor Society and a Meals on Wheels volunteer during school time and summer. He was also a member of the Interact club, ski club and Spanish club.

A member of the golf team, he lettered four years and was named Schuylkill County junior golf champion.

Colin plans to attend Delaware Valley College, Doyles-town.

Mahanoy Middle

Chase Mazalusky and Amber Lawrence were chosen students for the Month of April by the faculty of Mahanoy Area Middle School. The program, sponsored by Mahanoy City Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 695, recognizes nominees on the basis of multiple achievements, character, leadership, citizenship and scholastic aptitude.

Chase is a son of Michael and Shannon Mazalusky, Delano, and a member of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Parish, Mahanoy City, where he is active in Living Stations of the Cross and ACTION Youth Group.

Chase is a superior honor student and achieved perfect attendance in seventh grade. He is involved in seventh- and eighth-grade football, Theatre Arts, teener league baseball, intramural basketball, National Junior Honor Society and ski club.

He volunteers at Citizens Fire Company’s various events, church food drives and assists elderly neighbors with yard work and shoveling. He plans to enter the military and become a pilot.

Amber is a daughter of Christine Lawrence, Mahanoy City, and a member of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Mahanoy City, where she attends CCD classes and is active in Living Stations of the Cross, Christmas Around the World and ACTION Youth Group.

A distinguished honor student, Amber is involved in National Junior Honor Society and theatre arts. She volunteers with SKIP, Borough Christmas tree lighting and is involved with the Coal Cracker newspaper.

She plans to attend college.

MINERSVILLE — Borough police are investigating more than 16 car window shootings with a pellet or dart gun since March.

“We’ve had some windows shot out but they are sporadic. There’s one or two and then we don’t hear anything for a week,” Minersville police Chief Michael Combs said Thursday.

The shootings began March 3 when seven incidents were reported to borough police. Shootings varied throughout the past few months with the latest two on May 27. Other reported pellet gun shootings were March 7, April 17, four on April 19, May 25 and May 26.

The vandalism was scattered throughout the borough and occurred overnight. Witnesses called the next morning, making it difficult to track the shooter, Combs said.

Borough police suspect a pellet or dart gun is used because the glass isn’t completely penetrated or doesn’t shatter. A pellet or dart gun is also generally quieter.

“We’re hoping now that the summer is coming, people will have their windows open more and hear something going on and be able to call us immediately,” Combs said.

Though borough police do not have suspects, Combs said he guesses the person may be in their late teens and is randomly picking vehicles to shoot at in a moving vehicle.

Borough police have never seen a string of related vandalism like this, Combs said.

“You’ll have your random guy smacking mirrors off a car one night or something like that, but not like this,” he said.

Borough police encourage residents to contact them as soon as the vandalism occurs at 570-544-6212.

Millersville

The following area residents graduated May 9 from Millersville University of Pennsylvania during the spring undergraduate commencement ceremony:

David Baker, Pottsville, bachelor’s degree in history; Brittany Bendetti, Pottsville, bachelor’s degree in psychology; Kelley Burr, Hamburg, bachelor’s degree in speech communication; Jedidiah Coller, Schuylkill Haven, bachelor’s degree in applied engineering and technology management; Derick Duffy, Ashland, bachelor’s degree in psychology; Kianna Fiscus, Pottsville, bachelor’s degree in psychology; Shayne Fitzwater, Schuylkill Haven, bachelor’s degree in sociology; Marie Lynagh, Orwigsburg, bachelor’s degree in English; Kaitlyn Stanton, Pine Grove, bachelor’s degree in early childhood education; Alexsis Thomas, Schuylkill Haven, bachelor’s degree in sociology.

Wilkes

Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, awarded 680 doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s degrees to students graduating after the completion of the spring semester.

The following local students who earned degrees are: Ryan Cicioni, Frackville, summa cum laude, bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, and received an outstanding achievement in Mechanical Engineering Management Award; Samantha Davidson, Shenandoah, summa cum laude, bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering and received an outstanding achievement in Environmental Engineering Award; Stephen Dziedziak, Shenandoah, bachelor’s degree in integrative media; Timothy East, Schuylkill Haven, cum laude, bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering; Marissa Elliott, Frackville, bachelor’s degree in psychology; Jerome Frederick, Pottsville, bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering; Molly Hinkel, Auburn, magna cum laude, bachelor’s degree in accounting; Laykin Hughes, Pottsville, bachelor’s degree in psychology; Jesse Kabana, Tamaqua, cum laude, bachelor’s degree in nursing; Michael Litwak, Minersville, bachelor’s degree in psychology; Grace Lorence, Cumbola, cum laude, bachelor’s degree in finance; Sierra Marsh, Auburn, bachelor’s degree in English, and received the Theresa Jordan and Frank Mehm Prize, which recognizes an individual from the Wilkes community who, by vote of a select committee, exemplifies moral courage, perseverance, formidable faith and a sense of unwavering optimism; Courtney Matina, Pottsville, magna cum laude, bachelor’s degree in nursing; Jenna Michaels, Barnesville, bachelor’s degree in nursing; Jordan Mroczka, Mahanoy City, cum laude, bachelor’s degree in accounting; Jordan Oakill, Pottsville, bachelor’s degree in earth and environmental sciences; Kristen Reinoehl, Ringtown, cum laude, bachelor’s degree in nursing; Kathryn Sausser, Frackville, bachelor’s degree in sociology; Robert Schappell, Pottsville, summa cum laude, bachelor’s degree in accounting and received the Academic Achievement Award in Accounting; Lee Strause, Port Carbon, bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering; Kate Thomas, Schuylkill Haven, magna cum laude, bachelor’s degree in marketing; Jolene Barron, Tamaqua, doctor of education in educational technology; Ashley Borzak, Frackville, master’s degree in education; Krystal Boxer, Schuylkill Haven, master’s degree in education; Emily Caracappa, New Ringgold, master’s degree in education; Erika Davis, New Ringgold, master’s degree in education; Tonya Drum, Tamaqua, master’s degree in education; Ashley Feher, Tamaqua, master’s degree in education; Daniel Nester, New Ringgold, master’s degree in education; Abigail Neverosky, New Ringgold, master’s degree in education; Lissa Opolsky, Tamaqua, master’s degree in education; Frederick Reed, Orwigsburg, master’s degree in education; David Garcia, Delano, doctor of pharmacy degree.

Lebanon

Lebanon Valley College, Annville, celebrated its 146th commencement on May 9 with 498 students receiving their degrees in Sorrentino Gymnasium. The 381 graduating seniors were joined by 32 doctor of physical therapy candidates, 44 master’s degree candidates and 41 students who graduated in December 2014 and have now formally received their degrees.

The following local residents were among the graduates:

Joshua Bishop, Schuylkill Haven, a graduate of Blue Mountain High School, received a bachelor’s degree in music education; Cody Blankenhorn, Pottsville, a graduate of Pottsville Area High School, received a bachelor’s degree in business administration; Nicole Brignola, Pottsville, a graduate of Wilson High School, Sinking Spring, Berks County, received a bachelor’s degree in sociology; Kiely Chaklos, Frackville, a graduate of Nativity BVM High School, graduated summa cum laude with a a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and special education; Steven Christ, Tamaqua, a graduate of Tamaqua Area High School, graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in music and music education; Tyler Dean, Ashland, a graduate of North Schuylkill High School, received a bachelor’s degree in psychology; Connor DeStefano, Minersville, a graduate of Minersville Area High School, received a bachelor’s degree in psychology; Brittany Dierwechter, Hamburg, a graduate of Hamburg Area High School, graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy and doctor of physical therapy; Phillip Dohner, Schuylkill Haven, a graduate of Schuylkill Haven Area High School, received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice; Corrine Frederick, Schuylkill Haven, a graduate of Blue Mountain High School, graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in music education and music; Taylor Gerchak, Pottsville, a graduate of Pottsville Area High School, graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy and doctor of physical therapy; Sarah Harleman, Ashland, a graduate of North Schuylkill High School, graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in biology; Nicholas Harman, Hegins, a graduate of Tri-Valley High School, received a bachelor’s degree in music recording technology and music; John Johnston, Pottsville, a graduate of Pottsville Area High School, graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in music education and music; Alyssa Keich, Tamaqua, a graduate of Tamaqua Area High School, graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy and doctor of physical therapy; Tyler Laudeman, Ringtown, a graduate of North Schuylkill High School, graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and special education; Brody Lipsett, Pottsville, a graduate of Minersville Area High School, graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in biology; Trent Mars, Pine Grove, a graduate of Pine Grove Area High School, received a bachelor’s degree in business administration; Laura Misiewicz, Ashland, graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology; Brian Murphy, Schuylkill Haven, a graduate of Schuylkill Haven Area High School, received a bachelor’s degree in business administration; Stephanie Price, Mahanoy City, a graduate of Mahanoy Area High School, received a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy; Lauren Rhody, Schuylkill Haven, a graduate of Schuylkill Haven Area High School, received a bachelor’s degree in accounting; Kaylin Ryan, Tremont, a graduate of Pine Grove Area High School, received a bachelor’s degree in biology; Christie Sborz, Pottsville, a graduate of Minersville Area High School, graduated cum laude honors with a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy and doctor of physical therapy; Shana Sborz, Pottsville, a graduate of Minersville Area High School, received a doctor of physical therapy in physical therapy; Kaitlyn Schroding, New Philadelphia, a graduate of Pottsville Area High School, received a bachelor’s degree in English; Katelyn Schumaker, Hamburg, a graduate of Hamburg Area High School, received a bachelor’s degree in accounting; Adam Soltys, Schuylkill Haven, a graduate of Pine Grove Area High School, graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree and doctor of physical therapy in physical therapy. Tori Stramara, Pottsville, a graduate of Blue Mountain High School, graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy and doctor of physical therapy; Mary Stump, Gordon, a graduate of Shamokin Area Middle/High School, received a master’s degree in music education; Joseph Swartz, Mahanoy City,a graduate of Mahanoy Area High School, received a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and special education; Mark Swokel, Barnesville, a graduate of Mahanoy Area High School, graduated magna cum laude honors with a bachelor’s degree in psychology; Gina Toomey, Pottsville, a graduate of Pottsville Area High School, received a bachelor’s degree in biology; Clayton Williard, Gratz, a graduate of Tri-Valley High School, received a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Bloomsburg

Amber Lynn Casserly, a senior majoring in early childhood education, was named to the dean’s list at Bloomsburg University for the spring semester with a 3.9 grade-point average.

She is a daughter of Scott Casserly and Karen Lorady, Barnesville.

Ohio State

Savannah Wise, a senior exercise science major and dance minor, was named to the dean’s list for the spring semester with a 4.0 GPA at Ohio State University.

A 2012 graduate of Pine Grove Area High School, she is a daughter of Jerry and Carol Wise, Pine Grove.

Clarion

Danielle Savitsky, Frackville, a junior in the Clarion University honors program with a major in speech language pathology, made the dean’s list for the spring semester with a 4.0 GPA.

A 2012 graduate of Nativity BVM High School, she is a daughter of Robert And Asseneth Savitsky, Frackville.

Penn State

Jacob Tobin, a junior biology major at Penn State University, University Park campus, made the dean’s list for the spring semester.

A 2012 graduate of Pottsville Area High School, he is a son of Michele Tobin, Saint Clair, and a grandson of Anita Tobin, Saint Clair and Michael Tobin Jr., Pottsville.

The Mahantongo Heritage Center at the Hermitage in Pitman is open for the 2015 season.

This season, the center is recognizing the contributions of three area residents to the preservation of Pennsylvania Dutch culture: Walter E. Boyer, June Masser and Larona Heim. Although deceased, their legacies continue.

Boyer, Pillow, was a minister of the Reformed Church with the Line Mountain Charge and a teacher in Line Mountain School District and at Penn State University.

However, his major contribution was as a pioneer folk studies researcher, along with Don Yoder, J. William Frey and their mentor, Alfred Shoemaker, in establishing three of the primary institutions for researching, preserving and showing Pennsylvania Dutch culture: the Pennsylvania Dutch Folklife Society, Pennsylvania Folklife magazine and the Pennsylvania Dutch Folk Festival.

Boyer was co-author, with Yoder and Albert Buffington, of the classic study of Pennsylvania Dutch folk music, "Songs Along the Mahantongo." The Hermitage, in conjunction with the Library of Congress, is a repository for the Don Yoder Collection of Wire Recordings, which formed the basis for the book.

Boyer was a noted collector of Pennsylvania Dutch folk art, especially printed broadsides. His collection is on loan to Ursinus College. He was also a painter and poet. Boyer died in 1960 at the age of 48.

Although not as well known as Boyer, June Masser and Larona Heim, both of Klingerstown, loved their Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Both were fluent in the dialect and loved to share their family traditions. The center is displaying bonnets, quilt tops, pillow covers and aprons made by Masser and her mother, Hilda Klinger.

The Hcenter is also displaying a collection of vintage Mahantongo Valley photographs dating from the 1890s to the 1930s donated by Larona Heim, who recently passed away. Her late husband, Bob, donated a gear section from Herb's Mill outside Rough and Ready some years ago which is also on display. The photographs include unique images of early Pitman parades and other local events.

During the past year, Christian and Johannes Zinzendorf, founders of the Hermitage, curated an exhibit on Mahantongo Valley folk art and traditions at the Schuylkill County Historical Society.

The Hermitage was recently featured in a Sunday New York Times article called "They Built It - No One Came" by Style writer Penelope Green. As a result of that article, several tours have already been held and more are booked for the summer.

Group tours are also available. The Elizabethville Historical Society will visit in June. In October, Johannes Zinzendorf will speak at the Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society on Eastern European religious art and folk crafts and tools in the Hermitage collections.

The Mahantongo Heritage Center tells the story of those who settled the valley and their descendents through the objects they left behind. It also tells how Johannes and Christian Zinzendorf were influenced by the local Dutch culture with its emphasis on self-reliance and the creation of useful objects of beauty, after they moved to the valley in 1988.

Not planning a museum, Johannes and Christian originally collected buildings, furniture, tools, textiles and other objects for use by what they envisioned as an intentional spiritual community. When that failed, they decided to display the collections, which also include printing, photography and architectural details.

Re-envisioning the site as a hermitage, the brothers remain Harmonists, using their holy work to unite the earth and spirit by creating beauty and harmony.

The Hermitage has several notable buildings: the 1759 Gemeinehaus moved and reconstructed from the Moravian Indian village of Nain outside Bethlehem; the 1770s settler's cabin of Johann Philip Klinger, one of the area's earliest pioneers; plus a spinning and weaving studio housing the Hermitage's extensive collection of textile equipment. Tours also include the letter press print shop where the brothers printed their early broadsides and newsletters.

The annual open house is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 9. Johannes will be baking a variety of Pennsylvania Dutch baked goods, including sourdough bread and shoofly pie. A number of buildings will be open in addition to the museum. Also open will be the sculpture garden and the Gong Project, the world's largest free-standing percussion instrument.

The Mahantongo Heritage Center is open through October by appointment and reservations must be made in advance. Admission is free but donations are accepted. For further information, contact Johannes at 570-425-2548 or via email at BroJoh@yahoo.com.

Deeds

Cressona — Juli A. and Stephen N. Schneck to James L. and Amy L. Edwards; 33 S. Second St.; $90,000.

East Union Township — Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Patricia Biddle; Lot 105ER, Eagle Rock; $115,289.80.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Fernando and Petya Herz; Lot 411WS, Eagle Rock; $40,299.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Romualdo Cartas, Mirafe Cartas and Glory Cartas; Lot 139WSS5, Eagle Rock; $32,219.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Tantip Wisedsuthichai; Lot 359HF3, Eagle Rock; $39,289.

Roland C. and Carolyn D. Paqueo to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 122WSS5, Eagle Rock; $5,072.82.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Jose A. and Irene B. Castor; Lot 122WSS5, Eagle Rock; $33,229.

Timothy E. and Joyce M. Sage to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 8WSS5, Eagle Rock; $32,219.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Olaniyi S. and Victor O. Akomolafe; Lot 8WSS5, Eagle Rock; $40,299.

The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is offering a $1,000 reward for information that results in arrests and convictions of those responsible for arsons in April and May in Schuylkill, Luzerne and Carbon counties.

Terry Brady, deputy press secretary with DCNR, said Friday this is the first time he can remember a reward being offered. He has been with DCNR since 1999.

“This is serious stuff when we are offering money,” he said.

Investigators examined about 50 arson fires in the aforementioned counties, which burned more than 1,000 acres. Of those, the largest were in northern Carbon County where approximately 674 acres burned near White Haven and the 184-acre fire in West Mahanoy Township near Shenandoah, the state said.

Brady said the number of fires prompted the reward.

Volunteer firefighters put their lives on the line when they fight fires, he said, and it is not fair to the firefighters to go out and continuously douse the flames in such circumstances.

“Circumstances around all of these fires have led us to the conclusion that the fires have been intentionally set. Some of the fires have put lives and property at risk, which is of great concern. Intentionally setting a wildfire is arson and we take that very seriously. We are asking for anyone who may have information to come forward,” Michael Kern, chief of the bureau’s Wildfire Operations and Planning Section, said.

Terry Smith, DCNR special investigator, investigated the cases. Those with information can call him at 717-362-1472 or email him at terrsmith@pa.gov. A reward will not be given for anonymous tips but they are still encouraged.

Smith confirmed Friday the fires were arson.

He said there were several in Schuylkill County in the Shenandoah area during the time period.

“They all start small. It just depends on weather conditions (and other factors),” he said about the fires.

He investigated the cause of the 184-acre fire May 12 near Shenandoah Heights. Smith said he went out to the fire while the area was still hot.

The fire was spotted about 5:20 p.m. by a tower man for the Weiser Forest District. The district covers Schuylkill, Carbon, Dauphin, Lebanon, Montour, Columbia and Northumberland counties.

There was no property damage or injuries but the massive fire came close to several homes. Smith said firefighters did an excellent job in battling the flames. DCNR also responded to the scene.

“(The arsonists) are putting a lot of people in jeopardy,” he said.

He said an aircraft was in the area to fight that fire. Smith asked the pilot where he saw the flames at first from the air. He then went out an investigated after he also spoke with others who were on scene. He found the origin of the fire May 14.

“All I do is follow the char patterns back,” he said.

Bob Kurilla, assistant district forester for Weiser Forest District, referred questions to Smith. The district does have three fire foresters in the district and a forest fire specialist supervisor. The fire foresters determine the origin and the cause of fires, Kurilla said.

Steven Ziegler, fire forester with Weiser Forest District who is based out of the Locust Valley Fire Control Station in Barnesville, said he is aware of 10 fires in the Shenandoah area in April and May that were arson. He assisted Smith in his investigations in the county.

He said most of the arson fires were in May and were “up on the ridge by the windmills.”

Investigators look at possible causes like lightning, camp fires, smoking, debris burning, equipment use (such as automobiles), railroads (which could throw off a spark), children (who possibly could be playing with matches), miscellaneous factors (such as fireworks) and arson, Ziegler said.

Ziegler did not have a date for three of the fires but said they were relatively small fires. There were two fires May 10, one that burned about two acres and another approximately five acres. Another on May 12 burned about an acre. Three were set Memorial Day. One burned 10 acres, another 20 and the third about 30 acres, Ziegler said.

“All of these were handled by the volunteers,” he said speaking of the firefighters, adding that their contributions are invaluable.

Mildred Knopp and Patricia Haluska stopped by the Pottsville Senior Center for lunch Friday afternoon and to escape the heat.

“It’s nice and cool in here,” Knopp said, sipping on some cold water.

“I hate the winter, but I wouldn’t mind some snow right now,” Haluska said.

Temperatures reached about 90 degrees Friday but will drop over the weekend with a few storms, according to the National Weather Service at State College.

“When the state issues a heat wave, we work with the Office of Senior Services and extend our hours so there is a cool place for people to go,” Karen Wood, director of Diakon Community Services, Pottsville, said Friday.

Diakon manages the five senior centers in the county under a contract with the Office of Senior Services with funding through the state Department of Aging.

“The big thing is to keep in a cool place and stay hydrated,” Wood said.

The elderly are at a higher risk of heat-related illnesses, which include heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Heat exhaustion is a warning that the body is getting too hot, according to the state Department of Health. Symptoms include thirst, giddiness, weakness, profuse sweating, muscle cramps and nausea. Body temperature is usually normal, but the skin is cold and clammy. A person may become faint or experience sudden dizziness with a weakened pulse and rapid heartbeat, which can progress to a heat stroke.

A heat stroke is a serious medical emergency when the body temperature elevates to more than 104 degrees with symptoms of confusion, bizarre behavior, strong and rapid pulse, flushed skin and lack of sweat, according to the state Department of Health.

Once the body heats up that high, the organs begin to shut down, said Schuylkill County Coroner Dr. David J. Moylan III.

“Prevention is key,” he said.

Moylan said it is important to recognize the symptoms early and to get that person into emergency care.

Moylan said that while there is an average of 38 deaths resulting from heat stroke reported each year in the country, there has not been any in Schuylkill County over the last three years.

Children are also at greater risk for heat-related illnesses.

“Kids can heat up three to five times faster than an adult,” Moylan said. “They just don’t have the thermostatic control that adults have.” Moylan said the statistics of parents leaving children in vehicles are surprising.

“About half the cases the parent or caregiver forgot the kid was in the car,” he said. “Another 30 percent the child got into the car without a parent knowing about it.”

Moylan recommended parents keep their vehicles locked and when driving with children, to put their phone, purse or wallet in the back seat to remember that there is someone in the back.

“A car can turn deadly in 20 minutes to a half hour,” Moylan said.

That also makes it deadly for pets.

HOT WEATHER SAFETY TIPS

The following tips and links can help you and your loved ones stay safe during dangerous heat waves.

- Stay indoors in air conditioning as much as possible or go to places with air conditioning, such as schools, libraries, theaters, senior centers or shopping malls.

- Drink plenty of water during the day — don’t wait until you are thirsty.

- Outdoor workers should drink between two and four cups of water every hour while working.

- Avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol or large amounts of sugar.

- Limit your outdoor activity to mornings and evenings and rest often in the shade.

- Wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing, a hat, sunglasses and a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.

- Check on those who may be more at-risk from high temperatures, such as infants and young children, people over the age of 65 and people with chronic medical conditions.

- Never leave your children or pets in a vehicle.

- Know the following symptoms of heat stroke: an extremely high body temperature above 103 degrees; red, hot and dry skin with no sweating; rapid, strong pulse; throbbing headache; dizziness; nausea; confusion and unconsciousness.

- If you think someone has heat stroke, call for emergency medical attention, get the victim to a shady area and cool the person rapidly (put them in a tub of cool water, place them in a cool shower, spray them with a garden hose, sponge them with cool water). Do not give the victim any fluids to drink.

- To learn more about staying safe during extremely hot weather, visit www.emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat.

Source: State Department of Health

Those who attend the third Public Safety Night Out in Pottsville will learn about fire safety and have a chance to get free smoke detectors if needed.

The free event is from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the lower level of the parking lot at Martz Hall in Pottsville. Pottsville fire Chief Todd March said the event is important for the community and gives them a chance to learn about fire safety.

“You have to be alert early (in the event of a fire),” March said.

Free smoke detectors will be distributed. There will also be a fire safety house where children can learn safety tips and how to escape during a fire. The house is a favorite of those who attend and is from the Lehigh Valley Burn Foundation, Kurt Shelhamer, captain of Yorkville Hose, said. Different apparatus from the Pottsville Fire Department, a helicopter from Lehigh Valley Hospital and other emergency personnel will attend the event. The Schuylkill Haven Dive Team will also be there. Pat Moran of Schuylkill EMS said he will also be at the event along with an ambulance. Representatives from the Schuylkill County Sheriff’s Office will be there fingerprinting children for identification kits they can take with them.

Free refreshments will also be provided.

The idea for the event started after a tragic fire on Mother’s Day in 2013 at 235 Pierce St. in the city. The fire claimed the lives of four children and two adults — Eric Brown, 31; Joy Brown, 8; Jeremiah Brown, 7; Emily Brown, 3; Elijah Brown, 2; and Kristina Thomas, 23. Kelly Brown, mother of the four children, wife of Eric and sister of Thomas, was not at home at the time of the fire. The home did not have smoke detectors.

March said even though the fire was years ago the memory is not far from the minds of those who put their lives on the line to save others.

“People forget about these things. It’s still on our minds here,” March said.

He said a working smoke detector is “invaluable” to save a life.

“We don’t want that same tragedy to happen here again,” he said.

Last year, at least 24 smoke detectors were given to those who needed them.

• Barnesville: Naturalist Robin Tracey will lead a hike on the Oak Loop Trail at Locust Lake State Park on Tuesday. Participants will meet at 10:30 a.m. at the visitor parking lot and should bring a lunch. The 4-mile trail is rated difficult, Tracey said in a release. It loops around Locust Creek and traverses up the mountain for a “great view” of the forest below. Part of the hike includes the “Tree Identification Trail” created by an Eagle Scout. Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed and get along with other pets and people. The hike is “shine only.” For more information, call Tracey at 570- 467-2506.

• Cressona: An American Red Cross blood drive is set for 2 to 7 p.m. Friday at Grace Evangelical Free Church, 101 Graeff St. People 17 and older, weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health are urged to donate blood. To make an appointment to donate blood, call 800-733-2767 or download the American Red Cross donor app. The website is at www.redcrossblood.org.

• Minersville: The St. Matthew Travelers group of St. Matthew the Evangelist Roman Catholic Parish will sponsor a bus trip to Sands Casino, Bethlehem, on Monday. The cost is $25 with a rebate of $30. The bus will depart at 8 a.m. from R&J and at 8:30 a.m. from Quandel’s, Minersville. For more information or to sign up, call Julie at 570-544-5231 or Millie at 570-628-5413. The parish’s vacation bible school for youngsters in kindergarten through fourth grade is set for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday at the Good Shepherd Building. To register or for more information, call Sister Mary Jane Dunleavy at 570-544-2464. The Travelers’ Pittsburgh Express bus trip will be July 6-8 at a cost of $429 per person double occupancy. It includes two nights lodging, two breakfasts and two dinners plus tours of a variety of well-known sites. Call Julie or Millie for reservations or more information.

• Pine Grove: Patrick M. “Porcupine Pat” McKinney, environmental education coordinator with the Schuylkill Conservation District, announced in a press release that day camps focusing on the forest and water habitat and local wildlife have been scheduled at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park. Camps that will be based in the large pavilion at Sweet Arrow Lake include a Nature Adventure Camp for children 4 to 6 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. June 24-26 and a wild life day camp for children 7 to 9 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. June 24-26. The registration fee is by donation only as the camp is partially funded by the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation. For more information, call McKinney at 570-622-4124, ext. 113 or email him at www.porcupinepat@yahoo.com.

• Ringtown: An American Red Cross blood drive is set for 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 106 W. Main St. People 17 and older, weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health are urged to donate blood. To make an appointment to donate blood, call 800-733-2767 or download the American Red Cross donor app. The website is at www.redcrossblood.org.

• Saint Clair: Holy Apostles Episcopal Church, 307 E. Hancock St., will host a North Parish strawberry festival from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Tickets are $5 each and the event will include strawberries, ice cream, baked goods and beverages. For tickets or more information, call 570-429-7107.

• Shenandoah: The Shenandoah Area Free Public Library gratefully accepts donations in memory of or in honor of loved ones or friends. They are available at the library, which is located in the municipal complex at Washington and Main streets. Library memorials also are available at local funeral homes. For more information, contact the library at 570-462-9829. Robert Sluzis is the library director. The library recently acknowledged the following memorials: For Edward Buhl from Charlotte Macker and family; for Richard Shumski from Ron and Mary Luscavage; for Rosie Wozniak from Michele Day; for Leona Dove from Mickey and Ellen Gilroy and family; for Paul Varenick from Bill and Sally Koons; for Markaret Palachick from Linda Shomoskie; for Maria Paulonis from Sophie C. Paulonis; for Frank P. Gallo from Kelly Leibig-Lynch and Sheri Zurick; for Neil Reese from Mary Ellen Matunis; for R. Danny Parker from Mary Ann Mickelonis.

CRESSONA — The borough kicked off its summer with a splash.

More than 100 people came out to the Cressona Borough Pool just off Graeff Street on Saturday for a Splash Pool Party, the first such event held at the complex in years, according to Georgiann Davis, recreation supervisor for the Blue Mountain Recreation Commission, Orwigsburg.

“This is something that we brought back. We used to do them long ago. It’s been awhile. I’d say it’s been a good five years. Sometimes when we’d try to do something we’d have poor weather. But we have gorgeous weather today. And I was really hoping we’d see more than 50 to 100 people here today,” Davis said.

The sun reigned over partly cloudy skies as it reflected off the pool’s waves. The temperatures were in the mid-80s.

With spirited leaps off the diving board, swimmers such as Annie Della Monica, 16, of Cressona, sent drops of water flying with the grace of fireworks.

Della Monica won the day’s first contest, the cannonball dive, and a gift card to Rita’s Italian Ice.

“This is the second time I’m at this pool. The first was yesterday,” Della Monica said after climbing out of the drink that was 10-feet deep.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the pool, a group of children and teenagers were swimming while tossing a blue ball into a hoop. They included Daunte Hogan, 18, of Cressona, and Kegan Hertz, 12, of Schuylkill Haven.

Hertz’s mother, Jodie, was sitting on the sidelines, sunbathing. She said she grew up with the pool and thinks it’s looking better than ever.

“I used to live in Cressona and I used to come here all the time. I grew up right down the street. Years ago, the water used to be so cold. But over the years, they started to control the temperature. I think it evolved a lot over the years. They’ve made it better,” Jodie Hertz said.

Saturday’s event was also a celebration to introduce the pool’s new double slide.

“And that’s awesome!” Hogan said.

On June 6, Cressona borough officials cut the ribbon for the new slide at the opening of the pool. Officials present for the ribbon-cutting included Mayor Gail Knauf, borough Councilman James Johns and Mark Palerino, director of the Blue Mountain Recreation Commission.

The Blue Mountain Recreation Commission manages the pool for Cressona.

Among those who helped to organize Saturday’s event were Lindsay Eisenhower and Jennie Heiser, who work for the recreation commission.

“The borough’s trying to make improvements to the pool. And since we’re the operators of the pool, we thought we’d try to help things along and run some new activities for them,” Davis said.

According to the commission’s website, new special events at the pool this season will also include the following:

• July 18: Scoops for Troops featuring Yuengling Ice Cream.

• Aug. 2: Cinema Swim featuring a movie, “Big Hero 6.” The rain date is Aug. 3.

The pool will close for the season Aug. 23.

The pool’s hours are 12:30 to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday

The daily rates for residents are $4.50, adults; $4, students; $1.50, spectators; $1.50, seniors; swimming after 5 p.m. $2.25 and children under 2, free.

For more information, call Blue Mountain Recreation at 570-366-1190 or visit its website at www.bluemountainrec.com.

SHENANDOAH HEIGHTS — West Mahanoy Township police have implemented several state-of-the-art systems designed to protect both their officers and the drivers they pull over during traffic stops.

Officers are using an automatic license plate reader, recording traffic stops using in-car cameras and then issuing citations, when required, using an Internet system that files paperwork immediately via email at the office of the respective magisterial district judge.

Patrolman Ray Tonkinson, sitting along Route 924 near the Tasty Freeze restaurant, monitored traffic traveling toward Shenandoah, his LPR capturing the registration plate of every vehicle that passed.

He explained that once the Plate Smart License Plate Reader scans a license plate, it immediately checks to see if it is expired, suspended, stolen, the subject of an Amber Alert or for a wanted person.

Tonkinson explained that when a violation is found, a warning is given through the laptop computer in the vehicle identifying the violation.

Although a violation may be indicated, the officer said West Mahanoy officers take an additional step before pulling that vehicle over. Tonkinson said police will follow the vehicle and run the registration number through the Schuylkill County Communications Center to verify a violation exists prior to the stop. If emergency dispatchers indicate a violation exists, officers then proceed to make a vehicle stop that is recorded on an in-car camera.

By recording a traffic stop, or traffic violation, Tonkinson said any questions that may arise are eliminated.

“It is right there on video,” he said. “This is good not only for the police officers but for the public, as well.”

Once a vehicle is stopped, the third part of the technological advancements comes into play.

Tonkinson said the department uses an e-citation system that, until recently, was only used by Pennsylvania State Police troopers.

The first municipal police department in Schuylkill County to use the system, Tonkinson said officers choose the violation or violations, scan the registration card and scan the person’s drivers license with the bar code and the information such as age, address and more is then transferred to the computer citation program.

It then prints a copy for the driver and automatically emails a copy to the district court.

He explained that the hand-written citations had 62 lines and often an officer’s handwriting would be difficult to read.

With the new system, Tonkinson said, everything is clearly printed and the driver is able to plead guilty or not guilty to the charges almost immediately at the district court. In the past, police citations could take time to make their way to the court, he said, adding that this system allows officer to get back on duty as soon as possible.

In addition to the time-saving feature, the program eliminates errors since everything is calculated by a computer and not a human being.

“It does all the math,” Tonkinson said. “There is no human error.”

West Mahanoy Township police Chief Shawn Tray said although the camera and license plate reader have been in operation for some time, the e-citation system was implemented last month.

He said a lot of research was done before the township decided on what system to purchase and the current system is what the doctor — or, in this case, police officer — ordered.

“There are a lot of systems out there but and we decided on the system that works best for us,” he said.

The chief said using technology allows officers to sit safely on the side of a road, read the license plates of vehicles and take whatever action may be necessary.

By using the three systems — license plate reader, camera and e-citation — the margin for error is greatly reduced, if not eliminated.

“It allows for a successful prosecution,” Tray said.

Max Comfort, a 2013 Pottsville Area High School graduate, completed electronics technician in “A” and “C” school training for the Navy.

A petty officer 3rd class stationed aboard the Destroyer USS Carney in Mayport, Florida, he is a son of Gary and Margaret Comfort and a grandson of David and Anne Moyer, all of Pottsville, and the late John and Dolores Wysco. Max is a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville.

Kutztown

Tiffany Marshall, Schuylkill Haven, was inducted into the Kutztown University Chapter of the National Honor Society Phi Kappa Phi, Alpha Sigma Lambda Adult Honor Society and Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society during the spring semester.

Tiffany studied special education/elementary education and is studying sociology at Kutztown.

A graduate of Blue Mountain High School, she is a daughter of Mike and Bonnie Marshall, Schuylkill Haven, and a granddaughter of Marvin and Elaine Reichert, Orwigsburg, and Harold Marshall, Elizabethtown, and the late Barbara Marshall.

Letecia M. Garcia, Mount Carbon, is the recipient of the Silver Chambliss Student Academic Achievement Award. The award is one of the most prestigious honors given at Kutztown University.

Letecia graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and clinical-counseling psychology. She receives the Silver Chambliss Student Academic Achievement Award in the categories of outstanding service to the university community and successfully completed research projects.

Letecia took advantage of as many opportunities as possible while at Kutztown. In the past two years, she committed countless hours to the Presidential Ambassadors, Student Government Board and Presidential Search Committee in addition to serving the community through volunteerism and maintaining an impressive academic record. Some honors and recognition she has received include the Undergraduate Leadership Scholarship, the Jaymie B. Creitz Scholarship, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Women’s Leadership Institute/ Women’s Consortium Grant, the Undergraduate Research Grant and membership on the dean’s list.

She has served as all-organization liaison for Allies of KU; a student representative of the Student Faculty Judiciary of KU and McFarland Student Union Advisory Board and co-chairwoman and student trustee of the Human Diversity Committee for KU’s Council of Trustees.

Over the course of a year and a half, she worked on two research projects, one examining the perception of mental illness and the insanity plea, the results of which she presented at the Eastern Psychological Association’s annual conference in March 2014, and the other exploring how pharmaceuticals affect the morphology of differentiating neurons.

Letecia plans to attend graduate school to further her education.

Thirty-four students at Kutztown were inducted into the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society. Local residents who were inducted include: Sally Alonge, Tamaqua; Danielle Hoch, Kareena Bowers and David Wagman, all of Hamburg; Tiffany Marshall, Schuylkill Haven.

The following local residents were inducted into the Phi Alpha National Honor Society for Social Work at Kutztown: Tanya Halupa, Frackville; Ashley Moran, Mahanoy City; William Anthony, Port Carbon.

Marriage licenses

Daniel Weisbeck, Shenandoah, and Amanda Houser, Ashland.

Robert J. Putalavage, Minersville, and Tammy Wagner, Minersville.

Gary J. Hess II, Pottsville, and Elyse K. Wiscount, Pottsville.

Malcolm E. Eubert III, Pottsville, and Alyssa M. Boris, Pottsville.

Richard J. Robbins, Bethlehem, and Victoria A. Holohan, Saint Clair.

Paul M. Haugh Sr., Minersville, and Grace A. Willcox, Minersville.

Richard E. Miller Jr., Tamaqua, and Linda A. Rice, Tamaqua.

Divorces granted

John Powis Jr., Frackville, from Tanya E. Powis, Frackville.

Dennis J. Benjamin, Shenandoah, from Carol Benjamin, Mount Carmel.

Jamey M. Yurkonis, Pine Grove, from Amber R. Yurkonis, Pottsville.

Wendy A. Schwenk, Pottsville, and Keith A. Schwenk, Schuylkill Haven.

Tammy M. Seiger, Pottsville, from Scott C. Seiger, Pine Grove.

HARRISBURG — For nonprofit agencies that rely on state aid to help parents, the poor and the sick, it’s happening again: A state budget seems unlikely to be approved before the deadline in two weeks.

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-controlled Legislature appear far apart on a state budget due June 30.

An impasse after that deadline would leave state government without authority to spend money and create a great deal of uncertainty about the continued flow of state aid. In 2009, a partisan budget battle left food banks, child care centers and social service agencies without funding for months.

For Pennsylvania to maintain full spending authority after the deadline, lawmakers must pass and Wolf must sign a budget package that includes a fiscal bill detailing where tax revenue comes from and a school code that distributes state aid to school districts.

Wolf and GOP legislative leaders discussed budget issues last week but still grapple with such basic concepts as the size of a revenue deficit that needs to be addressed.

Wolf pegs the deficit at $2 billion due to an overreliance on one-time revenue sources, while GOP lawmakers contend the deficit is much smaller, in the $1 billion range, as tax revenues ticked up in recent months.

Priorities differ

Senate Majority Whip John Gordner, R-27, Berwick, said a three-way budget agreement is preferable, but failing that, Senate and House GOP leaders are prepared to pass a budget by June 30 built on revenue from selling the state-owned liquor stores and public pension cuts.

Senate Republicans have repeatedly said curbing public pension costs for state government and school employees must be addressed before new tax revenue can be considered. House Republicans view the sale of the state-owned liquor stores as a revenue bonanza for Pennsylvania’s chronic fiscal troubles.

That scenario would leave Wolf with several options, including signing the budget, vetoing the entire budget or exercising a veto of certain parts of the budget to compel continued negotiations over the summer. Another option is passing a stopgap budget to keep basic state government operations functioning for several months.

Wolf has proposed an ambitious budget with additional spending and tax hikes, including using a portion of severance tax revenue to restore earlier cuts to public education under his predecessor, Republican Tom Corbett. A hike in the state personal income tax from 3.07 percent to 3.7 percent would pay for substantial school property tax relief under Wolf’s proposal.

The governor’s priorities are for a severance tax, closing the deficit with recurring revenue and property tax relief for the middle class and seniors, Wolf spokesman Jeff Sheridan said.

“He is not going to accept a status quo budget that is built on smoke and mirrors,” Sheridan said.

“We do have different directions on many issues,” House Speaker Mike Turzai, R-28, Pittsburgh, said.

People don’t want to recognize pensions are a school cost, but they are, Rep. Tina Pickett, R-110, Towanda, said.

But Rep. Sid Michaels Kavulich, D-114, Taylor, said moving state government and public school employees to a defined contribution pension plan from the traditional defined benefit plan won’t provide savings.

Bad memories

Those with memories of earlier budget stalemates in 2003, 2007 and 2009 are paying attention. Nonprofits struggled to stay afloat and pay bills during the prolonged 2009 stalemate.

“I’ve been hearing from my schools,” Sen. John Blake, D-22, Archbald, said. “They are obviously concerned about if it goes past June 30. Any time we have a budget impasse it puts pressure on nonprofits.”

However, the situation doesn’t appear as dire as in 2009, Gary Drapek, president of the United Way of Lackawanna and Wyoming counties, said. It would take a stalemate lasting into August for state aid checks to stop, he said.

A flap emerged last week over a letter sent by a Department of Labor and Industry official to the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind and other nonprofits concerning budget contingency plans, saying in part the state wouldn’t pay retroactively for services provided during a period without a budget.

Sens. Lisa Baker, R-20, Lehman Township, and Mario Scavello, R-40, Mount Pocono, criticized that statement. The letter was not authorized by the governor’s office, which wasn’t even aware it had been sent, Sheridan.

The labor and industry secretary plans to send a letter to clarify any confusion resulting from the matter, he said.

Lawmakers gambling

As a way to generate new revenue, Senate GOP leaders are advancing legislation to allow casinos to offer Internet gambling and run satellite operations with a limited number of slot machines.

Legalizing Internet gambling could yield an estimated $700 million annually, Scavello said.

“I am not a big fan of expanded gaming,” Blake said. “I think we have enough of it. Whenever we do this, there is a danger to the strength of an existing facility.”

Meanwhile, a key piece of the budget puzzle has yet to be finalized.

The state Basic Education Funding Commission plans to issue a report this week recommending a new formula for distributing $5 billion in basic education funding to school districts. The commission’s recommendations would need approval from the lawmakers and governor to take effect.

MINERSVILLE — Schuylkill County Crime Stoppers and state police at Frackville are asking for the public’s help in finding those responsible for a criminal mischief incident at an area business.

Police said the theft and criminal mischief occurred sometime between April 24 and June 5 at the CLS Mine site on Old Phoenix Road, just south of Route 901 in Cass Township.

Police said someone arrived at the site and removed a cab light from a DeMag coal shovel that is owned by Reading Anthracite Co., Pottsville.

The person or persons also damaged eight air filters on the same machine before fleeing the area, police said.

Schuylkill County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information on the identity of those responsible for this crime or on any unsolved crime in Schuylkill County.

Callers are asked to refer to incident 06-14-15 when calling with information about the criminal mischief and theft in Cass Township.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers, toll-free, at 877-TIPS4SC (877-847-7472).

Individuals with information on this case can also contact state police at Frackville directly by calling 570-874-5300.

All information received will remain confidential.

HECKSCHERVILLE — As more than 75 people gathered on the grounds of the former St. Kieran Roman Catholic Church on Sunday to celebrate the area’s Irish heritage, they got to see the work site where a memorial to the church’s history will one day be erected.

“We as a group, with the little bit of funds we’ve raised over the years, decided to allocate those funds and construct a memorial up here in the cemetery. It will be dedicated to the history of St. Kieran’s. I believe it will be complete by the end of the year,” said Brian P. Canfield, treasurer of the volunteer group financing the project, The Friends of St. Kieran’s.

At the seventh annual Heritage Day in the Valley on Sunday, representatives of the group talked about their efforts to erect the memorial, and members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians Div. 3, Cass Township, discussed their decision to become host of Heritage Day this year.

The former St. Kieran church, convent, rectory and school are side-by-side on Church Road, just off Valley Road. They are owned by the Diocese of Allentown. The diocese closed the church in June 2008 during a widespread restructuring and consolidation of Roman Catholic churches.

From 2009 to 2014, The Friends of St. Kieran’s struggled to raise funds to buy the buildings to develop a historic site and cultural center. Heritage Day in the Valley was started as an annual fundraising event.

“The Friends of St. Kieran’s held Heritage Day in conjunction with the Cass Township AOH and Clover Fire Company. The AOH hosted it for us,” Canfield said.

In that six-year period, the group raised more than $14,000, but was not able to raise enough to achieve its goal, Canfield said.

“We cannot demonstrate there is enough interest and continued revenue stream to move forward. After much thought, prayer and careful consideration, it is with deep regret that Friends of St. Kieran’s cannot continue with the acquisition of the buildings. Please understand this was a painfully difficult decision to make and was not made in haste,” the Friends said in a joint statement the weekend of last year’s Heritage Day.

The Friends asked the diocese for permission to construct a memorial to pay homage to the rich history of St. Kieran, St. John Neumann and the generations of parishioners that contributed to its religious history. St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, Minersville, which manages the St. Kieran Cemetery, is also working with the group, Canfield said.

Canfield, Primrose, and Judith A. Quinn and Thomas J. Quinn, Llewellyn, who are members of the Friends group, offered an update on the project Sunday.

On Jan. 2, the Friends made arrangements to have the church bell removed from the tower behind the church. It has been put in storage and the plan is to make it part of the memorial, Canfield said.

The memorial will be made by Hazleton Memorial Co., Hazleton.

“The memorial is going to consist of a 3-by-5-foot black granite headstone and on the headstone is going to be a mural,” Canfield said.

An artist from Minersville, Marty Heffron, designed it.

“Marty drew it on paper and the monument company will etch that artwork right onto the black granite. And the artwork is fantastic,” Canfield said.

The design is being kept under wraps until the unveiling, he said.

“It will tell our story, including our mining heritage,” Judith Quinn said.

“It will tell future generations that something significant happened on this site,” Canfield said, referring to the church grounds.

After last year’s Heritage Day, the Cass Township AOH expressed interest in continuing the annual event.

“And this is the first year they’ve taken over,” Canfield said.

Organizers of this year’s Heritage Day included AOH representatives Eugene O’Brien, Minersville, and Jim Canfield, Heckscherville.

As per tradition, the day’s events started with the march from the Clover Fire Company lawn to the grounds of the church and cemetery two blocks away. It was led by bagpipers including Hutten Moyer of the Hawk Mountain Highlanders.

Thomas Symons, Primrose, president of the Schuylkill County AOH, conducted the traditional ceremony to honor the more than 35 AOH members buried at St. Kieran Cemetery.

“Ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters, within this cemetery lay the remains of at least 35 members of Division 12. It is right we remember and honor them, for some of them may be sons or brothers of the founding fathers of the AOH in America,” Symons said.

It included a volley fired by Emil Rizzi, commander of American Legion Post 544, Minersville, and members Steve Mollick and William “Chip” Prelovsky.

Among those in attendance were Richard Tobin, a Shenandoah native now living in Boyertown, and his sister, Donna King, a Philadelphia native now living in Tamaqua.

It was their first visit to Heritage Day in the Valley. They said they heard about it from the Schuylkill County Historical Society. Curious, they came out to see if they could learn a few things about their roots.

“Our great-grandfather, James Tobin, and our grandfather, Richard Tobin, are from Heckscherville,” Tobin said.

“We’ve been trying to locate them. We’ve been researching our roots for quite a number of years,” King said.

Following the ceremony, the crowd headed back to the Heritage Day festivities.

It featured live music from The Troubles, a performance from representatives of McCormick School of Irish Dance and a presentation by Mark Bulik, author of “The Sons of Molly Maguire: The Irish Roots of America’s First Labor War,” which was published by Fordham University Press in January.

Representatives of the Schuylkill County Historical Society and the Minersville Area Historical Society were also there to vend and hand out information about their organizations.

ASHLAND — American Legion Bernard J. Dolan Post 434 conducted its third annual flag retirement ceremony on Sunday to mark Flag Day.

Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the American flag on June 14, 1777, by the Second Continental Congress. The day also marks the anniversary of the Army, which Congress created on June 14, 1775.

The Legionnaires met at Memorial Field at noon for the ceremony to retire more than 600 worn and tattered American flags. The official name for the ritual is the “Unserviceable Flags Ceremony.” Ashland Boy Scout Troop 745 assisted as did Ashland Cub Scout Pack 749, which was represented by one of its members.

Incorrectly called a “flag burning ceremony” by many, the flag retirement ceremony, according to Legion officials, provides a uniform, dignified way to dispose of unserviceable flags that are tattered, worn or torn and have been flown at veterans posts, homes and other buildings or have marked the graves of veterans of military service in times of war and peace.

The ceremony began with Legion Commander Daniel Weikel calling for the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence for POWs and MIAs.

After First Vice Commander Frank Rice and Second Vice Commander Ron Wallace confirmed that the flags “have become unserviceable in a worthy cause” and they “have become faded and worn in a tribute of service and love,” the recommendation was that “they be fittingly destroyed.”

Following the ceremony, Weikel said said a flag “may be a flimsy bit of printed gauze, or a beautiful banner of finest silk. Its intrinsic value may be trifling or great; but its real value is beyond price, for it is a precious symbol of all that we and our comrades have worked for and lived for, and died for a free Nation of free men, true to the faith of the past, devoted to the ideals and practice of Justice, Freedom and Democracy.”

Post Chaplain Thomas Dando offered the following prayer:

“Almighty God, captain of all hosts and commander over all, bless and consecrate this present hour.

“We thank Thee for our country and its flag, and for the liberty for which it stands. “To clean and purging flame we commit these Flags, worn out in worthy service. As they yield their substance to the fire, may Thy Holy Light spread over us and bring to our hearts renewed devotion to God and Country. Amen.”

After the playing of taps by Finance Officer Fred Klock, the Scouts were called forward, each holding American flags, to two burn barrels with fires started before the ceremony began. Each Scout brought his flags to the barrels and tossed them in. After the flags began burning and increased in temperature, the Legion members took over to place the flags in the barrels.

Cub Scout Jacob Tice attended with Cubmaster Sally Tice. The Boys Scouts included Michael Watkins, Thomas Wolfgang, Tyler Wolfgang and Thomas Rizzardi, led by Scoutmaster Allen Ahrensfield and Assistant Scoutmaster John Wolfgang.

After the ceremony, Weikel said the best way to retire a flag is to give it to a local veterans post.

Weikel said the Ashland Legion post has an old mailbox outside for people to bring the flags to be retired. He asked that anyone bringing the smaller flags to remove the wooden stick beforehand. Retirement ceremonies are not restricted to U.S. flags.

“You can bring any flag you want to retire. We had Army flags today, a Marine flag, and, believe it or not, a garden flag,” Weikel said. “Somebody snuck it in, but we took care of it for them.”

FRACKVILLE — While traveling the globe through his military career, a retired Marine from Schuylkill County said he’s seen numerous reactions people from other countries have to the American flag.

Sgt. Maj. Joseph M. Liptok, 54, of Pottsville, shared some of his memories before delivering his speech during the annual Flag Day service held Sunday by Frackville Elks Lodge 1533.

It was one of several Flag Day observances held throughout the county. Others were held in Saint Clair, Ashland, Llewellyn, Mahanoy City and at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park in Pine Grove.

“I was once stationed in Moscow,” Liptok said. “That was in 1998. And I remember how Russians took notice to how we really honor our flag, how we revere our flag. And I remember going into Somalia in 1990 and I saw the soldiers there desecrate our flag. That’s something I don’t really talk about ... but it really tore at my heart. The reason we have the freedoms we have is because of that flag and the Americans who served their country,” Liptok, who served in the military 30 years, said.

Before a crowd of more than 100 people in the rear parking lot of the lodge at 307 S. Third St., Liptok thanked everyone who made the annual Flag Day services there possible, including members of Cub Scout Pack 790 of Frackville, who held replicas of the nation’s flag from throughout its history.

“Cub Scouts, I want to thank you for being here today. I also want to thank your moms and your fathers for what they do, showing you that with everything you do in life there’s a reason for it. Your heroes are your parents,” Liptok said.

He also saluted the honor guard.

“Being a drill instructor I always observe how honor guards present their weapons. I applaud you. You did a great job, some of the best I’ve ever seen,” Liptok said.

Members of the American Legion fired a volley. They included representatives of Post 398, Frackville — John Bukowski, Ray Kostic, Pete Kostingo, Mike Macker, Bernie Morris, Jeff Samelko, Wayne Schaffer and John Teijaro — and a representative of Post 309, Girardville, Marc Burlile.

Barry Dolan of Post 398 was the bugler.

The ceremony was hosted by William J. Mack, the lodge’s exalted ruler.

Other participants included the Schuylkill County commissioners, representatives of the Combat Veteran Motorcycle Association PA 22-5, and William Begis, representing Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2110, Mount Carmel.

After Mack offered a history of the American flag, E. Lance Nelson of the Frackville Elks provided perspectives, reminding the crowd of 9/11.

“Who among us will ever forget the sight of firefighters raising the flag over the ruins of the World Trade Center, or the military personnel draping the flag over the side of the Pentagon, or the citizens of Somerset County, Pennsylvania, placing our flag near the site where great Americans died fighting the hijackers on Flight 93. No other symbol could have offered such comfort. And we still today endure the horrors of that day,” Nelson said.

“Today,” he continued, “American armed forces carry our flag in the villages of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan and the jungles of the Philippines. Wherever terrorism may reside, the struggle against the sponsors of terrorism is our hardest battle yet. And this threat to our nation and to our way of life is certainly the greatest challenge our flag has ever seen. But the resurgence of patriotism since Sept. 11, 2001, has rekindled our spirit and our respect for our flag today,” Nelson said.

“Schuylkill County is a place where the people really honor their military, and that’s part of the reason I came back here,” Liptok said.

Born in Pottsville on July 8, 1960, Liptok is a 1978 graduate of Nativity BVM High School, Pottsville. After high school he joined the Marines and trained at Marine Corps Recuit Depot Parris Island.

Over the years, his assignments included work as a 0311 Basic Infantry Man with the 8th Marines, a drill instructor at locations including Parris Island, a detachment commander in Bangkok and Moscow, a sergeant major assigned to the 8th Marines Second Battalion at Parris Island and to the Marine Central Command and Headquarters Marine Corps, Tampa, Florida, according to his resume.

In 1990, he deployed with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit to Somalia and during Operation Desert Storm, he deployed with the 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade. He was part of numerous deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

In his last assignment, he served as a Marine Corps senior enlisted man at Bethesda Naval Hospital for the Wounded Warriors Regiment. He retired from the Marine Corps in December 2009 after 30 years of honorable service.

Today, he works as a commissary manager at State Correctional Institution/Frackville.

His family includes his wife, Catherine, Pottsville; a son, Anthony Liptok, 29, a Marine veteran who is a trooper stationed with state police at Schuylkill Haven; and a daughter, Coeli Liptok, 34, who resides at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, and is an Air Force master sergeant serving on Air Force One.