Deeds
Ashland — Brian P. and Taisha Wayne and Raymond J. Wayne to Brian P. and Taisha Wayne; property at Centre and 11th streets; $1.
Butler Township — Michael Reinoehl to Raymond Reinoehl; 34 Main St., Mowry; $1.
Coaldale — William Frye to Carbon-Schuylkill Community Hospital Inc.; 502 W. Water St.; $68,000.
ZION GROVE — Trophies from hundreds of hunting expeditions over 60 years are on display in John P. Teter’s home and every stuffed animal, pair of antlers and picture represents a story that the 72-year-old hunter is more than willing to share.
“I’ve been sitting here reliving these hunts over and over in my mind,” Teter said Friday. “I can remember every one of them.”
Teter was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer June 23, 2016, and has been under hospice care. Despite the diagnosis, Teter still made it out for archery season last year and took home an eight-point buck. He expects nothing less this year.
“I plan to hunt as long as I am able to,” Teter said. “I’m a guy who always did as much as he could for as long as I could. That has increased my longevity for sure.”
Teter received a special hunting license this season from the state Game Commission that allows hunters with disabilities to use a parked vehicle as a blind or a shooting platform. Last year, Teter used a crossbow from a tree stand to get his deer.
“I was worse last year than I am today. I could barely walk,” Teter said. “He (the deer) came right up to me, like 15 yards away. Before I was sick, I was one of the healthiest people around and out stand used to be as far from the road as you could get.”
Family and friends helped Teter this year set up a blind not too far from the dirt road near the Shenandoah Fish & Game Protection Association in Zion Grove. A small walking path into the woods was cleared out for Teter.
“Everyone and their brother are willing to come and help me,” Teter said. “Hunting and fishing is a very important part of my life and a lot of people put a lot of effort to get this ready for me.”
Inside the blind, Teter can sit on a stool and aim his crossbow with a modified camera tripod. All he has to do is wait.
“I feel confident that if one came, I’d be able to get it,” he said. “There is a higher probability of me getting one this year than last year.”
Another deer would only add to Teter’s impressive hunting collection. Since he was 12 years old, Teter said he got at least one deer every year. Nearly all his hunting and fishing took place in the 4C wildlife management unit in Schuylkill and Columbia counties.
“I easily shot over 600 animals in my life,” Teter said. “From the first year I could shoot a deer, I got at least one every year.”
After retiring in 1999, Teter shot 37 doe and 11 buck with a bow, rifle, crossbow and muzzle loader. He got 26 turkeys, 107 geese and 479 pieces of small game with a .22 rifle, 459 of which were squirrels. He also caught 316 trout in 2012, all using worms and not exceeding the limit of five per day.
Contact the writer: mgilgerjr@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023
Ray Dombroski came to a love of woodworking later in life. His handiwork, scattered among family and friends, is as testament to his greater love of his fellow human beings.
Remarkably, Dombroski gave away dozens of wooden toys, walking sticks, holiday decorations, napkin holders and assorted other items crafted from the maple and oak trees that he felled.
“It wasn’t work. It was enjoyable,’’ he said of the years of wood crafting spanning countless hours in his basement workshop. The whir of a band saw, the decorative cuts of a jigsaw and the planing and sanding by hand all contributed to the sawdust piles on the floor.
Today, the hobby has come to an end for the 84-year-old former electrician. A heart ailment has prompted Dombroski to shut it all down, but he can reflect on his work, large and small, and especially the enjoyment that he has brought to others.
Sitting in his dining room with his wife, Joan, the Hanover Township, Luzerne County, man displays a wooden railroad work train. The crane car’s boom has a magnetized “hook’’ that can lift loads from flatcars. Along the wall in the nearby living room is one of four grandfather clocks that he built, and Joan uses a computer desk crafted by Ray.
“I thought I was Superman,’’ he said of his eager-beaver days in the work shop. He sought new ideas continuously and then searched for the wood to turn those ideas into works of woodcraft art.
Dombroski is a 1949 graduate of GAR High School, Wilkes-Barre. He served in the Navy during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954 aboard a small 2100 class destroyer, the USS Healy 672.
He married in 1954 and raised a family of two sons and two daughters, “my proudest accomplishments,” he said, while working as an electrician with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, one of the area’s building trades unions.
His work included a brief stint at the nuclear power plant at Salem Township, work at the former Nesbitt Memorial Hospital, Kingston; Owens-Illinois in Jenkins Township and on the senior citizen high-rise on Lee Park Avenue, Hanover Township. He took a job at Pocono Downs in 1973 and worked there until his retirement in 1993 as head electrician.
Dombroski began crafting wooden toys in the 1960s. He explained, “Our youngest son was born in 1966. He loved trucks and named the first one I made him, ‘Joe’s truck.’ He is now 51, has a 12-year-old son named Joseph and they still have that truck.”
His woodworking “career’’ began in 1989, he said, with a desire to do something for his grandchildren. He began making wooden toys, ranging from smaller cars to 18-wheeler tractor-trailers. Neighbors and friends began to take note of his woodworking prowess and the handmade toys began to find new homes as Dombroski expanded his from-the-heart donations.
Dombroski told the story of a neighbor who had moved from Hanover but returned to visit his mom. The neighbor and his 4-year-old son stopped to visit Dombroski also, the child spotted a handmade toy truck and within seconds, the truck was his to keep.
“You should have seen the smile on his face,’’ Dombroski said. “That child was so happy!’’
Dombroski created intricate carousels for his grandkids. The grandfather clocks are in the family, too. He has done gun cabinets, a lemonade stand for a granddaughter, a cherry dining room table and the kitchen cabinets in the Dombroski home. Dozens of toys, napkin and paper plate holders, holiday decorations such as reindeer and witches on broomsticks and, of course, walking sticks are all part of the collection.
Much of the wood he used over the years came from a 200-acre property owned by a friend. Dombroski was able to harvest some trees on the 50-acre Pocono Downs property and he was quick to help when anyone asked him to use his chain saw to remove a tree. In one case, that offer to help yielded a beautiful black walnut, he said. Cutting trees into boards was done at another friend’s sawmill.
Then there are the 50 walking sticks that Dombroski made, most of which have gone on to friends and neighbors. Dombroski has a few in a living room umbrella holder, including one with a unique twist design.
“I found this one in the woods not far from home,’’ Dombroski said. “A vine had wrapped itself around the tree, creating the twist. I cut the piece, brought it home and began removing the vine,’’ he said, “and then I started to itch terribly.’’ The vine was poison ivy.
Ray and Joan Dombroski were childhood sweethearts. The former Joan Johnson, she also graduated from GAR in 1949 and they married in 1954.
“We’re still sweethearts,’’ Dombroski said. “She makes fantastic vegetable soup!’’ Dombroski notes, and a great hot horseradish.
Joan Dombroski worked as a secretary in the Veterans Administration Medical Center, rising to become secretary to the chief executive officer.
The Dombroski children and grandchildren include Jill and her husband, Larry Marianacci, Dallas, and their children, Sarah and Katherine; Ray and his wife, Colleen, Malvern, and their children, Ian and Allison; Ruth and her husband, Jim Neithammer, Malvern, and David and his wife, Rebecca, Schwenksville, and son Joseph.
The Dombroskis have been longtime active members of St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, Wilkes-Barre.
“Monsignor (Joseph) Rauscher loved the horseradish,’’ Dombroski said.
“We are grateful for friends and family,’’ Joan Dombroski adds. The workshop may be idle, but the Dombroskis plan to continue a daily prayer period, another way to love friends and family.
DONALDSON — The state Department of Transportation shut down a section of Route 125 after a portion of the highway collapsed.
The collapse occurred between 6 and 7 p.m. Friday about 2 1/4 miles outside of Donaldson in Porter Township, a PennDOT worker said at the scene Saturday morning.
PennDOT installed signs as far as Tremont warning motorists of the road closure and, at the site, piled rocks and put large signs warning drivers the road was not passable.
PennDOT said the road will remain closed until at least Monday when state mining inspectors are expected to come to the site and determine the cause and best way to repair it.
FRACKVILLE — Children swished paintbrushes through cups of yellow and black, then ran them across pumpkin shells.
Others at the community’s ninth annual Frackville Pumpkin Festival rode Welsh ponies, played musical chairs, devoured slices of pumpkin pie or manned tables to sell goods to raise funds for the library, local Scout troops and churches.
“And it’s a perfect day,” said Deb McCormick, Frackville, who was there with her granddaughter, Bella Cugusi, 3.
“Yes, it’s a very nice day. Who could ask for better weather?” Kim Y. Phillips, mayor of Frackville, said.
At noon Saturday, it was 75 degrees and sunny with a few clouds in the sky. More than 200 people were at the event around that time. Phillips estimated more than 400 would visit the event throughout the day.
“We have more than 20 vendors. It’s 22 or something like that. It’s a little better than average. The last two years we had bad weather and we moved it to the mall. So for some of the vendors, that wasn’t an option for them,” Elaine Mykolayko, Frackville, one of the volunteers who helped to organize the event, said.
For the past two years, due to weather conditions, the event was held at the Schuylkill Mall. But this year, that wasn’t an option. In May, the owner of the mall, NorthPoint Development, Riverside, Missouri, announced the mall would close. Plans to demolish the complex are in the works.
“Since the mall was no longer an option, we set a rain date this year,” Mykolayko said.
The event is sponsored by the Frackville Business and Professional Association.
About 10:30 a.m., Juliana Miller, 6, her brother, Kyle Miller, 2, and their cousin, Brady Lindenmuth, 6, all of Frackville, were hard at work, painting pumpkins at a stand run to benefit the Frackville Free Public Library.
Meanwhile, Michelle Miller, the mother of Juliana and Kyle, and Vanessa Lindenmuth, mother of Brady, looked over their shoulders.
“There’s always a lot here for the children to do. There’s crafts. They can get their face painted. There are a lot inexpensive fun activities,” Michelle said.
“We’re here with the fire company, the Good Will Hose Company. So we sell mums too,” Vanessa said.
There were a number of local Scouts working at tables. They included Kacey Harper, 14, of Frackville, a cadet with Girl Scout Troop 31089. She was there with her mother, Carla.
“They’re raising money for their annual trip to Gettysburg, where they’ll spend the weekend. Usually, it’s in June,” Carla said.
Jonathan Hannon, Gilberton — the son of Gilberton Mayor Mary Lou Hannon — was there with his son, Declan Hannon, 5, and his niece, Alessandra Fisher, 4, of West Lawn, Berks County.
Bruce Bitting, Lavelle, a disc jockey with JB Sound, ran a game of musical chairs by starting and stopping the chorus from “Don’t Stop The Party” by Pitbull.
The winner was Lorelai Davies, 10, of Girardville, a junior with Girl Scout Troop 31105.
Vendors there included Barb Brown, Schuylkill Haven, who runs Barb’s Charms & Amulets. She was dressed in black and wore a witch’s hat while she sold jewelry and “accessory items of the paranormal sort” like a “ghost on a stick which you can wave around.”
The Frackville Borough Economic Development Task Force was raising funds by selling food including chili and halupki casserole.
New Hope Wesleyan Church, Frackville, sold treats including chocolate ginger whoopie pies, raisin clusters, pumpkin Oreo pops and chocolate-covered peanut butter crackers.
Volunteers for the Frackville Free Public Library sold hot dogs and slices of pumpkin pie. They also took orders for “fresh holiday greens” like blue spruce wreaths and garland.
The Frackville Pool Committee raised funds by selling hickory-smoked grillers.
Contact the writer: spytak@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6011
Woman not hurt
after striking deer
PILLOW — State police at Lykens investigated a crash that occurred about 9:25 p.m. Monday on Market Street, just west of Route 3018 in this Dauphin County community.
Police said Sarah J. High, 49, of Elizabethville, was driving a 2011 Hyundai Tucson west when a deer crossed over the road in front of her.
Police said the woman was unable to avoid the animal and struck the deer, causing disabling damage to her vehicle.
High was not injured, police said.
McAdoo
St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church, 17 E. Blaine St., will participate in the 2017 Public Square Rosary Crusade at noon Saturday. Weather-permitting, participants will gather at the outdoor shrine at Blaine and Cleveland streets. In the event of inclement weather, participants will gather inside the church. All are welcome. More than 20,000 other groups around the United States will pray a rosary for the nation at that time.
Minersville
The Minersville Area Historical Society will present History of the Bob Factory at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at Mountaineer Hose Company Hall, South Third Street. Admission is free. The presenter will be Noble “Bud” Quandel, who will also talk about plans for future use of the site. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-544-9482.
New Philadelphia
The annual Halloween parade sponsored by the New Philadelphia Community Organization is set for 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 22 at the New Philadelphia Little League Field, Route 209. Lineup will be at the field at 2 p.m. Refreshments will be available and there will be prizes at the firehouse following the parade. For more information, call 570-277-6957.
Pottsville
The Pottsville Free Public Library, 215 W. Market St., will have a free block party — playing with blocks and other items — from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 28 for children ages 3-6. Participants will learn engineering, math, language and literacy skills by making their own creations and building with others, according to a library press release. For more information, call 570-622-8880.
Pottsville
Clinical Outcomes Group Inc., 437 N. Centre St., will have a yard sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 21. Tickets are $1 and proceeds will benefit the COGI Christmas project. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-628-6990.
Ringtown
The Friends of the Ringtown Library support group will be represented at the St. John’s Lutheran Church Fall Festival set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The group will have a selection to used books and puzzles for sale.
Scranton
Women in northeast and central Pennsylvania who want to become more involved in government can attend the Ready to Run NEPA Program at The University of Scranton on Oct. 14. The nonpartisan training session, open to women in Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Pike, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties, is titled “Wanted: More Women in Government.” The daylong effort will begin at 9 a.m. at the Kane Forum of Leahy Hall on the university campus. Registration is required and fees vary. A limited number of partial scholarships are available. For more information, visit www.scranton.edu/academics/ready-to-run, call 570-941-7520 or email linda.walsh@scranton.edu.
Shenandoah
Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Parish is seeking donations of cakes, brownies and similar fare for Confirmation and for Father Walter Ciszek Day. Items for Confirmation can be dropped off at the parish office, 108 W. Cherry St, at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Items for Father Ciszek Day, Oct. 15, can be dropped off at St. Casimir Church Hall, 229 N. Jardin St., after the 10 a.m. Mass. For more information, call the parish office at 570-462-1968.
Shenandoah
Knights of Columbus Francis Cardinal Brennan Council 618 will sponsor bingo games in Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Parish’s St. Stephen Hall, Main and Oak streets, today, Oct. 22, Nov. 5 and 26, and Dec. 10. Doors open at noon and games begin at 2 p.m. Food and refreshments are available. For more information, call 570-590-3270 or 570-590-1188.
BROCKTON — Two Schuylkill Township fire companies have begun the process of merging.
Memberships of both Brockton Fire Company and MaryD Fire Company recently submitted a letter to the Schuylkill Township supervisors indicating their intent to merge.
Matt Rudy, MaryD Fire Company chief, said with that letter in hand, the township supervisors drafted a resolution to the state Department of Community and Economic Development, which will work with the township and both companies throughout the merger transition.
Rudy said the reason for considering a merger is twofold.
First, Rudy said, both companies are having problems with manpower, finding it difficult to respond to emergency calls, especially during the daytime hours.
The second, he said, is financial.
“We’re a small department and, right now, we’re paying double for everything from insurance and maintenance to utilities,” he said.
Rudy said that between the two communities of Brockton and MaryD there are fewer than 1,000 residents and having two companies places a burden on those residents when it comes to fundraising and more.
“We are two small communities that will be better served by one company working together,” he said.
Rudy said that the merger is in the beginning stages and nothing has been decided as to what station would be used should it be decided to place everything under one roof and what equipment, if any, would be sold.
“Nothing has been decided completely,” he said.
Rudy said that after both companies and the township go through the merger process with the state, a plan will be formulated.
That plan, he said, will then be taken back to each individual company for a final vote before the merger takes effect.
The township has one other fire company, Tuscarora Fire Company.
Tuscarora Fire Company Chief Thomas Slane Jr. said the membership of his company decided against joining the merger.
Contact the writer: fandruscavage@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6013
IUP
Michelle B. Lengel, Pine Grove, an international studies major, made the summer semester dean’s list at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
HEGINS — Schuylkill County Crime Stoppers and Hegins Township police are asking for the public’s help in finding the person responsible for two separate crimes on Sept. 21.
Police said that in the first incident someone stole money that was left by a resident in the 700 block of West Main Street, Valley View, for garbage collection services. The money was left outside of the home for the trash collection agency when it was taken, police said.
When the agency attempted to retrieve the money, it was learned that it was missing, police said.
The second incident, criminal mischief, occurred at a home at 1436 W. Main St., Valley View, when someone cut a trampoline, causing an estimated $500 in damage before fleeing, police said.
Schuylkill County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information on the identity of those responsible for these crimes or any unsolved crime in Schuylkill County.
Callers are asked to refer to case 10-08-17 when calling with information on Sept. 21 criminal mischief or theft in Hegins Township.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 877-TIPS4SC (877-847-7472).
In addition, anyone with information can call Hegins Township police directly at 570-682-3133.
All information will remain confidential.
Contact the writer: fandruscavage@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6013
Pittsburgh
Danielle Lee Heffner received her doctor of medicine from the University of Pittsburgh Medical School.
Danielle was the lead author of the article “Outcomes of Spoke-Retained Telestroke Patients Versus Hub-Treated Patients after Intravenous Thrombolysis,” which was the lead author in the journal, Stroke, on Sept. 22, 2015. She received the president’s award for research at Pittsburgh Medical School.
Danielle graduated summa cum laude in 2009 from the University of Virginia and was valedictorian of the Hill School Class of 2005. She was the 2000 Republican-Herald Spelling Bee champion.
She is currently a resident in internal medicine at the University of Pittsburgh.
She is a daughter of Susan and George Heffner, Orwigsburg.
IUP
Lisa M. Shustack, Barnesville, earned a doctor of education in administration and leadership studies and Dylan J. Schartel, Pottsville, earned a bachelor’s in management/general as of August from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Fairleigh Dickinson
Eric Swankoski, Coaldale, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management from Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Florham campus, Madison, New Jersey.
Wilkes
The following local residents earned degrees from Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, with the conclusion of the summer semester:
Kimberly Beckett, Frackville, master’s in education; Travis Crider, Tower City, bachelor’s in mechanical engineering; Danielle Doyle, Pottsville, doctor of nursing practice; Katelynn Miller, Pottsville, master’s in education; Michael Shoupe, Orwigsburg, master’s in education.
POTTSVILLE — The former Pottsville Bike and Board building has been sold.
Jamison Glennon, Phoenixville, bought the building at 123 W. Market St. last month for $16,000 plus transfer tax and other costs for a total of $19,637.61.
The previous owner was Nekhanevich Holdings LLC. The property sat vacant for more than a year.
“The plan is to get it completely renovated to bring it back to the state it was,” he said.
His father, Patrick Glennon, will help with the renovations. They have a general contracting business and family from the area, so they are not unfamiliar with the community.
While plans are not finalized for the site, an ice cream parlor might be on the first floor. The building has six apartments upstairs. Among other things, it needs a new roof.
Improving buildings such as the Bike and Board “brings life back into the center of town,” Jamison said.
“It’s got good bones, but it needs work,” Patrick said.
Work could start in the next three months. Costs could be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, they said.
“It’s a long-term investment,” Patrick said.
Savas Logothetides, vice president of Pottsville Business Association, said more people need to see the potential of downtown.
“It’s a welcome addition to downtown. It’s one of the cornerstones of town. We have to take it one building at a time,” he said.
“The impression we have is there is a renaissance going on in Pottsville and we want to be a part of that,” Jamison said.
Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028
Misericordia
Jennifer DiVirgilio, Zion Grove, was one of 10 master of science in nursing to doctor of nursing practice students at Misericordia University, Dallas, Luzerne County, to successfully defend her dissertation by making a final oral defense of her cumulative scholarly research project at the annual capstone presentations on campus.
Program graduates were honored at a dinner at Irem Temple Country Club, Dallas. They will receive their degrees at the seventh annual winter commencement ceremony in December.
Lebanon Valley
Two local residents are serving on student government at Lebanon Valley College, Annville, for the 2017-18 school year.
Scott Werner, Pine Grove, is serving as representative of the Class of 2019 and club liaison for the executive board. A Pine Grove Area High School graduate, he is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in applied history.
Christopher Miller, Tamaqua, is serving as vice president of the Class of 2021. A Tamaqua Area High School graduate, he is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience.
Normally I do this monthly star map column toward the first of the month, but last week I wanted to write about the 2017 edition of the harvest moon. It’s bright light makes it hard to see much of anything very well anyway. This week we’re getting our dark evening skies back!
It’s really autumn now, and it’s a really wonderful time to get out and enjoy the absolute beauty of the night sky. We’re entering the prime time of stargazing season. The nights are longer, the mosquitoes are pretty much toast, and with less moisture in the air the skies are clearer. Even if you’re not a big time stargazing fan, you owe yourself the treat of lying back on a reclining lawn chair and taking in the celestial happenings. The dark skies of the countryside are best, but it’s even a great show right from your own backyard.
Even though summer is long gone, there are still many stars of summer hanging on in the western Pottsville sky after evening twilight. You can still easily see the Summer Triangle high above the western horizon with the three bright stars from three separate constellations.
The brightest shiner is Vega in the constellation Lyra the Harp. In second place for brilliance is Altair in Aquila the Eagle. The third brightest nuclear fusion furnace is Deneb in another bird constellation, Cygnus the Swan. Cygnus is also known by many stargazers as the “Northern Cross,” because at first glance that’s what it really looks like. Deneb is at the top of the cross, and below you can see three dimmer stars that make up the crosspiece of the cross. Roll your eyes a little bit below the crosspiece and look for an equally bright star at the foot of the cross. That’s Albireo.
You definitely want to check out Albireo with binoculars or a small telescope. You’ll like what you see here. Albireo is actually a double star. One star is gold and the other is blue and you can really see these colors. The two stars look like they are right next to each other, but many astronomers believe they are about one light-year apart. Astronomers don’t know for sure, but Albireo may be a binary system. The two stars could be orbiting each other in a period of around 100,000 years. I don’t think you want to stay to see that!
The Big Dipper is upright and riding low in the northwestern sky. In fact, it’s getting so low that it’s hard to see if you have a high tree line. The Big Dipper is the most famous star pattern there is, but it’s technically not a constellation. The Big Dipper is actually the rear end and the tail of the constellation Ursa Major, the Big Bear. It’s also the brightest part of the Big Bear.
One of the pieces of star lore that I love involves the Big Bear and the nearby constellation Bootes, the hunting farmer. By this time of the year, Bootes is only partially visible above the northwest horizon, but this farmer Bootes has been hunting down the Big Bear all summer long. He’s finally laid some pretty good shots into the beast and that’s why it’s falling so low in our sky. The Big Bear is bleeding and as the blood falls on the trees and bushes it causes them to turn red. Forget about the leaves losing their chlorophyll. This is how we actually get our fall colors. ... wink-wink, nod-nod.
Over in the eastern skies is the grand constellation Pegasus, the winged horse. Look for a giant diamond of stars on the rise in the east. Just to the upper left of Pegasus is the Andromeda Galaxy, the next door neighbor to our Milky Way, nearly 2.5 million light years away, with just one light year spanning nearly six trillion miles!
Unfortunately, the only planet available in the evening is Saturn, but not for long.
In the first part of October, Saturn pops out in the later part of twilight very low in the southwestern sky and sets shortly after darkness sets in. Because it’s so close to the horizon it will be super blurry in any sized telescope. By the end of the month it will already be below the horizon by sunset. During early morning twilight, the planets Venus and Mars are in a super tight celestial hug in the low eastern sky, separated by less than a degree. That’s less than the width of one of your fingers held at arm’s length. It’s quite a show!
Instructions for sky map
(Lynch, an amateur astronomer and professional broadcast meteorologist, can be reached at mikewlynch@comcast.net)
Tamaqua Area
Maddie Mace and Sarah Martinez, bothstudents from the Tamaqua Raider Band, participated in the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy at Kutztown and West Chester universities in preparation for the 2017-18 marching band season.
During the academy, students receive personalized instruction in conducting, marching and leadership skills.
Blue Mountain
Kevin Berger, principal of Blue Mountain High School, announced that Ethan L. Dewald and Samantha B. Puzzi were named commended students in the 2018 Nat-ional Merit Scholarship Program.
A letter of commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corp., which conducts the program, will be presented by the principal to these scholastically talented seniors.
Commended students placed among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.6 million students who entered the 2018 competition by taking the 2016 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
Minersville Area
Marlena Purcell, Minersville, participated in the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh. She attends Minersville Area High School and is a daughter of Jeanie and Henry Purcell.
PGSS is a rigorous, five-week program that provides talented rising high school seniors in Pennsylvania with enrichment experiences in the sciences and mathematics and encourages them to pursue careers in science and technology.
Marlena was one of 58 students statewide who was accepted into this year’s program from 423 applicants.
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — The table was covered with traditional dishes from throughout the world Sunday afternoon at Bubeck Park.
The lunch was served as a community gathering for a group of Schuylkill County residents looking to promote the cultural diversity of the area.
“It’s just a group of people who like to get together to talk about different issues, especially those in the community,” Barbara Thomas, Orwigsburg, said Thursday. “Schuylkill County is a great place to raise kids and we wanted to add a little bit more diversity and do things with a sense of community. I don’t think a lot of people are willing to go out and meet new people and we thought this would be a really informal way of doing that.”
The group consists of about 25 people. They try to meet on the first Monday of every month, Thomas said.
“We are a group of people from all walks of life, all party affiliations and all religions, and we want to get people more united and a conversation going,” Thomas said.
The potluck was the first event organized by the group. People were encouraged to bring a covered dish that represented their roots or their favorite ethnic food. Thomas said her father is of Lebanese descent, so she brought Mujaddara. The Lebanese dish consists of cooked lentils together with groats, generally rice, and garnished with sauteed onions.
Thomas said the group would like to host potluck events every fall and spring.
“I think people bond more over food and are more relaxed,” Thomas said. “There is more of a social aspect to it and we just want to open the door for people and keep it open.”
Nadia Hassani, another member of the group, came up with the idea for the event as part of an initiative she calls “Cooking With a Hyphen.” Hassani, who came to America 20 years ago, said the name comes from the term “hyphenated Americans,” which can be used to describe an American with a particular ethnicity or nationality.
“I was so happy to come to America because everybody is from somewhere else,” Hassani said Thursday. “America is very diverse. If you can eat all these foods and not think that America is diverse, there is a disconnect. We are all somehow hyphenated Americans.”
Now residing in West Penn Township, Hassani was born and raised in Germany. Her father is from Tunisia.
Hassani prepared challah, a traditional Jewish bread, with Pennsylvania Dutch jam. She said her husband is Jewish.
“In our family, we have such a blend of religions and backgrounds,” she said. “I call it immigrant challah because it is made up of a little bit of everything in our family.”
Hassani has contributed recipes to “The Immigrant Cookbook,” which was sold as a fundraiser for the American Civil Liberties Group. She also wrote her own cookbook called “Spoonfuls of Germany: German Regional Cuisine.”
Hassani also helped organize a similar potluck in Allentown earlier this year as part of the “Cooking With a Hyphen” initiative. She said the events serve as a statement about diversity.
“Today, that term is more politically loaded than it needs to be, but it is important we reach across political borders because we all have the common denominator of being Americans,” Hassani said. “This is a country of immigrants and people from other places. Diversity can be a very politically loaded message, but for me it is an American value and that is why I am here. I think it is important to uphold this American value.”
Anyone interested in joining the group can email Thomas at bjtom64@outlook.com.
Contact the writer: mgilgerjr@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023
SHENANDOAH — A stroll down East Oak Street in Shenandoah can feel like a trip back in time.
Vintage cars roll in and out of the Victory Garage at 119 E. Oak St. And the owner of the three-story vehicle sales and storage center has been making efforts to restore the building to the way it looked in its heyday.
“If you love old cars, this was the mecca, this building. This was the building to own. I maintain it and I’m trying to bring back as many of its original features as possible,” the garage’s owner, Michael J. Kitsock, 63, of Pottsville, said Friday.
Last week, a replica of the 12-foot-tall, aluminum “PACKARD” sign that hung on the side of the building in the 1930s and 1940s was fitted on the side of the building facing East Oak Street.
“The original was gigantic and had neon lights on it,” Michael Uholik, Shenandoah, who works there, said.
More than a decade ago, Kitsock commissioned Bartush Signs, Orwigsburg, to make one that looked similar. It was affixed in 2005.
“In 2013, it was taken off by a heavy wind. It landed in the television cables. It was damaged. Some of the spot welds broke and it did bend. So, it hasn’t been on the building for a few years. And I had Bartush Signs repair it and put it back on the building. I finally got it repaired and touched up and put back up in its original position. So, people in Shenandoah who know this building as ‘the Packard building,’ it is once again ‘the Packard building,’ ” Kitsock said.
“I think Mr. Fanelli would be very proud, just to see that the garage is still being used,” said a neighbor, Tina Twardzik of 39 S. White St.
He’s also framed a 1948 advertising banner for Packard emblazoned with the message: “New free-flow styling, new Refresh-Aire ventilating system, new console-key control panel, new Flite-Glo instruments.” It was in the front window Friday.
“I found it in the building,” he said.
Kitsock had some of the history of the business on file Friday. It was typewritten on a page with letterhead advertising “Fanelli’s Garage.” On the bottom were the words: “America’s Oldest Auto Sales & Service Co., Since 1898.”
In 1898, John L. Fanelli remanufactured his first internal (gas) combustion engine, according to the history. In 1905, John L. Fanelli moved his auto business from New York City to Ferguson Street in Shenandoah, according to Kitsock.
At the time, the borough had a burgeoning economy. From 1909 to 1919, Fanelli’s Garage acted as agent for several auto manufacturers. In 1919, the Hudson-Essex car franchise was acquired. In 1920, the Buick franchise was acquired, then it was dropped after 10 months when General Motors demanded sole dealer representation. In 1920, the Packard Motor Car Co. was brought aboard.
“In 1914, this building was built,” Kitsock said, referring to 119 E. Oak St. “It was named Ludes Garage. It started out as a Buick garage. Then in 1929, the Fanelli family purchased it and they had Buick for about nine months.”
“Ten months,” Uholik said.
“Then it became Packard. Their family was involved with Packard, but at the time Buick only wanted Buick sold at the garage,” Kitsock said.
In 1945, the oldest son of the founder, John V. Fanelli, became a business partner.
In 1952, the “economy collapses in Shenandoah,” according to the history.
In 1955, the business took on the Studebaker franchise. In 1956, Packard discontinued production.
In 1962, John L. Fanelli died after a lengthy illness.
Kitsock bought the building in August 2000.
“I needed a garage for a couple of my cars and the idea came to me. I could purchase a building where I could put my cars and rent out space to others, and that would help with the expenses and the mortgage,” he said.
Since then, he made numerous repairs, including in a new furnace, a new rubber roof and fixing a freight elevator installed in 1953.
“It’s a very unique car elevator. We maintain it in operating condition,” Kitsock said.
His employees also include Dennis Lehman, Pottsville.
Looking ahead, Kitsock said, “I’m going to get a Studebaker sign.”
Contact the writer: spytak@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6011
Anthony J. Kilker
SHENANDOAH — A Mahanoy Township man charged by state police at Frackville with forging another person’s name to a check on June 7 waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker.
Kyle J. Wronski, 27, of 414 Roosevelt Drive, New Boston was arrested by Trooper Timothy Rymarkiewicz and charged with one felony count of forgery and a misdemeanor offense of theft.
By waiving his right to a hearing, Wronski will now have to answer to both charges against him in Schuylkill County Court.
Rymarkiewicz charged Wronski and another man, Noah Garcia, with stealing a check owned by Sylvester Kufro and writing it out to another person in the amount of $440 without authorization.
Bank cameras then showed Wronski and Garcia cashing the check and depositing it into Garcia’s account on June 6, and the following day the money was withdrawn, Rymarkiewicz said.
Other court cases included:
Michael D. Economy, 40, of 176 Long Run Road, Gilberton — withdrawn: possession of a controlled substance. Waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.
Christian Good Jr., 28, of 63 Third St., Box 211, Oneida — dismissed: theft and receiving stolen property.
Sarah M. Slatick, 22, of 511 W. Cherry St., Shenandoah — waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.
Jose M. Peralta, 52, of 230 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah — withdrawn because the victim failed to attend: terroristic threats, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and harassment.
Regenald W. Rogers, 26, of 16 S. A St., Mahanoy City — dismissed because the victim failed to attend: aggravated assault and simple assault.
Rigoberto Hernandez, 73, of 13 N. West St., Shenandoah — held for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.
Richard M. Wargo, 44, of 31 S. Grant St., Shenandoah — held for court: DUI-controlled substance, driving with an alcohol level of 0.02-percent or higher with a suspended license, failure to keep right, disregard for single traffic lane and careless driving.
Wanda L. Foose, 40, of 331 W. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City — dismissed: false reports. Held for court: hindering apprehension or prosecution and resisting arrest.
James K. Reiley
An Ashland man arrested by Pottsville police for a theft at Giant Market on North Progress Avenue on May 21 had the sole charge against him held for Schuylkill County Court during a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville.
Michael A. Farver, 29, of 4 N. 10th St., was arrested by Pottsville police Patrolman Joseph Murton and charged with one count of retail theft. Reiley determined the commonwealth proved a prima facie case and ordered the charge against Farver held for court.
Murton charged Farver with picking up a pack of Gillette Power Fusion blades valued at $19.79, concealing the item and then exiting the store without paying.
Other court cases included:
Phillip M. Hoptak, 36, of 837 N. Centre St., Pottsville — waived for court: simple assault and strangulation.
Eric R. Myers, 46, of 511 N. Seventh St., Pottsville — waived for court: disorderly conduct, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Scott T. Blum, 49, of 298 Frieden Manor, Schuylkill Haven — waived for court: possession of a controlled substance.
Pedro La Santa Cabrera Jr., 30, of 219 N. Centre St., Apt. 3A, Pottsville — waived for court: defiant trespass and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Kyle Strokelitus, 31, of 142 Main St., Mount Carbon — dismissed: possession of a controlled substance.
Thomas J. Martin, 59, of 309 Laurel St., Minersville — held for court: possession of a controlled substance and public drunkenness.
James M. Mennig, 38, of 273 Frieden Manor, Schuylkill Haven — waived for court: fleeing or attempting to elude police, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving an unregistered vehicle and driving with a suspended or revoked license.
Mary Ann Smith, 35, of 219 N. Centre St., Apt. 3A, Pottsville — dismissed: simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and harassment.
Nicole Ann Hudock, 21, of 1125 W. Arch St., Pottsville — waived for court: selling or furnishing alcohol to a minor.
Stacy L. Benedict, 46, of 1036 W. Laurel Blvd., Pottsville — waived for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Terry Brian Stufflet, 61, of 238 N. Fifth St., Hamburg — waived for court: DUI, DUI-high rate and careless driving.
Richard C. Stepp Sr., 38, of 741 E. Norwegian St., Pottsville — waived for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
David A. Close, 45, of 110 N. Mill St., Saint Clair — held for court: possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, improper signaling and driving a vehicle without a valid inspection.
David Arispe, 66, of 219 N. Centre St., Rear Apt.1C, Pottsville — waived for court: retail theft.
Travis J. Levan, 36, of 56 N. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove — withdrawn: driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked. Waived for court: DUI-controlled substance and duties at a stop sign.
Angela M. Shappell, 19, of 300 S. Second St., Saint Clair — waived for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Natalie Ann Landon, 31, of 434 E. Market St., Pottsville — held for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.
Devin W. Murphy, 25, of 319 W. Market St., Apt. 4, Pottsville — held for court: possession of a controlled substance.
Matthew S. Madeira, 32, of 724 E. Garfield St., Frackville — waived for court: DUI, failure to stop at a red signal and violation of light regulations.
Canei B. Miller, 27, of 414 Front St., Pottsville — waived for court: possession of a controlled substance, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, restraint system violations, failure to use safety belts, failure to carry a driver’s license and operating or permitting operation of a vehicle with unsafe equipment.
TAMAQUA — As folk musician Jay Smar, Landingville, plucked melodies from his six-string guitar Sunday afternoon, Don Campbell hammered a strip of metal into the shape of a heart.
“It’s steel. I’ve been in the shop here since the first festival. The historical society owns it. I’ve been their blacksmith here for quite a while,” Campbell, Hazle Township, said while working at the historic Hegarty Blacksmith Shop on North Nescopec Street.
The event was the Tamaqua Historical Society’s 33rd annual Tamaqua Heritage Festival.
“The theme for this year is small town, big heart. So I’m making heart necklaces. So I’m going to be working on some of these today,” Campbell said.
Built in 1848 by Thomas Hegarty of County Cork, Ireland, the Hegarty Blacksmith Shop was run continuously by three generations of the Hegarty family until 1973. In 1974, the Hegarty family donated the shop to the Tamaqua Historical Society, according to the historical marker out in front.
The Tamaqua Heritage Festival, held each October, and the Tamaqua Summerfest, held each Father’s Day, are two of the biggest events in the community. They draw friends and relatives together to celebrate the seasons and local customs and history.
One hundred years ago, the United States was entrenched in The Great War.
Recalling that time, the Tamaqua Area Historical Museum, 114 W. Broad St., had a display near its entrance.
Artifacts on display included a 75 mm French Howitzer shell casing, a captain’s uniform featuring a pin worn by members of the 8th Regiment and a copy of the Nov. 11, 1918, edition of the “American Tribune,” a newspaper based in Mahanoy City, emblazoned with the headline “ARMISTICE IS SIGNED.”
“The 8th Regiment was originally a National Guard unit. They were put with the 28th Infantry Division. Then they were sent to France,” Bob Vybrenner, a member of the society’s board of directors, said. Then he held up the vintage bolt-action rifle. He said it was used during the conflict.
“This is something I bought. This is a .30-06 Springfield,” he said.
Bob Mischak, Edwardsville, Luzerne County, was there wearing period military clothing he acquired.
“It’s from the World War I infantry. I purchased the clothes in different places that were selling them,” Mischak said.
“And today we’re putting on a play related to the history of the Molly Maguires. It focuses on the last two days of the Mollies in the Mauch Chunk prison,” Vybrenner said.
The presentation was held at the Tamaqua Community Art Center, 125 Pine St.
On June 21, 1877, 10 Irish coal miners who were allegedly part of a group of terrorists known as the Molly Maguires were hanged. This year marked the 140th anniversary of “The Day of the Rope.” Others in the play included Ruthie O’Dell, Pittston and Daniel Stein, 14, of Tamaqua, who had a serving of french fries before going on stage.
“We’re the Tamaqua Heritage Players,” Vybrenner said.
As Vybrenner gave tours of the society’s headquarters, he passed by a display case featuring artifacts from former area movie theaters, like the former Victoria Theatre.
They included a flier advertising the opening of “The New Victoria. The Theatre Beautiful. Saturday, Aug. 15, 1914. Classiest Theatre in America.” Also there was poster for the 1932 film “White Zombie,” which starred Bela Lugosi. Hand written on it were the words “VICTORIA TAMAQUA, MON.-TUES. OCT. 16-17.”
According tocinematreasures.org, the theater at 103 W. Broad St. had 700 seats and opened in August 1914. It operated as a movie house for many years.
“The Victoria was right down the street. It was completely torn down,” Vybrenner said.
People who came out for Sunday’s event included Tamaqua native Dan Rosohac, now of Winston Salem, North Carolina, and his wife, Krista.
“I get up here every so often and I happened to be here for this today. We’re having my mom’s 75th birthday party this afternoon,” Dan Rosohac said. His mother, Rose Mary Rosohac, turns 75 today.
Vendors at Sunday’s event included members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Harmony & Lady Harmony Lodge, Tamaqua, who used a vintage Eagle Junior brand apple press to make fresh-pressed apple cider. They included Art Valentine, Robert Leibensperger and Charles Bailey and his wife, Laura.
Abir Nesm, Shenandoah, was working at a grill, cooking kebabs loaded with meat and vegetables.
Leiby’s Farm Market, Tamaqua, had a produce stand that included Jonagold apples, cauliflower, chestnuts and peppers.
Green Valley Farm, Slatington, sold products including “Peach Bellini Jam” and “Peach Melba Jelly.”
Scout Troop 777 of Tamaqua was selling halushkie, beef sticks and pies, including apple, cherry and shoo-fly. Tamaqua Cross Country was selling soups including split pea, chicken noodle, chicken and rice, spinach tortellini and broccoli cheese.
The Tamaqua Wireless Association was there offering information about wireless radio communication while selling hot dogs, hamburgers, chili and halushki.
Contact the writer: spytak@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6011
Ashland
Zion’s Reformed United Church of Christ, 2400 Centre St., will have a penny auction from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 15. Admission is $2 plus a new unwrapped gift; doors will open at 1 p.m.; refreshments will be available after the auction. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-875-2700. The church will also have a free soup-and-sandwich lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 18. It sponsors the lunches on the third Wednesday of the month. Call the aforementioned number for more information.
Cressona
Bethany Christian Fellowship, 102 Front St., will host an all-you-can-eat Italian dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday. The cost is $9 for adults and $4 for children under 12. The meal includes pasta with choice of sauce, salad, roll, dessert and beverage. For more information, call 570-628-4350.
Pottsville
Jerry Enders, chairman of the Pottsville Lions Club Community Activities Committee, recently announced the group’s fall slate of community events including the annual Lions children/family Halloween parade on Oct. 24 followed by safe trick-or-treat night on Oct. 26. Parade participants will meet at 7 p.m. at 12th and West Market streets and head to downtown Pottsville. Lions give a bag of candy to each costumed parade participant. Safe trick-or-treat will be at Jerry’s Classic Cars & Collectibles Museum in downtown Pottsville. The Lions will kick off the annual food drive at 9 a.m. Nov. 4 at Jerry’s car dealership, Route 61 South. Members will collect canned goods for distribution to the 18 food pantries in Schuylkill County. The clubs will also start its “Pennies for People” campaign that will involve collecting pennies at a variety of sites in Pottsville to buy a variety of canned goods and other food for distribution to the food pantries. The Lions Club will again host Santa at the Majestic Theater in downtown Pottsville on Dec. 1 and also present its annual children’s Christmas movie. Activities will begin at the theater at 6 p.m. The Lions meet regularly at 6:30 p.m. the first and third Mondays of the month at the Pottsville Zone.
Saint Clair
The annual Saint Clair Halloween Parade is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 25. Registration will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 18 and 19 at the ambulance building, Second Street. Floats, groups and individuals from surrounding areas are also welcome to register for the parade. Awards will be given for float entries. The rain date is Oct. 26. For more information, call 570-429-0553 or 570-622-6056.
Schuylkill Haven
Bible Tabernacle, Church of the Nazarene, will have Worship in the Park from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Bubeck Park, Washington Street. The free event is open to all and will include music, the Word and worship. Three churches will bring the message of Jesus. People should bring lawn chairs; the rain date is Oct. 15. For more information, call 570-573-6104.
Schuylkill Haven
St. Mark’s Browns Church, 151 Summer Hill Road, will have a Kauffman’s chicken barbecue meal plus bake and soup sales from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Patrons may eat at the church or take food out. There will also be a Chinese auction with doors opening at 9 a.m. and the drawing at 2 p.m. For more information, email gingerpa2000@yahoo.com.
Schuylkill Haven
The Schuylkill Haven Class of 1960 will meet for lunch at noon Oct. 19 at Valenti’s, Orwigsburg. Members, guests and friends of the class are welcome. For more information, call 570-385-5323.
Shenandoah
The Shenandoah Area Free Public Library, Washington and Main streets, is sponsoring a bus trip to the Sands Casino on Oct. 30. The bus will depart from Shenandoah at 9 a.m. and from the casino at 4 p.m. for the return trip. For more information, call the library at 570-462-9829 or the revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc. at 570-462-2060.
Sheppton
The Sheppton-Oneida Volunteer Fire Company has mailed its 2017 fund drive information to all residents and businesses in and around East Union Township. This is the largest annual fundraiser for the fire company, according to organizers. Those who did not receive a fund drive letter should call 570-384-4746.