SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - Hundreds of people attended the first open house of the Red Creek Wildlife Center.

The event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday featured the introduction of the zoological trail surrounding the pond on newly acquired grounds. In June 2012, the center purchased the 3.3-acre property in Wayne Township to expand its operations. The clinic and outdoor nature center are at the site.

"This is going to be the first of at least a yearly event," said Peggy Hentz, owner and wildlife rehabilitator at the center.

The event featured a book signing, Gabby the owl, a raptor release and face painting for children. Visitors could also view animals in their enclosures on the new property.

The open house also featured a memorial service for co-founder Morrie Katz who died May 7 of esophageal cancer.

About 75 people, including Hentz, Katz's life partner, shared their memories of him.

Mike Witman, a volunteer and member of the board of directors for the center, was the first to speak.

He said Morrie would not want the occasion to be a sad one. As they had become friends, they learned many things about each other. Morrie had a way of calming people, he said.

One woman said when Katz gave presentations, everyone enjoyed it.

"You didn't just listen to him. You were captivated by him," she said.

Charlie Keener, a childhood friend, said he will miss his old friend.

"He's with us now. I know we'll all see him again. God bless you, Morrie," he said.

Hentz shared a sentiment bestowed on her by a law enforcement officer the couple had met many years ago.

"Be good to each other," she said, also saying that those words have guided her throughout her life.

"Yesterday (Friday) would have been 14 years," Hentz said of how long it had been since they met.

She was appreciative of everyone who came to celebrate the first open house and all the support they have given them and the center through the years.

Denise Donmoyer, president of the Sweet Arrow Lake Conservation Association, said Katz was always ready to help.

A young eagle that was rehabilitated at the center for two months after an injury will be named in his honor. The young eagle had been set free earlier this summer.

"It's now going to be Mo and in a very appropriate way Morrie gets his wings," Donmoyer said.

Debbie Shepler, with the Schuylkill County Animal Response Team, said Katz had many roles within the community.

He was the public information officer for SCART, a volunteer fire policeman for Schuylkill Haven, member of Schuylkill Hose Company No. 2, the Schuylkill Haven Fire Police and the Pennsylvania State Fire Police Association.

Michele Golay, a volunteer at the center, said Katz was a fighter.

"He fought for this place and everything with it," she said.

At the end of the memorial service, Hentz spoke with people and thanked them for coming.

People then walked over to a grassy area where four red-tailed hawks were released one at a time.

Hentz said the three of the four hawks were babies when found earlier this year and one adult female had been at the center for a year.

"We released a family together," Hentz said.

Hentz said the outdoor exhibits at the center will be open from 9 a.m. to sundown.

"This was a huge success," she said.

Keener said the dedication that Katz and Hentz have shown is remarkable.

"I think it's wonderful. It's a labor of love what they did here," he said.

Deeds

Orwigsburg - Ridge Terrace Inc. to James W. Miller; 0.738-acre property; $5,000.

Pine Grove Township - Fred W. and Jennifer N. Kepner to Jennifer N. Kepner; 128 Keefer Road; $1.

James Hartman, executor of the Estate of Sylvia H. Aungst, to Andrew W. and Aleena N. Daubert; 34 Pine Hill Road; $146,000.

Port Carbon - Michael and Tara Welsh to Good Will Fire Company No. 1 of Port Carbon; property on Canal Street; $7,000.

Porter Township - Donna Adams to Donna Adams and Gina M. Dauberman; 98 and 100 Dietrich Ave., Orwin; $1.

Violet U. Warren, by attorney in fact James D. Seiler, to Karen L. Jones; property on Snyder Avenue; $105,000.

Pottsville - Geraldine M. Stoudt, by attorney in fact Paula J. Marshall, to Gene W. and Lisa L. Heffner; property on Minersville Street; $48,000.

Jonathan A. Hughes to Jonathan A. and Tanya Hughes; 1531 W. Market St.; $1.

Robert J. and Louise E. McCaffrey to Dennis A. Jr. and Tammy L. Levan; 604 Schuylkill Ave.; $36,000.

Robert J. and Louise E. McCaffrey to Dennis A. Jr. and Tammy L. Levan; property on Schuylkill Avenue; $4,000.

Dona M. Davis-Horst, executrix of the Estate of Martin R. Davis and trustee of The Davis Insurance Trust, to Thomas L. and Beverly I. Cook; 115 N. Fourth St. and 403 W. Arch St.; $40,000.

Elaine S. Riskis to Mildred L. Bealer; 2 Eagan St.; $1.

Catherine Lewars to Michael and Laurie Kosick; 105 N. Eighth St.; $50,000.

DELANO - Schuylkill County Crime Stoppers and state police at Frackville are asking for the public's help in finding the person or persons responsible for the theft of more than $7,000 in tools.

Police said the theft occurred between 3 p.m. July 31 and 8 a.m. Aug. 1 at a construction site in the southbound lanes of Interstate 81, at mile marker 135, in Delano Township.

Police said someone entered a 2000 International truck that was parked in the area by cutting padlocks on the rear door.

Once inside, the thief or thieves stole the tools owned by Alan A. Myers Inc., Worcester, and fled the area undetected.

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

Callers are asked to refer to incident 08-11-13 when calling with information about the intentional theft of tools from Delano Township.

Anyone with information is asked to call Schuylkill County Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 877-TIPS4SC.

Individuals with information should also call state police at Frackville directly at 570-874-5300.

All information received will remain confidential.

MINERSVILLE - The last of three people wanted in connection with a robbery and attempted homicide last month in the borough surrendered to authorities Saturday morning.

After being processed at the Minersville police station, Robert F. Willie III, 25, of 1201 Walnut St., Ashland, was arraigned on charges of criminal attempt to commit criminal homicide, conspiracy to commit criminal homicide, aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, receiving stolen property, conspiracy to commit receiving stolen property, simple assault, conspiracy to commit simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, conspiracy to commit recklessly endangering another person, terroristic threats, possessing instruments of crime, theft by unlawful taking and conspiracy to commit theft by unlawful taking.

Willie was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison, unable to post $250,000 straight cash bail.

Six days before, on Aug. 4, Ashley Capiga who was also wanted in connection with the assault and robbery of migrant worker Ezequiel Zavala Pantoja, Klingerstown, during the early morning hours July 22 at a home at 215 Laurel St., Minersville, was taken into custody by Shenandoah police.

Capiga, 24, of 39 Schuylkill Ave., Shenandoah, was jailed after being arraigned on charges of robbery, conspiracy, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property and was unable to post $50,000 straight cash bail set by on-call Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg.

The third person who police say was responsible for the attack was taken into custody without incident the day after, on July 23.

Warren Lewis Frey, 24, of 211 Laurel St., Minersville, was taken into custody and jailed after being arraigned on charges of criminal attempt to commit criminal homicide, conspiracy to commit criminal homicide, aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, receiving stolen property, conspiracy to receive stolen property, simple assault, conspiracy to commit simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, conspiracy to commit recklessly endangering another person, terroristic threats, possessing instruments of crime, theft by unlawful taking and conspiracy to commit theft by unlawful taking.

Minersville police said Pantoja was attacked at knifepoint by Frey and Willie while he was sleeping in a third-floor bedroom at the 215 Laurel St. home.

Police said officers were called to the home at 2:46 a.m. and found Pantoja sitting on the living room couch bleeding heavily from the top of his head. At the time, police said officers could not interview the man because he didn't speak English.

Officers interviewed Kimberly Leal, the owner of the home, who said her son, Frey, had stayed there with his girlfriend, Capiga.

A guest, Pantoja, whom Minersville police Chief Michael Combs described as being in his 30s, was also staying at Leal's home.

Leal told police that Frey and Capiga threatened to rob Pantoja and added that before the incident, Frey asked Pantoja to borrow $20 and the man opened his wallet, which held a large amount of money, and gave the $20 to Frey.

Police said officers later interviewed Pantoja at Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street and learned he was sleeping when he was awakened by two men brandishing knives and a woman demanding money.

Pantoja said he knew the one man and identified him as Frey, while the other was wearing a black ski mask. Police later identified him as Willie.

Since Pantoja refused to give them money, both began stabbing him in the head, leaving heavy lacerations on his scalp.

While the men were assaulting Pantoja, Capiga allegedly stole about $2,200 in cash from Pantoja's pants that were on the floor next to the bed.

The three then fled down the stairs to the second floor and went out a bathroom window, while Pantoja stumbled down the stairs to the first floor to alert Leal.

"Warren and the girl did this to me," Pantoja told Leal in Spanish, according to the criminal complaint filed by police.

At the scene, police said officers saw the bed had a heavily blood-stained pillow along with blood smeared on the mattress, a large number of blood droplets on the floor, bloody handprints on the walls from the third-floor bedroom to the second story hallway and a blood trail on the steps but no weapon could be found.

Pantoja was released from Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street on July 23 after being treated for 13 lacerations to the scalp with 36 staples.

All three will now have to appear for preliminary hearings before Plachko in his Port Carbon courtroom.

La Salle award

Pottsville native Thomas Blum, Ph.D., an associate professor of mathematics and computer science at La Salle University, Philadelphia, was named the recipient of the 2013 Lindback Award for Distinguished Teacher at the university's recent commencement ceremony.

The award, created through a grant from the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation, has been awarded annually to a full-time faculty member since 1961. Faculty members and graduate and undergraduate students nominate professors, and the recipient is selected by a committee comprised of faculty, student body and administration representatives.

Blum, who has taught at La Salle since 1998, teaches physics and physics labs and computer science courses, including computing and problem solving, Java, database and management systems, visual basic programming, communication networks and cooperative processes, computer architecture and hardware and client support systems.

A Pottsville Area High School graduate, Blum graduated from La Salle in 1985, summa cum laude, with a degree in physics. He earned his master's and Ph.D. in physics at the University of Rochester. He completed post-doctoral studies at the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Manchester in England and the University of Virginia.

Academy courses

Jason Jones, a teacher at Nativity BVM High School, was one of 24 teachers nationwide who attended the 20th annual session of the Maury Project Workshop offered by the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md., from July 8 through 19.

The Maury Project is designed to give science teachers and science supervisors an in-depth study of various oceanographic and meteorological subjects including waves, tides, density and wind-driven oceanographic circulations and ocean-atmosphere interactions. It equips teachers with training and teaching materials that can be used in the classroom.

The teachers participated in lectures, tutorials, research cruises, hands-on laboratory exercises and field trips.

Space education

Trinity Academy, Shenandoah, teacher Michael Kowker, Frackville, recently joined teachers from around the world in June at the Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy program.

Honeywell announced 210 scholarships to teachers from 27 countries and 42 states to attend its simulated astronaut training and professional development program at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala.

Kowker participated in 45 hours of professional development, as well as an intensive educator curriculum focused on space science and exploration. Each teacher underwent simulated astronaut training including high-performance jet simulation, scenario-based space mission, land and water survival training and interactive flight dynamics programs.

Cover girl

Happy, Healthy & Thriving is the cover story in the 2013 summer issue of Humana Active Outlook Magazine, a quarterly publication with a circulation of 2.1 million. It features author, speaker and columnist Ellen Wood, Questa, N.M., who teaches people how to grow younger.

The magazine editors look for someone to feature who can serve as a role model and example of healthy living past 50. Wood, who was born and raised in Pottsville, fit the bill.

Wood's parents were Nicholas and Anna Bilansky, who lived in the Yorkville section of Pottsville, and her classmates knew her as Eleanor Bilansky, a 1954 graduate of Pottsville High School.

Not long after watching her mother succumb to Alzheimer's, she noticed the early symptoms of the disease affecting her own cognition and memory. Wood turned her life around when, in 2004 at age 67, she decided to grow younger. She began to apply what she'd learned during years of study and training in mind/spirit dynamics, and started re-searching what science, medicine and esoteric traditions offered on healthy aging for the body as well. Soon an entire program evolved.

"These practices worked and are still working!" Wood said and offers herself as living proof. "I want everyone to realize it's possible to grow younger and live with joy, energy and vitality into their 80s, 90s and beyond. … I'm just delighted to be a cover girl, and actually really thrilled that my message about growing younger is reaching a wider audience."

Wood's first book, "Think and Grow Young," won the Gold Nautilus Book Award in the audio book category. She is working with a literary agent and plans to have her second book, "Rejuvenate Your Life!", published next year.

FRACKVILLE - The 99th annual Lithuanian Days celebration at the Schuylkill Mall on Saturday had a special event with the unveiling of the "Little Lithuania, USA" state historical marker during the opening ceremonies.

James and Dorothy Setcavage, members of the Knights of Lithuania Anthracite Council No. 144, which sponsors Lithuanian Days, learned in April that the state Historical and Museum Commission had approved the application submitted to recognize that Schuylkill County has the highest percentage of residents with Lithuanian ancestry in the United States, and that Shenandoah has the highest percentage within the county. The Setcavages provided most of the research for the marker application.

Knights Secretary Paul Domalakes offered the traditional welcome to the crowd. He noted the 20th anniversary of the partnership between the Lithuanian military and the Pennsylvania National Guard, a partnership that has been beneficial to both countries.

The longest consecutive ethnic celebration in America, Lithuanian Days began with music by The Sensations, followed by the opening ceremonies, which included a color guard composed of members of the Pennsylvania National Guard and the Lithuanian Partisans Living History Group. The ceremonies included the singing of the U.S. and Lithuanian national anthems, a recognition of this year's 100th anniversary of the national Knights of Lithuania organization and a prayer offered by the Rev. Robert Finlan, pastor of St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Frackville.

The historical marker was covered near the stage, mounted on a pole on a wheeled dolly. PHMC board member William V. Lewis was the representative from the state agency on hand for the unveiling. Two members of the Pa. National Guard, Army Capt. Teresa Ruotolo and Air Force Master Sgt. Ronda Fawber, wheeled the marker to the stage steps for unveiling. Ruotolo and Fawber are the coordinators of the State Partnership Program.

"I have to tell you that I have done quite a number of these over the last couple of years, but this is the first time that I have ever done a marker unveiling in a mall," Lewis said. "We're usually on the side of the road or another place. I know that this marker will find a wonderful place in Shenandoah, where it will be enjoyed for many years to come. This is the Commonwealth's permanent recognition of the great contributions of the Lithuanian community here in Schuylkill County and across our state to our heritage."

Lewis added, "I think the most interesting thing is that this is not only an historical marker, this is an educational piece. Every one of these markers is on the state website with background educational information for children who want to learn more about these. They are all GPS located."

The marker was unveiled to the applause of the crowd. The marker for Little Lithuania U.S.A. reads:

"A center for Lithuanian settlement since the late 1800s, Schuylkill County's population has the greatest concentration of Lithuanian ancestry in the US. The coal industry drew many of these immigrants. The local Knights of Lithuania, among the nation's oldest chapters, celebrates and preserves its ethnic heritage. Rev. Andrius Strupinskas, who led one of the first Lithuanian American Catholic congregations (1872), is buried in St. George cemetery.

"Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission 2013"

According to James Setcavage, the marker will be transported to Shenandoah and is expected to be installed within two weeks near Main and Centre streets next to The Dorsey Brothers state historical marker. He said the marker will be placed without any further ceremony.

Speaking to the audience was state Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, who presented a citation from the state House of Representatives and Shenandoah Mayor Andrew Szczyglak, who proclaimed Aug. 10, 2013, as "Lithuanian Day in the Borough of Shenandoah."

"We are honored to have such a beautiful memorial to dedicate to such wonderful people," Szczyglak said.

In addition to the marker unveiling, Army Col. Mark O'Hanlon, director of operations, Fort Indiantown Gap, spoke about the partnership between Lithuania and Pennsylvania.

As usual, the food court behind the main stage was filled with people purchasing a wide variety of Lithuanian ethnic food, including cold beet soup (saltibarsciai), potato pudding (kugelis), meatballs (kotletai/bandukies), Lithuanian sausage (desros), potato pierogies, stuffed cabbage (balandeliai), fresh dill pickles (agurkas), sweet sauerkraut salad (saldus rauginti kopūstai salatos) and more.

The Zilvinas Dance Group from Philadelphia performed folk dancing at center court at two times. Lynne Cox and Varpelis members (Lithuanian folk group) performed, which included a sing-along. Pop and folk singer Augis, the stage name of Eugenijus "Eugene" Dicevicius, a resident of Cleveland who emigrated from Lithuania nine years ago, performed Saturday and will return today. The Pennsylvania National Guard Band also performed, and campfire songs were sung by the Partisans, Augis, Lynne Cox and Varpelis, and the audience. At 5 p.m., the Lithuanian Elementary Scholarships announcement was made by Karen Domalakes.

Two heritage rooms provided a taste of Lithuanian traditions, with this year's theme being, "Food, Folklore and Folk Medicine." A boilo contest was held in The Screening Room, where Lithuanian beer was sold.

Today's celebration begins with The Sensations playing at 11:30 a.m., followed by welcome and introductions at 12:15 p.m. There will be a presentation at 12:30 p.m. by the Lithuanian Partisans Living History Group with Argall, followed by the Gintaras Dancers (children dancers) from Mahanoy City at 1 p.m. The Lithuanian ambassador to the United States, Zygimantas Pavilionis, will speak at 1:30 p.m.

At 1:45 p.m., members of the Lithuanian folk group Varpelis will hold a sing-a-long. The Malunis Dance Group will perform at 2:30 and 4 p.m., and the Zilvanis Dance Group will perform at 3:30 p.m. The Sensations will perform at 4:30 p.m., followed at 5 p.m. by drawing of prizes, results of the boilo tasting contest and closing ceremonies.

The Lithuanian Days celebration was started in 1914 by the Lithuanian Catholic Priests League at Lakewood and Lakeside parks to bring together Lithuanian immigrants and their families for a day of culture, fun and good fellowship.

Until the end of World War II, it was always held at the parks on Aug. 15, which is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a holy day of obligation for Catholics. Many coal mines closed for the day so the people could go to Lithuanian Day. After World War II, it was held on the Sunday closest to Aug. 15 to accommodate the young people who left the area for better jobs. As many as 25,000 people attended the festivities. Many prominent people attended and there was always a morning Mass followed by a program in the afternoon. It was held at Lakewood Park until the park closed, and then moved to Rocky Glen Park until that closed. Since then, the Schuylkill Mall has allowed the event to be held there.

All proceeds have been used for Lithuanian causes since 1914. In early years, it aided the Lithuanian religious orders in the United States. After World War II, it aided Lithuanian displaced persons in the DP camps in Germany and helped many to immigrate to the United States. During the occupation of Lithuania by the Soviet Union, it helped the underground in Lithuania and since independence, has aided with medical supplies, books and educational supplies to the poorest schools. Aid also went for orphan care and hospice, and to the elderly poor, many of whom returned from Siberia and have no incomes.

When the calendar flips to August there are two guaranteed occurrences: the dog days of summer and back-to-school commercials.

With summer winding down, families might be thinking about a final outing together. A last hurrah before the kids tighten the backpack straps and return to the halls of education. Crammed schedules might make it tough to set up a full vacation to an out-of-state beach or amusement park. Parents have to begin juggling work and school preparations, while kids have to get their materials together and find out which friends are in which classes.

Perhaps the family already went all-out for their summer break, or money didn't allow for a big vacation.

An easy, inexpensive choice that provides relaxation and adventure is the local state parks.

Robin Tracey, environmental education specialist at Locust Lake and Tuscarora state parks, said there are still plenty of options at the parks for families to get out and have fun.

"It's a nice place to come with the family, it's free," Tracey said. "There is always something going on, always."

A favorite activity at Tuscarora and Locust Lake is cruising the waters by boat.

For those who know how to operate a watercraft, boat rentals are available near the beaches. Rentals at Tuscarora and Locust Lake include canoes, rowboats, kayaks and pedal boats. Motorboats are permitted on both lakes but a current registration is required.

For newcomers, Tuscarora offers a basics of kayaking class. Tracey said the class is held every weekend and it always fills up.

"It's a popular program," Tracey said.

Swimming at the beaches is also open until mid-September. However, the dog days of summer have had less bite in August and the cooler temperatures have had an effect on beachgoers.

Louis Williams, manager at Tuscarora and Locust Lake state parks, said mild temperatures have kept the waters pretty calm without swimmers lately, especially during the week.

"Generally during the end of summer we have pretty good weekends. It depends on the weather, of course," Williams said.

Tracey has also seen a difference in park activity with the cooler weather. Earlier this month, she said only about 30 people were out enjoying the day.

"When it cools it tends to keep them away," Tracey said.

Although, if the normal trend holds up, the parks will still have plenty of swimmers and visitors before summer's end.

"August is usually a popular month," Williams said.

For families looking for a weekend getaway, Locust Lake is one of the top camping destinations in Schuylkill County with 282 sites. The sites are designated for tent or trailer camping and include parking, picnic tables, fire rings and modern conveniences.

Tracey said a popular attraction this year is the first-time camper program. Run by the Pennsylvania State Parks and outdoor retailer Gander Mountain, the program offers rookie campers the opportunity to learn and experience camping life over a weekend. The program costs $20 and provides campers with essential gear such as a tent, sleeping pads, flashlight and camp stove. Volunteers are on hand to help with set up.

Tracey said Locust Lake has hosted the program for a few years and it fills up every weekend.

"I guess it's just word-of-mouth. You can't beat it for $20," Tracey said.

Although peak bird watching season is spring, Tracey said naturalists visit the parks year-round to catch a glimpse of Pennsylvania's abundant wildlife. A big draw this year is the bald eagles at Locust Lake. Williams said seeing an eagle at the park is not rare, but it is always a treat.

"It's a normal occurrence you feel pleasure in taking part of," Williams said.

Tracey said programs are scheduled in the upcoming weeks to pull more people into the parks. The Locust Lake amphitheater hosts special presentations on Saturday nights through Labor Day. Previous presentations included a muzzle loading demonstration and a bog turtle program. On Labor Day, Peggy Hentz from Red Creek Wildlife Center, Schuylkill Haven, will host a presentation about animals.

Tracey said the big days for her during the year are holidays including Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer, on Sept. 2. Many people take advantage of their day free from work.

The parks also offer other activities families can do together. Each park is home to assorted trails for a day of hiking. There are also areas for a picnic and to cast rods for a day of fishing.

With the parks only a few miles apart, the options are plentiful for a family looking to create one last summer memory.

"Hopefully, everyone will be scrambling to get vacations in," Tracey said.

To learn more about Tuscarora and Locust Lake state parks, visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us.

HEGINS - The latest publication by an area nonprofit group dedicated to preserving the history of local veterans has been released and is ready for distribution.

The Tri-Valley Area Veterans Committee Inc. has completed its third in a series of books, highlighting the lives of area servicemen and women.

"Defending our Freedom, Tri-Valley Area Veterans, Past, Present and Future, Book 3," is now available for purchase. Members of the committee presented copies of the publication July 31 to librarian Lorraine Oldham, who accepted on behalf of the Tri-Valley Free Public Library and the Tri-Valley Historical Society, and to Ronald Radel, who accepted on behalf of the Tri-Valley High School and the Hegins-Hubley and Mahantongo elementary schools.

Spanning nearly 100 pages, the latest book features a front cover with photos of the Barry Township Veterans Memorial plaque and the World War I Memorial at Hegins Park. The publication is dedicated to veterans from Barry, Eldred, Hegins, Hubley and Upper Mahantongo townships "for their service and sacrifice defending our freedom."

"We are very thankful and grateful for the freedoms they have helped preserve for all Americans," the book states.

Committee members include Leon Maurer, president; Eugene D. Seip, vice president; Cheryl Daubenspeck, secretary-treasurer; and Alfred R. Harner, Harold Todd Daubenspeck, Walter L. Rebuck, Herb J.F. Borchert, Robert "Whitey" Klinger and Bobby C. Shadle.

Information for a fourth book is already being compiled, Maurer said. Anyone wishing to contribute to the publication or to purchase a book should contact any committee member.

"We're still looking for more veterans to add," Maurer said.

The publication costs $15 and is being sold at Tri-County Insurance, Bixler's Meats, Miller's Hardware, the Veterans of Foreign War Post 8237 and American Legion Post 575, all of Valley View. The book is also endorsed by the Disabled American Veterans , Chapter 103.

All profits will be used toward the creation of the next veterans' book.

There are many photos and details within the book series that may inspire readers.

Maurer also revealed the following riddle for readers to explore:

"Who was the Army veteran from the Tri-Valley area who went to a Masonic meeting in Allentown 20 years after the war to hear guest speaker Navy Cmdr. Paul G. Carlson, who was astronaut John Glenn's instructor? After seeing Carlson, this veteran had a gut feeling about him. During the question and answer portion, this veteran asked what happened on Nov. 1, 1943. Carlson's eyebrows arched and he answered, 'I picked you up off the short islands in the Pacific when you were shot down.' This veteran was finally able to extend a sincere thank you to Carlson. Is this veteran in book 1, 2, or 3?"

SAINT CLAIR - Onlookers stood on the sidewalk and sat in chairs Sunday to witness the dedication of the grotto at St. Clare of Assisi on the former site of Saint Clair Catholic Elementary School.

About 150 people watched as the Most Rev. John O. Barres, bishop of Allentown, blessed the grotto on the fifth anniversary of St. Clare of Assisi Church's formation. The church formed when five Catholic churches in the borough merged into one as part of a restructuring plan in the district in 2008. The congregations that merged came from St. Peter and Paul, Immaculate Conception, St. Boniface, St. Casimir and St. Mary's parishes.

"It's hard to believe that five years have passed," former Congressman Tim Holden said.

Barres appreciated the invitation to speak for this important milestone. He turned his attention to the grotto.

"Our Lady (speaking of Mary) right in the midst of these seismic changes in the world appears at Fatima and gives us hope, gives us strength and that apparition at Fatima has always been a reference point for our church," Barres said. "And now it is a reference point here for St. Clare parish, for Saint Clair, for Schuylkill County and the entire universal church. Let's go to our lady. We have experienced a lot of transition here in Schuylkill County, haven't we? A lot of transition that at times has been very painful. May the dedication of this shrine to you our lady of Fatima bring us the peace we so desperately need."

Monsignor William F. Glosser, pastor of St. Clare of Assisi, also attended the dedication. Glosser spoke of the histories from all five former churches that were built into the grotto.

"When we began this idea of the grotto, there had been a lot of different ideas and we wanted to try and involve all five parishes as a place of remembrance for the foundation, the bedrock of faith," Glosser said. "We must always be eternally grateful to the faith of our ancestors and our relatives. But just as we grow and we move out of the house to begin our new lives, we've done the same thing here as a parish in Saint Clair. And so contained within this grotto are some things that are familiar to you and some other little things that you don't know about. The wall in the back was actually one of the walls that stood when this was the school that was built in 1914, which many of you attended school after all the other schools in Saint Clair were closed and this became the main school. So that wall is a foundation of our Catholic education and what we need. The shrine of Fatima, which the Bishop so aptly put, why it came from St. Casimir's goes a lot further than that. "

Glosser said its purpose was to pray for peace. Buried within that center circle is a little remembrance of each of the five parishes.

"Bishop Barres had mentioned the Holy Water bucket was actually used back in 1914," Glosser said. "It's probably been the only time its been used since then. But it's been used for the blessing this grotto and for that we're very grateful."

He also said almost everything was donated by parishioners.

"Very little parish money was used and it all became a labor of love by so many people. We've really put our differences aside and we really have come together," Glosser said. "And unfortunately sometimes people only want to reflect on the negative. And that's one of the reasons why I wanted to celebrate this day so bad with our bishop because this is a positive thing and we never hear about positive things any more. We never hear about good things any more. It's always about oh they did this and they took that away from us. All of our parishioners have worked very hard for where we are today. And I could not be more prouder as a pastor. Pastor of this wonderful place and what everyone has given us."

During the service, after prayers were read, relics of St. Clare of Assisi were available for people to touch.

Darlene Miller, 61, of Saint Clair, kissed a relic. She said the bishop attending and the opportunity to touch the relic was important.

"It was very inspirational and spiritual and I just felt an overwhelming feeling of the Lord being with me as I sat here," she said after the approximate 55-minute service.

Approximately 1,800 people or 800 families attend St. Clare, Glosser said. He was impressed with the turnout.

Afterwards, the crowd walked to where the wall was and looked at inscribed bricks at the base of it. People bought the bricks for $100 then got to put names on them, some of which were in honor of loved ones.

n McAdoo: The McAdoo Lions Club is sponsoring an evening trip to Mohegan Sun slated for Aug. 27. The bus will leave at 4 p.m. from All Saints Social Hall and will depart from the casino at 10:30 p.m. for the return trip. There will be a rebate of $15 in slot play and a $10 food voucher. The cost is $21 per person. For more information or to sign up, call Stephanie at 570-920-1012 or 570-778-6956.

n McKeansburg: A chicken pot pie dinner will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 24 at the Congregational Free Church of Christ, lower level, 81 McKeans Ridge Road. The cost is $8 for adults, $4 for children 3 to 12 and free for youngsters under 3. Dinners will include chicken pot pie, salad, dessert and beverage. Patrons may eat at the church or take dinners out. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call Mary at 570-366-2286 or Anna at 570-366-2049.

n Pottsville: Trinity Episcopal Church, 200 S. Second St., will feature pianist Ronald Stabinsky, a Minersville native, in concert at 4 p.m. Sept. 22, to kick off its 2013-14 concert season. There will be no admission fee, but freewill offerings will be accepted. Participants will be able to meet the artist at a post-concert reception. Stabinsky will perform works by J.S. Bach, Mozart, Chopin, Prokofiev and Pottsville composer Paul Miller. The venue is accessible to the handicapped. Everyone is welcome.

n Shenandoah: Planning has begun for a townwide yard sale set for Sept. 21 by the Greater Shenandoah Area Chamber of Commerce. The sale will be at a central location - the lot adjacent to the Shenandoah Senior Living Community, East Washington Street. Jacqueline Webb and chamber President Marie Popoff are the coordinators. The cost for a table is $5 and all proceeds will benefit the chamber's Christmas lighting fund. All residents of the greater Shenandoah area are welcome to participate. People wanting more information should contact Webb, Popoff, chamber Secretary Betty Ann Bugden, Treasurer Mark Bernardyn or any chamber director. The chamber meets 8 a.m. the third Wednesday of the month. The meeting sites alternate between Ridgeview Healthcare & Rehabilitation, 200 Pennsylvania Ave., and the Shenandoah Senior Liviing Community.

n Shenandoah: The Shenandoah Area Free Public Library, 15 W. Washington St., accepts memorials in memory of or in honor of loved ones and friends. Library hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, noon to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. Debi A. Dodson is the director. The library can be reached by calling 570-462-9829 or via email to safpl@shenhgts.net. In addition to Shenandoah borough, the library serves the West Mahanoy Township villages of Shenandoah Heights, Weston Place, Raven Run, Brownsville, William Penn, Lost Creek, Lost Creek No. 2 and the Mahanoy Township village of Yatesville - a combined population of more than 7,000. Library officers include Mary Ellen Matunis, president; Kawika Daguio, vice president; Mary Luscavage, treasurer, and Mary Ann Mickelonis, secretary. Other board members include attorney Kathleen Palubinsky, Helen Beddall, Pam Conroy, Andrea Pytak and Roseann Mychak. Its offerings, according to its website - www.iu29.org/shenandoahpl - are more than 10,000 adult and children's books including bestsellers, a wide selection of paperback novels, local newspapers, a large selection of magazines as well as periodicals online, a large selection of large print books and local history material. Regarding audio/video, the library has a rotating books-on-tape collection, a rotating videocassette/DVD collection and rotating large-print books. For web researching, the library has access to the PA database, free Internet access, home access to the Power Library database of full-text periodicals and reference resources, a word processing program, electronic encyclopedias and other reference works.

1 injured in

multi-car crash

PORT CLINTON - One person was injured Saturday in a three-vehicle accident in the borough.

The accident occurred at 5 p.m. on Route 61 about 50 feet north of Clinton Street.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said the accident took place on Route 61 as all three vehicles were traveling south in the construction zone.

Ryan Fehr, 23, of Schuylkill Haven, driving a Legacy Subaru, failed to stop and hit the back of a vehicle driven by Kasondra Specht, 24, of Hamburg, who was driving a 1993 Lexus GS300. The impact caused Specht to hit the back of a Chevrolet Silverado driven by Leonard Savitsky Jr., 41, of Zion Grove, who attempted to pull forward to avoid being hit. Savitsky had slowed to a stop because traffic ahead slowed for a vehicle turning right onto Clinton Street. Specht had also slowed to a stop.

Police said Fehr's vehicle was towed from the scene. He was not injured and was wearing a seat belt, police said. He was charged with driving a vehicle at an unsafe speed, police said.

Specht sustained a minor injury and was wearing a seat belt. Her passenger, Jasmine Specht, 22, of Hamburg, was not injured and was also wearing a seat belt, police said.

Savitsky and his passenger, Tanya Savitsky, 36, of Zion Grove, were both wearing seat belts and were not injured, police said.

ORWIGSBURG - Upgrading the borough's radios could cost $52,000.

Under new federal regulation, the county's emergency management communications network must be converted to a narrowband frequency to make it more efficient. The county commissioners have approved a bond issue to finance the $16 million project to convert the communications to narrowband frequencies.

"As part of that, the borough has to purchase new radios for the police department," borough Manager Mike Lonergan said at Wednesday's borough council meeting.

The borough council has not taken action on buying the radios that can switch between analog and digital frequencies, according to Lonergan.

"You buy them directly from Motorola," he said.

Currently, the borough has 12 radios. Three of them in vehicles, one in the police station and eight that are portable. The borough might buy the new radios at different times. If it replaced all of them at once, it would cost about $52,000, Lonergan said. He did not know how the borough would pay for them.

Borough council President Michele Rudloff did not return a call for comment.

Also at the meeting, the council considered an amendment to the zoning ordinance to allow self-store buildings in the residential estate district, which is a minimum one-acre lot mostly at three areas in the borough, along Ridge Road, behind Seton Manor and between Grove Street and Faith Avenue, as a special exception. An owner of the property in such a district wanted to put a self-storage building on their property next to the wastewater treatment plant, Lonergan said.

The borough zoning hearing board must approve a special exception.

The council could vote at the Aug. 14 meeting to advertise for a public hearing held in council chambers for a later date.

In other news, a family fun night is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Thursday downtown. The event is free and will feature a movie, "The Lorax", carnival games for children, a bounce house, the opportunity to stuff a bear and sand art and other events.

Pat Falco, the vice president of Orwigsburg Business and Professional Association, the group hosting the event, said the movie, balloon animals, activity by Mud and Maker, Pottsville, where children can help create a mural, will be free. However, the other events will likely have a small cost.

The rain date for the event is 5:30 p.m. Friday. This is the second year for the event. Falco said last year about 250 people attended.

By Vicki Terwilliger

PINE GROVE - An abundance of activities awaits in a family-friendly atmosphere Friday when a local nonprofit group hosts its Family Fun Night. Due to the success of last year's event, Operation Hugs & Kisses decided to sponsor an evening of fun, food, games and entertainment again.

Festivities kick off at 5 p.m. and run thru 11 p.m. at HH&L Fire Company No. 1, on 1 Orchard Road, Pine Grove. In case of rain, the event will be postponed to Saturday.

Scheduled entertainment includes an Elvis impersonator, the "Lady and the Tramp" movie and a fireworks display.

Operation Hugs & Kisses, in operation since 2010, assists members of the community during times of need or disaster.

According to the group's website, "Operation Hugs & Kisses was formed in January 2010 in response to a major row-home fire in Pine Grove. A group of friends got together to try to assist our friends and neighbors who were hit so hard by the fire.

Our enjoyment of working together for the betterment of our community has led us to continue in our meetings and mission to try to assist our community and neighbors, when we are able, while enjoying each other's company. We are not a political organization and do not get involved in politics. We were incorporated in January 2011 as a Pennsylvania non-profit."

Currently, about 50 people are members of the volunteer group. Office holders include: President Missy Witherow, Vice President Joanne Daubert, Treasurer Brenda Junker, Secretary Kathy Schnoke, and directors Robin Werner and Sharon Wessner.

To donate or to learn more about the group's upcoming events, go to the Operation Hugs & Kisses website at www.operationxoxo.webs.com.

FRACKVILLE - The 99th annual Lithuanian Days had a very special guest on Sunday with the visit of Zygimantas Pavilionis, the Lithuanian ambassador to the United States of America and to the United Mexican States.

Pavilionis attended the celebration following an invitation by Marion Wydra, Mount Carmel, a member of the Knights of Lithuania Anthracite Council No. 144, which sponsors Lithuanian Days in the Schuylkill Mall.

When he arrived at center court before he was scheduled to speak, Pavilionis had some fun when he was invited to dance with the Gintaras Children's Dance Group, a group of children learning the art of Lithuanian folk dancing under the direction of Jo Ann Kegolis Filiziani. Knights Secretary Paul Domalakes, who was the emcee, invited Pavilionis and Schuylkill County Commissioner George Halcovage to join in. Both were good sports in participating with the children and others from the audience who joined them.

The ambassador was introduced to the crowd by Schuylkill County Judge John E. Domalakes, also a member of the Knights of Lithuania.

"I am really truly honored to welcome Little Lithuania, but it is 'Big Lithuania' in essence because of your heart and everything that you did," Pavilionis said. "It is because of people like you that people like me have a good job. If not for Americans and your fight for our independence, we would never be able to be free, and we are grateful for it."

Pavilionis spoke of learning about the festivals from his predecessors at the embassy in Washington.

"I heard a lot about your festivals here from different predecessors, and what resounds in my head is struggle, community, faith and sacrifices, and also victory," Pavilionis said. "When I say sacrifices, I remember all those Lithuanians who suffered a lot because of occupations, because of different regimes over our head, and we should be proud that we've been able to resist it all. Author George Weigel wrote about the territory Lithuania was situated and saying that it was the most unfortunate territory because we had about 60 million lives lost in the region during the Second World War. When you count the victims of communism, it's about 100 million."

Pavilionis is looking to have Aug. 23 declared as "Black Ribbon Day" to mark the pact between Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin "that killed states and nations afterward." He was referring to the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, a non-aggression pact between Nazi German and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics that was signed on Aug. 23, 1939. Included in the pact was a secret protocol that divided territories of Romania, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland into Nazi and Soviet "spheres of influence." The pact led to Germany invading Poland on Sept. 1, 1939, which began World War II.

Pavilionis said Lithuania has made great strides since freedom from the Soviet Union more than 20 years ago, and he said the national pride can be seen in the crowd at the Schuylkill Mall.

"What I observe here is that you have the heart - a real strong Lithuanian heart," Pavilionis said. "You have this community feeling. You have the ability of sharing it with charity. You have something that we still need in Lithuania. We need to create different kinds of networks and shared programs. Maybe we can share programs between your high schools and high schools in Lithuania. It's nice that you are celebrating the 99th anniversary, but what can you share as an example to Lithuania. I need that example there. My state will be strong when my citizens are strong, and you are the example of it.

"Looking to the future, let's build those bridges," he continued. "You have it inside. It helped you to maintain your identity for 100 years here. If you're not able to come back or to visit, think about the way how you can transport your heart to Lithuania through different forms - schools, universities, businesses, anything you can consider. Lithuania is strong, but we need to make our citizens stronger."

After his speech, Halcovage presented two proclamations from the board of commissioners. The first proclamation was to recognize Lithuanian Days as a major ethnic tradition in the county and was presented to the Knights of Lithuania.

The second proclamation from the commissioners honored Pavilionis and declared Aug. 11 as "Ambassador Zygimantas Pavilionis Day" in Schuylkill County. The proclamations were followed by the presentation of a sheet cake to the ambassador, who ceremoniously cut the first slice.

The Lithuanian embassy is located in Washington, D.C.

Sunday's celebration began with The Sensations band, followed by welcome and introductions. Major Aleksandras Radzius of the Lithuanian Partisans Living History Group, who provided background of the partisans fighting the Soviet Union in Lithuania after World War II, along with explaining the different uniforms that the partisans wore, using those uniforms worn by the re-enactors.

State Sen. David Argall, R-29, presented a proclamation from the Pennsylvania Senate about Lithuanian Days. Later in the afternoon, members of the Lithuanian folk group Varpelis performed and held a sing-a-long. The Malunis Dance Group from Baltimore performed twice, Lithuanian pop star Augis performed on stage at 2:30 and 4 p.m. and the Zilvanis Dance Group from Philadelphia performed. The Sensations returned near the end of the day, followed by drawing of prizes, announcement of the results of the boilo tasting contest and closing ceremonies.

NEW PHILADELPHIA - Margaret Coleman did what her father suggested and decided to give back to her community.

She recently retired as treasurer of the Borough of New Philadelphia after 45 years of service.

The 88-year-old started as treasurer when she was 43.

"He suggested I take the job," she said of her late father, Vincent Stutz.

Her father was council president and decided not to run. At the same time, the treasurer was not interested in serving either. Coleman said she started in fall of 1968. She retired earlier this year after she broke her left shoulder in March.

The borough council awarded her a plaque for her service Aug. 6.

Council President Tom Rowan was impressed with her dedication and length of time on the job.

"That's an awful long time to have a job," he said Thursday by phone.

He has been on council for 16 years and council president for three.

"She did an excellent job," he said of Coleman.

He does not remember her ever missing a meeting.

Coleman didn't even sign her resignation letter because she could not write due to the injury, he said.

"She actually had her daughter sign it for her," Rowan said.

The council accepted Coleman's resignation in June.

Coleman said she enjoyed her time as treasurer. Through the job she learned to be more patient and a better listener.

"I enjoyed it," she said of the job.

Coleman stays busy with her family since her resignation. She has four children, 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Rowan said he and the other members of council will miss Coleman.

"Just the fact that she was always there and always did a good job for us. She's a spry old lady. She must have enjoyed the job or she wouldn't have stuck around that long," he said.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - Later this year, parking meters in downtown Schuylkill Haven could be painted a variety of colors.

At a meeting Wednesday, the borough council gave the OK to proceed with the project.

Nena Mazzei-Schmidt, executive director of the Walk-In Art Center, said 12 parking meters will be decorated.

"It's going to be a really great project," she said.

The start of work depends on the weather. She said the name of the project is "The Naydock Project, A Tribute to Dave."

Dave Naydock, well-known artist from Pottsville, died in January.

In all, 12 meters from the corner of Dock and Main streets to Saint John and Main streets will see the creativity of the 12 artists. One of the designs features a locomotive, while another depicts a forest theme. An artist will use acrylic yarn to wrap one of the meters, Mazzei-Schmidt said.

The artists would like to have the work completed by Borough Day, Sept. 28.

In addition to the painted meters, a small mural is going to be painted on the Schuylkill Haven Free Public Library.

"It's not going to be a big mural. The design is all going to be reading related," Mazzei-Schmidt said.

Ruth Tucci, a council member, said sketches were presented to council.

"It doesn't mean these are the one's that are going to go on," she said.

Borough Manager Scott Graver did not return a call or email for comment.

In other news, borough council approved the Halloween Parade for 10 a.m. Oct. 19, said council member Jerry Bowman.

"It's going to be a day parade this year," he said.

A parade route was not provided.

Lori Michael and another person will help with the organizing of the parade, Bowman said.

Some borough work is also going to be done, including repaving some streets and cutting down trees for timber.

"We get it done every few years," Bowman said.

The borough is compensated for the tree cutting, he said. He did not have an estimate on the revenue the borough would receive.

Tucci did not know which streets would be repaved.

The council also voted to install a street light on North Margaretta Street overlooking the Jerusalem Lutheran Church parking lot.

A Mahanoy City man must pay costs and fines after being found guilty Wednesday in Schuylkill County Court of violating a protection from abuse order twice in two days.

Bryan P. Harlor, 35, is guilty of two charges of indirect criminal contempt, which is contempt committed outside the courtroom, Senior Judge D. Michael Stine ruled.

Stine sentenced Harlor to pay costs and $600 in fines.

Mahanoy City police filed both charges against Harlor, alleging he violated the order in the borough on July 8 and again on July 9.

Judge John E. Domalakes had filed the order against Harlor on March 20.

Also on Wednesday, Stine found William R. Putt, 31, of Schuylkill Haven, not guilty of indirect criminal contempt.

Pottsville police had charged Putt with violating a PFA order on May 3 in the city.

Judge Charles M. Miller had entered the order against Putt on May 30, 2012.

In another Wednesday case, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin revoked the probation of Christopher S. Gerlek, 39, of Tamaqua, and placed him on probation for another 12 months.

Gerlek initially pleaded guilty on Dec. 27, 2000, to a charge of corruption of minors, which authorities had alleged he committed on July 29, 2000.

On Tuesday, President Judge William E. Baldwin sentenced Stephanie A. Stegmeier, 31, of Leesport, to spend 24 months in the intermediate punishment program, pay costs, a $1,500 fine and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

The intermediate punishment program combines criminal sanctions with treatment and rehabilitation.

Stegmeier pleaded guilty May 24 to filing a false, fraudulent or incomplete insurance claim, with prosecutors withdrawing charges of insurance fraud, attempted theft and conspiracy.

The state attorney general's office had charged Stegmeier with filing the improper claim on July 25, 2011.

Deeds

Barry Township - Daniel L. and Susan Ladue to Gregory A. and Jessica M. Quandel; 2.794-acre property on Airport Road; $46,500.

John M. Dubb to Anthony J. Welsh III; property on East Spruce Street, Mountain Valley Lake; $35,000.

Butler Township - Timothy M. Wirtz and Kristin M. O'Donnell to Timothy M. Wirtz and Kristin M. O'Donnell; 16.002-acre property at Beaver Dam and Turnpike roads; $1.

East Brunswick Township - James A. Bensinger to Miller Real Estate Development Co. Ltd.; 0.0022-acre property on Evergreen Drive; $1.

Miller Real Estate Development Co. Ltd. to James A. Bensinger; 0.2865-acre property on Evergreen Drive; $1.

Hegins Township - Clair W. and Twila M. Artz to Judy L. Paul, Debra J. Specht and Rhonda C. Shadle; 855 E. Mountain Road, Hegins; $1.

Hubley Township - Bank of America NA to Frank J. Krammes; 2201 E. Main St., Sacramento; $35,000.

Mahanoy City - ALA Invesments LLC to Jaime and Sandra Aguilar; 18 S. D St.; $2,500.

Peter Vassalluzzo to Daniel and Brooke Wowak; 325 E. Market St.; $12,500.

Minersville - Tony and Olga M. Garcia to Kari Wetzel, Stephanie Wetzel and John Kromer; 463 Carbon St.; $27,400.

Julian S. Yupcavage, Jan B. Yupcavage, Mildred Diane Ribka, Jeanine Sabuda and Christine M. Datte to Julian S. Yupcavage; property on Delaware Avenue; $1.

Mount Carbon, North Manheim Township and Pottsville - Kailash Nath Mathur Sr., grantor of the Kailash Nath Mathur Sr. Revocable Living Trust, to Kailash Nath Mathur Sr.; 78 Sherwood Road, Forest Hills; $1.

Orwigsburg - Matthew A. and Lauren D. Elston to Thomas and Heather Marx; 245 Gerald Ave.; $114,000.

Priscilla Johnson, individually and as attorney in fact for Madeline M. Sowers, to Caryl Stabinsky; 121 S. Wayne St.; $106,500.

Pine Grove Township - James F. and Joanne G. Daubert to James J. and Lori L. Pierce; 52 2 1/2 Mile Road; $384,000.

Joyce Stair LLC to Heaco Limited Partnership; 5.0107-acre property on Roberts Road; $600,000.

Jason B. and Tanya M. Zagar to Roxanne M. Freed; 340 Tremont Road, Ravine; $119,900.

Port Carbon - Donald J. Burns, executor of the Estate of Richard D. Grossman, to Leo C. Leone and Sandra Thomas; 214 Grand St.; $85,000.

Editor's note: The Hazleton Standard-Speaker published a version this story a decade ago on the 40th anniversary of the Sheppton mine cave-in and rescue. It has been modified for today - 50 years after a mine collapse trapped three men underground, including one forever.

SHEPPTON - Today marks the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Sheppton Mine Disaster, even though it really didn't occur in Sheppton and the word "disaster" might be a misnomer because many believe what happened was nothing less than a miracle.

That's because two anthracite miners, David Fellin and Henry "Hank" Throne, were rescued after being trapped underground for 14 days following a cave-in more than 300 feet below the surface.

The events of August 1963 put the Hazleton area in the international limelight for almost two weeks.

On the morning of Aug. 13, a frantic call came in to the newsroom at The Standard-Speaker. There had been a cave-in at a coal mine near Sheppton and three miners were entombed.

The loss of three miners was initially of little interest elsewhere in the world but five days later, on Aug. 18, 1963, contact was made with two of the miners underground, and it became a sensational human-interest story.

Reporters, columnists and photographers from across the nation and overseas - London, Japan, Germany and other countries - were dispatched to Sheppton to cover the event.

Watching, waiting

For the first six days of their ordeal following the cave-in Aug. 13, Fellin and Throne were completely out of contact with the rest of the world.

Louis Bova, 54, of Pattersonville, near Shenandoah, the third miner entombed that morning, had been separated from the other two and his body was never found.

But for those first six days, Fellin, then 58, of Sheppton, and Throne, then 28, of Hazleton, courageously faced what appeared to be certain death.

Fellin, a miner for more than four decades, knew there was nothing the rescue party of volunteers could do to reach them.

There was only one entrance or exit - known as a slope - at the Oneida No. 2 mine, which was actually located outside the geographical limits of the Village of Sheppton midway between Hazleton and Shenandoah.

However, rescuers couldn't enter the slope because of additional rumblings deep inside, as well as the presence of hazardous gas.

So, for several days, officials of the state Department of Mines and Mineral Industries as well as members of the rescue party could do very little but watch and wait.

Meanwhile, Fellin and Throne were simply trying to stay alive.

Fellin, co-owner of the mine with Gene Gibbons, was semi-retired and no longer a full-time miner. But that morning, he descended underground with Throne and Bova to show them what he wanted them to do and also help load a metal mine car that ran on railroad tracks and hauled the coal to the surface.

When the first buggy was loaded, Bova pulled a cord that signaled the hoisting engineer in a small building topside to activate the mechanical hoist and pull the car out of the mine.

That first buggy made it about halfway to the surface when, suddenly, it stopped and the earth began quaking about 100 feet above the three miners.

Within seconds, Fellin, Throne and Bova heard louder rumbling above them just as a long electrical cord inside the gangway snapped and began dancing wildly, sparking electrical current.

Fellin knew the miners would be electrocuted if they came in contact with the live wire, so he led Bova and Throne to a small chamber off the main gangway.

When they entered the small enclosure - only about 2 feet wide and 9 to 10 feet long - the rumbling intensified and it appeared that tons of dirt, rock and coal were about to cascade down on them.

Just then, Bova noticed a different chamber a short distance away and began running toward it. It was a fatal mistake because, almost immediately, the worst of the cave-in occurred, filling the area where they had been working.

That was the last Fellin or Throne saw Bova, whose body was never recovered and who is remembered today by a tombstone at the site of the rescue.

Water, warmth

While the initial rescue team was totally frustrated above ground, Fellin and Throne were doing what they could to survive below.

For almost an hour they sat side by side in the enclosure, which was hardly wide enough for one of them to squeeze past the other.

All the time - while waiting for the aftershocks of the first cave-in to subside - each pulled up his shirt and placed it over his nose and mouth because there was little letup in dust.

Finally, when the tremors had ended and the dust finally settled, they realized they had to find water.

Fellin was familiar with the mine and knew there was a reservoir of stagnant, sewer-smelling water beneath their feet. So he used a broken tool to dig a small hole and, after it seemed to have hit a void, he grabbed an empty oil can, tied a rope to it and lowered it deep below him.

Soon, he was hauling up a can of putrid water.

Sipping it the first time, both Fellin and Throne spit it out. But after a few more sips, they began swallowing.

Next, the two miners had to combat the cold.

The temperature inside the mine hovered around 55 degrees but their clothes were wet and Fellin and Throne were shivering.

That's when Throne, sitting next Fellin with their backs to a wall, told his companion that he knew how he could make them warm. He told Fellin to sit between his legs and start rocking, which he did.

Each time they rocked, Throne had Fellin's shirt lifted and was blowing air down his back. Soon, both men were warm.

Fellin was amazed but Throne told him it was something he had been taught in the armed forces while stationed at a base in the far north.

They didn't have to face the other necessity - food - until the next day. That's when Fellin and Throne, who hadn't eaten for more than 24 hours, experienced serious hunger pain.

They were so hungry, in fact, that they attempted to eat the bark off timber that was holding up the roof of their chamber. But they spit it out when they realized they couldn't swallow it.

Then, suddenly, Fellin told Throne that he believed he had a way to "feed" them. He then got the can of water, held a finger to his Adam's apple and took a sip. Fellin then told Throne to do likewise.

After doing it a few times, both realized they were no longer hungry.

Fellin explained that, for some reason, he remembered seeing movie newsreels in which Mahatma Gandhi would be shown in the midst of his many long hunger strikes, subsisting only on water. Fellin said he remembered that anytime Gandhi was shown taking a drink, he was pressing onto his Adam's apple.

Years later, Fellin said he had learned that the maneuver triggers a mechanism in the body that allows a person to live off body fats. He did that until food was sent down through a borehole after the rescue crew made contact.

'They're alive'

On the surface, rescuers began to fear there was nothing they could do to save the miners, if they were even still alive.

When virtually all hope was lost, a million-in-one gamble was taken.

It was decided, as a last-ditch effort to satisfy the families of the miners, to drill a 6-inch-wide borehole in an attempt to reach the men buried more than 300 feet underground.

Drilling the hole took much of Aug. 17 and all of Aug. 18, but about 11 p.m. Aug. 18, a Sunday, a hole had been drilled to the proper depth. Just before midnight, a light and a microphone were lowered in an effort to establish contact with the miners.

A member of the rescue crew cupped his mouth over the borehole, got as close as he could to the ground and yelled: "Look for the light!"

He thought he had heard something, so he stood up and waved both arms, demanding total silence.

Once again he got on all fours and hollered, "Look for the light!" then cupped an ear to the borehole and excitedly jumped to his feet and screamed: "They're alive! I hear them! They're alive!"

Within minutes, the astounding news spread like wildfire around the world.

"MINE MIRACLE" was the giant headline across the top of the Los Angeles Times the next morning.

What followed was the patient drilling of larger boreholes, then the drilling of a 17 1/2-inch borehole with a drill loaned by one of eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes' companies.

People worldwide waited for a happy ending - and it finally came in the wee hours of Aug. 27, 1963.

First Throne, then Fellin were pulled to the surface wearing parachute harnesses and football helmets.

It was a scene that would be almost duplicated at the Quecreek bituminous mine in Somerset County in 2002.

There was a great difference in the two rescues, however.

At Somerset, high-tech scientific equipment was used to determine where the men might be underground.

In the cave-in and rescue near Sheppton, it was sheer guesswork - and a good deal of luck.

The original drill had traveled many miles to arrive at the site where the cave-in occurred. It was destined to drill the borehole near a wooden stake that indicated where the miners might be found, at the recommendation of state Bureau of Mining and United Mine Workers officials and veteran miners who had worked inside that mine years before.

But it didn't quite work out that way.

The truck carrying the drill broke down quite a distance from the stake. With little recourse and less time to waste, rescuers decided to sink the borehole there, and the rest is history.

SHENANDOAH - A district judge ruled Monday that a Shenandoah man accused of abandoning 12 dogs inside his home last week owes almost $3,000 in back rent to his landlord.

In addition, the ruling also allows Robert R. And Tara M. Florio permission to evict Jose Rivera and Shameka Rivera from the property they own at 216 W. Atlantic St. in the borough.

Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker conducted the landlord-tenant Recovery of Real Property dispute hearing Monday and determined both Jose and Shameka Rivera owe a total of $2,830 in back rent.

Kilker's judgement includes the back rent along with filing fees of $114, server fees of $45.50 and costs of $10 for a total owed of $2,999.60.

On Wednesday, Shenandoah police went to the Rivera home and found the animals, four dogs and eight puppies, abandoned.

Officials of the Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA in Pine Grove said the dogs were left inside the home without food and water.

In addition to the back rent, the Florios are planning to evict Jose and Shameka Rivera due to the damage the dogs caused to his property. In his ruling, Kilker ruled the couple presented enough evidence to proceed with the eviction proceedings.

Shenandoah police Chief George Carado said his department is continuing its investigation into the abandoned animals and that charges will be filed at that time.

Patrolman Laurie Dudash, the investigating officer, said the animals found inside the house were all pit bulls and two had injuries.

One of the dogs had injuries to its back while another, the apparent mother of the puppies, had open wounds.

"The injuries were not properly addressed," Dudash said.