MANDATA - The stage at Line Mountain Junior-Senior High School will burst into a "Kaleidoscope of Sound" at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 23, when three featured acts will fill the auditorium for "A Night of Music." The show will benefit the Line Mountain Council for the Arts and Humanities.

Following a jazz prelude by Larry Fisher and Vic Boris, a string quartet comprised of professional musicians will perform selections of well-known classical music. Members of the quartet are Marcus Smolensky, Priscilla Conrad, Christopher Para and Rachel Kauffman.

The second act will feature Vic Boris and Vince Lamenza, whose specialty is entertaining audiences with songs from the repertoires of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Nat King Cole. Lamenza has performed in film and television and has done voiceovers for companies such as Scholastic Library Publishing and Grolier Educational. In addition to live performances, Vince has done the voice for Octavious the Octopus, an audio book for children. His wide range of vocal skills promises to make Vince an audience favorite.

Closing the show will be the locally popular Morgan Family. The Morgan family consists of: David Morgan and his wife Mary, their four children, Maggie, Jessie, Abbie and Hank, and Uncle Bean. The group has appeared on the Shotgun Red Variety Show on the RFD Network and won The Valley's Got Talent competition at Sunbury's River Festival two years ago.

Providing transition music between the featured acts will be the arts council's own men's ensemble and friends. They will do a special presentation of Neil Sedaka's "Calendar Girl," sung by guest vocalist Vic Boris. They will also perform a Best of Doo Wop Medley. The show will close with all the performers on stage leading the audience in "God Bless America."

Tickets for the performance are $8 for adults and $3 for students. There is no admission charge for pre-school age children. Call for ticket information at 758-4010 or 758-5052. A will call window option will be offered.

Profits from this show will benefit the Ebony and Ivory Project, an endeavor to restore the Steinway Grandway piano housed in the Line Mountain Junior-Senior High School. More detailed information about arts council programs is available on the arts council website at www.lmarts.org.

Sponsors for the concert are Calvin Lenig Coal Prep and Sales, Inc., Gratz National Bank and Dale Wolfe Kitchens.

MOUNT CARMEL - Plans for the Memorial Day holiday were finalized at the quarterly meeting of James A. Garfield Camp 34, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War May 9 at the Lithuanian Social Club.

The camp will decorate the graves of Civil War and Spanish-American War veterans at St. Mary, Mount Carmel, Oak Hill and St. Joseph (Locust Gap) cemeteries today, Members will meet at Mount Carmel Cemetery for 6 p.m.

On Sunday, the Mount Carmel Area Joint Veterans Committee Changing of the Colors flag ceremony will be held in honor and memory of Samuel O'Donnell, who served as a private in both Company F, 177th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry and in Company G, 9th Pennsylvania Calvary.

On Memorial Day, a service will be held in Mount Carmel Cemetery at the grave of Alfred Ayres, a private in Company G, 129th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. The service will be held during Mount Carmel's Memorial Day activities that morning.

As a member of the Joint Veterans Committee, members of the camp are invited to participate in all of the committee's activities. In other joint veterans matters, camp commander David Berezovske was re-elected secretary for the committee at arecent meeting.,

Secretary/treasurer Hugh Jones presented a print of the camp's namesake in Civil War attire on horseback. A major general during the war, Garfield was the 20th U.S. President and died in office on Sept. 19, 1881, after being shot July 2, just four months after being sworn into office.

In other business, the camp placed a quarter-page advertisement in the Mount Carmel Borough 150th anniversary book. A history of the camp and Burnside Post 34 Grand Army of the Republic was also submitted.

The 132nd Encampment of the Pennsylvania Department will be held in Greensburg June 21 to 23.

Jones reported the camp is in fine financial shape and all required forms have been submitted to the Pennsylvania department. Berezovske led the camp in the Pledge of Allegiance, and chaplain Harry White Jr. gave the opening and closing prayers.

The next meeting of Garfield Camp will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, at the Lithuanian Social Club.

IRISH VALLEY - The 30th annual Veterans Memorial Service will be held at Clark's Grove United Methodist Church in Irish Valley at 10:05 a.m. Sunday.

The service features a cross composed of more than 100 live carnations; every veteran attending the service will receive a carnation.

The Clark's Grove Brass Ensemble, directed by Rob Ensinger, will provide instrumental music. Worship leaders are Greg Rachau, Bob Swank, Glenn Henninger, and Delmar Shipe. Noah Rachau will lead the congregation in the Pledge of Allegiance. All veterans will be recognized during the playing of their service anthems by the brass ensemble.

The guest speaker will be Master Sgt. Donald Rouse. A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps from 1990 to 1995, he has served with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard from 1995 to present. He currently serves on active duty as brigade master gunner for the Heavy Brigade Combat Team at Headquarters Company, Scranton.

During his military career, he completed combat deployments in Ramadi, Iraq; Kapisa and Parwan provinces, Afghanistan; Kuwait and Somalia.Rouse earned the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal with valor twice and the Combat Action Badge, among many other awards.

He is a member of the U.S. Cavalry and Armor Association, and the prestigious Order of St. George. He and his U.S. Navy veteran wife, Jill, have two sons and reside in Sunbury.

Another tradition continues with the singing of "God Bless the USA" by Jeff Shipe, Scott Miller and Ensinger. The service will conclude with the reading of the honor roll by Swank, followed by a gun salute and the playing of "Taps" by U.S. Marine Kevin Shipe.

The Rev. Susan Roehs is the pastor of the church, The public is invited to attend the memorial service.

Township paving scheduled

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Coal Township Street Department will be paving Walnut Street from First Street to Maple Street from May 29 thru June 1, weather permitting. Parking will be prohibited during the project.

Cards sought for woman on birthday

MOUNT CARMEL - Anna Flynn will turn 92 years old June 2. Birthday cards can be sent to her at Mount Carmel Mid-Rise, 315 S. Hickory St., Apt. 417, Mount Carmel 17851.

Teachers union to meet Thursday

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Shamokin Area Education Association will meet Thursday, at which time its members are expected to vote on proposed concessions regarding salary and tuition reimbursements ahead of the 2012-13 school year.

Lifeguard training scheduled

MOUNT CARMEL - There will be an American Red Cross lifeguard training certification course starting Tuesday at Mount Carmel Area Jr.-Sr. High School.

Upon successful completion of the 30-hour course, participants will receive four certifications: Lifeguard Training, First Aid, Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), and CPR for the Professional Rescuer.

For more information, call Megan deManincor at 274-2334. There is a fee for the training.

Centers closed for holiday

HARRISBURG - All PennDOT driver license and photo centers, including its full-service center in Harrisburg, will be closed Saturday through Monday in observance of Memorial Day.

Customers may still obtain driver and vehicle products and services at www.dmv.state.pa.us.

Scholarships available

COAL TOWNSHIP - Forest Hill Fire Company scholarships are available to graduating seniors of area high schools.

Each applicant must meet all of the requirements to be considered, and must be a child or grandchild of an active 'A' member of the fire company.

For complete details, apply at the fire company during business hours. No phone calls please.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Dr. Cristina Silvestro, a former exchange student from Italy and 1983 graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School, will be the guest speaker at graduation ceremonies Thursday night for 21 seniors at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School.

The Very Rev. Edward Quinlan, secretary of education for the Diocese of Harrisburg, will present diplomas.

Silvestro and her husband, Dr. Joseph Pizzarello, are dentists in Stoneham, Mass., near Boston.

A native of Udine, Italy, Silvestro attended Catholic elementary and high school in Italy before coming to Lourdes as an exchange student for the 1982-83 school year.

She made the transition to teenage life in an American high school, performed well academically and even found time to play high school softball, a sport she knew nothing about until attending Lourdes.

After finishing her year at Lourdes, she returned to Italy for a compulsory fifth year of high school before returning to the United States to attend Penn State University. She earned a Bachelor of Science in microbiology and a minor in Spanish in 1988 before obtaining a Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Michigan in 1992.

After working in private practice for a year in Chicago and two years in New Jersey, she and her husband opened a practice in 1995 in Stoneham.

Silvestro is a member of the American Dental Association and Academy of General Dentistry. She serves as administrator/manager of the couple's business at their home, which enables her to dedicate time to her family.

She and her husband are the parents of four children, Sara, 11, Peter, 9, David, 7, and Mark, 6.

She is a eucharistic minister at St. Patrick Parish in Stoneham, where she also has served as a lector and participant in the marriage preparation program. The couple's children attend St. Patrick School, where their mother volunteers in various activities and serves as co-chairperson of the Lenten Lunch Program.

In recent years, Silvestro has returned to Lourdes to reconnect with former classmates and teachers. She has made several donations to Lourdes, particularly to the softball program.

CATAWISSA RR - The Southern Columbia Area School Board unanimously approved the district's participation in the National School Breakfast and Lunch USDA Program Monday night.

The new USDA regulations, set in motioned by the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, require participating school districts to offer more fruits, vegetables and whole grain bread and pastas for each meal, starting in the 2012-13 school year.

As a result of the new guidelines, students and faculty will be charged an extra 15 cents for lunches next school year. Elementary lunch will be $2.15, high school lunch will be $2.40 and faculty lunch will be $3.40.

The breakfast for students will remain at $1.25.

In other business

The following items were also approved at Monday night's Southern Columbia Area School Board meeting:

- A change order pertaining to the middle and high school renovation and additions project resulting in a credit of $4,000.

- The change of employment status of Kevin Collins from co-assistant varsity boys basketball coach to head girls basketball coach for the 2012-13 school year for which he will be paid $3,413.

- A Tax Revenue Anticipation Note, something many municipalities and school boards take out annually in lieu of the collection of taxes.

- The staff of Amy Hornberger, Kim Schu, Sue Stone and Renae Carl for the 2012 Ready, Set, Grow Readiness Program, effective June 28 through July 26.

SUNBURY - The president of Mount Carmel Area School Board and former mayor of Kulpmont was appointed by Northumberland County commissioners Tuesday to serve on the SEDA-COG Board of Directors.

Nicholas P. Goretski III, of Kulpmont, was selected by Commissioners Vinny Clausi and Stephen Bridy to serve as the county's private sector representative on the board. Commissioner Rick Shoch abstained because the motion to appoint Goretski to the board was not on the meeting agenda.

Goretski's appointment must be approved by SEDA-COG, which meets today in Lewisburg.

The commissioners had been seeking a candidate for the board since their nomination of county planning director Pat Mack was rejected because he serves as a county employee.

Clausi previously indicated the commissioners might challenge the rejection of Mack's nomination. But when contacted after the meeting, the commissioner said it would be a waste of money and time to challenge the rejection since Goretski has been appointed to the post.

The SEDA-COG board allows only one commissioner from each of its 11 counties and a member from the private sector in each county to serve as directors.

In addition to currently serving as president of Mount Carmel Area School Board, Goretski was chairman of the Northumberland County Housing Authority for approximately 10 years. He also is a former Kulpmont mayor and councilman.

Goretski has 50-plus years of experience in local government and is a 35-year member of Plumbers, Pipefitters and Welders Local Union 520, Harrisburg. He has experience with commercial housing and buildings, including nuclear facilities.

He also was an aide for 22 years for longtime state Rep. Robert Belfanti Jr. and has served on numerous state and federal government boards.

When contacted after the meeting, Goretski said he is looking forward to working with the county.

KULPMONT - After 10 years of planning and construction, the hall is now complete.

Members of the East End Fire Company No. 1 and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials, cut the ribbon Tuesday on the company's new 5,000 square foot banquet/social hall Tuesday evening. The building features not only the social facilities, but also the fire company's administrative offices.

While standing in front of the new building - across the street from the 100-year-old former home, which will soon be torn down to provide parking - fire company trustee Dennis Brida spoke for the East End.

"It has been more than 10 years since we undertook the task of planning and finally constructing a much-needed social hall," he said.

"We certainly had our share of roadblocks in those 10 years, and also had so many people tell us it couldn't be done, it will never happen and so on. But we finally did it."

Robert Feaster Corporation General Contracting and Construction Management, Northumberland, completed the project earlier this month, paid for with $830,900 in USDA Community Facilities loans and grants.

Michael Ward, Southeast Pennsylvania Area Director for the USDA's Rural Development program, said the grants and loans were just a small part of their commitment to rural communities.

"Last year, Rural Development provided more than $18 million in grants and loans, and such programs are what we call budget neutral," Ward said. "The interest we make on the loans pays for another project to the next community we can help."

Ward hinted that next community could be Kulpmont again: The borough has solicited bids for a new municipal building to house its administrative, business and police offices and the borough's maintenance equipment. Those bids are currently being reviewed by the borough's engineers.

'More memories'

Inside the new social hall, fire company members and guests enjoyed a drink at the new bar area. Some enjoyed a game of shuffleboard.

"There have been many friendships formed and many more memories made over the past 100 years in our old building," Brida said. "Now, we will make new friendships and even more memories in our new facility."

SHAMOKIN - Dobson's Carpet Service will conduct the Smartstrand Coal Region Challenge at the Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts.

Dobson's will showcase Smartstrand Silk, a new product from Mohawk. It will roll out a 12-by-20-foot piece of the carpet in the street during the festival for people to walk on all day to demonstrate the durability and stain resistance of the product. The carpet is also billed as extremely soft.

The carpet will be laid over a premium Smartcushion pad, a 9-pound memory foam pad that, when installed under any Smartstrand carpet, increases a customer's warranty for an additional 10 years. A portion of the purchase of Smartcushion is donated to the Susan G. Komnen Decorate for the Cure.

At the stand, Dobson's will have Ricko the Rhino, a 15-foot inflatable rhino that advertises the toughness and durability of Smartstrand.

At mid-afternoon, Dobson will encourage anyone on hand to spill chocolate, ketchup and mustard, which it will have on hand, on the carpet. It will be thoroughly cleaned live by Advanced Cleaners of Kulpmont with just plain water, Dobson's reports. The company will donate the cleaned carpet to the Union/Snyder County Habitat for Humanity.

Dobson's Carpet Service is an authorized Mohawk Colorcenter. Dupont Smartstrand Silk is sold exclusively at Dobson's, which is a full service floor covering store offering top of the line carpeting, hardwood, ceramic tile, laminate and linoleum.

MANDATA - More than 150 Line Mountain residents lent the school district officials listening ears during a public hearing Tuesday night to discuss the closures of Leck Kill and Dalmatia elementary schools.

After Superintendent Dave Campbell presented information on how the district arrived at the current plan, 15 residents approached the board to express their dislike for the decision to close the schools.

"You're a good salesman," Marlin Lesher, a Line Mountain farmer, told Campbell in the auditorium of the junior/senior high school. "If I had to buy it based off what you said, I'd buy it hook, line and sinker."

However, he added, it's not the right time to change.

"Maybe education should be a priority here instead of buildings," he said.

Eugene Witmer, of Dalmatia, expressed an opinion shared by many others who voiced their opinions.

"Any decision you make, I think you should do it with a view on a centralized school (for elementary students)," Witmer said.

He told the board to spend a minimal amount of money to fix the schools, but develop a long-term plan to close the elementary schools and build anew in a central location.

Closed next summer

The current $5.6 million plan would close the two schools in the summer before the 2013-14 school year. All students in kindergarten through fourth grade would be sent to Trevorton Elementary School and fifth- and sixth-grade students would join seventh- and eighth-graders at the high school.

A four-classroom addition costing $1.9 million would be built at the northwest corner of Trevorton Elementary School, and a nine-classroom addition costing $3.7 million would be built at the southwest corner of the high school in the seventh- and eighth-grade wing.

Campbell told the audience the closing of the two schools would save the district $582,349, which includes elimination of several positions, operational cuts and money that had been reserved for a more expensive project.

"It's important to know the board has looked and worked hard on this," Campbell said.

Petitions

Campbell said moving forward with any building decision is "the tough part" because of financial issues. In 2010, a petition was presented to the board not to raise taxes. In 2011, a petition was presented to the board not to cut programs, Campbell said.

On Tuesday night, a petition with 415 signatures was presented to the board in favor of keeping Leck Kill open. Director Lauren Hackenburg said a petition of 80 signatures in support of a one-campus school system was presented to the board in January.

Brooke Tressler, of Herndon, said one of her main concerns was sending fifth- and sixth-grade students to the high school.

"We would be sending them the message that they are no longer children," Tressler said, saying their age is "extremely impressionable."

She also raised concerns about long bus rides and adding on to the Trevorton building.

The board should consider constructing an elementary building on the high school campus, she said.

Sid Phillips suggested starting small and building a centralized school for three of the elementary grades, and then eventually adding onto for more students.

"We should look at the future, and not just what will get us through right now," he said.

Steve Paul, of Upper Mahanoy Township, said he was originally against closing Leck Kill, but changed his mind.

"Maybe it's time to evolve, but we have to do what's best for the children," he said. "We have to consider a centralized school. It will cost more money, but it will be better in the long run. I don't want my taxes to go up, but I want what's best."

Legally, the board could not make a decision Tuesday night. As per state guidelines, the board must wait 90 days before voting to close both schools.

In other business

The board approved the 2012-13 Northumberland County Career and Technology Center budget of $1,530,153, of which Line Mountain's estimated share is $320,080.

SUNBURY - Two weeks after removing Rick Shoch as chairman of the Northumberland County Board of Commissioners, Vinny Clausi and Stephen Bridy are seeking to have Shoch resign his position as Point Township solicitor because they believe it constitutes a conflict of interest.

Shoch said no conflict exists with him holding both posts because he has agreed to abstain from voting on any issues specifically pertaining to Point Township. The commissioner said the Pennsylvania Ethics Commission and County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania have already ruled that no conflict exists with him serving in both posts.

Despite knowing that Shoch was cleared of any conflict by the ethics commission and commissioners association, Bridy said Tuesday he plans to send a letter to the Pennsylvania Bar Association to determine if a conflict exists.

"He's double-dipping," commented Clausi. "It may not be illegal for him to hold both positions, but it's morally wrong. You can't serve two masters. He should serve as commissioner or solicitor. It's not in the best interests of the taxpayers or commissioner's office for him to serve in both positions."

Bridy agreed with Clausi.

Shoch said he welcomed having a letter sent to the bar association because he "stands up for what's right."

Shoch, who has a law practice in the Sunbury area, has served as solicitor for Point Township and its municipal authority since 2004. He also serves as solicitor for Mahoning Township Municipal Authority in Montour County and Liverpool Municipal Authority in Perry County.

'More bread, circuses'

The commissioner, who said solicitor Frank Garrigan informed him and the other commissioners after the meeting that no conflict exists, stated, "They are basically grasping at straws. This is more bread and circuses as I predicted. People should expect more of this sort of nonsense from both of them (Bridy and Clausi). I researched this issue during my campaign for commissioner and after I was elected, and I found out that there is no conflict as long as I abstain on any votes specifically dealing with Point Township."

Shoch pointed out that Clausi, who is the owner of a construction company and restaurant in Coal Township, also must abstain on votes if they have anything to do with businesses or individuals he deals with.

Removed as chair

On May 8, in what was believed to be an unprecedented move in Northumberland County government, Shoch was removed as chairman of the board and replaced by former vice chairman Clausi, who conducted his first meeting as chairman Tuesday.

The historic motion to oust the chairman, who now serves as secretary of the board, was made by Bridy and seconded by Clausi after both commissioners chastised Shoch for "going behind their backs" and writing a letter to the editor to local newspapers that criticized their actions and tactics.

In other business

Chief Clerk Gary Steffen reported the county received a reimbursement of $41,724.83 from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) for costs incurred from transporting and housing county prisoners when Tropical Storm Lee hit the area in September 2011.

The commissioners adopted a new use of facilities application for the conference room at the administration center and increased the non-refundable fee from $150 to $200. The fee may only be waived with prior approval from the commissioners.

SUNBURY - Northumberland County commissioners agreed Tuesday to rescind last month's motion to no longer use state constables to transport inmates to and from arraignments and hearings to allow an advisory board comprised of law enforcement officials to study the cost-effectiveness and ramifications of the move.

Commissioners Vinny Clausi, Rick Shoch and Stephen Bridy approved Shoch's motion to give the Criminal Justice Advisory Board until the end of the year to research the constable issue and come back to the board with a recommendation.

Although he voted to rescind last month's motion, Clausi said the commissioners will not agree to continue to use the state constables for transporting defendants if it is not cost-effective for the county.

"We need to get rid of non-mandated programs or the county will go broke," Clausi said. "The county is not required to use constables to transport prisoners. It is too costly, in my opinion."

Sunbury Police Chief Steve Mazzeo thanked the commissioners for meeting with members of the advisory board to discuss the constable issue since it was raised last month. He told the commissioners the board plans to thoroughly research the issue and make a recommendation by the end of the year.

The advisory board, which is spearheaded by Mazzeo, Point Township Police Chief Joshua Van Kirk and Milton Police Chief Craig Lutcher, also includes municipal police officers and officials from other areas of the county.

Van Kirk said, "We plan on researching the issue to determine if it would be more cost-effective to pay constables rather than police officers to transport defendants. We want the commissioners to make a fair decision on how required services can be provided at the best price for the taxpayers."

The county currently pays constables for their services and then must seek reimbursement from the defendants through fines and costs. Clausi said the county only receives approximately $20,000 per year in reimbursements from defendants through the court's cost collection office.

State constables are paid on average $45.40 plus mileage to transport prisoners. They receive a state rate holding fee of $13 per hour after holding a prisoner for 30 minutes.

Clausi, who claims the county will save up to $200,000 per year by not using constables to transport prisoners, said only four of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania use constables to transport prisoners to and from arraignments and hearings.

If the county chooses not to use constables, municipal police departments would be responsible for transporting prisoners, which would place an additional financial burden on communities. Unlike the county, municipalities have no legal recourse to recover transportation costs.

The constables, who would still serve arrest warrants and perform other duties, were given a 60-day notice about the proposed change last month, but will now continue to transport defendants until at least the end of the year.

In other business

County budget director Jeff McClintock and controller Tony Phillips presented an update on the county's financial situation, a practice Clausi plans to implement at every meeting.

McClintock said the county had a negative general fund balance of $1.8 million to $2 million at the end of 2011 and is expected to face a $1 million to $1.5 million fund balance at the end of 2012.

On April 20, Phillips said the county was able to pay $1.3 million for the employee portion of the pension fund for 2011. Earlier this month, he said the county was able to pay back $2 million it borrowed from its debt service fund to pay operating expenses.

Second in a series

SHAMOKIN - While there has been so much to see and do at the Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts over its six-year history, members of the public told festival coordinator and Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities executive director Jeanne Shaffer one thing was missing.

"People have come up to me and mentioned about the rich Polish heritage in this area, but yet they haven't heard any polka music," Shaffer said. "That changes this year."

Saturday's featured entertainment will be The Bavarians polka band, playing on the festival stage at Arch and Market streets next to Independence Fire Company.

Accordion player Richie Ranaglia has been playing music for many years, and has been a part of The Bavarians, off and on, for the last 10 years.

"Two of us are a little older, but we've got the experience and love entertaining the crowd," Ranaglia said.

"This is going to be our first visit to Shamokin, but we hope it won't be the last."

Ranaglia, sax and clarinet player Jerry Gingrich and tuba player Gary Peters will be playing two 45-minute sets with a 30-minute break in between. Their first show begins at 2:30 p.m.

The band will bring a wide variety of original polkas to the show, along with familiar favorites.

"We will be doing some songs we know everyone can sing and dance along to, such as the 'Pennsylvania Polka,' 'Beer Barrel Polka' and that classic, 'In Heaven There is No Beer,'" Ranaglia said.

The band specializes in the Yankovic-style - as in Frankie Yankovic, not the Weird Al variety - of polka music, Ranaglia joked.

"We are going to keep everything moving and play a good mix of polkas and some waltzes for a change of pace," he said. "You have to keep it interesting because, after a while, all polkas pretty much start sounding alike."

Shaffer said polka music could be a returning tradition to the heritage festival; a world-renowned polka band has already been signed for next year - John Stanky and the Coal Miners.

Entertainment Friday

On Friday night, following the festival parade, local music sensation Marla and the Juniper Street Band will be performing on the festival stage.

Formed in 2010, lead singer Marla Kane and bandmates - guitarists Tom Kane, J. Carpenter and Chris Amato, bassist Jason Bogert and drummer Bernie Nestico - have quickly become a popular attraction on the local music scene.

In addition to covering popular songs, the band is working on original tunes and recording its first CD. During performances, concert goers will often find Marla and the band dancing with the crowd.

"This crowd interaction and high energy is what continually gets the band called back to community events, county fairs, music festivals and other local venues," the band's website reads.

Also performing on the stage Saturday will be local entertainer Vic Boris at 10:30 a.m., dance performances from Moyer's School of Dance at 11 a.m. and the Holt Dancers at 1:30 p.m.

The Motivation Station members from Mount Carmel will give a presentation at noon and a Combat Field Memorial Service will be conducted at the Hiker monument on Lincoln and Market streets at 1 p.m.

SHAMOKIN - A local organization is hoping to put smiles of the faces of children for whom happiness is hard to come by.

Project Smile of PA is a fundraising project organized by and for people of the coal region, pooling money and resources to benefit area children facing grave illness and physical limitations.

It's a volunteer-based organization with no paid officers and was established last year by Eric Brightbill and Scott Benedict and with help from family and friends.

They had worked to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities but as Project Smile approaches its one year anniversary, Brightbill said it was important to refocus its efforts by ensuring local resources be used to directly benefit area residents.

"A lot of people do a lot of good things to raise money. We just want to make sure everything makes it to the people" of our area, he said.

As the volunteers of Project Smile gear up for the organization's major fundraising festival next month, it's seeking out referrals of children deserving of "A Chance to Smile."

Organizers will tailor projects not only to a child's needs but also to their likes - anything from organizing a trip to a ball game to redecorating a child's room and throwing the family a pizza party.

"Everything doesn't have to be one day, either. We want it to be a lasting thing," Brightbill said.

Focus, too, will be placed on the siblings of ill or disabled children who sometimes may feel like they've been pushed to the side. Project Smile of PA will involve them in the smile-making process by providing them something special as well, Brightbill said.

Apart from referrals, the organization is also seeking volunteers.

"We are always looking for great individuals that want to make a difference in the lives of children," Benedict said in a press release. "Our volunteers are school-aged kids to senior citizens. It's great to see everyone understands the value in a smile for a child."

A Create-A-Smile campaign is underway. Several retail shops and restaurants are selling cards for $1, with proceeds going to Project Smile of PA. The campaign ends May 31.

Its major fundraiser will be held June 9. It's a combination event - a 5k run/walk, motorcycle poker ride and festival at the RCA Picnic Grounds in Ranshaw.

The 5k will begin and end in the parking lot of the former Ames along Route 61, with the track following rails, trails and public streets. Registration will be from 8 to 8:45 a.m., with the timed run to begin at 9 a.m.

A Smile Mile will be held for children and others who wish not to do the 5k.

The poker ride will follow the run/walk, with registration at the former Ames at 10:45 a.m. and the ride beginning at 11:30 a.m. It will check in at several rally points throughout the region and end at the RCA grounds.

The registration fees for both events is $20 and includes a ticket to the picnic event.

The picnic, for which individual tickets are $15, includes a pig roast, hot and cold food, adult beverages and live entertainment from Marla and the Juniper Street Band and War Over Wails.

It's also child-friendly. Inflatable bounce houses and slides will be on site, provided by Arctic Igloo of Elysburg.

A Chinese auction will be held as well as raffles for Philadelphia Phillies tickets and other sporting events, along with door prizes and other drawings.

Attendees will also be challenged to "Go Bald for Project Smile," with friends challenging others to shave their heads, raising money to meet the asking price for a shaved scalp.

Tickets for the events are on sale now at Palmer's Diner, Route 61, and Gigi's Gifts and Home Decor at The Plaza at Coal Township.

Brightbill said a pool tournament will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at East End Fire Co., Kulpmont, from which a donation will be made to Project Smile. Entry to the tournament is $10, he said.

For more information on Project Smile of PA, find the group's page on Facebook or call 898-2633.

UNIVERSITY PARK - Tyler M. Gidaro, of Kulpmont, was named to the dean's list at Penn State University Campus in State College during the Spring 2012 semester with a 3.60 grade point average and a cumulative 3.64 GPA.

He is a son of Bruno and Lisa Gidaro, grandson of Delfina and the late Charles Gidaro, and Joanna Raybuck and the late Albert Raybuck Sr., and the great-great-grandson of Violet LaCrosse, all of Kulpmont. Tyler has one brother, Ryan, at home.

Gidaro received a Bachelor's of Science degree in information sciences and technology with a minor in economics during commencement exercises held on May 5. He has accepted a position with TATA Consulting Services (TCS) as a software engineer. He will complete a six-week training course in Milford, Ohio, following by an eight-week training course in Chennai, India, with final employment in Hartford, Conn.

He is a 2008 graduate of Mount Carmel Area High School.

SHAMOKIN - The following hearings took place Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III. Defendants who waived their cases or were held for court were ordered to appear for plea court July 2 at Northumberland County Courthouse, Sunbury, where they can plead guilty or no contest, or seek a trial by pleading not guilty.

n Charges of simple assault and harassment filed by Coal Township Patrolman David Sage against Richard W. Schaeffer III, 29, of 50 S. First St., Coal Township, were waived to court.

Schaeffer was charged with assaulting his live-in girlfriend, Tara Mitchell, 29, by choking her and punching her in the face after pushing her to the floor on May 15 at their residence.

n Joseph M. Kristoff, 46, of 138 S. Oak St., Apt. 2B, Mount Carmel, waived to court charges of terroristic threats, simple assault, disorderly conduct, harassment and public drunkenness.

The charges were filed by Shamokin Patrolman Raymond Siko II in connection with an April 3 disturbance in the area of 64-66 Raspberry Hill in which he allegedly threatened to kill Kelly Lebo with a gun he claimed to have in his car. He also is accused of spitting in Lebo's face and calling her a derogatory name.

n Paul R. Prichard, of 537 Swank Road, Sunbury, waived to court charges of fleeing or attempting to elude police, driving under the influence of a controlled substance, driving under the influence of a drug or combination of drugs, failure to drive in a single lane and careless driving relating to a Jan. 27 pursuit on Route 890 in Zerbe Township.

Trooper William Gangloff of state police at Stonington filed the charges.

n Brandon M. Garancheski, 18, of 319 N. Shamokin St., Apt. 3, Shamokin, pleaded guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia and was ordered to pay a $300 fine plus costs and placed on supervised probation for six months. An additional charge of possession of bath salts was withdrawn.

The charges were filed by Shamokin Cpl. Bryan Primerano in connection with an April 5 incident in the 300 block of North Shamokin Street.

n John T. Dormer, 73, of 651 Bear Valley Ave., Shamokin, waived to court two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and careless driving relating to a March 29 accident in the Our Lady of Hope Church parking lot at First and Chestnut streets.

The charges were filed by Coal Township Patrolman Edward Purcell.

n Brittney M. Hornberger, 21, of Shamokin Dam, waived to court a charge of corruption of minors.

Hornberger was charged by Trooper William Gangloff of state police at Stonington with furnishing beer to Brandyn Lee Frye, 20, of Northumberland, in connection with a March 17 incident along Route 125 in Shamokin.

n Frank M. Bogus, 51, of 145 E. Dewart St., Shamokin, waived to court charges of aggravated assault, two counts of simple assault, resisting arrest, recklessly endangering another person, criminal trespass and two counts of stalking relating to a May 12 disturbance at his apartment building.

The charges were filed by Shamokin Cpl. Bryan Primerano.

Bogus is accused of stalking and grabbing Rita Lesher, 54, who resides in a bottom apartment at 145 E. Dewart St., assaulting two police officers and cursing Magisterial District Judge Benjamin Apfelbaum of Sunbury at his arraignment.

n Daniel D. Strenkoski, 51, of 100 S. First St., Shamokin, waived to court a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with a Feb. 7 incident at First and Spruce streets.

The charge was filed by Coal Township Patrolman Joshua Wynn.

n Nicole Cotolese, 27, of 1508 W. Arch St., Coal Township, pleaded guilty to harassment and was ordered to pay a $100 fine plus costs. An additional charge of simple assault was withdrawn.

Cotolese was charged by Coal Township Patrolman Matthew Henrich with hitting her live-in boyfriend, James Coleman, in the right eye, throwing a piece of a telephone at him that struck his left bicep, causing a cut, and biting him in the left forearm at their home on May 19.

n Bruce C. Zigarski, 36, of 324 E. Sunbury St., Apt. 2A, Shamokin, waived to court charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and harassment involving an April 16 disturbance at 325 N. Shamokin St.

Zigarski was charged by Shamokin Patrolman William Zalinski with repeatedly kicking John Valenskie in the head after knocking him to the ground. He also is accused of hitting the victim in the head with a vacuum cleaner. Police said Valenskie suffered serious facial and head injuries and was knocked unconscious.

n Shane R. Picarella, 22, of Berwick, waived to court multiple charges involving three separate criminal complaints.

Picarella waived to court charges of burglary, criminal trespass, criminal attempt to commit theft and criminal mischief relating to an attempted break-in at Stepp's Lottery, Coffee and Tobacco Shop on East Independence Street on Jan. 2. Shamokin Cpl. John Brown filed the charges.

Picarella also waived to court charges of retail theft and public drunkenness filed by Brown in connection with a Jan. 2 incident at Rite Aid Pharmacy in downtown Shamokin.

Picarella waived to court charges of theft and receiving stolen property involving a Dec. 4 incident at the Knights of Columbus building in which he allegedly stole a cell phone while attending a banquet. Shamokin Cpl. Darwin Tobias III filed the charges.

MILTON - Shamokin landlord Barry Getchey was planning to plead not guilty to charges he tried to bribe the chairman of the Shamokin Housing Authority board to help settle a dispute over federal funds. Instead, he waived his right to a preliminary hearing.

After waiting for 90 minutes at the office of Senior Magisterial District Judge Richard Cashman Wednesday morning, Getchey initially told state police trooper Kevin Kearney, the arresting officer. he planned to plead not guilty.

Cashman called Getchey into his office for a conference. When Getchey came out five minutes later, he said he had changed his mind.

"Since I didn't have an attorney, I thought it would be best to waive the hearing and take the case to court," Getchey said later Wednesday.

Despite the change, Getchey said he is confident in his innocence.

"If there are 12 jurors that can convict me, when I did nothing wrong, there is a serious problem," he said.

Clausi a witness

Waiting outside for the hearing to start were housing authority executive director Ronald Miller and board chairman Raymond G. Splane, the latter the target of Getchey's alleged bride.

Also present was Northumberland County Commissioner Vinny Clausi, subpoenaed as a witness by Getchey. The landlord declined to comment on Clausi's involvement.

HUD funding

Getchey was charged April 16 with bribery and attempting to obstruct administration of the law or other governmental functions. According to court documents, Getchey allegedly called Splane and offered him $300 if he would help him resolve a dispute with the authority and Miller concerning $10,000 in U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds Getchey believes he is owed.

The authority, backed by HUD, has withheld Section 8 federal housing money, payments of approximately $3,500 a month, since November, due to alleged code and heating violations at Getchey's Sixth Street apartment building.

Getchey was found not guilty of the code violations in February, but a week later, the authority board voted to apply to HUD to have Getchey disbarred from any future federal housing programs.

Getchey said the not guilty verdict is proof enough of a vendetta against him by Miller and Splane.

Getchey has complained about the decision to city council and has regularly picketed outside the housing authority building in downtown Shamokin.

Getchey told police he did not make the call to Splane and that "he is going to lie like the housing authority" does. However, according to the police affidavit, "The defendant stated that it is his money and if he wanted to give someone some of his money as a gift, he could."

Plea court July 2

Getchey was ordered Wednesday to appear for plea court on Monday, July 2, in Northumberland County Court, Sunbury, where he can either plead guilty or no contest, or seek a trial by pleading not guilty. He has indicated he will do the latter.

Deadline for banners

MOUNT CARMEL - Today is last day to order Mount Carmel 150th anniversary banners, announced Mount Carmel Mayor J. Kevin Jones.

Anyone who would like to buy a banner is asked to call Jones at 339-2471.

Train ride times corrected

SHAMOKIN - Times for the train rides for Saturday's Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts train rides are 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 15 and under.

Times were incorrect in Wednesday's edition.

Associates to walk for 'miracle'

COAL TOWNSHIP - Associates of the Walmart Supercenter have planned a Miracle Walk for the Children's Miracle Network on Saturday, June 9.

Joined by family, friends and other participants, the associates will leave the store at 8 a.m. and walk approximately 4 miles to Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital.

Participants contribute $20 and are welcome to obtain sponsors.

Summer school starts June 18

COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area summer school will begin Monday, June 18, and conclude Thursday, July 19, for students in grades seven through 12. Courses will be offered in math, science, social studies, language arts and PE/health. For more information, call the guidance department in the middle/high school at 648-5731.

Nurses honored for excellence

DANVILLE - Geisinger Health System recently announced recipients for its annual nursing excellence awards, celebrating nurses and care partners recognized by their peers.

Representatives from Service 1st Credit Union presented monetary awards to nurse honorees during a ceremony May 7.

Winners are:

Partners in Excellence: Theresa Cook, NA, Geisinger Medical Center (GMC) adult intensive care unit; Kelly Hack, clinic tech, GMC ophthalmology; Diane Rhodes, surgical tech, GMC outpatient surgery Woodbine, and Christopher Trump, NA, GMC Hospital for Advanced Medicine seventh floor.

LPN: Connie Irvin, LPN, Geisinger Philipsburg; Karyl Moser, LPN, GMC emergency department, and Tracy Rosko, LPN, GMC special care unit.

RN: Janet Kusheloff, RN, Geisinger Selinsgrove; Bridget Levan, RN, GMC adult intensive care unit; Jessica Poupore, RN, GMC Bush Pavilion fifth floor; Melinda Pick, RN, GMC orthopedics; Tammy Reeder, RN, GMC float pool; Teresa Kerstetter, RN, GMC Hospital for Advanced Medicine seventh floor; Karlene Nelmes, RN, GMC Hospital for Advanced Medicine eighth floor

RN Advance Clinical Practice: Megan Bloom, RN, GMC breast clinic, and Susan Kurtek, CNE, clinical nurse educator, Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital.

RN Advanced Practice Leadership: Dave Meredick, RN, clinical nurse supervisor, Geisinger Woodbine orthopedics.

MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Borough 150th Anniversary Committee is looking for Mount Carmel memoribilia to display in the Mount Carmel Area Public Library in June.

The committee is asking the public for any articles on the community's proud heritage. Articles can be dropped of at the library after Memorial Day and picked up after July 4. Although the utmost care will be taken, those donating articles for display must keep in mind that neither the anniversary committee nor the library is responsible for any articles damaged, lost or destroyed. When articles are dropped off at the library, please leave your name, address, telephone number and item(s) to be displayed. For questions, contact David Berezovske at 205-4818.

The 150th anniversary parade will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 30, in conjunction with the 109th Six-County Firemen's Association parade. Individuals and local organizations are invited to be part of the parade. Entries can include floats, antique cars, organization and associations, bands and businesses.

The parade will begin at Sixth and Willow streets and will be approximately 1.1 miles long. The throwing of candy or other items from vehicles is not permitted. However, individuals walking alongside the vehicle can pass them out to people along the parade route. Those wishing to enter the parade can complete the entry form below and send it to Ricky Schnee at 132 W. Avenue, Mount Carmel 17851, 339-2856.

WILBURTON - Centralia American Legion Post 608 has announced its Memorial Day activities for Monday.

Members will assemble at the post home at 8:30 a.m. for coffee and donuts. Beginning at 9:30 a.m., Legion members and the Aristes and Wilburton fire companies will proceed to Zion United Cemetery in Aristes, St. Mary's Cemetery in Centralia and St. Ignatius Cemetery in Centralia.

Services will also be held by honor guard for veterans at the Aristes Fire Company Memorial, and will conclude with an honor guard and services at the post home, followed by a meal and refreshments.

Veterans, families and friends are welcome.