Church of Our Lady

MOUNT CARMEL - The following memorials were presented to the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel for the month of December.

John "Jack" Politza from Eileen Andes and family.

Cecelia Chuprinski from Anna and brother Roger Gentile.

Matt and Sonia Starr from Jeanne Zavatski.

Ronnie Zacker from Jeanne Zavatski.

Selma Tauber from Jeanne Zavatski.

Judy Credito, R.N. from Loretta Fantanarosa.

Suwa Meister from Margaret Meister.

Robert Conniff from Loretta Cuff, Paul and Judy Bartko and Regina Breck, Aldo Mirarchi, Margaret May, Rosemarie Koronkiewicz, Emily and John Schuren, Julie and Bob Griffiths, Anna Flynn, Gary Conniff, Barb Thomas, the staff at Susquehanna Valley Imaging.

Kortni Kenenitz from Jacqueline Kerris and Believers and Achievers, Mary Kay Unit.

John and Mary Ann Callahan from granddaughter Rita Bierowski.

Sherry Wills from aunt Rita Bierowski, Tom and Roseann Wills.

Clem Domarecki from the Hildebrand family.

Agnes (Watkins) Pokrywka from Robert Hildebrand, Kevin and Cheryl Kwiatkowski and family, Chris and Dawn Kanezo and family.

Claudius Greco from Anna Pinamonti, Mary Ruths and Mr. Blair Ruths, Mary Ann Atchley, Joe and Lucille Swatski.

James Bierowski from wife Rita Bierowski.

Patrick and Elizabeth McIntyre from granddaughter Rita Bierowski.

Marion Dzvileski from Jeanne Zavatski.

John Johnson from Bob and Jeanne Zavatski.

Danny Lechner from Dr. Robert R. Zavatski.

Mrs. Mary Ruths from Mary and Blair Ruths.

James T. Olley from the Olley Family.

Harry and Marie Darrah from niece Rita Bierowski.

John and Anna McIntyre from daughter Rita Bierowski.

Patrick McIntyre from Rita Bierowski.

John (Blackie) Czeleski from Millie Muskalko and family (anniversary).

Edward Ferdock from Mary Ann Atchley and family.

Frank Hynoski from Sylvia Hynoski, John and Dianne and grandchildren Kelly and Johnny.

John M. Barcaneo from Eileen Andes and family.

Stanley Povelaitis from Genevieve Butkiewicz, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Truskoski.

Mr. and Mrs. John Schoppy and family from Gilbert and Ursella Murray.

Mr. and Mrs. William Murray from Gilbert and Ursella Murray.

Francis Joraskie from Chris and family.

For the Health of Matthew Schoppy from Gilbert and Ursella Murray.

Helen and Emmett O'Neill from Pat and Mike.

Joseph and Marie Shearn from Mike and Stephanie Shearn.

Kathleen G. Mekosh from Mike and Stephanie Shearn.

Marie (Mekosh) Lapotsky from Mike and Stephanie Shearn.

Thomas Zosh Sr. from wife and children.

Frank Crinitti from wife Rita.

Vincent and Elizabeth from daughter-in-law.

Frank and Alice Duni from daughter.

Marie (Duni) Sheganoski from sister.

Robert (Oscar) Duni from sister.

Vernon and Bonis family from Trina and John Leshinski.

Nathan McFadden from Mrs. Trina Leshinski.

Nicoletta and Brezinski families from Bob and Marquerite Brezinski.

Russell Leshinski from John and Trini Leshinski and family.

Marie and Harry Darrah from John and Diane Darrah and grandchildren Kelly and Johnny.

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph and Jean Begis from Cecilia Bilder.

John and Rebecca Mazer from Mom, Dad and family.

Birthday memorials

Monsignor Lawrence R. Overbaugh from Margaret May.

The Rev. John Suknaic from Margaret May.

Frank Siano from Chris and family.

WATSONTOWN - The assistant athletic director for the Warrior Run School District has been arrested on charges of having inappropriate contact with two juvenile females.

Matthew M. Godfrey, 27, of Watsontown, was arraigned Thursday before Magisterial District Judge Robert Bolton, of Milton, on two third-degree felony counts of unlawful contact with a minor, felony charges of obscene and other sexual materials and performances and corruption of minors, and a misdemeanor charge of corruption of minors and indecent assault.

Godfrey, who was employed as the district's assistant athletic director and as an athletic trainer at the high school at the time of the alleged contact, was placed in Northumberland County Prison on $75,000 bail.

According to state police at Milton, the crimes involved two female victims who are now 18 and 17 respectively but were juveniles at the time of the offenses.

A press release from police did not give specific details, but police contend the offenses occurred at Godfrey's residence and at the high school between August 2010 and November.

Godfrey is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before Bolton at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday.

Offices closed for New Year's

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Coal Township Municipal Office, Code Office, Tax Office and Street Department will be closed on Monday. The Recycling Center will close at noon Friday, be closed on Saturday and re-open as per the normal schedule on Tuesday.

County offices closed for holiday

SUNBURY - All row offices of Northumberland County including district courts will be closed Monday for the New Year holiday.

SUNBURY - City police are investigating a stabbing a half-block away from a break-in during which a pregnant woman and a man were stabbed one day prior.

Sunbury Police report a fight occurred at 11:40 p.m. Wednesday near the intersection of Reagan Street and Susquehanna Avenue. One victim, who was not identified by police, was treated and released from Sunbury Community Hospital for a stabbing injury, according to police.

Sgt. Christopher Blase, the officer in charge of the investigation, will arrest suspects as the case progresses while a news release asked for the public's help.

Police are asking residents to keep an eye out for the weapon possibly used in the fight: a clear-handled, silver-bladed folding knife, which is believed to have been discarded near the OPG playground/ballfield complex in the 300 block of North Second Street.

Anyone recovering a similar weapon in that area should contact the Sunbury Police Department through the Northumberland County 911 Center at 988-4539.

Witnesses to Wednesday's incident are asked to contact Blase at 286-4584, ext. 106.

Not related

Police said that Wednesday's fight is not related to the break-in at 544 Susquehanna Ave. at 9:42 p.m., Tuesday, during which two people were stabbed.

Nelson Anthony Navarro, 31, was charged by Sunbury Police Officer Gary Heckman with felony counts of aggravated assault, burglary, conspiracy and criminal trespass along with misdemeanor counts of terroristic threats, simple assault and reckless endangerment. He is currently incarcerated in Northumberland County Prison on $50,000 cash bail.

Police said the victims, residents of the home, were transported to area hospitals for injuries sustained in the incident. Media reports indicated one of the victims was a woman who is nine months pregnant. Police did not identify the victims nor any additional suspects involved, but the case is still under investigation.

Anyone with information on Tuesday's assault should leave a message for Heckman at 286-4584, extension 135.

Questions about the circumstances surrounding the deaths of two Shamokin-area residents earlier this week may forever go unanswered.

Coal Township Detective Jeffrey Brennan said a final report regarding the deaths of David M. "Diggy" Dascani, 38, and Kelley Gusick, 24, will be made once results from toxicology tests are received in about eight to 10 weeks.

What many people are asking is how and why Dascani's Jeep Wrangler got into Shamokin Creek along Big Mountain Road in the first place, and why neither Dascani nor Gusick got out before carbon monoxide filled the vehicle's cabin and took their lives.

"We don't know what happened once they got into the water," Brennan said Thursday. "We're not sure why the vehicle was where it was and we're not sure we'll ever know."

Dascani and Gusick went on a mountain ride in the early morning hours Monday. The Jeep did not roll into the creek. It was found upright and partially submerged in 3 to 4 feet of water Tuesday afternoon, its occupants already deceased.

James F. Kelley, Northumberland County coroner, said Thursday that an autopsy wouldn't be performed on either body as testing already has clearly shown carbon monoxide poisoning is to blame for Dascani's and Gusick's deaths, which he ruled were accidental and not suspicious.

He said carbon monoxide poisoning in a small, confined area such as the inside of a vehicle can occur quickly.

"It only takes minutes," Kelley said. "It puts you to sleep, then into a coma, then death."

Like many, Kelley isn't sure how exactly the Jeep got into the creek. However, he said he has heard that people have been known to drive 4x4s through the creek channel. He said he was told there is a spot where a vehicle could drive into and out of the creek in the Big Mountain area.

Kelley wondered if Dascani had missed a turn to get out of the creek and ended up getting stuck.

If the Jeep was stuck and Dascani tried to drive back and forth to get it out, revving the engine would have created more combustion, he said. With the vehicle's exhaust system submerged in water, all of the resulting carbon monoxide gas would have entered the passenger cabin.

"It's a very unfortunate accident," Kelley said.

DEN-MAR GARDENS - In 1906, Theodore Roosevelt was our 26th president, Shamokin had been incorporated for just 42 years, and Dollie Schroyer was born.

Schroyer, a Coal Township native, will turn 105 at 11:58 p.m. New Year's Eve.

She has lived to see 19 U.S. presidents, several global conflicts, The Great Depression, the moon landing and the creation of one of her favorite foods - the Whopper Junior.

She is believed to be the oldest living resident of Northumberland County.

"Oh my, a lot of change," Schroyer said.

"(The) outhouses were wood," she added with a laugh.

Both Shamokin Mayor George Rozinskie and Kulpmont Mayor Myron F. Turlis declared Thursday as "Dollie Schroyer Day" at a birthday celebration held Thursday afternoon at Serenity Gardens, where Schroyer shares a room with her 88-year-old daughter, June Noll.

Proclamations were read by Rozinskie, Turlis, Northumberland County Commissioners Frank Sawicki and Vinny Clausi and commissioner-elect Rick Shoch; state Rep. Kurt Masser (R-107), Area Agency on Aging Deputy Administrator Pat Rosini; Pam Earley, representing the local office of state Sen. John R. Gordner (R-27), and Mount Carmel Athletic Director Greg Sacavage, who declared Schroyer an honorary sports captain for the school's teams.

The party was held in the recreation room, which was filled with balloons, a large birthday cake and roughly 300 birthday cards, including more than 200 created by students in the Mount Carmel Area School District, and those from Schoyer's family, which now spans five generations.

She thanked everyone who wished her a happy birthday, although at times she had to ask, "Who are you?"

Upbringing

Born in her Walnut Street home in Coal Township, she is the sole survivor of 11 children born to Charles and Clara Culp. She married Walter (Babe) Schroyer on July 21, 1922, in Shamokin. They had two sons, the late Lester and Walter (Wimp), and two daughters, Noll and Jane Heller, 82. She has nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and six great-great grandchildren, Erin and Ian Drumheller; Hayley Moyer; Benjamin Farrow; and Gabriel and McKenna Stitzel.

In April, Schroyer moved to Serenity Gardens from the Coal Township High Rise, where she resided for 30 years. At Serenity Gardens, she continues to live an almost entirety independent life. Although she has problems hearing people who speak from a distance, she takes no pills and only recently started using a walker, said Serenity Gardens Activity Director Diane Dallazia.

"She used to cook for everyone at the high-rise," said Judith Drumheller, 69, her oldest granddaughter. "She also does her own check-booking."

Her daughters said their mother's smile is nothing short of infectious, and her humor, although subtle, is well intact.

Before retiring, Schroyer worked at Schaffer's Restaurant at Second and Water streets in Shamokin, and as a seamstress making wedding dresses and coats for "almost everyone." She also cared for her late husband who worked with explosives at several local coal mines.

'No smoking, no drinking'

Schroyer credits her long years to avoiding smoking and drinking and driving only once.

Heller recalled, "Our father let her get behind the wheel, but she did not realize the wheel was turned sharply to one side.

"She kept going around in circles until the car ran out of gas!"

Schroyer still enjoys playing cards, watching the Philadelphia Phillies and Penn State football, and eating maple walnut candy and long-john pastries.

"Even at 105, she still tells me what to do," said Heller. "She is a good mother. I am so blessed and thrilled to have her."

SHAMOKIN - An oil leak mucked up midday traffic Thursday along Sunbury Street, causing the busy roadway to be closed for nearly three hours.

City Patrolman Nate Rhoades said a southbound truck hauling a flatbed trailer driven by Thomas E. Smith, of Kulpmont, sprung a leak at about 11 a.m. after the plug on the vehicle's oil pan fell out.

Emergency personnel on scene estimated about 10 gallons of motor oil leaked onto the southbound lane over nine blocks.

A heavy odor of oil permeated Shamokin and Sunbury streets near where the truck came to a stop.

Cleanup was performed by area fire personnel, while city police and fire police redirected traffic. PennDOT and county emergency management personnel were on scene.

The road reopened at 1:45 p.m.

COAL TOWNSHIP - When Shamokin Area Community Hospital (SACH) officially becomes part of the Geisinger Health System (GHS) on Sunday, it will follow all of Geisinger's policies - including the newest one about tobacco use that has spurred significant conversation since it was announced Wednesday.

Starting Feb. 1, applicants for any Geisinger position will be subject to nicotine testing in the pre-employment physical and drug screening. Those who test positive will not be offered employment.

All applicants - including those seeking full- and part-time positions, flex, volunteers and students enrolled in Geisinger-based schools - will be tested for nicotine, according to the policy.

SACH CEO Thomas Harlow confirmed Thursday the policy will be in effect for the Coal Township facility.

"Absolutely," Harlow said. "We will be part of the Geisinger system, so it takes effect here Feb. 1."

Harlow said no one is immune.

"Every new employee and physician that is hired will have to follow the policy," he said.

Merger receptions set

Meanwhile, Geisinger has scheduled receptions for 7 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesday at SACH, at which time Harlow and Tom Sokola, chief administrative officer of Geisinger Medical Center, will greet employees in the cafeteria with gifts and refreshments to celebrate the merger.

On Jan. 11, Geisinger leadership will address new employees and community members about the merger and the 100th anniversary of SACH.

The new facility will be known as Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital, a campus of Geisinger Medical Center.

Testing one-time only

The new directive, available on Geisinger's website under the "Careers" section, says Geisinger will no longer hire applicants who use tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars and chewing or smokeless tobacco. The testing will be part of a urine drug screen. Applicants who test positive may re-apply in six months, according to the policy.

Marcy Marshall, director of clinical enterprise communications for Geisinger, said the test is a one-time procedure conducted only when the person applies.

"We will not be doing random testing for nicotine," Marshall said Thursday. "The test will only be given when applying."

All Geisinger facilities have been tobacco-free since 2007, and the new policy will only apply to incoming employees. Current personnel are "grandfathered in" and will not be tested.

Two other hospital systems in the state, Susquehanna Health Systems in Williamsport and St. Luke's in the Lehigh Valley, have already implemented the policy.

"Non-nicotine hiring policies are legal in 20 states, including Pennsylvania," said Richard Merkle, chief human resources officer for Geisinger, in an e-mail Wednesday.

A small amount of snow, mixed with colder temperatures, caused auto accidents and headaches for drivers throughout the area Thursday evening.

Seven accidents between 7 and 9 p.m. Thursday evening were reported to the Northumberland County 911 Center, sending at least one person to the hospital for treatment.

The rash of accidents started just after 7 p.m., when Coal Tonwship police responded to a crash on Route 61 near the ramp from Route 901 in Coal Township, where Bonnie Townsend, 55, of Mount Carmel, was traveling south on Route 61. According to police, Townsend lost control of the 2004 Ford Sport Trac she was driving and hit the guide rail in the center of the highway. No one was injured.

Coal Township Fire Department and fire police also responded.

Less than two hours later, police responded to a second accident caused by icy conditions at the same intersection, where Shauna Ruch, 21, of Shamokin, was traveling north on Route 61 when the 2000 Chevy Blazer she was driving slid out of control on the icy road, causing the SUV to hit the guide rail in the center of the highway. She was not injured. Shamokin police Patrolman Raymond Siko also responded.

At approximately 8 p.m. on Trevorton Road, Coal Township, Amber Adams, 30, of Herndon, slid on icy roads and lost control of the Dodge truck she was driving and went over the embankment, damaging the cab of the truck and causing a minor fire, which was put out by firefighters, according to Coal Township Police Patrolman Edward Purcell.

Adams was transported for treatment at a local hospital, according to reports on the scene.

While emergency personnel were cleaning up that scene, another crash occurred at Brewery Curve on Route 61 in Coal Township.

Courtney Dilliplane, 18, of Shamokin, was traveling south when, due to icy conditions, she lost control of the Jeep Cherokee she was driving, crossed the median and struck a guide rail on the northbound side of the highway. Dilliplane was not injured. Shamokin police Patrolman Nathan Rhodes, Coal Township Fire Department and fire police responded to the accident.

Other non-injury auto accidents also reported by the 911 Center's WebCAD Internet site Thursday night included crashes on West Avenue and North Vine Street, Mount Carmel; the intersection of Locust Gap highway and State Route 2042, in Locust Summit, and on North Front Street in Mount Carmel.

More information on these accidents was not available at press time.

TREVORTON - A tow-truck operator was injured when the vehicle he was picking up drifted backward, running him over.

Zerbe Township Police report George "Butch" Stiely Jr., 57, of Route 225, Trevorton, was injured in the 3:45 p.m. accident in the area of Shamokin and Seventh streets in Trevorton. He was transported to Geisinger Medical Center, where he was treated and released.

According to Zerbe Township Police Patrolman Josh Moyer, Stiely was hooking up a vehicle to be towed from the scene of a two-vehicle accident, when the vehicle, a 1988 Nissan SUV, became disconnected from the mechanism and drifted backward, running over Stiely.

Drivers unhurt

No one was injured in the original accident. Police say a 2002 Dodge Ram truck, driven by Jonathan Foote, 21, of 315 W. Coal St., Trevorton, was traveling south on Shamokin Street, who pulled into the path of the Nissan SUV, driven by Jeffrey Lahr, 50, of 417 W. Coal St., Trevorton.

Foote will be cited for a left-turn violation while Lahr will be charged with driving with a suspended license. All charges will be filed with Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III, Shamokin.

Assisting police at the scene were Trevorton Fire Chiefs Jack Reed and Earl Reed, Trevorton Fire Police, Trevorton Ambulance, Trevorton Fire Company and AREA Services.

All Saints

All Saints Evangelical Lutheran, 12th and Scott streets, Kulpmont.

Pastor - The Rev. Alfred J. Bashore.

Worship service - 9 a.m.

Participants - Marsha Karnes, communion assistant and altar guild.

Assumption BVM

Assumption BVM Ukrainian Catholic Church, Paxton Street, Centralia.

Pastor - The Very Rev. Archpriest Michael Hutsko.

Confessions - Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

Divine liturgy - Sunday, 11 a.m.

Augusta Baptist

Augusta Baptist Church, 1371 Boyles Run Road, Sunbury.

Pastor - Robert S. Commerford.

Sunday school - 9 a.m.

Augustaville Wesleyan

Augustaville Wesleyan Church, 2556 State Route 890, Paxinos.

Pastor - Greg Clendaniel.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:40 a.m.

Evening service - 6 p.m.

Activities - Wednesday, adult Bible study, Faith Weaver Friends and youth Bible bowl, 7 p.m.

Bethany Bible Fellowship

Bethany Bible Fellowship Church, 654 Wilburton Road (across from Mount Carmel Estates), Mount Carmel.

Pastor - Philip Norris.

Morning worship - 10 a.m.

Message - "God Provides for Needs."

Special music - Dan Marks and Adam Witmer.

Activities - Wednesday, King's Kids, adult prayer and Bible study.

Bethany EC

Bethany EC Church, 1238 Market St., Ashland.

Pastor - Mark Brownson.

Sunday School - 9:15 a.m. (adults and children).

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

Activities - Tuesday, Homework help night, 6 to 7:30 p.m., (for children K through 6th grade); Wednesday, Bethany Bible Club, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., for children K through 6th grade, prayer meeting, weekly, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; free clothing closet, every first and third Saturday of each month, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend any of the ministries. For more information, call 875-3000.

Bethel Union

Bethel Union Chapel, West Cameron Township.

Pastor - Dave Butler.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m (all ages)

Morning worship - 10:30 a.m.

Junior church - 10:30 a.m.

Saturday New Year's Eve Service - 7 p.m.

Sunday evening service - 6 p.m.

Activities - Tuesday, prayer worship, 6 p.m.; Wednesday, Bible study 6 p.m.; King's Kids, 6:30 p.m.

Calvary Bible

Calvary Bible Fellowship Church, 35 S. Second St., Shamokin.

Pastor - Ferdie Madara.

Combined morning worship service - 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Praise team. Message by Pastor Madara.

No evening service this week.

Catawissa Circuit

Bethel United Methodist, 168 Bethel Road, Catawissa.

Pastor - Anna Fyock.

Worship - 8:15 a.m.

Sunday school - 9:15 a.m.

Fisherdale, 268 Fisherdale Road, Elysburg.

Worship - 9:30 a.m.

Sunday school - 10:30 a.m.

St. Paul's, 83 Easter Furnace Road, Catawissa.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Worship - 10:45 a.m.

Christ's Reformed UCC

Christ's Reformed UCC, Helfenstein.

Pastor - Jerry Schlegel.

Worship - 10:15 a.m. with communion.

Scripture - Psalm 103:1-5.

Message - Reflections For The New Year.

Participants - Dorene Choffel, worship assistant; Jeff Haas, organist; Ed and Rose Klauger, communion assistants.

Church of Our Lady

Church of Our Lady, 47 S. Market St., Mount Carmel.

Pastor - The Rev. Francis J. Karwacki.

Weekday Masses - 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday.

Weekend Masses - Saturday, 4 p.m.; Sunday, 8:30 and 11 a.m.

Confessions - Daily before 8 a.m. Mass; Saturday, 3 to 4 p.m.

Church of Nazarene

Church of the Nazarene, Route 901, Lavelle.

Pastor - Rick Newman.

Sunday - 9:30 a.m. Rev. Wendle Lahr will preach during the New Year's Day service.

Activities - Wednesday, "Life Group," adult Bible study, 10 a.m.; service at Serenity Gardens, 7 p.m.

Clark's Grove UMC

Clark's Grove United Methodist Church, Irish Valley Road, Paxinos. Handicapped accessible.

Pastor - Susan J. Roehs.

Prayer time - 8:30 a.m.

Sunday school for all ages - 9 a.m.

Worship service with nursery care - 10:10 a.m.

Youth group for third-grade and up - 6 p.m.

Divine Redeemer

Divine Redeemer Church, West Avenue and Poplar Street, Mount Carmel.

Pastor - The Rev. John A. Szada Jr.

Weekday Masses - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 7 a.m. Saturday at 8 a.m.

Weekend Masses - Saturday, 4 p.m. (Sunday obligation); Sunday, 8 and 10:30 a.m.

Holy Day Masses - 6 p.m. eve of holy days. 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. (Holy Day).

Holy Hour - First Friday of the month, 3 to 4 p.m.

Confessions - Saturday, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.; after morning novena Thursday, during First Friday Holy Hour or any time by appointment.

Novenas - Monday, Miraculous Medal novena after morning Mass; Thursday, St. Jude Thaddeus novena after morning Mass; Saturday, St. Francis novena after morning Mass.

Elysburg Alliance

Elysburg Alliance Church, 113 W. Alpha Ave., Elysburg.

Pastor - The Rev. Guy R. Thompson.

Assistant pastor - The Rev. Chad Froelich.

Sunday services - 8 and 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Thompson.

Sunday school for all ages - 9:15 a.m.

Activities - Today, contemporary worship service, 6:30 p.m., the Rev. Froelich; Wednesday, Collide Youth Group, 6:45 to 8:15 p.m., Rev. Froelich; adult Bible study, prayer/sanctuary; Kids Konnection, grades 3 to 5.

Elysburg Presbyterian

Elysburg Presbyterian Church, 320 W. Valley Ave. (Route 487), Elysburg.

Pastor - Matthew Young.

Sunday school for all ages - 9 a.m.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m. with nursery provided. Pastor Young will be preaching on Galatians 4: 4-7. Message: "We're All Adopted!"

Musicians - Debbie Cecco, organist; Eileen Reigal, pianist; contemporary praise group.

Activities - Monday, Bear Gap Anchor Group, 7 p.m.; Wednesday, Choir practice, 6:30 p.m.; Bell Choir practice, 7;30 p.m.; Thursday, Women's prayer group, 5 p.m.; Friday, Breakfast with Jesus, 8:30 a.m.

Coming Up - Jan. 20, 5th Quarter event for students in 5th through 12th grades, 9 to 11:30 p.m. Dodge ball competition.

Elysburg UMC

Elysburg United Methodist Church, 171 W. Center St., Elysburg.

Pastor - The Rev. Ivan Alberts.

Morning worship with Holy Eucharist, Children's Sunday School during worship - 9 a.m. Nursery care is provided for children up to four years of age; adult Sunday school, 10:15 a.m.

Participants - TBA, head usher; Tom and Linda Wodzak, greeters; Lucy Bidelspach, scripture reader; Cassidy Roadarmel, acolyte; John Romanoski, organist; Lynne Homiak, pianist; Edna Ehret, shepherding; Nan Weller, choir director.

Activities - Monday, Bible study, 10 a.m.; Tuesday, Prayer Circle, 10 a.m.; Wednesday, lectionary Bible study, noon.

Emmanuel UMC

Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 328 Center St., Coal Township.

Co-pastors - The Revs. Al Schell Jr. and Betty Ford.

Worship - 9:30 a.m.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Children's Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Adult Sunday school - 10:30 a.m.

Activities - Tuesday and Thursday, exercise class, 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Bible study, 1 p.m.; cookie ministry, third Wednesday, 5 p.m.; movie night, fourth Sunday, 5 p.m.

Faith Bible

Faith Bible Church, Burnside.

Pastor - Perry Ross.

Pianist - Robert Witmer III.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

Evening service - 7 p.m.

Activities - Wednesday, Kids Club, Bible study and prayer, 7 p.m.

Faith Community Church

Pastor - Dale Hill, 751-5101.

Sunday worship - 10:30 a.m.

First Baptist

First Baptist Church, 10 E. Lincoln St., Shamokin.

Pastor - The Rev. Samuel Derr.

Church school - 9:45 a.m.

Morning worship - 10:45 a.m.

Organist - Judith Pensyl.

Evening worship - 6 p.m.

Organist - Judith Pensyl.

Activities - Today, New Year's Eve Service, 7 p.m.; Wednesday, choir rehearsal, 6 p.m., prayer, praise and testimony, and Bible study, 7 p.m.

First Baptist

First Baptist Church, 510 S. Ninth St., Trevorton.

Pastor - Dan Conklin.

Associate pastor - Andy York.

Sunday worship - 10:40 a.m.

First Presbyterian

First Presbyterian Church, Sunbury and Liberty streets, Shamokin.

Pastor - Rev. Dr. Carrie L. Stine.

Worship - 10:30 a.m.

Participants - Noriene Ladd, organist; Mary Anne Stump, assistant organist; Bill Milbrand, choir director; Andrew Ladd, acolyte; Bill Persing Sr. and Dwayne Kruskie, ushers/greeters; Charlene Lesher and Terry Persing, Sunday school 0-9; Wendy Wary, Sunday school 10-14; William Lentz, sexton; Wendy Wary, secretary.

First UMC

First United Methodist Church, 46 N. Hickory St., Mount Carmel.

Pastor - The Rev. Daniel Siddle.

Worship service - 10 a.m. Holy Communion will be celebrated.

Sermon, "Starting Again," by Pastor Siddle.

No Sunday school.

Participants - Sharon Styer, organist; Jim Weissinger, head usher; John and Diane Polcovich, greeters; Bob Welker, sound director; Linda Gula, liturgist; Rachel Maurer, acolyte; Pastor Dan, children's time, Dolores Klusman, counter.

Activities - Monday, No quilting this week; Tuesday, Christian believer study meets in the board room, 2 to 4 p.m., Girl Scouts, 5:30 to 8 p.m., Al-Anon meets at 7 p.m.; Thursday, NA Women, 6 to 7 p.m., board room.

First UMC

First United Methodist Church, Sunbury Street, Shamokin.

Pastor - Zachary Hopple.

Children's Sunday school - 9:15 a.m.

Adult Sunday school - 9:15 a.m.

Worship - 10:30 a.m.

Participants - Susan Shoop, liturgist; Mae Pensyl and Kay Berry, greeters.

Carole Hepner, liturgist; Maude Harrhy and Carole Hepner, greeters.

Activities - Monday, Ad Council meeting, 7 p.m.

Good Shepherd

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 35 N. Ninth St., Ashland.

Pastor - The Rev. Dana Heckman-Beil.

Worship service - 9 a.m.

Grace Chapel

Grace Chapel, 126 Airport Road, Shamokin.

Pastor - Alan Langelli.

No Sunday school.

Morning worship - 10:30 a.m.

Evening worship - 6:30 p.m.

No "Discovery Kids" this week.

Wednesday prayer - 6:45 p.m.

Activities - Jan. 11, ladies fellowship; Jan. 14, new member class; Jan. 15, baptism; Jan. 18, annual congregational meeting.

Grace Evangelical

Grace Evangelical Independent Church, Locustdale.

Pastor - The Rev. Rose M. Marquardt.

Sunday school - 9:45 a.m.

Worship service - 11 a.m.

Children's Sunday school - 11 a.m.

Grace Lutheran

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 10 S. Seventh St., Shamokin.

Pastor - The Rev. David M. Byerly.

Service of Word and Sacrament - 10:15 a.m.

No Sunday school.

Participants - Harry Deitz, worship assistant; Eric Joraskie, acolyte; Brett Przekop, crucifer; Romanic family, communion bearers; Joan Lineweaver and Treva Madison, altar care; Sandra Cupp and Art Walburn, greeters; Paula Hardin, nursery; Adam Swift Jr., Roger Giffin, Ron Kerstetter, Scott Martin, John Strausser and Frank Yost, ushers; Taylor Shepley, organist; Charlene Pell, acting choir director and cantor.

Activities - Monday, church office is closed; Tuesday, Tulpehocken pastors conference, 10 a.m.; Wednesday, Daisies, primary room, 6 p.m.; Thursday, Shamokin Area Ministerium, 10 a.m.

Grace Lutheran

Grace Lutheran Church, 146 W. Avenue, Mount Carmel.

Interim pastor - The Rev. Joan Brown.

Service of worship with communion - 10:45 a.m. The Circumcision and the Name of Jesus Christ Sunday.

Guest speaker - Ron Weller.

Sunday services for St. Matthew's (Slovak) Lutheran Church will be held at Grace Lutheran Church for January.

Participants - Linda Rubendall, organist; Diann Marie Repko, lector; William Brass, usher; Charles Barnes, bell ringer.

On Jan. 1, services will be held at Grace Lutheran Church and it will be food pantry Sunday.

Grace UCC

Grace United Church of Christ, Third and Market streets, Mount Carmel.

Pastor - The Rev. Joan A. Brown.

Morning worship - 9 a.m.

Sunday school - 9:15 a.m.

Participants - Bryan Lapinski, organist; Aurora Froutz, acolyte; Dennis Stone and Roy Edmonds, ushers.

Activities - Monday, confirmation class, 3:30 p.m.

Hidden Valley

Hidden Valley Community Church, 162 Hidden Valley Lane, Mifflinburg. A non-denominational Bible church.

Pastor - Gary L. Owens.

Worship service, 10 a.m., clubhouse. Casual dress welcome.

Himmel's Church

Himmel's Church, 1941 Schwaben Creek Road, Rebuck, 425-2200.

Pastor - Pastor Jane H. Compton.

Sunday school - 9 a.m.

Worship service - 10:15 a.m.

Communion is celebrated the first Sunday of every month.

Activities - Sunday, Worship service with communion, 10:15 a.m. (no Sunday School); Jan. 8, (until further notice), Sunday school, 9 a.m.; worship service with Holy Communion, 10:15 a.m.

Holy Angels

Holy Angels Church, 855 Scott St., Kulpmont.

Pastor - The Rev. Andrew Stahmer.

Confessions - Saturday, 4 to 5 p.m.

Weekday Masses - Monday, 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday through Saturday, 8 a.m.

Weekend Masses of Obligation - Saturday, 5:30 p.m., Sunday, 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.

Activities - Tuesday, bingo at Holy Angels activity center, doors open at 4:30 p.m., games begin at 6:15 p.m.

Holy Trinity

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 150 E. Lincoln St., Shamokin.

Celebrants - The Rev. Ronald R. Lausch, rector, and the Rev. Richard A. Hazzard, deacon.

Worship - 10 a.m.

Handicapped accessible. Church school for children. Nursery care available.

Hope Community Church

Hope Community Church, non-denominational Bible church, 551 W. Fourth St. (formerly Lazarski's Banquet Hall), Mount Carmel.

Pastor - Dan Renno.

Christian education for all ages - 9 a.m.

Fellowship time - 9:45 a.m.

Praise and worship service - 10:15 a.m.

Irish Valley UMC

Irish Valley United Methodist Church, Irish Valley Road, Paxinos.

Pastor - Beverly Petrovich.

Sunday school - 9:15 a.m.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

Johnston City UMC

Johnston City United Methodist Church, 200 Main St., Ranshaw.

Pastor - Zachary Hopple.

Worship service - 9 a.m.

Participants - Rena Keegan, June Ramer, Myra Golden and Jane Klembara, alternate liturgists; Barbara Cummings, greeter; Jane Klembara, pianist.

Living Power Ministries

Living Power Ministries, 45 E. Fourth St., Mount Carmel.

Pastor - Walter Kriskie.

Praise and worship - 10:30 a.m., children's church.

Evening worship - 6 p.m.

Activities - Wednesday, Bible study, 7 p.m. Children and teens welcome.

Miller's Crossroads

Miller's Crossroads UMC, 1929 Plum Creek Road, Stonington, Sunbury RR 4.

Pastor - Michelle Beissel.

Worship - 9:30 a.m.

Sunday school - 10:30 a.m.

Participants - Betsy Bradigan, organist.

Ministry of the Water and Spirit

Ministry of the Water and Spirit Church, 324 E. Sunbury St., Shamokin.

Pastor - James Bowers.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

Evening service - 6 p.m.

Activities - Wednesday, Bible study and hymn praise song, 6 p.m.

Mother Cabrini

Mother Cabrini Church, North Shamokin Street, Shamokin.

Pastor - The Rev. Martin Kobos, O.F.M. Conv.

Parochial vicar - The Rev. Adam Ziolkowski, O.F.M. Conv.

Sunday Masses - Saturday, 4 p.m.; Sunday, 7, 9 and 11 a.m.

Confessions - Daily, 7:30 to 7:50 a.m.; Saturday, 3 to 3:45 p.m.

Recitation of the Rosary - Monday through Friday, 5 p.m., in the church.

Activities - Today, Vigil of the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, Mass at 4 p.m.; Sunday, Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, Masses at 7, 9 and 11 a.m. No religious education classes today. Will resume Jan. 8; Monday, bingo at 6:15 p.m. in the church hall; Tuesday, Secular Franciscan Order meeting at Our Lady's Social hall in Mount Carmel, 7 p.m., Annual Extraction of Franciscan Saints, deceased Franciscans and Maxims; Friday, First Friday visit of scheduled parish homebound.

Mountainside

Mountainside Assembly of God, 1900 Trevorton Road, Coal Township.

Pastor - The Rev. Richard H. Earl.

LIFEQuest breakfast for all - 9 a.m.

LifeQuest classes for all ages - 9:30 a.m. with nursery available.

Morning worship - 10:30 a.m.

Evening activities - 6 p.m.

Activities - Wednesday, SUPERKids for ages 5 to 11 and adult discipleship, 6:30 p.m.

Mount Zion

Mount Zion Welsh Congregational United Church of Christ, Grant and Church streets, Shamokin.

Pastor - Gerald Lloyd Jr.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

Scripture - Isaiah 61: 10-62, Luke 2: 22-40.

Sermon - "Fulfilling the Law."

Participants - Philip Maue, organist.

Confirmation classes at 9:15 a.m. every other Sunday.

Holy Communion is celebrated the first Sunday of each month.

New Life Church

New Life Church of God, 129 W. Second St., Mount Carmel.

Interim pastor - The Rev. John D. Ashbaugh.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Prelude - 10 to 10:30 a.m., flute solo.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m., with junior church and nursery available.

Handicap accessible, wheelchair available.

Prayer room open mornings, church side/back entrance. Prayer, fellowship and coffee, Saturdays, 9 a.m.

Activities - Jan. 9, Church Council meeting, 7 p.m.

Oak Grove UMC

Oak Grove United Methodist Church, Marley Road, Overlook.

Pastor - The Rev. Kay Painter.

Worship - 9 a.m.

Sunday school for all ages - 10:35 a.m.

Activities - Monday, women's Bible study, 7 p.m.; Thursday, free karate classes at church, children 5 to 12, 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.; 13 and up, 7:30 p.m.; Bountiful Blessings outreach, 6 to 8 p.m., first and third Fridays of the month.

Our Lady of Fatima

Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church of the East, 110 E. Avenue and Hickory St., Mount Carmel.

Pastor - Bishop Ramzi R. Musallam.

Confessions - Before Mass and upon request.

Rosary - 2:30 p.m.

Holy Mass - 3 p.m.

Our Lady of Hope

Our Lady of Hope Parish, Chestnut and First streets, Coal Township.

Pastor - The Rev. Adrian Gallagher, O.F.M. Conv.

Parochial Vicar - The Rev. John Voytek, O.F.M. Conv.

Daily Masses - 7 a.m. in Holy Spirit chapel.

Weekend Masses - Saturday, 4 p.m.; Sunday, 7 and 11 a.m.

Holy Day of Obligation Mass - 5:30 p.m. Vigil Mass and 7 a.m. morning of the Holy Day.

Sacrament of Reconciliation - Saturday, 3 to 3:45 p.m.

Office hours - Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Queen of the Most Holy Rosary

Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church, 599 W. Center St., Elysburg.

Pastor - The Rev. Alfred P. Sceski.

Masses - Weekdays, 8 a.m.; Saturday, 5 p.m.; Sunday, 8 and 10:30 a.m.

Confessions - Saturday, 4 to 4:30 p.m.

Restoration Ministries

Restoration Ministries Church, 525 W. Chestnut St., Shamokin.

Pastor - Paul K. Eby.

Pre-service prayer - 9 a.m.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m. for all ages, JoAnne Long, superintendent.

Sunday worship service - 10:30 a.m. Pastor Paul will speak. The worship team will lead praise and worship. Special prayer will be available. Nursery care will also be available.

Children's church - 11:15 a.m. for ages 4 through 11 in the social room, directed by Shirley Cintron.

Student Life Ministry Youth Service - 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Life Center for all teens ages 12 to 18.

Activities - Monday, God's Grub in church social hall for the community, 5 to 7 p.m.; Tuesday, cross training youth disciple class, dinner at 3 p.m., class taught by Fran Jones from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, Soul Seekers group for ages 18 and older in prayer room, 7 p.m.

St. John Lutheran

St. John Lutheran Church, 29 High Road, (3 miles from red light in Elysburg, on Route 54, turn right on High Road), Danville.

Pastor - The Rev. Christoph Teille.

St. John's UCC

St. John's United Church of Christ, 117 N. Eighth St., Shamokin.

Pastor - The Rev. John W. Silliman.

Contemporary service - 9 a.m. with Holy Communion.

Participants - Worship band, music; Casey Henninger, pianist.

Coffee hour - 10:10 a.m.

Traditional service - 11 a.m. in Lark Chapel with Holy Communion. The ordination and installation of the new Consistory members will be held.

Participants - Adult choir, special music; Margaret Morris, organist; Casey Henninger, pianist; Kathi Christ, lay reader; Kyle DiOrio, acolyte.

Activities - Monday, Boy Scouts, 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Cub Scouts, 5:30 p.m.; Wednesday, prayer group, 11 a.m., Confirmation class, 6 p.m., worship band rehearsal, 7 p.m., adult choir rehearsal, 7 p.m.; Thursday, consistory meeting, 7 p.m.

St. John's UMC

St. John's United Methodist Church, 1218 W. Arch St., Coal Township.

Pastor - The Rev. Karyn Fisher.

Lay leader - Paul Stehman.

Worship - 9 a.m. (nursery up to age 4).

For childcare information, "Nursery and Children's Church provided during worship for ages infant through eight years."

Sunday school for all ages - 10:15 a.m.

First Sundays, Holy Communion, prayer walk, 10:30 a.m. (April to November); Sundays, youth fellowship, (October to May), 5:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Bible study, 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, choir practice, 8 a.m. (September to May).

Prayer chain, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

St. Joseph's Church

St. Joseph's Church, 11th and Walnut streets, Ashland.

Pastor - The Rev. John W. Bambrick.

Sister Elizabeth Kealy, IHM, director of religious education.

Confessions - Saturday, 3 to 3:30 p.m. Any time by appointment.

Rosary prayed before all Masses.

Mass schedule - Today, 4 p.m. (Vigil for Sunday); Sunday, 8:30 a.m.; Monday and Tuesday, 8 a.m.; Wednesday, adoration all day from 9 a.m., concluding with night prayers, benediction and miraculous medal devotions at 4:45 p.m., Mass at 5 p.m.; Thursday, 8 a.m.; Friday, noon; First Fridays Sacred Heart devotions.

St. Ann's Chapel, open each day for prayer. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday, 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon; Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

St. Mark Lutheran

St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 225 N. Market St., Elysburg.

Pastor - The Rev. Christoph Teille.

St. Matthew Lutheran

St. Matthew (Slovak) Lutheran Church, 301 W. Avenue, Mount Carmel.

Interim pastor - The Rev. Joan Brown.

Service of Worship with Communion - 10:45 a.m. The Circumcision and the Name of Jesus Christ Sunday.

Guest speaker - Ronald Weller.

Services for St. Matthew (Slovak) Lutheran will be held at Grace Lutheran Church for January.

Food Pantry Sunday.

St. Michael Orthodox

St. Michael's Orthodox Church, 131 N. Willow St., Mount Carmel.

Pastor - The Very Rev. Michael H. Evans.

Divine liturgy - 9 a.m.

St. Patrick's

St. Patrick's Church, 331 W. Shamokin St., Trevorton.

Pastor - The Rev. Adrian Gallagher, O.F.M., Conv.

Parochial Vicar - The Rev. John Voytek, O.F.M., Conv.

Weekend Masses - Sunday, 9 a.m.

Weekday Masses - 8 a.m., Wednesday.

Sacrament of reconciliation - Wednesday after morning Mass or during the day.

St. Paul Lutheran

St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4663 Upper Road, Gowen City.

Pastor - The Rev. David Byerly.

Service of Word and Sacrament - 8:15 a.m.

Participants - David Henninger, lector; Steven Balonis, acolyte/crucifer; Alice Henninger and Carol Shinskie, communion assistants; Walter Boyer, organist and choir director.

Activities - Monday, church office closed; Tuesday, Tulpehocken Pastors Conference, 10 a.m.; Thursday, Shamokin Area Ministerium, 10 a.m.

St. Paul's Reformed

St. Paul's Reformed United Church of Christ, Gowen City.

Pastor - Jerry Schlegel.

Worship time - 9 a.m. with Holy Communion.

Scripture - Psalm 103:1-5

Message - "Reflections For The New Year."

Participants - Cliff Artman, organist; Virginia McWilliams and Esther Whary.

St. Pauline Visintainer

St. Pauline Visintainer Center, 1150 Chestnut St., Box 115, Kulpmont.

"Chapel of the Crucified."

Eucharistic adoration - Friday 6 p.m. to Saturday 7 p.m.

St. Pauline Visintainer Center, open Saturday, Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.

Relics on display of Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, and St. Peter Apostle.

St. Peter's Lutheran

St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran, Aristes.

Interim pastor - The Rev. Joan Brown.

Service and Sacrament of Holy Communion - 9 a.m.

Guest speaker - Ronald Weller.

Participants - Linda Rubendall, organist; Carol Buffington, choir director.

SS Peter and Paul

SS Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Avenue and Beech Street, Mount Carmel.

Pastor - The Very Rev. Archpriest Michael Hutsko.

Confessions - Saturday, 3:15 p.m. and Sunday, 8:15 a.m.

Weekday Divine Liturgy - 8 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Weekend Divine Liturgies - 4 p.m. Saturday and 9:15 a.m., Sunday.

Religious education classes are held Mondays from 6 to 7 p.m.

St. Peter's UCC

St. Peter's United Church of Christ, Overlook.

Pastor - Paul T. Gurba Jr.

Morning worship - 8:30 a.m.

Sermon - "Let Death to Self Bring (A Better) Life to Self."

Verse of the Day - Romans 8:13, "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."

Organist - Virginia Nefsky.

St. Stephen's

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Fourth and Maple streets, Mount Carmel.

Celebrants - The Rev. Ronald R. Lausch, rector, and the Rev. Richard A. Hazzard, deacon.

Lector - Donald Phillps.

Service - 8:30 a.m., Holy Eucharist.

Handicapped accessible.

Activities - Wednesday, 8:45 a.m., Holy Eucharist and healing service; second and fourth Saturdays, 6:15 p.m., Holy Eucharist at the St. Stephen Center.

Salem UCC

Salem United Church of Christ, 1300 W. Pine St., Coal Township.

Pastor - The Rev. Jean Eckrod.

Morning worship - 10 a.m. Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated.

Participants - Brooke Strausser, acolyte; Judie Zabawsky, lay leader; Carolyn Weaver, organist; Alice Elliott and Suzzette Stein, Communion assistants; Taylor Kashner and MacKenzie Glosek, Gifts of the People; Grace Stank, light/sound; Julie Updegrove, beginner's class; MacKenzie Glosek, Jeffrey Kashner Jr., Taylor Kashner and Eric Zalar, ushers; Helen Martin and Suzzette Steinhart, greeters.

A quiet room for young infants and nursery care for infants and toddlers is available during the morning worship hour at 10 a.m. Christian education is provided for children 3 to 12 years old immediately after children's times at the beginning of morning worship.

Seventh Street

Seventh Street Primitive Methodist Church, 34 N. Seventh St., Shamokin.

Pastor - The Rev. David Wildoner.

Sunday school - 10 a.m.

Worship service - 11 a.m.

Sermon - "Thank God for Another Year."

Scripture - Ephesians 5: 15-17.

Bible study - There will be no Bible Study Sunday. Will begin studying James 1 on Jan. 8.

Participants - Alaina Glowatski and Benjamin Brudnicki, acolytes; Bryan Lapinski, organist; Grace Shaffer, greeter for January; Art Walburn, Servant of the Month; Maggie, nursery worker; Tammy, Children's church teacher.

A nursery is available for children birth to age 5 during the morning worship service. Children's church is provided for children over age five with a focus on lessons from the Bible.

Manna for the Many item this month is soup as the church gears up for Souper Bowl of Caring.

Activities - Today Christmas Eve candlelight service, 6 p.m. Come and enjoy a time of worship as the "Christmas Story" is told with song and scripture.

Looking ahead - Jan. 8, Bible study will begin again at 7 p.m., studying the Book of James; Jan. 9, Trustee board, 7 p.m.; Jan. 15, morning service will be the installation of officers for 2012; Jan. 22, meeting of the Year-end Report for Conference, 7 p.m.

Shamokin Alliance

Shamokin Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, Second and Arch streets, Shamokin.

Pastor - Samuel Bellavia.

Worship services - 8:30 a.m. regular service, and 10:50 a.m.

Baby and toddler nurseries and children's church available.

Sunday school - 9:45 a.m. Classes available for all ages.

Sunday evening worship service - 7 p.m.

Offered are small groups and cottage prayer meetings for adults. Contact church at 644-1718.

Shamokin God's Missionary

Shamokin God's Missionary Church, 768 Bear Valley Ave., Shamokin.

Pastor - Jim Richards.

Adult Sunday school - 9:45 a.m.

Children's church - 10:45 a.m.

Sunday worship - 10:45 a.m.

Sunday evening worship - 6 p.m.

Van available to pick up church-goers.

Parsonage phone - 644-1156. Pastor's cell - 541-2768.

Activities - Wednesday, Bible study, 7 p.m.

Shamokin Seventh-Day Adventist

Shamokin Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 7 E. Sunbury St., Shamokin (former Jewish synagogue), 648-7770.

Pastor - John Peters.

Saturday sabbath school - 9:30 a.m., with classes for children and adults.

Saturday worship - 11 a.m.

Activities - Tuesday, family Bible studies, 7 p.m.

Stonington Baptist

Stonington Baptist Church, Hosta Road, Paxinos.

Pastor - The Rev. J. Douglas Hallman.

Sunday school - 9 a.m.

Morning worship - 10 a.m.

Evening service - 7 p.m.

Activities - Wednesday, prayer service, 7 p.m.

Activities - Awana clubs for children in grades K to 6 and Word of Life clubs for grades 7 to 12 will begin at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. For more information, call Pastor Hallman or Clark at 286-0105.

Stonington Wesleyan

Stonington Wesleyan Church, 2113 Hosta Road, Route 61, Stonington.

Pastor - The Rev. Robert A. Jones Jr.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Morning worship - 10:30 a.m. Junior church available.

Evening worship - 6 p.m.

Children's ministry - 6 p.m., all ages welcome.

Activities - Wednesday, adult prayer and Bible study, 6:30 p.m.

Trevorton UMC

Trevorton United Methodist Church, Shamokin Street, Trevorton.

Pastor - The Rev. Kay Painter.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:40 a.m.

Participant - Nancy Korenkiewicz, pianist, organist and choir director.

Trinity Evangelical

Trinity Evangelical Congregational Church, 28 W. Arch St., Shamokin.

Pastor - Brian Betsworth.

Sunday school - 9:50 a.m.

Worship service - 11 a.m.

Worship - 7 p.m.

Activities - Tuesday, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Trinity Bible club for ages 5 to 12. Singing, Bible lessons and snacks.

Any questions, call the church or parsonage at 648-1682.

Trinity Lutheran

Trinity Lutheran Church, 65 E. Sunbury St., Shamokin.

Interim pastor - The Rev. David Hauck.

Assisting minister - Ronald Manney.

Worship service - 10 a.m.

Participants - Jan Morrison, organist; Beverly Brosius, lector; Sid and Mary Tharp, altar; Ronald Manney and Donaldd Ponatoski, counters.

Note - Cans of soup will be collected as of Sunday through Feb. 5 for Souper Bowl Sunday.

True Grace Bible Ministry

True Grace Bible Ministry, 950 W. Arch St., Coal Township.

Pastor/teacher - Michael Marcheskie.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Main service - 10:30 a.m. with children's study time.

Activities - Sunday, Holy Communion.

Union Evangelical

Union Evangelical Free Church, Locust Dale.

Pastor - Larry Coutlee.

New Year's Eve Service - 9 p.m. to midnight.

There will be no Sunday School classe on New Year's Day.

There will be a Christmas Eve service today at 6 p.m.

Morning worship service - 10 a.m.

Informal evening service - 6 p.m.

Activities - Wednesday, prayer meeting at the church, 6:30 p.m.

Those needing transportation to any of the services may call 339-4043.

United Presbyterian

United Presbyterian Church, 100 E. Fifth St., Mount Carmel.

Minister - The Rev. Ted Plott.

Worship service - 11 a.m. Congregational meeting after the service.

Message - "Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh."

Scripture - Matthew 2: 1-12.

Participants - Dale Schimpf, organist; Deb Wydra, acolyte; Ellsworth George and Andrew Mekosh, ushers; Calvin, Sandy and Jennifer Evans, greeters.

Victory Bible Church

Victory Bible Church, Snydertown Highway, three miles from Elysburg.

Pastor - Kevin Kline.

Worship - 10 a.m., with Sunday school for youth at the same time.

Evening worship - 7 p.m.

Wilburton UMC

Wilburton United Methodist Church, Wilburton.

Pastor - Rose M. Marquardt.

Worship service - 8:45 a.m.

Children's Sunday school - 10 a.m.

Participants - Laurie Steinhilber, organist; Tim Brosius, Keith Brosius and Jacqueline Kobilis, ushers.

Zion Primitive

Zion Primitive Methodist Church, 33 N. Market St., Mount Carmel.

Pastor - The Rev. David E. Wildoner.

Worship service - 9:30 a.m.

Participants - Elizabeth Broda, Stan Broda, Ken Angeli, Cy Kufu and Gene Leatherman.

Sermon - "Thank God for Another Year."

Scripture - Ephesians 5: 15-17.

Activities - January is the soup sale. Taking orders until Jan. 13 with delivery on Jan. 17; There will be no Bible class Sunday. The Study of I Peter will resume Jan. 7; Jan. 15, Installation of officers and committees; Jan. 21, Quarterly Conference/Year-end report.

The red basket on the back table is for missionary items.

Zion UMC

Zion United Methodist Church, Aristes.

Pastor - The Rev. Rose M. Marquardt.

Worship service - 9:50 a.m.

Children's Sunday school - 10 a.m.

Zion Methodist

Zion United Methodist Church, Trevorton Road, Coal Township.

Co-pastors - The Revs. Al Schell Jr. and Betty Ford.

Sunday school - 10:30 a.m.

Worship - 11:15 a.m.

The beginning of 2011 had the worst possible ending for the family and friends of Krista Mazurkevich Fracalossi. On Jan. 1, her long struggle against illness had the worst possible conclusion.

The obituary that followed gave the barest glimpse of who Krista was, what she did, what she meant to others and why people loved her so much.

One line stood out. "Her greatest love and lifetime ambition was to help others."

Krista lived that love and achieved that ambition as an occupational therapist working with residents of nursing homes and patients in hospitals. Of course, she would also do whatever she could for her parents, spouse, siblings, godfather, uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews, as well as her friends.

The sadness about Krista's death was deepened by the irony that while Krista helped others, she could not help herself in order to overcome her illness.

It brings to mind the short life of St. Marie Bernadette Soubirous, whose visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lourdes, France, quickly made that a place where miraculous cures could be found.

Bernadette, who later became a member of Sisters of Charity, was plagued by illness and other problems. However, the water that helped so many others did not help her.

"The Blessed Virgin used me as a broom to remove dust. When the work is finished, the broom is placed behind the door and left there," she is quoted in Lives of the Saints.

Unfortunately, there were no miracles for Krista when it came to her illness.

However, Krista and those who loved her are the beneficiaries of the greatest miracle of them all - the promise of spending an eternity with an all-loving God and sharing that joy with those who loved her when they are one day reunited forever.

+++

Love is the bridge between Earth and Heaven.

FEMA certifies flood wall

SUNBURY - Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) certified the city's floodwall and may have saved Sunbury residents an estimated $1.5 million.

The move by FEMA keeps the levee system accredited and avoids designating the area near the floodwall as high risk. This allows residential property owners to avoid a mandatory requirement to purchase millions in flood insurance, according to The Daily Item.

Bingo Monday at Mother Cabrini

SHAMOKIN - Bingo will be held Monday in the Mother Cabrini church hall on Shamokin Street.

Doors open at 5 p.m. and bingo begins at 6:15 p.m. There will be extra door prizes for Monday's event.

Sewer office closed Monday

KULPMONT - The Kulpmont-Marion Heights Joint Sewer Authority office will be closed Monday in observance of the New Year holiday.

M.C. Knights host dance

MOUNT CARMEL - The borough chapter of the Knights of Columbus will host a New Years Eve Dance tonight at 128 W. Third St. Stevie B will be DJ. Cover charge is $5.

PennDOT offices closed

HARRISBURG - All PennDOT driver license and photo centers, including its full-service center in Harrisburg, will be closed today through Jan. 2 for the New Year's Holiday.

Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services online through PennDOT's Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.state.pa.us.

INDIANA - Matthew Charles Altomare, a 2011 graduate of Mount Carmel Area High School, was named to the dean's list at Indiana University of Pennsylvania for the fall semester with a 3.60 grade-point average.

He is a son of Carol Altomare and the late James Altomare, and the grandson of Antoinette Niglio and the late Charles Niglio, all of Mount Carmel. Matthew is majoring in music education.

SUNBURY - Plans for the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area sped into high gear in 2011 as pieces started falling into place for the off-highway vehicle park on 6,500 acres of land in Coal, East Cameron, Mount Carmel, West Cameron and Zerbe townships.

In mid-December, Gov. Tom Corbett announced Northumberland County will receive $1.5 million in state money to further develop the park, the largest amount awarded by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), which allocated $31.5 million for 218 conservation and recreation projects designed to protect natural resources and revitalize communities across the state.

This year also saw the final public meeting of the master plan in July as well as the adoption of a resolution by county commissioners in early December approving the master site development plan.

Additionally, the county received $300,000 in July from the federal Appalachian Regional Commission to construct a 1,280-foot paved road from Route 125 south of Burnside to AOAA's welcome center and educational facility on the east side of the highway as well as a $20,000 Yamaha Off-Highway Vehicle Access Initiative Grant for trail development, mapping and signage; a $10,000 Polaris TRAILS Program grant for trail design and development, and $400,000 in 2010 from DCNR snowmobile and ATV fund.

The park has motorized and non-motorized recreation enthusiasts so excited that they're planning events on the land even though ground has yet to be broken for construction. In November, Jeep Jamboree USA added an event called "Coal Mountain" to their schedule on Aug. 3 and 4.

Even opposition of the park seems to have decreased when The News-Item took a poll of 468 people in July and 63.89 percent said it was a great idea and the county should build it.

TREVORTON - Tragedy struck Line Mountain School District when 17-year-old sophomore Britney Tongel took her own life in her Trevorton home Feb. 16, a death widely believed to have been facilitated by bullying in person and online.

Family and friends claim Tongel was relentlessly harassed, which may have included posts two girls made on a social networking site that suggested she kill herself.

In various news stories surrounding her death, Britney was described as a funny, beautiful girl who, despite her petite form, had a large appetite. Some noted her love for fashion, her passion for shoes and her love for photography. She was on the track team, cross country and basketball teams, and even considered joining the wrestling team.

"She always had the special smile and look to her that made you want to love her," her foster father, Terry Laforme, of Trevorton, said Feb. 20.

The suicide reverberated across the community as new awareness of the consequences of bullying was raised. More than 200 people showed up for a candlelight vigil in Trevorton. Eight Facebook memorial and support sites sprung up with more than 6,500 "likes." The school board hosted several anti-bullying assemblies and eventually revamped the bullying section of the student handbook to include cyberbullying.

Lisa LaForme, Britney's foster mother, started a campaign to spread awareness and planned fundraisers in Britney's name. However, Britney's birth mother and grandmother, Carey Ann Torres and Marguerita Nimlo, both of Berwick, took the issue to court, and Columbia County President Judge Thomas James ruled that LaForme could not use Britney's name and likeness to raise money.

The judge also ruled LaForme couldn't put a headstone she purchased on Britney's grave, but LaForme wasn't deterred.

"I bought the plot next to her and placed it there on her 18th birthday in August," LaForme said recently. "I really appreciate everyone's contributions to it."

LaForme said her health has prevented her from continuing anti-bullying campaigns in the last half of the year, but promises she will get back into the fight as soon as possible.

The Northumberland-Montour Drug Task Force has spearheaded or has been a part of a number of high-profile drug arrests over the past few years, and 2011 was no different.

The most notable bust was November's sweep of approximately 100 defendants - the largest raid ever conducted by the task force, with some 50 members serving warrants throughout the county.

Defendants were charged with possession and distribution, among other offenses, of myriad substances, including heroin, cocaine and prescription drugs.

This was followed by the Dec. 13 arrests of eight alleged conspirators of a cocaine and heroin ring said to be operating in lower Northumberland County and concentrated in the Shamokin area. The December bust was the culmination of a 14-month investigation, with a grand jury recommending the charges be filed.

In September, three additional defendants were charged in an investigation alleging more than $100,000 worth of marijuana was being shipped from Texas to Sunbury. Fifteen people were charged in the case, including a former Sunbury police officer.

In May, Ralpho Township police lead the arrest of an Elysburg man accused of possessing $22,000 worth of marijuana, the largest drug bust conducted in the township to date.

Many of those who depend on CareerLink services in Shamokin were disappointed last November when the announcement was made that the building would be closing in 2011.

The November 2010 decision by the Workforce Investment Board of the Central Pennsylvania Workforce Development Corporation, (CPWDC) closed offices in Shamokin and Selinsgrove in favor of a central location.

In February, CPWDC voted to enter negotiations for a month-by-month lease with Northumberland County, not because it changed its mind, but because it needed more time to find a new location.

In April, however, the Sunbury Municipal Building was chosen as the location of the consolidated office, taking up two of the building's three floors.

CPWDC officials said they would realize a great savings because of the move, especially in the face of reduced federal funding.

Northumberland County Commissioner Chairman Frank Sawicki said he was sorry to see CareerLink leave Shamokin, but understood the economics behind it.

Coal Township commissioners were not as agreeable, according to a statement they released.

"It makes no sense to move a service whose sole purpose it is to find people jobs and keep them out of poverty from an area where it is already perfectly located," the statement said.

The Sunbury location opened on July 5; the Selinsgrove CareerLink moved to the new site Aug. 10.

Despite the controversy, the site still continues to help people find employment in a tough economy.

To say the results of the 2011 Northumberland County commissioners election were surprising would most certainly be an understatement.

Rick Shoch, a Republican and a political newcomer, found himself atop the heap when he gained the highest vote total of the five men seeking office. He was followed by incumbent Democrat Vinny Clausi and Stephen Bridy, who became the first Independent candidate in county history to win election as commissioner.

When the trio take over as a board Tuesday, it will be another first for the county, because neither of the major political parties will have majority control of the board.

Incumbent Democrat Frank J. Sawicki, a two-term commissioner, found himself on the outside looking in and out of office.

Despite sharing a political party, he and Clausi again did not campaign together - which was also not surprising because they had not campaigned together in the past.

In fact, all five candidates ran separate campaigns in 2011, eschewing logic that there is strength in numbers.

Perhaps most surprising was that Merle H. Phillips, a man who spent 30 years in the state House and is considered one of the most respected politicians in county history, was the low vote-getter.

Phillips had been appointed last year to the board to replace Kurt Masser, who himself was elected to the state House in 2010.

Some have questioned if Phillips' age (he is 83) would neuter his effectiveness on the board. Others seemed miffed by the fact that he reversed course from his initial statement that he wouldn't seek election to the board after his appointment by judges late in 2010.

Despite a storied career in Harrisburg and a string of 15 election victories, Phillips hasn't had much luck in Sunbury.

In addition to his loss in the 2011 election, Phillips lost his bid for a commissioner seat in 1979 and a bid for county treasurer in the mid-1970s.

But the bad news turned worse. Just weeks after the election, Phillips announced that he is battling cancer, a diagnosis he received in September.

Also in the weeks since the election returns were counted and the results verified, Bridy and Clausi have clashed over various issues, notably the 2012 budget and on operating an open government. Thus far, Shoch has remained out of the fray.

It will be interesting to see how these three distinctly different personalities will coexist and just how often they will work together, or against each other, in the new year.

As the area continued to fight the war against illegal drugs and the abuse of prescription medication, a new "legal" high reared its head in 2011.

Area police departments were dealing with a scourge known as "bath salts," a synthetic drug that can be smoked, inhaled, injected or swallowed. Its side effects mimic LSD/ecstasy and PCP with severe agitation.

Physiologically, those side effects include paranoia, hallucinations and severe anxiety; physical effects include severe loss of appetite, resulting in rapid weight loss and teeth grinding.

Throughout the area, police departments began to see violent incidents develop with individuals who were on the drug.

In April, Robert W. Stevens, 50, of Shamokin, broke bones in his feet and suffered a back injury when he jumped through a second-story window. Police had been called to the house on other occasions earlier with Stevens believing that three men were coming after him about a girl they were attempting to steal.

As he was lying on the ground, Stevens told police to tell the imagined males to stop throwing glass at him.

Another Shamokin man, William Regester, had to have all of his toes and a significant portion of his feet amputated after being found by police attempting to break into a home and wearing no shoes.

He was taken to the hospital for treatment of frostbite and hypothermia.

James Adams, 48, of Atlas, was taken into custody after keeping Mount Carmel Borough police at bay with a large knife and a baseball bat with screws sticking out of it, screaming that he had people (imaginary) pinned down in a house he broke into. Earlier that day, Adams had stolen a vehicle and crashed it into a parked car.

Justin Boyles, of Shamokin, missing for 10 days, had a concentration of the drug in his system when his body was found in a wooded area in Coal Township. He was last seen at a local convenience store, attempting to buy the drug.

With the problem growing, several municipalities passed ordinances banning the synthetic drugs from their borders.

Mount Carmel Township was the first to do so, and the minute the ordinance was passed at a Friday morning meeting, township Police Chief Brian Hollenbush went to a local store, issuing a warning to get rid of the drugs.

One month later, Hollenbush and members of a drug task force was back at the same store, confiscating the drugs.

Other municipalities followed suit, as the bath salts ban spread. The problem finally captured the attention of Pennsylvania lawmakers.

On June 23, Gov. Tom Corbett signed a bill banning all synthetic drugs, designating them the same as any other controlled substance.

The latest raid came on Nov. 10 when Coal Township Police officers and members of the Northumberland-Montour Drug Task Force, raided the Mount Royal Mini-Mart in Ranshaw.

Coal Township Police Det. Jeffrey Brennan said no charges have been filed in the investigation, as officials are waiting for lab results on confiscated items.

"I think the statewide ban helped to reduce the amount of incidents in the area," Brennan said. "It's still an issue, but since the legislation was signed, it's been cutting down the supply in the area."