ELYSBURG - Quick response by Ralpho police and Elysburg firefighters averted major damage Friday morning when fire erupted in a pickup truck inside a garage at 14 Pine Ave.

Upon arrival, firefighters assisted John Miller, the property owner, to push a 1996 Dodge Dakota from an attached garage, preventing flames from spreading to the remainder of the dwelling. Firefighters used chemical and water supplies to douse the flames.

Miller said he was having trouble finding a short circuit in the pickup's electrical system and was working on the problem inside the garage when flames suddenly erupted in the area of the gas tank. He used water from a garden hose to contain the fire that had already spread to an overhead door and door frame causing some damage. He called 911 for assistance and within minutes, Elysburg firefighters were on the scene.

Additional alerts went out for Overlook and Stonington units, but they were turned back to their stations after flames were contained.

MOUNT CARMEL - The following memorials were presented to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in July:

John and Mary Kozock from Gary and John Kozock.

John Susnoski (second anniversary) from Patsy Kline.

In thanksgiving to the Sacred Heart from a friend.

Joann McAndrew from Don, Joan and Robert Hildenbrand; Stephanie, Louise, Maura, Madison and Max; Frank and Mary Sawicki; Joe and Floss Ecker; Guy and Gayle Schlesinger; Marge and Jack Coleman; Ray and Mary Ann Bartosic; Chris Forbes; Robert and Margaret Lutz; Julie and Bob Griffiths; Anna Gentile; Ted and Jackie Matlow; Alvin Yarnall; Paul and Judy Bartko.

William Dersavage from Frank and Mary Sawicki.

Edward Dersavage from Virginia Woznicki; Wydra family; Rosemarie Korinkiewicz.

Richard Beierschmitt from Harold and Marsha Morgan.

John Novitsky from Chris, Ruth and Bill; Virginia Woznicki.

John and Antoinette (Tessie) Gudonis from Mary Ann Bartosic.

Norbert Yuskoski from Rosemarie Koronkiewicz; Millie Mushalko and family.

Joseph Sharayko from Millie Mushalko and family.

For health of Peter Fobia from brothers and sisters.

Mary Catherine Lazarski from Dolores Honecker; Rosemary Karycki; Sean, Debbie and Jen Reilly; Joseph Hanna Jr.; Pat Moyer; J.J. Lokitis Jr.; Tarlecki family; Joe Ladenburg; Bruce and Ellen Karsk.

Raymond and Josephine Hall from Cecilia Bilder (daughter).

Catherine Kline from Patsy Kline (granddaughter).

42nd wedding anniversary for Bob and Annie Devine from Millie Mushalko and family.

Elizabeth Kenneff from Margaret May (sister).

Joseph McAndrew from Margaret May (sister).

Julia McAndrew from Margaret May (daughter).

Interaction with pets will be explored

ELYSBURG - How pets interact with humans will be explored at Lifetree Cafe from 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Elysburg Presbyterian Church, 320 W. Valley Ave.

The program, titled "What's Your Pet Trying to Tell You?" explores how animals think and interact with humans. In an exclusive filmed interview, an animal communicator will share accounts of conversations with household pets.

"People with pets often say they communicate with their animals," said Lifetree representative Craig Cable. "This program provides an opportunity to share those stories and to discover what science tells us about the capacity of animals to interact with humans."

Admission to the 60-minute event is free. Snacks and beverages are available.

Lifetree Cafe is a place where people gather for conversation about life and faith in a casual coffeehouse-type setting. For more information, call 672-2873, e-mail elysburgpresby@verizon.net or go to www.lifetreecafe.com.

Shamokin Area School Board to meet

COAL TOWNSHIP - The regular monthly meeting of the Shamokin Area School District Board of Directors will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the board conference room.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Police remind residents that phone scams are common, and personal information should never be given to anyone over the telephone.

Police said several residents recently have received phone calls from people claiming the called person won a prize or money. The caller asked the "winners" to purchase prepaid credit cards and provide the callers with card numbers, claiming the prize money would be placed on the card. The balances on the cards were then taken and no prizes were given.

Other residents reported they received phone calls from people asking permission to remotely control the called persons' home computers because of a problem with the Windows operating system. The caller then demanded money and threatened to lock the computer.

SUNBURY - A preliminary hearing for 17-year-old Naheem J. Reams, which has been continued twice, is now scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, before Magisterial District Judge Benjamin Apfelbaum.

The hearing was scheduled for Aug. 13, but was continued to give Reams more time to secure private counsel rather than be represented by a county public defender. It was unknown Friday if the defendant had hired a private attorney.

Reams was charged Aug. 2 as an adult by Trooper Ronald Zanella of state police at Stonington with several offenses, including aggravated assault and driving under the influence of marijuana, involving a June 5 high-speed chase that ended when he was shot by a Sunbury police officer on Chestnut Street near Front Street.

Reams' preliminary hearing was originally scheduled for Aug. 6, but was continued because Zanella was not available. Northumberland County Chief Public Defender Edward Greco was assigned to defend Reams prior to his decision to hire private counsel. Northumberland County District Attorney Tony Rosini will prosecute the case.

Reams, who reportedly last lived in Shamokin, remains incarcerated at Northumberland County Prison in Sunbury in lieu of $175,000 bail.

The defendant spent 20 days in Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, for treatment of wounds to his abdomen from the shooting.

In addition to six counts of aggravated assault and DUI offense, Reams faces two felony counts of fleeing or attempting to elude police, two misdemeanor counts of recklessly endangering another person, two misdemeanor counts of accidents involving death or personal injury, and summaries of limitations of backing, careless driving, reckless driving, driving upon a sidewalk (two counts), driving under suspension, operating a vehicle without proper inspection, two counts of driving the wrong way on a one-way street, three turning violations and six stop sign violations.

BLOOMSBURG - The following area students are among the incoming freshmen who received academic scholarships at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania for 2013-14:

- Tyler Behrent, 614 Riverhill Drive, Catawissa, Mathematics, Science and Technology Scholarship.

- Mallory Tomaschik, 368 Fisher Ave., Catawissa, Highmark Scholarship and Mathematics, Science and Technology Scholarship.

- Stephanie Dressler, 1679 W. Pine St., Coal Township, Presidential Leadership Scholarship.

- Morgan Fullmer, 771 Middle Road, Elysburg, Mathematics, Science and Technology Scholarship.

- Kirsten Sinopoli, 134 Florida Lane, Kulpmont, Trustees Scholarship.

- Rachel Toter, 151 Beech Drive, Kulpmont, Highmark Scholarship.

- Alexis Wasko, Dalmatia, Trustees Scholarship.

SHAMOKIN - Dane Shovlin, a 2012 graduate of Shamokin Area High School, graduated after 16 weeks of basic training and advanced individual training as a combat engineer at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

He is a son of Tina Barnabe and a grandson of Albert and Marcia Barnabe, of Coal Township.

Shovlin graduated from airborne school at Fort Benning, Ga., July 26.

After a 10-day leave, he will be stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., with the 82nd Airborne 2nd Combat Brigade.

COAL TOWNSHIP - A 72-year-old inmate at SCI-Coal Township died early Friday morning of natural causes in the prison infirmary.

Robert Sedlock of Yeadon in Delaware County was pronounced dead at 2:50 a.m. by Northumberland County Coroner James F. Kelley, who said the inmate had a pre-existing medical condition.

Kelley said Sedlock's family has been notified about his death.

Sedlock was committed to state prison in May 1999 from Delaware County on a charge of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and was serving a sentence of 12 1/2 to 30 years. He had been incarcerated at SCI-Coal Township since 2008.

The coroner and state police at Stonington investigated the death. Northumberland County District Attorney Tony Rosini was given an assessment of the incident by Kelley.

Following the investigation, Sedlock's body was transported by Kelley from the prison to the morgue at Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital to await release.

SHAMOKIN - The walls of the Northumberland County Fine Arts Gallery were decorated with woodburnings, examples of micrography and comic book art as part of this month's exhibition from a local artist and teacher.

"The Art of Matt Leavens" debuted Friday evening at the Shamokin art gallery and viewers got a glimpse at the work of Leavens, a Kulpmont artist and art teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School.

"I'm not used to being the center of attention like this, but this is very cool," Leavens said at a special reception at the gallery.

"It's great to see my work on display in this forum."

A graduate of Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech who continued his education at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design, Leavens first began freehand drawing in 1987, with the subject being what he was interested in - science fiction.

"I always loved science fiction and that came out in my artwork even to this day," Leavens said.

In addition to the original fantasy artwork, some of the pieces seen are straight out of a comic book, featuring an original character Leavens created called "Kid Feedback."

"Feedback was something that started out as a doodle in 1987 and he's always been a part of my work," Leavens said.

The character was used as a teaching tool on two issues of the comic book, which are also on display in the exhibit. The comic books were created with the help of the TIES (Teens in Innovative Educational Structures) program at Lourdes and the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit.

"It is always fun for me to collaborate with someone and create a story like we did here," Leavens said. "I would love to do more of that."

Woodburning, micrography

Images of the past come together on slices of wood with a woodburning technique Leavens displayed with such pieces as "Image of the Past Shamokin," "F&S Bottle" and "When Coal was King."

"Woodburning is something I started doing about three years ago and it has really taken off in the past six months," Leavens said. "Everytime I put a piece on Facebook, it sells pretty quickly."

Leavens also introduced viewers to a new technique called micrography, artwork created from text. The text forms an image when viewed at a distance.

"The two pieces I have for that, one is called 'Cookie Influenza,' which is a tribute to an old co-worker of mine Paul Metrocavage, and features such phrases in the work as 'Pablo is mightier than the cookie' and 'Matt is weaker than the cookie.'"

The other piece is Leavens joining Steve Martin and the late John Candy in the sequel to the actors' hit movie "Planes, Trains and Automobiles."

Leavens' artwork will be on display until Sept. 20. The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The gallery's next show will be the second annual juried open invitational art exhibit. For more information on submitting a piece for the show, contact director Claude Harrington at (973) 632-2513, or via e-mail at claudeharrington977@gmail.com by Sept. 18.

SHAMOKIN - When Justin Rickert lined up to throw the javelin during the 2013 World Dwarf Games in East Lansing, Mich., he did so without any formal training.

Same goes for his entrance in the shot put competition during the international athletic event for Little People.

A baseball player during high school at Shamokin Area, Rickert didn't participate in track. He never trained in javelin or shot put. But he's long proven to be a talented athlete all around, and so he gave it a go last week.

It's a good thing he did. He brought home a gold medal in javelin after a throw of almost 105 feet. His last toss of the shot went nearly 28 feet, good enough for the bronze.

Not bad for a first-timer.

Rickert, 31, of Shamokin, left the campus of Michigan State University with five medals in all, including team medals: gold in volleyball, silver in basketball and bronze in soccer.

Basketball is his favorite sport, and perhaps his best. His team, The New York Towers, lost to a rival squad, The Statesmen, on the floor of Michigan State University's famed Breslin Center - a loss he didn't take lightly.

He'd never played soccer competitively before but picked it up quickly, scoring a goal in each of his team's last four games.

Lots of support

The 6th World Dwarf Games were held Aug. 3 to 10. Like the Olympics, the event is held every four years. There were 395 athletes representing 17 countries at the 2013 games, 204 of whom were from the U.S.

His parents, Bill and Christine, and sister, Jordan, made the drive to watch him compete. They brought along his dog, Ali, a 6-year-old brindle Boxer. He was happy to have the support from his family and from his fellow athletes.

"It's crazy how close everybody is. Every player out there had a lot of support from their family, too," he said.

Rickert has long competed in sports and held his own against people taller than he, be it casually or in high school.

When he first started to compete against Little People two years ago, he says he had to adjust. No one is giving him any room to operate. No one is cutting him any slack - not that he's ever asked for any to begin with.

"Everybody's in my face now. These guys are crazy quick and it's impressive," he said while talking about his World Dwarf Games experience. "Sometimes I think it's even harder playing against Little People because they're right where I am now where bigger people aren't."

"I'm used to being the one looking up. Now I'm not looking up at all. It's pretty cool," he said.

'Keep me going'

Growing up, Rickert hung out with a large group of friends who excelled in athletics, and he hung with them as they played against one another. His sister was a star basketball player for Shamokin Area.

His condition was essentially overlooked by his peers, and when his friends make jokes at his expense, as friends do, his height often isn't the target.

He decided more than two years ago to compete in a basketball league with fellow Little People. That came with an opportunity to attend a national convention. He admits adjusting to a world where everyone sees eye-to-eye was a bit awkward, and fellow Little People warned him it could be overwhelming, too.

"Even when I went to the convention and I saw how many Little People (there were), it was kind of overwhelming," he said.

Rickert is a member of the New York Towers basketball team. Listed at 4 feet, 10 inches, he's among the tallest. They play together against other teams and also play at charity events to raise money in support of Dwarfism awareness. He went to the Dwarf games with his Towers teammates, and he competed with them in the team sports competitions.

Rickert, a Penn State University graduate, works as a network analyst for Geisinger. He is also a PIAA referee and beginning this winter, will be an assistant for Shamokin Area's junior high boys basketball team.

He'll continue to referee, work out and play sports like basketball and golf. He says he'll continue competing in Dwarf events, too.

"I might as well do this to keep me going. There's nothing wrong with it," Rickert said.

By Rob Wheary

SUNBURY - The 2013 Northumberland County Fair will honor the memory of two of their founding members during the 14th annual event, which was started to promote the agricultural benefits of the county.

This year's program book was dedicated to the memory of Ed Mashburn and Bella Wydra, two individuals who were on the board when the event, then called the Northumberland County Expo, started in 2000 at Elysburg's All Home Days grounds.

Mashburn, formerly of Northumberland, passed away in April. Wydra, of Elysburg, was 89 when she passed away in June.

"Keeping this fair growing and going strong is a great way to honor their memories and give back to the community. They are both very much missed," said Kim Clemens, fair president.

This year's fair will be held at the former Sunbury Armory, Mile Hill Road, from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22 and Friday, Aug. 23, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24.

New this year will be a fireworks display to end the fair, held at approximately 9 p.m. Saturday.

"One of our committee members suggested we try it, becuase everyone loves a good fireworks display," Clemens said. "We have a local gentleman that will set off the display, and will be adding a dunk tank this year running all weekend."

Contests galore

Youngsters will compete throughout the weekend in the Farmers Triathlon event, consisting of hay bale throwing, hay bale stacking and pedal tractor pulling. There will be two divisions, an open division and a youth under 14 division, with the winner of each division receiving $50.

The American Dairy Goat Association-sanctioned judging show is set for noon Saturday.

The fair will feature baking contests in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Farm Show. The Northumberland County Fair, in partnership with the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs and the state Departments of Agriculture's PA Preferred Program, will sponsor a chocolate cake contest and the chocolate chip cookie, brownie or bar contest.

There will also be a blue ribbon apple pie contest for all types of apple pie. Pies must contain at least 60 percent apples, but may include other fruit ingredients. Contestants are encouraged to use their imagination, and creativity is encouraged.

Another contest is the angel food cake contest, sponsored by Pennsylvania Egg Quality Assurance program (PEQAP). This contest requires the symbol from the egg carton to be presented with the entry. Weis Markets brand of eggs have this symbol on most of their cartons.

The first place winners in the chocolate cake, chocolate chip, brownie and bar contest, apple pie and angel food cake contests will be eligible to enter their creations into the 2014 Pennsylvania Farm Show competitions.

The fair also sponsors contests for the greatest shoofly pie and an upside down cake, in either pineapple, apple or, new for this year, any other fruit.

Canners, bakers and crafters can also enter a number of contests for their items.

Entertainment and family fun

Entertainment for the fair will feature musical acts as Jay Smar, Jim the Singing Mailman, the Midlife Cowboys Band, Peggy Shelly and Friends, The Frank Wicher Band, and K.J. ReimenSnyder-Wagner.

Friday night has been designated as "Family Fun Night" at the fair with the Pet Costume Contest and Parade set for 6:30 p.m.

"We welcome all pet owners and their animals to be a part of the event," the president said.

The annual pedal tractor pull competition, for all ages, is set to start at 7 p.m.

Looking toward the future

Clements and the rest of the fair board, vice president Cash Brezgel, treasurer James W. Temple, and secretary Jane Rebuck and the 40 members of the fair committee hopes everyone will come and see what they have to offer. Parking and admission are free.

"We are strong and have a lot of expectations for the future and one day having a permanent home for the fairgrounds, that will also be avaialble for 4-H, Boy Scouts and many other activities," she said.

More details on the fair and contest rules can be found at the fair's website at www.northumberlandcountyfair.com.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Carley Dabulis, of Coal Township, was named to the dean's list at Shippensburg University for the spring semester with a 3.6 grade-point average.

Dabulis is majoring in psychology. She is a member of the psychology club and Psi Chi, the psychology honor society.

She is a daughter of Tom and Diane Dabulis and a granddaughter of Thomas and Jennie Dabulis, of Coal Township, and the late John and Ann Delorso, who lived in Coal Township.

MILLVILLE - An 80-year-old Orangeville man was killed Saturday afternoon when his car crashed into a utility pole along East Main Street near Sunny View Lane in this Columbia County borough.

State police at Bloomsburg reported Robert J. Cameron was pronounced dead at the scene of the 3:15 p.m. accident by Columbia County Deputy Coroner Ron Taylor.

Police said Cameron was driving a 1993 Ford Escort west on Main Street (Route 254) when he failed to negotiate a right curve in the road. The car crossed over into the eastbound lane and struck a utility pole on the south side of the road with its left front end before bouncing off the pole and coming to rest facing south.

ASHLAND - It was a celebration of community and history during the 21st edition of Pioneer Days at Higher Up Park in Ashland, located near the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine and Steam Train tourist attraction.

The annual event kicked off in the morning with splendid weather of clear blue skies, very comfortable summer temperatures and low humidity, making a walk through the park a wonderful experience, with visitors enjoying music, food, crafts and history.

"The weather is perfect," said Dennis Kane, who is board president of the non-profit Ashland Community Enterprises, which owns and operates the tourist attraction. Kane is also an engineer for the Henry Clay steam lokie and provides information to riders of the lokie tour around the mountain.

Kane said visitors began showing up before the 10 a.m. start and were buying tickets for the lokie and coal mine tours. The parking lot at the site was filled by 11 a.m.

"When we start strong early, it's usually an indication of a good day," said Kane. "It's not one of those days that you're second-guessing the weather. You're guaranteed a good day and that will bring people out early, which is good for the vendors and community groups in the park. We have the Ashland

Masons with their chicken dinners, the Friends of St. Joseph who are down in the pavilion with food, the American Hose Company is here with homemade french fries, and local businesses are here like Groody's and Mays. We have Egyptian food, which I've heard people talking about and wanting to try. We've also added amusements for the kids by a business from Kulpmont."

Kane said it takes a lot of preparation and gives credit to business manager Kathy Lattis in getting it all together.

"It's a lot of work and Kathy Lattis does an amazing job coordinating this," said Kane. "It's a year-round thing to keep Pioneer Day going. It's wonderful for the community."

Kane was expecting about 5,000 visitors for the day.

Cheyenne Bentley Cole of Cressona is a big fan of trains, even though she is only 16 months old. She was in the park with her great-grandparents, Linda and George Heffner, also of Cressona, and one of her first stops was a miniature lokie with a Reading Railroad logo, where she went inside the cab.

"She just loves trains. When she goes to Knoebels, she rides the train every time," said Linda Heffner. "We come here almost every year to Pioneer Tunnel. We've had all of our grandchildren to go down into the tunnel. Cheyenne is our great-granddaughter, but she's still a bit too young and not quite ready for that."

Entertainment throughout the day was provided by The Breaker Boys- Tommy Symons Sr. and Stu Richards - dressed as coal miners of days gone by and telling jokes and songs. Both performed inside the mine tunnel and outside near the waiting area for the mine and lokie tours.

During the afternoon, a popular oldies band called Memory Lane performed at the bandstand in the park during the afternoon. People were setting up their folding chairs from the morning to make sure they had a good location to enjoy the music.

Children enjoyed the recreational facilities in the park. Pony rides were available, along with a petting zoo featuring animals from rabbits to llamas. At the lower section of the park, crafters and organizations had stands along what has been called "Vendors Row." One popular stop was the ABA table, where memorabilia, such as buttons, T-shirts and commemorative books, were being sold for the upcoming ABA parade and the dedication of the state historical marker honoring the Ashland Boys Association on Aug. 31.

Pioneer Day began in 1992 to celebrate the tourist attraction's 30th anniversary. Four vendors participated in the event to mark the creation of Pioneer Tunnel, which is one of the top 10 tourist attractions in Pennsylvania. Those vendors only lined a portion of the road near the office at the site that year. Now, the entire Higher Up Park is filled with crafters, food vendors, local organization holding fundraisers, downtown revitalization groups, and more.

The mine tour took visitors deep inside the mountain to see what a coal mine operation was like. Tour guides told the story of how anthracite coal was mined and the plight of miners at a time when the donkeys used to haul the coal from the mines were more valuable to the mine owners than the human workers. Mine tour guides explain the history to the visitors, as did The Breaker Boys.

In order to accommodate the additional vehicles of the many visitors, there was free parking and free shuttle service from the Gitman Brothers parking lot at Centre and 23th streets to Pioneer Tunnel throughout the day.

Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine and Steam Train is operated by Ashland Community Enterprises, a volunteer board of directors created in 1962 to operate the tourist site.

Post 92 auxiliary meets today

TREVORTON - The American Legion Post 92 Ladies Auxiliary will have a meeting at 7:30 p.m. today at the post home on Shamokin Street.

C.T. to prepare Pine Street

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Coal Township Street Department will do paving preparation work on Pine Street from First to Poplar streets Monday and Tuesday. Residents are required to abide by the "no parking" signs that will be put up this evening. Any vehicle that is not moved will be ticketed and/or towed.

LCCC to offer credit courses

Luzerne County Community College will offer credit courses for the fall semester in Shamokin and Kulpmont. Students can register for courses at the Kulpmont center, 1100 Spruce St., Kulpmont, or at the Northumberland County Career Center, 2 Arch St., Shamokin.

Courses scheduled to be offered in Shamokin include algebra, accounting, biological science, business, English, ethics, health and physical education, history, chemistry, sociology, philosophy, psychology, speech and education, art appreciation, college reading and study skills, criminal justice, economics, early childhood education, first-year experience, keyboarding, microcomputers, math and paraeducator.

Courses scheduled to be offered in Kulpmont include anatomy and physiology, microbiology and nursing.

Day and evening classes are offered.

Classes for the fall semester will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 3, and end Friday, Dec. 13. Final exams will be held from Dec. 14 through Dec. 20.

For more information, call the LCCC Northumberland Center at 648-2544 or e-mail nedmondson@luzerne.edu.

SHAMOKIN - A new mural depicting a former drug store in Shamokin debuted in the downtown district Saturday morning.

A painting of Central Drug Store was installed in the frame of a window on the Eighth Street side of Varano Insurance Agency building, which fronts Independence Street.

The drug store was located in what is now Bressi and Martin Real Estate building, directly across the street from the mural. Artist Claude Harrington estimated that she worked 51 hours creating the painting that shows the storefront and several people on a sidewalk buying produce from a farmer.

Former owner Bob Yorwarth and his wife, Cathie, were on hand during the unveiling, which brought back found memories of the business that his father, Ben, opened in 1942. The store closed in 1988.

"This whole corner brings back memories," he said. "(The mural) is a great addition to Shamokin downtown."

After a few tweeks to the mural and photo opportunities, artists Matt Leavens and Jeffery Tweed attached the mural to the window frame. Leavens, Tweed and Harrington have been at the forefront of the Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities' Shamokin Mural Project.

The first mural, depicting several Shamokin namesakes, was completed in 2012 on the Bressi building; a second, depicting Edgewood Park, was completed earlier this summer on a service station at the corner of Independence and Market streets.

Jeanne Shaffer, executive director of the arts council, said the latest mural is protected by anti-graffiti material and will be illuminated. She added that another mural of a similar style will be added by the end of the year at the same location. However, she did not reveal what the subject of the latest mural will be.

SELINSGROVE - Susquehanna University student Chris Rowe, of Coal Township, is studying at Dublin City University this fall in Dublin, Ireland.

Rowe, a junior majoring in history and secondary education, is a 2011 graduate of Shamokin Area Middle/High School. He is the son of Chris and Virginia Rowe.

Study away is an integral part of a Susquehanna education. Susquehanna is distinguished by its Global Opportunities (GO) program, which requires all students to spend at least two weeks off campus, immersed in a culture different from their own.

Currently, Susquehanna students can choose from study-away programs ranging from a few weeks to as long as a full semester, in Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, Europe, New Orleans and Washington, D.C., among other options.

Marriage licenses

Lloyd Frank Wright, 8976 Highway One, Angora, Minn., to Patricia Sue Roseman, 137 W. Third St., Mount Carmel. Issued Aug. 15, 2013.

Jerry Ketler Troup Jr., 5026 State Route 61, Paxinos, from Joelle Marie Swank, 129 Manor Drive, Sunbury. To be issued Aug. 19, 2013.

Brian Edward Thomas to Stacy Jo Smith, both of 846 Chestnut St., Kulpmont. To be issued Aug. 19, 2013.

Barry Lee Mantz Jr. to Tarita Lee Davis, both of 400 S. Bay St., Coal Township. To be issued Aug. 19, 2013.

David Lamar Bixler II to Candice Paige Yeager, both of 806 E. Dewart St., Shamokin. To be issued Aug. 19, 2013.

Property transfers

Keith A. Derck, Debra A. Derck, to James T. Jones II, Kandice A. Jones, property in Shamokin, $1.

BWH Properties LLC to Ravichandarrao V. Tayi, property in Mount Carmel, $6,500.

Christine M. Griffith, Raymond L. Griffith, to Daniel J. Rowe, Adrianne D. Rowe, property in Ralpho Township, $48,000.

Jeffery McCloud, Norma J. McCloud, to Robert Knoeppel, property in Coal Township, $1.

Judith A. Whalen to Joshua D. Yost, property in Shamokin, $1.

Janice Yost, Joshua D. Yost, Zachariah W. Yost, Timothy J. Yost, William J. Yost IV, Lisa M. Yost, to Joshua D. Yost, property in Shamokin, $1.

William D. Getz to Getz Family Irrevocable Inter Vivos Trust, Mark A. Getz Sr., Ross A. Massa Jr., property in Upper Augusta Township, $1.

Tina M. Nash, John N. Nash, Sandra H. Chisolm, Frederich H. Chisolm, Robert Derk, Carrie L. Derk, Catherine E. Shevitski, Catherine E. Borkoskie, Walter F. Borkoskie, to Tina M. Nash, John N. Nash, property in Shamokin, $1.

Matthew L. Springer, Joy D. Springer, to Kenya Garcia, property in Mount Carmel, $11,000.

Edward F. Ososkie to Michael J. Walburn, property in Coal Township, $68,900.

Boyd H. Reffeor, Connie L. Reffeor, to Kathie S. Kerstetter, property in Upper Augusta Township, $72,000.

Donald A. Malick, Patricia A. Malick, to Patricia A. Malick, property in Kulpmont, $1.

Joshua D. Davis, Laura E. Davis, to Christopher B. Sobol, property in Mount Carmel, $46,000.

Janet J. Schoppy to Eva Sue Schoppy, property in Mount Carmel, $1.

Yasser Khoudeir, Susan Dwedari, to Timothy A. Worhacz, property in Ralpho Township, $309,000.

Bryant S. Rebuck to Joshua M. Hoffman, property in Upper Mahanoy Township, $75,000.

Sharon Sulouff, Sharon Treon, Todd Treon, to Robert Barnett Jr., property in Shamokin, $15,000.

Northumberland County Sheriff, Harold L. Raker, Dawn M. Raker, to Steve A. Stahl Sr., Heidi L. Buckles, property in Lower Augusta Township, $34,501.

Northumberland County Sheriff, Richard E. Shipe, to Federal National Mortgage Association, property in Ralpho Township, $1,106.56.

CNL Partners LP to ARC CAFEHLD001, property in Coal Township, $10.

Daniel R. Frye, Jennifer J. Frye, to Danielle M. Klock, property in Zerbe Township, $89,900.

Barry F. Feudale, Violette A. Feudale, to Violette A. Feudale, property in Coal Township, $1.

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (by agent), Shaun Donovan (agent) to KAJA Holdings LLC, property in Coal Township, $28,000.

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Luke Connell (agent), to RVFM 8 LLC, property in Mount Carmel Township, $13,000.

Richard J. Jakuc, Darlinda Jakuc, to Sylvia Jakuc, property in Kulpmont, $1.

Allan C. Cooke, Lana J. Straub, to Allan C. Cooke, Lana J. Straub, property in Upper Augusta Township, $1.

Mary Lanciano Brennan (by agent), Thomas Brennan III (agent) to Rinatta C. Knittle, property in Kulpmont, $1.

Megan A. Miller, Megan A. Skelly, Michael V. Skelly, to Michael V. Skelly, Megan A. Skelly, property in Lower Mahanoy Township, $1.

Patricia A. Bowman (executrix), Mary Lou Bednarczyk, to Costello Realty Inc., property in Mount Carmel, $65,000.

Editor's note: This is the first in a series on local schools preparing for the new year.

COAL TOWNSHIP - After celebrating its 40th anniversary last year, Northumberland County Career and Technology Center (NCCTC) will begin the 2013-14 school year Monday, Aug. 26, with a total of 118 students, including 48 who will attend classes year round.

Ten vocational education programs will be offered to students who also assist at various community events and apply their talents to several special projects throughout the year.

"The administration, faculty and staff are excited to begin this new era and remain focused on the students, industry, community customers and partners, and are dedicated to offering quality programs," said administrative director James F. Monaghan.

In addition to the students who will attend full-day classes, 70 are enrolled on a three-year, half-day basis.

The 48 full-time students include nine from Line Mountain, one from Mount Carmel Area, 37 from Shamokin Area and one from Southern Columbia Area who is enrolled in auto mechanics. The 70 part-time students include five from Line Mountain, 45 from Mount Carmel Area and 20 from Shamokin Area.

Community focus

Monaghan said the school is planning on building on the success of last year's establishment of a student council organization and student-coordinated yearbook, and participation in many community events.

"The public can expect to see the Northumberland County Career and Technology Center represented at open houses, local parades and displays at the Gratz Fair," Monaghan said.

The school at 1700 W. Montgomery St. hosted a "Welcome to NCCTC Night" on Aug. 13 to provide incoming students and parents an opportunity to tour the facility and meet the instructors.

Throughout the school year, students will be provided an opportunity to join one of the two national career and technical student organizations that are part of the curriculum. Those organizations are the Skills USA Club and the Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Club. Students will hear guests speakers from various trades and technical careers and representatives from higher education who will discuss the advantages available to students who pursue a career in a non-traditional field.

Monaghan said the school also will sponsor "exciting assemblies" to help promote social and personal development and careers.

An open house will be held at the center from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8.

The school will be advertising evening courses in early September for adults interested in learning a new trade, personal development or expanding their personal interests. That information can be found at www.ncavts.org.

Programs, instructors

The following is a list of programs and instructors at the school:

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning, Andrew Bartholomew; welding, William Bradley; protective services, Matthew Dunn; cosmetology, Mary Heim; health occupations, Ruth Ann Helfrick; collision repair, Jeremy Johnson; electrical construction, Richard Roughton; culinary arts, James Schiavoni; auto mechanics, Daniel Shuman, and occupational child care, Gwen Spurr.

The school's courses are registered as training providers with the Central Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board data base for eligible funding for adults who qualify through the Pennsylvania CareerLink.

Monaghan said the school is finalizing approval to educate eligible veterans through the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Veterans Administration Division.

SHAMOKIN - The quarterly meeting of Manna for the Many Board of Directors was held July 24 at the food pantry.

Gene Boughner, board vice president, opened the meeting with prayer. There were several Manna volunteers who attended the meeting, and board members and volunteers introduced themselves before getting to the meeting agenda. The secretary's and treasurer's reports were submitted and accepted.

Grethel Vinup, presenting the quarterly report, said there were 710 visits to the food pantry during this period, averaging 50 visits per week. A total of 11,585 food items were given out this quarter. Manna currently has 695 clients, with 52 new clients signed up this quarter. Manna received 1,893 food items from the post office food drive in May and a $500 donation from the Sons of Italy.

Volunteers reported there is a need for help with inventorying and stocking the shelves, a process which occurs at 9:30 a.m. Mondays. There are only two people helping with this part of the food pantry operation at the present time. The organization needs people to unpack and count the food donated to the pantry and place the food onto the shelves. The work involves counting items and putting them in order on the shelves. Volunteers must be able to lift. The organization hopes to obtain five or six volunteers for this work, which takes only about an hour each week. Volunteers can just show up at the food pantry at that time. Any questions can be forwarded to Mannaforthemany@yahoo.com.

The group discussed requirements for clients coming into the pantry. Clients are only required to show photo ID and proof of residency during each visit. An example of proof of residency would be a recent utility or phone bill with the client's address on it. Manna currently serves the Shamokin Area, Line Mountain and Southern Columbia Area school districts.

There was continued discussion regarding the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and the possibility of purchasing food there for distribution at Manna. The Rev. David Wildoner, vice president of the Shamokin Area Ministerium, said that there are churches willing to take care of obtaining the food, storing the food and getting it to the pantry when it is needed. It was decided to have the ministerium move ahead with organizing those efforts.

Letters encouraging harvest home food collections will be sent out in September. Manna tries to encourage collection of fruits and vegetables at that time of year, but welcomes any non-perishable food items.

Manna welcomes both food donations and monetary donations to the food pantry. Monetary donations can be made in memory of or in honor of someone. Monetary donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 129, Shamokin 17872.

The next quarterly board of directors meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the food pantry, 144 E. Independence St. All meetings are open to the public, and all are welcome

Harry Deitz closed the meeting with prayer.