SUNBURY - A man arrested for allegedly manufacturing methamphetamine in a Coal Township home Monday appeared before a county judge Friday to answer for the $32,734.43 he owes in back child support.

Thomas M. Reddinger, 31, of 1012 W. Spruce St., appeared before Judge Charles Saylor on a bench warrant that had been issued May 16.

He failed to make his scheduled child support payments since Dec. 26, when he paid $15.18 of the $270 he owed per month.

He has been incarcerated in Northumberland County prison since he was arraigned Tuesday for 13 felonies, including four counts of manufacturing meth with children under the age of 18 in the home. It is unknown if one of those four children is Reddinger's son, for whom the child support payments are owed.

Reddinger told Saylor he is behind in payments because he has been incarcerated. He said he was just released from the State Correctional Institution at Rockview April 19 and being in prison made it difficult for him to make child support payments.

"I maxed out (of prison for serving full time) and I was basically homeless, trying to find a place to stay," said Reddinger.

Reddinger said he attempted to find a job but couldn't due to his "bad back," and that during his time out of prison, he spent time with his son.

He asked Saylor to grant leniency due to the jail time he is now facing.

"I'm looking at a lot of time now for my stupid ideas," said Reddinger. "I'm looking to have my arrears adjusted."

Saylor said Reddinger must report to the court whenever he is released from prison or he will receive an additional 60 days in prison.

SHAMOKIN - Mary Ann Levins couldn't shake her nerves ahead of Friday's opening reception for her first art gallery showcase.

The Shamokin native only began to paint within the past decade. She wasn't overly confident in her talent, not enough to show it off to a crowd.

"I've been so nervous. I haven't been sleeping," said Levins, 69, of Overlook, at the opening of "A Retrospective of my Favorite Subjects" Friday. "I never thought I was good enough."

Her brother, Joe Labosky, interrupted her. "Does the red dot mean it's sold?" he asked. It did, Levins told him. Labosky said his boss was interested in buying one.

"I sold five already," Levins said softly, showing a bit of pride.

Levins has 36 acrylic paintings hanging in the Fine Arts Gallery at the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center, Arch and Eighth streets.

Most of her works are brightly colored still-life depictions of fruit and floral arrangements.

She is a board member of the Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities, which oversees the gallery.

Carolyn Hall, of Lewisberry, met Levins at St. Stephen's elementary school when the two were in the first-grade together. They've been best friends ever since.

Hall has a painting by Levins of a floral arrangement hanging in her dining room. She said she knew her friend had talent from the very beginning. When Levins continued to battle her nerves in the minutes ahead of the opening, Hall gave some advice.

"I told her to breathe deep," she said.

Levins planned the opening around a family reunion and sent invitations to many of her friends. It worked. Local family and friends were joined by people from as far away as Michigan, New Hampshire, New York and Illinois.

At least 60 people had visited the gallery just 30 minutes into the reception. Gallery Director Claude Harrington was thrilled, saying it was the best turnout she could recall.

Harrington, too, said Levins was a talented painter. As she spoke, Levins walked by.

"Six," Levins said of the number of paintings she sold.

Harrington remarked on Levins' increasing confidence, "She should be, right?"

The Lucky Charms, an acoustic trio featuring Paul Riffon on violin, Brett Mowery on guitar and Lisa Welch Knecht on upright bass, performed traditional, Irish and folk music. They were joined by special musical guests, including 12-year-old bluegrass bassist Zane Mowery. Refreshments were provided by the arts council.

The exhibit will run until Sept. 15 and can be viewed from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m Monday through Friday. The gallery is located on the lower floor. Visitors should use the lower handicapped entrance and follow signs once inside.

SHAMOKIN - In addition to 13 felonies related to a basement meth lab and a bench warrant for $32,734.43 in back child support, a Coal Township man faces four additional felonies for allegedly manufacturing methamphetamine in a wooded area near the city.

On Friday, Shamokin police charged Thomas Michael Reddinger, 31, of 1012 W. Spruce St., Coal Township, with manufacturing methamphetamine; possessing precursors and chemicals related to manufacturing methamphetamine; possessing methamphetamine with the intent to sell, and operating a methamphetamine lab and illegal dumping of methamphetamine waste.

According to police, a witness showed police July 29 a location in a wooded area just south of South Market Street where methamphetamine was allegedly manufactured by Reddinger.

At the site was a campfire with lithium batteries, coffee filters and waste and paraphernalia related to manufacturing methamphetamine. A hut was situated nearby.

Police also found a plastic soda bottle containing methamphetamine residue at this site.

On Aug. 4, Reddinger admitted in an interview with police he used three outdoor locations to manufacture methamphetamine, including the site near South Market Street.

Reddinger is incarcerated in Northumberland County Prison.

All Saints

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

Pastor - The Rev. Alfred J. Bashore.

Worship service - 9 a.m. The Rev. Robert Drieson, Bishop of the ELCA, Upper Susquehanna Synod, will conduct the service.

Participants - Richard Kovach, lector; Marsha Karnes, acolyte, altar guild and communion assistant.

Assumption BVM

Assumption B.V.M. 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.

Morning worship - 10:15 a.m.

Evening service - 6:30 p.m.

Activities - Sunday, youth group, 6 p.m., kids club, 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Bible study and prayer meeting, 6:30 p.m.; fourth Thursday of the month, L.I.F.E. for seniors age 55 and up, noon.

Augustaville Wesleyan

Augustaville Wesleyan Church, 2556 State Route 890, Paxinos.

Pastor - Greg Clendaniel.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

Evening service - 6 p.m.

Activities - Wednesday, adult Bible study, children's ministry and youth Bible bowl, 7 p.m.

Bethany Bible

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

Pastor - Philip Norris.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Morning worship - 10:45 a.m.

Message - "Therefore, Be Diligent."

Evening worship in the pavilion - 6 p.m.

Message - "Peter is Questioned.

Activities - Wednesday, children and youth programs, and adult prayer and Bible study, 7 p.m.

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 - Wednesday, Bethany Bible club, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., kindergarten through sixth 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.

Bethel Union

Bethel Union Chapel, West Cameron Township.

Pastor - Dave Butler.

Sunday School - 9:30 a.m.

Morning worship - 10:30 a.m., with junior church.

Special music - Pastor Dave and Ruth Butler

Participants - Ruth Butler and Kerry Segar, nursery.

Evening worship - 6 p.m.

Activities - Monday, ladies fellowship at Marina, 6 p.m.; Tuesday, prayer worship, 6 p.m.; Wednesday, Bible study, 6 p.m.

Calvary Bible

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

Pastor - Ferd Madara.

Sunday school for all ages - 9:30 a.m.

Morning worship service - 10:35 a.m. Praise team.

Guest speaker - Dr. Robert Long, from the Gideons.

Evening service - 6 p.m. Wayne Erdman will be bringing the meditation.

Church of the Nazarene

Church of the Nazarene, Route 901, Lavelle.

Pastor - Jeremy Smallwood.

Sunday school classes for all ages - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:45 a.m.

Clark's Grove UMC

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

Pastor - Billy Frick.

Sunday school for all ages - 9 a.m.

Worship service - 10:10 a.m.

Youth service - 6:30 p.m.

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

Divine Redeemer

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

Pastor - The Rev. Martin O. Moran III.

Weekday Masses - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 7 a.m.; Saturday, 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.

Confessions - Saturday, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.; after morning novena Wednesday, or any time by appointment.

Novenas - Monday, Miraculous Medal novena after morning Mass; Wednesday, 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. Andrew Knisely.

Service - 8 and 10:30 a.m. with a message from Pastor Knisely.

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

Activities - Wednesday, prayer ministry, 7 to 8 p.m.; Sept. 21, AWANA for children ages 3 to 5th grade, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

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. Nursery provided.

Message - Pastor Young preaching on "The Father and the Son, Part II."

Scripture - John 5:21-27.

Musicians - Debbie Cecco, organist; Eileen Reigel, pianist.

The deacons will hold a food drive for the Elysburg Food Pantry all summer. Requested are canned and dry goods, especially cereal, peanut butter and jelly, applesauce, juice, powdered pre-sweetened summer drinks, condiments, pasta, sauce and soup.

Activities - Sunday, Lifetree Cafe, "Why Do They Hate Us?" 7 p.m.; Friday, Breakfast with Jesus Bible study, 8:30 a.m., movie night featuring "God is Not Dead," 7 p.m., Kid's Black Top Beach Party, 7 p.m., Fifth Quarter - Black Top Beach Party, 9 p.m.; Aug. 17, junior high youth group, 3 to 5 p.m., senior high youth group, 5 to 7 p.m., Lifetree Cafe "Encountering God," 7 p.m.

Elysburg UMC

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

Pastor - The Rev. Michelle Beissel.

The church will host a community church picnic at 10 a.m. at the All Home Days grounds. Worship will be in the dining hall followed by the picnic. Musical entertainment will be provided by praise and worship band Simple Faith.

Participants - Jack Crowl, head usher; Nancy Booth and Edna Ehret, greeters; Hoomer Woodring, scripture reader; Sadie Schlesinger, acolyte; Olivia Bodner, pianist; Lucy Bidelspach, shepherding.

Activities - Tuesday, prayer circle, 10:30 a.m.; Thursday, Elysburg Food Pantry, 10 a.m. to noon, Elysburg UMC.

Emmanuel UMC

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

Pastor - The Rev. Betty Ford.

Coffee fellowship - 8 to 9 a.m.

Worship - 9:30 a.m., with children's Sunday school.

Activities - Tuesday and Thursday, exercise class, 6:30 p.m.; third Wednesday of month, cookie ministry, 5 p.m.; second Saturday of the month, health screening, 8 to 10 a.m.; fourth Sunday of the month, movie night, 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, 570-751-5101.

Sunday worship - 10:30 a.m.

First Baptist, Shamokin

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.

Choir organist - Judith Pensyl.

Evening service - 6 p.m.

Pianist - Redelia Shoffler.

Activities - Wednesday, choir rehearsal, 1 p.m., prayer, praise and testimony and Bible study, 7 p.m.

First Baptist, Trevorton

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

Pastor - Dan Conklin.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Morning worship - 10:40 a.m.

Special music - The Shrout Family.

Evening service - 6 p.m.

Activities - Sunday, choir practice, 7 p.m.; Wednesday, 7 p.m.

First Presbyterian

First Presbyterian Church Church, Sunbury and Liberty streets, Shamokin.

Minister - The Rev. Jim Phillips.

Worship - 10:30 a.m.

Special music - Norienne Ladd.

Participants - Norienne Ladd, organist; Mary Anne Stump, assistant organist; William Milbrand, choir director; Andrew Ladd, acolyte; William and Terry Persing, ushers and greeters; Terry Persing, Charlene Lesher and Wendy Wary, Sunday school/nursery; William Persing Sr., sexton, and Wendy Wary, secretary, Bible study, 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

First UMC, Kulpmont

First United Methodist Church, Ninth Street, Kulpmont.

Pastor - Beverly Petrovich.

Worship - 9:30 a.m., with children's Sunday school.

Activities - Second Saturday of the month, Angels Table luncheon, 11 a.m. All are welcome.

First UMC, Mount Carmel

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

Pastor - The Rev. Susan J. Roehs.

Worship service - 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School - 9:45 a.m.

Sermon - "My Lifeguard Walks on Water."

Participants - Sharon Styer, organist; Rick Schnee, head usher; all of us, greeters; Kevin Styer, sound technician; Anne Sauger, liturgist; Katie Moncavage, acolyte; Linda Gula, counter; Barb Malick, children's time.

Activities - Monday, SPRC meeting, 7:30 p.m., note time change; Tuesday, Brownie troop meeting, 6 p.m., Al-Anon meeting in board room, 7 p.m.; Thursday, New Beginnings O.A., 7 p.m.

First UMC, Shamokin

First United Methodist Church, Sunbury Street, Shamokin.

Pastor - Zachary Hopple.

Adult and children's Sunday school - 9:15 a.m.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m. Service will be at Oak Grove UMC.

Activities - Monday, Bible Study in the parlor, 6 p.m.

God's Missionary Church

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

Pastor - The Rev. Howard R. McKenzie.

Sunday school - 9:45 a.m.

Sunday worship and children's church - 10:45 a.m.

Evening service - 6 p.m.

Activities - Thursday, prayer meeting, 7:30 p.m.

Good News Bible Church

Good News Bible Church, 221 Main St., Locustdale.

Sunday worship - 3 p.m.

Guest pastor Keith McCarthy will continue his message series in the book of Isaiah with "The Eternal Kingdom," based on Isaiah 7:1-10.

Participants - Shirley Brass, prayer chain coordinator; Wes Brassington, deacon; Bob Keener, church ministry coordinator, and Jill Keener, music coordinator.

Activities - Wednesday, prayer gathering and Bible study, 6:30 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.

Sunday Bible fellowship groups for all ages - 9:30 a.m.

Sunday morning worship - 10:30 a.m.

Guest speaker - Pastor Danny Evans.

Sunday evening worship/young couples class - 6:30 p.m.

Nursery care is provided for all Sunday services.

Activities - Sunday, hot dog roast and outdoor service at the Swanks, 5:30 p.m.; Aug. 12, business meeting; Aug. 13, ladies fellowship at the Marina; Aug. 14, men's prayer breakfast; Aug, 17, CLD leaders meeting; Aug. 19, blood drive and nursery policy meeting; Aug. 31, Grace Chapel's 63rd anniversary, guest speakers, Scott and Lauralie Brock; every Monday and Thursday, ladies Bible studies; Thursdays, men's Bible study.

Grace Evangelical

Grace Evangelical Independent Church, Locustdale.

Pastor - The Rev. Rose Marquardt.

Sunday school - 9:45 a.m.

Worship service - 11 a.m.

Children's Sunday school - 11 a.m.

Grace Lutheran, Shamokin

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

Pastor - The Rev. David M. Byerly.

Worship service - 10:15 a.m.

No adult Sunday school for the summer.

Participants - Joan Lineweaver and Roger Giffin, worship assistant; Tyler Keiser, acolyte/crucifer; Faust family, communion bearers; Shelley Faust and Sara Yoder, altar care; Mr. and Mrs. Barry Smith, greeters; Jeffrey Clutcher, driver; Jeanne Hoffa, Beverly Deitz, Fran Hand, Nancy Joraskie, Treva Madison, Jeanne Romanic and Sara Yoder, ushers; Walter Boyer, organist; Charlene Pell, choir director.

Activities - Tuesday, Grace Council at the Clutcher home, 6 p.m.

Grace Lutheran, Mount Carmel

Grace Lutheran Church, 145 W. Avenue, Mount Carmel.

Interim pastor - The Rev. Alfred Bashore.

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost.

Service with communion - 10:45 a.m.

Guest speaker - The Rev. Dr. Ronald Shellhamer.

Participants - Linda Rubendall, organist; Zachary Hunter, lector; William Brass, president; Charles Barnes, sexton and bell ringer.

Note - Services for August are being held at Grace Lutheran Church.

Grace UCC

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

Pastor - The Rev. Joan A. Brown.

Morning worship - 9 a.m.

Participants - Bryan Lapinski, organist; Aurora Froutz, acolyte.

Activities - Aug. 10, picnic at Green's farm; Aug. 13, Supper Club will meet at Ric-Mar Restaurant, 6 p.m.

Harvest Worship

Harvest Worship Ministries, 2079 Upper Road, West Cameron Township, 570-850-4280, harvestworshipministries.com.

Pastor - Sandy Wary.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

Hidden Valley

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

Pastor - Gary L. Owens.

Pastor Gary can be reached by calling the office at 570-966-1330, or by cell at 570-486-3967.

Himmel's Church

Himmel's Church, 107 Covered Bridge Road, Dornsife.

Pastor - Jane H. Compton.

Worship service - 9 a.m.

Communion is celebrated the first Sunday of every month.

Activities - Aug. 24, The Barbers, a Christian singing group will conduct the worship service in the church grove. They will also present an outdoor concert at 7 p.m. in the grove.

Holy Angels

Holy Angels Church, 855 Scott St., Kulpmont.

Pastor - The Rev. Andrew Stahmer.

Confessions - Saturday, 4 to 5 p.m.

Weekday Masses - Monday and Thursday, 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m.

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

Activities - Sunday, Holy Name Society at 8:30 a.m. Mass with meeting to follow, PREP Classes, grades 6, 7 and 8 at 9 a.m.; Monday, Prep classes, grades 1 to 5, at 5:30 p.m.; Tuesday, bingo at the activity center, doors open at 4:30 p.m., game begins at 6 p.m.; Friday, Masses of Obligation for the Feast of the Assumption,

Holy Trinity

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

Clergy - The Rev. Frederic G. Stevenson, rector, and Deacon Richard Hazzard.

Sunday worship - 10 a.m. with Holy Eucharist. Children's Sunday school during worship. Coffee hour following the service.

Participants - Susan Zaner, greeter; Barbara Kessler, lector; Esther Bashore intercessor; Chester Wolfe and Frank Zaretski, ushers; Joshua Bashore, Hannah Bashore and Kyrstin Kinnaman, altar servers; Grethel Vinup, organist.

Activities - Wednesday, holy eucharist and healing, 10 a.m.

Hope Community Church

Hope Community Church, non-denominational Bible church, 551 W. Fourth St., 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.

Johnston City UMC

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

Pastor - Dan Siddle.

Worship service - 10 a.m.

Worship leaders - Barbara Cummings and Janette Nute, greeters; Rena Keegan and Jane Klembara, acolytes; June Ramer, Rena Keegan and Janette Nute, ushers; June Ramer, Jane Klembara, Rena Keegan and Myra Golden, liturgists; Jane Klembara, musician; Pastor Siddle, speaker.

Living Power Ministries

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

Pastor/teacher - Walt Kriskie.

Pre-service prayer - 10 a.m,

Praise and worship - 10:30 a.m., followed by celebration service.

Sunday evening service - 6 p.m.

Activities - Wednesday, mid-week Bible study, 7 p.m., refreshments served.

Miller's Crossroads

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

Pastor - Michelle Beissel.

Sunday school - 9 a.m.

Worship service - 10:15 a.m.

Participants - Betsy Bradigan, organist.

Ministry of the Water and Spirit

Ministry of the Water and Spirit Church, 829 W. Pine St., Coal Township.

Pastor - James Bowers.

Sunday service - 10 a.m., pastor's home.

God's Chuck Wagon is an outreach of the Ministry of the Water and Spirit.

Mother Cabrini

Mother Cabrini Church, North Shamokin Street, Shamokin.

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

Parochial vicar - 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.

Activities - Monday, bingo in the church hall, 6:15 p.m.; Thursday, Vigil Mass for the Feast of the Assumption, 7 p.m.; Friday, Holy Day Mass for the Feast of the Assumption at 8 a.m. with the blessing of flowers following the Mass.

Monday through Friday, youth center picnic food prep at the shed, 9 a.m., many volunteers needed.

Mountainside

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

Pastor - The Rev. Richard H. Earl.

Coffee and breakfast snacks for all - 9 a.m.

LIFEQuest Sunday school classes for all ages - 9:30 a.m., with nursery available.

Morning worship - 10:30 a.m. Nursery and children's church.

Youth night - Bi-weekly, 5 p.m.

Activities - Wednesday, adult prayer and Bible study, Royal Rangers, ages 5 to 18, girls ministry, 6:30 p.m. Coffee served.

Monthly activities - First Sunday, communion and children's sermon, during 10:30 a.m. service; prayer burst on the first Sunday night of the month, 6 p.m.; second Tuesday, Women of Purpose meeting, 7 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 - Psalm 85:8-13 and Matthew 14:22-33.

Sermon - "Faith Falters."

Participants - Philip Maue, organist.

Sacrament of holy communion is celebrated the first Sunday of every 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.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m. Junior church and nursery available. Handicapped accessible, wheelchair available, church side/back entrance.

Activities - Prayer room open mornings; prayer, fellowship and coffee, Saturdays, 9 a.m.; Monday through Friday, vacation Bible school, 6 to 8 p.m.; Aug. 24, evening praise and worship service, 7 p.m.

Oak Grove UMC

Oak Grove United Methodist Church, Marley Road, Overlook.

Pastor - The Rev. Zachary Hopple.

Worship - 9 a.m.

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

Activities - Monday, Bible study, 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church; Thursday, free karate classes at church, children ages 5 to 12, 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.; 13 and up, 7:30 p.m.; Open Arms outreach, 6 to 8 p.m., first and third Fridays of the month.

Our Lady of Hope

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

Pastor - The Rev. Steven G. Frenier, OFM Conv.

Daily Masses - Monday through Friday, 7 a.m., 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.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

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

Pastor - The Rev. Francis J. Karwacki.

Deacon - The Rev. Mr. Martin McCarthy.

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

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

Holy days of obligation - 6:30 p.m. on the eve, 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. on the holy day.

Confessions - Daily 7:30 to 7:55 a.m. including Saturday or any time by appointment; Saturday, 3 to 3:50 p.m.

Peifer's Evangelical

Peifer's Evangelical Congregational Church, Mandata Road, Herndon.

Pastor - Bradley D. Hatter.

Sunday school - 9 a.m.

Worship - 10:30 a.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, directed by Shirley Cintron.

Student Life Ministry youth service - 6:30 p.m. for all teens ages 12 to 18.

Activities - Monday, soup kitchen, 5 to 6 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, 7 p.m.

St. John Lutheran

St. John Lutheran, 29 High Road Danville.

Pastor - Kris Brown.

Sunday school - 9:15 a.m.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m. Ninth Sunday after Pentecost.

Participants - Alice Roshon, acolyte; Allan Schappert, lector; Molly Shultz and Leon Woodruff, Communion assistants; David Bird and Leon Woodruff, ushers; Connie Shulski, organist.

St. John's UCC

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

Pastor - The Rev. Robert B. Peiffer.

Contemporary service - 9 a.m. in fellowship hall.

Special music - Praise team.

Coffee/social time - 10 a.m. in fellowship hall.

Traditional service - 10:30 a.m. in sanctuary. Scheduled time for July and August only.

Special music - David L. Spotts.

Participants - Margaret Morris, organist; Lisa Newton, lay reader; Michael Newton, acolyte.

Activities - Monday, Stewardship Committee meeting in the pastor's study, 5 p.m.; Tuesday, Spiritual Council meeting in the pastor's study, 4 p.m., VBS 2014 wrap-up meeting in Fellowship Hall, 6 p.m., depression and bipolar support group meeting in the church parlor, 6 p.m.; Wednesday, the Lay Life and Work Committee in the church parlor, 6 p.m.; Thursday, Consistory meeting in the church parlor, 7 p.m.

WISL1480.com airs "Porch Talk," a St. John's produced discussion program, every Saturday morning at 10 a.m.

St. John's UMC

St. John's United Methodist Church, 1211 W. Arch St., Coal Township.

Pastor - The Rev. Karyn Fisher.

Lay leader - Paul Stehman.

Worship - 9 a.m. Children's church at 9:30 a.m.

Sunday school for all ages - 10:30 a.m.

Activities - Tuesday, men's group, 6 p.m., administrative board meeting, 7 p.m.; Friday, Narcotics Anonymous in lower level, 8 p.m.; Sunday, back-to-school backpack blessing, 9 a.m.; Aug. 30, senior choir rehearsal, new voices welcome, 8 a.m.; Sept. 6, Third Annual Fall Festival, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sept. 13, Book and Breakfest women's group is back, 9:15 a.m.; Sept. 21, Back to church Sunday, bring a friend, 9 a.m.

New Member class is forming, please see Pastor Karyn for details.

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.

Interim pastor - Kris Brown.

Worship service - 9 a.m. Ninth Sunday after Pentecost.

Participants - Deanna Edmunds and Peggy Richie, Communion assistants; Calvin Dietrick, usher; Connie Shulski, organist.

Activities - Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Elysburg senior center open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday, AA, 7 p.m.; Thursday, Boy Scouts, 8 p.m.

St. Matthew Lutheran

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

Interim pastor - The Rev. Alfred Bashore.

Service with communion - 10:45 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, Mount Carmel.

St. Michael Orthodox

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

Pastor - The Rev. Theophan Marckey,

Divine liturgy - 9 a.m.

St. Patrick

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

Pastor - The Rev. Steven G. Frenier, OFM Conv.

Weekend Mass - Sunday, 9 a.m.

Weekday Mass - 8 a.m. Wednesday.

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

St. Paul Lutheran

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

Pastor - The Rev. David M. Byerly.

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

Participants - Roger Henninger, lector; Claire Bonshock and Carol Shinskie, communion assistants; Spencer Balonis, acolyte/crucifer; Walter Boyer, organist and choir director.

St. Paul's Reformed

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

Pastor - Jerry Schlegel.

Worship time - 9 a.m.

Message - "The Servant Tradition."

Scripture - Isaiah 53.

Participants - Cliff Artman, organist,

St. Pauline Visintainer

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

"Chapel of the Crucified."

Eucharistic adoration - Friday, noon to midnight, and Saturday, 6 to 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 Church, Aristes.

Interim pastor - The Rev. Alfred Bashore

Service and sacrament of holy communion - 9 a.m.

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

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 liturgies - 8 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Weekend divine liturgies - 4 p.m. Saturday and 9:15 a.m. Sunday.

Religious education classes - 6 to 7:15 p.m. Monday.

St. Peter's UCC

St. Peter's United Church of Christ, Overlook

Pastor - Paul T. Gurba Jr.

Morning worship - 8:30 a.m.

Sermon - "Exchanging Pleasantries Part 2."

Verse of the day - 2 Timothy 2:22 - "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart."

Organist - Virginia Nefsky.

St. Stephen's

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

Clergy - The Rev. Frederic Stevenson.

Service 8:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist.

Handicapped accessible.

Second Saturday, 5 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.

Participants - George Zalar, acolyte; Eileen Garrigan, lay leader; Julie Updegrove and JudyLynn Weaver, beginners class; Barbara Skrivanek, junior class; Grace Stank, pianist; MacKenzie Glosek, Communion assistant; Craig Kerstetter and Eric Zalar, gifts of the people; Brooke Strausser and Michael Toter, greeters; MacKenzie Glosek, Taylor Kashner, Brooke Strausser, and Michael Toter, ushers; Larry Diorio, lighting and sound.

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 ages 3 to 12 immediately after children's time at the beginning of the worship service.

Salvation Army

Christian Enrichment Center, 1300 W. Spruce St., Coal Township.

Commanding officer - Maj. Tina Streck.

Holiness meeting (worship) - 9:30 a.m.

Sunday school - 10:45 a.m.

Seibert Evangelical

Seibert Evangelical Congregational Church, Route 147, Herndon.

Pastor - Bradley D. Hatter.

Worship - 9 a.m.

Sunday school - 10:15 a.m.

Seventh Street

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

Pastor - The Rev. David Wildoner.

Sunday school - 10 a.m.

Morning worship and children's church - 11 a.m.

Message - "A Steam Engine Without Steam."

Participants - Kathy Albright, station steward; Joseph Rodman, head usher; Benjamin Brudnicki, Alaina Glowatski and Jordon McDowell, acolytes; Bryan Lapinski, organist; Joe Rodman, greeter for August; Dr. Richard Albright, servant of the month; Kathy Albright, children's church teacher; Maggie Moore, nursery worker.

A nursery is available for children birth of age 5 during morning worship service and children's church is available for children over 5 with focus on lessons from the Bible.

Manna for the Many for August is Jell-O and desserts.

Activities - Monday, trustee board meeting; Aug. 17, movie night, 6:30 p.m.; Aug. 29, welcome John Trott; Aug. 29 through Sept. 7, pastor will be on vacation.

Shamokin Alliance

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

Pastor - Samuel Bellavia.

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

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

Wednesday ministries - 6 to 7:30 p.m. Age range is four to high school senior.

Evening service - 7 p.m.

Offered are small groups and cottage prayer meetings for adults. Contact church at 570-644-1718 for information.

Shamokin Seventh-Day Adventist

Shamokin Seventh Day Adventist Church, 7 E. Sunbury St., Shamokin (former Jewish synagogue), 570-648-7770.

Pastor - John Peters.

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

Saturday worship - 11 a.m.

Tuesday, Bible studies, 5 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 - 6 p.m.

Activities - Wednesday, AWANA clubs for children in kindergarten through sixth grade and Word of Life clubs for grades 7 to 12, 6:30 p.m., prayer service, 7 p.m.

Trevorton UMC

Trevorton United Methodist Church, Shamokin Street, Trevorton,

Pastor - The Rev. Al Schell Jr.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:45 a.m.

Nancy Korenkiewicz, pianist, organist and choir director.

Activities - Thursdays, Bible study taught by Roxanne Klinger, 7 p.m.; second Tuesday of month, United Methodist Women, 7 p.m.

Trinity Evangelical

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

Pastor - The Rev. Brian C. Betsworth.

Sunday school - 9:50 a.m.

Worship service - 11 a.m.

Activities - Wednesday, prayer and Bible study, 7 p.m. Recovery in Christ, a new Bible-based 12-step support group, 6 p.m., Wednesdays. For more information, call Betsworth at 570-648-1682.

Trinity Lutheran

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

Pastor - The Rev. David Hauck.

Worship service - 10 a.m.

Participants - Darian Jones, lector; Carol Eidam, Communion assistant; Corey Levi, cantor; Jared Jones, acolyte; Jan Morrison, organist; Jill and Steve Todzia, altar guild; Carol Eidam, counter.

True Grace

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

Pastor/teacher - Michael Marcheskie.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

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

United Presbyterian

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

Worship service - 11 a.m.

Message - "Words of Hope."

Scripture - Romans 8:31-39.

Participants - Dale Schimpf, organist; Deb Wydra, acolyte; Ellsworth George, Andrew Mekosh and Robert Shaw, ushers; Dorothy Snyder, greeter.

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.

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.

Pastor - The Rev. Betty Ford.

Sunday school - 10:30 a.m.

Worship - 11 a.m.

Activities - Wednesday, Bible study, 1 p.n., first Tuesday of month, United Methodist Women, 7 p.m.

SHAMOKIN - Less than one week removed from a brief stint as the city's acting mayor after William D. Milbrand suffered a heart attack, Councilman David Kinder was hospitalized following a heart attack of his own.

According to Mayor Milbrand, Kinder fell ill late Friday morning at his home. An ambulance drove him to Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital (G-SACH), Coal Township. He was subsequently transferred and admitted at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

Milbrand visited Kinder Friday and said he was in good spirits. Kinder was staying just a few doors away from the hospital room Milbrand occupied last weekend, the mayor said.

In the early morning hours of Aug. 2, Milbrand suffered a heart attack and drove himself to G-SACH before being transferred to GMC. Kinder served as interim mayor until Milbrand resumed his duties Monday, the day of his discharge.

When an ad hoc consortium on poverty meets in Shamokin this week, its members will do so with people like Marie in mind.

Marie, a pseudonym she requested to protect her identity, is a 38-year-old widow, a cancer patient and a mother of four. She lives on Mount Carmel's east side, subsisting largely on $1,000 monthly in government and life insurance benefits.

That figure is bolstered by benefits received by her two minor high-school aged children - about $600 combined monthly also used for household expenses. A third child turns 18 in days. They're hopeful her benefits will end no earlier than June, as promised. The fourth is just out of high school and has a part-time job in retail. She's saving for a vehicle to drive to a technical school, which she is also paying for herself. Her benefits have ended.

"My money goes for bills. My son's money helps for the house. My other daughter, her money helps with the bills."

"The 18-year-old, her money has to take care of her now, so I won't get that anymore. My oldest daughter, her money takes care of her," Marie said, later adding that her eldest daughters pitch in what they can to help out.

The family hovers around the $27,570 poverty line for a single-parent family of five. An MIT study suggests a single-parent family of four in Northumberland County must earn $55,919 before taxes to meet basic living expenses. A figure for a family of five wasn't available.

No food stamps

Marie said they don't receive food stamps. Her washing machine is broken, so are three windows at her home, and her bathtub leaks. She struggles to pay the mortgage and utility bills, let alone make improvements to her home. Cable and Internet are out of the question. Disability covers her medication and chemotherapy, but she said it won't pay for a more expensive medication her doctors recommend.

The first day of school is fast approaching, but there's no money yet to buy new clothes or school supplies. Marie will scramble next month to get her children the basics. When birthdays or holidays arrive, she decides between paying bills or buying presents. There's help from church groups, non-profits and government agencies, but Marie said she'd rather provide gifts herself.

Feeling like she's on borrowed time, Marie said she spends next to nothing on herself. She's trying to put away what she can in savings for her children. On her income, savings deposits are rare.

"God knows how long I have," she said, reminded of her 2009 cancer diagnosis.

For Gale Zalar, of Central Susquehanna Opportunities (CSO), stories like Marie's are becoming increasingly familiar.

"Our food banks don't have plenty of food, we don't have plenty of clothing (to provide)," Zalar said. "People don't realize the extent of poverty in our area."

Local area below county, state national averages

According to Census figures and other government data, poverty trends for Northumberland County largely mirror state and national averages. A closer look at pockets in the county's eastern end tell a different story - the Shamokin and Mount Carmel areas fare worse.

For the county as a whole, the median household income is $40,693, about $12,000 below state and national averages. More than 13 percent of households live in poverty, a figure that jumps above 22 percent for children - both in line with the state and nation.

In Shamokin and Coal Township, though, the median household income is a combined $32,779. More than 18 percent of households live in poverty. The rate for children dips to 17 percent, however. Shamkin's figures alone are $30,291, 21 percent and 16 percent respectively.

In Mount Carmel and Mount Carmel Township, including Kulpmont, the median household income is $36,772. The household poverty rate tops 15 percent, and the children's rate tops 25 percent. These figures are particularly influenced by Mount Carmel's east side, where Marie lives: $24,770, 19 percent and 34 percent.

The figures of two other communities in the county are just as troubling. In Milton, the median household income is $34,775, the household poverty rate is 19 percent and the child poverty rate is an alarming 50 percent. Sunbury's averages are $26,844, 23 percent and 31 percent.

Food banks

Zalar said the lines at area food banks are indicative of the crisis. Marie turns to food banks, too.

"We're OK at the beginning of the month, but towards the end we struggle. But we make it," Marie said.

Representatives from about 20 different groups, including state and county agencies and local non-profits, will meet Wednesday at the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center to discuss streamlining services for people like Marie.

Zalar cautions people from stereotyping everyone who receives government benefits and donations from non-profits.

"You don't know why they're in line at a food bank. You don't know what happened to them," Zalar said.

PITTSBURGH - Nicole Fiamoncini, a 2012 graduate of Mount Carmel Area Junior/Senior High School, has attained the dean's list for the spring semester at The University of Pittsburgh. Her GPA is 3.76. She is a psychology major and a member of the dental club.

She is a daughter of Dave and Lisa Fiamoncini of Atlas. She is employed by Dr. L.Michael Menapace and Knoebels Crystal Pool.

TREVORTON - Trevorton Patsies Senior Adult Ministry met at St. Patrick's Church Hall, July 21 with 27 attendees. The senior adult ministry prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance were recited followed by the Over 50 Song.

A covered dish luncheon was served followed by bingo. July birthday celebrants were Freda Boblick, Lorraine Foulds, Dixie Health, Alvena Miller and Catherine Reed. Donations were made by Boblick and Foulds.

Patsie bus trips include "Forever Plaid" at Shawnee on the Delaware Aug. 28 and American Music Theatre Christmas Show in Lancaster Nov. 6. Contact Joyce at 570-797-3695 or Judie at 570-648-0105 for information on Patsie and Trevorton Senior Center trips.

Chance winners were Marylou Purin and Boblick.

The next meeting is Monday, Aug. 18 at 1 p.m. The Christmas banquet is scheduled for Dec. 15.

Lion Ladies meeting set

SHAMOKIN - The Kulpmont Lions Ladies will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Harry's Grill, Market Street. Carmella Daniels will serve as hostess.

BEAR GAP - Two people suffered minor injuries following a rear-end collision Friday along Route 54 in Ralpho Township.

According to police, Jennifer Tyson, of Mount Carmel, was driving a 2013 Toyota Corolla west about 6:20 p.m. when she rear-ended a 2007 Ford Taurus driven by Clarence Snyder, of Valley View.

Snyder was stopped for a vehicle ahead of him that was attempting to turn left onto Reading Turnpike, police said.

Snyder and a passenger, Patricia Snyder, also of Valley View, were treated at the scene by ambulance personnel. Tyson was not injured, police said. All three refused transport to a hospital.

Both vehicles were towed.

Elysburg Ambulance and Fire Department, Overlook Fire Department, fire police and AREA Services Ambulance assisted.

An investigation continues.

SCRANTON - Molly K. McDevitt was named to the dean's list at Marywood University for the spring 2014 semester. McDevitt, a student in the nursing program, earned a 3.75 GPA. She is a graduate of Shamokin Area High School. McDevitt is a daughter of Patrick and Donna McDevitt, and a granddaughter of Theresa McDevitt and Gloria Mikulak.

Two people sit at a table in a restaurant. They are fully engaged in conversation, eyes locked on each other. They throw in a few hand gestures and head motions to sell the interaction to the audience.

While no words can be heard, the background actors help tell the scene's story to the viewers.

For two years, David Krater has been working as a background actor, or extra, in Hollywood in pursuit of an acting career.

A native of Port Carbon, Krater, 31, has appeared in scenes on major network television shows such as "How I Met Your Mother" and "CSI," both on CBS. He said working as an extra is one of the first steps toward establishing a career.

"It is a way to get your foot in the door and see how the entertainment industry works," Krater said.

Krater currently lives in North Hollywood after moving across the country two years ago and is linked up with a calling service, which acts as a middle man between an actor and casting director. His first job was as a student in a classroom scene on the hit CBS show "How I Met Your Mother."

Krater said he wasn't overwhelmed being on the set because he knew he had work to do - even though he was within arm's reach of the show's stars.

"I felt good. I wasn't too intimidated because I had my own special job to do," he said.

Krater said that scene took between an hour and an hour and a half to film. However, his entire day on set lasted about nine hours. He said the material that was shot that day probably made up five minutes of that episode.

He said it was interesting to see the finished product and himself on scene. But after two years, he said it has become a normal process.

"It was a good feeling to see how it came together," he said. "Then it became kind of routine."

Krater said becoming an actor wasn't always his goal. As a student at Pottsville Area High School, he said he wasn't involved in the theater program. It wasn't until his time in the military that he found his current career path.

After graduating from Pottsville Area in 2002, Krater served four years in the Air Force. He said they had theater events on his base, such as dinners for families, which sparked his interest. He pursued that interest at Kutztown University, majoring in theater. Within a year after graduation he was in California.

Over the next two years, he built a resume that included work on shows such as MTV's "Teen Wolf," HBO's "Newsroom," FX's "Justified," TV Land's "Jennifer Falls" and HBO's "True Blood." He said no single show sticks out as a favorite because each has allowed him to learn about the industry.

"They all have been really great experiences because each one is different," Krater said. "It's a different atmosphere."

However, Krater said his time on "Teen Wolf" was probably the most fun. He said it was an entertaining and light-hearted set. It was also the show that has called him back a few times for work.

Krater said the workload differs based on what a show needs. Some jobs are only for one day, while some are reoccurring background roles. For example, he said a background actor chosen to play an officer in a sheriff's office may be asked to return multiple times for the same role for consistency.

Alhough it may seem small, the job of a background actor is important. He said it is their job to keep the actions looking as real as possible to the audience. If two actors are supposed to be engaged in conversation, they are actually talking to each other, but they are not speaking. Basically, they are having a silent conversation because someone pretending to say gibberish can ruin a scene.

"When you actually look at it, you can tell they are saying, 'blah, blah, blah' and not engaged at all," Krater said.

Krater said work is slow right now as many shows take a summer break. Although he didn't get to this year, he said he likes to return to Schuylkill County during the offseason to visit family, including his parents, Scott and Denise Krater, and brother, Stephen, Port Carbon; grandparents, Norm and Doris Kauffman, Palo Alto; and uncles, aunts and cousins.

Looking forward, he said work on TV shows should pick up at the end of the month. He will also continue to look for different avenues of work to advance his career.

"Right now, I want to get a feature film of some kind. A speaking role to get some credit for it," he said.

SHAMOKIN - City council will request that the state release the grant funding awarded for the second phase of renovations at Claude Kehler Community Park.

A request is expected to be submitted next week for the $150,000 awarded in December. The city is required to match another $150,000, and the plan is to do so with Community Development Block Grant funds that Shamokin is awarded annually.

According to a published public notice, the project includes paving a 32-vehicle lot on Third Street and install a weathering steel foot bridge over Shamokin Creek that connects to the park. Additional walking paths, lighting and landscaping are also planned, as are two timber-frame pavilions and six park benches.

Project scope was pared down earlier this year in consideration of the city's depressed financial outlook. Shamokin had originally been awarded $250,000, which it would have been required to match in full, but the state agreed to scale back the grant award.

Funding won't be received for at least 15 days after the state receives the city's request. Bid specifications haven't yet been prepared. Lynn Dixson, community development officer, said there's a chance work could begin in late fall but it's more likely to begin next spring.

In 2007, Shamokin received approximately $200,000 through the Community Conservation Partnership Program to revamp the park, an amount that was also matched. Last year, the city and the Degenstein Foundation funded the construction of a community garden at the park.

Public comments on the new project are due in writing at City Hall by Friday. No comments had yet been submitted.

On a related note, an Aug. 12 meeting on the $3.4 million flood control and restoration project for Shamokin Creek and Carbon Run has been postponed. It has not yet been rescheduled, Dixson said Friday. Final bid specifications were to be discussed and forwarded to the state and federal emergency management agencies for final approval.

The following landlord/tenant complaints were made in magisterial district court:

Judge John Gembic III, Shamokin

Brett N. Russel, of Sunbury, against Samantha Evans and Andres Ashburn, both of Shamokin, for $12,000, filed Aug. 7. Hearing scheduled for Aug. 21.

Lori A. Lenig against Joseph and Debra Case, all of Coal Township, for $1,650, filed Aug. 7. Hearing scheduled for Aug. 21.

Daniel and Sherri Kritzer, of Herndon, against Betty Minium, of Shamokin, for $1,215, filed Aug. 6. Hearing scheduled for Aug. 21.

David and Kathleen Witcoskie, of Paxinos, against Andrew McCann, of Shamokin, for $1,260, filed Aug. 6. Hearing scheduled for Aug. 21.

Rovena Bridi-Benjamin, of Manheim, against Steve Snyder, of Trevorton, for $12,000, filed Aug. 4. Hearing scheduled for Aug. 18.

T&V Partners, of Sunbury, awarded $1,750.10 on Aug. 5 from Shelby Kopp and David Miller, both of Shamokin.

T&V Partners, of Sunbury, awarded $1,034.60 on Aug. 5 from Samantha Costello, of Shamokin.

Kenneth P. Yoder Sr., of Shamokin, awarded $4,984.60 on Aug. 4 from Jim Boris, of Coal Township, for unpaid rent and court fees.

Shamokin Properties awarded $1,805.10 on Aug. 4 from Phyllis Reichenbach and Jon Koons, of Shamokin.

Wayne Derk, of Shamokin, awarded $1,659.60 on July 31 from John Fox, of Shamokin.

Michael Ramos, of Neptune, N.J., awarded $1,145.10 on July 31 from Skyler Maclean and Rebecca Taylor, of Coal Township.

Ildra Mielke, of Shamokin, awarded $130.20 on July 24 from Nathan Dale, of Shamokin.

House Flex, of Mount Carmel, awarded $1,950.60 on July 21 from Chris and Monique Moll, of Shamokin.

IKB Properties, of Glenside, awarded $3,191.60 on July 21 from Tom and Katrina Pavelko, of Shamokin.

SUNBURY - Richard C. Curran shot and killed the mother of his two children almost nine years ago. Now the self-described "excellent father" is suing for his daughters to visit him monthly at a state prison.

Curran writes in a petition for partial custody that he "treated both children equally," that he "loves them both," and that he "never abused his children" nor were there any allegations of abuse.

"It is in the best interest of the children to maintain an ongoing relationship with the non-custodial parent on an unrestricted basis," he writes from SCI-Albion, Erie County, where he is serving a life sentence.

Citing a book on Pennsylvania family practice, he says "the child does not want to see a parent is not sufficient reason to deny the parent visitation."

Curran murdered his ex-wife Tina S. Curran Aug. 24, 2005, on a loading dock outside the formerly named Shamokin Area Community Hospital, where she worked as a nurse. At the time, he was employed part-time as the police chief of Bernville in Berks County.

Curran was declared incompetent to stand trial on four separate occasions prior to being convicted of first-degree murder on June 19, 2008. The next day, then-President Judge Robert B. Sacavage followed the wishes of the victim's family and sentenced him to life in prison. His appeals to the conviction have been rejected in state courts.

Bonnie K. Smith, of Mount Carmel, was awarded custody of her grandchildren on Sept. 16, 2005. The girls are now 16 and 12.

Curran was in police custody and could not attend the custody hearing. He claims the custody order has been circumvented.

Along with visitation rights, he seeks school pictures and report cards along with other photographs of his daughters over the past nine years. He also seeks the children's current mailing address.

The petition for partial custody is one of seven legal filings Curran made last month in Northumberland County Court. Included is a request for the return of $2,626.12 cash and other items seized by police after his apprehension at the Canadian border in Niagara Falls, N.Y.

Curran's hopes were dashed by a county court order denying his request for transportation to custody proceedings, which he proposed be paid from the seized cash. He proposes, too, that the cash be used for visitation costs.

The court says telephone or video conference will suffice for custody hearings instead. Curran's request for his daughters presence at a mediation conference scheduled for today was also denied. Their presence is being considered should a custody hearing be held.

Attorney Caran Cress Mattis was appointed as the hearing officer and will also preside over today's mediation conference.

Along with the money, Curran has petitioned that police return several other items and either send it to James Nicholson in North Carolina or sell it, including a Smith and Wesson Sigma 9mm, which was not the murder weapon, ammo, handcuffs, pepper spray, an expandable baton and other law enforcement equipment found in his vehicle at the Canadian border.

He's also sued four past employers along with Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation and the Department of Revenue to turn over earnings statements from 2004 and 2005 and waive late filings.

MOUNT CARMEL - What began as a celebration of Mount Carmel Area football Sunday afternoon ended in tragedy when one of the players involved in an alumni tournament at the Silver Bowl suffered a heart attack and died.

Dan Malakoski went down on the sideline early in the first half of the opening game of the four-team flag football fundraiser. He received almost immediate medical attention from ambulance personnel on site.

Initially not breathing, Malakoski was revived on the sideline and taken by ambulance to Mount Carmel Area High School, where Geisinger's Life Flight helicopter later landed. However, he never made it aboard.

"He was conscious and communicating when he left the field," said Greg Sacavage, Mount Carmel Area athletic director. "From the stadium to the high school, he went into cardiac arrest. He was not taken by Life Flight."

Malakoski was a 1997 Mount Carmel Area graduate, Sacavage said.

The seven-on-seven tournament was coordinated to raise funds for Mount Carmel Area's 2014 ThinkBIG Dance Marathon, which helps the families of children who receive treatment at the Janet Weis Children's Hospital in Danville.

The event continued after Malakoski was taken from the stadium, but was halted after the semifinal games when word of Malakoski's death reached the stadium.

"They did not play the final," Sacavage said, "and that was absolutely the right thing to do.

"The teams got together at the end in the field house and had a moment of prayer. It was truly a family atmosphere. One of their own was lost."

WILLIAMSPORT - Attorneys for the Line Mountain School District say a second request for legal fees stemming from its lawsuit with a teenage female wrestler is excessive and should be denied.

A federal judge ruled last month that the district pay $70,948.89 towards $140,681.89 in legal fees billed to the family of Audriana Beattie. The Beattie family has since sought an additional $28,140, which district attorneys feel is unreasonable.

During a March 26 status conference, at which fees were discussed, the additional fees were never mentioned, the district attorneys say. Subsequent declarations didn't mention the fees, either.

The Beatties waited too long to seek these additional fees, district attorneys say. If they wanted the money, they should have sought to supplement their original request, according to the legal brief.

The Beatties, represented by Flaster Greenberg and the Women's Law Project, both of Philadelphia, sued the district in October 2013 to permit the seventh-grader to compete on the all-male wrestling team. Injunctions allowed her to do just that while the matter played out in court. The district acquiesced in a March 25 settlement.

The new fees sought are to compensate five different attorneys for 118.3 hours on top of the 337.3 hours previously billed, according to a legal brief filed Thursday. The hours are billed for work between Jan. 27 and March 31, which the district says is redundant.

Line Mountain is represented by attorneys Christopher Conrad and Nicole Ehrhart, from Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin in Camp Hill.

FRACKVILLE - It will be a Baltic blast this coming weekend at and near center court in the Schuylkill Mall as the 100th annual Lithuanian Days will be celebrated with music, dance and plenty of ethnic food.

The Knights of Lithuania Anthracite Council 144 is the sponsor of the celebration, which is the longest-running consecutive ethnic festival in the United States. The Knights have been planning the party for some time, keeping many traditional things that many people have enjoyed for many years, and also adding some new ones for the special occasion.

"As usual, we'll have a theme every year," said council President Larry Domalakes. "Bernice Mickatavage set these themes probably for the last 15 years or so, and had picked amber as the theme for the centennial."

A longstanding member of the Knights from Minersville, Mickatavage died in 2011. She had been instrumental in many of the Lithuanian Days traditions.

The theme for this year is "Amber: The Gold of the Baltics." The "Baltics" refer to the three European countries along the Baltic Sea - Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia.

"It's all about amber. It's all about Lithuanian Days. It's all about the culture and the heritage," said Domalakes. "It's 100 years. A lot of people didn't think we would get here. It's going to be an interesting time and a lot more people have shown a lot of interest about it from throughout the country. We've received interest from New York to Boston, which we normally do, but even more that we normally have, but we've done more advertising about it. Carol Luschas has gone out and pushed it on the Internet and social media sites."

A commemorative T-shirt is being designed by Karen Domalakes that will be produced by Dot Demmer of Demmergraphics in Mahanoy City.

"We actually expanding the heritage museums," said Larry Domalakes. "Jim and Dot Setcavage are doing one, Elaine Luschas is doing another setup. The Popalis family has asked to set up an area where they can show a DVD with past pictures of Lithuanian Day at Lakewood Park."

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

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

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

A special guest scheduled is Monsignor Algimantas A. Bartkus, who will be part of the opening program.

"'Father Al,' as people here knew him, was pastor of Annunciation BVM Church in Frackville and was the catalyst in starting Council 144," said Knights treasurer Paul Domalakes. "Schuylkill County had a multiplicity of Knights of Lithuania councils in each town with low numbers like seven, 25, etc., but none were very active. So Father Al gathered all the various members and organized a countywide group and called it Council 144, the 'Anthracite Council,' which is now the largest council in the Amber District of the Knights of Lithuania."

Bartkus is also the rector emeritus of the Pontifical Lithuanian College in Rome and is listed as a priest in the Diocese of Allentown.

Other special guests on Saturday will be Krista Bard, honorary consul from Lithuania to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and Regina Juska Svoba, president of the National Knights of Lithuania. On Sunday, Mindaugas Zickus, Lithuanian Embassy representative to the U.S., will be on hand to speak in the afternoon, followed by something different.

"There will be a Lithuanian wedding song/dance on Sunday afternoon," said Paul Domalakes. "It is part of the sing-a-long at 1:45 p.m., which is following the Lithuanian Embassy representative. There will be a dance where the bride's friends say goodbye to their friend who is leaving the ranks of maidenhood and moving on to married life. Also there will be a another dance where the bride's parents welcome the couple back after they are married called "bread and salt." Also, some wedding drinking songs that will do double duty with the boilo contest."

The boilo contest, held for the first time last year, allows local people to submit a fifth of their homemade boilo for taste testing Saturday afternoon.

SHAMOKIN - The city's mayor says Shamokin won't run out of cash this month as had been predicted.

There's enough money in the city's general fund to make it through August and perhaps September, said Mayor William D. Milbrand. The general fund, the city's primary account, had approximately $76,000 Monday.

Shamokin is awaiting receipt of a $1,163,500 interest-free loan through the state's Act 47 program. The funds will be used to pay more than $811,000 in unpaid bills from 2013 and keep the city afloat through the end of 2014.

"Any day now," Milbrand said when asked when the loan money would be received. "We're waiting for the state to transfer the funds."

A new bank account had been established last month in anticipation of the loan, which is to be repaid over 10 years.

Shamokin was projected to be out of cash by mid-August, according to an Early Intervention Report prepared by the city's financial advising firm, Financial Solutions. It's predicted that the city will finish 2014 with a cash shortage of $350,000, or roughly 13 percent of 2014's projected revenue of $2,306,138. It threatens the city's ability to meet payroll, bills and debt payments.

Ryan Hottenstein, of Financial Solutions, has visited City Hall weekly since late July towards creating a long-term financial recovery plan.

Shamokin is the 21st active member of the state's Act 47 recovery program for financially distressed municipalities. Apart from the loan, Shamokin will receive preference for state grant programs and will consultations from financial, legal and operations experts.

SUNBURY - A mediation conference for Richard C. Curran's custody petition was continued until Sept. 8.

The conference was originally set for Monday, Aug. 11.

Curran is seeking visitation rights for his two daughters. He shot and killed their mother, Tina S. Curran, in 2005 and was sentenced to life in prison three years later.