by justin strawser
COAL TOWNSHIP - So that local youth can eventually display their talents on the athletic field, young and old are being asked to display their talents on stage for the sake of the Lower Anthracite Regional Recreation Committee (LARRC).
Earlier this month, Coal Township was granted a $1-a-year, 99-year lease for six acres of county land along Trevorton Road to construct two soccer fields. In less than two weeks, LARRC will host "Anthracite Idol" at the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center to raise fun and funds - with a goal of the soccer fields and a much more ambitious project in which the group would eventually transform the former Ames Department Store into an indoor recreational complex.
"Kids are our future and we need to provide for them," said Gene Welsh, president of the township board of commissioners. "Youth sports provide a lot. They create teamwork and camaraderie."
Talent show details
Anthracite Idol, a talent show open to singers, poets, bands or other performers, is set for 6 p.m. Saturday, May 7, in the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center auditorium, Eight and Arch streets, Shamokin.
While there is no entrance fee for contestants, tickets are $3 for children and $6 for adults, and the audience members will vote for their favorite acts. A $200 cash prize goes to first place.
The three judges who will provide commentary on the contestants are Phil Krebs, a member of the Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities; Rob Wheary, staff writer for The News-Item, and J. Kevin Jones, mayor of Mount Carmel.
Currently, there are a dozen contestants signed up, but organizers will accept interested applicants for another week.
"The ultimate goal is to raise awareness and funds for recreation," said Meagan Baumgartner, producer. "We wanted something fun to show the talent in the area."
LARRC member Skip Rebuck encourages anyone - from the young to the young at heart - to showcase their talents that weekend.
Fields by fall
Money raised will benefit the committee and any efforts made to establishing recreation in the area, including the proposed soccer fields and renovation of the Ames building along Route 61 east of Shamokin.
The 5.9 acres of land in the western end of Coal Township, off Trevorton Road (Route 225) near Mountain View: A Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, will be used for the soccer fields for AYSO games and possibly a playground and baseball field.
"There is no playground for the youth on Trevorton Road, yet we have playgrounds in every other place in the township," said Welsh.
Township engineer Larson Designing Group, Williamsport, was studying the land this past week to determine the best possible scenario.
The township would like to have the fields created this spring and be usable by fall. Welsh said they are working to have all services and work donated. Northumberland County Commissioner Vinny Clausi offered free use of his construction equipment to develop the area.
"We're always looking for other volunteers. We're trying to do this without costing the township a lot of money," said Welsh.
So far, there is not an estimated price tag, but Welsh said one is expected soon.
In other recreational news, the township is planning a golf tournament set for June.
"The importance is kids," Welsh reiterated. "Having things to do so they're not getting in trouble. If kids are involved in structured things, the better the community will be."