Parade - The ninth annual Festival Heritage Parade begins the weekend's festival on Water Street and travels on Rock, Independence, and Market streets, ending at Lincoln Towers.

The parade will kick off at 5:45 p.m. with a classic car cruise of the parade route. Anyone with classic cars, antique vehicles, street rods, muscle cars, corvettes, speciality vehicles, trucks or motorcycles are invited to take part,

The cars will meet in front of the Shamokin Police station at 5 p.m. and then move to Rock and Water streets, where they will form to start the parade.

For more information, call Skip Rabuck at 570-259-5294.

The parade itself will follow the car cruise, starting at 6 p.m., four sections and 40 groups of participants will take part in this year's parade. The grand marshal this year is noted author, educator and 1963 PIAA Wrestling champion for Shamokin High School, William Welker.

Festival - The festival, presented by the Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. While several attractions will take place all over town, the majority of the vendors and entertainment will be focused on a three-block radius on Market Street between Arch and Pine streets.

There will be trolley and horse-drawn carriage tours through Shamokin and Coal Township, train rides, exhibits, a tour of the Shamokin Cemetery, exhibits, art shows and roving entertainment.

The theme of this year's festival is "It's Electric," honoring the accomplishments of Thomas Alva Edison in Shamokin. The festival has created a new "Edison tour" presenting locations where Edison first used his electric generation system, and Shamokin Mayor William Milbrand will rename Independence Street as "Electric Avenue" for the day.

SHAMOKIN - The importance of ending childhood poverty is as plain as the nose on your face.

That is the message from the Lower Anthracite Region United Way (LARUW) as its member agencies and volunteers join to support today's Red Nose Day USA.

LARUW Executive Director Laun M. Dunn helped promote the event by visiting local members Wednesday with a bag of red noses.

Childhood poverty in this area is well above 15 percent, Dunn said. In the city of Shamokin alone, that number leaps to more than 40 percent, she said.

"When children have to worry about issues like food, clothing and shelter, typical childhood concerns fall to the wayside. Who can worry about homework when they hear their parents speak of eviction?" she said. "Who could dream of graduation and college when they see utility shutoff notices taped to the door when they get home?"

Childhood poverty affects not only the children who are experiencing it, but everyone who lives in their home, she said. "When we work together on this issue, it improves the quality of life for our entire community," Dunn said.

Red Nose Day was started in the United Kingdom in 1988. Since then it has become widely recognized as being a campaign to end childhood poverty. The United Way has brought it to the U.S. with the goal of raising funds to end childhood poverty.

Participants were asked to wear the red nose for the day - or at least pose with it for a photo - and challenge their friends and neighbors to donate, and personally make a donation to LARUW.

Go to the local chapter's donation page at: http://www.unitedway.org/local/united-states/pennsylvania/lower-anthracite-region-united-way, or visit the office in the career and arts building at 2 E. Arch St. Suite 210-d, Shamokin.

For more information, call Dunn at 570-644-1894 or email laruw@verizon.net.

Parking restrictions in Shamokin

SHAMOKIN - The Shamokin Police Department announced Thursday that due to the Anthracite Heritage Festival there will be parking restrictions on both sides of Market Street from Arch Street to Pine Street from 3 p.m. today to 7 p.m. Saturday. Any vehicles not moved prior to the arrival of vendors will be subject to towing.

Parking ban in Kulpmont for parade

KULPMONT - The Kulpmont Police Department, through the office of Mayor Bernard Novakoski, announces a parking ban for the annual Memorial Day Parade scheduled for Monday.

Parking is prohibited from 8 a.m. until the parade passes on the following streets. The 600, 700, 800, and 900 blocks of Pine Street, and the 600 block of Chestnut Street to and including the 1200 block of Chestnut Street.

Additionally, parking is prohibited from 13th and Chestnut streets to 13th and Scott streets, 11th and Chestnut streets to 11th and Scott streets and the 1100 and 1200 blocks of Scott Street. All vehicles must be moved, or they will be ticketed.

HARRISBURG - PennDOT, state and local police are currently working together for a nationwide "Click It or Ticket" seat-belt enforcement running through June 7.

Throughout the Click It or Ticket mobilization, enforcement will focus largely on nighttime operations, using traffic enforcement zones and roving patrols on roadways identified as having higher unbelted crash rates.

"Seat belts save thousands of lives every year, but far too many motorists are still driving unbuckled," said PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards. "PennDOT wants to make the roads as safe as possible, especially at night when crash risk increases. We urge the public to join us in this mission to decrease these crashes."

According to PennDOT data, unrestrained fatalities dropped from 425 in 2013 to 383 in 2014. The statewide number of crashes in which people were not wearing seat belts also decreased to 13,627, compared to 14,436 in 2013.

"While the number of unbuckled fatalities has decreased from last year, there was still a significant number of heartbreaking cases reported," said Acting State Police Commissioner Marcus L. Brown. "In so many of these instances, the victims may have survived if they had been properly restrained - seat belts are the most effective means of reducing fatalities or serious injury."

Motorists are reminded that Pennsylvania's primary seat-belt law requires drivers and passengers under 18 years old to buckle up, and children under the age of 4 must be properly restrained in an approved child safety seat. Children ages 4 to 8 must be restrained in an appropriate booster seat. In addition, children ages 8 to 18 must be must be in a seat belt when riding anywhere in the vehicle.

Also, drivers and front-seat passengers 18 years-old or older are required to buckle up. If motorists are stopped for a traffic violation and are not wearing their seat belt, they can receive a second ticket and second fine.

Funding for this enforcement effort comes from part of PennDOT's statewide distribution of $1.7 million in federal funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Visit www.JustDrivePA.com for more information on seat-belt safety and PennDOT's other traffic-safety initiatives. Join the discussion on social media by using #JustBuckleUp.

SUNBURY - From behind a glass window at a doctor's office, Tina DeFacis saw flowers and balloons and the unexpected faces amongst a group of strangers - every face unfamiliar but one.

Her husband, Ray Jr., aided by a cane, walked into view.

"I have no idea what's happening," Tina DeFacis said Thursday as she walked from the office and into the lobby of a Sunbury Community Hospital clinic where she works as a receptionist.

She sat in a seat, stunned and quivering. She began to cry and was at a loss for words when told Marty Sinopoli Ministries had sponsored her for a day of pampering at Empire Beauty School in Shamokin Dam. Her boss had OK'd an early exit ahead of the surprise.

"What? I'm allowed to go?" she exclaimed.

Ray DeFacis made it happen. He wrote to the Christian organization and expressed that it was the least his wife deserved for all she has done for their family of three. She's his backbone, he said. Now 21 years sober, he said she stuck by him as he fought alcoholism and struggled with sobriety. A back injury kept him off work the past three years, forcing his wife to be the sole provider.

When she wasn't helping her husband and 13-year-old son, Tyler, who is visually impaired, she was helping her mother who was stricken with cancer and died in August.

"We want to recognize unsung heroes," Sinopoli said as Tina DeFacis wiped tears from her eyes.

"And to me," Ray DeFacis said, walking towards her before throwing his arms around her shoulders, "you're my hero."

Marty Sinopoli Ministries will perform a random act of kindness each month; DeFacis the first recipient. The organization seeks nominations through its Facebook page. Businesses and other sponsors are needed to help make someone's day special. Next month's focus is Father's Day.

Sinopoli has long been the catalyst behind donations large and small to people of need in the greater Shamokin area. The ladies who helped with Thursday's random act have done the same: Vicki Burt-Jones, Andrea Martz and Laura James, Sinopoli's mother.

The random act of kindness, she said, is about more than a material gift, it's about lifting someone's spirits.

"We have to start giving kudos to people who are doing well," Sinopoli said. "I want us to start to focus on good people. ... We as followers of Christ are showing them his love."

As DeFacis registered her visit with Empire staff, she spoke about home life. She wakes at 5:30 a.m. daily and works to get her husband and son in motion. She has a few minutes to eat and ready herself before heading to work for 7:45 a.m. When the workday ends at 5 p.m., she returns to cook dinner, help Tyler with homework, and finish chores around the house. It's a routine many are familiar with, and just as many can relate to its natural grind.

The Sunbury couple do what they can to make ends meet. She said the family hauls its own trash to the dump, shops at a surplus grocery store and doesn't often buy food from restaurants.

Tina DeFacis was soon called to the back of the salon to begin a pedicure. A manicure, facial and hair styling would follow. Sparkling grape juice and fresh fruit were waiting. So, too, was a card with her husband's nomination letter inside.

Before walking away, she repeated she is thankful, and she obviously was happy. She said she loves her husband, but playfully needled him since she was embarrassed by the attention that accompanied the surprise.

"I told him I was gonna get him when we get home," she said.

For more information on Marty Sinopoli Ministries, visit martysinopoliministries.org and on Facebook.

MOUNT CARMEL - Mount Carmel Borough Council has passed an emergency resolution, saving this year's Memorial Day parade.

Councilmembers voted unanimously at Thursday's meeting to sanction the Memorial Day parade and related events as borough functions after Mayor Philip "Bing" Cimino expressed his disgust at discovering the parade had been cancelled.

"Due to the PennDOT right of way stuff, insurance and everything else, they won't have a parade," said Cimino, who is a veteran. "It is an insult to all the veterans."

The emergency resolution will extend the borough's event insurance to the parade, eliminating the need for the parade organizers to purchase their own. Parade organizers said they had been told they couldn't use the borough's insurance because the parade was not a borough-sanctioned function, said Cimino.

Borough Police Chief Todd Owens said parades are now required to have large amounts of liability insurance just in case even extremely improbable events occur. The coverage amount required sometimes tops $500,000, he said.

"It's very cumbersome to have," said Owens.

Borough Council President Tony Matulewicz said he expected a resolution at June's meeting extending the emergency designation of the Memorial Day parade as a borough function to all parades to ensure the same insurance coverage.

The emergency resolution would not prevent other parades from encountering the same issues with PennDOT, Councilmember Clement Plisiewicz pointed out.

Owens said a parade crossing any state road requires approval from PennDOT.

"You have to plot out a secondary detour route. You have to have signage," he said, describing the process as "absolutely ridiculous" for a brief event.

Former Mount Carmel Mayor J. Kevin Jones, an organizer of the annual Memorial Day events, said earlier Thursday the committee decided to call off the parade after encountering PennDOT's copious amounts of red tape. Individual events were still planned.

"We don't quite comprehend it. You close a block or so on Oak Street and it isn't redirecting traffic like the Schuylkill Expressway," said Jones. "Everyone is just disgusted and tired."

He expected the process would discourage other parades as it has this one.

"If the state doesn't want to have it, we just won't have it," he said.

Matulewicz directed Borough Manger Edward T. Cuff III to immediately contact the parade organizers and help them fill out and submit PennDOT's paperwork. Cuff is also to follow up with PennDOT today to ensure the paperwork is in the right hands and - if possible on such short time constraints - approved.

Cimino said borough council needs to work toward a permanent solution with PennDOT to ensure parades, especially those honoring veterans, are not cancelled in the future.

"As long as I'm mayor, that better never happen again," he said.

The parade will go on regardless of PennDOT's approval, said Cimino. He will bring out the borough's fire trucks and lead cars through the Memorial Day route even if PennDOT declines permission, he said.

KULPMONT - The Kulpmont Veterans Committee announced the annual Memorial Day Parade and Memorial Service at Roosevelt Court will be held Monday. Participants are asked to meet at American Legion Post 231 at 9 a.m.

Courtesy of King Coal, a bus will transport the group to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post home on Chestnut Street for initial pick-up and then proceed to St. Casimir's, St. Mary's and the Protestant cemeteries for graveside services honoring deceased veterans.

At 10:30 a.m., parade participants will start to form at the American Legion grounds, Ninth and Ash streets. The veterans color guard will line up first in the 800 block of Pine Street. Classic convertibles will transport post officers, honored guests, auxiliary members, clergy and dignitaries. This is the first division.

Next in line will be Holy Angels cheerleaders, athletes, Boy and Girl Scouts, Club Scouts and Brownies. Marion Heights children's sports and girl/boy Scout programs are invited to participate, followed by the East End Fire Company and its supplemental units.

In the second division will be the VFW and disabled veterans of the area, followed by the Mount Carmel Area Marching Band, under the direction of Bernard F. Stellar; featuring cheerleaders and majorettes. Following them will be the Kulpmont West End Fire Company and its Ancillary and youth football and baseball teams, coaches and staff.

The next group will be the fire and ambulance organizations from Mount Carmel area, Mount Carmel Township, Marion Heights and Kulpmont, including emergency services personnel and officers.

The parade will begin promptly at 11 a.m., when the band arrives from an out-of-town program. The parade will proceed east on Pine to Sixth Street, south to Chestnut Street and west to 11th Street, where the veterans color guard will exit to Roosevelt Court for ceremony preparation.

All other units will continue on west to 13th Street, left to Scott Street and east to 11th Street, and then north of the memorial tablets at Roosevelt Court, where Memorial Day services will be conducted.

Albert J. Goodlunas, American Legion commander, will be master of ceremonies. Invocation will be given by the Rev. Andrew Stahmer, of Holy Angels parish. A prayer for peace and the veterans' chaplains prayer will be given by post 231 Chaplain Robert Daniels.

Mayor Bernard Novakoski will give a welcoming address. The band will play the national anthem while the flag is raised by past Post 231 Commanders Charles Bolesta and Andrew Bednarchick.

A rifle salute will be followed by the playing of "Taps" by veteran Jerry Buchinski. Benediction will be given by the Rev. Beverly Petrovich of Kulpmont First Methodist Church.

This year's parade committee includes American Legion Auxiliary members President Elizabeth Chapman, Vice President Rosalie Ziegler, Treasurer Regina Poplaski, Secretary Carol Patton, Historian Dorothy Andrewleski, Sergeant-at-arms Florence Willard and Chaplain Jackie Butler. Veteran committee members are Commander Albert J. Goodlunas, Chaplain Robert Daniels, Second Vice Commander E.W. Puddy, Adjutant Rose Koldash and Directors Andrew Bednarchick and Kenneth Sieklicki.

In the event of rain, services will be held at the American Legion grounds, where refreshments will be served to all parade participants. The community is invited to participate.

Anyone who knows of a grave at the Marion Heights or Kulpmont cemeteries that is unmarked by Saturday afternoon is asked to notify members of the parade committee or obtain a flag or marker at the post home.

IRISH VALLEY - The 33rd annual Veterans Memorial Service at Clark's Grove United Methodist Church is set for 10:10 a.m. Sunday.

The service features a cross composed of more than 100 live carnations. Every veteran attending will be recognized and receive a carnation.

The Clark's Grove brass ensemble, directed by Rob Ensinger, will provide instrumental music. Worship leaders are Greg Rachau, Glenn Henninger and Delmar Shipe. Children will lead the congregation in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Another tradition continues with "God Bless the U.S.A." sung by Jeff Shipe, Scott Miller and Rob Ensinger. All veterans will be recognized with their service anthems sung by the gospel choir.

The choir, under the direction of Ensinger, will present the cantata "Under God," a patriotic celebration of hope, arranged by Richard Kingsmore. Piano accompaniment will be provided by Bonny Klinger with Sheryl Kline as page turner. Ralph Evans is the narrator. Soloists are Amy and Greg Rachau, Shannon Anderson and Jeff Shipe. Additional female choir members are Debbie Cooper, Patty Korbich, Darlene Richardson, Susie Roth, Nancy Salwocki, Sherri Shebelsky and Marie Shipe. Aron Carter, Glenn Henninger, Chuck Hopta, Bob Kline, John Klinger, Jim Krebs, Buzz Miller, Noah Rachau and Ray Roth are the male singers.

The service will conclude with the reading of the honor roll by Greg Rachau, followed by a gun salute and the playing of "Taps" by Marine Kevin Shipe. The Rev. Billy Frick is pastor. The public is invited.

SHAMOKIN - Fifty-two years after he won a state championship in wrestling, there is little doubt Dr. William A. Welker still loves the sport.

He'll demonstrate that as grand marshal in this evening's Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts parade when, with the assistance of two wrestlers each from Shamokin Area and Mount Carmel Area, he'll hand out free copies of one of his wrestling DVDs.

Not everyone will want one, Welker recognizes, but he figured it's an opportunity to inspire some new youth to the sport he's enjoyed for a lifetime.

Welker was the 1963 champ at 95 pounds, and there was just one class back then, no Class AA and AAA as it is today. He'd go on to a career as an educator and author, spending 10 years as a wrestling coach.

His honor as grand marshal in his hometown comes six years after his adopted hometown - Wheeling, W.Va., where he's lived since 1970 - honored him as grand marshal in its annual Christmas parade the year he retired from teaching.

"It's quite an honor, and I'm kind of surprised I was selected," Welker said Thursday. "It means a lot to me."

It's his first time back in town since 2011, when his mother, Dorothy I. "Dot" Welker, passed. His father, William H., died in 1998. His visits are infrequent, but his memories are constant, and being named grand marshal is a tribute to the past, he said.

"It means a lot to me because I had great teachers, great coaches, great parents and grandparents," Welker said. "The '50s and '60s were a great time to grow up in Shamokin."

Welker is the latest representative of "hometown people who have made their mark in the world," Jeanne Shaffer, executive director of the Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities, which sponsors the festival, said in March at the announcement of Welker's selection. Welker returned Shaffer's praise.

"I cannot say enough about how hard Jeanne Shaffer works. It's just unbelievable what she puts together" with a small band of volunteers, he said. "She's proud of Shamokin and so am I."

Doctorate at West Virginia

Welker graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with degrees in health, physical education, recreation and elementary school administration, and earned a doctorate of education in 1989 from West Virginia University.

Welker's teaching career lasted 40 years, and he's published more than 20 articles on classroom reading practices. One of his pieces, "The Typical-to-Technical Meaning Approach," appeared in four graduate reading-instruction textbooks.

Welker has also published a literacy handbook for parents and teachers and two editions of "The Wrestling Drill Book," which has sold thousands of copies nationwide.

He has received national awards in wrestling for his coaching, officiating and writings regarding the sport and is a member of the Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame and the West Virginia chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

He received the Teacher of the Year Award from the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce when he retired in 2009 and, just this year, was inducted to the Jasper N. Deahl Honor Society at West Virginia University.

Welker and his wife, Peggy, who reside on Wheeling Island, have four children, Bill, Richard, Tiffany and Daniel, and 15 grandchildren.

Parade at 6 p.m.

The wrestlers helping Welker tonight are Allen Yancoskie and Wes Shurock from Mount Carmel Area and Brayson Pawelczyk and Jacob Carpenter from Shamokin Area.

The parade starts at 6 p.m. at the east end of Independence Street and travels to Market Street.

Saturday's festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with more than 100 vendors lining Market Street.

The 33rd annual Veterans Memorial Service at Clark's Grove United Methodist Church in Irish Valley will be held 10:10 a.m. on Sunday. The service features a cross composed of over 100 live carnations, in which every veteran attending the service will be recognized and receive a carnation.

The Clark's Grove Brass Ensemble, directed by Rob Ensinger, will provide instrumental music. Worship leaders are Greg Rachau, Glenn Henninger and Delmar Shipe. Children will lead the congregation in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Another tradition continues with "God Bless the U.S.A." sung by Jeff Shipe, Scott Miller and Rob Ensinger. All veterans will be recognized with their service anthems sung by the Gospel Choir.

The choir, under the direction of Rob Ensinger, will present the cantata "Under God," a patriotic celebration of hope, arranged by Richard Kingsmore. Piano accompaniment will be provided by Bonny Klinger with Sheryl Kline as page turner. Ralph Evans is the narrator. Soloists are Amy and Greg Rachau, Shannon Anderson and Jeff Shipe. Additional female choir members are Debbie Cooper, Patty Korbich, Darlene Richardson, Susie Roth, Nancy Salwocki, Sherri Shebelsky and Marie Shipe. Aron Carter, Glenn Henninger, Chuck Hopta, Bob Kline, John Klinger, Jim Krebs, Buzz MIller, Noah Rachau and Ray Roth are the male singers.

The service will conclude with the reading of the Honor Roll by Greg Rachau, followed by a gun salute and the playing of "Taps" by Marine Kevin Shipe. Rev. Billy Frick is the pastor. The public is cordially invited to attend this service.

MOUNT CARMEL - A special service commemorating the 70th anniversary of VE Day and VJ day, May 8, 1945, and Aug. 15, 1945, respectively, will be held in the Mount Carmel Cemetery Chapel at 2 p.m. Sunday. The public is invited.

The Mount Carmel Area Ministerium and the Mount Carmel Area Joint Veterans Committee Honor Guard will participate. The service will start with the musical selection "Majesty" followed by the presentation of the colors. Hymns will include "Battle Hymn of the Republic," "America the Beautiful," "My Country 'Tis of Thee" and "Eternal Father Strong to Save."

Responsive readings will include the Call to Worship and a special Litany for Memorial Day. Special prayers will be offered by the veterans group and the Mount Carmel Ministerium. The scripture will be from John 15: 9-17, and the message "Unconditional Love" will be delivered by the Rev. Rose Marquardt.

The colors will be retrieved by the honor guard and "Taps" will be played following the benediction.

SHAMOKIN - Luminaries for the Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts, which will be hung from trees along the Market Street grass plots for this weekend's event, include the following:

In honor of

Virginia Checchi by Louise Checchi.

Robert J. Oshinskie, Airman 1st Class USAF, by Barbara Oshinskie.

MatyLou Rivetti, Darlene Swank and Dolly Yocum by Dolores Splane.

Charmaine Wilson by Jane Klembara.

Tom Harmon, U.S. Army, by Mary Harmon.

Katie Labosky, Shaun and Claude Harrington and Bob Levins, by Mary Ann Levins.

Chrystal D. Hall and all members of the U.S. Armed Forces, by Garth Hall

Povish family by Berni Witowski.

In memory of

Stanley J. Salwocki, Theresa L. Salwocki, Phillip P. Krebs, Sr. and Shirley Krebs, by Teresa R. Ferdock and Phillip Krebs Jr.

Lester, Eva and James Snyder and Charles Madara, by Leon and Kathleen Madara.

Bert (Buddy) Klinger and Robert MacKey, by Jeanne Klinger.

Edward Kurtz and Sally "Kurtz" Zanella, by Arlene Letcavage.

Bob and Mary Ann Keefer, Bobby Keefer, John and Theresa Barvitskie, Dave Barvitskie, Joseph Moyer, Shepos and Budniak families, Keefer and Culp families and Barvitskie and Halgash families, by Vic and Joan Barvitskie.

Leonora Cherry, Sam Cherry and Ronald Kealey, by Norie Kealey.

Alexander (Red) Homski, by Lorraine Homski.

Austin James. by Tanka and Don Shuey.

Ed Oshinskie, by Barbara Oshinskie.

Eleanor L. "Elli" Kuhns, by Ronald Kuhns.

Mauro Checchi, by Louise Checchi

Joseph Labosky, Catherine J.Labosky, Paul Labosky, Pauline Splitt, Dick and Millie Sharp, Mary and Roman Nemetz and Mary and Leon Cheslock, by Mary Ann Levins

Bob Templin and Laura Podobinski, by Joanne Templin

Joanne M. Tumolo, by Joan M. Tumolo.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Broscious, by Bro and Rose Broscious.

Mr. and Mrs. George K. Renn, by Kline family.

Joann Shervanick, by Kline family.

James H. Kline, by Kline family.

Kathleen Zyla, Helen and Harry Brehm, Gertrude and Dennis Eckman and Agnes and Stanley Zyla, by Rhonda Eckman.

Marian Reed and Fritz Reed, by Debra Reed Losiewicz.

Al Santo Jr., by Lou Morris

Margaret Klembara, Leona Young, Mary Ann Fryberger, by Jane L. Klembara

Robert Deroba, by Judith Deroba.

Mrs. Mary Leshinskie, Adam E. Leshinskie and John M. Leshinskie, by Mary F. Leshinskie.

Frank Koproski, U.S. Army, by Mary Harmon.

Hank Smink, by wife.

Debbie Smink, by mom.

Guie Schwartz, by Bo.

Howard "Scott Davis" Hertzog, Jr. by Angela Hertzog.

John Avellino and Margaret Avellino, by Nancy Suchanick

Colette Sikorski, by Phyllis Sikorski

Owen Francis Derk, by Jeanne Shaffer

Anna V. Zienda and Anthony E. Zienda by Maryann, Richard and Tony.

Antonio and Mary Vivino, Rosemary Vivino Dougherty and Roma family, by Mr. and Mrs. Rocco Roma.

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Fedorko, Mr. Joseph Chekanski, Mrs. Joan Haas and Mrs. Violet DuDeck, by Beverly Katalenas.

Patrick G. Komara, by Elaine Komara.

Robert S. Welker, Philathea Welker, Cathy Welker and Mary Walsh, by Louanne Walsh.

Joseph and Sara Hall, Garth C. Hall, Sgt. Matthew J. Sandri, Capt. Robert C. Scheetz Jr., Dick Morgan and John Polan, by Garth Hall.

John J. Backes, by Ann Backes.

William M. Moyer, USMC, WWII, by Barbara Moyer.

Samuel Fryberger, 48th PA. Volunteer, CW, by Barbara Moyer.

Albert Fromm, U.S. Army, WWII, by Barbara Moyer.

Augie Witowski, by Berni Witowski.

MANDATA - Despite widespread rumor, the Line Mountain School Board has not decided to cut any music programs, board president Troy Laudenslager confirmed Thursday.

Laudenslager was aware of the rumors, which he partially attributed to comments made at a recent fourth-grade band and choral concert, stating the kindergarten through fourth-grade music programs were being chopped by the board.

"No, we did not eliminate the K-4 music program," he said.

Laudenslager said rumors began when the board asked the administration to evaluate the need to replace one of the district's three music teachers, who is leaving at the end of the year. This conversation happens when any teacher leaves, regardless of subject or grade level, he said.

"We ask that of any program, whenever anybody retires; we ask the administration to tell us what the impact is," he said. "It's no different in this scenario."

With the district consolidated into two buildings, the music teachers, who are not assigned to a strict grade level and instead rove between buildings as needed, will spend less time traveling. This may free up enough time between the three positions to eliminate one, he said.

The music teachers do not spend the entire day teaching music classes - they also cover lunches, free periods and study halls. If the teacher is not replaced, the two remaining teachers will spend more time in music classes and have fewer of these extras.

A teacher will be hired to fill the slot if the two remaining teachers cannot arrange their schedules to accommodate the classes, said Laudenslager.

"We'd see how the scheduling would work," he said. "Is it a commitment that we can't rehire anybody? No, it's not the case at this point."

Laudenslager said the board will discuss the possibility of eliminating the position publicly at Tuesday's board meeting, to be held at 6:30 p.m. in the middle/high school library.

A decision to not rehire two elementary teachers based on decreased enrollment was approved April 28. Any decision made on replacing the departing music teacher will be finalized before the approval of next year's budget, which is due by the end of June.

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Shamokin Area School Board and Shamokin Area Education Association (SAEA) will likely head back to the negotiating table for a new teachers contract after the board rejected a fact-finders report.

Members voted 8-0 against the report at a special meeting Thursday evening. Member Bernard M. Sosnoskie was absent.

SAEA approved the report May 13.

No discussion took place on the report during the meeting, and no board members gave a reason for their disapproval. An executive session lasting just under an hour took place immediately preceding the meeting for the purpose of discussing the report.

Board President Ronald P. McElwee referred all questions on the topic to special counsel Antonio Michetti.

Michetti said he could not speak on specifics of the report because it is confidential until both parties vote on it and the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board publishes it. He did not know when that would occur, but said both parties would vote on the report again within five days after it is made public.

"The board did not agree with all the recommendations of the fact-finder," he said.

Doesn't mean strike

SAEA president and elementary school teacher Mary Yohe, who attended the meeting with approximately 30 teachers, students and other members of the community, said the union is reserving the right to strike, but a strike cannot take place until both parties have voted on the report a second time.

"We were hoping they would say yes," said Yohe. If the board had approved the report, the contract would have been settled, rendering a strike threat moot, she added.

By law, SAEA had to agree to the fact-finding after the board requested it April 9. Yohe said the report cost just under $2,000, which the board and SAEA will split equally.

"It was a waste of time and money," she said. "We doubted this would go anywhere."

Approximately 200 union teachers in Shamokin Area School District have been working under the terms of an expired contract for approximately two years.

The final day of school is currently scheduled for June 15, a date that has already been pushed back because of snow days.

SAEA announced its intention in April to strike starting today if a contract wasn't reached, but the fact-finding process has nullified that until at least the second vote takes place.

SHAMOKIN - Thomas Alva Edison applied for more than 1,000 patents during his illustrious career. He invented the phonograph and the motion picture camera and many other devices.

But it was his three-wire electrical system that altered the lifestyles of people living in a young Shamokin.

It was in 1883, 19 years after Shamokin was incorporated as a borough, that Edison and a large group of spectators watched as three city buildings were the first to be electrified in the city. Just two days prior, Edison had arrived in Shamokin to witness the completion and first successful test of a $25,000 central station incandescent lighting plant located along Independence Street, where Jones Hardware sits today. The plant was only the fourth of its kind in the world at the time.

Edison's visit from Sept. 19 to 22 was the longest of only a few visits he made to Shamokin over the years, but his short stay helped pave the way for rapid growth in the area. His impact gave cause to the organizers of this year's Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts to choose "It's Electric" as the theme for this year's 10th anniversary festival, held today and Saturday, in which they'll commemorate Edison's local work. Independence Street has been temporarily renamed "Electric Avenue" as part of the celebration.

'I must not disappoint'

Edison, the seventh child of Samuel Ogden Edison Jr. and Nancy Matthews Elliott, was born Feb. 11, 1847, in Milan, Ohio. He was home-schooled after is mother withdrew him from school at age 7. Later in life, Edison credited his mother with teaching him to read and experiment. He stated, "My mother was the making of me. She was so true, so sure of me; and I felt I had something to live for, someone I must not disappoint."

Edison began his career as the inventor of the automatic telegraphic device, but he became famous in 1877 with the invention of the phonograph, which recorded and reproduced sound. A misconception is that Edison was also the first to invent the light bulb. Various versions had been designed over the preceding half century, but non were capable of providing illumination for every day use.

Edison tested more than 3,000 filaments before he successfully developed the carbonized filament incandescence electric light bulb. His many attempts and failures at perfecting the bulb were perhaps the foundation of one of his most famous lines: "Genius is one percent inspiration, 99 percent perspiration."

Edison furthered his contribution to society by designing a fire-safe and economically viable power generating and distribution system that provided light and power. Edison formed the Edison Electric Illuminating Company of New York, a direct predecessor of Consolidated Edison, also known as Con Ed, in 1880. He began operations at a warehouse on Pearl Street in Manhattan, where he demonstrated his two-wire incandescence illumination system on Sept. 4, 1882.

The two-wire system was flawed, however, because the large diameter transmission line resulted in voltage loss with variable loads. Edison overcame this my inventing the three-wire system, which incorporated a standardized grid featuring equal-diameter electric cables, at a facility in Brockton, Mass.

Local influence

It was in Sunbury where Edison first successfully tested the three-wire system and the use of overhead conductors. According to the Northumberland County Register and Recorder's office, a plant in Sunbury was chartered April 30, 1883, after finding necessary capital in Sunbury and Williamsport. Of the first 16 Edison plants built, six were located in the anthracite region, including in Shamokin and Mount Carmel. It is believed Edison chose to build six plants in the area because of the great availability of coal.

In Sunbury, the system was demonstrated on the evening of July 4, 1883, at the City Hotel, now the site of the hotel that bears his name at Fourth and Market streets. Because of the plant's success, all Edison plants adopted this method. Sunbury has the distinction of being the location of the first successful three-wire plant in the world.

Shamokin capitalists realized the importance of Edison's work and reached out to him to build a plant in their community. In fact, Shamokin had chartered the first Edison Electric Illuminating Company in the county Nov. 29, 1882, but it only raised $5,000 out of $25,000 needed to build a 1,600-light capacity station, according an article in the Shamokin Diamond Jubilee souvenir booklet published in 1939.

The Shamokin Herald reported on May 3, 1883, that a meeting had been held April 30, 1883, in Douty Hall in Shamokin to again attempt to raise the required capital. At that meeting, P.B. Shaw, representing Edison Electric Light Company of New York, asserted that Edison's electricity could be produced cheaper than gas and would be far more superior in every aspect. Residents responded and raised the money. On May 14, 1883, two lots were purchased at the Independence Street site, and a brick building was constructed by August of 1883.

A historic evening

The historic lighting of the three properties took place Friday, Sept. 21, 1883. A crowd watched as the McConnell Mansion along Sunbury Street became the first residential building in Shamokin to be illuminated by electricity. Homeowner Katherine McConnell, an enthusiastic supporter and investor in the company, had consented to have the kitchen of the mansion wired, according to an article in the Centennial Edition of the Shamokin News-Disptach June 26, 1964.

The mansion, last owned by Francis Miles, was demolished May 14, 1969, to make way for Hillcrest Apartments, now called Harold E. Thomas High Rise.

The first commercial building to be lighted was the store of William H. Douty, at the corner of Rock and Sunbury streets, which still stands today. The crowd also witnessed the lighting of St. Edward's Roman Catholic Church, today the site of Mother Cabrini Church, along Shamokin Street. A massive fire April 8, 1971, destroyed any traces that were left of Edison's work.

Claim to fame

Many people claim the church was the first in the world to be powered by electricity. An article in the Shamokin Diamond Jubilee souvenir booklet that was subsequently republished in anniversary booklets in 1964 and 1989 state this as well. However, a church in New Jersey also claims to hold this title.

In April 1883 ­- five months before Shamokin's plant came online - the First Presbyterian Church in Roselle, N.J., became the first in the country to be lighted when the 30-bulb "electrolier" was installed, according to a website for the city and the church. A electrolier, designed by Edison, is a chandelier consisting of brass sections supporting 30 lights in an inverted dome formation with milk glass reflectors.

Further information that rebuts Shamokin's claim to the church lighting is found in the Centennial Edition of the Shamokin News-Disptach, which states that, according to the Edison Foundation Museum, the first church to be illuminated was the City Temple, London, England, followed by First Presbyterian in Roselle and then St. Edward's. It is more likely, based on this information, that St. Edward's was the first church to be have been illuminated by the three-wire system, but it wasn't the first to be powered by electricity.

Other misconceptions have arisen over Edison's work in the county. Mount Carmel was not the first town in the world, or even Northumberland County, to have electric street lights, according to Hugh A. Jones, a Mount Carmel historian and author of "Edison's Experiment in Northumberland County."

According to the article, which appeared in Northumberland County Historical Society "Proceedings and Addresses," some lights were hung as demonstrations along Oak Street following the successful test of Edison's 500-light electrical plant Jan. 22, 1884, but public street lighting did not come to Mount Carmel until the 1890s. Mount Carmel did become one of the first cities to adopt electricity that did not already have gas.

After the successful test runs in Shamokin and Mount Carmel, general wiring of properties began on a large scale. The Shamokin plant continued to furnish incandescent lighting service until 1900, when the plant was taken over by the Shamokin Light, Heat and Power Company. In 1917, stockholders of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company of Mount Carmel sold their stock to Pennsylvania Lighting Company, which merged with Pa. Power and Light Company in 1920. At the time of merger, the plant had a capacity of 200,000 lamps, according to Jones.

Edison portrait

It is worth mentioning that during Edison's short stay in Shamokin, a quite remarkable portrait was taken of him in the photographic studio of Myron Thomas. Edison himself stated in a letter dated April 7, 1898, to Thomas that the photo was "about the best one that I have ever seen." The reason for the letter was to acquire if the negative was available and how much it would cost per dozen. It's not known what Thomas' response was, and the current location of the letter is unknown.

(Hugh A. Jones, Mount Carmel historian, and author of "Edison's Experiment in Northumberland County" that appears in the Northumberland County Historical Society "Proceedings and Addresses" published on Jan. 1, 1984, contributed to this article.)

COAL TOWNSHIP - Fourteen seniors at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School who received diplomas during graduation ceremonies Thursday night were told by their classmates and an alumnus to have an enthusiasm for life, work hard to achieve their dreams and establish a game plan.

Class valedictorian Dakota Steven Maneval thanked teachers, coaches, family members and employers who challenged the senior class and made excellence the expectation, not just a dream.

In quoting highly successful former North Carolina State men's basketball coach Jim Valvano, who led the Wolfpack to the NCAA national championship in 1983 before dying from cancer in 1993, Maneval stated, "How do you go from where you are to where you want to be? I think you have to have an enthusiasm for life. You have to have a dream, a goal. And you have to be willing to work for it."

He said Valvano's advice is a perfect description of what the 2015 graduating class can achieve.

"Every person in this class has something they are passionate about," he said. "It is up to us to use these passions to keep doing what we love in the future and to find passion in the work that we do."

The valedictorian, a son of Jonathan and Sherri Maneval, Northumberland, told his classmates they can't limit themselves and can't be afraid to take risks.

"I have complete faith that my classmates and I will all succeed in whatever direction life decides to take us. We will be the "gods of our English classes" that Miss Bilder promised. We will continue the journey that we began here in high school by working hard, staying focused and achieving our goals."

Class salutatorian Grace Kathryn Rompolski quoted Winston Churchill in her address by stating, "This is no time for ease and comfort. It is time to dare and endure." Although Churchill made the statement under different circumstances, Rompolski said it applies to graduation night.

Rompolski, a daughter of David and Ann Marie Rompolski, of Coal Township, told her classmates they must be willing to leave behind the ease and comfort they have known in their high school years.

'Winners want the ball'

Commencement speaker Eric McCabe, a 2001 Lourdes graduate who serves as high school admissions representative at the Sunbury campus of McCann School of Business and Technology, stressed the importance of developing and following a game plan in life.

McCabe is one of 14 family members to graduate from Lourdes, where he was a football and basketball standout. He earned a degree in business administration with a marketing concentration from St. Francis University in 2006 and a master's degree in athletic administration and coaching from Western Kentucky University in 2011.

McCabe, who has served as a football and basketball coach, worked as a marketing and promotions assistant and athletic ticket manager at Bucknell University from 2006 to 2012. He was the director of women's basketball operations at East Carolina University from 2012 to 2013 and oversaw academics for the program that finished first in Conference USA with an overall team grade-point average of 3.396.

He told the graduates they are well prepared by their teachers and coaches at Lourdes to succeed in whatever endeavors they pursue. He reminded students to remain humble, focused and hungry, and be prepared to face adversity. He said humility will help them overcome any adversity.

The Kulpmont resident, a son of James and Teresa (Zlockie) McCabe, compared life to four quarters of basketball and the plays and situations they encounter.

"Control the controllable and know that the rest will fall into place," he said. "Surround yourself with those people who have the same goals, morals and ethics as you."

He concluded, "To the Class of 2015 - when time is running down, I hope you take the last shot - because winners always want the ball."

Retirees saluted

The Very Rev. Edward J. Quinlan, Secretary for Education for the Diocese of Harrisburg, conferred diplomas to the graduates, who were presented by William Gilger, dean of students at Lourdes.

Quinlan congratulated the graduates and told them to trust themselves to God and deepen their spiritual lives as they continue their journey to the "ultimate farewell" in heaven.

"The last farewell will be a grand hello," he said.

Deacon Martin McCarthy, administrator and high school principal, said the graduates were accepted to 23 institutions of higher learning and earned more than $1 million in scholarships and grants.

Peg Bilder, a longtime English teacher and senior class moderator at Lourdes, inducted the class into the alumni association after presenting a brief history of Lourdes and its predecessors - St. Edward's, Mount Carmel Catholic and Shamokin Catholic high schools. Bilder said Lourdes is the oldest high school in the diocese, with Catholic education in Shamokin and Mount Carmel dating to the late 1800s.

McCarthy commended Bilder and mathematics teachers John Benedict and Patricia Sosnoskie, who are all retiring this year, for their years of service. Combined, the three have approximately 110 years of experience in education. Benedict and Bilder have been at Lourdes for 33 and 22 years, respectively, while Sosnoskie has been a teacher at Lourdes for 18 years.

The Rev. Al Sceski, school chaplain and pastor of Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church, Elysburg, offered the invocation and benediction.

Following the singing of the alma mater, the seniors recessed out of the Lee Korbich Memorial Gymnasium for the last time as a class.

The graduates are Maneval, Rompolski, William Reese Allen III, Jessica Marie DeLong, Caitlin Elizabeth Funk, Luke Michael Holleran, John Leonard Klitsch, Erich Thomas Meloy, Regina Lizeth Perez (an exchange student from Mexico), Mikayla Rose Persing, Claudia Rose Rawa, Taryn Patrice Riegel, Emma Louise Seidel and Bailey Nicole Trell.

COAL TOWNSHIP - A heavy-duty gate has been installed on a road leading to the Whaleback and abandoned coal lands used heavily by off-road enthusiasts.

The metal gate, which is owned and controlled by Coal Township, was placed Wednesday at the western end of the second patch of Bear Valley, at the beginning of a non-maintained road that once led to homes in the third patch. The gate was installed to curb decades of dumping, according to township Manager Rob Slaby.

The gate is supported by two I-beams measuring 1/2 thick that are buried several feet in the ground and encased in cement. The Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) supplied much of the material for the gate. Students from Northumberland County Career and Technology Center built it, according to Dave Porzi, AOAA operations director.

Bear Valley Road residents presented a petition at the June Coal Township meeting seeking a locked gate.

The crumbling road, which begins just feet from the last home in Bear Valley, is frequently traveled by jeeps and ATVs operated by people looking to access the vast valley between the tiny patch and Trevorton about four miles west.

The road is also used by students visiting the geologic wonder. High schools and colleges often visit the site, including Wednesday when the gate was installed.

The Whaleback, owned by Reading Anthracite, is a geologic rock outcrop formed more than 250 million years ago.

"It's not our (township's) intentions to shut off access to anyone who wants to visit the Whaleback, be it a school or grandparents wanting to take their grandkids to see it," Slaby said. "We installed the gate for the betterment of the whole area."

Slaby said a sign measuring approximately 12 by 18 inches listing phone numbers for access to a gate key will be installed at the gate so school buses can continue to use the road. Abutting property owners, including the AOAA, which leases 109 acres from Girard Estates near the Whaleback, will have keys to the gate as well.

Slaby said the township had previously sent letters to those owners to garner any concerns or questions about the installation of a gate. There were no replies.

"I view that as Reading not having a problem with who is out there," Slaby said of the Whaleback. "The township's main concern is to stop the dumping."

MILLERSBURG - PennDOT's construction project to address two areas where there is concern for falling rock along Route 147 in upper Dauphin County gets under way after the Memorial Day holiday weekend. The project involves two areas of concern - removal of loose rock from approximately 800 feet of a cliff face along Route 147 north of Millersburg in Upper Paxton Township, and removal of loose rock and replacement of the existing rock fall fence located south of Millersburg in Upper Paxton and Halifax townships.

Starting Tuesday, the contractor will start on the upper section along Route 147 in Upper Paxton Township north of Millersburg. Motorists are advised that Route 147 will be closed to through-traffic weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the area between Shippen Dam Road (State Route 4002) at the north end of Millersburg and Mahantango Creek Road (SR 3024) just north of Mahantango Creek in Northumberland County. Motorists will be detoured around the closure by way of Route 25 and Route 225. This work will likely take three to four weeks to complete, weather permitting.

When the upper section is completed, the contractor will move its operation to the lower section located south of Millersburg in the boundary area between Upper Paxton and Halifax townships. Motorists are advised that the road in this area will be closed to through-traffic on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the area between Route 209 in Millersburg and Tourist Park Road (SR 4006) in Halifax Township. Motorists will be detoured around the road closure by way of Route 225 and Route 209. When the loose rock has been removed - after about four weeks - the contractor will then replace the existing rock fall fence located in this area.

PennDOT has contracted with Clearwater Construction Inc. of Mercer, to conduct this safety improvement project along Route 147 at a cost of $1,597,000. The entire project should be completed by the end of summer.

Parking restrictions in effect today

SHAMOKIN - Parking in the city is restricted on both sides of Market Street from Arch Street to Pine Street through 7 p.m. today to accommodate the Anthracite Heritage Festival.

Any vehicles not moved prior to the arrival of vendors will be subject to towing.

Recycling Center closed today

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Coal Township Recycling Center will be closed today for the Memorial Day weekend. All other township offices will be closed Monday.

Holiday closings announced

SHAMOKIN - City Hall, the tax office and the street department will be closed Monday in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.

KULPMONT - The Kulpmont Borough Municipal office and the Kulpmont Borough tax office will be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day.

Poker run benefits victim

SUNBURY - A motorcyle poker run is scheduled today to benefit Benjamin Herrold, one of two victims of a stabbing May 3 in Sunbury.

Registration is 11 to 1 p.m. at Laughters bar, Third Street. The ride leaves there at 1 p.m. and has stops planned at Dan's Den, Wayside Inn, Bowery, Herndon House and Danley's. The ride is expected to end at Laughters by 4 p.m.

Herrold has insurance, but it doesn't cover all of his medical bills, according to family.

Any type of vehicle is welcome. Cost is $10 for riders, $5 for passengers. Food, snacks and, in the morning, coffee and donuts will be available at nominal cost.

Call 850-1033 for more information.

SHAMOKIN - This town loves a parade.

That was evident from the thousands who lined the streets of Shamokin to watch the ninth annual Anthracite Heritage Festival Parade Friday evening.

From amusement park to off-road vehicles, politicians to highlanders, young and old alike watched under a sunny, early evening sky, scooping up the candy being thrown by some of the parade participants.

"It's always great when we have weather like this, it makes the parade that much better," Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities director Jeanne Shaffer said. "Always great to have help from up above."

William Welker, of Wheeling, W.Va., was in attendance for his first heritage festival parade, one he happened to be leading as the 2015 grand marshal.

"I've heard such wonderful things about it, and today I see why," Welker said.

The former wrestling champion for Shamokin High School called being grand marshal "an honor I've been looking forward to ever since Jeanne called me about it."

Welker was flanked by several past sports heroes from the coal region, including Joe Bordell and Ron Nalewak.

As bands from Shamokin Area and Shikellamy high schools kept in time with the music, group after group walked past parade judges Lanza Williams, Chad Yoder and Dave Kinder, who scrutinized each one to find the winners in the parade categories of most decorative-creative, best dressed and best in show.

It was the Hawk Mountain Highlanders, the Scottish bagpipe band from Deer Lake that earned the best of show award. The Cardinal Mindszenty fourth-degree assembly of the Shamokin Knights of Columbus won the best-dressed award, while the Brady Fire Company, with their patriotic flag, won most creative.

An honorable mention award was given to the two patriotic pooches, Chance and Lucy, and their owners.

Following the parade, a special luminaria service was held on Market Street.

The festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, featuring tours, vendors, entertainment and food. The vendors will be on Market Street, between Arch and Pine streets, but activity will be taking place all through Shamokin.

The theme of this year's festival is "It's Electric," honoring the contributions of Thomas Edison in Shamokin. For the festival, Independence Street will be temporarily renamed "Electric Avenue" for the festival.