SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Penn State Schuylkill has been awarded $50,000 to expand entrepreneurial endeavors through the Invent Penn State initiative.

Schuylkill is one of six campuses recently named as part of the newest wave of entrepreneurial sites across the state “poised to become economic strengths in their region,” according to a statement released Tuesday.

The seed grant comes through Invent Penn State, a program Penn State President Eric Barron announced in January 2015. It applies Penn State’s research, knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit to bringing creative ideas, helpful products and needed services to market. The statewide initiative is a collaboration of students, faculty and commonwealth campuses, such as Penn State Schuylkill, working with local businesses to help and guide entrepreneurs to prosper, improve lives and spur economic development at the local, state and global level.

“I am delighted that this year Penn State Schuylkill was chosen as one of the campuses to help in expanding entrepreneurial endeavors,” Penn State Schuylkill Chancellor Kelly Austin said. “We are looking forward to assisting creative and motivated entrepreneurs establish their ideas and businesses. Their success will be far-reaching and extremely positive on numerous levels, which will only enhance and improve the economic development of this area. This is truly a great initiative and an exciting time for Penn State, Penn State Schuylkill and for Schuylkill County.”

Invent Penn State combined entrepreneurship-focused academic programs, business startup training and incubation, funding and key regional partnerships for the benefit of Pennsylvania and beyond.

Other campuses that received funding in this latest round are: Altoona, Berks, Great Valley, Shenango and York. Prior to this round of funding, the Penn State campuses of Abington, Behrend, Harrisburg, Lehigh Valley and New Kensington received seed-grant awards for collaborative economic ventures on their campuses and within their communities.

“The process for awarding these six additional grants was very competitive,” Madlyn Hanes, vice president for Commonwealth Campuses, said. “I congratulate the recipients who share a deep commitment to the economic well-being of their communities. They are connecting the talent of Penn State faculty and students with community partners to bring innovation and entrepreneurial activity to the regions we serve. The Invent Penn State initiative is a powerful driver of economic development.”

“The Schuylkill chamber was elated to learn that Penn State Schuylkill was a recipient of a $50,000 seed grant to expand entrepreneurial endeavors through the Invent Penn State initiative,” Robert Carl, executive director of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, said. “Expanding entrepreneurship in Schuylkill County has been an initiative of the Schuylkill chamber for the past two years through the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, in which Penn State Schuylkill has been a major driving partner. We look forward to further collaboration and welcome the opportunity to work with Penn State Schuylkill with their initiative of job creation, economic development and student success through the Invent Penn State initiative. The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce and our business community has always embraced entrepreneurship, and we believe this program is an excellent way for students to be able to explore their passions and learn the skills needed to become future business leaders. By bringing the Invent Penn State initiative to the Penn State Schuylkill campus, we are working to further ignite the spirit of entrepreneurship in Schuylkill County.”

These six new awards follow on the heels of six similar $50,000 grants awarded to Penn State campuses in 2015.

Penn State Schuylkill’s Lion Launch program is a community-based entrepreneurship program that provides funding and mentorship to assist and encourage local entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses and new innovative products. Penn State Schuylkill’s Lion Launch also provides community competition wherein winners receive startup funding, training and mentorship from industry, faculty and economic development professionals.

“Penn State Schuylkill has been working closely with many amazing community leaders and wonderful organizations such as SEDCO, SCORE, the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, Northeast PA Manufacturers & Employers Association and PADCO, to name a few,” Austin said. “We know the extremely talented, caring and giving individuals of this community will help guide, facilitate and assist with Penn State Schuylkill’s Lion Launch program.”

Through the Lion Launch program, successful awardees will not only be provided funds to launch their ideas, but they will also be given the opportunity to participate in workshops on growing and strengthening their business. SCORE members and other community partners will facilitate these workshops within the space made available for use by Pottsville Area Development Corp. Moreover, the successful participants will be provided mentorship from business and community leaders, faculty and Penn State alumni. They will also be given the option to employ student interns in their new businesses.

For more information on Invent Penn State, visit www.invent.psu.edu.

n Ashland: The borough office will be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day.

n Orwigsburg: The Orwigsburg Business and Professional Association will sponsor “June Jamboree: An Evening of Wine and Art,” from 5:30 to 9 p.m. June 23 at Orwigsburg Town Square, Market and Warren streets. Regional restaurants will offer their specialties and people will be able to enjoy an evening of wine sampling from local wineries or a Yuengling beer. Local artists will have their wares on display and there will be live music by Doug Drost. All are welcome to the free event. For more information, call 610-462-9167.

n Schuylkill Haven: The groups Healthy Haven, Schuylkill County’s VISION and the Schuylkill Haven Recreation Department have joined to bring the farmers market back to the community. The market will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. beginning June 9 and running every Thursday until September at The Island. More information is available online at www.havenrec.com/hh. William B.J. Folk III is the recreation manager and can be reached by calling 570-385-1313, ext. 11.

n Schuylkill Haven: The borough will flush its water distribution system and fire hydrants starting June 7. Work will be conducted daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The borough and North Manheim Township east of the Schuylkill River is scheduled for June 7. The borough, Cressona borough and North Manheim Township west of the Schuylkill River is set for June 8. Out-lying areas of North Manheim Township north of the borough and blow-offs in the borough and Cressona are slated for June 9. During flushing, customers may experience low water pressure and cloudy water. If cloudy, run cold water until it runs clean. If the problem persists, call the borough hall at 570-385-2841.

n Shenandoah: The Coal Cracker 10K and Fun Run is set for June 11 starting in the first block of North Main Street. The annual race, which over several decades has gained a reputation as one of the most grueling in the state, is coordinated by Dan Lewis and Tom Talerico of the Shenandoah Flites Running Club. Beginning at 10 a.m., runners will head south on Main Street onto the Gold Star Highway (Route 924), past the Gold Star Plaza and down the off-ramp to Gilberton. Runners will head eastward through Gilberton to Route 54 and then back into Shenandoah on East Centre Street. After a difficult uphill run on East Centre, the race will end back at Main Street. The Fun Run will precede the 10K. Afterward, 10K runners will get to enjoy the traditional “Pierogie Party.”

n Shenandoah: Attorney Jay Zane will speak about “The Bloody First” at 6 p.m. June 7 during a meeting of the Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society at its 201 S. Main St. history center. There is no admission fee and the public is welcome to attend. “The Bloody First” refers to Shenandoah’s First Ward and violence that occurred during a time of labor unrest in the anthracite industry.

n Tamaqua: The New England Fire Company, 7 Miller Lane, will have a chicken barbecue drive-thru from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 4, takeout only. The cost is $9 and meals will include a half chicken, potato, pepper cabbage, applesauce, roll and Guers beverage. For more information, call 570-277-6606.

n Tremont: The Tremont Area Historical Society meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Thursday of each month in the Griffiths Community Room, 139 Clay St., which is accessible to the handicapped. New members are welcome. The society museum, located on the second floor at 19 N. Pine St., is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the second Saturday of every month.

n Tremont: The Tremont Fire Company will host a wing night from 5 to 7 p.m. June 9. An order of jumbo wings comes with celery and dressing. Flavors include mild, hot, naked, creamy hot, ranch, barbecue, honey mustard, spicy barbecue and parmesan peppercorn. Chicken tenders and french fries will also be available. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted. For takeouts, call 570-695-3915.

McADOO — The borough has a new zoning officer.

The borough council voted unanimously at a recent meeting to appoint Denise Kapes as zoning officer, a part-time position, at $8.25 per hour.

Kapes also is McAdoo’s code enforcement officer, another part-time position she will continue to serve in.

“She does an excellent job,” Mayor Stephan Holly said of her performance in that position.

Councilwoman Mary Labert asked about the status of the zoning officer who had been serving the borough, Michael Bowman.

“Is (Kapes) going to be the only zoning officer?” Labert asked. “Is Michael Bowman going to be retained?”

Council President John Shigo said Bowman is still a zoning officer. The borough could employ both and call the person available when zoning service is required.

“He didn’t resign,” Shigo said. “It’s who’s available to do it. We need to at least talk to him and learn something from him.”

Councilwoman Marion DeBalko questioned whether the borough could afford two zoning officers.

“He hasn’t been coming in,” DeBalko said. “He hasn’t been giving us hours. I think we do need to talk to him. I don’t think we can swing two people at $8.25 an hour.”

Bowman, contacted by phone, said he wasn’t aware of Kapes’ appointment and that he has been working — but not turning in time.

“When I’d get a call about somebody putting a fence up, I would stop on my way home from work (his full-time job) and tell them they needed a permit,” Bowman said. “It would take me 15, 20 minutes. I wasn’t charging for the time.”

Bowman said he still wanted to serve as a zoning officer and had no objections to Kapes’ appointment.

“I didn’t hear two words from any council member,” Bowman said. “If that’s what they want, fine.”

Meanwhile, Labert asked if the council could direct Kapes to start checking sidewalks for those “dug out” for the sewer project.

“We can ask her to start making a report on that so we could get letters out to them,” Labert said.

DeBalko said each property owner hired their own contractor to do the work. It was up to the property owner to direct their contractor to replace the sidewalk.

Shigo agreed it was each individual property owner’s responsibility.

“I did mine,” Shigo said. “It was up to everybody to do theirs. It presents a hazard.”

“I guess what happened, it was expensive for some people and they could not afford it, so they just paid for having their sewer installed, and they would take care of the sidewalk themselves,” Labert said. “Unfortunately, a lot of them didn’t do it.”

She said the borough sent out letters a few years ago.

“Some did (fix the sidewalks) and some didn’t, so we’re going to try again,” Labert said.

Joseph Baranko, the borough solicitor, said before the letter is drafted, he will research the borough code to see what contents the sidewalk fill has to have.

Borough resident Dave Shott asked if there was an inspection related to the work.

“The only inspection piece was that the inspector came to make sure it was tied in the right way,” Fire Chief Bob Leshko said. “They didn’t stick around for the backfill process.”

Holly said the sidewalk situation was another example of a state inspector not doing his job.

“The state had an inspector on the state highway and look what happened there,” Holly said. “I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but are you going to worry about sidewalks when you had somebody from the state who was supposed to look at (the road) correctly and didn’t?”

Holly said Kennedy Drive (Route 309) is going to be repaved in 2017 and a year later the laterals will be visible “because it wasn’t properly done the first time.”

Borough resident Dave Shott asked why the council members want to pursue the sidewalk issue.

“Before we start holding people accountable for not putting cement on their sidewalks, shouldn’t we come up with a program to make it a little more enticing for them to do it?” Shott asked. “It’s already compacted by time.”

“We’ll get a list, send letters out and take it from there,” Shigo said.

Shott asked what will happen if residents don’t comply. Labert said those who don’t will be referred to Baranko for legal action.

Deeds

Ashland — John P. and Sarah M. Bane to Ronnie Vandine; 822 Centre St.; $40,000.

John William Groody Sr. to Fabrizio and Julie Manganiello; 1609 Centre St.; $7,000.

Auburn — Jaclynn Marie Kauffman to Doug Naftzinger Inc.; 124 N. Second St.; $20,000.

Blythe Township — Joanne Keim to Joanne Keim, Frank E. McKenzie and Sherry Ann Tierney; 10-acre property; $1.

Branch Township — Lovene Tranquillo, by attorney in fact Patricia L. Tranquillo, to Lovene Tranquillo and Patricia L. Tranquillo; 17 Sunset St.; $1.

Butler Township — Dr. Roy Green to Michael G. and Amanda Weremedic; 1126 Beaver Dam Road; $252,000.

Michael D. Evans and Jane E. Evans to Jane E. Evans; 72 Turnpike Road; $1.

Cass Township — James E. and Donna M. Long to Michael Troxell; 257 High Road; $20,000.

Cressona — Jason and Cara Brennan to Cara Brennan; 157 Wilder St.; $1.

Delano Township — Justin M. and Ashley A. Mroczka to Justin M. and Ashley A. Mroczka; 100 Trenton; $1.

East Union Township — Anna Marie Halupa and Donald Schmidt to Tristan S. and Dorcas J. Zimmerman; property on Brandonville-Ringtown Highway; $120,000.

Mahanoy City — Daniela Pascu to Eric V. and Nancy A. Petritsch; 1405 E. Mahanoy Ave.; $15,000.

Mahanoy Township —Louis R. and Barbara A. Getz to Louis R. Jr. and Christine Getz; 72 Back St., New Boston; $1.

North Manheim Township — Bernice M. Roberts, Leanna M. Bensinger and Todd D. Roberts to Jason E. James; 83 Haven Fair Lawn Drive, Haven Fair Lawn; $156,000.

Leonard W. and Gwen Matz to William P. Webber Sr.; 2012 Long Run Road; $60,000.

Randolph B. Ott to Luke T. and Kimberly R. Ott; 2571 Panther Valley Road; $1.

Kimberly R. and Luke T. Ott to Randolph B. Ott; 8 Hillcrest Ave.; $1.

Orwigsburg — Wilmington Trust Co. to Billy Cryts; 203 Long Ave.; $20,000.

Pine Grove — Paul B. and Elizabeth A. Zechman to Richard J. Downey, trustee under the Paul and Elizabeth Zechman Irrevocable Grantor Trust; 5 W. Wood St.; $1.

Pine Grove Township — Dale and Melissa Rehrer to Vincent and Katelyn M. Uglialoro; 2.4119-acre property; $39,900.

Port Carbon — Charles W. III and Linda S. Fees to Raymond Miske; 110 Lawton St.; $20,000.

Port Clinton — HSBC Bank USA NA to KCLC Properties LLC; 90 Centre St.; $30,199.

Pottsville — Thomas E. and Ildiko I. Maurer to Ildiko I. Maurer; 623 and 627 Harrison St.; $1.

Thomas E. and Ildiko I. Maurer to Ildiko I. Maurer; 421 Harrison St.; $1.

Reilly Township — Swatara Coal Co. to Ralph E. and Lois E. Donmoyer; 1.64123-acre property on Route 209, Newtown; $6,000.

Ralph E. and Lois E. Donmoyer to Ralph E. and Lois E. Donmoyer; 1 E. Pine St., Newtown; $1.

Ringtown — James and Christine Fulton to James and Christine Fulton; 109 W. Vine St.; $1.

Ryan Township — Peter Humanick, individually and as executor of the Estate of Adele D. Humanick, and Stephen Humanick to Peter Humanick; 750 Brockton Mountain Road, Barnesville; $1.

Suzanne M. and Joseph C. Lobichusky to Joseph C. and Suzanne M. Lobichusky; 12 Meadow View Ave., Barnesville; $1.

Rose M. Ricketson to Ryan J. Elko; 50 percent interest in 816 Barnesville Drive, Barnesville; $1.

Schuylkill Haven — Richard A. Ketner, executor under the Last Will & Testament of Helen I. Ketner, to Cecelia A. Stoyer; 433 Hess St.; $40,000.

Shenandoah — Marilyn Stefanski to Lidia Contreras; 527 W. Centre St.; $29,000.

Karen L. Arias and Juan Arias to Jose Adonay Arevalo Ramos ; 324 W. Coal St.; $13,000.

Tower City — Jamat and Joanne Manzoor to Saima Bashir; 319 E. Grand Ave.; $1.

Tremont — Lawrence A. Reiner Jr. and Brittney Herring to Lawrence A. Reiner Jr.; 225 E. Main St.; $1.

Wayne Township — William L. DeGoff and David M. Lally to William L. DeGoff and David M. Lally, trustees under the DeGoff Lally Family Living Trust; 458 Wynonah Drive, Lake Wynonah; $1.

West Brunswick Township — Eileen L. Huntzinger, Gary Bauer and Marilyn Kirschner to Michael and Deborah Steffe; 151 Fort Lebanon Road; $71,000.

West Penn Township — Diane E. and Joseph A. Ronitz to Kevin Carl and Jessica Horning; 120 Tower Road; $183,500.

Coaldale officials asked Schuylkill County Court on Friday to direct the county to forgive back taxes on two properties it acquired with the intention of razing the buildings on them.

In its petition, Coaldale termed the county’s declining to forgive the taxes on 138-140 Fisher Ave. arbitrary and an attempt to force it to pay taxes sowed by the former owners.

“Any denial of the request ... is effectively insisting that Coaldale Borough pay taxes for which it is not responsible,” according to the petition.

Borough officials asked the court to force the county to show why the taxes should not be forgiven.

Coaldale alleged it bought the properties on Oct. 13, 2015, in order to tear them down “due to the extremely dilapidated condition” of each.

The borough said it intends to forgive any taxes owed to it, and Panther Valley School District intends to do the same, with its school board unanimously voting at its May 12 meeting to do so, but the county indicated it could not.

However, the county does not have the authority under state law, specifically the General County Assessment Law and the Fourth through Eighth Class County Assessment Law, to insist that a municipality pay taxes on property it owns, according to the petition.

“The County’s position not to exonerate or forgive the back taxes incurred by the prior owner ... is arbitrary and capricious and without basis,” the petition reads in part.

David A. Plachko

PORT CARBON — A Schuylkill Haven man charged with a theft at Boscov’s Department Store at Fairlane Village mall in Norwegian Township on March 17 had charges against him held for court during a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko.

James Lee Fyler, 36, of 127 Kreiner Road, was arrested by state police Trooper Justin Humanick of the Schuylkill Haven station and charged with one count each of retail theft and receiving stolen property.

Plachko determined the commonwealth proved a prima facie case and ordered both charges against Fyler held for Schuylkill County Court.

Humanick charged Fyler with taking two hats and a T-shirt with a combined valued of $81.50. While fleeing the business, Humanick said, Fyler dropped the shirt but kept the two hats and fled the area. The man was identified through store security footage and Humanick said it was learned he has a prior conviction for retail theft.

Other court cases included:

Justin M. Knoll, 28, of 74 S. Tulpehocken St., Apt. 3, Pine Grove — withdrawn: possession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct.

Erica R. Raczka, 24, of 155 Sunbury St., Minersville — held for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ronald J. Terway, 26, of 155 Sunbury St., Minersville — held for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Krystal Lee Semerod, 31, of 150 West Ave., Apt. B, Mount Carmel — held for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Twenty-four people received a second chance Thursday from the judicial system, as a Schuylkill County judge admitted them into a program that will enable them to emerge from their experience without a criminal record.

The Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program allows first-time offenders to participate in it.

If they comply with all conditions of the program, plus obey directives from the court and county Adult Probation Office, the charges against them will be dismissed. Then, they can petition the court to have their record expunged.

President Judge William E. Baldwin admitted the following 24 people, who were charged with the indicated offenses, to the program.

Juanita Black, 54, of Philadelphia; fraudulent or altered title or registration and improper possession of documents.

Brady W. Burke, 23, of Pine Grove; driving under the influence.

Nikolis B. Chyat, 28, of Staten Island, New York; DUI.

Brian J. Conroy, Shenandoah; DUI.

Tammy A. Conti, 54, of Ringtown; unsworn falsification to authorities.

Christopher R. Gerber, 24, of Schuylkill Haven; possession of drug paraphernalia.

Elrena L. Gibson, 52, of Ashland; two counts of hindering apprehension and one each of possession of drug paraphernalia and public nuisance.

Angel M. Hahn, 20, of Pottsville; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Wade M. Hoffman, 27, of New Philadelphia; bad checks.

Brenda L. Hosler, 49, of Coaldale; disorderly conduct.

Douglas Hosper, 26, of Imperial; three counts each of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

John E. Johnson, 28, of Pottsville; possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Angie J. Kasper, 34, of Tower City; possession of a controlled substance, possession of a small amount of a controlled substance to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jaclynn M. Kauffman, 29, of Auburn; theft and receiving stolen property.

Bobbie N. Kunkel, 22, of Tamaqua; DUI.

Harry B. Lentz III, 52, of Kelayres; DUI.

Bradley S. Maines, 21, of Mahanoy City; DUI, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Alisha D. Masarone, 30, of Hamburg; DUI.

Linda M. McCoy, 27, of Cressona; adulterated or misbranded controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kati E. Rodriguez, 27, of Jim Thorpe; DUI.

Jacquelyn Taylor, 26, of Tamaqua; possession of a controlled substance.

Welfran Terrero, 19, of West Hazleton; DUI.

Israel S. Whalen, 21, of Orwigsburg; possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Matthew K. Yoder, 24, of Hamburg; possession of a controlled substance.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Dr. Kristen Camille Stabingas extended three pearls of wisdom Friday to Schuylkill Haven Area High School graduates.

“You will never make it, the work will never end and never stop asking for help,” she said.

Stabingas, a 2006 graduate, returned to her alma mater to deliver the keynote address to the 105 graduates and their families at Rotary Field during the 125th annual commencement. Superintendent Lorraine Felker introduced Stabingas.

She said the lessons she valued most in her life have little to do with her accomplishments. Her character, she said, was built from failure.

“I did not graduate at the top of my class. I did not attend an Ivy League college. I was rejected the first time I applied to medical school. I have failed at saving multiple lives,” she said.

Stabingas received her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington in 2009. She received a doctor of medicine degree in May 2015 from Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia. She is currently an intern at Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, with a focus on neurological surgery. Stabingas is participating in a multi-center research study on early neurosurgical intervention for Parkinson’s disease. She is the daughter of Richard and Denise Stabingas, Schuylkill Haven.

“You will never make it, because ‘it’ does not exist. One of the most rewarding gifts you can give yourself tonight is to commit whole-heartedly to your journey, not to your final destination,” Stabingas said.

Her second ‘pearl’ was that the work will never end.

“There will come a time when you believe everything is finished — that is the beginning. This may sound incredibly daunting, as you sit here finally feeling empowered and free. When things feel overwhelming, when your heart is broken in a million pieces, when you’ve reached exhaustion, when you’re facing failure, return to work. At that point, when you’re in your most vulnerable state, you will see just how powerful you are. As a physician, I know fear. I know crippling self-doubt. Fear of failure is an incredible motivator. Fear of failure keeps you sharp,” she said.

“Never stop asking for help. You need to learn to experience frustration. You need to experience that frustration as a teachable moment. And in that moment, you need to humble yourself and ask for help. Adversity strengthens us in ways that success cannot. You are all lucky enough to be graduating from this tight-knight, small town high school. You already have an army of allies who are willing to help you every step of the way,” she said.

Valedictorian David S. Zimmerman and Salutatorian David J. Chesakis both offered addresses peppered with humor, and expressed thanks to their support system of family, teachers and friends.

“Life is like a giant chemical reaction ... and the final product is the person we turn out to be,” Zimmerman, 18, of Schuylkill Haven, said. He noted the school was like an enzyme, and that friends and family were like a catalyst. He said his fellow graduates were “notable.”

He is the son of Stephen and Aimee Zimmerman. He will attend the University of Delaware, majoring in chemical engineering.

Chesakis spoke about a strong work ethic and each person having significance. He referred to the book, “The Five People You Meet in Heaven,” by Mitch Albom.

“In our lifetime, we will leave a lasting impression on at least five people,” he said. “Trust the abilities you have learned to guide you.”

Chesakis, 17, is the son of Jim and Rosanne Chesakis, Schuylkill Haven. He will attend Penn State University, majoring in business administration. He was accepted into the Penn State Schuylkill Honors Program.

Senior Class President Tabatha Bauer welcomed guests and recognized families, teachers, administrators and her fellow graduates who have played a role in shaping the class.

“We’ll never forget where we came from,” she said.

High School Principal Sarah Yoder presented the Class of 2016 to receive their diplomas. Scott Jacoby, school board president, offered words of encouragement and assisted during the diploma distribution.

The ceremony was colorful, with music and a mix of young voices. The high school and middle school band, under the direction of Carla Capella, offered “Pomp and Circumstance” during the processional. Other musical selections came courtesy of the Little Hurricanes, who sang “Intentional Life” and “Happiness,” under the guidance of director Gloria Evert.

As graduates entered the field, two-by-two, the females each carried a single sunflower, which was the class flower. Some graduates had decorated their caps, adding paint, tape and sparkling baubles. Some said “That’s All Folks,” “ESU Bound” and “Penn State”.

Makenzie Umbenhour’s cap paid tribute to Peter Pan and stated “Never Grow Up.” Umbenhour, 18, of Schuylkill Haven, plans to study media arts and animation at SNHU, New Hampshire.

Meanwhile, David Kane took a pen to the inside of his cap, writing his name so he could retrieve it after sending it airborne at the end of the ceremony.

“All of the classes before us have been doing it, so we wanted to keep the tradition going,” Kane, 17, of Lake Wynonah, said. He’ll study secondary education and English at Bloomsburg University.

Michael E. Kilcullen is headed to state prison after admitting Friday in Schuylkill Court that he sexually assaulted two teenage girls in Pottsville.

Kilcullen, 19, of Pottsville, pleaded guilty to two separate charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and one each of criminal trespass and possession of drug paraphernalia.

President Judge William E. Baldwin accepted Kilcullen’s plea and, pursuant to an agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, sentenced him to serve four to eight years in a state correctional institution and pay costs.

Baldwin also ordered the state Sexual Offenders Assessment Board to evaluate Kilcullen to help determine whether he is a sexually violent predator. That determination, which Baldwin will make, will help in setting the nature and duration of the Megan’s Law sanctions to be imposed on Kilcullen.

In the sex-related cases, Pottsville police alleged Kilcullen sexually assaulted the girls on Dec. 4, 2015, and then on Jan. 10. Assistant District Attorney Debra A. Smith said each girl was a teenager.

In each of those cases, prosecutors withdrew charges of statutory sexual assault, corruption of minors and indecent assault.

Police said that in the first case, the girl told them Kilcullen provided her with alcohol and had indecent contact with her before they spent two days and nights together.

Pottsville police also filed the third case against Kilcullen, alleging he trespassed and possessed paraphernalia on Nov. 5, 2015, also in the city.

Kilcullen, who was dressed in a prison jumpsuit, said little during Friday’s hearing except that he understood the terms and consequences of his plea and was entering it knowingly and voluntarily.

Defendant: Michael E. Kilcullen

Age: 19

Residence: Pottsville

Crimes committed: Two charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and one each of criminal trespass and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Prison sentence: Four to eight years in a state correctional institution

Police: Woman

victim of IRS scam

ELIZABETHVILLE — State police at Lykens are investigating a theft incident that was reported to them about 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Police said a 50-year-old Hegins woman reported she was contacted by telephone and told she was being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service and that she would be arrested within two hours if she did not purchase two iTunes cards totaling $200.

Police said the woman immediately purchased the cards and was instructed to read the numbers to the caller who then called the woman back on a different number.

The numbers used to contact the woman included 206-539-5707 and 909-458-0712, police said, adding that the numbers were traced to Seattle, Washington, and Ontario, Canada, respectively.

The numbers have been reported as fraudulent and police warn all residents to be aware of possible fraudulent activity associated with those telephone numbers.

Schuylkill County District Attorney Christine Holman and Schuylkill County detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating a man wanted on outstanding bench warrants in Schuylkill County Court.

Jeifri Jojan Graciano-Suazo, 26, is described as being white, about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing about 190 pounds.

Detectives said Graciano-Suazo is wanted for felony possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance and misdemeanor offenses of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, prohibited offensive weapons and false identification to law enforcement.

Graciano-Suazo has a last known address of 124 N. Chestnut St., Shenandoah, detectives said.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Graciano-Suazo, or on any other fugitive in Schuylkill County, is asked to call the district attorney’s office at 570-628-1350, Schuylkill County Tip Line at 570-624-3988 or your local police department.

In addition, anyone who may see or come in contact with Graciano-Suazo is asked to call the Schuylkill County Communications Center immediately.

All information received will remain confidential.

A complete list of Schuylkill County bench warrants is available on the Schuylkill County website at www.co.schuylkill.pa.us.

Q: I’m finally ready to make the switch from my old gas guzzler to an electric or plug-in hybrid car. What are the best bang-for-my-buck deals on these newfangled vehicles?

— MICKEY LAMONTE, BOSTON

A: With each new model year, automakers continue to expand their offerings of affordable and fun plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles.

While consumers obviously want these new cars, this year’s phase-in of President Barack Obama’s higher automotive fuel efficiency standards have given automakers another reason to step up the manufacturing of less-consumptive vehicles that compete in price with their gas and diesel counterparts.

Also, new-car buyers can cash in on up to $7,500 in federal tax incentives (and possibly more from their own state — check out the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy to find out) to help defray the costs of getting into an EV or plug-in hybrid. What this means is that giving up gas has never been so easy — or cheap.

A case in point is Ford’s redesigned C-Max Energi, a plug-in hybrid that gives drivers a range of up to 500 miles as well as 19 miles of all-electric driving for under $28,000, factoring in the federal tax rebate. Not to be outdone, General Motors’ Chevrolet brand is coming on strong with several of its own affordable EVs and plug-in hybrids. The Spark Electric gets more than 80 miles per charge and can be had for less than $19,000. Chevy fans looking for a beefier engine and torquier ride can opt for the Volt plug-in hybrid, which runs for 380 miles using its gas engine as a generator or 38 miles on electric battery power alone — all for less than $27,000.

Meanwhile, German automakers continue to innovate on the electric vehicle front. BMW’s all-electric I3 EV zooms from zero to 60 in seven quiet seconds and, despite its punky look, drives just like a ... Beemer. The all-electric base version of the I3 can be had for around $35,000 and gets drivers 81 miles per charge, but owners can opt to add a small backup gas engine (for another $4,000), turning the car into a plug-in hybrid with a 150-mile range.

While all these choices are well and good if you need a car ASAP, those willing to wait until next year might want to hold out for Tesla’s forthcoming Model 3, a sporty all-electric sedan with a 215-mile range. The car will retail for $35,000, meaning consumers should be able to get it for $27,500 after the federal tax rebate. Tesla is hoping that the solid range, sporty drivetrain and stylish look might just make the Model 3 the “it” EV on the market when it hits showroom floors in 2017.

EARTHTALK is a trademark of the nonprofit Earth Action Network. To donate, visit www.earthtalk.org. Send questions to question@earthtalk.org.

Elizabethtown

Jared B. Lescavage, Pottsville, graduated May 14 from Elizabethtown College with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and minor in engineering design. He made the spring semester dean’s list with a 3.79 GPA.

A 2012 Pottsville Area High School graduate, he is a son of William and Michelle Lescavage, Pottsville, and a grandson of Frank and Maryann Fetterolf, Pottsville.

Nazareth

Haley Phillips, Valley View, graduated May 8 from Nazareth College, Rochester, New York, with a doctoral de-gree in physical therapy during the 89th commencement at Blue Cross Arena.

IUP

Jillian L. Wagner, Schuylkill Haven, formerly of Barnesville, graduated cum laude from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a degree in nutrition/dietetics from the school of Health and Human Services. She also was named to the dean’s list for the spring semester.

She will return to IUP in the fall to complete her dietetic internship and to pursue a master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics. She plans to become a registered dietician.

A 2012 graduate of Mahanoy Area High School, she is a daughter of Sharon Davis Wagner, Schuylkill Haven, and Jeff Wagner, Hometown.

Clarion

Danielle Savitsky, Frackville, graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in speech language pathology at Clarion University, where she will pursue a master’s degree in speech language pathology. She made the spring semester dean’s list with a 4.0 GPA.

A 2012 graduate of Nativity BVM High School, she is a daughter of Robert and Asseneth Savitsky, Frackville.

King’s

The following local students graduated May 22 from King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, with bachelor’s degrees:

Bret K. Ruch, Lykens, criminal justice; Samuel A. Reiley, Auburn, environmental studies; Nina A. Norwich, Shenandoah, psychology; Connor P. Deffley, Zion Grove, biology; Thomas M. Hagenbuch, Delano, biology; Kelly L. DeCosmo, Shepp-ton, psychology; Andrew J. Hubiak, New Philadelphia, accounting; Zachary G. Motil, Zion Grove, accounting; Emily Gene Oakill, Pottsville, management.

Lock Haven

Danielle N. Polansky, Minersville, graduated May 7 magna cum laude from Lock Haven University with a bachelor’s degree in health science. She will attend graduate school to continue her education to become a physician assistant.

A 2012 Minersville Area High School graduate, Danielle is a daughter of Lisa Polansky, Minersville, and the late Daniel Polansky, and a granddaughter of Thomas and Carol McGovern, Branchdale, and Russ and Maryann Polansky, Minersville.

Millersville

The following area residents graduated May 7 from Millersville University during the May 7 undergraduate commencement ceremony:

Olivia Brill, Pine Grove, bachelor’s degree in mathematics; Matthew Dietrich, Pine Grove, technology education; Brittany Filiziani, Ringtown, biology; Krista Fogarty, McAdoo, geography; Kody Griffith, Pottsville, biology; Joshua Hay, Hamburg, economics; Emily Kaledas, Saint Clair, biology; Tiana Kelly, Tower City, psychology; Kevin Piaskowski, Frackville, computer science; Rebecca Potts, Schuylkill Haven, social work; Jolene Stankiewitch, Schuylkill Haven, music education; Angelica Todero, Pine Grove, earth sciences; Mary West, Auburn, social work.

n Frackville: The Frackville Area Senior Citizens group, 130 E. Frack St., is taking reservations for a bus trip to Ehrhardt’s for “Oldies & Motown” at 9 a.m. Sept. 28. The cost is $75 and the event will feature music and dancing with the Uptown Getdowns followed by a family-style meal and then the Oldies & Motown show. For reservations or more information, call Grant at 570-874-3531 or Marie at 570-874-2774.

n Mahanoy City: The Mahanoy City Elks Lodge, 135 E. Centre St., will have a Flag Day program at 7 p.m. June 14. The free event will include a history of the flag and patriotic music. There will be free refreshments following the program. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-573-2649.

n Minersville: A Chinese auction to benefit Leslie Wilcox Rutecki, who has ALS, will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. June 10 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 11 at the New Minersville Fire Company, 500 Line St. The cost is $5 a sheet or five sheets for $20. Prizes include a 43-inch TV, Coach purse, Dooney & Bourke Phillies wristlet, Ryan Howard autographed baseball, Yuengling mirror and other big items. Food and desserts will be available. For more information, call 570-640-0577.

n Port Carbon: Registration for the Port Carbon July Fourth Firecracker 5K is underway. The first 200 to sign up before June 15 will receive a T-shirt. Pickups will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. July 3 at the gazebo. T-shirts can also be purchased for $10 by calling Deniece at 570-573-1946. Proceeds will benefit the parade and fireworks.

n Pottsville: Laptime at the Pottsville Free Public Library, 215 Market St., is set for 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. June 8. The free event will include free play, readings, singing and a simple craft. It is a way to introduce young children to a group environment, according to a library press release. Siblings are welcome. The program will go from June 8 to July 27 and is recommended for children 17 months to 3 years old. People are asked to register. For more information, call 570-622-8880. Storytime, for children ages 3 to 5, will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays June 6 through July 25 at the library. People are asked to register. The library will also sponsor “Builders’ Bonanza” from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays in June and July beginning June 6, for children 5 to 12. It will involve creations with Legos and Goldieblox plus other educational toys. Donations will be accepted and people are asked to register. Family Night at the library will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursdays in June and July beginning July 9. There will be special programs and guests and children who participate will have the opportunity to take home prizes. Call the aforementioned number for more information.

n Pottsville: Dog wardens will conduct license, rabies and compliance checks with dog owners in Schuylkill County this week, according to a release from the state Department of Agriculture. Under Pennsylvania law, all dogs three months or older must be licensed by Jan. 1 each year. The fee is $6.50 for each spayed or neutered dog and $8.50 for other dogs. Older adults and persons with disabilities may purchase a license for $4.50 for spayed or neutered dogs and $6.50 for others. All dogs and non-feral cats (three months and older) must be vaccinated against rabies. Booster vaccinations must be administered periodically to maintain lifelong immunity. Violators can be cited with a maximum fine of $300 per violation plus court costs, according to the release. For more information, visit www.licenseyourdogPA.com or call 717-787-3062.

n Pottsville: The Majestic Theater, North Centre Street, will have a free children’s theater workshop for boys and girls ages 5-12 on Saturday. Youngsters will be divided into age groups and students will be introduced to all aspects of musical theater. Advance registration is required and the deadline to register is Thursday. For more information, email to majesticplayerspottsville@gmail.com.

n Schuylkill Haven: Vietnam Veterans Post 29 will have a Memorial Day service at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Vietnam Memorial, Route 61 near the entrance to Penn State Schuylkill campus. All are welcome to attend. For more information, call 570-628-5362.

James R. Ferrier

ORWIGSBURG — A Mount Carbon man will face three separate sets of drug-related charges after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing in front of Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier on Tuesday in each case.

Brian E. Hawke, 33, of 57 Main St., sold methamphetamine three times this year in Cressona, police said.

He faces a total of four counts of conspiracy, three each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia and two of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Schuylkill Haven borough police filed all three sets of charges against Hawke.

They alleged he sold a baggie containing meth to a confidential informant in a controlled buy at 6:26 p.m. Feb. 1 at 3 Beech St., about 11 p.m. Feb. 25 at the same location and at 8 p.m. March 10 in the parking lot at Bethany Christian Fellowship Church, 102 Front St.

Police said they followed the same procedure in each buy, searching the confidential informant before and after each buy, prerecording the money used and field-testing the substance after each deal.

Hawke is free on a total of $50,000 unsecured bail pending further court proceedings.

Other defendants whose cases Ferrier considered on Tuesday, the charges against each one and the judge’s dispositions of the matters included:

Gavin R. Allan III, 31, of 219 Dock St., Schuylkill Haven; delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Jeffrey S. Carlson, 44, of 615 George St. Apt. 4, Throop; driving under the influence, disregarding traffic lane, failure to drive at a safe speed and careless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Michael J. Donlin Jr., 41, of 24 Beecher St., Pine Grove; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Geoffrey C. Garrett, 35, of 488 W. Columbia St., Schuylkill Haven; three counts of conspiracy, two of carrying a firearm without a license and one each of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, DUI and improper turning movements; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Kellie J. Garrett, 34, of 20 Railroad St., Schuylkill Haven; delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and hindering apprehension; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Anthony M. Haughton, 55, of 565 Chestnut St., Orange, New Jersey; two counts of conspiracy and one each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Jeremy M. Lutz, 32, of 401 Spring St., Minersville; nine counts of conspiracy, four each of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities and criminal use of a communication facility, three of possession of a controlled substance and one of corrupt organizations; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Roy I. Nagle III, 50, of 64 Center Ave., Schuylkill Haven; DUI and careless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

James L. Price, 25, of 401 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City; possession of drug paraphernalia; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge bound over for court.

Joshua A. Somers, 28, of 276 Chestnut St., Cressona; DUI, disregarding traffic lane, careless driving and seat belt violation; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Steven A. Valkosak, 50, of 433 Adamsdale Road, Orwigsburg; retail theft and receiving stolen property; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

David L. Weiser, 33, of 484 W. Columbia St., Schuylkill Haven; simple assault, resisting arrest, public drunkenness, terroristic threats and harassment; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Pine Grove Area

Alyssa Carpenter and Breanna Mabry have been selected as seniors of the month for May for the Pine Grove Area School District.

Alyssa is a daughter of Roger and Fawn Sirbaugh, Pine Grove. She studies in the honors and advanced placement curricula.

Her high school activities include varsity cheerleading, competition cheerleading, SADD secretary, Class of 2016 secretary, FBLA, student council, varsity club and Big 33 cheerleader. She plans to attend Millersville University to double major in early childhood education and special education and minor in STEM.

Breanna is a daughter of James and Melissa Mabry, Pine Grove. She studies in the college preparatory curriculum.

Breanna’s high school activities include basketball, track and field, varsity club, prom committee, school newspaper editor, FFA and statistics club.

She plans to attend Alvernia University, Reading, and major in nursing.

Pottsville Rotary

Pottsville Area High School seniors Shelby Hahner and Mykaihla Sternick and Nativity BVM High School seniors Kaitlynn Esemaya and Adrian Datte were honored as Pottsville Rotary students of the month for March.

Shelby is a daughter of Edward and Melissa Hahner, Pottsville. She is a member of the National Honor Society, French National Honor Society, French club, Leo club, SADD and serves as president of Alpha Iota Delta and secretary of student council. She is a winner of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Leadership Award.

Shelby has been a member of track and field for four years, including being a league medalist and a district qualifier. She has been a four- year member of the majorettes, including serving as captain. She is a dancer at L.A. Dance Theatre, Saint Clair.

Shelby plans to attend college and major in elementary education with a minor in dance.

Mykaihla is a daughter of Christopher and Melissa Sternick, Pottsville. She is a member of the National Honor Society, French National Honor Society, Leo club, and serves as vice president of student council and secretary of Alpha Iota Delta.

Mykaihla is also a majorette and a dancer with L.A. Dance Theatre and is a performance/competitive team captain. She lettered in swimming.

She is proud to have been named a People to People Student Ambassador, and plans to major in anthropology on a pre-med track.

Kaitlynn is a daughter of Assumpta Allanah, Pottsville, where she attends St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church. She is a member of the National Honor Society and serves as treasurer of the Science National Honor Society and is a student ambassador.

She is also a member of the math, science, Interact, art and yearbook clubs, campus ministry and student government. She is a 2016 soccer scholar-athlete and also a blood drive organizer.

Kaitlynn plans to spend her summer as a junior volunteer at Geisinger Medical Center, and her future plans include majoring in biology to later become a pediatric neurologist.

Adrian​ is a son of Paul and Christine Datte, Pottsville, where he attends St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church and is active as an altar server. He has been active in many activities of the church over the years and participated in the parish’s annual dramatic stations of the cross.

Adrian is a member of the Interact, science, yearbook and ski clubs and campus ministry. He was a four-year member of the track and field and soccer teams, where he is a three-year letterman and serves as co-captain this year. He was also selected as a soccer scholar-athlete.

Adrian is a member of the National Honor Society and has received awards in art and sports entertainment and marketing. He completed the summer teen digital filmmaking program at the New York Film Academy, New York City.

He has received an A.J. Drexel scholarship and Westphal scholarship and he will be attending Drexel University, Philadelphia, to major in animation and visual effects to pursue a career in filmmaking.

While Americans are confronting an epidemic of prescription drug abuse, particularly for addictive painkillers, the reverse problem prevails in much of the world.

Many ill people with a legitimate need for drugs like oxycodone and other narcotics known as opioid analgesics cannot get them and are suffering and dying in pain, according to health officials, doctors and patients’ rights advocates.

In Russia, India and Mexico, many doctors are reluctant to prescribe these painkillers, fearful of possible prosecution or other legal problems, even if they believe the prescriptions are justified.

In Kenya, health officials only recently authorized the production of morphine, one of the most effective drugs for pain relief, after criticism that it was available in only seven of the country’s 250 public hospitals. In Morocco, the advocacy group Human Rights Watch reported in February, only a small fraction of physicians are permitted to prescribe opioid analgesics, which the country’s law on controlled substances identifies as poisons.

And in most poor and middle-income countries, these drugs are restricted and often unavailable, even for patients with terminal cancer, AIDS or grievous war wounds.

Plenty of reasons

The reasons include an absence of medical training, onerous regulations, costs, a focus on eliminating illicit drug use and, in some cultures, a stoic acceptance of pain without complaint. The problem has been amplified, public health experts say, by the stigmatization of the drugs, partly from fear of what has happened in the United States, where opioid misuse is a growing cause of death.

Reinforcing this view has been publicity about high-profile users like Prince, the pop star who died last month at his Minnesota mansion as friends sought help from an addiction specialist to treat what was apparently a dependence on opioid painkillers.

“While clearly there are issues with some prescribing practices, there’s also clearly a risk to vilifying these medicines,” said Diederik Lohman, associate director of the health and human rights division at Human Rights Watch.

In some countries, Lohman said, “a clerical error in a morphine prescription” can lead to criminal inquiries. “The fear associated with prescribing a medicine under strict scrutiny makes physicians afraid,” he said.

Afsan Bhadelia, a visiting scientist and palliative care expert at the Harvard School of Public Health, said “the biggest misconception” internationally regarding opioids was the need for tighter control.

“People do not have access to pain control for basic surgery,” she said. “People are going into the operating room and not having anyone mitigate their pain. It is a great injustice.”

Public perception

Liliana De Lima, executive director of the International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care, a Houston-based advocacy group, said global publicity about the American opioid epidemic “had brought this problem to the people, and that has had an effect on the fears.”

Despite international protocols dating back decades that entitle patients to pain relief and palliative care, access remains limited or nonexistent for many.

A report published in February from the International Narcotics Control Board, a United Nations agency, showed that most growth in the use of opioid analgesics has been in North America, Central and Western Europe, and Oceania. It remains low in Africa, Asia, Central America, the Caribbean, South America, and Eastern and Southern Europe.

WHO weighs in

The pain-relief problem was addressed by the World Health Organization in a report published in advance of a U.N. summit meeting on international drug policy in April, the first such review in nearly two decades.

“Ensuring the adequate availability of controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes,” the WHO said, was a commitment made by member states that had “yet to be universally achieved.”

It estimated that 5.5 billion people live in countries with “low or nonexistent access to controlled medicines for the treatment of moderate to severe pain.”

Dr. Dingle Spence, an oncology and palliative medicine physician in Jamaica, said that although opioids are available in her country, the supply is disrupted by so-called stockouts — demand exceeding supply — because of bureaucracy.

“There’s not enough understanding about timely ordering,” she said. “The amount of permits needed to bring them into the country slows down the timely flow.”

MAHANOY CITY — Being so wrapped up in ourselves enables us to take the sacrifices of others for granted.

That message was shared by Rev. Kevin Gallagher, pastor of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Church, Mahanoy City, as the second outdoor Mass to commemorate Memorial Day was celebrated Saturday morning in St. Casimir Cemetery.

About 25 people participated in the 9 a.m. Mass to recognize veterans and family members who have passed away.

Deacon David Henninger and altar server Anthony Merchlinsky assisted at the altar. Donna DiCasimirro served as lector. Kathy Wufsus and Alice Moore began the Mass, playing guitar and singing as those gathered joined in to “Immaculate Mary.”

Henninger offered a Gospel reading, according to St. Matthew.

Gallagher thanked everyone who helped prepare the outdoor setting for the celebration as he began his message.

“Greater love hath no one but to lay down one’s life for one’s friend,” Gallagher said. “We don’t take it to heart anymore. We get comfortable with the life that we lead, and we forget what our fathers and forefathers sacrificed for us. We should not take for granted those that gave up their very lives for us. How many times do we complain when our taxes go up? But yet these men and women gave up their lives so that we have our freedom.”

He said there are places in our world where people are fearful of walking out their front door and going to market. That’s not the case here.

“We don’t have that fear. We can go where we want and do what we want. The reason we have it is because so many sacrificed so much,” he said.

Gallagher shared that he was the first generation in this country. His mother and father hailed from Ireland, and his father fought in the Korean War and Vietnam War.

“We were young when he was in Vietnam and I remember asking mother, ‘Why does dad have to be over there? Why can’t he be home with us?’ He was gone so long. My mother told us because of the freedoms we have in this country, this was a great country, and that our father was willing to fight for this country so that we could maintain our freedom.

“We seem to be losing that today because we take too much for granted. Today, as we honor those who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms, let us also think about sacrifices that we, too, can make. Not just honoring them, but supporting the military, people in our service today, because they offer so much for us.

You know, Memorial Day, more than the beginning of summer, more than picnics, more than a day off, (we should be) honoring so many,” Gallagher said.

He said he enjoyed listening to a former lector who was a World War II veteran.

“I loved to sit and listen to him talk about the different areas he was in during World War II — the fighting, the terror, the bombing. I have such respect for him for what he did, and the life he would have sacrificed for us. So, today, let us honor all veterans that made that ultimate sacrifice. Are you willing to sacrifice the way they sacrificed for our freedom? We complain about the littlest things. We’re all wrapped up in self today. They weren’t. It’s about giving your all for something that is noble and good. This country was founded on our Christian faith,” Gallagher said.

Many participants had family members who had served in the armed forces.

Moore, Mahanoy City, said there were three of her husband’s relatives buried nearby who were WWII and Vietnam veterans — Jerry Moore, Williams Michael Moore and Robert Moore.

“Fortunately, all of them came home,” she said. Her brother, Billy Faust, also served in the Navy.

John Ellis, Frackville, attended Saturday’s Mass. He served in the National Guard from 1963 to 1969.

“I want to give recognition to all who have died and to their families. I praise God for allowing us to be together to honor our loved ones,” Ellis, who also attended last year’s outdoor Mass, said.

Mary Joan Cauley said this was her first time at the outdoor Mass and she expressed her appreciation for the celebration. Her late husband, James Cauley, was a disabled Army veteran.

“I belonged to the DAV Auxiliary for years,” Cauley, Jim Thorpe, said.

Gallagher spoke of the veterans’ unselfish actions and their legacy of patriotism.

“It’s not about self. It’s about community. These people fought for their community, they fought for their families, they fought for their nation. They gave their lives for it. Let us in turn honor them today and throughout this weekend.”

“The first thing you should do is honor their memory. It’s not about pass the beer, pass the shot, give me the hamburger. First, celebrate their lives. That goes all the way back to our Founding Fathers. Show them the respect that they need. Honor their memory. If you have a loved one who served this country and died, honor them, especially today.”

The Mass concluded with Moore and Wufsus playing “God Bless America.”

A Tamaqua man is one of four people selected by Mauch Chunk Trust Co. as the 2016 Community Heroes in recognition of their outstanding volunteer contributions.

Arthur W. Connely was honored for his contributions to numerous organizations including Boy Scouts of America, American Hose Co. No. 1, Tamaqua Fire Department, Tamaqua Area elementary schools, St. Jerome Regional School, Schuylkill County Fire Chiefs Association, Tamaqua Area Crime Watch, East End Park, Carbon/Tamaqua Unit of the American Cancer Society, Tamaqua Public Library board, Lutheran Brotherhood Grant Programs and his church.

Also honored were Louise M. Koons and Darlene E. Nothstein, both of Palmerton, and Martha Marie Moyer, Jim Thorpe.

The award recipients, nominated by community residents, will be recognized at a public banquet June 28 at the Mahoning Valley Country Club in Lehighton.

Mauch Chunk Trust will present each recipient with an award and a $200 donation to the charity of his or her choice. The charities selected by this year’s Community Heroes are Tamaqua Public Library, Sacred Heart Church in Palmerton, Dimmick Memorial Library in Jim Thorpe, Special Olympics of Carbon County and Meals on Wheels in Palmerton.

This is the 17th consecutive year that Mauch Chunk Trust Co. is recognizing local volunteers.

For banquet information, call Deborah Bamford at 570-325-0410.

This week starts June, the official month of summer, when we’ll recognize National Boating and Fishing Week, National Trails Day, Father’s Day and one of my favorites, National Doughnut Day.

National Doughnut Day honors the Salvation Army “Lassies” of WWI. The original Salvation Army doughnuts were first served in 1917 when lassies, or Doughnut Dollies, were sent to the front lines of Europe, taking home cooked foods and providing morale to boost the troops. Often, the doughnuts were cooked in oil inside the metal helmets. National Doughnut Day is always celebrated on the first Friday in June.

The Walk In Art Center invites you to join them for their First Saturday Open House from 1 to 5 p.m. June 4. Visit the artists in their studios, view gallery exhibits, enjoy kids’ activities and light refreshments. Discover all the art center has to offer.

“Fiddler on the Roof” will be presented at the Majestic Theater at 7 p.m. June 10 and 2 and 7 p.m. June 11, 12. Tickets sell for $15 and can be ordered by calling 570-628-4647.

A Fireman’s Carnival will be held at the Pine Grove Hose, Hook and Ladder from June 14 to 18. Games of chance, food and musical entertainment will be available along with a fireworks show on Friday night.

Save the date. American Indian Pottery and Basketry will be presented at 7 p.m. June 14 at Sweet Arrow Lake, Pine Grove. The beauty of Pueblo, Navajo, Lenape and other peoples’ artistic talents will be revealed through various kinds of tribal pots and baskets. Free and open to the public. Suitable for teens and adults. Call 570-345-8952 for details.

An Emergency Preparedness Seminar will be presented by this office and the Schuylkill County Emergency Management Agency at 6 p.m. Aug. 29 at the Terence P. Reiley Community Center in Pottsville. Learn some simple steps to keep yourself, family and home safer during times of emergency or disaster. Seating is limited so RSVP now. Register by calling 570-628-1426 or email to jjohnston@co.schuylkill.pa.us.

Community Volunteers in Action is the volunteer center for Schuylkill County. Use the preceding contact information for those specific opportunities and search other listings on our website at www.schuylkill.us/cvia. Find us on Facebook. Call us at 570-628-1426 or email to jjohnston@co.schuylkill.pa.us.