The Journal-Herald, Thursday, December 29, 2022

theJournal-herald

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2022 • Volume 42 – No. 18 (USPS 277440) ©2022, THE JOURNAL-HERALD. All Rights Reserved

CONTINUING: THE WHITE HAVEN JOURNAL ESTABLISHED 1879–144th YEAR, NO. 5

Cold and ice make for tough water repair in White Haven

CONTINUING: THE WEATHERLY HERALD ESTABLISHED 1880–143rd YEAR, NO. 31

Top left, water flows up from under Main and Susquehanna Streets on Thursday evening, with some of the flow bubbling as much as 4ʺ high above the road. Cracks were opening up in the asphalt.

Bottom left, Water pours out from the manhole at edge of the Lehigh Gorge State Park parking lot, creating a muddy flow. At one point, a small wave of water was coming up Main Street.

Top, looking down into the site of the water main break

on Friday, the water main is to the right, and a valve that had been attached, along with the broken pipe, have been removed ahead of some tough work getting the pieces back together, and the water turned back on. Inset is the broken valve. By the end of the day, the site was still a bit muddy, but the water was on and the hole filled with gravel, to be repaired in the spring.

Photos by Seth Isenberg

THE JOURNAL-HERALD

(USPS 277-440) Published weekly at 211 Main Street, White Haven, PA 18661

Telephone (570) 215-0204

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(JAY E. HOLDER, Co-Publisher 1954-1997; CLARA HOLDER, Co-Publisher 1954-2014) Seth Isenberg, Advertising Sales Ruth Isenberg, Editor Steve Stallone, Sports Editor

Member, White Haven Chamber of Commerce Carbon County Chamber of Commerce Pocono Mountains Chamber of Commerce White Haven Economic Development Association

THE JOURNAL-HERALD is printed with U.S. made soy inks on part-recycled newsprint.

© Copyright 2022, The Journal-Herald

From The Journal-Herald December 24, 1992 Editors & Publishers

Jay and Clara Holder

The front page featured special holiday greeting art from The Journal-Herald.

A Bright New Year?

by Seth Isenberg

As 2022 winds down to its last couple of days, I look back at this past year and shake my head. ‘Not too bad,’ I think, although in the same thought, ‘could have been a LOT better.’

I had hoped that this year would have brought us a new business in the new warehouse that has risen in Kidder Township, where trees once stood unmolested. Right now, the trade-off of all those trees for an empty building is not a good one. So here’s to 2023 and having the warehouse employing hundreds… White Haven’s downtown is actually growing and likely will continue into 2023. New stores, and old stores in new places… AND with the trail finally reopening to the south in ’23, should make for a fine new year.

As for Weatherly borough, not so good… minus a restaurant in ’22 and perhaps minus a bank in ’23. Still, there is hope for recruiting both a bank and a new restaurant. 2023 is going to be a challenge business-wise, though we are also seeing people moving in (better than a shrinking population).

I choose to be optimistic as the year starts. 2023 is going to be a great year.

So here is to all of us as we change years good luck, prosperity and good health.

Express Yourself

Letters to the Editor are welcome on any subject. They may be mailed to 211 Main Street, White Haven PA 18661 or e-mailed to journalnews@pa.metrocast.net. Letters must include a signature, which will be published, and a phone number for verification purposes, which will not. Topics of local interest are preferred, and form letters will not be published. Perference will be given to letters sent exclusively to this publication. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. The Editor reserves the right to edit for clarity. Letters which could be considered libel will not be published, nor will personal attacks.

Editorial1992’s Holiday House Tour was a wonderful success. Members of United to Serve sent a note of thanks to all the volunteers, and everyone who attended. “Special thanks to Betty Jabjiniak, Ann Boroski, Bette Dodson and Helen Schafer for all their hard work, (and) to Hemlock Farms and Caster’s Floral Shop for their donations.” Also, thanks to Jay and Clara Holder and photographer Roger Schoch “for the great newspaper coverage.”

“Old man winter was kind enough to bring the snow and set the Christmas mood for the tour. Proceeds benefit the men and women who reside at the White Haven Center.”

Holiday greeting ads included White Haven Bakery, Barry’s Service Center, T. J. McGeehan, Lehigh Tire, St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Cloverdale Farms, Duda’s Country Store, Dr. Srinivasan Ramanathan DVM, Harry Smith M.D., Swartz’s Carpet Workroom, Bandit Truck Stop, C&L Video, Law Realty, American Legion Post 592, Depot Card & Gift Shop, Weatherly Area Community Pharmacy, David T Novitsky Insurance, Howard’s Jewelers, J&E IGA, White Haven Senior

Citizens, RJ’s Beer Barn, Hanna’s Ugly Mug, Miller’s Plumbing & Heating, Weatherly Borough, MJM Printing, Bobby D’s Tavern, State Representative Keith McCall, Dennison Township, Mercedes Café, Garber & Drasher Insurance, Steve’s Service Center, Pocono Mountain Lodge and White Haven Thriftway.

A PA Dept. of Community Affairs’ small community planning assistance grant will be awarded to East Side Borough for $22,900 to be used to develop a comprehensive plan and update zoing, subdivision and land development ordinances.

Electricity was knocked out along Route 940 for over seven hours due to the Nor’easter storm that toppled trees across power lines. The front page of this newspaper had photos of PP&L crews installing new telephone poles, taken by Roger Schoch.

The Weatherly Area Merchants Association advertised a Winter Carnival to be held Saturday, January 16 at Eurana Park, featuring a discarded Christmas tree bonfire at dusk, booth vendors, and a contest challenge for the “Best Soup in Town” with cash prizes awarded.

In sports, Phil Engman writes about Arthur Ashe being named Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year. Engman noted that Ashe, whom the sports media had outed for having

AIDS (from a transfusion), “has become a role model for exhibiting grace under pressure.”

Marian’s head basketball coach, Joe DeAngelo, resigned last Wednesday. He was replaced by assistant coach Neil Kennedy, who had coached the junior varsity team for the past five years. In Kennedy’s first game at the helm, according to writer Carl Schigner, Jon Garber and Ken Lawson, both of Weatherly, contributed 8 points each to an overtime victory over North Schuylkill.

Hickory Run Plaza in East Side serves breakfast all day with specials from $3.29. Dinners Monday through Friday come with a soup and salad bar.

The city of Bethlehem, Pa., will hold their second annual First Night event, featuring 100 different performances at over 20 locations. There will be food, crafts, street performers, art in the windows along Main Street, and more.

From The Journal December 24, 1942 Publisher W. C. Taylor

Both incoming and outgoing mails have been heavier this year than ever. This is in no small way due to the gas and tire situation.

The trains, crowded to standing room only, have been running late this week.

Among the businesses sponsoring ads in this issue

Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Dennison Township Board of Supervisors will hold its reorganization meeting on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 6 p.m. at the township building, followed by the regular monthly meeting.

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Dennison Township Board of Auditors will reorganize on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 7 p.m. at the township building.

Taxes will not rise in Packer Twp

by James Hunter

Packer Township taxpayers’ township taxes will remain the same in 2023. Packer’s supervisors approved a $270,517 budget at their meeting on December 6 that calls for the same .5 of a mill for real estate, .1 of a mill for a special fund, and .97 of a mill for fire protection.

Supervisor Robert Selert pointed out that money has been budgeted for the anticipated purchase of a new truck, but that purchase will be postponed until after

the winter. “We made major repairs to one of the trucks to get us through the winter, and then we will see,” he said.

There is $94,678 from state liquid fuels tax funds used for road improvements. $47,751, about half this budget, is ticketed for 2023 road repairs. The pipe replacement project along Wetzel Run Drive won’t be done for a few months. “It was too late in the season, so we delayed it until the spring,” Selert said,

Next month, the supervisors expect to take action to allow fire and ambulance services to recoup costs associated with answering emergency calls like traffic accidents. “We are still discussing whether we will do it by ordinance or resolution,” explained Selert.

Supervisors are asking township residents to cut up bulk items that are large so that they can be taken away

more easily at least so they can be handled by one or two people.

Township residents will be able to use credit cards to pay their garbage bills once a new service called Municipay is placed on the township’s internet web site.

Supervisors will also be reviewing the township’s noise and zoning ordinances early in the new year. “We want to make sure the zoning ordinance can stand on its own,” Selert said. “The noise portion came to our attention when the windmills were proposed. Warehousing is allowed in I-1 industrial zones, and we want to make sure the ordinance won’t be challenged.”

Packer’s January meeting will be held Jan. 3. The supervisors will continue to meet the first Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at the township building on Route 93.

were: Kocher Brothers Funeral Service, Kneis Hardware Store, Marie’s Beauty Salon, Bender’s Barber Shop, White Haven Savings Bank, Keck & Kichline General Store, deBoer’s Bakery, Dr. M. J. Hess Dentist, Jones’ Restaurant, Gerald Miller Plumbing and Fred E. William Coal & Hardware.

(In 1992, co-editor Clara Holder wrote that only a handful of advertisers in this issue continue on from 1942 including G&A Hardware successor to Fred William’s, First Eastern Bank successor to White Haven Savings, White Haven Thriftway successor to Decker’s store, Miller Plumbing & Heating, Albee’s and this newspaper…

Thirty years later, in 2022, the last few standing are G&A Hardware, Albee’s, the White Haven Market successor to the Thriftway, and this newspaper – Seth).

Obituaries

JOSEPH J. SEARFOSS

Joseph J. Searfoss, 66 years of age, of Foster Twp., Freeland, passed away on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at Allied Hospice in Wilkes-Barre.

Born Sunday, August 5, 1956 in Hazleton, he was the son of the late George R. and Anna (Boyko) Searfoss. Joe was also predeceased by a sister, Barbara Dziwak; and brothers, William and Franklin Searfoss.

Surviving are sons, Joseph Searfoss and his wife Kelly, and Jonathan Searfoss; brother, George R. Searfoss and his wife Janette; sisters, Elizabeth Carvavella, wife of Franklin, Donna Haraschak wife of Joseph, Linda Lawson, Debbie Collins wife of Ed, Mary Ellen Collins wife of Joseph, Anna Radler wife of Rubin, Jennie Doyle, Bonnie Meza and Joan Schoch wife of David; three grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

Joe was a talented mechanic, having worked for Jack Frost Mountain, and Mountain Laurel Golf course. Joe enjoyed riding motorcycle, and working on cars. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Weatherly. Graveside services were held December 28, from Laurel Cemetery White Haven.

Online condolences may be made at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com

PHILLIP H. DESROSIERS SR.

Phillip H. Desrosiers, Sr., husband, father, pop-pop, 56 years of age, of Race Street Weatherly, passed away on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Salisbury Twp. after a courageous battle against cancer.

Born Thursday, February 3, 1966 in Bainbridge, MD, he is survived by parents, Raymond Sr., and Carol (Brown) Desrosiers of Weatherly; beloved wife of 34 years, Candace (Donnell) Desrosiers; son, Phillip H. Desrosiers, Jr. and his wife Kelly of Hazleton; daughter, Tara R. Keck wife of Travis

of Weatherly; brother, Raymond P. Desrosiers, Jr. and his wife Judy of Weatherly; grandchildren, Timothy A., and Tyler A. Keck; in-laws, James L. and Ina M. Donnell.

A 1984 graduate of Weatherly Area High School, Phillip served in the United States Navy. He earned his Associates Degree in computer technology from the University of Phoenix, and worked as a computer technician. Phillip enjoyed gaming.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Weatherly.

A celebration of Phillip’s life was held on December 28, from the funeral home. Private interment will be in Union Cemetery, Weatherly.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www. griffithsfuneralhomes.com

MINNIE ZIMINSKY

Minnie (Heimbach) Ziminsky, age 90, of Merritt Island Florida passed away Sunday, December 18, 2022 of natural causes.

Minnie was born October 17, 1932 in Lehigh Tannery.

She graduated from White Haven High School and attended Montgomery College in Rockville Maryland.

She was married to her devoted husband, Alvin Ziminsky Sr. with whom she shared 71 years of marriage, three children, and many travels and adventures.

Minnie was a fun, amusing, and interesting person who could and would accomplish anything and everything she decided to do. She taught herself how to sew, creating a cottage seamstress business, making new habits for the progressive nuns in the 1960s, bridesmaid’s dresses, raising and lowering 100s of hemlines depending on the whims of current style trends. Her casual job in the school cafeteria evolved into her managing one of the largest cafeterias in Montgomery County Public

Schools in a school of 2,300 students, catering the local senior centers and various satellite schools. She was voted employee of the year in 1987. She was an avid needle worker, enjoyed sewing, quilting, and crocheting. She was a voracious reader for her entire life.

She and Al married in White Haven, eventually moving their family to Rockville Maryland for job opportunities. After satisfying careers they retired and split their time between Lehigh Tannery and Cape Canaveral, Florida eventually settling in Merritt Island, Florida to a home with Minnie’s dream swimming pool and year round sun.

She is survived by her husband Alvin Sr. of Merritt Island Florida; her son Alvin Jr. (Gail) of James Creek, Pennsylvania; her daughter Katherine (John Montgomery) of Raleigh, NC; her grandchildren Jon (Laura) of Loveland, Colorado, Kevin of Frederick, Maryland, Karen Montgomery of Greensboro, NC, Caleb of Berne, Indiana, Louis Montgomery of Raleigh, NC, and Casey of Pendleton, Indiana; her great-grandchildren Hannah and Evan of Loveland CO; her loving and devoted brother, Walter/ Buddy (Shirley) of White Haven.

She was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Kathryn (Reiner) Heimbach, her son Eugene (Brenda), and her sister Shirley Karpovich.

Should you wish to honor her memory, donations may be made to the White Haven Area Community Library. Services will be held at a later date.

Obituaries

Andrei Michael Olson, born January 8, 1997 unexpectedly passed in a tragic motorcycle accident, along with his girlfriend Hope Adams on November 26, 2022. Andrei was blessed and so were his parents when he was adopted at six months old from Samara, Russia in July of 1997. God had a perfect plan for them all. They always said Andrei hit the lottery and so did his parents.

Andrei lived in many places until his passing. He grew up in White Haven, then moved to Orlando, FL, Ocean City, Maryland, Waynesboro, PA, then to Bradenton, Florida where he resided till his passing.

He attended Crestwood High School in Mountain Top, where he graduated and played on the high school golf team. He also spent many years of baseball with his beloved coaches and team mates on the Ugly Mug in White Haven.

Andrei loved people and helping people. He pursued jobs mainly in the food industry. He worked at Applebees in Waynesboro, and Alley Oops and Ropewalk in Ocean City, MD. His last job as a waiter was at Cha Cha Coconuts on St. Armand’s Circle in Sarasota, Florida where he was called their “Golden Boy.” He loved all

ANDREI MICHAEL OLSON

his coworkers there and felt such love from many of them and his managers. He recently changed jobs in October to Turner Pest Control where we were told he was a dedicated employee and loved by all in the short time he worked there.

Andrei had a heart of gold, made friends everywhere he went, and lit up the room with his smile .His biggest attribute was that his glass was always half full, and he would give his shirt off his back to anyone in need. He was loved and adored by so many family and friends. We as a family had always known this about him; he was truly special and after his passing it all came even more to light. He made so many friends in his motorcycle community, and we were told story after story about how he helped countless people in accidents and with their mental health struggles. He is an angel now but was already an angel walking among us on earth. He had found a community that loved and respected him for who he was as a person. He was so happy and content.

He had recently discovered his passion for motorcycles and said riding made him forget all the daily problems in life and made him feel so free.

His other passions were his family, his sister Maria, and his beloved Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa Bay Lightning and the Rays. He loved fishing and relaxing at his parent’s cabin in Warren, PA and swimming and

resting at his grandparent’s lake house in Smith Mountain Lake, VA. He enjoyed snowboarding and had recently taken a dream vacation to Colorado with his best friend Brett that he talked about often. Andrei had just gotten back from an incredible long bike ride to Miami and Daytona Beach with his girlfriend, Hope, best friend Caysen,and other friends.

Andrei is survived by his parents, James V. and Vicki Blair Olson, his sister Maria Olson, his grandparents, John and Paula Blair, and grandmother, Frances Olson. He is also survived by his uncle David Blair and aunt Kelly Blair, cousins Brandon and Briana Blair, uncle Donald Olson and aunt Connie Olson, and his cousins Ryan Olson and wife Brittaney and his cousin Lindsay Olson.

He will be honored, loved and deeply missed by all. His life was taken away too quickly as we are sure he had so much more to give so many more people to help and so much more to do in this world that desperately needs it.

Come back Andrei, if only in a shadow, if only in a dream.

You can donate in Andrei’s honor and legacy to Bikerdown.org an organization that helps the families of bikers who have passed on or have been injured. They also do many organized workshops, etc. to educate motorcycle safety and riding safety.

Alfreda “Tootsie” Ackerman, 85, of White Haven, passed away early Monday morning, December 26, at her home.

She was born in Hazleton, the daughter of Alfred and Catherine (Chura) Alborn.

The love of her life was her family, especially her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. She enjoyed baking and cooking, as well as the annual trip to the beach with family.

She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in White Haven.

She worked at the White Haven Center as a custodian, until her retirement.

Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, were her husband Norman Ackerman, who died March

26, 2016; brothers Alfred, Charles, Lawrence and Henry Ahlborn; and sister Catherine Sando; and sonin-law William Wilson. Surviving are son Norman Ackerman Jr. of White Haven, daughter Norma Wilson of Myerstown, sister Dorothy Gliem of Hazleton; grandchildren Ashley Plantz and husband Richard of Myerstown; Shelby Deshong and husband Tyler of Lancaster; greatgrandchildren Charlotte, Sophia and William Plantz, and many nieces and nephews.

Services and burial will be held at the convenience of the family. McHugh-Wilczek Funeral home is in charge of arrangements.

JUDITH ANN GRIMM

Judith Ann Grimm, 79, born July 15, 1943, of Mountain Top, passed away December 21, 2022 at home with family by her side.

Born in Wareham, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of the late Lionel and Marian Chatel Sr. and was a graduate of South West Miami High School. She was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 1000 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre where her husband is pastor emeritus. She is survived by her loving husband, retired Pastor Gerald J. Grimm; three sons, Joseph (Linda) Grimm, Claremont FL., David (Shawna) Grimm, Leonidas MI, and Stephen

(Cheryl) Grimm, Mountain Top; one daughter; Mary (Harold Jr.) Fisher, Mountain Top; 13 grandchildren; 13 greatgrandchildren; and four siblings, Janet (Ray) Baker, Lionel (Shirley) Chatel Jr, Richard (Elena) Chatel, and Marian (Bill) Chatel-Dodd. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. She not only raised her own four children, but she also took in several other children to raise as well, along with many godchildren.

Funeral service was conducted December 29, in St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Hanover Township with Pastor Kim Bode officiating.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the LWML at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.

The Lehman Family Funeral Service, Inc. was in charge of arrangements.

The Weatherly Area School District Scholastic Scrimmage Team is hitting the ground running this year with its first competition three weeks ago at WVIA TV-44. The show will air in the late winter on the PBS station Channel 44. The team looks forward to using our new buzzer system (featured in the foreground) which was so graciously purchased with funds provided by Weatherly Rotary, the Weatherly Alumni Association, and anonymous donors. Team members are, from left, James McLaurin, Noah Borella-Guzman, Conner McAuley, Abigail Binder, and Trinity McCutcheon. Taylor Jones is missing from the photo.

No AVFC breakfast in January

The monthly Albrightsville Volunteer Fire Company breakfast will not be held in January, because the

first Sunday of the month is New Years Day. Breakfast will resume in February on February 5.

Ovation Playhouse to launch 2023 season with new country musical

May We All, a brand new country musical, sets roots at Ovation Playhouse for six performances January 20 through 29 at the Wyoming Valley Mall in the former Sears storefront.

May We All takes you to Harmony, Tennessee, ‘the town that sings,’ where music used to flow through every part of town like the water supply, but lately hope is drying up.

Four years ago, local sensation Jenna Coates left Harmony to pursue her dreams of stardom in Nashville, her family and friends saw nothing but success for her. But Jenna never finds her hit and returns home, without a record deal or a dime to spare, only to discover that Harmony has also fallen on hard times.

Now Jenna will need to face the music, reconnect with those she loved and make peace with her past to save herself and the small town she loves.

The show features an all-star cast led by Gracie Sinclair (making her Ovation Playhouse debut) playing Jenna Coates.

Ovation Playhouse regulars Matthew Buckman and Jessica Woolnough portray Jenna’s parents Crystal and Harley, while Rachel Lewis plays her sister Kylie. NEPA Theatre veterans Lauren Fredmund and Kelly Krieger play bar owners Liz and Joe. Jacob Thomas makes his Ovation debut as love interest Dustin.

Other featured players include Ryan Carey as Stan, Tyler Ocasio as Wilbur, Maia Bagusky as RuAnn, Erin McLaughlin as Angie, Sam Gialanella as Stephanie, Lydia Federici as Ruby, Davae Lewis as Tammy, Frank Carey as Mayor, and Jose Adames as Earl.

Alice Y. Lyons makes a show-stopping cameo appearance as Nashville Star Bailey Stone.

Andrew Simmers, Dan-

ayah Davenport, and Bruce Graham round out the cast ensemble.

This show, directed by Ovation artistic director Michael Marone, is filled with a host of characters that feel like family and features an authentic country score of songs by Florida Georgia Line, Kenny Chesney, Dolly Parton, Old Dominion, Brooks & Dunn, Chris Stapleton, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, and many more. The show also introduces two original songs co-written by Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard, debuting exclusively via May We All.

Performances will feature a live seven-piece country band under the direction of Hollie Major Baker and choreography by Jamie Burns and Becky Phillips.

Performance times for May We All are January 20, 21, 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. and January 22 and 29 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are available online at ovation.ticketleap. com and are recommended to be purchased in advance due to limited seating for this intimate production. Tickets are also available by phone at 570-846-0707.

Ovation Playhouse’s performance space is in the rear

of the old Sears storefront and can be accessed between Ken Pollock and Macy’s Men’s Department. There is no access through the mall’s interior.

Come home to Harmony, we’ve been saving a song for you.

Seth’s Sightings

We have had quite a run of cold. The storm that brought too much rain was pushed out by a cold front that had us in the single digits. Temperatures were in the 40s in the mid day on Thursday, and in the single digits by sunset. Ruth said that she could see the water freezing as it flowed down the road by our house. What she didn’t see was that her Toyota was freezing as well. I had headed into the office earlier and received a call: “I can’t get the doors open. I can’t even get the key in the lock.” As a New England native, I remembered that the answer to this problem is alcohol. I do admit that starting with nice strong drink wouldn’t be a bad way to go, but that’s not what I mean. What I mean is to take something like rubbing alcohol from the bathroom and to pour it on the lock and around the door frame.

Ruth chose a bottle that was wintergreen scented. Unfreezing the lock was quick, and the door released

Art

after a couple of yanks.

Later that day, the car door on the Kia that I drive had frozen as well. It only needed a couple of hard yanks on my part no alcohol.

The storm took away our mostly white Christmas. Any areas of snow that were left became hard frozen and ice. It was possible to get the sidewalk clear at the office before the hard freeze, but at the house flowing water set up an amazing bit of hard ice that is just now slowly responding to large applications of ice melt.

As for the holidays, we wrapped up Chanukah food, socks, and rolled into Christmas more food. Most years, we celebrate Christmas into early January. Some gift items are still in transit as I write this.

Saturday, because stores closed early we did a bit of rushing around to shop. It was a busy time, but not too crowded at our last stop.

League

to meet

If you are an artist or artisan, join the Carbon County Art League (CCAL) meeting on Wednesday, January 11, at 6 p.m. at the Palmerton Area Library, 402 Delaware Ave, in Palmerton.

Interested in CCAL membership? You can apply online: carboncountyart.wixsite.com/ carbon-county-art/ membership

We needed to return home, because there were items to do on my honey-do list, and also a Christmas Eve candlelight service to attend. The evening service was beautiful, including the singing of carols including a Polish carol unfamiliar to

by Seth Isenberg

either of us.

Christmas day we enjoyed by sleeping in, giving each other the gift of housecleaning and a beautiful turkey for dinner.

Someone parked a Happy Chanukah car in the White Haven park & ride. It was there the whole holiday.

In sightings, we took a drive to the Francis Walter dam, only to find the road over it was closed. The Penn Lake Road was open again, after being closed due to ice build up, so we detoured there to check out Christmas lights. On the way in, we saw a nicelooking buck with his doe cross the road ahead of us.

With the sustained cold weather, we sighted our first ice fishermen, on the pond across from the Bear Creek entrance of the Francis Walter Dam’s road. Ice fishing huts are something I remember from New England winters, but the recent warm winters made them scarce in our part of Pennsylvania. Ice fishermen would usually drag a custom-made hut onto the ice with a snowmobile, to the middle of a lake usually a deep place then cut a hole and drop a fishing line with a lure down and see what bit. Often he’d make a fire out on the lake to keep warm. When

it was really cold, sometimes he’d drive his truck out onto the ice to where his hut was.

Ruth and I caution that you should check ice thickness before venturing out on any lake.

It’s nice to see the gas prices down. The lowest that we have sighted was in Lehighton at $3.37.9. The Morning Call on Monday showed a station in the Lehigh Valley at under $3.

We were leaving the office on Thursday, trying to get home before the worst of the cold set in, but noticed water coming up Main Street in the direction of our building, as well as water shooting up from cracks in the street. Water was gushing out of a manhole at the bottom of Susquehanna Street, and thankfully going into the nearest drains. We called this in to the borough, and Aqua water crews were on the scene shortly thereafter.

Most of Friday a contractor was on site digging a hole, then worked to get the water line back together while the temperatures dropped, snow fell, and the winds picked up. They got it so water was back on about 5 p.m. The crew was re-filling the hole when we left for home.

Our WBS Penguins hockey team took a road trip to Canada this week, and lost games versus Toronto and Belleville, then had their third game in Montreal on this past Friday was postponed because of the storm. The Penguins play at home in Wilkes-Barre this Friday, December 30 versus Providence, then again Wednesday, January 4 AND Friday, the 6th versus Charlotte.

In football, we are all-in for the Penn State Nittany Lions for their Rose Bowl game on January 2. As for the pros, our Eagles go down to Dallas (boo) but only one win over the next two games will seal home field through the end of the season. The Patriots lose again. The Buccaneers need overtime to eke out another win. More fun next week.

Looking ahead, the PA Farm Show in Harrisburg is coming up the week after New Year’s. We will attend on January 7 early-afternoon for opening day fun and then the PA Youth Rodeo. There are some covid cases reported around the area, so we intend to be careful in crowds.

Happy and healthy New Year to everyone.

Due to the generosity of veterans and pizza customers, the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 360 in Weatherly was able to provide food gift cards and holiday desserts for 10 families in the Weatherly Area School District. Shown from left are Sally Mitchell (ALA), Georgia Farrow (ALA), School Guidance Counselor Dana Synoski, and Supervisor of Special Programs Dr. Brian Pipech.

Weatherly Area Middle School Honor Roll

The following is the honor roll list from the Weatherly Middle School for the first marking period which ended November 2, 2022.

PRINCIPAL’S HONORS

The criteria for students to earn Principal’s Honors is to attain an average grade of 95

or better in major subjects with no grade below 90 in any subject taken:

6TH GRADE: Brandon Antolick, Melina Ayala, Elizabeth DiGennaro, Jillian Esposito, Maci Kane, Alexia Kehler, Madison Makowiec.

7TH GRADE: Vincent

Cuddeford, Joseph Esposito, Brayden Gill, Denna Stellar.

8TH GRADE: Matthew Adler, Rebecca Caldwell, Wade Eroh, Aiden Foley, Kameron Jacoby, Ben Kropp, Liorah Madden, Mary Portell, Madeline Rhodes, Chance Stauffer.

FIRST HONORS

The criteria for students to earn First Honors is to attain an average grade of 90 or better in major subjects with no grade below an 85 in any subject taken:

6TH GRADE: Levi Aneskevich, Rex Bellizia, Eli Brown, Jamison DeLauretis, Katie Knock, Avery McLaurin, Derek Moyer, Mason Sholtis, Christopher Romero Embus, Charles Tripp.

7TH GRADE: Rebecca Alfieri, Preston Culp, Brent Gerhard, Maddie Heister, Tyler Keck, Derek Ochs, Kolton Reiner, Kyle Reiner, Jacob Walton.

8TH GRADE: Carmen Aurisano, Jackson DiGennaro, Jeremiah Donadi, Willem Grant, Dominick Kokinda, Jayden Perkins, Liam Savakinus,

Cortney Snyder, Remi Zubritsky.

SECOND HONORS

The criteria for students to earn Second Honors is to attain an average grade of 85-89 in major subjects with no grade below an 80 in any subject taken:

6TH GRADE: Raven Biles, Eli Cox, Jaycie Donadi, Joe Holguin Luna, Lillian Keiper, Wyatt Kokinda, Jaxon McKeegan, Carl Schweitzer, Lillianna Sincavage, Trinity Spence, Jacob Yanac, Riley Zawilsky.

7TH GRADE: Alexander Best, Odin Eckert, Jillian Foley, Mikayla Haraschak, Clemit Keiper, Nicole Schertrumpf, Aiden Slovik.

8TH GRADE: Kassandra Hibbler, Angelina Ieraci, Hailey Rosado, Emelio Valenzuela

Veterans Corner

Commentary by John Kearns, USCG Ret., chiefkearns@gmail.com

THE BATTLE THAT NEVER HAPPENED:

In late 1967, Pope Paul VI declared January 1, 1968, a day of peace and persuaded the South Vietnamese and the Americans to observe a truce. In a released statement, the Viet Cong (V.C.) also agreed to observe a 36-hour ceasefire.

The 25th Infantry Division had set up perimeter with the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 22nd Infantry Regiment, with artillery 7 miles from the Cambodian border in Tay Ninh Province outside a village called Suoi. The fire support position, named Fire Support Base Burt, was located close to Black Virgin Mountain.

Troops had that day recently set up a landing zone for supply helicopters and on January 1, the 25th Infantry Division’s Christmas mail arrived. Soldiers would spend the day opening packages from their families and finally getting their late Christmas dinner.

The attack and battle: On the night of January 1, six hours before the truce ended, a 2,500-man force made up of elements of the 271st and 272nd Regiments of the V.C. 9th Division attacked the American position in three waves and were able to infiltrate the perimeter. The first wave was launched after a heavy mortar attack at 23:30. A little after midnight, another attack was launched, then a third human wave attacked around 01:00. The Americans were finally able to repel the attacks by

using air artillery support by attack helicopters and AC-47 Spooky gunships. In total, 28 air sorties were launched against the V.C. The Americans said that they counted 348 enemy soldiers killed in action, and American forces suffered 23 killed.

When Oliver Stone returned to the U.S., he was puzzled that the New Year’s attack had received no media coverage. For some time, he thought he might have imagined the events of January 1 until, at a reunion of the men of the 25th Infantry Division, other Vietnam vets who were there that night could confirm the battle did indeed take place.

Among the soldiers serving were future writer Larry Heinemann who wrote a novel about the events, and Stone, who would direct the

dramatization of the battle in the 1986 film Platoon. The final battle scene of Platoon dramatizes the actual conflict Stone experienced. Survivors of the fight often relate how close to actual events the fighting was to what is seen on screen.

To not embarrass the Pope and the American political negotiators, the news media were under pressure from the political arm of Washington DC to make it go away, so the battle was never reported to the nation.

So the survivors held an annual reunion, a novel was written about the event, and a feature film was made by a writer/director who witnessed it, but, according to the U.S. Gov’t, it never happened. Like today, when the real news was censored to cover up, freedom no longer exists.

Polar Plunge for Marian at Mauch Chunk Lake

The 10th Annual “Be Cool for Our School” Polar Plunge to benefit Marian Catholic High School takes place on Saturday, January 28 at Mauch Chunk Lake in Jim Thorpe.

Registration is $35 and is open from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The first plungers hit the water at noon.

Registration is not limited to Plungers. Participants may register as Chickens to show their support but stay dry. A commemorative t-shirt is included with a Plunger or Chicken registra-

tion. With the exception of Marian students, all Plungers must be 18 or older.

The event is family-friendly and will feature a DJ. Food and beverage will be available for purchase. There is no fee for spectators.

In case of inclement weather, the alternate date is Saturday, February 4.

To register or obtain information, email mchspolarplunge@gmail.com or call Kathy Goff, 610-704-8037. Find us on Facebook: “MCHS POLAR PLUNGE”.

Jr High Basketball Little Wreckers top Tamaqua

The Weatherly Area eighth grade boys’ basketball team soared past Tamaqua Area 35-31 in Schuylkill League action last week. Chase Grier and Chance Stauffer topped the Wreckers with 11 points each. Kaden Wesner helped with six.

Landon Kamat scored 13 points to lead the Blue Raiders.

In the seventh grade, Tamaqua eased to a 43-15 victory behind Greg Tirpak’s 24 points, including six 3-pointers. Ace Schickram added 13 for Tamaqua.

Kolton Reiner paced the Wreckers with four points. Vincent Cuddeford IV, Clement Keiper and Perry Hunsicker chipped in three apiece.

Meanwhile, in eighth grade girls’ basketball action, Tamaqua defeated Weatherly Area 34-5 as Millie Black and Naomi Knitter scored 13 and 11 points, respectively, for the Lady Raiders. Joelle Zelonis added six for the winners.

Courtney Snyder accounted for all five Lady Wrecker points.

Need an Extra Copy of this issue?

The Journal-Herald is for sale at: White Haven Market, Fuel-On, and White Haven Exxon in White Haven, Wawa at the Turnpike in Kidder, Weasel’s in Dennison, and TJ’s One Stop in Weatherly.

Franco Harris was much more than a football star

by Frank Fear

I never cheered for Franco Harris as a football player. He played for Penn State (I’m a WVU Mountaineer) and the Steelers (I was a Bills fan back then), but I cheered for him as a person, community volunteer/activist, and philanthropist. I applauded him

when he spoke out, took a stand, and became an activist when his beloved Penn State, Joe Paterno, and victims went through the churn and pain associated with Jerry Sandusky’s sexual assaults.

Franco Harris was understated, acting like the guy who lives down the street. Indeed, I know people who live “just down the street,”

and that’s what they said about Franco Harris. Harris wasn’t born in Pittsburgh but lived there following his days with the Steelers. He became woven into the city’s fabric and, in many ways, symbolized it.

It’s hard to imagine Franco’s personality fitting into today’s game, characterized as it is by exclamations of “Look at me!’ and all the bravado that goes with it. “Coach Prime” Dion Sanders does, but Franco Harris doesn’t. Harris would have had good reason to be boisterous, though, a history-maker as he was, with the “Immaculate Reception” and four Super Bowl rings. But Franco Harris didn’t specialize in bombast. He let his athletic performance do the talking.

Many fans remember Harris from his days with the Steelers and all he accomplished there. Franco was Offensive Rookie of the Year, a nine-time Pro Bowler, a member of the 1970’s All-NFL team, and churned out over 14,000 yards over his career. Yet, the Steelers took a bit of a risk when they drafted Harris in the first round of the 1972 NFL Draft with the #13 pick overall. I say that because Franco Harris had a relatively modest offensive career at Penn State, and (truth be told) he was not the star of the show.

Much like the role Jim Braxton played for the Buffalo Bills and with O.J. Simpson, Franco Harris was asked to block at Penn State (in his case, for Lydell Mitchell), run a bit, and pass-catch. Franco Harris never rushed for more than seven hundred yards a season and averaged eight rushing touchdowns in his three years with the Nittany Lions. He caught only twenty-eight career passes (117-yard season average) and scored only one touchdown through the air during his college years.

On the other hand, Mitchell was a 3,000-yard collegiate rusher at State College, and Charlie Pittman (the third running back in PSU’s stellar backfield and the one I most feared) gained nearly 2,500 career yards. But Penn State and the Steelers

had this in common: they had great teams with many great players and terrific coaches and didn’t need a do-it-all player. Franco Harris learned how to fit in, contribute, and win; moreover, he did what was asked of him and excelled at assigned tasks. He was consistent, too. In Pittsburgh, he gained 1,055 rushing yards as a rookie (1972) and 1,007 rushing yards in 1983, his final year with the team.

Yes, that was Franco Harris, the football player. He was a great one, too. But there’s much more to his life story and the legacy he leaves. We lose more than a football star when somebody like Franco Harris passes away. We lose an essential piece of what sports mean in society and who best represents the goodness associated with sports. In that regard, Franco Harris resides in the category of all-time great.

Fear is managing editor of The Sports Column online at thesportscol.com.

At the VFW

VFW 6615 of White Haven will sponsor an all you can eat breakfast on Sunday, January 8, from 8 a.m. to noon.

The price is $11 for adults, $10 for veterans and seniors, and $5 for children 12 and under. Take-outs are subject to 50¢ extra charge and are not all you can eat.

Cornhole Tournaments are scheduled at the White Haven VFW 6615 for Saturday, January 28, and Saturday, February 18. Tournaments will be limited to the first 26 teams to sign up.

Sign up and pay entry fee at VFW by January 21 for January 28, and February 11 for Feb. 18. Numbers will be picked at 11 a.m., games start at noon. For information call 570443-3333 after 2 p.m. daily.

Frank

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Weatherly Area Girls Basketball Roundup

Lady Wreckers gain split, pull to .500

The Weatherly Area girls’ basketball team split two games during the past week, defeating Lincoln Leadership 39-35 in non-league play, and falling to Marian 72-17 in Schuylkill League Division III action.

Weatherly Area 39

Lincoln Leadership 35 - In Weatherly, Emma Kane and Abby Paisley keyed an 11-4 third quarter run with four

points apiece as the Lady Wreckers rallied past Lincoln Leadership Academy, giving interim head coach Jason Kane his first win with the team. Kane took over last week when Brian Billig stepped down.

The Lady Wreckers (3-3) trailed 22-16 at halftime, then stormed back to outscore the Lions by 10 points in the second half.

Emma Kane finished with a team-high 13 points, and Bethany Houser chipped in with nine points.

Arielle Taylor paced Lincoln Leadership (2-4) with 11 points. Teammates Alaina Ortiz and Jocelyn Fuentes each had eight.

LINCOLN LEADERSHIP (35) -Taylor 5 0-0 11, Ferrer 1 2-2 4, Ortiz 4 0-2 8, Fuentes 4 0-2 8, Smith 0 0-0 0, Pagan 2 0-0 4, Jimenez 0 0-0 0, Floreanno 0 0-0 0, Rosario 0 0-0 0, Monero 0 0-0 0, Ackles 0 0-0 0. Totals: 16 2-6 35.

Crestwood Girls’ Basketball Wyoming Valley West edges

Lady Comets in WVC play

Mackenzie Perluke scored 16 points and Kalia Saunders added 13 more, leading Wyoming Valley West past host Crestwood 49-42 last week in the Wyoming Valley Conference girls’ opener for both teams.

Crestwood, playing just its third game this season, fell behind 15-7 through one quarter before clawing back to within three (3532) heading to the fourth. There, Valley West (5-1, 1-0) outscored the Lady Comets 14-10 to seal the victory.

Julia Glowacki had the hot hand for Crestwood (1-2, 0-1 WVC), scoring a team-leading 15 points and canning four 3-pointers. Jordan Andrews and Grace Pasternick added eight points apiece.

VALLEY WEST (49) - Novitski 0 0-0 0, Marsola 2 1-2 7, Perluke 7 1-2 16, Oliphant 1 2-2 5, Saunders 5 2-2 13, Irizarry 1 3-4 6. Richet 0 0-0 0. Totals: 17 9-12 49.

CRESTWOOD (42) - Collins 1 0-0 2, Bozinko 0, Glowacki 5 1-2 15, Andrews 3 2-3 8, Hiller 0 1-4 1, Gallagher 0 1-2 1, Pasternick 4 0-0 8, Dougherty 2 2-2 7. Totals: 15 7-13 42.

Valley West.....15 9 11 14 – 49 Crestwood........7 13 12 10 – 42

3-pointers: Marsola 2, Perluke, Oliphant, Saunders, Irizarry, Glowacki 4, Dougherty.

WEATHERLY AREA (39) - Kane 5 1-2 13, Gaydoscik 1 1-4 3, Houser 1 6-10 9, Davidovich 0 0-0 0, Reiner 1 4-8 6, Pugh 1 1-4 4, Paisley 2 0-0 4. Totals: 11 13-28 39. Lincoln Leadership....12 10 4 9 – 35 Weatherly Area...........9 7 11 12 – 39 3-pointers: Taylor, Kane 2, Houser, Pugh.

Marian 72, Weatherly Area 17Division favorite Marian put Weatherly in an early 19-2 hole and never looked back en route to the Division III road victory. Kerrigan Digris showed the way for the Fillies (6-1, 3-0 league) with 18 points, Carly Minchhoff followed with 11, Frankie Martinelli scored nine and Aliah Tikhtova and Olivia Thomas added eight apiece. Eleven of the Fillies’

16 field goals came from beyond the three-point arc. They also were perfect on all seven of their free throw attempts, and limited Weatherly to just six baskets.

Freshman Kelly Reiner paced the Lady Wreckers (0-3 league) with five points.

MARIAN (72) - Pleban 1 0-0 3, Digris 6 3-3 18, Martinelli 3 0-0 9, Minchhoff 3 4-4 11, F. Tikhtova 3 0-0 6, A. Tikhtova 3 0-0 6, Fritz 3 0-0 7, Lombardo 0 0-0 0, Corrado 1 0-0 2, Thomas 4 0-0 8, Zimmerman 0 0-0 0, Perez 0 0-0 0, Cryder 0 0-0 0, Katner 0 0-0 0. Totals: 27 7-7 72.

WEATHERLY AREA (17) - Kane 0 2-2 2, Gaydoscik 1 1-2 3, Houser 2 0-0 4, Davidovich 1 0-0 2, Reiner 2 1-2 5, Weston 0 0-0 0, Pugh 0 1-2 1, Paisley 0 0-0 0. Totals: 6 5-8 17.

Marian...................19 27 15 11 – 72

Weatherly Area.......2 4 4 7 – 17 3-pointers: Digris 3, Martinelli 3, A. Tikhtova 2, Pleban, Fritz.

On the Sly

Franco brought life to Steelers and Steel City

by Steve Stallone Sports Editor

My earliest recollections of the Pittsburgh Steelers go back to the early 1970s. I had the Black and Gold jerseys and shirts, and usually had them on when I was playing football at recess, in the backyard, or during the big neighborhood games we’d put together at the nearby playground.

Living about 90 minutes north of Pittsburgh, we must have been just far enough away to escape the televised blackouts that surround the hometown team. Every Sunday, without fail, the Steelers would be on television. And, without fail, I’d be tuned in.

Although I’ve seen it dozens upon dozens of times since then, I remember when I saw the “Immaculate Reception” for the first time 50 years ago last week.

The one thing I distinctly remember is thinking the game was over. The Steelers were down to their final play, in their end of the field, and the clock was ticking down. It didn’t appear there was any way they would win.

When Franco Harris grabbed a deflected Terry Bradshaw pass out of the air, just above the turf at Three Rivers Stadium, and raced down the sideline 60 yards for the game-winning touchdown, we were jumping up and down at my house.

It was that moment that the Steelers Dynasty of the ‘70s was born, and as a 10-year-old, I was locked in as a fan for life.

The Steelers’ divine magic wore off the following week,

when the Miami Dolphinsa team on their own magical ride in 1972 - beat them soundly in the AFC title game on their way to what is still the only undefeated season in NFL history.

With the “Immaculate Reception,” a young Franco Harris delivered hope to a franchise that had never won a playoff game before, let alone a Super Bowl. The Steelers went on to win four of them in the 1970s, and Harris was a key part in all four of them, not to mention the great success the team enjoyed throughout that decade and beyond.

He was also a big part of the buildup in recent weeks as the team began commemorating the 50th anniversary of the “Immaculate Reception,” a celebration that would culminate with Harris’ famous #32 jersey being retired by the Steelers during halftime of their game with the Raiders - the very team he beat with his miraculous catch five decades earlier.

Steelers Nation and the sporting world was shocked, then, when the 72-year-old Harris died suddenly last Tuesday, just days before his special day in Pittsburgh.

The warm celebration that was supposed to honor Harris for his many accomplishments - and the biggest play in NFL history - turned into a chilly farewell on Christmas Eve, with Terrible Towels waving, and more than a few used to dry the tears that were flowing.

His many teammates from that 1972 team were there, too, legends like Joe Greene

and Mel Blount, and John “Frenchy” Fuqua, who was the target of that Bradshaw pass. They were in Pittsburgh to celebrate that play, but ended up celebrating Franco, and paying tribute to the man that helped turn a franchise around and give a struggling city down on its luck the shot in the arm it so desperately needed at that time.

Steelers president Art Rooney II said it best during the halftime ceremony, before presenting Franco’s jersey to his wife Dana and son Dok. “It’s been said, ‘Life will bring you sorrow, but it’s up to us to bring the joy.’ Franco brought us joy for 50 years.” Rooney said. “So in recognition of his many contributions, both on and off the field, it’s my honor to declare #32 as officially retired.”

Harris played for the Steelers from 1972 through 1983, drafted in the first round out of Penn State with the 13th overall pick. The blocking back for Lydell Mitchell at PSU, Harris blossomed into one of the NFL’s all-time greatest backs. As a rookie in that ‘72 season in Pittsburgh, he rushed for 10 touchdowns and 1,005 yards - the first of eight 1,000-yard seasons. He played a final season in Seattle in 1984 before retiring.

Four decades later, Franco is still the Steelers’ all-time rushing leader with 11,950 yards and the franchise’s all-time touchdown maker with 91. He rushed for at least 100 yards in 47 games, finished with 12,120 rushing yards, had 307 receptions

for 2,287 yards, and his net yardage of 14,622 yards ranked as third highest in NFL history when he retired.

“The first day he came to camp, you could see his ability to make people miss,” his late coach Chuck Noll said. “His quickness, his ability to run with the football was something that was very special.

“Franco really had great vision. Every good runner I knew had that kind of vision, and he had it right from the start. Not only seeing the holes, but seeing the people. You know, a lot of people come in there and they close their eyes when they’re running into the line, but Franco had his eyes wide open. He could pick the holes and knew the cuts to make.”

Harris was named Super Bowl IX MVP after rushing for 158 yards in a 16-6 win over the Minnesota Vikings. He also was named to the Pro Bowl nine times, and

was All-AFC four times. In 1990, he was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and was an inaugural member of the Steelers’ Ring of Honor in 2017.

Franco was an active volunteer and involved in many charitable organizations in and around Pittsburgh during and since his retirement, and was an ambassador not only for the Steelers, but the NFL. But he’ll always be remembered first for the “Immaculate Reception” play that gave birth to the Steelers’ dynasty of the 1970s, and beyond.

“What really made it special and big was the decade that was to come and the importance of the play, setting the tone for winning,” Franco would say later. “We proved that no matter how dire the situation that we can win. All of the things that followed made that play so big and important to Steelers’ history.”

Rest In Peace number 32.

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Out in the Open

Hunting winds down …It’s Show Time!

Alex Zidock

Cold, snow, unusually warm and then cold weather again is what is happening as the last of the major deer hunting seasons wind down.

The traditional flintlock rifle season began on December 26 and for most of the state runs until January 16. The late archery deer season also runs until January 16 for most of the state. Check your hunting digest because there are different open/ close dates in the variety of Wildlife Management Units (WMU), and special licenses are required.

Hunting activities continues for small game, ducks and geese and the trapping season for furbearers runs into January, and some trapping seasons even later as the beaver season runs until March 30.

The late flintlock season is very special to many of us who enjoy hunting with muzzleloading rifles that use flint as the ignition system. Cap-lock and in-line rifles, although muzzleloaders, are not allowed in this special season. Also the mandatory

My friend Dave Ehrig, also known as Pennsylvania’s “Mr. Blackpowder” with a flintlock rifle and dressed in traditional after-Christmas flintlock deer hunting clothes. Ehrig is also editor of Muzzle Blasts Magazine, the official publication of the National Muzzle Loaders Rifle Association. For information go to www.nmlra.org. (Photo Alex Zidock)

use of Fluorescent orange for most of Pennsylvania’s hunting activities is waived during the traditional flintlock season and after Christmas archery season. Get more information posted

Puzzle Answers

in the Hunting/Trapping Digest that came with your general hunting license.

It’s Show Time!

The 33rd Early Bird Sports Expo is happening at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds January 27 -30. Go to www.earlybirdexpo.net for information.

The NRA’s Great American Outdoor Show takes place at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg from Saturday, February 4 and runs until February 12. The nine-day event is the largest of its type in the world encompassing hunting, fishing and all outdoors activities including RVs and fishing boats. It’s a family event that features 1,000 exhibitors, speaking events, archery competitions, celebrity appearances, seminars, demonstration and more. You can get tickets at the door or get more information and advanced tickets by going to the website great americanoutdoorshow.org.

Serious turkey hunters will gather at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention

Center in Nashville, TN, for the 50th Annual National Wild Turkey Federation Convention February 15 to 19. Everything that is wild turkey is there. We found if you are going, make hotel reservations early, rooms are at a premium. For information go to nwtf.org.

The Philadelphia Fishing Show takes place at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks, Phoenixville from February 18 – 20. For information go to www. phillyfishingshow.com.