©2025, THE JOURNAL-HERALD. All Rights Reserved
THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2025 • Volume 44 – No. 29 (USPS 277440)
CONTINUING: THE WHITE HAVEN JOURNAL ESTABLISHED 1879–146th YEAR, NO. 16
CONTINUING: THE WEATHERLY HERALD ESTABLISHED 1880–145th YEAR, NO. 42
Western Pocono Trout Unlimited will hold a special Round Table meeting on Tuesday, March 18, at 7 p.m. at the White Haven Library and Conference Center. Members and the public are invited to attend the program when representatives of the Lehigh River Coldwater Fishery Alliance and the Lehigh River Stocking Association will update the audience on the history of these groups and their efforts to
conserve, sustain and enhance the Lehigh River cold water trout fishery. They will also provide information on the Francis E. Walter Dam and its importance for necessary and adequate cold water releases needed to maintain sustainable water temperatures for trout in the river and the overall health and biology of the river and its habitat and also along its shores, forests and uplands. They will
The White Haven Area Community Library recently celebrated Dr. Seuss and Kindness Week. Children ages 8 through 14 enjoyed making friendship bracelets, playing games, building with Legos, and participating in a Seuss-themed scavenger hunt for fun prizes. The library was filled with the happy chaos of 27 children!
To stay informed about future events, please visit the White Haven Area Community Library Facebook page.
also note the potential the dam has for further coldwater releases that would enhance flows for trout and other recreation and not affect its primary role for flood control.
In addition to this river program members from Pocono groups monitoring work being done on several warehouses and distribution center projects will be on hand to offer their information and reports on previous, and current construction projects and of public meetings that have highlighted the impacts that these industrial projects will
have on the natural resources and citizens of the Poconos.
The Lehigh River and all waters and land in the Poconos hold a special place for those who wish to enjoy its spectacular scenery, fish and wildlife habitat and quality of life benefits that give special meaning to the area and its residents.
Contact Janet at 570 510 1189 or Mike at 570 454 4862 or the library at 570 443 8776 for info or postponement due to inclement weather etc. No registration is required. The library is located at 121 Towanda St., White Haven.
Weatherly Area School District held its annual Read Across America Celebration March 3-7. They proudly welcomed guest readers on the final day, Friday March 7, including State Representative Doyle Heffley. To see all the guest readers, turn to page 9.
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Ruth Isenberg, Editor
Steve Stallone, Sports Editor
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by Ruth Isenberg
We’re coming in to National Sunshine Week, March 16-22, at a time when light and clarity on what is happening is seriously needed. The world is moving very quickly, in surprising directions. Without transparency, it’s impossible to understand what is happening. Without information, rumors and false stories spread quickly on social media and create an alternate reality that can have real consequences.
Sunshine Week occurs each year in mid-March, coinciding with James Madison’s birthday, March 16 (1751). Madison was a driving force behind the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and presented the first version of the Bill of Rights to Congress. He also was the fourth president of the United States.
Governments of every stripe throughout the ages have felt it easier to govern by keeping some things to themselves. And many of those being governed are fine with that until a decision gets made that they don’t like, that impacts them in a negative way. Without the ability to see official records, attend meetings and express opinions, they have little recourse after the fact.
It’s up to a free press to pay attention, and let the world know what is happening. Around the world, including in this country, it’s getting more and more difficult, more and more expensive, more and more dangerous to report the news.
Sunshine not only lights the way, it cleanses and sanitizes. But the public has to do its part. Without support from readers and advertisers, newspapers and broadcasters can’t light the way. And even the most clearly lit path is useless, if no one cares enough to follow it.
From The Journal-Herald March 17, 2005
Clara R. Holder, Publisher
The headline at the top of page 1 read: The end of an era in Weatherly as old Read & Lovatt Building razed
An article by John “Jack” Koehler gave the history of the former silk mill/Tung-Sol Electric plant. The oldest part, near the intersection of West Main and Plane streets, “had its beginning on May 5, 1887, when a representative of the Read & Lovatt Silk Co. of Paterson, NJ was invited to look over Weatherly as the possible site for a new silk mill. Many other area communities, including Hazleton and Pottsville, had launched big efforts to have the mill located in their towns.”
Weatherly won, thanks to a donation of “Teany’s Island,” a beautiful picnic grove, by the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Weatherly put up $35,000, and a contract was signed.
It was built quickly, and by 1895 was the world’s largest spinning mill, with 40,000 mechanical spinners in operation.
White Haven Borough Council voted to spend $8,500 on a used pickup truck for the street department, soliciting bids for a used heavy-duty truck under that price. The also considered hiring a grant writer for borough projects.
Pat Genetti was named manager of the Drums office of Lewith & Freeman Real Estate.
Lisa Marie Stark of White Haven was promoted to Captain in the U.S. Army. She was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas.
Mountainview Community Church offered a free Easter luncheon for the family, with games, prizes and treats for all children.
An all paper bingo to benefit the WAHS Class of 2005 was scheduled at the L&L firehouse.
The White Haven Area Community Library was presented with a check for $90,000 by State Representative Todd Eachus, a grant fro the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, to be used to rehabilitate the Engine House for adaptive reuse as a library and visitors’ center.
A grant for sidewalks and curbs in Weatherly as part of the Home Towns Streets/Safe Routes to School Program was approved by the State Transportation Commission, according to State Representative Keith McCall, in the amount of $151,120.
Kidder Township Volunteer Fire Company advertised its annual Easter Flower Sale at the firehouse in Lehigh Tannery.
The Crestwood Comets boys basketball team’s ride through the PIAA boys’ basketball playoffs ended at the Eastern quarterfinal level with a loss to Phoenixville, 61-48. It was a close game up to the end, and coach Mark Atherton praised their 25-7 season record.
From The Weatherly Herald March 17, 1955
R.V. Faust, Publisher
Local clergymen, businessmen and the PTA of the Greater Weatherly Area announced a collaboration to combat the “bad influence on young people of comic books and other trash magazines.”
Seventeen pairs of ducks were released along the Lehigh River between Jim Thorpe and Bowmanstown during the past week by the Lehigh River Restoration Association.
Weatherly borough councilman Gilbert Hamm resigned after the borough solicitor rendered an opinion that it was illegal for him to serve, being an official and director of Weatherly Water Company, from which the borough purchases water in excess of $300 per year.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that LETTERS OF TESTAMENTARY have been granted to PAUL YEAGER of the Estate of Leah Dougherty, deceased and late of Hazleton, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, who died on January 19, 2025. All persons indebted to said Estate, please make payment, and those having claims, present same to:
Susan Sernak-Martinelli, Esquire
Law Office of
Susan Sernak-Martinelli
199 North Church Street Hazleton, Pennsylvania 18201 3/27
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION have been granted to Robert Viechec of the Estate of Sandra Jean Kauker, deceased and late of Freeland, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, who died on December 8, 2024. All persons indebted to said Estate, please make payment, and those having claims, present same to:
Susan Sernak-Martinelli, Esquire
Law Office of
Susan Sernak-Martinelli
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Letters Testamentary have been granted in the Estate of Bernard A. Kattner, of State Route 903, Jim Thorpe, Carbon County, PA, who died on the 1st day of January, 2025. All persons having claims against the estate are requested to make known the same, and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to the Executor, Michael B. Kattner, 687 State Route 903, Jim Thorpe, PA, 18229, or his attorney:
CYNTHIA S. YURCHAK, ESQUIRE
121 Carbon Street Post Office Box 49 Weatherly, PA 18255 3/27
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION have been granted to ELIZABETH M. TROTMAN of the Estate of Elizabeth Snyder, deceased and late of Lansford, Carbon County, Pennsylvania, who died on January 6, 2025. All persons indebted to said Estate, please make payment, and those having claims, present same to:
Susan Sernak-Martinelli, Esquire
Law Office of
Susan Sernak-Martinelli
199 North Church Street
Hazleton, Pennsylvania 18201 3/13
by Suzanne Winters
The Dennison Township Board of Supervisors adopted two resolutions at their March 5 meeting.
First, the Zoning Fee Schedule has been updated to cover rising costs to the township. The new fee schedule has been uploaded to the township website, www. dennisontownship.org.
The second resolution was to pass an ordinance reflecting an
Cindy Yurchak
increase in sewer treatment fees imposed on the township from Aqua PA. The residential rate for Dennison Township sewer rents and charges will increase to $828 annually, or $207 per quarter. This is an increase from $157 per quarter or $628 annually.
White Haven Police Department (WHPD) Chief Richard Mocafin attended the meeting. There were no pressing traffic issues to report. However, the WHPD was recently able
Liz Berger has been providing Tag & Title, DCNR, Boat and Fish Commission, and general Notary services in White Haven for over 30 years. As the local community Notary Public with years of experience, there is no question she can’t answer. Find her at Lehigh Gorge Campground, 4585 State Street in East Side, or under the More tab at: lehighgorgecampground.com 570-443-9191
to win a case concerning an erratic driving complaint. They were able to identify the driver by the license plate and vehicle description provided by a witness. The Chief encouraged drivers to continue to report traffic issues, always including the license plate number and vehicle description.
Board chair Sheila Weaver said the township will have a paper shredding event on the township’s second Dumpster Day, which is scheduled for September 27. There will also be electronics recycling available on the same day. There are fees associated with the electronics recycling. These events are for residents of Dennison Township only.
Roadmaster Jim Yackiel had a short report this month, which
included snow removal and surveilling the township roads for any problems. He said there is plenty of salt in the shed for any further winter weather, and he will start getting equipment ready for spring and summer work. Yackiel also reported no township road signs were stolen recently, and he needs more security bolts for use on signs as further theft prevention.
Township Secretary Kathleen Stortz read the Fire Department report. In January there were 10 calls, 8 hours of service and 10 ½ hours of maintenance. In February there were 6 calls, 17 ¾ hours of service, 12 hours of training and 60 hours of fundraising at Winterfest. The department’s 2025 list of activities was approved by the supervisors.
Frederica F. “Freddie” McCluskey, 75, of White Haven, passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2025 in Allied Hospice Center, Mead St., WilkesBarre, after a lengthy and courageous battle with Multiple Myeloma.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, Freddie was the daughter of the late Fred and Flossie (Barry) Brandmier, and worked as a secretary for the PA Department of Welfare. Freddie was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of White Haven, where she belonged to WELCA and the quilting group. Freddie enjoyed being on the lake fishing with her husband, Howard, and she was famous for her excellent baking, cooking, and sewing skills. Most important to Freddie, however, was spending time with her husband Howard, her children, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren, all of whom were the light of her life.
In addition to her parents, Freddie was preceded in death by her infant brother.
Left to cherish her memory is her loving husband, Howard, with whom she would have celebrated 55 years of marriage in June; daughter Sherry and her husband Boomer of White Haven, son Tom and his wife
Clare of Lewes, Delaware; grandchildren Roger and his wife Carly, Michael and his wife Ashley, Jack, Andrew and his wife Hannah, Samantha, Olivia, Tyler, and Grace; greatgrandchildren Rhett, Eliana, Magnolia, and Adelyn. Also surviving are her sisters, Mary Gower and Edith BrandmierLeppanen; nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 13, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 418 Berwick St., White Haven. Interment will follow in Laurel Cemetery, White Haven. Visitation will be conducted on Wednesday, March 12, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Lehman Family Funeral Service, Inc., 403 Berwick St., White Haven and Thursday from 10 a.m. until time of funeral at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude for the excellent care given to Freddie by the doctors, nurses, and staff, especially Dr. Gupta, at the Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Cancer Center; Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, especially Dr. Joseph Lynch and staff; and the compassionate staff of Allied Hospice Center, WilkesBarre. Freddie’s family will be forever grateful for the care she received. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, White Haven, in Freddie’s name. Visit the funeral home website for additional information at www.LehmanFuneral Home. com
www.LehmanFuneralHome.com BranchofLehmanFamilyFuneralService,Inc. (570)443-9816
Martin J. “Marty” Makowiec, Jr., 71 years of age, of West Main Street, Weatherly, died unexpectedly on Monday, March 10, 2025, at home.
Born Tuesday,
February 16, 1954 in Philadelphia, he was predeceased by father, Martin J. Makowiec Sr.; and son, Martin “Chip” J. Makowiec III.
Surviving are his mother, Irene (Shema) Makowiec; wife of 50 years, Betty L. (VanHorne)
March 12 - Zions Evangelical Lutheran Church 7 p.m.
March 19 - St. Matthew’s Union Church 7 p.m.
March 26 - Our Lady of Lourdes 7 p.m.
April 2 - First Presbyterian Church of Weatherly 7 p.m.
April 9 - Centenary United Methodist Church 7 p.m.
The Community Lenten Services on March 12,19, 26, April 2 and 9 will be followed by a time of fellowship and light refreshments. All are welcome.
Citizens’ Fire Co No 1, 107 Spring St, Weatherly will host the annual Spring Raffle April 11 from 8-11 p.m. A Tricky Tray Raffle will also be held. Early viewing for the Tricky Trays will be April 10 from 7- 10 p.m. and April 11 from noon. Please come out and support your local fire company.
Makowiec; daughter, Valerie Johnson, wife of Craig; son, Joshua Makowiec; brothers, John Makowiec and his wife Lynn, Jude Makowiec, Gerard Makowiec, Christopher Makowiec, Frank Makowiec and Thomas Makowiec; sister, Maria Makowiec; grandchildren, Michael, Mason, and Landon. Many nieces and nephews also survive Martin.
A graduate of West Hazleton High School, Marty owned his own welding business in Beaver Brook ,Marty’s Welding, for many years. When not welding Marty enjoyed tinkering on cars.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Weatherly.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday March 14, from the funeral home. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services.
Interment will be in Union Cemetery, Weatherly.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www. griffithsfuneralhomes.com
ABranchofHolmes–GriffithsF.H.,Inc. 211FirstStreet,Weatherly,PA18255 570-427-4231
E.FranklinGriffithsIIIF.D. PhilipJ.JeffriesF.D./Supervisor www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
Anewapproachtofuneraland cremationcare.Lookingforwardto servingWhiteHaven,Dennison, Lehigh,andFosterTownships. Allarrangementsandconsultations fromthecomfortofyourhome. Guidingfamiliesthrough difficulttimes.
The White Haven Area Community Library would like to thank our community minded area businesses who have supported our Gertrude Hawk Candy Bar Fundraiser. Our independent nonprofit library receives no state or Federal funding and relies on gifts, grants and fundraisers such as this. Our sincere thanks go out to G&A Hardware, Jirah’s Pizzeria, Thimbleberry, Holy Ghost Distillery, The Hearing Center, Antonio’s Pizza, Gino’s Family Shoe Store, Dominic’s Pizza, Northeastern Eye Center, The Marine Corps Breakfast, Murphy Lumber, White Haven Veterinary Hospital, Connie Job Beauty Shop, Hair 2 Dye 4, Barb Stemple Hair Salon, LK Hair Shop, Sueann’s Sewing and Aqua Water. The fundraiser was a great success and will enable us to continue to provide enriching activities and services for our community.
Our next such event will be The Musicians of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Chamber Music Society on Sunday, March 16 at 3 p.m.
Their third annual concert, which is sold out, will feature works by Felix Mendelssohn, Arthur Foote, Amy Beach and Luigi Boccherini.
Artists Leslie Cullen, flute; John Vaida, violin; Arthur Moeller, violin, Amy Iwazumi, viola; and Lisa Caravan, cello will perform in the intimate setting of the library’s John Murphy Room, which in past years, has delighted sell-out audiences. Seating is limited. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at the library or by calling 570-443-8776. Credit cards are accepted. Doors will open at 2 p.m., and refreshments will be served prior to the concert.
Regular activities will continue throughout March including Tot Time with Miss Victoria on March 15 from 10:15 to 11 a.m. and Lego Club/free play on March 22 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. The Scrabble Club will meet on March 20 at 6 p.m. and the Fiber Arts group will meet at 10 a.m. on March 13 and 27. Trout Unlimited will meet at 1 p.m. on March 22.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, hosted by Joan Gower, will hold their next meeting on March 18 at 6:30. Drop ins are welcome, however if childcare is needed, please call ahead to let us know at 570-443-8776.
The library will once again hold a Pysanky Egg Painting Workshop this year, taught by Paul Corinchock. It will be held on Saturday, April 12 from 1 to 4 p.m. The fee is $40. Registration is required. Call the library at 570-443-8776 or stop in before space runs out.
Mark your calendars for May 10 to attend a
Community Engagement event at the WHACL. There will be entertainment, crafts refreshments, and an opportunity to learn more about White Haven’s Blueprint Community endeavors. More information will follow as the event gets closer.
The WHACL follows the Crestwood School District for weather related closings. If the school is closed, the library is closed. For weather events on days when school is not in session, the decision to close the library will be made at least one hour prior to its scheduled opening and posted on the library Facebook page.
by Ruth Isenberg
Complaints about short term rental fee ikncreases were the main subjects brought up by audience members at the February 27 Kidder Township Board of Supervisors’ meeting, along with an objection to the supervisors’ decision to appeal a Zoning Hearing Board approval of an variance for Solar Star Blakeslee 2 LLC for development of a solar project on 11.5 acres on Route 940 across from Harmony Beverage.
Short-term rental property owners complained that fees have risen consistently over the past three years. Questions about what the money is used for, and warnings of unintended consequences of raising the rates too high were answered when supervisors voted to amend the fee schedule
Supervisor chair Ray Gluck pointed out that safety inspections for commercial properties and fees for shortterm rental permits are two separate categories, and not related. The permit fees are supposed to cover expenses the township incurs because of STRs in the community, such as the number of complaint police and code enforcement officers must handle.
Police Chief Matthew Kuzma confirmed that last year there were over 3,200 calls regarding STRs. Supervisor Noel Torres said there had been more than 700 already this year. Some have been quite serious, including a rape and a death in a hot tub, both under investigation. The Lake Harmony Fire Company responded to over 400 calls, more than any previous year.
Fees for 2025 were modified to $500 for 2-3 bedrooms, $750
for 4-5 bedrooms, $1,500 for 6-7 bedrooms, and $250 per bedroom for larger properties. All supervisors voted in favor of the increased fees.
Property owner John McElroy protested the decision to appeal the Zoning Hearing Board’s decision regarding a solar farm project, calling it a “clean, environmentally correct project,” and noting that the required setback from the road would make building on the lot impossible as it is configured.
Supervisors did not comment on the matter before voting, saying it was a legal matter not open for discussion. All voted in favor of filing the appeal.
Because of a conflict of counsel, Robert Frycklund was appointed to represent the board of supervisors in the matter.
Subdivision/land development plans for both Blue Ridge Real Estate
and Camptel Poconos were tabled at the requests of the applicants.
A resolution confirming the Volunteer Service Credit/ Stipend was approved, as was a resolution to increase the salaries to the new state level for supervisors elected in the future, and regulations for timbering in the township.
A lease agreement of $1/year with LNP Properties LLC for trail parking from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. was approved, with Gluck, Torres, Bruce Berger and Wilson Klotzman in favor, and Louis Pantages abstaining.
Police committee chair Torres reported that sending a police officer to truck unit training last year has paid off. As of the day of the meeting, with one day a week on truck duty, he had issued $236,000 in fines since January, $20,000 that day alone. The township gets half of the fines collected.
Roadmaster Klotzman reported that township crews salted the road through Split Rock during the ice storm, figuring it was cheaper to pay a guy than to wreck a fire truck, ambulance or police car. The township will bill Split Rock.
Chief Kuzma reported the new police vehicle is up and running. The department responded to 347 calls in January, and issued 233 citations.
Manager Suzanne Brooks announced that electronics recycling is scheduled for July 12, from 9-11 a.m., or until the truck is full.
Supervisors meet next on Thursday, March 27, at 6:30 p.m.
The weekend was beautiful, but so windy it felt colder than the 55° the car’s thermometer recorded. The sunshine, combined with the pleasure of an extra hour of daylight on Sunday, was very welcome.
Monday was so nice we took advantage of Daylight Saving and went for a walk at Hickory Run State Park after work. Ice was still covering much of the lake, but obviously melting. There were sounds of geese and we saw goose poop, but there were no actual geese while we were there.
There was, however, a pheasant or quail in the middle of the road on the way home, which took its time moving out of the way.
Tuesday evening we walked closer to home, on the D&L Trail at Rockport. We started out south down the trail toward Penn Haven, but were warned that in that direction the trail was still all ice, so turned north instead. We walked up to Buttermilk Falls, meeting several other people and pets along the way.
We were all tired out by the time we got home, even the
dogs. Maybe even especially our older dog, Bull, who wanted his dinner early and then wanted us to go to bed. We were still working, so he left us to our own devices and retired early.
There’s a lot of interest in the community meeting concerning the future of the White Haven Center site that’s being hosted by Senator David Argall and Representative Jamie Walsh on April 10 at St. Patrick’s Parish Center. The state is getting ready to begin the process of selling the site, and this meeting is a way to get ideas out there for uses that can benefit the community, bring jobs and tax revenue to the area. State and local officials will be on hand. RSVP at 570-773-0891 if you’d like to be part of it.
The Weatherly Recreation Committee and Faith Church are holding an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 12, at 1 p.m. at Eurana Park. You need to register by March 29 by sending a Facebook message through the Weatherly Recreation Committee’s page, or texting 570-582-9298.
Archer Herling, son of former Weatherly resident Jeff Herling, had his self-portrait featured in the Watertown City School District’s Junior High and High School show featuring art work from students in grades 7-12. The featured art works were selected from all the entries from students in 7-12 grades. Archer, shown with his self-portrait, is the grandson of Georgeann Herling, Weatherly and Les Herling, Lehighton.
HAVE A PIZZA ON US
The Journal-Herald is giving away PIZZA
To enter the drawing, send an email with name, address, & phone to journalruth@gmail.com with subject line Pizza Party
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 360 members presented the Weatherly High School Kindness Club with a Good Deed Award recently. Members of the Kindness Club started last November to collect brand new stuffed animals for patients who visit Geisinger Pediatric locations across Northeastern Pennsylvania. The stuffed animals were handed out to children in the hospital, those going in for surgery and those visiting various specialists. The club announced they collected 357 stuffed animals for distribution to children. Shown from left, first row, Nicole Schertrumpf, Kellyanne Kennelly, Grace Portell, Jasmine Bresnak, Mackenzie Rhodes, Rebecca Caldwell, Madeline Rhodes, Angelina Ieraci, Kiera Culp, and Unit 360 president Georgeann Herling; back row, Unit 360 vice-president Tina Zink, Club Advisor Bobbi Kufro, Alexys Perkins, Aisha Zuberi. Eva Eroh, Willem Grant, Liam Sawakinus, Hayden DiGennaro, Ben Kropp, and Aiden Foley.
Members of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 360 presented the Weatherly Area High School Interact Club with a Good Deed Award recently. For several weeks members of the Interact Club collected items to be used as holiday gifts to residents at Forest Hills Nursing and Rehab Center. Among the items collected were crackers, cookies, candy, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, hairbrushes, combs, men’s tee shirts, lounging pants, night shirts and pj sets for both men and women, adult coloring supplies, large print word search books, 300-piece jigsaw puzzles, pens and pencils, simple Dot to Dot books and watercolor books. This is a yearly holiday tradition for the residents of Forest Hills by the Interact Club members. Shown from left, first row, are Kiley Holman, Ava Sahaida, Eva Eroh, Isobel Jones, Mason Veasie, and James McLaurin; back row, Unit 360 vice-president Tina Zink, Interact Advisor Shane Moran, Kellyanne Kennelly, McKenna Gerhard, Emma Heister, Grace Portell, Kelly Reiner, Abigail Weston, Rachel Rosenlund, Aisha Zuberi, Lukas Vasek, and Unit 360 president Georgeann Herling.
Weatherly Area School District held its annual Read Across America Celebration March 3-7. They proudly welcomed guest readers on the final day, Friday March 7, including State Representative Doyle Heffley.
by Elizabeth DiGennaro & Jillian Esposito
SCIENCE OLYMPIAD: The Science Olympiad team has been
practicing non-stop for their upcoming competition on March 12th.
NJHS: The National Junior Honor Society will have its ceremony on April 9, at 6 p.m. It is by invitation only. There are 15 7th graders and 18 8th graders that will be inducted.
SENIOR OF THE MONTH:
The senior of the month for February is Izabel Jones.
Izabel Jones, daughter of Amy Bartley and Jay Jones, Weatherly, has been named Senior of the Month for February at Weatherly Area High School.
Izabel serves as treasurer of the Interact Club, and the Weatherly Area High School chapter of the National Honor Society. She is also a member of Science Olympiad and Teens Against Tobacco Use, and is involved with Kufro’s Closet.
In the community, Izabel volunteers her time with the Wilkes-Barre VA Summer Youth Program, as well as various NHS-sponsored activities and cleanups. Izabel is employed by Rita’s Italian Ice in Hometown.
Sponsor for the month of
February is David Feaster Excavating, LLC, in Weatherly.
The QR code published last week for the Crestwood Adult Community Education registration did not work correctly. Here is a new QR code, and a link directly to the forms.
https://forms.fillout.com/t/nPKp5JkG4Zus
by Steve Stallone Sports Editor
“Why Not?!”
Part question and part exclamation, the two-word message on the back of Crestwood’s basketball warmups this season has been about going above and beyond.
The Lady Comets continue providing answers to that question, one memorable game
at a time.
On Saturday, the newlycrowned District 2 champions hosted a PIAA tournament game for the first time. And they checked off another box in their magical season.
After watching nearly all of an 11-point halftime lead vanish in the third quarter, the Lady Comets took charge of the game, finishing on a 21-9 run over the final nine-plus minutes to
outlast Manheim Central 51-39.
The program’s first-ever state playoff win moved Crestwood (22-4) into the PIAA Class 5A second round, where the Lady Comets were to face Freire Charter (17-11) on Wednesday evening at Whitehall High School. The winner earns a Saturday quarterfinal date with either Radnor (19-7) or Strath Haven (14-13).
“We’re making history,” head coach Mary Mushock-Namey said Saturday. “Crestwood never won more than 20 games. Everything they win from now on is going in the record books. They’re just having a lot of fun and they don’t want it to end.”
“It feels really good,” beamed sophomore Charlie Hiller. “Again, it’s the first in history. We’re just trying to make history for this team. It was our seniors’
last home game, and so it was really special.”
It was anything but easy, however.
Tenacious and physical, Manheim Central (17-10) wouldn’t back down from the taller and longer Lady Comets, testing them from the get-go. Crestwood had the skill to match.
With the defense forcing five early turnovers and Crestwood’s guards lighting it up, the locals grabbed the early lead. Jordan Andrews’ 3-pointer and Kendall Petrosky’s old-fashioned 3-point play got the Lady Comets off and running, before Hiller scored down low for a quick 9-4 lead. However, Hiller was whistled for her second foul at the 2:05 mark of that opening quarter, sending
Continued from page 10
her to the bench.
Crestwood continued to assert itself, with Petrosky scoring off the break, and then adding two free throws before Cameron Vieney bombed in a triple from the wing that had the Lady Comets up 16-4 late in the first.
But Katie Myer and Gianna Walters scored in the final minute to bring Manheim back within eight (16-8) after a physical first period.
Kate Gallagher converted a 3-point play off a Vieney assist, and then added two more free throws 20 seconds later to stretch Crestwood’s lead to 21-8 early in the second quarter.
Petrosky’s second triple of the half, and Hiller’s pull-up jumper helped to keep the double-digit lead (28-17) at intermission.
After getting the two quick fouls, Hiller was able to stay out of trouble the rest of the way, and ultimately lead the Lady Comets with 12 rebounds.
“I just try to stay as composed as I can,” she explained, “bring up my I.Q. in the game, just play with my hands up, not use my body as much.”
Manheim Central turned things up another notch in the third quarter, forcing five early turnovers and getting even more physical as the heat began to rise in the Crestwood High School gym.
Crestwood’s Charlie Hiller eyes up a free throw during the District 2 Class 5A championship game earlier this month at Mohegan Arena. Hiller grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds on Saturday, helping power the Lady Comets to a 51-39 PIAA playoff victory over Manheim Central.
Photo by Bob Gaetano
The Lady Comets missed their first seven shots of the second half, and three Kate Gallagher free throws were all they had to show for offense through the first six minutes.
Meanwhile, Carsyn Zeiset started heating up with three baskets, capping a 13-3 run that brought Manheim within a single point (31-30) with 1:39 to play in the third.
“It took us a while. We were getting beat up, they were beating us to every ball, it seemed like they wanted it more. It took a little bit of adversity for us to actually kick it in gear a little bit ourselves,” MushockNamey explained. “I think it took (Manheim) to actually start being physical for us to get a little bit more motivated than we should have already been.”
At the 1:30 mark, Manheim’s Laken Zeiset was whistled for a two-shot technical for an intentional foul, and that set in motion Crestwood’s gamewinning march.
Jackie Gallagher hit both free throws, and Petrosky followed with a 3-point swish from the corner. Andrews’ steal and breakaway layup capped a 7-0 burst over 34 seconds that pushed the lead back to eight (38-30).
Kate Gallagher’s low-post move and Andrews’ triple from the wing stretched the lead to nine (43-34) midway through the fourth, but Manheim continued to battle, moving back within four (43-39) on a Carsyn Zeiset trey and a Madelyn Gehman layup with three minutes remaining.
Manheim would not score again.
“It was physical. We just tried to do our best under pressure,” Hiller said. “We just tried to take it the best as we could, be strong with the ball, stay composed and have good sportsmanship.”
Petrosky dove on a loose ball to set up Hiller’s baseline drive, and Andrews followed with a steal and layup for a 47-39 cushion. Her floater in the lane with 41 seconds to play upped the lead to 10 and secured the program’s first state playoff victory.
“That’s one thing this team never does, they never give up. It doesn’t matter if we’re down or up,” noted Mushock-Namey. “If we lose a lead like that, it just
Crestwood senior Kate Gallagher is congratulated by her coaches and her sister Jackie (13) after exiting Saturday’s PIAA Class 5A opening round playoff win over Manheim Central, at Crestwood High School. The PIAA win was the first in program history for the Lady Comets.
seems like right when they need to, right at the moment we kick it in right when we have to.”
Petrosky finished with a game-high 14 points to go with two steals, and Andrews produced 13 points and five steals for the balanced Lady Comets. Kate Gallagher contributed 10 points, seven boards and two blocks, while Hiller had six points to go with her 12 rebounds. Vieney added six points and three assists off the bench.
Meanwhile, Crestwood held its third straight playoff opponent under 40 points.
“That’s all our coach stresses is defense, defense, defense so that’s all that we want to achieve,” Hiller said. “Defense leads to offense, that’s what we go by. We really just go get the ball, that’s it. Everybody just go get it. We all just go 100 percent for four full quarters.”
Mushock-Namey said the defense can be better still.
“Defense is all we stress,” she said. “My pregame speech was, if
you play the defense you’ve been playing, you’ll be fine. I don’t think the defense was as good as it should have been. I get that we held them to 39 points, but we lost our man a lot, we were out of position, we weren’t talking. I think there’s definitely areas we can improve on.”
MANHEIM CENTRAL (39) - Gehman 5 0-0 10, L. Zeiset 1 0-2 2,
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For three Crestwood High School wrestlers, the 2024-25 season ended in the sweetest place on earth, where all Pennsylvania high school wrestlers aspire to reach: Hershey.
The Crestwood trio of Lincoln Bibla, Kyle Draina and Samara Bailey battled through district and regional competition to reach the summit last weekend, the PIAA Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center.
While none of the three brought home state medals from their first trip to states, they performed admirably among the best grapplers the commonwealth has to offer.
A senior, Draina’s final scholastic competition began
with a first-period pin over Chambersburg’s Frank Barrientos at 285 pounds. Draina had a 3-0 lead before putting Barrientos to his back and eventually getting the mat slap in 1:05. Unfortunately for Draina, that preliminary-round win earned him a spot opposite eventual champion Dean Bechtold of Owen J. Roberts. Bechtold won by fall in 2:31. Forced to the consolation bracket, Draina ran into Northampton’s Gavin Grell for the second time in seven days after losing to him at the Northeast Regional. Grell’s 4-1 decision ended Draina’s exceptional season and career at Crestwood.
Bibla fared the best of the three Crestwood wrestlers at Hershey, going 2-2 and opening with a first-period pin over Coatesville’s Rami Ayoub (1:56).
The Comet junior lost a 12-4 major decision to Brodie Daugherty of Manheim Central, but battled back in the second round of consolations with a first-period pin of Exeter’s Kevin Oswalt (1:53) to keep his season alive.
In the consolation third round, he met a familiar foe in John Boggs of St. Joseph’s Prep, who decisioned Bibla twice at regionals last week. This time Boggs captured a 16-0 technical fall (3:37) to end Bibla’s PIAA run and stellar
junior season. Bibla went over 100 career wins earlier this season.
Competing in the PIAA Girls’ Championships for the first time, Bailey got no favors by the draw. Her first opponent was Southmoreland’s Zoey Murphy, who rode out a 19-13 decision on her way to the silver medal at 235 pounds.
Forced into the consolation bracket, Bailey was pinned by Veronica Guise of Cumberland Valley in 2:58 as her season ended.
Panther Valley’s Brenda Banks posted a 42-second pin of Murphy in the 235-pound final to capture the gold medal.
by Christopher Brunozzi
Earl Anthony started his professional bowling career when bowling was a quiet and leisurely sport. Anthony’s appearance was humbling. He usually wore glasses, a crew cut, and was a firm lefthanded bowler. Many fellow professional bowlers dubbed him Square Earl. Anthony briefly joined the PBA Tour in 1963. He participated in three bowling tournaments but didn’t win any of them. After several years of vigorous practice, Anthony became a full-time bowler and began his professional bowling career in the early 1970s.
Anthony won his first title in 1970 at the age of 32. The titles kept rolling, and the cash kept flowing. In 1975, Anthony became the first bowler to earn six figures in a single season. Ten of Anthony’s titles were major titles. He won 6 PBA National Championships from 1973 to 1975 and again from 1981 to 1983. He won the PBA Tournament of Champions twice, in 1974 and 1978. He also won two ABC Masters, in 1977 and 1984. Overall, Anthony won 43 titles during his esteemed career.
In 1982, Anthony became the first bowler to accumulate $1 million in career earnings. In the late 80s, Anthony joined the PBA Senior Tour. In the 1990s, Anthony became a color commentator for ESPN.
Anthony expected to win many titles and earn a lot of money in his career. Anthony told The Oregonian, “I set goals throughout the years. I wanted to win 40 tournaments, and I won 45. I wanted to be the first bowler to win $100,000 in a year, and I did that. I wanted to win $1 million, and I did that.”
Earl Anthony’s life was cut too short in the summer of 2001 when he died after falling from a flight of stairs in New Berlin, Wisconsin. He was only 63.
Anthony has been awarded many honors throughout his outstanding career, including being inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1981 and the USBC Hall of Fame in 1986. He was also the Bowler of the Millennium in 2000.
Earl Anthony would be happy to say that bowling has become a versatile and exhilarating sport.
Philadelphia’s Christopher Brunozzi writes sports remembrances for The Sports Column.
by Steve Stallone Sports Editor
Weatherly’s Madisyn vonFrisch is beginning her second season as a member of the King’s College softball team.
The 5-foot-4 sophomore is a pitcher for the Monarchs, who were scheduled to open their season this week in Myrtle Beach.
As a first-year freshman last spring, vonFrisch was a staple out of the Monarchs’ bullpen, appearing in 12 out of 34 games, including one start. She went 2-3 overall in 31 innings pitched, with 11 strikeouts.
She pitched 5.1 scoreless innings of one-hit ball in a win over New Jersey City University.
She capped her season by being named to the MAC Academic Honor Roll, and earning Easton/NFCA AllAmerica Scholar Athlete honors.
King’s finished 12-22 overall and 3-11 in MAC Freedom Conference play last season.
VonFrisch was a two-time captain and four-year starter at Weatherly Area High School, was a two-time Schuylkill League All-Star and All-State selection following her senior season. She won the prestigious Scotty Roman Award for her academic and athletic excellence as a senior.
The daughter of Matt and Deana vonFrisch, Madisyn is a pre-physician assistant major.
King’s will play six games in Myrtle Beach before heading to Maryland for four games in the Margie Knight Softball Tournament in Salisbury.
The Monarchs will open their home schedule Thursday, March 20 with a double-header against Muhlenberg College at the Betzler Athletic Complex in Wilkes-Barre Twp.
by Steve Stallone Sports Editor
Don’t look now, but the spring sports season is upon us!
As the temperatures have moderated outside, local baseball, softball, track and field, lacrosse and tennis teams have been able to get in some outdoor practices and even scrimmages in preparation for their opening games.
The Weatherly Area baseball team is scheduled to begin its 2025 season at home against Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech next Monday, March 17. The Lady Wrecker softball team is set to open at home on Wednesday, March 19, also against CMVT.
The Weatherly Area track and field teams won’t begin competing until April 1, when they visit Schuylkill Haven.
At Crestwood, the girls’ lacrosse team is scheduled to open its season this Saturday at 11 a.m., hosting Southern Lehigh for a non-conference matchup at Crestwood High School Stadium.
The Comets baseball team will scrimmage Nativity (March 15) and Shikellamy (March 18) before the Comets begin their schedule March 20 at Wyoming Area.
The Crestwood softball team dives into its season on Monday, March 17 with a home game against Wyoming Area. The Crestwood boys’ tennis team also opens on Monday, hosting Pittston Area.
The Comets’ boys’ lacrosse team begins March 22 against Mars at State College, but won’t open its home schedule until March 26 against Lakeland.
The Crestwood track and field teams must wait until April 2 to open against Wilkes-Barre Area. Previews on the varsity teams from Weatherly Area and Crestwood will appear throughout March.
LOCAL SUCCESS - The opening round of the PIAA playoffs brought with it few surprises, as most of the favorites moved on with firstround wins.
Locally, the Marian girls rolled
by District 12 representative MaST Charter School II by a 76-11 score in the PIAA Class AA first round, while the Hazleton Area girls throttled traditional District 1 power Cheltenham 83-49 in their Class 6A opener.
The Fillies, runners-up in District 11 Class AA, improved to 22-4 with the win, and were scheduled to play Elk Lake on Tuesday in the second round. Meanwhile, the Hazleton Area girls improved to 27-0 and were ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 6A heading into their Tuesday matchup with Bethlehem Liberty at Martz Hall
The District 11 Class AA champion Marian boys saw their 13-12 season end at the hands of District 3 runner-up Linville Hill (20-5) by a 77-42 score in the PIAA Class AA opening round.
BLACK
- While basketball should have been at the center of last weekend’s games, it was poor sportsmanship that was grabbing headlines instead.
A fight broke out in the stands during the boys’ PIAA Class 5A opening round game between District 7 (WPIAL) fifth seed Uniontown and District 10 champion Meadville, ultimately spilling out onto the court to involve players. A video of the brawl went viral, and has since been picked up by major news networks, including NBC News.
The game was halted with just over three minutes remaining, and the PIAA has decided to rule the game a double-forfeit and disqualify both teams for the remainder of the tournament.
Sadly, it wasn’t the only game where poor sportsmanship reared its ugly head.
In Saturday’s Class A firstround girls’ game between District 7 No. 5 seed St. Joseph and District 10 champ Farrell, played in Farrell, referees cleared the gymnasium of fans. With 4 1/2 minutes remaining in the game, the officials cleared the gym in response to what they deemed excessive abusive language and yelling from some spectators.
Farrell played the fourth quarter without scoring and
rebounding leader Ja’Niya Daniels, who had received a second technical foul late in the third quarter and was ejected from the game. At that point, St. Joseph had rallied from a 12-point deficit to within two points before Farrell ultimately held on for a 56-53 win.
Hopefully fans and players alike will clean up their acts as we proceed through the tournament. There’s no place for poor sportsmanship and unruly behavior at any time, and particularly now during what is supposed to be a celebrated time for these athletes and basketball teams.
NFL GONE WILD - Fantasy players and fans alike will need to take a tutorial prior to the start of the 2025 NFL season later this year. Simply said, with all the wheeling and dealing going on as free agency begins, people will need a crash course in who’s playing where. Regardless of who your favorite team is, it’s likely receiving some sort of makeover as we speak.
On Monday alone, it was announced that the Pittsburgh Steelers are adding Pro Bowl receiver DK Metcalf; former Steelers Quarterback Justin Fields is going to the New York Jets; QB Geno Smith is rejoining his old head coach Pete Carroll in Las Vegas; and Seattle is replacing Smith with Sam Darnold. Also of note, Jets WR Davante Adams is joining the Rams; and DE Haason Reddick is leaving the Jets for Tampa Bay.
The Philadelphia Eagles are parting ways with veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, trading him to Houston for Kenyon
Green. They are also trading backup quarterback Kenny Pickett to Cleveland, getting QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson in return.
Most importantly for Eagles fans, the team signed star running back Saquon Barkley to a two-year, $41 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid running back in league history. In his first season in Philly, he broke Terrell Davis’ single-season NFL rushing record and ran for 2,504 total yards (including playoffs) in leading the Eagles to a Super Bowl title.
THE NAME GAME - Penn State University’s home stadium will now be known as West Shore Home at Beaver Stadium. The Cumberland County company will pay $50 million for naming rights to the home of the Penn State Nittany Lions. The deal is for 15 years, beginning in 2025.
The stadium is currently in the midst of a renovation project that includes the removal of the press box and west side upper bowl, clearing the way for a new press box and tower, suites and additional seating. The $700 million renovation is scheduled for completion prior to the 2027 season, although temporary bleacher seating is being added above the lower bowl of the west stands for the 2025 and 2026 seasons that will accommodate an additional 7,900 fans.
The previous capacity at Beaver Stadium was 106,572. Penn State has said that it intends not to reduce capacity once the renovations are complete.
