In 2005, the society had 604 visitors from far enough away they had to stay the night, said Joseph Bryer, president of the society. Many of those people came during the summer.

"The only thing these people had in common was their roots are in Northeastern Pennsylvania," Mr. Bryer said. "Genealogy is an addictive hobby."

The society began 12 years ago with four members and now has 1,038 members in 46 states and five foreign countries, he said. Run by volunteers, the society makes money through paid historical searches.

Parents, church officials and city officials may be breathing a little easier after a deal with state Department of Transportation that would make a local road safer for drivers and pedestrians.

On April 4, an "agility agreement" was signed for PennDOT to install a crosswalk across Route 106/Fallbrook Street in exchange for city workers sweeping the road, said PennDOT spokeswoman Karen Dussinger.

City Mayor Justin Taylor was contacted by the Rev. Russell Motsky of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Roman Catholic Church, who expressed concerns about the students crossing Fallbrook Street to attend Mass at the church.

"The crosswalk helps improve the level of safety for the community," said Dennis Giordano, assistant district executive for maintenance for PennDOT District 4.

A little bit of borough history is sitting in the borough civic center, and Recreation Authority member Dianne Yagelski-Betti is hoping to learn more about it.

Mr. Lapinski acquired the sweater at an auction from the estate of Hank Bielinski, who might have been the original owner. The letter signifies the original owner played for the school baseball team. Mrs. Yagelski-Betti has been searching for information so she can include a plaque when the sweater is hung.

Because Dickson City High School was folded into the Mid Valley, the authority is hoping to preserve some of the borough’s heritage in the civic center with other memorabilia.

The department used money from grants and donations to acquire a heavy-duty, four-door Chevrolet pickup with dual rear wheels to replace a 1975 Dodge surplus military pickup.

The new vehicle has a 300-gallon water tank, three waterlines and a 12-gallon integrated foam cell. It will be used primarily off-road for brush fires, but can be useful at accident scenes, medical calls and during snowstorms, the chief said.

In just six weeks, the site has had 11,000 visitors, said Mr. Stiroh, who has lived in Butler, N.J., since graduating from King’s College in 1962. He said the site, www.duryeapa.com, now has more than 1,500 pictures and documents.

Mr. Stiroh, a retired teacher and coach, started the Web site because of the fond memories and his love for his hometown. People have lent him hundreds of old photos and newspaper clippings about the borough, dating back more than 100 years. Mike Lizonitz, of Hughestown, has been helping him with the site design.

Hamlin Elementary School pre-kindergarten teacher Robin Marhevka is getting ready to once again bring to life her successful program. Friday is "Books Come Alive" day at the school.

About a decade ago, Mrs. Marhevka had an idea to have volunteers dress up as different book characters and act out parts from a book while it’s being read.

The event will start at 7 p.m., with a bell-ringing every 20 minutes, Mrs. Marhevka said. Everyone will have an opportunity to cycle through up to five rooms.

While the stories that teachers, parents and high school students will read aloud are geared for children in prekindergarten through fifth grade, Mrs. Marhevka said, everyone is welcome. "It’s for anybody who wants to come at all."

"That is what we are using to increase community awareness and encourage community participation in the upcoming Relay for Life," said Emily Scholl, chairwoman.

So far, more than 40 businesses have agreed to lend their signs or storefronts to Power of Purple, tying purple balloons or displaying messages for the public to see, Ms. Scholl said.

Though resident and Texas No. 4 Fire Co. President Pete Hooker said it was just the "right place, right time, right training," others recognized him for saving a patient’s life on March 20.

Fire Chief Stan Pratt said Mr. Hooker was driving down the road when he heard a call come over the scanner for a man in cardiac arrest. Near the house, Mr. Hooker pulled over, went into the home and administered CPR to the man, saving his life, Chief Pratt said.

Knights of Columbus Council 7622 has launched a membership blitz campaign as part of the 125th anniversary celebration of the organization, said John Graytock, grand knight of the Jermyn Council.

In 1882, the Rev. Michael McGivney founded the fraternal Catholic men’s organization in Connecticut, receiving a charter from the state legislature later that year. Since then, the Knights have expanded to at least 1.7 million members in 13,000 councils throughout the world.

The Jermyn council has 125 members. Each year, the Knights host an Easter egg hunt the weekend before the holiday and organize fundraisers for Arc of Lackawanna County through the "Measure Up Campaign."

When Jerry Rogers came to a Borough Council meeting recently, he had a rather stinky complaint - a skunk, or multiple skunks, have taken up residence under his porch. He was hoping the borough had a pest control company it used.

Brent, with the help of fellow Boy Scouts from Troop 61 of Old Forge and other volunteers, plans to install a slate memorial with an inscription, flagpole, flag, two wooden benches and several shrubs and pine trees on May 19 and 20. It is for his Eagle Scout project.

George Yescavage has served on the Old Forge School Board for 15 years, but he will call it a career at the end of this year, when his term ends.

Mr. Yescavage, appointed to the board in 1992, went on to win election three times and was top vote-getter four years ago, he said. In his time on the board, he served as president twice and helped negotiate several teacher contracts.

The highlights of his board career include his involvement in the building project and the hiring of Superintendent Gene Camoni, Ed.D., a few years ago.

The Greater Pittston Historical Society wants to preserve those moments of history in documentary form. The group is continuing with plans for a project to record the comments of those who still make the pilgrimage.

This year’s first-place winners were Eric, Cathy, Ryan and Adam Schield, who received a $30 gift certificate to the Texas Roadhouse. Other winners were Wayne Truitt, second place; Samantha and Joey Antosh, third place; and honorable mentions went to David R. Johnson; Trevor and Tyler Schirra.

The lines on the street had led some to believe excavation work might soon begin on the sewer project, which is geared to reduce pollutants flowing into the Lackawanna River and eventually into the Chesapeake Bay.

"When you see lines drawn like these, chances are its a utility company doing some sort of work," Department of Public Works director George Parker said.

"This spring, we should get everything moving," he said, adding he that listened to residents’ concerns about the park. "They wanted a dog park, and I wanted it. So, they’ll get it."

State Rep. Fred Belardi, D-Scranton, secured $250,000 in state legislative grants for the park project, which the city matched with $250,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds.

District food service director Donna Gilroy recently presented Mr. McAfee with an award recognizing his community service to the district during the "Great Pennsylvania Apple Crunch" on Oct. 25.

"Brian’s efforts and service to Riverside are recognized as that of a leader in the community," according to teacher Susan Roche, who does publicity for the district.

The Great Pennsylvania Apple Crunch is held to encourage healthy eating and to show the importance of fruits and vegetables. Pennsylvania Advocates for Nutrition and Activity, a statewide, nonprofit coalition established by the state Health Department and funded in part by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sponsors the event.

Mr. Hill, 21, won the first Great Easter Cheesesteak Eat-Off, a competitive-eating contest at the Green Alley Pub. In two competitive rounds, he had to scarf down a 13-inch cheesesteak faster than a competitor.

The contest was created by a local group calling itself EATORF - Eating Aggressively To Outshine Ravenous Foes. Mr. Hill won $100, a medal with the EATORF logo on it, and a bib for future competitions.

Wyoming County Helping Area Needs for Diverse Early Childcare/Education Services is celebrating the Month of the Young Child with children’s activities and education.

The group is holding free hearing, development and lead screenings on April 25 at the Tunkhannock Public Library from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Other activities have been held for the celebration, including a puppet show.

H.A.N.D.S. of Wyoming County Program Director Annette Smith said the month is meant to raise awareness about the importance of early childhood education.

Center founder and President Rebecca Lesko said the center this week is going to receive an albino corn snake as a gift from Elk Lake fourth-grade teacher Dan Walker.

She said the snake will be used as part of the center’s education programs, including during a summer camp for youths in July and August and the Kiwanis Wyoming County Fair.

The annual Waverly Community House Sustaining Fund drive is under way through May 15, and the "Comm" needs the financial support of businesses and residents to maintain and improve its facilities, services and programs.

"The annual fund is the primary vehicle for supporting the different programs that the Waverly Community House offers," said Bob Knowles, board president.

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