On Friday, May 31, the Hughesville Spartan baseball team captured its first-ever District 4 Class AA title defeating Loyalsock in nine innings, 7-5.

Following are some Luminary news highlights that took place in the East Lycoming area throughout the 2013 year.

JANUARY

A new 12,500 pound, 6 foot marble monument was installed at the Veterans Memorial Park in Picture Rocks.

Nearly 200 residents attended a local hearing with DEP regarding a new 936 megawatt natural gas fired power plant proposed to be located in Clinton Township.

Hughesville resident, Dr. Amy Rogers, was elected as a board member representing liberal arts institutions to the PA Association of Colleges of Teacher Educators.

On Jan. 7 a ribbon cutting ceremony was held for Remax Edge, 17 S. Main St. with proprietor, Cindy Appleman.

Hughesville High School Spartan Chorus hosted the PA Music Education Association Festival, the first in 22 years according to Director, Brian Barkley.

Montgomery was recognized as a ‘Susquehanna River Town’ during an open house on Jan. 16 at Montgomery High School. The honor came from Mayor Onufrak through the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership. The Montgomery School District also showed support with their attendance.

In Allenwood, A new community garden was established at Penn College’s Earth Science Center. Several types of vegetables are now grown in a hydrocultural environment that was assembled and planted by campus volunteers. The installed innovative channel system can produce more than 10,000 heads of lettuce annually.

Historical property at 172 Water Street in Muncy was destroyed by a fire on Jan. 23.

Cyber schools are a major concern for East Lycoming SD, costing close to $500,000, a major expense in the budget. Live sports can now be streamlined online through video webcast at the school’s website thanks to the school’s new video production club.

FEBRUARY

Representative Garth Everett held a Town Hall Meeting at the Hughesville Fire Hall on Jan. 31 announcing his sixth term representing the 84th legislative district of the Commonwealth.

The first Hughesville Varsity Competition Cheerleading Squad banner was hung in the school’s gymnasium among other athletic banners. The banner was unveiled in a ceremony at the school’s Varsity wrestling match and the 14 members of the squad performed their championship routine.

Water inspections through the West Branch Regional Authority began in Muncy basements to analyze sump pumps in preparation of the new sewer and water treatment plant.

The Muncy Valley Hospital Auxiliary presented their first payment of $10,000 towards their $150,000 pledge to support the future hospital’s Emergency Department.

Muncy Bank & Trust announced their listing in the number one position for their Performance Rating for 2012 according to a report from Financial Management Consulting Group. The rating was based from 198 banks headquartered here in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Seuss Day was celebrated in the schools on Feb. 28 and Bruce Weaver, a local professional ventriloquist gave young readers at Myers Elementary School an entertaining and exciting program with his zany characters. Pajama Day with Carol Mordan was held at Ferrell Elementary in Picture Rocks.

MARCH – 1 PHOTO

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Five local wrestlers advanced to State Wrestling Championships in Hershey from March 7 through March 9 with three placing. They were Muncy seniors, Troy Hembury, 2nd place, and Skylar Ebner, 7th; Isaiah Bobotas, a junior, from Montgomery; Hughesville senior Kyle Barnes, 4th place; and Zach Fry, a Spartan freshman.

Math classes at Hughesville High School made over 300 snowflakes with kind messages for the students at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut to be displayed at their new school after the fatal shooting that took place there last month.

Muncy Borough received new banners through the Muncy Professional Business Association and placed throughout the community. Four original designs were made by Brickhouse Advertising in Muncy.

19 tellers at Muncy Bank & Trust learned sign language in order to better communicate with customers who have hearing impairments.

Robert Hall from Hughesville’s High School Class of 1959 and Don Baylor from Muncy High School’s Class of 1955 were inducted into the PIAA District 4 Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Lowes Great Value Grocery Store in Clarkstown closed after owners Gail and Howard Lowe went into retirement. The family business was in existence for 73 years.

On March 14 First United Methodist Church in Muncy received a new steeple and cross placed atop the church that measures 34 feet high.

Montgomery Area School district’s Odyssey of the Mind team placed first in regionals on March 16 and headed for states April 13.

APRIL – 1 PHOTO

The East Lycoming Historical Society initiated an awards program given annually to a deserving senior who successfully completes the “Local History” course given at Hughesville High School. The program is known as the “Robert Webster Local History Award” named appropriately after this well known local historian and former educator at East Lycoming School District.

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Muncy Valley Hospital (MVH) was named a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital (CAH) in the United States by iVantage Health Analytics. MVH also qualified because the hospital offers 25 inpatient beds or fewer, provides 24-hour emergency care and is located in a rural area. Plans for the renovation and expansion of the MVH Emergency Department are currently underway. The new design and layout will enable the hospital to increase service from 6,000 to 16,000 emergency room patients a year. The expansion replaces five curtained bays with 14 private treatment rooms, enhances security and functionality, provides specialized treatment areas for decontamination, behavioral health evaluations and trauma. Staff and administrators were presented a House Citation on April 18 by Rep. Garth Everett.

Moreland Township prepared for its bicentennial with a commemorative memoir of published stories for a book available at the celebration in September.

Congressman Thomas Marino paid a visit to the Luminary/Shopper office to discuss his new legislation “Preserving Our Hometown Independent Pharmacies Act of 2013” as well as his dissatisfaction on the new health care law that is to take effect for 2014.

Hughesville Rotary celebrated 75 years of service on April 6 with a proclamation read by Representative Garth Everett. The organization’s motto “Service Above Self” has a long history with contributions exceeding $59,000.

Odyssey of the Mind High School team from Montgomery High School qualified for nationals after winning the state competition in Swiftwater, PA.

61 trees were ordered to be planted in Montgomery for Earth Day on April 22 and under the direction of committee members from ‘Revitalize Montgomery’.’ Utilizing a grant from DCNR, the project will improve Montgomery’s appeal to area visitors.

Carmen Mack and Tommy Rishel from Muncy were added to the Muncy High School Athletic Hall of Fame for 2013.

MAY – 1 PHOTO

A National Day of Prayer was held in front of Muncy High School on May 2.

On May 7 East Lycoming School District was given a Gold Level Award as a Fit-Friendly workplace by the American Heart Association.

A new granite and marble monument featuring a waterfall was dedicated to the new Veterans Memorial upon entering Nunn Lane in Picture Rocks. A formal ceremony was given on May 11 for the project that took five years to complete. The waterfall memorial was designed by Patrick Maggs and Jared Sones.

On Sunday, May 19 the Muncy Historical Society formally dedicated the 11 acre Muncy Heritage Park and Nature Trail. Plans for its expansion and funding for a new proposed towpath bridge were introduced after an opening prayer by Pastor Dunkleberger.

Muncy Lions Club initiated a plan to prevent Lions Park from being vandalized which was getting much worse over the last five years. Replacement costs have risen to the thousands according to club members who maintains and watch over the park.

Montgomery Track & Field athletes, Kiana Gough and Dominic Gallanti, advanced to state finals for pole vaulting.

Muncy High School held their 116th Annual Alumni during Memorial weekend at Myers Elementary School. Albert Houseknecht who graduated in 1938 represented the oldest class.

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The Hughesville High School Spartan Baseball Team clinched its first ever PIAA District 4 Class AA title championship, defeating the Loyalsock Lancers at Bowman Field, 7-5, in 9 innings.

JUNE – 1 PHOTO

A new and novel award of appreciation given by the officers and board of the 2013 Montgomery Alumni Association went to Miss Leona Dewalt who has served as the group’s historian secretary for 33 years.

Pauline R. Montgomery from Hughesville spoke at the Wilkes University’s Pharmacy Professional Hooding Ceremony on May 17 and also received an honorary degree from the University.

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A beautiful replica of an authentic stagecoach hand built by Muncy resident, Jim Powell, was on display June 14 in front of the Muncy Post Office. It took him five years to complete the project.

The Muncy Valley Hospital Auxiliary held the 30th annual Lawn Party on Saturday, June 15 and raised over $35,000 towards the hospital’s emergency department’s expansion and renovation project.

Gary Steele from Montgomery won third place and Viewer’s Choice Award for his artwork, “Steps To Wonder” at Penn College’s exclusive Art Alive show.

Lycoming County unveiled plans to build a $4.7 million project to bring single stream recycling equipment to the landfill in Montgomery.

JULY – 1 PHOTO

Heather Simmons from Muncy created a new flavor, Chocolate Covered Strawberry Ice Cream, that was added to the Weis Food Markets shelves for distribution in 164 stores. She won the Weis’ Be the Next Flavor Creator contest.

Attorney Mary Kilgus from Hughesville announced her plans to run for District Attorney in Lycoming County.

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The Old Woolen Mill in Muncy Borough came under demolition after it was severely damaged by a storm in mid-April. The historic building was owned by Andritz.

Muncy resident, Richard Trufant, donated a stained glass piece of art that he crafted for the Willows Alzheimer’s wing on the second floor at the Susquehanna Skilled Nursing Unit in Muncy.

The 143rd annual Lycoming County Fair took place in Hughesville at the fairgrounds from July 12-20. A mural was painted by artist Sue Fritz on the fair office building.

Gary Gordner of Muncy was inducted into the PA American Legion Sports Hall of Fame on July 29 because of his efforts to better the program and his devotion to the youths in his community and the state in general.

14 year old Hunter Heivly built a baseball field just outside of Clarkstown and it is called “Lucy’s Field.

Muncy Bank & Trust built an extension and held a ribbon cutting ceremony inside the new walkway on July 26 that leads to the new offices in the former H&R building on N. Main Street.

AUGUST

Muncy Pool celebrated 50 years of service to its community on August 17 with an open house, ice cream and a birthday cake at the pool. Garman Zehner was one of the first lifeguards to be hired when the pool opened in 1963 and posed in the same chair 50 years later. Free admission was given to 249 persons that day.

Monika Casale was recognized as the Rotarian of the Year by the Muncy Rotary Club.

A new Sheetz began construction on the corner of Rts. 405 and 442 in Muncy Creek Township.

Hughesville graduate, Christie Heimbach started a non-profit organization to raise funds to battle poverty in Zimbabwe, Africa where she is working with a co-founder teaching 1300 orphans ways to sustain themselves through agricultural farming.

Returning students to Hughesville High School found that the 40 year old pool was removed and the area revamped to accommodate indoor sports. Usage dramatically decreased after the pool was built at the East Lycoming YMCA.

Radiant Light Assembly of God Church celebrated 75 years and welcomed former pastors and guests on August 18.

Also on August 18 Elizabeth Downey from Huntersville gave a presentation at the Thomas Taber Museum on the history of the Eagle Grange in Montgomery, PA’s first established Grange which still exists today. Downey served as chair of the PA State Grange Executive Committee.

SEPTEMBER – 2 PHOTOS

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Saturday, September 14 Moreland Township celebrated its bicentennial with tours of 7 historical sites, commentaries, book signings, carriage rides, reenactments, old machinery, photographs, family charts and 30 feet of maps of Little Muncy Creek.

Cloverleaf Bowling Lanes in Muncy was set for demolition in October. Frequent bowlers reminisced about the good old days when bowling was most popular from the 40’s to the 60’s. The new space will be used for Muncy Valley Hospital’s emergency expansion project and for more parking.

Two parachutists from the Misty Blues aerial team arrived over Schaefer Stadium from 3,000 feet and delivered the football and flag during a pre-game ceremony on Sept. 13 the night before the annual Balloon Festival in Hughesville at the fairgrounds. The event honored donors to the East Lycoming Education Foundation.

Highway planners study congestion on Route 220 & 405 intersection, now known as the “Gateway to the Marcellus Shale.” Traffic studies were conducted and suggestions from the public for possible future solutions were sought at a public meeting on Sept. 17 at the Hughesville High School.

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Freezer’s Auto Parts, a family run business in Hughesville, celebrated 90 years of customer service with an open house on September 27 & 28.

A riparian buffer was installed at Montgomery Park featuring native plants and flowers to reduce erosion and filter runoff along the Susquehanna River bank. The project was funded in part by a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in cooperation with Lycoming County and Montgomery Borough.

OCTOBER – 1 PHOTO

Kathleen Paternostro Morgan, Dr. Kenneth G. Van Dine and Richard L. Michael were inducted into the Hughesville Athletic Hall of Fame.

At Merrill Linn Conservancy’s 25th anniversary celebration October 19, Dr. Michael Gross and his wife, Rickie were honored for their preservation efforts and public trails on their 270 acre property in East Lycoming County known as Glacier Pools Preserve.

The Frazier Covered Bridge in Lairdsville was given an award by the Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Commission. The bridge was completely restored to its original Burr Arch design.

The first crop of hybrid willow trees was harvested for fuel from the East Lycoming District owned 40 acre property. The trees were turned into about 200 tons of wood chips to offset about one third of the school district’s heating costs. Last year 600 tons were burned.

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On Sunday, October 20 the Muncy Historical Society featured its annual homes tour. A replica (one of only 5) of President Abraham Lincoln’s coffin. was on display that featured sterling silver studs extending the entire length of its sides.

A proposed streetscape plan was presented to Muncy Borough to make improvements on South Washington Street to the Washington Square Complex that will include new sidewalks, raised curbing and grades that will make Muncy more compliant with the ADA.

NOVEMBER

Katelyn Taylor and Landree Fraley went to Louisville, Kentucky at the North American International Livestock Exposition (the world’s largest) with their prize winning jersey cows.

Honored at a banquet dinner, Jason Munns, Jeff McClintock, Alice Grove and Skip Livingston were inducted to Montgomery 2013’s Hall of Fame.

A grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony took place November 15 for Woodlands Bank, 2 S. Main Street, Hughesville. The building has served the community as a bank for the past 125 years. Formerly, First National Bank occupied the property. Employees volunteered their time on Veteran’s Day cleaning and decorating the Veterans Memorial Park in Picture Rocks.

Muncy Bank & Trust was rated as one of “The Best Banks To Work For” across the nation by the American Banker Magazine in conjunction with the Best Companies Group. 28 banks with assets under 3 billion were listed in this month’s issue, and Muncy Bank was listed as number 11 on the chart. Only two banks from Pennsylvania made the list.

The “Revitalize Montgomery” group completed the planting of 69 trees in the Montgomery Borough. They were planted within the floodplain of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, at gateways into the community, and along pedestrian walkways that connect downtown to the River.

DECEMBER – 1 PHOTO

After 41 years of service, Patrolman Larry Wilcox retired and was given an honoryary badge by the Montgomery Mayor. He served the last 27 years of his career with the Montgomery Borough Police Department.

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Muncy Fire Department obtained a new ‘duty truck’ that operates 24 hours a day and is equipped with communication technology to serve as a command center for all responding emergencies.

Sponsored by the Muncy Valley Hospital Auxiliary $5600 was raised for the hospital at the 19th annual Lights of Love celebration on December 1.

Springs Window Fashions in Montgomery donated shades for 5 windows at the East Lycoming Historical Museum in Hughesville.

The Lady Indian Basketball team won the Muncy Rotary Girls Basketball Classic for the third straight year, defeating Hughesville 50-27.

A $25,000 grant from the Margaret E. Waldron Memorial Fund at the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania helped to underwrite necessary building repairs to the historic Pennsdale Quaker meetinghouse. Built in 1799, it is the oldest house of worship in Lycoming County.