Carla Auten (l) and Shirley Crawley.

Carla Auten, retired from the Muncy Area School district, is the new president of the Lycoming County Chapter (LCC) of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees (PASR)

Auten accepted her new role in a special ceremony during the December luncheon and business meeting of the LCC. The ceremony was led by the outgoing president, Shirley Crawley.

“I am honored,” said Auten, “to become the leader of this organization. But this is not me. This is you and I need all of you here today as well as those who are not here to help me. I feel that a very important project is to work as hard as we can to get more of our school retirees to become LCC and PASR members.”

The new president took her oath and stood by as Crawley swore in the rest of the officers who were taking the oath for their own two year terms. Those included Maria Missigman as President-elect the Immediate Past President Crawley and the Second Vice President Philip Thomas. The new secretary is Nan Rusczyk with Ann Lunt as Assistant Secretary. William Hill is the Treasurer with Gail Maurer as Assistant Treasurer.

Also introduced were the Executive Committee Chairs. Charles Tice (Community Participation), Dr. Oscar Knade (Legislative/L-PEC), Carla Auten (Membership), Philip Thomas (Pre-Retirement/Newsletter Editor), Fred Agnoni (Program), Pat Kaczmarek (Newsletter Distribution), Cathy Henry (Recreo), Virginia Springman (Educational Support/ Scholarship), William Byham (Public Relations), Sharon Clemens and Carol McMurray (Social Service, Memorial Honor Fund) and Agnes Steppe (LCC Luncheons)

Carole Livingston, outgoing president of PASR Region 10, was present and swore in Crawley to serve a two year term as Director for the multi county PASR Region 10.

Other important items were presented at the luncheon. Charles Tice announced that Dr. Oscar Knade, with 1,206 volunteer hours during 2008, was named the chapter’s Volunteer of The Year. Tice also commended the Chapter membership for their willingness in serving the Salvation Army as bell ringers for the fifth consecutive year.

The assembled passed the minutes and the treasurer’s report of the last full membership session. Twenty members of the Jersey Shore Area School District high school choir, under the direction of Mrs. Tess Bower-Gist, presented several holiday musical numbers.

Members of the Pine Run United Methodist Church prepared and served the meal.