Thursday, June 30, 2011

GOVERNOR TOM CORBETT SIGNED THE BUDGET AT 11:30PM TONIGHT!!

BREAKING NEWS:

GOVERNOR TOM CORBETT SIGNED THE BUDGET AT 11:30PM TONIGHT!!

1ST ON TIME BUDGET IN 9 YEARS!!!!!

PA HOUSE FINISHED FOR THE SUMMER

BREAKING NEWS:

JUST FINISHED WATCHING THE PA HOUSE FINISH THE PA BUDGET!!!!!!!!!! A BUDGET ON TIME!!! I JUST FINISHED WATCHING 40 HOURS OF THE PA HOUSE SINCE SUNDAY AFTERNOON, MY EYES ARE TIRED NOW. CONGRATS TO OUR LEGISLATORS ON PASSING A BUDGET!!!!!!!!

KEITH GROLLER VACATION

FROM KEITH GROLLER

It's Thursday night and sunny here in Ocean City, Maryland.

Both the weather and my gout-afflicted big toe have gotten better as the week has progressed.

That's me, below, with two of my favorite ladies (daughter Aimee, 9; and granddaughter Alexia, 2) and the entire family about to chow down at the Phillips Seafood restaurant where we always make sure to get our money's worth.

I heard from a bunch of people about the gout and I appreciate the help and info. I even heard from an organization promoting awareness about gout through pit stops at race tracks. Here's that web site.

– www.goutpitstop.com

Sad to say, though, that I probably won't be 100 percent until I get home sometime on Saturday.

Shore 002

Shore 001

Interesting week unfolding back home. Real curious who will be getting the Moravian College athletic director job on Friday.

If I had to guess, it will be longtime Greyhounds football coach Scot Dapp, who has been a great ambassador for that school since 1987. If he wants that job, he deserves to get it.

If Dapp does get it, and has to leave the football position, a lot of big names would be going for that opening. It would be a much coveted job, but the timing wouldn't be ideal with the start of practice only about six weeks away.

Been watching a lot of Orioles baseball down here this week Gary Thorne and Jim Palmer do a nice job on the O's games. Of course, they sound better when describing Cardinals wins. If Baltimore was closer, I'd pop over to see my Redbirds. Good seats are definitely available at Camden Yards. But Baltimore is no closer from here than it is from the Lehigh Valley.

Phillies continue to amaze with their pitching. Could be looking at another Yanks-Phillies World Series.

Finally, I encourage you to listen to Roger Pence and Craig Kackenmeister on Saturday's "Calling All Sports" radio show, heard 9-11 a.m. on AM 1470 and fox1470.com. Glen Klein, the tournament director for the Stellar Construction basketball tournament, will be one of the guests. It's going to be a Groller-free show, so enjoy.

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/

PCNTV SCHEDULE

---SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE---


THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

11:40p (LIVE) PA Budget Bill Signing
Gov. Tom Corbett

12:15a PA Budget Bill Signing
Gov. Tom Corbett

12:50a PA Budget Bill Signing
Gov. Tom Corbett

1:25a On The Issues: PA Budget
James Lee, President of Susquehanna Polling and Research
Tony May of Triad Strategies


FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2011

Gettysburg Battle Walks - Day 1
6:00a The First Shots
8:05a Union 1st Corps on Seminary Ridge
10:25a The 157th New York Infantry
12:15p Oak Ridge
2:10p Daniel's North Carolina Brigade
3:50p Joseph Davis' Brigade
- - - - - - - - - -

5:45p Weather World

Gettysburg Battle Walks - Day 1
6:00p The Emmanuel Harman Farm
Perrin's South Carolina Brigade
McPherson's Ridge: A Visual History


SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

Gettysburg Battle Walks - Day 2
2:00p The Codori Farm
3:50p The First Battlefield Park
6:00p Greene's New York Brigade
Semmes' Georgia Brigade
East Cemetery Hill


SUNDAY, JULY 3, 2011

2:00p PA Senate Republican Report

2:30p PA Senate Democratic Report

Gettysburg Battle Walks - Day 3
3:00p McAllister Ridge at Pre-Dawn
4:30p Culp's Hill
- - - - - - - - - -

6:00p PA Books "Civil War Voices from York County, PA"
Authors: Scott Mingus and James McClure

Gettysburg Battle Walks - Day 3
7:00p West Cavalry Field
Pickett's Charge: The Union Defense
Pickett's Charge: Trimble's Division
The Peach Orchard


MONDAY, JULY 4, 2011

2011 Gettysburg Battle Walks - Day 1
6:00a The Emmanuel Harman Farm
Perrin's South Carolina Brigade
McPherson's Ridge: A Visual History

2011 Gettysburg Battle Walks - Day 2
Greene's New York Brigade
Semmes' Georgia Brigade
East Cemetery Hill

5:45p Weather World

2011 Gettysburg Battle Walks - Day 3
6:00p West Cavalry Field
Pickett's Charge: The Union Defense
Pickett's Charge: Trimble's Division
The Peach Orchard


TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

6:00a PCN Profiles James Getty, Abraham Lincoln Portrayer

7:00a PCN Tours John Harris/Simon Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA

8:00a PA Books "Sickles at Gettysburg" with author James Hessler

Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College
9:00a Leadership Issues in High Command at Gettysburg
10:35a Old Army Doctrine and the Practicalities of Waging War in 1861
11:35a The North Mobilizes for War
12:35p The South Mobilizes for War
1:20p The Battle of Balls Bluff and the Committee on the Conduct of the War
2:15p The West Virginia Campaigns of 1861
3:30p Overview of First Manassas Campaign
4:30p "Fighting for the Confederacy" Book Panel
- - - - - - - - - -

5:45p Weather World

6:00p PCN Tours John Harris/Simon Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA

Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College
7:00p The High Command After the Battle of First Manassas
7:55p Leadership Issues in High Command at Gettysburg
9:30p Old Army Doctrine and the Practicalities of Waging War in 1861
10:25p The North Mobilizes for War
11:25p The South Mobilizes for War
12:10a The Battle of Balls Bluff and the Committee on the Conduct of the War
1:05a The High Command After the Battle of First Manassas
- - - - - - - - - -

http://www.pcntv.com/

PA HOUSE SCHEDULE

Thursday June 30, 2011

2:34pm PA HOUSE
2011 Budget Talks

Thursday!

NEWS:

THERE WILL BE NO FRIDAY E-MAIL ON FRIDAY JULY 1.

E-MAILS WILL RESUME ON TUESDAY JULY 5TH!

THANKS FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING!

HAVE A SAFE 4TH OF JULY EVERYBODY!

SEE YOU TUESDAY JULY 5TH!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

PCNTV SCHEDULE

--SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE---


WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2011

3:05p (LIVE) PA House
PA Budget
Property Tax Payments

10:50p (LIVE) Open Phones: PA Budget
Tim Potts of Democracy Rising PA
Scott Paterno of Rock the Capital

11:50p On The Issues: PA Budget
David Levdansky, Former State Representative (1984-2010)
Jeff Coleman, Founder of Churchill Strategies, Former State Representative (2001-04)

12:20a PA House: Tonight
PA Budget

12:55a Open Phones: PA Budget (recorded)
Tim Potts of Democracy Rising PA
Scott Paterno of Rock the Capital



THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

6:00a PCN Profiles Manfred Honeck, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Music Director

7:00a PCN Tours DeBence Antique Music World in Franklin, PA

8:00a PA Books: "Lincoln and the Decision for War" with author Russell McClintock

9:00a (LIVE) PA House

5:45p Weather World

6:00p PCN Tours DeBence Antique Music World in Franklin, PA

7:00p (LIVE) PCN Call-In: PA Budget

http://www.pcntv.com/

Wednesday!

Wednesday June 29, 2011

2 MORE DAYS OF THE BUDGET!

Will we have a new one in time?

I am not sure.

Looks like they are messing around.

I Been watching the PA HOUSE Every minute!!!!!!

I Never miss a minute, especially now.

They are running out of time now.

They need to get the ball going now!!!!

4TH OF JULY!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

What are you doing all weekend?

Any picnic?

I Am not sure what I Will do yet!

I Would love to eat clams!!

No E-Mail Friday

Most people are off Friday.

Next E-Mail will be on Tuesday July 5th!

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday next week!!!

Not feeling well.

Stomach issues.

It no fun.

Hopefully better by the 4th of july!!

I Hope the Phillies keep beating Boston and then Toronto!!!!!!

Will you watch any FIREWORKS?

I Hope to see some!!!!!!!!

Got new shoes ON Tuesday

Went to Kohs.

31.00 dollars for shoes.

They are to fit my new braces!

I Wore my braces all day on Tuesday!

They felt good!!!!!

I Think I Will love them!!!!!

I Will be at Nazareth Legion Baseball Games everyday until Monday.

Home Games everyday but Friday!

Showers over the weekend they said.








Upcoming Events at the Nazareth Arts Center:







Schedule:
Wednesday June 29:
PA HOUSE WILL BE IN SESSION ALL DAY ON PCN
8am-1:30pm DIANA
10am PT THERAPHY
10am-3pm GLEN MAC AND ANTHONY GARGANO ON 610 WIP
NO RADIO SHOW TODAY DUE TO IRONPIGS BASEBALL
1pm IRONPIGS BASEBALL ON WEEX 1230
4pm-6pm HAPPY HOUR ON WEEX 1230
4pm-6pm DIANA
6pm AT THE LEHIGH TWP AT NAZARETH LEGION BASEBALL GAME
6pm-9:15pm JARRET BROWN ON WGPA 1100
7pm Announce Phillies Baseball on Comcast
10pm Anchor the news on CW57


Thursday June 30:
PA HOUSE WILL BE IN SESSION ALL DAY ON PCN
8:30am-11am DIANA
10am-3pm GLEN MAC AND ANTHONY GARGANO ON 610 WIP
1pm RADIO SHOW ON WEEX 1230
2pm-3pm CALLING BINGO AT MORAVIAN HALL SQUARE
4pm-6:30pm HAPPY HOUR ON WEEX 1230
1:30pm-6pm Diana
1pm Announce Phillies Baseball on Comcast
6pm AT THE BATH AT NAZARETH LEGION BASEBALL GAME
6pm RCN SPORTS TALK ON RCN4
7:30pm JOLLY JOE TIMMER ON RCN4
NO ANNOUNCING
OFF TONIGHT
10pm Anchor the news on CW57

Friday July 1:
GETTYSBURG PROGRAMMING ON PCN ALL DAY
8am-1pm DIANA
10am-3pm GLEN MAC AND ANTHONY GARGANO ON 610 WIP
1pm RADIO SHOW ON WEEX 1230
4pm-6:30pm HAPPY HOUR ON WEEX 1230
4pm-6pm Diana
6pm AT THE NAZARETH AT BATH LEGION BASEBALL GAME
7pm Announce Phillies Baseball on Comcast
10pm Anchor the news on CW57

Saturday July 2:
GETTYSBURG PROGRAMMING ON PCN ALL DAY
8:30am-12:30pm DIANA
9am-11am KEITH GROLLER ON 1470AM
10am-NOON 69 SPORTS SATURDAY ON WEEX 120
1pm Announce Phillies Baseball on Comcast
1pm AT THE WIND GAP AT NAZARETH LEGION BASEBALL GAME
5pm AT THE HELLERTOWN AT NAZARETH LEGION BASEBALL GAME
OFF TONIGHT
10pm Anchor the news on CW57

Sunday July 3:
GETTYSBURG PROGRAMMING ON PCN ALL DAY
11am Radio Show
NOON AT THE WANDEREERS AT NAZARETH LEGION BASEBALL GAME
1pm Announce Phillies Baseball on MYPHL17
OFF TONIGHT
10pm Anchor News on CW57


RIP:
Dale Earenhardt SR.
Davey Allison
COURTNEY DIACONT
GRANDMA WEAVER
JAMIE LINTZ
JOHN VUKOVCICH
KRISTEN
BENNY PARSONS
DEREK KEHOE
JOSH HANCOCK
Joe Schneider
Frank Klepeisz
Mary Mutchler
Jene Flick
Frank Jenny
Jennifer Jacksits
Donald Williams
John Marzano
Andrew Millheim
Harold Rrenyold
Todd Rothrock
Wayne Grube
Catherine Baker Knoll
Josh Booth
Francesco Tolerico
Craig Borst
George Williams
Deborah Ed
Phil Newbaker
Harry Kalas
Dan Ozark
Chuck Daly
Brenton Krouse
Joshua Miller
Gary Pappa
Farrah Facett
Irv Homer
Michael Jackson
Steve Mcnair
Paul Marcinkowski
Walt Cronkite
Henry Tomkowski (Who raised a great and fun Daughter)
Tom Partridge
Angelica Fox
Melissa Kinsella
Joey Beers
Ben Yorgy
Brooke Stephens
Ryan Zawada
Frank Silfries
Pumpkin Groller
Al Alberts
Morgan Mcginis
Jason Gilligan
Harriet Lindenmoyer
Barbara Johnson
Chris Henry
Oral Roberts
Patti Heffner
Britney Murphy
Glen W. Bell Jr
Vince Heinlein
Heather Miller
John Murtha
Julio Rivera
Aaaron Groff
Jack Lapos
Tom Ochs
Mario Donnagelo
Sally Murphy
Owens Thomas
Ernie Harwell
Robin Roberts
Luke Hahn
Bob Shephard
Michael Yakemik
Donald Fritz
George Steinbrenner
Teko Johnson
Kiski
Palmer Smith



SHOUT OUT TO MY J-TOWN ATTENDANT PAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She is the most awesome attendant ever!!!

President of the Alan Davis, Gary Laubach, Dream Kids and Keith Groller, Ray
Kaminski Fan Clubs!

Keep It real!

Thanks for your Time!

CHECK OUT THE NAZARETH'S ART CENTER WEBSITE AND ROSS NUNAMAKER RUNS THE CENTER!

His Website for the Arts Center:
http://www.thenunamakergroup.com/projects/market/nazareth-center-for-the-arts/

I Highly suggest you check out one of his upcoming events at the Arts Center!

SEE YOU TUESDAY JULY 5TH!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

PCNTV SCHEDULE

---SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE---


TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 2011

10:10a (LIVE) PA House
Air Pollution Control

11:40a (LIVE) PA Senate
Resolutions
Guest Introductions

12:15p PA Press Club: Ron Tomalis, PA Education Secretary

1:00p (LIVE) Gov. Tom Corbett Press Conference
Lawsuit Liability Bill Signing

1:45p State Employees' Labor Agreement
Kelly Powell Logan, PA Administration Secretary

2:00p On The Issues: Marcellus Shale Impact Fee with Rep. Marguerite Quinn, R-Bucks

2:20p (LIVE) PA House
Reconsideration of Non-Preferred Appropriations

3:15p (LIVE) PA House Appropriations Committee Voting Meeting

3:40p (LIVE) PA Senate
Distressed City Management
Searchable Budget Database
PA Budget
Reconsideration of Non-Preferred Appropriations

8:00p On The Issues: School Vouchers with Rep. Jim Christiana, R-Beaver

8:30p On the Issues: PA Budget
David Patti, President and CEO of PA Business Council
Johnna Pro, Democratic Communications Consultant

9:00p PA House: Today
Fiscal Code
Regulatory Review

10:15p PA Senate: Today
Distressed City Management
Searchable Budget Database
PA Budget
Reconsideration of Non-Preferred Appropriations



WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2011

6:00a PCN Profiles Cheri Honkala, Founder of Kensington Welfare Rights Union

7:00a PCN Tours DS Wood Baseball Bats in Hummelstown, PA

8:00a PA Books: "The Life of Benjamin Franklin" with author J.A. Leo Lemay

9:00a On the Issues: PA Budget
David Patti, President and CEO of PA Business Council
Johnna Pro, Democratic Communications Consultant

9:30a On The Issues: School Vouchers with Rep. Jim Christiana, R-Beaver

10:00a Gov. Tom Corbett Press Conference
Lawsuit Liability Bill Signing

10:30a On the Issues: PA Budget
David Patti, President and CEO of PA Business Council
Johnna Pro, Democratic Communications Consultant

11:00a (LIVE) PA House

5:45p Weather World

6:00p PCN Tours DS Wood Baseball Bats in Hummelstown, PA

7:00p (LIVE) PCN Call-In: PA Budget
David Levdansky, Former State Representative (1984-2010)
Jeff Coleman, Founder of Churchill Strategies, Former State Representative (2001-04)

8:00p On The Issues: Marcellus Shale Impact Fee
Sen. Joe Scarnati, R-President Pro Tempore

http://www.pcntv.com/

Bangor Area High School Principal Robert Vlasaty abruptly resigns

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Despite hiring a new elementary school principal at Monday’s meeting, the Bangor Area School District is still short a building administrator following the resignation of Bangor Area High School Principal Robert Vlasaty.

In a letter dated Monday, Vlasaty told the district he would be stepping down after three years at the helm of the high school. The letter did not give a reason for his resignation, and Vlasaty was not present at Monday night's meeting. A call to his office this afternoon was not returned.

Superintendent Patricia Mulroy said the district had not been anticipating Vlasaty’s resignation. The district had sent out feelers earlier in the year to learn which employees would be retiring or resigning in a tight budget year, but Vlasaty’s name was never discussed during public meetings.

Mulroy declined to comment further, saying, “We only learned of it today (Monday).” Board President Joseph Boyle also declined comment, citing personnel reasons.

Vlasaty was hired by the district in 2008 after working as principal at Pocono Mountain East High School in Monroe County.

He recently made national headlines after he innocently read aloud at graduation a senior prank by a graduating senior. The senior said he had won the Jack S. Hitte Award for Academic Excellence, a fictitious scholarship resembling the crude term for nothing.

Vlasaty read the "award" with awards given other seniors, and it was even included in the graduation program based off a questionnaire given to graduating seniors.

Vlasaty eventually released the student’s diploma after telling him it wasn’t appropriate, but those involved said the joke was taken in good humor.

The next principal will take over a high school adapting to some of the largest cuts in the district in decades. More than six high school teachers were laid off after the school board adopted a $48.1 million budget Monday. A total of 24.5 positions were eliminated districtwide.

Also Monday night, the district approved promoting Jeanine Tiscio to principal of Washington Elementary School. Tiscio had worked as an assistant principal at the school since 2009, when she was promoted from being the teacher in charge of the district’s math curriculum.

Tiscio, who will earn a salary of $80,000, could not be immediately reached for comment. The district does not plan to hire a new assistant principal, Mulroy said.

The position is opening up with the retirement of current principal Lynne Bustos. She was one of eight employees to submit their resignations earlier in the year that helped the district close its budget gap of $2.4 million. The retirements saved the district roughly $800,000, according to Stephen Wiencek, business manager.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/slate-belt/index.ssf/2011/06/bangor_area_high_school_princi.html

Tuesday!

Wednesday June 29, 2011

2 MORE DAYS OF THE BUDGET!

Will we have a new one in time?

I am not sure.

Looks like they are messing around.

I Been watching the PA HOUSE Every minute!!!!!!

I Never miss a minute, especially now.

They are running out of time now.

They need to get the ball going now!!!!

4TH OF JULY!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

What are you doing all weekend?

Any picnic?

I Am not sure what I Will do yet!

I Would love to eat clams!!

No E-Mail Friday

Most people are off Friday.

Next E-Mail will be on Tuesday July 5th!

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday next week!!!

Not feeling well.

Stomach issues.

It no fun.

Hopefully better by the 4th of july!!

I Hope the Phillies keep beating Boston and then Toronto!!!!!!

Will you watch any FIREWORKS?

I Hope to see some!!!!!!!!

Got new shoes ON Tuesday

Went to Kohs.

31.00 dollars for shoes.

They are to fit my new braces!

I Wore my braces all day on Tuesday!

They felt good!!!!!

I Think I Will love them!!!!!

I Will be at Nazareth Legion Baseball Games everyday until Monday.

Home Games everyday but Friday!

Showers over the weekend they said.








Upcoming Events at the Nazareth Arts Center:







Schedule:
Wednesday June 29:
PA HOUSE WILL BE IN SESSION ALL DAY ON PCN
8am-1:30pm DIANA
10am PT THERAPHY
10am-3pm GLEN MAC AND ANTHONY GARGANO ON 610 WIP
NO RADIO SHOW TODAY DUE TO IRONPIGS BASEBALL
1pm IRONPIGS BASEBALL ON WEEX 1230
4pm-6pm HAPPY HOUR ON WEEX 1230
4pm-6pm DIANA
6pm AT THE LEHIGH TWP AT NAZARETH LEGION BASEBALL GAME
6pm-9:15pm JARRET BROWN ON WGPA 1100
7pm Announce Phillies Baseball on Comcast
10pm Anchor the news on CW57


Thursday June 30:
PA HOUSE WILL BE IN SESSION ALL DAY ON PCN
8:30am-11am DIANA
10am-3pm GLEN MAC AND ANTHONY GARGANO ON 610 WIP
1pm RADIO SHOW ON WEEX 1230
2pm-3pm CALLING BINGO AT MORAVIAN HALL SQUARE
4pm-6:30pm HAPPY HOUR ON WEEX 1230
1:30pm-6pm Diana
1pm Announce Phillies Baseball on Comcast
6pm AT THE BATH AT NAZARETH LEGION BASEBALL GAME
6pm RCN SPORTS TALK ON RCN4
7:30pm JOLLY JOE TIMMER ON RCN4
NO ANNOUNCING
OFF TONIGHT
10pm Anchor the news on CW57

Friday July 1:
GETTYSBURG PROGRAMMING ON PCN ALL DAY
8am-1pm DIANA
10am-3pm GLEN MAC AND ANTHONY GARGANO ON 610 WIP
1pm RADIO SHOW ON WEEX 1230
4pm-6:30pm HAPPY HOUR ON WEEX 1230
4pm-6pm Diana
6pm AT THE NAZARETH AT BATH LEGION BASEBALL GAME
7pm Announce Phillies Baseball on Comcast
10pm Anchor the news on CW57

Saturday July 2:
GETTYSBURG PROGRAMMING ON PCN ALL DAY
8:30am-12:30pm DIANA
9am-11am KEITH GROLLER ON 1470AM
10am-NOON 69 SPORTS SATURDAY ON WEEX 120
1pm Announce Phillies Baseball on Comcast
1pm AT THE WIND GAP AT NAZARETH LEGION BASEBALL GAME
5pm AT THE HELLERTOWN AT NAZARETH LEGION BASEBALL GAME
OFF TONIGHT
10pm Anchor the news on CW57

Sunday July 3:
GETTYSBURG PROGRAMMING ON PCN ALL DAY
11am Radio Show
NOON AT THE WANDEREERS AT NAZARETH LEGION BASEBALL GAME
1pm Announce Phillies Baseball on MYPHL17
OFF TONIGHT
10pm Anchor News on CW57


RIP:
Dale Earenhardt SR.
Davey Allison
COURTNEY DIACONT
GRANDMA WEAVER
JAMIE LINTZ
JOHN VUKOVCICH
KRISTEN
BENNY PARSONS
DEREK KEHOE
JOSH HANCOCK
Joe Schneider
Frank Klepeisz
Mary Mutchler
Jene Flick
Frank Jenny
Jennifer Jacksits
Donald Williams
John Marzano
Andrew Millheim
Harold Rrenyold
Todd Rothrock
Wayne Grube
Catherine Baker Knoll
Josh Booth
Francesco Tolerico
Craig Borst
George Williams
Deborah Ed
Phil Newbaker
Harry Kalas
Dan Ozark
Chuck Daly
Brenton Krouse
Joshua Miller
Gary Pappa
Farrah Facett
Irv Homer
Michael Jackson
Steve Mcnair
Paul Marcinkowski
Walt Cronkite
Henry Tomkowski (Who raised a great and fun Daughter)
Tom Partridge
Angelica Fox
Melissa Kinsella
Joey Beers
Ben Yorgy
Brooke Stephens
Ryan Zawada
Frank Silfries
Pumpkin Groller
Al Alberts
Morgan Mcginis
Jason Gilligan
Harriet Lindenmoyer
Barbara Johnson
Chris Henry
Oral Roberts
Patti Heffner
Britney Murphy
Glen W. Bell Jr
Vince Heinlein
Heather Miller
John Murtha
Julio Rivera
Aaaron Groff
Jack Lapos
Tom Ochs
Mario Donnagelo
Sally Murphy
Owens Thomas
Ernie Harwell
Robin Roberts
Luke Hahn
Bob Shephard
Michael Yakemik
Donald Fritz
George Steinbrenner
Teko Johnson
Kiski
Palmer Smith



SHOUT OUT TO MY J-TOWN ATTENDANT PAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She is the most awesome attendant ever!!!

President of the Alan Davis, Gary Laubach, Dream Kids and Keith Groller, Ray
Kaminski Fan Clubs!

Keep It real!

Thanks for your Time!

CHECK OUT THE NAZARETH'S ART CENTER WEBSITE AND ROSS NUNAMAKER RUNS THE CENTER!

His Website for the Arts Center:
http://www.thenunamakergroup.com/projects/market/nazareth-center-for-the-arts/

I Highly suggest you check out one of his upcoming events at the Arts Center!

SEE YOU TUESDAY JULY 5TH!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Nazareth Area School Board approves 10-cent lunch increase

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

School lunches will increase by 10 cents for students across the Nazareth Area School District next school year.

The school board tonight voted 6-1 in favor of the increase. Board member Thomas Maher, who also serves as board treasurer, voted against the proposal, stating the lunch program falls short of being "self sustaining."

"The actual cost of the food service should stand on its own," Maher said after the meeting.

Board members also approved a $2 million food service budget for 2011-12. Board member Linda McDonald and President Loren Bradley were absent from the meeting.
The school lunch increase had been recommended by Sharon Ryba, the district's director of food services, during the June 20 school board meeting. Ryba then had told the board costs have increased in the district’s food service operation.

She also said the price of school lunches must be increased by at least 5 cents next school year for the district to be in accordance with the federal Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

Nazareth Area school lunches will increase by 10 cents to the following rates:

* Elementary schools, $1.95

* Intermediate school, $1.95

* Middle school, $2.20

* High school, $2.20

Adult lunches will remain at $3.50 with no increase.

The board did not raise the 50-cent price of an 8-ounce white or chocolate milk.

McDonald, during Ryba's report June 20, had urged the board to strike down the lunch increase, saying some residents in a tough economic climate are having a hard time putting food on the table.

Allen Basketball Camp

NEWS:

Allen Basketball Camp will be running from July 5th - 8th at William Allen high School, for all boys entering grades 5-9. Cost is 40 dollars and includes a T-shirt.

The camp will be staffed by our varsity coaches, as well as members of the District XI AAAA champion Canaries.

If you know of any boys who are interested, please let me know on here.

Thanks!

Mike Kaminski

Kazoo Parade

FROM ROSS NUNAMAKER

The Express-Times has a report on the 4th of July Kazoo Parade in Nazareth.

The story includes details on how to participate. They are anticipating upwards of 500 people this year.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

PCNTV SCHEDULE

---SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE---


MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2011

9:00p On The Issues: PA Budget
Steven Crawford, Managing Vice President of Wojdak & Associates
Alan Novak, President of Novak Strategic Advisors

9:30p PA Senate: Today
Distressed Cities Management Boards
Welfare Mileage Reimbursement
Workers' Compensation Act
Non-Preferred Appropriations

11:00p PA House: Today
Non-Preferred Appropriations
Regulatory Review Act


TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 2011

6:00a PCN Profiles Bill Hillgrove, Sports Broadcaster

7:00a PCN Tours Craft-Bilt Awnings in Souderton, PA

8:00a PA Books: "Life, Liberty, and the Mummers" with author E.A. Kennedy

9:00a On The Issues: PA Budget (Recorded)
Steven Crawford, Managing Vice President of Wojdak & Associates
Alan Novak, President of Novak Strategic Advisors

9:30a On The Issues: Marcellus Shale Impact Fee with Rep. Marguerite Quinn, R-Bucks

9:45a On The Issues: Marcellus Shale Impact Fee with Rep. Marguerite Quinn, R-Bucks

10:00a (LIVE) PA House

5:45p Weather World

6:00p PCN Tours Craft-Bilt Awnings in Souderton, PA

7:00p (LIVE) PCN Call-In: PA Budget
David Patti, President and CEO of PA Business Council
Johnna Pro, Democratic Communications Consultant

8:00p On The Issues: School Vouchers with Rep. Jim Christiana, R-Beaver

Well deserved honor for Allen coach Doug Snyder

FROM KEITH GROLLER

I have a tribute column running in the paper tomorrow on the life of Ken Wildonger.

He was one of the last of his kind, someone who meant so much to the city of Allentown, the school district and the kids in the community.

Wildonger loved Doug Snyder and saw a lot of the same traits in him that he saw in legends like J. Birney Crum, and J. Milo Sewards.

Put simply, there is no finer person in local high school sports today than Doug Snyder.

He was the commencement speaker at Allen's graduation last week and received a very nice honor. He won the Distinguished Alumni Award presented to a deserving member of the ASD family.

Here are the particulars and Snyder's bio from the Allentown School District website:

Doug Snyder

Coach Douglas M. Snyder, a member of Allen’s Class of 1974, received the award at Allen. A native of Allentown, Coach Snyder studied history and played men’s basketball at Princeton University, graduating in 1978. While at Princeton, he played on two Ivy League championship teams and in two NCAA tournaments, under Basketball Hall of Famer and Bethlehem native, Pete Carril. After graduation, Coach Snyder began his teaching and coaching career at Princeton High School in New Jersey. He coached football, basketball and softball, eventually becoming the head basketball coach for 11 years and winning three consecutive Central Jersey Group II championships. After 15 years there, he became the head boys’ basketball coach at William Allen in 1997 and just completed his 14th year as head coach. In that time, the team has won three District 11 4A championships and competed in four PIAA state tournaments. He teaches advanced placement U.S. history and economics. In 2001, he was appointed assistant coach for the East team at the Youth Development Festival in Colorado Springs, CO, losing the championship to the North squad led by Lebron James. For the past 17 years, Coach Snyder has been one of 10 high school coaches from across the country to work at the prestigious National Basketball Players Association Top 100 camp for the top high school players in the nation, held at the University of Virginia. He founded and ran the Princeton Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League, the JV Basketball League at Cedar Beach and the Allen Basketball Camp for young players in the City of Allentown. He resides in Bethlehem with his wife, Liz. His brother, sister, father and mother are all graduates of William Allen High School.

Monday!

Monday June 27, 2011

Final week for the Budget!

Will we have a new one on time?

That the BIG Question right now.

72 more hours.

12:00am Thursday night.

PA HOUSE Had a Sunday session at 3pm!

They were talking BUDGET Talks.

They will resume Today at 10am!

It was fun watching the PA HOUSE on a Sunday night!!

Dentist Appointment at 11:30am today.

They are fixing my cavities.

It will not be fun.

Can't wait to get that over with.

Wake me up when it over!!!

Rainy Tuesday tomorrow.

They are calling for bad storms.

Busy week with Nazareth Legion Baseball!

They are at HOME at the Park at 6pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday!

They lost to East Stroudburg Sunday night.

I Missed that one.

I Will be back with them Tonight!

Nazareth School Board Meeting tonight!

The agenda looks pretty busy!!!

The Ironpigs finally won Sunday!

It about time the Ironpigs win!!!!

They been struggling!!

Got my new Braces Friday.

Waiting for my P.T. Lady to stand in them before I Do anything!

10am Wednesday and Friday at Muhlenburg!

2 more months until my new wheelchair!!

Sorry folks but I am ready for my new chair in August!

Can't wait to show it off at the Gate at the 1st HOME Football Game!!!!

I Hope Pam Amato good!

Karl Kegolovitz got Pitcher of the year for the Morning Call!

Mike Garzillo got Player of the year for the Morning Call!

Congrats to Karl and Mike!!!!

Attendant Services going great!

Diana is awesome!!!

I Want to thank Chris for the new wallet!

I Love it!!!!

Happy Monday!

Last week in June!

Nice weather this week!

Enjoy it!!!!

How are you?

How was your weekend?

What did you do all weekend?









Upcoming Events at the Nazareth Arts Center:







Schedule:
Monday June 27:
PA HOUSE WILL BE IN SESSION ALL DAY ON PCN
9am-5pm DIANA
10am-3pm GLEN MAC AND ANTHONY GARGANO ON 610 WIP
11:40am DENTIST
NO RADIO SHOW TODAY
4pm-6:30pm HAPPY HOUR ON WEEX 1230
6pm AT THE NORTHAMPTON AT NAZARETH LEGION BASEBALL GAME
NO ANNOUNCING
10pm Anchor the news on CW57


Tuesday June 28:
PA HOUSE WILL BE IN SESSION ALL DAY ON PCN
8:30am-12:30pm DIANA
10am-3pm GLEN MAC AND ANTHONY GARGANO ON 610 WIP
1pm RADIO SHOW ON WEEX 1230
4pm-6:30pm HAPPY HOUR ON WEEX 1230
4pm-6pm Diana
7pm Announce Phillies Baseball on MYPHL17
10pm Anchor the news on CW57


Wednesday June 29:
PA HOUSE WILL BE IN SESSION ALL DAY ON PCN
8am-1:30pm DIANA
10am PT THERAPHY
10am-3pm GLEN MAC AND ANTHONY GARGANO ON 610 WIP
NO RADIO SHOW TODAY DUE TO IRONPIGS BASEBALL
1pm IRONPIGS BASEBALL ON WEEX 1230
4pm-6pm HAPPY HOUR ON WEEX 1230
4pm-6pm DIANA
6pm AT THE LEHIGH TWP AT NAZARETH LEGION BASEBALL GAME
6pm-9:15pm JARRET BROWN ON WGPA 1100
7pm Announce Phillies Baseball on Comcast
10pm Anchor the news on CW57


Thursday June 30:
PA HOUSE WILL BE IN SESSION ALL DAY ON PCN
8:30am-11am DIANA
10am-3pm GLEN MAC AND ANTHONY GARGANO ON 610 WIP
1pm RADIO SHOW ON WEEX 1230
2pm-3pm CALLING BINGO AT MORAVIAN HALL SQUARE
4pm-6:30pm HAPPY HOUR ON WEEX 1230
1:30pm-6pm Diana
1pm Announce Phillies Baseball on Comcast
6pm AT THE BATH AT NAZARETH LEGION BASEBALL GAME
6pm RCN SPORTS TALK ON RCN4
7:30pm JOLLY JOE TIMMER ON RCN4
NO ANNOUNCING
OFF TONIGHT
10pm Anchor the news on CW57

Friday July 1:
GETTYSBURG PROGRAMMING ON PCN ALL DAY
8am-1pm DIANA
10am-3pm GLEN MAC AND ANTHONY GARGANO ON 610 WIP
1pm RADIO SHOW ON WEEX 1230
4pm-6:30pm HAPPY HOUR ON WEEX 1230
4pm-6pm Diana
6pm AT THE NAZARETH AT BATH LEGION BASEBALL GAME
7pm Announce Phillies Baseball on Comcast
10pm Anchor the news on CW57

Saturday July 2:
GETTYSBURG PROGRAMMING ON PCN ALL DAY
8:30am-12:30pm DIANA
9am-11am KEITH GROLLER ON 1470AM
10am-NOON 69 SPORTS SATURDAY ON WEEX 120
1pm Announce Phillies Baseball on Comcast
1pm AT THE WIND GAP AT NAZARETH LEGION BASEBALL GAME
5pm AT THE HELLERTOWN AT NAZARETH LEGION BASEBALL GAME
OFF TONIGHT
10pm Anchor the news on CW57

Sunday July 3:
GETTYSBURG PROGRAMMING ON PCN ALL DAY
11am Radio Show
NOON AT THE WANDEREERS AT NAZARETH LEGION BASEBALL GAME
1pm Announce Phillies Baseball on MYPHL17
OFF TONIGHT
10pm Anchor News on CW57


RIP:
Dale Earenhardt SR.
Davey Allison
COURTNEY DIACONT
GRANDMA WEAVER
JAMIE LINTZ
JOHN VUKOVCICH
KRISTEN
BENNY PARSONS
DEREK KEHOE
JOSH HANCOCK
Joe Schneider
Frank Klepeisz
Mary Mutchler
Jene Flick
Frank Jenny
Jennifer Jacksits
Donald Williams
John Marzano
Andrew Millheim
Harold Rrenyold
Todd Rothrock
Wayne Grube
Catherine Baker Knoll
Josh Booth
Francesco Tolerico
Craig Borst
George Williams
Deborah Ed
Phil Newbaker
Harry Kalas
Dan Ozark
Chuck Daly
Brenton Krouse
Joshua Miller
Gary Pappa
Farrah Facett
Irv Homer
Michael Jackson
Steve Mcnair
Paul Marcinkowski
Walt Cronkite
Henry Tomkowski (Who raised a great and fun Daughter)
Tom Partridge
Angelica Fox
Melissa Kinsella
Joey Beers
Ben Yorgy
Brooke Stephens
Ryan Zawada
Frank Silfries
Pumpkin Groller
Al Alberts
Morgan Mcginis
Jason Gilligan
Harriet Lindenmoyer
Barbara Johnson
Chris Henry
Oral Roberts
Patti Heffner
Britney Murphy
Glen W. Bell Jr
Vince Heinlein
Heather Miller
John Murtha
Julio Rivera
Aaaron Groff
Jack Lapos
Tom Ochs
Mario Donnagelo
Sally Murphy
Owens Thomas
Ernie Harwell
Robin Roberts
Luke Hahn
Bob Shephard
Michael Yakemik
Donald Fritz
George Steinbrenner
Teko Johnson
Kiski
Palmer Smith



SHOUT OUT TO MY J-TOWN ATTENDANT PAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She is the most awesome attendant ever!!!

President of the Alan Davis, Gary Laubach, Dream Kids and Keith Groller, Ray
Kaminski Fan Clubs!

Keep It real!

Thanks for your Time!

CHECK OUT THE NAZARETH'S ART CENTER WEBSITE AND ROSS NUNAMAKER RUNS THE CENTER!

His Website for the Arts Center:
http://www.thenunamakergroup.com/projects/market/nazareth-center-for-the-arts/

I Highly suggest you check out one of his upcoming events at the Arts Center!

SEE YOU WEDNESDAY!

Sunday, June 26, 2011

FC Sonic ekes out 2-1 win over Erie

FROM THE MORNING CALL

With about two minutes left in a tie game Sunday afternoon, Jordie Ciuffetelli was targeted with a pass from FC Sonic teammate Cody Antonini but was not able to handle the ball about 20 yards in front of the goal, missing a chance to score a potential game-winner over the Erie Admirals.

But even though they are round, soccer balls sometimes take funny bounces.

Ciuffetelli, a Lehigh senior-to-be playing on his year-round home field of Ulrich Stadium, got another chance when the Erie defense was not able to corral the ball.

Ciuffetelli gathered the loose ball and pushed it past Admirals keeper Daniel Mudd for the deciding goal in a 2-1 win that kept FC Sonic alone in first place in the National Premier Soccer League's Northeast Keystone Conference.

"Cody had the ball. I called for it and he played it right to me," Ciuffetelli said. "I should have done better with it the first time. I thought the play was broken up. The ball ended up on a defender's feet. He played it back to the goal, but it wasn't strong enough. I was still on the play. I pounced on it and put it in."

"Jordie never wants to lose," FC Sonic coach Dave Weitzman said. "He put it on his shoulders and said, 'I want to win this game.' He made a 65-70 yard run. He took a horrible touch, initially, but the keeper couldn't handle it and he got it back on his feet. That kid [Ciuffetelli] is a competitor."

FC Sonic, which won the Keystone Conference last year and reached the NPSL's national semifinals, is in position to make another run. Weitzman's team (7-1-1), comprised of local college players and recent high school graduates, leads the conference with 22 points with four games left — against the Pocono Snow (July 1), the AC Crusaders (July 9), the Buxmont Torch (July 13) and Reading (July 16).

Reading (6-2-1, 19 points) and Erie (5-1-1, 16 points) follow FC Sonic in the eight-team conference.

Weitzman said he was impressed with his team's physical toughness. Sonic hosted FC Buffalo less than 48 hours before Sunday's game.

"We played Buffalo on Friday night," Weitzman said. "Our guys were really tired. They didn't have legs, and it started to get more humid as the game went on. I was telling them at halftime they had to persevere and play like champions. I can't say enough for the way the boys compete so hard. It's a great bunch of guys to work with."

Despite having a lead with a minute of regulation plus about four minutes of stoppage time, it wasn't easy. The Admirals had three very good shots on goal after Ciuffetelli's goal.

Keeper Charlie Sales stopped point-blank shots from Afrim Latifi and Shane Howard, but the biggest save might have come from back Justin Kamine, a Patriot League all-league selection from Lafayette who joined FC Sonic less than a month ago.

Sales pushed up and called for the ball on a wild play in front of the goal, but Kamine, doing what every defender is taught, slid back to the goal line — just in time to deflect another Howard shot.

Howard received a red card on the play, and a few seconds later, stoppage time ended.

"I heard the goalie call 'keeper,' " Kamine said. "My first reaction is, if you don't have a man, to cover the goal. It's an instinct play. When the keeper calls it, you go cover the goal."

Sonic had to do a lot of that over the course of the second half. Erie dominated play in front of goal in the second half, but only scored once, on Oliver Gage's goal with 12:20 left.

FC Sonic led 1-0 at the half on Joe Puleo's goal with seconds left in the first half.

Sonic and Erie are developing a rivalry. Each of their four games the last two years have been decided by a goal in the last five minutes.

Weitzman said his decision to play a defensive game with taller defenders — Kamine, Ciuffetelli, former Freedom High star Collin Costello (now at Bucknell), AJ Barnold (Muhlenberg), Kyle Schwab (Freedom High, Dickinson), Nate Squire (Muhlenberg) — was based partly on realizing his team was a little tired, and partly on matching up with Erie's style.

"They play a very direct style in which they ping balls down the field," he said. "We wanted to make sure we had as much size in the back of the field and let them take the ball wide. ... I have a lot of confidence in the players. They all come from very good college programs. We know we have the talent. It's like coaching an all-star team. The players make the coach. They made me look good."

Erie 0 1 -- 1

FC Sonic 1 1 -- 2

Erie goal: Oliver Gage. Assist: Jared Ott. Shots: 7. Corner kicks: 6. Saves: Daniel Mudd 3.

FC Sonic goals: Joe Puleo, Jordie Ciuffetelli. Assist: Cody Antonini. Shots: 5. Corner kicks: 5. Saves: Charlie Sales 6.

Moss blast ends IronPigs losing streak at five

FROM THE MORNING CALL

When asked before Sunday's game with Charlotte what it will take for the IronPigs to break out of the funk they've been in the last 10 days, manager Ryne Sandberg said simply, "Somebody, or somebodies, have to pick us up."

In this game, the somebodies turned out to be Brandon Moss, Brian Bass and even struggling newcomer Justin De Fratus.

With a sixth straight loss staring them in the face, Moss hammered a three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift the IronPigs to a 5-2 win before 9,515 at Coca-Cola Park.

That's after Bass overcame his customary first-inning blues and held the Knights to two runs over six innings, and De Fratus wiggled out of a two-on, no-out jam in the seventh to keep the IronPigs (44-32) within a run.

Cody Overbeck added an RBI double later in the eighth for an insurance run to seal only the third win in 11 games for the IronPigs, who maintained at least a two-game lead over Scranton in the International League's Northern Division race.

"When Moss's ball went out I think there was a little sigh of relief from everybody," Sandberg said. "It just boosted everybody up."

"You're going to have your winning streaks and your losing streaks, [but] you have to come in every day and expect to win at least, and eventually you get a game like this and hopefully turn things around," Moss said.

Held to four baserunners over the first seven innings after opening the game with three straight hits to produce their first run, the IronPigs strung together three great at-bats to take their first lead in 38 1/2 innings.

Pete Orr began the inning by drawing a walk from Shane Lindsay (2-1), fouling off a 2-2 pitch before completing the walk. Then John Mayberry Jr. fell behind 1-2, fouled off a pitch, and took two pitches out of the zone before muscling a single into right center, sending Orr — who was running on the pitch — to third.

Moss fouled off two pitches, looked at a ball, fouled off another pitch and took another ball to even the count at 2-2.

"I was looking for a heater up the whole time, because I needed to get the ball in the air," Moss said. "A ground-ball's a double play and it's a tie game but we lose a rally, so I was trying to get something up in the air."

He did, hammering his 12th homer onto the concourse in right center to give the IronPigs a 4-2 lead.

"I hate to say, I was really cheating for the heater, and he came inside with the split and it happened to be where the bat was catching up through the zone," Moss said.

Moss said experience was the key to the at-bats in the inning.

"You expect good at-bats in those situations because it's not our first time in those situations," Moss said. "We're not 22 years old; we know you're not going to get a lot of pitches from a guy [Lindsay] throwing a hundred [MPH], so you've got to make the ones you get count."

Michael Schwimer (4-0) picked up the win with two scoreless innings, stranding a two-out runner at second in the eighth, but Bass deserved a better fate.

The veteran right-hander, who lost his last start despite giving up one run over seven innings, continued his first-inning woes by giving up two runs — he has allowed 14 first-inning earned runs over his 15 starts, an 8.40 ERA — but then stranded eight Knights over his six innings, including bases loaded in the fourth.

"After the first he always seems to have more confidence in his pitches and goes after it," Sandberg said. "He did a great job today, and he really wasn't totally pleased with his stuff today. But it was good enough."

De Fratus also survived a rocky start to pitch a scoreless seventh. After hitting the leadoff hitter and walking the second, he struck out Dayan Viciedo, the White Sox's multitalented Cuban defector, and got Lastings Milledge to roll into an inning-ending double play.

"We were looking for a confidence inning for him, and he kept the score within reach," Sandberg said.

"Just like a hitter, that little bloop single can start a fire, maybe this can be the same thing for [De Fratus]," Moss said."He went after their best hitter, got him to strike out, and that's a ton of confidence because he hits everything. Then he gets the double play, so that might be exactly what he needed."

Nazareth Area School District 'swing zone' plan affects 14 kindergartners

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES
About 14 kindergartners are affected by the Nazareth Area School District's "swing zones" redistricting plan, according to the superintendent.

Those kindergartners, who live in the Redcliffe housing development, will attend Lower Nazareth Elementary School rather than Shafer Elementary, according to Superintendent Victor Lesky.

More students could be affected, depending on how many elementary-age students move into the district before school starts in the fall.

The redistricting plan, approved by the school board in April, gives the administration flexibility to send some new Upper Nazareth Township students to one of two schools:

* Children north of Route 248 and west of Nazareth could be assigned to either Shafer or Lower Nazareth elementary schools.

* Children north of Route 191 and south of the Bushkill Township line could be sent to either Shafer or Bushkill elementary schools.

“The policy was implemented to keep the class-size numbers as close to 20 students per class as possible in all three elementary schools,” Lesky said Thursday.

Lesky said parents in the affected zones were notified of their children’s schools during the first week of June.

As of June 1, the district had 123 students registered for kindergarten at Shafer Elementary School, 82 at Bushkill Elementary School and 60 at Lower Nazareth Elementary School.

Under the new "swing zone" plan, 109 students will go to Shafer Elementary for an average class size of 18. At Bushkill Elementary, 82 new students are enrolled for a class size of about 20. Seventy-two students will go to Lower Nazareth Elementary for a class size of about 18.

These numbers provide for enrollment growth over the summer that will allow for class averages of between 20 and 24 in all kindergarten classes for 2010-12, Lesky said.

He said attempts will be made under the redistricting plan to keep students from a similar area or neighborhood together to allow for student interaction inside and outside of school.

Students already attending a school will not be affected and siblings will not be separated, he said.

R.I.P. Rick Beardsley

FROM LAURA

I am sad to write that Rick Beardsley, of Temple’s communications department and the school television station, Temple Update, died of cancer at the age of 52.

Lifelong Nazareth resident and 'icon' Richard M. 'Dickie' Kahler remembered

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Walking around Nazareth on any given day, chances were good that you might run into Richard "Dickie" Kahler.

Whether he was standing on a street corner, dropping by borough hall or sitting on a bench, Kahler was always ready to strike up a conversation.

Once he moved to Gracedale nursing home, he turned to the telephone and all the numbers he had memorized. His older sister, Arlene K. Smith, of Nazareth, recalls her brother's daily phone calls always started her morning.

A lifelong borough resident and icon of sorts, Kahler, 79, died Thursday at St. Luke's Hospital in Fountain Hill after struggling with kidney failure and other health problems for several months, Smith said.

"Everyone enjoyed talking to him," said Larry Stoudt, a councilman, who grew up with Kahler and his wife, Arlene, who died in 2007.

Stoudt was also a member of Vigilance Hose Co. No. 1 with Kahler, who devoted much of his time as a volunteer and chaplain. A 58-year member, Kahler remained active until about six months ago when his health began to decline, said Carl Strye, fire company president.

To honor one of its longest active members, the company plans to name its engine bay after Kahler, Strye said. For two months, plans have been in the works and members hoped to dedicate the bay while Kahler was still alive, he said.

"He unfortunately just fell too fast," Strye said.

Strye did manage to visit Kahler on Tuesday in the hospital and share the news with him.

"I told him, 'Dickie, it is Carl. Can you hear me?'" Strye said. "He opened his eyes. ... I'm really glad I had the opportunity to go over and at least tell him. I'm at ease with that."

In his younger years, Kahler helped fight fires and over his almost six decades of membership probably took more courses than all the members put together, Strye said.

"Everybody knows Dickie," Strye said. "He is just an icon. He was a fun guy to be around."

Smith said her brother never missed the department's monthly meeting or a fire drill.

"The guy liked to eat," Strye said with a laugh, recalling Kahler's monthly phone call before the department meeting. "He'd call and say, 'Hey, Carl. What are we having to eat?'''

Smith said her brother became enamored with the department after watching his father drive firetrucks.

"He lived for the fire company," Smith said.

Before her brother was forced to move into Gracedale, he volunteered at the nursing home, she said. He took classes to learn how to serve the homeless and provide pastoral care to patients in hospitals

"He was a great guy," Stoudt said. "Dickie would do anything for you. He always wanted to help somebody."

His classes tied in well with his duties as department chaplain, as a Safe Harbor volunteer and as a member of Epworth United Methodist Church.

"He liked to visit the sick people from his church and he was very faithful with that," Smith said. "He was always very kind to everybody."

Kahler loved to visit with friends and go out to eat. But he never liked to drive on highways so he became a master of back roads.

"If you tell him a destination he would find a way to get there," his sister said. "He would know all the routes."

Kahler worked in the maintenance department at Binney & Smith Co. for more than 26 years, Smith said.

***

Services set

Relatives and friends are invited to call 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at Epworth United Methodist Church, 3245 Oakland Road, Bethlehem Township, Pa. Funeral services will begin 11 a.m. with burial to follow at Hope Cemetery in Hecktown. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the church or fire company.

Nosovitch, seven other locals on "Big 33 Hot Juniors" list

FROM KEITH GROLLER

I covered the game, but did not get a program from the Big 33 Classic last week in Hershey.

One of my friends did purchase a program, and, evidently, within that program there was a list of the state's "Hot 100 Juniors" and "Hot 50 Sophomores."

According to the explanation given, these two lists "represent a cooperative effort on the part of representatives from the PSFCA. It is the first list of its kind to be compiled exclusively by high school coaches. The Ultimate Football Academy (UFA) is a division of the Big 33 Scholarship Organization and is working in partnership with the PSFCA to develop the best high school prospects as a continuance of the PNC Big 33 Football Classic."

So basically, these are the guys the PSFCA is already eyeing for future Big 33 appearances.

The list of juniors is led by -- you know who -- that Nosovitch kid from Central Catholic.

The rest of the "Hot Juniors."

Quarterback -- Dan Harding, Nazareth.

Running Backs -- James Middleton, Easton

Wide Receivers -- Adam Bridgeforth, Nazareth; Kevin Gulyas, Central Catholic.

Linebackers -- Andrew Harris, Whitehall; Nick Sharga, Northampton.

Defensive Backs -- Noah Robb, Central Catholic.

And, five more kis made the "Hot Sophomores" list. They were:

Tight Ends -- Caleb Johnson, Northern Lehigh.

Running Backs -- Matt Bonshak, Whitehall; Austin Brown, Easton; Colin McDermott, Central Catholic.

Offensive Line -- Aaron Genevese, Whitehall.

You see that CCHS is well-represented on this list, but so is one of the Vikings' top PIAA 3A rivals -- Archbishop Wood.

Wood placed six players on the "Hot Juniors" list.

They are running backs Brandon and Desmond Peoples, tight end/defensive end Colin Thompson, linemen Frank Taylor and Brandon Arcidiacono, and defensive back Nate Smith.

PCNTV SCHEDULE

---SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE---


SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2011

9:15p PA Senate: Today
Higher Education Funding

10:15p PA House: Today
Lawsuit Liability
Non-Preferred Appropriations

12:30a In Session: City Bankruptcies
Widener Law and Government Institute

1:00a Bucknell University Commencement: Erik Weihenmayer, Blind Mt. Everest Climber

1:30a It's History! Moravian Pottery and Tile Works in Doylestown, PA

1:50a It's History! Scranton Iron Works in Scranton, PA


MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2011

6:00a PCN Profiles Dr. Joseph Mattioli, Founder of Pocono Raceway

7:00a PCN Tours Penn State Creamery in State College, PA

8:00a PA Books "The Blue Orchard" with author Jackson Taylor

9:00a It's History! Moravian Pottery and Tile Works in Doylestown, PA

9:20a It's History! Scranton Iron Works in Scranton, PA

9:30a Marcellus Shale Legislation Rally
State Capitol

10:30a In Session: City Bankruptcies
Widener Law and Government Institute

11:00a (LIVE) PA Senate

5:45p Weather World

6:00p PCN Tours Penn State Creamery in State College, PA

7:00p (LIVE) PCN Call-In: PA Budget
Steven Crawford, Managing Vice President of Wojdak & Associates
Alan Novak, President of Novak Strategic Advisors
Call 1-877-PA6-5001

8:00p On The Issues

8:30p PA Press Club: Ron Tomalis, PA Education Secretary

Inch of Echoes will be playing at the Park at 6:30pm!

News at the Nazareth Park:

Inch of Echoes will be playing at 6:30pm Tonight!

All concerts will begin @ 6:30 pm on Sunday nights held in our band stage.

Hope to see you there!

Dave Van Horne, Wilson Borough native, heads to the baseball Hall of Fame

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Dave Van Horne couldn't quite believe it.

The Florida Marlins' radio play-by-play man knew he'd been nominated for the Ford C. Frick Award, baseball's highest honor given to a broadcaster -- an award that carries with it immortality in the baseball Hall of Fame.

And now Van Horne had won.

"When I got the call from (Hall of Fame President) Jeff Idelson, I was almost in disbelief," Van Horne, a 1957 Wilson Area High School graduate, said recently.

His colleagues weren't.

"You listen to so many other radio play-by-play men and you don't get any information," said ex-Phillies first baseman Tommy Hutton, the Marlins' television analyst who has known Van Horne since 1978 and worked with him intermittently since 1982. "Dave gives you information, stories, history of the game. And that goes back to his preparation and hard work. A lot of broadcasters don't do that. Dave always has, and still does."

And all that info comes in Van Horne's smooth and authoritative tones.

"What I hear from fans about why they like Dave is that nice, pleasant voice," said Joe Capozzi, the Marlins' beat writer for the Palm Beach Post since 2000. "He's really easy to listen to, very relaxing."

After 43 years of work in the booth -- 32 in Montreal and 11 in Florida -- Van Horne will join the list of Frick winners July 24 when he's enshrined in Cooperstown, N.Y.

The 71-year-old Van Horne, who grew up in Wilson Borough and Palmer Township, looked back on his career in an interview earlier this month before his Marlins played the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

"When you look at the list of the men who have won this award, to think that I was joining them was thrilling and very humbling at the same time," said Van Horne, who noted he was friendly with many previous winners such as ex-Mets broadcasters Bob Murphy, Cubs' legends Jack Brickhouse and Harry Caray, the Reds' Marty Brennaman and the Royals' Denny Matthews, who started in Kansas City the same year Van Horne did in Montreal (1969).

Best advice he was ever given: Be yourself

Van Horne said he grew up listening to radio broadcasts of another Frick winner, longtime Phillies and Athletics announcer By Saam.

But Van Horne said the best advice came from his first mentor.

"In Richmond when I got my first job in 1966 (for the Atlanta Class AAA affiliate) my partner was Frank Soden and he told me, 'Don't try to be anyone else,'" Van Horne said. "He said it was fine to listen to broadcasters but don't imitate anyone else; develop your own style and stay with it."

Van Horne has stayed with his style long enough to develop a passionate fan base.

"I still get letters from people in upstate New York, Vermont, all over Canada, telling me they learned baseball from my broadcasts, that I was a big part of their summers, bringing me along on their radios, and that's always very rewarding," Van Horne said.

Van Horne still has enough fans in Montreal that several chartered buses are coming south for his enshrinement. They will join a Van Horne family contingent that includes his six children, his wife, Josee, his brother Allan, and their families.

"One of my sons is chartering a bus just for his family," Van Horne said.

"It's overwhelming. I can't tell you how honored I am to have all these people at my induction. It's especially gratifying to me that all my sons and my (11) grandchildren will be there."

A budding career

dave van horne candidView full sizeExpress-Times Photo | MATT SMITHVan Horne, here in the dugout prior to a game, had an interest in sports and media as a child, his brother says.
Allan Van Horne said he's not surprised at his brother's success. The Van Hornes were a sports family, and Dave van Horne had an interest in broadcasting even as a kid.

"We were not surprised at the path he took and he did real well," said Allan Van Horne, who lives in Bethlehem Township, Pa., and is retired from Victaulic. "I don't mean he just reached that level. He did his job well. He was always the consummate professional. He worked hard at his craft.

"It sounds so easy when you hear him, but it involves a lot of preparation. He's a master at taking the knowledge that's available and make it sound so natural."

One of Van Horne's biggest fans, his mother, won't be at the induction ceremony. Evelyn van Horne died at age 98 in March, three months after Dave Van Horne was announced as the Ford Frick recipient.

"She was a baseball fan," Allan Van Horne said. "She lived a very full life, full of life and vitality up to her last year. She used to go down to Florida to see Dave well into her 90s. She'd fly down there by herself and stay and go to games."

Memories of Philadelphia

Dave Van Horne has attended two Hall of Fame inductions before -- for his ex-broadcast partner Duke Snider and for Expos great Gary Carter -- but he knows this July will be different.

"I can't imagine what it's like to be honored," Van Horne said. "I love Cooperstown. It's a step back in time, a perfect place for baseball fans. It's hallowed ground for anybody who loves baseball."

Van Horne has loved baseball since he was a Phillies and Dodgers fan growing up.

"I was more of a National League fan but I went to Athletics games, too," he said. "One of the big thrills I have had as a broadcaster was in my first season when (Montreal's) Bill Stoneman threw a no-hitter at Connie Mack Stadium, a ballpark I went to games in as a kid."

Van Horne's memories of Philadelphia have remained just as warm.

"Dave Montgomery and (longtime Phillies public relations chief) Larry Shenk always go out of their way to say hello," Van Horne said. "And Richie Ashburn and I were friends. Richie knew I was from Easton and would always ask me to do his pregame show, and he'd always introduce me with, 'From Easton, Pennsylvania, Dave Van Horne.'"

The warmth goes both ways.

"Dave is one of my all-time favorite people," said Phillies broadcaster Chris Wheeler, who has been friendly with Van Horne since 1971. "Dave's an old-time pro radio voice, and he paints a picture of the action. And to even be considered for the Hall of Fame -- look at the company you are in. Dave's been so successful and I am so happy he wound up in Florida."

Celebrity follows

Van Horne's recognition factor has increased all around the sport, and the continent, since the Frick award. He's done interviews and talk shows all over Canada, and he's become in demand in another way as well.

"I never thought I'd receive so many items to autograph and send back," Van Horne said. "Almost every day in January and February my mailbox was stuffed. I don't know how many baseballs I've signed. You can tell some are professional collectors but you can tell the fans by the style of their letters."

dave van horne closeupView full sizeExpress-Times Says Van Horne of his call to Cooperstown: "It's a wonderful, exciting thing to happen to me."
Van Horne found out about the specialization of some of his new fans.

"It kind of surprised me that so many people collect the signatures of the Ford C. Frick Award winners," he said. "Some of them have 10, 12 of the winners, and I (met) one who had an article about the award that he had 12 Frick winners sign."

Hutton said all the attention is well deserved.

"The award shows another side of the game. It honors the amount of time and hard work we put into the game," said Hutton, who carpools with Van Horne to Marlins' home games. "Dave's been close to me for a long time and has been absolutely instrumental about showing me how to prepare for a game. We've always talked about that since I got into broadcasting."

Wheeler said Van Horne was a model for him as well.

"When I started here (in PR for the Phillies in 1971) we'd always talk shop," Wheeler said. "Our job (as broadcasters) is to entertain and inform and be the voice of the organization. Dave always had to walk a fine line doing that in Montreal (during the disputes that eventually led to the team's departure in 2004); that was hard on him but he did a good job."

Van Horne still feels humbled by all of the attention and recognition.

"It's a wonderful, exciting thing to happen to me," he said. "The Frick Award is the highest honor a broadcaster can receive."

PA HOUSE WILL HOLD A SUNDAY SESSION STARTING AT 3:00PM AND PCNTV WILL AIR IT LIVE!

NEWS:

PA HOUSE WILL HOLD A SUNDAY SESSION STARTING AT 3:00PM

PCNTV WILL AIR IT LIVE!

Sunday!

Monday June 27, 2011

Final week for the Budget!

Will we have a new one on time?

That the BIG Question right now.

72 more hours.

12:00am Thursday night.

PA HOUSE Had a Sunday session at 3pm!

They were talking BUDGET Talks.

They will resume Today at 10am!

It was fun watching the PA HOUSE on a Sunday night!!

Dentist Appointment at 11:30am today.

They are fixing my cavities.

It will not be fun.

Can't wait to get that over with.

Wake me up when it over!!!

Rainy Tuesday tomorrow.

They are calling for bad storms.

Busy week with Nazareth Legion Baseball!

They are at HOME at the Park at 6pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday!

They lost to East Stroudburg Sunday night.

I Missed that one.

I Will be back with them Tonight!

Nazareth School Board Meeting tonight!

The agenda looks pretty busy!!!

The Ironpigs finally won Sunday!

It about time the Ironpigs win!!!!

They been struggling!!

Got my new Braces Friday.

Waiting for my P.T. Lady to stand in them before I Do anything!

10am Wednesday and Friday at Muhlenburg!

2 more months until my new wheelchair!!

Sorry folks but I am ready for my new chair in August!

Can't wait to show it off at the Gate at the 1st HOME Football Game!!!!

I Hope Pam Amato good!

Karl Kegolovitz got Pitcher of the year for the Morning Call!

Mike Garzillo got Player of the year for the Morning Call!

Congrats to Karl and Mike!!!!

Attendant Services going great!

Diana is awesome!!!

I Want to thank Chris for the new wallet!

I Love it!!!!

Happy Monday!

Last week in June!

Nice weather this week!

Enjoy it!!!!

How are you?

How was your weekend?

What did you do all weekend?









Upcoming Events at the Nazareth Arts Center:







Schedule:
Monday June 27:
PA HOUSE WILL BE IN SESSION ALL DAY ON PCN
9am-5pm DIANA
10am-3pm GLEN MAC AND ANTHONY GARGANO ON 610 WIP
11:40am DENTIST
NO RADIO SHOW TODAY
4pm-6:30pm HAPPY HOUR ON WEEX 1230
6pm AT THE NORTHAMPTON AT NAZARETH LEGION BASEBALL GAME
NO ANNOUNCING
10pm Anchor the news on CW57


Tuesday June 28:
PA HOUSE WILL BE IN SESSION ALL DAY ON PCN
8:30am-12:30pm DIANA
10am-3pm GLEN MAC AND ANTHONY GARGANO ON 610 WIP
1pm RADIO SHOW ON WEEX 1230
4pm-6:30pm HAPPY HOUR ON WEEX 1230
4pm-6pm Diana
7pm Announce Phillies Baseball on MYPHL17
10pm Anchor the news on CW57


Wednesday June 29:
PA HOUSE WILL BE IN SESSION ALL DAY ON PCN
8am-1:30pm DIANA
10am PT THERAPHY
10am-3pm GLEN MAC AND ANTHONY GARGANO ON 610 WIP
NO RADIO SHOW TODAY DUE TO IRONPIGS BASEBALL
1pm IRONPIGS BASEBALL ON WEEX 1230
4pm-6pm HAPPY HOUR ON WEEX 1230
4pm-6pm DIANA
6pm AT THE LEHIGH TWP AT NAZARETH LEGION BASEBALL GAME
6pm-9:15pm JARRET BROWN ON WGPA 1100
7pm Announce Phillies Baseball on Comcast
10pm Anchor the news on CW57


Thursday June 30:
PA HOUSE WILL BE IN SESSION ALL DAY ON PCN
8:30am-11am DIANA
10am-3pm GLEN MAC AND ANTHONY GARGANO ON 610 WIP
1pm RADIO SHOW ON WEEX 1230
2pm-3pm CALLING BINGO AT MORAVIAN HALL SQUARE
4pm-6:30pm HAPPY HOUR ON WEEX 1230
1:30pm-6pm Diana
1pm Announce Phillies Baseball on Comcast
6pm AT THE BATH AT NAZARETH LEGION BASEBALL GAME
6pm RCN SPORTS TALK ON RCN4
7:30pm JOLLY JOE TIMMER ON RCN4
NO ANNOUNCING
OFF TONIGHT
10pm Anchor the news on CW57

Friday July 1:
GETTYSBURG PROGRAMMING ON PCN ALL DAY
8am-1pm DIANA
10am-3pm GLEN MAC AND ANTHONY GARGANO ON 610 WIP
1pm RADIO SHOW ON WEEX 1230
4pm-6:30pm HAPPY HOUR ON WEEX 1230
4pm-6pm Diana
6pm AT THE NAZARETH AT BATH LEGION BASEBALL GAME
7pm Announce Phillies Baseball on Comcast
10pm Anchor the news on CW57

Saturday July 2:
GETTYSBURG PROGRAMMING ON PCN ALL DAY
8:30am-12:30pm DIANA
9am-11am KEITH GROLLER ON 1470AM
10am-NOON 69 SPORTS SATURDAY ON WEEX 120
1pm Announce Phillies Baseball on Comcast
1pm AT THE WIND GAP AT NAZARETH LEGION BASEBALL GAME
5pm AT THE HELLERTOWN AT NAZARETH LEGION BASEBALL GAME
OFF TONIGHT
10pm Anchor the news on CW57

Sunday July 3:
GETTYSBURG PROGRAMMING ON PCN ALL DAY
11am Radio Show
NOON AT THE WANDEREERS AT NAZARETH LEGION BASEBALL GAME
1pm Announce Phillies Baseball on MYPHL17
OFF TONIGHT
10pm Anchor News on CW57


RIP:
Dale Earenhardt SR.
Davey Allison
COURTNEY DIACONT
GRANDMA WEAVER
JAMIE LINTZ
JOHN VUKOVCICH
KRISTEN
BENNY PARSONS
DEREK KEHOE
JOSH HANCOCK
Joe Schneider
Frank Klepeisz
Mary Mutchler
Jene Flick
Frank Jenny
Jennifer Jacksits
Donald Williams
John Marzano
Andrew Millheim
Harold Rrenyold
Todd Rothrock
Wayne Grube
Catherine Baker Knoll
Josh Booth
Francesco Tolerico
Craig Borst
George Williams
Deborah Ed
Phil Newbaker
Harry Kalas
Dan Ozark
Chuck Daly
Brenton Krouse
Joshua Miller
Gary Pappa
Farrah Facett
Irv Homer
Michael Jackson
Steve Mcnair
Paul Marcinkowski
Walt Cronkite
Henry Tomkowski (Who raised a great and fun Daughter)
Tom Partridge
Angelica Fox
Melissa Kinsella
Joey Beers
Ben Yorgy
Brooke Stephens
Ryan Zawada
Frank Silfries
Pumpkin Groller
Al Alberts
Morgan Mcginis
Jason Gilligan
Harriet Lindenmoyer
Barbara Johnson
Chris Henry
Oral Roberts
Patti Heffner
Britney Murphy
Glen W. Bell Jr
Vince Heinlein
Heather Miller
John Murtha
Julio Rivera
Aaaron Groff
Jack Lapos
Tom Ochs
Mario Donnagelo
Sally Murphy
Owens Thomas
Ernie Harwell
Robin Roberts
Luke Hahn
Bob Shephard
Michael Yakemik
Donald Fritz
George Steinbrenner
Teko Johnson
Kiski
Palmer Smith



SHOUT OUT TO MY J-TOWN ATTENDANT PAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She is the most awesome attendant ever!!!

President of the Alan Davis, Gary Laubach, Dream Kids and Keith Groller, Ray
Kaminski Fan Clubs!

Keep It real!

Thanks for your Time!

CHECK OUT THE NAZARETH'S ART CENTER WEBSITE AND ROSS NUNAMAKER RUNS THE CENTER!

His Website for the Arts Center:
http://www.thenunamakergroup.com/projects/market/nazareth-center-for-the-arts/

I Highly suggest you check out one of his upcoming events at the Arts Center!

SEE YOU WEDNESDAY!

Analysis: Corbett's no-tax-hike pledge peril

FROM THE MORNING CALL

HARRISBURG—

— Mark your calendars: This budget season might well have marked the time when dents began appearing in Gov. Tom Corbett's famed pledge not to raise state taxes or fees.

First thing's first: The $27.15 billion compromise spending plan for fiscal 2011-2012 that lawmakers began work on Sunday does not contain any general tax increases. If approved, Pennsylvanians won't pay more in personal income or sales taxes after July 1.

But between Sunday and the start of the new fiscal year on Friday, Republicans who control the House and Senate, along with the administration, will have vigorous discussions about two very important fee increases. The more well-known of the two covers the local impact of Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling. The other, less-discussed, but still critically important, pertains to hospitals and their ability to access federal matching money.

That Corbett, a Republican, is even having either discussion marks a significant shift from his hard-line rhetoric on the campaign trail last year, where he said he'd oppose any sort of tax or fee increase if elected.

By the time he rolled into a gubernatorial debate against Democrat Dan Onorato in Pittsburgh last October, Corbett's decision to sign a no-tax-hike pledge sponsored by the hawkish, Washington-based Americans for Tax Reform had already passed into political folklore.

During that televised session, candidate Corbett went a step further, announcing that he'd expanded the pledge to include all fee increases, such as motor vehicle license and registration levies — even though there were exceptions built into the promise, the Associated Press reported at the time.

In the third gubernatorial debate in Philadelphia days later, Corbett underlined that stance, saying, "We will not increase any fees. Not now. Not ever," the online news service Capitolwire reported.

In the six months since becoming governor, however, the shackles that the sound bite-perfect pledge have placed on Corbett's ability to get both his first budget and political agenda through the General Assembly became clear as lawmakers began looking for ways to close a $4.2 billion budget deficit, and support for a tax or fee on shale drillers grew.

"Everyone knew this day would come, when the challenge to find revenue put the governor in a spot where there would be a lot of pressure on him to acquiesce," said Chris Borick, political science professor and pollster at Muhlenberg College in Allentown.

The pledge took its first flesh wound earlier this year when Corbett announced he'd be willing, under certain conditions, to entertain a local impact fee on Marcellus shale natural gas drillers that had been offered by state Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson.

The House is also mulling a number of different shale tax and fee proposals.

While he remained adamantly opposed to a severance tax on drillers, which he pronounced a job-killer, Corbett said he'd consider the fee if all the money raised by it went to local and county governments and not to coffers in Harrisburg.

Corbett has also said he wants lawmakers to wait until next month — after the budget is approved — before they start discussions on an impact fee. That's when a special Marcellus Shale Commission chaired by Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley is supposed to return its findings on the impacts of drilling.

The report could provide Corbett with the political cover he needs to sign off on a levy that polls show is already hugely popular among the public and members of his own party, said G. Terry Madonna, pollster and political science professor at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster.

"He picked something the voters overwhelmingly favor," Madonna noted. "What's the consequence of that?"

The pledge took another ding last week when Corbett brushed aside criticism from Americans for Tax Reform boss Grover Norquist that an increased state assessment on hospitals was a tax — and, thus, a pledge-breaker.

When he was told by a reporter of Norquist's initial ruling, Corbett said he had looked at the law on hospital assessments and "if you look at the law, it calls it a fee."

Corbett's initial budget plan slashed $87 million in state funding for hospitals — a cut that was allowed to stand in the $27.3 billion budget the House approved in late May. However, the Senate is working to restore the money.

To get some of the money back, the hospital industry agreed to increase what is currently a 2.95 percent state assessment to 3.17 percent, raising $40 million. The state takes that money from hospitals, which allows it, in turn, to draw down federal cash for the institutions.

"Hopefully, we can find the additional $40 million," said Jim Redmond, the top lobbyist for the Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania. "We've argued that this saves the taxpayers money because you don't have to take the entire $87 million from the general fund [budget]."

HARRISBURG—

As first reported by Capitolwire, a day after calling the assessment a tax, Norquist pivoted, announcing that Corbett got a bye because he's reducing taxes somewhere else — in this case, by phasing out the capital stock and franchise tax paid by businesses.

Corbett's defense of the assessment as a fee raised eyebrows. But he may have had little choice. He has more than once said hospitals are key economic drivers in their communities. And the combined loss of $193 million in state and federal funding for those institutions could have a ripple effect throughout the state's economy.

And there's the trap that Corbett has set for himself: while pursuing another campaign season vow to reduce the size and cost of government, he's also put his promise to rebuild the state's economy at potential risk.

"He's made it much more awkward than it needs to be," Muhlenberg's Borick said.

Corbett's no-tax pledge is likely to face even more significant challenges in the weeks and months to come as lawmakers look for ways to repay nearly $4 billion in unemployment compensation benefits that the state borrowed from the federal government.

On tap in August is a long-awaited report from Corbett's transportation funding task force, which was charged with finding some $3 billion in recurring revenue to underwrite repairs to Pennsylvania's crumbling network of roads and bridges.

In an interview earlier this month, the panel's chairman, state transportation Secretary Barry Schoch, said any increase to the state gas tax was off the table. It's possible the panel could recommend hiking vehicle registration and motor license fees as a way to raise revenue — which, remember, candidate Corbett said was a no-no.

"You can make an argument that this is only the beginning of [situations] … where the pledge is going to be a problem," Madonna said.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Marco Andretti of Bushkill Township wins IndyCar race at Iowa Speedway

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Marco Andretti grabbed the lead from Tony Kanaan with 18 laps left and won Saturday night's IndyCar race at Iowa Speedway, his first victory in five years.

Kanaan made a final run at Andretti, but Andretti hung on for his second career win. Andretti's other victory came in 2006 at Infineon.

Points leader Dario Franchitti was trading the lead with Andretti before fading following a restart 51 laps from the end and finished fifth.

Kanaan, who crashed three years in a row at Iowa before winning in 2010, then overtook Andretti -- but he couldn't hold him off for long.

Scott Dixon was third, followed by JR Hildebrand.

Will Power, the co-points leader entering the race, hit the wall just 90 laps in. He suffered a minor concussion and will have to be cleared by doctors to race in Toronto in two weeks.

Fast-starting Falcons hope to stay in BML playoff picture

FROM THE MORNING CALL

It's the first weekend of summer and the Blue Mountain League's Easton Falcons are enjoying themselves.

In fact, they woke up on Saturday to find themselves in first place.

But BML playoff berths are not nailed down on June 25.

If you want to play in August, you must navigate your way through July and that's what the Falcons hope to do to secure their first-ever BML posteseason slot.

Easton got off to a 7-1 start, but lost three of four before bouncing back with a 11-1 win over Limeport on Friday

Can they hang in there and bust down the playoff door they've been knocking on the last two seasons?

They think so.

"We can run, we can hit, and we've got a hard-nosed attitude," said Keith Tone, who co-manages the team with Ellis Weitzman. "We've come close to making the playoffs the last couple of years, but this is a very different team. We've beaten some good teams so far this season. The key is to beat the teams you're supposed to beat and not let up. That's what's going to get you in the playoffs."

Many key players from 2010 left the team for one reason or another, so Tone and Weitzman went out and revamped the roster by going after local college kids. The Falcons feature just six holdovers from last year's team and the new faces are also younger.

"Dale Paulus is 25 and Andrew Feher is 23 and they're considered the old guys," Weitzman said.

The youth movement has paid offensively. Easton had a league-best .323 batting average.

Tom Crimi (.464), Ryan McCormick (.414), Trevor Dubiel (.400) and Dan Bierce (.364) are among those off to good starts offensively. Ryan Miller, who has been with the franchise the longest, is batting .333.

Paulus was off a 3-0 start with a 2.21 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 251/3 innings. Mike Ciavarelli was 2-1 with a 3.36 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 162/3 innings.

Easton, which was a perennial powerhouse and won two titles in the Lehigh Valley Men's Senior Baseball League before coming into the BML, finished 22-14 and a game out of the playoffs in 2009. The Falcons dropped to .500 last year after starting 0-4.

"It has been tough the last couple of years because we've been so close," Tone said. "But these guys come to play every day and have fun. They are just finding out what this league is all about. Of the 22 guys on the roster, 16 of them had never stepped on a Blue Mountain League field before this year."

Easton may have snuck up on some teams at the start of the year, especially coming off a 16-16 season.

They have everybody's attention now and that means opponents are coming after them harder.

"We've started to see the top pitchers from most teams, either their No. 1 or No. 2 guy," Tone said. "It has been a little different so far this season because we have never had the luxury of looking at teams in the rear-view mirror before. You can start to walk on egg shells a little bit."

Easton plays most of its games at Easton High. A few games are over at Hackett's Park, including a July 29 game against Martins Creek that will kick off the Senior League's "50 Hours of Baseball" charity marathon.

"We want to get in the playoffs because once you get there, anything can happen," Tone said. "We've just got to get there first."

DID YOU KNOW?

The defending Tri-Co champion Gabelsville Owls lost their season opener, but entered play on Saturday not having lost in their last 18 games and were on a 15-game win streak. — the longest streak in recent league history.

SHARKEY ON TRACK

Back in May, I wrote a column about Dan Sharkey, a former Downingtown High standout and top prospect, on his attempt to bounce back from a myriad of problems related to drug and alcohol abuse.

Sharkey, 27, has used baseball as his avenue to get back on the right track in life. He had an outstanding spring for Lehigh-Carbon Community College and scored the game-winning run when the Cougars won the Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference title.

The good news has continued for Sharkey, who is a member of the Northern Yankees in the Tri-County League this summer.

He has been accepted academically at Kutztown University and needs just one more solid semester to make himself NCAA-eligible again.

Once that happens, Sharkey could resume his college career — put on hold years ago by his personal problems — and continue forward with the game he loves.

Sharkey will either play at Kutztown or at Division II Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Ga. Both of those schools have expressed an interest in Sharkey.

PLESSL PLUSES

Ted Plessl is riding high these days.

Not only was he the head coach of the Lehigh Valley entry in the Carpenter Cup, but his Blue Mountain Hawks are on a hot streak in the Blue Mountain League.

Plessl is going to have hip replacement surgery this week, but he hopes to be back in business in time for the Keystone State Games, which are coming up on July 28-31 in Harrisburg.

Plessl is the Lehigh Valley regional coordinator for KSG and he believes that the local guys could stage another championship run in the KSG just as they did in the Carpenter Cup.

He's looking for more participation from area kids. Tryouts are being held today at Lower Nazareth Park from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and again on July 9 in the same time frame and location.

The junior division is for kids entering grades 9-10 in the coming school year and the scholastic division is for those entering grades 11-12.

Among the highlights of this year's KSG is a showcase game in front of at least 200 college coaches, set for July 28 at Metro Bank Park, home of the Double-A Harrisburg Senators. For more info, call Greg Candelmo at 610-366-1818 or 484-894-2786.

Marco Andretti of Nazareth wins the Indy Race at Iowa!!!

NEWS:

Marco Andretti of Nazareth wins the Indy Race at Iowa!!!

Congrats Marco!

STANDINGS Through Friday's games

FROM THE MORNING CALL

AREA STANDINGS

BLUE MOUNTAIN LEAGUE

Team,W-L,Pct.,GB

1.,Easton Falcons,9-4,.692,--

2.,Martins Creek,9-5-1,.643,1/2

3.,Hellertown Royals,10-6,.625,11/2

4.,Starters Orioles,10-7,.588,2

5.,Blue Mountain Hawks,8-8,.500,31/2

6.,Limeport Dodgers,7-10,.412,4

7.,Vynecrest Reds,6-10-1,.375,41/2

8.,Berlinsville Braves,6-10,.375,41/2

9.,Northampton,6-11,.353,5

Top four teams make the playoffs.

TRI-COUNTY LEAGUE

Team,W-L,Pct.,GB

1.,Gabelsville Owls,17-1-1,.944,--

2.,Northern Yankees,14-3,.824,21/2

3.,Limeport Bulls,9-7,.563,7

4.,Jordan Creek Gators,9-8-2,71/2

5.,Boyertown,7-9,.438,9

6.,Roosevelt's 21st Sox,4-12-1,.250,12

7.,Cetronia Longhorns,3-12-1,.200,121/2

8.,L.V. Marlins,3-14-1,.176,131/2

Top four teams make the playoffs.

ATLANTIC COLLEGIATE BASEBALL

WOLFF DIVISION

1.,LV Catz,8-3,.727,--

2.,Jersey Pilots,7-5,.583,11/2

3.,Quakertown Blazers,4-4,.500,21/2

4.,North Jersey Eagles,1-4,.200,4

Top three make the playoffs.

Through Friday's games.

N.Y. blues singer, kazoo maker to lead Nazareth's Independence Day parade

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

A New York blues singer and professional kazoo player will be grand marshal for the borough's Fourth of July parade.

Abbe Graber, 54, also known as "Miss G," of Saugerties, N.Y., will lead marchers down Main Street. Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce President Tina Smith said participants will play different patriotic songs on kazoos donated by Lafayette Ambassador Bank.

Smith expects a high turnout of 500 to 600 people to attend.

"Abbe is a real expert in the kazoo industry and will bring a whole new aspect to our event," Smith said about Graber, whose company Woodstock Wooden Kazoo opened on the 40th anniversary of the original music festival in 1969.

Three years ago, Graber began making and selling wooden kazoos, which are owned by such talents as Levon Helm, John Sebastian, Maria Muldaur, Pete Seeger and Aaron Neville. She learned about the parade through a customer from Nazareth.

“She has an impressive list of celebrity customers and we thought it would be real fun to add her to the mix,” Smith said.

IF YOU GO
• The Nazareth Area annual Kazoo Parade and Patriotic Program will kick-off at 9:30 in the morning July 4 at Nazareth Area High School, 501 E. Center Street.
• The parade route follows from the high school, up South Liberty Street, right onto Belvidere Street, follows Main Street, turns right up to the circle, travels half-way around and turns onto West Center Street. The parade will end at council chambers.

Graber said she developed a passion for blues music at age 15. She discovered kazoo playing while attending college at SUNY at New Paltz, N.Y. Graber said she was inspired by Maria Muldaur, who played a bluesy-style kazoo.

“She (Muldaur) has a beautiful voice and I realized quickly the better voice you have, the better your kazoo will sound,” Graber said. “The kazoo allowed me to amplify my voice.”

Graber said in 1969 the Woodstock Arts and Music Festival came through her town. Graber, then 13, was not old enough to go, but understood what the hippie movement meant to music. Her parents owned a country bar and grill and as a youngster, she played pool, pinball and became a blues singer in front of the jukebox, Graber said.

Music also became an outlet during tragedy to express her grief.

In 1973, Graber was a passenger in a pickup truck with her parents when the truck flipped three times on Interstate 95 in South Carolina. The family was heading to a new life in Florida, but the crash killed her father and severely injured her mother.

"The blessing is I found solace in the music," Graber said. "For me, I could express my emotions through a blues kazoo when words weren’t enough. This kazoo has brought so much love to my life, opened so many doors."

In August 2009, just in time to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival, Graber opened the doors to her business, Woodstock Wooden Kazoo, based in Woodstock, NY. The wooden instruments are handcrafted and played by vocalizing into them, Graber said.


***

If you go:

The Nazareth Area annual Kazoo Parade and Patriotic Program will kick-off at 9:30 in the morning July 4 at Nazareth Area High School, 501 E. Center Street.

The parade route follows from the high school, up South Liberty Street, right onto Belvidere Street, follows Main Street, turns right up to the circle, travels half-way around and turns onto West Center Street. The parade will end at council chambers.

Sports Broadcasting Camp Returns

FROM LAURA

Jim Jackson, Mike Missanelli, Paul Jolovitz, Joe Lunardi, and Sal Paolantonio are just a few of the local sports personalities appearing at the Play by Play Sports Broadcasting Camp at Villanova University, currently in session.

The camp, which began here a few years ago, is now is six other cities across the country.

Salisbury is The Morning Call's 2011 baseball team of the year

FROM THE MORNING CALL

or much of the 2011 baseball season, Salisbury toiled in obscurity.

The Falcons played in a Colonial League with a loaded returning champion in Northern Lehigh and two other experienced contenders, Pen Argyl and Bangor. They did not have the star power boasted by some of the area's largest schools.

By the last week of the season, though, Salisbury owned the spotlight.

After winning their first District 11 title since 2004, the Falcons lasted longer in the state playoffs than any Lehigh Valley team. They made it all the way to the PIAA Class 2A title game at Penn State before Riverside denied their bid for a state title.

Despite the disappointing ending, they still wound up with the best playoff run in Salisbury history to earn Morning Call baseball team of the year honors.

As well as it played in the regular season — Salisbury won the Colonial League South Division — it set itself apart in the postseason. The Falcons beat Northern Lehigh and Colonial League champion Pen Argyl en route to the District 11 Class 2A title, then won three state playoff games by a combined 19-4 margin before running into Riverside.

Their success came with a roster featuring just three seniors. And it came in a year coach Mike Pochron described as his most enjoyable in 12 years running the program.

"There was no issues in school," Pochron said. "There was no issues amongst the team. No playing time issues. No discipline.

"It was just fun to come to practice every day," he added.

Picking a highlight from Salisbury's postseason run proved tough for Pochron. He first mentioned the District 11 2A semifinal win over Northern Lehigh, when Salisbury jumped out to a lead, had rain suspend the game and came back to finish off the victory the next day. The District 11 2A title game also stood out, with freshman Justin Aungst collecting a complete-game win against a Pen Argyl team that beat Salisbury twice earlier in the season.

The run itself, and the team that did it, will go down in Salisbury history as one of the best. The Falcons have posted better overall records than the 2011 team's 20-7 mark. They had never played for a state title before this season.

Pochron and his staff have already started discussing how Salisbury can replace departing seniors Zach Harper, Tyler Tocci and Mike Miller in an effort to contend for championships again next season. The 2012 Falcons will need to combine quality play and a few breaks in a way not many teams do to match the 2011 squad's body of work.

"It was a really special year because of the guys that we had behind us," Harper said. "Everyone did what they needed to for us playing-wise. It was an honor to be a part of this team that went to the state final. If I had to do it again, I would."

Salisbury's Mike Pochron is The Morning Call's 2011 baseball coach of the year

FROM THE MORNING CALL

With Salisbury one win from its first District 11 title since 2004, coach Mike Pochron needed to pick a starting pitcher for his team's biggest game yet.

Senior Zach Harper had fronted the staff all year, but he had lost to Pen Argyl, the Falcons' opponent for the district final, in two earlier meetings. Freshman Justin Aungst had pitched well since becoming part of the rotation, but he lacked Harper's experience.

Pochron knew Harper, one of his three senior captains, wouldn't balk if he decided to start Aungst. He believed Aungst possessed the mental toughness to not be bothered by taking the mound at Coca-Cola Park.

What played out over the next few weeks showed that Pochron, The Morning Call's 2011 baseball coach of the year, had the pulse of his team.

Aungst fired a complete game in the District 11 Class 2A final, helping Salisbury finally beat Pen Argyl. Harper came back with two strong efforts in the PIAA playoffs to lead the Falcons to the 2A state final.

"He's the first person, if he notices something, he'll tell you what's going on, how to fix it," Harper said of his coach in the days leading up to Salisbury's state final appearance. "He knows the fundamentals very well. I haven't met a person who knows as much about baseball as he does.

"He's been here long enough and seen it all, so he knows what to expect, what to look for. He has all the experience he needs to put together a lineup like we have, with only three seniors and a bunch of underclassmen. He knows exactly where to put everybody so we keep winning. He's done a great job this year. He's done a great job all four years I've been here."

Pochron insisted all year he had an easy group to handle. Guiding the Falcons farther than any area team despite having just three seniors still required a deft touch.

Pochron limited Aungst's innings early in the year after Aungst played a long basketball season. He moved Tyler Tocci between the middle infield and center field to maximize his team's defense depending on who pitched. He trusted young players such as sophomore Nic Ampietro and freshman Brad Vangeli to hit in important spots in his lineup.

With Pochron pushing the Falcons, they grew into one of the Colonial League's best teams even before their playoff run. They followed a 6-5 start by going 14-2 in their last 16 games, with the only losses against Pen Argyl in the league semifinals and Riverside in the state final.

Pochron hopped right from Salisbury's playoff run to the coaching staff for the Lehigh Valley team that won the Carpenter Cup on Tuesday. The long season hasn't done anything to dampen his enthusiasm for what he hopes will be another good season in 2012.

"Just working with these guys, it was a great group to work with," Pochron said. "It was a lot of fun."