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Official Publication Borough of Minersville

www.minersvilleonline.com

On the inside . . .Easter Egg Hunt Sign-up ............... Pg. 2

Borough Services & Events .......... Pg. 2

Lions Club Makes Difference ...... Pg. 11

Be Alert for Scams ......................... Pg. 13

Learn About St. Patrick................. Pg. 14

In light of recent water main breaks, there have been customer comments on the age and integrity of our water system. Some have asked the ques-tion, “Why not just get a grant and replace all of the old pipe in the system?”

The following explanation may shed some light on how the Borough and the Minersville Water Authority handle system improvements within the reality of costs associated to provide clean water reliably to our customers.

Just as any government agency must work within the limits of its finances while maintaining an aging infrastructure, we find ourselves meeting the same challenges through a combination of system improve-ments and emergency response planning.

For example, the water authority has made significant investments in the distribution sys-tem over the past few years including:

• The installation of a second trans-mission main from the treatment plant to the Borough.

• The replacement and addition of numer-ous hydrants and valves.

• The replacement of mains at Church Street, Middle Street, the alley off North Oak Street, New Street, South Street, and the Minersville–Llewellyn Highway.

• Extension of the main in Mar Lin and Brier City.As a direct result of these improvements, the

most recent ISO (International Standards) third

party inspection identified increased fire flows and improved system reliability as the basis for a higher

rating of our system by their agency.Understanding some of the lines in our

system are over 100 years old and the need to keep our rates as affordable as possible for customers, it’s not feasible to replace all aging lines as the sole means to maintain system

integrity. Such an undertaking would result in a cost of tens of millions of dollars to the

Authority.Given that reality, we maintain an exten-

sive inventory of fittings, repair couplings and pipe so the necessary materials are available when breaks occur. The necessary in-house manpower and equipment for the

repair makes us more responsive and cost effective than depending upon contractors to

respond to emergencies as other local water systems do.

Long term, the Authority will continue to replace sections of main we feel are “high

risk,” and in so doing, will slowly eliminate many of the system problem areas. We do this

work as often as is cost-feasible. We continually pur-sue avenues of grant money enabling us to replace larger sections of our main lines without incurring additional debt and search for additional options to gain revenue to avoid the need to raise rates. Maintaining reasonable utility rates is a priority.

The Municipal Authority employees and board members are proud of their dedicated service to the community, accomplishments, and will continue to work hard to respond to your needs in this commu-nity.

– Melanie Spittler, Manager

Official Publication Borough of Minersvilleation Boro

www minersvilleonline comi ill liwww minersvilleonline com

MINERMINERS’S’ JOURNALJOURNALVol. VIII, No. 1 – Issued Quarterly BOROUGH OF MINERSVILLE, PA February 2015

Making Improvements Without Breaking the Bank

Winter Freeze and Thaw Is Hard on Us All

NOTICE – Hydrant FlushingCustomers of the Minersville Water Authority

Hydrant flushing throughout the water author-ity system will begin the week of April 6 between

7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. daily and will contin-ue for several weeks until complete. Low water pressure and discolored water may

be experienced during this time. Simply let the water run a few minutes until it becomes clear. Flushing also allows the Authority to monitor and maintain fire hydrants throughout the system.

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Borough Services Update . . . and Events

2015 BOROUGH OFFICIALSWork Session – First Tuesday of Each Month

Regular Council Meetings:Second Tuesday of Each Month

OFFICIALSMayor ......................................................Joseph PostChief of Police ................................ Michael CombsPresident of Council ...................... William AngeloBorough Manager ...................... Bobby MahalchickSecretary ............................................... Gloria CapikActing Treasurer ................................... Megan PaulTax Receiver ............................. Juliann KowalchickSolicitor .................................................Albert EvansBorough Engineer ........... Entech Engineering, Inc.Fire Chief .........................................Eric EichenbergCode Enforcement ............................... Kyle CrouseHealth Officer ....................................... Kyle Crouse

COUNCILWilliam Angelo•Jennifer Beach•Jamie S. Kuehn

M. Ian Mahal•Jennifer MelochickWalter Miscavage•Paul Vuksta

POLICEMichael Combs, Chief

Thomas Hoban•Eric Sterner•Jeffrey BowersRichard Clink•Ryan MurphyBrian Pyle•Joseph Pellowski

Scott Davis•Shawn Tray• Cody ApplegateRaymond Tonkinson III•Gerard Daley, Jr.

Leigh Ann Cielinski, Secretary

STREET DEPARTMENTJeffrey Enders•Edwin Houser

Michael Firestine•Michael Kostura

SEWER DEPARTMENTRaymond Sukeena, Supervisor

Larry Uberti•Joseph Carvajal

WATER DEPARTMENTMelanie Spittler, Manager / Plant Operator

John Graeff, Jr.•Donald Troutman, Jr.Raymond Bosack•Michael Mennig, Jr.

BOROUGH OFFICEMegan Paul, Office Manager

Leigh Ann Cielinski•Jennifer Hossler

Hydrant flushingThe Minersville Water Authority will flush all of

its fire hydrants beginning the week of April 6. See the block on Page 1 for additional infor-mation.

To receive notification when the flushing may affect your neighborhood, e-mail: minerswateremergency@com-cast.net to be notified by return e-mail; or, “like” the Minersville Borough on Facebook for daily updates.

Easter egg huntThe Minersville Recreation Department will host

an Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 4 for young-sters, one year old through 12 years of age, who reside within the Minersville Area School District. This is a free event, but preregistration by March 20 is required. Complete the form to the right and mail to: Minersville Recreation, c/o Easter Egg Hunt, 2 E. Sunbury St., Minersville, PA 17954.

The egg hunt will take place on the Minersville Teener League Field (near the Lions Pavilion) at the Recreation Park. Check-in the day of the event is 11 a.m.; the hunt begins at 12 noon. Call 570-544-2149 for additional information.

EGG HUNT REGISTRATION FORMResidents Name:

Address:

Phone #:

Child’s Name Age

Child’s Name Age

Child’s Name Age

Child’s Name Age

Mail Form to Minersville Recreation; Preregistration Deadline is March 20

– Continued on Page 4

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Things to consider beforechoosing a cremation provider:

We make it Simple, Easy & Affordable.Our affordable pricing makes it easy to understand. We have no hidden charges.

Embalming is not required because we offer on-site refrigeration.

Whose cremated remains are in your urn?We use a ten step identifi cation process to ensure

the integrity of a loved one’s remains.

Our technicians are experienced and ourcrematory follows strict guidelines.

Our crematory follows the strict guidelines established by the Cremation Association ofNorth America (CANA). Our facility follows the strict guidelines of PA Dept. ofEnvironmental Protection. Our technicians are individually trained and certif ied.

For your families’ peace of mind...Our crematory is used for the families that we serve. Our facilities are always

open for your inspection.

We are the cremation experts.Because our crematory is located at our fu-neral home in Schuylkill Haven, your loved one won’t be transported to a third party facility for cremation. We own a private crematory and contracting with us means that your loved one never leaves our care.

Secure, private and dignifi ed cremations.Our exterior, interior and operational standards are consistent.

No jobbers. No middlemen. Your loved one never leaves our care.

GESCHWINDT - STABINGAS EBLING - STABINGASFuneral Home Inc. Funeral Home25 East Main St. | Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972

570.385.3381Gary H. Geschwindt, Supervisor

25 East Main St. | Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972570.385.3382

www.gsesfuneralhomes.com

26 Chestnut St. | Cressona, PA 17929570.385-3050

C. Elmer Ebling, Supervisor

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Use of SkateparkThe Minersville Area

Skatepark Association is commit-ted to raise the necessary funds to continue to expand and maintain the outdoor open-to-the-public con-crete skatepark.

All persons utilizing the skate-park must complete a waiver of bor-ough liability form prior to use and submit to the Minersville Borough office. A parent or guardian must also sign on behalf of a young adult not yet 18 years of age. For additional information, click on the skatepark link on the Minersville Borough website: minersvilleonline.com.

Sanitation servicesThe entire Borough receives sanitation collection

every Tuesday. Bags for pick-up should be placed curbside no sooner than 6 p.m. Monday evening. Recyclable materials should not be placed in the trash. Violators may be prosecuted as per borough ordinance.

Ash collectionAshes are collected throughout the Borough every

Tuesday. During the winter months up through approximately Easter, a Friday collection is also made.

– Continued from Page 2

Borough Services Update . . . and Events

– Continued on Page 6

Good Will Fire Co. #1The 2015-16 ambulance subscription campaign

notices will be mailed during the month of March. Subscription membership for emergency medical services costs only $22 per person 18 years of age or older in each household and covers the period from June 1 through May 31, 2016. If you have not received the subscription appeal by tax day, April 15, call 570-544-6099.

Upcoming community events hosted at the Good Will Fire Co. #1, 25 North Street, include its cheese steak and fries sale slated the second Friday of each month – February 13, April 10 and May 8. The sale is held from 5 to 7 p.m. on those days but will skip March due to the Lenten season. The public is invited to dine-in or take out at a cost of $7.50 per person.

The annual Good Friday fish fry will be held at the fire house on April 3 from 3 to 7 p.m. Eat-in or take out; local delivery is also available by calling 570-544-6099.

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Braces and Invisalign® for ALL AGES

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570-209-9095 | info3@SparkOrthodontics.com

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10 East Carroll Street • St. Clair, PA 17970DROP-OFFS or APPOINTMENTS

570-429-1035

IRS Registered Tax Return PreparerProfessional • Confi dential Tax Service All Year

NEWSWANGER TAX SERVICE

MAMMOTH MATERIALSMAMMOTH MATERIALSSITE OFFICE: Rt. 901, Minersville

Mon.-Fri. 8 to 4; Sat. 8 to 3

GET THE COAL . . . BEFORETHE COLD GETS YOU!

570-544-8245570-544-8245

WE HAVE RICE, BUCK,NUT AND PEA COALIN BULK AND BAGS!

PICK UP ONLY! STOP IN OR CALL FOR DETAILS.

The pavilion was donated to the borough in mem-ory of Catrina Williams and Carianna Kroh. Contact the borough office at 570-544-2149 for rental avail-ability, cost, and additional criteria. You can also access information at the borough website.

Compost siteLocated at the northern end of N. Delaware

Avenue, the compost site accepts grass clippings, leaves, tree trimmings, and other reasonable yard waste. Compost site hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. Any items collected in a plastic bag should be emp-tied from the bag before being deposited at the com-post site. Bags should not be left at the compost site.

Street sweepingThe Borough street sweeper

begins its weekly runs in early spring and continues through late fall. Sunbury Street will be swept from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on Monday and Tuesday. Additional streets have posted signs regarding applicable days and times. Vehicles left parked on streets during the posted hours will be ticketed.

Abandoned VehiclesAll vehicles parked on Borough streets must have

a valid PA registration and PA inspection stickers dis-played. Vehicles must be operable (able to be legally driven) and all tires must be fully inflated. Vehicles in violation will be ticketed and towed.

Pavilions availableSummer sounds quite distant, but if you or your

organization usually holds a picnic or other outdoor activity during the summer months, now is a good time to place your reservation for use of the Lions Pavilion. Those who have attended an event at the pavilion know of the fine facility that is available – large covered pavilion, fireplace, all essentials to hold a catered affair, adequate parking, room to play and partially secluded wooded area.

Contact Lion Richard Angstadt at 570-617-1089 for information and reservations, or on-line at

minersvillelions.comThe Minersville swimming pool area also has a

covered pavilion available to hold birthday parties or other events while swimming.

– Continued from Page 1

Borough Services Update . . . and Events

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Foran’s Transmission& Auto Repair

• Honest• Professional• Quality Service• Foreign & Domestic Service• State of the Art Equipment• Computer Diagnostics & Repairs

1 North Sixth StreetMinersville, PA 17954

Family Owned & Operated570-544-6509

Reduce - Reuse - Recycle1/2 the 1/2 the PricePrice

of a New of a New BatteryBattery

6 Month6 MonthHassleHassleFREEFREE

WarrantyWarranty

Call Foran’sTransmission &Auto RepairWholesale Dealer

A Reliable, Responsible Choice.

never try to thaw a line with an open flame or torch. You can use a hair dryer or portable heater, but always be careful of the potential for electric shock in and around standing water.

If you think you may have a frozen water meter, contact the Minersville Water Authority at 570-544-2200. For after-hours emergencies, contact the Schuylkill County Communications Center at 570-628-3792. Be advised, after-hours charges will apply.

Emergency contact info neededThe United States Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA) mandates that all municipal authorities maintain an emergency contact list. Customers of the Minersville Municipal Water Authority must provide a preferred notification means when the authority is experiencing a “Tier 1” emergency, typically a pres-sure loss in the system, a boil advisory, chemical acci-dent or similar event that necessitates quick notifica-tion to the public. This contact information will only be used in the event of such an emergency.

Customers must choose their preferred method of contact from the following:

• Phone Method – Complete the form on page 8, detach and return the slip to the Borough Office, 2 E. Sunbury Street, Minersville PA 17954; or,

• E-mail Method – Send an e-mail with your name and address to minerswateremergency@comcast.

House checksIf on vacation or away from your residence for an

extended time, the Minersville Police Department pro-vides house checks to residents. Officers will check the exterior of the dwelling for suspicious activity as time permits. House check forms may be obtained at the police station. Information will not be taken over the telephone for security reasons. This is a free ser-vice provided as time permits based upon call volume.

Frozen pipes?If you think you

have frozen water lines, here are some steps to find the problem and get you back into ser-vice.

Identify whether the problem exists through-out the whole house or in one area. Open the cabinets beneath any place with a water sup-ply, such as the kitchen and bathroom sinks, to allow warm air to circulate. If there are small children in the home, remove any toxic substances first.

Open the cold water faucet nearest the frozen pipe to relieve the pressure of expanding ice, which may lead to a burst pipe. If your water lines do freeze,

Borough Services Update . . . and Events

– Continued on Page 8

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FRESHNESS, QUALITY, SERVICE

Rt. 443 Pine Grove – 570-345-0464(Across from Pine Grove Schools)

Kings Village, Minersville – 570-544-2099

WIC & AccessCard Welcome

Money Orders 79¢

Open Daily 7 a.m.-9 p.m.

DOUBLE COUPONS EVERYDAY SEE STORE FOR DETAILS

Residential rental ordinanceThis ordinance requires landlords to register their

properties with the Borough yearly, providing insur-ance information and designating an agent (prop-erty management) for landlords beyond a 10-mile air radius. It also regulates the inspection of the unit, conducted every two years, and the re-inspection of all rental units prior to any change of occupancy.

The ordinance also contains regulations for Occupant Permits for all tenants. This is a one-time fee for each occupant in a rental property as long as the tenant resides in the same unit.

Failure for either the landlord or occupants to abide by this ordinance will result in citations being issued by the Borough. Fees under this ordinance are: Rental Inspection – $50 for the first unit, $20 for addi-tional units in the same building; Rental Re-inspection – $30; Rental Registration – $10 per year; Occupant Permit – $10 per person (fee waived for people 65 and older).

All forms for registration and additional infor-mation regarding this ordinance are available at the Borough office.

Help wanted!Minersville Borough is

accepting applications for all pool workers and life-guard personnel for the upcom-ing 2015 season. Applications may be obtained at the Minersville Borough Office, 2 E. Sunbury Street.

All current certifications for lifeguard personnel are required. Minersville Borough is an equal oppor-tunity employer.

After a snowfallShovel your sidewalk! Borough Ordinance 191

requires snow and ice to be cleared from the sidewalk

within 12 hours after the snow has stopped. In addition, the ordi-nance prohibits throw-ing the snow into the street. Snow causes

net. Also, add this address to your contact list so you are sure to receive the notifications.

Contact the Minersville Municipal Water Authority office at 570-544-2200 during office hours Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Beautify MinersvilleBorough Police and Code Enforcement Officers

are cracking down on individuals who leave their property in a state of disrepair. A well-maintained property enhances the beauty of the Borough and increases property value for all home owners.

– Continued from Page 7

Minersville Municipal Water Authority Emergency Notification By Phone

Name:

Address:

Phone:Clip and Mail to:

Minersville Municipal Water Authority,2 E. Sunbury Street, Minersville, PA 17954

Borough Services Update . . . and Events

570-366-1275

17 Municipal Road • Orwigsburg, PA 17961

FUEL OIL • OFF-ROAD DIESELwww.hbsteele.com

Providing Year Round Comfort

NowOrder OilOnline at

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inconvenience and can create hazardous conditions. Shoveling snow into the street after it has been plowed adds to the problem. Street crews have to take time to plow the street again instead of clearing other streets. In addition, the snow shoveled into the street creates a hazard for your neighbors driving on that street.

Be courteous!We all know the frustration of hav-

ing to spend hours shoveling our car’s parking space in order to get to work. That frustra-tion skyrockets when we return home and find someone has taken that parking space. Unfortunately, the street is open to the public and we cannot reserve the space we worked so hard to shovel clean.

One of the keys to reducing the stress of a major snowfall is for everyone to be courteous. Remember, everyone is having the same difficulties as you are. Try not to park in a space shoveled out by your neighbor. Shovel the sidewalk of your elderly neighbors. Shovel snow away from fire hydrants. Don’t throw snow into the street or on to your neighbor’s property. We are all in it together, so let’s help each other through it.

Borough Services Update Newsletter Particulars“Miner’s Journal” is a quarterly newsletter of the

Borough of Minersville distributed to 2,900 house-holds within the borough.

Newsletter articles are compiled by Council-man Jamie Kuehn. This newsletter is designed and printed by South Schuylkill Printing & Publishing 960 E. Main St. • Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972

Ph: 570-385-3120 • Fax: 570-385-0725E-mail: info@southschuylkill.net

www.SouthSchuylkill.comPublication date for the next three issues are:

May 1, August 7 and October 30, 2015

News SubmittalsNonprofit and community organizations within

the borough are invited to submit news items for consideration. Written submittals must be received at the borough office three weeks prior to the publi-cation date. Simply E-mail info to minersnewsletter@hotmail.com.

AdvertisingBusinesses wishing to reach every household

in the Borough of Minersville are invited to adver-tise in future issues. Contact South Schuylkill Print-ing & Publishing for more information. Call Barb @ 570-385-3120. All advertisements must be received at least three weeks prior to the publication dates. Ad content is subject to approval and acceptance by the Borough of Minersville.

SPRING EVENTS!

THIS IS PENN STATE

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570-544-5111www.mahal-ritzel.com

mark@mahal-ritzel.com

“Serving families like family”

Mark J. Mahal Mark J. Mahal SupervisorSupervisorMahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc.Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc.

Robert E. Reedy & Sons, Inc.Robert E. Reedy & Sons, Inc.Llewellyn

Serving the Community Since 1926

– Heating Oil –– Kerosene –

– Off-Road Diesel –At Reedy’s, you’re a “warm”

friend, not a cold number.

544-2076544-2076

Be aware, also, that a dumpster permit is required before placing any dumpsters on the street. There is a $25 fee for this permit. Contact the code enforce-ment office for more details on the permit.

Thinking of installing a new driveway? Be aware there is a preliminary driveway application, available from the borough office, that needs to be approved by Minersville Borough Council before the driveway can be installed.

Contact the code enforcement office at 570-544-2149 with any questions and for additional informa-tion regarding any of these matters.

Permits are required for all new construction and all replacements or alterations of roofs, windows, doors, garage doors, electrical, plumbing, heating systems (including supplemental heating units), side-walks, curbing, fencing (six feet maximum height),

chimney replacement, or installation of liners, foun-dations, swimming pool and hot tub installation, oil storage tanks, sub-flooring, and interior renovations.

Adding to your exist-ing structure, including new decks or deck enclo-sures, will require a build-ing permit and a zoning permit. Zoning permits are administered through the Schuylkill County Zoning Office. Contact that office at 570-628-1415.

Also, if you are replac-ing windows, all windows

installed in this area must have a U-factor of .35. This number has been established under the 2009 Uniform Construction Code adopted by the State of Pennsylvania and enforced throughout the com-monwealth. If the windows do not have the proper U-factor, they will not pass code inspection.

Reminder from the Code Officer

BOROUGH MEETINGSMinersville Borough Council meets for a work

session on the first Tuesday of each month and for their regular monthly meeting on the second Tuesday. The Minersville Water Authority Board of Directors meets the third Monday of each month. The Minersville Sewer Authority Board meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

All meetings are held at 7 p.m. in council chambers located in the Water Authority building at the corner of N. Delaware Ave. and E. Carbon Street unless otherwise advertised. The public is always welcome.

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more than $6,000 to distribute equal-ly to the three food pantries

in town – St.Vincent De Paul Society of St. Michael’s, Bountiful Table at St. Matthew’s, and the

Minersville Area Clergy Association.Lions members improve safety and well-

being for area residents by sponsoring the defribulator unit project in cooperation with the

Minersville Police Department. A defibulator unit has been purchased for first responders’ use in the event of an emergency.

The Minersville Area Lions Club manages the pavilion at the upper end of the Recreation Park. It is available for rental use. Contact Lion Richard Angstadt at 570-617-1089 for information and reservations, or check the calendar at: minersvillelions.com.

Interested in becoming a member of the Lions and improving life here in the Minersville area? Dinner meetings are held the first and third Wednesdays of each month beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Lions Den on South 3rd St. from fall through spring. In the sum-mer months, meetings are held at the park pavilion. Contact Ed Andrescavage at MinersvilleLions@hot-mail.com for additional information.

One of the great gifts we as Americans have are our small town communities. They allow us to harbor, grow and sow the seeds of the American dream. Service clubs like the Minersville Area Lions Club allow us to real-ize the responsibility of giving back to our community.

The local club’s mission is to improve the quality of life for the residents of Minersville and Schuylkill County by providing support for the aging members of our community, youth pro-grams, emergency relief, cultural growth and other needs of the local community through giving and personal service.

Your community Lions Club spon-sors the annual Halloween parade, the annual Toys for Tots program through the high school, and con-tinues to be very active with our youth through the Minersville Area Leo Club program comprised of high school students.

Leo Club members raise awareness and raise money each year in June with their annual “24 Hours Being Homeless” by camping outside the American Legion and taking donations. Through the commu-nity’s generosity, the Leos have been able to raise

Minersville Area Lions Club – We Serve!

Making a difference in our community

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R&J TOURS – 2015 HAPPENINGS

Call for a Free Copy of our latest TOUR BOOK!

Feb 25 – Dover Downs ($50 FSP/1 Buff et/Delaware Park $30 FSP) ................$121 p/p dblFeb 28 – Doo Wop Cavalcade w/Lunch at Bird-In-Hand ......................................... $ 86Mar 1 – Philadelphia Flower Show (departs 7:00 a.m.) ........................................ $ 59**Mar 3 – Philadelphia Flower Show + Lunch On Moshulu (departs 9:15 a.m) ....... $103**Mar 4 – Philadelphia Flower Show (North Pickups) (departs 7:00 a.m) ............. $ 62**Mar 5 – Philadelphia Flower Show (departs 8:00 a.m) ......................................... $ 59**Mar 7 – Philadelphia Flower Show (departs 6:30 a.m) ......................................... $ 59**Mar 12 – Sands Casino $35 FSP ............................................................................... $ 24Mar 17 – St. Patrick’s Day Parade or New York City Free Day .................................... $ 39Mar 19 – “Squabbles” @ Rainbow Dinner Theatre ................................................... $ 74Mar 21 – Oak Ridge Boys @ American Music Theatre .............................................. $ 68Mar 24 – Mt. Airy Casino Show: The Belmonts ($20 FSP, Lunch Buff et) ................... $ 63Mar 28 – Body Worlds: Animals Inside Out (Franklin Institute) ............................... $ 59**Mar 28 – Washington DC Free Day .......................................................................... $ 43Apr 3 – “Moses” w/Lunch at Bird-In-Hand ............................................................ $ 95**Apr 6 – Phillies vs Red Sox (Game Time 3:05 p.m.) ............................................... $ 71Apr 9 – Sands Casino $35 FSP ............................................................................... $ 24Apr 11 – American Girl Place (Includes Lunch) ....................................................... $ 76Apr 11 – New York International Auto Show .......................................................... $ 51Apr 11 – “Red Hot & Blue” - Direct from Branson, MO (Tri-Valley HS) ..................... $ 44Apr 15 – “Abies Irish Rose” @ Hunterdon Hills Playhouse........................................ $ 78Apr 18 – Baltimore National Aquarium .................................................................. $ 66**Apr 18 – Body Worlds: Pulse .................................................................................. $ 60**Apr 18 – “Stinky Kids” (Child’s Lunch Buff et) .......................................................... $ 40

Child Price Available**

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The following curbside items will be collected: #1 and #2 plastics; aluminum and tin cans; green, brown, and clear glass containers; newspapers and magazines. All recyclable materials must be in recy-cling containers and placed curbside for pickup. Bundle newspapers or magazines in string or place in a brown paper bag or cardboard box for pickup. Do not place these recyclables in plastic bags. Also, a drop-off container for newspapers and magazines is located at the compost site at the northern end of North Delaware Avenue.

A few reminders:1) Borough residents should be recycling all #1 and

#2 plastics. If you are new to recy-cling (and we hope that’s very few of you), all plastics are labeled with the triangular recycling symbol somewhere on the con-tainer. Inside this symbol is a number. Plastic #1 and #2 are recycled by the Borough of Minersville. DO NOT throw all plastics in your recyclable bin. Plastic #3 through #7 can con-taminate the collection and should be discarded or delivered to a county site.

2) All glass containers are recyclable. Broken glass, windows, etc. should not be placed in the recy-cling containers.

3) Tin and aluminum cans can be cleaned and placed in the recycling bin.

4) Newspapers should be tied in bundles or placed in paper bags. Please DO NOT place newspapers curbside in a plastic bag.

Recycling electronicsRecycling of computers, computer monitors, tele-

visions, and other electronic devices is now required and these items must not be placed with your normal trash pickup. Landfills and other solid waste disposal facilities in Pennsylvania have banned the disposal of these electronic devices or their components.

These devices must be recycled and cannot be placed for curbside sanitation collection. Minersville Borough urges you to do your part for the environment by recycling your electronic devices to prevent haz-ardous components from entering the environment through land-fills and other disposal activi-ties.

Minersville Borough par-ticipates with the period-ic Schuylkill County elec-tronic cleanups and recycling. Residents may also contact the Bloomsburg Recycling Drop Off Center at 570-784-4532 or your local Staples or Best Buy for recycling information.

Additionally:1) Grass clippings, leaves, garden/yard waste and

tree limbs can be delivered to the compost site on North Delaware Avenue.

2) Newspaper, magazines, office paper and bun-dled cardboard may be dropped off at the recy-cling dumpster adjacent to the compost site.

Minersville Recycles! Here’s How!The Borough will collect on the following schedule:

Remember, recycling works!

North Side South Side February 4 & 18 11 & 25 March 4 & 18 11 & 25 April 1 & 15 8 & 22 May 6 & 20 13 & 27 June 3 & 17 10 & 24 July 1 & 15 8 & 22 August 5 & 19 12 & 26 September 2 & 16 9 & 23 October 7 & 21 14 & 28 November 4 & 18 11 & 25 December 2 & 16 9 & 23

– 13 –

Hauptly Insurance AgencyHauptly Insurance AgencyHauptly Insurance Agency2205 West Market Street2205 West Market Street

Pottsville, PA 17901Pottsville, PA 17901622-1350 fax 622-6660

fast phone quotes for auto!

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lowrates!

Be aware of red flagsYou might also be asked to send

a check or money order by over-night delivery. Con artists recom-mend these services so they can steal your money before you realize you’ve been cheated.• NEVER give personal informa-

tion over the phone to someone you do not know.

• NEVER send money when the caller insists it must be sent via Western Union, prepaid debit card or postal money order.

• ALWAYS report these calls or letters to the Police. Call us BEFORE you send any money.

IRS scamResidents are reporting receiving

telephone calls from the IRS claim-ing they owe money and if they don’t pay they will be arrested. This is a scam. The IRS does not call anybody to inform them that they owe money.

If there was a problem with your tax return, you would be notified via mail through the U.S. Postal Service. For this scam and any other ques-tionable phone calls you receive, never give out any personal, bank account, or credit card information.

A relative in need?This scam usually starts with a phone call from

a con artist posing as a grandchild in urgent need of money. Other victims have reported

receiving phone calls from scam-mers posing as police officers or

attorneys. In every case, the con says money needs to be sent imme-diately by Western Union, postal money order, or prepaid debit card. Anytime someone asks to send money in this way, it’s invari-

ably a scam.

Minersville Police Department

MINERSVILLE POLICE544-6212 ..............................Office544-2333 ....Non-Emergency

Be Alert for Con Artists That Want Your Money

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ince of Britain, and sold into slavery in Ireland, where he spent six years in captivity, according to Freeman. After his escape, Patrick wrote in a letter of an “angel” speaking to him in a dream, telling him to become a missionary in Ireland.

After combing through two of Patrick’s letters, Freeman confirms that Patrick attended training to become a priest in Ireland and was eventually made a bishop. He converted many of the Irish people from paganism to Christianity. St. Patrick is believed to have died on March 17, around 460 A.D., and many villagers across Ireland mourned his death on this day. From that, grew a celebration like many other holidays, such as Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day was recognized as a national holiday in the United States after thousands of Irish people immigrated to the country during the potato famine of the 1880s, bring-ing their traditions with them. Also like many other holidays, what began as small community affairs, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations have exploded into full-on extravaganzas in the United States.

The first U.S. St. Patrick’s Day parade took place in New York City on March 17, 1762, when Irish sol-diers serving in the English military marched through the city. Now, over 100 cities across the country hold public festivities, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Today, about 34.7 million Americans identify them-selves as having Irish ancestry.

While Chicago holds bragging rights for dying

For thousands of years, Irish Catholics have tra-ditionally celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by attending church in the morning and celebrating in the after-noon with a huge feast, honoring Ireland’s patron

saint. Even though March 17 falls in the middle of Lent when Catholics were forbidden to eat meat, this was waived in Ireland for feasting — mostly on cabbage and Irish bacon, according to History.com.

But who was Saint Patrick? The truth is, much of his life is a mys-tery. One of the most famous legends of St. Patrick describes how he banished all snakes from the Emerald Isle into the

ocean and they drowned. Philip M. Freeman, an expert in Celtic and classical studies at Washington University in St. Louis claims in his book, “St. Patrick of Ireland,” that this legend is false.

What is known about St. Patrick is that he was born in England to wealthy parents near the end of the 4th century. At age 15, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates from his parents’ estate in the Roman prov-

Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day on March 17

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their river a brilliant green in cel-ebration, New York City claims to have the largest Irish parade. Even Washington, D.C. has joined the fray with the White House expected to add bright green dye to the North and South lawn fountains for the sec-ond year in a row.

St. Patrick, himself, probably would have found this all laugh-able (or appalling) because the patron saint’s color was not green, but blue, according to research at Tuffs University. Green became the staple St. Patrick’s Day color much later, taken from the Emerald Isle’s association with green hills and the shamrock, which St. Patrick used to explain the Holy Trinity to his fol-lowers.

And what’s a celebration with-out knocking back a few with your chums? According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Americans consumed 21.6 gallons of beer per capita annually in 2004. On St. Patrick’s Day, for the truly enthusiastic, 47,984 American pubs and bars advertise serving green beer on this holy day.

Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day on March 17

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Saint Patrick‛s Day Word SearchSaint Patrick‛s Day Word Search

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