Blossburg: News: News and Views

News and Views

2/6/08

Blossburg News & Views
By Cheryl Whitney Boinske

February 13 is the school's next Act 80 Day; 11:30 AM dismissal for students.

Schools and Offices will be closed on Monday, February 18 in observance of Presidents' Day.

The North Penn Area United Fund was able to collect a total of $10,142.00 from area business and citizens and a generous donation from Ward Manufacturing this year. Funds will be distributed to the Blossburg Library, Partners in Progress, North Penn Area Little League, Blossburg Salvation Army, Blossburg Fire Department, Blossburg Ambulance Association and Blossburg Recreation. Thank you all for your support. Any one may make a donation at any time to the North Penn Area United Fund, PO Box 21, Blossburg PA 16912.

I would like to inform you that applications for the state's Property/Tax Rent Rebate program for 2007 are now available. The program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or older, and those 18 years or older with disabilities. Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $650 based on their rent or property taxes paid in 2007. The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is one of many initiatives supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery, which dedicates its proceeds to support programs for older Pennsylvanians. Since the program began in 1971, nearly $4 billion has been paid to qualified applicants. Here's the direct link for the rebate program http://www.revenue.state.pa.us/ptrr/site/default.asp

Student Council is currently working on ordering and organizing a school store. Thank you to the Acorn Market for offering a space for some of our items, so keep an eye out for North Penn Panther merchandise! Eventually we hope to be a web-based store as well!

North Penn Boys Basketball is off to a good start. To date they have a 13-1 record. The boys put in lots of hard work in the off-season and it seems to be showing so far. Jessie Kriner, Kyle Atkinson, and Chris Reese have really been a big factor at the guard position and bring speed to the lineup. Dane Kurzejewski, Justin Harris, and Nick Bowne have been able to dominate the middle and bring strength to the senior heavy panthers. Phil Jennings, John "Blue Shoes" Lamonski, and Shane Hobbs have been providing valuable minutes off the bench. The trio of sophomores -- Mackey Stiner, Patrick Watkins, and Trevor DeRemer -- has been gaining experience along the way. The Panthers hope to continue the roll with the district playoffs approaching soon. The North Penn Panther basketball team is discussing the possibility of alumni versus NP Panthers basketball game to be played after the season is over. If you are alumni that graduated in the past two years, please contact Mrs. Paulhamus at 638-2158 extension 3536 for more details!

Erica Clark, a senior has been selected by the faculty and staff at NPHS to be honored by the Blossburg Kiwanis Club as the Student of the Month for December 2007. She is the daughter of Donald and Candy Clark of Covington. Erica is secretary of Key Club, President of National Honor Society, senior class treasurer and a member of Student Council. She plays soccer and is a pole vaulter on the track and field team. Erica represented North Penn at the HOBY convention during the summer of 2005, volunteers at Special Olympics, is a volunteer with the Mansfield Hose Company, and is involved with many activities at the Mainesburg United Methodist Church. She is also a candidate for the 2008 Youth Leader of Tomorrow. Upon graduation from NPHS, Erica plans to attend Penn State University at University Park to major in mathematics.

The North Penn Lady Panther Junior Varsity basketball team is off to a great start with a record of 9 wins and 5 losses. This year’s team is made up of ten sophomores and three freshmen. The sophomores are: Ashley Baker, Chelsea Wood, Corrine Warren, Stevie Cleveland, Stephanie Dawson, Tess Monks, Alyssia Dolliver, Miranda Kline, Orianna Choplosky, and Terra Breon. The freshmen are: McKayla Kshir, Rachel Chrisman, and Emily Berguson. If they continue to work hard this season and in the off-season, the outlook will be bright for the Lady Panthers. The North Penn Lady panther varsity team is enjoying a successful season. Their current record is 8-6 with highlighted wins over Mansfield and our own Kiwanis Tournament. The team is comprised of four seniors: Aleesha Henry, Lindsay Everett, Megan Slater and Kori Watkins. Juniors include Jackie Fredrick, Brianna Bubacz, Bridget Konan and Heather Baker. Sophomores Jess Bowne, Chelsea Wood and freshman McKayla Kshir round out the team. The team has proven to be quite competitive and resilient at times. As a whole, the team has exhibited a strong work ethic in games and at practice. The bruised knees and elbows attest to their competitive spirit! Qualifying for districts is well within reach. This was last achieved in 2001.

REMINDERS:

A food pantry is held the third Monday each month from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Blossburg. For more information, contact Betty Johnson at (570) 638-2805.

T.O.P.S. (Take off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Monday at the First United Methodist Church of Blossburg. Weigh-in is at 5 p.m.

Blossburg BINGO! Every Monday bingo is held at St. Mary's Hall, 6:30 p.m.

Loretta Frost-Steffen; a Creative Memories Consultant holds scrapbooking classes every Tuesday night from 6pm to 10 pm. Call for more information: 570-404-4336

If you or your organizations have any birthdays, anniversaries, congratulations, sympathies, events, information or any questions for Blossburg News & Views, please contact Cheryl Whitney Boinske, (570) 638-3107 or news@blossburg.org.