Longbeards hear kids at memorial event
The Lake Region Longbeards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation conducted its 11th annual Earl Mickel Memorial Youth Turkey Calling Contest at the Greene-Dreher-Sterling Fair. The event was renamed five years ago in memory of Earl, a publisher and turkey-call maker.
The young participants were divided into appropriate age groups ranging from 4 years old to age 17 for the contest. A variety of calls were made available for the youths to practice with and use during the competition, according to Debbie Ozark. Each did their best to imitate a turkey's cluck, a hen yelp, a purr call and their best call, Debbie added.
Prizes were awarded to the top three scores from each age group.
Among those joining in on the festivities were Rich Barbolish, Mike Batzel, Faith Bronson, Shawn Bronson, David Chapman, Douglas Chapman, Jim Chapman, Carter Davis, Marshall Davis, Kerri Farrell, Lauren McLain, Ethan Maines, Ron Motacki, Rich Ozark, Arianna Quinones, McKenna Smith, and Rachel Zarubski.
Stars in stripes
Kurt F. Schommer has received an Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps scholarship at Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Va. Kurt is the son of Marilynn and Gary Schommer of Jefferson Twp. and a 2011 graduate of North Pocono High School. ... Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Timothy J. Kerstiens graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Airman 1st Class Kerstiens is the son of Robert and Linda Kerstiens of Manorville, N.Y., and a 2011 graduate of St. Gregory's Academy, Elmhurst. ... Pfc. Thomas V. Hawksley Jr. completed his two weeks annual training at Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, and will spend several weeks at Camp Shelby, Miss., before being deployed to Kuwait where he will be stationed at Camp Virginia. Pfc. Hawksley enlisted in the National Guard in June 2010, graduated from Pittston Area High School in June 2011 and completed his basic training at Fort Benning, Ga. He is married to the former Chelsea Lynn Jones and they have a son, Shawn Vaughn Hawksley. He is the son of Jennifer Hawksley of Avoca and Thomas Hawksley Sr. of Dupont, and the grandson of Paul and Joyce Kenyon of Moosic and Audrey Padden of Scranton.
High notes
Members of the Northeastern Detachment Marine Corps League and Museum, including Bob Benjamin, Nick Dunkailo, Dave Eisele, Rich Kane, Mike McLane, Bob Pagatto, Joel Sofranko, Harry Steier, Bob Tuffy and Joe Wentline, raised the Marine Corps flag at the Lackawanna County Courthouse in honor of the 237th birthday of the Marine Corps on Nov. 10.