Stanley P. Brozana Jr., 72 – Served 37 Years as Orwigsburg Police Chief
The 26th Schuylkill County History Fair at the Fairlane Village Mall on Saturday was the largest in the annual event’s … history, with a record 37 exhibits reserving space.
Although snow and freezing rain were forecast to start in the late afternoon, nearly all of the exhibitors showed up, as did a steady stream of history buffs.
“It’s been very, very busy,” said Diana Prosymchak, executive director of the Schuylkill County Historical Society. Her organization leads the county Coalition of Historical Societies, which holds the fair.
David Ray, president of the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology’s Hawk Mountain Chapter 31, agreed that turnout was good. “People aren’t scared of the big storm,” he said.
Fairgoers chatted with fellow history buffs and browsed displays of local historical societies’ holdings as well as hobbyists’ items ranging from old photographs to model trains and mining equipment.
Lori Michael, owner of Main Street Moonshine in Schuylkill Haven, appeared as a leprechaun in a colorful booth promoting Pottsville’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which is scheduled for March 15.
On the eve of the Super Bowl, football also had a prominent place.
As part of a nearly two-year celebration of the Pottsville Maroons, the county historical society had a wide variety of merchandise featuring the team that lost out on the 1925 NFL championship because it played an unauthorized exhibition game.
And the St. Clair Historical Society chose a sports theme for its display, which included an autographed shirt worn by Ed Sharockman. The St. Clair High School quarterback, who also excelled in baseball and basketball, accepted a scholarship at the University of Pittsburgh and played for the Minnesota Vikings during the 1961-72 seasons.
Local artists Kathy Connelly and Bob McCormick sold copies of their works, and Christopher Mlynek and Chad Campbell each had local brewery memorabilia for sale.
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