LaRue E. Manhart of Franklin Township recently celebrated her 90th birthday. She was born on March 31, 1925, in Big Creek, near Wild Creek Dam. She is the daughter of the late Albert and Minnie Stoudt of Big Creek. Her husband, the Rev. George Manhart, celebrated his 92nd birthday on May 12.

LaRue's friends and family surprised her with a surprise birthday party on March 30 at People's EC fellowship hall.She graduated from Mauch Chunk High School in 1942. She then attended Allentown Business College, where she took a secretarial course. She later began working for Shaffer and Max Inc. as a bookkeeper from 1943 until 1950.LaRue and George married in 1947. They have been married for 68 years.In 1950 they moved to Michigan for George to attend Owossa College of Art/Theology. He later attended Eastern Michigan University, where he obtained a masters of art in education in 1963. LaRue started working in 1950 until 1956 at James S. Miner, attorney-at-law, as a legal/general practice secretary.In 1956, LaRue became a secretary at the Methodist Church while George was completing his graduate courses. She was then hired by Booz, Allen Applied Research as a technical assistant II secretary to research director and technical assistant I from 1963 until 1968. George became a pastor at the Idlewylde Methodist Church from 1966 until 1968.In 1969 LaRue was hired by Barrett Office Services and George was the pastor at Fallston United Methodist Church until 1971. George then became the pastor at Wesley United Methodist Church until 1977 and LaRue worked several more jobs leading up to her retirement from the Law offices of Norman R. Buchsbaum in 1987.LaRue and George both retired in 1987. They are enjoying every minute.