Philomena Kuchar, a Weatherly resident who now resides at Heritage Hill, is celebrating her 97th birthday.

Born in New Columbus on Jan. 13, 1919, she was the first baby born in the town founded by her father, Frank Romano.A 1940 graduate of Pennsylvania State University, Philomena was an instructor at Middletown Air Technical Service Command during World War II and later worked as a USO director in Texas, New Mexico and Louisiana.She was a teacher of Spanish and English at Weatherly Area High School from 1968 until her retirement in 1983, where she also served as yearbook adviser. In 1978 she was named Outstanding Teacher of the Year by the student body.Philomena's interests include golf and mahjong. She was a member of the Golden Girls Gold League. She is a very good cook and her family and friends have enjoyed many meals around her table.Philomena and her husband, James, were married for 41 years until his death in 1992. She has two daughters, Mary Bickart of Delaware Water Gap and Louise Miller of Weatherly; her sons are James Kuchar of Freeland and Frank Kuchar of Weatherly. She has nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Philomena's sisters, Amelia Kuchar and Mary Romano, who also live in Weatherly.She is a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church.