Friday Feature

Local historians are making sure that the rich history of Lansford, the heart of the Panther Valley, is never lost.

For visitors, it's easy to see that the volunteers approach their mission with passion. And it's a passion reinforced on a deep, emotional level after the passing of cherished volunteer Stephen Brunda, a Lansford native.

Brunda, of Nesquehoning, passed away last October at age 74. He is remembered as a devoted civic volunteer in many different arenas, and the society was one of his foremost loves.

The Tamaqua Victoria Motion Picture Theatre began as a showcase for Vaudeville, located at the site of the former Beard's Hotel on West Broad Street, a site now hosting the Tamaqua Salvation Army.

The place advertised a seating capacity of 1,200 persons and was ornate and spectacular by any standard.

I peer out the window,

And gaze at movement far away.

Grown-ups rushing past me

All throughout the day.

The land is full of wonder

And discoveries rare and true.

So much of it is puzzling,

To a child only two.

Teasing voices make me smile,

Despite potential danger.

Which helping hand shall I learn trust

When all the world's a stranger?

They say it's almost Christmas,

Whatever that might mean.

For a toddler it's much harder

To imagine sights unseen.

I'll try to learn, I'll try to grow

"Forty-three cars."

A visitor to the Carbon Model Railroad Society open house stood and counted the cars on one of the many trains that run through scenic areas and villages, past industries and farms.

President Garry Mack said the Society is not a train club but a modeling club with a special interest in building an interesting display. Members who do not have a platform to run their trains at home can bring them to the clubhouse and run them there.