The adage goes, if you’re bad, you get a lump of coal in your stocking for Christmas. However, the Lansford Alive organization conversely has given me a lump of coal for something they thought I did right.

That lump of coal was not just a lump of coal, but it was a beautiful piece of coal that was awarded to me as the Black Diamond Award recipient.

Living in the coal region all my life, it was by far the nicest piece of coal I have ever seen. It truly was the Black Diamond. Citations were presented to me from the House of Representatives, delivered by state Rep. Doyle Heffley; another presented by the Carbon County Commissioners. Plaques were presented by the Lansford and Coaldale fire departments. The Lansford Historical Society delivered a calendar composed of pictures from the coal region, and this was presented by Bob Silver.

The evening on which I received these awards was organized by Christopher Ondrus, who did an extraordinary job coordinating the event. Thanks to everyone from the Lansford American Legion, who catered the dinner, to all those who were there in support of me, and the congratulations from those who saw that I received the Black Diamond Award, and thanks again to the Lansford Alive association, who considered me for this award.

George Krajnak

Lansford