Shirley and Carey Krum have been married for 37 years, and since Carey's retirement they spend most of their time working together to keep the Eldred Township Community Center going. So it comes as no surprise that the Krums were given the honor of being co-grand marshals in the small township's very popular Halloween parade.

Shirley was born and raised in Kunkletown, and with the exception of a few years in Slatington, has lived there her whole life. Carey grew up in nearby Emerald.Carey was an only child, while his bride Shirley Kuehner was one of 12 children."We never had children of our own," Shirley said. "But with 12 siblings, I can tell you, I raised a lot of children."The couple is known for their tireless service to the township, especially since the opening of the Community Center in the old Eldred school building.Carey worked as a substation repairman for PPL for 46 years before retiring. Now he is the jack of all trades at the center, bearing the title director of operations, or as he refers to it, "glorified janitor."Both have tireless smiles on their face when they discuss their lives together, their work at the center and their plans for the future."We want to see the community to continue to come together," Carey said. "In this area everything and everyone is so spread out. This community center is a place where people can come together and get to know their neighbors on a more personal level."The town recently went through a major upheaval over Nestle Waters NA filing an application to withdraw 200,000 gallons of water daily from the local spring. Earlier this year Nestle withdrew its request."This thing with Nestle left a scar that doesn't want to heal," Shirley said. "It's more about unity. It's about neighbors coming together. We have such great things in this town and we want to share it with each other."Anyone who has ever seen the Krums in action knows that they are at it nonstop."I have learned the secret to Shirley's endless energy," Carey said. "She can't sit still if she hears a tractor running. It comes from years of living on a farm and living near them. Boom, start up a tractor and she is off working, even if I start the lawn tractor."The Halloween parade is this Sunday and starts at 1 p.m. The parade will begin at St. Matthew's Church grove and proceed into town and end at the Kunkletown Volunteer Fire Company. Each participant will receive a hot dog and a goody bag, after which prizes will be awarded."This is the first year I can remember that I won't be making the hot dogs," Shirley said. "I just don't know how I will be able to just sit there in the car that long."