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TELEVISION FEATURES

Scranton's Mayors,   
WNEP-TV, December 11, 2006

Scranton's Mayors Book Launch,   
Channel 61, October 25, 2006

PRINT MEDIA FEATURES

Pocono Record, December 20, 2006   

Former Stroudsburg resident publishes personal memoir

Sonya Tupone Lloyd, former Stroudsburg resident, has recently published her first book, "Call Me Sonya Grey" with Tribute Books.

"Call Me Sonya Grey" is a personal memoir of a young woman recovering from the death of her mother and estrangement from her father. Confronting a new family, future and name, Tupone chronicles her daily battles of grieving, self-expression and self-image.

The 40 poems Tupone recorded from age 9 into her 20s are reflections of a young girl bracing herself for the future and a young woman seeking peace from feelings of abandonment, guilt and separation.

"Call Me Sonya Grey" is available for purchase from tribute-books.com, and Amazon, Borders and Barnes & Noble.

Lloyd grew up in Staten Island, N.Y., and relocated to Stroudsburg to live with her grandparents. Tupone lives in Glen Burnie, Md., with her husband. She works as a sales support representative at a Pasadena, Md., Durable Medical Equipment company. She is a graduate of Marywood University, with a bachelor's degree in history and earned a master's degree in museum studies while attending George Washington University.

Scranton Times-Tribune,   
Borders Advertisement, December 20, 2006

Electric City, December 14-20, 2006   

Local books hang tough:
Pa. tomes join the bestsellers party
by Mike Ashworth, ed/dc book columnist

Despite the fact that this season has more major book releases than virtually any other in recent memory, local books are hanging in on the fringes of the local bestsellers.

The biggest surprise is former Scranton mayor David Wenzel's Scranton's Mayors (Tribute Books, $14.15). Outlasting more than a dozen perennial New York Times bestselling authors, Mayor Wenzel has touched a chord within our community. Since the week of its release in October, Scranton's Mayors has held steady in the Scranton top 20.

This book is collection of 29 mini biographies that together paint a vivid picture of the city from its founding in 1866 through today. I think Mayors Connors and Doherty described it best at a recent Borders signing as "a gift to the city." It was a brilliant idea that was crafted into a fantastic book.

During this manic holiday shopping season it is great seeing people staying true to their roots and interested in their community. I truly hope that local books hold tough and keeping outpacing the competition.

Abington Journal, December 13-19, 2006   

Scranton Scribe

Wenzel pens book on Scranton Mayors

Former Scranton Mayor David Wenzel is now a published author. His debut work, Scranton's Mayors, is a collection of 29 mini-biographies devoted to the men who have guided the city from 1866 to the present day. Wenzel was particularly interested in providing a written record of recent events from the past 40 years. The terms of Mayor James Walsh, Mayor Eugene Peters, Mayor Eugene Hickey, Mayor James McNulty, Mayor Wenzel, Mayor Jim Connors and the current Mayor Chris Doherty are highlighted.

Wenzel researched the career of each mayor. Personal interviews with former mayors and their families give the work a human touch, while memorabilia from past campaigns bring long-past election battles to life, according to Amazon.com, where the book is available for purchase.

Above, Wenzel, author and former mayor and Walsh, former mayor display Wenzel's book Scranton's Mayors. Left, Charles Kumpas gets his book signed by Wenzel.

The Weekender, December 6, 2006   

‘Scranton’s Mayors’ offers look
at the men who led Steamtown
By Don McGlynn Weekender Correspondent

David Wenzel served as Scranton's mayor from 1986-1990, and though most people would be ready for a vacation after spending four years running a city, Wenzel was just getting started.

Since leaving office, Wenzel has been teaching a course at the University of Scranton for the last 16 years entitled "The Vietnam Experience" a class that gives an accurate depiction of what happened during the Vietnam War from a man who lived it.

Wenzel also served as a member of the National Council of Disability from Dec. 2002-Aug. 2006, a position for which he was hand picked to participate in by President George W. Bush.

And, somehow, with that busy schedule, he managed to fit into his schedule the time to write a book,"Scranton's Mayors," a collection of biographies of all 29 Scranton mayors.

"I got the idea for the book four years ago," said Wenzel. "I was asked to do a speech during history month, and I was able to pick the topic. I picked the former mayors of Scranton, and that's where the interest came from, so I kicked the idea around for about a year, and then I started writing the book three years ago."

The book outlines the lives of every man who ever held the office of Scranton mayor, but Wenzel took a little more time outlining the life and careers of the last seven mayors - James Walsh, Eugene Peters, Eugene Hickey, James McNulty, himself, Jim Connors and current Mayor Chris Doherty.

"When I was doing research for my speech, I noticed that there was a lot of information for the past mayors, but hardly anything available about the more current ones, and that's kind of where the idea for the book came from," he said. "I felt that there should be a written account of these men, and that's how it got started."

Wenzel was in office the same amount of time it took to write the book, which was made a little easier by the cooperation of the city.

"I had the run of The Scranton Time's archives," said Wenzel. "They were a real big help in getting this book finished, as well as the Albright Memorial Library and the Lackawanna Historical Society, who also helped out a great deal."

Wenzel donated the profits he made off of the first 50 copies of the book to the Lackawanna Historical Society. He's already sold over 600 copies, and while he is thrilled with the number, he is hopeful that this will not be the end and that people will be enticed to purchase more than one copy.

"My hope for the book is that people will buy two copies, one for themselves and one for someone who used to live in the area, and still has Scranton in their hearts," he said. "A few people have told me they've done this, and I love the idea."

The book is available for purchase at Borders and through Amazon.com and if you're in the area Scranton area, you'll have a chance meet the author this Sunday when he'll be appearing at the Albright Memorial Library to sign copies. He said he's done a number of signings over the last few weeks, and that it's been an opportunity not only for him to get the word out about his new book, but also for a few people to come out and show their support.

"Jim Connors and Chris Doherty have come out to a few of the signings, and it's been really nice to have them come out and endorse the book like that," explained Wenzel.

"I think that he's done a great job with putting the whole thing together," said former Mayor Eugene Peters. "This book marks another one of many accomplishments that David has achieved during his life. I'm very proud of him."

Now that the book is complete and on the shelves, Wenzel is already planning a follow up which will cover any topics he may have missed in this volume. He hopes to have out in two years after Mayor Chris Doherty finishes his current term.

Who: David Wenzel
Where: Albright Memorial Library, 500 Vine St., Scranton
When: Dec. 10 at 2 p.m.
Information: 570.348.3000

Scranton Times-Tribune, November 26, 2006   

Former Scranton mayors David Wenzel, left and Jim Connors sign a copy of Mr. Wenzel's book, "Scranton's Mayors," for Irene E. Luebbing, of Scranton, at the Taylor Community Library on Saturday.

About 600 copies of the book have been sold since it was released Oct. 27, Mr. Wenzel said.

Another book-signing is scheduled for Dec. 10 at the Albright Memorial Library, Scranton. Mr. Wenzel will address the Scranton Rotary on Monday.

Scranton Times-Tribune, November 5, 2006   

Telling the city's 140-year tale, as seen from the top

by
Chris Birk, Scranton Times Tribune,
staff writer


Though it happens infrequently, when the city's living mayors gather together, the story of Scranton's last four decades materializes.

In that atmosphere, surrounded by his colleagues, former Mayor David Wenzel looked around a few years ago and found himself wondering who would tell the story when they're gone. So he decided to embrace the role of storyteller -- not just of the last 40 years, but of the city's 140-year history.

"The history of our city is being lost on daily basis, as people die and they're not leaving the stories behind the way they used to. I just wanted to grab that piece of history," said Mr. Wenzel. "This is something that if I don't put down on paper, nobody else is going to go do it.

"This will be lost if I don't get to these guys."

Mr. Wenzel set out to chronicle the terms and achievements of Scranton's 29 mayors. The culmination of about two years' worth of research and writing, his book, "Scranton's Mayors," was released at the 43rd annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast on Oct. 27 at the Radisson at Lackawanna Station hotel.

Crafting the 176-page book, Mr. Wenzel noticed a couple of dominant themes connecting the line of mayors: First, each succeeding mayor gained more power and influence than his predecessor, and, second, each viewed his role as mayor in a different light.

For example, Mayor James B. McNulty worked as the city's biggest promoter, while Mayor Jim Connors embodied the essence of personal politics, said Mr. Wenzel.

"I liked seeing the evolution of the city being formed as I watched each of these mayors," said Mr. Wenzel. "Everybody uses a different path to get to reach the mayor's office. There's some characters there, too."

Enthralled by the books, Mr. Connors also found an opportunity to spotlight the mayors' families, many of whom suffered in silence.

"Even though it's only in the city, we're still away. We're out of the house, fighting snowstorms, going to crime scenes, and then having people say unkind things, sometimes untrue things, about us," he said. "It puts an awful lot of pressure on the family. All of the mayors' families came through in grand style. They were always the backbone."

Mr. Connors and his successor, Mayor Chris Doherty, used the same phrase to describe the book: a gift to the city.

"You get a sense of the city, in seeing the changes from when it first started," said Mr. Doherty, who praised the work of Mr. Wenzel. "He's a very kind and good man. I think this exemplifies his personality."

The book, "Scranton's Mayors," is available at Borders and at Tribute Books in Eynon, as well as on www.amazon.com.

Electric City, October 26-November 1, 2006   

Cast Your Vote for 'Scranton's Mayors'

By: Alicia Grega-Pikul

Former head honcho David Wenzel scribes a complete history of Electric City executives.

Some were born as far away as Ireland and Scotland; others in nearby Honesdale, Pittston, and Waverly. Many were forced to choose work over school in order to help support their large families. They were veterans of the Civil War, World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam. They were funeral-home directors, grocers, railroad machinists, and engineers as often as they were coal barons, bankers, tax collectors, and treasurers. They are Scranton's Mayors.

When the city of Scranton was incorporated out of the boroughs of Scranton, Providence, and Hyde Park in 1866, former Mayor David J. Wenzel (1986-1990) points out in the introduction of his new book Scranton's Mayors, it was not unlike a "boomtown." The population was 25,000. Lackawanna Iron Works was the city's largest employer and there would be no city hall for 25 years.

Scranton's freewheeling, populist spirit opened the office of mayor to 29 men of diverse education, economic, and skill levels from laborers to coal barons. Wenzel's clear, straightforward collection of mini-biographies reveals the remarkable about each leader and moves at a reader-friendly pace sure to keep interest.

The book is admirably honest and absent of ego, and provides enlightening context to what might otherwise be random historical facts. He traces how role of mayor has changed in power and influence from one generation to the next, and from one man's ruling style to the next.

And he manages to make sense of a complex history of close elections, party politics, and the city's unrelenting struggle to find economic and social balance while fighting mine subsidence, population loss, and social ills.

Scranton Times-Tribune, October 5, 2006   

He's booking Scranton's mayors

by Terry Bonifanti, Namedropper

One Scranton mayor is telling stories about the others, and, he says, the others who can be, are OK with that.

David Wenzel, who served as the city’s chief executive officer from 1986 to 1990, has published, “Scranton’s Mayors,” a collection of 29 mini-biographies devoted to the men who guided the city from 1866 to today,” his publisher, Tribute Books, says in a release. “(Mr.) Wenzel was particularly interested in providing a written record of recent events from the past 40 years,” the release says. Mr. Wenzel gives extensive coverage to the terms of Mayors James Walsh, Eugene Peters, Eugene Hickey, James Barrett McNulty, Jimmy Connors, Chris Doherty and himself.

“The proof has gone to printer,” Mr. Wenzel said Wednesday, adding that his labors of the last three years are now aimed at a completion date to coincide with this year’s mayor’s prayer breakfast on Oct. 27.

“We hope to release the book in council chambers on Oct. 25. I chose the chambers because all the mayors’ pictures are in there,” Mr. Wenzel said. He asked current and former mayors to join him there to do selective readings from the book. Those mayors, he says, have reviewed their own biographies in the book and are OK with them. They will not, he added, be reading from their own biographies on Oct. 25.

They also have been asked to join Mr. Wenzel at a book signing at Borders on Oct. 28.

“I’m hoping they’ll come there, have a cup of coffee and sign away,” Mr. Wenzel said. He added that the others mayors have been receptive to his project, particularly Mr. Doherty, who he described as a “history buff,” adding “this is right down his alley.”

While doing his extensive research on his successors and predecessors, Mr. Wenzel was a frequent visitor to The Times-Tribune library, which opened its archives to him. The Albright Memorial Library and the Lackawanna Historical Society also provided him with research assistance.

“I feel very good, really, about the book,” Mr. Wenzel said, adding that he started thinking about it three years ago, started researching it two years ago, and then kicked it all into high gear about eight months ago.

“It was a real task right down to (the) wire,” he said, adding that “we’re keeping the price down. It’s over 180 pages, good quality paperback and should be available for about $15.”

Scranton Times-Tribune, May 22, 2006   

Art comes to the aid of museum
By Roger Dupuis II, staff writer

Reissued book, history play benefit county trolley station

A half-century ago, James Henwood’s only chance to try to ride Northeastern Pennsylvania’s Laurel Line trolleys was blown when his connecting Reading Railroad train got delayed.

A half-century ago, James Henwood’s only chance to try to ride Northeastern Pennsylvania’s Laurel Line trolleys was blown when his connecting Reading Railroad train got delayed.

“I got to Wilkes-Barre too late, and I didn’t have enough money to stay overnight,” said the Upper Darby native and lifelong trolley buff. The young railfan had traveled north that day in a vain effort to ride the route between Wilkes-Barre and Scranton before it was abandoned.

The disappointment, though, didn’t stop him from going on to co-write, with John G. Muncie, a comprehensive history of the line originally released in the mid-1980s. Now, after nearly 20 years out of print, the book, “Laurel Line — an Anthracite Region Railway,” has been reissued in an effort to raise money for the Lackawanna County Trolley Station and Museum.

For the authors, who won’t make any money from the sales, the reissue has been a labor of love.

“We saw it as an opportunity to help the trolley museum,” said Mr. Henwood, 74.

Added Mr. Muncie: “It’s not like you go into it to make money.”

The Laurel Line, formally known as the Lackawanna and Wyoming Valley Railroad, was opened in 1903.

Like many trolley and railroad lines, it succumbed to mounting motor vehicle competition after World War II, closing in 1952.

The trolley museum’s route between downtown Scranton and the Lackawanna County Visitors Center in Moosic runs over part of the old Laurel Line, including a 4,747-foot-long tunnel under Crown Avenue in South Scranton.

“It’s an important tool for us, not just to tell the story of the Laurel Line, but to raise funds for car restoration,” Barbara Colangelo, director of historic sites and attractions for Lackawanna County, said of the book.

Authors Mr. Henwood and Mr. Muncie are retired college professors who have been friends and colleagues for four decades. Both taught history at East Stroudsburg University, applying their academic skills to researching the line.

They were fortunate in that a large collection of the trolley line’s official records were preserved at Syracuse University in New York. They traveled there for research over a five-year span.

Mr. Muncie, 71, a Taylor native, incidentally did get to ride the line as a child, usually to Rocky Glen Park, in Moosic.

The pair hope the reprint will not just help the museum, but will bring the story to a generation of folks who may not know much about it — including many locals whose ancestors may have worked on the line.

The book: “Laurel Line — an Anthracite Region Railway” is available at the Lackawanna County Trolley Station and Museum for $39.95. The 214-page book tells the story of the interurban trolley line that linked Scranton and Wilkes-Barre from 1903 to 1952.

Scranton Times-Tribune, May 14, 2006   

Laurel Line co-authors to sign book

Staff report

The authors of “Laurel Line — an Anthracite Region Railway” will be at Lackawanna County Trolley Station & Museum, 300 Cliff St., next Sunday at 11:45 a.m. to sign copies of their book.

The event also includes a trolley ride and luncheon to reintroduce the novel that has been out of print for nearly two decades. The musuem will benefit from profits of the reprinted book sales and use the proceeds for trolley restoration.

The cost of the event is $100 per person and seating is limited to 50 people. Check should be made payable to Lackawanna County Trolley Museum.

Authors James Henwood and John G. Muncie have been friends and colleagues for four decades. Both taught in the History Department of East Stroudsburg University and are currently professors emeriti of that institution. They have been active in local organizations such as the Monroe County Historical Society and the Historical Farm Association.

Born in Upper Darby, Mr. Henwood graduated from from West Chester University and received master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. His early contacts with Philadelphia street cars became the basis for a lifelong interest in electric railways and transportation. He resides in East Stroudsburg.

Mr. Muncie spent his first 18 years in Taylor. As a youth, he occasionally rode the Laurel Line to outings at Rocky Glen Park. After graduating from East Stroudsburg University, he received master’s and doctoral degrees from Kent State University. Mr. Muncie lives in Stroudsburg with his wife, Eleanor. They have two daughters, Michelle and Robin.

Both men have been active as scholars. Among Mr. Henwood’s publications is “A Short Haul to the Bay: A History of the Narragansett Pier Railroad” and “The Ocean City Electric Railroad” in the National Railway Bulletin, 1998,

Mr. Muncie has contributed to the Biographical Dictionary of American Sports.

They are co-authors, with artist Frederick L. Beaver, of “The Road to Resorts: Transportation and Tourism in Monroe County,” which appeared in Pennsylvania Heritage 1984.

Scranton Times-Tribune, May 2006   

Scranton Times-Tribune, April 17, 2006   

'Peace' has a grand publisher

by Terry Bonifanti, Namedropper

Andrea Howells is published, and she has her grandmother, Deb Gasper, to thank.

The 12-year-old Holy Rosary sixth-grade honor student is the author of "Finding Peace and the True Soul," which its publisher, Nicole Langan of Tribute Books of Eynon, says is "targeted at a preteen audience."

Its title character, Peace Saved, Tribute's book description says, "thought she was a girl like any other. She had great friends. She went to school. She daydreamed. But never in her wildest dreams did she think that she would be able to control water. Peace discovers that she is the Light Master, as well as a Godsend of water. To learn more about her powers, she starts attending a school in heaven called Peaceful Harmony. When Peace thinks things can't get any weirder, Grace, a fellow student, loses the Godlove spirit that dwelled in her family for generations. It's up to Peace to save the spirit and fulfill her destiny."

When Mrs. Gasper read "Finding Peace and the True Soul," she thought others should, too.

"The great thing about this book is that it is written by a child for children," she is quoted as saying in a release from Tribute. "For a young writer, it is a very good adventure story. I feel she deserves the chance to get her work out there. She has such a great outlook on life."

Andrea lives in Scranton with her mom, Katryna Howells, and Mrs. Gasper. Her grandmother had the book published through Tribute Books using Andrea's illustration for the cover.

Andrea hopes, Ms. Howells says, "to be able to make a series of these books. She is currently working on the second one."

"If you ask Andrea where the ideas for the book came from," her mother said, "she will tell you that it all started with a dream.

"Once my mother read the book, she decided that she wanted to get it published for Andrea, and with her dedication and commitment to my daughter, she got it published."

Depending on the success of her first book, Andrea is looking to publish the second installment of her Finding Peace series, "The Fallen Angel," in the near future.

Scranton Times-Tribune, April 16, 2006   

Northeast Woman, Barbara Colangelo

by Josh McAuliffe, staff writer

First impressions can be huge, especially in the tourism industry.

Just ask Barbara Colangelo, director of historic sites and attractions for Lackawanna County, who probably knows this as well as anyone around here.

She’s got a million stories to back the theory. Like this one day, not so long ago, when she got a frantic call from a gentleman struggling mightily to locate the Electric City Trolley Station and Museum, which she oversees.

“I can’t find you guys!” he bellowed, as his wife and kids carried on in the background.

Calmly, Mrs. Colangelo guided him to the museum, where some complimentary passes would be awaiting the family if they got there before closing.

The next day, the guy called back. “I just want you to know you turned my miserable day into a happy day,” he told her.

“When you work in the tourism industry, you have to be a people person,” said the Dunmore resident.

Mrs. Colangelo has been among the region’s biggest cheerleaders during her 21-year career working for Lackawanna County’s tourism ventures.

Multiple jobs

Since then, she’s undertaken a number of projects at the museum, including: the addition of a classroom, an electrical exhibit and the annual Festival of Trees exhibit;    reprinting the popular book about the history of the Laurel Line;    initiating, along with the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit, the Traveling Trunks program, which takes historical artifacts into area classrooms.

During her tenure as director of historic sites and attractions, a cabinet-level post in county government, she’s re-established the long-dormant trolley restoration shop, produced, along with the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority, a historical documentary on the trolley industry and overseen the extension of the trolley line to Lackawanna County Stadium and construction of the new orientation center at the Coal Mine Tour.

In addition to all that, she often travels to trade shows and conventions, forever on the lookout for potential networking opportunities.

For years, Mrs. Colangelo has been involved in a number of community-service endeavors, including the LHVA’s board, roundtable and education alliance, NEIU’s Arts in Education committee and Scranton Tomorrow’s downtown business committee.

Enjoys her work

But it’s her job that takes up the vast majority of her time. And that’s fine by her, given the intense satisfaction she gets from seeing “my labors coming to fruition.”

“When you see the end result of something that’s come from nothing and become a booming industry, it’s worth the effort,” she said. “It’s a very rewarding experience.”

Meet Barbara Colangelo

Home: Resides in Dunmore with her husband, Jim. She has three sons: Dominic Joseph (formerly Walter Joseph), a brother in the Dominican Novitiate, San Antonio; Michael, a graduate student at Marywood University; and David, a student at Temple University. She is the daughter of the late Walter and Mary Narvid.

At work: Director of historic sites and attractions for Lackawanna County

Inspiration: “When God allows one door to close, he opens another door to you revealing something bigger and better.”

Aspiration: “To continue what I’m doing. To continue making a difference.”

Diversions: Reading, walking, weekends away, listening to music and watching college basketball, particularly University of North Carolina Tar Heel games.

Aversions: “People who are afraid to accept a challenge.”

Motto: “Great and difficult goals are accomplished in simple, easy steps.”

Scranton Times-Tribune, April 15, 2006   

Girl Scouts Have The 'Write' Stuff

by Terry Bonifanti, Namedropper

When it comes to being Write About It, they were the right choices.

Marisa Lise Pagan-Figueroa, Elizabeth Andrzewjewski, Brianna Magistro, Maura Levis, Heather Sweeney, Victoria Tielebein, Avery Tillou and Jessica Shaw were the winners of the Girl Scouts, Scranton Pocono Council, literary program.

When the girls, ages 11 to 17, told of their experience in scouting in original messages, topics ranged from living the Girl Scout Promise to finding true friendship.

Marisa Lise, of Stroudsburg, placed first in the 11 to 12 age category. Elizabeth, of Moscow, was second; Briana, of Archbald, third. In the 13 to 15 age category, Maura, of Dunmore, was first Heather, of Cresco, second, Victoria, of Clarks Summit, third. In the 16 to 18 age category, Avery , of Bartonsville, was first, Jessica of Falls, second.

Write About It, a new program focusing on critical thinking, creativity and language arts, "fosters self-understanding and articulates personal expression among girls," said Jeanne Bovard, director of the Scranton Area Foundation, which underwrote the program.

Jeanne, Regina Peters, executive director of Lackawanna County's Office of Culture and Education, and Nicole Langan, owner of Tribute Books, were among the contest's judges.

The winning essays, along with the finalists' photographs and biographies will appear in a Write About It booklet, which will be distributed at the council's annual business meeting this month and the awards ceremony in June.

Scranton Times-Tribune, March 5, 2006   

Northeast Woman, Judy Sweeney

by Josh McAuliffe, staff writer

Grew up in Green Ridge

One of five children of the late John and Jeanne Hennemuth, Mrs. Sweeney grew up in Green Ridge but spent the bulk of her summers at the family’s cottage at Moosic Lake. After graduating from Marywood Seminary, she enrolled at Marywood College, where she majored in social science.

Time for writing

Mrs. Sweeney also took up writing, a pursuit she’s enjoyed since childhood. She’s written a behavior-management book for ICS and, for Essential Learning Products, an offshoot of Highlights for Children magazine, a series of “Blending Language” vocabulary workbooks for children ages 5 through 11.

In addition, she’s written kid-friendly curriculum guides for both Lackawanna Historical Society and the Lackawanna County Electric City Trolley Station and Museum, and an activity book for the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority.

Last year, Mrs. Sweeney and her husband, Alan, co-authored the book, “Gateway to the Clouds: A History of the Scranton, Dunmore, Moosic Lake Railroad,” which traces the history of the short-line railway and was inspired in part by Mrs. Sweeney’s years at Moosic Lake.

According to Mrs. Sweeney, Mr. Sweeney, a history buff and current board president of the Historical Society, did most of the research and writing, while she handled the editing. Filled with black and white photographs and postcards dating to the early part of the 20th century, the book has sold well and was recently featured in a well-regarded railroad magazine.

“It has been surprising, the interest people have had,” said Mrs. Sweeney, who has served on the board of the Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum and is actively involved with the annual Prep Galleria and the American Cancer Society’s Daffodil Days fundraiser.

Meet Judy Sweeney

At home: Lives in Green Ridge with her husband, Alan, and two daughters, Rachel and Kara. She is the daughter of the late John and Jeanne Hennemuth. She has two sisters, Mary Louise and Susan, and two brothers, John and Kurt.

At work: Field coordinator of Keystone College’s education program.

Inspiration: Her parents, husband and two daughters. “Because you want to be the best you can for them.”

Aspirations: To write more.

Diversions: Walking, doing yard work, swimming

Aversion: Mean-spirited people

Motto: “A lot of what I believe in education I have the opportunity to share with prospective teachers,” she said of her job.