Espyvillians should be glad to know that the long-vacant EMA position, remains diligently occupied by our own Lon Sowers.

Lon can be seen each month at the NST Board meetings, giving his EMA Report.

This is an unpaid, voluntary position, and even Meteorologist Tom Atkins from Channel 24 in Erie wants to meet him.

He has completed his Emergency Responder Preparedness Report and will soon be working with the Boy Scouts of America to increase the level of citizen preparedness for homeland security.

The Boy Scouts are partnering with the Office of the United States Department of Homeland Security, and Lon will be getting involved as a trainer.

Lon is going to be joining a Council of Governments which will involve six townships and boroughs, to help save on money for equipment, personnel and efficiency of emergency management, in the event of a large scale disaster.

The municipalities would work together, sharing resources.

Thanks go out to Lon Sowers for his efforts and time.

The North and South Shenango Crime Watch will meet on the 20th of this month, at North Shenango on Linn Road.

The meeting will start at 7:00pm, and coffee and cake will be served afterward.

If you are looking for something to do, come out and visit with this friendly group.

Citizen Patrols are discussed, along with tips on fraud prevention and scam alerts.

There will not be any Music Fests at the NST Community Center until March, 2011.

In case you’re wondering where Ralph Anlauf has been lately, his wife of many years, Lorraine, passed away recently.

Our prayers and thoughts go out to Ralph at this time, the NST Board noting Lorraine's passing at their January meeting.

The CATA Bus continues to offer service for people in the Espyville, Westford and Linesville areas.

Call 814-336-5600 for information on getting a ride to attend doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping or haircuts.

Lakeland Senior Center also has information on the CATA Bus at 814-683- 4959.

Fares begin at $1.25 on up to $14.85, one way, and make your reservations one day in advance.

Get an application for a CATA Transit Card at the North Shenango Township Office on Linn Road, by appointment with the Secretary, during regular business hours.

Our January Birthdays are for Dolly Howcroft on the 2nd, Arlene O’Neal on the 12th, Arlene Staab on the 25th and everybody’s favorite Township Secretary, Denise Gray on the 27th.

Also born in January are Winnie Praskavich on the 29th and Jack Baxendell on the 31st.

Happy, happy birthdays to all.

In case you hadn’t heard, those loud, building-shaking explosion noises heard in December out near Conneautville, along with low-flying aircraft and helicopters, were due to seismic testing with dynamite blasting, to look for natural gas located underground.

You are not in Area 51, folks, but as usual, black helicopters are up to no good.

According to an anonymous source, at the elementary school in Conneautville, helicopters and ground-shaking blasts were seen and felt as surveyors used dynamite underground to test for natural gas well drilling sites.

Local farmers are complaining that land is being destroyed and trees are being cut and left laying as site testing continues in the search for natural gas.

Citizens should be attending their local township Board meetings, as large gas companies are drilling for natural gas located in Marcellus Shale, deep underground.

Private water wells are at risk of permanent contamination as millions of gallons of water are siphoned and jetted into horizontal wells, to blast natural gas from within the shale.

Lovers of Pymatuning Lake should sit up and take notice!

This wonderful natural resource could be at risk of destruction and contamination, along with many private water wells in the area, should Marcellus Shale Gas Drilling ensue.

Be alert, the world needs more lerts!

Our Supervisor, Jeff Daniels, his verbal crusade in defense of our beautiful lake, as local townships have little to defend themselves against big government and the gas companies.

Becoming quasi-emotional at the January Board meeting, Supervisor Daniels implores local citizens to become familiar with this very important issue.

Well, folks, by this time next week, we are either going on or we’re going home.

Referring, of course, to our perennial winter past time of Steeler Football at the trailer, here in Espyville.

If you hear the sound of cannon fire at the corner of Bullis Road and 285, you’ll know something exciting is happening, as the Steel Curtain is raised in a banner of victory.

Karen the Cougar gave a mighty roar of approval as Cleveland fell during the last regular season game, and she swiped some ham and Swiss off of Brian’s party platter on her way past the coffee table in celebration.

Her beau, Tommy Boy, showed up dressed to the nines in his tuxedo and white gloves; he always wears the same thing to parties.

They say seven is a lucky number...

On a sad note, Steeler fan Jim Gerhinger, from Westford passed away recently.

Jim could be seen every week end, all season long, at his familiar post over at Pelican Landing in Conneaut Lake, with his shrine set up in tribute to the black and gold.

Always smiling and ready to cheer for the pig skin players from Smoky City, Jim will be sadly missed by everyone who is part of that Sunday afternoon crowd.

Our thoughts are with his wife, Maureen, at this time.

No rest for the Merciful; our own 17 House was out fighting fires on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Forsaking family and friends, they assisted Andover Fire Department in an apartment fire, containing it to just one unit.

While you had Christmas Dinner with friends and family, your local Volunteer Fire Department was busy doing what they do best: fighting fire and saving property and lives.

Please remember that they are always at the ready, so donate to this fine organization in order to help keep their equipment maintained and running in top shape.

I think my fingers are now too cold to type.

The winters seem to be colder here in Espyville; I know the beer is certainly colder, and the fish are bigger, the people are friendlier, the cows give more milk and old Steelers fans never die.

Keep the snow off your bumper and the ice off your tail.

Thanks for reading the Espyville Buzz and keep on buying the Community News.

Closing for this week to the immortal sounds of the Glenn Miller Band and a little "Moonlight Serenade," sponsored by Chesterfields