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Mountain Top woman tested positive for cancer gene which helped her family members to be proactive

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Letter to the Editor: Departing Dallas School Board president leaves ‘special gift’ to district

<p>CONYNGHAM TWP. &#8212; Digging her tan leather cowboy boots into the ground, Melissa Gentilesco began swinging a 15-inch cast-iron frying pan back and forth as she yelled at her husband.</p><p>The Mountain Top resident came in second place in the 17th Annual Ladies Frying Pan Toss at the 28th annual Fall Apple Festival at Heller Orchards, managing to hurl the pan 26 feet and 5 inches before it nestled itself in a pile of straw.</p><p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve done this many years. I try to liven up the crowd before I go, but I&#8217;ve never won,&#8221; she said after her turn.</p><p>Thousands of people walked through Heller Orchards Sunday for the for the festival, stocking up on apple-everything, home decor items and more. The festival is held yearly as a fundraiser for four area churches &#8212; St. John&#8217;s, St. Peter&#8217;s, St. James&#8217; and St. Mark&#8217;s.</p><p>About 15 women made an attempt at throwing the pan across a pile of straw to see who could toss the furthest.</p><p>In all, Gentilesco took the loss pretty well &#8212; her daughter-in-law Michelle won, throwing the pan (and ultimately breaking off its handle) just 6 inches further than her.</p><p>&#8220;I feel good, I got a free pie,&#8221; she said as she placed the pie on top of the pan for a picture.</p><p>Event coordinator Barbie Smith said the idea for the event came to her 15 years ago as a &#8220;goofy idea.&#8221;</p><p>Dressed in a denim embroidered vest and straw hat,, Smith said she enjoys creating unique events that cater to both older and newer generations, blending new and old traditions together in order to cater to everyone.</p><p>Smith added that many of the exhibits at the festival, such as washboarding laundry, remind older attendees of the past as well as teach younger generations something new.</p><p>&#8220;The older generations get to see what they grew up with, and the younger get to learn something they aren&#8217;t being taught in school or anywhere else,&#8221; she said.</p><p>Besides hosting more than 60 vendors, Smith said the festival included a corn shucking area for children, horse-and-wagon rides and military re-enactments complete with the firing of a cannon. Multiple children&#8217;s events were held throughout the orchard.</p><p>On one end of the lands, kids pulled up their burlap sacks for feed-bag races. On the other end, families could attempt to throw bean bags into a giant carved pumpkin. A pumpkin maze was also created, and pumpkins were available to purchase for $4.</p><p>Andrea Heller, of Heller Orchards, said that while area residents come out to support their churches, the orchard also sees a lot of customers.</p><p>&#8220;My husband was up until 3 a.m. just to make sure we had enough cider,&#8221; she said as she pointed to the line at her booth.</p><p>Andrea&#8217;s husband, Greg, is the third generation of the family to work the orchard. He said that while bad weather hurt the apple crop this year, it didn&#8217;t stop the family business from pushing out bushels of apples.</p><p>&#8220;It was an overwhelming amount,&#8221; Andrea said.</p><p>Next to the pumpkin maze, Merle Eiffert hammered away at molten-hot metal, appeasing the curious in the crowd by answering their questions along the way.</p><p>A blacksmith for the past two decades, Eiffert molded pieces of metal into S-hooks, saws and more.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a fun hobby,&#8221; he said as he hammered bends into a piece on an anvil. &#8220;It&#8217;s good for getting out your frustrations.&#8221;</p><p>Smith said the event originally began years ago as a fundraiser for two of the churches, and has steadily grown over the years into an event many community residents look forward to. She disclosed that she&#8217;s already working on more exhibits for next year, including a fashioned cheesemaker and tin man.</p><p>&#8220;(The planning) never quits,&#8221; she said.</p><style>
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<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_TTL101716Apples1-3.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Blacksmith Merl Eiffert hammers a piece of hot metal during a demonstration. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_TTL101716Apples1-3.jpg</photo0><caption0>Blacksmith Merl Eiffert hammers a piece of hot metal during a demonstration. </caption0><photoCredit0>Sean McKeag | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_TTL101716Apples2-3.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Amy Isenberg, 11, left, of West Wyoming, watches her friend, Hannah Dittus, 13, of Kingston, fall down just before reaching the finish line behind Ben Gizenski, of Hobbie, far right, during the kids feed gag races at the 28th Annual Apple Festival at Heller Orchards in Wapwallopen on Sunday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_TTL101716Apples2-3.jpg</photo1><caption1>Amy Isenberg, 11, left, of West Wyoming, watches her friend, Hannah Dittus, 13, of Kingston, fall down just before reaching the finish line behind Ben Gizenski, of Hobbie, far right, during the kids feed gag races at the 28th Annual Apple Festival at Heller Orchards in Wapwallopen on Sunday. </caption1><photoCredit1>Sean McKeag | Times Leader </photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_TTL101716Apples3-2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Barbie Smith, event coordinator, loosens up some straw to be put down for the frying pan toss. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_TTL101716Apples3-2.jpg</photo2><caption2>Barbie Smith, event coordinator, loosens up some straw to be put down for the frying pan toss. </caption2><photoCredit2>Sean McKeag | Times Leader </photoCredit2></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_TTL101716Apples4-2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Children get artistic with corn kernels at the festival. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo3>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_TTL101716Apples4-2.jpg</photo3><caption3>Children get artistic with corn kernels at the festival. </caption3><photoCredit3>Sean McKeag | Times Leader </photoCredit3></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_TTL101716Apples5-2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Melissa Gentilesco, of Mountain Top, throws a cast iron skillet a distance of 26 feet, 5 inches, to win second place in the frying pan toss. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo4>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_TTL101716Apples5-2.jpg</photo4><caption4>Melissa Gentilesco, of Mountain Top, throws a cast iron skillet a distance of 26 feet, 5 inches, to win second place in the frying pan toss. </caption4><photoCredit4>Sean McKeag | Times Leader </photoCredit4></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_TTL101716Apples6-2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Eliana Grace, 7, of Hanover Township, points out a pumpkin she likes at the Apple Fest. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo5>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_TTL101716Apples6-2.jpg</photo5><caption5>Eliana Grace, 7, of Hanover Township, points out a pumpkin she likes at the Apple Fest. </caption5><photoCredit5>Sean McKeag | Times Leader </photoCredit5></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_TTL101716Apples1-cmyk-2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Blacksmith Merl Eiffert hammers a piece of hot metal during a demonstration. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo6>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_TTL101716Apples1-cmyk-2.jpg</photo6><caption6>Blacksmith Merl Eiffert hammers a piece of hot metal during a demonstration. </caption6><photoCredit6>Sean McKeag | Times Leader </photoCredit6></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_TTL101716Apples2-cmyk-2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Amy Isenberg, 11, left, of West Wyoming, watches her friend, Hannah Dittus, 13, of Kingston, fall down just before reaching the finish line behind Ben Gizenski, of Hobbie, far right, during the kids feed gag races at the 28th Annual Apple Festival at Heller Orchards in Wapwallopen on Sunday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo7>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_TTL101716Apples2-cmyk-2.jpg</photo7><caption7>Amy Isenberg, 11, left, of West Wyoming, watches her friend, Hannah Dittus, 13, of Kingston, fall down just before reaching the finish line behind Ben Gizenski, of Hobbie, far right, during the kids feed gag races at the 28th Annual Apple Festival at Heller Orchards in Wapwallopen on Sunday. </caption7><photoCredit7>Sean McKeag | Times Leader </photoCredit7></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_TTL101716Apples3-cmyk-2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Barbie Smith, event coordinator, loosens up some straw to be put down for the frying pan toss. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo8>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_TTL101716Apples3-cmyk-2.jpg</photo8><caption8>Barbie Smith, event coordinator, loosens up some straw to be put down for the frying pan toss. </caption8><photoCredit8>Sean McKeag | Times Leader </photoCredit8></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_TTL101716Apples4-cmyk-3.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Children get artistic with corn kernels at the festival. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo9>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_TTL101716Apples4-cmyk-3.jpg</photo9><caption9>Children get artistic with corn kernels at the festival. </caption9><photoCredit9>Sean McKeag | Times Leader </photoCredit9></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_TTL101716Apples5-cmyk-3.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Melissa Gentilesco, of Mountain Top, throws a cast iron skillet a distance of 26 feet, 5 inches, to win second place in the frying pan toss. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo10>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_TTL101716Apples5-cmyk-3.jpg</photo10><caption10>Melissa Gentilesco, of Mountain Top, throws a cast iron skillet a distance of 26 feet, 5 inches, to win second place in the frying pan toss. </caption10><photoCredit10>Sean McKeag | Times Leader </photoCredit10></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_TTL101716Apples6-cmyk-3.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Eliana Grace, 7, of Hanover Township, points out a pumpkin she likes at the Apple Fest. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo11>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_TTL101716Apples6-cmyk-3.jpg</photo11><caption11>Eliana Grace, 7, of Hanover Township, points out a pumpkin she likes at the Apple Fest. </caption11><photoCredit11>Sean McKeag | Times Leader </photoCredit11></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Annual apple festival funaimed at all generations</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Marcella Kester</p><p>For Times Leader</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach the Times Leader newsroom at 570-829-7242 on Twitter @TLnews.</p></shirttailMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><videoMeta><p><table style="border:none;width:98%;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;vertical-align:top;text-align:right;border:none;">VideoID:</td><td id="videoid" style="width:50em;font-size:90%;"> NRWlocza9XI</td></tr><tr><td style="font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;vertical-align:top;text-align:right;border:none;">VideoType:</td><td id="videotype" style="font-size:90%;"> YOUTUBE</td></tr><tr><td style="font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;vertical-align:top;text-align:right;border:none;">URL:</td><td id="url" style="font-size:90%;"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRWlocza9XI&amp;feature=youtu.be</td></tr><tr><td style="font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;vertical-align:top;text-align:right;border:none;">Video Embed String:</td><td id="videoembedstring" style="font-size:90%;">&lt;iframe width=&#8221;560&#8221; height=&#8221;315&#8221; src=&#8221;https://www.youtube.com/embed/NRWlocza9XI&#8221; frameborder=&#8221;0&#8221; allowfullscreen&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt; </td></tr><tr><td style="font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;vertical-align:top;text-align:right;border:none;">Video Caption:</td><td id="videocaption" style="font-size:90%;"> Heller Orchards Apple Fest</p><p></td></tr><tr><td style="font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;vertical-align:top;text-align:right;border:none;">Video Credit:</td><td id="videocredit" style="font-size:90%;"> Sean McKeag</p><p></td></tr><tr><td style="font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;vertical-align:top;text-align:right;border:none;">Video Position:</td><td id="videoposition" style="font-size:90%;"> </td></tr></tbody></table></p><p style="margin-top:10px;font-size:70%;color:#555;">(use the &#8220;for files&#8230;&#8221; link above to associate attached files with this source)</p></videoMeta></div>

Old-time games highlight apple festival at Heller Orchards