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Penn State names captains for 2019 season, including three sophomores

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Sarah Elizabeth Marlin engaged to wed David Lee Johnson, Jr.

<p>As summer is coming to a close and fall is right around the corner, I find myself reflecting on all that was &#8211; or wasn&#8217;t &#8211; the summer of 2019.</p><p>I didn&#8217;t do quite as much as I have in summers past, but in many ways, it was my best summer yet.</p><p>See, many summers I would take long vacations and embark on multiple day or overnight trips that would keep me occupied with stories to tell for weeks to come. I did some of that. Just not as much.</p><p>Here were some of the highlights or memorable moments.</p><p>&#8226; Cancun, Mexico: Celebrating the marriage of Jared and Erin Wysocki in one of the most beautiful spots in the Caribbean was well worth the trip. Dozens of friends and family made the three-hour plane ride to the Iberostar Riviera Maya, Mexico. While it was a short trip, it was a happy occasion enhanced by a great group of people</p><p>&#8226; Fort Myers, Fla.: Another short trip, but this one for a sadder situation as we laid my Uncle Bob Koenen to rest. He died doing what he loved &#8211; playing golf on his beloved golf course down south. He was a regular reader of this column, and I&#8217;ll never forget him telling me so at my cousin&#8217;s wedding last year. He always made people feel good.</p><p>&#8226; Mount Vernon, Va.: My mother and I made the trip to Virginia to celebrate the first birthday of my cousin&#8217;s twin daughters, Eliza and Olivia Wright. When Mom and I embark on a trip we always have a good time due to our lively conversation and constantly laughing at ourselves. We both enjoy a party. This one was a party in pink for two very special little girls we can&#8217;t wait to watch grow up.</p><p>&#8226; Health and wellness: Healthy habits and a focus on fitness were a huge part of this summer and were perhaps why I didn&#8217;t partake in as many getaways or nights out as normal. I began personal training, doing things I never dreamed like squatting, deadlifting and bench-pressing. That combined with three bootcamp sessions per week and some P90X classes kept me busy &#8211; and tired at night.</p><p>Next up: fall.</p><p>Some things on the agenda include:</p><p>&#8226; Field hockey games: My sister is a local field hockey coach, and I must admit haven&#8217;t taken time over the years to attend many games. I should go support, so I&#8217;m going to make a true effort to do so this season.</p><p>&#8226; Wilkes-Barre&#8217;s birthday: The 250th birthday for the City of Wilkes-Barre will be celebrated Sept. 7 in Kirby Park from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. There will be fireworks, food, live music and rides. There&#8217;s also a rooftop gala at night at the Citizens Bank building. You can get tickets on Eventbrite by searching &#8220;Wilkes-Barre Gala.&#8221;</p><p>&#8226; An Evening in Casablanca: The airport hangar at the Wyoming Valley Airport in Forty Fort will become a Moroccan Nightclub on Sept. 19 to support CASA of Luzerne County. For more information or to get tickets, visit www.luzernecasa.org.</p><p>But for now, I hope everyone can enjoy the little bit of summer we have left. Make some memorable moments while you still can.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>Mike McGinley</p><p>Around Town</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Mike McGinley is the Times Leader Media Group&#8217;s major accounts executive. Reach him at mmcginley@www.timesleader.com or 570-704-3945.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Around town: Looking back on summer and ahead to fall