The Home Page Network

It’s time once again to take a look at what happened the past week. The Weekly Highlights are a great way to catch up, but don’t forget that you can always watch the full stories from either our front page or the archives section.
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THE 75TH ANNUAL LAUREL FESTIVAL
The weather this past Saturday was picture-perfect. What a great day for the Laurel Festival parade and all the fun and pageantry that goes with it! The venders were all gathered on The Green. There were many wonderful items to purchase, and some great deals too. The food did not disappoint the attendees who look forward to this delicious aspect of the Laurel Festival, year after year.

Queens Coordinator Tara Gordon announced that Miss Twin Valley, Caitlin Kelly was named Miss Congeniality. Caitlin was also named second runner-up and recipient of a $500 scholarship. Miss St. John Neumann, Olivia Pierce was named this year’s first runner-up and received a $750 scholarship. Miss Jersey Shore, Valerie Smith was crowned as the 2016 Pennsylvania State Laurel Festival Queen and was awarded a $1,500 educational scholarship. Join us tomorrow here on Home Page as we feature highlights from the Unity Service on The Green and a special interview with our Pennsylvania State Laurel Festival Queen Valerie Smith and her family.
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LOCAL CHURCHES UNITE ON THE GREEN
This past Sunday, the 75th Annual Pennsylvania State Laurel Festival came to it’s official close with the Unity Service on The Green.
After a time of praise and worship, Pastor Brett Kennedy delivered a powerful message on just that subject – encouragement. Please listen closely to what he says on today’s broadcast as we take a look at some of the highlights of this very moving and inspirational event.
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MAKING THE CUT – JORDAN BUTTERS
It is a very challenging transition to move from high school athletics to the collegiate level. In Women’s softball, only 5.4% of players in high school move on to play in college. Jordan Butters, a 2015 Wellsboro graduate just completed her freshman year at Keuka College.

In high school, Butters was a part of a team that brought home the first District Title in school history. The group of girls she was with had been together since she was 8 years old. “One of our biggest goals as a group was to win districts,” Butters said, “ I felt really honored to be a part of that team.”
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FOOTBALL ALL-STARS 2016 – PREGAME
Football is back this week as athletes from District 4 prepare for the annual senior all-star game taking place this Friday, June 24 at Rodney K. Morgans Stadium in South Williamsport at 7:00 p.m.

Local area athletes from rival teams competing on the North Squad practiced at Towanda on Wednesday night under the direction of Montoursville head coach J.C. Keefer and staff to get ready for the upcoming game. For most of the athletes competing in this contest, it will be the last time they strap on the pads and play football again, while others will play at the collegiate level.

Please come on out and support all of your local area athletes. For more information about the game, and to see who is on the teams, please visit piaad4football.com/all-star-game/.
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BACK TO BASICS – CAN PEOPLE CHANGE?
Sometimes it can be easy for us to believe that a person’s demeanor and qualities stay the same throughout their life, whether it be based on childhood experiences, the setting they grew up in, or even previous habits. You may have even heard the statement, “Once a criminal, always a criminal.”
But is this true? Can a person change their attitudes and behaviors for the better?
Acts 3:19-20 tells us: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you – even Jesus.” When we turn from our sins, we give God the control He needs to be able to change our lives according to His will. We must acknowledge that we have sinned, so we may fully enjoy the life that God has planned for us. No matter how hard it may be, nothing is harder than trying to run from our sins and then falling deeper into the trap that holds us. Turn to God first, and He will show you the steps necessary.