Susan’s face lights up

So will the whole town, for Christmas

Susan Staron Sanders, Class of 1971, an administrative assistant at Personnel, the angel of Thomas Street, is soaring with delight today.

Amelia Shenasky Zentz

An ecstatic Susan wrote:

“Good morning!

“I wanted to let everyone know that 5 new Christmas Lights have been ordered. And it’s because of the help from Ameilia Zentz, John Olesky, Mari Lisa Johnson and Adam Michna. And, of course, those who are mailing in donations.

“You are a blessing to us and we Thank You.

“When I started this in 2015 I never dreamed how wonderful this would turn out. Some said it will never happen.

“It just goes to prove: Follow your dreams and reach for the stars. Anything can happen if you believe it will.

“21 lights!!!

“And it happened because of this great town and the people who helped and encouraged me to push on.

“Most of all I have the greatest committee ever. We work very hard together and are an awesome team. I love you all.

“We thank you so much for helping us make our town shine.

“Susan”

Ameilia is 97 years old and lives on Shenasky Lane in Monongah, the street named after her parents, P.P. “Pete” Shenasky and Nell Shenosky Shenasky (yes, Nell only chanced the “o” to “a” when she married), who ran the P.P. Shenasky Grocery on U.S. 19 (Camden Avenue) across the street from the Monzo Grocery and adjacent to Thoburn School.

She is the widow of Bruce Zentz, who joined her for build the Dairy Kone that exists today across U.S. 19 from where the Catania brothers built their Sinclair Station adjacent to the Lawrence and Regina Godby home that included children Sonny and Jackie Godby Luczinski, both deceased.

John, Mari and Adam were identified in an earlier Monongah High Alumni blog article about the Christmas street lights that will adorn Monongah this holiday season, and for years to come.

I never cease to be amazed about the generosity of Monongah residents.

They don’t have Donald Trump’s money. But they are rich in character, in giving someone a hand-up in times of distress and, in my case, watching out for the kid who did so many stupid things that could have harmed him if there wasn’t another volunteer "parent" to prevent it.