SUNBURY -- The Sunbury Rotary Club has named Bob Lagerman the city's Citizen of the Year.
"I was shocked," Lagerman said, "and naturally pleased at the same time. It's really an honor."
Lagerman is the president of the Hill Neighborhood Council, a group that for the past several years has been working to revitalize that portion of the city.
It's a community Lagerman, 72, has called home for more than 40 years.
He and his wife, Doris, raised their family at their 1290 Market St. home, one of the first to be built in that area in 1905.
Lagerman, a history buff and retired social studies teacher, has owned the one-time farmhouse longer than any other owner before him, testament to the fact that he loves his community, even though he's a transplant.
Lagerman grew up just outside of Trevorton.
"I remember as a kid driving into town, a canopy of trees on both sides of Market Street," he said. "I'd like to see it restored to some semblance of what it was."
Lagerman started attending meetings of the Sunbury City Visions Project seven years ago.
"I missed the first meeting, but I haven't missed a meeting since," he said.
City Visions grew into the Hill Neighborhood Council, and Lagerman pitched in, helping with community yard sales, landscaping, community events and banners that set the neighborhood apart from others in the city until he was named the council's president in 2006.
"My grandfather owned greenhouses, so I guess you could say I grew up with a green thumb," Lagerman said. "I want to see the Hill Neighborhood beautiful. I want to see the city beautiful."
It's Lagerman's dedication that caught the eye of the Sunbury Rotary Club, which this year took over the Sunbury Citizen of the Year Award from the American Legion.
"We felt that he was an outstanding example of people who have volunteered to help the city of Sunbury," said Donald Kamsler, of Rotary.
In addition to his work for the city, Lagerman, a former Bloomburg University fullback, coached football at the Shikellamy High School for more than 20 years and high school baseball for 30 years.
An Air Force veteran, Lagerman is a pilot who enjoys renting a Cessna for the afternoon and taking a ride.
"I still pinch myself whenever the wheels come off the ground," Lagerman said.
Retired from the Shikellamy School District since 1996, Lagerman said he needs stuff to do, so he'll continue with the Hill Neighborhood Council, which plans to do more landscaping in the future, install new lighting and improve residential facades.
"I want to see the world a better place, and in particular, the Hill Neighborhood a better place," Lagerman said. "I think we have a long way to go, but we're going to get there."
The Lagermans have three grown children and seven grandchildren.
News
Related Photos
-
Matthew Harris/The Daily Item
Discussion
Rotary club lauds Hill Council president
- News
-
-
2 Valley schools in top 5.5% in nation
LEWISBURG — U.S. News & World Report magazine has ranked Lewisburg Area as the 15th-best academic high school in Pennsylvania and the 803rd best in the nation, according to a report released earlier this month.
-
Northumberland opts to build sewage plant
NORTHUMBERLAND — Ending months of speculation, the Northumberland Sewer Authority has voted to build a water treatment plant, at an estimated cost of $9 million, to replace the 40-year-old sewage plant at 100 Water St.
-
Mifflinburg school board OKs millage increase
MIFFLINBURG — The Mifflinburg school board Tuesday night approved raising the property tax rate to the maximum allowed under the index, equaling about a $30 increase a year for the average taxpayer.
-
Support grows for city garden
SUNBURY— More than a month after several Bucknell University students resurrected an empty city lot by transforming the land into a full-size garden, neighbors, nearby residents and now business leaders from outside Sunbury have decided to chip in by donating seeds and planting tools in order to spruce up the corner lot.
-
Stat of the Day: 21,776
Stat of the day: 21,776. That's the number of high schools evaluated nationwide by U.S. News & World Report, after which the magazine determined that Lewisburg Area High was the 803rd best in the U.S., and Selinsgrove Area, 1,187th.
-
State House approves sales-tax exemption for airplanes
HARRISBURG — A bill to exempt the purchase and maintenance of airplanes from Pennsylvania's 6 percent sales tax won a strong vote of confidence in the state House of Representatives.
-
State lawmakers consider takeover of struggling school districts
HARRISBURG — A Republican-penned bill that would pave the way for state takeovers of Pennsylvania school districts veering toward financial collapse has the support of Gov. Tom Corbett and is advancing in the Legislature.
-
Take Me Home: Yip
Yip is a young dog, best guess is Bichon/Daschund. He is friendly and loves everyone, especially anyone who will rub his belly or let him on their lap for some doggie kisses. He enjoys car rides, has done well around other dogs, cats, and kids. Housebreaking and crate training are in the works.
-
Joe Paterno earned $13.4 million pension at Penn State
STATE COLLEGE — Joe Paterno earned a state pension of $13.4 million for his 61-year coaching career at Penn State.
-
Police Log 05.22.12
A roundup of police news reported by departments across the Central Susquehanna Valley.
-
Montour County judge dismisses flooding lawsuit
DANVILLE — A Montour County judge has dismissed a case brought against Mahoning Township by residents of the Gaytowne subdivision.
-
Shamokin man who abused puppy gets house arrest
SUNBURY — A Shamokin man entered the courtroom expecting probation for his role in dumping Harper, a 15-week-old pit bull puppy, down a 30-foot bank near a Coal Township cemetery, but Northumberland County President Judge Robert Sacavage put those thoughts to rest when he and delivered a stiff sentence.
- More News Headlines
-
2 Valley schools in top 5.5% in nation
