Promising an exciting and enthusiastic year ahead, officials in Carbon County gathered Saturday afternoon in Courtroom No. 1 of the Courthouse in Jim Thorpe to celebrate the rebirth of the Carbon County Historical Society and the official start of the county’s sesquicentennial observance.

About 150 officials, veterans, students and residents joined ion the festivities, including several guests from Weatherwood, the Carbon County Home for the Aged in Weatherly, who represented the country’s eldest generation.

State Rep. Keith R. McCall and Commissioner Dean D.W. DeLong were keynote speakers, along with Attorney Roger N. Nanovic Sr., legal counsel to the society headed by Winston Scherer, Palmerton businessman.