In a move noted as a triple-first, members of the West Penn Lions Club named Pearl A.M. Zehner, wife of Willard Zehner of Tamaqua R.3, “Citizen of the Year” during a dinner meeting held at the Lehighton Legion Home.

Those attending the event were asked to note that this would be the first time the award would be presented to a woman, the first time a husband and wife would have been accorded the same honor from the organization, and the first time a brother and a sister would have shared the same distinction.

Pearl’s brother, Wayne Troxell, received the award in 1978, and Willard was named recipient in 1979.