Who: Travis Jacob “T.J.” Imhof participates in the arts in a number of ways, from acting in Pocono Mountain East High School’s production of “Pippin” to sketching and painting original art. The 15-year-old Mount Pocono resident also is musically inclined, staying involved with his school’s marching band and chorus, and taking piano lessons in his free time. The son of Jennifer Berghoefer and Travis Imhof and the stepson of John Berghoefer, T.J. provides great examples of dedication and an outgoing personality to his younger siblings, Julianna, 12, and Jackson, 1. He recently completed ninth grade and is finishing up his fourth cycle (out of five) of chemotherapy to combat the Hodgkin’s lymphoma he was diagnosed with in March. Throughout his difficult treatments, T.J. has remained strong and almost always wears a smile while punching back the cancer that has attacked him, his mother said.
What/when/where: A “Team T.J.” campaign at GoFundMe.com collects money, and checks payable to Jennifer Berghoefer may be sent to 12 Brunswick Drive, Mount Pocono, PA 18344.
Why: Donations will be used by T.J.’s family to take care of incoming medical bills and travel expenses and to stay afloat. It helps tremendously in relieving the stress and worry while they’re at the hospital, T.J.’s mom said.
In his own words:“I’m happy to know that we are not alone, and that people are standing behind me and with me in my fight.” — T.J. Imhof
Submitted Photo
Dianna Varady
Update: Clarks Summit Fire Company Banquet Hall, 321 Bedford St., will host a pasta dinner fundraiser Sunday, July 28, from 2 to 5 p.m. for Dianna Varady, who was featured in last week’s column because of a recent total-loss house fire. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $7 for children 8 and younger. They are available by calling 570-945-3139 or 570-586-9656, ext. 4, or visiting Fleetville Volunteer Fire Company, Clarks Summit J.W. Hall Auxiliary, B&B Restaurant, Clark’s Sharp-All, Country Cuts and Joann’s Beauty Salon.
Patrice Wilding is a 13-year employee of the Lifestyles Dept. at The Times-Tribune, where she worked her way up from a clerk to a web video producer to a full-time reporter, writer and copy editor. An Olyphant native, she graduated from Mid Valley Secondary Center and earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with concentration in media arts, political science and communications from Wesley College, Dover, Delaware. She lives in Clarks Summit with her husband, Justin, and their son, Johnny. Contact: pwilding@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5369; @pwildingTT
