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Margaret and Sherran Long and Carol Taylor:1973, Shamokin, Pennsylvania

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       Sherran Long was 15. Her sister, Margaret Long, was 16. Their friend, Carol Ann Taylor, was 15.    It was summer in Pennsylvania. It was July of 1973.    Sherran, Margaret and Carol went out for a walk on July 19th, 1973. They lived in the area of Shamokin, in Coal Township, Pennsylvania.    Going for a walk was a good inexpensive pastime in 1973. In small towns it was not easy for young teens to earn a living. Sherran, Margaret and Carol probably did a little babysitting now and then. But, earning a little extra money would have been rare in a small town then. But, a person could always go for a walk. And if you are walking with a friend you could talk and laugh.       The three girls would have had a lot to talk about. It was summer but a new school year would be starting in the Fall. They would see all their friends again. There would be dances and ball games and homework to do. T...
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Karen Ann Schmalz:1978, Carlisle, Pennsylvania

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     Karen Ann Schmalz   Karen Schmalz was waiting in the car. Her Mom was inside the M.J. Carlisle Mall.    I remember waiting in the car many times while my Mom or Dad ran inside a store. Sometimes I did not feel like going inside. Sometimes I wanted to listen to the radio or just sit there. Sometimes my parents just didn’t want to drag all the kids in. It would be quicker and easier when they just went in alone. Waiting in the car was a very common experience for kids my age.    Karen was 14 and a freshman at Dover Area High School. It was Sunday, October 15th, 1978. It was just about the height of the disco era. Karen’s birthday was coming up on November 1st. Maybe her Mom was inside buying a gift or paying a bit on a layaway. It was Sunday evening. Maybe she was picking up something she needed for the work and school week ahead.    Karen had her brand new little transistor radio with her. She had just bought it ...
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Ruth Elizabeth Brenneman:1973, York, Pennsylvania

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   Ruth Elizabeth Brenneman was born on November 26th 1958 to Phyllis Yvonne Dern Brenneman and Richard William “Whitey” Brenneman. The family made their home in York, Pennsylvania.   By 1973 Ruth’s parents had separated. Ruth stayed with either parent some but mostly lived with her 20 year old brother and his wife.   In September of 1973, at the start of the school year, Ruthie disappeared after being dropped off at school one morning by her older brother, Michael.   The family assumed that she had run away. But, there were things that made them doubt that idea as well. Ruth also relied on a daily medication for seizures. She did not have this with her. She hadn’t taken anything really.   In the early 1970’s a missing 14 year old might have been considered just a runaway. Her parents may have been too embarrassed to report her missing. They also might have been wishing that this simply wasn’t happening. Humans under stress and w...
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