hi See HEL Se —, Mi L Sr mp Page 10 : There are few families in the Back Mountain Area whose lives have not been touched by James Kozemchak Sr., of Huntsville Road, Dallas. +Jim’’, as he is best known by friends and neighbors, is the dark-haired man, most often with camera in hand, seen most any place at any time.’ During the past 30 years or more, he has taken photos of weddings, anniversaries, club or social events, school pictur- incidents. For many years, dur- ing the holiday season he took pictures of the original and beautiful house displays enter- ed in the Yuletide competition. "In his photographic files are pictorial histories of many fam- ilies in the Back Mountain for he has been called on to take photos of generation after gen-. eration. So, too, are pictures in- progress of many organizations and developments in the area, and he is often called upon as a source of information by per-- sons in charge of some all-im- portant service or community event, Jim Kozemchak came to the Back Mountain from Wilkes- Just a young boy at the time, he attended Dallas High School and won several local amateur came more proficient, he en- competition finishing school, he married the former Ann Was- nick of Wilkes-Barre, and con- tinued to make their home in the vallas area. The Kozemchaks nave three children, James Jr., Plymouth; David, who lives in oallas; and Elaine Roberts, i ‘oughkeepsie, N.Y. Jim was an employee of American Chain and Cable Co., Wilkes-Barre, until 1967, when tic retired. For 25 years he serv- ed as their chief photographer, working in the research and de- veloping department. His work required that he tra- vel a great deal and he took pic- tures at Lehigh University, at locations in Baltimore and other cities related to government work. He first became interested in photography as a hobby. but iater it became a second career, iirst for his company, and then tor himself as residents in the -ommunity began to call on him 10 lake pictures at weddings, so- cial affairs, community and ~chool events, etc. tie also took pictures for the weal newspapers and particu- arly for the Dallas Post, with whom he has been associated or ul least 40 years. He and the wate tioward Risley were close friends and worked on many pictorial pages together. Jim: remembers starting in photographer was not paid for his work, but was happy to see a credit line under a photo sub- mitted. Since his retirement from American Chain and Cable, what started as a hobby has de- veloped into a full-time job. His ume has been completely taken up with day and evening sched- ules of appointments, and he covers all sections of the area taking pictures of interesting people or events. His wife and family are also interested in photography and throughout the years this has made his avocation more en- deared to him. He told the Post closer as a family, and it was a int effort by all of them. Today, his son, James Jr., who lives in Plymouth is owner ol two studios, the Paramount studio, Plymouth; and Ace Hoffman Studio, Wilkes-Barre, the latter purchased just prior to the June, 1972 flood. David hecame interested while in high school and today, although he is ¢mployed in the microfilm de- partment at Luzerne County Courthouse, he, like his father aid. takes pictures as a hobby and a sideline interest. Their daughter, Elaine, has always seen interested in photography and has been involved in it as a ilobby since she was in college. loday, she and her husband, iJon Roberts, a former local re- -ident, live in Poughkeepsie, NY. Jim Sr. not only takes pictur- ¢s but he works with camera cquipment as well. He has in- vented several important items and holds patents on some. One of these, a camera developed by him and Al Gittens, former owner of Ace Hoffman's, is ocing turned over to the Wyo- niing Valley Historical Society. It was one of the first cameras used for babies with electronic flashes. He also holds a patient on wire rope which he developed while at American Chain & Cable. His first love is photography, and he especially enjoys photo- graphing children; and he has the opportunity to photograph practically every child in the Back Mountain as they enroll in kindergarten. Following the recent flood, with the help of his sons, he photographed hundreds of ex- cellent shots, many of which were used in ‘Portrait of Ag- nes’’ the pictorial account of Hurricane Agnes published by Aim following the 1972 tragedy. Jim does a great deal of work in the yard around his home overlooking Huntsville Dam. He Motor Home Rentals Off Season Rates Now in Effect C—O also likes masonry and the lar- ge. natural fieldstone fireplace at the end of his livingroom was built by him, as was the pictur- esque stone wall in the yard be- hind his home. And, of course, he is popular for the delicious recipe for dill pickles which he puts down’ in a crock, as well as the many specialties he pre- pares in the Kozemchaks’ Early American motif kitchen. Jim also built his home and most projects are a cooperative endeavor of his and his wife's. No matter what they do around their home, they both pitch in and do it together. Ann also ac- companies him on many of his photo appointments, and she nelps him in developing pictur- es: just recently, she helped lum in printing approximately 500 pictures of kindergarten children. He also does oil paint- ing--both in heavy and light oils. Proof of his talent is this direction hangs on the wall of the Kozemchak living- room...three large framed, hand-painted pictures of his children, James Jr., David and Elaine. Ann also enjoys the kitchen. She is an excellent cook and has a variety of recipes, some of which she promises to share with Post readers at a future date. Many of her dishes are original and different than inost. She also does beautiful needlework, and makes afghans ior her daughter and daughters- in-law. Her grandchildren are proud owners of hand-made ponchos and other items, gifts from their grandmother. Mr. Kozemchak gives most of his free time to his family but he does hold membership in the a member of St. John’s Ortho- dox Church, Edwardsville. life of working, Jim Kozemchak 15 now looking forward to taking iif¢ easier. He plans to pace his outside interests and will limit ins photography work to his iavorite subjects. In this way, tie hopes to find more time to spend with his children and grandchildren. He wants time 10 do odd jobs around his own and children’s homes, and to help James Jr. repair and maintain his studio equipment, and ‘‘Ann and I will have more ume to travel.” a subject. The Dallas Kiwanis Club will Mountain Halloween Parade, Oct. 28, at 1 p.m. The Dallas Kiwanis Club, which has been active in many other community events, has sponsored the parade for a number of years. The Back Mountain parade has become an institution and each year is attended by hundreds of people. Prizes for this year’s parade will be awarded in four cata- gories; most original, prettiest, funniest, and best group. The parade will be led by the famous Stegmaier Band and will form at the Dallas Town- ship School building on Church Street, at 1 p.m. The line of march iswas follows: leave Dallas Township School build- Church Street to Centerhill Road, turn right, proceed down Centerhill Road to Lake Street, turn left on Lake Street and pro- see the of new at Quincy ceed to the Rea & Derick parking lot, turn left, cut across the parking lot to Acme parking lot for awards and pictures. In case of rain the activities will be held in the auditorium of the Dallas Township School building. 3 TENNIS RACKET TRINGING Machine Strung e No Guess Work CALL E.-J. YABLONSK]I 623 Powell Ave. Clarks Summit Ph. 587-4126 WEEK DAYS AFTER 5 P.M. ALL DAY SAT. AND SUN. Dr. Linford Werkheiser, superintendent of the Dallas School District, announced at the monthly board meeting that it would be necessary to in- crease the cost of milk from nine cents to 10 cents, effective Oct. 15. The increase is a result of an increase by the dairies who supply milk to the schools. The district receives milk from Dallas Dairy, Harter’s Dairy, and Orange Dairy, all three are located in the Back Mountain area. | The cafeteria report listed butter, flour, rice and peanut butter as the only surplus foods received during September. Township ‘Board Appoints Hoover The Franklin Township board of supervisors has appointed a new supervisor. At an Oct. 15 special meeting of the board, Harold Hoover Sr. was selected to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Phillip Williams. The board also appointed Russell Race, Franklin Township roadmaster, at the special meeting. It Pays To Advertise A total of 39,932 student and 724 adult lunches were served in 18 school days during the month of September. The cafeteria financial report estimated that there was a loss of $5,508.39 for the month. June Evans was approved as assistant coach for the senior high girl’s basketball team at a rate of $275. Florence Sherwood, teacher, and William Cutter, student, will attend the P.M.E.A. All- State Chorus Convention to be held in Pittsburgh in January. Edward Carpenter, Henry Carpenter, John McManus and Completes Air Course Son of Dallas Woman Airman Douglas H. Wildoner, son of Mary Wildoner of 118 S. Main St., Dallas, has graduated at Lackland AFB, Texas, from the U.S. Air Force security policeman course conducted by the Air Training Command. The airman, who was trained in security and law enforce- ment, is being assigned to Whit- man AFB, Mo., for duty with a unit of the Strategic Air Com- mand. Airman Wildoner is a 1973 graduate of Elks Lake High School in Dimock. the board as bus drivers for the ment in the amount 0/818 981.11 will be installed in #2 Dallas Borough, Westmoreland and Trucksville Elementary build- ings. Federal funds will cover over 75 percent of the total ex- penditure for the new equip- ment. Director Harry Swepston re- commended that self-starting generators be installed in three elementary schools to replace outdated equipment. Dallas Senior High School band was granted permission to participate in the Veteran’s Day parade to be held in Wilkes- Barre, Nov. 11. The resignation of John McCarthy, assistant baseball coach, was approved. There were 910 absentees during the first month of school. in the district. A total of 13 oc- curred during interscholastic athletic programs. Bids for demolition of a two- room wood frame building which is attached to the Dallas Borough Elementary School building were opened and refer- red to the proper committee for tabulation and recommen- dation. Bids for fire doors were also opened and referred to the proper committee. RAMPART ™? “How to Buy a Roof.’ 287-1177
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers