PAGE TEN With a Radio Control Airplane Club as a jumping off point, Lake- Lehman Industrial Arts students are embarking on an ambitious endeavor geared at making better use of their talents. The students are organizing a chapter of PIASA, Penn- sylvania Industrial Arts Student Association. The group will be state and nationally affiliated (AIASA), deriving numerous benefits and compete and provide community service. The Industrial Arts student associations are devoted exclusively to the needs of those particular students. Co-curricular and extra-curricular involvement are en- couraged. - Individual student growth, develop- ment and maturity are fostered while prestige and recognition come through a national program of awards and contests. Byron Race, chairman of the school’s industrial arts department is coordinating the new club, along with first year teacher Dan Williams. Williams is a former student of Race’s at Lake- Lehman. He received his degree in California and returned to join the department. His specialty is electronics and the Radio Controlled Air- planes are a particular favorite. “The RC Airplanes are a natural promotion,’ said Race. ‘They will encourage interest among the students but the organization as a whole will be much more than airplanes.” | PIASA chapters can lend their expertise in many areas to various types of projects, both fun and useful. CO 2 racing cars is another popular outlet. Race pointed out through the auspices of the club, civic and school projects can be under- taken. He indicated the clock-making fundraiser, which his classes have been involved in for several years, will also be a part of the club. “We hope to offer our services to the school too. There is a lot we can do. There is a lot the students are capable of doing.” Race said he is very anxious to see the organization get off the ground because he believes industrial arts students are not ap- preciated for what they accomplish. “There are no awards programs through the school. The students have virtually no He said many of the industrial arts students go on to become the kind of solid citizen a community relies upon as adults. ‘1 students living here in the community. Most are really good citizens, with good jobs and firm commitments to their ideals. But while they were in school, they were not always appreciated for what they were learning and achieving.” ATASA’s program of awards and contests will provide an incentive to local chapters to compete with other groups. The ensuing recognition will utlimately filter down and a better understanding of the wise array of talents involved in industrial arts should result. It may require no more than a social note to tell the public that Paul and Ann Figler have recently returned from a South American cruise on the Carla C. The Jackson 1492 sea miles, stopping in five ports for sightseeing. To reach their cruise ship, they flew to Puerto Rico, which added another 2,000 miles to their journey. The fact of such a winter vacation is not unusual in itself, but considering Ann Figler is crippled with multiple sclerosis, and gets around only with the Greater Family YMCA, an- nounced that the 12th Annual = Elementary Wrestling Tournament will be held Sunday, March 6 at Wilkes College Gymnasium. The tourn- ament is open to wrestlers 12 years of age as of March 6 and younger. No seventh graders. For entry information, please contact the Wilkes- Barre YMCA at 717-823- 2191. Steve Biernacki will be tournament director. aid of wheelchairs, walkers and canes, their travel schedule really be- comes noteworthy. Since Paul’s retirement in 1979, the couple has been to the Caribbean on three occasions, to Hawaii and Mexico. The lengthy trips winter vacations. During the spring and summer, the Figlers make a point of taking two or three camping trips in their own camper, and take in a number of polka festivals throughout Eastern Their attitude is that Ann’s handicap will not prohibit them from fulfilling their travel dreams. Having worked 35 years for the Federal government, Paul planned his retirement very carefully. The couple fits into an average, middle-class” ‘income bracket and does not travel first class. For the most part, they travel with tour groups. In most instances, they are ac- companied by another couple, Tony and Julie Pavloski from Wilkes- Barre. However, on their 1982 trip to Hawaii, they were on their own. SI's really no problem,’ explained Ann. “At first we didn’t know what to expect, and we were a little hesitant. We can get just about every- where.” In all cases, the Figlers are treated with consider- ation and afforded great NORELCO ROTATRACT RECHARGEABLE ROTARY RAZOR... Stroud's Low Price ‘44.97 Mtg.Sugg.Ret.$69.95 HP1601NN Shave closer than ever before! go TWIN ACTION 5 BLADES GRIPSIT... RAISESIT... RAZORS IT OFF. Mundy St. Wilkes-Barre Open:10 AM. to 9P.M. Mon.-Sat. \ respect by the air and sea lines. When confirming reservations, Paul merely notes that his wife will require a wheelchair. Upon arrival at any air terminal, the couple is escorted to a special waiting area. Their wheelchair is paced away onto the plane’s baggage compartment and Ann is rolled on board in an air- advance of other passengers. She is given a seat near to the facilities and can be easily accom- panied to and from. Very often she flies first class, regardless of the fact that they have coach tickets. And Paul, simply by virtue of being her companion, receives the same courtesies and treatment. “I can’t find any fault at all with the way we're treated by the airlines or bus services,” said Paul. “When we land, they whisk us through baggage pick-ups and customs. We never have to wait very long.” Traveling with another couple is a big help when the Figlers are on their own. “It’s good to have another lady along, and the Pavloski’s have been friends of ours for a long time,”” said Paul. The foursome enjoys much of the same kinds of pastimes, particularly polka dancing. What the travelers have noticed is how more and more places have built-in accommodations for the handicapped. Hotels come complete with ramps and elevators. Restaurants offer con- venient seating and many streets and sidewalks are slanted for easy wheel- chair accessibility. Of course, the ease with which they can get around depends upon their travel destination. Several of their South American stops were on islands of a very primitive nature. Since: the Carla C could not pull directly into post in places like Grenada, visitors were taken ashore in a smaller boat. Ann was helped into the boat from the seven story ship, and again helped out onto the dock. Then, the couple was on their own. “We managed alright,” said Ann. ‘Its slow with the wheelchair sometimes Name 1year 2years 3years - "Address City State but the people are great and very helpful.” She recalls a time in Las Vegas when she was waiting to use a ladies room and did not have Julie with her. “A com- plete stranger came out and immediately asked if she could help. It always seems as if there is some- one around to give a hand when I need it,’ she said. “Of course, I get stared at a lot, especially in the South American coun- tries. Some people there have never seen a wheel- chair,” she explained. But their curiosity does not bother Ann and she often finds herself engaged in conversations with people, who might other- wise totally ignore her presence. ‘‘One lady thought I had plastic knees. She’s supposed to have an operation on her knees and she asked me for advice. I told her there are worse things than a wheelchair.” £% £2 > FIRST PRIZE +100 0f Fuel Oil 3 % SECOND PRIZE TE Honeywell Fuel 5 Saver Thermostat | 44 : Ww Using a wheelchair is something Ann has only recently had to learn about. The MS flared up in the mid-"70’s, affecting her legs and interfering with her ability to walk. With therapy and con- tinued maintenance, she is able to get around in- doors with only a cane or walker. Travel, shopping and outdoor events, how- ever, require the chair. Her determination not to allow the affliction to disrupt her life more than necessary has made all the difference for the couple. While it was not an easy task to keep from staying at home and treating herself like an invalid, Ann quickly learned to overcome her self-pitying = tendencies. from South America, Pa asked me where I wanted to go next. 1 said, ‘Wait minute, will you? The clothes aren’t even washed from this trip!” Br Xx #* JF = = = = OFFICIALENTRYFORM— — smeg } XP A J Name i LPN i | Be Ew g Address J wl i “City State i : 1 1 Zip Phone : : : 1 % 1 The total snowfall betweeng&¥ ; fJan. 1, 1983 & March 23, 19830%% Bwillbe_ inches. 1 fl {