Auctioneers In Action Dallas Post/ Rod Kaye
Jerry Fritzges, above left, and Monty Evans, above right of
‘Monty's’ in Luzerne, display their form as auctioneers by
calling for bids on merchandise at the 37th Annual Back
Mountain Memorial Library Auction.
25 Cents
Lived
By JANE C. BOLGER
Post Correspondent
“Welcome Friends’ was the message read to
the crowd from a handsoirie wooden plaque that
was the first item to cross the block last
Thursday. night as the 37th Annual Back Moun-
tain Memorial Library Auction opened. The
bidding went back and forth under the guidance
of veteran auctioneer Dr. Craig Aicher until the
plaque went to the highest bidder - Kerry
Freeman. Freeman’s wife, Joann, was the chair-
man of this year’s successful auction.
There was something for everyone from
depression glass to handmade bird feeders by
John Paul and golfball-shaped ice cube trays.
Dorothy Anderson took home a yellow begonia,
Frank and Lenchen Townend were the successful
bidders on a fireplace screen, Florence Crump
left the Book Booth long enough to capture a
year’s subscription to The Dallas Post and a
front wheel alignment. Kay Whitehead bought a
permanent wave - ‘not a temporary wave’ -
from tuxedo-clad auctioneer Monty Evans who
also humerously auctioned off a four-foot statue
variously entitled ‘Embrace’ and “Man's Inhu-
manity To Man.” -
There were lots of action as hams from
Darings, a. self-help book written by Tommy
VanScoy, a roll-top desk in several pieces, and a
spitoon with a fuschia planted in it that crossed
the block. The crowd bid and bid as the: night
turned from ‘perfect auction weather’ to a crisp
chill that saw Mary Bevivino huddled on the
bank under a plaid blanket and Muriel Slaff
arriving in a winter coat.
The Odds and Ends Booth, manned by Marion
Harvey and Sybil Pelton, did a brisk business as
did the booth where Mrs. Spencer Martin was
selling printed T-shirts and ‘‘Garfield the Cat”
lunch bags. The food was also in the something
for everyone category from funnel cakes, home-
made fudge and bowls of fruit to the traditional
auctionburgers being served by hardworking
Pauline Roth who was wearing a colorful apron
announcing ‘‘I’d Rather Be Golfing.’
Congressman Frank Harrison arrived to auc-
tion off an American Flag that had flown over
the capitol to a crowd that included such
eon, Marsha and Al Landis, Lee Ann and Ed
Johnson, Pug and Bill Berti, Barbara Vivian,
Ernie Gay, John Farkas, Peg and John Butler
and former chairman Joyce Krivenko.
There were three generations of more than one
Back Mountain family present and the young-
sters were having a wonderful time playingthe
innovative games capably organized by Jacquie
Downend and jumping in the sweet smelling hay
while their parents and grandparents browsed
through the Book Booth.
Features of Friday night at the auction ranged
from timed items like the antique silver condi-
ment tray to fish fry dinners topped with green
cotton candy. The most spirited bidding came
when State Senator Frank O’Connell personally
auctioned off a state flag with the bids raising
dollar by dollar all the way to $75, earning him a
reputation as a seasoned auctioneer.
Charlie Lemmond was spotted in the crowd
eating his dinner, Jackie Williams was selling
chances under the yellow and white umbrella,
Rena Rothschild was top bidder on a Royal
Doulton ‘‘Doctor Plate’”’ which her doctor helped
auction off without noticing she was bidding. Bob
Besecker was cooking hamburgers in the
cars up at the school and a lady in a straw hat
effectively kept the bugs away by placing sticks
of lighted punks in the brim of her hat. ui
Pillows and more pillows crossed the auction
block, along with plants, a fishing rod and reel, a
goldfish bowl in a stand, children’s skis and a pot
of mint complete with the auctioneer’s recipe for
mint juleps. In the crowd helping the bidding
along were Claudia and David Stevens, Al Lipko,
Jane Toor, Kenny Young, Mary Ruckno, Homer
Moyer, Bruce and Nancy Slocum, Bill Brislin,
Ginger Banks, Helen Newberry and Gloria Bren-
nan who took home a box of homemade fudge.
The children of the Back Mountain had their
own auction on Saturday morning just as they
have their own library every day of the year.
The youngsters bid enthusiastically on stuffed
animals, games and camping equipment with the
biggest bargains being real live kittens for 45
cents each and rabbits for $1 apiece.
As the afternoon wore on, the items crossing
the block ranged from an old-fashioned mangle
to iron and fold sheets, to a street sign, a bug
zapper, shares of utility stocks and a pen
autographed by.Governor Thornburgh. Barbara
Evans leaned out of the Food Booth way in the
(See AUCTION, Page 16)
Norway, Finland, France, Japan
. Hopeful Cyclist
Peter Scott is shown here with members of Kiwanis as he embarks on his cross-country bicycle
trip to benefit Project Concern. Little did anyone know, however, that the trip would come to an
abrupt end. From left, Ed Wodaski, Kiwanis immediate past president; George McCutcheon,
State Chairman for Project Concer; Scott, John Luke, Kiwanis president; and Reese, Pelton,
ByJOAN KINGSBURY
Post Correspondent
The 1983 American Field Service
Bus Stop is now history.
During this past week, Back
Mountain Families opened their
homes to AFS students who are on
their way home following a year’s
stay in the United ‘States. This
year’s 38 students spent the year
living in the greater Cleveland, Ohio
area.
Arriving on July 3, the students
enjoyed Fourth of July celebrations
toured the N.P.W. Medical Center
where ‘they enjoyed a delicious
lunch. A rousing softball game with
the WBRE-TV Peacocks ended with
the AFS kids losing by a mere two
points. The fact that many of them
had never played softball added to
the fun. An interesting tour of Proc-
tor and Gamble showed the students
how paper is made and how the
finished products. The tour was
followed by a picnic lunch.
The AFS Talent Show held at St.
Paul’s Lutheran Church completed
the Bus Stop students’ activities.
Musical acts showed students from
and Thailand singing. Coniedy was
a big part of the show as the kids
came up with some zany sketches.
And, of course, songs about AFS
were a must. The song, ‘Leaving
On A Jet Plane,” brought tears to
many eyes. A farewell reception
was held following the talent show.
Kate Dickson and Jackie Sheehan
were responsible for this year’s Bus
Stop arrangements.
According to Chapter Develop-
ment Specialist Sally Davenport,
boys from Denmark and Bolivia will
be attending Dallas High School
next year.
Kiwanis. secretary.
By JOAN KINGSBURY
Post Correspondent
Determined is the word to describe Peter Scott.
Scott, 18, who lives in Shavertown with his mother,
Michelle Rinehimer, recently undertook the task of
riding a bicycle cross-country from Shavertown to
Tiajuana, Mexico for the benefit of Project Concern.
Project Concern is a life-saving organization known
throughout the *world for helping people help them-
selves toward better health. Supported by contribu-
tions, they develop people to institute health-care
programs in medically underserved areas of the United
States and developing countries. :
ww Although Scott was unable to complete his trip
because of some unfortunate circumstances, his story,
is nevertheless, exciting.
The idea of riding his bicycle across country came
about during a discussion with his brother. Scott is a
veteran bicycle rider, able to ride to Binghamton, N.Y.
and back in one day. When Scott mentioned the cross
country bike trip to Kiwanis member George McCutch-
eon, the idea of riding for Project Concern was born.
McCutcheon, who has been active in Kiwanis for a
number of years is currently chairman of Pennsylvania
Major Emphasis Programs. For Kiwanis, these pro-
grams are presently concerned with raising funds for
Special Olympics and Project Concern. McCutcheon
contacted Betsy Clever, Project Concern representative
for Pennsylvania, relayed Scott’s idea to her. Clever
approved of the idea and the trip was on.
A bicycle of the best caliber was needed for such an
Governor of Division 15 Kiwanis Clubs, a bicycle was
donated by the Raleigh Bike Company.
Scott planned his own trip. He sent out leaflets to
prospective sponsors explaining that his 5,000 mile
cross country bike trip was for the benefit of Project
Concern. It was Scott’s goal to rai for the fund.
McCutcheon wrote to Kiwanis and Project Concern
chapters explaining about Scott and the trip’s purpose.
This yielded about $1500 in donations.
Leaving on June 4 from Shavertown, Scott basically
had good experiences. Often when he stopped to get a
drink at a gas station, soda would be on the house once
the purpose of his ride was known. At one bus stop, a
man bought his lunch. When staying with Kiwanis or
Project Concern families along the way, they would
show Scott around their town, provide him with a meal
and a place to sleep. When no families were in the
immediate area for his evening stay, the cyclist stayed
in campgrounds. Scott’s friends, family and sponsors
like the -Dallas, Back Mountain, Tunkhannock and
Montrose Kiwanis Clubs earmarked funds for his travel
use. ;
About the fifth day of travel Scott experienced some
trouble when two young people in a small car ran him
off the road causing him to pull the muscles in his
ankle. Undaunted, he pressed on. But when he reached
Springfield, Illinois, a motorcycle group threw beer
bottles at him hitting him in the knee and causing a flat
tire on his bike. Despite the injury, Scott continued to
St. Louis. Although he suffered a bruised knee with a
partially torn tendon, he wanted to continue but had to
return home at the insistence of his doctor.
To attempt a six-week trip bicycling 100 miles a week
seems difficult enough but experiencing these hard-
ships is enough to make anyone quit. Right? Wrong!
Scott hopes to pick up the trip at Colorado Springs
and travel through Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Wash-
when his knee is improved.
Funds are still needed for Scott, a student at Luzerne
County Community College majoring in bio-chemistry
and physics, to complete his trip and reach his goal of
$5,000. Anyone who wishes to make a contribution is
Chairman, 131 Overbook Avenue, Dallas, Pa, 18612.
Wedding Boat
Dzlizs Post/Rod Kaye
ceremony.
Trucksville may be sold to the McC
Mountaintop, aceordin