All-time favorites
Opinion
C’mon, gang! Give
Snoopy a chance
or years now, Snoopy
has been as American
as apple pie, Chevrolet
and baseball. However,
because schools officials hit
the ceiling over his latest
antics, Snoopy may never
‘again win. a popularity con-
test and will ‘certainly never
again consider running for
President.
Holding a mug of root beer
in one hand, a pizza in the
other and dancing in a dor-
mitory room with his friends
from the Peanuts comic
strip, Snoopy dared to poke
fun at American schools.
Imagine that! That loveable
‘little guy with the big ears
whose neatest trick is sleep-
ing on the roof of his dog
house has somehow inno-
cently managed to turn the
American educational
system topsy-turvy.
And all he did was allow
the people from the Hall-
mark. Card Co. to photo-
graph him for a poster that
high school and college kids
went crzy over. And when
cash registers across the
nation went wild ringing up
sales of the Snoopy posters,
parents, teachers and school
administrators went berserk.
C’mon, gang! This is
Snoopy. The Snoopy we have
all adored for years. The
Snoopy who provides us with
great television specials that
forward to year after year.
Do you really think he would
deliberately offend the prin-
ciples of the American edu-
cational system?
Snoopy has been an educa-
tor himself for a lot longer ,
than most of us can remem-
ber. And the Hallmark Card
Co. has been an educator for
years and years, sponsoring
countless educational televi-
sion specials. Hallmark has
served the public in so many
ways for so many years, that
surely it is not fair to chas-
tise them for marketing a
product they honestly
thought would be taken in
fun.
It is hard to believe that
with things like rising educa-
tion costs and techers’
strikes running rampant, the
American public would even
bother to take the time to
point a finger at Snoopy and
the Hallmark Co. 2
But, because the people
a and withdrew its
Snoopy posters from the
market - a very brave move
on the part of the Hallmark
Corporation. After all, the
marketing the Snoopy post-
ers and to have the bottom
fall out of the whole promo-
tion is surely a blow to its
pocketbooks.
So, Snoopy with his root
beer, his pizza and his danc-
ing dormitory friends will
soon vanish from the shelves
of areas stores and the Hall-
mark Co. will think long and
hard before ever poking fun
at anything again.
Now, can we please get
back to the ever-serious
business of running the
American educational
that our students can receive
the best possible education
to which they are entitled?
— DOTTY MARTIN
By NANCY KOZEMCHAK
Library Correspondent
Our display for the next - four
weeks is a group of miniature paint-
Dallas, PA 18612
25¢ on newsstand
Mike Danowski
$12 peryearinPa.
....Assoc¢iate Publisher & Editor
ARERR Managing Editor
from
18612
ings done by the Cider Painters of
America which have been loaned to
us by Sue Hand, local artist. The
organization was founded in 1983
and is a tongue-in-cheek tribute to a
national group of artists called the
Whiskey Painters of America.
The CPA is dedicated to the fine
art of painting miniatures while
enjoying a bit of liquid refreshment
and the companionship of fellow
painters. Each painting may be as
small as the member wishes, but
may not exceed 3 by 5 inches (not
including the mat or frame). Mem-
bership in the organization is by
invitation only and dues are $1.00
per year. The local organization
was founded by the Wednesday
night art class.
There are 23 miniature paintings
in our display case, which includes
the painters name. The paintings
are done by professionals as well as
amateurs, teachers as well as stu-
female.
Sue Hand has been interested in
art since she was a young girl and
operates an art studio, Sue Hand’s
Imagery, at 35 Main Street in
painting of two large murals on the
walls of the First National Bank of
Wyoming. Another exhibit of minia-
tures is being shown at her studio.
These paintings will be at the
library until October 19 and the
public is invited to visit.
The Summer Youth Employment
Program ended on Aug. 24 and the
library had two pages for the
summer. Many projects were
accomplished in the library build-
ings and on the grounds. Qur thanks
to Christine Long and Michelle Viv-
of
Only yesterday
50 YEARS AGO - SEPTEMBER 29, 1933
Due to overcrowding in the fourth and fifth grades,
Kingston Township School Board hired two additional
teachers for the school year. Audrey Carle and
Kathryn Phillips were hired at a salary of $900
annually.
Brotherhood of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church held an
old-time minstrel featuring several well-known local
entertainers. Proceds benefited the church.
Deaths - James Waters, rural mail carrier, Hunts-
ville. -
You could get - Bisquick 35¢ pkg.; corn 4 cans 29c;
12 1b. bag Pillsbury flour 6lc; apples 3 Ib. 14c; pears
29¢ doz.; cabbage 2 lb. 5¢; sweet potatoes 7 1b. 19¢.
40 YEARS AGO - OCTOBER 1, 1943
Hugh B. Morton, aviation officer first class, a
survivor of the Aircraft Carrier Hornet, was spending
a three-day furglough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs.
James Morton, Harveys Lake.
William Baker resigned as Dallas Borough Street
Commissioner. Ralph Eipper was chosen to replace
Baker.
Married - Jane D. Hutchinson to John C. Coleman.
Deaths - Simon Schneider, Shavertown; William
Devens, Mooretown.
You could get - Chickens 39c Ib.; pork sausage 39¢
1b.; bacon 19c¢ lb.; Tokay grapes 15¢ Ib.; potatoes 15
1b. 51c; bread 2 Ig. loaves 17¢; ASCO coffee 24c¢ 1b;
loaf cakes 23c ea.; corn flakes 11 oz. pkg. 7c; matches
1g. box 4c; sugar 10 Ib. 63c.
- 30 YEARS AGO - OCTOBER 2, 1953
Herbert H. Butler was named executive vice-
president and general manager of the Commonwealth
Telephone Co.
Construction was moving along rapidly on the 24-
unit motel at the intersection of Routes 309 and 115.
Construction was expected to be completed by Decem-
ber 15.
Sgt. John Vavrek, home from a prisoner of war
camp in Korea, was honored by members of Demunds
Methodist Church. The entire community was invited
to take part in this program which consisted of
patriotic selections including vocal and piano. A
presentation from many businessmen was presented
to Sgt. Vavrek.
Engaged - Carolyn Berdy to Joseph Williams;
Louise Eleanor Owens to Raymond Haas.
Deaths - Charles W. Lee, vice president and general
manager of H.A. Whitman Co., Wilkes-Barre.
You could get - Chicken legs 59c¢ 1b.; shrimp 69c 1b.;
Tokay grapes 2 lb. 23c; honeydew melon 59c¢ ea.;
evaporated milk 8 tall cans $1; tomato soup 12 cans
$1; Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups 6-25¢; Planter’s
Cocktail Peanuts 8 oz. can 33c.
20 YEARS AGO - OCTOBER 3, 1963
Peggy Jordan, DeeDee Pope, Susan Fielding and
Bonnie Gennetts were chosen by their fellow schoo-
DeeDee were students at Dallas High School while
Susan and Bonnie attended Lake-Lehman High School.
Kingston Twp. residents protested the state’s take-
over of property owned by Gavy’s Market and
Trucksville Pharmacy for road widening. Residents
felt that this would leave their community without a
grocery store or drug store. Three hundred and thirty
three residents signed a. petition expressing their
feelings.
Engaged - Mary Elizabeth Davison to Robert Joseph
Lynch.
Married - Rochelle M. McGuire toW. Randolph
Brooks.
Anniversaries - Mr: and Mrs. Eugene Hummel, 42
years.
Deaths - William Kelley, Dallas;
Harveys Lake.
You could get - Sirloin or rib-steak 79¢ 1b.; bologna
59c 1b.; picnic hams 29c 1b.;
Robert Smith,
1b.
10 YEARS AGO - OCTOBER 4, 1973
Dallas Education Association held a ‘Meet The
Candidates Night” where area residents had the
opportunity to learn candidates views on various
subjects. Candidates were William Dierolf, _ Phillip
Gallagher, Harry Lefko, Bernard Novicki and Harry
Swepston, Jr. Ruth Ambrose and Walter Glogowski
were co-chairmen of the event.
Forty Fort Dairy Bar, a landmark in the Back
Mountain for more than a generation, closed its doors
Sept. 30. It reopened Oct. 1 as Mark II Restaurant.
Engaged - Rhina Schwartz to Robert O. Morgan.
Married - Jeanne Mascali and Brian Roche; Nadine
Teberio and George Mrochko Jr.
Deaths - Percy Wagner, Jackson Twp.; Elizabeth
Charles Hosler, Dallas;
Blanche Ranson, Dallas.
You could get - Granulated sugar 5 lb. 59¢; round
roast $1.39 1b.; pork chops 94c lb.; iceberg lettuce 25c;
fruit cocktail 3-16 oz. cans $1; semi-boneless hams 99¢
1b.: 4 cans Contadin tomato sauce, 89c; Campbell’s
vegetable soup 7 cans $1; bananas 2 1b. 29¢.
DEAR EDITOR:
This is in response to the com-
ments made by Dotty Martin (Asso-
ciate Editor of the Dallas Post) and
Former Fair-Goer about the Luz-
erne County Fair.
The article written by Dotty
Martin was quite shocking and
really unfair to the volunteers who
worked on the various committee
positions. They are really giving of
There really wasn’t enough
research put into what goes into
running a fair of this size. When I
contacted this paper regarding the
article, Iwas told that I was draw-
ing the wrong conclusions from the
story - that it was written to give
support to my thoughts that the
same person should attempt to run
the fair each year.
thoughts about the fair - there
wasn’t one positive thought. With
articles like this, the fair will never
get any volunteers to work.
Since the position of fair chair-
man and his/her additional commit-
tee members is purely voluntary
and involves such things as long fair
hours, loss of personal family time,
it makes it difficult to get people to
accept the jobs under these condi-
tions. Those who are willing to do
them then open themselves to the
criticism of those who know how to
do it better but just can’t sacrifice
the time.
I offer the following information
in response to the areas designated:
1. The Association.
The Dallas Area Fair Association
12 Back Mountain member clubs
that meet on a monthly basis in a
well organized manner. It is the
responsibility of these representa-
tives to attend each meeting and
make a report at their next club
not make the meetings his club is
not kept abreast of things.
2. Fair Exposure.
I feel that our exposure to the
public was more than adequate
since we used TV coverage for the
first time which gave us exposure to
a broad area- ranging throughout
Luzerne County and into part of our
surrounding counties. In addition,
we had radio coverage both prior to
as WARM, WBAX, WNAK, WKRZ,
WBRE, ROCK 107, and WWDL-
WICK covering the major Scranton
area. We also sent public service
bulletins covering the fair dates
along with entertainment schedules
to other stations within our listening
area. Articles were sent along with
pictures to such papers as the
Scranton Times, The Times Leader,
The Dallas Post to name just a few.
Not all of our articles got printed,
but we have ne control over how a
newspaper operates. We also had
live TV broadcasts by WNEP and
WBRE from the fair grounds.
The statement that the Mountain-
top community didn’t know about
the fair gives one the impression
that nobody in that area listens to
the radio, watches TV or reads the
local newspapers. But it does indi-
cate that our own Back Mountain
paper, which publishes both a
Seranton and Mountaintop paper,
did not give us any type of plug in
those areas.
During the course of the fair, The
Times Leader and the Suburban
News sent photographers to the
grounds to get pictures for a back-
ground story on the fair and the
crowning of the Luzerne County
Fair Queen on Sunday afternoon.
There were also pre-fair and post-
fair interviews by the same two
papers. But not once did a reporter
or photographer of the Dallas Post
come to the grounds or contact a
member of the committee for an
interview.
3: Supporters.
While it is true that some support-
ers of the previous fairs were not
involved in the last year or so, it
does not mean that the Association
is responsible for their so called
“turning off” comments. Some of
these people have done a tremen-
dous job since the inception of the
Luzerne County Fair project. They
have given a great deal of their
past and now feel that it is time for
some new faces to take over for
them so they can come out and
enjoy the fair as a spectator instead
of a worker. To them I say ‘‘Thank
you for your past help and please
continue to give us your future
support’, without your help there
would be no Luzerne County Fair
today.
4. Parking.
The Boy Scout troop has been
handling our parking of cars for the
last several years and I feel that
they do an excellent job based on
the conditions they work under and
the abuse they must put up with
each day. Each year they strive to
do a better job and to improve on
the parking conditions.
To the former fair-goer.
I can only say that I know of no
fair that reserves parking spaces
near the main entrance for the
elderly or handicapped to park. We
did allow those people who advised
us they had a handicap or medical
problem to proceed down by our
main entrance area or .within the
grounds gate for disembarking.
For the first time this year, we
arranged with a Back Mountain
school bus company to provide a
bus and driver to transport our
elderly patrons to and from various
pickup points in the parking area
and the main entrance. This took
place for several nights with the
driver under specific instructions to
only transport our elderly people.
But each night he began to get
ovedrrun by the younger people
boarding the bus against his wishes
and he was forced to curtail the
service because he could not control
these people and the service was
just being abused.
We were also successful in WE
ing aluminum bleachers from the
Lake-Lehman School District for
use in our entertainment area. Thus
we made it better for our patrons to
sit and enjoy the entertainment on
stage. Hopefully we can expand on
this next year.
Whenever new rules are put into
effect for the first time, as in the
case of our vehicular control, there
are bound to be some shortcomings.
such was the case this year in our
trying to prevent people from
attempting to circumvent the park-
ing regulations. Everyone becomes
a fair worker or wants to park close
to the gate because of an illness etc.
and it just can’t work like that.
Someone has to park in the rear
sometime and maybe it will be you.
In conclusion, let me state that it
has always been the aim of the
Dallas Area Fair Association to
make the Luzerne County Fair into
an annual county event. Sure, we
know we need to do things such as:
a) improve our parking areas; b)
pave our roadways; ¢) build some
type of permanent structures to
house our Arts-Craits and 4-H ani-
mals just to name a few. Yes, we
can cover the crafts with plastic
the judges require being able to
pick up things for inspection and
want to touch items etc. All these
things we want to do and more but
it takes more money that we are
able to raise with our current fair.
The major portion of our money is
used to help support the Medical
Center and the Back Mountain
MICU vehicle.
We are constantly searching dif-
ferent sources to see if we can
qualify for any kind of federal-state
aid or help from agencies who have
men and equipment to donate and
use to improve our fair grounds.
When the Association starts to
look for a candidate to chair next
year’s fair, I will be the first to
nominate Dotty Martin for the job.
I'm sure I'll have no problems
getting a second to my nomination.
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