Millie Kear = By WALLY KOCHER | Staff Correspondent st! Anyone who thinks elderly -:| people are unable to contribute ‘to society has obviously never vt met Millie Kear of Dallas. <| Millie is a volunteer with the ¢ Thresholds program at the State | Correctional Institution at -| Dallas. She began working with “| the program six years ago-at the \ ‘| age of 76 and is still helping out at the young age of 82. Even though Millie doesn’t interact with the prisoners, or “clients’’ as they call them, she campaigns for the program and ‘| recruits other volunteers. The Thresholds program is the “! brain child of Dr. Milton Bur- ‘| glass. A psychiatrist from New Orleans, LA, Dr. Burglass began to realize the needs of the prison- ers around him: while he was «| incarcerated in prison for cheat- Z| ing in a financial deal during the 1 1960’s. After leaving prison, Dr. ¢ «| Burglass put his ideas into action and began the Thresholds pro- ‘| gram. 1 s| The: program is a 10-week “| course in decision-making and problem-solving and is taught to ul inmates by volunteers from the | local community. Each volunteer goes through a {| basic training period consisting | of one weekend. During the intensive training, the volunteers learn everything in two days that the prisoners learn during the 10- ET ES RTE The course is taught one night a week and, on a second evening, each client meets with his volun- teer to review the lesson. The, seven steps in decision- making taught by the volunteers are: Define the Situation, Explore the Possibilities, Evalu- ate Possibilities, Choosing a Cri- teria, Decide, Action and Ratifi- cation. The Thresholds program began locally at the Dallas Correctional Institution in February, 1978. Since then, workshops have been held twice a year for the past six years. According to Sister Barbara Craig, Co-Director of Thresholds, the program has been very suc- cessful at the prison. It has been welcomed and respected by both inmates and administration. Sister Craig, along with her Co- Director Ingrid Prater, is cur- rently sifting through about 50 applications from the inmates to determine which ones will be chosen for the program. Prefer- ence is given to those inmates who will be paroled soon, how- ever, others who will be incar- cerated for longer periods of time are also considered. “When matching each client with his volunteer, there’s a lot of faith involved,” said Sister Craig. It appeared to be a good match when Millie Kear met her clients as she has had two clients that she actually met with on a one- to-one basis and three others to whom she has written. “I found the program to be illuminating and rewarding,’”’ Millie beamed. ‘I learned far more than they (the inmates) did.” Millie said she received per- sonal satisfaction from helping her fellow citizens, and she felt she had shown the inmates some- one still cares. At the conclusion of the 10- week course it is imperative that contact between the client and volunteer is stopped. " Millie admits, however, that she did hear from one of her clients after he had been paroled. “He sent me a necklace that I wear from a state out west,” she’ said. After that, Millie never heard from him again. It’s obvious that Millie is a devout believer in the Thresholds program. “Just give me a box to stand and I'll tell anyone how wonderful this program is,” she lectured. s For more information on this program, write Thresholds, Box 71, Dallas, PA 18612, or call Jackie Sheehan at 675-0675 or Richard Nash at 287-8195. "I week course. {Dinner Plavhous| ® Swoyersville Proudly Presents e LAS SHES EEE RR 3000) 50% 10 70% OFF EVERYDAY BROADLOOM 100% Wool Pile, Mothproof, Finged, val & $A 99 Colors. $499 27x48 — 1st Quality (1st QUALITY) Value 4 $20 2 Three PI Value $20 +f VINYL (By MARCEL) "ISHOWER .. CURTAINS """ 1 99 solids. Draperies and pillow shams to match . OR ) 4% 100x45 ALSO IN SIZES: 100x63 100x84 200x45 200x63 200x84 FILLER-VALANCE - i Cl AK? N Ne AES BZ) er ie op [Pret unm ima SUNDAY NOON TO 5 P.M. TOWELS SHEETS DRAPERIES BEDSPREADS BATH ACCESSORIES LINEN FREE DOOR MAT WITH *10.00 PURCHASE é st QUALITY) $8.99 1st QUALITY BATH RUGS (ASSORTED COLORS) Value 1st QUALITY BATH ASSORTED COLORS SHOWER ROD COVERS 1st QUALITY BED J 1 H9 Values $40 to $80 1st QUALITY COMPLETE SET TIER & VALANCE 1st QUALITY SOLID PASTEL SHADES PRS CURTAINS Value TO9 P.M. Slovak organizes The Slovak Heritage Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania annouces its formal organization. The purpose of the Society is to promote an awareness of Slovak Culture among all people through education and social interaction. Although the Society has just for- mally organized, its activities began in 1975. At that time a special exhibit of Slovak Art was being held at the William Penn Museum in Harrisburg. Under the direction of Trude Check, a small choir of 25 voices prepared a program of Slovak Music and thus began the first of the cultural activities of the Slovak Heritage Society. On Sunday, April 8, there will be a Pisanky (egg-decorating) class at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 667 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre.” The Artistic Director of the Society David Lepore, a member of the International Egg Art Guild will be the instructor. The Society has sponsored local appearances by visiting artists and with its own folk group known as SPEV has appeared many times before a wide range of audiences in the northeastern part of Pennsyl- vania. (Maria Jozef Manor in Dan- ville, Luzerne County Folk Festival, Fine Arts Fiesta, Valley Crest, Vet- erans Hospital, and the Holiday Fair at the Luzerne County Court House). SPEV is a group of 20 adults who perform a program of Slovak folk songs staged with costumes and accompanied by piano and accor- dion. If interested in becoming a member of the Slovak Heritage Society please write Slovak Heri- tage Society of Northeastern Penn- sylvania, P.O. Box 5004, Station “A”, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18710-5004. SC ——h e I SPOKE TO VERONICA FARI- NOLA, who has been instrumental in getting local businesses to sell daffodils for the American Cancer Society on March: 23, and she men- tioned a few mole businesses that are participating: Dallas Center Carol Eason’s Beauty Salon; United Penn Bank; Sam Roberts Hair Salon. OVERBROOK | ROAD RESI DENT JOHN F SHEEHAN JR. | executive. direc- tor of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Com- merce was named to the advisory panel for the Public Involvement and Education on Radiation program of the Penn- sylvania State University. The advisory panel will review the need for statewide educational programs related to low-level radio- active waste disposal and radiation. It will review and recommend spe- cific program activities and projects. The program was developed to provide educational programs in response to public interest and con- cern over the disposal of low-level radioactive waste in Pennsylvania. -0- CAROL HESSION, family counse- lor at Clearbrook Lodge recently conducted a lecture on Alcoholism, a Family Affair: at College Miseri- cordia. Additional upcoming lec- tures include Drug Interaction, Wednesday, April 4, and Fetal Alco- hol Syndrome, Thursday, April 26. These lectures are free to the public and are scheduled for 8:45 p.m. in Misericordia’s science building. Nancy. Freda is chairwoman of the lecture series. She is a junior at the college majoring in occupational therapy. -0- GEORGE GUTHRIE CONYN- Why not join? During 1983, more than 125,000 Pennsylvania youth benefitted from 4-H. Through direct membership and public projects such as bicycle inspections and petting zoos, 4-H is becoming a part of more lives each year. The 4-H program, part of the Penn State Cooperative Extension Service, is open to young people between the ages of 8 and 19. More than 150 project choices are offered statewide, and activities range from clothing construction to animal breeding. They can ride horses or shoot rifles, develop a stamp collec- tion or keep a bee hive. The 4-H program teaches young people to examine their world, to question in order to learn. The major part of 4-H training and counseling comes from volun- teer leaders. Last year, 16,000 adults and teenagers gave some time to help make 4-H grow. If you’re interested in 4-H, as either a youth participant or an adult volunteer, contact the Luzerne County 4-H Club office, The Penn- sylvania State University Coopera- County, Courthouse Annex, 5 Water St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711, phone: 825-1701 or 459-0736, ext. 701. Make 4-H a part of your life. 283-1671 GHAM of Trucksville has been selected by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Greater Wilkes-Barre as the organization’s man of the year. Conyngham was honored at the annual dinner of the Friendly Sons on St. Patrick’s Day. Conyngham is president of East- ern Pennsylvania Supply Company and the C.B. Scott Company, Scran- ton. A graduate of Yale University in the South Pacific Theater in World War II and in the Korean Conflict, receiving the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in combat. A member of St. Stephen’s Epis- copal Church, Conyngham is asso- ciated with numerous organizations including the YMCA, Pennsylvania Economy League, Blue Cross-Blue Shield, Children’s Service Center, American Red Cross, Valley Historical Society, Vice- chairman of the Luzerne County Republican Committee, he is a trustee -and board member of the Veterans Medical Center, Wilkes- Barre and Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre. -0- DOUGLAS IDE, a sophomore at Lake-Lehman High School has been selected to attend the Hugh O’Brien Youth Foundation State Leadership Conference in Lancaster. An honors student, Douglas is a member of the National Honor Society, the Lake-Lehman Band, the wrestling team, track team and is president of his class. He is a member of the EYC Prince of Peace Church, Dallas. Douglas is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Ide of RD 2, Hunlock Creek. -0- CONGRATULATIONS TO FOUR COLLEGE MISERICORDIA food and nutrition majors who were recent recipients of four-year schol- arships from ‘Custom Management Corp. Kingston. They are Colleen Bergstrasser, Lori Olaf, Christine fine fumiture, dolls, quilts, folk items, © wreaths, and much more... vv ww mon.-sat. 10 -5 717675-1299 sun. 12-5 PE. | »at the main crossroads in Dallas « 675-0835 Kalinay and Maureen Hannon. -0- BEST WISHES TO THE FOL- LOWING LOCAL COUPLES ‘who have announced their engagements; Mary Reistetter and Douglas Ehret; Pamela Selingo and Dr. Arthur S. Dixon. Mary, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. St., Binghamton, N.Y. is a graduate of Binghamton Central High School, State University College, Oneonta trict. High School is employed at Payne Printery, Inc., as a photo lithogra- pher. Mary and Doug will be married in October in St. Cyril’s Church, Binghamton, N.Y. ; 7? -0- Pamela, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Selingo, Overbrook Ave., she earned a bachelor of science degree in geology and education. Pamela attended the Institute of Spanish Studies in Valencia, Spain and undertook graduate studies at Robert Morris College and Duquesne University. She is | employed by the Beaver County School District, Pittsburgh. Ji Mt. Kisco, N.Y. is a graduate of State University of New York, Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse, of medicine degree. He also holds a bachelor of science degree in busi- ness from Fordham University. Presentely he is associated with Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, Norfolk, Va., as a pedia- trician. Pamela and Arthur will be mar- ried in St. John’s Orthodox Church, Nanticoke, wil Sey = 3 5 CIS Welcome SX" Baby S~ The recent arrival of the newest member of your household is the perfect” time to arrange for a WELCOME WAGON call. 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