New, Non, Editor's notes NOW THAT THE Christmas holi- day is over, I hope everyone had a nice one. I thoroughly enjoyed the day, spending it with family and friends. However, I have come to the conclusion that Christmas has become much, too much commer- cialized. : You wouldn’t believe the gifts | that were left |, behind at our house - half the livingroom was filled - and there are only two of us B in the household. f * Well, two besides the dog and her presents didn’t take up much room at all, although she was thrilled to get them. I think people have come to expect too much for Christmas these days. I don’t think I'm one of those people. I'd rather look at myself as someone who is thrilled to get anything, let alone get as much as I did. I remember getting a lot of gifts for Christmas when I was a kid, but I thought the receiving part of it was supposed to taper off when you got older. Sometimes, I think the adults are more guilty than the children with their ‘gimme’ atti- tudes. Oh, well, I guess it’s our society, our economy, that has turned us all into greedy little monsters at Christ- mas. I’m not sure it would ever be possible to change those attitudes and revert to celebrating the real meaning of Christmas, but I, for one, might be interested in giving it a try next year. -0- THE STAFF AT THE DALLAS POST seems to have a lot of friends this year. Our bulletin board is filled to the brim with Christmas cards that our friends and business associates have sent us. I don’t remember us ever receiv- ing as many Christmas cards in the past as we received this year. Maybe people do like us, what do you think? J 20 THE GOING has been a little tough these days with the crazy winter weather we’ve been having. First, it’s sunny, then it’s rainy, then it’s snowy - and, before you know it, all the rain underneath is freezing because the temperature has dropped down to the single digits. One person who’s been fighting with this winter weather is CHERYL DENMON of Beaumont. Actually, Cheryl hasn’t been fight- ing with the weather, but rather with the animals that make their homes back here in the Back Moun- tain area. : Cheryl had just gotten her car back from the garage after a deer had chosen to cause over $2800 damage to it when, BAM! There was another deer, slamming into her car. The second time, however, the damage wasn’t so extensive. But, imagine what the insurance agent must have thought. f- CHERYL’S DAUGHTER, NICOLE, thought the whole idea was rather amusing. Then again, she wasn’t the one who had to be without a car for a while and neither was she the one who had to face the insurance agent. Nicole left all that dirty work up to her mother. After all, isn’t that what mothers are for? -0- SPEAKING OF DEER, I under- stand Dallas resident Bruce Pitts isn’t having much luck with the resident deer in the Back Mountain Seems Bruce managed to bag a deer during this year’s recent hunt- ing season, but ran into several problems before getting the deer home. 1 guess Bruce, even though he claims to be an experienced hunter, forgot to make arrangements for some way to haul the deer out of the woods after he shot it. So, he dragged it - several miles - by the antlers. From what I've heard, by the time Bruce and his prized posses- sion arrived at his car, it was questionable as to whether Bruce shot the deer or whether the deer shot Bruce. Sounds like an awful lot of trouble to go through just to eat deer meat, Bruce. Or, was it because you wanted to tell all your friends you had gotten a deer? Anyway, con- gratulations on beating the odds in what sounded like one heckuva sur- vival test. -0- I SPENT LAST FRIDAY’S SNOWSTORM whirling around the top of Larksville Mountain - a place I had never been before and a place to where I’m not sure I ever want to return. Some friends decided they were going to have a Christmas party that evening and, being the faithful party-goers we are, my stepsister and I attempted to attend the festiv- ities. Susan had a directional map with her and didn’t understand why we couldn’t find the’dirt road we were looking for. But did you ever try to find a dirt road during a snow- storm? Next time, I'll have her get out of the car and brush the snow off every intersection so we can be sure of finding a dirt road. Actually, I think we’ll plan to visit these people in the summer time. I’ve decided people who live on top of Larksville Mountain should have pool parties and not Christmas par- ties. -0- AND FINALLY, a great big Happy Birthday to my stepsister, Susan Dadurka, who celebrated her birthday on Christmas Day. It’s tough being a Christmas baby because you never really get a day to yourself. Susan has a pretty optimistic view about the whole thing, though. She’s thrilled that people go to the extent of decorating their houses the way they do for her birthday. REMEMBERING River Common years ago. Only yesterday 50 YEARS AGO - JAN. 3, 1936 One of the scores of successful candidates in last Fall’s election taking office in the new year was John A. Riley, the one lone Democrat to be elected to a Luzerne County office. He assumed duties as County Commissioner. Judge Farr of Tunkhannock, took the bench of Wyoming and Sullivan County. Soft blue lights and holiday greens made an attractive setting for the Christmas dance held by the Beth Love was chairman. Engaged - Dorothy Beatrice Gover and Burton Wilson King; Eleanore Ruth Parsons to Benjamin H. Muchler. You could get - Fillet of fish 10c lb.; stewing oysters 4 doz. 29c; Little Neck clams 100 45¢; sirloin steaks 35¢ lb.; sauerkraut 2 cans llc; eggs 2 doz. 49c; coffee 15¢ Ib.; Brillo 3 pkg. 19c¢; sliced bacon 39c¢ 1b. 40 YEARS AGO - JAN. 4, 1946 All Luzerne County farmers and their wives were invited by James Hutchinson county agent, to attend the annual meeting of Luzerne County Agricultural Extension Association at Hotel Sterling. The basketball teams, coaches and general public were enthusiastic over the newly finished gymnasium floor in Dallas Borough High School. The floor has been sanded and gilled at a cost borne by the school district. Joe Hand, assistant custodian and members of the basketball team painted in the stripes and marked the floor. Engaged - Margaret Dinges to William H. Baker, Jr. Married - Grace Lutz to George Shupp; Lois Bryant to William Price, Jr. Deaths - Franklin Wolfe, Shavertown; Mae Elston, Chase. You could get - Lamb 37c Ib.; franks 33c Ib.; hamburg 29c 1b.; chuck roast 26c 1b.; oranges 39c doz.; grapefruit 3-23c; evaporated milk 4 tall cans 35c; Brer Rabbit Molasses 34c - 32 oz. bottle; coffee 24c Ib.: Spry 24c 1b. jar; Rye bread 10c. 30 YEARS AGO - JAN. 6, 1956 Joseph McVeigh was reelected president of Dallas Borough Council; Warden Kunkle was vice president; Robert Brown, Secretary and W.B. Jeter, treasurer. Edward Girvan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Girvan, Dallas, had his poem, “Our Blessed Mother” accepted for the National High School Poetry Anthol- ogy. Edward, 15, a student at Central Catholic High School, was one of only five in the high school of 600 pupils to have his poem accepted. You could get - Ground beef 3 1b. $1; rib roast 59c Ib.; smoked picnics 25c lb.; tangerines 2 doz. 49c; mushrooms 39c lb.; seedless grapefruit 4 lb. 25c; delicious apples 2 1b. 29c; Wisconsin cheese 49c 1b.; raisin bread 19c loaf. 20 YEARS AGO - JAN. 6, 1966 A bomb hoax was perpetrated by phone from Harveys Lake. Law enforcement officers combed through schools in Dallas and Lake-Lehman school districts but found no bomb. Wolfington Body Company, Philadelphia loaned an ambulance to Harveys Lake officials of Daniel C. Roberts Fire Company until arrival of a new model. The Lake Township ambulance had been destroyed in a collision. Engaged - Grace Alice Machell to Jack D. Hays; Phyllis Farber and Airman Thomas F. Shalata. Anniversaries - Mr. and Mrs. Evan Hughes, Court- dale, 50 years; Mr. and Mrs. Carl Roberts, Dallas, 20 years; Mr. and Mrs. John Dobinick, Shavertown, 41 years; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hontz, 46 years. Deaths - Julia Zacharias, Outlet; Howard C. Rayner, Shavertown; Harry C. Mekeel, Lehman Townsnip. You could get - chickens 27c Ib.; smoked picnics 45¢ Ib.; sea scallops 67c lb.; potatoes 20 1b. bag 79c; apples 3 Ib. bag 45c; 6 cans Campbell’s soup $1; 6-6 oz. cans orange juice 89¢; 3 lb. jar Sultana strawberry preserves 99c. 10 YEARS AGO - JAN. 8, 1976 Members of six locals of the Communications Workers of America on strike against Commonwealth Telephone Company rejected the latest offer for settlemetn. Wendy Weir, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Weir, Huntsville Rd. received a full scholarship to the Harkness School for Ballet in New York City. She was a junior at Dallas High School. Deaths - Alfred Franklin, Chester; John Muskauski, Shavertown; Mrs. Harry C. Bigelow, Lutes Corners; Paul Nulton, Sr., Beaumont; Stephen DeBarry, Oak BH; Willard Crane, Dallas; Florence Frantz, Trucks- ville. By EDWIN FEULNER Special to The Dallas Post The 55 mile-per-hour speed limit is one of the most widely disobeyed laws in the United States. Police in some states now resort to rolling roadblocks-driving side- by-side across all available lanes at exactly 55-air patrols, decoys and radar to enforce what was supposed to have been a ‘‘temporary’”’ energy-saving measure. Even the merits of fuel economy are doubtful in view of today’s engine technol- ogy. Thousands of people every week are ticketed by the metermaids of the highways for driving over the 55 mph speed limit, on roads that just a few years ago were posted at 70. Despite some of the exotic tactics that are being used to hunt down these criminals, most are the vic- tims of radar. The problem with radar is that it steals away the accused’s right to a fari trial. Members of the law enforcement establishment and assorted safety nannies like to brag that radar has a 99 percent convic- tion rate. That’s because the aver- age accused offender has about as much chance of beating a ticket as George McGovern has of being elected president. A radar-based ticket is practically an on-the-spot conviction. The hitch, of course, is that radar, as infallible as it is reputed to be, is prone to certain types of errors. Just because the courts say radar is always right does not make it so. For example, using recommended factory radar procedures, trees have been clocked at 40-miles per hour. Things like high-voltage power lines (common near high- ways) and heavy traffic also do strange things to radar. Some radar units also read higher when they are cold-a nice way for the police to make their ticket quotas. Radar reflections from large vehicles, such as trucks and motor homes, also have been known to cause errant readings for cars ahead of them. Most people do not even bother to fight radar tickets. Thus, there is DAVID F. CONNER General Manager DOTTY MARTIN Executive Editor ae. LIBRARY NEWS i A something like a 97 to 98 percent guilty plea rate. One Christopher Murphy, thank- fully, is not most people. He is, to borrow a phrase, “mad as hell” about radar, and he’s not going to take it anymore. As ‘‘Car and Driver’”’ [Editor-at-large Brock Yates reports, what sparked Mr. Murphy’s madness was a May 1984 speeding ticket he received on New York Route 17, near Elmira. Murphy was zapped at 76 mph by a New York state trooper using a Kustom Signals KR-10 radar gun. The catch is that Mr. Murphy insists that he was driving his 1977 Olds station wagon at or about the sacred 55. Traffic happened to be heavy, and the road is flanked by high-tension power lines-both of Where did By CLYDE DUPIN Special to The Dallas Post All the major polls show that religious continues to be a major element in American society. At the same time, there is a decline in spiritual values. Something has hap- pened to our moral sensibilities. The greatest threat to America is not some outside force. Our biggest danger lies deep within our charac- ter. The moral fiber of our nation is decaying and our values built up Our moral decline is evident and no one seems to be able to put the which are known to play havoc with radar accuracy. Murphy has filed a civil suit in U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, asking for summary judgment against the use of radar evidence in speeding trials, as well as one dollar in damages from four principal radar manufac- turers and assorted New York state officials, alleging that they con- spired to violate his constitutionally guaranteed right to due process. The entire legal structure of radar evidence rests on a series of cases from the 1950s in New York and New Jersey. The same expert wit- ness, Dr. John Kopper of John Hopkins University, testified in both cases, and on the lone strength of brakes on. Legal abortions are per- formed at the rate of 1.5 million yearly. Last year, our U.S. Customs seized 14 tons of cocaine and it is estimated that 4 million Americans use cocaine. Alcoholism is a national scandal; and last year, drunk drivers caused 40,000 deaths. Most states have legalized gam- bling; and 60 percent of the people gamble. It is estimated that $75 billion is spent yearly on gambling. One of the most destructive ele- ments in our society is pornogra- phy. It has promoted incest and immoral conduct of every kind. Our promiscuity has led to 20 million pepple being being infected with his statements the state courts allowed the use of radar as evidence (People v. Magri, 1958). The amaz- ing part is that all other states simply accepted the ruling as a legal precident, and so it stands- except in Dade County, Florida, where another brave individual suc- cessfully fought radar in court. Murphy is confident of victory, according to ‘“Car and Driver’s” Brock Yates. Murphy said, ‘I have an incredible amount of ammuni- tion, and before I'm done I'll have a great deal more, once I start using the federal discovery tools to, in effect, poke around the files of manufacturers, police, etcetera.” If Murphy does win, the safety nannies will be heard squealing like pigs from coast to coast. wrong? herpes. The homosexual lifestyle has led to an incurable plague called AIDS. What has gone wrong with Amer- ica, the shining city? Let me sug- gest that our Bible based values of humanity, work, and decency now cast aside were important. This is no plea for a legislated morality, but a plea for a return to God and the simple faith of our forefathers. America needs a spiritual rebirth. The proclamation of God’s Word in every church and throughout the land can save our nation for future generations. (Clyde Dupin is editor of a national column entitled ‘Religious Viewpoint.””) 1 By NANCY KOZEMCHAK Library Correspondent Marilyn, Charlotte, Melissa, Lisa, Melanie and Michael and from the best wishes for a happy and pros- perous New Year. The Book Club of the library held its Christmas meeting at the library with Mrs. Crump presiding over the business portion and many mem- bers participated in the presentation of Christmas poems and messages. Book Club dues for 1986 are due January 1, payable at the library at the rate of $10.00 for a single membership and $15.00 for a double. The next meeting of the Book Club is scheduled for the third Monday in March which is the 17th. While in New York City last week, stopped at Green Hills Restaurant in Rockefeller Center for coffee. I had a Fudge River Sundae for $5.25 and they forgot to put the nuts on it, and coffee was $1.25 a cup. Made a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral and, unexpectedly, came upon the Church of Sweden on 49th Street where they were conducting a Christmas bazaar. We browsed through the sale and purchased many Swedish items, sold by Swed- ish lasses in genuine Swedish attire. ‘‘Chestnuts were Roasting’’ on every corner. New York City!! A great place! Mrs. T.M.B. Hicks daughter, Bar- bara Harding of Herndon, Virginia, has had published Mrs. Hicks book, “When the World Was Flat” and I ordered two hard cover copies for the library. Evidently, the hard covers are not available yet, so Barbara sent us two of the paper- backs, (gratis) and will send the hard covers when they are ready. I have glanced through the book and it looks as if it will be interesting reading. ‘Hix’, as most of us knew her as, was a great supporter of our library and a faithful patron. Our Star War collection in our exhibit case is receiving much attention; however, they must be doing some wild activities over night, as most every morning a few of them are off their stands and lying on the bottom of the case. These characters make a fascinat- ing exhibit and we thank John Gilgallon of Dallas for letting us borrow them. The library is again collecting Campbell Soup Company labels, which may be dropped off at the library during regular hours. During the last ‘Labels for Educa- tion Program’ we are able to receive a much needed library kick stool for the reading room. The library on-going Book Store will be open in the lower level of the library on Thursdays from 2 to 5 and 6:30 to 8:30. The store features fiction and non-fiction books. One of our patrons gave us a new slogan to encourge reading and help weight-watchers: “Feed your mind instead of your body.” Thanks, Bill, it sounds like a logical solution. STATE CAPITOL ROUNDUP Here is a summary of important events that occurred on Capitol Hill last week from Rep. Frank Coslett, 120th Legislative District. CONTAINING THE cost of health care in Pennsylvania is the aim of a bill introduced by Rep. Don Dorr (R-York). Health care costs are increasing at a rate double that of inflation, according to Dorr, at a time when the growth rate is subsid- ing. ‘‘Health care benefits now account for 10 percent of the payroll costs of Pennsylvania businesses. Even the healthy pay for health care costs,” said Dorr. His proposal would restructure patient treatment in Pennsylvania to make it more cost effective. It would also promote competition among health care providers. -0- AN ANTICIPATED budget sur- plus of $110 million may result in reductions in both personal income and business taxes, according to Gov. Dick Thornburgh. Thornburgh announced the expected 1985-86 budget surplus this week and said he would recommend reducing taxes as much as possible with the leftover funds. On Jan. 1, 1986, personal income taxes in Pennsyl- vania will drop from 2.35 to 2.2 percent due to a budget surplus in the 1984-85 fiscal year. News of the anticipated surplus and possible tax reductions was received warmly in Harrisburg. “When the state has a surplus, I don’t think we should look for places to spend it,” said Rep. Leoanrd Gruppo (R-Northampton) reductions. Happy New Year from The Dallas Post
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers