.;. ent and in fine form, emerges BRIGHT BOX 236 BRIGHTON ; AHEQ ee ——— EE EERE NS Ae RE $s of A rite tn, the ailelog NO BINDERY CO Ia od Yd 2 JarLas?Dost Vol. 99, No. 4 Wednesday, February 3, 1988 25 Cents Phil hits he mark! BY DEBBY HIGGINS Post Editor Fat and sassy, snug in his abode atop Gobbler’s Knob, Punxsutawney Phil was again called upon to perform his annual duty, February 2. -- Phil, second in reputation only gi the Farmer’s Almanac for predicting the weather, didn’t sew his shadow Tuesday, mean- ing there will be an early spring. The folks from the Jefferson County community of Punxsu- tawney put great store in Phil’s abilities, as they make Ground Hog Day a statewide’ occasion. The town’s fathers, true to their local celebrity’s stature as a forecaster, do not tout Phil’s inaccuracies but instead main- tain their mascot’s long record on-the-money predictions. gMeanwhile, Phil, looking con- each February to let the waiting throngs of Pennsylvanians know what’s in store for six more weeks. Eager for even a slight indication of winter’s end, state residents anticipate the chubby forecaster’s weather verdict with crossed fingers. Scientifi- cally, however, Phil’s predic- tions don’t amount to a hill of beans. : aGround Hog Day, brought to -. by German and English settlers, is a legend steeped in tradition. wha gi'hose early American settlers wrutalized by harsh winters, looked for even the smallest ‘hint of the end of cold winter hardships. The old world traditions some- times held water in the old ‘country, were believed in strongly enough to be carried “over to the new land. More than just a chance to glimpse into future weather conditions, Ground Hog Day provided, (if | il went well), a day to cele- | te. Cabin fever was as prev- alent for those winter-weary pioneers as it is for modern-day folk. Remember, back then, Friend or foe? This scene could have been taken from-an old Currier and Ives print, but it's really a snow- covered road right here in the Back Mountain. The recent snowfall caused many problems, but the beauty of it all paints a wonderful, wintertime picture. Nordic skiing is alive and well in BM. staying indoors was not made more enjoyable by television, compact disc players, and VCR's. So, Ground Hog Day while being an opportunity for an over-weight, long-footed rodent from west central Pennsylvania to bask in the celebrity’s spot- light, is something more. It’s a ge: of the old ways brought o the 20th century. A pleasant slice of Americana that lives, yet, followed by thousands who ordinarily give no more to the old ways than a smile or a fleeting thought. Schedule noted Newcomer’s Club of Wyoming Valley announces its upcoming activities for the month of Feb- ruary. We will be attending Gus Genetti’s Queen of Hearts Ball, featuring music by the Poets, on February 5. The monthly craft night is smnocking at the home of Deb &rkwood, Kingston, on Febru- ‘ary 9. Mardi Gras night will be Feb- ruary 13 at the home of Karen Lambruschi, Dallas. Executive board meeting is scheduled for February 16 also at the home of Karen Lambrus- chi. A general member coffee will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Shavertown, February 18. Ethnic Dining will be Cajun cooking demonstration by Nancy Tkatch on February 23 at Dorranceton United Methodist Church, Kingston. A pot luck luncheon will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Shavertown, on Febru- ary 25. _ ; Call 287-6038 or 696-3368 for more information. BY CHARLOT M. DENMON Staff Writer Bright-colored jackets and ski suits dotted the ‘Back Nine” of Irem Temple Country Club’s golf course as dozens of male and female Nordic (cross-coun- try) skiers made their way across the trails made by others before them. It was Saturday afternoon and the bright blue sky and warm- ing temperature made it an ideal day for the out-of-door lovers, who took to the trails, down-hill inclines or to frozen ice-covered ponds and lakes. Among them were Duncan and Kay Whitehead, whom we caught just as they were ready to take off across the snow at the Club. No novices are these two who have been going cross- country skiing for the past 11 years. “Duncan saw a book in the library about cross-country skiing and found it interesting,” said Kay. “So he bought one and both of us read it and tried following the directions. Then College Misericordia had ski classes for two consecutive Wednesday nights and we attended them. They were inter- esting and a lot of fun, we met all types of people from bankers ‘Alpine § to teachers to students.” The first time the Whiteheads tried skiing, they waited until midnight, then went out on the vacant lot near their home and tried the sport. They discovered they were able to maneuver the skiis, so decided they wouldn’t be embarrassed going out on trails in the area. At the time they started cross-country skiing they were the only ones in the area that they knew who participated in the sport. “Now there are lots of Back Mountain residents going cross- country skiing,”’ Kay said. “We meet many of our friends when we're out, especially up at the Club.” The couple usually go skiing at the Country Club and occa- sionally they go to Lake Jean or sometimes to Moon Lake. They used to go in the fields by the bird sanctuary in Dallas the first few years they went skiing. They used to wear ordinary jeans when they went out but recently they started wearing gaiters to keep out the snow. Kay and Duncan explained that their doctor approved of Nordic skiing and that swim- ming and cross-country skiing were considered two of the best cardio-vascular exercises. “It’s inexpensive compared to skiing,” explained Dallas Post/Linda Shurmaitis Duncan. “You don’t need a pro to teach you, just a few books and some video tapes. The equipment is not as expensive either. You need only good fit- ting skis and bindings, boots and poles. Depending on what you want, it could cost less than $150.” Last year their son started cross-country and goes occa- sionally although his family demands sometimes prohibits him from going as much as his parents go. According to the Whiteheads, until the recent snow, this year had been a bad year for skiing. “We thoroughly enjoy it,”’ Kay said. “It is a sport that is good fo you and at the same time, you can enjoy nature and the out-of-doors. Everyone from children to senior citizens can go cross-country skiing and enjoy it.” Cross-country skiing may be fairly new to the Back Mountain but in Europe, it pre-dates Alpine Skiing. In the war Finn- ish troops were cross-country skiers and were able to attack the enemy and disappear quickly into the night. When the Russians realized the benefits of the sport, they soon began train- ing their troops in the sport and have also become excellent par- ticipants. Catholic Schools Week to begin Feb. 5 The faculty and students from Gate of Heaven School are pre- paring for their Annual Catholic Schools Week celebration begin- ning with the opening Liturgy on Friday, Feb. 5, at 8:30 in the church. Father Michael Sulli- van, celebrant will be assisted by Sister M. Davida Morgan, Principal, as cantor, Mr. Bob Paley, President, PTG, as guest speaker, and students and teachers in full participation. On Monday, Feb. 8, the annual spelling bee will take place in the gym, beginning at 1:10. The winner of this contest will be eligible to participate in the national spelling bee contest held in Washington, D.C. On Wednesday, Feb. 11, par- ents and friends are invited to the school’s annual Science Fair and Open House, beginning at 6:30pm. Ci During this special week, from the 5th to the 11th, various activities--varsity vs. faculty basketball games; talent shows; special dinners and desserts; and Student Appreciation Day will take place within the school and all parents and friends are invited to attend these activi- ties. A calendar of events for the week was distributed to all - families during the last week of January for their convenience. |” ‘was opened, it made it easier -cling than just putting the trash ~ Garbage crisis not over for residents it will make the problem of dumping easier although they realized, the cost will not be any less. At present, West Side cost Regular collection of trash ; ) and garbage in Back Mountain Is $ig for HICHDors and $18 to communities over the past feW Three new areas at the land- months have lulled residents fj) have been designed and into believing that the problems {here are no out-of-town haulers confronting the haulers over : : : landfill sites have disappeared. iy ie ihe slits according Many of the residents have been chsh Lwiee. asking independent haulers me of sn Whew ne Hates Bc trash jing programs into effect and The long-familiar expression hese prog: ans have beed help. | ‘silence is golden’ is not applica- yy for Ing the garbage ump oy ble in this case. Local haulers ad percen lies are still confronted with where p : : and when they will be able to dump. “The problem has not gone away,” said Juanita Berti, wife of William Berti of Dallas. “It’s not as acute as it was in the late summer and early fall but the situation is not getting better. The opening of the Keystone landfill has made it easier but there are many minor aggrava- tions the haulers are confronted with regularly.” Berti, in the trash removal business for more than 35 years, used the West Side Landfill until it was ordered shut down last year by DER. He then had no alternative but to find another site and began dumping at Ait until that fill’s quota was met. ~ When the Xeystone Landfill, BY CHARLOT M. DENMON Staff Writer Kingston Township ‘Manager Fred Potzer said that local municipalities have discussed recycling but the most deterrent factor has been the high cost of labor involved in the collection. Road departments of the Back Mountain boroughs and town- ships do not have the necessary personnel needed to take care of the roads as well as collect Jovspaers and glass for recy- ling. The use of private haulers was considered by the munici- palities but the prices of news- print are too low to make it worthwhile for the haulers. Glass recycling has to have a mandatory program requiring the complete cleaning of the glass before it can be accepta- ble to the recycling company. “There’s a lot more to recy- out for collection,” Potzer said. “What we have been looking at is a leaf compost program ‘where our residents can take their yard waste and tree branches and those items that are not collected by local haul- for. local haulers to get into Amity although it was still on a “first come, first served’ basis. The West Side Landfill, whose officials have been ordered to bring in a management com- pany fo ‘manage the site, has. bo been operating under the super- ©TS- i vision of acting manager, _Potzer also warned area resi- Thomas Doughton of Dallas, an dents to beware of haulers employee of the Pasonick Engi- coming in from outside the area neering Company, engineers of quoting unusually low collection the landfill who have been Prices. There have been cases appointed interim management Where this has been done and company until West Side board after the residents pay the members appoint a new man- hauler, he disappears and their agement company. _« rubbish and trash is never Since Doughton has been at ‘Picked up. West Side, the price to dump There is presently such a situ- there has come down to $18 a ation under investigation in the load to dump there for non- Pittston area. Potzer explained members. However, the hauler that the Back Mountain haulers must get a call in to the landfill have been around for many by 7 a.m. to let management years and have the reputation of know the amount of their load. being reliable. They are appre- If they can’t get in West Side, ciative of their customers and haulers must take a chance at are trying to keep costs of going to Amity in Taylor, or to collection as low as possible and Buckhorn, the transfer station still allow the haulers to exist. at Bloomsburg. “Costs of collection are not “Since Doughton has been going to get any lower,” Potzer operating the landfill, the situa- said. “Our communities have tion has been running been fortunate to date because smoother,” said Berti, “But it’s - in most areas of the state not going to get any cheaper.” the country, collections cos Dan Cornell, who bought the are much higher. 14 business formerly owned by K. “For newcomers in the are Kocher, dumps at Buckhorn or we have a list of local haulers Amity and like Berti, must get that we can provide for them if there before the quota of fill is they call the Kingston Township met. ~ office. We don’t recommend any Doughton explained that the one hauler but give them a li landfill’s quota is 2,500 cubic of reputable haulers in ¢ yards per week or 500 cubic area.” Pi yards per day. The member According to Potzer, incinera- communities, on the West Side, tion appears to be the ideal way Kingston, Edwardsville, Swoy- to go but local community eoffi- ersville, etc. have 250 to 300 ‘cials are waiting to hear cubic feet reserved for them whether or not the county will daily and the other half, approx- decide on such a program. This imately 1,250 cubic feet weekly, will depend on whether or not are reserved for haulers such as all of the haulers in the county = Berti, Cornell and others from will take their rubbish te such a the Back Mountain area, on a plant since the cost of sich a first come-first served basis. program will require complete Back Mountain haulers are support of all independent and hoping that when the new sec- municipal haulers in order fo tions of West Side Landfill open, cover the costs of the operation. ~~
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers