4 The Dallas Post et GL Dallas, PA Wednesday, September 6, 1989 Tie DaLLASSD0ST Pity the children If the quality of our society is judged to any extent by how we treat our children, the spectacles now taking place in court- rooms in Wilkes-Barre and Monroe County will be enough to damn us. In case you have been able to avoid the publicity coming out of these two trials, here's a summary. In Wilkes-Barre, Larry and Leona Cottam are charged with third-degree murder in the death of their 14-year-old son, Eric, who died while the family was engaged in a religious fast. Later, it was discovered that the Cottams had more than enough money to buy food, but refused to use it because it was “reserved for God.” One of the key witnesses in the trial is the Cottam’s 12-year- old daughter, Laura. As expected, the defense is claiming that neither Eric nor Laura was forced to go without food, but made the decision to do so of their own free will. Laura Cottam testified to just such a scenario last week. In Monroe County, an even younger child - 10 years old now, and only nine at the time of his crime - is being tried as an adult. The prosecution has thus far successfully argued that this youngster clearly understood the consequences of shooting at a seven-year-old playmate. The girl died as a result of the shooting. In both cases so-called adults, and we would include the lawyers and prosecutors in that group, want to blame children for the failings of their parents or society in general. But no matter how convincing the testimony of a 12-year- ~ old, no matter how rational the actions of a nine-year-old might appear, we are gravely wrong to ascribe adult motivation to them. We are the adults, and there are times when our | judgement must supercede the wishes of children. When we fail to exercise this fundamental responsibility, we can’t sim- ply blame the children, who have learned their ways from us. It is a topsy-turvy world when pre-teenagers are asked to ¢ { take the burden of responsibilty from adults. We hope these two cases are an aberration, not the beginning of a new and (disturbing trend. : Come to the fair The 27th annual Luzerne County Fair begins today, and it promises to be the best ever. If you have been to the fair before, you know how much funit is. If you haven't, it’s time you found out. Started as a fundraiser for the Dallas Rotary Club, the fair has grown to include eight service clubs and hundreds of ~ volunteers. The funds it raises are used to improve and expand ~~ the fairgrounds on Route 118 in Dallas, and to support charitable organizations. This year, there will be free entertaiment every day, a large selection of exhibits, livestock shows and competitions, and midway rides Friday through Sunday. Exhibitors and food vendors will be present all week, many of them operated by service clubs who use the funds raised for charity. The fair is one of the most enjoyable, wholesome activities available all year. The grounds are kept clean and neat, the rides are in excellent condition and the spirit of fun is unavoid- “able. Don’t miss it. | Letters invited The Dallas Post encourages readers to share their opinions with the community by writing a letter to the editor. All letters for publication must be signed and include a telephone number so that we may verify authen- ticity. We will not publish anonymous letters. Send letters to: The Dallas | Post, P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612. Letters received by Noon on Monday may be included in that week's issue. / The Dallas Post Published Weekly by Bartsen Media, Inc. P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612 Telephone: 717-675-5211 Ronald A. Bartizek Editor and Publisher Charlotte E. Bartizek Associate Publisher Charlot M. Denmon Reporter Edward Kraynak Advertising Acct. Exec. Jean Hillard Office Manager Olga Kostrobala Classified/typesetting Paul Rismiller Composition MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION AND THE PENNSYLVANIA NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER'S ASSOCIATION Hazy days of summer A tractor waits for its orders to hay the field or gather the harvest along Ransom Road in Dallas. (Photo by Charlotte Bartizek) Library news Books and cassettes added to collection By NANCY KOZEMCHAK The Back Mountain Memorial Library has added some new audio book cassettes with a donation from the “Friends of the Library". These cassettes include: “Red Army” by Ralph Peters; “Journey” by James Michener; “Flight of the Old Dog” by Dale Brown; “Sword Point” by Harold Coyle; “Capital Crimes” by Lawrence Sanders; “The Lords of Discipline” by Ralph Conroy; “Murder at the Kennedy Center” by Margaret Truman. These book tapes are a very popu- lar item in the library and can be borrowed for a two week period. The summer reading program came to an end on August 11 with a fun-time party for all the chil- dren participating in the club. Games were played, a magician entertained, and refreshments were served. The team of the chimney sweeps won the prize for the most books read. The object of the program was to try to find out who M.E.L.V.I.L. was. The answer was revealed at the party when the children opened their program folder and inside was a mirror, showing themselves as M.E.L.V.IL.L. Some new Book Club books recently purchased and added to the shelves include: “Calm At Sunset, Calm At Dawn” by Paul Watkins. This is the story of James Pfeif- fer's twentieth year, a year of rebel- lion, initiation, and change. It captures the maritime life in all its rank immediacy and elemental mystery. Moving, violent, at times ferociously funny, this superb novel is a fresh addition to the venerable tradition of tales of the sea. “Frigor Mortis” by Ralph McIn- erny is a journey into mystery when George Arthur is taken on his first ice-fishing expedition and pushed through a hole in the ice and into the freezing water by his wife and her longtime lover. This murder proves to be only the beginning of the intrigue. These are knotty problems with light-hearted cyni- cism. “Eden Close” by Anita Shreve is the story of Andrew, an advertising executive in his mid-30’s who re- turns to his hometown in upstate New York to attend his mother's funeral. He planned to remain a few days, but from the moment he swings his shiny black BMW into the driveway, a flood of memories draws him into lingering on. He becomes involved in a grisly story and a binding attachment to a lost girl of his youth. “A Question of Guilt” by Frances Fyfield is a complex and compel- ling story and steps beyond the boundaries of traditional crime fiction to explore the strange com- pulsions of the human heart. It is detailed in its knowledge of the law and the evocation of London. It is the story of a rich, middle-aged widow, who has a passion for re- venge. Letters Appreciated story on calf Editor: We are all “mooing” at the Mead- ows at the wonderful calf story in The Dallas Post August 30 issue. Thank you for making an un- usual visit to the Meadows somuch fun. Great story. Marilyn Gregorski Meadows Nursing Center Report from Harrisburg HOUSING FORUMS AN- NOUNCED - With the prices of homes skyrocketing in Pennsylva- nia and throughout the nation, millions of state residents are faced | with the seemingly insurmount- able problem of locating affordable housing. Rep. Joseph Lashinger (R-Montgomery) this week an- nounced that the “Housing Task Force” formed by the House Re- publican Policy committee will hold two bipartisan forums on the prob- lem in October. Lashinger, task force chairman, said hundreds of individuals, firms and organiza- tions involved in housing issues will take part in the events in Pitts- burgh and Philadelphia. “The bot- tom line is that the Republican members of the state House feel this problem has been studied long enough and now it's time to act,” said Lashinger. “Affordable hous- / ing remains a major concern of"/ most Pennsylvanians.” STEREOID ABUSE STUDIED - The abuse of potentially danger- ous steroid strength and growth enhancing drugs by Pennsylvania high school and college age youths was the subject fo hearings by a subcommittee of the House Health and Welfare Committee this week. The panel is considering legisla- ©) . tion which would restrict or ban the sale and distribution of the | ih drugs. Experts testified that the drugs are abused not only by ath- letes, seeking improved perform- A ance, but by high school youths in / @ an effort to improve their physical ~ appearance. The drugs’ side ef- fects include liver cancer, infertil- ity and heart disease. Only yesterday 50 Years Ago - Sept. 8, 1939 WATER COMPANY BRINGS IN NEW WELL Dallas-Shavertown Water Com- pany continued its improvements for consumers by bringing in a new 100-gallons-minute well on the Herman VanCampen property. Lake Township and State Motor Police scoured the countryside in search of an armed man who at- tempted to kidnap Florence Ru- silowski, age 20, of Lehman. Dallas Borough Council ap- pointed Joseph McVeigh to fill the vacancy left by council president Wardan Kunkle, who resigned due to change of residence. Engaged - Dorothy Engler and Melvin Lauchner. Wed - Adelaide Hausch and Harold Kline. 40 Years Ago - Sept. 9, 1949 PHONE COMPANIES MERGE TO FORM COMMONWEALTH A new industrial building val- ued at $125,000 is being con- structed for the Bloomsburg Fair. Three telephone companies of the Sordoni organizations are- merging into one system to be known as Commonwealth Tele- phone Company. Engaged - Lois May Griesing and Richard G. Phillips. Wed - Estella Mae Ide and Stephen Sedler. Jackson will meet Vernon Sun- dayin the plaverisef of the Bi-County League. 30 Years Ago - Sept. 10, 1959 LEGION TO HONOR OUTSTANDING CITIZEN Dallas American Legion to pres- ent distinguished service award to an outstanding citizen at Ameri- canism night Friday. Judge Ben Jones Oldsmobile Sedan was stolen Friday night or Saturday morning at the Idlewild Airport where he had gone to meet his son. All Back Mountain Police Asso- ciation members will be given new insignia plates for their automo- biles at the association meeting tonight. The emblems were de- signed by Kingston Township Assistant Chief Herbert Updyke. Frank “Pete” Laing was sworn in as a patrolman on Dallas Town- ship Police Force by Justice of the Peace George Prater. Lake-Lehman High School foot- ball team has been admitted as a member of the West Side Confer- ence. Wed - Sylvia Treeberry and Gerald Schmitt; Mary Ruth Shupp and Jay Long. 20 Years Ago - Sept. 11, 1969 NEW BUILDING FOR DALLAS TOWNSHIP Natona Mills is shaken by the 73 members of the United Auto Workers at the meeting held at Dallas High School last Sunday. After 152 years, Dallas Town- ship has its own municipal build- ing and is moving in its equipment. Wed - Carol A. Dungey and Michael R. Devlin; Linda Jean Watts and John William Mallin 3rd; Sheila Engelman and William Hamersky. Our Lady of Victory became a church in its own right on Sept. 3 with the Rev. Patrick Healey as pastor. 10 Years Ago - Sept. 13, 1979 DAN FLOOD GETS APARTMENTS GRANT Congressman Daniel J. Flood announced Tuesday that the U.S. Department of Housing and Ur- ban Development has approved an application to construct 120 apart- ments for the elderly at a site near/; College Misericordia. \/ A bonding agency declines to insure the Sandy Beach deal being considered by the Harveys Lake Council. : The Back Mountain Protective Association headed by Dr. F. Budd Schooley launched a drive against UGI's application for a rate hike. Harveys Lake Council approved a two-hour opening of a bike lane every Sunday, weather permitting, from now through November 18, 1 to 3 p.m. Wed - Cindy Harris and Gary Smith. Dallas and Lake-Lehman grid- ders prepare to meet for this year's Old Shoe Game, Saturday, at the Dallas High School football field. The Post asks: “Can either Back Mt. team win the football title this year?” Dan Dembowski Randy Lloyd Gus Walters Heating employee Photo Shop employee Self employed Noxen Dallas Dallas “I think Lehman has the ability ‘“If Lake-Lehman gets by GAR, ~~ “Both schools have great teams they should be able to get to the but think Straigis at quarterback if they work at it.” Fy top.” gives Dallas the edge.” “That's a tough question. Both have good teams but I believe Dallas’ experience gives them a better chance.” : Andrew Denmon Jr. SCID employee Dallas Susan Davis Account Executive Dallas “GAR is the team to beat this season but Dallas might be able to win if they get by the Grenadiers.” or
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers