4 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, December 19, 1990 Tir DarLasT0sT The Christmas story inspires all mankind “And the angel said to them, ‘Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.” These words from the Gospel of Luke, verses 3, 10-3,11, express the beginning of one of the greatest stories in human history. OnTuesday, millions of Christians will again celebrate the birth of the Christ child, by worshipping alone or at church and by sharing their trust and hope with family and friends. The spirit of the season has survived war and pestilence; greed and envy; false prophets and imperfect leaders. .Yet it lives on, carried by a belief that is too strong to die. Now some observers think rampant commercialism will overwhelm the true message of Christmas, but the holiday and the tradition are to strong for that. A few sale ads can't trample 2,000 years of hope. ; : In Tne rush and distraction of the season, we think that all who celebrate this special time will find time for reflection on the true meaning of the season. Whether or not one believes _ the Christmas story literally, it can inspire us all to a better life here on earth and beyond. ; : ~ Towns must demand more of developers The Poepperling family of Lehman is in a fix that might have ‘been prevented if municipalities in the Back Mountain were more demanding of developers. Ever since the young family bought their first house, located in the Town and Country subdivision, they have been con- fronted by one obstacle after another, largely the result of the builder's failure to meet conditions placed on the property when it was first developed. Most of the problems result from improper handling of water runoff, which was to be addressed by restrictions that were tied to a zoning variance the contrac- tor was given before construction began. But the promised drainage improvements were never made and the Poepperlings unknowingly bought the problems along with the property. Neighbors who brought the drainage situation to the atten- tion of township officials when the developer first sought permission to build on the lot, now must contend with exces- sive runoff but are understandable reluctant to blame their new neighbors. The township says it can’t respond until someone files suit against it, and the Poepperlings have been unable to get any response from the builder. If this sounds a bit like a broken omelet, it is. This and similar situations may have been avoided if munici- palities in the Back Mountain demanded adequate protection against developers’ failure to complete projects properly. In this case, the proceeds of a performance bond could have been used to complete the drainage work called for by the township. Construction of homes months, but it will revive again. When it does, the has slowed to a crawl in recent Back Mountain will be an attractive area to builders both because buyers like the area and because most municipalities make so few demands on developers. Requiring safeguards from those who stand to profit from growth is a prudent and essential “action our communities can take. Ronald A. Bartizek Editor and Publisher Peggy Young Te SPDALLASCPoST Published Weekly by Bartsen Media, Inc. P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612 Telephone: 717-675-5211 ; Advertising Acct. Exec. Reporter Rich Johnson Paul Rismiller Reporter Olga Kostrobala : Classified/typesettin Compgsition Jean Hillard a YReseling - Office Manager MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION AND THE PENNSYLVANIA NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER'S ASSOCIATION Charlotte E. Bartizek Associate Publisher Charlot M. Denmon 4 Sign of the season (Photo by Maria Sawka) Library news Holiday open house at library this weekend By NANCY KOZEMCHAK - The library staff will be holding a Christmas open house for pa- trons, neighbors and friends of the library on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the 19th, 20th and 21st of December from 12 noon until 4 p.m. We will be serving coffee, tea, punch, cookies and candy and we invite all library supporters and friends to join us in the Christmas festivities. “tis the season”; “Out of the Mouths of Babes”; and “Christmas is for Children”. How very appro- priate these expressions are for this time of the year, and they all are suitable remarks for an inci- dent which transpired last week at the Back Mountain Memorial Li- brary. We have been featuringa trolley display at the library for the past four weeks and one day last week a small boy and his mother came in to the library with a rather large plastic trolley. The little boy was Matthew Noble of Dallas who is three years old and he asked if we thought Rev. Wert, the man who owns the trol- ley display, would like to have this trolley to add to his collection. I told him I thought he would be happy to have it. It was the Neigh- borhood Trolley from Mr. Rogers and it plays the special music from the program. What a wonderful gesture from this young boy and how pleased Rev. Wert was toreceive it. It seems when this family outgrows their toys, they like to pass them along to others. That is a living example of the true Christmas spirit. The display case in the office area is currently featuring a winter scene with lighted houses and a nativity scene in the center of the display. There are 2 Christmas trees, a snow mountain with skiers and a lake with skaters; the North Pole house with Santa Claus; and a Church with colored lights. The Christmas decorations are in place all over the library and outside the building as well giving us a happy Christmas atmosphere. We would like to remind resi- dents that we are accepting reci- pes for the library cookbook which should be printed by the library -auctionindJuly. There are forms at the library to use for recipes and they may be dropped off at the library circulation desk. It is also suggested that an estimated order for cookbooks be made by each - recipe contributor when therecipe is handed in. Approximate cost of the cookbook will be $8.00. New books at thelibrary: “Rush” by Kim Wozencraft is a novel about a woman police officer as only a woman could have lived it. Raw, frighteningly realistic, it offers an unparalleled glimpse ofawoman’s heart—and a cop’s head—in cri- sis. A spectacular novel; tough, gritty and shockingly real. “ATime To Die” by Wilbur Smith is a story of courage and friend- ship, the thrill of the hunt, the savagery of war and the saving power of love. Sean Courtney is swept up in the violent tides of a new war and becomes the captive of a brutal enemy from his past. A novel of excitement and power. The members of the staff at the Back Mountain Memorial Library; Mary Ellen, Nancy, Marilyn, Char- lotte, Jane, Lou Ellen, Millie, Jane, : Marie, Pat and Will wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a beautiful holiday season. This year, more than ever, our wish is for “Peace on Earth’ Good Will to Men” | Anderson afield Cat companions: a whole lot better than Vietnamese pigs By JOHN M. ANDERSON If on my theme I rightly think, cats just barely tolerate human beings. In view of what we did to each other in the battle at Anti- etam (my granddad was in that one), and what the Germans, Japanese, Russians, Brits and Yanks did in WWII, (I was in that one for over four years) you may see why the cats’ attitude and mine get closer and closer together. Now if, by chance, your life has been singularly free of cats - I mean if a cat has never run your household - you may appreciate some reasons for maintaining the status quo. After all, it costs you money to subscribe to this news- paper, and you should get more benefits therefrom. So my thoughts on the matter are passed along for whatever they are worth. Now Old Green Eyes (that's my ever-lovin' wife) has been a cat- --lover since the time - about 30 years ago - I called and asked if she'd mind if I brought home a little strange pussy. The latter was more-or-less dominating the household of a wildlife sanctuary ‘manager. Now on a wildlife sanc- tuary, cats that eat birds, mice, baby rabbits and such are not looked upon with favor. So, tosolve my employee's problem (he had to get rid of that damned cat), I volunteered the services of Old Green Eyes. In the interim, there was Omar, Mischief, Pussy Cat, Little Luv, and Pooh that came and went: Now “came and went” i$ easy to say. Believe me, the coming and going ain't that easy. As of today, Pooh has come to rest ‘neath the green willow tree out back. You've heard the expression “deathly si- lence"? Well, deathly silence reigns, at least temporarily, over our household. Now when it comes to heart- break and the lonelies, I'm well aware that Dear Abby has long since sewed up the market on advice to the lovelorn. During the usual honeymoon, there's not much call for Abby's advice. And during the child-rearing pernoa, husband and wife interact, com- municate and scheme against the kids, while the kids scheme and plot against mom and dad. But when the kids leave the nest, the proud parents are left without a common enemy. Sort of like when Gorby said to Ronnie, “You'll hafta find some other ex- cuse for spending billions on star. wars and stealth bombers. We're not your evil empire any more”. On the international stage, however, there always seem to be a Sandan- ista, Noriega, or Saddam Hussein against whom we can unite. But that’s on the international level. Here at home, after Peter Jennings, Dan, or Tom tell'you the world is going to hell in a handbas- ket, - which you already knew - you need a center of attention. Until today, Pooh kept this household pretty well occupied. She knew what she wanted. We knew what she wanted. She got what she wanted. Admittedly, Tiger has been wait- ing patiently - ready, willing, and able to take over. But Old Green Eyes and I are getting too old to accept the loss of another benevo- lent dictator. So, maybe it's time to write Dear Abby. On the other hand, a short time back, the papers and TV were full of folks making over a Viet- namese potbellied pig. I mean they were the “in-thing” and maybe they still are. Folks claim they are sweet and neat and likeable and can be housebroken. Lord knows they don't come cheap! A pregnant sow runs $3,500 and a shoat or large piglet $1,500. Maybe I could get the runt of the litter for less than a case of Scotch. ‘And if my invest- ment turned out like modern-day bank deals, I could recoup some of my losses, seeing as how I love spareribs, bacon, ham and red- eyed gravy. Now, after thinking it over, you may thing a miniature pig would be just the thing to fill the void in this house. For some reason, Tiger doesn’t seem too concerned about such a porcine prospect. In fact, she confidentally expects to take charge of things. That's because little girls and pussy cats are born knowing things little boys and men will never learn. John M. "Frosty" Anderson was Director of the Wildlife Department of the National Audubon Society from 1966 until his retirement in 1987. Northeastern Philharmonic offers convenient ticket plan For all those who have wanted to subscribe to the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic but found it too inconvenient to fit their schedules, there is an offer now available which no one will want to refuse. For $50, a book of six coupons can be purchased which offers the maximum flexibility in selecting . concerts. Each coupon (approxi- mately $8 value) is good for the best available seat at any concert. ‘Six individuals can attend one concert or one individual can at- tend “half a dozen” different con- certs. At $24 for the best seats in the house, this offer represents potential savings of $94.00. For more information on the ticket gift book, call 457-8301. with yesterday 60 Years Ago - Dec. 19, 1930 WILLIAMS GETS A : 350-LB BLACK BEAR Back Mountain residents are urged by The Dallas Post to con- tribute to the cause of needy fami- lies in the area. : $129,112.88 taken in delin- quent taxes by Luzerne County and distributed to the various districts. High School basketball season opens tonight with Dallas Varsity going against Northumberland. The girls squad will also play. Wed - Gertrude Landers and Dr. Robert Bodycomb. : / Henry Williams of the Outlet last week shot and killed a 350-1b, black bear in the vicinity of Ricl. - etts known as the Meadows. 50 Years Ago - Dec. 20, 1940 GIRVAN HELPS JIM THORPE WITH CAR Jim Thorpe, greatest athlete, breaks car and visits Dallas where he is hosted by Bob Girvan and a friend when they stopped to see if they could help Thorpe. Frank Edwards shot a Cana- dian Lynx while he was deer hunt- ing seven miles above Dinstell with * Ted Wilson, Clark Fowler, Ernest Wilson and Ira Ross. Christmas decorations on Main Street, Dallas, this year are at- tracting considerable comment because of their colors. Dallas Borough cagers down Nescopeck 37-28. Engaged - Charlotte Parsons and Robert N. Prideaux. students and their parents will{ _; honored at a banquet held in tiie church this evening. East Dallas Sunday wil 40 Years Ago - Dec. 22, 1950 LIBRARY REVIEWS NEW BUILDING PLANS Executive board of the Back Mountain Library met Monday night to review plans for the newly- acquired building next door to the library on Main Street. Volunteers will man the air raid warning posts in the Back Moun- tain area. The Daddow-Isaacs American Legion Post has assume? responsibility for the post &u Huntsville Road. : First National Bank adopts pension plan for its employees. Col. Leon Beisel will be guest speaker at the Dec. 26th meeting of the Toll Gate Lions Club. ; The Church League basketbats” teams revise their schedule for the holidays in order to play all of their games before the season closes. Women of Rotary entertain their husbands ata Christmas Dance at Irem Temple Country Club. Woman's Club Chorale will broadcast over WILK. Engaged - Margaret Elliott Lance and Dallas W. Haines, Jr. 30 Years Ago - Dec. 22, 1960 SANTA MEETS KIDS AT LEGION PARTY, Robert Hanson sells bowling alley business to Tony Bonomo former owner of Exeter Lanes. Fifteen extra employees helr post office handle record mail. # Back Motintain kids can dia OR5-1111 to reach Santa Claus. Three hundred children gree: Santa Claus at the Legion's Christ mas Party. : Department of Public Instruc tion approves 43 acre site nea: Lehman Center for the new $2 million high school this spring. Westmoreland Cagers top Ha- nover 69-60. Harveys Lake team leads league its overtime win over Huntsville. High School juniors and seniors Seng College Misericordia Career ay. 20 Years Ago - Dec. 22, 1970 MULLOY AUTHORS . MODERNIZATION PLAN; Dallas Borough ups budget eight percent for 1971. Dallas Junior Woman's Club to distribute baskets to the needy families in the Back Mountain community. Patrick Mulloy, Dallas, isamong the authors of a massive moderni- zation plan announced this week by the State Department. The plan is the result of unique experiment in “reform from within” by a major government department. Gate of Heaven Altar and Ro- sary Society observe Christmas at the Castle Inn. Engaged - Diane Lenore Hoz- empa and Bradley Evans Bryant. Santa Claus arrives in fire truck atthe Shavertown Fire Company's Christmas party for children of the area. : Dallas School District offers Type A lunch program.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers