exercise their most powerful right May 21 when primary ections are held for local and county offices. But if recent his- ry repeats itself, a minority of registered voters will turn out. ‘onsider that many persons who are eligible to vote don't even other to register, and the result is that a relatively small ninority chooses our leaders. © That will be most obvious in the race to fill four county udgeships, in which the same 17 candidates will appear on both the Democratic and Republican tickets. Should four of em win each party race, they will be unopposed in November. the other extreme, four different candidates could possibly yin in each party race, giving the voters a choice between eight didates in the final election. In either case, it seems likely hat any candidate who draws more than 10 percent of the vote will win the primary. +. Dallas Borough offers the other extreme, with only as many candidates as there are openings on the borough council, thus assuring that allwillwin. Both of these situations undoubtedly contribute to voter confusion and apathy, but that really isn't excuse not to participate. There has been plenty of head scratching over why Ameri- don't vote in greater numbers and even a few ideas dvanced on how to encourage participation. What there asn'tbeenis action. A couple of very constructive suggestions for change are to allow same-day voter registration and to hold lections at a more convenient time or even over a longer period of time. Perhaps those in power don’t want to change a system that got them elected. And certainly an apathetic public that esn't take the time to vote isn’t going to become too exercised changing the system. Local and national politics share one ‘trait that surely ampens voter enthusiasm—a distinct lack of candidates with ision and the ability to lead. When was the last time a candi- ate for office inspired you? Challenged you to greater achieve- ? Chastised you for your shortcomings while pointing out ‘better way to do things? If you're like most of us, you can’t emember the last time. But is that the candidates’ fault or 3? Probably a little of both. ~Government service should be a high calling, at its apex in itical leaders who see what we can become and aren't satisfied until we're on course to achieving our goals. Instead it seems to have become mired in innuendo and slander, most like a television soap opera in which nothing changes Sno the names. Unfortunately, the voting public seems to have accepted that state of affairs, lulled by the relative “material comfort we enjoy. There may not be a whole lot of chances to make a difference his election, but there is the opportunity to serve notice that ~ voters want to be treated with respect. Go to the polls Tuesday ~ and make use of this most precious right. A large turnout can ut candidates on notice that we're paying attention; that we re about our communities. Perhaps greater voter interest rill encourage new candidates to emerge in the future. Or erhaps someone who is reading this newspaper will be Tie SDALLASC0ST Published Weekly by Bartsen Media, Inc P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612 Telephone: 717-675-5211 Ronald A. Bartizek Charlotte E. Bartizek Editor and Publisher Associate Publisher £0 Peggy Young Charlot M. Denmon Advertising Acct. Exec. Reporter ee Rich Johnson - Paul Rismiller Reporter Olga Kostrobala Composition a Classified/typesettin Pp Jean Hillard yp g Office Manager MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION AND THE PENNSYLVANIA NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER'S ASSOCIATION etiers invited i : Le Dallas Post encourages readers to share their opinions with the ‘¢ommunity by writing a letter to the editor. All letters for publication must be signed and include a telephone number so that we may rify their authenticity. We will not publish anonymous letters. Send letters to: The Dallas Post, P.O. Box 366, Dallas, PA 18612. piv received by Noon on Monday may be included in that week's issue Spring blooms (Photo by Charlotte Bartizek) Library news Unicorn collection on display at the Back Mountain Library By NANCY KOZEMCHAK The display case at the Back Mountain Memorial Library is showing an exciting collection of unicorns borrowed from Tami Palka of Shavertown. Tami is 13 years old and in 8th grade at Dal- las Junior High School and has been collecting unicorns for six years. She received a jewelry box from her Aunt as a gift and then decided she liked unicorns and has been interested in them ever since. Tami buys some unicorns herself and receives them for gifts at Christ- mas, birthdays and other special days. } There is one very tall standing one from Mexico and another blue colored one, which were purchased while on vacation. There is a large bell with a purple unicorn; a blue castle night light; and a small sil- ver one from Lancaster. There are two bookmarks; one a paper one which is inscribed, “Now I will believe that there are unicorns”; and one gold clip on bookmark. There is a neat purple oneand a snow ball from Florida and three sets of different poses, male and female unicorns. In the center of’ the display is an oil painting on canvas of a unicorn, given to Tami for her birthday from friend and neighbor, Rae Ellen Zekas. There are 16 unicorns in the display and they make a different kind of approach to spring time. They will be at the library until June 5. The 3rd annual Back Mountain Memorial Library Horse Show will be held at the Luzerne County Fair Grounds on Sunday, June 23 from 8 a.m. until dusk. The horse show is now con- ‘nected with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Horse Show Asso- ciation and is one of a series to bring more prestige to the show and eventually make it a huge profit- -maker for the library. Chair- man of the show is Dr. John Shas- kas and Kathy Shaskas, and they hope to make close to $7,000 profit for the library from this year's show. There will be 11 divisions in the show and we have obtained 12 sponsors. We would hope for a lot of local support for this 1991 horse show, which is held in conjunction with the annual library auction. The Dallas Rotary Club will be manning a refreshment stand at the grounds and will be holding a bake sale during the day. The chairmen are asking the public to bake dessert items, such as cup- cakes, slices of pie or cake and wrap them in serving sizes to be sold as desserts at the booth. The Pennsylvania Historicaland Museum Commission of Harris- burg, PA has sent the library bro- chures and a poster announcing the upcoming 1991 Family Heri- tage Day sponsored by the Penn- sylvania State Archives at the Scranton Anthracite Museum on May 25. These items may be dropped off at the library on Friday or Satur- day, June 21 and 22 from 9:30 until 5:30. The horse show has become an important part of the library summer, fund raising proj- ects and we would hope for thz continued local supoort of EN community members. The special day is a celebration of families through music, crafts and family history. This year the special feature will be the ethnic heritage of Northeastern Penngsyl- vanians. There will be master artisan creating crafts and music of past generations and you can join a Civil War unit as it prepares for battle. Activities and worksn od are free to the public. The day begins at 9 a.m. and concludes at 5 p.m. Genuine 20th Centuryvictuals and beverages will be sold by the Anthracite Museum Library Volunteers. All activities will be held on the grounds of the Anthracite Heritage Museum * or the Museum Lobby. Anderson afield Use a calendar, not nature, to tell the seasons apart By JOHN M. ANDERSON Up here in the Northeast, the changing seasons identify them- selves without the aid of calen- dars. Every outdoor person, whether hunter, birdwatcher, fish- erman, or gardener is aware of that. For example, the fall colors justdon’t make the scene in spring or summer. The shadbush is in such a hurry to tell you that spring has sprung that the flowers come out before the leaves. Could be it's trying to get ahead of dogwood. Of course, the feathered, furry, and finny tribes have their own methods of telling you whether to wear your long undies, your bath- ing suit, or your sweater. Old groundhog may or may not be out and about on Groundhog Day, but by late February he’s almost certain to be out checking the spring clover supply. As soon as the ice goes out, mallards, black ducks and pin- tails will be pushing north with the spring. The shad usually let us know when to start spading up the garden, and the Atlantic salmon spring spawning run was once a sure-fire indicator. Unfortunately, salmon have ‘been netted, hook-and-lined, and poisoned almost out of existence. As if such environmental insults were not enough, you can add a few misplaced dams that have prevented them from making little fish out of big ones. On the other hand, there is evidence of suc- cessful restoration efforts. - Only yesterday 60 Years Ago - May 22, 1931 =LSTON NAMED CHIEF F POLICE IN DALLAS + Dallas Borough Council elected po Elston as chief of police at ~ a special meeting. J! Dallas Township primary stu- dents to present an outdoor oper- etta, Wednesday night. . East Dallas team sets a fast pace in the Rural League as they Continue to win. “City Lights” starring Charlie : Chaplin is showing at the Himmler eatre. Entries for all Back Mountain Memorial Day program at Lehman swamp hard-working committees. The new Dallas highway may open on Memorial Day. Kingston Township May Festi- valand Field Day may attract 3,000 climaxed with the crowning of the May Queen. Fifty forest fires have been re- ported to date this year. Dallas Borough to award diplo- mas to 23 seniors. A.J. Sordoni named regional head of OPM defense contract of- fices. +, Dallas Township will graduate : J its first class with appropriate Vv. Ny - Phyllis West and Donald : exercises June 11 in Dallas Bor- Veitch. ough High School Auditorium. + Almost 50,000 fingerling fish ‘were placed in Harveys Lake on 40 Years Ago - May 18, 1951 CURRIE TO RETIRE FROM SCHOOL BOARD Several thousand feet of Sun Oil pipeline will be moved to make way for new homes in Trucksville. 50 Years Ago - May 16, 1941 DALLAS HIGHWAY TO OPEN ON THE HOLIDAY Robert Currie will announce his retirement from the school board and will not seek re-election this year. Pvt. Fred Templin left Camp Kilmer over the weekend for serv- ice in Europe. Clyde Birth elected to the Back Mountain YMCA Board. Back Mountain Little League will open Monday. Burt Lancaster is starring in Vengeance Valley playing Friday and Saturday at Himmler Theatre. East Dallas defeats Vernon 10- 4. Engaged - Phyllis Jane Sutton and Willard Russell Piatt; Phyllis Jean Borkowski and Hanford Eckman. 30 Years Ago - May 18, 1961 PEARL AVERETT GIVEN TESTIMONIAL DINNER Westmoreland seniors gather for their last formal prom. { Mrs. Thomas Vernon outruns two opponents for director-at-large on the Dallas School Board. A testimonial dinner was held for Miss Pearl Averett after her well-earned retirement from Dal- las Schools. Wilson Ryman, long term Dal- las Township tax collector went down to defeat for the Republican nomination in a four-way race for that office Tuesday. All chairmen for the Libary Auction are to meet tomorrow. Neighbors gathered to help res- cue cattle when Philip Elsworth'’s barn blew down out in Kunkle at the height of a twister. : Gustav A. Kabeschat was named president of the Luzerne County Chapter, Pennsylvania, Society of Professional Engineers. Engaged - Estella Mae Kingsbury and Donald L. Rome. Wed - Jo Ann Weed and C.W. Kyttle; Nancy Jane Jones and Richard H. Morgan; Susan Eliza- beth Lehman and John Bowden Northrup, Jr. 20 Years Ago - May 20, 1971 MEADOWCREST WATER CO. REVEIVES FINES District Magistrate Leonard Harvey captured the Republican nomination for magistrate by a runaway vote. Back Mountain Library Auction Kickoff was a great success. Meadowcrest Water Company is fined on four counts before Dis- trict Magistrate Frederick W. An- derson. Dallas Kiwanis pleased with 4- H activities. Dallas track team repeats as district champs. Rev. Andrew Pillarella elected president of the Mental Health Association at the annual lunch- eon meeting at Westmoreland Club. Nesbitt Hospital Festival plans announced at annual luncheon. Engaged - Susan Ellen Tippett and Dr. James Morrow House; Miriam Mohr and Jonn Deem. Wed - Concetta Hreha and Ronald D. Szela. ry ewan = REPRE Ra ie © By and large, however, various plants and animals still herald the comings and goings of ice and snow, as well as time to plant and harvest. When the first dandelions biod: som, you can think about garden- ing. You can pretty well predict when black flies will be biting, when the May-apples and Dutch- man's breeches will be in floweg and govern yourself nh I must warn you, however, that non-conformists are not confined to this headlong human race. For example, the book says chip- munks hibernate. Period. But an occasional insomniac may come above ground in the middle of winter. Presumably, this iconoclast either has not read the book or believes such rules apply only to other chipmunks. And among our so-called foath- ered friends, unlike Tennyson, you may not be sharp enough to detect when a brighter iris changes on the burnish'd dove. But when that mournful critter carries sticks to build its makeshift, rickety nest, you can usually put away yoyr snowshoes. Turning to the plant world, it is downright misleading to be wad- ing through the snow in December and come across that misguided tree-shrub, witch hazel, in full bloom! The brooding of a clutch’ of hootie-owls overlaps the blooming of witch hazel. I've about decided I'll stick with the Farmer's Almanac. Above all, let us avoid authors who assign human values and philosoplziegin plants and animals! John M. "Frosty" Anderson was Director of the Wildlife Department of the National Audubon Society from 1966 until his retirement; in 1987. * Yd
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers