19 ‘Lessons of the Challenger disaster oo srest of the world waited until the pr — The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, February 5, 1992 © 5 i he fen F UM, BOSS DN) | Tw | ABOUT THAT par = 7 fakin : RAISE..7 4 A «7d = ~~ § |} TY \ 2 p= #55) y [ \e. x , r a 4 TEACHERS _ ; Saal 0 ps TARPAYERS 7 _ I : — ] By J. W. JOHNSON : ‘It was six years ago late last month that this nation wept. The Dh. following day, instinctively under- r Ps a ndme that our loss was per- "&mal, not political. + .'And the world will continue to Ic weep for years to come. (of! » Following the 1986 Challenger .r.disaster, there was much wailing : and gnashing of teeth about who and what to blame. And until that bright, clear day in January, space bY, ~travel was the safest form of travel known to humankind: 56 missions in space without a loss of life. ,+ And so in the confidence of his- tory and the arrogance of youth o, the march into space continued. ~.". Yet, and even if we didn’t under- nd specifically why back then, .{%%e knew that so many things could »rgo wrong. We expected it in the -t Almost new books available early days; in the days when sci- dace didn't understand as much; = the early days when we named our efforts: after-ithe gods—Mer- cury, Apollo—striving to touch the strength of those mythologies; in claiming those names, declaring those efforts to be feeble, our knowledge to be lacking; somehow and perhaps hoping in the sym- bols to find wisdom. Still, with all the success, we knew, and knew even on that day, that danger lurked. And y=t it couldn't happen on that day. On that particular day...at least that's what we told ourselves...and that's because She was on board. She was Christa McAuliffe. A mother. A teacher. We denied the possiblity because she was hope; as a mother, the hope of life; as a teacher, the hope of enlightment. And on that day, carrying with her the collective freedom born aspirations of, per- haps, the Walter Mitty in us all: To learn, to share, to touch, to taste fame, smell danger; indeed, to express that freedom in the scraped knee melding of science and joy, teehnology and inspira- tion, steel and soul. Suddenly, without warning, and in the blink of millions of eyes, the heartbeat of a nation stopped. We watched...no, clung to the television, so often giving us mind- less mayhem and insipid comedy...now shattering our gods. We watched as she and her professional colleagues leapt into space, stepped beyond earthly constraints, daring tobe truly free; daring to success by daring to fail. We mourned her death then; we mark it again. But we should also celebrate her life, as we celebrate our own. Christa McAuliffe was a teacher. With bubbly courage and the en- thusiasms which live and find nourishment only in a free person, she taught us. And the lesson she gave ulti- mate voice to is that free people, intending to remain so, must joy- fully don the robes of risk, or per- petually be that naked child seek- ing fearful solace in the god-toys of apathy and ignorance. Seven human beings died on that day. Seven heroes to freedom. | Library news (3 .By NANCY KOZEMCHAK 114 The Back Mountain Memorial 1iLibrary cookbook would make a Lzsery nice Valentine's gift for some- ~%=ne who has not yet received one. i7.The library still has cookbooks to lo sell and the would be a welcome Is addition to anyone's cookbook »! shelf. The cost is $12.95 and they i!may be purchased at the circula- '-tion desk in the library. They are “also available at the following yrbusiness places: Back Mountain pu iy il © [ 3 i- Books, Back Mountain ServiStar, ). Sue Hand's Imagery, Penn State bh Campus and College Misericordia. Ho . Our ‘almost new' book shelf in the library has many good bar- , gains for sale. These books are donations or duplicate copies from + our library shelves and are selling for as low as $2.50 and no higher than $5.00. These books also make excellent gifts. Ca A i "New books at the library: “By- a by LaVyrle Spencer is a “s@ntemorary family novel that sparkles with the vivid, real-life characters, spirited passion, and involving narrative that endear the author to millions of fans around the world. In the six years since her bitter divorce, Bess Curran _ has built a successful life as an 2 Interior designer in the historic riverside town of Stillwater, Min- _ pesota. Still angry with her ex- » Va '¢ - ¥ “ { ih 7 ‘husband, Michael, for abandon- _ing their marriage, she's proud of their two children. This novel of a family fighting its way back to unity “and happiness and is a glorious 4 triumph. “Blood Red, Snow White" by ‘Diane Henry and Nicholas Hor- ‘rock is a fast-paced and gripping . novel that plunges the reader into 1d "dnd betrayal. It builds to a climax “a world of greed, privilege, desire, ~~ of danger and action and cumi- 4 ““' nates in an unexpected, shocking ‘I ending that will haunt readers long after they've turned the last page. “<‘Alec Anton would seem to have it r~ Ia V ‘all: He has built a highly success- i ful corporate-law practice at a ;, prestigious Wall Street firm, he - owns a lavish home on the Con- i-necticut shore and a posh Park . Avenue Apartment; however, he is enveloped in a cloud of melancholy »-and loneliness. An exciting mys- «tery. : “1959” is a novel by Thulani Carson McCullers in its honesty and its deep generosity of spirit. The story brings to life a pivotal moment in American history with all its violence, surprise and glori- ous hope. The year that Willie Tarrant turned 12, was the year Billie Holiday dies, Mickey and fy "0 FE ON OO SN TC TS OO OD OC OO GO ON CU COR ON OC CO OO 0 EC DO 4 for under $5 Sylvia were singing “Love is Strange” on the radio, and Willie had her first date. Her father and other adults were worried about integration, but for Willie, that was just another problem she wouldn't have a choice about facing, like pulling weeds, or dating boys. Letters Seeks the boy he rescued in 1949 Editor: On Labor Day, 1949, my wife, the former Sally Williams, our daughter Ricky, and I were pic- nicking at Lake Carey. We were on a grassy knoll adjacent to the old Kniffen family cottage, to the left of their boat dock. A young boy, per- hapsl2 or 13 years of age, was asked by an old gentleman to untie his row boat, then to climb in if he wished a ride around the lake. The scene was just a few short yards away, directly in front of me and my family. The brow of the knoll was perhaps 3 feet above the water's edge and the boy grabbed the bow of the boat as it moved out into rapidly deepening water. He did not have a good grip on the bow however, and slipped into and under the lake's surface. | watched transfixed, intently looking for him to surface and begin swimming. When his head popped above the water's edge his arms thrashed wildly about him. “Dear God,” I said aloud, “the boy can't swim.” As | spoke the words he disap- peared for the second time be- neath the water and I looked to the swimming beach area to my left for signs of someone coming to help him. I saw a young girl standing next to older adults, perhaps her parents, all fully clothed, their hands to their mouths in panic at the scene unfolding before them - seemingly unable to move. I looked quickly then to where I had seen the boy surface - and there he was gasping and coughing for breath and thrashing the water with all his remaining strength, then slip- ping back into the water for the third time. I quickly removed one shoe - the other knotted in may haste, re- moved my trousers, for I had swim trunks on, ran and dove off the knoll into the lake. Swimming underwater to the last spot the boy disappeared I saw his lifeless form in an upright position on the lake's bottom, in perhaps 15 feet of wa- ter. There were no bubbles coming from his mouth as I neared him, preparing to turn him, remember- ing everything George Jones had taught us in the swimming pool at Meyers High School in 1938. This, however, was the real thing and I did turn him, cupped my hand under his chin and brought him to the surface, swimming back to the grassy knoll area. When | was able to stand up I grasped him firmly about the waist and tossed his lifeless form up on the bank. The force of my grasp caused a large spewing of water from his lungs as spectators rushed to assist. Oh, yes, as I prepared to stand up, two young men dove over my head into the lake. It seems the old gentleman also tried to save the boy and he could not swim either. Those young men saved him and brought me back the shoe I couldn't untie - it had come offduring my rescue attempt. The boy rapidly recovered, not needing resuscitation after spew- ing the water out as related above and Irejoined my family. Theyoung girl 1 saw with her hand to her | mouth came and thanked me for | saving her brother and, because I was embarrassed by the attention, we moved away from the area. I did not bother to get names. I | wish now I had, not for any glory, | but because of that beautiful movie “It's a Wonderful Life,” that we | watch everyyearat Christmastime, the characters forever etched in our hearts and minds. Our Lord and Savior placed me at Iwo Jima during W.W. II in the | South Pacific, that I might capture | in poetic form the “Flag Raising at Iwo Jima," and other famous land | and sea battles of that great war. | And He placed me where I could observe your desperate struggleto live in the waters of Lake Carey 42 years ago, that I would be the instrument of His Saving Grace. Where are you, young man? | Because we both survived, events in our lives continued on, as pre- ordained, just as in that wonderful movie. This old warrior-poet would like to find you that I might hear of your wonderful life. : Richard E. Franklin | “The Poet of Iwo Jima” 27815 Riggs Hill Rd. Foster, Oregon 97345 503-367-4734. Back Mountain Citizens Council choses new officers and members New officers and new board members of the Back Mountain Citizens Council took office in January, and were introduced at this month's meeting. Standing from left, Charles Wasserott, Al Babetski, Irene Thomas, Phyllis Belk, Edward Schechter, John Reddy, Janet Phillips, Anne Vernon, Rob Lewis, Larry Law. Seated, Murray Miller, Nancy Eckert, Ben Phillips, Will Conyngham and Tom Winter. Wasserott and Reddy are new members; not shown are new members Mary Reddy, Robert Be- : secker, Dean Casaday. The new officers are Conyngham, president; Ray Boyle, vice president; Ben Phillips. secretary and Tom Winter, treasurer. The next board meeting will be February 14, at 8 a.m. in Hayfield House, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Campus in Lehman. Back Mountain Citizens Council is concerned with issues pertaining to environment, transportation, municipal cooperation, recreation and planned growth. if You're Not Watching Movies On Wolf TV - Channels 38 & 5 Cut a ( 77 / fa i 12:00pm ONE MINUTE TO % ZERO - Robert Mitchum : 2:00pm i SH I = TH = TO UJ WO - BVA I JO JP J C721716/ 5 On | ®t secnerreor N FLEM - | Telemedia OL FLEMM BURING RANGE - FY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY Barbara Mandrell - 2 3 4 5 & FOX NIGHT 7 FOX NIGHT 8 Clint Eastwood ] 12:00pm TROOP BEVERLY |8:00pm 7:00pm 8:00pm 8:00pm 8:00pm Saturday HILLS-Shelley Long BROTHERHOOD OF Basketball RAW DEAL - SIMPSONS AMERICA'S MOST 12:00pm JOE KIDD k 2:00pm BLUES BROTHERS JUSTICE - K. Sutherland, TEMPLE @ Amold Schwarzeneggar 8:30pm WANTED 1:30pm TWO MULES FOR 3 (2'%2)-J. Belushi L. Loughlin GANASHINGTON UNIV. DREXELL'S CLASS 9:00pm SISTER SARA 4:30pm 9:00pm 9:00pm COPS: U.S. MARSHALS | 3:30pm EIGER SANCTION B | Basketball MARRIED/CHILDREN BEVERLY HILLS 90210 | 9:30pm FOX B| W VIRGINIA@ RUTGERS 9:30pm HIDDEN VIDEO 8:00 pm COPS I/II i FOX NIGHT M*A*S*H 9:00pm WWF MAIN EVENT] X 0 10 11 12 13 rox nigHT 14 rox niGHT 4 & Stallone Saturday 12:00pm 8:00pm 8:00pm 8:00pm 8:00pm 8:00pm : |, ENT IRA -Haley Mills Rocky iA 2 DEERHU NTER PT.1- DEERHUNTER PT. 2- : aS MPSONg AMERICA'S MOST SE enyvicnom ALLEY : yivester Stallone, Meryl Streep, Robert Deniro Robert Deniro, C. Walken «30pm WANTED / B| MURPHY'SROMANCE- | CarlWeathers P DREXELL'S CLASS 9:00pm 4:00pm FIRST BLOOD % : Wil N LOVE 9:00pm FIREHOUSE FOX :00pm . BEVERLY HILLS 90210 | 9:30pm ; | Robert Deniro, Meryl Streep HIDDEN VIDEO Cr a SpecAL B |__FOXNIGHT 5 z 16 12000mmupreTs 7 19 20 Fox NIGHT 21 Fox nigHT 29 FOX NIGHT | TAKE MANHATTAN 8:00pm 8:00pm 8:00pm 8:00pm 8:00pm 12:00pm CROSS MY HEART B | 2:00pm MICK! & MAUDE - FOX NITE @ MOVIES: RUNNING SCARED - THE GREATOUTDOORS- | SIMPSONS AMERICA'S MOST Mary Steinburgen j | OudieyMoore WEEKEND AT BERNIE'S - G. Hines, B, Crystal Jon Candy 8:30pm WANTED 2:00pm EVERYTIME YOU i 4:00pm ANGELSWITHDIRTY | A. McCarthy DREXELL'SCLASS 9:00pm SAY GOODBYE FACES o> Gagne 9:00pm BEVERLY HILLS 90210 Tom Hanks ; BEVERLY HILLS 90210 4:00pm STARTING OVER z 10:00pm PAUL RODRIGUEZ | | | FOX'S SUMMER GAMES P : SPECIAL | FOX'S SUMMER GAMES | §23 24 25 26 D7 FOX NIGHT 28 Fox NiGHT 29 J | 12:00pm BATTERIES NOT 7:30pm 7:30pm : 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:00pm 12:00pm EYE OF THE TIGER § INCLUDED ALIEN - Sigourney Weaver STARMAN-Jeft Bridges INVASION OF THE BODY SIMPSONS AMERICA'S MOST 2:00pm TRADING PLACES 2:00pm SUSAN SLEPT HERE SNATCHERS - 8:30pm WANTED 4:00pm THIEF OF HEARTS I | 4:00pm HURRICANE D. Sutherland DREXELL'SCLASS 9:00pm FOX 2 IA 9:00pm SIGHTINGS: GHOSTS 8:00pm COPS J T BEVERLY HILLS 90210 9:00pm AMW: COPKILLERS B (8:00-11:00) ck OF THIS WORLD een 9:30pm FIREHOUSE g ) +S: 439 +: 4444+ 44+ +144 rey <5 +4: +r +4 r+TretrrrT ett rerteErtT rE ETL a aa all, 2 i
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers