¥ 6 The Dallas Post Ra en ‘A year of storms, joy and silliness Dallas, PA Thursday, December 29, 1994 homes. The Back Mountain's new trash hauler, Wayne-Pike Sanitation, was trying to recover from na- ture's rude welcome, as residents complained about late pickups, or none at all. Feb. 2: Sister Andre Dembow- ski's “birthday bash” raised more ~ than $5,000 for the Sisters of Mercy Ministry Fund, with 200 guests attending the event. Roofs crashed down through- * out the area, as the weight of rec- ord snows toppled 100-year-old barns in Shavertown and Lehman, carports and garages. - Feb. 9: Marc Bregman, a former dispatcher, sued the Back Moun- ~ tain Communications Center for wrongful dismissal. Bregman was released after suffering two heart fiiacks. the second while on the job. Star Dallas tackle Greg Nadzan announced that he would attend Yale University, where he would play football and pursue a medi- cal career. Feb. 16: Police arrested 75-year- old Forrest Habblet of Chase Road, Jackson Township on charges of possessing 123 bags of heroin and other “unknown” pills. Some pieces of mail arrived at The Dallas Post addressed to P.O. Box 366, College Misericordia, PA 18612. Apparently, a computer mail list confused the town and the college. Feb. 23: Three Back Mountain attorneys told the Dallas school board they would oppose a plan to develop six acres of vacant school district land into playing fields. ' One ofthe lawyers lived in a devel- ~ opment adjacent to the field. James “Pappy” Gordon closed outa 52-year career fighting fires. In addition to serving on the ~ Trucksville Fire Company, Gor- don helped start the Back Moun- tain Fire Police and founded the Back Mountain Junior Firefight- ers, training two generations of volunteers. March 2: The Luzerne County _ Transportation Authority cut back some Back Mountain bus runs, - including all Saturday service. Area legislators continued to ~ press the state corrections de- partment to use a new water line to Chase prison, rather than depending on wells. The line was "built at a cost of $663,000, but _ prison officials insist it should be - used only as a backup. Louise Brown, who operated “The Coop” for many years, an- ticipated her 90th birthday on March 6. March 9: The mother of a Dallas High School student accused a teacher of assaulting her son in class. But hospital records and her story didn’t match. Lake-Lehman took the district wrestling title, edging Meyers by one point. Dallas will send four grapplers to regionals. Jenna Woychick, 2 1/2, matched the feat of a child fea- tured on a CNN television broad- cast, assembling a United States puzzle in 15 minutes, while reel- ing off a few facts about many states. March 16: The Dallas School District laid plans to make up days lost to the winter's snow, including extending the school day by 30 minutes. Back Mountain Memorial Li- brary volunteers raised $239.05 in their “Pennies for Periodicals” campaign. March 23: The federal Environ- mental Protection Agency stepped in to oversee the cleanup of gaso- line that contaminated wells in Lehman Township's center. A$1.9 million EPA Superfund grant will pay for the project. Students at Lake-Lehman middle school “adopted” a school damaged in the Northridge, Cali- fornia earthquake. Concert promoter Thom Greco threatened to sue Harveys Lake Borough if the council enacted an ordinance that included the amphitheater. March 30: Native Textiles an- nounced it would close its Dallas plant and move operations to upstate New York. The plant was opened in the late 1940s, and employed 127 workers. The Dallas Post learned it had won three awards in the Pennsyl- vania Newspaper Publishers’ Association contest. Grace Dove won first place in health report- ing, while Dave Konopki took a first in sports column and second for best sports story. April 6: AShavertown man, Delroy Henson, was charged with selling over 100 guns without a license. The U.S. Attorney's office said Henson had acquired the guns here and sold them in Baltimore. Fishermen complained that the Fish Commission's plan to stock 4,200 adult trout in Harveys Lake wasn't enough. Tom Sponseller called for at least 25,000 fish tobe stocked before opening day, and more later. April 13: Franklin Township su- pervisor Robert Redmond de- fended himself against charges he didn't live in the township. Dallas Post sports writer Dave Show, show and more show. Cars on the L.L. Richardson lot were covered by a January storm, one of three to hit that month, breaking the single month snowfall record. Konopki wound up his “Weight for Wishes” campaign by donat- ing more than $1,700 to the Make- A-Wish Foundation. April 20: A trail of jelly doughnuts . spelled doom for a bear that had been raising havoc with bird feed- ers in Dallas Township. Game commission officers caught the bear in a trap baited with a chain of doughnuts in the backyard of an Upper Demunds Road home. Josh Kupstas of Huntsville was selected as the Geisinger Chil- dren's Miracle Network poster child. The Dallas track team brought home seven medals from an invi- tational meet at Shippensburg Univ. April 27: Jackson Township resi- dents expressed their contempt for the Chase prison's continued insistence on relying on wells for water. The Trucksville United Meth- odist Church celebrated “Heritage Sunday,” one of many events commemorating the church's 150th year. A family of beavers that had caused water toback up intoyards and basements on Outlet Drive at Harveys Lake, were about to be evicted. May 4: The Back Mountain Com- munications Center filed a law- suit aimed at allowing it to remain in operation and not be forced to join a proposed county-wide emergency call system. A Lake Silkworth cottage re- cently occupied by Michael and Carol Rayes, which had been the subject of ongoing controversy over its unsightly condition, burned to the ground. May 11: Local and state police investigated a string of home burglaries, including one in which jewelry and cash valued at over $30,000 was stolen. May 18: Phyllis Eckman of Shav- ertown showed off her recipe for Black Forest Cheesecake, which was included in an article in the June issue of Good Housekeeping magazine. Speakers at a forum on state tax reform, sponsored by the Back Mountain Citizens’ Council, agreed that whatever its direc- tion, tax reform should be ap- proved by voters. The Dallas girls’ soccer team captured its fifth consecutive division title under head coach Ron Moran. May 25: Surprising nearly every- one, Lake-Lehman School District and its teachers announced they had agreed to a new three-year contract. The agreement passed the school board by a one-vote majority. Two homes in Huntsville re- ceived historic preservation awards from the Wyoming Valley Historical and Geological Society. June 1: As the 50th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Europe approached, Emmett Hoover re- called his experiences in the battle that changed the course of World War II. Meanwhile, Vietnam vet- erans tended a watchfire to com- memorate those missing in ac- tion. Both Back Mountain high school baseball teams prepared to play for district titles. June 8: Caterpillars and inch- worms ravaged trees throughout the area, then rapelled down and covered the sides of buildings. Semi-automatic gunshots rang out along Lower Demunds Road and police discovered 11 bullet marks in the ground near a home, but no suspect was found. Ken Wallace and Dave Daris prepared to set out on the Great American Race in a 1940 Chev- rolet. June 15: Thom Greco blamed the media, residents and the Harveys Lake borough council for his decision not to open the amphi- theater this summer. “I've gotten a raw deal here,” he said. A tractor-trailer cab smashed into a utility pole in Kingston Township, then dragged it along Carverton Road where it struck and injured Patricia Zikor and Virginia “Ginger” Ritts, who were out for a walk. Timothy Potoeski, 29, of Sweet Valley was identified as the driver. PNC Bank announced that the Dallas branch would close June 17, and its operations would be merged with the former First Eastern branch in the Dallas Vii- lage Shopping Center. June 22: The Lake-Lehman School District passed a budget with a five mill property tax in- crease, but finance manager Ray Bowersox still warned the budget was tight. Dallas passed its fourth straight budget with no tax in- creases. Class president Greg Nadzan, speaking at graduation, reflected on the changes he and his class- mates had gone through in four years at Dallas High School. ers prepared to compete in the inaugural run of the event. Tom Beezich and Barbara Anzalone were among the entrants. The Back Mountain senior team captured the District 16 champi- onship with an 11-3 win over Mountaintop. “The whole team has a lot of desire. They want to win,” said Larry Kriner, the coach. July 27: After battling not to do so, Chase prison officials finally agreed to use the new water line from Ceasetown Reservoir as a primary water source. Lamar Sharpe and five mem- bers of his WWII bomber crew gathered in the Back Mountain for their first reunion in 50 years. General Waterworks asked the Public Utility Commission to approve arate increase that would take the average annual water cost to about $340 in the Back Mountain. August 3: A 4-page questionnaire appeared in some Harveys Lake mailboxes without postage or a Game Commission officer Jim Jolley showed off a 300-Ib. bear that had been captured in the backyard of an Upper Demunds Road home. A trail of jelly doughnuts leading to a trap proved the bruin's undoing. June 29: Lake-Lehman superin- tendent of schools Nancy Davis shocked the school board by announcing she would resign to take a job at Wilkes University. Police and the FBI said they were close to making arrests in a string of burglaries that occurred earlier in the year. But no arrests were ever announced. Samuel Smith of Jackson Township became an Eagle Scout after completing a project to build and install houses for bats. July 6: Budget cutting through- out the Penn State University system forced six people to lose their jobs at the campus in Lehman. . The Rangers beat the Phillies 6-3 to take the Back Mountain Little League championship. Mike Faneck struck out nine while picking up the win, and Brian Vetter banged out three hits. Edward Orloski submitted plans for a combination gas sta- tion /convenience store /bank/car wash on the site of the former Exxon station in Dallas Borough. July 13: The Anthracite Scenic Trails Association released plans to convert two miles of abandoned railbed in Kingston Township to walking and biking trails. Judy Dickson sent a friend to the 48th annual Back Mountain library auction with a check and orders to buy the quilt made by Dallas Elementary third graders. Spirited bidding took the price to $950 before the task was accom- plished. The auction met its fun- draising goal. July 20: Area residents planned to help out at the Hospice St. John Ride For Dignity, while oth- _ cancellation affixed. One ques- tion addressed mayor Richard Boice's position on the amphi- theater; the flyer somehow missed his mailbox. Motorists continued to struggle with construction on Route 309, as one lane each way was toremain closed for another two weeks. Peggy Denmon proposed start- ing a chapter of the U.S. Navy Sea Cadets in the Back Mountain. August 10: Officials from seven Back Mountain communities agreed to study the feasibility of forming a regional police force. Armand Mascioli showed off the 1921 Richardson launch he and two friends bought and plan to restore before putting in Har- veys Lake. The boat is made by the same company that made several launches that once plied the lake. August 17: Thieves broke into the home of Jackson Township police chief Donald Jones and stole his badge and identification, bin- oculars, $150 in cash and two gold Shriner's rings. Benjamin “Bud” Spencer got a surprise when his tractor sank into a strawberry field along Chase Road. It turned out the swampi- ness was caused by sewage from an illegal line that ran from an apartment on Charles Cigarski's property. August 24: Sis Ertley won her 14th Irem club championship last weekend. Native Textiles announced that its move to Glens Falls, New York would be put off until mid-1995. The plant had originally been scheduled to close later this year. Lower Demunds Road, and Pioneer and Overbrook avenues were among the roads labeled “racetracks” by residents and police alike. “They fly up and down here like crazy,” said John Emil. August 31: Area Vietnam veter- ans laid plans for a 1,000 mile watchfire to take place Oct. 22, in honor of those missing in action. Kristell Kocher outdrove her father to take first in class at a SCCA skills event held at the Dallas High School parking lot. Acting campus executive offi- cer Tom Winter said no programs would be cut as a result of belt- tightening across the statewide campus. Sept. 7: Heidi Jo Allen was ready to receive an award during Na- tional Rehabilitation Week. The Sweet Valley woman, though left a quadraplegic by a 1986 car accident, holds down a full-time job and drives a specially- equipped van. John Law, who recently took over as manager of the Coates Reprographics plant in Dallas Township, told The Post his com- pany supplies a large percentage of the copier and printer toner sold in the nation. Sept. 14: A year-long study of Harveys Lake turned up only minor problems, most related to algae growth. More big trout would help, said a spokesman for the firm that conducted the study. Dallas school administrators will receive an average 5.1 per- cent raise, according to a vote of the school board. The Dallas High School band is playing a happy tune, with par- ticipation and quality both at recent highs. Sept. 21: Tammy Slater, who once operated a bridal shop in the Back Mountain, was arrested for swin- dling three brides who bought gowns at her new store in Scran- ton. Meanwhile, five local brides were still trying to collect the money Slater owed them. Dallas and Lake-Lehman foot- ball teams both are off to fast starts, having won their first three games. Lake-Lehman school adminis- trators will get raises of a bit under 4 percent this year. Sept. 28: The Yalick property along Route 415 was to be auc- tioned in two separate parcels Oct. 4. Luzerne County District Attor- ney Peter Paul Olszewski con- firmed that his office was investi- gating a complaint against the ” Harveys Lake police department. College Misericordia celebrated 70 years in higher education with weekend festivities at the cam- pus. The Dallas Post won a second- place award for best sports col- umn from the National Newspa- per Association. Oct. 5: A plan to close five of eight watch towers at Chase prison drew fire from citizens and prison guards. “This shouldn't happen,” said Sgt. William Lewis, the guard union president. “It's a rash, stu- pid plan.” Only the smaller, 3-acre parcel of the Yalick farm drew a bid at last week's auction. The Conyng- ham family bid $75,000 for it, but the bid was later rejected. Shelly Kovach, Judy Sichler and Tara Dymond scored two goals each as the Lake-Lehman field hockey team shut out Valley West. Trucksville United Methodist Church began to wind up its ses- quicentennial celebration with a whirlwind two weeks of events. Oct. 12: Big-city problems began to make their appearance in the Back Mountain, as police arrested three juveniles for “tagging,” draw- ing abstract letters and graffiti art on buildings. The Huntsville Golf Club held a “coming-out” party of sorts, as golf writers and other members of the media took to the course for a day. Among those attending were Dave Anderson, Pulitzer Prize winning New York Times colum- nist, and Rees Jones, the course designer. Bill Smith told the story of his WWII experiences, including being aboard the USS Princeton when it was struck by a Japanese bomb, and sank. Oct. 19: The Dallas Area Munici- pal Authority announced that rates would increase by $30 be- cause of costs associated with hooking up to a Wyoming Valley system. John Magagna told The Post about his business, Search Asso- ciates, which places teachers and administrators in jobs at private schools around the world. Oct. 26: The Environmental Pro- tection Agency began building a temporary treatment plant near Mill Street in Lehman. The facility will be used to clean up the remnants of gasoline spills from a gas station. A “rumble” involving a large number of Dallas High School students became hot news. The fight, which was said to involve about 30 people, took place at the Westmoreland School. Some residents of the Cedar Lane development in Kingston Township told The Post about problems with their water sys- tem. “It's absolutely pitiful,” said John Kryston. “It's been an ongo- ing problem which has increased as more homes have been built.” Nov. 2: Two youths, one 14 years old, the other 15, were accused of stealing a pistol from a Trucksville home. The boys said the gun would be an equalizer in a fight with other youths. Ray and Melanie Harris were on their way to play bridge at the American Contract Bridge League's fall championship in Minneapolis. Katie Sallitt and Mary Ann Selensky scored goals as Dallas wore the district field hockey crown again. Nov. 9: Jeff Martin and Brian Farrell, both Back Mountain na- tives and accomplished musi- cians, prepared to perform at Wyoming Seminary's 150th anni- versary concert. Ed Roth has returned from Cleveland, having achieved the 33rd degree Masonry distinction. Dallas beat Lehman 19-0 in the Old Shoe football game, wind- ing up an undefeated regular season. Lehman put up more of a battle than had been expected before falling to the favored Moun- taineers. Nov. 16: Officials of Wyoming Valley Health Care System made it official, announcing ground- breaking ceremonies for a new Dallas Family Practice facility. William Price of Jackson Town- ship became the Lake-Lehman school board's choice for superin- tendent, replacing Nancy Davis. Eric Pimm of Loyalville com- pleted his Eagle Scout project, making him eligible for the honor at age 13. Nov. 23: Kingston Township po- lice arrested Dean Lee Werts, 30, of Franklin Township, on morals charges involving young boys. Werts had been employed as a bus driver in the Dallas School District, but the charges didn't involve children from the Back Mountain. Game Commission officials said last winter's severe weather didn't cut into the deer population, giv- ing hunters more reason to hit the woods on opening day. Dallas won the district football title for the second year, but Lehman lost the Eastern Confer- ence championship to Montrose despite scoring five touchdowns. Nov. 30: Dallas teachers and the district agreed to a new 3-year “contract that“begins with the opening of school in the fall of 1995. The Post reported that Dean | Lee Werts, the bus driver accused of molesting young boys, had confessed to a charge of providing liquor to minors in 1986. Two years later he was driving a school bus. The Dallas Mountaineers’ hopes for a second straight state championship were dashed by a tough Mount Carmel team. The . eventual state champs scored 21 points against Dallas, nearly as many as they had allowed al’ season up to that game. Dec. 7: Arnold West of Harveys Lake showed off his Christmas tree, decorated with 400 fishing lures. He said the idea came from a magazine, then he retired, and the rest is history. A loophole in state tax law al- lows townships to tax above mandated limits, as long as the revenue is dedicated to a “special” purpose. Lehman and Jackson townships have the tax. Dec. 14: Saying most drivers on Route 29 seem to like speeding, PennDOT turned down Jackson Township's request to lower the speed limit. ; Students petitioned the Dallas school board to give winter track coach Bill Kvashay a raise. “If it weren't for him wouldn't be where Iam,” said Amber Coolbaugh. “He makes you work and won't let you give up.” With the 50th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge approach- ing, Al Baloga recounted his feel- ings on Dec. 16, 1944. The former platoon leader recalled that green recruits were pressed into service for the unexpected battle. Dec. 21: Jim Wertman, well-re- spected owner of J&J Deli, died suddenly at home. Juniors and seniors at Lake- Lehman High School wrapped up a drive which collected 124 coats and 37 blankets that will be given to an agency that helps homeless people. Exxon of America is cleaning gasoline and chemicals from the soil at the former gas station on Route 309 in Dallas. Dec. 29: The brand-new Dallas swimming team was practicing at College Misericordia in anticipa- tion of its first season. Matt Stretanski is the coach. The Post reported how a sys- tem to screen school bus drivers and others who work with chil- dren failed to pick up a prior conviction on the record of a Dal- las bus driver who was subse- quently charged with corrupting minors. Compiled by Ron Bartizek. a3 oes 3 % % 1)
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers