® , : ¥ Lio 3 Kk | i L Vol. 107 No. 28 POST PHOTO/CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK Ernie Ashbridge, chairman of the 50th annual library auction, painted the auction bell gold a couple of weeks ago. Auction is labor of love for volunteers By GRACE R. DOVE Post Staff Now celebrating its 50th an- niversary, the Back Mountain Memorial Library Auction was once considered old home week. an important fundraiser un- dertaken by the entire town and thesocial event of the sum- mer, all rolled into one. “Al the auction grounds be- hind the old library we were packed in like sardines — those were the fun days, when it could take nearly an hour lo gel from one side of the area to the other.” recalled local artist Sue Hand, who donates a special auction painting each year. Retired guidance counselor George McCutcheon was chair- man in 1969, the first year the auction realized $20,000 alter all expenses were paid. “We didn’t know how much money we were making.” he said. “We were just on a roll - the barn was literally bursting at the seams with antiques. which raised the bulk of the money.” People wanting to donate items called him at all hours, even al 9 p.m. on New Year's Eve. when a Forty Fort family leaving the area offered a load Back Mountain Memorial Library Auction July 11-14, at the library, Huntsville Rd., Dallas Special section inside. of items they couldn't take with them. McCutcheon rounded up his nephews, Dwayne and Howard Sprau, and headed down to the valley. “We came back with a good load of things," he said, chuck- ling. “Bill Moss was tickled.” One of the auction's valiant volunteers. Moss was also known as “Mr. Barn” because he organized all the donated items and catalogued every one. The jovial bearded fellow - McCutcheon couldn't decide whether he resembled Santa or Colonel Sanders — wore the cra- ziest hats while he was on duty sending items to the block to be sold. “Bill was a great barn man.” McCutcheon said. “He was even there to clean up.” The auction became a family affair, with wife Dorothea run- ning the Odds ‘n ends booth [or many years and daughter Geor- gia McCulcheon Zwartjes run- ning the art booth with Maureen Purcell. Dorothea McCutcheon was also a member of the Friends of the Library fora long time. McCutcheon was advisor to See AUCTION, pg 7 youngsters By LEN KRYESKI Sports Writer TRUCKSVILLE - Like plenty of s growing up in North- eastern Pennsylvania, 9-year old Ryan Ulbrich loves the game ol baseball and is a big fan of the New York Yankees. He especially admires Don Mattingly, the former Yankee first baseman and cap- tain who is reportedly mulling coming out of retirement for the 1997 season. And like so many of his peers across the country. Ryan's favor- ite current player is Ken Grilley r., slugging center fielder for the Seattle Mariners. As you might expect, the Trucksville native plays Little League baseball. After spending a year al the tee-ball and AA lev- els, Ryan recently completed his third season of organized ball at the AAA level. He roamed the outfield for the National League champion Cardinals while also seeing some action at third base. Cards = manager Angelo Bertinelli gradually worked Ryan into his pitching rotation. At sea- sons end, he pitched a complete game victory over the Reds. The 6- 4 win gave the his team the best record in the National League. All that sounds pretty ordinary, until you learn that just a few Ryan Ulbrich doesn't let heart disease Son’ hum Boa Ulbrich’ S coach months ago, it appeared Ryan wouldn't even get his uniform dirty, let alone pitch a baseball. Playing baseball not only seemed improbable in ‘96. it was the least of concerns for Ryan and his fam- ilv. During a simple well visit last October, physicians notified Ryan's parents, Jefl and Barbara Ulbrich, that their son's blood pressure was dangerously el- evated. Further testing indicated the diagnosis to be quile severe - he hada congenital heart disease. "It was a shock.” said Barbara Ulbrich adding that it was hard to believe the problem existed since birth. since her ever-active son always appeared {o be in good health. "He had just finished a full season of soccer before the well visit.” The family credits the unsell- ish efforts and direction of Bret Yarczower. a pediatrician al See RYAN ULBRICH, pg. 10 POST PHOTO/CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK Ryan Ulbrich, recovered from heart surgery, relaxed in his room. He just completed the baseball season, pitching the final game. By GRACE R. DOVE Post Staff DALLAS - Described by prop- erty committee chairman John George as “a football.” the issue of either renovating the Westmoreland School or building a new one will be decided at a special meeting of the Dallas School Board July 17 at 7 p.m. If the board decides lo erect a new elementary school, it will also have to decide where - al the present Westmoreland site, on the 100-acre campus on Hildebrant Road or at the site of the present administrative offices and the va- cant Dallas Township school. School's fate to be lec Al the regular July 8 meeting, vice-president Tom Landon said he would ask the architect to pre- pare two separate estimales for : building the new school and for including a pool in the construc- | tion program. See SCHOOL, pg 8 Beccaris will race, charity will win By GRACE R. DOVE Post Staff DALLAS - A sleek white race car piloted by Dallas resident David Beccaris will help raise money for an area organization while roaring through two days of road racing this weekend at the famous Giant's Despair Hill Climb. For every car in his class which Beccaris beats, Luzerne County Big Brothers /Big Sisters will re- ceive $50 from Bonner Chevrolet, one of Beccaris's sponsors. Wanting to do more than sim- ply donate to a charity, Beccaris had cooked up the idea with Bonner's general manager Rich- ard Crossin, who selected big Brothers /Big Sisters. “I wanted to do something dif- ferent to help a charily and make it competitive,” Beccaris said. “The better 1 do, the better Big Broth- ers/Big Sisters does. It brings a lot more excitement to the race.” “It's certainly different,” said Big Brothers/Big Sisters execu- tive director Ron Evans. “Of all generous contributors, we have never received a donation from a racing car before. We'll be on hand al Giant's Despair lo cheer Dave on.” In the Back Mountain, Penn State's Wilkes-Barre campus ath- letic department, Competition Plus in Fern Brook and Dreier World Industries in Shavertown have also lent their support to Beccaris's slightly modified ‘92 Chevy Camaro in its only road race this season. NE he Beccaris, a Penn Stale gradu- ate and ardent Nittany Lion fan, uses the fitness facilities at the Wilkes-Barre campus. Staying fit is a must for drivers, who often sweal off several pounds Sona race and need to be tough to with- stand the car's heat and the weight. of their protective asbestos cloth- ing. Compelition Plus owner Bill Zukosky makes sure the Camaro is in top shape lor each race, fine tuning the suspension, steering, electrical and other systems. Zukosky also preps race cars for, Park Mountain drivers John Halbing. Will Dannert, Charles Baylor and Bill Knecht. Other sponsors are Car Stereo Plus in Luzerne. Motorola Racing Radios. Colours in Wilkes-Barre : and Team World Athletic Cloth- ing. Beccaris's best time last yearat Giant's Despair was 57.5 seconds. The well-known course twists ils way through the mostly aban- doned village of Laurel Run and over an underground mine fire to the top of Wilkes-Barre’ Moun- tain, snaking around a nasty ha ir- pin curve and several sharp S- bends. See RACE CAR, pg 8 B Softball rules sr. softball stars stomp Mountaintop to stay un- beaten. Pg 9 BM Showbiz! students from Major Performing Arts danced and sang at their recital. Pg 2 38 Pages 3 Sections Calendar. n.d. 14 Classified............... 12-13 Crossword... 14 Editorials... 4 ObIUANES ute: cussievins 12 School auld ai 11 Sports... 9-10 CALL 675-5211 FOR HOME DELIVERY, NEWS OR ADVERTISING ess changes, 7 The Dallas Post L- Please enclose this label with any addr 4 4 and mail to The Dallas Post, P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612-0366 MAILING LABI "2 » 3 3
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