The Dallas Post Dallas, PA% A Case for conse ‘\ ation Alene N. Case It does not take much political posturing to make me tune out. I've heard enough talk about con- stitutional amendments that deal with issues that could be better addressed by personal and legis- lative responsibility. I've heard enotigh talk about which kind of personality is better suited to lead- ership. I've heard too much talk about which taxes should be raised (or lowered) to accomplish the necessary budgetary reforms. Instead of hearing all the same old issues and arguments, 1 would very much like to have all candi- dates" for public office address some ofthe very real issues facing our nation. ‘As my husband and I traveled from here to Oregon and back again, we noticed environmental problems that are not being given enough attention in this election year.: Let me give you several ._ examplés beginning with inaccu- racies on the maps of many west- ern states. We began to notice a problem when we drove through the “National Grasslands” in North Dakota. There was no sign of grass! In fact, throughout the states we visited, I never saw grass covering the ground in any of the “grass- lands” shown on the map. It was mostly sagebrush and rabbit brush and other desert plants. Small cyclones would pick up the dirt between these plants and carry it about. If there had ever been: any ground cover, it had long since been eaten or trampled by the cows we observed still try- ing to find forage. We also saw whole mountains that were labeled “National For- est” on which no trees were grow- ing! Whether or not these moun- tains once had trees on them I do not know. But, I do know that our national forest lands are main- tained with money garnered by timber. sales and these hills had no timber to sell. I also know that in some of these very dry areas wherea few scrawny junipers sur- vive we'saw mills that were pro- cessing-lots of very small logs. 1 came to the conclusion that the Bureau'of Land Management and the Forest Service are not totally to blame for the mismanagement of land under their supervision — the land has simply been misnamed. As I was saying : Jack Hilsher I hate to tell you this and pos- sibly spoil your day, but there is no getting around the fact that in only three more months, perhaps even less, you'll be setting your thermostat up for the evening to generate a little heat in the house. How's that for a depressing thought? And have you seen the price of home fuel oil creeping up? Gas will too, I suppose. Coal - don't know - haven't used it in centuries. Guess what I'm nuts about for fuel now, especially since we moved to Dallas from Kingston? Good old wood. "Ain't nothing like a cozy den with a fireplace or a stove. Throw in a good book and a cold brew and you've go your basic heavenly ufopia, So for those who have wood heat or those who are only thinking about it, here is a “clip and saver” by the world-famous “Anon.” He calls it - “Ode for a Wood Burner...” “BEECHWOOD fires are bright and clear, if the logs are kept a year. CHESTNUTS only good they say, if for long it's laid away. BIRCH AND FIR burn too fast, blaze up bright and do not last. ELM wood burns like a church- yard mould, even the flames are very cold. POPLAR gives a bitter Let’s make candidates discuss real issues in '96 There are many other land and water use issues that become ob- vious to the traveler. Our nation should not allow irrigated farming of any sort in exceptionally dry areas where the water must come from deep wells. If and when irrigation is allowed, it should not be of the high spray variety. These sprayers were working during the middle of the day when most of the water simply evaporated be- fore it hit the ground. And, as most home gardeners know, wa- tering plants in the middle of a hot day generally does more harm than good. We did see a few areas along rivers where irrigation was being done in a responsible man- ner. But, even there, the soil is likely to become saline and the rivers polluted with fertilizers and pesticides if the practice contin- ues. I would propose that we con- sider aradical solution to all these problems. Let's return the sage- brush regions to the wildlife that is suited to its use. (Perhaps we could also do some mining or other underground activity in these ar- eas.) In order to abandon agricul- ture in these regions, we must encourage the farmers in wetter areas of the mid-West that now grow corn and beans almost ex- clusively to raise the variety of vegetables and fruits that our so- ciety demands. And, we must discontinue converting good land into housing developments, roads, and other such uses. Water concerns should be af- fecting planning in the West in other ways. Salt Lake City is a case in point. As we drove into Utah, we wondered where a city of that size could find water since the only visible source was the Great Salt Lake itself. Our meteo- rologist friend, Gene Robl, an- swered our spoken question — he says that the city is supplied with snow-melt that is stored in reser- voirs in the mountains. He also confirmed our suspicion that Salt Lake City is growing rapidly. I find it foolhardy to continue such ex- pansion when the source of water is such highly unpredictable pre- cipitation. Salt Lake City is also a very industrial city. We saw refineries, a steel mill, and lots of smaller industries. Most of them were spewing noxious fumes into the air, contributing to one of the worst air quality problems we had seen anywhere. Where is the EPA? They are obviously not in Utah or in West Virginia, for that matter. We noticed that each time we ap- proached a river valley in West Virginia, our eyes and noses be- gan to burn and water. Why is the EPA still allowing such filthy plants to operate? But, perhaps the most unjust environmental problem of all has to do with the transportation sys- tem itself. Not only are trucks still doing the work of trains (why else would one driver travel twice in one week between Nashville and Boston?), but our ever-expanding roadways are not serving the needs of the citizens. Every large city which we approached was notable for the signs announcing road construction (“expect delays”). As one circle around a city becomes too congested, another is built. This does not necessarily mean that the city is more populous; it simply means that the by-pass is . no longer a by-pass because of all the services and developments thathave been builtalongit. Many of these roads eat up valuable farmland. In fact, we saw one totally unnecessary four-lane highway being built between Paducah and Bowling Green Ken- tucky. It was cutting farms in two and eating up the yards of lovely homes. The smaller roadway was entirely adequate unless some huge development were planned. I have invented a new maxim with regard to major highways and their interchanges — “If you build them they will come.” The “they” in this case are not baseball players but fast-food outlets (4-5), gasoline stations with mini-marts (2-5), chain motels (at least two), " and perhaps even a shopping mall. Where is the old American value of fair competition here? What about the merchants who have carefully established their busi- nesses in the nearby town or city? Often the restaurants and hotels in the town are not even listed on the highway signs. And, how about the garages that have his- torically serviced vehicles in addi- tion to dispensing gasoline? No, these interchange businesses not only pave over valuable land, they also unfairly take money away from the towns in exchange for cheap jobs. Yes, our nation has many seri- ous issues with which to grapple. We must confront the candidates with our questions and expect thoughtful responses. Otherwise, we are no better than the cattle held in huge Kansas feedlots — unthinking and helpless as we face the future. Here's the low-down on the best and worst fire woods smoke, fills your eyes and makes you choke. APPLE wood will scent your room, with an incense like perfume. OAK and MAPLE, if dry and old, keep away the winter cold. But ASH wood wet, and ash wood dry, a king shall warm his slippers by.” OK. So much for funand games. Now let's get scientific and look at some heat values for different woods. They will be in Btu's, which is British thermal units, used to figure heating power of any fuel. ABtuis the heat needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahr- enheit. A gallon of fuel oil you use contains about 140,000 Btu's. A cubic foot of natural gas contains about 1,000 Btu's, and a pound of seasoned maple firewood about 7.677 Btu's. So a log about 6” x 24", weigh- ing about 22 pounds, has more heating power than a gallon of oil or 150 cubic feet of gas. In the right combustion chamber (wood stove or circulating fireplace) that right wood can give the most us- able heat for your money, besides providing a warm and cheerful diversion. (Or ambience, if you want to get fancy.) To give an even better example, a cord of maple logs (standard cords are 4' wide by 4' high and 8’ long) has more heat than one ton of anthracite or 200 gallons of oil. And some woods, like white oak, are even better. If you are following me, class, here are some Btu's for you to save when you are woodsing, or more likely, buying wood: Hickory 25.4 Birch24.7 Oak, White 23.9 Beech 21.8 Maple, Sugar 21.8 Oak, Red 21.7 Ash 20.0 The above are rated the best in Btu content. Second best, with BTu's ranging from 17.5 to 19.1 include Red Maple, Pine, Cherry, White Birch, Silver Maple, White Elm and Grey Birch. Rate not so hot, each under 15 Btu's, are Hemlock, Red Spruce, Balsam Fir, White Pine and Bass- wood. Be grateful you didn’t live in ancient Egypt where there was little wood and they had to burn straw. (Or how about the shep- herds in ancient times who burned manure!) Also you can be grateful that we have a resident expert in the Back Mountain who can tell you all about natural convection, ret- rofit fireplaces and all that neat stufl...he is Leonard DeLeur, Prexy of “Back To Basics Inc.” “Basics” is tucked away just off Rt. 309, toward Tunkhannock, only 3 1/2 miles from Dallas. They have the largest and most intersting stock of wood heating goodies for miles around but be very careful if you go. Lenny might sell you something. He did me. $15 in PA, NY, NJ i Call 675-5211 to order “Send your student to school with The Post Sept.-May subscriptions for students $17 All Other States MIXED EMOTIONS Cousins Casey Judge, Dallas, and Erin Crossin, Trucksville, seem pleased at the prospect of entering Gate of Heaven School, top photo. At left, Emily Baut, Shavertown wonders what is going to happen in this class next week. Tara Puffenburger, right, holds fast to mom, Tina at Gate of Heaven Kindergarten orientation Thursday night. POST PHOTOS/CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK wa ow Run/Walk for Tyler Hospital Sept. 28 Tyler Memorial Hospital, Tunkhannock will hold its annual 5K Run/ Walk on September 28, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the hospital. The race, partially funded by a grant from the PA. Attorney General's Office, promotes a drug and alcohol-free approach to good health. Trophies will be awarded to the top male and female finishers and medals to the first three runners in a number of age groups. All registered entrants receive a T-shirt. Proceds benefit Tyler Memorial Hospital's campaign to purchase a new Mobile Intensive Care Unit. Registration is $10 before race day and $12 the day ofthe race. For more information, contact Teena and | Garry Thatcher, 836-3850. Trout will be stocked | : in Moon Lakeand Harveys Creek The following waters will be. stocked for trout Sept. 9: Harveys Creek and Moon Lake. Renova- tion work at the hatchery caused A the schedule change. i 8 SO 3 vig Keystone Has Time [1 for You. [ Choose one (1) class only from each schedule. Too busy with work? Too busy raising a family? Too busy Monday through Friday? Earnyour degree by attending Keystone 6 weekends each semester. For over two decades, busy people have | improved their careers and their lives through Keystone’s Weekender Program. Earn your “ Associates degree in just 2 1/3 years by attending college Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday. te KEYSTONE COLLEGE ¢ LA PLUME CAMPUS « WEEKENDER CALENDAR e FALL ‘96 TRIMESTER | “3 September 6, 7, 8 - September 27, 28, 29 - October 11, 12, 13 November 1, 2, 3 - November 15, 16, 17 - December 6, 7, 8 Schedule A: Fri: 6:30PM - 8:30PM, Sat: 10:10AM - 12:10PM, Sat: 3:10PM - 5:10PM | Schedule B: Sat: 8:00AM - 10:00AM, Sat: 1:00PM - 3:00PM, Sun: 10:10AM - 12:10PM a} Schedule C: Sat: 6:30PM - 8:30PM, Sun: 8:00AM - 10:00AM, Sun: 1:00PM - 3:00PM FO Students finishing degree requirements this term must enroll in GRAD 101. : ) Classes meet three times per schedule unless otherwise indicated. SCHEDULE A SCHEDULE B Credits Credits ACCT 201 3 Intermediate Accounting I ex ACCT 105 3 Introductory Accounting I exBIOL 110 3 General Biology I BUSN 103 3 International Business ** CHEM 101 4 General College Chemistry BUSN 233 3 The Legal Environment of Business DVED 125 2 Keyboarding COMM 104 3 Interpersonal Communication ECE216 3 Child, Family and Community COMM 212 3 Written Communication ECON 101 3 Principles of Economics I ECE 201/ 4 Curriculum & Program Planning/ ENGL 101 3 Freshman English I 2231 Field Experience ENGL 102 3 Freshman English II EDUC 201/ 4 Foundations of Education/ ENGL 220 3 Introduction to Poetry 202 Field Studies in Education sp HOSP 102 3 Culinary Arts II - Food ENGL 101 3 Freshman English I Preparation II ENGR 101 3 Introduction to Engineering MCS 210 3 Electronic Spreadsheets ex MATH 101 3 Basic Algebra + PHED 111 2 Health Education MCS 220 3 Trouble Shooting ** PHYS 103 4 General Physics I Microcomputer Systems PSYC 101 3 General Psychology PHSC 109 3 Energy & The Environment SOCI205 3 The Family PSYC 202 3 Adolescence & Adulthood oo ** indicates class meets A & B schedule > + indicates class meets on Saturday only 2 oP indicates class meets special hours - Fri, 6-10PM, Sat 8AM-12PM, Sat. 1PM-5PM, Sat. 6PM-10PM ex indicates class meets extra hours: Schedule A -Fri. 8:30 to 10:30PM, Schedule B -Sun. 3:10 to 5:10PM, Schedule C SCHEDULE C Credits ACCT 203 3 ART 101 3 BIOL 107 3 Federal Taxes I Art History Survey I Biological Dimensions of Human Sexuality ) BUSN 101 3 Introduction to Business BUSN 109 3 Business Mathematics BUSN 216 3 Retail Management COMM 107 3 Speech Communication MATH 111 3 College Mathematics I MATH 120 3 Techniques of Calculus I MCS 105 3 PC Office Applications MCS 215 3 Operation Environments PHIL 101 3 Introduction to Philosophy PSYC 210 3 Exceptional Children SOCI 101 3 Introduction to Sociology -Sat. 8:00 to 10:00 PM Keystone College La Plume, 717-945-6953 717-265-9241 Only 15 minutes north of Scranton! 1-800-824-2764, Opt. 1 Keystone Main Campus — La Plume Northern Tier Career Center — Towanda (Nags
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