The Dallas Post - Dallas, PA Wednesday, December 4, 1996 * 3 BY KYLIE SHAFFERKOETTER iy Post staff DALLAS - There may not be . parent/teacher conferences this year. at Dallas High School. The ‘closing of the school for seven + days due to the mercury spill has : created scheduling problems. For : now, there is no room in the re- ' vised schedule for the conferences. William Wagner, president of . the'Dallas Education Association, ' thinks it's a shame to cut out x ' such an important element of edu- : cation. “It's sad to see that those : meetings will not exist the year,” ‘he said. “With the block schedul- ring there is just no extra time le[t.” Dr. Gilbert Griffiths, assistant superintendent, said that sched- uling the conferences is still un- der consideration. “We have to talk with the president of the union, sit down and make a sched- ule for it.” he said. Wagner said many teachers were upsel with the decision to have makeup classes during pre- viously scheduled holidays, and the tenured facully members Parent/teacher meetings dropped asked the school board to extend the school year rather than use holidays to make up the lost days. Wagner submitted a letter to the school board last week stating the association's feelings against makeup days during scheduled holidays. “This is not the most productive makeup time" said Wagner. “Kids just don't want to be here.” The high school showed low attendance over the Thanksgiv- ing holiday, when (wo makeup days were scheduled. On Fri. Nov. 29, 457 of the students were absent and Mon. Dec. 2, 272 of the 757 enrolled were absent. Other makeup days are Dec. 27 and 30 and Feb. 17 and 24. Storytellers carry on ancient tradition By JENNIFER JUDGE Post Correspondent KINGSTON TWP. - Mary Baker ‘has been playing guitar and tak- ‘ing voice lessons since she was 12 years old, but it wasn't until 1989 ‘that she discovered an art which ‘best utilized her talents. In 1989, Baker attended a | Storytelling Festival at the Uni- ‘versity of Scranton, an event which «would encourage her to form Voices of the Valley in 1990 along with fellow storytellers Leanne Grace and Gerry Hart. Baker says, “I'went to that and fell in love with storytelling.” Voices of the Valley is a storytelling group that hosts events throughout the area. They meet the third Monday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Osterhout Library in Wilkes-Barre. During meetings, the group spends time practicing stories and giving each other storytelling tips. Baker says, “You need a support group. You don't meet a lot of storytellers.” Meetings and yearly workshops are open to the public. “We don't advertise and we don't have dues,” Baker explains. “We are strictly an informal group.” . Voices of the Valley currently has about a dozen strong mem- bers. Baker is the only member from the Back Mountain. Other members come from Springville, White «Haven, Sugarloaf, Huntingdon Mills, and Falls. Their youngest member is 25 and their oldest 85. They come from diverse backgrounds and bring stories out of those backgrounds. Among their members is a Native Ameri- can historian, alibrarian, a writer, aretired nurse, and two preschool teachers. 1"*One of our main functions is lo promote storytelling,” Baker explains. “We need to let people know that storytelling isn't just for kids. The stories have a lot to give us, [rom teaching us lessons to ‘entertaining us. “ Baker be- lieves storytelling can be fun for everyone. “We all have our own little niche. Every storyteller is so different. There has to be one sto- ryteller you can connect with,” Baker says. ‘They promote storytelling in the area’ through group events and also by individual activity. Every Qcleber, Voices of the Valley holds Ghost Story Night at Frances Slocum State Park. This is their most successful event, usually drawing a crowd of about 250 Voices of the Valley members, from left, foreground; Valerie Johnson, Florence Howanitz, Mary Baker, Janet Dunn-Davenpon, Leanne Grace, Dawn Beichler. Background; Kathy Sklaney, Trish Palmer, Betty Yedinak, Gerry Hart. people on a good night and earn- ing the group $150 to $200. Voices of the Valley uses the revenue to buy books and cassettes about storytelling which they donate to the Osterhout Library. On the Saturday before Thanks- giving, the group also participates in Tellabration, an international event. At 8 p.m., in locations throughout the world storytellers began telling stories. This year's evenl, held at the Montessori School in Kingston, was one of five locations in Pennsylvania. Six local storytellers performed for about 30 people. The evening was billed as “A Night of Magic,” and featured tricks by storyteller/ magician Harry Sauers belween stories. In the summer months, Voices of the Valley runs a series called Stories in the Parks. This year, they told stories in Nesbitt Park on the river front in Wilkes-Barre. Once a year, the group brings in a well-known storyteller to host a storytelling workshop at the Rain- “bow School in Shickshinny. This event is open to the public. The group members also work on their own. “We're all indepen- ; Send The Dallas Post to a friend. ou makes a great gift. Call 675-5211 for information. THURS., DEC. 5TH THROUGH MONDAY, DEC. 9TH | PRE-CHRISTMAS OUTERWEAR SALE NYY ol WW 10) 0) (ONT: \ 8 JY X0)3: | BORA I oS ol JAB LY NES od ND) 100 OUTERWEAR ANDREW MARC {OPEN 9-9 DAILY, i*312- -6 SUNDAY Hueco Boss SANYO LiNDPA RICHARDS Price adjustments cannot be made on previous purchases or previous layaways. Sale merchandise excluded. This discount cannot be used in conjunction u ith any other offer. : DH S. STATE STREET, Routt 6, CLARKS SUMMIT DicksoN Ciry , HoLinAy Hours: Hounpay Hours: OrEN 10-8 MON.—FRI., 10-6 SATURDAY, 12-5 SUNDAY dent,” Baker says. “We're all in schools telling stories and at women's clubs and conferences. Independently, we are spreading the art.” Baker often tells stories at Frances Slocum on Saturday nights. Baker, who has played music at Open Mic Night at Chicory House and who is actively in- volved in her church's music, ex- plains her connection to storytelling. “It was a way for me to do the entertaining that's in my blood and have the freedom to do it in my own time. I love being in front of people and sending mes- sages. | definitely have some stage bug m me. * Baker, amother of two, teaches physical education at the Mont- essori School and is also a seam- stress. She says she doesn’t have a lot of time to create her own stories and often tells traditional stories. She looks forward to the day when she will have more time to pursue the art. She says, “In five to 10 years, I hope the voice is still there to tell stories and sing songs every day. * Voices of the Valley wants to host more events in the future. They hope to perform at Tudor Bookstore and Cafe and at the Rainforest Cafe in Tunkhannock. “I think word is getting out,” Baker says. “I see a lot of growth from when we [irst started meeting.” POST PHOTO/KYLIE SHAFFERKOETTER Cord) McKeever, a teacher at Trinity Learning Center, gave a lesson to Christopher Dillon. Trinity (continued from page 1) But things soon started rolling. “I hired adirector and some teach- ers and got a school board to- gether. The tuition took care of pay for the teachers, supplies, and contributions to the church for allowing us the space,” she said. : Although Pilleralla wasn't a teacher at Trinity, she was very active as chairperson of the board. She had great influence in choos- ing the direction the school would take. “The purpose was to present a program of a balanced combina- tion of creative experience and structured activity,” explains Pilleralla. She believes children should be challenged to develop in their learning and that it is vital for each child to develop a positive self concept. Since 1971, the school has grown in size and with the times. It now has 75 students and a larger staff, but the essential phi- losophy is the same. “Our school ‘gets the children together to so- cialize. It’s their first introduction to school. Here they learn to cooperate and share,” said Carol McKeever, who teaches three year olds. “It gives the children some- thing to bring home and share.” The school goes on many field trips during the year that allow the children to have a variety of experiences. “We have gone to the Nursery school to present 'Rudolph’ The parents of Trucksville Nurs- ery School will present a one act play entitled “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” on Sat. Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. in the Education Building at Trucksville United Methodist Church. The 30 minute play, written by Susan Collini, is ap- propriate for preschool and early elementary school children and will include singing, dancing and a visit from Santa Claus. Admis- sion is free. specializations in: ® Technology your field...1-800-852-7675 Misericordia ® Supervision “Students today are excited about technology. I need to capture that enthusiasm in 11) (Rg ER (010) 11 Take an active role in shaping the future of Education for yourself and your students. College Misericordia's Graduate Education program offers ® Elementary Certification Call today for the information you need to become a leader in Office of Admissions College Misericordia 301 Lake Street, Dallas, PA 18612-1098 1-800-852-7675 ® FAX (717) 675-2441 Grassy Ridge Orchard and the Shavertown Fire Department where the kids learned fire safety,” said McKeever. But, that's notall. “We try to get them to the com- munity, but the community comes to them also,” said Sandy Daven- port, Trinity's director. “We have a guitarist come in and play for the kids and we even had eight musicians from the Northeastern Philharmonic play,” said Daven- port. The children also play with blocks, art, and “anything that's messy,” said Davenport laughing. The parents are also invited to be involved. There is a picnic in the fall for both the parents and children and on Valentine's Day, there is a social for the parents to watch the children perform songs and dance. Parents appreciate the smaller pre-school where children can be attended to individually. “I like it because it's small and the fact that they're more interested in nurturing, rather than cramming skills into them,” said Megan Painter, whose five-year-old daughter attends the school. “Trinity has a creative and lov- ing environment where my kids learned to be away from me in a school situation. It's a good start because they discover that learn- ing is fun,” said Claire Parkhurst, who is the mother of three Trinity students. OFFERING « Antiques + Bears & Dolls + Decorative Accessories « Clothing + Hewelry + “Bath Accessories » Cards + | Candles + Contemporary Soft-OSculpture «Folk Art | » Dried Flowers + “Holiday Trimming + Fresh Greens ~ & Pore Stop In & See Our New Look The Bay Window 100E. Overbrook Road Gift Certificates Available New Hours: M-F 11-7 Sat. - Sun. 11-5 Shavertown, PA 675-6400 Join us for... We Wish You A Merry Christmas Inspirational Print Exclusive Time-Limited Event Piece By attending you will have the opportunity to: on the day of the event. A Thomas Kinkade Family Christmas Come and see A Thomas Kinkade Family Christmas video featuring Thomas Kinkade with his wife, Nanette, and their three beautiful daughters. ePurchase the exclusive Time-Limited event piece, We Wish You A Merry Christmas Inspirational Print - this 13" x 13" Inspirational Print will be available for the first time eReceive gifts and register for the chance to win one of the following: - Signed and Numbered Paper Lithograph of Thom'’s newest release A Christmas Welcome which is seventh in his Christmas Cottage series. - A Thomas Kinkade Christmas Cottage Serving Bowl - Free membership into The Thomas Kinkade Collectors’ Society See the latest works by “The Painter of Light.” This special Christmas Celebration will be taking place at: ARTISTIC IMPRESSIONS Rt. 6, Factoryville 945-5011 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12th, 5 to 8pm Thomas & Nanette Kinkade and their daughters
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers