< Vol. 108 No. 1 This was the year that was In the Back Mountain "We can’t properly welcome the New Year until we've given a fit- ting burial to the old one, so here's a review of the events of 1996, in chronological order. Some of the events of the past year were tragic, some funny, many mundane — but all of them touched lives in the Back Moun- tain, so we've tried to select a wide range of items from all parts of our diverse region. Jan. 3: Joe and Sue Hand wound down a weeklong celebra- Lr? tion of 20 years operating Sue Hand's Imagery, and 40 years of Sue's painting. The Lake-Lehman School Board was deadlocked on a re- placement for member Pat Gold, who had resigned. County court may have to make the selection. Alice Solinsky, Kingston Town- ship, told about her trip to Po- land, where she and other em- ployees of Allied Services helped out at the Litewska Children’s Hospital. Jan. 10: The Back Mountain was digging out from a record snowfall of more than 20 inches in 24 hours. But the drifts didn’t stop two young men from robbing the Pump ‘n Pantry in Dallas, nor did it slow the police officers who caught them. John Wilkes Jr., 25, and Jim Hutchins, 22, became the young- est elected officials in the history of Jackson Township. Wilkes was sworn in as a supervisor and Hutchins as an auditor. The Dallas girls’ basketball team scored a 47-41 victory over Dallas, Pennsylvania ep S been an incredible 4 years.” Lisa Caputo Press Secretary to SH, Rodham Clinton March 27, 1996 rival Lake-Lehman in the teams’ first meeting of the new season. Robin Suda led the Mounts with 16 points and 13 rebounds; Kelly Spencer tallied 13 pots for the Knights. Jan. 17: Parents an teachers began a campaign to save West- moreland School from closing. They spoke out at a school board meeting, citing the school’s prox- imity to its students and family atmosphere. Heavy snows brought down the roof of a barn at Winterview Farm in Dallas. No animals were in- jured. The Back Mountain Regional Land Trust recorded its first trans- action, protecting 42 acres of land in Salem Township from develop- ment. Jan. 24: In a replay of 1972 — the short version — people fled a mandatory evacuation of Wyo- ming Valley as the Susquehanna River rose to dangerous levels. Local residents manned evacua- tion centers and cared for the ill and elderly. CNN came to the region to cover the flood, and correspondent Brian Jenkins interviewed Gail Ide of Lehman. But the identification & Trail aroup seeks funds to open first mile By KYLIE SHAFFERKOETTER Post staff TRUCKSVILLE - In this envi- ronmentally conscious era, many . people would be inclined to view. some of the effects of the Indus- trial Age with regret. We need look no further than strip mines, slag heaps and polluted rivers to . see the impact on northeastern Pennsylvania. But in our abandoned railways we actually possess a resource which has the potential to recon- nect us with the natural beauty that surrounds us. The Anthracite Scenic Trails Association (ASTA) is a non-profit organization that has been work- ing diligently for the past three years to convert Northeastern Pennslyvania’s former railroads into trails to be used for walking, hiking, jogging, cross-country skiing and biking. The old Lehigh Valley railroad runs right through the Back Mountain. Coming up through See TRAIL, pg 12 Judy Rimple, president of ASTA enjoys the natural beauty of the Back Mountain Trail. POST PHOTO/KYLIE SHAFFERKOETTER Gyms ready to help you keep that resolution By MICHAEL TWICHELL Post Correspondent BACK MOUNTAIN - With the coming of the new year, comes the inevitable slew of resolutions; “I'm going to quit smoking." = *Pm going to be nicer to (fill-in- the- -blank).” “I'm going to give up drinking.” But the most often heard reso- lution is unquestionably, “I'm go- ing to get fit.” Several years ago, keeping that one was difficult for Back Moun- tain residents, mainly because there were no decent facilities in the immediate area. But in the last few years several quality es- tablishments have sprung up around town, including two reha- bilitation and therapy centers. Ernie’s Health and Fitness, along Rt. 309 in Dallas, has been in business since September, 1994, and utilizes top-of-the-line equipment, competent instruc- tors,’ and various training pro- grams to provide for their customer's needs. “We're geared toward the per- son with no idea about starting a fitness program, and have people here to help them get off on the right foot,” says staff member Steve Buckley. POST PHOTO/MIKE TWICHELL Trisha Pilosa worked out on the machines at Ernie's Fitness in Dallas. Ernie's offers several different programs, from personal appoint- ments with an instructor, to a “group” program with a trainer, or “someone who does know what they're doing can have the run of the gym, and can also ask for help if they need it,” said Buckley. "We also offer rehab programs.” says Buckley “and about half of our clients are here for that.” Last August, Ernie's opened its doors to the Polish National Olym- pic bobsled team, whose mem November. “We helped them with conditioning, so they would be able to get a better startin a race,” says Buckley. The Powerhouse Gym in Shav- ertown is geared toward, “more hard-core athletes, including bodybuilders, competitive weight- lifters, and members of the vari- ous local high school sports pro- grams,” says a spokesman for the gym, “so our clientele is already pre-disposed toward fitness.” Northeast Pain and Rehab, opened around 1989 as Dallas One-to One-Fitness Center, has evolved into a more therapy ori- ented establishment in the last few years. “We do it all, * says regional manager Jim Dundon. “We're primarily devoted to rehab and pain management, but we still offer personal weightloss and exercise programs to the public.” The facility also boasts a nation- ally certified staff of doctors and fitness professionals. “We're in business to assist anyone to succeed and get healthy, no matter what their limitations,” Dundon says. Northeast Pain and Rehab has successfully helped injured student athletes in the See FITNESS, pg 12 bers trained at the facility through | SY = AVA Net Eo | = O1@1\V, [VISITE EI =I R © mil fo | = BVA 5 Se 10 0 MAN of mtd Bt ENN BS 0 2 [© [6] 58D} iS Jl = (OF 50¢ December 31, 1996 thru January 10, 1997 line on screen read “Gail Idd.” With the Steelers ready to face the Cowboys in the Super Bowl, some people suggested Dallas change its name, at least for the day. ABC News called Mayor Paul LaBar to ask about that possibil- ity after KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh interviewed borough manager Milt Lutsey on the subject. “I can't stand living in Dallas this week,” said Hugh Boice. Jan. 31: Anna Lloyd of Dallas was named the top pony hunter rider in the state by the American Horse Show Association. The 14 year old had been riding for 10 years. The state Public Utilities Com- mission put on hold a request See YEAR REVIEW, pg 5 Gov. Tom Ridge visited Offset Paperback to announce changes to the state's Workmen's Compensation program. Teachers tutor peers in 'Project Learn’ By JENNIFER JUDGE Post Correspondent LEHMAN - Four teachers from Lake-Lehman School District gave presentations during Project Learn, a conference that involved 4,000 teachers from Luzerne and Wyoming counties. The program was held at Wilkes University and King's College. Jeris Baranowski, health and home economics teacher at the high school, teamed up with Mary Kropiewnicki of Wilkes University to present a session titled Imple- menting Cooperative Learning in the K-12 Classroom. Baranowski stresses the differences between cooperative learning and group work. She defines cooperative learning as “teaching students to work in teams with a major em- phasis on social skills and teach- ing them to come to consensus.” Baranowski adds, “The third em- phasis is to learn to work with people you don’t choose.” Baranowski believes that co- operative learning is more com- patible with students’ learning strategies today. “Kids now have changed dramatically. They are not quiet kids who sit in the class- rooms. They want to know why. Cooperative learning empowers them. They are a major part of the classroom,” Baranowski ex- plained. Baranowski has implemented cooperative learning strategies in her own classroom and feels that the skills students learn will help : LL Jeris Baranowski La ke-Lehman health and home economics teacher them in the business world. In- stead of just allowing homework time in class, Baranowski designs activities based on what a student learns. Through these activities, she tests how well students have grasped the lesson. Regina Corbett has served as a school psychologist at Lake-Leh- man and is currently a member of adiagnostic and consultative team to deal with student academic or adjustment difficulties. This was Corbett’s first year presenting at the conference. Corbett’s topic was Attention- Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD). During the course of her presentation, she discussed what it is, what causes it, medication used to treat it, how kids are diagnosed, and strategies that teachers can use in the classroom to deal with it. Corbett, who presented to about 85 teachers, says, “I am surprised that there are still so many people See TEACHERS, pg 3 HB Bowl music while the team plays, Valerie Prothero will make music at Fiesta Bowl. Pg 5. BH At the helm Harveys Lake Yacht Club elects new officers. Pg 6. 12 Pages 1 Section Calendar................o. 8 Classified............... 10-11 Crossword...........ce. ui 8 Editonials................ 0 .4 Obituaries............... 2.10 School... 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