4 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, June 25, 1997 Ro ——_ The devil's in the details; try not to miss them It’s called an Act 34 hearing, which makes it sound technical, which to many people means boring. Still, anyone who wants to view and understand the nuts and bolts of local government would do well to attend the hearing about the elementary school building that will be built on the main Dallas School District campus. Act 34 is known in slang as the “Taj Mahal Act,” indicating that its main purpose is to assure that the state isn’t helping to pay for a structure that is more expansive or opulent than necessary. There's likely to be a lot of discussion about square feet devoted to particular purposes, space for offices and other minutae. To the untrained eye, the plan harbors no grandiose ballrooms or exotic recreational facilities; it’s a standard-issue box with a couple of wings attached to house a gym and district offices. One interesting note is how many people attended school board meetings to fight the move of Westmoreland Elementary to the main campus, and how few have stayed around to learn firsthand what the new school will be like. An Act 34 hearing doesn’t have the drama of those earlier meetings, but now that the die has been cast, is of some importance to the families whose children children will attend the School, as well as anyone who will help pay for it. Paying attention to what's happening in our own backyard is becoming a lost art in our hectic, sensation-filled age. While televised trials across the nation rivet our attention, activities that have real effects on our lives go unnoticed, until we discover we don't like the consequences of our neglect. Then all hell breaks loose, as we decry the malicious and foolish behavior that was there to see all the time. The hearing will take place June 30, beginning at 7 p.m., at the administrative offices on Church St. Hope to see you there. Publisher's notebook [Ron Bartz] “r ve had it up to my microphone with sportswhiners. You tnow, those so-called reporters and columnists who think an ‘athlete’ s greatest calling is to kiss up to them before, after — ‘and hopefully during — an event. The last straw was a column of all places, The New York Times, taking Tiger Woods to task because he left the grounds of the U.S. Open after a round without spilling his guts about why he finished a couple of shots over par. According to the writer, Woods should be charged with neglecting his professional responsibilities be- cause all he did was play golf well, then seek out a quiet place where he-could figure out how to play better. There has always been tension between news reporters and orts writers at newspapers. The news folks often don’t consider the sports guys and gals real reporters, in part because in the past the sports crew went out of their way to stay on the good side of their subjects. That happens sometimes in news, too, especially in Washington, but it was rampant in sports. My, how times have changed! Now, if you can’t write about controversy and turmoil — personal, money, family, off the field as often as on — you aren’t much of a sports reporter. And if your subject won't help you tar and feather him, well, he must be taken down a peg. Perhaps to the whiner’s level? I think this stems from a basic flaw in logic; that sports is important in ways other than who won or lost, and who performed well or poorly. These people are writing about games, after all, which are only a step above amusements on the scale of life importance. Anyone who implies that sport is life ought to read a couple of self-help books or schedule some time with a shrink. Instead, too many of them try to elevate their subject matter to a higher plane, and in the process aggrandize their own vocation. The disease appears to be contagious. When Dennis Rodman. mouthed off about Mormons during the NBA playoffs, the Anti. Defamation League released a statement condemning his boorishness. Who cares? Anyone who believes Dennis Rodman’s; opinion counts about anything except pulling down rebounds; is sorely misguided, and by taking him seriously does more ‘harm than they would by ignoring his foolishness. But, ever : sportswhiners know in their hearts that athletes’ real place in : society doesn’t extend off the field, so they must add weight to . their role or accept that they spend their working time chasing after large versions of kids playing stickball. Someone needs to remind these people of a simple fact: : SPORT IS NOT LIFE! We are attracted to Ken Griffey Jr. : because he has the purest swing in baseball, not for his opinion about European monetary union. Tiger Woods the unwilling : interviewee holds no interest unless he can still hit the ball a ' ton. If Dennis Rodman was a street thug instead of a court ‘ thug, do you think anyone would care what he says about : Mormons? Let's get real; we follow sport stars because we're ‘ fascinated by their physical ability and mental brilliance on the * field or court, and if you dropped all the nonsense about their ‘ personalities or character, we'd still watch them. Li a The Dallas Post Published Weekly By Bartsen Media, Inc. P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612 717-675-5211 Charlotte E. Bartizek ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER ’ Ronald A. Bartizek PUBLISHER Jessica Appolo ADVERTISING ACCT. EXEC Kylie Shafferkoetter REPORTER ‘ Ruth Proietto Olga Kostrobala : PRODUCTION MANAGER CLASSIFIED/TYPESETTING Cree SIE J NATIONAL NEWEPAPER ASSOCIATION Jill Gruver OFFICE MANAGER ; MEMBER vd E SOY INK|_ i a WV RW Bae BW Re { ¢ EpiToRIALS | im. H: (well ne \ 30 pM SI Library news pe NEVI (£311 Td Fe The last set of framed library pictures from previous years is now set up in the reference room. This collection is titled, ‘Auction - 1995’. The 49th library auction ws held July 6-9 and netted over 840,000 for the library. Peggy Harvey was chairman with Connie Scott and Ernie Ashbridge as co- chairmen. Peggy's father, Dr. Lester Jordan, was the chairman of the auction in 1961. The first picture shows Boy Scouts from Dallas Troop 281 during the Saturday morning children’s auction. This special auction for children features items for children to be bid on by chil- Pictures of past auctions cover walls at BMT library dren. The second picture fea- tures Jeff Townsend, adult mem- ber of Troop 281, on the block with a young scout doing the auctioneering. The next picture shows former Mrs. Pennsylvania, Karen Boback, holding up a pic- ture waiting for bids, with Kerry Freeman as auctioneer and Francis Barry working the block. Picture No. 5, shows auction- eers Sumner Bachman and Sonny Smith searching for bids on a folding yacht chair. The final picture in this collection shows Dr. John Shaskas holding the 1995 auction picture, painted by Sue Hand, popular local artist and nationally-known water col- orist. This picture was painted on the grounds during the auction. It celebrated the library's 50th year incorporating images of the old and new library buildings. After a heated bidding with many bidders, Dr. Shaskas became the Some of the many antique items that will be sold over the block at the 51st Annual Library Auction. A sampler of new items: (2) Meal Pass, meal each day for one year, Wendy's, $1,810 value each. Oak Cabinet, Little People, Dallas, $90 value. $100 Savings Bond, Franklin First Savings Bank. Pager One, A.M. Pugh Communications, value $250. Cigar Humidor, Back Mountain Tobacco, value $100. B= om wR em en TR wn wh in ven Tn Wm Sin ven wen Wn wi te ven vem Wen ven. vn. TR TR TiN 9 TR TR we Wem Wan Si wn we lucky bidder winner and has the painting in his possession. Dr. Shaskas was auction chairman in 1988 and 1989. New books at the library: “The Falling Boys” by David Long is the author's first novel, set in a Mon- tana town during the 1950s and 1960s, charting the inner life of a young carpenter, Mark Singer, including joys and tensions. “The Beggar Bride” by Gillian White is both bizarre and believ- able; movingly sad and incredibly funny. Ange, Billy and baby Jacob Harper are homeless people. Their accommodations are little better than a bed and a breakfast. “First Victim” by Douglas MacKinnon is the story of Turner and Sabrina Ryan who appear to be the ideal political couple. Is the president of the United States a charismatic leader be- fore the cameras and an abuser at home? Library Auction Corner There's still time to donate items for the 51st annual Back Mountain Memorial Library Auction. The life of the library is a year-to-year proposition, and the auction is crucial to its operation. Twenty-five percent of the annual budget comes from the auction. Any and all donations of’ cash or saleable items can help assure the continued fine service of the library to our communities. For more information, call the library at 675-1182. July 10-11-12-13 Support the Back Mountain Library One-fourth of the library's annual budget comes from the auction. (1 Here's my donation to the Back Mountain Memorial Library Phone Address You can help. Your donation of an item or money will help your library survive and prosper. City/State a | have an item to donate. Call me for details. Value $ a Here's a cash donation of $ to help the library. i i i i i Name _.. i i i Mail or bring to: Back Mountain Memorial Library 96 Huntsville Road, Dallas PA 18612 : Call 675-1182 if you have any questions. Donations are tax-deductible. —— TT Ihe TT © TT bn vom wes men wom Zz rr YY TY TY YT YT OTYTTTTTTYTTYTTYTYT OY OQ“™rhyTTUrr™]rycrTtct™'TrhTry This message donated as a public service by The Dallas Post (i Sd ONLY YESTERDAY 60 Years Ago - July 2, 1937 KINGSTON TWP. SCHOOLS NEGOTIATE CONTRACT Blocked in its effort to withold a contract from James A. Martin, supervising principal of Kingston Township Schools, the township board will decide upon its next step at its meeting Tuesday’ evening. Judge William S. McLean ruled Friday that the new Teach- ers Tenure Act compels the board to renew its contract with Mr. Martin. Two moves will be open to theboard: 1. Torenew Mr. Martin's : contract in accordance with the court’sruling or 2. Toappeal Judge McLean's decision and carry the case toa higher court. Atty. Arthur Turner of Dallas, solicitor for the - Kingston Township board said this week the board’s decision will not be known until Tuesday evening. You could get - Chuck roast, 27¢ 1b.; Little Neck Clams, 100/ 39¢; butter, 31bs., $1; jumbo ripe cantaloupes, 2/27¢; iceberg let- - tuce, 2 hds./25¢. 50 Years Ago - July 4, 1947 + MEMBER OF COMMUNITY TO . RECEIVE RECOGNITION With contractors feverishly en- - gaged in putting the finishing: touches to their work so that pro- duction can start Monday, Natona Mills is becoming a beehive in- - dustry as the operating company takes over. Alan Bisbee, general | manager, said this week that he does not expect the draw thread department now housed in the Odd Fellows plant on main Street to be in the new building before the middle of August. Transfer of that department is delayed be- cause plumbing is not completed. A Dallas resident who prefers to remain anonymous will award a certificate of recognition in Sep- tember to that citizen of the Back Mountain region who has been outstanding in community ser- vice during the past year. person who will receive it will be selected by a committee of repre- sentatives from Dallas Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, all churches and other civic and fraternal groups in each Back Mountain community. The award will be known as Frank. H. Hemelwright Memorial Award for community service. 40 Years Ago - July 5, 1957 DALLAS POST TO TAKE VACATION IN JULY Next issue of the Dallas Post will be published July 12. There" will be no issue on July 5 in order to give our entire plant a vacation until Monday, July 8 - The Pub- lishers. 30 Years Ago - June 29, a = SEWAGE PROBLEMS TO BE DISCUSSED AT HIGH SCHOOL - A town meeting scheduled for" June 29 in Dallas Senior High" School for discussion of sewage problems of the area has been. postponed according to an ‘an- nouncement of E.V. Chadwick, president of Back Mountain Pro- . tective Association. The Library Auction got a strat, in the arm Wednesday morning: when Whitesell Brothers Build-. ing and Supply Co. out of the clear blue sky announced the firm will contribute a 23 inch color Admi-~ ral TV set to the new goods com-. mittee. : : Lehman Horse Show, the old- est community celebration in the . Back Mountain starts its 23rd annual appearance on Sunday at 2 p.m. with an All Western show at the Horse Show grounds on . Route 118 at the saw-mill turnoff. 20 Years Ago - June 30, 1977 DALLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT TO INCREASE MILLAGE The Dallas School Board an- nounced Friday that they had , trimmed the budget to an 8 mill increase instead of the originally announced tentative budget which showed an increase of 15 mills. - Despite the announced reduction, many residents in attendance objected to any increase at all.’ Some indicated that they would like to see a decrease in taxes even ifit meant cutting out the school’s sports program. Dallas Township reported a’ substantial population growth be- tween 1970-1975, an increase of 984 according to a review by Eco- nomic Development Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Dal- | las was one of 10 communities. experiencing the largest popula- tion increases in the region. The. O WR =
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers