8 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA
Wednesday, June 24, 1998
Meadowcrest
(continued from page 1)
“Meadowcrest has been responsible
for a lot of our problems. Now we can
work up there on a pro-active basis and
work cooperatively with the housing au-
thority to have disruptive tenants evicted
and make people feel more secure.”
Domestic problems, noise, unruly par-
ties, abandoned cars, garbage and play-
ground vandals have all plagued the sub-
sidized housing area.
Balavage said the program has been a
success. “Overall the area is cleaned up.”
But, he fears if the program is not re-
newed the area could eventually return
to its old ways. “It's possible the (bad)
element would come back knowing we
weren't there,” he said.
Yarmel, of the Housing Authority, said
Balavage has “embraced the idea of com-
munity policing. His officers know people
and observe problems that are develop-
ing. They do an excellent job and have
been able to make a positive impact on
the kids, and the elderly feel safer.” Yarmel
' said she uses the Kingston Township
police as an example to other municipali-
ties.
Residents say they have noticed a sig-
nificant difference since the police in-
creased their presence. “They talk to the
kids,” said Jillian Iorio. “I heard it’s
better than it used to be. There used to
be a lot of graffiti. The kids are calmer
and don’t stay out late.”
“Sometimes I come home
* Meadowcrest
Dolores Leonard has lived in
Meadowcrest for eight months. “The
police are always around and I think it’s
very good. They are always walking or
driving through. Sometimes I come home
late and they are usually around, which
makes me feel safe,” she said.
The officers themselves have noticed a
change in the response they get. “Kids
aren't running away now when we come
down the street,” said patrolman Martin
C. Maransky. “In the old days everyone
would scatter.”
Sgt. Mike Moravec said the police are
on a first name basis with most of
Meadowcrest, especially the kids. “They
¢onfide in us. We've really formed rela-
tionships with them. Sometimes they
come to us before they come to their
parents,” he said.
“We believe the program works. We'd
like to find some way to expand it to every
neighborhood. We've solved alot of crimes
in the development,” Moravec said.
POST PHOTO/KYLIE SHAFFERKOETTER
+ Kingston Township patrolman Martin C. Maransky tells Derrick Elston, 11,
about the benefits of wearing a helmet. The police promote bike registration
throughout the township.
Looking
Spencers
(continued from page 1)
education teacher at Gate of Heaven
School, remembers her working days
starting when she was just six. “I would
shag balls or carry soda to people,” she
said.
“There were no child labor laws then,”
joked John Jr., who has mowed that 74
acres hundreds of times.
Life together is easygoing and fun.
Living and working together is no prob-
lem for this family. “It's easy. Everybody
pitches in and things get done. All of us
have a sense of what needs to get done,”
said Beth.
“And there's always someone around
to cover if you need to do something else,”
added John Jr., who is the only full-time
employee.
They say there is no stress, yet there
are no breaks unless it rains. The day
starts at 5:30 a.m. and runs until 10
p.-m., seven days a week.
All of the third generation plays golf,
but could not begin until they were 12
yearsold. Courserules. Yet, Beth started
playing when she was a tiny two-year- .
old. Her grandmother, Alice, who was the
putting champion at Irem, would sneak
her out to practice putting.
“She would always say, ‘There's never
ever a reason to three putt,” said Beth.
Beth took over her grandfather’s posi-
tion as instructor when heretired. “When
I was seven I decided to be a teacher and
my grandfather taught me how to teach.
I get better every year,” she said.
John Jr. was not always in the family
business. “I used to work at Nabisco and
always felt I would have the club to fall
back on. My wife and I thought it would
be a good idea to come here and help my
dad out,” he said.
Now that the third dendvation is be-
coming more in charge, some of the older
patrons just cannot see them as adults.
“People who have been coming year after
Sam Spencer in 1946 while he was
the PGA pro at Irem Temple Country
Club.
year don’t realize that we're old enough to
make decisions. We're still the kids to
them,” said Beth, 35.
“These people have seen our family
through everything. Births, deaths and
weddings. And all these things go on
while the golfers are
POST PHOTO/KYLIE SHAFFERKOETTER
Beth Spencer shows Brad Yokum of Trucksville how to
improve his swing.
golfing. People who
come here are pretty
much treated like
family,” she said.
John interjected,
“We know everyone's
name who comes
here. You can’t get
that at a 45 or 72-
hole resort.”
And the golfers cer-
tainly agree. “It's very
family-oriented. The
Spencers are a loving
and caring family. I
can't say enough
about them. They'll
bend over backwards
for you,” said Bill
Umbra of Larksville,
who has been golfing
at Lehman for 15
years and made five
“It's easy. Everybody .
pitches in and things ge
holes-in-one on the course.
“It’s a wonderful place to play and the
family makes it all the more wonderful.
They really are helpful people,” said Betsy
Blackman of Forty-Fort, a past club cham-
pion.
Bernie Lindquist of West Wyoming
appreciates the course. “It's tough and
forces you to be good on your short
game,” she said.
The hilly nine-hole course features a
mix of par 3 and par 4 holes, and narrow
fairways with trees guarding each side on
many holes. What it doesn’t have is golf
carts. :
John Sr., said the course is challeng-
ing and provides a good walk for people.
“My dad always felt that golf was meant to
walk, not ride around in little cars.”
As the next generation, now 18 grand-
children strong with one on the way,
starts to pick up their clubs for the first
time, the Spencers can rest assured that
family will always be there and the busi-
ness will always have loyal employees.
John Spencer Sr. and his father, Sam,
who opened the Lehman Golf Course
in 1953.
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