4. The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, January 20, 1999 We can all learn from those who tout tolerance “The eight students who comprise the Diversity Club at Dallas High School are to be congratulated for their awareness of and concern for people who don’t look, talk or live as they do. They also deserve commendation for the courage it took to form the club and invite speakers such as Ron Felton, the local NAACP leader, to visit the school. ; - What courage? you may ask. We're on the cusp of the new millennium, and the battle for civil rights and tolerance was fought a generation or two ago. It’s true that marches and sit- ins have nearly vanished from the landscape, that is not proof tolerance and understanding have won out, only that the press and public have understandably tired of a fight that was supposed to have ended years ago. It is trué that much of the overt racism and “hatred” that festered in the North as well as the South has disappeared. Unfortunately, it has not been eradicated, but has gone underground since most of society no longer accepts public displays of intolerance. “You may have noticed the quotation marks around the word “hatred” in the preceding paragraph. They are there because for most of us, the term is inaccurate. Most people who live in this region don’t really hate other races, what they hate is the ~ insecurity that comes from not knowing them. This is not just a racial issue. Many of the same fears emerge when they are confronted by a handicapped person, or someone who doesn’t match their socioeconomic status. The old saying, “familiarity breeds contempt” has never been so wrong as when applied to human relations among differing’ ethnic groups. In fact, familiarity leads to just the opposite when we find out that almost all of us — whatever color or creed — want the same things, like strong families, good schools, the opportunity to succeed on our own merits and the respect of others, which we fully expect to earn. It is not always easy to reach out to people who are different. Not only must we face our own perceptions, we can become the target of others who are too frightened or lazy to make the same effort, like the classmate who asked a girl if she was a lesbian since she belonged to the Diversity Club. That kind of asinine comment can be hard to take, especially for a teenager, but it is still far too common. We celebrated a holiday Monday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the most celebrated leader of the civil rights movement. His words have uplifted hearts black and white for many decades now, and despite his tragic death, the message of tolerance and non-violent protest survives. We can honor his memory, and our own culture, by making a greater effort to practice and teach positive values, even in the face of the uninformed fear that continues to disrupt our society, years after we should have learned better. Publisher's notebook - I've about had it with these sissy school districts that call off classes at the first sign of a snowflake. I mean, last week, all we had was a little sleet, freezing rain, snow and ice and school was out for 2 1/2 days. Sheesh, why, when I was a youngster, we walked three miles to the bus stop, and they never cancelled, at least not as far as [ can remember. You may be thinking that's because my memory is fading, but they say Alzheimer’s doesn't affect long-term memory anyway, so there! Lots of other things were different in the good old days, too. Back then we didn’t have a President who was sneaking around with interns, or Congressmen who had more skeletons in their closets than a medical researcher. Or at least we didn’t know about them. - And the economy, why, it grew at 3 percent a year and inflation was less than 2 percent. Uh, scratch that last sen- tence, the past couple of years have been deja vuall over again, as Yogi said. . And sports stars! This maudlin display just because Michael Jordan retired makes me ill. What about Bob Cousy, or Bill Russell, or Oscar Robertson? Weren't they the greatest players of all time, at the time? * Hey, this may be an era when the right to a daily Big Mac ranks with the First Amendment, but sometimes I think the stark times of, say 40 years ago, were better. Here's my list of things we were better off without: Celebrity politicians. They were better when we only saw their pictures in the paper. * Television “talk” shows, which are either “shout” shows or ones on which only one side of an issue makes it on the air. » Teeny cars that cost $35,000. * Juice containers that together hold less than a half gallon, but cost about $17.50. ~ * Millionaire pitchers who wouldn't have made AAA when leagues were smaller. e The Disney movie of the month, each with the same story line, singers and characters. * Mike Tyson instead of Cassius Clay. (Muhammed Ali to all of you born since the 1960's.) But all is not lost. “Values” are making a big comeback. Just ask Bill Clinton. i EDITORIALS Your Sports & News items are welcomed at The Post The Dallas Post Published Weekly By Bartsen Media, Inc. P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612 717-675-5211 Charlotte E. Bartizek ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER OFFICE MANAGER Ronald A. Bartizek PUBLISHER Jessica Appolo : ADVERTISING ACCT. EXEC Kylie Shafferkoetter REPORTER Olga Kostrobala CLASSIFIED/TYPESETTING Ruth Proietto PRODUCTION MANAGER f PRINTED WITH PENNSYLVANIA SOY INK - Member NEVSTARER Frozen oak leaves against a new snowfall. Photo by Charlotte Bartizek. Joy Morgan As a graduate of Dallas High School and, now a sophomore at Drexel University, I've gone through many transitions. It all begins with your hardest deci- sion; What do you want to do for the rest of your life? I know I had a tough time deciding what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go to school. My career deci- sions were like the flavor of the month. I finally found something that incorporated all the skills and interests I was looking for and am happy with my decision to be an architect /civil engineer. Pick- ing a major and a college is a tough job but as long as you listen to yourself and not what others want, youre sure to make the right choice. Now the transitions begin. The first thing you will encounter is being torn away from your family and friends at home. This transi- tion is hard, not only on you, but on the people you're leaving. Pack- ing up and moving into the dorms caused a lot of tears and hugging for my family. Just remember to keep in touch with everyone and don’t forget to visit home once in a while. In my case, my mother Library news pd Nancy Kozemchak The Back Mountain Library cir- culated 5,187 books during the month of December: adult fiction 1,911, juvenile fiction: 1,293, young adult fiction 29, adult non fiction 1,298, juvenile non fiction 656. Reference questions an- swered 24; Book Club books cir- culated 208; Interlibrary loan transactions 42; CDs 51; audio tapes 388; and videos 248. New books added to the collection, adult 162; juvenile 64; books with- drawn, adult 609, juvenile 31. New borrowers adult 39, juvenile 31; re-registrations adult 154, juvenile 168. Total active borrow- The college transition writes to me every day and I try to write back every day. Things like that will brighten your day and help you make it through until you can go home. You'll soon settle in, though, and find that you'll make new friends and have a “family” of sorts at school. One of these new “family” mem- bers is going to be your roommate. This transition is probably the one that causes the most anxiety among freshmen. For the next nine months, you're going to be living with a total stranger. As it turns out, though, your room- mate can be the best part of your new college experience. Once you get past the original awkward- ness, chances are youll end up being close friends. Plus, what- ever friends they make, for the most part, end up being your friends too. My freshman room- mate and I met at orientation and requested to room together. We were both deathly afraid of having a “freaky” roommate and were glad to find someone “normal.” We ended up loving living together. We're very protective of each other and, although we're not living to- gether this year, we're still very close. Sure you could end up with someone you just cannot get along with, but you aren't stuck living with them. You always have the option of switching roommates. Just don’t make the move on your own. Talk to your RA first. Perhaps the hardest transitions comes in and after class. All through high school, teachers said, “This is nothing. Just wait until you get to college.” They weren't kidding. The workload is huge and no one reminds you to get it done. School work came easy to me in high school and I could easily juggle it along with a ton of activities. But my college work takes a lot more time and preparation, leaving little room for the numerous extra-curricular activities I was used to. The best thing you can do is maintain a comfortable balance of the two. Cutting out all activities doesn’t work; you need some sort of re- lease. Another good thing to do is maintain a good relationship with your professors; don't be afraid to admit that you need help. It's alot harder to have a relationship with your teachers in college. You re- ally have to seek out a one-on-one meeting with them. It’s a tough change. In high school, I was used to easily having discussions with my teachers outside of class. It was an equal amount of effort for both parties. But in college, it’s all up to you. Seek them out; it will be to your benefit. The transition from high school to college is tough. But with some adjustments, you will settle in and be set for a great experience. Joy Elizabeth Morgan is a Drexel University sophomore working to- wards a degree in Architecture/ Civil Engineering. During her last two years at Dallas High School, she worked part time at The Dallas Post. Next children's story hour sessions begin February 2 ers as of December 31, 11,683. The story hour children en- joyed a visit from Rudolph, the red-nosed: reindeer in ‘the children’s room during the Christ- mas Party on December 2. He was a big hit! They rubbed his fur and squeezed his nose. The next sessions of story hour will begin on February 2. Most of the sessions are filled; however, there is a waiting list. Check with the library. New books at the library: “The Big Bad City” by Ed McBain is a novel of the 87th precinct. The first thing you learn about this city is that itis big! The next thing you need to know is that it's dan- gerous. Just watch the first 10 minutes of the 11:00 news and you learn what the people of this city are capable of doing. The story is filled with characters, dia- logue and violence. “Basilica” by William D. Montalbano is an ecclesiastical thriller—taut, genuinely surpris- ing—with a view of the Vatican only an insider could provide. The dawn of a new century; a lone priest trudges up the winding stairs to the top of St. Peter's Basilica, only to be helped to a sudden and permanent route down. With his death, an ever more complex chain of events is set in motion. “Orchid Beach” by Stuart Woods is a riveting thriller with an exciting addition to the pantheon of fictional sleuths. Smart, at- tractive and fiercely independent, Major Holly Barker, the army- brat daughter of a master ser- geant, has been forced into early retirement at the age of 37 as the result of a scandalous sexual ha- rassment case. An inventive and brilliantly drawn work. ONLY YESTERDAY 70 Years Ago - Jan. 19,1929 DR. LOUISE STOECKEL DIES AT HER HOME AT CLIFFSIDE Dr. Louise M. Stoeckel; one of the pioneer professional women of this county, died at her home at Cliffside, Jan. 14. Funeral was held at the Stoeckel family home- stead on the Huntsville Road, near Dallas yesterday. Dallas Hardware & Supply Co. has been chosen as the loeal rep- resentative for the Philco Radio. The amiable George Stevens be- ing in charge of the sales force, he has already made several sales. 60 Years Ago - Jan. 20, 1939 NEWSPAPER BACKIN OPERATION AFTER STRIKE The Sunday Independent, one of four Wilkes-Barre newspapers - which have been idle since Oct. 3 as a result of the American News- paper Guild strike will resume publication Sunday. By negotiat- - ing separately with the striking - Guildsmen, the Independent reached an agreement late in No- vember but the International Ty- pographical Union refused to per- - mit printers to work at the news- - paper until its contract, which expired Oct. 1, had been renewed with all papers. On Wednesday the Wilkes-Barre chapter met and reversed the decision. 50 Years Ago - Jan. 21, 1949 DALLAS BOARD LOOKS INTO SCHOOL RENOVATIONS The high school storage room recently let out on contract to John Connelly, general contrac- tor of Luzerne by Dallas Township School Board is completed. The room will be used chiefly for school supplies and storage of athletic uniforms as well as a temporary dressing room for the boys varsity basketball team. You could get - Rib roast, 59¢ lIb.; Porterhouse steak, 69¢ 1b.; 3 lb. basket mushrooms, $1.39; new cabbage, 5¢ 1b.; bread, 13¢ loaf; sharp Cheddar cheese, 65¢ 1b.; Ivory soap, Ig. cake, 16¢. 40 Years Ago - Jan. 16, 1959 LAKE-LEHMAN FIRE DRILL SOUNDS FOR REAL FIRE Less than 24 hours after Leh- man School hadits fire drill, Tues- day the fire alarm sounded again and students shot outdoors spurred to greater speed by clouds of smoke in the lower hall of the main high school building. Stu- dents were outside for 15 minutes while a smolder was extinguished in the boys’ locker room. Wyoming National Bank has purchased Acme Market from Back Mountain Lumber Co. and adjacent parking lot from Mrs. «Daisy Still, the announcement was made by Albert Bossard presi- dent of the oldest bank in Wyo- ming Valley. Bossard stated the Shavertown branch of Wyoming National plans to move into the much larger Acme Markets build- ing just as soon as renovations and improvements are made. The new office will have the latest mechanized banking equipment. 30 Years Ago - Jan. 23, 1969 TRUCKSVILLE RESIDENTS ENDURE WATER PROBLEMS Numerous families in Trucksville were again experienc- ing severe water problems this past week ranging from no water at all to poor pressure. The newly appointed Water Commission of Kingston Township is faced with a decision of whether to proceed with the case as instituted by Kingston Township Supervisors and which possibly could involve time consuming litigation or ac- cept the promise made to PUC by Trucksville Water Co. owners. Postmaster Ed Buckley received - word from Philadelphia Regional Office that Joseph Zabinski an employee of Dallas Post office has been awarded a Superior Accom- plishment award of $250, by J.J. Doherty, Regional Directo. 20 Years Ago - Jan. 17, 1979 H.L. COUNCIL VOTESTO OVER-RIDE MAYOR'S VETO Harveys Lake Borough Council - voted to override Mayor Arthur. Zim's veto of the 1979 budget." Zim said his rejection of the $306,210.71 budget was a result. of a $3,000 allotment for the plan- ning commission's proposed “facelifting” project in the Sunset area. Zim fears that if this project is initiated it would result in rede- velopment tearing down a group of cottages in that area. ® (
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers