@ The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, January 27, 1999 3 The story behind art contest honoree Suzanie Rosetti's death inspired annual show. Her killer was executed January 10 By KYLIE SHAFFERKOETTER EE Post Staff BACK MOUNTAIN - The Suzanne Maria Rossetti Memo- rial Juried Annual Art Contest has become a tradition for young artists. Students in the Lake-Lehman, Dallas, North- west and Tunkhannock school districts have entered the con- test for 17 years. But, whowas Suzanne Maria Rossetti? According to her mother, Louise, she was a very vivacious young woman who cared about everybody. But that's only part of the . story behind the art contest. Eighteen years ago this month, Suzanne, then 26 years old, was kidnapped, raped, stoned to near death, buried alive and eventually murdered by two men in Phoenix, Arizona. On her way to pick up her parents, she had stopped at a conve- nience store for some gum when she accidentally locked her keys in her car. The store clerk said he could not leave the counter tohelp her. Thatis when Jessie James Gilles and Michael Lo- gan offered to help. And that was the last time she was seen alive. Rossetti was raised in Mas- sachusetts and was living in her parents’ townhouse in Phoenix while she managed a burn treatment center. She loved photography, hiking, her family and friends. The Rossetti family had no connection to the Back Mountain until a strange twist of fate occurred. Local artist Sue Hand read about Suzanne's horrific: murder in TIME magazine and was deeply moved by the story. At that time Michael Fain was transferred from Arizona POST FILE PHOTO Kevin Rowland hung an entry in last year's Suzanne Maria Rosetti Memorial Juried Art Contest, under the watchful eye of a photo of the girl who inspired the annual show. S ay God took Suzanne and gate od family in Pennsylvania.” Louise Rossetti Suzanne Rosetti’'s mother to the Back Mountain and be- gan jogging with Sue's hus- band, Joe. Fain told Joe about the loss of his good friend Suzanne. Joe told Sue, who eventually met Fain and called the Rossetti family in Massa- chusetts. “I never knew Suzanne, but I was very affected by her death and the stories of her life. All the things that happened to her are everyone's nightmare,” explained Hand. “I toyed with the idea of starting an art show for students. I wanted to do something upbeat and positive in Suzanne's memory.” Sue called the Rossettis within a couple months of Suzanne's death to express her sympathy and to ask if she could name the art contest in their daughter's memory. “It was like I had always known them. They are truly my second family,” said Hand. Louise Rossetti, Suzanne's mother, comes to the art con- test every year and echoes Sue's sentiments. “We feel very hon- ored by what Sue has done. Sue is a great talent and won- derful person. I always say God took Suzanne and gave us a wonderful family in Pennsylva- nia,” said Rossetti. Peter Rossetti, Suzanne's fa- ther, recently passed away. Suzanne's sister, Donna and brother, Peter Jr. also visit the area. Mrs. Rossetti, 77, loves the Back Mountain and feels a connection with its people. “The Back Mountain is great. Everyone is so gracious,” said Rossetti, who specifically men- tioned the teachers and par- ents of participants in the art contest. As an avid runner, Mrs. Rossetti often runs races while she is in town. She credits running as a big factor in over- coming her grief. On Jan. 10, Jessie James Gilles was executed by lethal injection in an Arizona prison. Logan is serving life imprison- ment. The Suzanne Maria Rossetti Memorial Juried Art Contest will be held from Feb. 28 through March 31. Entry in- formation appears on page 6. For more information call Sue Hand's Imagery at 675-5094. Q: Where do you find the most Back Mountain news every week? A: Only in The Dallas Post. | Trucksville Nursery : School “Meeting the needs of children from ages 2 1/2 thru 5 for over 29 years...” OPEN HOUSE January 29, 1998 10:00 a.m. - # 12:30 p.m. 40 Knob Hill Rd., Trucksville 696-3899 Buy One Get the Sod at Half Price Aff. . January 15th through January 30th (no lay-a-ways) (equal or lesser value) . o NEW staff {TO RRICIeN 00) ernie's Health & Fitness ® 674-2420 Party Pak $299 2 Large 2 Topping Pizzas 2 Orders of Twisty Bread 2-10 PC Orders of Wings 2-2 Liter Bottles of Coke® Diet Coke?, or Sprite® e NEW comfortable” Atmosphere oe N EW Members Welcome leXeleN0) 3] FIRST MONTH to All New Members Expires 1/30/99 Rosetti contest entries will be accepted Feb. 1-17 All area students in grades 7- 12 are invited to enter the 18th Annual Suzanne Maria Rossetti Memorial Juried Art Contest. The contest is sponsored by Joe and Sue Hand of Dallas in memory of the daughter of Louise and the late Peter Rossetti of Saugus, MA. The contest is open to any 7th- 12th grade student who resides in, or attends any public, private or parochial school within the school districts of Dallas, Leh- man, Tunkhannock, or North- west, or any 7th-12th grade stu- dents, who study art with any private instructor teaching within those areas. Entries must be delivered to Sue Hand's Imagery, 35 Main Street, Dallas, between Feb. 1 and 17. They will be judged sepa- rately on each grade level in a variety of categories including pencil, pastel, watercolor, acrylic, oil, ink, scratchboard, mixed me- dia, fibers, photography, prints and miniature drawings and paintings. Photographs must be at least 8"x10”. No entry may exceed 40 inches in either direc- tion, frame and/or mat included. All entries must be mounted or matted, or framed (exception: works on canvas board or stretched canvas or 3-D entries), and must be accompanied by an entry form, available from school art teachers or from Sue Hand's Imagery. All matted and/or framed artwork must have a hanger on the back. Each stu- dent may submit a total of three . entries. Ribbons will be awarded in 12, ba different categories on each sepa- | rate grade level by two panels of | | three judges each. In addition, many community sponsored cash awards will be assigned by asepa- 3 rate awards jury. The public is invited to the : Opening Reception of the 18th . Annual Suzanne Maria Rossetti | Memorial Juried Art Show on Sunday, Feb. 28 from 1-4 p.m. at the MacDonald Art Gallery, Col- 5 lege Misericordia, Dallas. An awards ceremony will follow at 4 p.m. The exhibit of winning art works will continue through Wed., March 31. For additional information, call Heather Madeira at 675-5094. Use the coupon on page 2.to subscribe : January is National Eye Care Month Dr. Arthur and Dr. Coar with help from the Wilkes-Barre Association for the Blind will be holding a Saturday, Jan. 30 « 1-3 p.m. Kirby Health Center 71 N. 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