4 - The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, April 14, 1999 EDITORIALS Back Mountain, library lose community 'pillar’ Like the library she helped during so much of her life, Nancy Kozemchak became a Back Mountain institution. The young and not-so-young people of the area could count on seeing her behind the counter, in the office or at the desk, where she kept a ready supply of candy to make youthful visitors feel more welcome. Through the years, she held the posts of children’s librarian, assistant librarian and business manager, and could always be counted on to fill in where someone was needed. One of her chosen tasks was to write a weekly column about the library for The Dallas Post. In it, among many other things, she chronicled the achievements of the Library Friends, told how many patrons had taken advantage of services and mentioned the dozens of “Ham ‘n’ Yeggers,” who contributed cash donations to the auction. Like so many people at the library, Nancy did more than she was paid for, out of love for the institution and the people it served, especially the children. Perhaps that's why she was the greatest fan of Mrs. Florence Crump, the first children’s librarian, who lived to 100 years and was a fixture at the library and the auction, just as Nancy became. Dr. Craig Aicher, long an active community member himself, described Nancy as a "pillar of the community." One of Nancy's little-known habits was the keeping of detailed scrapbooks about goings-on at the library and around the community. She meticulously entered every piece of news so that future generations could see what had transpired before it became their time to take responsibility for the institution. Now, Nancy will take her place in the books, and it will be up to someone else to keep up the entries. When Nancy died suddenly and without warning over the weekend, the library — and the Back Mountain — lost a friend and stalwart citizen. She will be missed. Publisher's notebook Ron Bartizek | While I was on the leading edge of the “Baby Boom” genera- tion right after World War II, I can’t say I'm a student of war. Sure, I watched my share of Victory at Sea episodes, and know the difference between a fighter and a bomber, but not a whole lot more. I was drafted during Vietnam, but the Army didn’t want me once I had a physical, and I confess to being too involved with work and family during the latter stages of that war to pay close attention. And I wasn’t a great fan of the action in Iraq, although it’s difficult to quibble with the result, unless you happen to be an ordinary citizen of that troubled nation. All that said, even I can see that American handling of conflict in the former Yugoslavia couldn’t be much more ham-handed than what we are experiencing. And I think I know why. During and after the Iraq strikes, it seemed to be common wisdom that we were always to confront out-of-control dicta- tors with overwhelming force. There seem to be two principles at work in that doctrine: First, that a show of force may dissuade an acquisitive despot from attacking his target, and that if military action is needed, it will be swift and powerful, minimizing his damage and our casualties. Now it’s no surprise to anyone that Slobodan Milosevic is a ruthless killer who won't stop until he has driven off or killed every non-Serb in his region, or that he can’t be trusted, or that while we “negotiate in good faith” he prepares to wreak havoc on innocent men, women and children. After all, he’s done all this before, in Bosnia, until a United Nations force stepped in to stop him. So, what did the NATO and the U.S. do as they were trying to bargain with him for weeks? Did we marshal our forces at his borders, bring in the weapons of war and generally give him reason to think twice before crossing into Kosovo? No, we talked, and talked and threatened to do all those things if he didn’t behave, all the while telling anyone who would listen that ground troops were out of the question. So, now we're lobbing bombs and saying we'll get a few helicopters there sometime soon, while Milosevic is mopping up after driving a half million people out of their homes. ‘Why did all this happen? I've got to think it's because we have a President and Commander-In-Chief who has spent his whole career talking his way out of trouble. No matter what fix he’s gotten himself into, he’s been able to wag his finger, dissemble a bit and walk away unscathed. He'll get away with it this time, too, at least in a physical sense, while thousands of poor Kosovars and who knows how many troops will pay the price. What can we do now? I don’t know, but we surely can’t wriggle our way out and claim victory, unless we want to face ‘Milosevic and his kind in Athens, Moscow or Munich a few years hence. Do you agree? Disagree? Editorials are the opinion of the management of The Dallas Post. We welcome your opinion on contemporary issues in the form of letters to the editor. If you don't write, the community may never hear a contrasting point of view. Send letters to: The Dallas Post, P.O. Box 366, Dallas, PA 18612, fax them to (570) 675-3650 or send them by e-mail to dalpost@aol.com. Please include your name, address and a daytime phone number so that we may verify authenticity. We do not publish anonymous letters, but will consider withholding the name in exceptional circumstances. We reserve the right to edit for length and grammar. The Dallas Post Published Weekly By Bartsen Media, Inc. P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612 717-675-5211 Ronald A. Bartizek PUBLISHER Charlotte E. Bartizek ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER OFFICE MANAGER ; Jessica Appolo : . ADVERTISING ACCT. EXEC Kasia McDonough REPORTER Olga Kostrobala CLASSIFIED/TYPESETTING Ruth Proietto PRODUCTION MANAGER 2) PRINTED WITH |=7|SOVINK| Member ESscisnens Association Sure sign or spring, finally. Photo by Charlotte Bartizek. LETTERS | Hl Red Cross grateful for community support of blood drives > Editor: During National Volunteer Week, American Red Cross Blood Services of Northeastern Penn- sylvania wishes to recognize the contributions of our many won- derful bloodmobile volunteers. Abig “thank you” goes out to all the terrific people who help make our blood program a success. The first and most important expres- sion of gratitude must go to all of our blood donors. Without their Library news ye NEVI A311 Td ES The Back Mountain Memorial Library circulated 8,580 books during the month of March; Adult fiction, 2,277; juvenile fiction 2,608; YA fiction 54; adult non- fiction 2,158; juvenile non-fiction 1,488. Reference questions an- swered 56, Book Club books cir- culated 197, Interlibrary loan transactions 69, CDs 88; audios donation of the “gift of life” the patients in our hospitals could not survive. We cannot forget our Canis volunteers and committee mem- bers, sponsors, community and business coordinators, registrars, nurses, bag assemblers, donor escorts and canteen servers, our platelet drivers, and everyone who helps us set up and tear down our bloodmobile equipment. “Thank yoLL > The Northeastern Pennsylva- nia Region covers 18 counties in Pennsylvania and three counties in New York State. Through the cooperation of the American Red Cross chapters in those counties, the Region's blood program was able to collect over 83,000 units of blood during the 97-98 fiscal year. The Region services 41 hospitals in this part of the state, and is challenged to collect enough blood every day to meet the needs of patients in those hospitals. 14 Our volunteers are a major fac: tor in this life-saving mission. The + donation of their time, talent, and" .~ energy adds tremendously to, the- - success of our blood program. Volunteers are the true lifeblood of the American Red Cross. We salute the many wonderful resi: dents of northeastern Permsylva- ? nia who help us. Christine Rodgers Chief-Executive Officer» Nearly 12,000 active borrowers logged 547; and videos 506. New books added to the collection: adult 149, juvenile 79; books withdrawn: adult 33. New borrowers: adult 56, juvenile 47; re-registrations: adult 27, juvenile 29. Total active borrowers as of March 31, 1999 = 11,807. The barcoding of the library books began on March 25, when the library closed for three days. The staff members were fortunate to have many volunteers helping with the project and were able to complete the children’s room books and part of the adult non- fiction. Staff members and volunteers are taking time when possible to complete the adult non-fiction and then the adult fiction and the reference room books. The barcoding and the automated computer system is scheduled to be completed and ready for pa- tron use by July. New memory books: “The American Pharmaceutical Asso- ciation Practical Guilde to Natu- ral Medicines” by Andrea Peirce with introduction by Andrew T. Weil, M.D. is presented to the library by Dr. and Mrs. H. Alex Smith, Jr. in memory of Jeannette Lacy. It is the first authoritative home reference for herbs and natural remedies, from the nation’s largest and most re- spected organization of pharma-, cists. Referenced are garlic, gin- ger, ginseng, epheda and echinacea. special photographs, “Scrapbook with Memory Mak- ers” is given in memory of Mrs. Charlotte Williams by Dr. Gil Griffiths. Family histories are’ all about keeping memories alive, This book offers everything you need to create a beautiful hand- made scrapbook with your own including tips, skills and techniques. “Ultimate Bread” by Eric Treuille is given by the Maas and Lombard families in memory of . Helen Capparell. Bread has im- mense cultural and culinary sig-+ - nificance all over the world. The book includes more than 100 réei-’ a & pes, with a photo gallery of breads. in the recipe section and includes: a lucid text. ve ONLY YESTERDAY 70 Years Ago - April 13, 1929 DALLAS ROTARY CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY Dallas Rotarians entertained their wives and friends at a ban- quet at Castle Inn Monday evening. It was the second anni- versary of the receipt of their char- ter. Dancing and cards followed the dinner. At the regular meeting of Dal- las Township School Board held on April 1, it was the unanimous vote of the board not to allow any baseball played on the school ground this year. 60 Years Ago - April 14, 1939 DISPUTE ENDS WITH TEACHER’S RESIGNATION Resignation of Ernest E. Line, athletic instructor and high school teacher, was submitted to Dallas Borough School Board last evening and accepted. Line told the directors he was resigning because he did not receive a sal- ary increase for the 1938/39 term. It was understood, however, that his decision to resign had been reached after the board had criti- cized him for certain recent ac- tions. His resignation will be ef- fective April 30. You could get - Fresh picnic style pork shoulders 15¢ 1b.; veal roast, 17¢ Ib.; cauliflower, 1g. hd., 15¢; fresh asparagus, bnch. 29¢; new potatoes, 5 lbs., 25¢; butter, 21bs., 51¢; carrots, 2 bnchs. 13¢; strawberries, 2 baskets, 25¢. 50 Years Ago - April 14, 1949 YOUNG VETERAN A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMAN Announcement has been made that Walters Bros. have been ap- . pointed authorized dealers for Ford Tractors and Dearborn Farm Equipment for Luzerne County. This up and coming young firm is successor to Walters Welding Ser- vice established here two years ago by Gus Walters young vet- eran of the war in the Pacific where he served for 18 months with the SeaBees. Climaxing a year during which 97 persons have been received into membership, 83 of that num- ber were welcomed into the fel- lowship of Dallas Methodist Church on Palm Sunday. Four- teen were received earlier in the year. The church was filled to capacity. 40 Years Ago - April 19, 1959 POLICE URGE CAUTION FOLLOWING ROBBERIES Back Mountain police have is- sued this warning to all home owners: “If you see a suspicious auto or question why it is parked in your neighborhood, especially between hours of 7 and 10 p.m., take the license number before you make further investigation. Jot the number down and notify the police.” This is an important warning and may help solve the series of robberies that have plagued this area. Grant Cooper of Chase Road, Trucksville has taken over the management of the Flying A Tydol Station at the Y in Trucksville. The station will be open 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. and will provide road service. In addition to handling a full line of accessories and tires, the station is equipped to do mi- nor repairs. 30 Years Ago - April 17, 1969 FIREMEN BATTLE BLAZE A raging brush fire which con- sumed 25 acres threatened a wooded sector and homes in Jack- son Township, destroyed an old trailer used for storage, a.two story chicken coop and burned over a wide area Monday after- ‘noon. Seventy five firemen from Jackson, Dallas, Idetown and Le- hman answered the call for help: saving a home and barn nearby.. A group of Kingston Township’ residents fired some verbal barbs : at township supervisors last week. : over sewage and water problein$. Chief concern of the visitors -te: regularly schedule supervisqrs:, meeting were costs they would. have to face when Back Moun- tain sewage system was installed... Another area they took aim at was. the function and powers of the] recently appointed water commis-*. sion which was set up to study: the poor water supply in the town-, ship. CON OE BE RE 20 Years Ago - April 12, 1979 DT SUPERVISORS DISCUSS. NOISY DOGS & SEWER TAXES Vandalism at the new town= ship park, delinquent sewer taxes, and barking dogs occupied the attention of Dallas Township Su~ pervisors at their April meeting. P. Walter, chairman of Dallas Township Supervisors stated that the township will foreclose on alk delinquent sewer rental accounts, with a balance in excess of $500. The supervisors had numerous complaints about barking dogs and instructed solicitor Attys, Frank Townend to draw up am ordinance similar to Kingstor Township for the protection of township residents with the same problem. ie . ’ LE] Q: Where do you find the most Back Mountain news, week after week? A: Only in The Dallas Post, the Back Mountain's newspaper since 1889.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers