1 'o "ye ‘ve "» e “ve oe The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, June 16,1999 3 Churches (continued from page 1) stores in town, dairy farms, doc- tors offices, there was even a hotel here at one point, but that was before my time,” said Eloise Montross, of Noxen. “Now, every- thing has changed.” " Daily rail service was both a practical link to neighboring towns and a source of entertainment for area youth, who often marked time by the train's whistle. “My father used to take the mail from the post office to the train twice a day and I remember the fun of riding into Wilkes-Barre with my mother long before we had a fam- ily car,” said Montross. to the improvement a this re gion.” Keith Benjamin Pastor, United Methodist Churches © of Noxen, Ruggles and Kunkle In 1963, the tannery closed its ‘doors and a year later the train pulled out of town for the last ‘time. The dress factories soon fol- ‘lowed suit, opting to relocate ‘abroad where labor costs are ‘lower. “In this world economy, we :are forced to compete with foreign ‘countries where the weekly salary :of a factory employee equals an ‘hourly wage in the U.S.,” said ‘Keith Benjamin, Pastor of the “United Methodist Churches of ‘Noxen, Ruggles, and Kunkle which ‘are spearheading an aggressive .effort to reverse these trends. Benjamin has assembled an “ambitious group of volunteers to form a Community Development Corporation which seeks to im- ‘prove the quality of life in these ‘rural areas. The group is in the process of developing a strategic ‘plan designed to address the com- -munities’ most immediate needs as well as issues of the next mil- lennium. The corporation's goal is to “improve the quality of life by em- powering dependent residents, .enhancing economic opportuni- ‘ties, and revitalizing neglected properties. “When there is a con- . stant drain of companies pulling ‘out of a region the people left ‘behind begin to feel defeated,” ‘said Benjamin. “In reality, we could not have prevented these “things from happening, but there <is;much we can do to improve.our :Siyent condition.” .+ Creating an atmosphere which encourages entrepreneurial ven- ‘tures is one of the ways the rede- velopment corporation plans to “bring about this positive transi- -1ion. “We hope to create a cush- ‘foning effect by increasing the number of employers in these “communities,” said Benjamin. ‘The idea is that a number of . small businesses which each hire a few workers results in a distri- bution of income and simulta- neously increases the opportuni- ties for recycling funds within the communities themselves. “The net flow of cash is really out of here,” said Benjamin. “Goods and ser- vices are obtained elsewhere so that the money earned in south- ern Wyoming County doesn't stay.” Increasing opportunities for educational and professional training is also high on the group’s agenda of things to do. Currently, the plan is to work with existing agencies to provide skills to un- employed or under- employed resi- dents. “Education is critical to the improvement of this region,” said Benjamin. Long range efforts include pro- moting higher education as a re- alistic option for low-income fami- lies. “We hear so much about how expensive college has become that many students from financially disadvantaged areas never even consider the opportunites which exist at comparatively inexpen- sive community colleges,” said Benjamin. Reading programs aimed at increasing local access to educa- tional materials are set to begin this summer. Two trucks, which will serve as mobile libraries, have been purchased by the redevelop- ment corporation and donations, especially children's books, are being sought. Story hours have been scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday mornings throughout the summer. While many of the proposed improvements are geared toward enhancing opportunities for young people, some youth have also joined the effort. More than 40 young volunteers will spend the week of August 8-14 cleaning, painting and repairing homes that have begun to deteriorate. Another youth group is work- ing on the development of an internet home page which will feature crafts produced locally. The electronic catalog is designed to attract new customers to the region. Eloise Montross is impressed by the dedication of so many young people. “I think the youth project is just wonderful,” she said. “It will take a little prayer and a lot of hard work but I'm sure we will be successful.” ‘Marine Corps Base, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church holds First Holy Communion | Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Lake Silkworth, recently held First Holy Communion. Seated from left, are Cara Wengen, Jessica Pudimott, Kaitlyn Kairo, Brittany Dropko, Leann Grabski. Second row, Ryan Dunsmuir, Christoffer Dunsmuir, Brett Sikora, Vincent Johnson, Justin Spencer, RJ Dante, Matthew Scavone, Evan Zvikas. Third row, Kyle Gemberling, Amanda Brennan, Lauren Graziano, Rachel Symons, Andrew Warmouth, Thomas Herrick. Fourth row, Teachers Pat Buerger and MaryJo Casaldi, Maggie Fishel, DRE, and Father Thomas Hudak. ~ Your Sports & News items are welcomed at The Post Tired of suffering “% from chronic Call Charles J. Musto, D.M.D. ALL TYPES OF EARTH MOVING RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL WYOMING VALLEY EXCAVATING | Melissa Stevans was 0’ Reilly salutatorian At its recent commencement exercises, Bishop O'Reilly High School, Kingston, presented awards to the school’s top aca- demic students. Melissa M. Stevans was named salutatorian. Melissa has been involved in many clubs and activities during her four years at Bishop O'Reilly including the stage crew and set construction for the school’s an- nual play, the cross country team, the Dance Marathon, French Flub, the Junior Ring Ceremony Com- mittee, the Homecoming Banner Committee, the Student Activi- ties Committee, Glee Club, Cham- ber Choir, Literugy Planning Com- mittee, Diocesan Scholastic Bowl, National Honor Society, the French National Honor Society, and Youth Salute. Her numerous awards include a National Merit Letter of Com- mendation, the U.S. Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award, awards from the Pennsylvania Dallas Baptist Church plans Bible school Dallas Baptist Church, Harveys Lake Road, between Dallas and Harveys Lake, is hosting a Vaca- tion Bible School June 20-24 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. each evening. Children ages 5 years to 6th grade are welcome. The program called Mount Extreme is free and trans- portation is available if needed. Call Rhonda or Patrick Colladay at 639-5099 or 696-3442 toregis- ter. EXPERT EXCAVATORS SEWER & WATER LINES ; Free Estimates k MELISSA M. STEVANS Junior Academy of Science, the President's Education Award for Outstanding Academic Achieve- ment, the Radioshack Tandy Out- Ge elebrate Graduation and Fathers Dae Y with a Gq standing Student Award, a P.H.E.A.A. Certificate of Merit for an SAT score above 1300, Senior Parish Awards for Academic Ex- cellence in English, social studies ; and religion, 13 underclass awards for academic excellence, the District II P.I.A.A. Scholar Ath- lete Award, the Bishop O'Reilly Senior Athletic Award, the Youth Lay Ministry Award and an NEDT certificate. Melissa resides in Trucksville with her parents, Leon and Rose Marie Stevans, where she is a lector at Gate of Heaven Church. Her future plans include attend- ing the University of Scranton, from which she has received a Presidential Scholarship and ma- joring in biology. INTHE SERVICE] Marine Pfc. Raymond B. Hadsall, son of Bruce C. and Carol A. Hadsall of Trucksville, recently graduated from the Marine Corps Basic Combat Engineer Course at Camp Lejeune, NC. During the five week course, Hadsall received instruction in the fundamentals of engineering sup- port for combat units, including - the procedures for building and repairing bridges, roads and field fortifications! Hadsall also re- ceived training on demolition con- cepts, land mine warfare and cam- ouflage techniques, Hadsall will accompany Ma- rine infantry forces to build roads, set up camps and fortify living areas. The 1998 graduate of Marine infantry forces to build roads, set up camps and fortify living areas. The 1998 graduate of West Side Vocational Technical School joined the Marine Corps in Au- gust 1998. ooo Private Sean Sarokas of Shav- ertown was awarded his second Army Achievement Medal during a ceremony at the Plymouth Ar- mory of Battery C,1st Battalion, 109th Field Artillery, Pennsylva- nia Army National Guard. PV2 Sarokas is a fire direction specialist in Battery C. His duties include computing firing data for the unit's six 155-millimeter, self- propelled howitzers. His calcula- tions determine where their rounds will land miles down range. Sarokas is a 1998 graduate of Dallas High School. He is the son of Paul Sarokas of Shavertown and Jennifer Sarokas of Las Ve- gas, PA. PV2 Sarokas earned the award for exceptional performance of duty during training at Fort Indiantown Gap. You can send sports reports to The Dallas Post by at dalpost@aol.com For That Special Graduate 14 Kt. Wire Necklace With ‘Diamonds _ or Pearls gum problems? 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