4 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, July 7, 1999 EDITORIALS | Library auction Is about more than money It's a safe bet you could travel the nation from corner to corner, ocean to ocean, border to border, and not come across a better example of community service in action than the Back Mountain Memorial Library Auction. The 53rd annual event, taking place Thursday through Sunday, will once again show- case the combined efforts of dedicated volunteers old and new, the library staff, generous donors, service clubs and individu- als from throughout the region. At root, the auction is a major fundraiser for the library, providing about one-fourth of annual operating expenses. But the event wouldn't be so successful over such a long period of time if that was its only attraction. What the auction — which is really a year-round commitment for many who work on it — really does is pull together a group of individuals with shared values, and a desire to give back to the community that nurtures them. For some that means spending hours search- ing for items that can be sold at a profit; for others it means preparing and maintaining the tents and grounds, or flipping burgers in the food booth. Whatever their task, though, every- , one enjoys a spirit of camaraderie that rises to the surface when people hold a shared vision and a heartfelt dedication to a cause. Like a symphony orchestra, the many and varied individuals who bring the auction to life each summer know how to work together, each bringing his or her own talent to bear for the benefit of the nearly 12,000 active borrowers, many of whom would otherwise not have access to reading and listening material or computers. Like many good works, the benefits of the library auction reach far beyond the event itself. In sparking community service and providing a common gathering point for everyone in the Back Mountain, the auction is a large ingredient in the glue that holds the region together, even in the face of rapid change. In what other community can new arrivals so easily meet and greet their neighbors, or get involved in supporting a key institution so quickly and pleasantly? Not many that we know of. ‘When you visit the auction this year — and you surely must get there — take in the sights, the sounds, the aromas, but also take the time to recognize the important role the event — and the library — play in our community. For 53 summers, we have worked together to be able to play together for a most worthy -.cause. At the same time we have strengthened our relation- ships to one another. Oh, and don't forget, we've picked up a few treasures along the way. Publisher's notebook - L] ©. So, there's no such thing as global warming, huh? I think you Mean put that one away for safe keeping until the glaciers start growing again. The past week has been more than enough to convince me the earth is getting warmer fast, or at least the Back Mountain is! : Now, as to the cause, well you can argue that ‘til the cows come home, or maybe the wooly mammoths. I heard a news report recently that our actions taken to clean the air may be contributing to warming, since all the pollution we've removed from the air allows more of the sun's rays through. Interesting theory, and perhaps another example of the law of unintended consequences. Regular readers of this space will recall that we moved into anew home just a bit over a year ago. Our new place is high on a hill, so we thought it would be a good tradeoff to forego air conditioning for other features. Boy, were we wrong! Even at our lofty level, there hasn't been enough breeze the last few nights to disturb the curtains, or any cool air that could be blown in to the bedrooms. (Which, of course, are on the second floor.) Thank goodness we have a basement, which houses an old sleeper sofa and a television. All of which makes me wonder why we don’t build more houses partially below ground, so they stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Maybe it’s just our ingrained habit of thinking we can beat Nature at its own game. Well, this summer, it's Nature 1, Us O. 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 letter 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. 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 Charlotte E. Bartizek PUBLISHER ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER OFFICE MANAGER Gregory Culver ADVERTISING ACCT. EXEC Kasia McDonough REPORTER Ruth Proietto PRODUCTION MANAGER Olga Kostrobala CLASSIFIED/TYPESETTING vd PRINTED WITH PENNSYLVANIA SOY INK - Member Pusiisiess Association Don't be "cheap, cheap" when you bid at this year's library auction. Photo by Monica Marzani. A summer vacation and eating adventure were r— —— Food © n fun Jim Phillips My five-year-old daughter Devin and I just returned from a won- derful week of fun, (and food, of course!). So it is only fitting that I should share our story with you. We planned to meet her Uncle Jackin Boston, spend a few nights on Cape Cod and end up in Man- hattan where he had made reser- vations at the world-class restau- rant “Le Cirque.” Along the way we had the opportunity to try some really great food, especially really fresh fish and seafood. On Cape Cod I had linguini with what else? Clams! I'm not crazy about clams but these had to have been dug that morning. They were sweet, flavorful and most of all tender. Devin, you may be surprised to know, really en- joyed the mussels steamed with herbs, onions and a touch of white wine. Back in Boston we made a pit stop at “Legal Seafood” before heading down to Manhattan. I was again impressed by the fresh- ness of the fish. I had a bluefish filet, marinated in herb vinaigrette and lightly grilled. It must have been reeled in that morning. It tasted so fresh Dessert had to include choco- late, at least that’s what my In Provincetown we biked the sand dunes of the national sea- shore together and I was afraid it would jump off the plate be- fore I was fin- ished! Devin found great in- terest in the fish shaped ravioli with sauce on the side of course! In Manhat- tan, the food and fun couldn't have gotten any bet- ter. We had lunch at “Le Cirque”, dining in elegance as the *city” hummed along outside. My lunch started with what else - a perfect Manhattan - straight up and served in one of those huge “Look at what I'm drinking” kind of glasses. My meal began with seared sea scallops and shrimp served with wild mushrooms, spring vegetables and freshly grated parmigiano cheese. For my main course I chose (actually Devin helped me decide) chicken fricassee with ginger, scallions, sweet peppers, onions and mush- rooms. Jim and Devin Phillips, pausing during a bike ride around Provincetown, Cape Cod. daughter's opinion was, so we chose the “Chocolate Extrava- ganza” - six different chocolate creations on one gigantic plate, that was sure to send any choco- late lover into orbit. It's a good thing, the tab was $190, plus the tip! You may be wondering about the fun part. I mean we didn't just go on vacation to eat, although that’s as good a reason as any to go! in Manhattan we had “an adventure” on the subway, me- andering our way underground dur- ing rush hour to go shopping in Little Italy and Chinatown. But perhaps the most fun for both of us was taking her to see her first Broad- way play, “Beauty and the Beast.” 1 iknow she thought it was fun, the look on her face during the show was price- less, which may also describe the look on my face as] watched her. Here's a recipe that may help when you are handed the bill at Le Cirque: Perfect Manhattan 2 oz. rye or bourbon 1/2 oz. sweet vermouth 1/2 oz. dry vermouth Shake with ice and strain. Garnish with a maraschino cherry. Consume prior to asking for the check.. ONLY YESTERDAY 70 Years Ago - July 6, 1929 BOWMAN WILL CONTINUE TO TEACH AT DALLAS H.S. Earl W. Bowman was reelected to teach another term in Dallas High School .at the meeting of Dallas School Board Tuesday in the new high school building. Other business included the re- port filed by F.M. Gordon, tax collector. The treasurer reported a balance on hand of $545.19. Now playing at Himmler The- atre, “Cheyenne” with Ken Maynard. 60 Years Ago - July 7, 1939 TWO BACK MT. TOWNS OMITTED FROM NEW MAPS First shipments of the official 1939 road maps of Pennsylvania were received by the Dallas Post this week from I. Lamont Hughes, sec. of highways and readers of this newspaper can receive them free just as soon as additional copies are received from the de- partment by calling the newspaper's office on Lehman Av- enue. One feature of the map will not be pleasing to many citizens is the omission of Trucksville and Shavertown while many#smaller communities in this region are included. Orange, Kyttle, Red Rock and Huntsville are included, but Shavertown and Trucksville are omitted even though a manu- facturing concern through Shav- ertown was the county seat of Luzerne County. 50 Years Ago - July 8, 1949 BANK IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE DRIVE-THRU First Natonal Bank underwent a transformation over the week- end with workmen for Sordoni Construction Company engaged in putting a second floor over the present banking rooms. Plans also call for a drive-in deposit win- dow, the first in northeastern Pennsylvania. Noxen, Alderson Methodist Charge, which includes churches at Ruggles and Kunkle is to have awomen minister starting the first Sunday in August. She is Miss Ruth Underwood, an ordained minister, who is now preaching in three churches in and near McClure, NY. Rev. James J. Hil- bert, present minister will be go- ing to McClure, NY. 40 Years Ago - July 2, 1959 ESTHER WILLIAMS POOL AVAILABLE AT AUCTION When the big Back Mountain Memorial Library Auction, the granddaddy of them all, opens a week from Friday it will present the greatest assortment of new and used merchandise in its 13 year history. Heading the list will be a $5,393 Esther Williams Swim- ming Pool; a Simca sports sedan; 4 fibre glass and aluminum motor boats including portable models for river fishing and luxury mod- els for lakes and bays. You could get - Hams, whole, 57¢ 1b.; Cornish Hens, 49¢ Ib; California pascal celery, Ig. stalk 23¢;1g. white eggs, 55¢ doz.; sliced Swiss Cheese, 8 oz. pkg. 35¢. 30 Years Ago - July 10, 1969 OFFICIALS WANT CHANGES INNEW TRASH AGREEMENT An agreement between Lake Borough and Lake Township failed to be signed Saturday as Town- ship officials wished some changes made in the contract. New agree- ment to be effective July 7 giving Borough residents three days per week dumping privilege at the landfill operated by Lake Town- ship. Lake Borough will pay 80% of the costs and the township 20% during the summer months with the original 75-25% to breakdown in effect thereafter until a new contract is signed. 20 Years Ago - July 5, 1979 VISIONS OF AUCTION’S SUCCESS REALIZED On April 4, 1947 in the Dallas Post, Miss Frances Dorrance, gen- eral chairman for the first Back Mountain Memorial Library Auc- tion said “she has high hopes of making the sale unique in the history of Dallas and one of the biggest events ofits kind ever held Back of the Mountain. Partici- pants stood under umbrellas to bid for items such as a brass bed with box springs for $2.50; hams. Too much has changed since then. Farm machinery no longer preva- lent, the brass beds aren't sold for amounts of $2.50 and the hams have become Ham & Yeggers. Now you can send items to The Dallas Post by e-mail at: dalpost@aol.com i) UL) 7) > O oO
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers