Wr J MD Vol. 110 No. 28 Dallas, Pennsylvania e Dallas Post SI=IEAVAIN CTR Bo | =HO1O1\Y, | \V ISIN THEI =H O ] oi Fo | =88 BVA BM WANS. WAN C=C B= VAN NBS 07 5 (00 EE BI ISH E Si [0F BS 50 Cents July 14 thru July 20, 1999 Shortage of workers adds *to farmers’ | concerns By KASIA McDONOUGH Post Staff @ BACK MOUNTAIN - Ad¥ a shortage of field workers to the obstacles standing in the way of local farmers’ success. That's in addition to the hurdles Mother Nature has placed in their path. An extended period of below average rainfall and a week of scorching tempera- tures have meant more work and more worry for area farmers. “It’s definitely been a problem,” said Paul Brace, of Brace’s Orchard, “We're lucky everything gota good start. It wasn't too dry early on, but now it's getting to the point where we're hoping for some rain.” Finding workers is difficult even when the weather is pleasant. “It's getting harder and harder to get help,” said Brace, who is a seventh generation farmer. “I would plant a lot more if I had more hands to © help with picking. That is my biggest problem, I just can’t find people who want to do this kind of work.” The shrinking pool of workers means a growing number of family farms are going the way of the dinosaur. A generation ago, there were 88 fruit farms in Luzerne County and now only a handful remain. “Just in my lifetime, I have seen so many farms shut down. If the sons weren't interested in farming the property was sold, and once that happens it’s divided and developed,” said Brace. kids of my own, and I would never pres- sure them into keeping our place, but hopefully we'll be around for another generation.” The cost of maintaining a family farm sometimes makes it impractical to pass it on to children. better prices for our produce,” said Dar- ling. “It seems the price of everything goes up but we can’t seem to get a fair value for fruits and vegetables in this market.” Many farmers have diversified in an effort to combat the problem of low prices. Growing house plants and fresh flowers is one popular variation. Some farmers have decided to allow customers to pick their own fruit as a way of saving labor costs and still others peddle more profit- See FARMS, pg 8 “I have three: “I wish we were getting POST PHOTO/CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK Baby's first auction Talia Kosierowski, 2 weeks old, paid her first visit to the Back Mountain Memorial Library Auction last weekend, with her mother, Rebecca, right and Shirley Gingo, her grandmother. Talia was one of thousands of people who filled the auction grounds Thursday through Sunday for the 53rd annual auction, which provides about one-fourth of the library's operating budget. This year's event saw a record take for the antiques barn, over $53,000. Results for other categories weren't available, but it is expected this year's total will set a new record. More photos on page 5. v Wycallis school not fully on time Material shortage will delay final completion, but shouldn't affect opening By KASIA McDONOUGH . Post Staff DALLAS - Much to the dismay of Dal- las School Board members, the July con- struction update indicates the Wycallis Elementary School will not be finished on time. Representatives from. Quandel, the construction managers overseeing the project, reported problems with cedar siding and locker room tiles will delay completion. “The key words here are sub- stantial completion,” said John Koury, Project Manager. “The date for substan- tial completion is August 1, ard the bulk of the work will be done at that time.” | de Ss meet Sunday 4 church. We all ha ry to get this done Dallas choo director While the six to eight week delay should riot interfere with school activities, the district is clearly not happy about this turn of events. “I don’t like walking through the building and having people tell me things I don’t know,” said Dr. Gilbert Griffiths, Superintendent. The school board briefly discussed withholding a payment of more than $400,000 to the general contractor as a method of insuring speedy progress. “It's nice to keep this (payment) - it would be ‘a good hammer to have,” said Ben Jones, District Solicitor. “Unfortunately, with- holding payment would only result in the subs (subcontractors) going unpaid and we don’t want them walking off the job, delaying this thing even further.” Quandel officials informed the school board they had met with representatives of the general contractor several weeks ago to discuss their concerns about the See SCHOOL, pg 8 A Se HA dB NE a Sa A ST ERT eS ————— 3 2t nsh for kids' bl —ipex_ o> eo OWNS TEC Programs nave answer Ior Kids summer Diucs ; | | ; 14 Pages, 2 Sections | By KASIA McDONOUGH Coordinator. “But I think Calendar... ois. 14 | Post Staff parents are really happy to Classified............. 12-13 know their kids have a nice safe Crossword............ We: | BACK MOUNTAIN - The dog place to spend a summer day Editor , ; ; : ROfials.. Li... 4 : days of summer are upon us - and that they will be having a Obitiatics io the time of year when parents good time while theyrehere.” «1 0 re LT Said A hear that dreaded phrase, “I'm Both programs include park School...............ou. 11 bored. There's nothing to do days during which children SPOS. .....oct. ink 9-10 around-here.” have an opportunity to enjoy @ & Two Back Mountain commu- time at their respective play- CALL 675-5211 i nities offer children and their grounds. “I like playing on the FOR HOME DELIVERY, ! parents relief from vacation rides and stuff,” said Jamie NEWS OR ADVERTISING | doldrums. Kingston Township Bartoo, a 6-year-old who E-mail: dalpost@aol.com and Dallas Borough run orga- attends the Kingston Township i nized recreational programs program. Her friend, Sara » designed to bring these subur- Kneal, thinks the swings and | ban youngsters together. “There slides are cool, but field trips to i is no fee for our program which Frances Slocum are her favorite is a great feature,” said Jack activity. “I like going to the pool & Wolensky, Dallas Recreation because I think swimming is # ~' § e fun,” she said. 20 : | Children at the Dallas Rec 2 . Center were equally eager to —-— 2s . rattle off a list of their top 2s choices for summer fun. “I like O.= © everything,” said Kyle Arnaud a. 2 = who is 8 years old. “But I guess 7 i = wiffle ball is my favorite.” os = 3 The Dallas program is open p— Ee to youngsters from five years old = <= to 16, while Kingston Township Pe © accepts five to 12 year olds. 0) Ex \/ Both programs offer ample oD) 2 2 opportunities for each child to = 2 oe participate in an activity which : : Fe 2 & is age appropriate. POST PHOTO/CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK 3 Is Older children spend a good Enjoying a dip in the pool at Frances Slocum State Park, Kingston Twp. summer rec campers and Ea Po of ther ime playing counselors, from left; Katie Gallagher, Frank Greenhalgh, Tim Allen, Chris Tucker, Ann Marie = = BsRethal, Socesp ang lenis G halgh, Dan Natituus, Eric Tucker : a POST PHOTO/KASIA McpoNouGH Board games such as chess and feenvaign, : < . Mike Dougherty rode his bike RR Bis De new friends,” said Austin Carr; offer optional field trips for a Park. Other popular group 2 2 | ¢ to the Dallas Rec Center, where The programs’ younger : who along with Brenden, his small fee. Some of the outings activities are movie days and 2 ba’ he could play basketball or children enjoy many of the same ~~ °lder brother, is a regular at the include visits to area attractions trips to the bowling alley. aE tennis, or challenge his friends activities. “Sometimes, I play center. like Steamtown, the Crayola | gE at board games. basketball with Brenden and my In addition, both programs crayon factory and Hershey See REC PROGRAMS, pg 2 :
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