5 [; o ) @ @ N ! 0 @ / Le v7 Vol. 110 No. 31 Dallas, Pennsylvania SISA CR igi =Nele)\VI\VISIN TRI =toNe] =i i = | =i BVA HWS 8 Wa CHR Se 1 NEST el [elo] RM pl IS i sl [0 ES 50 Cents August 4 thru August 10, 1999 Parents hope to bring PTA to Dallas By KASIA McDONOUGH Post Staff DALLAS - A contingent of parents whose children attend Dallas Elementary don't see eye-to-eye on whether or not formation of a PTA (Parent-Teacher Asso- ciation) will best serve the needs of the school. An informational session, featuring presentations by members of the Penn- sylvania PTA, has been scheduled for August 11 at 7 p.m.. One of the items which will be discussed is the distinction between a PTA and a PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization). “The difference is more than a letter,” said Sandy Walton, who is in support of the formation of a PTA. The Dallas Elementary School com- munity is currently represented by a PTO. This group, which has a membership of approximately 450, is not a part of a national organization. "Most parents con- tribute a $3 membership fee per family at the start of each school year. But that is a flexible amount; we never tell someone they can’t join if they ‘don’t pay,” said Karen Arnaud, PTO President. “The dues we collect are used for the kids.” Membership in a PTA requires parents to pay a $2 annual fee. These dues are used to offset costs associated with pro- viding local member associations with information and publications. "A PTA would give parents somewhere to turn if they had questions or concerns about something happening at the school,” said Walton. “I. don’t think there are too many parents who wouldn't pay an extra S2 every year to know they have a voice in what's happening to their children.” PTAs offer members access to a variety of resources including the group's na- tional headquarters in Chicago, state of- fices staffed by PTA representatives who are equipped to respond to parental in- quiries and informative materials includ- ing videos which address pertinent is- sues in education. “Parents have no- See PTA, pg 12 Servin' it up POST PHOTO/CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK Tex Wilson, left, and Bill Gately Jr. were the food committee for the annual Dallas Kiwanis picnic, held last week in Dallas. More photos on page 5. Out of reach POST PHOTO/RON BARTIZEK J © J.J. Durr reached in vain for a throw to the plate when Back Mountain American met Plains Saturday in a losers’ bracket game of the Kubis Memorial tournament. American was eliminated by Plains, which played Back Mountain National Tuesday night in a game to decide the champion. Big bank office, other development on the way New liquor store aims for Oct. I opening By RONALD BARTIZEK Post Staff BACK MOUNTAIN - Anew bank office is one of three significant commercial projects soon to be started or finished along Rt. 309. First Union Bank has completed the purchase of 2.2 acres of land adjacent to the A&A Auto Parts store in Dallas Township. The bank plans to put a "prototype First Union Financial Center” on the land, according to Marnie Lamberson, a spokesperson for the bank. First Union now operates three Triathlon's local touch attracts top talent By KASIA McDONOUGH "Post Staff BACK MOUNTAIN - Beautiful sur- roundings and a hometown touch make the Wilkes-Barre Triathlon a perennial favorite among competitors. The race offers amateur participants and the sport's elite athletes a top-notch course set against the backdrop of the region’s scenic communities. “In the early 1980's, a group of friends who love sports got together to organize an event that would showcase the Back Mountain and at- /, 40) 3 tract great athletes / Q a \ from all over,” STAN aol said Pat m—m—m,me—,SsSsy——————— Kramer, along- — TRIATHLON time volunteer, whose brother was in- strumental in the triathlon’s develop- ment. Since its beginning, this race has grown from a regional event to one of the most popular competitions on the circuit. This year's triathlon is expected to draw 50 to 60 elite athletes from around North America and total entries number close to 400. Organizers have worked diligently to cultivate an identity for thisrace by rely- ing on resources available to them: "We hear from so many athletes who tell us they find the community physically ap- pealing, they like the course and the level of organization is super,” said Kramer. Held far from a major metropolitan area, the Wilkes-Barre Triathlon has a reputation as a racer-friendly event. “Many triathlons are held in big cities so those who enter them have to fly into a busy airport, rent a car, stay in a hotel, eat in'a strange restaurant and find their own way,” said Jim Harris, Race Director. “Here, racers are greeted as they arrive and taken to a home where the refrigera- tor is fully stocked, the bed is comfortable and the host family is happy to help. There is just no comparison.” The homestay program was designed See TRIATHLON, pg 12 12 Pages, 1 Section branches in the Back Mountain. Two of them, next to the post office in Shavertown and at the intersection of routes 415 and 118 on the way to Harveys Lake, were originally Wyoming National Bank offices. They have since been operated by Merchants Bank North, First Fidelity Bank and First Union. The third office, in the Orloski’s Quik Mart in Dallas, opened as a branch of Third Na- tional Bank, which was taken over by Core States Bank before First Union acquired Core States. See DEVELOPMENT, pg 3 Missing pieces for new Wycallis school have arrived By KASIA McDONOUGH Post Staff DALLAS - Despite being tem- porarily distracted by high-tech swivel chairs, adjustable lighting - and a child-sized window com- plete with mini-blinds, members of the Dallas School Board con- ducted business August 4 in the new Wycallis Elementary. A status report on the school’s construction indicated the sup- plies needed to complete work at Wycallis are expected .to arrive within the week. “The locker room tiles we were waiting for are in Scranton and their installation will begin Wednesday,” said Dan Lipsett, of Quandel Construction Management Group. “The cedar siding will be here Friday.” Crews will also put the finish- ing touches on the new gym. “The scoreboards are up, the padding is set to be installed and the - ‘bleachers will be moved into place this week,” said Lipsett. See SCHOOL, pg 3 Calendar... ...00..... 8 Classified........ vi 10-11 Crossword.................. 8 Editorials.................... 4 Obituaries.....i........... 10 BSCAOO0L........h.. iis 008s 7 SPOS...iodi0 ia tees 9 CALL 675-5211 FOR HOME DELIVERY, NEWS OR ADVERTISING E-mail: dalpost@aol.com The Dallas Post MAILING LABEL- Please enclose this label with any address changes, and mail to The Dallas Post, P.O: Box 366, Dallas PA 18612-0366
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