SSN chs =Rele] VIVISIN RIN el uns = py \RW-X HAW (=H N= ZV VIN Vol. 112, No. 2 Dallas, Pennsylvania SCHOOL DISTRICTS January 10 to January 16, 2001 Former Methodist campground, and 1ts memories, on the market BY SANDY PEOPLES 1] Post Correspondent i { ! DALLAS TWP. - It has been said that “what Mother Nature giveth, Father Time taketh away.” | Such is the case for a unique property we happened upon in Dallas Township. It is zoned for agriculture and contains 34 wooded acres, a huge home, 37 cabins and other outbuildings. The improvements on the property, |ycluding a tabernacle, cafeteria and cab- ins, date back to the 1920's. In its heyday in the 1950's, people came from all over Pennsylvania and surrounding states to attend the Free Methodist Church sum- mer camp on the grounds. Although it has been closed for several years, there is one local resident who still remembers the days when the camp was bustling with activity. Now, it is on the market for $425,000. Lois Cooper, a former caretaker of the property, told us that it had been a favor- ite retreat for church members where conferences were held and worship ser- vices were conducted. “It was always full,” she said. “Some people owned their own cabin and some came to the camp- ground in their own small trailers. Entire families came to spend the week together. Some would eat in the dining hall while others would prepare their own meals in their cabins or trailers.” Mrs. Cooper also said that while par- ents attended conferences and services in the tabernacle, children could be found at Bible study, playing games, walking in the woods, or making crafts. “It was a family place,” she said. “It was a happy, more innocent time when families always ate together, read together, sat down and talked with one another, and shared their experiences and feelings.” With the onset of movies, television, computer games, numerous sporting events, and children who need a daily calendar to keep their activities straight, there seems to be no need for such a place anymore —or maybe there is! POST PHOTO/ELIZABETH SKRAPITS POST PHOTO/SANDY PEOPLES The old Free Methocdlist Church campground in Dallas Township is now for sale. tudents learn, teach the value of diversity By M.B. GILLIGAN Post Correspondent DALLAS - The Diversity Club at Dallas High School has grown in size, scope and impact since its inception three years ago. The club was the brainchild of club moderator Donna Trebilcox, an English teacher at the school. “The first year we had seven students and we took a lot of heat and harassment,” Trebilcox. “This year nearly 70 students are involved and we had to split up for our meetings. The juniors and seniors meet one Thursday and the freshmen and sophomores meet on alternating Thursdays.” The club has four main focus points and members participate in activities according to their in- terests. All members must ac- tively participate. First, students interested in communication read newspapers, watch television news, specials and documenta- ries, and report back to the club about things they've learned. Second, the Diversity Club has started fundraising activities this year in order to do some special projects. They are currently col- lecting good clothing, toys and money to send to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in the Dako- said Mrs. Members of the Diversity Club at Dallas High School hold the poster advertising the Dr. Martin Luther King Day program to be held Jan. tas. 15. From left, front row: Traci Patts, Jill Youngblood, Rebecca Hoffman. Back row: Adam Nolan Morgan, Corey Pajka, Kris Nardi, Mrs. @onna Trebilcox, advisor. Author touts region's role in US. growth By M.B. GILLIGAN Post Correspondent TRUCKSVILLE - The birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution was the Wyoming Valley and North- eastern Pennsylvania, according to a newly published book written by a local resident. Thomas Dombroski of Trucksville used his 35 years experi- ence as a consultant and about a year of direct research to gather information for his book, How America Was Financed: The True Story of Northeastern Pennsylvania's Contribution to the Financial and Economic Greatness of the United States of America. “All business deals are private and confidential,” said Mr. DombroskKi. “Therefore, to come to conclusions you have to use fact, imagination and speculation to understand every- thing.” The book contains facts about J. P. Morgan's power in the coal mining industry from the late 1800's until his death in 1913. The book explores how Morgan was the controlling person behind over 112 major corporations through his use of profits from the coal industry. Thomas Dombroski sat at the computer in his Trucksville home. The businessman has written a book that highlights the contributions of Northeastern Pennsylvania to America's industrial growth. Mr. Dombroski graduated from King's College and did graduate work at Wilkes University. For 10 years he was a senior process engineer with General Telephone and Electronics Sylvania Electric Division in Towanda. “In 1965, I formed a management consulting firm, called D & L Consult- ants, in Wilkes-Barre,” said the author. “Over the years I've done the POST PHOTO/M.B. GILLIGAN preliminary groundwork on various major development projects in Northeastern PA. I've worked on projects like the Hanover Industrial Park, the industrial park at the airport, and the early stages of eliminating flooding problems in Wilkes-Barre Township around the Arena project.” See AUTHOR, pg 12 Third, students make posters and bulletin boards to promote Often-absent supervisor steps down from post By ELAINE SLABINSKI Post Correspondent JACKSON TWP. - Supervisor Michael Lando announced his intention to resign his office as of March 2, 2001, giving the township 60 days in which to find a replacement. Lando!s prepared statement cited employment responsibilities which included frequent travel and prolonged periods away from home. The move came as no surprise, since he missed at least four consecutive meetings, leaving the two remaining supervisors without a tie- breaker. Supervisor John Wilkes, Jr. will con- tinue as Chairman for 2001. The town- ship police chief, secretaries, and clean- ing personnel will be receiving 4 percent hourly pay increases this year. Questions were raised regarding the possible devaluatiojn of properties with contaminated wells! or water supplies as a result of last year’{s gasoline leadk, and the impact on the {township's tax base. Solicitor Blythe Evains noted that first, “It will be up to thosie individual people themselves to ask for a reduction in their taxes.” Since contamination levels continue to drop, it is difficult to predict the even- tual outcome or the length of time it will take some areas to reach federal safety levels. Evans said le is aware of several See JACKSON TWP, pg 12 | id Patts Diversity Club secretary their motto which is “Respect the dignity of all people.” That doesn’t always happen, though. “We have to laminate our post- ers because some kids think it's funny towrite on them,” explained Kris Nardi, vice president of the club. “We're always going to have some kids who are against it. Everybody is raised differently. I went to Diversity Camp at College Misericordia between my sopho- more and junior years and I learned a lot about that. The camp was really awesome.” Kris is planning to use his in- terest in diversity training to do his graduation completion project. “I'm putting together a program to present to the elementary schools that will promote understanding of differences like racism. It helps to get kids on the right track,” Nardi stated. The fourth main focus of the group is community outreach. Students keep track of what is See DIVERSITY, pg 12 Calendar Classified Crossword 12 Pages, 1 Section The Dallas Post MAILING LABEL- Please enclose this label with any address changes, CALL 675-5211 FOR HOME DELIVERY, NEWS OR ADVERTISING E-mail: dalpost@epix.net and mail to The Dallas Post, P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612-0366