SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF THE DALLAS & LAKE-LEHMAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS Vol. 112. No. 5 Dallas, Pennsylvania January 31 to February 7, 2001 . Sheetz gets green light By ELIZABETH SKRAPITS Post staff KINGSTON TWP. - A new Sheetz gas station and convenience store will be built on Rte. 309 in the Pendragon Center. But not everyone is pleased about its arrival. At a Jan. 29 special meeting, members of the Kingston Twp. Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve preliminary develop- ment plans for the Sheetz station and store. Be- fore reaching a decision, the board listened to concerns from those who will be neighbors to the new gas station and store. William Leandri, president of Luzerne Nation- & al Bank, cautioned the commission against overdevelopment in the area. He said bringing more traffic to the area could have a negative impact on land and property values. The concept of property depreciation is not something Wesley Pokrinchak wants to think about, since he and his wife bought their prop- erty in Shavertown only one year ago. They also have a pool in the backyard and invite guests over in the summer. Pokrinchak fears the noise from Sheetz’s speakers will not add to the ambi- ence. “One of the things I don’t want to hear when I'm entertaining friends and relatives in See SHEETZ, page 5 Embark on a restaurant safari By SANDY PEOPLES Post Correspondent BACK MOUNTAIN - Some people say you have to go to Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, or even New York to get a great meal in a restaurant. We decided to explore the Back Mountain in search of family-owned and operated restau- rants, cafes, delis, pizza parlors and ice cream shops to see if we could prove that theory wrong. We did indeed find many eating estab- lishments with fantastic food guaranteed to please the palates of almost everyone. Many families today have two incomes, which translates into “so little time.” Going out for a good meal gives everyone a mini vacation. It eliminates the need for planning, shopping, See SAFARI, page 5 Showing spirit, learning a lesson By M.B. GILLIGAN Post Correspondent DALLAS - The Wycallis Elementary School gymnasium was the scene of a rousing Pep Rally last week when members of the Wilkes Barre/Scran- ton Penguins’ hockey team arrived at the school. Fifth grade teacher, Miss Lauren O'Neill, started making arrangements last fall when Kathleen McCarthy, school principal approved the idea. “She said if I said ‘yes,’ she would fig- ure out how,” explained McCarthy during the rally. The entire student body was pepped up and ready although most students only found out the day be- fore. “I told my class about two weeks ago,” said O'Neill. “They made all of these posters and decorated the gym early in the morning with bal- loons and signs. They were really ex- cited.” Students in Miss O'Neill's class are well aware of her interest in the Pen- guin’s hockey team. “We talk about the games and they bring in things like autographs and hockey pucks. A couple of my students play hockey,” said O'Neill, who dressed in a full Penguin’s uniform in the school Hal- loween parade this year. “My best Christmas present was a pair of tick- ets for front row seats at a game this week,” she said. Student Ryan Duddy, whose grandfather has season tickets, lob- bied for weeks to get those tickets for her. “I was thrilled. I couldn’t believe they were front row,” O'Neill said. The teacher wanted to share her Penquin enthusiasm with the entire school. “I think it's great to have something like the Arena in our area so I wanted to celebrate it. I heard about players going to other schools so | started calling last spring,” she said. “Tom Grace, ‘the voice of the Penguins,’ scheduled this date back in September and we were just hop- ing it wouldn't get canceled because of snow. It turned out great,” she said. Recently, Wycallis Elementary held a raffle and the top prize was a signed Penguins’ jersey. “My stu- dents had agreed to give me the jer- sey if any of them won. I didn’t get it though because a kindergarten stu- dent won it,” lamented O'Neill. That jersey was worn at the pep rally by Mrs. Karen Mertz the kinder- garten teacher who organized and so- licited prizes for the raffle. Students to bed really early.” The importance of going to school was Brendan Buckley's topic. “It is important to listen to your teachers “We have to eat well to be good athletes. We also go to bed really early.” Alex Mathieu W-B/Scranton Penguin raised $1,700 to benefit the family of a Wycallis student who is undergoing medical treatment. Students and teachers had a lot of fun at the rally, but they also had an opportunity to see these sports stars in a very positive way. Players Darcy Verot, Brendan Buckley and Alex Mathieu were introduced by Tom Grace. They each took a few minutes to tell the students how important good nutrition, proper exercise and a good night's sleep are to good health. They talked about the food pyramid and Alex Mathieu said, “We have to eat well to be good athletes. We also go and your parents,” he told the crowd. Another important health issue was addressed by the speakers. “No one in the Penguin's organization smokes cigarettes or has anything to do with illegal drugs,” Grace said, with great emphasis. There was a near-deafening roar when the Penguin's mascot, Tux, made an appearance. He did a little disco-dancing and was a big hit when he cuddled with the principal. “Tux was born two years ago at the Pittsburgh zoo,” explained Grace. “This year he was named mascot of the entire League because of the great job he does.” Tux, the Wilkes-Barre Scatnon d Penguins mascot visits with Wycallis Elementary School stu- dents after a pep rally in the gym last week when members of the Wilkes- Barre/ Scranton Penguins’ hockey team also attended and discussed the "| importance of nutrition and | exercise. Teachers throughout the school didn’t mind the interruption in their schedule. They really got into the spirit of the event and many classes marched in holding banners and sporting Penguin colors of white, black, yellow and orange. They were impressed with how the players spoke and interacted with the children. “We've just finished 90 days of school and I think it was a wonderful way to celebrate,” said Mc- Carthy. The “academic stars” of the marking period always receive a cer- tificate for earning all A's on their re- port cards. These students had the pleasure of being introduced at the rally, getting a “high-five” from Tux and shaking hands with the Pen- guins. Grace then gave out the certificates and noted that these achievers are the real heroes and are setting a good example. “It was a lot of fun for everyone and I really appreciate the willingness of the Penguins to visit our school,” Mc- Carthy said. “It is important for stu- dents to hear that they share many of our same values.” See PENQUINS, page 5 14 Pages, 2 Sections By SANDY PEOPLES Post Correspondent DALLAS - Minerva Sauers, Irene Mappes and Elda Shaver are living proof that the rest of us have much to learn from this & generation of Americans who have seen almost a century of life and have contributed much to this country. As the three residents of the Meadows Manor in Dallas re- cently celebrated their 95th birthdays, they took a few min- utes to reminisce about days gone by - days they spent work- TY ing as a stenographer in World Ww War II; at the family bed and breakfast; and in factories to support U.S. troops at war over- seas. Mrs. Sauers, a stenographer for the Defense Department in Wilkes-Barre during World War II, was born in Scranton and graduated from the Scranton- Lackawanna Business College in 1925. When asked about her family, @-- proudly pointed out that “they came here from England in 1750, but my most satisfying achievement was raising my stepson who now lives in Massa- chusetts.” She also has fond memories of living at Lake Nuangola as a child. “We lived next door to the old playhouse. My parents had a © bed and breakfast and we often hosted the actors and college gp Y From left; Mrs. Minerva Sauers, Mrs. Irene Mappes and Mrs. Elda Shaver recently celebrated their 95th birthdays at The Meadows Manor. students who came there to per- form. As children, we were fasci- nated by them,” she said. “There have been lots of changes (at the lake) since I was a young girl,” Mrs. Sauers said. “Back then, I never thought I would get to be this old. Life is a lot more stressful than it was when I was a child.” Mrs. Mappes was one of many women who went to the cities during World War II to work in the factories to support our fighting men over seas. She was indeed a “Rosie the Riveter.” She helped build airplanes in Philadelphia and volunteered with the U.S. Army to help feed the troops in port. Hard work came naturally for Mappes. “I was born and raised on a farm in Delaware,” she said. “My fa- ther was a butcher and worked in Philadelphia all week. I helped my mother raise my four broth- ers. I cooked meals, cleaned, did laundry and helped work the farm right alongside the boys. After I got married, I lived here in Wyoming.” She then smiled and said, “I was glad I could do all of the things I have done in my life. Helping others has been my life's See BIRTHDAY, page 5 By SANDY PEOPLES Post correspondent TRUCKSVILLE - It wasn't the Kentucky Derby, but you'd nev- er know it by looking at the ex- citement on the faces of the young men of Trucksville’s Cub Scout Pack 155. Happy birthday, sweet 95 And the winner is ... “This race is a big deal for these boys,” said parent Linda Baines. “They take great pride in mak- ing their cars look different. The variety is incredible.” Preparing for the derby is a great opportunity for the boys to work on a project with their fa- More than 100 parents, sib- thers, older lings and male sib- friends came lings, or to share in . : other male the fun and “This race is a big role models to cheer in their them on ot | deal for these boys. ll the annual They take great pride Their Pinewood : 1. : sense of ac- Derby at the | 1 making their cars i Tracie look different. The ment and Unite * . . > »” id : pride were Methodist variety is incredible. DE Church. Linda Baines you looked It was an parent around the event the room at scouts their smil- looked for- ing, and ward to all year long. Finally, the night had arrived, and they were ready. The scouts received their car kits around Christmas time, and had one month to build cars from a block of wood and give it wheels and a fantas- tic paint job. This event has been a tradi- tion with Pack 155 for more than 25 years. The Cub Scouts, ages 8 through 10, were looking for- ward to the two chances they would get to win the race with the fastest time. sometimes intense, faces. “The race is a good teaching tool for the boys,” said Baines. “The competition helps them learn about winning and losing and how to do either one with dignity and good sportsman- ship.” The winners were: first place, Zachary Smith; second place, Eric Baines; third place, Ryan Williams; and fourth place, Nick Frey. Joshua Pavlico also re- ceived a trophy for the best car. For more photos, see page 3 Calendar... .......li.voiaik, 14 Classified..........c...ciovunni : § Crossword.........cc.i..ioosu 14 Editorials..................oe 4 ODItUBNES............cvraivennnss 2 SCHOOL... civ... xrivvveri snsnnes 3 SPOS... iho wvisbindars 9 CALL 675-5211 FOR HOME DELIVERY, NEWS OR ADVERTISING E-mail: dalpost@ epix.net Please enclose this label with any address changes, and mail to The Dallas Post P.O. Box 366, Dallas, PA 18612-0366
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers