6 The Dallas Post Wednesday, August 22, 2001 Dallas, PA EDITORIALS Give county government reform a chance A group of people dedicated to the principles of American democracy are trying mightily to give citizens a chance to re- form Luzerne County government. There is no need to list here the deficiencies of the present system; they have been well-documented elsewhere. And it has become abundantly clear that no amount of exposure will convince the people who control this corrupt, wasteful structure to improve it. A petition drive that, if successful, would allow the creation of a committee to study alternatives is winding down in a few days. We can't imagine any good reason not to give voters the opportunity to make their feelings known about such a study. While the minimum number of signatures has been reached, the more people sign on, the more compelling the case becomes to put this question on the ballot in November. If you haven't already signed a petition, and you think vot- ers should have more to say about county government, try to get your name on paper before the August 28 deadline. Then be sure to vote in November. Student commitments off the field Sports come to mind when most people think of extra-cur- ricular activities for high school students. After all, there will soon be daily news coverage of football and to a lesser extent soccer, field hockey and other “minor” sports. If they're really good, golfers and tennis players may get their 15 minutes of fame. But even if all the sports were covered well, an enor- mous number of students would be left out. They're the ones who march in the band, put on the plays, work on special projects and participate in innumerable other activities that enrich their educational experience and those of others. And, curiously, it’s those interests that are likely to stay with stu- dents throughout life, and give them an edge when it comes time for college and the working world. The next time you're planning to run for a hot dog at half- time, think again, and perhaps you'll choose to stay in your seat and watch the music program. Or, keep an eye out for the school play announcement, or History Day, or engineer- ing competition. You might discover a whole new group of students who don't get weekly headlines, just satisfaction at learning and growing. What more could we ask of them? Publisher’s Notebook Ron Bartizek My family just returned from vacation hotspots, and I'm armed with inspired thoughts about how to turn the Back Mountain into a destination that will attract thousands of oohing-and-aahing visitors — and their pocketbooks. We were on Martha's Vineyard, off the Massachusetts coast and then made a brief stopover in Providence, which no one outside New England had ever heard of until the television show of the same name. Along the way we saw a number of attractions that could be easily replicated — or at least imi- tated sufficiently to convince passers-by to swing off I-81 for a day trip or more. Who knows, with the right promotion, we might soon be home to multi-million dollar vacation homes and hordes of moped-riding tourists. Martha's Vineyard, being an island, has beaches. But hey, we've got Harveys Lake, the largest natural lake in PA; there must be some promotional value in that. What the lake does- n't have is waves, but there are machines that can raise a swell of any desired size, and with a little imagination visitors can feel as if they're sunbathing on the Riviera. And, a big plus, there are no sharks in the lake as far as I know. The vineyard also has picturesque lanes that wind past cute little cottages and quaint shops. If we change local zon- ing laws to allow construction on 1/10 acre lots, we can fill up every available square inch of real estate in no time to of- fer the same experience, but at a very big discount compared to a place where a cup of soup goes for $5.95. Come on, what would you rather have at lunch, an overpriced sesame fla- vored hunk of some fish you can’t pronounce the name of, or a plateful of Jones's potato pancakes? No contest. Providence offers other lessons, which may be more applic- able to Wilkes-Barre than to the Back Mountain. (Or, “the Mountain,” as we would become known.) But, given the shared political philosophies and principles, I think we could adapt their winning formula. I noticed that half the streets in Providence seemed to be under repair and vacant buildings were as common as pigeons, so there's not much difference there. And, Providence has a riverfront. Theirs, however, is thriving, with walkways and trendy eating places, even gon- dola rides. No reason why the Susquehanna can’t be made just as attractive. And we have an advantage; one of the most popular attractions in Providence is “Waterfire,” which takes place when gas torches situated in the river are set alight. My son is eager to show me how to do the same thing by spread- ing lighter fluid on the surface of Toby’s Creek and tossing in a match, but I'm wondering if acid mine drainage might work just as well, and it's free! Rep. Kanjorski, take a note; burn- ing off the acid may clean up the river while drawing visitors with cash burning holes in their pockets, so to speak. The Dallas Post TIMESeLEADER Cogmunity Newspaper Group P.O. BOX 366, DA E612 « 570-675-5211 Ronald Bartizek GENERAL MANAGER Brenda McDonough Ruth Proietto ADVERTISING ACCT. EXEC. Production Manager Ron and Charlotte Bartizek PUBLISHERS EMERITUS Stephen Peterson PRESIDENT & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER 1-800-427-8649 Heather B. Jones REPORTER Colorful sights of summer. Photo by Heather B. Jones Back Mountain Memorial Library adds new books The Back Mountain Memorial Library, 96 Huntsville Road, Dal- las, announces the addition of the following books to their collec- tion: FICTION “The Woman next Door” by Barbara Delinsky “The Perfect Family” by Patri- cia Potter “Betrayal in Death” by J.D. Robb “Justice: Crimes, Trials, and (oF \RIRY | YESTERDAY | WORK STARTED ON FUNERAL CHAPEL A.C. Kelly, prominent funeral director of Trucksville, is con- structing a combined chapel and morgue. Mr. Kelly is model- ing his building after a similar institution, which has a Span- ish design similar to one in Cali- fornia. The chapel will accom- modate 160 persons. Shavertown firemen have completed plans for their first annual bazaar to be held at Shavertown school house grounds. With many people out of work and unable to meet pre- sent taxes, the firemen decided to hold this event to raise the funds for the dues needed. William Price of Dallas has purchased the interest of Ray- mond Farver in the Long & Farver store on Parrish Heights and now the store will be known as Long & Price; Mr. Price has been a resident of Dallas the past four years. 60 Years Ago - August 22, 1941 THREE RESCUED FROM HARVEY’S LAKE WATERS Three people were saved from the rain and waters of Harvey's Only Yesterday is taken from the files of The Dallas Post, which reach back as far as 1929. Punishments” Dominick Dunne “Mutant” by Peter Clement, M.D. “The Bishop and the Beggar Girl of St. Germain” by Andrew by M. Greeley “Shades of Justice” by Fredrick D. Huebner “French Lessons” by Peter Mayle “Any Way the Wind Blows” by E. Lynn Harris “Among the Missing” by Dan Chaon Lake by Patrolman Fred Swan- son and John Hanson, lake restaurant owner, who came to their aid in motor boats. A sail- boat occupied by Celia Price and William Landarcher of Harvey's Lake and Louis Carney of New York capsized during the severe storm and were clinging to the boat until rescuers arrived. Predicting that the new Dal- las-Harvey’s Lake boulevard will be paved as far as Castle Inn be- fore winter sets in, road Super- intendent William Butler of the Central Pennsylvania Construc- tion Company gained permission to close Machell Avenue to traffic until the bridge at the foot of the street has been completed. Rev. Charles Henry Frick of Forty Fort, pastor of Huntsville Christian Church and now serv- ing as chaplain with the 109th Field Artillery at Indiantown Gap, has been promoted from Major to Lieutenant Colonel. 50 Years Ago - August 24, 1951 WORK PROGRESSES LEHMAN-JACKSON ON SCHEDULE Three classrooms at Lehman- Jackson School, located in the old gymnasium, will be ready for occupancy by September 10. In- stallation of sound-proofing tiles in the ceilings is under way, and fluorescent lighting ready to in- stall. Fire escapes for the grade school building are now being installed. Walls for the immense gymnasium are going up. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Mead, Lehman-Idetown Road, next to Idetown Church, was damaged to the extent of several hundred dollars by smoke and fire caused by flames from an oil stove. The fire start- ed when a pan of water boiled over on the two-burner stove causing flames to shoot to the ceiling. “Aztec Blood” by Gary Jen- nings “What You Owe Me” by Bebe Moore Campbell REFERENCE “The Complete Learning Dis- abilities Directory” “The Film Encyclopedia” by Ephraim Katz BIOGRAPHY “At Home in the Heart of Ap- Bobby Rice, Orchard Farms, Dallas, and Roy Evarts, Lehman, attended 4-H Club Week as State College, part of a group of 1100 boys and girls from all over Pennsylvania. Bobby and Roy are members of Luzerne County Dairy Judging Team. 40 Years Ago - August 24, 1961 MARCHING UNITS BRING HOME HONORS FROM V-J DAY PARADE Key Club Rifle Team took first place, Keyettes second place, Dallas Junior High School drill team third, in competition at Norwich, N.Y. where they took part in the Annual V-J Day pa- rade. Herbert A. Smith Jr., Dallas, owner of H.A. Smith painting and Decorating Contracts, has accepted the chairmanship of the Building and Construction Division of the 1962 Torch Cam- paign of the Wyoming Valley United Fund. Three stores will have their grand opening on Main Street, Dallas. They are: The Jones & Richards Merle Norman cosmet- ic Studio and Beauty Salon; Pol- ly’s Shoe Store; and Maria's Ap- parel Shop. The oldest of the three stores is Maria's Apparel which has been open since April. 30 Years Ago - August 25, 1971 ROADS, SEWER CONSTRUCTION AREAS TO BE IMPROVED Representatives of Roy Weston Engineers and Maona Construc- tion Company, at a meeting with Dallas Borough Council mem- bers, assured council that roads and other sewage construction areas will be improved. Machell Avenue will receive a base top- ping, special grading will be palachia” by John O’Brien “Stolen Lives: twenty years in a desert jail” by Malika Oufkir FICTION “The Program” by Stephenggy Walsh White ; “The Reaper” by Peter Lovesay YOUNG ADULT “Beware, Princess Elizabeth” by Carolyn Meyer done around manholes, dust ar- eas will be watered down fre- quently; calcium will be spread. For the second consecutive year, Dallas Senior High School will have a record enrollment. When the school term starts, an anticipated 176 students are ex- pected. The senior class to date has 223 pupils. An even larger junior class-some 256 boys and girls-is awaited. Robert Dolbear is principal at the Senior Hig School, and Edgar Hughes is as'@ sistant principal. Thomas C. Schreffler, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hilbert Schrefiler, Dallas, is participating in a U.S. Air Force Reserve Officers Train- ing Corps (AFROTC) field train- ing encampment at Plattsburgh AFB. N.Y. 20 Years Ago - August 12, 1981 @ DALLAS MAN CREDITED WITH SAVING BOY’S LIFE Sean Bunney, a two-year old boy, from Mehoopany was re- ported improved thanks to Robert Besecker, Dallas who ap- plied CPR and averted what could have been a drowning. Besecker, who is an emergency, medical technician with the Dal las Ambulance Co. and a mem- ber of the fire company. At the August board meeting of the Lake Lehman Junior High Parents Teachers Students As- sociation, plans were made to order and stock merchandise for the opening of the new ‘School Store’ in the Junior High build- ing. The store will open one half hour before school begins each morning. James T. Wallace, son of Carol Wallace of Dallas, has been pro- moted in the U.S. Air Force to the rank of airman first class. Wallace is an aircraft fuel sys- tems mechanic at Ramstein Air Base, West Germany with the 86th Equipment Maintenance Squadron. a
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers