8 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Thursday, October 11, 2001 EDITORIALS If you want your opinion to count, stand behind it Far too frequently, callers to The Dallas Post spend several minutes describing an issue that upsets them, only to re- quest that their names not be used in any subsequent arti- cle that appears in the paper. In many cases, they are the principal party affected by the issue, and their reluctance to go “on the record” means their story will never see print. In a similar vein, anonymous letters arrive, sometimes with provocative claims or insights, but they cannot be pub- lished. This newspaper isn’t the only institution that dis- counts nameless accusations; many organizations share the belief that points of view shielded from scrutiny cannot be trusted : If the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pen- tagon do nothing else, we hope they remind citizens how im- portant it is that each and every one of us stands up for the values we hold dear. Freedom of speech is at the very top of the list of American rights, but like a muscle, it must be ex- ercised to remain healthy and strong. We don’t need to be strident or extreme in our statements — in fact, the wrong tone or approach can interfere with the message. But we must be. consistent about letting those in authority know where we stand, and why. Only if we do so can like-minded citizens band together to right the wrongs of society, or to find fresh new approaches to solving old preblems. Terrorists may be able to bring down our buildings and murder our countrymen, but they cannot take away the fun- damental rights that make America a beacon of freedom around the world. Only we can do that, and the process be- gins when we are easily intimidated into silence. Don’t let that happen. Publisher’s Notebook Speaking of bombs, how about the 73 of them Barry Bonds sent into the outfield stands this year? Just three years after Mark McGwire shattered the old Major League Baseball record for home runs in a season, Bonds topped Big Mac by three, despite also setting a single-season record for walks. Bonds was on a torrid pace almost from the start of the season, and played like a man obsessed with helping his team win down the stretch, even if it meant taking pitches that had the potential to add to his homer total. But that wasn't good enough for many observers — throughout the year the sports media was peppered with stories about how reclusive Bonds was, maybe even nasty; about his spe- cial locker room space, and about how much his teammates disliked him. The coverage makes one wonder how other im- portant figures in history might have been reported on to- day, when how we feel about someone seems to have be- come as important as what they do. Let's have a look. Gettysburg, Pa, Nov. 19, 1863 - President Lincoln deliv- ered an abbreviated but stirring speech today at the Gettys- burg battlefield, site of more than 50,000 casualties over the three-day clash that may prove the turning point of the war. But observers were distracted from Lincoln’s message by his gaunt appearance, which approximated a walking, talking cadaver. “He just doesn’t make a very good picture,” said Matthew Brady. Munich, Jan. 30, 1933 - Adolf Hitler took charge of the Weimar Republic this morning with a forceful speech em- phasizing the superiority of the Aryan race. “His views may be a little out of the mainstream,” reported Walter Winchell, “but, boy, can he connect with an audience!” Bern, April 25, 1905 - A frumpy patent office worker today announced his “special theory of relativity,” purporting to explain one of the great mysteries of science. Albert Ein- stein’'s announcement caught the scientific world by sur- prise and was greeted with immediate skepticism. “He'll be the next Aristotle,” another scientist, who asked to remain nameless, said. “It won't be long before a real researcher proves him wrong.” On the moon, July 20, 1969 - After a fractious flight in which his cabin mates complained bitterly about his unwill- ingness to share Tang, Neil Armstrong became the first hu- man being to walk on the surface of the moon. They groaned as he made the pretentious statement, “That’s one small step fof man, one giant step for mankind.” “He may be first to the moon,” said Walter Cronkite, “but he’s not at the top of anyone’s list to invite for a house par- ty.” Makes you wonder what history would have been like if Caesar had a better public relations aide. Q. Where do you find the most Back Mountain news and photos each week? A. Only in The Dallas Post The Dallas Post TIMESeLEADER unity Newspaper Group P.O. BOX 366, DALL A 18612 » 570-675-5211 Ronald Bartizek Heather B. Jones GENERAL MANAGER REPORTER Ruth Proietto PRODUCTION MANAGER Brenda McDonough * ADVERTISING ACCT. EXEC. Ron and Charlotte Bartizek PUBLISHERS EMERITUS Stephen Peterson PRESIDENT & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER 1-800-427-8649 Darlene Sorber OFFICE MANAGER caning t TE a ’ Lh rat | NY LLnL ive and kicking. Pho Still al Carol King Librarian's report - Martha Butler and Janet Bauman at- tended an LSTA grant meeting at the Osterhout Library in September. An LST grant was awarded to the Wilkes-Barre District Libraries. The grant will be used to provide and promote services for young adults aged 12-18 years. Martha also at- tended an all-day retreat for li- brary directors at the Kirby Episcopal House in Mountain- top. They discussed long-range ONLY YESTERDAY dp/vesterday ; 70 Years Ago - October 9, 1931 WALLS COMPLETED ON BANK BUILDING The construction of the new building for The first National Bank, at Dallas continues quickly. The exterior wills are completed. The next stage in the construction will be the applying of the Metal lath and plaster. Earl Monk will install the heat- ing system. Electrical work is being done by Paul Shaver. Many farmers in the vicinity of Noxen have leased their oil and gas rights of their farms to drilling companies. Among those who have leased their farms in the Noxen valley are Thomas Wright, Severn Traver, and Elmer Crispell. On investigation a number of farmers have found that the mineral, oil and gas rights to their farms were re- served many years ago when the farms were originally sold. At your local A&P store, some of the items you could get: 1 Ib. cheese, 19¢; 15 1b. peck of pota- toes, 19¢; 2 cans of corn, 19¢; pancake flour, large pkg., 31¢; 8 O'Clock coffee, 1 1b., 17¢; 2 bot. ginger ale, 29¢; Ivory Soap, 2 cakes, 23¢. 60 Years Ago - October 10, 1941 HUNTSVILLE CHURCH OBSERVES ITS NINETY-EIGHTH YEAR Huntsville Christian Church will observe another anniversary of its founding. The history of the church reaches far back into to by Jim Phillips. BMT Library to share in district grant plans for both the district and county and resolved several budget and state aid issues. Children's program - Mrs. Rudolph announces a special program in celebration of Chil- dren's Book Week, November 12-18. On Thursday, November ‘15, at 6:30 p.m., Mark Piazza will present a Reading Is Fun Magic Show, open to families and children. Further details will be given later -- mark your calendars for now! Book report - “Hanna's Daughters,” by Marianne Fredriksson, was discussed by the members of the Monday morning book discussion group at their September meeting. Its central characters are three generations of a Norwegian family: Hanna, who grew up in a farm setting, and her daugh- ter and granddaughter, who moved to urban settings and ways of life. There is a lot of soul-searching as Hanna's de- scendants try to understand her and each other and the traits which they see coming down through the generations. Our discussion was enhanced by the comments of our mem- BMT Library memorial books ber of Norwegian- Swedish de- @ scent, who gave us some inter- esting sidelights on Norwegian characteristics. Some in the group found the novel easy to read and interesting, but others in the group found the genealo- gy confusing and were luke- warm about the book as a whole. J Bach Mountain Memorial Library announces the addition of New Memorial Books In memory of Elva Ranier, “Dawn Powell: Novels 1930-1942” by Dawn Powell, presented by The class of 1942 Kingston Township High School. In memory of Nancy Kozemchak, “Dawn Powell 1944-1962" by Dawn Powell, presented by The Book Club Steering Committee. In memory of Aine McDowell Goeringer, “Barefoot Contessa Par- ties!” by Ina Garten, presented by Eileen McDowell. Y, In memory of Joseph Bonsignore, “Hughes” by Richard Hack, pre. @ sented by Ben and Debbie Maskalis. ; 3 pioneer days. In the year 1825, Huntsville was a small flourish- ing village. Rev. Mr. Frick,Chap- lain of 109th Field Artillery, has been pastor of the church for 23 years. : Officials of Dr. Henry M. Laing Fire Company expressed them- selves as highly pleased with the fire drills conducted at local schools. Chief Leslie Warhola, who is also State Fire Marshal, conducted the tests with the help of James Besecker. Bob Niemeyer, star forward on Dallas Borough High School's championship basketball team last season has obtained a posi- tion as Junior Inspector in the Glenn L. Martin Airplane plant in Baltimore, Md. 50 Years Ago - October 12, 1951 LT. CONYNGHAM WILL BE FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR 8 PINTS OF BLOOD Seriously wounded, Lt. Guthrie Conyngham, son of Mrs. W. H. Conyngham of Hill- side Farm is expected to arrive at a military hospital in the United States soon. Lt. Conyng- ham was hit by machine gun fire while leading a Marine pla- toon, against an enemy objective on a 2,700 foot hill in Korea. Ten teachers of Westmoreland High School have been appoint- ed to handle guidance problems of students from seventh to twelfth grades, according to a newly instituted guidance plan which seeks to help teenagers to adjust themselves to community life in school and later in broad- er fields as adults. Corporal Theodore E. London, . RFD 1 was recently awarded the Good Conduct Medal for exem- plary behavior, efficiency and fi- delity. He is currently perform- ing duty as mail clerk for the in- structors company of the Spe- cialist School at Camp Ewa Jima. 40 Years Ago - October 12, 1961 GROUND BROKEN FOR HIGH SCHOOL AT LAKE-LEHMAN Bulldozers a quarter mile away provided a fitting back- ground for ground-breaking cer- emonies at Lehman as construc- tion crews went methodically about their work while officials performed the traditional cere- mony of turning the sod. Break- ing the sod were Edward Ash- ford, president of the school board, and Edgar Darby, mem- ber of Lehman Authority Board. Raymon Hedden, general con- tractor, received the sod. Ed Buckley, local postal em- ployee, will be installed as Com- mander of Daddow-Isaacs Post, American Legion. Mr. Buckley has been a member of Dallas Le- gion for sixteen years, and served as president of the Home Association for a number of years. Inducted by Dallas Rotary, were four new members: Tom Hillyer, Petroleum Products dis- tribution: John Law, Petroleum production real estate; Tony Zachary, Cement distribution: John Thomas, Convalescent Homes. 30 Years Ago - October 14, 1971 UGI FILES FOR HIGHER RATES; FACES OPPOSITION UGI Corporation filed in- creased electric rates with the Pennsylvania Public = Utility Commission in Harrisburg, which would raise the bills over 50,000 customers in Luzerne and Wyoming Counties by an average of 20 percent. Speaking for the Back Mountain Protec- tive Association, Solicitor James Lenahan. Brown said he had sent a written request to PUC for forms on which to make offi- cial protests to the commis- sions. Walter Weir Sr., was named at a meeting of the Dallas Town- ship Board of Supervisors, to serve as a representative to Dal- las Area Municipal Authority. Mr. Weir replaced David Coyle, a former resident, who has re- signed. The Luzerne County Ambu- 4 lance Association at its last monthly meeting selected a committee for the review and possible revision of the County Ambulance Association Bylaws. Atty. William Degillio, president of the association, has named Robert Besecker, member of the Dallas Community Ambulance Association as chairman of the by-laws committee. 20 Years Ago - September 30, 1981 LJ] DALLAS TAX PAYMENTS STABLE SAYS REESE Although the amount of un- paid property tax cases has in- creased across Luzerne County in recent years, Dallas area tax delinquency cases have re- mained relatively stable. Dallas Borough tax collector, Tom ¢ Reese, said that the number of tax delinquent parcels referred to the Luzerne County Tax Claim Bureau, has varied by only 10, more or less, in recent years. Dallas High School Band un- der the direction of David C. Benn, participated in their sec- ond competition in the Tourna- ment of Bands at Hanover Memorial Stadium. The Moun- taineers received three awards- taking first place overall in mu- sic and general effect; first place overall in Marching and maneu- vering, and second place in Class II bands. Lake-Lehman High School walked away with six 1st place trophies in the 7th Annual Sound of Patriots Band Compe- '] tition at Harrisburg. The Lake- Lehman musicians took - first place in their class and out scored all bands in the competi- tion. i | } I i It | i | iq i 3 8 | h | i
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers