The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Thursday, February 7, 2002
Making good use of old
Westmoreland School
If Scott Ciravolo’s plans for the former Westmoreland
School building are fulfilled, it will be the second successful
rehabilitation of a large, abandoned building in the Back
Mountain in recent years. The first was the remarkable reno-
vation of the former Native Textiles building that is now Twin
Stacks Center, a thriving complex of businesses that re-
placed an empty, outdated shell in danger of becoming a
white elephant. Westmoreland could have faced that fate as
well, given its size, condition and location.
Some neighbors objected to granting a zoning variance for
professional offices in the old school, but that kind of use is
infinitely superior to a home for vermin and lure, to thrill-
seeking children. The restrictions that accompany the vari-
ance should assure a minimum of traffic and disruption,
while allowing an entrepreneur to turn a virtually worthless
property into something of value. If the former Trucksville
High School, which was converted into apartments several
years ago, is any example, there is great potential for im-
provement and little downside risk.
Only one other potential buyer expressed interest in the
old school, and the school district was not inclined to accept
the low bid offered. As a result, the building might have been
left standing vacant until it became a dangerous eyesore. In-
stead, there is now the chance that a vibrant workplace will
be added to the Back Mountain, but in an unobtrusive man-
ner. That is an important consideration; while our region is
enormously popular at the moment as a “bedroom” commu-
nity, that may not always be the case. Finding logical and
low-impact opportunities to create local jobs broadens the
tax base and may be an attraction as powerful as the scenic
beauty that has drawn many new residents.
Saving the Bay starts here
It's not obvious, but how we handle rain water runoff in
the Back Mountain affects the crab harvest in the Chesa-
peake Bay. We, like every other community in the Bay water-
shed, contribute a share of the pollution that has reduced
the productivity of shellfish and other creatures in the
world’s largest estuary, and we will have to participate in
crafting repairs.
Admittedly, ours is’ a small part when you consider the
sewage, chemicals and other contaminants flowing into the
streams and rivers that wind their way southward. But every
little bit hurts — or helps — depending on our actions. Be-
sides, conservation and environmental measures just make
plain common sense and save everyone money and hassle in
the long run. There is much to be said for seeking a harmo-
nious relationship with Mother Nature rather than trying to
bend her to our will. Local communities and the Common-
wealth should get our support for programs that encourage
wiser stewardship of the resources we have been given.
Publisher’s Notebook
Ron Bartizek
My son was surprised to find a whole lot more fans of the
New England Patriots when he went to school Monday morn-
ing. On Friday, he and one other oddball favored the Pats in
Super Bowl XXXVI, while all their classmates firmly grasped
on to the Rams’ band wagon. How quickly things can
change.
Sports isn’t the only arena in which popularity rules, and
neither is fashion. When the mob mentality takes over, some
strange things can happen. Just check out the bell bottoms
and Earth shoes in your closet. It wasn't too long ago that
the words “Enron” and “buy” seemed inextricably linked . .
until a few billion bucks were lost by zealous fans of the New
Economy. And wasn't Bill Clinton the toast of Washington
before a certain intern with a blue dress came on the scene?
Watch out George W, although a form 10-K may replace the
~ article of clothing as evidence.
Have you noticed the people most often found behind the
wheel of a sporty convertible? Time was, young people lusted
after brightly colored sports cars and older folks drove cushy
Cadillacs and Buicks. Not any more; perhaps it’s just that
“mature” adults have more money, but it seems an awful lot
of them are indulging youthful fantasies in racy coupes and
~soft-tops. And get ready for this — geezers (I'm not quite
~ there yet, thank you) cruising down the road with the Stones
blasting on the stereo. Make you want to cringe, doesn’t it?
Q: Where do you find the most
Back Mountain news 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
Ti
GENERAL MANAGER imothy J. Raub
REPORTER
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PRODUCTION MANAGER
Ron and Charlotte Bartizek
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What's on
the Horizon?
[Ben Geouse |
Poetry on a
winter's day
Note: Horizons are not only sci-
entific or political. They are often
philosophical or literary. Among
my father’s effects were several
unpublished poems written by a
neighbor many decades ago. 1
would like to share one of these
with you as a winter gift. It is be-
ing published here with the en-
thusiastic permission of the au-
thor. Alene N. Case, editor of this
column on behalf of the North
Branch Land Trust.
ONLY
YESTERDAY
70 Years Ago - February 5, 1932
VALLEY MOTOR CLUB
ANNOUNCES PLANS
Outlining its program for the
present year, Wyoming Valley
Motor Club announced this week
the following road building
schedule. The club has made
arrangements to have the road
paved from Outlet to Lakeview
Hotel at Harvey's Lake. The club
is also interested in having the
road widened from Dallas to Har-
veys Lake and in having concrete
road built from Dallas through to
Tunkhannock.
At American Stores Co., some
items you could buy: flour, 24-
Ib. bag, 54¢; baking powder, 1 Ib.
can, 15¢’ butter 2 lb., 59¢; bacon
1-2 1b., 10¢; beans can, 10¢; ap-
ple sauce can 10¢; peas 2 cans,
25¢; catsup 1 bot., 10¢; grape
‘juice 2 pt. bots, 25¢.
Ninth week of Rural League
games were witnessed by the
large crowds of the season at
Meridian Hall, Dallas and the
High School gymnasium at Le-
man. In the opening game at Dal-
las, Shavertown had little difficul-
ty in defeating Beaumont 52-34.
] It's sa \ very ¢ short road w we're traveling
| when 2 compet to a segment of time.
There's been many a cowboy riding
freely across her great plains.
Ben Geouge lives in Celo
Community in the mountains of
North Carolina. The members of
byE Ben Geouge
Mountain men have pied her great mountains,
and she still holds up through her rains.
She is still producing her crops
in spite of being old and sore.
She still gives timber for shelter,
and her waterfalls still roar.
Upon her crust there's mighty wonders
that we still don’t understand.
There's secrets buried within her — 3
we must listen to her demands. |
Let's pay tribute to her beauty oo |
and listen to her cries. | !
Help preserve her mighty wonders;
Oceans, mountains, valleys, rivers, and skies
Celo Community (generally 30 beautiful land in the South Toe
to 40 families) are stewards of River valley. It is one of a k-H
approximately 2000 acres of few “living” Land Trusts.
60 Years Ago - February 6, 1942
POST WILL GO FREE
TO SOLDIERS
The Post has completed
arrangements to send the Dallas
Post free of charge to every Back
Mountain boy who is now serving
in the Army or Navy.
Measles have struck Noxen in
the worst epidemic in a decade.
So many are ill that it may be
necessary to close the schools.
Many cases are severe.
More than 150 people of all de-
nominations attended the recep-
tion at the Shavertown Methodist
Church for Rev. and Mrs. Roswell
Lyons. They were well received by
the entire church.
50 Years Ago - February 8, 1952
TWO REPRESENT
WESTMORELAND IN
MODEL STATE LEGISLATURE
Westmoreland High School will
be the only Back Mountain
school represented in the State
Model Legislature to be held in
Harrisburg. Robert Hontz and
Richard Perry were elected State
Representative to the Legislature
at the recent Pre-Legislative as-
sembly held in Luzerne County
Court House. This program is
sponsored by the YMCA.
James Maza and Francis Am-
brose head the committee draw-
ing up plans for the projected
dental clinic at Dallas-Franklin
Township school. The PTA voted
an amount up to $750 for equip-
ment.
Pfc. John R. Ide, son of Mr. and
Mrs. Robert Ide, Lehman, was
awarded the Combat Infantry
Badge for excellent performance
of duty in combat with the 7th
Infantry Division.
40 Years Ago - February 8, 1962
BOY IS RESCUED BY
HELICOPTER
Landing on the ice near Culver
Island, George Howarth of New
Goss Manor was able to rescue a
ten year old boy. Paul Hughes,
son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert
Hughes, was playing with friends
on the shore of the Susquehan-
na, when he broke through some
melted ice.
James E. Hutchinson, Franklin
St., has purchased the Main
Street building formerly occupied
by Hislop’s Market from James F.
Besecker and will open a modern
hardware store there.
Members of Boy Scout troop
232, St. Therese’s . Church,
Shavertown had their annual
camp-out at the Back Mountain
Shopping Center. Members will
work for honor points by assist-
ing patrons at Acme and A & P
stores.
30 Years Ago - February 17, 1972
DALLAS BOARD CONSIDERS
REQUESTS FOR
CONFERENCES
Negative votes were cast by two
Dallas School board members on
permitting senior high school
coaching staff members to attend
football clinics. Board President
Milton Evans noted that atten-
dance at athletic conferences is
funded from monies received at
athletic events.
A petition from Dug Road Area
Taxpayers Association was pre-
Back Mountain library new books
The Back Mountain Memorial
Library, 96 Huntsville Road, Dal-
las, announces the addition of
the following books to their col-
lection.
FICTION
“The Oath” by John T. Le-
scroart; “The Execution” by Hugo
Wilcken; “A Darker Justice” by
Sallie Bissell; “The Day Trader”
by Stephen Frey; “Love Her Mad-
ly” by Mary-Ann Tirone Smith;
“The Dark Fields” by Alan Glynn;
“The Happy Pigs” by Lucy Hark-
ness
NONFICTION
“Best Bids, the insider's Guide
to Buying at Auction” by Dana
Micucci; “The Gilded Age and
Later Novels” by Mark Twain;
“Stories, Novels and Essays” by
Charles = Waddell = Chesnutt;
“Fodor’s Chicago”
MYSTERY
“The Clerk’s Tale” by Margaret
Frazer; “Cold Hunter's Moon” by
K.C. Greenlief; “Saintly Murders”
by C.L. Grace
LARGE PRINT FICTION
“Midnight Bayou” by Nora
Roberts; “Naked Came the
Phoenix” edited by Marcia Talley;
“Kate Hannigan's Girl” by
Catherine Cookson; “The Good
German” by Joseph Kanon;
“Murder on the Trans-Siberian
express” by Stuart M. Kaminsky;
“Critical Space” by Greg Rucka;
“Out of This World” by -J.D.
sented to Kingston Township
Board of Supervisors at its meet-
ing. The petition signed by some"
50 residents, voiced their request
to be included on the Dallas Area
Municipal Authority sewer sys-
tem. A number of residents from
the Dug Road area spoke on the
water pollution and the smell of
the present inadequate septic
system.
A new HELP center begins at
College Misericordia for college
kids. Volunteers from College
Misericordia and Wilkes-Barre
Campus have been trained! by
Mr. Arnold Garinger and several
of his associates.
20 Years Ago - February 10, 1982
NOXEN TANNERY TO
BE SCRAPPED
Redevelopment Authority | of
Wyoming County will hold a pre-
bid conference at which time
prospective bidders will hear of
demolition and site clearance of
the former Noxen Tannery at
Noxen. It was purchased by the
Wyoming County Redevelopment
Authority and plans call for the
erection of a low rent housing
complex for the area.
The Back Mountain Memorial
Library conducted a major cam-
paign on the subject, “How To?
Your Public Library-We have the
answers.” The State Library of
Pennsylvania is sponsoring the
campaign for the entire state.
Dallas Fire and Ambulance
Inc., compiled its annual fire and
ambulance reports for the year
1981, showing a decline in the
number of fire incidents but an
increase in the number of ambu-
lance calls.
Robb, Laurell K. Hamilton, Su-
san Krinard & Maggie Shayne
BOOKS ON CD
“The Best-Loved Poems of
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis”
YOUNG ADULT
“Black Mirror” by Nancy Wer-
lin; “Vincent Van Gogh: portrait
of an artist” by Jan Greenberg
and Sandra Jordan; “Razzle” by
Ellen Wittlinger.
LY
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