L Vol. 115 No. 31 The Back Mountain's Newspaper Since 1889 August 1 to August 7, 2004 Jr. sectional titles. boys and girls win POST . Le Heffernan and Helen Hagenbaugh, both from Lehman, had great fun applying the Japanese art of Gyotaku to t-shirts at Frances Slocum State Park. The July 24 session was one of many activities of- red at the park for children and adults. Check the calendar on page 12 for each week's listings. More pho- 0S on page _. OING ON SOMETHIN’ FISHY G a FOR THE POST/CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK Kingston Twp. could be hurt by change in county tax collection Now, Luzerne County pays $3.50 per bill to the township, but a proposal would move collection to the Courthouse. By RONALD BARTIZEK Post Staff KINGSTON TWP. — Luzerne County is poised to make a change in tax collection procedures that could deal a blow to the township’s financial recovery. Responding to a request from the county commission- ers for money-saving ideas, Deputy Treasurer Dominick DePolo suggested that the county take over collection of county property taxes, a task that is now performed by each municipality’s tax collector. The county pays varying amounts for collection. Kingston Township receives $3.50 per tax bill, and DePo- lo projects a savings of $12,047 based on 3,442 taxable properties. Since the county already handles the cost of postage and mailing, “There’s no expense for the coun- ty,” he said. Spinners dine and ride for MS research By SANDY PEOPLES Post Correspondent An ironic twist of fate has spurred even greater dedication to fight multiple sclerosis in a group of local volunteers. Last year, Stephanie Baloh want- ed to join her brother Tom's 13- year effort to raise money to help yht MS. “Our group of five spin- rs trained for six months,” Baloh said. “Shortly before the 162 mile, two-day bike race sponsored by the MS chapter in Philadelphia, my ight side became numb. I thought I. had had a stroke, but I was shocked to find out that I had MS.” ‘ Fortunately, she had a single IF YOU GO MS City to Shore benefit Thursday, August 5 Leary's Cork and Keg Division St., Kingston. Entertainment throughout the night; Jared Campbell, 6-7 p.m.; Big Daddy Dex, 7:30-9:30; Crush from 10 p.m. on. Minimum donation of $6 at the door goes directly to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. For information or to make a do- nation, call 574-0464. episode and a complete recovery of all affected functions. “Last year I was able to complete only half of the race, but this year my goal is to cross the finish line on September 19,” Baloh said. The Back Mountain group of five Royal Spinners raised more than $4,500 and the 100 member NE chapter raised more than $36,000 last year. MS has affected more than 400,000 young Americans between the ages of 20 and 40. It is a chron- ic and progressive disease that af- fects the nervous system. The on- set can be dramatic or slow, but there are promising treatments that can help patients lead full and productive lives. : “This is why we ride,” said Baloh. To get a head start this year, the new group of seven, Team Elec- tronic Ink - Royal Spinners Cycling See BENEFIT, pg 2 But county savings would reduce township revenue. Kingston Township is paying $17,590 in 2004 for its part- time tax collector, and the lost county revenue equates See TAX COLLECTION, pg 2 OR THE POST/SANDY PEOPLES Back Mountain spinners recently met to make some final plans for the 162-mile race against MS. From left, seated: Colleen Martinez, Mark Baloh, Stephanie Baloh, Tom Duffy. Standing: Kerry Landon, Pam Oliveira, Bob Minnick. V Inside The Post Local stars shine at the Music Box Page 12 Family hosts Irish teens in program that builds - goodwill Page 3 12 Pages, 1 Section Calendar... ved 12 Church ......... 4%, 1 CPOSSWOrC ... . ives. 8 EORORAIS vc. vviviv iin = 2 5 4 Obituaries .....:.... 5 SCHOOL cs cc ne cse nis 10 SHOPS: . vis shi Apia a 7-8 How To Reach Us News: 675-5211 thepost@leader.net 15 N. Main St. | Wilkes-Barre PA 18711 & Advertising: 970-7102 Subscriptions and Delivery: 829-5000 grows around them. Couple painstakingly renovates the Bottoms House, while the borough By CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK Post Correspondent Their old house preserves a bit of history vation project. the Dallas Borough building. enjoy it. DALLAS — It’s not an experience for everyone, say Pat and Paul Paci — living in their home along King Street in Dallas, surrounded by a 10-year reno- “Actually, the corner of this property is in the middle of King Street,” corrects Paul Paci, an assis- tant surveyor, and a homeowner whose construc- tion project has become a way of life. The 1 1/2 story white cottage-style home is no- table both for its location and its continued exis- tence. It sits at the lower end of King Street, behind The surroundings have changed in the 100 or so years since the modest home was built. “There used to be a creek that ran down King Street with a stone bridge behind the borough building,” says Bob Besecker, a lifetime resident of Dallas and real- tor whose office is on Main Street. While new construction and rearrangements have gone on all around, the house has stood its ground. It now looks over the parking lots of Citi- zens Bank, Fino’s Pharmacy, and the former rectory for Gate of Heaven Church, which is being convert- ed into a branch of the Snowdon Funeral Home. Pat (Hann) Paci says the couple bought the house so they could be close to her family, who live on Parrish and Davenport streets. They don’t mind the sometimes busy location, which keeps them well-connected to all town activities. They rather “I get all my lawnmowers from the town collec- tion,” says Paul Paci. Last year they donated the use of their front yard as a petting zoo for the Dal- las Harvest Festival and will do so again this year. They loved the young children and small animals in their yard. See OLD HOUSE, pg 2 FOR THE POST/CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK Paul and Pat Paci pose under an archway inside their King Street house. Little by little, the couple is renovating the cen- tury-old home, once known as the Bottoms House. The arch is likely not an original feature. Festival, now Dallas Days, will expand More days, more food and music are on the list of activities. By M.B. GILLIGAN Post Correspondent DALLAS — Building on the success of last year’s first event, the Dallas Harvest Festival will be bigger, longer, and will have a new name this fall. “We've expanded the festival for this year and are calling it ‘Dallas Days’,” said Rich Fufaro, commit- tee chairman. Dallas Days will be held on Fri- day, Saturday and Sunday, Sep- tember 17-19. The second annual Harvest Festival itself will be from 1-6 p.m. that Sunday on Main Street. “We're going to have even more food and vendors at this year’s event,” said Fufaro. “There will also be free entertainment.” In addition, the committee is planning several other exciting events over the weekend. “Word Horde” will be held Friday evening at the Back Mountain Memorial Library. “It’s going to be an open mic night for reading poetry and prose,” said Fufaro. “They will also have music.” A dance will be held at Irem See FESTIVAL, pg 2
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