= teapuir— 4 The Post EDITORIAL Sunday, March 13, 2005 OUR OPINION Here's looking ahead to a busy election year rhaps it’s the Iraq effect. Whether the motivation is Priston with present policies or inspiration sprung loose while watching Iraqi citizens brave death threats to make their way to the polls, this looks to be a lively local election season. The candidate lineup in school board races is particularly intriguing, with several new faces — or ones we haven’t seen for a while — vying for spots in both the Dallas and Lake-Lehman school districts. That’s not surprising, given the tone and tenor of school board meetings in the last year. While Lake-Lehman has a long tradition of sparring between directors, teachers and the public, Dallas has usually been tame by comparison. Not now, and the result has been a spike in the level of dissent between the board, the public and administrators, including the top position of superintendent, which Gil Griffiths left as rumors swirled that his contract would not be renewed. On the municipal side, Kingston Township looks like the liveliest race, with newcomers Rosaria Shaver, Dave Brodhead, Alan Lord and Robert Wright in the race for super- visor. Both Shaver and Brodhead have faithfully attended meetings for more than a year, and have been willing to step up to the microphone to voice their opinion on a number of matters. As that most famous of contemporary felons would say, “This is a good thing,” when citizens get more involved in the workings of their government. While democracy in action can be messy and sometimes unpleasant, the results usually are better after issues have been debated and compromises have been struck. Here’s hoping that’s the case after the next elec- tion cycle. EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK By the time you receive this issue of The Post, the state wrestling championships will have concluded, so you will already know whether Lake-Lehman seniors Matt Dragon and Andy Josuweit successfully completed their missions to ‘win gold medals. From the standpoint of a fan who has admired their commitment and skill over the years, what color medal — if any — they brought home is not significant. What mat- ters is that both of them met high standards of behavior, scholarship and athleticism throughout their high school careers. There are plenty of other outstanding local student-athletes to recognize at this time of year. Caroline Byron will attempt to win yet more medals at the state meet this week, Alaric Eby will try to raise the bar on his div- RON ing performance at states, and all eyes are on BARTIZEK Tim Crossin and his Bishop O'Reilly team- mates as they seek to repeat as Class A state champions in basketball. The list could go on, and no matter how long I made it, someone would be inadvertently left out. I's But the individual names are less important than the common thread that links all these individuals and so many more — a well-rounded approach to life that allows them to excel in sports without blocking out activities that will be far more meaningful as they mature. This combination of attitude and aptitude is not exclusive to athletics. Last week at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, high school students took part in the Northeast Regional Science Olympiad, a competition that tests them in biology, earth sci- ence, chemistry, physics, problem solving and technology. One could argue — quite properly — that the knowledge and skill displayed there will have far more impact on the life of each participant, and on society in general, than any three- point basket or gold medal performance. And there are count- less other examples of young people pursuing excellence in a variety of interest areas. While they may not make headlines or win trophies, their dedication is equally meaningful as any- one else's. Students don’t reach these levels of achievement on their own. They feed on encouragement, training and direction from teachers, siblings, coaches and — most important — their parents. As a community, we are fortunate to see little of the sports craziness that ¢an mislead children down the path of high school stardom followed by a life of mediocrity where it counts. Hats off to our outstanding athletes and students, and to the people who have helped them realize success. ig Covering up with this blanket might not keep you warm. Photo by Charlotte Bartizek. LIBRARY NEWS Auction committee seeks volunteers chief Carol Sweeney of the auction commit- tee reports that Paul Nicholson, auction chairman, needs a vol- unteers chairperson to coordinate the volun- teers, and a bake sale library at 675-1182 if you'd like to serve in one of these important posts. Again this year, the committee: makes a serious plea to auction- goers to leave their dogs at home when attending the auction. Last year the request was honored for a short while, and then one dog appeared and others fol- lowed. The auction is a crowded scene, and the loud barking made it difficult to understand the auctioneer — very impor- tant at an auction! There were other prob- lems as well. Thank you in advance for complying with this request. o00 Anyone interested in participating in a book discussion group forming in April is invited to contact the library. An organiza- tional meeting will be held beforehand. LN NH J Marilyn Blessing, of Wilkes-Barre (left), and her friend Jeanne Johns, of Lehman have put on display in the library a fasci- CAROL KING coordinator. Call the nating display of traditional Welsh objects. The ladies are both of Welsh extraction. Most of Marilyn’s treasures were bought rather than inherited: her grandmother came to this country with five children and only a small trunk — no room for any- thing but the necessities. The symbols of Wales — the red drag- on, daffodil, and leek — adorn many of the objects on display. There are a number of dolls dressed in the distinctive Welsh fashion. The notes include the stories of the Welsh lovespoons, with carved exam- ples, and of the most famous picture in Wales, “Salem,” which illustrates the sin of pride. Everyone knows of the difficulties in pronouncing words written in the Welsh’ language. Jeanne has on display a sign on which the word claimed to be the longest in the world (58 letters) is displayed, along with the literal translation and what it stands for. o00 “Dancer,” by Colum McCann, was the subject at the recent meeting of the bo discussion group. While the author lab the book a novel because he changed names and locations to protect the privacy of living people, and also combined several people into one, the book is largely biogra- phical. The descriptions of Rudolf Nureyev’s early life in Russia, and his rise to fame after he escaped his small town, are fascinating. The contrast between career and personal life is well described by a reviewer from “Newsday”: “McCann’s fluid lyricism brilliantly conveys Nureyev’s tow- ering professional achievement and the wasteland of his personal life”. o00 The library will close at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 24, and will be closed all day on Good Friday, March 25. Letters, columns and editorials Editorials, which are the opinion of the management of The Post, appear on the editorial page and are written by the editor unless otherwise indicated. Any artwork represents the opinion of the cartoonist, and columns are the opinion of the author. Letters to the editor are welcome and will be published, subject to the following guidelines: ® Letters must be signed and include the writer's home town and a telephone number for verification. * Names will be withheld only if there exists a clear threat to the writer. ¢ The Post retains the right to accept or reject any letter, and to edit letters for grammar and spelling, as well as to eliminate any libel, slander or objectionable wording. Letters can be sent many ways: By e-mail to: thepost@leader.net By mail to: The Post, 15 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre PA 18711. By using the drop box located in the Uni-Mart convenience store on Route 309 in Dallas, across from the Dallas Shopping Center. Always include a daytime phone number for verification. Tie POST TIMES*LEADER Community Newspaper Group 15 N. MAIN ST., WILKES-BARRE PA 18711 « 570-675-5211 thepost@leader.net Patrick McHugh Ronald Bartizek PUBLISHER EDITOR Erika Calvert ADVERTISING Pat O'Donnell PREPRESS MANAGER \ \ 70 Years Ago Mar. 15, 1935 PROMINENT LOCALS IN CAST OF COMEDY The cast for “Aren’t We All,” the comedy to be presented by Dr. Henry M. Laing Fire Company wWiiais announced this week by Arlene Rood, who ONLY is" directing YESTERDAY He produc tion. The cast includes Malcom Thompson, Ralph H. Rood, Clyde N. Lapp, Margaret Thomas, Fred Eck, Lettie Lee, Carl Hontz, John Yaple, Zigmund Harmond, Ethel Oliver and Arthur Newman. You could get: chuck pot roast for 22 cents a pound; legs of veal for 21 cents a pound; ground beef and pork, two pounds for 37 cents. 60 Years Ago Mar. 16, 1945 STREDNY BOYS MEET IN ITALY , Two Dallas Township broth- ers, Sgt. Joseph and Pfc. Nicholas Stredny, sons of Mr. and Mrs. John Stredny met for the first time in 19 months a few days ago in Italy. The Purple Heart awarded to her husband who was wounded on December 17 in the battle of Bastogne has been received by Mrs. John © Chapple of Shavertown. Pvt. Chapple was hospitalized in France but is now out of the hospital and back with his company some- where in France. The funeral of Henry M. Franke, retired inspector of the 1S. Naval Ordinance Department in Washington, who died Wednesday afternoon at his home in Holcombs Grove following an illness since Thanksgiving Day, was held Saturday afternoon. 50 Years Ago Mar. 11, 1955 PATRONS MISS MEETING PLACE Irvin LaBarr, Mooretown, is undecided to rebuild his diner after the disastrous fire of last Wednesday morning, or go out of business. Despite pressure from local patrons, Mr. LaBarr says that he and his wife are in their early seventies, and it seems like a big undertaking to start out again. Wilson Cease, son of Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Cease, Jackson Township, is home on a thirty day leave after his second tour of duty in Korea. Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup, 2 160z cans/45 cents; 1 year sub- scription to “Redbook” maga- zine, $5.25; a new sofa, $139; veal roast, 49 cents/pound 40 Years Ago Mar: 11, 1965 BUCKET BRIGADE SNUFFS HOUSE FIRE Fire at a Centermoreland home Tuesday afternoon was quickly averted by help from neighbors with buckets and an extinguisher, damage being confined to part of the living room floor and a corner of the home. Among the first to the scene to help: Bob Williams, Dave Stage, Don Clark, George Matusavige, Frank Smith, Al Kuzma, Bill Boyes and others. Today, marks the official opening of Gavy’s Market, Memorial Highway, Shavertown. Ambrose Gavigan, better known as “Gavy,” started a grocery business in this area in 1948. Mrs. Janet K. Smith, Dallas, was appointed to the position of Kindergarten Coordinator and the Reading Program in grades one and two throughout Dallas School District at a meeting of the Board of Directors Tuesday evening. 30 Years Ago Mar. 13, 1975 CHASE ESCAPEE NO LONGER BELIEVED IN AREA Authorities believe Larry Richard Miller, a Chase correc- tional institute inmate who -.escaped Sunday morning after reportedly assaulting a guard, is no longer in the Dallas area. Tom Figmik, administrative assistant to the Glenn Jeffes, Chase superintendent, stated Tuesday morning, “There have been no clues, calls, or word indicating Miller is still in the area. Members of the Dallas Fire and Ambulance Inc. have elect- ed officers for the year 1975. Elected were president, Robert Richardson; vice president, Timothy Carroll; secretary, Lynn Sheehan; and treasurer, Paul Labar. Three students from Dallas Senior High School were select- ed to participate in Region 2 State Band held in Easton High School. The students were Robert Baird, Trucksville; Philip Miller, Dallas; and John Kraynak, Trucksville. 20 Years Ago Mar. 13, 1985 MARY TAYLOR OPENS FOURTH SALON Ten years ago, Mary Taylor opened her first beauty salon on Lake Street, Dallas — small shop but one in which s offered full professional service with personal attention. Two years later, Mary opened her hair and skin care center on. Carverton Road, Trucksville, and in 1980, the full service salon in Kingston. Last month, Mary opened a fourth hair and skin care center in Wilkes Barre. Fred M. Templin of 24 Southside Ave. in Dallas, has been appointed the new Curriculum Supervisor for the Dallas School District. Effective April 1, the West Side Landfill Authority will be raising its hauling rates $1.50 per cubic yard. The hike is the first major one in the last three years and will raise dumping rates another $3.50 per ton. Post drop box in Dallas The building that housed The Post until October has been sold, and the drop off box there has been closed. A box at the Uni-Mart in Dallas, across from the Dallas Shopping Center, remains open. "4 News items, photos and other correspondence can be deposit there at any time. Please do not place cash or checks in the box.™ . To assure that items reach us in time for publication, deposit items before 8 a.m. Wednesdays.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers