The Post EDITORIAL Sunday, June 19, 2005 @®@UR OPINION Vulnerable water supplies need attention rhaps because it appears so abundant in this region, we tend to take water for granted. We see it flowing : in streams and rivers, marvel at reflections off the sur- face of ponds, and curse when rain falls from the sky as we're about to fire up the grill. But looks can be deceiving, and in this case even dangerous. When it comes to household water, the Back Mountain depends almost entirely on supplies drawn from wells drilled ‘deep into our rocky underpinnings. Nearly all the water from two reservoirs that are sited here — in Huntsville and at Ceasetown — is piped down to serve homes and businesses in the Wyoming Valley. This arrangement leaves us vulnerable to shortages when usage goes up, the water table goes down, or both. Every few summers, conditions lead to either sug- gested or mandated restrictions on water use, and the rapid pace of development makes it likely we will see more frequent occurrences in the years ahead. To their credit, the largest local water companies are taking eps to protect service. United Water Pennsylvania has drilled a new well in Dallas that is nearly ready for use. Aqua Pennsylvania, which took over the former National Utilities systems, has plans to construct a tower in Trucksville that will provide reserve supplies and more pressure. These are admirable — and expensive — steps that will help meet demand, as long as the underground aquifers keep flowing. But what if they don’t? Ironically, an unintended consequence of civic improve- ments has reduced the supply of water. Municipal sanitary sewers, installed over the last 40 years to protect against, carry millions of gallons a day to a processing plant in the val- ley. Without sewers, much of that water would gradually seep down into the aquifer, being filtered by the soil during its journey. This is not an argument for doing away with public sewers; they do far more good than harm. But it is an illustration of the need to think carefully about how much and what kind of development the natural systems in the Back Mountain can support. That is a responsibility shared by all residents and all towns, because water and other amenities do not respect municipal boundaries. For example, there has been mention of constructing a new reservoir to create more supply for the Back Mountain. If that were to happen, it would be situated in only one or two towns, but its water would serve a wider ea. Without regional cooperation, the host communities hight be deprived of potential property tax revenue while driving growth in other towns. Given that possibility, could such a project ever succeed? MOMENTS IN TIME The History Channel ® On June 21, 1916, the controversial U.S. military expedition against Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa brings the United ‘States and Mexico closer to war when Mexican-government troops attack U.S. General John J. Pershing’s force at Carrizal, Mexico. ® On June 24, 1928, the rocket-powered Opel RAK 3 debuted on a section of railroad track near Hanover, Germany, recording a rail- speed record of 157 mph on its first run. As the result of a rather odd experiment, the rocket car carried a caged cat as its driver. a ® On June 22, 1937, in Chicago’s Comiskey Park, Joe Louis wins @®. world heavyweight boxing title when he defeats Jim Braddock in an eighth-round knockout. During his subsequent reign, the longest in the history of the heavyweight division, Louis success- fully defended his title 25 times, scoring 21 knockouts. ® On June 25, 1950, armed forces from communist North Korea smash into South Korea, setting off the Korean War. The United States, acting under the auspices of the United Nations, quickly sprang to the defense of South Korea and fought a bloody and frus- trating war for the next three years. ® On June 20, 1963, to lessen the threat of an accidental nuclear war, the United States and the Soviet Union agree to establish a “hot line” communication system between the two nations. The agreement was a small step in reducing tensions between the U.S. and the USSR following the October 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. ® On June 23, 1984, four years after he was shot and killed by a deranged fan, an auction of the late John Lennon’s possessions raises $430,000. A guitar he played during his years with the Beatles sold for $19,000. ¢ On June 26, 1998, “Gone With the Wind,” now digitally restored and with the sound remastered, is re-released by New Line Pictures,. When it debuted in 1939, the film was one of the most profitable movies ever and won nine Oscars. (c) 2005 King Features Synd., Inc. “Angel May" Harveys Lake knows what to do when the weather gets hot Photo by Charlotte Bartizek. LIBRARY NEWS You can help the auction come alive in ‘05 Library Director Martha Butler puts out another call for volunteers to help on Sunday, Monday a.nd Tuesday, July 3, 4 i and 5, to set up for the CAROL auction. KING The appeal is made for adults and stu- dents 12 and over who want to give community service. The hours are 12 noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Refreshments will be served. Bring a friend and spend a couple of hours (or all day) and have fun while help- ing to get ready for the big event. Call the library at 675- 1182 to sign up. You are need- ed! (NN J What would the auction be like without a raffle? This year’s first prize is a 40,000 BTU Char Broil Gas Grill & Rotisserie, and the second prize is a Boscov $100 travel certificate. Tickets are $2 each or six for $10, and are available at the library. (NN J Karen Attanasio, Chairman of the “Bid-Time” events for the auction, has posted a flyer at the library describing all the shows scheduled for inside the library during the auction. They add up to great entertain- ment for children and adults alike. On Friday, July 8, at 7 p.m., Ronald McDonald will spread fun, magic and laughter. At 8 p.m. Penn State Master Gardener Daisha Ellis will tell us why we need bugs and let us see and touch some of nature’s most interesting insects. On Saturday, July 9, at 7 p.m., Bravo the Great, from Scranton’s World-Famous Houdini Museum, will present his Magic Zoo, with live ani- mals, for an evening of unfor- gettable magic. At 8 p.m. Mark Piazza presents his one-of-a- kind magic show, where the audience will be part of the show. Creature Feature is the title of Sunday evening’s shows. At 7 p.m. naturalists from the Carbon County Environmental Education Center will give a close-up of live owls, a hawk, and maybe even a falcon. At 8 p.m. Chief Naturalist Susan Gallagher will show a live bat and talk about the many common myths surrounding one of “nature’s most misunderstood creatures!” LEN J There will be a drawing on Sunday night for Wildlife Gift Baskets. Come into the library then and bring any item from Carbon County Environmental Center’s Wildlife Wish List. Call or stop by the library to see the list of animal foods and equipment. 70 Years Ago June 21, 1935 LAKE TOWNSHIP LEADS IN RETAILERS Lake Township has the great- est number of retail outlets in this section and Dallas Borough @citers are welcome Letters to the editor are welcome and will be published, subject to the following guidelines: ® Letters should not exceed 500 words. e Letters must be signed and include the writer's home town and a daytime telephone number for verification. e Names will be withheld only if there exists a clear and verifi- able threat to the writer. 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. Tie POST TIMESeLEADER Community Newspaper Group 15 N. MAIN ST., WILKES-BARRE PA 18711 « 570-675-5211 thepost@Ileader.net Ronald Bartizek Patrick McHugh EDITOR has the fewest, according to the lists published by Evan J. ONLY Williams, YESTERDAY Ste mer chantile appraiser for Luzerne County. The Lake list, however, includes many small stores and stands which are open only dur- ing the summer season. Dick Oliver, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Oliver, will sing a group of songs and Rhoda Eddinger of Shavertown will play a saxaphone solo during a piano recital at the Dallas Borough High School auditori- um by the pupils of Miss Lillian Rood of Dallas. Oliver's Garage in Dallas advertised Firestone High Speed Type tires for as little as $7.75 each in the 4.50-21 size. Batteries were as low as $5.55. 60 Years Ago June 22, 1945 TOPLESS POTATOES ARE A SURPRISE Merle Shaver, who has had a pretty successful year, political ly and otherwise, is the first amateur farmer to report that he is growing potatoes without tops. Merle planted five rows of potatoes about six weeks ago. When only one row came above the ground, he was sure the rest had rotted and prepared to dig them up and replant. When his wife started to dig up the old hills, to her amazement, she found dozens of new potatoes measuring 2 1/2 to 3 inches in length. Mrs. Walter Chamberlain has been appointed chairman of the Wast Paper Drive which will be sponsored by the Lehman Parent Teacher Association throughout the summer. Our government is still faced with a serious shortage of paper and urges housewives to continue to salvage every available piece. Mr. and Mrs. Claude Sorber received work from their sons, Hiram and James that they are in Germany and hope to meet before being sent elsewhere. 50 Years Ago June 17, 1955 DONNA BOLEN WINS ON WBRE Donna Bolen, 11, a winner in the Roy Rogers Contest on WBRE was presented with a complete Dale Evans outfit over the W-Bar-E-Ranch pro- gram Monday night. Donna, about to enter junior high school at Lehman-Jackson- Ross, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Bolen, Lehman. After thirty years of riding street cars and busses daily from Dallas to his work at Coxton Yard, Daniel Waters can no longer make connections that will get him to his job less than two and a half to three hours late. He has, therefore, decided to buy his first automo- bile. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Brin of Loyalville, celebrated their fifti- eth wedding anniversary at a family dinner on June 12. Mr. and Mrs. Brin have eleven liv- ing children, 20 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. 40 Years Ago June 17, 1965 NO NEWMAN DOLLS AT AUCTION Due to illness of both Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Newman, Mrs. Newman regretfully announces that there will be no antique doll, no quilt and no chances for these things at the Library Auction. She finds it necessary to conserve her strength, as it is difficult for her to get about. Four local young people who had never before taken part in a sports car rally won first place in their division of the largest one of its kind ever held. Charlyn Oatridge, Trucksville; Eva Sue Szela, Kunkle; Bradley Earl, Mount Zion, and Brent Smith, Dallas, in a red Mustang suspiciously numbered Car 54, won first place among the 140 cars which left from near Blakesley Corners Saturday morning for a 150 mile drive to the Concord Hotel, near Monticello, N.Y. The name of Goss has been interwoven for years with the history of the Back Mountain. The old Goss school building, with its historic bell, stood at the head of Church Street for generations before it was razed. Another of the Goss family now makes history with her death. Mrs. Sarah Goss, 85, and full of years, died Friday night at Nanticoke Hospital, where she had been a patient for the past four months. 30 Years Ago June 19, 1975 BIG COYOTE DOWNED IN CARVERTON A 45-pound coyote that was harassing the Holstein herd of Mr. and Mrs. Willaim Murray Sr., Carverton, was brought down last Thursday on the farm by Martin Murray, 20-year-old son of the Murrays. When state lab technicians are finished ana- lyzing the carcass, it will be mounted and displayed at Frances Slocum State Park. The congregation of East Dallas Methodist Church raised more than $1,400 toward the purchase of a new organ at a special meeting following last Sunday’s worship service. The new organ is on display. Donna Roberts won two games on the mound for the Trucksville Dodgers softball team. After taking a 94 win over the Dallas Cubs, the Dodgers beat the Lehman Braves, 81, with Roberts fan- ning 17 batters. 20 Years Ago June 12, 1985 DALLAS COACH LINE PAYS A VISIT Ernest Line, who began a tenure as a teacher and football and basketball coach at Dallas Borough High School in 1936, was warmly received during a brief visit from his present home in Alaska. Gathering to reminisce were members of the 1937 team that won the Back Mountain League champi- onship; Gerald Sullivan, Robert Fleming, Ray Kuderka, Alvah Jones, Loren Fisk, William Mann, Robert Hull, Philip Templin, Warren Culp, Frederic Drake, Odell Henson, Clyde Veitch and Robert Gould. After enduring two months of complaints, John and Lena Baur resumed operation of Treat Drive-In in the Fernbrook Plaza. The Baurs had leased the business to new management during April and May, and changes were not well-received. PUBLISHER Erika Calvert ADVERTISING Pat O'Donnell PREPRESS MANAGER @ 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. News items, photos and other correspondence can be deposited 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. SEAS TM co Sen, a TA A. WA. a ——————— th A. a am Se. A eh i aatn S— A. —— a A
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers