Vol. 118 No. 01 January 7 - January 13, 2007 *The THE BACK MOUNTAIN'S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1889 DATTAS POST. SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF THE DALLAS AND LAKE-LEHMAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS PHOTOS COURTESY PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDY Lake-Lehman student Leslie Everett dishes at some @ German food during the Internation- By DAVE KONOPKI Dallas Post Editor LEHMAN TWP. —It began as a small, quiet din- ner at the home of teacher Jean Lipski. Now, it’s one of the favorite — and most well-at- tended — events of the year at Lake-Lehman High School. Sophomores in teacher Sandy Weyman’s Hu- manities II class recently held the school’s 19th an- nual International Dinner, which was attended by several hundred people. More than 40 students were divided into groups, with each given a coun- try to represent. The students study the culture of the country and are responsible for making tradi- tional cuisine. “In the beginning, it was a small madrigal din- ner held in Jean Lipski’s home,” Weyman said. “But it kept growing and growing. I think the stu- dents enjoy learning about new cultures, especial- ly at the holiday time.” In addition to making the ethnic food, students had to dress in traditional costumes from their re- spective countries, decorate a table with items commonly found in the country, and perform a skit highlighting the traditions of the county, said Weyman. The school district reimburses money spent on food, but the students were responsible for their own costumes and decorations. This year, 11 countries were represented at the event. “The students like to see what the others are do- ing,” Weyman said. “I think they try to outdo each other. We got a great response from the communi- International flavor Representing Spain at the International Dinner at Lake-Lehman High School, from left, are Tom Herrick, James Morrisey and John Sweeney. ty and a lot of past teachers and administrators were there.” Sophomore Will Wilson was part of a group that studied India. The students made lot of spicy food, including hamburgers, chicken, Indian mashed potatoes and soup with yogurt. “We enjoyed working on the project,” said Wil- son, who was assisted by classmates Leanne Grabski, Andrea Butchko and John Maciejczak. See FLAVOR, Page 3 Lake-Lehman students, from left, Amanda Waligun, Sarah Seashock and Callie Root were a hit in their kimonos. a ¥ Inside The Post Church Only Ye Puzzles 10 Pages, 1 Section sterday................ 4 and De v How To Reach Us News: 829-7248 news@mydallaspost 15 N. Main St. Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18711 dvertising: 829-7101 Subscriptions com livery: 829-5000 TIMES LEADER STAFF PHOTO/S. JOHN WILKIN Baker, Boback | take oath of office The Back Mountain was well-represented during a swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol Building in Harrisburg last week. Lehman Township Lisa Baker, left, took the oath of office as the state Senator from the 20th District. The Republican was elected to fill the spot left vacant by the re- tirement of longtime state Senator Charles Lemmond of Dallas. Harveys Lake resident Karen Boback took the oath of office as a state Represen- tative from the 17th District. The Republican became one of 50 new representatives to join the 203-member State House. Boback is a former Tunkhannock School District teacher and College Miser- icordia professor. Providing care to the less fortunate TIMES LEADER STAFF PHOTO/CLARK VAN ORDEN For two decades, Dr. Gary Nataupsky of Shaver- town has provided free dental care to individu- als who could not afford proper care. From left are Nataupsky and dental assistant Cheryl Karpinski. A reason to smile By GENELLE HOBAN Post Correspondent SHAVERTOWN - As an immigrant from Uk- raine, Natalya Petryshak was a stranger to modern dentistry until she became a patient of Back Moun- tain resident Dr. Gary Nataupsky. Nataupsky gave her more than $500 of free den- tal care at his Kingston office. “I had problem, but now thanks to a very good man I have no pain,” Petryshak, 27, of Nanticoke, said. “I feel good and I am happy.” Petryshak is not the only Wyoming Valley resi- dent smiling because of the charitable hands of Na- taupsky. For the past 20 years, he has done free dental work on approximately 15 individuals who would otherwise be unable to afford appropriate dental care. “It all started with Russian immigrants that came here and were referred through Jewish Fam- ily Service,” Nataupsky, 54, said. “They called me as well as lots of other dentists in the area. I was quick to say yes because it’s a way to give back to the community.” The patients of Nataupsky, a resident of Shaver- town, are referred to him through various social service agencies. John Serafin was referred through a volunteer dental program called Donated Dental Services or- ganized by the National Foundation of Dentistry. Serafin, disabled by a stroke, heart disease and blindness, is back to normal dental health thanks to Nataupsky. “I really changed his ability to chew and smile,” Nataupsky said. “These people come in and they can’t chew, can’t smile and have no self-esteem. I reverse this and give them an overall better quality of life.” A 1979 graduate of the University of Pennsylva- nia School of Dental Medicine, Nataupsky has been practicing dentistry in the Wyoming Valley for about 27 years. The Boston native said the act of volunteering his medical services and expertise comes from his strong Jewish faith. “It is a value in Jewish religion to help others,” he said. ““Tzeduka’ is the Hebrew word for char- itable giving and it’s one of the ways I keep in touch with my Jewish background.” Jeff Davidowitz, a patient of Nataupsky for 23 years, contacted Nataupsky about six months ago and told him he knew a child in need of dental care. “I'm on the advisory board at Bais Menachem, a youth development program in Wilkes-Barre, and we had an approximately 17-year-old boy who had terrible toothaches and needed help,” Davidowitz said. “Gary told me to send him in and he would take a look at him. A couple of visits later, the teen- ager was like a new man.” Davidowitz said he thinks it’s wonderful that Nataupsky takes time out of his practice to provide quality dental care to those in need. Aside from providing the dental services, Na- taupsky is also involved in various organizations like Temple B’nai B'rith, Wyoming Seminary and the Jewish Community Center. In response to his giving, Nataupsky has re- ceived countless letters, e-mails and personal thanks from his patients. “The patients are so grateful,” he said. “When they are all finished they are ecstatic.” After treating a patient, Nataupsky said he feels very fulfilled and rewarded. “I like when I can change something for some- one,” he said.
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