Vol. 118 No. 06 THE BACK MOUNTAIN'S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1889 February 11 - February 17, 2007 *The DALLAS POST. SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF THE DALLAS AND LAKE-LEHMAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS By DAVE KONOPKI Dallas Post Editor DALLAS TWP. — The names on the Wall of Hope inside the Dallas High ool gymnasium read like a “Who's vho in the Dallas School District.” They are the names of cancer victims. And cancer survivors. There are names of teachers. Graduates. Family members of students. District employees. There are stories behind each of the names, written on an honor card in sup- port of the Coaches Vs. Cancer program. And no one knows that better than Dal- las trainer Tom Connors, whose 73-year- old father is a survivor of prostrate can- cer. “When you look at all of those names, it hits home. It really does,” said Con- nors, who organized a program that raised more than $600 for Coaches Ver- sus Cancer in a one-week period. “You can talk to just about anyone and you’ll find that cancer has affected the lives of someone in their family. “Cancer hits home to everybody.” Coaches vs. Cancer is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Associ- ation of Basketball Coaches. The pro- gram increases cancer awareness and promotes healthy living through year- round awareness efforts, fundraising ac- tivities, and advocacy programs. A few weeks ago, Dallas athletic direc- tor Jack Wolensky received a letter from the organization asking if the district wanted to participate. He asked Connors to lead the way. The result: more than 400 honor cards sold at $1 each and 200 Coaches Vs. Cancer wristbands sold for $2 apiece. “Jack asked me if I wanted to run with it and I did,” Connors said. “The people at Dallas, especially the sporting com- munity, are always great at helping caus- es. I thought it would be great to imple- ment a program that helps local families. The money we raised is going to cancer research and to improve the quality of lives for local cancer survivors.” Connors says looking at the vast num- ber of honor cards can be an overpower- ing experience. “You look at the names on the wall and you see so many names that are famil- iar,” he said. “You see so many people that you know. It’s sad to see the names of the people who have died because of cancer, but it’s also good to see the names of cancer survivors.” Wall of Hope fundraiser a big success at Dallas FOR THE DALLAS POST/CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK Dallas trainer Tom Connors directed an effort that raised more than $600 for the Coaches Vs. Cancer program. Developers accused of violations By CAMILLE FIOTI For The Dallas Post DALLAS TWP. — The develop- x's of the Dakota Woods town- [ subdivision are in violation of township ordinances, zoning officer Len Kozick reported at Tuesday’s meeting. John Thomas and Joe Albert sold two units and allowed the owners to move in without first obtaining a final inspection of the property and a subsequent occu- pancy permit, Kozick said. “They called for a final inspec- tion, but they weren't ready yet,” Kozick said, adding that he’s had problems with Thomas and Al- bert in the past with various zon- ing permit violations. “I think we should prosecute these people for not following the ordinance d fine them,” he said. "Infrastructure work also needs to done before the letter of credit, or bond, is released, Township Engineer Tom Doughton said. “They’ve never completed the final pave. They've never com- pleted the storm water ditches, and the letter of credit sits there,” he said. “If we’re going to go that route, maybe we should start making provisions to pull that let- ter of credit.” Solicitor Tom Brennan said proof of occupancy must be de- termined before proceeding with legal action. In other business: Brennan updated residents on a nuisance property at 445 Valley View Drive in Shrine Acres. At the Jan. 2 meeting, several residents complained that piles of garbage had been left on the front lawn after a recent fire there. At a Jan. 25 hearing, Lu- zerne County Judge Michael Co- nahan told representatives from the PNC Bank Trust Depart- ment, which manages the proper- \v, that a follow-up hearing is Wcheduled for Feb. 21. Conahan will evaluate the costs involved to either repair the dwelling or to demolish it, and give his recommendations at the upcoming hearing. Another option is to sell it and have the buyer pay for the clean up, Brennan said, adding that sev- eral people have expressed an in- terest in purchasing the property. V Inside The Post 14 Pages, 1 Section Church 2&8 Only Yesterday........c........ 4 Obituaries 5 Schools 6 Sports 7 V¥ How To Reach Us News: 829-7248 news@mydallaspost.com 15 N. Main St. Wilkes-Barre PA 1871 ® Subscriptions and Delivery: 829-5000 Red Hot Divas members Cheryl Hillard (standing), Cathy Lanyon, Jean Scupski, Vanessa Rickey, Mary Lou Hines, Connie Golumbeski, Jane Feath- PHOTOS FOR THE DALLAS POST/CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK erman, Marlene Blackford, Joan Knesis and Joanne Lehman attend a recent meeting. Organization home to community-minded ladies By GENELLE HOBAN Dallas Post Correspondent ALLAS - Members of the D Red Hot Divas were decked out in red and purple attire during a recent meeting at Pickett’s Charge restaurant. The organiza- tion is the Shavertown chapter of the Red Hat Society. The group of about 10 members met for their usual monthly meeting to discuss upcoming events. Each month, the women meet at various restaurants or members’ homes for breakfasts, lunches and dinners. The Red Hat Society officially formed on April 25, 1998, after Sue Ellen Cooper and a group of five friends, known as The Founding Chapter of Fullerton, Calif., dressed in purple clothing and red hats and met for afternoon tea. Today, more than 40,000 chapters exist in the U.S. and 30 foreign countries. The Red Hot Divas meet not only for the social aspect of the group, but to give back to the local commu- nity as well. Bo Hot Divas. Jean Scupski, Vanessa Richey, Mary Lou Hines, Connie Golumbeski and Jane Featherman have a good time during a meeting of the Red “We’ve done many things that benefit sent them cookies we baked during Thanksgiving and charities. We sponsored care packages for soldiers and we “We've done many things that benefit charities,” Shavertown resi- dent Cathy Lanyon, who founded the chapter about two years ago, said. “We sponsored care packages for soldiers and we sent them cookies we baked during Thanksgiving and Christmas.” Last Christmas, the group baked See DIVAS, Page 9 Christmas.” Cathy Lanyon Founder of Shavertown chapter ¢3
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers