PAGE 4 THE POST EDITORIAL Sunday, March 18, 2007 MOMENTS IN TIME The History Channel ® On March 20,1345, the Black Death (bubonic plague) is created from what University of Paris scholars call “a triple conjunction of Saturn, Jupiter and Mars in the 40th degree of Aquarius.” The plague, carried by fleas that usually traveled on rats, killed an esti- mated 25 million people. ® On March 23,1836, in hopes of keeping pace with the furious march of technology, the U.S. Mint unveils its first steam-powered press. The new-fangled contraption helped crank out coins more efficiently. ® On March 25, 1901, the Mercedes automobile is introduced by Gottlieb Daimler at in Nice, France. After seeing a Daimler car win a race two years previous, businessman Emile Jellinek approached Daimler with an offer to buy 30 of them. Jellinek requested that the cars be named after his daughter, Mercedes. ® On March 24,1934, the debut of radio program “Major Bowes' Original Amateur Hour” launches a national craze among amateur performers. Families sold their homes and youngsters ran away to audition in New York, hoping to win and pull themselves out of De- pression-era poverty. ® On March 22,1947, President Harry Truman issues an executive decree establishing a sweeping loyalty investigation of federal em- ployees in every department and agency. The program resulted in the discovery of only a few employees whose loyalty could be “rea- sonably” doubted. ® On March 19,1952, the 1 millionth Jeep is produced. The name "Jeep" is reportedly derived from the Army's 1941 request that car manufacturers develop a “General Purpose” vehicle. “Gee Pee" turn- ed to “Jeep” somewhere along the battle lines. ® On March 21,1980, President Jimmy Carter informs a group of U.S. athletes that, in response to the December 1979 Soviet incursion into Afghanistan, the United States will boycott the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. The U.S. boycott had no impact on Soviet policy in Afghan- istan, as Russian troops did not withdraw until nearly a decade later. (c) 2007 King Features Synd., Inc. STRANGE BUT TRUE * You might be surprised to learn that famed 17th-century Dutch painter Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn - better known, for obvi- ous reasons, by his first name alone - was not what you'd consider a model citizen. Art historians point out that he cheated on his taxes, stole from his wife's inheritance, rarely paid his bills and sometimes indulged in petty theft and con scams. Despite his attempts at acquir- ing money by any means possible, however, he was a pauper when he died. * Famed author D.H. Lawrence reportedly loved his favorite horse so much that he had it made into a duffel bag after it died. * Throughout history, numerous languages have died out, taking with them words that could perhaps be useful in modern life. Take, for example, the Old English word “fribbler,” referring to someone who is infatuated but commitment-shy - anyone on the dating scene these days is familiar with the phenomenon, but it's doubtful they have a word for it. At least, not a word appropriate for polite society. ® “The Star-Spangled Banner” wasn't officially adopted as the national anthem until 1931. * Those who study such things say that a mixture of equal parts beer, Listerine mouthwash, Epsom salts, ammonia and liquid soap can be used as a lawn fertilizer. What I'd like to know is how long it took and how many different combinations of substances the re- searchers had to try before they hit on that particular one. * The next time you're choosing fresh produce at the grocery store, keep this in mind: It's considered good luck if you find a pea pod with just one pea in it, and anyone who finds a pea pod with nine peas in it supposedly gets a wish granted. ® 00 Thought for the Day: “Man is the only animal that can remain on friendly terms with the victims he intends to eat until he eats them.” - Samuel Butler (c) 2007 King Features Synd., Inc. ORGANIZATION MAKES DONATION TO LIBRARY Members of the Colonel Timothy Pickering Chapter of the Children of the American Revolution recently presented several books to Fred Krohle, manager of The Slightly Read Bookshop at the Back Mountain Memorial Library. The Chapter is compro- mised of youths under 21 who can trace their ancestry to some- one who served in or helped the cause of freedom in some way during the American Revolution. Children of the American Rev- olution, the nation’s oldest and largest patriotic organization for youth, was chartered in1895. It is sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Sons of the American Revolu- tion. Accepting the donationg, from left, are Mark Swick, orga- nizing chaplin; Melissa Swick, Daughters of the American Revo- lution; Rhiannon Borchert, organizing librarian; and Krohle. The Dallas Post TIMES©LEADER Community Newspaper Group ¢ 15 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18711 ® 570-829-7248 news@mydallaspost.com ; Richard L. Connor PUBLISHER David C. Konopki EDITOR Liz Ayers ADVERTISING FARM TERRE TE 0 a REA A RA TRAE FOR THE POST/CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK earching amid the stubble and chaff, a resourceful omnivore searches for the most meager of sustenance, working, always working,- toward survival in another season. A stray corn kernel here, some grain there, until accommodating weather and the farmer's furrow) graces the menu with more succulent fare. Rita Mae Brown books added to library shelves The Back Mountain Memorial Library, 96 Huntsville Road in Dallas recently added the follow- ing books to its collection. The library also accepts donations of memorial and honor books. If you would like to donate a book in someone’s honor or memory, call the library at 675-1182. EXPRESS (1 week) “Daddy’s Girl” by Lisa Scotto- line “Puss 'n Cahoots” by Rita Mae Brown “Temperatures Rising” by Sandra Brown “Innocent in Death” by J.D. Robb “Whitethorn Woods” Maeve Binchy by FICTION “Daddy’s Girl” by Lisa Scotto- line “Returning to Earth” by Jim Harrison “Inferno” by Karen Harper “Lethal Justice” by Fern Mi- chaels “Temperatures Rising” by Sandra Brown “After This” by Alice McDer- mott “Infidel” by Ayaan Hirsi Ali “Heart-Shaped Box” by Joe Hill “Innocent in Death” by J.D. Robb “Whitethorn Woods” Maeve Binchy “Nineteen Minutes” by Jodi Picoult by NONFICTION “Ship of Ghosts” by James D. Hornfischer “Supreme Conflict” by Jan Crawford Greenburg “Collected Plays and Writings on Theater” by Thornton Wilder MYSTERY “Puss 'n Cahoots” by Rita Mae Brown “Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea” by Nancy Atherton “Key Lime Pie Murder” by Joanne Fluke BIOGRAPHY “Madame Chiang Kai-Shek” by Laura Tysin Li REFERENCE “Polk City Directory, Wilkes- Bare, PA” “Current Biography Yearbook 2006” LARGE PRINTFICTION “The Englisher” by Beverly Lewis “The Preacher’s Daughter” by Beverly Lewis “Everything Must Go” by Eli- zabeth Flock “The Emperor’s Children” by Claire Messud “Darkfever” by Karen Marie Moning “The Guy Not Taken” by Jen- nifer Weiner “Love is Blind” by Lynsay Sands BOOKS ON CD “You on a Diet” by Dr. Michael F. Roizen “Shadow Dance” by Julie Gar- wood “The Suspect” by John Le- scroart “The Boleyn Inheritance” by Philippa Gregory ; “The Last White Knight” by Tami Hoag “The Day of the Triffids” “The Adventures of the Christmas Pudding” by Agatha’ Christie “The Places in Betweeen” by" Rory Stewart “The Emperor’s Children” by Claire Messud “Clemente” by David Mara~’ niss “Act of Treason” by Vince Flynn “Scariest Shows Ever” “The Best of Jack Benny” “The Other Boleyn Girl” by, Philippa Gregory “Yours Truly, Johnny” “Amos ’'n Andy: Knights of the Sea” pr YOUNG ADULT “Surrender” by Sonya Hart: nett “The Hydrosphere: agent of change” by Gregory L. Vogt i “Earth’s Outer Atmosphere: bordering space” by Gregory L. g Vogt, 70 Years Ago March 5, 1937 POLICE CHIEF OPENING RESTAURANT Chief of Police Leonard O’Kane, whose courtesy as a po- lice officer has made hundreds of friends for him, will now have an opportunity y to try out that courte- sy as a host in his own ONLY YESTERDAY week the chief became proprie- tor of the Suburban Inn on Main Street, Dallas, which has been operated for the past several years by Mrs. Emma Shaver. The new enterprise will not in- terfere with Mr. O’Kane’s duties as the Chief of Police. Mrs. O’Kane will assist him in the management of the restaurant. Mrs. Shaver, well known for her good food, will still be associated with the Suburban. Flames which destroyed the roof and interior of the Silas J. Jackimowitz home on Demunds Road, East Dallas, did $1,000 damage on Tuesday afternoon. A defective chimney is be- lieved to have been the cause of the blaze. Henry M. Laing Fire Co., responded to a telephoned alarm and the roof and interior were a mass of flames when the firemen arrived. Members of the family had removed nearly all furniture. Firemen obtained wa- ter from a well and two streams to check the flames finally. Their meteoric career as ban- dits abruptly ended, five youths who, police say, took part in more than thirty hold-ups and thefts within the last few months, including three gaso- line station robberies near Dal- las, were rounded up by state po- lice this week. The men are still being ques- tioned about a long list of robber- ies which they are charged with having perpetrated during their lucky careers. Using stolen auto- mobiles, they escaped injury a number of times when their cars were wrecked. 60 Years Ago March 7, 1947 ILLNESS CAUSES MASS ABSENTEEISM Seventy-three students were absent from Dallas Borough Schools yesterday because of ill- nesses causing school officials to curtail classes and dismiss all students at 2 p.m. Most of the illness, according to Supervising Principal Charles James, himself a victim, is due to colds, flu and virus infections. Two other teachers, Bertha Ar- nold and Mrs. Ernest Gay, were among those who were ill yester- day. Mr. James said the schools will open again this morning, but if illnesses continue they will probably be dismissed early. Funeral services for E.S. Biery, 78, Dallas, held Monday in a driving snow storm, were largely attended, not only by local peo- ple but also by relatives who came from New Jersey and New York. Mr. Biery, called “Fade” as long as anyone in Dallas can re- member, had been employed by R.L. Brickel for more than 40 years. He was a regular attend- ant of Dallas Methodist Church and had been a member of the Junior Mechanics for many years. He died at his home this week after an illness of three months. 50 Years Ago March 8, 1957 STUDENT INJURED IN SHOP CLASS ’ Wardan Wesley, ninth grade student at Lehman-Jackson- Ross, sustained a deep head lac- eration Monday morning when a high-speed drill in the shop top- pled and threw him against a ta- ble. Dr. H. A. Brown used six su- tures in closing the wound at the back of the head. Wardan and an- other ninth grade vocational agriculture student, Josiah Har- rison, attempted to move the drill in the course of a volunteer cleaning campaign. The drill, rocked from side to side, fell on its apron. Wardan escaped being pinned to the floor by the half ton mechanism. George M. Jacobs, Pioneer Avenue, Shavertown, was elect- ed Monday night to fill the va- cancy on the Kingston Township School board caused by the re- signation of Mrs. Charles Eberle. Mr. Jacobs will be officially in- stalled at a special meeting of the board in advance of the Dal- las Area School Board meeting Tuesday night at Dallas-Fran- klin-Monroe Township School. 40 Years Ago March 9, 1967 BEN FRANKLIN STORE CLOSING ITS DOORS The Ben Franklin Variety Store on Church Street will soon be a memory removing from the community a popular shopping spot for youngsters and adults. Mrs. Frances Williams expects to close her doors by the end of the month, perhaps sooner, ter- minating the lease she holds with Harveys Lake Light Com- pany, owner. The present business site has an interesting history. Dan Wa- ters, historian, says that an old map shows a blacksmith shop started by John Bulford on the lot. He later added a store in- cluding general merchandise and hardware. While it was be- ing run by Harry Hatfield it burned. Bulford started his 30 Years Ago a March 10, 1977 ¥ WATER PROBLEMS : BROUGHT TO LIGHT A serious water condition in the area was brought to light : the regular monthly Dallas Township Supervisors meeting Monday night in the township: building. Larry Johnston, presi. dent of the College Manor | Homeowners Association, told the supervisors that residents of that development had been without water for 11 consecutive days. He said that service had just been restored. Chairman Phillip Walter said that he had no idea there was any problem with water in the area. Johnston said there is a very low | water table right now due to the winter drought. Before the ground had time to become sat- urated with water it froze and | the lack of rain and snow during the winter months is the cause of the drought condition. vi LEE 20 Years Ago B March 11, 1987 3 STUDENTS VOLUNTEER" IN KENTUCKY it Sixteen students and Rev. John Petrasko from College Mi- sericordia recently spent a week of doing volunteer work in Appa: lachia, Ky. Coordinated by stu- dents Jennifer Flora and Ann Shandra, the students left in. town vans to spend their semes-" ter break working with the Christian Appalachian Project.” 5 This year marks the fourth year students have volunteered. The students drove straight through § to their destination, stopping on ly for gas and to eat. When each group arrived at their center, they performed all kinds of red pairs, prepared seeds for plant- 3 ing, and worked with the elder} and children. Mystic ie » ®
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers