PAGE 10 THE POST POST Sunday, November 25, 2007 Mr. and Mrs. Robert Williamson are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary today, November 25. WILLIAMSON Continued from Page 1 mington, Del. Two years ago, El- sie and Robert became great- grandparents to Caleb William- son Ross. “He is special,” Elsie said of the family’s fourth generation mem- ber. “The happiest little boy I've ever seen.” Health issues have posed some of the biggest challenges for Rob- ert and Elsie during their mar- riage as both have had multiple surgeries. High points in their marriage have been the birth of their son, three granddaughters and one great-grandson while the lowest point, both admit, was when military duty took Robert away from home. “It was rough,” Elsie said, re- membering that time. “I got $80 a month and $30 of that went for rent.” Elsie doesn’t hesitate when ex- plaining what she loves most about Robert. “I think everything,” she said. “He helps a lot around the house, he’s sentimental, affectionate. I'm grateful for little things.” And Robert gladly supplies rea- sons why he loves Elsie. “Everything,” he said. “Be- cause when I saw her, she’s the one I wanted and she’s the one I got. I couldn’t be happier.” As for marriage advice, they have some to offer. “I think you have to work at it (marriage),” Elsie said. “Every- thing isn’t going to go easy or smooth. You have to accept little upsets or difficulties.” “Have a little argument each day, never go to bed mad at each other and say ‘I love you’ a lot,” Robert added. Now 88 and 94 years old, Rob- ert and Elsie admit to never hav- ing gone to bed mad at each other and, although they have minor ar- guments, always laugh them off. They're together 24 hours a day and, to keep busy, do crossword puzzles and housework. Until one year ago, Robert still mowed the lawn. A family dinner was held at Lums Fernbrook Inn in Dallas to celebrate the anniversary. All of the couple’s descendants and their spouses, including Elsie’s 92-year-old sister, Alice Kish- baugh, attended. Q. How should ski and snowboard boots fit? A. Comfortably snug. Boots should offer good ankle support with room to wiggle your toes. Too big a boot will be cold because you may tighten] it till your foot is pinched, which cuts off circulation. Country SKI(R SPORTS 1080 Wilkes-Barre Twp. Blvd, Wilkes-Barre, PA Rt. 309 at Blackman St. (570) 824-0541 + Fax: (570) 824-6024 www.countryskiandsports.com JONATHAN J. JUKA PHOTOS/ FOR THE DALLAS POST Mr. and Mrs. Robert Williamson enjoyed a mini vacation at Mount Airy in the 1940s. PARTNER Continued from Page 1 performance. Second-grader Brianna Gu- la, 7, of Dallas, was very nerv- ous to be on stage even though she was in a holiday performance last year at the school. “There’s lots of people in here,” Brianna said after the hoedown. But Brianna’s parents, Louie Bailoni and Stacey Gu- la, were pleased with their daughter. “I loved it,” Stacey said. “She did good.” Ryan Spears, 7, of Dallas, was also nervous to be in the limelight. “Because I'm shy,” said the son of Arthur and Diane Spears. The hoedown was started in the early 1970s at the for- mer Westmoreland Elemen- tary School in Kingston Township when the late Edyth Kromelbein, a teacher at the school, introduced sec- ond-grade teacher Beth Faer- ber to the songs and dances the children would perform. Faerber and now retired sec- ond-grade teachers, Suzie Hersteck and Marsha Paczew- ski, would teach the children the music and moves during recess in wintertime and throughout the year. Eventu- ally, they started having an end-of-year performance for parents. Faerber says the hoedown began with an old-time prairie theme like on the television - show “Little House on the Prairie.” The girls wore long dresses and bonnets and stu- dents danced to music on re- cords. But the clothes went out of style and it became dif- ficult for parents to dress the children to the theme so the teachers decided to let the children be little cowboys and cowgirls instead. The hoedown made the move from Westmoreland to Wycallis Elementary when the new school opened in 1999. But eventually, educa- tional standards in Pennsylva- The annual hoedown at the Wycallis Elemenatary School saw Rachel Roliman, left, and Caitlyn Pike enjoying themselves. CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK/ FOR THE DALLAS POST “I think it’s a great tradition with the arts and dance, especially at that age.” Matthew Krivak Parent nia kept the classroom teach- ers from preparing the chil- dren for the hoedown and the music and gym teachers had to take over most of the preparation. The hoedown is now held every year in con- junction with American Edu- cation Week, Nov. 11-17. Music teacher Debbie Pike started teaching the children their hoedown songs in Sep- tember. While the students learned the songs, Pike also second-graders basic motor skills including hopping, skip- ping and jumping, then began showing them dance moves about the second week of Oc- tober. “The kids love to do this; it’s funny,” Arnaud said. “When you start, out you won- der if they're ever going to learn this. Matthew Krivak, now 41, had Faerber as a teacher and remembers being in the hoe- taught them the history of down. After living out of the cowboy folklore and about the lives of cowboys. “It takes a little bit of time, but they really do well,” said Pike, the music teacher at Wycallis. “I'm really im- pressed with all the lyrics they learn.” Physical education instruc- tor Karen Arnaud began the school year by teaching the area for years, the Krivaks moved back to Dallas in 2001. When they enrolled their son Nicholas in kindergarten at Wycallis two years ago, the couple was surprised to en- counter Faerber at the school. “I think it’s a great tradition with the arts and dance, espe- cially at that age,” Matthew Krivak said. NEARLY 2 YEARS OF PROGRESS. ONE PROMISE FULFILLED. GEISINGER SOUTH WILKES-BARRE REDEFINING BOUNDARIES * MORE THAN | 1OO PHYSICIANS AND EMPLOYEES CARING FOR YOU. Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre is not your typical community hospital. We're your dedicated healthcare partner. And we're getting better than ever. Since becoming part of the Geisinger Health System, we've invested $14 million in our hospital's future. For you, that adds up to new technology, facility improvements and enhanced medical services. Like a state-of-the-art emergency department offering the region's first 30-minute guarantee. A new Janet Weis Pediatric Urgent Care Center for quick, non-emergency care. And, a highly specialized, inpatient unit for the advanced care of our growing elderly population. And, just as importantly, we are proud to be part of the region’s strongest and most sophisticated healthcare network. That's peace of mind. To learn more, call 1.800.275.6401 or visit geisinger.org. JOSE MANRIQUE, MD Cardiologist LISA GOLDEN Care Management MARY ELLEN DZIEDZIC, RN Educational Services JACK MCNULTY Receiving Clerk ))
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