Vol. 119 No.2 January 13 - 19, 2008 The THE BACK MOUNTAIN'S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1889 DALLAS POST SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF THE DALLAS AND LAKE-LEHMAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS Quilters onate joy By REBECCA BRIA rbria@timesleader.com =0 Farrar’s grandson, Douglas Jason, was terminally ill with cancer when he received a quilt from a quilting group. The boy became attached to his quilt. Jason died at age 14, but Far was thankful for the donation and wanted to give back. The Tunkhannock wom- an joined the group, called Project DJ, which now stands for both Donating Joy and Dou- glas Jason. The quilts made by the group are a piece of security and comfort to children in need. Project DJ was formed in October 2003 and meets bi-weekly from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Monday mornings and from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday evenings at the Trucksville Unit- ed Methodist Church Educational Facility. A total of approximately 30 volunteers spare their time to make quilts for sick and traumatized children in the area. The group’s works are also donated to Hershey Hearts, a support group for families of children with congenital heart disease in Hershey, Pa. Last year, Project DJ created and distrib uted over 500 quilts. “I think once you make a quilt and give it to a child or a family situation that requires ten- der loving care, showing that someone else cares, it just gives you a very good feeling,” said Judy Gober, of Luzerne, a member of Pro- ject DJ. When Project DJ began, the women each gave $10 a month from their own pockets to TO VOLUNTEER OR DONATE Carol Hobbs, of Idetown, sews the signa- ture DJ heart onto her quilt. The women in the group are pleased when they see the quilts around town. pay for expenses. After about one year, the group was receiving enough donations to dis- continue the need to provide their own mon- ey. Fundraisers, including golf and softball tournaments, have also helped raise funds. Once every few months, Project DJ holds a special Saturday in which members order piz- za and get together to increase production. The group has a picnic in the summer and had a Christmas party last December at Pickett’s Charge. Although the group has had some younger members, most of the quilters are age 40 and up. They are also all women, with the exception of one man who joined the group one time while his daughter worked on a Girl Scout project. Most of the women were sew- ers previously and many were already making quilts on their own or with other quilting groups. High school students and others needing to fulfill project requirements often work with Project DJ and some home economics teach- ers have been known to require students to make quilts which they pass along. If a member of Project DJ is familiar with a sick or traumatized child, the member can ask for a blanket for that child. Members also have the privilege of requesting quilts for adults. Recently, hospital workers and social workers have asked for quilts to swaddle drug-induced newborn babies. Why quilts and not clothes or toys? They are unisex, one size, can be carried easily and are made for one specific person. But making the quilts isn’t cheap. Batting, material used as a stuffing between the top and the rear backing, costs about $100 a roll. Fabric, thread and supplies can also rack up expenses. The hard work of Project DJ volunteers is recognized as thank you cards and phone calls are received from children, parents and staff members of social organizations. A represen- tative of Hershey Hearts recently phoned to thank the women for a shipment of quilts, say- See JOY, Page 5 Project DJ is always looking for volunteers. Men SUBMITTED PHOTO Courtney Kryston, 26, formerly of Shaver- town, is the marketing assistant at Harper's Bazaar Magazine in New York City. Kryston and three others from Harper's were featured on “CBS Sunday Morning’ on October 28 in celebration of the magazine's 140-year anni- versary. Here, Kryston is wearing a dress by Marni. Area woman living real life of fashion By REBECCA BRIA rbria@timesleader.com Selecting and organizing clothes in a large, walk-in closet is Courtney Kryston’s job. Kryston, 26, formerly of Shavertown, is the marketing assistant at Harper's Bazaar Maga- zine in New York City. She and three others from Harper’s were featured on “CBS Sunday Morning” on October 28 in celebration of the magazine's 140-year anniversary. “It was really thrilling,” Kryston said of the television feature. “I was really nervous because I didn’t know I was going on camera until the last minute.” In the two-minute segment on Kryston, she was asked if she thinks of fashion often. Kryston responded by saying she dreams in fashion and went on to explain why fashion is always in her and women of all ages are welcome. No experience is necessary and all supplies are provided. Weekly commitments are not required and hours are thoughts. That part of the interview, however, was cut from the television piece and Kryston Joanne Stiff, of Jackson Township, works on a quilt which will be used to comfort a child. flexible. To volunteer, call the Trucksville United els bit saioh ol. «it’s a litostvie.” she said Methodist Church at 696-3897. ts not just clothes; it’s a lifestyle,” she said. { “And it affects our culture.” The November edition of Harper’s Bazaar Magazine featured photos of its fashion staff, in- cluding Kryston, for the anniversary and a party was held on December 10 at the Highline Ball- room in New York City to commemorate the an- niversary. Guests included fashion designers, celebrities, models, employees and musical guest Stevie Wonder. The daughter of John and Jill Kryston of Sha- vertown, Kryston is a 1999 graduate of Dallas High School. Having studied with Sue Hand of Dallas for 12 years, she is an experienced artist and won best of grade level and overall at the Rossetti Memorial Juried Art Contest during a F 4 hb. her senior year in high school. Mlk SRN * YI ‘ Ea, She entered Penn State University as a horti- a Ji pr > culture major but soon realized a career in plants was not for her. When she called home during her sophomore year announcing her de- sire to attend fashion school, her father told her to finish what she had started so she changed her major to English with a concentration in & Donations may be sent to: Project Donating Joy, c/o Trucksville United Methodist Church, 40 Knob Hill Rd., Trucksville, PA 18708. % h = | CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK PHOTOS/ FOR THE DALLAS POST See FASHION, Page 5 ne Asaki now open in Shavertown By REBECCA BRIA ASAK! HIBACH! AND SUSHI rbria@timesleader.com 162 Memorial Highway (Back Mountain a Shopping Center) The smell of Japanese cuisine and re- v0 cent construction fills the air at Asaki. g74-5933 Friendly staff members greet customers Lunch Hours: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday and direct them to tables and booths through Saturday. with pink and black speckled granite ta- Dinner Hours: 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday ble tops. Rich mahogany wood is con- through Thursday, 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. trasted with a lighter, sandy shade of BY and Saturday, Noon to 9:30 p.m. wood throughout the establishment. : Lanterns with oriental lettering mean- ing “wine” hang from the ceiling above each eating area. Real flowers are placed Co-owner Kim Chan, 42, Bobby's among each table and themed music brother and owner of the Asian Café in plays softly. Hanover Township, moved to the Asaki Hibachi and Sushi is one of the Wyoming Valley about five years ago. newest restaurants in the Back Moun- Kim Chan says he has been eying up the tain. The eatery, located in the Back Dallas area for a long time and believes Mountain Shopping Center in Shaver- there is a desire for a high-end restaurant town, opened on December 29. that serves Japanese food. ; “Business has been very good,” said “I know you have a lot of people in this The staff at Asaki Hibachi and Sushi in Shavertown, a new restaurant in the “Bobby” Chi Chan, 29, co-owner. “When area eating this food,” Kim Chan said. Back Mountain Shopping Center, gathers to prepare for the day. From left, first it comes to Friday, Saturday and Sunday, row, are Linda Chan, Keri Zheng and owner “Bobby” Chi Chan. In the second we are getting full reservations.” row are chefs, from left, Tony Jin, Charlie Lee, Bill Chan and Yonten Gyamtso. CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK PHOTOS/ FOR THE DALLAS POST Asaki Hibachi and Sushi has opened in the Back Mountain Shopping Center in Shavertown. See ASASKI, Page 7 1
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers