| | i | | | { f | PAGE 10 THE DALLAS POST Sunday, January 4, 2009 DAMA in process of Improving The Dallas Area Munici- pal Authority (DAMA) is currently in the process of implementing an extensive long-range infrastructure improvement plan. Some of these improve- ments include the con- struction of a 2.8 million gallon flow equalization tank to replace existing and decaying 40-year-old concrete tanks, miscellane- ous repairs to the sewer collection system and im- provements to the author- ity’s main and satellite pumping stations. These improvements are necessary to maintain com- pliance with PA Depart- ment of Environmental Protection regulations and to help keep pace with the growth surge that has tak- en place in the Back Moun- tain over the last several years. Due to the cost of financ- ing these improvements, it is necessary to increase the sewer rate charged to DA- MA residential customers by $3.50 per months, or $10.50 per quarter. Beginning in January 2009, the residential sewer bill will be $80.50 per quar- ter. The rates charged to commercial customers will increase from the present charge of $3.50 per 1,000 gallons to a new rate of $4.39 per 1,000 gallons. DHS ART STUDENTS PAINT AT MEADOWS NURSING CENTER NCASEERS A group of Dallas High School art students recently visited the Meadows Nursing Center, Dallas, to paint winter scenes throughout the cen- ter. This service project isun- der the direction of Claire Morris, Dallas High School art teacher. Participating in the project are, from left, seated, Eden May, Amber Frania, April Rattigan and Taylor Trudgen. Standing, Amanda Walton, Abby Balti- more, Leighann Amico, Sam Backus, Beki Stasik, Chelsea Fufaro, Erin Fallon and Sarah Szczucki. Elva Valentine, Ron Thomas and the Back Mountain Business Association recently hosted a mixer at Valentine's, Route 309, Dallas with all proceeds being given to the Rotary Club of Dallas to help with its annual Children’s Christmas Shopping Spree for 45 children from the school districts of Dallas, Lake-Lehman and Northwest. At the end of the evening, almost $300 was raised, including funds from a raffle sponsored by Kelly McAndrew of Arbonne International. The donation was presented at a recent Rotary Club meeting at the Castle Inn in Dallas. From left, are Gary Booth, club president; Kelly McAndrew, Arbonne Interna- tional; Elva Valentine, owner of Valentine's Jewelry; Sandy Peo- ples, Rotary public relations chairperson; Ron Thomas, American Gold Buying Inc.; and Paul Saxon, Rotary Christmas Shopping Spree co-chairperson. SHELTER Continued from Page 1 in 20, 30 cats every day and I just can’t take them.” Dogs and cats aren’t the only animals who call Blue Chip home. The shelter has six horses, two pot-bellied pigs and rabbits, occasionally. Rocco Rooter, the pig, participates in the Dallas Harvest Festival's Kiss the Pig Contest each year. All animals that come into Blue Chip are spayed and neu- tered at a cost of about $140 each, which Bart believes is nec- essary to control the animal population. Horses, dogs and pigs live in the main building which has electronic fencing outside so they can roam. The cats stay in an office trailer that has been converted into a cot- tage. There is room for 20 cats and 15 dogs. Animals available for adop- tion are advertised through Pet- Finder, an organization that places animals into adoptions and other networks. People who adopt an animal must have a re- ferral and sign a contract in which they promise to return the animal to the shelter if they can no longer care for it. Bart al- so routinely checks in with the person’s veterinarian to ensure the animal is being cared for. Recently, the shelter devel- oped a Web site, began distri- buting brochures and held a raf- fle at the now-closed Starbucks in Shavertown - all of which helped it gain positive publicity. Customers of Starbucks in Sha- vertown may have seen a Blue Chip donation box, which raised $110, in the coffee shop in No- vember. Blue Chip relies completely on private donations to survive, although Bart pays for the daily upkeep of the animals. The shel- ter always owes thousands of dollars in veterinary bills. Fundraisers are occasionally held to offset some of the shel- ter’s costs. Bart baked and sold 120 cranberry walnut pies for Thanksgiving and, for Christ- mas, the shelter sold cookie trays. The shelter has seen an in- crease in animals in recent months, which Bart feels is due to people losing their homes and jobs in the poor economy. She would like to see local food pantries carry dog and cat food so people can feed their animals without sacrificing their own Sam," a male tiger cat with a very warm personality, is ready for adoption. This abused stray adopted by Blue Chip Rescue in Orange has developed a neurotic self-chewing habit and needs to be muzzled. food. Volunteers are desperately needed at Blue Chip since the shelter’s few volunteers must take care of all the animals. Bart even welcomes people who sim- ply want to play with the ani- mals, especially the cats. She en- courages high school students to consider fulfilling their se- nior project at Blue Chip. Future plans for Blue Chip in- clude animal boarding, a dog park and a dog exercise facility. Bart would also like to have an on-site spaying and neutering facility that would serve ani- mals at the shelter, as well as strays, in an attempt to reduce unwanted pets. “We just need more funds and more people,” Bart said. CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK PHOTOS/ FOR THE DALLAS POST f Margie Bart, of Blue Chip Rescue in Orange rescued these hound puppies and has placed them br adoption. ® ¢
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers