Vol.120 No. 44 THE BACK MOUNTAIN'S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1889 November 1-7, 2009 The PATTEAS POST. Serving the communities of the Dallas and Lake-Lehman School Districts | www.mydallaspost.com Documentary allows vets to tell war stories ‘In Their Own Words By REBECCA BRIA rbria@timesleader.com The Invasion of Normandy was 65 years ago. But to Jack Evans, it was just yesterday. Evans, 88, of Trucksville, is a veteran of the U.S. Army Para- troopers 502nd Parachute Infan- try of the 101st Airborne Division. He parachuted into France in the late afternoon of June 5, 1944, the day before the invasion, or D-Day. “To some people and to news- papers, D-Day was 65 years ago but to some of us, it was just yes- terday,” Evans said. “And some- times it was just an hour ago.” Evans is one of 10 Back Moun- tain veterans featured in a short film titled “In Their Own Words.” The video will be shown at Rep. Karen Boback (R-Harveys Lake) and Misericordia University’s An- nual Veterans’ Appreciation Cer- emony at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, in the Lemmond Theater at Misericordia University. The ceremony will also feature remarks from Major General Jes- sica Wright, Pennsylvania’s Adju- tant General, and a performance by the 28th Infantry Division Annual Veterans’ Appreciation Ceremony Saturday, Nov. 7, at lt a.m. The Lemmond Theater at Misericordia University For more information or to register, go to www.repboback.com or call 477-3752. Keystone Brass. The Veteran’s Appreciation Ceremony is free and open to all veterans. Pre-registration for the ceremony is requested because certificates and commemorative pins will be given to participants from the 117th legislative dis- trict. “The ceremony is a celebration of America’s veterans and is open to everyone in the community who wants to show their support for our hometown heroes,” Bo- back said. “This will also be a great opportunity for young peo- ple to learn about the men and women who have contributed to America’s liberties and free- doms.” The video for the ceremony was produced by Misericordia University senior communica- tion majors Mike Terlesky, 21, of See VETERANS, Page 13 Jacks Evans, of Trucksville, holds up a photo of himself from when he was in the U.S. Army Paratroopers 502nd Parachute Infantry of the 101st Airborne. Evans is a World War Il veteran. AIMEE DILGER/TIMES LEADER FILE PHOTO CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK/ FOR THE DALLAS POST & Erin Dougherty, of Dallas, works on a hand-felted purse she is making at Verve Vertu at Arts Universe in Wilkes-Barre. Special art by special people By REBECCA BRIA rbria@timesleader.com Erin Dougherty’s painting “Maine Sunflower” was such a success that she has already re- ceived requests from three peo- ple to paint similar works for them. The 35-year-old Dallas resi- dent is an artist at Verve Vertu Art Studio in Wilkes-Barre, an ap- prenticeship studio devoted to fo- cusing on and developing the art- istic abilities of people with spe- cial needs. Dougherty has Down syn- drome, but that doesn’t stop her from pursuing a passion for art. Her inspiration for “Maine Sun- flower” came from a painting she viewed on a Verve Vertu field trip during the summer to the Ogun- quit Museum-American Art in Ogunquit, Maine. “Pm lovin’ it,” Dougherty said of her experiences at the studio. “I like making something.” The Verve Vertu Art Studio is part of the Deutsch Institute, a For more information on the Verve Vertu Art Studio, call 208-5305 or visit www.vervevertu.com. The studio also has a new blog at www.vervevertu.blogspot.com. non-profit organization dedicat- ed to creating and expanding lei- sure and recreation interests for people with disabilities and spe- cial needs. The institute is hold- ing its 30th anniversary celebrity brunch fundraiser, “It’s a Jungle Out There,” from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Mary’s Center in Scranton. The art studio opened in 2004 inside ArtsYOUniverse in the for- mer Stegmaier Mansion on South Franklin Street. When Arts YOUniverse moved to the former First United Methodist Church on North Franklin Street in Janu- ary, the studio relocated with it. Gwen Harleman, arts coordi- nator at the studio, says Verve means high energy or spirit in La- See SPECIAL, Page 13 Bessie Kleintob brings ‘sunshine’ into lives of prisoners at SCI Dallas By REBECCA BRIA rbria@timesleader.com “Sunshine” is what Bessie Kleintob is called every time she walks into the State Correctional Institute (SCI) in Dallas. The 9l-year-old Huntington Mills resident helps lead a Bible study group two days a month at SCI Dallas, a medium security prison for men. And when Klein- tob enters the prison’s sanctuary, the 10 to 15 men who attend the study always say, “Here comes sunshine.” Kleintob was one of 29 volun- teers honored at the Pennsylva- nia Department of Corrections volunteer Recognition Banquet on Oct. 3 at the department’s El- izabethtown Training Academy. Although she was not in attend- ance, Kleintob will receive a framed letter signed by Gover- nor Edward G. Rendell and Sec- retary of Corrections Jeffrey A. Beard, Ph.D. Kleintob was also named Vol- unteer of the Year for 2009 at SCI Dallas. She was recognized at a dinner, cooked by the prisoners, in April at the prison’s gymnasi- um. She was also presented with a gold watch and a proclamation from Sen. Lisa Baker in apprecia- tion of her work. “I felt it wasn’t something I de- served because I was only doing Inside: Special section for Best of the Back Mountain The Dallas Post presented the Second Annual “Best of the Back Mountain” awards ceremony last Monday eve- ning at Fire & Ice on Toby Creek. Winners in 80 categories were presented with plaques and window decals to proudly display at their businesses. Attendees at the ceremony were treated to food and re- freshments prepared by Fire & Ice owners Joe and Sandy Fas- ula and Gary Edwards. See the special “Best of the Back Mountain” section inside today’s Dallas Post for a list of winners and run- ners-up, complete with sto- ries and photos. what I like to do,” Kleintob said of being recognized for her vol- unteer efforts. “It’s a pleasure and a blessing. I get a blessing ev- ery time I go to the prison. It’s a blessing for me and for them.” A member of Town Hill United Methodist Church, Kleintob be- came involved with the Yoke Fel- lowship Prison Ministry about five years ago when her former pastor, the Rev. Stevan Atanasoff, requested assistance in the min- istry at SCI Dallas from church members. Her friend, Laura Shaffer, was also active with the group and remains a part of it. On two Mondays a month at noon, Kleintob, Shaffer and the Rev. Atanasoff, now preaching at a church in Williamstown, lead Bible discussions in the prison’s sanctuary. The prisoners will al- See SUNSHINE, Page 13 S. JOHN WILKIN/TIMES LEADER FILE PHOTO Bessie Kleintob, 91, receives standing applause as she is honored for her volunteer service at SCI Dallas during a banquet in April. Peking Chef Let Peking Chet be your host. Birthday, Anniversary or Holiday Celebrations, make the occasion extra-special. w FRR ER For our catering services call Lisa or Eric at 675-0555. Dallas Shopping Center
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