a A i a _.~, Sunday, July 3, 2011 THE DALLAS POST PAGE 3 By SARAH HITE shite@mydallaspost.com The Back Mountain Library Auction is a labor of love. It can be seen on the faces of hun- dreds of volunteers as they haul heavy boxes, drive who-knows- how-many trips to and from the library grounds and commit to other tasks in the exciting days prior to the event. This year, the auction will benefit from a newly-created po- sition to keep track of all the helpful hands. Doreese Torrey, of Nanticoke, will serve as the auction’s first-ever volunteer co- ordinator. “Prior to this, everyone was getting their own volunteers,” said Torrey, who has helped out at the auction in previous years. “No one knew exactly what they were doing or how many there were.” Torrey is keeping track of all volunteers who sign up at the YOU CAN STILL HELP BACK MOUNTAIN MEMORIAL LIBRARY AUCTION Volunteers are what makes the auction work The Back Mountain Memorial Library Auction is just a few days away but volunteers are still needed to assist at various tents during the auction. Volunteers are also needed today, Tuesday and Wednesday to set up from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A light lunch and refreshments will be provided for volunteers during set-up. Call the Back Mountain Memorial Library at 675-182 or stop by the building on Huntsville Road for more information. library and funneling extra man- power to tents that need it the most. She’ll devise a schedule for each volunteer as a way to keep everyone busy during the four-day event. Wayne Williams, of Trucks- ville, often needs at least 10 peo- ple to aid him in the Odds and Ends tent, which he calls a huge outdoor flea market. He’s been asking local churches and schools for student volunteers for the past month. Each tent has a different need and Torrey will depend on re- liable sources in the community as well as local community groups looking for volunteer work, such as Boy Scouts and students working on graduation projects. “We can get them the amount of hours they need,” she said. In previous years, no one knew how many volunteers were involved in the library auc- tion or how many were needed, Torrey said. With Torrey’s new job, the library auction commit- tee will be able to analyze how many volunteers make the event run smoothly. Ernie Ashbridge Sr., a 52-year CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK FILE PHOTO/ FOR THE DALLAS POST Joe Stager carefully works the Dallas Rotary Food Booth at a previous Back Mountain Memorial Library Auction. Members of the Dallas Rotary faithfully man the booth each year, in addition to painting it and keeping it clean. Dallas Rotary members return By EILEEN GODIN Dallas Post Correspondent Passing the test of time, the Dallas Rotary Club is gearing up to operate its food booth at the Back Mountain Memorial Li- brary’s 65th annual auction. The auction will run from 4 to 11 p.m. July 7-10. Joe Stager, a Rotary Club member since the 1980s, said club members are ready for auction once again, re- porting that Rotary members volunteer two weeks ahead of the auction to begin getting the booth, equipment and menus prepared. ”All proceeds from food sales are given to the library,” Stager said. “For a while, there was a misconception that the Rotary Club received the proceeds. This is not true. All the money raised goes to the library.” Menu options have changed as Rotary members stay on top of the latest food trends. Stager remembers when salads were popular. “We did try offering salads, but with the booth’s limited re- frigeration and the summer heat, the lettuce wilted fast,” he said. “We also tried fruit salad.” Chicken tenders have gone through a transformation. Stager said club members tried several different chicken ten- ders until the right brand and flavor was found. “This year, we are bringing those back,” he said. This year’s menu will also fea- ture turkey and pork barbeques, sausage sandwiches, hamburg- ers, hot dogs, French fries, chili, soda and water. Library Director Martha But- ler said, although she cannot es- timate the amount raised in food sales from last year, she does know it was profitable and that the booth has gained quite the following since its start around 1984. “We have had people call us in the past to get the ingredients from the auction burger or their secret sauce,” she said. The food booth has under- gone changes to keep up with the times, too. Stager said, over the years, exhaust fans, fryers, refrigeration units and grills Jo man food booth at auction have been added. “When something was need- ed for the booth, the Rotary took care of it,” he said. Staffing the booth for the event has evolved with time, as well. When the club first began manning the booth in the 1980s, the Rotary had about 60 to 80 members and its membership staffed the booth for the event. Times have changed, mem- bership is smaller, so other ser- vice clubs are volunteering to help man the grills for the four- day event. “Service groups such as the Lions and the Odd Fellows and companies like Century 21 and the Smith Hourigan Group have provided staffing over the years,” Stager said. These changes to the food booth have helped it maintain its community appeal and pop- ularity. Stager said even pricing, which has gone up and come down with the times, has not had an effect on customers. “The community really gets behind it,” he said. “It has be- come a routine to them.” Dr. Kenneth Wolensky, a noted author and historian who grew up in Wyoming Valley, will be the keynote speaker at the 133rd annual Observance of the Battle and Massacre at Wyom- ing at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 4 at the Wyoming Monument Na- tional Historic Site, Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming. The annual service, spon- ® uly 4 event remembers Battle sored by the Wyoming Monu- ment Association, celebrates the occasion of the 233rd anni- versary of the Battle of Wyom- ing, Northeastern Pennsylva- nia’s most significant Revolu- tionary War battle. The Wyoming Valley Band will offer a concert at 10 a.m., fol- lowed by the program. Mayor Robert Boyer of Wyoming Bor- of Wyoming ough is the ceremony chair and master of ceremonies. Monsig- nor Neil Van Loon of the Church of St. Maria Goretti, Laflin, will serve as chaplain. The Wyoming Monument As- sociation will celebrate the res- toration and repairs recently completed at the Monument fol- lowing the 2008 lightning strike at the site. ¢ B demic performance. CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK FILE PHOTOS/ FOR THE DALLAS POST Having fun on the auction block are, from left, Kerry Freeman, Carol Sweeney, Ernie Ashbridge and Eric Martin. volunteer for the library auc- tion, said the volunteer staff has grown monumentally since he first started helping out at the auction. “It’s getting bigger and big- ger,” he said of the event. Williams said it’s important to reach out into the community for volunteers, and young peo- ple are the most impressionable. “It’s fun to have kids helping out the library,” he said. “Maybe they’ll be volunteers in the fu- ture. Maybe they’ll be the next generation.” Many of the volunteers are long-time helpers. Ashbridge started aiding the auction be- cause antiques were a hobby of his. Now he looks forward to the four-day event every year. “I do it for the love of the library itself and its contribu- tions to the community,” he said. Dr. John Shaskas is a frequent bidder and auctioneer at the li- brary auction. PEOPLE BRIEFS Skudalski receives Seminary awards Wyoming Seminary graduate Lauren Skudalski, of Wyoming, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Skudalski, received the Samuel Ste- phen Popky Leadership Award during the school’s 167th com- mencement in recognition of her service to the school and her concern for her fellow students. She also received the Harry W. Wilson Memorial Award for excel- lence and versatility in sports and for true sportmanship. Prior to commencement, she received the All-Around Athlete Award. Davidowitz named to dean's hist Samuel Davidowitz, of Shaver- town, has been named to the dean’s list at Bryant University for the spring semester of the 2010- 2011 academic year. Davidowitz is a senior majoring in International Business in Man- agement. Horwatt named to dean's list Morgan Horwatt, of Dallas, has been named to the dean’s list at Paul Smith’s College for the spring 2011 semester. Horwatt, who is majoring in culinary arts and service manage- ment, is enrolled in the college’s School of Hospitality, Resort and Culinary Management and earned a semester average of 3.3 or high- er to receive this distinction. Two locals receive President's Award Zachary Harvey, of Trucksville, and Brianna Wise, of Shavertown, are among seven Wyoming Semi- nary graduates who received the President's Award for Outstanding Service during the school’s 167th Commencement. The award is given in recog- nition of the students’ outstand- ing special service to the school community, leadership and aca- SKUDALSKI Three receive award at Wyoming Semimary James Curtis and Bijoy Ghosh, both of Dallas, and Omeed Firou- zi, of Shavertown, received the Mabel and Sterling Wandell Scholarship Award during Wyom- ing Seminary’s 167th commence- ment. The award is given in recog- nition of the students’ academic achievements and school lead- ership. Firouz receives awards at Seminary Wyoming Seminary graduate Omeed Firouzi, son of Dr. Ma- soud and Dr. Fariba Firouzi, of Shavertown, received the Francis J. Mehm III Memorial Award in recognition of his academic achievement, citizenship and significant contributions to school spirit during the school’s 167th commencement. He also received the Mabel and Sterling Wan- Award in recog- nition of his leadership of the student FIROUZI commence- ment, he re- ceived the Irving Robin Memorial Prize for scholastic achievement and good citizenship, the Wyom- ing Seminary Government Lead- ership Award and the Wyoming Seminary Model United Nations Award. Olson named to dean's list at Ithaca Cara Olson, daughter of Jeffrey Olson and Laura Olson of Dallas, was named to the dean's list at Ithaca College’s School of Music for the spring 2011 semester. To qualify for this academic honor, students must attain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 and complete a minimum of 15 credit hours, of which at least 12 are graded. Hackett named to dean's list Madeleine L. Hackett, of Sha- vertown, has been named to the dean’s list at Boston University for dell Scholarship the spring semester of the 2010- 2011 academic year. Three locals pass national exam Autumn Ferris, of Tunkhan- nock; Diana Thomas, of Shaver- town; and Laila Kazimi, of Dallas, were among 27 members of the Misericordia University 2011 medical imaging graduating class who recently passed the Amer- ican Registry of Radiologic Tech- nologists (ARRT) national certifi- cation examination in radiog- raphy to maintain the program’s 100-percent pass rate. Zachery Roth named to dean's list Zachery Roth, of Shavertown, has been named to the 2011 spring semester dean's list at Lafayette College. To achieve dean's list status, a student must earn at least a 3.60 semester grade point average out of a possible 4.0. Mona Lotfipour on ’ ° dean's list at F&M Mona Lotfipour, of Shavertown, has been named to the dean’s list for the spring 2011 semester at Franklin & Marshall College. A graduate of Wyoming Semi- nary, she is the daughter of As- ghar Lotfipour and Nargas Lot- fipour, of Trucksville. A student earns dean’s list recognition for achieving a 3.25 or better grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Coveleski graduates from Visual Arts Aniela Coveleski, of Harveys Lake, was among 667 students from the School of Visual Arts who received undergraduate degrees at the college’s com- mencement exercises on May 12. Grossman receives award at Semmary Gabrielle Grossman, of Shaver- town, received the Charlotte M. Sours Academic Achievement Award during the eighth-grade graduation ceremony at Wyoming Seminary Lower School. Grossman will enter eighth grade at Seminary in the fall.
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