Vol. 122 No. 39 THE BACK MOUNTAIN'S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1889 November 20 - 26, 2011 The IATTAS POST. @/1LKes-BARRE, PA. www.mydallaspost.com AN EDITION OF THE TIMES LEADER Back Mountain Chamber of Commerce forms By SARAH HITE shite@mydallaspost.com The Back Mountain Business Association and the Back Moun- tain Economic Development Council have merged to form the Back Mountain Chamber of Commerce. Lynn Banta, chairman of the economic development council, said the chamber will begin its membership drive in December and will soon hire a full-time ex- ecutive director. Owner of the Twin Stacks Center, Banta said the Back Mountain region has grown since the inception of the two groups, and a chamber of com- merce will have more offerings to suit the needs of local busi- nesses. $ } Ir A To inquire about joining the Back Mountain Chamber of Commerce, call 675-9380. For example, members will have access to a health care plan through the chamber. “For small businesses, that’s a godsend,” she said. Banta also cites more pres- ence with the community as a benefit offered by forming a lo- cal chamber of commerce, as well as learning opportunities in seminars and expos. “We're looking for a way to help our businesses connect with our community. We think that’s very important,” she said. “We're looking for a way to say to new businesses that are start- ing this is a great place to start a business.” The chamber will also contin- ue to offer what both the busi- ness association and economic development council have pro- vided its members in the past. Banta said the economic devel- opment council has a mentoring program for new business own- ers or businesses moving into the area. “We have a group of execu- tives willing to help a new busi- ness and we also have a great alliance with the Small Business Development Center in Wilkes- See CHAMBER, Page 1 Church seeks By SARAH HITE shite@mydallaspost.com New Life Community Church is looking for a new home. The church, located in the Twin Stacks Center along Route 415 in Dallas Township, began raising funds this year to find a suitable spot for its relocation. Pastor Gideon Gaitano said the main motivation for the move is space — the church needs more of it. He said the church has about 75 members, and weekly attendance is be- tween 80 and 90 people, on average, because many bring guests. The current space can only hold about 100 people. Gaitano said the church has been in the Twin Stacks Cen- ter for about three years, and since then its membership has more than doubled. The church has had a presence in the Back Mountain for about 30 years. “We would like to stay in the Back Mountain, preferably here in town to remain acces- le and visible,” he said. ¥ Prior to the move to Dallas Township, Gaitano said the church was located in a barn, dubbed the Glory Barn, on Brace Road in Franklin Town- ship. His offices are still locat- ed there, and the church occa- sionally holds events in its for- mer location. “It was very difficult to find a location in Franklin Town- ship,” said Gaitano. “But the Bible teaches, ‘Go and make disciples.” A member of the church at the time had an office in the Twin Stacks Center and worked with the church and the owners to secure a new home. new location For more information about New Life Community Church or to make a donation towards its relocation fund, call 639-5433 or visit the church's website at www.newlifefamily.org. “We're very grateful to the owners of Twin Stacks Cen- ter,” he said. “It’s given us the opportunity to grow.” Gaitano said the location al- lowed the church to become more visible and accessible, which he attributes to the church’s growth. “It also has to do with the way the Bible is being present- ed,” he said. “It has to be rele- vant and practical. We also em- phasize evangelicalism and discipleship and teach that you are a witness of the abundance of life Christ offers.” Gaitano said the church is looking for a place that can hold at least 300 people in the hope that the church member- ship will continue to grow. He said parking is also another important factor, but finding a building that looks like a church isn’t. “We're open to different op- tions,” he said. “Preferably, we'll find a site where we won't have to do a lot of re- modeling or restructuring.” While many churches use their buildings as logos or rep- resentations of the communi- ty, Gaitano said the teachings of the church are the most im- portant aspects of member- ship. “Since we have no building, we have a discipleship mess- age,” he said. “We are consis- tent with the four statements — look to God, learn His word, love your neighbor, lead to Christ — in everything we do.” Reduced fees for Guard Pennsylvania National Guard members and reservists recently deployed for 60 or more days may soon be eligible for reduced-fee hunting licens- es, thanks to a bill sponsored by Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20). The Senate passed the measure animously on Monday. “This bill is one more way we can thank our soldiers who are serving this nation with such courage and sense of du- ty,” Baker said. “It is appropri- ¢'"B09815%200794 9 and country.” cosa ate that the Senate voted to extend this hunting privilege just a few days after Veterans Day.” Current law requires Guard members and reservists to be deployed for at least 180 days in the prior 24 months in order to qualify for the discounted license, but Baker’s bill reduc- es the program’s required time limit to 60 days. “By reducing the minimum length-of-service requirements, the bill extends this benefit to several hundred National Guard members and Reserv- ists who are often deployed for less than 180 days,” Baker said. “This is another small way we can honor our military’s contri- butions to this Commonwealth needs at the schools. Sharing a meal and life lessons By SARAH HITE shite@mydallaspost.com Lake-Lehman students from a life skills class broke bread with budding teachers Wednes- day at Misericordia University for a Thanksgiving celebration. The meal signified the end of a semester-long education class at Misericordia in which the college students got hands-on experience working with spe- cial needs students. The life skills class at Lake- Lehman Junior-Senior High School is for students who need to learn adaptable skills, said teacher Lee Sikora. “These are students who can- not be maintained in a learning support classroom,” said Siko- ra, of Sweet Valley. Students mixed ingredients, kneaded dough and cut out coo- kies, then ate a traditional Thanksgiving meal while the cookies baked in an oven. Life skills student August Headley, 16, chose a reindeer- shaped cookie cutter to use while making sugar cookies. “I like animals because they're cute,” she said. For many of the Misericordia students, the class was the first time they worked hands-on with special needs students. Most said it was an “eye-open- ing experience.” “They are such an in- spiration. I've learned the students can be ver- bal and engaging. I've learned from them as much as they've learned from me.” Brittany Kneal Misericordia University student “As a class we were apprehen- sive about how it was going to go, given the fact that the stu- dents had different disabilities and were all at different levels,” said Tara Coughlin, 25, of Har- veys Lake. The theme for the semester- long class was international travel. Each week the life skills students were taught about a different country and its food, art, geography, traditions and music and dancing. The high school students were given passports that were “stamped” each week with spe- cial stickers. The Thanksgiving meal represented American tra- ditions, and students made sug- ar cookies before enjoying a full spread of turkey, stuffing, cran- berry sauce and other typical Thanksgiving fare. “It was a huge learning CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK PHOTOS/ FOR THE DALLAS POST Making dough is not really a guy thing, so Misericordia University student Brittany Kneal helps Robert Nichols from Lake-Lehman High School with the process at a collaborative bake and dinner as part of the teacher education program for people with special needs Lake-Lehman student August Headley and Nikki Pisacano from Misericordia University share table conversation during a Thanks- giving bake and dinner. curve,” said Coughlin. “I learned that the students are higher functioning than I had initially guessed them to be. (My class) had discussions about how we underestimated them — we were blown away.” Sikora said throughout the year, the life skills students are constantly out in the communi- ty to educate themselves and others around them. “We go shopping, we go to the bank, we go swimming,” said Sikora. “I try to get them out into the community as much as possible.” Teacher Education Professor Molly Vitale, who teaches the methods and life skills class at Misericordia, said most college students don’t have an opportu- nity to work with special needs students in their field work, so the class is a unique experience. “With this prolonged experi- ence, the students get to build relationships,” she said. “In spe- cial education, you get to see that people are people are peo- le.” This is the second year Miser- icordia has worked with the stu- dents at Lake-Lehman. In previ- ous years, students worked with the Circle of Friends pro- gram on campus, a college pro- gram dedicated to helping young women with special needs learn to live more inde- pendently. That program ended last spring due to lack of fund- ing. Sikora said the life skills stu- dents’ parents tell her the stu- dents are now taking what they learned in the classroom and implementing it at home, such as making small meals for themselves. “It’s a transforming experi- ence,” she said. Brittany Kneal, 21, of Dallas, said she’s grateful for the expe- rience to work with the life skills students. “They are such an inspira- tion,” she said. “I've learned the students can be verbal and en- gaging. I've learned from them as much as they've learned from me.”
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