PAGE 6 EDITORIAL Sunday, December 25, 2011 Joe Butkiewicz EXECUTIVE EDITOR 970-7249 jbutkiewicz@timesleader.com The Dallas Post www.mydallaspost.com Community Newspaper Group THE TIMES LEADER 15 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18711 ® 570-675-521 news@mydallaspost.com Diane McGee ADVERTISING 970-7153 dmcgee@timesleader.com Dotty Martin EDITOR 970-7440 dmartin@mydallaspost.com Remember the library In your holiday giving The Back Mountain Memorial Library Board of Directors and staff would like to wish everyone a joyous holiday season and a New Year filled with health and happiness. We also extend our appreciation for the many ways in which the residents of the Back Mountain have helped the libra- ry...either by volunteering, con- tributing or stopping in to visit. You truly are the reason why the Back Mountain Memorial Li- brary is so memorable! We also pledge in the New Year 2012 to continue improving our services to you and with that in mind, the library is hoping for the following few things (just in case you get a chance to whisper in Santa’s ear...) Our story hour volunteers are wishing for craft items (glue sticks, markers, fingerpaints, etc. (Call the Children’s Librarian for info) Flat screen TV Archival storage boxes (for newspapers/ historical docu- ments) Experienced carpenter to make minor repairs throughout the library Enclosed sign board for front li- brary Microphone stand Small folding tables (card table size) Monetary donations to build a mezzanine Elevator lift Local book written Local residents and patrons may be interested to know that one of their neighbors, Stephanie Hamel, PhD, has written and published a very timely book. Her publication, “Gas Drilling and the Fracking of a Marriage” is a poetic, heartfelt and honest memoir that will strike a vein for anyone who has played weekend farmer or agonized over their role as steward to the earth’s re- sources. Stephanie admits that she may not have the answers, but she poses the right questions. She de- cided to write her book after re- ceiving an offer to lease the farm- land of her idyllic childhood sum- mers for natural gas exploration or “fracking.” Stephanie’s subsequent strong convictions, Master’s degree in Chemistry and background as an environmental chemist were the catalysts behind this successful manuscript, which will soon be available to borrow at the library. Storytimes A reminder to parents that reg- istration for the Winter/Spring Storytimes for 2012 will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 24. Holiday hours The library will be closed on Saturday, Dec. 24 and Monday, Dec. 26 to celebrate Christmas and will also be closed on Satur- day, Dec. 31 and Monday, Jan. 2, 2012 to celebrate New Year’s Day. The Slightly Read Bookshop will be closed for the holidays on De- cember 24 through January 3. STRANGE BUT TRUE By Samantha Weaver |t was American journalist and satirist Ambrose Bierce who made the following sage observation: "There is nothing new under the sun but there are lots of old things we don't know." * Those who study such things say that when a ladybug is fright- ened, it squirts a foul-smelling goo from its knees. * You might be surprised to learn that approximately 40 percent of the oxygen in the world’s atmosphere is provided by the verdant plant growth of South America's Amazon River basin. * Mayan artwork dating back as far as 700 A.D. shows people preparing chocolate beverages. Chocolate was so valued by the natives of the Americas, the Maya even used cacao beans as cur- rency. ® For reasons that aren't quite clear, in 1960 Macy's department store introduced a vending machine that dispensed men’s underwear. After an initial flurry of shoppers coming to see the new contraption, the machine was doomed to obscurity due to lack of interest. * Here's a question for the ladies: Are you a philematophobe? If you're a woman who hates to be kissed, you are. * |n 1958, then-Vice President Richard Nixon made a state visit to Venezuela. It seems he wasn't terribly popular there, and one of the protesters spit on him. The Secret Service detained the man, and an irate Nixon kicked him in the shins. * Only about 37 percent of the newspapers published in the Unites States are recycled. her door. "YOUR SPACE" is reserved specifically for Dallas Post readers who have something they'd like to share with fellow readers. Submitted items may include photo- graphs or short stories and should be sent via e-mail to news@mydallaspost.com, by YOUR SPACE Pat Giordano says she knows that fall has arrived at Harveys Lake when she can take in the spectacular sight of nature's sunset right outside fax to 675-3650 or by mail to The Dallas Post, 15 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711. Information must include the submitting person's name, address and telephone num- ber in the event we have questions. Readers wishing to have their photos returned cation. should include a self-addressed/stamped envelope. der in which they are received. The editor of The Dallas Post reserved right to reject any items submitted for pu Items will be published in the or- 20 YEARS AGO -1991 The Back Mountain Citizens Council recently elected new of- ficers and welcomed new mem- bers. New members are Charles Wasserott IV, Robert Besecker, Dean Cassidy and John and Ma- ry Reddy. Newly elected offi- cers are Wil- liam Co- nyngham, president; y Ray Boyle, vice presi- dent; Ben Phillips, secretary, and Tom Winter, treasurer. Recently Dallas Middle School eighth-grade health stu- dents, under the direction of Ms. Robyn Jones, participated in a poster contest. The theme of the contest was to show the negative results of taking drugs and smoking on the develop- ment of a baby. The winning posters were constructed by Shannon Newell, Dean and Ryan Dauksis. YESTERDAY 30 YEARS AGO - 1981 The second annual Dallas High School Football Banquet and Awards Night was held Monday evening at Irem Tem- ple Country Club with about 200 in attendance. Frank Roll- man, president of the gridiron club, presented jackets to se- nior members of the team. They were: Lou Baines, Norman Bor- dley, Joe Clemson, Edison Cul- ver, Jim Daubert, Jeff Getz, Kurt Goeringer, Ben Gorey, John and Mike Kern, Pat Kern, Clarke Lewis, Andy Manusky, Fred Mihal, Vince Scalisi, Paul Walsh and Ed Yakobovicz. 40 YEARS AGO -1971 Juniors and seniors of Dallas School District got a first-hand account recently of college life from college students. The “In- formation day” was sponsored by Dallas Key Club and featured recent graduates of the school, now attending colleges, who spoke about their experiences. College students participating were: Sandy Barakat, Scott Lef- ko, Sharon Baran, Gwen Kloeb- er, Ray Goeringer, Joanne Gen- sel, Barbara Connoly, Tony Fan- nick, Dave Kulick, Harry Swep- ston, Ernie Gelb, Clark Switzer, John Fleming, Bob Griffiths, Glenda Larson, James Pichert, Chuck LaBerge and John Hop- kins. 50 YEARS AGO -1961 Trucksville Cub Pack 155 held its Christmas party at Trucksville Fire Hall and en- joyed an evening of carol sing- ing and gift giving. Awards were presented to Allen Schilling, John Martin, Edward Rutkin, Jeffrey Banks, John Welker, Marty Straub, George Messers- mith and David Cutten. Rosann Strickland and Susan Pattison entertained Friday evening at a pre-Christmas re- cord party at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Strickland, Dal- las. Dancing and refreshments rounded out the evening. At- tending were: Sally Pritchard, Susan Carey, Sally Lancio, Cyn- thia Powell, Peggy Bayliss, Da- mon Young, John Layou, Ed Rome, Bob Parry, Bob Walsh, Andy Smith and Nick Perrella. 60 YEARS AGO -1951 Committee women met with Senior Girl Scouts in the Li- brary Annex Monday night for investiture of four newly admit- ted Senior Girl Scouts, at an im- pressive candlelight ceremony. Invested by the president, Lor- raine Owens, were Jeanne Fran- klin, Jane Owens, Yvonne Schlitter, and Rosalind Kiper. About 65 members and friends of Dallas Rotary Club enjoyed a formal dinner dance at the Irem Country Club last Thursday night. Co-chairmen were Mrs. Harry Smith and Mrs. James Besecker. 70 YEARS AGO -1941 Fifty-three women attended the Christmas party of the Louella Neeley Bible Class and the W.S.C.S. of Lehman Metho- dist Church Thursday. Commit- tee in charge of refreshments were: Mrs. H.A. Brown, Mrs. Le- wis Ide, Mrs. John Sidler and Mrs. John Nulton. Candies and cookies are be- ing sent to local soldier boys by the Shavertown Methodist Church School. Mrs. Howard Patton of the Church School, Mrs. Arber of the Eastern Star and Mrs. Ross Lewin of the Dal- las Women’s Club are co-operat- ing in an effort to see that every local boy who is serving Uncle Sam away from home will re- ceive a package during the holi- days. Information for “Only Yester- day” is taken from past issues of The Dallas Post which is 122 vears old. The information is printed here exactly as it ap- peared in the newspaper vears ago. e On Jan 8, 1877, Crazy Horse and his warriors — out- numbered, low on ammunition and forced to use outdated weapons - fight their final los- ing battle against the U.S. Cav- alry in Montana. On May 6, Crazy Horse led approximately 1,100 Indians to the Red Cloud reservation near Nebraska's Fort Robinson and surren- dered. ® On Jan. 6, 1925, in Madison Square Garden, Finnish long- distance runner Paavo Nurmi sets a new indoor world record, running a mile in 4:13.5. In the 5,000-meter race, the "Flying Finn" broke another indoor world record in 14:44.6. Nurmi often ran holding a stopwatch to pace himself, an innovation he developed. J) e On Jan. 3, 1961, Presid. Dwight Eisenhower closes the American embassy in Havana and severs diplomatic relations between the United States and Fidel Castro’s government in Cuba. The action signaled that the United States was prepared to take extreme measures to oppose Castro’s regime. ¢ On Jan. 2, 1971, 66 football (soccer) fans are killed in a stampede at a stadium in Glas- gow, Scotland, as they attempt to leave a game. The tragedy was caused by the crush of spectators all leaving at the same time on the same stair- way. “The 1973 Gl Joe deep sea diver. He spent a lot of time with me in the tub.” Aric Gingo Shavertown “WHAT WAS YOUR BEST-EVER CHRISTMAS PRESENT?" "| saw a Chatty Cathy doll in the Sears cata- logue and it was all over. | was a victim of mass marketing.” Maureen Oremus Franklin Twp. “Being with my family is always the best pre- sent.” Amanda Russ Dallas “Last year | got PS3 Playstation with three car racing games. It was the best.” Sam Kravitsky Dallas “When my little broth- er Sam was born just a few weeks before Christmas one year.” Taylor Kelley Dallas “A boxed set of Harry Potter books to read.” Erin Michael Dallas
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers