PAGE 4 THE DALLAS POST Sunday, February 24, 2013 BACK MOUNTAIN BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED Couple makes hobby of bird watching their new business By ELIZABETH BAUMEISTER ebaumeister @theabingtonjournal.com A small sparrow flies across the parking lot of the Dallas Shopping Center, landing on a birdfeeder by the sidewalk. Above, more birds perch on a sign which reads, “Wild Birds Un- limited Nature Shop,” identify- ing the source of the birdseed. Inside the small shop, custom- er Rick Fuhrer, of Blakeslee, chats about the feathered friends and other creatures in his own backyard while stocking up on peanuts “to keep the blue jays happy.” While his bill is totaled, Fuhrer tells a story about the blue jays and squirrels fighting for the pea- nuts he puts out each morning, adding that woodpeckers enjoy peanuts as well, but prefer them shelled and crushed into smaller pieces. As Fuhrer completes his trans- action and heads out the door, more customers enter and begin to browse the shelves and dis- plays. So begins a day at Wild Birds Unlimited. Gary and Joann Kostrobala, new owners of the local fran- chise, said their favorite part of running the store is talking with the customers and hearing their stories. “Everybody comes in and they're excited about who was in their backyard this week and what birds they've seen,” Joann said. “And there’s a lot of excite- ment around it.” “We bring people and nature together,” added Gary. “That’s ac- tually our motto. It's a place MEET THE OWNERS: GARY AND JOANN KOSTROBALA Favorite backyard birds: Cardinals and woodpeckers Best birding locations: The Everglades in Florida and Ricketts Glen State Park Most notable birding memories: Seeing condors at the Grand Canyon and a bald eagle at Frances Slocum State Park Most unusual bird you've checked off your life list: Pelicans in Mexico Other hobbies and interests: Hiking in state and national parks, sports and the outdoors Free upcoming events Birds of prey program, 1p.m., March 9 at Wild Birds Unlimited. Bird walk, 8:30 a.m., March 16 at Frances Slocum State Park Fledgling tips Gary Kostrobala, owner, Wild Birds Unlimited, offers the following tips to new birdwatchers: “Start off slow and economical.” You don't need to spend a lot of money to start out. You can buy a basic feeder and small bag of birdseed to try it out. Be patient. “You're not necessarily going to see a bird at your feeders on day one. Sometime, it takes up to a week or two but once they know the food is there, they're going to be coming back.” “Get a bird book.” As you begin to see more bird species at your feeder, the next step is to purchase a field guide to help identify them. Discount prom dresses at WU Budget-minded high school girls looking for great prom dresses at modest prices will get some help from Wilkes Universi- ty students in March. Students involved in the university’s Relay for Life event benefiting the American Cancer Society are col- lecting gently-used prom dresses from now until March 16. The dresses will be sold from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 16 at an event on the first floor of the Henry Student Center, 84 W. South St., Wilkes-Barre. The min- imum donation for a dress will be $20. All money raised will be con- tributed to Relay for Life. Individuals wishing to donate dresses for the sale can take them to a collection table in the Henry Student Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 19, 26, March 12 and March 14. Dresses also will be accepted on the day of the event. For more information, contact event organizer Katherine Ci- rone at katherine.ci- rone@wilkes.edu. BACK MOUNTAIN BOWL Sicilian Pizza » Wings Hoagies and More! Eat in and Take Out! Memorial Hwy Dallas « 675-5026 LUCAS FARMS THIS WEEK ONLY 2/58.00 ICEBERG LETTUCE 80°... BLACK PLUMS 119 RED BELL PEPPERS 8G ¢ GRAPETOMATOES $125 10 LB. POTATOES $223 RED SEEDLESS GRAPES $139 VINE RIPE TOMATOES 69: LEMONS 4/9100 4LB. NAVAL ORANGES $225 RADISHES soz.80¢ 59%, SPECIALS GOOD THRU 3/1 Winter Hours — Open 7 Days A Week 9:00 AM. 10 5:00 PM. 610 Nanticoke Street, Hanover Twp. Phone 570-825-9720 * Fax 570-825-1939 www.lucasfarms.org A male house sparrow perches on a "d" in the Wild Birds Un- limited sign at the Dallas Shop- ping Center storefront. where people can come in and ac- tually talk about what they've seen and be excited about it. We have a lot of fun interacting with the customers.” Before the Dallas couple pur- chased the shop on Oct. 15, 2012, IT RHE Wild Birds Unlimited co-owner Joann Kostrobala rings up the order. they were customers there. “We've always loved bird feed- ing and bird watching,” said Joann. So, after recently losing their jobs, Gary said, “We figured why not combine the hobby with a way to make a living?” The shop offers a variety of 25 Joann and Gary Kostrobala, owners of Wild Birds Unlimited in Dallas, are shown in their shop in this photo taken on Ash Wednesday. e Your Drafty Old Fireplace Into An Efficient Heat Source ‘Many styles and sizes to choose from for a custom look Call for an in home evaluation or stop in our showroom to see our burning displays and talk to our knowledgeable staff. Har The Lifs af the Kitchen” & ASKO | BOSCH invented for ife 2 Sus-zerod : Building? Remodeling? See Voitek’s for all the top names, and many of the premium brands you won’t find anywhere else. Discount prices everyday! Free layaway! LET US HELP YOU MAKE Hd Electrolux FRIGIDAIRE e Stromboli * Wraps * Quesadillas e Subs ¢ Burgers SICILIAN PIZZA 4 20 ELIZABETH BAUMEISTER PHOTOS/ THE DALLAS POST Rick Fuhrer, of Blakeslee, right, purchases a bag of peanuts to "keep the blue jays happy" At left, goods, most geared specifically toward hobbyists, and the rest promoted as gift items. The Kostrobalas said their top seller is the birdseed, which comes in large and small bags and a selection of different blends made to attract certain species. Other merchandise includes birdfeeders, birdbaths, bird- houses, binoculars, field guides, children’s toys and more. The shop also hosts various birding related workshops and activities throughout the year and the owners offer free pam- phlets and advice to those who come in with questions about the hobby. INVESTOR ALERT! Have You Lost Money Investing in Stocks, Mutual Funds, Variable Annuities or Other Investments? it’s not too late to recoup your losses from 2008!!! 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