Vol. 124 No. 29 THE BACK MOUNTAIN'S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1889 September 22 - 28, 2013 The DALLAS P 50¢ WILKES-BARRE, PA. Hawaii luau under center's pavilion helps celebrate accomplishments. CAMILLE FIOTI Dallas Post Correspondent Employees and volunteers of the Meadows Nursing & Rehabilitation Center recently gathered for a Hawaiian Luau to cel- ebrate the center’s 30th anniversary. Held under the pavilion, which was decked out in tropical island décor, the event included a delicious buf- et, catered by Blue Coal Q, live entertain- nt, karaoke, games and raffles. Cristina Tarbox, administrator of the Meadows, greeted each guest with a lei. “We had a perfect day to celebrate our 30 years of caring,” said Tarbox. “The food and entertainment was great, and it was nice to see everyone enjoying the party,” Throughout the month of August, a collage of photos and newspaper articles spanning the history of the Meadows was displayed in the cen- ter’s lobby. The Meadows is owned and operated by Ecumenical Enterprises, Inc. (EEI) a non-profit, faith-based organization. The center provides care WWW.MYDALLASPOST.COM Jenna Krispin, 4, of Dallas, shows her Hawaiian dance moves during the 30th anniversary luau. to long-term residents requiring skilled care as well as short-term reha- bilitation. On behalf of the board of directors of EEI, Carl Noto, president, com- mended the Meadows staff for its service to the residents. “We thank the staff of all departments of the Meadows Nursing & Rehabilitation Center for providing 30 years of dedicated and caring services that help each resident reach his or her highest level of indepen- dence in a warm and friendly environment,” he said Thirty years ago, the board of directors of EEI saw a need in the com- munity to help the ill and infirm. Monsignor Donald A. McAndrews and Rev. Dr. Jule Ayers, co-founders of EE], approached the Sisters of Mercy at what was then College Misericordia about purchasing a par- cel of land across the street from the campus to build a nursing home. “This property belonged to the sisters,” said McAndrews. “This is where the cows grazed in the summer and the students would ice skate on the pond.” The sisters agreed to AN EDITION OF THE TIMES LEADER eadows Genter celebrates 30th anniversary Bill Tarutis | For The Dallas Post sell the land because they knew the project would be for a “humanitarian purpose,” McAndrews said. With only eight residents and 50 staff members, the Meadows Nursing Center opened its doors in August 1983. Today, the 130- bed facility is one of the Back Mountain’s largest employers with over 150 employees and over 100 active volunteers. “We're so pleased that it is a 130-bed facil- ity,” said’ McAndrews. “I never imagined that it would have grown so much. The grace of God, good planning and good employees we've had over the years made it possible.” Registered nurse Jan Congdon remembers that first day like it was yesterday. “It was my first experience at a nursing home,” she said. “lI remember I was very nervous because 1 was the only nurse on, and I'd been out of nursing for a while. The direc- tor of nursing, Judy Harding, helped us a lot,” she recalled. “She helped pass medication and did everything to help.” Congdon also remem- bers how the Meadows first administrator, Thomas Sweeney, and other administrative employees rolled up their sleeves to make sure the center was ready for opening day. “l heard they were all washing windows,” she said. “Everyone was pitching in.” Congdon, who was hired to work the 3 to 11 p.m. shift and still does to this day, said See MEADOWS | 10 Celebrating volunteerism at Dallas Harvest Festival Annual event honors those who give time and talent to community The “Year of the Volunteer” was celebrated at the 11th Annual Dallas Harvest Festival, recognizing Back Mountain organizations, those who run them and those who give gener- ously of their time and talents to make our region a better place to live, work and play. pecial activities were held identifiy with this year’s spe- 1al moniker, including a new contest, “Charity Starts Here: 1,000 Reasons to Give.” Brightly-colored ballot jars were placed at a number of local businesses and voters paid $1 to vote for one of five chari- ties - Blue Chip Farms Animal Refuge, Back Mountain Trail, Michael J. Cleary Scholarship Fund, Dallas High School Mini-Thon and Back Mountain Memorial Library. Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge received the most votes and was awarded a $1,000 prize donated by Frontier Communications and the Dallas Harvest Festival. The other four participating charities received a check for the ballot monies collected on their behalf. Prior to Festival Day, judg- ing took place for this year’s Flower Display Contest where local businesses were invited to dress up their businesses ith fall flowers, foliage and hery, while keeping it natu- »%. Winners were Hilbert’, The Tractor Store, first place; Leggio’s, second place; and Caddie LaBar’s, third place. For performance-friendly fans, this year’s Best of Open Mic (BOOM) was held Sept. 13 at the Masonic Lodge in Dallas, featuring local talent. Atherholt was the first-place winner and received a $100 cash prize. Second place and a $75 cash prize went to Reilly Oremus while Paul & Brogan picked up third place and a $50 cash prize. Friends Feeding Friends food drives took place across the Back Mountain, with one behind held within the Dallas School District and another in local supermar- kets. Both drives benefited the Back Mountain Food Pantry. Students at Wycallis Elementary, Dallas Middle School and Dallas High School participated with the class bringing in the most donations winning a pizza party, compli- ments of Hogan's Heroes & Pizza. Charlotte Bartizek | For The Dallas Post Above, the Smith and Wallace families take a ride on an historic firetruck. Crowds of people showed up for the 11th Annual Dallas Harvest Festival on Sept. 15. Robert Martin, of Dallas, and Katherine Blankensop distribute free balloons at the Dallas Harvest Festival. i (EI stage. Dallas resident Joey Fiorello performs dance animation on the festival's main O I—— 9
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers