Vol. 124 No. 32
THE BACK MOUNTAIN'S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1889
October 13-19, 2013
The
DALLAS POST .
BARRE, PA.
WWW.MYDALLASPOST.COM
AN EDITION OF THE TIMES LEADER
Canyon dig it
An archaeological dig
in the Coxton section of
Duryea was open to the
public recently.
The Frances
Dorrance Chapter 11
of the Pennsylvania
Archaeological ~~ Society
hosted an open house to
show off what’s happening
at the site.
Researchers have uncov-
ered remnants of American
Indians who camped along
the Susquehanna River
ousands of years ago. A
up of volunteers, most
ithout formal archaeo-
logical training, had been
methodically digging to
learn about the past and
find artifacts that will
be housed at The State
Museum of Pennsylvania
in Harrisburg.
John Dziak, president
of the Greater Pittston
Historical Society, said the
dig, which has been ongo-
ing since 1991, is in the
only spot in the Coxton
area that hasn't been
touched in 10,000 years.
The rest of the area has
been compromised by min-
ing, railroading and other
development.
Crews have uncovered
fire-cracked stone, a fire
pit and “projectiles” —
sharp, spear-like objects
used for hunting, and an
ax-type tool used for split-
ting bone or wood. Also
discovered were net sink-
ers, nutting stones, a pol-
ishing stone and a fire pit
with 13 boiling stones. It’s
rare to come across wood
and bones because the soil
in the Susquehanna River
area is very acidic.
Carbon dating of piec-
es has proved the site is
10,000 years old.
The American Indians
who inhabited the site of
the dig were much differ-
ent from the American
Indians whom students
typically learn about in
school. Rather than being
part of a collective or tribe,
these were nomadic family
groups that followed the
migratory patterns of ani-
mals.
Vince Ephault, left, of Olyphant, and Sadie Trudger, of Dallas, flat-shovel soil
as they look for artifacts.
Bill Tarutis photos | For The Dallas Post
Native American Durland Siglin of Noxen, left, presents Frances Dorrance Chapter board member
Mike Goldsmith, right, of Dallas, a sacred ‘ceremonial bundle’ of Indian tobacco blessed by members
of Indian nations participating in the Noxen pow-wow the day before, for ‘educating the youth on
what was and what is. Looking on are Doria Cresko of West Wyoming, second from left, and chapter
secretary Paula Cenera of Laflin.
The gem of the Coxton
digs is a kirk point that
would have been on the 8,000 B.C.
end of a spear. Carbon test-
ing determined it is from
the soil at Coxton as they look for artifacts.
The Back Mountain Memorial Library’s Annual
Barn Sale on Oct. 5 featured antiques, new goods, col-
lectibles and household items, including glassware.
It was also the last day of the farmers’ market at the
library grounds on Huntsville Road.
by,
i
A 1950’s-era globe is available for purchase at the Back Mountain
Memorial Library Barn Sale.
Finding bargains at the Barn Sale
ONE
Bill Tarutis photos | For The Dallas Post
Mary Ann Finch, of Harveys Lake ,browses items at the Back Mountain Memorial
Library Barn Sale.
Daryl Rother, of Dallas, buys a bunch of sunflowers during the final day of the farmers’ market at
the Back Mountain Memorial Library.
Lisa and Nelson Snyder, of Lehman Township, try out
a chair.
archaeology site.
Archaeological society
hosts open house at
B dig site in Coxton
Donna Hartman, of Lehman Township, ‘pans’ for artifacts at the
Coxton archaeological site.
Mike Smith, right, of Harding, and Mike Goldsmith, of Dallas, carefully excavate Sadie Trudgen, of Dallas, sieves soil looking for artifacts at the Coxton
Adams selected to
attend Honor Camp
Bradley Adams, son of Todd
and Jennifer Adams, of Dallas,
recently completed the Troop
“P” Camp Cadet Program. Camp
Cadet is a weeklong summer
camp for boys and girs from
Pennsylvania between the ages
of 12 and 15. Pennsylvania State
Troopers, local police officers and
other volunteers staff the camp.
The goal of Camp Cadet is
to introduce participants to the
diverse criminal justice system
and establish a positive relation-
ship with law enforcement per-
sonnel. Camp Cadet is open to
all youth and is structured similar
to training at the police academy.
The camp focuses on discipline,
self-esteem, teamwork, drug and
alcohol education, violence pre-
vention and other issues facing
youth today.
While participating in group
activities and physical fitness chal-
lenges, the Cadets are observed
by the troopers for leadership,
positive attitudes and helping
fellow cadets. At the end of the
week, troopers select four boys
and four girls to return the follow-
ing year as Junior Counselors.
Ofthe eight selected to return as
Bradley Adams, left, stands with
Trooper Tom Kelly, Director of the
Pennsylvania State Trooper's Troop
“P” Camp Cadet Program for area
youth. Adams excelled in the pro-
gram this past summer and has been
invited back next year as a Junior
Counselor.
Junior Counselors, troopers unani-
mously select one boy and one girl
to attend Honor Camp to represent
Troop “P” The Honor Camp pro-
gram was formed to showcase “the
best of the best” from Camp Cadet
programs throughout the state.
Adams, 14 and an eighth-grade
student at Dallas Middle School,
was not only chosen to return as
a Junior Counselor but was also
selected to attend Honor Camp in
Hershey.
Legion sponsors essay contest
Daddow-Isaacs Dallas
American Legion Post 672 is
sponsoring the Pennsylvania
79th Annual Essay Contest
entitled: “What Is Our Nation's
Responsibility To Our Wounded
Veterans?”
Any student enrolled in
grades 9-12 in a private, public,
parochial or home-schooled is
eligible to participate.
Monetary prizes will be
awarded. A first-place winner
will be awarded a $3,500 scholar-
ship. The second-place Wwnner
will be awarded a $3,000 schol-
arship and the third-lace winner
will receive a $2,500 scholarship.
The local school winner must
be determined by Feb. 1, 2014.
Dallas American Legion will :
also offer local cash prizes.
Information can be gar
nered at local schools
or by calling Clarence J.
Michael at 570-675-0488.
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