Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The Abington Journal 12-14-2011
The Abington Journal 12-14-2011
The Abington Journal 12-14-2011
C M Y K
Clarks Summit, Pa. DECEMBER 14 TO 20, 2011 50 Serving the Greater Abington Community since 1947
P
l
e
a
s
e
e
n
c
l
o
s
e
t
h
i
s
l
a
b
e
l
w
i
t
h
a
n
y
a
d
d
r
e
s
s
c
h
a
n
g
e
s
,
a
n
d
m
a
i
l
t
o
T
h
e
A
b
i
n
g
t
o
n
J
o
u
r
n
a
l
,
2
1
1
S
.
S
t
a
t
e
S
t
,
,
C
l
a
r
k
s
S
u
m
m
i
t
,
P
A
,
1
8
4
1
1
T
h
e
A
b
i
n
g
t
o
n
J
o
u
r
n
a
l
An edition of The Times Leader
THE ABINGTON
AN EDITION OF THE
TIMES LEADER
Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
The Waverly Community House
hosts a Breakfast with Santa.
See page A7.
WAVERLY
Meeting the big guy
Scoutmaster Gary Katz ex-
plains the process involved
with becoming an Eagle Scout.
See page A3.
ABINGTONS
Becoming an Eagle Scout
Our Lady of Peace School stu-
dents submit art work this
week. See page A4.
ABINGTONS
Holiday art work
In its first year, the Marleys
Mission 2011-12 Art Contest
receives 101 entries.
See page A11.
ABINGTONS
Supporting the mission
ArtsEtc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A11
Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A2
Classified. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B1
Crosswords. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A9
Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C3
School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A5
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C1
INSIDE
The Abington Heights High
School basketball team begins
the season with a victory over
Holy Cross on Friday, Dec. 9.
See page C1.
Starting
strong
CLARKS SUMMIT-
Council voted to raise taxes
7 percent in 2012 with the
provision that the budget be
re-evaluated in January when
new council members are
sworn in. Returning members
of council, including presi-
dent Gerrie Carey, are hoping
the newcomers have fresh
ideas to help the borough
avoid cutting additional ser-
vices and lower the taxes.
We, as a council, have to
figure out ways to maintain
our services and bring more
revenue into town, Council-
man Herman Johnson said.
We have to be creative and
think outside the box to
eliminate our deficit prob-
lems.
A 1.75-mill tax increase
passed 6-0 on Dec. 8.Coun-
cilwomen Barbara Evans was
not in attendance. A mill is
$1 in tax for every $1,000
assessed in property value.
New council members Don
Moyer and David Jenkins
voiced their displeasure with
several items in the budget.
Im totally against the
elimination of the leaf pick-
up, Moyer said. Im also
against raising the sewer bill
and eliminating the chiefs
position.
Jenkins agreed that the
decision to eliminate the
chiefs position is not wise.
I think the police chiefs
job is a very important job in
the community, he said. If
the public sees we have a
department without a chief
of police, I dont think thats
a good image to put forth.
According to Kehoe, coun-
cil is not eliminating the
position; it is just not replac-
ing Vitale immediately when
he retires in April.
Right now were budget-
ing on the side of conser-
vancy, she said. We didnt
put money away for a re-
placement right away, but its
not a permanent decision not
to have a chief once he re-
tires.
Jamie Kresge, owner of
Abington Financial Group,
strongly recommended that
the borough do an audit on
the more than two months to
cash the checks at his busi-
ness in South Abington Twp.
There is a lot of money
still out there that is owed to
the borough, Kresge said.
Johnson said council raised
the issue to the Council of
Governments (COG), but
couldnt generate enough
municipalities to check into
the issue. He suggested
Kresge attend the next COG
meeting to state his concerns.
Council approved, by a
unanimous vote, Ordinance
2011-6, authorizing the bor-
ough to accept the bid from
PNC Bank for its $300,000
Tax Anticipation Note (TAN)
at 1.99 percent interest. PNC
offered a rate of 1.99 percent
with a $500 commitment fee
while Fidelity Bank offered a
rate of 2.29 percent with no
commitment fee. Kehoe said
the PNC bid would offer a
savings of $400.
Council approved the 2012
C.S. Council
passes 2012 budget
BY ROBERT TOMKAVAGE
rtomkavage@theabingtonjournal.com
See BUDGET, Page 7
Lackawanna County will
meet its goal, Jones said there
are some items the program is
still in need of, specifically
gifts for older children.
At this particular point in
time, were looking for gifts
for the older kids, ages 9 to
14, said Jones.
A lot of people think the
name speaks for itself, Toys
for Tots, and people forget
about the older kids.
And, while Lackawanna
County has been fortunate in
being able to achieve its goals
this year, other areas are not
so lucky. Jones mentioned
Wyoming County which, after
being devastated by floods in
September, has seen a dip in
contributions this year.
He added that while Dec.
20 is the official deadline to
make a donation, the founda-
tion will accept gifts after that
date.
In addition to gifts, there
are also opportunities for
those interested to donate
their time, helping to sort out
and collect gifts.
Anyone interested in volun-
teering, locating one of the
100 drop-offs in the area, or
seeking more information can
visit http://www.toysfor-
tots.org/.
As in years past, the United
States Marine Corps is giving
everyone a chance to play
Santa this holiday season.
From now until December
20, the Marine Corps Toys for
Tots Foundation will collect
new, unwrapped toys and
distribute them as Christmas
gifts to needy children in the
community.
Last year, Toys for Tots
Coordinator Gunnery Sgt.
Dennis Jones said the pro-
gram provided gifts for 8,000
children in Lackawanna
County and is expecting more
this year, possibly an addi-
tional thousand people.
Thankfully, he said the ge-
nerosity from those in the
area is going to make provid-
ing gifts for everyone pos-
sible.
It surprises us every year,
Jones said of the areas gene-
rosity.
Even with the bad econo-
my, and people losing their
homes, they still come out
and give every year. This is
my first year as coordinator,
but Ive been around the pro-
gram and its always a nice
surprise.
Even though it looks like
Donations bring
Christmas joy to all
BY DON MCGLYNN
dmcglynn@theabingtonjournal.com
Local high school students
are once again given the op-
portunity to participate in the
annual Northeast Pennsylva-
nia Regional Bridge Building
Competition on February 11
at the Viewmont Mall in
Dickson City. Organized and
directed by retired Abington
Heights High School physics
teacher, Donald Kieffer, of
Clarks Summit, the competi-
tion is open to students in
grades nine through 12
throughout NEPA.
Kieffer sends around 150
invitations annually to
schools in the region and the
competition normally attracts
between 40 and 50 participa-
nts. Each school is invited to
send three students to the
competition. Kieffer said the
contestants receive t-shirts
with the names of the spon-
sors, certificates and program
books. Each winner is award-
ed a plaque as well as a tro-
phy for his or her school. The
first and second-place win-
ners are eligible to compete at
the International Competi-
tion, which will be held this
year in Las Vegas, Nevada.
There are no entry fees for
the students and their only
expenses, Kieffer said, are the
cost of glue used to make the
bridges and transportation to
the competition.
The objective, according to
a press release from the orga-
nization, is to provide an
ABINGTON JOURNAL/ELIZABETH BAUMEISTER
Donald H. Kieffer,
director of the
NEPA Regional
Bridge Building
Competition, dis-
plays sample
bridges, some of
which he made
himself, others
made by his for-
mer students.
Students invited to bridge
building competition
BY ELIZABETH BAUMEISTER
lbaumeister
@theabingtonjournal.com
See BRIDGE, Page 8
With the spin of a drei-
del, one can witness four
Hebrew letters, one print-
ed or engraved on each of
the four sides of the spin-
ning top. When the words
are placed together to
form a sentence, they
reflect and convey the true
meaning of Chanukah:
Nes gadol hayah sham,
which, translated to En-
glish, means, A great
miracle happened there,
(in Israel) referencing the
Chanukah miracle.
In Israel, the Hebrew
letters were changed to
Nes Gadol Haya Po, or
A great miracle happened
here."
The word dreidel is
Yiddish for a spinning top.
ABINGTON JOURNAL PHOTO/ ALEX SEELEY
Breonna Pollack 9, spins a dreidel at the Jewish Discovery Center in Clarks Summit.
Holiday game
BY JOAN MEAD MATSUI
Abington Journal Correspondent
See DREIDEL, Page 10
C M Y K
PAGE 2A www.theabingtonjournal.com The Abington JournalClarks Summit, PA WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER14, 2011
YOUR COMMUNITY
211 S. State St., CLARKS SUMMIT, PA 18411 570-587-1148
NEWS@THEABINGTONJOURNAL.COM
EDITOR KRISTIE GRIER CERUTI
585-1604 / kgrier@theabingtonjournal.com
STAFF WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS
ELIZABETH BAUMEISTER
585-1606 / lbaumeister@theabingtonjournal.com
ROBERT TOMKAVAGE
585-1600 / rtomkavage@theabingtonjournal.com
DON MCGLYNN
585-1601 / dmcglynn@theabingtonjournal.com
RETAIL ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
JUDY COMERFORD
687-1796 / jcomerford@timesleader.com
KAREN FISCUS
558-0845 / kfiscus@timesleader.com
CLASSIFIED ADVISOR
LINDA BYRNES
970-7189 / lbyrnes@timesleader.com
COVERAGE AREA: The Abington Journal, a weekly community newspaper
that is part of Impressions Media in Wilkes-Barre, PA, covers the Abingtons
area of Lackawanna and Wyoming counties. This includes but is not limited to
Clarks Summit, Clarks Green, South Abington, Newton, Ransom, Glenburn,
Dalton, La Plume, Factoryville, Waverly, Tunkhannock and the Abington
Heights, Lackawanna Trail and Lakeland school districts.
Our circulation hovers between 2,000 and 3,000 readers. We try to get to as
many events as possible, but staff and space limitations make it impossible to
cover everything. If you have news about your family, town or organization,
please send it to us and well do our best to publish it. Photographs (with
captions) are welcome.
CORRECTIONS, clarifications: The Abington Journal will correct errors of
fact or clarify any misunderstandings created by a story. Call 587-1148. Have a
story idea? Please call. Wed like to hear about it. Letters: The Abington Journal
prints all letters, which have local interest. Send letters to: Editor, The Abington
Journal, 211 S. State St., Clarks Summit, PA 18411. All letters must be signed
and include a phone number where we can reach the author. Editor reserves
the right to edit or reject any item submitted. Deadline is noon, Friday prior to
publication. Want a photo that has appeared? We can provide color prints of
photos taken by our staff. Prices: 8x10 - $25; 5x7 - $12. Call, mail in, or stop by
to order.
CIRCULATION
Orders for subscription received by Friday at noon will begin the following
week. See box at right for subscription prices. Local subscriptions should arrive
Wednesdays. Please inform us of damage or delay. Call 587-1148. The Abing-
ton Journal (USPS 542-460), 211 S. State St., PO Box 277, Clarks Summit, PA
18411. Published weekly by Wilkes Barre Publishing Company, 211S. State St.,
Clarks Summit, PA, 18411. $20 per year, in Lackawanna and Wyoming counties
(PA); $24 elsewhere in PA and additional offices. Periodicals postage paid at
Clarks Summit, PA, 18411, and at additional offices.
ISSN. NO. 1931-8871, VOL. 85, ISSUE NO. 50
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Abington Journal, 211 South
State St., Clarks Summit, PA 18411.
COPYRIGHT 2011: Entire contents copyrighted. All rights reserved. No
part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without the express
written consent of the publisher.
ADVERTISING
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING DEADLINE: Mondays at 10 a.m.
DISPLAY ADVERTISING DEADLINE: Thursday at 5 p.m.
CALL 587-1148 (Thursday at noon if proof required.)
We have a variety of rates and programs to suit your advertising needs. The
Abington Journal satisfies most co-op ad programs. Creative services at no
charge. Combination rates with The Dallas Post, Dallas, available. We can pro-
duce your newsletter, flyer or newspaper. Call for quotes on typesetting, pro-
duction and printing.
Complete and mail in this form, or call 587-1148
Name _________________________________________
Mail Address ____________________________________
City _________________________State _____ Zip _____
Phone ________________________________________
RATES 1 Year 2 Years
Lackawanna & Wyoming counties $20 $35
Other PA, NY or NJ $24 $42
All Other States $27 $48
Return completed formwith payment to: The Abington Journal, 211S. State St.,
Clarks Summit, PA 18411
THE ABINGTON
JOURNAL
The 2011 Christmas Holiday Bureau chairpersons and staff have kicked off their 61st year of
helping low-income families during the holiday season. Eligible families receive a gift card to
purchase toys, food, or clothing. Donations of any amount are needed to help make the holi-
day season merrier for those in need. Donations to the Christmas Holiday Bureau can be sent
to 538 Spruce St., Scranton, PA 18503. The Christmas Holiday Bureau is a program of the
Voluntary Action Center, a United Way Agency.
Christmas Holiday Bureau returns
REMINDERS
Glenburn Sewing Club now
accepting new members, open
to ages 6 to 19, for all experi-
ence levels. Instructors are
Hilda Lewis and Ann Northup.
Info: 570.563.1369.
Free Radon test kits available
through American Lung Associ-
ation. Apply online at
www.lunginfo.com/freera-
donkit. One kit per household,
Pa. residents only.
Seniors may qualify for a
power wheelchair at little or no
cost. Contact Miracle on
Wheels at 1.800.400.4210.
Cell Phone Collection,
Abington Heights High School
Students against Destructive
Decisions are collecting cell
phones at the high school. All
cell phones are cleared and
programmed with 911 for use
by the elderly. The phones may
be dropped off in the main
office of the high school.
Overeaters Anonymous meet-
ings, First Presbyterian Church,
201 Stone Ave., Clarks Summit,
weekly, Mon. and Wed., 7 p.m.;
Tue. and Thu., 9:30 a.m. and
Sun., 4 p.m. Info:
570.587.4313.
American Red Cross. To find
a blood drive location and date
near you, go to NEPAGIVELI-
FE.ORG. Click on the NEPA
map under Donations or call
1.800.GiveLife and make a
local appointment.
Cub Scout Pack 251, spon-
sored by the Clarks Green Unit-
ed Methodist Church. Info: Cub
Master, Tom Sheakoski,
586.8049 or clarksgreen251.org
The Scranton Rescue Mis-
sions offers food and clothing.
The Scranton Rescue Mission,
8 W. Olive St., offers a Com-
munity Service and meals every
Fri., Sat., Sun. and Mon. at 5:25
p.m. Free haircuts first and
second Sat. of the month during
Bible Study. Every Sunday
evening following the evening
service, the mission distributes
non-perishable food and
clothes. Anyone in need of
spiritual help, food or clothing
can contact www.scranton-
rescuemission.com or
570.357.6677.
Horseback Riding Lessons at
Elk Stables, Uniondale. All
levels taught. Riding instructor
Whitney Mulqueen. Children
and adults welcome. Indoor
arena and outdoor arena. Info/
to schedule:570.575.8649.
HOLIDAY EVENTS
The Wyoming County Cham-
ber of Commerce Sixth Annual
"I Shopped Local This Holiday
Season" Contest, through Dec.
24. Sponsored by Cabot Oil &
Gas Corporation, retail pur-
chases made in Wyoming
County will qualify shoppers
for entry to win a $500 grand
prize. Qualifying purchases
include everything from meals
in restaurants, gift certificates,
furniture, clothing and ap-
pliances to shoes, food, home
improvement materials, cars,
vehicle upgrades, jewelry and
more. Info: 836.7755.
Abington Heights Middle
School Concerts, scheduled as
follows: Dec. 14; 7th Grade
Chorus Dec. 19; 8th Grade
Chorus Dec. 15; 8th Grade
Orchestra- Jan. 19; 7th Grade
Orchestra Jan. 20; 6th Grade
Orchestra Jan. 23; 5th Grade
Orchestra- Jan. 24. All of the
Middle School concerts begin
at 7:30 p.m. and are free of
charge.
United Cerebral Palsy of
Northeastern PAs Holiday Gift
Wrap, at the Viewmont Mall,
now through December 24
from noon to 9 p.m. Choose
from a wide selection of de-
signs, topped by one of a huge
assortment of ribbons and
bows, at the gift wrap center
outside GAP. All donations
received will benefit Lacka-
wanna Countys United Cere-
bral Palsy of Northeastern
Pennsylvania, which provides
an array of services for children
and adults with various dis-
abilities.
Holiday Toy Drive for the
Marine Toys for Tots Founda-
tion, at the Viewmont Mall
Drop-off Box located near
Santa in Center Court now
through December 15 during
mall hours. The Marine Toys
for Tots Foundation will distrib-
ute the toys to local children
throughout the holiday season.
Lackawanna Trail School
District Holiday Concerts,
Schedule as follows: High
School Instrumental concert,
Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. and Choral
Department Concert, Dec. 19 at
7 p.m. All concerts are open to
the public with donations ac-
cepted at the door.
December 14: Be a Santa to
a Senior Gift Wrapping Party,
in Evans Hall at Keystone Col-
lege in La Plume at 10 a.m.
Community volunteers of all
ages are invited to attend and
help wrap gifts. Participating
local organizations, such as
Meals on Wheels and Serving
Seniors, Inc., identified needy
and isolated seniors in the com-
munity and provided those
names to Home Instead Senior
Care. Christmas trees, which
are up through December 12,
feature ornaments with the first
names of seniors and their gift
requests. Trees are located at:
Abington Community Library,
Clarks Summit; Fitzes Depart-
ment Store, Tunkhannock;
Marshalls, Dickson City; Pee-
bles, Carbondale; The Mall at
Steamtown, Scranton; and Wal-
greens, S. Main Street, Scran-
ton. Holiday shoppers can pick
up an ornament, buy items on
the list and return them un-
wrapped to the store, along
with the ornament attached.
Info: www.beasantatoasenior-
.com or 687.4755.
December 16: Leadership
Lackawannas Holiday Cock-
tails Affair at The Electric
City Trolley Museum at 5:30
p.m. Features mixed drinks and
foods with a holiday twist and
cultural flair, holiday music and
basket raffles. Proceeds will
help support curriculum devel-
opment for Leadership Lacka-
wanna programs and scholar-
ship funds. Cost: $15 in ad-
vance or $20 at the door. Info/
tickets: 342.7711 or www.lea-
dershiplackawanna.com.
A Living Nativity at the
Clarks Green Assembly of God
Church, continuing through
December 18 beginning each
night at 7 p.m. Includes a live
cast in the stable with sheep,
llamas and others and home-
baked cookies and warm bever-
ages by the fireplace. Cost:
free. Info: 586.8286.
St. Johns Russian Orthodox
Cathedral Homemade Pirogie
Sale for the Holidays, at St.
Johns Center, Hill Street, May-
field from Noon to 4 p.m.
Homemade pirogie (deep fried
or uncooked) will be available
on a first come, first served
basis. Info: 876.0730.
December 17: Pet Photos
with Santa Claus, at PetSmart
with the Griffin Pond Animal
Shelter from11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Continues Dec. 18.
Our Lady of Snows Annual
Cookie Walk from11 a.m. to 2
p.m. Proceeds benefit the OLS
Lazarus Ministry. Info/Dona-
tions: 586.1741.
Clifford Community Youth
Group Cookie Walk, at the
Clifford United Methodist
Church on Main Street, Clif-
ford, from 9 a.m. to noon. Con-
tainers will be available to fill
with fresh homemade cookies.
Cost: $4 for small, $7 for large.
Gift wrapping also available.
Visit From Santa, at the Jus-
tus Fire Station from 5 to 9
p.m. Goodies for the kids. San-
ta will ride on the Justus Fire
Company Fire Truck. Info:
587.4545 or
www.JFC28Fire.com.
Childrens Christmas Party,
at the Chinchilla Firehouse on
Shady Lane Road, at 4 p.m.
Sponsored by the Chinchilla
Junior Firefighters and the
South Abington Lions Club.
Refreshments will be provided-
,Santa Clause will arrive by fire
engine with gifts, and entertain-
ment will be provided by the
Great Damion the Magician.
December 18: All You Can
Eat Breakfast With Santa, at the
Clarks Summit Fire Company,
321 Bedford Street, from 8 a.m.
-12:30 p.m. Cost: $7 for adults,
$4 10 and under.
The Robert Dale Chorales
28th annual Messiah Sing-
Along, at St. Lukes Episcopal
Church, 232 Wyoming Ave.,
Scranton, at 3 pm. Members of
the Chorale will sing the solos,
and the audience and the full
Chorale will sing the choruses.
Cost: $15 general admission,
$12 for seniors and WVIA
members, and $7 for students.
Copies of the music will also
be available for purchase at the
door. Info/Tickets: 586.3921.
December 19: Christmas
Choral Concert, Abington
Senior Community Center at 11
a.m. A performance by the
Summit Christian Academy
Elementary Students.
December 20: A Special
Blue Christmas Service of
Prayer, at Elm Park United
Methodist Church, Jefferson
Ave and Linden St, Scranton, at
7 p.m. Scripture and music.
Held for those grieving or cop-
ing with a loss.
December 21: Christmas
Party, at the Abington Senior
Community Center at 11 a.m.
Entertainment by Bernie Coop-
er.
WEEKLY EVENTS
Mondays:
Clarks Summit Fire Company
Auxiliary meeting, 7 p.m.
Clarks Summit Fire House, 321
Bedford St., second Monday of
every month. Info:
570.585.6866.CMC Donor Site
Blood Drives, noon to 4 p.m.,
second Monday of the month,
CMC School of Nursing Audi-
torium. Info: 570.969.8800.
Detox Footbaths and Target-
ed Massage, third Monday of
every month, 2:30p.m. to
5:30p.m. at the Lupus Founda-
tion of Pennsylvania, 615 Jef-
ferson Avenue, Scranton. In-
fo:1.888.995.8787.
Pilates Classes, 9 to 10:15
a.m., Waverly Comm CRB
Room. Info: 570.587.1403
Tuesdays:
Introduction to Martial Arts,
7 to 9 p.m. at the Chinchilla
United Methodist Church, 411
Layton Road, Chinchilla. Ages
six and up. Cost: free. Info:
Scott at 585.1206.
South Abington Lions Club
seeking new members, club
their meetings the second Tues-
day of each month, second
floor of the South Abington
Township Building at 7 p.m.
Info: 570.586.8101.
Greater Scranton Area Roar-
ing Ramblers Toastmaster
Meeting, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
every second and fourth Tues-
day of each month at Allied
Services in the Community
Room, located at the Pediatrics
and Psychology Services en-
trance of the Rehabilitation
Building on the Morgan High-
way at Moffatt Drive. Info:
scrantontoastmasters.org,
570.587.0232 or 570.222.5405.
Wednesdays:
Meeting of the NBC (North-
east Business Club) 7:30 a.m.
to 8:30 a.m. on Wednesdays at
Dolphin Plaza, Route 315
Wilkes-Barre, on NBC is a
business and professional orga-
nization whose primary pur-
pose is to exchange qualified
business referrals. Seating may
be limited, call ahead. Info:
570.558.9247.
Oakwood Terrace Support
Group meetings for spouses
and other family members or
caretakers of those afflicted
with Alzheimers disease, the
third Wednesday of each month
at 6:30 p.m. 400 Gleason Road,
Moosic. Meetings are open to
the public. Cost: free. Info:
Sylvia Kolosinsky at
570.451.3171 ext. 116 or oak-
woodterraceinc.com.
Thursdays:
Inner Harmony Wellness
Center meditation technique
workshops, Thursdays at 6:30
p.m. at Uno Fitness, 3 West
Olive Street, Scranton. Cost:
$15 per session, or participants
can purchase a five-session
punch card for $60. Info/reser-
vations: 570.346.4621 or email
dana@ihwc.com. Alzheimers
Association caregivers support
group meetings, 7 to 8 p.m., the
last Tuesday of every month.
Elan Gardens. Adjoining room
for loved ones, who will not be
left unattended. Info: Rhonda,
570.585.8099 or Rita,
570.586.0179.
BNI (Business Network In-
ternational) Meetings, 7 - 8:30
a.m. on Thursdays at Nichols
Village Hotel, 1101 Northern
Blvd., Clarks Summit. Meet
other professionals to grow
your business by exchanging
business referrals. Info:
570.587.1135.
Hatha Yoga, 9 a.m. at Every-
thing Natural, Clarks Summit.
Performing the asanas (pos-
tures) reflect attitude, mindful-
ness, correct balance of action,
strength and stamina, flexibility,
alignment/form, and under-
standing of the mind (med-
itation). Props will be provided.
Instructor: Nora Fox, RYT
Cost: $12 per class.
Fridays:
Diabetes support group, 10
a.m. Community Medical Cen-
ter School of Nursing, first
floor, CME Room, second
Friday of each month. Info:
570.969.7272.
Fibromyalgia support group
meetings, second Friday of each
month at 12:30 p.m. All meet-
ings at Lupus Foundation Of-
fice, 615 Jefferson Avenue,
Scranton. Info: 888.995.8787.
Pilates Classes, 9 to 10:15
a.m., Waverly Comm CRB
Room. Info: 570.587.1403
A Course in Miracles, 4:30
p.m. at Everything Natural.
Discover more about the guid-
ing principles of authors like
Marianne Williamson and Dr.
Wayne Dyer. Newcomers wel-
come.
Saturdays and Sundays:
Bereavement Support, at Our
Lady of Snows Church Parish
Center 301 South State Street,
Clarks Summit, every third
Sunday of the month at 2 p.m.
All are welcome to attend in-
formative sessions dealing with
the grief process. Info:
586.1741.
Reflex Sympathetic Dys-
trophy Syndrome support
group, 1 to 3 p.m., Community
Medical Center School of
Nursing Building, first floor,
CME Room, second Saturday
of each month. Info:
570.969.8986.
Free Parking at Scranton Iron
Furnaces historical site, 159
Cedar Avenue, Scranton from
12 to 4 p.m.
Hatha Yoga, Svaroopa Style,
10 a.m. Class includes guided
relaxations, yoga breathing and
poses. Registration required. To
register, call 570.498.7885.
Instructor: Barbara Cohen,
RYT. Cost: $15 per class; $100
for 8 weeks.
COMMUNITY
CALENDAR
C M Y K
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER14, 2011 THE ABINGTON JOURNALCLARKS SUMMIT, PA WWW.THEABINGTONJOURNAL.COM PAGE 3A
A Pennsylvania State
Trooper died Saturday
morning, December 10,
after apparently shooting
himself in the parking lot
of the Troop P Tunk-
hannock State Police Bar-
racks in Tunkhannock
Township.
State Police said Troop-
er Craig Venesky, 42, of
Clarks Summit was found
in the barracks parking
lot on State Route 6 at
2:45 a.m. Saturday.
State police said they
are investigating the
shooting but that no foul
play is suspected.
Venesky enlisted with
the state police on Sep-
tember 11, 2000, accord-
ing to state police.
State police have not
released additional details
about the incident.
Trooper shoots
self in barracks
parking lot,
state police say
Scoutmaster Gary Katz has
led Clarks Summit Troop 160
for the past five years. The
Scouts who spent countless
hours working toward their
Eagle badge under his guid-
ance have joined elite compa-
ny.
I think the perseverance
part of it is most important,
Katz said. Its not an easy
process; its a long road. In the
history of Scouting in Amer-
ica since 1910, there have been
two million Eagle Scouts out
of about a billion boys who
have been Scouts.
If you dont want it, youre
not going to get it, said Katz.
Its easier to quit.
Boys join Scouts at about 11
years of age and go through a
number of ranks, starting with
the fundamental ranks of Ten-
derfoot, Second Class and
First Class. The next two
ranks of Star and Life take
more dedication to achieve.
Star and Life are where the
scouts really start learning
their leadership skills, Katz
said.
Star is awarded when the
Scout serves actively in the
troop in a position of respon-
sibility for at least four
months, performs at least six
hours of community service
and earns six merit badges.
Life is awarded when the
Scout serves actively in the
troop, serves in a position of
responsibility for six months,
performs six hours of commu-
nity service and earns an addi-
tional five merit badges to
make a minimum total of 11.
Once they hit Life is really
where the rubber hits the
road, Katz said.
According to Katz, Scouts
then need to find a service
project in the community.
Once they get approval for
their project, they get the
Scoutmasters approval, as
long as everything meets the
criteria. At that point, the boys
start their project paperwork
which takes one to three
months. Once the project is
approved by the Scoutmaster,
its sent to the Council office.
After the project is ap-
proved by the Council, the
Scout can start. Once the pro-
ject is finished, the Scouts
must complete paperwork to
bring it full circle. During the
process, the Scouts needs to
earn a minimum of 21 merit
badges, 12 of which are re-
quired (camping, citizenship
in the community, citizenship
in the nation, citizenship in
the world, communications,
environmental science, family
life, first aid, personal fitness,
personal management, emer-
gency preparedness or life-
saving, cycling or hiking or
swimming.) Scouts can
choose from over 100 elective
merit badges for the others.
The average Scout usually
winds up with around 26 or
27 badges before they go to
Eagle, some have much more,
some just have 21, Katz said.
It depends on how ambitious
they are.
Once all the paperwork and
merit badges are done, Scouts
can fill out the application to
become an Eagle Scout. After
that, they have a Scoutmaster
conference.
This is where we really
talk about what an Eagle
Scout is and how they should
conduct themselves for the
rest of their life, Katz said.
Once the paperwork is turn-
ed into the Council office, the
Scout meets with three to four
people from the community
and sits in front of a chair-
person for about 45 minutes
where he must answer ques-
tions. If the review is favor-
able, the Scout will be award-
ed the Eagle badge.
Scouts have to be awarded
the badge because it cant be
earned, Katz said. The aver-
age Scout usually makes Ea-
gle between 16 and 17 years
old. Some take a little longer
and some can do it a little
quicker. The youngest scout
Ive had was 13, but weve had
others that have been over 18.
Scouts can continue in
Scouting after getting their
Eagle by earning bronze, gold
and silver Eagle Palms. They
can earn multiples of each by
being active in the troop or
active in Scouting and by
continuing to earn merit badg-
es. After earning the Eagle
award, Scouts need five more
merit badges to earn bronze,
five more for gold and five
more for silver.
Troop 160 has averaged
about seven Eagle Scouts a
year for the last five years,
according to Katz, who said
only about 3 percent of Scouts
earn their Eagle badge and
thinks the service project is
the hardest part of the process.
I think thats the hardest
thing for them to understand,
he said. The project is labor
intensive, it drives them crazy.
Doing the project is the result,
but leading the project is the
lesson. You have to learn how
to do the project, and then you
have to execute it.
Tyler VanGorder, a Life
Scout, is currently going
though the Eagle Scout proc-
ess. He joined Cub Scouts in
first grade and crossed over to
Boy Scouts in fourth or fifth
grade.
VanGorders favorite aspect
of Scouts is the camping trips
where he can bond with mem-
bers of the troop.
Thats the best part, he
said. They are just a lot fun.
Youre with your friends and
you learn some Scout skills. I
think most Scouts will say
that summer camp is their
favorite because its a seven-
day camping trip.
The Scouts have enabled the
Abington Heights sophomore
to become more outgoing and
confident.
I consider myself a rela-
tively shy person, but being in
Scouts, Ive been able to take
a leadership role and instruct
others, he said.
VanGorder has earned 41
merit badges, but is most
proud of the 12 he had to ac-
quire for his Eagle Scout re-
quirements.
For his project, VanGorder
painted tables, repaired and
pained benches, and built and
painted garbage containers at
Comet Park.
Its a long process with all
of the merit badges, camping
trips and all of their require-
ments, but its a very fun one,
he said.
Troop Commander Joe
Gronsky, who earned his Ea-
gle badge in 1970, gives a
message to Scouts who earn
their Eagle badge.
I tell them as much as they
appreciate their accomplish-
ment now, the older they get
the more they will appreciate
it, he said. Scouting is fun
when you are young, but
when you look back as an
adult, you realize it prepared
you for life.
Road to Eagle
Scout arduous,
but rewarding
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Commissioner Washo recently presented those boys in Troop #160
from Clarks Summit who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with
plaques recognizing this achievement on Nov. 10. From left, first row,
Michael Pettinato, Matthew Gronsky, Jason Kohn, TJ Katz, Commis-
sioner Washo, Aaron Fleming, Tyler Asay, Brendon Buckbee. Second
row, Matthew Pettinato, Brian Vietz, Matthew Arcangelo, Matthew
Brunetti, Nick Stambolian, John Domenico. Back row, Connor Fleming.
BY ROBERT TOMKAVAGE
rtomkavage
@theabingtonjournal.com
ABINGTON JOURNAL/ROB TOMKAVAGE
Tyler VanGorder with scoutmaster
Gary Katz at a Troop meeting
ABINGTON JOURNAL/ROB TOMKAVAGE
A plaque displays the name of
every Eagle Scout since the in-
ception of the troop in the 1920s.
The Clarks Green United Methodist Church held its annual Advent
Workshop and Hanging of the Greens party after worship service on
Sunday, Dec. 4.
The education department organized crafts for children and a
special wreath project for adults while others decorated the sanctu-
ary for the Christmas season.
A soup and bread luncheon was held in the fellowship hall which
was also decorated with a Christmas tree, candles and greens.
Hang up the wreath
T
he Abington Community Library hosted Creative
Gingerbread Houses, on Saturday afternoon, Dec.
10. The library supplied children in grades four
through six the materials to build and decorate graham
cracker gingerbread houses and holiday poppers to take
home. The Abington Community Library is located at
1200 W. Grove St., South Abington Township. For more
information on upcoming events, call 587.3440.
ABINGTON JOURNAL PHOTOS/ALEX SEELEY
Katrina Valent, 10 10.
Creativity
shines at ACL
Shanley Mckeon, 11.
Kai Jorden, 9, and Helen Jordan, 4, decorate their gingerbread
houses.
Colm Mckeon, 11
The Clarks Summit Police
Department is still investigat-
ing four break-ins that oc-
curred in the Clarks Summit
area in late November.
Both Dino and Francescos
Pizza-Pasta, a restaurant
located at 1002 S. State St.,
and Nearly NewOutlet and
Consignment Shop, located
at 100 Old Lackawanna Trail,
reported burglaries on
Wednesday morning, Nov.
23.
The following Sunday, Nov.
27, Nickies Fabulous Hoa-
gies, located at 611S. State
St., and Fiorillos Pizza, locat-
ed in the Summit Square
Plaza, reported burglaries.
Mike Fiorillo, owner of
Fiorillos Pizza, said the bur-
glars broke into the restaurant
through the back door and
stole $100.
TomParry, owner of Nick-
ies Fabulous Hoagies, said
the burglars entered by prying
open the back door of Pru-
dential Preferred Properties
and making their way into his
store through a side door that
connects the two businesses.
Parry was unaware of the
specific amount of money
taken, but knewit was less
than $100. Nothing was stolen
fromPrudential Preferred
Properties.
Shelley Robinson, owner of
Nearly NewOutlet &Con-
signment Shop, declined to
comment on what was taken,
but said the burglars also
entered her business by pry-
ing through the back door.
Police Chief Lou Vitale
said all four burglaries are
still under investigation, but
declined to comment on
whether or not he thought
they might be related.
The Clarks Summit police
are handling it, said Parry.
Chief Vitale has been great
to us, and Imsure himand
his department will get it
solved.
Dino and Francescos could
not be reached for comment.
Burglaries still
under investigation
BY DON MCGLYNN
dmcglynn@theabingtonjournal.com
Bellissimo Pizzeria &Risto-
rante at 223 Northern Blvd.,
Clarks Summit, will host a
fundraiser for the Kane Family
on Monday, Dec. 19, from6 to
9 p.m.
Tickets for the event are $20
and include a buffet dinner.
Raffle baskets will be avail-
able.
This fundraiser is focused
on Amy Kane, who was diag-
nosed with osteosarcoma at
the age of 16. At that time, she
had surgery to remove tumors.
After the birth of her second
daughter, her cancer metasta-
sized to her right lung. Since
that time, she had surgery in
2008 and 2009.
Kane has been undergoing
chemotherapy since May 2011
when CTscans revealed tu-
mors on her right lung and her
heart. Kane is nowbattling
Stage 4 osteosarcoma (bone
cancer).
Donations of raffle baskets
and other items are being ac-
cepted. To arrange a pick-up,
or for more information call
215.913.1725.
Bellissimo to host
fundraiser on Dec. 19
C M Y K
PAGE 4A www.theabingtonjournal.com The Abington JournalClarks Summit, PA WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER14, 2011
The Abington Journal staff contacted local elementary schools and asked students to illustrate "What I
love most about the holiday season." As you can see, the results are as varied as the list for Santa. Be sure
to look for more childs artwork in the weeks to come.
Childrens artwork: What I love most about the holiday season
MRS. YANULS SECOND-GRADE ART CLASS - OUR LADY OF PEACE SCHOOL
Andrew Albright, 7 Sarah Aubrey, 7 Andrew Bel, 8 Erik Burdyn, 8 Mia Cardillo, 7
Jacob Dennis, 7 Riley Dempsey, 7 Dominica Delayo, 8 Angelesa DeNaples, 7 Michael Datto, 8
Charlotte Haggerty, 8 Gianna Genco, 7 Bryce Florey, 8 James Flickinger, 8 Allie Farrell, 7
Matt Cobb, 8 Mason Cuff, 8
Claire Evans, 7 Molly Devine, 8
Heidi Hughes, 8 Charlie Hamm, 7
Michael Marion, 7 Megan Malone, 8 Jake Mackey, 7 Kayleigh Leonard, 8 Lily Kutz, 8 Anna Kosierowski, 7 Kate Kolucki, 7
Jacob Sukel, 7 Caroline Stumpien, 8 Anna Scoblick, 8 Mya Schimelfenig, 8 Sarah Petry, 7 Macey Pennay, 8 Lexi Mariotti, 7
Olivia Albright, 8
MRS. YANULS THIRD-GRADE ART CLASS - OUR LADY OF PEACE SCHOOL
Maria Adonizio, 8 Stephanie Yatko, 7 Jason Yanul, 7 Cassidy Wylam, 7 Jack Walsh, 8 Nicholas Tomaszewstzi, 7
Willa Farrell, 9 Thomas Dickinson, 9 Annie Dempsey, 9 Natalie Clum, 8 Emily Burke, 9 Grace Boyle, 9 Gavin Berdnarz, 9
Braxton Lowe, 9 Maggie Kosierowski, 9 Campbell Kelly, 8 Kevin Jumper, 9 William Harris, 8 Jake Graham, 8 James Fay, 8
Megan McDonald, 8 David Mariotti, 9 Anna Marioth, 8 Clair Marion, 9 Marina Mann, 8 Andrew Maddock, 9 Jordan Mackey, 8
Claudia Pritchyk, 8 Allison Murray, 9 Audrey Munley, 8 Emily Mott, 8 Alex Montana, 9 Kristian Milas, 8 Tyler Mendicino, 8
Sam Weis, 9 Jenna Vanston, 8
Natasha Tomaszewski, 9 Andrew Stark, 9 Jacob Rusak, 9 Marina Rinkunas, 8 Camilla Rinaldi,9
Claire Kelly, 8
C M Y K
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER14, 2011 THE ABINGTON JOURNALCLARKS SUMMIT, PA WWW.THEABINGTONJOURNAL.COM PAGE 5A
For the celebrations
that mean the most to you.
You want your special event to be perfect and so do we. So whether youre
planning a business gathering, reunion, anniversary or other celebration,
let us put it all together for you with exceptional menus, professional
service and beautifully appointed banquet rooms. Wedding Packages
from $29. Call today to learn about our satisfaction guarantee and how
we can make your next event perfectly memorable.
100 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503
scranton.hilton.com 570.343.3000 570.343.8415 (fax)
1000 Dunham Drive
Dunmore, PA
www.nawarhorse.com
570.346.2453 (BIKE)
NORTH AMERICAN
WARHORSE
7
2
6
9
3
2
The Perfect Gift
an Automotive Reconditioning
Gift Certifcate from Cars Are Us!
Trucks, Vans & SUVs extra
Clean &Wax
Special
Buff Wax &
Clean Special
Complete Auto
Reconditioning
$
59
75 $
59
75 only only
$
89
75 $
89
75 only only $
129
75 $
129
75 only only
586-7177
or 963-9988
701 S. State St.
Clarks Summit
Sales, Service & Selection
on Quality Pre-Owned
Cars & Trucks
Experts in Automotive
Reconditioning
Abington Heights School
Board member Michele Tier-
ney, who also sits on the
Abington Area Joint Recre-
ation Board (AAJRB),
gauged the districts interest
in obtaining access to a new
athletic field during the
boards monthly meeting on
Wednesday, Dec. 7.
Tierney explained that the
AAJRB recently received a
grant and is hoping to use
some of the money to install
a turf multi-purpose athletic
field on a piece of property
close to Abington Heights
High School.
This is a multi-purpose
(field), so it would be for our
softball kids, for baseball,
field hockey, all of our
sports, said Tierney.
They (the AAJRB) would
like to enter into a conversa-
tion with both the athletic
director and the school dis-
trict on the turf field possi-
bility.
Superintendent Michael
Mahon, Ph.D., said the dis-
trict is interested in having a
discussion about the field.
Tierney, who is also a
member of Abington Heights
Educational Improvement
Organization (AEIO), took a
moment to thank the Mike
Fleming/Frank Santoriello
Committee for donating the
balance of funds from its
election campaign to the
AEIO.
Santoriello said he and
Fleming, who both won their
elections for a seat on the
Abington Heights School
Board, decided to donate the
remaining funds to the AEIO
because of the quality work
the organization does for the
students.
Santoriello and Fleming
were sworn in by Judge
James Gibbons as part of the
boards annual reorganization
meeting, held on Wednesday,
along with Warren Acker,
Cathy Hardaway and Grego-
ry Madensky.
Hardaway was re-elected
as the boards president,
Acker was re-elected as vice
president.
In other business, the
board approved the hiring of
James Mirabelli as the new
Abington Heights business
manager.
Hardaway explained the
process of choosing Mirabel-
li for the job.
After reviewing 50 appli-
cations, Mahon and Assist-
ant Superintendent Dr. Tho-
mas Quinn interviewed 24 of
those applicants.. Twelve
were chosen to be inter-
viewed by Mahon, Quinn,
Hardaway and school board
Treasurer Louise Brzuchal-
ski. Of those 12, five were
interviewed by the entire
school board.
Mirabelli is scheduled to
begin the first week of Janu-
ary.
Wednesdays meeting was
the school boards last sched-
uled meeting for 2011. It will
meet again for a monthly
work session on Wednesday,
Jan. 4, 2012.
New field
will be
discussed
BY DON MCGLYNN
dmcglynn@theabingtonjournal.com
Three newmembers were
sworn into the Lackawanna
Trail School Board during its
meeting held on Monday, Dec.
5.
Joseph Strauch, David
Thorne and Carol Selwood
were all sworn.
The board also voted Ned
Clarke as president of the
school board, Mark Lombardi
vice president and Karen Ri-
gard for the position of Penn-
sylvania School Board Associ-
ation (PSBA) representative.
In other business, Lackawan-
na Trail Elementary Center
principal Dr. Tania Stoker told
the board that Emily Rinaldi, a
member of Keystone College,
was scheduled to speak to
Lackawanna Trails third grade
class on Monday, Dec. 12 con-
cerning wildlife and photog-
raphy.
"They (the students) just
finished reading a book about
the Galapagos Islands," said
Stoker.
She also said that the third-
grade class is collecting paja-
mas until Friday, Dec. 16 to
donate to toddlers and teens
through local agencies.
Stoker also said that second-
grade students will work with
pen pals in the Scranton School
District to talk about holidays
around the world.
Therell be18 ESL(English
as a second language) students
from12 different countries
coming to meet with our second
grade to do mini-presentations
about various holidays through-
out the world, said Stoker.
Tracy Wescott, president of
the Parent Teacher Organization
(PTO) said the PTOstarted a
ski club for Lackawanna Trail
Elementary Center students.
The club will ski at Sno Moun-
tain.
Its a great programfor fam-
ilies because its less expensive
than it typically would be and
lessons are included, said Wes-
cott.
She also said that Santa Claus
will visit the elementary center
on Wednesday, Dec. 21.
Lackawanna Trail
welcomes new
board members
BY BEN FREDA
Abington Journal Correspondent
The Lakeland School Board held its re-organizational meeting on Monday, Dec. 5. New board members
were sworn in by District Judge Magistrate Sean McGraw. From left, are Stanley Stracham, Casey Pautak,
Gregory Kopa, Jill Yoniski, ssecretary; Mary Retzbach, president; John Yanochik, Michael Costa, Henry
Stachura, Thomas Evans, vice president; and Dr. Margaret Billings-Jones, Superintendent of Schools.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
New Lakeland board members sworn in
S
anta paid a visit to Lakeland High
School during Winter Wonderland
on Monday, Dec. 5. The event is
held every year for students in kindergar-
ten through second. At right, Santa is
shown with Mrs. Clause, elf Celina Koeze-
no, Kylee Rogan, on Santas lapand An-
drew Rogan, standing. Santas elves Bruce
Lindemuth and David Gitkos are shown
above, working on toys.
Santa visits Lakeland HS
and facilitated many special
events for children, includ-
ing monthly story times,
presented by a special sub-
group of ACL-TLC called
Story Time Teens, a Hello
Kitty tea, a Pokemon party,
pirate days, spelling bee and
so much more.
According to Taylor Ross,
fourth-sixth grade program
coordinator, the TLC helps
with all library-related pro-
grams, such as the Amer-
ican Girl Holiday. Its a
great opportunity and the
library is a great resource in
the community. The TLC is
looking to help with that by
promoting the library, Ross
said. She also added that
shes most proud of the Bat-
tle of the Books Competi-
tion for fourth and sixth
The Abington Community
Library Teen Leadership
Committee (TLC) was
formed in June 2002 to give
voice to the young adult
patrons of the library cur-
rently in grades 7-12. After
almost a decade, the com-
mittee continues to thrive.
The committee is for those
seeking leadership devel-
opment and volunteer op-
portunities. Its goals are to
assist with library-sponsored
programs and events, to
connect the library to local
schools and organizations,
to help the Friends of the
Abington Community Li-
brary with fundraising
events, to help with collec-
tion development in the
young adult area and to pro-
vide volunteer leadership
opportunities for young
adult patrons.
Abington Community
Librarys Young Adult Li-
brarian and TLC advisor
Sandy Longo said, Abing-
ton Community Librarys
Teen Leadership Committee
financially supports all of
our special programming.
For example, Story Time
Teens hosts a monthly story
time for children, creative
writing for grades four to
six, Yu-Gi-Oh! Dull and
much more, with fundrais-
ing efforts throughout the
year by hosting bakes sales,
a recycle reuse sale in April
and an ongoing Gertrude
Hawk candy bar sale. In
the past, the TLC has hosted
graders because she helped
with discussions and helped
students prepare.
The committee recently
put together the Tween Ad-
visory Board for grades four
and six.
Its an advisory board for
children that are in between
childrens services and teen
services, too old for kid
stuff and too young for
teen stuff. Its facilitated by
members of the TLC; theyll
help develop new services
just for them, Longo said.
A special Camp Half-Blood
program for grades second
through sixth and a monthly
LEGO Club for grades first
through sixth are both com-
ing up in 2012.
The TLC has three events
for children scheduled at the
Abington Community Li-
brary- American Girl Holi-
day on Sunday, Dec. 18, 6
p.m., snow date is Sunday,
Jan. 22, 6 p.m.; Story Time
Teens, Monday, Dec. 19,
6:30 p.m.; and All Aboard
The Polar Express (seasonal
story time) on Tuesday, Dec.
20, 6 p.m. snow date is
Thursday, Dec. 22, 6 p.m.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Leadership committee chairs are
Ethan Ross, front. From left, back
row,Emma Musto and Becky
Roditski.
Leadership committee thriving
BY KELLY MCDONOUGH
Abington Journal Correspondent
C M Y K
PAGE 6A www.theabingtonjournal.com The Abington JournalClarks Summit, PA WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER14, 2011
Visit Our New Website
www.falconoilpa.com
Providing Outstanding Service
To Luzerne & Lackawanna Counties for 25 Years!
Wholesale Distributor of Gulf Gasoline
PREMIUM HEATING OIL
Always Make Us Your Last Call
570.383.3257 or 570.654.3441
Always Accepting New Customers!
No One Beats Our
Price Or Our Service
100 Gallon Minimum
Home Heating Oil
GIVEAWAY!
300 Gallons FREE!
Call Today To Enter
570.383.3257 or 570.654.3441
Drawing January 3rd - No Purchase Necessary
LIKE US ON
FACEBOOK!
Bell ringing starting soon
Rotarian Steve Young is
directing the Salvation Army
Bell Ringers in front of the
Wine and Spirits Shop in
Chinchilla once again. Please
watch for our ringers; hot
coffee greatly appreciated
along with your donations. If
you are willing to host bell
ringers at your location in the
Abingtons, please contact
Steve at 586.7821.
Head start secret Santa
Chairman Jim Brogna re-
ports almost 60 children
from Head Start will be pro-
vided with clothing and a
wish list gift, thanks to
Rotary Club members and
friends. Thank you to all who
participate in this worthy
project.
In memoriam
Rotary Club of the Abing-
tons has lost a good friend
and member with the recent
passing of Bill Christian,
beloved Bulletin editor for
the club. Bill will always be
remembered for his service
above self as Bulletin editor
and, along with his wife,
Eileen, the writer, producer
and director of many musical
parodies for the club and
district. Bill was also a past
president. He will be greatly
missed.
Did you know???
In the 1950s, Jonas Salk
made a discovery that revolu-
tionized the treatment of
polio. His vaccine, composed
of killed polio virus, was
given by injection and first
used in a successful trial in
1952. When the vaccine was
pronounced safe and effec-
tive, vaccinations were given
and dropped the number of
polio cases in the U.S. from
more than 45,000 to less than
1,000. What further amazes
me is the fact that he never
patented his discovery. He
never made any money from
it, preferring it to be widely
distributed instead. He is
quoted as having said, Who
owns my polio vaccine? The
people. Could you patent the
sun? Let us recall Salks
generosity of spirit this
Christmas in our giving.
Consider a gift to Rotary to
help eradicate polio world-
wide forever.
Interact news
President Jaime Kester
announced three children
would receive angel gifts
from the club. The teens pur-
chased and wrapped the gifts
recently.
Varun Harnathka
checks in
My stay here has been
wonderful and I am sure it
will continue to be the same.
I have been indulged with
many activities at school and
outside. I participated in the
Ramp Riot Robotics compe-
tition and learned a lot from
this exciting event. This was
a wonderful opportunity and
I am looking forward for the
upcoming competitions. I
also attended a concert in
Wilkes-Barre. It was fun. I
was very inspired after
watching the people of my
age play so well. Also, I got
my report card which
brought a big smile to my
face. One thing I would love
to mention is that I got an
opportunity to see the Presi-
dent of the United States of
America, Barack Obama. I
felt like the luckiest exchange
student for having received
this rare and extraordinary
opportunity.
His inspiring speech left
me and everybody else in the
hall thunderstruck and in
deep thought. Almost an hour
passed in a blink of the eye. It
was a once in a lifetime
opportunity, which I was so
glad to have grabbed. In the
first weekend of December, I
will go to Wellsboro to cele-
brate the Dickens of Christ-
mas. I will also meet the oth-
er exchange students in the
District again and am really
excited for this trip.
Foreign exchange
students check in
Gabby Shefski writes: I had
a busy weekend. Recently I
took the train to another
American exchange students
house. She invited me over to
eat a great Thanksgiving
dinner that she had prepared
all by herself, to show her
host family our traditional
American Thanksgiving
meal. Trs delicieux. That
Sunday, the Rotary here host-
ed an exotic dinner - all the
exchange students in the
country got into groups and
cooked dishes from their
home countries to share with
the other students, the host
families and Rotary mem-
bers. Bon appetite.
Noni Murithi writes: Its
that time of the month again
where I pack up my bags and
move on to the next host fam-
ily. Its Christmas season,
which is a big deal in the
Philippines. This means car-
oling with a pan and utensils
for the equivalent of less than
one penny and also eating
local delicacies like their ever
tasty isaw, better known as
chicken intestines and balut
which is their duck fetus. I
think Im most excited for the
food because it truly is a
unique dish.
Happy holidays and warm
thoughts to you. Ingat po.
Become involved in Rotary.
Rotary Club of the Abingtons
meets every Thursday at The
Commons at the Inn at Ni-
chols Village at 12:10 p.m.
Rotary Club
of the Abingtons
With
Leah Ducato Rudolph
Gearing up for the holiday season
Leah Ducato Rudolph is the publicity
chairman of the Rotary Club of The
Abingtons. She may be reached at
587-3440 or lrudolph@albright.org.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Dalton Food Panty coordinator Nancy Thompson is presented a check
for $500 by Rotary Club of the Abingtons to help purchase necessary
food for the pantry. The check is presented by Roger Mattes, left, and
Dominic Scott. Rotary also collected a quantity of non-perishable food
items a its Thanksgiving luncheon and at the Ecumenical Ministerium
Thanksgiving Services. It was the 33rd time this service was held.
The Rotary Club of the Abingtons
donated over 300 dictionaries to
third-grade students in the Abington
Heights School District, including
public and private schools. This is
the ninth year the club has partici-
pated in the dictionary project.
Shown are the third grade-stu-
dents in Mrs. Judy Szymanstkis
class at South Abington Elementary.
Front rowfromleft: Christina Leo,
Olivia Arcuri, Lily Whetsell, Clarke
Kupinski, Mattie McGuinness, Liam
Jordan, Trevor Thomas, Joshua
Wiesel, AdamVale.
Standing, Chloe Chichura, Roy
Slavin, Gianna Marturano, Elyse
Simakaski, Ashley Hamilton, Grego-
ry MacMillan, Paige Caskey. Also
shown, TShaiya Stephenson and
Gus Vlassis .
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Rotary gives the
gift of words
Buzz out bullying
was the theme of this
years Say No to Bul-
lying and Yes to
Love talent show
held at the Waverly
Community House on
Dec. 9.
The show was orga-
nized for the third
consecutive year as a
senior project by
Abington Heights
High School students.
It was hosted this year
by Chloe Maloney and
John Milliken.
The show served as
a fundraiser with the
money collected from
admission donated to
the Parents Loving
Children Through Au-
tism Foundation
(PLCTA), a nonprofit
organization that gives
presentations about
autism awareness and
bullying at local
schools.
ABINGTON JOURNAL PHOTOS/ ALEX SEELEY
Rik Spandex performes at "Say No to Bullying and Yes to Love"
held at the Waverly Community House on Dec. 9.
Buzz
out
bullying
Alyssa Lazer, left, performs
"Mean" by Taylor Swift.
Caelan Baden, above, sings I
Wanna Hold Your Hand.
The Lackawanna Susquehan-
na Office of Drug and Alcohol
Programs, in conjunction with
the Lackawanna County Com-
missioners, announced its Safe
Ride Programfor Lackawanna
County residents.
The programruns now
through January1.
To obtain a safe ride, all one
needs to do is request a ride
home, within a 50-mile radius
in Lackawanna County, froma
beverage server in establish-
ments where Safe Ride posters
are displayed.
All riders remain anony-
mous.
Ride home
safe this
holiday
Office of Drug and Alcohol
Programs to offer Holiday
Safe Rides.
C M Y K
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER14, 2011 THE ABINGTON JOURNALCLARKS SUMMIT, PA WWW.THEABINGTONJOURNAL.COM PAGE 7A
Its The
Perfect
Stocking
Stufer!
Get 25 rounds of golf...
only
$
35
The Times Leader Stocking Stuffer Golf Card Form
Your stocking stuffer includes:
Holiday stocking
, Inc.
Open House
Directory
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18
TH
Visit timesleader.com & Click
Buy A Home to see the most up to
date list of Open Houses
Over 172,000mobile readers
per month.
Advertise your business on
The Times Leaders mobile website.
Call 970-7101
THE TIMES LEADER
|
C M Y K
SPORTS
Clarks Summit, Pa. DECEMBER 14 TO DECEMBER 20, 2011 50
Owner and operator of
James Simrell Mixed Martial
Arts, 400 S. State St., Clarks
Summit and Uno Fitness, 3
Olive Street, Suite 210, Scran-
ton, James Simrell has three
black belts in martial arts
including: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
and Russian Judo. Simrell is
also trained in kickboxing. The
Scranton native is the owner
of James Simrell Designs of
Fine Jewelry in Clarks Summit,
where he lives with his wife
Kathleen. Contact him for
details about fitness classes
or with questions about this
workout at 585-1850 or
jsmma@comcast.net.
SHAPE UP WITH SIMRELL a training series
The exercise in this 7-station circuit is
called the Lateral Tire Swing.
Equipment needed: Car tire.
Tips: Look straight on when doing exercise.
Enjoy the exercise. It is great for
balance, speed, srength and
burning calories. Look for the self
defense Issue coming soon.
Step one:
Start posi-
tion with
feet spread
shoulder
distance
and back
straight,
keeping
knees bent
slightly.
ABINGTON JOURNAL PHOTOS/DON MCGLYNN
Step two:
Keeping
back
straigh,
thrust hips
forward and
arms up-
ward. Goal:
arms
should be
directly
above head
with tire.
Step three:
Swing back
downwards with
knees slightly
bent. Tire should
go as deep as
possible between
legs.
The Holy Cross Crusad-
ers defensively dismantled
the Lakeland Chiefs by
way of a 64-21 victory
Monday, Dec. 12 at Holy
Cross High School.
Holy Cross jumped out
to an early lead after two
blocks by Katie Purcell,
which led to a layup on
the offensive end and a
7-1 lead.
After the quick start,
the Crusaders continued
to shut the Chiefs down
defensively.
We didnt handle their
man-to-man defense at
all, Lakeland coach Joe
Vadala said. We played
very robotic and did the
same thing every time.
We looked for the next
part of the offense rather
than playing basketball.
Lakeland cut the lead to
five in the first quarter
when Allison Kraky con-
verted a three-point play
toward the end of the
quarter, but Gab Giordano
banked in a three at the
buzzer to bump the lead
back up to eight points.
Purcell increased the
Crusaders lead to 19-6,
scoring five straight
points to start the second
quarter. The Crusaders
outscored the Chiefs,
18-8, in the quarter and
held Lakeland to just one
field goal.
The last two weeks we
worked on trying to vary
what we do to get open
and we didnt do a very
good job at it, Vadala
said. We tended to do
the same thing every time
and you cant do that
against a good team.
Holy Cross didnt let up
in the second half, scor-
ing 10 unanswered points,
including five from Emily
Mineo.
The Crusaders held the
Chiefs scoreless for more
than five minutes in the
third quarter before Alissa
Holy
Cross
defeats
Lakeland
BY JOE BARESS
Abington Journal Correspondent
See Lady Chiefs , Page 2
For the untrained observer, track and field
events are a breed of sports confined to warm
weather and outdoor venues. With winter winds
swirling and snowcoating the ground through-
out the winter, local harriers would normally be
out of a venue to showcase their skills in prep-
aration for the spring season.
Enter the world of indoor track.
While most local high schools dont possess
the facilities to host indoor track meets, varsity
teams are able to compete in invitational meets
hosted by colleges and universities throughout
the Mid-Atlantic region.
As teams compete in such events, athletes are
eligible to qualify for a PIAA-sponsored post-
season championship in all indoor track and
field events.
With winter sports in full swing, local track
and field coaches shared some of their plans for
the indoor season, and talked about howsuccess
indoors can help lead to big things for their
teams in the spring.
Abington Heights Comets
ABINGTON JOURNAL PHOTO/DON MCGLYNN
Paige Eisenlohr will compete for Abington Heights
High Schools indoor track and field team this sea-
son.
Indoor track
stokes the fire
for spring
season sports
BY GERARD HETMAN
Abington Journal Correspondent
See Indoor Track, Page 2
CLARKS SUMMIT- Abington Heights used
tight defense and timely scoring to defeat Holy
Cross, 55-42, in the season opener for both
teams on Dec. 9.
We wanted to put pressure on the ball and
make it difficult to get it to the big guy (Kosin)
inside, Abington Heights head coach Ken Bi-
anchi said. I thought our guards did a good job
and I thought our big men did a good job inside,
fronting him and having some help from behind.
Both teams played hard. We were fortunate to-
night that we made a few more baskets than they
did.
The Comets jumped out to a 13-7 lead at the
end of the first quarter. They expanded their
lead to 28-18 at the half as center Jason Bamford
scored six of his 13 points in the second quarter.
The junior also blocked three shots and held
ABINGTON JOURNAL PHOTO/STEPHANIE WALKOWSKI
J.C. Show led the Comets in scoring with 20 points in the teams 55-42 over Holy Cross.
Comets defense holds
down Holy Cross
BY ROBERT TOMKAVAGE
rtomkavage@theabingtonjournal.com
See Comets , Page 3
C M Y K
PAGE 2C www.theabingtonjournal.com The Abington JournalClarks Summit, PA WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER14, 2011
Steier nailed two free
throws with 2:28 left in
the quarter.
Holy Cross outscored
the Chiefs, 19-4, in the
third quarter and held a
51-18 lead heading into
the fourth.
The Crusaders outscored
Lakeland, 13-3, in the
final quarter to secure the
victory.
Kraky led the Chiefs
with six points while
Steier chipped in five.
Giordano scored a game-
high 13 points for the
Crusaders while Purcell
added 12.
Lakeland will look to
improve its offense head-
ing into its next game
against ES Notre Dame at
7:15 p.m. on Thursday,
Dec. 15 at home.
Thats a big part of it,
Vadala said.
We have a lot to work
on right now.
Holy Cross will face
Wyoming Seminary today,
Dec. 14.
LADY CHIEFS
Continued from Page 1
As Frank Passetti enters his
eighth season as head track and
field coach at Abington
Heights, the veteran track coach
is quick to sing the praises of
the winter track opportunities
his teamworks towards.
All of the indoor track meets
our teamenters are invitations
held at colleges within a reason-
able driving distance, Passetti
explains. We have six meets
scheduled, including our first
meet on December 17 at Dick-
inson College in Carslile. Were
also scheduled for meets at East
Stroudsburg University, Sus-
quehanna University and two
meets at Kutztwon University.
Looking at his returning
lineups, Passetti expects Sean
Burke to be an anchor for the
boys team. Amedalist at the
state level in cross country
earlier this year, the senior
could use the winter as a
springboard to a big outdoor
season later in the year.
Sean is a versatile athlete
with good leadership, Passetti
explains. We hope he can keep
his success fromthe fall rolling
right through our indoor sea-
son.
Looking at his girls lineup,
Passetti describes his teamas
young but talented and ex-
pects the teamto growtogether
over the winter.
Felicia Cadman and Isabelle
Clauss are expected to be strong
performers in distance events
for the Comets, while Taylor
Ross, Erin Jaeger and Jen
Burke also are expected to
feature prominently for Abing-
ton Heights.
Because we dont have a
venue to practice, we mostly
run in the hallways and up and
down staircases in the building
after school, Passetti ex-
plained. But the effort pays
major dividends in the spring,
as our kids are pretty much
ready to go when practice
starts.
Lakeland Chiefs
While both the boys and girls
track and field programs are set
for just one indoor meet at the
moment, boys head coach Art
Davis is optimistic that his team
can use the opportunity as a
great start for the spring season.
At the moment, we are set
for a January 6 meet at East
Stroudsburg University, but we
may add another meet going
forward, Davis explained.
Were excited to see some
veteran athletes compete for us
and to welcome some good
newcomers.
Junior Zack Kreiger and
senior TimVon Storch are back
to run in the 800-meter event,
while senior Paul Szustakowski
and junior Mike Karwaski are
set to provide veteran lead-
ership in the distance and sprint
events, respectively. Junior
Bruce Lindemuth will lead
sophomores Gavin ODonnell
and Chet Anuszewski in the
hurdles, while junior Jake Nol-
dy will compete in the pole
vault.
Frank Baumann and A.J.
Rupp, both sophomores, will
compete in the throwing events.
Freshmen Mark Arzie and
Nathan Morgan will join Szus-
takowski in the distance events.
Its a good mix of experi-
ence for us and the indoor
events give us a chance to see
where we stand heading into the
spring, Davis said of the com-
ing season. Our kids are excit-
ed to get to work.
Davis confirmed that the girls
varsity team, coached by Linda
Stevens, will also compete at
the January 6 meet at East
Stroudsburg University. In-
formation on the teamwas not
available at press time.
Lackawanna Trail Lions
When contacted for informa-
tion on the indoor track pro-
gram, Lackawanna Trail athlet-
ic director Harry Powell con-
firmed that no track and field
activities will take place until a
newhead coach is hired for the
program, following last weeks
resignation of head coach Mark
Johnson.
INDOOR TRACK
Continued from Page 1
PHOTO/DON MCGLYNN
Pat Haggerty runs through the
halls of Abington Heights High
School during indoor track prac-
tice.
Lake-Lehman defeated Lackawanna Trail, 53-27, at home
on Saturday, Dec. 10. Nikki Sutliff scored 15 points for
Lake-Lehman.Natasha Pacholec, shown above, led Lacka-
wanna Trail with 10 points. The Lady Lions followed up
Saturdays game with a 37-27 loss to Western Wayne at
Western Wayne High School on Monday, Dec. 12. The girls
will travel to Carbondale High School today, ec. 14 and re-
turn home to take on Tunkhannock on Thursday, Dec. 15.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ALICE STUFFLE
Lady Lions fall to Lake
Lehman and Western Wayne
Messiah College made
The University of Scranton
womens basketball team-
wait.
The Lady Royals waited
more than six minutes for
their first point on Dec. 7
and now coach Mike Strong
will have to wait at least
four more days for his re-
cord-breaking 758th career
victory.
Dori Gyori scored 17
points and grabbed 11 re-
bounds and Scranton never
led as Messiah held on for a
55-49 victory.
Gyori, a 6-foot-2 post
player from Hungary, had 13
of points in the second half
when the Falcons turned
back a comeback attempt.
Whether it was nerves or
their defense, we didnt do
too well in the first half
offensively, said Strong,
who is tied with former St.
John Fisher coach Phil Kah-
ler for the most wins in
NCAA Division III womens
basketball history.
The Lady Royals missed
their first 10 shots and
Messiah opened early leads
of 9-0 and 14-2.Scranton
finished the half shooting
just 6-for-31.
The Lady Royals needed
the final five points just to
get within 28-18 at intermis-
sion.
Katerine Torto hit a 3-
pointer with 1:37 left and
Christina Hiltunen scored on
a drive with three seconds
left.
Scranton got within four
points twice in the final
1:38, but never had the ball
in the second half while
facing a deficit of fewer
than five points.
The Lady Royals were
hurt by nine second-half
turnovers.
I didnt anticipate at the
beginning of the year this
team would be this turnover
prone, Strong said. Were
turning the ball over way
too much, unnecessarily.
Allison Sweeney led the
Lady Royals (3-4) with 12
points and three assists.
Torto added eight points and
a team-high 10 rebounds.
Messiah, which was na-
tionally ranked earlier in the
season, improved to 5-2
with the help of 13 points by
Nicky Hess and 10 by Taylor
Miller.
The Lady Royals are off
until Saturday, Dec. 17 when
they play at Cabrini College
in the first of five straight
road games.
Scrantons Strong will have to wait
BY TOM ROBINSON
Go Lackawanna sports
correspondent
Matt Lochen led Lackawanna
Trail with15 points in the
teams loss at Tunkhannock
High School on Friday, Dec. 9.
The Lions led, 11-8, after one
quarter but the Tigers took
charge and finished with a
42-25 victory.
The Lions traveled to Holy
Cross High School on Sunday,
Dec. 11.
Holy Cross defeated the Li-
ons, 71-51.
Lyle Sweppenheiser led the
teamin scoring on Sunday with
16 points.
The Lions will take on River-
side at home today, Dec. 14
before hosting its annual tour-
nament at the high school on
Friday and Saturday, Dec. 16
and17.
PHOTOS COURTEY OF ALICE STUFFLE
Stephen Miller finds his way to the basket.
Tyler Rzu-
cidlo, left,
drives to the
basket in the
Lions 71-51
loss to Holy
Cross on
Sunday, Dec.
11.
Lyle Sweppenheiser scored 16
points for the Lions in the teams
loss to Holy Cross.
Lions
ready to
bounce
back
Tara Zdancewicz scored
21 points as host Wyoming
Valley West defeated de-
fending District 2 Class
AAA girls basketball
champion West Scranton,
57-35, in a Lady Spartan
Tip-Off Classic semifinal.
The tournament was held
on Saturday, Dec. 10.
West Scranton is starting
over this year with an en-
tirely new starting lineup.
The Lady Invaders
trailed, 34-23, at halftime
then managed just four
points in the third quarter
and 12 in the second half.
Jane Joyce hit three 3-
pointers while scoring 18
points for West Scranton.
Defending District 2-4
Class AAAA champion
Abington Heights also lost
a tournament game, falling
to Cheltenham, 57-43, in
the title game of the Lady
Cougar Classic at Hazle-
ton Area.
The tournament was held
Friday and Saturday, Dec.
9 and 10.
The Lady Comets will
play again today, Dec. 14,
taking on Holy Redeemer
on their home court at
Abington Heights High
School.
The game is scheduled
to start at 7:15 p.m.
Carbondale finished
fourth in the Hawley Ro-
tary Tournament.
The team lost the conso-
lation game to Western
Wayne, 44-25.
That tournament was
held on Friday and Sat-
urday.
Abington Heights, West
Scranton, Carbondale
fall in tournaments
Three local girls basketball
teams are defeated in
weekend tournaments.
The Abington Heights
High School boys soccer
team won the NSCAA (Na-
tional Soccer Coaches Asso-
ciation of America) Team
Academic Award for ex-
emplary performance in the
classroom for the 2010-11
academic year
The Comets were one of
only nine high school boys
soccer teams in the state of
Pennsylvania and one of 135
teams throughout the United
States that earned the honor.
This is the second consec-
utive year the team has been
recognized with this honor.
In order to qualify for the
award, the team must have a
minimum grade point aver-
age of 3.25 for the entire
academic year.
The Comets GPA for
2010-11 was a 3.39.
Head coach Steve Kling-
man noted in an e-mail that
29 of the teams 40 players
on the current varsity and
junior varsity roster made the
fall honor roll for the first
quarter of this school year,
leaving him optimistic about
the teams chances to win the
award again.
AHHS soccer
team cited
for academics
The Colonial States Ath-
letic Conference has an-
nounced its first winners of
the CSAC 3-D Award,
which honors the teams
from each sport who best
exemplified the NCAA Di-
vision-III principles of
"Discover, Develop, Dedi-
cate."
Keystone College cap-
tured the womens tennis
award, while the Keystone
mens cross country team
finished second in their
respective sport.
The 3-D Award replaces
the CSAC Team Sports-
manship Award, and was
developed by members of
the CSAC Student-Athlete
Advisory Committee
(SAAC). Following each
conference sporting event,
participating teams were to
evaluate their opponents
based on these three Divi-
sion-III principles, giving a
rating of 1-10 in each cate-
gory.
"The conference is ex-
tremely pleased with how
well the 3-D Award has
been received," said interim
CSAC commissioner Jennif-
er Dubow. "With all voting
conducted by student-ath-
letes, its truly a peer-to-
peer award, which should
make it more meaningful
for all of the winners.
Keystone
womens
tennis
captures
CSAC award
C M Y K
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER14, 2011 THE ABINGTON JOURNALCLARKS SUMMIT, PA WWW.THEABINGTONJOURNAL.COM PAGE 3C
Lackawanna Trail High School
Principal John Rushefski announces
the first quarter honor roll for the
Lackawanna Trail Jr./Sr. High School.
Twelfth Grade High Hon-
ors: Gabrielle Bellanco, Bruce Ben-
ko, Marissa Booth, Alyssa Buntz,
Collin Chermak, Ashley Chuck, Antho-
ny Colo, Joshua Cook, Laura Cox and
Garrett Craig-Lucas.
Also listed were: Trevr Fernald,
Jennifer Keller, Peter Lengel, Erica
Lewis, Louanne Mack, Mahalia Mailey,
Alyssa Mallory, Kimberly Martin,
Jesse Morvan and Jamie Reese.
Taylor Reynolds, Matthew Ryn-
kiewicz, Alexa Rzucidlo, Emily Scap-
patura, Jacqueline Sharp, Megan
Stec, Amanda Stone, Cecilia Strauch,
Emily Stuenzi and Nicholas Sujkow-
ski.
Nicholas Thorne, Molly VanDuzer,
Benjamin Williams, Graham Williams
and Ruth Wyman.
Twelfth Grade Honors:
Matthew Aten, Carmino Bonacci, Tori
Carpenter, Jeffrey Crass III, William
Gerrity, Mark Jenkins, Atlanta Kess-
ler, Zachary Kongvold, Jason Konop-
ka and Jennifer Lauzon.
Also listed were: Andrew OBrien,
Kirsty Otto, Natasha Pacholec, Brian
Palaskas, Mackenzie Rosiak, Nicole
Serine, Stephanie Sheridan, Benjamin
Siegrist, Joshua Symuleski, Christina
Warren, Joseph Wilga and Courtney
Wood.
Eleventh Grade High Hon-
ors: Alicen Backus, Isaac Barbolish,
Bridget Benko, Jessica Bowman,
Desiree Boylan, Colleen Brace, David
Brown, Michael Chermak, Miranda
Cobb and Kevin Crawford.
Also listed were: Cameron Crock,
Matthew Decker, Courtney Ditchey,
Keirnan Dougherty, Patrick Dunleavy,
Victoria Ellsworth, Aliza Furneaux,
Amanda Hirschler, Kyle Holmes and
Meredith Horwatt.
Matthew Huertas, Kayley Kavetski,
Mason Lengel, Taryn Maleski, Benja-
min McLaughlin, Dalton Mecke, Jen-
nifer Moore, Peter Murazzi, Ilyssa
Myers and Shea Myers.
Mikaela Noble, Shannon OMalley,
Richard Pollock, Daniel Richards,
Victor Rosa, Brianna Smarkusky,
Anthony Urban and Zachary Wetzel.
Eleventh Grade Honors:
Justin Barber, Bryanna Burdett,
Matthew Goodrich, Jeremy Greenley,
Emily Huffsmith, Jordan Wallen, J.
Zachary Walters and Evelyn Wood-
cock.
Tenth Grade High Honors:
Jacob Adcroft, David Beichler, Lind-
say Bergey, Sarah Botscheller, Devon
Clarke, Sara Cobb, Olivia Cooper,
Kara Cooper, Kara Fernald and Mat-
thew Flynn.
Also listed were: Madeline Giardi-
na, Timothy Griffin, Victoria Hegedty,
Julianna Jarnagin, Madeline Jenkins,
Shannon Jones, William Lee, Amanda
Madans, Lindsey Price and Jessica
Remick.
Nicole Rosa, Katie Seigle, Frank
Sheposh, Staci Srebro, Lauren Stan-
ton, Janine Strauch, Christopher
Stutzman and David Wyman.
Tenth Grade Honors: Alexis
Backus, Trista Carpenter, Brianna
Confer, Shelby Croasdale, Ryan Dill,
Gage Doughty, Thomas Fricke, Mack-
enzie Gardner, Brian Kearney and
Richard Kordish.
Also listed were: John Kwiatkow-
ski, Bradley Lochen, Dillon Miner,
Phillip Sawicki, Julie Scappatura,
Dylan Simon, Morgan Telesk, Brooke
Walker and Mikayla Wolynski.
Ninth Grade High Honors:
Nathaniel Barbolish, Kasey Buck,
Kerrigan Buck, Rachel Clark, Matthew
Cole, Hunter Crook, Morgan Ditchey,
Vanessa Ellsworth, Matthew Farrell
and Jacob Hayduk.
Also listed were: Jericho Hender-
shot, Aidan Holmes, Kelsey Hopkins,
Shania Kane, Jody Lengel, Maddie
Lengel, Daria Lewandowski, Lauryn
Maleski, Victor Mallory and Taryn
Matti.
Marissa Passaniti, Logan Phillips,
Michael Pond, Cooper Rosiak, Tyler
Rzucidlo, Evan Sandercock, Taylor
Selwood, Amanda Stutzman, Kayla
Thurston, Krystal Thurston, Mikaela
Weisenfluh and Grace Wetzel.
Ninth Grade Honors: An-
dreia Ballard, Jonathan Bowman,
Michael DeBree, Liam Dougherty,
Ross Fauquier, Melissa Grimm, Neil
Harvey, Rachel Johnson, Russell
Lauzon and Joseph Merolla.
Also listed were: Allison Stuenzi,
Deanna Warren, Morgan Wiesel and
Seth Williams.
Eighth Grade High Honors:
Robert Buck, Samantha Cobb, Kath-
leen Fricke, Jacob Furneaux, Breanna
Halter, Eric Holmes, Carli Kalinoski,
Anna Kane, Amanda Kinback and
Evan Kongvold.
Also listed were: Jordan Laytos,
Bethany Mudge, Trent Phillips, Wynn
Phillips, Austin Pringle, Nicholas
Rolka, Melissa Russell, Steven Scios-
cia, Alyssa Sohns and Joannah Spa-
dine.
Cody Stuenzi, Damian Surridge
and Brook Telesk.
Eighth Grade Honors: Court-
ney Carpenter, Colt Clark, Jack
DeBree, Joshua Evancavich, Matthew
Kwiatkowski, Tara Munley, Emily
Purdy, Jacob Richmond, Cal Srebro
and Gabriella Thurston.
Seventh Grade High Hon-
ors: Travis Ankoff, Lauren Baldwin,
Kayla Becchetti, Matthew Bergey,
Anthony Berrios, Cassandra Brown,
Ashleigh Clarke, Mary Clough, Natalie
Cocchini and RuthAnna Danowski.
Also listed were; Colin Domnick,
Gregory Ellsworth, Alyssa Fields,
Jaclyn Fusik, Grace Gallagher, Marty
Gatto, James Gillespie, Ekaterina
Grega, Noah Hawthorne and Thomas
Huffsmith.
Also listed were: Matthew Kinback,
Joseph Kubilus, Chauncey Landers,
Taylor Lauzon, Madison Lee, Mara
Lord, John Maier, M. Lyn Nelson,
Ethan Oswald and Mikayla Otto.
Nicholas Pawlukovich, Madisyn
Peoples, Andrew Perry, Elizabeth
Rodenbach, Rachael Rosengrant,
Mackenzie Semken, Allison Strauch,
John Thomas, Robert Titus and
Brenden Tobin.
Anna Torrence, Ronnie Traver,
Emily VanFleet, Sabrina vonAhrens
and Sarah Weisenfluh.
Seventh Grade Honors:
Tyler Baltrusaltis, Kelly Bird, Amanda
Cumber, Davi Doblado, Tyler Flynn,
Katrina Garver, Maria Heft, Andrew
Huertas, Catherine Huggler and
Sydney Kostick.
Also listed were: Gina Merritt,
Marlene Mohyla, Troy Pensak, Daniel-
la Pisanti, Nicholas Price, Hunter
Reynolds, Marcus Ross and Sierra
Sprowls.
Lackawanna Trail Elementary
Center Principal Jeff Gregory an-
nounced the first quarter honor roll
for fifth and sixth grade. Students
obtaining honor roll status were:
Fifth Grade: Rachael Beemer,
Emma Boyle, Alyvia Cobb, Noah
Coleman, Kaleb Cook, Zachery Cost,
Carter Crook, Ariana Drake, Jordan
Edwards and Jacob Fusik.
Also listed were: Madisyn Gillespie,
Serge Grega, Samantha Gregory,
Kiana Grella, Emma Hawthorne, Adian
Holzman, Jared Klepadlo, Morgan
Madans, Colin Mulhern and Cody
Mundrake.
Conor Newman, Aleah Otto, Benja-
min Palaskas, Samuel Pieretti, Anas-
tasia Rivenburg, Nathan Rolka, Josh-
ua Rosengrant, Samantha Schur,
Zachary Stec and Hailey Taylor.
Kevin Thorne, Mikayla Tonne,
Hunter West and Gabrielle Wilhite.
Sixth Grade: Travis Ankoff,
Lauren Baldwin, Matthew Bergey,
Anthony Berrios, Kelly Bird, Cas-
sandra Brown, Ashleigh Clarke, Mary
Clough, Natalie Cocchini and Ruthan-
na Danowski.
Also listed were: Colin Domnick,
Gregory Ellsworth, Jaclyn Fusik,
Grace Gallagher, Marty Gatto, Noah
Hawthorne, Andrew Huertas, Thomas
Huffsmith, Matthew Kinback and
Joseph Kubilus.
Taylor Lauzon, Madison Lee, Alys-
sa Lezinsky, Mara Lord, Marlena
Mohyla, Mikayla Nelson, Ethan Os-
wald, Mikayla Otto, Nicholas Paw-
lukovich and Madisyn Peoples.
Hunter Reynolds, Elizabeth Roden-
bach, Rachael Rosengrant, Allison
Strauch, John Thomas, Robert Titus,
Brenden Tobin, Anna Torrence, Emily
Van Fleet, Sabrina VonAhrens and
Sarah Weisenfluh.
LACKAWANNA TRAIL
HONOR ROLL
OBITUARIES
Captain
Robert James
McCarty,
United Air-
lines/USN.
Ret., 83, of
Clarks Sum-
mit, died Wednesday at Gino J.
MerliVeteransCenter. He was
the husband of the former Jill
Ann Kleinheinz. The couple
had been married more than 29
years.
Born Dec. 13, 1927, in
Brooklyn, N.Y., son of the late
Peter F. and Louise J. Botsford
McCarty, he and his family
moved to Clarks Summit in
1990 from Denver and had
lived in San Francisco, as well.
He grew up on Long Island in
the town of East Rockaway. He
was a graduate of St.Agnes
High School, Rockville Cen-
tre, Long Island, N.Y., and
furthered his studies at Swarth-
moreCollege, Swarthmore;
Adelphi College, Long Island,
N.Y.; St. Francis College, New
York City; and later the Uni-
versity of San Francisco.He
proudly served his country as a
U.S. Naval aviator in both
World War II and the Korean
War. Honorably discharged, he
was awarded the Victory Med-
al and American Theater med-
als. Motivated to join the Navy
following the attack on Pearl
Harbor, he enlisted at 17 and
trained as a pilot. His passion
for flying led him to a long,
successful career as a United
Airlines captain after discharge
from the Navy. He entered his
eternal life on the same date
that motivated his career, 70
years later, his life coming to a
full circle. Bob was a faithful
member of Our Lady of the
Snows Church, attending Mass
and receiving communion
daily for most of his almost 84
years. He also was an originat-
ing founder of the Padre Pio
Adoration Chapel at Our Lady
of the Abingtons Church in
Dalton. He spent many hours
there until his health declined.
An avid outdoorsman, he en-
joyed hunting, particularly elk
in the west with his sons. Fish-
ing and golf were also pas-
sions. He had a beautiful
swing, perfected by hitting
hundreds of empty cans under
the tutelage of his uncle as a
young boy. He was a member
of Glen Oak Country Club and
served on various committees.
The family sincerely appre-
ciates and thanks the dedicated
care provided by the staff at
Gino J. Merli Veterans Center
First Floor Dementia Unit in
Scranton, as well as those who
have helped from Veterans
Administration over the course
of Bobs illness. Prior to his
entrance to Gino Merli, he was
given kind and compassionate
care from Traditional Home
Health and Hospice, who as-
sisted his wife in caring for
him at home.
Surviving are six sons, Rob-
ert and Michael, Boulder, Co-
lo.; Thomas and wife, Laura,
San Francisco; Matthew, U.S.
Army/Ret., Austin, Texas;
Daniel and fiance, Kelli
Hoertz, San Francisco; and
Stephen, at home; four daugh-
ters, Maggi, San Francisco;
Susan (Rice) Rappaport and
husband, Donn, Princeton,
N.J.; Katie Rose, Allentown;
and Elizabeth Rose, at home; a
sister, Patricia Howard, Living-
ston, N.J.; seven grandsons,
Alex, Jack and Michael Rice,
Los Angeles; Kevin and David
Schneider, San Francisco;
Ryan and James McCarty, San
Francisco; and his former wife,
Joanne Flood, Manhattan, N.Y.
He was also preceded in
death by two sisters, Kathryn
Lawrence and husband, Capt.
Edward Lawrence, USN/Ret.;
and Sister Phyllis McCarty,
IHM; and two brothers, Do-
nald, USMC, Ret.; and James,
USAF, who was killed during
World War II.
Funeral services will be held
Jan. 14, 2012, with a memorial
Mass in Our Lady of the
Snows Church, 301 S. State
St., Clarks Summit, at a time to
be announced.Memorial con-
tributions may be made to
Gino J. MerliVeteransCenter,
401 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA
18503; or Our Lady of the
Snows Church Building Fund,
301 S. State St., Clarks Sum-
mit, PA18411.
Arrangements are being
made by the Jennings-Calvey
Funeral and Cremation Ser-
vices Inc., 111 Colburn Ave.,
Clarks Summit, PA18411.
For more information, direc-
tions or to send an online con-
dolence, visit www.jenning-
scalvey.com.
Robert James McCarty
Dec. 7, 2011
Marilyn Cembalest White
Perfilio, 50, Waverly, died
Sunday at home.
Born in Engelwood, NJ,
daughter of Patricia Holland
Cembalest and the late Ar-
nold Cembalest, she attend-
ed Abington Heights High
School and Northfield Mt.
Herman High School in
Massachusetts, and she then
went on to Keystone College
and Misericordia University.
As a person who enjoyed
assisting others and taking
care of people, she was em-
ployed as an aide in the nurs-
ing department of the Re-
gional Hospital of Scranton.
Marilyn also was fond of
music concerts, theater, trav-
el, her late fathers cars and
spending time with her pets.
She was a member of Tem-
ple Hesed and will be deeply
missed by all.
Also surviving is a son,
Cody J. White, Waverly;
sisters, Michele Cembalest
Banner and husband, Fred,
Potomac, MD; and Caren
Cembalest, Dalton; a broth-
er. Robert Cembalest and
wife, Cecelia, Austin, TX; as
well as aunts, uncles, nieces,
nephews and cousins.
A memorial service was
held by Rabbi Daniel
Swartz. Memorial contribu-
tions may be made to Griffin
Pond Animal Shelter, 967
Griffin Pond Rd., Clarks
Summit, PA18411.
To send an online condo-
lence, please visit
www.DunmoreFuneral-
Home.com
Marilyn Cembalest
White Perfilio
Dec. 4, 2011
Crusaders center Josh Kosin
to three first half points.
He did a very good job,
Bianchi said of Bamford.
Jasons long and he made
his presence felt tonight. He
had several blocks and went
to the boards on offense. We
need that kind of effort from
him and he knows it.
Comets guard Kevin El-
well made two first-half
three pointers and finished
the game with 10 points and
three rebounds.
Kosin, who finished with
14 points and seven re-
bounds, scored seven points
in the third quarter to cut
the Comets lead to 34-29.
Abington Heights was able
to put the game away in the
fourth quarter by making 20
of 24 free throws to seal the
win. The Crusaders convert-
ed just six of 13 free throws
in the final quarter and 13
of 24 in the game.
Comets guard J.C. Show
scored six of his game-high
20 points in the fourth quar-
ter.
It wasnt pretty, but we
play very well together and I
think we did a pretty good
job defensively, Show said.
We had a couple letdowns
in the second half, allowing
them to shoot a lot of free
throws. Overall, it was ugly,
but well take the win. It
was a tough shooting night,
youre going to have those,
but the most important part
of the game is defense. If
you can play defense, you
put yourself in position to
win any game no matter
how many points you score.
Connor Callejas and Casey
Gaughan each added eight
points for Holy Cross in the
loss.
The Comets returned just
one starter from last season
in Show, a sophomore.
Bianchi was pleased with
his young teams effort.
We tell them all we want
you to do is play hard and
have fun, he said. As long
as youre playing hard and
having fun, Ill accept that,
win or lose. Theyre going
to make mistakes, but we
try to work on them and
keep them down to a mini-
mum. I think they did that
tonight.
COMETS
Continued from Page 1
PHOTO/STEPHANIE WALKOWSKI
Jason Bamford goes up for two in
the Comets win over Holy Cross.
Crossword answers from page A9
Henry
A.Pappy
Sobolak Jr,
65, of Lenox
Township
died Friday
morning at
home after a courageous bat-
tle with cancer. His wife of 13
years is Theresa Corazza So-
bolak.
He was born in Elizabeth,
New Jersey on October 7,
1946, son of the late Cathe-
rine Butchko Sobolak. He was
a graduate of Springfield
High School Clark New Jer-
sey and, upon graduation,
enlisted in the United States
Marine Corp and served hon-
orably in the Vietnam con-
flict, receiving two Purple
Hearts and the Bronze Star.
After returning from Vietnam,
he attended Penn State Uni-
versity.
He was a self-employed
contractor and was employed
at the Tobyhanna Army Depot
as a fork lift operator and he
was a registered Texas Long
Horn breeder.
He was a loving and caring
husband, father, stepfather
and grandfather. He was the
founding father of The Sons
of Nam Motorcycle Club. He
enjoyed his German Shep-
herds and many hobbies in-
cluding hunting, local fishing
and deep sea fishing. He was
very active in the veteran
community, and was an ad-
vocate for veterans of all ages
helping them receive the ben-
efits they deserve. Pappy was
a one-of-a-kind man and left a
lasting impression on every-
one he met, and he believed
in living life to the fullest.
Overcoming many trials in his
life and offering a hand to
anyone who needed it, he
would jokingly be known to
say, I cant take the pres-
sure.
Also surviving are two
sons, Henry III and wife,
Laura, Jermyn; Andrew,
Scranton; a daughter, Stacy
Swarts, Newton Township;
two stepsons, James Cedar
and wife Candy, Gainsville
Fl.; and Jason Cedar and sig-
nificant other, Jacqueline
Blickens, South Abington
Township; four grandchildren;
Mason, Lily, Dalton and Da-
kota; and a devoted nephew,
Douglas Monaco and wife,
Sharon, Roselle NJ.; and sev-
eral nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be
held Wednesday at 10 a.m.
from the Lawrence E. Young
Funeral home, 418 S. State
St., Clarks Summit, PA 18411.
with Services by his cousin
the Very Rev. Robert Rebeck,
pastor of the Protection of
The Blessed Virgin Mary
Orthodox Greek Catholic
Church, Allentown.
Interment will follow with
full military honors in Clarks
Green Cemetery, Clarks
Green.
Friends may call Tuesday
from 4 to 8 p.m. In lieu of
flowers, memorials may be
made to Paralyzed Veterans of
America, 7 Mill Brook Rd.
Wilton, NH 03086.
For directions and on line
condolences, go to www.
Lawrenceeyoungfuneralhome-
.com.
Henry Sobolak Jr.
Dec. 9 2011
C M Y K
PAGE 4C www.theabingtonjournal.com The Abington JournalClarks Summit, PA WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER14, 2011
MORE
THAN AN OIL CHANGE.
Oak St. &Keyser Ave.
906-8311
208 MeadowAve.
207-0520
2 Scranton Locations
Hours: M-F 8-6, Sat. 8-5
Our Jiy Lube Signature Service Oil Change is far more than just an oil change.
Its a preventive maintenance service that can help extend the life of your vehicle.
We pioneered the protect, prevent, preserve brand of maintenance thats been the
industry standard for 30 years. Now, more than ever.
Signature Service
Oil Change
Must be presented at time of service.
No other discounts apply. Expires 2-28-12
A
J
$
5
O
I
L
OFF
$
5
Jiy Lubegift cards
makegreat gifts!
y Lubegift cardss
makegreat gifts!
TreeTracker
Your Christmas Tree &
Accessory Source
ECOLOGY III
From I-80 take Lightstreet exit, follow Rt. 487 North 4 miles to Orangeville.
Continue 1 mile further on Rt. 487 turn left onto Savage Hill Rd. at School Bus Garage.
Farm is 1/2 mile up Savage Hill Road on right. 683-5275
www.ecology3.com
Christmas Trees and Wreaths
(Choose & Cut & Fresh Cut)
Open Thursday-Sunday from now til Christmas
Douglas Fir Blue Spruce
Fraser Fir Concolor Fir
Fresh Handmade Wreaths
HELEN & EDS
CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
Fresh Cut Trees or Cut Your Own
Spruce Fir Live Trees Wreaths
OPEN DAILY
8AM TO 7PM
Ample Parking Holiday Music
helenandedstreefarm.com
868-6252
Nuangola Exit 159 off I-81 (Follow Signs)
220
Acres
Since
1957
PACURARIUS HIDEAWAY
CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
$25 And Up
Plenty of 10 &
Taller Trees
Shaken, Baled and Drilled For Your Convenience
OPEN WEEKENDS
ONLY!
From 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Tree Stands Available
Directions: Route 309, south to Mountain Top.
5 miles south on Rt. 437, turn left onto Tunnel Rd.
1.4 miles, then turn right onto Pacurariu Lane and follow the signs.
S
ns.
DARLING & SONS
FARMS & GREENHOUSES
Growing Quality Is A Family Business Since 1930
Wreaths, Poinsettias, Garland
Open 9-5 Daily Through December 23
675-2080
1/2 Mile Off Rt. 309, Hildebrandt Rd., Dallas
Douglas Fir Blue Spruce Concolor
Fraser Fir Trees 3 Ft to 12 FT Boughs
Cemetery Pots & Logs Grave Blankets
Christmas Cactus Straight Stand Tree
Systems Drilled Trees & Tree Stands
Also Carrying McCutchons Canned Goods
REDS SUBS
CHOOSE AND CUT
Douglas Fir Blue Spruce
Frazer Fir Cemetery Boxes
Grave Blankets
Stand Straight Tree Stands
Free Baling
Starting at
$
15
00
Wreaths
$
10
00
927 STATE ROUTE 29
SWEET VALLEY, PA 18656
LOCATION 2.2 MILES NORTH
FROM INTERSECTION WITH RT. 118
ONLYONE LEADER. NLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEE LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADER
timesleader.com
To Advertise Call Anne 970-7384
1865 Highway 315
Pittston, PA 18640
570-654-6194
Douglas, Fraser and Concolor Fir
Drilled Trees & Pin Stands
Handmade Fresh Wreaths
Poinsettias ~ Bonsai
Gifts & More
OPEN DAILY
9AM - 9PM
Wholesale & Retail One Location Only
Open Daily 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. 824-0490
DIRECTIONS: Take N. Main Street from light in Plains, go up hill approx. 1 1/2 mile
to Hilldale baseball diamond. From Wyoming, over 8th St. Bridge, right at light
over tracks, make 1st left, straight at stop sign.
MARTIN OMALIA GREENHOUSES
747 North Main Street, Hilldale (Plains Twp.)
LIVE POINSETTIAS & WREATHS, WINDOW & DOOR
SPRAYS, ALSO, CEMETERY LOGS & BLANKETS
CORNER SAYLOR AVE. & NORTH MAIN STREET
WOLKS CHRISTMAS
TREE FARM
In Sugarloaf
NOW OPEN
Choose & Cut Your Own
Tree From Our Farm
Variety of Trees Available
Open Nov. 26 & 27,
Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18
10 am-4 pm
Exit 256 Off I-80, from Rt. 93 turn on to West County Road, Stay on for
1.2 miles, make right onto Mill Hill Road, turn left onto Larock Rd.,
look for signs to Wolks Tree Farm
7
2
4
8
8
7
Now T hats Italian!
310 S. Blakely St. Dunmore, PA (Next to Blockbuster Video) 344-8109
Delivery Available UPS Shipments Anywhere!
A Special Line of Italian Gift Baskets that will please any Paisan!
Gourmet Gift Baskets &Toiletry Baskets
Open daily 9-8; Sat. 9-5; Sun 12-5
a
Gif B k &T il B
ets tha hatt will please any Pa Pais i a ets thhaatt will please any PPaiisa
GG f k T l