20 YEARS AGO — 1999
Children from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Shavertown United Methodist, Prince of Peace Episcopal and other churches attended “Hooked on Jesus” Vacation Bible School last week. The event began with a family picnic Sunday, and was followed by classes Monday through Thursday. The children enjoyed singing, storytelling and crafts. Some of the children attending are: James Duffy, Matthew Yurko, Bethany Dennis, Casey McAndrew, Clara Grube, Alaina Schukraft, Nicole Morgan, Chelsea Marti, Gabrielle Byczek, Samantha Marquart, Hannah Grube, Matthew Duffy, Kristen Augustine, Christina Dennis, Josh Crawford, Michael Gergel and Rebekah Williams.
Several Back Mountain athletes recently attended the Pro Shot Basketball Camp. The program features drills, competitions, games and instruction. Participants included Robert Monk, Jeff Clemente, Mike Clemente, Brian Karwaski, Josh Aciukewicz, Chris DeRojas, Chris Klaiss and Jeff Bierlein.
30 YEARS AGO — 1989
Several Back Mountain residents were among those honored for five years of service to Ecumenical Enterprises, Inc. at their annual Employee Appreciation Social. Certificates of Appreciation and Savings Bonds were awarded to 19 employees. Ecumenical Enterprises, Inc. is a private, non-profit corporation with 165 employees that owns and manages The Meadows Nursing Center, Meadows and Hi-Meadows Apartments, Dallas, and other facilities. At the awards program were: Sally Daylida, Dallas; Mary Ann Fosko, Marilyn Gregorski, Dallas; June Ellen Jones, Hunlock Creek; Barbara Chiarucci, Dallas; Mildred Rusnak, Hunlock Creek; Ronalee Schall; Doris Cyphers; Dolores Springer, Harveys Lake; Beverly Price, Shavertown; David M. Tracy; Pat Traver, Dallas; Mary Fiske, Dallas; Helen Rollman; Evelyn Rowlands, Dallas; Ruth Herbert, Dallas; Judith Ann Loeffler, Dallas; Marie George, Dallas and John Denisco.
Courtney Marie Goodrich, daughter of Robert Goodrich and Pat Traver of Dallas recently won first place in a baby contest sponsored by the Wyoming County Historical Society. The event took place at Courthouse Square in Tunkhannock.
40 YEARS AGO — 1979
Tracy Kurtinitis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kurtinitis of Orange will be featured in a baton routine choreographed by Helen McCole DeGregorio. Tracy will perform in “A Salute to the Performing Arts,” presented by Helen’s Dance Spa at Wyoming Area Middle School North, West Pittston, and sponsored by West Pittston American Legion Auxiliary for the benefit of disabled veterans.
On July 14, the 4-H members and leaders from the Riding-Ho 4-H Club volunteered their time and equipment to help the Wyoming Valley Crippled Children’s Association prepare for their
first Horse Show held at Lehman Show Grounds. They all pitched-in in the picking of rocks from the show ring. Those who helped are: Marci, Evan and Mike Brown; Robin and Jody Casterline; Wendy, John, Linda and Butch Grey; Terri Hislop, Molly Hughes, Donna Sue James, Butch Morgan, David and Marty Sinnott; Bobby, Chris, Kim and Linda McLaughlin; Myrtle Cook, Sandy Russell, Gail Heller, Sue, Jackie and Tina Atherhult.
50 YEARS AGO — 1969
A large crowd of Dallas Rotarians and their families enjoyed the annual Rotary picnic at the Stefan Hellersperk home last week. Among those who attended were Evelyn Casner, John Casner, Ruth Demmy, Richard Demmy, Marie Konsavage, Herman Otto, Michael Antin, Bobby Otto, Stefan and Melania Hellersperk, Greg Konsavage, Stefan Hellersperk III and his dog, Nedor.
Members and sons of Gate of Heaven and Our Lady of Victory Holy Name Society made a bus trip to Shea Stadium last Sunday to watch the Mets beat the Atlanta Braves in a thrilling 11-inning game. The committee, headed by president Bill Kalinowski, organized the outing.
60 YEARS AGO — 1959
Four local girls got a horrified grand-stand view of the Yellowstone Park earthquake Tuesday afternoon. Huddled together in a cabin at Old Faithful, they watched as cars bounced three feet in the air and the scenery jitterbugged. Grace Barrall, Ethel Shultz and Theresa Polachek, all teachers in Dallas Schools, and Kay Piazzi, public relations head at College Misericordia, waited until the landscape settled down, then joined the cars that started to stream down the highway toward the eastern exit from the park. The girls were making a circuit tour of the United States in Miss Barrall’s new 1959 Ford convertible.
Girl Scout Troop, Sweet Valley Intermediate 8 and newly formed Senior Troop attended camp at Wildwood, Harveys Lake, August 10 to 12. They were welcomed at camp by Mrs. Hammer and supervised in swimming by Beverly Carlson, waterfront director. They enjoyed hiking, swimming, camp fire program and badge activities. Attending were: Phyllis Rose, Cheryl Thomas, Wilma Long, Barbara Ross, Lillie Ferry, Susan Lamoreaux, Lee Ross, Carol Owens, Cynthia Kipp, Lida Travis and Sharon Kivler.
Richard Sutton, Lehman, and William Conyngham, Chase, won blue ribbons for their Junior Yearling Holsteins at the Luzerne County 4-H Dairy Roundup held Friday night at the Farmers Night Market in Kingston. Richard was also named grand champion showman.
70 YEARS AGO — 1949
A tall, naked, middle-aged man frightened youngsters playing in the high-weeded plots along upper Carverton Road, Trucksville, Monday. Billy Hess, Jimmie and Ralph Gross were playing when the stranger rose in their midst garbed only in his birthday suit. The frightened youngsters ran to the Hess home nearby and called Billy’s mother. When Mrs. Hess looked out into the field she also saw the trespasser who ducked into the underbrush. She called Officer Louis Banta who arrived in a few minutes. Although Banta searched the brush over most of the area he was unable to find the offender.
Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Department will hold an ice cream social and farmer dance at the coach bar at Mrs. William Conyngham’s Hillside Farm on Wednesday evening, August 31, from 7 to 11. Walter Palmer has charge of making the ice cream and the Ladies’ Auxiliary will bake the cakes. Howard Ide, an ardent follower of square dances, will be in charge of the dance.
