Diamonds to people who put the “give” in Thanksgiving. To the cooks, who give of their time and talents to prepare the feast. To family and friends, who give of themselves to travel to the appointed holiday destination, to connect and to listen. To volunteers, who donate their hours to serve food and nourish spirits. To anyone who recognizes all he or she has for which to be thankful, then finds a way to share that good fortune with others.
Coal to the Pringle Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Association. Its officers failed to keep appropriate records of its meetings between 2011 and 2014, according to the state Auditor General’s Office. That’s a definite no-no for nonprofits. Proper paperwork allows for accountability, transparency and, in turn, trust among the public. The audit’s findings are not cause for alarm in Pringle; merely a reminder to strive to get the small things right so the bigger operation stays on track.
Diamonds to bed-and-breakfast proprietor Joseph Matteo. Buoyed by the success of his Frederick Stegmaier Mansion, site of many dinner parties, teas and other special events, the Wilkes-Barre businessman intends to expand a nearby building to accommodate even larger gatherings. The city’s Zoning Hearing Board this week approved Matteo’s request to expand the Mary Stegmaier Mansion, at 156 S. Franklin St., with a social hall/banquet room. Construction on the Colonial Revival structure is expected to begin in 2016.
Coal to meth mom Cheryl Lee Kemper. The Nanticoke woman, 31, allowed someone to manufacture the highly addictive stimulant in her apartment – risking a catastrophe – even while her two children and others were present, police said. A judge this week sentenced Kemper to three to 23 months in county prison, followed by two years of probation. We sincerely hope Kemper gets the treatment needed to clean up her life and make amends to her family.
Diamonds to the Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center’s directors. In a refreshing change from the norm in Northeastern Pennsylvania, they recently revised the board’s meeting protocol to allow for more – not less – public comment. They wisely realized after a recent situation in which a would-be speaker was silenced that people should be allowed to comment before votes are taken on agenda items as well as at meeting’s end.
Coal to people in Northeastern Pennsylvania who postpone winterizing their vehicles. It won’t be long before the first snowflakes fly and the region’s roads become treacherous. Is your ice scraper at hand? Tires in good condition? Windshield wipers up to the task? Don’t endanger yourself and your passengers, or pose a hazard to other travelers, by neglecting some seasonal car care.
