Around the Towns 11/1/2009
Font size: [A] [A] [A]
e-mail this
share thisArchbald
Caroline Teeple Nolan knows the value of giving blood - donations once helped keep her father Jack and brother Tom alive.
"At that time we said we have to give it back," she said. So she organized a blood drive in their memory, which has been going on for three years, she said.
This year's drive will be held Sunday, Nov. 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at East Side Hose Company, she said.
"Jack and Tommy were generous, caring individuals always willing to help others in need," she said.
cbaress@timesshamrock.com
Blakely
Friends of the Valley Community Library are accepting orders for its annual Christmas cookie sale. Proceeds benefit the library, said Antoinette Mackar, president of the group.
"Last year, we sold 125 pounds," she said. "We're going to aim to do that again."
Cookies cost $8 per pound, she said. Advance orders can be submitted to afm923@hotmail.com.
cbaress@timesshamrock.com
Clarks Summit
It is a simple idea: Reward customers who bring or buy reusable bags by giving them money to donate to local charities.
Everything Natural donated more than $1,500 last year by giving customers with reusable bags wooden nickles to put in boxes for Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, the Women's Resource Center and Countryside Conservancy. The business then matches, and usually adds to, the donations from customers.
"It's a way to pay it forward," Everything Natural owner Barry Kaplan said about donations-for-bags program. "We've been asking people to bring reusable bags for years."
enissley@timesshamrock.com
Dalton
After the heavy flooding throughout the region in 2005, Georgette Stancavage wanted to help. Her idea to collect clothing and coats for kids was so successful, she has done it once a year ever since.
Through Sunday, Nov. 8, donations of children's clothing will be accepted at Our Lady of the Abingtons Church.
In years past, the Kids Closet has collected enough to help 150 families. Donations will be repaired and laundered as necessary, Ms. Stancavage said, and then sorted by size and displayed for needy families to select Saturday, Nov. 14, and Sunday, Nov. 15.
"The response each year is overwhelming," Ms. Stancavage said. "There's a real satisfaction in helping people."
enissley@timesshamrock.com
Dunmore
At 58, Tony Ranella Jr. of the Dunmore Historical Society can remember some of the 1950s. Obviously, he does not remember the 1940s, and he's really interested in one of the society's upcoming lectures.
On Saturday, James McCool will present "Growing up in Dunmore in the 1940s and 1950s." The free lecture is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Dunmore Presbyterian Church, 137 Chestnut St. Old maps and artifacts will also be on display during the presentation.
It's probably gong to bring back a lot of memories for those in the older generations," Mr. Ranella said.
mreiter@timesshamrock.com
Honesdale
For 30 years, Gerhard Schwarzkopf has entertained people during Stourbridge Line rail excursions.
And he has loved every minute of playing his accordion. "It's fun for everyone," Mr. Schwarzkopf, 66, said.
In 1979, Mr. Schwarzkopf was hired to perform during the excursions' first year.
Mr. Schwarzkopf, a retired Navy serviceman, said he enjoys encouraging audience participation. In his 30 years, Mr. Schwarzkopf has performed folk and camp songs for several generations.
Jessup
A program started in 2004 to benefit the Valley Community Library in Peckville is still going strong, said chairwoman Genie Lupini.
Cars for Books allows people to donate their cars for auction and receive a tax write-off. Money from the auction, conducted by Swade Auto, is given to the library for building expenses and other purposes, she said.
"The auction is constant," she said. "They can donate at any time."
The program has brought in 16 cars from the surrounding communities, and two this year, she said.
cbaress@timesshamrock.com
Lake Ariel
With school in session, Dr. James Tickner of Family First Vision Center is collecting bookbags.
A donation box for clean and gently used bags is located in the Family First Vision Center lobby. Donations can be dropped off during business hours on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
"We're doing bookbag buddies, and it's to help collect school bags for children who can't afford them otherwise," said Dr. Tickner, a former teacher. "We're also looking for donations of supplies to put in the book bags."
jmrozinski@timesshamrock.com
Moscow
Martha Andreychik and the Altar and Rosary Society of St. Catherine of Siena Church are gearing up for theholiday bazaar next weekend.
Ms. Andreychik said the bazaar is the church's most important fundraiser, the proceeds of which go toward local food pantries, Christmas and Easter gifts for shut-ins and altar decorations. The bazaar will run from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8.
mreiter@timesshamrock.com
Pittston
First United Presbyterian Church of West Pittston, 115 Exeter Ave., will hold its second holiday craft and gift sale on Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"It's the perfect opportunity to help people get someone unique, handmade gifts that you might not find at the local mall," said Tara Malampy, event chairwoman.
Ms. Malampy said the fundraiser was suggested as a way to reach out to other members of the community, who may not have attended the church's annual Strawberry festival each spring.
"We felt like maybe there was another population of the community that we weren't connecting with," she said. Proceeds of the holiday event will benefit various church programs.
ssanger@timesshamrock.com
Scranton
When the going gets tough, the tough bake cookies.
"We've had a number of parents wondering what they could do, because they've seen how our budget has been cut," said Laureen Maloney, manager of the Lackawanna County Children's Library.
Later this month, parents and friends will contribute items to a Thanksgiving bake sale, with proceeds to support the library.
"We've never had a bake sale. We've never had a fundraiser," Ms. Maloney said. Then again, the library has probably never faced cuts like those resulting from this year's tardy state budget. Among the casualties: the library's live Sunday performances for children.
The sale will be from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, timed to follow that morning's Greater Scranton Jaycees' Santa Parade. Donors may bring homemade or store-bought goods two days before the event - "whatever people can come up with," Ms. Maloney said.
The library is, however, asking donors to fill out a slip listing the ingredients of baked goods, for the benefit of those with allergies. For information and ingredient slips, call 348-3000, ext. 3015.
rdupuis@timesshamrock.com
Taylor
St. George's Greek Orthodox Church is taking orders for its annual Christmas bake sale, which has been going on for more than a decade.
"It's all homemade by church members and the priest ⦠it's made with love," said church member Karen Pehonich.
For $8 each, church members are selling kolachi in nut, poppyseed, apricot and lekvar flavors; and braided kolachi in raspberry and cream cheese, pineapple and cream cheese, apricot and cream cheese, and bluberry and cream cheese flavors.
Plain bread will also be offered for $6 and raisin bread for $6.50. Orders must be placed by Dec. 6, by calling 562-1170 or by e-mail at fr.mal@comcast.net Mrs. Pehonich said church members will call when the orders are ready.
ssanger@timesshamrock.com
TELL US about the people in your town. E-mail the writer for your town, or contact the YES!desk at 348-9121 or yesdesk@timesshamrock.com.
2 posted comments