Times Leader 01-01-2012

The Times Leader
C M Y K
WILKES-BARRE, PA SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2012 $1.50
6 09815 10077
timesleader.com
Floods, record rainfall, an earthquake and a
seismic shift at the county courthouse. Andsoit
was in Luzerne County in 2011.
The most compelling story of
the year was the September flood-
ing caused by back-to-back storms
Hurricane Irene and then Trop-
ical Storm Lee that damaged or
destroyed hundreds of homes and
businesses, caused one death and
cost millions of dollars in damage.
As withthe Agnes Floodof 1972,
the losses will be remembered for
years to come.
But the flooding wasnt the only
story involving loss.
On the political side, incumbent
District Attorney Jackie Musto
Carroll lost her re-election bid to
upstart young insurance attorney
Stefanie Salavantis.
A few figures caught up in the
ongoing corruption scandal lost
their freedomin2011. Former judg-
es Michael T. Conahan and Mark
A. Ciavarella were sent to prison
for their roles in the Kids for
Cash scandal. Also sentenced for
various crimes were former Judge
Michael Toole, attorney Robert Po-
well, former court administrator
William Sharkey and former Lu-
zerne County Probation Officer
Sandra Brulo.
On the change side of things,
which the Salavantis upset of Mus-
to Carroll would also fall under,
came the voters decision to
change the way Luzerne County
government operates byapproving
a Home Rule form of government
and the election of 11 people to
serve on the inaugural council that
will be sworn in on Tuesday. The
voters also elected six new judges
to sit on the county bench, the
largest influx of new jurists in
Stefanie Salavantis celebrates her upset victo-
ry in the race for Luzerne County District At-
torney with her father, Harry. The Republican
defeated incumbent Jackie Musto Carroll.
Flooding in September would doomany efforts
to save the historic Hotel Sterling structure as
engineers called it deficient and its insurer
declined to renew its policy.
Mike Lazevnick plays through the rain during a
golf tournament on June 24. Rain fell often in
2011, breaking a record set in 1948 at the
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport.
YEAR OF LOSS AND CHANGE
DON CAREY/THE TIMES LEADER
September rainfall left much of the Wyoming Valley inundated with water when it caused the Susquehanna River to overflow its banks, resulting in
millions of dollars in damage fromWest Pittston to Shickshinny. This is an aerial view looking northward with Kingston to the left and Wilkes-Barre to
the right and the Market Street and Veterans Memorial bridges crossing the swollen river. A portion of Kirby Park and the Market Street Bridge are
under water.
NEW YORK The killing of
Osama bin Laden during a raid by
Navy SEALs on his hideout in Pa-
kistan was the top news story of
2011, followed by Japans earth-
quake/tsunami disaster, accord-
ing to The Associated Press an-
nual poll of U.S. editors and news
directors.
The death of bin Laden, the al-
Qaida leader who masterminded
the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks,
received 128 first-place votes out
of 247 ballots cast for the top 10
stories. The Japan disaster was
next, with 60 first-place votes.
PlacingthirdweretheArabSpring
uprisings that rockedNorthAfrica
andthe Middle East, while the Eu-
ropean Unions financial turmoil
was No. 4.
Theinternational flavor of these
top stories contrasted with last
years voting when the Gulf of
Mexico oil spill was the top story,
Bin Laden tops AP news poll
AP FILE PHOTO
Terrorist mastermind Osama bin
Laden died May 2 during a raid by
U.S. Navy SEALs on his compound in
Pakistan.
BEIRUT Syrias two largest
oppositiongroups signedanagree-
ment on setting up a democracy if
President Bashar Assads autocrat-
ic regime falls, opposition figures
said Saturday.
The move is sofar the most seri-
ous by the fractured opposition to
uniteagainsttheregimeandshows
that Assads opponents will accept
nothing less than his departure
frompower.
Burhan Ghalioun, leader of the
Syrian National Council, and
Haytham Manna of the National
CoordinationBodyforDemocratic
Change in Syria, or NCB, signed
thedraft inCairoonFriday, accord-
ingtoanNCBstatementandOmar
Idilbi of the SNC.
Syrias uprising began in March,
inspired by other Arab Spring re-
volts. The United Nations says
more than 5,000 people have died
as the government has sought to
S Y R I A
Groups
will unite
against
Assad
Move made to prepare
democracy if presidents
regime falls.
By BASSEMMROUE
Associated Press
See SYRIA, Page 2A
By ANDREWM. SEDER [email protected]
See CHANGE, Page 10A
Top Pennsylvania stories, Page 8A
Notable deaths, Page 11A
Year in pictures, Page 12A
I N S I D E
By DAVID CRARY
AP National Writer
See POLL, Page 9A
INSIDE
A NEWS
Local News 3A
Nation/World 5A
Obituaries 7A
B PEOPLE
Birthdays 8B
C SPORTS
Outdoors 11C
Weather 12C
D BUSINESS
Motley Fool 6D
E VIEWS
Editorials 2E
F. ETC.
Puzzles 2F
Books 5F
No McGloin?
PSU preps to go
with other QBs.
Story, 1C
LE MARS, Iowa Mitt Rom-
ney is the clear Republican front-
runner in Iowa in the final days
before the first voting in the 2012
presidential election. But thats
where clarity ends in this nomi-
nation race.
Five others are fighting to
emerge as the alternative to the
former Massachusetts governor.
Rick Santorum and Rick Perry
are battling to win over social
conservatives. Libertarian-lean-
ing Ron Paul is working to pre-
serve support thats starting to
slip. Newt Gingrich is struggling
to end his sharp slide. Michele
Bachmann is hardly a factor.
It may be Romneys to lose at
this point, said John Stineman,
an Iowa GOP campaign strate-
Romney
has edge
in Iowa
Five other challengers fight
to emerge as the alternative
to the former Mass. governor.
By THOMAS BEAUMONT
Associated Press
See ROMNEY, Page 2A
K
PAGE 2A SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2012 THE TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com
Burnside, Angelina
Cheresko, Stella
Cooper, Elizabeth
Elko, Joseph
Giacomo, Raymond
Kudey, Stanley
Marinangeli, Nadia
Nahill, Thomas
Nalewajko, Helen
Phillips, Dorothy
Rose, Clarence II
OBITUARIES
Page 7A
BUILDING
TRUST
The Times Leader strives to
correct errors, clarify stories
and update them promptly.
Corrections will appear in this
spot. If you have information
to help us correct an inaccu-
racy or cover an issue more
thoroughly, call the newsroom
at 829-7242.
DETAILS
timesleader.com
Missed Paper........................829-5000
Obituaries...............................970-7224
Advertising...............................970-7101
Advertising Billing...............970-7328
Classified Ads.........................970-7130
Newsroom...............................970-7242
Vice President/Executive Editor
Joe Butkiewicz ...............................970-7249
Asst. Managing Editor
Anne Woelfel ...................................970-7232
Sports Editor
John Medeiros.................................970-7143
WHO TO CONTACT
Newsroom
829-7242
[email protected]
Circulation
Jim McCabe 829-5000
[email protected]
Delivery MondaySunday $3.50 per week
Mailed Subscriptions MondaySunday
$4.35 per week in PA
$4.75 per week outside PA
Published daily by:
Impressions Media
15 N. Main St.
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Periodicals postage paid at
Wilkes-Barre, PA and additional mailing ofces
Postmaster: Send address changes
to Times Leader, 15 N. Main St.,
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
+(ISSN No. 0896-4084)
USPS 499-710
Issue No. 2012-001
Daily Number, Midday
Sunday: 7-5-6
Monday: 3-4-3
Tuesday: 1-5-6
Wednesday: 8-2-8
Thursday: 0-9-6
Friday: 6-5-1
Saturday: 6-4-5
Big Four, Midday
Sunday: 8-0-8-4
Monday: 5-6-3-5
Tuesday: 7-2-3-2
Wednesday: 2-8-8-6
Thursday: 8-1-9-5
Friday: 9-3-9-2
Saturday: 9-4-9-6
Quinto, Midday
Sunday: 8-8-6-1-7
Monday: 6-7-2-0-6
Tuesday: 9-0-5-5-6
Wednesday: 9-8-2-9-4
Thursday: 6-6-5-1-6
Friday: 8-1-1-1-4
Saturday: 3-1-3-9-2
Treasure Hunt
Sunday: 02-06-10-12-19
Monday: 01-02-11-26-27
Tuesday: 13-16-20-27-29
Wednesday: 04-05-09-17-18
Thursday: 08-10-17-22-28
Friday: 03-08-17-18-26
Saturday: 07-13-17-29-30
Daily Number, 7 p.m.
Sunday: 6-3-5
Monday: 1-5-6
Tuesday: 7-8-8
Wednesday: 6-8-0
Thursday: 8-3-9
Friday: 7-3-9
Saturday: 6-4-4
Big Four, 7 p.m.
Sunday: 6-3-1-1
Monday: 0-7-5-8
Tuesday: 5-6-4-0
Wednesday: 3-3-0-7
Thursday: 3-6-2-2
Friday: 0-5-7-5
Saturday: 1-9-1-3
Quinto, 7 p.m.
Sunday: 8-5-0-3-6
Monday: 6-9-7-0-8
Tuesday: 9-4-0-1-9 (5-0-3-5-1,
double draw)
Wednesday: 5-6-7-6-7
Thursday: 3-9-6-5-2
Friday: 1-8-4-7-5
Saturday: 5-0-4-4-2
Cash 5
Sunday: 04-05-07-22-43
Monday: 08-16-19-20-32
Tuesday: 19-21-28-31-40
Wednesday: 08-20-28-42-43
Thursday: 14-21-29-31-38
Friday: 10-16-26-36-43
Saturday: 05-14-25-27-36
Match 6 Lotto
Monday: 09-11-16-30-41-45
Thursday: 06-10-19-27-44-49
Mega Millions
Tuesday: 23-32-33-39-43
Megaball: 08
Megaplier: 03
Friday: 04-24-45-46-52
Megaball: 01
Megaplier: 04
Powerball
Wednesday: 16-21-27-41-45
powerball: 14
powerplay: 02
Saturdays Powerball was not
available at press time.
WEEKLY LOTTERY
SUMMARY
A COUPLE OF COOL KIDS
PETE G. WILCOX/THE TIMES LEADER
C
hris Bayzick, 10, of West Hazleton and his sister Laura, 12, test out a chair carved from
a block of ice located in front of the CAN DO Building on Broad Street in Hazleton dur-
ing the citys annual First Night Hazleton New Years celebration on Saturday.
WILKES-BARRE A fire en-
gulfed two buildings at the cor-
ner of Hazle Avenue and Dana
Street early Saturday.
Firefighters were called to 206-
208 Hazle Ave., a 3-story double
block, at 5:55 a.m. According to
city Fire Chief Jay Delaney, fire-
fighters arriving on scene found
flames shooting
from the rear of
the building and
from the adjacent
structure, 244 Ha-
zle Ave., a two-sto-
ry former bar con-
verted to a duplex
apartment build-
ing.
No one was in-
side either build-
ing and no one appeared to be liv-
ing in either, Delaney said.
Delaney said firefighters fo-
cused on containing the blaze to
prevent it from spreading to oth-
er adjacent buildings and that
their biggest challenge was find-
ing enough water to hold back
the advance of flames.
The fire was so intense that to
get enough water supply we liter-
ally used every available section
of hose that we had, Delaney
said.
Hoses stretched for blocks to
hydrants on Moyallen Street, Da-
na Street, Park Avenue and on
Hazle Avenue near Wilkes-Barre
Boulevard. Delaney added that
the hydrants all hadadequate wa-
ter pressure.
The fire left 206-208Hazle Ave.
gutted and without a roof, while
244 Hazle Ave., the one-time
home of Carters Bar, sustained
moderate flame and smoke dam-
age. Firefighters continued to
wet down the charred remnants
of the fire until about 1 p.m. Sat-
urday.
The cause of the fire is under
investigation by city Fire Investi-
gator Capt. Alan Klapat and the
Wilkes-Barre Police Department.
Delaney declined to comment on
where or how the fire may have
started because of that investiga-
tion, but said flames were most
intense at the rear of 206-208 Ha-
zle Ave. when firefighters ar-
rived.
No emergency responders
were injured.
Fire damages 2 W-B structures
City firefighters wrap up operations at Saturdays fire that dam-
aged two buildings on Hazle Avenue near Dana Street.
Firefighters utilize all water
supply to battle intense blaze
on Hazle Avenue.
By MATT HUGHES
[email protected]
To see
additional
photos, visit
www.times
leader.com
HANOVER TWP. The Lu-
zerne County Drug Task Force
on Saturday arrested one man
andseizedheroin, marijuanaand
cash during a raid on a Marion
Terrace apartment Saturday
morning.
Police arrested Wadue Allah
Tate, 31, of Mark Drive and
Brooklyn, N.Y., on two counts of
delivery of a schedule one con-
trolled substance, heroin, and
one count of possession with in-
tent to deliver a controlled sub-
stance, heroin.
According to Hanover Town-
ship police, of-
ficers from the
inter-agency
task force
served a
search warrant
at 7:30 a.m.
and found her-
oin, marijuana
and cash inside the apartment in
the1300blockof the MarionTer-
race complex.
Tate, who sometimes uses the
alias Vegas, according to police,
was arraigned Saturday before
District Judge John E. Hasay,
Shickshinny. He is being held at
LuzerneCountyCorrectional Fa-
cility in lieu of $50,000 straight
bail.
A preliminary hearing has
been scheduled for Friday at 10
a.m. beforeDistrict JudgeJoseph
A. Halesey, Hanover Township.
Hanover Twp. man
faces drug charges
A multi-agency drug raid
targets an apartment at
Marion Terrace.
By MATT HUGHES
[email protected]
Tate
HANOVERTWP. Aresi-
dent of Sivelly Street inthe
MarionTerrace apartment
complex saidsomeone re-
movedseveral dollars incoins
fromher vehicle while it was
parkednear her home Saturday.
The womantoldpolice her
car alarmwent off at 3:31a.m.
andthat she sawseveral young
people running downthe street
whenshe went to investigate.
HAZLETWP. State police
saidthey arrestedJohnThomas
Tate, 49, of Lattimer Mines, on
suspicionof driving under the
influence at a DUI checkpoint
onstate Route 940 at 11:43 p.m.
Friday. State police saidTates
blood-alcohol content was
testedat state police head-
quarters andthat they will file
driving under the influence
charges.
POLICE BLOTTER
crushthe revolt.
On Tuesday, scores of Arab
monitors, who are the first that
Syriahasallowedintothecountry
during the uprising, began their
work on the ground visiting hot
spots around the country. They
are supposed to ensure the re-
gime complies with terms of the
Cairo-based 22-member Arab
Leagues plan to end Assads
crackdownondissent.
Despite the observers pres-
ence, regime forces have contin-
ued the crackdown. At least six
people were killed in attacks on
protests Saturday, according to
the Local Coordination Commit-
tees, anactivist group. Adayearli-
er, at least 27 were killed.
Anamateur video releasedlate
Fridayshowedanobservertelling
protesters in the southern city of
Daraa, where the uprising began,
that hesawsniperswithourown
eyesandwecall upon(Syrian)au-
thorities to withdrawthem. The
observer, speaking with a North
African Arab accent, is heard say-
ing if the snipers are not with-
drawnwithin24hours therewill
be other measures.
Thereports of deathtolls could
not be verified since journalists
activities arerestrictedbyauthor-
ities.
The deal between the opposi-
tion coalitions says both groups
reject any foreign military inter-
vention in Syria and call for the
protectionof civilians byall legiti-
mate means in the framework of
international laws.
It said that if Assads regime
falls, a transitional period will
beginby preservingall state insti-
tutionsthendraftinganewconsti-
tution that guarantees a civilian
pluralistparliamentarydemocrat-
ic system. Then elections for a
new parliament and president
wouldbe held.
The draft also says that all Syr-
ian citizens are equal and the
countrys Kurdish minority is a
fundamental and historic part
of Syrias national structure. It al-
socallsforliberatingSyrianterri-
tory,anapparent referencetothe
GolanHeights, occupiedbyIsrael
since1967.
SYRIA
Continued fromPage 1A
MIDLAND, Texas A man
was detained Saturday after try-
ing to go through a security
checkpoint at a Texas airport
with explosives in military-
grade wrapping, federal and lo-
cal officials said.
The man was stopped at a se-
curity checkpoint at the Mid-
land International Airport
about 9 a.m. and taken into cus-
tody by the FBI, they said.
FBI spokesman Mike Marti-
nez declined to say whether the
man was in military uniform or
how many explosives were
found in the bag. He said he did
not knowwherethemanwas be-
ing held, saying he was at either
the airport or at the FBI office in
Midland.
City of Midland spokeswo-
man Tasa Watts said she had no
information on the suspect but
the explosives were wrapped in
military-grade wrapping. She
said the specific grade wont be
known until the explosives are
tested.
The Transportation Security
Administration issued a state-
ment saying one of its officers
spotted a suspicious item in a
carry-on bag during X-ray
screening. It said the check-
point was closed for about an
hour while officers investigated
and removed the item.
Watts said the man was enter-
ing a terminal when he was
stopped, and a sweep was done
toclear that terminal beforenor-
mal operations resumed.
Man with explosives at
Texas airport detained
The Associated Press
gist who has been monitoring in-
ternal and public polls. And its
a battle among the rest.
While much can happen be-
fore Tuesdays caucuses, inter-
views with operatives inside and
outside the campaign, along
with public and internal polls,
show Romney leading the pack.
Hes aided by conservative vot-
ers who are dividing their sup-
port among the field.
Paul and Romney were vying
for the top spot in public polls
this week, with Romney edging
Paul 23 percent to 21 percent in
an NBC/Marist poll published
Friday. Santorum was in third
place with 15 percent, as he was
in a CNN/Time poll published
Thursday that showed Romney
with 25 percent and Paul with 20
percent.
But interviews and internal
campaign polls also suggest that
Paul has faded some after a
surge this month, while Santo-
rum and Perry are climbing.
But the polls are also showing
a large contingent of undecided
voters, and the candidates
pressed their closing messages,
went out with final ads and
scampered across the state to
garner their support.
Notably absent was Paul, the
Texas congressman who return-
ed to his home state and had no
campaign events in Iowa. Polls
earlier in December showed him
narrowly leading. But according
to later surveys and to GOP ac-
tivists in the state, his support
has ebbed following attacks on
his foreign policy positions.
Despite these shifting dynam-
ics, two things were clear on the
final weekend before the first
votes of 2012: The yearlong ef-
fort to establish a consensus
challenger to Romney had failed,
and Romneys carefully laid plan
to survive Iowa was succeeding.
This president has been a fail-
ure, Romney told hundreds of
supporters packed into the Old
Salt Restaurant in Hampton,
N.H., making an overnight trip
to the leadoff primary state. The
vote there is Jan. 10.
Romney quickly returned to
Iowa later Saturday to conserva-
tive Plymouth County and more
populous Woodbury County,
both winning areas for him dur-
ing the 2008 race. He finished
second in the state that year be-
hind former Arkansas Gov. Mike
Huckabee, although Arizona
Sen. John McCain later captured
the partys nomination.
Romney has sounded more
confident and kept his attention
focused on Democratic Presi-
dent Barack Obama. Large
crowds turned out for Romney
this past week during his bus
tour.
Romney was headed eastward
Sunday and planned to cam-
paign Monday in cities he won
four years ago Cedar Rapids,
Davenport and Dubuque. He
wants to maximize the edge he
holds in critical areas rather than
risk underperforming in places
where more ardent conserva-
tives are leery of his Mormon
faith and shifting positions on
social issues.
Romney has looked beyond
his GOP rivals and drawn a
straight-up comparison with
Obama.
ROMNEY
Continued fromPage 1A
McDONALD, Ohio Au-
thorities say a minor earth-
quake hit in northeast Ohio.
The U.S. Geological Survey
says the 4.0 magnitude quake
struck Saturday afternoon in
McDonald, outside of Young-
stown. There were no immedi-
ate reports of damage.
It was the latest in a series of
minor quakes inthe area in2011,
though residents say Saturdays
appeared to be stronger than
others. Many have struck near
aninjectionwell usedtodispose
of brine water thats a byproduct
of oil and gas drilling.
Its owner agreed this week to
stop injecting brine into the
earthwhilethequakes areinves-
tigated.
4.0 quake hits northeast Ohio
C M Y K
THE TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2012 PAGE 3A
LOCAL
timesleader.com
The September flood will have an im-
pact onthetaxbaseof LuzerneCountyand
affected municipalities and school dis-
tricts, but officials arent yet sure howdras-
tic the loss will be.
There definitely will be (a reduction in
the tax base), Luzerne County Assess-
ment Appeals Director
Tony Alu said. You
hope that the taxing
bodys prepared, thats
all you can really do.
The Luzerne County
Commissioners an-
nouncedinlate Septem-
ber that property own-
ers whose home value
had been reduced by at
least 50percent because
of flood damages could
apply for temporary re-
ductions in county, mu-
nicipal and school dis-
trict property taxes
through the countys in-
dependent assessment
appeals board. Those reductions would
comeintheformof apartial refundof taxes
paid in 2011.
About 120 have applied so far, but Alu
couldnt sayhowmuchwouldberefunded,
or whether the tax breaks would continue
into 2012 for those still displaced, because
the assessment appeals board will not re-
view the reduction requests until 2012.
We dont know just exactly how much
compensation or how much relief theyre
goingtoget, Alusaid. Nowthat creates a
problem for the taxing bodies because we
dont knowhowmuch were going get and
that makes it hard to budget.
Alu said the return of properties eventu-
ally bought out and returned to municipal
ownershipthroughtheFederal Emergency
Management Agencys Hazard Mitigation
Acquisitions Programcould also erode the
local tax base.
An estimated 1,463 properties in the
county were damaged by flooding, and
about 130 of them were destroyed.
West Pittston damage
By municipality, West Pittston saw the
highest number of assessment appeals at
55, but Borough Manager Savino Bonita
said that given the roughly 800 West Pitt-
stonhomesaffectedbytheflood, that num-
ber could have been worse for the bor-
oughs revenue.
It could have been more significant,
Bonitasaid. I wouldsaythat numberprob-
ably represents the people (who) havent
come back into their homes yet.
About 30 borough homeowners have al-
so expressed an interest in the federal haz-
ard mitigation buyout program. Bonita
said he isnt sure of the impact of those
buyouts or the assessment appeals for the
borough, which collects about $300,000
annually in real estate tax revenue, but
council has considered the question.
Even during the budget process, even
though its not going to impact in the com-
ing year, its something theyve talked
about,Bonitasaid, addingthat council did
not raise taxes in its recently passed 2012
budget.
In Shickshinny, where flooding dam-
aged77homes and26of the.4-square-mile
municipalitys 28 businesses, buyouts like-
ly will erode a larger percentage of the bor-
S E P T E M B E R F L O O D I N G
Tax base takes a wallop
PETE G. WILCOX PHOTOS/ THE TIMES LEADER
Two kayakers drift along in flooded Shickshinny in September. The water was a result of the Susquehanna River over-
flowing its banks and spilling into the center of town. Along with West Pittston, Duryea and Plymouth, Shickshinny was
devastated by the floodwaters.
Devastation impacts home values
Route 239 in the center of Shickshinny immersed by overflow from the Susque-
hanna River. September flooding will impact the countys tax base.
By MATT HUGHES
[email protected]
See TAXES, Page 4A
You hope
that the
taxing
bodys pre-
pared,
thats all
you can
really do.
Tony Alu
Luzerne County
Assessment
Appeals director
WILKES-BARRE When Jesse Sa-
vitz talks about the annual Ike Cim-
met New Years Eve party, it is evi-
dent the event is more than a little
bit of night gaiety.
Instead, the annual event is a re-
flection of both Cimmets love for the
New Year holiday and the spirit in
which older area residents are invit-
ed to share in the celebration at the
Jewish Community Center of Wyom-
ing Valley.
The party is subsidized by the fam-
ily of Ike Cimmet in his memory. The
party will take place next Sunday,
from 4 to 7 p.m., a more convenient
time for more area residents to at-
tend the annual celebration.
Savitz, co-chairman of the event,
said it generally draws "older area
residents," but it welcomes adults of
all ages.
And although the party takes place
on Jan. 8 instead of Dec. 31 and ends
before the midnight hour, Savitz em-
phasizes that in no way will it lack all
the elements of a New Years cele-
bration. There will be noise makers,
hats, colorful decorations, and even a
midnight countdown.
For $10, attendees will be able to
partake of appetizers and hors
doeuvres, a full-course dinner, dess-
ert and dancing to the sounds of the
Scott Green Band. The event is open
JCC fest
to offer
welcome
to 2012
A party next weekend will give
area adults a favorite atmosphere
of celebration.
By GERI GIBBONS
Times Leader Correspondent
See PARTY, Page 4A
This could be the year to follow
through on those resolutions.
Its a leap year and another day is
tagged on to the end of February, giv-
ing folks a little more time to get in
shape, save some money or write a
novel.
With the additional 24 hours, state
Superior Court President Judge Cor-
reale Stevens might be able to com-
plete a chapter or two.
I would like to
finish a novel I start-
ed to write, said
Stevens of his New
Years resolution.
I know in my
mind what I want to
write, he said. It
would be along the
lines of a JohnGrish-
amnovel, only set in
New England and
the West.
Wilkes-Barre tow
truck operator and
citizen crime fighter
Bob Kadluboski is
making a federal
case out of his reso-
lution.
My resolution is
to bring about a half
dozen people to jus-
tice and Imgoing to
get it done, said Ka-
dluboski.
Forget about
counting on the FBI
in Scranton. Imgo-
ing to go to Wash-
ington myself, he
said.
The past year has
been a busy one for
Darlene Duggins. She ran for a seat on
Wilkes-Barre City Council, held her
annual block party and graduated
from Luzerne County Community
College.
Her resolution is to continue with
her activism and work in the commu-
nity. Duggins said shes still trying to
determine which way I want to go.
Ruth Corcoran has a less ambitious
resolution, but is equally committed
to sticking to it.
Imkind of a workaholic, said Cor-
coran. By day she works at Corcoran
Communications. By night Cork Res-
taurant in Wilkes-Barre has her atten-
tion.
This year she wants to try and
spend a little more time with my fam-
ily.
Its easier saidthandone, but doable
witha little effort andscheduling. Im
going to do it, she said.
A positive attitude helps and so
does a plan on how to achieve the de-
siredoutcome, saidDr. Marie Gray, an
adjunct professor of psychology at Mi-
sericordia University.
Her advice is sound anytime and its
worth repeating, especially at this
time of year when people tend to be
reflective and desirous to start anew.
For many, their 401k plans took a
beating last year, she said. It might be
wise to do some research on the in-
vestments in the plan and make some
changes.
Knowledge is power, said Gray.
That applies to the person too.
Start slow,
dont leap
into new
resolutions
Local psychology professor says
take small steps when attempting
change in 2012.
By JERRY LYNOTT
[email protected]
Corcoran
Kadluboski
Duggins
Stevens
Making resolutions is one thing. Seeing
them through is another. Dr. Marie Gray,
an adjunct professor of psychology at
Misericordia University, has some ad-
vice on developing and sticking to
challenges ahead:
Be realistic when making a resolution
or setting a goal.
Develop a plan to achieve the desired
outcome.
Know your strengths and build up on
weak areas.
Take small steps.
R E S O LV E T O B E R E S O L U T E
See RESOLVE, Page 4A
NANTICOKE At its last meeting be-
fore the new home rule government as-
sumes power, Nanticoke City Council
passed its 2012 budget at a special meet-
ing Saturday morning.
Council was required by state law to
passthebudget bytheendof theyear, but
because of the transition to home rule,
the new five-member city council will
have until Feb. 15toamendthe spending
planafter taking office.
The budget includes a property tax in-
crease of .35 mills, or approximately
$17.50 on a home assessed at $50,000. A
mill isa$1taxforevery$1,000inassessed
property value.
The earned income tax and other tax
rates will not change.
The budget allows for about $4.3 mil-
lion in expenditures, about $22,500 less
thanthe 2011budget.
Director of Finance Pam Howard said
the city raised taxes so it could put
$50,000 into a capital expenses account
for contingency expenses because coun-
cil has vowed not to take out a tax antici-
pationloanin2012.
Treasurer and Tax Collector Al Wy-
toshek criticized the tax hike, saying the
city should look to reduce expenses in-
stead. The city spent about $260,000 on
attorney and legal fees and the salaries
andbenefitsof thecityadministratorand
finance director in2011, he said.
Wejust cant affordthat; not thissmall
a city, Wytoshek said.
In other business, council also ap-
proved, subjecttosolicitorreviewandap-
proval, an agreement with the Luzerne/
Schuylkill Workforce Investment Board
tobring10employeesandasupervisorto
work with the city road department for
six weeks at no cost to the city.
Council also approved the sale of the
oldCVSbuildingonEast MainStreet, as-
sessed at $160,000, to the citys General
Municipal Authority andthe sale of 24S.
Prospect St.
Thecitywill host anauctionat themu-
nicipal building this month to sell the
property, with bidding starting at the
buildings assessedvalue of $106,000.
Nanticoke budget includes property tax increase
Because of the transition to home
rule, new five-member city council
has until Feb. 15 to amend budget.
By MATT HUGHES
[email protected]
LAFLINBoroughcouncil, at a spe-
cial meeting early Saturday morning,
officially approved a tax increase for
2012.
The increase in the real estate tax
was set at .2834 mills. The increase
equates to roughly a $30-$35 tax in-
crease on a property assessed at
$100,000. A mill is a $1 tax for every
$1,000 in assessed property value.
Officials adopted the increase to
make up for the $44,405 deficit the
borough faced from 2011.
After the formal increase was read
by solicitor Samuel M. Sanguedolce
and approved by council members,
Mayor Dorothy Yazurlo commented
that she has received very little nega-
tive feedback regarding the increase
and that the community seems will-
ing to pay as long as they have the 24-
hour police coverage.
Police protection is among the
largest expenses within the borough,
and one of the primary reasons for the
increase is to fund that 24/7 coverage,
which features three full-time and sev-
en part-time officers.
Last month, Laflin borough lost out
on a police contract fromneighboring
Yatesville borough, which had paid
Laflin $32,000 annually for coverage.
Jenkins Township now is providing
police coverage to Yatesville.
In other new business, council
passeda motiontotakeout a taxantic-
ipation note for $150,000. Atax antici-
pationnoteis a short-termloantohelp
municipalities pay expenses until tax
revenue comes in.
Laflin OKs
real estate
tax increase
Part of the reason for the hike is
the costs of round-the-clock
police protection.
By JOSEPH DOLINSKY
Times Leader Correspondent
C M Y K
N E W S
Adult & Child Classes Weapons
210 Division St Kingston 287-4290
Visit us online at www.wbkarate.com
Give Us 30 Days and We Will
HELP YOU CHANGE YOUR LIFE!
Try It For
A Month
Body Conditioning
Building Confdence
Reduce Stress In
Your Life
NEW YEAR SPECIALS
ADULTS
$
19
99
Month
Evening Classes
$
14
99
Month
Day Classes - Noon
WOMENS SELF DEFENSE
$
50
00
10 Week Course
CHILDREN
$
89
00
3 Months - Inc. Uniform
The Independence
You Value. The
Peace Of Mind
Youve Been
Missing.
Fully Remodeled
Newly Furnished
Rates Starting At
$1,200 Per Month
Locally Owned
And Operated
Call For A Tour
120 Martz Manor
Plymouth, PA 18651
570-779-2730
Visit Our Website At www.plymouth-manor.com
oughs tax base.
We have to go with what we
have at hand right now, Council
Chairwoman Rosalie Whitebread
said. I cant say that we are not
worried about it, because, of
course, we are; but, we dont know
what the tax base is really going to
be.
Borough Secretary/Treasurer
Melissa Weber said 24 homes had
previously been approved for haz-
ard mitigation and will be demol-
ished by the end of 2012, and that
26 additional property owners, in-
cluding three businesses, have ap-
plied for acquisition/demolition.
Being that right now council is
not willing to raise taxes on folks,
therell have to be changes, Weber
said. It wont be business as usual,
thats for sure.
Shickshinny takes in about
$17,000 in taxes in property taxes
annually and also receives funds
fromaprivateendowment, theF.L.
Garrison Fund.
Weber said the borough will
need to explore alternative reve-
nue-generating opportunities, and
that the town is exploring its op-
tions as part of the long-termcom-
munity recovery assistance pro-
gram the borough is undertaking
with FEMA.
Some of those options include
developing land near the river
made available throughbuyouts in-
to revenue-generating recreational
outlets, such as campgrounds, flea
markets and community gardens
with land for lease.
Gale Conrad, Plymouth Town-
ship supervisor chairwoman, said
she expects most of the nearly 50
residences damaged by the flood
will eventually be awarded hazard
mitigation buyouts, but that future
development will likely offset the
corresponding loss in tax revenue.
All businessesinthetownshiphave
also reopened or plan to reopen
soon, she added.
Most homes that have been re-
peatedly flooded are between 80
and100years oldandhave relative-
ly low assessed values, Conrad
said.
By contrast, five or six new
homes have been constructed in
the townships hills and more high-
ly elevated sections in each of the
past few years, many valued at
close to $300,000.
One new home assessed at
$200,000 to $250,000 equals the
taxes to about six or seven homes
in the flood plain, Conrad said,
adding In 2006 and 2007 we had
17homespurchasedordemolished
through hazard mitigation. That
was high; that was a very large
amount of properties to be pur-
chasedinone clipanddemolished,
andthere was very little damage to
the municipality.
TAXES
Continued from Page 3A
When we know what are
strengths are we can then work
on building up our weak areas,
she said.
Life itself teaches us about our-
selves.
We learn a lot from our mis-
takes, she said.
Grays advice for people who
are about tomake changes for the
newyear is totake small steps, be
realistic and look at all the obsta-
cles as well as the ways and
means to achieve success.
I try andset goals rather than
make resolutions, she said.
There is a difference.
A resolution kind of comes
across as all or nothing, she said.
A goal, on the other hand, is
something one strives to reach
and has a beginning and end.
Wyoming Mayor Bob Boyer
said he uses the New Year as a
fresh start, but prefers to set
goals instead of making resolu-
tions.
I look back on the prior year
andthinkabout what canbedone
in the NewYear to make your life
better personally and profession-
ally, he said.
Looking back on 2011, Miser-
icordia University President Mi-
chael MacDowell felt proud of
how the students, faculty and
staff lived the mission of the
school by helping out with the
flood recovery.
It was a good test of our re-
solve to help others, he said
Our resolve is to be vigilant
in the New Year, he said.
Looking ahead, MacDowell
had his sights on a record held by
the school going on 88 years.
We have an undefeated pro-
gram in football since 1924, he
said. I resolve to maintain our
undefeated record.
In truth, the school hasnt
played the game since then and
will kick off its program on Sept.
1in an away game against Gettys-
burg College.
RESOLVE
to the public.
Savitz, who co-chairs the
event with Barbara Sugarman,
said residents look forward to
the holiday event every year.
The event has historically
boasted about 100 people and
many of them have expressed
surprise at how much fun they
could have for such a reasonable
cost.
PARTY
K
LOS ANGELES
Links sought in car blazes
S
everal more cars burned in suspect-
ed arson attacks in the Los Angeles
area early Saturday morning, and au-
thorities investigated if they were con-
nected to nearly two dozen deliberately
set blazes a day earlier, police said.
Seven or eight cars burned Saturday
in the North Hollywood area, said
officer Robert Collier.
He said he didnt have further details
of the blazes, but said arson is suspect-
ed and there could be a link to the
earlier blazes.
Fire officials said the first report
came in shortly after midnight, and the
most recent about three hours later.
Early Friday morning, fires were
reported in nearly two dozen locations
in Hollywood and the neighboring city
of West Hollywood during a four-hour
period before dawn. In nearly every
case, the fire started in a parked car.
WASHINGTON
US to sell missiles to UAE
The United States has reached a deal
to sell $3.48 billion worth of missiles
and related technology to its close
Mideast ally, the United Arab Emirates.
Pentagon spokesman George Little
announced the Christmas Day sale on
Friday night.
He notes that the U.S. and U.A.E.
have a strong defense relationship and
are both interested in a secure and
stable Persian Gulf region.
The deal includes 96 missiles, along
with supporting technology and train-
ing support that Little says will bolster
the nations missile defense capacity.
Wary of Iran, the U.S. has been build-
ing up missile defenses of its allies,
including a $1.7 billion deal to upgrade
Saudi Arabias Patriot missiles and the
sale of 209 Patriot missiles to Kuwait,
valued at about $900 million.
MEXICO CITY
Cartel entering Guatemala
Mexicos powerful Sinaloa drug
cartel appears to be extending its mas-
sive production of methamphetamine
into neighboring Guatemala, as hun-
dreds of tons of precursor chemicals
stream into the Central American na-
tion.
While Mexico is usually estimated to
be the main supplier of meth used in
the United States, seizure data suggest
that neighboring Guatemala could in
fact be producing as much or more.
That data, along with interviews
with U.S. and Guatemalan officials,
also indicate that Sinaloa cartel chief
Joaquin El Chapo Guzman is taking
advantage of Guatemalas remote,
isolated mountains and an alliance
with a key Guatemalan trafficker to
make the Central American nation a
new international meth production
base.
LEXINGTON, N.C.
Big bill brings trouble
Do you have change for a million-
dollar bill?
Police say a North Carolina man
insisted his million-dollar note was real
when he was buying $476 worth of
items at a Walmart.
Investigators told the Winston-Salem
Journal that 53-year-old Michael Fuller
tried to buy a vacuum cleaner, a micro-
wave oven and other items. Store em-
ployees called police after his insist-
ence that the bill was legit, and Fuller
was arrested.
The largest bill in circulation is $100.
The government stopped making bills
of up to $10,000 in 1969.
Fuller was charged with attempting
to obtain property by false pretense
and uttering a forged instrument.
I N B R I E F
AP PHOTO
Prayers for the new year
Pope Benedict XVI displays the Eu-
charist as he celebrates a New Years
Eve vespers service in St. Peters Bas-
ilica at the Vatican, Saturday. The
Pontiff marked the end of 2011 with
prayers of thanks and said humanity
awaits the new year with apprehen-
sion but also with hope.
TEHRAN, Iran Iran said Saturday
it has proposed a new round of talks on
its nuclear program with six world
powers that have been trying for years
to persuade Tehran to freeze aspects of
its atomic work that could provide a
possible pathway to weapons produc-
tion.
The countrys top nuclear negotiator,
Saeed Jalili, said he has formally called
on the United States, Russia, China,
Britain, France and Germany to return
to negotiations.
The invitation comes after new sanc-
tions recently imposed by the West
over Tehrans enrichment of uranium, a
process that produces fuel for reactors
but which can also be used in making
nuclear weapons. Iran insists it only
has peaceful intentions, while the U.S.
and many of its European allies suspect
Iran of aiming to use a civilian nuclear
energy program as a cover for devel-
oping a weapons capability.
The last round of negotiations be-
tween Iran and the five permanent
members of the U.N. Security Council
plus Germany was held in January in
Istanbul, Turkey, but it ended in failure.
We formally declared to them (the
intent) to return to the path of dialogue
for cooperation, Jalili told Iranian dip-
lomats in Tehran, according to the offi-
cial IRNA news agency. Jalili did not
say when or through what channel he
issued the invitation.
Irans ambassador to Germany, Ali
Reza Sheikh Attar, said earlier Satur-
day that Jalili was to send a letter soon
to EUs foreign policy chief Catherine
Ashton to arrange a new round of talks.
Aspokesman for Ashton said she had
not yet received any new communica-
tion from Iran.
As she has made clear in her state-
ments on behalf of the (six nations), we
continue to pursue our twin-track ap-
proach and are open for meaningful dis-
cussions on confidence-building mea-
sures, without preconditions from the
Iranian side, said the spokesman, Mi-
chael Mann.
The Iranian announcement was the
latest signal from Tehran that the coun-
try is feeling the impact of internation-
al sanctions.
The U.N. has imposed four rounds of
sanctions.
Separately, the U.S. and the Europe-
an Union have imposed their own
tough economic and financial penal-
ties.
Iran proposes new nuclear talks
The U.S., Russia, China, Britain,
France and Germany have been
called to return to negotiations.
By ALI AKBAR DAREINI
Associated Press
AP PHOTO
An Iranian navy boat fires a missile in a drill in the sea of Oman, on Friday.
HONOLULU President
Barack Obama signed a wide-
ranging defense bill into law
Saturday despite having seri-
ous reservations about provi-
sions that regulate the deten-
tion, interrogation and prosecu-
tion of suspected terrorists.
The bill also applies penalties
against Irans central bank in an
effort to hamper Tehrans abil-
ity to fund its nuclear enrich-
ment pro-
gram. The
Obama admin-
istration is
looking to
soften the im-
pact of those
penalties be-
cause of con-
cerns that
they could lead to a spike in
global oil prices or cause eco-
nomic hardship on U.S. allies
that import petroleum from
Iran.
In a statement accompanying
his signature, the president
chastised some lawmakers for
what he contended was their at-
tempts to use the bill to restrict
the ability of counterterrorism
officials to protect the country.
Among the changes the ad-
ministration secured was strik-
ing a provision that would have
eliminated executive branch au-
thority to use civilian courts for
trying terrorism cases against
foreign nationals.
The new law now requires
military custody for any sus-
pect who is a member of al-Qai-
da or associated forces and in-
volved in planning or attempt-
ing to carry out an attack on
the United States or its coali-
tion partners. The president or
a designated subordinate may
waive the military custody re-
quirement by certifying to Con-
gress that such a move is in the
interest of national security.
The administration also
pushed Congress to change a
provision that would have de-
nied U.S. citizens suspected of
terrorism the right to trial and
could have subjected them to
indefinite detention. Lawmak-
ers eventually dropped the mil-
itary custody requirement for
U.S. citizens or lawful U.S. resi-
dents.
Defense
bill wins
OK from
Obama
President forced changes, but
still says he has reservations.
By JULIE PACE
Associated Press
Obama
SANAA, Yemen Yemens outgoing
president decided to stay in the country,
reversing plans to leave, his ruling party
said Saturday, in an apparent attempt to
salvage his control over the regime,
which has appeared to unravel in the face
of internal revolts and relentless street
protests.
In a sign of the fraying, the son and ne-
phew of President Ali Abdullah Saleh
launched a crackdown on suspected dis-
sidents within the ranks of the elite secu-
rity services they command, officials
within the services said. The Republic
Guard, ledby the son, andCentral Securi-
ty, led by the nephew, have been the main
forces used in trying to suppress the up-
rising against Salehs
rule the past year.
Hundreds of thou-
sands of Yemenis
marched in the streets
of Sanaa and other ci-
ties on Saturday, de-
manding that Saleh be
put on trial for the
deaths of protesters
killed in the crackdown since February.
We will not let you escape, protesters
chanted, holding up posters of the presi-
dent with a noose around his neck.
Saleh signed a power transfer agree-
ment in early November that was meant
to ease him out of power after nearly 33
years of rule in hopes of calming the tur-
moil that has shaken this impoverished
Arab nation for months. Under the ac-
cord, Saleh handed over all his author-
ities to his vice president and committed
to step down formally once parliament
grants him immunity from prosecution.
But opponents say he has tried since
then to maintain his influence through
loyalists in his ruling party and through
the security forces commanded by his
family. His Peoples Congress Party re-
tains considerable power as part of a pow-
er-sharing government with the opposi-
tion, and critics say it has worked to un-
dermine Vice President Abed Rabbo
Mansour Hadi.
Meanwhile, protests have swelledafter
organizers rejected the accord because of
the provision granting Saleh immunity.
In recent weeks, the unrest has expanded
with strikes breaking out within multiple
government institutions and within units
of the regular military demanding the re-
moval of Saleh loyalists.
Hundreds of men in military uniform
marched on Saturday through the south-
ern city of Taiz, a center of the uprising,
calling for trials of top commanders over
the killings of protesters. Some renegade
units in other parts of the military have
evenlockedtheir commanders out of mil-
itary installations and demanded the re-
moval of officers accusedof corruptionor
involvement in the deadly crackdown.
AP PHOTO
Yemeni soldiers and officers march during a rally demanding reforms and dismissal of a senior official over alleged corrup-
tion in Taiz, Yemen, Saturday. Arabic on the banners, center, reads, take from me the rifle and give me the civil state, and
at right, with our standing against corruption, we will build army to protect the country.
Outgoing president staying in Yemen
President Ali Abdullah Salehs change
of decision is an apparent attempt to
salvage his control over the regime.
By AHMED AL-HAJ
Associated Press
In recent
weeks, the
unrest has
expanded with
strikes break-
ing out.
PASADENA, Calif. A NASA space-
craft fired its engine and slipped into or-
bit around the moon Saturday in the first
of two back-to-back arrivals over the New
Years weekend.
Ground controllers at the NASA Jet
Propulsion Laboratory erupted in cheers
and applause after receiving a signal that
the probe was healthy and circling the
moon. An engineer was seen on closed-
circuit television blowing a noisemaker
to herald the New Years Eve arrival.
This is great, a big relief, deputy pro-
ject scientist Sami Asmar told a roomful
of family and friends who gathered at the
NASA center to watch the drama unfold.
The celebration was brief. Despite the
successful maneuver, the work was not
over. Its twin still had to enter lunar orbit
on New Years Day.
The Grail probes short for Gravity
Recovery and Interior Laboratory
have beencruisingindependently toward
their destination since launching in Sep-
tember aboard the same rocket on a mis-
sion to measure lunar gravity.
Hours before Earth revelers counted
down the new year, Grail-A flew over the
south pole and slowed itself to get cap-
tured into orbit. Deep space antennas in
the California desert and Madrid tracked
every move and fed real-time updates to
ground controllers.
Grail is the 110th mission to target the
moon since the dawn of the Space Age in-
cluding the six Apollo moon landings
that put 12 astronauts on the surface. De-
spite the attention the moon has re-
ceived, scientists dont know everything
about Earths nearest neighbor.
Why the moon is ever so slightly lop-
sidedwiththefar sidemoremountainous
than the side that always faces Earth re-
mains a mystery. Atheory put forth earli-
er this year suggested that Earth once
had two moons that collided early in the
solar systems history, producing the
hummocky region.
Moon countdown: NASA probe enters lunar orbit
The Grail spacecraft, which wont
land on the surface, will measure
lunar gravity from orbit.
By ALICIA CHANG
AP Science Writer
N A T I O N & W O R L D
7
3
0
4
2
4
Look in THE TIMES LEADERfor todays valuable inserts from these advertisers:
Some inserts, at the advertisers request, only appear in selected neighborhoods. If you would like to receive an insert that you do not currently receive, please call the advertiser.
C M Y K
C L I C K
Happy NewYear
to all my Clients, Family and Friends
from
DeMinico Chiropractic Ofces
Pittston and Larksville
654-0036 779-7735
AFTER CHRISTMAS SALE!
Starting Monday, January 2nd
All Major
Credit Cards
Accepted
550 Zenith Rd.
Nescopeck, PA. 18635
(570) 379-3176
www.countryfolk-gifts.com Country Folks
Directions
To Nescopeck
From Hazleton
take Route 93 N.
9 ml. from Laurel Mall.
Turn left at Nescopeck Twp.
Firehouse, watch for our signs.
50% OFF Christmas Items
Welcome the New Year in with 50% Off all
remaining Christmas items. Includes Christmas
trees, wreaths, garlands, holiday textiles, Santas,
snowmen, prints, ornaments, and much more!
Dont miss out on these fantastic bargains!
* sale applies to in stock items only
* does not apply to prior purchases
* some restrictions & exclusions apply
From Berwick
take Rt. 93 S. 5 ml. from
Nescopeck. Turn right at
Nescopeck Twp. Firehouse
watch for our signs.
Store Hours:
Mon.-Sat: 10AM-5PM
Sunday: Noon-5PM
A Very Happy New Year
From All Of Us
From Country Folk!
scholarship exam 02.04.12
Take the Test
270.2160 | wyomingseminary.org/takethetest
For students entering 5
th
10
th
grade
JCC WINTER CAMP
SKATING PARTY
FRED ADAMS PHOTOS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER
Adina Bell, left, and Saraea Kaplan
Isabella Foncillas, left, and Olivia Roth
Harrison Levi, left, and Nadav Griver
Chloe Levi and Roman Carpenter
Lior Griver, left, and Zack Kalna
MEYERS HIGH SCHOOL
BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
AIMEE DILGER PHOTOS/THE TIMES LEADER
Angela Marinelli, left, Amy Kowalczyk, Vanessa Robles and Mia
Scocozzo
Tanner Nilon, left, and Michael Krasnavage
Elise Fellerman, left, and Kayley Nilon
Kim Wasley, left, and Kathy Maffei
Doreen Hossage, left, and Kristen Cease
PITTSTON AREA
HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT
BILL TARUTIS PHOTOS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER
Joyce Mitchell of Pittston, left, Caroline Rabender and Diane
Fritz, both of Avoca
Pat, left, and Emily OBrien, both of Duryea
Kelsey, left, and Colleen Whitaker, both of Kingsley
Maudeen, left, and Pat Ratchford, both of Duryea
Madeline Calabro, left, and Arlene Shatrowskas, both of Avoca
K
O B I T U A R I E S
The Times Leader publish-
es free obituaries, which
have a 27-line limit, and paid
obituaries, which can run
with a photograph. A funeral
home representative can call
the obituary desk at (570)
829-7224, send a fax to (570)
829-5537 or e-mail to tlo-
[email protected]. If you
fax or e-mail, please call to
confirm. Obituaries must be
submitted by 9 p.m. Sunday
through Thursday and 7:30
p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Obituaries must be sent by a
funeral home or crematory,
or must name who is hand-
ling arrangements, with
address and phone number.
We discourage handwritten
notices; they incur a $15
typing fee.
O B I T U A R Y P O L I C Y
G enettis
AfterFu nera lLu ncheons
Sta rting a t$7.95 p erp erson
H otelBerea vem entRa tes
825.6477
M .J. JUD G E
M ON UM EN T CO.
M ON UM EN TS -M ARK ERS -L ETTERIN G
8 2 9 -4 8 8 1
N extto the Big Co w o n Rt. 309
In Loving Memory Of
JENNIFER DRAGON
5/29/79 - 1/1/98
14 years have passed since
God called you home.
Until we meet again Gunk,
May God hold you & Cole in the
palm of his hand for you are always in
our thoughts, hearts and prayers.
Sadly missed by Dad, Mom, Leo, Kelly,
Tim, Laura, Gary, Family & Friends
CHERESKO Stella, Mass of Chris-
tian Burial 11 a.m. Tuesday in
Mercy Center Chapel. Friends
may call 9 a.m. until time of Mass
at Mercy Center.
COOPER Elizabeth, funeral 10 a.m.
Tuesday in the Richard H. Disque
Funeral Home Inc., 2940 Memo-
rial Highway, Dallas. Friends may
call 5 to 8 p.m. Monday.
DZOCH Jeff, memorial services 1
p.m. Saturday, January 7, in the
Bethel Hill United Methodist
Church, Sweet Valley.
GOBER Michael, funeral 9 a.m.
Monday in the Kopicki Funeral
Home, 263 Zerbey Avenue, King-
ston. Mass of Christian Burial at
9:30 a.m. in St. Elizabeth Church.
Friends may call 4 to 6 p.m.
today.
FARRELL John, funeral services
9:30 a.m. Monday in the George
A. Strish Inc. Funeral Home, 211 W.
Main St., Glen Lyon. Mass of
Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Holy
Spirit Parish/St. Adalberts
Church, Glen Lyon. Friends may
call 3 to 7 p.m. today.
HAHN Shirley, funeral services 9
a.m. Monday in the Harold C.
Snowdon Home for Funerals Inc.,
420 Wyoming Avenue, Kingston.
Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30
a.m. in St. Ignatius of Loyola
Church, Kingston. Friends may
call 4 to 6 p.m. today at the
funeral home.
KUDEY Stanley, funeral services
9:15 a.m. Tuesday in the George
A. Strish Inc. Funeral Home, 105
North Main St., Ashley. Mass of
Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Holy
Trinity Church, Swoyersville.
Friends may call 3 to 7 p.m.
Monday.
MATT Mary, funeral services 9
a.m. Monday in Kiesinger Funeral
Services Inc., 255 McAlpine St.,
Duryea. Mass of Christian Burial
at 9:30 a.m. in Sacred Heart of
Jesus Church, Duryea. Friends
may call 5 to 8 p.m. today.
MCGUIRE Janet, funeral Mass 11
a.m. Tuesday in Holy Rosary
Church, Hazleton. Friends may
call 6 to 9 p.m. Monday in Krapf &
Hughes Funeral Home, Drums.
TRIPLETT Joseph Sr., funeral
services 11 a.m. Wednesday in the
Clarke Piatt Funeral Home Inc., 6
Sunset Lake Road, Hunlock
Creek. Friends may call from 9 to
11 a.m. Wednesday prior to the
funeral service.
FUNERALS
S
tella Cheresko, 86, formerly of
Edwardsville, passed away on
Thursday, Dec. 29at the MercyCen-
ter, Dallas.
Born May 5, 1925, in Pringle, she
was the daughter of the late August
andVeronica Dubaskas. Prior to her
retirement, she was employed by
Duplan Silk Mill of Kingston and
later Atwater of Plymouth as a ma-
chine operator. She was a member
of Holy Family Parish, Luzerne, and
its Altar and Rosary Society. Stella
was very proud of her Lithuanian
Heritage.
She was preceded in death by
husband Bernard and brothers,
Louis, Peter, William, Fred and Al-
bert.
Surviving are daughters, Kathe-
rine Long and husband, Ken, of Lu-
zerne; Carol Duncan of Edwards-
ville; brother, George Dubaskas of
Arizona; grand dogs, Francis P., Ru-
by Jane, George Bailey and Clar-
ence.
The family would like to thank
the staff and residence for the love
and care they showed their mother.
A heartfelt thanks is sent to family
and friends for all their prayers, vis-
its, cards, and for never forgetting
their mother.
A Mass of Christian Burial will
beheldonTuesdayat11a.m. inMer-
cy Center Chapel, Dallas, with the
Rev. John Kulavich officiating. In-
terment will be in Chapel Lawn Me-
morial Park, Dallas. Friends may
call on Tuesday from 9 a.m. until
time of Mass at Mercy Center.
Arrangements are entrusted to
the Betz-Jastremski Funeral Home
Inc., 568 Bennett St., Luzerne, PA
18709. In lieu of flowers, memorial
donations can be made to Mercy
Center, Dallas. Tolight avirtual can-
dle or leave a message of condo-
lence for her family, please visit
www.betzjastremski.com.
Stella Cheresko
December 29, 2011
E
lizabeth Cooper, 99, Dallas,
passed away Thursday, Decem-
ber 29, 2011 at her residence in Dal-
las.
Born in Scranton, she was the
daughter of the late Stanley andMa-
ry Ann Edwards Edmunds.
Elizabeth attended the Edwards-
ville Schools. She had worked in the
Ladies Garment Industry in Ed-
wardsville for many years, retiring
in1974. She was a member of Imma-
nuel Baptist Church, Edwardsville
and The Ladies Auxiliary of Irem
Temple.
She was preceded in death by her
husband, Donald Cooper, in 1964
and a daughter, Betty Lee Koval, in
1992; brothers, Edward, Stanley and
Emlyn (Bud) Edmunds; sisters,
Thelma Shrader and Marion Vo-
well.
Surviving are her sons, Donald
and his wife, Yoko, and Edward and
his wife, Betty, with whom she re-
sided, both of Dallas; sister Dorothy
Blakeslee, Ashley; 13 grandchil-
dren; 22 great-grandchildren, and
eight great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral will be held Tuesday, Ja-
nuary 3, 2012, at 10 a.m. fromthe Ri-
chard H. Disque Funeral Home Inc.,
2940 Memorial Highway, Dallas,
with the Rev. James Quinn, pastor,
Immanuel Baptist Church, officiat-
ing. Interment will be in Chapel
Lawn Memorial Park, Dallas.
Friends may call Monday 5 to 8 p.m.
Elizabeths family would like to
thank Dr. John Carey, the nurses
and staff of the Hospice Of The Sa-
cred Heart and the nurses and staff
of the Hospice Care of the VNA In-
patient Unit at St. Lukes Villa for all
their support and care given to our
mother.
Memorial donations, if desired,
may be sent to: Immanuel Baptist
Church, 25 Zerby Ave., Edwards-
ville, PA, or Hospice of the Sacred
Heart, 600 Baltimore Drive, Wilkes-
Barre, PA. 18702.
Elizabeth Cooper
December 29, 2011
S
tanley E. Kudey, age 82, of Mur-
ray Street, Forty Fort, died on
Friday, December 30, 2011 at the
Wilkes Barre General Hospital.
He was born in Dupont, on May
29, 1929 the son of the late Stanley
and Anna (Stupak) Kudey. Stanley
attended the Dupont Area Schools
and resided most of his lifetime in
Forty Fort. He was a veteran of the
Korean War, serving with the U.S.
Army from1951-53. He was employ-
ed by the Dury Clothing Co., West
Pittston, for 32 years, retiring in
1991. He was a member of Holy
Trinity Church, Swoyersville.
Surviving are his wife of 56 years,
the former Mercedes Mital, at
home; son, Edward Kudey, at home;
daughters, Joanne Zaruta and her
husband, George, of West Wyom-
ing, and Mary Lynn Kudey of Phoe-
nixville, Pa.; brother, Joseph Kudey
of Duryea and sisters, Rita Jordan of
Scranton and Anna Grabowski of
Old Forge; numerous nieces and ne-
phews.
Funeral services will be held
on Tuesday at 9:15 a.m. from
the George A. Strish Inc. Funeral
Home, 105 North Main St., Ashley.
Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m.
from Holy Trinity Church, Hughes
Street, Swoyersville. Interment will
be in St. Stephens Cemetery, Leh-
man. Friends may call from 3 to 7
p.m. on Monday.
Stanley E. Kudey
December 30, 2011
A
ngie Burnside, 74, of Pittston,
passed away Wednesday, De-
cember 28, 2011inRegional Hospi-
tal of Scranton.
Born in Pittston, on January 6,
1937, she was the daughter of the
late Giacomo and Mary Caillio Sil-
viano.
She was a graduate of Pittston
High School and completed sever-
al college courses.
She was a member of St. Joseph
Marello Parish at Our Lady of
Mount Carmel Church where she
had been a member of the church
choir and the Altar and Rosary So-
ciety. Angie was also a member of
the Lioness Club and volunteered
at the Pittston Senior Center. She
had worked for many years as a
server at the former Convention
Hall, Pittston.
Inadditiontoher parents, Angie
was preceded in death by her hus-
band, Robert W. Burnside, in 2010;
brothers, Tony, James, and Ernest
Silviano and sister, Ann Marie Sil-
viano.
Surviving are her son Thomas
Burnside, Pittston; brother-in-law,
James Burnside and his wife,
Lourdes, Port Griffith; numerous
nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral services will be Tues-
day, January 3, 2012 at 9 a.m. from
the Peter J. Adonizio Funeral
Home, 251WilliamStreet, Pittston
with a Mass of Christian Burial at
9:30a.m. inSt. JosephMarelloPar-
ish at Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Church, Pittston. Interment will
be in Denison Cemetery. Friends
may call Monday, January 2, 2012
from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral
home.
Online condolences may be
made at www.peterjadoniziofun-
eralhome.com.
Angelina (Angie)
M. Burnside
December 28, 2011
H
elenNalewajko, 75, of Wyoming
passed away Thursday evening
in the Riverstreet Manor, Wilkes-
Barre.
Born in Plymouth, she was the
daughter of the late AndrewandHe-
len Barauskas Matovchak. She was
a graduate of Plymouth High
School class of 1954. She was em-
ployedat theParamount Studio, for-
merly of Plymouth, ILGW and B.F.
Goodrich, formerly of Exeter. Helen
was a member of St. Josephs
Church of St. Monicas Parish,
Wyoming. She was a member of the
Wyoming V.F.W. Post 396 Auxiliary
and held the office of President and
Secretary, VFW District 11 Presi-
dent, Veterans Affairs Volunteer
Service Wilkes-Barre, where she
volunteered for more than 500
hours, American Legion Post 452
Auxiliary of Mildred, Pa., and secre-
tary of the Slovak League, Fraternal
Order of Eagles and the Senior Citi-
zen Center of Pittston.
Helen was a loving wife, mother,
grandmother, great grandmother
and friend to all.
The family would like to thank
the nurses anddoctors that support-
ed Helen at Geisinger, Riverstreet
Manor andespecially to Dr. Sordoni
who showed compassion during
Helens care and the Rev. Don
Strope who would visit Helen daily
and pray over her.
Preceding her in death were her
son Daniel Nalewajko, brothers, An-
dy Matovchak, Francis and Joseph
Stanitis.
Surviving are her husband, Ste-
phen (Cheb), with whom she cele-
brated 57 years of marriage; chil-
dren, Stephen Nalewajko and his
wife, Sandy, Baltimore, Md.; Kathy
Leary and her husband, John, En-
glewood, Florida; Jean Manganaro
and her husband Mark, Pittston; Pa-
mela Nalewajko, Wyoming; grand-
children, StephenIV, Chris andBrit-
tany Nalewajko; great-granddaught-
er, Kylie Nalewajko; nieces and ne-
phews
Funeral services will be held
Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. from the Met-
calfe andShaver Funeral Home Inc.,
504 Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming,
with Mass of Christian Burial at 10
a.m. in St. Josephs Church of St.
Monicas Parish, Wyoming.
Interment will be in St. Josephs
Cemetery, West Wyoming.
Friends may call Monday from 4
to 8 p.m. in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial con-
tributions may be made to the Tues-
day Night Bowling League c/o Fran
Pudim, 469 Shoemaker Avenue,
West Wyoming, PA18644.
Helen Nalewajko
December 29, 2011
DOROTHY MIKELSKI PHIL-
LIPS, 69, formerly of Laflin, died
Friday, December 30, 2011in King-
ston.
Funeral arrangements are
pending fromthe Yeosock Funeral
Home, 40 S. Main Street, Plains
Township. A complete obituary
will be in Mondays newspaper.
M
r. Clarence Van Rose II, 68, of
Plains Township, a well-known
and well-respected sports colum-
nist for The Times Leader, passed
away Wednesday evening in the
Wilkes-Barre General Hospital fol-
lowing a brief illness.
Born August 26, 1943, in Lexing-
ton, Kentucky, he was the son of the
late Clarence and Mary Aleen
(Jesse) Rose. Anative of Lexington,
he was a graduate of the University
of Kentucky. Following his educa-
tion, Van proudly served our coun-
tryduringthe VietnamWar withthe
UnitedStates Armyfrom1968-1969.
Van was a reporter with the
Times Leader newspaper since
1982, where his abilities andcreden-
tials as a columnist became well re-
spected in the local sporting com-
munities. He retired from his jour-
nalism duties earlier this year, but
continued as an enthusiastic corre-
spondent, reporting and writing
about girls high school volleyball
and basketball games in the region.
He previously workedfor anOhio
newspaper before relocating to the
Wyoming Valley and joining The
Times Leader. Initially, Van was a
general assignment news reporter,
but he subsequently covered sports
and become known for handicap-
ping horse races, especially at the
former Pocono Downs. Van later
worked in the features department
before returning to sports. He was
anavidfollower of horse racing, bas-
ketball and country music. He is re-
memberedas beinga loyal fanof the
University of Kentucky sports
teams.
He is survived by his companion,
Jan Ritinski at home. He also leaves
behind a favored cat, which has had
many names, most recently, Her-
man, as well as many friends and
colleagues in the journalism and
sporting communities.
Funeral services for Van will
be conducted at 10 a.m. Tues-
day, January 3, from the John V.
Morris Funeral Home, 625 North
Main Street, North Wilkes-Barre.
Private interment will follow in
Indiantown Gap National Cemete-
ry, Annville.
Friends and colleagues may join
his family for visitation and remem-
brances Monday from5 until 8 p.m.
at Morris North Wilkes-Barre loca-
tion and on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m.
until the time of services.
To sendJanwords of comfort and
support, please visit our familys
website by visiting, www.JohnV-
MorrisFuneralHomes.com.
Clarence Van Rose II
December 21, 2011
T
homas E. Nahill, Staff Sergeant,
Pennsylvania Army National
Guard, (Retired), of Wilkes-Barre,
passed away on Friday, December
30, 2011 at the Hospice Care of the
Visiting Nurses Association Inpa-
tient Unit at St. Lukes Villa, Wilkes-
Barre.
He was born September 21, 1939,
in Philadelphia, a son of the late Ed-
ward and Margaret Sullivan Nahill.
He formerly resided in Bear Creek
and was a 1958 graduate of Cough-
lin High School. For 28 years he was
a member of thePennsylvania Army
National Guard, 109th Service Bat-
tery and retired with the rank of
Staff Sergeant. Mr. Nahill was em-
ployed for 32 years for A. Danchek
Inc., andwas a coachfor the Parsons
Cardinals and Miners Mills Pirates
Little League teams. He belongedto
the Miners Mills Community Club
and Plains Senior Citizens.
In addition to his parents, he was
preceded in death by his sister, Mar-
gery German and brother, Stanley
Nahill.
Surviving are his wife of 46 years,
Nancy Howe Nahill; sons, Thomas
P. Nahill, Robert Nahill, Kevin Na-
hill and his wife, Renee; grandson,
Christopher; several nieces and ne-
phews.
The funeral will be held Tues-
day at 10 a.m. from the E.
Blake Collins Funeral Home, 159
George Avenue, Wilkes-Barre. Ser-
vices will be conducted by the Rev.
Joseph Kearney, pastor of St. Bene-
dicts Church, Wilkes-Barre. Inter-
ment will be in Memorial Shrine
Park, Carverton. Friends may call
Monday from 5 to 8 p.m.
Memorial donations may be
made to Hospice Care of the VNA,
80 East Northampton Street,
Wilkes-Barre, PA18701.
Condolences can be sent to the
family at www.eblakecollins.com.
Thomas E. Nahill
December 30, 2011
R
aymond J. Giacomo, 87, a resi-
dent of Dallas, passed away
peacefully on Thursday afternoon,
December 29, 2011 at Hospice Com-
munity Care, Inpatient Unit, Geisin-
ger South Wilkes-Barre, following a
brief illness.
His beloved wife was the late Elea-
nore (Smith) Giacomo, who passed
away on July 3, 1999. Together, Ray-
mond and Eleanore shared 50 beauti-
ful years of marriage.
Born on January 7, 1924 in
Swoyersville, Raymond was the son
of the late Fernando Felix and Ce-
lestine Celeste (Marchegiam) Di
Giacomo.
Raymond was raised in Swoyers-
ville and attended local Swoyersville
schools.
A United States Army Air Force
Veteran, Raymond honorably served
his country during World War II with
the 452nd Air Service Group. During
his time of service, Raymondwas sta-
tioned in the European Theater. A
decorated veteran, Raymond was the
recipient of three Overseas Bars, the
European-African-Middle Eastern
Campaign Medal with Four Bronze
Stars, the World War II Victory Med-
al, the American Campaign Medal
and the Good Conduct Medal. Upon
his honorable discharge on Novem-
ber 8, 1945, Raymond had attained
the rank of Corporal.
Prior to his retirement in 1985,
Raymond was employed for 31 years
by General Motors, Linden, NewJer-
sey. In his earlier years, Raymond
worked in the local coal mining in-
dustry.
Raymondwas a faithful member of
Holy Family Roman Catholic Parish,
Luzerne.
An avid outdoorsman, Raymond
greatly enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Also, he took great pride in tending
to his yard and garden.
Raymond will forever be remem-
bered as a loving father, grandfather,
great-grandfather, brother, uncle and
friend. His presence will be deeply
missed by all those who knew and
loved him.
In addition to his parents, Felix
and Celeste Di Giacomo, and his
wife, Eleanore, Raymondwas preced-
ed in death by his brothers, Felix Di
Giacomo Jr., Alfred Di Giacomo and
Albert James; his sister, Mary Dran-
koski.
Raymond is survived by his son,
Louis James and his wife, Linda, of
Fairport, New York; his daughter,
Kimberly Riley and her husband, Ri-
chard, of Swoyersville; his grandchil-
dren, Maggie Triolo, Christopher
James, Kirk Riley and Nicole Riley;
his great-grandchildren, Carolineand
Andrew Triolo; his sister, Helen Le-
zoli, of Ridge, New York; numerous
nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are re-
spectfully invited to attend the
funeral, which will be conducted on
Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 9:30 a.m.
from the Wroblewski Funeral Home
Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty
Fort, followed by a Mass of Christian
Burial to be celebrated at 10 a.m. in
Holy Family Parish, 574 Bennett
Street, Luzerne, with the Reverend
Michael J. Zipay, his pastor, officiat-
ing.
Interment with the Rite of Com-
mittal will follow in Mount Olivet
Cemetery, Carverton.
Family and friends are invited to
call on Monday, January 2, 2012 from
4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
For additional information or to
send the family of Mr. Raymond J.
Giacomo an online message of con-
dolence, you may visit the funeral
home website www.wroblewskifun-
eralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contri-
butions may be made in Raymonds
memory to Hospice Community
Care, 601 Wyoming Avenue, King-
ston, PA18704.
Raymond J.
Giacomo
December 29, 2011
CHICAGO An animal
rights group wants Illinois to in-
stall highway signs in memory
of cattlekilledwhentrucks haul-
ing themflippedintwo separate
wrecks.
People for the Ethical Treat-
ment of Animals has asked for
permission to buy the markers,
one in suburban Chicago and
one northwest of Peoria. The
group says the signs would pay
tribute to the more than 20 cat-
tle killed as a result of negligent
driving this year.
Illinois Department of Trans-
portation spokesman Josh
Kauffman says the request will
likely be denied because the
states Roadside Memorial Act
specifies that only relatives who
lost loved ones in highway
crashes may request memorials.
In 2006, Virginia rejected PE-
TAs request for highway mark-
ers to memorialize hogs killed
in crashes on their way to
slaughter at Smithfield Foods.
PETA eyes marker for cows killed in crashes
GALESBURG, Ill. Two peo-
ple who pulled up at a McDo-
nalds drive-thru in western Illi-
nois completely naked face pub-
lic indecency charges.
Police in Galesburg say a 19-
year-old El Paso man and a 21-
year-old Galesburg woman have
been released fromKnox County
Jail after being ordered to appear
in court to face the charges.
WGIL Radio reports the duo
was still in the McDonalds park-
ing lot when officers arrived just
before 2 a.m. Wednesday. Police
say the manwas crouchedover in
the drivers seat trying to pull on
a pair of pants while his passen-
ger was covering up in a blanket.
Its hold the clothing
at Illinois drive-thru
JOSEPH P. ELKO, 82, of Du-
pont, passed away Saturday, De-
cember 31, 2011, at Hospice Com-
munity Care, Geisinger South
Wilkes-Barre.
Funeral arrangements are
pending from Kiesinger Funeral
Services, 255 McAlpine St., Du-
ryea.
N
adia Marinangeli, 15, a resi-
dent of West Wyoming, passed
away peacefully, surrounded by
her loving mother and family on
Thursday morning, December 29,
2011, at her home, following a cou-
rageous battle with cancer.
Born on May 23, 1996, in King-
ston, Nadia was the beloved
daughter of Denise (Serbin) Mari-
nangeli, of West Wyoming and the
late Louis M. Marinangeli, who
passed away on March 13, 2008.
Nadia was currently enrolled as a
10thgrade student at WyomingAr-
ea High School, where she was ac-
tive with the schools volleyball
team.
She enjoyed many things in life,
but most of all, Nadia enjoyed trav-
eling with her mother and family.
In addition to her father, Louis
Marinangeli, Nadia was preceded
in death by her maternal grand-
mother, Irene Serbin and her pat-
ernal grandfather, Louis Marinan-
geli.
Nadia will be deeply missed by
her mother, Denise Marinangeli;
her paternal grandmother, Kay
(Rostock) Marinangeli, of Pitt-
ston; her uncle, Thomas Serbin
and his wife Betty, of Dallas; her
aunt, Laura Durkin and her hus-
band Thom, of Pittston; her spe-
cial cousins, Kelly Vincelli; Rita
Capone; Regan, Sadie, Payton and
Colin Quinn; as well as numerous
other cousins, friends, her dog
Blu and her cat Boo.
Aprivatefuneral servicefor Na-
dia was held for her immediate
family. There were no public call-
ing hours. Funeral arrangements
for the Marinangeli family have
been entrusted to the care of the
Wroblewski Funeral Home Inc.,
1442WyomingAvenue, Forty Fort.
Nadia
Marinangeli
December 29, 2011
C M Y K
N E W S
ALL JUNK CARS &
TRUCKS WANTED
VITO & GINO
288-8995
Forty Fort
Highest Prices Paid In Cash.
Free Pickup. Call Anytime.
7
0
7
9
7
2
ALL JUNK CARS &
TRUCKS WANTED
V&G 570-574-1275
Free Removal. Call Anytime.
Highest Price Paid In Cash!
SUSPENDEDCEILINGS
12x14 Ceiling
For As Little As $439
Price Includes Material & Labor
2x4 Armstrong Prelude Grid
and Fine Fissured #1729 Tiles
Also Installing Commercial Projects
MALISHCHAK BROTHERS, INC
Nanticoke, PA
(570) 735-4432
1-800-852-0319
www.malishchakbrothers.com
GREAT AMERICAN
SAUSAGE AND DELI
at Merchants
Village in
Pittston
(former Wal-Mart
on Oak Street)
905-6454 MON. - FRI. 11-8, SAT. 9-8, SUN. 9-6
Best Prices On Deli
Every Week
Compare Us To The Big Box Stores
Smoked Kielbasi
1 ring...
$
4.49
3 rings...
$
11.99
Bu yingGoldJewelry
D ia m onds,Pla tinu m ,
Pu reS ilver,S terling,
Indu stria l & Coin S ilver
A ntiqu eJewelry(Brok en OK)
Dental Gold,Gold Filled
Eyeglasses,Etc.
K IN G T U T S
G O L D R E PA IR H U T
824-4150
322 N. PENN A VE. W -B
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
7
2
9
7
3
1
7
3
1
5
9
6
Thoughhistoric flooding, power
outages and a nationwide protest
movement made numerous head-
lines in2011, twowords sumupthe
biggest story of the year: Penn
State.
The child molestation allega-
tions against former assistant foot-
ball coach Jerry Sandusky rocked
Happy Valley. The fallout ledtothe
ouster of legendary football coach
JoePaternowhois nowalsobat-
tling lung cancer and university
President GrahamSpanier.
Two Penn State administrators
were charged with perjury in the
case. Sandusky and the university
officials are awaiting two separate
trials; all three say they are inno-
cent.
Before that November bomb-
shell, it looked like Mother Nature
might be the top newsmaker.
In late August, the lights went
out for more than 900,000 resi-
dents when Hurricane Irene
whipped through the state; some
lost power for days. Philadelphia
for the first time ever shut downits
transit systeminanticipationof the
lashing winds and rain. Six deaths
were reported statewide.
Less thantwoweeks later, there-
gionalreadysaturatedbyIrenewas
pounded by the remnants of Trop-
ical Storm Lee. Officials ordered a
mandatory evacuation of about
100,000 people in the Wilkes-Barre
area as the raging Susquehanna
River threatened to top the levees.
The historic flooding that fol-
lowed killed 12 people and dam-
aged or destroyed tens of thou-
sands of homes and businesses,
fromTunkhannock to Bloomsburg
to Harrisburg. But Wilkes-Barre
was largely sparedevenas the river
crested at nearly 42.7 feet, higher
than the record set during cata-
strophic Hurricane Agnes in1972.
To date, Pennsylvanians have re-
ceived about $420 million in feder-
al disaster aid as a result of both
storms. That number promises to
climb.
Penn State wasnt the only insti-
tution rocked by child sex-abuse al-
legations. InFebruary, thePhiladel-
phia district attorney chargeda for-
mer high-ranking Roman Catholic
priest with endangering children
by transferring pedophile priests
among parishes.
Monsignor William Lynn, once
thesecretaryfor clergy, becamethe
first Catholic church official in the
U.S. to face criminal charges. De-
fense lawyers say Lynn was follow-
ing orders from his then-boss, Car-
dinal Anthony Bevilacqua, who
was not chargedandis nowill with
dementia and cancer.
Prosecutors also charged two
priests, a former priest and a Ca-
tholic school teacher with raping
boys in the1990s. The archdiocese
later suspended 21 priests named
as childmolestationsuspects inthe
grand jury report.
The developments eventually
led to the September departure of
Cardinal Justin Rigali, who was re-
placed by new Philadelphia Arch-
bishop Charles Chaput.
Oneof thebiggest court scandals
in U.S. history ended with lengthy
prison terms for two former Lu-
zerne County judges who, prosecu-
tors said, essentially jailed kids for
cash.
Michael Conahan and Mark Cia-
varella were charged with taking
$2.8millioninpayoffs toplacejuve-
nile offenders in privately owned
lockups. Many teens got only cur-
sory trials, authorities said.
Ciavarella was convicted and
sentencedto28years inprison; Co-
nahanpleadedguiltyandwill serve
more than17 years. The developer
who offered money to the judges,
Robert Mericle, is paying nearly
$18 million to settle a lawsuit filed
by juveniles detained in his facili-
ties.
A stomach-churning grand jury
report issued in Philadelphia in Ja-
nuary made horrific allegations
against a local doctor. Authorities
said late-term abortions were rou-
tinelyperformedbyunlicensedand
untrained staff, and viable new-
borns were killed by having their
spinal cords cut with scissors.
Kermit Gosnell, 70, was charged
with murder in the deaths of seven
babies and one patient, but he has
deniedtheallegations. Hiswifeand
six clinic employees have pleaded
guiltytolesser rolesintheclinicen-
terprise, which authorities called a
"house of horrors."
In October, a Philadelphia land-
lord made a stunning discovery in
his basement: four mentally dis-
abled adults, living in squalid con-
ditions. One was chained to the
boiler.
Authorities now say the four
were victims of 51-year-old Linda
Weston, a paroled killer charged
withkidnapping andabusing them
to get their government benefit
checks. Westons daughter, boy-
friend and friend also have been
charged in the case.
In Pittsburgh, Richard Poplaw-
ski was sentenced to death for kill-
ingthreecitypoliceofficers whore-
sponded to a domestic dispute at
his home. His mother had called
911 in April 2009 when an argu-
ment between them escalated
about his puppies urinating on the
floor.
Convicted cop-killer Mumia
Abu-Jamal was taken off death row
for the1981murder of Philadelphia
police officer Daniel Faulkner. Dis-
trict Attorney Seth Williams, with
the approval of Faulkners widow,
announced he would not pursue
capital punishment for Abu-Jamal.
Afederal appeals court ordereda
new sentencing hearing for the
onetime radio journalist and for-
mer Black Panther because of
flawed jury instructions. Williams
decided a new hearing would lead
toevenmoreappealsinthe30-year-
old legal battle and agreed to let
Abu-Jamal serve a life term.
Thestatecommemoratedthe9/
11 terrorist attacks with a solemn
ceremony in Shanksville the day
before the 10th anniversary. It in-
cluded the dedication of the Flight
93National Memorial, markingthe
site where 40 passengers and crew
died after the plane was hijacked.
Incentral Pennsylvania, a couple
lost seven of their eight children to
an early-morning house fire in
March. Janelle Clouse was milking
cows in the barn and Ted Clouse
was making rounds in a milk truck
when the blaze began at their
house in Loysville.
Investigators could not deter-
mine the cause of the blaze. Three
months after the fire, Janelle
Clouse gave birth to a son.
Philadelphia native "Smokin"
Joe Frazier, the former heavy-
weight champ and first boxer to
beat Muhammad Ali, died of liver
cancer at 67. The city alsolost Joey
Vento, 71, the colorful and contro-
versial owner of Genos cheese-
steakemporium. Hemadenational
headlines in the immigration de-
bate for posting signs asking cus-
tomers to speak English when or-
dering.
And it was sadly no stunt when
34-year-old "Jackass" star Ryan
Dunn crashed his Porsche near
West Chester. Dunn and his pas-
senger diedinafierywreckthat au-
thorities attributedtospeedandal-
cohol.
The Occupy Wall Street move-
ment in New York, which opposes
economic inequality and corporate
influenceongovernment, spawned
similar protests around the state in
places including Philadelphia,
Pittsburgh, Allentown, Lancaster
and Scranton.
Tent cities sprung up at local
parks, and many lasted for weeks.
Police later dismantled some
camps deemedtobe risks topublic
safety; theovernight evictionof Oc-
cupy Philadelphia led to dozens of
arrests. Members of the movement
say it will continue even without a
home base.
But the weak economy contin-
ued to take its toll. In April, The
Philadelphia Orchestra became the
first major U.S. orchestra to file for
TOP STORIES FROMACROSS THE STATE IN 2011
Penn State and historic flooding headline Pa. news
AP PHOTO
Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, right, leaves the office of Centre Coun-
ty District Judge Daniel A. Hoffman under escort by Pennsylvania State Police and Attorney Gener-
als Office officials in Bellefonte. In a year of historic flooding, power outages and the occupation of
major cities, the Penn State sex-abuse scandal topped headlines in 2011.
By KATHY MATHESON
Associated Press
See STATE, Page 9A
C M Y K
N E W S
7
3
1
6
4
2
Doors open at 9:00am EARLY BIRDS Start at Noon
Super Bingo Starts at 1:00pm
Regular Bingo Starts at 7:00pm
UP
TO
$
75
,
000
SUPER BINGO
Saturday, January 7th
Progressive
TIP JAR
Chance at
$30,000+
ALL YOU CAN EAT
BUFFET
ONLY $6.99
NEW LOWER
Package Prices
(No Coupon Needed)
Small - $20
Medium - $35
Large - $55
X-Large - $85
Areas
ONLY
Smoking Bingo Hall with
Non-Smoking Section
Contact Misty Davidson
at 1-304-279-5685 or email:
[email protected]
BUS COORDINATORS
NEEDED
(Separate Entrance)
For Upcoming Games, Events, Specials
Visit our Website at
www.bigbucksbingobc.com
COUPON SPECIAL
$1.00 OFF
BUFFET DINNER
1 per person with coupon
Coupon good only on January 7, 2012
BUS
COORDINATOR
Martha Steidinger
570-310-1274 (hm)
570-855-6216 (cell)
or Gayle Patla
570-406-7292 (cell)
PA Wilkes-Barre, Pittston,
Dickson City, Back Mountain,
Hazleton
Must Call To Reserve Seats.
$$$$
$
15,000
$10,000 Guaranteed
JACKPOT
215 Monroe Street Martinsburg, WV 25404
Berkeley Plaza 304-262-0022
Not responsible for printing errors. Some restrictions apply.
Must purchase one game package.
2012 SUPER GAME DATES
2-4-12
3-3-12
4-7-12
5-5-12
6-9-12
7-7-12
8-4-12
9-8-12
10-6-12
11-3-12
12-8-12
bankruptcy protection.
The renowned 111-year-old en-
semble known as The Fabulous
Philadelphians has struggled
with dwindling attendance and
donations, shrinking endow-
ment income, high labor costs
and an aging audience. Officials
hope the orchestra will emerge
from bankruptcy early next year.
The cash-strappedstate capital
also declared a fiscal emergency.
Members of Harrisburg City
Council tried to file for bankrupt-
cy but their petition was rejected
bya federal judge, inpart because
the mayor opposed it. State offi-
cials then enacted a takeover law,
andGov. TomCorbett nominated
a financial receiver for the city.
Harrisburg is being crushed by
a $300milliondebt onits trashin-
cinerator, in addition to other fis-
cal woes.
A freak snowstorm the day be-
fore Halloween dumped more
than a foot of snowin some parts
of the state. About 500,000 resi-
dents lost power and at least
eight deaths were reported.
That was perhaps just as un-
usual as the jolt Pennsylvanians
got in August when a 5.8 earth-
quake rumbled up from its epi-
center inrural Virginia. It was the
strongest quake to strike the East
Coast since 1944.
September held a joyous re-
union for a suburban Philadel-
phia family when son Josh Fattal
returned home after more than
two years in an Iranian prison.
Fattal, 29, and two friends were
arrested and charged with spying
while hiking near the Iran-Iraq
border in July 2009.
Fattal and Shane Bauer went
home under a $1million bail deal
brokered by Omani officials. Fel-
lowhiker Sarah Shourd had been
released on similar conditions
about a year earlier. The source of
the bail money remains unclear.
And in June, a Pennsylvania
teen brought home the National
Spelling Bee title. Sukanya Roy,
14, of South Abington Township,
survived a five-student spell-off
by nailing the word "cymotri-
chous," which relates to wavy
hair. She won more than $40,000
in cash and prizes.
STATE
President Barack Obamas
health care overhaul was No.
2, and the U.S. midterm elec-
tions were No. 3.
Here are 2011s top 10 sto-
ries, in order:
OSAMA BIN LADENS
DEATH: Hed been the
worlds most-wanted terrorist
for nearly a decade, ever since
a team of his al-Qaida follow-
ers carried out the attacks of
Sept. 11, 2001. In May, the
long and often-frustrating
manhunt ended with a night-
time assault by a helicopter-
borne special operations
squadonhis compoundinAb-
bottabad, Pakistan. Bin La-
den was shot dead by one of
the raiders, and within hours
his body was buried at sea.
JAPANS TRIPLE DISAS-
TER: A 9.0-magnitude earth-
quake off Japans northeast
coast in March unleashed a
tsunami that devastated
scores of communities, leav-
ing nearly 20,000 people dead
or missing and wreaking an
estimated $218 billion in
damage. The tsunami trig-
gered the worst nuclear crisis
since Chernobyl after waves
knocked out the cooling sys-
tem at a nuclear power plant,
causing it to spew radiation
that turned up in local pro-
duce. About 100,000 people
evacuated from the area have
not returned to their homes.
ARAB SPRING: It began
with demonstrations in Tuni-
sia that rapidly toppled the
longtime strongman. Spread-
ing like a wildfire, the Arab
Spring protests sparked a rev-
olution in Egypt that ousted
Hosni Mubarak, fueled a civil
war in Libya that climaxed
with Moammar Gadhafis
death, and fomented a bloody
uprising in Syria against the
Assad regime. Bahrain and
Yemen also experienced ma-
jor protests and unrest.
EU FISCAL CRISIS: The
European Union was hit with
relentless fiscal turmoil. In
Greece, austerity measures
triggered strikes, protests
and riots, while Italys eco-
nomic woes toppled Premier
Silvio Berlusconi. France and Ger-
many led urgent efforts to ease the
debt crisis; Britain balked at pro-
posed changes.
U.S. ECONOMY: By some mea-
sures, the U.S. economy gained
strength as the year progressed.
Hiring picked up a bit, consumers
werespendingmore, andtheunem-
ployment rate finally dipped below
9 percent. But millions of Ameri-
cans remained buffeted by foreclo-
sures, joblessness and benefit
cutbacks, and investors were on
edge monitoring the chain of fis-
cal crises in Europe.
PENN STATE SEX ABUSE
SCANDAL: One of Americas
most storied college football
programs was tarnished in a
scandal that prompted the firing
of Hall of Fame football coach
Joe Paterno. One of his former
assistants, Jerry Sandusky, was
accused of sexually molesting10
boys; two senior Penn State offi-
cials were charged with perjury;
and the longtime president was
ousted. Paterno wasnt charged,
but expressedregret he didnt do
more after being toldthere was a
problem.
GADHAFI TOPPLED IN LI-
BYA: After nearly 42 years of
mercurial and often brutal rule,
Moammar Gadhafi was toppled
by his own people. Anti-govern-
ment protests escalated into an
eight-month rebellion, backed
by NATO bombing, that shat-
tered his regime, and Gadhafi fi-
nally was tracked down and
killed in the fishing village
where he was born.
FISCAL SHOWDOWNS IN
CONGRESS: Partisan divisions
in Congress led to several show-
downs on fiscal issues. A fight
over the debt ceiling prompted
Standard & Poors to strip the
U.S. of its AAAcredit rating. Lat-
er, the so-called supercommit-
tee failed to agree on a deficit-
reduction package of at least
$1.2 trillion potentially trig-
gering automatic spending cuts
of that amount starting in 2013.
OCCUPY WALL STREET
PROTESTS: It began Sept. 17
witha protest at a NewYorkCity
parknear Wall Street, andwithin
weeks spread to scores of com-
munities across the U.S. and
abroad. The movement depicted
itself as leaderless and shied
away fromspecific demands, but
succeeded in airing its com-
plaint that the richest 1 percent
of Americans benefit at the ex-
pense of the rest. As winter ap-
proached, local police disman-
tled several of the protest en-
campments.
GABRIELLE GIFFORDS
SHOT: The popular third-term
congresswoman from Arizona
suffered a severe brain injury
when she and 18 other people
were shot by a gunman as she
met with constituents outside a
Tucson supermarket in January.
Six people died, and Giffords
painstaking recovery is still in
progress.
Among the news events fall-
ing just short of the Top 10 were
the death of Apple Inc. co-foun-
der Steve Jobs, Hurricane Irene,
the devastating series of torna-
dos across Midwest and South-
eastern U.S., and the repeal of
the "dont ask, dont tell" policy
that barred gays from serving
openly in U.S. military.
POLL
AP FILE PHOTO
A survivor of the earthquake and tsunami rides his bicycle
through the leveled city of Minamisanriku, Japan.
C M Y K
N E W S
Thomas Kitchens, Inc.
All Plywood (American Made) Cabinets
Available In Just Days
Custom Countertop & Cabinet Shop
On Premises
All Major Brand Appliances
Complete Installation Services
or Free Delivery
FREE ESTIMATES
10% ADDITIONAL DISCOUNT
FOR FLOOD VICTIMS
www.thomaskitchens.com Phone: 570-455-1546
51
Years
1960 ~ 2011
HIC#PA007671
560 S. Poplar St., Hazleton, PA 18201
www.aetna.com
For a free quote call
David Piavis
Licensed Insurance Agent
570-868-6775
[email protected]
Aetna Advantage Plans for individuals, families and the Self-
Employed are underwritten by AetnaLife Insurance Company (Aetna)
directly and/or through an out-of-state blanket tract and Aetna Health
Inc.In some states, individuals may qualify as a business group of one
and may be eligible for guaranteed issue, small group health plans.
Think you may be
overpaying for health
insurance?
We can help you fnd out!
Aetna Advantage Plans for Individuals,
Families and the Self-Employed
Whether you have:
Just left your previous employers group plan
Picked up coverage through COBRA, or
Simply became exasperated with your
current insurers rates and service
We can help you fnd an Aetna health
insurance plan that meets your health care
needs and your budget.
We think youre going to like Aetnas value.
Let us help you fnd the right mix of
coverage and cost for you and your family.
As a health insurance broker, its our business
to know whats out there in the marketplace.
We do the research and can steer you to plans
that meet your needs much like a Human
Resources department does for its company.
Aetna Advantage Plans offers a broad range
of plan types and premium payments. We
can give you the help you need so you can
choose the one thats best for your situation.
Valuable features available:
Coverage for gynecology visits,
mammograms and child immuzinations
No referrals needed to visit specialists for
covered services
Nationwide network of doctors and hospitals
Flexible Family coverage options, including
child-only coverage
Find out more
Give us a call. We can help you get an insurance
quote (price estimate) and compare plans.
Bad Credit - No Credit
We Make It Simple
2 WAYS TO PURCHASE
YOUR NEXT CAR
TOLL
FREE 1-855-313-LOAN (5626)
or
ONLINE @ www.ApproveMyCredit.com
EYNONBUICK GMC TRUCKS
county history.
Change almost came to the
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Interna-
tional Airport as long-held dis-
cussions to create an airport au-
thority to operate the Pittston
Township-based facility seemed
to have been approved by com-
missioners in both Lackawanna
andLuzerne counties. But Lacka-
wanna County Commissioner
Mike Washo flip flopped his vote
less than a week after voting to
approve an authority. His switch
led to the demise of the plan that
would have removed elected offi-
cials fromthe airports board and
replaced them with appointed
board members whose first re-
sponsibility would be to the air-
port and not their county.
The Times Leader asked read-
ers to vote for the top10 local sto-
ries of 2011 and after tabulating
the readers agreed that flooding
was the biggest story of the year.
Here are the results from 1
through 10 chosen by readers:
No. 1: September flooding
Back-to-back heavy rainfalls in
August andSeptember causedby
Hurricane Irene and then Tropi-
cal StormLee causedthe Susque-
hanna River and its tributaries to
overflow their banks and flood
towns unprotected by the Wyom-
ing Valley Levee System. River
towns includingShickshinny, Ed-
wardsville, West PittstonandPly-
mouth were inundated by water
that caused millions of dollars in
damages.
Ariver gauge that was not able
to read levels above 38.5 feet
though officials were unaware of
the limit led emergency man-
agement officials to announce
the river had crested at 38.7 feet.
A few hours later, the river ac-
tually crested at a record 42.66
feet, more than a foot above the
maximumthe levees were meant
to hold and nearly two feet above
the previous record of 40.9 feet
set on June 24, 1972 after Trop-
ical Storm Agnes hit the region
hard.
Federal Emergency Manage-
ment Agency centers were set up
throughout Northeastern Penn-
sylvania and temporary housing
trailers were brought in for resi-
dents whose homes were heavily
damaged or destroyed.
Vice President Joe Biden made
a stop in Duryea days after the
flooding to assure residents their
country wouldnt let them down.
No. 2: The ongoing corruption
probe
Three former Luzerne County
judges were among those sen-
tenced for their roles in the ongo-
ing corruption scandal thats
plagued Luzerne County for the
past three years. Michael Cona-
han, Mark Ciavarella and Mi-
chael Toole each received a sen-
tence of at least two and a half
years in prison
for their crimes,
topped by the
unrepentant Cia-
varellas 28-year
jail term. More
figures will get
their day in
court this year
including for-
mer State Sen.
Ray Musto, Rob-
ert Mericle and
Michael Pason-
ick.
Musto was in-
dicted by a fed-
eral grand jury
in 2010, charged
with accepting $38,000 in kick-
backs in exchange for using his
influence as a senator. Mericle
pleaded guilty in September
2009 to withholding information
on a crime for his role in the Kids
for Cash scandal.
Pasonick, a local engineer
whose company did contract
work for area school districts,
will also learn his sentence this
year. He pleaded guilty in May to
paying a bribe to an area school
board member who promised to
help Pasonick obtain contracts
with the district.
No. 3: Bi-county airport
authority grounded
For years, some members of
the Bi-County Board of Commis-
sioners that oversees the Wilkes-
Barre/Scranton International
Airport have favored the creation
of an authority rather than hav-
ing elected commissioners hand-
ling those duties. The votes were
never there but one monthbefore
five of the six commissioners
were set to leave office they de-
cided the time had come.
Lackawanna County commis-
sioners voted 2-1 in favor of cre-
ating an authority and Luzerne
County Commissioners voted
3-0. Theauthority, it seemed, was
a gofor 2012. But the threat of liti-
gation and worries about putting
incoming commissioners andthe
newLuzerne County Council un-
der constraints set by outgoing
officials caused Lackawanna
County Commissioner Mike
Washo to do an about face and
change his vote, meaning it failed
in Lackawanna County. And with
that, the airport authority was
grounded.
No. 4: County council chosen
In 2010, voters chose to change
the makeup of county govern-
ment by going to a Home Rule
form. Gone is a full-time, three-
commissioner ledcountygovern-
ment and in comes an 11-mem-
ber, part-time county council that
will choose a full-time county
manager.
In the May primary, voters had
a pool of 49 candidates from
which they had to choose 11 can-
didates to appear on the Demo-
crat and Republican ballots. In
November, voters chose the 11
members for the council from a
pool of 28 to serve on the inaugu-
ral panel. The winners were: Rick
Morelli, Edward Brominski,
Elaine Maddon Curry, Linda
McClosky Houck, Tim McGin-
ley, HarryHaas, EugeneKelleher,
RickWilliams, StephenA. Urban,
Jim Bobeck and Stephen J. Ur-
ban.
No. 5: Youth is served
Aprosecutor for nearly half her
adult life, Jacqueline Musto Car-
roll was defeated as Luzerne
County district attorney in the
November general election by in-
surance attorney Stefanie Sala-
vantis, two years out of law
school. Salavantis received
31,801 votes to Musto Carrolls
30,839. Musto Carroll servedone
full termas district attorney after
previously working her way up
the ladder in the office. She start-
ed as an intern, then served as a
part-time and full-time assistant
district attorney and first assist-
ant district attorney. Shell now
go into private practice at an of-
fice in Pittston.
Salavantis run almost never
happened. Salavantis said she
didnt have political aspirations
until no Republican candidate
came forward to challenge the
DA in the May primary. So she
threw her hat in the ring, mount-
ed a media-savvy campaign that
saw her spend nearly $270,000
and won by fewer than 1,000
votes.
No. 6: Rain, rain go away
By Nov. 2, a record annual rain-
fall had been set at the Wilkes-
Barre/Scranton International
Airport. Since then a few more
inches of precipitation has fallen,
bringingthetotal to59.99inches.
The old record, set in 1948, was
53.7 inches. The average yearly
rainfall locally is 38 inches. Not
only did the heavy rains lead to
the historic September flooding
but also to flooding in the Ply-
mouth area in July when 3 inches
of rain fell in less than an hour.
No. 7: Checking out
The once-venerable Hotel Ster-
ling will soon check out. Worries
about its structural integrity led
county leaders to fund the 113-
year-old buildings demolition.
Some spent days protesting the
demolition and urged saving the
once-grand hotel. But the demise
of the building was sped up after
the company that provided prop-
erty and liability insurance cover-
age informed the county it would
end its coverage because of the
poor condition.
Concerns about the buildings
integrity led to Wilkes-Barre
changing traffic patterns near the
hotel And closing lanes on West
Market Street and River Street.
Even if the hotel is razed, its
likely tobe inthe news in2012for
another reason.
An FBI agent visited Luzerne
County government offices last
month to collect subpoenaed
documents about the Hotel Ster-
ling project, officials said. A fed-
eral grand jury is investigating
the project, though several coun-
ty officials said they still have no
clue what potential criminal ac-
tivity is being examined. County
Controller Walter Griffith said he
believes the grand jury will be
asked to study howthe Sterlings
owner, the nonprofit CityVest,
spent $6 million loaned by the
county to preserve the landmark
Wilkes-Barre structure.
No. 8: Unusual vibes
Did you feel it? was the ques-
tion of the day for residents up
and down the East Coast on Aug.
23 as an earthquake in Virginia
registering 5.8 on the Richter
scale shook buildings and traffic
lights.
The tremors forced hundreds
of downtown office workers in
Wilkes-Barre to evacuate build-
ings, but not everyone in the
county felt the rattling.
How much people felt of the
earthquake depended on where -
or rather how high -- they stood.
While those in ground-level
shops felt nothing, upper-floor of-
fices quicklyemptiedas windows
rattled and chairs slid.
No. 9: Six new robes needed
In a historic vote, county elec-
tors chose six people to occupy
open judgeships. Jennifer Rogers
received the most votes of the
seven candidates for Luzerne
County Court of Common Pleas
judge with 41,706. Fred Pieranto-
ni, Joseph Sklarosky Jr., Michael
Vough, Dick Hughes and Lesa
Gelb rounded out the winners.
Molly Hanlon Mirabito finished
seventh.
The newly elected judges will
join current full-time judges Tho-
mas Burke, David Lupas, Tina
Polachek Gartley and William
Amesbury. The first of the six va-
cancies opened when Ann Loku-
ta was removedfromthe benchin
December 2008. InJanuary2009,
two more judges Ciavarella and
Conahan left the county bench
after they were charged in the on-
going probe of corruption in the
county. A few months later, Mi-
chael Toole, also entangled in
scandal, was forced from the
bench and Peter Paul Olszewski
Jr. lost a bid for retention in the
2009 election.
With 10 judges serving this
year, the bench is considered to
be fully staffed.
No. 10: Bath salts
Anewkind of drug hit the mar-
ket in 2011 and the term bath
salts became a staple of news re-
ports for a few months.
The chemically-altered drugs
are not for the tub nor do they
have sodium, but since they were
legal and affordable people
across the country, and in North-
eastern Pennsylvania tried them
out, often with bad results.
A sampling of local police re-
ports involving bath salts in-
cludes: A West Pittston couple
hallucinating on bath salts en-
dangered a young child when
they used knives to stab walls be-
lieving there were 90 people liv-
ing in them; two women were
charged by Wilkes-Barre police
with being high on bath salts
while driving in a car with two
children inside; a man high on
bath salts allegedly broke into St.
Anns Monastery and attacked a
sleeping priest. Finally law en-
forcement agencies persuaded
elected officials to ban the sale
and possession of the drug.
Authorities and emergency
rooms in Luzerne County sawan
immediatedropinincidents after
Lackawanna County banned
bath salts on April 13 and Lu-
zerne County President Judge
Thomas F. Burke Jr. did the same
12 days later. The state legisla-
ture and Congress followed suit
later inthe year withbans of their
own.
FILE PHOTOS/THE TIMES LEADER
Vice President Joe Biden talks to Brianna Hubert after touring the flood damage on Chittenden
Street in Duryea just days after the Susquehanna overflowed its banks flooding river towns
throughout the region. Briannas grandmothers home was damaged in the flood.
Ciavarella
Conahan
The drug known
as bath salts was
banned in Lu-
zerne County in
2011 after mul-
tiple incidents in
which users were
hallucinating and
breaking the law.
CHANGE
C M Y K
N E W S
MISTLETOE
only gets you so far.
The 2012
ES 350Lease
$379/mo.
36mos.*
$4,078
due at signing*
The 2012
RX350AWDLease
$449/mo.
36mos.*
$3,774
due at signing*
The 2012
IS 250Sedan AWDLease
$329/mo.
36mos.*
$3,979
due at signing*
The 2012
CT 200h Lease
$309/mo.
36mos.*
$3,984
due at signing*
0.9%
APRFinancing
up to 60months
60 MONTHLYPAYMENTS OF
$17.05 PER $1,000FINANCED.
Excludes ofcal fees, taxes and dealer charges, no security deposit required.
COMPLIMENTARYFIRST MONTHS LEASE PAYMENT.
2
6
4
9
4
7
2
6
4
9
4
7
Butler Eyecare
34 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre
822-8727
HAPPY NEWYEAR!!!
www.butlereyecare.com
To Our Patients,
Neighbors, Associates
and Friends
Our Tanks And Best
Wishes For A
Happy NewYear.
30% O F F
H O UR S : M o n. -S a t. 10:00 a m -5:00 pm
63 4 M a rke tS tre e t Kings to n, PA 18 704 ( 570) 28 7-2777
W inter Sh oes,
Cloth ing &
A ccessories
While hundreds of Luzerne
County residents died in 2011, a
few left distinct and notable
marks on their communities.
The two who perhaps made
the greatest impact on the
Wyoming Valley were former
county Controller Steve Flood
and businessman Charles D.
Flack Jr.
Flood, who served as controll-
er from 2002-05 is credited by
many for initiating the federal
corruption probe that led to
charges against two once-power-
ful county judges and several oth-
ers.
Flood presented his findings,
hours before suffering a stroke in
2007, at a county commissioner
meeting where he criticized the
countys leasing of the juvenile
detention center that was later
linked to the charges against two
former judges.
He also took his findings and
suspicions to federal authorities,
convincing them to investigate,
his lawyers have said.
The stroke left him unable to
speak, but what he was able to
find and tell others about before-
hand was enough to spur a major
federal probe into corruption.
As controller, Floodhaduncov-
ered information about former
judges Michael T. Conahan and
Mark A. Ciavarella and a Pittston
Township juvenile detention cen-
ter leased by the county, includ-
ing details gleaned by a private
investigator he hired and paid for
on his own.
Flood, of Dorrance Township,
died on July16 at 67 shortly after
suffering a second stroke. His
dogged pursuit of corruption
earned praise from Republicans
and Democrats alike.
Flack, one of the Wyoming Val-
leys most influential and well-re-
spected community leaders,
businessmen, philanthropists
and political power brokers, died
at 56 on May 26.
The list of boards Flack sat on
includes: The Luzerne Founda-
tion, Wyoming Seminary, Miser-
icordia University, Oak Lawn
Cemetery Association and the
Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber
of Business and Industry. He also
was chairman of the nonprofit
WyomingValley HealthCare Sys-
temboard when the decision was
made in 2009 to sell the system,
including Wilkes-Barre General
Hospital, to for-profit Communi-
ty Health Systems Inc.
The Lehman Township resi-
dent took the helm of Diamond
Manufacturing Co. in West
Wyoming at 24 after his father
died.
Flack, who ran the business
with his brother Harold, sold the
company in 2010 to Los Angeles-
based Reliance Steel & Alumi-
num Co. He also was part of a lo-
cal investment group that helped
buy The Times Leader.
He was a giver. He knew the
importance of being involved in
the community, said Flacks
friend and state Secretary of Rev-
enue Dan Meuser shortly after
Flacks death. He knew it before
it was fashionable.
Among other notable county
residents or natives who died in
2011:
John D. Jack Smith Sr., the
Little Mayor of South Main
Street, died Jan. 26 at 86. The
lifelong Wilkes-Barre resident
was a former bail bondsman and
welterweight
boxer and later
the chairman of
the board of di-
rectors for the
Boxing Hall of
Fame.
He was the
owner andpres-
ident of the
General Lamp Corp. and along
with his family, owned the Para-
mount Theatre, now called the
F.M. Kirby Center, on Public
Square. Smith also was the own-
er of American Cab Co. and
American Ambulance Associ-
ation, both based in the city.
Raymond G. Ostrowski, of
the Newtown section of Hanover
Township, died Feb. 1, at 74. He
owned and op-
erated Ray-
mond Electron-
ic Service,
Wilkes-Barre;
was emergency
management
coordinator for
Hanover Town-
ship; and, prior
to retiring, was Luzerne County
chief deputy sheriff. He also
served as fire chief for the New-
town Volunteer Fire Depart-
ment.
Howard B. Fedrick, of Laflin,
a member of both the downtown
Wilkes-Barre
Fine Arts Fiesta
and the history
department at
Kings College,
died Feb. 9 at
67. The 2010
arts festival, the
56th annual,
was dedicated
to Fedrick.
Former Luzerne mayor and
councilman Leon Nevin Gorki,
95, died March 12. He was heavi-
ly involved in Democratic Party
politics, and prior to his retire-
ment he was employed by Penn-
sylvania Gas & Water Co. as a
salesman.
Walter Yablonski, one of the
areas few remaining Pearl Har-
bor survivors,
died March 13.
He served as
mayor of Lu-
zerne from
1986 to 1997
and operated
the Atlantic
Service Station
on Main Street
in Luzerne until his retirement in
1985.
Oliver Lee Dominick, foun-
der and longtime owner and op-
erator of Do-
minicks Cafe, a
landmark res-
taurant in the
Hudson section
of Plains Town-
ship, died
March 22 at 95.
Dominick
played a funda-
mental role in the development
of the Plains Township Teeners
Baseball League. He also was the
founder of the Plains Yankee Du-
gout Club and the Plains Yankee
Football Program, where he
served as a life board member.
Frank Franco S. Kossa, of
Sugarloaf Township, died at 45
on May 2. He
was the co-
founder of the
Inkin the Val-
ley Tattoo Con-
vention, foun-
der of its Side-
Show Gather-
ing, and owner
of Marcs Tat-
tooing and Body Piercing, which
has locations in Wilkes-Barre,
Hazle Township and Scranton.
Billie J. Gross, died May 3 at
84. He had served as chief of the
Germania Hose Co., Duryea.
Noted animator and film-
maker Karen Aqua, a Forty Fort
native and 1972 Wyoming Valley
West High School graduate, died
at 57 on May 30. She produced,
directed, and animated 22 seg-
ments for Sesame Street, com-
pleted 11 inde-
pendently pro-
duced animat-
ed films and
one collabora-
tive animation/
live action vid-
eo.
Local busi-
nessman, community leader and
economic development visionary
Edward Schechter died at 91 on
July 2. Schechter was one of four
founding members of Leadership
Wilkes-Barre, and the first exec-
utive director of the Committee
for Economic
Growth. While
director of the
Greater Wilkes-
Barre Chamber
of Commerce,
he also served
onthe boards of
the Flood Re-
covery Task
Force, the Boy Scouts, the Lu-
zerne County Transportation Au-
thority, the United Way, the YM-
CA and the Earth Conservancy.
Elizabeth Chacko, the found-
ing partner of Chackos Family
Bowling Center in Wilkes-Barre,
died Aug. 10 at 83. She and her
late husband, John Chacko Sr.,
purchased their original bowling
center location
on South Main
Street, Wilkes-
Barre, one day
prior to the
1972 Agnes
Flood. The
flood destroyed
everything and
the couple had
to gut the entire building. They
eventually rebuilt and later
opened a new bowling center on
Wilkes-Barre Boulevard.
Marilyn Saidman died Oct.
11. She served as councilwoman
in Laflin Borough for eight years,
beginning in 1976, and served as
its president for six of those
years. She also was elected presi-
dent of the Councilmens Associ-
ation of the State Association of
Boroughs andservedonits board
of directors.
Saidman was a member of the
boardof directors of the Econom-
ic Development Council of
Northeastern Pennsylvania, and
co-chairman of the Wyoming Val-
ley Flood Victims Action Coun-
cil. She also was active with the
Save Our Schools Committee at
Wyoming Valley West.
Marita Dempsey Lowman, a
prize-winning reporter and edi-
tor for The Times Leader and lat-
er The Intelligencer of Doyles-
town and The Scranton Times,
died Oct. 21 at 60.
She startedat The Times Lead-
er shortly after college as a gener-
al assignment
reporter in
1981. She
would go on to
become the pa-
pers court re-
porter before
being named
Times Leader
city editor. She
returned to staff writing as she
became The Times Leaders prin-
cipal investigative reporter in
1990.
Her journalism awards over
the years were numerous and in-
cluded first place Keystone Press
Awards in 1988, 1991, 1992 and
1993, and the U.S. Postal Service
outstanding contributions to
journalismin2003. She alsowon,
among other honors, first place
in the health and medical report-
ing category of the 2001 Spot-
light Contest conducted by the
Keystone Chapter of the Society
of Professional Journalists.
AaronW. (Junior) Hess, died
Nov. 15, at 81. He was a charter
member of the Wright Township
Volunteer Fire Company and
served as chief.
Former Avoca Mayor Tho-
mas Durkin, died Dec. 8 at 64. He
worked for the Lehigh Valley and
the D & H Railroad, FedEX, and
for the Luzerne County Proba-
tionOffice. In1986he was named
Father of the Year by The Pitt-
ston Dispatch.
Former Pittston Area School
District Superintendent Gerard
Musto, the father of outgoing Lu-
zerne County District Attorney
Jackie Musto Carroll and the
younger brother of former state
Sen. Raphael
Musto, died
Dec. 18 at 77.
He served as
superintendent
at Pittston Area
from 1982 until
his retirement
in1993. He also
served as an
educator in New Jersey and in
the former Northeast School Dis-
trict in Avoca.
Clarence Van Rose, a long-
time reporter with The Times
Leader, died Dec. 29 at 68. Rose
started at the paper in 1982 as a
news reporter before moving
over to sports. He won a Keys-
tone Press Award in 2009 for his
story on local
kickboxer and
basketball play-
er Lydia Naper-
kowski.
During his
career Rose
wrote columns
and reported
on a variety of
subjects, from the Scranton/
Wilkes-Barre Red Barons and
Yankees to country music, from
Nanticoke City Council meetings
to harness racing, from concerts
to girls volleyball and basketball
games.
He retired from The Times
Leader in 2011but continued as a
correspondent, reporting and
writing about girls high school
volleyball and basketball.
COMMUNITYS NOTABLE DEATHS IN 2011
Whistleblower, business leader are among those lost
By ANDREW M. SEDER
[email protected]
Charles D. Flack Steve Flood
Smith
Ostrowski
Fedrick
Yablonski
Dominick
Kossa
Aqua
Schechter
Chacko
Lowman
Musto
Rose
C M Y K
N E W S
Crowds gathers outside the White House in Washington in the early hours of May 2 to celebrate
after President Barack Obama announced the death of Osama bin Laden.
A large vessel stands among debris after being washed ashore by the March 11 tsunami in Kesennuma, Japan. The tsunami followed a massive earthquake.
A motorcycle policeman tries to remove his helmet as he burns
after protesters throw a petrol bomb in Athens during February
rioting. Scores of youths hurled rocks and petrol bombs at riot
police after clashes broke out during a mass rally taking place as
part of a general strike. The motorcycle policeman was later taken
to a hospital for medical treatment. Greece was rocked by discord
and protest during a tumultous year for its economy.
Two-year-old Aden
Salaad looks up
toward his mother,
unseen, as she
bathes him in a tub
at a Doctors With-
out Borders hospi-
tal, where Aden is
receiving treatment
for malnutrition, in
Dagahaley Camp,
outside Dadaab,
Kenya, in July. U.N.
refugee chief Anto-
nio Guterres said
that drought-ridden
Somalia is the
worst humanitarian
disaster in the
world.
Patricia Weaver,
center, is comforted
by Chief Warrant
Officer Wesley Nor-
ris, right, and family
members of Army
Sgt. Jason Weaver
from Anaheim,
Calif., at a Hero
Welcome and Me-
morial Service at
the Joint Forces
Training Base in Los
Alamitos, Calif. in
March. Weaver died
just days earlier in
Kandahar Province,
Afghanistan, of
wounds suffered
when insurgents
attacked his unit
using an improvised
explosive device.
Phyllis Siegel, 77, arms raised, and Connie
Kopelov, 85, in wheelchair, both of New
York, celebrate in July after becoming the
first same-sex couple to get married at
the Manhattan City Clerks office.
THE TOP PHOTOS OF 2011 FROMTHE ASSOCIATED PRESS
An Occupy Wall Street protester draws
contact from a police officer near Zuccotti
Park after being ordered to leave the long-
time encampment in New York in mid-
November.
ALL PHOTOS FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
C M Y K
PEOPLE S E C T I O N B
timesleader.com
THE TIMES LEADER SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2012
W
hat kind of year did you have
as a genealogist? Did you
make the breakthroughs you
hoped to have, or was it the kind of
year most genealogists experience a
mixture of success and frustration?
Either way, thats ancient history.
Here are some New Years resolutions
to help make 2012 a time of success in
which you knock down (or get around)
that brick wall and solve a mystery or
two thats been plaguing you.
Read a genealogy magazine. If your
hobby were model railroading or nee-
dlepoint youd subscribe to a hobby-
related periodical and read it cover-to-
cover for advice from the experts,
wouldnt you? The current issue of
Family Tree Magazine offers articles
on tracing Polish ancestors and re-
searching Philadelphia and New Or-
leans families. During 2012 youll find
updates on genealogy websites and
articles on new software products.
Youll also find an annual list of articles
you can order as reprints. To subscribe,
go to www.familytreemagazine.com.
Join a genealogy club. Hobbyists of
all kinds find and join societies of like-
minded people. They go to meetings to
hear stimulating talks and ask ques-
tions. The Northeast Pennsylvania
Genealogical Society offers free pro-
grams most months of the year at
Kings College. Its research library in
Hanover Township can order micro-
films from the Church of Latter Day
Saints Family History Library in Salt
Lake City. To join and get the quarterly
newsletter, send an email to nepg-
[email protected].
Explore the ever-expanding world of
Genweb. This network of county-based
websites covers the whole United
States, offering a message board and
lots of basic local genealogical materi-
al. Search for Oklahoma Genweb, for
instance, and get a list of all the county
Genweb sites there. A standard map
will tell you what county your ances-
tors town was in. Additionally, there
are now scores of Genweb sites in
English for foreign countries and the
states and provinces of those countries.
Search for Germany Genweb, for
example, and youll find links to all the
states. Some countries, Ireland one of
the most prominent, have established
their own very thorough Genweb sites.
Buy key genealogy books. Every
hobby has some expense. Go out to the
local bookstore and look for research
guides keyed to the nation or ethnic
group youre focusing on. Theyll tell
you about locations of informational
databases abroad and how to access
them. If you cant find the books local-
ly, go online and search using key
terms like finding Italian ancestors.
There are even specialized books on
topics like tracing women who changed
their names through marriage or trac-
ing soldiers in a war.
Find the libraries and historical so-
cieties that can help you. Luzerne
County has its wonderful Osterhout
Free Library and Luzerne County His-
torical Society, neighbors on Wilkes-
Barres South Franklin Street. Other
communities have comparable institu-
tions. When youre researching faraway
areas, go online with key names (cities,
counties, etc.) and find out what public
libraries and historical societies they
have. Then go to their websites to find
out what mail or online services are
available. Youll find a surprising
amount of help. New York, for instance,
has a network of local historians, based
in libraries and dedicated to assisting
researchers.
Help out wherever you can: Even if
you dont make connections that im-
prove your own genealogical work,
youll help others and thats some-
thing. What can you do? Reply to on-
line queries. Volunteer at research
organizations. Talk about family histo-
ry to your younger relatives. Donate to
the flood-damaged West Pittston Li-
brary through the Luzerne Foundation
(www.luzfdn.org).
TOM MOONEY
O U T O N A L I M B
The new year
means new
discoveries
Tom Mooney is a Times Leader genealogy
columnist. Reach him at [email protected].
S
eismic jolts shook 2011 uprisings
that set a whole region afire, natural
disasters of historic destructiveness,
the demise of icons. But again and
again amid these world-changing convul-
sions, the mirror of a single face, or two or
three, joyous, tormented, panicked or hope-
ful, brought the larger-than-life moments
back to human scale.
There were the taut, staring faces in the
White House situation room as Americas
leaders strained to take in reports of the
raid that was, right then, killing Osama
Bin Laden.
Youthful faces filled Cairos Tahrir Square,
triumphant andforward-looking inspring, an-
gry and masked against tear gas in fall.
Tears streaked faces in the ruins of tor-
nadoes that scoured towns in Missouri
and Alabama.
Behind a hazmat faceshield, scared eyes
scanned Japans quake-crippled Fukushi-
ma nuclear plant; in a final portrait, Steve
Jobs stared, intense as ever but so thin;
through a car window, Joe Paterno
frowned distractedly.
Its not hard and it may be almost neces-
sary to recall such images as we try to
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., center, appears on the floor of the House of Repre-
sentatives in Washington in August. Giffords was on the floor for the first time since
her shooting earlier in the year, attending a vote on the debt standoff compromise.
In year of cataclysms, a few images stand out
AP PHOTOS
Joplin residents Paula Barnett, left, and Susan Dodson console each other during a memorial service marking the one week anniversary
of an EF-5 tornado which ripped a six mile long path of destruction through Joplin and killed at least 139 people in May.
FACES OF 2011
Britains Prince William kisses his wife Kate, Duchess of
Cambridge, as bridesmaid Grace van Cutsem, left, covers
her ears on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the
Royal Wedding in London in April.
Penn State football coach Joe Paterno arrives home in
State College, Pa., in November. Paterno was fired in the
aftermath of child sex-abuse charges against former
defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, who maintains his
innocence. Paterno is not a target of the investigation.
See FACES, Page 10B
By CHRISTOPHER SULLIVAN
K
PAGE 2B SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2012 THE TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com
O C C A S I O N S
The Times Leader allows you to
decide how your wedding notice
reads, with a few caveats.
Wedding announcements run in
Sundays People section, with
black-and-white photos, free of
charge.
Articles must be limited to 220
words, and we reserve the right to
edit announcements that exceed
that word count. Announcements
must be typed or submitted via
www.timesleader.com. (Click on
the "people" tab, then weddings
and follow the instructions from
there.) Submissions must include
a daytime contact phone number
and must be received within 10
months of the wedding date. We
do not run first-year anniversary
announcements or announce-
ments of weddings that took place
more than a year ago. (Wedding
photographers often can supply
you with a black-and-white proof
in advance of other album pho-
tographs.)
All other social announcements
must be typed and include a day-
time contact phone number.
Announcements of births at local
hospitals are submitted by hospi-
tals and published on Sundays.
Out-of-town announcements
with local connections also are
accepted. Photos are only accept-
ed with baptism, dedication or
other religious-ceremony an-
nouncements but not birth an-
nouncements.
Engagement announcements
must be submitted at least one
month before the wedding date to
guarantee publication and must
include the wedding date. We
cannot publish engagement an-
nouncements once the wedding
has taken place.
Anniversary photographs are
published free of charge at the
10th wedding anniversary and
subsequent five-year milestones.
Other anniversaries will be pub-
lished, as space allows, without
photographs.
Drop off articles at the Times
Leader or mail to:
The Times Leader
People Section
15 N. Main St.
Wilkes-Barre, PA18711
Questions can be directed to
Kathy Sweetra at 829-7250 or
e-mailed to people@timeslead-
er.com.
SOCIAL PAGE GUIDELINES
K
evin and Mary Barrett, Nanti-
coke, are pleased to announce-
ment the engagement of their son,
Bradley Baird, to Colleen Shutts,
daughter of Kenneth and Linda
Shutts, Harrisburg.
Bradley is a 2003 graduate of Lake-
Lehman High School and is in his
final year of law school at Widener
University School of Law, Harrisburg.
Colleen is an associate attorney at
the law firm of Margolis Edelstein,
Harrisburg.
The couple will be wed on Sunday,
Sept. 2, 2012, in Hershey.
Shutts, Baird
K
atie and Tommy McLaughlin,
Wilkes-Barre, announce the en-
gagement and approaching marriage
of their daughter, Maggie, to Daniel
Kovalski, son of Rita and Butch Ko-
valski, Mountain Top.
Maggie is a 2005 graduate of
Meyers High School and earned her
Bachelor of Science degree in chem-
ical engineering and business from
Villanova University in 2009. Follow-
ing completion of her Business Anal-
ysis masters certificate in 2011, she
continues to work toward a Master of
Science degree in sustainable engi-
neering from Villanova University.
Maggie is a technology and sustain-
ability analyst for Johnson Controls,
Philadelphia.
Daniel is a 2005 graduate of Crest-
wood High School and earned his
bachelors degree in business from
The Pennsylvania State University in
2010. He is a sales representative for
State Farm Insurance, Glen Mills.
The couple will exchange vows
during an intimate beach ceremony
in Ocean City, N.J., in May of 2012.
McLaughlin, Kovalski
M
r. and Mrs. William Philipps,
Santa Cruz, Calif., are pleased to
announce the engagement and ap-
proaching marriage of their daughter,
Nuria, to Joseph Gentile Jr., son of
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Gentile, Exeter.
Nuria is a graduate of San Jose
State University and is employed as a
retail manager for Macys.
Joseph is a 2001 graduate of Wyom-
ing Area and 2005 graduate of Ship-
pensburg University. He took gradu-
ate courses at Johns Hopkins Uni-
versity and earned his masters de-
gree in criminal justice in 2010 from
American Military University. He was
previously employed as a police offi-
cer with the Washington, D.C. Metro-
politan Police Department and is
currently employed as a Deputy U.S.
Marshal with the U.S. Marshals Ser-
vice in Sacramento, Calif.
A wedding is planned for Aug. 25
in Sacramento, Calif.
Gentile, Philipps
M
arie Zorzi and Russell Richard
Watkins, together with their
families, announce their engagement
and upcoming marriage.
The bride-to-be is the daughter of
Joseph and Theresa Zorzi, Mountain
Top. She is the granddaughter of the
late John and Mary Pacovsky, West
Wyoming, and the late Joseph and
Lottie Zorzi, Plains Township.
The prospective groom is the son
of John and Judy Lee, Mountain Top.
He is the grandson of the late Shirley
and Leonard Dompkosky, Kingston,
and Helen Lee and the late Red Lee,
Nanticoke.
Marie and Russell are both gradu-
ates of Crestwood High School,
Mountain Top.
Marie is a 2006 graduate of
Bloomsburg University, where she
earned a bachelors degree in commu-
nication studies. She is pursuing a
masters degree in organizational
management from Misericordia Uni-
versity. Marie is employed at Luzerne
County Head Start.
Russell is a 2006 graduate of East
Stroudsburg University, where he
earned a bachelors degree in recre-
ational therapy. He is pursuing a
masters degree in exceptionalities
from Bloomsburg University. Russell
is employed at Loftus-Vergari and
Associates.
The couple will exchange vows in
the presence of family and friends in
March, 2012, at Christ United Metho-
dist Church, Mountain Top.
Zorzi, Watkins
S
hannon Ide and William Gary
Newman, Wilkes-Barre, were
engaged on Oct. 31, 2011.
The couple met on Easter Day and
knew they were soul mates and des-
tined to be together for the rest of
their lives. Love has no boundaries
for the couple who is truly in love.
A wedding is planned for Oct. 31,
2012.
Ide, Newman
K
urtis Barnes and Ellissa Morehart
were married at 3 p.m. on Nov. 10
by Judge Hovan in the Magistrates
office.
Ellissa is the daughter of Adam
Morehart, Plymouth and Elizabeth
Breauchy, Williamsport.
Kurtis is the son of Darren Barnes,
Florida, and Veronica Davy, Tunk-
hannock.
A small party with close friends and
family was held after the ceremony.
The couple resides in Tunkhannock.
Morehart, Barnes
D
ina M. Scavone and Randy S.
Shaw were united in marriage on
Aug. 27, 2011, at Fox Hill Country
Club, West Pittston, Pa., by the Rev.
Ann Marie Acacio.
The bride is the daughter of Do-
nald and Catherine Scavone, Sweet
Valley, Pa.
The groom is the son of Robert and
Judy Shaw, Vestal, N.Y.
The bride was escorted down the
aisle by her father and given in mar-
riage by her parents.
She chose her sister, Denise Dris-
coll, as her matron of honor. Brides-
maids were Celeste Czaj and Khristi-
na Scavone, cousins, and Christine
Valvano, best friend. Her niece, Emily
Driscoll, was the flower girl.
The groom chose close friend,
Rodney Driscoll, as his best man. His
groomsmen were Chris Meyers, Earl
Coffey and Nick Chiappinni, friends.
The ring bearer was R.J. Driscoll,
nephew of the bride.
The couple honeymooned in Day-
tona Beach, Fla. They reside in Pitt-
ston, Pa.
Shaw, Scavone
J
effrey Alan Fine and Amber Brooke
Snyder were united in marriage on
Jan. 22, 2011, at the Eden Resort in
Lancaster. Officiating were Rabbi Ri-
chard Allen of Philadelphia and the Rev.
Carl Shankweiler. They were married
under a chuppah designed by the
groom.
The groom is the son of Saundra
Fine, Kingston, and the late Max Fine.
He is the grandson of Lillian Goldstein,
Duryea; the late Samuel Goldstein; and
the late Helen and Maynard Finkelstein,
Kingston.
The bride is the daughter of Ralph
and Vicki Snyder, Hegins.
Amber was escorted by her father and
Jeff by his parents. Amber chose Ashley
Barge, York, as her maid of honor and
Kristin Frederick, Auburn, as matron of
honor. Bridesmaids included Ashley
Smyk, Philadelphia; Colleen Rafferty
Smith, Hershey; Kami Miller, Valley
View; Melissa McNutt, West Palm
Beach, Fla.; Eve Bellinger, Philadelphia;
Ashley Pesaresi, Hershey; and Lorrin
Petrole, Seattle, Wash. Alana Orshesky,
cousin of the bride, was flower girl.
Jeff chose his brother, Michael Fine,
Philadelphia, as best man. Groomsmen
were Brock and Colby Snyder, Hegins,
brothers of the bride; Matthew Smith,
Broadheadsville; Nick Laskaris, King-
ston; David Smith, Hershey; and Ross
Bellinger, Philadelphia.
A bridal shower hosted by the bridal
party was held in Ambers honor at the
Piazza Sorrento in Hershey in Novem-
ber 2010. The grooms parents hosted
the rehearsal dinner at the Eden Resort.
Jeff is a 2000 graduate of Wyoming
Valley West High School and a 2005
graduate of Penn State University with
a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.
Amber is a 2001 graduate of Tri-Valley
High School and a 2005 graduate of
Bloomsburg University with a Bachelor
of Science degree in nursing.
The couple are both employed by
Hershey Medical Center as registered
nurses.
Following an evening reception at the
Eden Courtyard, the couple honey-
mooned at the Sandals Resort in St.
Lucia. They reside in Harrisburg and
are expecting their first child in 2012.
Fine, Snyder
K
imberly Jeryga and Matthew
Felter were united in the sacra-
ment of marriage on Saturday, July
16, 2011, at the Visitation of the
Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Dickson
City. The ceremony was performed
by Monsignor Patrick J. Pratico.
The bride is the daughter of Mary
Ann and Carl Jeryga, Jessup. The
groom is the son of Susan and Paul
Felter.
The bride was given away by her
father. She chose her sister, Kristin
Jeryga, Shohola, as her maid of hon-
or. Bridesmaids were Alison Doll,
Archbald; Lisa Stoltzfus, East Earl;
Jessica Tomasello, Jessup, friends of
the bride; and Amanda Felter, Du-
pont, sister of the groom.
The groom chose John Schuh,
Pittston, as the best man. Groom-
smen were Christopher Yonki, Du-
ryea; Edmund Gromelski, West Pitt-
ston; Paul Migliorino, Pittston,
friends of the groom; and Michael
and Alexander Felter, brothers of the
groom. The ring bearer was Jacob
Alden Felter, godson of the couple.
Following the wedding ceremony, a
reception was held at the Hilton
Scranton & Conference Center.
The bride is a 2002 graduate of
Valley View High School and earned
a bachelors degree in human devel-
opment and family studies from the
Pennsylvania State University in
2006. She is employed at Scranton
Healthcare Center, Scranton, as the
activities director.
The groom is a 2002 graduate of
Pittston Area High School and
earned a bachelors degree in chem-
ical engineering from the Pennsylva-
nia State University in 2007. He is
employed at Tobyhanna Army Depot,
Tobyhanna, as a chemical engineer.
The couple honeymooned in Oahu,
Hawaii. They reside in Moosic.
Jeryga, Felter
A
my Lynn Zielinski and Sean Paul
Kwiatkowski were married Dec.
31, 2011. The evening ceremony took
place at St. Ann Basilica, Scranton.
The Rev. Richard Burke performed
the double-ring ceremony.
The bride is the daughter of Dale
Falcone, Kingston. She is the grand-
daughter of Amelia Falcone and the
late Angelo Falcone, both of Pittston,
and Victoria Zielinski and the late
John Zielinski, both of Duryea.
The groom is the son of Ann Marie
Kwiatkowski, Scranton, and Theo-
dore and Patricia Kwiatkowski,
Moosic.
The bride was presented in mar-
riage by her mother and brother,
Robert Zielinski, and chose her
friend, Angela Forlenza, as her maid
of honor. Her cousin, Lindsey Fal-
cone, was bridesmaid.
The groom chose his son, Matthew
Kwiatkowski, and friend, Bill Ferra-
rio, as his best men.
The bride was honored with a
bridal shower hosted by her attend-
ants, mother and aunt, Kathy Fal-
cone, Forty Fort, at the Tripp House.
A rehearsal dinner was hosted by
Theodore and Patricia Kwiatkowski
at Jillys, Scranton. An evening cock-
tail hour and reception were held at
the Colonnade, where everyone wel-
comed the New Year.
The bride is 1998 graduate of Pitt-
ston Area High School. She earned
Bachelor of Arts degrees in televi-
sion, radio and film and psychology
from Syracuse University in 2002.
She is director of sales and marketing
for an advertising post studio in New
York City.
West Scranton High School. He is
employed by Proctor and Gamble
Paper Products.
The couple will honeymoon in
Belize. They reside in Scranton..
Zielinski, Kwiatkowski
N
aweed and Elaine Najib, Drums,
are celebrating their 40th wed-
ding anniversary today. They were
married on New Years Day 1972.
Mrs. Najib is the daughter of the
late John and Mildred Yarrish.
Elaine graduated from Kings Coun-
ty School of Nursing and attended
Wilkes University. Prior to retire-
ment, she was employed by National
Association of Home Care and Ad-
ventist Home Health Care in Wash-
ington, D.C.
Mr. Najib is the son of late Rashid
Najib and Sania Nouri Najib and the
brother of late Dr. Umid Nejib.
Naweed earned graduate degrees
from Wilkes University, The Catholic
University and George Washington
University. He retired from Lockheed
Martin in northern Virginia.
A cocktail gathering of family and
friends will be held at their residence
in Drums.
The Najibs
Misericordia University Campus Safety
Officer Thomas Matinas, Swoyersville, re-
tiredinDecember after morethan21years
of befriending students, faculty and staff,
and patrolling the more than 124-acre
campus. Matinas earned the nickname,
Ticket Tom, due to the frequency in
which he issued parking tickets and en-
forced parking regulations. He also ar-
dently patrolled the upper and lower cam-
pus to ensure campus safety and directed
guests at various cultural and academic
events. The campus community recog-
nized Matinas and his wife, Carol, at a sur-
prise retirement party at T.C. Rileys Pub &
Inn, Trucksville, on Nov. 30. From left, are
Matinas on his last day of work and Mi-
chael A. MacDowell, president, Misericor-
dia University.
Misericordia safety officer
honored at retirement
C M Y K
THE TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2012 PAGE 3B
O C C A S I O N S
L
aura Beth Reeves and Ryan Pa-
trick Flynn were united in mar-
riage Aug. 13, 2011, at Hope Church
PCA, Moosic, by Pastor Stephen
Wilson.
The bride is the daughter of Steve
and Jessica Harvey, Plymouth. She is
the granddaughter of Patricia Harvey
and the late Ernest Harvey; Marjorie
Combs and the late Paul Combs; and
the late Connie Harshaw.
The groom is the son of Joseph and
Gloria Flynn, Plains Township. He is
the grandson of the late Matthew and
Janet Welebob and the late Martin
and Elizabeth Flynn.
The bride was given in marriage by
her father. She chose her dear friend,
Carolyn Bomboy, as her matron of
honor. Bridesmaids were Gwenn
Letoski, Susan Evans and Carol Ste-
vens.
Best man was Joseph Flynn Jr.,
brother of the groom. Groomsmen
were James Evans, Edward Evans,
and Ryan Buchanan. Steve Reeves,
brother of the bride, was an usher.
Flower girl was Corrina Lynn
Reeves, beautiful daughter of the
bride, accompanied by the ring bear-
er, Damien Leonard, son of Rose
Leonard, wonderful mother and
friend.
Music was provided by DJ Tunes
by Joey and his wife. The bride and
groom presented flowers to the par-
ents of the groom for the late Ronald
Milgate, brother of the groom. The
reception was held at R&D Memo-
ries, Hanover Township.
The bride is a 2003 graduate of
E.L. Meyers High School and earned
an associates degree in computer
graphics from Luzerne County Com-
munity College in 2009.
Coughlin High School and earned a
Bachelor of Science degree in busi-
ness administration from Kings
College in 2002.
The couple is expecting a new
bundle of joy to grace their presence
in early August 2012.
Reeves, Flynn
K
elly Ann Lehman and Amul Gos-
wamy were united in marriage on
Sept. 3, 2011, in a ceremony perform-
ed by their friend and officiant Soren
Spies at the Bargetto Winery in So-
quel, Calif.
The bride is the daughter of Je-
rome and Jayne Lehman, Mountain
Top. She is the granddaughter of
Frank and Jane Bendowski, West
Hazleton, and the late Elizabeth and
Stanley Lehman Sr., Ransom Town-
ship.
The groom is the son of Promod
and Ichcha Goswamy, Bellmore, N.Y.
He is the grandson of the late Jagdish
Lal and Kaushalya Devi Batra Goswa-
my and Ram Pyiari and Kanshi Ram
Bhasin, all of India.
The bride chose her friends, Keri
Nork, Kelly Robertson and Amy Pat-
ton, as well as her aunt, Mary Mad-
don, as attendants.
Anuj Goswamy, brother of the
groom, and Matt Lehman, brother of
the bride, served as groomsmen/
ushers.
The wedding reception was held at
the Bargetto Winery. A rehearsal
party was sponsored by the grooms
parents at the Seacliff Inn in Soquel,
Calif.
Kelly is a 1998 graduate of Crest-
wood High School. She graduated
cum laude from Muhlenberg College
with a Bachelor of Arts degree in
2002 and from Vermont Law School
with a Juris Doctor in 2006. She is
employed by CCOF, LLC as a senior
certification specialist in Santa Cruz,
Calif.
Amul graduated from the New
York Institute of Technology with a
Bachelor of Science degree in 1999
and a Master of Science degree in
2000, and from Tufts University with
a Master of Science degree with a
focus on education engineering in
2009. He is employed as a senior
software engineer at Energy Solu-
tions, Inc., Oakland, Calif.
The couple honeymooned to the
Russian River District in Northern
California. They reside in San Jose,
Calif.
Lehman, Goswamy
M
arcia Catherine Hadley and
Andrew John Sabol were united
in marriage on Oct. 8, 2011, at Mar-
vin Gardens in the Boardwalk Resort
at Walt Disney World, Orlando, Fla.,
by the Rev. Tim Herring.
The bride is the daughter of the
late Edith Hadley, Browndale. She is
the granddaughter of the late Arthur
and Mary Hadley, Browndale. Marcia
was raised by her grandmother, Mary,
from the age of 3.
The groom is the son of Paul and
Kathy Sabol, Plains Township. He is
the grandson of the late Paul and
Mary Sabol and the late Irene Ketcha,
all of Plains Township.
The bride was given away in mar-
riage by her uncle, David Zebrowski.
She chose her cousin, Erin Stitt, as
her matron of honor. Danielle Sabol,
cousin of the groom, was maid of
honor. The groom chose his brother,
Paul Sabol, as best man and Joseph
Schreckengost, friend of the bride
and groom, as groomsman.
The bride was honored with a
bridal shower given by the grooms
mother at The Waterfront Banquet
Facility, Plains Township, in July. A
dessert party, followed by fireworks,
was held at the Norway Pavilion of
EPCOT in Walt Disney World the
evening before the wedding. The
ceremony, evening cocktail hour and
reception were held at Marvin Gar-
dens in the Boardwalk Resort at Walt
Disney World, Orlando, Fla.
The bride is a 1998 graduate of the
former Sacred Heart High School,
Carbondale. She earned an associ-
ates degree in applied science in
respiratory therapy in 2002 from
Luzerne County Community College.
She is employed as a respiratory
therapist at Geisinger Wyoming Val-
ley Medical Center, Plains Township.
Coughlin High School. He earned an
electronics engineering technician
degree from Lincoln Technical In-
stitute in 2000. He is employed as a
slot technician supervisor at Mohe-
gan Sun Pocono Downs Casino,
Plains Township.
The couple resides in Plains Town-
ship.
Hadley, Sabol
M
r. and Mrs. Donald Jones,
Kingston, Pa., are pleased to
announce the marriage of their
daughter, Susan, to Ronald Studd
Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald
Studd Sr., Bear, Del. The wedding
was held on Aug. 6, 2011, at Rock-
wood Carriage House, Wilming-
ton, Del., by the Rev. Nancy Rol-
land. The reception followed in-
side the Rockwood Carriage
House.
The bride is a graduate of
Wyoming Valley West High
School. She earned her bachelors
degree in psychology at Kings
College and her masters degree
in community counseling from
the University of Scranton. Susan
works for Chimes International,
Newark, Del., where she is a case
manager.
The groom is a graduate of
Middletown High School. He
earned his Bachelor of Science
degree in marketing from Miser-
icordia University. Ronald worked
at JPMorgan Chase, where he
spent one year working in Singa-
pore. He is employed at Connolly
Health Care, Philadelphia, Pa.,
where he is an associate business
systems analyst.
The wedding party consisted of
Ms. Khushbu Patel, as the maid of
honor, with Ms. Kimisha Midgette
and Ms. Lisa Russ as bridesmaids.
Mr. Brandon Rohwer was the best
man, with Mr. Timothy Studd,
Mr. Alex Studd and Mr. Andrew
Burkeley as groomsmen. Susans
niece, Halley Russ, and nephew,
Tanner Russ, served as the flower
girl and ring bearer, respectively.
Following the ceremony and
reception, Mr. and Mrs. Studd
proceeded to their honeymoon in
Santorini, Greece, where they
stayed for two weeks before re-
turning to the United States.
Studd, Jones
A
renewal of marriage vows was
the pinnacle of the 50th wedding
anniversary celebration for Karl and
Suzy Kaminski, Mountain Top, on
Dec. 10, 2011. The grand fte, held at
the Frederick Stegmaier Mansion in
Wilkes-Barre, was semi-formal and
attended by local and out-of-state
family and friends.
Karl and Suzy were married Dec. 7,
1961, in Detroit, Mich. The groom
was raised in Plymouth, Pa., and
Dearborn, Mich., and is retired from
the construction trades. In the early
1960s he rose to the top of the Bill-
board pop charts at the forefront of
the rock and roll era in Detroit as
Karl Kay of The Cameos and The
Royaltones, with two Hot 100 Hits.
The bride is the former Susan
Iskow, a native of Detroit and gradu-
ate of Luzerne County Community
College. Susan is a career serial en-
trepreneur and for the past 16 years
has been the owner of Abby Girl
Enterprises, the manufacturer of
Abbys Doggone Good Gourmet
Cookies, with distribution in retail
outlets across northeastern states.
She is the recipient of several en-
trepreneurial awards.
The couple has two children, a son,
Karl Kaminski, Swoyersville, married
to the former Carolyn Stofey and
parents of granddaughter Sarah Ka-
minski, and daughter, Karla Porter,
Ashley.
The Kaminskis
M
r. and Mrs. Arthur J. Long,
Wilkes-Barre, celebrated their
20th wedding anniversary on Oct. 12,
2011. They were married in St. Ma-
rys Church, Wilkes-Barre, by the Rev.
Mark Balczeniuk.
Mrs. Long, the former Mary Ann
Kopiak, is the daughter of Norman
and Margaret Kopiak, Wilkes-Barre.
Mr. Long is the son of the late Arthur
and Mary Long.
They are both employed by the
Social Security Administration,
where they began their employment
27 years ago. Mr. Long is an Air Force
veteran of the Vietnam War.
The couple has been blessed with
three sons, David, 17, Charles, 15, and
Arthur, 9, all honor students at their
respective schools.
The Long family celebrated with a
dinner and a trip to New York.
The Longs
Marena Rasmus,
daughter of Joseph and
Diane Rasmus, Hunlock
Creek, was named North-
west Area Senior High
Schools Student of the
Month for December.
Rasmus has proved to be
a valuable leader, holding
membership in the student council and
diligently serving as president. She is the
office treasurer of the senior class and
serves as treasurer and fundraising coor-
dinator for the Yearbook Club. She has
also been employed at R&H Ace Hardware
for three years. Rasmus plans on attending
Luzerne County Community College and
transferring to Bloomsburg University to
earn a degree in social work.
John Patrick Murray,
a member of Boy Scout
Troop 281, Dallas, at-
tained the rank of Eagle
Scout, on April 20. An
Eagle Court of Honor was
held on Nov. 20 at the
Gate of Heaven Church,
Dallas, to recognize the
achievement.
For his Eagle Scout Leadership Service
project, Murray planned, organized and
directed 30 volunteers for 249 hours of
community service in the cleaning and
painting of 34 fire hydrants in Dallas. The
project was approved by the Dallas Fire
Company and United Water Company.
Murray began his trail to Eagle as a
Tiger Cub in 2003 with Pack 281. As a Cub
Scout, he earned the Parvuli Dei Religious
Award and the Arrow of Light in 2006.
As a Boy Scout, Murray held leadership
positions in Troop 281 as Patrol Leader,
Librarian and Troop Quartermaster. He is a
member of the Order of the Arrow, Low-
wapaneu Lodge 191, the National Honor
Society for Boy Scouts. Murray received
the Ad Altare Dei Religious Award in 2011
and the Wildlife Conservation Award from
the Pennsylvania Game Commission and
the World Conservation Award from Boy
Scouts of America in 2010. He has provid-
ed over 300 hours of community service
and has earned 45 merit badges.
Murray attended summer camps at
Camp Trexler, Resica Falls, Bashore and
Goose Pond. He participated in fall and
spring camporees, Memorial Day parades
and Great Expectations leadership train-
ing. He also participated in high adventure
activities including hiking the Appalachian
Trail at Delaware Water Gap and Hawk
Mountain; climbing Mt. Washington, N.H.;
whitewater rafting on the Kennebec River,
Maine, and the Rio Grande River, Ariz.; and
backpacking and camping at the Philmont
Scout Ranch, N.M. Murray will be attending
the Florida National High Adventure Sea
Base in the Florida Keys in the summer of
2012.
Murray is in his junior year at Dallas
High School, where he is on the high honor
roll. He is a member of the varsity soccer
and basketball teams. He also plays travel
soccer for the Lehigh Valley United Soccer
Club. He is a member of the Gate of Heav-
en Church, Dallas.
Murray is the son of Kathy and Don
Murray, Dallas, and the grandson of Bea-
trice and Thomas Murray Jr., Wilkes-Barre,
and the late Genevieve and Kenneth Schu-
macher, Pittsburgh.
Sarah Cragle, a sev-
enth-grade student at
Wyoming Area Catholic
School, Exeter, held an
Advent season book
drive to benefit the
schools library. Cragle
encouraged her class-
mates to donate new or
used books during the
season of Advent. The books were present-
ed to the schools librarian Mrs. Sabetta at
the end of the season.
NAMES AND FACES
Rasmus
Murray
Cragle
The Keystone NE Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engi-
neers (PSPE) recently presented the societys Chartering Certificate to officers of
the Wilkes University Student Chapter at Rodanos Restaurant, Wilkes-Barre.
PSPE is a state engineering society that promotes development of professional
values and attainment of professional licensure by its members. The student
chapter was set up to help student members develop a better understanding of
the career paths that are available to them and to build networking and other
skills. At the award presentation (above), from left, are Norm Johnstone, contact,
Keystone NE Chapter; Katie Cirone, president, Student Chapter; Elizabeth Helsel,
vice president, Student Chapter; and Bill McFarland, president, Keystone NE Chap-
ter. Members and faculty of the Wilkes Student Chapter (below), from left, first
row: Dr. Holly Frederick, faculty adviser; Brian Palmiter, treasurer; Katie Cirone,
president; Elizabeth Helsel, vice president; Cassidy Strickland, secretary; and Dr.
Marleen Troy, environmental engineering. Second row: Elliott Simms, Matt Boyle
and David Wodyka.
Wilkes charters Professional Engineers Chapter
Three MMI Preparatory School stu-
dents will represent the school at region-
al music festivals. Marianne Virnelson
will perform as a soprano at the Penn-
sylvania Music Educators Association
District 9 Chorus Festival Jan. 25-27 at
E.L. Meyers High School. Soprina Guar-
neri will play violin and Claire Sheen will
play cello at the Pennsylvania Music
Educators Association District 9 Orches-
tra Festival Feb. 8 at Northwest Area
High School. The students were chosen
after auditions held in the fall at Lacka-
wanna Trail and Wyoming Valley West
High Schools. Performers, from left, first
row, are Sheen. Second row: Guarneri;
Christine Lizbinski, MMI music teacher
and member of the PMEA; and Virnelson.
MMI students headed
to regional music festival
C M Y K
P E O P L E
B
RIDGEPORT, Ill. Eli Evans doesnt dwell on
the horrific violence that surrounded his birth
16 years ago. He has known the unfathomable
details for years since he and his older brother came to
live with their grandfather in this rural southeastern
Illinois community. Sam Evans still encourages the
boys to come to him whenever they feel the need to
discuss what happened.
I always think God has a plan
for me since he kept me here, Eli
said. I was put on this earth for a
reason, and Im still trying to fig-
ure out what the reasonis. I know
its going to be something good
because not many people could
have survived what I did.
Elijah Eli James Evans, who
cherishes his brother, Jordan,
and grandfather, seems to be
thriving now as a high school
football player who dreams of an
NFL career. He is keenly aware
that the story of his birthshocked
the nation.
He hasnt publicly shared the
storyof his lifesince. But not long
after his 16th birthday, Eli agreed
to a Chicago Tribune request to
speak about his remarkable path
to adulthood.
Late on the night of Nov. 16,
1995, his mother, Debra Evans,
was fatally shot in her Addison
apartment. Eli, a full-term baby,
was cut from her womb with a
pair of shears.
Also slain were her 10-year-old
daughter, Samantha, and 7-year-
old son, Joshua, whose body was
later discoveredina Maywoodal-
ley. Jordan, then 22 months old,
was found in the apartment, sob-
bing, Mommy hurt.
Eli was whisked away by the
killers but was rescued within
hours after police closed in on
three suspects who were later
convicted of the slayings.
Jacqueline Annette Williams
knew about Evans pregnancy
and concocted the kidnapping
plot because she couldnt have a
child with her boyfriend, Fedell
Caffey, prosecutors said.
Also charged were Caffey and
Williams cousin, Levern Ward,
the biological father of Eli and
Jordan.
Ward was sentenced to life in
prison. The other two received
deathsentences, but Gov. George
Ryan commuted all death row
sentences to life without parole
in 2003.
Sam Evans said he wasnt al-
lowed to see the baby until three
days after the murders. Author-
ities carried Eli into the funeral
home where Evans was attending
the wake for his slain daughter
and two grandchildren.
Following the wishes of the
boys mother, relatives named
himElijah, the Biblical name of a
prophet who raised the dead.
I didnt think there was a
prayer he could have lived, said
Evans, 63, who testified at all
three trials, telling jurors he
thanked God each day that Eli
survived his birth.
After a five-month struggle to
become the boys legal guardian,
the Vietnam veteran brought
them home with him. They lived
in the country outside Bridge-
port for the first several years, but
Evans later bought a home with-
in blocks of their school so the
boys could be close to friends.
Evans said he immediately felt
responsible for the two brothers.
They were all he had left of De-
bra, 28, the oldest of his five chil-
dren.
Evans recalled that one eve-
ning, he overheard Jordan whis-
per to Eli, who was still in a crib,
that they were safe now because
their grandfather promised to
protect them from those bad
guys.
From that point on, Evans
said, there was no doubt we
were together, andit was goingto
be for keeps.
His life is a promise fulfilled,
Eli said.
I never honestly said thank
you, he told his grandfather re-
cently. Its special what he did
for me. Hes always wanted what
was best for me, even when I
wouldnt listen.
Chance at a normal life
Eli is a sophomore at Red Hill
Junior Senior High School in this
tight-knit community, nestled
near the Indiana border 200
miles southeast of Chicago. The
city of 1,900 residents once was a
booming oil center, but never re-
covered after a Texaco refinery
closed in the mid-1980s.
In many respects, Eli is a typ-
ical teenager. He just got a driv-
ers license andhas beentryingto
coax his disapproving grandfa-
ther into letting him pierce his
ear. He raps to Lil Wayne songs.
Oneof his favoritemovies is The
BlindSide, basedonpro football
player Michael Ohers life story.
An average student, Eli likes
U.S. history and chemistry, isnt
so fond of Spanish and would
rather run track or walk Beast,
his Rottweiler, than be cooped up
playing video games.
Elected freshman class presi-
dent last year, the teen resigned
after he realizedthe commitment
would cut into his athletics, he
said. He and Jordan began play-
ing varsity football as freshmen.
They are focused on getting col-
lege scholarships. Eli wears No.
43, Jordan, No. 34.
The brothers were separated
for the first time this fall. Jordan
moved in with an uncle in Ken-
tucky sohe couldplay football for
a larger highschool inthe hope of
being noticed by college recrui-
ters.
The distance separating them
has beentoughonEli, whoidoliz-
es his older brother. They talk on
the phone most nights and re-
united over Christmas break.
Elis athletic attention during
winter is on basketball. After a
grueling practice, the players
huddled around coach Bryan Ha-
vill, who told the Salukis they
have toworkharder. Howtheyre-
act to adversity will speak vol-
umes about their character, he
said.
That evening at dinner, Eli re-
peated those words. He knows
about adversity, he said, about
giving your all to work through it
with the help of others.
Many in the town are aware of
the boys story. So are most of the
295 students at school, said prin-
cipal Clarence Gross, who de-
scribed Eli as bright, honest and
mature for his age.
On a recent afternoon, the teen
found himself telling the story to
a teacher in the cafeteria. When
he finished, he noticed other stu-
dents had gathered to listen.
Im OK with telling them
what happened, he said. It
doesnt hurt me. ... Ive been tell-
ing people my whole life.
Derek Archer, one of Elis foot-
ball coaches and favorite teach-
ers, said its difficult to knowhow
the murders have affected him.
Its not something thats really
discussed at school very much,
saidArcher, whoteaches U.S. his-
tory. But on the other hand,
there are those times when Ill
say something and wonder how
its received.
Theres a part of me that feels
like hes on the verge of creating
his own identity, he said. Hes
been in the shadows of a lot of
things bigger than him the
shadow of his past or his older
brother andnowyouwonder if
hes thinking, Hey, I can be Eli.
Eli is one of the fewmixed-race
students at the school, which re-
flects the makeup of a predomin-
antly white community.
Sam Evans, who is white, tells
stories of confronting racism on
behalf of the boys, of correcting
an embarrassed father whose
adolescent son used a racially
charged word for Eli. But, he
said, the problems have beenfew.
He takes Eli to a church with a
blackBaptist minister ina nearby
town to help the teen identify
with his heritage.
When he started raising the
boys, Evans was a divorcedfather
with a teenage son and daughter
at home. His daughter Katy
Evans Salhani, who lives nearby,
teases about howsoft he is on the
grandsons compared with the
strict way he raised his own.
Its more a success story than
survival, she said of her neph-
ews.
A tragic past
As he has grown older, Eli has
become more reflective and curi-
ous about his father, who relin-
quished his parental rights.
Eli has rummaged through a
large box where his grandfather
stored newspaper clips and tapes
documenting national television
coverage of the crime. He has
searched the Internet for photos
of Ward to see if they look alike.
He also has spoken with mem-
bers of Wards family on the tele-
phone andsaidhe may try to con-
tact his father someday.
The teen wonders if his dad is
sorry.
Eli acknowledges he once fan-
tasized about avenging his slain
mother and siblings. He grewen-
vious of friends with their par-
ents and was aware hate was be-
ginning to consume him.
Look at what my father did.
Look at what he took from my
life, and then he just disowned
me and my brother, he said. It
just gave me a lot of anger.
His grandfather, he said,
helped him cope with that, too.
He would always tell me not
to hate, Eli said. He would tell
me, Elijah, theres times when
you have to get mad and times
when you have to forgive.
He realized through reading
the Bible that it was all right for
him to forgive his father, he said.
Teaching that lesson to his
grandsons has been difficult for
Evans, who also struggled with
hatred for his daughters killers.
But then he began to wonder
what kind of example he was set-
ting. Through long talks, he and
the boys reached a level of for-
giveness together, he said.
He has never regretted telling
them the truth.
A bright future
In Vietnam, Evans counseled
hospitalized soldiers and said he
has been diagnosed with post-
traumatic stress disorder. He has
raised the boys mostly on his vet-
eran disability checks, he said.
His hope for them?
A good education, a career, a
loving family and that the
brothers remain each others best
friend, he said.
Theyre both survivors of a re-
al family tragedy, and they know
that, he said. Theyre living
their lives not just for them, but
for their mom, their sister and
their brother. Their special bond
is that theyre their only immedi-
ate family thats left. Im blessed
to be a part of their lives.
Evans once thought about cor-
recting Elis birth certificate,
which lists the date police res-
cued him, Nov. 17, instead of the
day earlier when he actually
came into the world. But he de-
cided to let it go because he be-
lieved the boy deserved his own
special day free of the sadness of
the triple murder.
For now, the teenager is focus-
ing on the three things that mat-
ter most to him: family, faith and
football.
He remembers a game last year
when he was carrying the ball
andheardJordanscreamingfrom
the sidelines, Run, Eli! Run!
Dont stop!
When times are tough, he re-
members that and it helps sus-
tain him.
Eli is still trying to figure out
his future. He hopes to use his
athleticism and personal history
to inspire other youths, he said.
There was a time when he wor-
ried his fathers violence some-
how could be genetically passed
ontohim. Its arelief toknowthat
his mothers blood also pumps
through his veins.
Eli has been told, he said, that
one of his moms strongest traits
was that she stuck up for under-
dogs. He hates bullies, too, and
hopes she wouldbe proudof him.
I like to find out more new
stuff about her from my grand-
pa, he said. Every day he tells
me, You know, youre looking
more and more like your mom,
and Ill just smile and ask ques-
tions about her. ... She lives on
through us.
A survivor despite the odds
Story that shocked the nation
is 16-year-olds family history
By CHRISTY GUTOWSKI MCT Wire Services
MCT PHOTOS
Eli Evans, 16, poses with his grandfather, Sam Evans, in Bridgeport, Ill. In 1995 Elis mother, Debra Evans, was murdered by three peo-
ple who cut Eli, a full-term baby, from her body.
Eli has turned to faith and athletics and is shown on the football
field at Red Hill High School where he attends school.
Eli has dinner with his grandfather, Sam Evans, in Vincennes, Ind.,
near their home.
Eli, right, and his brother, Jor-
dan, pose with their grandfa-
ther in a 1996 family photo.
C M Y K
C O M M U N I T Y N E W S
Yes We
Do!
Have all
the sizes
in all
your
favorite
UGGs
158 Memorial Hwy.
Shavertown
1-800-49-SHOES
Happy NewYear
to all my Clients, Family and Friends
Michelle L. Guarneri
Attorney at Law
48 S. Main St., Penn Park Bldg, Suite 506
Pittston, PA 654-4626
Gubbiotti Funeral Home
1030 Wyoming Ave., Exeter 654-8931
Marilyn Gubbiotti, Funeral Director
and Peace
in the
NewYear
Wishing All Health Happiness
Sixty-eight Kings College business students were selected to participate in the Seventh Annual Forum of the McGowan School of Business held at the Princeton Club of New York. The annual event, which is held
on a rotating basis in New York, Philadelphia, and Wilkes-Barre, consists of a one-hour mentoring session, many led by Kings alumni, followed by a meal in a professional business setting and a presentation by a
guest speaker. This years keynote speaker was Kings College president, the Rev. Jack Ryan. The event is underwritten by the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, Inc. and others. At the forum, from left, first row,
are Ryan Fean, Brian Zinn, Belinda Coulibaly, Kimberly Penetra, Kristen Kohut, Natalie Pica, Matthew Koncz, Leighanne Tompko, Chloe Fanelli, Molly Brown, Christine Malecki, Alli Gibbons, Exaud Hugo, and Dr. Joan
Blewitt, forum coordinator. Second row: Dr. Barry Williams, dean, William G. McGowan School of Business; Emily Kopec; Alicia Higgs; Nicole Buckman; Lenny Fox; Briana Turnbaugh; Matthew Weitz; Andrew LaFratte;
Michele Hoffman; Michael Lombardi; Talia Mamola; Jorge Brito; and Tish Last, director of corporate, foundation and government grants. Third row: Michael Bocan, Kellie Rhiel, Kelly Flannery, Kim Wasmanski, Micah
Cross, Tina Lispi, Mike Toma, Paige Carlin, Roman Collins, Dan Smith, Ariana Blackstock and Christopher Urgiles. Fourth row: Adrian White, Mintong Lu, Harry Giacometti, Christopher Klaiss, Jennifer Orso, Albert
Trinisewski, Michael Daly, Eric Vega and Manuel Mendes. Fifth row: Tom Meluskey, Laura Panzitta, Caitlyn Ferry, Alexandra Mazaleski, Anthony Varrone, Preston Balavage, Kaitlyn Nonamaker, Brett Mirigliani, Rob
McGulness, Billy Joyce, Robert Kopycienski and Dennis Loughran. Sixth row: Emily DAmato, Parveen Merchant, Cynthia Bodden, Elsie Turkovich, Kyle Kepfinger, Katie Phelan, Allyson Pekar, Shannon Derrick, Tim
Sanderson, Alison Cheung and Patricia Swipe.
Kings College business students participate in McGowan School of Business forum
The M&T Charitable Foundation recently presented a holiday
donation in the amount of $1,500 to the Victims Resource Center.
At the check presentation, from left: Malcolm Williams, M&T Bank;
Janet MacKay, executive director of Victims Resource Center; and
Jack Nolan, M&T Bank.
M&T awards center with holiday donation
Dr. Robert S. Gardner, assistant professor of education, Wilkes
University, and his Education 360 class recently conducted work-
shops for the fifth- and sixth-grade social studies students of the
United Hebrew Institute. During the first social studies workshop,
Gardners class taught the students the history of hieroglyphics and
the discovery of the Rosetta Stone. The Wilkes students instruction
enabled the fifth and sixth graders to write their essays which dem-
onstrated an understanding of the importance of this discovery.
During the second social studies workshop, the Wilkes students
helped UHIs students revise their essays. Participants, from the left:
Amanda Fasciana, Wilkes student, and UHI students Jacob Kaplan,
Lily Drak and Zak Kornfeld. Second row: Barbara Welch, social stud-
ies teacher; Wilkes students Lindsey Speck, Julia Keefer, Megan
Clementson and Rachel Bernosky; Gardner; and Jamie Barlow, Wilkes
student.
Wilkes education students host social studies workshop
The Luzerne County Community College Continuing Education Department recently offered a
course for licensed dental hygienists to become certified to administer local anesthesia. Participants,
from left, first row: Valerie McCreary, course coordinator and instructor; Julie Cleary, course instruc-
tor; Elizabeth Norton Exeter; Joette Orendorff, Douglasville; Valerie Nezelkewicz, Scranton; and Ashley
Young, Mountain Top. Second row: Dr. Calandria Miller, course lab instructor; Kristie Troy, Berwick;
Susie Martin, Hanover Township; Nadena Nykaza, Scott Township; and Stephanie Lenny-Heck, Phoe-
nixville. Third row: Dr. Anthony Egidio, course lab instructor; Jamie Fletcher, Kulpmont; Shelley Volin-
sky, Dallas; Stephanie Krolikowski, Milton; Sandra Roach, Dallas; and Alyssa Matlowski, Hunlock Creek.
Dental hygienists earn certifications from LCCC
Friedman Electric recently
presented the North Central
Pennsylvania Chapter of the
American Red Cross of Wil-
liamsport with a check for
$1,000 to assist area residents.
The money was part of Fried-
man Electrics grand opening
of its 14th branch at 325 Penn
St., Williamsport, and an initia-
tive to give back to the com-
munity. At the check presenta-
tion, from left: Kathy Stine,
executive director, American
Red Cross, North Central
Pennsylvania Chapter; Rich
Potero, president, Friedman
Electric; and Eric Hoover,
Williamsport branch manager,
Friedman Electric.
Friedman Electric gives
check to Red Cross
The McGlynn Center Golf Committee recently celebrated Christmas together at the Wyoming Valley
Country Club. Next years tournament is planned for June 15 at Sand Spring Golf Course. At the
Christmas event, from left, first row, are Kate Button, Sister Elizabeth Brody, Sister Miriam Stadulis,
Ruby Carmon and Sister Jane Pruitt. Second row: Joe Tarity, Lois Boginski, Beverly Johnston, Pat
Alansky, June Olszewski, John Plucenik, Todd Materna and Ed Katarsky.
Golf committee celebrates Christmas, plans future tournament
C M Y K
Wyoming Area Catholic School, Exeter, recently held its annual Blessing of the Sports Jackets cere-
mony. The event takes places every fall to bless the new sports jackets of the seventh- and eighth-
grade students. The Rev. Joseph Verespy, pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Dupont, presented
a special prayer and blessing. With their jackets, from left, first row, are Zach Patterson, Nicole Cirelli,
Tim Murphy, Vanessa Musto, Marissa Moran and Giana Tondora. Second row: Brenna Satkowski, Molly
Holmes, Matthew Loeffler, Nadine Green and James Kosik.
Sports jackets blessed during Wyoming Area Catholic School ceremony
Five Wyoming Seminary Upper School students recently received honors for their presentations at
the Brown University Model United Nations Conference held on the university campus in Providence,
R.I. About 800 students from schools around the country attended the conference. Honored students
include Spencer Norris, Mountain Top, honorable mention; Salvadore Diaz, Avoca, Logan May, Dallas,
and Amanda Immidisetti, Princeton Junction, N.J., Outstanding Delegates; and Sean Banul, Pittston, a
Gavel Award, the top award given at Model UN conferences. Following the conference, from left, first
row: Brandon Rome, Shavertown; Diaz; Matthew Obeid, Pittston; and Andrew Levandoski, Dallas. Sec-
ond row: Banul; May; Immidisetti; Norris; and Tim Fetcher, Clarks Green. Third row: Adithya Pugazhend-
hi, Mountain Top; Han-Ting Cheng, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.; Brendan Larar, Waverly; Harry Parkhurst,
Trucksville; Sai Abhishek, Shavertown; Henry Cornell, Mountain Top; and Henry Smith, Mountain Top.
Also participating were Udai Aulakh, Waverly, and Joe Zhou, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.
Seminary students earn honors at Model United Nations Conference
Representatives from Holy Redeemer High School in Wilkes-Barre visited their alma mater to ac-
quaint fourth- through eighth-grade students at St. Jude School with the academic, athletic, and spiri-
tual opportunities available to them at Holy Redeemer and to encourage the younger students to take
advantage of the many programs open to them through the junior high program. Some of the partici-
pants, from left, first row, are McKaylia Ward, Nathan Ragantesi, Katie Wills, Bryce Zapusek, Tommy
Shafer, Alyson Rymar and Madison Stoltz. Second row: Abe Simon, academic vice principal, Holy Re-
deemer; Rachel Sowinski, Fallyn Boich, Patrick Loftus, Caroline Jones and Michael Martin, alumni; and
J.P. Aqulina, assistant athletic director, Holy Redeemer.
Redeemer alums acquaint students with offerings at school
The Reunion Committee of Kingston High School Class of 1960 recently enjoyed its annual holiday
party at Leggios in Dallas. Committee members and spouses gathered to celebrate the season. At the
party, from left, first row, are Gene Scott, Sally Brace Ermish, Andrea Petrasek, Rita Davis Galenty and
Judy Polinski Schoonover. Second row: Steve Giza, Jane Scott, Larry McDavitt, Sally Zeske McDavitt, Lois
Edwards Giza, Barbara Deets Pittman, Jack Pittman and Jon Thomas.
Kingston Class of 60 holds holiday party
Eight Wilkes University students were named 2011 Sidhu Scholars by the Jay S. Sidhu School of Busi-
ness and Leadership at Wilkes University. Sidhu Scholars are selected by faculty and staff out of the top
students in each class year. The scholars are funded by the Outstanding Leaders Scholarship Program,
created to help identify and educate the leaders of tomorrow. All Sidhu Scholars receive a $2,500 schol-
arship, leadership training, an international trip, a yearly field trip, dinner at the deans house and a year-
ly banquet. This years recipients were also privileged to meet Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Thomas
Friedman, keynote speaker for Wilkes Universitys Outstanding Leadership Forum on Nov. 16. Sidhu Schol-
ars at the forum, from left: Conor Clair, Pine Bush, N.Y.; Kyle Rountree, Central Islip, N.Y.; Friedman; Mi-
chael Shannon, Harrington Park, N.J.; Olivia Waszkiewicz, Sauquoit, N.Y.; Heather Ramberger, Milford; and
Tory Price, Berwick. Zachory Ty Bauserman, Hamlin, and Raina Connor, Swoyersville, were also named
Sidhu Scholars.
Wilkes students named Sidhu Scholars
Gianna Jaslar, 7, a member of
the Hot Tamales Competition
Line at the David Blight School of
Dance in Wilkes-Barre, recently
competed at Talent Olympics at
the Fernwood Hotel and Resort
located in the Poconos. Jaslar
competed in lyrical, tap, jazz and
hip hop solos. She took first
place in the 7-9 age group for her
hip hop performance. Jaslar is
the daughter of Torrey and Dina
Jaslar, Hanover Township.
Young dancer awarded
The Wyoming Valley West Middle School Student Council recently held a spaghetti dinner. The pro-
ceeds from this fundraiser will benefit local nonprofit organizations, including the St. Vincent De Paul
Kitchen. At the check presentation from left, first row, are Student Council members Claire Winton and
Chole Ruckle. Second row: Wynter Libby, Ethan Rosentel and Kiersten Wiedwald. Third row: Joanne Der-
win, Student Council adviser, Mike Cianciotta, St. Vincent De Paul Kitchen; Deborah Troy, principal; David
Bond, assistant principal; and Mike Munzing, Student Council Adviser.
Student Council raises funds for local groups with spaghetti dinner
C M Y K
ticketsalesnow.com
Tickets $30 adv $40 door
Gallery of Sound locations, Genetti Wilkes-Barre Front Desk
Online at ticketsalesnow.com
Reserved Seating VIP Tables
call 570.820.8505
The real
Chippendales
have not
been in
NEPA
in over
15 yrs!
TICKETS
ON SALE
NOW!
Ladies, prepare yourselves for a non-stop party of live music, audience interaction, dancing and
fantasy that will excite your senses and leave you breathless. Grab your girlfriends and make your
way to the hottest party at Genettis!
MILLIONS OF WOMEN CANT BE WRONG!
8 PM FRIDAY, JAN. 13TH
GENETTIS GRAND BALLROOM WILKES-BARRE, PA
Rittenhouse Entertainment Presents
Direct
From
Las Vegas!
Kings College
Dr. Nicholas A. Holodick, vice presi-
dent for academic affairs at
Kings College, recently an-
nounced the students who have
qualified for the fall 2011 Deans
List.
A
Ali Abualburak, Richard Acierno,
Andrew Agustini, Kristin Ahearn,
Nicole Aiello, Adrian Albertini,
Matthew Alles, Megan Amey,
Joseph Antosh, Elizabeth Apple-
by, Janeen Arancio, William
Ardoline, Nicholas Armenti, Lee
Arner, Lindsay Atchison and
Katheryn Avila.
B
Matthew Bagley, Priyanka Bahl,
Ashley Bahlatzis, Preston Balav-
age, Tara Banville, Haley Baran,
Tyler Baran, Jessika Baranousky,
Eric Barber, Shawna Barcheski,
Laura Barna, Colleen Barr, Kevin
Barry, Jeannette Bartlow, Chris-
tina Bartolomei, Allison Baum-
gartner, Jonathan Beekman,
Luke Beermann, Shawnna Bene-
dict, Matthew Bennett, Anna
Bergeman, Joshua Berman,
Kylanne Berry, Sarah Beyer,
Emily Biffen, Justin Binkowski,
Julie Blackmore, Allyson Blonski,
Michael Bocan, Cynthia Bodden,
Sarah Bolton, Aimee Bono,
Mikhail Boris, John Borisuck,
William Borysewicz, Heather
Bowman, Ryan Boyle, Alyssa
Bozzett, Taylor Brainard, Michael
Brannon, Rachele Brennan,
Molly Brown, Emily Buchman,
Nicole Buckman, Steven Buczek,
Stephanie Burke, Loretta Bush-
ick, Robert Buttafog and Joseph
Byczek.
C
Nicole Caccese, Joseph Caffrey,
Patrick Caffrey, Lily Calkins,
Tyler Calkins, Kelly Caloway,
Sarah Calvaresi, Matthew Camp-
bell, Courtney Carey, Amanda
Carey, Paige Carlin, Timothy
Carroll, Marguerite Carver,
Amanda Casey, David Castro,
David Centak, Justyna Cerefin,
Nirvana Chand, Rebecca Cha-
teauneuf, Tanya Cheeseman,
Michael Chmielewski, Madeline
Cielski, John Clawson, Rebecca
Coleman, Roman Collins, Daniel
Comunale, Elizabeth Conn, Kevin
Conroy, Nicholas Conte, Court-
ney Conway, Carissa Cook, Ka-
leen Cook, Jennifer Cook, Gian-
na Cordasco, Ryan Cordingly,
Anthony Corigliano, Jeffrey Cort,
Bryan Coslett, Morgan Coslett,
Blair Ann Costantino, Belinda
Coulibaly, Hannah Creveling,
Kasey Critchlow, Lucas Crock,
Kayla Cross, Alexandra Crowell,
Daniel Cruz, Kayleen Cuddy,
Gordon Custer and Jamie Cybul-
ski.
D
Amanda Daczka, Molly Dahl, Do-
minic Daley, Michael Daly, Emily
DAmato, Melissa Daniello, Alay-
na Danni, Cynthia Darby, Diana
Darby, Heather Dartnell, Nicole
Dauria, Steven Davi, Christina
Davis, Robert Davis, Michael
Deangelo, Tara Decker, Michael
Deegan, William Defusco, Vitto-
ria Degiosio, Malcolm Delara,
Jamie Deleon, Catherine DElia,
Kayleigh DeMace, Elizabeth
Demko, Anthony Depierro, Ste-
phanie Deremer, Caitlin Dewey,
Nicholas Diaco, Richard Dicasoli,
Daniel DiClementi, Anthony
Dietrick, Giancarlo Dilonardo,
Anthony Dimitrion, Anthony
Disalvo, Emily Dishong, Rachel
Docktor, Zachary Doleiden,
Alyssa Dolman, Alicia Dombros-
ki, Joel Dorman, Anthony Dor-
mann, Daniel Dormann, Stepha-
nie Dosiak, Stephen Dotzel,
Morgan Douglas, Richard Dou-
glas, Eric Drevitch, Brittany
Driscoll, Leann Dudash, Lauren
Duguid, Danielle Dunham, Shan-
non Dunski, Christoffer Duns-
muir, Adam Dunsmuir, Jessica
Dwy and Jessica Dzugan.
E
Brenton Eades, Jenna Ebersole,
James Edelman, Justin Eilen-
berger, Justin Eimers, Mary
Elchert, Anna Elkin, William
Elliott, Alysha Emelett, Cassie
Erdmann, Frances Erndl, Aman-
da Evans, Lindsey Evans, Ryan
Evans, Alyson Evans and William
Everett.
F
Kenneth Faldetta, Tessa Farah,
Andrew Federo, Candace Fegley,
Deidra Felici, Brian Ferrari, Jo-
nathan Filipe, Matthew Fiorino,
Caroline Fitch, Kelly Flannery,
David Foley, Emily Foley, Joseph
Foreman, Jillian Foster, Ryan
Francik, Melissa Francomacaro,
Carl Frank, Jackson Frauel and
Amanda Frey.
G
Sean Gaffney, David Gagliardi,
Amanda Gallagher, Vincent
Gambino, Allison Gardiner, Kyle
Garon, Brandi George, Allison
Gibbons, Shane Gibbons, Adam
Gilbert, Jonathan Gilmore, Kel-
lyn Gimbel, Michael Glenn,
Amanda Goetz, Michaelene
Gongliewski, Audra Gould, Wil-
liam Grabinski, Matthew Grassi,
Thomas Grazious, Robert Green-
halgh, Eric Grego, Matthew
Gregory, Zachary Grey, Kelsey
Griesback, Timothy Griffith,
John Grimes, Robert Groblewski,
Megan Grohol, Deric Grohowski,
Debra Gross, Derek Grovatt,
Christine Guarino, Annemarie
Guest, Christina Gugliotti, Kait-
lyn Gustafson and Sarah Guzin-
ski.
H
Hillary Haaf, Kamila Hacia, Mat-
thew Hacker, Caitlin Haenig,
Brittany Haight, Jill Hall, Chelsea
Hamershock, Jessica Hamilton,
Kyle Hammonds, Jennie Hamp-
ton, Amanda Hamstra, Karlee
Hantz, Hillary Hanwell, Richard
Hardy, Alexis Hargrave, Garrett
Harvey, Jesse Harvey, Ronald
Harvey, Allison Hawk, Alicia
Hayes, Brittany Heaney, Alex-
andra Heavilon, Kolton Heck-
man, Emily Heimbecker, Kyley
Henry, Matthew Henry, Mark
Henry, Jason Herman, Rachel
Herron, Christina Hess, Ashley
Hettel, Daniel Heuser, Alyssa
Hickey, Jessica Hildebrand,
Alyssa Hill, Rebecca Hilmer,
Steven Hippeli, Matthew Hoern-
le, Michele Hoffman, Erin Hol-
comb, Caitlin Holehan, James
Holland, Anthony Horan, Chris-
tine Horn, Samantha Horn-
berger, Amanda Horton, Judi
Howe, Stephanie Hughes, Michel
Hughes, Exaud Hugho, Jacob
Humphreys and Chelsi Hunter.
I
Megan Inama and Michael Ingenito.
J
Lindsey Jachim, Brianna Jacobs,
Ashlee Jacobs, Christian Janus-
ziewicz, Jennifer Jean-Jacques,
Timothy Jeter, Andrea Jimcosky,
Shane Johns, Kaitlen Jones,
Kelsey Jones, Shaliyah Jones,
Lauren Jordan, William Joyce
and Kristen Justice.
K
Connor Karl, Kristi Katra, Felicia
Kaufmann, Alison Kearns, Julie
Kearns, Robert Kehler, Kristoph-
er Kelly, Daniel Kempa, Chris-
topher Kempinski, Kaley Kenne-
dy, Kyle Kepfinger, Jessica Kerri-
gan, Emily Kesselring, Amanda
Ketusky, Kyle Kidd, Jeffrey Kil-
lian, Matthew Kimock, Samantha
Kishbach, Adam Kita, Kelly
Klaproth, Christopher Kleva,
Francesca Klinger, Briana Klug,
Peter Kmec, Amanda Knowles,
Kristen Kohut, Matthew Kolbeck,
Sarah Beth Kolodziej, Matthew
Koncz, Corey Koons, Kevin Kop-
co, Tracy Korona, Zachary Kosak,
Kristopher Koslop, Eric Kotch,
Jeffrey Kozel, Melissa Kozerski,
Konrad Kraszewski, Katelyn
Krebs, Jessica Kresge, Carly
Krisavage, Karissa Kross, Dou-
glas Krysan, Jessica Krzywicki,
Jessica Kuc, Matthew Kujat and
Ryan Kunkle.
L
Vincent Laconti, Andrew Lafratte,
Lisa Lamaire, Mary Kate Lam-
bert, Elyse Laneski, Anders
Larson, Nicole Lawler, Ryan
Lawrence, Devin Leffler, Jacob
Lehnowsky, Kristina Leiby, Leah
Leikheim, Amanda Leonhart,
Brenton Lewandowski, Chris-
topher Lewandowski, Emily
Lichtenstein, Tiffany Lines,
Kathryn Lisante, Justine Lisella,
Jenni Lisiewski, Tina Lispi, Kellie
Logrande, Mark Loiacono, Jar-
ryd Lokuta, Brandon Lombardo,
Danielle Lombardo, Danielle
Long, Dawn Long, Bobbilynn
Loomis, Melissa Loomis, Richard
Lopez, Angela Lopez, Ryan Lord,
Mingtong Lu, Jillian Luckasav-
age, Eric Ludwig, Joshua Lukas-
zewski, Shannon Lushefski,
Kelcie Lushefski, April Lynch,
Sara Lynn and Katlyn Lytle.
M
Stephen Macioch, Tina Magowan,
Matthew Malak, Karen Maley,
Ashlee Mallery, Abigail Malloy,
Thomas Maloney, Talia Mamola,
Chelsea Manes, Marissa Man-
ning, Patricia Manning, Holly
Mannucci, Gregory Maresca,
Samela Mariano, Alisa Marino,
Amanda Marra, Maryann Mar-
selles, Janelle Marshallick, Chel-
sy Marszalek, Trevor Marszalek,
Mario Martinelli, Christina Mar-
vin, Paul Marzella, Joseph Mas-
kalis, Paul Masker, Dominick
Massino, Jocelyn Mathew, Julie
Mathew, Patrick Matthews,
Kristopher Matthews, Karmen
Matusek, Amber Mays, Alex-
andra Mazaleski, Catherine
McAfee, Rebecca McCallick,
Shannon McCarthy, Debra
McCloskey, Mark McCracken,
Morin McDade, Valerie McElrath,
Scott McGonigal, Sean McGo-
wan, Shannon McGowan, Rob
McGuiness, Hayley McGuinn,
Erin Mclin, Kevin McMahon,
Andrew McMaster, Jessica
McNally, Edward McNichol, Bran-
don McNulty, Teila McNulty,
Paige McWilliams, Steven Meck-
el, Anthony Melf, Mary Jo Mellas,
Thomas Meluskey, Emmalee
Meyers, Katlin Michaels, Eric
Miller, Leslie Miller, Jessica Mi-
raglia, Brett Mirigliani, Nicole
Mitkus, Elyssa Molino, Jennifer
Momenzadeh, Joseph Monagh-
an, Jenny Monge, Patrick Moran,
Sean Moran, Brian Morris, Rob-
ert Moulton, Samantha Moyer,
Megan Mundy, Nicole Munley,
Shelby Munson, Brittany Murgal-
lis, Connor Murphy, Cori Musca-
tell and Marissa Mutzek.
N
David Nat, Drake Nester, Matthew
Nice and Kirstie Nicol.
O
Ian Oakley, Paul Ofcharsky, Irene
Ogrodnick, Mara Olenick, Jenna
Oley, Louis Oley, Amy Oliveri,
Annamae Olivo, Lindsey Olson,
Samantha Olson, Jill OMalley,
Kelby ONeil and Christopher
ONeill.
P
Nicholas Pables, Elizabeth Paese,
Jessica Palermo, Brian Palladino,
Sophia Panaccione, Erica Pan-
dolfo, Ashley Panko, Laura Pan-
zitta, Andrew Panzitta, Jessica
Pardo, Evan Paris, Salvatore
Parrinello, Michael Parshall,
Mary Patterson, Kyle Paul, Scott
Pavone, Henry Penafiel, Aaron
Perez, Christis Perillo, Stephanie
Perrins, Erin Perry, Alex Peslak,
Danielle Petchkis, Katie Phelan,
Samantha Phelan, Joshua Phil-
lips, Kathryn Phillips, Lisa Pia-
nezza, Scott Picketts, Nicole
Pierson, Joelle Pilek, Rachael
Pompeii, Jessica Porter, Sara
Potteiger, Benjamin Pozniak,
John Prater, Christopher Prater,
William Preston, Connor Prince,
Lauren Pristash, Kristen Pstrak
and Courtlynn Pulcini.
Q
Ryan Querci and Jenera Quinones.
R
Celia Rader, Jessica Rafalko, Caitlin
Ralston, Cerise Rapp, Nicole
Rave, Alecia Rella, Kellie Rhiel,
Denis Rice, Jeremy Rich, Katelyn
Rivers, Lea Rivieccio, Chandra
Robbins, Yessica Robles, Nicole
Rogers, Jacob Rohring, Katlyn
Rossowski, Mark Rostock, Kyle
Rowan, Cory Ruda, Michael Ruth,
Kayla Rutkoski and Amanda
Ryan.
S
Tamara Sager, Erika Samuels, John
Sanchez, Timothy Sanderson,
Nicole Sandrowicz, Carissa Sarlo,
Charles Savage, Jessica Savino,
Anthony Scaccia, Ashley Scar-
petta, Teri Lynn Scatena, Made-
line Schiminger, Michelle Schmid,
Brianne Schmidt, Richard Scho-
field, Sarah Scinto, Anna Scutt,
Christopher Sedon, Michael
Selby, Brandon Senese, Shawn
Senese, Luann Sensale, Emily
Sepela, Tyler Serbin, Nick Serig-
nese, Vito Sgroi, Anne Shaffer,
Kimberly Sharkey, Christopher
Sharry, Samantha Shelton,
Alexandra Shinert, Jacob Shook,
Lauren Shovlin, April Shumate,
Kaitlin Siegfried, Jacqueline
Sikora, Isabel Silva, Suzana Silva,
Samantha Simcox, Daniel Simp-
son, Michael Sipsky, Emily Sisk,
Samantha Skellington, Chris-
topher Skevofilax, Stephen Skiro,
Brittany Slattery, Darby Smale,
Carissa Smith, Charles Smith,
Monica Smith, Allyson Smith,
Morgan Smyth, Emily Snyder,
Brittany Sohle, Kayla Solomon,
Molly Spanfelner, Amy Sperling,
James Sprague, Kyle Stack-
house, Elizabeth Stahl, Ashtyn
Stang, Clinton Staniorski, Karley
Stasko, Gary Stavish, Brittany
Steele, Ashley Stephens, Meghan
Sternat, Ian Stewart, Kayla
Strach, David Stroh, Victoria
Stuccio, Lauren Suchecki, Barba-
ra Sudnick, Kati Sudnick, Ashley
Sugalski, Ashlee Swanson, Chris-
topher Sweeney, Maura Swee-
ney, Patricia Swope, Lindsay
Szalkowski and Ryan Szwast.
T
Thomas Taraszewski, Daniel Taroli,
Charese Tarutis, Omar Tasgin,
Mikhail Taskaya, Kevin Taylor,
Rebecca Taylor, Ashley Thomas,
Gabrielle Thomas, Renee Tho-
mas, Christopher Thompson,
Brenden Thornton, Noemi Tla-
tenchi, Christopher Tobias,
Lukas Tomasacci, Kevin Tomas-
zewski, Jane Tomkinson, Abigail
Torres, Amanda Torres, Stepha-
nie Torres, Michael Toth, Cath-
leen Traino, Lam Tran, Jacque-
line Treboschi, Thomas Troianiel-
lo, Margaret Troxell, George
Tsioles, Andrew Tuminello, Cas-
sandra Turczyn, Briana Turn-
baugh, Alexandria Turnbull and
Jared Turner.
U
Christopher Uhl and Amanda
Urban.
V
Andre Vaillancourt, Kristen Van
Auken, Ashley Varga, Anthony
Varrone, Amanda Vasiliou, Mi-
chael Vizzoni, Andrew Vo, Renee
Voith, Courtney Vojtko, Jennifer
Vonrue, Chelsea Voorhees and
Robert Vornlocker.
W
Christina Waiculonis, Alisha Wainw-
right, Olivia Walakovits, Amanda
Waligun, Felicia Walsh, Kara
Washington, Teresa Wasiluk,
Kimberly Wasmanski, Stacey
Wasmanski, Erica Weihbrecht,
Ryan Weiner, Rebecca Wein-
schenk, Matthew Weitz, Carissa
Welles, John Wells, Lauren Wen-
ner, Winter Wenner, Kirsten
Wetzel, Emily Wexler, Brandon
White, Brooke Whiteko, Stepha-
nie Widdoes, Tiffany Wiencek,
Lauren Williams, Monika Wil-
liams, Christopher Wilson, Key-
ton Winder, Emily Winters, Kate-
lyn Wojcik, Sebastian Woolbert,
Devon Woolfolk, Kyle Woolfolk
and Timothy Wychock.
Y
Amanda Yakobitis, Megan Yakoski,
Robert Yanik, Marisa Yanuzzi,
Jordan Yatsko, Sabrina Yelver-
ton, Sarah Yocius, Zachary
Yodis, Douglas Young, Ashley
Young and Victoria Yozwiak.
Z
Julia Zafia, Mark Zambetti, Ste-
phen Zapoticky, Edward Zema,
Michael Zema, Zachary Zerbe,
Sean Ziller, Angelo Zingaretti,
Rachel Zinni and Michael Zurek.
DEANS LIST
C M Y K
Photographs and information
must be received two full weeks
before your childs birthday.
To ensure accurate publi-
cation, your information must
be typed or computer-generat-
ed. Include your childs name,
age and birthday, parents,
grandparents and great-grand-
parents names and their towns
of residence, any siblings and
their ages.
Dont forget to include a day-
time contact phone number.
We cannot return photos
submitted for publication in
community news, including
birthday photos, occasions
photos and all publicity photos.
Please do not submit precious
or original professional pho-
tographs that require return
because such photos can be-
come damaged, or occasionally
lost, in the production process.
Send to: Times Leader Birth-
days, 15 North Main St., Wilkes-
Barre, PA 18711-0250.
GUIDELINES
Childrens birthdays (ages 1-16) will be published free of charge
O ffering Q u ality I n Perso nal C are
M ead ow s C om plex 200 L ak e Street D allas 675-9336
Th e M eado w s M ano r Th e M eado w s M ano r
E.O.E.
2
4
0
3
5
3
GILROY CONSTRUCTION
829-0239
Wishing our customers a
Happy Holiday
Season
Get all the
advertising inserts
with the latest sales.
Call 829-5000 to start your home delivery.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
John Michael Esposito, son of
Michael and Christine Esposito,
Sayre, is celebrating his 13th
birthday today, Jan. 1. John is a
grandson of Harry D. and Elaine
Bowman, Mountain Top, and
Angelo and Donna Esposito,
Sayre. He has a brother, James,
10.
John M. Esposito
Geisinger Wyoming Valley
Medical Center
Pacelli, Kelly and Frank, Wyom-
ing, a son, Dec. 6.
Nesbitt Womens and
Childrens Center at
Wilkes-Barre General
Hospital
Fisk, Shari, Wilkes-Barre, a
daughter, Dec. 12.
Masi, Kristina and Jeffrey
Bruns, Harding, a daughter,
Dec. 13.
Lamberth, Kira L. and Matthew
R. Melnick, Wilkes-Barre, a
daughter, Dec. 15.
Rodriguez, Joselynn and Jose
Hernandez, Mountain Top, a
son, Dec. 15.
Stehle, Erika and Robert,
Wilkes-Barre, a daughter, Dec.
15.
McGoldrick, Jessica and Brian
Keith Jackson, Plains Town-
ship, a son, Dec. 15.
Provenzano, Jessica and Jo-
seph, Kingston, a son, Dec. 16.
Miller, Jodie and Brian Adamc-
zyk, Mountain Top, a son,
Dec. 16.
Klein, Erin and Michael, Nanti-
coke, a daughter, Dec. 16.
Marks, Erin and Eugene III,
Avoca, a daughter, Dec. 16.
Evans, Tammy and Ronell
Freeman, Edwardsville, a son,
Dec. 16.
Ryan, Jessica and Kevin,
Wyoming, a son, Dec. 16.
Truska, Kristen L. and Taft A.,
Lehman, a son, Dec. 16.
Snyder, Cheri and Dustin, West
Pittston, a son, Dec. 16.
Yaksima, Amy and John Smith,
Hanover Township, a son,
Dec. 19.
Melan, Mellissa and Timothy,
Wilkes-Barre, a daughter, Dec.
19.
Puscavage, Darci and Chad
Stoneroad, Harveys Lake, a
son, Dec. 20.
BIRTHS
Geisinger Medical Center,
Danville
Beishline, Jennifer and Jo-
nathan Marra, Bloomsburg, a
daughter, Dec. 16. Grandpar-
ents are William and Darlene
Beishline, Catawissa; Maryhe-
len Naumann-Travis, Blooms-
burg; and Benjamin Cutler,
Dickson City.
OUT-OF-TOWN BIRTH
The University of Scranton will conduct a financial aid workshop
for prospective students and their parents from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Jan.
17 in the fourth-floor Moskovitz Theater of the DeNaples Center. The
workshop will be presented by William Burke, director of financial aid,
and will include a review of the Free Application for Federal Student
Aid and details regarding the universitys academic scholarship and
need-based assistance programs. Also included will be information
on federal- and state-aid programs, student and parent loans and
alternative financing options. Staff from the universitys Admissions
Office will also be available to answer questions. In the case of in-
clement weather, the workshop will be held 6:30-8:30 p.m. Jan. 23.
For more information, call the Financial Aid Office at 941-7700. Dis-
cussing the workshop, from left, are: Patricia Cegelka, assistant direc-
tor of financial aid; Burke; Melissa Bevacqua, associate director for
outreach for admissions; and Jonathan Kirby, assistant director of
financial aid.
Financial aid workshop set at U. of Scranton
Students in Mrs. Hasays second-grade classroom at the Primary
School recently studied different holiday traditions. Students made
gingerbread men, sang Christmas carols, made tree ornaments and
read classic Christmas stories. With their gingerbread men, from left,
are Jacob Piestrak, Milana Straub, Eli Scott and Kennedy Yaple.
Northwest Area students learn about holiday traditions
Beta Sigma chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an honor society of
women educators, recently held a holiday dinner at Costellos in
Edwardsville. The guest speaker was Captain Patty Richwine from the
Wilkes-Barre Salvation Army. A collection of new clothes was donat-
ed by Beta Sigma members. At the dinner, from left: Carol Williams,
vice-president, Beta Sigma; Richwine; and Jane Maneval, president,
Beta Sigma.
Honor society of women educators holds dinner
For the 52nd year, a Christmas party was held for alumni and
friends that support Kings College. This years party was for guests
who support the college at a Silver Century Club level. It was held on
Dec. 17 at the Campus Center. Over 400 guests attended, including,
from left: Mike Kester and Joe Kester, from the Class of 1951, and
Christine and Patrick Fisher.
Kings Silver Century Club members recognized
The M&T Charitable Foundation recently presented a $2,500 holiday donation to Luzerne County
Head Start. At the check presentation, from left, first row, are Janiyah Dargon, Trinity Serpe, Nicholas
Lawson, Brianna Smith, Sha-rel Peterson, Brian Baez, Ashton Herbel, Alivia Price, Damyah Rockey and
Joenny Alberty. Second row: Terri Kosakowski and Patty Gregg, M&T Bank representatives; Lynn Biga-
Evans, executive director Luzerne County Head Start; and Justin Temperine, teacher.
Head Start receives donation from M&T Charitable Foundation
Students in the LawEnforcement/Police Science programat West Side Career and Technology Center
recently participated in the U.S. Marine Corps Toys For Tots program. The students helped to receive, sep-
arate, bag and distribute the toys. Participants, fromleft, first row, are WilliamBevan Jr., LawEnforcement
instructor; Sgt. Robert Smith, Marine Corps; Matt Balut; Ceara Letteer; Emily Mansilla; Heather Kennedy;
Allisah Fuches; Lyndsey Fuches; Shawn Davis; Sajion Edminds; Jia Torres; Robert Arnold; Gysgt. Dennis
Jones, Marine Corps. Second row: Sgt. David Hummel, Marine Corps; Rebecca Green; Melissa Troy; Scott
Keller; David McTague; David Eland; Daniel Pierce; Dylan Williams; Doc Rafael Castillo; Cpl. Charles Bowman,
Marine Corps. Third row: Robert Thompson, Eric Woolard, Jack Shover, Christie Lord and Chris Osborn.
Law enforcement students support Toys for Tots program
The Luzerne County Community College NAACP Student Chapter 29 AC recently held a Thanks-
giving dinner to benefit the LCCC NAACP scholarship fund. At the dinner, from left, first row: Sonny
Sanaphol, Pittston; Jordan Daylida, Kingston; Thomas P. Leary, president, LCCC; Brittny Woss, Luzerne;
Angella Patterson, Wilkes-Barre; and Shanice Thomas, Wilkes-Barre, president, LCCC NAACP student
chapter. Second row: Angel Jirau, Wilkes-Barre, volunteer; Jermaine Foster, Wilkes-Barre, treasurer,
LCCC NAACP student chapter; Julius Zukerwar, Forty Fort; Ron Strothers, Wilkes-Barre, adviser, LCCC
NAACP student chapter and gymnasium attendant, LCCC; and Connie Pace, Wilkes-Barre.
NAACP Chapter at LCCC Thanksgiving dinner benefits scholarship fund
The fifth annual Cheer for a Cure, sponsored by Lake-Lehman High School cheerleaders and the
Junior Knights cheerleaders, was held on Oct. 22 at Lake-Lehman High School. This years coordina-
tors are Lauren Boyle, Sarah Brooks and Gina Bartley, who adopted the event as their senior gradua-
tion project. A cheer competition was held along with raffle baskets, a jump and tumble off competi-
tion, candy grams, T-shirt sales and a charity cup competition for the team that raised the most cash.
The event raised $9,400 that was split between two charities, Medical Oncology Associates, to help
those in need of assistance with their prescriptions during cancer treatments, and Fallen Officers
Remembered, a police support organization that, along with other events, purchases bullet-proof vests
for officers. At the check presentation, from left: Gina Pocceschi Boyle and Jaclyn Pocceschi Mosley,
founders of Fallen Officers Remembered; Sandy Dobrowolski, Lake-Lehman cheerleading coach; se-
niors Brooks, Bartley and Lauren Boyle; Brian Pipech, assistant principal, Lake-Lehman Jr.-Sr. High
School; and Jennifer Arellano, representative from Medical Oncology Associates.
Cheer for a Cure raises money for local organizations
C M Y K
Legal Problem?
Problem Solved.
718-4900
575 Pierce Street, Kingston, Pa.
www.PyrahStevens.com 288-9311
601 Market St., Kingston, PA
DISCOVER IRELANDTOUR
April 23
rd
- April 30
th
Dublin, Killarney, Connemara, Clis of Moher,
Ring of Kerry, Blarney - $1,995 per person
Includes: Motor Coach and Non-Stop Flights, First Class Hotels,
Irish Breakfast Daily, 6 Dinners, Complete Sightseeing
FLORENCE &ROME, ITALY
March 2
nd
- March 10
th
Optional visits to Venice & Pompeii
$2,995 per person
Includes: Motor Coach and Non-Stop Flights, First Class Hotels, Breakfast Daily,
2 Dinners, Sightseeing, English Speaking Guide
HEART OF WALES &ENGLANDTOUR
July 13
th
- July 21
st
London, Cardi, Caenarfon, Stratford upon Avon, Windsor
$2,990 per person
Includes: Motor Coach, Flights, Hotels, Breakfast Daily,
6 Dinners, Sightseeing
The Coughlin High School Spanish Club recently held its annual Toys for Tots campaign to benefit needy children in our area. With the
donations, from left, first row: Sgt. Christian White; Kim Salas; Jennifer Sosa; Kayla Eaton, treasurer, Spanish Club; Rachael Javorka; Julia
Demellier; Eryn Harvey; Melanie Sweeney; Mr. Callahan, adviser, Spanish Club; and LCpl. Matt Tran. Second Row: Patrick Patte, principal;
Kaitlin Sypniewski, secretary, Spanish Club; Spoorthy Challa; Shelby Flaherty, vice president, Spanish Club; Matthew Moorhead; Catherine
Yankowski; Ryan Sypniewski, president, Spanish Club; Sam Andrews; and Brian Costello, assistant principal.
Coughlin Spanish Club collects gifts for Toys for Tots
Sixth-grade earth science students at Wyoming Area Catholic School, Exeter, recently designed and built their own seismo-
graphs. With their completed projects, from left, first row, are Joshua Sepcoski, Molly Poray, Jocelyn Kosik, JoAnna Cox, Preston
Harvey, Colin Hunter, Ryan Hartigan, Dennis Harrison, Aidan Barney, Charles Kulick, John Morris and Matthew Peck. Second row:
James Cunningham, Stephen Olson, Erika Serafin, Samantha Rajza, Emily Kaluzny, Bryce Yencha, Alisa Barbie, Jada Exter, Isabel
Cherryy and Ryan Januszko.
Wyoming Area Catholic sixth-graders build seismographs
Staff, teachers and students of Wyoming Area Catholic School,
Exeter, participated in the Giving Tree Project during the season
of Advent and in the spirit of the Christmas season. One hundred
and ninety requests were received and all were fulfilled. The gifts
were given to needy children from the surrounding community.
Some of the participants, from left, first row, are Tyler Mozeleski.
Second row: Dana Ungureit and Josie Toomey, coordinators of
the project; MacKenzie Crake; Nicholas Prociak; Emma Ulichney;
Abigail Kolessar; Elizabeth Kravitz; and Kenny Remus.
Wyoming Area Catholic supports Giving Tree Project
Eighth-grade students from St. Nicholas-St. Mary School, Wilkes-
Barre, recently received notification from NASA that they are win-
ners in the What If No Gravity National Competition. The six students
submitted a proposal called Springing into Changes, which de-
scribes how capillary forces and spring forces will behave in a micro-
gravity environment and cause a chemical change to occur. The
experiment will now be constructed by the eighth-grade students
and dropped at NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, in
March 2012. Participants, from left: Janice Szczechowicz, NASA
coach and teacher; Gabrielle Tomasura; Meghan McGraw; Cameron
Brennan; Marissa Rogers; Michele Devaney; and Alyssa Christian.
St. Nicholas-St. Mary students win NASA competition
Students at Luzerne County Community College recently held a
Toys for Tots drive on campus. Members of the NAACP student chap-
ter 29AC, Circle K Club, Adult Learners Association and Brothers and
Sisters in Christ (BASIC) Club participated in the collection. With
some of the donations, from left: Ed Hennigan, assistant director of
admissions and adviser, Adult Learners Association; Shanice Tho-
mas, president, NAACP student chapter; Cpl. Josue Velez, MWSS 472
Det A; Cpl. Daniel West, MWSS 472 Det A; Michele Fine, adviser, Circle
K Club; and Machelle Smith, adviser, BASIC Club.
LCCC students collect toys for drive
The kindergarten classes at St. Jude School, Mountain Top, cre-
ated turkeys of all kinds that were used to decorate the hallways. The
students started out with a basic plain turkey outline and were di-
rected to be as creative as possible. Turkeys came back to school as
Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, Santa Claus, a princess, angel, baby,
hockey player, skateboarder, pirate, Hawaiian, Ravens fan, Steelers
fan and more. With their turkey display, from left, are Mary Kate
Banford, Brendon Brobst, Kesi Wambold, Natalie Hunsinger, Kayden
Ayre, Ahyaan Sayed and Austin Campbell.
Kindergarteners decorate school with turkey artwork
Students at Wyoming Seminary Lower School and Upper School
recently held fundraisers to benefit the projects and services of
Candys Place, a cancer wellness and resource center. The students
collected $1,867 in a Cannonball for a Cure competition and from
the sale of Breast Cancer Awareness Month T-shirts and dress-down
days. At the check presentation, from left: Kim Mericle, member,
Board of Directors, Candys Place; Anna Warriner, Pasadena, Md.;
Rebecca Czajkowski, Dix Hills, N.Y.; Haley Karg, Pittston; Lisa Moze-
leski, Upper School cancer awareness activities coordinator; and
Peggy Zinkavich, Lower School cancer awareness activities coor-
dinator.
Candys Place benefits from Seminary fundraisers
Members of the Luzerne County Community College Brothers
and Sisters in Christ (BASIC) Club performed Christmas carols at
the colleges Campus Center. The group also distributed cookies to
students and staff. Members of the BASIC Club, from left: Elizabeth
Baumeister, Dalton; Jacob McNamara, Factoryville, treasurer;
Machelle Smith, Ashley, co-adviser; Connie Pace, Wilkes-Barre;
Glenda Race, Wilkes-Barre, adviser; Todd Howe, Mocanaqua, vice
president; Kenneth Wright, Hazleton, chaplin; and Julius Zucker-
war, Swoyersville, co-chaplin.
BASIC Club members sing carols at Campus Center
C M Y K
P E O P L E
www.BackMountainDental.com
210 Carverton Road, Trucksville
Find us on
Facebook
570.763.4364
Sedation
Dentistry
and make your
dream of a
great smile a
reality with
For more information
or to schedule a
complimentary
consultation call us at
RELAX
Get your virtual smile makeover at
2
7
3
5
7
1
Frank A. Berman, D.D.S.
-.:. --: ,/-.
517 Pierce Street, Pierce Plaza, Kingston
Phone 570-718-6000
www.frankberman.com
Frank A. Berman D.D.S.
InLroducing 6HonLhSniles-a conservaLive, less expensive,
and highly eecLive way using clear braces Lo genLly
sLraighLen LeeLh in an average Line o only 6 nonLhs
FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION
AlLernaLive LreaLnenL or Sleep Apnea aLienLs who are
C A inLoleranL wiLh I0A Approved 0ral Appliance
AHAZIhC JeeLh 8leaching ResulLs
CosneLic and Ceneral 0enLisLry or Lhe LnLire Ianily
Snile Hakeovers
CerLiied Lunineers 0enLisL
bniLed Concordia rovider.
0elLa 0enLal rovider
HosL oLher insurances accepLed
K J
Kulick
Law Firm, LLC
1701 Wyoming Avenue, Exeter
299-7883 www.thekulicklawfrm.com
Happy New Year to all our
Clients, Family and Friends
- Attys. Jeff and John Kulick
7
3
0
9
3
6
make sense of the relentless buf-
feting weve all been through in
this extraordinary year.
Not all the faces are downcast.
Seven months after she survived
a would-be assassins shots in Ja-
nuary, beaming looks and happy
tears greeted Rep. Gabrielle Gif-
fords on her return to Congress
for a vote to avert a government
shutdown.
And as well-wishers thronged
London streets for the wedding
of Prince William and Kate Mid-
dleton, Britains capital was al-
most one great grin. Almost, but
not quite. As the royal newly-
weds kissed on a Buckingham
Palace balcony, eyes quickly
shifted to the corner of the frame
and the head-in-hands gri-
mace of a little worn-out flower-
girl.
Think of an unforgettable
event in 2011, and you conjure a
signature face.
Arab Spring was the term
coined for one of the years most
profound developments, but it
was still winter when a street
vendor in Tunisia, Mohamed
Bouazizi, tragically protested of-
ficials humiliating harassment
by setting himself on fire. Dem-
onstrators carrying poster-size
photos of his youthful face
surged in thousands to the seat
of power in Tunis, eventually
driving out the longtime ruler.
It was the first crack in the
stone wall of autocracy innations
across the Middle East and
the Arab Spring became a year-
long struggle to reshape the re-
gion.
Tahrir Squares crowds pushed
Egyptian President Hosni Muba-
rak from office in February and
later into a courtroom to answer
charges; the crowds returned to
the square amid the uncertainty
surrounding Novembers elec-
tions. Yemens pressured leader
agreed to step aside, and other
governments were forced to re-
spond to demands for change. In
Syria, deadly suppression of a de-
termined uprising continues. In
ravaged Libya, the capture and
shooting of Moammar Gadhafi
provided one of the years most
searing images: his corpse, face
bloated, laid out on a bare mat-
tress for queues of spectators to
gawk at.
Near years end, queues of a
different kind formed in Egypt
and Tunisia as millions of vot-
ers cast ballots.
On the other side of the world,
in the United States, long lines of
people told another story of 2011.
In cities from Atlanta to Los An-
geles, job fairs lured throngs of
unemployed Americans who
snaked forward, single-file, to
present their resumes as the job-
less rate hovered around 9 per-
cent. Lines of tents filled Occupy
Wall Streets encampment in low-
er Manhattan, which spread its
message of economic disenfran-
chisement we are the 99 per-
cent to cities around the na-
tion and the world.
The economys woes were a
theme hammered home as Re-
publican presidential candidates
stood behind rows of lecterns for
what seemed at times like week-
ly debates and near-weekly
shifts in the front-runner, from
Rep. Michelle Bachmann to Gov.
Rick Perry to businessman Her-
man Cain (whod later drop out,
denying claims of sexual impro-
prieties) to former House Speak-
er Newt Gingrich. Anybody but
Mitt, some in the GOP said, re-
ferring to ex-governor Mitt Rom-
ney, whose pretty good poll num-
bers neither dwindled nor let
him pull away.
On the Democratic side, Presi-
dent Barack Obama geared up
for a re-election run amid both
economic and political dysfunc-
tion. We cant wait, he repeated
in speeches, chiding congres-
sional Republicans for blocking
administration initiatives on job
creation and taxing the wealthy.
A drawn-out battle in Con-
gress over raising the federal
debt ceiling nearly halted gov-
ernment activity and led to the
downgrading of Americas credit
rating. It also prompted creation
of a special bipartisan congres-
sional supercommittee. Its job:
to find budget savings on a scale
not seen before $1.2 trillion
over the next decade. In the end,
no compromise emerged in the
gridlocked capital.
Congress approval ratings
dropped to historic lows (9 per-
cent, according to a New York
Times-CBS poll), which sent
wags looking for anything ironic
that enjoyed more favorability:
U.S. going communist (11 per-
cent, Rasmussen poll), BP dur-
ing the Gulf oil spill (10 percent,
Gallup poll). One survey (Public
Policy Polling) concluded Con-
gress ranked below Rupert Mur-
doch, the media baron hauled be-
fore Britains Parliament to ex-
plain revelations of widespread
illegal phone hacking by his ag-
gressive tabloid reporters.
In Obamas year, no day proved
more eventful than May 2.
He had given the order for a
Navy Seal operation against bin
Laden, the mastermind of 9/11,
whom CIA intelligence had
traced to a walled house in Pakis-
tan. As CIA director Leon Panet-
ta gave a real-time description of
the unfolding helicopter raid, a
White House photographer cap-
tured the moment: Obamas eyes
burning straight ahead, Secreta-
ry of State Hillary Clinton tense-
ly raising hand to mouth, others
appearing to hold their breath. In
40 minutes, it was over; the com-
mandos vanished into the dark-
ness with hard drives and other
evidence they gathered, plus bin
Ladens body, which was hurried-
ly buried at sea.
We got him, Obama said.
The man who had held the
world in terror was gone but
the Afghan war launched to cap-
ture him marked its 10th year in
2011. In Iraq, the long U.S. mil-
itary involvement came to an end
in December.
In the war that freed Libya
from Gadhafi, European powers
cooperated under NATOs aegis
even as sovereign debt wor-
ries in Greece and other nations
pulled the eurozone apart,
threatening chaos far beyond.
What images rise to the surface
of this slow-motion crisis? Be-
sides scenes of street fighting in
Athens and elsewhere, its the
faces of Frances Nicolas Sarkozy
and Germanys Angela Merkel,
looking awfully tired.
Government and corporate
leaders in Japan tried to strike a
calming tone after a cataclysmic
earthquake and resulting tsuna-
mi crippled the Fukushima nu-
clear power plant in March. But
dubious safety claims were
quickly overwhelmed by surreal
news coverage, such as scenes of
hazmat-suited workers checking
children with Geiger counters.
With nearly 20,000 deaths and
damage in the hundreds of bil-
lions of dollars, it was called the
most costly natural disaster in
history.
And natures wrath wasnt
spent. Historic flooding ravaged
stretches of the Missouri and
Mississippi rivers; Bangkok,
Thailand, was inundated. An
earthquake shook Christchurch,
New Zealand, killing more than
180. And quakes struck in many
other places, including some odd
ones; a temblor just south of the
U.S. capital cracked and closed
the Washington Monument.
In roaring springtime torna-
does, parts of Joplin, Mo., and
Tuscaloosa, Ala., among other
towns, were virtually wiped
away. One Missouri newspapers
full-page array of portraits a
babys laughing face set amid the
images of dozens of others, old
and young pitifully tallied the
toll.
Another 2011 image of inno-
cents who perished: In July, at-
tacks in Oslo and at an idyllic is-
land summer camp nearby in
Norway by a man later deemed
insane left 77 dead, most of them
children and teenagers.
Death claimed the famous. Be-
sides Jobs, the genius behind Ap-
ple computer and its elegant i-
things, they ranged from legend-
ary actress Elizabeth Taylor to
former heavyweight champion
Joe Frazier, fromassisted-suicide
advocate Jack Kevorkian to inau-
gural Peace Corps director Sar-
gent Shriver, from Vaclav Havel,
the Czech democracy champion,
to KimJong Il, the North Korean
dictator.
Something more abstract was
mourned after the scandal that
enveloped Penn State Universi-
tys football program, breaking
student and alumni hearts. Here
again, a proud and rock-solid in-
stitution seemed for a time to
sway on its foundation. It was all
unthinkable: the lurid details of a
grand jurys charges that long-
time former assistant coach Jer-
ry Sandusky was a serial child
molester and that some school
administrators allegedly failed to
act responsibly on what they
knew. Paterno, the coach ad-
mired far and wide for his high
standards, wasnt charged but his
era ended in summary firing. In
his storybook college town, be-
wildered students rampaged.
Yet, at a campus rally where
candlelit young faces made an-
other memorable image of the
year, a larger groupof PennState-
rs gathered to support the abuse
victims and, as one student
said, to put ourselves back to-
gether.
In a shattering year around the
world, the comment could have
stood for many others.
AP PHOTOS
In this May 1, 2011 file image released by the White House and digitally altered by the source to diffuse the paper in front of Secretary
of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, along with with members of the national
security team, receive an update on the mission against Osama bin Laden in the Situation Room of the White House in Washington.
A Libyan rebel urges people to leave in March, as shelling from
Gadhafis forces started landing on the frontline outside of Bin
Jawaad, 150 km east of Sirte, central Libya.
Republican presidential candidates former Massachusetts Gov.
Mitt Romney, left, and Texas Gov. Rick Perry speak during an
October Republican presidential debate in Las Vegas.
A protestor of the Occupy Atlanta demonstration is arrested
after refusing to leave after Mayor Kasim Reed revoked his exec-
utive order allowing the protestors to camp out in Woodruff Park
in Atlanta.
FACES
Continued from Page 1B
President Barack Obama smiles
in the rain as he and French
President Nicolas Sarkozy
attend an event in November
honoring the alliance between
the United States and France
and their efforts in Libya at
Cannes City Hall, after the G20
Summit in Cannes, France.
C M Y K
SPORTS S E C T I O N C
timesleader.com
THEY HELD
A moment of
silence before
a girls basket-
ball game in
remembrance
of Clarence
Van Rose.
Which seemed kind of para-
doxical.
Because Van Rose was rarely
quiet, at least when it came to
the wonderful writing and
reporting he brought to this
newspaper.
He came hard at all his sto-
ries with his Kentucky drawl
and clever instincts and such
passion for his craft, covering
all the angles always. It was
as if he played the newspaper
version of a sharp-shooting
guard for Kentucky basketball
his true sports love trying to
make every single shot count.
Whether Rose was shooting
from the hip or showing com-
passion for those who slipped.
He did all this for nearly 30
years at the Times Leader,
right up until the day he died
this week. And he did it during
his final years while wrestling
with a mean disease called
diabetes.
It may have taken away his
proud strut and clouded the
vision of those once-sharp eyes,
but Van Rose wasnt going to
let any physical ailment take
anything off his fastball when it
came to pitching stories.
You dont think so?
Go read his piece titled Eye
of the Tiger, which won Rose a
Keystone Press Award for best
sports story of 2008. Or take a
look at the last story he ever
wrote in Wednesdays paper,
his coverage of the Pittston
Holiday Tournament which
captured everything you could
want to know about two girls
basketball games all meshed
fluidly in one story while writ-
ten with time running out on
deadline.
There was this one time Rose
fretted over approaching a girl
who played high school basket-
ball his beat at the time
while wondering if shed talk
about a car accident shed suf-
fered through.
By the end of his conversa-
tion with her, she was describ-
ing every detail of her frightful
night, right to the point of how
cars kept driving right on by.
Decades of dedication
All that was brought to life in
one of the most moving sports
stories our paper has produced
over the past few years. But
then, Rose was doing that type
of work for decades.
He would have made a good
cop because Rose just had this
natural, caring manner that
made people want to reveal to
him their deepest secrets or
most dramatic delights.
He wasnt always a joy to
figures in the sports world.
Back in the 1980s, when Rose
had this space as a sports co-
lumnist, he made coaches
shake and their ground quake.
Because Rose would criticize a
bad decision as a calamity as
quickly as hed put a superior
players on a pedestal.
Hell miss the start of a new
year today, but well miss his
style that was old school.
He was more than a mentor,
to me and everyone else in our
department. Rose was a model
for what a newspaper reporter
should be.
He had an exceptional eye
for the action, and for what
makes news.
What you saw with Van Rose
was what you got.
He was blue jeans and blue-
grass, country music and corny
PAUL SOKOLOSKI
O P I N I O N
Rose had
a passion
unmatched
See ROSE, Page 4C
the calendar turns, but we do know
what became the biggest local sports
stories of 2011. In the list, the flood
and Sandusky were left to the top
news list.
JOE PATERNO FIRED
BY PENN STATE
While everyone expected that some
day would be Paternos last as the
head coach of the Nittany Lions foot-
ball program, no one expected such
abruptness.
Paterno was fired Nov. 8, days after
his FBS-leading 409th career victory,
a 10-7 decision over Illinois on Oct.
29. The coach was brought down by
the Sandusky scandal, as he and uni-
versity president Graham Spanier
remain the only two Penn State em-
ployees fired because of the matter.
Paternos first win came on Sept.
The year thats gone by brought
everyone so many memories, so many
sights etched into history.
Well be talking about the Flood of
2011 like earlier generations talked
about Hurricane Agnes in 1972. Well
be talking about the time when Penn
State became the epicenter of the
news world during the Jerry Sand-
usky scandal.
We dont know what lies ahead as
2011: THE YEAR IN SPORTS
TRANSITION
AP PHOTO
Penn State coach Joe Paterno was fired in the aftermath of child sex-abuse charges against former defensive coor-
dinator Jerry Sandusky. Paterno was fired Nov. 8, days after his FBS-leading 409th career victory.
BILL TARUTIS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER
Dallas Ted Jackson had his position opened
after 27 years as head football coach.
The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees will be on the road all of 2012 as
PNC Field in Moosic is renovated.
Change was the main storyline of 2011
The Times Leader staff
DALLAS As per tradition, Penn State
players exchanged jerseys on Saturday
at their final practice of the season.
The manwhoendedupina quarter-
back uniform play-chart wrist-
bandandall was senior right tack-
le Chima Okoli.
The Nittany Lions wont be quite
that desperate at quarterback in Mon-
days TicketCity Bowl, but their
depth has disappeared. Penn State is
preparing to play without Matt
McGloin, whostill has not passedall
of his concussion tests. Though the
Lions starting quarter-
back has been at practice
this week, he has done lit-
tle work since suffering a
seizure on Dec. 17 during
an altercation with receiv-
er Curtis Drake. Coaches
said Friday that Rob Bol-
den would start against
Houston.
McGloin had long been
scheduled to speak to re-
porters on Saturday, but
was not made available af-
ter practice. Walk-on
Shane McGregor, the
third-stinger all season long, took all of the
reps with the second-team offense during
P E N N S TAT E F O O T B A L L
Opportunity arises for Bolden to take over
PSU quarter-
back Rob Bolden
will start for the
Lions in the
TicketCity
Bowl.
Starting QB McGloin hasnt been cleared
yet by medical staff to play in bowl game.
By DEREK LEVARSE
[email protected]
Penn State vs.
Houston
WHEN: Noon,
Monday
TV: ESPNU
INSIDE: Stats,
marchups and
more, 6C, 7C
U P N E X T
See BOLDEN, Page 6C
WILKES-BARRE TWP. The
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pen-
guins finished 2011 on a high
note, dominating the Bridgeport
Sound Tigers for a 4-2 win at
home on Saturday.
In the first
meeting be-
tween the two
teams this sea-
son, the Pen-
guins set a new
franchise record
for the fastest
two goals six
seconds apart,
and Zach Sill
had the first
multi-goal game
of his career.
The win is the
second in a row
for the Penguins
and improves
their record to
18-10-1-4.
The guys really came pre-
pared tonight and it was a nice
way to end 2011, said Penguins
head coach John Hynes.
After a scoreless first period,
the Penguins connected four
times in the next 20 minutes. Sill
opened the scoring when he was
alone in front and converted
Ryan Craigs pass from behind
the net to give the Penguins a 1-0
A H L
Penguins
find net
quickly
in victory
WBS sets a franchise record
with two goals in six-second
span of second period.
TOMVENESKY
[email protected]
4
PENGUINS
2
SOUND TIGERS
See PENGUINS, Page 2C
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.
For the NFLschedule maker, this
is perfection.
After a season of inconsistency
and disappointments, the Dallas
Cowboys and
New York Gi-
ants play one
game that will
make the win-
ner forget the
frustrations of
the regular sea-
son and send
the other home
for a long rest.
Archrivals
facing off for a
division title in
prime time. De-
licious.
The Cow-
boys (8-7) and
Giants (8-7)
close the regu-
lar season to-
night at Metlife
Stadium, the
winner getting
a first-round
home game against either Atlan-
ta or Detroit. Oh, in case of a tie,
which hasnt happened all season
in the NFL, the Giants capture
the division and return to
N F L
Showdown
gives NFL
perfect end
Giants host Cowboys in
regular-season finale that will
determine playoff berth.
By TOMCANAVAN
AP Sports Writer
See GIANTS, Page 9C
DALLAS at
N.Y. GIANTS
TV: 8:20 p.m.
today, NBC,
WBRE-28
OPENING
LINE: Giants by
3
LAST MEET-
ING: Giants
beat Cowboys
37-34, Dec. 11
U P N E X T
VANROSE DEDICATED nearly half of his life
to Wilkes-Barre and The Times Leader communi-
ty. He died Thursday, shocking those that knew
him.
Roseretiredfromthenewspaper inthefall, on-
ly to continue his work just with a reduced
schedule. He was in the midst of covering the
girls basketball season when he died.
In tribute to Van, our list is not numbered, as
his friendship and dedication deserves a place to
stand alone among the biggest sports stories of
the year. For us, there was no bigger loss in 2011.
TL SPORTSWRITER VAN ROSE DIES
See TRANSITION, Page 4C
C M Y K
PAGE 2C SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2012 THE TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com
S P O R T S
Menday
TicketCity Bewl
PennState (93) vs. Houston(2), Noon(LSPNU)
Capital 0ne Bewl
Nebraska (93) vs. SouthCarolina (02), p.m. (LSPN)
0utback Bewl
Ceorqia (03) vs. MichiqanState (03), p.m. (ABC)
0ater Bewl
Florida (66) vs. Ohio State (66), p.m. (LSPN2)
Rese Bewl
Oreqon(2) vs. Wisconsin(2), 5p.m. (LSPN)
Fiesta Bewl
Stanlord () vs. Oklahoma State (), 8:30p.m. (LSPN)
Tuesday
Suar Bewl
Michiqan(02) vs. Virqinia 1ech(2), 8p.m. (LSPN)
Wednesday
0rane Bewl
West Virqinia (93) vs. Clemson(03), 8p.m. (LSPN)
Friday
Cetten Bewl
Kansas State (02) vs. Arkansas (02), 8p.m. (FOX)
Saturday
BBVA Cempass Bewl
Pittsburqh(66) vs. SMU(75), Noon(LSPN)
Jan. 8
0e0addy.cemBewl
Arkansas State (02) vs. Northernlllinois (03), 9p.m. (LSPN)
Jan. 9
BCS Natienal Champienship
LSU(30) vs. Alabama (), 8:30p.m. (LSPN)
Defensive
standcut
N|c| Saeaz
4l SS (cl, l70)
Zach McM||||aa
l0 C3 (al0, la)
0av|d huater
7a || (cc, c7)
Ph||||p Steward
4c SA|(cc, cc0)
0err|c| Mathews
47 |O (c0, c00)
keat 8roo|s
c4 |S (all, c0a)
Sammy 8rowa |os
roc|ec u lc.a
soc|s orc c8 !||.
0.J. haydea
c C3 (c0, l70)
0om|a|c M|||er
77 N! (c1, 10l)
Marcus Mc0raw
aa |lK| (c0, cca)
r|c 8raswe||
7 k| (c4, ca0)
Sammy 8rowa
8 Wl|| (c1, c40)
0ffensive
standcut
Matt Staa||ew|tch
a4 C (c1, c77)
Just|a 8rowa
l7 |k (c1, cl4)
kathoay fera
10 | (cc, cla)
0haz Powe||
c Kk (cl, c0c)
kathoay fera
10 K (cc, cla)
0evoa Sm|th
c0 Wk (a, laa) S||as kedd
ca !3 (al0, c07)
Joha 0rsche||
c4 kC (c1, c7c)
0u|aa 8arham
c |! (c1, 104)
0h|ma 0|o||
ac k! (c4, c71)
kob 8o|dea
l O3 (c1, clc)
Johaa|e Jroutmaa
4 |C (c4, 1l4)
Just|a 8rowa
l7 Wk (c1, cl4)
kadrew Szczerba
80 !| (cc, ccc)
0ere| Moye
c Wk (ca, cl0)
0ere| Moye is toa o||
tire ot |SUir cotc|es,
]orcs orc touc|coWrs.
Sept. 3 !ndiana State W, 41-7
Sept. 0 AIabama L, 27
Sept. 7 at TempIe W, 14-10
Sept. 2^ Eastern Mich. W, 34-6
Oct. at !ndiana W, 16-10
Oct. 8 !cwa W, 13-3
Oct. 5 Purdue W, 23-18
Oct. 22 at Ncrthwestern W, 34-24
Oct. 29 !IIincis W, 10-7
Nov. 2 Nebraska L, 7^
Nov. 9 at 0hic State W, 20-14
Nov. 26 at Wisccnsin L, ^57
MATCHUP
Ne. 19 Heusten
Ceuars
{1Z-1)
Neen, Menday
Cotton Bowl Stadium(92,58), Dallas, 1exas
Ne. ZZ Penn State
Nittany Liens
{9-3)
0AME 0UI0E
Sept. 3 UCLA W, 38-34
Sept. 0 at Ncrth Texas W, 48-23
Sept. 7 at La. Tech W, 35-34
Sept. 2^ Cecria St. W, 56-0
Sept. 29 at UTEP W, 49-42
Oct. 8 East CarcIina W, 56-3
Oct. 22 MarshaII W, 63-28
Oct. 27 Rice W, 73-34
Nov. 5 at UAB W, 56-13
Nov. 0 at TuIane W, 73-17
Nov. 9 SMU W, 37-7
Nov. 25 at TuIsa W, 48-16
Dec. 3 Scuthern Miss. L, ^928
TV: LSPNU
RA0I0: WlLKFM: 03., WlLKAM: 90, 980, 300
(Steve Jones, Jack Ham)
WEB: www.CoPSUsports.com
LINE: Houstonby 5.5
REC0R0S: PennSt. (93, 62Biq 1en), Houston(2, 80CUSA)
SERIES HIST0RY: 3rd meetinq, PennState leads 20
LAST MEETIN0: 977, PennState won3^inState Colleqe
KEY MATCHUP: Houston's undeleated seasonended inlarqe
part because the Couqars were dominated inthe trenches. Case
Keenumqot his numbers but was pressured into a pair ol rare
interceptions. 1he Lions' Dline will need to make a similar impact.
PLAYER T0 WATCH: Naturally it's Keenum, the Houston
quarterback who holds the alltime NCAArecords lor total
ollense (9,572), passinq yards (8,685), passinq touchdowns
(52) and completions (,50). 1his will be the touqhest career test
lor the Lions' lour senior startinq delensive backs.
TELLIN0 NUMBERS: Keenumthrewa careerbest nine
touchdowns inanOctober winover Rice. PennState
quarterbacks have combined to thrownine 1Ds all season.
0I0 Y0U KN0W: PennState has never lost a bowl qame
aqainst a school lrom1exas (50) and has never lost a bowl
qame played in1exas (^0). 1he tie came aqainst SMUin9^8.
0UTL00K: Neither teamreally wants to be here. PennState
players were upset they were passed over by live bowls belore
endinq up in Dallas and Houstonalready had its baqs packed lor
a BCSbowl date, likely the Suqar Bowl inNewOrleans. lnstead, a
pair ol interimcoaches will lace oll inanobscure qame onan
obscure channel. 1he Lions are muchbetter thanany team
Houstonhas played this season, but will their hearts be inthis
one? Case Keenumis inline lor a biq qame reqardless.
PRE0ICTI0N: Houston, 282^
Z011 SCHE0ULE
SpeciaI
teams
Prcjected
starters
WHEN PENN STATE HAS THE BALL
Penn State will win if...
0EFENSE
0FFENSE
Tem Bradley
RIN JI P0J. L0SS
^th qame at PSUinterimcoach
00vs. Houston
Alma mater: Penn State (979)
C0ACH REC0R0S
!|e |iors ore secorc o||
tire ir |oW| ore Wirrir
ercertoe ot .cal, oir c
l4c overo||.
Key stat
... t|e Nittor] |iors ro|e t|e Couors Wor| for o|| of t|eir
touc|coWrs. !|ere's |itt|e uestior t|ot Houstor orc t|e
rotior's No. l offerse Wi|| score, |ut |err Stote cor irrove its
c|orces |] rot ivir u uic|stri|e scores. !|e |iors' |est
s|ot ot o Wir Wi|| core fror|or, eitercec crives |] |ot|
offerses t|ot Wi|| recuce t|e toto| ossessiors.
.333 0 Z 1
B0WL SCHE0ULE
PSU NITTANY LIONS
the Lions final full practice, indi-
cating that McGloin will not be
available to play at all.
Hes still doingOK, McGregor
said of McGloin. Hes been
around and been great and every-
thing.
McGloin had said earlier this
monthhe was eager toget backon
thefieldintimefor thebowl game,
especially after his a rough outing
in last seasons Outback Bowl loss
toFloridainwhichhethrewfivein-
terceptions.
Upset that he did not get a
chance to step in for McGloin in
that game, Bolden announced his
intention to transfer the very next
day. But then-coach Joe Paterno
wouldnot grant himareleasefrom
his scholarship during the spring
semester and Bolden ultimately
decided to stick around for the
2011season.
Nowhe is in line to play his first
start-to-finish game under center
since Sept. 25, 2010, against Tem-
ple. Penn State periodically used
Kevin Newsome at quarterback in
losses to Iowa andIllinois that sea-
son and Bolden was then injured
against Minnesota, leading to
McGloins emergence.
I dont think Ill be rusty at all,
Bolden told reporters in Dallas on
Thursday. Ill be good. In practice
weve been going against defenses
and weve got one of the best de-
fensesinthecountry, sothatll defi-
nitely help me out.
Splitting time with McGloin in
2011, Boldenstruggledthroughout
the regular season, finishing just
46-for-109 (42 percent) for 548
yards, one touchdown and four in-
terceptions. The touchdown was a
short swing pass to Devon Smith
that thespeedster took71yards for
the score.
For the first time in 14 months,
Bolden wont be looking over his
shoulder, wondering when he will
be replaced. Should he have to
come out with an injury, however,
the offense will be handed over to
McGregor, a redshirt junior from
Central Cambria High School in
Ebensburg.
McGregor has completed one
pass for 12 yards in his collegiate
career, throwing four times this
past September against Eastern
Michigan. He did, however, record
a touchdowninthe opener against
Indiana State, going 3 yards upthe
middle for a rushing score.
Thefirst dayI camehere, thein-
tent was to get myself into a posi-
tion to play, McGregor said. I
knew it would be long, I knew it
would be hard, but Ive been work-
ingforthat everyday. Andnowthat
I have that, well see howit goes.
Elsewhere on the injury front,
defensive tackle Devon Still did
not practice again on Saturday be-
cause of turf toe, but the All-Amer-
ican was adamant he would play
on Monday.
BOLDEN
Continued from Page 1C
AP PHOTO
Penn State quarterback Matt McGloin (11) looks to make a pass as
assistant coach Jay Paterno, rear, looks on during practice Friday.
"In practice weve been
going against defenses
and weve got one of the
best defenses in the
country, so thatll defi-
nitely help me out.
Rob Bolden
PSU QB
DALLAS Whoever ends up
taking over the reins at Penn
State, he will still have Gerald
Hodges to build around in 2012.
The linebacker said emphatical-
ly Saturday he will return to the
team for his senior season de-
spite filling out paperwork to
receive an evaluation for the
NFL draft.
Hodges said even an unlikely
first-round projection would not
sway him from playing for the
Nittany Lions next season.
Oh no, not a chance at all,
Hodges said after the teams
final practice before Mondays
TicketCity Bowl. I just talked it
over with my parents when I
went home for break. Im defi-
nitely staying here. Ive got a
semester-and-a-half left before I
graduate, so Im not in any
rush.
Penn State linebackers coach
Ron Vanderlinden said Friday
that Hodges had filed the draft
paperwork, joining defensive
tackle Jordan Hill as someone
interested in hearing from the
NFL. Hill, a junior, has said he is
also likely to return for a final
year but an unexpectedly high
projection first or second
round could change his mind.
Hodges had a breakout season
in this, his first full year as a
starter and only his second
playing linebacker. The New
Jersey native spent his first year
working predominately as a
safety. But Hodges exploded in
the middle of the 2011 season,
raising his game after a season-
ending knee injury to fellow
linebacker Michael Mauti and
earning first-team All-Big Ten
honors.
Hodges finished the regular-
season with a team-best 97
tackles, adding 10 tackles for
loss, 4.5 sacks, an interception
and two forced fumbles. He had
a knack for timely plays during
conference play. A sack and a
forced fumble against Iowa set
up a game-clinching touchdown.
He was named Big Ten defen-
sive player of the week twice in
a row in October, getting a key
interception against Northwest-
ern and then recording a career-
high 19 tackles in a win against
Illinois.
With a potential NFL future
ahead of him, Hodges said he
wanted to get the evaluation to
help prepare him for next year.
I didnt know what the proc-
report said both Clements and
Penn State interim coach Tom
Bradley would receive a second
interview. Both Clements and
Bradley are western Pennsylva-
nia natives.
Redd back on track
Regardless of who the coach
is, standout tailback Silas Redd
reiterated Saturday that he will
be sticking with Penn State.
The sophomore starter ad-
mitted that he briefly consid-
ered transferring back in No-
vember in the immediate after-
math of Joe Paternos firing, but
said he has no intentions of
leaving.
I sat down with a couple of
people and they gave me the
right advice, Redd said. What-
ever the situation may be, Ill
stay with Penn State.
On the field, Redd said he
feels 100 percent after being
slowed in November by an in-
jury to a collarbone joint.
Redd said he is still sore at
times, but that he has full range
of motion and is not restricted
in any way.
Penn State figures to lean on
Redd heavily in Mondays game
against Houston, particularly
with the Lions precarious sit-
uation at quarterback.
ess is, Hodges said. This is the
first time me and my family
have ever been in this situation.
So we just had to sit back and
wait and see what they had to
tell me. If they do have improve-
ments they want me to work on,
Im definitely going to work as
hard as I can with it.
No clarity on a coach
One thing that did not factor
in on Hodges decision to stay
or go was Penn States still-
unsettled coaching situation.
Not at all, he said. Coach-
ing changes happen every week
in college and the NFL. Weve
just gotta deal with it.
The returning players will
have to deal with it for a little
longer. Acting athletic director
Dave Joyner said this week that
interviews will continue into
next week after the bowl game
and that a hiring is not immi-
nent. Reports out of Pittsburgh
Saturday suggested that two of
those ongoing interviews could
go to a pair of candidates who
have already interviewed with
Penn State.
Green Bay Packers quarter-
backs coach Tom Clements will
get a second look for the posi-
tion in the next week according
to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
A Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Hodges returning after inquiring about NFL
By By DEREK LEVARSE
[email protected]
PSU
N O T E B O O K
C M Y K
THE TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2012 PAGE 3C
S P O R T S
5Z% 56%
85% 70%
76%
49%
37% 59%
0ffensive
standcut
kowdy harper
4 k! (cc, c70)
0hr|s Jhompsoa
0 C (cc, c8a)
Jyroa 0arr|er
1a Kk (a8, l0)
k|ch|e Leoae
la | (c1, c00)
Patr|c| dwards
81 |k (a7, la)
Matt hoaa
4c K (cl, l7c)
0ase keeaum
O3 (cc, cl0)
Just|a Johasoa
1 Wk (cl, cc1)
.J. Sm|th
88 Wk (cl, l8)
8ryce 8ea||
ca k3 (all, cla)
kev|a forsch
c1 kC (ca, 10l)
Jaco|by kshworth
c |! (c4, 100)
Jy 0|oud
c4 |C (c4, 1la)
0ase keeaum|eocs t|e
courtr] Wit| 4a !s orc
a,l00 ]orcs ossir.
Defensive
standcut
0haz Powe||
c kC3 (cl, c0c)
0rew kstor|ao
c8 H|kO (al0, c0)
0'katoa Lyaa
8 |C3 (cl, c08)
0evoa St|||
l k! (ca, 1l0)
Jordaa h|||
4 |! (cl, c7)
Seaa Staa|ey
70 || (cl, c4c)
0|eaa 0arsoa
40 ||3 (c1, c17)
N|c| Su|ay
l |S (cl, cl7)
0era|d hodes
c O|3 (cc, c14)
Jac| 0rawford
8l k| (ca, c1)
Nate Stupar
14 O|3 (cl, c14)
0evoa St||| Wos rorec
t|e 3i !er efersive
||o]er of t|e \eor.
Patr|c| dwards
81 Wk (a7, la)
Jyroa 0arr|er
1a Wk (a8, l0)
Fcurth dcwn
RUSHIN0
P|ayer ktt Yds kv J0
Charles Sims 0^ 782 7.5 9
Michael Hayes 36 707 5.2
Bryce Beall 53 3 5.9 7
Braxton Wellord 2 83 ^.0
Cotton 1urner 69 6.3 2
Jota| 404 20!8 5.0 33
PASSIN0
P|ayer 0mpktt Yds J0 Iat
C. Keenum 38353^ 5099 ^5 5
C. 1urner 5077 652 6
Jota| 4346!3 5169 5! 6
RECEIVIN0
P|ayer kec Yds kv J0
1yron Carrier 87 9^ 0.5 5
Patrick Ldwards 79 52^ 9.3 8
Justin Johnson 75 08 ^.^
Charles Sims ^6 5^5 .8 ^
Jota| 434 5169 !3.3 5!
PUNT RETURNS
P|ayer No. Yds kv. J0
Patrick Ldwards ^ 20^ ^.6
Damian Payne ^ 08 27.0
KICK RETURNS
P|ayer No. Yds kv. J0
1yron Carrier 28 695 2^.8
Jellrey Lewis 3 ^ 3.7 0
KICKIN0
P|ayer f0 PkJ Loa 8||
Matt Hoqan 02 8889 35 0
PUNTIN0
P|ayer No. Yds kv Loa
Richie Leone ^5 8^2 ^0.9 63
TACKLIN0
P|ayer No. Soks JfL Sac|
Marcus McCraw 3 670 3.5 2.5
Derrick Mathews 97 ^9^8 9.0 .0
Sammy Brown 88 5236 28.0 2.5
Phillip Steward 7^ 32^2 8.0 .5h
STAT!ST!CAL LEADERS
TEAMSTATS
PENNSTATE
SC0RIN0
TctaI
Opponent
Pcints per ame
Houston Opponent
RUSHIN0
PASSIN0
Averae per ame
434
Att !NT Ccmp TD
613 51 6
KICK RETURNS
Averae per return
Z1.9
PUNT RETURNS
Averae per return
14.1
PUNTS
40.9
Averae per punt
FIEL0 00ALS
Made
H0UST0N
Averae per rush
Averae per ame
TDs rushin
5.0
155.Z
33
Houston
41.6
Attempts
7.0
Z3.4
180.3
Averae per return
Averae per return
Averae per punt
Averae per ame
174
Att !NT Ccmp TD
349 9 9
Averae per rush
Averae per ame
TDs rushin
4.Z
164.4
17
TctaI
Opponent
Pcints per ame
Penn State
3^ 20^ 607 507
PENALTIES
49.5
Averae yards per ame
FUMBLES
TctaI-Lcst
Third dcwn
C0NVERSI0NS PCT.
Third dcwn Fcurth dcwn
SACKS
Z9
TctaI
Sccres
RE0 Z0NE
Tcuchdcwns Sccres Tcuchdcwns
4Z.5
Averae yards per ame
TctaI-Lcst
Z9
TctaI
6^7^ 07 9786 ^25
Attempts Made
1otal yardaqe: 1973 1otal yardaqe: Z018
1otal yardaqe: Z164 1otal yardaqe: 5769
660
50.8
300
Z3.1
1Z
Z37 188
1Z-9 Z9-13
10 16
RUSHIN0
P|ayer ktt Yds kv J0
Silas Redd 230 88 5.2 7
Curtis Dukes ^ 237 5.8
Stephlon Creen ^6 203 ^.^ 5
B. Beachum 3^ 3^ 3.9 0
Curtis Drake 5 52 0.^ 0
Jota| 41! !913 4.2 !1
PASSIN0
P|ayer 0mpktt Yds J0 Iat
Matt McCloin 2523 57 8 5
Rob Bolden ^609 5^8 ^
Jota| !14349 2!64 9 9
RECEIVIN0
P|ayer kec Yds kv J0
Derek Moye ^0 65^ 6.^ 3
Justin Brown 3^ ^^8 3.2
Devon Smith 23 353 5.3 2
AndrewSzczerba 2 0 8.^ 0
Jota| !14 2!64 !2.4 9
PUNT RETURNS
P|ayer No. Yds kv J0
Justin Brown 26 9^ 7.5 0
DrewAstorino ^ 6 ^.0 0
KICK RETURNS
P|ayer No. Yds kv J0
Chaz Powell 23 652 28.3
Adrian Amos 6 27 2.2 0
KICKIN0
P|ayer f0 PkJ Loa 8||
Anthony Fera ^7 88 ^6 0
PUNTIN0
P|ayer No. Yds kv Loa
Anthony Fera 55 23 ^2.0 69
TACKLIN0
P|ayer No. Soks JfL Sac|
Cerald Hodqes 97 55^2 0.0 ^.5
DrewAstorino 77 ^928 5.0 0.0
Clenn Carson 7^ 28^6 .5 0.0
Nate Stupar 68 3236 5.5 2.0
WHEN H0UST0N HAS THE BALL
SpeciaI
teams
Prcjected
starters
Heusten will win if ...
0EFENSE
0FFENSE
1HL 1lMLS LLADLR S1AFF
L0SS RIN JI P0J.
st qame as UHinterimcoach
00vs. Penn State
Alma mater: Minnesota (996)
C0ACH REC0R0S
!|e Couors ore overoir
a0.8 oirts er ore orc
c00 ]orcs of toto| offerse,
|ot| No. l ir t|e rotior.
Key stat
... t|e Couors c|o||ere |err Stote's sofeties eor|] orc ofter
or offerse orc force ot |eost tWo |iors' turrovers or ceferse.
lr t|e kose 3oW| t|ree seosors oo, USC Wor |] oressive|]
ottoc|ir t|e |iors' ore sc|eres. !|e Couors' ossir ore
coesr't |ove t|e roWto|ert of t|e !rojors |ut it is just os
ro|ific. 3ut if t|e ceferse cor't sto Si|os kecc, it Wor't rotter.
Teny Levine
.000 0 0 0
Opponent Penn State
15.7 19.8
Z4
443.8
HOUSTON COUGARS
HE IS THE
KIND of player
who somehow
finds a way the
keep proving
Penn State is
still one of the
very best, at
least when it comes to playing
defense.
But that was never Devon
Stills intention.
The big defensive tackle never
played to win the spotlight, win
big honors and win a place on 10
national All-America teams.
I didnt even know there were
10 All-America teams, Still said.
He knew this, though.
All the injuries he endured
early in his college career and
the obstacles in his way were
never going to stop him com-
pletely.
Because he was charging with
all his might straight into a bet-
ter future.
For him and his young family.
I understand when Im out
there, I am playing for my live-
lihood, Still said. Aint nothing
going to stop me from providing
for my daughter.
Little Leah Still came into this
world 19 months ago, and Still
raises his child with his long-
time girlfriend Channing Smythe
in an off-campus apartment.
He says the birth of his child
changed his world, and gave him
motivation to play every down
with his heart and soul.
In a way, though, Still has
been the face of inspiration
around Penn State.
Hell be a first-round pick in
the upcoming NFL Draft, more
than one opposing coach has
said.
Years ago, he would have said
that kind of talk was all hog-
wash.
Still came to Penn State as a
decorated all-state lineman at
Howard Technology High School
in Delaware. And his bloodlines
boasted stardom, as one of his
cousins named Art Still played in
the NFL for the Kansas City
Chiefs and another, Levon Kir-
kland, was a ferocious linebacker
for the Pittsburgh Steelers and
later the Philadelphia Eagles.
But during his first few sea-
sons at Penn State, it was tough
enough for Devon Still to even
walk, let alone walk in their
footsteps.
Still suffered a torn ACL in his
left knee as a freshman, forcing
him to redshirt the 2007 season.
Then he broke his left ankle
When I first got here, and all
the injuries set in, I didnt think
Id be where I am today, Still
said.
Where he is happens to be at
the forefront of the resurgence of
Penn States defense.
Still recorded a combined 58
tackles, including six sacks and
15 behind the line of scrim-
mage over the past two seasons.
Then he exploded off the ball as
a fifth-year senior this year, with
17 total tackles for a loss in-
cluding 15 solo while putting up
55 tackles, 4 sacks along with a
forced fumble, fumble recovery
and a pass breakup.
I think I just understood
football more, Still said, then
credited Penn State defensive
line coach Larry Johnson for
inspiring his final flourish in
Happy Valley. He kind of did a
great job getting me to reach
those heights.
Sparked by Still, Penn States
defense climbed alongside the
best in the country. And Still was
named to a slew of All-America
teams, including those selected
by the AP, Walter Camp, The
Sporting News and Pro Football
Weekly.
Behind their relentless 6-
foot-5, 305-pound co-captain and
leader, the Lions ranked fifth in
scoring defense this season.
They also finished fifth in the
nation in both passing and pass
efficiency defense and 10th in
total defense, while holding nine
of their 12 opponents under 19
points this season.
When you have players who
are willing to be led, Still said,
its not that hard to be a leader.
Even still, two of Penn States
stronger defensive efforts came
in the midst of the ongoing sex-
ual abuse scandal surrounding
former defensive coordinator
Jerry Sandusky that cost Hall of
Fame coach Joe Paterno his job.
The thing thats going to
stick out to me, Still said, is
the adversity we overcame.
The Lions will have to over-
come a high-powered Houston
team, which averages more than
50 points per game, to win the
TicketCity Bowl on Monday.
But whatever happens in that
game in Cotton Bowl Stadium in
Dallas, Still has already punched
his ticket to the next level.
Pro scouts from coast to coast
have been putting his name high
of their draft boards all season.
Not that Still ever played with
the intention to influence them.
I think it was proving to my
family and myself what I was
capable of doing, Still said. Not
the scouts.
Consider all of them con-
vinced.
Determination has been driving force for Still
PAUL SOKOLOSKI
O P I N I O N
DALLAS The day after Joe
Paterno was fired, former Penn
State player Tim Sweeney re-
layed two messages to the cur-
rent Nittany Lions at a team
meeting.
One was a farewell note
passed on by the ousted coach;
the other a statement of support
from former players for a team
besieged by scrutiny after Pater-
no was ousted in the aftermath
of child sex abuse charges
against retired assistant Jerry
Sandusky.
Nearly two months later,
Sweeney and other old Nittany
Lions are gathering again in Dal-
las to see a tumultuous season
come to a close Monday when
No. 24 Penn State plays No. 20
Houston in the TicketCity Bowl.
Some (current players) I
think felt they were being
blamed for something they had
nothing to do with, Sweeney
said Saturday. These guys need-
ed to knowwe were in support of
them, we had their backs.
Sweeney is the president of
the Football Lettermans Club, a
group of former Penn State play-
ers with the goal of helping other
school football alumni after col-
lege. Fellow board member Trey
Bauer, a former linebacker,
called the three-decade-old club
a group that worked more be-
hind the scenes and out of the
spotlight.
But the scandal that rocked
Happy Valley had the club bend-
ing the rules. No team in college
athletics has ever had to play un-
der such extenuating circum-
stances.
So the club reached out to
Penn State interim coach Tom
Bradley, who replaced Paterno,
to get the OK to play a more
proactive role with current play-
ers.
Theyve really helped out,
staying with us, supporting us,
senior left tackle Quinn Barham
said Saturday at the team hotel
in Dallas after practice. Telling
us to stay motivated to block out
all the negativity ... to hear that
from them, it feels good to know
that were a family.
Once a noted member of that
same Penn State family, Sandus-
ky is awaiting trial after pleading
not guilty earlier this month and
waiving a preliminary court
hearing. Paterno testified before
a state grand jury investigating
Sandusky, and prosecutors have
said he is not a target of the
probe.
But the state police commis-
sioner on Nov. 7 two days af-
ter Sandusky was first charged
criticized Penn State leaders
including Paterno for failing to
do more to report alleged abuse
to authorities. Paterno an-
nounced his retirement effective
the end of the season the morn-
ing of Nov. 9 before trustees fired
himanyway about 12 hours later.
The next day, Sweeney relayed
the message from Paterno to the
team. Sweeney declined to di-
vulge the content on Saturday
except saying it was a very brief
letter, very poignant and power-
ful ... Only Joe would come up
with something like that.
Recently, other former players
acting separately fromthe letter-
mans club have taken more
proactive roles in support of Pa-
terno.
As of Saturday, the names of
more than 520 former players
were attached to an online pet-
ition entitled The Penn State
Football Family with the sub-
ject heading of We Stand in Sup-
port of Joe and Penn State. The
letter began by expressing sad-
ness over the allegations and of-
fered prayers to alleged victims
and their families.
Former players taking active role in supporting Nittany Lions
Football Lettermans Club
members among those in
Dallas for TicketCity Bowl.
By GENARO C. ARMAS
AP Sports Writer
C M Y K
S P O R T S
endured a lengthy hearing before
the PIAADistrict 2Athletic Com-
mittee. He now plays basketball
for the Mohawks.
During his senior season, Le-
wis rushed for 1,410 yards and a
WVC-high 27 touchdowns. He al-
so threw for more than 1,000
yards, and was named to the
Class 4A all-state team.
DOC MATTOLI RETIRES,
RACES SHORTENED
In something of a surprise, Po-
cono Raceway founder and own-
er Joseph Doc Mattioli, 86, an-
nouncedinAugust that he hadre-
signed all of his positions and
handed duties over to three of his
grandchildren.
After 50years at the helm, Mat-
tioli turned Pocono over to his
grandson, BrandonIgdalsky, who
became president and chief exec-
utive officer of the track. Another
grandson, Nicholas, became
chief operating officer and exec-
utive vice president. Brandon
and Nicholas sister Ashley was
named secretary/treasurer.
Immediately after his retire-
ment, Pocono announced future
NASCARraces wouldbe reduced
to 400 miles fromtheir then-stan-
dard 500.
W-B/SCRANTON
PENGUINS COLLAPSE
The Penguins turned in the
best regular season in their histo-
ry (58 wins), had the AHLs
17, 1966, in a 15-7 victory over
Maryland. Under his watch, Penn
State won 24 of its 37 bowl ap-
pearances, and he had 29 Top-10
finishes and 29 seasons of nine or
more wins.
SWB YANKEES LEAVE
PNC FIELD
The Yankees posted a 73-69 re-
cord this season, finishing in
third place in the International
League North Division and mis-
sing the postseason for the first
time since the NewYork Yankees
moved their Triple-A affiliate to
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2007.
But the big news was that the
team will be nomads in 2012,
playing home games in six
parks, none of which would be
PNC Field, as their home under-
goes major renovations.
The sites are: Rochester, N.Y.,
37 games; Syracuse, N.Y., 10
games; Allentown, eight games;
Batavia, N.Y., sevengames; Buffa-
lo, N.Y., six games; and Pawtuck-
et, R.I., four games.
The Yanks are supposed to re-
turn to Moosic in 2013.
DALLAS OPENS HEAD
COACH POSITION
Ted Jackson, the Wyoming Val-
ley Conference Big School Coach
of theYear thepast threeseasons,
has his position opened by the
Dallas School Board on Dec. 12.
Jackson had a 227-83-3 record
in27seasons at Dallas. His teams
have posted a losing record just
once, when the 2009 squad fin-
ished 2-8. Dallas won the PIAA
Class 2A state championship in
1993 and was in the District 2
Class 3A championship game
two of the last three years. Jack-
son applied for the open position
days later.
EUGENE LEWIS COMMITS
TO PENN STATE
And then some. Arguably the
areas biggest high school sports
star started the year with a verbal
commitment to play football at
Penn State for Paterno.
Now, Paterno is no longer the
Nittany Lions coach and Lewis is
nolonger a Wyoming Valley West
Spartan. Lewis transferred to
Meyers in early December and
Coach of the Year and the Goal-
tender of the Year.
But inhockey, a best-of-7 series
can be the ultimate equalizer.
The Penguins trailed the East
Division final 3-2 when they
played Game 6 at Mohegan Sun
Arena. They enjoyed a 3-0 lead in
the third period of that game
against the Charlotte Checkers,
But Charlotte scored four times
in 12 minutes to eliminate the
Penguins two series short of a
Calder Cup title.
SEMINARY REPEATS AS
FIELD HOCKEY CHAMPS
A team that started four se-
niors during the season had only
three come playoff time, thanks
to an illness.
But the Blue Knights rattledoff
seven consecutive wins in the
playoffs behind backup goalie
HannahDressler, andseniors and
top recruits AshLeigh Sebia,
Kristian Stefanides and Ann Ro-
manowski.
The last was a 3-2 state final
victory over Villa Maria in which
Stefanides scored all three goals.
The win gave Sem a second con-
secutive title and a record 16-
game winning streak in PIAA
tournament play.
HAZLETONS CANZLER
WINS IL MVP AWARD
Russ Canzler took a shot when
he joined the Tampa Bay Rays or-
ganization. He figured that if he
was going to make it to the bigs
anywhere, it would be with Ha-
zleton native Joe Maddon in the
mix.
Canzler put together anall-star
season at Durham, where he bat-
ted.314with18homeruns and83
RBI, and won the International
League MVP
Along the way, he reached the
bigs in a season full of major ac-
complishments: he hit a grand
slam at Lehigh Valley in first at-
bat in Pennsylvania as a pro, he
made his major league debut at
Fenway Park, and he got his first
big league hit at Yankee Stadium.
REP. STABACK WANTS
SUNDAY HUNTING
Rep. Ed Staback has been an
advocate of Sunday hunting for
years. But this year was different.
The Pennsylvania Game Com-
mission voted 4-3 to adopt a reso-
lution supporting the repeal of
the prohibition against Sunday
hunting. The following day,
House Bill 1760 was presented to
the state legislature.
There is a lot of support for
the Sunday hunting concept in
this area, Stabacksaidof the hot-
button issue. We still have some
hurdles, but with so many high-
profile organizations, and now
the PGC supporting this, I think
its closer than ever before.
FRED ADAMS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER
Pocono Raceway founder and owner Joseph Doc" Mattioli an-
nounced his retirement in August.
AP PHOTO
Hazleton Area graduate Russ Canzler was named the Internation-
al League MVP after an outstanding season at Durham.
DON CAREY/THE TIMES LEADER
Wyoming Seminary field hockey won the state title for a second consecutive year.
The Penguins playoff collapse ended hopes of a Calder Cup.
Eugene Lewis made news for
various reasons.
TRANSITION
lines, horse racing and hoops.
He didnt much care for base-
ball, but took his best swing at
covering the game for more
than a decade. He began to em-
brace it, and when the Triple-A
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yan-
kees won the franchises first
Governors Cup, their manager
Dave Miley gave Van Rose a
hug.
He may have put away his
notepad and pen for the final
time. But before he did, Van
Rose left our business ideals to
hold onto.
ROSE
Paul Sokoloski is a Times Leader
sports columnist. You may reach
him at 970-7109 or email him at
[email protected].
LEXINGTON, Ky. Fresh-
man Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
had season-highs with 24
points and 19 rebounds to lead
No. 3 Kentucky in a rough-and-
tumble 69-62 victory over No.
4 Louisville on Saturday to
extend the nations longest
home winning streak.
Fellow freshman Anthony
Davis added 18 points, all in
the second half, for the Wild-
cats (13-1) in their annual in-
state rivalry game that at times
looked more like a free throw
shooting contest with 52 fouls.
The Cardinals (12-2) only led
at 2-0, but gave Kentucky all it
could handle after rallying
from an early 15-point deficit
before tying it in the second
half thanks to Russ Smith, who
had a career-high 30 points.
No. 9 Connecticut 83,
St. Johns 69
HARTFORD, Conn. Sha-
bazz Napier had 17 points and
nine assists as No. 9 Connecti-
cut beat St. Johns in a game
coached by assistants for both
teams.
Andre Drummond had 16
points and 11 rebounds and
Jeremy Lamb added 15 points
for UConn (12-1, 2-0 Big East),
which shot 60 percent from the
floor to win its seventh straight
game.
Iowa 72, No. 11 Wisconsin 65
MADISON, Wis. Fresh-
man reserve Aaron White
scored 16 of his 18 points in the
second half and Iowa stunned
No. 11 Wisconsin, snapping the
Badgers six-game winning
streak.
White was 6 of 7 from the
field, including two 3-pointers,
and made all four of his free
throws as the Hawkeyes (9-6,
1-1 Big Ten) held on to beat the
Badgers for just the third time
in the past 15 meetings.
No. 10 Florida 90, Yale 70
GAINESVILLE, Fla. Ken-
ny Boyntons 26 points led No.
10 Florida to a victory over
Yale less than 40 hours after
the Gators were upset at Rutg-
ers.
Patrick Young added 19
points and Erik Murphy had 18
for Florida (11-3), while Bra-
dley Beal had 11.
No. 12 Georgetown 49,
Providence 40
WASHINGTON Henry
Sims scored five of his 11
points in the final 7 minutes,
and No. 12 Georgetown blew a
14-point lead and shot a sea-
son-low 30 percent in a win
over Providence.
The Hoyas won their 10th
straight game despite making
only eight field goals in the
second half. The score was tied
at 35 with 8 minutes to play
before Georgetown closed with
a 14-5 run.
No. 15 Mississippi State 66,
Utah State 64
STARKVILLE, Miss.
Rodney Hood scored 16 points,
Arnett Moultrie added 15
points and No. 15 Mississippi
State escaped with a victory.
Mississippi State (13-2)
needed a defensive stop on its
final possession to seal the win.
Utah States Danny Berger
missed a jumper as time ex-
pired that would have tied the
game.
No. 16 Michigan St. 68,
Nebraska 55
LINCOLN, Neb. Dray-
mond Green scored 19 points
and Keith Appling had eight of
his 14 in the last 7 minutes to
help No. 16 Michigan State
hold off struggling Nebraska
68-55 on Saturday, the Spar-
tans 13th straight victory.
The Spartans (13-2, 2-0 Big
Ten) are on their longest win-
ning streak since the 1998-99
team won 22 straight. Eleven
of the 13 have been by double
digits.
No. 17 Kansas 84, North
Dakota 58
LAWRENCE, Kan. Tho-
mas Robinson posted career-
bests with 30 points and 21
rebounds, helping NO. 17 Kan-
sas overcome a sluggish start
and beat North Dakota 84-58
on Saturday in its final noncon-
ference game.
North Dakota (5-8) simply
had no answer for the muscu-
lar 6-foo-10 Robinson. With 12
points and 10 rebounds, the
junior had socked away his Big
12-leading ninth double-double
by halftime. His monster game
included two steals and four
assists as the Jayhawks (10-3)
won their 55th straight non-
conference home game.
No. 24 Harvard 74, Saint
Josephs 69
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. Kyle
Casey scored 7 of his 26 points
in the closing 4:25 as No. 24
Harvard completed a come-
back from a late 11-point deficit
to beat Saint Josephs 74-69 on
Saturday.
Keith Wright added 16 points
and five rebounds, and Casey
had 10 rebounds for the Crim-
son (12-1), who trailed by 11
with just over 10 minutes to
play.
C O L L E G E B A S K E T B A L L R O U N D U P
AP PHOTO
Kentuckys Anthony Davis (23) and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14)
celebrated a basket by Kidd-Gilchrist in the first half Saturday.
Kentucky freshmen
help topple Louisville
K
S C O R E B O A R D
MEETINGS
Crestwood Boys Basketball Booster
Club will hold their next meeting
Monday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. at Cava-
naughs. We will be discussing the
white-out t-shirt sale, team picture
updates, the winter social in Febru-
ary and the end of the season
banquet. Parents of boys basket-
ball players are invited to attend.
The Crestwood Football Booster
Club will hold its next meeting on
Tuesday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. at Kings
Restaurante. Parents of players
and supporters of the program are
invited to attend. For more in-
formation, call Tony at 430-7351.
West Side United Soccer Clubs
monthly parent/coaches meeting
will be at 6:30 p.m. on Monday,
Jan. 2 at the Plymouth Borough
Building, second floor, Shawnee
Ave., Plymouth. All parents and
coaches are asked to attend.
REGISTRATION/TRYOUTS
Mountain Top Area Little League
and Softball will be offering regis-
tration for managers/coaches for
the 2012 season. The early regis-
tration will be at Crestwood High
School on Thursday, Jan. 12 from
7-9 p.m. Bring a copy of your photo
ID and the registration fee. For
more information, call Terry at
823-7949, or visit www.mountain-
toparealittleleague.com.
The Rock Rec Center will be holding
tryouts for Rock Solid AAU basket-
ball on Jan. 8 and 15. The cost is
$10 per player, and players may
attend both tryouts for that price.
The times for Jan. 8 are: 2 p.m.,
girls grades 5-6; 3 p.m., girls
grades 7-8; 4 p.m. girls grades 9-10;
5 p.m., boys grades 5-6; 6 p.m.,
boys grades 7-8; 7 p.m. boys
grades 9-10. Times for Jan 15 are: 2
p.m., boys grades 5-6; 3 p.m., boys
grades 7-8; 4 p.m., boys grades
9-10; 5 p.m., girls grades 5-6; 6
p.m., girls grades 9-10; 7 p.m. girls
grades 7-8. Contact the Rock Rec
Center for more information at
696-2769 or TheRockRecCen-
[email protected].
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Knights of Columbus Council
302 will conduct a basketball free
throw competition at 7 p.m. on
Saturday, Jan. 14 at the Wyoming
Valley CYC on South Washington
Street in Wilkes-Barre. All children
ages 10-14 are eligible. Entry forms
will be available at the CYC, Grand-
pas Workshop on Scott Street in
Wilkes-Barre and lasting impres-
sion on River Street in Plains. For
more information, call 262-3873.
Wilkes University will host its 12th
annual mid-winter softball camp
Jan. 29, Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26 from 9
a.m. to noon each day. Pitching will
begin at 9 a.m., hitting at 10 a.m.,
and fielding at 11 a.m. The camp will
be held in the UCOM building on
Main Street and the Marts Center
(Wilkes Gym) on Franklin Street.
For more information, call Frank at
571-408-4031.
Bulletin Board items will not be
accepted over the telephone. Items
may be faxed to 831-7319, emailed to
[email protected] or dropped
off at the Times Leader or mailed to
Times Leader, c/o Sports, 15 N, Main
St., Wilkes-Barre, PA18711-0250.
BUL L E T I N BOARD
S P O R T S
NFL
Favorite Points Underdog
Sunday
EAGLES 8.5 Redskins
FALCONS 11 Bucs
49ers 10.5 RAMS
VIKINGS 1.5 Bears
Lions 4 PACKERS
GIANTS 3 Cowboys
SAINTS 8 Panthers
Titans 2.5 TEXANS
Ravens 2 BENGALS
Steelers 7 BROWNS
JAGUARS 3.5 Colts
DOLPHINS 3 Jets
PATRIOTS 12.5 Bills
RAIDERS 3 Chargers
BRONCOS 3 Chiefs
CARDS 3 Seahawks
College Football
Monday
Ticket City Bowl
Houston 7 Penn St
Outback Bowl
Georgia 3.5 Michigan St
Capital One Bowl
S Carolina 2 Nebraska
Gator Bowl
Florida 2 Ohio St
Rose Bowl
Oregon 6 Wisconsin
Fiesta Bowl
Oklahoma St 4 Stanford
Tuesday
Sugar Bowl
Michigan 2.5 Va Tech
Wednesday
Orange Bowl
Clemson 3 W Virginia
Friday
Cotton Bowl
Arkansas 8 Kansas St
Saturday
Compass Bowl
Pittsburgh 3.5 So Methodist
January 8
Arkansas St 1.5 No Illinois
January 9
BCS Championship Game
Alabama 1 Louisiana St
NBA
Celtics 7 WIZARDS
CAVALIERS 4 Nets
MAGIC 11.5 Raptors
HEAT 15 Bobcats
Mavericks 3 TWOLVES
BULLS 8 Grizzlies
NUGGETS 2 Lakers
KINGS 6.5 Hornets
CLIPPERS 3.5 Blazers
College Basketball
S FLORIDA 3.5 Rutgers
MARQUETTE 10.5 Villanova
Illinois St 2.5 SO ILLINOIS
MARSHALL 8 Akron
MICHIGAN 6 Minnesota
Syracuse 13 DEPAUL
DUKE 22 Penn
PITTSBURGH 4.5 Cincinnati
NORTHWESTERN 8.5 Penn St
NORTHERN IOWA 13 Evansville
NHL
Favorite Odds Underdog
PREDATORS -$140/
+$120
Flames
AME RI C A S L I NE
By Roxy Roxborough
CIRCULAR REPORT: On the NFL board, the Packers - Lions
circle is due to the fact that Green Bay might rest some
players; the Steelers - Browns circle is for Pittsburgh QB Ben
Roethlisberger (probable). On the NBA board, the Knicks -
Kings circle is for New York forward Amare Stoudemire
(questionable).
NO LINE REPORT: On the NBA board, there is no line on the
Warriors - 76ers game due to Golden State guard Stephen
Curry (questionable) and guard Monta Ellis (doubtful). INJURY
REPORT: On the NFL board, Miami RB Reggie Bush is out
L O C A L
C A L E N D A R
This Week's Events
MONDAY, JAN. 2
MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Cross County Challenge
Wilkes at Scranton, 6 p.m.
Kings at Marywood, 8 p.m.
Misericordia vs. Sponaugle New Years Tourna-
ment, at Franklin & Marshall
TUESDAY, JAN. 3
HS BOYS BASKETBALL
Berwick at Pittston Area, 7:15 p.m.
Hazleton Area at Coughlin, 7:15 p.m.
Wyoming Valley West at Crestwood, 7:15 p.m.
Wyoming Area at Holy Redeemer, 7:15 p.m.
Tunkhannock at Dallas, 7:15 p.m.
Nanticoke at Lake-Lehman, 7:15 p.m.
Hanover Area at GAR, 7:15 p.m.
Northwest at Wyoming Seminary, 7:15 p.m.
MMI Prep at Meyers, 7:15 p.m.
HS GIRLS BASKETBALL
Wyoming Area at Holy Redeemer, 7 p.m.
Coughlin at Hazleton Area, 7:15 p.m.
Crestwood at Wyoming Valley West, 7:15 p.m.
Dallas at Tunkhanock, 7:15 p.m.
GAR at Hanover Area, 7:15 p.m.
Holy Redeemer at Wyoming Area, 7:15 p.m.
Lake-Lehman at Nanticoke, 7:15 p.m.
Meyers at MMI Prep, 7:15 p.m.
Pittston Area at Berwick, 7:15 p.m.
Wyoming Seminary at Northwest, 7:15 p.m.
HS BOWLING
Berwick at Central Columbia, 3 p.m.
Hazleton Area at Governor Mifflin, 3 p.m.
HS SWIMMING
Hanover Area at Wyoming Valley West, 4 p.m.
Lake Lehman at Holy Redeemer, 4 p.m.
Hazleton Area at Dallas, 4:30 p.m.
Scranton at Abington Heights, 4:30 p.m.
Elk Lake at Delaware Valley, 4:30 p.m.
Valley View at Scranton Prep, 7 p.m.
Cross County Challenge
Wilkes at Marywood, 6 p.m.
Kings vs. Scranton (at Marywood), 8 p.m.
Misericordia vs. Sponaugle New Years Tourna-
ment, at Franklin & Marshall
PSU Wilkes-Barre at Shippensburg, 7 p.m.
WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Wilkes at Cenetary, 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 4
HS SWIMMING
Meyers at Pittston Area, 4 p.m.
Wyoming Area at Nanticoke, 4 p.m.
Dunmore at Coughlin, 4:30 p.m.
West Scranton at Tunkhannock, 4:30 p.m.
HS WRESTLING (all matches 7 p.m.)
Wyoming Valley West at Coughlin
Hanover Area at Wyoming Area
GAR at Lake-Lehman
Tunkhannock at Hazleton Area
Pittston Area at Crestwood
Meyers at Dallas
THURSDAY, JAN. 5
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Berwick Area at Holy Redeemer, 7:15 p.m.
Dallas at Hazleton Area, 7:15 p.m.
Hanover Area at Meyers, 7:15 p.m.
Lake-Lehman at GAR, 7:15 p.m.
MMI Prep at Wyoming Seminary, 7:15 p.m.
Nanticoke at Northwest, 7:15 p.m.
Pittston Area at Crestwood, 7:15 p.m.
Wyoming Area at Tunkhannock, 7:15 p.m.
Wyoming Valley West at Coughlin, 7:15 p.m.
HS SWIMMING
Meyers at Dunmore, 4 p.m.
Pittston Area at Dallas, 4:15 p.m.
Berwick Area at Hazleton Area, 4:30 p.m.
Wyoming Valley West at Crestwood, 4:30 p.m.
Holy Redeemer at Hanover Area, 4:30 p.m.
Wilkes at Penn College, 7 p.m.
Thaddeus Stevens at PSU Wilkes-Barre, 7 p.m.
Wilkes at Albright, 7 p.m.
FRIDAY, JAN. 6
BOYS BASKETBALL
Tunkhannock at Wyoming Area, 7 p.m.
Holy Redeemer at Berwick, 7:15 p.m.
Coughlin at Wyoming Valley West, 7:15 p.m.
Crestwood at Pittston Area, 7:15 p.m.
Hazleton Area at Dallas, 7:15 p.m.
Northwest at Nanticoke, 7:15 p.m.
Wyoming Seminary at MMI Prep, 7:15 p.m.
Meyers at Hanover Area, 7:15 p.m.
Lake-Lehman at GAR, 7:15 p.m.
HS SWIMMING
Lake-Lehman at Wyoming Seminary, 4 p.m.
Meyers at Dunmore, 4 p.m.
Nanticoke at Coughlin, 4:30 p.m.
Hanover Area at West Scranton, 4:30 p.m.
HS WRESTLING
WVC Wrestling Tournament at Lake-Lehman
SATURDAY, JAN. 7
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Hazleton Area at Tamaqua, 1:30 p.m.
Col-Mont Vo-Tech at MMI Prep, 2:15 p.m.
Susquehanna at Crestwood, 2:15 p.m.
Hanover Area at Pottsville, 7:15 p.m.
HS WRESTLING
WVC Wrestling Tournament at Lake-Lehman
Storm King School at Wyoming Seminary, 10 a.m.
PSU Wilkes-Barre at Wilkes, 3 p.m.
Lycoming at Kings, 3 p.m.
Neumann at Kings, 1 p.m.
Lycoming at Wilkes, 1 p.m.
COLLEGE WRESTLING
Kings at Pennsylvania/New York Duals
Wilkes at North/South Duals
T R A N S A C T I O N S
BASEBALL
American League
TORONTO BLUE JAYSSigned LHP Aaron Laf-
fey, RHP Jerry Gil, RHP Garret Mock, RHP Robert
Coello and SS Brian Bocock to minor league con-
tracts.
National League
SAN DIEGO PADRESAcquired OF Carlos
Quentin from the Chicago White Sox for RHP Si-
mon Castro and LHP Pedro Hernandez.
BASKETBALL
National Basketball Association
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIESRe-signed C Hamed
Haddadi.
FOOTBALL
National Football League
ARIZONA CARDINALSPlaced OT Brandon
Keith on injured reserve. Signed CB Marshay
Green from the practice squad.
KANSASCITYCHIEFSSigned LBBrandon Siler
to a one-year contract extension.
HOCKEY
National Hockey League
NHLFined Phoenix F Raffi Torres $2,500 for el-
bowing Colorado D Jan Hejda in a Dec. 29 game.
Fined New York Rangers D Michael Del Zotto and
Florida F Tomas Kopecky $2,500 apiece, for their
respective actions during an altercation in a Dec. 30
game.
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETSRecalled D David
Savard from Springfield (AHL).
FLORIDA PANTHERSReassigned RW Evgenii
Dadonov to San Antonio (AHL).
NEW YORK RANGERSAnnounced C Sean Av-
ery cleared waivers and assigned him to Connecti-
cut (AHL).
ST. LOUIS BLUESAssigned F Adam Cracknell
to Peoria (AHL).
American Hockey League
GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINSAnnounced G Tom
McCollum was assigned to the team from Toledo
(ECHL).
ECHL
ECHLSuspended Colorados Michael Forney
one game as a result of his actions in a Dec. 30
game at Alaska. Fined Colorado assistant coach
Greg Pankewicz an undisclosed amount as a result
of his actions in a Dec. 30 game at Alaska.
COLLEGE
CONNECTICUTNamed Phil Chardis assistant
director of athletic communications.
MARSHALLSuspended freshman mens basket-
ball G Justin Coleman indefinitely.
WASHINGTONFired defensive coordinator Nick
Holt, linebackers coach Mike Cox and safeties
coach Jeff Mills.
W H A T S O N T V
MOTORSPORTS
1:30 a.m.
VERSUSDakar Rally, Mar del PlatatoSantaRo-
sa de la Pampa, Argentina (delayed tape)
NFL
1 p.m.
CBS N.Y. Jets at Miami
FOX Washington at Philadelphia
4:15 p.m.
CBS Pittsburgh at Cleveland
FOX Tampa Bay at Atlanta
8 p.m.
NBC Dallas at New York Giants
NHL
6 p.m.
NHL Calgary at Nashville
NBA
6 p.m.
YES New Jersey at Cleveland
MEN'S COLLEGE
BASKETBALL
7 p.m.
MSG Cincinnati at Pittsburgh
F O O T B A L L
National Football League
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
East
W L T Pct PF PA
y-New England.................... 12 3 0 .800 464 321
N.Y. Jets............................... 8 7 0 .533 360 344
Buffalo .................................. 6 9 0 .400 351 385
Miami .................................... 5 10 0 .333 310 296
South
W L T Pct PF PA
y-Houston............................. 10 5 0 .667 359 255
Tennessee........................... 8 7 0 .533 302 295
Jacksonville ......................... 4 11 0 .267 224 316
Indianapolis.......................... 2 13 0 .133 230 411
North
W L T Pct PF PA
x-Baltimore........................... 11 4 0 .733 354 250
x-Pittsburgh.......................... 11 4 0 .733 312 218
Cincinnati .............................. 9 6 0 .600 328 299
Cleveland ............................. 4 11 0 .267 209 294
West
W L T Pct PF PA
Denver..................................... 8 7 0 .533 306 383
Oakland................................... 8 7 0 .533 333 395
San Diego ............................... 7 8 0 .467 368 351
Kansas City............................. 6 9 0 .400 205 335
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
East
W L T Pct PF PA
N.Y. Giants............................ 8 7 0 .533 363 386
Dallas .................................... 8 7 0 .533 355 316
Philadelphia.......................... 7 8 0 .467 362 318
Washington .......................... 5 10 0 .333 278 333
South
W L T Pct PF PA
y-New Orleans..................... 12 3 0 .800 502 322
x-Atlanta ............................... 9 6 0 .600 357 326
Carolina................................ 6 9 0 .400 389 384
Tampa Bay ........................... 4 11 0 .267 263 449
North
W L T Pct PF PA
y-Green Bay ......................... 14 1 0 .933 515 318
x-Detroit................................ 10 5 0 .667 433 342
Chicago ................................ 7 8 0 .467 336 328
Minnesota ............................ 3 12 0 .200 327 432
West
W L T Pct PF PA
y-San Francisco................... 12 3 0 .800 346 202
Seattle................................... 7 8 0 .467 301 292
Arizona ................................. 7 8 0 .467 289 328
St. Louis ............................... 2 13 0 .133 166 373
x-clinched playoff spot
y-clinched division
Thursday's Game
Indianapolis 19, Houston 16
Saturday's Games
Oakland 16, Kansas City 13, OT
Tennessee 23, Jacksonville 17
Pittsburgh 27, St. Louis 0
Buffalo 40, Denver 14
Carolina 48, Tampa Bay 16
Minnesota 33, Washington 26
Baltimore 20, Cleveland 14
New England 27, Miami 24
N.Y. Giants 29, N.Y. Jets 14
Cincinnati 23, Arizona 16
Detroit 38, San Diego 10
San Francisco 19, Seattle 17
Philadelphia 20, Dallas 7
Sunday's Game
Green Bay 35, Chicago 21
Monday's Game
New Orleans 45, Atlanta 16
Today's Games
Chicago at Minnesota, 1 p.m.
Carolina at New Orleans, 1 p.m.
Detroit at Green Bay, 1 p.m.
San Francisco at St. Louis, 1 p.m.
Tennessee at Houston, 1 p.m.
Buffalo at New England, 1 p.m.
N.Y. Jets at Miami, 1 p.m.
Indianapolis at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.
Washington at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.
San Diego at Oakland, 4:15 p.m.
Kansas City at Denver, 4:15 p.m.
Seattle at Arizona, 4:15 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Atlanta, 4:15 p.m.
Baltimore at Cincinnati, 4:15 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Cleveland, 4:15 p.m.
Dallas at N.Y. Giants, 8:30 p.m.
NFL Playoff Scenarios
Week 17
AFC
CLINCHED: New England-East Division and first-
round bye;Houston-South Division;Baltimore and
Pittsburgh-wild-card spots.
NEW ENGLAND
Clinches home-field advantage throughout AFC
playoffs with:
Win or tie OR
Baltimore loss or tie AND Pittsburgh loss or tie
BALTIMORE
Clinches AFCNorth Division and first-round bye
with:
Win OR
Tie AND Pittsburgh loss or tie OR
Pittsburgh loss
playoffs with:
Win AND New England loss
PITTSBURGH
Clinches AFCNorth Division and first-round bye
with:
Win AND Baltimore loss or tie OR
Tie AND Baltimore loss OR
playoffs with:
Win AND Baltimore loss or tie AND New England
loss
DENVER
Clinches AFC West Division with:
Win OR
Tie AND Oakland loss or tie OR
Oakland loss
OAKLAND
Clinches AFC West Division with:
Win AND Denver loss or tie OR
Tie AND Denver loss
Clinches wild-card spot with:
Win ANDCincinnati loss ANDTennessee loss or tie
OR
Win AND Cincinnati loss AND N.Y. Jets win
CINCINNATI
Win or tie
N.Y. Jets loss or tie AND Oakland loss or tie
N.Y. Jets loss or tie AND Denver loss or tie
N.Y. JETS
Clinch wild-card spot with:
AND Oakland loss or tie
AND Denver loss or tie
TENNESSEE
Win AND Cincinnati loss AND N.Y. Jets win AND
Oakland loss or tie
Win AND Cincinnati loss AND N.Y. Jets win AND
Denver loss or tie
Win AND Cincinnati loss AND N.Y. Jets loss or tie
AND Oakland win AND Denver win
NFC
CLINCHED: Green Bay-North Division and home-
field advantage throughout NFC playoffs;New Or-
leans-South Division;San Francisco-West Division-
;Atlantaand Detroit-wild-card spots.
SAN FRANCISCO
Clinches first-round bye with:
Win OR
New Orleans loss OR
Tie AND New Orleans tie
NEW ORLEANS
Clinches first-round bye with:
Win and San Francisco loss or tie OR
Tie and San Francisco loss
N.Y. GIANTS
Clinch NFC East Division with:
Win or tie
DALLAS
Clinches NFC East Division with:
Win
B A S K E T B A L L
National Basketball
Association
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic Division
W L Pct GB
New York .......................... 1 2 .333
Toronto.............................. 1 2 .333
Philadelphia...................... 1 2 .333
New Jersey....................... 1 3 .250
1
2
Boston............................... 1 3 .250
1
2
Southeast Division
W L Pct GB
Miami............................... 4 0 1.000
Atlanta............................. 3 0 1.000
1
2
Orlando ........................... 3 1 .750 1
Charlotte......................... 1 2 .333 2
1
2
Washington.................... 0 3 .000 3
1
2
Central Division
W L Pct GB
Indiana ............................ 3 0 1.000
Chicago........................... 3 1 .750
1
2
Milwaukee....................... 2 1 .667 1
Cleveland........................ 1 2 .333 2
Detroit ............................. 0 3 .000 3
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Southwest Division
W L Pct GB
San Antonio...................... 2 1 .667
New Orleans..................... 2 1 .667
Memphis ........................... 1 2 .333 1
Houston............................. 1 2 .333 1
Dallas ................................ 1 3 .250 1
1
2
Northwest Division
W L Pct GB
Oklahoma City............... 4 0 1.000
Portland........................... 3 0 1.000
1
2
Denver ............................ 2 2 .500 2
Utah................................. 1 2 .333 2
1
2
Minnesota....................... 0 3 .000 3
1
2
Pacific Division
W L Pct GB
Golden State..................... 2 1 .667
L.A. Lakers ....................... 3 2 .600
L.A. Clippers..................... 1 2 .333 1
Sacramento...................... 1 2 .333 1
Phoenix............................. 1 2 .333 1
Friday's Games
Orlando 100, Charlotte 79
Indiana 98, Cleveland 91, OT
Boston 96, Detroit 85
Atlanta 105, New Jersey 98
Phoenix 93, New Orleans 78
Miami 103, Minnesota 101
Memphis 113, Houston 93
Dallas 99, Toronto 86
Milwaukee 102, Washington 81
Utah 102, Philadelphia 99
Chicago 114, L.A. Clippers 101
Saturday's Games
L.A. Lakers 92, Denver 89
Indiana at Detroit, late
Atlanta at Houston, late
New York at Sacramento, late
Phoenix at Oklahoma City, late
Utah at San Antonio, late
Philadelphia at Golden State, late
Today's Games
New Jersey at Cleveland, 6 p.m.
Charlotte at Miami, 6 p.m.
Toronto at Orlando, 6 p.m.
Boston at Washington, 6 p.m.
Dallas at Minnesota, 7 p.m.
L.A. Lakers at Denver, 8 p.m.
Memphis at Chicago, 8 p.m.
New Orleans at Sacramento, 9 p.m.
Portland at L.A. Clippers, 9:30 p.m.
Monday's Games
Golden State at Phoenix, 3:30 p.m.
Washington at Boston, 7:30 p.m.
Indiana at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.
Orlando at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.
Atlanta at Miami, 7:30 p.m.
Toronto at New York, 7:30 p.m.
San Antonio at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
Oklahoma City at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Milwaukee at Denver, 9 p.m.
New Orleans at Utah, 9 p.m.
NBA LEADERS
INCLUDES GAMES OF FRIDAY, DECEMBER
30, 2011
SCORING AVERAGE
..........................................................GFGFTPTSAVG
James, MIA..................................... 4 4934 132 33.0
Durant, OKC................................... 4 4330 125 31.3
Griffin, LAC..................................... 3 3416 84 28.0
Bryant, LAL..................................... 4 3929 111 27.8
Love, MIN ....................................... 3 2232 78 26.0
Anthony, NYK................................. 3 2129 77 25.7
Jennings, MIL................................. 3 2317 68 22.7
Lawson, DEN.................................. 3 2610 67 22.3
Nowitzki, DAL................................. 4 2929 88 22.0
Bargnani, TOR................................ 3 2510 64 21.3
Ellis, GOL........................................ 3 2412 63 21.0
Rose, CHI ....................................... 4 2819 83 20.8
Aldridge, POR................................ 3 27 8 62 20.7
Thornton, SAC............................... 3 22 8 61 20.3
Allen, BOS...................................... 4 2516 80 20.0
Wade, MIA...................................... 4 3215 79 19.8
Wallace, POR................................. 3 2115 59 19.7
Granger, IND.................................. 3 22 9 59 19.7
Anderson, ORL.............................. 4 27 8 78 19.5
Williams, PHL................................. 3 1719 58 19.3
Randolph, MEM............................. 3 2114 57 19.0
Rondo, BOS................................... 4 2718 75 18.8
Lee, GOL ........................................ 3 2212 56 18.7
Ginobili, SAN.................................. 3 1714 56 18.7
Deng, CHI ....................................... 4 2815 74 18.5
Augustin, CHA................................ 3 1713 53 17.7
Iguodala, PHL ................................ 3 18 8 53 17.7
Harden, OKC.................................. 4 1828 70 17.5
Stoudemire, NYK........................... 3 1715 52 17.3
Lowry, HOU.................................... 3 1517 51 17.0
Howard, ORL ................................. 4 2714 68 17.0
Landry, NOR................................... 3 1815 51 17.0
Gasol, LAL...................................... 4 2615 67 16.8
Bosh, MIA....................................... 4 2712 67 16.8
J. Johnson, ATL............................. 3 17 9 50 16.7
Holiday, PHL................................... 3 1812 50 16.7
Martin, HOU ................................... 3 18 7 50 16.7
D. Williams, NJN............................ 4 2215 66 16.5
Gasol, MEM.................................... 3 1617 49 16.3
H O C K E Y
National Hockey League
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic Division
GP W L OT Pts GF GA
N.Y. Rangers............... 36 23 9 4 50 107 77
Philadelphia ................ 36 22 10 4 48 123 106
Pittsburgh .................... 38 21 13 4 46 121 100
New Jersey ................. 37 21 15 1 43 103 105
N.Y. Islanders.............. 36 13 17 6 32 84 113
Northeast Division
GP W L OT Pts GF GA
Boston.......................... 34 24 9 1 49 121 64
Toronto ........................ 37 18 14 5 41 116 122
Ottawa.......................... 38 18 15 5 41 117 131
Buffalo.......................... 37 17 17 3 37 98 109
Montreal....................... 38 14 17 7 35 97 107
Southeast Division
GP W L OT Pts GF GA
Florida.......................... 38 19 12 7 45 100 105
Winnipeg...................... 37 18 14 5 41 101 105
Washington................. 36 19 15 2 40 107 107
Tampa Bay................... 37 17 17 3 37 104 122
Carolina ....................... 40 13 21 6 32 103 135
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Central Division
GP W L OT Pts GF GA
Chicago........................ 38 24 10 4 52 125 107
Detroit .......................... 37 23 13 1 47 120 84
St. Louis....................... 37 21 11 5 47 95 82
Nashville...................... 38 20 14 4 44 100 105
Columbus .................... 37 10 22 5 25 91 124
Northwest Division
GP W L OT Pts GF GA
Vancouver ................... 38 24 12 2 50 128 92
Minnesota.................... 39 21 12 6 48 93 91
Calgary ........................ 39 18 16 5 41 96 106
Colorado...................... 39 20 18 1 41 104 113
Edmonton.................... 37 15 19 3 33 100 104
Pacific Division
GP W L OT Pts GF GA
San Jose....................... 34 19 11 4 42 99 83
Los Angeles ................. 38 18 14 6 42 82 89
Dallas ............................ 36 20 15 1 41 96 105
Phoenix......................... 38 18 16 4 40 98 101
Anaheim........................ 36 10 20 6 26 85 120
NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime
loss.
Friday's Games
Nashville 2, St. Louis 1, SO
Washington 3, Buffalo 1
Ottawa 4, Calgary 3, OT
N.Y. Rangers 4, Florida 1
Chicago 3, Detroit 2
Saturday's Games
N.Y. Islanders 4, Edmonton 1
New Jersey 3, Pittsburgh 1
Tampa Bay 5, Carolina 2
Phoenix at Minnesota, 6 p.m.
Montreal at Florida, 7 p.m.
Ottawa at Buffalo, 7 p.m.
Toronto at Winnipeg, 7 p.m.
St. Louis at Detroit, 7 p.m.
Washington at Columbus, 7 p.m.
Boston at Dallas, 8 p.m.
Colorado at Anaheim, 8 p.m.
Vancouver at Los Angeles, 10 p.m.
Today's Games
Calgary at Nashville, 6 p.m.
Monday's Games
N.Y. Rangers vs. Philadelphia at Philadelphia, Pa.,
1 p.m.
New Jersey at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m.
San Jose at Vancouver, 8 p.m.
Edmonton at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.
Colorado at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m.
Devils 3, Penguins 1
Pittsburgh........................................ 0 0 1 1
New Jersey..................................... 2 0 1 3
First Period1, NewJersey, Kovalchuk12 (penalty
shot), 14:43. 2, NewJersey, Clarkson13 (Elias, Ko-
valchuk), 19:36 (pp). PenaltiesOrpik, Pit (cross-
checking), 6:36;Zubrus, NJ (elbowing),
15:33;Asham, Pit (unsportsmanlike conduct, high-
sticking), 17:57;Staal, Pit (slashing), 18:22.
Second PeriodNone. PenaltiesNiskanen, Pit
(hooking), 4:27;Clarkson, NJ (hooking), 7:40.
Third Period3, Pittsburgh, Kunitz 13 (Niskanen,
Sullivan), 9:25(pp). 4, NewJersey, Parise13(Elias,
Kovalchuk), 19:10 (en). PenaltiesCooke, Pit (in-
terference), 1:38;Carter, NJ (tripping), 4:59;Fayne,
NJ (hooking), 8:02.
Shots on GoalPittsburgh 9-12-930. New Jer-
sey 10-5-621.
Power-play opportunitiesPittsburgh 1 of 4;New
Jersey 1 of 6.
GoaliesPittsburgh, Fleury 19-9-2 (20 shots-18
saves). New Jersey, Brodeur 11-9-0 (30-29).
A17,625 (17,625). T2:19.
RefereesPaul Devorski, Kyle Rehman. Lines-
menDerek Nansen, Pierre Racicot.
American Hockey League
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic Division
GP W L OL SL Pts GF GA
St. Johns .............. 31 19 7 4 1 43 113 93
Manchester ........... 34 20 12 0 2 42 93 87
Worcester.............. 31 16 9 3 3 38 88 80
Portland ................. 32 15 12 2 3 35 88 98
Providence............ 34 14 17 1 2 31 72 103
East Division
Hershey................. 32 18 8 3 3 42 122 94
Norfolk ................... 32 20 11 0 1 41 117 90
Penguins.............. 33 18 10 1 4 41 100 93
Syracuse............... 30 13 13 3 1 30 98 101
Binghamton........... 35 14 19 1 1 30 89 104
Northeast Division
Connecticut........... 33 19 10 1 3 42 106 94
Adirondack............ 31 16 13 1 1 34 89 85
Albany.................... 33 14 13 4 2 34 79 103
Springfield............. 32 14 16 1 1 30 90 93
Bridgeport ............. 33 12 17 3 1 28 88 111
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Midwest Division
Charlotte................ 33 19 11 2 1 41 93 85
Milwaukee ............. 28 19 8 0 1 39 91 72
Chicago................. 32 16 12 1 3 36 89 89
Peoria .................... 33 15 15 2 1 33 102 100
Rockford................ 32 11 17 1 3 26 99 122
North Division
Toronto ................... 33 16 12 3 2 37 94 90
Rochester............... 33 15 13 4 1 35 96 98
Lake Erie ................ 33 16 15 1 1 34 81 85
Hamilton ................. 32 13 14 1 4 31 74 98
Grand Rapids......... 31 12 13 4 2 30 95 101
West Division
Oklahoma City........ 32 21 7 1 3 46 97 76
Abbotsford .............. 33 22 9 2 0 46 88 79
Houston................... 33 18 6 2 7 45 97 81
San Antonio ............ 31 14 15 2 0 30 71 90
Texas....................... 31 14 16 0 1 29 90 94
NOTE: Two points are awarded for a win, one point
for an overtime or shootout loss.
Saturday's Games
St. Johns 4, Toronto 3, SO
Lake Erie 3, Hamilton 2, SO
Charlotte 4, Chicago 1
Connecticut 5, Springfield 2
Penguins 4, Bridgeport 2
Portland 4, Worcester 2
Milwaukee at Grand Rapids, late
Norfolk at Hershey, late
Syracuse at Binghamton, late
Providence at Manchester, late
Rockford at Peoria, late
Albany at Adirondack, late
San Antonio at Oklahoma City, late
Today's Games
St. Johns at Toronto, 3 p.m.
Peoria at Milwaukee, 6 p.m.
Oklahoma City at Houston, 6:05 p.m.
Monday's Games
Worcester at Bridgeport, 1 p.m.
Connecticut at Portland, 1 p.m.
ECHL
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic Division
W L OL SL Pts GF GA
Elmira.............. 20 11 0 0 40 102 98
Wheeling ........ 16 10 1 1 34 94 80
Reading.......... 12 13 3 3 30 94 108
Trenton........... 11 15 2 3 27 92 109
North Division
W L OL SL Pts GF GA
Kalamazoo..... 16 11 1 2 35 107 107
Chicago .......... 15 11 3 1 34 89 94
Cincinnati ........ 13 9 0 3 29 84 77
Toledo............. 13 14 0 1 27 84 86
South Division
W L OL SL Pts GF GA
Gwinnett.......... 15 9 6 3 39 90 89
Florida ............. 17 13 1 1 36 108 97
Greenville........ 16 10 1 1 34 88 87
S. Carolina...... 15 14 1 1 32 76 76
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Mountain Division
W L OL SL Pts GF GA
Alaska............. 22 5 2 3 49 107 64
Colorado......... 18 10 0 3 39 116 103
Utah ................ 15 12 0 3 33 75 96
Idaho............... 15 13 2 1 33 95 104
Pacific Division
W L OL SL Pts GF GA
Las Vegas ...... 19 9 1 3 42 108 86
Ontario............ 15 12 1 1 32 85 86
Stockton ......... 12 13 1 3 28 78 95
Bakersfield...... 7 22 3 0 17 82 112
NOTE: Two points are awarded for a win, one point
for an overtime or shootout loss.
Saturday's Games
Elmira 2, Trenton 1, SO
Florida at South Carolina, 6:05 p.m.
Toledo at Kalamazoo, 7:30 p.m.
Reading at Wheeling, 7:35 p.m.
Bakersfield at Utah, 8:05 p.m.
Greenville at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.
Las Vegas at Idaho, 9:10 p.m.
Ontario at Stockton, 10:30 p.m.
Colorado at Alaska, 11:15 p.m.
Today's Games
Greenville at Chicago, 5 p.m.
Monday's Games
No games scheduled
Tuesday's Games
Bakersfield at Ontario, 10 p.m.
N C A A
B A S K E T B A L L
Men's College Basketball
Saturday's Major Scores
EAST
Albany (NY) 65, Mount St. Marys 64
Army 79, St. Francis (NY) 70
Bucknell 63, Cornell 60
Drexel 63, St. Francis (Pa.) 42
Duquesne 118, Houston Baptist 72
George Washington 77, Delaware St. 59
Georgetown 49, Providence 40
Harvard 74, Saint Josephs 69
Holy Cross 65, Dartmouth 61
La Salle 73, Hartford 55
Lehigh 72, Bryant 55
New Hampshire 71, Colgate 64
Quinnipiac 59, Boston U. 53
UConn 83, St. Johns 69
SOUTH
Arkansas St. 65, Louisiana-Monroe 63
Charleston Southern 81, Liberty 76
E. Kentucky 73, Tennessee St. 68
FIU 81, W. Kentucky 63
Florida 90, Yale 70
Gardner-Webb 61, Radford 55
Kentucky 69, Louisville 62
Louisiana-Lafayette 67, FAU 55
Maryland 75, Samford 63
Middle Tennessee 68, South Alabama 52
Mississippi St. 66, Utah St. 64
NC State 82, W. Carolina 55
South Carolina 72, SC-Upstate 66
Southern Miss. 65, McNeese St. 56
Tennessee Tech 85, UT-Martin 62
UAB 92, Alabama A&M 58
VMI 78, Presbyterian 70, OT
SOUTHWEST
Oklahoma 83, Northwestern St. 63
SMU 73, Louisiana Tech 65
Texas 73, Rice 59
Tulane 53, Texas-Pan American 42
Virginia Tech 67, Oklahoma St. 61
MIDWEST
Ball St. 86, Chicago St. 58
Butler 54, Milwaukee 50
Indiana St. 77, Bradley 66
Iowa 72, Wisconsin 65
Iowa St. 67, MVSU 65
Kansas 84, North Dakota 58
Kansas St. 82, Howard 46
Michigan St. 68, Nebraska 55
Missouri St. 72, Drake 61
Purdue 75, Illinois 60
Valparaiso 90, Green Bay 87
Wright St. 74, Ill.-Chicago 70, OT
Youngstown St. 73, Cleveland St. 67
FAR WEST
Arizona 68, Arizona St. 51
California 85, UCLA 69
Colorado 73, Utah 33
Idaho 76, Boise St. 73
Saint Marys (Cal) 74, Pepperdine 45
C O L L E G E
F O O T B A L L
FBS Bowl Glance
Saturday, Dec. 17
New Mexico Bowl
At Albuquerque
Temple 37, Wyoming 15
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
At Boise, Idaho
Ohio 24, Utah State 23
New Orleans Bowl
Louisiana-Lafayette 32, San Diego State 30
Tuesday, Dec. 20
Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl
At St. Petersburg, Fla.
Marshall 20, FIU10
Wednesday, Dec. 21
Poinsettia Bowl
At San Diego
TCU 31, Louisiana Tech 24
Thursday, Dec. 22
MAACO Bowl
At Las Vegas
Boise State 56, Arizona State 24
Saturday, Dec. 24
Hawaii Bowl
At Honolulu
Southern Mississippi 24, Nevada 17
Monday, Dec. 26
Independence Bowl
At Shreveport, La.
Missouri 41, North Carolina 24
Tuesday, Dec. 27
Little Caesars Pizza Bowl
At Detroit
Purdue 37, Western Michigan 32
Belk Bowl
At Charlotte, N.C.
North Carolina State 31, Louisville 24
Wednesday, Dec. 28
Military Bowl
At Washington
Toledo 42, Air Force 41
Holiday Bowl
At San Diego
Texas 21, California 10
Thursday, Dec. 29
Champs Sports Bowl
At Orlando, Fla.
Florida State 18, Notre Dame 14
Alamo Bowl
At San Antonio
Baylor 67, Washington 56
Friday, Dec. 30
Armed Forces Bowl
At Dallas
BYU 24, Tulsa 21
Pinstripe Bowl
At New York
Rutgers 27, Iowa State 13
Music City Bowl
At Nashville, Tenn.
Mississippi State 23, Wake Forest 17
Insight Bowl
At Tempe, Ariz.
Oklahoma 31, Iowa 14
Saturday, Dec. 31
Meineke Car Care Bowl
At Houston
Texas A&M 33, Northwestern 22
Sun Bowl
At El Paso, Texas
Utah 30, Georgia Tech 27, OT
Liberty Bowl
At Memphis, Tenn.
Vanderbilt (6-6) vs. Cincinnati (9-3), 3:30 p.m.
(ESPN)
Fight Hunger Bowl
At San Francisco
Illinois 20, UCLA14
Chick-fil-A Bowl
At Atlanta
Virginia (8-4) vs. Auburn (7-5), 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Monday, Jan. 2
TicketCity Bowl
At Dallas
PennState(9-3) vs. Houston(12-1), Noon(ESPNU)
Capital One Bowl
At Orlando, Fla.
Nebraska (9-3) vs. South Carolina (10-2), 1 p.m.
(ESPN)
Outback Bowl
At Tampa, Fla.
Georgia (10-3) vs. Michigan State (10-3), 1 p.m.
(ABC)
Gator Bowl
At Jacksonville, Fla.
Florida (6-6) vs. Ohio State (6-6), 1 p.m. (ESPN2)
Rose Bowl
At Pasadena, Calif.
Oregon (11-2) vs. Wisconsin (11-2), 5 p.m. (ESPN)
Fiesta Bowl
At Glendale, Ariz.
Stanford (11-1) vs. Oklahoma State (11-1), 8:30 p.m.
(ESPN)
Tuesday, Jan. 3
Sugar Bowl
At New Orleans
Michigan (10-2) vs. Virginia Tech (11-2), 8 p.m.
(ESPN)
Wednesday, Jan. 4
Orange Bowl
At Miami
West Virginia (9-3) vs. Clemson (10-3), 8 p.m.
(ESPN)
Friday, Jan. 6
Cotton Bowl
At Arlington, Texas
Kansas State (10-2) vs. Arkansas (10-2), 8 p.m.
(FOX)
Saturday, Jan. 7
BBVA Compass Bowl
At Birmingham, Ala.
Pittsburgh (6-6) vs. SMU (7-5), Noon (ESPN)
Sunday, Jan. 8
GoDaddy.com Bowl
At Mobile, Ala.
Arkansas State (10-2) vs. Northern Illinois (10-3), 9
p.m. (ESPN)
Monday, Jan. 9
BCS National Championship
At New Orleans
LSU (13-0) vs. Alabama (11-1), 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Saturday, Jan. 21
East-West Shrine Classic
At St. Petersburg, Fla.
East vs. West, 4 p.m., (NFLN)
Saturday, Jan. 28
Senior Bowl
At Mobile, Ala.
North vs. South, 4 p.m. (NFLN)
Saturday, Feb. 5
Texas vs. Nation
At San Antonio
Texas vs. Nation, 2 p.m. (CBSSN)
B O X I N G
Fight Schedule
Jan. 6
At Key West, Fla. (ESPN2), Dyah Davis vs. Alfonso
Lopez, 10, super middleweights.
At Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, Calif.
(SHO), Luis Ramos Jr. vs. Raymundo Beltran, 10,
lightweights; Michael Perez vs. Omar Figueroa Jr.,
10, lightweights.
Jan. 7
At Heredia, Costa Rica, Bryan Vazquez vs. Euge-
nio Lopez, 12, for Vazquezs interimWBAWorld su-
per featherweight title.
Jan. 13
At Las Vegas (ESPN2), Teon Kennedy vs. Chris
Martin, 10, junior featherweights.
Jan. 14
At Offenburg, Germany, Arthur Abraham vs. Pablo
Oscar Natalio Farias, 10, super middleweights;
Robert Stieglitz vs. Henry Weber, 12, for Stieglitzs
WBO super middleweight title.
Jan. 20
At Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas (SHO), Rico
Ramos vs. Guillermo Rigondeaux, 12, for Ramos
WBA World super bantamweight title.
Jan. 21
At Philadelphia(NBCSN), EddieChambersvs. Ser-
gei Liakhovich, 10, heavyweights; Gabriel Rosado
vs. Jesus Soto-Karass, 10, junior middleweights.
S O C C E R
Premier League
England
Team GP W D L GF GA Pts
Manchester City .............. 18 14 3 1 53 15 45
Manchester United.......... 19 14 3 2 49 17 45
Tottenham........................ 18 12 3 3 35 20 39
Arsenal ............................. 19 11 3 5 35 26 36
Chelsea............................ 19 10 4 5 37 24 34
Liverpool........................... 19 9 7 3 24 15 34
Newcastle ........................ 19 8 6 5 26 25 30
Stoke................................. 19 7 5 7 20 30 26
Aston Villa........................ 19 5 8 6 22 24 23
Norwich ............................ 19 5 7 7 28 34 22
West Bromwich Albion... 18 6 4 8 19 26 22
Everton............................. 17 6 3 8 18 20 21
Fulham.............................. 19 4 8 7 20 25 20
Swansea........................... 19 4 8 7 18 23 20
Sunderland....................... 18 4 6 8 22 22 18
Wolverhampton............... 19 4 5 10 21 34 17
Queens Park Rangers.... 19 4 5 10 18 33 17
Wigan................................ 19 3 6 10 17 37 15
Blackburn......................... 19 3 5 11 28 41 14
Bolton ............................... 19 4 1 14 23 42 13
C M Y K
PENGUINS SUNDAY
WWW. T I ME S L E ADE R. C OM/ S P ORT S
Dec. 17
Norfolk
L, 5-2
Dec. 19
Albany
L, 2-1
Dec. 27
Hershey
L, 6-0
Saturday
Bridgeport
5:05 p.m.
Thursday
at Hershey
W, 6-5
L A S T F I V E G A M E S
Jan. 4
Norfolk
7:05 p.m.
Jan. 6
Rochester
7:05 p.m.
Jan. 7
Syracuse
7:05 p.m.
Jan. 14
at St. Johns
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 10
at Norfolk
7:15 p.m.
N E X T F I V E G A M E S
PHILIP SAMUELSSON
Penguins defenseman
We almost had a case of nepotism
with this weeks Fantasy GM. When it
came time to pick a head coach for his
fantasy team, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
Penguins defenseman Philip Samuels-
son quickly said his father, Ulf, who is
coach of the Swedish Elite team Modo.
The choice wouldve been fine, but
Samuelsson didnt want to appear
biased so he chose a pair of current
NHL coaches who are impeccable as
well.
While Samuelssons team does have
a few current Penguins, he spanned
the NHL to fill many of the slots. But
when it came time to pick an all-time
great, Samuelsson returned to his
Pittsburgh roots and made the obvi-
ous choice.
It may have been biased, but there
wasnt any nepotism involved.
FORWARD Evgeni Malkin (Pitts-
burgh), Hed be my top pick. Hes so
talented, controls the puck, sees the
ice so well and is big and strong.
DEFENSEMAN Nicklas Lidstrom
(Detroit), A tremendous player and
probably the best defenseman of this
year.
GOALTENDER Tim Thomas (Bos-
ton), As much as I dont like the way
he plays, he gets the results and thats
all that matters. Hes a Vezina candi-
date every year.
POWER PLAY SPECIALIST Pavel
Datsyuk (Detroit), The whole Red
Wings team is tremendous on the
power play and he does a great job
working the half-wall.
PENALTY KILL SPECIALIST
Zybnek Michalek (Pittsburgh) and Max
Talbot (Philadelphia), The pain of
blocking shots doesnt seem to bother
them, and thats big on the penalty
kill.
SHOOTOUT SPECIALIST Jussi
Jokinen (Carolina), Hes pretty nifty
and pretty consistent at it.
ENFORCER Steve MacIntyre
(Pittsburgh), Hes got hands like
bowling balls. A tough customer and
someone you want on your side.
AGITATOR/PEST Sean Avery
(New York Rangers), Ive never met
him, but Ive seen what he does. He
really gets und the skin of the other
team and its something you need.
HEAD COACH Mike Babcock (De-
troit) and Dan Bylsma (Pittsburgh),
Id pick them both. Babcock for his
success over a long career and By-
lsma for not being there that long but
winning a cup and making deep push-
es in the playoffs.
ALL-TIME GREAT Mario Lemiuex
(Pittsburgh), The easiest one that
comes to mind is (Wayne) Gretzky, but
Im more of a fan of Lemieux. I grew
up watching those 91 and 92 Stanley
Cup videos and its just amazing what
he did. Im not taking anything away
from Waynes records and theyre
both tremendous players.
FANTASY GM
During Wednesdays game
against Hershey, a Bears play-
er collided with Wilkes-Barre/
Scranton Penguins center
Matt Rust at mid-ice.
The Hershey player fell
while the 5-foot-9 Rust skated
away. The same thing hap-
pened when the Penguins
hosted Albany a week earlier
Rust collided with a larger
player and the former fell.
In fact, Rust hasnt been
knocked around much during
the first 15 games of his AHL
career. The reason? He knows
his limits.
Im only 5-9, so Im not
going to go out there and be a
physically dominant player,
Rust said. But as a smaller
player you learn to see the hit
coming, hit back and get your-
self away from positions
where youre vulnerable.
I think when people hit me
theyre a little surprised some-
times.
While Rust knows his lim-
its, he also is well aware of his
strengths. Its what has gotten
him into the Penguins lineup
on a nightly basis as a rookie.
The strengths are many
strong on his skates, excellent
on faceoffs, strong work ethic
and energy and keen attention
to detail, especially on the
penalty kill.
Theyre all attributes that
Rust developed during his
four seasons with the Uni-
versity of Michigan and he
continues to hone with the
Penguins.
Take Rusts knack for win-
ning faceoffs a skill Rust
developed during his first
season with Michigan in 2007-
08. That team was led by
current NHLers Kevin Porter
and Max Pacioretty and AHL
standouts Chad Kolarik and
Aaron Palushaj. While those
four took care of the scoring
duties, Rust saw a need in the
faceoff department in order to
keep the team well-rounded.
It was something we need-
ed to keep us in big games. I
started to develop it then, he
said.
Rust blossomed into the
role of faceoff specialist as his
college career progressed. As
a junior he won 51.3 percent of
the draws, and improved that
figure to 55.1 percent during
his senior season.
With the Penguins, Rusts
ability to win draws has
earned him ice time during
even strength and on the pen-
alty kill.
Hes worked his way into
being a guy we feel confident
in on the penalty kill, said
head coach John Hynes. He
does a good job with faceoffs,
and if you win them on the
penalty kill you eat up a lot of
time. Its definetly an impor-
tant part.
Hynes said three compo-
nents go into Rusts faceoff
success strength, a low cen-
ter of gravity and quick hands.
Rust said theres one more
element that all successful
centers employ on the draw
cheating.
Just trying to get an ad-
vantage by trying to jump the
drop (of the puck) or things
like that, he said.
Taking a faceoff here is
different than in college and it
was hard at first to get accli-
mated to the strength and
overall talent level. In college
you could be a senior taking a
draw against a freshman.
Here, guys are getting paid
and if winning faceoffs is their
job theyll be giving it that
much more effort.
This season Rust has a goal
and four assists in 14 games
and is a plus-2. They arent
gaudy totals by any means,
but statistics dont necessarily
define the success of Rusts
game.
Its winning faceoffs, block-
ing shots, killing penalties and
playing a gritty game that
often takes a backseat in rec-
ognition to those who score
goals and put up points.
Im not a player whos
going to score a highlight-reel
goal or make a ridiculous
play, Rust said. I pride my-
self on working hard and do-
ing the little things right. It
may not be very glamorous,
but at the end of the day the
reward is just as good because
youre playing for the teams
success.
Doing the little stuff
Rust making an impact for Pens despite his stature
By TOMVENESKY
[email protected]
While Rust had a ton of success
on the ice during his four years
at the University of Michigan,
the accolades extended into the
classroom as well. As a senior,
Rust was named Big Ten Dis-
tinguished Scholar, Academic
All-Big Ten and won the Uni-
versity of Michigan Academic
Achievement award.
While Rust improved as a hockey
player during his time at Michi-
gan, he did the same as a stu-
dent.
When I was a freshman and
sophomore I didnt do as well,
Rust said. I got sucked into the
college lifestyle of having fun
and schoolwork took a little bit
of a hit. But after my sophomore
year I had a wake up call and
realized theres a reason why I
chose to play college hockey.
Rust renewed his focus on his
education during his last two
years at Michigan and was able
to balance successful academic
and athletic careers while major-
ing in sports management and
being drafted by the Florida
Panthers in the fourth round of
the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
I enjoyed schoolwork and going
to class. It gave me a life away
from hockey, Rust said. I dont
want to be premature in saying
theres a life after hockey be-
cause Im here and Im100 per-
cent into it, but I am aware that
when this does end I do have my
degree.
B A L A N C I N G A C T
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Although 5-foot-9, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton center Matt Rust has measured up against bigger
opponents because of his determination.
Denver Manderson had a shorthand-
ed goal and an assist as the Nailers beat
Trenton on Wednesday, 5-4. The Nailers
power play was a perfect 3-for-3 as was
the penalty kill, which killed off all three
Trenton chances. Manderson now has
six points (three goals, three assists) in
his last six games and is heating up after
a slow start. For December, he had five
goals and 10 points.
W H E E L I N G WAT C H
Manderson plays role
in victory over Trenton
lead at 3:25 of the second peri-
od.
Six seconds later, Eric Tan-
gradi sent home a wrist shot to
make it 2-0. The six seconds
between goals are a new team
record and is just shy of the
AHL record of five seconds.
It gave the guys a little extra
jump, Hynes said of the two
quick goals. The first period
we played well and their goalie
came up with some big stops.
We wanted to make sure we
stuck with it.
Bridgeport narrowed the
lead four minutes later when
Tyler McNeely scored to make
it 2-1.
We knew they werent go-
ing to quit, Hynes said. We
couldnt let off the gas.
The Penguins kept the pedal
floored, addingtwomore goals
before the end of the period.
Sill scored his second of the
game when he skated into the
slot and beat Bridgeport goal-
tender Kevin Poulin with a
shot to the wide side to make it
3-1.
It was the first two-goal
game of Sills career and gives
himthree tallies in the last two
games.
Its nice to see him get re-
warded, Hynes said of Sill.
He makes some key plays that
dont get noticed, but hes a key
member of our team. He gets
us goingandits nice tosee him
get on the scoresheet.
Bryan Lerg gave the Pen-
guins a three-goal lead when
he put home a Geoff Walker re-
bound with 28 seconds left in
the period.
The Penguins got into a bit of
penalty trouble tostart the third
period when Paul Thompson
went off with a matching rough-
ing minor followed by Ben
Street for holding a minute lat-
er. Goaltender Scott Munroe,
who was making his second
straight start, made several
stops on the few chances the
Penguins allowed to maintain
the three-goal lead.
Bridgeport did connect later
in the period when Kael Mouil-
lierat broke through the mid-
dle andbeat Munroe to make it
4-2 with 10 minutes left.
Bridgeport nearly rallied
again with less than two min-
utes to play when head coach
Brent Thompson pulled his
goaltender for the extra attack-
er. The Sound Tigers con-
trolled the puck in the Pen-
guins zone, but managed only
a few shots on Munroe, who
saved them all to seal the win.
They would get two or
three minutes of momentum,
but we always had a line step
up andstop them, Hynes said.
We never let it get to a five
minute momentum swing,
which was important because
theyre a good team and if we
didnt stop them things might
have changed.
Penguins 4, Bridgeport 2
Bridgeport............................................... 0 1 1 2
Penguins ................................................ 0 4 0 4
First Period: Scoring None. Penalties
WBS, Grant (cross-checking) 5:03; BRI, Dono-
van (slashing) 7:33.
Second Period: Scoring 1. WBS, Zach Sill
5 (Craig, Grant) 3:25. 2. WBS, Eric Tangradi 13
(Williams, Picard) 3:31. 3. BRI, Tyler McNeely 3
(Rakhshani, Cizikas) 7:08. 4. WBS, Zach Sill 6
(McDonald) 15:34. 5. WBS, Bryan Lerg 12 (Walk-
er, McDonald) 19:31. Penalties WBS, Walker
(high-sticking) 9:48; WBS, DeFazio (delay of
game) 16:18; BRI, Olson (fighting) 19:34; WBS,
Merth (fighting) 19:34.
Third Period: Scoring 6. BRI, Kael mouil-
lierat 1 (Rakhshani, McNeely) 9:58. Penalties
BRI, Howes (roughing) 1:53; WBS, Thompson
(roughing) 1:53; WBS, Street (holding) 2:56; BRI,
Romano (cross-checking) 7:17.
Shots on goal: Bridgeport 7-6-3-16; Pen-
guins 10-14-8-32.
Power-play Opportunities: Bridgeport 0 of
4; Penguins 0 of 2; Goaltenders: Bridgeport
Kevin Poulin 7-12-0 (28 saves - 32 shots); Pen-
guins Scott Munroe 7-3-2 (14-16).
Starters: Bridgeport G Kevin Poulin, D Ty
Wishart, DAaron Ness, LWJoey Haddad, CTre-
vor Frischmon, RW Blair Riley; Penguins G
Scott Munroe, DCody Wild, DAlex Grant, LWEr-
ic Tangradi, C Ben Street, RW Jason Williams.
Three Stars: 1. WBS, Zach Sill (two goals) 2.
WBS, Colin McDonald (two assists) 3. WBS,
Bryan Lerg (goal).
Referee Chris Brown. Linesmen Mike
McDevitt, Jud Ritter; Attendance 5,548
PENGUINS
Continued fromPage 1C
D Boris Valabik (injury), D
Joey Mormina (injury), D Carl
Sneep (injury), RW Nick Pe-
tersen, LW Ryan Schnell, RW
Brian Day (injury) and RW Keven
Veilleux (injury) were scratched
for the Penguins.
N O T E S
C M Y K
C O L L E G E F O O T B A L L
ELLISON CARPET
$589
3 ROOMS
PLUSH
CARPET
INSTALLED WITH PAD FREE ESTIMATES
MARKET ST., NANTICOKE
Call (570) 436-1500
Based On
40 Sq. Yds.
Carpenter Dental
1086 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort 570-331-0909
The Team at
Carpenter Dental
Wishes you a very Happy New Year!
HAPPY NEWYEAR!
from
Since 1929, Milazzo Industries has been providing snow &
ice melting agents, charcoal, cleaners, absorbants, pool & spa
chemicals and more, locally and nationwide.
We have weathered the storm. We thank you for your
support and patronage and look forward to continuing our
tradition of service to you.
1609 River Road, Pittston, PA 654-2433
For a complete product list of solutions for both
residential and commercial applications go to:
www.milazzoindustries.com
610 Nanticoke Street, Hanover Twp.
825-9720
LUCAS FARMS
Open 7 Days a Week 9am-5pm
CUCUMBERS
1
00 3/
ICEBERG LETTUCE
HEAD
10lb. POTATOES
2
99
BAG
1
99
LB.
CELERY
89
BUNCH
GREEN BELL PEPPERS
79
LB.
1lb. CARROTS
59
BAG
89
SLICING TOMATOES
89
LB.
STOVE CORN ALWAYS AVAILABLE!
STRAWBERRIES
LEMONS
1
00 4/
RED DELICIOUS APPLES
89
LB.
HOUSTON After every-
thing Texas A&M had been
through in the last month, inter-
im coach Tim DeRuyter worried
howthe Aggies would respond in
the Meineke Car Care Bowl.
It didnt take longfor DeRuyter
to see that his team was going to
be just fine.
Ryan Tannehill threw for 329
yards and a touchdown and Ben
Malena ran for two more scores
toleadTexas A&Mtoa 33-22win
over Northwestern on Saturday.
Northwestern led 7-3 early in
the second quarter before A&M
reeled off 27 straight points to
takea decisiveleadandthenfight
off a late rally to capture its first
bowl victory since 2001.
Texas A&M (7-6) broke a five-
game bowl losing streak in a win
the teamdedicated to fired coach
Mike Shermanandoffensive line-
man Joseph Villavisencio, who
was killed in a car accident last
week.
When you go through the ad-
versity our guys have been
through ... there was just a sense
that things werent quite right,
DeRuyter said.
As a coach
youre a little bit
unsettled. But
when we came
out and started
fast, I thought:
These guys are
really ready to
play.
A&M won a
bowl for the first
time since a 28-9 victory over
TCU after the 2001 season. That
also came in Houston, when this
game was calledthe Galleryfurni-
ture.com bowl and played next
door at the Astrodome.
Tannehill said all of the adver-
sity simply gave themextra moti-
vation.
Its been a long year with a lot
of ups and downs, Tannehill
said. To get a bowl win for the
first time in 10 years, to play for
Joey V. most importantly and his
family and coach Sherman
theres many different levels to it,
but a win satisfies them all.
Malena ran for 77 yards, filling
in ably for Cyrus Gray, who mis-
sed his second straight game
with a stress fracture in his left
shoulder.
Northwestern (6-7) hasnt won
a bowl game since the 1949 Rose
Bowl, a span of nine losses.
Dan Persa, who finished with
213 yards passing, was disap-
pointedhe couldnt helpthe team
break its bowl win drought.
We failed in that regard, he
said. We let everyone down and
we know it.
Persa set an NCAA record for
career completion percentage
(73.6) bygoing25of 37toendhis
career 460 of 633. He entered the
game needing 19 attempts to
meet the minimum standards to
qualify for the record.
TheAggies wereup30-7before
Brian Peters intercepted Tanne-
hill early in the fourth quarter
and the Wildcats took advantage
of that mistake when Kain Colter
scored on a 1-yard run.
A&M holds off Northwestern rally
By KRISTIE RIEKEN
AP Sports Writer
AP PHOTO
Texas A&Ms Ben Bass, right, sacks Northwestern quarterback
Dan Persa during the first quarter of the Car Care Bowl Saturday.
33
TEXAS A&M
22
NWESTERN
MEMPHIS, Tenn. Isaiah
Pead ran for 149 yards and a
touchdown, and Ralph David
Abernathy IVs 90-yard kickoff
return early in the fourth quar-
ter put Cincinnati ahead to stay
as the Bearcats edged Vander-
bilt 31-24 on Saturday in the
Liberty Bowl.
The Bearcats (10-3) capped
the season with their third
straight victory.
But the co-Big East Confer-
ence champs had to work to put
away Vanderbilt (6-7), a team
that tied for fourth in the
Southeastern Conference, de-
spite forcing three turnovers
and coming up with two sacks.
The Commodores led 21-17
when Abernathy became the
first Cincinnati player to return
a kickoff for a TD in the pro-
grams 13 bowl appearances.
Vandys Archibald Barnes
blocked Tony Milianos 39-yard
field goal with 3:58 left, giving
the Commodores the ball with
plenty of time to go ahead. Nick
Temple picked off a Larry
Smith pass with 3:15 remain-
ing, and Pead sealed the victory
with a 12-yard TDrun with1:52
left.
Pead was the games MVP.
Vanderbilt kicked a 35-yard
field goal with 35 seconds left,
but the Bearcats recovered the
onside kick to kneel down for
the victory.
Abernathy is the grandson of
the civil rights leader who was
in Memphis with Martin Luth-
er King when he was assassi-
nated in 1968.
George Winn also scored on a
69-yard TD run when he re-
placed Pead, while the Big East
Offensive Player of the Year
fixed a broken
chin strap.
Zach Colla-
ros, playing for
the first time
since breaking
his right ankle
Nov. 12, threw
a touchdown
pass but was
intercepted
twice. He was
just 12 of 29 for
80 yards passing, though he
moved around well.
Vanderbilt missed notching
only its second winning record
since 1982 with the loss.
This was only the fifth bowl
for the SECs only private uni-
versity yet the second in four
seasons. But the Commodores
had trouble getting their of-
fense going to match a defense
that came up with three sacks
and two interceptions both
by Casey Hayward.
Smith replaced Jordan Rodg-
ers at quarterback in the third
quarter, and he threw for 142
yards, including a short pass to
Chris Boyd that the receiver
took 68 yards up the right side-
line before pulling up lame and
diving into the end zone for a
21-17 lead with 14:03 left that
lasted only as long as Aber-
nathy could sprint down field
after the kickoff.
The Bearcats led 14-7 at half-
time and couldnt take advan-
tage of two Vanderbilt turn-
overs in the third quarter.
The Commodores first
muffed the opening kickoff be-
fore Rodgers was intercepted
by Camerron Cheatham.
Rodgers, the younger broth-
er of NFL Green Bay Packers
quarterback Aaron Rodgers,
didnt play after that.
Bearcats cap year
by topping Vandy
By TERESA M. WALKER
AP Sports Writer
31
CINCINNATI
24
VANDERBILT
SAN FRANCISCO Terry
Hawthorne returned an intercep-
tion 39 yards for Illinois first
touchdown late in the third quar-
ter and the Illini snapped a six-
game losing streak by beating
UCLA 20-14 in the Fight Hunger
Bowl.
Nathan Scheelhaase added a
60-yard touchdown pass to A.J.
Jenkins midway through the
fourthquarter to seal the first vic-
tory for Illinois (7-6) since beat-
ing Indiana 12 weeks ago.
The game between two six-win
teams who have already fired
their head coaches matched the
underwhelming expectations as
there was little excitement before
Hawthornes third-quarter touch-
down that gave Illinois its first
lead.
UCLA (6-8)
was held to 18
yards rushing in
its third straight
loss. Kevin
Prince threw
two TD passes,
including one in
the closing min-
ute to Nelson
Rosarioafter the
game had been
decided.
But it was an earlier pass by
Prince that proved decisive and
helped give Illinois its first bowl
wins in consecutive seasons in
school history. Three plays after
Derek Dimke missed a 37-yard
field goal for Illinois late in the
third quarter, Prince dropped
back and threwto his left looking
for Shaquelle Evans.
Hawthorne read the play per-
fectly and stepped in front of the
throw for the interception and
had a clear path to the end zone
for the score that gave the Illini a
10-7 lead.
Dimke added a 37-yard field
goal early in the fourth quarter
and Scheelhaase and Jenkins
combined on their big play to
make it 20-7 with 5:36 to go.
Scheelhaase finished18 for 30 for
139 yards with 110 yards rushing
to lead the Illinois offense.
Prince completed just 14 for 29
for 201yards and the Bruins were
held to a season-low in rushing,
well below their 190.7 yard per
game average, by the stout Illini
front.
The matchup between Big Ten
and Pac-12 teams on New Years
weekend at a picturesque setting
in California conjures up memo-
ries of Rose Bowls past. But this
game was played on San Francis-
cos waterfront instead of with
the San Gabriel Mountains in the
background in Pasadena and was
betweentwo teams that hadlittle
to celebrate this season.
Both teams fired their coaches
after disappointing regular sea-
sons.
Illini top UCLA to end six-game losing streak
20
ILLINOIS
14
UCLA
EL PASO, Texas John
White plowed into the end
zone from 8 yards out to give
Utah a 30-27 overtime victory
against Georgia Tech in the
Sun Bowl on Saturday.
Justin Moore kicked a 34-
yard field goal in Georgia
Techs overtime possession to
take a three-point lead, but
White finished a 115-yard rush-
ing day with the game-winning
score on his 26th carry.
The Utes (8-5) tied it in regu-
lation when Jon Hays hit De-
Vonte Christopher with a 28-
yard touchdown pass on
fourth-and-14 with 1:32 left in
the fourth quarter.
The Yellow Jackets (8-5)
drove to the Utah 31 with 2 sec-
onds left, but David Scully mis-
sed a 48-yard field-goal attempt
as time expired. Justin Moore
had earlier mis-
sed two 42-yard
tries for Tech.
Georgia Tech
lost its seventh
straight bowl
appearance and
Utah improved
to 7-1 in bowls
under coach
Kyle Whitting-
ham.
Georgia Techs Preston
Lyons, who came in with only
39 carries, rushed for a career-
best 140 yards on 18 carries and
Tevin Washington passed for
137 yards and ran for 97.
Utah grabbed a 7-0 lead on
Shawn Asiata capped the
game-opening drive with a 1-
yard run.
With David Sims out of with
an injury and Orwin Smith also
ailing, Georgia Tech relied
heavily on Lyons, who put the
Yellow Jackets on the board
with a 36-yard run up the mid-
dle tie the game at 7.
Lyons finished the first half
with 129 yards on 12 carries.
Coleman Peterson banked in
a 25-yard field goal with 14 sec-
onds left in the first half to give
the Utes a 10-7 lead.
A 27-yard punt by Utah set
up Moores 32-yard field goal to
tie it in the third quarter.
Utah downs Georgia Tech in overtime
30
UTAH
27
GA. TECH
C M Y K
S P O R T S
P inna cle R eh a b ilita tion A s s ocia tes
520 Third A venu e K ings to n
C A L L 714-6460 T O D AY!
K n ee R eplacem en t?
W E D O N T N E E D M IR A C L E S!
Allofourtherap istshave over
15 yearsexp erience treating yourp roblem s
B e able to w alk an d clim b stairspain free!
O u r experthan ds-on treatm en tw illim prove you r
m obility,in crease you r stren gth an d decrease you r pain .
w w w .pin n aclerehabilitation .n et
K evin M . B a rno , M P T K . B ridgetB a rno , P T
Sha ro n M a rra nca , M P T H a l G la tz, M P T M a ria H a ll, P TA
M ostIn su ran cesA ccepted .
M ostIn su ran cesD o N O T R equ ire A R eferral
K . B rid get B arno PT
K evin M . B arno M PT
Leo J. Sperazza Agency, Inc.
Pittston, PA 603-0664
Wishing All Of Our
Clients, Family & Friends
A Healthy And Happy New Year!
Humpty Dumpty Kollege
Charlene Evancho, Director
Marie Partash, Coordinator and Staff
107 New Street, Pittston
654-2851
Happy New Year!
from
7
2
9
8
1
3
Happy New Year!
Wishing you all the best
in the new year!
from
R&M Collision and Auto Service
and
Pittston Train Shop
May you and those you love be blessed
with happiness & prosperity
in the New Year! from
sed
Atty. Gerald J. Mecadon
& Staff
363 Laurel St., Pittston 654-5030
7
3
1
2
4
9
Wishing You
in the NewYear!
Dr. JeWalker, DMD
Complete Comprehensive Dentistry For the Entire Family
113 New St., Pittston 654-5551
150 Special Notices
MONTY MONTY SA SAYS YS
Steelers beat
the Browns
again...Sorry
Charlie. Happy
new year...
Let the Community
Know!
Place your Classified
Ad TODAY!
570-829-7130
310 Attorney
Services
AFFORDABLE FEES
Divorce DUI
Adoption
BANKRUPTCY
debt relief agency
helping people file
bankruptcy
IRS Tax Disputes
Attorney
Marjorie Barlow
570-344-6543
406 ATVs/Dune
Buggies
HONDA`09 REKON
TRX 250CC/Electric
shift. Like New.
REDUCED
$3,650.
(570) 814-2554
Shopping for a
new apartment?
Classified lets
you compare costs -
without hassle
or worry!
Get moving
with classified!
412 Autos for Sale
BMW 98 740 IL
White with beige
leather interior.
New tires, sunroof,
heated seats. 5 cd
player 106,000
miles. Excellent
condition.
$5,800. OBO
570-451-3259
570-604-0053
412 Autos for Sale
FORD 02 MUSTANG
GT CONVERTIBLE
Red with black
top. 6,500 miles.
One Owner.
Excellent Condi-
tion. $17,500
570-760-5833
LINEUP
ASUCCESSFULSALE
INCLASSIFIED!
Doyouneedmorespace?
A yard or garage sale
in classified
is the best way
tocleanout your closets!
Youre in bussiness
with classified!
415 Autos-Antique
& Classic
MAZDA `88 RX-7
CONVERTIBLE
1 owner, garage
kept, 65k original
miles, black with
grey leather interi-
or, all original &
never seen snow.
$7,995.
Call 570-237-5119
MAZDA `88 RX-7
CONVERTIBLE
1 owner, garage
kept, 65k original
miles, black with
grey leather interi-
or, all original &
never seen snow.
$7,995.
Call 570-237-5119
512 Business/
Strategic
Management
LOAN SERVICING
DEPARTMENT MANAGER
Growing company
seeks dynamic
manager for loan
servicing depart-
ment. Individual
must possess
excellent communi-
cation and writing
skills, ability to
manage, coach,
and inspire a
department of 15 to
20 people. Experi-
ence in Customer
Service, general
knowledge of IT,
consumer collec-
tions, FDCPA, skip
tracing, and Excel.
Individual must pos-
sess high energy
and have the ability
to motivate staff.
Schedule flexibility
required. Salary
plus generous
bonus structure.
Blue Cross PPO/
Disability/Life Insur-
ance/401k + match/
Discount Travel
Please email or
fax resume to
hr@sundance
vacations.com
or 877-329-7861
LINE UP
A GREAT DEAL...
IN CLASSIFIED!
Looking for the right deal
on an automobile?
Turn to classified.
Its a showroom in print!
Classifieds got
the directions!
527 Food Services/
Hospitality
LINE COOK &
CASHIER/WAIT STAFF
Self-motivated,
clean, non-smoker,
honest, personable
person to work @
restaurant in center
city. Please call
570-977-1437 for
interview.
548 Medical/Health
NURSES, RNS
Site Manager
(Clinical Coordina-
tor) Full Time,
Monday-Friday
Lehigh Valley Health
Network has an
opportunity in our
Maternal Fetal med-
icine practice in the
Montage area.We
are seeking a Penn-
sylvania licensed RN
with OB experience.
Management expe-
rience is a plus.
We offer competi-
tive salary and com-
petitive fringe bene-
fits package. Apply
online: www.lvhn.org,
category Physician
Practices/nursing &
non-nursing. EOE.
Doyouneedmorespace?
in classified
is the best way
Youre in bussiness
with classified!
Radiologists, Inter-
ventional sought by
Geisinger Clinic at
GWVMC &
Geisinger South, in
Wilkes-Barre, PA &
Geisinger Medical
Center in Danville,
PA. Requires M.D.
or foreign equiva-
lent, American
BC/BE in Radiology
(or equivalent board
outside U.S.), &
completion of 1 year
fellowship in Inter-
ventional Radiology.
Must have or be eli-
gible for PA Medical
License. Send CV &
cover letter to
Matthew McKinney,
mwmckinney@geisi
nger.edu 100 North
Academy Ave,
Danville, PA 17822
551 Other
YOU CAN MAKE
A DIFFERENCE
in the life of a
child by becom-
ing a foster par-
ent. Full time and
weekend pro-
grams are avail-
able.
FCCY
1-800-747-3807
EOE
LINE UP
A GREAT DEAL...
IN CLASSIFIED!
630 Money To Loan
We can erase
your bad credit -
100% GUARAN-
TEED. Attorneys
for the Federal
Trade Commission
say theyve never
seen a legitimate
credit repair opera-
tion. No one can
legally remove
accurate and timely
information from
your credit report.
Its a process that
starts with you and
involves time and a
conscious effort to
pay your debts.
Learn about manag-
ing credit and debt
at ftc. gov/credit. A
message from The
Times Leader and
the FTC.
906 Homes for Sale
PLAINS
2 bedroom, 2.5
bath. Luxury 1,950
sq ft end unit
Townhome in
sought after River
Ridge. Gas heat,
CAC, Hardwood &
wall to wall. Mar-
ble tile master
bath with jetted
tub & separate
shower.
$199,500
Call 570-285-5119
Looking for that
special place
called home?
Classified will address
Your needs.
Open the door
with classified!
941 Apartments/
Unfurnished
PLAINS
1 bedroom loft style
apartment. Off
street parking.
Water & sewer
included. $425. Call
570-855-6957
Sell your own home!
Place an ad HERE
570-829-7130
Sell your own home!
Place an ad HERE
570-829-7130
Sell your own home!
Place an ad HERE
570-829-7130
SWOYERSVILLE
Completely brand
new & remodeled. 1
bedroom with
garage, off street
parking, yard,
washer/dryer,
stove, refrigerator.
NO PETS.
$550/month
Call (570) 709-2125
953Houses for Rent
BACK MOUNTAIN
Private, 3 bedroom
ranch, patio,
porch, appliances,
work shop. $830 +
utilities & security.
Call 570-522-0084
953Houses for Rent
HANOVER TWP.
3 bedrooms, large
kitchen, 1st floor
laundry, deck with
views, hot tub,
hardwood floors,
lots of closets/
storage. $850/
month + utilities
570-332-1921
570-582-5433
LINEUP
ASUCCESSFULSALE
INCLASSIFIED!
Doyouneedmorespace?
in classified
is the best way
Youre in bussiness
with classified!
LAFLIN
2 bedrooms, 1.5 car
garage. Appliances.
1st month rent,
security & refer-
ences. $625 + utili-
ties. 570-332-9355
of Times Leader
readers read
the Classied
section.
Call 829-7130
to place your ad.
91
%
What Do
You Have
To Sell
Today?
*2008 Pulse Research
ONLYONE LEADER. ONL NNNNLL NNNNL NLYONE NNNNNNNNNNNNNN LEA LE LE LE LE LE LE LE LEE LE LLEEEE DER DD .
timesleader.com
LOS ANGELES AndrewBy-
num had 29 points and 13 re-
bounds in his season debut fol-
lowing a four-game suspension
that carried over from the play-
offs, and the Los Angeles Lakers
beat the Denver Nuggets 92-89
Saturday.
Bynum shot 13 for 18, helping
the Lakers win their third
straight following the teams first
0-2 start since 2002-03.
The 7-foot center was suspend-
ed without pay for the first four
games of the season because of a
flagrant foul against Dallas J.J.
Barea in Game 4 of the Western
Conference semifinals. The origi-
nal ban was five games, but was
reducedonDec. 23 as a result of a
shortened schedule caused by
the NBA lockout.
Bynum totaled 41 points and
23 rebounds in two preseason
games against the Clippers.
Kobe Bryant, bogged down by
foul trouble, had 17 points along
with nine assists and 10 re-
bounds. The Lakers overcame 2-
for-24 shooting from 3-point
range.
Reserve forwardAl Harrington
had 21 points for the Nuggets,
who have lost 25 of their last 29
road games against the Lakers.
The Lakers missed their first
12 shots from3-point range all
of them in the first half before
Matt Barnes connectedwith11:11
left in the third to put Los An-
geles ahead 49-47. The Nuggets
werent much better frombehind
the arc, missing nine of their first
10 before finishing up 7 for 26.
Trailing 71-69 after three quar-
ters, the Lakers tied it four times
before Harringtons 3-pointer
gave Denver an 85-80 lead with
5:29 to play. Bynum guided in a
pass above the rim from Bryant
and converted the ensuing free
throw to narrow the gap to 89-87
with 3:23 left.
Derek Fisher missed a 3-point
shot trying to beat the 24-second
clockbut hustledall thewayto
the other side of the court to fall
on the loose ball and get a time-
out with 2:29 remaining and the
Lakers still down by two.
Bryant tied it 89-89 with a pair
of free throws and Bynum
blocked a layup by Nene with 2
minutes left before converting a
layup at the other end.
N B A
Bynum provides spark
as Lakers top Nuggets
NEWARK, N.J. Ilya Ko-
valchuk scored on a penalty
shot in the first period and
added an assist on David Clar-
ksons power-play goal four
minutes later, leading the New
Jersey Devils to a 3-1 victory
over the Pittsburgh Penguins
on Saturday.
Zach Parise scored an empty-
net goal with 49.5 seconds left
as the Devils ended a four-game
winless skid against Pittsburgh
and won for the ninth time in
12 games overall. The Penguins
lost their second straight game
after a four-game win streak.
Martin Brodeur was brilliant
in goal for the Devils, making
29 saves, including an improb-
able glove save on Matt Cooke
with four minutes left. It was
his 11th win of the season, third
straight and his record 636th
victory of his career. It was also
his 43rd win in 75 games
against Pittsburgh.
Islanders 4, Oilers 1
UNIONDALE, N.Y. Matt
Moulson had a goal and two
assists, and John Tavares and
P.A. Parenteau both added one
of each for the New York Islan-
ders, who took advantage of the
Edmonton Oilers and shaky
goalie Devan Dubnyk in a mati-
nee victory.
Tavares and Moulson helped
set up each other for goals in
the first period, and Parenteau
and Matt Martin connected in
the second for the Islanders,
who won their second straight
against visiting teams from
Alberta following a three-game
losing streak.
Evgeni Nabokov made 28
saves for the Islanders, 5-2-4
against Western Conference
opponents.
New York scored on four of
its first nine shots at Dubnyk,
more than enough offense to
knock off the sliding Oilers,
who are 0-3 on their seven-
game road trip forced by the
world junior hockey champion-
ship being played in Edmonton.
Lightning 5, Hurricanes 2
TAMPA, Fla. Steven Stam-
kos had his second hat trick
this season and fifth overall to
lift the Tampa Bay Lightning to
a 5-2 victory over the Carolina
Hurricanes on Saturday.
Stamkos scored his third goal
of the game and 26th of the
season from the left circle on a
power-play 43 seconds into the
third. Just 22 seconds later
Tampa Bay went up 4-2 on a
goal by Teddy Purcell.
Carolina got goals from Jus-
tin Faulk and Jay Harrison. Eric
Staal had two assists, giving
him three assists and five
points in his last two games.
Lindros shines in return
to Philly for alumni game
PHILADELPHIA Eric
Lindros made a triumphant
return to Philadelphia and
helped lead the Flyers to a 3-1
win over the New York Rangers
on Saturday in the NHLs alum-
ni game at Citizens Bank Park.
The red reserved for the
Phillies at Citizens Bank park
gave way to 40,000 fans in
Flyers orange so many who
paid just to see Lindros play in
the exhibition, a warmup to
Mondays Winter Classic be-
tween the Flyers and New York
Rangers.
Lindros assisted on the first
goal of the game, connecting
with former Legion of Doom
linemate John LeClair.
Mark Messier, Brian Leetch,
Adam Graves and Stephane
Matteau were among the for-
mer Rangers who played.
Glenn Anderson scored in the
second period for the Rangers,
who
N H L R O U N D U P
Kovalchuk paces
Devils to victory
AP PHOTO
New Jersey goaltender Martin Brodeur stops the puck in front of
Pittsburghs Steve Sullivan, left, and New Jerseys Mark Fayne.
SANDIEGOFour years af-
ter trading Carlos Quentin from
Arizona to the Chicago White
Sox, newPadres general manag-
er Josh Byrnes is bringing the
All-Star outfielder back home to
San Diego.
Byrnes made his second bold
move in two weeks when he ac-
quired Quentin from the White
Sox for two prospects Saturday.
The trade is expected to bol-
ster San Diegos anemic offense.
Quentin has four consecutive
20-homer seasons, including 36
in 2008.
Improving our offense is a
priority this offseason and the
acquisition of Carlos gives us a
proven middle-of-the-order
bat, Byrnes saidina statement.
We specifically targeted Carlos
because of his production and
his hard-nosed style of play.
Quentin will play left field.
The White Sox received mi-
nor league pitchers Simon Cas-
tro, a right-hander, and Pedro
Hernandez, a left-hander.
A shoulder injury limited
Quentin to just one game in the
final month of 2011, but Byrnes
said the outfielder is healthy.
The 29-year-old Quentin hit
.254 with 24 home runs in 118
games in 2011.
M A J O R L E A G U E B A S E B A L L
Padres get Quentin from ChiSox
C M Y K
S P O R T S
the playoffs for the first time
since 2008basedonhead-to-head
play.
I think everyone knows this is
the most important game of the
season, Giants veteran left tack-
le David Diehl said. We all know
whats at stake. Weknowwhat we
are playing for. When we started
this season our No. 1 goal was to
win the division and here we are.
Its right in front of us.
The division title has been in
front of both teams all season,
and neither has grabbed hold of
it.
The Giants won six of their
first eight games, then went on a
four-game losing streak to fall a
game behind the Cowboys in
early December. New York, how-
ever, rallied from a 12-point def-
icit on Dec. 11 to beat Dallas 37-
34 and regain first place on a tie-
breaker.
The momentumlasted a week.
NewYork put in a no-showin los-
ing to Washington on Dec. 18,
putting Dallas back in first. Of
course, the inconsistency contin-
ued last week as the Giants
played one of their best games of
the season in knocking off and
shutting upthe local rival Jets 29-
14. Meanwhile, Dallas lost to Phi-
ladelphia for the second time this
season and quarterback Tony Ro-
mo bruised his right hand his
passing hand.
So who shows up this week
with everything on the line? Who
knows?
I thinkthese twoteams are ve-
ry comparable team-wise, not on-
ly in record but the types of sea-
sons we have had, said Romo,
who plans on playing. I suspect
that talent-wise, we are pretty
close so there will be a few plays
here or there that will decide this
game. We have to be ready to
make those plays.
Coincidentally, both teams
have been in similar situations in
recent years as far as making the
playoffs and came up short.
The Giants have had late-sea-
son collapses the past two years.
They lost to Carolina and Minne-
sota in the final two games of the
09 season to miss the playoffs
andtheywere beatenbyPhiladel-
phia and Green Bay in the 14th
and 15th games last season
blowinga 21-point fourth-quarter
lead against the Eagles to also
go home early.
TheCowboys, wholast went to
the playoffs in the 2009 season,
had another win-and-in game on
the road in 2008 against the Ea-
gles and were blown out 44-6.
I think its the same thing,
Cowboys Pro Bowl linebacker
DeMarcus Ware said of the paral-
lel to 2008. Going into this
game, this is an opportunity
where you can sort of get a birth,
an opportunity where you can
catapult yourself sort of where
you need to be, showcase what
we actually have. We havent
been the most consistent team
this year, but if you get this game
and get to the playoffs, thats like
rebirth, a rebirth of the team. I
think itd be great to just keep go-
ing.
Giants linebacker Mathias Ki-
wanuka said this is an easy game
to get ready to play because the
picture is so clear, the teams
know each other so well after
having played only three weeks
ago and having played each
other twice a year for decades.
GIANTS
Continued fromPage 1C
PHILADELPHIA Playing
for pride, playing for a strong fin-
ish, playing for .500.
Thats all that remains for the
Philadelphia Eagles.
The Eagles (7-8) have one
game left in a disappointing sea-
son that began with tons of hype
and Super Bowl expectations.
They host the Washington Red-
skins (5-10) today and then begin
an early vacation.
No playoffs are unusual for this
franchise. Its the first time since
2007 the Eagles havent qualified
for postseason play and just the
fourth time in coach Andy Reids
13 seasons.
Ill never sit up here and make
excuses. Thats not how I oper-
ate, so Im not going to start
now, Reid said. Ill take full re-
sponsibility for that. I think we
all expected players and
coaches to have a better re-
cordthanwehavetoday. Sothats
my responsibility, and to say any-
thing less Id be wrong saying
that.
Despite their poor record, the
Eagles werent officiallyeliminat-
ed fromthe playoff race until last
week. Hadthe NewYorkJets bea-
ten the NewYork Giants last Sat-
urday, the Eagles would be play-
ing for the NFCEast title instead
of simply trying to finish strong
with a four-game winning streak.
Reidplans touseall his healthy
starters, including quarterback
Michael Vick. Hes trying to be-
come the second player to have
consecutive seasons with 3,000
yards passingand500yards rush-
ing. Vick needs 32 yards passing
to join Randall Cunningham in
that exclusive club. Cunningham
did it three years in a row with
Philadelphia from1988-90.
I think at the end of the day
you just want to go out there and
play with a sense of pride, Vick
said. You know things didnt go
the way we wanted them to go
and you just cant say that be-
cause were out of the playoffs,
that were just going to lay down
andnot finishtheseasonstrong. I
think there are a lot of positives
that we can take out of this last
game, ending the season on a
four-game winning streak going
into next season. So there are
things that you can look on the
bright sideonandalot of positive
things that we can take away
from the last four games we
played.
While the Eagles are feeling
better about themselves heading
into the offseason, the Redskins
are going in an opposite direc-
tion.
When the teams met on Oct.
16, the Redskins were 3-1 and in
sole possession of first place that
late in a season for the first time
since 1999, when they last won a
divisiontitle. The Eagles hadlost
four in a rowafter a season-open-
ing win and were desperate to
save their season.
A 20-13 win gave Philadelphia
some hope and it also started
Washingtons downfall. The Red-
skins lost six straight and fell out
of the playoff picture.
One of Washingtons veterans
will be playing with a chip on his
shoulder. Linebacker London
Fletcher leads the NFL with 163
tackles, but was passed over for
the Pro Bowl team this week.
Its not surprising, Fletcher
said. We need a better record
than 5-10. The teams that win
typically get more players in the
Pro Bowl.
Eagles hope for strong finish
Philadelphia to end season
where accomplishments didnt
match the preseason hype.
By ROB MAADDI
AP Pro Football Writer
WASHINGTON
at PHILADELPHIA
TV: 1 p.m. today, FOX-56
OPENING LINE: Eagles by 9
LAST MEETING: Eagles beat
Redskins 20-13, Oct. 16
N E X T G A M E
CLEVELANDBen Roethlis-
berger has played on one leg be-
fore and hes willing to do it
again.
Roethlisberger has never let
pain stop him, and Pittsburghs
tough-as-the-steel city-he-plays-
in quarterback certainly wont let
it slow him this week. Not now,
not with a possible division title
and playoff seed at stake.
Lets face it, the Steelers just
arent the Steelers without him.
Despite a high ankle sprain
that has limited his mobility and
would probably sideline lesser
QBs, Roethlisberger intends to
play today at least at the start
as the Steelers (11-4) play their
regular-season finale against the
Browns (4-11), who never doubt-
ed for a second that they would
have to deal with Pittsburghs top
gun as well.
Big Ben, weve always got to
count on seeing him, Browns li-
nebacker DQwell Jackson said.
They can also count on seeing
Steelers linebacker James Harri-
son, who three weeks ago blasted
quarterback Colt McCoy with his
helmet and hasnt shown much
repentance for his illegal hit that
gave McCoy a season-ending
concussion.
This ones big for the Steelers,
who must win to keep pace with
Baltimore (11-4) atop the AFC
North.
The Ravens hold the tiebreak-
er after beatingthe Steelers twice
during the regular season, so
Pittsburgh needs to beat Cleve-
land and hope Cincinnati can
knock off Baltimore.
If that happened, the Steelers
will have their fourth division ti-
tle in five years. If both teams
win, the Ravens are champions.
If the Steelers win and the Rav-
ens and New England Patriots
lose, Pittsburgh will be the No. 1
seed and play at home through-
out the postseason. If Pittsburgh
loses and Baltimore wins, the
Steelers will be the No. 5 seed
and play on the road in the wild-
card round.
With both games starting at
4:15 p.m., Steelers wide receiver
Mike Wallace saidit will be tough
not to sneak a peek at the score
going on in Ohios other NFLout-
post.
Its gonna be hard not to look
at it because those guys (the Rav-
ens) are determining which seed
well be in the playoffs, the
speedster said. But wecant wor-
ry about that and we cant be
scoreboard watching and lose
our game. We need to focus in on
our game and handle our busi-
ness andthenthe chips gonna fall
where they fall. If we have to go
on the West Coast or whatever,
thats what well do.
Threeweeks agoagainst Cleve-
land, Roethlisberger had his left
ankle twisted grotesquely on a
sack late in the first half by the
Browns, who must have thought
he was done for the game when
Roethlisberger hobbled off the
field carrying his shoe and had to
be carted to the locker room.
But as halftime ended, No. 7
came back on the field.
Roethlisberger returned and
despite being so heavily taped
that he movedonly slightly faster
than a statue, he led the Steelers
to a 14-3 win over the Browns,
who for some reasonchose not to
blitz him as much after halftime.
A week later, Roethlisberger
guttedit out as longas hecouldin
a 20-3 loss to San Francisco be-
fore turning things over to back-
up Charlie Batch last week
against St. Louis.
Despite reports earlier this
week out of Pittsburgh that
Roethlisberger only had a shot
to play, Browns coach Pat Shur-
mur figured hed heal enough to
be ready for the finale.
N F L S U N D AY
Big Ben to give it a go
Steelers QB intends to play in
regular-season finale despite
high ankle sprain.
By TOMWITHERS
AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH at CLEVELAND
TV: 4:15 p.m. today, CBS, WYOU-22
OPENING LINE: Off
LAST MEETING: Steelers beat
Browns 14-3, Dec. 8
N E X T G A M E
C M Y K
- .35 ccre :ile
- SuilcL|e fcr up lc 57,00 SF
- Gccc fcr incu:lric|, fex cr cffce
- C|ecrec cnc grccec
- 5,870 SF lc 15,87 SF cvci|cL|e
- C|c:: / cffce :pcce
- 10,07 SF previcu:|y :ervec
c: c cclc cenler
- Slrcng pcwer cnc le|eccm
- Necr Gei:inger Wycming Vc||ey
- /Lunccnl pcrking
- 1 mi|e frcm l-81
- 108,000 SF {expcnccL|e)
- 30 lc 3211" cei|ing:
- 2 |cccing cccr:, 1 crive-in
- Fccking, ccnveyer cvci|cL|e
- 1,844 SF
- 210" lc 342" cei|ing:
- 3 |cccing cccr:
- Energy effcienl I-Lcy |ighling
- Grccec, fcl 7.8 ccre :ile
- Frcpc:ec 58,000 SF cffce
- Ccn Le :uLcivicec
- Iwc fccr:
- ESFF fre prcleclicn
- Necr l-81 cnc l-47
- /mp|e lrci|er :lcrcge
- Fcreign Ircce Zcne
- 5 minule: frcm l-81
- Emp|cyee Lreck rccm
- Lcrge pcrking crec:
- /Lunccnl pcrking
- Wel :prink|er
- Le:: lhcn 5 minule:
frcm l-81
- " ccncrele fccr
- /mp|e lrci|er :lcrcge
- C|c:e lc l-81 cnc l-47
ES ESFF FF ff ll lli FF FF
400-450 CenterPoint Boulevard
CenterPoint Commerce & Trade Park East, Jenkins Township
/L c l
1110 Hanover Street
Hanover Industrial Estates, Sugar Notch Borough
320-330 Stewart Road
Hanover Industrial Estates, Hanover Township
844 S S f i
240-258 Armstrong Road
CenterPoint Commerce & Trade Park East, Jenkins Township
- Mccern cffce :pcce: cvci|cL|e
- 1,33 SF lc 7,44 SF
- C|c:: / fni:he:
- Mcny mecicc| lencnl:
- Gc: hecl, cir ccncilicnec
- Wel :prink|er
- Ccnvenienl pcrking
- ' mi|e frcm S.F. 30
M c ff ff i| L| i
190 Welles Street
Cross Valley West Professional Building, Forty Fort
61 Green Mountain Road
Humboldt Industrial Park, East Union Township
- 10,04 SF lc 104,870 SF
- 30 lc 33" cei|ing:
- ,703 SF cnc 2,340 SF cffce:
- ,200 SF lc 18,400 SF
- 33 lc 37" cei|ing:
- Energy effcienl I-Lcy |ighling
1065 Hanover Street
Hanover Industrial Estates, Hanover Township
Parcel 1, Keystone Avenue
CenterPoint Commerce & Trade Park East, Jenkins Twp.
- Fermillec & cpprcvec
- /|| uli|ilie:
- Grecl |ccclicnl
660 Baltimore Drive
Corporate Center at East Mountain, Plains Township
177-193 Research Drive
CenterPoint Commerce & Trade Park East, East Jenkins Twp.
BUI LDI NG READY S I TES OF F I CE
- Fermillec & cpprcvec
- /|| uli|ilie:
- Grecl view:l
- 408,200 SF cvci|cL|e
- ExpcnccL|e lc 48,200 SF
- 30" lc 3" cei|ing:
- 32 |cccing cccr: {crc::-ccckec)
- 8" ccncrele cprcn & cc||y pcc
- /cunccnl pcrking
- Wel :prink|er
- " reinfcrcec fccr
- Ccnvenienl pcrking
- 5 minule: frcm l-81
- ,015 SF lc 12,030 SF
- 2,204 SF cnc 2,130 SF cffce:
- 25" lc 2" cei|ing:
- 2 |cccing cccr:
570.823.1100
BROKERAGE DIVISION www.mericle.com/brokerage
For more information on the above properties, call Bob Besecker, Jim Hilsher, Bill Jones, or Dan Walsh.
Developing Pennsylvanias I-81 Corridor for 25 Years.
Visit our Web site to see hundreds
of buildings and sites from
1,000 SF to 1,000,000 SF
- 11,000 SF wh:e, 23,500 SF cffce/
relci|, 3 lruck |eve| & 4 crive-in cccr:
- 18-22 cei|ing:, pcvec pcrking
For Sale ... Ron Koslosky
- 20,200 SF incu:lric| Lui|cing
- 2,000 SF relci|, 17,500 SF wh:e :pcce
- 18 cei|ing:, rci| :icing cvci|cL|e
- For Sale ... Steve Barrouk
- 5,000 SF gcrcge cn 2.4 ccre:
- Five 14 cverhecc cccr:
- lnc|uce: :mc|| cpcrlmenl
- For Sale ... John Rokosz
- 30 :e|f-:lcrcge unil:, 4.3 ccre:
- + 5,000 SF culc repcir gcrcge
- Grecl Lu:ine:: cppcrlunilyl
- For Sale ... Dave Daris
20 20 22000 S i c l i | L i|ci
540 S. Main Street, Wilkes-Barre
11 0000 00 SF hh 23 500 00 SSFF ff /
Rt. 309, Luzerne/Dallas Hwy., Courtdale
55 00 0000 SF SF 22 44
30 E. Rittenhouse Mill Rd, Berwick
f ll il il 44 33
Rt. 940, Freeland
- 2,012 SF Lui|cing cn .4 ccre:
- /" rclec lencnl, nel |ec:e
- Grecl vi:iLi|ily
- $179,000 ... Al Guari
2 012 SF L i|ci 4
408 Kidder Street, Wilkes-Barre
F LEX I NDUS TRI AL
U:e ycur
SM/FIFHCNE
lc exp|cre cur
new weL:ilel
C M Y K
OUTDOORS
WWW. T I ME S L E ADE R. C OM/ S P ORT S
The North Mountain Branch of the Qual-
ity Deer Management Association will
hold its annual antler scoring session on
Jan. 8 at 1 p.m. in the old Noxen School in
Noxen.
Members and non-members of QDMA are
welcome to bring in antlers that they
would like to have scored that had been
harvested during any year or any location.
The North Mountain Branch also encour-
ages folks to come out and see what oth-
ers may have harvested and possibly learn
more about deer management or the
branchs activities throughout the year
and hopefully get some new volunteers
for some upcoming habitat projects.
You can learn more about the North
Mountain Branch and their activities by
logging onto www.northmtnbranchqd-
ma.org or by calling 477-2238 or emailing
[email protected].
The Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter
of the Ruffed Grouse Society will host its
fourth annual Winter Dinner on Saturday,
Jan. 21, at the Farmers Inn, 1597 Hillside
Road in Shavertown. A social hour will
begin at 6 p.m. and dinner will be served
at 7 p.m.
The buffet style dinner is open to the
public at a cost of $22 for adults and $18
for children ages 5-16. Youngsters under
age 5 are free. While this is not a typical
RGS fundraiser, there will be a few raffle
items available to help make this a fun
event. All guests are asked to bring a
gender-free wrapped gift.
For more information and/or tickets con-
tact Brian Clark at 570-983-9918.
The 2012 Northeast Regional Coyote
Hunt, sponsored by District 9 of the PA
Trappers Association, will be held on Feb.
3, 4 and 5. A $2,000 grand prize will be
awarded for the heaviest coyote, a $250
prize for the heaviest coyote turned in
each day and $100 will be awarded for all
coyotes turned in during the hunt.
Coyotes taken in Bradford, Susquehanna,
Wayne, Wyoming, Lackawanna, Pike, Lu-
zerne and Sullivan counties during the
three-day hunt are eligible. Coyotes must
be taken by legal hunting methods only
and not with traps or cable restraints.
Weigh-in will be held at the Triton Hose
Co. in Tunkhannock from noon to 8 p.m.
on Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
on Sunday. Weigh-in ends at 2 p.m. on
Sunday, Feb. 5. A weigh-in dinner, included
in the entry fee, will be held for all en-
trants on Sunday from1 to 3 p.m. A $25
entry fee is due by Jan. 21 (fee includes
dinner). After Jan. 21 the fee is $30 and
entries will not be accepted after 10 p.m.,
Feb. 1.
For more information call 570-942-6895,
570-679-2318 or email [email protected].
Include coyote hunt information in the
subject.
Huntington Mills United Sportsmen will
hold their 10th Annual Coyote Hunt on
Friday-Sunday, Jan. 20-22. Weigh-in will be
at the clubhouse on 251 Waterton Road in
Huntington Mills. The hunt begins on Fri-
day, Jan. 20, at 12:01 a.m. Weigh-in times
are Friday and Saturday (Jan. 20 and 21) 6
p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 22, from
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A $1,000 grand prize will be awarded for
heaviest coyote and second place will be
$500. There will also be a smallest coyote
pool, gun raffle and 50/50 drawing. A
breakfast buffet will be served on Jan. 22
from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Entry fee is $25 and must be in by Jan. 18.
Entries can be mailed to United Sports-
men Camp 271, P.O. Box 85, Huntington
Mills, PA18622 or emailed to hunting-
[email protected]. For
more information call 256-3933 or 683-
5472.
An ice fishing derby will be held at Lake
Jean on Jan. 15 rescheduled from Jan. 8
due to unsafe ice conditions. Registration
fee is $10 per person and theres an op-
tional $5 pickerel lunker. Registration is
from 5:30-7 a.m. at the west boat launch
off of Route 487. The derby runs from 7
a.m. to 2 p.m.
A second ice fishing derby will be held at
Long Pond in Wayne County on Jan. 22.
For more information, email Christopher
Jones at [email protected]
O U T D O O R N O T E B O O K
A flood, an ancient bear, two
retirements, Sunday hunting
legislation, trapping deer and
geese, electro-shocking trout on
the Lehigh River, and the oppor-
tunity to crawl inside a bears
den made 2011 an eventful year
in the outdoors. Heres a look at
some of the notable events that
found their way onto the Times
Leader Outdoors page in the
last year. It was a busy one, and
hopefully 2012 will be just as
eventful.
Ice stifles areas largest coyote
hunt Feb. 7: A thick crust of
ice on top of snow made it a
tough go for the 725 hunters in
the Northeast Regional Coyote
Hunt conducted by District 9 of
the PA Trappers Association. At
the weigh-in in Tunkhannock,
hunters brought in just 21
coyotes from the seven-county
region. The year before 56
coyotes were bagged during the
hunt.
Deer trapping March 6: One
of the best parts of this job is
the opportunity to tag along
with wildlife biologists in the
field. Jim Stickles of the Penn-
sylvania Game Commission
invited me to join his crew on a
deer trapping venture in Susque-
hanna County. The wait was
long, but the action was fast
when a pair of adult bucks en-
tered two of the cage traps
Stickles had baited with corn.
While watching his assistants
hold the deer down so they
could be tagged and collared,
one gets a good perspective of
just how powerful these animals
are. To protect themselves
against the kick of a hoof, Stick-
les crew wore hockey helmets
when they entered the cages.
They escaped unharmed, as did
the bucks that were released
after a few minutes.
Into the bears den March
20: Another trip afield with a
biologist this time PGC bear
biologist Mark Ternent. Ive
done stories with Ternent be-
fore, but this one presented a
unique opportunity the chance
to peer inside a bears den. The
den was located in Wilkes-Barre
Township and the bear a 300-
pound female was fitted with a
radio collar the year before. The
den wasnt spacious. It was
basically a narrow gap between
a pile of large boulders. When I
looked inside the bear was al-
ready safely sedated. When
Ternent took the first peak
minutes earlier, however, the
sow was sitting on her rump
nursing four cubs. Ternent and
his crew efficiently sedated the
bear, gave her and the cubs a
check-up (they got a clean bill of
health) and outfitted the sow
with a new, larger collar before
we all quietly left scene.
Doe season shortened April
13: The Pennsylvania Game
Commission implemented a
significant change that affected
a lot of deer hunters in the area
when they added Wildlife Man-
agement Unit 3B to the split
season concept. That meant
hunters could only harvest a
buck during the first five days of
the season, until antlerless deer
came in on the first Saturday.
Commissioner Jay Delaney said
the change was made partly in
response to the overwhelming
support he has received from
hunters wanting a split season.
Now, three of the five WMUs in
the northeast are under the split
season. Could more join the list
this year?
One special deputy June 19:
When Hanover Township resi-
dent Rich Walton retired as a
deputy Wildlife Conservation
Officer, it brought an end to the
third-longest deputy tenure in
Game Commission history.
Walton served in the capacity
for 47 years. He wouldve served
longer, but Walton turned 70 on
July 1, reaching the maximum
age for a deputy.
I would keep going if I didnt
have to retire, Walton said.
The longer I was a deputy, the
more I liked it.
Wild goose chase July 10:
For as powerful as the deer that
were trapped in March were, the
geese that we corralled in July
were no slouches. I joined PGC
biologists Ian Gregg and Drew
Zellner for a day of goose band-
ing, which meant surrounding a
flock with fence panels, handing
the birds out one by one and
holding them making sure to
secure the powerful wings,
while they could be fitted with a
leg band. Why were the geese so
easy to catch? At the end of
June and early July, geese drop
their flight feathers when they
molt and cant fly for about a
month.
Discovering the Lehigh
Aug. 7: After months of working
with bear, deer and geese, it was
time to hit the water and search
for trout. Pennsylvania Fish and
Boat Commission biologist
Daryl Pierce let me join him as
he electro-shocked the Lehigh
River in search of wild and
stocked trout. We searched a
stretch below the Francis Walter
Dam and found quite a few
trout. But what was surprising
was where they turned up.
When Pierce probed the electro-
shocker into the smallest of
holes some no larger than a
dinner plate, small, wild trout
would surface. The trout were
only temporarily stunned, and
after a few seconds they reco-
vered a darted back into the
current.
Floods and pheasants Sept.
25: The flood that devastated
the area in September also de-
molished two of the PGCs
pheasant farms in Lycoming
County. Approximately 40,000
pheasants were either washed
away or escaped when the flood
waters swept through the pens.
That equated to 40 percent of
the agencys total pheasant
production for the year. Despite
the loss, the PGC remained
optimistic it could accomplish
the increased production goal of
200,000 for this fall.
Sunday hunting heats up
Oct. 30: The state legislature
conducted three public hearings
on House Bill 1760, which
would give the PGC the author-
ity to implement Sunday hunt-
ing and mandate that they do so
in some form. The bill was in-
troduced by state Rep. Ed Sta-
back earlier in the year and
immediately sparked a debate.
The bill is currently in commit-
tee as legislators work with
supporters and opponents to
find a solution that would allow
some form of Sunday hunting in
Pennsylvania.
Hunters losing an ally Nov.
9: Staback announced he would
not seek re-election and retire at
the end of 2012, wrapping up 13
terms. An avid hunter, Staback
was a tireless supporter of hunt-
ing and fishing issues. He
chaired the Game and Fisheries
Committee and authored sever-
al bills that protected hunting
and fishing. Most notable was a
bill to increase the penalties and
fines for those caught poaching.
How old? Nov. 13: A female
bear that was put down in Car-
bon County because it couldnt
walk was found to be 35 years
old, meaning it was born in
1976. The Game Commission
tagged the bear in 1982 when it
was six, and again in 1992 when
a tooth was pulled and it was
determined the bear was 16.
The PGC has aged more than
80,000 bear teeth in the last
three decades, and only a few
topped the 30-year mark. None
reached 35, until now.
FAREWELL TO 2011: Nature continued to offer a unique perspective
on places, people and animals throughout the region
Having a really wild time
By TOM VENESKY
[email protected]
BILL TARUTIS PHOTOS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER
A wildlife biologist escorts wild Canadian geese ashore at Frances Slocum State Park for examination and banding.
A sedated black bear sleeps inside her den beneath boulders in Wilkes-Barre Township.
For three weekends in Octo-
ber and November, the Penn-
sylvania Game Commission
conductedOperationTalona
night detail aimed to crack-
down on poaching. Dan Fig-
ured, PGC law enforcement
supervisor for the Northeast
Region, said this was the first
year the operation was con-
ductedandit will likelybeheld
again in the future.
Thefollowingaretheresults
of Operation Talon (conduct-
ed on the weekends of Oct. 21,
28 and Nov. 5):
Statewide results
460 officers involved,
including Wildlife Conserva-
tion Officers and deputies,
local police, Department of
Conservation and Natural
Resources officers and a
Pennsylvania State Police
airplane out of Harrisburg
313 contacts (vehicles
checked, individuals ques-
tioned, etc.)
94 warnings
192 citations
5 DUIs
2 felons apprehended for
possessing firearms
Charges include unlawful
lights while hunting, taking
game in a closed season,
unlawful devices and meth-
ods and shooting on or across
highways.
Seized items include
several deer, firearms, ammu-
nition and spotlights
Northeast Region results
59 law enforcement offi-
cers involved
38 contacts
33 warnings
30 citations
Charges include hunting
deer in a closed season (4),
unlawful taking or possession
of big game (1), spotlighting
while in possession of a fire-
arm (5), spotlighting vio-
lations (11), loaded firearm in
a vehicle (5).
Game Lands violations
(3) and one individual
charged with possession of a
concealed handgun without a
permit.
First nighttime patrol
bags some violations
The Times Leader staff
C M Y K
W E A T H E R
1
9
6
6
0
0
Find the car you want fromhome. timesleaderautos.com m
ALMANAC
REGIONAL FORECAST
NATIONAL FORECAST
For more weather
information go to:
www.timesleader.com
National Weather Service
607-729-1597
Forecasts, graphs
and data 2012
Weather Central, LP
Yesterday 49/30
Average 35/20
Record High 63 in 1965
Record Low -7 in 1917
Yesterday 25
Month to date 891
Year to date 1939
Last year to date 2366
Normal year to date 2354
*Index of fuel consumption, how far the days
mean temperature was below 65 degrees.
Precipitation
Yesterday trace
Month to date 3.11
Normal month to date 2.55
Year to date 59.99
Normal year to date 37.56
Susquehanna Stage Chg. Fld. Stg
Wilkes-Barre 7.30 -0.91 22.0
Towanda 4.42 -0.46 21.0
Lehigh
Bethlehem 3.07 0.75 16.0
Delaware
Port Jervis 4.84 -0.39 18.0
Todays high/
Tonights low
TODAYS SUMMARY
Highs: 44-51. Lows: 25-29. Partly sunny
skies and mild today.
The Poconos
Highs: 52-56. Lows: 34-39. Sunny to
partly cloudy skies and mild today.
The Jersey Shore
Highs: 44-47. Lows: 25-30. Chance for a
few rain and snow showers.
The Finger Lakes
Highs: 52-55. Lows: 35-36. Partly cloudy
skies and pleasant today.
Brandywine Valley
Highs: 57-61. Lows: 35-40. Sunny to partly
cloudy and unseasonably mild today.
Delmarva/Ocean City
Anchorage 3/0/.00 10/-2/pc 12/-7/c
Atlanta 66/44/.00 60/32/pc 46/22/s
Baltimore 60/40/.00 57/34/pc 44/26/pc
Boston 39/34/.01 45/34/pc 45/24/pc
Buffalo 45/41/.04 46/28/rs 29/11/sn
Charlotte 64/48/.00 64/34/s 47/24/s
Chicago 37/29/.00 35/20/sf 23/14/c
Cleveland 46/38/.01 41/24/rs 28/16/sn
Dallas 73/37/.00 60/34/s 56/30/s
Denver 54/36/.00 42/21/pc 50/29/s
Detroit 44/37/.01 39/26/sn 28/14/sn
Honolulu 81/64/.00 80/65/s 80/67/s
Houston 75/55/.00 66/38/s 59/36/s
Indianapolis 40/37/.00 39/20/w 26/15/sf
Las Vegas 64/41/.00 63/40/s 62/40/s
Los Angeles 62/44/.00 73/53/s 71/51/s
Miami 82/57/.00 82/62/s 79/47/pc
Milwaukee 40/26/.00 34/17/sf 22/10/c
Minneapolis 41/28/.00 28/11/w 19/9/s
Myrtle Beach 70/57/.00 71/41/s 55/29/s
Nashville 59/36/.00 56/28/pc 39/21/w
New Orleans 70/54/.00 71/40/pc 57/33/s
Norfolk 65/49/.00 66/37/s 44/27/s
Oklahoma City 71/35/.00 50/25/s 49/29/s
Omaha 52/30/.00 37/15/w 32/19/s
Orlando 77/52/.00 77/55/s 66/38/s
Phoenix 73/48/.00 81/52/s 80/50/s
Pittsburgh 45/41/.01 45/24/rs 28/18/sn
Portland, Ore. 39/30/.00 45/37/pc 46/40/sh
St. Louis 59/34/.00 42/25/w 34/22/s
Salt Lake City 54/29/.00 41/24/s 44/26/s
San Antonio 77/42/.00 65/34/s 61/32/s
San Diego 64/48/.00 77/51/s 75/55/s
San Francisco 57/43/.00 61/46/s 59/46/pc
Seattle 41/32/.00 49/35/sh 48/42/sh
Tampa 76/59/.00 76/56/s 67/43/s
Tucson 73/44/.00 76/44/s 75/43/s
Washington, DC 62/46/.00 58/36/pc 45/27/pc
City Yesterday Today Tomorrow City Yesterday Today Tomorrow
Amsterdam 52/39/.00 52/46/sh 47/40/sh
Baghdad 53/46/.02 65/44/s 64/38/pc
Beijing 41/12/.00 33/16/s 33/15/pc
Berlin 39/32/.08 50/44/sh 50/41/sh
Buenos Aires 86/68/.00 88/69/s 89/69/s
Dublin 55/50/.00 47/36/sh 45/39/sh
Frankfurt 45/36/.28 51/44/sh 50/38/sh
Hong Kong 68/61/.00 69/61/pc 67/59/pc
Jerusalem 55/45/.00 55/38/pc 54/40/sh
London 55/52/.00 54/43/sh 45/39/pc
Mexico City 72/48/.00 75/46/pc 66/41/c
Montreal 27/18/.00 40/29/sh 29/2/sn
Moscow 34/32/.00 30/24/sf 27/21/pc
Paris 55/45/.00 55/46/sh 47/37/sh
Rio de Janeiro 90/73/.00 79/71/t 81/72/t
Riyadh 68/46/.00 78/51/s 78/50/s
Rome 54/37/.00 59/39/s 57/42/sh
San Juan 84/73/.32 84/72/sh 82/72/sh
Tokyo 48/37/.00 50/40/sh 48/36/s
Warsaw 36/23/.09 35/31/pc 45/37/sh
City Yesterday Today Tomorrow City Yesterday Today Tomorrow
WORLD CITIES
River Levels, from 12 p.m. yesterday.
Key: s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sn-snow, sf-snowurries, i-ice.
Philadelphia
55/36
Reading
52/28
Scranton
Wilkes-Barre
46/27
48/28
Harrisburg
50/28
Atlantic City
56/37
New York City
51/37
Syracuse
45/29
Pottsville
48/27
Albany
46/30
Binghamton
Towanda
45/25
47/26
State College
45/26
Poughkeepsie
49/30
60/34
35/20
42/21
57/30
28/11
73/53
63/48
44/21
38/23
49/35
51/37
39/26
60/32
82/62
66/38
80/65
32/31
10/-2
58/36
Sun and Moon
Sunrise Sunset
Today 7:29a 4:45p
Tomorrow 7:29a 4:46p
Moonrise Moonset
Today 11:34a 12:19a
Tomorrow 12:02p 1:18a
First Full Last New
Jan. 1 Jan. 9 Jan. 16 Jan. 23
Happy New Year!
Today will start
off nice with
partly cloudy
skies and a high
of 47. Clouds will
increase in the
evening with a
late rain shower.
On Monday, a
front will pass
through and
have a major
impact on our
temperatures.
We could see
snow showers
overnight. Light
snow showers
will stick around
Tuesday with
partly cloudy
skies. The wind
will be a factor
making it feel
very cold. Mostly
sunny skies will
return on
Wednesday. On
Thursday, we
may have a flur-
ry with mostly
cloudy skies.
Temperatures
stay in the mid-
20s overnight
into Friday.
Milder weather
returns Friday
and Saturday.
- Michelle Rotella
NATIONAL FORECAST: A low pressure system moving through the Great Lakes will generate snow
and some rain showers throughout the region. Strong winds on the backside of the system will usher
much colder air into the Midwest. Wet weather is also anticipated in western Washington today,
where rain and higher-elevation snow showers are anticipated.
Recorded at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl Airport
Temperatures
Heating Degree Days*
Precipitation
TODAY
Partly sunny,
evening shower
MONDAY
Rain and
snow,
windy
35
32
WEDNESDAY
Mostly
sunny,
cold
25
9
THURSDAY
Flurries,
mostly
cloudy
35
17
FRIDAY
Partly
sunny,
mild
40
25
SATURDAY
Partly
sunny,
mild
45
30
TUESDAY
Flurries,
partly
cloudy
25
20
47
32
C M Y K
BUSINESS S E C T I O N D
timesleader.com
PLENTY OF YOU
likely got gift cards
as holiday presents.
Dont hold on to
them too long and
use them wisely.
At Old Navy, you
can turn those cards
into clothes and get vouchers to get
more clothes next month.
Through Jan. 22, for every $20
spent on eligible purchases, customers
will receive $10 in Super C-A-S-H, up
to a maximum of $30 in value per
transaction. Eligible purchases include
sale, regular and clearance merchan-
dise but exclude gift cards, packaging,
taxes and prior purchases. Super C-A-
S-H will be available in increments of
$10, $20, and $30.
Customers can redeem $10 in Super
C-A-S-H on purchases in $20 incre-
ments. Only one Super C-A-S-H cou-
Use the $1 off two Ultra Palmolive
dish detergents at Weis and get three
25 oz. bottles for $2.
Maybe Dawn is your detergent of
choice. Head to CVS with the $1 off
two Dawn hand renewal liquid de-
tergents and walk out with two for the
price of 98 cents.
Use the $1 off five Lean Cuisine
entrees at Shur Save or Weis markets
to get five boxes for $9. Or head to
Target and get 10 boxes for $19 plus a
free $5 store gift card.
Rite Aid has Herbal Essence and
Aussie shampoos, conditioners or
stylers on sale for $2.49. Theres a
coupon for $1 off any one of those
products that brings the price down
even more.
Cardpool.com, PlasticJungle.com,
GiftCardGranny.com and GiftCardRes-
cue.com all offer about 90 percent of
the face value for your card.
Id be remiss if I didnt offer Happy
New Year greetings to you, the faithful
readers of this column. Id also be
remiss if I didnt let you know that
Price Chopper has a great Can Can
Sale going on this week and also quite
a few buy-one, get-two-free offers on
products like John Morrell Polish
sausage, Prima Familia Italian Style
meatballs and baked in-store pound
cake. Now thats the way to ring in the
new year.
After a few weeks of few or no cou-
pons being inserted into newspapers,
2012 starts off strong with four insert
booklets containing $366 worth of
coupons.
Among the best ways to use the
coupons at area retailers are:
pon may be redeemed per transaction
and redemption must be made be-
tween Jan. 27 and Feb. 8.
If one of your resolutions was new
year, new bra, then Victorias Secret
has what you need. The store has
most bras buy-one, get-one-half-off
today only.
If you received a gift card to a store
you have no interest in, you have four
choices. Regift it, try to find a family
member or friend who likes that store
who will buy it, donate it to charity or
go to one of the numerous gift card
exchange websites that have sprung
up that allow you to trade or sell your
card, but below face value. You can
buy gift cards below face value, too.
ANDREW M. SEDER
S T E A L S & D E A L S
Celebrate the New Year by redeeming your gift cards
Andrew M. Seder, a Times Leader staff
writer, may be reached at 570-829-7269.
Follow him on Twitter @TLAndrewSeder.
STOCK INVESTORS
ran in place in 2011.
The Standard &
Poors 500 index is
ending the year about
where it started.
Invest in a stock
mutual fund, and you likely ended up
losing because of fee expenses. About
three-quarters of the U.S. stock fund
categories that Morningstar tracks
are closing out the calendar with a
loss.
Thats another knock for investors
who are still stinging from their loss-
es in the financial crisis of 2008. Al-
though the market rebounded sharply
beginning in March 2009, its still
about 20 percent shy of its peak in
late 2007.
Yet even in the gloom of 2011, there
was a bright spot: dividend-paying
stocks.
Across the board, the top-perform-
ing mutual fund categories were
those that invested in dividend
stocks, led by funds specializing in
utilities stocks. Other top categories
were funds that primarily invest in
real estate investment trusts, the
health care sector, and stocks of con-
sumer goods companies that make
necessities.
Whats more, large company stocks
outperformed small- and mid-cap
stocks. Its the big companies, rather
than the smaller ones, that are the
most reliable dividend payers. Nearly
80 percent of S&P 500 companies
make regular payouts.
The results are a complete reversal
from 2010, when the top-performing
funds specialized in small-cap stocks.
Those stocks typically outperform
larger ones when economic news
turns positive, as it did in 2010, a year
when stocks rose 13 percent.
But the economic recovery lost
momentum in 2011, and investors bid
up the prices of dividend stocks,
while small-caps fell. Practically
anything paying a dividend was hot,
Morningstar fund analyst David Kath-
man says.
Dividend-payers are typically well-
established companies that share
profits through quarterly payouts,
rather than plowing the cash back
into the company to fuel growth.
Stocks of smaller companies can offer
greater long-term potential, but are
more vulnerable when the economy
stumbles, or when fears like the Eu-
ropean debt crisis send stocks tum-
bling.
Investors have been hard-pressed to
find decent sources of investment
income, which has made dividends
more appealing. Consider that 10-year
Treasury bonds yield around 1.9 per-
cent. Thats less than half the yield of
more than a dozen S&P 500 stocks.
With interest rates low, bank ac-
counts and savings options such as
certificates of deposit provide even
less income than Treasurys.
People are looking to dividends
for income, because they cant get it
from the other sources they normally
rely on, Kathman says.
Heres a look at average returns
through Wednesday for some notable
stock fund categories, starting with
the top four performers:
Utilities (9.7%):
These stocks tend to be stable
performers in both a rising and fall-
ing market. Its an outgrowth of the
typically steady demand for electric-
ity and natural gas. The average divi-
dend yield of utilities stocks within
the S&P 500 is 4.1 percent, about
twice the average yield of the index.
A handful of utilities sector funds
delivered returns of around 20 per-
cent in 2011, including Franklin Util-
ities (FKUTX), which earned top-
rung gold honors from Morningstar
under its new analyst ratings of
funds. Some of the strongest-perform-
ing utilities, with gains of more than
30 percent including dividends, were
big names like Progress Energy Inc.
and Consolidated Edison Inc.
Real estate (6.9%):
Real estate investment trusts gener-
ate income from properties they own,
and often operate. Theyre big divi-
dend payers, because theyre required
to distribute at least 90 percent of
their taxable income to shareholders.
PERSONAL FINANCE
M A R K J E W E L L
Dividends shone
brightly in a
mediocre 2011
See JEWELL, Page 3D
MIAMI Without a hitch, Ed and
Kelley Brill had filed their joint in-
come-tax returns from the same home
address for 14 years.
But this year, after obtaining an ex-
tension, the Miami Shores, Fla., cou-
ple were shocked to learn that the In-
ternal Revenue Service had rejected
their electronically filed return. It
turned out that a thief had stolen Kel-
leys identity, Social Security number
and employers name, then filed a falsi-
fied refund claim beating the Brills
to the punch.
Now, the Brills, parents of three
school-age children who still have
no idea how they were victimized
must wait six to12 months to get their
$7,918 refund. Like hundreds of thou-
sands of other Americans, the Brills
are enduring a frustrating triple
whammy: ID theft, tax fraud and IRS
red tape.
What gets me is the taxpayer who
was ripped off and did nothing wrong
has to prove himself to the IRS, said
Ed Brill, 50, a mortgage banker whose
wife is a schoolteacher.
They learned from an IRS represen-
tative in November that Kelleys ID
was stolen and used for the fraudulent
tax refund, but were told little else.
The IRS never bothered verifying
anything filed by the crook who com-
mitted the crime, said Brill. I want to
be afforded the same courtesy and effi-
ciency that the crook was afforded by
the IRS.
The combustible issues of identity
theft and tax fraud in the electronic
age have forced the IRS to come up
with smarter ways to detect phony re-
fund claims, match employee-employ-
When a thief steals your ID and your IRS refund
By JAY WEAVER
McClatchy Newspapers
To contact the IRS about a possible tax
fraud complaint, go to the agencys
website, IRS.gov, and click on Wheres
My Refund? The hotline to reach an IRS
customer service representative is 800-
829-0582.
GET HELP
See THEIF, Page 3D
M
ost of us know all too well the top world and national busi-
nessstoriesof 2011; fearsof collapsingeconomiesinEurope,
a moribundU.S. business climate andthe rise of social media. All
of thosegot our attention, but theeffect onlocal business owners,
employees and consumers wasnt always clear.
Here are capsules of 10 stories that hit closer to home, some
good, some not, but all relevant to our lives and the vitality of the
Northeastern Pennsylvania economy.
Deal-making in health care tops the list because it affects so
many of us; not only will we all visit a doctor or hospital at some
point, the industry is the largest private employer in the region.
Thedamagetobusinesses fromtheSeptember floodingis aclose
second; theres no particular order beyond that and some readers
surely will point out omissions. But we hope this is a representa-
tive summary of a year that seemed to drift by with no particular
direction.
Ron Bartizek, Business Editor
Health care consolidation
Atrickle of hospital acquisitions became a
flood in 2011, as both Geisinger Health Sys-
temandCommunity HealthSystems moved
to cement their competitive positions.
Things beganmodestly whenCHS-owned
Wilkes-Barre General Hospital said it had
purchased InterMountain Medical Group, a
practice with locations in Luzerne and Mon-
roe counties.
In March, a Lackawanna County judge ap-
provedthe $150millionsale toCHSof Scran-
tons Mercy Hospital and affiliated facilities
in Nanticoke and Tunkhannock.
In July, Geisinger and Community Medi-
cal Center, Scrantons largest hospital, an-
nounced a planned merger. Not to be out-
done, CHSsaidit wouldtakeoverMosesTay-
lor HealthCareSystem, whichoperatesMos-
es Taylor Hospital in Scranton, Mid-Valley
Hospital in Peckville and Physicians Health
Alliance Inc.
See TOP10, Page 2D
C M Y K
PAGE 2D SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2012 THE TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com
B U S I N E S S
While 2012 is likely to feature a
variety of dramatic airline news
stories, if only because most
years in the volatile and hyper-
competitive industry beget dra-
ma, some of the biggest develop-
ments will come fromthe worlds
largest airline, United Continen-
tal Holdings Inc. of Chicago.
Behind the scenes, the compa-
ny will attempt to merge Uniteds
and Continentals reservation
computer systems, a huge and
perilous undertaking. It will also
be the first North American air-
line totake delivery of the Boeing
787 Dreamliner, considered a
game-changing aircraft for fuel
efficiency and passenger com-
fort. Perhaps most important, the
company will roll up its sleeves
and try to hammer out labor con-
tracts with several of its unions,
including the feisty pilots union
that has been highly critical of
the airline in recent months.
Developments elsewhere in
the airline industry will include
American Airlines making its
way through bankruptcy protec-
tion, potentially cutting some
service in Chicago and else-
where. Already, American
shelvedits connector flights from
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Interna-
tional to Chicago.
Theres also the little matter of
the sluggish U.S. and world econ-
omies with which the airline in-
dustrys fate is tied. But fliers will
also see more cabin amenities,
such as Internet access, power
supply in seats and high-tech vid-
eo choices for movies and televi-
sion shows onboard.
For United Airlines customers,
thechangetheymight noticefirst
will come when the company
combines its reservation sys-
tems. That change is slated to
happen in the first quarter of
2012.
After the switch, Continental-
.com will go away, and travelers
nolonger will beablebookflights
online there. Continental as an
airline technically ceased to exist
after the company received Fed-
eral Aviation Administration ap-
proval on Nov. 30 to operate as a
single airline, called United Air-
lines. But since then, the compa-
ny has been operating two airline
nameplates, United and Conti-
nental, until it can combine com-
puter systems that run its book-
ings. Currently, those computer
systems, which are the digital
backbone of an airline, run on dif-
ferent brands of incompatible
software. Airline officials chose
to stick with Continentals brand
of booking software, called
SHARES, sold by Hewlett-Pack-
ard.
Thats averybigdeal for us be-
cause it will make the customer
experience better than it is to-
day, saidUnitedChief Executive
Jeff Smisek, who has called Unit-
ed Continental a technology
company with wings. It will
make our treating of the custom-
ers more seamless than it is to-
day, because we have two sepa-
rate sets of technology, and they
dont talk to each other.
Its not all about software. Its
also about teaching United em-
ployees to use it.
Such computer switchovers
have not always gone smoothly.
VirginAmericaswitchedtoanew
reservation system Oct. 28. It
was plagued with glitches on its
website and airport kiosks. Cus-
tomers were outraged when they
couldnt change or cancel flights,
choose seats or access their fre-
quent-flier accounts. The airline
was forced to issue blanket apol-
ogies and individual ones via
Twitter. It hired extra people to
handle all the customer prob-
lems.
And US Airways had trouble in
2007 when it merged with Amer-
ica West. During that episode,
merging the systems crashed
check-in kiosks nationwide.
It was pretty ugly, said Seth
Kaplan, managing partner of Air-
line Weekly. People would show
up at the airport and not be able
to check in for their flights. And
planes were taking off empty be-
cause people couldnt get their
boarding passes and get through
security.
United Continental in 2012 is
scheduled to be the first North
American airline to take delivery
of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a
twin-aisle plane that offers the
best fuel economy andrange for a
craft its size and promises pas-
sengers far greater comfort. Smi-
sek has called it a truly game-
changing aircraft. Its expected
tobe inservice duringthe second
half of the year, and, all told, Unit-
ed expects to receive six 787s
from Boeing in 2012.
It will be the only U.S. airline
flying them for a long time to
come, Kaplan said. It will be
years before anyone else in the
U.S. has them.
Specifically, United claims it
will be three years before the
competition in North America
has a Dreamliner. Boeing deliver-
ed the first 787 this year to Ja-
pans All Nippon Airways, which
put it into service this month.
The 787 is said to be the most
technically advanced commer-
cial aircraft ever built. The jets
largely composite structure is
lighter and promises greater fuel
efficiency, which is a big deal for
airlines. If it lives up to expecta-
tions, theDreamliner wouldburn
20 percent less fuel than other
midsize jets but boast the range
of far larger aircraft. It would en-
able carriers to bypass airport
hubs and directly connect city
pairs that otherwise wouldnt
generate enough passenger traf-
fic to fill bigger jets.
For passengers, the plane has
the industrys largest windows
and overhead bins. Quieter and
smoother-riding, the aircraft has
wider aisles and seats, lower ca-
binpressure andcleaner air using
a filtration system to remove of-
fensive odors. The windows will
be dimmable, via electrochromic
windowshades rather than phys-
ical pull-down shades.
Perhaps the biggest challenge
for United next year will be suc-
cessfully negotiating labor con-
tracts with its various unions, in-
cluding pilots, flight attendants,
mechanics, passenger service
agents and ramp agents.
The most difficult, and most
costly, will likely be the pilots
contract. The two sides have
been negotiating for more than a
year. Pilots, looking to recoup
pay andbenefits they lost inUnit-
eds bankruptcy from 2002 to
2006, have regularly staged infor-
mational pickets about not hav-
ing a newcontract. The Air Lines
Pilots Association filed a federal
lawsuit against United, com-
plainingabout poor cockpit train-
ing, although labor officials said
the suit was about safety, not
their labor contract. The union
lost that suit.
I certainlywouldnt bet a lot of
money on it getting done in
2012, Kaplan said of the pilots
contract. They certainly dont
seem any closer now than when
the companies merged. If any-
thing, they seem further apart.
The company would receive fi-
nancial benefits in having a joint
pilots contract. It would allow
the airline to mix United and
Continental pilots in the same
cockpits to achieve efficiencies,
which cant happen now. And
theres an intangible benefit to
having harmony between pilots
and management. The problem
is, the unions, especially pilots,
might askfor somuchthat the to-
tal cost wouldfar surpass anyeffi-
ciency savings the company
would reap.
Smisek said the company
wants to seal deals with all the
unions, including pilots.
Were very committed to get-
ting a deal with the pilots, but it
has tobe fair, Smiseksaid. I will
not do it if its not fair to the com-
pany and fair to the co-workers.
When we get to the point where
we can reach such a deal, we
will.
USAirways hasnt reachedthat
point. It merged with America
West Airlines more than six years
ago and still hasnt struck a joint
deal with the pilots union.
Theres precedent for these
things getting really drawn out,
Kaplan said. What US Airways
has shown is its possible to run
an airline without getting the
groups together.
The recent bankruptcy of
American Airlines, which is like-
ly to see the airline significantly
lower its labor costs, could also
have an effect on Uniteds stance
with unions.
United might be in a position
to say to its workers, Look, we
just cant give you what youre
asking because that would make
us totally uncompetitive against
this important competitor that
now has much lower costs, Ka-
plan said.
By GREGORY KARP
Chicago Tribune
United Continental to make headlines in 2012
MCT FILE PHOTO
Boeing Employees walk with an ANA787 as it slowly moves towards the celebration during a driving rainstormin Everett, Wash. Boeing
handed over the key to the first Boeing 787 delivered to All Nippon Airways during a ceremony in front of the 787 factory in Everett.
OSHAS IMPACT ON RESI-
DENTIAL CONSTRUCTION:
Jan. 10, 9-1 1 a.m., Greater
Hazleton Chamber of Com-
merce, 20 W. Broad St. In-
formation on how OSHA
regulations affect residential
contractors. Chamber mem-
bers $25; nonmembers, $30
non members, includes mate-
rials and continental break-
fast. Reservations required
online at www.hazletoncham-
ber.org, by calling 455-1509
or by email at jferry@hazle-
tonchamber.org.
CEO LUZERNE ROUNDTA-
BLE: Jan. 12, 1 1 a.m.-1 p.m.,
Top of the 80s, Hazleton.
Robert T. Sweet, economist
and managing director of
MTB Investment Advisors, will
discuss the economic outlook
for 2012 and the outlook for
capital markets. $36 for
Northeast Pennsylvania
Manufacturers and Employ-
ers Association members;
$72 for non-members, in-
cludes lunch. To register, call
622-0992 or email krees-
[email protected].
OSHA TRAINING IN GENER-
AL INDUSTRY: Jan. 12-13, 9
a.m.-2:30 p.m., Greater Hazle-
ton Chamber of Commerce,
20 W. Broad St. For general
industry workers, super-
visors, safety managers, or
other individuals responsible
for safety in their organiza-
tions. Chamber members
$175 members; nonmembers,
$225, includes training mate-
rials and lunch.
BUSINESS AGENDA
Send announcements of up-
coming events by e-mail to tlbusi-
[email protected]; by mail to
Business Agenda, Times Leader,
15 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, PA
18711 or by fax to 829-5537. In-
clude a contact phone number
and e-mail address. The submis-
sion deadline is Wednesday for
publication on Sunday.
The deals came with big com-
mitmentstoinvest inthefacilities.
Geisinger said it would spend
$159 million on capital projects at
CMC; CHS agreed to invest $60
million over five years in facility
and technology upgrades at Mos-
es Taylor.
The Geisinger expansion at-
tracted the affiliated Geisinger
Health Plan to Wilkes-Barre,
where it said it would add 75 jobs.
All the dealing left only Hazle-
ton General Hospital and Marian
Community Hospital in Carbon-
dale unaffiliated with either of the
two health care giants. Marian an-
nounced in December that it
would close.
Flooding swamps businesses
Many area businesses suffered
severedamageinfloods causedby
Tropical StormLee, perhaps none
more thanthe low-lying Mark Pla-
za in Edwardsville. The 216,000-
square-foot complex, which prior
to the flooding housed anchor
stores Kmart and Redners Ware-
house Market and six other busi-
nesses, took on at least 8 feet of
water whenthe Susquehanna Riv-
er crested on Sept 9.
The shopping center remained
shuttered three months later, and
business owners said theyd heard
little from the landlord, White
Plains, N.Y.-based Acadia Realty
Trust.
Businesses in West Pittston,
Plains, Plymouth Township and
Shickshinnyalsowerehard-hit, in-
cluding such well-known shops as
Jon L. Stopay Candies and Agoli-
nos restaurant, both of which reo-
pened. But Wells Fargo said its
branch in Shickshinny would not
reopen, leaving the town with no
local bank.
Unemployment holds tight grip
In an up-and-down year for the
local unemployment rate, the
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre region
maintained an unwelcome dis-
tinction as the worst place in
Pennsylvaniatoget ajob. Thejob-
less rate in January was 9.1 per-
cent in the labor market area that
includes Luzerne, Lackawanna
and Wyoming counties.
Things looked better in April,
when the rate fell to 8.4 percent,
the lowest in two years. But a
sharp uptick followed; by August
the rate jumped to 9.8 percent. As
the end of 2011 approached, the
rate settled at 9.2 percent in both
October and November. Still, that
was below the 9.8 percent in No-
vember 2010, and1,300 more peo-
ple were working.
The overall march is in the
right direction, but the drumbeat
is slow right now, said Anthony
Liuzzo, director of the master of
business administration program
at Wilkes University.
Marcellus Shales long reach
Natural gas drillers have locked
up hundreds of leases in Luzerne
County, but the fewexperimental
wells have thus far come up dry.
That didnt mean the booming in-
dustryhadnoeffect here. Twopro-
posed pipelines that would bring
gas fromnorthern counties to the
Transco interstate pipeline in Dal-
las Township drewheated opposi-
tion, but in the end received ap-
proval.
Wyoming Valley Sanitary Au-
thority explored the possibility of
building treatment facilities for
frackwater,but theproposedop-
erator withdrewits proposal. Cate
Street Capital said citizen opposi-
tion to the plant was the main fac-
tor in its decision, but equally im-
portant may have been the indus-
trys push to reuse as much water
as possible.
In December, Transco operator
Williams announced plans to ex-
pand the capacity of its compres-
sor station in Buck Township.
Also in December, Clarks Sum-
mit-based Laser Northeast Gath-
ering said it would sell its pipe-
lines, contracts and easements to
Williams for $750 million.
Theater block struggles
Five years after completion, the
University Corners complex in
downtown Wilkes-Barre re-
mained largely empty. Wilkes-
BarreMovies14, themajor tenant,
continued to operate successfully,
while most of the ground level re-
tail spaces remained vacant.
Adding uncertainty, Bill Geary,
who in 2009 took ownership of
three-fourths of the retail portion
andassumedan$8.4millionmort-
gage note, filed for bankruptcy in
May, listing $39.3 million in debts
and$724,984inassets. Geary also
was accused of misappropriating
funds at a Florida development
TOP 10
Continued from Page 1D
Mark Plaza in Edwardsville was devastated by Septembers flooding.
AIMEE DILGER/THE TIMES LEADER
Robert Peloso of Fortis Institue
visited the Times Leader Job
Fair in December to ask about
work for his students.
AIMEE DILGER /THE TIMES LEADER
Wilkes-Barre Movies 14 anchors the University Corners complex.
See TOP10, Page 3D
C M Y K
THE TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2012 PAGE 3D
B U S I N E S S
er wage statements and handle
victims refund problems.
IRS Commissioner Douglas
Shulman has focused not only
on the viral identity-theft prob-
lem, but also on potential solu-
tions such as real-time match-
ing of W-2 income statements
before tax refunds are issued.
The agency has recently begun
a series of public meetings with
consumer groups, accountants,
employers and others.
Heres the crux of the chal-
lenge: Scammers are exploiting
a weakness in the IRS electronic
filing system, because the agen-
cy does not match filers tax re-
turns to W-2 income forms filed
by employers until months after
the filing season ends in April.
That means the IRS is not
scrutinizing fabricated docu-
ments before it issues refunds
to thieves refunds that are
loaded onto debit cards that can
be used in retail stores, super-
markets and banks.
But fixing the costly problem
will require the IRS to modern-
ize its processing system and
set new rules mandating that
employers file workers income
statements earlier in the year.
Jose Marrero, a former IRS
special agent in charge of the
agencys South Florida criminal
division, said part of the prob-
lem is that Congress has pres-
sured the agency to process re-
turns faster, so taxpayers can re-
ceive their refunds more quick-
ly.
But that has meant the IRS
has less time to review claims
for accuracy.
There is a real conflict that
the IRS has to deal with, said
Marrero. They are hamstrung
by some of the things that Con-
gress wants them to do or al-
lows them to do.
In the meantime, the IRS has
designed software filters to flag
false returns before they are
processed and refunds issued
including screens that spot
certain changes in a taxpayers
filing, such as a different ad-
dress or marital status.
The agency warns that de-
spite improvements, it is also
unfortunately seeing an in-
crease in identity theft, includ-
ing more complex schemes.
According to a Government
Accountability Office report,
the number of identity theft-re-
lated fraud incidents on tax re-
turns reached 248,000 last year,
about five times the number in
2008.
Ed Brill pressed an IRS repre-
sentative for immediate resolu-
tion of his case. Instead, he was
told if he did not hear back from
the IRS by phone or writing
within 90 days, he should con-
tact the agency again. That
clock started ticking on Nov. 7,
when the IRS received the cou-
ples theft affidavit, he said.
I just dont want to be penal-
ized for a hole in their system,
he said. And their attitude was,
Get in line with the rest of
them.
But with Christmas around
the corner, he said, the Brills
could use their nearly $8,000
tax refund.
THEIF
Although the real estate mar-
ket clearly isnt back to where
it was a few years ago, com-
mercial real estate has fared
better than residential real
estate.
Health care (6.6%):
Uncertainty over President
Obamas health care overhaul
hurt health care stocks in 2009
and 2010, but that cloud lifted
a bit in 2011. Drug maker Pfiz-
er returned nearly 28 percent.
One attraction was the stocks
dividend yield of 3.7 percent.
Biotech stocks were among the
years biggest winners. Biogen
Idec shares jumped 64 percent,
and a specialized fund, Fidelity
Advisor Biotechnology
(FBTAX), returned nearly 17
percent.
Consumer staples (4.5%):
These funds invest in stocks
of companies that provide
everyday essentials, from food
to soap to trash bags, and typ-
ically pay dividends. Demand
for these products is stable in
good times and bad. Two of
the standout stocks in 2011 are
tobacco companies paying
dividends of 3.9 percent or
higher. Lorillard returned
about 46 percent, and Philip
Morris International 39 per-
cent.
Financials (16% loss):
Funds that specialize in
stocks of banks and other fi-
nancial services companies
were the worst-performing
mutual fund category of 2011.
Its familiar territory. Financial
sector funds also have the
worst results over the past
three- and five-year periods. In
2011, these stocks were hurt by
the slowdown in the economic
recovery; legal liability stem-
ming from the flood of home
foreclosures; and fears that
debt-burdened European gov-
ernments would fail to fully
pay their debts, potentially
hurting European and U.S.
banks. Shares of Bank of Amer-
ica tumbled 60 percent.
Technology (8% loss):
These stocks are among the
top performers over the past
three years, but the slowdown
in the economic recovery hurt
their 2011 results. There were
exceptions, like Apple, whose
shares gained nearly 25 per-
cent as consumers continued
to demand the latest versions
of the iPhone and iPad.
As for dividends, the outlook
remains strong. The cash coff-
ers of companies in the S&P
500 are at a record $1 trillion,
putting them in good position
to keep increasing dividends.
Payments rose about 16 per-
cent in 2011 compared with the
previous year, and more than
half of S&P 500 companies
increased their dividends.
S&P analyst Howard Silver-
blatt is quite confident about
the outlook for dividends: You
can write the copy for next
year now: Dividends continue
to increase for 2012.
JEWELL
and lost his real estate license in
California, whereGearylivesand
his company, Carlsberg Manage-
ment Co., is headquartered.
The upstairs loft condomini-
ums were a brighter story, with
most of the 21 sold. A separate
company, Susquehanna Real Es-
tate, took over that part of the
project and completed construc-
tion.
Airport sees growth
Creditingmuchof theincrease
to the Marcellus Shale gas drill-
ing boom, the Wilkes-Barre/
Scranton International Airport
saw flights added and passenger
numbers on the rise in 2011.
Through November 30 the air-
port saw428,341flyers either ar-
rive or depart in 2011. That was
7.3 percent higher thanthe same
period a year earlier.
To meet demand for flights to
the Southwest, Delta reinstated
a daily flight to Atlanta that had
beendroppedin2009. InNovem-
ber, Delta said it would upgrade
the flight to a 65-seat aircraft
from50 seats.
Not all the news was rosy,
though. Financially troubled
American Airlines announced in
October that it would discontin-
ueflights toChicago. Andaweak
local economy kept a lot of our
local travelers home, said air-
port Director Barry Centini.
Deal, no deal for insurers
One Wilkes-Barre-based insur-
ance company was sold in 2011
and the proposed sale of another
fell through.
In November, Penn Millers
Holding Co., parent of 124-year-
old Penn Millers Insurance, was
swallowed by a subsidiary of
Swiss-based ACE American In-
surance Co. Penn Millers had
gone public in 2009 and was the
TOP 10
CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK/ FOR THE TIMES LEADER
Work is under way on a natural gas pipeline in Dallas Township.
See TOP10, Page 4D
C M Y K
B U S I N E S S
Q: I amahappilymarriedmanin
my mid-40s with three young chil-
dren. Duringmycareer, Ihavebuilt
a successful business and accumu-
lated enough wealth so that I have
no worries about money. My prob-
lemisthat I reallydont knowwhat
motivates me anymore.
I have read articles on job moti-
vation, but none of the traditional
types of motivators such as
achievement, social interaction or
servicetoothers seems toapply
to me. The only thing I really care
aboutismakingmywifehappyand
providing love, support and eco-
nomic certainty for my family.
I greatly enjoy sports and other
typical male activities, but I find it
difficult to get excited about work.
Can you help me figure out what
Immissing?
A: Actually, your situation is not
uncommon. Based on your descrip-
tion, youseemtofall intothecatego-
ry of people who work primarily to
support the rest of their life. This
simply means that your job, while
not terribly exciting, enables you to
fund other enjoyable pastimes, like
sports andfamilyactivities.
In reality, people vary quite a bit
inenthusiasmfor their chosenpro-
fession. A few have discovered a
meaningful vocation which trig-
gers a deep, lifelongpassion, while
many others are perfectly satisfied
with work that is reasonably en-
joyable, but not particularly ener-
gizing or inspirational.
To gauge the severity of this
problem, you need to assess your
ownfeelings about work. If youare
fairly content with your job, then
theres nothing wrong with being
more excited about other activ-
ities. But if you dread going to the
officeorfindyourself boredtotears
whileyourethere, itmaybetimeto
startlookingforanewandmorein-
teresting occupational challenge.
Q: You recently printed a ques-
tionfromanattorneywhowascon-
cerned that her desire to start a
familymight cost herthechanceto
make partner. Your advice to look
for a firmwith better work-life bal-
ance was fine, but theres another
option which you failed to men-
tion. The woman could consider
askingherhusbandif hewouldlike
to become a stay-at-home dad.
Aspresidentof DaddysHome, the
national networkforstay-at-homefa-
thers, I have foundthat many of our
members are married to attorneys.
Thesemenelectedtostepout of the
workforce so that their wives could
succeedandthriveintheir careers.
This lifestyle choice has worked
extremely well for our family and
thousandsof others. If yourreaders
would like more information, they
can visit our website at www.atho-
medad.org.
Al Watts, President,
DaddysHome, Inc.
A: Thank you for sharing a very
valuable perspective. To make the
best possible choice for themselves
and their children, parents should
consider all realistic options for ba-
lancingfamilyneedsandworkprior-
ities. Whenbothpartiesarecomfort-
ablewiththedecision, reversingthe
traditional roles can be a practical
andrewardingalternative.
OFFICE COACH
When success does not
guarantee happiness
By MARIE G. MCINTYRE
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
Marie G. McIntyre is a workplace
coach and the author of "Secrets to
Winning at Office Politics." Send in
questions and get free coaching tips
at http://www.yourofficecoach.com.
NEW YORK The arrival
of the new year gives small
business owners a chance to
fix some of the problems that
may have dogged them
through 2011. Those whose ac-
counting systems were hap-
hazard, or who didnt have a
clear policy about vacations
and sick time should take ad-
vantage of the fresh start that
2012 offers.
A look at what needs to be
done:
If youre likely to show up at
your accountants office dur-
ing tax season with a pile of
disorganized receipts, invoices
and ledgers for 2011, get your-
self some accounting software
designed for small business
owners. And start using it
right away. If youre not sure
which one would be best for
you, talk to your accountant or
to another business owner
whose line of work is similar to
yours.
Many small business owners
have poorly kept or nonexist-
ent books because they dont
have time to keep track of what
they spend and earn. Or they
feel intimidated by account-
ing. The solution is to get
some help. Your accountant or
another owner can help you
find a good bookkeeping ser-
vice. Or hire an accounting
student at a local college. Stu-
dents are eager for the work.
If you need help learning to
use the programyou can search
for a counselor whos savvy
about accounting software.
Keeping good books is not
just about being organized. Its
also about knowing whats go-
ing on with your business. If
you cant easily look at your re-
ceivables and your expenses
and know what your cash flow
is, then your company can run
into financial trouble.
If you spent time in 2011 try-
ing to mediate disputes over
which employee was going to
take which holiday or week in
the summer off, you need to
create a written vacation pol-
icy. There are two reasons: It
will help your company oper-
ate in a fair and orderly fash-
ion, and employees will know
what to expect.
Similarly, you might want to
think about time off for illness,
jury duty and other situations.
A policy should spell out
how much time employees
get, how many staffers can be
off at one time and how con-
flicts will be resolved. You
need to decide if employees
get their time off by seniority,
or on a first-come, first-served
basis. And, how far in advance
do they need to ask for time
off? Howwill you handle emer-
gency requests, especially
when staffers have already
used all their vacation time?
And what happens if staffers
dont use all their time? Can
they roll it over to the next
year?
For sick time, you need to
think about how much you
want to give staffers. And how
do you want to handle situa-
tions where someone is out for
an extended time?
A big caveat: Some of these
situations may be covered by
federal or state laws, like the
Family and Medical Leave Act
or the Americans with Disabil-
ities Act. You should probably
speak with a human resources
consultant or a SCORE coun-
selor who has worked in HR to
be sure you comply with the
laws.
You can learn more about
the FMLA at www.dol.gov/
dol/topic/benefits-leave/
fmla.htm and the ADA at
www.ada.gov. Check your
states websites to see if there
are laws you must follow.
SMALL TALK
Start 2012 off right in your small business
By JOYCE M. ROSENBERG
AP Business Writer
Many small business owners
have poorly kept or nonexist-
ent books because they dont
have time to keep track of
what they spend and earn. Or
they feel intimidated by ac-
counting. The solution is to
get some help.
onlylocallybasedpubliclytraded
company aside from banks. At
$20.50 per share, shareholders
more than doubled their money
fromthe$10per shareinitial pub-
lic offering. Penn Millers execu-
tives did even better; eight offi-
cers shared a total of $8.1million
in golden parachute and other
rewards.
The story was different for
Guard Insurance, which had
been sold in 2007 to Israel-based
Clal Insurance Enterprise Hold-
ings Ltd. In September, Employ-
ers Holdings Inc., of Reno, Nev.,
withdrew a non-binding offer of
$312millionfor Guardthat it had
made in August.
Guard said the failure of the
deal would not affect its oper-
ations.
Chamber chief moves on
Givingmorethanadequateno-
tice, Todd Vonderheid an-
nounced in February that he
would resign as president and
CEOof the Greater Wilkes-Barre
Chamber of Business &Industry
bythe endof the year. Withseven
replacement
candidates in
line, he left day-
to-day oper-
ations in No-
vember but
agreed to stay
available
throughDecem-
ber to assist in a transition.
Vonderheids tenure was
marked by the Great Recession
and its aftermath and he was
forced to reduce the staff of more
than 30 by half during his four
years at the helm. Vonderheid re-
turned to the chamber in June
2007after spendingonetermas a
Luzerne County Commissioner.
He previously worked for the
chamber for 10 years.
The new CEO will lead both
the Chamber of Business & In-
dustry and the affiliated Greater
Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Com-
merce. Vonderheid was paid
$184,847 in salary and $29,143 in
other compensation in 2009, ac-
cording to federal filings.
Fairchild stays open
Two and a half years after an-
nouncing the end was near for a
Crestwood Industrial Park plant
and its 200-plus employees, Fair-
child Semiconductor changed
course and announced the plant
will remain open indefinitely.
The plant produces wafers the
basic component used to make
computer chips primarily for
theautomotivemarket. Sincethe
original closure announcement
inApril 2009, thecompanysaysit
hasmorethandoubleditssalesof
the high voltage and automotive
products which the Mountain
Top facility supports. Fairchild
expects to continue the rapid ex-
pansion of these businesses and
determined that retaining the lo-
cal facility will be essential to
supporting customers current
and future needs.
Newbusiness brewing
Ed Maier, president of Susque-
hanna Brewing Co., his son Fred
Maier and Mark Nobile an-
nounced in October they would
open Susquehanna Brewing Co.
in the former United Beverage of
NEPA building in Jenkins Town-
ship. Ed Maier is local brewing
pioneer Charles Stegmaiers
great-great-grandson; Nobiles
grandfather, Mac Gargano,
opened Wyoming Quality Bever-
age in West Wyoming in 1934, a
year after Prohibition ended.
In November the partners an-
nounced that Jaime Jurado, a
1990 Wilkes University graduate,
would be the master brewer. Ju-
rado was lured away from The
Gambrinus Company in San An-
tonio, Texas.
TOP 10
AIMEE DILGER/THE TIMES LEADER
Fairchild Semiconductor in Mountain Top will stay open indefi-
nitely.
Vonderheid
C M Y K
THE TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2012 PAGE 5D
B U S I N E S S
MarketPulse
AP
HOPE FOR THE HOUSING MARKET? CASH FOR HOMES THE BANKRUPTCY/CREDIT LINK
More homes are being pur-
chased with cash, thanks to
tighter mortgage lending re-
quirements and real estate in-
vestors appetite for foreclo-
sures.
The trend picked up momen-
tum in the years since the hous-
ing market boom ended and the
number of foreclosures skyrock-
eted, leading to steep declines
in home prices. And it continued
to do so this year, according to
an analysis by Hanley Wood
Market Intelligence.
The firm estimates 38 percent
of homes sold this year were
purchased with cash. That's up
from 34 percent last year and a
twofold increase from 2006, the
firm says.
Hanley Wood anticipates the
trend will continue, as real es-
tate investors make up more of
the home buying pool.
Bankruptcy filings for 2011 are
likely to be down between 10
percent and 12 percent from the
nearly 1.6 million in 2010, ac-
cording to the University of Illi-
nois. But Robert Lawless, a busi-
ness law professor at the univer-
sity, warns against viewing the
drop as a sign of a stronger
economy. Lawless says theres a
link between bankruptcy filings
and the availability of credit. He
notes that consumers found it
harder to borrow during and after
the credit crisis in 2008. That
means many people have accu-
mulated less debt, and therefore
had fewer reasons to file for
bankruptcy in 2010. He also
says theyre also finding it easier
to borrow now, which means
they can tap that money to pay
bills and avoid bankruptcy.
The spring home selling season
starts in about two months. Its
hard to make a call now about
how strong its likely to be. This
past week, the National Associa-
tion of Realtors reported that the
number of people who signed
contracts to buy homes rose more
than 7 percent in November to the
highest level in a year and a half.
And mortgage rates were close to
record lows at years end. But
home sales through November
have put 2011 on track to be one
of the worst ever for the housing
market. And home prices were
dropping during the fall. So far, the
expectations are that 2012 will be
a bumpy year for housing. Still, if
the government reports strong
growth in jobs the next two
months, more people may feel op-
timistic enough to buy.
Homes bought with cash
percent
18
28
38
20
19
26
31
34
(est.)
38
Source: Hanley Wood Market Intelligence
06 07 08 09 10 11
How did a quirky mutual fund that
specializes in stocks like alcoholic
beverage makers and casino de-
velopers end up one of 2011s
top-performers? By not letting the
years double-digit gains for tobac-
co stocks go
up in smoke.
The aptly
named Vice
Fund
(VICEX) re-
turned 9 per-
cent in 2011,
placing it in
the top 1
percent
among
large-blend
stock funds.
Four of the funds recent top hold-
ings are cigarette makers, and had
a stellar 2011. Their gains: Loril-
lard, 39 percent; Philip Morris In-
ternational, 34 percent; Reynolds
American 27 percent, and Altria
Group, 20 percent. Contrast that
with the S&P 500 index, which was
virtually unchanged.
Vice Funds tobacco stocks
fared better than the other three
industries that the fund specializes
in: alcoholic beverages, defense
contractors and gaming and casi-
nos. Fund manager Gerry Sullivan
discusses the 2011 results, and
his unique fund:
Whats behind this years strong
results for tobacco stocks?
These companies have hit their
projected growth numbers. People
are smoking less, yet the tobacco
companies have been able to
raise prices. And price increases
overcompensate for loss of sales,
by a factor of 3-to-1. Despite
higher prices, everyone seems to
remain brand loyal.
But people in the U.S. are
smoking less, because of health
concerns, cigarette tax increas-
es and smoking bans. Isnt
smoking declining in other
countries, wont that hurt
tobacco companies?
It doesn't seem to be true in Asia,
although it does seems to be true
in Europe. But the question for to-
bacco companies is, Whatever
loss results from having fewer
people smoking, can you make
that up in price increases? It
seems they can. I would have to
attribute that to the vice nature of
the product. People stick with their
brand.
Whats your favorite tobacco
stock now?
Altria. Its dividend yield is about
5.6 percent. Ten-year Treasurys
are yielding about 2 percent now.
What would you be more comfort-
able holding for the next 10 years?
If theres inflation, it probably wont
affect tobacco sales much, be-
cause people will still smoke. But if
there is steep inflation, it will really
hurt bond yields. And look at
Altrias record. Its stock has beat-
en the S&P 500 for 11 years in a
row now.
Are you a smoker?
No. I understand there are health
risks. But I believe they are prop-
erly disclosed. And I do believe
this is a society where you should
be able to do what you want.
The Vice Fund is explicit about
its focus on sin stocks, starting
with its name. Does that hinder
or help the fund?
The fund follows a disciplined ap-
proach, and its not salacious. The
portfolio is very rational and well-
maintained. Its goal is to deliver a
high-quality product. It just has a
salacious name, and its kind of a
double-edged sword. Were hoping
the more marketing we do, the
less people will look at it as some-
thing salacious, and instead look
at the funds long-term record, and
say, Can you get over the name,
by looking at its performance, and
understanding that its disciplined
and defensive?
Up in
smoke
InsiderQ&A
Sullivan
AP
Optimistic about 2012
M k J ll J i S h AP
Investors are worried as they head into the new
year. They see the European debt crisis as a threat
to the U.S. economy. And the recovery in
this country inspires little confidence.
But David Joy, chief market
strategist at the mutual fund and
financial planning firm Ameriprise
Financial, is optimistic. He predicts that
the S&P 500 will reach 1,425 by the end of
next year. That would be a 13
percent rise from Thursdays
close of 1,263.02.
He discussed the outlook
for 2012 with The
Associated Press. Here
are excerpts:
Whats the biggest factor leading you
to expect a double-digit gain in the
stock market next year?
Stocks are relatively inexpensive.
Although stock prices have climbed
since bottoming out in March 2009, they
havent risen in tandem with the
recovery in earnings. And prospects are
good that earnings will remain strong,
because corporate America remains
lean after all the cost-cutting in recent
years.
And the economy is likely to
continue picking up. Well probably see
growth of about 2.5 percent next year
not great, but better than the 1.6 percent
were expecting this year.
What impact will low interest rates have?
The cost of debt financing for business will remain
very attractive. If you want to borrow money to build a
new plant, its cheap. Its likely to stay cheap, because
we dont see inflation becoming a problem, with 8.6
percent unemployment likely to be with us for a while.
The U.S. stock market has been
volatile because of Europes
problems. Do you expect that to
continue?
Europe will eventually play a smaller
role in the U.S. market, but we should
expect to see volatility continue in the
first quarter, and maybe beyond. It
wont calm down until theres some
mechanism so that the European
Central Bank can serve as a lender of
last resort. Investors need to be
convinced that there will be some
firepower behind the European debt
markets to, in essence, bail a country
out if investors turn their backs on it,
and a countrys debt financing costs
become unmanageable.
Italy has a lot of debt coming due that it needs to
roll over in the first half of next year. So well see the
crisis intensify in the first quarter. Countries like
Greece and Italy face years of austerity, and Europe
will be kind of a toothache for the market for a long
time, perhaps years.
AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL
CHIEF MARKET
STRATEGIST
DAVID JOY
Air Products APD 72.26 6 98.01 85.19 -0.28 -0.3 s s -6.3 3.78 3 6.1 15 2.7
Amer Water Works AWK 25.17 9 32.78 31.86 -0.23 -0.7 s s 26.0+29.54 118.2a 18 2.9
Amerigas Part LP APU 36.76 7 51.50 45.91 1.57 3.5 s s -5.9 -+.05 2 12.9 20 6.4
Aqua America Inc WTR 19.28 7 23.79 22.05 0.03 0.1 s s -1.9 +.89 2 1.7 23 3.0
Arch Dan Mid ADM 23.69 4 38.02 28.60 -0.46 -1.6 t s -4.9 2.74 2 -0.4 9 2.4
AutoZone Inc AZO 246.26 9343.90 324.97 -5.33 -1.6 t s 19.2+19.22 1 23.0 16 ...
Bank of America BAC 4.92 1 15.31 5.56 -0.04 -0.7 t t -58.358.02 5-28.0 ... 0.7
Bk of NY Mellon BK 17.10 2 32.50 19.91 -0.17 -0.8 s s -34.132.48 4-10.1 9 2.6
Bon Ton Store BONT 2.23 1 17.49 3.37 0.03 0.9 s t -73.472.20 5-35.3 ... 5.9
CVS Caremark Corp CVS 31.30 0 41.35 40.78 -0.21 -0.5 s s 17.3+18.72 1 6.5 16 1.6
Cigna Corp CI 36.16 4 52.95 42.00 -1.13 -2.6 t s 14.6+14.68 1 -0.8 9 0.1
CocaCola KO 61.29 9 71.77 69.97 0.03 0.0 s s 6.4 +9.24 2 10.1 13 2.7
Comcast Corp A CMCSA 19.19 6 27.16 23.71 -0.02 -0.1 s s 8.4+10.40 2 -2.3 17 1.9
Community Bk Sys CBU 21.67 0 28.45 27.80 0.40 1.5 s s 0.1 +3.71 2 7.0 14 3.7
Community Hlth Sys CYH 14.61 2 42.50 17.45 0.23 1.3 t s -53.353.30 5-13.7 6 ...
Entercom Comm ETM 4.61 2 13.63 6.15 -0.27 -4.2 s s -46.946.89 5-21.8 6 ...
Fairchild Semicond FCS 10.25 2 21.02 12.04 -0.16 -1.3 t s -22.922.87 4 -6.5 9 ...
Frontier Comm FTR 4.79 1 9.84 5.15 0.03 0.6 t t -47.139.36 4 -7.4 34 14.6
Genpact Ltd G 13.09 4 18.16 14.95 0.05 0.3 t s -1.6 1.64 222.1a 19 1.2
Harte Hanks Inc HHS 7.00 4 13.74 9.09 -0.69 -7.1 t s -28.826.31 4-17.5 13 3.5
Heinz HNZ 46.99 9 55.00 54.04 -0.11 -0.2 s s 9.3+13.08 1 6.8 18 3.6
Hershey Company HSY 46.24 0 62.26 61.78 0.78 1.3 s s 31.0+33.96 1 6.4 23 2.2
Kraft Foods KFT 30.21 0 37.93 37.36 -0.09 -0.2 s s 18.6+22.25 1 3.8 20 3.1
Lowes Cos LOW 18.07 8 27.45 25.38 0.11 0.4 s s 1.2 +3.19 2 -2.7 18 2.2
M&T Bank MTB 66.40 5 91.05 76.34 -0.55 -0.7 s s -12.3 9.09 3 -5.9 11 3.7
McDonalds Corp MCD 72.14 0101.00 100.33 0.18 0.2 s s 30.7+34.00 1 20.0 20 2.8
NBT Bncp NBTB 17.05 7 24.98 22.13 -0.14 -0.6 s s -8.4 5.05 3 0.5 13 3.6
Nexstar Bdcstg Grp NXST 4.59 6 10.28 7.84 -0.05 -0.6 t s 30.9+30.88 1 11.0 ... ...
PNC Financial PNC 42.70 7 65.19 57.67 -0.90 -1.5 s s -5.0 3.13 2 -2.5 9 2.4
PPL Corp PPL 24.10 9 30.27 29.42 -0.23 -0.8 t s 11.8+17.10 1 0.2 11 4.8
Penna REIT PEI 6.50 4 17.34 10.44 -0.03 -0.3 s s -28.124.02 4-15.5 ... 5.7
PepsiCo PEP 58.50 6 71.89 66.35 -0.22 -0.3 s s 1.6 +4.66 2 3.7 17 3.1
Philip Morris Intl PM 55.85 0 79.42 78.48 -0.27 -0.3 s s 34.1+38.90 125.5a 17 3.9
Procter & Gamble PG 57.56 0 67.72 66.71 0.04 0.1 s s 3.7 +6.90 2 3.2 17 3.1
Prudential Fncl PRU 42.45 4 67.52 50.12 -0.80 -1.6 t s -14.612.16 3 -8.5 6 2.9
SLM Corp SLM 10.91 5 17.11 13.40 -0.47 -3.4 s s 6.4 +8.82 2-22.2 14 3.0
SLM Corp flt pfB SLMBP 39.09 1 60.00 39.00 -1.10 -2.7 t t -11.0 ... 0.0 ... 11.9
Southn Union Co SUG 23.85 9 44.65 42.11 0.07 0.2 s s 74.9+77.44 1 10.0 21 1.4
TJX Cos TJX 42.55 0 65.50 64.55 -0.76 -1.2 s s 45.4+47.04 1 18.7 19 1.2
UGI Corp UGI 24.07 6 33.53 29.40 0.15 0.5 s s -6.9 3.64 2 4.3 14 3.5
Verizon Comm VZ 32.28 0 40.08 40.12 0.14 0.4 s s 12.1+17.61 1 7.1 16 5.0
WalMart Strs WMT 48.31 0 60.00 59.76 -0.23 -0.4 s s 10.8+13.52 1 7.2 14 2.4
Weis Mkts WMK 36.52 7 42.20 39.94 -1.78 -4.3 s s -1.0 +4.41 2 3.1 15 3.0
52-WK RANGE FRIDAY $CHG%CHG %CHG%RTN RANK %RTN
COMPANY TICKER LOW HIGH CLOSE 1WK 1WK 1MO 1QTR YTD 1YR 1YR 5YRS* PE YLD
Notes on data: Total returns, shown for periods 1-year or greater, include dividend income and change in market price. Three-year and five-year returns
annualized. Ellipses indicate data not available. Price-earnings ratio unavailable for closed-end funds and companies with net losses over prior four quar-
ters. Rank classifies a stocks performance relative to all U.S.-listed shares, from top 20 percent (far-left box) to bottom 20 percent (far-right box).
LocalStocks
SOURCE: Goldman Sachs; FactSet
You may not know Baidu, but hedge funds love the stock.
Hedge funds invest money for rich people, university endow-
ments, pension funds and other big investors. They are lightly
regulated, but they give regular updates on what theyre holding.
Each quarter, Goldman Sachs strategist David Kostin looks
through regulatory filings to see which stocks pop up most often
among funds top 10 holdings. For the end of the third quarter, he
looked at 679 hedge funds.
Some stocks on the list arent surprising: Apple reported earnings
growth of 54 percent last quarter from a year earlier on strong sales
of iPads. Aquarter before that, growth was 125 percent.
But a little further down the list is Baidu, which runs the dominant
Internet search engine in China. Its share also trade in the U.S.
under the ticker BIDU. Its net income rose 90 percent last quarter.
A quarter before that, growth was 106 percent.
Stock
Screener
What the pros own
Data through Dec. 30
Apple AAPL 105 $405.00 $310.50 $426.70 25%
Google GOOG 58 645.90 473.02 646.76 8
Microsoft MSFT 50 25.96 23.65 29.46 -7
JPMorgan Chase JPM 31 33.25 27.85 48.36 -21
Pfizer PFE 29 21.64 16.63 21.90 24
Qualcomm QCOM 29 54.70 45.98 59.84 10
General Motors GM 28 20.27 19.00 39.48 -45
LyondellBasell LYB 24 32.49 22.90 48.12 -4
Liberty Interactive LINTA 22 16.22 12.44 18.65 4
Baidu BIDU 21 116.47 95.53 165.96 19
NO. OF HEDGE FUNDS
WITH STOCKAS 52-WK 52-WK 1-YR STOCK
COMPANY TICKER TOP 10 HOLDING CLOSE LOW HIGH CHANGE
105 105
58
50
31
29
29
28
24
22
21 21
American Funds BalA m ABALX 18.21 -.05 +.8 +4.0/A +2.4/B
American Funds BondA m ABNDX 12.55 +.08 +1.1 +6.8/C +3.6/E
American Funds CapIncBuA m CAIBX 49.22 +.13 +1.4 +3.0/A +.9/C
American Funds CpWldGrIA m CWGIX 32.12 -.03 -.6 -7.4/C -.9/B
American Funds EurPacGrA m AEPGX 35.16 -.66 -2.5 -13.3/C -1.4/A
American Funds FnInvA m ANCFX 35.39 -.17 +.3 -1.9/D +.4/A
American Funds GrthAmA m AGTHX 28.73 -.13 -1.2 -4.9/D -.6/D
American Funds IncAmerA m AMECX 16.76 +.02 +2.4 +5.6/A +1.7/B
American Funds InvCoAmA m AIVSX 27.09 -.08 +.7 -1.7/C -.9/C
American Funds NewPerspA m ANWPX 26.16 -.36 -1.7 -7.5/C +.6/A
American Funds WAMutInvA m AWSHX 28.40 -.11 +1.9 +7.1/A +.1/A
BlackRock GlobAlcA m MDLOX 18.16 -.07 -1.5 -3.5/C +3.6/A
BlackRock GlobAlcC m MCLOX 16.93 -.07 -1.5 -4.2/C +2.8/B
BlackRock GlobAlcI MALOX 18.24 -.07 -1.5 -3.2/C +3.9/A
Dodge & Cox Income DODIX 13.30 +.10 +1.4 +5.0/E +6.3/B
Dodge & Cox IntlStk DODFX 29.24 +.05 +1.3 -16.4/ -3.5/
Dodge & Cox Stock DODGX 101.64 -.66 +1.1 -4.0/D -4.1/E
Fidelity Contra FCNTX 67.46 -.26 -1.1 -.2/B +2.6/A
Fidelity DivrIntl d FDIVX 25.52 -.04 -2.7 -13.5/C -4.6/C
Fidelity Free2020 FFFDX 13.12 -.44 +.1 -1.1/D +1.1/C
Fidelity GrowCo FDGRX 80.89 -.38 -1.9 +.3/B +4.0/A
Fidelity LowPriStk d FLPSX 35.73 -.15 -.3 -.1/A +2.0/B
Fidelity Spartan 500IdxInv FUSEX 44.49 -.26 +1.0 +2.0/A -.3/B
FrankTemp-Franklin Income A m FKINX 2.10 +.01 +2.7 +2.8/B +2.8/C
FrankTemp-Franklin Income C m FCISX 2.12 +.01 +2.6 +2.3/C +2.2/D
FrankTemp-Mutual Euro Z MEURX 18.95 +.17 +.5 -8.1/A -.6/A
FrankTemp-Templeton GlBond A mTPINX 12.41 -.05 +.1 -2.2/E +9.0/A
FrankTemp-Templeton GlBondAdv TGBAX 12.37 -.06 +.1 -2.0/E +9.3/A
Harbor IntlInstl d HAINX 52.45 +.15 -1.9 -11.0/A -.7/A
Oakmark EqIncI OAKBX 27.05 -.11 -.2 +.6/C +4.4/A
PIMCO AllAssetI PAAIX 11.54 -.41 +1.6 +2.7/ +5.6/
PIMCO ComRlRStI PCRIX 6.54 -.85 -2.7 -6.9/ +2.3/
PIMCO LowDrIs PTLDX 10.29 -.01 +.4 +1.8/C +5.2/A
PIMCO TotRetA m PTTAX 10.87 +.02 +1.5 +3.9/E +7.6/A
PIMCO TotRetAdm b PTRAX 10.87 +.02 +1.5 +4.1/E +7.8/A
PIMCO TotRetIs PTTRX 10.87 +.02 +1.5 +4.3/E +8.0/A
PIMCO TotRetrnD b PTTDX 10.87 +.02 +1.5 +4.0/E +7.7/A
Permanent Portfolio PRPFX 46.09 -.32 -3.0 +2.5/C +8.4/A
T Rowe Price EqtyInc PRFDX 23.06 -.17 +1.9 -.7/C -1.0/B
T Rowe Price GrowStk PRGFX 31.83 -.21 -.9 -1.2/B +1.1/C
T Rowe Price HiYield d PRHYX 6.49 +.02 +3.4 +3.9/C +6.7/A
T Rowe Price MidCpGr RPMGX 52.73 -.33 -1.0 -1.5/B +5.5/A
Vanguard 500Adml VFIAX 115.80 -.67 +1.0 +2.1/A -.2/B
Vanguard 500Inv VFINX 115.80 -.67 +1.0 +1.9/A -.3/B
Vanguard GNMAAdml VFIJX 11.07 -.08 +.6 +8.1/B +6.9/A
Vanguard InstIdxI VINIX 115.04 -1.35 +1.0 +2.1/A -.2/B
Vanguard InstPlus VIIIX 115.05 -1.35 +1.0 +2.1/A -.2/B
Vanguard MuIntAdml VWIUX 14.03 +.05 +2.0 +9.7/B +5.0/B
Vanguard STGradeAd VFSUX 10.64 +.02 +.4 +2.1/B +4.4/B
Vanguard Tgtet2025 VTTVX 12.27 -.32 +.2 -.2/A +1.3/A
Vanguard TotBdAdml VBTLX 11.00 +.07 +1.1 +8.1/A +6.5/B
Vanguard TotBdInst VBTIX 11.00 +.07 +1.1 +8.1/A +6.5/B
Vanguard TotIntl d VGTSX 13.06 -.03 -2.6 -14.1/C -3.5/B
Vanguard TotStIAdm VTSAX 31.30 -.19 +.8 +1.0/B +.3/B
Vanguard TotStIIns VITSX 31.30 -.19 +.8 +1.0/B +.3/B
Vanguard TotStIdx VTSMX 31.29 -.19 +.8 +.8/B +.2/B
Vanguard Welltn VWELX 31.34 -.23 +1.7 +4.1/A +3.5/A
Vanguard WelltnAdm VWENX 54.13 -.40 +1.7 +4.2/A +3.6/A
Vanguard WndsrII VWNFX 25.78 -.46 +1.6 +2.8/B -1.4/B
Wells Fargo AstAlllcA f EAAFX 11.92 -.23 +2.0 +1.2/ +2.3/
MutualFunds
FRIDAY WK RETURN/RANK
GROUP, FUND TICKER NAV CHG 4WK 1YR 5YR
Dow industrials
-0.6%
+1.7%
Nasdaq
-0.5%
-0.8%
S&P 500
-0.6%
+1.1%
Russell 2000
-0.9%
+0.8%
LARGE-CAP
SMALL-CAP
q
p
p
q
q
q
q
p
n
q
p
q
MO
YTD
MO
YTD
MO
YTD
MO
YTD
WEEKLY
WEEKLY
WEEKLY
WEEKLY
+5.5%
-1.8%
...%
-5.5%
Mortgage rates near record lows
The average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage rose
slightly to 3.95 percent. The previous weeks average
of 3.91 percent was the lowest on record dating to
the 1950s. Rates have been below 5 percent for
nearly all of 2011. Mortgage rates are tied to Trea-
sury yields, which fall when demand for Treasurys
rise. Investors have been buying Treasurys because
of the uncertain economy.
InterestRates
MIN
Money market mutual funds YIELD INVEST PHONE
3.25
3.25
3.25
.13
.13
.13
PRIME
RATE
FED
FUNDS
Taxablenational avg 0.01
Fidelity Select Money Market 0.11 $ 2,500 min (800) 544-6666
Tax-exemptnational avg 0.01
BMO Tax Free MMF/Class Y 0.12 $ 1,000 min (800) 236-3863
Broad market Lehman 2.26 -0.05 t t -0.75 3.29 2.15
Triple-A corporate Moodys 3.79 -0.09 t t -1.17 5.31 3.73
Corp. Inv. Grade Lehman 3.76 -0.06 t t -0.31 4.22 3.36
FRIDAY
6 MO AGO
1 YR AGO
FRIDAY CHANGE 52-WK
U.S. BOND INDEXES YIELD 1WK 1MO 3MO 1YR HIGH LOW
Municipal Bond Buyer 4.84 -0.05 t t -0.67 5.95 4.84
U.S. high yield Barclays 8.34 -0.13 t t 0.79 10.15 6.61
Treasury Barclays 1.00 -0.01 t t -1.08 2.46 0.96
FRIDAY CHANGE 52-WK
TREASURYS YIELD 1WK 1MO 3MO 1YR HIGH LOW
3-month T-Bill 0.02 0.01 s r -0.08 0.15
1-year T-Bill 0.15 -0.01 s t -0.15 0.34 0.07
6-month T-Bill 0.05 0.02 s r -0.13 0.20 0.01
2-year T-Note 0.24 -0.05 t t -0.40 0.83 0.16
5-year T-Note 0.83 -0.15 t t -1.23 2.39 0.78
10-year T-Note 1.88 -0.14 t t -1.49 3.72 1.72
30-year T-Bond 2.89 -0.16 t t -1.54 4.77 2.72
Money fund data provided by iMoneyNet Inc.
Rank: Funds letter grade compared with others in the same performance group;
an A indicates fund performed in the top 20 percent; an E, in the bottom 20 percent.
C M Y K
B U S I N E S S
Call Academy Tutoring today for a free consultation
(570) 540-9628
Also check out our website for more information: www.academytutoring4u.com
TUTORING AND SAT/ACT PREP
PARENTS, is your child falling behind in school?
Do you want better grades now?
Dont wait until its too late! Call Academy Tutoring today!
Our tutors are Pennsylvania certied teachers who can help your child in any subject. We
teach students of all ages, K-adult, to become better students by developing good work habits and
study skills and increasing their content area knowledge. Over 90% of our students have improved
at least one full letter grade.
Our experienced tutors will work one-on-one with your child in your home or local
library, at a time that is convenient for you. There is no long-term contract and you can
start and stop at any time.
For high school students planning to attend college: While gains can be made in a
group or classroom SAT or ACT courses, nothing compares to one-on-one, individualized tutoring.
Our students have increased their scores an average of 180 points. Our students have been
accepted into both local colleges and top national universities and have also received thousands
of dollars in scholarships!
C M Y K
VIEWS S E C T I O N E
timesleader.com
WHAT BETTER way
to begin the new year
than to savor the Iowa
Republican Presi-
dential Caucus on
Tuesday evening and
the commencement of
a new Luzerne Coun-
ty government at 10 a.m. Monday?
While turmoil touches many nation
states around the globe, over the next
two days an American primer on peace-
ful, grassroots democracy will be on
public display in the great state of Iowa
and the Pennsylvania comeback county
of Luzerne.
The lessons profound. The tuition is
free.
Consistent with the soaring notes
echoed in the first sentence of Presi-
dent John Kennedys inaugural address,
we will soon observe, here and in Iowa,
not a victory of party, but a celebra-
tion of freedom symbolizing an end,
as well as a beginning signifying
renewal, as well as change.
Republicans in the 1,794 precincts of
our nations 29th state will gather in
schools, arenas, fire halls, church base-
ments and private homes. They will
come from the rural farming communi-
ty of Farragut and the urbane center of
science and education in Iowa City
home of the University of Iowa.
They will arrive Tuesday evening
prior to the 7 p.m. start time, listen to
representatives of each candidate for
the highest office in the land and cast
their precious votes. Once ballots are
tabulated those participants in an eve-
ning of democracy-close-up will return
home to watch the statewide results.
Their votes will further the cause of
their favorite candidate and determine
emissaries to county and state Repub-
lican conventions at which Iowas 28
delegates to the Republican National
Convention in Tampa, Fla., will be
selected. There, it will take 1,144 dele-
gates to secure the Republican presi-
dential nomination.
So forget the 78th annual Sugar
Bowl featuring Michigan and Virginia
Tech. By 8:30 p.m. Arenareaders need
to be tuned in as network correspond-
ents in Iowa receive the initial exit
polling that might begin to unravel the
perplexing puzzle that is the current
crop of GOP contenders.
Congressman Ron Paul, of Texas,
former House Speaker Newt Gingrich,
of Virginia, and former Massachusetts
Gov. Mitt Romney lead the Iowa polls.
And I believe Pennsylvanias former
U.S. senator, 53-year-old Rick Santo-
rum, will exceed all expectations
though by not as much had he a few
gray hairs on his head. It seems Santo-
rum is as silvery challenged as Texas
Gov. Rick Perry, 61, and the 64-year-old
Romney.
The average age of tomorrows Big
11 Luzerne County Council inductees
is 53 years. And regardless of the depth
of snow on the mountain, there will be
far more of it blanketing those peaks
when they leave office. Such is the
enormity of the task before them.
But tomorrow presents us with one
brief shining moment to celebrate the
truly remarkable exercise in hometown
democracy that brought them to this
point.
The indisputable contention that
county government could and should
do better was followed by an over-
whelming vote in support of a Govern-
ment Study Commission to examine
the problem, and the voters subse-
quent ratification of the commissions
final report, in November 2010, recom-
mending a new county constitution.
The council will meet as a legislative
body for the first time at 11:30 a.m.
Monday. Sources indicate that attorney
Jim Bobeck, 31, will likely be named
the councils first permanent chairman.
An independent and professional new
voice, Bobeck would perform well in
the new role, and his selection would
signal a complete break with the poli-
tics of the past.
When coupled with the six new
Luzerne County judges who took their
oaths on Friday, a powerful sense of
hope is beginning to transfuse the
courthouse. I wish each of these public
servants great wisdom, independence
and courage.
The torch has been passed.
KEVIN BLAUM
I N T H E A R E N A
Two lessons
in renewal
of democracy
Kevin Blaums column on government, life
and politics appears every Sunday. Contact
him at [email protected].
R
ICHMOND, Va. Inside the medevac
helicopter in Afghanistan, U.S. Marine
Cpl. Burness Britt bleeds profusely from
his neck. He and two other Marines have
just been hit by shrapnel, with Britts in-
juries the most serious. The medevac crew chief
clutches one of Britts blood-covered hands as he is
given oxygen. I take hold of the other.
With my free hand, I lift my camera and take some
pictures. I squeeze Britts hand and he returns the
gesture, gripping my palm tighter and tighter until he
slips into unconsciousness. His shirt is ripped, but I
notice a piece of wheat stuck to it. I pluck it off and
tuck it away in the pocket of my body armor.
In my 20 years as a photographer, covering conflicts
from Bosnia to Gaza to Iraq to Afghanistan, injured
civilians and soldiers have passed through my life
many times. None has left a greater impression on me
than Britt.
I knew him only for a few minutes in that helicopter,
but I believed we would meet again one day, and I
hoped to give him that small, special piece of wheat.
As Britt underwent surgeries and painful rehabil-
itation, I returned to my job with The Associated
Press, yet Britt was never far from my mind. I
searched for him on the Internet. I called hospitals. I
wondered if he remembered me.
Its been just over six months since that day in the
wheat field not far from his small combat outpost
Kajaki Dam, named for a mammoth structure the
U.S., British and NATO troops have been trying to
protect and repair to help produce electricity.
Afghanistan was Britts first combat deployment and
he was in Sangin, a town in Afghanistans southwest
Helmand province that has seen some of the bloodiest
fighting. He knew the mission was dangerous.
He was leading a group of 10 Marines through a
wheat field when there was an explosion. He doesnt
know how far away, maybe a few yards. He was thrown
into the air, and landed with a thump in the field, a
searing hot pain raging in his neck. He had been hit by
a huge piece of shrapnel from a bomb and a major
artery was cut. Britt believes the improvised explosive
device was hidden and somebody triggered it from a
distance, though he cant say for sure.
My only thought was my wife, he said recently
from his hospital bed in Richmond, Virginia, where
the 22-year-old Marine has been recuperating and
rebuilding his life and health.
His speech comes with a great deal of difficulty
these days, and sometimes he is hard to understand.
During the many surgeries that followed his injury, he
had a major stroke and is partially paralyzed on his
right side.
At top: On June 4, 2011, United States Marines evacuate their wounded
comrade Cpl. Burness Britt onto a medevac helicopter from the U.S. Armys
Task Force Lift Dust Off, Charlie Company 1-214 Aviation Regiment, after a
huge piece of shrapnel cut a major artery in his neck in an IED strike near
Sangin, in the Helmand Province of southern Afghanistan.
THE MARINE
AND THE PHOTOGRAPHER
AP PHOTOS
Above: In this Dec. 13 photo, Britt is hugged by his wife Jessica Flegel Britt
at the Hunter Holmes Medical Center in Richmond, Va.
AP
Britt reacts after seeing pictures of his evacuation laid out on his bed in the
Hunter Holmes Medical Center in Richmond, Va.
AP photojournalist Anja Niedringhaus has covered war and conflict for 20 years. She has received a Pulitzer Prize and the
Courage in Journalism award for her work. She has spent considerable time covering the Afghan conflict and spent
2 1/2 weeks in June with the U.S. Armys "Dust Off" Medevac unit in southwest Afghanistan.
By ANJA NIEDRINGHAUS
Associated Press
IN MY 20 YEARS AS A PHOTOGRAPHER, COVERING
CONFLICTS FROM BOSNIA TO GAZA TO IRAQ TO
AFGHANISTAN, INJURED CIVILIANS AND SOLDIERS
HAVE PASSED THROUGH MY LIFE MANY TIMES.
NONE HAS LEFT A GREATER IMPRESSION ON ME
THAN BRITT.
See MARINE, Page 5E
In this Dec. 13, 2011 photo, injured United States Marine Cpl. Burness Britt
shows his tattoos during a therapy session.
K
PAGE 2E SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2012 THE TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com
S E RV I NG T HE P UB L I C T RUS T S I NC E 1 8 81
Editorial
Its been like no other season in
college football. People have
accused us of things that we had
no control over.
Jack Crawford
The senior Penn State defensive end said the child sex abuse scandal
that led to the departures of university president Graham Spanier and
Hall of Fame coach Joe Paterno has somewhat overshadowed the
team, which faces Houston in the TicketCity Bowl on Monday.
AS THE new year arrives,
so too does a vast armada
of New Years resolutions,
their eager sails full of
wind on the bright hori-
zon. Sadly, most of these
proud vessels will sink
before the month of January has ended,
taking with them their precious cargo of
hope. The reason is that, like merchant
ships preyed upon by pirates, theyre un-
armed.
Big mistake.
This year, give your resolutions some
firepower. If you really want to change your
life, you have to make it practically impos-
sible to avoid doing so. And that in turn is
another excuse for me to talk about one of
my favorite topics: commitment devices.
Whats a commitment device? Any tech-
nique you can use to bind yourself tomor-
row to the wishes you happen to have to-
day. The great orator Demosthenes, for
example, forced himself into seclusion (the
better to sharpen his rhetoric) by shaving
half his head, making it too embarrassing
to go anyplace. Victor Hugo, determined to
stay in and write, had his valet take his
clothes. My nerdy hobby is collecting such
tactics, and my new favorite is a service
called Gym-Pact, which will let you specify
how often you want to get to the gym and
what penalty to impose on yourself (at
least $5 a day) if you fall short.
Starting in the new year, the company
says, you can download a smartphone app
that tells Gym-Pact when youve been to
the gym. The company will rely on a data-
base of more than 40,000 facilities in con-
junction with the global positioning sys-
tem.
Youd think merely joining an expensive
health club would motivate exercise
Freud himself said that fees are therapeut-
ic, although of course he was biased but
once this money is paid, its too easy to
mentally write it off. Gym-Pact strives to
make each lapse costly.
Exercise isnt the only subject of New
Years resolutions. But you can raise the
cost of breaking almost any resolution via
stickk.com, which will charge you for prac-
tically any failing you choose.
If you prefer to give your resolutions
sharper teeth without resorting to the
Internet, by all means rely on family and
friends. Telling everyone you know that
youve decided to quit smoking, for in-
stance, will mean embarrassment if you
start puffing again, and thats not a bad
deterrent. Better yet, tell yourself and
everyone else that if you decide to light
up, youll only do so using a $20 bill. Surely
the sight of Andrew Jackson going up in
flames will discourage you. The danger
(aside from self-immolation) is that youll
come to see this as a tolerable cost, and
keep right on smoking.
Local charities ought to offer commit-
ment devices as a way of raising money.
Imagine if your local Elks lodge or PTA
held a gala public weigh-in every New
Years Day. If you gained weight from one
year to the next, you could pay whatever
youd pledged per pound.
Commitment devices rely on penalties
and rewards, the stronger the better
which makes it puzzling that sex is so in-
frequently used in this way, at least as far
as I know. Marital therapists, hold your
fire; Im not suggesting people grant or
withhold it to get what they want, although
thats certainly a time-honored tactic.
Think of the ancient comedy Lysistra-
ta, in which the women of Greece banded
together to withhold sex until the men
ended the Peloponnesian War. Im simply
suggesting that a person writing a book
might authorize a significant other to veto
sex on any day two pages or more werent
produced. The sedentary could commit to
the same on any day the pedometer didnt
show an extra three miles.
I leave it to readers to imagine subtler
ways of using this approach for self-im-
provement. If nothing else, itll take your
mind off whatever you plan on giving up in
the new year.
Making resolutions? Make it impossible to break them
Daniel Akst, a columnist for Newsday, is the au-
thor of We Have Met the Enemy: Self-Control in
an Age of Excess from Penguin Press.
COMMENTARY
D A N I E L A K S T
HERES AN issue that
doesnt get much play in
America, but is worth
watching in 2012: The rise
of Africa.
The continent might
seem far from our own
concerns here at home, but the emergence
of an African middle class would mean new
markets for U.S. products and more jobs
for American workers. The emergence of the
Four Asian Tigers Hong Kong, Singapore,
South Korea and Taiwan certainly pro-
duced that kind of ripple effect here.
Beyond the Arab spring headlines out of
the northern part of the continent, Amer-
icans dont hear much from many of Africas
leaders or aspiring leaders about its
potential in terms of trade, democracy and
commerce. Its time we start hearing more
from them.
In its Dec. 3 cover story, The Economist
reported on the rise of Africa. The magazine
even chided itself for, a decade ago, labeling
Africa the hopeless continent.
The International Monetary Fund now
expects Africa to grow by 6 percent in 2011
and almost that much in 2012. The growth
is close to that of Asia, The Economist re-
ports.
The expansion is fueled partly by com-
modity prices favoring Africa, which has
large reserves of gold, diamonds and other
natural resources. But trade flowing more
freely across borders also is driving growth.
As a result, big markets are opening up.
Foreign investors get that point. Theyve
increased their African stakes tenfold over
the last decade.
Another reason to pay more attention is
Africas potential demographic dividend.
The continent is home to six of the worlds
10 fastest-growing nations.
In fact, about half of the worlds popula-
tion expansion is projected to come from
Africa over the next 40 years. As was true
with Asia, the combination of emerging
markets and a large number of people
means more places for businesses from the
United States and elsewhere to sell their
products.
The question is this: Will enough of our
leaders really understand the potential Afri-
ca offers the United States?
I dont expect Africa to dominate foreign
policy discussions during the presidential
campaign. But will any of the candidates
explain, for example, why continuing the
fight against AIDS in Africa makes sense?
President George W. Bush said he took up
the fight for moral and strategic reasons. He
didnt want an AIDS pandemic to wipe out a
generation on his watch. And he knew Afri-
ca would become more of a recruiting
ground for terrorists if the continent atro-
phied. Additionally, he thought African
trade was in our economic interest.
Unfortunately, theres a nascent isolation-
ism at play in the GOP presidential cam-
paign. Jon Huntsman takes a big picture
view, but Rick Perry typified the skepticism
toward developmental assistance when he
said: Well have a conversation in this coun-
try about whether or not a penny of our
taxpayer dollars needs to go into those coun-
tries.
Thats a great sound bite, but we need to
realize that developmental issues, such as
keeping the fight up against AIDS, are in our
strategic interest. If Africa keeps growing a
middle class, that means more political
stability and demand for American goods.
I dont know about you, but thats worth
paying attention to next year and beyond.
Africas rise deserves Americans attention in 2012
WilliamMcKenzie is an editorial columnist for The
Dallas Morning News. Readers may write to him at
the Dallas Morning News, Communications Center,
Dallas, Texas 75265; email: wmckenzie@dallas-
news.com.
COMMENTARY
W I L L I A M M C K E N Z I E
W
E GREETED the
swearing-in of a
half dozen new
Luzerne County
judges late last week much like
the farmer welcomes taking a
shower after the ickiest of bar-
nyard chores. Begone, muck!
Away, stench!
Corruption cant be
scrubbedoff, sothe ceremonial
appointment of these six men
and women to the county
bench will have to suffice as a
kind of final cleansing after its
drawn-out, sordidjudicial scan-
dals. We, and no doubt other
county residents, hope that Ja-
nuary 2012 marks not only the
launch of a newyear, but also a
newera in this courts conduct,
efficiency and esteem.
Thesextet selectedbyvoters
inNovember nowcarries those
sizable but attainable expecta-
tions onits shoulders. As of Fri-
day morning, after taking an
oath, each retains before his or
her name the title judge.
They are Lesa Gelb, Richard
Hughes, Fred Pierantoni, Jen-
nifer Rogers, Joseph Sklarosky
Jr. and Michael Vough.
With the title comes enor-
mous responsibility. And pow-
er.
The new jurists vowed dur-
ing their respective campaigns
to wield that power for public
good, not personal gain. Eachis
afforded the opportunity over
the course of a 10-year term to
serve every day with honor, to
rule impartially, tobehave righ-
teously.
No less should be expected.
No less tolerated.
The countys Court of Com-
monPleas hadbeenhobbledin
recent years, first by internal
squabbling, then the removal
of three bad judges who violat-
ed the law and the publics
trust. Two of them, Mark A.
Ciavarella and Michael T. Co-
nahan, brought international
attention and no shortage of
derisiononthe county for their
roles in the kids-for-cash
scheme.
These vacancies and subse-
quent turnover heaped a tre-
mendous workload on other
judges, including interim and
senior jurists. Our appreciation
goes to Judges Joseph Cos-
grove, Joseph Van Jura and Le-
wis Wetzel, all of whom ably
handled their temporary as-
signments, whichendthis year.
Finally with a full comple-
ment of 10 judges, the Luzerne
County bench this year can
more fully separate itself from
its stinky past. If so, we all will
breathe easier.
OUR OPINION: COUNTY JUDGES
Renewed bench
for the new year
PRASHANT SHITUT
President and InterimCEO/Impressions Media
JOSEPH BUTKIEWICZ
MARK E. JONES
Editorial Page Editor
Editorial Board
QUOTE OF THE DAY
PRASHANT SHITUT
President and Interim CEO/Impressions Media
JOSEPH BUTKIEWICZ
RICHARD DEHAVEN
Vice President/Circulation
ALLISON UHRIN
Vice President/
Chief Financial Officer
M
AYBE WE just
wanted to close
2011on an optimis-
tic note. Or maybe
its because things inWashing-
ton looked nothing short of
dismal much of last year. But
theres something to get up
and shout about in the Medi-
care proposal presented re-
cently by GOP Rep. Paul Ryan
of Wisconsin and Democratic
Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon.
Yes, you read that right:
Lawmakers from opposing
parties have a common solu-
tion, a somewhat unexpected
development after so many
partisan brawls. But there
they were, offering serious
ways to control Medicare
costs to keep this program
from going belly up like Leh-
man Brothers and leaving se-
niors without a safety net.
Ryan previously introduced
a Medicare overhaul that
would give seniors govern-
ment vouchers to pay their
premiums for a private health
care plan. His proposal got
shoved aside because it didnt
keep traditional Medicare as
an option for them.
Now hes back with a differ-
ent premium support mod-
el. This one would keep tradi-
tional Medicare as a choice for
seniors in the future, much
like a version floated recently
by former Republican Sen.
Pete Domenici and former
Clinton adviser Alice Rivlin. If
seniors like Medicare as they
knowit, theycankeepit. But if
they want to choose among
plans that offer benefits tai-
lored to their specific needs,
they can go that route.
We like the competition-
choice strategy because it
would force plans to offer bet-
ter benefits at lower costs.
Ryan and Wyden have in-
cluded several additional ele-
ments, starting in 2022, that
are favorable to seniors.
Yes, there are kinks that
needtobe workedout. But the
bipartisan duo has given Con-
gress a good place to start in
2012.
The Dallas Morning News
OTHER OPINION: MEDICARE
Bipartisan plan
glimmer of hope
Starting in 2022, the Ryan-
Wyden Medicare overhaul
would:
Allow seniors to choose
among health care plans, in-
cluding traditional Medicare.
Pay wealthier retirees less in
annual premium subsidies to
purchase private plans.
Cap annual Medicare spend-
ing at 1 percent above the gross
domestic product (GDP) growth
rate.
Require private health plans
to offer benefits that at least
equal those of traditional Medi-
care.
Determine annual premium
vouchers through a compet-
itive bidding system.
P R O P O S E D C H A N G E S
C M Y K
THE TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2012 PAGE 3E
F O R U M
HUGE excite-
ment. Two
Earth-size
planets found
orbiting a
sun-like star
less than a
thousand
light-years away. This comes
two weeks after the stunning
announcement of another
planet orbiting another star at
precisely the right distance
within the so-called habitable
zone that is not too hot and
not too cold to allow for
liquid water and therefore
possible life.
Unfortunately, the planets of
the right size are too close to
their sun, and thus too scorch-
ing hot, to permit Earth-like
life. And the Goldilocks planet
in the habitable zone is too
large. At 2.4 times the size of
Earth, it is likely gaseous, like
Jupiter. No earthlings there.
But its only a matter of time
perhaps a year or two, esti-
mates one astronomer before
we find the right one of the
right size in the right place.
And at just the right time. As
the romance of manned space
exploration has waned, the
drive today is to find our liv-
ing, thinking counterparts in
the universe. For all the excite-
ment, however, the search
betrays a profound melancholy
a lonely species anxiously
awaits an answering voice
amid utter silence.
That silence is maddening.
Not just because it compounds
our feeling of cosmic isolation.
But because it makes no sense.
As we inevitably find more and
more exo-planets where in-
telligent life can exist, why
have we found no evidence
no signals, no radio waves
that intelligent life does exist?
Its called the Fermi Paradox,
after the great physicist who
once asked Where is everybo-
dy? Or as was once elaborat-
ed: All our logic, all our anti-
isocentrism, assures us that we
are not unique that they must
be there. And yet we do not see
them.
How many of them should
there be? Modern satellite data
suggest the number should be
very high. So why the silence?
Carl Sagan (among others)
thought that the answer is to
be found, tragically, in the high
probability that advanced civi-
lizations destroy themselves.
In other words, this silent
universe is conveying not a
flattering lesson about our
uniqueness but a tragic story
about our destiny. It is telling
us that intelligence might be
the most cursed faculty in the
entire universe an endow-
ment not just ultimately fatal
but, on the scale of cosmic
time, near instantly so.
This is not mere theory.
Look around. On the very
same day that astronomers
rejoiced at the discovery of the
two Earth-size planets, the
National Science Advisory
Board for Biosecurity urged
two leading scientific journals
not to publish details of lab
experiments that just created a
lethal and highly transmittable
form of bird flu virus, lest that
fateful knowledge fall into the
wrong hands.
Wrong hands, human hands.
This is not just the age of holy
terror, but also the threshold of
an age of hyper-proliferation.
Nuclear weapons in the hands
of half-mad tyrants (North
Korea) and radical apocalypti-
cists (Iran) are just the begin-
ning. Lethal biologic agents
might soon find their way into
the hands of those for whom
genocidal pandemics loosed
upon infidels are the royal road
to redemption.
And forget the psychopaths:
Why, just 17 years after Homo
sapiens discovered atomic
power, those most stable and
sober states, the United States
and the Soviet Union, came
within inches of mutual annihi-
lation.
Rather than despair, howev-
er, lets put the most hopeful
face on the cosmic silence and
on humanitys own short, al-
ready baleful history with its
new Promethean powers: In-
telligence is a capacity so god-
like, so protean that it must be
contained and disciplined. This
is the work of politics under-
stood as the ordering of society
and the regulation of power to
permit human flourishing
while simultaneously restrain-
ing the most Hobbesian human
instincts.
There could be no greater
irony: For all the sublimity of
art, physics, music, mathemat-
ics and other manifestations of
human genius, everything
depends on the mundane,
frustrating, often debased
vocation known as politics.
Because if we dont get politics
right, everything else risks
extinction.
We grow justly weary of our
politics. But we must remem-
ber this: Politics in all its
grubby, grasping, corrupt,
contemptible manifestations
is sovereign in human affairs.
Everything ultimately rests
upon it.
Fairly or not, politics is the
driver of history. It will deter-
mine whether we will live long
enough to be heard one day.
Out there. By them, the few
the only who got it right.
Our lonely universe
hinges on frail politics
COMMENTARY
C H A R L E S
K R A U T H A M M E R
Charles Krauthammers email
address is letters@charleskrauth-
ammer.com.
S
now goose, your very name brings a chill. The sight of you, hunkered down
in Pennsylvanias wetlands your winter getaway from ruthless arctic air
reminds us to call the travel agent and inquire about upcoming flights to Flor-
ida. Its instinctual. Yes, snow goose, our adaptations might be slightly differ-
ent; but deep down we are birds of a feather.
ANOTHER VIEW
A photograph by Don Carey and
words by Mark E. Jones
YOU WIN
some, you lose
some. That
appears to be
the current
state of affairs
with federal
funding for
research.
Congress recently passed
legislation providing a modest
increase in funding to the Na-
tional Institutes of Health,
which funds research at the
Johns Hopkins University and
other universities, academic
medical centers, small busi-
nesses and independent re-
search institutions across the
United States. Thats the good
news.
The bad news is that this
increase doesnt make up for
the $300 million-plus cut the
NIH received in the last budget
go-round; much less does it
keep pace with the increasing
cost of conducting medical
research. As we reflect on a
year that brought scientific
breakthroughs that ultimately
will improve the treatment and
prevention of disease, we must
pay heed to the extraordinary
challenges facing scientists,
particularly young scientists.
They always have aspired to
making world-class contribu-
tions, but as they very well
know, their chances of success
in the United States today are
fading by the week.
Our nations elected leaders
are not championing science
or even talking about it, during
presidential debates or on the
floor of the Congress even as
other nations are stepping up
their determination to match
and exceed the United States
in discovery. It takes years to
realize the multiple benefits of
science; without adequate,
sustained funding for research,
the careers of many bright,
young scientists might come to
a screeching halt.
Federal funding for biomed-
ical sciences plays a critical
role in training the next gener-
ation of scientists. Research
dollars from the NIH and Na-
tional Science Foundation,
Department of Energy and
other agencies do more than
pay for test tubes and micro-
scopes. Most of the budget of a
research lab goes directly to-
ward the training of graduate
students and postdoctoral
fellows. Critical thinking and a
strong curiosity for finding
that needle in the haystack
are skills that must be acquired
to support creative, outside-
the-box initiatives. Our trai-
nees leave federally supported
labs to apply their new skills at
research institutions and in
industry, and in doing so sus-
tain Americas world lead-
ership in science and innova-
tion.
In my own lab, I support
young researchers who study a
very broad area of biology,
from the fundamental molec-
ular structure of telomeres, or
chromosome ends, to the role
of telomeres in mediating
human disease. It was this
connection of fundamental
chromosomes biology and
diseases such as cancer and
age-related degenerative proc-
esses that led to my Nobel
Prize in physiology or med-
icine in 2009. My early training
fostered the habits of mind and
ingenuity that led to award-
winning discovery. It is essen-
tial, if we want to continue to
reap the benefits of science, to
commit as a nation to prepar-
ing more young people for
extraordinary careers in sci-
ence.
How is that possible in this
economic climate?
According to the NIHs Of-
fice of Extramural Research,
the agency funded only 17.4
percent of research grant appli-
cations in the last fiscal year, a
historic low. If we continue on
this path, young investigators
might well take their brain
power to other countries
where research and devel-
opment is now a growing, not
shrinking, share of the gross
domestic product. This should
raise concerns here at home
and indeed, a recent Resear-
ch!America poll shows approx-
imately 80 percent of Amer-
icans believe the United States
is losing its global competitive
edge in science, technology
and innovation. Given public
concern about stalled econom-
ic growth, and the slowdown
in innovation and its resultant
benefits, why havent our elect-
ed leaders stepped up?
Students and postdoctoral
fellows largely depend on the
support of the public sector to
finance the training and re-
search that will make them
world-renowned scientists.
Theyre worried about their
futures and their capacities to
establish and sustain careers in
a tough fiscal environment.
This is the time for our elect-
ed leaders, and those who
aspire to be, to become out-
spoken champions of research,
calling for greatly enhanced
investment in the next budget
cycle, before the United States
loses our competitive edge and
with it more and more of our
young talent pool.
America falling behind in science, technology
COMMENTARY
C A R O L W .
G R E I D E R
Carol W. Greider, a 2009 Nobel
laureate in physiology/medicine, is
Daniel Nathans Professor and direc-
tor of the Department of Molecular
Biology and Genetics at the Johns
Hopkins University School of Med-
icine. Her email is [email protected].
She wrote this for the Baltimore Sun.
According to the NIHs Office of
Extramural Research, the
agency funded only 17.4 percent
of research grant applications
in the last fiscal year, a historic
low. If we continue on this
path, young investigators
might well take their brain
power to other countries
Animal rescue
advocates praised
I
am writing in reference to
the article Tough not to
love, printed on Dec. 18 in
The Times Leader.
As a volunteer of both orga-
nizations, Modified K9 and
Blue Chip Farm, I thank the
community for its generosity
and outpouring of donations.
During the holiday season,
when many people are short
on funds, it is heartwarming
to see the community support
of animal rescue programs
that are dedicated to helping
animals that cant help them-
selves.
On behalf of both Modified
K9 Pit Bull Rescue and Blue
Chip Farm No Kill Animal
Refuge, I offer sincere thanks
to Lisa Gryskavicz of Valley
Dog in Larksville for hosting
the event, The Times Leader
for its news article about it
and Lamar Advertising for
helping us to spread the word.
Linda Antosh
Exeter
Santa to a Senior
program triumphs
O
n behalf of the staff at
Home Instead Senior
Care, I thank everyone
who helped with this years
very successful Be a Santa to a
Senior program.
With support from generous
shoppers, the Area Agency on
Aging for Luzerne/Wyoming
Counties, Walmart in Pittston
and Walgreens in Kingston,
Wilkes-Barre and Dallas, we
were able to collect more than
300 gifts for area seniors who
otherwise might have been
overlooked this holiday sea-
son.
We also thank the many
volunteers who shared their
time to collect, wrap and
deliver the gifts.
Thanks to all those who
helped us brighten the holi-
days for our local seniors and
truly make a difference in our
community.
Alyssa Maria
Co-owner
Home Instead Senior Care
Luzerne
Sock drive comes
home a winner
T
o all those people who
gave to the sock drive:
Thank you for your sup-
port of Making A Difference
Ministries, which is a nonprof-
it, faith-based organization
committed to meeting the
spiritual and physical needs of
the homebound, youth, fam-
ilies, homeless, hungry, pover-
ty stricken and those in spiri-
tual distress in our area.
Our most recent efforts
have been to gather socks for
those in need. Tanya Olaviany
of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of
the Bridge, a program of Ca-
tholic Social Services, was so
grateful to receive two deliver-
ies of socks for the children
enrolled in its program. So far,
hundreds of pairs of socks
have been delivered.
Vince Kabacinski of the
Mother Teresa Haven Pro-
gram of Catholic Social Ser-
vices also was the recipient of
socks for homeless men in our
area. These men often have
nothing new to wear. A new
pair of socks helps to keep
them comfortable and dry on
cold winter nights.
How often do we take for
granted how simple it is to
have new, clean and cozy
socks to wear? Making A
Difference Ministries has
made a commitment to those
in need, and the sock drive
already has made a distinct
difference to many.
Socks will continue to be
collected until March 9.
Donations are being accept-
ed at the following locations:
Phoenix Rehabilitation in
the Koral Building, 311 Market
St., Kingston.
Pennoni Associates Inc.,
in the Jewelcor Building, 100
N. Wilkes-Barre Blvd., Wilkes-
Barre.
Fidelity Bank, 247 Wyom-
ing Ave., Kingston.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
Penguins office, in The Ice
Rink, 40 Coal St., Wilkes-
Barre.
For more information, visit
www.unitybymusic.org.
Stephen L. Perillo
Director
Making A Difference Ministries
Wilkes-Barre
Live Nativity
inspires awe
O
n Dec. 2, I was fortunate
to be able to attend an
event that I will not soon
forget. The members of St.
Faustinas parish in Nanticoke
presented an outdoor Nativity
at their grove on Newport
Street that was absolutely
awe-inspiring.
I was astounded to see the
professionalism of this group
of performers.
A woman dressed in a beau-
tiful white gown sang with a
voice that made me think I
was back in a theater in New
York. The acting on the part of
the rest of the cast was out-
standing.
Mary rode into the scene
on a burro. The shepherds
tended a flock of sheep. The
magi brought their gifts of
gold, frankincense and myrrh
to the baby Jesus lying in a
manger.
The scene was absolutely
beautiful and certainly appre-
ciated by the huge crowd in
attendance. The technicians
who handled the audio also
did an outstanding job. The
costuming was professionally
done; the actors really
looked their parts.
I want everyone who was
not able to see this production
to mark their calendars, so as
to not miss this show next
year.
I know, Lord willing, that I
certainly will be there.
Nick Pucino
Nanticoke
MAIL BAG LETTERS FROM READERS
Mountain Laurels is a regular series of letters from readers
conveying thanks to individuals or groups for their support, help
or kindness.
MOUNTAIN LAURELS
C M Y K
P E R S P E C T I V E S
As We BeginOur
24
th
Year of
Service tothe
Community
We would like to extend our sincere
wishes for a safe & happy new year!
145 NORTHMAINSTREET, SHAVERTOWN 696-4041
Bonnie Kester - Stachnik
RNBSN, Owner Administrator
Christine Balavage, RN
Megan Horan, PT
Providing nursing, home health aides,
therapy and social worker service in the home
Dolly Miller
Home Health Aide
Anne Managanello, RN
Dianne Murray, OT
Sue Grabowski, Ofce Manager
HOMEBOUND HEALTH SERVICES, INC.
HOMEBOUND HEALTH SERVICES, INC.
Wyoming Kiwanis
thanks community
A
s 2011 comes to an end,
the Wyoming Area Kiwa-
nis Club thanks the com-
munities we serve for their
continued support of our
many projects throughout the
year, most recently our annual
Breakfast with Santa.
Your support ensures that
we can continue to carry out
the Kiwanis motto of chang-
ing the world one child and
one community at a time.
Thank you and happy New
Year!
Megan Kuffa
Secretary
Wyoming Area Kiwanis Club
Forum reinforces
view on drilling
R
ecently, I attended the
Keystone Energy Forum
in Hershey to hear what
the gas industry had to say
regarding its process of hy-
draulic fracturing. There were
several representatives pre-
sent, including those from the
Public Utility Commission
and the American Petroleum
Institute, all of whom were
well-versed in articulating
much of the unknown me-
chanics of the process.
While many of us already
knew that the drillers use
elaborate technology to pre-
vent possible contamination
to our environment, there is
still much controversy and
resistance, based on anec-
dotes, and not validated re-
search, suggesting that these
risks are relatively high.
I was glad I attended this
forum, and spoke with many
experts, which reinforced my
confidence in the gas industry.
Since the industry has come
to our area, it has demon-
strated its willingness to be-
come involved as a partner in
our community, often repair-
ing roads to be in better shape
than they were prior to its
arrival. It has taken extensive
measures to finance studies
and explore new technologies
in safety in order to be good
environmental stewards and
in compliance with laws, and
with respect to assuring not to
damage neighboring proper-
ties.
It is bringing jobs to people
in our area at higher wages
than can be expected by our
local wage structure. It is
extracting a natural resource
of clean, reliable energy that
will help to dramatically re-
duce our dependence on for-
eign oil.
In an area where high unem-
ployment prevails, and we
continue to witness a mass
exodus of our youth, can we
really afford to impede pro-
gress of the gas industry with
increased regulation? I believe
not.
Before resisting what could
be one of the greatest opportu-
nities our area has seen, I
would recommend that any-
one with doubts should be-
come educated about the
process from those in the
industry.
I also would encourage
them to consider what the gas
industry will do for our econo-
my, in providing good jobs
vital to sustaining future gen-
erations.
Eric Villano
Pittston Township
Bill will bolster
dairy farmers
T
he Federal Milk Marketing
Improvement Act of 2011
(S 1640) received a large
boost recently when the Na-
tional Dairy Producers Orga-
nization announced its sup-
port of the measure. The orga-
nizations membership and its
board of directors stretches
from Vermont to California
and from Wisconsin to Virgin-
ia.
The Meshoppen-based
Progressive Agriculture Orga-
nization and the National
Family Farm Coalition are
working with other national
organizations to obtain their
support of S 1640.
What still puzzles me is
why we keep hearing several
people exclaim that we have
to stop using government
money to support dairy pro-
grams. Yet these same people
support dairy bills that are
geared to spend government
money on subsidizing insur-
ance programs to protect part
of the losses that might be
experienced by dairy farmers.
Please remember these dairy
proposals will cover only a
portion of the potential losses
experienced by dairy farmers
(even with subsidies by the
government).
In my opinion, the only way
to reduce government spend-
ing on dairy programs is by
passing S 1640. Yes, there is
margin protection available for
all dairy farmers without gov-
ernment subsidies. This pro-
tection is contained in S 1640,
and guess what? The money
for the dairy farmers can, and
must, originate from the mar-
ketplace.
Are we going to wait around
and watch more dairy farmers
be forced out of business?
Now is the time to get be-
hind S 1640 and have the bill
passed by Congress.
Pro-Ag can be reached at
(570) 833-5776.
Arden Tewksbury
Meshoppen
A true champion
on and off field
J
ust before sitting down to
Thanksgiving dinner, I
heard a familiar voice yell
to me, Quick, before we eat I
want to show you and dad
something.
My brother pressed play
and the music video for The
Boys of Fall by Kenny Ches-
ney began to play. My mother,
sister-in-law and other brother
filtered into the kitchen, and
for the next seven minutes we
all stared at the screen with
faint smiles on our faces.
Not much was said, not
even by my rambunctious
nephews. Instead we watched,
we listened, and we remem-
bered.
As lyrics were sung and the
numerous hard-nosed, old-
school coaches were recog-
nized for their passionate
ways of teaching young men
about the game of football and
about the game of life, we as a
family remembered. We re-
membered the last 27 years of
Dallas High School football.
We remembered the 231 victo-
ries and the 76 loses. We re-
membered the PIAA state
championship AA title, the
three District 2 champion-
ships, the four Eastern Confer-
ence championships, and the
14 Wyoming Valley Confer-
ence championships.
We remembered the 22
times we beat Lake-Lehman.
We remembered the 15 times
a member of our family was
named the Wyoming Valley
Conference Coach of the Year.
We remembered when a mem-
ber of our family coached in
the Big 33 and East vs. West
All-Star games. More recently,
we remembered the four con-
secutive years a member of
our family was named the
Best of the Back Mountain
in the coaching category.
That family member is my
father, Ted Jackson. And as I
sat beside him watching this
music video, I not only re-
membered the incredible
credentials he has on paper,
but more important, I remem-
bered the little things that not
many people get to see.
I remembered the pre-game
Saturday morning breakfasts
with my dad. I remembered
the post-game hugs and kisses
I received, in the middle of the
field, regardless of the out-
come. I remembered saying
goodbye to my father in Au-
gust and never really getting
him back until late November.
I remembered playing in
field hockey games with only
one parent in the stands be-
cause my dad was busy help-
ing other peoples children
become the best they could be
in a sport they loved. And
most important, I remem-
bered that each one of these
sacrifices was welcomed by
my family members because
we all knew how much his
players and coaches meant to
him.
The only difference between
the coaches in the Kenny
Chesney video and my dad
was that the ones in the video
got to keep their jobs.
The 8-1 vote against the
rehiring of my father for his
28th season as the head coach
of Dallas football came as no
shock to me. Ignoring the
hundreds of supporters who
showed up on his behalf, the
board members apparently
based their votes on the opin-
ion of angry parents of chil-
dren who do not play and the
negative recommendations
from ill-informed adminis-
trators.
It took my father 27 years to
build a dynasty that is recog-
nized by many people as one
of the most successful small-
school football programs in
Pennsylvania. He has made
incomparable impacts in the
lives of many. His legacy will
live on in his former players. It
will live on in their children;
and it will live on through my
family and me, because tradi-
tion doesnt graduate.
Jill Jackson
Shavertown
MAIL BAG LETTERS FROM READERS
Letters to the editor must include the writers name, address and
daytime phone number for verification. Letters should be no
more than 250 words. We reserve the right to edit and limit writ-
ers to one published letter every 30 days.
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 570-829-5537
Mail: Mail Bag, The Times Leader, 15 N. Main St., Wilkes-
Barre, PA1871 1
SEND US YOUR OPINION
ITS NOT easy to
reinvent or to grow a
regional economy. The
old proverb It takes a
whole village to raise a
child can be applied
equally to building a
sustainable and vi-
brant economy because it requires the
whole community to be successful in
sometimes complicated and intertwined
facets.
There are several key ingredients to
most successful regional economies: A
strong community of entrepreneurs
with investment capital is essential, but
so is the availability of state-of-the-art
technology. Innovative companies must
be willing to work hand-in-glove with
institutions of higher education to fur-
ther develop technology and to create
other high-tech products and services.
And perhaps most important is the local
workforce.
So seven years ago, business and
education leaders in a nine-county area
in Northeastern and Eastern Pennsylva-
nia set out to rebuild the foundation of
our own economy from manufacturing
to technology with the assistance of a
$13 million grant from the U.S. Depart-
ment of Labor and the Workforce In-
novation in Regional Economic Devel-
opment project.
The genesis of the 2004 grant was the
belief that the region could be a backup
site for the financial district of New
York City and even Philadelphia if an-
other 9/11-type disaster occurred. Some
people, though, have suggested that the
results of the WIRED grant, later
dubbed Wall Street West, were at
best, mixed.
Few people knew that shortly after
the grant was received that the financial
markets would experience an historic
meltdown. The resulting contraction in
financial-related business, coupled with
the inability of the commonwealth to
provide the high-speed connection from
New York City that was promised as a
match to the grant, inhibited the growth
of Wall Street West, per se. Our local
economy, though, is better today be-
cause of the grant. A lot was accom-
plished thanks to significant input and
direction from the Northeastern Penn-
sylvania Technology Institute and the
Great Valley Technology Alliance.
The formation of the NPTI and GVTA
was based upon the recommendations
of a study conducted by the Battelle
Memorial Institute that was commis-
sioned in 1999 by the Greater Scranton
Chamber of Commerce, Greater Hazle-
ton CAN-DO and the Greater Wilkes-
Barre Chamber of Business and Indus-
try. They visualized a Great Valley
Technology Corridor, running along
Interstate 81 and eventually branching
out to Stroudsburg and the eastern part
of the state. The concept was based
upon a proven system for 21st century
economic development wherein in-
novative new companies paired with
area colleges and universities to create
high-tech products and services.
Of course, building a community with
strong entrepreneurial attributes based
upon state-of-the-art technology does
not happen overnight. It takes many
interested parties, spanning several
areas of expertise and working closely
together to create a new technology-
based focus. The NPTI and GVTA
which have subsequently merged
helped facilitate the WIRED project.
They were conduits for the distribution
of competitively awarded funding for
internships that were supported by the
WIRED grant and the Keystone In-
novation Zone. KIZ allowed small, start-
up businesses the opportunity to sell
tax credits to larger companies and by
so doing, raise the capital they needed
to grow their new business. The NPTI
and GVTA also developed an Angel
Network, through which local investors
can review and, after discernment,
invest in local firms that offer exciting
opportunities for growth and devel-
opment.
The Department of Labor estimates
that 90 percent of startup businesses are
under-capitalized in terms of both fi-
nancial resources and personnel. The
WIRED grant and KIZ are a perfect
match to offset this inevitable phenom-
enon.
With WIRED support, and with the
help of the KIZ program, hundreds of
young college students fanned out to
serve new firms such as Pepperjam,
Baby Age, Solid Cactus and TMG
Health, to name a few. These firms have
gone on to hire many local college grad-
uates. Some of these companies have
been sold to larger firms, and the wealth
created by those sales has multiplied
locally. For instance, Kris Jones, the
founder of Pepperjam, is now using the
capital created by the sale of that com-
pany for a new innovative, knowledge-
driven marketing firm called ReferLo-
cal.com.
TMG, which will soon be opening a
new office in Jessup, was among those
companies that benefited from the
efforts of the NPTI and GVTA.
Two ingredients for this new knowl-
edge-based economy are critical to a
regions ability to compete: The first is
the quality of the workforce and the
second is the quality of life. Talented
and technologically sophisticated com-
panies will flock to areas where local
college graduates have the ability to
help them create new wealth through
hard work and innovation. Similarly,
firms will grow in an area where social,
cultural and recreational facilities are
prevalent and where schools are good
and neighborhoods are safe. These
attributes are abundant in the region.
Economic growth also requires well-
managed technology or biotechnology-
based firms that can hire young college
graduates and provide them with the
opportunities for career growth.
For years, this region was known for
its brain drain as hundreds of viable
young people left the area to seek their
fortunes in larger cities. This tradition
can be, and in part has been, reversed
by the growth of firms that owe their
success at least partially to the NPTI
and GVTA.
Regional leaders had to adjust their
focus for Wall Street West when ele-
ments outside of their control changed
the scope of the initial project. The
region continues to benefit today due to
the work of these innovative and hard-
working people.
Entrepreneurship, technology needed to grow the regional economy
COMMENTARY
M I C H A E L A .
M A C D O W E L L
Michael A. MacDowell is president of Miser-
icordia University in Dallas Township, where
he occasionally teaches economics.
C M Y K
THE TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2012 PAGE 5E
V I E W S
His smile, though, is un-
changed. The nurses at the
Hunter Holmes Medical Cen-
ter in Richmond, where we
met for the first time since the
helicopter ride, call him Sun-
shine because their youngest
patient is always joking and in
a good mood.
It was his courage and smile
I remember so vividly. After he
was wounded, he smiled brief-
ly when he reached the hel-
icopter, as if to reassure us he
would be OK.
It was June 4. I was embed-
ded with the U.S. Army Dust
Off medevac unit, a group
that moves quickly, with little
concern for their own safety.
When the call came that Britt
had been hit, the description
of his wounds let everyone
know it was serious. Within
five minutes, the unit was at
his side.
Marines from the 2nd Battal-
ion 12th Marines, 3rd Marine
Division rushed out of the
nearby bushes carrying Britt.
We were quickly airborne.
In the helicopter, the scene
was one of quiet courage. No
words were spoken, no
screams of pain. Blood was
everywhere.
Britt was moving his legs,
checking to see if they were
still there. When he realized
they were, he smiled once
again. The crew chief, Jennifer
Martinez, of Colorado Springs,
Col., held Britts hand. Anoth-
er wounded Marine, Lance
Cpl. Joshua Barron, looked at
his buddy and cried. I had
Britts other hand in mine.
We left Britt at our small
outpost called Camp Edi,
where medical staff provided
the first round of treatment
before transferring him to
Camp Bastion. From there, he
went to the U.S. Military Hos-
pital in Landstuhl, Germany.
He was then taken to Bethesda
Hospital in Washington and
finally to Hunter Holmes
McGuire Medical Center in
Richmond.
I traveled to Germany, and
then to Switzerland where I
am based for AP. I kept the
piece of wheat with me, care-
fully stowed away in a small
jewelry box.
My search for Britt started
almost as soon as I got back to
Geneva. I emailed the Marines
and the Army, but all they said
was that Britt was still in seri-
ous condition.
I got in touch with patients
at Walter Reed Hospital,
where many of the seriously
wounded were taken, but they
didnt know Britt.
I searched the Internet for
his name for weeks. Then one
evening, like so many before, I
was on the Web and I thought I
would play around with the
spelling of his name. I immedi-
ately discovered I had his first
name wrong. That day in the
helicopter, I was told his name
was Burmess. It was actually
Burness.
When I entered the correct
name, I found articles about
Britt. His local paper in Ge-
orgetown, S.C., had done a
story on him.
I wrote the newspaper sever-
al times but got no reply. Then
I called the AP bureau in
South Carolina. The news
editor there gave me the
phone number of Britts father,
Neal.
I thought my perseverance
had paid off, but there was
another setback the num-
ber was out of order.
I refused to give up. A few
weeks later, the news editor
found another phone number.
This time it rang, but no one
picked up. I kept calling, every
evening for about a week.
Eventually, I found Britt on
Facebook. He accepted my
friend request and at last, it
looked like I we would finally
be able to connect. But when I
sent him messages, there was
no reply.
I worried that he didnt want
to reconnect. Maybe he want-
ed to forget that day in Hel-
mand and everyone involved.
I soon found out that wasnt
the case. His paralysis made it
nearly impossible for him to
chat over the Internet, but I
noticed on his Facebook page
that he was at the hospital in
Richmond. I tracked down the
number with the help of an AP
photographer in Richmond
and when I called, a nurse
answered.
I heard her yell: Britt, there
is a phone call for you from a
photographer in Switzerland
who was there in Afghanistan
when you got picked up.
The next thing I heard was
Britts voice. He sounded re-
lieved that I had found him by
phone. The memories of Hel-
mand flooded through my
head. I fumbled my words. I
wanted to come to Richmond,
meet him, interview him,
show him the images of that
day, give him the wheat sheaf
and talk about his recovery. I
had so many questions.
He listened and in a gentle,
soft voice, he said: Yes,
maam, I would like to see you.
Come.
When we finally met Dec. 13
at the hospital, I saw him in
the distance. He walked with
difficulty, trying to control his
right arm and leg. He was
wearing a plastic helmet to
protect his head where part of
the skull had been removed.
His brain had swollen to nearly
twice its size because of his
injuries and doctors had to
open the skull to relieve the
pressure.
His helmet had a camouflage
cover on it emblazoned with
the 3rd Marine Division em-
blem on its side.
He saw me and that warm
smile crossed his face again.
He hugged me. Like that day
in the helicopter when I held
his hand, it seemed he did not
want to let go. He kept repeat-
ing: Oh man, it is so good to
see you.
In his room, his dark brown
eyes sparkled and he tried to
tell jokes. He explained what
he had been through since we
had last seen each other.
Doctors put him into a coma
for a month and when he woke
up, he was he was at the hospi-
tal in Virginia.
He had just started to regain
his speech, working his way
back from months of thumbs
up, thumbs down conversa-
tion, says his 22-year-old wife,
Jessica.
He will undergo more sur-
geries next year to rebuild his
skull.
Sitting on his bed, he looked
at me and asked: Did you
bring some pictures with
you? He wanted to see those
moments in the helicopter.
He studied each photo.
When he looked up, he had
tears in his eyes. Thank you
so much, he said.
I pointed to one of the pic-
tures with the piece of wheat. I
told him I had brought it with
me. He couldnt believe it.
We reminisced about Af-
ghanistan. He talked about his
Marine buddies, those he had
served with and friends who
were seriously injured or
killed.
He lifted his left arm to his
chest, where he has a Marine
Corps tattoo.
The love for the Marines is
deep in my heart, they are my
family, he said. I want to
return immediately back to
Afghanistan to help them keep
fighting.
I left the piece of wheat with
Britt. He said it was his new
lucky charm.
MARINE
Continued from Page 1E
AP PHOTO
In this June 4, 2011 photo, U.S. Army Chief Spc. Jenny Martinez holds the hand of injured U.S. Marine Cpl. Burness Britt onboard a
medevac helicopter from the U.S. Armys Task Force Lift Dust Off, Charlie Company 1-214 Aviation Regiment, after he was wounded in
an IED strike near Sangin, in the Helmand Province of southern Afghanistan.
C M Y K
V I E W S
7
2
4
4
7
2
S N OW B L OW ER
S AL ES & S ER VICE
N EW & U S ED
Free Set- Up & Delivery
P ro- Fix
R oute 11, La rks ville
28 8 - 0 476
from
Joseph and Margaret Rogo
and
Gina and Jason Gilroy
Northeast Window Inc.
WASHINGTON Now that
the payroll-tax-break debacle
has been resolved (for two
months, anyway), its time to
ponder: Was the first session of
the 112th Congress the worst
ever?
The verdict from voters, po-
litical scientists and lawmakers
themselves: Its a strong con-
tender, if not the winner.
After all, 2011 began with a
House Republican vote to re-
peal President Barack Obamas
health care law and ended with
a flip-flop over the 60-day tax-
cut extender with detours in
between for the two parties to
flirt with shutting down the
government, jeopardize the na-
tions credit and assorted legis-
lative mayhem.
That may go down as one of
the most dysfunctional ses-
sions, said Sarah Binder, a con-
gressional scholar at the Brook-
ings Institution in Washington,
D.C., and author of Stalemate:
Causes and Consequences of
Legislative Gridlock.
After two years of Democrat-
ic control over both chambers
of Congress and the White
House, Republicans gained ma-
jority in the House this year.
The modern-era benchmark for
gridlock is pretty high or
low, depending on your view.
The 102nd Congress under
President George H.W. Bush,
according to Binders analysis,
left 65 percent of its policy
agenda unfinished. The 103rd
under President Bill Clinton
didnt fare much better.
Other congressional experts
say the first half of the 112th
Congress was remarkable as
much for its belligerent tone as
for its lack of productivity.
Burdett Bird Loomis, a po-
litical-science professor at the
University of Kansas, said some
previous congresses includ-
ing during the time of Clintons
impeachment and former
House Speaker Newt Gin-
grichs Contact with America
agenda were highly partisan
but still managed to accom-
plish something, or at least
tried.
In contrast, Loomis said, this
years tea-party-driven House
has been aggressively nega-
tive and destructive. And the
so-called compromises have
been reactions to hostage-tak-
ing, not well-considered give
and take.
Likewise, Chris Deering, a
congressional scholar at Ge-
orge Washington University in
Washington, D.C., said watch-
ing Congress this year has been
an exasperating ordeal.
When Deerings 87-year-old
father, an anti-tax conservative,
groused about the do-nothing
Congress, Deering snapped,
Theyre not spending any
money. You should be happy.
Experts say divided control
of government, policy differ-
ences between the House and
Senate, a polarized electorate
and the 2012 presidential elec-
tion all have exacerbated Con-
gress natural tendency to dis-
agree.
Even veteran lawmakers say
theyve never seen anything
quite like this years spectacle.
However, Rep. Jim McDer-
mott, D-Wash., who was elected
to the House in 1988, doesnt
believe this was the worst Con-
gress.
But its certainly the worst
one I remember participating
in, he said.
Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Wash.,
pinned the gridlock on totally
unrealistic House tea-party
members who reflexively are
opposed to any Democratic
proposals.
They have no agenda for job
creation, Dicks said.
Republicans counter that
their strategy is to restore the
federal governments fiscal
health by reducing spending
and shrinking the deficit.
Some voters, however, say
theyre fed up with both parties.
Matt Beattie, a sales execu-
tive from Sammamish, Wash.,
said hes incensed at Democrat-
ic senators for failing to resolve
budget and tax-policy issues
during their two years of major-
ity control.
As for Republicans, Beattie
said, they are betting that ob-
structing Obama is enough to
get votes.
I truly believe that this may
be the worst and most disingen-
uous Congress in history, he
said.
AP PHOTO
Was first session of 112th Congress worst ever?
By KYUNG M. SONG
The Seattle Times
A N A L Y S I S
If I didnt have to pay attention for my
job. I might try to ignore the Congress.
Burdett Bird Loomis
Political-science professor at the University of Kansas
President Barack Obama speaks at a press conference in the South Auditorium of the White House in Washington, D.C., Dec. 22 to
urge House Republicans to vote on the short term bipartisan compromise to extend the paroll tax cut passed by almost the entire
Senate.
WASHINGTON Ameri-
cans have trouble dealing with
science, and its especially obvi-
ous is inpresidential campaigns,
says ShawnLawrenceOtto, who
tried, with limited success, to
get the candidates to debate sci-
entific questions in the 2008
presidential election.
Otto is the author of a new
book, Fool Me Twice: Fighting
the Assault on Science in Amer-
ica, which opens with a quote
from Thomas Jefferson: When-
ever the people are well in-
formed, theycanbetrustedwith
their own government.
And if the people and their
leaders arent well informed and
dont use scientific information
to solve modern problems, Otto
suggests, the United States
could soon skid into decline.
Without the mooring provid-
ed by the well-informed opinion
of the people, governments may
become paralyzed or, worse,
corrupted by powerful interests
seekingtooppress andenslave,
he writes.
Today, he adds, Congress
seems paralyzed and ideology
and rhetoric increasingly guide
policy discussion, often bearing
little relationship to factual real-
ity.
In 2008, Otto and a group of
other writers tried to organize a
presidential debate on science
issues. Neither Barack Obama
nor John McCain was interest-
ed. In the end, the two candi-
dates agreed to respond to 14
questions in writing, and Ottos
group posted them on its web-
site.
Otto said the group plans to
try for another science debate in
2012.
Reporters play a role in
whether science is discussed in
campaigns. ALeague of Conser-
vation Voters analysis in early
2008 found that prime-time TV
journalists asked 2,975 ques-
tions in 171 interviews. Only six
questions were about climate
change, and the same could be
said of any one of several major
policy topics surrounding sci-
ence, Otto writes in the book.
Todays policymakers are in-
creasingly unwilling to pursue
many of the remedies science
presents, he argues. They take
one of two routes: Deny the sci-
ence, or pretend the problems
dont exist.
Otto said he wasnt looking
for simple answers in the book.
I dont blame corporations
because they are stuck in a sys-
tem we have created and they
cant solve it all themselves, he
said in an interview. I dont
blame the Republican Party for
goinganti-sciencebecausethere
arealot of factors that ledtothat
socially, and I dont think its a
decision of Republican Party
leadership to one day say, Oh,
were not going to accept sci-
ence anymore. And its not just
because evangelicals got in-
volvedinpolitics. Theres alot of
complex reasons.
Here are some questions for
Otto, and his answers:
Q: Are Americans rejecting
science?
A: I think its a myth Ameri-
cans arent interested. Its a
myth they dont like science and
scientists ... But theres some
partisan political affiliation go-
ing on, and sometimes science
tells them they dont want to
hear and they dont like to deal
with. Climate change is a great
example, because the problem
is so enormous and the implica-
tions mean restructuring our
economy and our energy supply
system.
Science does two things that
we dont love. It does lots of
things that we do love, but the
two things we dont love are:
Whenever weextendour knowl-
edge, we have to parse that new
knowledge morally and ethical-
ly . . . . The other thing is that it
either confirms or vexes some-
bodys vested interested.
On climate change, Republi-
can presidential candidates gen-
erally say they dont think the
science is settled, even though
the nations scientific organiza-
tions have reported a consensus
view that the Earth is warming
mostly as a result of pollution
from fossil fuel combustion.
Q: What makes dealing with
climate change so difficult?
Nobody wants to feel bad
about the future. Everybody
wants to be hopeful.
Book examines
turn from science,
danger for democracy
By RENEE SCHOOF
McClatchy Newspapers
C M Y K
timesleader.com
etc.Entertainment Travel Culture S E C T I O N F
Cheers all around for the
world of fashion in 2011 that
brought us ease, girlishness
and all-out pretty styles for
spring/summer and new,
colorful swagger with a royal
touch of elegance for fall/win-
ter (not to mention some bar-
gains). Heres a look at our top10
trends:
1. Star of the season: The state-
ment coat. Toppers of all sorts
made news this season pon-
chos, capes, maxis and boyfriend
styles some invividshades. If you
have to buy just one new thing,
make it a great coat.
2. Designer collaborations:
OK, admit it: You were one of the
people who lined up, waited for,
desperately sought the sprightly
Missoni for Target collectionthat
crashed a website. And, you wor-
shipped at the temple of H&M
when Donatella Versaces collec-
tion hit the store. No shame in
fessing up, and guaranteed
theres more to follow.
3. Fur, faux and otherwise:
From sci-fi mounds of dyed real
fur to sleeker faux fur
vests to well-
placed touches of
fur on sleeves and
collars, fur was a
fashion focus for
fall/winter 2011.
4. Color crazy: In
a seasonthat is tra-
ditionally neutral,
color reigned su-
preme with loads of
bolds, brights (in-
cluding jeans) and
even a heavy dose of
pink for winter/
fall. And what made it all that
much more fun? Color-blocking
and wearing colors that (some
would say) clash.
5. The Kate Middleton factor:
Many a fashion pundit credited
Kate Middleton for steering
trends in more formal, proper di-
rection. Fromher
weddingdress
to yes
her sheer
pantyhose, the
Duchess of
Cambridge has
had a strong in-
fluence on
the fash-
ion scene.
6. Grrrrr-
animal
prints: Lions
and tigers and
snakes, oh my!
In a nod to the
exotic, spots,
stripes, and
skin pat-
terns
turned
up head to toe.
7. Its a boot-iful life: From
knee-high ladylike heels to short
combat-style stompers, boots are
a must-have. New to the scene:
high-wedgedheels and, ina novel
twist, work boots styled fashion-
ably.
8. Hang loose mama: Easy,
breezy silhouettes were show-
cased by many designers giving
gals a languid moment to relax.
9. Happy hippies: We loved
those floppy hats that dominated
spring catwalks and cute, easy
frocks including the maxi and lit-
tle floral prints went right along
with that groovy 70s vibe.
10. Sheer magic: See-through
dresses, tops and, yes, pants
raged on spring/summer run-
ways, so layering became a must,
and dont be shy underpin-
nings were showcased.
MCT PHOTOS
Taking a look back at the best in 2011 fashion
For top style trend piece, this is
platformwork boot by Lucky. At
Left, for style and trend pieces,
this is an outfit that mixes
colors, fromJCrew.
At right, an outfit fromthe
Missoni collection for Target.
By ANNE BRATSKEIR
Newsday
Raspberry boyfriend coat by
DKNY exclusively at Blooming-
dales, $695.
NEW YORK Viewers may find
ABCs new sitcom Work It to be
cringingly awful from an entertain-
ment standpoint.
But the show, which depicts two
out-of-work chaps who dress as wom-
entolandjobsinatougheconomy, has
drawnfirefromgroupswithadifferent
complaint: They say Work It mocks
the transgender community.
Though the show is not about
transgender people, its about the no-
tion that men presenting as women is
funny, said Herndon Graddick of the
Gay &Lesbian Alliance Against Defa-
mation.
It re-enforces inaccurate and tired
stereotypes that are injurious to trans-
gender Americans, saidFredSainz of
the Human Rights Campaign, a civil-
rights organization working on behalf
of lesbian, gay,
bisexual and
transgender
Americans.
HRC is join-
ing GLAAD in
urgingsupport-
ers to ask ABC
not toairthese-
ries, which is
scheduled to
premiere Tues-
day.
The two or-
ganizations
placed a full-
page ad in Daily Variety, whose head-
line declares: Work It will harm
transgender people. The ad contin-
ues, By encouraging the audience to
laugh at the characters attempts at
womanhood, theshowgiveslicenseto
similar treatment of transgender
women.
But is the campaign that targets
Work It also, by extension, a broad
denunciation of one of entertain-
ments most enduring devices: cross-
dressing for comic effect?
This is a tradition that includes the
late actor-drag queen Divine appear-
ing in outrageous female roles in
Hairspray and other John Waters
films. Robin Williams played a man
who adopted a persona as a Scottish
nanny in the 1993 comedy Mrs.
Doubtfire. In 1982, Tootsie starred
Dustin Hoffman as an out-of-work ac-
tor whodresses upas a soft-spokenac-
tress to land a womans role on a soap
opera.
The 1959 filmclassic Some Like It
Hot starred Jack Lemmon and Tony
Curtis as two straight guys who dis-
guise themselves as women to seek
refuge inanall-girl bandafter witness-
ing a mob hit.
The play, films and Broadway musi-
cal La Cage aux Folles depict the za-
ny domestic life of a nightclub manag-
Worked
up over
networks
Work It
See WORK IT, Page 4F
It re-enforces
inaccurate and
tired stereo-
types that are
injurious to
transgender
Americans."
Fred Sainz
Member of the Human
Rights Campaign
By FRAZIER MOORE
Associated Press Television Writer
H
istorians are usually able to look back and pinpoint the factors that
causedthe greatest of nations tofall intodecline. If it ever comes time
to dissect what happened to the United States, they will likely boil it
down to one word: WINNING. Yes, folks when a Charlie Sheen
manic outburst becomes an inspirational motto for a nation, its the
beginningof the end. Sadly, historians will likelyhave other moments
to illustrate our cultural collapse, including Kim Kardashians blink-and-you-
missed-it marriage, whichgeneratedmoremoneythansomecities annual bud-
gets, and the fact that some people took Donald Trumps possible presidential
candidacy seriously.
No wonder the Occupy Wall Street protest avoided the 1 percents crazy sib-
ling Hollywood.
KEEPING IT KLASSY: Some things are
meant to last one season: bright pink flip-
flops, a relationship with George Clooney, the
McRib at McDonalds. But not marriage. And
while celebrity marriages canflame out quick-
ly, the implosion of Kim Kardashians 72-day
union with Kris Humphries was all the more
spectacular because of the hype that preceded
it: the 20.5-carat diamond engagement ring,
the engagement party, the three wedding-day
gowns, the two-part TV special even Kate
Middleton would have said, Enough al-
ready! It was more distasteful because it was
filmed for her reality show, garnering her
morecashthangifts. Bytheendof theyear, the
backlashwas sostrong, sheheadedtoHaiti for
charity work, looking to improve her bruised
By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY AP Entertainment Writer
See CELEBS, Page 4F
C M Y K
PAGE 2F SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2012 THE TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com
D I V E R S I O N S
NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD PUZZLE
BONUS PUZZLE
DIAGRAMLESS
CRYPTOGRAMS
The Sunday Crossword
Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis
Puzzle Answers
on 3F
HOROSCOPE
HOROSCOPE
ARIES (March 21-April 19).
Youll defuse tension by
telling someone that you
have heard his or her com-
plaint and you understand
it. Acknowledging this per-
sons reality might be all
thats necessary to resolve
a conflict.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20).
A loved one may seem to
take your attention for
granted. You may notice
that this person is will-
ing to talk more than
listen right now. Later, the
pendulum will swing, and
youll be on the receiving
end.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21).
It takes courage to love.
Sure, youve had relation-
ships that didnt work out
quite the way you thought
they would. You should be
proud that you were brave
enough to enter into the
relationship at all.
CANCER (June 22-July 22).
Youll solve problems and
stretch the bounds of your
creativity. Youll fit things
together in such a surpris-
ing way that people wont
be able to take their eyes
off your work.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22).
Enormous reserves of vital
energy will be available to
you when you commit to
doing something just for
you. Simple activities like
walking, running and deep
breathing reconnect you
to your joy.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22).
You are ready to be free of
past frustrations and dis-
appointments. It will be as
though yesterday suddenly
releases its hold on you
and you can look hopefully
into your future.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23).
Take a moment to imagine
your day before it hap-
pens, and youll prevent
a snafu of some sort.
Theres something you can
set right by simply having
the forethought to prepare
properly for the day.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21).
Sometimes you wonder
how brave you really are.
Its the kind of thing that
cant be measured hypo-
thetically. Youll jump at
the chance to put your
courage to the test.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec.
21). You have a message
today, and its one people
will care about or at
least they should. Much
will depend on your abil-
ity to get to the emotional
heart of the matter.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan.
19). Avoid relying so heav-
ily on technology now that
you forget about the most
magnificent computer on
Earth inside your head.
Common sense will lead
you where no robot
can go.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18).
Youll be aware that your
every move is painting a
picture of you. How you
are perceived will matter.
Be careful not to talk too
much about what youve
already demonstrated.
Your confidence will read
loud and clear.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20).
You may feel stuck in an
unsatisfactory pattern and
not quite ready to make
a change. At least youre
ready to start thinking
about it. A symbolic ritual
of transition will help you
move forward.
TODAYS BIRTHDAY (Jan. 1).
You will be presented with
excellent financial oppor-
tunities, and youll have
a strong sense of how to
make the most of them.
A new friend comes into
your life in March. Your
professional life is a bit of
a game this spring. Play
with those who have just
as much at stake, and the
game becomes more inter-
esting. Virgo and Pisces
people adore you. Your
lucky numbers are: 50, 32,
19, 5 and 11.
"JANUARY FIRST"
Gia Christian
1/1/12
C M Y K
THE TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2012 PAGE 3F
D I V E R S I O N S
For information about WonderWord volumes and Treasuries, call Universal Press Syndicate at 1-800-255-6734.
WONDERWORD
By David Ouellet
Cryptograms
New York Times
Bonus Puzzle Diagramless
JUMBLE
GOREN BRIDGE
LAST WEEKS PUZZLE ANSWERS
By Henri Arnold and
Mike Argirion
WITH OMAR SHARIF
& TANNAH HIRSCH
1995 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
UNIVERSAL SUDOKU
UNIVERSAL SUDOKU KIDS
MINUTE MAZE
PREVIOUS DAYS SOLUTION
PREVIOUS SUNDAYS SOLUTION
For more Sudoku go to www.timesleader.com
O N T H E W E B
HOW TO CONTACT:
Dear Abby: PO Box 69440, Los Angeles,
CA 90069
1/1
1/1
1/1
1/1
1/1
1. Santas fluffy cat swallowed some
mice and a ball of yarn. But Santa
was startled at the outcome she
had mittens!
2. Finally home, as Santa stepped
out of his sleigh, he was tickled to
see the snow against the bright blue
sky. He used his "Pole-aroid" camera
to record the moment.
3. Santa and Rudolph will be
entering some famed Nascar races
this year. Santa feels he has the edge
because he is always in pole
position.
4. The skeleton was unable to make
it to the upscale Christmas party.
His problem was he had no body to
accompany him.
DEAR ABBY
A new year gives us the
chance to start anew
Dear Read-
ers: While
the last year
has been
tumultuous
for many of
us, a new one
is here, bringing with it our
chance for a fresh start.
Today is the day we dis-
card destructive old habits
for healthy new ones. I will
share Dear Abbys often-
requested list of New Years
Resolutions, which were
adapted by my mother, Pau-
line Phillips, from the origi-
nal credo of Al-Anon:
JUST FOR TODAY: I will
live through this day only. I
will not brood about yester-
day or obsess about tomor-
row. I will not set far-reach-
ing goals or try to overcome
all of my problems at once.
I know that I can do
something for 24 hours that
would overwhelm me if I had
to keep it up for a lifetime.
be happy. I will not dwell on
thoughts that depress me. If
my mind fills with clouds, I
will chase them away and fill
it with sunshine.
accept what is. I will face
reality. I will correct those
things that I can correct and
accept those I cannot.
improve my mind. I will read
something that requires ef-
fort, thought and concentra-
tion. I will not be a mental
loafer.
make a conscious effort to be
agreeable. I will be kind and
courteous to those who cross
my path, and Ill not speak ill
of others. I will improve my
appearance, speak softly, and
not interrupt when someone
else is talking.
Just for today, I will refrain
from improving anybody but
myself.
do something positive to
improve my health. If Im
a smoker, Ill quit. If I am
overweight, I will eat health-
fully if only for today. And
not only that, I will get off
the couch and take a brisk
walk, even if its only around
the block.
gather the courage to do
what is right and take the
responsibility for my own
actions.
To order How to Write Let-
ters for All Occasions, send
a business-sized, self-ad-
dressed envelope, plus check
or money order for $6 (U.S.
funds) to: Dear Abby Let-
ter Booklet, P.O. Box 447,
Mount Morris, IL 61054-
0447. (Postage is included in
the price.)
To receive a collection of Abbys
most memorable and most fre-
quently requested poems and
essays, send a business-sized, self-
addressed envelope, plus check
or money order for $3.95 ($4.50
in Canada) to: Dear Abbys Keep-
ers, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL
61054-0447. (Postage is included.)
A D V I C E
C M Y K
E T C .
You must be 17 with ID or accompanied by a parent to attend R rated features.
Children under 6 may not attend R rated features after 6pm
NO PASSES
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE
GHOST PROTOCOL
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE
GHOST PROTOCOL (XD) (PG-13)
1:25PM, 4:25PM, 7:25PM, 10:25PM
ADVENTURES OF TINTIN (3D) (PG)
11:00AM, 1:40PM, 4:20PM, 7:00PM, 9:35PM
ADVENTURES OF TINTIN (DIGITAL) (PG)
11:55AM
ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED
(DIGITAL) (G)
12:15PM, 1:05PM, 2:30PM, 3:20PM, 4:50PM,
5:35PM, 7:05PM, 7:50PM, 9:20PM
DARKEST HOUR, THE (DIGITAL) (PG-13)
12:00PM, 2:20PM, 4:35PM, 7:45PM, 10:00PM
DESCENDANTS, THE (DIGITAL) (R)
11:20AM, 2:00PM, 4:40PM, 7:20PM, 10:30PM
GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, THE (2011)
(DIGITAL) (R)
11:50AM, 1:35PM, 3:20PM, 5:05PM, 6:50PM,
8:35PM, 10:20PM
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE GHOST PROTOCOL
(DIGITAL) (PG-13)
11:10AM, 12:40PM, 2:10PM, 2:50PM, (3:40PM
EXCEPT WED. 1/4), 5:10PM, (5:50PM EXCEPT
WED. 1/4), 6:40PM, (8:10PM EXCEPT WED. 1/4),
8:55PM, 9:40PM
MUPPETS, THE (DIGITAL) (PG)
11:05AM
MY WEEK WITH MARILYN (DIGITAL) (R)
11:25AM, 1:50PM, 4:30PM, 7:30PM, 10:05PM
NEWYEARS EVE (DIGITAL) (PG-13)
12:20PM, 3:15PM
SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF
SHADOWS (DIGITAL) (PG-13)
11:15AM, 1:15PM, 2:15PM, 4:15PM, 5:15PM,
6:15PM, 7:15PM, 8:15PM, 9:10PM, 10:15PM
SITTER, THE (DIGITAL) (R)
8:40PM
TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN
(DIGITAL) (PG-13)
10:40PM
WAR HORSE (DIGITAL) (PG-13)
12:55PM, 2:35PM, 4:15PM, 5:55PM, 7:35PM,
9:15PM, 10:45PM
WE BOUGHT A ZOO (DIGITAL) (PG)
11:40AM, 1:10PM, 2:40PM, 4:10PM, 5:40PM,
7:10PM, 10:10PM
YOUNG ADULT (DIGITAL) (R)
12:30PM, 3:00PM, 5:20PM, 7:40PM, 9:55PM
Dont just watch a movie, experience it!
All Stadium Seating and Dolby Surround Sound
825.4444 rctheatres.com
3 Hrs. Free Parking At Participating Park & Locks with Theatre Validation
Free Parking at Midtown Lot Leaving After 8pm and All Day Saturday & Sunday.
(Parenthesis Denotes Bargain Matinees)
All Showtimes Include Pre-Feature Content
Avoid the lines: Advance tickets available from Fandango.com
ALL FEATURES NOW PRESENTED IN DIGITAL FORMAT
FIRST MATINEE SHOW ALL SEATS $5.25
EXPERIENCE D/BOX MOTION ENHANCED
SEATING ON SELECT FEATURES
Rating Policy Parents and/or Guardians (Age 21 and older) must
accompany all children under 17 to an R Rated feature
*No passes accepted to these features.
**No restricted discount tickets or passes accepted to these features.
***3D features are the regular admission price plus a surcharge of $2.50
D-Box Motion Seats are the admission price plus an $8.00 surcharge
First Matinee $5.25 for all features (plus surcharge for 3D features).
***The Darkest Hour - PG13- 100 min.
(1:30), (3:40), 7:45, 10:00
War Horse - PG13 - 155 min.
(12:50), (3:55), 7:10, 10:15
We Bought a Zoo - PG - 135 min
(12:50), (3:40), 7:10, 9:55
***The Adventures of Tintin in 3-D - PG-
115 min.
(1:10), (3:30), 7:20, 9:45
**The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - R -
170 min.
(1:00), (3:40), (4:20), 7:00, 8:00, 10:20
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol -
PG13 - 130 min
(12:40), (1:20), (3:40), (4:15), 7:00, 7:30,
10:00, 10:30
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
- G - 95 min
(12:30), (1:00), (2:40), (3:10), (4:50), (5:20),
7:15, 9:20
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of
Shadows - PG13 - 140 min
(12:40), (1:00), (3:30), (3:50), 7:00, 7:20, 9:50,
10:10
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of
Shadows in D-Box - PG13 - 140 min
(1:00), (3:50), 7:20, 10:10
Young Adult - R - 105 min
(1:15), (3:30), 7:10, 9:30
NewYears Eve - PG13 - 130 min.
(12:30), (3:10), 7:15, 9:55,
The Sitter - R - 130 min.
7:40, 9:45
**Arthur Christmas - PG - 110 min.
(12:30)
WINTER SPECIALS
Monday - Thursday
QUARTER MANIA
$5.00 Cover Charge
25 Bowling
Friday & Saturday
ROCK -N- BOWL
10 p.m. - 1 a.m.
$10.95 per person
Saturday
FAMILY ROCK -N- BOWL
Noon - 5 p.m.
$6.95 per person
Sunday
4 FOR $24
8 Games, 4 Sodas, 4 Shoes
Noon - 6 p.m.
Good Ole Sundays
99 GAMES OF BOWLING
8 p.m. - Midnight
Something Special Going On Every Day In January
OPEN BOWLING AT STANTON LANES
470 Stanton St.
Wilkes-Barre
www.yourbowlingplace.com
824-4661
2
6
0
9
4
3
Happy
New Year
from
DILEOS
SERVICE CENTER
JOSEPH DILEO, Proprietor
440 Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, PA, 693-0467
2012
2012
2012
2012
EQ UIPM EN T
Y our P ow er Equipm ent
H eadquarters
Cu b Ca d etStihl Ariens
M eyer& Fis herTru c k plo w s
Truckplow Repairs& Service
Snow EquipmentSales& Service
570-675-3003
6 8 7 M em o ria l Hw y., D a lla s
1/2 LB.
LOBSTER TAIL
$
19.99
1pm till Midnight
SCRANTON - 701 N. WASHINGTON AVE. 346-6883
PITTSTON - 304 KENNEDY BLVD. 654-6883
OPEN
Served with French Fries
& Cole Slaw.
JERSEY BOYS
655-4247
SUN. FEB. 26TH, $199
WED. MAR. 14TH, $175
incl. bus & show ticket
ORCHESTRA SEATS
image. Or, perhaps, hubby No. 3.
IF THIS IS WINNING, LOS-
ING MUST REALLY SUCK: Ce-
lebrities have meltdowns in pub-
licall thetime, yet wehadnt hada
really epic breakdown since Brit-
ney Spears shaved her head bald.
Maybe thats what made Charlie
Sheens collapse so transfixing.
He gave us everything we expect-
ed in a train wreck and more:
Custody battles! Jittery inter-
views! Goddesses! And of course,
WINNING! Watching his daily
dose of acting crazy was more en-
tertaining and addictive
than any episode of Two and a
Half Men. But we overdosed
when Sheen went on his stand-up
tour, which basically gave him a
pass to go on rambling diatribes
on foolish peoples dimes. Sadly,
even as pathetic as it was, it still
had more live vocals than a Brit-
ney tour.
TODAYS WORD OF THE
DAY IS EWWWWWWW: We
didnt realize JustinBieber hadre-
ached puberty, so it came as a
shock when Mariah Yeater
claimed he was the baby daddy to
her months-old son after an al-
leged romp after one of his con-
certs when she was 19, and he
was just 16. A paternity suit was
filed, DNA tests were bandied
about, all while Maury Povichsal-
ivated from the sidelines. But,
alas, we never got a chance to see
Bieber do the customary pimp-
walk strut to the phrase You are
NOTthefather! Yeater withdrew
her paternity claim as her story
started to collapse and Bieber
took a paternity test. We would
have preferred that Biebs prove
his manhoodwithapassablemus-
tache.
THE DONALD WOULD
RATHERBEEMPEROR: Donald
Trump got the media buzzing
when he announced his intention
to run for president maybe. To
burnish his credentials as a con-
servative Republican, he seized
on the so-called birther band-
wagon by stoking doubt about
President Barack Obamas U.S. ci-
tizenship. In the end, Obama re-
leased his Hawaiian long form
birth certificate proving he is in-
deed a natural-born citizen, as
the Constitution requires. And,
unfortunately, so is Trump.
WHY CE-
LEBS SHOULD
FLY IN PRI-
VATE JETS: be-
cause they can-
not behavethem-
selves on com-
mercial flights.
Alec Baldwin
was kicked off a flight for refusing
to stop playing a cell-phone game
while the plane was parked at the
gate. Green Days Billie Joe Arm-
strong was denied a seat because
of his sagging pants, and Gerard
Depardieu urinated on a plane
ahead of takeoff, apparently un-
able and/or unwilling to hold his
bladder until he got the OK to
move about the cabin. Next time
you see a celebrity on your plane,
instead of asking for an auto-
graph, ask for a seat far, far away.
PROOFTHEREARENOSUR-
PRISESINLIFE: Kat VonDbroke
up with Jesse James, saying she
was shocked yes shocked!
that James, who was unfaithful to
Sandra Bullock during her Oscar
campaign, had also allegedly
cheatedonher with19women.
TONEDEAF: At just 13, Rebec-
ca Black became a sensation
and laughingstock of the Inter-
net, thanks to her hard-on-the-
ears tune, Friday, whichher par-
ents paid producers to make,
along with the nowinfamous vid-
eo on YouTube. Seemingly oblivi-
ous to the wonders of Auto-Tune,
Blacks nasally warbling became
embedded in the brain like a bad
virus. And yet she sounded better
than any LMFAOtune.
LOOK, ITS CHRIS BROWN
DUCK!: Chris Browns star,
seemingly forever tarnished after
beating then-girlfriend Rihanna,
was on the rise when he decided
to go on Good Morning Ameri-
ca to perform and talk to host
Robin Roberts. But Roberts deci-
sion to ask about the Rihanna in-
cident got under Browns skin. Af-
ter the interview, he trashed his
dressing room, even breaking a
window. Yet people continued to
buy copies of his comeback al-
bum. Apparently, fear is the best
motivator.
WAS THIS SUPPOSEDTOBE
THE SEQUEL TO THE FILM
TWINS? When Maria Shriver
announcedthat shewas divorcing
Arnold Schwarzenegger after 25
years of marriageandastint inthe
California governors mansion,
wethought it was becauseshedfi-
nally seen those tiny Speedo pic-
tures. But then we learned that
not only did he cheat on her with
the family housekeeper, but he
andthe housekeeper hada sonto-
gether around the time Maria
gave birth to their child, also a
boy. Guess it wasnt the wisest de-
cisiontolet Schwarzenegger bein
charge of giving out the employee
bonuses.
CELEBS
Continued from Page 1F
AP PHOTOS
Correspondent Vicky Mabrey, left, is shown with Jesse Jamedur-
ing an interview for Nightline.
Tattoo artist Kat Von D.
Badlwin
er and his romantic partner, the
star attraction in the clubs drag
performance. And on TV, Tom
Hanks appearedwithPeter Scolari
in the 1980s sitcom Bosom Bud-
dies, which depicted male room-
mates posingas womentogainen-
try to a budget-priced apartment
building which admitted only fe-
male residents.
Flash forward to Work It,
whichpairs what thenetworkcalls
twounrepentant guys guys (Lee
Standish, a family man, and Angel
Ortiz, a ladies man) wholost their
jobs at a car dealership and have
gone a year without employment.
Its not a recession, its a man-
cession, says a commiserating
friend. Womenaretakingoverthe
work force.
Soon, Lee (Ben Koldyke) hears
of openings for sales reps at aphar-
maceutical company. But thecom-
pany is looking for women, not
men, to fill the slots.
The company has hired guys in
thepast, Leelearns, but theydidnt
work out: The doctors seem to
want to nail themless.
Lee knows what he must do: He
dresses up as a woman, however
preposterously, and wins a job
from the unsuspecting firm. So
does his buddy, Angel (Amaury
Nolasco), who is similarly cos-
tumed.
Withtheirlinebackerphysiques,
squeaky voices and amateurish
makeup, neither man would fool a
5-year-old, which is meant to be
part of the joke whereupon
laughs ensue (at least, from the
shows high-decibel laugh track).
But while painfully unfunny, is
WorkItpoisedtoinflict real dam-
age on the transgender communi-
ty?
ABC declined to comment on
the brewing controversy and de-
clined to make anyone available
fromthe showto discuss it.
Theres been an understanding
that to make other minority
groups seem ridiculous on the ba-
sis of appearance alone is not ac-
cepted in modern media, Grad-
dick said. If the net result of this
show is that it makes it easier to
laugh at transgender people or ne-
gates their experienceinour socie-
ty, its something thats not worth
continuing.
GLAADs position is not that
nobody can ever do cross-dressing
againasaformof comedy, headd-
ed. Inthepast, it has beendoneas
a form of social commentary. But
that doesnt seem to be the case
withWorkIt. Infact, quite the op-
posite.
HRCs Fred Sainz draws a sharp
distinction between drag humor,
anart formlongtheprovinceof the
gay community, and a cross-dress-
ing show like Work It or Toot-
sie, a film that, however well-re-
gardedinits day, heviews as arelic
of a less-enlightened era.
Humor of thisnaturecontinues
to stigmatize transgender Ameri-
cans and further confuses the real-
ityof thesituation,hesaid. Aswe
know better, we have a responsib-
ility to do better.
Both organizations have
stressed that ABC, overall, has a
goodrecordfor positive portrayals
of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender community (with
such shows as Modern Family
andthe recent appearance of Chaz
Bono on Dancing With the
Stars).
ABC has always been a great
corporate citizen, Sainz said.
But even as talks continue with
the network, Work It is still on
the schedule and being promoted
by ABC.
Were taking this public stance
becausetheredontseemanyplans
by ABC to pull Work It,
GLAADs Graddick said. But
were hoping they will do so. Our
hope is that this show will fall by
the wayside.
WORK IT
Continued from Page 1F
AP PHOTO
Fom left to right, Kate Reinders, Kirstin Eggers, Rebecca Mader and Ben Koldyke are seen during a
scene from Work It, on the ABC Television Network.
Dubbed the turkey drop, the
days between Thanksgiving and
Christmas mark a peak in break-
ups across the country. Seriously,
research has proven it. Were you
blindsided by a we need to talk
text fromyour soon-to-be-ex while
you were out buying their Christ-
mas present? Well you werent the
only one. Ashton Kutcher and
Demi Moore may have beaten ev-
eryone else to the punch by an-
nouncingtheir split just a weekbe-
fore Thanksgiving, but Olympic
gold-medalist Lindsey Vonn
kicked off the holiday break-up
season onNovember 28whenshe
and her husband announced their
plans to divorce.
So if you get dumped this holi-
day season, youre in good compa-
ny. But if that fact is not enough to
cheer you up, we understand.
Thats why weve picked the best
post-breakup escapes around the
globe.
TensingPeninNegril, Jamai-
ca
Set in the cliffs of Negrils West
End, Tensing Pen faces the ocean
but doesnt have a traditional
sandy beach. Instead, high, rocky
cliffs descend to the pure blue wa-
ter below. Guests can climb down
the cliffs and swimfroma handful
of ladders that have beenbuilt into
the cliffs, but the general consen-
susisthat youcant finishyour stay
without jumping from the long,
skinny bridge about 20 feet or so
above the water. Doesnt that
sound refreshing? And it doesnt
hurt to be on a sunny island while
youre getting over your ex whos
stuck at home, filled with regret.
Casa Velas Hotel Boutique in
Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta
The 80-room adults-only Casa
Velas Hotel is perfectly situated
amid quiet luxury in the small
neighborhood of Marina Vallarta,
which has a Palm Springs-meets-
Beverly Hills vibe. The hotel offers
a Divorcee Package which in-
cludes accommodations in the
Presidential Suite for youandyour
closest (single) friends, a spa treat-
ment, a night out on the town, a
farewell cocktail party (complete
with a mini-coffin for your wed-
dingring), anda consultationwith
a jewelry designer to create the
perfect post-marriage setting for
that gorgeous engagement-ring
rock. Hey, maybe you did get
something out of that marriage af-
ter all!
HardRockHotel &Casinoin
Las Vegas
If your wayof gettingover some-
oneismovingontothenext, youre
going to want to head to Vegas.
And no hotel does Vegas parties
better thanthe HardRockHotel &
Casino. The hotel is home to Van-
ity (just one of your exs many
flaws), one of the hottest night-
clubs in Sin City. The 14,000-
square-foot nightclub features
world-renowned DJs spinning un-
til 4 a.m. for an uber-attractive
crowd; bouncers keep an infa-
mously tight velvet rope, so they
practically do all of the work for
you!
Where to go to get over your ex
By JANE REYNOLDS
www.Oyster.com (MCT)
C M Y K
THE TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2012 PAGE 5F
BOOKS
timesleader.com
HARDCOVER FICTION
1. 11/22/63. Stephen King. Scribner,
$35
2. The Litigators. John Grisham.
Doubleday, $28.95
3. Kill Alex Cross. James Pat-
terson. Little, Brown, $28.99
4. Death Comes to Pemberley.
P.D. James. Knopf, $25.95
5. Locked On. Tom Clancy with
Mark Greaney. Putnam, $28.95
6. The Best of Me. Nicholas
Sparks. Grand Central, $25.99
7. Red Mist. Patricia Cornwell.
Putnam, $27.95
8. Explosive Eighteen. Janet
Evanovich. Bantam, $28
9. V Is for Vengeance. Sue Graf-
ton. Putnam, $27.95
10. The Drop. Michael Connelly.
Little, Brown, $27.99
11. The Girl Who Kicked the Horn-
ets Nest. Stieg Larsson. Knopf,
$27.95
12. Micro. Michael Crichton &
Richard Preston. Harper, $28.99
13. 1Q84. Haruki Murakami. Knopf,
$30.50
14. A Dance with Dragons. George
R.R. Martin. Bantam, $35
HARDCOVER NONFICTION
1. Steve Jobs. Walter Isaacson.
Simon & Schuster, $35
2. Killing Lincoln. Bill OReilly &
Martin Dugard. Holt, $28
3. Unbroken. Laura Hillenbrand.
Random House, $27
4. Go the F**k to Sleep. Adam
Mansbach, illus. by Ricardo
Cortes. Akashic, $14.95
5. Guinness World Records 2012.
Guinness World Records, $28.95
6. Through My Eyes. Tim Tebow
with Nathan Whitaker. Harpe-
rOne, $26.99
7. Jack Kennedy. Chris Matthews.
Simon & Schuster, $27.50
8. Every Day a Friday. Joel Os-
teen. FaithWords, $24.99
9. Nearing Home. Billy Graham.
Thomas Nelson, $19.99
10. Being George Washington.
Glenn Beck. Threshold, $26
11. Paula Deens Southern Cooking
Bible. Paula Deen with Melissa
Clark. Simon & Schuster, $29.99
12. Thinking, Fast and Slow. Daniel
Kahneman. Farrar, Straus &
Giroux, $30
13. Catherine the Great. Robert K.
Massie. Random House, $35
14. Heaven Is for Real. MASS
MARKET
1. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Stieg Larsson. Vintage, $7.99
2. The Girl Who Played with Fire.
3. Toys. James Patterson & Neil
McMahon. Vision, $9.99
4. The Land of Painted Caves.
Jean M. Auel. Bantam, $8.99
5. A Game of Thrones. George
R.R. Martin. Bantam, $8.99
6. Smokin Seventeen. Janet
Evanovich. Bantam, $8.99
7. A Feast for Crows. George R.R.
Martin. Bantam, $8.99
8. The Shack. William P. Young.
Windblown Media, $7.99
9. Crescent Dawn. Clive Cussler &
Dirk Cussler. Berkley, $9.99
10. The Confession. John Grisham.
Dell, $9.99
11. Gabriella & Alexander. Nora
Roberts. Silhouette, $7.99
12. Dont Look Behind You. Ann
Rule. Pocket, $7.99
13. The Perfect Christmas. Debbie
Macomber. Mira, $7.99
14. A Clash of Kings. George R.R.
Martin. Bantam, $8.99
TRADE
1. The Help. Kathryn Stockett.
Berkley, $16
2. The Girl with the Dragon Tat-
too. Stieg Larsson. Vintage,
$15.95
3. Heaven Is for Real. Todd Burpo
with Lynn Vincent. Thomas
Nelson, $16.99
4. The Tigers Wife. Tea Obreht.
Random House, $15
5. The Zombie Survival Guide.
Max Brooks. Three Rivers, $13.95
6. The Next Always. Nora Roberts.
Berkley, $16
7. The Immortal Life of Henrietta
Lacks. Rebecca Skloot. Broad-
way, $16
8. The Girl Who Played with Fire.
9. Unlikely Friendships. Jennifer
S. Holland. Workman, $13.95
10. The Art of Racing in the Rain.
Garth Stein. Harper, $14.99
11. Extremely Loud and Incredibly
Close. Jonathan Safran Foer.
Mariner, $14.95
12. Outliers. Malcolm Gladwell.
LB/Back Bay, $16.99
13. Cutting for Stone. Abraham
Verghese. Vintage, $15.95
14. Moneyball. Michael Lewis.
Norton, $15.95
BEST SELLERS
One thing Ive always admired
about Patti Smith is her refusal
to be characterized. Rocker, po-
et, artist, mother: She seems to
inhabit each of these roles al-
most effortlessly, moving among
themas if the onlydifference was
in our heads. And why not? For
Smith, they all come out of the
same impulse, a kind of ecstatic
self-engagement, in which the
lineseparatinglifeandcreativity,
the mundane andthe mystical, is
an illusion, a border we create to
bound ourselves. Oh, God, I fell
for you, she sings at the end of
her 1979 song Dancing Bare-
foot, andsincethefirst timeI ev-
er played that record, Ive heard
this as a prayer, a benediction, as
if it were God she had fallen for.
Such a sensibility fluid, vi-
sionary, risky marks the 11
pieces in Woolgathering (New
Directions: 80 pp., $18.95), a col-
lection of impressionistic prose
poems that dances at the edge of
memoir before opting for some-
thing harder to pin down. Origi-
nally published in1992 as part of
the series of small books (3 by 4
inches in size, Smith recalls,
like a tiny
Indian
prayer
book that
one could
carry in
ones pock-
et) re-
leased dur-
ingthe late
1980s and
early1990s
by the delightfully idiosyncratic
Hanuman Books, it has just been
reissued, in a slightly expanded
edition, and to read it again is to
be reminded of just howinterest-
ing Smith can be. This is no se-
quel totheNational BookAward-
winning Just Kids, which
traced her early years in New
York with Robert Mapplethorpe.
Rather, it is both wilder and
more reflective, a portrait of
Smiths inner life, beginning in
childhood and stretching into
the undefined and ever-present
now.
For Smith, it all starts with an
invocation: I always imagined I
would write a book, she de-
clares in the opening line of the
collection, if only a small one,
that would carry one away, into a
realm that could not be mea-
sured nor even remembered.
Thats reminiscent of both her
National Book Award accept-
ancespeech(WhenI was a clerk
at Scribners bookstore, she
said, I always dreamed of writ-
ing a book of my own) and an
echoing riff, at the end of Wool-
gathering: So I leave myself to
wonder and begin, for I always
imaginedI wouldone daywrite a
book.
Here, we see the circularity,
not only of the pieces but also of
Smith as an artist the sense of
purpose, of ambition, mixed
with her sense of the holiness of
the task. (T)here are precious
words to grind, she notes, as if
literature were a physical prac-
tice, and throughout these pag-
es, we get the impression of this
workas somehowmade by hand.
Relaxed, beneath the sky, con-
templating this and that, she
writes in Cowboy Truths, dedi-
cated to onetime boyfriend Sam
Shepard. The nature of labor.
The nature of idleness and the
sky itself with billowing masses
so close one might lasso a cloud
to pillow ones head or fill ones
belly. Sopping up the beans and
gravy witha chunkof cloudmeat
and lying back for a little siesta.
What a life!
Beans and gravy with a chunk
of cloud meat? There it is, that
mix of the practical and the
mythic, like the marriage of rock
n roll and poetry. Such juxtapo-
sitions emerge repeatedly in
Woolgathering, which begins
with Smiths childhood (All my
socks were out of shape, she
tells us. Possibly because I often
filled themwith marbles. Id load
them with aggies and steelies
and head out. It was the one
thing I was good at and I could
beat anyone around.) before
shifting into more metaphysical
territory, a territory that is hers
alone.
Onclear, peculiar nights, she
writes in The Woolgatherers,
describing a field outside her
bedroom window, I sometimes
sawmovement in the grasses. At
first I thought it to be the swipe
of the white owl or the great pale
winds of a luna moth spreading
and unfolding like a medieval
habit. But it came to me one
night that they were people like
none I had ever seen, in strange
archaic cap and dress. I used to
think I could see the white of
their bonnets and, at times, a
hand, in the act of grasping, illu-
minated by the moon and stars
or the light from a passing car.
Theres so much here that its
worth our while to slow down
and look more closely: the bal-
ance (again) of the visionary and
the commonplace, the interplay
of those ghostly figures with the
physicality of a passing car.
Theres the language, so precise,
so imagistic, the wings of a moth
unfolding like a medieval hab-
it, the phrase strange archaic
cap and dress, itself archaic and
strange. Theres the sense of
things happening beneath the
surface, the notion of the world
as, at heart, a place of mystery.
And perhaps most important,
there is Smiths identification
with these shades, these phan-
toms, who, she later learns, are
called the woolgatherers
which becomes the way she
frames herself also, as she (wan-
ders) among them, through this-
tle and thorn, with no task more
exceptional than to rescue a
fleeting thought, as a tuft of
wool, from the combo of the
wind.
Rocker-poet-artist-mothers many facets
By DAVID L. ULIN
Los Angeles Times
H
owisit possiblethat16
years have passed
without a definitive
biography of sportscaster Ho-
wardCosell?
Mark Ribowsky (author of
a superb book on Satchel
Paige) may have lost some-
thing by waiting so long after
Cosells death in1995. Agen-
eration has grown up thinking that ESPNs Chris
Berman invented Cosells signature call He
could ... go ... all ... the ... way! for a breakaway
touchdownrun. (Was thereanAmericanmalewho
watched Monday Night Football from its incep-
tion in1970 to Cosells final broadcast in1983 who
didnt doanimpressionof the man?)
But Ribowsky also gained something: perspec-
tive. Howard Cosell: The Man, the Myth, and the
Transformationof AmericanSportsisanexhilarat-
ing look back at a man and a time that are inextric-
ablyentwined.
It may seem Cosell-like hyperbole when Ribow-
sky writes, There can be no overestimating how
unique,andevenunprecedented,Cosellsfamewasby
the middle of the 1970s. He had done no less than
makehimselfaone-manindustrybyturningscabrous-
nessintoanendearment,butthatmusthavebeenthe
way we felt about Cosell, because even when we
cursedhimwekeptonwatching. EvenWoodyAl-
len was a fan, giving Cosell guest spots in
threeofhismoviesplayinghimself,
of course.
Arrogant, tempestuous
and ambitious, Cosell
dragged sports journal-
ism kicking and
screaming into an era
when electronic
media replaced
print. Born in
1918toIsidore
and Nellie
Cohen, and raised in Brooklyn, Cosell studied law at
NYUandflounderedfor years, tryingtofindhis niche.
Hefinallyfounditin1956witharadioshow, Speaking
of Sports, sponsored by a relative who owned a shirt
company.Afterwaitingsolongforhisbreak,Cosellpur-
suedstardomwithavengeance, bringingthebigguns
of his scathing, contrarian wit and bludgeoning pom-
positytobear onsports stuffedshirts, suchas Interna-
tional Olympic Committee headAvery Brundage and
baseball commissionerBowieKuhn.
He made more enemies than friends with his ag-
gressiveinterviewingstyleNewYorkYankeesman-
ager Ralph Houk fa-
mously compared
Cosell to excre-
ment, telling
him,youreev-
erywhere.
Cosell didnt
care. A tire-
less self-
promoter,
he ig-
nored his
critics
and
pressed
onward.
Buttherewas,asRibowskypointsout,ahardkernelof
integrityinhisbluster.
Cosell wasntaloneinsupportingMuhammadAli in
hislegal battlewiththeU.S. governmentoverthedraft,
or Curt Flood, whosuedthebaseball establishment in
anattempt tobecomeafreeagent but hemadethe
mostnoisefortheircauses.Forseveralyears,thepublic
practicallysawAli andCosell asanact; Ali actuallytold
Cosell to call himby a racial epithet in public so that
Theyll thinkwehateoneanother.
The irony toCosells life is that he yearnedfor the
more serious journalistic work that would surely
have stifled his individuality. He lost ABCs Wide
World of Sports job to the far less abrasive Jim
McKay, and never got over his bitterness when his
longtime supporter at ABC, Roone Arledge, passed
himoverforthenetworkscoverageofthemassacre
atthe1972MunichOlympics(againforMcKay).
Cosell was so truculent to use one of his
favorite words that when ABCarranged a
farewell dinner for him in 1986 he informed
thenetworkhead: I dont want tobehonored.
If youwant totalkabout mydeparture, talkto
my lawyer.
His coda, Ribowsky writes (correctly I
think), more than anything else, is his singular-
ityalong-lost qualityinthepostmodernculture
that has wiped men like him off
the slate. Howard
Cosell made his
own mold, and
thenbroke it.
By ALLEN BARRA Newsday (MCT)
Howard Cosell: The Man, the Myth, and the Transformation of American Sports by Mark Ribowsky; W.W. Norton & Company (477 pages, $29.95)
AP FILE PHOTO
C M Y K
T R A V E L
W. PETERS ENTERPRISES
FAMILY OWNED
FULLY INSURED
FREE
ESTIMATES
735-6150
Complete Landscape Service
Shrubbery, Top Soil
Retaining Walls
Patios, Sidewalks
Trucking
Snow Removal
Septic Systems Installed
SMITH & MILLER
ROOFING, INC.
Robert Smith,
West Pittston 655-6710
406 Susquehanna Ave. West Pittston, PA 18643
Traditional Services Cremation Pre-planning
Anthony Recupero III, Funeral Director
654-4801
FUNERAL HOME
WI S HI NG YOU
MANY BLES S I NGS
I N THE NEW YEAR!
457 North Main Street, Suite 101, Pittston, PA 18640
655-0300
SKIBITSKY&MOLINO
Attorneys at Law
Happy NewYear
from the Attorneys and staff at
ATTY. GREGORY S. SKIBITSKY, JR. ATTY. GENE M. MOLINO
G
ALVESTON, Texas
Galvestons Bolivar Fer-
ry, Texas version of the
famous New York Staten Is-
land Ferry, may be the best
tourist bargain in the Lone
Star State.
Its free, and the roughly 20-
minute ride each way between
Port Bolivar and Galveston is
an entertaining diversion from
the beaches and historic dis-
tricts that are the biggest local
tourist draw. Nowhere else in
the vast state of Texas can you
cross and share a waterway
with ships on one of the
worlds busiest channels, feed
scores of seagulls eager for
bread or popcorn, and spot
dolphins swimming and div-
ing within shouting distance
of the boat.
The scenery, looking at ev-
erything, Ive enjoyed it since I
was a child, Destiny Perry-In-
man, 30, of Kirbyville, said on
a recent trip. Id come here
every summer with my dad. I
would recommend it to people
who enjoy this sort of thing.
Passengers standing on the
bow can get a saltwater show-
er as the nearly football-field-
long ferry plows through a
swell or the wake of a ship. At
night, the lights and flares of
gigantic petrochemical plants
in nearby Texas City burn on
the horizon to the northwest.
A line of ocean-going freight-
ers and tankers dot the hori-
zon leading into the open Gulf
of Mexico.
We just love it, Millie Gar-
field, of Victorville, Calif.,
said, as she accompanied her
daughter and 5-year-old
grandson. Its a neat experi-
ence for kids.
Garfields daughter, Sarah
Emerson, from Silsbee, about
90 miles northeast of Galves-
ton, said whenever she gets vis-
itors come from out of town,
the ferry is a must-do trip.
You dont get to see the Stat-
ue of Liberty on this crossing,
but like its East Coast counter-
part, which for decades has
been hauling passengers be-
tween Staten Island and Man-
hattan, the Bolivar Ferry for
generations has been carrying
vehicles and passengers the
nearly three miles across Gal-
veston Bay from the island to
the Bolivar Peninsula, a sliver
of land separating the bay
from the Gulf of Mexico in
Southeast Texas about 50
miles from Houston. The ferry
runs 24 hours a day, seven
days a week, halted only by
the approach of a hurricane or
tropical storm.
Officially, the ferry run by the
Texas Department of Transpor-
tation is an extension of Texas
Highway 87, which parallels
the coastline northeast out of
Galveston. It saves motorists a
three-hour, 140-mile drive
around the bay to Bolivar from
Galveston.
It is a state highway, de-
partment spokesman Hank
Glamann says of the ferry. Its
just a chunk that happens to
float.
The boats carried 1.4 mil-
lion vehicles and nearly 4.4
million passengers in the past
year. People can remain in
their cars, get out and stand
on the deck at the bow or stern
or climb stairs to a second
deck for a seagulls eye view.
The fleets newest $23 million
vessel is undergoing final
preparations before entering
service to expand the number
of boats to six.
The busiest time of the year
is June, July and August, and
hours-long waits to drive
aboard a boat are not uncom-
mon. People merely wanting
to take the boat ride can walk
aboard and avoid the lines af-
ter parking at the ferry land-
ing, where dozens of pelicans
normally roost on the pilings
with hundreds of seagulls.
Each boat can carry up to
about 70 vehicles and 500 peo-
ple. Those vehicles can include
up to eight 80,000-pound 18-
wheeler trucks.
They travel at a top speed of
10 to 12 knots but dont turn
around. Their crews do. Each
ferry is double-ended, mean-
ing the captain and his first
mate walk across the roof of
the ferrys upper deck from
one pilothouse to a second
matching control room on the
other side for the return trips.
The best job I ever had,
Capt. William Maxey, whos
been piloting the ferries for 10
years.
Maxey says weather is al-
ways a concern during his nor-
mal eight daily round trips,
particularly fog.
Thats when we earn our
money, he said. It makes it
interesting.
He remembers one instance
where a lightning bolt struck
the water near the vessel dur-
ing a storm.
There was fire coming out
of the water, he said. Ive
worked on a ship all my life
and Id never seen anything
like that. You could feel the in-
tensity.
The first ferry service began
in the 19th century, when Gal-
veston was the premier city in
Texas, only to be crippled by
the great hurricane of 1900 and
subsequent construction of the
Houston Ship Channel that
fueled Houstons ascendancy as
a metropolis. Its that channel,
gateway to the worlds busiest
inland port, the ferries cross.
Float away on Galveston ferry
AP PHOTOS
A sea gull snags a piece of bread out of a passengers hand aboard a ferry boat as it crosses Galveston Bay in Galveston, Texas. Galvestons Bolivar Ferry, Texas version
of the famous New York Staten Island Ferry, may be the best tourist bargain in the Lone Star State. Its free and the roughly 20-minute ride each way between Port
Bolivar and Galveston is an entertaining diversion from the beaches and historic districts.
Filled with cars and passengers, the Ray Stoker Jr. glides across
Galveston Bay in Galveston.
First mate Jose Tamayo pilots the ferry Robert Lanier across
Galveston Bay.
Cars are lined up on the deck of
the Galveston ferry Dewitt C.
Greer as it crosses Galveston
Bay in Galveston, Texas.
Asea gull snags a cracker out of
a passengers hand aboard a
ferry boat as it crosses Galves-
ton Bay.
GALVESTON FERRY: http://
www.galveston.com/galvestonfer-
ry/ . Free ferry runs daily, 24 hours
a day, between Port Bolivar and
Galveston.
GETTING THERE: From Houston,
Interstate 45 south ends at Gal-
veston and becomes Broadway
Avenue, also designated Texas
Highway 87. Continue following
Highway 87 for four miles, cross-
ing Seawall Boulevard, and turn
left where Highway 87 becomes
Ferry Road. The ferry landing is
about one mile later.
From Louisiana and far Southeast
Texas, take Interstate 10 to Texas
Highway 124 at Winnie, go 20 miles
south to High Island, then west 27
miles on Texas Highway 87 to the
Port Bolivar ferry landing.
IF YOU GO
By MICHAEL GRACZYK
Associated Press

Times Leader 01-01-2012

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Times Leader 01-01-2012

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Times Leader

You might also like