Comm conducts last antiques show

WAVERLY TWP. - Holding a glass of champagne in her left hand, Maria Wilson, the executive director of the Waverly Community House, bade farewell to a nearly 70-year township tradition.

"It's been an amazing show, but it has run its course," said Mrs. Wilson, at a brief ceremony following the final day of a community's famed antiques show, adding, "It's time we move in a different direction."

Along with Mrs. Wilson, dozens of residents and volunteers gathered at the Waverly Community House on Sunday for the last annual Waverly Antiques Show and Sale.

The show, which dates back to the early 1940s, featured everything from jewelry and antique pianos to glass tableware, books and pottery.

On Sunday, though, residents wandered through the community house, briefly scanning the merchandise on display, but more focused on appreciating the show's final moments.

"I've been coming here for the last 25 years, so I wasn't going to miss the final day," Josie Smull of Easton said. "I've seen so much history on display inside these walls. It's just sad that it has to come to an end."

While examining a vintage Tonala pottery collection, Ernest Kionke of Orchard Park, N.Y., reminisced on his favorite experiences from the antique show.

"One year, I remember, there was an incredible display of sculptures - I must have bought a couple of them," Mr. Kionke said. "I came here today, more so to just remember all the great times I've had here. It's been special. I've seen a lot of great things and met a lot of great people."

Though there won't be another community antiques show, chairwoman Patti Thomas said some of the best merchandise may be displayed at the upcoming House and Garden Show, held in the spring.

"This merchandise will continue to be displayed, just not at this event," said Ms. Thomas, who called it a bittersweet day for all involved. "It's hard to end to such a storied tradition, but we really believed the show has run its course."

Contact the writer: miorfino@timesshamrock.com, @miorfinoTT on Twitter

BELDEN, ELEANOR ANN STUART WARD, Centereach, N.Y., formerly of Scranton, Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., Thomas J. Hughes Funeral Home Inc., 1240 St. Ann's St., Scranton. Mass, 1, St. Ann's Basilica. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Calling hours, Tuesday, 11 a.m. to service time.

CHIDO, NORA R., formerly of Carbondale, today, Joseph W. Scotchlas Funeral Home Inc., 621 Main St., Simpson. Mass, 10:30 a.m., St. Rose of Lima Church, 6 N. Church St., Carbondale. Interment, Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Finch Hill. Contributions: St. Joseph's Center, 2010 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509. Condolences: scotchlasfuneralhome.com.

COLLURA, VITA T., Carbondale, Tuesday, Lawrence A. Gabriel Funeral Home, 74 N. Main St., Carbondale. Mass, 9:30 a.m., Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Carbondale. Interment, Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Finch Hill. Calling hours, today, 5 to 8 p.m.

DEL VECCHIO, ANN MARIE, Dunmore, Tuesday, Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., Dunmore. Mass, 9:30 a.m., St. Rocco's Church, Bunker Hill section of Dunmore. Interment, Dunmore Cemetery. Calling hours, today, 5 to 8 p.m. Condolences: dunmore funeralhome.com.

DRISCOLL, WILLIAM, Moscow, Tuesday, Patrick F. Guido Funeral Home, 120 South Main Ave., Scranton. Mass, 9:30 a.m., St. Patrick's Church, 1403 Jackson St., Scranton. Interment with military honors, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Calling hours, today, 5 to 8 p.m. Contributions: American Lung Association, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 800, Washington, D.C. 20004, or American Diabetes Association, 1701 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 22311. Condolences: patrickguidofuneralhome.com.

FRANCESKI, HELEN M., Lancaster, formerly of Forest City, today, Kevin M. Lesjack Funeral Home, 513 Main St., Forest City. Mass, 10 a.m., St. Joseph's Church, Forest City. Interment, St. Agnes Cemetery, Forest City. Contributions: National Psoriasis Foundation, the Mennonite Home, 1520 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601; or American Cancer Society. Condolences: www.lesjack funeralhome.com.

GALACCI, SALLY A., York, formerly of Taylor, today, 10 a.m., Cathedral Cemetery Chapel, Scranton, by the Rev. Francis L. Pauselli, Divine Mercy Parish pastor. Interment will follow. Arrangements: Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home Inc., Old Forge. Condolences: kearneyfuneral home.com.

KUBILUS, LOUIS WALTER, Factoryville, today, 10 a.m., St. Peters Episcopal Church in Tunkhannock. Interment, Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst. Arrangements: Sheldon-Kukuchka Funeral Home Inc., Tunkhannock. Condolences: sheldonkukuchkafu neralhome.com.

LITTMAN, THOMAS A., Throop, private. Condolences: hudak -osheafuneralhome.com.

MANZO, MARY PATRICIA, Tuesday, 11 a.m., Shrine of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Hot Springs, Va., by the Rev. John McGinnity. Burial: Warm Springs Cemetery. Calling hours, today, 7-8 p.m., McLaughlin Funeral Home. Contributions: Shrine of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, P.O. Box B, Hot Springs, VA 24445.

NOVACK, BERNARDINE T., Avoca, today, 9:30 a.m., Kiesinger Funeral Services Inc., 255 McAlpine St., Duryea. Mass, 10, Sacred Heart Of Jesus Church, Dupont, by the Rev. Joseph Verespy. Interment, SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Moosic. Contributions: St. Joseph's Center, 2010 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509. Condolences: kiesingerfuneralservices.com.

OLAH, JOHN H., Scranton, Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Thomas J. Hughes Funeral Home Inc., 1240 St. Ann's St., Scranton. Mass, 10, St. Ann's Basilica. Interment, with military honors by the Navy, Cathedral Cemetery. Calling hours, today, 4 to 8 p.m.

RAVAIOLI, FRANCES CATHERINE, Old Forge, today, 9:30 a.m., Palermo & Zawacki Funeral Home Inc., 409 N. Main St., Old Forge. Services, 10, Stewart Memorial Methodist Church, 174 N. Main St., Old Forge, by the Rev. Don Perry, pastor. Contributions: Compassionate Care Hospice, 960 N. Main Ave., Scranton, PA 18508.

REILLY, ANN, formerly of North Scranton, today, Edward Knight O'Donnell Funeral Home, 323 William St., Scranton. Mass, 9:30 a.m., Holy Rosary Church. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Go directly to church. Contributions: "Stepping Into The Future Project" at Mary, Mother of God Parish, 316 William St., Scranton, PA 18508.

RUDDY, MARIE, R.N., South Scranton, today, Neil W. Regan Funeral Home Inc., 1900 Pittston Ave., Scranton. Mass, 10 a.m., Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church, 1217 Prospect Ave., South Scranton, by the Rev. Scott Sterowski, pastor. Interment, St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow. Go directly to church. Contributions: St. Ann's Basilica, 1250 St. Ann's St., Scranton, PA 18504, or American Cancer Society, 712 S. Keyser Ave., Taylor, PA 18517.

SHERBINKO, IRENE B., Dickson City, Mass, Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., St. Mary's Church, Dickson City. Interment, St. Mary's Cemetery. No calling hours. Arrangements: Yurkanin Funeral Home, 1115 Main St., Dickson City.

SHIFFLER, REUBEN R., Promisedland, memorial service with military honors by American Legion Post 859, Wednesday, 11 a.m., Hemlock Grove UMC, Greentown, with the Rev. Earl Roberts officiating. Contributions: Hemlock Grove UMC, 491 Roemerville Road, Greentown, PA 18426, or Post 859 American Legion, P.O. Box 93, Newfoundland, PA 18445.

STANKAVAGE, VALERIE J., Springville, Mass, today, 11 a.m., Holy Name of Mary Church, Montrose, by the Rev. Gerard F. Safko. Interment, Holy Name of Mary Cemetery. Arrangements: Daniel K. Regan Funeral Home. Contributions: St. Labre Indian School, Ashland, MT 59004; EMHS Building Fund, 25 Grow Ave., Montrose, PA 18801; Susquehanna County Interfaith, 45 Public Ave., Montrose, PA 18801; or True Friends Animal Wefare Center, 16332 State Route 706, Montrose, PA 18801.

SUNDAY, LOUIS "LEO," Spring Brook Twp., Tuesday, 9:15 a.m., Nicholas Chomko Funeral Home, 1132 Prospect Ave., South Scranton. Mass, 10 a.m., Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church, Scranton, by the Rev. Scott P. Sterowski, pastor of St. Paul of the Cross Parish. Interment, Sacred Hearts Cemetery, Davis Street, Scranton. Calling hours, today, 5 to 9 p.m. Contributions: St. Paul of the Cross Parish, 1217 Prospect Ave., Scranton, PA 18505.

TRODDEN, WILLIAM, Greentown, Mass, today, 10 a.m., St. Mary's Church, St. Mary's Church Road, Ledgedale. Calling hours, 9 a.m. until Mass. Interment, St. Mary's Cemetery. Condolences: jameswilsonfuneralhome.com.

ZANGARDI, MICHAEL JOSEPH, Dunmore, today, 10:30 a.m., St. Paul's Church, 1510 Penn Ave., Scranton. Interment, private. Go directly to church. Arrangements: Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., Dunmore. Condolences: dunmorefuneralhome.com. Contributions: Clearbrook Foundation, Families Helping Families, 1003 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, PA 18704.

Alleged attacker out of hospital

SCRANTON - A man police say may have been under the influence of bath salts when he attacked two women - gnawing on the head of one while he was naked, bloody and screaming like an animal - in Hawley on Friday has been released from a hospital, according to hospital spokesmen.

Richard Cimino Jr., 20, of Doylestown, was taken to Geisinger Community Medical Center after he was injured jumping from a second-floor window during the incident.

Mr. Cimino is charged with two counts each of aggravated assault, simple assault, indecent exposure and criminal mischief; three counts of burglary; and one count each of criminal trespass and defiant trespassing, according to police.

Not so long ago, Pennsylvania stood unquestionably as a swing state, one presidential candidates of both major parties thought they could win.

Democratic candidates knew they had to win the state to get elected. Republican candidates knew that if they won it, they would likely be president.

Maybe Republican nominee Mitt Romney still really believes he can win Pennsylvania, but with the decision by the presidential campaigns and their affiliated super PACs to stop advertising on television in Pennsylvania after Labor Day, the state is President Barack Obama's to lose.

As a result, the Keystone State is second-tier in importance behind states such as Florida, Ohio, Colorado, Virginia and even Wisconsin, which hasn't voted for a Republican for president in even longer (1984) than Pennsylvania (1988).

The campaigns and their super PACs are advertising on television in the other states, but not here.

"It's a big, and I think somewhat unexpected, surprise," said Ross Baker, Ph.D., a professor of political science at Rutgers University. "I think the feeling was there would be a real battle for Pennsylvania, but I think clearly what the polls are picking up is a lot of strength for Obama."

Republican officials did their best last week to downplay Mr Romney's refusal to air television advertising in Pennsylvania and the decision by Republican-affiliated groups to stop their commercials here on his behalf. The Republican departure prompted President Barack Obama's super PAC to leave. The president's campaign stopped airing ads here at the end of July.

Nonetheless, Gov. Tom Corbett and U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey flatly predicted Mr. Romney will win the state.

"Any people out there … asserting that a one-size-fits-all campaign effort or that advertising dollars on TV are the only factors in this campaign (are) simply misinformed," Mr. Corbett said during a conference call last week.

He could end up right, but Mr. Obama is in the driver's seat, according to polls that still have him well ahead despite summer months of commercials battling between Mr. Obama's campaign, Mr. Romney and their respective super PACs. Super PACs are political action committees not directly affiliated with the campaigns that are allowed to raise and spend campaign money without restrictions.

On local broadcast and cable television, three super PACs backing Mr. Romney spent $702,229 on 3,080 commercials, according to records at the stations. The three super PACs were Crossroads GPS, affiliated with Karl Rove, former senior adviser to President George W. Bush; Americans for Prosperity, founded by billionaire corporate titan David H. Koch; and Restore Our Future, run by former Romney campaign aides.

By comparison, Mr. Obama's campaign itself and a super PAC run by former Obama campaign officials, Priorities USA Action, spent $1,084,682 on 5,026 commercials, according to the records.

Perhaps more telling, Mr. Romney's campaign committee itself has spent nothing on campaign commercials in the state since the primary election April 24. By this time in 2008, Sen. John McCain's campaign had aired $687,578 worth of ads, almost as much as the Republican super PACs this time around.

The Republican advertising retreat is perhaps understandable in the context of before-and-after polls.

The first post-Pennsylvania primary poll had Mr. Obama up by 8 percentage points. The last two in August had him up 9 points.

After all that advertising, little changed.

Unless the state race tightens, one other fact of life in recent presidential elections will likely change: no major visits by the presidential campaigns here. Presidential and vice presidential candidates visited Northeast Pennsylvania repeatedly during the 2000, 2004 and 2008 campaigns, but the most recent this year was Vice President Joseph Biden in July.

Kate Meriwether, a spokesman for the Romney campaign in Pennsylvania, dismissed suggestions the campaign is giving up on Pennsylvania, saying that is "absolutely false." Many of the states where the campaigns are advertising, unlike Pennsylvania, allow early voting, she said.

Here, she and other Republicans said, the campaign is focused on its grass-roots effort - contacting voters, persuading them to back Mr. Romney and compiling lists of supporters to get to polls on Election Day.

The Romney campaign has two dozen offices across the state with 65 paid staffers whose effort so far is vastly superior to Mr. McCain's.

Lackawanna County Republican Party Chairman Lance Stange Jr. said both campaigns have dialed back their advertising here so "it's basically a wash," but Republicans continue to show more enthusiasm.

"There is a great deal of enthusiasm for the Romney-Ryan ticket and we have successfully capitalized on it by building the largest grass-roots organization we have ever had," Mr. Stange said.

State Republican Party Chairman Rob Gleason offered a similar argument about grass roots, but acknowledged Mr. Romney is suffering from months of advertising by the Obama camp that portrayed him negatively.

"As he continues to campaign, that starts to wear off and wear thin and the economy has gotten worse, not better. People are plainly frustrated, worried and they cannot find work, and I think in the final analysis when they go into the polling booth … they're going to vote for Mitt Romney," he said.

Still, Mr. Gleason sounded frustrated by the lack of Romney campaign ads.

"If it was my decision, we'd be spending $9 million or $10 million on advertising," he said. "I told those people in the Romney campaign and the national chairperson that … polls be damned, we are poised to win," he said. "Seventy-five percent of our program is on target. The thing that isn't on target, of course, is a robust TV buy, and I have reason to believe, and I can't tell you what it is, that that will come sooner than later."

He declined to elaborate.

But Christopher P. Borick, Ph.D., director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion, said the advertising pullout signals clearly the campaigns don't consider Pennsylvania a priority, though things could change if polls tighten up.

"Right now, if you look at Pennsylvania and its track record (of voting for Democratic presidential candidates), it doesn't engender a lot of confidence in Republican circles that the state can be won," he said.

Pointing to victories statewide by Republicans such as Mr. Corbett and Mr. Toomey, Dr. Borick said Republicans can hold out hope, but there's a reason the Romney camp is off the air.

"Put yourself in the shoes of Republican strategists," Dr. Borick said. "(They say), 'We can dump lots of cash and we can get this race closer.' But close doesn't matter in Electoral College politics."

Whoever wins Pennsylvania - by a large margin or a narrow one - gets all of its electoral votes.

If Mr. Romney must, as many believe, win Florida and Ohio, plus Virginia, North Carolina and Wisconsin, "Where do you have room for Pennsylvania in there?" Dr. Borick said. "You don't."

"You can't take the risk of allocating resources to a place that may come up short and give you nothing at all," he said. "That's where they're at right now. It's not that there isn't any chance here, it's just that it's not worth the risk."

Contact the writer: bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com, @borysblogTT on Twitter

State troopers earn promotions

HARRISBURG - Several troopers with local connections were among the 35 members of the Pennsylvania State Police promoted to sergeant. They include:

n Kevin F. Mahoney of Clarks Summit, who will continue to be assigned to the Bureau of Integrity and Professional Standards. Sgt. Mahoney enlisted in 1996 and was promoted to corporal in 2005.

n John G. Richards of Edwardsville, who will be assigned to Troop L, Reading. Sgt. Richards enlisted 1994 and was promoted to corporal in 2003.

n Martin M. Ritsick Sr. of Mountaintop, who will be assigned to Troop N, Swiftwater. Sgt. Ritsick enlisted in 1993 and was promoted to corporal in 2003.

n Brian M. Vennie of Palmyra Twp., who will be assigned to Troop R, Blooming Grove. Sgt. Vennie enlisted in 1994 and was promoted to corporal in 2003.

CLIPBOARD

Abingtons

Group discussion: Abington Com­munity Library, Conversa­tions in Our Community, Wednes­day, 7-8:15 p.m.; guided by Barry Phillips; theme, Insights into this Fall's Election; register, 587-3440.

Carbondale

Senate services: State Sen. John Blake's office reach-out services, Tuesday, 1-4 p.m., City Hall, 1 N. Main St., second floor.

Clifford

Church dinner: Clifford United Methodist Church chicken-and-biscuit or ham dinner, Wednes­day, 4-6 p.m., Main Street, takeouts available, $7.95.

Dickson City

Crime watch: Dickson City Crime Watch meeting, Tues­day, 7 p.m., ambulance building, Eagle Lane; speaker, Borough Manager Ches Forconi.

Downvalley

Society meeting: Triboro Histor­ical Society meeting, Tuesday, 6:45 p.m., Taylor Community Library; program, "The Greatest Generation," honoring World War II veterans and discussing their local connections.

Dunmore

Club meeting: WTS Club meet­ing, Tuesday, 6 p.m., Maira's; Christmas party discussion.

Old Forge

Meeting/social: Old Forge Sons of Italy, Gloria Lodge, meeting and social, today, 6:30 p.m., bocce court, Orchard Street; alternate location, Arcaro & Genell's banquet hall.

Regional

Council meets: North Anthracite Council - League of Ukrainian Catholics meeting, Tuesday, 6 p.m., St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, 70 Zerby Ave., Edwardsville;: planning for national convention Oct. 12-14 at Ramada Inn, Wilkes-Barre; Dorothy Jamula, 822-5354.

Car seat checks: National Child Passenger Week car seat checks, Wednesday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; McDade Park, Scranton; Saturday, 10 a.m-2 p.m., Pollick Suzuki, Route 315, Pittston.

Scranton

Pierogi sale: St. John's Byzan­tine Catholic Church, potato/cheese pierogi sale, Sept. 25-26, 310 Broadway St.; $7/dozen; order by Wednesday; Joanie, 344-3282, or Sylvia, 343-8820.

South Scranton

Pasta dinner: South Side Senior Center, pasta dinner and basket raffle, Thursday, 4-7 p.m.; takeouts, 4-5; adults/$9; children 12 and under/$4.50; tickets, 346-2487.

Watch meeting: South Side Neighborhood Watch meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m., South Side Senior Center, 425 Alder St.

West Scranton

Association meeting: Keyser Valley Citizens Association meet­ing, Thursday, 7 p.m., Keyser Valley Community Center; discussion on Luzerne Street Station hours of operation.

Football benefit: West Scranton Football Booster Association, pasta takeout to benefit high school football program, Wednes­day, 3-8 p.m., Villa Maria II, Washburn Street; $10.

CLIPBOARD ITEMS may be emailed to yesdesk@times shamrock.com or mailed to Clip­board, c/o YES!Desk, 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18503. For details, call the YES!Desk, 348-9121.

A proposed alternative school for Scranton could save money and keep students in the district.

District officials are now completing a cost analysis of the proposed project and hope to have the former Lincoln-Jackson Elementary School converted into a school for students with behavioral problems by the 2013-14 school year.

"You're always looking to save money, but my driving force is programmatic change," Superintendent William King said. "I'm looking for providing a high-quality education that will meet the need of each individual kid."

Each year, the district places dozens of students in an after-school alternative program or in programs outside the district. Most of the students have behavioral problems. Even if a student is expelled from school, the district continues to be responsible for that child's education.

While officials evaluate the costs of current programs and the proposed alternative school, the school board has started the process of applying to have some of the cost reimbursed by the state.

Preliminary plans were presented last month and include exterior work and making the building compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The building, at Academy Street and South Hyde Park Avenue, was closed last year when Isaac Tripp Elementary School opened. Renovation work is projected to cost $3.9 million.

Many larger districts in the state already have alternative schools, and several surrounding districts have expressed interest in paying tuition to send their students to Scranton's school, board member Nathan Barrett said. A total enrollment capacity has not yet been determined.

The district is also looking at the possibility of contracting an outside company - such as Camelot, which runs a school in Lancaster - to operate the school. But the district would want to see its own unionized teachers trained and then staffing the school, Mr. Barrett said.

Mr. Barrett, who is a Riverside School District teacher, said the students would get the necessary attention they need. Along with academics, they would learn how to "act in certain situations and certain environments," he said.

The school will be for students in seventh through 12th grades, with the eventual goal to have them return to their home schools, Mr. King said.

"We're not looking for this to be a life sentence," he said. "All around it's good for these students."

Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter

Motorcycle crash puts 2 in hospital

ROARING BROOK TWP. - Two New York residents were hospitalized after a motorcycle crash on Interstate 84 on Sunday around 1:30 p.m.

Matthew Balch, 53, and passenger Janet Balch, 53, both of Peekskill, were riding east on I-84 near mile marker 2.9 when Mr. Balch lost control of the bike, sending it sideways along the interstate, state police at Dunmore said.

Both riders suffered injuries, and Mr. Balch's were deemed "major." Ambulances took both to Geisinger Community Medical Center, police said.

An update on their conditions was not available at press time.

PLAINS TWP. - Donning an Oktoberfest T-shirt and holding the remnants of a pierogi, Holly Fox of Fleetwood danced to the polka music blasting from the stereos - even after the emcee deemed the three-day Oktoberfest had officially ended.

"I don't want to leave; this has been so much fun," said Ms. Fox, who joined others on the dance floor after the conclusion of this year's PA Oktoberfest at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, sponsored by Times-Shamrock Communications.

After a combined 23 hours of food and beer sampling, live musical performances, wiener dog races and strong-man competitions, Sunday evening marked the end of the second annual three-day festival.

Though the numbers won't be tabulated until this morning, Tim Holmes, regional director of marketing and events for Times-Shamrock Communications, which owns The Times-Tribune, said this year's festival was "infinitely better" than last year's.

"We were just so much more prepared this time," said Mr. Holmes. "Last year we were only expecting 10,000, so when around 30,000 showed, we were in trouble. This time we planned for that amount, and it worked out extremely well."

Among the adjustments he cited was the addition of more bartenders and food vendors, which officials hoped would shorten the long lines.

It didn't go unnoticed.

"This year, I barely had to wait. It just seemed like the service, overall, was much better," Susan Nerbecki of Plains Twp. said.

Though a date hasn't been set, Mr. Holmes said the festival will "absolutely" be held again next year.

"This year was great, but we are looking at making even a few more adjustments for next year - mostly in terms of structure," Mr. Holmes said. "Hopefully, even more people come out next year."

Contact the writer: miorfino@timesshamrock.com, @miorfinoTT on Twitter

HARRISBURG - An effort to rewrite the state Right to Know law started well before the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal at Penn State University, but fallout from the case is providing momentum to tackle the issue this fall.

The Senate plans to take the lead in moving legislation to revise the 3-year-old law, which establishes a legal presumption that government records are public unless officials can prove it should be withheld.

Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-9, Chester, said negotiations this summer have led to agreement on a number of open records issues and talks continue. He has sponsored an open records bill that has already been the subject of several Senate committee hearings.

The timetable for action to get a bill to Gov. Tom Corbett's desk is short. The Senate and House are in session to vote on bills during the weeks between Sept. 24 and Oct. 18 and no voting on bills after the Nov. 6 election is planned. The session officially ends Nov. 30.

"At the top of concerns is treatment of the state-relateds," said Mr. Pileggi, referring to calls to bring Penn State and the three other state-related universities (Temple University, University of Pittsburgh and Lincoln University) under the law. The four universities enjoy broad exemptions from meeting Right to Know requests under the current law. Penn State cited those exemptions in turning down Right to Know requests for information following the arrest of Mr. Sandusky last November on child sex abuse charges. He was subsequently convicted. Sen. John Blake, D-22, Archbald, was one of the first lawmakers to introduce a bill to end this exemption following Mr. Sandusky's arrest. His measure would require state-related schools to file an annual state report listing salaries of officers and directors, the highest 25 salaries paid to other employees and information required by the federal government. Mr. Blake's bill would exempt information relating to individual university donors.

Other issues being worked on are the need to safeguard personal information in public documents relating to credit cards and tax records, said Mr. Pileggi. The senator wants to address problems with local governments being overwhelmed with frequent requests for records from commercial firms.

"I don't think it's fair the taxpayers should bear those costs," he said.

One organization hopes that any rewrite broadens the scope of the law and clarifies gray areas.

The Pennsylvania Newspaper Association is seeking language declaring that police incident reports are public documents and requiring that 911 call response logs include an address or other geographic location.

PNA also wants lawmakers to address what it describes as abuses of a current provision allowing agencies to seek a 30-day extension on a records request beyond the five-day period. Some agencies invoke the 30-day request as a matter of course and requestors should have an opportunity to file an appeal, PNA said. House Republican leaders are setting their priority issues for the fall, said Stephen Miskin, spokesman for House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, R-28, Pittsburgh.

Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com

A two-woman pit crew prepared for a big race in Nay Aug Park on Sunday.

Armed with an air pump, Kara Bruch, 36, and Nikki Mimnaugh, 38, made sure the tires on a stroller containing Ms. Bruch's 18-month-old son, Aaron, were ready for a 5K trek. The women donned matching Lupus Loop long-sleeved shirts for the 5K Run/Walk.

"It's something to benefit the people that suffer with a disease that is life altering and incurable," Ms. Bruch said. Noting that her sister was diagnosed with lupus four years ago, she added, "It's a great way to show support."

It was the first year since being diagnosed that her sister, Rachelle Renken, 40, could join her family for the walk.

"Just being able to participate is awesome," Ms. Renken said, standing alongside her mother, Joy Foulkes, 60, before the event.

The autoimmune disease affects everyone differently, she said, noting that previously she was lucky to be able to leave her home.

"People don't understand it," she said. "They think you look healthy."

The Lupus Loop 5K Run/Walk is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Pocono Northeast Branch of the Lupus Foundation of Pennsylvania, raising more than $10,000 Sunday, according to events coordinator Sarah Piccini, 27, of Greenfield Twp.

"There's a really dedicated following of family members of people who either have lupus or who have passed away," she said of the more than 250 runners.

The disease, which is characterized by intense, flu-like and crippling, arthritic symptoms, is the body's fight against itself, Ms. Piccini explained.

Family and friends were joined by many canine companions at the event Sunday, like small, sandy-colored, 3-year-old Sam, who wore a Lupus Loop bandanna.

"He runs better than we do," his owner, Bob O'Boyle, 30, joked.

Mr. O'Boyle and his wife, Lois, 31, made the trip from Maryland to support his older sister Kelly Hoover, who was diagnosed with lupus in 2000.

"I've always wanted to run this for her because she can't do it," Mr. O'Boyle said, adding that his sister's symptoms prevent her from walking most of the course. "It's really for her in every sense of the phrase."

Contact the writer: rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter

CARBONDALE - Construction delays have pushed back completion of a hotel in Carbondale, but officials are optimistic about an opening in four weeks.

Mayor Justin Taylor, who is an investor in the project, listed Oct. 15 as a tentative opening date. Construction on the approximately $14 million project has been ongoing since July 2011.

The hotel, a Best Western Inn and Suites Plus, includes 66 rooms. It is one of three structures that make up the Pioneer Plaza. A 170-car parking garage and banquet facility are also moving toward completion.

Mr. Taylor said he anticipates a grand opening about 30 days after the "soft opening" in October.

"I want everything running nice and smooth," he said.

Drywall, painting, work on molding and doors, as well as adding fixtures and floor coverings, are among the items to be completed in the hotel, according to Mr. Taylor.

"They may sound like little things, but there are a lot of them," he said. "Those little things add up pretty quickly."

As the hotel and the plaza near completion, he said the anticipation is building, too.

"As little things get done, the excitement builds with the public," he said. "They start coming forward and asking questions."

There are eight condos and two retail spaces in the plaza available for rent, he added.

A general manager for the hotel has been secured, but other positions within the hotel need to be filled, according to the mayor.

"They are still talking to operators for the restaurant and the caterers for the banquet facility," he said. "They will most likely be doing a job fair at some point."

The Main Street development has caused other business owners to start making improvements in the corridor as well, according to Robert Sakosky, the vice president of Daniel Siniawa and Associates, the development company on the project.

"They're catching the fever," he said of other business owners. "They want their building to look nice and attractive."

He hopes the project will increase downtown traffic through its ability to host events and provide overnight accommodations. Though he initially heard criticism of the project, he said he has heard increasingly positive feedback when he is on the job site.

"Most of the naysayers are becoming proponents," he said. The project is becoming "what they hope it means for the city and what I believe it will mean for the city."

Contact the writer: rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter

Shade tree-planting project blooming

Commission aims to aid watershed

Clarks Summit's Shade Tree Commission has set a lofty goal - literally.

Starting Jan. 1, the commission expects to plant 90 trees per year over the next 25 years to increase the tree canopy in Clarks Summit from 33.9 percent to 40 percent.

"It's something that's been in the works for a while," Shade Tree Commission President Donna Zagrapan said. "I think we are finally ready for the challenge."

Organized in 2006, the commission has removed dozens of trees in hazardous and poor condition in the borough, planting a new, healthy tree for each one cut down.

Though its initiative helps to beautify the area, the commission is driven by one goal: to help divert stormwater runoff from drains, streets and ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

"We've made a commitment to help clean up the Chesapeake Bay, and this is the most cost-efficient way," Ms. Zagrapan said.

For the last few years, Clarks Summit and other municipalities in the Abingtons have dealt with aging sewer systems flooded by stormwater runoff. To reduce the runoff, the commission decided to plant trees, such as a mature deciduous trees like oaks, which can divert as much as 700 gallons of stormwater each year, Ms. Zagrapan said.

"It's amazing how much one tree can do to control runoff," Ms. Zagrapan said. "Plus, the trees provide us with health benefits by the additional trees' ability to take in carbon dioxide."

In order to accomplish its goal of planting 90 trees per year, the commission organized the project into three land use categories: public, commercial and residential.

Under the current plan, the commission will plant 53 trees in residential areas and 35 in public areas every year.

"We developed this strategy based on the available planting space each land use offers," Ms. Zagrapan said. "Right now, we are still in the design stages, so we only have plans for 26 of the 90 trees for next year."

Using a $3,900 grant from the state's Tree Vitalize program, the commission will plant those 26 trees along Gerrity's Plaza and Winola Road.

From there, the commission will look for other suitable areas to plant, though Ms. Zagrapan cautions that's not always as easy as it seems.

"A lot of businesses don't let us plant in front of their shop because they think it will block their sign," Ms. Zagrapan said. "And some homeowners don't want trees because they believe they will be an annoyance in the middle of their yard."

Among those supportive of the project is borough council President Gerrie Carey, who said she's admired Ms. Zagrapan's initiative for quite some time.

"Donna has gone out of her way to do great for the borough for years," Ms. Carey said. "This is just another example."

Contact the writer: miorfino@timesshamrock.com, miorfinoTT on Twitter

Jennifer Aglialoro didn't mind that the little girl hid behind the couch, her face shrouded in her hood.

She just wanted her to keep talking and, with any luck, the abuse the child suffered would come up in the conversation.

"It's one of those kids I'll never forget because I helped her say it. She wasn't going to say it, and she came here, and we helped her say it," Ms. Aglialoro said.

Hearing those stories about children being beaten, raped or molested would be unendurable for most.

But Ms. Aglialoro and Kristen Cashuric Fetcho, forensic interviewers at the Children's Advocacy Center of Northeast Pennsylvania, listen past the horror and hear the voice of a child who needs help.

"If my child said that to me I'd be horrified and I'd be upset," Ms. Aglialoro said, recalling a particularly graphic disclosure. "And my first thought was, 'Wow, she shouldn't know that,' and my second thought was, 'This is great because this is really credible information.' … So your head's kind of thinking, 'What's going to help this child? What's going to help this case?' "

Every day, Ms. Fetcho and Ms. Aglialoro sit down with children and listen as they describe how someone sexually or physically abused them.

"I learned a long time ago that if I'm here or not it's going to happen," Ms. Fetcho said. "So the fact that I do have the ability to make a difference and to help kids out - I get my strength from that. I'm going to keep doing that."

In a nondescript room on Mulberry Street filled with little more than a couch, a couple of beanbag chairs and a camera, they sit down with children one-on-one and hope they will open up and tell them about what are likely the worst moments of their young lives.

"It's very precise. It's like a science, and you get the kids right at a point where you're a very important person to them because they're disclosing to you," Ms. Aglialoro said.

Their work is essential to the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children.

Lackawanna County protocol mandates that all victims of abuse under the age of 18 be interviewed at the center, where Ms. Fetcho and Ms. Aglialoro conduct the interviews in a fashion that avoids leading the children into a disclosure.

They start simply, explaining what the camera is and that there is a team of people - investigators, prosecutors, counselors and center employees - watching in another room.

"And then we'll ask them, 'Tell me why you think you're here today,' " Ms. Fetcho said.

If the child has not disclosed the abuse yet, the interviewer will go on "fishing trips," asking general questions about their home or their family.

Ms. Fetcho likens her process to a funnel - she starts the conversation out wide and, hopefully, gets it more and more narrow until they reach the moment where the child feels comfortable enough to say what happened.

"So you never really focus on 'this is why we're here.' You kind of bring it all full circle," she said.

For all the training they have had in conducting these interviews, ultimately it is up to the child on how the discussion will go.

There tends to be a certain "flow" to most interviews, "but if a child takes it in a different direction, we go with them," Ms. Fetcho said.

Sometimes that direction is away from the abuse, but the interviewers said that the pressure on them - from the investigators and prosecutors watching and waiting to hear something that can be corroborated - does not come into their minds.

"You're just in there alone with the child and so everything else doesn't matter. Mom and dad's reaction downstairs doesn't matter and who's in the room doesn't matter. It's just connecting with that kid," Ms. Aglialoro said.

Of course, they want to hear the child disclose information just like the team watching the interview does.

There are times when law enforcement has a credible report and may have someone in mind, but pressuring a child to tell his or her side of the story is simply not an option.

"We never, ever make them say anything that they don't want to say because if that ever were to happen I think that would be us disservicing them and it could taint all future disclosures," Ms. Fetcho said.

Sometimes, no matter what questions they're asked, children just won't talk - "That's the part that I hate. I got this far and I just couldn't get it," Ms. Aglialoro said.

"You've tried all of your tricks and you've tried everything you could think of and you just don't get it," she said.

Sometimes, when children go downstairs at the center for a medical evaluation, they will tell their stories to the doctor - unprompted. Sometimes they won't say anything for years.

Children disclose when they are ready, Ms. Fetcho said. When they are, she and Ms. Aglialoro are eager to listen, no matter how horrible the details.

"It's really weird. People think we're crazy," Ms. Aglialoro said. "It's so pure. You're so purely helping the child."

Contact the writer: domalley@timesshamrock.com, @domalleyTT on Twitter

Police: Woman used stolen script

CARBONDALE - A New Jersey woman was arrested after allegedly using a stolen prescription to attempt to purchase Roxicodone at a local Rite Aid Pharmacy.

Danielle Bennette, 28, or Irvington, was arrested Sunday on charges of attempting to obtain a controlled substance and forgery, Carbondale police said.

Ms. Bennette entered the Rite Aid Pharmacy, 54 N. Main St., at 5:55 p.m. Saturday and presented the stolen prescription but was told the pharmacy was closed, police said.

When Ms. Bennette returned Sunday morning, staff members notified police. Officers approached Ms. Bennette and, after further questioning, took her back to police headquarters, where she was charged.

Wayne County SENTENCINGS

The following were sentenced in Wayne County Court by specially presiding Senior Judge Robert J. Conway:

n Douglas Robert Seales, 40, of Hawley to six months on the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program, 40 hours of community service and a 30-day license suspension related to DUI.

n Rebecca J. Singer, 49, of Hancock, N.Y., to six months on the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program, 40 hours of community service and a 60-day license suspension related to DUI.

n Heather Ann Gummoe, 33, of Peckville, to six months on the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program and 40 hours of community service related to stealing a prescription medication.

Polka-dotted jackets, tutus, fairy wings and bandannas were among the outfits strolling around Nay Aug Park on four legs Sunday.

Pups of various breeds, sizes and coats joined their owners for Bark in the Park, an annual animal rescue fundraiser. This year, the event included more than 50 vendors, a pet costume parade, live music, games and meet-and-greets with dogs available for adoption.

"It started out small, but we kept adding things," said Hope Benson-Simmons, 47, of Hop Bottom, the event organizer.

It was the first year the owner of Laura's Hope Rescue took charge of the event, but she said she plans to continue in her role.

"We always like a good challenge," she said of her friends, family and volunteers. "We wanted to make a difference, and I think we did."

This year, the event also included a motorcycle event called "Paws on the Throttle Ride" to benefit the Fisher House, which provides "a home away from home" for families of military members during medical treatment.

"My son is in the process of going over to Kuwait," Ms. Benson-Simmons said, citing her 23-year-old son, Derek Benson, who is in the National Guard, as the inspiration.

Around the park, volunteers staffed tents that sold dog clothing and treats, and even gave tap-dancing lessons.

"I've never tapped a day in my life," Kaitlyn Rebernik, 15, a Scranton High School student and volunteer, said.

She and Angelica Ayala, 17, a senior at the same high school, volunteered at 15-year dance teacher Bob Lippi's tent, surrounded by tap shoes in nearly every size. The two were earning volunteer hours for school but also enjoying their time dancing and seeing all of the dogs.

"We get to meet new people, help out and get homes for animals that need them," Angelica said.

Contact the writer: rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter

Abington Heights

Two seniors organized a back-to-school carnival to kick off the high school's academic year.

Paul Cheng and Amelia Oon, members of the high school's National Honor Society, organized the carnival, which was held Aug. 31.

The carnival featured free games, food and live music, and helped to unite the community, Paul said.

"It absolutely was a success," Paul said. "Everyone had a great time. It was a perfect way to start off the year."

miorfino@timesshamrock.com

Blue Ridge

"An experience of a lifetime" is how two seniors at Blue Ridge described their summer adventure.

Madison Button and Jessica Jhingoor were given the opportunity to spend 17 days in Europe touring places such as Germany, Austria, Slovenia and Italy.

But the European tour wasn't just a vacation. With encouragement from their chorus teacher, both Jessica and Madison auditioned for the American Music Abroad choir and were selected. They sang at the Shonbrun Palace in Austria, performed in a cave and harmonized in many different cathedrals while visiting the different countries.

kbolus@timesshamrock.com

Carbondale Area

Two young ladies with medical career aspirations worked toward their goals this summer.

Bianca Cerminaro and Emily Scotchlas, both seniors, spent 10 days of their summer visiting St. John's University in Queens, N.Y., developing their leadership skills and learning about the medical field.

"I'm hoping to be a pediatrician, so this experience was a great eye opener for me," Emily said.

The two worked with current medical students and visited medical colleges and teaching hospitals during their trip.

"My experience ... helped me see exactly what a day in the life of a doctor is," Bianca said. "I had planned on medicine as a career, and this experience made me sure that this choice is the right one for me."

rbrown@timesshamrock.com

Delaware Valley

Senior Carla Centanni's schedule at school is full - and that's just how she likes it.

Carla is a member of the National Honor Society, National Business Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Rachel's Challenge, Teens Against Tobacco Use and Mu Alpha Theta Mathematical Honor Society. She also serves as secretary of student council.

"Being involved in school makes me feel closer to my school," she said.

In addition, Carla plays on the school lacrosse team and is a member of the winter cheerleading squad. She is also a cheerleading coach and a lacrosse recreation league volunteer.

lzaccagnino@timesshamrock.com

Dunmore

Dunmore High School junior Amanda Sheehan was recently selected to participate in Tomorrow's Leaders Today.

The program, sponsored by Leadership Lackawanna, teaches students leadership, interpersonal and managerial skills with hopes of turning them into future leaders. Amanda is one of three students from Dunmore who applied and was selected to participate in the program.

"I wanted to participate because of the program's great reputation," she said. "I want to gain the knowledge needed to be a productive leader and to help make a difference in my community."

Once she graduates from the program, Amanda plans to put her leadership skills to good use with the many clubs and organizations at DHS. She is a member of the Spanish club, French club, service club, school newspaper, TACT club, SADD club, health careers club, Earth club and the National Honor Society, and she is a football cheerleader. She plans to attend college, with hopes of becoming a physical therapist.

rward@timesshamrock.com

Elk Lake

Meagan Bush, a senior, is serving as this year's student council co-president.

Meagan's first job of the school year is coordinating the Homecoming activities. The Homecoming games will take place on Friday, Sept. 28, and the dance is set for Saturday, Sept. 29.

"For the dance, we just ordered all of our decorations," she said. "For the game night, we have senior night for all of the sports. All the seniors and parents come and we recognize everyone, including extracurricular activities, sports, clubs and their future plans."

She is a member of Key Club, National Honor Society, and the basketball and track teams. Meagan is planning to attend college for nursing.

lzaccagnino@timesshamrock.com

Holy Cross

Holy Cross senior Gina Morgese participated in the Summer Serve Experience with the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters in Newark, Del., allowing her to help senior citizens while gaining valuable experience.

The IHM sisters, young adults and other high school students spent a week with senior citizens at Marydale Retirement Village.

During the summer program, Gina and other students cleaned apartments, did yardwork, played games, organized a variety show and participated in other activities to help residents of the retirement community.

"I think we got more out of the experience than the senior citizens," Gina said. "I love helping people."

When she graduates from Holy Cross, Gina plans to study social work and pursue a career helping others.

rward@timesshamrock.com

Lackawanna Trail

Inspired by a former teacher who suffered from breast cancer, three seniors at Lackawanna Trail Junior Senior High school organized a fundraiser that will run in October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Victoria Ellsworth, Emily Huffsmith and Colleen Brace are the leaders of "Pink Paws for a Cause," a group that is selling gray and pink T-shirts for $8 to students, faculty and local business owners.

All proceeds will go toward the American Cancer Society, Victoria said.

"We hope that everyone in the school buys a T-shirt," Victoria said. "It's such a great cause, and it's so important to raise awareness and funding for cancer research."

miorfino@timesshamrock.com

Mid Valley

Megan Monahan is looking forward to helping out her community.

The junior said she was excited to be one of the representatives chosen from Mid Valley to participate in Developing Tomorrow's Leaders Today.

"I'm really looking forward to working with other students from other schools," she said. "They seem to have interesting projects, so I want to see what our project is."

Outside of school, Megan is also involved with ballet and Irish step dancing.

rbrown@timesshamrock.com

Montrose Area

The summer months aren't just for play for Brandon Weaver.

The junior at Montrose sold two animals at the Harford Fair in August and received a blue ribbon for the showing of his sheep.

Brandon, like his friends, plans to continue showing at the fair. He has raised animals for 4-H for eight years.

He plans to enter again next year.

kbolus@timesshamrock.com

Mountain View

Victoria Ann Buckley was selected as a state finalist in the National American Miss Pennsylvania Pageant.

On Aug. 10 and 11, the senior traveled to the Hilton Harrisburg and Towers and participated in the teenage division of the pageant. She returned home with fourth place for acting and awards for being photogenic and best dressed.

Victoria is a member of the cheerleading team, volunteers after school at Gravestone Manor and works at Dunkin' Donuts. She enjoys acting, singing and modeling, her dogs, and spending time with family and friends.

kbolus@timesshamrock.com

North Pocono

Senior Kyle Major seems to excel at balancing school, outside activities and work.

Taking advance placement and accelerated classes, Kyle also serves as president of the class of 2013 and is a member of the National Honor Society, along with being involved in the Junior Statesman of America, Campus Life and the marching band.

He's also a lifeguard at Eagle Lake and works at the Philly Pretzel Factory. Kyle also finds time to volunteer at Parker Hill Community Church and the Scranton Rescue Mission.

After finishing high school, he plans to attend Liberty University in Virginia, majoring in ministry and minoring in political science.

rward@timesshamrock.com

Riverside

While not all students like math, Nathan Oliphant cannot get enough.

As a second-grade student at West Elementary, he is looking forward to his favorite class - math - and the rest of the challenges the school year offers.

"I can't wait to begin using all of the operations to solve the problems," Nathan said.

In particular, playing games with all of his friends during recess is also at the top of his to-do list this year.

jkohut@timesshamrock.com

Scranton

Sophomore Michael Roche is one of the first members of West Scranton High School's robotics club, which is new to the school this year.

Students will be using Lego Mindstorms Education NXT building sets to construct their own robots and will use creativity, logic and problem-solving skills while learning key science, technology, engineering, and math concepts, according to club moderator Scott Dustman.

shofius@timesshamrock.com

Scranton Prep

As vice president of student council, senior Matthew Knowles is working on keeping traditions alive.

He is helping to plan spirit week, along with a movie night and holiday activities for later this year.

"I'm just really excited about this year," he said. "I think we're going to do a lot of great things."

Matthew is also a member of the golf and basketball teams and the Spanish club.

shofius@timesshamrock.com

Tunkhannock Area

One junior spent the summer touring different countries in Europe as part of an organization that promotes world understanding and peace.

Through the People to People Student Ambassador Program, Sam Reposa, along with 45 other students from the nation, visited England, Scotland and Ireland in July.

"It was a great experience because we got a chance to interact with students who have come from a much different background than us," Sam said. "My favorite part is when, in Ireland, the students started playing a Taylor Swift song on the guitar and we sang along."

miorfino@timesshamrock.com

Valley View

One junior spent last week working to promote awareness during Suicide Prevention Week.

Emily Kotcho, the president of the Health and Physical Education Club, handed out information sheets about statistics, warning signs and how to get help. The club also provided yellow ribbon stickers for the students to wear on World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept. 10.

"I want to make the student body aware of the alternatives and preventive measures to help students that maybe struggling," she said.

Emily is also involved in the soccer and track and field teams, Students Against Destructive Decisions, the National Honor Society and the Spanish Club.

rbrown@timesshamrock.com

Wayne Highlands

Hannah Marin likes to keep busy.

Among others activities, the Preston Area School eighth grader is a top-finisher for the Honesdale Junior High Cross Country team and the point guard for the Preston girls' basketball team.

She took part in Honesdale Missy and AAU basketball leagues for five years, in addition to participating in student council.

She recently starred as the lead in the Preston musical "Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr." and has participated in Preston's music program for four years.

"I like that Preston is small, but that there are lots of things that you can do," Hannah said. "I love all the extracurricular activities."

jkohut@timesshamrock.com

Western Wayne

Sophomore twins Kelsi and Kaitlyn Good earned a gold medal for their Focus on Children project at the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America national conference in Orlando this summer.

During the school year, they surveyed second and fourth graders at EverGreen Elementary school in Hamlin about seat belt use and compared the data, presented their findings at both the state and then the national FCCLA conference.

"We designed a presentation board and used notecards," Kaitlyn said.

Both sisters agreed they work as a great team and look forward to designing another project for competition this year.

rward@timesshamrock.com

Farm to Table Day shows local history

Fundraising dinner set for Friday

The first time Cara Sutherland tried her hand at canning on her own, she was in junior high.

Now the executive director of the Everhart Museum, Ms. Sutherland spent her Sunday afternoon demonstrating the basics of canning with her spicy chili sauce recipe. Her tutorial was part of the Farm to Table Community Day hosted at the Scranton museum, where live demonstrations, crafts and displays promoted shopping local.

"I'll be on a canning kick now for the next two weeks," she said as she chopped an onion for her audience.

Shopping local and celebrating the area's history were all part of the inspiration, Ms. Sutherland said. "We think about coal all the time. Most people, even if they were factory workers probably had a garden."

The community day is a family-oriented prequel of a fundraiser dinner the museum will hold Friday. For information on the dinner, visit everhart-museum.org. It will be the second year for the dinner, but it was the first year for the community day.

"The dinner is a fundraiser, typically for an older audience," Stefanie Colarusso, 29, director of interpretive programs at the museum, said. "We wanted to provide an event for families, teens and children of all ages."

Noting that supporting local vendors and farmers markets benefits the entire community, she added, "It helps support our local economy."

State funding for museums has not been available in the past three years, which is why fundraisers and local support are so important, according to Ms. Sutherland.

"It's been here over 100 years," she said of the museum. "We definitely want people to be able to celebrate the bicentennial in 2108. We're just the current generation of caretakers."

Contact the writer: rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter

Luzerne denies records request

WILKES-BARRE - Luzerne County denied an open records request for emails by claiming Tom Pizano, acting director of elections and acting clerk of courts, is in charge of a "judicial agency" and emails from judicial employees can remain confidential.

The county denied access to Mr. Pizano's emails by asserting, among other reasons, he has one email account for two jobs and responding to the email request "would be a burden" for the "understaffed" county "to sort through and review all of the emails."

After county Manager Robert Lawton fired Leonard Piazza as director of elections in April, he appointed Mr. Pizano acting director of elections. The Citizens' Voice filed a request July 26 for access to Mr. Pizano's emails since Nov. 1.