Bidding farewell, at open house
More than 250 attendees enjoyed an evening of food, live music and camaraderie when the Wayne County Historical Society held its annual open house, which also afforded a last look at exhibits before the society closed its offices for the winter.
Author Ab Rutherford, Peter Becker (son of Howard Becker, whose work is the focus of the major exhibit) and artist Kathy LaTournous were among those on hand to enjoy the holiday good cheer, and hear two major announcements.
Board President Elaine Herzog announced that Executive Director Sally Talaga, will be taking a one-year leave of absence to allow for "a well-deserved break from juggling the multitude of society tasks and administration which in recent years have become increasingly daunting for organizations such as ours in this less-than-favorable economic climate."
Sally has served the society for more than 25 years, as director, board member and volunteer. She will be resting, relaxing and doing research for a possible biography of Honesdale-born artist Jennie Brownscombe.
Cash raffle prize winners were pulled and Grace Rogers took home the $1,000 top prize; Dorothy Keif, $700, second; and Gail Frisbie, $500, third. Stephen Mackle won $200 and Carolyn Knash Reinhart was the $100 winner. The cash raffle, a major fundraiser for the historical society each year, was led by Ann Kovatch.
Super students
Ithaca College student Emily Gasper traveled to Pittsburgh for the International Association of Business Communicators regional conference. One of five Park School of Communications students who represented the college's student chapter of IABC, Emily participated in a case study competition and networking events, and attended professional workshops and talks by three keynote speakers. Grateful for the chance to meet with a communications professional who was assigned as her mentor for the conference, Emily said, "I had coffee with her and she offered me the most wonderful advice and guidance. ... I may reach out to her in May when I'm applying for jobs." Emily, a dean's list student and 2009 Lakeland graduate, is the daughter of John and Karen Gasper of Jermyn. ... Shaun Howard of Lake Ariel has received the Filomena Peloro Scholarship from the National Italian American Foundation. Shaun attends Case Western University and is majoring in computer science.
High notes
Silvana Benavides of the Bilingual Business Center Hagamos Cuentas Inc., with the help of DLP Law and ERA One Source Realty, hosted "The Three Kings" festival to benefit the United Neighborhood Centers/Elm Street Project in South Scranton. More than 100 children enjoyed music, face painting, refreshments and royal gifts.
Among those assisting Silvana with the event were Steve Corbett, Wenceslao de la Cruz, Miryam Hiedra and Carlos Martinez.