Dunmore
In continuing recognition of Dunmore's 150th anniversary, a gala will be held Saturday to celebrate history with dinner and dancing.
The event will be held at La Buona Vita, 200 Reilly St. Cocktails will be served at 6:30 p.m. and dinner begins at 7:30. Tickets, which include buffet, open bar and entertainment, can be bought for $55 at the Dunmore Borough Building.
For more information, call 347-4410.
rward@timesshamrock.com, @rwardTT on Twitter
Honesdale
Lisa Champeau has heard about the rising number of people relying on food pantries to get through difficult times.
She, along with members of the Honesdale Rotary Club, realized that may not be the only void that needs to be filled this winter.
That's why the club is trying something new this year - a way to reach out to those who need it the most, she said.
From Oct. 28 through Saturday, the Honesdale Rotary Club is asking residents to donate winter coats and jackets to the Rotary's Winter Woolies Coat Drive.
"With the economy being in the state that it's in, we figured this would be a great way to help people," Ms. Champeau said. "Normally our winters are pretty brutal. If more people need food, more people are probably going to need winter clothes."
There will be four collection sites in Honesdale: Apple Day Spa, Grace Episcopal Church, R3 Hardware and the Honesdale National Bank's Main Street branch.
miorfino@teimsshamrock.com, @miorfinoTT on Twitter
Jermyn
There will be a special guest speaker at the annual Veterans Day program held by the William J. Griffith American Legion Post 465.
Air Force Sgt. Michael Bednash Jr., a Lakeland High School graduate, will address attendees about his time in the service. Sgt. Bednash served from February 2000 until he was discharged in September 2007.
"I am very proud to have been a member of the United States Air Force and to have served my country," he said.
Also at the event, there will be patriotic songs and a military roll call of Jermyn's fallen, from World War I to the present.
The ceremony will be held at the World War I Park on Bridge Street at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11.
rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter
Mayfield
A 35-foot trailer has been helping students in Lackawanna County learn about fire safety for the past six years.
Firefighter Deby Gumpper, 61, has been simulating fire scenarios to instruct students in Lackawanna, Wayne and Susquehanna counties for years. Last month, the trailer stopped at Mayfield Elementary School.
"Every year, I try to give them a different scenario to work on," she said, adding that this year she incorporated ambulance personnel.
"It was absolutely the best I have ever wanted it to be," she said of the day at Mayfield.
Holding instructional days at schools reinforces important life lessons, she added.
"We have too many fire-related deaths," Ms. Gumpper said. "The more you teach them now, the more they're going to know."
rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter
Old Forge
Mia Baresse noticed something was wrong when she checked Facebook two weeks ago.
While browsing through pictures and status updates, the Old Forge High School senior noticed one that stood out. It looked like a boy at a neighboring school was hinting at suicide.
She moved fast, getting in contact with the school's guidance office as soon as she could and got the boy help.
Since then, she has been praised by her school district and family.
"They are really proud," Mia, 17, said. "They said, 'You did the right thing. More people should act like that.'"
jkohut@timesshamrock.com, @jkohutTT on Twitter