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Sunday, February 16, 1997     Page:

Well, we are now in the third week of Black History Month. This week I am
highlighting Mary Church Terrell (1863-1954). Mary Church Terrell fought for
human rights right up until her last year of life; when in 1954, at the age of
   
90, she marched with a cane in the picket lines to declare segregation
unconstitutional in support of Brown vs. the Board of Education. She headed
the Colored Women’s League in Washington, D.C.; the National Association of
    Colored Women; and the International Council of the Women of Darker Races,
which was established to promote greater understanding and knowledge of people
of color around the world. She participated in the international women’s
movement and gave her support on the home front to Susan B. Anthony. Terrell
received international recognition in 1919 at the International Peace
Conference in Zurich. I hope these short biographies are as inspirational to
others as they are to me.
   
There are many ways to help our community. One way is to be supportive of
the many activities and events planned by our neighbors. Let’s take a look at
some of those:
   
* * * *
   
Members of the GAR class of 1988 will hold a 10-year reunion planning
meeting on Friday, Feb. 21, at 7:30 p.m. at Elmer Sudds, 475 E. Northampton
Street, Wilkes-Barre. All classmates are invited. For more information,
contact Beverly Lenza at 779-3241.
   
* * * *
   
The Ladies Auxiliary of the Salvation Army in Wilkes-Barre is planning a
bus trip to Milton on April 12 to see “Desert Song” at the Rockwell theatre.
The cost for the trip is $47 per person. For more information or reservations,
call Doris at 288-0944 or Dorothea at 822-5286. Also, a reminder to members
that the February meeting has been rescheduled for Feb. 24 at 1 p.m. at the
Citadel, Wilkes-Barre. The program for the day will be a presentation on
Abraham Lincoln with a social hour to follow. The Executive Board will meet
prior to the general meeting at 10:30 a.m.
   
* * * *
   
Installation Ceremonies for the newly elected officers and board members of
the Wilkes-Barre Chapter, Society for the Preservation of Barber Shop Quartet
Singing (SPEBSQSA) were held recently at a celebrated dinner dance held at the
Wyoming Hose Company. Officers for 1997 installed include: President James
Conahan, Chapter Development Vice President Charlie Davenport, Program Vice
President William A. Zdancewicz, Music Vice President Phillip Brown, Secretary
Jack Muchler, Treasurer Philip R. Tuhy and Immediate Past-President Drew
Smith. Jack Muchler was chairperson for the event. Installation officers
include Jack Bellis, past international board member and past president,
Mid-Atlantic District, SPEBSQSA. The “Wyoming Valley Barbershop Harmony
Chorus” currently is in rehearsal for its annual concert, scheduled for April
12 at Bishop Hoban High School, Wilkes-Barre. The theme is “World in Harmony-a
cappella.” Tickets are $8 and are available from members of SPEBSQSA.
   
* * * *
   
Allied Service John Heinz Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine Auxiliary is
now accepting applications for its annual Rose Brader Scholarship. The
scholarships are named in honor of Rose Brader, former director of volunteer
services at the John Heinz Institute, a community leader with a strong
commitment to the advancement of rehabilitation medicine. The Auxiliary is
offering both $1000 and $500 scholarships to Luzerne County residents who are
pursuing an education in or seeking advanced training in physical therapy,
occupational therapy, recreational therapy or speech therapy. Established in
1990, several scholarships have already been awarded to local high school
seniors, college students and post graduate students. Scholarships are awarded
based on scholastic achievement, a demonstrated interest in rehabilitation,
financial need and references. Applications and detailed information is
available at the Volunteer Office of Allied Services John Heinz Institute,
Wilkes-Barre Township. Please call 826-3800. All applications must be
submitted by Monday, March 17. Scholarships will be awarded at the May meeting
of the John Heinz Auxiliary.
   
* * * *
   
The Junior League of Wilkes-Barre will host a Night of Culture on Friday,
Feb. 28, at 7 p.m. at the Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre. The celebration will
feature six local artists who will discuss and exhibit their works. The
evening will also include a wine tasting conducted by Dick Murphy. Artists
participating include: Leigh Pawling, Betty Bryden Wills, Jean Adams, Judy
Youshock, Sharon Bowar and Anna Ostapiw. Advance tickets are $6. Tickets will
also be sold at the door for $10. Contact the League office at 821-5596 for
tickets and additional information. All proceeds from the event will benefit
the Junior League-YMCA Rooftop Playground Fund.
   
* * * *
   
The Wilkes-Barre Area School District will hold committee meetings for the
month of Feb. on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 3:30 p.m., and the regular board meeting
on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 5 p.m. Both meetings will be held in the board room of
the administration building located at 730 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre. Any
questions, call Debra Manarski at 826-7131.
   
* * * *
   
All District 14 PTA Reflection Winners in literature, visual art, music and
photography not advancing to Harrisburg will be on display for the community
at the Central United Methodist Church at the corner of Academy and Franklin
Streets, Wilkes-Barre from 10 a.m.- noon on Feb. 22. The District 14 PTA
meeting will convene at 1 p.m. following the display. The snowdate is Feb. 23
at 2 p.m. All PTA members are invited to attend this meeting. Reflection
entries may be picked up after the meeting. For more information, contact
Elaine Sinton at 366-1958.
   
* * * *
   
The Women’s Club of St. Francis Church, Miners Mills, are holding sales of
potato pancakes every Friday during Lent. The sales start at 4 p.m. and will
last until all pancakes are sold. For orders, call Vicky at 829-2133 or June
at 823-0503.
   
* * * *
   
The Wilkes-Barre Township Volunteer Fire Department will hold its regular
meeting tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Fire Hall, Wilkes-Barre Township. The
Relief Association will meet prior to that at 7 p.m.
   
* * * *
   
The Wilkes-Barre Taxpayers Association and their Coalition will hold their
regular meeting on Thursday, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m. at the Firwood United
Methodist Church on the corner of Carey Avenue and Dagobert Street,
Wilkes-Barre. All members and the public are encouraged to attend.
   
* * * *
   
Local storytellers who make up the “Voices of the Valley” will hold their
regular monthly meeting at the Osterhout Free Library, 71 South Franklin St.,
Wilkes-Barre on Monday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m. New members are always welcome. For
information, contact Harry Sauer at 824-5107.
   
* * * *
   
Saint Joseph’s Friary will hold its Secular Franciscan Order Lenten Soup
Supper at Father Arnold Hall, 783 E. Northampton Street, Wilkes-Barre at 5:30
p.m. each Friday during Lent. The suppers began on Friday, Feb. 14 and will
occur on Feb. 21, Feb. 28 and March 7. There will be homemade soups, baked
bread and cheese. Come alone or bring your family. Children are welcome and
those under 8 are free. Donations for others are $2.99. Stations of the Cross
will follow in the Chapel. Reservations can be made by calling St. Joseph’s
Secular Franciscan Order at 823-1836. Seating is limited.
   
* * * *
   
I am sure there are many more activities going on, but if I don’t hear
about it, I can’t put it in the column, so please send your information to
   
Remember: “…what a delight it is to make friends with someone you have
despised!” — Colette
   
Sharon L. Brittingham is the Wilkes-Barre columnist for The Times Leader.
Her column appears each Sunday.