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Friday, July 05, 1996 Page:
EXTRAORDINARY AFFAIR — A crowd packed auditorium at the Jewish Community
Center paid tribute to Len Brader, a septuagenarian who founded the 5:30
Basketball Club at the JCC 40 years ago. Homage was paid to Brader, a World
War II veteran with service in Africa and Italy, for his more than four
decades of participation in this community as chair of the judges of various
beauty pageants, a behind-the-scenes volunteer for several organizations
including the John Heinz Institute, and High Commissioner and founder of the
5:30 Basketball Club. Resolutions from state and local officials were
presented, including one from the Luzerne County Commissioners and the Mayor
of the City declaring Sunday, June 23, 1996 as “Len Brader Day.” Congressman
Paul E. Kanjorski, one of numerous dignitaries at the fun brunch, read a
letter from President Bill Clinton congratulating Brader on his humanitarian
efforts. Congressman Kanjorski commented that this tribute to Brader was the
essence of Americana in honoring a common man who has performed humanitarian
and philanthropic services over a period of four decades, behind the scenes,
and without looking for personal reward or honors. Participants in the program
included Frank Loch, Brader’s Army Captain in Bari, Italy; Lou Goeringer
presented a photo album prepared by Betty Schuler and a special gourmet can
with imprints of the program; Dr. George Moses, longtime friend; Atty. Joe
Savitz narrated a video on Brader prepared by Ralph Capristo Studios; Dan
Cooper presented a plaque dedicating the Health Club Locker Room at the JCC in
Brader’s honor; and Max Bartikowsky presented a gold clock with a dedicatory
inscription. Members of the arrangement committee are shown, first row, from
left: Bob Gelb, toastmaster; Rick Evans, asst. director JCC; Brader; Betty
Schuler; Max Bartikowsky, co-chair; and Lou Goeringer. Second row: Lee
Vincent; Dave Tieg; Ralph Capristo; Doug Palmieri; Dr. George Moses; Don
Cooper; and Atty. Joe Savitz, co-chair.
POEPPERLING SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT — Dwayne A. Poepperling, son of Robert
and Frances Muchler, Wilkes-Barre, is the recipient of an Offset Paperback
Manufacturers Scholarship. He is enrolled part time in the Graphics
Communications/Printing Technology program at Luzerne County Community
College. Poepperling resides in Shavertown. Shown, from left, are: Thomas
Gorman, coordinator, Graphics Communications/Printing Technology Department,
LCCC; and Dwayne Poepperling.
SPACE AVAILABLE AT COUNTY FAIR — Over 200 commercial exhibitors are
expected to peddle their wares at the 1996 Luzerne County Fair. To accommodate
the increast in the number of commercial exhibitors, the Dallas Area Fall Fair
executive board and the fair committee voted to put up a 40′ X 140′ tent if
needed. This space would be in addition to the two 40′ X 180′ permanent
commercial exhibitor buildings already located on the fairgrounds. Exhibitors
interested in renting space for this year are asked to contact either Clem
Norman (outdoor, shown at left) or Rich Wascalus (indoor, shown at right) as
soon as possible by calling 675-FAIR. The five-day event will be held
September 4 through 8 at the fairgrounds on Route 118, Dallas.
LOCAL WOMEN HONORED AT AWARDS BANQUET — The Wyoming Valley Chapter of the
American Business Women’s Association recently awarded two of the Chapter’s
highest honors to local residents and businesswomen. Nancy Romashko was
awarded the Chapter Woman of the Year Award. This honor is given to the
chapter member who has upheld the mission of the American Business Women’s
Association and has contributed to the local chapter and the community
throughout the year. Employed as an accounts payable clerk and accounting
assistant for General Medical Services Corporation in Kingston, Nancy resides
in Wilkes-Barre. Theresa Salepa, president of Monarch Painting Systems, Inc.
of West Pittston was chosen as the chapter’s Community Woman of the Year. This
award is based on an individual’s contributions to the community as a whole.
Theresa is responsible for the formation of the Certified Women’s Business
Owners of Pennsylvania. This action based advocacy group, under Salepa’s
leadership, is taking an active role in assisting women in the procurement of
government, corporate, private and public contracts. A current Chapter member
and mother of two boys, Eric and Ryan Kennedy, Salepa resides with her
husband, Stephen M. Sapol, and children in West Pittston. Shown, from left,
are Nancy Romashko, Piera Marotto, awards committee chairperson, and Theresa
Zalepa.
THREE GARNER SCHOLARSHIPS — The Wyoming Valley Chapter of the American
Business Women’s Association recently awarded a $1000 scholarship to Heather
Calieri, a junior at Wilkes University majoring in elementary education.
Heather resides in Trucksville. Catherine Leigh Knych of Wilkes-Barre,
recipient of a $500 scholarship, is a senior at Penn State majoring in speech
pathology. Carol Bednar of Wilkes-Barre was awarded a $500 scholarship. She
has been accepted to College Misericordia and graduated in May with associate
degrees in business management technology and education. The Wyoming Valley
Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association meets once a month.
Membership is open to the public and interested parties may write to: P.O. Box
2751, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703. Shown, from left, are: Jeannette Whitlock,
education committee chairperson, Carol Bednar, Katherine Knych and Heather
Cavalieri.
MELLON BANK CONTRIBUTES TO LIBRARY — The Marion Sutherland Kirby Library,
Mountaintop, was the recipient of a generous contribution to their Capital
Campaign Fund by Mellon Bank. The Library is planning to expand its lower
level to include a larger children’s room and two meeting rooms for use of the
communities that the library serves. Shown, from left, are Joan Malkemes and
Dan Frascella, Marian Sutherland Kirby Library capital campaign fund,
receiving a check from Beverly Fisher, assistant vice president of Mellon
Bank, and Wendy Franklin, librarian.
DIAL ROCK CHAPTER OF DAR GIVES AWARD — Katherine Thyren, daughter of the
Rev. and Mrs. James E. Thyren, West Pittston, merited the American History
Award given anually by Dial Rock Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution
(DAR). Katherine is an eleventh grade student in Wyoming Area High School and
ranked first in that grade in Amercian History. The DAR, with three
objectives, historical, educational and patriotic, stresses educating young
people about their American heritage and preserving our freedoms. Shown are
Cornelia John, regent of the Dial Rock Chapter of DAR and Katherine Thyren.
NANTICOKE
Twin daughters earn college degrees
Lori R. and Lynn E. Gramley, twin daughters of the Rev. and Mrs. Thomas S.
Gramley of Marion, N.Y.,
were recently awarded degrees in their chosen fields.
Lori received her B.A. from Lycoming College, Williamsport, Pa., and her
Juris Doctorate from the University of Notre Dame Law School. She is preparing
to take
Lori R. Gramley the Pennsylvania bar exam and will serve as a law clerk for
Judge Edward G. Biester Jr., Court of Common Please, Bucks County.
Lynn received her B.A. from Lycoming College, Williamsport, Pa.,
and her masters of social work from Tulane University, New Orleans,
Louisiana. She received her certification in March and is employed at St.
James Mercy Hospital, Hornell, N.Y.
Lori and Lynn were born in Nanticoke, and are
Lynn E. Grmaley the granddaughters of Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred Gabb of
Nanticoke, and Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Gramley of Ft. Pierce, Fla., formerly of
Sugarloaf.
HANOVER
Poepperling earns
B.S. degree
Jerry Poepperling, son of Barbara Poepperling of Hanover, and Jerry
Poepperling of Wilkes-Barre, recently graduated from Clarion University with a
B.S. in business management.
Jerry is the grandson of Irene Proudlove, Forty Fort, and Frances Muchler,
Wilkes-Barre. He is the great-grandson of Arlene Didwalis of Mountaintop.
HANOVER TWP.
Varhely passes bar
Gregory M. Varhely, son of Edward and Constance Varhely, Hanover Twp.,
recently received word from the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania that he
successfully completed all requirements for admittance to the Bar of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Attorney Varhely is a May ’95 graduate of Temple University School of Law
in Philadelphia.
He is a 1982 graduate of Penn State University earning an associate degree
in electrical engineering technology and obtained high distinction honors. He
graduated cum laude in 1988 from Temple University with a B.A. in
communications.
Since 1988, Varhely has been employed as a schedule manager by Sports
Channel Prism Associates. He is also video tape editor and camera operator for
the Phillies, Flyers and Sixers, and other entertainment events. He is a
member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Varhely, a 1980 graduate of Hanover Area High School, is the grandson of
the late Luther and Sonia Miller of Wilkes-Barre, and the late T. J. and Emily
Varhely of Hanover Twp. He currently resides in the Queen Village area of
Philadelphia.
LARKSVILLE
Earns President’s
Education Award
Eric Pape, son of Jack and Pat Pape of Larksville, was recently awarded the
President’s Education Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement. He is a
student of Wyoming Valley West Middle School.
In addition, Eric received the W.V.W. Physical Fitness Award, a certificate
of achievement for participation in National History Day, and an award of
merit for peer tutoring.
Eric is also a member of the National Junior Honor Society.
He is the grandson of Mary Shymansky of Hanover Twp., and has one sister,
Sara.
NANTICOKE
Reunion startup meeting set
Classmates of Nanticoke High School Class of 1942 are invited to attend a
reunion startup meeting at 2 p.m., Wednesday, July 2, at the American Legion,
West Broad Street, Nanticoke.
Questions may be directed to Myrtle Kuchenbecker Paige at 735-1972.