Local veterans place at national arts competition

The Wilkes-Barre Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center recently announced that 26 local veterans placed at the national level of the 2012 Veterans Creative Arts Competition. Each year, veterans treated at VA Medical Centers compete in a local creative arts contest. The local competition includes 50 art categories that range from oil painting to paint-by-number kits. There are also 120 categories pertaining to all aspects of music, dance, drama and creative writing. Jorge Rivas received the 2012 Shirley Jefferies Memorial Scholarship and will be attending the National Creative Arts Festival in Boston, Mass., in October with his wife. Robert Nause received the silver medal in the art division in the scroll saw/fretwork category. The Bell Boys received the silver medal in the music division in the special recognition group category. The Vets for Vets Singers received the silver medal in the music division in the patriotic group category. Participants, from left, first row, are John Bohus, Stanley Balayszis, James Miller, Daniel Curatola, Charles Fegley, Tom Oprendek and Arthur Stofey. Second row: Al Sickora, Robert Nause, Philip Headley, Joseph Brice, Joseph Serafin, John Ruch, Bill Roberts, James Stokes, Richard Rietkerk, Louis Labrosky, Henry Castner, Jack Kasar, John Struck and Dominick Ricardo. Also participating were Joseph Cionzynski, William Huber, Peter Konnick, John Miller and Jorge Rivas. Awarded posthumously was Joseph Smith.