SUNDAY DISPATCH, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2011 Chris Trobridge, West Pittston, stops into the temporary library location at the Insalaco Shopping Center at 801 Wyoming Avenue next to Rite Aid, to do some research. PHOTOS BY TONY CALLAIO
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along with most other buildings and homes in low-lying parts of the borough when the Susquehanna River crested at a record 42.66 feet on Sept. 9. About 15,000 books and all furnishings were destroyed. “The flood insurance won’t cover our losses. We’ll have enough to get the building back in shape, but in terms of furnishing it, there’s no money for that. So that’s why we’ve been asking people for used furniture in the meantime,” said library director Anne Bramblett Barr. The library received that and much more.
During the two and a half weeks staff and volunteers spent cleaning out the damaged building and moving about 11,500 books that were saved to dry storage space donated by Cliff and Ruth Melberger, Barr noticed the vacant video store and showed it to library board president John Panzitta, who agreed it was perfect. “It’s really designed exactly how a library should be, with an outdoor slot for returns, a big, beautiful circulation desk. You couldn’t ask for a better location. We called Sandy Insalaco Sr. and he said, ‘Anything for the library.’ We’re getting this rentfree, all the utilities are covered. It’s just a perfect opportunity to get us back on our feet,” Barr said.
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425 Exeter Avenue. Fee is $6.95 per person. Chef Pat Greenfield from Grico’s Restaurant will be preparing the meals.
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WA Field Hockey
The Wyoming Area Field Hockey Parents Association will meet on Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 7:00 p.m. at the Moose Lodge in West Pittston. Final preparations will be made for the banquet which will be held on Nov.r 20. All field hockey parents are welcome.
Halloween Parade
West Pittston Parks, Recreation, and Beautification Board will hold their annual Halloween Party and Parade, Sunday, October 30, at 2:00 p.m. at the Moose Lodge in West Pittston. Children of all ages are welcome. Prizes will be awarded. Purse Auction
The West Pittston Council of Salvation Army will conduct their 4th Annual Purse Sale/ Auction on Nov. 2. The sale/auction is at 214 Luzerne Avenue in West Pittston at
Maria Heck, library aide, checks in a book while Cheryl Butera continues to unpack books.
Barr thought the hard part would be furnishing the space. Not so much. Allied Services provided 20 computers, a printer and a technician to install it all. After staff sent emails to all Pennsylvania libraries asking for furniture, the library got invitations to send a moving van to Millersville University and Bucks County Public Library for bookshelves and computer tables. “We just sent out a request
... and we were overwhelmed with the response. We had to turn people away. We couldn’t possibly use another table, rocker or anything else. Local businesses, East Mountain Inn, Boscov’s, Genetti’s, Wyoming Valley West School District – they all gave us things. It’s been wonderful,” Barr said. Barr expects renovations at the old library to be complete by the end of the year and to open
sometime in January. Monetary donations can be made to the West Pittston Library Recovery Fund of the Luzerne Foundation, 140 Main St., Luzerne, PA 18709. The temporary library in Insalaco’s Shopping Center is open noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; noon to 6 p.m. Fridays; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.
the Salvation Army Church. Everyone is welcome. Start time is 6:00 p.m. All proceeds to benefit the Women’s Programs here at the Salvation Army West Pittston. Contact Major Sheryl Hershey at 655-5947 or email her at: Sheryl.hershey@use.Salvationarmy.org.
co’s Shopping Center, Wyoming Avenue, located next to Rite Aid.
Birthday Notes
Street Department
Leaf pick up will begin Monday, Oct. 24 and Tuesday, Oct. 25. Residents are requested to place leaves in open containers on tree lawns. No leaves are to be placed on the road. Library Alert
The Library is now temporarily open at the site of the former Blockbuster store at the Insala-
Tax Bills Mailed
West Pittston Tax Collector George L. Miller announced the school taxes have been mailed. Taxes are now at face value phase until Dec. 1. Office hours are: Tuesday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturdays 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and by appointment. If a receipt is requested, please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope along with the entire bill. For an appointment, call 570-655-3801. Any property owners not receiving a tax bill are requested to contact the tax office at 655-7782 ext. 232.
Celebrating this week are: Angela Dwyer Morgan,10/25; Debbie Ninotti, 10/23; Dan Rescinti, Jr., 10/23; MacKenzie Bilbow, 10/23, Mark Bugelholl, 10, 23, Ed Donnelly, Jr., 10/24; Debbie Klaproth,10/24; Theresa Zalepa, 10/25; DawnMarie Crake, 10/26; Brittany Laffey, 10/26; Ed Zalepa, 10/26; and Tom Obrzut, 10/ 26. Thought for the Week
Education is not a preparation for life; education is life itself. Quote of the Week
“The power to question is the basis of all human progress.” – Indira Gandhi