web1_TTL050716RedNoses2cmyk.jpg

Kingston Walgreens employees go ‘seriously silly’ to benefit children

letter-to-editor-opinion.png

Letter to the Editor: Legacy of World War II still haunts and humbles us

<p><strong>Diamonds</strong> to would-be rescuers of the Irem Temple. The nearly 110-year-old landmark on North Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, remains threatened today by a mix of water leaks, intruders and benign neglect. This week, members of a grassroots group <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/539212/last-ditch-effort-to-save-the-irem-temple-building-in-wilkes-barre-begins" target="_blank">told the Times Leader</a> they intend to mount a fundraising campaign to keep the mosque-like structure standing. If all goes exceedingly well, its space will again serve as a community gathering spot and its auditorium hum as a performance venue. Donations toward the temple&#8217;s stabilization and restoration are being accepted by <a href="http://luzfdn.org/" target="_blank">The Luzerne Foundation</a>. Hopefully, enough benefactors &#8211; or one with very deep pockets &#8211; will appreciate the building&#8217;s architectural uniqueness to the Wyoming Valley, and to the nation.</p><p><strong>Coal</strong> to car and truck drivers who give little consideration to motorcyclists. During May, recognized as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, people are reminded to share the road. That means staying alert for bikers, particularly when entering intersections and when changing lanes. Check those blind spots! Bikers, meanwhile, should stay off the road during lousy weather and not attempt stunts.</p><p><strong>Diamonds</strong> to Misericordia University students who add music to senior citizens&#8217; lives. As part of a therapeutic music and memory program, the students collect iPods, fill them with an hour&#8217;s worth of generation-appropriate music (think Nat King Cole, not Nicki Minaj) and supply them to residents of the Mercy Center Nursing Unit, some of whom cope with dementia. &#8220;We watch them wake up inside,&#8221; one of the students <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/538874/music-stimulates-memories-and-lost-words-at-mercy-center-nursing-unit" target="_blank">told the Times Leader</a>. The project, fostered by the university&#8217;s InterProfessional Educational Committee, was inspired by the documentary &#8220;Alive Inside.&#8221;</p><p><strong>Coal</strong> to whatever caused a lack of clarity this week at Wyoming Valley West School District. The high school&#8217;s water supply became muddy on Monday, compelling officials to bring in fresh water for cooking and bottled water for students&#8217; consumption, a school board member <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/538943/wyoming-valley-west-official-hopes-water-will-be-clear-by-friday" target="_blank">told the Times Leader</a>. But the water company didn&#8217;t begin flushing its lines in the area until Monday night, so it can&#8217;t be blamed for any murkiness that occurred before then, said a Pennsylvania American Water spokeswoman. Considering the heightened concern across the nation lately about water quality, let&#8217;s hope the district can quickly clear up this situation.</p><p><strong>Diamonds</strong> to moms. This Sunday, Mother&#8217;s Day, we especially salute those mothers and maternal figures who get it right. They soothe hurts and don&#8217;t get stingy with hugs. They keep things running on schedule. They take time to listen, and to laugh. They instill confidence. They coddle without smothering, teach without preaching and cheer without stealing the spotlight. When the time comes, they let go. But they never go far from a child&#8217;s heart. Thanks, Mom, for everything.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_Irem.jpg">
<div class="neCaption"></div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_Irem.jpg</photo0><caption0></caption0><photoCredit0>Times Leader file photo </photoCredit0></div></div>

Our Opinion: Irem Temple in Wilkes-Barre gets fleeting – perhaps final – opportunity for restoration