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Swoyersville Legion’s run ends at regionals

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Students cross language barrier to program mock bots at Wyoming Seminary

<p><strong>Diamonds</strong> to James Spagnola, director of the Luzerne County Veteran Affairs Office. He aims to recruit volunteers from throughout the county to help veterans and surviving spouses during &#8220;emergency-type situations,&#8221; such as recovery periods after illnesses or surgeries. Volunteers might be asked, for instance, to temporarily pick up household duties: meal preparation, pet care or light chores. An estimated 25,700 former military personnel live in Luzerne County. Gaps in the existing social services network for veterans, said Spagnola, sometimes prevent them from getting aid for rather routine matters. His plan faces obstacles, not the least of which include coordinating an all-volunteer crew, and providing background screenings before sending people into vets&#8217; homes. Give credit to Spagnola, however, for recognizing that certain veterans and their families need short-term relief, and for pursuing a homegrown, low-cost solution. To volunteer, call 570-706-3975.</p><p><strong>Coal</strong> to people who don&#8217;t take seriously the seasonal warnings about extreme temperatures inside parked vehicles, and the potential risk to pets and children. This year, 26 children left in hot cars have died due to heatstroke, according to national data charted by <a href="http://noheatstroke.org/" target="_blank">noheatstroke.org</a>.</p><p><strong>Diamonds</strong> to Plains Township residents who played a role in establishing a new public boat launch. The Robert Street site, acquired through a government flood-buyout program, allows access to the Susquehanna River for canoes, kayaks and other small craft. The township dedicated about $10,000 for improvements to the property, which was deemed too prone for flooding to contain homes or other valuable structures. In the future, local visionaries say the launch area and surrounding land might contain picnic tables and pavilions, a community garden, or athletic fields. In the meantime, volunteers are urged to step forward to help maintain the property for visitors&#8217; enjoyment.</p><p><strong>Coal</strong> to viewers of the Summer Olympic Games who, usually from the comfort of their couches, poke fun at the performance of certain athletes. To those critics, we say: If you think it&#8217;s so easy, get up and show the world how it&#8217;s done.</p><p><strong>Diamonds</strong> to the Graham Academy&#8217;s young gardeners. Students at the private, special-education school in Kingston &#8211; who have been learning gardening skills for about two years &#8211; will put that knowledge to further use later this month in a new endeavor. Students and teachers intend to operate a produce stand, filling tables outside their Third Avenue school with fresh-picked organic veggies and selling them to the public. If all goes as planned, the students will gain experience in handling both money and social situations. May they enjoy a bountiful harvest.</p><style>
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Our Opinion: Luzerne County Veteran Affairs director proposes four-star idea