web1_AP18303631244827.jpg

Whitey Bulger, Boston gangster, found dead in prison at 89

web1_WB-Twp.-police-badge.jpg

Cashier charged with failure to deposit store’s earnings

<p>WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP &#8212; TUX is a penguin, so it makes sense that he would look to the 2006 movie &#8220;Happy Feet&#8221; to inspire his fancy dance moves.</p><p>&#8220;Oh, he studied it very carefully. He took notes,&#8221; said TUX&#8217;s friend, Mike Sullivan, of Mountain Top, who is up to date on the progress of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins mascot as he prepares to compete in the Dancing With the Stars of Wilkes-Barre fund-raiser for KISS Theatre.</p><p>Naturally, TUX is paying attention not only to the hip-hop routine his dance partner, Marikate Sullivan, of Wilkes-Barre, has choreographed for him, but also to his training diet.</p><p>&#8220;Lots of Taco Bell and ice cream,&#8221; Mike Sullivan said, adding TUX feels confident about his chances of coming out on top in the competition, which begins at 8 p.m. Nov. 3 at KISS Theatre in Joe Amato&#8217;s East End Centre. &#8220;He thinks he can win the whole thing.&#8221;</p><p>Six other competitors may have something to say about that, as they also prepare for the big dance off and anxiously check how they&#8217;re doing vote-wise.</p><p>Friends and fans can pay $1 a vote at dancingstarsofwilkesbarre.com to boost their favorites in the rankings and help them win the Peoples Choice Trophy. It&#8217;s up to the judges to see who will get the Judges Trophy.</p><p>Competitors include:</p><p>&#8226; Regional radio personality Fast Freddie Fabbri, dancing with Tara Corrigan.</p><p>&#8226; Kyle Reed, six time World Karate Champion and owner of Nepa Mixed Martial Arts in Larksville, dancing with Amber McKenna.</p><p>&#8226; Anne E. Rodella, director of sales and marketing at the F.M. Kirby Center, dancing with Michael Marone.</p><p>&#8226; Bruce Lefkowitz, R.Ph., a third-generation owner and a pharmacist at Harrold&#8217;s Pharmacy, Wilkes-Barre, which was founded in 1947 by his grandfather, Harold, and father, Barry Lefkowitz. His partner is Cathie Julius.</p><p>&#8226; Kimberly McLendon, a chef/cooking show host at Rustic Kitchen Mohegan Sun. Her partner is Sean Bromiley.</p><p>&#8226; Ed Ciarimboli, a partner in the law firm of Fellerman &amp; Ciarimboli, dancing with Mary Siejak.</p><p>&#8226; TUX with choreographer Marikate Sullivan.</p><p>For some of the participants, this competition is the most intense dancing of their lives.</p><p>&#8220;I danced a little when I was a child,&#8221; Rodella said.</p><p>&#8220;I would just dance freestyle at weddings,&#8221; Lefkowitz said one evening last week before practicing triple steps, rock steps and even a lift with partner Julius.</p><p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t tell people our whole routine,&#8221; Julius cautioned a reporter. &#8220;We want it to be a surprise.&#8221;</p><p>Rodella and her dance partner, Marone, also want to keep some details, such as their costumes, a secret until the big night.</p><p>No matter who wins, several participants said, they&#8217;re glad the proceeds will benefit KISS Theatre, which describes itself as &#8220;an inclusive, bully-free zone&#8221; that welcomes all children, ages 4 to 18, including those with special needs and those who require financial assistance.</p><p>&#8220;Dancing, singing, acting &#8212; they do it all,&#8221; Julius said.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s definitely an organization I believe in,&#8221; Rodella said. &#8220;In my personal and professional life, one of my most important goals is to make theater accessible to everyone.&#8221;</p><p>Patrons can buy tickets ($15 to $25) for the event through boxoffice@kisstheatre.org in advance. They can also vote for their favorites online in advance, and until 15 minutes after the last dance takes place.</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/2018/10/web1_TTL102618dancingstars1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Michael Marone and Anne Rodella practice their Disco routine for the upcoming Dancing with the Stars Fundraiser. Aimee Dilger|Times Leader </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_TTL102618dancingstars1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Michael Marone and Anne Rodella practice their Disco routine for the upcoming Dancing with the Stars Fundraiser. Aimee Dilger|Times Leader </caption0><photoCredit0>Aimee Dilger | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_TTL102618dancingstars2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Michael Marone and Anne Rodella practice their disco routine for the upcoming Dancing With the Stars of Wilkes-Barre fund-raiser. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_TTL102618dancingstars2.jpg</photo1><caption1>Michael Marone and Anne Rodella practice their disco routine for the upcoming Dancing With the Stars of Wilkes-Barre fund-raiser. </caption1><photoCredit1>Aimee Dilger | Times Leader </photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_bruce1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Pharmacist Bruce Lefkowitz said he was reluctant to participate in the Dancing With the Stars of Wilkes-Barre event at first, but then &#8216;jumped in with both feet and I&#8217;m glad I did.&#8217; </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_bruce1.jpg</photo2><caption2>Pharmacist Bruce Lefkowitz said he was reluctant to participate in the Dancing With the Stars of Wilkes-Barre event at first, but then &#8216;jumped in with both feet and I&#8217;m glad I did.&#8217; </caption2><photoCredit2>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit2></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_bruce2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Bruce Lefkowitz and his partner, Cathie Julius, work on their swing routine in his Kingston home. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo3>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_bruce2.jpg</photo3><caption3>Bruce Lefkowitz and his partner, Cathie Julius, work on their swing routine in his Kingston home. </caption3><photoCredit3>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit3></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_TTL103018dancing1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Marikate Sullivan and dance partner Tux practice their hip-hop routine for the upcoming Dancing with the stars fundraiser. Aimee Dilger|Times Leader </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo4>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_TTL103018dancing1.jpg</photo4><caption4>Marikate Sullivan and dance partner Tux practice their hip-hop routine for the upcoming Dancing with the stars fundraiser. Aimee Dilger|Times Leader </caption4><photoCredit4>Aimee Dilger | Times Leader </photoCredit4></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_TTL103018dancing2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Marikate Sullivan and dance partner Tux practice their hip-hop routine for the upcoming Dancing with the Stars fund-raiser. Set for Nov. 3, the event will benefit KISS Theatre.  Aimee Dilger|Times Leader </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo5>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_TTL103018dancing2.jpg</photo5><caption5>Marikate Sullivan and dance partner Tux practice their hip-hop routine for the upcoming Dancing with the Stars fund-raiser. Set for Nov. 3, the event will benefit KISS Theatre.  Aimee Dilger|Times Leader </caption5><photoCredit5>Aimee Dilger | Times Leader </photoCredit5></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_dancing.tux_.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Marikate Sullivan and dance partner Tux practice their hip-hop routine for the upcoming Dancing with the Stars fund-raiser. Set for Nov. 3, the event will benefit KISS Theatre.  Aimee Dilger|Times Leader </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo6>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_dancing.tux_.jpg</photo6><caption6>Marikate Sullivan and dance partner Tux practice their hip-hop routine for the upcoming Dancing with the Stars fund-raiser. Set for Nov. 3, the event will benefit KISS Theatre.  Aimee Dilger|Times Leader </caption6><photoCredit6>Aimee Dilger | Times Leader </photoCredit6></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_dancing.anne_.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Michael Marone and Anne Rodella practice their disco routine for the upcoming Dancing With the Stars of Wilkes-Barre fund-raiser. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo7>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_dancing.anne_.jpg</photo7><caption7>Michael Marone and Anne Rodella practice their disco routine for the upcoming Dancing With the Stars of Wilkes-Barre fund-raiser. </caption7><photoCredit7>Aimee Dilger | Times Leader </photoCredit7></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_dancing.bruce1_.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Pharmacist Bruce Lefkowitz said he was reluctant to participate in the Dancing With the Stars of Wilkes-Barre event at first, but then &#8216;jumped in with both feet and I&#8217;m glad I did.&#8217; </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo8>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_dancing.bruce1_.jpg</photo8><caption8>Pharmacist Bruce Lefkowitz said he was reluctant to participate in the Dancing With the Stars of Wilkes-Barre event at first, but then &#8216;jumped in with both feet and I&#8217;m glad I did.&#8217; </caption8><photoCredit8>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit8></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_dancing.bruce2_.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Bruce Lefkowitz and his partner, Cathie Julius, work on their swing routine in his Kingston home. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo9>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_dancing.bruce2_.jpg</photo9><caption9>Bruce Lefkowitz and his partner, Cathie Julius, work on their swing routine in his Kingston home. </caption9><photoCredit9>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit9></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Fund-raisers to benefit KISS Theatre</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Mary Therese Biebel</p><p>mbiebel@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p><strong>IF YOU GO</strong></p><p><strong>What:</strong> Dancing With the Stars of Wilkes-Barre</p><p><strong>When:</strong> 8 p.m. Nov. 3. Doors open at 7 p.m.</p><p><strong>Where:</strong> KISS Theatre, 400 East End Centre, Wilkes-Barre Township</p><p><strong>Tickets:</strong> $15 or $25</p><p><strong>Info:</strong> dancingstarsofwilkesbarre.com or 570-829-1901</p></factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Mary Therese Biebel at 570-991-6109 or on Twitter @BiebelMT</p></shirttailMeta></div>