For 12-27-92 
Boycott Baseball? Ok, Fine -- But You Go First 
It Doesn't Seem So Long Ago That Kirby Puckett Created A Fuss By Becoming The 
First Baseball Player To Collect A $3 Million Salary.

What About 
Those Raises?

By DIONNE PEEPLES-SALAH; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Monday, December 21, 1992 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





WILKES-BARRE -- Deadlines. Work-related stress. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 For about five hours Thursday night, they were non-existent for about 300
Times Leader employees gathered at the company's annual Christmas party to
celebrate one of their own -- Employee of the Year. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As Managing Editor Cliff Schechtman used a fly swatter to conduct a chorus
of management types and others singing -- off-key, naturally -- the "joys and
praises" of working at the newspaper, nominee Mary Therese Biebel thought
about winning. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Across the Grand Ballroom at Genetti Hotel &amp; Convention Center, Biebel
wondered what, if she won, would she do with the $1,000 that comes with the
award. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Biebel said she planned to buy toys and donate them to an organization
collecting holiday gifts for poor children. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It is that type of giving spirit, kindness and professionalism that led
many reporters and editors to stand, cheer and whistle when Biebel,
affectionately called by her initials of "MTB," was announced as Employee of
the Year. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 After making a short acceptance speech, Biebel was surrounded by co-workers
who gave her congratulatory hugs and kisses. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And with a smile, she said, "We're going shopping." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Biebel, 32, a King's College graduate, has worked at The Times Leader since
1981 -- going from intern to obituary clerk, city desk reporter, copy editor
and finally to social editor for the past five years. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I'm the intern that never left," Biebel said jokingly. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I had a friend who warned me before my internship, `Don't go work for
them. It'll be too hard. You won't last three months.' I've been trying to
prove her wrong ever since." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As a native, Biebel said she cares about the Wyoming Valley. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "This is my community. This is where I grew up, so I care about what
happens here more than anywhere else," she said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As for her co-workers, she says, "they inspire me with their tenacity and
their grace under pressure." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Chris Ritchie, features editor and Biebel's supervisor, said she "is a very
flexible and cooperative person and is willing to bend when necessary and that
leads to success with the paper." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Dale Duncan, president and publisher of The Times Leader, said the vote
among the five nominees was very close. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The finalists included Deanna Snyder, co-op advertising manager; Suzette
Dessoye, classified sales representative; Stephen J. Peterson, customer
service manager; Biagio "Bill" Sciacca, circulation manager. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 All the nominees agreed on one thing: By just being nominated, they'd
already won.

Dec. 18, 1992 Tl Employee Of The Year For Page 3a 
Tl Social Editor Employee Of Year 
Mary Therese Biebel Honored At Times Leader Employee Christmas Party At 
Genetti's Downtown

Dec. 18, 1992 Tl Employee Of The Year For Page 3a Tl Social Editor Employee Of Year Mary Therese Biebel Honored At Times Leader Employee Christmas Party At Genetti's Downtown