`star Trek' Turns 30, Living Long, Prospering

Adoption: A Life-affirming Choice 
Some Wonderful News Came Our Way Recently From My Sister And Her Husband In 
Colorado: My Husband And I Were About To Become Aunt And Uncle To A Beautiful 
Baby Girl.

Saturday, September 21, 1996 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





``Mountain Laurels'' is a regular series of letters from readers conveying
thanks to individuals or groups for their support, help or kindness.~ &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Role model retires &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Recently Don Minkoff retired as director of the Kingston Recreation Center.
I &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 have known Don largely through raising three kids who used the Kingston Rec &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 CenterWhat a gentleman, both gentle and a man in the very best sense, and
what a positive role model. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 We all owe Don our thanks for helping us raise our children and for
demonstrating daily the highest moral and ethical standards. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Thanks Don, we will miss you. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Richard P. Adams &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Kingston &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Buckets of thanks &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Hughestown Lions Club would like to thank the citizens of Greater Pittston
and surrounding towns for their generosity during our annual "Bucket Day." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The proceeds will help us help the unfortunate. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Kenny Bangs &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Lion president &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Hughestown &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Celebrating caregivers &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The staff at Riverside Adult Day Care Center extends a special word of
gratitude to families using adult day care centers as we conclude our
celebration of National Adult Day Care Week, September 16-20. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Thank you for becoming part of our extended family and for allowing us to
share in the care of your loved ones. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 We will always strive and help in any way possible to add happy days to the
lives of your loved ones while adding life to your days as caregivers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Judy Giovanelli &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Administrator &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Riverside Adult Day Care Center &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Plains &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Generous animal-lovers &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who donated food,
supplies and money to the Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals
(SPCA) during our recent plea for canned dog food. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Within the last few months we have seen overwhelming numbers of animals
come through our doors. For example, during the month of June alone, we
received 276 dogs, 488 cats, and 91 other animals such as, hamsters, mice and
wild animals. The month of July and August showed much same. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Unfortunately, it has been a rough year for the staff here at the SPCA,
since the adoption rate does not parallel the rate of animals we take in on a
daily basis. Because of this, we must euthanize many healthy and lovable
animals because they are simply unwanted. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 If people would only spay and neuter! &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 We all work here because we love animals, and one could only imagine what
we see on a daily basis. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Due to the generosity of the people of the community, we can continue to
care for the unwanted animals of Luzerne County. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The donations demonstrated to all of us here that the people of our
community stand behind us in our all our efforts to protect all animals, great
and small, in their time of need. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Thank you again for showing how much you need the SPCA and how it still has
a place in the hearts of animal lovers in this great community. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Edward G. Dubil Jr. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Humane police officer &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 SPCA of Luzerne County &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Wilkes-Barre &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 A successful 10-year run &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation for the recent articles
in The Times Leader on the upcoming 10th anniversary of the Kirby Center and
on my 10-year involvement (Sept. 15). &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I would like to point out that the spirit of community pride that made the
theater possible 10 years ago is still alive and well-represented by our core
of volunteers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 These individuals from all walks of life and all age groups, under the
direction of house manager Barbara Owens, have faithfully been present for all
Kirby events since the opening 10 years ago. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Several, along with me, are celebrating their 10th year at the Center.
These are the familiar faces who greet you, take your tickets, hand you your
programs and escort you to your seats. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Thanks, too, belongs to our board members, sponsors and members of the
Kirby Center, whose financial support has enabled us to weather the
uncertainties of the performing arts business. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 My gratitude also goes out to members of IATSE Stagehands Local 82 for
their hard work and dedication in making the Kirby Center one of the best run
technical operations in the country. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Some of the other individual staff members who have contributed daily to
the success of the Center include W. Curtis Montz, Debbie Schonfeld, Holly
Hungarter, Tom Hillgrove, Sara Hillgrove, Joseph Kovalick, Alexandra Solt,
Cheryl Pashinski, Lisa Martin, Ron Mooney, Alex Partika, Tony Witkoski and
countless others. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I extend a special note of recognition to my long-time assistant, John
Domzalski, whose love of this facility is as deep and genuine as my own. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 To my wife, Dr. Agnes Cardoni, and my son, Christopher Swantek, I cannot
begin to express how thankful I am for their ongoing support and good humor,
especially through the times when my own humor has been in short supply. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And finally, thank you to the greater Northeastern Pennsylvania community,
whose ongoing support and attendance are the reasons we started this project
10 years ago, and why we will continue into the next century. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 John Cardoni Jr. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Assistant general manager &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Technical director &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The F.M. Kirby Center &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 For the Performing Arts &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Wilkes-Barre &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

``mountain Laurels'' Is A Regular Series Of Letters From Readers Conveying 
Thanks To Individuals Or Groups For Their Support, Help Or Kindness.~ 
Role Model Retires 
Recently Don Minkoff Retired As Director Of The Kingston Recreation Center. I 
Have Known Don Largely Through Raising Three Kids Who Used The Kingston Rec 
Center.