Woman's Best Friend 
Family's Two Dogs Credited With Saving Mother's Life

Accidental Bb Shot Destroys Window

Sunday, January 26, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





I've read three terrific novels in the past couple of weeks. The story I &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 finished yesterday was Deep End of the Ocean by Jacquelyn Mitchard (thanks, &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Nancy and Oprah!). Like most writers, I love to read. The only problem is, &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 when I get into a good book, entropy gets the upper hand and things I
should be doing around the house don't get done. Yesterday John, looking at
the picture of Santa smiling at him from the third week of December on the
perpetual calendar on our kitchen wall, asked me how many days until
Christmas. When I said, "Oh, about 350," his face registered confusion
because, although he doesn't know a lot about reading calendars yet, he knew
there were not more than 50 little tiles on the entire calendar! &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Well, my book's done, so as soon as I'm done writing this column, I'll
change that calendar . . . or start shopping. Here are some worthwhile ways to
avoid chores around your house this week. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Happy Birthday to Nick Weber who turns 16 years old today! Nick is a
wrestler and football player at Crestwood High School. All your friends and
neighbors join your parents and grandparents in wishing you a Happy Birthday,
Nick! &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Mountaintop Knights of Columbus will meet this Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. at
the Knights of Columbus home. Dr. A. Zurawski will be the guest speaker. Grand
Knight Anthony Biaggo requests all members to attend. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Fairview Elementary School's PTA will hold its next General Meeting this
Tuesday, 7 p.m. in the large group room of the school. An officer from the
Fairview Police Department will speak with parents about drug and alcohol
awareness. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Crestwood Band Parents Association meets this Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. in the
high school band room. All members are urged to attend. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Crestwood Fall Soccer Booster Club meets Tuesday also, 7 p.m., at the
high school. All parents of those playing soccer at the high school are
requested to attend. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Soccer Booster Club is selling All Crestwood Sports T-shirts and
baseball hats. The shirts go for $10; $5 will buy you a hat. Call Bob at
868-1107 cq today with your order. Supplies are limited. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Registration for new students in all grades for the 1997-98 school year at
St. Jude's School, Mountaintop, will be held Wednesday, Jan. 29, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
and 7-8 p.m. at the main office in the upper school. Open House will be held
from 9-11 a.m. Children registering for kindergarten must be 5 years old by
Sept. 1. Full and half-day sessions are available. Parents of kindergarten
registrants must bring the child's birth certificate, baptismal certificate
and immunization record. A $25 registration fee is required for each student.
Kindergarten registrant need not attend registration. For further info, call
the school at 474-5803. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Mountaintop Area Democrats will meet this Thursday, 8 p.m. at the
American Legion Post 781, Church Road, Luzerne County Commissioner Chair
Thomas Makowski will be an honored guest for the swearing in of the new
officers. A covered dish is planned. For details contact Ann Kijak, secretary,
868-3649. cq &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 CACE will meet Tuesday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m. at the high school. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The course brochure for Spring Semester adult education classes will be
mailed the first week in February. Extra copies are available at the Kirby
Library. Registration is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 20, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at
the high school cafeteria. Call Registrar Caren Nash, 474-6668, cq with your
questions. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Kathy Nolan, Ph.D., professor at College Misericordia and specialist in
child development and behavior will speak about "Parent-Child Communication"
at Harvey's Lake Grotto's Pizza at the February monthly meeting of the
Newcomer's Club of Wyoming Valley. The Feb. 4 meeting starts at 7 p.m. The
talk is free and open to the public but each person is responsible for the
cost of her dinner which is a la carte from the menu. Please call Lorrae
Orlove, 868-3192, cq for information. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Friends of the MSK Library will meet on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 7 p.m. in
the community room. Plans will be discussed for the upcoming winter
fund-raisers. New members always encouraged and volunteers are needed to help
with the fund-raisers. For more info, call the library, 474-9313. cq &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Winterfest '97, St. Jude's School Indoor Winter Carnival, will be held on
Saturday, Feb. 8, 4-9 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 9, noon-6 p.m. in Father Nolan
Hall. Booths will feature many fun games for children and adults, a Chinese
Auction, crafts, baked goods and food. Chances will be sold to win a Disney
World Family Vacation valued at $1,859 and arranged through Eagle World
Travel. The public is invited to come out of the cold and join in the fun. Got
questions? Call 474-5803. cq &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Mountaintop Little League Baseball and Softball Registrations have been
scheduled for: Saturday, Feb. 8, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; Wednesday, Feb. 12, 7-8:30
p.m.; Thursday, Feb. 20, 7-8:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 22, 9 a.m.-noon;
Saturday, March 1, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Children must be 6 years old before July 31, 1997 to be eligible to play
T-ball. Parents may sign up to help in all areas such as field maintenance,
concession stand, newsletter or fund-raiser at the time they register their
children. Mark your calendars today. NO late registrations will be accepted.
Bill Loefflad, 868-3096, cq can answer all your questions. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Slocum Ambulance Squad invites you to its Valentine Sweetheart Dance to
be held on Saturday, Feb. 8, 8 p.m.-midnight. Doors will open at 7 p.m. with a
buffet and beverages supplied. BYOB. DJ "The Wright Touch" will provide the
music. Tickets may be obtained by calling Ted Jr. at 735-6074 daytime or leave
a message at 868-6255. Cost is $10/person. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 A Valentine Bingo will be held by the Slocum Volunteer Fire Company on
Sunday, Feb. 9, at the fire hall. Doors open at 2 p.m. with games beginning at
3 p.m. Tickets are $1.50 and will be sold at the door. Prizes will be
Valentine's Day merchandise. Wear red and receive a "red" prize! Call Sally,
868-5647, cq with any questions. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Mountaintop Sports Organizations wishing to use the fields at Fairview
Township Memorial Park in 1997 should submit a written request to the
Recreation Board no later than Feb. 17, 1997. The request should outline the
beginning and ending dates, days of the week and times desired. The Rec Board
will meet the first week in March at the Municipal Building to review all
requests and approve the schedule for the year. Send all requests to: Fairview
Recreation Board--Fields, 65 Shady Tree Land, Mountaintop, PA 18707. For more
info, call 474-9676. cq &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Don't forget, the Friends of the MSK Library are sponsoring a trip to the
Philadelphia Flower Show on Saturday, March 8. Make your reservation by
calling the library at 474-9313. cq Tickets are $40/person. Buses will leave
from Mountaintop at 8:30 a.m., leave Philadelphia at 5 p.m. and return to
Mountaintop at approximately 7:30 p.m. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Mark your calendar for Saturday, March 15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. That's when the
Presbyterian Church of Mountaintop will open its doors to 25 quality crafters
and you at its annual Spring Craft Show. Watch this column for more details in
future issues. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Good Time Travelers have a few seats available for a bus trip to see
Charlie Prose, that lovable humorist, singer, piano player on Sunday, April 6
at the Riveredge Dinner Theater in Reading, Pa. People of all ages throughout
the Wyoming Valley area are welcome to travel with the group for a really good
time. For more information and to make reservations, call Marion at 288-9459
or Betty at 639-5242. cq While you have Marion or Betty on the phone, ask
about the 4-day, 3-night bus trip to Thousand Islands, Canada May 15-18. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That's all for this week! cq or fdeming@aol.com. Talk to you soon! &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Dianne E. Deming is the Mountaintop columnist for The Times Leader. Her
column appears Sunday. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

I've Read Three Terrific Novels In The Past Couple Of Weeks. The Story I 
Finished Yesterday Was Deep End Of The Ocean By Jacquelyn Mitchard (thanks, 
Nancy And Oprah!). Like Most Writers, I Love To Read. The Only Problem Is, 
When I Get Into A Good Book, Entropy Gets The Upper Hand And Things I Should 
Be Doing Around The House Don't Get Done. Yesterday John, Looking At The 
Picture Of Santa Smiling At Him From The Third Week Of December On The 
Perpetual Calendar On Our Kitchen Wall, Asked Me How Many Days Until