`lunatic' Takes Police On Wild Trip 
Ten-hour Battle Ensues Following Routine Arrest

3 Care Centers Get New Owner 
Three Area Personal Care Centers Are Part Of A Major Purchase By 
Mechanicsburg-based Balanced Care Corp.

Sunday, February 02, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





I experienced one of those golden moments of parenting this past week as
John &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 (age 5) strapped on shin guards and played on a soccer team for the first
time. I remember wheeling him in his stroller into the small gym at the ``Y'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; when he was four months old, to watch his brother play his first season. I &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 spent half the time deflecting stray balls off my baby! John has patiently
endured five years of watching not only soccer, but T-ball, Little League, &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 school programs and Cub Scout events as well. Now, finally, it's his turn
and he's thrilled. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I plan to videotape his first game this Saturday so he can see how it all
started after he leads his team to victory in the World Cup game a few years
down the road. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In the meantime, here are some things to keep us all occupied in the days
ahead. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 St. Jude's Church (Rt. 309, Mountaintop) will host a Red Cross Blood Drive
today, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Infant patients have fewer post-operative
complications and a greater chance for survival when the blood used is
collected less than 48 hours before the operation. Donors who give blood on
Sundays help meet the emergency blood needs of neonatal babies undergoing
surgery and help ease the fears of families by helping their children return
to them sooner. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Please do what you can to help. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The MSK Library, in conjunction with the American Association of Retired
Persons (AARP), is offering free tax service for senior citizens aged 60 and
older. The service will be offered at the library each Monday beginning
tomorrow until April 14 by appointment only. Four appointments will be
accepted for each hour beginning at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Appointees are asked to be
prompt for their appointment and to bring a copy of 1995's return, W2S,
interest and dividend statements, unemployment compensation statements, social
security number for all dependents over 2 years of age and their tax package
with address label. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The tax service will also do rent rebates so bring all necessary info for
filing. To make an appointment or for further information, please contact the
library at 35 Kirby Ave., Mountaintop or call 474-9313. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Also at the MSK Library, 1997 Dog Licenses are available now through
Wednesday, Feb. 26. Sale hours are Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. and Saturdays,
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Licenses cost $8.50 for male and female dogs, $6.50/neutered
males or spayed females. Senior citizen rates (65 and older--owners, not the
dogs), are $6.50/male and female dogs, $4.50/neutered males or spayed females.
Questions? Call 474-9313. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Crestwood Area Community Education (CACE) will meet this Tuesday, 7 p.m. at
the high school. Mountaintop residents should receive their spring semester
course brochure in the mail this week. Registration is scheduled for Thursday,
Feb. 20, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the high school cafeteria. Caren Nash, registrar,
can answer your questions at 474-6668. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Newcomer's Club of Wyoming Valley will hold its monthly meeting this
Tuesday, 7 p.m. at the Harveys Lake Grotto's Pizza. The club is an informal
women's social club open to new residents of the greater Wyoming Valley area.
Lorrae Orlove (868-3192) will be happy to tell you more about the club and its
activities. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Friends of the MSK Library meet this Wednesday, 7 p.m. in the community
room. New members are encouraged to attend. Volunteers are needed to help with
the group's fund raisers to benefit the library. Need details? That library
number again is 474-9313. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church will officially and
wholeheartedly welcome its new rector, Father Frank Sefchick, this Thursday, 7
p.m., in a service of the celebration of a new ministry. The Right Rev. Paul
V. Marshall, bishop of the Diocese of Bethlehem, will be the Celebrant at the
service of installation. Archdeacon Rick Cluett will be joining in the
service. Congratulations and God's blessings to parish and parson on this
important and happy occasion for you all. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It's that time of year again...Time to sign Junior up for Little League!
The Mountaintop Little League Baseball and Softball Registrations are being
taken on: 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 and Saturday,
March 1, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Parents must register their children in person and NO
LATE REGISTRATIONS will be accepted. Teams are available for boys and girls
from 6 through 15 years old (by July 31, 1997). &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In addition to players and coaches, the league needs adults to help in the
areas of field maintenance, concession stand, fund raising and newsletter.
Please call Bill Loefflad (868-3096) if you have any questions or would like
to volunteer. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Winterfest' 97, St. Jude School's Indoor Winter Carnival will be held on
this Saturday, 4-9 p.m. and next Sunday, 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, arranged through Eagle World Travel. The
public is invited to come in out of the cold and join in the fun. For further
info, call the school at 474-5803. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Crestwood High School Band Parents Assn. is sponsoring a Hoagie Sale on
Saturday, Feb. 15. The price per hoagie is $2 and can be ordered with or
without onions. Orders are being taken by any member of the CHS Band or member
of the Band Parents Assn. or by calling Laura at 474-2344. Orders are being
taken until Sunday, Feb. 9. Proceeds from this sale will help defray the cost
of the Band Trip to Washington D.C., Williamsburg, Va., and Busch Gardens. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Slocum Township Ambulance Squad will hold a Valentine Sweetheart Dance
this Saturday, 8 p.m.-midnight with D.J. "The Wright Touch." Doors will open
at 7 p.m. with a buffet and beverages supplied. BYOB. Tickets may be obtained
by calling Ted Jr. at 735-6074 daytime or by leaving a message at 868-6255.
Cost of the tickets are $10/person. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 A Valentine Bingo will be held by the Slocum Volunteer Fire Company next
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. Call Sally (868-5647)
with any questions. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Mountaintop Leisure Group will meet next Sunday, Feb. 9, 2 p.m. at
Crestwood High School. The guest speaker will be Fairview Police Chief
Intellacto. Members, please plan to attend. You may phone Dee (474-6245) with
your questions. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Calling all former PTA presidents from the former White Haven and Fairview
Elementary Schools as well as the currents Fairview Elementary School! Please
contact Debbie Goodwin through Fairview Elementary (117 Spruce St.,
Mountaintop). She'd like to invite you to a special 100th Anniversary
Celebration of PTA in this country on Feb. 18. (All other Fairview PTA
members, mark your calendars, too!) &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. Please outline beginning and ending
dates, days of the week and times desired. Send all requests to: Fairview
Recreation Board - Fields, 65 Shady Tree Lane, Mountaintop, PA 18707. For more
information, call 474-9676. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Friends of the MSK Library are sponsoring a Spring Bus Trip to the
Philadelphia Flower Show on Saturday, March 8. Buses will leave from
Mountaintop. Tickets are $40 each and can be reserved at the library
(474-9313). Call early for this popular spring event. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Mountaintop Social Club is going to Branson, Mo., Oct. 5-12. Cost is
$610. A $50 deposit is due with registration. The public is invited. For more
info and reservations, call Irene (474-6056). &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That's it for this week! Please remember me with your news and
announcements at Have a great week! &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Dianne E. Deming is the Mountaintop columnist for The Times Leader. Her
column appears Sunday. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

I Experienced One Of Those Golden Moments Of Parenting This Past Week As John 
(age 5) Strapped On Shin Guards And Played On A Soccer Team For The First 
Time. I Remember Wheeling Him In His Stroller Into The Small Gym At The ``y'' 
When He Was Four Months Old, To Watch His Brother Play His First Season. I 
Spent Half The Time Deflecting Stray Balls Off My Baby! John Has Patiently 
Endured Five Years Of Watching Not Only Soccer, But T-ball, Little League, 
School Programs And Cub Scout Events As Well. Now, Finally, It's His Turn And