`annie' Brightens Audience's Lives, Music Box's Finances

Abuse Charges May Be Refiled

Thursday, February 13, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





``My best friend's name is Melanie Montalbano. She's funny, open-minded,
and has a great heart and personality. I have a lot of friends, but Melanie's
like my sister.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Candy Welch, 13 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Elk Lake &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``My best friend is Melissa Roth, because she is wacky like me. I am her
best friend, too.'' -- Alicia Garavaglia, 9 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Chester Street School &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Brittany Balchune. She is cheerful and loving and
sometimes she encourages me. But when you add it all up, it comes down to
love. You're great, Britt!" &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Ashley Polak, 11 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Holy Rosary School &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Jess is my best friend. She always laughs at my jokes even if they do
stink. She was always there for me at school." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Stefanee Wilson, 8 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Fairview Elementary &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is my mom. She is always there for me and I know I can talk
to her. About anything. And we have fun together." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Jillian Libenson, 9 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Third Avenue School &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Kevin because we like to go to YMCA and we always call
each other names like `dodo."' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Henry Lin, 10 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Third Avenue School &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Drake, my little brother. He is always glad to see me
after school, which makes me feel special and happy." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Dayne Hoffman, 9 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Fairview Elementary &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Courtney. She doesn't ever tell anyone the secrets I
tell her and she lets me borrow things. I trust her." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Nina Carpenetti, 9 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Third Avenue School &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Nicole. We go to catechism together. I like her because
she is nice and pretty." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Katrina Berish, 6 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Pringle Street Elementary &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Kassie. She plays with me. I love you, Kassie! We look
at rainbows together. I like her because she is pretty and silly." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Priscilla Benesky, 6 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Pringle Street Elementary &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Jared Zablotney is my best friend. We built clubhouses, played Nintendo
together and rode bikes." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- James Coslett, 9 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Pringle Street Elementary &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Tommy Tarak is my friend. He is funny and makes you laugh. He's a good
student and is always on the honor roll. He's a nice boy." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- David Lengel, 8 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Pringle Street Elementary &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "James Coslett is my best friend. He goes bike riding, watches TV with me
and plays sports with me." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Jared Zablotney, 10 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Pringle Street School &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Steven Fox because we like the same stuff. We like to
read the same books." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Matthew Morgan, 9 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Chester Street School &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Nicky Abaiso because he always buys food when I'm
hungry. We always hang out together." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Jacob Farley, 8 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I don't have a best friend because I don't play favorites. I like everyone
and they like me. I treat everyone equal." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Carmella Blockus, 10 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Pringle Street Elementary &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Ned L. I like him because he takes me fishing." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Michael Haley, 9 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Chester Street School &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friends are my mom and dad. I think they are the best because they
help me when I fall on my bike." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Melissa Roth, 7 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Chester Street School &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Emily. She is very, very silly and she likes me, too. We
play together and we play color tag at recess." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Megan Kryger, 6 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Pringle Street Elementary &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Brandon. He is very kind to me. I like him 100 percent." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Chris Meier, 6 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Pringle Street Elementary &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I have more than one best friend, but they're all the same. My best
friends are trusting and always there for me." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Caitlin Burns, 13 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Kingston &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Best friends: nice, excellent, daring. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 cool, only one, natural, not nosy, outgoing, loyal, lithe, youthful. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 always, nifty, delightful. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 masterful, educated." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- David M. Tarantini, 13 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Swoyersville &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I like my best friend because she is nice, funny, independent and always
sticks up for me. She's always in a good mood to play." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Julie Kuhns, 9 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Fairview Elementary &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friends are Courtney and Sarah. We like to play baseball. Our
favorite place to go is school." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Bryanna, first grade &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Heights Elementary &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Mandy. We like to play football. Our favorite place to
go is Kirby Park." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 " My best friend is Talyn. We like to play basketball. Our favorite place
to go is the CYC." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Jason Loftus because he is always sticking up for me
when I am in trouble." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Mark Beaudoin, 12 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Holy Rosary School &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is my dad. He is always there for me. He works hard to send
me to school. He is the best ever." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Jason Loftus, 11 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Holy Rosary School &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is my mom because she is understanding. She makes me happy,
and she makes people laugh and smile. I love you, mom." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Sarah Switek, 12 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Holy Rosary School &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Matt M. is my best friend. He is easy-going. I go over to his house every
day." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Steven Fox, 8 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Chester Street School &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Amanda Bennett. She cheers me up when someone doesn't
let me play with them. So I play with her." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Amie Boyle, 9 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Chester Street School &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Marrissa Lipfert. We have been friends since I was a
little baby. I don't see her very much anymore." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Taylor Kelley, 8 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Chester Street School &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Katie. We spend a lot of time together. She makes me
feel like I always have someone to talk to." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Joey. We play together. I like him because he is cool,
funny and silly. We are best friends." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Nicholas Kondratowicz, 6 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Pringle Street Elementary &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is John. He is cool and he has cool toys. I love to play
with him." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Joseph Napolsky, 6 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Pringle Street Elementary &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Chris. He is nice. We play Play Station together. I like
him because he plays trucks with me." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Brandon Gulich, 6 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Pringle Street Elementary &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Martin is my friend. He is kind, friendly and a helper. He helps people
work. He helps older people." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Mark Castro, 9 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Pringle Street Elementary &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Tommy Turak. He always makes me laugh when he says a
joke. One night we were on the phone until 12:30." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Eddie Kane, 10 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Pringle Street School &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Eddie Kane. He always thinks I am funny when I say a
joke. He always plays football with me at the schoolyard." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Tommy Turak, 9 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Pringle Street School &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Tara because she's always nice, no matter what. She
cheers me up when I'm sad. That's why she's my best friend." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Amanda Scavone, 10 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Pringle Street School &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Amanda Davies is my best friend. She is nice, sticks up for her friends in
our class, gives stuff away and is my cousin." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Stephanie Durk, 9 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Pringle Street School &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Kristen Covert. She is my best friend because we do lots
of different things together." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Lindsey Hufford, 9 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Pringle Street school &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "A best friend is someone who doesn't laugh when you make a mistake, like
Joseph Wyberski. He is nice and he is my best friend." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Brandon Burkhardt, 10 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Pringle Street School &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Melanie Stucker. She makes me laugh a lot and we like to
hang out with each other. We both love the Steelers." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Mollie Coslett, 10 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Pringle Street School &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Rhonda is my best friend. We play basketball, laugh and gigg le when we do
something silly and we ride bikes together." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Nicole Rodriguez, 10 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Pringle Street School &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Christina G. She lives very close by. We get together a
lot. We play basketball and softball. We're on the same teams." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Brianna Gavio, 8 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Fairview Elementary &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Robert Ferguson. He lives close to me. He knows a lot
about nature. He is brave. He likes the Bills. He's a great best friend." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Matthew Benjamin, 9 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Fairview Elementary &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My dad is my best friend. He is always there for me. My dad and I like to
do things together. We play soccer, wrestle, hockey, baseball and football." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Sean Morgan, 9 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Fairview Elementary &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Julie Kuhns because she's nice, she's funny, she's smart
and she has good sportsmanship. I love to be with Julie Kuhns." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Amanda Grinavich, 8 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Fairview Elementary &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Jason has been my friend since preschool. We play together at recess
sometimes. He is very nice to me." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Eric Hill, 9 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Fairview Elementary &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Dan has a Nintendo 64. We play hockey. I knew Dan since we were 4. He is
nice to me." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Andrew Miller, 9 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Fairview Elementary &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Jason. He is nice to me. We always play football
together, also go to the End Zone together. He's my pal." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Kyle Grimes, 10 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Third Avenue School &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Marion is my best friend. Why? She is because when the going gets tough
she's there and we always get along." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Susan Parry, 13 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Luzerne &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Bridget Prego. Ever since I met her in second grade, I
could always confide in her. I hope it always stays that way." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Leslie Martin, 13 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Edwardsville &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend's name is Gary Decker. He and I have great and tough times
together. We pull through the tough times and still manage to be the best
friends we could be." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Matt Gushka, 14 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Kingston &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Chrissa Walsh is my best friend because she is always there for me through
good times and bad. She makes me feel good about myself." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My best friend is Megan. She is caring, nice and is always there when a
friend is in need. She listens to what I have to say and she is funny. She
always speaks her mind and tells the truth." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Donna Melton, 13 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Forty Fort &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

``my Best Friend's Name Is Melanie Montalbano. She's Funny, Open-minded, And 
Has A Great Heart And Personality. I Have A Lot Of Friends, But Melanie's Like 
My Sister.'' 
-- Candy Welch, 13 
Elk Lake 
``my Best Friend Is Melissa Roth, Because She Is Wacky Like Me. I Am Her Best 
Friend, Too.''

``my Best Friend's Name Is Melanie Montalbano. She's Funny, Open-minded, And Has A Great Heart And Personality. I Have A Lot Of Friends, But Melanie's Like My Sister.'' -- Candy Welch, 13 Elk Lake ``my Best Friend Is Melissa Roth, Because She Is Wacky Like Me. I Am Her Best Friend, Too.''