Wilbur Prutzman February 15, 1997 Wilbur R. ``bob'' Prutzman Jr., Of Norwood 
Avenue, Hanover Township, Died Saturday At The Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-barre.

119, 152 Look Deep At Districts

Saturday, February 15, 1997 &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 kindnessThanks from
`dreamers' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 We want to thank everyone on your staff who volunteered their time for the
"Book of Dreams" and everyone who contributed to this cause. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Through the "Book of Dreams" we had a raised roof and doors and an electric
wheelchair lift installed in our van to accommodate our son. Thanks to all of
you, our son Joey can now ride in our van comfortably and safely. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Thank you all for this kind and very generous gift. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 This is truly the Valley with a Heart. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Tilley and family &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 West Pittston &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 V.A. hospital &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 My brother, a veteran of the Vietnam War, is a resident of the nursing home
unit of the Veterans Administration Medical Center. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 He has been there for about three years. In that time I have had an
opportunity to personally observe and receive reports concerning his care. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The purpose of my letter is to publicly thank the staff and respiratory
therapists on the 4th floor nursing unit for the dedication and personal care
they give to not only my brother, but to others on the unit. All appear to be
well cared for. The staff always seems to be upbeat, and they take the time to
say something pleasant. They truly make it a "home" for the residents. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Although I live away, I rest easy knowing that my brother and others on the
floor receive quality care. There have been some medically critical times for
my brother, but the staff have competently and quickly responded to the crisis
and have pulled him through. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 If you know staff who work in the nursing unit at the VA, show your
gratitude to them for the job they do for the veteran. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Ken Sheldon &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Rocky Mount, N.C. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Power of kindness &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Every once in a while a person is given the opportunity to experience the
warmth, love, and prayers from the people of our Valley. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Having been stricken ill recently, I have been overwhelmed by the
outpouring of love and support that I have received. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 To these people I wish to express my deepest gratitude and to reassure them
that their prayers and encouragement have contributed to my on-going recovery. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Without the support of my family, the students and faculty of SS. Peter and
Paul School, The Rev. Joseph Greskiewicz, and the hundreds of friends and
well-wishers, I could not have made it this far. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I thank the physicians, especially Dr. Dan Kopen, who worked so hard to
restore my health, and the staff of 7 East at General Hospital who made my
rather lengthy stay tolerable. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Even though my illness has put me temporarily out of commission, the good
things that I have seen happen because of it, have reinforced the belief that
people are truly wonderful. Thank you for the cards, flowers, gifts, meals,
but most of all, your prayers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Ernestine Pienta &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Plains &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Welcome appointment &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I am writing this to publicly thank those who supported me in my obtaining
the position of commissioner on the municipal police officers' education and
training commission, especially the Fraternal Order of Police. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Late last year I was nominated by Gov. Ridge to represent the
non-commissioned officer post on the commission, a position that was vacated
by Detective Robert Mitchell of the Wilkes-Barre Police Department. After many
years of service on the commission, Detective Mitchell had to give up the post
after being promoted to captain in 1996. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It was then that I was approached by Joseph T. Paratore, president of Lodge
36 of the Fraternal Order of Police, and asked if I would be interested in
this position. After accepting, State F.O.P. President Francis Bascelli
submitted my name to Gov. Ridge. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Because of the support I received from the State F.O.P., several local
magistrates and state Sens. Musto and Lemmond, the Senate was quick to confirm
my appointment to the commission. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Having attended several commission meetings, I now can say that I am
impressed with the manner in which the commission operates and with the role
municipal police officers actually play in the training that they receive. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I will do my best not to disappoint those who have supported me and pledge
that I will strive to help make police officers in Pennsylvania the best
trained and most respected officers in the country. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Sgt. Daniel Hunsinger &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Kingston police department &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Sing praises for concert &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 We would like to thank The Times Leader for sponsoring the Red Grammer
Concert. We really enjoyed the concert and were especially thankful that it
was free, so everyone was welcome to enjoy it. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Terwilliger Family &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Wilkes-Barre &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 `Thanks' inadequate &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It's impossible to really thank someone who has saved your life. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But to Eric and his fellow paramedics in Wilkes-Barre, I am eternally
grateful. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 What would we do without these people? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Thanks also to Drs. John Carey and J. Stepanitis for caring. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Margaret Bytheway &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Wilkes-Barre &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Generational bridge &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Unfortunately, we only read and hear about the negatives concerning teens
and young adults. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I would like to thank the young man named Jim in a red car who graciously
helped three women lost in Barney Farms on the evening of Jan. 8. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 He not only told us how to find the Carey Avenue Bridge, but without
hesitating drove us directly to it. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 You have restored our faith in the younger generation. Bless you, Jim. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Marcia Albosta &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Reno, Nev. &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.