Wvc Seniors Enjoy Mixed Success In Indoor All-star Games

2 Men Hurt In Attack At W-b Group Home

Sunday, February 08, 1998 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1E 





Benefits, kid stuff and art stuff keep scene swinging &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Let's start this week off with a really fabulous party! &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On Saturday, Jan. 31, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast Pennsylvania
hosted the 5th Annual Crystal Ball at the Highlands at Newberry Estates in &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 DallasThis year's event proved to be the most successful to date, with 250
guests in attendance and a tremendous show of support from the medical
community and the community at large. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Chairperson and WBRE-TV news anchor Dawn Timmeney and Chairman of the
Make-A-Wish Board of Directors Joe Milazzo greeted arriving guests. The
entrance to the Highlands was beautifully decorated with fresh flowers donated
by several local shops. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Guests included George and Dorothy Tarasek, Maria Razawich and Bill Zach,
and Matt and Suzanne DePrimo. They enjoyed cocktails and a bountiful display
of incredible foods and treats created by Bob and Judy Coscia and their staff. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 There were mouthwatering hors d'oeuvres served butler style, stationary
hors d'oeuvres tables and canape displays and a cabaret buffet that included
sauteed tenderloin, casino stuffed mushrooms, broccoli souffle, grilled fresh
tuna and chicken jardiniere, to name a few. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The variety of desserts was just as pleasing, with fresh strawberry
Amaretto, bananas Foster, pastries and cookies, and ice cream. Guests enjoyed
dancing to the music of Hollywood, which once again donated its services for
the evening. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Jessica Robertine-Hardy, president and chief executive officer of
Make-A-Wish, and other members of the board, Jane Nakkache, Bill O'Boyle,
Michael Vough and his wife, Cindy, gathered with the crowd as Timmeney
introduced this year's speaker, Michael Bellas, 17, of Ashley. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Michael was the recipient of a Wish last year, and with his family,
recounted his Make-A-Wish experience. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Michael also presented a surprise presentation to Timmeney, a framed copy
of the drawing that Michael had created for last year's Clothes Line Art
Auction. His drawing received the most bids and highest price at the auction. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Special guests also included last year's speaker, Christopher Robinson and
his mother, Dawn Rebarchak. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Also taking in the spectacular event were Rob and Kim Mericle, Bob and
Jeannie Clements, Ned Grimes, George and Linda Saba and Carol and Rick
Coslett. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 After a truly lovely evening, a single red rose was offered to guests on
their way home as a reminder of the special night. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Crystal Ball hoped to raise $15,000 this year which will help
Make-A-Wish grant three to five wishes this year. The foundation is a very
special organization and helps children fulfill lifelong dreams. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 If you would like to contribute to Make-A-Wish, please contact the office
at 480 Scott St., Wilkes-Barre. For more information, call 829-3235 or
1-800-480-9474. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Another very special event took place on Saturday night, Jan. 31. Hundreds
of people, from family and friends to total strangers, turned up at the Sacred
Heart Elementary School Auditorium on North Main Street in Wilkes-Barre. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The group assembled to raise money for cancer patient Michael McGrath Jr. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Michael is the 6-month-old son of Michael and Peggy McGrath of
Wilkes-Barre. The lad is undergoing chemotherapy at Hershey Medical Center to
control the growth of a malignant tumor removed from his brain. With the
exception of Christmas and a few very short visits home, Michael has been at
the Hershey Medical Center since late November. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The support of the community was incredible. The benefit in the packed
gymnasium included musical entertainment by DJ Tony K and an auction of items
donated by businesses and members of the community. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom McGroarty was on hand to honor Michael and decreed
Jan. 31 as Michael McGrath Day in Wilkes-Barre. Proceeds from the event will
help Michael's family with medical expenses. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Anyone wishing to make a donation may send them to the Michael McGrath Jr.
Fund c/o First Union Bank, Narrows Shopping Center, Edwardsville, PA 18704. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Today is the second performance in the Kids Arts Series at the Wyoming
Valley Montessori School in Kingston. The Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble will
present "Story Spinners," a treasure trove of timeless hand-me-down stories
peppered with home-grown heroines, playful pranksters and clever comics. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Celebrating its 20th year, the ensemble's "Theater in the Classroom" is an
annual favorite of young and older audiences, so get there early for a good
seat. The show begins at 2 p.m. in the Great Room and is free and open to the
public. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Wyoming Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross is planning its second
annual Mid Winter Oldies Hop. The event will be on Friday, March 6 from 8 p.m.
to midnight at the Genetti Hotel &amp; Convention Center in Wilkes-Barre. The
event, sponsored by Stroehmann Bakeries will feature Which Doctor? the
nine-member group featuring doctors Marty Freifeld, Rick Blum and Dean Copely
performing classic rock hits and dance music from the '60s and '70s. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The public is invited to take part in the fun-filled event. Door prizes
will be awarded throughout the evening and snacks will be provided. Tickets
for the hop are $12 in advance and available at Joe Nardone's Gallery of Sound
locations or by calling the Red Cross at 823-7161. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Proceeds from the event will support Red Cross Community services including
blood services, education, disaster relief and communication to armed forces.
Representatives from the Red Cross will be on hand during the evening to
answer questions and discuss volunteer opportunities. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 There is still time for young artists to enter the 17th Annual Suzanne
Maria Rosetti Juried Art Contest sponsored by Joe and Sue Hand of Dallas. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The contest is open to art students in seventh through 12th grade in the
Dallas, Lake-Lehman, Tunkhannock and Northwest Area school districts. Entries
may be delivered to Sue Hand's Imagery, 35 Main St., Dallas, until Feb. 18. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Winning works will be exhibited at the MacDonald Gallery at College
Misericordia in Dallas, opening on March 1 and running through April 5. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 For contest rules and more information please call 675-5094. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 For those of you looking for my column last week, I apologize. Shortly
before last week's column deadline my husband and I had to put our dog,
Wilder, to sleep after a thankfully brief bout with cancer. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 She was a wonderful animal and a very special part of our lives for the
past nine-plus years. The "social scene," as you may understand, was not at
the top of our things to do. Thanks to all of our friends who sent
condolences, cards and e-malls- they meant alot to us both. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As with everything in life, however, the show must still go on. The social
calendars are starting to look pretty full. Valentine's Day is only a week
away and has us thinking that spring is not so far away. (Although we really
haven't had that major snowstorm yet?) Let me know of any social events in the
coming weeks. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Marion Conyngham's co

Benefits, Kid Stuff And Art Stuff Keep Scene Swinging 
Let's Start This Week Off With A Really Fabulous Party! 
On Saturday, Jan. 31, The Make-a-wish Foundation Of Northeast Pennsylvania 
Hosted The 5th Annual Crystal Ball At The Highlands At Newberry Estates In 
Dallas.

Benefits, Kid Stuff And Art Stuff Keep Scene Swinging Let's Start This Week Off With A Really Fabulous Party! On Saturday, Jan. 31, The Make-a-wish Foundation Of Northeast Pennsylvania Hosted The 5th Annual Crystal Ball At The Highlands At Newberry Estates In Dallas.