Vegetarians unite

WILKES-BARRE – Daniel Beky of Wilkes-Barre said he had little choice but to become a vegetarian.

He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, and just four months ago had an esophagectomy. Beky said 80 percent to 90 percent of people who have their esophagus removed can’t eat meat, so it seemed natural for him to become a vegetarian.

So when the downtown Barnes & Noble bookstore regular saw that the Wyoming Valley Vegetarians were having a meet-and-greet and book discussion Thursday night, Beky decided to stop by to learn more about his newfound way of eating.

The event, organized by the six-member board of the Wyoming Valley Vegetarians group, included vegetarian and vegan fare, such as salsa and tortilla chips, carrots and celery. Attendees also discussed “The China Study,” written by T. Colin Campbell and Thomas M. Campbell II and one of the most talked about health and nutrition books published in 2005.

Nearly 40 people – vegetarians, vegans and on-the-fence vegetarians alike – attended the event, including Nanette Bozentka, of Trucksville.

“I’ve been playing around with vegetarianism for a while now. I just don’t know what to eat,” Bozentka said. “That’s where I fall short, I came to get some recipes.”

Maribeth DeMarco, of Wilkes-Barre, attended the event to become more familiar with the group, and possibly assist the Wyoming Valley Vegetarians in helping make changes – including offering vegetarian or vegan options – at local restaurants

The group has worked with Pete’s Place on South Street in Wilkes-Barre to create a few menu items, and most recently with Ground Round, which plans to include vegetarian burgers and meatballs on its menu. It’s also helping out Peking Chef.

Frank Kopyta, a Wyoming Valley Vegetarians board member and a sophomore at Wilkes University, likes to stay active with environmental issues and belongs to an animal rights group, and recently went from being a vegetarian to vegan. He said the things he eats now leave him more energized.

“The things we eat are light and full of carbohydrates. After class, you feel like going to the gym, and not a lot of people can say that,” Kopyta said. He added that he’s worked with the food service department at Wilkes to complement his diet, and cooking has become a lot easier for the computer science and integrative media double major.

The facilitator for the discussion was Jan Novotka, a vegetarian who has done in-depth study on the book.

“The book made me drop the little bit of meat I was eating and became a 100 percent vegetarian,” Novotka said. “The first few chapters really made me think and change my life.”

“Our group is growing and growing and getting better and better,” said Ray Hall, vice president of the group. “More people are becoming vegetarians, and we’re here to help.”

What’s next

What: Wyoming Valley Vegetarians will gather to hear Dr. Rajesh Nahar speak about diet and cancer, along with an eight-course family-style dinner served. Price is $16.99.

For more information, or if would like to attend the event, call Arlene Sindaco, president, at (570) 829-4139.