Mountain Laurels

Monday, March 10, 2003     Page: 7A

Editor’s Note: “Mountain Laurels” is a regular series of letters from
readers conveying thanks to individuals or groups for their support, help or
kindness.~
   
CANDIDATE SKREPENAK WOULD BE WISE CHOICE TOWERS RESIDENTS ENJOY VALENTINE’S
DAY TREAT JCC APPRECIATES EFFORTS OF ATTORNEY VOLUNTEERS CARDIAC SURGERY
PATIENT THANKS THOSE WHO CARED CONTRIBUTIONS WELCOME FOR WAR RELIEF PACKAGES
SOME COACHES TAKE FUN OUT OF YOUTH SPORTS 3 CHEERS FOR EDITORIAL SUPPORTING
DIPLOMACY WYOMING COUNTY THEATER WINS OVER SUPPORTERS KITTY FINDS NEW HOME
AFTER BRUSH WITH DEATH On Feb. 13 a Valentine’s Day free luncheon was served
to the residents of Oplinger Towers, Nanticoke, with a Valentine cupcake. Food
was prepared and served by Gerri Hopiak and Stasia Czapracki. Betty Tomcho
helped serve. On Valentine’s Day each bingo player was given a candy heart and
wished a Happy Valentine’s Day.
   
Gerri Hopiak
   
Nanticoke copy
   
The Jewish Community Center is a community agency that provides recre
ational, educational and social services to the Jewish and general community
of Wilkes-Barre and Luzerne county. Among its key leaders are many attorneys
who donate their time to make our institution function at the highest level.
We appreciate the services of all our volunteers and particularly the
attorneys. Any favorable publicity that you can provide for all volunteer
activities, particularly those of attorneys in town, would be appreciated.
   
Don Cooper
   
Community Executive Director
   
Jewish Community Center
   
Wilkes-Barre copy
   
In early November 2002 I developed a severe medical condition that required
two cardiac surgeries and an extensive hospitalization at Wilkes-Barre General
Hospital. Now that I am at home and in the recovery stage, I realize that I
had the very best medical care possible, beginning with Dr. Michael Harostock,
who performed my two cardiac surgeries.
   
In addition, I would like to publicly acknowledge and thank the following
physicians who were involved in my medical treatment, Dr. Gary Decker, Dr.
Elaine Turcan, Dr. Mark Bernardi, Dr. Nirode Das, Dr. Dorothy Farrell, Dr.
John Rothchild, Dr. Thomas Dellehanty, Dr. Douglas Coslett, Dr. A.R. Samii,
and Dr. Glenn Panzer. I would also like to thank the entire nursing staff,
aides, and support staff from the ER Department, CTICU, MSICU, CCU, 2 West,
and the Sixth and Eighth floors. A special thanks to Mr. Mike Levandowski (Dr.
Harostock’s nurse practitioner) who tirelessly returned calls and answered
questions, giving my family and friends realistic expectations and hope.
   
Despite this very difficult and frightening experience, I feel very blessed
that all of you have touched my fife in such an important way. Please continue
to work your wonderful miracles.
   
You will be remembered with kindness and love,
   
Christine D. Siroky
   
Shavertown copy
   
North Branch Friends (Quaker) Meeting sent a monetary contribution to
American Friends Service Committee’s Emergency Kits for Iraq. As of January
2003, AFSC has shipped three 40-foot containers to Jordan filled with health
kits, school kits, and blankets for Iraq civilians. Field workers are
cooperating with other relief agencies to provide water-purification
equipment. American Friends Service Committee depends on its non-Quaker, as
well as Quaker, supporters to provide material relief both in the United
States and around the world. Information may be obtained by writing AFSC at
1501 Cherry St., Philadelphia, PA 19102 or on the Web at www.afsc.org.
   
Beverly E. Williams
   
Bear Creek Township copy
   
This letter is in response to the article in the Times Leader Sunday
Edition, regarding Lauren Kurkowski, an LCCC basketball player.
   
I personally know Lauren, she is a good, well mannered, respectful young
adult. She is also an outstanding athlete with one fault, she played for
coaches in the Nanticoke Area School District.
   
Coaches in this district as well as in many districts expect a lot out of
the athletes without any input from the players as to the situations they are
encountering in the games they play. Instead of asking the player why things
are not working or why plays are failing they just scream at them for not
doing something the coach, from the bench or sidelines, thinks might work and
when it does not the player gets the coach’s wrath.
   
Thus the coaches take the fun of the game away from these talented children
and young adults. Then they are blackballed from playing their sport beyond
high school – because of the situations that the coaches brought about
themselves.
   
Hats off to Lauren for putting this sort of thing behind her and continuing
her athletic career. And also thank you Coach Miller for not heeding the
negative comments about a wonderful and talented athlete like Lauren. Maybe
some other coaches should have some of your qualities.
   
Yvonne Bru~za
   
Nanticoke copy
   
Thanks for your editorial supporting diplomacy. I appreciate your courage
in speaking your mind in an atmosphere that is bent on thwarting efforts in
peacemaking.
   
Kristin Curtis
   
Sterling copy
   
This is a letter of appreciation for the support we have received from the
Times Leader. We, the staff and board of directors of the Dietrich Theater in
Tunkhannock, are so very grateful for the coverage of events and special
movies that we have received from Sandy Snyder, Mary Therese Biebel, Marques
Harper, your superb photographers, and others.
   
Recently, when we hosted the premiere of Tom Flannery’s play “God and the
Ghost of Woody Guthrie,” we know that we had many people attend our theater
for the first time because of the publicity you gave us in The List and Mary
Therese’s feature. This is just one example.
   
Thank you for giving our Wyoming County Cultural Center/Dietrich Theater a
chance to be known in the Wilkes-Barre area.
   
Margie Young, Program Director
   
Wyoming County Cultural Center/Dietrich Theater
   
Tunkhannock copy
   
I have been reading the paper (and) what got my attention is how people
help out animals. It’s great. God bless those people.
   
Well, here goes my story how I got my kitten. She was found in a trash bin.
Whoever threw these kittens away, they were all dead, all but one. She was the
only one crying. Her eyes were not open, so the people that work at the animal
hospital heard this kitten crying. They took her out. Dr. Ayers helped to
revive her and my granddaughter that works there fed her with an eye dropper.
   
Well, I have this kitten now. You should see her. Her name is Hillary.
Thanks again for all those who helped out. I am so happy with her. I have a
pink collar on her. She is all black.
   
Dorothy Thompson
   
Wilkes-Barre
   

   
Look at the words of the Lord in Matthew’s gospel. Beware of false
prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous
wolves. Beware of the deception and manipulation of deceiving politicians with
their false promises. Please check their credibility regarding their own
personal lives. Look closely at what they have accomplished for the community.
    One person fits the criteria of being a Christian running for Luzerne
County Commissioner is Greg Skrepenak. The Greg Skrepenak Foundation for the
underprivileged and youth has donated over $100,000 for the needy. Look at the
time he has donated helping youth. I know Greg Skrepenak personally, and can
absolutely give witness that he is a God fearing man of deep religious
conviction. His life is based on Christian virtues and Biblical principles,
and he would bring honesty and integrity to the residents of Luzerne County.
   
Anyone who knows him personally will verify my claims. This man will put
the solitude of Christ into practice and humanize the political system in
Luzerne County.
   
Charles V. Hatchko
   
Jenkins Township