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Sandra Skies Ludwig
Sunday, February 06, 2000 Page: 1E
I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for winter to be finished! Well, what
can we do except hang in there and hope it doesn’t get worse. I’ve been
staying busy with work, school and – you guessed it – parties! One of the
biggest social events of the year is the Crystal Ball, sponsored by the
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeastern Pennsylvania. This year marked the
seventh anniversary of the event, which took place Jan. 22 at the Highlands at
Newberry Estate, Dallas. For the past four years, Bob and Judy Coscia of
Coscia Catering have served as hosts by opening their home to this worthy
event, the purpose of which is to raise money for the organization and make
people aware of its goals. Make-A-Wish raises funds to grant the wishes of
chronically and seriously ill children. Blue and white fairy lights sparkled
outside the Highlands, leading the way to the house. Approximately 300 people
were inside, enjoying the sumptuous buffet provided by the Coscias. The band
Hollywood kept everyone in good spirits by playing great tunes throughout the
evening. Chairpersons for this year’s Crystal Ball were Jane Nakkache and
Dawn Timmeney, news anchor for WBRE-TV, Channel 28, NBC. Kim Zdipko, 16, was
this year’s Make-A-Wish child and guest speaker at the Crystal Ball. Kim, the
daughter of Tom and Linda Zdipko of Miners Mills, is a student at Bishop Hoban
High School. She is in need of a heart transplant, and her wish was a trip to
Walt Disney World. Beautiful floral arrangements were donated by 13 local
florists, and four prizes were given away during the course of the evening.
Carl Gross of Pittston won a 14 karat gold and diamond tennis bracelet donated
by Tovon & Co. Rob Sebia, also of Pittston, won a trip for two to Disney
World, donated by Sunshine Direct Travel (which he then donated to Kim Zdipko,
fulfilling her wish). Joe Chairge of Pittston (I see a trend here!) won four
tickets and a limo ride to Broadway to see “Footloose,” courtesy of Martz
Travel. A weekend at the Harmony Lake Shore Inn, donated by Milazzo
Industries, was won by Shannon McClintock, a Scranton resident.
Although Chinese New Year was yesterday, Feb. 5, the Chinese American
Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania celebrated on Sunday, Jan. 30, in the
ballroom of the new Student Union building on the Wilkes University campus.
The Chinese American Association is a social organization that celebrates
special festivals. Mostly, says club President Dr. Bing Wong, members like to
“get together and eat.” The party was coordinated by Alice Lee, who has
been organizing it for more than 20 years. According to Lee, the Year of the
Dragon began Feb. 5, and in China, it is considered the best year to have a
child, particularly a son. The dragon represents authority and power, and a
child born during the Year of the Dragon would retain those qualities. On the
Chinese calendar, this year is Year 4,698. Lee also says that the New Year is
celebrated with firecrackers, “lion and dragon dancing” (people in elaborate
animal costumes dance in front of their homes), the consumption of fish
(considered a sign of surplus and wealth) and oranges (symbolizing good luck
and good fortune in the New Year). The celebration may last for 15 days, the
last day being “Lantern Day.” Every village also celebrates in its own way.
The Chinese zodiac operates on a 12-year cycle. Other years include the rat,
ox, tiger, rabbit, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and boar. Large
Chinese characters reading “Happily Pass Spring Festival” greeted attendees,
of whom there were approximately 30. The highlight of the party was a large
buffet, including two large smoked trout, eggs prepared with soy sauce, roast
pork, sticky (sweet) rice, fried rice, lo mein, chow mein with vegetables and
shrimp, egg rolls, chicken, cabbage stuffed with rice, dried shrimp and
almonds, cake and clementines. The event also featured karaoke songs in
Chinese, which the children seemed to enjoy most of all! That’s all for this
week. There are more events coming up, and I’ll be sharing them with you on
Feb. 20. Until then, I hope to see you out and about. If you’d like to get in
touch with me about a social event, I can be reached by calling 829-7231,
writing to the Social Desk, c/o Times Leader, 15 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre,
Pa., 18711, or e-mailing sandral@leader.net or tliyt@leader.net. I’ll be
waiting to hear from you.