Click here to subscribe today or Login.
Dear Editor:
March 13, 2014: a day that will never be forgotten by the Gunshore family, of Harding. The home once known as “Leaning Oak Estate” and was built by home owner William Gunshore was struck by a devastating fire. The loss was not only of material possessions, but one of emotion for our family since the house had been built out of love. The days to come were difficult, especially to see what was left of our home being torn down.
How do we begin again? Remembering as a young child during the Agnes Flood the catch phase being, “The Valley with a Heart,” this phrase was alive again and helping us. The outpouring of monetary gifts, love and friendship is what made this experience bearable.
We would like to publicly thank each and every one of you for your support. First and foremost we thank our Heavenly Father for keeping all of us safe and for our little hero, our dog, Dakota who alerted us to the fire. Thank you to all those fire departments who responded; Exeter Township, Dallas, West Wyoming, Mount Zion, Franklin Township and Kingston Township. Along with those fire departments, Chief Nancy Smith and Exeter Township police department, Franklin Township Ambulance and the American Red Cross. We also want to thank our wonderful friends and neighbor, Michael and Marybeth Fino and family who took us into their home with open arms. Our rebuild was done by an awesome crew, Tru Colors Restoration, general contractor, David Heckman, of Bangor.
The following are family, friends, fundraisers and businesses that also helped us: Marilyn Smith, William and Kathy Evans, Stephen Kozich, Gene Milbrodt, Tom Houck, Gale and Vanessa Mayorowski and daughters Aubre, Galen, Olivia, Andy and Debbie Stachyra and daughter Nicole, Dorothy Logan, Autumn Nutaitis, Dave and Donna Rigol, Bob and Cindy Kazinski, Jeannie, Flo and Rita Muth, Kristi Kelly and Family, Brittany Bender, Dean and Jeannie Seward, Bob and Ruth Kosco, Rob Kosco, Suzanne Kosco, Jim and Amy Kosco and Family, Tom and Maria Scappaticci and Family, Kip and Cindy Alder and Family, Bender Family Joe and Laura, Chris and Sharon Bender, Darrin and Lisa Woodruff and Family, John and Mary Vitalie, John Coolbaugh Exeter Twp. Supervisor, Susan Bellomy, Edward and Nancy Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Shawn McCormick, Lisa Grant, Patrick and Michelle Perlowski and Family, Carol and Mike Wills, Chuck and Jen Schell and Family, Joanne Barry, Liz Gross, Denise Haggerty, Eugene and Kathy Pisano, Micheal and Marie Sweeney, Suleyman and Fikriye Havale, Frank Cicinnati, Dr. Pramthesh K. Desai, Tina Micheals, Dan Eustice, Jen Hessman, Nicole Vitack, Linda Houck, Sharon McCarthy, Nicole Williams, Ken Nardi, Marlene Dinoski, Eric and Elizabeth Parsons, Frank and Diane Poder, Louis and Stefani Rosario, David and Karen Nagle, Tom and Mary Ann Milbrodt, Maribeth Angeli, Chris Tolley, Elaine Givens, Rosali Patton, Marie Stchur McElhenny, Mrs. Johanna Stachyra, Mary Stachyra, Father Joseph Long, Tony and Terry Plata, Eric and Holly May, Jay May, Sherri Saraka, Rev. Sladicka and Parishioners of St. Mary’s Church Avoca, Diane Reiser, Devan Buckley, Dr. Lynn Coslett, Martha and Susan Rarig, David and Linda Rowlands and Family, Dr. Leane Delbaso, David and Linda Lavin, Lee Alison Clark, David Carpenter, Carl Puscavage, David Steinkirchner, Paul Narcum and Family, John, Ricky and Jolin(neighbors), Dee Ambrose and John John, Jim, Connie, and Cathy Kemonever, Charlie and Debbie Toloczko, Kathy Sheikh, Diane( Exeter Twp. mail carrier), Jane Booth, Roy and Peggy Thomas, Cathy Holvey and Riverview Ridge Staff and Annette S. (dietary), Ken and Cheryl Zekoski and Family, Dave and Melanie Brown and Family, Joe Krulick, Lisa Muto, Boy Scout Troop 316 Avoca, Sam Theresa and Renee’ Valenti, Mary Theiman, Sandy Kozich, D.J. Russell, Tricia Kipp, Rachel Delehanty, Jess Davis, Damaris Lugo, Melissa Remakus, Rocio Martinez Torres, Ruthie Eaton, Joan DeRocco, Shirley Zalenski, Bob Drago, Judy Klopotoski, Janet Payne, Mary Burns, Cathy Bennett, Dr.Charles Manganiello, Carole Conklin, John and Clare Bonczek, Hillary Reinhard, Harold Evans, Carla Zaleppa, Kathy Williams, Gail Gatusky, Lisa Davis, Virginia Manarsky, Cathy Tutella, Marissa Kwiatkowski, Joanne Hardik, Dan Williams, Stephanie Wemmer, Nicole Gitkos, Jenna Alder and Dallas Woodruff’s Lemonade Stand, College Misericordia Staff, Students and Nursing Program, Luzerne County Community College, David and Karen (Monko) Nagle’s Summer Bash, Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, Dunkin Donuts Forty-Fort, Area Pen Marts, Cub Scout Troop 366 West Wyoming, Pen Fern Oil Company, Wilkes Barre General Hospital, Riverstreet Manor, Riverview Ridge, Clean Force One Luzerne, Northeastern Ju Jitsu Swoyersville, Mattern’s Floral, Rainbow Jewelers, VFW Post 4909 Dupont, Safeco Insurance, Eastern Insurance Group, Steven Kim Sales Manager Quality Inn Wilkes-Barre, Applebees, Exeter Twp. Rural Health Falls (Staff; Dr. Mary Sokash, Colleen, Melissa, Joan, Terri and Sherry), Longhorn, Price Chopper Wyoming Employees,Vendors and Customers, Price Chopper Corporate Office Schenectody, NY, Raymour and Flanigan Scranton, Ashley Furniture Wilkes-Barre, Home Depot Wilkes-Barre, Giant Floor Wilkes-Barre, Lazy Boy Wilkes-Barre, HH Gregg Wilkes-Barre, Blue Chip Animal Shelter of Dallas, Friends at the Owen Street Bakery in Swoyersville, Harding and Franklin Township neighbors and a West Pittston man, a fire victim himself, who stopped by with some helpful tips.
May God bless each and every one of you. We can’t imagine getting through this difficult time without your love and support. If anyone has been omitted, please forgive us. This is the Valley with a Heart and we are proud to live here.
Gunshore Family
Bill, Laurie, Brittany, Jen, Chris and Hayden