Mothers Day Past Photo Gallery

Mother’s DayPast

Take a walk down memory

lane and enjoy this special vintage collection of readers’ Mother’s Day photos that are 50 years old or more.

Mary Kiesendahl holding baby John S. Kiesendahl, summer of 1945, just a couple of years before the Founding of Woodloch Resort Mrs. Robert (Catherine) Ruane with Robert Ruane Jr. James, Thomas, Michael, and Kathleen Ruane, 1963

Ann Connor-Williams with Nan, Susan, Roy and Lanie, 1944, while her husband was serving overseas with the U.S. Navy during WWII

Alice Leon Sirianni with Maryann Sirianni Siconolfi and Michael Sirianni, circa 1947

Theresa Parke with Karen Parke-Monahan, Terri ParkeWelsch, Judy Parke-Nye, James Parke, circa 1967

Fern Blum with daughters, Susan Blum Connors and Eileen Blum Coyne, 1952 Madelyn Trygar, with Carol Trygar Alexander, and Frank Trygar, circa 1959

The late Mary ann Kalaha with daughters Lisa Kalaha Ragnacci, Andrea Kalaha Leschak and Teri Kalaha Lyon, circa 1970

Cesira Berardelli with daughter, Melissa Berardelli Delfino, 1972 Joan Muchal with Donald Muchal Jr., David Muchal, Naomi Woody, Linda Young, Rachel Burnis and baby Jennifer Macknosky, 1972

Margaret McIntyre with John, Bob, Kevin, Carol and Jim McIntyre, 1966 Dorothy Davitt Keen holding daughter Janet, circa 1955

Mary Reilly with Mary Ellen Reilly Coyle, Patrick Reilly, Michael Reilly and Brian Reilly, 1972

Mrs. Eugene J. Kane Sr. with left to right, Dick, Gene, Ned, Michael, Chris, Jack and Kathleen, 1969

Mrs. Edwin J.

Henshaw with Barbara Ann, 1948

Genevieve Graytock with Geraldine Frances, circa 1968

AH Baby + co

Caroline Nelson, BS, RN,

owner of AH Baby + co. is a graduate of Scranton Preparatory School and Wilkes University where she earned her Bachelor of

Science in Nursing. She prac-

ticed nursing for 20 years (15 were as a Labor and Delivery nurse. ) For the past eight years her most important role has been becoming the best mom she can be to her two children, ages 7 and 5. Caroline is a single mother by choice. Every product she uses is with her children’s best interest in mind, from lotions to booster seats; each is purposefully selected. Since her first pregnancy, traveling experiences became occasions to find new products for her children. Prior to children, as an avid knitter, she sought out yarn stores while traveling. These shopping experiences revealed that she had difficulty finding the products she wanted for her children, locally. She would have to travel for particular brands of car seats, strollers and nursery furniture; local vendors simply didn’t carry them. “I wanted to see and feel the items in person, not just order them online. I bought my stroller and car seat in New Jersey in 2014. I also noticed that when I traveled, many stores included a community component to them; they weren’t just retail spaces. I learned the stories behind why particular brands were selected by each retail store owner. Sometimes it was because of sensory benefits of a certain toy or particular safety features of a car seat. My dream was to create that ideal environment in this region. I wanted a place where couples could go to learn before starting their families; a place where parents could find items such as breastfeeding supplies or baby carriers and speak face-to-face with someone who had first-hand experience with the products. This is not something found at large chains.” Caroline has many dreams for AH Baby + co. Along with carefully curating everything from the store’s clothing, furniture, gifts and gear she also holds classes and community events. Upcoming AH Baby + co. classes include: Family CPR, Zumbini and Tea Time 4 tots. AH Mom Meets is a curated group to empower new moms; Milk and Udder Things is for moms who are new to breastfeeding. Family holiday events and children’s craft events have also been very successful. Caroline was raised in West Pittston and her mother’s family was from Pittston. She is passionate about seeing a small town like Pittston gentrify and return to its glory with a thriving Main Street. She is proud that her children see her business as a part of that goal. “My children love being a part of the store. Harrigan loves greeting customers and Aoife loves helping with social media.” AH Baby + co. was named after her children. “When you see a baby don’t you say lovingly ‘ah, they’re so cute.’ Throughout the years of parenting there are a lot of ah’s….. ah it’s so hard, ah i’m so happy and ah i’m so tired. My children are my inspiration. AH Baby + co. gift registry is quickly becoming the favorite for moms and moms-to-be who want the very best. Moms can see exactly what they’d like to receive.” H

The Right Path to Cancer Care

People who have been told that they have (or might have) cancer can be overwhelmed with fear and information. Even though they are seeking information, it’s a lot to absorb. At Northeast Radiation Oncology Centers (NROC) in Dunmore, patients are partners in the planning of their own cancer treatment. The physicians of NROC believe that this is a key component in care, as they guide patients on the right path to their ideal, personal treatment plan.

So where do you begin, if you are newly diagnosed? How do you choose where to go for treatment and advice about what is best specifically for you? Patients should obtain as much information as possible directly from their doctors. It is helpful to come to your visit prepared with a list of your questions and concerns.

Some questions to ask:

• Are the radiation oncolo- • gists Board Certified, and • where were they trained? • Will the cancer center • accept my insurance? • Can I go where I want to • for tests like lab work or • X-rays? • Does the cancer center • provide nutritional • counseling? • Can I get social services • support and help with • financial questions? • What accreditations and • and awards has the cancer center earned? • What kind of

equipment is used in treatment? • Do their patients • recommend this center • to others? • Does my doctor recom• mend that I take part in • a clinical trial? • Is their website infor• mation credible?

Thankfully, NROC is right here in Northeastern Pennsylvania, with the answers to all of those questions. Patients and their loved ones find respect and understanding from the entire team, and what may be a surprising amount of joy, confidence and hope throughout the hallways. “We remain committed to providing the highest quality, community-based services for cancer diagnosis, treatment and research,” states Medical Director

Christopher A. Peters, M.D.

“That path means having a vision where we respect our patients’ dignity and honor their needs. It means truly valuing our cancer patients as partners, and working with our medical colleagues in the fight against this disease.” More information is available at nrocdoctors.com. H

United Methodist Home Resident Claire JurchakCelebrating Mother’s Day

laire (Hudak) Jurchak has seven children, 23 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and one

great-great-grandchild. Her daughter Mary Angelella claims that her mother is the reason that she and her siblings put much importance on family and enjoy when they all can come together. “My mom gave me the love of children and the joy of entertaining family,” said Angelella. Claire was born on January 19, 1923, in Wilkes Barre, making her 99 years old. Her parents were Martin and Christine Hudak. At the age of 19, she married her husband of 54 years, Philip Jurchak. The couple had seven children on a chicken farm and apple orchard in Exeter Township, PA. Claire held many jobs, including helping her husband inoculate the chickens and hoe cornfields. When her children got older, she became a correspondent for the Sunday Dispatch. This position required

Cher to attend many local government meetings, which then sparked a new interest. She held positions on the planning commission and zoning hearing board and served as township secretary. Claire was the first woman to be elected supervisor in Exeter Township. She considers her greatest achievement to be working with Jewell Miller for a Rural Health Grant to start the Exeter Township Medical Center for five townships in Falls, PA. She served on the hospital’s board for 18 years. Despite her success in local government, Claire says her favorite career was as a mother and homemaker. Some of her children’s favorite memories were the celebrations she organized for every Halloween, Christmas and birthday. She would create scary stories and have one of her sons make scary noises in the attic to enhance the drama. For Christmas, she made sure each child got the most perfect toy, even though money was tight. Claire and her children still keep the Christmas Eve celebration. What once began with a family of nine now has 40-50 people in attendance each year. Claire currently resides at the United Methodist Homes’ Wesley Village in Jenkins Township, where she has lived full-time since 2017. “The staff is very compassionate and caring,” says Mary. “The cleanliness of the facility is impressive. Mom is a very social person, so she enjoys all of the activities provided.” Claire is drawn to the outdoors and her favorite aspect at Wesley Village is the garden area, especially the wheelchair accommodating swing. H –Ellen Frantz