WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2012
THE ABINGTON JOURNAL♦CLARKS SUMMIT, PA
WWW.THEABINGTONJOURNAL.COM PAGE 5A
Hi, I’m Jo!
Meet me here the first Wednesday of every month. In My Edition, we will explore topics that interest you: everything from sports, pets, and music to TV, art and video games. Catch us online at theabingtonjournal.com/ myedition.html
BOOKMARK
www.theabingtonjournal.com/myedition.html
Awesome astronomy D at the Thomas G. Cupillari ’60 Observatory
BY MARY ANN MCGRATH Special to The Abington Journal
PICTURE BOOKS: AGE 4 TO 8 “There Was a Bold Lady Who Wanted a Star” – by Charise Mericle Harper “Wan-Hu is in the Stars” – by Jennifer Armstrong “Zoom, Rocket, Zoom” – by Margaret Mayo CHILDREN’S CLASSICS: AGE 8 TO 12 “The Little Prince” – by Antoine de Saint-Exupery “A Wind in the Door” – by Madeleine L’Engle “A Wrinkle in Time” – by Madeleine L’Engle NON-FICTION: AGE 4 TO 8 “The Moon” – by Linda Aspen-Baxter “Our Stars” – by Anne Rockwell “Stars” – by Steve Tomecek “Stars” – Linda Aspen-Baxter “Stars” – by Melanie Mitchell NON-FICTION: AGE 8 – 12 “Amazing Space Q&A: Everything You Never Knew About Space” – by Mike Goldsmith “13 Planets: The Latest View of the Solar System” – by David A. Aguilar MaryAnn McGrath is the Children’s Librarian at the Abington Community Library.
Win this! See "My LOL" on page 6 for details.
BY ELIZABETH BAUMEISTER lbaumeister@theabingtonjournal.com
id you know the sun is almost a million miles in diameter? That means if someone were to cut it in half and draw a line across the center, that line would be almost a million miles long. The sun is so big it could fit about a million planets the size of the earth inside of it. The earth is about 93 million miles away from the sun. Thomas Cupillari has been the director of the astronomy observatory at Keystone College since it first opened 39 years ago, but he said facts like these still amaze him and make him exclaim, “Gee whiz!” He said he first became interested in astronomy, which is the study of the universe, when he was attending graduate school. Ever since he was a boy, he wanted to be a scientist. Jo-Ann Kamichitis is the associate director at the observatory and she said she has loved astronomy since her father took her outside at night to look at the stars when she was a child. Now, she and Mr. Cupillari help visitors at the observatory learn about astronomy and look at the night sky through their big telescope, called The Clark Refractor Telescope. Every Wednesday and Friday from Sept. 5 through Nov. 9, the observatory is open at 7:30 p.m. to visitors of all ages to see a
MY DREAM JOB MEET JOE VAN WIE: Age: 34 Hometown: Scranton Job Title: CEO executive producer of JVW Inc. Favorite subject in school? Philosophy & theology If you could be a science fiction character who would it be? Lord Vader (Star Wars villian) When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? A priest. What book would you bring if you were stranded on the moon? The " moon" for dummies. Coolest part of your job: That it has never been a job. Favorite place in the universe: I need to travel more to answer this, but for now it is Antony Piazza Esq. ’s attic in Green Ridge.
slideshow about outer space and look through the telescopes. The Clark Refractor Telescope is kept inside a large white dome. The observatory also has some smaller telescopes and two computer operated telescopes in another building with a roof that rolls off to reveal the sky. For more information about the observatory, visit www.keystone.edu/observatory.
Meet the observatory stars Thomas Cupillari Job title: Director Lives in: Factoryville Age: 73 Best part of his job: Showing people parts of the universe they’ve never seen before Favorite place in the universe: Double star cluster in Perseus What he wanted to be when he grew up: A biologist or physicist Dream superpower: To know the answers of the universe. Jo-Ann Kamichitis Job title: Associate Director Lives in: Scranton Age: 68 Best part of her job: Interacting with people of all ages Favorite place in the universe: M17 Swan Nebula What she wanted to be when she grew up: A teacher Dream superpower: To fly into outer space.
Want to learn more?
The directors at the observatory recommend these online resources for armature astronomers of all ages: • Uncle Al’s Sky Wheels are star maps called “planispheres,” which are used to locate and identify constellations and stars visible during different times of the year. They can be downloaded at: http://www.handsonuniverse.org/activities/uncleal/ • Find an updated evening sky guide at skymaps.com every two months. • Visit http://lackawannaastronomicalsociety.org for information about a local astronomy club. • Want to know if that UFO you saw was just a satellite? Get satellite tracking info at heavens-above.com. • Get the latest space weather conditions at spaceweather.com.
ABINGTON JOURNAL/ELIZABETH BAUMEISTER
The Clark Refractor Telescope at Keystone College’s Thomas G. Cupillari ’60 Observatory weighs 2,500 pounds.
MY OPINION
RACHEL EZRIN Want in on the science fiction craze? Try out some items from this top 10 list by local teen, Rachel Ezrin: • Minecraft Rarely does a video game offer the player a chance to create their own world, and Minecraft breaks from tradition by offering exactly that. A world driven by both the creation and destruction of Test yourself with TRIVIA blocks, the from My Edition player can Columnist form buildKento Matsui. ings, invenEXCLUSIVELY tions, and online at works of art. theabington If merely journal.com/ building is myedition.html not exciting enough for the average sci-fi enthusiast, various mobs (short for mobiles) such as the zombie, skeleton, and spider are combatable. • Transformers A young man purchases an Autobot, mistaking it for a regular vehicle. The ancient struggle of Decepticon versus Autobot erupts on earth, while the young man is the clue to an ultimate power. Transformers is rated PG-13 for violence and profanity. See Opinion, Page 6
INSIDE...
Work and play collide BY JOAN MEAD-MATSUI Abington Journal Correspondent
T
said, “were the ones I was able to film in my own backyard and bring some of the most talented people in the independent film industry.” In the fall, he will be at work on a horror film. He recently wrapped up a comic book thriller, “The Paragon Cortex, written and directed by John Kilker and produced by Christian Huennebeck, expected to be released this winter. “It was a great experience to work with two of the area’s most talented filmmakers and storytellers and work on one of the best projects
he coolest part of Joe Van Wie III’s job is that to him, it doesn’t seem like work. He is 34 years old and works for JVW, Inc., a company in Scranton that makes movies and advertisements. He is the company’s CEO and executive producer. He produced many feature films and was the line producer on "The Paragon Cortex", executive producer on the movie "Forged" and associate producer of "La Soga." But is his work glamorous and exciting? Van Wie said, “No, it’s hard and terrifying, but in the same respect it’s rewarding and the only way I would want to spend my time here that while I am stuck on Earth.” I’ve He has worked with many independent film ever actors, including Adam Sandler (when he had been a a small role in “You Don’t Mess With the Zopart of han,”) Martin Lawrence, Clint Eastwood and with Bruce Willis. two Van Wie said when he was a boy he started local to interpret life through what he saw in movies. guys that I “I think as a young man it was always comadmire and forting to know I was able to relate to my trust. I’m grandfather by watching Westerns and seeing very excited theathe same movie he saw. It was the first time I for it to hit ters.” felt I could relate to adults, through the experience of watching a film together.” ABINGTON JOURNAL/JOAN MATSUI He said the most exciting parts of his career Joe Van Wie peers through a camera. were the projects he created. Examples of his work can be found on “The ones that meant the most to me,” he his website, www.jvwinc.net.
Looking for a good book? See My LIBRARY CARD on page 6 for a list of popular teen picks!
PAGE 6A www.theabingtonjournal.com
MY LIBRARY CARD BY SANDY LONGO Special to The Abington Journal
An Explorer’s Guide to the Universe: Astronomical Observations: Astronomy and the Study of Deep Space. Edited by Erik Gregersen. For student research and general reading that includes the history of astronomical observation from many experts in the this field. An Explorer’s Guide to the Universe: The Inner Solar System: The Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. Edited by Erik Gregersen. Discover the mysteries of the inner solar system and the scientific strides made to explain it. An Explorer’s Guide to the Universe: The Milky Way and Beyond: Stars, Nebulae, and Other Galaxies. Edited by Erik Gregersen. We’re familiar with the solar system, now what’s beyond it? A fascinating exploration beyond the solar system. An Explorer’s Guide to the Universe: The Outer Solar System: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and The Dwarf Planets. Edited by Erik Gregersen. Although most space exploration occurs with the inner solar system, there’s much to be learned from the outer solar system. An Explorer’s Guide to the Universe: The Universe: A Historical Survey of Beliefs, Theories, and Laws. Edited by Erik Gregersen. Astronomy, then and now. For additional titles visit theabingtonjournal.com/ myedition.html
The Abington Journal♦Clarks Summit, PA
Starstruck
Dazzling. Inspiring. Brilliant.
W
hether they are lighting up an arena stage or sparkling on the big screen, stars capture the hearts and attentions of their fans. Aspiring singer and poet Mariah Mancuso, 9, of Dunmore, volunteered to share a poem about her favorite celebrity, country and pop singer Taylor Swift. This month, The Abington Journal My Edition is hosting a contest, and you are invited to enter! Find out details in our HOW TO ENTER box at right.
Taylor Swift from head to toe taylor from hair to heel swift she is beautiful like a meadow she is in my heart she also makes music
By Julia Mancuso, 11, Dunmore Sixth grade student at St. Mary of Mount Carmel School To submit a JOKE for future editions, send your joke, your name, age, grade, hometown, school you attend and preferred T-shirt size to: myedition@theabingtonjournal.com If your joke is selected and appears on the page in an upcoming MY EDITION, you’ll receive a SWASHIES GIFT PACK AND T-shirt like the one shown on Page 5.
Send us your 5 to 20 line poem about your favorite star (TV, music, movies, sports or other category) to myedition@theabingtonjournal.com no later than Sept. 19. Or you can drop it off or mail it to The Abington Journal My Edition, 211 South State Street, Clarks Summit, PA 18411. With your poem, please include your name, age, grade, school, phone number and name of the celebrity your poem is about. A winning entry in two age categories will be printed in the next My Edition section of The Abington Journal and each winner will receive a $25 gift certificate from one of our monthly My Edition sponsors, including:
AP PHOTO
Taylor Swift performs at the Burswood Dome during opening night of her ’Speak Now’ Australian tour in Perth, Australia.
Battle in the STARS!
MY LOL
Because he was a fun-gi!
HOW TO ENTER
By Mariah Mancuso, 9, Dunmore, shown at left. She is a third grade student at St. Mary of Mount Carmel School
Sandy Longo is the Abington Community Library Young Adult Librarian. She’s proud to be part of the best profession on Earth.
Why did the mushroom go to the party?
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2012
MY VOTE
Which science fiction characters do you think would win in a space battle? Star Trek’s Captain Kirk vs. Star War’s Luke Skywalker…Futurama’s Leela vs. Star War’s Princess Leia…Doctor Who’s Dalek vs. Star War’s Storm Trooper? Share your vote at Carrie Fisher theabingtonjournal.com.
as Princess Leia, in "Star Wars".
vs.
Leelah (far left) from Futurama TM Above, Chis Pine as James T. Kirk, from "Star Trek."
vs.
Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker and the character Yoda from "Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back."
Daleks from the BBC TV series Doctor Who.
vs.
A fan dressed as a Star Wars Storm Trooper.
AP PHOTOS
OPINION
Continued from Page 5 • The Maze Runner Series Set within a sun-scorched world, fifty young boys are unknowingly employed in an experiment for the betterment of a decaying society. Enter the newest arrival to their world, a boy named Thomas, who helps to bring about the end of their somewhat peaceful existence. • Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood A pair of brothers set out to discover the legendary philosopher’s stone; Instead, what they find is a military corruption scandal that threatens their entire world. • X-Men
Two mutants travel to a school for super-powered humans, where they must fight a terrorist organization with similar powers. X-Men is rated PG-13 for violence and intense scenes. • The Leviathan Trilogy In a world defined by two separate powers, Clankers and Darwinists, a young girl and an Austrian prince must ban together in order to survive the tragedies and hardships of WWI. • Maximum Ride After escaping from “The School,” a member of the flock is kidnapped, and so begins a crosscountry trip to save her • Jurassic Park An eccentric entrepreneur creates a theme park centered around dino-
saurs in this 1993 classic. Eager to calm frightened investors, he calls upon three highly noted scientists to ensure the park’s overall safety. Jurassic Park is rated PG-13 for violence, profanity, and intense scenes. • Time Riders Three teens, all from different periods of time, are recruited into an agency that fixes broken history. • Artemis Fowl In order to restore his family fortune, a young man kidnaps the head of a prestigious company, a spit-fire female fairy that doubles as a member of a secret police force. What adventures ensue can only be described as hilarity and wise-cracking at its personal best.
STAR CRAFT & GAME Did you know not all stars are white like they appear to be at first glance? If you look very carefully on a dark and cloudless night, you might be able to see stars that are red, yellow, white and blue. The temperature of a star determines its color, just like a camp fire. Have you ever roasted marshmallows over a fire and noticed part of the fire was blue, part orange and another part yellow? The hottest part of the fire, which is the part closest to the burning logs, often burns blue. The center appears orange or yellow. At the edges, where the fire is least hot, it glows red. It works the same way with stars. The blue ones are the hottest and the white ones second hottest. The yellow stars are cooler than the white ones and red stars are the coolest of them all. Want to know more about the color and temperature of stars? Visit kidsastronomy.com. Think that’s pretty cool? (Or is it hot?) Try out this craft and game idea from Children’s Librarian Mary Ann McGrath, from the Abington Community Library: What you will need: • Red, yellow, white and blue construction paper • Scissors • Star-shaped cookie cutter • Pencil, pen or marker • Adhesive backed magnetic tape • Two drinking straws or unsharpened pencils • Two 18 inch pieces of string • Piece of black poster
board To make the game: 1. Using the cookie cutter, trace star shapes on construction paper and cut them out. (Ask an adult for help with the scissors.) You’ll need 10 red, 8 yellow, 6 white and 3 blue stars. 2. Write the point value on the back of each star: Red = 2, yellow = 4, white = 6 and blue = 10. 3. Cut ½ inch pieces of adhesive backed magnetic tape and attach a piece to the front of each star. 4. Make two poles using the drinking straws or pencils by tying a piece of string about 18 inches long to one end of each. Then put the other end of each string between two ½ inch pieces of magnetic tape. 5. Cut a large circle (about 20 inches in diameter) from a piece of black poster board to make the “night sky.” To play the game: First, place the “night sky” on the floor or a table and mix up the stars, then scatter them on top. Next, players should take turns “catching” stars with one of the poles. Players may not move the stars by hand, only with the poles. When all the stars are “caught,” each player should add up his or her points. The highest score wins.
Meet Abi Hi, I’m Abi! You may have met my friend, Jo, at the top of page five. Together, we make “Abi and Jo: The Abington Journal My Edition Mascot Team.” You’ll be seeing us here the first Wednesday of every month. Be sure to visit us online at theabingtonjournal.com/ myedition.html. Got ideas for what you’d like to see in My Edition? Send us an e-mail at myedition@theabingtonjournal.com
ARTWORK BY MINDY MENDICINO
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012
THE ABINGTON JOURNAL♦CLARKS SUMMIT, PA
WWW.THEABINGTONJOURNAL.COM
PAGE 5A
Howdy! I’m Jo, one of The Abington Journal My Edition mascots. Like my cowboy costume? Meet my friend Abi on page 6 and VOTE for your favorite Halloween treat.
www.theabingtonjournal.com/myedition.html
JO AND ABI ILLUSTRATIONS BY MINDY MENDICINO
What is your worst nightmare? Tell us by illustrating it like Terra Landis at left, and Taryn Hughes, inset left, did in the images shown. Send us your “worst nightmare” illustration (drawing, painting, photo, digital image or other art form) as an e-mail attachment to myedition@theabingtonjournal.com or drop it off or mail Terra Landis it to The Abington Journal My Edition, 211 South State Street, Clarks Summit, PA 18411 by Oct. 24, 2012. With your entry, please Taryn Hughes include your name, age, grade, school and the best way to contact you in case you win. A winning entry will be printed in the next My Edition section of The Abington Journal and the winner will receive a $25 gift certificate from My Edition contest sponsor Rosario’s Pizzeria in Clarks Summit.
NightMARES The artist: Terra Landis, of Towanda, pre-pharmacy freshman at Wilkes University The piece: Landis created ‘Headless Horseman,’ inspired by The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving, in 2010 as a project for a high school art class. Her favorite Halloween costume as a kid: TinkerBell
Winners of the September ‘Starstruck’ poetry contest include: Lea Michele Voices rising tears falling Cameras flashing Lea Michele Harmonies sounding friends surrounding On televisions everywhere Lea Michele Never gives up Never gives in Dream follower Lea Michele Mary Graff, 13, 8th Grade at Our Lady of Peace, Clarks Green. Winner of the Sickler’s Bike Gift Certificate.
Ellen DeGeneres You make everyone laugh, everyone I’m so sure. When you are on TV, people say, “Look at her!” It’s always kind humor, every comment in good taste. You leave everyone smiling, and never a person defaced. “Always stay positive.” You give advice like a mother. Ending every show with, “Be kind to one another!”
The Blonde Bombshell Norma Jeane was alone as a child She grew up in an orphanage Her dream was to sing and perform She went to Hollywood to be found As her dream came true, thought it slowly faded To change her image she went from brown to blonde A star emerged her name was Marilyn Monroe She begin in “The Shocking Miss Pilgrim” Her most famous “The Seven Year Itch” and “Love Nest” Then Marilyn died, at thirty-six And that is the tale of Norma Jeane
Dagny Rippon, 14, 8th Grade at Our Lady of Peace, Clarks Green. Winner of the Kiki’s Creamery Gift Certificate.
MY BOOKMARK BY MARY ANN MCGRATH Special to The Abington Journal
Gabrielle Horchos, 14, 8th Grade at Our Lady of Peace, Clarks Green. Winner of the Manning’s Ice Cream gift certificate.
Instructions: 1. Turn the bigger piece of construction paper into an “H” by cutting two four -inch squares from the top and bottom of the paper, then fold it in half, top to bottom, to form the body of the horse (see diagram bottom left.) 2. Cut out the horse’s head and neck around the dotted lines at left, trace the shape onto the smaller piece of construction “H” is for “Halloween” and paper and cut out. “Horse” Here’s how you can turn 3. Glue the neck and head inside the fold the letter “H” into a horse: at one end of the body. What you will need: 4. Cut 12 small strands of • Two pieces of construction paper (both the same color, one 9 yarn for the horse’s mane inches by 12 inches and one 4.5 inches by 6 inches) and six longer ones for • Scraps of construction paper (a few different colors) the tail, then glue them in • A long piece of yarn place. • Scissors (and an adult to help you use them) 5. Draw an eye, nose and • Glue • Markers or crayons mouth with markers or By Abington Community Library Children’s Librarian Mary Ann crayons on each side of the McGrath, adapted from "Kathy Ross Crafts: Letter Shapes," by Kathy head. Ross, a book available at the Abington Community Library 6. Cut out a saddle for the horse with the remaining construction paper and glue it on.
MY PROJECT
Optional: Name your horse, then send a photo of you and your horse, include your name and the horse’s, your age, town and school to: myedition@theabingtonjournal.com. Your photograph could be featured on theabingtonjournal.com/myedition.html.
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In the mood for some spooky reading? Grab your library card and make your way to the Abington Community Library to check out these titles recommended for ages 7-11 by Children’s Librarian Mary Ann McGrath: “The Adventures of Young Buffalo Bill: to the Frontier – by E. Cody Kimmel. As Bill and his family journey west, he sees things from his wildest dreams --and his worst nightmares. “Can I Get There By Candlelight?” – by Jean Slaughter Doty. Gail and her pony, Candlelight, star in a haunting story about a friendship with a girl from another time. “Chase” – by Jessie Haas. After Phin Chase witnesses a murder, a man with a horse that tracks like a bloodhound comes after him as he tries to flee. “Dust Devil” – by Anne Isaacs. In the middle of a whirlwind dust storm, largerthan-life Angel finds a giant horse, tames him and names him, “Dust Devil.” A “tall tale.” “Gib and the Gray Ghost” – by Zilpha Keatley Snyder. Gib has a special ability to communicate with horses, especially the mysterious dapple gray that appears in a snowstorm. “Harriet and the Haunted School” – by Martin Waddell. When Harriet hides a circus horse in a closet at school, its nocturnal wanderings start a rumor that the building is haunted. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” – by Washington Irving. Two picture book adaptations. One is retold and illustrated by Will Moses and the other retold by Robert San Souci and illustrated by Daniel San Souci. “Mystery at the Kentucky Derby” – by Carole Marsh. Mysterious things begin to happen at Churchill Downs just days before the great race, and Christina and Grant must unravel clues. “Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew: Unicorn Uproar” – by Carolyn Keene. A beautiful white horse, masquerading as a unicorn at a medieval fair, goes missing. MaryAnn McGrath is the Children’s Librarian at the Abington Community Library
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