CMYK
User: rsheposh Time: 08-25-2012 22:46 Product: Times_Leader PubDate: 08-26-2012 Zone: Main Edition: Main_Run PageName: local_01 PageNo: 3 A Color: C K Y M
THE TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com
NEWS
IN
BRIEF
DUPONT
Cancer fundraiser ahead
n event to benefit the American A Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk will be
held Sept. 7, at the Midtown Sports Bar & Grill, Concord Drive, Dupont. A special happy hour fundraiser will be held, “Drink To Pink” and will feature drink specials, live music and raffle baskets. A $5 donation will benefit the cancer walk and pink attire is encouraged. HAZLETON
DUI checkpoints listed
The Pennsylvania State Police Troop N, Hazleton, announced that DUI checkpoints and roving DUI patrols will take place Labor Day weekend, beginning at 12:01 a.m. Friday and ending at midnight on Monday. DALLAS
Dallas has new schedule
The staff and administration of Dallas High School announces students and staff will be working and learning in a new five-period, fiveday cycle schedule. The new schedule offers students the opportunity to take up to 10 academic credits per school year. The school added a dozen new courses to the curriculum. New faculty members also join the staff this year, including: Guidance: Matt Kelly (long -term substitute), Wellness: Nancy Roberts, English: Matt Samuel (long-term substitute), Special Education: Doug Mucha & Casey Cicale, Technology: Marc Golden. Opening day for students in the Dallas School District will be Wednesday. High school students may enter the building at 7:30 a.m. Student homeroom assignments will be posted on the commons windows. Sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students will report to the middle school building between 7:45 and 8 a.m. “Back to School” Night will be held Sept. 10, beginning at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. Students in the first through fifth grades will attend full day sessions from 9:05 a.m. to 3:35 p.m. beginning Wednesday. Kindergarten students will start their regular schedule beginning on Wednesday as follows: A.M. kindergarten: 9:05 to 11:45 a.m.; P.M. kindergarten: 1 to 3:35 p.m. The school building will open at 9 a.m. All students, including kindergarten, will report directly to their classrooms. Back to School Nights will be held starting at 7 p.m. at the Dallas Elementary School as follows: Sept. 11 for Kindergarten, first grade, second grade, and special subjects; Sept.13 for third grade, fourth grade, and fifth grade. The initial PTO meeting for the school year will be held in the Library on Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.. New volunteer orientation will be conducted before the meeting at 6:45 p.m. PLAINS TOWNSHIP
United Way plans kickoff
United Way of Wyoming Valley’s Labor Participation Committee said the annual Labor Kick-Off Event in support of this year’s United Way campaign will be held on Sept. 12, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Plains Township Park Pavilion. Cost of the event, which will be a cook-out, is $11 per person and reservations can be made by calling 270-9109. Deadline for making reservations is Sept. 10. WHITE HAVEN
Whitewater release is set
The U.S. Army Corps Engineers Philadelphia District announced it has enough water storage to hold a whitewater release Sept. 1 from the Francis E. Walter Dam off White Haven Road. The schedule now includes 22 whitewater releases in 2012. The corps will announce at a later date if it is able to hold additional whitewater releases on Sept. 2 and 14.
➛ timesleader.com !
SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2012 PAGE 3A
LOCAL Young issues apology to Toohils Candidate had accused opponent’s family of not paying property taxes. By MATT HUGHES mhughes@timesleader.com
Candidate for state representative Ransom Young has backed off the attack he made last week against the parents of his opponent, state Rep. Tarah Toohil, RButler Township, for not paying their property taxes.
Toohil
Young
Young, a Democratic Butler Township supervisor, based the attack on the listing of two parcels of vacant land owned by Toohil’s parents, Peter and Barbara Toohil, in a Luzerne County tax sale no-
tice published in The Times Leader Aug.17. Peter and Barbara Toohil have now paid the delinquent 2010 taxes on both parcels and they are no longer listed for tax sale. Toohil, in turn, accused Young of attacking her parents for political gain and demanded Young publically apologize. Young apologized to Peter and Barbara Toohil in a letter sent by his press secretary to The Times Leader Friday evening. “It is no secret that I am upset
over the cuts in educational funding that have been a part of the budgets for which Representative Toohil has voted,” Young wrote. “…When I read the notice about unpaid school taxes, with the knowledge that Ms. Toohil not only lives with her parents, but also uses their property to manage her campaign, I became even more upset. I could not understand how an adult child would allow her parents to become delinquent over such an important issue.
Hazleton looks for airport sponsors
K I E L B A S A F E S T I VA L
A ring of winners Bosack’s Market takes top honors again for fresh and third for smoked at 9th annual festival in Plymouth. By STEVEN FONDO Times Leader Correspondent
PLYMOUTH – Crowds of hungry people from across Northeastern Pennsylvania came out to the 9th Annual Plymouth Kielbasa Festival on Saturday to celebrate the famous Polish sausage so popular throughout the area. The two-day event featured dozens of food vendors, serving all types of fresh and smoked kielbasa and sausages, as well as stands featuring potato pancakes, freshfried vegetables, pulled-pork barbecue, crab cakes, funnel cakes and buttered corn-onthe-cob. The highlight of the annual festival is the kielbasa judging competition with Bosack’s Market of Olyphant taking first place for fresh kielbasa and Komensky’s Market in Dupont walking away with top honors for smoked rings. "This is our 10th trophy to add to our display case," beamed Gail Bosack, who also place third in the smoked kielbasa category. "It’s a lot of hard work to make good kielbasa, but an event like this makes it all worthwhile.’’ Bosack said their product has been shipped as far away as California and many people from throughout the Wyoming Valley take the drive to Olyphant to purchase their award-winning kielbasa and 14 different varieties of sausage. "The weather this year has been absolutely perfect and the crowds have been huge," explained Susan Gryziec, vice president of Plymouth Alive, the organization that organizes the festival. "After the hurricane last year, we are blessed that this weekend has See FEST, Page 7A
City said revenue would to towards equipment purchases and upgrades. By JERRY LYNOTT jlynott@timesleader.com
PETE G. WILCOX/THE TIMES LEADER
Mary Ann Medura of Plymouth, left, and her daughter Susan Drozginski of Duryea along with Medura’s granddaughters Leah, 4, and Lexi Drozginski, 1, watch the parade.
Home sweet hometown flavor of Plymouth PLYMOUTH – Walking up and down Main Street at the 9th annual Kielbasa Festival, one thing was missing – mustard seeds. Back in the day, my mom and dad would make kielbasa
BILL O’BOYLE OPINION for the holidays and mom – Elizabeth Kraszewski O’Boyle – always added mustard seeds to the mix. It was a recipe brought from Poland near Krakow that she stuck to and
we all enjoyed every Easter and Christmas. Just about everybody in our family made kielbasa and all called for mustard seeds. But the little yellow spicy gems are no longer to be found – at least not in the kielbasa I tasted at the festival. “The Germans use those,” one person told me.
“Only the Lithuanians use mustard seeds,” said another. It’s been a long time since I helped turn the handle on the meat grinder as my dad held the casings and my mom mixed the meat filling that became kielbasa, but I miss those little yellow seeds. See HOME, Page 7A
Loyal animal pals get a ‘thanks’ from their humans The ‘Bark for Life’ event recognizes a bond that grows when cancer strikes. By RALPH NARDONE Times Leader Correspondent
WILKES-BARRE – When a cancer diagnosis is given, patients who face a new sometimes terrible future will naturally lean on their families for support. They also garner a lot of support from their pets, according to organizers of the first “Bark for Life of Wyoming Valley” event on Saturday at Nesbitt Memorial Park. To give owners and their pets an opportunity to participate together in the fight against cancer and to recognize those pets that stay by their owners with unconditional love, the American Cancer Society organized the event along with members of See BARK, Page 7A
“In my response to what I perceived as yet another slap in the face to the education of our children, I inadvertently, and with sincere regret, allowed Mr. & Mrs. Toohil to be caught in the middle. I will continue to fight for our children’s education, and no doubt will cause Ms. Toohil some discomfort with the facts; however, I regret that anything I may have said was perceived as a personal attack on Peter and Barbara.” Tarah Toohil did not respond to a request for a response.
PETE G. WILCOX/THE TIMES LEADER
The pet owners walk their dogs in the ‘Bark for Life’ Saturday in Nesbitt Park in Wilkes-Barre.
HAZLE TWP. – For the right price, the terminal, equipment and even the Hazleton Municipal Airport could bear the name of a sponsor and provide needed revenue to maintain the facility. The city of Hazleton which took over the airport this year expects the airport to be selfsufficient and cover general operating expenses, but the additional revenue would go towards equipment purchases and upgrades. Mayor Joe Yannuzzi offered a ballpark estimate of $250,000 as what the sponsorships could raise. “I think it might work,” he said Friday. The city budgeted $90,000 this year for airport operations, the mayor said. The money is expected to come from fuel sales, hangar rentals and tie down fees. But an influx of money is needed to improve the amenities and increase the services, he said. The airport received a $93,750 grant through PennDOT’s aviation development program to purchase airfield maintenance equipment and must come up with a 20 percent match. The money would go towards the purchase two fuel trucks, cutting decks for a tractor, chainsaws and other equipment. Sponsorships for the equipment or vehicles could provide the match and allow the city to seek other grants. As it stands now the city doesn’t apply for many grants requiring matches because it doesn’t have the money, Yannuzzi said. City engineer Dominic Yannuzzi added the length of a sponsorship has yet to be determined. “We’re open to different terms,” he said. The sponsors would be recognized, he explained. For example, he said, in return for providing the match required to purchase a cutting deck a sponsor’s name would be put on the piece of equipment and a plaque placed in the terminal. There have been some inquiries about the idea backed by the city administration, but no offers have been made yet. “We didn’t put it out there yet,” the mayor said. If anyone is interested he suggested they call his office at 570 459-4910. Jerry Lynott, a Times Leader staff writer, can be contacted at 570 829-7237.
CMYK
User: gkaikowski Time: 11-18-2012 21:49 Product: Times_Leader PubDate: 11-19-2012 Zone: Main Edition: Main_Run PageName: news_01 PageNo: 6 A Color: C K Y M
N
E
W
S
#
THE TIMES LEADER Anne Marie McCawley, then-director of the St. Vincent dePaul Kitchen, in the pantry showing the shelves are stocked with food. McCawley, who retired from the position earlier this year, died Friday.
PETE G. WILCOX/ THE TIMES LEADER
McCawley ‘there’ for others When Anne Marie McCawley retired earlier this year, she told me she always felt that she “was just there.” “There” was the St. Vincent dePaul Kitchen on Jackson Street, where McCawley spent most of her time seeing that those in need got a meal each day. McCawley died Friday in hospice care. It wasn’t until her last day on the job that McCawley got a real sense of the impact her work had had on the clients served at the kitchen every day. Monsignor Joseph Kelly, executive director of Catholic Social Service, had McCawley personally hand out dessert to every client at the kitchen that day. It was then McCawley realized how important her work was. She saw the thankfulness in their eyes – in their soft, yet appreciative smiles as they accepted their sweet treat from the sweetest woman they had ever known. McCawley realized the kitchen’s clients not only appreciated her work, but also that they recognized the genuineness of her devotion to each and every one of them. She saw each as a fellow human
OPINION BILL O’BOYLE being who for whatever reason – and the reasons have increased in recent years – found themselves as beneficiaries of her compassion. Every day McCawley went about the business of finding donors, volunteers and bargains to ensure that every person walking through the door of the kitchen received a meal. It was a mission McCawley lived by all those years. When she unceremoniously retired, McCawley consented to an interview. She was never one for headlines or personal recognition. And on this day, you could tell she was right when she said “it was time” for her to retire. She was weary, yet she smiled when she talked about her customers. When told her friend “Hank” – a tiny woman from the Pittston area who takes a couple of buses to volunteer at the kitchen every day - said she would miss seeing her at the kitchen, McCawley smiled and said, “I will miss her too,” and added, “and I will miss them all.” As the need grew in Wyoming Valley, McCawley met the challenge. She never let anyone go
hungry. And she started a clothes closet and toy drive so needy families could keep themselves warm in winter and their children could have a Merry Christmas. It wasn’t a job for McCawley – it was her life. She believed she was chosen to run the kitchen – to ensure that people who needed help, got help. When she retired in August she said she planned to plant a garden and to travel a little. Sadly, we will never know if she possessed a green thumb, and she never got the chance to see the parts of the world she wanted to see. Yet I doubt McCawley would lament these things. I am certain she felt she lived a fulfilled life. She established a legacy that not only needs to continue – it must. Hungry people must be fed. As the greater Wyoming Valley community prepares for Thanksgiving and Christmas, we must pause and remember Anne Marie McCawley and the St. Vincent dePaul Kitchen and its clients. We must remember all of the food banks that exist to distribute food to those less fortunate. To pay tribute to McCawley would be for each of us, before we purchase one holiday gift and before we sit down for a bountiful
SN O W BLO W ERS $599
$749
dinner, to donate time, food or money to her kitchen or to another charity serving the needy. McCawley said “She was just there.” Well, now she is not “there” and we remain here. Show the world you care so that as long as places like St. Vincent dePaul Kitchen need to be there, that you will be there for them. Anne Marie McCawley would like that.
MCCAWLEY Continued from Page 3A
ue,” Kelly said. “We are all challenged now to assure it does continue.” It was Kelly who called her the Mother Teresa of Wilkes-Barre, added Joseph A. Frank of Laflin, a kitchen board member since it opened in 1983. “Every year we have a dinner for the staff of the kitchen,” Frank said. “She came to that and we presented her with a picture of Mother Teresa.” He recalled a search committee was formed to replace the first coordinator and McCawley stood out for the job. As McCawley stepped out of her position at St. Vincent De Paul in September, Mike Cianciotta stepped in; a transition that he said McCawley helped him through as much as possible. “She was a great mentor and very helpful,” he said. “She made sure I knew everything I needed to before she left.” Cianciotta described McCawley as someone who was very kind, but strict when it came to work, and rightfully so. “She was very precise in how things were to run, how the people here were go-
www.timesleader.com
ing to be cared for,” he said. “She wanted to make sure that the people who came in to eat were taken care of the proper way and felt comfortable, not looked down upon.” Is-rael Allah of Wilkes-Barre has been a cook at St. Vincent DePaul since 2009 and worked with McCawley every day. He also “She litershared the senally gave timents that his her life to first impression her was serve oth- of someone who was tough, but ers.” he soon found Monsignor that that gave Joseph Kelly About the late way to a kind Anne Marie and caring indiMcCawley vidual. “She was honestly one of the nicest people I’ve known,” he said. “She would do anything for you, as long as she knew that you were being honest.” Another kitchen worker, Jim Sobieski, called her a “tough chestnut” at first glance, offering up the nickname with a smile. “She had a heart of gold, I’ll tell ya,” he said. “She would go out of her way for everyone. All she wanted to do was help people.” Staff writer Jerry Lynott contributed.
We Want Your Gold!
We Don’t Offer Gimmicks or Gas Cards... Just Highest Cash Paid Plain & Simple!
Wee wi w will give you more cash for the holidays GUARANTEED! RECEIVE YOUR BEST OFFER AND COME AND SEE US!!!
Scrap Your Unwanted Jewelry or Coins For Cash!! as Instead of letting your items take up space in your jewelry box, recycle your old, broken and unwanted gold and silver jewelry. Also, your sterling silver flatware, hollowware, diamonds, antique coins, costume jewelry, watches or anything else of value. Campas will pay generously for your gold and silver. You can clean out your jewelry box and receive some extra cash!
WATCH BATTERIES ONLY $4 INSTALLED
CAMPAS JEWELERS Family Owned & Operated for Over 30 Years
476 Bennett St. • Luzerne • 570-288-1966
Mon.-Fri. 10-6 • Sat. 10-3 | www.campasjewelers.net
H S520A
H S520AS
• Runsover1.6 hourson O ne Tank ofFuel • Large 20” w ide clearing w idth, 12” high • Large fueltank cap • 2 yearresidentialw arranty
• • • • • •
C onvenientelectric start Sem iselfpropelling action 20” C learing w idth 55 tonsperhourclearing capacity Easy-to-Use direction control Throw ssnow up to 26 feet
To A Great Home Equity Rate
ALL M O DELS IN STO CK
10% O FF ALL H onda LAW N M O W ERS IN STO CK
V alley P o w er E q u ip m en t & R en tal 7 1 0 W ilk es-B arre T w p . B lvd . • W ilk es-B arre, P A 5 7 0 -8 2 3 -2 0 1 7 Please read the ow ner’s m anualbefore op erating your H ond a Pow er E quip m ent.
2.49
60 Month Fixed Rate
%
APR*
Home Equity Loan
A Home Equity Loan from First Keystone Community Bank opens the door to anything that life brings your way. Use the equity in your home to finance home improvements, a vacation, debt consolidation and more. If you have questions about home equity loan terms and payment requirements, stop by any First Keystone office.
888-759-2266 | www.FKCBank.com
*APR(Annual Percentage Rate). Subject to credit approval, other rates & terms available. $10,000 new money, must be auto-debited from a FKCB checking account. The monthly payment for $10,000 borrowed at an APR of 2.49% for 60 months would be $177.26. Offer subject to be terminated without notice.
780921 780921
➛
PAGE 6A MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2012
●
User: jhealey Time: 01-27-2012
THE TIMES LEADER
23:09 Product: Times_Leader PubDate: 01-28-2012 Zone: Main Edition: Main_Run PageName: local_01 PageNo: 3 A
➛ timesleader.com !
www.timesleader.com
CMYK
Color: C K Y M
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2012 PAGE 3A
LOCAL W-B school sprayed for bed bugs Doc Mattioli: BILL O’BOYLE OPINION
Authorities take action at a learning pod when a lone insect is discovered at Kistler Elementary. By MATT HUGHES mhughes@timesleader.com
WILKES-BARRE – Fifth-graders at Kistler Elementary School on Thursday discovered an uninvited guest: a bed bug. According to Wilkes-Barre Area Superintendent Jeffrey Namey, a single bed bug was found on the floor of a fifthgrade classroom Thursday. Students were removed from the classroom, their parents were contacted and an extermination company was brought in, Namey said. The exterminators did not find any
additional bed bugs, but at their recommendation, the entire fifth-grade pod, a total of five classrooms, was sprayed for the bugs Friday evening, Namey said. “We have expanded it beyond the scope of the original problem,” Namey said, adding that exterminators will also do a follow-up inspection following spraying. Bed bugs are parasitic insects that feed on human blood and often take up residence in mattresses. They can travel in clothing and luggage, and once a home or other structure has become infested they can be difficult and expensive to exterminate. Namey said Thursday was the first time a bed bug had been discovered in a Wilkes-Barre Area school. “We know it’s a serious issue,” he said. “Just like lice. Sometimes a kid comes in with lice in their hair; we take it very se-
POLICE ACTION
AP FILE PHOTO
Bed bugs, like this one, feed on human blood and often live in mattresses.
riously, and we’re taking this very, very seriously.” At least one parent believes the district isn’t taking the issue seriously enough, though. David Strouse, whose son is a thirdgrader at Kistler, said he is upset the district did not inform all parents about the
insect, but only contacted parents of children in the classroom where it was found. Parents may not have sent their children to school Friday had they known about the bug, he said. He also believes the district should spray the entire school for bed bugs. “(Bed bugs) are extremely hard to get rid of and they could cause a lot of problems for people who quite frankly can’t afford it,” Strouse said. Namey said the district acted on the advice of the exterminators, and informed parents of children in the classroom, who may have had contact with bed bugs, to wash their children’s clothing in hot water. “If there’s a need to do the whole building, the whole building will be done,” Namey said. “…We listen to what the professionals say, and this was the advice that we got from professionals.”
HOME AND GARDEN SHOW
Nanticoke man faces charges of burglary
John Chernowski Jr. was captured after a foot chase, police say. Bail is set at $25,000.
By EDWARD LEWIS elewis@timesleader.com
NEWPORT TWP. – Township police charged a man they allege was targeting unoccupied houses to burglarize. John Chernowski Jr., 27, of East Union Street, Nanticoke, was arraigned Friday in Wilkes-Barre Central Court on charges of burglary, criminal trespass, criminal attempt to commit burglary, criminal attempt to trespass and criminal conspiracy. He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $25,000 bail. Chernowski was apprehended by Nanticoke police after a foot chase on Thursday. Township police allege Chernowski rang door bells to determine if anyone was Police said in home. If no one anthe criminal swered, Chernowski walked to a rear door complaint and attempted to Chernowski open it, according to fled on foot, charges filed. When homeowners throwing a knife, jewelry confronted Chernowski at the front door, and other he asked if they had items during lost a cat, police allege. the pursuit. According to the He was apprecriminal complaint: hended after Police responded to a brief foot a burglary at a house on Vista Drive at chase, the about 2 p.m. Thurscriminal com- day when a woman plaint says. claimed someone forced their way inside and stole items. While investigating the burglary, police learned a man, identified by police as Chernowski, attempted to force open a rear door to another house on Vista Drive. The woman claimed she opened the front door after hearing the door bell. After finding no one on the front porch, the woman checked the rear door finding Chernowski attempting to pry it open, the criminal complaint says. Police learned from other homeowners on Vista Drive that Chernowski allegedly rang door bells asking if they lost a cat on Thursday. Nanticoke police spotted Chernowski in the 300 block of East Union Street. Police said in the criminal complaint Chernowski fled on foot, throwing a knife, jewelry and other items during the pursuit. He was apprehended after a brief foot chase, the criminal complaint says. A preliminary hearing is scheduled on Feb. 1 before District Judge Donald Whittaker in Nanticoke.
PETE G. WILCOX/THE TIMES LEADER
Randy Skolnick of Bayside, Queens, N.Y., sells his orchids on Friday during the 11th Annual Northeastern Pennsylvania Home & Garden Show at the Mohegan Sun Arena. The show continues through Sunday.
Utility, beauty again in flower The big annual event brings vendors of all kinds to the Mohegan Sun Arena. By JOE DOLINSKY Times Leader Intern
WILKES-BARRE TWP. – The 11th Annual Northeastern Pennsylvania Home and Garden Show kicked off Friday as vendors from ADT Security Systems to Ziscoat Co. filled the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. Featuring representatives from more than 100 vendors, the three-day event gives attendees the ability to find all of their home repair and improvement needs directly from the companies themselves. And all under one roof. “They have everything I need,” said Mount Pocono resident Pat Fountaine. Fountaine has been attending the show regularly for the past three years and recently decided to add a new ad-
dition to his home. “Instead of having to look for everything online and talk to no one,” he said, “I can talk to someone right here.”a Mark Davis of Hazleton was at the show for the first time and was surprised by how many vendors were on hand. “I couldn’t believe the amount,” he said. “The stands just keep going.” Many vendors keep coming. Rich and Sue Grickis are in their second year running the Brewery Gift Shoppe booth at the show. They own a seasonal store at the Schuylkill Mall where they sell Yuengling and other beer-themed products. “We’re only open seasonally so being able to sell here is a big help,” Sue said. In addition to businesses, two popular TV personalities are also lending their professional experience to the show. Star of the HGTV series “Collector Inspector,” Harry Rinker will be man-
I F YO U G O
When: 11th Annual Northeastern Pennsylvania Home and Garden Show, Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza continues 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Cost: $7.50 for adults, $5 for seniors over 65. Children under 16 admitted free. Parking: Free
ning the Celebrity Stage throughout the weekend, sharing his expertise on old antiques and collectibles while offering free appraisals on up to two items per customer. Tom Silva, host of the popular PBS series “This Old House” will share first-hand knowledge of home repair in a special four-hour Q&A period from 12-4 p.m. today. Silva will be available for autographs during that time. Tickets are available at the Mohegan Sun Arena box office and are valid throughout the weekend.
Area real estate developer dies Alan J. Finlay, owner of Humford Equities, was known as a champion of small business. By TERRIE MORGAN-BESECKER tmorgan@timesleader.com
INSIDE: See obituary on Page 10A.
Center in Dallas from complications of an illness, said his son, Robert. He was 77. Finlay, the owner of Humford Equities, was well known throughout the region for his numerous real estate holdings, particularly in downtown Wilkes-Barre. He and his wife, Evelyn, emigrated from Ireland when they were in their 20s. They lived in Canada for many
DALLAS – Friends and associates of prominent area real estate developer Alan J. Finlay say his death Friday is a great loss not only to the business community, but numerous other organizations he supported throughout his lifetime. Finlay, of Dallas, died at Mercy See FINLAY, Page 11A
Real estate developer Alan J. Finlay
Great heart, greater love
LONG POND – It was a long day in early July 2010. I had been to Wyalusing covering a fascinating story, and I couldn’t wait to get back to the newsroom to start writing. As I approached my desk, the phone rang. “Bill? This is Doc,” the voice on the other end said. It was unmistakably Joseph “Doc” Mattioli, the man who built Pocono Raceway, made a fortune and rebuilt so many charities and lives through his philanthropy. I asked Doc what I could do for him. He asked me about the Wyoming Monument. I had covered the annual dedication ceremony a few days earlier, and I included a plea from Marcella Starr, president of the Wyoming Monument Association, who painted a dire picture of the struggle to raise funds to restore the monument struck by lightning a couple of years prior. Doc had read the story. “How much do they need?” he asked.” I told him about $93,000 would complete the job. “What are you doing Tuesday? SERVICES Can you come to Funeral and viewmy house?” ing arrangements I said sure, but have been set for why? Dr. Joseph Mattioli: “I’ll give them • Viewing hours the hundred,” he are Sunday from said. 4:30 to 9 p.m. and I hung up and Monday from 10 sat back to ponder a.m. to noon at what had just Pocono Community Church, 2770 happened. Memorial BouleOn Tuesday I vard, Tobyhanna. went to Doc’s • The funeral house with MarMass will begin at cella Starr and 1:30 p.m. Monday Wyoming Mayor at St. Peter the Bob Boyer. We Fisherman Roman watched as Doc – Catholic Church, 2111 Lake Drive, with his wife Rose, as always, at Lake Harmony. • Private entombhis side – wrote a ment at the convecheck. nience of the “He kept writfamily. ing zeros,” Starr said. Marcella cried and so did Doc, who said he had driven past the monument for years and felt it stood for something important to our history. A week later I returned to the Mattioli home, across the street from the racetrack, to interview Doc and Rose. I listened to Doc and Rose tell the story of their lifelong love affair. All the while, they held hands. “I’m afraid to let go,” Doc said. “She might run away.” It was a rare look into the special world of Doc and Rose Mattioli. You could feel the love. How lucky, I thought, that these two found each other and how blissful their life was. “I’m very fortunate to be able to have lived a long life and be married to the love of my life for 62 years,” Doc said. The Mattiolis have given much of their wealth to charities, churches, municipalities and other causes. And for one reason only – they wanted to help where they could. “It makes us feel good – really,” Rose said. “We care about our neighborhood.” They have given $1 million to Stroudsburg to beautify the downtown; $1.5 million to the Pocono Medical Center; $1 million to East Stroudsburg University; $1 million to the Lehigh Valley Medical Center. The top two students in each of four Pocono-area high schools receive scholarships from a fund set up by the Mattioli family. That fund is in its 25th year. In a year that we have already lost Joe Paterno and Buddy Rothstein, we have now lost Doc. And it is a tremendous loss. Not just to all of the beneficiaries of Doc’s philanthropy, but to his friends and family – most importantly, his wife, Rose. I can’t imagine the loss she feels today. To have her life partner, the love of her life, gone. And no hand to hold. For Mattioli’s obituary, see Page 10A