CMYK WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012
THE ABINGTON JOURNAL♦CLARKS SUMMIT, PA
WWW.THEABINGTONJOURNAL.COM
PAGE 3A
Ransom audit to exceed estimate
ISN’T IT ROMANTIC? 65 YEARS AND COUNTING
BY ELIZABETH BAUMEISTER
lbaumeister@theabingtonjournal.com
Janichkos ABOVE: The ending a tt are shown a 12. They 0 2 in wedding are dance u q s a met at to dance. and still love
PHOTOS COURTESY JOSEPH JANICHKO
AT LEFT: Catherine and Joseph Janichko wed Aug. 9, 1947 at the former St. John’s Church, North Main Avenue, Scranton
One step at a time By Kristie Grier Ceruti Abington Journal Editor
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light brown Studebaker, their first car together, transported Catherine and Joseph Janichko to a honeymoon destination in Atlantic City, N.J. 65 years ago this month. But their relationship was set in motion three years prior at a Keyser Valley square dance where they met in1944. Joseph, 87, said his parting words that evening to the daughter of Edward and Catherine Schimelfenig were “I’ll see you at the next dance.” They met at the square dance every week that followed. “We kept going steady then,” he said, of he and Catherine, who grew up in Hyde Park, Scranton. And although they waited until she turned 21and he 22 to wed, “She more or less knew she liked me and I liked her.” Since then, the two have traveled a path from their dairy farm in Waverly to destinations of shared heritages. Joseph, who speaks Slovak, Russian, Lithuanian and fluent German, said they once spent a month visiting Europe. Most recently they marked 65 years together with a venture to Mackinac Island, Mich. in July. And on the docket for October is a trip to New Orleans, La. In earlier years they enjoyed the pleasures of camping vacations. He recalled treks to Canada, New York andMassachusetts . “We first started out with a tent. We had an awful lot of rain. I though that would be the end of her, but she stayed right with it,” he said of his bride. Life members of the Scott Township Dive Rescue, they have spent 28 years assisting on rescue missions, Joseph underwater and Catherine on land. Joseph said his wife knows when rescuers should not make another dive attempt. “She can tell by complexion.” And there’s no slowing down for the Janichkos. This summer they met with area diving groups and Joseph took a spin on a speed jet. Fully clothed, “I got dumped,” he joked. “I had to get a new camera and cell phone.” Annually around Labor Day they head to the Wyoming County Fair just north of Meshoppen. “I run the antique farm barn. My wife works the area with the quilts, honey and photos. She judges the quilts. ” Catherine, 86, spent years employed in a garment factory and later at Wool-
worth’s store. Her husband said she loves to sew and favors creating quilts by hand, rather than machine. “I used to be the needle threader,” said Joseph on his wife’s expert quilting skills. “She knows how to quilt.” For14 years they shared their home with two pets: Puffy, a dog who enjoyed Catherine’s homemade doughnut holes and Morris, a cat who entertained the couples’ friends and especially visiting quilters. “He always sat at the table with his high chair.” Though their housemates have since passed, the Janichkos care for other larger pets. “We had two calves born in April a few days apart, April and Little Billy. We have seven (cows),” he said. The two seem perfectly matched in their interests. Both are master judges of antique cars. Along with friend Bill Smith, they formed the first Scranton Antique Car Club. Joseph still has a1917 World War I ambulance complete with a helmet, stretchers, uniforms, blankets and gas siren. The automobile, one of four GM models in the U.S., arrived in pieces that he assembled. During a 37-year career in a machine shop he eagerly took on any new task. “I liked the machine shop because I was all over,” he said. The Waverly High School graduate reminisced about assembling a machine using blueprints from Germany. “It was all stainless steel. Gertrude Hawk is still using one machine I built for them.” From age18 he worked on his father’s farm in the Abington area, where his parents John and Mary Janichko moved in1920. Even years later as a machinist, he would come home from his
Isn’t it romantic? To have your love story or special anniversary considered for a feature in an upcoming edition of The Abington Journal, send name, contact info, anniversary date and details to Editor Kristie Ceruti, kgrier@theabington journal.com, call 585.1604, visit the Abington Journal, 211 S. State Street, Clarks Summit, PA 18411.
day job and work on the farm at night. “I still have cows and four tractors.” Although the Janichkos seem to pair seamlessly, no marriage can be without a difference of opinion. “She used to bake, but not much anymore,” said Joseph. And Catherine, whose favorite is rhubarb pie, does not abide strawberries in the recipe, he added. “She hates strawberries. And I love them.” The Waverly gardener, who just picked his first three tomatoes of the season, said the two enjoy the fruits of their harvest: pumpkins, tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers, sweet peppers. “I like our homegrown stuff, that’s the best.” He attributed their longevity to just that. “That’s why we’re both in good health, we don’t eat any junk.” Well, that and dancing. “Polkas, slow dances,” said Joseph. They never stop dancing.
as a y, N.J. w therine it C c ti n a tl a ABOVE: A n destination of C there n o o w o m h y s e , n ho ichko n a J h 1947. p e and Jos rawn carriage in ed in a hors
ABOVE: A horse drawn wagon carried Catherine and Joseph Janichko, shown in the fourth row of passengers, at Mackinac Island, Mich., when they visited in July for an anniversary trip.
ABINGTON JOURNAL/KRISTIE GRIER CERUTI
A sushi platter donated by Misaru, Dickson City, will be among the menu offerings at the Aug. 19 event.
Wine party benefits library A wine tasting party to benefit the Dalton Community Library will be held at Maiolatesi Wine Cellars, August 19 from 3 to 5 p.m. The cost is a $20 donation. For details, visit the library at 113 East Main Street, Dalton or call 570.563.2014. Among food donations will be a sushi platter donated by Misaru, Dickson City and appetizers courtesy of New Century in Abington Shopping Center, Clarks Summit.
Shown is Dalton Community Library Director Shu Qiu with one food donor, New Century restaurant owner Liya Chen.
ABINGTON JOURNAL/ELIZABETH BAUMEISTER
Shopping for the animals
Quinn’s Shur Save Market in Archbald held a fundraiser for the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter July 10 through 14, donating a total of $2,000 as well as a large amount of pet supplies, food and essentials. The market’s Third Annual Come ’Sale’ Away fundraiser was a huge success, according to Rich Hayes, Director of Promotions at Quinn’s and Warren Reed, Executive Director of the shelter. It included a variety of activities, such as a “Peddling 4 Paws” 25-mile bike run completed for the second year in a row by Hayes, a “Bagging for Paws” day with guest celebrity grocery baggers, a pierogi eating contest, and more. Hayes said the first fundraiser began three years ago when the shelter was in desperate need of funding. He said he and others at the market who have a desire to do something to give back to the community heard about the need, and decided to help. Since then, the event continues to grow each year, and already they’re planning ways to make it even better in 2013. Reed said he, the rest of the shelter staff and volunteers and the animals all greatly appreciate the donations. “We count on events like this for supplies for the animals,” he said. Shown: Rich Hayes, Director of Promotions at Quinn’s Shur Save Market, Archbald presents the check from the fundraiser to Warren Reed, Executive Director of the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter.
RANSOM TWP. The Ransom Township Board of Supervisors announced at its meeting Aug. 6 the cost of the ongoing forensic audit of township finances reached its initial limit of $7,500. The amount was set at a special meeting May 16 when the supervisors adopted a resolution to enter into an agreement with Marx Accounting and Forensic Services in Scranton, to perform a forensic accounting investigation of the township books, records and other information from the past five years. Supervisor David Bird said township Solicitor Edmund Scacchitti will set up a meeting with the firm to determine the additional cost of the audit. “We’re at that $7,500 mark now,” Bird said. “For him [the auditor] to go deeper—which, there are some issues—we need a dollar amount to see where we’re at and give them the go ahead.” When Ransom Township resident Kathy Rowinski asked what those “issues” are, Supervisor Dennis Macheska explained the audit will now be expanding to cover Earned Income Tax. The forensic audit, requested by Pa. State Police, follows the resignation of former township secretary-treasurer Kathy Zielinski, which was accepted at an emergency meeting March 19 after irregularities were found during an audit of the township finances, according to Scacchitti. Several residents in attendance at the meeting inquired as to whether the investigation is in the hands of the State Police and if so, asked if they should pay the bill. Supervisors explained the State Police do control the investigation, but are not able to move forward until the forensic audit is complete. A State Police report dated July 18 stated an arrest is expected in conjunction with the continuing investigation which revealed “several thousand dollars were misappropriated by a former township See Ransom, Page 11
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2012
THE ABINGTON JOURNAL♦CLARKS SUMMIT, PA
ISN’T IT ROMANTIC?
WWW.THEABINGTONJOURNAL.COM PAGE 3A
Tractor trailer accident sends chickens to Animal Shelter BY ROBERT TOMKAVAGE Abington Journal Reporter
PHOTOS COURTESY OF TIM AND ARLEE PHOTOGRAPHY
Don and Cyndi Roe were married six weeks ago in a ceremony held at Summit Baptist Bible Church, followed by a reception at Heritage Baptist Church, where they met.
Marriage a gift H
to Walmart with you and ands down, Cyndi, Tell us your story push your cart. He started 46, Abington doing that every week,” said Heights High To have your love story or Cyndi. “It was wonderful. School teacher, and Summit special anniversary Lots of acts of services. And Baptist Bible Church pastor, considered for a feature in an upcoming edition of The that’s what I was in tremenDon Roe, 53, believe their Abington Journal, send dous need of, with all of the marriage is a gift. He was a name, contact info, anniversary date and details things I was trying to acwidower of two months and to Editor Kristie Ceruti, complish.” she was divorced for a deckgrier@theabington They were married six ade when they met at a journal.com, call 585.1604, weeks ago in a ceremony Thanksgiving dinner arvisit the Abington Journal, 211 S. State Street, Clarks held at Summit Baptist ranged by Cyndi’s parents. Summit, PA 18411. Bible Church, followed by a Although they attended the reception at Heritage Bapsame church, Cyndi Page tist Church, where they met. romance was still kind of had never met Pastor Don Currently, they are in the Roe prior to Thanksgiving. low key at that point, said process of settling in and Don. “It was still kind of Their children knew one blending in their home in low -key, but I definitely another through a church South Abington Township, had an interest. I stumbled youth group, but the coualong with Don’s two chilples’ paths had never cross- around, manned up and dren: Gavin, 17, and Hanasked her to take a ride in ed. nah, 13; and Cyndi’s chilmy pickup truck. She’s a During the time prior to dren: Stephen Page, 22, golden person and I didn’t their first meeting, Cyndi Crystal Page, 20, Amber want to let her get away. I said, “My daughters orgaPage, 18, Jenn Page, 16, was blessed. I had a really nized an outpouring of Heather Page, 14 and their giving gift cards to Don and good wife for almost 30 his family through the youth years and then to see some- English Bulldog, Winston. And life is busy for the one like her. I thought, group and through the couple, whose hobbies ‘Don’t let her get away. church, (Heritage Baptist Pursue this…” And so, on a include reading, motorcyChurch, Clarks Summit) snowy day, Don and Cyndi cles, exercising at Brown’s and had visited Don. That Gym and grocery shopping. was Don’s first exposure to had their first date. And yes, Don still my family,” said pushes her cart at Cyndi, referring to the grocery store. the months follow“You do learn a lot ing his wife’s about people when death. you shop with Don added, “I them,” said Don. had never met her, What Cyndi and these wondermost admires ful kids came inabout Don is his …they were degenerosity to her lightful and they and her children, were from the Don and Cyndi Roe feed each other cake at and his willingyouth group…I their wedding. ness to take a risk didn’t think much and pursue a womabout it. I had never Future dates were planned an, when pursuing her also met her (Cyndi) even meant pursuing six people. to revolve around Cyndi’s though we were attending the same church .Her father, hectic schedule, as a single He is also quick to trust. “He sees the better side in mother to five children. whom I’ve known well, “She was very hard to date,” people more quickly. Those invited me (and my two are some really good qualchildren) over for dinner for joked Don. “The thing I ities, especially for miniscould count on is that she Thanksgiving. Cyndi was try,” said Cyndi. cooking the meal and bring- gets up very early. Usually, And Don’s first impresshe’s up by 4 or 4:30 a.m. ing it to the house.” sion was, “I met her and On Saturday mornings, I Don originally declined could count on picking her immediately I was attracted the invitation, explained to her character. She had Cyndi. “His wife had passed up around 6 or 6:30 a.m., five children that she had we’d get breakfast and she away that August and this (the dinner) was November would shop for the week at done a very good job raisand it seemed a little quick.” Walmart. That was the high- ing. She loves kids. She had excelled in her position – a light of the week.” Don said, “They weren’t couple of years ago, she was Those shopping trips to inviting me to meet her…” one of the runner ups that Walmart became a weekly “My parents said, ‘Oh, they considered for teacher date for the couple, and and our daughter will be of the year in Pennsylvania. there. Don backtracked and Don’s offer to “come push She works hard, does things her cart,” at Walmart, also reaccepted the invitation,” well and has had a lot of included help load and said Cyndi. unload groceries. He said to heartache in her life in the They exchanged some past. Through all that, she books at Thanksgiving and me, “Why don’t I take you to breakfast and then I’ll go had done things well.” began emailing, but their
A tractor trailer accident on I-84 Sept. 6, resulted in hundreds of chickens falling off the vehicle. After the crash, the animals were transported by PennDOT to the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter in Clarks Summit. According to Assistant Director of Griffin Pond Animal Shelter Kate Andrews, 50 to 60 of the chickens either died before they were taken to the shelter or needed to be euthanized due to severe injuries upon there arrival at 10:30 a.m. There were 200 chickens that survived and the volunteers are currently working to provide them with feed, water, and tarps for shelter. “It’s the largest number of farm-type animals that has been transported to us in the 11 years that I have been here,” Andrews said.
ABINGTON JOURNAL/ROBERT TOMKAVAGE
Hundreds of chickens were transported to the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter after a tractor trailer accident on I-84 this morning.
As of Tuesday, Sept. 11, the chickens were still located at Griffin Pond Animal Shelter. Development Coordinator Beverly Bright said the shelter is working with Indraloka Animal Sanctuary in Mehoopany, and possibly other organization to provide the animals with permanent shelter.
Bright added that the chickens are much more comfortable today at the shelter than they were immediately following their sudden, unexpected arrival. “It’s an all together different situation,” she said. “They are getting to socialize in different areas and are now acting more normally.”
Pumpkins to help festival soar BY KASEY LYNN Abington Journal Correspondent
Pumpkins will be flying at Abington Area Community Park Sept. 29. The Hillside Harvest Moon Festival will feature “Punkin Chunkin” this year. Mike Hargrove is the mastermind behind adding this event to the Festival. He said it’s something new and fun. He has been watching Punkin Chukin on TV for years and now he is bringing it to Abingtons. It is the Abington Youth Soccer League’s contribution to the Festival. “I’m a sports guy and it’s giving these engineering and geek guys an opportunity to compete,” said Hargrove. The Punkin Chunkin will be new to the area but it certainly is not new to the world. It started in 1986 when four guys heard that a physics class at Salisbury State University “threw” pumpkins. It became a competition between the four men that soon became a world-wide competition. The World Championship for Punkin Chunkin will be held November 2-4 in Delaware. The World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association is a non-profit organization that raises money for scholarships and organizations that benefits youths and local communities. Punkin Chunkin by definition is hurling or chucking a pumpkin by mechanical means, such as a catapult or sling shot. The Punkin Chunkin at the Hillside Harvest Moon Festival is only a demonstration. The pumpkins will be shot into the lake to avoid a messy clean up. “It should be exciting to see pumpkins splash in the lake,” Hargrove said. Fun fact: Pumpkins float.
ABINGTON JOURNAL/KASEY LYNN
Lions will prepare food to be sold at the Hillside Harvest Moon Festival. From left: Ed Borek-president, Dave Jones-secretary, Mark KusmaDistrict 14-H 1st Vice-Governor, Joe Skinner-District 14-H 2nd ViceGovernor.
This year it will only be a demonstration and not a competition, Hargrove said. “[This] gives people a year to create catapults and prepare for next year for an event.” Besides Punkin Chunkin, the Hillside Harvest Moon Festival will also feature food, live music and other events. Food will be provided by the Abington Lions Club and Duffy’s Coffee House. The Lions Club will cook Jambalaya, sweet corn, Wimpies, hot dogs, hamburgers and a vegetarian dish. Duffy’s will provide baked goods, smoothies and coffee. Quietmen will provide live music and entertainment for the afternoon. Festivalgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for the event. There will also be a Home Run Derby run by the Abington Area Girls Softball League, Dog Agility classes given by the Abington Dog Park, face painting for kids done by Abington Community Library Teen Liter-
ature, the Abington Community Garden will have pumpkins for sale and crafts, and there will be leaf pounding as well. The artwork for the art opening of the Earth Art Trail will also be on display by the Boardwalk during the Festival for viewers. Diane Vietz, organizer of the event said, “It gets people together just for a couple of hours during a spectacular time of year.” The Hillside Harvest Moon Festival will take place Sept. 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Abington Area Community Park. There will be a full moon that night, which is why Vietz chose that date. She hopes in the future to move the festival to the evening so spectators can enjoy the Festival and the full moon. For more information concerning Punkin Chunkin, visit www.punkinchunkin.com or visit youtube.com and search Punkin Chunkin for some footage of flying pumpkins.
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Two families join together as one at the wedding of Don and Cyndi Roe. From left: Gavin Roe, Jenn Page, Hannah Roe, Crystal Page, Amber Page, Heather Page, and Stephen Page
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2012
THE ABINGTON JOURNAL♦CLARKS SUMMIT, PA
ISN’T IT ROMANTIC? Norbert Mayr and Diane Hrubos will celebrate their 7th anniversary in April, 2013 with a banana split for dessert.
ABINGTON JOURNAL/JOAN MEAD-MATSUI
‘Harmonious’ life
Norbert Mayr, the first time he saw Diane Hrubos in 1966. Diane is the girl at center with her older John and their sister Cathie. Hrubos was 10 and Mayr was 20. They married 6 years ago.
BY JOAN MEAD-MATSUI Abington Journal Correspondent
B
anana splits, laughter and a devotion to their family are a few items 67-year-old Norbert Mayr and his wife, Diane Hrubos, 56, South Abington Township, cherish. In 2005, they agreed “enough is enough” and married after 13 years in a long- distance relationship. The couple met at Diane’s family’s farm in New Jersey in 1966, but “It (their family ties) goes back to my mother and Norbert growing up together in Germany,” said Hrubos. Mayr was born and raised in Germany in the same building as Diane’s mother and following his immigration to the United States in 1965, their families remained in close contact. Hrubos was 10 in 1966 when Mayr, who was working at a jewelry store and living in North Carolina, came to visit. Hrubos recalled, “I had just gotten my ears pierced when he came to visit and he brought me a pair of white gold earrings with a diamond chip. I’m pretty sure that’s when I fell in love. I know that I had a crush on him for most of my life.” In the spring of 1967, Mayr married; Hrubos married in 1977. “We had separate existences, but were always in touch. We always knew what the other one was doing,” said Mayr. Hrubos described their journey as a “crooked road until 20 years ago…. Our lives intersected…I got married and had children and he got married and had children, but he was always on the outskirts of my life.” Years later, after Mayr divorced, he took a teaching position at Penn State Worthington Campus in Dunmore. “Fairly frequently my mother invited Norbert to holiday dinners because he was living alone,” said Hrubos. Twenty years ago, Hrubos said, “…I called him (Mayr)
SUBMITTED PHOTO
and said, ‘Do you want to go out to dinner with me?’ He said, ‘Sure.’ So I drove up here (to Clarks Summit) and here we are.” Mayr recalled his reaction to her call. “I didn’t know what to do…This was unusual…but it felt more like a friend in need than anything else. She had just separated from her husband…I had a feeling she needed someone to talk to.” He added, “I had almost gotten used to the idea that I was going to live alone for the rest of my life, and the realization that this was not going to happen was wonderful. After a while, it became apparent that when she wasn’t here, something was missing. It was a gradual sort of thing that all of a sudden, after a while, it was really tough to envision life if she wasn’t a part of it.” They lived 100 miles apart and in separate states until seven years ago. Hrubos said, “My kids were in school and I didn’t want to take them out and I had a good job. Norbert couldn’t move because he had tenure at the Penn State Worthington Campus.” They were married by a justice of the peace in April
To have your love story or special anniversary considered for a feature in an upcoming edition of The Abington Journal, send name, contact info, anniversary date and details to Editor Kristie Ceruti, kgrier@theabington journal.com, call 585.1604, visit the Abington Journal, 211 S. State Street, Clarks Summit, PA 18411.
2005. “Our wedding reception was the two of us at Friendly’s (former Friendly’s in Clarks Summit) with banana splits,” said Hrubos with a laugh. Hrubos described their marriage as, “Like sleeping in your own bed. It’s easy and comfortable…rarely do we have an argument.” Mayr said, “We’ve known each other so long and so well, it’s just a harmonious sort of thing.” Among interests they share is a great appreciation for grandchildren, whom they visit often; reading; handcrafts (Hrubos makes glass and Mayr enjoys woodworking) and, of course, banana splits. Every year on their anniversary, they commemorate with a banana split at Friendly’s. Above their bed is a wall decal that states, “It’s never too late for happily ever after.” Diane Hrubos and her granddaughter Olivia Traxler, in Chesapeake, Va. at Disney on Ice with husband Norbert Mayr.
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‘Friends and Family together with Ted’
we keep looking back 20 years ago to what worked back then, but we can’t this CLARKS SUMMIT- Ted time because technology has Pietryka, 40, an Abington changed so much, the treatHeights High School gradument plans have changed ate, Class of 1990, was also,” she said. thrown into a tailspin of painThe bright side to the life ful memories one night in of this family: all their friends August when he was informed that he would be liv- Ted and Jen Pietryka, shown, feel and family members have surrounded them and jumped ing a nightmare again. fortunate to be surrounded by in to help. The night prior to a family friends and family while Ted is “We are so fortunate to be vacation, Pietryka awakened being treated for two forms of to a nosebleed that would not cancer. A fundraiser “Friends and surrounded by friends and Family Together for Ted” will take family whom have showered stop, which forced him to us with love and compasspend the rest of the night in place Nov. 11. sion,” said Jen Pietryka. cer in his lung and throat, the emergency room of an “ ‘One day a time’ is the according to Jen Pietryka. area hospital. slogan we are living by and “Sometimes not knowing The following morning he we will continue to fight for and his wife of 12 years, Jen, what to expect is better than received news that two mass- having experienced it before,” our beloved boys and all of you.” said Jen Pietryka. es were detected in his right Those friends have created “It’s different this time in lung. The couple have been a fundraiser for Ted Pietryka regard to the fact we have a together for 21 years, during and his family, “Friends and family now, it’s more diffiwhich time they battled his Family Together for Ted.” cult. And it’s harder on Ted first bout of cancer together. because he can’t work and be Mary Ellen Berry has helped Twenty years ago at the age organize a committee for the of 20, Ted Pietryka was diag- as involved with our boys.” The couple are raising three fundraiser, which meets every nosed with esophageal cancer Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at boys, ages 10, 8 and 4. Jen and treated in Philadelphia. State Street Grill in Clarks Pietryka said the boys are His wife said, “We always Summit. young and unable to undersaid we would go back if he Berry said she has known stand the complexity of their got sick again.” . Ted Pietryka since high father’s sickness but know In August, he was transschool; they graduated toported to a Philadelphia hos- what their parents feel they need to know. “The marathon gether and he and her huspital. There, the nonsmoker has begun, but it feels like we band have been best friends was told he had lung cancer. since kindergarten. The funare behind in the race,” said That was the beginning. draiser Nov. 11 at the State Jen Pietryka When pulmonologists perStreet Grill will take place It has been two months formed a lung biopsy they from 5 to 8 p.m. A Silent found a spot in his throat and since they received his diagAuction and 50/50 raffle will nosis. He has finished his he was informed that he had cancer there as well. To have second chemo treatment and be held and a DJ will provide entertainment. Tickets for the two different cancers growing has one more to complete. benefit, $50, will include Then in mid-November, he inside him was unusual, he food stations and an open bar. will receive a PET scan to was told, because the cancer check on the treatments’ pro- All proceeds will help offset did not metastasize from his medical expenses of Ted Piegress. lung to his throat, rather, it “Ted knows that after che- tryka. developed in both areas sepMonetary donations can be mo he won’t be able to get arately. made directly to a fund: The cancers in his lung and out of bed, kiss the boys goodnight, or sit on the side- “Friends and Family Together throat have spread to his for Ted,” C/O PNC Bank, 207 lymph nodes, making it stage lines of their soccer games. South State Street Clarks We know that just getting 3 cancer. through the day is a daunting Summit. The doctors’ primary goal For more information conright now is his lung, but the task, something most others take for granted,” she added. tact, Mary Ellen Berry at chemotherapy treatments “It makes it harder because 570.212.1345. should work on both the canBY KASEY LYNN Abington Journal Correspondent
SUBMITTED PHOTO
When Daisies meet pumpkins Members of the Waverly Daisy Troop 50969, recently decorated pumpkins. They are shown, from left: Bella Moher, Sophie Snyder, Emma Wagner, Eva Blaum, Sadie Gilbert, Gabriella Potis, Gianna Fisne and Abigail O’Sullivan.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012
THE ABINGTON JOURNAL♦CLARKS SUMMIT, PA
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Distinguished Democrat
Isn’t It Romantic?
Clarks Summit Council President receives award for service to Lackawanna County BY JOAN MEAD-MATSUI Abington Journal Correspondent
ABINGTON JOURNAL/JOAN MEAD-MATSUI
ABOVE: For her husband Dr. Ken Rudolph’s birthday a few years ago, Leah Ducato Rudolph surprised him with a T-shirt autographed by Pittsburgh Steeler Rocky Bleier. The inscription, “To my twin brother…” harkens back to Leah and Ken’s first date when Leah thought Ken resembled her favorite football player, inset below.
Parents know best
By Joan Mead-Matsui Abington Journal Correspondent
L
eah Ducato Rudolph, Abington Community Library Director and Ken Rudolph, MD, met in 1979 as a result of a date arranged by their parents. Ken was home in the Pittsburgh suburbs on a break from his residency program in Internal Medicine in Scranton. Leah was working and living in Pittsburgh. “Our parents, who were friends, had suggested we meet as we seemed to have a lot in common,” said Leah. “Actually, I never wanted my mother to fix me up because, what could my mother know? Why would my mother fix me up with somebody that I would like? What does she know?” said Ken. “Well, prior to Leah she fixed me up with another girl she met in Pittsburgh. Mom called to say, ‘I met this girl. She lives in Philadelphia and I met her in ‘Horne’s.’ It turned out the girl was a model from Lancôme Cosmetics and beautiful. I thought, ‘My mother picked this woman?’ So, when she told me she had this other girl in mind for me to meet, I thought, ‘Well, she didn’t do so badly the first time. Maybe I’ll check it out again.” One criterion was, according to Ken, “She had to be Italian. My mother was Italian. And if the girl wasn’t Italian, she wasn’t good.” Leah Ducato, dating someone and not looking to meet anyone new, said her father phoned to let her know Ken would be calling for a blind date. “My mother started the conversation. She said, ‘We’d like you to go out with Kenny Rudolph. He’s going to be home for vacation and you should go out with him, or hang out with him while he’s home,’” said Leah. “I really didn’t want to bother, but my dad got on the phone and said, ‘Look! You don’t have to marry the guy; just go out with him one time. Do it as a favor to me.’ My father offered to give me his Horne’s credit card so I could buy a new dress to wear on the date. I went shopping right after work. I got on a bus and went downtown. I looked all around Horne’s for a new dress and ended up with a cheap, vinyl purse,” she said with a laugh.
She kept purse to this day. “I didn’t even get a shower or wash my hair for this date because I was shopping for a dress.” Their first date took place at a Polynesian Restaurant in Monroeville in September 1979. Leah said her first impression of Ken was “shock.” “I was shocked how much he resembled one of my favorite Pittsburgh Steelers: Rocky Bleier.” She recalled details of the date: “I was most impressed that Ken got chosen out of the crowd to learn how to ‘hula’ on stage. I don’t think he’ll ever do something like that again, but he was a good sport that night.” The words Ken used to describe his first impression of Leah are “genuine,” “personable” and “a believable person.” A few days after their first date, he suggested they go out again. “…She politely declined,” Ken said. “She told me, ‘I thought I told you to never call me again.’ I thought, ‘Did I miss something here? I must have missed the boat.’” He added, “Then a week or two later, my mother said, ‘Leah and her sister, Lisa Ducato Ross, are going to New York and they wondered if they could stop by Scranton to see you.’ I thought, ‘Wait a minute. She blew me off. Now they’re coming up to visit me. I don’t understand this. In the meantime, she broke up with her boyfriend.” In early December 1979, they had their second date and the rest, as they say, “is history,” said Leah. She shared her backstory. “My parents liked him. It’s infinitely easier to date somebody your parents like…. Just from that one date, we really did have a very nice time. He was a lot of fun. He was a gentleman. I thought, ‘I really would like to get to know him
Tell us your story To have your love story or special anniversary considered for a feature in an upcoming edition of The Abington Journal, send name, contact info, anniversary date and details to Editor Kristie Ceruti, kgrier@theabington journal.com, call 585.1604, visit the Abington Journal, 211 S. State Street, Clarks Summit, PA 18411.
better. This would be a missed opportunity if I didn’t.’” So, Leah asked her sister Lisa if she would drive to Scranton with her and planned to tell Ken they were passing by on their way to New York. Lisa shopped while Ken and Leah spent time together. Sometime early in the New Year 1980, Ken was home in the Pittsburgh suburbs and took Leah back to Scranton for a few days. “In the car, I asked him what his parents had to say about our budding relationship. He said they wanted to know what his intentions were. I wondered as well, and said, ‘So, what did you tell them?’ He said, ‘I told them we were going to get married.” She was shocked again. “Astounded, I told him he’d better ask my father first.” They were officially engaged around Valentine’s Day when Ken presented Leah with an engagement ring and a single red rose, which Leah preserved. Six months later on July 5, 1980 they were married at Ken’s Presbyterian Church in the Pittsburgh suburb of Oakmont. The hot summer day at fell in the span between Ken’s graduation from a medical residency and the start of his practice. Their reception was held at the Churchill Valley Country Club amidst the Fourth of July holiday, complete with fireworks. More than 32 years later, they reside in Clarks Summit where they raised three children: Dania Rudolph Edwards, 29, Julia, 27 and Michael, 25. A Myers-Briggs-type personality test they took years ago after they were married, typed them as nearly identical with the exception that “Ken is a ‘Thinker’ and I’m a ‘Feeler,” said Leah. Their common interests include service to their church, golf and watching sporting events. The moral of their story, according to Leah: “There is definitely something to be said about taking your parents advice and arranged marriages…Simply meeting someone with a similar background and interests can go a long way in establishing the basis of a match made in heaven.”
Gerrie Fitzgerald Carey, Clarks Summit Borough councilwoman, said she was born a Democrat. Carey recently received the Pennsylvania Federation of Democratic Women Outstanding Elected Democratic Woman 2012 award Nov. 18 at a luncheon in Camp Hill. Susan Rutt, Chair, presented Carey with the award. The organization, based in Harrisburg, is comprised of 18 districts throughout the state. According to the Pennsylvania Federation of Democratic Women website, “Each year, the federation honors an outstanding Democratic woman elected to public office in Pennsylvania. The honorees have made significant contributions to the Commonwealth, have supported the Federation and the Democratic Party and have consistently aided other women seeking elective office. Outstanding Elected Democratic Women are selected from the Federation’s regions throughout the State and HonAT RIGHT: Sona Hanumali, 4 of South Abington makes sand art with the help of Anu Anand, South Abington, to represent the Indian tradition of Rangoli. BELOW: Chayanka Boruah, 6, Dunmore, paints his clay tea light holder at the Diyapainting craft table. AT BOTTOM: Six –yearold Rina Hanumali of South Abington displays her henna tattoo at the Diwali Celebration held Saturday evening at the Abington Community Library.
Shown, is Gerrie Carey, center, with family members at a recent ceremony to honor her: son, Rick Carey; daughter, Mary Ellen Berry, daughter Colleen Berry and granddaughter Lauren Berry.
orees are selected by the local Democratic Women’s Clubs in each region. Carey belongs to the Region 4/Northeast District.” “Once a year they will honor someone from each district for their democratic achievements. I was selected based on my work with the Lackawanna County Federation of Democratic Women,” Carey said. She was also honored as “Democratic Woman of the Year” in 2011. On hand to watch their mother accept the award were her children: Mary Ellen Berry, Colleen Berry and Rick Carey. Her son, Hutch, was unable to attend. Carey serves on the Democratic Executive Committee, which she said is “actually the heart and soul of the Demo-
cratic Party as far as endorsing candidates and also supporting the Democratic slates.” She is active in the Lazareth and Eucharistic Ministries of Our Lady of the Snows church and the Society of Irish Women. She also recently joined the Abington Heights Civic League and is on the board of Clarks Summit State Hospital. When asked how she feels about being a Democratic woman, Carey said, “I have learned from my parents, to respect my faith and party. Both feeding off one’s conscience. Women have some special God -given gifts that when put into place make them good candidates who will work with sincerity and integrity for all the people.” She is married to Bill Carey.
ABINGTON JOURNAL/DANIELLE ANTONELLO-SMOLLEY
Diwali delight Henna demonstrations, Rangoli (sand art), themed music and refreshments were part of a Diwali Celebration Dec. 8 at The Abington Community Library.
ABINGTON JOURNAL PHOTOS/DANIELLE ANTONELLO-SMOLLEY