Gil Dominick is a local figure who served the Wyoming Area School District in various roles, including school board president, treasurer and secretary for more than 20 years. He was also a past president of the Pennsylvania School Board Association and past president of the Wyoming/West Wyoming Lions Club. After attending Wyoming High School himself, he continued to care about and for the community long after his own graduation, which was evident during his many years of community service and leadership positions. Mr. Dominick was known to be a compassionate guide to anyone who needed a hand.
It was a huge loss to the Wyoming Area community when he passed away at his home surrounded by his family in 2021, but he is now being honored by the school board, which recently approved the renaming of the primary center field to honor him and the decades of effort he put into making the school a wonderful place for local children. More details about a ceremony and field dedication will be released once they are finalized, but I am certainly happy to see a man who gave so much to the community be remembered in a space that will continue to bring joy to the kids in our area!
Library news
Wyoming Free Library announced the following upcoming events and activities:
— The library will hold its fill a bag book sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, May 18, to Saturday, May 20. The cost is $5 per bag, and on May 20, if you buy one bag of books, you can leave with a second bag for free. If you want to assist in the event, book donations can be dropped off during normal library hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Please do not leave donations outside.
— The library is partnering with the SPCA of Luzerne County for the Reading Tails Initiative. Once a month, children will have the chance to read to an adoptable animal from the SPCA to practice their reading skills. At noon Saturday, May 20, children ages 4 to 7 are welcome to take turns reading to an adoptable dog. This program will be held at the John Jude Bolin Memorial Park. Books will be available at the library. The children then will be able to interact with the animals one by one after the reading, under the supervision of an SPCA volunteer. Parents also are welcome. Space is limited and registration is required. Children will sign up for a 15-minute reading spot between noon and 1:15 p.m. A Reading Tails program for older children also is in the works in the future.
— Sewing Club will meet at noon Monday, May 22. Discuss projects, swap ideas and meet other sewing enthusiasts.
— The library has opened a community food pantry. This pantry will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The library is seeking non-perishable food and household items for the pantry. Please contact the library for a full list of acceptable items.
— New members are invited to join the Friends of the Wyoming Free Library at any time during the year. Stop by the library and fill out an application. Call 570-693-1364 for information. Dues are $5 per year.
Wyoming Borough trash bills
Wyoming Borough announced its trash bill fee schedule. Face period ends May 12, with the amount due of $310. Senior citizens will receive a $10 discount if paid by May 12, and will pay $300. Payments received after May 12 will be assessed a $50 late fee for a total of $360. Vacant properties are not exempt from the ordinance.
Community yard sale in Wyoming
Wyoming Borough’s community yard sale will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 13. To register online, visit wyomingpa.org or on the Wyoming Borough Facebook page. Printed forms also are available at the borough building. The deadline to register is May 7.
Maps will be available after the registration deadline to see what locations are participating. Printed maps will be available the day of the yard sale in the information box located at the entrance to the borough building. If you want to access the map online, a link will be shared on the borough’s website and Facebook page. Please contact the borough office with any questions at 570-693-0291.
Wyoming Area Scholarship Program
The Wyoming Area Scholarship Program added 13 new awards in 2023, the most new scholarships added in a year since the program began 14 years ago.
Anyone interested in hearing about the program is welcome to call and leave their name and contact information with Teddy Rabel at 570-655-2836, ext. 2339, and a member of the scholarship program will contact you. There is no obligation. Deadline for new scholarships is Aug. 31. Anyone who contacts the committee by that date will be able to offer a scholarship for 2023-24.
Exeter Legion meetings
Exeter American Legion Post 833 meets at 2 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month at the American Grill, Wyoming Avenue, Exeter. The next meeting is May 10. The Legion is currently seeking new members. Anyone who has served in the military with an honorable discharge is eligible to join. New members will receive a paid membership for one year.
West Wyoming Legion meetings
West Wyoming American Legion Morning Star Post 904 meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at West Wyoming Hose Company No. 1, Shoemaker Avenue. The next meeting is May 11. There are no meetings in July and August. Commander Jerry Domkowski welcomes new members.
Exeter refuse stickers
Residents of Exeter Borough are advised penalties have been added to the cost of the 2023 refuse stickers for any resident who has yet to purchase a sticker. For information, call 570-654-3001, ext. 2.
Send in your scoops!
Let’s build our community together. If you would like to share joyful community news such as birthdays, anniversaries or get well wishes, or your organization’s upcoming events, fundraisers or meetings, please contact me to be included in the upcoming week’s edition of the Exeter, Wyoming, West Wyoming community news.
Thank you so much, and have a happy, healthy week ahead of you!
Grace Berlew writes about Exeter, Wyoming and West Wyoming every week. To list an item, email gberlew@pittstonprogress.com or call 570-301-2185 by 5 p.m. Monday.