New signs are great
Hidden jewel I recently returned home to Phoenix, Ariz. after spending two weeks in the beautiful Laurel Highlands. I had the opportunity to take two one-week classes at Touchstone Center for Crafts.
My first week was spent at the Hart-Moore Blacksmith Studio learning sheet metal forging with John Rais. My second week was spent in the metals studio taking a jewelry class taught by Melissa Davenport. Both studios were well equipped, first class facilities. The instructors and staff were exceptional in more ways than I can express.
The reason for sending you this letter is to express my surprise that more local people are not aware of this jewel. There were frequently local people who had just “happened by” touring the grounds and studios of this 150-acre wooded campus. They all said the same thing, “We didn’t know this was here.”
Most of the students in my classes were from outside the area. Touchstone Center for Crafts is such a wonderful three-season craft school with exceptional facilities and faculty. They offer classes in blacksmithing, jewelry/metals, ceramics, glass, painting, photography and many others. It would seem that everyone in the area would be familiar with Touchstone and be able to expound on the many benefits of having such a first class facility in their own back yard and of the joy of having taken a class or two themselves.
What a shame the locals are not taking advantage of such a precious opportunity to experience their own creative growth at Touchstone. I liken this to having the Grand Canyon in my backyard and not taking the opportunity to experience and marvel at its wondrous beauty. I encourage the locals to take the opportunity to experience their creative spirit in their own backyard at Touchstone Center for Crafts.
Heidi LaPointe
Phoenix, Ariz.
Drive to abolish tax
The Parks Petition to abolish the Pennsylvania property tax is nearing its Oct. 18 deadline. Mr. Parks will be in Harrisburg on Oct. 24 to present the petition. Depending on how many signatures come back, this will let our lawmakers know how serious we are about getting rid of the property tax.
If you have not signed the petition, I suggest that you do. We may never have an opportunity like this again. If you cannot be bothered or feel we are wasting our time you should take the time to read the Pennsylvania and U.S. Constitution. In both, our founding fathers gave us the right to acquire, possess and protect property, to alter, reform or abolish our government in such manner as we may think proper. They had unusual wisdom in foreseeing what was going to happen.
The property tax sets us up for eventual government seizure. A lot of blood was spilled for the rights we enjoy and we must do everything in our power to defend them for the next generation. The sudden collapse of many corporations and the attacks of Sept. 11th should remind all of us that God can either choose to bless us or not. He can also choose to leave us to our own demise.
It is undisputable that our founding fathers were inspired by God when they wrote our Constitution, the same God who inspired me to write this letter. I have one question for my fellow Catholics with a law degree. Where are you?
You can obtain the Parks Petition at www.pateaparty.com, by calling 570-655-9150, 570-925-5789 or e-mail Pateaparty@aol.com.
Suzanne Campenni, press secretary
PA Tea Party
Pittston