The LuLac Edition #2540, October 19th, 2013

PARTY ON POLITICOS!!!!!

DeFABO EVENT

Republican candidate for County Council Paul DeFabo had a get together the other night at the Northend Tavern. DeFabo had a core group of supporters stopping by. County Controller candidates Michele Bednar and Carolee Medico Olenginski made an appearance meeting and greeting the people on hand. Representatives from the Kathy Grinaway for School Director race made an appearance as well. Former Kanjorski aide Paul Maher was also there saying hello to the folks.
Former County Commissioner Jim Phillips, looking fit as a fiddle at the age of 81 dropped by to share some of his thoughts with the candidate.
It was also great to see Marge Davison Matisko there. Marge was a classmate of mine at King's College (along with her brother Bob) and she was also a former State GOP Committee woman.
Party stalwart Alex Partika was on hand too. Partika is known for his letters to the editor as well as his hard work at the polls on behalf of the GOP every election day.
DeFabo unveiled his campaign commercial set to go up on local and cable airwaves this week. Political guru Joe Zak showed the commercial to the folks gathered. Zak informed me that he knew everything so if he said it, it has to be true. The TV spot is voiced by former WARM personality Tom Woods.

It was great to see former County Commissioner Jim Phillips. Here is your blog editor with Phillips, Lynette Vilano and the man of the hour, Paul DeFabo.

Alex Partika and Marge Davison Matisko at the rally for DeFabo.

Paul Maher stopped by the event and caught up with Democratic Controller candidate Michelle Bednar.
Photos by Whitney Lopuhovsky.

McCLOSKEY-HAUCK EVENT

We were thwarted in our efforts to get parking at the Fiddler's Green in Larksville so we headed to the Linda McClosky Hauk event in Swoyersville. It was great to see former Controller Walter Griffith stopping by to chat. I ran into another Walter, the current Controller Mr. Walter Mitchell. McClosky Hauck greeted friends and supporters. A nice group passed through. County Council candidates Harry Haas, Gene Kelleher (sorry Gene, missed you, was in deep conference with Rick Sorokas about our old days playing softball in the Killer Bees softball league) and Independent Rick Williams were also in attendance. Current Council members Jim Bobeck and the Chair, Mr. Tim McGinley were on hand. Bobeck was deftly handing introductions as well as his two beautiful children. Talk about multi tasking! Mr. McGinley and I had a very good talk about Educational issues in the County and Statewide. McGinley has been the steady hand at the helm of the County Council and is respected by all segments of the board as well as the incumbents and challengers in this current election. Former GOP County Council candidate Alex Milanes stopped by. Milanes is the latest appointment to the arena board. That appointment was sought after by many heavy hitters. Milanes though got a straight 9-0 vote. County Council candidate Eileen Sorokas also stopped in coming from the Larksville event for Mike Giamber, Renee Ciarufoli Taffera and Rich Hefron. It was a night of great fellowship and bipartisan bantering at this event. And the cookies….well they were incredible.

Here I am with candidate and Council Vice Chairman Linda McCloskey Hauck at her event Wednesday night.

Council Chair Tim McGinley and I chatting at the event. Turns out Mr. McGinley and I had a lot to talk about.

Council member Jim Bobeck, your blog editor, GOP candidate and Council member Harry Haas and current Council member and Independent candidate Rick Williams.

Stopping in on his way to work, newly appointed Arena Board member Alex Milanes poses for a photo. Milanes shared with me some exciting thoughts on his technical ideas for the Arena.
Photos by Mrs. LuLac

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE COOKIES!!

In 1979 there was a Wilkes Barre Attorney who was running for City Council in a very large field. John DePietro distinguished himself by handing out recipes during his campaign. He won. At the meet and greet the other night for Linda McClosky Hauck, one of the big hits were the cookies. Particularly the Pepper Cookies. Here is this awesome recipe. And by the way, the candidate made them herself. Any reader of this blog knows my favorite cookies were from my mom, and the Sanitary Bakery. Well, these are real close. Here’s the recipe.

THE VICE CHAIR'S PEPPER COOKIES

Dry Ingredients:
4 ½ cups flour ½ box currants
6 -7 tbls cocoa 1 ½ water
2 ½ tbls baking powder 1 1/8 cup sugar
1 ½ tbls cinnamon 1 cup oil
1 tsp cloves (less - cloves are strong) 1 cup nuts
1 tsp pepper ½ box chocolate chips (or ½ small bag)
Boil currants in 1 ½ cup of water for five minutes, then cool water and currants.
Beat oil and sugar well.
Add currants and water.
Mix dry ingredients in separate bowl. Add dry ingredients slowly.
Add ½ cup more water if needed.
Add nuts and chips.
Refrigerate dough at least ½ hour. Roll into balls between oiled hands.
Place on ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake in 350 degree oven for 10 minutes.
Ice with chocolate icing after cooled.

ACCOUNTABILITY TEAM ROCKS

The Accountability for Luzerne County Government had a very good turnout at their event in Larksville Wednesday night. Candidates Mike Giamber, Renee Ciaruffoli Taffera, Richard Kick Heffron and Eileen Sorokas were in attendance meeting and greeting the folks. I do know Council member Ed Brominski was there but having not been present I do not have the roster of people attending. But from the photos, a good time was held by all. And it was a big turnout from what I’m told. I said to Mrs. LuLac as we struggled to find a parking place, if every car had four votes for these guys, they’d be a shoo in.
However, if you missed the one in Larksville, the gang will be doing it all over again Monday night. There will be a meet-and-greet rally for Luzerne County candidates Kick Heffron, Renee Ciairuffoli Taffera, Mike Giamber, Eileen Sorokas at Keeley"s Alehouse & Grill, 199 Division Street Kingston from 5 to 7p.m. Monday Oct 21. Food and refreshments will be served.

Council member Rick Morelli with  candidate Renee Ciaruffoli Taffera.

Look at this happy guy on the left with these two formidable ladies. Renee Ciaruffoli Taffera and Michele Bednar.

Edd Brominski, Mike Giamber and Renee Ciaruffoli Taffera share a moment.

Part of the crowd enjoying the event for the Accountability team.

Eileen Sorokas and me at a prior event. Sorokas was doing double duty with her husband Rick that evening attending the events in both Wilkes Barre and Swoyersville. That little jeep they have has been putting the mileage on during this campaign.  
Photos: submitted by Accountability Team. 
Yonki/Sorokas photo: Mrs. LuLac.