The LuLac Edition #2573, December 29th, 2013

WOMEN WE LOVE 2013

As the year winds down, we continue with our year end features. “Women We Love” is something we ripped off from Esquire Magazine a few years back. Each year we get nominees for outstanding women locally, statewide nationally and internationally. Our criteria is simple, quality of work, recognition of community activities, challenging positions that give them a profile both good or bad. Also, if there is a “buzz” about the type of year they are having and how that impacts on themselves as well as the community. Nominations come in via the LuLac E Mail box and a certain number is needed to make the cut. After that cut is dwindled, we choose the winners. Here are the LuLac 2013 “Women We Love”.

(Photo: Bednar Facebook page)

MICHELLE BEDNAR

If it is true that the meek shall inherit the earth, then maybe that should be revised when it comes to Michelle Bednar. When Bednar made her first attempt for County office in 2011, she was regarded as a soft spoken, quiet orator. So much so that during that campaign she blended a bit into the background finishing 16th in a field of 28 Council candidates.
That did not happen in 2013 when Bednar took on two political heavy weights in one year and body slammed both of them.
First it was former County Commissioner and Council member Steve Urban Senior who was bested by Bednar in the primary campaign for Controller. Running an effective and well financed ad campaign as well as a grassroots effort, Bednar handily beat Urban.
Never one to rest on her laurels, Bednar started her fall campaign almost immediately not knowing whether she would face then criminally charged Controller Walter Griffith or someone else. The Luzerne County GOP named Carolee Medico Olenginski and both matched each other in campaign appearances throughout the county. Bednar was ubiquitous being everywhere at every event. Whether it was 12 people or 1200, Bednar was there. Bednar became a strong speaker but what really won many people was her “straight forward look you in the eye” approach to her meet and greets with area residents.
Bednar is married to a union electrician and has a son who aided her on the campaign trail with a series of effective and adorable commercials. Currently Bednar is pulling together a staff and an outline for taking office as Controller in few days.
The word on Bednar is that she has been very receptive to seeing how the Controller’s office runs and is not afraid to process and compile advice from anyone who can help.
Bednar’s campaign might have been a surprise to many of the seasoned politicos in the County. But to those who know her dedication, her work ethic as well as her get off the floor after taking a punch, this was nothing new. Bednar’s relentless pursuit of this goal as well as effective campaigns were an illustration that you don’t need to shout and thump your chest to be a success in politics. It is for those reasons that Michelle Bednar is one of the 2013 Women We Love.

(Photo: Ad in Times Leader and Billboards).

DENISE CESARE

Denise Cesare, the CEO of Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania was chosen by readers because she seemed to be one of the few who offered some sanity in a contentious debate over the Affordable Care Act. While Republicans in Congress voted 40 times to defund the Health Care Law, talk show pundits making a living pointing out its flaws and people who don’t understand their own policies degrading the debate, Cesare brought a simple and clear message. The Affordable Health Care Act is here to stay. She pointed out that her organization will help consumers navigate through the complexities of it with a 75 year track record. Plus, if in accordance with the Health Care law, BC/BS will investigate getting customer a subsidy. To bolster that message, she took to the airwaves herself with this concise message.
There was no talk about the future of health care insurance companies being put out of business by what critics call “Obamacare”. The points made were direct. Whether Cesare and her entire organization agreed with the law, is something they only know. The beauty of Cesare’s message is that no one seeing it has any clue as to Blue Cross’s feelings on the merits of the ACA. Additionally Blue Cross as a health care provider was going to do the following:
1. Provide insurance within the existing laws to people who want and need health care.
2. Pay insurance claims of those they insure.
3. Make certain that insurance consumers have choices offered within the law.
4. Get that message to people who have been bombarded with fear and inaccuracies since this thing was proposed.
I’m not sure Ms. Cesare ever met with President Obama as a leading health care executive in the country. If she did, perhaps she could have taught him something about messaging and health insurance. While the President’s intentions were good, his message was terrible. On the other hand, Cesare’s comingling of her organization’s heritage and the new intricacies of the health care law was a master strokes of a simple, sincere and calming marketing. It is for that reason that readers have named Denise Cesare one of the Women We Love in 2013.

(Photo: LuLac archives).

KATHY DOBASH

To be brutally honest on the campaign trail Kathy Dobash was a punch line. Dobash a Hazleton resident has a bachelor’s degrees in art and art education from Penn State University. She has worked as an art educator and therapeutic staff support worker. Dobash currently works as an inventory specialist in the private sector and continues with art endeavors. A longtime taxpayer advocate for many years, Dobash finished dismally in the 2011 County Council race. But she still attended every Luzerne Council meeting taking every opportunity to present her views. Dobash was a constant on the Service Electric coverage on Channel 19 of County Council meetings and was not afraid to put Council members feet to the fire. She also went after former running mates on the GOP side who voted to raise taxes. With her homemade flyers, low budget, recycled campaign signs and her diminutive size, Dobash got lost in the County Council shuffle this year.
With the Democrats not endorsing a slate and her own party sniping at incumbents for the tax hike, Dobash seemed to be flying under the radar. The only person who predicted a possibility of a Dobash victory was Tiffany Cloud from WYLN TV’s The Storm (and a former Women We Love alumni). Cloud said that Dobash was one of a very few candidates who made it to her door and explained why she was running. Apparently Cloud’s door was not the only one Dobash knocked on.
When the votes came in late on Election Night, Dobash finished third county wide. Many wondered how.
Well Dobash, whether by design or accident took a page out of Ronald Reagan’s Playbook. She hammered on three simple issues.
1. Transparency in government. Recognizing that County voters were still reeling from the corruption scandals and a distrust of the new form of government, Dobash hit that issue hard.
2. Taxes. She was against them. And came down hard on party members who did. She displayed independence and no fear of political party consequences.That resonated with voters.
3. Follow the charter. Dobash said this is what we have now as a government and in order for it to work, it has to be followed to the letter.
She went everywhere, appeared exhausted at events after sometimes working an overnight shift and went up to everyone even when she knew they were snickering behind her back. It is said that everyone loves an underdog because while the pluck and persistence is admired, no one realty expects them to succeed. Dobash did in one of the most stunning political developments in Lulac political history. Dobash is no longer an underdog and outsider. She is now on the other side of the microphone. It will be interesting to see how she governs after her impossible victory. The people spoke and they shouted for Kathy Dobash. It is for that reason that Kathy Dobash is one of the Women We Love in 2013.

(Photo: from nominee)

MICHELLE HRYVNAK DAVIES

My good friend and former WARM Radio personality Joey Shaver used to say, “If you want something done, give the task to a busy person.” That statement is ever so true when we tell you about Michelle Hryvnak Davies. When you see a Tweet time stamped at 4:29AM or get an e mail at 5:15 AM chances are it will be from Michelle. Her nomination comes as recognition of her work in the local blog scene. But unlike those anonymous and not so hidden bloggers whose work can be seen on a regular basis, Michelle has been building the structure and foundation of blogging from within.
There were a lot of bloggers in Northeastern Pennsylvania but there was no clearinghouse as to where they could be found. Despite what my political colleagues and I might think, there are other blogs out there of consequence. Michelle started to send e mails when she found something of interest to Gort 42 and Harold Jenkins so they could add it to their blogrolls.  Jenkins founded NE Blogs and Gort 42 aided him in the effort. But Michelle was so persistent that the gentlemen suggested she branch out and do it on her own.
Exceeding any expectations, Michelle contacted anyone who was a blogger on whatever subject matter and created an online community warehouse where any interested reader could access almost any subject matter. Not content to stop there, she used the media tools available in this new century such as Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter . By the way Michelle has a large presence on Twitter. In addition to the online messaging, NEPA Blogs has been a mainstay since 2011 on WBRE TV’s 4pm show Pa Live with Dave Kuharchik and Brittany Sweeney. Harold Jenkins has presented over 130 local blogs (LuLac included, thank you guys) in the Blog of the Week segment seen on Tuesday. More importantly, that presence led to praise from the print media with NEPA Blogs getting kudos from The Weekender, The Citizens' Voice, The Times Leader, ComputerWise TV, Happenings Magazine and on WFTE-FM 90.3. NEPA blogs won "Greatest Around the Poconos" Best Blog 2 years running and also were a runner up for Best Blog in the Weekender's 2013 Readers' Choice awards. For more information on the blog warehouse, check out http://nepablogs.blogspot.com/p/welcome-to-nepa-blogs.html
The natural progression from NEPA Blogs was then to do a “how to” seminar on online communication covering subjects ranging from the technical to the success stories of various online writers. That effort was spearheaded by Michelle, Karla Porter, Leslie Stewart and Mandy Boyle. While Blogfest was a casual good time this quartet felt the need to do something on a more formal and educational basis. In effect, they raised the bar in terms of what community blogging was all about. So far NEPA BlogCon has held three events. Each one has grown rapidly. The initial foray enabled the event to build upon its participation and success. The group later partnered with TecBridge as a fiscal agent. In two events, the seminars have raised $5200.00 that went to charities such as Blue Chip Farms, The Arc of Luzerne County & The NEPA Veterans Multicare Alliance. The next Blogcon is set for October 4th, 2014.
In addition to all of this, Michelle is a full time employee at WNEP working as an IT Engineer, but in reality she’s a type of utility player helping out with live feeds for the numerous newscasts on 16. There are also some Broadcast Engineer and Master Control duties such as tuning live shots, rolling commercial breaks (during special events), and troubleshooting on-air issues.
Michelle is a married mother of two from Sweet Valley. a student in the Computer Information Systems program at LCCC and was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa honor society in November of 2011. She also graduated from Leadership Wilkes-Barre in June of 2010.
About ten years ago, bloggers worked with very few technical resources, no plan for outreach and in relative anonymity. Because of Michelle Hryvnak’s energy, enthusiasm and work ethic that is no longer the case. The only person who was surprised by this nomination was Hryvnak Davies herself. She was too busy doing what needed to be done not wondering if anyone was noticing. People were. And it’s for all she’s done to forward online blogging that Michelle Hryvnak Davies is one of the Women We Love in 2013.

(Photo: Donnelly Facebook page)

CATHY DONNELLY

Cathy Donnelly has a booming voice when she is speaking or singing belting out the blues. Donnelly was a mainstay on The Mountain and had a legion of fans who loved her musical insights.
Cathy D is also the indispensable fill in talent at Entercom. You can hear her doing traffic as well as filling in for the likes of Sue Henry, and Steve Corbett as well as the Morning News with Webster and Nancy. As a talk show host, she is the anti Anne Coulter. Instead of degrading middle class values Donnelly gives listeners a real glimpse into what it is like for a single mother to get by in this century of the 1 per centers.
Donnelly has also used her musical talent for charity events as well as doing gigs at Blues Festivals, the River Street Jazz Café and Wegmans. Her versatility, flexibility as well as her boundless enthusiastic talent makes her one of the Women We Love in 2013.

(Photo: Kane campaign).

KATHLEEN KANE

Kathleen Kane has made her first year as Attorney General memorable. Elected in a tough primary with political heavyweight Patrick Murphy, Kane won statewide in the general election in a walk. Since taking her oath as the first woman and first ever elected Democratic Attorney General Kane has not been treading lightly. This year Kane appointed former federal prosecutor H. Geoffrey Moulton Jr. to investigate Governor Tom Corbett's handling of the Penn State child sex abuse scandal, and brought criminal charges against former turnpike officials. She refused to defend Pennsylvania's gay-marriage prohibition, calling it unconstitutional. The latter was very controversial because many felt her announcement was more like a political rally then a pronouncement from the state’s highest prosecutor. There are some who are convinced Kane is running for Governor this year but that isn’t going to happen. Look for her to have an eye on either Pat Toomey’s Senate seat in 2016 or Bob Casey’s in 2018 if he decides to run for Governor again. She still has some baggage like her parking ticket fiasco in Scranton and the promotion of her sister in a  the state level position. There have been stories that the Kane sisters made dual appearances during the 2012 campaign with the sister saying she was Ms. Kane. If that’s true, that is classic Pennsylvania politics and should be in the record book. But for all of that, Kane has done what vibrant political forces do and this is to keep people guessing about where they will be headed next. It’s for that reason Kathleen Kane is one of The Women We Love in 2013.

(Photo: LuLac archives)

PHYLLIS MUNDY

Phyllis Mundy was a very late entry to this year’s list. It seems that her retirement announcement spurred a few more nominations. While it may have been a case of people rewarding her for long term service as a State Representative, I believe it also was recognition of her work in the State House where she has been nothing if not consistent.
Mundy has been a champion of working families and the working poor. It seems unions have kind of bastardized the term “working families” but Mundy has been squarely on the side of those people in her district looking for a step up in their circumstances. Mundy has been a strong advocate of environmental protection laws as well as state programs to boost early childhood education. Mundy has earned high ratings from the Sierra Club, an environmental advocacy group that gave Mundy a 100% rating recently. As a Democrat, her relationship with unions has been spectacular in political terms and one has to wonder where that support will go when her successor is picked.
Mundy has been a thorn in the side to the Blue Cross/Blue Shield non profit system by trying to contain health care cost hikes. She also shed light on the huge surplus the local Blue Cross has as a working part of its fiscal roadmap. In 2010 while it could be easy to skate and just go along with the promise of high paying jobs in the gas industry she proposed a a one-year ban on new Marcellus Shale drilling permits.
Phyllis Mundy was an underdog when she ran for Representative in 1990 in the 120th District. Worthy Democrats like Michael Lewis, Richard Adams, Bob Allardyce and John Pitcavage tried to topple Republicans Frank O’Connell, Frank Coslett and Scott Dietrick. It was Mundy with her victory that helped change the registration of that district. (Along with help from a Democratic Governor in the 1990 census).
Her achievements will be remembered as she settles into retirement. But if current aspirants and local officials are wise, they might want to keep Phyllis Mundy on their Iphone contact list or as they used to call it in the old days, “speed dial” to pick her brain on issues confronting us in the coming years. For all of the reasons above, Phyllis Mundy is one of the LuLac Women We Love in 2013.

(Photo: Evie Refalko-McNulty).

EVIE REFALKO McNULTY

Evie Refalko McNulty was electedLackawanna County Recorder of Deeds in 1997. –Her campaign theme back then was called “Getting To Know You” and Refalko Mcnulty has become a governmental mainstay in Lackawanna government. In what was a dysfunctional time during the Cordaro/Munchak reign, Refalko McNulty ran her office, kept her head down and did her job serving the people of Lackawanna County.
Politically, Refklo Mcnulty has been a dominant presence carefully navigating the intense Presidential race of 2008 between Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama. Politics has to be in here DNA. When John F. Kennedy came to town on that massive tour that ended in Scranton in October 1960, a baby was passed to the future President to hold and presumably kiss. That baby was Evie Refalko!!!
Refalko McNuty has been involved in many activities as a governmental figure serving as Former Secretary to the Executive Director of the United States Conference of Mayors, Washington, DC.
She was currently Former President and now is currently permanent Secretary to the Pennsylvania Recorder of Deeds Association (PRODA).
If you are talking about community service, pick a name, Red Cross, Friendship House, The Race for the Cure, Coats For Kids, the Northeast Cancer Institute, St. Joseph’s, Susan G. Komen Fashion Board, Relay For Life, Girl Scouts, Dress For Success for low income women seeking employment, the Lackawanna County Domestic Violence Task Force and many more. She is also one of the founders of the Society of Irish Women. Evie is Married to former Scranton Mayor and political consultant James Barrett McNulty
She is the daughter of Nancy Coggins Rafalko and the late John “J.R.” Rafalko.
McNulty has had received numerous awards in her career and has been featured in many newspapers and media outlets touting her work ethic and accomplishments through the years. I am glad this year LuLac readers saw fit to name Evie Refalko McNulty as one of the Women We Love.

(Photo: LuLac archives).

LISA SCHUGARDT

For Lisa Schugardt, the year 2013 has been one of transition. Schugardt no longer graces the airwaves of WYLN TV and her presence is sorely missed. But Schugardt I’m sure will be going after new goals as she enters a new stage of her career. In addition to anchoring the news and covering live events, Schugardt did many on scene events in LuLac land including the St. Patrick’s and Santa Parades in Wilkes Barre and anchoring live coverage of River fest.
My experience with Lisa has always been supportive and positive. When I had the opportunity to help cover the Ciavarella and Conahan trials on WYLN, Lisa was always ready to lend a hand as I filed my reports.
Lisa studied for a BA in Broadcast Journalism at Pennsylvania State University and previously worked at another Hazleton Area TV station. She also worked at Lackawanna Junior College and has a wealth of experience and knowledge that will one day be a gift to anyone interested in her talents. Currently Schugardt is recharging her batteries but er are sure will be the same potent force she’s always been. Lisa Schugardt’s departure from the media scene in 2013 is just a reminder of what we’ve been missing the last few months. It is for that reason she is one of the Women We Love in 2013.

(Photo: Look Magazine)

JACQUELINE KENNEDY

Throughout the year 2013 I received many thoughts and e mails on Jackie Kennedy. With the 50th anniversary of the death of the 35th President, Mrs. Kennedy’s legacy looms large.
Thoughts went back to that tragic day in Dallas and how Jackie Kennedy reacted to the shocking evens that unfolded before her eyes.
During the aftermath of the assassination, that weekend the 33 year old woman planned the details of the state funeral, managed her young family’s emotions, and stood grimly as the body of her husband traveled on its final path. After the burial, Jacqueline Kennedy met with world leaders as each offered condolences of their own and the nations they represented.
During this time, while most Americans were stunned at the death of her husband, accompanying that grief was the realization that his widow seemed to be holding up in a dignified manner. Years later, Americans were to learn that during this time, Jacqueline Kennedy wrote notes of condolence to Mrs. J.D. Tippett, the patrolman also killed in Dallas that day. Mrs. Kennedy was also putting in place the legacy of Camelot as she thought about the 1,000 days of the Kennedy Presidency.
From November 22nd through January 1st, Jackie Kennedy did the ceremonial things that most people had no right to expect. It is said that in the New Year of 1964, she crashed emotionally but recovered to live a full life of her own.
She remarried, raised two children that appeared to have the grace of the Bouviers and less baggage of the Kennedys and became a book editor in New York. She oversaw the revamping of Grand Central Station, aided in the construction of the Kennedy Library and was a pop cultural icon. She never wrote her memoirs adding more mystery to her persona. But it was that weekend of tragedy that most American’s image of Jackie Kennedy remain fixated. To this day her grace was unforgettable. It is for that reason that Jackie Kennedy is posthumously one of the 2013 Women We Love.

(Photo: LuLac archives-Sorokas with Congressman Cartwright).

EILEEN SOROKAS

Eileen Sorokas has been a constant of the Luzerne County political scene for the past thirty years. Sorokas was a Democratic State Committeewoman for years and made an initial run for County Council in 2011 when the new Home Rule form of government was founded.
Sorokas lost out narrowly to Eugene Kelleher for the 11th spot but came roaring back in 2013 with a grass roots, multi media campaign that gave her a working coalition of voters wanting efficient government. Sorokas attended thousands of meetings and rallies. She also made a name for herself for making certain that her stances were laced with down home charisma that connected with voters. Eileen grew up in Wilkes Barre Township, has a home in Miners Mills and a farm in Hunlock Creek. Sorokas is dedicated to her animals and works very closely with her Husband Rick in this endeavor. She stays active in various charitable organizations; the Huber Breaker Society-Ashley, AM-VETS Ladies Aux. Post 189-Greater Pittston Area, and the Rose Tucker Senior center-Nanticoke. The coming year will be a realization of a goal Sorokas set for herself a long time ago. To serve the County as an elected policy maker in this relatively new form of government. Her triumph in 2013 as well as her challenges ahead in 2014 make her one of the Women We Love in 2013.

(Photo: LuLac archives)

BRITTANY SWEENEY

Brittany Sweeney is familiar to many TV viewers here in LuLac land. Sweeney joined WBRE TV in September of 2012 manning the Williamsport Bureau. Sweeney became co host of the daily PA Live Show with Dave Kuharchik and has been a friendly face in the afternoon on that fast moving and informative program.
Brittany grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs and graduated from Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School. She went on to become an owl at Temple University, in Philadelphia, where she got a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications. While in school, she worked as an anchor on the student-run newscast Temple Update.
After college, it was on to the news business for Brittany. She packed up and headed to Parkersburg, West Virginia for her first television gig as an overnight producer at the NBC affiliate WTAP-TV. Her behind the scenes career was short-lived, Brittany quickly moved in front of the camera onto the anchor desk as the morning Anchor on the Daybreak show.
Sweeney’s work at WBRE has dovetailed with many local stories that have been in the forefront of the news. She was on the scene of many events during the 2012 Presidential Election as well as covering breaking news in the evening after her duties on PA Live. Brittany’s easy transition to PA Live as well as her personal likeability are just a few of the reasons why she is one of the Women We Love in 2013.

(Photo: LuLac archives)

LORI SAUNDERS

Lori Saunders is best known for her TV role as the middle sister, Bobbie Jo Bradley on the 1960s era hit on CBS “Petticoat Junction” Saunders was always on the cusp during these Lulac Women We Love nominations but in 2013 she broke through. Apparently a cadre of aged 50 something guys decided to give her the nod. Saunders had some TV work before the Junction. Saunders appeared five times as four different characters on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet as well as single-episode appearances in Burke's Law and Bob Hope Presents The Chrysler Theatre.
Ozzie Nelson was said to have loved her and wanted to find a slot for her in the series. Saunders later became a Dodge girl sporting a purple sweater pushing the new Dodge Charger in the mid 60s on TV. Prior to appearing as the middle sister, Saunders appeared as one of Mr. Drysdale’s secretaries on the 1965 season of the Beverly Hillbillies.
As the middle sister on the Junction Bobbie Jo played largely supportive roles but could handle an episode on her own with great aplomb. She was in 147 episodes of the Junction Saunders starred in a few films like : A Day at the White House (1972), Captive (1980), The Girls on The Beach, (1965) and Mara of the Wilderness (1965) with Adam West,
Since her 1980 retirement from the screen, Saunders has worked as a professional paint artist and professional photographer. She and husband Bernard Sandler reside in Montecito, California.
Saunders has used her celebrity to fuel various causes like "Flower Power," "Animal Rights," "Beauty Without Cruelty," "Feed The Children" and "Make A Wish Foundation." She currently has a project going to help establish full sponsorships for many students who are interested in environmental studies for the future of our planet.
Saunders good works, squeaky clean image and nostalgic memories by many readers of LuLac have given her a nod as one of the 2013 Women We Love.