Citizens' Voice from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania • 44

in I 'Tom Thumb in Toyland' sparkles at Kirby Center Theater series, "Tom Thumb in On this night, downtown Wiikes-Barre once again appeared to be the magical, bustling place that makes it so special around the holiday season. Even the play itself was about magic, excitement and that wonderful thing we call imagination. Based on the book and lyrics of Don Kersey, "Tom Thumb" is a picturesque look inside a tiny boy's room and how his toys come to life with while in his presence. Tom tells his colorful characters that he's looking for adventure and they tell him that he needs to look no further than his own room. For in it there are an array of rag doll characters, toy soldiers and pretty ballerinas that come to life and with the help of an adventure book, take him magically anywhere his heart desires.

What Tom Thumb soon finds out is what most people know anyway. That a good book and a real imagination can unlock all sorts of possibilities. In this case, Tom Thumb, portrayed by Jade Cissoni, sails to a tropical island and joins the circus with the results being a 60-minute adventure that proved pure enter- tinues to be one of the best kept secrets. Although the crowd was a bit small, the production was very professional. The children's series offers a wonderful alternative entertainment offering.

The show was presented by the Kirby Center, Wyoming Valley Health Care Systems and WOLF TV. Kirby Notes The Kirby Center staff has once again done an excellent job make the theater inner lobby area look festive for the approaching holiday season Next up in the children's series is "Robin Hood" on Dec. 2, tainment to the Kirby audience. Collette McLaff erty as the dancing doll, Jeni Lynn Fischel as the rag doll and Daniel Crack as the sea captain all make Tom's adventure sparkle with delight Shea Raff erty's role of the Toy Soldier, Maria J. Vaver as the spider and David Taylor as the Jack In The Box complete a cast of characters that made this adventurous tale first rate.

The set design by SMRD theatricals as well as the music and lighting design were first rate. The American Family Theater Series at the Kirby Center con ByALCHOMAN Cilixens' Voice Arts Critic A warm, flickering flame keDt the hot pretzels warm beneath the vpn Airs nush cart outside the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing a i ml 1 TT 1 I- Ans i nursaay lugiii. nuiiui eus ma vhe even a few thousand) people lined the curb side of the square near the theater in anticipation of the "official" kickoff parade for the holiday season 1993. inside tnewrDy tenter, mere was just as much warmth, magic and excitement with the presentation of the second in the Children's ajSyW a.

a a i ft A House GOP hires ex-prosecutor for probe of Justice Larsen fe. I 1 ciary Chairman Thomas Caltagirone, D-Berks, plan to ask the full House for authority to conduct a full-blown investigation into allegations against Larsen. The resolution also would give the courts subcommittee power to subpoena witnesses and documents and to administer oaths to witnesses. Shortly after that, the subcommittee would seek release of transcripts the grand jury used to develop its conclusions. Larsen was accused of misconduct in a scathing grand jury report released earlier this month by Attorney General Ernie Preate Jr.

The grand jury strongly urged the Legislature to review the findings and "take appropriate action, including possible removal" from the bench. The last impeachment of a judge in Pennsylvania was in 1811. State Sen. Lincoln retiring HARRISBURG (AP) Senate Majority Leader J. William Lincoln plans to announce Friday that he will not seek re-election next year.

HARRISBURG (AP) Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee have hired a former prosecutor to assist with impeachment proceedings against Supreme Court Justice Rolf Larsen, the committee's GOP head said Thursday. Jeffrey E. Piccola, the committee's ranking Republican, announced the appointment of J. Clayton Undercofler UI as special counsel in a letter to GOP colleagues. Democrats earlier had hired John Moses as chief counsel to the House subcommittee on courts.

Undercofler served in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Philadelphia from 1969 to 1976 and has since worked in private practice. He also has taught criminal law at Villanova University and served from 1988 to 1993 as board chairman of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. Piccola, R-Dauphin, said GOP lawmakers needed someone "with significant investigative and trial experience" because House officials must present the case before the Senate if the House votes to impeach Larsen. On Monday, Piccola and Judi- 39 Michak students in tourney Students from Master Gary Michak's Karate Participating, seated, from the left, are Stephen School on Market Street in Kingston recently won Balucha, Jason Carlton and Dana Balucha.

numerous awards at the 1993 Jersey Shore Goshin Standing: Adam Kuren, Todd Galaida, Roshani Jutsu Karate Tournament. Election certified; Stinson sworn in HARRISBURG (AP) William Stinson's Senate victory became official Thursday and the Democrats quickly swore him in, giving Republicans no time to press their Deaths COLEMAN, George Spring Pitts ton CONNOLLY, John Jr. Union St, Luzerne ELLIS, Margaret Walnnt St, Kingston HOTKO, Theodore Maxwell St, Wiikes-Barre LEWIS, Blanche formerly of Wiikes-Barre LIPARULA, Frank East End, Wiikes-Barre RETTEL, Joseph Wyoming Ave, Kingston SHAW. Corey Second St, LarksviDe YOUNG, Robert Horton St, Wiikes-Barre allegations of voter fraud with an appeal About a half hour after the Philadelphia Board of Elections certified Stinson's 461-vote victory over Bruce Marks, Democrats gave Stinson the oath of apparently making him the 25th vote they need to retain control of the state Senate. "I don't know what other challenge would be available to the Republicans," said Senate President Pro Tern Robert Mellow, D-Lackawanna, who presided over the nastily convened ceremony in the Senate chamber.

But Senate Republican Leader Robert Jubelirer of Blair County claimed the action was invalid, and promised the party would officially contest the 2nd Senatorial District election and file several court appeals. "The absolute bloodthirsty desire to retain power that (acting Gov.) Mark Singel and Bob Mellow and others from Philadelphia have to seat a man who was not duly elected, disgraces the annals of the Senate. Every citizen of this state should be sick to their stomach," Jubelirer said. "This thing stinks from anyway that anybody wants to look at it," he said. The Philadelphia Board of Elections earlier Thursday threw out Marks' challenges to 550 absentee ballots.

Marks said Stinson campaign workers persuaded residents to vote absentee in violation of a state law that reserves the privilege for voters physically unable to go to the polls..