PV Library volunteers strengthen special bonds

Louise Kreitz sits at the kitchen table in a cozy Lansford home, paging through a brightly-colored book about puppies. At the other end of the table is Margaret Ruscavage, who is just finishing up a picnic dinner of hot dogs and macaroni salad, topped off with fresh strawberry shortcake for dessert. In the comfortable living room, Tina Mazziotta settles into a soft, comfortable chair to leaf through a book.

The women are among seven who live together in the home, which is operated by Spectrum Community Services. On Wednesday, volunteers at the Panther Valley Public Library, 117 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, provided the meal as a way to strengthen the bonds between the special needs women and the library.

The picnic was moved indoors due the threat of rain, but that didn't dampen the high spirits of volunteers and the home's residents.

Home administrator John Karnish said the women love going to the library library board president Marie Ondrus often picks them up to take them there. He said Kreitz, who is not typically an early riser, was up at 7 a.m. that morning, eager to visit the library.

Ondrus said the women enjoy the crafts, reading and joking around.

"It tickles my heart," she says of the women's enjoyment.

On Wednesday, Karnish's wife, Allison, was also a guest at the picnic, as was library volunteer Michael Smith.