Dear Editor: Kathy Kendall, of Ligonier, went to her doctor last year, who advised her that she should have an osteoporosis bone density screening. She said she would schedule one and went on her way. She happened to hear about a community health screening at one of the local churches, and they were offering a bone density screening. She called to schedule on that day. While on the phone, the customer service person that took her call advised Kendall that on that day they would also be offering a carotid artery screening with Doppler Ultrasound to look for plaque build-up that can lead to a stroke and an abdominal aortic aneurysm screening (with the same Doppler Ultrasound). She wasn't interested in either of those, but maybe she would insist that her husband, Buzz Kendall, have those two tests done. What could it possibly hurt, she thought? The following week, they went to the screening. Kathy was fine, it turns out, but they weren't so quick to let Buzz go. It seems there was significant blockage in his carotid artery. This was cause for alarm, but the story doesn't end here. It turns out that he also had a 5.5 centimeter aneurysm as well. The ultrasound technologist advised him to take his test results to his doctor immediately, and the results were confirmed. His doctor told him that he could have had a stroke or aneurysm at any minute! Buzz had surgery last year to repair the aneurysm and clear the blockage. End of story• Not yet. You may recall that Buzz Kendall carried the Olympic Torch through Uniontown for the 2002 Winter Olympics. He is now golfing, working and living a completely normal life. Why do I know this story so well• Because Buzz Kendall is my father-in-law, and I was the organizer of that particular screening last year and suggested that Kathy attend. On Feb. 13, The Calvary Assembly of God in Connellsville will host this very same screening. I encourage all to take advantage of this health screening that may help identify previously undetected health issues and be proactive with their health care. To schedule, call 1-800-643-6075. I can think of one man who is very happy that his wife made that call! Charlie Belavic, Level Green, Pa. Consolidating is not the answer Dear Editor: The letter from Dennis McKendry about the construction of a new school in Springfield, and "wasting revenue" was interesting to me because I shared his thoughts about consolidating schools when the Junior High East/West Project was being discussed. At that time, I thought we could combine the two junior highs without negatively impacting the education experience of the students and possibly save some money. It was, however, successfully argued that two junior highs would offer a higher quality education for the students involved than would a consolidated school. This decision for neighborhood schools was not made in the distant past, but during the present building and remodeling program. Now, a similar decision must be made for the elementary schools in the "mountain area" of our school district. The students in the "mountain area" deserve the same opportunity for a quality education as the students in other parts of the school district. It seems apparent, by maintaining two junior highs, that our school district has decided "combining" schools is not the answer for quality education. I commend the directors who voted to build the new building in Springfield. Their vote is a vote to include the "mountain area" residents as equal parts of the school district. It is a vote to give all areas of the school district fair and equal treatment, and it is a vote to improve the quality of education in the Connellsville Area School District. Ken Firestone, Normalville Boycott the Powerball Dear Editor: When the latest winner hit the jackpot of $315 million, the lottery administration took $170 million as cash option. That left $145 million. Then the IRS took $57.8 million out of the $170 million, leaving the winner a total of $113 million. This is a gigantic rip-off considering the lottery administration contributed nothing and the IRS contributed nothing to the amount of money in the jackpot. Then the state of Pennsylvania added four more white balls to make the jackpot harder to hit. Why, because that made the jackpot give more to the state and the IRS. The people who play the lottery are the only ones who contribute money. Taxes are the dirtiest word in the English language. The lottery should be more favorable to the smaller winners, who basically get very little or nothing. The power ball lottery should be boycotted until a fairer distribution of winners is made. You get $100,000 for five white balls, but you get millions for one more ball if it is the power ball. The $145 million should be rolled over for the next drawing instead of given to the lottery administration as a gift. I hope you have the guts to run this. Jack Baird, Dawson

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