TAKE TIME TO WAVE!

     FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST., 2017
           TAKE TIME TO WAVE!

    I have to wonder what thoughts were in
our DPW crew members minds when they
saw me aiming my camera at them as they
approached my house to pick up our garbage
Thursday morning. I don't expect too many
people do feature films on garbage collection!
     But that wasn't my intention anyway.
     You see my grandson visits every
Thursday and he loves big trucks!
      Since the crew arrived before he did I
decided to get them on video doing their
thing! They even waved!
       I wasn't surprised. On days when my
grandson was there ahead of the crew they
always took a moment to wave to him and
give a toot or two on the truck horn!
       Later in the day my wife and I took
the little guy to an area playground that
just happens to be near a road where a lot
of big trucks pass by!
       Most of the big rig drivers who spot
him take the time to wave. And a couple
sound their horns as well.
       Those waves and horns only take a
couple seconds. But they make the day
for our little guy and, I think, a lot of
others like him who are thrilled with
the sight and sounds of those big vehicles!
       The drivers, and crew members, are
big guys with big hearts!
        By the way, my grandson spent
about 20 minutes watching me play and
replay the video of our Township
garbage truck, its driver, and workers
as they picked up our trash AND took
the time to wave!
        Thanks guys! Hope all your NEWS
is good!

     
     

ON THE LEVEL!

   THURSDAY, AUGUST 31ST., 2017
              ON THE LEVEL!

     I decided to put my feel to the test
Wednesday. My wife and I had been
walking about 2 miles every day or so
when sore ankles turned into the gout
which had me off my feet for a week
or so.
     Since we routinely walked together
my wife sat things out while I slowly
healed.
      We were on our way to so a short
section of the Lehigh Gorge Park trail
when I remembered a church friend
recommending a hike around Penn
Lake. We thought we'd give it a try.
       We weren't long into our walk
when one thing become perfectly
clear. While the water in the lake is
level the road that encircles it is not!
        Hills are not my favorite
walking areas even when my feet
are in tip top, or tip toe, condition!
         About the time I wasn't sure
I was feeling good enough to continue
my wife observed that we were already
near or just past the "point of no return!"
That's the place where it's just as far to
go back as it is to go on.
            So on we went. The hike was
made easier by our encounter with
several local residents with whom we
enjoyed some pleasant conversation.
             We were just about back to
our car when one local explained that
what I thought was a 5-mile-walk was
actually only 1.7 miles.
              Guess I'm not quite back to
full capacity just yet!
               Hope it comes soon and that
all your NEWS is good!

TWO DOC DAY!

   WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30TH., 2017
                  TWO DOC DAY!

      I found myself with double Doc duty
Tuesday.
      After my brief visit to the hospital
three weeks ago my discharge orders
included a visit to my family doctor.
      Unfortunately his vacation didn't
include a consultation with me so that
appointment was rescheduled for
Tuesday.
       I used some of the time he was
away to come down with the gout so
I also arranged to see the Foot  doctor
for an examination. As it happens
that was set for Tuesday too!
       Interesting. Both suggested I
stop taking some of the medicine
they gave me during that hospital
visit. In fact the Podiatrist even
pointed out that some 50% of gout
outbreaks can be caused by stress,
like that brought on by an unexpected
hospital stay!
       I'm calm now! And with a few
less pills to take a little bit richer
too!
       Hope the pharmacist doesn't
mind and that all your NEWS is
good!

        

ALL IN THE FAMILY!

  TUESDAY, AUGUST 29TH., 2017
         ALL IN THE FAMILY!

   I've been in broadcasting since
1959 but I'm not the only one in
the family that's done some time
"on camera."
  The birth of each of my kids
was announced on local television
and all six of our grandkids have
enjoyed their 15 seconds (or more)
of fame on the tube as well.
   On Monday my daughter-in-law
invited me to join her as a
technical consultant as she
joined the ranks of family members
on television.
   Fox 56 did a story on kids
heading back to school and asked
Charlotte DeCosmo, her daughter
Mckenzie and another grand daughter,
Kara Boub, for their thoughts on
heading back to the classroom.
   It was sort of one stop shopping
for reporter Erin Dugan. One Mom,
and two students. All from my family!
   I just stood by and took a
couple pictures. I couldn't really
add anything to the story. I haven't
headed "back to school" for many years.
But I'm still learning!
   The story ran on the 10 o'clock
news Monday night and will also be
available on the Fox 56 website.
   Hope you got to see it on air
or on line and that all your NEWS
is good.      

     

THE UNAPPRECIATED SPORT!

  MONDAY, AUGUST 28TH., 2017
   THE UNAPPRECIATED SPORT!

   Let's face it. When it comes to "sports"
Baseball, Football, Basketball, and
Hockey get most of the attention!
   Yesterday I noticed another
"sporting activity" that most every
kid loves even though their are no
Professional leagues nor Olympic
competition.
    My two-year-old grandson got
it started, admittedly at my suggestion.
Within a half hour other kids, from
2 to nearly 20 had joined in.
    All it takes is a small body of
water, preferably a stream or small
pond and some rocks.
     Once a kid has tossed one stone
into a pond or a puddle there's no
stopping them! They search for
bigger rocks to throw further and
make a bigger splash!
     And they'll go as long as the
supply of rocks last or you let them.
     I'm for developing this beyond
amateur status! It's time for a
"National Rocks In Water League"
with competition based on age.
     Just stay away from windows!
     Hope the idea takes off and
that all your NEWS is good!

LET'S GET TOGETHER YEA, YEA, YEA!

        SUNDAY, AUGUST 27TH., 2017
LET'S GET TOGETHER, YEA, YEA, YEA!

    Sometime back in 1912 one of my distant
relatives must have said something like those
words sung by Haley Mills in the movie
Parent Trap when he, or she, suggested
starting a reunion of everyone hailing from
the Singley family!
     Well the idea caught on and yesterday
many of us who descended from that he
or she met for the 105th Singley Family
Reunion.
       I remember my Mom and Dad taking
me there when I was just a kid. I wasn't
much into family history then but I've
come to appreciate it more and more and I've
grown older.
       The family traces itself back to the
American revolution where one of our
members fought for independence!
        Another Singley headed the Keystone
View Company, which brought the world
into homes everywhere by way of the
Stereoscope, the original version of what
some people might know as a View Master.
         Then there was the late Ray "Skip"
Singley who played on the very first
Little League World Series winning team
in 1947.
          It was nice to reconnect with
family from as far away as California who
made the trip to Zion Grove Pennsylvania
where that very first Singley reunion was
held 105 years ago.
          I even spotted my Grandma Singley
in one of the photos from a reunion long ago!
          Hopefully the tradition will continue
and some day one of my great grandkids
will find a picture of me at one of the
annual reunions.
           Hope it's a picture they take about
20 years from now....and that all your
NEWS is good!

WHEELS!

                  SATURDAY, AUGUST 26TH., 2017

                      WHEELS!

      I didn't expect to see so many brands

all together in one place. But there they

were and I was impressed!

      A BMW. A Mercedes Benz. A

Bentley. A Hummer. A Chevy Silverardo.

A pink Mustang. A couple VW's. And my

favorites, a white Lamborghini and a red

Ferrari! All brand new and ready to drive

out of the showroom!

      I wasn't shopping for a car. And

besides the prices were far too high!

      The Ferrari, for instance, had a sticker

price of $299.99!

       Oh. Maybe I should mention, the

showroom in this case was in Toys R Us!

        My wife and I had gone in looking

for a particular gift but while she was

searching it out my attention was drawn

to those battery powered cars on display.

         We didn't have  toys like that when

I was growing up!

         I believe I did have a small Jeep

when I was  5 or 6. But it's pedals

didn't work an electric motor. They

only powered the vehicle if you kept

pushing them back and forth with your

feet!

         Of course, ironically, a Jeep of

that vintage today would probably be

worth a lot more than that battery

powered Ferrari! If only I had saved

it!

         Guess I'll just stick to my Miata.

At least I have room for one passenger!

Happy motoring! Hope all your NEWS

is good!

A FREE RIDE!

    FRIDAY, AUGUST 25TH., 2017
                A FREE RIDE!

   I've been telling you about my visits
to the Little League World Series this
year and how impressed I've been with
both the players from around the country
and the world and with their families
and supporters as well!
    There's a lot to be impressed with
at the games!
     We've all heard the old saying
"There's no such thing as a free ride."
But there is at the Little League World
Series!
     First, there's no admission charge
for any of the games! I though I
remembered them taking donations.
But they didn't even do that at the two
games I made this year.
     The attendants were all courteous
and willing to help in any way they
could. They're all volunteers!
      And as for that "free ride", I
was still suffering with a case of
gout and hobbling around with a
cane when I showed up at the bottom
of the long hill leading to Lamade
Stadium.
      No problem! There's a steady
convoy of golf carts and small busses
running up and down that hill before,
during, and after the games for anyone
who has any physical concerns about
taking the hike.
     The cost for this transportation?
None. Like the admission it's free of
charge.
      I'd have no problem if there was
a charge to get in or for the transport
service but Little League wants to
make sure these world class games
are available to any and everyone.
      Anyway you look at it the Little
League World Series is a Home Run
for baseball and unity!
      Hope it always remains that way
and that all your NEWS is good!

  

DIAMOND DISCIPLINE!

   THURSDAY, AUGUST 24TH., 2017
           DIAMOND DISCIPLINE!

     My grandson Jason had to work Tuesday
when his sister and two cousins joined my
wife and I at the Little League World Series.
     So on Wednesday I went back and took
him along!
      We showed up in plenty of time for the
afternoon game which featured Canada and
Japan.
       Japan won the game easily shutting out
Canada 10 to 0. But long before the first
pitch was thrown the Little Leaguers were
putting on a show that everyone should have
been watching!
        They have not only learned out to play
the game. They have learned to respect it!
In Williamsport, before the team introductions,
the Japanese players bow to their coaches and
to the fans. They show the same respect to
the opposing team and each of the umpires.
        They ran around the field as a team.
And their pre-game workout was like
watching an orchestra tuning up before a
concert.
         I noticed, when the Canadian team
was changing pitchers, the infielders
were mimicking a sidearm thrower.
         When the Japanese team changed
pitchers it's infielders were practicing
making plays.
          I suppose some of their regiment
could be considered too strict. But their
respect for the game, their leaders, the
officials, the opposition, and fans on
both sides cannot be overstated!
          If that "Diamond Discipline"
is carried on in their personal lives
they're sure to be winners!
          Hope it catches on with others
and that all your NEWS is good!

BIG FUN AT LITTLE LEAGUE!

   WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23RD., 2017
        BIG FUN AT LITTLE LEAGUE!

    My wife and I and three of our grand
children set out for South Williamsport
Tuesday to take in some of the excitement
at the Little League World Series.
     We try to catch at least one game each
year and it's a lot more fun when any of
the grandkids are available!
      A strong storm hit late in the day but
not before we were able to enjoy the
early afternoon game.
      Our family has a tie  with this annual
classic. A distant cousin of mine, Ray
Singley, played on the winning team, the
Maynard Midgets, in the first Little
League World Series in 1947!
     I never had the honor of meeting Ray
but I've got to believe there's a baseball
gene that got passed along in the family
which may account for my love of the
game.
     We watched Mexico shut out Latin
America 8 to 0 and saw a great display
of sportsmanship both on and off the
field. It's so impressive to see people
from around the world, especially kids,
brought together by baseball. The only
wall needed here is the one the players
homer over!
      Images of what could and should
be!
      Seems to me there were no losers
there whatever the score!
       Hope everyone's paying attention
and that all your NEWS is good!

      Ray Singley 1947 Maynard Midgets

 

BOXED IN!

     TUESDAY, AUGUST 22ND., 2017
                    BOXED IN!

    So, like many of you, my wife and I
failed to get those special glasses everybody
was looking for to watch the eclipse on
Monday.
     We didn't really try very hard. But we
were interested. My wife more than me.
She heard that our grandson had built one
of those "pinhole boxes" to watch the solar
display and asked if I could come up with
the directions on my computer.
       Before I knew it she had pulled out
a scissors, some aluminum foil, a cereal
box and some tape and was busy crafting
her viewer.
        I was equally busy turning from
channel to channel to see where I might
find the best photos without having to
do any work myself,
        Some of you remember that last
eclipse all those years ago. I tried the
cereal box back then and spent three
days trying to get the Rice Krispies
out of my eyes! (There were no
instructions about emptying the box
first!)
        My wife did let me try here
Cheerios viewer and it did work as
advertised! That was kind of neat.
         I enjoyed the shots they showed
on television. Especially those where
they turned off all the lights and
everything was dark!
        Of course, come to think of it,
I could have seen the same thing if
I just turned the TV off!
        Hope you're still able to read
this today and that all your NEWS
is good!

  

WHAT TO DO?

  MONDAY, AUGUST 21ST., 2017
              WHAT TO DO?

  I feel like I'm stuck between a rock
and a hard place. I don't know what
to do.
  According to everything I've read
there will be a solar eclipse today.
It's a big deal! Not only doesn't it
happen very often but there are
those who insists it signals the end
of the world.
   I have a show to tape at Electric
City Television around Noon. The
eclipse is suppose to begin sometime
around 1 I believe.
   So, do I have lunch before the show
or take my chances I'll...that is "we'll"
be around later?
    Also, the show we're scheduled to
tape is suppose to run next week. So,
should we bother?
     And what about the bills that are
due? Should we just forget them?
     These are all tough decisions. And
there's so little time to make them!
      Of course if you're reading this
Monday afternoon my questions are
all academic! Unless it's just the
beginning of the end!
      Whatever happens, I hope all
your NEWS is good!

FIGHTING FOR NEWS!

  SUNDAY, AUGUST 20TH., 2017
       FIGHTING FOR NEWS!

   My appearance, with Bob Reynolds,
on Rob Neyhard's WILK Talk show on
Friday has touched off an avalanche of
response on Facebook from people who
either heard the show or saw the WNEP
story that ran that evening.
     While each of us worked together
for several years we were all also
competitors at one time or another.
      In the field you fight to get the
story, hopefully first, but more
importantly "right."
      But another former colleague
and competitor, Bill Longworth,
formally of WBRE, wrote to remind
me of a time when we literally fought
for the news!
     As Bill remembers it three news
crews (remember when 22,28, and 16
each fielded news crews?) were
camped out around the Federal
Courthouse waiting for an alleged
"bad guy," He couldn't remember
exactly who.
      Anyway each crew was in a
slightly different location.
      Bill says a friend of our unknown
(or just unremembered perp) suddenly
attacked me and there was a scuffle.
      Bill remembers rushing to my
aid and that "fists were flying." He
recalls my coming up swinging with
only ripped slacks as evidence of the
altercation. He ruined a suit! Police were
called to bring things back to order.
      Now I remember a million stories
I covered. I remember being in the
line of fire of several gunmen being
surrounded by police. I remember
choking on heavy smoke when the
wind shifted as I was walking towards
a fire I was covering. I even remember
the time the contractor tearing down
the old Casey Hotel gave Mayor
Jimmy Connors a fake Time Capsule
from the building and I broke the news
to the Mayor.
       So you'd think I would well
remember going one round with some
ner-do-well while on Courthouse
stakeout duty, But I don't!
       I though Bill was mistaken but
he says his photographer got it on
film. I'd love to see it!
        Ironically when I told my wife
she didn't remember the incident
but did remember the ripped slacks!
       Maybe there are some things
better left forgotten? Although I
always did believe I had a decent
right cross!
        Sometimes it's good for
competitors to "work" together!
       Hope all your NEWS is
good! 

SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES!

   SATURDAY, AUGUST 19TH., 2017
         SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES!

   Back in the early 1970's I left WILK to
become Assistant Manager of a new area
FM radio station identified as WMJW.
    Rob Neyhard was already there feeding
the automated equipment that played the
music and commercials.
    Because the station was automated we
were able to use the staff as news reporters.
     I hired Bob Reynolds and people like
Bill Saint John (Kishbaugh+ and Dave
Bennis and came up with a news staff that,
on several occasions, won more Associated Press
News Awards than any other radio or
television station in the state!
     On Friday Rob, who is currently with
WILK, lured Bob and I back into his
radio studio to talk over old times. They
was no pay involved. But we're all used
to that!
     We shared a lot of stories from those
"good old days." But you really would
have loved to hear us chat when the
commercials were playing!
       That's when we recalled some of
the tales know only to a few insiders!
But this is my Blog not live radio so,
what the heck. Let me share a couple
with you.
        Like the time I had to argue with
the General Manager because Bob racked
up such an expensive telephone bill
checking on a local family involved in
a story out of state. I took Bob's side.
        Rob had his own issues trying to
make sure the music list was up to date
when the same GM prohibited the
playing of some songs! Rob even had
to edit the number one song out of a
syndicated countdown because the boss
didn't want it on the air.
        Our GM never interfered with
news. Well usually anyway. I did have
a problem when they shut off our
Associated Press machine because he
didn't pay the bill. This was the same
AP from which we won all those
awards.
        Some how we survived and each
of us went on to bigger and better
things. A little older and a little wiser!
        And even though there were
bumps in the road back then, it was
a fun ride!
        My thanks to Rob for bringing
us together, My thanks to Bob for
all his news dedication. And my
thanks to both of them for discarding
the jackets they wore in that old
newspaper ad!
        Hope we can get together again,
sooner, and that all their and your
NEWS is good!

    

ROSES ARE RED.....

  FRIDAY AUGUST 18TH., 2017
           ROSES ARE RED...

 This is another one of those 'Special Days'
that don't get much recognition. And, in this
case, I can understand why!
August 18th is "Bad Poetry Day!"
It was created by the folks at 'Welcat.com.'
The idea was to get some former High School
friends together to intentionally write some bad
poetry which they would then send to an old
High School teacher. Presumably their old
English teacher!
I take issue with the day because I've been
writing poetry for many years! Long before I
became a DJ and then a news reporter I was
writing poetry for school newspapers or just
for fun. My Mom used to write poetry so
maybe I took after her.
In later life I wrote some stuff designed to
get a laugh or two. I guess some people would
consider that 'bad poetry.' But might not 'bad',
like 'beauty', be in the eye or, in this case, ear
of the beholder?
For instance....can't you just picture the
scene when you take in this verse?
"I shot an arrow
into the air.
It came to earth
I know not (swish!..Ah...thud!)"
The last part, of course, is done as a sound
effect!
OK. How about this one?
"Little birdy
In the cage.
How I wonder
What your age......is."
I call that 'blank verse.'
So what do you think?
Do I have it or do I have it?

I can't send them to any of my
old English teachers!
They're all dead!
I actually wrote one aboard a train
traveling through British Columbia as
part of a poetry competition and took
first place! One of these days, if I feel
it fits a more serious Blog, I'll share it
with you.
But, since this is 'Bad Poetry Day'
I'll close with this one written just for
the occasion.
'They're looking for bad poetry
with words set down in verse.
I'm sure they'll get some terrible ones.
But mine may be the worst!
I started with my mind all blank.
Like being in a fog.
I should have kept them to myself.
But now they're in my Blog!
So my advice to others
is to write the way you should!
Enjoy the day, May it go your way.
And may all your NEWS be good!


  

 

THRIFTY SHOPPERS!

  THURSDAY, AUGUST 17TH., 2017
          THRIFTY SHOPPERS!

   OK gang, Make up your shopping
list and head out looking for the best
bargains you can find.
    This is National Thrift Shop Day!
    My daughter can tell you where
to find one! To her some of the area
Thrift Shops have become year round
Yard Sales.
     And she's done pretty darn well
in finding the merchandise she wants
without spending a lot of money or
running up credit card debt!
     Thrift Shops come in various forms.
Sometimes it's just a small local store
selling its wares at discount prices,
      Some of the best are Salvation
Army or Goodwill stores where
donated merchandise, including a
lot of new unused items, can be
found at a fraction of their original
price.
       They're also great places to find
old tapes, dvd's, and even vinyl records
and classic books.
        You may find some extra specials
on this National Thrift Store Day. So
get out there and let me know what
you come up with!
        Hope you gets some great bargains
and that all your NEWS is good!
 

SIDE EFFECTS!

   WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16TH., 2017
                  SIDE EFFECTS!

     If you're going to run a 60 second
commercial for a medicine these days
you'll probably have to be able to sell
your product in 15 or 20 seconds!
     If you've seen any of these spots
lately you've probably noticed that
more than have of the time is used
telling you about potential negative
side effects of the drug. You know.
Things like loss of vision, stomach
aches, even death. That one especially
tends to turn me off.
      Of course you get the same thing
in each package that comes with your
prescription. It's usually two pages,
much of which concerns itself with
possible side effects.
       I tend not to read the material but,
rather, just take my medicine.
       Were I to read that taking a pill
could cause your left ear to ache I
would surely have pain in my left ear
by the following day.
       Consequently after my visit to the
hospital a week ago I merely began
taking the green pill ordered by the
doctors there to aid in correcting a
digestive problem.
        I never connected the sudden and
rather severe ankle pains that hit me on
Sunday when I ended the day with a
limp on my right side and switched to
a cane when both ankles started to ache
on Monday.
       My wife, who does read the
paperwork, pulled out the publication
on my "prescription" and discovered that
the pains in my ankles were, likely, tied
to my green pill.
       So, as of today, the green pill goes!
       The doctors can suggest anything
else they want as long as it leaves my
ankles, and my left ear, alone!
        Hope I'm skipping on both feet
again soon, and that all your NEWS is
good!  

THE DAY I BLEW THE HORN!

  TUESDAY, AUGUST 15TH., 2017
    THE DAY I BLEW THE HORN!

    It is one of my earliest memories!
It was August 15th., 1945. I was 3.
    I know we were vacationing at
the shore. And I know the radio
was on in the car.
    I was already sitting up front.
Probably on my Mom's lap. "Child
Safety Seats" were unheard of back
then.
     Suddenly my Dad let me start blowing
the car horn. And he didn't make me stop!
I was in my glory! King of the road as
it were.
      Somewhere along the line we
stopped at a restaurant. I don't remember
ordering on my own. But I do remember
a huge pile of spaghetti put on a plate
and placed directly in front of me!
      Perhaps, at 3, I had become the
world's greatest horn blower! Why
else serve such a big portion to such
a little kid?
      Well, at it turns out, there was
another reason. Thought I had no
idea of its impact back then, I now
know it was VJ Day! The empire of
Japan had surrendered to the United
States thus ending World War II !

      The surrender came on August

14th but President Truman didn't

announce it publically till the 15th.

Of course it wasn't signed until

September 2nd.
      I am pleased to have been
allowed to participate in what
turned out to be a world-wide
celebration!
      It has been 72 years. And each
has its share of memories. Yet the
memory of that horn and my heaping
helping of spaghetti will always have
a special place in my mind.
      Hope you have some treasured
memories too..and that all your
NEWS is good!
(Unfortunately no photo from the
day. But this is me and the car a
year or so later!)

HELP WANTED!

  MONDAY, AUGUST 14TH., 2017
             HELP WANTED!

   My Facebook followers have probably
already seen my photo album from the
WK&S Railroad in Kempton. If not,
check it out for a lot more photos.
    This neat little excursion run, near
the base of Hawk Mountain runs a
couple miles by a stream and some
beautiful country side.
       There's a passenger coach, an
open gondola car with seats for plenty
of people, and a caboose in which you're
allowed to ride!
        Every Sunday in season the first
of four runs begins at 1pm and the others
follow each hour until 4pm. When you
purchase your ticket you're good for the
whole day. You can ride, get off, and ride
again. There's time for a nice picnic in
between!
       I've been trying to get some of the
family there for some time but was
surprised to see the excursions limited
to Sundays. (There are a few special
excursions on certain Saturdays so
you should check their website.)
       But why, I wondered, not run every
Saturday during the summer.
       Well the answer was simple. There
are not enough people to run the
operation every weekend! You see all
the workers from Engineer and Conductor
to the ticket sales person, gift shop and
concession stand staff, are all volunteers!
        All of the money raised through
customers goes to keep this rolling stock...
rolling!
         I'm wondering if some of the people
who are involved with model railroad
clubs in the area might like to try their
hands with the real thing and help expand
this wonderful tourist attraction. They used
to run both weekend days so, with a bit of
additional manpower or "womenpower" I'll
bet they could do it again!
           Hope you'll check it out and that all
your NEWS is good!

THAT'S ONE GOOD LOOKING TOMATO!

       SUNDAY, AUGUST 13TH., 2017
THAT'S ONE GOOD LOOKING TOMATO!

 
     Now don't start jumping to conclusions! This is
not an ode to my wife, daughters, or grand daughters
(although they're all very deserving).
     My weekly program on Electric City Television
was devoted to the Pittston Tomato Festival this past week.
     It's amazing what this little red piece of fruit has
done for the City! Without any bacon or lettuce!
     People outside of northeastern Pennsylvania
still know it as "Coal Country" even though deep
mining ended around these parts after the
Knox Mine Disaster in 1959.
     And while it's important to remember our
heritage it's also nice to know there's more to our
area than "Black Gold." In this case....it's "Red
Gold!"
     Folks in Pittston insist that the soil above
all those old underground mine tunnels is
uniquely rich and allows for the growth of some
of the tastiest tomatoes anywhere.
     They spend 4 days each year trying to prove
it with the Tomato Festival!
      The event now draws upwards of 40,000
people to this community of under 10,000
residents!
      There's musical entertainment, crafts, all
kinds of foods (not only those with a tomato
base), a Pageant, a race, and a parade.
      The best tomatoes win prizes. Those that
don't make the competition are very likely
used in the highlight event....the Tomato
Fight! Contestants pay 5 bucks to throw
rotten tomatoes at other contestants.
      I suspect most of us would like to be in
the competition AND probably know some
others we'd like to have as targets! I wonder
if we could get some of our elected officials
to sign up! That could bring in thousands!
      And all the entry fee money goes to local
charities!
      This is big stuff! You'd think Heinz would
wise up and set up one of its factories in the
city!
      I'm trying to get them to expand the
Festival to a full week. They could close
each day with a duel between politicians!
Think of the possibilities!
     Hope you remember to "Duck", and that
all your NEWS is good!

SALUTE!

  SATURDAY, AUGUST 12TH., 2017
                     SALUTE!

    He learned how to salute. He marched!
He worked with weapons. And last night
my grandson came home.
     No he isn't in the Army, or Navy, the
Marines, or Coast Guard.
     My grandson was at the State Police
Camp Cadet!
      The Pennsylvania State Police  offer
Camp Cadet across the state. My grandson
attended the camp run by Troop P, Wyoming
at Camp Kresge near White Haven.
       For one full week these young men and
women learn about all kinds of police work
while, at the same time, working on their
physical fitness. Most of all they learn
respect! Respect for others and for themselves!
        They go with there with T shirts and
shorts, No cell phones, IPads, or electronic
devices.
         They come back with customized
shirts  hats, certificates of accomplishment
and, perhaps, a medal.
          They also come back with self
confidence as well.
          Unfortunately their closing ceremonies
were cancelled because of heavy rain. So our
family got together at Grotto Pizza to celebrate
Ryan's accomplishment. We salute him today!
           Hope more kids take advantage of this
wonderful program and that all your NEWS
is good.

  

CURSE OF THE CAT PEOPLE!

   FRIDAY, AUGUST 11TH., 2017
   CURSE OF THE CAT PEOPLE!

   While my title will probably make some
people think of the old "B movie" horror
stories I'm afraid my tale is all too true.
    As I convalesced from my hospital
visit on Wednesday I realized that I am
still faced with the damage from cats
that are fed by some well meaning
neighbors who do nothing else to contain
or care for them.
    For the second time in as many years
the claw marks and tears are beginning to
destroy an expensive cover that protects
my Miata.
    We've spotted at least one resting on
top. He made a quick getaway when I
stormed out of the house.
     What we did not see, thankfully, was
the cat that leaped into an old cage we use
as a bird feeder and killed a beautiful
Cardinal that had been feeding there!
     Of course cats aren't the only problem.
There was a pile of dog waste in our yard.
We don't own a dog!
     Look, I'm all for pets. We have a
couple of fish in aquarium and we did
care for a rescued Cockatiel until he
passed away.
      As far as I'm concerned if you're
feeding an animal he's yours and that
means your responsibility.
       Although I can't watch over my
property 24/7 I have "rearmed" to meet
the threat!
        I've got a brand new water gun
waiting to greet unwelcome visitors
with a steady stream of cold water!
        Hope I don't have to use it......and
that all your NEWS is good!

HEART ACHES!

         THURSDAY, AUGUST 10TH., 2017
                       HEART ACHES!

       My wife got a lot of great care as she went
through her open heart surgery some eleven
weeks ago. Nurses and doctors were around
her all the time making sure she had everything
she needed.
       Maybe, subconsciously, I was jealous!
       On Wednesday morning at 5 I awoke to
severe chest pains! I took a baby aspirin which
did nothing to improve the situation and then
a Pepto Bismol tablet.
       When neither of my home remedies
helped I woke my wife and suggested we
head to Geisinger Hospital.
        I had a choice to make. The hospital is
literally less than a mile walk from my
house, or I could have my wife drive me
there.
       In spite of the danger involved......I let
her   drive! (I'm usually not at all comfortable
unless I'm behind the wheel.
       The fantastic nursing staff at Geisinger
went right to work getting me set up in the
Emergency Room and a young female
doctor gathered all my data until another
physician provided some nitroglycerin he
hoped would ease my pain.
        It didn't work! I never blew up and
the pain remained.
        Again a team of caring nurses stepped
in to make me as comfortable under the
circumstances while a number of doctors
appeared to tell me a cardiac catheterization
would ne needed to see if one or more of
the arteries to my heart were blocked.
         I don't remember the names of any
of the doctors who stopped in but I'm
sure each will be listed on the bill.
          Again the nurses took care of me
are prepared me for the procedure which
involved running a line into an artery in
my wrist.
         The good news I have no blockages!
         The bad news is I probably can't
watch my grandson for a few days because
I'm not allowed to lift anything over 10 pounds!
I'm more upset about that then the pain which,
they believe, is a gastro intestinal issue.
           As I write some pain remains but a lot
less than that which prompted my decision to
seek help1
          Anyhow my thanks to the nurses and
doctors who took care of me for 12 full hours!
          Hope their, and your, NEWS is good!

          

      

       

JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED!

    WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9TH., 2017
 JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED!

  My wife and I get "just what the doctor
ordered" at Sheenan's, our local pharmacy
in Plains Township.
   We've got so many prescriptions between
the two of us that stopping in there is a
little like checking our mail every day.
    But our visit Tuesday was really
exceptional!
    I've often heard it said that laughter is
the best medicine. That may be true but
I'll bet ice cream is pretty high on that list
too!
    So imagine our surprise when we found
an Ice Cream truck in the pharmacy parking
lot! Happy surprise that is!
    I suggested my wife pick up a couple
dishes of Italian Ice while I went in to
pick up our prescription. I gave her five
bucks to cover the purchase.
    But I got it back, and my Italian Ice,
after finding out the pharmacy brought
the truck in for "Customer Appreciation
Day!" The ice cream was free!
     I really appreciate the appreciation!
     Hope they do it again some day and
that all your NEWS is good!