CLOSE TO HOME!

  THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH., 2017
                 CLOSE TO HOME!

     I was surprised at the local ties that I
noticed or were called to my attention this
week.
     I was searching for a movie to use up
my time till "Designated Survivor" came
on TV. I found one from 2000 called
"Wonder Boys" staring Michael Douglas
and Toby Maguier.
     I was only half watching when I
heard Douglas mention Scranton. It's
funny how a local connection can attract
your attention. It was mentioned several
times.
      Scranton has come up in a lot of scripts
over the years. Often in those used by
comedians like Bob Hope. Abbot and
Costello, and  Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.
       Of course the popular TV series "The
Office" was set in the Electric City!
       Earlier in the day I had the Old Time
Radio channel airing on my satellite radio.
"The Shadow," a mystery program that
ran for many years , was on the air.
        No local connection in the script
but the channel also ran the original
commercials for the program.
        Turns out that famous nation wide
thriller was sponsored by Blue Coal,
the giant mining company based right
here in Luzerne County.
          The biggest surprise,. for me,
came after watching the special "Law
and Order" series based on the murder
trials of Lyle and Eric Menendez.
           The brothers were convicted
of the brutal murders of their mother
and father in a case that attracted
national attention.
            A Facebook friend and
hometown native informed me that
the father, Jose Menendez, graduated
from Hazleton High School in 1961,
the year after me! One of my best
friends remembers being on the
swim team. He said Jose was really
good.
            The family immigrated there
when Castro took over Cuba so it's
likely he walked the school halls at
least part of the time I was there.
             I never knew the guy.
             It's amazing, when you pay
attention, how many stories turn
out to be close to home in one way
or another.
             Hope you're paying
attention and that all your NEWS
is good!