INTERIOR DECORATORS!

   FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH., 2018
         INTERIOR DECORATORS!

    I have always been a fan of Christmas
decorations (as long as they're not up
before Thanksgiving). I like decorations.
I just hate putting them up!
    My wife has all the decorations
carefully marked in large, heavy, plastic
containers that have to be hauled in from
the shed every year, removed from their
packing, then placed in specific locations
throughout our living room.
    So far, however, this year is looking
pretty promising! Our grandson Ryan
showed up to help out Wednesday and
before I knew it all of those heavy
packages were on the front porch and
our pre-decorated family tree was set
up in the living room!
     Thursday as I entertained our 3-year-
old grandson Anthony, my wife was able
to get the decorations she wanted out
of the containers and make sure they were
placed just where she wanted them!
      I brought the young one home to a
fully decorated living room!
      Of course the outside lights are a
separate project but my wife intends
to begin the work while I'm at a shoot
for Electric City Television and there's
a chance our granddaughter Jenna may
be available to lend a hand!
      There's a chance I may simply be
able to enjoy the scene this year without
breaking my back!
      Hope it works out that way so that
all my NEWS, and yours, is good!

SPEEDY DELIVERY!

   THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29TH., 2018
              SPEEDY DELIVERY!

      For years I have labored under the
illusion that Mr. McFeely, of "Mr. Rogers
Neighborhood," was a Postal worker. A
Mailman!
      I just learned that the man
known for his "Speedy Delivery line"
was, in fact, the primary employee
(probably the only employee) of the
"Speedy Delivery Service."
      I'm remembering that character
today as I think about Christmas
shopping.
     I have actually done some already!
This confession may cause shock to
those of you who have already heard
some of my stories about shopping on
Christmas Eve! I almost always do
some shopping then!
      What may be more amazing to
those who know me is the fact I have
done some that shopping "on line!"
      Look, I go back to the days when
you went shopping in your hometown
downtown. You saw what they had and
bought what you wanted then carried
it home.
      Rarely there was something not
offered locally that you found in a
catalog, probably Sears, that you had
to order by mail. Then you'd wait,
fingers crossed, hoping that order
would actually arrive in time for
Christmas.
      I needed a special battery for my
still camera this month. There was a time
I would have gone to Radio Shack to
find one. Since that chain has all but
disappeared I went to Best Buy. The
folks there didn't have what I needed.
But, like the Santa at Macy's who sent
customers to Gimbles, a friendly clerk
directed me to WalMart.
       That big box store didn't have my
battery either. But the clerk said I could
get it on line. Reluctantly I searched
the internet and found my battery and
a charger at an Electronics site that
promised "Speedy Delivery."
       I placed my order on a Friday
and was shocked to see my order show
up in a UPS truck on Tuesday! (I wonder
if Mr. McFeely was driving?)
       I still prefer buying locally whenever
I can but my experience has me a little
more confident in turning to the modern
version of the Sears catalog that's available
on my laptop if that's what it takes to get
what I need!
       Hope Santa's still on his Speedy
Delivery schedule and that all your NEWS
is good!  

HE WHO HESISTATES....

  WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28TH., 2018
            HE WHO HESITATES...….

    There was nothing on our schedule
Tuesday. The cold and chilly wind convinced
us the outside Christmas decoration project
could wait a day or so.
      I remembered an auction we came
across quite accidentally in Newfoundland
a couple years back and asked my wife it
she'd like to go back. She said yes and we
headed out on the road again. This time
my little red Miata stayed home!
       We were disappointed to find the old
auction site empty. But I remembered
seeing something about the company
involved being in the Honesdale area so
we set out to find it! And find it we did!
        I discovered a couple things
during our visit. First, there are always
a couple interesting things at auctions like
this whatever your tastes might be.
       Second, while my wife enjoys auctions
she's hesitant to raise her hand to bid!
        I spotted a telescope that looked
like a good buy but my wife was holding
the bidding number and , as she discussed
my interest, somebody bought the unit.
       Another item, one that she specifically
liked, went to other bidders while she
thought about making an offer!
       We did eventually pick up a couple
small items and give my wife credit, I
think, for getting the deal of the day.
       A lot of old chairs went up for auction
and one drew no interest. When my wife
asked about it the auctioneer told her, "Take
it."
       Of course the chair has no seat leading
one spectator to wonder if we intended to
use it as a potty. He wasn't far off! My wife
wants to use it to hold a potted plant!
         We enjoyed the experience and will
go back! Hope she's a little quicker..and
that all your NEWS is good!

WHY I MISSED THE HUNT!

   TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH., 2018
         WHY I MISSED THE HUNT!

    While thousands of my fellow males\and
a lot of women enjoyed a day in the beautiful,
though cold and rainy, forests of Pennsylvania
on the first day of deer hunting season I found
myself cooped up inside near the warm
furnace vents entertaining my grandson
(ironically by playing the part of a bear.)!
      I missed the hunt. But I have several
good reasons!
      First, the call never came! What call
you may ask? I'm glad you did.
      On Saturday I and several members
of our family attended the annual Pancake
and Sausage dinner at the Fire Company in
Unityville. Before leaving I spent a dollar
to but a ticket for the company's annual
Gun Raffle.
      The first three prizes were firearms
of various sorts. I didn't recognize the
makes or specifics. I figured they'd fill me
in when they called to tell me which I
had won. Imagine my surprise when no
one called! I know I wrote my number
very clearly!
       So, obliviously, I couldn't go hunting
because I had no gun! I don't think you're
allowed to throw rocks at the bucks.
        Admittedly there were other reasons.
I wasn't fond of the idea of sitting or
standing out in pouring cold rain all
day. Then there is the fact I don't have
a license. That played into it as well!
         If I had won one of those neat
weapons it would have been a different
story. I would have spent the day inside
bragging about me finally winning
something.
          I have never been a hunter. Even
back in the days when I used to teach
Archery!
          But hunters please note, although
I do not hunt I do enjoy a good venison
steak! Let me know if you need my
address!
           Hope you're all dry by now and
that all your NEWS is good!

CYBER CIDER!

   MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26TH., 2018
                  CYBER CIDER!

  OK. You've survived, or perhaps just
endured. Black Friday and Small Business
Saturday.
   You've got to keep track of these special
days so that's why I'm advising you to be
especially careful with your orders today.
    You see this is "Cyber Monday" when
you're encouraged to do all your shopping
on line. But it's also "Cider Monday" when,
I suppose, you're suppose to be buying
Apple Cider!
     I'm not sure you can buy Apple Cider on
line and it may be tough to email your shopping
list from an orchard.
     On the other hand it could be very relaxing
to sip some cider while you're cyber shopping.
If that's your choice make sure you're sipping
not spilling your cider!
      Take it from a guy who once doused his
keyboard with wine then had to cyber shop
for a new laptop!
      Hope you get all your shopping done
and that all your cider, and NEWS, is good!
       

THE HAT TRICK!

    SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25TH., 2018
                THE HAT TRICK!

    You can put a lid on November 25th!
No! I don't mean the day is over. I mean
you should wear a hat today!
    It's International Hat Day!
    The late President John Kennedy
practically killed this day in our country.
He was extremely popular and almost
never wore a hat. That set an unofficial
style that had most men going topless
(hat wise that is).
     Since then I think hats have made
a comeback. I have all kinds. Baseball
caps, Western style hats, and a couple
Fedoras.
     Baseball caps are probably the most
popular these days. And that's probably
because the logos they bear have gone
way beyond baseball. Now a days caps
carry the logos of football, hockey,
college,  and just about any other sport
or organization you can think of.
      So guys, wear your hat proudly
today! But try to remember to wear
them properly and. for pity sake, take
them OFF when you're inside (even
if you don't have "Kennedy hair" to
show off!) It's the mark of what we
call "a gentleman."
       Hope it fits just right and that
all your NEWS is good!
       

WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS!

  SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24TH., 2018

         WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS!

    My wife sent me to the bank Friday

afternoon. We needed a couple actual

dollars for our pockets and she tells me

we keep what we have there.

     She gave me a withdrawal slip. It's

a piece of paper on which you list your

account number as well as the amount of

your money you'd like to take out. You

give it to the clerk who then,as I remembered
it, gave you your money.

       Since it was our last withdrawal slip

my wife asked me to get a couple of those

too. But the clerk said I couldn't have any!
You'd think I had asked her for extra money!
Or gold!

        According to the bank's new policy, as

she explained it, you're to get and fill out

your withdrawal slip right in front of them

so they know the request is from you.

         Since my wife had filled out the only

slip we had, and signed it, the bank wouldn't

accept it! The clerk handed me one new, blank

slip, and asked that I fill it out.

         Fortunately I hadn't yet torn up the one

my wife made out because I had no idea of

what our account number was. I just copied

the numbers from my wife's paperwork,

signed it and, finally, got my money. In retrospect
I probably should have kept the pen!

          I suppose if I had to go ot to the car

to get those numbers they wouldn't have

accepted the slip since I didn't fill it out

right in front of them.

           Of course it's a lot easier if you're

putting your money in! Wonder why that is?

            Hope the bank increases our interest

rate with all the money it's saving of withdrawal

paper....and that all your NEWS is good.

REMEMBERING OUR KEMOSABES!

    FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23RD., 2018
 REMEMBERING OUR KEMOSABES!

   Many of you know this day after Thanksgiving
as Black Friday. But it is also Native American
Heritage Day!
    It's official! President George W. Bush signed
the legislation designation the Friday following
Thanksgiving as the day to honor native American's
(we used to call them Indians) contributions to
the country.
     Sometime between the time they taught the
Pilgrims how to survive and shared the first
Thanksgiving dinner together there came a split
which ultimately saw the settlers take over the
country and the native Americans sent to
reservations.
      The bill establishing this observance calls
for native Americans to celebrate their culture.
It suggests that schools spend class time teaching
students about the contributions of native
Americans on this day. Of course most schools
are closed the day after Thanksgiving!
       Some native Americans have also expressed
displeasure on the fact this observance was set
on Black Friday.
       Seems, in some respects, the native Americans
just can't win! On the other hand, thousands if not
millions of the Pilgrim's descendants will probably
spend the day in a casino, likely owned and operated
by a native American tribe! Guess who wins that
one!
       Hope you'll enjoy this unusual "holiday"
and that all your NEWS is good!

THANKSGIVING MEMORIES.

   

       THANKSGIVING MEMORIES.

  Thanksgiving Day is filled with traditions.

  Many of them, of course, are centered around

the menu for the day. And stuffed Turkey tops

that list. (I'm not totally sure why you have to

stuff them.....the two we got weren't  empty!)

   But one Turkey Day tradition is pretty much

gone.

   "Back in the day" local High Schools used to

meet on the Gridiron for a sort of "king of the hill"

Football game!

    In my case the rivalry was between Hazleton,

my home town, and West Hazleton.

    Most everybody went to those games.

    In 1957 5,500 fans showed up in a steady rain

at Harman Geist Stadium for the big Thanksgiving

Day game!

    I was there too......right on the field.....sort of.

    As I've written before, I was a "Manager" for

the team.

    Now  before you get me confused with the likes

of Joe Maddon, the term "manager" in my sense

meant that I and my fellow managers hauled and

packed the uniforms , carried the water buckets, and

quite often, hoisted the stretcher as we carried

injured players off the field. Often through the mud!

    Though it was only my sophomore year I "retired"

from that prestigious position and joined the Stage

crew the next year. Everything we did there was

inside and dry!

     Still, in many ways, I miss those Thanksgiving

Day games!

     Hazleton did very well during my High School

days. We beat West Hazleton in 57, 58, and 1959!

     But the game isn't the only thing that's disappeared!

     My Blue & White "Mountaineers" have become the

Red, Silver, and White "Cougars" as part of a merger that

united Hazleton and West Hazleton High Schools! Guess

it's a lot more colorful now. Even our photos were in

black and white!

     I will continue my own rivalry as I take on the bacon \

wrapped turkey!

     It hasn't got a chance even with its wishbone

formation! I'll just do an end run around the table!

     Hope you're enjoying your own traditions and that

all you NEWS is good!

    

  

  

  Back in the day.......

Today!

HHS  1957

THE MAN BEHIND THE CAMERA!

    WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21ST., 2018
       THE MAN BEHIND THE CAMERA!

   Our local broadcasting fraternity lost an old
friend on Sunday. Former Channel 22 photographer
and Assignment Director Jack Scannella passed
away at age 90.
    Jack began his career just as local television was
starting up in northeastern Pennsylvania. He joined
WGBI as a news film photographer and served the
station and his community for 40 years working his
way up to the position of Assignment Director before
his retirement.
      WGBI eventually became WDAU and, later,
WYOU TV.
       Jack covered some of the biggest news stories
that ever happened in our area including the Knox
Mine Disaster and the Agnes Flood.
       If you've ever seen video of the giant whirlpool
in the Susquehanna River where railroad cars were
being dumped in to try to stop the flooding of the
underground mines you've probably watched the
film shot by Jack Scannella! It's still showing in
Mining Museums throughout the state. His film
archives, currently stored at WYOU/WBRE, are
a video treasury of the history of this region!  
         As Assignment Director Jack is the one who
sent reporters and photographers to breaking stories
throughout northeastern and central Pennsylvania
to make sure viewers got all the information
available.
          The story came first to Jack. But unlike the
reporter telling it or the anchor before the camera
Jack never needed to be seen to know he had done
his job. He was the man behind the camera who, in
whatever capacity he served, made the rest of us
look good!
           His dedication to his profession was
evident from the day he started until his retirement.
Those who learned from him through the years
were better news people because of his influence
and advice. And because of their better efforts
all of you were served as well!
             We don't lower flags for the loss of a
colleague in television. We just tell his or her
story then go to a dark screen for a few moments
of tribute. See you later Jack! Thanks for making
all our News good!
              (Fade To Black)

JUST MISSED THAT ADDRESS!

   TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH, 2018
      JUST MISSED THAT ADDRESS!

    Seven score and 14 years ago yesterday

President Abraham Lincoln delivered a

speech in Gettysburg Pennsylvania that,

according to his own words, would be

little noted nor long remembered by the

world.

    Boy, did he get that wrong!

    Who hasn't heard or maybe even

been forced to memorize and recite those

272 words at one time or another?

    For kids today it may be one of the

few things they know about Lincoln.

Except that they named a car and a

tunnel after him!

    And "a score" to most is something

they hope their football team will do.

    This may be a good time to clear up a

big misconception about that famous

speech. It was not written in a train on the

way to Gettysburg!

    There are five know copies and each is

written in a steady even script which would

have been virtually impossible to do on a

train back in the Civil War era. Way too

shaky!

   You kids might want to impress your

teacher with that bit of historic trivia.

   If that doesn't work you can wow

everyone in the class with some important

information I've come up with through my

extensive research.

   If you are ever asked if you know the

 Gettysburg address, the correct answer is

 97 Taneytown Road!

   That's the National Cemetery where

Lincoln made the speech. It's the

Gettysburg address address!

    Hope you're all impressed with my

historical knowledge and that all your

NEWS is good!

YOU CAN GET THERE FROM HERE!

    MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH., 2018
  YOU CAN'GET THERE FROM HERE!

   As those of you who saw my Facebook
photo album already know my wife and I
took two of our grandsons to the Lancaster
area Sunday to see Thomas The Tank Engine
in person!
    We've visited the specific location, the
Strasburg Railroad, in the past but it has
been several years so I immediately
punched the attraction into my Garmin GPS
unit. The first couple steps took me to the
Pennsylvania Turnpike so I figured, given
the 70mph speed limit, it would be a pretty
quick trip. The projected arrival time was
about 2 hours and 15 minutes.
     The route took me from the Allentown
area to the Reading area. then to the
Lancaster area. Heavy traffic all the way.
Sort of like NASCAR with right and left
turns and exits!
       Having been there before but not
recalling the congestion I really wanted
to find a better way home. Since Wilkes-
Barre is not on Thomas' line rail service
was out!
       I decided to do something drastic.
I pulled out a Pennsylvania Map! A new
one we just happen to pick up at a rest
stop on Saturday. A quick glance
quickly reminded me that Route 501
goes straight north out of Lancaster to
Pine Grove in Schuylkill County where
it offers an easy on ramp to Interstate
81!
        My choice took us through a few small
towns and rural areas where 70mph was
out of the question. And yet, the trip home
took just a little over the same time it took
to get there without having to fight heavy
traffic.
        Hope you keep a map handy, look
at it from time to time, and that all your
NEWS is good!

HI YO SILVER!

   SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH., 2018
                HI YO SILVER!

     The Holy Redeemer Girl's Volleyball
team played for the State Championship
in Mechanicsburg on Saturday but lost
three very hard fought sets to a great
team from Bald Eagle High School in
Centre County. The Lady Royals
certainly gave their opponents a run for
their money!
      Of course the season that got the
Lady Royals to that game was nothing
short of tremendous and netted the team
a number 1 ranking in the State Coach's
Poll!
       Getting to that final game also
produced the Runner Up Trophy to the
team and Silver medals for all the
players! Second place the state is pretty
darn good!
       So what do you do after playing
in a State Championship and getting
silver medals? Well, if you're the
Lady Royals you drive all the way
back to Wyoming Valley, get your
hair and makeup done, put on your
gown, meet your date and go to a
dance!
        You see besides thinking about
playing the biggest game of the year
these young ladies were also thinking
about their annual Semi Formal Dance!
Talk about pressure!
          So, a "well done" to all the Lady
Royals (including our granddaughter
Jenna) for representing yourselves,
your school, and our community so
very, very well!
         Hope you enjoyed your season,
your silver, and your dance! Hope all
your NEWS is good!