JUST LIKE OLD TIMES (ALMOST).

   THURSDAY, AUGUST 1ST., 2019
  JUST LIKE OLD TIMES (ALMOST).

   I often talk, think, and write about what
I call "used to bes." Things, places, and
people from the old days that aren't
around anymore.
   Sometimes, however, it's refreshing
to find out that some "used to bes"
still are!
    Such is the case with a supply of
Cracker Jacks my daughter provided
to us last week!
    Here's a treat that has not only
stood the test of time but has been
immortalized in song (Take Me Out
To The Ballgame.)! You don't even
have to buy peanuts separately as a
few of them are included with each
package.
    Now to be honest, there have been
a few changes. You'll notice I wrote
"package" rather than "box."
     Cracker Jacks now come in a bag
instead of the box you may remember.
     There's still a prize inside but no
where near the great whistles or rings
or such we used to get back in the day.
      Prizes now are generally stickers
although you can go to a web site for
a chance at other goods.
     One thing I'm especially happy
about. They still taste the same!!!
And the taste, the name, and even
the prize are likely to take you back
a few years!
      Hope you get to try some again
and that all your NEWS is good.
 

THE PENDING SNOW!

   WEDNESDAY, JULY 31ST., 2019
          THE PENDING SNOW! 

    Sorry to have to tell you but some
of you, right here in the area, may be
seeing some snow tomorrow, August
1st!
     In the broadcasting business the
two things you don't want are "dead
air" and, on TV, snow!
      "Snow" as it pertains to TV is
that screen filled with nothing but
millions of black and white dots
and no programming.
      As of August 1st those
secondary channels offered by
the local stations, like WNEP2,
and METV, are going to be
changing the frequencies on which
they operate. If you don't tune to
their new frequencies, you'll likely
see "snow."
      It brings to mind the time my
old employer, WYOU, fired up a
new transmitter in Mountaintop.
      They made a big announcement
about our powerful new transmitter
and how they'd switch to it during
the 6pm news.
       Unfortunately someone forgot
to coordinate the switch with local
cable companies so, when they
threw the switch half our audience
lost the signal completely!
       If you receive your television
on an antenna you'll have to allow
your set to scan available channels.
It should find those new frequencies
automatically.
      And those old frequencies....well
you'll probably still be using them!
They're now going to be used for
Cell Phone service!
      Hope you'll re-tune and that
all your NEWS is good!

PLAY IT AGAIN SAM!

  TUESDSAY, JULY 30TH., 2018
         PLAY IT AGAIN SAM!

    My title is one of those movie quotes
that, in reality, was never spoken! The
reference was to the song "As Time
Goes By" and, over time, the exact line
spoken by the famous actor Humphrey
Bogart was altered into the one which
is often quoted.
     But forgive me. That's not my
subject anyway.
      Over the years I've been known to
"infect" people by whistling a tune. I
whistle it a couple of times and someone
near by will start humming, or at least
mentally thinking about, the same tune.
They usually say something like, "Now
I can't get that song out of my head."
      Well it's come back to haunt me!
      I'll wake up, or just be sitting
somewhere, and find a tune popping up
in my head!
       There's no rational, that I can think
of, for what song emerges!
        This morning it was "Here is to the
bus driver, the bus driver, the bus driver."
I probably haven't heard that since my last
school field trip. And I've been out of
school forever
       An hour later "Happy Trails" began
to go through my mind.
       Though there's lots of rhyme there
seems to be no reason for the play list.
That said I believe my thoughts of "My
Boomerang Won't Come Back" were
most definitely inspired by my
grandson who was playing with a toy
Boomerang last week.
          Movie themes come up a lot.
I've seen thousands of movies over
the years so I suppose it's almost
natural for me to think of "The
High And The Mighty" or the 20th
Century Fox theme from time to
time.
          Then there's hits and not-so
hits from the early 60's when I was
still a DJ!
          At least I can always count
on hearing music, if only in my
head! So, go ahead, play it again
Sam!
           Hope I've got you thinking
about or humming something about
now, and that all your NEWS is good!

LOVING AERODYNAMICS!

   MONDAY, JULY 29TH.,2019
   LOVING AERODYNAMICS!

     Sunday proved a fantastic day to
visit Knoebels amusement park! We
had a family get together scheduled
and used the occasion for an early
birthday celebration for our soon
to be 4 year old grandson.
      It was, of course, another of those
hot, humid days we've learned to
"enjoy" recently and my wife and I
beat some of the heat by putting the
top down in my Miata for the trip.
     Once there my son provided a
tent top that provided some much
needed shade.
      I tagged along for a while as
my son and daughter-in-law took
the grandson for some rides.
      One, called the Parachute, has
a huge umbrella-type top above a
seat and the whole thing spins
around and around. There was a
long line so I had to wait for about
4 rides till they got on.
        No problem. The wind off the
spinning ride was like a high speed
fan blowing cool air on all of me as
I watched. Aerodynamics!
         We stayed later than expected
and realized the light show in the
sky ahead was not fireworks!
         About the time we hit Berwick
a light rain was falling. I had to use
the wipers from time to time but the
air flowing over the hood of the car
forced the rain right over our heads
and we didn't even get damp! Top
down all the way home! Aerodynamics!
         Bed time as I write......hope the
fan works (aerodynamics) and that
all your NEWS is good!

A SWEET HOLIDAY!

    SUNDAY, JULY 28TH., 2019
          A SWEET HOLIDAY!

    I can't understand what's happened to

my former colleagues in the news media!

  They are usually up to date on ever

important event....especially those that

are scheduled ahead of time.

   Yet I've listened to the radio, watched

two television newscasts, and gone on

line to check several newspapers

and  have seen absolutely no mention of

the fact that July 28th is "National Milk

Chocolate Day!"

    Talk about missing the 'biggie!'

    According to my web source it is a

day when everyone, Chocoholics or not,

are encouraged to consume  Milk

Chocolate either in candy, baked goods,

or both!

    As WILK's John Webster reminds us,

"If it's on the Internet it must be true."

    We are also admonished not to be

dyslexic about this special day. It's a

day for Milk Chocolate...not a Chocolate

Milk Day!

    I will make a special effort to have

my wife observe the day although she

admittedly favors Dark Chocolate.

    I'm sure I'll have no problem

getting the grand kids to join the effort!

   The 'researchers' who reveled the

existence of Milk Chocolate Day report

they were unable to trace the origin of

the 'holiday' or whatever you want to

call it.

   But I'll bet there's a paper trail on

this one that leads straight to Hershey

Pennsylvania!

    Hope your day is sweet and that all

your NEWS is good!

  

DAY OF THE COWBOY!

    SATURDAY, JULY 27TH., 2019
         DAY OF THE COWBOY!

    Put on your boots and your Stetson
everybody. July 27th is "National Day
Of The Cowboy!"
    Observed annually on the 4th Saturday
of each July, the day is set aside to
celebrate the contributions of Cowboys
(and girls) to America's culture and
heritage.
     When I was a little kid most boys
I knew wanted to be a Cowboy. They
were a lot more popular back in those
days!
     Cowboy programs were all over
the radio. The Lone Ranger, Sky King,
and even Gunsmoke, long before there
was a TV in every living room.
      Our neighborhood movie theaters
usually featured a double feature of
two Westerns every Saturday afternoon
and stage shows, while they still
existed, often featured some well known
Cowboy star.
        Cowboy stories were almost always
pretty simple and you could always tell
the good guys from the bad guys!
          Times, of course, have changed.
Cowboy stories still come out in the
movies from time to time but it's a lot
harder to tell the good guys from  the
bad guys these days.
            I sometimes dressed as a
Cowboy for Halloween. Try that today
with a 6-gun cap pistol in your holster!
            I'm glad there's an effort to
salute the Cowboys (and girls) and
what they've meant to our country!
They sure meant a lot to me back in
the day!
           Happy Trails to you and may
all your NEWS be good!

UPS AND DOWNS!

   FRIDAY, JULY 26TH., 2019
          UPS AND DOWNS!

     I'll bet you didn't know about this
one!
     July 26th is "National Talk In An
Elevator Day!" I kid you not!
     I can see why there's a day to
encourage elevator conversations.
Very often people traveling in what
the English call a "Lift" suddenly
get quiet when sharing the space
with other passengers.
      It may be a reluctance to share
your personal conversations with
strangers. But the silence itself can
be uncomfortable.
      I've often tried to break the ice
after my wife and I hit the 2 button
and someone else pushes 3. "Hope
we don't end up on 5" I'll say. "If
we do you," referring to the other
riders "get off first."
      Sometimes it works and sometimes
my fellow passengers just smirk and
hope I'm on board heading to a
"shrink's office."
       More and more elevators, or
buildings, are apparently designed
to encourage conversation.
       We recently walked into an
elevator right off the parking lot
and found we had to push "1" to
go to the first floor. I thought we
had entered on the first floor and,
in my mind, going down should
lead to the basement!
         A lot of hotels offer a choice
between "1" and "M." You have
to decide which is the ground
floor.
           When there's confusion
people are more likely to talk or
at least debate the destination.
             My biggest confusion,
however, concerned the elevator
office building that was located
in Wilkes-Barre. It was a single
story building! I talk a lot about
that!
              Hope you'll talk with
your fellow riders whether you're
headed up or down, and that all
your NEWS is good!

PICK A GOOD HORSE!

   THURSDAY, JULY 25TH., 2019
        PICK A GOOD HORSE!

    I'm not suggesting you place a bet
at the track today. I'd just like you to
get a ticket for the Merry Go Round!
    July 25th is "Merry Go Round" or
"Carousel Day!" A good day to take
a spin on your favorite Merry Go
Round horse!
     This particular amusement ride
actually has its roots in Europe and
the Middle East when knights played
a game while riding their horses in a
circle. At one point they tried to spear
small rings hanging from poles to
demonstrate their skill, That's where
the idea of grabbing the brass ring
while riding the Merry Go Round
comes from.
       The terms Merry Go Round and
Carousel are actually interchangeable.
Carousel, however, is often associated
with those in England where they turn
in a clockwise direction. Merry Go
Rounds here and in mainland Europe
turn counter clockwise.
      Whichever way they're spinning
 I've always preferred the circular
ride on a merry go round to the sudden
drops offered on a Roller Coaster.
        And there are plenty around.
The carousel at Knoebels was built in
1912. The same year the Titanic sunk.
They've got a smaller one there too and
that's got some history too.
          There's even a Carousel Museum
there featuring horses from area
Amusement Parks that are now just
memories.
           Head to our neighboring
Binghamton, New York and you'll find
six Merry Go Rounds that were donated
to the city by George Johnson, owner of
the Endicott Shoe Company. 5 of them
operate free of charge throughout the
summer. The 6th, in Ross Park, requires
riders to donate a piece of litter which,
in turn, keeps the park clean!
            Great day to ride my friends!
            Hope you catch the brass ring
and that all your NEWS is good!
   

BUT SERIOUSLY FOLKS....

  WEDNESDAY, JULY 24TH.,2019
      BUT SERIOUSLY FOLKS...

    A funny thing happened on the way
to  this blog folks. I told my grandson
"Hey, if you take a bath," and he threw
in the punchline "Put it back!"
     It's just one of the jokes my son and
I are trying to drill into Anthony who
will be 4 in August. Time he learns
"standup."
      I mention this intense educational
project today because July 24th is
"Tell An Old Joke Day!"
      It's also "National Tell A Joke Day."
      The only difference is that one
encourages you to tell jokes while
the other seeks to preserve classic
humor by retelling the jokes that
have stood the test of time. We
probably all know somebody who
tells the same old joke every time we
see them. Today is their day!
        I believe Anthony already has
three answers explaining why the
chicken crossed the road.
         Of course we started him slow.
 Ask him what you call a bear with
no teeth and he'll quickly tell you
that's a Gummy Bear!
          So join in the fun today by
tossing a couple one liners into the
conversation or coming up with a
few "Knock Knock jokes."
          Hope you'll enjoy a good
laugh and that all your NEWS is
good.

IT'S ONLY WARM FOR ME!

  TUESDAY, JULY 23RD., 2019

  IT'S ONLY WARM FOR ME!

   With sincere apologies to the area

radio station that used to use this title

as a promotion, my blog has nothing to

do with broadcasting. It is,rather, a

statement of personal preference!

    You see July 23rd is "Hot Enough

For You Day." It's written with a

period but I think it's safe to assume

it should be in the form of a question.

    While I hate bitter cold temperatures

and blizzards as much as most I must

admit not especially thrilled with the

high 80's and 90's that are stacked with

humidity that doesn't seem to allow me

to breath! I'm lucky to have survived

those three 90 degree days we just

sweated through!

    Of course part of my feeling has to

do with the complications of seasonal

allergies as well as adult onset asthma.

    I really enjoy breathing and had

intended to make it a life long habit.

    So when it comes to hot weather, I'm

just fine with anything between 72 and

about 84. That's why it's only warm for

me!

     Hope you're all breathing well and

that all your NEWS is good!

RELIEF PITCHING!

     MONDAY, JULY 22ND., 2019
         RELIEF PITCHING!

   I got called in from the Bullpen
yesterday! And I'm hoping my pitches
were effective!
   Our church is awaiting the arrival
of its new pastor and until he arrives
we've been depending on short term
relief preachers.
    Yesterday, however, I got the call
to take the mound. Or, rather, the
pulpit.
      The congregation was very kind.
I had left the doors open in case
anyone wanted to get out quickly.
Everybody stayed.
      Maybe it was the air conditioning
but I'd like to think some of the words
I shared from, or representing, the
"Manager's" playbook had some impact
on those who were listening.
         My bottom line was that our
Manager's office door is always open
and that we can go to him without
any assistance from coaches or other
players. He'll always answer our
pleas though not always immediately
nor with the answer we'd like to hear.
          Hope you're on the team so that
all your NEWS will be good!
           

LET THERE BE LIGHT!

     SUNDAY, JULY 21ST., 2019
        LET THERE BE LIGHT!

   My wife and I were headed home the
other evening and waiting for oncoming
traffic to clear so we could make a left
turn. As what appeared to be the last
car passed I almost made that turn.
Fortunately I did not!
    A black sedan sped by and had I
turned it would have been directly into
his path. The car was nearly invisible!
    But here's the thing. It was about
8:33. A few minutes after sundown.
We often refer to it as dusk. The
driver didn't have his lights turned
on.
     Over the past two weeks I have
seen, or almost seen, a number of vehicles
driving at sundown or in rain without
 headlights!
      I can't quite grasp their logic. I
mean if they can't be seen there's a
decent chance they'll wind up with
a dent, or worse!
      Are they under the impression
they're using too much battery power?
      I appreciate those who use their
lights as soon as it begins to get dark.
Low beams that is!
      Hope I can encourage everyone
to light up ….and that all your NEWS
is good!    

SOME LIKE IT HOT!

  SATURDAY, JULY 20TH., 2019
          SOME LIKE IT HOT!

   My wife had a couple medical tests
scheduled for Friday morning. I found
a shady parking place and used my free
time to read the newspaper then call a
few friends I hadn't talked with for
awhile.
    I now have a better idea of what a
lobster feels like after it's been thrown
into the pot! The cooking starts slow!
    The heat sort of crept up on me as
I chatter with one of my buddies on the
cellphone. For once I was just as glad
I had driven my wife's sedan instead
of putting the top down and taking my
Miata. Her car has air conditioning!
     After her appointment we visited a
local restaurant for breakfast then
picked up some local grown corn for
diner.
      While the sun tempted me to fire
up the sports car, common sense had me
fire up our living room air conditioner
instead. We hydrated, and were going to
check on the elderly when we realized
that was us. We were OK, inside!
       Hey, I'm all for summer and summer
time fun. But on Friday I elected to put
myself under house arrest and watched the
scenery go by on Netflix!
        Now I'm asking myself how I survived
the really hot days when I was growing up?
I don't ever remember having a fan in our
house. And if you wanted "air conditioning"
in the car you rolled down the windows. If
you were really lucky you might get the
shotgun seat up front and could direct the
little wing window in your direction.
        Hope you're keeping your cool somehow,
and that all your NEWS is good.

NATIONAL FITCH DAY!

   FRIDAY, JULY 19TH., 2019
     NATIONAL FITCH DAY!

    Today's message is aimed at
those who are noting your first year
of matrimony.
      You see today, July 19th., is
"National Fitch Day."
        I'm not pretending to be an
expert on this subject (Fitch Day
that is) so I'm going to share this
information from anydayguide.com.
        National Flitch Day is an informal
holiday dedicated to an ancient English
custom that dates back to at least the 14th 
century. A flitch is a measurement of bacon,
now known as a slab. In England, married
couples were awarded a flitch of bacon if 
they did not repent on their marriage for a 
year and a day.  A couple would come to monks 
and  stand a mock trial to prove they had been 
loving and faithful to one another for one year
         They also had to convince the jury they
wanted to remain married.
          I guess, in a sense, it was a sort of
"Escape Claus" for anybody who felt he or
she had made a mistake.
          But those who remained loyal got
themselves a slab of bacon. That eventually
became a half a pig!
          The custom actually made it here
to America. But it didn't catch on! I wonder
why?

          I kind of like it! My wife and I have been
loyal for  50 years and I always enjoyed
a good pork roast!
           Hope all you newlywed's qualify for
a slab of bacon and that all your NEWS is
good!

       

.

HOW OLD ARE YOU NOW?

  THURSDAY, JULY 18TH., 2019
     HOW OLD ARE YOU NOW?

    What's wrong with this story?
    For as long as I've been on this
planet millions, if not billions, of
people have been spending money
on lotions, potions, and even
surgery in an effort to look
younger!
      Heck! Dorian Gray even
sold his soul to allow his portrait
to age so he could remain forever
young! Of course that was just a
fictional story. What's happening
now is very real!
       All of a sudden millions
are using a cell phone app that can
alter their photo to look older!
      I understand it can be make a
photo look younger as well. But
most choose to add years rather
than subtract them. It doesn't
seem fair to those folks who have
worked long and hard to get those
gray hairs!
       The fad also comes along
with some small print that allows
the providing company access to
all kinds of personal information.
That fact could add a couple years
to one's life immediately!
         I don't have a Smartphone
so I haven't been tempted to
explore what in my case would be
a near death look. But, as I told my
friend Jason Barsky from WILK,
instead of using the apt,  I just aged!
           Hope I've done it well and
that all your NEWS is good!

THE MUSIC MAN!

    WEDNESDAY, JULY 17TH., 2019
               THE MUSIC MAN!

    Every now and then, if you're lucky,
you meet someone who becomes an
instant friend and remains one even
though you seldom, if ever, see each
other again.
    That's the way it was when my wife
and I were on the Big Island in Hawaii
and met Slyde Hyde and his wife Yolee.
     My brother-in-law knew the couple
for sometime and wanted us to meet them,
We were welcomed into their home as
though we had know them for years and
by the time we left we were trading jokes
and stories and sporting some Hawaiian
shirts that no longer fit Slyde.
      My brother-in-law told me Slyde
was a musician. Talk about an under
statement!
     Richard John "Slyde" Hyde was a
trombonist who played with, among
others, Bobby Darin, Count Basie, Frank
Sinatra, The Beach Boys, Steely Dan,
Earth, Wind & Fire, Madonna, Carole
King, Neil Diamond, Henry Mancini,
and Donna Summers. Those are
just the ones I know about! Talk about
a "Music Man!"
      Fortunately we then got a chance
to hear him play as he joined some
other musical pros at a nightclub near
my brother-in-law's island home.
      Before and after his set he joined
us at our table and, again, treated us
like family although it was only our
second time together.
      Next thing I knew we were back
at home and Slyde and Yolee joined
us as friends on Facebook where we've
kept in touch for the past 4 years.
       Slyde was dealing with some
health issues even when we visited but
you'd never know it. His warmth and
friendly nature painted a picture of a
man who loved life and the people in
it! And all who knew him loved him
back!
       On Tuesday we received word
from Yolee that Slyde had passed.
The word came as she posted a video
of him playing "The Very Thought Of
You." It was "Their song!"
        Well, the very thought of them
brings a smile to our face even in this
sad moment.
         I only wish we had more time
to spend with the both of them.
         Hope all your NEWS is good friends.
See you later Slyde!

AUF WIEDERSEHEN BUG!

    TUESDAY, JULY 16TH., 2019
      AUF WIEDERSEHEN BUG!

   I was saddened to hear the news this week
that the last Volkswagen Beetle rolled off
the assembly line on Wednesday!
   Of course the vehicle of which I write was
actually the latest generation of the classic
VW which was originally born under the
direction of Adolf Hitler. Nice to know
the guy got one thing right!
   They were really big during the hippie era
in the U.S. when you could buy a brand new
Beetle for about $1,700! Restored originals
will cost you a lot more today and there are
still plenty of them running!
    Speaking of hippies my former sister-
in-law drove her kids across country in
a multi colored VW bus she painted herself!
    I never owned a VW but my late brother
did. I remember borrowing it one night for
a double date. I had a two seat Austin Healy
Sprite at the time. The VW was the easiest
stick shift I ever worked. Smooth as butter!
    Later I drove one of those VW station
wagons. The owner of WMJW bought one
although I was never sure why!
    Our station was located on top of a
mountain and you were down to about 10
miles an hour before you got half way up!
     The Bug hasn't been manufactured in
Germany since the 1970's. The last
assembly line was in Mexico. Maybe they
can't get them over the wall?
      Anyhow, the VW story isn't quite over.
The company plans a reappearance in 2022
with an electric Bug.
      It's OK. I don't double date anymore
anyway.
      Hope they preserve Herbie and that
all your NEWS is good!
   
 
 

NO DIVING!

   MONDAY, JULY 15TH., 2019
              NO DIVING!

   Making the rounds in our little
Miata Sunday brought back some
fond memories.
    We stopped by Eurana Park in
Weatherly and were glad to see the
swimming area open again this
year. Then there were all those
back yard pools we drove by. Way
more than there used to be!
     We had a back yard pool many
years ago when my two daughters
were small.
     It wasn't exactly Olympic
size. In fact is was about 6 feet
around and maybe a foot deep!
You didn't dive in. You stepped
in.
    When my wife had both girls
inside she maneuver herself into
a quick turning circle making the
water seem to speed around like
waves.
     It wasn't at all like the pools we
saw Sunday, They were much
bigger and deeper, some with
partial decks set up around the
edge.
     But size wasn't the only
difference. You see our tiny
pool had people inside!
     All of those we passed were
empty! It was 81 degrees and
sunny  and, as far as I know, they
all were filled with water!
     Even the pool at the park was
practically empty. Only about 5
swimmers using that beautiful
community facility!
     Maybe everyone had done
their swimming in the morning.
Or maybe everyone was having a
late lunch or early dinner.
      Please don't tell me the kids
were all inside playing games on an
iPad or Smartphone!
      It's summer. Time to use those
pools, And remember, no running
or diving allowed!
     Hope you're all in for a great
swim and that all your NEWS is
good!

SWING TIME!

    SUNDAY, JULY 14TH., 2019
               SWING TIME!

    Before you all run out and get your
dancing shoes on I should tell you my
essay is about the kind of swings your
kids (or grandkids) ride while you
push!
     When our mobile home development
was set up well over 50 years ago the
owners wisely included a playground
for the kids to enjoy.
      Our kids played there rom time to
time and we even celebrated a birthday
or two there.
      Unfortunately the years have taken
a toll on the equipment and the facility
really needs some TLC!
      Margi, one of our caring neighborhood
residents decided it was time to do something
so she launched a grass roots effort to see
what could be done.
       One Saturday a flea market complete
with food and prize baskets was organized
to begin to raise some seed money for the
playground. The current park owner has
promised to match profits dollar for dollar!
        It's a start but one especially worthy
because of its cause and community
involvement.
        Hope it starts the wheels rolling and
that all your NEWS is good.

     

SUMMER SOUNDS

  SATURDAY, JULY 13TH., 2019
         SUMMER SOUNDS!

   I was thinking of an old song by the
late Robert Goulet as we drove home
after a movie Friday. It was called
"Summer Sounds" and the opening
included the line  "Listen to the music
of the carousel, the tinglelingle, lingle
of the ice cream bell."
     It came to mind because, seemingly
out of nowhere, my wife and I heard
that ice cream bell!
     It was coming from a truck parked
along a street in Wilkes-Barre with a
flock of kids and a few adults waiting
to order.
      While those trucks continue to be
fairly common in the bigger cities this
was the first one we'd seen in a very
long time!
       It wasn't one of those better know
companies like Mister Softy or Good
Humor. But it was an old fashion over
the road ice cream truck!
        There were several that made the
rounds in Hazleton when I was growing
up. And the "summer sounds" back then
came from a couple other trucks too.
        One carried a miniature merry-go-
round not much larger than the kind
you'd find at a shopping mall. The other
hauled a small version of the Whip ride
you'd find at amusement parks.
        Like the ice cream truck, each had
its own bell and/or music to, like the Pied
Piper, lure kids out of their homes or
backyards to spend some money on a
summer treat!
         Glad to see the ice cream truck
back! Hope more will follow and that
all your NEWS is good!

BEST GARBAGE ON THE BLOCK!

        FRIDAY, JULY 12TH., 2019
  BEST GARBAGE ON THE BLOCK!

    I saw them lined up along our street
early Thursday morning. Large purple
garbage bags set out ready for the
weekly pickup/
     Some were just placed along the
side of the street. A few were set out
on top of anything to get them above
street level.
     Ours, on the other hand, was inside
a large plastic can with a lid fastened
in place with a very tight bungee cord.
      All those others would have been
extremely easy targets for the bear that's
been visiting our park lately. But, apparently,
he's extremely selective and only likes
"the best."
      I found our can across the street at
the beginning of a dirt road that leads
into the woods. The bungee still held
the lid but not firmly in place.
       Our purple bag had been removed
from the can and was ripped open giving the
bruin access to a week's worth of scraps
and left overs!
        Fortunately I was able to re-bag
everything in another purple bag just
before the collection truck showed up.
        Looks like, odors or not, we're
going to have to hold off putting our
garbage out until we hear the truck
coming round the corner!
         If I could be sure he'd haul it
far enough away I could save a lot of
money on township garbage bags!
         I also plan to post our address
just before Bear hunting season this
year!
          Guess it's good to know we've
got such good garbage. Apparently
the best on the block!
            Hope he shops around next
week and that all your NEWS is good.

NOW PLAYING... AT STETHOSCOPE

      THURSDAY, JULY 11TH., 2019
 NOW PLAYING.....AT STETHOSCOPE

   I always appreciated the public address
system's announcement when a new player
substituted for a starter at the baseball game.
It was good to know who was in and who was
out of the game.
   I wonder if the guy making the announcement
would be able to keep his scorecard straight
when it comes to our family's physicians?
    My wife got a new doctor to add to her list
yesterday. This one is so new she remembers
serving him when she was a cafeteria worker
and he was a student in High school.
     In the past couple years five of my doctors
have retired. One might even have been at
retirement age. One never had the chance to
enjoy his retirement as he passed away shortly
after closing his practice.
      Our original family doctor after we married
retired several years ago. We were saddened to
learn that he also passed away this month.
      I'm now dealing with just three physicians
on my active list and that includes my dentist.
      My wife's roister ,at last count, stands at
about six. It's hard to tell without a scorecard!
      Hope they're all in good health, looking
forward to years of service and that all their,
and your, NEWS is good!

AUTO ID

   WEDNESDAY, JULY 10TH., 2019
                     AUTO ID

     Our heads both turned the other day
when my wife and I saw a beautiful 1968
Chevy Camaro convertible pass by while
we were out for a drive.
      Just a day or two earlier a car with
a company logo we didn't recognize
passed by and we both wondered what it
was. We still don't know. And that's the
whole point.
      There was a day when I could identify
every car being manufactured. And probably
each model!
       Somewhere along the line as prices
went up "character" disappeared!
       We saw a Porsha SUV last week and,
very frankly. it looked pretty much the
same as a half other SUV makes we see
every day.
          The old cars were so unique and
romantic they wrote songs about them!
"Little GTO, Hey Little Cobra," even the
little Nash Rambler made the play list with
"Beep, Beep."
           Trucks are the big sellers these
days but nobody's singing about them!
            I wish they'd being back the old
designs. I'd like to be able to identify the
cars if only to call the cops to let them
know what it was that passed in on a
curve in a "No Passing Zone."
              Hope your Daddy didn't take
your T=Bird away and that all your
NEWS is good!

AN OPTICAL DELUSION!

   TUESDAY, JULY 9TH., 2019
     AN OPTICAL DELUSION!

   I watched in awe Monday as the
TV news video showed a Tractor Trailer
driver confidently driving his rig into a
big puddle that covered Oak Street in
Pittston Township. Except the puddle
quickly became more of a lake as the
water reached just below the driver's
window!
    The motor drown to a stop and the
driver climbed onto the roof of his cab.
     Somebody eventually threw a life
preserver to him and pulled him to
safety. I'm still not sure where they
came up with a life preserver.
      Perhaps the trucker never saw
the roof of the nearly totally submerged
KIA in the "puddle."
      Maybe he took the term "big rig"
a little too literally.
      Or is it possible he never heard the
warnings we get with every heavy
rainstorm. "Never drive through
standing water!?"
       It never looks deep. Does it?
       Good thing I took the long way
to Walmart! I had intended to drive
up Oak Street!
        Hope the water has drained by
now and that all your NEWS is good!
 

UNDER THE TABLE!

   MONDAY, JULY 8TH., 2019
        UNDER THE TABLE!

   No. This is not about a crooked
deal! In fact I'm not even a politician!
    This is all about memories, Sometimes
you ind them in the most unexpected
places!
     On Saturday my wife and I joined
other immediate family members at my
nephew's home in Forty Fort.
      Tony, named after my Dad, and his
wife Laura were hosting their annual
4th of July party (held on the Saturday
closest to the holiday.)
       As the expected rain hit, seems we
get some every year, several of us
retreated to the safety of the Dining
Room. It's a natural sanctuary since
all the deserts are set out there!
      We sat in beautifully high back
chairs around a huge wooden table
one might think could have been
housed in a castle. And it was! Well,
sort of.
      The table and chairs once graced
the dining room of the house in which
I was born and where I spent all my
growing up years.
       As a kid I hid under that table
many times. It was my hide and seek
hideout. Thew ornamental wood
set up in the middle underneath served
as the controls for my imaginary rocket
or pirate ship. It was a safe haven in
most any kind of storm!
        After my Dad passed away the
dining room set found its way to my
brother's house and, ultimately, to
my nephew's family.
          They enjoy it now with, I'm
sure, virtually no thoughts given to
the adventures once acted out under
its impressive frame.
          Hope its magic, seen or not,
remains in the family for generations
and that all your NEWS is good!
         

  

AS IF WE NEEDED A SPECIAL DAY!

         SUNDAY, JULY 7TH., 2019
AS IF WE NEEDED A SPECIAL DAY!

       It is probably best that you

keep the information in today's

Blog away from children. It

contains material better left

unknown to kids.

    Today is Chocolate Day!

It is the perfect day, as if you

needed an excuse, to consume

your favorite chocolates!

     Should anyone try to

discourage you from partaking

this delicious treat just tell them

you're merely eating your

vegetables! Chocolate is a vegetable

It comes from the Cacao tree found

in tropical rain forests. How about

that?

     I fully support this "holiday."

In fact, I don't limit my celebration

to July 7th! In my case, though, it's

more of an obligation than a

celebration.

    I try to have a Hershey Bar at

least once a week to help make

sure my friend's pension is

financially sound. He used to

work for the Hershey Company.

I always thought we were lucky

to have the Hershey company right

here in Pennsylvania.

     And we almost didn't! Milton

Hershey, the company founder,

bought a ticket to return to the

U.S. on the Titanic! As it happens

he was called back to Pennsylvania

early and had to take another ship.

    Ironically, his Titanic receipt is

in the form of a Golden Ticket!

How about that Willy Wonka?!

     Remember, don't tell the kids

about the "vegetable part!"

     Hope you'll enjoy the day with

some of your favorite chocolates

and that all your NEWS is good!