SWEET MUSIC!

    TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2024

             SWEET MUSIC!

  Welcome to October everybody. October

1st is "International Music Day!" It was

started in 1974 by the International Music

Council, an associate organization of

UNESCO, the United Nations Agency

tasked with promoting world peace.

The agency believes music tends to

promote togetherness and fosters peace

throughout the world. I decided to

celebrate the day by breaking out my

harmonica! Unfortunately my wife

spotted me before I could play

anything. She doesn't believe my

harmonica playing promotes peace

anywhere. Especially in our house.

(I plan to wait till she goes out then

do a verse or two of "Oh Susanna!"

Hope you're humming a tune or

two today and that all your NEWS

is good! 

ONE SUNDAY DRIVE!

 

     SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH., 2024
              ONE SUNDAY DRIVE.

      It's Sunday again and, chances are, my
wife and I will spend at least part of the
day enjoying a ride somewhere.
      Our travels have never been restricted
to Sundays but during our working years
that was the day most often available.
      One in particular comes to mind.
      It was a pleasant day with the
leaves beginning to show off their fall
colors. Pretty much like this week.
     I'm pretty sure I had the top down
for at least part of the drive which
took us into Sullivan County. But I didn't
have my Miata!
      That convertible was a 1965 Chevy
Impala with a Corvette engine! Plenty
of horsepower to handle the mountain
roads that weaved their way to World's
End State Park!
       The date was Sunday, September
29th., 1968 and I remember it pretty
well because that's the day, 56 years
ago, when Leona and I got engaged!
        The car is long gone but we're
still going strong!
        Pretty good Sunday drive for me!
Hope all your NEWS is good!    
   

SAY WHAT?!

 

          SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2024

                        SAY WHAT?!

    As a former news reporter this day has special
meaning to me.
    September 28th is "Ask A Stupid Question Day."
    It was established by teachers back in the 80's
who were trying to encourage students to ask more
questions in the classroom.
    It has often been said there is no such thing as a
stupid question. I would have to disagree. Some of
my colleagues in the media prove that on an all too
regular basis. Not that it's limited to them.
    I often wondered why ,for instance, when you've
checked yourself into an emergency room, the first
thing the doctor asks is "How are you?"
   How about the guy who drives up in a bright,
shiny car with the purchase sticker still on the
window who is greeted with questions such as
"Is that car new" or "is that yours?"
    How about the boss who sees you come in
10 minutes after your starting time and asks
 "You're late, aren't you?"
    Still those in the media usually get the Stupid
Question Award.
    You see them at the scene of a fire, usually the
 "Cub reporter" approaches the home owner and
 asks "How are you doing?" I'm surprised more
 haven't been answered with a slap upside the
 head!
    Of course there's also the "hopeful reporter"
 who asks the alleged killer "Did you do it?"
 They're hoping for a stupid answer such as
 "Sure I did and I wanted you to be the first
 to know."
    In any case today all bets are off! You can
ask anything you want. In fact it is suppose
to be stupid! So ask away!
    Hope you get a sensible answer and that
all your NEWS is good!

(Stupid is as stupid does: Forest Gump)

YOU CAN DO IT!

 

      TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH., 2016
                             CAN DO!
                    
    Lift you foot high. Then bring it down quickly! This
is September 27th. It's "Crush A Can Day."!
    People crush cans for a number of reasons. For some it
relieves stress! They stomp on the can as a way of dealing
with the frustrations of the day.
    Some do it for financial gain! You can get a lot
more cans into a garbage bag if they're crushed. More cans
equal more weight.
   When you get a garbage bag full of crushed cans take it to
the recycling center and trade them in for cash! It's better than
working! 
    While the "holiday" itself surprised me I was just as stunned
to learn my method of flatting the aluminum is not the only way
to do it. And the other is rather impressive!
    Here is the way it is described on one Web site:
1. Fill a large pot with three quarts of cold water.
2. Put one tablespoon of water into an empty aluminum soda can
 and heat it on the stove until it boils.
3. Let it boil for 30 seconds and then carefully remove it with tongs.
4. Invert the can and quickly dip it in the pot of cold water.
    The can will collapse immediately, impressing women,
 captivating  small children and frightening the family dog.
    I may have to give this a try. Although we don't have a family
 dog.  Not sure if that makes a difference or not.
   Anyhow, which ever method you decide to use, I encourage you
 to celebrate by crushing all the cans you can find.
   Hope they're empty...and that all your NEWS is good!

           

 

 

   

AN APPLE A DAY!

 

  THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH., 2024
                 AN APPLE A DAY!

    It's apple season! Orchards throughout
our area are open and stocked full of your
favorite varieties.
    Many have turned the season into
festivals with apples, apple pies, apple
butter, apple cider, and apple dumplings
on their shelves.
     At least one orchard even makes use
of its bruised apples by selling them to
customers who use them in a sling
shot aimed at wooded targets!
    So if you enjoy apples or any of those
apple products this is a day to thank the
gentleman who made them so widely
available!
     John Chapman was born on this date
in 1774.
     Mr. Chapman was an American pioneer
nurseryman who introduced apple trees
to large parts of Pennsylvania. But he didn't
stop there!
      His trees were distributed in Ohio,
Indiana,  Illinois, and northern counties
of West Virginia to name a few of the
others.
      Thanks to his efforts I've enjoyed
plenty of apples over the years and an
apple dumpling whenever I can find
one.
     Oh, by the way, you may remember
Mr Chapman by his other name.
Johnny Appleseed!
     Yep. It's a true story!
     Hope you'll have an apple in his
honor today and that all your NEWS
is good!
     

READING THE CLASSICS!

 

  WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH., 2024
         READING THE CLASSICS!

   For those of you who didn't already know
September 25th is National Comic Book
Day!
    Of course I couldn't find any documentation
that Congress actually declared this a
"National day." I would have thought comic
(or "Funny books") would have been high
on many member's agendas!
   In any case the day's designation
brings back some memories. Especially
of my Super Heroes! Like Superman
and Batman! They appeared in Comic
Books when I was growing up. And I
was a comic book fan!
    There was a great selection. The
aforementioned Superman and Batman
were always popular. But I also enjoyed
the "Funny Books" that were designed to
be funny!
    Scrooge McDuck was one of my
very favorites. Donald's uncle was so
rich he measured his money by depth
rather than counting out the dollars.
   And you could enjoy reading about his
wealth, or Superman's X-Ray Vision, or
the Bat Mobile for just one thin dime!
    I'm almost tempted to go out
shopping for a comic book.
    I doubt I'll find anything for a dime.
    I just checked a few of my old
favorite comics on line and......"Holly
Inflation Batman!"
    EBay is currently offering a 1940
Batman edition (the ten cent price
still posted on the cover). You can "Buy
it Now" for $615.00!
   I found one featuring Uncle Scrooge
McDuck going for around 9 bucks. But
that's still a tall pile of dimes (if you're
measuring by depth!)
   Guess I should have saved more.
   Not my dimes......my old comic
books!!!!!
    Hope you've got a few of the "classics"
to read and that all of your NEWS is
good!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

    TUESDAY. SEPTEMBER 24, 2024

          HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

     Wow! How time flies! Seems like just
yesterday we were noting the arrival of
Autumn. Now here we are in September

 and it's Thanksgiving!
      You probably thought it was scheduled
for November! Well, you're partially right.
      Today is Thanksgiving. But only for
about 3,000 people. Most of them are right
here in Pennsylvania. And they're all
Schwenkfelders! For the record, that's
not some sort of hot dog!
     The Schwenkfelders are the descendants
of a small Protestant sect that sprang up in
Germany around the time of the Reformation.
One group arrived in September of 1734. They
spent one day,  September 24, expressing their
gratitude to God for having delivered them from
persecution. Since then they have observed
September 24th as Thanksgiving!
      I, for one, am all in favor of an extra day
of Turkey, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin
pie! And, since the Schwenkfelders ranks
seem to be dwindling, I 'd like to suggest the
rest of us come to their aid by joining in the
celebration!
     Hope there's lots of leftovers and that all
your NEWS is good!

    

    

DON'T "FALL" FOR IT!

    MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23RD. 2024

           DON'T "FALL" FOR IT!

      Regular readers of my daily Blog will
undoubtedly remember my refusal to recognize
the autumnal equinox  as the end of Summer.
Still, officially, Autumn is here.  But I intend
to fight it. If we all get together maybe we
can do something.
      First we'll need a lot of lights! Turn them
on. All of them!
      I stepped outside yesterday around 7PM and I
couldn't find the sun! Maybe there was an eclipse I
wasn't told about. But, barring that, I suspect that
evening had begun without my consent. That's
one of those things the scientists pull on us to
begin Fall. We need to keep things bright!
      Next, about those little caterpillars, the
"Woolly Bears." They're starting to show up
here and there. We probably can't stop them. But if
they show up with those dark bands around their
bodies.....paint them white! That may help keep
the weather mild a little longer.
      We can't do much about the leaves changing
color. Something about their Chlorophyll. I
don't know how toothpaste is involved. But I think
that's the stuff in my Colgate!
      When they do change color a lot of tourists
come to see them. So I'm thinking we spray them
with Shellac as soon as they're at their brightest
then glue them to their trees! That should keep
the season from going from bad to worse!
       Leave those leaves!
       Hope there's a long, warm, Indian Summer,
and that all your NEWS is good!

Out To Sea!

First my most sincere thanks to all of you who sent me Birthday greetings on line. Tuesday! It was a wonderful day. We spent the entire day at sea enjoying some of the many activities on our Travelworld  cruise to the Bahamas! First there was a game show challenging us to identify flags of the world. We only got 4 out of 20.. But it was lots of fun trying.

Later we showed up an the "On Air lounge" where he enjoyed some Karaoke. And yes, I did a song. First, however, I explained it was my Birthday and asked the crowd for mercy. Thankfully They honored my request and I got some applause as opposed to rotten tomatoes! Later we found ourselves in the same lounge for a game that had participants using their imagination to fill in blanks in common phrases. And all of that was before dinner and the evening's list of entertainment throughout the ship! We capped off the evening with an exciting water show that thrilled the audience over and over! It was an exciting birthday. Pictures will follow. Hope you like them and that all your NEWS is good!

 

Life On Our Floating City '

 Tuesday, September 17,, 2024

Life On Our Floating City!

Our Travelworld cruise to the Bahamas ran into some water Monday morning.

Our Captain decided to by pass the storm which meant an extra day at sea. But fear not. Life on board the Symphony Of The Seas in a little like getting an extra day in New York City! There are so many things to do that you'll probably have to miss half of them. My wife and I had breakfast then strolled around a bit getting used to things. We took in a great comedy show and, later,  listened and a band feature music if the 50"s and 60's. Even managed to get a dance in ourselves. If was one of two Formal evenings on board so we dressed for dinner then changed afterwards just to stay real comfortable!  

Tomorrow some new adventures will be offered and we're real interested to see

What they might be. Hope all our fun continues and that all your NEWS is good!

WASHY WASHY!

   SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2025

             WASHY, WASHY!

   This is "International Clean Hands

Week!" Especially appropriate in the 

case of my wife and me as we are

heading out on a Travelworld Cruise

today. If you've ever been on a cruise

you've probably encountered those

attendants with land lotions waiting

here and there shouting something 

like "Washy, washy" and offering

the cleaning liquids for your hands

before you go to dining. While our

hands will be "washy, washy" my

BLOGS may be "ify, ify." I

l'll have limited wifi and will be

using my smartphone rather than

my usual Blog Camera. But I'll

try to get though when I can so please

be watching for my posts. Special

thanks to our brother-in-law Karl

for moving in to house sit while

we're cruising! Stay well during

this upcoming week and, by all

means, keep your hands clean!

Hope you do and that all your 

NEWS is good!  

A LIMITED CELEBRATION!

 

    SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH., 2024
         A LIMITED CELEBRATION!

     OK everybody. This is another one of those
"unusual holidays" I like to tell you about. But
I'm thinking there's not a lot of you who'll be
joining in the celebration!
     September 8th (or whatever date the 2nd
Saturday in September happens to be) is
"International Drive Your Studebaker Day."
       There's probably a fair number of
prospective readers who don't have the
faintest idea what a Studebaker is (or was)
and a very large number who may know
but don't have one around to drive!
        The first Studebaker horseless carriage was
hit the roads, what there was of them, in 1895.
The firm had a good run but finally folded in 1966.
They had some unique models including the
Lark, the Studebaker Hawk, and the Avanti!
          Of course the company never made as
many cars as GM or Ford so far fewer have
survived over the years,
          If you'd really like to join the celebration
I'll put you in touch with my best friend who
lives in upstate New York. Ever since he owned
his first car, a 1951 Studebaker, he's wanted to
have another one. A couple years back he found
a classic Studebaker Taxi so he bought it!
         Earlier this year he learned of a 1950
model that was nearly the spitting image of
the one he first drove. He asked me about
parting with taxi in favor of the one closer
ton his memories. I suppose I created a bit
of a conflict in his mind when I suggested
the taxi was a bit more rare thus, probably, more
valuable.
          He has since solved the conflict. He owns
both vehicles. Since he can't drive two at the
same time maybe he'll lend you one.
          I'd take the taxi but I remember having to
 push it home the first time I drove with him in
it!
         Well, anyway, enjoy the holiday and
happy motoring. Hope all your NEWS is
good!

LOTS OF LUCK!

 

   FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH., 2024
              LOTS OF LUCK!

    It is Friday the 13th. For some, a day to
be weary.
    But it is also "Defy Superstition Day!"
    It's amazing how superstitions impact
our lives. Even though we don't always
realize it.
    For instance, try and fine the 13th
floor or a room numbered 13 any place
in New York City. Or most any other
big city as well! They are few are far
between.
     I never had any special fear of the
number 13. In fact I often welcomed
it when visiting my local bakery.(Do
they still do that?)
     But for whatever reasons a lot of
people are superstitious.
      This is a day to confront those
unnecessary worries!
       So go ahead, walk under a ladder
or let that black cat walk right in front
of you!
        Have no fear! I don't (knock on
wood!)
        Hope your lucky lottery number
comes up and that all your NEWS
is good!

     

GAME DAY!

    THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12th. 2024

                   GAME DAY!

   OK fans! It's September 12th, It's Game

Day. Don't worry about not being allowed 

in the stands. In fact you you don't even 

have to get out of your chair. You see it's

"National Video Game Day!"  I guess you

could say it started back in 1958 with a 

simple table tennis video game called

"Pong."  Since then there has been a wave

of various games like Nintendo, Atari, and

lots of variations of the XBox.

   There are two schools of thought about

video games. One suggests they promote

one's mental agility and sharpens the

reflexes.  The other suggests video games

have taken kids away from the outside world

of fresh air and creative play.

      I always favored  running around outdoors.

Of course, that;s when I could actually run!

      Hope you enjoy what ever you're playing

and that all your NEWS is good.       

A DAY FOR MY BLOG!

     WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2024

          A DAY FOR MY BLOG!

  My first quest after starting this blog some

 5,015 blogs ago was to name it!
   Since I had recently been retired from more
that 50 years in news broadcasting I wanted to
steer clear of commentary relating to the daily
"news beat."
  The old saying..."No news is good news"
immediately popped into my mind so I claimed
it as my title. I added the question mark, however,
to allow my readers to decide whether my
essays should or might occasionally be
considered news worthy.
   Little did I know there was actually an
unofficial holiday called "No news is good
news day!"
   It's kind of ironic it falls on September 11th
given the fact that one of the biggest news events
in the history of our nation is remembered on
the same date!
   The idea behind this "holiday" is simple!
   Stay away from all the traditional news
sources. Radio, television, and newspapers.
   That way you won't hear, or see, or read about
all the "bad news" they deliver on a daily basis!
    Of course it doesn't mean the "bad news" will
actually go away. It just means you won't know
about it.
    Back in the days when I was News Director
at WILK Radio we experimented with one
newscast that was devoted strictly to "good news."
    It didn't work out very well.
    While people enjoyed hearing some "positive"
stories, they didn't want to miss information
about a big local fire, or scandal, or government
decisions about their taxes or whatever.
     The problem with news today, in my opinion,
is that it is far harder to come by on a local
basis in an objective presentation.
     Few area radio stations offer local news these
days.
     There are more regional TV newscasts than
ever. But they're all coming from two originating
sources!
     Area residents are still fortunate to have some
newspaper competition. But fewer people are
reading newspapers these days.
     Then there are the "Talk Shows!"
     I did one of those a few years back.
    But, back then, the hosts didn't give their
opinion. The job was to come up with the
subject or subjects then get the listeners to call
in with their thoughts on the issues.
     Now most of the hosts seem to be dedicated
to making sure their opinion is heard. They
welcome and coddle those who agree and are
short and often sarcastic with anyone who
doesn't!
     Oh...they'll tell you how they extend
invitations to those of opposing political views.
   But, let's face it, accepting such an invitation
would be like a hunter agreeing to have coffee
with the leader of an Animal rights organization!
    Anyhow....like it or not.....this is "No News
Is Good News Day"......and have I got Good
News for you!!!!!!
    Hope all your NEWS is good!

    

THE DAY THE MINERS DIED!

      TUESDAY. SEPTEMBER 10, 2024    

   The coal mines of northeastern Pennsylvania

claimed thousands of lives during the heyday

of "King Coal!" But the 19 miners who died

on this day in 1897 weren't killed in a mining

accident. They were shot down by sheriff's

deputies in the small town of Lattimer, just

outside of Hazleton. Many of their fellow

miners were wounded in an even that has come aa

the Lattimer Massacre! Miners throughout the

area had been on strike for better pay and working

conditions. A large group of them were marching

to a mine in Lattimer in an attempt to get miners

there to join their strike.  Sheriff's deputies ordered

the men to disperse but they marched on and

the deputies opened fire. Most of the victims had

started to run away and were shot in the back!

Outrage over the shootings boosted efforts

to get other miners to join the United Mine

Worker's Union and eventually led to higher

pay and improved working conditions. It

happened on this day in 1897.  An area

event that should be remembered! Hope you do

and that all your NEWS is good!

 

A SEPTEMBER GHOST STORY!

     MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

     A SEPTEMBER GHOST STORY!

     Some folks might be surprised to find a

Ghost town just a few miles away from Public

Square in Wilkes-Barre, But we're got one!

    62 years ago this month the final move of

some 850 people got under way  in the

Borough of Laurel Run,  The now vacant land

on either side of what has become know as

the Giant's Despair road was once filled with

over 160 homes, 2 grocery stores, a church, a

school and a lumber yard

      Back in 1915 a coal miner left his carbide

light burning while hanging on a wooden

pillar. By the time the mine reopened after

the weekend the fire had spread into a seam

of coal,

       Over the years the blaze spread further,

eventually causing some of the ground above

to collapse and sending toxic fumes to the

surface.

        There are still homes in Laurel Run. All safely

west of the fire area. Efforts have been made to

stop its spread but it still burns 109 years after

it started  Coal may have been king at one time,

but it was also a killer! It's very worth remembering.

Hope you do, and that all your NEWS is good.

GRANDPARENTS DAY!

 

    SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH., 2024
        GRANDPARENTS DAY!

   Whether you know it or not this is a
National Holiday. September 8th., is
"National Grandparent's Day."
    President Jimmy Carter made it
official in 1978. It's always the first
Sunday after Labor Day.
    I now claim the title of
Grandpa for a total of 6 kids!
    I truly enjoy the role, But I didn't
have a lot of training!
    My grandmother DeCosmo
passed away when I was about three.
    My Grandmother Singley passed
when I was in 4th grade.
    But I never knew either of my
Grandpa's! Both of them passed away
before I was born.
     I think that's part of the reason I
have spent every available minute I
could with my grand kids.
      I want to make sure they have a
grandpa to remember.  And I'd like to
believe the two I never knew would
be proud of me for being the grandpa
they couldn't be for me.
        It's not always easy. My wife and
I have often found ourselves running
from one school or tow to another to
be there when the grand children are
involved in sports or special activities.
        I spend more time on the floor
with my youngest grandson playing
with trains and toy cars than I did
with my friends when I was 4!
       But it's much harder to get back
up these days!
      That said, it's worth every minute!
      Hope you've got pleasant memories
with your grand parents and are making
some with your own grand-kids!
      Happy Grandparents Day and may
all your NEWS be good!

SLICE IT THIN!

 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH., 2024

                    SLICE IT THIN!!

       Well it's here! The day you've all been
waiting for. Well, maybe not everybody.
        This is National Salami Day!
         Salami Day was first started in 2006 in
Henrico, Virginia, by the Salami Appreciation
Society (SAS for short).
          There are actually a lot of meats that
are, technically, types of Salami. They include
Varieties of salami include:

• Cotto
• Genoa
• Fegatelli
• Finocchiona
• Pepperoni
• Saucisson sec
• Sopressata 

         Of course, the simplest way to celebrate

Salami Day is simply to eat some Salami. But

supporters of this holiday say there are other

ways to enjoy the day.

          Maybe a game like  Pin the tail on the Salami!

Maybe Bobbing for Salami! Or perhaps you could

encourage friends to come to a Salami Costume

Party! (Let me know if you get anybody willing

to do that!).

           If you don't want to get too elaborate just

make yourself a nice Salami sandwich and chow

down!

           Hope you've got some honey mustard and

that all your NEWS ( and sandwich) is good!

• 
  

GET IT DONE! NOW!

 

      FRIDAY, SEPEMBER 6TH., 2024
          GET IT DONE!  NOW!!!!!

         As you probably already
know September 6th is "Fight Procrastination
Day!"
       Mark Twain told us "Never put off till
tomorrow what you can do today."
       Most of us tend to be procrastinators
even when we really don't intend to be.
I know I have to put the trash out every
Wednesday for Thursday pickup. And I
do. But it's likely the last thing I do at
night even though I've had all day to do
it.
      Of course I rationalize. If I wait till
the last minute I'll get every bit of trash
including that last napkin I throw away
right after my evening snack. The thought
usually convinces me to put off my job
till the very last minute.
       But this is only Tuesday. I don't
even have to think about the trash till
tomorrow!
       If you've got anything that should
be done get to it now! Don't put it off!
Don't procrastinate! Be like me.........
Fight procrastination!
      I've been thinking I should take a
nap! So I'm going to do it right now!
      Hope you follow my example.....
and that all your NEWS is good!

      

TIME TO BE LATE!

        THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH, 2024

               TIME TO BE LATE!

      It's said that some people are so
routinely behind schedule, they'd be
late for their own funeral.
      Well rejoice procrastinators! Turn
off that alarm clock. Kill the sound on
your cell phone. This is "Be Late For
Something Day!"
       Although no one has yet been
identified as the founder of this
unusual "holiday" it is always
observed on September 5th. I guess
it was originally suppose to be on the
4th.
       The Rabbit from Alice In
Wonderland could catch his breath
today.
       It's easy to celebrate. Just show
up late for anything you're attending.
Any of you with young children should
have no problem doing your part!
       And, let's face it, tardiness is not
only very common, it's sometimes in
style. We've all heard about showing
up "fashionably late" to a party!
      Who among us has ever visited a
Doctor when he (or she) has been on
time?
       I was never able to take advantage
of this holiday when I worked in News.
If we showed up late the newscast
would have started without us.
       So, enjoy the day. Take your time.
Be late. Unless, of course, you're the
Groom heading to your wedding. If
you're not there on time you're likely
to become "The Late Mr. _________"
      Hope you read this before it's too
late and that all your NEWS is good.

LET'S TALK WILDLIFE!

    WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2024

          LET'S TALK WILDLIFE!

   September 4th is "National Wildlife Day!"

Just so you know we're talking about animals,

not parties! The day was established in 2005

by animal behaviorist Coleen Paige to bring

awareness to endangered animals worldwide

and the importance of maintaining animal

habitats. We don't have many wild animals

around our house. There was a bear around

for awhile but we haven't seen it recently.

We do have a groundhog that's been

hanging around eating my wife's tomato

plants to stay healthy for his annual

February weather prediction. Lately,

however, there are signs of an annual

wild visitor that he are desperately

trying to locate to another habitat.

It's a skunk, although I don't think

it's the same one we've trapped at

least a half dozen times. On each

occasion we've relocated the animal

at least ten miles away from our

place! We're told you have to go that

far to assure they don't find there

way back. So on this National

Wildlife Day I'm hoping we catch

the latest visitor so we can join

the others for which we've found

a new home. I'm hoping it doesn't

make a "big stink" about the

relocation so that all our, and your,

NEWS will be good!

A ROCK FOR A WALK!?

   TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2024

        A ROCK FOR A WALK!?

     September 3rd just happens to

be "Pet Rock Day!" Pet rocks became

an international success in the 1970's

and the fad started when a young man

names Gary Dahl found himself

listening to a group of friends chatting

about the care, feeding, and responsibilities

they shared when caring for their cats and

dogs and other pets. Dahl found himself

pointing out the advantages of his pet

rock over those live animals. Of course

at the time Dahl didn't have a pet rock.

But after the conversation he went out

and picked one up. Literally! Then he

designed a box in which to ship the rocks.

Boxes complete with air holes like you'd

find in containers shipping live animals.

Foolish, right? Well the campaign

quickly sold a million pet rocks and

eventually made Dahl a multi millionaire!

The fad eventually died out but I believe

it has evolved. There's a new, very nice

trend these days, which has people 

painting rocks and often including a

positive message such as "Smile"

which are left along paths and walking

trails for others to find and enjoy. Not

a bad idea. We found one recently on

a walking trail near Geisinger Wyoming

Valley and a similar project has been

under way in Scranton's Nay Aug Park

for several years. It leaves one, making

or finding the rocks, with a very

positive feeling. Hope you're involved

in this latest "Pet Rock project" and that

all your NEWS is good!    

HOTDOG! IT'S LABOR DAY!

    MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2024

      HOTDOG! IT'S LABOR DAY!

   This is Labor Day, first celebrated in 1882

when thousands of union workers in New

York City staged their own parade to honor

the working man and woman. The idea caught

on with local unions across the country who

began to hold their own parades and celebrations/

It became a Federal holiday in 1892. It's celebrated

in many other countries under various names. Canada

shares the name and date with the United States. It

recognizes the efforts of organized labor to improve

working conditions. Efforts that led to the 8 hour day

and 5 day week, In some ways, of course, it can be

a sort of sad day as Labor Day is considered by many

to be the unofficial end to summer. And that's not all!

It is also the unofficial end to the Hot Dog Season!

You see between Memorial Day and Labor Day

Americans consume as estimated 7 Billion hot dogs!

Then, sales fall off drastically! So throw an extra

dog on the grill today to celebrate labor and extend

the season! Hope you're not working today, that you're

well, and that all your NEWS is good.