WHAT WAS THAT?

  MONDAY, OCTOBER 1ST., 2018
           WHAT WAS THAT?

   I'm constantly amazed by the kids
today! My three-year-old grandson
can't call up videos on his Dad's
Smartphone but once they're on the
screen he can scan the options and
switch from one to another as soon
as he gets bored with any of them.
It was his 8-year-old sister who
explained "buffering" to my wife
and that was about 3 years ago.
    But kids don't know everything!
    My wife and I were out to dinner
the other evening when we heard a
family at the next table mention the
term "Rotary phone."
     The youngster among them. I'm
guessing about 6-years-old or so,
stared at the adults as though they
had just discussed Einstein's
theory of relativity! I'm thinking
the kid probably doesn't even have
the faintest idea what a Land line
is!
     I was thinking about him and
the things youngsters do and do not
know when I saw the device attached
to the wall in our motel room. I know
it as a bottle opener!
     They were pretty common on walls
like this, in kitchen cabinets. and even
as an option on some "Jack Knives."
(Wonder if the kid would know what
that refers to?) Now, of course, all
kinds of bottles come with screw off
caps.
      Well, at least the kids will be able
to Goggle those items to find out more
about them. Or, they could just ask us!
       Hope they do and that all your
NEWS is good!

FILL HER UP!

  SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH., 2018
                 FILL HER UP!

    We saw some really beautiful sights on
our trip to and from Maine!
      The leaves are just beginning to take
on their fall colors so the forests are
currently showing off a bit of both seasons.
 And both look great!
       You've got to watch for them but there
are still some historic covered bridges to be
see throughout New England. We found, and
crossed two of them while heading home.
They're artistic and engineering treasures!
        But another wonderful sight we never
even thought about when planning our visit
was the price postings we found at the gas
stations along the way!
         A fill up in New Hampshire Saturday 
was accomplished at $2.72 (and 9/10ths) a
gallon! Now I'm a guy who remembers $5
fills ups in Hazleton "back in the day so all
of today's prices are high in my mind. But
given the difference between the gas prices
in most of New England and here in
Pennsylvania New England is looking
pretty good!
         Hope officials in the Keystone State
take a lesson from our friends in the northeast
and that all your NEWS is good.

                   

SPEAKING OF ROCKS.

 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH., 2018
            SPEAKING OF ROCKS.

   Rocks are on my mind today.
   50 years ago today I gave my wife to
be her diamond ring.
   About 50 hours ago I was on the rocks.
The rocks to which I refer were no diamonds
but, rather, huge boulders that line the shore
along Vinalhaven Island.
    Foolishly I had decided to try a little
fishing while my wife and I vacationed
with my buddy for a few days.
    I set up my folding chair near the edge
of what you might call a cliff. Oh, go ahead,
call it a cliff, then cast my weighted line
and Slim Jim baited hook (hey, I couldn't
find any other bait) as far into the surf as I
could.
     The fog was so thick the horn on the
Ferry Boat scared me half to death as it
passed by about 300 yards away. I never
saw the darn thing!
      I waited awhile then attempted to
retrieve my line. While the hook never
latched into any fish it had no trouble
catching one of the boulders between
me and the water line. And there is stayed
as I pulled and the line broke.
      Never a fast learner I re-hooked and
re-bailed the line, attached another weight
and repeated the process. The result was
the same. All gone. Hook, line, and
sinker.
     I must, however, say the day was not a total
loss! I spotted a nice piece of driftwood just
a few feet below me nestled in the rocks and
was able to climb down far enough without
endangering myself (too much) to grab it for
my wife who likes such things. It's her 50-
year engagement gift!
      By the way I ate the rest of the Slim Jim!
Hope nobody misses the driftwood and that
all your NEWS is good!

   

SUNSET REFLECTIONS

  -
     

  FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH.,2018
      SUNSET REFLECTIONS

  Time to get serious friends!
   Let's face it. The sun sets everywhere.
 It may seem more impressive in some places
 as opposed to others. But, in reality, if
 you can see it going down it's hard not to
 be impressed. And, perhaps, just a bit
 melancholy.
    We went looking for that last bright
 flash of brilliance during our last night
 here on Vinalhaven Island. Instead we found
 a rather tranquil pinkish sky as the sun
 itself was covered by low lying clouds.
    The harbor became a beautiful silhouette
 of boats and lobster buoys quietly waiting
 for the coming of another day as that sky
 and the water provided a canvas for the
 photos painted in our cameras.
     It was, perhaps, the most fitting
 conclusion for a week of old friends sharing
 life on the quiet side of today's hectic
 world. We, during these few days, have robbed
 the week of commotion and chaos, and used
 this retreat as our getaway! It will never
 catch us here.
     Hope we come back soon and that all
 our, and your, NEWS is good !

A SWEET CONNECTION!

    THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH., 2018
            A SWEET CONNECTION

   VINALHAVEN IS AN ISLAND ABOUT THE
SIZE OF MANHATTTAN BUT WITH A YEAR
ROUND POPULATION OF ABOUT 1200. THERE'S
A LOT MORE PEOPLE HERE IN THE SUMMER
SEASON BUT AS SEPTEMBER NEARS AN END
YOU'RE LIKELY TO FIND SOME OF THE
MERCHANTS CLOSED FOR THE SEASON OR
LIMITING THEIR HOURS.
    AS MY SWEETH TOOTH WAS CALLING OUT
 I FOUND TWO BAKERIES IN THE SMALL
DOWNTOWN AREA. I WAS KIND OF HOPING
TO FIND A PIE AT ONE OF THEM BUT NEITHER
WAS OPEN! OH EACH HAD HOURS.  JUST NOT
MINE.
    LOOKING FOR AN ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTE
BROUGHT US TO THE VINALHAVEN CANDY
COMPANY. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE
RUN BY ONE OF THOSE LOCALBAKERS. WE
FOUND IT CLOSED WHEN WE TOPPED!  THERE
WAS A SIGN INDICATINGIT WOULD BE OPEN AT 2PM.
     WE KILLED SOME TIME AND RETURNED.
HAPPILY THE NEON "OPEN SIGN" WAS SHINING!
SURE ENOUGHT THE DOOR WAS UNLOCKED AND
THE LIGHTS WERE ON. BEINGA TRAINED OBSERVER
I CONCLUDED THESE WERE SIGNS THE PLACE WAS,
INDEED, OPEN FOR BUSINESS.
      THE OWNER, JOSH, GREETED US WITH
A FRIENDLY "HELLO" AND A WIDE SMILE.
THERE WAS ALSO A PLENTIFUL SUPPLY OF
ICE CREAM AND A NICE SELECTION OF CONES.
       THE PLACE REMINDED US OF ICE CREAM
PARLORS "BACK HOME." PART OF THAT FEELING
MAY HAVE BEEN GENERATED BY JOSH. SEEMS HE'S
FROM DURSHORE, PENNSYLVANIA! I'VE
DECIDED TO CALL IT "THE DUSHORE DAIRY!"
        LIKE SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WE'VE
MET, HIS PARENTS USED TO VACATION HERE
WHEN HE WAS A KID SO, EVENTUALLY, HE AND
THEY MOVED HERE!
        SINCE WE COULDN'T FIND A PIE I'M
VERY PLEASED WITH HIS RELOCATION! HOPE
HE STAYS OPEN TILL WE HAVE TO LEAVE AND
THAT ALL OF YOUR NEWS IS GOOD!

       

        

FRESH SEAFOOD

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH., 2018 
             FRESH SEAFOOD!

  You kind of expect to be able to
get fresh seafood when you come to
a place like Vinalhaven Island.
You'll certainly find it in most
local restaurants. But "fresh" is
a relative term.
  Regular readers to my daily
nonsense will remember Bob, the
lobster man I met Monday while
photographing a beautiful sunset.
I asked him about getting some
lobsters and, sure enough, he
called Tuesday afternoon telling
us his daily catch was in.
   I drove the short distance to
his home where he presented me
with double wrapped plastic bags
containing three large lobsters
that were, to use an old immigration
term, "fresh off the boat."
   I won't tell you what he charged
so as not to have his home swamped
with visitors from all over the east
coast looking for a bargain!
   Upon returning to my buddy's
cottage I checked out the crustaceans
which could only be fresher had I
pulled them from the water minutes
before.
   Being a chilly day, however, I
thought as how they might be cold
in that plastic bag. So, being a
caring individual, I had my wife
prepare a comfortable hot bath for
all three in a pot set upon the
cottage stove.
   Although I saw no signs of
sunshine through the gloomy, rainy
clouds somehow all three lobsters
seemed to have a severe sunburn
after 15 minutes or so.
   Additionally we found them
unresponsive! Perhaps they had
drowned.
   Burial at sea seemed pointless
since they had already been at sea.
So, we ate them!
   Hope I can remember Bob's address
and that all your NEWS is good. 

THE WELCOME MAT!

    TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH., 2018
          THE WELCOME MAT

    Our visit to Vinalhaven Island,
  12 miles off the coast of the Maine
  mainland, has been even better than
  expected thus far.
    Some must have told them we were
  coming because the Welcome Mat had
  definitely been rolled out!
     The Ferry Boat voyage was smooth
  sailing and the attendants placed
  our car in a position to get off
  first.
     Our host, my old friend Bob,had
  already set out steaks for our
  dinner feast so we were off to a
  very good start!
     A neighbor, who none of us had
  met, stopped by. My first thought
  was that he had smelled the steak
  and wanted to see if there were any
  leftovers. Wrong!
     "Pete" as we've now come to
  know him, is building a new place
  next store and was concerned that
  a break in his circuit box might have
  caused us to lose his Internet service!
  We hadn't even know that his wireless
  network was there, let alone available
  to us. But it is! He just wants to be
  a good neighbor. And he is!!!!
        Our driving tour around the
  island took us to a secluded road
  leading to a Light house. We casually
  waved to the young woman and her Mom
  who were sitting on a plush sofa on the
  front lawn of their property. But they
  responded with a wave that beckoned us
  to come over. So we did!
        Catherine and her Mom , and
  their dog, were just anxious to say hello to
  passerby's like us. We chatted for nearly a
  half hour sharing stories about our families
  and travels. They just wanted to be friends.
  And, now they are!
        Back at my buddy's cottage I rushed
  out quickly after dinner hoping to catch
  a picture of the sunset. As I focused my
  camera I met Bobby who was taking his
  grand daughter's dog for a walk. We talked
  about the sunset and the Lobster boats in
  the distance. Turns out Bobby is a
  Lobster man. When I suggested I'd like to
  get a couple for tomorrow's dinner he
  said to stop by when we're set and he'll
  have them ready. And he will.
        These folks may not have a Welcome
  Mat on their doorstep, but they sure know
  how to welcome visitors! About now I'm
  hoping all their, and your, NEWS is good!
                     

 

ROLL OUT THE.....LOBSTER!

  MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH., 2018
        ROLL OUT THE.....LOBSTER!

   You can "Roll out the barrel" as much as
you want. I'd prefer the Lobster Roll!
    Some pictures I posted on Saturday
prompted a lot of comments and questions
on my Facebook page. They were photos
of the delicious lunch we enjoyed at Red's
Eats in Wiscasset, Maine.
     We discovered the place about 4 years
ago while returning from a visit to our
friend's family's cottage on Vinalhaven
Island.
      There was a very long line of people
standing at what looked like a typical
roadside Hot Dog Stand, We were just
slightly past when my wife remembered
seeing the place on the Food Channel!
Seems Red's Eats is known around the
world!
        It was, in fact, originally a Hot Dog
stand taken over in the 50's by Al Gagnon.
That's when it became a Lobster Shack.
You can still get hot dogs, and a number
of other items. from the menu. But the
big attraction is the Lobster Rolls!
       Meat from more than one lobster
(only the mean..no shelling to be done
here) overfills a large slice of gluten
free bread and you're given a small
container of heated butter (the lobster
is served cold) for your dipping pleasure.
        A whole lot of celebrities have
stopped by to enjoy this treat. There's
a board inscribed with some of the names.
I didn't see mine there but maybe they're
waiting to get a bigger board.
        The place is so popular that the
line I told you about forms early. And
you can expect to wait! On Saturday
we probably spent an hour and 45
minutes till we got to place our order
If it's hot out employees will bring
water to folks in line or umbrellas
to protect them from the sun! I think
the line and the wait have now become
part of the "charm: of the place.
        We met and chatted with people
from Arizona just in front of us and
couple with their Golden Retriever
just behind us. By the time we ordered
we were old friends!
         The lobster doesn't come cheap!
One roll at today's market price is nearly
$25. Again, however, the whole experience
(and the taste) is worth it.
           I wonder if I can get them to open
a franchise in Wilkes-Barre? Still, there's
nothing quite like the original!
          Hope I get back again soon and that
all your NEWS is good!

           

HOW SUITE IT IS!

  SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23RD., 2018
             HOW SUITE IT IS!

   My wife and I are on a journey to
Vinalhaven. It's an island about an
hour and fifteen minutes, by Ferry
Boat, off the coast of Maine. We'll
be spending a few days with my
buddy Bob. Our friendship dates
back to Grade school!
    It's a long trip so we decided to
take two full days to get there so we
might enjoy some of the scenery
(and a large Lobster Roll at Red's
Eats) along the way.
    Of course taking a couple days
means finding accommodations along
the way. Not as easy as you might
think. All of New England gets busy
with tourists at the first sign the leaves
on the trees are changing to their Fall
colors. Add to that our destination along
the coast and motels and filling up fast
and getting top dollar right about now.
     We found the "top of that dollar"
much higher than we imagined when
we stopped in the town from which our
Fairy Boat will be sailing.
      A few phone calls to other motels
in the town reveled that prices , as those
we checked, were just about identical.
       We decided to drive a bit more to
the north in hope of finding something
close enough to town at a slightly better
rate.
       We stopped at a very nice looking
Irish place and learned there was one room
left. The price was still a bit on the high side
but at least 20 dollars less than those we
saw in town. So, sight unseen, we took the
room.
       Let me rephrase that! We took the
ROOMS! Turns out we got a suite out
of the deal! Living room, bedroom,
kitchen and bath. Wifi and TV in two
rooms! Yep...how "suite" it is!
      Hope the other places aren't too
sad we turned them down.......and that
all your NEWS is good!

AUTUMN!

   SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22ND., 2018
                        AUTUMN!

     Autumn was scheduled to show up at
9:54pm EDT today, September 22nd. But,
apparently, it was anxious to get here!
     I was totally prepared to drain the
last few hours out of summer as my wife
and I turned our house over to Karl and
headed out to visit our friend at his family's
cottage in Maine.
      We had the trunk of the Miata cleared
and we were ready to put the luggage in and
the top down. Then I saw the clouds, felt the
breeze, and read the forecast! I closed the
trunk, covered the car and moved everything
to our sedan for the trip.
      My wife, with the same initial optimism,
had already packed several pair of shorts and
T shirts for me. They will likely stay packed
while my traveling blue jeans will have to
last through the week.
       We made it into New Hampshire Friday
and Fall is in the air here as well. The leaves
haven't changed as yet but there are signs of
color beginning to show up on trees here and
there. The cloudy weather forecast for our
destination also features one sunny day with
high temperatures in the mid 50's!!!!!!
         Since we'll be on an island off the coast
that may truly seem like a warm spell.
          Those 4 Geese that buzzed my house
last week may have been trying to tell me
something.
           Hope Indian Summer comes as
quickly and that all your NEWS is good.

NATIONAL DOODLE DAY!

    FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST., 2018
        NATIONAL DOODLE DAY!

    This is a day when we're all encourage
to enjoy or even create some of that unusual
art work known as doodling.
     I'm not sure how popular it is these days
but when I was in school doodling was a
very big thing. You'd find it, for the most
part, on those brown paper covers you had
to put on your Text books every year to
protect the hard covers that were actually
part of the books.
       It was a bit ironic. Especially on books
where professional artists went to great
lengths to design an attractive cover for
your history or geography editions.
       Students viewed those brown covers,
sometimes produced at home, as a canvas
just waiting for their pencils and pens.
        Many drew their names in some sort
of fancy style or, perhaps, pictures of
cars or boy or girl friends.
         Sports was another popular subject.
I included several logo designs of my
favorite team on a couple of my books.
I thought they were pretty good which,
in effect, made me a "Yankee Doodle
Dandy." Get it?
         Anyhow if you've got some paper
and a pen or pencil you can celebrate the
day by doodling away.
         Some celebrates do this every year
and auction their doodles to raise money
for research into epilepsy.
         Hope your doodles sell and that
all your NEWS is good! 

THE TOPPING OF CHOICE!

    THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH., 2018
           THE TOPPING OF CHOICE!

     September 20th is "National Pepperoni
Pizza Day!"
      This is a holiday I truly endorse! I've
always liked Pizza. My hometown was
Hazleton.  I always thought pizza was
invented there.
       And I've always loved Pepperoni. I
think it was the first food I ever "cooked."
Some would say what I did was "heat"
the meat. But as far as I'm concerned it
was on the stove, in a pan, with a flame
underneath. So I "cooked it."
       I don't remember exactly when I
learned how well those two basic foods
tasted together but I've been ordering them
that way for many years.
        Apparently I'm not the only one.
Nationally, Pepperoni is the most
popular topping, preferred by
36% of the people.
        My wife, however, likes mushrooms!
Since I don't we usually end up ordering
a half and half pie. There's usually one
slice left over. But it always has mushrooms
on it!
        The first pizza is said to have been
sold in Naples, Italy in 1738. If it was
topped with Pepperoni you might still
be able to eat the meat. It keeps very
well.
         I don't suppose I have to tell you
how to celebrate this unusual holiday.
Hope you enjoy your meal and that all
your NEWS is good!
     

ARR YOU THERE?

  WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER 19TH., 2018
                    ARR YOU THERE?

     Another one of those "Big Days" is here! It's one of
those "holidays" most people don't know about. And
they're missing all the fun!
     September 19th is "International Talk Like A Pirate
Day!" I kid you not!   It's the brainchild of two guys,
John Baur and Mark Summers.
     Neither is a Pirate or, as far as I know, even a fan of
Pittsburgh's Baseball team.
     They were playing racquetball one day when they
suddenly had an inspiration to....well.....you know.....talk like
a pirate! It's probably happened to you at one time or another.
Anyhow they had so much fun they decided the world
needed a new holiday and "Talk Like A Pirate Day" was
born.
     They picked September 19th because it was Summers'
ex-wife's birthday and because they couldn't think of any
other date that wasn't already being used for some other
observance!
      Through another friend the duo got an email address for
nationally syndicated columnist and Pulitzer Prize winning
writer Dave Barry who published a column about the day.
And that's all it took! Response began coming on from all
over the world (hence the idea that's it's an "International Day!)
       I've been a bit of a Pirate myself from time to time.
I have my own vessel....although it is just an 8-foot-rowboat.
I even buried a "treasure" on a small island many years ago.
It was a small tin containing a few coins. I'm wondering if any
of them were old enough to be valuable.
        I'd like to check. But I'm not exactly sure where I buried
them! Guess I should have made a neat map with a big X to
mark the spot! Maybe I did.......but I can't remember. I should
probably make myself walk the plank!
        I've provided all this background information so......
after you've walked around your place of business using terms
like...."Arr" or "me hearties" or "shiver me timbers"......they
won't try to take you away in a white jacket that ties in the back!
        Hope you're Jolly (Roger) and that all of your NEWS is
good!

A PICTURE IS WORTH.......

  TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH., 2018
        A PICTURE IS WORTH.........

     We've all heard the old saying "A picture
is worth a thousand words." I bring it to your
attention again today because September is
"Save Your Photos Month."
      Every year during the month of September,
photo organizers, companies, and photo
retailers work together to raise awareness and
educate people about the benefits of safeguarding
their photos.
     One of the lessons I learned from people who
survived the 1972 Agnes Flood was how much
they regretted losing old family photos to the
disaster. Their homes and furniture could be
replaced but not those precious memories.
     In a sense it used to be a lot easier to
preserve your photos because there weren't
that many to preserve. Remember the old
film cameras,especially the so-called "easy
to use" ones,that probably only took 8 shots
per roll! But the picture, if you'll excuse
the expression, has changed!
     Memory cards allow modern day
Matthew Brady's to shoot a few thousand
photos without having to worry about
 "running out of film."
     8mm movie film used to give you three
minutes of silent video. Along came VHS
tapes on which you could shoot two hours
of home movies! Now you can transfer
them to dvd's to make sure you've got
something to show your neighbors when they
need a good nap.
     Last night I had to copy a couple photos
from my wife's camera onto my computer.
My laptop indicated there were over 3,000
pictures on her camera that had not yet been
downloaded. And that probably only covers
the last two months! That makes "Gone
With The Wind" look like a short story!
      Today, of course, you can keep all
your pictures in safe places. The camera
itself, a computer, even "the cloud."
      If they truly are worth a thousaand
words my wife must have a lot to say!
Hope you don't tell her I said so...and that
all your NEWS is good!
  

THE 4TH QUARTER!

  MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH., 2018
             THE 4TH QUARTER!

    As I write the sun is setting and I am
about to complete my 75th orbit of the sun!
To use a football analogy, I am entering
the 4th quarter of my life.
    I don't remember a lot about the first
few minutes, or hours, or days of "play."
I was too little!
    I know I enjoyed my childhood a lot.
That's probably why I've never completely
left it.
    The first quarter ended and the second
started very well. That's when I met my
wife! She was and is my greatest cheerleader!
That's been very important because I haven't
always run the right plays or made that
first down I really needed.
    And there have been set backs! Most
notably the passing of our parents and other
loved ones! You never get over that "lost
yardage" but you keep playing the game.
    I've enjoyed a lot of success through
the second and third quarters too. Professionally
and, most importantly, with my fantastic
family. The cheerleading squad has expanded
to our three children, their spouses, and 6
wonderful grandchildren! There's a whole
lot of friends in the crowd as well!
    Again, there are challenges on the field
from time to time. But that Quarterback I
picked up, the carpenter from Nazareth,
keeps me smiling and looking upfield.
Sometimes I don't follow his plays as
called but he hasn't pulled me from the
lineup or fined me just yet.
     I don't know what the forth quarter
has in store for me. And I have no idea
how much time is left on the clock! You
see there's no scoreboard!
     But whenever the final whistle blows
I want you to know I've really enjoyed
playing in this game of life. And I appreciate
all those cheers.
     I'm kind of hoping for a tie so I can stay
for overtime!
     Hope all your NEWS is good!

 

COMING TO AMERICA!

     SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH., 2018
              COMING TO AMERICA!

        Immigration is a big issue these days.
It's in the news nearly every day.  I thought
you might like to know about the first ones
that decided they were coming to America.
         September 16th is "Mayflower Day."
This is the day, in 1620, that 102 colonists,
men, women and children, set sail on the
Mayflower from Plymouth, England bound
for Virginia.
          They landed more than three months
later near what is modern day Cape Cod,
Massachusetts. That has me thinking they
may have had a GPS system guiding them!
          As you probably know there were
already people here when they arrived. We
used to call them Indians but that has subsequently
been changed to Native Americans.
           The Native Americans did not have an
Immigration Department so, even though many
of them were unhappy to see foreigners moving
on to what had been their property they
welcomed them and even, at least for a time,
provided them with welfare by way of
sharing their food and survival knowledge.
            If they knew then what we know now
I wonder if they might have considered
building a wall to keep those immigrants
(we now call them Pilgrims) out?
             Of course they didn't and the
newcomers, and those who followed, did
pretty well here in "the new world."
              So today we remember those
brave voyagers who left their homes and
extended families to seek religious and
political freedom and whose determination
prompted Neil Diamond to write and sing
the song "Coming To America."
               Hoped you like Neil Diamond
as much as I do and that all your NEWS is
good!
         

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS!

   SATURDAY, SEPTEMNER 15TH., 2018
            FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS!

   It has been many years since I found myself
under Friday night lights watching High School
Football. I enjoyed watching my eldest grandson
play a couple years ago. But those were afternoon
games.
    The last time I was called to those Friday night
lights on a weekly basis was during my first year
of High School. I had to go to the games then
because I was a manager for the team. That
meant I was one of the guys who took water
to the players during time outs, packed and
carried their gear from the school to the stadium
and back again, and carried the players off the
field whenever a stretcher was needed. Lots of
work and none of the glory!
      By year two I had switched to the Stage
Crew and only occasionally took in a Football
game.
      This year, however, my wife and I have been
in the seats for all (so far) of the Wyoming Area
Football games. We don't have anyone on the
team but we do have someone on the field.
       Our granddaughter joined the school's
Color Guard this season so we've been turning
out to watch her preform. There's been a bonus!
The team happens to be pretty good this year
and it's always fun to watch a winner.
       This particular Friday night our family
was especially well represented. In addition
to our granddaughter in Color Guard, one of
our grandson's and our daughter's exchange
student were helping sell concessions as
members of the Key Club. And our youngest
granddaughter's mini football Cheerleading
was on the field to welcome the players as
the game began!  And that, of course,
brought her Dad, Mom, and brother to
the grandstand to support her and the team!
         That made it a special winning night,
for the team and for us!
          Hope none of them need me to pack
or carry anything (or anybody) off the field
and that all your NEWS is good.

COMMUNITY PROPERTY?

       FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH., 2018
            COMMUNITY PROPERTY?

    I'm facing a bit of a dilemma!
    A few years ago, more than I can
remember, our neighbor across the
street planted what he thought was a
shade tree. Turns out it was a Pear
tree.
     As the years rolled by the tree
got bigger and it began to produce
some very nice pears. There were
two good things about that. First
there were plenty of pears. Second,
our neighbor didn't like pears!
     Much of the harvest ended up on
my table!
     Then our neighbor moved and sold
his place. Fortunately the next tenant
graciously invited us to take as many
pears as we wanted. I took a lot!
      That neighbor was replaced by a
young family just after last year's pears
were gone for the season.
       I've been wondering what the new
folk's pear policy would be since the
crop seems especially large this year.
       But the place is suddenly vacant.
It looks as though there may be a
dispute over rent or something else.
I don't now if someone else will be
moving in or if it will remain empty
for awhile.
       Wanting to keep the place as
neat as possible in the meantime I
have picked up a few of the pears
that fell from the tree. Of course I
guess I did "assist" that fall by bumping
the tree a couple times. Accidentally of
course!
       The tree is sort of on its own for
the time being and, since it's in my
community, I look at it as community
property!
        Hope nobody moves in soon, and
that all your NEWS is good!
       

WHERE'S THE BEEF?

   THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH., 2018
                WHERE'S THE BEEF?

    That line, "Where's the beef", got a lot of
laughs when it was the commercial catchphrase
for Wendy's fast food change. But a lot of you
shoppers may soon be asking the sane thing!
     I was at my neighborhood WalMart
Wednesday trying to see if I could track down
all the items on my wife's shopping list. I've
gotten pretty good at that except for the times
she adds something out of the ordinary.
      Salsa, "mild salsa'', was Wednesday's
challenge but I tracked it down.
      The only holdup came while searching
for the sandwich steaks I had added to the
list. It took 5 passes by the frozen food
cases till I found them tucked away on a
bottom shelf far below my eye level.
       It was while searching that I greeted
a store worker who was filling his own
cart. But he wasn't shopping! The employee
told me he was emptying the cases of items
that will no longer be sold as the store
prepares to change the places where some
products will be displayed!
        Hey! I was just learning my way
around this place!
         Product location moves are
designed to get shoppers to look around
more and, probably, to but more groceries.
To a guy like me, just following a list, it
adds a half hour to my shopping time and
can result in less product sold if I give
up looking for something!
          There may be a way for me to turn
this around in my favor. After merchandise
is relocated I'll do a scouting trip around
the store and make up a map. I can sell it
to other shoppers as they come in the door!
           Hope I remember to include the
Salsa....and that all your NEWS is good!
         
 

THE TRACKER!

   WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER 12TH., 2018
                    THE TRACKER!

    I was always impressed, watching those old
cowboy movies, seeing the guy get down off
his horse to check the dirt or a recently burned
campfire. He'd look carefully then report that
the person or people his posse was after were
riding three horses and were just a half hour
ahead! He was the Tracker!
     Some hunters are pretty good trackers
these day but you'd be hard pressed to beat
the U.S. Postal Service when it comes to
tracking something down. Of course it's
the Postal Service that's carrying the stuff
you're looking for!
      I mailed a package to a good friend in
New York State Monday. My buddy lives
about 4 hours north of me but I didn't have
time to make the trip.
       When I paid the folks at the Post Office
they have me a receipt which included a
Tracking number so I could follow my
package's journey to the Empire State.
The trip confused my just a bit.
         The last time I looked upstate
New York is due north of Pittston where
I mailed the package. But my mail went
south, to a distribution center in
Philadelphia. Only after it was processed
there did it begin it's trip to New York
and it's destination there was in Rochester,
due east of my friend's house! Well at
least, at last check, it's in the right state!
         I was under the impression those
Zip Code numbers we all started using
years back were designed to designate
specific destinations for our cards, letters,
and packages. Maybe it's just me but I
think an item headed for New York
should go directly to a distribution
center in that state.
        One before I sent something to
that same area that made a stop, for
whatever reason, in Texas!
        It's still pretty good service. My
buddy should get the package I sent,
according to the Tracking information,
by 8pm Thursday.
       Just hope there's not another
stop, in another state, before it
gets to his mail box...….and that all
your NEWS is good.  

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

   TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH., 2018
             WHAT'S IN A NAME?   

   My first quest after starting this blog
back in May, 2011 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!" There is, and it's today!
   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! You will undoubtedly see
scenes from that tragedy over and over today.
As if we had to see them again to remember.
   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 you'll miss the latest news on
"Florence" and you won't know how many of those
reporters,who were standing out in the storm,
survived!
    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!

NOR COLD OF DAY!,

   MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH., 2018
               NOR COLD OF DAY!

     You may recognize my title as a portion
of the motto of the United States Postal
Service. It represents the commitment of
the men and women of that agency to
turn out in rain or snow or "cold of day"
to do their jobs and deliver the mail.
      I've seen some other examples of
that policy as the remnants of Tropical
Storm Gordon brought rain and chilly
temperatures to the northeast.
       Penn State played through a constant
rain as the team defeated Pittsburgh Saturday
night. It was the same for  the Steelers as
the NFL team played the Browns to an
overtime tie on Sunday.
       I can see where neither rain, nor snow
(please not yet), nor cold of day would
stop those teams or their fans from taking
to the field. Football is big money for both
of those organizations! But what about
the :little guys?"
        I was surprised to learn the Wyoming
Warriors Midget Football team was playing
in the midst of Sunday's all day rain as were
the league's other teams that showed up on
the wet and muddy field near Dallas. Even
more surprising was the presence of the
cheer leaders who pretty much had to
do their cheering under the protection
of umbrellas and tents.
        There was a fair sized crowd on
hand too in those same sloppy conditions.
I saw people standing in line under the
small tents that covered a concession
stand where hot dog and other warm
offerings seemed to be selling well as
a hedge against the chill in the air.
         Most surprising, perhaps, was the
fact that I dawned a warm jacket and
carried a large umbrella and folding
chair to the game under these miserable
conditions. But I have a sound explanation.
My granddaughter is one of those cheerleaders
and, for those who didn't know, Sunday was
Grandparents Day! That's what we do!
         Hope you kept warm and dry and that
all your NEWS is good!

HEY KIDS, WHAT TIME IS IT?

    SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH., 2018
       HEY KIDS, WHAT TIME IS IT?

   That line, "Hey kids, what time is it?," used
to open the popular children's TV program
"Howdy Doddy."
    I kept thinking about it Saturday as my
wife and I showed up to watch our grandson
play soccer. The Wyoming Warriors were
taking on the Hazleton Cougars in the
"Mountain City."
     Soccer isn't always easy to watch. The
field is large. The action is fast. The game
is long. And the scoring is often hard to
come by.
     It's often hard for spectators to tell
whether someone has scored or just come
close to the goal. And it's very important
to know how many minutes, or seconds,
and left in each of the two 40 minute periods!
     Hazleton has a good team, a nice field,
comfortable bleachers, and a great
concession stand. It has NO scoreboard!
     Arrive slightly late or take a hot dog
break and you'd better hope someone is
paying attention to the score for you.
     The officials, of course, have the
exact time of the game on their stop
watches. But those of us watching can
only guess how much time was left to
pull out a victory.
       That was somewhat academic as
the teams played to a 1-1 tie at the
end of regulation play then began the
first of what turned out to be two
overtime periods. Even after those
extra periods the score ended up a
1-1 tie.
         We would have enjoyed the
kid's great efforts had we been able to
follow things just a bit closer. I can tell
you after two 40 minute periods and
two overtime periods I would certainly
have been cheering for the clock!
         Hope some local merchant will
step up and fund a scoreboard for that
field.....and that all your NEWS is good!  

GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ENGINES!

    SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH., 2018
  GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ENGINES!

     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!

A TIME FOR EVERY SEASON.

     FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH., 2018
       A TIME FOR EVERY SEASON!

     You all know the drill. There is a time for
every season. What you might not know is
all of those seasons are here right now!
      Pro Football came back to Thursday
night as the Eagles took on the Falcons.
At the same time our Triple A Baseball
Rail Riders were involved in a playoff
game with the Iron Pigs.
      Of course there are still several
weeks to go before the Big Leaguers get
into their playoff schedule.
      On a more personal level, today our
our granddaughter's Holy Redeemer
Volleyball team will be playing Wyoming
Area, our other grandkid's school district
while our grandson's soccer team plays its
second game this week. Both of those
contests are home games.
      Another granddaughter, having joined
Color Guard this season, will be
preforming with her school's football team
about 45 minutes away.
      The third granddaughter will be
cheer leading for her Mini Football team
this Sunday.
       Check the sports page and you'll see
Field Hockey, Cross Country, and school
and professional Golf just to name a few!
       Anyone who says there's nothing to
do, or watch, is obviously not a sports
fan!
       As grandparents we're just glad our
three-year-old grandson isn't on a team
(Yet!).
       Hope all your NEWS (and sports)
is good!

OLD STOMPING GROUNDS

   THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6th., 2018
        OLD STOMPING GROUNDS!

    My granddaughter's volleyball and
grandson's soccer were both "away
games" Wednesday and my shortcut
drive between them had me passing
some of my old stomping grounds.
     The route took me to the top of
Plymouth Mountain. There, half
hidden by the tall trees just off the
roadway was a small house-like
building standing next to a very tall
radio transmitting antenna.
      Sometime in 1973 that building
became my workplace home when
I joined the staff of what was then
WMJW-FM radio.
       The listener trend away from
AM and towards FM was beginning
and an old friend asked me to join
his staff as Assistant Manager and
News Director. I had already been
in broadcasting 14 years by then.
       The news directing part was
easy. I had a fantastic staff and
we, for several years running, won
more Associated Press awards,
numerically, than large stations in
Philadelphia.
        I had the likes of Rob Neyhard,
Bob Reynolds, Bill St. John, and
Dave Bienias, to name a few, covering
the regional news beat! I had a
newsman on duty round the clock.
Try to find that in local radio today!
       The assistant manager part was
a lot harder. My buddy ran into
financial problems (mostly from
getting bad advice from sales
people ) and, sometimes,
I was the one fielding telephone
calls about bill that were overdue.
I had a couple checks bounce. And
management at a small station
sometimes meant you had to shovel
the snow before or after (or both)
your shift was done!
         I had to buy my first 4 wheel
drive just to make sure I could get
there on winder days!
         I hung out there until 1980
when I had the opportunity to go
into television on a full time basis.
I took the job immediately to
advance myself and get out of
shoveling snow!
          My old friend sold  the place
a couple years later. I always heard
he made his million with that
transaction! He's passed away since
and the station's frequency was
bought up by one of those
corporations that runs everything
by remote from "someplace else."
           I wonder, when other people
 pass by, if they have any idea of
the talent that once served them from
that small place. I wonder in there's
still  boxes of old news awards
packed away somewhere in the
basement. Or maybe some old
recordings of breaking news
stories from the mid to late 70's.
           I know there's plenty of
old memories there, good and
bad, and it's fun to remember from
time to time.
          Hope all your NEWS is
good!

OUT ON THE PORCH.

  WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH., 2018
                OUT ON THE PORCH.

    I spent a good part of Tuesday sitting
out my front porch. I'm suppose to
expose my healing lip to some natural
air so I figured I'd find some out there.
     I hauled my laptop along to keep up
to date on emails and Facebook posts
and put my XM radio receiver into its
"boombox cradle" to provide an
"elevator music background" to my
relaxation efforts.
      If I were back in my home town
back in the day I couldn't get away
with this silent retreat. Back then
people would be walking by all the
time and "hellos" would be flying
back and forth constantly.
       We don't get many walkers
by our place. Everybody drives
everywhere so the most we trade
is a wave now and then.
         I watched the birds crowd
on and in our feeder. That place
was like Grand Central Station
to our fine feathered friends.
           The squirrel came by too
but there was no sign of the
groundhog, the turkeys, or the
bear we've seen recently. Maybe
they don't like elevator music!
             It was a good rest and I
needed it. We've got a neighbor
who has been entertaining guests
till 2 and 2:30 in the morning.
They're not terribly loud but when
you're chatting just ten yards from
our bedroom windows it's a little
hard to get to sleep! I'd close the
windows but I don't think sleeping
in 80 degrees would be much
easier. I can't yell at them. I'm not
suppose to talk!
           Maybe I'll start spending
early mornings out on the porch!
Hope the neighbor likes elevator
music, and that all your NEWS is
good!

READ ALL ABOUT IT!

  TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH., 2018
          READ ALL ABOUT IT!

  

    OK! Here's your headline.....It's Newspaper

Carrier Day! (Of course it's also observed

on 4 other dates!)
It's a day set aside to honor everyone
who is or ever was a newspaper carrier!
My son was a carrier and, on occasion,
I was his assistant!
I remember getting up early with him
on some of those stormy winter mornings
to run his route in my 4 wheel drive so
we would be sure everyone got his or her
paper and he, my son, would get home
alive!
You've got to give these guys, and
gals, credit.
They pretty much do the same job as
the Postman, you know "Neither snow nor
rain nor gloom of night", but usually don't
get the same recognition.
Bicycles won't cut it in most areas
these days and you've got to pedal a
lot of papers to fill a gas tank!
Carriers may also be a dying breed!
A lot of newspapers have folded and
the trend seems to be heading into
electronic journalism.
And who wants to throw a laptop onto
some body's front porch?!
Most carriers don't shout out "Extra",
or yell the headline nowadays. But that's
just as well around our place since the
delivery guy usually shows up around
5:30AM!
Of course our "Paperboy" was so
efficient we cancelled our service! He
(or she) kept delivering even on those
weeks we cut the paper because we were
on vacation. We'd return to find a pile of
papers on the ground in front of our porch.
A sort of "Welcome sign" to intruders in
the days before Uncle Karl started to
house sit for us.
Besides, in our case we don't really
need the paper anymore. Our Cockatiel
died.
But, for the rest of you, if you're sitting
around the table with your coffee and bagel,
reading the morning paper, give some thought
to the carrier who got it to you...whatever
the weather!
Hope your subscription is up to
date and that all your NEWS is good!

TWENTY QUESTIONS!

  MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD., 2018
    TWENTY QUESTIONS! 

     Why is it when I can't talk
everyone asks me questions?
     As most of you already know I
had surgery to remove some cancer
cells from my lower lip this past
Wednesday. The incision was large
enough to require a skin graft to cover
the affected area. The result is several
stitches and a requirement that I keep
that lip as still as possible for about
five days. That means no chewing,
talking or even smiling.
      My 5 year old grandson knows
I have a "boo boo," which is a
medical term all ages can understand.
But he still asks me questions. I try
to reply by making some sort of moan
which, in my mind, contains a full
sentence of actual words but that
doesn't really work all that well.
       As for the adults, I feel like
they are all dentists. I get all kinds
of comments and, it seems, always
a question. You know, like when
the dentist has your mouth full of
his tools and he what to know how
your vacation went!
        And even those who don't
challenge me to speak usually come
up with a comical comment. That
make me smile.....I'm not suppose
to smile!!!!!
        My daughter suggested I type
replies on her Smartphone keyboard.
That sounded like a good idea until
I realized my fingers are too large
for the letter spaces! And then there's
the problem of having to spell words
correctly.
       Then there's eating. As you know
I've had a number of milkshakes since
the surgery. My wife suggested trying
some alternatives so, as I write, I have
just finished a small bowl of scrambled
eggs through a straw. I reminded myself
of that character in the movie "The Fly"
sipping milk and honey as he was
turning into the insect!
        By the way the Jello yesterday
wasn't much easier!
        Oh well, if the Doctor's estimates
are correct I should have a better ability
to eat and speak by Tuesday or Wednesday.
        Right now I'm opening my bottle
of Michelob Ultra with my straw at the
ready!
        Hope I got all the egg out of it and
that all your NEWS is good!