A NUTT ON THE PHONE!

  SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST., 2019
       A NUTT ON THE PHONE!

  Welcome to September everybody!
  Welcome to September the first!
  And welcome to "Emma Mills Nutt Day!"
  What do you mean you never heard of her?!
  Emma is, or rather was, famous!
  She was the world's first female telephone operator!
  And here, as the late Paul Harvey used to say, is the
rest of the story.
  In January of 1878 the Boston Telephone Company
began hiring boys as telephone operators.
  You see kids, back in those days, telephones were
attached to your wall by wires. If you wanted to talk
with someone else you had to reach an operator, then
give that operator the telephone number of the person
you were trying to reach.
   But a problem quickly developed. Seems the telephone
boys didn't have a lot of patience (a problem that has
somehow been transferred to the caller these days). The
guy's attitude and behavior, including cursing, wasn't
going over very well with the phone company.
   So, on September 1st., 1878, the company hired
Emma Mills Nutt! A few hours later her sister, Stella,
was hired too making her the second female telephone
operator in the world.
   They were hired by the way by a fellow named
Alexander Graham Bell! Ring a "bell?"
   Emma may have made history....but not a fortune!
She was paid $10 a month for a 54 hour work week!
   But the popularity of her voice began a trend and, ever
since, the female voice has been the preference
of companies everywhere.
   Even today it's usually a woman's voice that tells
you to "Press 1 for checking, Press 2 to check your
balance" and on and on.
   Now they've got me wondering if Emma or her
sister may have been the first to say "The number
you are calling is no longer in service."
   Isn't it nice when you're able to speak with
someone like Emma...or any other live body on
the other end of your call?
   I suspect, if Emma and her sister were still alive,
they'd think today's telephone system is...well
frankly....Nuts! How appropriate!
   Hope you'll take a moment to honor Emma
today....and that all your NEWS is good!

Emma Nutt









Emma &  Stella Nutt
working next to male
telephone operators.







    PBX Switchboard 

ROADSIDE READING!

    SATURDAY, AUGUST 31ST., 2019
              ROADSIDE READING!

   If you'd like to teach the kids or grand
kids about Pennsylvania history you might
consider taking them for a ride! You may
just learn a thing or to yourself!
   Those roadside historical markers, too
often passed and ignored, offer stories
about people and events that made
history here in the Keystone State.
    Yesterday, for instance, the newest
of those markers was unveiled in the
Delaware County community of
Cliffton Heights.
     I don't think I've ever been to or
through that small town. But that's
the place where the Slinkey was
invented by Richard James and
marketed by the real mover of the
toy, Betty James, his wife.
     Who hasn't spent some time playing
with a Slinkey? You could juggle it
from hand to hand, watch it walk down
the steps. or try to "fix it" once you
intertwined many of the coils!
       I like the fact people got together
to salute a Pennsylvania toy that
continues to fascinate kids (and some
adults) or 75 years!
       Next time you spot one of those
historical markers find a place to pull
over. Read the story and take a picture!
        You may be surprised at the
stories they tell!
        Hope you enjoy them and that all
your NEWS is good!

THE BIG SPLIT!

  FRIDAY, AUGUST 30TH., 2019
            THE BIG SPLIT!

   Well as I reported in my Thursday
blog our two oldest granddaughters
left their homes of 18 years and
moved into to their respective
dormitories at Susquehanna
University.
    Their Moms, Dads, and
brothers turned out to help them
move in. Their Grannie and I
were there too!
     It was quite a split! Oh....not
them moving away from home.
I'm referring to the large split in
my trousers my wife discovered
as we made a rest stop while
driving to the school!
      We both agreed it might not
be the best first impression to
offer to the 660 incoming
Freshmen class and their families
attending Orientation Day!
      Fortunately there's a Walmart
not far from the university! You've
heard of "Wash and wear slacks."
In this case it was "Buy and wear."
       A helpful clerk snipped off
the tags on my new trousers as
I exited the Fitting Room, then
escorted us to check out where
we simply had to scan the bar code
and pay our bill!
        Hope I get long wear out
of these new slacks and that
all your NEWS is good!

MOVING IN AND ON!

  THURSDAY, AUGUST 29TH., 2019
           MOVING IN AND ON!

   This is the story of two little girls. One
constantly searching for adventure. The
other always anxious to face a challenge!
    Both are our granddaughters. They are
cousins.
    Jenna, a few months the senior of the
two, loved to listen as I made up stories.
She took on singing, acting, piano,
gymnastics, and became a member of
the District Champion Holy Redeemer
Volleyball team!
     Kara loved stories too! An ardent
reader she could seldom be found without
a book close by!
      I remember her quest for adventure.
It may have begun that dark, rainy day
when she implored me to take her into
an old cave we found near Rockport
along the Lehigh River. I think she was
about 2 or 3 at the time.
       I'd like to be able to claim some
credit for Jenna's ability as an
entertainer! I can still see her dancing
in front of our TV set! I suppose the truth
is she is just filled with talent!
       More than that one always feels
happy when she's around. She does
that to people!
        As you read this both of these
girls, now young women, will be
moving in to their college dormitories
as they begin the process of moving
on with their lives.
        Coincidentally, and I do mean
coincidentally, both will be going to
the same college to pursue their goals
in life.  We're thankful for that as it
will make visiting a lot easier on us!
         I have no idea where the future
will take them. But I hope, where ever
that will be, they know they always
have a place in our heart!
        Love you Jenna and Kara! May
all your NEWS be good!

       

LITTLE PITCHERS HAVE BIG EARS!

      WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28TH., 2018
      LITTLE PITCHERS HAVE BIG EARS!

    I've always appreciated the fact that kids
hear a lot more than we think they do. And
that's good enough reason to keep our
conversations respectful when children
happen to be within earshot.
    I've also used that principal to speak
to kids, especially my grand kids, as though
they were adults even before they were
actually able to speak. I believe my policy
was a small part in the development of the
great vocabulary each of my grandchildren
exhibits.
     My youngest  knows that bears
'hibernate' through the winter and will be
quick to tell you so.
     What I hadn't counted on was other
influences to which those grand kids
have been exposed!
      To many of you the term "British
Invasion" conjures up thoughts of the
days when The Beatles and many other
English Rock & Roll groups began
saturating the american airways.
      But a far more recent British
Invasion now shows up daily on our
television sets in the form of "Thomas
the Tank Engine" and another program
from Great Britain called "Peppa Pig."
       I've watched a few of the episodes
with my now 4-year-old grandson but
never gave too much thought to the
dialog except, perhaps, when the
characters spoke of  Santa Claus
as "Father Christmas."
       I'll be paying more attention
now! Last week my grandson
announced that he was trying to
grow Tomahtos in his back yard!
       Asked if he, perhaps, meant
tomatoes he replied "I don't like
tomatoes. I just like tomahtos! 
        Next thing you know the
kid will refuse to ride the
elevator in favor of a "Lift"
or try to call a "Bobbie"
instead of a policeman!
        Well at least his vocabulary
is a bit "international" to which I
say "Good show lad. Jolly good show."
       No matter how you say it or
slice it I hope all your NEWS is
good!

CRUISING DOWN THE RIVER!

      TUESDAY, AUGUST 27TH., 2019
       CRUISING DOWN THE RIVER!

     My wife and I took our 4-year-old
grandson to Williamsport two weeks ago.
      We stopped to catch part of a game
at the Little League World Series. But
that wasn't our actual destination.
       Our grandson seemed very impressed
with a video his aunt and cousin sent from
their recent trip to New Orleans where
they enjoyed a Steamboat cruise on the
Mississippi!
        We decided to give him a similar
treat with a cruise aboard the Hiawatha,
a Paddle Wheel type vessel that sails
the Susquehanna out of Williamsport.
         The voyage includes a recorded
audio/video narration outlining the
history of the river in that area which
once provided a floating "highway" for
logs harvested throughout Lycoming
County.
          A similar riverboat cruise is
offered in Harrisburg on "The Pride Of
The Susquehanna." I remember
enjoying a ride on it in the company
of the late Governor Bob Casey!
         During a recent interview with
Pittston's mayor, Michael Lombardo,
the mayor spoke of a dream of having
his city and Wilkes-Barre combine
resources to develop a river boat
cruise between the two communities.
        Were it to happen it would not
be the first time passenger boats
sailed the Susquehanna in Wyoming
Valley.
          There was a time when a
sidewheeler steamboat called the
"Wilkes-Barre' carried as many as
400 passengers between the "Diamond
City" and Pittston. In fact in the 1880's
a dozen steamboats sailed the river as
far south and Berwick and as far north
as Tunkhannock!
           My wife and I have enjoyed
the cruise in Williamsport many
times and, truth be told, we'd be
excited to do the same here.
            Hope it happens someday,
and that all your NEWS is good!

ON A ROLL!

     MONDAY, AUGUST 26TH., 2019
                     ON A ROLL!

     If you're a regular blog reader. that's
 great! Especially today! August 26th is
"National Toilet Paper Day!"
     This everyday commodity is usually
taken for granted.  It's difficult to imagine
it hasn't been around forever!
     A guy named Joseph Gayetty gets
the credit for producing the first
commercially available toilet paper in
this country. That was in 1857. That's
38 years before the Sears Catalog came
along. (You older readers will have to
explain the connection between the two
for younger ones!)
      In the name of full disclosure I
should point out my son-in-law works
for the Cascade Company which
manufactures paper products, including
toilet paper, at a plant right here in
Luzerne County!
      As I noted, wed tend to take toilet
paper for granted. We expect it to be
there when we visit a public rest room
and it's more than just disappointing
when we find an empty roll!
       If your home is anything like
ours there's a sort of waiting war to
see who will replace a roll that's
running out. How long can we
extend the life of that rapidly
decreasing supply?
       We do have an agreement on
proper installation! Our roll feeds
from the top front in our dispenser.
       I suspect, at one time or another,
all of you will be absorbing.....I mean
observing this holiday sometime
during the day!
       Hope you've got a full roll and
that all your NEWS is good!

STUCK ON YOU!

   SUNDAY, AUGUST 25TH., 2019
                 STUCK ON YOU!

       It's a little thing that doesn't get
near enough credit! I think it's time
to change that!
       My wife and I, a couple of our
kids and a couple of their kids
attended the 108th Singley Family
Reunion Saturday.
        We had about 70 people show
up. They were 2nd, 3rd, 4th (and so
on) cousins, most of whom we only
see at this annual family gathering.
         If I'm very lucky I may be able
to remember a half dozen names.
         But thankfully our organizers
included a supply of those little
white and blue "Hello my name is"
stickers for every one to fill out
and paste on the moment they
signed in!
         This isn't the first time these
stickers have made my life easier!
          Our High School Class holds
its own reunion every 5 years. We
had a graduating class of about 450.
I probably actually knew 50 of them
when I was in school.
          The reunions draw about 130
to 150 people but that includes
spouses who I may or may not have
met once or twice 5 or 10 years ago!
           My best hope of "remembering
names" comes on those little sticky
cards! So let's hear it for the "Hello
my name is" stickers! One's stuck on
me and I'm stuck on them!
            Hope you print neatly and
that all your NEWS is good!

DAPPER DAN'S DREAM!

        SATURDAY, AUGUST 24TH., 2019
              DAPPER DAN'S DREAM

   Pocono Raceway has played host to some
of the world's fastest drivers over the years.
   But the motors showing up at the raceway
today could leave the NASCAR vehicles
and their drivers in the dust.
   On this day the Pocono Raceway is home
to its first Air Show!
   The events and demonstrations one would
expect to see at a large airport will take place
over "the Tricky Triangle!"
    They'll be sky divers, aerobatic flights,
super sonic jet planes, and even a
reenactment of the attack on Pearl Harbor
(Tora, Tora, Tora).
     I think a lot of folks will be surprised
to see all that air action above a race car
speedway!
     What may surprise some more is the
fact  the raceway could have become a
huge International Airport!
      Many years ago the late Congressman
Dan Flood envisioned creating a major
airport in that section of the Poconos.
"Dapper Dan" saw it as a facility which
would actually serve New York City as
well as his congressional district!
      I don't know what happened to
kill the proposal but it's interesting for
me to think back and imagine flying
 just about anywhere in the world,
directly, out of an area just a few miles
away from Wilkes-Barre and Scranton!
     Hope the Airshow is a big success.
Maybe it will revive Dan's sky high dream!.
     Additionally, hope all your NEWS
is good.

WHERE'S MY PUTTER?

  FRIDAY, AUGUST 23RD., 2019
        WHERE'S MY PUTTER?

    I accidentally tuned in ABC Thursday
night just in time for a game show called
"Holey Moley." It is a modern and somewhat
insane version of what we simply used to
call Miniature Golf.
     I played a lot of that game over the
years with friends and family. But it was
never like this!
     Back in the day mini golf was usually
played in an outdoor setting where you
tried to get your golf ball in the hole with
a few strokes as possible.
     The "fairways" were usually made up
of plywood with a thinly covered green
carpet on top. You'd hit the ball through
little model churches or bridges over a
small pool of water. Perhaps you'd face
an obstacle like a turning windmill in
which case you'd have to time your
stroke so the ball went through with out
striking the spinning windmill blades.
      The course improved over the years
although many of the obstacles remained
the same or similar.
      On the TV show, however, the golfers
themselves faced the same kind of obstacles
as our golf balls did!
       I saw golfers trying to run through
huge spinning windmill blades just to
get to their next shot. A few others fell
into a water hazard while trying to get
to their next shot!
        I wasn't especially impressed with
the whole thing until I heard someone
mention thousands of money in Prize
Money!
         The best we used to do was to get
bragging rights for the lowest score!
Thousands of dollars could lure me
back to mini golf! And I used to beat
the windmill blades most of the time!
          So where's my putter? Hope
I find it and that all my, and your, NEWS
is good!

STEAM CLEANING?

  THURSDAY, AUGUST 22ND., 2019
            STEAM CLEANING?

   My 4-year-old grandson and I paid
another visit to the Steamtown National
Historical site in Scranton on Wednesday.
   We were pleasantly surprised to see
some of the huge engines moved from
their usual locations and, apparently,
painted and shined in some cases!
    I realized that while La Festa is being
held in SIroniocallycranton over the Labor Day
weekend, Steamtown will be hosting
its annual Railfest event!
    Ironically while Steamtown dropped
its admission charges awhile ago Railfest
remains a paid event. That's because of
all the special events and attractions
going on there that weekend.
     It's kind of neat to realize that
people come to Steamtown from all
over the U.S. and other countries as
well. People who love trains don't
mind traveling to see them,
      Wisely, the county will be running
free shuttle busses between Railfest
and La Festa to give some of those
visitors a good look at Scranton and
some of the events it has to offer.
       Looks like everything is being
"steam cleaned" for the big weekend
and that puts a good light on our
area!
        Hope both events are a big
success and that all your NEWS
is good!
   

SENIOR DAY!

  WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21ST., 2019
                 SENIOR DAY!

    August 21st is 'National Senior Citizens Day!'

   It's official! President Ronald  Reagan made it so

 in a proclamation issued in 1998! It's a day when

people are encouraged to spend some time with

senior citizens.
    There's a popular new term now. It's "Active
Older Adults." But this day remains "Senior
Day!"
    Of course while all  'elderly people' are
Senior Citizens, not all Senior Citizen's are
'elderly.'
    As a matter of fact the qualifications for
'Senior status' vary quite a bit.  If you use
eligibility for Social Security as the  guideline

then age 62 had been the determining factor for

many years.  But there are baseball leagues in

places like Florida where you aren't eligible to

play until you're 70! And at my age a 70-
year-old is a kid!
    The status, whatever the age, becomes
important when it comes to discounts!
And that's the great part! There are discounts

for restaurants, park admissions, movie tickets

and a whole host of other things. You might

even find a Parking space just for Seniors.

And, if you do, it's probably closer to the

place you're going! Some deals are offered

to folks as young as 55 although you usually start
getting them around age 62.

     You'll know when you're getting close.
     You'll begin hearing from AARP. It signs
up members once they're 50! I guess they're

Junior Senior Citizens!

     Of course the first requirement for

 attaining 'Senior Status' is to stay alive!
      I highly recommend that whether you're

going for 'Senior' or all the way to 'Elderly'

status.
       So whether you've just received your

first AARP card or are remembering the

good old days when the flag still had 48

stars, hope you enjoy Senior Citizen Day
and that all your NEWS is good!

RADIO DAYS!

 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20TH., 2019
                RADIO DAYS!

     For me it's a walk down Memory
Lane. August 20th is National Radio Day.
     The bulk of my 60 years in the
media have been in television. But
I got my start in radio. And I've got
a lot of memories from those "radio
daze."
      I learned a lot from the years I
spent as a DJ. How to Ad Lib for
instance! You had to think and
act fast when things didn't go just
right.
      I remember reading a list of
Basketball scores. Suddenly, in
the middle of the list, I hit this one
.
( School name)  36
Pennsylvania School for the Dead, 20.
     What the wire service writer meant,
of course, was Pennsylvania School
for The Deaf.
      With my microphone still turned
on I said...."Gee, I'm surprised they
scored at all."
       Local radio was generally a lot
of fun back then. If you were
innovative you could do some neat
things. One day, at WBRX in Berwick,
I was working the control board when
a parade started coming down Main
Street. I grabbed an extra long
microphone cord, walked to a hallway
window, and did a "play by play" on
the line of march.
     Local radio was very local! I still
remember WAZL in Hazleton still
doing the Mine Working Schedules
for area coal mines and breakers when
I was getting started in 1959.
     We carried the New York Yankees
when I worked at WTHT (also in
Hazleton). When Yankee announcer
Mel Allan paused for stations on the
network to identify themselves, I'd
say "Thank you Mel" as though we
knew each other before giving our
call letters.
     Problem was, we were a "Daytime
Station" and had to go off the air at
dusk. But, sometimes, the ballgames
weren't over at dusk!  I'd have to
turn off the transmitter and run out
of the place as soon as possible to
avoid having to answer the telephone!
       I broadcast from a closet at
WNAK the day President Kennedy
was shot. That's where we kept our
Associated Press Teletype and it was
the fastest way for me to air the
latest developments.
       Our shining hour came just
before and in the weeks after the
1972 flood in Wyoming Valley when
a dozen area radio stations joined
forces to provide information on
the emergency. One headline read
"Radio Was The Hero Of The Hour!"
        So here's a tip of the hat to the
folks on and behind the microphones
then, and now, as we observe
National Radio Day!
        Hope the School for the Dead
is still playing strong...and that all
your NEWS is good!

         (WBRX Berwick 1965)

    

ALL MY UNIFORMS!

 I
    MONDAY, AUGUST 19TH., 2019
           ALL MY UNIFORMS!

      I was back in uniform Sunday. But I
wasn't in a game!
      My grandson Ryan is beginning
another season on the Wyoming Warriors
Soccer team and parents and grandparents,
like me, were invited to a "Meet the team"
gathering at the High School.
       In preparation I opened the drawer
housing my Tshirts and retrieved my
green Warriors shirt for the event.
        That's what got me to thinking
about all the "uniforms" I've worn
over the years.
         I had a few of my own from
softball days but that's a whole other
story.
         As the kids grow up and the
grand kids come along you find that
teams help support their efforts by
selling shirts and hats adorned with
their logos.
          Even if you don't have an
official team shirt you find yourself
trying to at least wear a shirt with
the team's colors.
          That posed a problem for us
Sunday because we wanted to stop
to support our granddaughter's mini
football cheering squad before the
"Meet the Soccer Team event" and
we would have had to be quick
change artists to pull that off!
          Next cheering session we'll be
sure to pull out our maroon shirts!
          There's still a Holly Redeemer
Tshirt and sweat shirt in my closet.
I wore them to support another
grandson who played football there
and  Granddaughter who excelled in
Volleyball.
          I've also got an old shirt in
there from a grandson's TBall team.
He's 21 now!
          Our two oldest granddaughters
will be off to college in a week or so.
I don't know if they'll get involved
with sports or not. But, fortunately,
they're heading to the same school so
at worst I'll only need one shirt with
a logo!
           Of course the little ones are
8 and 4 so I suspect I'll eventually
be needing more room in that Tshirt
drawer!
          Hope you're wearing the right
colors and that all your NEWS is
good!
    

COUNTING FLOWERS ON THE WALL?

    SUNDAY, AUGUST 18TH., 2018
COUNTING FLOWERS ON THE WALL?

    I was thinking about the Statler Brothers
hit recording after watching the news Saturday.
The lyrics included the line "Now don't tell
me there's nothing to do."
    Well that certainly seems to be the case
around here. In fact you might say there's
too much to do!
     If you took in the Pittston Tomato
Festival Parade and stayed around for the
famous Tomato fight there's no way you
could get to any one of about 20 other
events or festivals within an hour drive
of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area!
      Stretch that to an hour and a half and
you could include the Little League World
Series to the list.
       There was a Canal festival in Wayne
County  where the Delaware and Hudson
once shipped coal to New York before
rail lines took over the job.
        A church in Scranton was giving
away back packs while Revolutionary
War reenactors welcomed visitors to
an encampment in Forty Fort.
         There were all kinds of fund raising
events, some for individuals, others
for non profit organizations, all featuring
contests,raffles, and prizes.
         Next time you hear someone
complain "There's nothing to do around
here" have them check the community
calendar for their own home town and
surrounding communities.
        If they can't find some fun
somewhere close by have them count
the flowers on the wall!
         Hope you got to attend one of
these events (or others I haven't
mentioned) and that all your NEWS
is good.

THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS!

 SATURDAY, AUGUST 17TH., 2019
THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS!

   We love to mark anniversaries and I've
been fascinated by all the remembrances
that are being shared this year about 1969!
   What a year! Filled with major events!
Some good. Some not so good.
    See if you remember some of them.
    Mankind's "Giant leap" as Neil Armstrong
set foot on the moon!
    Richard Nixon took office as President.
    Pele scored his 1,000 goal!
    It was the year of the Concorde's first
flight.
    Sesame Street debuts on television.
    "Mr. Whipple" showed up on TV to
promote Charmin Bathroom tissue.
     The New York Mets win their first
World Series!
      John Wayne wins the Academy Award
as Best Actor for his role in "True Grit."
      The U.S. spends no more money than
it takes in!
       Senator Ted Kennedy drives his car
off a bridge in Massachusetts. A young
woman from our area, Mary Jo Kopechne,
died in the accident.
       What many consider the biggest Rock
Concert ever was held in Woodstock, NY.
        But here's a tid bit on the biggest concert
that never was! It was arranged by phone on
August 16th of 1977 by Col. Tom Parker who
agreed to have Elvis appear in Hershey Pa.
Elvis died that same night!
         Of course the biggest event of all,
a good one, happened in April of 1969
when my wife and I got married!
          Hope you enjoyed remembering
and that all your NEWS is good!    

BILL TOWN OR BUST!

   FRIDAY, AUGUST 16TH., 2019
         BILL TOWN OR BUST!

     My wife and I packed up our 4-year-
old grandson and headed for "Bill-Town"
yesterday.
     That's the nick name for the city of
Williamsport which is known
internationally as the home of the Little
League World Series!
      Just to set the record straight the
Little League was born in Williamsport
but the stadiums that host the annual
competition are located across the river
in South Williamsport.
       We like to see one or two of the
games each year. I like to see kids from
around the world playing baseball, I
also have a distant relative, now
deceased, who played on the Maynard
Midgets, the first winning team of
the Little League World Series!
       This is a treat that should not
be missed. There is no charge for
admission to any of the games! Your
only expenses are limited to the food
or souvenirs you want to enjoy.
       If you miss any of the series
you can still spend enjoyable time
cruising on the Hiawatha, a paddle
wheel style vessel that sails a
beautiful section of the Susquehanna
River where, many years ago, logs
were floated on the water to saw mills
in the region.
       The series of series games has
just begun so there's plenty of time
to catch the real "boys of summer."
       Hope you do and that all your
NEWS is good!

A PENNY SAVED...

   THURSDAY, AUGUST 15TH., 2019
             A PENNY SAVED...

  I'm always watching for the best gas
prices in my area. That pretty much
started back in the days when fuel was
nearing $4 a gallon and my old Suburban
had a 42 gallon tank!
   About the time my Suburban died and
prices started to come down Pennsylvania
decided to boost it's tax on gas. To fix our
roads of course, (Not!)
    This summer prices have been
fluctuating a lot but I'm still watching!
     Unfortunately the closest stations
for me are also close to Mohegan Sun.
They realize people from New Jersey
and New York leaving the casino want
to have a full tank so they tend to keep
their prices a couple pennies above
other stations.
      I'm not happy about that. But I get
it. Wednesday, however, I didn't. Get
it that is.
     The little gas pump symbol on my
car started flashing to remind me I
needed fuel. The Sheetz station close
to my home is closed for renovations
and a brand new station a few blocks
away hasn't yet opened for business.
     That left the Turkey Hill station,
I haven't been real happy with that
chain since their membership loyalty
card ceased giving me an extra 3cents
off every gallon.
      But having seen lower prices in
Mountaintop on Tuesday I couldn't
believe the one near the casino was
asking $2.78 cents a gallon.
       Waring light or not I drove to
another Turkey Hill station about a
mile away where I found another $2,78
price.
       As long as I had gone that far I
did one more mile to a Turkey Hill
on Wilkes-Barre Blvd. Same company,
just short of three miles from my
original stop. But gas was selling
for $2,62 a gallon. That's a 16 cents
difference!!!!
       That "penny saved", in my case
 amounted to about two bucks!
       I realize the price will vary as
the market goes up and down. But
I won't bother to "gamble" on the
stations catering to our out of state
visitors anymore.
        Hope you're shopping around
too so that all your NEWS will be
good. (And less expensive )
     

NO ONE "LEFT" BEHIND!

     WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14TH., 2019
            NO ONE "LEFT" BEHIND!

    I must apologize.  In my efforts to complain
about our Interstate parking lots, I mean
highways, I ignored an important yet
generally unrecognized holiday that should
get some attention. Consequently although
this blog is dated August 14th I am posting
it while a few minutes of the 13th yet remain. 
    August 13th is (or was or those reading
this on Wednesday) International Lefthanders
Day!
     For years people who favored their left
hand were looked down upon. I've heard
stories of teachers, especially in Catholic
schools, hitting kids on their knuckles for
using their left hand!
     I wonder if Leonardo Da Vince, John

F. Kennedy, Albert Einstein, or Isaac Newton

ever got their knuckles rapped? They were

all lefties!

     My late brother was a brilliant math and

computer science teacher. He played golf

left handed. I don't think he ever got his

knuckles slapped!

     A few years before age retired me from

playing softball I taught myself to bat left

handed from time to time. It put me one

step closer to first base at a time when every

step closer helped!

     And look at the pitchers in Major League

Baseball who are making the team and a

fortune because they're "southpaws!"

      So let's raise a glass to the lefties even

if you;re reading this a day late and, while

we're at it, let's raise the left hand!

      Hope all your NEWS is good!

IF IKE ONLY KNEW!

    TUESDAY, AUGUST 13TH., 2019
            IF IKE ONLY KNEW!

     As many of you already know I began
my long broadcasting career as a DJ. I
switched to news at WILK in the mid
60's and I remember covering the late
Governor William Scranton dedicating
the intersection of the Keystone Short way
and the Anthracite Expressway.
     You know them as Interstate 80 and
81.
      They were part of a nationwide
highway building project envisioned by
President Eisenhower and based on the
German Autobahn highway system. 
        The president felt the limited
access highway network would be
invaluable in moving military convoys
during a national emergency.
         I liked Ike. But if he had tried
to move troops and trucks south on
81 through Wilkes-Barre Monday
we could have been invaded and
occupied by the time they got to
Mountaintop!
         One lane was closed. The
backup reached for miles and
we drove right smack dab into
it from Route 115!
         There was no warning as
we rounded the entrance ramp
and suddenly saw two south
bound lanes at a standstill.
          One of those neat lighted
Penndot signs would have been
very welcome had it been placed
BEFORE we got to that ramp!
          I was headed to Drums
to deliver a camera to a man
who had one hour for lunch.
It's probably a 25 minute drive
and I started at 11:50.
          When I managed to get
to the first available exit I
realized every other driver
who knew the area was, like
me, heading for Route 309.
         Between all the extra
traffic, traffic lights, and a
bit of construction on 309
south too, I was lucky to
reach the guy 5 minutes before
his lunch break ended.
        I recall a crash along
I81 in New York State a few
years back when workers
from the Empire State were
flagging on coming cars into the
single open lane rather that
allowing them to merge when they
wanted to. Barely a hold up as
we passed the accident scene.
        We need a better system to
keep traffic moving in work
zones! Even a tank would have
been stuck Monday!
        Hope they come up with
a better way soon and that
all your NEWS is good!

RECORDS OF A SURVIVOR!

  MONDAY, AUGUST 12TH., 2019
    RECORDS OF A SURVIVOR!

  This blog is not about Robinson Crusoe's
diary.
   In this case it's the records themselves
that are the survivors. August 12th is
"Vinyl Record Day!"
   Back in the days when I was a DJ
all of the music we played came on vinyl
records. 45rpm records provided the
Top 40 hits. Albums which played at
33 and a third rpm were filled with
songs from your favorite recording
artists.
     Listeners tried to record the music
we played on their home cassette tape
recorders so we were encouraged to
speak over the beginning, and sometimes
the end, of the music. That way the fans
had to buy the records they liked and
that's what  the artists, distributors, and
record stores wanted!
      Over the years technology provided
many new improved ways for people
to get the music they wanted. The radio
stations even started to get and play
their music from on line sources.
       Record stores started to
disappeared.
       Then, over the past 5 to 10 years,
something strange happened. There
was an increase in the demand for vinyl
records! And much of that demand came
from a new generation of music lovers
who weren't even around during those
Top 40 days.
        Some of them had to be re-introduced
to the record player. But those players,
some looking a lot different than the ones
I remember, are selling too.
        Last year one o my granddaughters,
then 16, stopped by the house to go
through my collection of old albums
so she could listen to them at home.
        There's something about a vinyl
record, even the old ones with some
background scratches, that makes the
music sound more real or live.
         Most of you, if you're 40 or
older, may have some old vinyl hidden
away somewhere.
          Today's the day to pull it from
storage and give it a spin, literally!
           Hope the sound brings back
great memories and that all your
NEWS is good! 

OLDIES BUT GODDIES

 

 SUNDAY, AUGUST 11TH., 2018
       OLDIES BUT GOODIES!     

    I was listening to the 60's channel on
my Sirius XM satellite radio when the
song "Simple Simon Says" by the 1910
Fruitgum  Company began to play.
     It brought back some memories. I
played the record as a DJ and I played
the game as a kid.
     It got me to wondering how many,
if any, of our backyard games have
survived into these "Candy Crush days?"
     Simon Says was a great one for small
groups of kids. The leader told you to
do something, like putting your hands
on your head. If he or she began the
instruction with "Simon says" you
followed along. Follow the instruction
without the "Simon says" prefix and
you were out! Simple as that.
       There was "Red light, green light."
Again a leader stood in front and the
other kids moved forward until he or
she called out "Red Light." Stop in
your tracks and you were fine. Keep
moving and you were out! Another
variation was called "Red Rover"
in which the leader called out a
specific person to come forward
while trying to trick the other
players into moving.
      There were other classics like
"Kick the can" and, of course,"Hide
and Seek." My 4-year-old grandson
likes the hiding part but hasn't yet
learned that his laughter tends to
help the seeker quite a bit. At least
I know that game has survived the
years!
       Amazing how much we
enjoyed these contests that required
nothing but our time and, in one
case, an empty Campbell's Chicken
Noddle Soup can (or the can of your
choice.)!
       Hope you've got some good
neighborhood game memories and
that all your NEWS is good.

A LAID BACK CELEBRATION!

   SATURDAY, AUGUST 10TH., 2019
      A LAID BACK CELEBRATION!

   No need for fireworks or parades. We
don't even need special sales to mark this
important "holiday."
   Today, August 10th is "Lazy Day!"
   Although this is not an official
holiday in the legal or even traditional
sense I think it's important to note that
I have been observing this day, and not
only on August 10th, for a very long
time.
    Most of my teachers, from grade
school through graduation will attest
to my devotion to this sacred day.
    The idea, of course, is to goof off
and definitely not work! This will prove
a bit difficult for any of you who have
a scheduled shift today. But do your best.
     If you need advice I consider myself
somewhat of an expert on the subject so
don't be afraid to ask.
     But wait! There's more! If you're
able to observe and enjoy "Lazy Day"
you'll be happy to know that
"Relaxation Day" is coming up on
August 15th!
      Hope you'll celebrate both and
that all your NEWS is good!

NOT MY USUAL THURSDAY!

    FRIDAY, AUGUST 9TH., 2019
   NOT MY USUAL THURSDAY!

    Thursday is usually my favorite day
of the week. That's the day my wife and
I watch our grandson Anthony for the
whole day. Usually!
     On this particular Thursday
however Anthony and his Mom and
sister are taking a short vacation.
     I decided to use the day to have
my doctor check a sore on my side.
It's been there for awhile but really
started bothering me a couple days
ago when my shorts started rubbing
against it.
      I assume the shorts have been
shrinking in the wash which would
account for "sudden tightness."
      When I noticed some redness
around the area I figured a doctor's
visit was in order to get some antibiotics.
      Not knowing the scientific
nomenclature for my sore I described
it as a "Boo Boo."
.     He, on the other hand, diagnosed it
as an abscess that needed to be lanced.
(That's medical language for being stabbed!.)
      So while I rested on his comfortable
table the doc found a couple long
needles filled with stuff to numb pain
and proceeded to start to  make my Boo
Boo all better. That numbing stuff worked
(pretty well).
      It's a couple days project but other
than a little soreness a full recovery is
predicted. Meanwhile, in order to
keep my belt of the affected area I've
been told to ware my trousers like a
"Rapper from the hood!" How about
Dat, how about dat!"
      Hope Thursdays return to normal
soon and that all your NEWS is good!

     

HE GETS AROUND!

     THURSDAY, AUGUST 8TH., 2019
                 HE GETS AROUND!

    Regular readers of this blog know about
the bear that's been trying to move in to our
mobile home park.
     We used to see him on garbage pick up
day as he did his best to get here before
the trash truck. He's been the winner in that
race on numerous occasions.
       Lately, however, his visits have become
more frequent and not limited to garbage
pick up day. Last week we found him
resting under a Pear tree right across the
street. Next he stood up, apparently trying
to check the fruit. He looked about 7 feet
tall!
       I, and most of my neighbors, believe
he's getting a bit too close for comfort.
       My wife suggested that neither my
water pistol or bb gun are adequate
remedies for bear removal and I tend
to agree. That's why I called the State
Game Commission.
        An operator promised to have an
officer call me and, within a half hour
one did.
         The gentleman was not only
familiar with my situation but with
our bear as well!
          This bruin has been reported in
and around Mill Creek Acres, a housing
development nearby, businesses around
Baltimore Drive, and Geisinger Hospital
in addition to our place.
           According to the officer, the
animal was captured some time ago and
relocated to Carbon County! Seems he
likes it better around here! Guess he
hitched a ride back!
            I was given some tips. Take
away our bird feeder. Include a cap
full of ammonia with our garbage
(and advise neighbors to do the same),
and clean up areas where other
convenient food may have been
found.
          I didn't bother to ask about
the water pistol and I assume the bb
gun is out of the question since it's
not Bear Hunting Season.
          I was told the commission
might reconsider trapping and
relocating if "the problem gets
worse." I suppose that means if he
begins knocking at the door for
something to eat.
           Maybe he'll find a better
food stop although those pears
across the street are beginning to
ripen!
           Hope I can get some of those
before he does...and that all your
NEWS is good!  

A LIGHT IN THE NIGHT!

 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7TH., 2019
         A LIGHT IN THE NIGHT!

   Ahoy me hearties! It's "National
Lighthouse Day!"
    It was on this day in 1789, that
Congress approved an Act for the
establishment and support of lighthouse,
beacons, buoys and public piers.
    While Lighthouses have always
been important to sailors most of us
seem to have a fascination with these
huge (well mostly huge) towers that
cast a beacon through the air and
out to sea (or lake) each night.
     We have three tiny models of
lighthouses on our front porch. And
our little grandson likes to pick them
up to check them out nearly every
time he visits.
      A few years back the family
visited one in North Carolina and
several of us set out to climb the
spiral staircase inside. Two kids
and two adults made it. I was one
of those who succeeded back then.
      These days I'd be lucky to make
it round the first spiral turn!
       My son wanted to climb the one
in Cape May, New Jersey but we
didn't have time on our last visit.
Next time maybe. I'll take his 
picture on top....from the ground
with my zoom lens!
        Anyway a salute today to those
lighthouses that protect our coast
line and to those who have worked
so hard to preserve them!
        Hope they'll continue to shine
and that all your NEWS is good!

LET'S MAKE A DEAL!

     TUESDAY, AUGUST 6TH., 2019
           LET'S MAKE A DEAL!

  Welcome to "National Bargain Hunting
Week!"
   If this event were listed in the Dictionary
our daughter Missy's's picture would probably
be under it. She may well be Bargain Hunter
Champion of the World!
   But you too can get in on all the action.
There are bargains to be found everywhere.
Especially at this time of the year!
    On most any summer weekend you;ll
find people, sometimes whole neighborhoods.
holding Yard Sales. Hit them early and you've
got the pick of the products always offered at
prices well below that paid when they were
originally purchased.
     Go late and there may be a lot less choice
but the sellers are usually willing to accept
nearly any offer just to clear the yard!
     My wife and I, and the daughter I've
already mentioned, have been hitting a
popular Auction every week and coming
home with some dandy bargains.
     We've picked up whole boxes of this
and that just because we liked one item.
We've paid between 1 and 3 dollars and
often sold the items we didn't want and
made money on our purchase.
      A little more looking reveled there's
an auction within 30 miles almost everyday!
I'm not sure we're quite ready for that!
      Then there's the Flea Markets. We've
found that most of the vendors at those
places are willing to dicker on their
prices so it's up to you to make them an
offer they can't refuse!
       I'm still trying to figure out how all
these yard sale folks, Flea marketeers,
and auctioneers, managed to put stuff
out I didn't know I needed until I saw
it!
       Oh we've made a few mistakes from
time to time. I've got a telescope on my
front porch that's pretty much only good
for a decoration. But the bargains way
far outweighed the blunders. And it's
been fun!
       I;m posting a bit early. There's an
auction today!
        Now it's your turn! Get out there
and look for for some bargains!
        Hope you make some good deals
and that all your NEWS is good!

GROVES OF OLD!

   MONDAY, AUGUST 5TH., 2019
             GROVES OF OLD!

   Our church held its annual picnic at
Moyer's Grove on Sunday.
    These days it;s actually Moyer's
Campground but I remember the
days when it was a "grove."
     Back in the day it wasn't unusual
for family's to hold reunions and
picnics at any number of places
that included "grove" in their name.
     For the most part they were
shaded picnic grounds in a grove
of trees (hence the name) that often
featured a playground, a snack stand
and, sometimes a swimming pool or
pond.
     Moyer's was such a place in the
1950's. There was a snack stand, a
pond or swimming (my brother was
one of the life guards) and some neat
playground equipment.
      I especially remember a very tall
sliding board with two humps you
slid over on the way down. The
current campground owners told me
their insurance company suggested
they take it down for safety reasons.
     I'd bet thousands of kids rose that
slide without mishap over the years
but let's not let facts get in the way.
      The pond where by brother
protected the swimmers is used for
small boat rentals now. The campground
has a beautiful swimming pool.
       Most of those little groves are
"used to bes" now.
       Rumbles was another just
outside of Hazleton. It had a pond
for swimming, some playground
equipment and a snack stand. It's
all overgrown now and unless you
played there you probably don't
even know what was behind all
those bushes and trees.
       We passed evidence of another
old grove on the way home from
our church picnic. Somebody said
it was called "Fay's."
        The remains of an old swing
style merry go round stand just off
the road. I wonder how many kids
enjoyed that, like Moyer's old
sliding board, over the years?
        Hope they save it, just for
old times sake, and that all your
NEWS is good!

FRIENDSHIP DAY!

   SUNDAY, AUGUST 4TH., 2019
           FRIENDSHIP DAY!

   According to my personal page on
Facebook I have 3,961 friends! I
probably actually know about 50 of
them. And there's probably 25 or so
of those  50 who actually take the
time to read my daily blog.
     But whether you're one of the
nearly 4,000, one of the 50, or among
the 25 or so I'd like to say I'm happy
you're on my list of friends.
     Of course that's just the Facebook
list. My very best friend, Bob, has
been my friend since grade school.
      He won't use social media at all.
In fact I usually have to tell him about
family pictures his son or daughter
have posted on line. He won't actually
see the pictures unless I, or someone
in the family, prints and sends them
to him.
       I realize a lot of those who asked
to to be a friend on Facebook either
know or remember me from TV. If
they care enough to want to join my
"Friend's List" I'm happy to have
them!
        They say you can't have enough
friends and I tend to agree with that.
We may not be anywhere as close as
my friend Bob and I are but it's still
nice to know others are interested
enough in what I;m doing to want
to "tune in" to my Facebook posts
or offerings like this blog.
        Thanks for being my friend
and Happy Friendship Day!
       Hope we'll be friends for a
very long time and that all your
NEWS is good!

IT'S ABOUT (ALL IN) TIME

    SATURDAY, AUGUST 3RD., 2019
        IT'S ABOUT (ALL IN) TIME!

    It's been 4 years since Chris Fetchko's
movie "All In Time" had its Pennsylvania
premier at the New Hope Film Festival.
    The movie was the brain child of
Fetchko. a Hazleton area native who now
calls Mountaintop home. He had most of
it shot in the greater Wilkes-Barre area,
     The premier, of course, followed
years of shooting and post production
work.
     The New Hope premier proved it
worth the wait. The audience loved it
and the movie took home three awards!
As it turned out those were three of
many awards "All In Time" received
at several film festivals.
     Since I had a small role in the movie
my wife and I attended the showing.
That's where my wife got to meet my
other wife, the actor who played my
wife in the feature!
      My scene also had me working
with the very talented Vanessa Ray who
has since become a regular on the CBS
series "Blue Bloods."
      Unfortunately the way movies
are distributed these days our showings
were somewhat limited to film festivals
here and there.
       Now, after all those years, "All In
Time" has been added to the Amazon
Prime list making it available to
thousands of people right in their
own homes! And it has a ranking of
5 Starts. The top!
       It's about time!
       Hope you'll make it a point to
see it and that all your NEWS is good!

THE LAST DAY AT THREE!

    FRIDAY, AUGUST 2ND., 2019
     THE LAST DAY AT THREE!

   My wife and I have been watching our
grandson Anthony most every Thursday
since is Mom's Maternity leave ended.
    That included yesterday, the last day
he spent as a 3-year-old. Today, Anthony
turns four!
      Milestones like that don't really
register that much to the kids themselves.
But they mean a lot to the parents and
grandparents.  We can all be heard
saying "they grow too fast!"
       We spent the day pretty much like
most Thursdays. Some play time here
at home and then a trip to one of the
playgrounds we've been visiting when
the weather allows.
        I remember when we first took
him there, pushing him around in his
stroller and standing close by when
walking was still new to him.
         Yesterday I watched as he ran
around realizing the only way I'd be
able to catch him was on a motor
scooter! He's not only bigger. He's
faster. And I'm slower!
          Thankfully once we got home
and he had his usual ration of Chicken
nuggets we agreed to retire with me to
the "big bed" where his eyes closed
long before the last page of our
story time book!
           I couldn't catch him at the
playground but I was just two steps
behind as his nap began!. 
            Happy Birthday my little
buddy! You have made Thursdays
my favorite day!
            Hope you have a Happy
Birthday and many, many years
of good NEWS!