THE DAYS I PAINTED HOUSES!

  SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH., 2019
      THE DAYS I PAINTED HOUSES!

   Confession time! Yes. There was a time
I painted houses!
   Now before you get all shocked, or offer
me work, or tell my wife, I'm referring to
actually using a paint brush to apply fresh
paint to the inside walls of houses. Actually,
one house.
     Back in my High School days a classmate
friend offered me a chance to spend a couple
days in Wildwood painting a couple rooms
in an apartment building owned by his uncle.
     I've always loved the shore so I quickly
accepted the invitation even though my
knowledge in the field of  home repairs or
improvements was, and is, about the same as
my expertise in nuclear fission.
     I was given a brush, a can of paint,and a
couple walls.  The task was actually pretty easy,
though time consuming,  I pretty much
killed it.
      The shore, however, turned out to be a
little disappointing as it was slightly off
season. The water was too cold and the
Boardwalk was pretty much closed.
        I came home and, as you know, got into
broadcasting. Painting houses just wasn't
for me. Just thought you ought to know!
        Hope all your NEWS is good!

WHO'S GOT MY NUMBER?

   FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29TH., 2019
        WHO'S GOT MY NUMBER?

   We got two Thanksgiving telephone calls
yesterday. But they weren't holiday greetings!
    A pleasant, but deliberate, voice informed
me that my social security number "has been
compromised." Well, I guess it was mine
anyway. Two of us live here and we both
have social security numbers.
     The caller, a recording, simply said
"your number" has been compromised.
It didn't say which "you."
     The voice then went on to tell me to
call an investigating agent at a particular
telephone number.
     I suppose the investigator couldn't
call himself since it was Thanksgiving
and most Federal Agencies that I'm
aware of were closed for the day.
     That's the reason I didn't call back
too. Why call this poor detective away
from his turkey?
      Maybe he'll call himself now that
the holiday is over and we can find
the turkey who has compromised
my number. Or my wife's. Unless it
was just a wrong number. The call I
mean.
     Hope all your NEWS is good!
         

THE BIDDING WAR!

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28TH., 2019
                    THE BUYER!

     All of my regular readers are aware that my
wife and I have been enjoying a weekly trip to
an area auction house.
      We've found a bargain or two from time to
time. And sometimes you lose out on something
you'd like to have because somebody with
similar interests is willing to bid a buck more
than you.
       Either way people are usually pretty
choosy as to which items they want.
        Then, Tuesday, we met "the buyer."
         He was a young man, wearing torn jeans
who walked into just about the time a warm
"L.L.Bean type coat was going up for bid.
          He immediately chimed in, out bid
a number of other interested  people, bought
the coat and put it on.
           He then preceded to bid on the next
half dozen items being offered, whatever
they were.
            He paused to consume half of a very
large Tuna hoagie offering the other half to
my wife and I who sat nearby. He did tell
my wife he recently came into a lot of money.
            Then it was back to the bidding. On
just about every item being offered! No one
outbid him except, in a couple cases, where
he suddenly seemed to lose interest and
"allowed" someone else to win.
            The items were so varied it was
hard to imagine what he intends to do
with them. Several types of musical
instruments, a plastic model boat, a
number of glass containers, and a
stacking doll my wife had hopes of
buying.
           We left after awhile, knowing
there was no way we'd outbid him on
anything we might want and that he'd
probably be bidding on almost anything
else being offered.
             Well, at least we got half that
hogtie and that was for free.
             Hope he can actually cover the
bill he rang up and that all your NEWS
is good.

A BRIEF TOUCH WITH HISTORY.

   WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH., 2019
        A BRIEF TOUCH WITH HISTORY.

   My wife and I were escorting a tour group to
some of our Nation's National Parks a few years
back when our journey lead us to Mount Rushmore.
    The impressive carvings of the heads of
Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt.
and Abraham Lincoln began in 1927 and was
completed in 1941.
     When we visited in 2012 only one of the 400
men who worked on that project was still alive.
And you'd find him at the monument most everyday!
       Don "Nick" Clifford was so used to fielding
questions  about the project he decided to write a
book filled with most of the answers!
       When I bought a copy I asked him for a
brief video tape interview I could use as part of
my ECTV program outlining our tour. Although
an associate tried to stop him he told her to
back off and graciously answered the few questions
I offered.
       Nick Clifford passed away on Monday.He was
98 years old.
        I can't claim to have known him well. I know,
through his book, he lived a tough life and worked
hard. I can say,through our brief meeting, he was
a courteous gentleman and I an honored to have
met him! See you later Nick!
         Hope all your NEWS is good

.

A GROUPI STICK!

     TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26TH., 2019
                 A GROUPIE STICK!

    We need a Groupe Stick!
    I just went through all the photos from
our trip to Europe. Two of them were
attempts to take a picture of our entire
group. 31 people!
     Needless to say if ou leave the group
to take the picture the group is one person
short. So we recruited somebody to take
the two shots in question.
     Sure enough, in each photo there are
portions of heads or faces half covered
by other people standing closer to the
camera.
       The people using Selfies don't seem
to have the same problem. They can see
themselves as they snap the photo, They
can be sure everyone is seen.
        I realize a Groupi Stick would have
to be rather long. That could present
a problem. It might be difficult to get a
12 to 15 foot "pole"  through airport
security.
       Maybe if we could just convince
"short people" to get up front we could
lick this problem. Trouble is, nobody
ever wants to be up front.
       The only sure solution is to go
back to Europe and retake the pictures.
I'm in!
        Hope all your NEWS is good.

DINNER PREPS!

   MONDAY, NOVEMJBER 26TH., 2019
               DINNER PREPS!

     I don't remember just when my wife and
daughter made the deal. But I do know it was
a week or so ago when my wife told me we'd
be going to a spaghetti dinner yesterday. My
daughter picked up the tickets in advance so
we were all set.
     It was a benefit and I had no objection to
going. But I did have a few questions in my
own mind,
    The first was what shirt I'd wear. I have
frequently been attacked by spaghetti and
spaghetti sauce at similar functions so I
wanted to be prepared.
       Usually I'd select something red. Hopefully
a shade that might blend in with the sauce.
On Sunday, however, I threw caution to the
wind and wore black.
        My second concern was whether this
was only to be a spaghetti dinner or a
spaghetti and meatball dinner? You can't
just assume these things.
        I was thrilled when my plate arrived
with two very large meatballs set atop a
pile of manicotti-time pasta that didn't
require me to wind long strands of spaghetti
around my fork and pick the extra pieces
off my trousers!
       I probably could have worn a white
shirt!
       I only missed a dash or two of pure
Italian Olive oil in which to dip my bread.
Unfortunately my wife's bottle was
confiscated by a security guard at the
Barcelona airport who is undoubtedly
enjoying it with his dinner.
        Hope all your NEWS is good!

LET ME CLUE YOU IN!

   SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24TH., 2019
           LET ME CLUE YOU IN!

   The board game bored me. But seeing
Colonel Mustard, Miss Scarlet, Mrs. White,
and Professor Plum in person gave me a
new appreciation for the Parker Brothers
creation.
    The cast of Clue at Wyoming Area
High School killed the audience with
a murder mystery that had had everyone
dying with laughter!
     An amazing set produced by Technical
Director Chuck Yarmey had us believing
the board game at home to life on stage.
      The cast showed us, once again, that
the talent of our local high schoolers
isn't limited to athletics! (Although
they're doing pretty well too!)
       I won't tell you "who doe it."
       You can see for yourself during
the final performances today at Wyoming
Area High School.
       Hope you make it and that all
your NEWS is good.

 

NUTS TO YOU!

  SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23RD., 2019
                 NUTS TO YOU!

    No offense folks! I just wanted to let you know..

    This is National Cashew Day!

    These nuts are actually native to Brazil. The

Portuguese exported them during the 16th century.

     I bought our latest batch at the Christmas Tree

Shop. It was one of those things I didn't set out to

buy. The can just sat there looking good.

     And who could resist a product turned out by

the "Superior Nut Company?"

     I did a little research and was surprised by what

I found!

     Did you know that parts of the cashew tree can

be used for medicinal and manufacturing purposes?

     Acid from the cashew nutshells is effective in

healing tooth abscesses and the tree's seeds can be

ground up into a powder and used as an antivenom

for snake bites. I hate snakes! Maybe that's why I

like cashews!?

     Turns out they're even good for your car!

     The oil from the nutshells is used in brake linings

 as well as in rubber and plastic materials.

      And here, all this time, I've been buying them

because they tasted so good! Nutty isn't it?

      Be sure to mark the date on your calendar. It's

an annual celebration!

      Hope you cash in on Cashew Day and that all 

your NEWS is good!

LIGHT 'EM IF YOU'VE GOT 'EM!

       FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22ND., 2019
        LIGHT 'EM IF YOU'RE GOT 'EM!

       The day we left Barcelona, Spain, two
weeks ago, all the streets were covered with
Christmas lights. But they weren't turned on.
That will happen on December 1st.
        Wednesday night I drove through one
local borough with Christmas lights all
illuminated and spotted two fully decorated
and lighted Christmas trees in houses I happen
to drive by.
          Retailers began showing off Christmas
merchandise right around Halloween! Jack O
Lanterns and Fall scarecrows don't get much
of a season anymore.
           Since I've always been a big fan of
Christmas I don't really mind.
           My wife hasn't put out any of our
Christmas decorations yet but I'm sure it's
going to happen pretty soon. We would like
to pause for Thanksgiving. But, admittedly,
we have already picked up a couple strings
of lights at our favorite auction.
            So don't wait for us. We need as
much Christmas as possible so light 'em
if you've got 'em!
             Hoped all your lights still work and
that all your NEWS is good!

SOMETHING'S MISSING!

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 21ST., 2019
        SOMETHING'S MISSING!     

    Italy. France. Spain. We traveled roads
in each of those countries during our recent
tour of Europe.
     Though our eyes were focused on all
the many wonders where ever we looked
it was clear something was missing.
     Then it dawned on us! Pot holes! There
weren't any!
      To be fair we were, for the most part,
on major highways. Perhaps they don't 
have our infamous "freeze/thaw cycle"
in those areas.
      I was very pleased with the condition
of those European roadways. At least
for the moment.
     Then,suddenly, we got a taste of home!
     We hit our first roundabout!
      Had Penndot been here before us?
      Actually roundabouts are very big
in Europe. And, in many cases, they're
very big roundabout!
       Three lanes heading into and out
of three lane roundabouts. And there
are bigger ones!
        Hope they don't show up here
and that all your NEWS is good!     

TIME OUT!!!!

  WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH., 2019
                        TIME OUT!!!

   It has now been a week since my wife and
I returned from our Travelworld tour of Europe
and I'm still not sure what time it is!
    The day we left was the same day everyone
turned back their clocks at home. Then we
flew east for about 8 hours. But instead of
adding those 8 hours to our watches we had
to tack on 6 more to show the proper local
time!
     As soon as we arrived in Rome we began
a tour of the city. Then we had free time for
dinner. Or was it lunch? Should it have
been breakfast?
      By the final three days of our tour I
couldn't tell you what day it was!
      We flew home from Spain at 11am
Barcelona time. So the 9 hour flight
(you fly against the prevailing winds
heading west) should have had us home
by 8pm. But the clock on the wall at
Newark airport read 2pm, or something
like that.
        My usual midnight (or so) bed
time has suddenly become about 8 or
9 and I've been waking up well before
the 8am alarm! I'm not especially fond
of mornings so I'm going to take a time
out until my inner clock catches up with
the world I'm currently living in!
         Hope I don't miss supper and that
all your NEWS is good!
       

A SLOW BOAT TO........

   TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH., 2019
            A SLOW BOAT TO ...….

     I've taken a shot or two at the U.S. Postal
Service from time to time. I apologize!
Suddenly it's looking pretty good!
     My daughter's former exchange student
had to return to her native Italy before her
High School Year Book and Graduation
video were available.
       Mailing rates are a little bit
expensive but I had a plan to cut the
costs and the red tape!
        You see my wife and I were escorting
a group of tourists on a trip to Europe and
our first stop was Italy!
         Roberta, that's our Italian girl, lives
in Sicily. I figured mailing her packaged
Yearbook and video from Rome would
expedite the delivery process so our
guide helped me find a Post Office and
it was on its way.
          I realize Sicily is an island off
the coast of mainland Italy but I
assumed they'd fly the package there.
          After 7 days, however, our
package had not arrived. 8 days, and
no package! 9 days and still waiting.
           The goods finally showed up
some 10 or 11 days after being mailed.
They must have used a row boat to
get it there!
            Maybe the Italians should
look into the Pony Express! And I
have to wonder if bills take that long?
            Hope you've all got the right
postage and that all your NEWS is
good!

     
 

DANCING IN THE STREETS!

     SUNDAY/MONDAY NOV 17/18 2019
           DANCING IN THE STREETS!

      The final stop in our fantastic Travelworld
tour of Europe brought us to Barcelona, Spain.
       I've told you that life in this part of the
world is generally lived at a slower pace than
back in the states.
       The greatest example of that may be here
in Barcelona where work on what will be the
tallest religious structure in Europe is nearly
complete...after 133 years!
       Construction on the Sagrada Familia
Basilica began in the late 19th century. Its
now expected to be finished in 2026! I suspect
the work force has turned over a few times
over those years!
       There are chance at the old bull fighting
stadium as well. The Matadors have been
replace by a mall and only the customers
see red when prices seem too high!
        Speaking of high prices, next time
you're feeding your parking meter consider
the fact that people parking downtown
in Barcelona face a $5 per hour fee! Most
park outside of town and walk or take
public transportation into the city.
           As metropolitan as this place has
become there's a real sense of neighborhood
and community here.
          At the cathedral near our hotel we
found a band on the steps after services
and circles of local residents, young and
old, holding hands and dancing in the
streets. It's a Sunday tradition and a nice
memory for us as we began our 4 movie
flight back home.
        Home you enjoyed traveling with
us via Blog, and that all your NEWS
is good!

       

NO RAIN IN SPAIN!

   SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH., 2019
                NO RAIN IN SPAIN!

    The sun was rising over the Spanish
island of Palma de Mallorca as our
Travelworld tour of Europe continued
ast week.
     It was a day to be filled with fun,
food, and a few missing tourists!
     My wife and I elected to sign up
for an off ship excursion which
included a delicious meal of local
specialties that surprised us both.
      My wife was surprised that I tried
all that was offered since I'm usually
pretty much of a meat and potatoes
guy. I was surprised because I liked
everything I tried. Especially the olives
which were fresh off of area trees.
       Our excursion also included a
visit to a factory which turns glass into
beautiful pearls! You got to watch the
process then, of course, spend some
time in the adjoining sales room where
those pearls are sold in a variety of
settings. This was a "women's stop."
      Unfortunately one of those women
did a lot of window shopping. 15 minutes
after our scheduled departure time she
wasn't there. 30 minutes later...still a
no show. After 45 minutes our guide
finally decided to g back in the store
to hunt her down. She, our missing
person, came out without a bag or
merchandise or an apology for
holding everybody else up!
       Now well behind on our
schedule we just had enough time .
to stop by for photos at the beautiful
Palma Cathedral.
        I, and one woman, stayed back
at a meeting point which some of
the group walked around for
different vantage points. When they
returned the woman's friend was not
with the group. The assumption was
she had returned to the bus on her
own. Wrong!  We were one person
short at the bus and time was running
out. The gal decided to wait behind
for her friend and catch the next
available excursion bus back to ourt
ship.
      I never did find out of they made
it but my pictures turned out well!
And I just have to wonder, was there
any connection with these problems
and the fact our driver bore a remarkable
resemblance to "Michael Scott" who
ran "The Office" on TV?
       Next stop, Barcelona! Hope
all your NEWS is good.

   

SAILING TO FRANCE!

     FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH., 2019
             SAILING TO FRANCE!

   Lafayette we are here! Well, we were
anyway.
   Our Travelworld tour through Europe
included a port call in Cannes, France!
    Our off ship tour drove through the
city but I didn't ask to stop. I was still
upset that the movie in which I had 4
lines didn't make the famous Film Festival
there.
     No matter. The rest of our tour was
filled with excitement. Of all kinds.
     We had free time in the city of Nice
to visit the flower markets and stroll
along the coast like before moving on.
     We were just above the city when a
dark sedan pulled our bus over to the
side of the road. Seems our driver had
nicked the guy's Audi on one of the
steep curvy roads we were negotiating.
      It gave all of us a great chance to
get pictures of the beautiful coastal
town.
      Our route along the Rivera then
took us to the Principality on Monaco
where we visited the Cathedral where
American movie star Grace Kelly became
Princess Grace as she married Prince
Rainer in 1956. Next we were off to
Monte Carlo where it takes 14 bucks
just to get inside the famous Casino.
      Judging from the Ferrari and Aston
Martin parked outside I suspect that
entrance fee wasn't a bother to the
regular cliental!
        My wife decided to pass on
her chance to  break the bank in
Monte Carlo in favor of the penny
slots back on board ship!
         Beautiful country but, we
suspect, a bit to rich for our blood!
Back to the ship, then back to the
Blog for part 4 tomorrow!
          Hope all your NEWS is
good!

OUR EPIC JOURNEY!

    THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH, 2019
                 OUR EPIC JOURNEY!

    Day three of our European tour for
Travelworld saw us escorting our group
aboard the Norwegian Cruise ship "Epic"
to begin a voyage that would eventually
take us to Spain. Tough duty but someone
has to do it.
     I can only describe the vessel as being
huge! When the ship's elevator has 15 floors
and it takes you to a deck with its own
Water Park you can get an idea just how
huge!
      Our first port was Livorno, Italy.
      If you're impressed with homes in
the U.S that go back to 1776 or so this
place should blow your mind!  It's
been around since about 1017!
      It's a Port city and a huge fort stands
at its entrance reflecting the days when
it guarded the community.
      My wife and I elected to do our own
city tour there. We found both a modern
downtown shopping district and scores
of monuments to the historic past.
      Best of all for me, I found a small
restaurant specializing in fresh seafood
where I was able to buy a Coke!
       Monuments are common place in
Europe. Soda machines are a rarity!
         We managed to find our way
back to the shuttle bus and returned
to the ship where we enjoyed dinner
in a Brazilian specialty restaurant.
          Next stop, France! Hope all
your NEWS is good!

YOU SHOULD SEE THAT!

  WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH., 2019
       COUNTRIES AND CURIOUSITIES!    

     Our tour through Europe last week
included more countries than we expected.
Italy, France and Spain were on the list.
      But two "smaller countries" are, in
one sense, hidden in that same area.
      Monaco is a Principality along the
French Riviera while the Vatican is its
own country literally surrounded by Italy.
       We took a walking tour through the
Vatican Museum and at the end we felt
like we had walked through an entire
country!
       The museum is filled with treasures
from around the world. Paintings and
other works of art fill hall after hall. A
complete tour would probably take a
full week or so. And that would assume
you had the place to yourself.
        You share those halls with thousands
of tourists all stopping to take photos as
you're trying to keep moving.
         Ironically all tours eventually
lead you into the Sistine Chapel where
the great art work of Michael Angelo
is not allowed to be photographed!
          I don't know if they're afraid
all those camera flashes will somehow
damage the ceiling fresco or, more
likely,  if they'd prefer you buy you
photos in the Gift shop!
          Every Wednesday Vatican
Square is jammed with thousands of
people gathered for the Pope's weekly
audience. There is no shortage of
cameras there! It looked a lot like a
Presidential campaign rally around
here!
           The Pontiff drives around the
crowd in the so-called "Pope Mobile"
then is escorted to his seat from which
he offers a message and a blessing to
the people.
           It's the only time during our
trip that we endured a sudden cloud
burst. My wife, however, is prepared
for anything less than a nuclear blast
and immediately pulled two rain
ponchos from her purse.
           Fortunately the rain ended
almost as quickly as it came and the
impressive ceremony continued.
            I was only a bit disappointed
that as the various delegations from
all over the world were identified
there was no mention of the two
Methodists, my wife and I, in
attendance. Maybe somebody forgot
to tell them!
            Our schedule called for us
to leave Rome the following day
although my wife and I came pretty
close to staying indefinitely!
              45 minutes before our
scheduled departure my wife
discovered that she had apparently
pressed the wrong button and locked
our Passports in our hotel room safe!
              I ran to the desk clerk who
frantically searched for an emergency
code kept hidden for the management
to deal with just such a problem.
              Some minute later the
treasured number was located and
both our passports and we were
freed to continue our journey.
             The blog will continue as
well in the next edition.
              Hope all your NEWS is
good.

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME!

      TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH., 2019
        THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME!
          (OR,,RETURN OF THE BLOG!)

    We're back home! It must be home. I woke
up yesterday morning to a sunny, 65 degree day
in Barcelona, Spain. I woke up this morning to
a coating of snow and temperatures around
freezing.  Yep! We're home.
     We began our whirlwind swing around
Europe a week ago with a wonderful group of
travelers from, for the most part, northeastern
Pennsylvania My wife and I were escorting the
group on behalf of Travelworld in Scranton and
Kingston.
      Our first stop, Rome!
      For those of us who don't sleep very well
on airplanes I can tell you Rome is about three
and a half movies away  from Newark, New Jersey.
Fortunately for me United Airlines has a pretty
good list of movies including new releases like
"John Wick 3."
       The action in that feature was accentuated
when the pilot apparently made a wrong turn!
I assumed that was the case as the aircraft rocked
rather violently for about 4 minutes suggesting to
me it was flying over Pennsylvania pot holes!
       We began our tour immediately upon
arriving in Rome. It's the only way you can begin
to adjust your body to the 6 hour time difference
A bus tour through the city gave us an over view
and free time during the afternoon and evening
allowed us to focus on attractions we wanted to
see up close.
        Since my wife and I had visited the
Coliseum on a previous Roman holiday we set
out, at night, to find the Trevi Fountain made
famous to most Americans through the movie
and song "Three Coins in the Fountain."
          The map provided by our hotel gave us
a general direction in which to walk but, somehow,
me managed to get lost a bit turning an estimated
20  minute stroll into an hour search!
           When we finally joined the crowds at
the historic site we limited our coin toss into the
fountain to three U.S. pennies figuring we'd need
all our euros for a cab ride back!
             Another major attraction, The Spanish
Steps, were said to be close by so we decided
to find those as well. That decision had us lost
again within ten minutes!
              It took one elderly Italian (who spoke
no English), a couple from Pittsburg (who had
two smart phone direction finders that didn't
agree), and one Australian to get us to the steps!
               Fortunately there was a taxi stand close
by and those euros we saved from the fountain
saved our feet and backs!
               I'll have more on our trip and the
adventures, some unexpected, in my next
blog! Hope you'll follow along and that
all your NEWS is good.

       

THE INVISIBLE BLOG!

    SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD., 2019
          THE INVISIBLE BLOG!!

    Moved and inspired by Sevengoolie's
presentation of "The Invisible Man"
Saturday night I must report that my
daily blog is about to disappear!
     Don't panic! It's just for a week or
so.
     My wife and I are heading out to
escort a tour for our good friends at
Travelworld and, as it happens, our
travels will limit my access to WiFi.
      While the blog disappears, Karl
will reappear!
     My "adopted" brother-in-law is moving
in again to house sit,  Karl has helped us
out many times and in many ways  but he
draws the line at writing blogs!
     For those of you who simply can't
function without one of my daily essays
you may go to the site on which the blogs
are actually written and scroll down the
page to see as many of my previous posts
as you can stand!
      That site is http://no-news-is.blogspot.com
      I'll try to send a couple posts and pictures
when and  I get the chance.
      Hope you'll be watching for the "Return
of the Blog" and that all your NEWS is
good!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SID!

   SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND., 2019
           HAPPY BIRTHDAY SID!

   

    THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND., 2017
            LET'S HEAR IT FOR SID!

     Everyday Facebook lists names of
people celebrating birthdays. But,
somehow, Sid was not on my list for
November 2nd. I had to find out on
another web site.
     It's possible that Sid's birthday was
just overlooked. Or it's possible he's not
getting attention because, well, because
Sid is a Monster!
     I don't mean that Sid was a monster
for Halloween or a bad guy! He's always
been a monster. But he's a very popular
monster!
     You, and your kids and grand kids,
probably know Sid by another name.
When he appears on "Sesame Street"
we all call him "Cookie Monster!"
     Turns out he was "born" on
November 2nd. His parents and other
family members have all appeared on
the TV show and all have googly eyes
and blue fur. His "parents" named him
Sid.
      I have a lot in common with Sid
and have a pack and a half of Oreos
close by to prove it! I may have a
couple to celebrate! I just happen to half
a fresh half gallon of milk for dunking!
       Come on, join in the fun!
       Hope Sid has a Happy Birthday
and that all your NEWS is good!