LOOKING AHEAD!

   TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31ST., 2019
              LOOKING AHEAD!

    I've been watching a lot of "news in review
from 2019" over the past couple days.
    It's natural to look back a bit as we bid
farewell to the outgoing year. In my life,
and it's probably been the same in yours,
there has been some good and some bad/
    To me the "bad" is nearly almost
centered on people we've lost in the
passing year.
     The good, for me, is almost always
centered on family activities.
      It doesn't hurt to reflect on the year
gone by. But remember, you're looking
in a rear view mirror!
       If you're going to move ahead you've
got to look forward. I'll be thinking about
future family activities as well as some
opportunities that may present themselves
in the new year.
        But as we begin I believe things are
looking bright. As a matter of fact this is
the first time in many years I can say I'll
be seeing 20-20!
        Happy New Year! Hope all your
NEWS is good! 

NOT JUST YET!

    MONDAY, DECEMBER 30TH., 2019
                   NOT JUST YET!

     I must admit that today's Blog is about
a national "holiday" I won't be observing.
     December 30th is "Falling Needles
Family Fest Day."
     This is a day specifically intended
as a reminder for those taking down their
Christmas trees to clean up and recycle
those trees.
      Every state offers recycling programs
and many communities offer free pick up.
      Before they're recycled the trees can
be used as a shelter for birds or a place
where you can hang treats for our
feathered friends.
      Trees can also be used for mulch.
      It's a very positive "holiday" that's
designed to improve the environment.
      In my case, however, it's too early!
      After months of buildup to Christmas
I think the holiday deserves to hang around
a bit longer. At least until "Russian Christmas"
on January 6th.
      Then there's the fact we've used the same
artificial tree for many years! It's our Christmas
tree and by unpacking it every season we've
saved a lot of natural trees!
       Clean up if you must but I'm hoping
you'll hang on to your tree, and Christmas,
a little longer. And that all your NEWS is
good!  


   

STOP CHILDREN...WHAT'S THAT SOUND?

      SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29TH., 2019
STOP CHILDREN..WHAT'S THAT SOUND?

   What's that sound? Well it could be your watch.
But it isn't. This is "Tick Tock Day!"
    It comes along every 29th of December but
doesn't get quite the recognition commanded by
Christmas or New Year's Eve.
    It might well have been called "Last chance
day" since the whole idea is to remind folks
that time is running out in 2019.
    It's a day to entourage you to complete that
"To Do List" or wrap up projects you got
started but never got around to finishing.
     As I think about a few things I had
wanted to get done this year I realize one
day isn't near enough to do them.
      In fact my only chance would be to
recognize the old Roman calendar which
set New Year's Day on March 1st. That
would give me two full months to get
things done!
       As for the rest of you.....Tick Tock....
time is running out! Hope you get
everything done and that all your NEWS
is good!

MISSING MEMORIES!

    SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28TH., 2019
                MISSING MEMORIES!

   One of the nicest things about Christmas is
the memories it brings to mind.
    This year I'm remembering a wonderful
Christmas memory that, unfortunately, has
disappeared.
     Joe Spinelli used to love to see the
animated Christmas displays at a Department
store near his childhood home in Brooklyn,
New York.
      Some years back Joe's wife learned those
displays were stored away in the store's
basement. She made an offer and surprised
Joe with a truck load of the figures and
accessories!
          Joe decided to share his new old
treasures with everyone. So, after repairing
and painting those in need of care, he
set up a display in a series of covered
trailers  along a curved driveway outside
his house in Newfoundland, Pa.
          He never charged for sharing his
unique treasure but did accept donations
which he distributed to area charities.
           Joe was a regular visitor to mt
Electric City television program to
talk about the history of the animated
figures he displayed. But last year he
announced he'd be moving and his
display would be ending.
              I'm not sure where Joe has
relocated. I'm hoping it may be in a place
where he'll be able to show off his
treasured collection once again to a new
audience.
               Some things are really worth
preserving! Especially if they're shared.
                Hope all his, and your, NEWS
is good!

 

HOLD ON TO CHRISTMAS!

   FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27TH., 2019
       HOLD ON TO CHRISTMAS!

   I joined some of the family for a visit
to the spectacular Christmas lighting
display at the Stone Hedge Golf Course
near Tunkhannock last night. It was my
second visit this season.
    There was a decent crowd. But nowhere
near as big as the days leading up to
December 25th,
         We start thinking about Christmas,
whether we want to or not, sometime
around Halloween. That's when the
first advance store decorations begin
showing up.
   But with all that long buildup, the
day comes and, hours later it's over.
At least it seems that way.
   Actually the Christmas celebration
seems to grow each year and, as that
great philosopher Yogi Berra reminds
us, "It ain't over till it's over."
   Back in 1952 a small AM Radio
station in Lansford began the tradition
of broadcasting Christmas music from
Thanksgiving through "Russian Christmas"
on January 6th.
    The station continues its tradition!
   In Scranton the annual free performances
of "The Nutcracker Ballet" continue through
Sunday at the Theater at North..
  The Christmas Displays will light up Nay
Aug Park in the Electric City through New
Year's Eve.
    In Columbia County Berwick's
traditional Christmas Boulevard will be
illuminated through New Year's Day.
   And, throughout the area, homeowners
who rival Clark Grizzwald will
undoubtedly be getting the most out of
their decorating efforts!
    There's plenty of Christmas left if you
just look for it!
     Hope you do....and that all of your
NEWS is good!

FLIPPED OUT!

   THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26TH., 2019
                    FLIPPED OUT!

       Santa has been surprising me for a whole
lot of years now. And he's gone and done it again!
        This year his bag included a new cell phone
with my name on it. What's more it's what the
rest of you folks who are way ahead of me call
"A Smart Phone!"
          For the last 15 or 20 years I have been
quite content reaching those I've had to reach
with a small pocket "Flip Phone."
           It made telephone calls, sent texts, and
even took pictures..
           The pressure has been on, however, to
join the rest of the civilized world by getting
a Smart phone.
            Thanks to my granddaughter, grandson,
and son-in-law I am able to preform some basic
operations on the device. They set it up and took
turns tutoring me on the basics of how it works.
              I guess that's one of the major benefits
of these new phones. If you forget anything
you can just ask anybody over the age of 8
or so and they'll tell you how things work!
               So I've now flipped the Flip phone
and will greet 2020 as a"modern man!"
              Hope I soon learn what all these
icons do.  I also hope all your NEWS is good.

RETELLING MY CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!

     TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24TH., 2019
RETELLING MY CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!

             MY CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!

     I tell this story whenever I get the chance
 at this time of the year. You may have seen
 it before. But it's worth retelling and re-watching!
     I even re-enacted it for WYOU TV a few
 years back. I call it my Christmas Miracle.
     I'd like to share it with you again on this
 Christmas Eve.
     If you'll go to this Youtube link you can
 watch it for yourself. I'd really love to get
 your comments too. Here is the link for my
 true story.
       http://youtu.be/QTORKtv52TY

PICK A CARD!

   MONDAY, DECEMBER 23RD., 2019
                  PICK A CARD!

        For the past 10 years my wife and I have
been attempting some Christmas magic every
December. It's our annual card trick!
    Back in 2009 we went to Cleveland to see
the house used in the movie "A Christmas
Story." You know. It's the movie where little
Ralphie tries to convince everyone  why he
should get a Red Rider BB Gun for Christmas
only to be greeted with the admonition "You'll
shoot your eye out."
      We had our picture taken in from of the
famous Leg Lamp from that movie and
decided to use that photo as our Christmas
card that year.
       We also came up with the idea of trying
to replicate a scene from that hilarious holiday
feature every year as part of our Christmas
greeting.
        It's been a real challenge but we've
enjoyed doing it.
         Generally speaking those who know
the movie have loved the cards and many
look forward to them every year.
           There are a few, though that almost
seems unbelievable, that haven't seen the
movie or don't remember it well enough
to recall the scenes we've selected We
remind them that one networks runs it
all 24 hours Christmas Day and that it's
also been turned into a stage production.
If you haven't seen it....get moving!!!!
            It's based on the book "In God
We Trust. All Others Pay Cash" by the
late writer and humorous Jean Shepard.
             And so, as another Christmas
Day looms we present our "Christmas
Story" Christmas Card for 2019.
             Hope your Christmas in Merry
and all your NEWS is good!

A WONDERFUL LIFE POSTSCRIPT!

    SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22ND., 2019
  A WONDERFUL LIFE POSTSCRIPT!

   Two weeks ago my wife and I drove to the
Dietrich Theater in Tunkhannock to attend its
annual free showing of the movie "It's A Wonderful
Life.
    I wrote a blog about that great experience and
got a lot of comments from people who
absolutely love that movie and the lesson about
the value of everyone's life that comes with it.
    I love the picture too. I love the actors and
the setting, and especially love seeing it on the
big screen.
    That said, there is one thing about the story
that has always upset me.
     As I thought about it the other night I
felt compelled to write a verse addressing the
issue.
      Those of you who have seen and loved the
movie for years will, I hope, understand.
       If you haven't seen it or just don't know
the story feel free to stop reading now.
       It's A Wonderful Life/ Postscript!

       Hard news gets lost at Christmas time.
       For the most past that's just swell.
       But there's one big story that got missed.
       And I think it's time to tell!

       It's about a bank examiner
       who was rushing through his day
       and hoping he'd get home on time
       to enjoy the holiday.

       He was just about to finish
       when he yelled out " Hold the phone!"
       There's 800 dollars surplus here
       marked Bailey's Building & Loan!

       Seems he'd turned up all that missing cash
       and like leading lambs to slaughter,
       that goof news for Uncle Billy
       was bad for Old man Potter!

       We all know Clarence got his wings
       at the ringing of a bell.
       And now we know ,at that same time,
       Old man Potter got his cell!

       I feel much better now! Hope all your
NEWS is good!

THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT!

   SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21ST., 2019
        THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT!

         It's December 21st. The Winter Solstice.
 The shortest day of the year! Or so they say!
        My wrist watch still ticks off 24 hours
 before this day we call Saturday draws to
 a close. So, in that respect, it's exactly the
 same length as any other day.
         It is, however, the shortest day in terms
 of the amount of daylight we see. As a matter
 of fact if you lived at the North Pole you'd
 never see the sun at all today! Maybe that's
 why Santa heads out of there about this time
 each year.
        I don't know if it's got anything to do with
 the lack of sunlight or not. But this is also
 National Flashlight Day!
        But wait, there's more. December 21st is
 Crossword Puzzle Day, Forefather's Day, and
Humbug Day. The latter is a Copyrighted
"Holiday."
        So rather than curse the darkness, grab
your flashlight and settle down with a good
Crossword puzzle about your Forefathers.
        Or, just stare out into the blackness and
yell "Bah Humbug!"
        On the brighter side, literally, every day
 from here on sees a little more daylight! And
 that's something to look forward to!
         Hope all your NEWS is good!

       

WEAR YOUR WORST!

   FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20TH., 2019
           WEAR YOUR WORST!

    I'm not exactly why there's an unofficial
"holiday" for this. But this is "National Ugly
Sweater Day!"
    I'm fairly sure I have worn a number of
ugly sweaters over the years at various times
of the year. But, back in the day, nobody ever
told you. They just told everybody else.
    Over the last ten years or so Ugly Sweater
Parties have become a Christmastime tradition.
    I broke down are wore one to a WYOU/WBRE
party two years ago. I should have won. Somebody
with an almost identical sweater, but no hat like
mine, took home the prize!
     I guess my handsome face cost me points?
     The most amazing thing is that this craze
has become so popular that people actually
go out looking to buy ugly sweaters. And
the manufactures have gone crazy making new
ones all the time!
      I've decided to stay out of the running from
now on. If I win in the future it will be by
accident wearing something I thought was just
fine.
     My wife warns that, given my taste in
clothing I may make myself a contestant
without really trying.
      Hope I lose and that all your NEWS
is good!

THAT'S NO HUMBUG!

   THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19TH., 2019
              THAT'S NO HUMBUG!     
 

   Imagine Christmas about 176 years ago!
   No block buster movies in theaters or on
TV! No Walmarts or Kmarts to shop for
gifts. Electric Christmas tree lights were
still 37 years off!
    But there was something new!
    And it showed up this week in 1843!
    It was a novella by a fellow named
Charles Dickens. It was titled....."A
Christmas Carol!"
     It's been one of my favorite stories for
many years! When I was just a kid my Mom,
Dad, and brother used to gather round our
combination radio/phonograph and listen
to the famous actor Lionel Barrymore read
Dickson's story on a set of 78rpm records
every Christmas Eve. That was our family
tradition. I always got a little scared at the
thought of ghosts showing up! Come to
think of it I'm still not big on ghosts!
      The story of Scrooge and his encounter
with four ghosts (don't forget his former
partner Jacob Marley) has been retold many
times. I've already caught three versions over
the past week!
       There have been at least 21 movies, 25
television adaptions, and more than a dozen
radio versions  of the story! And I've seen or
heard most of them. When you get to the
point where you can finish the line before
the actor you may have seen a few too many
versions!
        The term "Scrooge" has become
synonymous with a stingy, mean, uncaring
person. But that's actually unfair! If you
remember the whole story Ebenezer ends up
 "as good a friend, as good a master, and as
good a man as the good old city had ever
known."
        Kind of suggests there's hope for all of
us! Of course there's a few people out there
who may have to spend some time with a few
ghosts before they get the message! You
probably know a couple of them!
       Hope your "spirits" are high and that
all your NEWS is good!

 

OUR SUMMER CHRISTMAS IN CLEVELAND

       WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18TH., 2019
OUR SUMMER CHRISTMAS IN CLEVELAND!

      You've probably heard of Christmas in
July. But one of our favorite Christmas
memories was made in June!
    If was June of 2009 and my wife and
I took a road trip that lead us to
Cleveland, Ohio!
    We passed by the Rock and Roll Hall
of Fame en route to our destination....the
"Christmas Story House."
     It's the home that was used in the movie
"A Christmas Story." A feature all about a
little boy whose only Christmas wish was to
get a Red Ryder BB gun. At one time or
another all little boys want a BB gun!
    If you haven't seen it yet...welcome back
to the United States from your monastery
in the mountains of Tibet or where ever
you've been isolated.
     The movie has become a Christmas
classic and we actually base all of our
Christmas cards on the story.
     It was such a treat to visit the house used
in several scenes! We got to see THE Leg
Lamp! I got to hide under the kitchen sink
just like Ralphie's brother Randy did in the
movie! We even we got to see the actual Red
Rider BB gun that co-stared in the feature.
     And though it was the middle of June
memories of the film made us feel just like
it was Christmas!
     When it comes right down to it a big
part of Christmas is the memories of
previous holidays....usually from the days
when we were kids! Remember those days
when you were a kid, couldn't get to sleep
Christmas Eve, then woke your folks up
about 6am to check and see what Santa left
under the tree!
      I wonder if its too late to sneak an ad
for a Red Ryder BB gun into the newspaper
near the Cross Word Puzzle my wife does
every day. Yea......I know exactly what
she'd say! You're saying the same thing!
      Hope your list to Santa has already
been mailed and that all your NEWS is
good!

MOVING DAY!

   TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17TH., 2019
              MOVING DAY!

    Just after retiring from WYOU  TV some
10 years ago I delivered a video of a trip
my wife and I had just hosted to Mark
Migilore who manages ECTV, Scranton's
Public Access television station.
    When I saw the windows and watched
traffic and people strolling by it occurred
to me that scene looked like NBC's Today
Show and suggested he should do a program
using that background.
     "Come up with a show." he said, "and
we'll do it." I've been volunteering (read
that no pay) from then till now.
       Since then we have done 542 editions
of "ECTV Live", a public affairs program
dealing with upcoming public events or
public services offered to the residents of
our area.
        As of today a few things change.
        Today we air our first program from
our new "stage like set" a few blocks
away from our old location.
         We'll also be premiering a new
multi camera system adding to our new
look.
         And we'll be using a new name.
The show is now called "Preview."
         The theme of the show will be the
same. The guests will still be people
talking about exciting community events
or about services available to area residents.
          But the windows will be gone.
          They were, of course, simply a
background to our presentation. But I
admit I'll miss seeing the cars and buses,
and pedestrians going by. Of course I
shall not miss the fire and or police
sirens that sometimes overpowered our
interviews or the occasional mom
screaming at her child right outside the
window in the middle of our program.
            The studio served as well but
it's time to more ahead to better and
quieter surroundings.
            Our program is broadcast on
Comcast channel 19 in the area. But
if you;re not on cable you can see the
show on the electric city television
YouTube page or just watch my
Facebook posts. I'll share it there each
week.
              Hope you'll keep watching
and that all your NEWS is good!

WEEKENDS AT THE MOVIES!

   MONDAY, DECEMBER 16TH., 2019
       WEEKENDS AT THE MOVIES!

  Old memories filled my mind this week.
They do that a lot around Christmas time.
But these thoughts were not of Santa or
sleigh rides down the side street hill.
   I was thinking of the weekend hours
I spent at any one of several neighborhood
movie theaters just blocks away in my
home town.
    Many of the features stared Western
heroes like Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, or
a host of names that have long since
ridden off into the sunset.
     They were not sophisticated
production filled with special effects.
And, now that I look back, some questions
come to mind.
     I share them with you in this rhyme.

      I'm haunted by some questions.
  Since childhood they've been there.
  Like where do cowboy's bullets go
  when fired in the air?
       And while we're on the subject
  can you please explain to me
  how my favorite hero's 6 gun
  seemed to fire endlessly?
        In most every Western movie
 the bandits wait ahead.
 But they never stopped the stagecoach!
 They all gave chase instead.
         When the rustlers spooked the cattle
  with the ranchers on the spot.
  He always turned the wild stamped
  with just a single shot!
          Ever wonder how that Ranger
  who fought bad guys near and far
  seemed to find space in his saddlebags
  for a finely tuned guitar?
          Still I long for those old movies.
  They always held their course,
  The good guy always won the day
   then rode off on his horse.
          I think we need some "yesteryear"
  cause I'll say this for that.
  You could always tell the honest man!
  He's the one in the white hat!

         Hope all your NEWS is good!
 

HOW SWEET IT IS!

   SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15TH., 2019
              HOW SWEET IT IS!

    For those of you who didn't already
know this is National Cupcake Day!
     I'm good with that!
     My grandson has mixed emotions.
He's made it clear he prefers full
sized Birthday cakes at his friend's
parties. If faced with those individual
decorated cupcakes he'll usually, but
reluctantly, lick off the icing.
      Cupcakes have been around for
a long time and they've changed
over the years.
       Winston Churchill is the first
person to suggest that cupcakes should
be frosted. Previously the treats were
made from dried fruit, spices, or gilded
lard, Of course Churchill also blamed
cupcakes for his jowls!
       Always anxious to support
Pennsylvania products I have been
buying Tastykake cupcakes as often
as I could.
       For a long time they were tough
to find outside of eastern Pennsylvania.
When my brother-in-law lived in
California he always bought up a
big supply on return visits.
        Distribution is much wider these
days so folks all over might be joining
me in the celebration today!
        If the grandson stops by I'll give
him one with a heavy coat of icing!
Whether you buy them or bake them
enjoy a cupcake for yourself today!
         Hope all your NEWS is good!






       

REPLAY!

   SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14TH., 2019
                     REPLAY!

    I watched with great interest as three High
School Football teams from  our area played
in State Championship games last week.
    Each of the games was presented on PCN
which is the Pennsylvania Cable Network.
It's nowhere to be found around here during
the regular season. But it owns the rights to
the State Championship games.
    I found myself re watching the games this
week as the network replayed their
productions.
    It might seem silly. After all I knew how
each of the contests ended.
    But I've watched a whole lot of movies
many times and knowing the outcome
never stopped me. If anything I picked up
on some things I missed on the first or
second time around.
      I felt bad for Dallas losing its game,
But second place in your division state
wide "ain't too shabby!"
      The Wyoming Area game was most
interesting to me as I have three grand
children still attending schools in that
district. I must admit I had nearly
given up on the team after watching the
first half. Fortunately the players never
gave up on themselves and came away
with the District's First State Championship
in any sport.It was a victory hard, and well
earned and it reminded me of Yogi Berra's
admonition "It ain't over till it's over!"
Guess it works for football aas well as
baseball.
         After re-watching the Southern
Columbia game I am only wondering
why they didn't get a Bowl Game!
          Congratulations to all three of
our area teams! Hope all your NEWS
is good!
     

A BOY AND HIS DOG.

   FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13TH., 2019
           A BOY AND HIS DOG.

   My 4-year-old Grandson and I spent a
lot of time together Thursday. He likes to
call it his "long day" with grandpa as I
pick him up from pre school earlier than
usual and we do whatever we, mainly he,
feels like doing.
     Perhaps he's watched "Frozen" a bit
too often because he insists that cold
never bothers him anyway and he wanted
to go to the playground.
      We bundled up as best we could and
headed to one of his favorite playgrounds
where we tried most all of the apparatus
then headed to one of the picnic tables
asking, at the same time, if I had any
food.
        I explained as how I did not and
proceeded to cook a pretend hot dog
on a pretend grill.
       That in turn prompted the
question "Do you have hot dogs at
your house?"
        Knowing we did not I suggested
he head towards a Hot Dog Luncheonette
nearby! An invitation that was quickly
and anxiously accepted by the little guy!
         Minutes later we found ourselves
at the Majestic Lunch in Pittston where
we each enjoyed a real hot dog prepared
on a real grill! He wanted to make sure
his came with a bun. I explained that
most are usually served that way and
he was pleased to see that was true.
           I mentioned the episode to my
wife when we picked her up from her
hair dresser a little later and we stopped
at a market and picked up a pack of
franks which became part of Thursday's
supper for my wife, and me, and, yes,
the grandson!
            He takes his with ketchup
while I favor mustard.
             Either way, nothing like a
boy and his dog!
             Hope all your NEWS is good!

LOST AND FOUND!

    THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12TH., 2019
                 LOST AND FOUND!

    My grandson handed my wife one of his
slippers yesterday. I saw the other when we
returned from dinner and asked where the
one he handed her was? My wife couldn't
remember, It was, for about 15 minutes,
lost.
     I should not have been surprised.
December 12th is "National Lost Day!"
    Seems the likelihood of losing stuff
goes up every winter and usually peaks
in December.
      The average person spends 10 minutes
a day looking for something they're lost
or "misplaced." That's more than an hour
each week and over two days each year!
        1.24 items are lost permanently by
the average person each year. What the
.24 items are I have no idea!
        Keys top the list and I can attest
for that. In my case, however, I usually
don't lost my keys so much as can't
remember which pocket I've put them
in. Still, it take time to find the right
keys in the right pocket and, added up,
that's a lot of lost time!
         Surprising, to me anyway, is the
fact that most items are "lost" between
9pm and 2am. I'm almost always on
the couch during those hours so
anything I'd lost would likely be
right there under the cushions,
         Anyway, fore warned is fore
armed so let's all write ourselves a
note to be extra careful with keys,
and cell phones and everything
else this month!
         Now, where did I put that
pen? Hope all your NEWS is good!

IT'S A WONDERFUL.......TREAT!

   WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11TH., 2019!
         IT'S A WONDERFUL.....TREAT!

    No matter how many times you may have
seen it Frank Capra's "It's A Wonderful Life"
is a treat to watch.
     It's an extra treat when it's on a big screen,
you get popcorn, soda, and cookies with your
admission, and that admission is free!
     My wife and I enjoyed those treats
yesterday at the Dietrich Theater in
Tunkhannock for the first of three screenings
of the classic.
     It's an annual Christmas time tradition
at the Dietrich which serves as Wyoming
County's Cultural and Arts Center.
     Of course "free" is a bit of a misnomer.
Somebody has to pay for all those treats and,
in this case, it was the Ace-Robbins Hardware
Store in Tunkhannock. Sponsors like that
allow the theater to present several free
shows each year. "A Wonderful Life"
always packs the place.
      Everyone in the audience also received
a Christmas stocking cap to add to the
Holiday feeling. The whole event has a
real taste of community coming together
to celebrate. And how great to hear
audience applause as the movie ended!
      No doubt about it. "It's A Wonderful
;Life" remains a wonderful treat!
       Hope all your NEWS is good!


     
 

LET'S HEAR IT FOR DEWEY!

   TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10TH., 2019
      LET'S HEAR IT FOR DEWEY!

      Put on your party hats everybody! There's
plenty of reasons to celebrate today!
    December 10th is Nobel Prize Day, Jane
Addams Day and Human Rights Day!
     Your challenge is to list them in the proper
order! You see it's also Dewey Decimal System
Day!
      For those who don't already know, this
Dewey is not one of Donald Duck's nephews.
      This is the birthday of Melvil Dewey, the
man who created the Dewey Decimal System
to classify the method by which books are
filed in our libraries.
      A library assigns a Dewey Decimal number
 that locates a particular volume in a position
 relative to other books in the library. This makes
 it easy to find any particular book and return it to
a its proper place on the library shelves. That is
IF you returned those books your borrowed!
     I've always wondered if his inability to find
some book led to his elaborate system?
      Mr. Dewey probably wouldn't happy with my
approach to filing. It's "David's Decimal System!"
      My books are placed on shelves based mainly
on size. That is, how big is the book and where
can I squeeze it in! Unusually large volumes are
placed on top of others.
     When I'm searching for something in particular
I usually try to remember a cover or color. That helps
in my search. Sometimes!
      Of course I've got a limited collection so I don't
suppose my system would work as well in your
typical library.
      Dewey would be 146 if he were still alive. I
wonder if he'd be able to find a book on Amazon?
      Hope you know where your "classics" are and
that all your NEWS is good!

IT'S IN THE CARDS!

  MONDAY, DECEMBER 9TH., 2019
              IT'S IN THE CARDS!

       It's December 9th. It's "Christmas

Card Day!" This day honors Sir Henry

Cole (1818 - 1874) of England. Cole

created the first commercial Christmas

Card in 1843.

     I'm not so sure you local mailman

(or woman) is celebrating. Every year

about this time their mail sacks get a

little bit heavier!

     Of course there's not as much

Christmas mail, at least in the form

of cards, as there used to be. The cost

of stamps and the time involved

writing and addressing cards has seen

many people switch to email versions

of the traditional Christmas greetings.

     We still enjoy receiving and

sending Christmas cards. We started

our own tradition back in 2009 after

visiting the house used in the movie

"A Christmas Story." You know, the

one where little Ralphie wants a 200

shot Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas!

We had our picture taken in the front

window by the famous "Leg Lamp"

and turned it into a Christmas card!

Each year we come up with our own

version of a scene from that movie.

It's a challenge. But it's fun!

     Family and some close family

friends should be getting this year's

version this week. Blog, or Facebook

followers will get to see it much

closer to Christmas right here on

line.

     Since we produce our own we

haven't officially participated in

this "Hallmark Holiday." But we

still welcome the Hallmarks we

find in our mailbox!

      If you're still a card sender you

probably ought to be working on

yours about now. As of today there

are just two weeks of mail delivery

days until Christmas!

     Hope the mailman (or woman)

holds up....and that all your NEWS

is good!
 (Our 2018 card)

A VOICE IN THE NIGHT.

   SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8TH., 2019
          A VOICE IN THE NIGHT,

    Given the fact my hearing isn't great
I was a bit surprised the first time I heard
the "voice."
     It wasn't clear or loud enough for me
to make out the words but I was sure I had
heard someone speaking.
     I ruled out a voice in my head
immediately. The only conversations I've
ever heard there are those I have with
myself and they've been very understandable
if not especially intellectual,
      Since it was at night I felt compelled to
open the front door to make sure no one was
standing on our front porch. There was no
one there!
       Our neighbors aren't usually very
loud and when, from time to time, they are
it's easy to understand what they're saying!
        Awhile later I heard the voice again!
        This time it spoke just as our furnace
started running. The furnace prompted it
to speak again the next time it started
running. That's the clue that lead me to
recheck the porch where the vibration, and an
occasional gust of wind were triggering
our Christmas Frosty Decoration which is
set to detect the motion of visitors and
greet them with a holiday line or two!
           Seems it doesn't take much to
get him talking!  Just a voice in the
night and speaking only Christmas
greetings!  Hope all your NEWS is good!
         
         

DON'T FORGET YOUR RETURN ADDRESS!

        SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7TH., 2019
DON'T FORGET YOUR RETURN ADDRESS!

   December 7th is most remembered as Pearl
Harbor Day.
   It is also Cotton Candy Day, International
Civil Aviation Day, and one other that may soon
be lost to us.
   It's National Letter Writing Day!
   Few people write letters anymore. That
tradition, for the most part, has been replaced
by emails, social media messages, and
telephone texts. Cursive writing has already
been eliminated in some school districts.
    There are a couple exceptions.
    My old friend Bob not only writes letters
but makes sure he uses every bit of available
space on the paper.
     The other exception, and it's a big one.
 is kids writing to Santa!
     Yep! Santa still gets letters! Tons of them.
    My grandson sent one in just yesterday,
He's only 4 so I helped him with the writing.
If Santa knows that he may give more
consideration to my gift list!
     I suppose that's the perfect way to observe
this unusual "holiday."
     Practice your cursive handwriting and
include a few things you might just want
for Christmas. It's a win/win all around!
     Don't forget your return address!
     Hope all your NEWS is good! 

GETTING THERE IS ALL THE FUN!

    FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6TH., 2019
  GETTING THERE IS ALL THE FUN!

   I know. You've probably heard that old
saying expressed in another way. "Getting
there is half the fun."
   But for my grandson and me all the
fun was in getting there.
   "There," in this case, was the 4th floor
of Boscov's in downtown Wilkes-Barre.
And getting there simply involved
riding the escalators!
      These moving stairs are to him as
they were to me when I first saw them
in my hometown as a little kid.
       I was telling him about my
childhood and Christmas long ago when
the subject came up. I told of how I
used to ride the escalator in the old
Leader Department Store to get to
see Santa.
       He offered that he liked escalators
so I offered to take him to one!
        I had to shell out a few quarters
for the parking meter out front but
far fewer than I would have needed
for those small amusement rides at
the Mall. And he had more run between
the top and basement floors, several
times, than he would have had on any
of those rides anyway.
       For him it was pure fun. For me
a bit of nostalgia!
       Hope he remembers the adventure
too and that all of your NEWS is
good!

I WASN'T NEEDED.

   THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5TH., 2019
               I WASN'T NEEDED.

     Tuesday's weekly auction was moved to
yesterday because of the snow storm this week
so we made the trip in the hope of finding a
bargain or two.
      One item half hidden in the Tool section
captured my attention and sparked some
memories. It was a Geiger Counter!
       Many years ago  I volunteered a couple
hundred hours of my time watching the skies
for aircraft as part of The Ground Observer
Corps. It was an attempt to account for all
aircraft flying above the U.S. before radar
protection covered all of our borders.
        When the Corps was disbanded I joined
several other volunteers and enrolled in a
Civil Defense unit trained to check for
radiation after a nuclear attack. That assumed,
of course, that anyone would still be around
after a nuclear attack! And that our group
would be among them.
           We learned how to read Geiger Counters
and carried dosimeters, a device to check the
amount of radiation to which we had been
exposed should an attack have happened.
              We didn't get a lot of press coverage
but I can assure you we had a group in my
hometown, and volunteers in other communities
as well, set to go into the field if the worst
happened!
                You have to remember the "Cold War"
was pretty darn cold back then!
                 I didn't bid on the Geiger Counter.
I think it sold for about 5 bucks.
                  I figured I didn't really have a use
for it, not even for sentimental reasons. Highly
unlikely I'd find any uranium in my backyard
anyway.
                  And I'm glad I wasn't needed back
in the days when it was brand new!
                   Hope all your NEWS is good!              

NEVER SAW THE FOREST FOR THE TREES!

    WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4TH., 2019
  NEVER SAW THE FOREST FOR THE TREES!

    There's been a lot of comments on social media
over the past week or so about the release of the
movie "The Irishman." Based on the book "I
Heard You Paint Houses" it recounts the
criminal career of Frank Sheeran who claimed to
have been the man who killed former Teamster's
Union President Jimmy Hoffa.
      Sheeran claimed that the hit was ordered by
Northeastern Pennsylvania Mob boss Russell
Bufalino.
       The late Kingston resident is the subject of
another mafia themed book by Matt Birkbeck
entitled "The Quiet Don."
        That publication is filled with references
to people and places in our area said to be tied
with  the mob,
         It would seem the mafia was a lot closer
than I thought!
         Our area press club, the Professional
News Media Association of NE PA was
invited to hold its monthly meetings at the
former Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge in
Pittston Township. After reading Birkbeck's
book I learned the motel was actually owned by
Bufalino!
         I grew up in Hazleton and always heard
talk about Jack Parisi. Most of it was about
what a nice guy he was.
         But the state crime commission identified
  him as a member of the Bufalino crime family
and an associate of Albert Anastasia considered
the head of "Murder Incorporated."
        Unbeknownst to me Bufalino and I also
shared a lawyer! Sort of. The late Charles Gelso was
helping me get some engineering documents
on a radio station I was looking into starting
in the 1970's. He also represented Bufalino
in his unsuccessful attempt to escape prison
time.
         I've been to many of the places named
as mafia meeting or drop off spots during my
years in the area and never once knew about
any of these reported connections.
         Makes you want to know more and look
twice doesn't it?
         Hope all your NEWS is good!
       

PICTURE PICTURE!

  TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3RD., 2019
              PICTURE PICTURE!

   Mr. Rogers used to use a picture on which
to project pictures on his television program.
   On Monday I was viewing pictures on my
computer to select those we wanted to have
printed. They were all from my wife's camera.
     If a picture is really worth a thousand
words my wife's collection would undoubtedly
fill a dictionary! You see she's been saving
her photos for quite awhile!
      Last I checked the photo card in her
Kodak contained well over 5,000 pictures!
      We found a deal that looked pretty good
but then we had to start downloading all
those photos! My computer was timing out
or freezing each time we tried to download
the entire lot!
       The "simple" on line ordering process
turned into a 5 hour effort!
       Eventually, however, we placed the
order and took advantage of a discount
that saved us some dough.
       Not sure where all those pictures
are going but it's good to know we can
paper a couple walls if we have to!
       Hope all your NEWS is good!  

         

DRIVING MR. D,

    MONDAY, DECEMBER 2ND., 2019
                DRIVING MR. D.

   Today marks the  beginning of "Older
Driver Safety Awareness Week."
    We got a jump on the observance
Saturday night as 8 of us headed to the
annual Pancake & Sausage Dinner at
the Unityville Fire Company.
     Night driving, under certain conditions
like rain and moonless evenings, have
become more difficult for me. Although
the night did not fit those conditions, my
wife and daughter suggested a let my
grandson do the driving since he's got to
log some hours before getting his full
license.
     I reluctantly agreed. My grandson
took the wheel with his dad riding
shotgun while I assumed a position
in the right rear passenger seat.
     The rest of our delegation rode
the second car in our caravan.
     I couldn't see too much from the
back but an occasional lean forward
confirmed, in my own mind, I could
have handled the drive.
     Still, my grandson did a really
good job with no help from me.
Actually the only help I offered was
an observation that I thought we had
just passed the gas station where we
should have turned.
       Turned out I was right and our
already lengthy drive became a half
hour longer that needed,
        I think everyone knows this
"older driver" tries to drive "safely."
Now, perhaps, they'll give me credit
for "awareness"  too!
        Hope all your NEWS is good!

MIDNIGHT AT THE MART!

  SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1ST., 2019
     MIDNIGHT AT THE MART!

   As I write I have just returned from a
Midnight run to WalMart.
   Admittedly the impending storm
provided one of the reasons for my
late night shopping.
    My wife spent the afternoon putting
up our outside Christmas lights which
meant opening the shed. She found the
lights with no trouble . But our search
for either an ice scrapper or a brush
for the car windshields proved fruitless.
I'm sure we have one, or two, or so, And
I am fairly sure they are packed away
safely, somewhere.
    The light set up also made use of
every one of our extension cords leaving
none for our electric snow blower.
     I figured WalMart would have the
needed supplies and no one else in their
right mind would be shopping at midnight.
     Wrong!
      There was no shortage of shoppers.
There was a serious shortage of checkout
clerks. In fact there was one check out
clerk on duty and only 4 of the store's
self check out machines operational.
       It looked for a time that all those
waiting in those two lines might be there
until a new crew of clerks came in next
morning,
       One poor gentleman who was very
busy restocking shelves in the rear of
the store was pressed into action and
opened the very checkout station
next to where I was standing with those
inviting words "I can take someone
here." Not waiting for a formal invitation
I did an immediate left face and rolled
my cart into place.
        Hope the others got out by now and
that all your NEWS is good.