IF A TREE FALLS...

     THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1st, 2020
              IF A TREE FALLS....

    You've all heard the question. If a tree
falls and there's nobody around does it make
a sound? Well I can't speak to trees in the
forest but I can tell you if a tree falls in your
backyard it makes a heck of a sound!
     About the time we got married 51 years
ago my wife planted a number of tiny Pine
trees in our yards from her own home in
Mountaintop.
      I remembered the lyrics of the song as
I watched them over the years.."See the tree,
how big it's grown." Well her trees shot up like
rockets waiting to be launched!
      One windy day we actually saw the ground
around one heaving as a strong breeze blew
through. Recognizing the potential danger to
our and other nearby homes we hired a man
to cut them down. In two cases, however, we
simply had all the limbs cut and left half a tree
standing. Both were dead.
       On Wednesday morning a heard a loud
crash in the front yard. One of those two "half
trees" had come down somehow missing both
of the sheds it stood between. Some decorations
we had affixed to the trunk were damaged but,
otherwise, no harm, no foul!
        A local handy man will be here shortly to
remove the trunk and to cut down the other
tree trunk we had left standing. It's right next
to our neighbor's house and, if it fell, it couldn't
miss!
        Maybe we'll plant something smaller
next time!
        Hope you're well and that all your NEWS
is good!

PUMPED UP FOR OUR TRIP!

   WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30th, 2020
         PUMPED UP FOR OUR TRIP!
   I've been writing a lot about our trip to New
England last week. The Autumn leaves were
fantastic. But there was another great sight!
Lower gas prices! Lower than Pennsylvania
anyway! On the average we found ourselves
spending about $2,19 for a gallon of regular.
At one stop, however, we filled up at a dollar
eighty nine cents  a gallon! Of course there was
the usual sneaky little 9 at the end. We haven't
seen gas prices below Two dollars a gallon for
many a year here in the Keystone State. Of
course our gas tax is higher, so we can fix
all the pot holes. How's that been working out?
Has me wishing New England were closer so I
could tank up there! Hope you're running on Full
and that all your NEWS is good!

THE GOLD RUSH!

       TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29th, 2020
                    THE GOLD RUSH!

    A lot of people are searching for gold right
now. And bright reds and orange as well. If
you live in the northeast this is gold rush season.
It doesn't last very long so you've got to do your
prospecting while you can! Fall foliage brings
thousands of people to the northeast each
autumn but most of them limit their travels to
the major north/south or east/west routes. Often
the most impressive colors are found along
the back roads where you've actually got time
to slow down and enjoy them. And you don't
even need a car to enjoy the view. There are
beautiful colors to be found around town in
most communities so a casual walk will lead
you to treasure as well. One other note, the
colored leaves sometimes hide out treasures,
Things that can't be seen when the trees are
full. But don't miss the colors. Stake your claim
\now. Hope you enjoy the view and that all your
NEWS is good!

QUESTION TIME!

 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28th, 2020
             QUESTION TIME!
    September 28th marks one of those
"unusual holidays" we should all know
about. It is "Ask A Stupid Question Day!"
Whle we've all probably heard that old
saying "There's no such thing as a stupid, or
dumb question," I can assure you I've heard
plenty come from the lips of my fellow
reporters. Asked a few myself from time to
time I'm sure. But this is an actual observance!
A number of teachers came up with the idea in
the 1980's. They wanted a day when students
could be encouraged to ask anything they
wanted without being made to feel stupid.
It's always celebrated on September 28th IF
the date falls on a school day. Otherwise it's
moved to the last school day of the month.
Reminds me of my days in school when I'd
ask "Did I get an "A" on that test"? 
Hope you're well and that all your NEWS
is good!

WE'RE HERE! (WHERE EVER THAT IS!)

      SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27th, 2020
WE'RE HERE! (WHERE EVER THAT IS!)

  I'm writing today's blog from a town in
New Hampshire just across the border, I
mean a couple blocks from Vermont. We
started in Maine today (or was in Massachusetts)
to begin working our way home from our
vacation on Vinalhaven Island. Unlike our
trip there, however, we didn't have specific
return plans except to enjoy the fall leaves.
WSe have a GPS. But it helps to know where
you're going if you want to program the
thing. On this day, that GPS took us on and
off the same Interstate 3 times! Each time directing
us to the same entrance and exit ramps. It was
like a pretzel! Add to that the fact we got on a
right hand lane and had to exit a left one across
4 lanes of 70 mph traffic on a sunny Saturday
in Autumn! Mike Cefalo would have been
proud of me (he races Miatas!)
    Then there were the round abouts! I dislike
them in Pennsylvania where I know how they
work. It was murder here.
     So, exhausted from a day of technicolor
leaves and race like traffic on the Interstate
we finally found a motel for the night. The
first one we checked was already full.
     I kind of know where we are (sort of)
and expect to be home tomorrow. Hope
I'm right and that all your NEWS is good!

THAT GILLIGAN FEELING!

 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26th, 2020

      THAT GILLIGAN FEELING!

      If you remember Gilligan and the

Skipper headed out for a 3 hour cruise and

ended up on an island. We, on the other hand,

were already on an island waiting to take the

10:30 Ferry Boat cruise back to the mainland.

We had made reservations, had tickets in hand,

and pulled up to the first boarding spot.....only

to be told there was no 10:30 Ferry! Seems a 

crew member was suspected of having the virus!

Turns out he didn't but the entire ship had to

be sanitized so that voyage was cancelled. We

got on the 1pm boat which would have damaged

our schedule, if we had one! I got to thinking

that Vinalhaven would not be such a bad place

to be stranded. In fact, maybe we all need to he

"held back" somewhere from time to time to

force us to talk a little down time whether he think

we need it or not! Anyhow, the journey home has

begin. Hope you're well and that all your NEWS

is good!

 

CHANGING TIMES!

 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25th, 2020
           CHANGING TIMES!

   My wife and I spent our last full
vacation day on Vinalhaven Island
off the coast of Maine Thursday.
Life doesn't change very much around
the place. It's quiet and peaceful.
But there are changes. The leaves, for
instance. And even history!
 I've learned some interesting things about
this community while we've
been here. Including a thing or two
many island residents don't know about.
    That's the case with "Murder Rock."
The boulder, on a small island in what
is known as "Old Harbor" was the place
where 20 Vinalhaven settlers were
killed by Indians in 1724.
     To the settlers it was a massacre!
To the Indians, of course, is was a
victory. And now, in a sense, they've
won again! Maine, as of last year, no
longer recognizes Christopher Columbus
Day. The state now celebrates "Native
American Day.
      History, for good or bad, is changing
month by month and year by year, right
before our eyes.
       I wonder what the History books will
look like ten years from now?
       Hope we're all around to read them
and that all your NEWS is good!
   

A STAR ATTRACTION?

     THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24th., 2020
               A STAR ATTRACTION?

       MOST PEOPLE COME TO THE ISLAND
OF VINALHAVEN FOR THE PEACE AND QUIET.
BUT AN OLD BUILDING, IN THE CENTER OF
THIS SMALL DOWNTOWN, MAY SOMEDAY
MAKE THIS PLACE A MUST SEE DESTINATION
FOR ART LOVERS EVERYWHERE.   WORLD
FAMOUS ARTIST ROBERT INDIANAN CAME
HERE OVER 40 YEARS AGO AND MADE WHAT
WAS THE ONE TIME ODD FELLOWS BUILDING
HIS HOME. HE CALLED IT THE STAR OF HOPE.
INDIANA DIED IN 2018 LEAVING THE
DETERIORATING BUILDING AND A LAST WISH
THAT IF BE TURNED INTO AN ART MUSEUM.
A FOUNDATION HAS BEEN SET UP TO HANDLE
THE TASK AND THE FIRST STEP, STABILIZING
AND WINTERIZING THE BUILDING, WHICH
IS ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORICAL
PLACES. IS WELL UNDERWAY.
      WHO KNOWS, MAYBE YOU'LL BE VISITING
YOURSELF IN A COUPLE YEARS TO SEE SOME
OF INDIANA'S AND OTHER ARTISTS WORKS OF
ART. HOPE YOU DO, THAT YOU'RE WELL, AND
THAT ALL YOUR NEWS IS GOOD.

AND THEN ALONG CAME MARY!

 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23rd., 2020
     AND THEN ALONG CAME MARY!

   Fall officially arrived at 9:30 AM Tuesday
so by now some of you have been in at least
partial isolation since Spring showed up in
March. We're hold up at our friend's cottage
here on Vinalhaven Island in Maine. But that's
only for a few days.
     It was a lot worse for poor Mary Mallon!
Today is her Birthday!Like most of us
she didn't want to be quarantined at all. But she
resisted social distancing so much she was arrested
and was put on trial!
     Next time you're upset about how long you've
been keeping your distance consider the fact that
Mary lived in isolation for nearly 30 years.
      No Covid involved in her case....you may
remember her by her nickname...Typhoid Mary!
      Hope you're well where ever you are and that
all your NEWS is good.

SHIP AHOY!

    TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22nd, 2020

                 SHIP AHOY!

   On Monday we boarded the ferry boat for

the hour plus cruise to Vinalhaven Island a few

mines off the coast of Maine. We're visiting my

old friend there for a few days. There are all

kinds of activities on the small island. You can

eat lobster or take a nap. You can sit on the

porch and watch the sunrise or sunset, or take a

nap. You can read a book. Or you can take a nap.

We're alreaady enjoyed our lobster dinner and

sunset (as I write) is long since passed. I forgot

to bring a book so it would seem my option is

to take a nap. Perhaps the first of many on this

quiet, peaceful island! Hope you're well and

that all your NEWS is good! 

WHERE'S WALDO, I MEAN DAVID?

     MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st, 2020
      WHERE'S WALDO I MEAN DAVID?

   We drove into Maine Sunday crossing through
Vermont and New Hampshire. There were hundreds
of sights I would have loved to have photographed.
But each time we saw something there was no pullover
space and always a car right behind! The one photo we
really mised was the huge Moose that alked across the
highway 50 or so yards in front of our car. I was
driving and there was no way my wife could have set
up her camera that quickly. There were plenty of
signs warning of Moose Crossings but this guy
choose his own route! For a time I thought I had made
a costly wrong turn. It happened when I pulled into
the city of Paris! Guess there's two! Then for a moment,
I suspected I had turned around, really far, when I saw
a number of Amish horse drawn buggies on the road.
Was I back in Lancaster? Nope! Turns out they've got
them here in Maine too. The neatest thing was the
Maine pickup truck driver who, it seems dosen't
know his geography. He suggested I shouldn't have
the top down in my Miata till I got back to Pennsylvania.
I reminded him that Pennsylvania is nowhere near Florida
and that we get cold nights there too. But, the days have
been beautiful. Sunny and clear. Turn on the heater, wear
a warm jacket, and the top down ride feels just fine
thank you! Now, to prepare for the next part of our
adventure. Watch for my FB photos and comments
and, of course, stay tuned to the BLOG! Hope you're
well and that ll your NEWS is good!

FOR EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON.

           SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20th, 2020
    FOR EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON.

     Our fall get away trip brought us to Vermont
Saturday and, in a sense, to Autumn! Fall gets an
early start here with cool nights and chilly, crisp
mornings.
     It seems the show is about to begin! We passed
a number of produce stands filled with bright orange
pumpkins and gourds of a creamy white, orange,
and green.
      Soon the green leaves of summer will unfold
their fall look of red, yellow, and orange. We'll be
impressed by their beauty!
       You see, all colors mater!
       Hope you're well and that all your NEWS
is good!
   

THE GET AWAY!

 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19th, 2020

                THE GET AWAY!

   I believe most of you have been "locked

up" too long! So, my wife and I are taking a

trip and we're bringing you along (by way of

my blog and photo posts.) We got started

Friday as soon as brother in law Karl showed

up yo house sit for us. Our first stop was in

Saratoga Springs. New York. The town is

named for some springs that are thought to

contain healing waters. The battle of Saratoga,

which basically ended the Revolutionary War

happened near by. And, if you believe the story,

Chef George Crumb "invented" the potato chip

here!  We're traveling because we can! We

quarantined as much as possible but didn't

want our home to become a cell! And, fact

is, you can travel too! Maintain as much social

distance as possible, carry your mask with you

(and use it where appropriate) and use some

common sense! Hope you enjoy my travel

blogs and the photos I post to my FB page.

I miss a blog on two on this trip depending

on Wifi availability but I'll be checking in

whenever possible. Hope you're well and

that all your NEWS is good!

TIME OUT!

 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18th, 2020
                TIME OUT!!!

      I want to thank all of you who
 sent me Birthday greetings yesterday.
 I was amazed by all the calls, and
 the Posts and messages that came
 through Facebook.
    I must admit that one really caught
 my attention and may keep me up at night.
 Although it was specific to my 78 years
 on this planet, the math applies to all
 of you and you may want to calculate your
 own numbers and adjust your life accordingly.
    My well wisher pointed out that, in my case,
 it's been 28,491 days since the day I was
 born (and that doesn't count today) and
 if I've had a decent 8 hour sleep through
 all those days, I'd have slept away 9,497
 days. I'm sure a lot of it was in school but
 That's 26 YEARS OF SLEEPING!
    I could use all that time at my age!
    Wonder if I can get a "do over" on some
 of that?
    You might want to stay awake a little
more before you miss too much! Hope you're well
and that all your NEWS is good! 
       

ROUND, ROUND, GET ROUND, I GET AROUND!

               THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17th, 2020
ROUND, ROUND, GET, AROUND. I GET AROUND!

    I always liked that song by the Beach Boys. And I've
always enjoyed "getting around!" As of today I;ve been
around the sun 78 times and, for the most part, they've
been enjoyable trips. I've sorted of divided my life into
two major parts. Everything before I got married was
sort of like Pre School. Everything since has been more
like College. Well, the Fraternity part of college anyway.
Lots of fun! I have very few complaints. I've got a
fantastic family that stays as close as possible. Besides
the sun I've been around the country and much of the
world, and I had an exciting career in radio and TV,
Even got myself into a movie!
      I only have one big question as I face the future.
What do I want to be when I grow up?
      Thanks for all the Birthday wishes! Hope you're
well and that all your NEWS is good!
   

SEPTEMBER AIR.

 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16th, 2020
                  SEPTEMBER AIR!

    I spent a good portion of Tuesday morning
sitting on my front porch enjoying what I call
"September air." Fall hasn't begun yet but the
Labor Day weekend marked the unofficial
end of Summer.
     There are signs of change. Evenings and
mornings are getting cooler. The days are
getting shorter. The leaves on our
trees are beginning to show their first sign of
color. Neighbors with kids have set out their
Halloween decorations. Then, the ultimate
sign Our furnace fired up for the first time
this season! I'm hoping it was just a test run
for February or March. But I suppose that's
just wishful thinking.
      Oh well, Late morning and early afternoon
were delightful and I was able to sit and enjoy
some September air. Hope you did too and that
all your NEWS is good! 

COPY CAT!

    TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15th, 2020

                   COPY CAT!

         I've been over all this before, numerous times! 

I suppose a lot of my Facebook friends like to share

information with others but their compulsion to have

me share their information sometimes drives me nuts!

           They are messages promising me blessings

from God, good luck, or a sudden fortune IF I will

only copy and paste their post with my friends.

            My reply, when In choose to send one, is to

say I haven't copied since third grade and am not 

allowed to handle paste, glue, or any other sticky

substance!

            There copy and share requests seem to be on

the upswing again.  Since my replies don't seem to

be working I'm going to ask everyone to copy and

paste this blog in the hope everyone will finally get

my drift!

           Hope you're sharing this, that you're well and

that all your NEWS is good!

SEW WHAT?

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14th, 2020
               SEW WHAT?
   September is National Sew At Home
Month! It's official! It was proclaimed by
President Ronald Reagan in 1982. The month
is designed to honor those who retain the craft
of sewing which has been so important in our
country's history.
    My wife is quite a hand with her sewing
machine. She made her own wedding dress
for our marriage and she still gets requests to
mend or repair things that need to be sewn.
     I have, on occasion, attempted to repair
the holes I'm prone to creating in my socks.
Of course I'm not allowed anywhere near the
sewing machine so I usually, unannounced,
sneak into the sewing room and grab a needle
and thread. If I'm lucky I can find a color thread
that actually matches the socks. Then comes the
hard part, threading the needle! It takes a number
of attempts and can sometimes resould in a few
minor wounds.  But, usually, in the end, I mend
the hole with just a few feet of thread.
      It's my way of celebrating the month! Hope
you're celebrating too and that all your NEWS is
good!

MASK MULTI TASKING

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH, 2020
          MASK MULTI TASKING!

   Now that a face mask has become part of
our standard daily wear I'm beginning to see
just how valuable they are. And not just in
connection with the virus pandemic!
    I know my mask protects you and your
mask protects me.
    But there's much more to it.
    Now when you run into somebody in a
supermarket you'd rather avoid, you can pretend
you just didn't recognize him or her/ And, if you
do get cornered by one of those talkers who
just has to share some terrible joke with you
at least they won't know when you're actually
gritting your teeth instead of smiling!
      I discovered a health saving use for my
mask last night. My wife hits the sack just
before me and her night time ritual involves
removing her nail polish. That remover smells
highly toxic to me! I suspect it was originally
invented as a chemical warfare nerve gas!
       Anyway the mask masked the fumes
for me so I may make iut a part of my regular
sleep gear!
       Hope you're well (not inhaling beauty
supplies) and that all your NEWS is good!

GAME DAY!

   SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12th. 2020

                   GAME DAY!

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

Day. Don't worry about not being allowed 

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

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

"National Video Game Day!"  I guess you

could say it started back in 1958 with a 

simple table tennis video game called

"Pong."  Since then there has been a wave

of various games like Nintendo, Atari, and

lots of variations of the XBox.

   There are two schools of thought about

video games. One suggests they promote

one's mental agility and sharpens the

reflexes.  The other suggests video games

have taken kids away from the outside world

of fresh air and creative play.

      I always favored  running around outdoors.

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

      Hope you enjoy what evre you're playing

and that all your NEWS is good.       

AN IRONIC "HOLIDAY!"

   FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th, 2020

       AN IRONIC "HOLIDAY!"

     It's an Idiom. And a phrase  I've used for the

title of this daily blog. And, as it happens, September

11th is "No News Is Good News Day!"

    Talk about ironic!!!!

    The day we're asked to refrain from listening

to, watching, or reading news happens to be

the same date as one of the very biggest news

stories in American history!

      As most of you know I've spent the better

part of my life delivering news. That included

9/11/2001 when I stationed myself at the

Tobyhanna Army Depot thinking it could be

a potential target of the terrorism that struck

our country that day,

       Thankfully it wasn't and I was able to

concentrate my reporting on just how ready

our area military installation was,,,just in case!

        News most often deals with occurrences

that are not pleasant.

        Walter Cronkite once described news as

watching yards of white linen coming off an

assembly line. It's suppose to be white. That's

the norm.

          When you suddenly see a black spot

you want to know why it's there.

           Newsmen and women are suppose

to alert you to that spot. Editorials may

suggest ways the spot can be removed.

           Some people complain about news

being "negative." But if there's black smoke

coming from the factory near your home

there's a good chance you'll want someone

to tell you why it's there and what's being

done about it.

             That's the news you'd be looking

for!

             News reporters these days are

often chastised for offering "Fake News."

That phrase is almost always linked to

political news. Highlight a decision by

a politician you like and that's news.

              Report that same politician's

involvement in a controversy and you're

likely to believe it's all made up.

              Good reporters, and there are

still plenty of them, offer the basics that

have always produced news. Who, what,

where, when, why and/or how.

             No news really isn't good news.

             It's ignorance.

            Hope all your NEWS is good!

AN ETERNAL FLAME?

    THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10th, 2020

             AN ETERNAL FLAME?

   Some folks might be surprised to find a

Ghost town just a few miles away from Public

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

    58 years ago this month the final move of

some 850 people under way  in the

Borough of Laurel Run,  The now vacant land

on either side of what has become know as

the Giant's Despair road was once filled with

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

school and a lumber yard

      Back in 1915 a coal miner left his carbide

light burning while hanging on a wooden

pillar. By the time the mine reopened after

the weekend the fire had spread into a seam

of coal,

       Over the years the blaze spread further,

eventually causing some of the ground above

to collapse and sending toxic fumes to the

surface.

        There are still homes in Laurel Run. All safely

west of the fire area. Efforts have been made to

stop its spread but it still burns 105 years after

it started  Coal may have been king at one time,

but it was also a killer!

YOU CAN'T GET THERE FROM HERE!

 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th, 2020
YOU CAN'T GET THERE FROM HERE!

   My wife and I have done a lot of traveling
over the past ten years or so. We've especially
enjoyed those trips that took us from one
country right into the next as though there
were no borders.
     Which brings me to the trip we're planning
now. It has us a bit perplexed!
      We're headed for Maine. But there's a
slight problem. Maine doesn't seem to want us!
While people from states surrounding Maine
are welcome with open arms, travelers from
other areas, like Pennsylvania, have to fill out
a form in order to stay at a hotel or motel in
Maine!
       It's all about the virus of course. Unless
you're from NH, VT, CT, NY, on NJ, (Yep,

New Jersey!) you've either got to get tested for

 the virus within 72 hours of your trip or certify

 that you're quarantine during your stay, or have

 completed a 14 day quarantine in Maine before

 your stay.
        Since we're headed to a small cabin an
hour off the coast I suspect our in stay quarantine
will satisfy the requirements.
         I wonder if our Pocono resorts are checking
all the visitors from Maine?
         As long as there's home delivery of
lobster at the cabin we should be OK.
         Hope you're well, and that all your
NEWS is good!

FATAL ATTRACTION!

   TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8th, 2020
           FATAL ATTRACTION!

    As the unofficial end of summer comes
around the Labor Day weekend a lot of people
head to the sea shore to enjoy attractions on
the boardwalk or along the beach. But on this
date in 1934 beach goers at Asbury Park, New
Jersey found an "attraction" that shocked most
and brought many to tears. Hours earlier the
Ocean Liner Morro Castle, bound from Havana
to New York, had a small fire. Within 30 minutes
the vessel was engulfed in flames! The electrical
wiring was burned and only one SOS was sent.
About half of the ship's lifeboats were launched
and they were filled, for the most part, with crew
members. The ship's steering controls were wrecked
and it drifted until it grounded at Asbury Park Beach!
135 people on board died. The wreckage was so close
to shore that tourists were able to walk to the vessel and
touch it at low tide! Until it was towed off for scrap 6 
months later thousands of people came to view the
ship's remains.
      It's surprising, considering our fascination with
ship wreck stories, that no one ever did a movie on
the Morro Castle story.    But today we remember it
on this ominous anniversary.
        Hope you're well and that all your NEWS is
good!

THE STATUE ON THE SQUARE!

   MONDAY SEPTEMBER 7th, 2020

   THE STATUE ON THE SQUARE!

      It's Labor Day! Under normal

circumstances thousands of people would

be crowded onto Courthouse Square in

Scranton to celebrate the annual Italian

Festival. This year, however, the square is

quiet as the pandemic forced the cancellation

of the event. But there's still something

interesting to see there. It's a statue to famed

Labor leader John Mitchell. And this might be

an appropriate day to check it out. Mitchell

was President of the United Mine Workers

in the early 1900's when miners were striking

for higher wages and better working conditions/

    The strike virtually shut down the country's

economy prompting President Teddy Roosevelt

to come to Scranton where he joined Mitchell

and coal company executives in negotiations

to end the strike. Eventually they were successful.

   It was labor that forced the 5 day, 40 hour work

week, overtime pay, holidays and vacations.

   Today we salute the average working man

and woman who labor to provide for their

families everyday.

      Hope you can all enjoy a day off and

that all your NEWS is good!

FREE OR FEE?

 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6th, 2020
             FREE OR FEE?

   There's very little in life that's "Free"
these days and if a handful of state
legislators have there way there will
be one less.
     The lawmakers, including one from
nearby Carbon County, want to all our
State Parks to charge admission or
parking fees to use the facilities.
       For many families these parks,as
they're set up now, offer some of the
only free recreational opportunities
available.
       And, since they are "State Parks?
they are already funded through our tax
dollars.
        Supports, few that they may be,
argue that other states charge to use
their state parks.
         Of course those same :other
states, have a far lower gas tax than
we pay. Maybe we could lower ours
or use some of the income to help
finance our parks.
         I don't think that option has
been mentioned.
        Then there's the fact that
collecting fees would require
personnel that have to be paid and
receive benefits,
          How about considering
places like the Cape May County
Park with picnic facilities, playgrounds.
and a Zoo. It's basically funded by
tax dollars supplemented by donations
and it's totally free to visitors. There's
even free Wifi!
         Personally I rather see the
prices for our picnics limited to
the supplies in our picnic baskets.
          Hope our outdoors stay free,
and that all your NEWS is good.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS!

 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5th, 2020
      FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS!

   I never really expected to see it this year.
Friday night High School Football! Yet, there
it was!
   It was a scrimmage game between the
Hazleton Cougars and the Wyoming Area
Warriors. The Wyoming Area Football
Alumni arranged to do the game on
Facebook Live. And they plan to do more.
    With the current state regulations
limiting spectators to 250 for outdoor events
this may be the only way some folks will
get to see a game this season.
      In a way it's only fair. So many students
are getting their education by way of computer
now I suppose true High School Sports fans
will have to use one as well to cheer on their
home team.
        Hope your school has similar arrangements,
that you're well, and that all your NEWS is good!

A PEAR OF NEW NEIGHBORS!

   FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2020

     A PEAR OF NEW NEIGHBORS!

    We had a new couple move into the

neighborhood recently. It's always good

to see new neighbors. But the timing of their

arrival has me in a sort of quandary. You

see the man who originally lived across the

street planted a tree years ago. He had no 

idea it was a pear tree. He disliked pears. I

loved them. So, for many years, my wife and

I handled the harvest. After he moved, as luck

would have it, trthe property was generally

vacant during pear season. So we coutinued

to collect pears from the tree. Now that someone

is living there is just isn't the same. Thay have

pruned the tree but from the bottom rather than

the top. The large pears will be growing from

the top of the tree. Now I'm worried they may

fall and hit someone on the head. I'm thinking

of heading over, probably at night, to remove as

much of the threat as possible. Isn't that what

good neighbors are for!

    Hope you're enjoying some fresh fruit and

that all your NEWS is good!

WAITING FOR THE PACKAGE!

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3rd, 2020
   WAITING FOR THE PACKAGE!

   When I wrote about the Pony Express and
the Postal System the other day I got to
thinking about how much I depended on the
mail. Especially as a kid!
     Remember Ralphie in "A Christmas Story?"
Checking his mailbox every day waiting for that
secret decoder ring from the "Little Orphan
Annie Radio Show!
      Well I was that kid. In my case though it
wasn't "Little Orphan Annie." I was probably
waiting for a premium from "Sky King" or
"Straight Arrow" or "Roy Rogers."
       The way it worked, the cereal companies
that sponsored those radio shows offered
premiums like rings, badges, or patches to
us listeners.  You usually had to send in a
quarter or maybe 50 cents along with two
box tops from the cereal to get your prize
in the mail.
       I cheated. I'd sebd in one box top and
one box bottom! Then the cereal companies
got wise and started asking for a Seal from
the box so you had to buy two boxes instead
of just using one.
       These days I don't get many packages
in the mail. Most come from Amazon, or UPS,
or Fed-Ex! Maybe all that competition is
slowing down the mail?!
        But I still look forward to getting
those packages no matter who brings them!
        Hope you do too, that you're well, and
that all your NEWS is good!

A LESSON FOR THE MEN

  TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2020
         A LESSON FOR THE MEN!

   I was reluctant to do this blog. But someone
suggested it might be of great help to many men
who might read it so I agreed.
   Woman mat wish to skip this blog. That's up
to you.
    In a sense it shows how illogical the world
really is/  Some time back my wife was away
somewhere so being the good husband I am.
I elected to do the dishes for her.
     We have a dish washing machine in our
kitchen. I loaded it with dishes and, here's
where the illogical comes in, poured in a
generous amount of dish washing liquid I
found near the kitchen sink.
       Have you ever seen a Three Stooges
comedy where tons of soap suds begin
pouring all over the place? Well it happens.
It happened to me.
        Later I was informed there are two
different kinds of dish washing liquids.
One for hand washing and one for machine
washing. Perhaps there should be a warning
label to let us know which one doesn't go in
the machine!
      Anyhow my wife ended up getting the
dishes and the floor cleaned at the same time!
       Some time later,after I had forgotten the
entire episode, I did it again!!!!
        Now most everybody has to be
wondering how someone could make a
stupid mistake like that all over again!
        Well, I haven't had to do the dishes
since then!
         Hope you're dishes are clean, that
you're well, and that all your NEWS
is good!