Saturday, October 31, 2020

SHOULD I ?

   SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1st, 2020

                  SHOULD I ?


  I had just completed a couple errands

and was thinking about other things that

need to be done when I realized it was

November 1st. This marks the third annual

"Give Up Your Should Of Day!" The idea

is simple. You give up things like "I should go

to the gym. I should lose weight. I should help

clean up the house." Toss them all out the window!

After last year's 2nd annual "Give Up Your Should

Of Day" participants reported feeling a lot better

about themselves! Some of them felf so much

better they gave up their "Should of''s" for the

following day too! I think it's a great holiday

that we should celebrate more often. And one

we shouldn't put off! Hope you're well and that

all your NEWS is good. 

Friday, October 30, 2020

TIME TO BE SCARED!

   SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31st, 2020

           TIME TO BE SCARED!


  Well it's Halloween. A time for ghosts and

goblins to roam the streets looking for treats.

But this year, the really scary time happens

after Midnight! That's when we switch our

clocks, at least many of us do, to Standard

Time! Now, don't get me wrong. I enjoy an

extra hour of sleep more than most of you.

But consider this. Turning our clocks back

one hour, in essence, adds 60 minutes to the

year 2020! That certainly scares the heck out

of me! Hope you'll use the time wisely and

that all your NEWS is good!   

Thursday, October 29, 2020

"IT'S ALIVE! IT'S ALIVE!"

   FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30th, 2020

      "IT'S ALIVE! IT'S ALIVE!


   If it's the last Friday in October there's

one thing of which you can be sure! It's

Frankenstein Friday! Frankenstein! The

perfect Halloween monster. He's been

scaring young and old for over 100 years.

    He was born, rather created, by Mary

Shelley in 1818 when she was just 21-years-

old. The actor most identified as the monster

is Boris Karloff. His image is still used in

masks produced today. Ironically he wasn't

the studio's first choice for the role. Bella

Lugosi, best know for playing Dracula, was

offered the part. But he turned it down because

the monster never spoke during the movie! He

wanted to have dialog! In retrospect, he should

have remained silent and accepted the offer.

It paid off bug for Karloff! Don't know how

we're suppose to celebrate the day. I'd suggest

a scary movie or two, one of which should

probably be Frankenstein! Hope you enjoy the

show, that your're well, and that all your NEWS

is good!

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

LOGGING ON!

  THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29th, 2020

               LOGGING ON!


   It's October 29th friends. It's " Internet Day!"

We've come so far on the world wide web. Emails,

technology that allows Smartphone texts, video

calls and the like. But, in a sense, it all started on

October 29th. of 1969. As part of a Defense Department

project a team at UCLA attempted to send a message

for their compute to one at Stanford University. It

was a one word message. The word was "LOGIN."

The L and the O made if through just fine. But then

the system crashed! As I said, we've come a long

way since then. On the other and the internet now

brings us Spam, Political commercials, and Hackers.

Maybe we haven't come all far just yet! Hope you're

getting my message, that you;re well, and that all your

NEWS is good!

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

"NATIVE AMERICAN SUMMER?"

   WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28th, 2020

     "NATIVE AMERICAN SUMMER?"

   Well many of the leaves around this area

are down and the ones that remain have taken

on that "rusty color." I'm looking forward to

Indian Summer. That's a period of mild weather,

usually in October or November, that follows

the first hard frost. It's a pleasant time though

the name doesn't stem from pleasantries! Back

when the settlers and Native Americans started

to feud the term "Indian" took on a negative

connotation. "Indian Giver" was used to refer

to someone who gave you something then

wanted it back! "Indian Summer" meant a

time that felt like summer but really wasn't.

Well, whatever its origin, I hope Indian Summer

comes soon and stays awhile! Hope your weather

is fine, that you're well, and that all your NEWS

is good! 

Monday, October 26, 2020

ANCHORS AWEIGH!

    TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27 th, 2020

              ANCHORS AWEIGH!


    I want to make sure you're all aware this

is "Navy Day. " Not the Navy Birthday. That;s

October 13th. Navy Day is a separate tribute

set up by the Navy League and always observed

on October 27th, the birthday of Teddy Roosevelt,

a strong supporter of the U.S. Navy. I was not in

the Navy but I have several friends who  are

Navy veterans and I salute them for their service.

I feel somewhat akin to them today because for

awhile I had my own fleet! There was my pontoon

boat and one of those small paddle boats we kept

at our camper by the lake. They're both gone now

but I still have my Flagship! It's an 8 foot Jon boat

I call John Buoy!      It will take me just about

anywhere as long as I can row! Hope it's smooth

sailing for you and that all your NEWS is good!

Sunday, October 25, 2020

MY SUNDAY SERMON!

    MONDAY, OCTOBER 26th, 2020

          MY SUNDAY SERMON!


   I got up extra early Sunday morning. Well

extra early for me. I was on a mission, to a

mission. Well, to a church. Our church. We try

to make it every week but this week was to be

a little different. You see our pastor and his wife

are on vacation and I volunteered to do the

sermon. It isn't completely new to me. I preached,

well, gave a message there twice on the past and

have done the same at another regional  church a

couple times as well. But this time I agreed to do

both the 8:30 and 10:30 service. I actually worked

on, and researched for, my sermon for a couple

weeks. When I arrived I found the church a bit

chilly. Our pianist said she had turned up the

thermostat but with no result. A board member

arrived and headed to the basement to check

things out. What he found was about 2 feet of

water (along with a troubling electrical odor).

Instead of calling for a hymn I called for the

Fire Department! Volunteers responded quickly

and began the process of pumping out the basement.

Without heat and with fire trucks blocking part of

the parking lot we gave up the thought of switching

to our church hall  and cancelled the day's services.

God works in strange ways. I'll have to look over

that sermon again to see if there's something he

didn't want preached. Anyhow, the basis of it is

now tucked away waiting for my next opportunity.

I don't know  when that will happen but I hope to 

see you there when it does! Hope all your NEWS

is good too! 

Saturday, October 24, 2020

SO MY CUP WILL NOT RUNNETH OVER!

       SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25th, 2020

 SO MY CUP WILL NOT RUNNETH OVER!

  It's amazing, when you stop to think about

so many little things we take for granted. When

I got in the car yesterday I just automatically put

my soda can in the cup holder. Suddenly, for some

,reason, I  recalled my Dad's 1950 Buick. It had

just about every extra available at the time. But

it didn't have cup holders! When cars first became

the standard form of transportation they were a

little too shaky to even think about bringing a

beverage along for the ride. When shocks and

springs improved the ride a couple manufactures

included two little circular indentations in the

glove compartment door where you could place

cups. Great for when you were parked. But not

very practical on the road. Next there were window

devices for your soda or coffee. They didn't work

out all that well when opening and shutting the

doors! Finally somebody came up with the idea

of building cup holders into the center console. 

Even those have evolved over the years as the size

and shapes of cups and beverage containers have

changed. So while those folks who design sky

scrappers, and bridges deserve our respect, let's

lift a toast to the folks who design those cup holders

we seldom think about but use nearly every day!

Hope you're well and that all your NEWS is good!

Friday, October 23, 2020

IS IT A COVER UP?

   SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24th, 2020

             IS IT A COVER UP?

    I admit it. It is a cover up. Well,

actually it's a cover up for my Miata

sports car. It covers my vehicle evenings,

when it rains, and, Heaven forbid, in the

winter! It's been very useful but it was

beginning to show signs of ware. Fortunately

my wife kept the old one. The first one I

used on the car. On Saturday she announced

plans to cut sections of the old one, and sew those

sections over the worn spots on the existing one

to create a better fit. Though I helped her lay

the old one over the car and carry both into the

house, my real help began when she got her

sewing machine out. I stayed out of her way!

Result, a good job! Remember what they used

to say. Too many chefs spoil the soup! Hope

you're well covered and that all your NEWS

is good.



Thursday, October 22, 2020

AND NOW, HEEEER'S DAVID!

 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23rd, 2020

AND NOW, HEEEER'S DAVID!

  October 23rd is National TV Talk Show

Host Day! I'm old enough to remember 

some of the original TV Talk Show hosts.

Guys like Dave Garroway from the TODAY

Show and Jack Parr, the first real late night

Talk Show Host. There have been so many

over the years. Johnny Carson is probably

 the best know and that's why this day is

being celebrated. It was his birthday!

Although I began my broadcasting career

as a DJ and then moved into News, my last

broadcasting gig was as the host of "Preview"

a talk show on Electric City Television. I

retired from that earlier this year and now

focus my attention to my daily video blog

which is posted on my Facebook page every

night. I like it better than all the rest because

I do all the talking. Hope you'll check it out

and that all your NEWS is good!

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

IF I CAN MAKE IT THERE...

   THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22nd, 2020

        IF I CAN MAKE IT THERE...


  I just wanted all of our friends to know we

"made it there" Wednesday! New York! Not

the city but upstate New York. Watkins Glen

to be specific. We met my old friend Bob there

for kunch than hadx a quick look at a resport

we used to frequent that has been spruced up

by its new owners,  I report this because, as

some of you have probably heard, New York's

Governor has been discouraging visits from those

of us in the Keystone State. I must report that

I saw no guards at the border, or toll booths

for that matter. Besides, our visit was sort of

essential. You see we found a Bakery/Deli there

that makes a fantastic rhubarb pie and I just

had to buy one to bring home! We bought gas

there too. It's about 35 cents a gallon cheaper!

Got to run now. My pie awaits! Hope you're

well and that all your NEWS is good! 



Tuesday, October 20, 2020

GETTIN AN EARFUL!

 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21st, 2020

        GETTING AN EARFUL!


  Years of radio and television and wearing

headphones have taken a toll. I realize I

have some hearing loss. My wife knew a long

time back when the words most spoken in

our house by me weher "What?" I finally broke

down and purchased some inexpensive hearing

aids. They do help but they also magnify ambient

sound. You can hear things like ceiling fans as they

rotate. The other problem is the squeal you get when

you;re putting them in your  ear until you get them

placed just right. Two weeks ago in church I couldn't

get the squeal to stop so I pulled the one making the

noise out losing the rubber tip at the end in the

process! I just found the tip Tuesday. Or, rather, my

doctor did! It was still in jy ear! I'm actually hearing 

much better now, even without the aid! Hope you're

well and that all your NEWS is good!  


Monday, October 19, 2020

DON'T RAT ME OUT~

   TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20th, 2020

             DON'T RAT ME OUT!


    I wanted to make your aware that this is

"National Rodent Awareness Week." Pest

Control experts tell us that the pandemic has

changed our eating habits and that, in turn, has

removed several sources of food the rodents

seek out. Between lacking their normal food

source and colder temperatures this means you

may find more rodent activity inside the winter!

We had some rodent activity at our house recently.

We set out an old fashion mouse trap. Three times 

that mouse took the bait but without springing the

trap. After hearing it spring shut one evening we

found the bait gone and the trap  gone! But no

mouse. Talk about Rodent Awareness! This guy

must have been at the head of his class! Don't

know where he went. No sign of his around

here. Maybe he's heading your way! Hope he's

not, that you're well, and that all your NEWS is

good. 

Sunday, October 18, 2020

SAME THING ONLY DIFFERENT!

      MONDAY, OCTOBER 19th 2020

    SAME THING, ONLY DIFFERENT!

  We spent sore time driving around looking

at the beautiful leaves Sunday. Of course we

just returned from New England two weeks ago when

the leaves were already showing off their autumn

red, orange, and gold. Got me to thinking about

how similar our areas are. At least when it comes to

leaves, Otherwise our areas are varied but kind of

balanced. A few of those New England states have

the ocean. But we have the Poconos. They have

lobster. But we have pierogies. There is one thing

we have that they don't! Potholes!!!! But I don't think

that's a plus! Hope you don't hit any. That you're

well. And that all your NEWS is good! 



Saturday, October 17, 2020

A MULLIGAN STEW!

   SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18th, 2020

        A MULLIGAN STEW!''   

     My bad! I missed an important

holiday." But I get a Mulligan! You

see October 17th was "National

Mulligan Day!"  The term is usually

 associated with golf! As the story goes

a Canadian golfer, David Mulligan, was

late for a game one day. He rushed his

first shot and it was terrible! His friends

agreed to let him have a "do over" and

that became known as a Mulligan. It's

important because its use isn't strictly for

golf. We all deserve a second chance so

if there's something in your live that needs

a do over give yourself a Mulligan and

start all over again! Hope you're well and

that all your NEWS is good.

Friday, October 16, 2020

NOTHING TO DO?

    SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17th, 2020

                NOTHING TO DO?

       I'm always amazed when I hear 

someone complain "There's nothing to do."

My wife and I find a ride in the country or

a walk along one of our many park trails

can brighten any day. On Thursday we

visited a local Garden Center  that celebrates

Fall with plants, and garden ornaments as

you'd expect but has added attractions like

unique art work, a working model train,

live animals, and even a Halloween tent

with some spooky attractions inside. Best

of all there's no charge for walking and

looking around! There's always something

to do but you've got to make the effort to

look around a little! Hope you do and that

all your NEWS is good!

Thursday, October 15, 2020

ON WITH THE SHOW!

   FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16th, 2020

         ON WITH THE SHOW!


  My wife and I did something we haven't

done for a long time Wednesday. We went

to the movies! Oh we've been to the Drive In

a few times over the past couple months. But

it's the 1st time since March we've been to an

indoor theater. W choose the Dietrich in

Tunkhannock. The entertainment industry,

specifically movies and stage productions,

has been just about the hardest hit industry

since the pandemic began. Movie theaters

closed in March and some, unfortunately,

will probably not reopen. We found the

experience pretty much like heading to a 

restaurant these days. You wear your mask

to buy your ticket and your pop corn then

remove it when  you get to your seat. Like

our church, every other row of seats is

closed and, at the Dietrich, we found an

attendant checking numbers and making

sure patrons were socially distanced in their

seats. After the movie ended a crew came in

to clean and disinfect the auditorium. We

certainly felt save and plan to go again. Hope

you do as well and that all your NEWS is good!

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

SO WHAT??!!

 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15th, 2020

                  SO WHAT??!!


   "So What!?" It's the kind of response you

might get from a grouch! Well you can expect

it, or offer it today! This is "National Grouch

Day!" We all know someone who seems to be

a grouch. And let's be honest, there are times

when we probably act like a grouch our self!

It happens from time to time. And being a grouch

isn't always bad. Look at Oscar from Sesame

Street! There's a grouch everybody loves to

see. He actually makes people smile. So, it's

OK to be a grouch from time to time, especially

on this unofficial "holiday."  Just don't  make it

a habit! Hope you're well and that all your NEWS

is not grouchy!!!

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

LEAVE THE LEAVES?

   WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14th, 2020

            LEAVING THE LEAVES?


   Even with Tuesday's clouds and light

drizzle the fall colors around our area were

fantastic! While there's a technical reason why

the leaves change color, I prefer to remember

the old native American story that tells us some

Indians were hunting and wounded a bear. The

bear jumped into the sky and they say his

blood drips down every year around this time

coloring the leaves!   I for one would like to see

the colored leaves stick around longer! It's good

for the morale and for Pennsylvania's tourism

industry! I one had an idea to send a crop duster

place up filled with hair spray to preserve the

colors a little longer. Somebody suggested

it might be a bad thing for the environment

so I have up the idea. We'll just have to enjoy

them when we can. Hope that's what you're

doing, that you';re well and that all your

NEWS is good!

Monday, October 12, 2020

IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED!

        TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13th, 2020

     IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED!


  October 13th marks one of those unusual

'holidays" that could have been designed with

me in mind. It's "International Failure Day!"

It's a day to encourage showing your awkwardness

and inability to get things right! I started early in

life! I remember, for instance, building a model

plastic airplane I thought looked pretty good. Then

someone pointed out I had glued the wings on

backwards. But, you see, you can't fail at something

until you've taken the chance to succeed. We learn

from our mistakes so mistakes aren't necessarily

a bad thing! So go ahead and try something today

even if your chances of success are limited! Hope

you succeed ........eventually, abd that all your NEWS

is good!

Sunday, October 11, 2020

DISCOVERING COLUMBUS!

   Monday, October 12th, 2020

 DISCOVERING COLUMBUS!


   COLUMBUS HAS TAKEN A LOT OF SHOTS LATELY.  BUT

THE FACT IS, HE EARNED HIS PLACE IN HISTORY,

DOCUMENTING, EXPLORING, AND MAPPING THAT PART

OF THE NEW WORLD HE FOUND. HIS 3 VOYAGES LED 

TO A MAJOR EXCHANGE OF ANIMALS, PLANTS AND

PEOPLE BETWEEN EUROPE AND THE AMERICAS.

  COLUMBUS DAY IS NOW SHARED, OR IN SOME CASES

HAS BEEN REPLACED, BY NATIVE AMERICAN DAY. 

 BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT TO JUST TOSS

HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS AWAY.

   AND WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT TOWNS LIKE

COLUMBUS OHIO.  YOU CAN'T CHANGE THEM TO

NATIVE AMERICAN NAMES. YOU SEE WHAT HAPPENED

TO THE FOOTBALL TEAM WITH A INDIAN NAME!

  SO LET'S GIVE OLD CHRIS SOME CREDIT! AND HIS

DAY! HE DESERVES IT! AND WE DESERVE HIS DAY OFF.

  ENJOY YOURSELF AND I HOPE ALL YOUR NEWS IS

GOOD! 

     

Saturday, October 10, 2020

SCENERY THAT WILL STOP YOU IN YOUR TRACKS!

                 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11th,2020

SCENERY THAT WILL STOP YOU IN YOUR TRACKS!


   Saturday was another one of those nearly perfect autumn

days around northeastern Pa. Mild temperatures, beautiful

leaves and all part of a holiday weekend! All you needed

was a light jacket, a camera, and a lot of time! Especially

around Jim Thorpe. We spotted a large lighted sign just a

couple miles out of Lehighton that read "Expect Major

Delays!" The understatement of the year! Once we took

our spot at the end of the existing traffic line up it too about

an hour to crawl through Jim Thorpe! It really wasn't bad

for us. The view was fantastic and we had no place we had

to be. A few folks gave up their look at the popular tourist

town and turned around on the highway to head the other

way. The train excursion was operating and the passenger

cars looked filled to capacity! The downtown was jammed.

And keep in mind the community recently called off its

annual Fall Festival. Good thing! I don't think they could

have fit many more people in town, or on the highway.

Most of the people I saw were wearing masks. Most

anyway. But I'm not sure there was any honest social

distancing in play! We enjoyed everything from the

comfort of our car. Even the traffic jam! Hope you

get to enjoy some of the scenery, that you're well, and

that all your NEWS is good!

Friday, October 9, 2020

NOW THAT'S CLASS!

       SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10th, 2020

              NOW THAT'S CLASS!


    If this were a normal year my wife and I

would be off to my Class Reunion today.

Hazleton High School, class of 1960! 60

years later!

      Our class has had a reunion every 5 years

since we graduated. We even had a special one

three years ago, the year most of our class mates

turned 75! 

      I have always enjoyed these get together s

which may surprise some because I wasn't very 

social active when I was in school. I wasn't on

any sports teams. I was on the stage crew woring

behind the scenes. I didn't date. And I didn't go to

the dances primarily because I wasn't an especially

good dancer! Until "The Twist" came out! I was a

pretty good twister. But guess when Chubby

Checker's version of The Twist came out? June of

1960! We were all graduated by then! Had he come

out with the song 3 years earlier I could have been

King of the High School Hop! Well, as I suggested,

this is not a "normal year" and our reunion, scheduled

for today, was called off. The virus has Twisted most

everything in out lives this year. Hope we get to try

again for our 61st in 2021 and that all your NEWS

is good!

Thursday, October 8, 2020

LET NO LEIF UNTURNED!

     FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9th, 2020

       LET NO LEIF UNTURNED!


   In just a few days we'll be noting

Columbus Day. A date set aside to

honor Christopher Columbus who,

as we were taught for years, 'Discovered

America," Today, October 9th, we

observe Leif Erikson Day." He and his

crew are said to have set foot in North

America some 490 years before old

Chris set sail. They supposedly stayed

for awhile even building some structures.

Problem is he didn't make any maps or

write about his discovery. So, he lost

out on credit! His brother even came

on a later visit. He was killed by Indians

who were here before both Columbus and

Eirkson! Just to be fair they've added

"Native American Day" (shared with

Columbus Day) on October 12th.

Whichever you're celebrating, hope

you're well and that all your NEWS

is good!

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

WHEN AUTUMN FALLS!

   THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8th, 2020

         WHEN AUTUMN FALLS!


   I'm not sure if there's an official

difference between Autumn and Fall,

The way I look at it Autumn is the time

when the leaves begin to show off their

colors of red, yellow, and orange. We only

have it for a short time. Then the winds

sneak in and Fall begins as those leaves

fall to the ground. It's sad in a sense

because we know that Winter is waiting

to show up. But this is the "in between

time." You can enjoy the beauty on the trees

and the colors that now coat the ground.

When they're all down look closely! You

may just find some things in the woods

that were hidden by the foliage through

the summer! Enjoy the season. In fact

enjoy all of the seasons! Hope you're well

and that all your NEWS is good!


Tuesday, October 6, 2020

STEPPING INTO SCHOOL!

   WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7th, 2020

          STEPPING INTO SCHOOL.


   October 7th marks one of those unusual

"holidays" that a lot or parents and kids

probably wish they could observe! It is

"International Walk To School Day!"

It was started in 1997 by the Partnership

For A Walkable America. While created

as a national observance it quickly caught

on in other countries around the world!

When I was a kid I walked to me grade

school (about 2 blocks), to my Junior

High School (about 3 blocks) and to my

High School. The High School was

about a mile hike. At least till I got my

driver's license and could borrow the car!

These days a a walk to school for many

students involves going from their bedroom

to the kitchen or living room, where ever

their lap top is kept. Hopefully things will

get back to "normal" soon and that a part

of the normak will include a walk to school

Hope you're well and that all your NEWS 

is good!

Monday, October 5, 2020

BATTER UP!

   TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6th, 2020

                  BATTER UP!


     I'm thinking baseball today and what better

day to do it? The first World Series game was

played on this date in 1882. The Cincinnati Red

Stockings defeated the Chicago White Stockings

4 to 0!  Another World Series milestone was set

on this date in 1926 when Babe Ruth became the

first player to hit three home runs in the Fall Classic!

     I remember, when I was in school and the

Yankees were always the odds on favorite to win,

we had a television set on stage at my Junion High

School and most teachers allowed us to come out of

class to watch the games, They were all day games

back then. It's one of the things that's changed over

the years. That and the designated hitter. Most games

are played at night these days. But the biggest changes,

as you'd expect, came this year because of the virus!

The season was cut to just 60 games and the World

Series will all be played in one ball park, in 

Arlington, Texas where a retractable roof should

guarantee no weather problems. The stadium holds

40,000 people but only about 25%, about 10,000,

will be allowed to watch in person. For the most

part, however, baseball remains unchanged. It will

likely survive this pandemic...as will we! Keep your

eye on the ball. Hope you're well and that all your

NEWS is good!

Sunday, October 4, 2020

OCTOBER OPPORTUNITIES!


   MONDAY, OCTOBER 5th, 2020
    OCTOBER OPPORTUNITIES!

   So many festivals and events have been
cancelled because of the virus it's good to
see a few activities still available. That's
especially the case here in October when,
around these parts, the apples and pumpkins
are ripe and the trees shine with a technicolor
that dazzles the mind.
     We spent a portion of our Sunday at
Ritter's Orchards in Lackawanna County.
It's one of those place that attracts people
ever fall with those apples and pumpkins
I mentioned.
       But, additionally, there are all kinds
of activities, especially for the kids. Now
let me point out that some 99 percent of
everyone we saw there wore face masks
throughout their visit! That said, they were
able to enjoy horseback rides, a shed where
the kids could play on, under, and around
bails of hay, a corn maze, a sling shot to
shoot less than perfect apples at targets in
a field, and hay rides.
         Everyone was as socially distanced as
possible and, honestly, it was hard to believe
a pandemic existed.
          I've written before and what we consider
a pretty good policy to observe. Maintain
distance where possible, wear your mask, and
use common sense. Do that and you can, if fact
should, enjoy the wonders of the beauty and
bounty that surrounds us at this time of the
year. Hope you do, and that all your NEWS
is good!

Saturday, October 3, 2020

10 4 GOOD BUDDY!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4TH., 2020
            10 4 GOOD BUDDY!

   It's amazing how much our technology
has changed in a fairly short amount of
time. My car dash has a unit that allows
me to make calls, get directions, check
the news and weather without ever taking my
hand off the steering wheel!
    Back in the day the state of the art
communications gear in your car was a
Citizen's Band, or CB, Radio. I'm thinking
about it today because this is Citizen's Band
Radio Day. President Carter recognized it
back in 1987 and he picked October 4th
because it is the tenth month (10) and the
forth (4) day. CB'ers usually used the "10
Code" when communicating because numbers
are sometimes easier to understand than words.
10-4 means "OK."  If someone asked "What's
your 10-20?", they were asking for your
location.
     Ironically much of our technological
advancement dates back to another "10-4."
It was October 4th, 1957 when Russia launched
"Sputnik," the first satellite to orbit the earth.
The U.S. panicked! The Russians had beat us
into space. We eventually recaptured that
lead, landing men on the moon. And the
science that evolved from space exploration
gave us much of the technology we take
for granted today!
      So 10-4 to you good buddy! Hope you're
well and that all your NEWS is good!

Friday, October 2, 2020

PLAY DAY!


       SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3rd, 2020
                     PLAY DAY!

    Today, October 3rd, we note two unusual
"holidays" that might well be connected even
if they weren't designed to be!
      It's "Frugal Fun Day!" That's a day set
aside to encourage people who have as much
fun as possible with as little expense as
possible!
      But it's also "National Play Outdoors Day!"
Now there's a blast from the past! Long before
the Xbox and hundred other video systems
surfaced kids used to get a lot of fresh air and
sunshine playing in their own backyards or
on playgrounds and sand lots around town.
      As it's name implies, this day was created
to get kids, their parents, and even grandparents
outside to play.
       I personally think it's a great idea, especially
if you can do it inexpensively! That's the best of
both of these "holidays."
        Hope you plan to celebrate and that all
your NEWS is good!


Thursday, October 1, 2020

KEEP IT CLEAN!


 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2nd, 2020
          KEEP IT CLEAN!

   It's already October! So many great
holidays this month! Halloween. Columbus
Day, or Native American Day if you'd prefer.
    Just so happens one of my favorites falls
on October 2nd. Today! It's National
Custodial Workers Day! It's a day set aside
to pay tribute to all the men and women who
work to keep our environment clean. The
Janitors if you will!
      I began my broadcasting career as a
janitor at a small radio station in my hometown
of Hazleton, Pennsylvania. After the station
signed off the air I'd go in and clean things up.
And after I was done I'd play with the Control
Board. It's one of those "show business like
stories." Somebody got sick and I was the only
available person who knew how the Control
Board worked so I got on the air.
       To this day I can't stand to see paper
thrown on the floor. The janitor in me feels
I must pick it up and throw it in the trash.
Seems, like broadcasting, it's in my blood!
Hope your place is clean and that all your
NEWS is good!