OUR TIME IN THE TWILIGHT ZONE!

   THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31st, 2020.                         OUR TIME IN THE TWILIGHT ZONE

  I bought a new calendar today to make sure we're ready for the new year. But I got to thinking...Rod Seeking, fro nearby Binghamton, New York, would have appreciated 2020! Sterling, for those who don't know, was the creator of "The Twilight Zone" TV show which odd and bizzare stories. 2020 fits that mold all too well! The horrible death toll was the worst part. But, for many,  the gloves, isolation, masks, and social distancing disrupted normal lives and, basically, proved a big pain in the neck ( or somewhere towards the back!) But it wasn't all bad! There were births. New lives welcomed in 2020. There were young folks who made commitments to one another and the future through 2020 engagements or marriages! That' s the kind of faith we should all have as 2021 shows up and, with it, vaccines against the virus! Thanks for following, liking, and commenting on my Blog in 2020. I'll try my best to keep it up in 2021. HAPPY NEW EAR and, as always, I hope al your NEWS is good!

HOLIDAY HOT DOGS!

   WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30th, 2020

               HOLIDAY HOT DOGS!

   So, what do you do on a winter day when

the temperature is below freezing and

restaurants are closed because of the

pandemic? Well, if you're like our family

you get in the car, drive to the woods, and

have a picnic! We spent several hours in

Loyalsock State Park in a pavilion built in

the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation

Corps. The huge fireplace provided both

heat and a the flames to cook our hot dogs!

It's not the first time we've ventured there

for a winter picnic. It's become a family

tradition for as many of our kids and grand kids

who can make it. I think it meant more that

ever this year as we thought of so many

families that have been locked away in their

homes for the most part since March. I should

note there are plenty of picnic tables available

so put on your winter sweaters  and coats, find\

a fireplace and enjoy life! Chances are you'll be

well socially distanced from anyone else

willing to take on the challenge! Hope you're

well and that all your NEWS is good! 

re

THE "Y"

     TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29th, 2020

                       THE  "Y"

    Chances are most of you have danced or

listened to the song YMCA! I mention it

because December 29th is "YMCA Day."

It's a day to celebrate/ But not the song! 

The actual YMCA. It's a world wide

organization established in the mid 1800's

and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

I spent a lot of my teenage growing up

days at my local YMCA. It was great to

get together with other young me to play

ping pong, pool, swim, bowl. and get

involved with clubs like the model train

club. the air rifle club, and the archery

club. I was even named Chaplin of our

High Y organization. Unfortunately that

local Y closed years ago and the building

has long since been demolished. The city

got a new YWCA which catered to women 

and men but that has now closed its doors

too. That's too bad. The Y was a place where

young men could gather together safely,

enjoy recreation while, at the same time,

building character! Glad to know there are

still plenty of Y's around. Hope you were a

member there or of a similar organization

supporting youth in your community!

By the way the game of basketball was

invited at a YMCA in Massachusetts!  Hope

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

A TICKET TO THE PAST!

 MONDAY, DECEMBER 28th, 2020

       A TICKET TO THE PAST!

   My wife and I joined my son, daughter-in

law, and two grand kids on a train trip Sunday.

We rode the last excursion, for this season.

from Jim Thorpe along the Lehigh Gorge

State Park trail. It's a major attraction that

brings thousands of tourists to the area each

year. And we almost lost it! The excursion was

halted for awhile over a dispute between the

railroad and the community over taxes/

Fortunately the dispute was settled and we

found ourselves enjoying the scenery along

the Gorge trail and the Lehigh River! It

brought back special memories for me because

some of the rail on which were were riding

once served the Black Diamond, a train my

family and I used to take to New York City

often in days gone by! Train travel haas

always appealed to me. All you have to

do is sit back and relax. Make you feel like

life is on the right track! Hope you'll give it

a try and that all your NEWS is good!

NUTTY AS A __________

    SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27th, 2020

           NUTTY AS A __________

      It's my experience there are two kinds of people

in the world and this is the perfect day to see who's

who! December 27th is "National Fruit Cake Day."

People either love or...don't love fruit cakes. My wife

is a lover so I try to get her one each Christmas. But

even if you;re one of those folks not so inclined to

like fruit cakes you may want one anyway. They are

good for so many things! One community hosts an

annual fruit came toss. You see who can throw one

the longest distance to try to win a prize. They can

be re gifted to others. And that can go on for years.

Fruit cakes have been known to last for many years!

At the very least they make good door stops! So,

pick one up to celebrate. Consume it, toss it, or

give it to someone else! Hope you're well and that

all your NEWS is good! 

THE DAY AFTER!

  SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26th, 2020

               THE DAY AFTER!

   The day after Christmas always seems

like a let down. All that excitement leading

up to the big day is over and you might be

looking for something else to celebrate. Well

you've come to the right place, or blog. This

is "National Whiners Day!" It's a day to let

you vent over anything you want. Maybe that

Christmas sweater that doesn't fit. Or the wrapping

paper still all over the floor! I can't complain!

I read it wrong and poured my self a glass of

wine! All's well here! Hope you're just fine and

that all your NEWS is good~

THE GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST!

   THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24th, 2020

  THE GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST!

     Christmas is just a day away now and

I'm excited. I like Christmas! But even through

there's no "Humbug" around here I will admit

I find myself visited by the ghosts of Christmas

past from time to time. I remember Christmas

morning when my brother and I ran to the

Christmas tree Christmas morning to see what

Santa had left for us. There was always an

electric train running around that tree. I remember

skating at a local pond with family members. I

had to depend on my big brother to keep me upright

most of the time. And I remember family members,

now long gone, who were part of our Christmas

gatherings when I was growing up. This year my

niece surprised me with an old toy Ferris Wheel,

a gift to me on one of those Christmas days so long

ago. After my Dad passed away the toy ended up

in my sister-in-law's house as a treasured antique.

She passed away this year and my niece was kind

enough to see that it came back to me. We shouldn't

live in the past. But it's a nice place to visit, especially

around Christmas. Hope you'll make some new

memories this year and that all your NEWS is good.

A 54 YEAR OLD "HOLIDAY?"

   WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23rd, 2020

        A 54 YEAR OLD "HOLIDAY?"

    It's December 23rd friends. A day also

knows as "Festivus!" This unofficial holiday

was born in 1966 on the Jerry Seinfield TV

show. It's a "festival for the rest of us." A day,

that is, for folks who have nothing else to celebrate.

It's marked with a thin, bare. aluminium pole,

feats of strength, and airing of grievances.

Aside from waiting a long time in a line of 

fellow last minute shoppers I've got nothing 

to grieve and have no feats of strength to

show off. Think I'll just stick with Christmas!

Hope you do too and that all your NEWS is

good!

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!

   TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22nd, 2020

          CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!

    I wrapped up my Christmas shopping on

Sunday. Well, let me clarify that. I wrapped

up my Christmas grocery shopping Sunday.

The fixings for our Christmas Eve and

Christmas Day family meals. It seemed to

me that every other shopper must be working

on the same menu because some of the things

on my list were already sold out or in very

short supply! I replaced the sold out items

with my own choices which may make this

year's dinners just a little bit different. As

for Christmas gifts, well, there's still time...

right? Hope you're well and that all your

NEWS is good! 

SCROOGE'S FAVORITE DAY!

  MONDAY, DECEMBER 21st, 2020

     SCROOGE'S FAVORITE DAY!

      If you're feeling just a little bit like
Scrooge before the ghosts came to visit
there may be a very good reason!
      It may have something to do with
the fact this is the shortest day of the
year. So much darkness may have you
in the dumps.
       Or it may simply be the fact that
December 21st is "Bah Humbug Day!"
I kid you not!
        The folks at Wellcat.com actually
copyrighted the "holiday!" According
to those folks Humbug Day "Allows
everyone preparing for Christmas to
vent their frustrations."
         And let's face it, preparing
for Christmas can be a bit strenuous.
Take if from a guy who still have
Christmas shopping to do!
         This day offers any of you
feeling the stress of the season an
opportunity, just for one day, to
shout out "Bah Humbug!"
          Hope you don't find it necessary
to "celebrate: and that all your NEWS
is good!
       

A COVID CHRISTMAS PARTY!

   SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20th, 2020

    A COVID CHRISTMAS PARTY!

  This will certainly be a Christmas unlike

any we've seen for many a year! So many

activities postponed or cancelled. And that

includes our Church Christmas party. Sort

of. Instead of just giving up, our pastor and

church board came up with a Drive Through

Christmas Party. The pastor and his wife 

set up a coupe long tables filled with Christmas

treats, decoration, and take out boxes containing

a hot lunch. Santa even showed up for the

festivities and handed out some gifts to the

kids who came along with their parents. Most

sat in their cars and enjoyed the food and the

atmosphere while sharing smiles and waves

with others as they came to this unusual

fellowship! Where there's a will, there's a way!

Hope all your NEWS is good!

THIS DAY THROUGH THE YEARS!

   SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19th, 2020

   THIS DAY THROUGH THE YEARS! 

         It's December 19th, a very important

date. In 1732 Benjamin Franklin began

publishing Poor Richard's Almanac. On

December 18th of 1776 Thomas Paine 

began publishing a series of essays on

"The American Crisis." The first began

with the words "These are the times that

try men's souls." On this date in 1888

Henry Stanley arrived in Africa, He's

the reporter who finally tracked down

Doctor Livingston! In 1974 the ninth

James Bond movie, The Man With The

Golden Gun, hit the big screen. It stared

Roger Moore. On that same date Nelson

Rockerfeller was swore in as Vice President

of the United States under Gerald Ford.

And on this date in 1976 our son, David

James (D.J.) DeCosmo, was born! Happy

Birthday D.J. You picked a great date!

Hope all your NEWS is good!

LET IT SNOW!

   FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18th, 2020 

                  LET IT SNOW!

       December 18th is National "Flake

Appreciation Day!"

    It's a fun day apparently created to

encourage us to take notice of snow flakes

and to be mesmerized by each icy one that

falls.

    I've been told that each snowflake is

unique. no two exactly alike. You've got 

to wonder what kind of research has been

done to support that conclusion! 

    I shoveled about a foot of snow.

yesterday but I can't honestly say I had

enough time to examine either those that

had fallen or those that were still coming down.

    Maybe when the next storm comes around

I'll have somebody else do the cleanup while

I catalog as many flakes as I can catch!  I can

have some fun and help science at the same time!    

    If I spot any duplicates I'll let you

know! Hope you're not flaky and that all your

NEWS is good!

A CAROL FOR ALL SEASONS!

 

       THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17TH., 2020
           A DICKENS ON A CAROL!

    It's the time of year when many people are
singing Christmas carols. But one of the most
famous Christmas carols is one you don't sing!
    You read or watch it!
     A Christmas Carol, the novel by Charles
Dickens, was published on this day in 1843!
     The story on Ebenezer Scrooge and his
run in with four ghosts (don't forget to count
Jacob Marley) has become as much a part of
Christmas as the tree and wreath that decorate
your house.
        Back before television (yes, there was
such a time) my Mom, Dad, brother and I
used to huddle around a record player and
listen to a famous actor named Lionel
Barrymore narrate the story on a series of
78rpm records (Kids can ask their grandparents
to explain what those were.)
         Over the past ten years I've taken to
watch various versions of the classic tale
on television presentations. Now that we've
switched to basic cable I won't see as many
presentations. I do, however, have several
recorded on dvd's so I may have my own
binge watching session!
         You should watch it at least once
during the holiday. The lessons learned
by Ebenezer are just as valid today as
they were on that day in 1843 when they
appeared like the Ghost of Christmas
present to the original readers!
           Hope your NEWS is good and
God bless s, everyone! 
 

LET ME IN WHEE-OH!

   WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16th, 2020

               LET ME IN  WHEE -OH!

    I'm all for Child Safety efforts. But, lately,

I'm realizing what a strain they've put on my

daily existence. On Monday I bought some

chocolate almond milk for my grandson. I

screwed off the cap only to find some sort

of pull out plastic tab underneath that had

to be yanked out before I could pour. Next

I reached for the peanut butter to make a

sandwich. It's always hard to unscrew the

lid the first time it's opened but after I managed

that I found the entire top covered with some

thin aluminum-looking cover that's only

removable by lifting three small holders that

don't seem to offer enough leverage to get

if off in one piece of with just one pull!

My prescription bottle wasn't much easier.

It's easier to open a combination lock than

to get to my medicine! Fortunately the wine

bottle opened with very little effort! Hope

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

UNPUBLISHED!

    TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15th, 2020

                   UNPUBLISHED!

   2020 has been a year filled with disappointments.

We couldn't have expected them. Still, there one

that really surprised me! For the first time in over

50 years my name does not appear in the Telephone

Directory! Yes, we still have a phone book! Of 

course it's no where near what it used to be. The

very first phone book was published in the Boston

area in 1878/ It was only one page because there 

was only 97 people in the area with telephones!

Over the years the phone books grew and grew!

There was a time when a young man who wanted

to show off his strength would do so by ripping

a telephone directory in half/ They're a lot

closer to that original phone book these days.

And here's another surprise! Since I'm  not in

the book how are all those telemarketers getting

my number? Well, at least I'm still around to

take the calls! Hope you're well and that all your

NEWS is good! 

THE HUNT!

  MONDAY, DECEMBER 14th, 2020

                   THE HUNT

   Regular readers will remember that I

spent a fair amount of time in class last

week. Well in my living room "in class"

on line taking the State Game Commission's

Hunter Education Safety Course. Well I'm

happy to report I passed and now have both

my certificate and my Hunter's license.

We don't always get to actually use the things

we learn in school. Algebra for instance. I

didn't study it very much but have never, to

my knowledge, had a pressing use for it during

my reporting career. But, alas. no sooner had

I passed my certificate test when I realized

I could put some of my newly acquired

knowledge to immediate use!  Seems there's

a skunk that's trying to make its home under

mine. So I've set a trap near the hole in made

in our siding and am now awaiting his capture.

Soon, I hope he'll be "SCENT" away forever.

Hope it's an odorless effort and that all your

NEWS is good.

THE WARNING LIGHT!

   SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13th, 2020

           THE WARNING LIGHT!

   I got worried, for just a moment, when I

started my car. The "Change Engine Oil

Warning Light" came on! In fact it's been

about 4,000 miles since ,e last oil change.

The guy at the garage told me to change it

every 3,000 miles! Then I remembered

reading that investigative report from a

Consumer Advocate who had some other

ideas. According to the statistics he came

up with most folks could probably go up

to 20,000 miles before needing an oil change.

Of course between 4 and 8,000 was more

realistic for most drivers. So why are we

always being told to change it every 3,000

miles? Simple according to the report. 

Most mechanics want to see your, your car,

and your wallet as often as possible! Hope

your car's oil is clean, that you're well. amd

that all your NEWS is good!

s

ANSWER THE PHONE!

  SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12th, 2020

            ANSWER THE PHONE!

   December the 12th's Unofficial Holiday 

is "Ding A Ling Day." It has nothing to do

with the Chuck Berry song "My Ding A

Ling" except for the fact both came around

in 1972. Franky Hyle came up with the idea

for this day. He started a club through a

newspaper advertisement and got nearly

800 people to sign up. The club numbers 

in the thousands now. The "Ding A Ling"

represents the ringing of a telephone. Each

December 12th members, and you as well,

are urged to make a call to family or friends

they, or you, haven't contacted for a long

time. It's a great way to re-connect and 

usually both parties end up felling pretty

good about the call. I plan to make a call

or two and, with a little luck, maybe I'll

get one myself. Give it a try yourself!

Hope you get through and that all your

NEWS is good!

SNOW STUFF!

    FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11th, 2020

                 SNOW STUFF!

  Wednesday's snow storm caused a lot

of problems for many folks trying to travel

or shovel the white stuff. But even as it was

melting away there were those who realized

if life gives you a lemon you make lemon aid!

In this case life gave us snow so kids were

making snowmen. My grandson was one of

them. He built a small on in the front yard

knowing he'd probably only be able to enjoy

it for about a day. No problem! Frosty goes

and comes/ Ours will as well. Don't forget

your mittens! Hope you're well and that all

your NEWS is good!

FINALS WEEK!

      THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10th, 2020

                      FINALS WEEK!

     THE LIVING ROOM, BED ROOM, AND

EVEN KITCHENS HAVE REPLACED THE

TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM FOR STUDENTS

EVERYWHERE THIS YEAR. TWO OF OUR

DAUGHTERS ARE INVOLVED IN TEACHING

EFFORTS ON LINE. TWO OF OUR GRAND KIDS

IN PUBLIC SCHOOL ARE LEARNING ON 

COMPUTERS, AND TWO OF OUR GRANDDAUGHTERS

IN COLLEGE FACE FINAL EXAMS THIS WEEK.

I THOUGHT THEY'D LIKE TO KNOW THAT I'M

WITH THEM BOTH IN SPIRIT AND ON LINE!

I'M TAKING A COURSE AND EXAMS THIS

WEEK TOO. IN MY CASE, HOWEVER, I'M

NOT STUDYING CHEMISTRY OR LITERATURE.

I'M TAKING THE STATE GAME COMMISSION

COURSE ON HUNTING. I SHOULD POINT OUT

THAT I HAVE NO INTENTION OF GOING

HUNTING. BUT A HUNTING LICENSE GIVE

ME ACCESS TO THE STATE'S PRACTICE TARGET

RANGES. SO I FIND MYSELF STUDYING RIFLES,

SHOT GUNS, PISTOLS, AND ARCHERY AND

AND TRAPPING EQUIPMENT AND TECHNIQUES!

THERE'S A WHILE LOT OF CHAPTERS AND YOU

HAVE TO PASS A TEST ON EACH.

ONE GOOD THING THOUGH. YOU CAN LOG IN

AND OUT OF THESE LESSONS AND TESTS ANYTIME

YOU WANT THEN COME BACK WHEN YOU'RE READY

TO START UP AGAIN. IT COULD TAKE DAYS!

THE GRANDDAUGHTERS DON'T HAVE THAT OPTION.

BUT THEY WON'T KNOW HOW TO TRAP MUSKRATS

WHEN THEY'RE DONE! WELL, I HOPE WE ALL PASS

THAT YOU;RE WELL. AND THAT ALL YOUR NEWS IS

GOOD!

A HALLMARK HOLIDAY?

   WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9th, 2020

         A HALLMARK HOLIDAY?

 

    For the past 11 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 2018.
             Hope your Christmas in Merry
and all your NEWS is good!

THANK YOU MR. GAYETTY!

    TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8th, 2020

      THANK YOU MR. GAYETTY!

   It's December 8th., "Toilet Paper

Appreciation Day!" It was on this date

in 1857 that Joseph Gayetty began selling

toilet paper in the United States. There's

another similar day in August marking the

day in 1871 when the commodity was first

sold on a paper roll. In 1894 both forms 

got some competition when the Sears

Catalog was published! "Splinter Free"

toilet paper didn't come along until 1935.

Guess you just had to take your chances up

till then. We had two  paper producers

in our area up until last week. Cascade Company

shut down its Pittston Township factory on 

Friday. Charmin still operates a huge plant

just outside Tunkhannock. Given the situation

in 2020 you'd think this would be Toilet Paper

Year! There's still a big demand so producers 

are still.....cleanup up! Hope you've got a good

supply and that all your NEWS is good.

DAYS OF INFAMY!

   MONDAY, DECEMBER 7th, 2020

              DAYS OF INFAMY!

   It's December 7th. Pearl Harbor Day.

ON this date in 1941 the Empire of Japan

staged a surprise attack on American

military forces at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

sending the United States into World War II.

We face another attack this year. But this 

time it's a virus rather than bombs that

suddenly confronted our country and , like 1941.

rest of the the world. Our response has been

just a bit surprising. After Pearl Harbor 

everyone came together to deal with rationed

meat and gasoline. People everywhere collected

their scrap metal so it could be turned into

ammunition to be fired at the enemy. This

year the battle plan involves social distancing

and wearing masks. Some people aren't 

pleased with the plan, partly because they

don't like being told what to do. I suppose

people in the 40's weren't especially pleased

with rationing their meat and beef either. But

their efforts helped win the war. Perhaps our

efforts will help win this war too! Hope you're

well and that all your NEWS is good.

REMEMBERING KING COAL!

 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6TH,

REMEMBERING KING COAL!
 
     This is a day that should get a
lot of attention around these parts.
Yet I doubt most people even
know about it.
      December 6th., is National
Miner's Day. And, by the way, it
is official! A resolution designating
the day was passed by the U.S.
Senate in 2009.
      Other than occasional visits to
the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour
my only experience with mining
came as a reporter a few years
back. It was in Schuylkill County
where a team of brothers operated
a coal mine some 500 feet below
the surface.
      My photographer and I were
invited inside so, after putting a
set of coveralls over my business
suit, I joined my cameraman and
one of the brothers on a ride straight
down into the mine standing on a
ladder inside a giant coal bucket!
     There was a long tunnel at the
bottom with a set of tracks and a
small engine used to haul a sting of
coal cars. We road in one of the
cars and had to duck every few feet
so our head didn't smack a timber
or one of the light bulbs that provided
the only glow inside that long cave.
     Water dripped everywhere and 
I couldn't help but notice the way we
came in seemed to be the only way
out. That's when I stated to wonder
if I really needed to be there.
      That thought hit me again when
the miner said he was about to set
off a charge! That's dynamite to us
lay people!
      I made it back out with a good
story and a much deeper appreciation
to those men who spent the better
part of their lives laboring in tunnels
like that to provide for their families
and our communities.
      Up till then I figured a "Beaker
Boy" was the kid that flipped the
switch to get the lights back on!
       I'd like to see today's minors learn
more about the miners we're suppose
to be honoring!
       Hope we all remember them and
that all your NEWS is good!

     

       
  

LET'S RAISE A GLASS!

    SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5th, 2020

          LET'S RAISE A GLASS!

  Welcome to December 5th. This is "Repeal Day!"

  Back in the early 1900's a lot of people were

blaming alcohol for most of the troubles in

America. The lobbying efforts came hard and

fast and the result was passage of the 18th

amendment.  People were not suppose to

drink or manufacturer alcoholic beverages.

We called it Prohibition! After awhile, a long 

while, people began to realize it did not cure the

 problems. In fact, it created some! Bootleggers

made the booze, gangsters sold and distributed

it and speakeasies served it to willing, very

willing, customers. On this date in 1933

Congress repealed  the 18th amendment and

Prohibition was over. People have been free

to drink up since then. I'm celebrating with

a Cherry Pepsi. Hope you're well and that

all your NEWS is good!

 

HIS CHRISTMAS LIST!

  FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4th, 2020

        HIS CHRISTMAS LIST!

     Before you start jotting down a

numerical list of all the things "he" 

wants for Christmas or the things

you're considering buying, allow me

to explain that December 4th is  "Santa's

List Day," It's the day when Santa and

his elves begin their final review of

his "Naughty Or Nice list." Ironically

I mention it just after I've completed 

a lengthy afternoon drive taking my

wife to various spots she had or wanted

to visit. Which, by the way, comes after

last evening when I prepared her supper

and put all the tray tables away nicely.

Not that those efforts should put me on

his "Nice list." Although he may want

to consider them. (Might as well let

him know, just in case!) Hope you're

nice, well, and that all your NEWS is

good! 

IF YOU WANT TO BE THE TOP BANANA!

   THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3rd, 2020

IF YOU WANT TO BE THE TOP BANANA!

  

         HUMBLE BEGINNINGS/BIG FINISH

   A POPULAR VOICE IN LOCAL RADIO IS SAYING

 GOODBYE THIS WEEK. JOHN WEBSTER, HALF OF

 WILK'S WEBSTER & NANCY TEAM, IS RETIRING 

 AFTER 40 YEARS OF ENTERTAINING AREA

 LISTENERS. THERE'S NEVER BEEN A SHORTAGE

 OF PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GET INTO RADIO OR

 TELEVISION. IT ISN'T ALWAYS EASY. BUT IT CAN

 BE REWARDING. THERE'S AN OLD SAYING IN

SHOW BUSINESS," IF YOU WANT TO BE THE TOP

BANANA, YOU'VE GOT TO START AT THE BOTTOM

OF THE BUNCH." WE ALL HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE.

 WEBSTER STARTED IN COLLEGE RADIO BEFORE

 GETTING A PART TIME JOB AT A COMMERCIAL 

 STATION. I STARTED 61 YEARS AGO THIS MONTH AS

 AN ERRAND BOY THEN MOVED TO ANOTHER

 STATION AS A JANITOR BEFORE ACTUALLY GETTING

 ON THE AAIR FULL TIME. THE JANITOR'S ROUTE

WORKED OUT FOR ANOTHER GUY TOO. PAUL  AURANDT

STARTED BY CLEANING UP AT A SMALL

 RADIO STATION AND WENT ON TO DO PRETTY WELL

 FOR HIMSELF. (IN FACT HIS RADIO SHOW WENT NATIONAL

 ON THIS VERY DAY IN 1950)..YOU KNOW HIM AS PAUL HARVEY!

 WEBSTER'S DONE PRETTY WELL FOR HIMSELF TOO

 AND, LIKE PAUL HARVEY, WE'LL MISS HIM. HAVE

 A GREAT RETIREMENT JOHN. HOME ALL YOUR NEWS

 IS GOOD!. 

 

   

SOME SHARP. NUT STRAIGHT TALK!

  WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2nd, 2020

 SOME SHARP, BUT STRAIGHT TALK!

    Just in case it's not noted on your

calendar you should be aware that this

is "Safety Razor Day."

     It was on December 2nd., 1901

when King Camp Gillette began selling

the first so-called Safety razor with a

disposable double-edge blade!

     The revolutionary razor pretty much

did away with the straight razor for home

use.

      That straight razor could be very

unforgiving. It could also be scary! I

remember going to a barber shop in my

old home town where the barber used

a straight razor for shaves. I was getting

one when the barber's wife, obliviously

upset about something, stormed into the

shop and started yelling at her husband

in Italian. He continued the shave as he

shouted back at her.

       I never did find out what the fight

was all about. I was just glad to get out

of the chair with my jugular vein still in

tact!

       This is not to say that the safety razor

is perfect. Today's multi blade devices can

still draw blood if used too quickly. And,

believe it or not, the blades cannot be

used indefinitely! I speak from experience!

Try to get too many facial miles from

those razors and it feels like shaving with

a rock!

      It's also good policy to have a "His" and

"Hers" on hand. They don't share very well!

      Still, Mr. Gillette's Safety razor has lead

to cleaner, smoother shaves and fewer scars!

Hope that barber back home got one by now

and that all your NEWS is good!