A TAXING ISSUE!

       MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2022

          A TAXING ISSUE!

      This is an historic date in American

history and Pennsylvania played a bif roll

in the story. I think it's safe to say nobody 

like taxes. In fact it was a British tax on tea

that, in a sense, began the Americal revolution!

Of course we won that war and set up our own

government...which then needed to pay for the

war! It diod so by instituting the first tax

leved by the United States government. It was

a tax on whiskey! Farmers in western Pennsylvania

had been distilling their own spirits for years and

fought against the tax. The conflict became known

as the Whiskey Rebellion! It lasted three years

during which time 3 or 4 Pennsylvaania rebels

were killed and 170 were captured. The government

won and we're still paying taxes on whiskey...and

just about everything else! Cheers! Hope all your

NEWS is good!

UP, UP, AND AWAY!

   SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2022

      UP, UP, AND AWAY!

    We were at a wedding on Saturday.

As you probably know there are several

main stages for such an event! There are

pictures as the Bride and her party get

ready. Then there's the ceremony, which

includes pictures. Then there are pictures

after the ceremony. It was during that

segment of the proceedings when I was

suddenly and unexpectedly impressed!

We were all in a field of sunflowers. A

beautiful venue for photos. That's where

I saw it! A telephone booth! It was, of course,

non operational. Just there for a prop for

pictures! But, being a former mild mannered

reporter for a great metropolitan television

station, I envisioned a dash into that booth

and a quick change into.........wait a minute.

Maybe I'd better not tell you and give away

my secrete!!! On well. Some of you probably

already knew anyway! Hope you have a

SUPER day, and that all your NEWS is good! 

GAMING MONEY!

   SATURDAY, JULY 30, 2022

         GAMING MONEY!

    Games are usually fun! But there's

money in games too! Charles Darrow

proved that beyond all doubt! Charles

was the inventor of a game you may

have played at one time of another. It's

called Monopoly! Darrow registered

his copyright on this date in 1933. Then,

he sold the game to Parker Brothers!!!

That deal made him the first millionaire

game designer! And we're not talking

about Monopoly money!!! Hope you're

winning, whatever, you're playing, and

that all your NEWS is good.

NICE TO BE GNARLY!

   FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2022

   NICE TO BE GNARLY!

   It's the last Friday in July and it's

"National Get Gnarly Day!" The

word "Gnarly" sometimes gets a bad

rap. A lot of people take it to mean

bad or nasty. But gnarly can also mean

exciting! That's why surfers use the term

gnarly when they're talking about a really

awsome wave they want to ride. So, in

that context, this is a day when you're

encouraged to put a little excitement

into your life by getting gnarly! Spruce

things up a bit. Maybe some bright

exciting clothing. Maybe even a 

different hair style at least for the day.

Live a little! In fact, live it up! You

don't have to go surfing. But it is an

option! In 2016 the Whirlpool Corporation

launched a campaign to put some

"gnarlliness" into everything it did as a

way to encourage its employees to reach

their goals and satisfy customers. The

response was fantastic so Whirlpool

registered the day as one of those

"unofficial holidays~" Leave it to

Whirlpool to put a spin on Gnarly!!!!

Enjoy the day! Get gnarly and may all

your NEWS be good! 

LOU'S LASTING LEGACY!

  THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

  LOU'S LASTING LEGACY!

  I'd be willing to bet very few of you

ever heard of Louis Lassing. And that's

a shame! He should have a day named

for him. A it probably should be today!

It was July 28th of 1900 that Lou

changed history. Lou operated a

restaurant in Nw Haven, Conn. His

friend, businessman Gary Wedmore

was in a big hurry when he came in

asking for something he could take

with him as he headed for a meeting.

Lou grabbed some ground beef that

was close at hand and threw it on the

grill. He put the cooked meat between

two slices of bread and Gary went on

his way. It is the first documented

production of a Hamburger! In fact,

the incident is officially recognized

by the Library of Congress! And, by

the way, Lou's restaurant is still open

in New Haven and still serves Hamburgers!

Hope you'll remember Lou today, maybe

have a burger, and that all your NEWS is

good! 

A WALK IN THE SUN!

 WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2022

       A WALK IN THE SUN!

   July 27th marks another of those

"unusual holidays" you ought to know

about! It's "Take Your Houseplants For

A Walk Day!" Everybody's attention 

seems to focus on those outside garden

flowers and plants when summer rools

around. We tend to forget about those

plants that are with us all year, but

holded up inside. The creator of this

holiday, and nobody seems to know who

that is, suggests we grab hold of those

houseplants and take them for a walk

around the block. Get them exposed to

the air and sunlight outside! I can't

quite convincemyself that's a great idea

but I have told all our inside plants that

I'm "rooting" for them!! Hope you're

well and that all your NEWS is good!  

THE OTHER RELATIVES!

    TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2022

    THE OTHER RELATIVES!

  I don't know where all these special

"holidays" are coming from! I mean,

Mother's Day has been around for many

years and I believe Father's Day came along

not long after. But I don't ever remember a

Children's Day or Grandparent's Day when

I was growing up. And then there's today!

July 26th which, I'm told, is Aunts and

Uncles Day! You know, your parent's

brothers and sisters. I remember my aunts

and uncles very well although they're all

gone now. One of my uncles on my Mom's

side of the family used to take me fishing

with his son, my cousin. I remember

getting  a brand new fishing rob from S&H

Green Stamps. My uncle and cousin were

catching fish and I got nothing. My uncle said

my pole was "too bright" and cut down a limb

from a tree. He tied a line to that and, presto!,

I started catching fish! Then there were the aunts

on my Dad's side of the family. Typical Italian

aunts. The are probably responsible for 80% of

the weight I gained between 6 and 16 years-old.

You did not leave their house without eating

something! Didn't matter if you were hungry

or not! Fond memories. Now, I'm an uncle 

(with little chance of ever becoming an aunt) and

wondering how I may be remembered! So, let's

salute all our aunts and uncles on this special

day and treasure them or their memories! Hope

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

LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS!

         MONDAY, JULY 25, 2022

LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS!

  If you have the capability of watching today's

video blog please do so! These words fall far

short of describing the variety of animals we

saw during yesterday's visit to the Claws and

Paws Animal Farn near Lake Wallenpaupack.

I have, however, included a few photos here.

Here is a place where you can truly see lions,

and tigers, and bears! And about 297 other

exotic animals from all over the world!

There was a time when most any fair sized

community had its own zoo. Scranton had onr

in Nay Aug Park. Wilkes-Barre had one in

Nesbitt Park. One by one they have

disappeared and young people's best chance

of seeing some of the creatures that enhabit

and share our planet is on television. That's

not going to cut it. Learning comes best up

close and personal. Thankfully facilities like

Claws and Paws exist to care for and share

some of these animals with the rest of us!

Hope you'll visit there and that all your NEWS

is good!

KNOCK KNOCK.....

   SUNDAY, JULY 24, 2022

          KNOCK KNOCK...  

   July 24th is "Tell an old joke

Day!'  Don't confuse it with "Tell

a joke Day!" That's in August! This

day was set aside to tell the classic

jokes that have stood the test of time.

You know, like Why did the chicken

cross the road? That's an oldie but

goodie. Some of the old ones were

very simple, thus easy to remember.

That may be why they survive! I asked

my wife if she knew any old jokes.

"Know one," she replied. "I live with

one!" I think she was joking! I have to

go now. Somebody's knocking at the

door! Hope you're well and all your

NEWS is good!  

 

YIPPEE KI YAY!

   SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2022

           YIPPEE KI YAY!

    "Yippe-ki-yay" is an expression

of joy and it seems the prefect yell

for July 23rd., which happens to be

the "National Day of the Cowboy!"

This unusual "holiday" was created

in 2005 to preserve the role and the

history of the cowboy and cowgirl

in the growth of our country! Cowboys

began showing up right after the Civil

War as ranches began to spread throughout

the country, especially in the west. The day

has an additional meaning to me that's full

of memories! It makes me recall

the hours I spent in one of several

neighborhood movie theaters in the

1940's and 50's watching my cowboy

heroes like Rot Rogers, Gene Autry,

and the Lone Ranger. They stood for right

and justice. They were "the good guys!"

We oculd use a few more heroes like those

cowboys these days! so let's think about

cowboys today and make them happy. 

After all, if you've got a happy cowboy,

you've got a "Jolly Rancher" Hope you're

well and all your NEWS is good!

A SLIP OF THE TONGUE!

          FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2022

       A SLIP OF THE TONGUE!  

   Welcome to Ju;y 22nd! Otherwise known

as "Spoonerism Day!" Spoonerisms are

verbal errors in which a speaker accidentally

transposes the initial sounds or letters of

two or more words! It can be very humorous!

Here's an example/ "Is it kisstomary to cuss

the bride?" That, or course, should have

been "It it customary to kiss the bride?"

One of my camermen once heard a collie

yalping and said "Listen to that darking

blog!" Sometimes they're so funny that

while initially offered accidentally the

speaker tends to use them over and

over! Most everyone comes up with a 

spoonerism from time to time. I, of course,

am an exception being such a professional.

I seldom get my mix all talked up! Hope you're

well and thta all your NEWS is good!

GAMBLING PROBLEM?

    THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2022

      GAMBLING PROBLEM?

   I wasn't sure what I was going to

blog about today and then I saw one

of those state sponsored gambling

advertisements. They all end with a

reminder there's a number to call if

you feel you have a gambling problem!

If only Jim and Davis had that resource

"back in the day." The two were friends

and sometimes gambled together. More

often than not Davis ended up lending

Jim money to pay his gembling debts!

Then came the day when Jim lost a

gambling game to Davis! He didn't

have the $25 to pay, so Davis took Jim's

watch as collateral! Jim really didn't want

to give it up and he admonished Davis

not to wear it in public. But Davis

ignored the warning and showed off

the time piece to others. Jim confronted

Davis in the town square of Springfield,

 Missouri on this very date in 1865 and

the result was the first documented

western gunfight in U.S. history! Both

men fired their handguns! Davis, Davis

Tutt, missed. But Jim, James Butler 

"Wildbill Hickok," didn't! The incident

market the death of Davis Tutt and the

beginning of the legend of "Wild Bill"

If only they had phones and the number

1-800-GAMBLER! Hope you're well

and that all your NEWS is good!

   

TAKE "ME" ALONG!

    WEDNESDAY, JULY 20,2022

           TAKE "ME" ALONG!

     It's July 20th which, as most of you

know, is "Take A Poet To Work Day!"

I'm thinking that's not as easy as it might

sound. Unless you just happen to have a 

poet living next door with time on his or

her hands to spare. You could, of course,

just bring a book of poetry to your job

site. But that's not quite the same. So

here is my idea. I have dabbled in poetry

for some time. The video version of this

blog includes a poem I wrote a couple

years ago about a special place my wife

and I enjoy when we visit my one friend

at a cottage his family owned on Vinalhaven

island off the coast of Maine. You could simply

bring my recorded blog along any play it while

you work! Just in case that doesn't fit your 

schedule I'm including my verse for you in

this written version of my blog. At least you'll

be able to read it to yourself! I call it "The

Island."

            THE ISLAND

       by David DeCosmo

  SOMETIMES LIFE, LIKE OCEAN WAVES,

 CAN TAKE A HEAVY TOLL.

  THOSE TIMES OFT FIND US SEARCHING

 FOR A PLACE TO REST OUR SOUL.

   THE ISLAND OFFERS SUCH A REST.

  ITS SETTING SEEMS JUST RIGHT. 

   EACH DAY BRINGS CALM TRANQUILLITY

  AS DOES EACH QUIET NIGHT.

    TIME SEMS TO SLIP BY SLOWLY THERE,

   NOT MEASURED BY THE CLOCK.

     BUT RATHER BY THE CHANGING TIDE

   AND SHADOWS ON EACH DOCK.

     THE SEA MIST SEEMS TO PULL FROM EACH

    OUR LOVING MEMORIES.

     WHILE THE SUN'S BRIGHT RAYS BRING

    PROMISE,

     OF WHAT IS YET TO BE!

     THE ISLAND WAITS FOR EACH OF US,

    AND BECKONS US ONCE MORE,

     TO PUT ASIDE ALL TROUBLES,

    AND COME BACK TO ITS SHORE!           

GETTING THE RASPBERRIES!

   TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2022

GETTING THE RASPBERRIES!

   No, it;s not what you might thing!

You see July 19th is "National

Raspberry Cake Day!" So you'll need

to get some raspberries and get to

work. Raspberries are one of summer's

fruity treats. I looked around but came

up short! I've got no raspberries, the

birds seem to have grabbed our 

blueberries before I had a chance and

most of the blackberries aren't ripe

just yet. I'll probably have to go

shopping. Get whatever berries you

can and start baking. Thay way you\can have 

your fruit, and cake, and eat it too! Hope you

do and that all your NEWS is good! 

SERVING THE US IN THE FIELD & FACTORY!

               MONDAY, JULY 18, 2022

 SERVING THE US IN THE FIELD & FACTORY!

   This past weekend offered a

great opportunity to turn the clock

back to the early 1940's to see how

the men and women who served our

country lived during World War II.

The annual WWII Days Encampment was

held at the test track in Berwick. That

test track was used to test Stuart Tanks

which were manufactured in Berwick at

the former AC&F Factory. 15, 224 tanks

were made to support the war effort and

9,135 local workers did the job. The

Stuart Memorial Association has presented

the encampment every July since 2015!

There are all kinds of equipement and

demonstrations including battle scenes

and wepon firing exhibits. The video

version of this blog contains some

samples! It's all to honor those who

served both on the front lines and in

defense jobs like those that produced

the Stuart tanks. Hope you'll stop by

to see for yourself next year and that

all your NEWS is good! 

A WOMAN SPEAKS OUT!

      SUNDAY, JULY 17. 2022

    A WOMAN SPEAKS OUT!

    For those of you who don't already

know, it's Ann Hutchinson Day! 

Day. Ann was an English

woman who traveled to the American

colonies where she settled in a

Puritan community near Boston.

But Anna had her own, very serious

religious beliefs and she often spoke out

abou them! She believed that faith, not

good deads, was the way to salvation.

She also believed man could communicate

with God without the need for clergy to act

as a go between! The clergy didn't like that

idea very much and Anne was charged with

heresy!  She was convicted and forced out

of the community. She setteled on Long

Island where, 6 years after her conviction,

she, 6 of her children, and a number of

servants were massacred by indians! Now

many remember Anne as a true leader of

religious freedom in the new world!

It's Sunday. Hope you'll remember Anne

today and that all your NEWS is good!    

IF ONLY......

    SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2022

               IF ONLY.......

    It's July 16th. One of those unusual

"holidays" I like to tell you about. Today

is "National Toss Out The Could Have,

and Should Have Day!"  It is the brainchild

of motativational speaker, Martha Ross

Rogers. She believes we spend far too much

time thinking about things we could have or

should have done, but didn't. The whole idea

is to make a list of those "could have, or should

have things" and then throw it away! Think about

living in the present rather than the past.  When 

you really stop to think about it, the past is a 

nice place to visit but you don't want to live

there!  Go out and enjoy the day...otherwise

you'll be thinking about it tomorrow and saying

"I could have or should have enjoyed that day!"

Have a great today! And may all your NEWS

be good!

D DAY!

  FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2022

             D DAY!

   I know! You say "D Day" is June

6th. And you're right. But this is a

different D Day. You see July 15th

is "Be a Dork Day!" If you aren't a

Dork rhus is your chance to be one!

Today is a day to act awkward, clumsy,

goofy, odd, silly, and ridiculous. It;s a 

copyrighted holiday created by the folks

at Wellcat.com/ Why? I have no idea.

But my wife just stepped in and said 

something about how nice it must be

to have my own holiday! Wonder what

she meant by that? Oh well, hope you're

not a Dork and that all your NEWS is

good!

SHARK TANK!

   THURSDAY, JUPLY 14, 2022

             SHARK TANK!

   It's July 14th friends. "Shark Appreciation

Day." Better mark it on your calender so you'll

remember next year. Scientists say this is a

day to study sharks and realize how important

they are to the earth's eco system! Those same

scientists tell us sharks have been around for

about 420 million years. If that's correct, sharks

were here about 200 million years before the

dinosaurs! Sharks can certainly be scary. There

have been a number of reported shark bites

along the eatern seaboard over the past couple

of weeks. But, generally, sharks have more

reason to fear humans than humans have to

fear sharks! There are an average 70 shark

attacks reported around the world each year.

About 7 orove fatal. In the same one year

span, however, humans kill an estiumated 

100 million sharks!! Of course that's little

consolation if you're one of the 70 people

attacked! I feel pretty safe in the ocean.

The lifeguards are watching as well as

the Coast Guard! But, if I get one hint

of that scary music from "Jaws," I'm outta

there! Hope you stay safe in the water and

that all your NEWS is good 

 

TOUGH TO BE CHEERFUL!

       WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2022

       TOUGH TO BE CHEERFUL!

    The Bible tells us to be a cheerful

giver. But there are times when that's a

tough assignment! My wife was getting rid

of junk and other items no longer used but

taking up space at our house. We hired a

firm to haul things away but I held on to

one item. It was a Child's ATV. Battery

powered. Our grandson had outgrown it

and the battery needed replacement. I

though about selling it through Facebook

Market Place and several local on line

sales outlets. Then I decided to just

give it away in the hope some young kid

out there could enjoy it. I got several immediate

repkies including one from a gentelman who

was as certain as certain could be. I gave

him directions and exchanged messages with

him for two full days. Always an excuse as to

why he didn't show up. He said he was newly

married and the wife had thinsg for him to do

that held him back. After the second day and

4th excuse I re-advertised. Again. several

quick responses including one from a woman

in Scranton who just had to have it. It's yours,

I said, and gave her directions. The plan was

to come at night so she could make use of

her friend's van. When she didn't shw by 11

I send a message aasking about her status.

She said she had a breakmdown half way

to my house and was waiting for Triple A

to come to her aid. I said that wasn't a

problem and could pick the ATV up in the

morning oif she'd just give me an approximate

time. That was the first of about 5 unanswered

message I sent to her/ She seems to have

disappeared! The following day a little

boy who lives not far away was walking by

our house with his mother or grandmother.

He spotted the ATV, and ran to it just to sit

on the unit. I told the woman it needed a

battery but, if he wanted it, it was his. Last

I saw she was pushing hi, on the ATV 

down the street. I was pretty cheerful at

that point. And even more when I got a

huge smile and loud "Thank you!!"

Hope you;re well and that all your NEWS

is good!

SOME GOOD NEWS/SOME BAD NEWS.

          TUESDAY, JULY 12, 2022

SOME GOOD NEWS/SOME BAD NEWS.

  It is July 12th friends and I truly do have

both good and ban news to share with you

today. First the bad news.Chick-fill-A has,

once again, cancelled "Cow Appreciation

Day!" The restaurant chain came up with

the idea as a way of promoting the sale of

chicjen rather than burgers and it involved

free meals and sometimes other prizes for

people who came out on July 12th dressed

like cows! The pandemic forced the cancellation

of the annual promotion and, it seems, the

current covid rates have prompted the chain

to hold off at least for another year. Now the

good news. On our recent visit to a Cracker

Barrel Restaurant outlet I found that the

 "Peg Game" has been returned to customer's

tables! This challanging, and often frustrating

game involves rearranging golf tees on a

triangular block of wood in a manner that

allows only one tee to remain. The game

was one of the first victims of covid when

in was feared the tees might spread the

disease. But fear not, the game is back,

although the popular Catfish menu item

is gone. So enjoy your chicken nuggets

today, or a burger, and challange yourself

with the Tee Game shoud,you find yourself

at a Cracker Barrel! Hope you win, dressed

like a cow or not, and that all your NEWS

is good!  

THE GUY WHO LIT THE LIGHT!

    MONDAY, JULY 11, 2022

THE GUY WHO LIT THE LIGHT!

   This is an important day in history.

First, our daughter Melissa Boub is

celebrating her birthday. Second, this

is the date, in 1856, a patent was 

issued for the Carbon filiment for the

electric light bulb! This invention

really made the electric light a

dependable device. And the patent

went....not to Thomas Edison......but

to Joseph Swan, who remains a

somewhat unknown inventor who

made a bg impact! Certainly a guy

who should be in the light! The

limelight that is! Hope you're

well and that all your NEWS is

good!

FORE!

    SUNDAY, JULY 10, 2022

                 FORE!

   It's July 10th and today begins

"National Family Golf Week!"

I used to be a family golfer! When

my Dad and brother were still

around we used to take a friend along

and play some very nice courses here

on our area. Unfortunately I had a

"slice" (a swing that sends the ball

off to the right) and I usually only

say the other three players at the Tee

and on the green! Golf is an easy game.

It's just hard to play! These days our

"family golfing" will be limited to

courses when I can hit my ball through

a spinning windmill! Hope you  and up 

to par and that all your NEWS is good.  

MR. PEANUT!

   SATURDAY, JULY 9, 2022

             MR. PEANUT!  

      A lot of people around these parts have fond

memories of Mr. Peanut, proudly representing
the Planter's Peanut Company, walking around
Public Square and South Main Street in downtown
Wilkes-Barre.
    But today, July 9th., is a day set aside to
honor the real "Mr. Peanut." George Washington
Carver!
   Born into slavery, Carver became a scientist,
botanist, educator, and inventor. And his
specialty was peanuts! He didn't invent peanut
butter but he did came up with 105 food recipes using
peanuts!
    I'll wager he was the guy who came up with
my favorite. The peanut butter and jelly
sandwich! I have them often....now that I've
learned it's better to spread the peanut butter
first! I used to have trouble getting it on top of
the jelly!
    Anyway, Carver didn't stop with using peanuts
for food. This guy developed and promoted about
100 products made from peanuts!
    They included cosmetics, dyes, paints, plastics
and even gasoline! Why aren't we still using that
today! We could fill up for, literally, peanuts!!!!
     Peanuts are powerful! If you doubt it consider
the fact that another of Carver's "Peanut based
inventions" was nitroglycerin!!!!!
     You can't buy that in a bag at the Old Ball
game!
      I'd stay clear of the Nitro though!
     Hope you've got some "Chunky" on hand
and that your sandwich....and all your NEWS
is good!





















   

A BERRY BRIEFING!

       FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022

       A BERRY BRIEFING!

   It's July 8th my friends. It's

"National Blueberry Day!" I've

got a blueberry bush growing right

outside my house. And blueberries

can be a very healthy treat! They

are loaded with antioxidants. They

can help lower cholesterohl, reduce the

risk of cancer. and even help slow the

aging process! *I'll take a quart right

now!) Now if you're out to pick

blueberries you should be aware of the

difference between blueberries and

huckleberries, Bkueberries and a pale

green or white on the inside. Huckooeberries

and full of hard seeds which can taste bitter

if eaten! So don't be a Huckleberry! Eat

blueberries,,,,,,when they're ripe that is!

Hope you'll have some and that all your

NEWS is good! 

GOOD NEWS FOR THE KIDS!

      THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2022 

   GOOD NEWS FOR THE KIDS!

   I've got some good news for the kids

today! But you might not want to tell

them. I shared it with our grandson

last night and he was both surprised

and delighted. You see July 7th is

"Chocolate Day!" I was pretty pleased

with that news myself. But wait! There's

more! Chocolate turns out to be a

vegetable!!! It comes from the Cocao

tree found in the tropical rain

forests.  And we all know we should

eat our vegetables! So grab a Hershey

Bar and make your mother happy!

Hope you enjoy Chocolate Day and

that all your NEWS is good!  

LABELS FOR LUNCH?

   WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2022

       LABELS FOR LUNCH?

   They say an apple a day keeps the

doctor away. You should know that does

not apply to those little labels you find

on your apples, or oranges, or other fruits!

And yet, thousands of people end up

accidentially eating one of those little

stickers every year! I always wondered

how they grew those labels on the fruit

buy my 6-year-old grandson informed me

they are actually placed on the fruit by

machines. They are valuable and include

information about the exact variety of

fruit and the growing method used to

produce the product. Consuming the

sticker shouldn't cause any harm.....

usually! I prefer taking them off even

though it's another item that will have to

go in the garbage. Better into the garbage

than into me! Enjoy your fruit! Hope it's

tasty and that all your NEWS is good!  

SEE THE U.S.A.

   TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2022

          SEE THE U.S.A.

   Chevy used to have a clever

promotional song titled "See the

U.S.A. in your Chevrolet!" A well

know TV star, Dinah Shore, sang it

on her show every week. I've seen a

good deal of the United States but

so much of what's great about our

country could be seen right in our

county yesterday as people celebrated

the 4th of July. Hundreds of people

gathered at the Wyoming Monument

to remember those who died in the early

stages of the Revolutionary War in what

became know as the Wyoming massacre!

Indians and British loyalists attacked

area settlers and killed many in the 

brutal battle. But "Remember Wyoming"

became a battle cry like the Alamo and

Pearl Harbor in later years. Those

patriots of years ago were honored by

modern day patriots who are examples

of what our people are all about. Then,

less than a block away, our granddaughter,

Mckenzie DeCosmo, demonstrated 

another example of what makes this

country great. Mckenzie set up her

Lemonaide stand along the street

leading to the monument. We'll always

be great when we remember our heroes

and kids can set up lemonade stands

along the street. It's the American way!

Hope you had a great Independence 

Day and that all your NEWS is good!

 

 

THE BANDLESS PARADE!

   MONDAY, JULY 4, 2022

 THE BANDLESS PARADE!

   Happy Independance Day everybody!

I trust you'll be celebrating in your

community. Perhaps with speaches,

fireworks and, maybe, a parade. One

of the most unusual parades will be

held in Willimantic, Conn today. It

will be the community's 37th annual

"Boom Box Parade!" You see 37 years

ago the town was unable to get a

marching band for its 4th of July parade.

The local radio station, WILI, asked people

to turn out with their Boom Boxes to march

down the street while the station provided

the band music.! People of the town have

been marching or watching ever since! 

Not a bad idea! Hope you'll enjoy the day,

whatever kind of celebration you've got

planned, and that all your NEWS is good 

NOW BATTING FOR ME...

    SUNDAY, JULY 3, 2022

 NOW BATTING FOR ME....

   My nephew Tony always hosts a

4th of July weekend party at his

house and it's a wonderful time to

get together with family and friends!

He and his wife Laura go all out

to make it a wonderful time. This

year's gathering included the usual

menu of great burgers and hot dogs,

beverages of all sorts, the swimming

pool and/or hot tub and, for the first

time, a Corn Hole competition! There

was so much to do that we were about to leave

when I realized I haden't prepared my daily

blog! My son D.J. voluntered to give it a

try and I was more than happy to let him

do it. You'll have to watch the video version

to see his work. But I'm thankful for a chance

to take a break! Hope you'll check it out

and that all your NEWS is good!

THE NAME GAME!

   SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2022

        THE NAME GAME!

   It was Shakespeare you'll recall who

wrote "A rose by another name would

still smell as sweet." The 4th of July

weekend is now official;y underway

and families and friends will be gathering

for picnics, fireworks, and backyard

gams like "Corn Hole!"  This fast growing

sport has even gained league status! Players

toss small bags at a slanted board with a

hole carved near the top. The object is to

toss those bags into the hole. It a new game

to some. But actually the basic game was

 patented by a man named Heyliger de Windt

in 1883. He called it "Parlor Quoits", a Horseshoe

like game that could be played indoors! The bags

tossed at those slanted boards were usually filled

with small beans.....hence the game most people

grew up with called "Bean Bags!" "Corn Hole"

indeed! Shakespeare was right! Enjoy the game!

Hope all your NEWS is good!