AN END, A BEGINING, AND A ?

  THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2025

  AN END, A BEGINING, AND  A ?      

   This is truly an important day and

for several reasons. In 1945 Americans

learned that Japan had accepted 

unconditional surrender, officially

ending the Second World War! .

Years earlier, 1935  to be exact,

President Franklin D. Roosevelt

signed the Social Security Act,

establishing a fund to help insure

the financial security of retired

individuals and those with handicaps.

Many of us rely on those benefits

today. It's also an important day

for me personally as I'll be

undergoing some eye-related

surgery to help improve my

vision, especially while

driving at night. But because

of that procedure I'll be unable

to do my BLOG for a few days.

A couple of my grandkids have

threatened......that is....voluntered

to take over temporarly but nothing

formal has been arranged so you'll

just have to wait to see if one or

more of them post their own version

of my BLOG here on my page. Either

way I hope to "See" you soon! Till

them may all you days be sunny and

all your NEWS be good!

GOT MILK?

   TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2025

             GOT MILK?

  Today, August 12th., is "Milkman

Day!" There ws a time when most

every home had a visit from the

milkman early each morning. Glass

bottles of milk were left on the

doorstep or in special containers

designed for just such deliveries.

In my hometown of Hazleton one

of those deliveries, up until at 

least 1969, was made my house

drawn wagon! The trend began

to change as more and more

small stores started selling milk

in cartons. But, interestingly, there

has been a resurgence in home

deliveries of milk, especially in

rural areas. In fact some dairies

are now delivering multiple

products directly to the home

of customers! The horse drawn

wagons may be gone for good

but the Milkman seems to be

making a comeback!! Hope you're

drinking your milk and that all

your NEWS is good!  

THE DISTESS CALL!

     MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 2025

            THE DISTRESS CALL!

    A bit of history trivia today friends!

Sometimes history can prove to

be very strange! And sometimes some

history heroes get lost in time. Such is

the case with Theodore (Ted) Haubner.

He was a radio operator aboard the S.S.

Arapahoe which was sailing from New

York to Charleston, SC, when its

propeller shaft broke. That left the ship

adrift in the so-called 'Graveyard of the

Atlantic" off the outer banks of NC! The

150 passengers on board were in very real

danger, And it was on this very date in 1910

that Haubner became the first person at sea

to send the distress signal SOS! A sister ship,

the S.S. Iroquois, heard the call, responded,

and was able to tow the Arapahoe to safety.

Ironically, after the vessel was repaired a

few months later it was sailing for New York

when it was the Iroquois that ran into serious

trouble with a broken rudder near the same

area off NC! It also sent out an SOS which was

immediately received by Ted Haubner on the

Arapahoe! He thus became the first sailor to

both send and receive an SOS Distress call.

The Titanic's use of SOS came two years

later! Hope you're not in distress and that

all your NEWS is good!

LAZY, HAZY, CRAZY DAY OF SUMMER!

             SUNDAY, AUGUST 10TH., 2025

  LAZY, CRAZY, HAZY DAY OF SUMMER!

   August 10th! One of those unofficial holidays I've
not only looked forward to, I've rehearsed for it!
    Holidayinsights.com lists August 10th as
"Lazy Day!"
     The name says it all. It's a day to be lazy. You
goof off! Pretty much do nothing! Certainly put off
whatever you can put off. Enjoy yourself by doing
nothing!
      Now, if by chance you're locked into some task,
take heart! August 15th is "Relaxation Day" So you'll
get another chance!
      My wife claims I've been rehearsing for this day

since the beginning of January! Hope you're relaxed, 

taking it easy, and that all your NEWS is good!

READ ON!

   SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 2025

                 READ ON!

   August 9th is "Book Lovers Day!"

This "holiday" could easily have been

made for my wife. She is a devoted

book lover and reads each and every

day. When she had some eye problems

recently she tuned in to audio books

so as not to miss the literature! Between

family, friends, and the library she has

a constant supply. Reading, of course,

is good for you. It stimulates the mind

and good be a good source of history

as well. So as not to miss out I've

selected a copy of our grandson's

"Thomas The Tank Engine" for

the day. Looks like a good story

and there's lots of pictures! Hope

you're a book lover and that all

your NEWS is good! 

    

DO WHAT!!??

   FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 2025

           DO WHAT!!??

   I've come across a lot of unofficial

"holidays" as I've prepared for my daily

BLOGS but this one is one of the

most unusual! August 8th is "Sneak 

Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor's

Porch Night! I guess I shouldn't be

surprised it was created by somebody

in the media. Thomas Roy, a Talk show

host, came up with the day. He's also

responsible for "No Socks Day" and

"Humbug Day."  Roy thought the

day would be an opportunity to share

the wealth of your garden with your

neighbors. We do have a neighbor

with a porch but we haven't grown

any zucchini. We do have a fruitful

Blackberry bush so maybe we can

substitute as a way of observing

this holiday! Hope you'll share

your garden harvest as well and

that all your NEWS is good!

WHAT'S IN THE BOX?

   THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2025

        WHAT'S IN THE BOX?

   Here's an unofficial "holiday" that's

probably been familiar to most of us

even if we didn't know it existed!

August 7th is "Particularly Preposterous

Packaging Day!" I've sort of touched

on this before in a sense when I told

you about medical bottles that are

sealed on top, require a certain type

of push and turn to open them, only

to find another seal underneath the top.

But that's just one example. Think 

about the thumb drive you ordered

on line that comes in a package the

size of a shoe box! I was recently

gifted with a frame and cover for

a portable garage for my Miata.

I still don't understand how the

delivery driver was able to lift

the package and bring it to our

front porch. My son managed to

set it upright and wiggle it onto

his old skateboard in order to

move it to the site where we

was able to get it assembled!

That box was tremendously

heavy, wrapped in a plastic

coating and sealed with 

plastic bands along its

length and width! So, how does

one deal with "Particularly Preposterous

Packaging?"  I guess you just do

the best you can and be happy

they are at least delivered

safely! Enjoy the day! Hope

all of your NEWS is good!  

"HAVING A COW!

    WEDNESDAY AUGUST 6, 2025 

         "HAVING A COW!"

   In slang terms "Having a cow" generally

means to be very angry and upset. But that's

not the "cow" you're invited to enjoy today!

You see August 6th is "National Rootbeer

Float Day!" That freshing summer time

beverage was said to have been invented

by Frank Wisner in 1836 inspired, so

the stor goes, by the snow capped mountains

of Colorado! It's a simple drink composed

of a scoop of vanilla ice cream mixed with

root beer soda. And, it ois also know as a

"Black Cow!" But whatever you call it

today is the perfect day to enjoy one to

join in the celebration! Hope you enjoy

yours and that all your NEWS is good! 

A STOP IN CLEVELAND!

    TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2025

     A STOP IN CLEVELAND!

  Cleveland has a lot of history! The

city boasts the Rock &Roll Hall of

Fame. It's the place where you can

find the house from "A Christmas

Story movie! But Cleveland has

given us a lot more than those

treasures. In fact on this very

day in 1914 Cleveland gave us

the first electric traffic light!

Other hand operated signals

before that were all well and

good for horse and buggy

traffic. But one the automobile

came along the speed of things

picked up. The initial signal was

set up at the corner of Euclid

Avenue and  105 Street. It had

only red and green lights. No

amber! So now you know where

the traffic light came from. And

if I were a betting man I'd wager

the first car horn blast came about

two hundredths of a second after

that light turned green and the driver

up front failed to drive on instantly!

Hope you're obeying

all the traffic signals and that all

your NEWS is good!

THE STUFF WE BROUGHT HOME!

   MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 2025

THE STUFF WE BROUGHT HOME!

  Leaving vacation isn't easy! When we

left Wildwood this past Saturday we had

already said goodbye to the family members

that joined us there. That was tough. Then

the was the packing. My wife did ours

because, if left to me, we'd need a U-Haul

truck. I had a 4 hour drive and that

included the usual Grand Prix on the

Schuylkill Expressway through Philadelphia!

There was unpacking and a ton of laundry

my wife handled while I took to the grass

that apparently grew 5 inches in just a

week. I'm still getting sand out of my

sneakers and I'll be able to fill a kid's

sandbox with the remains in our

folding chairs. On the positive side,

we did bring back wonderful memories

and a special treat. People will talk and

talk about Salt Water Taffy. But Salt

Water Taffy is an "add on." But enough

Fudge and you'll usually get a box of

taffy. Fudge is what you really want!

I bought a half pound box of mixed

flavors. Wait a minute. I just checked

and it's down to a quarter pound. Maybe

less. I don't believe my wife has had any

yet so you know what that means. I'll

have to eat the rest fast!!!!  Hope you're

all well and that all your NEWS is

good!     

HEADING HOME!

  SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 2025

          HEADING HOME!

  Well our family vacation week in

Wildwood, New Jersey has come to

an end. By the time most of you read

this or watch my video we should be

back in the beautiful environment of

northeastern Pennsylvania. But what

a great week it has been! We've gone

fishing, gone to the beach, and gone

to the boardwalk. Our grandkids

have taken in some of the amusement

rides. Although I personally found

a few of those "attractions" far more

frighting than amusing. We've enjoyed

some great dinners and speciality foods

that I only seem to see when I'm here in

Wildwood. Chief among them, Curley

Fries, and Sticky Buns! The weather

has been great for the most part

although we had some rain on\Thursday 

and much cooler temperatures Friday. 

A suggestion, perhaps, that summer 

was beginning to come to an end. Of

course we all know we have a lot more

coming. Just not here at the shore.

I hope you've enjoyed coming along on 

vacation by way of these BLOGS and

I hope you'll keep watch for them daily

on my Facebook page. As always, I

hope all your NEWS is good!

THE FISH DINNER!

   FRIDAY, AUGST 1, 2025

     THE FISH DINNER!

   For most of the many years we

have been vacationing in Wildwood

one evening has usually been set aside

for a fish dinner. So it is that two of

my grandsons, my son and I set out

(the second time this week for 3 of

us) to catch our meal. This time we

had a lot of luck. Well sort of. We

did reel in a number of fish. But

they were too big for our aquarium

at home and too small to feed any

one of those among us. Fortunately

we passed a Fish Market en route

back to our condo so there was,

indeed, a fish night for this year's

vacation! It probably worked out

better than our fishing efforts 

could of since the odds of us

catching a hundred clams, shrimp,

and long leg crabs were pretty

slim! Today's our last but we

plan to make the most of it.

Hope you're making the most

of your days too and that all your

NEWS is good! 

STILL TIME TO CELEBRATE!

  THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2025

STILL TIME TO CELEBRATE!

   Had to believe I know, but here we

are in the last day of July! We're still

on our family vacation in Wildwood,

New Jersey but I didn't want this day

to pass without reminding you there

are several month long celebrations

assigned to July so you've still got

time to celebrate. July is National

Ice Cream Month. It's National

Hot Dog Month, and if it has been

at  hot for you as it has been for

us here at the shore I know you'll

understand why this is National

Air Conditioning Appreciation

Month! I wasn't so sure what I'd

be celebrating till I reviewed the

full list. After doing so I took a

walk straight to the beach to

begin my celebration of National

Bikini Month! Hope you're

celebrating something and that all

your NEWS is good.

THIS STORY IS REEL!

   WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 2025

      THIS STORY IS REEL!

     [FISHING REEL THAT IS!] 

   OK. Here's another BLOG from

our vacation in Wildwood, New Jersey.

There are so many things to do down

here. Most people go to the beach.

Most people  go to the Boardwalk/

And so people go fishing. One Tuesday

I went fishing with my son and my

grandson. We had a lot of luck.

Unfortunately it was all bad! My

grandson caught the only first. We

nearly caught two seagulls who were

trying to steal our bait. More about

bait in a minute. I expected a great

catch. I had my "Spiderman rod"

all ready for  action. But it didn't

happen. I think the real trouble,

other that the 100 degree sunshine

under which we fished, was the

bait. Or, rather, the lack of it.

We had some bacon left over

from breakfast. It probably would

have made great bait. But....I ate

it! Maybe we'll try again later this

week. Hope you're enjoying my

vacation ramblings, that you've

got enough bacon, and that all

your NEWS is goodQ!  

ANOTHER BEACH REPORT!

     TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2025

   ANOTHER BEACH REPORT

   Since I'm on vacation I fully expected

to release one of my "classic" blogs today.

But it was such an eventful day I figured

I better share it with you. Today I tackled

the Atlantic Ocean. The way I see it one

doesn't really swim in the ocean. One

just avoids drowning. I did that. I avoided

drowning  which I consider a pretty good

accomplishment! But not without a great

effort. And that effort doesn't even count

my time spent in the water. You see here

in Wildwood, New Jersey, at least where

we're staying, you get to the ocean on

the beach that runs from the sea to the

boardwalk. From the time your feet

him the sand just off that boardwalk

you've got at least a quarter mile walk

on the sand till your feet hit the water!

And after you've battled the waves and

the tide in the water, and the blazing

sun, you've got to walk that same quarter

mile back to the boardwalk. Then there's

the stroll back to the condo after that!

I'm proud to say I made it and still

have enough energy to walk back to

the boardwalk in the evening to watch,

and I stress the term "watch" two of

my grandkids on an amusement ride

called "The Slingshot!" Now I'm

tired. Hope you have a great Tuesday

and that all your NEWS is good!    

READY, AIM, SQUIRT!

       SATURDAY, JULY 26, 2025

         READY, AIM, SQUIRT!  

    It is the last Saturday of July. That

makes this "National Water Gun Fight

Day!" I didn't know that either! But I

fondly remember being a kid with a

25cent water pistol, taking on other

neighborhood kids similarly armed!

When you stop to think about it wouldn't

it be great to pull the kids away from

their smart phones and computer 

games, get them outside, and into a

water gun battle? Lots of running

around, a good supply of "ammunition"

and nobody gets hurt! I 'm not a kid

anymore. But I bought my grandson

a huge water gun rifle that holds

about a  gallon of water and can shoot

a stream a good 20 yards! Since I

keep it here I may just fill it up and

go outside to celebrate the day! 

Hope you're armed, ready, and that

all your NEWS is good!   

WHO'S CALLING?

    FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2025

         WHO'S CALING?

  Several years ago my wife and I

joined thousands, probably millions

of people who happily put our phone

numbers on the governments "Do Not

Call List." It was an effort to limit

unsolicited sales calls to out home and

cell phones. Of course the government

allowed for a few exceptions including,

of course, political calls. Well it seems

as though the Do Not Call system has

come down with the covid virus or

it's communications equivalent! On

Thursday, for instance, we received

no less than 15 of these spam calls.

The actual number may have hit 20!

So please Uncle Sam, take a minute

away from the "Big Beautiful Bill"

and tariffs and give us a vaccine,

or some other solution to stop this

very real invasion of our daily

lives! If we could kill the calls

our NEWS would good! 

KNOCK, KNOCK, WHO'S THERE?

        THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025

   KNOCK, KNOCK, WHO'S THERE?

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!

GORGEOUS GRANDMAS!

    WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2025

     GORGEOUS GRANDMAS!

   "Gorgeous Grandma Day" is celebrated

annually on July 23rd to honor women of

all ages, regardless of whether they are

grandmothers or not. The day encourages

appreciation for the beauty, vitality, and

contributions of grandmothers, challenging

outdated perceptions of aging and promoting

a positive image of older women. Alice 

Solomon created the day in 1984. Unfortunately

in my case both of my grandmothers passed

away when I was very young. But, my wife 

is also a grandmother and she certainly is

gorgeous so I guess I get to celebrate too!

Hope you do as well and that all your NEWS

is good! 

WHAT DID HE SAY?

             TUESDAY, JULY 22, 2025

                 WHAT DID HE SAY?  

   Welcome to July 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 that all your NEWS is good!

WARM ENOUGH FOR YOU?

       MONDAY, JULY 21, 2025

    WARM ENOUGH FOR YOU?

  Temperatures around here have been

hovering around 80 degrees for several

days. Definitely summer like weather.

But July 21st has the distinction of

being the day the lowest temperature 

ever recorded was logged! It was July

21st., 1983 when the Russian Vostok

station in Antarctica reported a

temperature of 128.6 degrees below

zero (F)!!! So, compared to that

measurement we should all be 

feeling pretty comfortable about

now! Hope you do and that all

your NEWS is good!!

WORLD JUMP DAY

   SUNDAY, JULY 20, 2025

      WORLD JUMP DAY

   We're looking for volunteers

today. July 20th is "World Jump

Day" and the supporters of this

unofficial holiday are looking for

600 million people to participate.

According to their logic, if 600

milion people all jump up at the

exact same moment the impact

of their landing will change the

orbit of the earth, end global

warming and lengthen the day!

Now scientists dispute this

theory. In fact scientists say that

if one billion people jumped at 

the same time the impact of

their landing would be the

equivalent of 500 tons of TNT.

Sounds like a lot but it isn't in the

total scheme of things and certainly

not enough to change the orbit of

Earth! Still, if you'd like to join in

the experiment check on line to see

just when the jumpers will be "taking

off." I believe I'll just watch! Hope

you have a happy landing and that

all your NEWS is good! 

 

WHAT'S YOUR VERDICT?

  

   SATURDAY, JULY 19TH., 2025
        WHAT'S YOUR VERDICT ?
    Everyday I see anniversary photos
on Facebook and I always like to
congratulate the couples involved.
     Today's message is aimed at
those who are noting their first year
of matrimony.
      You see today, July 19th., is
"National Fitch Day."
        I'm not pretending to be an
expert on this subject (Fitch Day
that is) so I'm going to share this
information from anydayguide.com.
        National Flitch Day is an informal
holiday dedicated to an ancient English
custom that dates back to at least the 14th 
century. A flitch is a measurement of bacon,
now known as a slab. In England, married
couples were awarded a flitch of bacon if 
they did not repent on their marriage for a 
year and a day.  A couple would come to monks 
and  stand a mock trial to prove they had been 
loving and faithful to one another for one year
         They also had to convince the jury they
wanted to remain married.
          I guess, in a sense, it was a sort of
"Escape Claus" for anybody who felt he or
she had made a mistake.
          But those who remained loyal got
themselves a slab of bacon. That eventually
became a half a pig!
          The custom actually made it here
to America. But it didn't catch on! I wonder
why?

          I kind of like it! My wife and I have been
loyal for 65 years and I always enjoyed
a good pork roast!
           Hope you'd survive the trial too and that
all your NEWS is good!

       

.

HEAR THAT?

    FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2025

           HEAR THAT?

  July 18th is "World Listening Day!"

You are encouraged to take in all the

sounds of life around you. Things

we don't always think about but are

apart of our lives. The raindrops on

your roof, the footsteps nearby, perhaps

somebody laughing in the distance.

Take a few seconds to listen to the

world around you today. World

Listening Day celebrates acoustic

ecology. Listening with intent is

an art that requires undivided

attention and needs to be practiced!

My wife told me I should listen

more. Actually she told me twice.

I wasn't listening the first time!

So "Listen Up!" Hope your

hearing the world around you

and that all your NEWS is

good!

THE WINNING NUMBERS!

        THURSDAY,  JULY 17, 2025

         THE WINNING NUMBERS

  July 17th is "Lottery Day!" It's easy to

see how popular the lottery is here in

Pennsylvania. Just try to get your gas

receipt while waiting behind a line of

people buying Powerball tickets. Or

any of the other lottery games just

waiting for winners! Pennsylvania

makes 1.22 Billion dollars each year

from its lottery sales. That's profit.

It pays out over 3.2 Billion dollars

in prizes. And Pennsylvania uses

that profit money to fund services

to Senior Citizens. I can't complain.

Out of that 3.2 Billion paid out

I made two dollars last year!!!

Hope you're a winner too and 

that all your NEWS is good!

SPEAKING FRANKLY!

 WEDNESDAY JULY 16, 2025

      SPEAKING FRANKLY

  It's Wednesday, July 16th. This is

"National Hot Dog Day!" July is a

popular month for hot dogs what

with 4th of July picnics beginning

the summer season. Most everybody

likes hot dogs but probably not as

much as Joey Chestnut. He won the

annual Hot Dog Eating Contest at

Coney Island consuming 70 1/2

hot dogs in ten minutes! Hot dogs

continue to be at the center of an

age old debate. Are they sandwiches

or not? The hot dog is meat and it's

eaten in a bun which is basically

specially shaped bread. But many

people insist  they don't qualify as

a sandwich because it's not the

same as a flat slice of meat placed

between two slices of bread. Well

whatever camp you're in with regard

to the debate, have a hot dog today

just to celebrate the occasion. Hope

you've got your condiments ready and

that all your NEWS is good! 

GIVE AWAY DAY!

    TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2024

         GIVE AWAY DAY!

   This is the day you've been waiting for!

Well, some of you. This is "National Give

Something Away Day." This is not a day

for pack rats. It is a day to brighten someone

else's day by giving them something you

don't really need. Something that will bring

a smile to someone's face and make their

day brighter. I started thinking about things

I might give away in observance of this

special unofficial holiday. But every time I

thought of something I seemed to come up

with a reason I should keep the thing I

thought of, just in case. I did find a small

key ring for which I have no key. I think

I'll give that aay today. Hope you're

participating too and that all your NEWS

is good!

REMEMBERING "BRUCE!"

              MONDAY, JULY 14, 2025

               REMEMBERING "BRUCE!"         

  As you have probably heard, this year is

the 50th anniversary of the blockbuster movie

"JAWS!"  You'll remember the huge mechanical

shark the crew called 'Brue!"And July 14th 

happens to be  "Shark Appreciation Day."

Better mark it on your calendrer 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 eastern 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 prove fatal. In the same one year

span, however, humans kill an estimated 

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 

 

SAY WHAT?

   SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2025

            SAY WHAT?

    July 13th is "Oxymoron Day!"

Just in case you forgot or missed that

day in English class, an oxymoron

is a figure of speech or a combination

of words spoken or written together

which contradictory. For instance

"Climb down.: The act of climbing

is a movement upward so the suggestion

that you "climb down" is contradictory.

Here are a few others. Freezer burn,

unbiased opinion, icy hot, civil war, or

good grief (that's Charley Brown's

favorite. Ever hear anyone who loves

winter say "I hope the snow keeps up."

But if the snow 'keeps up' then it won't

come down! A lot of these things are

spoken or written without much

thought. But feel free to spread them 

around today in honor of Oxymoron

Day! Maybe you just like using them

and are deceptively honest. Hope all

your NEWS is good!

BAG IT!

    SATURDAY, JULY 12, 2025

                   BAG IT!

  July 12th is "Paper Bag Day!" The

paper bag has been around since the

19th century. It was invented by an

American. Francis Wolle came up with

the invention in 1852. But he got his

patent on July 12th of 1859, hence

the observance on this particular date.

After receiving the patent Francis and

his brother started the Union Paper

Bag Company which is still in operation

today! Paper bags are both handy and

environmentally friendly. Not sure I'd

want to use one in a tough situation

though. They always "fold" under 

pressure! Hope you're using paper

bags for your groceries and that all

your NEWS is good.

KEEP IT CIVIL?

   FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2025

        KEEP IT CIVIL?

  July 11th is "Bowdler's Day."

Never heard of it? Me neither.

This unusual "holiday" honors

the birthday of Thomas Bowdler,

an English physician and 

philanthropist who took it upon

himself to "clean up" literature

and make it more "family friendly."

He is know for having published

a censored version of William

Shakespeare's writings editing

out anything he considered

vulgar or offensive. He even 

edited parts of the Old Testament!

To be "Bowdlerized" was to be

censored! For those of us who

oppose censorship the only positive

aspect of his works was that it

did make various writings more

assessable to more people. But on

this day our focus should be on

the value of free speech and

expression. This BLOG is

presented as written aand with

the hope that all your NEWS

is good!

PLEASE 'BEAR' WITH ME!

 

  THURSDAY, JULY 10TH., 2025
       PLEASE  "BEAR" WITH ME!

   Some of you may remember the tune
"The Teddy Bear's Picnic." Well July
10th is "Teddy Bear's Picnic Day!" I'm
not sure why July 10th was selected. The
tune was not published on that date and it
is not the birthday of Jimmy Kennedy, its
writer. We know little about the origin of
the song. But we know plenty about the
origin of the Teddy Bear!
      In 1902 President Teddy Roosevelt was
hunting in Mississippi where he refused to
shoot a small bear. The Washington Post
did a story about the incident which
included a popular cartoon. A husband and
wife toy maker team, Morris and Rose
Michtom, saw the cartoon and wrote to
thg President asking permission to name
their toy stuffed bear "Teddy." The President
gave the OK and the :Teddy Bear" became
an instant hit with boys and girls everywhere.
 The Michtom's did pretty well too. Their
little firm became the Ideal Toy Company!
So, take the kids or grandkids and their
Teddy Bears out for a picnic today even if
just in the backyard! Enjoy this special
day. Hope you're well and that all your
NEWS is good!

JUST LIKE SHIRLEY TEMPLE!

   WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 2025

JUST LIKE SHIRLEY TEMPLE!

   July 9th is "National Dimple Day!"

Dimples. You know, those little

indentations usually on the cheek 

that tend to make someone look,

well, cute! I know they're cute

when you see them on babies!

And there are a lot of guys who

seem to think dimples on a young

lady and especially attractive

too! One in every five people

are likely to have dimples. So

on this special day, if you've

got them show them off. But

just remember what Pope Paul

VI said. "Dimples on the chin,

the devil within!" Have a great

National Dimple Day and I hope

all your NEWS is good!

JUST CHILLING!!

   TUESDAY, JULY 8, 2025

         JUST CHILLING!

  Welcome to July 8th, "National

Freezer Pop Day!" What a wonderful

treat on a hot summer day! But did

you know the Freezer Pop was the

result of an accident? Back in 1905

an 11-year-old boy named Frank

Epperson decided to mix some powered

soda in water. He mixed up the batch

but left it sitting outside overnight!

It was frozen to the mixing stick when 

he found it the next morning. But it

tasted great and he decided to market

the idea. He originally called named it

after himself but it quickly became

know as the Popsicle! Various brands

have different names but they all

evolved from Frank's accidental

invention. Enjoy one today. It's

an idea now frozen in time. Hope it

tastes delicious and that all your 

NEWS is good.

HONESTLY!

  MONDAY, JULY 7, 2025

          HONESTLY!

 It's July 7th my friends. And

this is "Tell The Truth Day!" The

conflict between truth and lies has

existed since the beginning of time.

Greek philosophers like Plato and

Aristotle discussed the concept in

their writings. Plato looked for

circumstances where telling a

like might be acceptable while

Plato concluded that all forms of

lying should be condemned. Telling

the truth is accepted as a virtue.

Ironically it is often illustrated by

a story which, itself, may be untrue.

It's been told that a young George

Washington chopped down a cherry

tree but choose to tell his father the

truth rather than lying. On the other

hand we all know what happened to

Pinocchio when he told a lie! So be

like me. I never ever told a lie and,

wait a minute, my nose is beginning 

to hurt! Hope you're always truthful

and that all your NEWS is good!

  

LABELS FOR LUNCH?

    SUNDAY, JULY 6, 2025

       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!  

FIRSTS ON THE FORTH!

  FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2025

   FIRSTS ON THE FORTH!

   It's a big day of celebration here in

the United States. And for a lot of

good reasons! Independence Day of

course resulting from our 1776

Declaration of Independence from

England. Ironically the nation

didn't begin its annual celebration of

July 4th until 1796! In 1802 the U.S,

Military Academy at West Point opened

its doors on July the 4th.  The following

year, 1803, the Louisiana purchase added

828, 00 square miles to the United States.

That was announced on July 4th. In 1831

the song "America (My Country Tis Of

Thee) was song for the very first time on

July 4th. Then, in 1862, Lewis Carrol 

choose Independence Day to publish

"Alice In Wonderland." The following

year General Robert E. Lee pulled his

troops out of Gettysburg on July 4th

effectively marking the beginning of the 

end of the Civil War!  On July 4th 1876

the first electric light was demonstrated 

in San Francisco and in 1884 France gave

us the Statue of Liberty of the 4th of July.

Our flag has changed a lot since 1776. On

July 4th of 1959 we saw a new 49 star

banner as Alaska was added to the union.

That flag didn't last very long though as

Hawaii became the 50th state and another

star was added on July 4th of 1960. A lot

of July 4th history for a fairly young nation.

Wonder what the future hold in store? Hope

it's all positive and that all your NEWS is

good!   

HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU KID!

     THURSDAY, JULY 3,2025

HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU KID! 

   July 3rd is one of those unusual

"holidays" I like to tell you about. It

is "Compliment Your Mirror Day!"

This is a day to remind yourself about

what a great person you are. Appreciate

that image that looks back at your

from your mirror each day! You're a

good person. Don't let anyone tell you

anything different. Appreciate your

own self worth! I decided to celebrate

by picking up my own mirror. But all

I saw was an image of Brad Pit with

gray hair! (Hey, that's not so bad!)

Have a great day and I hope all your

reflective NEWS is good!

WORTH RMEMBERING!

 WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 2025

   WORTH REMEMBERING!

 Today we note another unusual

unofficial holiday. July 2nd is "I

Forgot Day!" We all forget things

from time to time. Perhaps it's

somebody's birthday or anniversary.

Or maybe it's just that quart of milk

you forget to pick up when you were

getting all the other groceries. It's a

day to make amends in some cases.

You might, for instance, send a 

belated card to those whose birthdays

or anniversaries slipped by unnoticed.

Or you might make a call to apologize

for your forgetfulness. My wife deals

with the issue by writing down

important dates and even appointments

on our calendar. Now if I can only

remember to check that calendar!

Hope you remember not to forget

and that all your NEWS is good!  

HAPPY INDEPENDANCE DAY!

       TUESDAY, JULY 1, 2025

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! 

     I'm tossing out a salute to our

neighbors to the north today where
it's "Independence Day!"
    Canada became self governing
on July 1st., 1867. "Canada" or
"Dominion Day" is, thus, like
our Independence Day.
    Anyhow, I like Canada.
     Visiting there is like visiting
another country. Oh. Wait a minute.
It still is another country, isn't it?! 
      Still we have a lot in common.
Most people there still speak
English although they often end
their sentence with the phrase "Aye?"
That seems more classy then "hayna?"
       They sell things like hot dogs
and coke there and they even take
American money in payment. That's
kind of cool because when you come
back home you can give the kids
the Canadian money you got in
change!
         Although our countries have
had occasional differences, like in
aluminum, we've really been very
cordial over the years. Until

recently anyway.
          During my short term as a
DJ in Massena, New York, the bulk
of our audience was made up of
Canadians and they were always
very friendly even though their
requests required an "International
call!"
          I don't know if they celebrate
Canada Day with fireworks but they
can cross the border and buy plenty
of them around here if they want.
Sorry to say, though. they'll have to
use American money. But at lest
they'll be able to spend the change
when they go home.

         Now if we can only get them

to take back all that smoke they've

been sending out way. Aye?
          We'd all feel better and all

our NEWS would be good!        

BEING SOCIABLE!

        MONDAY, JUNE 30TH., 2025

          BEING SOCIABLE!

   How very appropriate that you
should be joining me, by reading
my blog, on Social Media Day!
It's the 15th annual observance of
this global celebration although
Social Media has been around a
lot longer than that.
    Of course it's changed over
the years! At one time the term
could have been applied to those
rural homes that shared a so-
called "party line" telephone.
    Now we've evolved to world
wide contact ability through
sources like Skype and Facebook.
And what great resources they
are!
     Just yesterday I received
three Skype messages from
people I never heard of asking
that I add them as contacts.
      Meanwhile on Facebook,
I struggle daily with the task
of coming up with one word
responses on how I met various
friends who then want me to
copy and paste my answer to
my home page.
      I have politely tried to
 explain that I haven't copied
since third grade and am
prohibited, by my wife, from
using paste or glue.
     On the positive side, I
now have a better idea of
how many cats my FB friends
own and see their photos
nearly every day.
      Of course I do plenty
of postings too including
family and travel photos.
I do not, however, have
any cats except for those
who roam my neighborhood
at will. If I see one, or a
skunk, I'll try to post a photo
so I feel more like a part of
the group!
      I don't know how folks
in those party line days
survived!
      Hope you keep using
Social Media (to read my
blogs) and that all your
NEWS is good!


              

UNCLE TOM'S?

    SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 2025

            UNCLE TOMS?

   This unusual "holiday" is

"Log Cabin Day!" It is observed

annually on the last Sunday in June.

The day was created by the Log

Cabin Society in conjunction with

the Big Ax Society to preserve

log cabins where they still exist

and celebrate their contribution to

the growth and history of our country.

My great Uncle Charley (my Mom's

uncle) built his own log cabin at the

site of his gold mine in Alaska. I

still have and treasure a photo of

him standing in front of it. Most

Americans know that Abe Lincoln

was born in a log cabin. I've never

had one although a couple of the

travel trailers I had years ago

weren't much bigger that the

typical log structure. I did,

however, enjoy the delicious

ingredients I used to pour from

the tin container that looked like,

and was called Log Cabin Syrup!!

The syrup is still around but the

cabin shaped tin is long gone.

Hope you've got some of that

to celebrate the day, and that

all your NEWS is good!    
 

DO I MAKE MY POINT!

   SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2025

     DO I MAKE MY POINT!

  Welcome to June 28th my friends.

This is "National Cap Lock Day!"

Of course the "Cap Lock" is a button

on your computer, or smart phone

that allows you to type words in

upper or lower case. You're

suppose to use it when you are

beginning a sentence. "Cap Lock

Day" was devised by a guy in Iowa

who became disgusted with people

who use capital letters all the

time as though they're trying to

make what they say more important.

We all know one politician who

has tended to use that method. But

it's almost like yelling at you! So

please be respectful. Don't use the

Cap Key just to try to make a 

point. Of course if you use all

caps accidentally we'll have to

forgive you because....it's not

a capital crime! Hope you're

well and that all your NEWS is

good.

ODE TO THE ONION!

     FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2025

     ODE TO THE ONION!

    June 27th is "National Onion

Day!" A food that's so common we

often forget its there. But a lot of

folks love biting into slices of those

big red onions in those restaurant

salads. And those yellow onions are

a part of so many other meals. The 

onion is a versatile and nutritious

vegetable recognized for its culinary

importance. It's been cultivated for

thousands of years and offers flavor

and health benefits. So that's salute

the onion on this special day and, yes,

in this case, its OK to shed a couple

of tears! Hope you're well, enjoying

your onions and that all your NEWS

is good!

    

LET'S SHAKE ON IT!

    THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2025

        LET'S SHAKE ON IT!

  June 26th is "National Handshake

Day!" The handshake is a universally

accepted greeting throughout the world.

It stems from the Middle Ages when

one knight would come across another

and show that his hand was not holding

a weapon. Since most people were, and

are, right handed the greeting is extended

with the right hand. Of course there are

now various forms of the handshake.

Some are quite elaborate as when a 

baseball player hits a home run and is

greeted at home plate by fellow players

with all kinds of hand and arm gestures.

Some folks have modified the traditional

handshake to become the "fist or elbow bump"

or, perhaps, the very popular "high five!" 

I enjoy greeting people. I always thought

a big hug would be best, especially when

a lovely woman is involved. But my wife

has developed another hand signal involving

a raised fist that suggests I'd be better off

sticking to a handshake! Hope you're

greeting people on this special "Handshake

Day" and that all your NEWS is good!

LEON DAY!

   WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2025

                 LEON DAY!

   If all the blistering hot weather

around these parts has got you down

you'll feel better just thinking about

something cool. Well today's your

day! June 25th is "Leon Day!" It

is the half way point between

January 1st and Christmas!!! Count

downs to Christmas are nothing

new but there are those who begin

those countdowns on Leon Day!

Catalogs with Christmas themed

items begin to get mailed around

Leon Day. And we've all heard

about Christmas in July celebrations.

They are usually held just after

the 4th of July. But Leon Day is

exactly the halfway point to

Christmas so you're good to

start thinking "cool today!

Why is it called "Leon Day?"

Well, Leon backwards, spells

NOEL! Merry Christmas 

everybody. Hope all your

NEWS is good!

AND THEN THERE'S COMM0N SENSE!

         TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2025

AND THEN THERE'S  "COMMON" SENSE?

  Today's unusual "holiday" was created

by the website Wellcat.com. June 24 is

"Appreciate Your Senses Day" This is

a day when you are encouraged to

appreciate the senses of touch, taste,

hearing, sight, and smell. Each is

valuable to us most everyday though

we often don't give them a second

thought. Unfortunately I guess I

won't be able to join the celebration.

 my wife claims I don't have any

sense! Hope you're well and that

all your NEWS is good!

FLOODED WITH MEMORIES

        MONDAY, JUNE 23, 2025

   FLOODED WITH MEMORIES!

       Every year around this time I get requests for

interviews. But unlike the days when I was an
active reporter doing the interviews.....these are
requests from people who want to interview me!
   And I know just what they'll be asking about.
   It's the 1972 Tropical Storm Agnes Flood!
   Back in '72 I was the News Director of WILK
Radio.
    Things looked bad in June 22nd so I called
my wife to tell her I'd be home late. Turns
out I didn't see her for nearly three days!
   When the waters of the Susquehanna River
began to rise rapidly because of the "Agnes"
storm I went to the Luzerne County to call
updates back to my station.
    But Civil Defense, the agency that
preceded the Emergency Management
Agency, didn't have a Public Information
Officer. So, when I walked in, I got drafted!
   I didn't make the decisions for Civil Defense.
   But, most of the time, I was the one who
announced them.
   The one I'm often remembered for was the
one I made on June 23rd as the sirens sounded
and I told area residents it was time to....
"Get out. Get out now!"
   A little while later I was sending a report
on our two way radio in the sub basement of
the Courthouse when water started coming
into the room from a drain in the floor.
   I always thought water was suppose to go
out drains!
   So when the water came in.....I got out!
  Eventually all of us on the Civil Defense
staff had to evacuate the Courthouse and move
to higher ground.
   We ended up in the Wilkes-Barre School
Administration building sending hourly
news updates to 13 area radio stations. I
formed and directed that network.
   Initially we used an Army Field Telephone
which was wired, literally, through the streets
to the old WYZZ FM.  The other 12 stations
re-broadcast our reports at 15 minutes past
each hour and throughout the emergency
we only missed one report.
   That's because a couple of kids found our
wire and decided it would make a good
jump rope!
    It's been 53 years since "Agnes" paid
her visit and I suspect I'll be telling a few
more stories about those days.
   A lot has changed in those 53 years
including me!
   Hope you're high and dry and that all
your NEWS is good!

THERE'S A HOLE IN THIS STORY!

        SUNDAY, JUNE 22, 2025

THERE'S A HOLE IN THIS STORY!

    

   It's June 22nd everybody when we

celebrate the invention of the donut.

At least the donut as we know it now.

Dutch immigrants brought the donut

to this country to New Amsterdam which,

of course, is now New York! But it wasn't

till June 22nd of 1847 that Harrison

Gregory, a 16-year-old sailor developed

the "modern day donut." He was tired

of the greasy donuts he and his fellow

crew members were given to eat and with

the wasted center of the baked cakes. He

took the ship's Tin pepper and cut a circle

in the center of a wad of dough and baked.

or fried. a donut! He passed the idea along

to his mother who continued to make

donuts that way and the idea caught on!

You can celebrate by having a donut today.

And don't worry about putting on weight.

Remember, the center of every donut is

100 percent fat free! Hope you'll enjoy one

and that all your NEWS is good! 

THE CUCKOO IS COMING!

  SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 2025

  THE CUCKOO IS COMING!

  Here's an unofficial holiday you

may be unaware of. Today is 

"Cuckoo Warning Day." It's history

dates back centuries and it is

mainly observed or at least noted

in the United Kingdom. This is

the time of year the Cuckoo, the

actual bird not the one in the clock,

returns to its roots. It makes its nest

in unusual places which can sometimes

be a problem. That's especially true

for farmers who made suddenly find

their chicken coops invaded and their

chicken eggs gone. So residents would

remind their neighbors that "the Cuckoos

are coming." Hence, "Cuckoo Warning

Day." According to tradition it's also a

time of magic and I suppose, to many

of us, that's just what summer is. 

Another tradition has it that the 

weather today will set the pattern

for the next 40 days. Since we're not

off to a bad start I'm rather hoping

that will be the case. Remember, the

Cuckoos are coming. Hope that's a

positive sign and that all your NEWS

is good. 

A LONG DAY'S NIGHT!

         FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2025

         A LONG DAY'S NIGHT!

   Well it's finally here everybody!

Well, sort of. Today marks the official

beginning of summer 2025. It is the

Summer Solstice. It's the day when

the sun is at it's highest point in the

sky here in the Northern Hemisphere.

Of course it's just the opposite in

the  Southern Hemisphere. So, around

here anyway, it's the longest day of

the year in terms of daylight and the

shortest day of the year in terms of

evening darkness. It's the start of

summer. However, if your anxious

to get as much of that summer sun

as possible you'll still wave to wait

a little while. The summer solstice

doesn't officially happen until

10:43 and I expect it's still going

to be dark at that hour. Anyway

I hope you'll enjoy this summer

and that all your NEWS is good!

HEY KIDS, WHAT TIME IS IT?

    THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 2025

HEY KIDS, WHAT TIME IS IT?

  It's time you knew! June 19th is

"National Watch Day!" It's a day
set aside to honor an industry
that's existed for over 500 years.
Before I retired I almost always
wore a wristwatch. In broadcasting,
as with many other occupations,
time was always very important.
The news started promptly at 6
so I had to be ready on the second!
When I first visited Europe I wore
two wristwatches! One had the
local time the other the time back
home. I pretty much gave up both
when I left the news beat. I might
have though, for a second, about
getting a new one when we visited
the Rolex Company in Switzerland
where watches were priced more
than most houses around here!
  These days the only time I'm
watching my time seems to be for
doctor's appointments. But I'm
guessing the doctor's don't have
watches either because I always
have to wait after getting there on
time. Watches have changed so
much. I wondering if the kids
are still taught why there's a little
hand and a bid one on those big
round clocks you see here are there.
  Anyway, mark June 19th on your
calendar. National Watch Day.
You can set you clock by it! Hope
you're well and that all your NEWS
is good.

GET AWAY DAY!

   WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2025

            GET AWAY DAY!

  Most of the unusual "holidays" I tell

you about are random in nature but today's

was created by a commercial sponsor. June

18th is "Wanna Get Away Day." It was 

created by Southwest Airlines to celebrate

the 50th year of the carrier's operations.

But I think the idea of a "Wanna Get Away

Day" is fantastic and should be celebrated

by everyone. My wife and I have had

great opportunities to "get away" thanks

to Travelworld where we serve as tour

escorts. We've seen places like Switzerland,

Austria, France, and Spain not to mention'

some fantastic locations here in the United

States as well as Canada. Getting away is

not only fun, it's healthy. Clears your mind

and opens new horizons! So whether

it's by air, a travel agency, or just a long

ride in the car, do yourself a big favor

and plan to :Get aay" somewhere. Hope

you end up with a great rip and that all

your NEWS is good.

HAIL TO THE HAULERS!

    MONDAY, JUNE 17, 2025

     HAIL TO THE HAULERS!

  I usually like to joke about some of

the unusual "holidays" listed throughout

the year. But not this time! June 17th is

"National Garbage Man Day!" Now

you make know them by different names.

Perhaps Refuse Collectors or Recycling

crews. If not private haulers they're usually

members of your community's Street

Department. In my township our

collection day is Thursday. When our

grandson was only 5 he was with us

every collection day. He was fascinated

by the huge Garbage truck and anxious

to wave to the crew. They blew the horn

on the truck and always waved back. One

of the workers even held him up to get

a close up look at the truck's operation!

He was thrilled. I was appreciative of

their caring for the little guy. And let's

remember, these crews work in the

worst of the weather and always

around some pretty smelly stuff!

So let's all salute the "Garbage Man"

on this special day. Don't "talk trash"

about these guys! Hope you get

your garbage out on time and that

all your NEWS is good!   

KING COAL'S COASTER!

        MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2025

       KING COAL'S COASTER!

  It was June 16th., 1884! A new amusement

ride opened to the public at Coney Island

Park. It was called the Switchback Railroad.

It was the first American roller coaster! But

both the name and the idea came from the

coal fields of Pennsylvania.  Back in 1882

the Summit and Mach Chunk Railroad built

a rail line betweek Summit Hill and Mach

Chunk (you know it now as Jim Thorpe).

I operated strictly by gravity. And it was used

to haul coal. Eventually people started to pay

a nickle to ride the coasting cars over the nearly

9-mile-stretch. Lamarkus Thompson saw the

success of the line as an attraction and brought

the idea to Coney Island. Eventually the track

was turned into a circular route so people didn't

have to get off at one end and find their way back.

The Roller Coaster! Born in Pennsylvania! Hope 

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

TALKING TURKEY!

  SUNDAY, JUNE 15, 2025

     TALKING TURKEY!

  June 15th is "Turkey Lover's

Day!" That could fit a lot of us!

And not just at Thanksgiving!

It takes 75 to 80 pounds of feed

to produce a 30 pound turkey!

And it takes about 18 weeks to

grow a full grown Tom turkey!

Turkey provides more protein

and less far than similar portions

of chicken or beef. If Ben Franklin

had his way. So, turkey lovers, get

out there are celebrate today. Have

some roast turkey for dinner or

have a ball dancing the Turkey

Trot! Either way, I hope all your

NEWS is good!

the turkey would have been our

National Bird! 

COUNTING STARS!

     FSATURDAY, JUNE 14TH., 2025

          COUNTING STARS!

  Flag Day is a big one around our house
because it's our eldest daughter Cassie's

Birthday.
That got me to thinking. She's grow up
and raised a family, all under the same
flag.
    I've lived under three of them!
    When I was born my cousins were
fighting in Europe for a star spangled
banner that represented 48 United
States.
     Then, in January of 1959 an
additional start was added to
represent our newest, and largest
state, Alaska.
     That 49 star flag and a pretty
short lifespan because just 8 months
later Hawaii officially changed its
status from a territory to a state.
      Old Glory may eventually
have to find room for additional
stars. Both the District of Columbia
and Puerto Rico have voted for
statehood in referendums and there
are three other U.S. territories
that could , potentially, become
states.  But, whatever she eventually
looks like let's all hope she keeps
flying ore the land of the free
and the home of the brave.
 Hope you're well and that all
your NEWS is good.
     

SEW WHAT?

 

FRIDAY, JUNE 13TH., 2025
          SEW WHAT?  

  It was a "stitch in time" that, years ago, saved
our area!
  That "stitch" was provided by the sewing
machine! The key tool of the Garment industry.
   A heck of a lot of gals from our area helped put
bread on the family table. Both as a housewife and
a member of the ILGWU! 
   And today, June 13th. is Sewing Machine Day!
Day!  Of course it's also celebrated on September
10th (Although I'm not absolutely sure how we're
suppose to "celebrate" the day!)
   There was a time when you'd probably find a
sewing machine in nearly every home. They're
harder to find these days.....nearly as rare as the
people who know who to use them!
    We have two electric ones and a foot
powered machine awaiting restoration.
Those early foot pedal machines were
kind of neat because you could mend clothes
and get some exercise at the same time.
    My wife knows how to work those
machines. I don't. And that's probably a
pretty good thing!  Regular readers know
I'm not great with mechanical devices!
   I do know they cause electrical
interference on the TV when my wife is sewing.
   Seems  sewing machines were actually
invented in France. And that was way back
in the 1830's!
   The U.S. patent was issued on September
10th in 1846 which seems to support the
September date a bit more than today. Still
June 13th also shares the title!
    When you think of sewing machines, if
you ever have such thoughts, you probably
think of the name Singer. The company is
still making the things at its factory near
Nashville, Tennessee.
    Anyhow it's really good to know sewing
machines are still around because "a stitch
in time saves nine!"
    Nine what?  I'm not sure! Hope you know
and that all your NEWS is good!
   

THE LAND OF COTTON (CANDY)!

    WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2025

THE LAND OF COTTON (CANDY)!

    Welcome to National Cotton Candy Day!
    Cotton Candy was originally called fairy
 floss. It is made from Floss (or Flossine) sugar.
    I have to admit I seldom buy Cotton Candy.
It's not that I dislike the stuff, although it's not
my favorite treat. I usually see it carried into
the stands at ballgames and the circus where
vendors push it to the kids at prices that would
cover a full dinner at some establishments!
     But to hear the folks who support this
concoction, adding it to your diet is not only
a taste treat....it's downright "healthy!"
     First, they point out that Floss is not actually
a sugar and is therefore safe for diabetics!
     But even though the date is called a "National"
observance" there is no record of any
Congressional legislation honoring Cotton Candy
in any way. Wonder how they missed taking a
vote on that one?
     The machine that spins Cotton Candy was

patented in 1899 by William Morrison and John

C. Wharton. They brought it to the St. Louis World's 

Fair in 1904, where is was quite popular. 
     Morrison must have been especially happy

about the success of the Cotton Candy machine!

     He was a Dentist!!!!!
     Hope you'll clean those sticky fingers and that
all of your NEWS is good!

UPSY DAISEY EVERYBODY!

    SUNDAY, JUNE 8, 2025

UPSY DAISEY EVERYBODY!

  It's June 8th my friends and it's

"Upsy Daisey Day!" It's a day to

encourage everybody to face the

day positively and to get up

gloriously, gratefully, and

gleefully each morning. Every

day is a gift and if we stop to

remember that each morning it

will promote a positive attitude

that will help carry us over the

bumps we face each day! Stephanie

West came up with the idea for

this unusual holiday in 2003. 

The idea was to create humor,

laughter, and a positive attitude

to carry you through the day.

Give it a try. I hope it makes

for a great day and that all your

NEWS is good!

IT'S DANIEL'S DAY!

     SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 2025

         IT'S DANIEL'S DAY!

   June 7th is "Daniel Boone Day!"

But it's not the birthday or death

anniversary of the famed

frontersman. June 7th marks the

day in 1769 when Boone first

laid eyes on the hills and valleys

of what is not the State of

Kentucky. He began a setlement

there, Boonesborough which became

a stepping off place for pioneers to

head west. Boonesborough was

considered the first settlement

west of the Applacian Mountains!

Of course Daniel evebtually headed

west himself making a name for

himself that's know to most

everyone. And we should

remember that the great Daniel

Boone...is a native of

Pennsylvania!!! Hope you're

celebrating, perhaps doing a bit

of exploring yourself, and that 

all your NEWS is good! 

ANOTHER 'D DAY!'

     FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2025

      ANOTHER 'D DAY!"

    June 6th is known by most people

as "D Day!" It recalls the beginning

of the end of World War II as allied

forces landed in Normandy to begin

the liberation of France. But there's

another D Day always observed on

June 6th. It's Drive In Movies day.

It recalls the day in 1933 when Richard

Hollingshead  opened the first drive in

theater in Camden, New Jersey! During

their peak in the 1950's there were some

4,000 drive ins in the United States.

Over the years competition from TV

and land value saw many close. Ironically

the pandemic saw people rediscovering

drive ins as a way to get out of the house

while maintaining social distancing. A few

things have changed. Those poles that once held

speakers so you could hear the movie are

now used to help space parking. The movie

sound now comes through your car radio.

The screens are still giant. Far bigger that

even the largest home tv screen.  And just

like in the 50's it good to enjoy a night out

with your date. The other change that comes

to mine is the elimination of  bench seat in

most cars. And my Miata doesn't even have a

back seat. So...enjoy the show! Hope you're

well and that all your NEWS is good.

CAN YOU TOP THIS?!

    THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2025

         CAN YOU TOP THIS?!

  June 5th is an important day in

the field of medicine! It was on June

the 5th of 1984 when Roger Kay

patented his invention. One that

would impact a lot of our lives.

Admittedly Kay's name isn't as well

know as some other prominent figures

in the world od medicine. But you're

likely to be very familiar with his

invention. It was the Safety Cap for

medicine bottles. Up until his

creation anyone, including kids,

could open a prescription bottle with

a simple twist of the cap. Now 

everyone, from ids to adult patients,

can struggle for minutes to get those

bottle open! There was even a story 

of an individual who died..unable to

open his prescription bottle! I'll bet

a kid could have helped him. They can get

into anything! Hope you;re taking your

medication and that all your NEWS is

good!  

SAY "CHEESE!"

  TWEDNESDAY, JUNE 4TH, 2025

              SAY CHEESE!

   Welcome to June 4th. "National

Cheese Day!" Cheese has been around

forever. At least there are records of

cheese dating back 10,00 years! You

likely have cheese in one form or

another every week. In fact the average

American consumes 31 pounds of

cheese a year! I'm not sure if that

figure even includes the cheese you

eat on your weekly pizza! My favorite

is "Reserved," a very sharp chedder

that goes good with wine. So go ahead

and celebrate. Have a slab of your

favorite cheese today. If, however, that

"favorite" happens to be Limburger, 

write me about it. Don't tell me in

person!!! That's a little too much

cheese for me! Hope you enjoy your

cheese treat and that all your NEWS

is good. 

HI BUBBA!

     MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2025

              HI BUBBA!

   Bet you didn't know about this 

one! June 2nd is "National Bubba

Day!" You may have heard someone

call Bubba from time to time. It is

generally a compliment or a term of

endearmen. Our daughter sometimes

calls her son Bubba. The name gained

some fame when it was used for a

character in the movie Forest Gump.

Bubba Day is always observed on

June 2nd although neither the significance

of the date or the idenity of the creator

are known. Probably somebody named

Bubba came up with the whole thing!

So to all you Bubba out there, and

everyone else as well, I hope all your

NEWS is good!

THE DARE!

   SUNDAY, JUNE 1, 2025

           THE DARE!

  It's June first my friends and

June first is "Dare Day." Now

D.A.R.E these days is assictated

with anti drug and drug eduation

programs. And that's great. But the

Dare we're observing today is the

old fashion one. It's a challange

often offered by a friend and

usually a challenge to get you

to don something risky or

something you wouldn't

usually do. My wife dared me

to cut the grass. Fortunately it

was raining so I didn't have to

accept the challenge. I'll wait

for a "Double Dog Dare" before 

I even think about getting the

mower out! So enjoy the

day my friends. I dare you

to. And I hope all your NEWS

is could whether you accept or

not!  

OUTLOOK OUTCOME!

   SATURDAY, JUNE 31, 2025

       OUTLOOK OUTCOME!

  Here's an unofficial "holiday" you

probably never knew about. May 31st

is "What You Think Upon Grows Day!"

It's a day to encourage good mental

health and positive thinking. You see

if you think about smiling, you're more

apt to think about things that make you

smile, hence things that make you

feel good. That's the way your day

tends to go. If you're thinking about

things you have to or should do but

don't want to do it's likley guilt

about those things will get you

down and that's the way your

day is likely to go. I gave those

tasks a quick thought and, all of

a sudden, my wife yelled to me

"I think you sjould cut the grass!"

I should have kept thinking about

smiling! I hope you are and that

all your NEWS is good!

  

REMEMBERING MEMORIAL DAY!

           FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2025

   REMEMBERING MEMORIAL DAY!     

   Through most of my growing up

years May 30th was Memorial Day.

Although I first knew it as "Decoration

Day." But this "rose by any other name"

was always observed on the 30th. Then

somebody made the decision to give

Federal workers a few long weekends

and Memorial Day was added to the

list. This year it was observed on May

26th. So, what now? Well, as it happens,

May has a long list of unofficial

holidays and all we have to do is choose

the one we'd like to celebrate. It is, for

instance, Clean Air Month. But, ironically,

it's also Allergy Month.I'm not so sure

just how clean the air is because my

allegories have been acting up. It's

Safe Electrical Month but after looking

at all the appliances I've go plugged

into the outlets in our spare room I'm

not sure I'd qualify for any safety

certificates. My wife said she told 

me this was National Hearing Month,

but I never heard her! It's High Blood

Pressure Awareness Month but I'm

not so sure I want to win the award

for the highest pressure!  May is also

Mystery Month. Why? I don't know.

If I did it wouldn't be a mystery!

Well, there you have a few choices

from which to choose. Don't waste

May 30th. Pick a holiday and celebrate.

Hope you do and that all your NEWS

is good!

GET IT TOGETHER FOLKS!

   THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2025

   GET IT TOGETHER FOLKS!

   Welcome to "National Paper Clip Day!"

That small twisted piece of metal that

is so very valuable in offices throughout

the globe! There have been various

devices, even metal ones,used to hold

pieces of paper tigether for hundreds

of years. But the modern paper clip,

the 'Gem' clip, was patented in 

1899. It would be tough to run a

business without them! In fact,

the paper clip is a "staple" of the

work place! Hope you've got some

around in case they're needed and

that all your NEWS is good!

STICK AROUND FOR THIS HOLIDAY!

                    MAY 27, 2025

STICK AROUND FOR THIS HOLIDAY!

   Here's an unusual "holiday" that should

stick in your mind! May 27th is "National

Cellophane Tape Day!" Cellophane tape.

often know by its most popular brand,

Scotch Tape, was invented in 1930 by

Richard Drew who worked with the 3M

Company.  It's hard to imagine a holiday,

especially Christmas, without Drew's

wonderful invention. And at a time

when so many people are apart on

so many issues, it's nice to celebrate

a product that brings things together!

Hope you've got a good supply on

cellophane tape and that all your

NEWS is good!

THE SKY'S THE LIMIT!

    SUNDAY, MAY 25, 2025

     THE SKY'S THE LIMIT!

      Who's Whining? Well, for one,

I am. And why not? May 25th is

"National Wine Day!" Believe it

or not it's one of more than 20

unofficial holidays devoted to

wine each year! There are 4 in

May alone! National Wine Day,

which is today, World Moscato

Day, National Chardonnay Day,

and National Homebrew Day!

The other holidays, mainly

dedicated to various types of

wines, are scattered throughout

the year.  A number of our

family members will be

gathering at Blue Ridge

Winery today to celebrate the

occassion AND drink a

toast to our daughter and

several grandchildren who

have decided to go to a

nearby airstrip where they

will be SKY DIVING!!! Happy

landings all. Hope all your

NEWS is good! 

TREASURE HUNT!

 SATURDAY, MAY 24, 2025

      TREASURE HUNT!

    

   May 24th is "National Scavenger

Hunt & National Treasure Day!" 

Who doesn't like searching for

treasure?! My great uncle searched

for treasure in Alaska. He had a gold

mine there and was lucky enough to

find some of that precious metal! I

never had a gold mine but I have 

used a medal detector to search

for treasures in the grass or on the

beach at the seashore. Never really

turned up much other than pull tabs

from soda cans. Today however,

will be different. In honor of this

special holiday my wife tells me

she has hidden a treasure somewhere

on the floor of our house and she's

given me a broom to help me with

my search. I can't wait to see what

I'll turn up! Hope you find your

treasure and that all your NEWS is

good! 

HIT THE ROAD JACK!

   FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2025

   HIT THE ROAD JACK!

  Here's an unofficial "holiday"

that's right up my alley! This

is "Take A Road Trip Day!"

Is was created in 2019 by the 

folks that operate the Pilot

Travel Centers and it's always

observed on the Friday before

Memorial Day when many people

will be taking to the roads anyway.

But you're encouraged to be

spontaneous and to explore roads

you've never travled before. There

so many great places to see and

experience not all that far from

home. I'm all set for the day. I've

checked all the fluids, and filled

uop the gas tank. I've even got a

brand new air freshner to make

the car smell good. Of course you

won't need that if you draive a

Tesla. They come with a sort of

Elon "Musk!" Hope you drive

safely and that all your NEWS

is good!

THE GREATEST SLEUTH!

    THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025

     THE GREATEST SLEUTH!

      Today celebrates my favorite character

in literature! This is "Sherlock Holmes
Day!"
    Of all the interests my late brother and
I shared the adventure of that super
detective Sherlock Holmes would surely
be at or near the top of our list!
     Holmes had keen powers of observation
which would allow him to know almost
everything about a person the minute
he laid eyes on him or her.
     Alas, my wife continues to remind
me that the crumbs I've left behind on
the floor near the couch where I've
nibbled my snacks proves, conclusively,
that I lack Holmes' powers of observation!
      Ironically, she seems to have them!
      Before I've removed a shirt worn
for an hour or two I hear her utter the
words "that goes in the laundry." That
pronouncement comes as she's detected
a tiny spot unseen by my eye!
       Holmes, of course, was a fictional
character. The day actually celebrates
the Birthday of his creator, Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle who penned many stories
about the detective. He, Doyle, was
born on May 22ud of 1859.
        One of the highlights of a trip
my wife and I hosted to Scotland a
couple years back was enjoying
Fish & Chips at the Conan Doyle
Restaurant in Edinburgh overlooking
a small park where stood a statue of
Sherlock Holmes!
         As we left I thought of
that line "Elementary by dear Watson"
so attributed, though never actually
spoken,in a Doyle novel by Holmes
to his faithful assistant
        My wife  interjected a thought of her
own. " That shirt goes in the laundry."
         Happy Birthday Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle. May all those who
continue to enjoy your writings
enjoy good NEWS as well!

GET A HORSE!

    WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2025

           GET A HORSE!

    

  If you wanted to get a really good

deal on a horse you should have been

around anytime after May 21st of

1819 in New York City! That's the

day the transportation scene began

to change! Horse power suddenly

had a challenger. That's the day

the velocipede showed up in the

"Big Apple." It was a revolution 

in the field of transportation and

the sale value of horses fell immediately

afterwards! By the way, you can still

get a velocipede of your own if you're

interested. Only these days they're

called bicycles. Just thought you ought

to know. Hope you're a safe rider and

that all your NEWS is good! 

BY JOVE I THINK SHE'S GOT IT!

      TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2025

BY JOVE I THINK SHE'S GOT IT!

   

   May 20th, is "Eliza Doolittle Day."
    For those who may not recall
Eliza was the lead female character
in the musical "My Fair Lady." She
was a Cockney flower girl who took
speech lessons from Professor Henry
Higgins. It was based on George
Bernard Shaw's play "Pygmalion and
both the play and the musical explore
the benefits of learning how to speak
properly.
     You see a lot of folks who speak
English really don't speak it very well!
     When I was just starting out in
broadcasting all of the employees at
the radio station where I worked were
required to take classes from a Penn
State professor who taught us to say
"creek" instead of "crick" and "again"
instead of "agin." 
      Those are just a couple common
mispronunciations around these
parts. Add "slang" to the mix and
there's a lot of "English speaking
people" I can't understand at all.
       Perhaps before we panic too much
about hearing another language we
might want to check to see how well
we're speaking "our own."
        Heyna? Hope all your NEWS is
good!