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!