Columnists

THE BURNS LYON MURDER TRIAL: A verdict of not guilty was rendered by the jury in the murder trial which has been in progress the past week, Richard Wagner being acquitted of the charge for which he and five others were implicated. The jury was as follows: from Susquehanna, Mrs. Ruth DeWitt, Mrs. Ella A. Matthews, Wm. H Langford; from Oakland, Fred L. Zaller; from Apolacon, James Lynch; from Rush, Mina Robertson; from Middletown, Patrick Degnan; from Lanesboro, Frank Ferry and Miss Hattie Patrick; from Thompson, Edward J. Gillian; from Gibson, Frank Wheeler; from Great Bend, Thomas Downs.

County Jail: Even the prisoners, fifteen in number, who are in the county jail, will not fare so badly at their Thanksgiving dinner. Sheriff and Mrs. McLaughlin are planning an extra good repast for the inmates, which will include roast pork, cranberry sauce, sweet and white potatoes, plum pudding, pickles, coffee, etc.

New Milford – A banquet, complimentary to C. M. Shelp, was given in the Park Hotel, Nov. 19, by the Masonic Lodge of New Milford. Mr. Shelp, one of the oldest Masons in the county, and the oldest in that lodge, has been active in that organization for many years. His fellow Masons thought it would be enjoyable to recognize his worth to the lodge, and their adoration for him as a man, to make him their guest of honor at an occasion of the kind mentioned. It marked his 62nd anniversary as a Mason.

Montrose – The high school team will tackle Olyphant high school at Montrose. This game has been the objective of the maroon team all this season, as last Thanksgiving Day Olyphant won by a 13-6 score. The "Cornhuskers" from MHS have played eight games so far this season and have lost but three. Olyphant, with only one defeat, has its best team in its history, and is rated as one of the fastest in Northeastern PA. Tickets are now on sale at 50 cents each. ALSO Philip Bunnell, of Scranton, star quarter back on the Yale football team, has been elected captain for 1926. "Tibby" is a son of Atty. and Mrs. Willard Bunnell and is well known in Montrose, his parents having a summer home a few miles from town. He is a nephew of Miss Fannie L. Bunnell, local librarian. ALSO Hanging from a couple of windows, from the second floor of Hotel Donovan, were half a dozen native pheasants, three beautiful ring-necked pheasants, five grey squirrels and a couple of rabbits. The bag represented the kill made on Tuesday by out of town hunters. Many passersby looked at the game wistfully, but it was out of reach.

Ararat – The "Dairymen's League" plant remodeling, concreting and new modern ice house, painting, etc., is nearly completed and shows a very marked improvement of which the League members and association may well feel proud.

West Auburn – A patriotic and law enforcement entertainment will be held in the church, Dec. 4. The program will consist of songs, exercises, plays, pantomimes and special music. The playlet, "His Flag," an adaptation from a stage and photoplay, will be enjoyed by all, as it combines patriotism, pathos and humor.

Harford – Mrs. Lucy Hart, of Beloit, WI, was recently a guest of her nephew and niece, Mr. and Mrs. O. F. Maynard. Mrs. Hart was formerly Miss Lucy Sterling, daughter of Silas and Clarissa Titus Sterling, born in Brooklyn Township. She was left motherless when very young and was adopted into the home of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Sterling, of Brooklyn. When 16 years old she went with the Sterlings to Wisconsin, to live, where she married and became the mother of 14 children. This was Mrs. Hart's first visit east after a lapse of 60 years.

Friendsville – In a conversation of William Flynn we learned that his son, John, a graduate of Montrose High School and Penn State College, is now a professor at Cornell where he teaches botany and other sciences. He placed first out of 190 who took examinations for a master's degree.

Uniondale – A number from here attended the recital, by the Starrucca-Thompson orchestra, at the Orson school. ALSO C. E. Douglas has purchased the confectionary store of John S. Boulter.

Great Bend – Fire destroyed the Norman H. Parke house here, the latter part of last week. Mrs. Lena Fox, who occupied a portion of the dwelling, saved a large part of her household goods.

Hop Bottom – The lecture, "Our Nation at the Cross Roads," given by Mrs. Maud Seymour, was very fine.

Gelatt – About 70 attended the reception for Mr. and Mrs. Richard Owens, at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. P. S. Risley. They received many beautiful presents and a sum of money. Dainty refreshments were served. The evening was spent in music, singing and games.

Forest City – While Dr. G. T. McGuire was examining the children at No. 2 school, on Monday, he found a peanut lodged in the throat of Walter, six-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kolisinskay, of Center Street. The lad was taken to the City Private Hospital, Carbondale, and the peanut was removed.

Bridgewater Twp. – Andrew Jackson Holley, aged nearly 79 years, died at his home, just east of Montrose, November 19. Deceased was a veteran of the Civil War and had spent practically his entire life in this vicinity. He was a stone mason and considered, during his prime, as one of the best in this section. Members of the GAR and Sons of Veterans attended in a body. Interment was in Montrose cemetery.

Lanesboro – Edward Clapper, who discovered a large vein of coal on his farm, is planning to open a mine and develop the property. He has already opened a drift, twelve feet deep, and is satisfied that there is coal in paying quantities on the premises. One other mineral found in the mine is of crystal substance and looks like glass. There is much sulphur in the mine and other minerals which would interest a geologist.

Auburn Four Corners – The children of this school received their first inoculation for diphtheria last Friday.

Newest Thing in Toyland: See the new genuine "Bye-Lo" baby dolls. These famous dolls are unlike any we have ever seen. Grace Story Putnam received a large sum of money as a prize for designing the "Bye-Lo" doll. Miss Putnam modeled this work of art from a real live baby a few days old. The result is a very realistic likeness. They have sleeping glass eyes and cry in a natural manner. Every little detail is carefully worked out even to the stork panties and tiny gilt safety pins. Can be purchased at Robinove's Dept. Store, Montrose.

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all as we give thanks for all the blessings in our lives, big and small.

Michael and Jacqueline had two children together while they were married. After the parties separated, custody proceedings were initiated. Before the court decided the custody matter, Jacqueline simply relocated with the minor children to California without obtaining court approval – and knowing that Michael opposed the relocation. Michael responded by filing an emergency petition seeking to have Jacqueline bring the minor children back to Pennsylvania. The trial court denied Jacqueline's request to remain in California, but granted the parties shared physical custody provided Jacqueline moved back to Pennsylvania and resided within 25 miles of Michael. If Jacqueline refused, then Michael was awarded physical custody of the minor children.

Jacqueline ignored the court order and did not immediately return the minor children. Michael flew out to California to find them only to discover that Jacqueline had secretly returned the minor children to Pennsylvania to live with her parents – but not with Michael. Eventually, Michael was able to obtain physical custody of the minor children – and Jacqueline was ordered to pay over $13,000 in legal fees based upon her efforts to hide the minor children from Michael.

Thereafter, Michael was repeatedly investigated by child protective services based upon allegations that Michael was using drugs. During the investigation, the minor children admitted that their mother had coached them to lie to their pediatrician, which led to the child protective service investigation. Michael then filed another petition seeking to limit Jacqueline's contact with the minor children to supervised visitation because Michael contended that her actions were placing the children in a harmful situation. The court denied this initial petition.

Thereafter, Jacqueline again absconded with the minor children. The court entered an order directing that the minor children be returned to Michael immediately – but this did not occur. The court also suspended Jacqueline's visitation with the minor children. Michael was able to obtain custody of the minor children after 4 days, and Jacqueline was criminally charged for interfering with Michael's court-ordered custodial period. Thereafter, the court conducted another custody hearing and determined that any future contact between Jacqueline and the minor children would be supervised and that Jacqueline would be required to wear an electronic GPS monitor during the supervised visits which would be able to locate Jacqueline if she decided to take off with the minor children again.

Jacqueline filed an appeal to challenge the severe limitations placed upon her contact with the minor children. The Superior Court affirmed the trial court as follows: "Based upon [Jacqueline's] erratic and unpredictable behavior, the trial court's decision to grant [Michael] sole legal custody and require that [Jacqueline] have supervised, partial physical custody with electronic monitoring when she exercises her custodial periods in Pennsylvania is not only warranted but necessary to ensure Children's safety. The raw truth is that [Jacqueline] cannot be trusted, is not credible, and is a flight risk." Ouch.

Jacqueline also complained that during the custody hearing the trial court had refused to ask the minor children questions submitted by her attorney when the minor children testified. The Superior Court noted that the applicable rule dealing with a child's testimony permits the attorneys or a self-represented parent to submit proposed questions to the court to ask a testifying child but the applicable rule also makes clear that the court "may" ask the questions. The use of the term "may" in the applicable rule means that the court has the discretion to ask the suggested questions or not ask the suggested questions. It is not mandatory. Thus, the trial court did not commit an error when it wholly ignored the suggested questions that Jacqueline demanded that her children be asked.

For parents who have been involved in a custody litigation where another parent absconds with the minor child or children, they know how difficult it is to obtain assistance from various law enforcement agencies to find and, even if the minor children are eventually found, getting law enforcement to seize the minor children and return them even where a court order directs that this occur. If you are a police officer in Florida, a court order from Pennsylvania has no jurisdiction to compel you to perform any specific act. While the trial court's custody limitations in this case were drastic, these limitations recognize the difficulties involved in situations where one parent simply takes the minor children and disappears.

Good day dear hearts, I love you. Well, here we are one day away from the big day! I hope you will consider joining us for a complimentary traditional Thanksgiving Dinner on Thanksgiving Day from 12pm to 2pm. In a few days we will be wishing each other "Merry Christmas," which is fine with me because "it's the most wonderful time of the year". When do you start playing your Christmas music? I'll bet some of you have already started. I start playing my Christmas music on Thanksgiving Day and that's what you will hear when you come to the dinner.

As the Thanksgiving season approaches, we are reminded once again of the importance of gratitude. For many, it is a holiday filled with family gatherings, turkey dinners and cherished traditions. Yet beyond the festivities lies a deeper truth; thankfulness is not just a seasonal sentiment, but a way of life that can transform hearts, homes and communities. The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Notice that Paul did not say give thanks when things are good or give thanks when things are going our way. He says in all circumstances. Gratitude is not dependent on our situation, but on our recognition of God's goodness and faithfulness.

Thankfulness looks different depending on the stage of life we are in. For younger adults, gratitude may mean recognizing opportunities, friendships, and the energy of youth. For those in the middle, it often involves appreciating family, work and the lessons learned through trials. For seniors, gratitude can be found in memories, enduring relationships and the hope of eternal life. No matter our age, gratitude is a discipline that strengthens us. It shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have, from frustration to faith, from anxiety to peace.

One of the most striking biblical examples of gratitude is found in Luke 17:11-19. It's short so take a minute and read it. Ten lepers cried out to Jesus for healing, and all were cleansed. Yet only one returned to give thanks. Jesus asked. "Were not all ten cleansed?" "Where are the other nine?" Gratitude is not automatic; it's a choice. The leper who returned not only received physical healing, but spiritual blessings as well. His thankfulness opened the door to a deeper relationship with Christ. This account challenges us today. Are we among the nine who take blessings for granted, or the one who pauses to give thanks. Gratitude is rarely shown but it is powerful.

For men and women alike, gratitude is more than words spoken at the dinner table. It is a posture of the heart that influences how we live each day. In our families, gratitude strengthens marriages and deepens bonds with children and grandchildren. In our work, gratitude can shift our perspective from drudgery to opportunity. It reminds us that our labor is meaningful and honor God. In our trials, gratitude in hardship demonstrates resilience. It acknowledges that even in pain, God is shaping our character and preparing us for greater purposes. In our communities, gratitude fosters unity. When we appreciate one another's contributions, we build stronger neighborhoods, churches and workplaces.

I once heard of a man who complained constantly about the weight of responsibility he carried. He felt burdened by his job, his family obligations and the demands of life. One day, a friend reminded him: "Responsibility is not a burden; it is a blessing. It means you're trusted, needed and capable." That simple shift in perspective transformed the man's outlook. Gratitude turned his burdens into honor. How often do we view our responsibilities as heavy loads rather than privileges? Gratitude changes the way we see the world. It turns obstacles into opportunities and duties into blessings.

For those in their later years, gratitude often takes the form of remembering God's faithfulness across decades. For younger generations, it may be the excitement of new opportunities. But for all of us, gratitude points to hope. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:8, "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." Gratitude reminds us that our ultimate hope is not in this world, but in the promise of eternal life with Christ. This Thanksgiving, let us remember that gratitude is more than a holiday tradition. Whether we are in our 30s, 60s, or 90s, gratitude strengthens our faith, enriches our relationships and brings peace to our hearts. As we gather around the tables filled with food and fellowship, may we also gather around the truth that God is good, all the time! And may our thankfulness not end with the season, but continue each day as a testimony to His enduring love. Happy Thanksgiving and by the way, Merry Christmas! God Bless.

Father, we ask your blessing on our little town. Send your Spirit and touch the broken-hearted, give peace to the sick, bless the poor. Please join us Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving Day) at 12:00pm for a complimentary traditional Thanksgiving Dinner. Do not spent the day alone. Pastor Vince Chiaramonte, 570-853-3988.