| |
| COLUMNISTS |
|
|
|
||||||
|
COLUMNS: Slices
of Life
My sister recently sent me a copy of "Who Moved My Cheese"; a small, simple book with a real big message. Maybe you’ve read it, as it has been on the Best Seller list. It’s a story about two mice and two little people who live in a maze. Each day they put on their sweat-suits and running shoes and head for this special room they have discovered, which is full of cheese. Happily they eat their fill and look no further. This goes on day after day, and it never occurs to them that the cheese won’t always be there. The day they arrive and find an empty room, they are sure someone moved their cheese. They look all around the area, even in the walls, but find no cheese. The next day the little people come back to the same room, expecting the cheese to be there now. Still no cheese. And no mice! The mice have moved on to find other cheese, but the little people are still blaming someone (anyone) for moving their cheese. They liked their life just like it was and are not about to change. Sound familiar? We like what we are used to and what keeps our comfort level high. It’s scary to break out of that cozy routine; take risks, learn new things. I struggle with that every day, and I don’t think I’m alone. The electronic age is a case in point. I know if I don’t learn to use my computer for more than just a glorified word-processor, I’m going to get left behind. Any of these electronic/computerized gadgets are a mystery to me. It’s not that I don’t try to learn how to use them. I read manuals, go to classes, talk to people who know. I just don’t do it long enough or hard enough. I get frustrated and say, "I can’t do this." And because I think I can’t, I can’t. I liked my electric typewriter that allowed me to make the decisions (until I tried to use the word-processor part, that is). I like clocks that I set by turning a knob, record players where I can manually lift the needle and move it to a different part of the song. I’m not comfortable with automobiles that strap me in when I turn on the key. I like the 1950’s music, the old way of "doing church", my sewing machine that lets me be the boss. The message in "Who Moved My Cheese" is that we have to be brave enough to look for new answers, try new things. And I understand that, even if I don’t always do it. These past five years I have done several new things, and each time there is a certain amount of fear. Driving on the interstate, staying alone in a motel, flying, taking charge of household repairs, buying appliances – and, like tonight, figuring what to do when the power went off. As long as we are alive, "new" is going to keep coming – faster and faster. We may not like it, but if we want our share of the cheese, we’ve got to get out there and keep looking. SOUTH GIBSON: Our little village seems to have taken boom this spring; every house and barn occupied and still others are seeking for rooms to rent. We have four stores, well fitted with general merchandise, one drug store, two millinery shops, a cheese and butter factory, two blacksmith shops and wagon shop, one furniture store and harness shop, one depot (where wagons and farm implements are sold), one butcher shop, and a shoemaker shop. We also have a good gristmill and an undertaking shop. Among our citizens are carpenters, paper hangers, masons and dressmakers. NORTH BRIDGEWATER: S. W. Youngs believes in being up to date; as the ground was covered with snow, April 20th, he was out driving, with sleigh bells. Seventeen years ago, last Saturday, we had 14" of snow fall. The couple of inches, which fell Wednesday, are mild in comparison, but then we can do without that kind of mildness. FOREST CITY: George W. Maxey, a freshman in the law department of the University of Pennsylvania, has won the Frazer prize of $75. MONTROSE: Mrs. W. H. Dennis, Jr.'s. handsome horse, "Don" had a narrow escape from drowning Sunday afternoon in an old fire cistern, containing 12 ft. of water, in front of Capt. Dennis' residence on South Main St. Capt. Dennis drove up in front of the house and was very much startled to see the horse's hind quarters sink suddenly out of sight, but quickly jumping from the wagon he held the animal's head and kept it from slipping backward into the water until assistance arrived. The horse is fortunately none the worse for his experience, with the exception of a slight lameness from the strain. The committee on streets has fenced the cistern in and at the council meeting next Monday evening action will be taken as to its repair and maintenance or abolishment. AND: At about 2:30 yesterday afternoon fire was discovered in S.A. Dawley's wagon shop, near the Montrose House barn, but prompt action on the part of Rough & Ready Fire company (A) No. 1, prevented much loss. No. 1, it is claimed, was on the way to the fire before the alarm was sounded, and did very effective work. No. 2 company was right on the scene, too, but as the hose-drying tower is not yet completed, they deemed it more wise to be discreet than valorous, so refrained from wetting the hose, which is no easy task to dry under the present conditions. This is the second fire within almost a week's time. Now look out for the proverbial third one. SUSQUEHANNA: It is not likely that the Erie will enlarge its West Susquehanna yards this year. The company is reducing expenses all along the line. AUBURN CORNERS: Daisy, the faithful family horse belonging to L. W. Titman, after days of severe suffering with rheumatism, died last week. NEW MILFORD: M. A. Blair, of Hopbottom, has purchased the old established J. C. McConnell drug store, taking possession on Monday. Mr. Blair is a practical pharmacist, and a business man of abundant experience. He will be a desirable acquisition to the business interests of the town. He will continue his drug business at Hopbottom until such time as he may find a purchaser. E. C. Tingley, for seven years a clerk in McConnell's drug store, has accepted a fine position in a large drug house in Hyde Park. LOOMIS LAKE: Dr. E. E. Tower is busily engaged in vaccinating cattle for black-leg in Forest Lake, Lawsville, Heart Lake, Brooklyn, Gibson, New Milford and Harford, under the directions of the State Board. BROOKLYN: The Methodist Church, Rev. John B. Sumner, pastor, will, in a few months, celebrate its 100th anniversary. BIRCHARDVILLE: W.A. Pickett had a wood-bee Wednesday and had a nice lot of wood cut and Mrs. Pickett had a nice lot of rags sewed. Those there were: V.E. Cobb, Walter Brink, Myron Strange, Gordon Bennett, Chester Bennett, Nathan Babcock, Floyd Ball, Art Hoag, Leon Wood. The ladies were: Mrs. V.E. Cobb, Mrs. Dorr Brink and three daughters, Mrs. Nathan Babcock and daughter, Miss Will Babcock, Mrs. Minnie Bennett. AND: Charley Burr had the misfortune of having his dogs and cats bitten by the mad dog that went through this place. His cat was the last one to go mad; it was taken Saturday and was not found until Monday, when it was killed. Mr. Brailey killed his dog. Wm. Flynn and R. Turrell killed theirs. Mr. Brailey and Mr. Turrell saw the mad dog and theirs fighting. We hope there will be no more of the kind. SPRINGVILLE: Miss Lena Lyman, accompanied by her sister, returned to East Stroudsburg to pursue their studies in the school there. Misses Nellie Setser, Mabel Pritchard, Lou Squiers, Maude Hinkley and Nellie Marcey will all attend the same school. ARARAT: The death of Mrs. John Keenan occurred at the home of her mother, Mrs. John Terry, April 3d, after a long illness. She leaves a husband and 7 children, the oldest being 12 years. The funeral was held from the Presbyterian Church on Tuesday; interment in the cemetery close by. The sympathy of the entire community is with this distressed family. FRIENDSVILLE: Our school, which has been successfully conducted by Miss Agnes Sweeney, closed last Friday afternoon, followed in the evening by an entertainment in which some of the young people of the town took part. The numerous recitations and dialogues, in which the comic and pathetic elements blended, were much appreciated. And particularly interesting was the music, especially the singing which called forth much applause from the large and appreciative audience. NEWS BRIEF: Richard Vanderpool, Bradford county's oldest resident, died at the county house Tuesday night of last week. He was born April 11, 1799, and was therefore in his 106th year. He was married twice and was the father of 20 children. AND: Drink water and get typhoid; drink milk and get tuberculosis; drink whisky and get delirium tremens; eat soup and get Bright's disease, eat meat and get apoplexy; eat oysters and get toxemia; eat vegetables and get weak; eat dessert and get paresis; smoke cigarettes and die early; smoke cigars and get catarrh; drink coffee and get nervous prostration. In fact, you should eat nothing (except beans, which make you strong; rice to sleep well; apples to be brainy; oranges to be cheerful; and drink hot water to banish the dark brown taste in your mouth.) AND: The Soldier's Monument is soon to be brightened and completed in accordance with original plans. It was intended that each town's soldiers [who died in service] should have their names inscribed in the tablets, set aside for each town, but this work was never completed. It was erected by popular subscription and a good many towns gave nothing. The Grand Jury recommended the Commissioner's complete it. Along
the Way...With P. Jay
Don’t know whether you have been paying attention or not but the primary elections in Pennsylvania will be held in April, more specifically on April 27. Most of us have become accustomed to May primaries and, quite frankly, if I have my druthers, the primaries would be held in September, with the general election in November. With the exception of the race for US Senator, next week’s election will be kind of dull. Incumbent Arlen Specter of Philadelphia County defends his seat against the challenge of Pat Toomey of Lehigh County. Nobody asked me, but if they did, the feeling here is that Senator Specter will win and will also survive the November race against Democrat Joseph M. Hoeffel (who?) of Montgomery County. Of course George W. is on the Republican ballot seeking a second term in the White House. And while there are five Democrats for president on the Pennsylvania ballot, John F. Kerry has emerged as the lead dancer for the Donkey Serenade. Closer to home, as usual there are no Democrats running against Congressman Don Sherwood and State Senator Roger A. Madigan, who represents a chunk of our county, and State Representatives Sandra Major and Tina Pickett. There are contests in both political parties for attorney general. On the GOP side, Bruce Castor of Montgomery County and Tom Corbett of Allegheny County are seeking the party’s nomination to advance to the finals in November. And, yes Virginia, there is a Democratic Party across the Commonwealth. Three of its members, John M. Morganelli of Northampton County, David Barasch of Dauphin County and Jim Eisenhower of Philadelphia County all want to be attorney general. There is a Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Referendum on the ballot. You answer yes or no on the question of whether you favor the Commonwealth continuing to borrow money ($250 million) for use as grants and loans for construction, expansion or improvement of water and wastewater infrastructure, including water supply and sewage treatment systems. Code of Conduct For many years, I have been a columnist for newspapers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. I am convinced that many readers in Northeastern Pennsylvania simply do not understand what a columnist is and I know a lot of them are totally out of synch as far as understanding what a column is. As a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, I subscribe to its Code of Conduct which reads as follows. Perhaps it will give you some insight as to what a columnist and a column is all about. "As a newspaper columnist, I will strive to inform, educate and entertain my readers. I will work hard to provoke them to think – whether they agree or disagree with my efforts to depict truth as I see it. "I will offer my opinions and the reasons I hold them as clearly and as fairly as I can. I will never take advantage of my position to achieve unwarranted personal gain not available to others or use my column to settle personal scores. I will disclose potential conflicts to readers whenever possible. "I will never make up a quote, a source or a story when depicting true events. But I will reserve the right to engage in parody and satire. "I will work hard to earn and keep the trust my readers and editors place in me. I will never plagiarize. Whenever possible, when I make a mistake, I will correct it. "I will listen to my critics, and, in person, treat them with dignity and respect because they pay me the high honor of reading me, even if they disagree. Similarly, I will treat with personal courtesy those whom I may criticize in writing before and after writing about them. "I will always remember that my job is a privilege and honor because being a columnist represents the basic American rights of free speech and open discussion." Last, but not least On behalf of myself and the Susquehanna County Transcript, I would like to apologize to Mr. Tom Baileys for any discomfort or embarrassment he might have suffered as a result of my column of March 17 that mentioned his recent health problem. It was not intentional. On the contrary, it was written to explain that Mr. Baileys was not dodging the press on a delicate issue involving his position as president of the Forest City Regional Board of Education, but was unavailable to comment because he was being treated for that health problem. Scotland School, near Chamberburg, PA, about 200 miles south of Susquehanna, originally a home for orphans only, is now accepting children – male and female – of war veterans. The school offers free board and a free education, with parents or family charged but a few dollars a year for uniforms. Scotland students are split almost evenly between male and female. Candidates for the school are selected on five factors, a blood tie to a veteran, living or dead, or a legal adoption, academics, behavior, risk, need and geography. The school is not a military type school. For more information about the school please contact: Glenn L. Smith, Director of Admissions, 3583 Scotland Road, Scotland, PA 17254-0900, phone (717) 264-7187, ext. 699. (PS: Legion posts in the county, including Susquehanna Post 86, have sent students from their respective school to Scotland for a week. While there the students learn the operation of the school and make a report to their Legion Posts.) WE’LL MISS YOU, Jerry – Friday, April 9, 2004 (Good Friday), was the day the Lord picked for Jerry Lake to "come to Him." I’m not really sure, but I believe Jerry was a Yankee fan (who isn’t?). I do know that Jerry was quite a sports fan. Prior to his illness – that kept him home most of the time – he could be seen at his business place, the Eagle Hotel, with his business partner, the late Tony Aliano. Jerry was also good for a "friendly argument," winning some, losing some. But not too many of the Eagle patrons could "whip" Jerry at the pool table. His place of business saw many good pool shooters, but you had to go quite a distance for anyone to beat the combination of Jerry and his partner, Tony. It was a darn shame that Jerry had to be confined in his later years, knowing well that he would of been part of the "friendly arguments" as to who had the best baseball team, football team, basketball team, etc. Jerry is gone now. He is at peace after many years of illness. We know he will be missed by his family and friends. My sincere condolence to his wife, Janet (DeAngelis) Lake, and his family. IT’S A "BIG" SHAME – That we have to listen to the two presidential candidates – Bush and Kerry – for the next six months "cutting each other up" with damaging TV and newspaper ads. Who do you believe? I, for one, don’t care to listen to either one, as they both are using costly, "nasty" ads. It is estimated that both candidates will spend at least a billion dollars (plus) to further their campaigns. Sure, the TV companies and newspapers are "real happy" about the situation. That is where all the money "donated" to Bush and Kerry will go. Will the candidate with the most money win? Not always. For one thing, the "campaign season" is too long. It gets real boring listening to the two men. It should be shortened several months. Maybe, some day that will happen. I hope so. LOOK FOR THE LOGO – (Medicare Approved) – before you agree to buy any Medicare card. Watch out for fakes. Don’t agree to buy any card that does not carry the official logo or costs more than $30. Don’t give your Medicare, Social Security or credit card number to anyone over the phone or at the door. You can check bona fide card sponsors at www.medicare.gov or by calling (800) 633–4227. Report scams to the Medicare fraud hotline at (800) 447–8477. OH, WERE HAVE "The Ole Timers Gone" – This is in response to a baseball fan, who asked "When are the Ole Timers going to play a softball game against the Ladies team?" (Was that fan kidding me?) I posed the question to the O.Ts star third baseman (Jesse Gow). His answer, "Where can we get enough wheelchairs and find some good Samaritans to push the chairs and then run (for us)." In talking to Ron Griffis and Bob VanFleet, "No way, Hosea" they answered. "We threw all of our knee guards, wrist straps and J-straps away, so we are really retired." In talking to the teams star catcher, Brian (Yogi) Price, "No way," he said, "my knees won’t take that ‘up and down’ chasing Lou Parrillo’s ‘wild pitches.’" The other (boys!) Pat Stanford, Sandy Battisti, Ernie Grausgruber, said they are willing but the legs "just won’t navigate like they used to!" (Sorry, Mr. Fan, but it seems (not only seems) like the O.TS are really "Over the Hill.") CARTOON "On The Mark" – a cartoon in a city paper recently shows a person representing a mob, one representing a terrorist, one representing Iraq, another saying, "Our cartel is increasing production." Shown are a number of barrels marked "America Blood." (Did someone say the war in Iraq was/is over?) BILL STRACKA "Subbing In F.C." – The Forest City School Board recently granted a leave of absence to its superintendent, Bernice Lukas, whose contract ends June 30, 2004. In the meantime William Stracka, retired Super of the Susquehanna Community School will serve as the school’s Super until June 30. Tri-County Insurance Team Wins Both Halves of Baumann Pin League The Tri-County Bowling team of the John Baumann League captured both halves of the season to win the full-season title. Members of the team, with season averages and P.G.s are: Jack Beamer 222-26; Dave Passetti 210-18; Steve Felter 205-15; Chuck Beamer 197-19; Mike Beamer 196-11. The team had a 1033 season average, with a team total 89 P.G.s. Others averaging 200-plus were: Jeff McDonald 84 games 205-14; Mike Gall 84 games 205-28; Chad Norris 63 games 204-11; Larry Pickering 90 games 201-14; Gus Fabrizi 57 games 200-8. High individual three games – Jack Beamer 817; Dave Passetti 740; Mike Gall 736; Chuck Beamer 727; Brian Wheeler 720; Steve Felter 720; Jeff McDonald 707; Kevin McKee 718; Jerry Hadden 701; Chris Norris 705; Mike Kuiper 703; Bill Kuiper 726; Dave Wescott 721; Jim Sellitto 730; Mike Nagel 705. Other averages (subs): Bill Kuiper 203; Jim Sellitto 199; Mike Kuiper 203; Rob Presley 194; Randy Reed 204; Mike Nagel 201. Mike Gall was top man with 28 P.G.s; Jack Beamer 26; Chuck Beamer 19; Dave Passetti 18; Steve Felter 15. Standings: Tri-County 597 wins; B.K. Norris 487; Wheeler Lawn Care 466; County Lounge 442; Cook’s Foam 430; Inn Mates 419; Baldwin Stone 419 – and naturally some team has to hold up the other seven, so the American Legion team volunteered with 339 wins! DAVE PASSETTI Bowls "300" in Tourney – Dave Passetti, proprietor of the Susquehanna Riverside Bowling Lanes, on the April 3-4, 2004 weekend in Rochester, NY bowled his career second 300 in a New York Sate tourney. With several teams from here participating (scores not available), Dave bowled games of 200, 300, 203 for a 703 total. Keeping it in "the family," 21-year old Mike Crawford (Dave’s cousin), a student at Wilkes College, bowled his career high with a 664. He is the son of Ron and Sue Crawford. (Congrats, Dave and Mike.) MY EX-WIFE – While taxiing at London’s Gatwick airport, the crew of a US Airways flight departing for Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., made a wrong turn and came nose-to-nose with a United 727. An irate female ground controller lashed out at the US Airways crew, screaming, "US Air 2771, where the hell are you going? I told you to turn right onto Charlie taxi-way! You turned right on Delta! Stop right there!" Continuing her rant to the embarrassed crew, she was now shouting hysterically, "Now everything is messed up! It’ll take forever to sort this out! You stay right there, and don’t move until I tell you to! You can expect taxi instructions in about half an hour, and I want you to go exactly where I tell you, when I tell you, and how I tell you! You got that?" "Yes ma’am," the humbled crew responded. The ground control communications frequency fell silent after the verbal bashing. Tension in every cockpit out in Gatwick was definitely running high. Just then an unknown pilot broke the silence and keyed his microphone, asking, "Wasn’t I married to you once?"
On one fine Sunday afternoon, Homer went to his favorite watering hole, Moe’s, where he imbibed large quantities of alcoholic beverages. To his credit, Homer knew that he was intoxicated and should not be driving, but Homer had to get home. Fortunately, the patrons of Moe’s had a strong bond and looked out for each other. One of Homer’s friends, Flanders, arrived and warned Homer that Roscoe, the local police officer, was sitting in his patrol car a block away, and, as fate would have it, was on the direct route that Homer would have to drive to get to his home. Homer curses his fate and ponders how he can drive past Roscoe without being pulled over and arrested for DUI. In a moment of drunken enlightenment, Homer decides to call 9-1-1 to report a fire at a nursing home on the other side of town. Homer then goes back to the bar, orders another beer, and waits to hear the sirens. About halfway through his beer, Homer hears the sirens and sees Roscoe roar past on his way to the fire at the nursing home. Homer chugs the last of his beer and brags about his actions to his fellow patrons. Thereafter, Homer drives home. Shortly thereafter, Roscoe arrives at the nursing home and finds no emergency situation. Roscoe then places a call to the 9-1-1 center, and learns that the report of the fire came from Moe’s. Further, the 9-1-1 center replays the call for Roscoe, and Roscoe clearly recognizes Homer’s voice. Roscoe then proceeds to Moe’s, where a number of individuals disclose to Roscoe that Homer admitted to making a call to 9-1-1 and falsely reporting a fire in order to clear the path home. Although all considered themselves to be Homer’s friends, a number of the patrons, including Flanders, inform Roscoe that Homer was visibly intoxicated when he left Moe’s and that they observed him driving erratically as he was leaving Moe’s parking lot. Roscoe then proceeds to Homer’s home, where he finds Homer passed out on his living room couch. Roscoe arrests Homer for DUI. Because this is Homer’s first offense, the offense is graded as an unclassified misdemeanor, punishable by 6 months of probation and a mandatory fine of $300. Because of the help of the concerned patrons at Moe’s, Homer did not avoid responsibility for his criminal actions by making a false report of an emergency at the nursing home. Because Roscoe is well trained, he also knows that Homer has violated another section of the Crimes Code. Roscoe also charges Homer with a violation of section 4905 of the Crimes Code, which makes it unlawful to cause a false alarm of any fire (or other emergency) to any emergency management personnel. This offense is a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable by incarceration of up to five years and/or a fine of $10,000. Thus, Homer’s actions in making the false report of an emergency actually increased his potential period of incarceration and/or supervision by 10 times. After sobering up and discussing the matter with his attorney, Homer now understands that he made a poor decision. Homer should have called his wife, Marge, to come get him. If he had made the right call, he would not have been arrested and charged with any offense. Because he made the wrong call, and created a false emergency to clear his path, his potential criminal liability was substantially increased. Take it from Homer, it pays to make the right call. Please submit any questions, concerns, or comments to Susquehanna County District Attorney’s Office, P.O. Box 218, Montrose, Pennsylvania 18801. Sorry there was no news last week, as I was a guest at Barnes-Kasson Hospital for a few days. Paul and Bridget D’Agati have returned from a two-week’s vacation in Florida, spending most of their time in the Tampa area. Roger and Barb Glover came home from sojourning in the American Southwest for four months, and also made a short trip into Mexico. They both said there were glad to be back home. Charles Levchak and Doris Davidson drove to Tunkhannock, PA to have Easter dinner with Charlie’s daughter, Carol Robideaux and family. Karen Beam and husband, Johnson City, NY welcomed Marie Swartz and her mother, Joy Mead to their home for the holiday dinner. Thirty people gathered at Pete and Vicki Downton’s for dinner. Ralph and Todd Hadden came up from Pottstown and stayed from Thursday to Sunday. The small children enjoyed an Easter egg hunt. Helen Dickey has been hospitalized from a fall she received at home. I have just learned that one of our senior citizens, Gifford Baker has passed away after a lingering illness. My sympathy is extended to wife Vivian and family. The administration board of the local Methodist Church met at my home last Monday night. We have had several bequests and we discussed how best to use the money. I’m to contact the warden at the Wayne County Prison to see if we can get help from the prisoners to paint the church. The Spirited Seniors met last Wednesday with thirteen present. We are putting on a donation dinner at noon on Thursday, April 22 in the Baptist Church social rooms and we made plans for that. Bingo followed. Mary Pat Upright, Windsor, son Johnny and two friends called on her mother, Doris Davidson last Thursday. My sister, Betty and husband, Bob Luz, Lansdale, PA, visited me from Friday to Tuesday over Easter weekend and they, along with my son, Dan and his three sons, Jim, Steve, David, wife Michelle and myself enjoyed someone else’s cooking on Easter Sunday at Lakewood Lodge. John Keyser, an employee of Haband, Inc. has accepted a promotion with the company and when their store closes in Peckville and settles near Atlanta, Georgia, he will go with them. His wife, unfortunately or fortunately, whichever way you want to look at it, is booked solid weekends at the inn for the whole summer so she will stay and make occasional visits to see her husband. Brenda and Bob Reddon welcomed Virginia and Carl Upright and son, Brett, Modena, NY to their home for the Easter feast. Grandson, Billy Reddon stayed at Grandma and Grandpa Upright’s for a few days. Yesterday someone asked me if I’d heard of any bears around. I said "no" and as soon as I got home, I heard of an onslaught of bears destroying bird feeders. In fact, the neighbor called and said, "I think there’s a bear in your backyard." I saw a big, black dog, but no bear. They’re hungry, so take your bird feeders in at night. The Baptist Church Sunday School is sponsoring a spaghetti and meatball supper, Friday, April 23, at 5 p.m. in the social rooms. This supper’s proceeds to help defray the expenses for the Sight and Sound bus trip in July to see "Noah." Cheerio! Dedication. No matter what a person is involved with, this devotion is a must. Sadly, it is not always on one’s top priority list. Whether it be sports, academics, work, or anything of the type, dedication is always needed. Without a doubt, I will always have great respect for those that are dedicated to what they’re doing. It is an irreplaceable trait, and should never be overlooked. For those who aren’t devoted, however, my feelings change a little bit. Devotion is not a water faucet; it cannot be turned on and off at any given time. At the times of most need, I have seen this trait in people heavily deflate. A leader cannot suddenly become a follower, a coach cannot become a bystander, and a teammate cannot ever become an enemy. But yet, as the school year and the sports games go on, this is seen happening again and again. Quite frankly, I have become excessively tired with it. A leader is there to lead, a coach, no matter what is happening, is always supposed to coach, and a teammate is there to help and support others. So what happens when these things do not get followed through with? Well, things go wrong. The thought that dedication is all it takes to succeed seems too simple, but it is true. And it should definitely be practiced. Thankfully, there are people out there who do do this. I have seen so many people that are completely dedicated. It is inspiring to see that there are still kids and adults out there that care and will always be supportive. I just wish more people would follow these examples. So, in short, dedication is needed. That is such an obvious statement it almost hurts, but so many people have not shown it yet. But then again, what is one to expect when the role models, the one’s we as kids are supposed to look up to, sit back and pout or give in to defeat? Well, I was always told to attack the issue, not the person. So, here it goes. Dedication does not end when things are not going a certain way. In fact, this is when it shines. If you want to look good, and if you want others to think highly of you, do not ever give up. Show your devotion to your school work, your sports, your jobs. Show the world you can do it. Be there when others need you most. I’ve watched too many people, kids and adults alike, let a few set backs hold them down. Dedication is all takes. Don’t hold back.
News
|
Living
|
Sports
|
Schools
|
Churches
|
Ads
|
Events
Military | Columns | Ed/Op | Obits | Archive | Subscribe © |
I am sure that you have all heard the stories regarding criminals doing
stupid things that lead to their arrest, such as leaving their wallet
at the scene of the crime. The District Attorney’s Office receives
such cases on a regular basis, and I thought that the readers would
be interested in hearing some of the stories. To protect the guilty,
I have changed the name of the perpetrators so as not to reveal their
true identities.