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COLUMNS: HEART LAKE: There will be baptizing at Heart Lake, Sunday, July 2, 1905. Services 11 a.m., Rev. M. L. McKessic, B.D., of Wilkes-Barre. Baptizing by Rev. J. T. Thornton, B. D. of Pittston. All Baptist and other churches are invited. AND: Wm. Brown has his cellar nearly completed for his new house. Eugene Whitney has the contract for the stone job. LAUREL LAKE: The O’Day Brothers have joined the Empire baseball team, in Binghamton. This team will play in Forest City, July 4th. SPRINGVILLE/LENOX/MONTROSE: The three highest honors won in Keuka College this year were won by Susquehanna county students, as follows: The Gates oratorical prize offered by Dr. L. M. Gates, of Scranton, for best oration, won by Carl Churchill, of Springville. The mathematical gold medal, offered by ex-County Superintendent Moxley, for best rank in mathematics during the freshman year, won by Clarence M. Snyder, of Lenox. The diploma giving degree of B. S., with honor, which is the highest honor given by the regents of the University of the State of New York, was received by Charles W. Finn, of Montrose. Prof. H. H. Larrabee, of Keuka College, who is known as the Susquehanna County professor, is justly proud of the county contingent. JACKSON: Prof. Walter Fish, of Springville, has been elected Principal of the Jackson Graded school and Miss Alice Griffis, of Jackson, as teacher of the primary department. F. S. Bingham will teach the North Jackson school, Mrs. A. D. Corse, Lake View, and Miss Nellie Tucker at Maple Ridge. SOUTH GIBSON: Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Howell are among the very few couples who ever have the privilege of living together threescore years. They recently celebrated their 64th anniversary of their marriage surrounded by their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. SOUTH NEW MILFORD: Walter A. Crossley and Miss Jennie Smith were married Wed., June 21. They went to New York and will visit other places of interest, being gone about two months and upon their return home will reside at Gibson. Mr. Crossley is boss at Crossley’s Mills. BROOKLYN: F. B. Jewett has purchased the “city hall,” which will be moved down on the corner by Watrous’ and the Odd Fellows’ Hall will be moved where the “city hall” now stands. BIRCHARDVILLE: The new barn on the old Murphy homestead, belonging to John Murphy, of Kings Park, N.Y., was struck by lightning Sunday night, the 18th, and burned to the ground. It was full of hay belonging to Mr. Murphy, also all of Wm. Flynn’s farm implements, including a new drop reaper, mowing machine, hay rake, new plows and other things too numerous to mention. The barn was built only two years and was a very large and up-to-date one and it is a great loss to Mr. Murphy, also to Mr. Flynn. The neighbors saw the fire but could not save anything. It was one mass of flames at once. It burned fiercely for almost two hours although rain fell in torrents. HARFORD: The members of the Ladies Guild are doing their utmost to raise funds for the carrying out of needed improvements in connection with the Congregational church, including renovation of interior. An ice-cream social will be held on the lawn at the parsonage, on Saturday eve. It is expected the Band will play. HALLSTEAD:William Smith has lived in this vicinity nearly all of his life and remembers many of the personages who figured so largely in the early settlement of the town and neighboring districts. As a boy he remembers of seeing Joseph Smith, who afterwards became head of the sect known as the Mormons, who founded Salt Lake City in Utah. Mr. Smith remembers too, of seeing Emma Hale whom Joe Smith married, says she was often a visitor at his father’s house and his recollection of her is that she was a very pretty girl. Mr. Smith’s father, Jonas Smith, built the house once occupied by Joe Smith, which is still standing near Oakland, this side of Susquehanna. This is the house which the Mormons talk of purchasing and removing to Salt Lake City. Mr. Smith remembers also of seeing the painting on the rocks something over a mile up the river, which is now effaced, and that it was the picture of an Indian Chieftain in his canoe. Mr. Smith says that both the Indian and his canoe were quite plainly to be seen. MONTROSE: Montrose Fire Co. No. 2 Golden Wedding. Among the causes that contributed to bring about the organization of this company was the big fire of Nov. 12, 1854, which started in the store of Bentley & Read, or the harness shop of O. Baldwin, that then stood as part of the frame row on Church street, where the brick block now stands, and burned its way to the corner of Main street, then down Main street to Mr. Neeley’s, and on the opposite side to Mr. Turrell’s house; also on Turnpike street as far as Mr. Baldwin’s house. The loss was at least $100,000. At that time Rough & Ready, No. 1, was the only company in town and they promptly responded to the alarm and set their hand engine at a reservoir near Searle’s Hotel [bottom, west side of Public Ave], but for some reason, not known to the writer, the engine failed to work, and the town was left to the mercy of the fire. This unfortunate circumstance caused an agitation to be started for another engine. The town council was appealed to in vain to order another; finally it became necessary to get the voice of 2/3rds of the legal voters to say they were willing to be taxed to pay for another engine. Montrose Fire Co. No. 2, met and adopted their constitution and selected their officers on the 11th of July 1855. Among the charter members were, Elijah Mott, Henry Drinker, Wm. L. Post, Benj. S. Bentley, Albert Chamberlin, Wm. H. Boyd, Geo. V. Bentley, H. J. Webb, Wm. J. Mulford, J. P. W. Riley, A. E. Hawley, J. F. Dunmore, C. M. Gere, W. V. Hatch, D. C. Hendrick, Geo. Keeler, Wm. A. Crossman, A. J. Brewster, Henry Clemons, Isaac L. Post, S. M. Wilson, S. A. Woodruff, F. M. Williams and a few others. It is impossible to estimate the property saved by these brave firemen, but they have always responded promptly to the alarm and have sacrificed much in the discharge of their self-imposed duties. FLYNN: One young man went three nights in succession fully determined to ask his best girl to go to the fourth with him; the fourth night she asked him.
Along the Way...With P. Jay
Last August the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) conducted its annual inspection of the Susquehanna County Jail. At that inspection, the Office of County Inspection and Services, an adjunct of the DOC, cited a number of deficiencies and went so far as to place some of them in citation status. And while the county Prison Board claims that progress is being made at the jail to correct the violations, board members appear to be approaching the situation with a casual indifference rather than the sense of urgency that it seems to require. A few months ago a woman died in the jail and some individuals have alleged that little or no medical attention was done in an attempt to keep her alive until medical technicians arrived. Then there was the incident of a corrections officer who left his post and went to South Montrose to assist a stranded female motorist who had car trouble. Prisoners have walked out of the jail. Some visitors and prisoners have been caught smuggling marijuana and drugs into the jail. The Prison Board consists of the three county commissioners, the sheriff and the district attorney. They are the people responsible for making certain the jail is running according to DOC rules and regulations. Of course, the easiest way out is to blame the jail warden. Sort of like owners of professional sports teams blame managers and coaches when their teams go into a tailspin. Last week Jim Jennings asked the commissioners if there is a chain of commands at the jail. When he got little more than a puzzled look, he pressed the issue a bit further. “Who’s in charge when the warden and deputy warden are not there?,” Mr. Jennings asked. “There should be someone in charge... a shift commander or someone,” Mr. Jennings continued. "Apparently there isn't," he concluded after his question drew a blank. Commissioner Jeff Loomis, who chairs the Prison Board, said everything is running smoothly at the jail. He said efforts are being made to correct some of the deficiencies cited at the last jail inspection but he did not delineate those items that have been or are being addressed by the board. The only mention he made that hinted at progress is that some of the correctional officers at the jail are now taking training courses. “We are progressing in an orderly fashion,” Mr. Loomis said. The 2004 annual inspection found over half of the full time personnel at the jail lacking completion of basic training. The figure becomes even more alarming when, as the inspection officer pointed out, things like a uniform orientation-training program and a comprehensive in-service training program are lacking. And, by the way, the DOC does not find fault and then let the counties fend for themselves. Help is available. We took the following quotes direct from its pages on the Internet: “To support the inspection aspect of the Office, services are extended to the county prisons and Community Correctional Centers. The governing prison authority or the CCC director can request formal technical assistance on a variety of issues. The Office provides interpretation of state laws and regulations plus best practices in the field. Assistance is available in determining training needs at individuals counties and collectively for all Pennsylvania counties, serving as a liaison with the DOC Training Academy. The Office maintains a county resource library that allows videos, books and publications germane to county prisons to be loaned for state development use.” The 12-page report of the last prison inspection is chock full of deficiencies and citation-status problems. The warden and the deputy warden are doing their share by juggling their hours to provide additional supervisory time at the jail. Now it is time for the Prison Board members to step up and do what needs to be done to put the jail in compliance with the DOC.
Unfortunately, there are some who want to weaken the strong stance taken to protect the public from society’s most violent and dangerous offenders. A recent report by the Advisory Committee on Geriatric and Seriously ill Inmates recommended granting parole not only for convicts who are seriously ill, but also to release those who killed before age 21 after serving only 25 years in prison. As members of the committee, the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, the state Office of Victim Advocate and others expressed their strong opposition to recommending any such changes to the existing laws as they relate to convictions for first, second and third degree murder and/or changes to any laws relating to the Parole Act. The fact of the matter is that issues concerning the geriatric/lifer inmates can be addressed by existing law. Seriously ill inmates can petition the court for “compassionate release” utilization by the Parole Board. Truly deserving inmates can have their life sentences commuted. It is important to note that the murder victim’s sentence to death does not change. No amount of budget cuts, crowded prisons or society’s compassion will bring back life lost by the innocent. No outside administrative factor should ever take precedent over the value our society places on life. Society has plainly warned every person that if you take a life intentionally you forfeit your freedom for life. For that reason, I urge the general public, Governor Ed Rendell and the state legislature to resist any changes to the sentence of life in prison for those convicted of murder. Please submit any questions, concerns, or comments to Susquehanna County District Attorney’s Office, P.O. Box 218, Montrose, Pennsylvania 18801.
I must apologize to Brandon Glover for not mentioning him as a graduate of Susquehanna Community Schools from Starrucca. Brandon is the son of Mark and Sherri Glover, who entertained at a party for him in the Starrucca Community Hall on Saturday, the 18th. Congratulations, Brandon for achieving one goal in beginning your future. “Do-si-do, swing your partner and away you go” on Saturday night, July 9, at Starrucca Community Hall, beginning at 7 p.m. to 11. Refreshments will be served. So get those dancing shoes and come “shake a leg.” The Starrucca Baptist Church sponsored a vacation bible school with thirty children registered the first day, Monday, June 20. I think that is exceptional! And, thanks to the dedicated teachers that lead them. Closing exercises were held at the church Thursday, June 23. Dan, my son, was down from Harpursville, NY on Monday and hoed up the potatoes for me. I picked my first luscious strawberries yesterday. There’s just no comparison to store-bought. The Starrucca School reunion will be held Saturday, July 30 at the Community Hall. Registration and social hour at 11 a.m. and buffet at 12:30. Admission covers good home cooking (wait ‘til you hear who’s cooking!). This year we’re going to have a “Yankee swap” for fun. Bring a wrapped gift. Don’t go out and buy anything – the idea is to bring something downright funny that you have and would like to share. If you have any Starrucca School memorabilia, stories, or photos to share, bring them along. Updated information on alumni would also be appreciated. Please RSVP by July 11. For details, contact Rebecca Cizike, (607) 785–7051. Cheerio!
About one in three Americans over 60 suffer from loss of hearing, which can range from the inability to hear certain voices to deafness. There are two basic categories of hearing loss. One is caused by damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve. This type of hearing loss is permanent. The second kind occurs when sound can’t reach the inner ear. This can be repaired medically or surgically. Presbycusis, one form of hearing loss, occurs with age. Presbycusis can be caused by changes in the inner ear, auditory nerve, middle ear, or outer ear. Some of its causes are aging, loud noise, heredity, head injury, infection, illness, certain prescription drugs, and circulation problems such as high blood pressure. It seems to be inherited. Tinnitus, also common in older people, is the ringing, hissing, or roaring sound in the ears frequently caused by exposure to loud noise or certain medicines. Tinnitus is a symptom that can come with any type of hearing loss. Hearing loss can by caused by "ototoxic" medicines that damage the inner ear. Some antibiotics are ototoxic. Aspirin can cause temporary problems. If you’re having a hearing problem, ask your doctor about any medications you’re taking. Loud noise contributes to presbycusis and tinnitus. Noise has damaged the hearing of about 10 million Americans, many of them Baby Boomers who listened to hard rock with the volume turned up as far as possible. Hearing problems that are ignored or untreated can get worse. If you have a hearing problem, see your doctor. Hearing aids, special training, medicines and surgery are options. Your doctor may refer you to an otolaryngologist, a physician who specializes in problems of the ear. Or you may be referred to an audiologist, a professional who can identify and measure hearing loss. An audiologist can help you determine if you need a hearing aid. There other “hearing aids” you should consider. There are listening systems to help you enjoy television or radio without being bothered by other sounds around you. Some hearing aids can be plugged directly into TVs, stereos, microphones, and personal FM systems to help you hear better. Some telephones work with certain hearing aids to make sounds louder and remove background noise. And some auditoriums, movie theaters, and other public places are equipped with special sound systems that send sounds directly to your ears. Alerts such as doorbells, smoke detectors, and alarm clocks can give you a signal that you can see or a vibration that you can feel. For example, a flashing light can let you know someone is at the door or on the phone. If you would like to ask a question, please write fredcicetti@gmail.com.
Software Services Ever wonder how you can copy something from word processing and send it in an email? Of course you don’t want to type it over again. After all, computers are supposed to help you with your work. Instead, copy and paste the text - here’s how: Open both your email and word processing programs at the same time. Create or open a document. In the word processing program, highlight the text that you want to copy using the mouse. You can do this by holding down your left mouse button while you drag the mouse pointer over the text. Let go of the mouse button when you are done. The text should now be highlighted (also called “Selected”). Next left click on the Edit menu and then click on Copy or click on the Copy button. This will copy all the highlighted text to the “clipboard” (an invisible but real place). Then switch over to your email program by left clicking on that box on the task bar. Get your email message ready by filling in the “To:” email address and the subject line. Then place the cursor (usually a blinking vertical line) in the area where you type the message. Still in the email program, choose the Edit menu and then Paste or click on the Paste button. The text will be copied into your email. This process of copying and pasting works between many different kinds of programs, not just Microsoft Word or Works and email. For example, you can copy from the Internet and paste into your email or word processing. This is a great way to save bits and pieces information that are useful to you. Let’s say you want to make a new type of cookie. You find lots of web sites with interesting cookie recipes. Create a new word processing document, copy the recipes from the various sites and paste them into your document. Once you save the document, you have all the cookie recipes in one place. Some programs do not have an Edit menu or buttons; so then how do you copy and paste? You can use your keyboard - I like it better than using the mouse! Use Ctrl-C for Copy and Ctrl-V for Paste. Ctrl-X cuts instead of copies. When you cut something you remove it from its original location. It’s still stored in the clipboard so you can Paste (Ctrl-V) somewhere else. The Ctrl key and the Alt key are like the Shift key; you must hold them down while you touch the second key. What is this clipboard? Think of it as a special holding place in your PC. It doesn’t care how much you copy to it: a single letter or many pages. However, it will only hold one thing at a time. When you select, and then copy or cut your text, it will stay in the clipboard and can be pasted many times - until you erase it by copying in something new. Next time find out how you can make internet surfing safer for your children. Lori Martin is owner of Martin Works, Inc. (www.MartinWorks.com), Susquehanna, PA.
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County Jail Needs Attention
Life imprisonment for first- and second-degree murder has been on the books in Pennsylvania since 1939. In 1994, after convicted murder Reginald McFadden was released on parole, he committed two more murders. His unthinkable actions prompted the state legislature and then-Governor Tom Ridge to eliminate parole for murders sentenced to life imprisonment.
Q. I’m 67 and have always had very good hearing. Lately, I’ve noticed that I can’t pick up some things my grand-daughter says. Is this significant?