| |
| COLUMNISTS |
|
Please visit our kind sponsors |
|
||||||
|
COLUMNS: MONTROSE: The new library is being well patronized by all, but especially by students of the high school. Afternoons and evenings find the reading rooms well filled. While there is a good supply of books on the shelves, there are not enough to supply the demand and more will be added. SPRINGVILLE: On a $10 wager between Harry Kills and J. Kelly, the former walked to Tunkhannock in 2 hours and 40 minutes. Mr. Kelly asserted that a man would not do it in 3 hours on foot. Harry was sure he would do it. It was a rough night, snowing and drifting, but he did it none the less for wear. NEW MILFORD: Dr. Wm. E. Park, of Sunbury, Pa., will soon locate here, being associated with Dr. D. C. Ainey in the practice of medicine. Dr. Ainey has been actively engaged in his profession in New Milford for 45 years, and is well deserving of a release from active work. SUSQUEHANNA: Atty. Wm. A. Skinner underwent a successful operation for appendicitis at his home on Saturday. His many friends are glad to learn that the patient is doing well and in a short time will be able to resume his legal duties. [Wm. A. Skinner was the father of B. F. Skinner, the renowned behaviorist]. ST. JOSEPH: Friends were grieved to learn of the untimely death of Rev. Fr. Michael O’Reilly, which occurred in Danville, Pa., on Tuesday evening, where for many years he had discharged his duties faithfully as pastor of St. Joseph’s church. Father O’Reilly was a victim of heart trouble and his age was 55 years. He was one of four O’Reilly priests, and the only surviving one of the four is Father Edward, of South Waverly. He was born at the old homestead in St. Joseph, Pa., where a brother, Aloysius, and a sister, Mary, now reside. The funeral will be held in Danville this morning and the remains will be brought to St. Joseph for burial. Father O’Reilly was a man of sweet temperament, and his gentle manner drew to himself friends without number wherever he went. He had a sympathetic soul, and possessed a strong faith in God and sought to impart that faith to his fellow men by kind word and good example. He was sincerely loved by the flock entrusted to his care, and in his death the parish has sustained a great loss. HOPBOTTOM: The death of Joseph McNulty, one of our most highly respected young men, is announced. Mr. McNulty was studying for the priesthood at Emmittsburg, Md., and his age was 21 years. The funeral will be held from St. Patrick’s at Nicholson. AND: The snow is wearing away gradually and sugar-making time is here. The cold, snowy winter that has passed indicates a great flow of sap. AINEY: There was no school this week, the teacher being ill with grip. BROOKLYN: M. W. Palmer has one of the finest arranged dairy barns in the county and sends his milk direct to Brooklyn, N.Y., at a fancy price. His men wear white duck suits and wash their hands after milking two cows. The cows are all washed before milking and all the fancy operations are in vogue. HALLSTEAD: The Hallstead Oil and Gas Company are leasing land as fast as they can secure in the vicinity of the oil well, and will begin drilling about the middle of March. SHANNON HILL, Auburn Twp.: Mrs. G. B. Filkins entertained the Ladies Aid of this place, last Wednesday, [and] about 40 took dinner. The work was quilting and piecing blocks for another quilt and the work was nearly completed. The receipts were $7.55. HARFORD: Those who attended the Aid Society meeting at Mrs. Leland Williams’ had a good dinner and a fine time. The ladies sewed over 40 lbs. of rags. The oldest man in Harford, Dr. Brundage, was present and assisted by winding rags. Receipts, $6.75. ELK LAKE: Speaking of snow, N. S. Ball says there has been 5 ft. and 7” to March 1908. He also says that 20 years ago there were 11 ft, 8” from November 20th to April 26th; and May 20th Mr. Ball and F. M. Woodhouse shoveled snow in the road from 7 o’clock until 12 noon. That was a hard winter and the summer following was a record breaker--oats, corn and hay, the largest yield in years. BRANDT: When the noon train whistle at the Kessler & Co’s plant blew, Monday, two horses hitched to a cider wagon standing in front of the postoffice, became alarmed and started around the store at a lively rate. When they had gone around the second time a runner of the sleigh caught against a stone hitching post, tipped the sleigh over, and scattered the contents in every direction. The horses broke loose from the sleigh and continued at a mad rate around the square, but were finally stopped by Lansing Monell, who happened along at the right time. It was found that the sleigh was damaged and not fit with which to continue the journey and it was necessary to haul the same to Lanesboro for repairs. Moral--Tie your horse when leaving him alone. LENOX: Mr. and Mrs. G. N. Bennett have adopted the twin babies of Mr. and Mrs. Eastwood, both of the parents being deceased. RUSHBORO: Ude LaRue’s little daughter, Lefa, was seriously ill Saturday, caused by eating several grip tablets. Dr. Beaumont was called and she was soon out of danger. UNIONDALE: Mrs. L. P. Norton and her mother, Mrs. Mapes, are both on the sick list. Mr. Norton thinks he has a little young hospital on his hands. Mrs. Norton received by the hand of Miss Jennett Tinker, a beautiful bouquet of flowers; also she brought the old lady, Mrs. Mapes, a nice dish of Rice, and prepared so good for a sick person’s appetite. Such kindness and a friendly call was great medicine for a sick person. THOMPSON: A valuable package was delivered at the home of R. F. D. carrier, Frank Whitney, on Thursday night of last week. This is a sample of what may be expected when the much talked of parcels post gets in its work. The parcel was found to contain a bouncing boy. Parents and child are doing nicely, though a substitute was on Frank’s route for a couple of days. NEWS BRIEFS: The high snow banks are a strong allurement for the school boys to buckle on their skees, for a gliding journey over the country. AND: Take the whole mass of Fish laws, Game laws, Health laws, and they form an ingenious undemocratic combination depriving the people of free fish, free game, and also at times, almost of the right to live and do business.
From the Desk of the D.A.
While you may be surprised that I would quote Hillary Clinton, her words, while simple, were powerful. No one can dispute that she speaks from painful experience. Many people simply cannot understand why she would remain with her husband after being repeatedly betrayed. How could a spouse endure such pain over and over again? Other people are more cynical and categorize Hillary Clinton as a cold and calculating woman that decided to stay with her husband for political reasons. Thus, there are two versions of Hillary – the loving spouse who blindly forgives her philandering husband, or the politician aimed at preserving her position and privilege. Regardless of which version appeals to you, there is no way to escape that Hillary has some experience with the concept of forgiveness – and this experience is demonstrated by her statement that forgiveness “is the hardest work you are ever called upon to do.” The criminal justice system is not designed to accommodate forgiveness; rather, the criminal justice system is fashioned to provide reasonable and proportionate consequences for behavior as well as provide a rehabilitation mechanism for the offender. While an offender may “pay his debt to society” or “do his time,” these concepts should not be confused with forgiveness. Punishment is not the same as penance – the system does not forgive. At times, however, the criminal justice system becomes a theatre where amazing acts of forgiveness occur. Over the past nine years, I have interacted with hundreds of persons victimized by criminal conduct. Every victim’s response is as different as the wrongs that have been perpetrated against them. There is no way to predict how a victim will react or respond – and there is no right or wrong response. It is important that the criminal justice system listen and consider the victim’s position. Under the law, every victim has the right to be heard by the Court at the time of sentencing of an offender – and when victims speak, it is powerful. What does this have to do with forgiveness? Well, Hillary Clinton noted that forgiveness is the “hardest work” we will ever have to do. From her personal experience, her acts of forgiveness were assisted by the love she had for her husband. In the criminal justice systems, victims oftentimes have no connection with the criminal offender, and, as such, no emotional connection that would help them move toward forgiveness. In other words, a victim has no reason to forgive the offender. In the criminal justice system, Hillary Clinton’s observations on forgiveness take on a whole new meaning. I rarely discuss this concept with victims. Frankly, it is none of my business and has nothing to do with my duties. At the same time, there have been times when I have witnessed unbelievable acts of forgiveness by victims – acts that are impossible to comprehend. While it is easy to understand demands for justice or vengeful cries for punishment, there is something disquieting about a victim speaking of forgiveness. Many years ago, I prosecuted a DUI offender who ran over an elderly woman, dragged her over 50 feet, and eventually stopped with her pinned underneath the automobile. At the time of this DUI offense, the offender had two other DUI arrests pending. It took EMT personnel several hours to get the victim out from under the car, and she spent several months in traction recovering from her serious injuries. The defendant was convicted of an aggravated assault while DUI, a felony offense with a period of incarceration up to seven years. At the time of the defendant’s sentencing, the victim slowly made her way into the courtroom with the use of a walker, she told the judge that she forgave the defendant, indicated that she did not want this incident to ruin the defendant’s life, and asked the judge to show mercy. I remember that one of her children was in the courtroom, and the child had attempted to convince her mother not to testify as it would likely reduce the defendant’s sentence. She did not care – she wanted the defendant (and all of us) to know that she forgave him. Hard work? Well, prior to that case, I would have said forgiveness in such a case would be impossible. I do not think that I would have the ability to do it. As I said, the criminal justice system is not in the business of forgiveness, but there are times when my position in that system gives me a front row seat to true forgiveness. While I may not understand it, there is no way to understate its power. Please submit any questions, concerns, or comments to Susquehanna County District Attorney’s Office, P.O. Box 218, Montrose, Pennsylvania 18801 or at www.SusquehannaCounty-DA.org.
The Healthy Geezer
First, if you suspect you have a hernia, get it checked by a doctor immediately. Don’t treat it lightly. Eventually, almost all hernias require surgery. Having surgery before complications occur makes sense. You get a hernia when a section of an internal organ bulges through weak abdominal muscle tissue. The protruding organ is usually the intestines. About 80 percent of hernias are located in the groin. The overwhelming majority of groin-hernia victims are men. Hernias in the groin – called inguinal hernias – get bigger if they aren’t repaired. They can cause swelling and pain. They can be dangerous, too. Most hernias can be pushed back into the abdominal cavity. However, an intestine can be trapped or incarcerated by a hernia. Incarceration can block defecation. Then there is a condition called strangulation, which cuts blood flow to the trapped section of the intestine and can kill it. A strangulated hernia is a surgical emergency. About five million Americans develop hernias annually, but only 700,000 get them fixed surgically. The common theory for this phenomenon among doctors is that most people fear having an operation. But hernia surgery today is not the ordeal it once was with a large incision and long recovery. Today, patients requiring hernia surgery are in and out of the hospital the same day. The surgery takes about an hour. The operation can be done with a small incision or by minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery that employs a slender, tubular, optical instrument with a surgical tool. Most patients resume their normal lives within a few days after the surgery; they can handle strenuous activity and exercise within four to six weeks. Besides inguinal hernias, there are femoral hernias in the upper thigh (more common in women), incisional hernias through a surgical scar, and umbilical hernias around the navel. Some symptoms of hernia are: protrusion; pain while lifting, bending over and coughing; a dull ache; a vague feeling of fullness; a heavy or dragging sensation in the groin, and swelling in the scrotum that holds the testicles. Some inguinal hernias have no symptoms. People of all ages and both genders get hernias. They occur because of an inherited weakness in the abdominal wall, a strain from lifting, gaining a lot of weight, persistent coughing, or difficulty with bowel movements or urination. Other causes of hernias are pregnancy that can strain abdominal muscles, occupations that require standing for long periods, premature birth, and a personal history of hernias. If you've had an inguinal hernia, you’re at greater risk that you’ll get another elsewhere. If you have a question, please write to fred@healthygeezer.com.
Straight From Starrucca No Straight From Starrucca This Week
No Veterans' Corner This Week
What’s Bugging You? Western conifer seed bug: the leaf-footed invader You’re sitting in your easy chair, watching TV by lamplight. Suddenly you duck as a dark shadow, accompanied by a buzzing sound, whizzes past your head. No, it’s not a bird, a bee, a plane or Superman, it’s a western conifer seed bug. What, you’ve never heard of such a thing? Well, even though most people have seen and experienced these insects in their home, very few have heard of them.
An adult western conifer seed bug. The western conifer seed bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis, has become a fairly common household nuisance in recent years. Like the Asian ladybug and paper wasp, both reviewed in previous columns, this insect has developed the trait of entering homes in the late fall to escape the cold winter weather. While it is an evil-looking creature, it really doesn’t do anything wrong other than just annoying us. It doesn’t sting, bite or cause any damage to our property. However, handle or squash the bug and it will give off a very strong, sometimes sickening odor. It is that habit which leads many people to call it a stinkbug (because it does). In actuality, there is a whole other family of insects that are true stinkbugs. Unlike most other insects, the western conifer seed bug can accurately be called a bug because it belongs to the order of true bugs called Hemiptera. This group of insects varies greatly in size, structure and habit, but they all possess piercing, sucking mouthparts that are housed in a long, beak-like structure (see photo). Unlike many insects, their life cycle does not include metamorphosis, but a series of nymphs, which are simply smaller, similar-looking, juvenile stages. While most of these true bugs suck plant juices, a few are blood consumers, thus making this one of the most destructive groups of insects. Unlike many of our other insect pests, this bug doesn’t appear to be an immigrant from another continent. In 1910, the first recorded description of this seed bug occurred in California. It was identified in Michigan in the 1970’s, and first detected in Pennsylvania by July of 1992. Probably its eastward expansion was facilitated by interstate travel and product distribution. Since 1999 it has also been found in Europe.
The head and mouthparts of the seed bug. These insects belong to the family Coreidae, the leaf-footed bugs. They are so named because of the wide, flattened area on their hind legs (note the arrows on accompanying photo). While the function of these structures is unknown, it is believed that they play some role in camouflage or courtship. There are about 80 North American species in this family, including some very destructive plant-eating pests like the common squash bug. All members of the group have the ability to emit a strong scent when threatened. The adults are about three quarters of an inch long. On top they are brown, marked with shades of yellow and light orange. The wings fold flat; revealing an inverted white “V” marking. The underside is yellow or light orange, with five dark transverse patches, which are noticeable during flight. These bugs have extremely long, mouthparts (see arrow on photo) that they use to pierce the scales of conifer seeds to suck out the seed pulp. The conifers that they prefer include white pine, red pine, Scotch pine, white spruce, Austrian pine, Douglas fir and hemlock. Since many of these tree species are planted close to homes, it is convenient for the bugs to seek refuge inside the nearby houses during the cold winter months. The western conifer seed bug produces only one generation per year. The overwintering adults emerge in late May or early June. They feed on year-old cones and early coniferous flowers. Their eggs, which are laid in rows on the needles of host conifers, hatch in 10 days. The young stages, called nymphs, feed on the needles and young cone scales. By mid-August, the fifth and final stage of nymphs reaches adulthood. These adults feed on the ripening coniferous cones until the onset of cold weather, whereupon they seek shelter. In nature, these protected sites can be under tree bark, in dead trees or in abandoned bird or rodent nests. Unfortunately, heated homes are sometimes a favorite destination for masses of these bugs. While the seed bug’s biggest crime is its hideous looks and bad smell, it can greatly reduce the productivity and yield of coniferous cones and their seeds. Economically, it reduces the quality and viability of conifer seed crops, especially those of the Douglas fir. On winter days when the temperature increases, the incidence of active seed bugs inside buildings and homes results in many inquiries and complaints. Sometimes large numbers congregate and invade the same home. While this particular bug is harmless, it looks similar to some assassin bugs (Reduvidae), which can inflict a very painful bite if handled. The assassin bugs, which also are known to invade houses in the winter, do not have the leaf-like flattened areas on their hind legs and do not emit a strong odor when disturbed. As with the Asian ladybugs and other home-invading species, the best control against them is to make sure your home is tight. Gaps around doors and windows should be calked, window screens should fit tightly, and any loose boards should be secured. Attic and wall vents should be screened. Currently, there are no pesticides specifically registered for the control of the western conifer seed bug. If you have an occasional bug invading your home, the best method is to simply remove them by hand. Since they do emit such an unpleasant odor, it would be advisable to either capture them in a small, lidded jar or else nab them with a tissue or paper towel, which can be wadded up and easily disposed. Otherwise, that smell will linger with you for quite some time. On our list of good bugs and bad bugs, the western conifer seed bug has no place. In our area it would rarely even be noticed if it would stay out of our homes. It doesn’t cause any extreme harm, nor does it help us by eliminating other pests. Let’s place this leaf-footed bug on the “we tolerate you because you’re part of nature” list. Questions, comments and suggestions regarding this article or any other insect related matters, including identifications are welcome. Please email them to bugman95@gmail.com.
Food For Thought No Food For Thought This Week EARTH TALK No Earth Talk This Week
News
|
Living
|
Sports
|
Schools
|
Churches
|
Ads
|
Events
Military | Columns | Ed/Op | Obits | Archive | Subscribe © |
|||||||
“Forgiveness is just a word, unless you're really confronted with the necessity of having to exercise it. And then it is the hardest work you are ever called upon to do.” Hillary Clinton, February 24, 2008 Interview with CBN News.
Q. I think I have a small hernia in my groin that’s probably going to need surgery. How soon should I get this thing taken care of ?
# 1 (Western conifer seed bug)
#2 (mouthparts)