Gelatt - Amos Avery has purchased a fine span of bay horses. He made a trip to Susquehanna Sunday and took his daughters, Jane and Nina, back to their schools.
Montrose - H. M. Cole, the veteran automobile man, and an ardent believer in the Ford make of cars for the roads of Susquehanna count, has been appointed Ford sales agent for that part of Susquehanna county west of the D L &. W railroad, and will press the matter vigorously, giving the business his whole attention. Mr. Cole will carry a large a large number of cars in stock, we understand, and what is of vital importance, will carry a large line of parts for the Ford automobile, thus obviating delays when parts are needed. Mr. Cole was one of the first automobile owners in the city of Scranton, although this fact is not generally known, and ever since that time has been a practical automobile man. The Ford agency in this locality amounts to a valuable franchise and with the basis which Mr. Cole will place the business on, it should be not only remunerative for him, but of convenience to Ford owners generally, as Mr. Cole's contract implies that the looking after all Ford machines.
Flynn - Now we have it from good authority that the old maids of Middletown are like a gasoline engine, it is most impossible to keep them from sparking. ALSO While playing with a bow and arrow John Curley's son was hit in the eye. He was taken to Sayre hospital and at last account he might lose his eye.
Heart Lake - A sample of some apple butter from L. E. Griffing's mill found its way to the Democrat's office one day last week and the quality of it would please the most exacting epicure. Mr. Griffing is now very busy operating his cidar and jelly mill, having added new machinery for improving the product. Mr. Griffing's sale of apple butter is large, both locally and in the city.
Rhiney Creek, Liberty Twp. - Ira Decker, son of Mr. & Mrs. George Decker, met with quite a severe accident last week. He took a shotgun to shoot a hawk. When he got outdoors he saw the hawk and while waiting for it to sail lower down he rested his gun on the toe of his shoe, not noticing that the hammer was up. He pulled the trigger and shot his second toe off close to his foot. The powder also burned his foot quite severely. He was taken to City Hospital at Binghamton to have the wound dressed.
Choconut Valley - The Friendsville- Choconut telephone line is now under headway.
Herrick Center - Miss Blanche Pope and Claude Ziegler, both of this place, were married by Rev. Owen Buck at the M. E. parsonage Oct. 18. Their many friends wish them much happiness.
Elk Lake - A son was born to Mr. & Mrs. C. S. Lathrop on Sunday last. "Another voter for the Progressives," the proud father remarked.
Dimock - Lee Estus has purchased a new automobile which he is learning how too run.
Forest City - The Republicans held a meeting Wednesday evening. Speeches were made and some gave their experience during Cleveland times--how they tramped for work and did not find it. The Club planned a monster parade for Friday night with 50 horses in the parade. After the parade a Grand Rally will be held in the Grand Theater, when speakers from Scranton and Philadelphia will be present to address the meeting.
Hallstead - J. J. Mooney, while leaning from the engine of a train on which he was riding, the better to observe the signals, was struck by a swinging refrigerator car door on an adjoining track and instantly killed. He was hurled to the ground, his skull being fractured by the blow. He was a train man, 21 years of age, and was highly regarded. He was a brother of Thomas Mooney, an operator in the employ of the Lackawanna R.R. In Hallstead.
Uniondale - E. G. Burdick has placed steam heat in his residence.
Kingsley - The reunion of the members of the Kingsley Concert Band was celebrated last Friday evening by a banquet given at the Aqua Inn to members of the band and their ladies after the rehearsal.
Brooklyn - Election promises to be quiet. The thinking men like those who live in Brooklyn will hesitate to change the policy of the government when we have such good times.
New Milford - C. S. Page was pleasantly surprised on Saturday last, when a number of guests arrived to celebrate his 74th birthday. A very enjoyable time was had. As a token of remembrance he was presented with the sum of $6.30. On departing all wished him many happy returns of the day.
Clifford - Election next Tuesday. Go to the polls and help elect the best man, but don't kick if you won't vote.
Marriage licenses: Norman N. Sloat and Bernice Conrad, of Jackson; John C. McAndrews and Marie R. Kane, of Susquehanna; George E. Ives and Ella Yeomans, of Lawsville Center.
Lathrop Twp. - Dyer Williams, one of this townships best known citizens, has been spending a portion of the week in Montrose. He says politics were never quieter in Lathrop than this year--not much like the Greeley campaign. People read more, form their own opinions, and speech making days have largely vanished. He wears a Taft pin.
I was in fifth grade when I voted in my first presidential election in 1980. It was one of those classroom political exercises where students get to do a mock election in class. We simply wrote a name on a piece of paper, folded it up, and submitted it. Then we all gathered around to see whose name was written on the paper. I remember that Ronald Reagan won our classroom election by a landslide – with only a few people voting for Jimmy Carter.
I remember who I voted for in that classroom election – and for the first time ever I will publicly admit it. Yes, I voted for Jimmy Carter. It is a memory that still haunts my conservative mind to this day. What was I thinking? I have a vague recollection of feeling sorry for him because I knew that all my classmates were voting for Reagan. Was it a sympathy vote? I do have a contrarian streak in me that occasionally surfaces. Was I casting a vote for Carter to simply be different from most of my classmates? I love an underdog. Did that play a role in my Carter vote? I can say one thing for certain my vote had nothing to do with politics. I do remember feeling rather dejected after the classroom election.
I have vague memories of the 1984 Presidential election. By then, I had started to take an interest in politics and Reagan was my teacher. I do not remember any classroom elections in 1984, but I remember that it was a stunning landslide election. In 1988, I was a senior in high school – but still not old enough to vote as I was only 17. But my friends and I were charged up about the election. On election night, we convinced a janitor to open up our American history teacher’s classroom – and we proceeded to decorate it in Republican paraphernalia as well as political tombstones for Michael Dukakis. We were definitely taking a leap of faith – and it paid off. Our teacher was not very happy with us for desecrating her room, but somehow we evaded any suspensions, detentions or other disciplinary action. She was a good sport – she did not even report us when we “taped” a Bush/Quayle bumper sticker to her car earlier in the fall.
In 1992, I was at the University of Scranton – and I can remember the dejected feeling of seeing George Bush lose to Bill Clinton – and my friends and I cursed Ross Perot for costing Bush the election. My first official presidential vote turned out the same way that my first presidential vote had turned out: I picked the losing horse. In 1996, I had just graduated law school and I was clerking for a federal judge when Dole lost to Clinton. Going to the polls, I knew that Dole was doomed and it seemed like a futile act. My record in presidential elections was now 0-2.
In 2000, I had returned home and cast my vote for George W. Bush – and I have more vivid memories of that election. The drama in Florida, the cable news shows covering it and ultimately the decision by the United States Supreme Court. I had finally got a vote right – and I voted with the winner in 2004 as well. For those keeping score at home, the record moved to 2-2. In 2008, I voted for John McCain – and it felt a lot like voting for Bob Dole – there was a sense of knowing that it was not going to matter. My voting record again slipped to one election below .500. Alright, if you want to count the fifth grade election and the unfortunate Jimmy Carter incident, then it would be two elections below .500. On the other hand, if my teachers in 1984 and 1988 had conducted mock elections, I would have totally redeemed myself.
As I look back across those years, it is amazing just how much life passes between presidential elections. Four years is a significant period of time – but it seems to go rather quickly especially in the age of this new seemingly perpetual election cycle – and it seems like only yesterday that I cast a ballot for John McCain. But here we are again, and regardless of your political affiliation, we can all agree that we need to get out and vote on November 6th.
While the Presidential election generally gets the headlines, we also need to remember that there are other important positions that will be on the ballot: a United States Senator, a Congressional Seat, a state representative, a state senator, and state positions for Attorney General, Treasurer and Auditor. As with every election, there is a lot at stake – and you need to get out there and vote for the candidate that you believe will provide the best leadership for each position. Our collective future rests in the hands of each and every one of us – we have the right and the privilege to cast a ballot. Each of us needs to take advantage of it.
Please submit any questions, concerns, or comments to Susquehanna County District Attorney’s Office, P.O. Box 218, Montrose, Pennsylvania 18801 or at our website www.SusquehannaCounty-DA.org or discuss this and all articles at http://dadesk.blogspot.com/.
“A gypsy fire is on the hearth, Sign of the carnival of mirth; Through the dun fields and from the glade, Flash merry folk in masquerade, for this is Hallowe'en!” ~Author Unknown
Does everyone have their costumes ready? Last minute adjustments to create a prize-winner or one to make you gasp? Between the trick or treating and the fun, games and goodies at the party, why not do something different than musical chairs, etc.? Try putting on some spooky music or eerie soundtrack as the background and turn lights down low or off for a “ghoulish-ous” time reading some Halloween tales from your local Library Branch.
The Staff at the Susquehanna Branch have a few titles they suggest for a spellbound younger audience and they also have a video of “Lumpkin the Pumpkin”, a charming tale where Lumpkin helps a young witch win a contest.
“The Spooky Halloween Party” by Annabelle Prager. Albert doesn’t think his friend’s Halloween Party could be that scary. But who could be hiding behind those masks? His friends? Or who??
“Scary, Scary Halloween” by Eve Bunting. I love the
spooky revelation and quote as well as talented Jan Brett’s clever illustrations.
Two green eyes shine in the night sky and someone whispers, "I peer outside, there's something there that makes me shiver, spikes my hair. It must be Halloween." As the narrator looks out the window, a skeleton, a ghost, a vampire, a werewolf, witches, goblins, gremlins, a devil and a mummy pass by. The monsters are in fact children dressed up in Halloween costumes.
“Grandmas Trick or Treat” by Emily Arnold McCully. Grandma Sal wants everyone to play tricks. Meanwhile Grandma Nan wants them all to practice good manners. When the two Grandmas start to argue, Pip and her friends shake their heads in wonder. Will everything turn out okay so they can all enjoy Halloween?
Hallstead/Great Bend Library Staff Members, Angie and Val have picked out some special selections that will bring joy and gasps at this “Boo-tiful” time of year. Among them are:
“Just Say Boo” by Susan Hood. Where little trick or treaters learn just what to say in every Halloween situation. For example: If three dinosaurs roar when you open your door, what do you say? "Boo!" of course!
“Who will I be? “ by Shirley Neitzel At the last minute, a girl needs a costume for a Halloween party. She has lace-trimmed pants, a frilly jacket, fancy socks, some foil paper and her cat. Who will she be?? The same materials can create 2 costumes!!
“Corduroy's Halloween” by Don Freeman. One of our beloved bears, Corduroy, picks out a costume, joins in on a window painting contest, goes trick or treating and even bobs for apples at a party for one fun-filled Halloween!!
“Luther's Halloween” by Cari Meister. Luther is a Triceratops Dinosaur, but that doesn’t stop him from having a good time trick or treating! When Dracula starts stealing candy, it looks like Halloween will be ruined. Will Luther be brave and stand up to Dracula?
“Beneath the Ghost Moon” by Jane Yolen. The farmyard mice are sleeping and beside each bed lies a tiny costume specially designed for the upcoming Ghost Eve Ball. Meanwhile, the terrible creepy-crawlies are preparing to attack! Ohhh Nooo!!
“The Runaway Pumpkin” by Kevin Lewis. When Buck, Billy, and their little sister Lil spy the biggest pumpkin they've ever seen, they can't resist. Buck and Billy try to roll the pumpkin down the hill so they can show everyone, but, guess what happens?
Of course there are many classic hair-raisers geared toward adults available as well. Some you may recognize: “The Shining” by Stephen King, “Dracula” by Bram Stoker, “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley, “Something Wicked This Way Comes” by Ray Bradbury and “The Turn of the Screw” by Henry James just to name a few. If you’re partial to vampires and zombies, I’m sure any of the Library Branch Staff can help you find something to suit your blood thirsty taste.
A reminder from the Susquehanna Branch Library: Their” Readers Group”, which meets the third Thursday of each month, (with the exception of August and December), is preparing to discuss the book; “O Pioneers” by Willa Cather.
If interested in joining, please contact the Susquehanna Branch at 570-853-4106.
“Geek the Library” will be at the Springville Area Women's Club's Elk Lake Christmas Bazaar on November 3rd from 9:00am – 3:00pm at the Elk Lake Elementary School. Get in the Christmas spirit early and view items from over 130 dealers. Stop by the Geek the Library table to learn about your local library and enjoy some Christmas fun!
Be sure to mark your calendars. The Association’s Annual Meeting will be held on Saturday, November 3rd, at 2pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Hall, located at 276 Church St. in Montrose. The speaker for the occasion will be Jen Hibbard who is the Recycling/Solid Waste Coordinator for Susquehanna County. Updates concerning the Library and Historical Society will also be given at this time.
What’s your Library Staff reading?? Once a month, we will be peeking in to see what your Library Staff is reading. After all, they don’t just work with books, they enjoy reading them too!!
Susquehanna --Presently, Amelia Paterno is doing research on the ever-increasing disease of Diabetes, while Deb Cavanaugh has been engrossed in one of Author Sandra Brown’s titles and perusing Gooseberry Patch’s cooking and craft books and Pam Bagnall has just finished Author Debbie Macomber's “The Inn at Rose Harbor”.
Hallstead/Great Bend – Angie Houghton is presently reading “Real Estate for Dummies”, a volume she was able to borrow from the Scranton Public Library. Library Assistant Valerie is reading “Self-Help Book For Hair Care”, and “My Journey to Heaven” by Marvin J. Besteman.
Montrose -- Technical Service's Christina Hall is reading Penny Marshall's book "My Mother was Nuts", Richard Paul Evans' "The Sunflower", and "The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica" series by James A. Owen, while Technical Service Assistant Eleanor Manz is reading "The Shoemaker's Wife" by Adriana Trigiani, "The Golden Hour" by Margaret Wurtele, "Sonoma Rose" by Jennifer Chiaverini and "The Inn at Rose Harbor" by Debbie Macomber and Outreach Assistant Donna Horn is reading "Death of a Kingfisher" by M.C. Beaton, "Treason at Lisson Grove" by Anne Perry, and kid's book "Homer" by Elisha Cooper.
And as for me? Your “New-to-the-column” person? I’m alternating between
“The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry” by Rachel Joyce ( a slightly sad tale set in England with retiree Harold Fry receiving a note from Queenie Hennessy who is in hospice and is writing to say goodbye. Harold believes if she knows he’s coming to say goodbye in person, that she will fight her illness and live a while longer), and a light cozy entitled, “Death of a Neighborhood Witch” by Laura Levine. This title was just released late last month and I was privileged to get an ARC (Advanced Reading Copy) to review. It is not on our Susquehanna County Library shelves at the moment, but several of her titles are or can be requested from other areas for you. If you have read any of the other Jaine Austen adventures, you know you’re in for some laughs as well as a mystery mixed with Miss Austen’s amateur sleuthing. I recommend both of my selections.
Please don’t forget to get out and vote on November 6th. Let your voice be heard! It’s important for your family and our beloved Commonwealth and Country.
As we say “Goodbye” to October and “Hello November”, I leave you with this thought—“A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face. It is one of the few havens remaining where a man's mind can get both provocation and privacy. “ ~Edward P. Morgan
Happy Halloween!!
