Ararat Summit – Thomas Glover says someone exchanged hats with him at the Grange hall, not long ago, and he would like to exchange back again, as he thinks his own hat is the best fit and would like the party who has his hat to notify him.

Birchardville – The gentlemen will hold an oyster supper at the Hall on Thanksgiving evening, Nov. 28, and also have a sale of fancy work for the benefit of the Baptist church. Everybody come and have a good time.

Gelatt – Raymond Barnes, while gathering apples last Friday afternoon, had the misfortune to fall, causing severe wounds around the head and shoulders. He was unconscious for several hours. He is reported easier at this writing.

Susquehanna – About 10 days ago a couple arrived here and secured board at a private house. The man was about 21 while the girl appeared to be younger. They gave the name of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lester. Within a couple of days Lester secured work in the [railroad] shops but on the third day he met with an accident and had two fingers badly crushed. The next morning he told his wife he was going for a short walk and that was the last she saw of him. Yesterday a man, giving his name as Karl Peterson and residing at Penn Yan, made his appearance and inquired for a party by the name of Harry Lester. No one appeared to know the chap and Peterson told his story to several local people who helped in his hunt. It appears that the girl, known as Mrs. Lester, was Peterson’s sister who ran away with a chap named Harry Flynn. Flynn was a married man who left his wife and child in Rochester and took this girl from a candy store in Penn Yan. Two days after Flynn left Penn Yan his wife and child appeared. Peterson had a warrant for Flynn’s arrest charging him with skipping a board bill and stealing an overcoat, a gold watch and $30 from one of the boarders. When Flynn skipped he left the woman without any money except a little change. The girl wrote a friend telling of her condition and the letter was given to the girl’s parents. Peterson discovered his sister while on a walk and at first she tried to dodge him but when he caught up she broke down and began to cry and expressed a desire to go home, if her parents would take her back. They went home on the afternoon train. No report on the whereabouts of Harry Flynn.

Lake View, Jackson Twp. – Mr. and Mrs. Harold Washburn left for Binghamton on Friday, where they will make their future home.

Hop Bottom - A party was given at the home of Mr. and Mrs. R. Dewie Carpenter Friday evening. The program was music and games and light refreshments were served. Those present were: Misses Bernice and Shirley Powers, Clara Green, Hulda Case, Diamond and Lillian Rose, Messrs. Vern Payne, Roy Case, Eric Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Wright.

Brooklyn – S. F. Breed is having an acetylene light plant installed in his farm residence.

ALSO – Thanksgiving day will be observed in the Universalist church with a sermon at 11 a.m. followed by a chicken pie dinner served by the Ladies Aid in the basement, together with a sale of aprons, fancy articles and home-made candy.

Royal, Clifford Twp. – The Patterson Steam Saw Mill, now situated ¼ of a mile East of here, is soon to be moved ¼ of a mile West of Here. George Hankinson, boss of the job, already has the foundation and a bridge 80 ft. long nearly completed. The mill will be situated just across the creek, back of Joseph Doud’s barn.

Little Meadows – There was a dance held at the Little Meadows Hall, Friday evening, under the management of Father Lynch. Everything proved a success; large attendance; proceeds $54.00. All report a fine time

Montrose – Patrick Quailey, of Forest Lake, drove into town to do some trading, hitching his horse near Earl J. Smith’s jewelry store. An hour later it was gone and there was not a trace to be had. Mr. Quailey first thought that the rope had become untied and that the horse had returned home, but a thorough search here and at Forest Lake revealed no trace of the missing rig. The horse was rather old and was hitched to an open buggy. That the horse has been stolen seems probable, although it was not a particularly valuable one. There were many people in town, some tough looking customers in the bunch, brought here by County court which was in session and it is conjectured that some one may have appropriated the rig. Any information will be gladly received by Mr. Quailey.

Springville Twp. – James K. Aldrich has sold his farm of 200 acres to Stark E. Miller, of Lathrop Twp., for a consideration of $10,000. This farm has been the homestead of Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich for many years, and has the reputation of being one of the most productive and valuable farms in Susquehanna County, while Mr. Aldrich is recognized as one of the county’s most prosperous and successful farmers.

East Kingsley – Mrs. W. C. Gow gave a small tea party last Wednesday in honor of her daughter, Mrs. Leland Grinell. She set the table with “fine, gold-band china, that is nearly 100 years old, which belonged to her mother and only two pieces have been broken, the milk pitcher and butter dish. The silver spoons were over 100 years old but nicely preserved.

Thompson – Charlie Sumner, of the Potter & Sumner hardware store, has bought Mr. Potter’s interest in the firm and moved his family from his farm near Wrighter’s Lake, to rooms on Pleasant street and is now conducting the business of the store.

Harford – The students of the Harford High School will issue a monthly paper, which will be known as “The Omnibus.” It is receiving hearty support from the student body and business men of the town. The first issue will appear next week, coming from the Republican press.

Rush – The town of Rush is to be lighted by electricity. On Wednesday, Alan M. Ayars, manager of the electric light plant, as a representative of the Penn. Electrical Engineering Co., of Scranton, went to Rush and effected the sale of an electric lighting plant to U. W. LaRue. Mr. LaRue will operate the plant and it will be of sufficient capacity to light the streets and residences of the town. The motive power will be acquired from Mr. LaRue’s mill. The people of Rush are to be congratulated upon the enterprise which is hoped will be in operation soon.

No celebration of Thanksgiving Day can be complete without some level of contemplation on our collective history, tradition and faith. In an era when the sanctity of Thanksgiving Day is eroded by consumerism, secularism, and public apathy, the roots for Thanksgiving Day are easily lost in the shuffle of parades, cooking, football, and shopping. If we truly lose our roots, it will not be long before we discover that there is nothing truly supporting us. Let us take a moment then to remember what we are celebrating on Thanksgiving Day.

The first official Thanksgiving Day occurred at the direction of the Continental Congress in 1777, and the official proclamation written by Samuel Adams stated: “Forasmuch as it is the indispensable duty of all men to adore the superintending providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with gratitude their obligation to him for benefits received…together with penitent confession to their sins, whereby they had forfeited every favor; and their humble and earnest supplications that it may please God… mercifully to forgive and blot them out of remembrance…it is therefore recommended…to set apart Thursday the eighteenth day of December next, for solemn thanksgiving and praise, that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feeling of their hearts and consecrate themselves to their service of their Divine Benefactor…acknowledging with gratitude their obligations to Him for benefits received.”

In 1789, upon the request of the first Congress, President Washington issued the first Thanksgiving Day Proclamation for the United States of America: “Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor . . . I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the Beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our service and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country.”

During his presidency, John Adams would call for a number of days of “solemn humiliation, fasting and prayer.” His first such Presidential Proclamation in 1798 declared: “[T]the safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depends on the protection and the blessing of Almighty God, and the national acknowledgement of this truth is not only an indispensable duty which the people owe to Him, but a duty whose natural influence is favorable to the promotion of that morality and piety without which social happiness cannot exist nor the blessings of a free government be enjoyed.”

After the conclusion of the War of 1812, President James Madison in 1815 proclaimed a day “be observed by the people of the United States with religious solemnity as a day of thanksgiving and of devout acknowledgements to Almighty God for His great goodness.” President Madison stated: “No people ought to feel greater obligations to celebrate the goodness of the Great Disposer of Events of the Destiny of Nations than the people of the United States. His kind providence originally conducted them to one of the best portions of the dwelling place for the great family of the human race. He protected and cherished them under all the difficulties and trials to which they were exposed in their early days. Under His fostering care their habits, their sentiments, and their pursuits prepared them for a transition in due time to a state of independence and self-government. In the arduous struggle by which it was attained they were distinguished by multiple tokens of His benign interposition. During the interval which succeeded he reared them into the strength and endowed them with the resources which have enable them to assert their national rights, and to enhance their national character in another arduous conflict…And to the same Divine Author of Every Good and Perfect Gift we are indebted for all those privilege and advantages, religious as well as civil, which are so richly enjoyed in this favored land.”

These are our roots – our foundations – our beliefs and historical faith – that we as a Nation have prospered and succeeded through the guidance and blessings of divine providence – and that we, as a people, take one day a year to give offer up our collective prayers of thanksgiving to God for the blessings he has conferred upon these United States of America. Happy Thanksgiving.

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/.

“For each new morning with its light, for rest and shelter of the night, for health and food, for love and friends, for everything Thy goodness sends. “~Ralph Waldo Emerson

You’ve had your list for the grocery store made out for weeks and have checked it twice or three times. Cranberry Sauce, check, butternut squash, check, turkey and all of the ingredients for your family-famous stuffing, double-check. Uh-oh!! You forgot the fixings for Great-Aunt Catherine’s scalloped corn recipe? Here comes another trip to town! How about detouring to your local Library Branch where, in a few minutes, the Staff can quickly gather some Thanksgiving titles sure to keep the young ones occupied between the parades and the afternoon football games. It might even save you from answering the “Sage-filled” question for the umpteenth time, “Is the turkey ready yet?”

The Montrose, Susquehanna, and Hallstead/Great Bend Library Staffs have some Thanksgiving Volumes and many, many more titles that your family might enjoy sharing.

Up at Montrose, Liz and staff suggest these tales:

“It’s Time For Thanksgiving” by Elizabeth Hough Sechrist. This is a rich and imaginative book containing stories, poems and plays centered on the theme of Thanksgiving.

“The Best Thanksgiving Ever” by Teddy Slater. A sweet story, told by a family of turkeys about the importance of family, being thankful and love. There’s a surprise ending also!

“Don’t Eat Too Much Turkey” by Miriam Cohen. Jim and his friends are in the first grade and with Thanksgiving right around the corner, they are super busy with arts and crafts and a play.

Angie and Valerie in the Hallstead/Great Bend Branch know you and your family will enjoy the following:

“I am the Turkey” by Michele Sobel Spirn. Mark is excited to be chosen as the Thanksgiving Turkey in his class play, until he discovers what role the turkey actually plays in Thanksgiving.

“Thanksgiving Day” by Anne Rockwell. Mrs. Madoff’s class is putting on a play about the first Thanksgiving. Charlie, Sarah and Eveline are among those who have parts and they learn how special things made the first feast possible.

“Sometimes it’s Turkey, Sometimes it’s Feathers” by Lorna and Lecia Balian. When Mrs. Gumm finds a turkey egg, it hatches and she raises a turkey for Thanksgiving with some unexpected results.

Amelia, Pam and Deb at the Susquehanna Branch recommend these:

“Pilgrims in America” by Melinda Lilly. This audio-book describes to young readers the Pilgrims hard journey to America and the impact that the Native Americans had on them.

“ Today is Thanksgiving” by P.K. Hallinan. This is a charming tale that not only includes “goodies” that all children enjoy but explains the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

“Clifford’s Thanksgiving Visit” by Norman Bridswell. Emily Elizabeth’s family are going to visit her Grandparents, while Clifford decides to go visit his Mother in the city. Emily Elizabeth and Clifford rush back home after dinner, very thankful.

In time for your Christmas Holiday Shopping, the Pottery and Art Sale, organized by Maryanne White and Chris Buffington, will be held this week, on November 21st , 23rd, 24th, and 25th, 10 am to 5 pm with the exception of Sunday, when it will be closing at 4:00 pm. This event is held at St. Paul’s Church Hall, located at 276 Church Street, Montrose. There is no admission fee. It’s a wonderful opportunity to check out and perhaps buy the works of various artists and craftsmen and you will be supporting the Historical Society and Free Library Association as well.

Also, please, mark the date on your calendar for the Christmas Book Sale and Boutique being held on Thursday, November 29th , from 4:00 to 8:00 pm ,Friday, November 30th, from 4:00 to 9:00 pm and Saturday, December 1st, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. This event will be held downstairs at “The Inn at Montrose”, located at 26 South Main Street, Montrose. This is a special sale of used books in exceptional condition, great for gift-giving or adding to a collection, plus gift items such as jewelry and purses will also be available.

As we gather around our tables this Thanksgiving Day, may we count our Blessings, remember those less fortunate than ourselves, and those who gaze lovingly and longingly at an empty chair at their table.

I will leave you with this thought: “In reading, a lonely quiet concert is given to our minds; all our mental faculties will be present in this symphonic exaltation.” ~Stéphane Mallarmé

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!!