Rush – The stage, operated by Light Bros., between Rushville and Montrose, has the distinction of being the first stage in the county—and in the world, so far as we know—that has electric lamps. This ingenious arrangement was contrived by Electrician Floyd McCain, of Rush, who equipped the stage with the lights and they are of great practical value to the stage drivers. Electricity is supplied from storage batteries, and these batteries can be re-charged at Rush’s up-to-date electric plant. Light Bros. have been operating the stage for the 30 mile trip daily, except Sunday. They start from Rushville at 6 in the morning and, as they do not complete their trip until 9 in the evening, good lights are desirable. They state the roads this spring have been the worst they ever experienced and frequently they did not reach the end of their trip until 10:15 in the evening.
Montrose – J. C. VanCampen’s furniture and undertaking establishment is now located in the easterly half of Dessauer block on Church street. The ground floor is occupied by the large and well lighted display room which is stocked with an excellent line of furniture of the latest design. The basement is utilized as a storeroom and cabinet-making and repair shop, which Mr. VanCampen runs in conjunction with his furniture business. Mr. VanCampen expects his new funeral car to arrive in a few days. Also A song service, to which the public is invited, has been announced to be held next Sunday evening in the A. M. E. Zion church at 7:30. A number of old-time hymns will be rendered.
Gibson – Herbert B. Huften is another breeder of Indian Runner ducks who is proud of the accomplishments of his pen, although he only has two ducks and a drake at present. Mr. Hufton writes that he got his first egg from the ducks on January 21 and up to April 1, he had gathered 109 eggs. With such results in front of him as the work of two ducks, it is safe to say that Mr. Huften will have a larger flock in another year.
Franklin Forks – The Band will hold a warm sugar social in Alliance Hall, this evening, April 11.
Gelatt – George Page raised the frame of his new barn last Friday. It is 30 ft. wide and 100 ft. long. T. Koup and his men are doing the carpenter work. The Grange furnished dinner.
Brookdale – Anna Dolan closed a very successful term of school at Mountain Valley on Thursday. She will go to Mansfield Normal for the spring term.
Brooklyn – C. A. Rozell, the well known huckster, was in Montrose Saturday. Mr. Rozell has one of the finest vegetable farms in the county, and articles from his pen and illustrations of his farm have lately appeared in the “Practical Farmer,” winning prizes offered by that publication. The articles were not only entertaining, but possessed many practical hints to growers of small produce.
Susquehanna – We have a pastor in Rev. R. M. Pascoe, of the Methodist church, who gives his congregations “down-to-the- minute” sermons. Sunday evening he preached on the subject of “The Passing of J. P. Morgan.”
Choconut – The dance and supper at the Choconut Valley Inn, on the evening of March 28, was a successful affair and was attended by a large number of the people here-about, as well as from Montrose, Little Meadows, Silver Lake, Friendsville, St. Joseph, Forest Lake, Birchardville, Middletown, Apolacon, Tracy Creek, Union Endicott, Lestershire, Vestal Center and Binghamton. All persons were highly pleased with the courtesy and generosity of McCahill Bros. And, coffee was served in motto steins.
Lawsville – Mrs. Rebecca Stanford was pleasantly surprised by about 50 friends, on the 80th anniversary of her birth. Leonard Bailey, who was 67 on the same day, was present. He received 62 birthday cards and Aunt Becky received 92, besides aprons, neckwear, handkerchiefs, and $4.85 in money. Mrs. Effie Ingraham composed the following prose poem: “There’s a dear little lady down under the hill, she lives all alone, and a few of her friends have come today to visit her at her home. Yes, we have come to celebrate her 80th new birthday, and you would hardly think it, for her hair is but little gray. And here’s her neighbor, Leonard, he has a birthday, too—he only lacks 13 years of being a twin with you. I remember, when a child, of coming with mother one night, we stayed to tea and it seems to me we ate by candle light. Dear Aunt Becky, you have climbed a hill—now going down another; to us who have known you all our lives, you’ve been a dear, kind mother. Yes, you are 80 years new today, and from everyone who’s come we wish you joy and happiness till you are 81.”
Burnwood – Francis Cottrell went fishing Friday night for bullheads, but reports nothing doing.
Welsh Hill, Clifford Twp. – Miss Goldie Clark, of this place, and Harold Woodard, of South Gibson, were united in marriage at Forest City on Wednesday of last week. ALSO In Clifford, the creamery and skimming stations in this vicinity are now receiving milk and churning every other day. The churning station is located at this place and has skimming stations at Amasa, Lenoxville, West Clifford and Elkdale, the cream from which is all churned here. E. E. Finn is the general manager, whose business qualifications are of the first order.
Kingsley – The Ladies’ Minstrel show, recently given at Hopbottom, will be presented at the Universalist church here, Friday evening, April 18. This is one of the finest entertainments ever given in this neighborhood.
Lynn – We are having another touch of winter, the ground being covered with snow.
Jackson – The spinster’s convention, given by the ladies of the M. E. church at Robert’s Hall, last Friday evening, was well attended considering the stormy night, and was very much enjoyed by all who attended.
Forest City – Albert, the son of S. E. Lott, a former resident, is making his mark in the musical world. At a recent recital of the pupils of The Brain School of Music, the “Pottstown Journal” says:” “A violin solo concerto, played by a little fellow, Albert Lott, opened the eyes of the audience with his amazing technique and double stopping. A great deal is expected of Master Lott.
In response to the Susquehanna County Commissioners’ gun rights resolution supporting the Second Amendment, I noticed numerous responses in the local papers – some supportive and some critical of the resolution. It came to my attention that one of my colleagues, Attorney Sam Lewis, had penned a letter that had not made it to print. My source told me that it was a shame that this piece never saw the light of day, so I contacted Attorney Lewis and he provided me with a copy of his letter – coupled with permission to use a portion of it for the column.
Attorney Lewis addressed the common gun control argument that focuses on whether people “need” a weapon with the following words: “Whether a law-abiding citizen NEEDS a semi-automatic firearm or high capacity magazine is entirely beside the point – one does not have to demonstrate a NEED to exercise a God-given, constitutionally guaranteed right in order to do so. Must I show a “need” for worship before I am entitled to attend church? And to whom should I demonstrate my ‘need’ for free speech in order to write this public letter? The concept of ‘need’ was never a criterion applied by the framers in assessing our natural rights. It is enough that the right exists and the individual desires to exercise it. “Need” is a completely irrelevant factor.”
Attorney Lewis also artfully tackled the suggestion that limitations on the number of rounds that a magazine can carry as follows: “Nor is the frequency of exercising my Right to Keep and Bear Arms a proper matter of government concern, for if the government may limit my magazine to seven rounds can it not also restrict how often I attend church, or write my elected representative? But, you say, my religious worship and letter writing does not cause harm to anyone else. True, but neither does my safe, lawful use of a 30 round semi-automatic firearm. Once it is conceded the right does exist, and the Supreme Court has made clear that it does, the frequency of its exercise cannot be restricted by government authority. By this flawed logic a person could be limited to invoking his or her Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination only once!”
Attorney Lewis lamented the lack of understanding of basic history and simple constitutional principles: “Nowhere in the Constitution is the federal government granted authority to regulate firearms, period. It is not there. If you find it, let me know. On the contrary, it is specifically prohibited from infringing on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms by the Second Amendment. Consequently, [the] admonition to “let the Federal Government do its job” is way off the mark – it is NOT the province of Congress to legislate firearms, a concept the Commissioners’ resolution recognized and affirmed. I salute them for their pronouncement, ceremonial as it may be.”
Finally, Attorney Lewis set forth the reality that the gun control debate ignores – the fundamental right to self-defense: “In short, the type of firearm I choose for self-defense or otherwise is up to me. Who is to say I won’t require more than seven rounds to defend myself and family in the event of a home invasion by 3 or 4 bad guys? Indeed, I may need a dozen or more rounds, best applied in rapid sequence. The consequences of coming up just one round short are after all rather severe.”
Finally, Attorney Lewis also spoke to the constitutional reality that seemingly has been wholly forgotten: “Like it or not, the Second Amendment exists. If you want to change it, there is a procedure for amending our defining legal document – see U.S. Constitution, Article V.” In a world where legislators, executives and judges seem more and more willing to treat the language of the Constitution like silly putty, it is not surprising that the concept of seeking to amend the Constitution is foreign to us.
If you are interested in the preservation of the Second Amendment, there will be a gathering on the Green in Montrose on April 19, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. to commemorate the 238th Battle of Lexington and Concord. There are a number of speakers lined up for the celebration. It is only appropriate that the First Amendment be used to defend the Second Amendment. Hopefully, I will see you there!
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/.
When the April wind wakes the call for the soil, I hold the plough as my only hold upon the earth, and, as I follow through the fresh and fragrant furrow, I am planted with every foot-step, growing, budding, blooming into a spirit of spring." - Dallas Lore Sharp, 1870-1929
National Library Week is April 14th through the 20th, but it doesn’t take a special week for us to enjoy and appreciate our local Library Branch and the myriad of services it provides.
Perhaps you have intended to make a donation to the Library to help continue the programs and services you have come to enjoy, if so, National Library Week is a splendid time. What a fantastic way to start Spring!
There’s a lot going on during the month of April, which is also “Library Card Sign-up Month”. If you don’t have a Library Card, please stop in at any of the Library Branches and the staff members will be more than happy to sign you up. There’s so much to discover and “geek”!
The Susquehanna Branch Story Hour started on April 2nd and will be taking place every Tuesday in April starting at 10:30 am. If you haven’t taken advantage of this wonderful program including stories, songs, games and crafts,please call the Susquehanna Branch at 853-4106 today.
Up in Montrose, on Saturday, April 13th, Parents and children 18 months and under are invited to a special Lap-Time program to kick off National Library Week. The program entitled: "Read to Your Bunny" starts at 10:00 am in the Children's Room at the Montrose Library. Children who attend will receive a free book. Don't forget to sign your child up for the Babies-and-Books program as well.
Over in Hallstead/Great Bend, a Representative from State Senator Gene Yaw’s office will be at the Branch on Wednesday, April 17th, from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. to meet with area constituents and respond to questions about State Government. If you have a state-related inquiry or problem, you are encouraged to stop by. No appointment is necessary.
On the morning of April 17th, Hallstead/Great Bend Staff Members, Angie and Valerie will be traveling to the Blue Ridge Elementary School for a special story hour and to give the Kindergarteners their very first library card. Blue Ridge parents are encouraged to fill out the card and send it back to their child’s teacher. Now is the time to introduce someone young to the love of books, reading, and the adventures the Library holds.
Where would any Association be without their Volunteers? Library Volunteers were recently recognized in a very unique way. We were all asked to choose a title from a list and then a bookplate would be inserted inside the cover with appreciation from the Library Assn. and our name on it. I chose “The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap" by Wendy Welch, which is centered around a couple who want to start a bookstore in a rural area, (much like Susquehanna Depot), that has no industry, with amazing results that benefit the entire community. I am definitely looking forward to reading and reviewing it. Others who were similarly honored are: In Tech Services: Joanne Luecke, Phyllis Goodrich, Betty Marshall, Danielle Kinder and Liz Fancher. In Outreach Services: Carol Winkleblech. And in the Children’s Room: Candace Mooney and Beth Vaccaro. A huge “Thank-You” is extended to all!
For those who don’t know, “Pinterest” is an online pin board filled with everything imaginable. The Susquehanna County Library is on it—come follow it as we are offered bits of Spring, Craft ideas, All Sorts of Libraries, Fun Things and of course, books!!
If you are a member of Facebook, please find “Susquehanna County Library” and “Like” us—you might want to check out “The Literacy Site” as well.
As I close my tablet for this installment, I leave you with this timely thought:
“Good readers are made on the lap of a parent”
Start your Seedlings—Enjoy a Brisk Walk—
Share your love of reading with those less fortunate.
Enjoy!!!
