Forest City – M. E. Reilly, of Rock Lake, was in town Monday. That there might not be a dearth of turkeys, he loaded up his wagon with the national birds and found a ready sale for them here. He delivered 96 turkeys at an average price of $3.50 each, a sum total of $336 and yet some people claim that it does not pay to raise poultry.

Harford – Our High School boys have equipped themselves with a Basket Ball outfit. ALSO Charles Hull captured a wild cat near the Nine Partner Spring, recently. ALSO Charles Harding seems to be the champion fox hunter in this section, he having captured 17 this fall.

Howard Hill, Liberty Twp. – O. B. Howard has purchased Mrs. R. M. Borne’s telephone and has built the line between his place and Elmer Bailey’s and now has the telephone in working order.

Thompson – Mrs. E. C. Layton and Mrs. Dr. McNamara, attended the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union Convention at Melrose last Saturday. There were delegates from Jackson, Lanesboro and Melrose. Also, there were several in attendance from the Starrucca Union in Wayne County.

South Ararat – Our milk man, Charles Westgate, who comes from Burnwood [Ararat Twp.] to this place and thence to Orson [Wayne Co.], with his load of milk, reminds us of the song called “The Whistling Farmer Boy.” “Whistling Farmer Boy/Sometimes sunshine/Sometimes rain/Sometimes snow/Then mud again/But Charles whistles/Just the same.” No doubt he thinks old bachelors have a perfect right to whistle.

Gibson - The Ladies Oxford Class, of the M. E. Sunday School” met with Mrs. John Tompkins last Wednesday. Mrs. Tompkins served an elegant roast chicken dinner to which 34 ladies and their children did ample justice. ALSO J. J. Potter had 36 sheep killed and injured by dogs recently.

Great Bend – The T. H. Gill company has made a cinder path on the flats between Hallstead and Great Bend, which makes it much better for the traveling public. ALSO

P. C. Burns, for many years local insurance agent in that vicinity, has sold his business to Charles H. Judd, who took possession last week. Mr. Burns, who is a veteran of the Civil War, will spend the winter at the Soldiers’ Home in Johnson City, Tenn.

Birchardville – A load of young people from this place attended the masquerade social at Forest Lake on Friday evening.

Rush – The High School Basket Ball meet was largely attended and about 150 witnessed the contests. The first teams played the first game with a score of 6 to 11 in favor of the Rush team, while the game between the girls resulted in favor of the Auburn team with a score of 4 to 9. The last game was between the second teams, but was a snappy interesting contest and resulted in favor of the Rush team with a score of 21 to 0. Both schools are to be congratulated on the good nature and clean playing manifested through out the contest. Many witnessed the game of basket ball for the first time. The Rush Center Aid cleared $30.50 from the dinner at the home of Mrs. Alden Devine, served for [people attending] the basket ball game.

Franklin Forks – The [horse] sheds are being repaired at Franklin Hill church.

Montrose – “Peter Pan” reading by Mrs. Friedewald, at the Library building, Thanksgiving afternoon, at 3:30 o’clock. Go and take the children. ALSO A good many thrifty residents bought turkeys from the farmers at the Lackawanna station Saturday for

22 cents per lb. dressed. The birds brought 20 cents per lb. live weight.

Alford – People who are a little “skittish” over the trestle at Alford will be pleased to know that when the new D. L. & W. cut off is completed a new station will be built on this side of the Martin Creek (mill pond) and the old trestle will not be used. A new inter-locking signal system and tower will also be established at Alford, which will relieve the labor and consequent danger of switching at Alford. The whole map of Alford will be changed.

Shannon Hill, Auburn Twp. - John VanGorden and family, who recently returned from the West, have moved on the Amos Storm place for the winter. They have purchased the Benjamin Overfield farm at Brick Chapel. They expect to take possession in the spring.

Susquehanna – Earl Gillette, of 312 Grand street, while jumping a freight train, had his foot quite badly crushed. ALSO William Kreiter and wife have gone to Huntingdon, Ind., where he has charge of the Erie telephone system.

Old Veteran on Long Tramp: Martin Hill, aged 70 years, a veteran of the Civil, Indian and Spanish-American wars, arrived here the latter part of last week on a tramp from Martinsburg, W. Va., being practically destitute. He applied to some of the local veterans for a change of underclothing, announcing his intention of walking to his destination, at Buffalo, where he expected to make his home with a niece, his only relative. Hill’s story was a pitiful one. His wife had died in October and being without funds he started the tramp of hundreds of miles to Buffalo. After he had been on the road a week he suffered a paralytic stroke, crippling his right arm. Nothing daunted he continued his journey, and stated while here that he was somewhat improved and expected to recover. His deplorable condition appealed to the members of Four Brothers Post G.A.R., and the camp of Sons of Veterans, and they provided him not only with the underclothing he asked, but also with comfortable shelter, food, and purchased a ticket for him to Buffalo. The old veteran had served for 15 years in the armies of his country. During the Civil War he was with the 13th. Mass. Volunteers and was transferred to the 13th U. S. Regulars. After the war he was in the service fighting Indians in the West. During the Spanish- American war he went out with the 4th Missouri Volunteers as wagon-master. Afterwards he married and one child born to them died. When asked why he did not remain at Martinsburg, he remarked to the effect that some of his southern neighbors would not own up that they were “licked” and therefore they could not agree. Perhaps Hill is not as open of mind and ready to yield as those of a younger generation who never faced a leaden ball in a fight for principle. It has been learned that on his arrival at Buffalo the home he had hoped for was not to be his. But here ready hands aided him in reaching the soldiers’ home at Erie, and in that quiet haven, provided by a grateful government, he may rest till the drum sounds “taps.”

WISHING THIS THANKSGIVING FINDS YOU WITH MANY REASONS TO GIVE THANKS.

Last week, I had the privilege to watch an entire family sharing their memories of a lost loved one during the course of a sentencing proceeding. The case involved a fatal accident on Interstate 81 North – traffic was backed up as a result of construction and a tractor trailer ended up plowing through the slowly moving traffic – and 56-year old Brian Wilcox was sitting in his car slowly moving in that line when his life ended tragically, abruptly and unexpectedly. After the State Police inspected the tractor and trailer, it was discovered that 80 percent of the brakes were not operational, that one tire was actually flat and several other tires had steel showing. To put it simply, the tractor trailer had very little braking ability. There was not even a valid inspection sticker on the tractor – it expired a year earlier. As one of Brian’s children noted on the stand, the tractor trailer was a “ticking time bomb.”

The tractor trailer driver pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter which meant that he admitted that he caused the death of Brian Wilcox as a result of grossly negligent or reckless conduct, i.e., operating this particular vehicle on the public roadways when it was in such horrendous mechanical condition. Pursuant to the sentencing guidelines, the defendant received a sentence of 10 months to 23 months in the Susquehanna County Correctional Facility.

During the course of the sentencing hearing, Brian Wilcox’s family all had a chance to testify – his wife Eileen, his oldest son Christopher, and his triplets, Timothy, Michael and Mary-Sean – and they each related to the Court and to all those gathered in the courtroom the pain, loss and suffering that they were enduring – and would continue to endure. Over the course of the fifteen years that I have been a prosecutor, I can recall only a few sentencing proceedings that were as moving as this case – and the power came from the depth of the love that Brian’s wife and children had for him coupled with the sudden emptiness that engulfed them at the time of his death.

The children came from all over the country – one flew in from the College of Charleston, another from the University of Florida, and two from Loyola University in New Orleans – and they met their mother in Maryland to drive up here for the sentencing proceeding. Through their pain, they wove an inspirational story of a loving husband and father, a family man, coach, and best friend, who was taken from them before his time. As I sat and listened to their words, I could not help but pray that I was living my life in a manner that if something suddenly happened to me, the hearts of my wife and children would be filled with even half as much love, affection and respect that Brian Wilcox left in the hearts of his family. I also prayed that this incredible family would come to find peace and comfort even in the face of such a senseless tragedy. President Judge Seamans said it best when he told the family that he was sure of one thing – that Brian Wilcox would want his family to move on and not let this terrible event haunt them forever.

I wish I could reprint the words of each person for you to read, but there is not enough room here to do so. But I thought that this moment from the criminal justice system – a moment that happens too frequently throughout the country – might provide some perspective as we all prepare for spending Thanksgiving Day with our families. Life is precious, fragile and often too short. As you gather with your family this Thanksgiving, celebrate your love, embrace the memories of those who have left the table, give thanks in your hearts for life itself and all it offers to us, and say a prayer for the Wilcox family and the other families who have lost loved ones too soon that they might find peace. From my family to yours, have a blessed Thanksgiving Day.

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/.

“Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude. “ ~E.P. Powell

Thanksgiving—what a special time! Gathering around a bountiful table with family and friends while giving thanks for the countless Blessings, which have been bestowed upon us. I, myself have a list as long as my arm and one especially I am thankful for is our Library System and the many who serve our County so well, going above and beyond their normal every day duties so we can enjoy all the programs and services our Library provides. I would like to send a special “Thank-You” to the Staff members at the various Branches and the Main Library for allowing me to keep you informed about all of the exciting events and stimulating reading just waiting for you to enjoy. It is an honor and a pleasure. While we clasp hands and bow our heads on Thanksgiving Day, may we not forget those who are less fortunate and the families who have an empty place at their table, with a special Prayer for the Men and Women of the Military serving our Country and protecting us and our Freedoms.

The Susquehanna Branch Library has a special event coming up on Friday, November 29th. There will be a book-signing from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm by a gentleman who grew up in the Borough of Susquehanna Depot—Eric Herbert! Eric graduated from Susquehanna Community High School in 1983. Many will remember Eric as the youngest son of Mary Ann (Paccio) and Edward Herbert who were longtime residents of Willow Avenue in the Borough. Coincidentally, Eric is also the Nephew of retired Susquehanna Branch Librarian, Cathy Grausgruber. The Author currently resides in Madison AL. and works st the Missle Defense Agency, building ballistic missles for Defense Systems tests. His novel, “Butcher’s Bill” is a spine-tingling thriller/chiller. (The term, “Butcher’s Bill” was first used by Admiral Nelson when, after battles, he would ask his aides, "What's the butcher's bill?", meaning how many lost and wounded.) It begins with a chance discovery of a body deep in the Washington rainforest. It immediately raises questions among the local law enforcement. After noting several unique clues, the local and federal investigators stumble onto a killing spree that spans almost 20 years, and uncovers a serial killer dubbed Butcher Bill. The Author has provided plenty of twists and turns to keep the most diehard mystery/intrigue officianato at the edge of their seat. You can also access information about “Butcher’s Bill” by going to the following: https://www.tatepublishing.com/tipsheet/book.php?key=21189

Be sure you mark the date on your calendar so you don’t miss this exciting event.

Have you registered your “ShurSave Gold Card” so you can join in the ShurSave Community Rewards program? With every Shurfine or Western Family brand item you purchase from either participating market (Rob’s Market in Hallstead or Ray’s Market in Montrose), your Library Association and Historical Society receives three cents—with no cost to you! Three cents an item may not sound like much, but you’ll be surprised to learn that the ShurSave Community Rewards Check the Library received for the first six months of 2013 was for almost $4100.00! If you have not registered your card, please stop at any Library Branch—it’s simple and painless to your pocketbook, and there’s no time like the present with holiday grocery shopping to join in. We wish to extend many thanks to Rob’s Market and Ray’s Market and the countless Gold Card users who have registered, helping us provide the programs and services so many enjoy.

Remember the dates for the 2013 Pottery and Art Sale and the Library Book Sale and Gift Boutique--Wednesday, November 27th, Friday, November 29th and Saturday, November 30th, 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday, December 1st , 10 am to 4pm. Please note, this is being held at a new location—the Montrose VFW, on Route 706, Admission is free. Bring a friend, bring a neighbor, who knows, you may get some of your Christmas shopping done locally and help the Library Associaton and Historical Society in the process!

If you haven’t dropped into the Hallstead/Great Bend Library Branch and purchased your raffle tickets, what are you waiting for? You could be the proud winner of an Autumn-toned basket filled with a six-volume set of Baseball-themed mysteries by talented Author Troy Soos! The volumes have been generously donated by the Kensington Publishing Corp. and all proceeds will go to the Hallstead/Great Bend Branch Library to purchase various needed items. Tickets are $1.00 each or three tickets for $2.00. Remember, you can’t win if you don’t play!

As a reminder, the Susquehanna Branch Book Club will not be meeting in the month of December. The December selection “Entertaining Angels” by Judy Duarte will be discussed at 4:00 pm on January 16th, 2014. In “Entertaining Angels”, you will be introduced to teenager, Kristy Smith who has spent her nights dreaming of a college scholarship. Dreams that ended abruptly when she became pregnant. Now Kristy works hard to support her young son, Jason, and her ailing grandmother, staving off regrets about the chances that slipped away. But one person will open Kristy's eyes to the fact that she's been selling herself short. For she has much to offer to the residents of Fairbrook, who are all about to learn that the future can surprise and redeem us, especially when there's courage and friendship in abundance.

Don’t forget to find us on “Facebook”: (Susquehanna County Library) and look us up on “Pinterest” for lots of interesting nooks and crannies to explore and now, if you “Tweet”, follow us on Twitter (@susqcolib) to check out event information, local scoops and much more.

As I check the Thanksgiving Day Menu and shopping list one more time—I leave you with this thought—and wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving:

“The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings! “~Henry Ward Beecher

Pumpkin Pie—Fond Memories—Parades

ENJOY!!