Forest City – The First National and the Farmers and Miners National banks will hereafter be open on pay nights of the Hillside Coal and Iron company from 7:30 until 8:30 p.m. On Saturday nights the time will remain as in the past from 7 to 9. Also Joseph Mileskay, a Junior in St. Bonaventure’s college, Allegheny, N.Y., arrived home for the holidays.
Uniondale – Ray Tennant, who with his brother, G. C. Tennant, is agent fort the Harley-Davidson motorcycle, was in town Monday. Peter Petrus has purchased a motorcycle of this celebrated make and Mr. Tennant looks for considerable business in Forest City.
Herrick Twp. – Wesley Reeder, the oldest resident of this place, who has passed the 93rd milestone, is spending the winter at the home of his son, Theodore, at Vienna, Va. He was accompanied by his son, Ira, and experienced no discomfort nor fatigue in making the trip. He is as active as a man in the prime of life and his friends hope his stay in the South will be one of pleasure. His son, Theodore, is engaged in the poultry business on an extensive scale on land made famous in history during the Civil War. The place is only 20 miles from the National Capitol and its population consists largely of department officials and attaches.
East Rush – A serious accident occurred at East Rush on Monday evening when two boys—sons of G. A. Crisman and Theron Palmer, were badly cut and bruised in a coasting accident and David Benscoter, an aged man, was painfully injured. The accident occurred as the audience, which had been attending the lecture given by Evangelist Hughes, in the church, was departing. A large bobsled, in which twelve or fourteen persons were riding, had turned into the road as the two boys came coasting down the hill. The sled and boys went under the horses’ feet, and the animals shied, overturning the bobs. Mr. Benscoter was the only one injured to any extent, and then not seriously. The boys were cut and bruised badly when they went under the horses’ feet, but will recover. Also in Rush, Sunday morning, there will be a special Christmas service in the M. E. Church and the pastor will preach on the topic “Making Room for Christmas.” Special music will be rendered and the church will be appropriately decorated. A cordial invitation is extended to all. Christmas Service at Retta at 7:30 in the evening.
South Harford – Our Mansfield students, Gladys McNamara, Leda Adams and Russell Carey, are spending their Christmas vacation with their parents here.
Clifford – Clarence Finn acted as the Nicholson stage driver while Mr. Button was nursing a rheumatic arm. ALSO A party who started for Montrose last week, in an automobile, encountered snow drifts of sufficient size to compel their return before reaching their destination.
Springville – There were left from the Johnson reunion, at the home of L. B. Johnson, a man’s rain coat, a girl’s rain coat and a wagon cushion. The owners will please call for them.
South Montrose – Messrs. Johnson & Smith will have a dance at Grange Hall, South Montrose, Tuesday evening, Dec. 22.
South Ararat – Searl Worth is visiting his old friends once more. He is quite an aged gentleman, but seems to be so smart for one of his age. He was a former resident of these parts years ago. Says nothing looks as it used to.
Binghamton – Binghamton was the coldest place in the United States, Friday morning, according to the weather bureau reports. It was 21 degrees below zero in that city.
Choconut – McCahill Brothers announce a dance at Choconut Valley Inn, Monday evening, Dec. 28, which will be good news to the large number of young people who look forward, with pleasure, to these hops. Good music will be provided and refreshments served. The enclosed porch, which serves as dancing and banquet hall, is now nicely heated by steam, a modern plant having recently been installed by J. J. Ryan & Co. Choconut Valley Inn is very popular with sleigh-load parties from Binghamton and other places.
Montrose – Robert H. Donlin, proprietor of the Exchange Hotel, was slightly injured, Thursday afternoon, while out sleigh riding. He was driving his spirited horse on Maple Street and when near the Tarbell House barn, the cutter runner broke, throwing Mr. Donlin to the ground. He suffered several cuts and bruises on his face and head. The horse stopped, and no other damage was done. Also members and friends of the football team were entertained by a number of young ladies of the high school, under the supervision of Miss Davey, in the home-making department, last Friday evening. Games were participated in and music was furnished by the school Victrola. Later, delicious refreshments were served.
Middletown – The Literary meeting, held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Coleman, Friday evening, was very largely attended, there being over sixty present. The debate on Woman Suffrage was both interesting and exciting. The contestants were: Miss Mary Murphy, affirmative, C. C. Coleman, negative. The judges were F. J. Golden, Joseph Leary and Mrs. M. E. Coleman; decided in favor of the negative. The votes were two to one, but that was only natural, the gentlemen being on the majority. The next meeting will be held at F. J. Golden’s, Saturday evening, January second.
Dimock – The members of the M. E. Church have been fixing the church. The old seats were removed and chairs put in their place. The Ladies of the Aid Society have cleaned the church and had the paper, which was given them, put on. Some kind friend has presented them with a bell, which they soon hope to have placed in the belfry.
Susquehanna – Frank Reddon, of the Philadelphia Pharmacy College, is spending his vacation with his parents here.
New Milford – Manager DeWitt Vail, of the Family Theater, will give a benefit show for the New Milford band, sometime in January, at which time the band will make its first public appearance.
Little Meadows – The sleighing is grand here and everyone is busy getting ready for Christmas and Santa Claus. Also E. J. Butler took a load of Christmas trees to Endicott, Saturday, and Mike Butler and John Hartigan have been drawing lumber to Apalachin for the past week and selling it for a good price.
Oakland Twp. – The recent death of Joseph Smith, president of the reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints, at his home in Independence, Mo., recalls the history of Mormonism, whose founder, Joseph Smith, father of the above named, lived in Oakland Township about a mile West of Susquehanna. The Press correspondent, while out hunting recently, was shown the hole where Smith claimed to have discovered the famous Bible that formed the foundation of his church. The house he occupied in Oakland is still standing. - Binghamton Press
About a month ago, just after Thanksgiving, my almost 7-year old daughter (Ally) asked me which holiday was my favorite. I promptly (and truthfully) replied Thanksgiving. I could tell that she did not like the answer, so she followed it up with another question – why? As any parent can appreciate, young people can be very effective in their cross-examination techniques and they approach their questioning with real ferocity. Given the look in her eyes, as well as her body language, I suspected that she was not going to let this one go.
I explained to her that I loved Thanksgiving because there was not as much to do – except spending time with loved ones, eating turkey and giving thanks. Further, we simply travel to my father’s house for Thanksgiving – the cooking is done there – so there is little preparation for us, no clean up, and just plain old family time. In the hustle and bustle of today’s busy world, I have come to appreciate more and more days where things really slow down – and Thanksgiving Day is one of those days where people just relax and enjoy each other’s company.
My explanation did not end the line of questioning – Ally wanted to know why I had not selected Christmas. We had just put up the Christmas tree, which for her and her sister was an event filled with joy and fun – while their Grinch-father was more focused on lugging the storage containers from the garage into the house, getting the tree up, stringing the lights and beads, and then assisting them in decorating the tree, which mainly involved trying to make sure a minimal number of tree ornaments did not get dropped and smash into tiny glass shards on the hardwood floor. The fact that my girls tend to hop when they are happy or excited made the entire exercise a little more challenging – but they seemed to only notice how pretty the tree looked and could not wait to put up another ornament.
I could tell that Ally was disappointed that I had not chosen Christmas – and I explained to her that I loved Christmas as well – but there was so much to do for Christmas that sometimes adults get tired just trying to get ready for Christmas Day. When I was describing the “stress” that comes with Christmas, she seemed to get sad and she started shaking her head.
“Daddy,” Ally said, “Don’t you know that Christmas is only about Jesus – none of that other stuff matters. How can you love Thanksgiving more than Christmas?” She was right – I had no answer, so I smiled and gave her a hug.
The cross-examination was complete – and she was done with this witness – so she turned and walked back to look at the Christmas tree to hop a little more – her disappointment in my shortcomings quickly evaporated by her innocent joy. Both her and her little sister were laughing and pointing at things on the tree – hopping like two little bunnies – and I found myself smiling, even though I still had to clean up and lug all the storage boxes back to the garage. I am often amazed at just how much my children teach me when I simply take the time to watch and listen.
Even as I type this column, my Christmas “chores” are still far from complete – and they may not even get done – but Ally reminded me that they do not really matter. It is the layers of self-created stress and obligations that threaten to steal the spirit of Christmas from our hearts. The first thing on our Christmas list has to be love – followed by more love – and ending in love. For Christmas starts and ends with God’s love for us – the greatest gift of all comes with no wrappings, no ribbons, no bows – it comes to each of us even though we know that we do not deserve it – God’s pure love, Jesus Christ.
May your Christmas be filled with joy, peace and love, and perhaps a little hopping too, and from my family to yours, we wish you a blessed Christmas.
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/.
“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.” ~Burton Hillis
Merry Christmas from the Susquehanna Branch Library. Our staff would like to thank all of our patrons. You make our jobs fun and always keep our library an interesting place to be. Also, much thanks goes to all our supporters, both individuals and organizations, who help and encourage us through their gifts of time and monetary donations. Have a blessed holiday season and we look forward to continuing to serve you in 2015. ~ Laura, Pam, Deb and Elizabeth
The Hallstead/Great Bend Branch Library would like to thank Hallstead Borough for everything they do for our Library Branch, including our rent, heating, maintenance, snowplowing, garbage and many other things, too numerous to mention. We would like to extend the merriest of Christmas greetings and many thanks to all of our Patrons. And this year, a special round of thanks goes to the Library Staff! They have gone without raises the past couple of years, and yet, they still smile and do a wonderful job! So, a huge “Thank you” and “Merry Christmas” to my Library Assistants, Valerie Burdick and Heather Smalley, for without them, our Library Branch would not run so seamlessly. Sincerely, Angie Hall
The Montrose Main Library would like to wish all of their Patrons the merriest of Christmases and thank them for, without your support, kindness and generosity, we would not be able to provide the programs and services that you and your families have come to enjoy. A huge tip of Santa’s hat goes to the many staff members and volunteers who work tirelessly all year. You are very much appreciated.
And from me, your tattered cover, dog-eared Chit-Chat Columnist, I would like to say thank-you to all who follow this column and wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas. A special “Jingle of the Sleigh Bells” to all of the Library Branches—it is an honor and privilege to promote the wonderful programs and services you provide for our County. I’d also like to extend a special thank-you to the staff of the Susquehanna Transcript for their kindness and generosity.
As I hang up the stockings and remember Christmases of the past, I leave you with this thought “Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.” ~Washington Irving
Singing Carols—Poinsettias—The Eyes of a Child
Merry Christmas
Should Prescription Drugs Be Advertised Directly To Consumers?
More and more drug ads keep popping up on TV. The ads tout the benefits of treating erectile dysfunction, painful sexual intercourse, toenail fungus, you name it. These ads are everywhere and often broadcast during the dinner hour. “Mommy, what’s an erection and why does it last 4 hours?” But even if the ads are for less provocative conditions such as anxiety or diabetes or elevated cholesterol, should they be advertised to the consumer? Isn’t it up to the doctor to make this decision?
It’s all about the cash. Drug companies are not putting most of their resources toward new, groundbreaking medications, says a report published in the British Medical Journal. Rather, most profits are reaped by simply creating a line of products that are only slightly different from drugs already on the market. Research and development seems to be simply tweaking the properties of existing drugs. Sales from these drugs generate steady profits as other blockbuster drug that generated billions for these companies when they were patented. The authors of the report go on to say that for every $1 pharmaceutical companies spend on "basic research," $19 goes toward promotion and marketing.
Take insomnia. Sure, sleeping pills are touted on TV. Blissful deep sleep is pharmacologically guaranteed. So is addiction to these products. They should only be used occasionally. Ask yourself why you cannot sleep. Maybe your mattress is old, your bedroom is too hot, or the noise outside is bothersome. Pills are not always the answer.
Researchers from the Mayo Clinic recently revealed that 20% of the American population is now on 5 or more prescription medications; over 50% are on at least 2 prescriptions. Mucho moola for Big Pharma. Direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising has done two pernicious things. It has created a nation of hypochondriacs with depression, bipolar disorder, belly aches, restless legs, insomnia, seasonal allergies and assorted pain and mood disorders and it has reduced doctors taking orders for drugs from patients very much like waitresses at Olive Garden take your order for fettuccini Alfredo.
The argument in favor of DTC advertising is that it can be good for undertreated conditions. Ads encourage people to consult their physicians on a health problem they might be experiencing but assumed it could not be treated. Ads for the latest super-duper antidepressants may save lives. But perfectly good generic drugs are useful for depression too and they are a lot cheaper.
Yes, educating the public is important. And it is imperative for a patient to start a dialog about a health problem, whether it is depression, diabetes, or a sexual issue. But keep in mind, the drug that is advertised for a condition is usually not the only game in town. Treating depression can improve one’s quality of life. But don’t make buying that product a financially depressing activity in itself. Be an advocate for your own health. Do not be swayed by the Madison Avenue hype.
Ron Gasbarro, PharmD is a pharmacist, medical writer, and principal at Rx-Press.com. Write him at ron@rx-press.com.
