Elk Lake – The large steam shovel that has been used at the Norris dam has been shipped to New Jersey.  ALSO A number from this place attended the funeral of Mrs. Warren Lathrop, who was buried in Brooklyn on Monday last. Sister Wealthy Lathrop was a charter member of the Elk Lake Grange.

South New Milford – Henry LaBar died at his home in Binghamton, June 23, 1916, aged 76 years.  He was a veteran of the Civil War and a member of the Masonic fraternity.  For many years he lived on a farm at S. New Milford.  After selling his farm he came to New Milford and built the house now owned by Chas. Wirth, at the corner of Church and Union streets, before moving to Binghamton. Burial was in the New Milford Cemetery.

North Harford – Mrs. L. L. Burdick invited a few ladies to her home last Friday to tie a quilt.  A splendid dinner was served and a fine time had by all.  Those present were: Mrs. Theron Grinnell, Mrs. Eugene Gardner, Mrs. R. A. Manson, Mrs. G. W. Osmun, Mrs. Kate Sherwood and Mrs. Martha Burdick. ALSO  At Harford, Horace Lindsley, aged 71 years, fell from a tree at his home here on Saturday, striking a picket fence in such a way as to cause death.  He was trying to hive a swarm of bees, which had alighted in the tree, when the limb on which he was sitting broke.  When he struck, his head was caught between two pickets, breaking his neck and causing almost instant death.  For many years he was sexton of the Congregational church and caretaker of Harford cemetery.  His widow and three daughters survive.

East Rush – The people of this place gave Mrs. Helen Gary (nee Helen James) a variety shower.  About 60 were present.  The shower consisted of cooking utensils, fancy dishes, linen, and many useful articles to a newly wedded couple just starting house keeping.  Everyone seemed to have a good time. ALSO The Ladies’ Aid held an ice cream social last Wednesday evening in the basement of the church.  There was a large turnout, as evinced by the amount of money taken in, which amounted to $16 or more.

Hop Bottom – The good people of Hop Bottom netted $200 at their Fourth of July celebration given under the auspices of the Shakespeare Club.  This fund will be used towards procuring electric street lights for this wide-a-wake borough.

Rushville – Ernest Light is operating an auto bus line between Montrose and this place.  Rush and Fairdale are also reached.  He reports plenty of business.  He leaves from the Tarbell House, Montrose, after the arrival of the 3:20 p. m. L & M. train.

Little Meadows – Miss Anna L. Hickey and Francis J. Fitzmartin, of this place, were married in the Church of St. Thomas of Aquina, on the 29th of June, 1916, Father John R. Lynch, performing the sacramental rite. The happy pair were attended by a brother of the bride, James J. Hickey, and a sister of the groom, Miss Katherine Fitzmartin.  The bride wore a white silk dress with all over lace, and carried a bouquet of white Killarney roses, also a Catholic Prayerbook.  The bridesmaid was dressed in gray silk, and carried pink roses.  Miss Madeline Hickey played the wedding march.  After a short tour to Niagara Falls, Rochester and other points, they will reside in Binghamton.

Montrose – “Gay” – the old and faithful horse belonging to the late Rev. A. L. Benton, passed away peacefully on Sunday last.  More than thirty years were allotted to this faithful beast.  His owner for several years past has been Mrs. S. W. Stewart.  ALSO Word received from each of the Montrose boys who have joined companies in order to stand in readiness for active service in Mexico, is most favorable as to health and good spirits.  The boys are: William Finn, Francis Welden, Paul T. Dolan, Ralph Briggs, and William Finn.  Welden has already been promoted to corporal.

Uniondale – Lewis Lake, near this place, is producing some expert swimmers among the residents in the summer colony.  Paul Maxey, son of Attorney W. J. Maxey, swims the lake twice each way without stopping, a distance of about 2 miles.  Rexford, his brother, although older, has not had Paul’s experience as a swimmer, falling somewhat behind, while “Peggy” Maxey is a “comer,” and with Miss Gretten, daughter of a Scranton professor, can swim the lake once with ease.  They have ambitions to beat the champion.

Springville - Most of our people went to Heart Lake on the 4th.  Two auto trucks and many autos went from here to spend the day at that pleasant lake.  ALSO Arthur S. Williams, formerly of Springville, but now of New Haven, Conn., and Miss Hazel Johnson, of Springville, were united in marriage by the Rev. Eckman, at the Elm Park M. E. Parsonage, in Scranton, June 26, 1916, leaving on the noon train for New Haven; they will be at home to their friends after July 1st.

Camp Susquehannock – De Vitalis, of Harvard, allowed but three hits to the Dunn-McCarthy team, of Binghamton, Tuesday afternoon, and incidentally, fanned nineteen batsmen.  Frank Shafer featured in the 5th, when he drove the sphere over right field fence for a home run.  The Camp has an excellent team this year and Saturday’s game with Keyser Valley promises to be a great one.

200 YEARS AGO, THE CENTINEL, MONTROSE, PA, July 8, 1816 – CELEBRATION.

The Anniversary of American Independence was celebrated in this village on Thursday last, by the Republicans of this and the adjacent towns.  The procession formed on the public square under the direction of Major Benjamin Lathrop, who was appointed Marshal of the day, and proceeded to the Court House; where a solemn and fervent prayer by the Rev. Davis Dimock commenced the services of the day.  The Declaration of Independence was read by A. H. Read, Esq. and an Oration delivered by Charles Fraser, Esq. which does honor to the talents of Susquehanna.  The house was occasionally enlivened by vocal music, both sacred and national.  After the exercises were finished, the procession again formed and moved to a bower, where an excellent dinner had been provided by Mr. Carr, and sat down to the table.  The table was honored with attendance of some of the brave spirits of ’76; of whom, our worthy president (Bartlett Hinds, Esq.) was one.  After the cloth was removed, the following Toasts were drank under the discharge of musketry, and the repeated cheers of the company. [There were 18 Toasts and 8 comments by gentlemen—here are a few:]  The Day—May it inspire all who keep it with that spirit which prompted our Fathers to oppose the power of a haughty nation.—3 cheers. Tune Yankee Doodle. The United States—May they never hesitate to defend what no nation has a right to destroy.—3 cheers.  The Heroes of the Revolution—The bleached bones of the departed & the scars of the survivors, shew the price paid for “The feast of reason and the flow of soul” we now enjoy.—Tune Hail Columbia. The American Navy—The bravery of her seamen and the thunder of her cannon have awakened John Bull to a sense of his danger.—4 cheers.  The Militia—The shield of our liberties—may their discipline equal their valor.—3 cheers. The Memory of Washington—May future Presidents strive to imitate his virtues and magnanimity.

Are vaccines good or bad for baby?

Mrs. Johnston came into the pharmacy for her annual flu shot. As the pharmacist was preparing her vaccination, she said to him, “My granddaughter is in her third trimester and she wants her baby to be vaccine free. We never had measles or mumps vaccines when we were kids. Is it OK to just let the child go through the disease and be done with it? I also heard that vaccines can make a child become autistic.”

In 1991, Philadelphia was in the grip of a measles epidemic. At the epidemic’s center were two religious groups that refused immunizations for themselves and their children. Children with measles developed high fever; a red, raised rash that started on the face and spread to the rest of the body; and "pink eye." But for some, the disease got much worse. Six children in these church groups and 3 children in the surrounding community died from measles. By 2000, due to effective use of vaccine, measles was essentially eliminated from the US. However, in 2014, more than 600 cases were reported, the largest outbreak in about 20 years. The reason: some parents were choosing not to vaccinate their children.

Common childhood diseases are not always benign. Viral infections such as measles, mumps and rubella can have dire consequences in the unvaccinated child. About 30% who get measles will develop complications such as ear infection, pneumonia, brain swelling, seizures, delirium and death. Mumps carry the risk of swollen salivary or parotid glands, meningitis, deafness, orchitis, as well as miscarriage in pregnancy. Rubella can cause a mild rash on the face, swelling of glands behind the ear, and occasionally swelling of smaller joints. Also, the fetus can develop congenital rubella syndrome when women are infected early during pregnancy (85 of 100 babies of women infected during first trimester). This syndrome affects the eyes, heart, and the ears, as well as causing intellectual disabilities.

Thus, because these vaccines have no serious permanent side effects – other than soreness at the injection site and low-grade fever - while the diseases themselves scan cause harm, the benefits of vaccines clearly outweigh its risks.

Some parents thought their children would become autistic from the thimerosal used as a preservative in some vaccines. Preservatives are needed when vaccines are prepared in vials that hold more than one dose. Thimerosal prevents contamination with bacteria or fungi that might occur when syringes repeatedly puncture the vials to withdraw a dose.

Studies show that there is no known harm from thimerosal preservative-containing vaccines. Since 2001, no new vaccine approved by FDA for use in children has contained this preservative. All vaccines recommended by the CDC for children under 6 years of age have been thimerosal-free, or contain only trace amounts.

Mrs. Johnston thanked the pharmacist for the information and planned to speak with her daughter and granddaughter.

Ron Gasbarro, PharmD is a registered pharmacist, medical writer, and principal at Rx-Press.com. Write him with any ideas or comments at ron@rx-press.com.

Imagine these circumstances. Forty-three years ago your “guardian” committed you to an insane asylum. It was for your own good . . . so he said. You’re not crazy, but then neither are any of the inmates in the asylum. Admittedly, the other inmates are all from foreign cultures and have different values and beliefs, but each seems relatively normal to you.

Over time the staff of the asylum have conducted experiment after experiment upon you and the other inmates, ostensibly to see if they can “cure” you. From your observations you arrive at the eerie conclusion that it is the staff--not the inmates-- who are the insane ones.

One day, “Nurse Rached” offers to set you free, if you really want to be set free, that is.  But you must, she says, think about this proposal for several months first; being sprung from an insane asylum will entail lots of scary changes, you know. Though you may, as an outsider still see your former fellow inmates, the relationship will change, she continues. You won’t be nearly so close with your former inmates; you won’t be taking your meals with them; you won’t be numbered among them at dawn and dusk. Instead you’ll be required to make your own way in the world; you’ll have to assume self-ownership and self-responsibility.

Having considered your binary choice very carefully, and well realizing the trade-offs involved, you nervously--but with an unexpected measure of confidence--inform Nurse Rached on the day appointed, of your decision to be freed at the earliest opportunity.

Nurse Rached reacts to your decision with utter shock and dismay. She stomps her feet! She shouts profanities! She insults you repeatedly accusing you of making a rash, stupid and irresponsible decision. Beating her fists against her skull she storms from your presence at her wit’s ends. 

By the time Nurse Rached returns to your cell the next morning, she has regained her composure, and, her crafty demeanor. She apologizes that obviously she has failed you; that your inability to make good decisions is prima facia evidence that she has failed to get you the help you so sorely need. And your decision; yes, THAT decision; well, she reminds you that yours is merely an advisory opinion; the doctors must make final arrangement as to your status. 

As to the timeline, she continues, because release is a very complicated procedure, it will take some time. . . years--two at the very least!  A complex review process by the medical staff will be absolutely necessary to ensure no detail is overlooked. Not to worry, Nurse Rached assures, the proper authorities will be notified of your “decision.” . . . sometime in October. . . or after. . . whenever.  Yes, it’s true that the calendar reads June now, but, well, this procedure requires “delicacy“--to actually release an inmate. It’s never been done before!

Loosely based on allusion to the movie, “One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” this dramatization provides a locus for focus on the current situation in the UK. The inmate seeking release is the British citizenry. The other inmates are the 27 remaining captive peoples stuck in the EU. Nurse Rached symbolizes Prime Minister Cameron. “The doctors” and the “medical staff” include both the career politicians in Parliament, as well as the unelected and unaccountable technocrats who rule Western and Central Europe with iron-fisted despotism and tyranny. 

That faceless tyranny that now terrorizes Europe was formerly convinced that it had so cowed the British people into submission that given a choice between freedom and slavery, the British people, they believed, would choose continued slavery. Imagine their shock as the returns rolled in on the morning of Friday, June 24, and the “Remain” (slave) was overpowered by the “Leave” (free) vote by a margin of 52% to 48%. Analysis of the results showed that freedom-loving voters of the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) and of the Conservative Party joined together with Labour Party voters of working class neighborhoods to carry the day for Britain’s exit from the European Union.

The vote demonstrated that Britain is a deeply divided kingdom. Northern Ireland and Scotland voted strongly to Remain in the EU; England voted strongly to Leave. There were constituencies that voted as much as 80/20 percent to Remain, and others that voted by the same margin to Leave. Metropolitan London and several other cities heavily favored Remain; England’s “fly-over” country sided heavily with Leave.

The “young” (millennials) voted to Remain; the “old” voted to Leave. Former UK Ambassador to the United States, Peter Westermacott, firmly of the Remain camp, interviewed on Fox Business News (FBN) made the statement, “As others have said, ‘The old have screwed up the future of the younger.’” Clearly, the former ambassador didn’t get what the older, wiser elders of England had truly just accomplished.

Her Majesty’s subjects had last voted on the issue of European Union membership in 1975.  At that time, two-thirds of those voting thought that membership in the EU was a good idea. By the time Margaret Thatcher took office as Prime Minister in 1979, the tide had turned and the British people were beginning to catch on that the EU wasn’t really about economic union, but political union instead. The Brexit vote of June 23, 2016, merely ratified what the British people have known since 1979: the EU is a force for centralizing and consolidating tyranny into the hands of unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats.

How did the British people come to this conclusion?  Here are some examples. Britain’s fishermen were prohibited from fishing in the waters right off her coast, thereby destroying the nation’s fishing industry. British tea-drinkers discovered to their chagrin that their teapots were no longer good enough for EU bureaucrats. Regulation writers in Brussels, the EU’s capital, had outlawed Britain’s old teapots and decreed that all must replace them with new tea kettles that met the EU’s new specifications.

Seventy percent of the regulations Britons had come to live by and under were no longer passed by Westminster (the country’s Parliament), but were, instead, on order of faceless bureaucrats, who without debate or consultation, issued decrees regulating every facet of British life. Regulation of the minutia of life took on a life of its own: even the criteria for salability of cucumbers and bananas, according to their length and curvature, could not escape the scrutiny of the Eurocrat bureaucrat.

What the voters over age 65 managed to accomplish was the correction of a mistake made 43 years before. They had lived long enough to realize the error of their ways and to repent of surrendering sovereignty to a supra-national governing body. Britain had been bamboozled into joining in 1973, but her seasoned citizens remembered what it had once meant to be free. They determined that future generations must know the freedom they themselves had once possessed.

There was a lot of scare-mongering during the election campaign--by PM Cameron, by President Obama, by Eurocrat technocrats, and by the BBC.  Alternatively, one King World News reader in Yorkshire, voting Leave, summed up the Brexit this way, “Please, please, please, do not listen to the distorted views of the mainstream media. Yes, immigration is a major problem. But not THE REASON why we voted to leave the EU. We as a people have demanded our country back from the unelected elites which have become our masters. An unelected EU government with no opposition, with the power to make our laws and determine how we live our lives. Immigration is a secondary topic, the economy is secondary, if we are worse off we will live with our decision. If we suffer, so be it. Our freedom and the freedom of our children are much more important. People have died in the millions to fight for this basic right. We have given a shining example of democracy to the world. We have put our country and our future above our individual interests. The British lion has awakened from a long sleep. Today I have never been more proud of the silent, decent Briton who stood up to be counted.”

The British lion has roared. Will that roar awaken America from her slumber?

P.S. Pundits all across the political spectrum have been characterizing Britain’s leaving of the EU as a “divorce.”  This characterization is patently false; Britain is in the process of executing a “jailbreak.”  She demands her papers of manumission so there be no doubt of her autonomy and sovereignty.