Forest City - Many homes were gladdened in Forest City and vicinity by the arrival of the soldier boys to spend the joyous yuletide at home. The Camp Mead contingent arrived on a late car Sunday evening. They returned yesterday morning. It is needless to say that their reception was as happy as it was unexpected, for it was announced in the daily press that the boys of Camp Mead would not be allowed to spend Christmas at home owing to congested conditions of the railroads. The boys presented a soldierly appearance and aroused words of praise. The boys were: Arthur Brown, Charles Skubic, John Tomason, Frank Oven, Ludwick Korce, Joseph Laurie, Frank Gerstell, Eugene J. Slick, Stanley Stankovitz, Frank Solman, Edward Stanislowtas, Theodore Koneshevski, Frank Kelleher, James P. Walsh, Joseph Lipka and Theodore Ralka. The Navy was represented by James McGrath and James O’Malley, whose natty blue uniforms were in striking contrast to the olive drab of the soldier boys. Lieut. D. R. Maxey was unable to reach here until Christmas night. Lieut. Bolus Matowski was here the first of the week.
Susquehanna River – With the exception of a few riffles or air holes, the river is covered with ice for a distance of more than one hundred miles, as reported by the Tunkhannock Republican.
New Milford – New Milford borough council has passed an ordinance approving the contract between the State Highway Dept., the county commissioners, and the borough, for the paving of the streets of the borough. Work starting, weather permitting, in the spring. ALSO About a year ago Thomas J. Carr, one of the oldest residents of this place, suffered a slight stroke and on Wednesday of last week he had another which resulted in his death. Mr. Carr ran a grocery store and harness shop in Harford for 30 years and later removed to New Milford township. He was 85 years of age.
Uniondale and Neighborhood – Santa Claus made his appearance at the Bethel church Monday evening where Christmas exercises were being held. No one knew from whence he came or whither he went, but his majesty distributed flags to the boys and candies to the girls, made a speech in which he regretted not being able to furnish O. C. Jones with a bottle of hair tonic and left as abruptly as he came.
Rush – Uzal Kinney is about to begin his new duties as justice of the peace and Rush is thus assured of a careful and painstaking official. This honor comes as one of “greatness thrust upon him,” as the justice-elect did not know that his name was upon the ticket until he went to the polls. ALSO A community dinner for the benefit of the Red Cross will be served in the church basement on New Year’s day. Everyone is invited to attend and help raise money for wool and supplies. Please bring biscuits, pies, cakes and other things for dinner. Price of dinner, 35 cents. If the day is stormy, come next day, Jan. 2. We are in need of more money.
Montrose – Financial difficulties have been encountered by William H. Lorimer, proprietor of the C-Nic Theatre, Montrose’s motion picture house and it has been closed. It is hoped that Mr. Lorimer will find a way out of his present state of affairs which will permit the resumption of the business. ALSO Leonard Stone has purchased an interest in the jewelry store of Earl J. Smith and after Jan. 1st the firm will be known as Smith & Stone. Mr. Smith has built up a fine jewelry and optical business in his nine years residence and Mr. Stone, who learned his trade with him, will be a strong addition. He is a graduate of the Philadelphia Horological College and was for some time in business in New Milford.
Harford – Rev. and Mrs. Wesley A. Miller expect to sail for South Africa shortly. They are spending the interval of waiting at the home of Mrs. Miller’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Barlow in Tunkhannock. Susquehanna county friends recognize Rev. Mr. Miller as Rev. Mueller, formerly of this place. Owing to the suspicion which is attached to German names in Africa, it was necessary for him to adopt the change in name to be acceptable by the mission board which he is to work under.
Jackson Valley - Early in the morning of Friday, Dec. 7, 1917, one of the oldest and most highly respected residents of this place passed out of this world in the person of Mrs. Elizabeth A. Williams, the relict of Samuel F. Williams, who preceded her on Aug. 16, 1915. She passed away at the home of her son, D. S. Williams. Elizabeth A. Watkins was born in Brooklyn, N. Y. on June 30, 1834, and was the fourth of seven children, all of whom she survived. At the age of seven she was taken to the home of her uncle, David Thomas, of Neath, where she received the best of care. When a young woman of 25, she was united in marriage to Samuel F. Williams and they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Sept. 8, 1909. Three sons were born to them: John A., Frank and David S., all of whom survive and are prosperous farmers. Mrs. Williams enjoyed life and drew the best out of it. In her departure the community has lost one of its best members.
Brooklyn – The Community Christmas exercises on Monday evening were fine, much credit being due to the committee in charge. About 300 people were in attendance, and that the true Christmas spirit was in their hearts was shown by the offering, which was taken for the benefit of the suffering Armenians, amounting to over $26. The school teachers and pupils had already contributed $16 for this fund.
Gelatt - Dimmock Walker, of North Dakota, is home to spend the holidays. ALSO Preparations are being made to build a new ice house at the creamery.
Fairdale – Rev. C. E. Cook, pastor of the Fairdale charge, has accepted an offer to act as a religious work director in the army. It offers a rare opportunity for a clergyman of Mr. Cook’s natural inclination for work among young people along spiritual lines, and after consulting with the bishop of the Wyoming Conference he was permitted to take up the work.
200 Years Ago from the Montrose Centinel, December 27, 1817.
*It is said that Don Onis has instructions from his king, to tender the Florida's to the United States, for six millions of dollars; out of which sum Spain agrees to deduct the amount of spoliations made by her on the property of American citizens. Such is the confidence placed in this report that the stock of the different insurance offices that have suffered by the depredations of Spain, rose in one day 25 per cent in value. *MARRIED - On the 25th instant by J. W. Raynsford Esq., Mr. Jonathan Taft to Miss Nancy Fox both of the township of Springville. *ALMANACKS…for the year of our Lord, 1818, just received and for sale at this office. Also a variety of Blank & Writing Books. *PAY THE PRINTER. The Editor of this paper for five weeks past has been unable to attend punctually to his establishment on account of Sickness-he sees no prospect of being able to labor again very soon. He earnestly entreats ALL persons indebted to him to make payment without delay as WANT stares him full in the face. His expenses are great, in ordinary times, & Sickness helps but to enlarge them. All kinds of produce that can be eaten by man or beast will be taken in payment; and a few pounds of tallow would not come amiss. Montrose, Dec. 20, 1817.
On September 19, 2013, Ashantee Singleton was walking in a neighborhood near a major train terminal in Philadelphia when he decided to stop and sit down upon a ledge. Two police officers were on routine patrol when they observed Singleton walking and it appeared to the police officers that he was carrying a heavy object in his pocket. The police officers were concerned because this particular neighborhood was known for illicit drug activity as well as several recent armed robberies. The police officers believed that Singleton was carrying a firearm and they decided to approach him to investigate.
As Singleton saw the police officers approaching, he took a black bag from his sweatshirt and placed the bag behind him. The black bag again appeared to contain a heavy object and the police were concerned that it contained a firearm. When the police officers were close enough to Singleton they asked him what was in the black bag. Singleton would not speak to the police officers and simply continued to stare at them. One of the police officers could see that the black bag was partially opened and the police officer, from her vantage point, was able to identify paraphernalia used in the packaging of controlled substances. Singleton was arrested, the black bag was searched, and the police found 36 bags of heroin and 29 bags of marijuana.
Singleton was arrested for and convicted of a felony drug offense and received 11 ½ months to 23 months incarceration followed by five years of probation. Singleton then appealed his conviction contending that his constitutional rights were violated when the police officers approached him to question him about the contents of his black bag. Singleton argued that the police officers had unlawfully detained him when they questioned him without any reasonable suspicion that he was engaged in criminal activity. When the police officers approached Singleton, they could not articulate any specific basis to believe that Singleton was engaged in criminal conduct; rather, the officers had a “hunch” that Singleton was carrying a weapon based upon what they perceived was the odd manner in which Singleton was walking. It turned out that Singleton did not have a weapon – the heavy object was a bag full of drugs.
The Superior Court rejected Singleton’s appeal. The Superior Court noted that police officers are permitted to engage and talk to citizens in public places. This interaction is known as a mere encounter and it raises no constitutional implications. There is nothing that prohibits a police officer from approaching a person in a public place and asking a question. In order for an interaction to raise constitutional implications, the police officer must engage in some conduct that would result in a reasonable person believing that they were not free to leave, i.e., that the police officer was detaining them.
As to Singleton’s interaction with the police, the Superior Court concluded: “The interaction remained a mere encounter as the officers were free to ask [Singleton] questions without implicating the Fourth Amendment as long as they did not convey a message that [Singleton] was required to comply with their request. Our review of the instant case does not reveal any circumstances that showed the officers’ request for information was accompanied by a mandate to comply, physical restraint, or any show of authority. The officers merely asked [Singleton] about the contents of his bag.”
If police officers were not allowed to ask citizens questions without implicating constitutional concerns, then it would be very difficult to conduct any kind of investigation of criminal activity. The “mere encounter” rule recognizes that a police officer has the right to seek out information from a citizen by simply asking him or her questions – and the citizen likewise has the right to refuse to answer or may simply walk away from the police officer. If the police officer utilizes any conduct that a reasonable person would perceive as being detained, then the situation is no longer a “mere encounter” and the police officer is required to provide a reasonable basis to justify the detention.
Porn addiction – Real or remedial?
Ben came into the pharmacy looking sad. He said to the pharmacist, “I think I am addicted to pornography. My wife has caught me watching it on the computer 3 times now and she said if I do not stop, she will leave me. Is there a drug that can help me break this habit?” The pharmacist explained that there is not a magic pill that can cure someone of watching erotic films. But he had some sound, professional advice to offer Ben.
Pornography addiction is characterized by excessive use of explicit images, videos and other materials that induce sexual arousal. Addiction to pornography affects the same reward circuits in the brain that trigger drug and alcohol addiction. As it takes hold, porn addiction negatively impacts many aspects of the person’s life, such as relationships, jobs, social activities and one’s own sexuality. Today’s porn addiction is exacerbated by the Internet, which delivers limitless “xxx” activity in the privacy of one’s home. It is no longer about hiding one of your dad’s dog-eared Playboy’s under your bed.
Whether watching pornography is good or bad can be a debatable point. Because no matter what your moral views are, the fact is, people like porn. Various international studies have put porn consumption rates at 50% and higher among men, and 30% and higher among women, according to The American Psychiatric Association’s Handbook of Sexuality and Psychology.
In a 2013 study published in the Journal of Sex Research, investigators atBrigham Young University and the University of Missouri surveyed heterosexual couples who were married or living together and found that men's use of porn was associated with lower sexual quality for both men and their partners. Female use of porn, however, was associated with improved sexual quality for women. In the same study, men who used porn reported lower levels of sexual intimacy in their real-life relationships. When women used porn, however, intimacy increased.
So, is porn addiction a real affliction? In Ben’s case, his habit is negatively impacting his relationship. The pharmacist knows that Ben has 3 children in high school, and having curious underage kids in the house is a recipe for disaster if there is pornography to be found. Conversely, some contend it enhances their relationships. They argue that erotica can enhance sex lives, provide a safe, recreational outlet and perhaps even reduce the incidence of sexual assault.
Symptoms of pornography addiction include: living a double life by hiding most or all porn use, anger when asked to stop using porn, and the inability to stop using porn. Although pornography addiction is different from substance addiction, many of the mechanisms that cause it are the same. As a result, similar therapies—including cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychotherapy and support groups—are used to treat porn addiction. Other methods, such as Internet monitoring or content-control devices, may also help addicts recover.
As for Ben, the pharmacist gave him the number of a good psychologist so that he can discuss why he watches pornography and how he can conquer this often all-consuming hunger.
Ron Gasbarro, PharmD, is a registered pharmacist, medical writer, and principal at Rx-Press.com. Read more at www.rx-press.com
