Jessup Twp. – To live 85 years in the same community and on the same farm owned by father and grandfather is a record of which few energetic Yankees can boast.  To win the admiration and respect of all for a life well lived—a life worthy of emulation by others is something we “of the earth earthy” seldom attain.  When we assert that both are applicable to the life and history of Edgar W. Bolles, they will doubtless be surprised to learn the former fact, but will immediately acquiesce to the latter. Mr. Bolles is one of God’s noblemen.  Upright, honorable, trustworthy in every way, he is the type of man who is quietly honored by their generation, often more in the heart than by expressed words of approval. His people came from New London, Conn., with their effects in a lumber wagon, crossed the Hudson in a ferryboat and were 20 days on the road to the homestead first owned by Robinson Bolles in 1810.

Bennett’s Corners, Auburn Twp. – The snow is 30 inches deep on the level and measured  three feet deep in the woods. The heavy snow has brought lots of suffering to both the people and animals.  Water is also very scarce and the crust has caused a lot of accidents. It is reported that several cows have slipped on the ice and had to be killed.  Among those [people] mentioned were John Warner, Clark Davis and Larry Luce. ALSO On Sunday before Christmas, 30,000 people assembled in front of the U. S. treasury building and led by Hamlin E. Cogswell, accompanied by the full United States Marine band, sang Christmas carols.  Hamlin Cogswell is a former Auburn resident known for his musical ability and while in Washington he directed the Home Defense League Regimental Band, conducted the Washington Oratoria and Washington Symphony Orchestra, and was president of the music section of the National Educational Association. He was born in 1852 and died in 1922.

In the County – If the ground hog had the courage to burrow through three feet of snow and face a zero atmosphere on Saturday, he would not have had to rub his eyes to see his shadow at any time during the day.  It was a beautiful day—but we all hope he didn’t come out.

Birchardville – The mercury was reported at 32 degrees below on Saturday morning.  Monday and Tuesday mornings it was no warmer.  There is no use quoting the standing at other places in the county.  When anyone wants to know how cold it has been, they ask: “What was the thermometer at Birchardville?” And thus all disputes are promptly settled.

Montrose – A contingent of men left for Camp Meade, with Earle O. Nash appointed in charge until camp was reached.  They are: Earle O. Nash, Montrose; Frank J. Feraro, Forest City; George Pembleton, West Auburn; Timothy Reed, Hallstead; Steve Barber, Springville; Harry Stringer, Susquehanna; James E. McInerney, St. Joseph; John F. Reed, Hallstead; Francis Melvin, Forest City; Paul Blacksmith, Forest City; Alex. G. Jones, Forest City; William W. Quinlivan, Friendsville; Henry A. Welch, Montrose; Hale Kingsbury, Lanesboro; Arthur L. Basket, Susquehanna; Robert J. Spencer, Uniondale.

Brackney – Anna J. Patton, formerly of this place, died at her home in New York city on Monday, Jan. 28, 1918.  The body was taken to the home of her nephew, Andrew Patton, at Quaker Lake, where the funeral was held.  Burial was made in the Quaker Lake cemetery.

Great Bend – A Great Bend man, Wilbur J. Chamberlin, steps into the limelight in the February number of Munsey’s magazine.  “The Story of the Sun,” a serial running in Munsey’s in the February installment, gives a sketch of Mr. Chamberlin, who is well-known to many local people. ALSO Miss Mabel Prentice has accepted a position in the new silk mill at this place.

Harford – The Harford Supply store is under the management of F. O. Miller.

Hopbottom – There will be a cafeteria supper at the Community House on Feb. 9.  Come and bring a sleighload, as it is fine sleighing.  A delightful evening will be had.

Lakeside – While taking Mrs. Whitney and Mrs. Tourje to the Ladies’ Oxford class meeting last Friday afternoon, Mr. Whitney’s horse became frightened and the sleigh was upset, throwing the occupants into the snow.  Mr. Whitney got quite a bump on the head.

Lynn – A blizzard seems to be with us most of the time and as the bear saw his shadow we may expect some great weather.

Forest City – Stanley Yolanda as chief of police will register all German aliens in this district.  ALSO Miss Eva Cheeky, of Center street, froze both of her hands Sunday evening in coming from Vandling.  She came up on the street car to the Vandling switch and on her arrival here she found that her hands were frozen.  She is getting along finely.

Uniondale – Leon Edwards has just received word that a patent has been granted to him for an automatic shut-off for a gas jet.  Leon thinks there are millions in it.  Hope so!

Thompson – A mammoth cake with one lone candle adorned the table at the home of Master Stewart Wilmarth, Sunday, Feb. 3rd, in honor of his first birthday anniversary.

Lawsville – Grange News: Sister Meeker ate onions for supper and could not attend Grange. Brother Stanley Pierson has shaved off his beard.  We hardly knew him. Sister Barnum is looking forward to the time for coasting on the crust again.  Her nose has healed nicely.

News Brief: - John L. Sullivan, formerly heavyweight champion of the world, died suddenly at his home in Abington, Mass.  He was attacked by a fainting spell and before a physician could reach him the old fighter had taken the count for the last time. Sullivan said that he had made $2,000,000 in the fight business, but he died with honor and not riches.

200 Years Ago from the Montrose Centinel, February 7, 1818.

*MARRIED – On Sunday evening last in Harford township by Joab Tyler Esq., Mr. Joel Sturdevant  to Miss Diama Capron all of that township.

*MARRIED – In Waterford township the same evening by Joab Tyler Esq., Mr. Alfred Tiffany to Miss Fanny Mack.

*A SETTLEMENT WANTED. All persons indebted to the subscriber are hereby notified that a settlement must be made by the first of next month.  All such as neglect to settle by that time will be noticed in a manner particularly pointed.  Produce will be received on all debts. ELI GREGORY, Montrose, Feb. 7, 1817.

NOTICE.  All Persons indebted to John Brulte, Hatter, in Montrose, are requested to make payment by the ninth of this month. J. BRULTE. Montrose, Feb. 7, 1818

In the early morning hours of May 21, 2013, Ralph Sheridan was asleep on a couch in a residence on Tasker Street in Philadelphia.  Sheridan awoke to Manuel Rose sitting on top of him and pushing covers over his face.  Rose then pointed a firearm at Sheridan’s head and demanded money.  Sheridan resisted, a scuffle ensued, and Rose fled from the residence.

Rose was charged with burglary and related offenses.  The Commonwealth began to experience difficulties getting Sheridan to appear and testify.  Sheridan repeatedly failed to appear to different hearings because he was afraid that he would be harmed if he actually testified against Rose.  At the third preliminary hearing, Sheridan finally testified and the matter then proceeded to a trial.

During the course of the trial, it was discovered that there were two people inside Sheridan’s residence – not just Rose.  Despite the fact that Sheridan was sequestered, the prosecutor broke the sequestration order and questioned Sheridan about this information.  At that point, Sheridan changed his previous testimony and admitted that there had been another individual involved but that Sheridan had not said anything because he feared for his safety.  The defense moved for a mistrial based upon the prosecutor’s violation of the sequestration order, i.e., the prosecutor had been ordered not to inform Sheridan (or any other witness) the content of other witnesses’ testimony.  The trial judge denied the mistrial but instructed the jury that it could consider the violation of the sequestration order and Sheridan’s decision to alter his testimony when the jury assessed the credibility of the witnesses.

The Commonwealth also admitted recorded jail conversations between Rose and third parties outside of the prison.  The Commonwealth contended that these recorded conversations demonstrated Rose’s guilt if one understood “street language.”  The trial court also allowed a detective to provide opinion testimony as to the meaining of Rose’s recorded jail telephone calls.  In particular, the detective contended that Rose utilized “street language” that the jury might not immediately understand.  In essence, the jury listened to the recorded telephone calls and then the detective “interpreted” the telephone calls based upon his knowledge of “street language.”

On appeal, the Superior Court noted that the prosecutor had committed a “serious violation” of the sequestration order when the prosecutor informed Sheridan about testimony from other witnesses – and this violation of the sequestration order actually caused Sheridan to change his testimony.  In response to Rose’s contention that this denied him a fair trial, the Superior Court disagreed.  The trial court handled the matter properly by providing Rose’s counsel additional time to conduct an investigation into the new allegations – and then instructing the jury as to how the violation of the sequestration order by the prosecutor should be considered in assessing the credibility of the tainted witness.

As to the “street language” testimony, the Superior Court concluded that the trial court erred in allowing the detective to “interpret” Rose’s recorded jail telephone calls.  While the Superior Court recognized that there might be circumstances where a jury might not be capable of understanding “street language” without the assistance of an expert witness, the detective’s testimony went far beyond merely explaining what particular words meant on the street.  Instead, the detective testified to the “meaning” of the entire conversation – rather than the meaning of unfamiliar street terminology.  The Superior Court determined that the detective’s testimony “as to the meaning of Rose’s conversations, sentence by sentence, went well beyond the Commonwealth’s proffer that he would testify regarding the meaning of certain street language.”

After reviewing the entire record, however, the Superior Court determined that the error in admitting the detective’s interpretation testimony was harmless, i.e., it did not impact upon the outcome of the trial.  Because Rose was a three-strike offender, the Superior Court affirmed his sentence of 25 to 50 years in a state correctional facility.

“Even winter — the hardest season, the most implacable — dreams, as February creeps on, of the flame that will presently melt it away. Everything tires with time, and starts to seek some opposition, to save it from itself.” ~Clive Barker, The Hellbound Heart, 1986.

While the unpredictable weather, winds whipping, hurling flakes and leaving ice in its wake keeps us from enjoying all of the activities we would like—there is always a good book, a comfy chair and a cozy quilt to wrap up in—oops! I forgot the large mug of tea or cocoa—then maybe a sweet goodie to nibble on through the exciting paragraphs? Before we know it, Spring will be here in all of its glory and the memories of slushy boots and shoveling will melt away like icicles in the sunshine. Valentine’s Day is around the corner as well. Perhaps figure on something different for the wee loved one in your life—A new exciting book to add to his or her personal Library lasts a lot longer than a chocolate heart and stimulates the imagination as well.

 There’s a lot going on at the Hallstead/Great Bend Library, starting with a Winter Story Time.  This event will take place every Tuesday and Friday in February, and starts at 10:00 AM. What a wonderful way to cure the Wintertime/Stuck-in-the-House Blues! If you wish to have your child participate, please give Angie, Valerie, or Heather a call at the Library. The phone Number is: 570-879-2227.

The Hallstead/Great Bend Library is also hosting a program by the LYME Coalition Group on Friday, February 9th, from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM. This is an excellent time to have all of your questions and concerns answered about this dastardly disease that has affected so many families within our County. Summer will be here before we blink, and ticks will, again, be a major concern, not only to humans, but to pets as well.

Do you play or have played Mahjong or Canasta? Someone is interested in starting a Mahjong or Canasta Club within the Hallstead/Great Bend Library. If you would like to join, please call the Library at the number above.

The Susquehanna Branch Reader’s Group will be discussing “Before the Fall” by Noah Hawley at this month’s meeting, scheduled for Thursday, February 8th, at 2:00 PM. The Group meets the second Thursday of each month at 2:00 PM, with the exception of July, August, and December. “Before the Fall” is a terrific thriller that will have you turning pages at the edge of your seat. What starts out with a private plane on a runway at Martha’s Vineyard waiting for quite an assortment of personalities to board—a “Political Kingmaker”, his Wife, their two children and their bodyguard, a Financier, and a modestly successful painter—if they only knew what was in store for them, and why.  The Author will have you searching for clues while you wind your way through this maze of terror. If you would like to join the Reader’s Group, please stop in or call the Susquehanna Library Location and speak with Laura, Pam, Deb, or Elizabeth and they will be more than happy to sign you up.

As I curl up with a good book myself, I leave you with this thought:

“With the lengthening days which distinguish the third month of winter from its predecessor, come ardent desires for spring, and longings for the time of birds and flowers. An adventurous swallow too early flying from the south, a vision of snowdrops in the snow, a day of April warmth lit by a slant February sun, are all hailed with pleasure as harbingers of a more gracious season on its northland way.”~ Oscar Fay Adams, January 1886

Handmade Valentines—First Love—Snowball Fights

Enjoy!

Who knew dogs flu?

Bill came into the pharmacy for his flu shot. He said to the pharmacist, “What’s this about the dog flu? Can I bring my dog, Sally, in for a flu shot too?” The pharmacist explained that canine influenza is not the same viral infection that sickens humans. But there is a vaccine for dog flu that could prevent the pet from contracting this potentially deadly disease.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF), dog flu is a relatively recent arrival in North America, having migrated from Asia. No influenza viruses were known to circulate in dogs until 2004 when a virus caused outbreaks of severe and often fatal respiratory disease among racing greyhounds in the US. This airborne virus was acquired from horses, and probably entered greyhound populations several years before these outbreaks. Although it has spread to other breeds of dogs since that time, the illness in these animals has been more typical of human flu. The most common symptom is a mild upper respiratory disease with a persistent cough. Pneumonia is possible, generally as the result of a secondary bacterial infection, but it is uncommon. Highly contagious infections tend to be seen mainly in animal shelters, kennels, dog daycare facilities, or other sites where groups of susceptible dogs are in close contact. In addition to dog-to-dog encounters, the virus is spread via shared items like toys or human contact, such as kennel workers who have carried the virus home with them.

While a dog with the flu may not have the same demands as a spouse or a child with the flu – “More orange juice, Mom!,” “Honey, the remote fell under the bed!,” “We’re out of Pepto Bismol!” – the symptoms are basically the same. They include a persistent cough, nasal discharge – not just your dog’s normal wet nose – fever as high as 106°F, eye discharge – look for goopy, mucus-like oozing – sneezing, poor appetite, reduced activity, and lethargy. Like the human flu, canine influenza can take anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks to fully resolve. The AVMF says the mortality rate is approximately 10%. There is no evidence to suggest that either strain of canine influenza (H3N8 or H3N2) can infect humans. However, quarantine your dog from other animals, including cats, for at least 4 weeks, until s/he fully recovers. And Lysol everything, including air vents.

No treatment exists that is specifically for dog flu. Thus, the focus of treatment is to provide supportive care while the infection runs its course. Dogs with mild infection may not require any intervention. A very high fever may necessitate treatment. Consult with your vet before giving any human medication to your dog. Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) can be very toxic to both dogs and cats. Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can cause stomach bleeding and ulcers. Use of antitussives (cough medicine) is not supported by clinical evidence, and in fact, is contraindicated in dogs with a productive cough.

In a June 2017 advisory, the AVMF suggested that a 2-shot vaccine given 3 weeks apart may be a prevention option for dogs that are at least 8 weeks old. It is recommended for all dogs with exposure to other dogs such as those in boarding facilities, dog shows, grooming stations, and shelters.

Bill got his flu shot that day. Then, he made an appointment for Sally to get her first flu vaccination at the vet’s office that week.

Ron Gasbarro, PharmD is a registered pharmacist, medical writer, and principal at Rx-Press.com. Read more at www.rx-press.com