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Motor Cycle Races on Gelatt Hill: The Harley Davidson dealers, Silver and Wademan, of Thompson, staged a hill climb at Gelatt Sunday, July 20th. There were 13 riders entered. Those locally were King Canfield, Ararat, on a Harley and Bill Silver, Thompson, on a Harley. Most of the motorcycles entered were Harleys, others represented were a Henderson, an Indian, an Ace and an Excelsior. The hill was 400 ft. in length with a pitch of 45% for the 205 feet and from 55 to 60% pitch the balance of the way with no level start. About 500 people were in attendance. The winners were as follows: 1st A. Truesdell, of Windsor, over the top in 18 seconds; 2nd Chas Zaverl, of Vandling, over the top in 19 2-5 seconds; 3rd Bill Silver, of Thompson, over the top in 22 seconds. All rode Harleys. Wade Whitbeck, of Binghamton and Norm Bodie, of Honesdale, made the top in 23 and 27 2-5 seconds respectively. No other make of machine made better than 257 feet up the hill. Thanks were given to all who helped and to Mr. Bowell for the use of his hill. The boys will attempt Sugar Loaf Mountain on Labor Day.

New Milford – Lee Wilson DeWitt, 17 years old son of Lee J. DeWitt and his late wife, was drowned Sunday afternoon in Upper Lake, New Milford Township. The young man was unable to swim. Following a hearty dinner he went bathing and walked out into the lake, accidentally stepping off into deep water. His cousin, Helen Dillon plunged into the water with her clothes weighing her down and got near enough to reach him. He struggled with his would-be rescuer and realizing that he was pulling her down, she was obliged to give up her attempt to bring him to shore. Fred Maloney then dove for the boy and brought him to the surface, but no signs of life existed. A pulmotor [the first artificial respiration device] was rushed from Binghamton and a large quantity of oxygen was used in an attempt to revive him.

Jackson – A meeting of the Ku Klux Klan was held in the Odd fellows Hall. A speaker from Washington, DC spoke to the big crowd that gathered. ALSO I.J. Witter is confined to his home on account of an attack of appendicitis.

Uniondale – The "Old Cabin Minstrel" and band concert will be presented on the evening of July 25th, at W.T. Curtis' new barn.

Montrose – Dr. Fred N. Catlin, a well-known veterinarian, died at the home of his brother, Frank Catlin, July 16, 1924. Dr. Catlin, who was 31 years old, was a veteran of the World War, being called with the first contingent leaving Montrose. He saw a long period of service in France with a veterinary corps and in one of the gas attacks his lungs were affected. His health was good until a few years ago when he entered a government sanitarium, but the inroads of tuberculosis made it impossible for him to recover. He was the son of Harry Catlin and was born at Watrous Corners, East Bridgewater. The funeral was held in the Baptist church with members of Gardner-Warner Post, American Legion, attending.

Montour County, PA – A threat to free Elmer Washburn, aged 15 years, of Susquehanna Co., sentenced to 17 to 19 years for the murder of Cyrus Payne, an aged recluse of Brushville, has been made by Sheriff Schuyler of Montour County, unless some payment is made to him for keeping the boy. Sheriff Schuyler says the boy's care, since he was brought to Danville from the Eastern penitentiary, has cost him $300 and there has been much buck-passing concerning the payment. If some payment is not soon made, the sheriff declared he would take care of the boy as his own and let him free to earn money for his board and clothes. The sheriff declares he has been the "goat" while both Susquehanna and Montour counties have refused to pay anything for the boy's maintenance in jail.

Brooklyn – Miss Florence Gere, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. C.E. Gere, of this place, and stenographer for the Binghamton Candy Co., has been chosen by the vote of the members of the YWCA, of Binghamton, as one of the two delegates to represent that city at a conference to be held at a Business Girls' Camp, near Canton, PA.

South Montrose – The South Montrose Manufacturing Co. is working at capacity, at present, on garment hangers and wardrobe buffers. Nearly 60 people are employed and an average of 20,000 hangers are put out daily. Some of the leading mercantile firms in the country buy all of their hangers from this company and if the business increases the next year, as it has been the past year, the plant will have to be doubled to keep up with the orders.

Forest Lake – The Merchants Telephone Co. is stringing new copper wires on their line between Forest Lake and Montrose. This will greatly improve the service through that territory.

Upper Lake, New Milford Twp. – Mrs. Judd Tingley and Miss Beatrice Sturdevant, of Binghamton, were baptized at Middle Lake last Thursday.

Clifford – Deuteronomy Kenyon, a native and lifelong resident of Clifford Township, died from acute heart trouble on July 16, after a few hours illness. He was nearly 80 and appeared in normal health until a short time before his death. Mr. Jones, of the Dundaff Episcopal church, officiated and burial was made at Edge Hill, PA.

Hallstead – Monday night Constables Charles Culver, of New Milford, and W.G. Benedict, of Montrose, and Deputies W.G. Holmes and Gordon Ayres, Jr., of Montrose, armed with a search warrant to enter the premises of a house commonly known as the "Red Onion," near Hallstead, visited the place. The owner, said to be a Mr. Williams, was not at home, but while the officers were there a woman drove up with a car in which said Williams was also riding. The officers approached, and as the car apparently had liquor on board, they requested the right of searching it. The woman "stepped on the gas" and when ordered to stop speeded down the trail. Several shots were fired in the air, but the car made its escape. A warrant was issued for the two the next day.

Montrose Bible Conference: General Bible Conference opens on Friday evening. Attendance this year exceeds all previous years and record-breaking crowds are expected at Sunday's services. Dr. J.C. Massee, a new speaker at the Conference and a nationally known preacher, will speak Friday evening. Drs. Pettingill, Bieber and Torrey are also among the speakers.

On April 15, 2022, Eric Pope was a patron at a Philadelphia bar known as the Tabu Lounge and Sports Bar where he consumed enough alcohol to become severely intoxicated. Pope was 41 years of age, stood at 5'10" and weighed only 161 pounds. Security personnel removed Pope from the bar and directed him to leave the area. Pope did not leave but remained in the vicinity of the business. Pope made his way back to the front entrance to the bar and began to dance in the street. Security personnel then attempted to pull Pope out of the street, but Pope resisted and continued to dance. After completing his street dancing, Pope began to walk back over toward the bar entrance. Kenneth Frye, one of the bar's security personnel, left his location, intercepted Pope and punched him in the head one time. Pope fell backwards, hit his head on a metal manhole cover, and died.

A later autopsy revealed the Pope had died from blunt force trauma to the head. Frye was arrested for homicide and the matter proceeded to a preliminary hearing, where the Magisterial District Judge found enough evidence to support a charge of third-degree murder and sent the case to the Court of Common Pleas. Frye then filed a motion challenging the third-degree murder charge contending that there was insufficient evidence to show that Frye had maliciously killed Pope because a single punch to the head was not sufficient to demonstrate the malice necessary for a third- degree murder charge. The trial court agreed and dismissed the third-degree murder charge. The Commonwealth appealed the dismissal.

The Superior Court noted that third-degree murder is defined as a killing done with "malice aforethought." Even if a defendant did not have the intent to kill, malice exists where a defendant "displayed a conscious disregard for an unjustified and extremely high risk that his actions might cause death or serious bodily harm." The Superior Court conceded that malice generally does not exist "where an assault is made with bare fists only," but a bare-fisted attack could still be malicious if the circumstances demonstrate that a defendant should have expected serious consequences from a single punch. To determine whether a bare-fist assault had the requisite malice necessary to support a third-degree murder charge, the Superior Court explained that numerous factors are considered: "the size of the assailant, the manner in which the fists are used, the ferocity of the attack and its duration, and the provocation [that led to the assault]."

After considering these factors, the Superior Court concluded that the trial court had erred in dismissing the third-degree murder charge. The Superior Court listed the following evidence to supporting the existence of malice: (1) Frye was a much larger man that Pope; (2) Pope was severely intoxicated; (3) Pope was not engaged in any aggressive provocation aside from dancing in the street and not leaving the area of the bar; (4) Pope had no warning whatsoever that Frye was about to hit him; (5) Pope was entirely defenseless when he was struck; and (6) Pope never had the opportunity to defend himself. The Superior Court reversed the trial court, reinstated the third-degree murder charge, and sent the case back to the trial court for further proceedings.

Fist fights are not uncommon. If you have attended enough professional hockey games, you have probably seen a fair share of nasty fist fights – and probably even seen a few instances of the proverbial sucker punch. The common law acknowledges that most bare-fist assaults do not involve circumstances where the assailant believes that he may kill the other person with his bare fists. But in some instances, such as Frye's assault on Pope, a single bare-fisted punch may be enough to support a third-degree murder charge. The case is not resolved – the Superior Court simply concluded that there was enough evidence to submit the case to a jury. In order to succeed at that point, the Commonwealth will have to convince all 12 jurors beyond a reasonable doubt that Frye killed Pope with malice.

Late summer is a perfect time for family hiking with its warm days and earlier sunsets. Watching the sunset from a scenic viewpoint can be an unforgettable experience, but it requires some planning to ensure everything goes smoothly. Here are some tips and considerations to make your family's sunset hike the best it can be.

Selecting the right trail is crucial. Research and plan to find a trail that matches the fitness levels and experience of all family members. Look for trails with clear markers and easy navigation. Trails that offer panoramic views or lookout points are ideal for sunset watching. Popular trails might be crowded, so arriving early can help you secure a good spot and enjoy some quiet time before the sun sets.

Northeast PA has some fantastic places for a sunset hike. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary has Lookout Trail. Ricketts Glen offers sunset views over Lake Jean on the Highland Trail. Big Pocono State Park is a moderate hike with views from the summit of Camelback Mountain. Promised Land State Park has The Bear Wallow Trail. Lackawanna State Park has several scenic views including The North Woods Trail.

Timing your hike correctly ensures you won't miss the sunset. Check the local sunset time for the date of your hike and plan to reach the viewpoint at least 30 minutes before sunset. Estimate the time needed to hike to the viewpoint and add extra time for breaks, especially if you have younger children. Be aware that as summer transitions to fall, sunset times become earlier.

Safety is always a hiking priority. Bring headlamps and flashlights for everyone, as it will be dark on your way back. Carry a basic first aid kit and stay together. Everyone should know the route plan. Additionally, be mindful of increased wildlife activity at dusk and keep a safe distance.

Bring enough water and energy-boosting snacks to stay hydrated and fueled. Late summer evenings can cool down quickly, so also pack lightweight jackets or other layers. Protect against insects and sun exposure with bug spray and sunscreen. Comfortable, well-fitting hiking shoes or boots are also essential too.

Don't forget to bring a camera or smartphone to capture the beautiful sunset and special family moments. Binoculars can enhance your viewing experience of distant landscapes and possibly wildlife. Sharing interesting facts about the local flora, fauna, and geology with your family can make the hike more engaging and educational.

Follow the Leave No Trace principles for preserving the environment. Pack out all trash, stay on designated trails, and respect nature. Teaching children these principles helps instill a sense of responsibility and respect for the outdoors.

Planning a post-hike treat can be a delightful way to celebrate the adventure. Hot chocolate or a favorite family snack can be a nice reward and a chance to recap the day's experiences together.

By following these tips and considerations, your family sunset hike can be a safe, enjoyable, and memorable experience. Late summer is a beautiful time to connect with nature and create lasting memories with your loved ones. Happy hiking!

Good day dear hearts, I love you. As I was thinking of what to write the thought of my smashed ID bracelet came to mind. I'm giving my age away in telling you I attended high school in the sixties. The big thing then was you gave your girlfriend your ID bracelet with your name on it and the rule was she would wear it all the time and openly display it. Relationships back then lasted two weeks at the most. You would get your ID bracelet back and give it to the next girl. In my case it was time for me to move on, but apparently not for her. My new girlfriend was her best friend, and she became enraged with jealousy. So much so when she returned to me my ID bracelet, it came back smashed up in a paper bag. That was the talk of the school for about a week. As I thought of this incident the thought that came to mind was jealousy. As I go on in this column this week and next, I'll be interchanging the word jealousy with covet, envy and pride. Those three words are synonymous with the word jealousy.

In looking at the 10 Commandments, I find the last one says, "You shall not covet your neighbor's house, you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's." In other words, don't covet or be jealous of what someone else has. Jealousy is an emotion of displeasure over someone else's good fortune. In looking at the list of the 10 Commandments, I wondered why "do not covet" is the last one listed.

When we experience this emotion of displeasure over someone else's good fortune we do constant comparing, which is typical of what we do and can lead us to discontent within our own lives, resentment and bitterness to others. If we allow these negative emotions to go unchecked all kinds of havoc could occur in our life. We can poison a relationship with a loved one by constantly displaying this emotion and accusing a loved one of being too friendly towards someone. Many times, we laugh and view this as childish, and the romantic thinks it's cute when someone's feelings are so strong for someone when they display this emotion. Most times, these emotions are dealt with and are under control. But when the emotion of jealousy is not dealt with, it can flare into suspicion, anger and hostility. As small an issue as this may be according to some, the failure of us keeping the tenth commandment causes us to violate the other nine. Let me explain. One of the things I like to do, particularly in the dead of winter is watch cop shows. Frequently there is what's called a crime of passion which will deal with a personal relationship, a scheme to take someone or something from someone. In fact, sadly, in 2017 or 2018 I did two funerals for two separate men, at two separate times in one year who were murdered. Both local men in our community and both crimes occurred out of jealousy, envy and resentment.  Jealousy arrives from a heart overcome by many things and I'm going to touch on three of them today.

Envy. We see some of our neighbors renovating their house and have the new car in their driveway while our car is not so new, and our house could use some remodeling. What we think in our discontent is that if we have what our neighbors have that will make us happy. There's a saying that goes, "The grass is greener on the other side, until you get there."

Selfishness. We are always comparing ourselves to what others have. Sometimes, so much so, we miss and don't see the blessings God has blessed us with. Instead of rejoicing over someone's good fortunes, we focus on what we don't have, and we force situations to keep up with the Jones' by spending money we don't have, just to keep up with them.

Pride. Seeing the success of other people can make us feel inadequate. To build ourselves up, we may belittle them or their accomplishments. Oh, that Jones family! They think they are something because they did this or have that. When we feel this emotion it's not something to be excused, rationalized or ignored. We need to confess these emotions as sin and ask God to take away these feelings and focus on what God has blessed you with.

Next week I will explain how when we violate the tenth commandment, we can violate the other 9. When you have time read 1 Samuel 18:5-16, because we are going to talk about that next week. God Bless.

Lord, watch over our community. Bless our children. Heal the sick and broken-hearted. Let your Spirit hover over our community. Amen.

Contact me anytime. Pastor Vince Chiaramonte, 570-853-3988, Susquehanna Christian Community Church, 1361 Main Street, clearmountain2158@gmail.