Home → Columnists ( June 17, 2026 )
Montrose – Packed House at Violinists’ Convention: An audience which packed the Warner Memorial Hall, taxing its capacity of 800 seats, with many glad to secure standing room, listened to a thoroughly enjoyable concert in connection with the “Old Fiddlers’ Contest.” It was, without doubt, one of the most interesting and appreciated concerts ever given in the county. Fourteen “old-time fiddlers” took part in the contest. Jehile Kirkhuff, of Rush Township, winning the first prize, of $10, and E. B. Birdsall, of Friendsville, the second prize. In the contest each contestant played two selections. The contestants were: J. B. Kirkhuff, Charles Anderson, Rush; W. J. Stanley, Choconut; Earl Conklin, Brackney; Clarence Pratt, Lenox; Miss Irene VanCott, E. S Smith, New Milford; E. B. Birdsall, Friendsville; S. Snell, Forest Lake; C. L. Tewksbury, Brooklyn; A. H. Mead, Harford; Henry Button, S. Montrose; Arthur Freeman, Montrose. The playing of Charles Anderson on a “cigar box fiddle,” from which he got some real music, the dancing of Messrs. Bryden and Wilcox, and the duet by I. W. Oakley and J. Wesley Gavitt were deeply appreciated. ALSO Fred Avery is driving a Star Six coupster, purchased from Bert M. Brown, Star dealer. Barry Searle, Sr., is also driving a new Star Four coupster.
Hallstead – Marcel Denney, while motoring on the Steam Hollow road, a few days ago, caught a large rattlesnake in the road which measured five feet, ten inches, and had fifteen rattles. He used a crotched stick to catch the snake, put a rope around its neck, tied it to the running board, and brought it into Hallstead. He intends to present it to Ross Park, Binghamton. Mr. Denney had the snake on exhibition for a short time, near Gows’ Garage.
Susquehanna – The Hornell shops and the Susquehanna shops have been placed on a five-day a week schedule until further notice.
Gibson – Electric lights have been installed in the M. E. church. ALSO Edwin Senior, a life long resident of this place, died on June 4, aged 76 years. Mr. Senior came to Gibson 75 years ago, from Connecticut. He was a charter member of the Gibson Star Grange. He has left to mourn his death his wife, two daughters, Bessie and Mary, and three grandchildren. Interment in the Gibson cemetery.
Roosevelt Highway – The new concrete highway between Browntown mountain and Meshoppen, on the Roosevelt Highway, has been completed and it is expected to be open for traffic by the 4th of July. This will make a beautiful drive over paved roads via Clark’s Summit, Lake Winona, Tunkhannock, Wyalusing to Montrose.
Clifford – Hiram Rivenburg and Emery Green, who had slight operations in the Emergency Hospital, a week ago, are doing nicely. ALSO Stanley Slocum is home from Lewisburg, where he has been attending Bucknell University.
Franklin Hill – The Franklin Hill Old Home Coming picnic will be held at the Franklin Hill church, June 24, 1926. Stunts, games, etc., will be a special feature. Each family please bring sandwiches, and two other articles of food. Also cups and silver for the family. Mrs. E. W. Melhuish, President and Mrs. Harry W. Williams, Sec’y.
Jackson – Married, at the home of the groom’s parents, at North Jackson, on Thursday, June 10, Raymond Page, of Jackson, and Miss Pearl Ainey, of Montrose, by the Rev. Renville, of Susquehanna. Only the immediate relatives of the family were present. Delicious refreshments were served, after which the happy couple left for the home of the bride’s sister, Mrs. E. S. Jansen, of High Falls, NY.
Forest City – A pretty wedding was solemnized at St. John’s Greek Catholic church, when Miss Helen Korshnak, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Korshnak, became the bride of Joseph Warhola. Rev. T. M. Volley performed the ceremony in the presence of a large number of friends and relatives. ALSO The Crusaders S.S. class met at the home of Fred Linder on June 3. Mrs. A. Pentecost continued reading “Pilgrim’s Progress.” Dainty refreshments were served.
Uniondale – Daddy Douglas is constructing a band stand east of Dad’s restaurant. He expects to entertain the public with band music during the summer. ALSO Earl Payne has purchased a new master six Buick Coach. The best is none too good for Earl, who believes in stepping high.
News Brief: The political pot is seething in Bradford County, already, and before the Ides of November it is expected the candidates will be severely “burned.” A movement has been started to form a third party to defeat Hon. Frank N. Moore, Republican candidate for the Legislature. A coalition movement is being attempted by the Republican organization with the Democrats, which calls for the withdrawal of the present Democratic candidate and the putting forward of a Republican who can “lick Moore.” Moore has always been an “independent” and is the spokesman in Bradford of Governor Pinchot. It was he who persuaded the governor to upset all state road precedents and permit the construction of a cheaper type of road in that county. This brought about the break between Pinchot and Paul D. Wright, secretary of the highway commission.
MARRIED. On Thursday, the 6th inst., by the Rev. Mr. Richardson, Mr. John Pastena, to Miss Sally Meriman, all of Lawsville. ALSO MARRIED: On the 8th inst., by Elder Davis Dimock, Mr. Henry Shelp, to Miss Betsy Maine, both of Bridgewater.
THE SUSQUEHANNA TROOP are requested to parade at Head Quarters on the 4th of July next, at 9 o’clock in the morning, properly equipped, to join in the celebration of the day. S. HODGDON, Capt. June 15, 1826.
CALL AND SEE. W. Hayden has a good assortment of SADDLES, BRIDLES, HARNESS, AND TRUNKS, &c. which he will dispose of for Neat Stock, Horses, Maple Sugar, &c. New Milford, May 10, 1826. N. B. Those wanting Military work can be accommodated before the next training.
DRUGS, DYESTUFFS, PAINTS, &C. The subscriber having just purchased the MONTROSE DRUGGIST STORE, lately owned by James Catlin, would inform the public that he has removed the same to his shop on Turnpike Street, where he intends to continue and extend the business so far as may be necessary to answer the demand in that line. The best of articles will be kept, and afforded to customers on as good terms as else where in the country. ASA HARTSHORN.
MILLINERY & MANTUA-MAKING. MARY WEST respectfully informs the public, that she has commenced MILLINERY and MANTUA-MAKING, at the house of Mr. Jonathan West on the Owego turnpike, where she intends keeping an assortment of fashionable Fancy Goods. ALSO Leghorn and Straw Bonnets cleaned and repaired. Bridgewater, June 12, 1826.
In May 2024, Jabree Robertson was convicted of first-degree murder in Delaware County and received a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Robertson filed an appeal contending that he was denied a fair trial because the trial court refused to dismiss a juror for cause during the jury selection process. What was the cause that Robertson believed was sufficient to support the juror being stricken? The potential juror had disclosed that her mother worked as an assistant United States Attorney prosecuting federal criminal cases and, prior to her work as a federal prosecutor, her mother had worked as a prosecutor for the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office. The prospective juror’s father was also a detective working in the Delaware County District Attorney’s Officer where he investigated child sexual abuse crimes. Despite these familial connections with law enforcement, the prospective juror explained that she could be fair and impartial and her parents’ employment would not influence her jury service.
After the potential juror had disclosed this information, Robertson’s attorney moved to have the juror discharge for cause. Robertson’s attorney noted that the prospective juror had family members not only working in law enforcement, but the family members had worked or were still working for the same district attorney’s office that was prosecuting Robertson. Because the prospective juror had indicated she could be fair and impartial, the trial court denied Robertson’s motion to strike her for cause. Robertson then used a preemptory challenge to strike this prospective juror, i.e., she never sat on the case. Robertson argued that he had been improperly forced to use one of his peremptory challenges on a juror who should have been discharged for cause.
The Superior Court explained that there is a “presumption of prejudice” if a prospective juror “has a close familial, financial or situational relationship with a participant in the litigation.” This does not mean that every such relationship requires dismissal of a prospective juror; rather, if the relationship is remote and a prospective juror indicates that he or she can be fair and impartial, then the relationship does not provide a basis for discharge. The prospective juror did not work in law enforcement, she did not know the attorney prosecuting the case, and she had no connection with any of the witnesses. At best, the prospective juror had a limited relationship with the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office because of her father’s employment (and her mother’s former employment) – but her father was not involved in the case. Because her family members had no connection with the actual case being prosecuted, there was no “presumption of prejudice” arising from the prospective juror’s familial connection to law enforcement – even where the familial relationship involved a connection to the prosecutor’s office that was prosecuting Robertson’s case.
The Superior Court also noted that the prospective juror had indicated that she could be fair and impartial. She further stated that she would not “tend to believe or disbelieve a witness’s testimony merely because the witness was a police officer.” She further stated that she would have no difficulty following the court’s instructions and that she would “make her decision based solely on the evidence presented.” As a result of the prospective juror’s statements, the Superior Court concluded that the trial court properly concluded that there was no “likelihood of prejudice” arising from the prospective juror’s familial law enforcement connections. Robertson’s appeal was denied.
Good day dear hearts, I love you. We live in a world where we have security cameras everywhere, guns in our night table drawers and some lock their bedroom doors when they go to sleep. These precautions protect and keep our lives safe from harm. Where do you go when you are under attack by illness, financial pressures, work issues, marital and family issues? Some go to the bottle, the medicine cabinet or something that will numb your pain for a little while only to come back stronger. Look at Psalm 121, it may give you the answer.
I lift up my eyes to the hills. That is how Psalm 121 begins, with an ancient traveler looking upward, scanning the rugged ridgelines of Judah, searching for help, strength and reassurance. The hills could be dangerous places, filled with steep paths, wild animals and hidden threats. Yet they also reminded the pilgrim of something greater, the God who made those hills was watching over him. Psalm 121 is often called the “Traveler’s Psalm,” but its message reaches far beyond the road. It speaks to anyone who has ever felt uncertain, vulnerable, or weary. It speaks to those who have stood at the edge of a new season and wondered whether they had the strength to walk into it. It speaks to those who have prayed for protection over their families, their homes, their communities and their own hearts. At the center of this psalm is a simple but life-anchoring truth, God is both our Protector and our Keeper. These are not poetic titles. They are promises, steady, unshakable and deeply personal.
The psalmist begins with a question: “Where does my help come from?” It is the question every believer asks at some point. The answer comes quickly: “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” That declaration matters. The psalmist does not say his help comes from the hills, or from luck, or from human strength. He roots his confidence in the God who created everything, the God who is never overwhelmed, never distracted, never limited. Then comes a promise that reaches into the deepest fears of the human heart, “He will not let your foot slip.”
Life is full of slippery places, moments when we lose our footing emotionally, spiritually, or physically. But the God who watches over us is steady. He sees what we cannot see. He guards what we cannot guard. He holds what we cannot hold. And then the psalmist adds something remarkable, “He who watches over you will not slumber.” Human protectors grow tired. Even the strongest among us need rest. But God does not. His watchfulness is constant, unbroken and unchanging. This is the heart of divine protection. God is never off duty.
Beginning in verse 3 and continuing through verse 8, the psalm shifts from protection to keeping. The word keep appears six times in these verses. In Hebrew, it carries the idea of guarding, preserving, watching over and maintaining. God is not only the One who protects us in moments of danger, He is the One who keeps us through every moment of life. The psalmist describes this keeping in three ways: God keeps us from falling, He steadies our steps; God keeps us from harm, the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night; God keeps our lives, the Lord will keep your life… both now and forevermore. This is not a promise that nothing difficult will ever happen. Scripture is honest about suffering. But it is a promise that nothing can reach us without passing through the hands of a God who loves us, knows us and walks with us. God’s keeping is not fragile. It is not seasonal. It is not dependent on our strength. It is rooted in His character faithful, steadfast and eternal. We live in a world that feels increasingly uncertain. News cycles move fast. Troubles rise quickly. Families face pressures that previous generations never imagined. Yet Psalm 121 reminds us that the same God who watched over the ancient traveler watches over us today. When we feel anxious, He is our Protector. When we feel weary, He is our Keeper. When we feel alone, He is awake and attentive. When we feel unsure of the path ahead, He steadies our steps. This psalm invites us to lift our eyes not to the hills, not to our fears, not to our limitations, but to the Lord who made heaven and earth. The God who keeps Israel is the God who keeps you. The God who never sleeps is the God who knows your name. The God who guards your coming and going is the God who walks beside you in every season. In a world where so much changes, Psalm 121 offers a truth that does not, God is our Protector and our Keeper yesterday, today and forever. God Bless.
Dear Lord, we ask a blessing on our little community. We pray for the families of the loved ones who have gone home to you. As our youth graduate from high school, we ask your blessings, protection and success for them. We pray for the broken hearted, the financially distraught, the battle of illness. Bless us, watch over us. Amen.
Join us on Saturday, June 20 12:00pm to 1:00pm for a complimentary dinner consisting of meat loaf, mashed potatoes, vegetables and dessert at 1361 Main Street, Susquehanna, 570-853-3988.