Last Wednesday Ron and I made a trip to Williamsport to the Susquehanna Health Medical Center to see the thoracic surgeon in the cardiac department that Ron was referred to by his orthopedic surgeon regarding the issues with his disconnected collarbone. What a busy place it seemed to be! The huge parking lot was packed – we entered on the East Entrance of the hospital (on Rural Ave.) and were able to find the office we needed rather quickly. After filling out all the necessary initial paperwork we sat in the waiting room and did a word-search together, and all of sudden heard “beep-beep-beep”. Looking out the door we saw an unmanned cart, a robotic contraption that was going down the hall after being programmed to travel to another location with whatever data was contained in its files and/or drawers. My, how things have changed, but it was a good feeling knowing that the facility was very much state of the art and that Ron was in good hands. We have always been impressed with this hospital, its doctors and nurses as well as its care and service and this was no exception. Although we did not get any definite treatment or cure for this dilemma, Dr. Lazar was going to make contact with the Cleveland Institute to see what, if any, new treatment should be administrated. Surgery is out of the question. He may have to have steroid injections, time will tell. He associated it with a type of sports injury – quite rare, actually – and will follow up with us as soon as he hears anything supportive to our situation. As always, I’m asking for your continued prayers for the both of us.
Ole’ Man Winter has decided to return to this “neck of the woods”, and it sounds like it may be with a vengeance. We’ve had more than our share of extremely cold temps, and now it’s lots of snow. I know one thing – I’m very grateful for our large pile of firewood and for my husband that keeps it cut, split and in the furnace that keeps our home nice and warm without having to use neither the natural gas heater so much, nor the electric room heater either. I see on the television news that the east coast area is really getting blistered with another “Nor-Easter”. My answer: “They can have it!” I’m counting the days until spring (53, to be exact) and am really looking forward to gardening and other planting.
Last Wednesday Ron and I made a trip to Williamsport to the Susquehanna Health Medical Center to see the thoracic surgeon in the cardiac department that Ron was referred to by his orthopedic surgeon regarding the issues with his disconnected collarbone. What a busy place it seemed to be! The huge parking lot was packed – we entered on the East Entrance of the hospital (on Rural Ave.) and were able to find the office we needed rather quickly. After filling out all the necessary initial paperwork we sat in the waiting room and did a word-search together, and all of sudden heard “beep-beep-beep”. Looking out the door we saw an unmanned cart, a robotic contraption that was going down the hall after being programmed to travel to another location with whatever data was contained in its files and/or drawers. My, how things have changed, but it was a good feeling knowing that the facility was very much state of the art and that Ron was in good hands. We have always been impressed with this hospital, its doctors and nurses as well as its care and service and this was no exception. Although we did not get any definite treatment or cure for this dilemma, Dr. Lazar was going to make contact with the Cleveland Institute to see what, if any, new treatment should be administrated. Surgery is out of the question. He may have to have steroid injections, time will tell. He associated it with a type of sports injury – quite rare, actually – and will follow up with us as soon as he hears anything supportive to our situation. As always, I’m asking for your continued prayers for the both of us. The unprecedented march in France in support of intellectual freedom and in honor of the murdered victims at the satirical publication Charlie Hebdo was a wonderful thing. The sight of many world leaders and millions of people marching in unison was an historic way of standing up for freedom and against barbarism. But there is a disappointing side as well, and that is this. The number of victims of Jihadi terrorism at the Charlie Hebdo attack was not even the highest number of victims of Islamic terrorism that day. Nearly thirty were killed in a bombing in Yemen, but there was no march in their honor. Almost two thousand were slaughtered by Boko Haram in a series of Nigerian villages at about the same time, but there was no march for those victims. The intellectual community rallied around the murdered writers and cartoonists, but not for the police recruits murdered in Yemen or the ordinary people butchered in Nigeria. Hardly a day goes by without some murderous attack by Jihadi terrorists somewhere in the world, most frequently in the Middle East, but in many other countries as well. We would like to think of Islam as “a religion of peace,” as President Obama assures us it is – but where are the protests against the murders of police recruits or African families? Why are such atrocities tolerated, or explained away or seen as justified in some way? There even are people who believe that the reason that Muslim militants commit acts of terror and murder is because of policies of the United States and western Europe. “We made them do it,” so the thought goes.
By Bill Bower We had guests over the holidays, and as the couple came in the door, I noticed a strong odor of garlic. It wasn’t too long before Mary Alice commented to me that the smell of garlic was making her ill. Not wanting to offend anyone, we didn’t say a word. Later, we found out that the man had eaten a garlic bagel that had not set well with his stomach.
The entire ancient world loved garlic, especially the Egyptians. Egyptian slaves were given a daily ration of garlic because it was believed garlic would increase strength and endurance and also ward off sickness. Garlic has been used as both a food and medicine for thousands of years, dating back to when the Egyptian pyramids were built. In early 18th-century France, gravediggers drank crushed garlic soaked in wine, believing it would protect them from the plague. During both World War I and II, soldiers were given garlic to prevent gangrene. It was also used as an antiseptic, which when applied to wounds supposedly prevented infection. Garlic was used as money, with fifteen pounds of garlic buying a healthy male slave. When Moses led the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt, they complained about not having the finer things in life, which included fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. By Jim Collins It is the typical January this year; cold and windy. Unless one spends a lot of time outdoors at this time of year, most folks are unaware that this is a live or die time for most wildlife, especially deer & turkeys.
Of course there are the hibernators and the birds that fly south in winter, like our human snow birds. There are still perilous times for those migraters. If I had to choose, I think hibernation would be my choice. Actually we humans tend to sleep longer during the short daylight hours of winter; many folks have problems with this time of year. The Chinook Sage Here are some year end statistics for the Year 1914:
The average life expectancy for men was 47 years. Fuel for a car was sold in drug stores only. Only 14 percent of homes had a bathtub. Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone. There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved roads. The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph. The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower. The average US wage in 1910 was 22 cents per hour. By Jim Lewis Can you imagine being a slave in 1863 and hearing that the president of the United States has issued an order for YOUR freedom? I can imagine that it brought feelings of both fear and uncertainty but also amazing excitement and hope! It is difficult for me to understand what it must have felt like. How about you? I do know that The Emancipation Proclamation was part of a hinge-point in American, and dare I say world history that opened the doors of freedom and opportunity for countless millions of people. How much has our world changed for the better as a result of it?
By Evangelist Eric Smith “However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” 1st Peter 4:16-17. After instructing that Christians should not suffer for wrong doing but expect the government will punish those who commit such crimes, Peter continues with suffering from being a Christian. Once again the “if” would be better translated “when” which tells you it will only be a matter of time until you suffer because the world is against Christianity. There are only three places where individuals, who have made Christ their Lord and Savior, are called Christians in the Scriptures and this is one of them. The other two are in the book of Acts. Other names were used for believers who were a part of the Church; disciples, brethren, saints and the Way are some of the names. Most of the names had been used before for God’s people. The name Christian is the fulfillment referred to in the Old Testament of a new name given by God.
Canton Fitness Center by Dawn Pepper At this point in life many people feel that they are too ill or old to start exercising. True, you probably shouldn’t jump into a high intensity exercise routine if you have been sedentary for years or if you have health issues, but you can and should exercise.
By Richard & Joyce Pratt We had a variety of weather this last week but what do we expect? Farm Show week is usually one of the coldest weeks of winter with temperatures well below zero. I remember several times when I was younger and could do it, getting ready to go to the Farm Show and it was 15 to 20˚ below zero.
Sincere sympathy is extended to Nancy Jennings and Cheryl Miller in the loss of their Aunt Ruth Wells. Also to Wes Perry in the loss of his mother. By Lois Ribovich Michele Reese, Gainesville, FL spent a week with her mother Florence Reese. Florence has been under the weather for a couple weeks. Get well soon.
The class of '56 met at the Midway this week with Jane and Ed Moore, Ben and Peggy Bulkley, Ann Griswold, Steve and Lois Ribovich. The class would like to invite the class of '55 to join us on February 10 at the Midway at noon. Since the snowbirds are away and so few attend each, we'd like to get together thru the winter months. If you want to, just come and enjoy conversation and lunch, see you there. Carole and Norm Hicks joined us for supper last week. They had been visiting Norm's mother in Canton. Remember the Book Swap Shop. We have new books coming everyday. We have lots of kids and teens books. We are open Tue., Thur., and Sat. 10-12. Stop in and say hello. All Free. Come on Spring. By Kathie Lepper There are snow flurries outside my window as I'm working on this column here on "The Ridge."I know many who want some real snow, not just flurries. I won't mention names, so I won't get them in trouble, but they know who they are. Some are here visiting from Florida.
Eric Smith gave me an item for last week which didn't make the column. He reported that he and Beverly had celebrated Christmas holidays with his brother-in-law and family. By Gordon Matson I guess one of the biggest news items this week is the fact that another grandson will tie the knot on August 15. I know she is a good cook and she said he is beginning to do as he is told so that sounds like a good match to me.
Since we have a new bridge we have had a school bus go down Sister Street twice a day. Said bus carries a great-granddaughter who delights in having her great GiGi and Grandpa wave at her on days we remember. Sometimes the bus driver "beeps" the horn a couple times which makes it even more fun. I have received a complaint from one resident who once in a while is awakened by the beep. I've looked at this problem from all sides and I will have to take the side of who gets the most pleasure out of this whole thing. It surely isn't the old guy who has to climb out of his broken-in and very comfortable recliner just to stick his head out in zero weather and wave at a bus. By Terren Smith Hi all.
I'm sick of this year already. So far I have been to three viewings or funerals. My cousin burned to death in Colorado and Randy's aunt passed away. Also we made a quick trip to North Carolina and now when we got home I heard that Tom Guthrie passed away. So that will make number four and it's only January 19th. By Lorelei Colton Don’t forget the free breakfast at the Alba Church on Saturday, January 31st, from 8 to 10. All are welcome.
Minnequa Grange’s regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 27th, at the Alba Church’s fellowship hall beginning at 6:30 PM – so we won’t have to start a wood fire at the grange hall. Please bring finger foods for refreshments. By Esther Butcher I think we’ve had enough of the cold weather. The whole nation has been one big accident on wheels. The roads have been terrible.
Saturday Jami, Cameron and Damon Park and Noah Thomas came to visit Grammy Cindy and they all had lunch from Vinnie's. Brian Crandell went and saw his mom, Tucker at Arnot Ogden hospital Saturday where she is a patient. Sharlene Colton’s son Michael and wife Lee, Shinglehouse, visited her one day last week. |
Local ColumnistsFind articles by date or topic through quick links below. Categories
All
Archives
March 2020
|