The Palmerton Press Volume 43

This camera does not do very well under nighttime conditions.

This morning we went for our walk before 8 AM. My blood glucose is 138 and my weight 195. We went to Lehighton once again today. I got a replacement blade for the lawnmower. It did not cut very well. Last week the man asked me if I needed one but I said no. It has taken some pretty good bangs lately. After yesterday’s grass cutting I figured it needed changing. This time instead of trying to copy the model number I took a picture of it and printed it out.
Here is a clarification from Bob Green:

Bob,
That picture of the youngsters in class might have come from Frank Vlossak... it was his, but is "floating around" now.

It is some of our Class of 1958, taken when we were in 8th grade, as I recall him saying. One person that you might know/recall is Lew Held, who is in the back row, standing, far right. Frank MIGHT be in the last row, second from the left.

Bob Green

I am glad Bob sent the above e-mail to me. I wasn’t sure about it.

We plan on going back to the festival about 4 PM.

This from Frank Vlossak, the authority on that picture... the word on "that 8th grade science" photo.

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE !!
   That picture is from John Messerschmidt's 8th grade science class.
   He did that on his own for himself - any of the students had the opportunity to
   buy a copy.
   Frank

I just got this from Barbara Shepherd in Florida, We were wondering about her.

Date: 09/11/04 14:09:19
To: elliston@ptd.net Subject:
Re: The Palmerton Press
Hi, Bob,
Cheers from Heaven Help Us land. Actually we are apprehensive about Ivan.
This time we have our cat carriers ready, and if there is an evacuation order for our area
will all go to the Manatee High school which is several large brick buildings where pets are allowed.
In the counties directly to our north and east schools are already cancelled
for Monday and Tuesday; in Manatee and Sarasota we are in a wait and see mode.

I have become quite efficient at removing pictures from walls,
things from table tops and collecting stuff to take to a shelter.
It appears that we will have possible landfall Tuesday a.m.
Flooding is as much a danger as the winds.and the Manatee and Myakka rivers
are already above flood levels. Florida is as flat as a pancake, though we are on
a slight rise in our area, which has helped with water runoff.

Shep and Xiao Hong actually left on their cruise from Miami last weekend.
They boarded at 5 p.m. (there were six cruise ships in the harbor) had a lovely
dinner on board, and by 11p.m. had not left the port. They expected to, however,
during the night and actually did. They had a wonderful time,
came back to electricity which was restored as of yesterday, and mentioned again
how heartbreaking it was to see Punta Gordo's damage.

Since we have until Tuesday, I probably won't be back for a few days.
Did you see - Javier, the next hurricane, is out there.
Oi vey! Best, Barbara

We went down to the Festival for our second and last shot at the place. We got some more chances at the Pool Pal’s Chinese auction and then perused the main vendor’s tent. I found the man selling leather goods and got a new wallet or billfold. On Friday night we got some honey from a vendor who lives out on Stagecoach Road.

As usual we met a lot of people there we knew. Of course I took my camera and got a batch of pictures.

Among those we saw there were Lou Eckhart, LaRue Smith, Pauline Kaslick [a fellow telephone operator], the Reverend Doris Bray, Bill Bechtoldt his wife Jean, whose picture I took. However during the process I moved and I ruined it. <Sigh> Of course we saw Harry Brown, the avid Philly fan and real all around helper.

Harry Brown He is sort of general handyman and floorwalker
Lou

Lou Eckhart LaRue Smith LaRue Smith and Queen
benches full

The benches were all taken Queen and Pauline Kaslick
Rev Bray

The Rev. Doris Bray Some of the rides
tent1

Inside the big vendor’s tent
tent3

Queen The pool pals tent Inside the big vendor’s tent

and the sun catchers

sep

Sunday, September 12, 2004 7:05 AM 54 deg at LVIA and 55.9 in the bus stop
The blood glucose is 142 and the weight 195.
This morning I took my cup of 8 O’clock coffee up and sat in our “park bench” tent. I had installed both hearing aids. It was quiet up there with no serious outside noise. I was amazed and delighted at what I was hearing. I could hear chipmunks chattering, distant dogs barking, children talking across the street, airplanes off in the distance, a whole variety of sounds that I thought were gone forever. That part was wonderful but there is the big fly in the ointment. I both love and hate the damn things. In situations like the one described they are at their very best and wonderful. However in a crowd or in a noisy environment, they drive users nuts.

In my conversations with Dr Nicholson he said all of his patients who have them say pretty much the same thing. One of the things Bonnie, the young lady who sold and fitted it, told me “was use it and get used to it.” Well I have done that and now when it is necessary to remove it. I have a of very, very, profound hearing loss. I mean really deafness. As an example when I go to the pool it is obviously necessary to leave them at home. Even in a small group with Tommy, George Ashman, and Howard Cyr I have great difficulty. If the voice is of the proper timbre I have no problem understanding. Voices like Queen’s, Doctors Nicholson and Howard Cyr, cause me great difficulty. I am lying there cupping my ear. This becomes very frustrating and disgusting. <Cripes>

Yesterday at the festival Mrs. Kegal advised me that I should come to the Historical Society’s meetings because she thinks I could add to them and learn a lot from them. But my problem is that in a group like that it is frustrating and positively maddening for me to understand anything. I am by no means antisocial but it just isn’t worth the hassle. Even my loving wife gets tired of answering to “What? What did you say”. I realize that people get sick of answering a deaf old geezer. Besides after a time the deaf old geezer hesitates to ask very often because he sees the reaction and can‘t really follow the conversation. I know what they are thinking. There is nothing more aggravating than hearing, “Why don’t you get a new hearing aid?” As if $2000 dollars for this one isn’t enough! Oh I know others with far worse problems than I. Queen says I like to complain. <Sigh> By and large I am very glad to be alive and here now. I still bitch but I am not at all ungrateful!!

I am interspersing these pictures throughout this web page so they will not necessarily be in order of the day taken.

Yesterday Bill Bechtoldt was on the plate selling detail
St. Johns

This morning we went downtown to get some vitamins on sale at Rite-Aid. On the way I had to stop at Keystone’s ATM for some money. We walked a bit. We moseyed over into the park but nothing much was doing at that time. Then we went to the new C & C grocery store [Werleys] and got some nectarines. We then went on to Rite-Aid and home.

There is not much activity at 10AM Sunday Morning
park4

After we got home the boss declared that the upper garage and garden area was to be cleaned. She started it and I joined her a bit later. We trimmed back and pulled out those damn trumpet vines that grow everywhere. In addition the posts and supports that used to hold up pole beans when I grew them were dismantled. Due to the sun and heat not everything got cut up and bagged but almost all of it has been cut down.

Tonight for supper Queen had an Aldi rotisserie chicken, a baked potato each, a few green beans, some lima beans, fresh tomato, and cottage cheese. Queen had ice cream and I had coffee. Then we adjourned to the front porch.

sep

Monday, September 13, 2004 7:12 AM 57 deg at LVIA and 58.1 in the bus stop
The blood glucose was 127 and the weight 195. It is foggy and hazy this morning. I presume the trip to take back the park benches to PMPA is still on.

We did go for our morning walk before 8 am. Queen is starting breakfast as well as the wash. At least today’s washday is not the big one like last week.

I saw this in today’s e mail,

For a powerful, arterial health-boosting combo, pair up orange juice and oatmeal at breakfast.
Phenolic compounds in oats work synergistically with vitamin C to inhibit a key step in the formation of arterial plaques, research has revealed.
Stir vitamin C-rich fruits such as strawberries, cantaloupe, or papaya into your homemade oatmeal, or serve it with a side of orange juice, to help keep your arteries clear.
RealAge Benefit: Getting 1,200 milligrams of vitamin C per day from food and supplements can make your RealAge as much as 1 year younger.

Queen has this one covered well!!

It was nice sitting up in the “tent” this morning.

Larry Arner just called and the bench pickup is on. We meet at the borough park. At 9 am.

I went and got back home about 10:30 am. The pick up went well. Once again we had a great group of men on the job for this work.

Larry announced that if he didn’t go for fuel we would all be pushing the truck back to the pool. That meant an unscheduled trip to Lynn Hearn’s for diesel fuel.

Then it was back to work
bench 8

All of this went very well
bench 10

We got all of them all put under the shed
pool

After I got back to the house this morning Queen was almost finished with the wash and she decided we would finish cleaning up the upper garden area that we started yesterday. Well we did it before noon.
However the big perk for me was a swim this afternoon. It was well worth the work. The water was fantastic after my swim I enjoyed it very much.

Earlier while riding with Larry in the cab of the truck, I spoke with him at a bit at length. He likes what he is doing and he is good at it. He has things organized in such a way that things go as smoothly as possible in a job like his that has a lot of variables. He copes very well with them.

While we were loading and unloading the benches he looks out for us geezers. It is all right for Willard and I to put the benches on the trailer one at a time. When they were taken off he insisted the younger bucks do it. They took them off two at a time and he figured that was too much for us. Hey I appreciate it. I want to do my part but I am no kid anymore either. As it was,I almost fell getting off the back of the truck hence my further trips were in the cab. <Geez>. Willard has me beat age wise but Queen is older.

Larry spoke for a bit about some of the stuff that happens up there. I was on the PMPA board years ago and I well understand there is much more to running that place than one thinks.

Many of his stories are just amazing. He and Suzy are a good team. He also has a very good staff. I presume he knows it but Suzy is a gem.

Tonight for supper we dined in God’s restaurant once again. Queen made her spaghetti. I saved about half of mine for a lunch later in the week. Then we had ice cream up in the “tent” and I had coffee as well.

Tuesday, September 14, 2004 7:05 AM 61 deg at LVIA and 58.8 in the bus stop
The glucose level was 126 and the weight 195 this morning.
This morning in my e mail there was a message from Barbara Shepherd in Florida. She is practically our war correspondent. It follows:
To: elliston@ptd.net
Subject: Re: Hurricane Ivan
Hi Bob,
          Just a quick note to report on what you have already observed, Ivan is going
up to the Panhandle, and across the Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana beach
areas.  After bracing ourselves, stocking up, and of course being glued to
the weather reports, we along the West Coast heaved a huge collective sigh.
If the course remains as it appears, we will have surges at high tide, but
little else.  Mercifully, we will not have to endure the wind.  Someone up
there likes us.  Again, my heart aches for those who will be hit by this
monster storm.  A category 5 hurricane has sustained winds of 160 miles an
hour.  I can't imagine being in that.
         The next one is Jean.  Some announcer dubbed it Javier, and I picked up on
that.  Anyway, Jean does not appear to pose a threat to this area.

Thankfully, Barbara

It does look like she lucked out on this one!

She must have picked up 10 garbage bags of trash.

We want to go to Lehighton this morning.
<11:00AM> We were up and back. Queen wanted a few things as did I.

After we got back from Lehighton, I called the pool to see if they were open for a swim. They were in the process of distributing the prizes folks won in the Chinese auction. Larry said come ahead. So in spite of the chilly air temperature of 66 degrees and no sunshine I swam my full 20 laps. The water was still in the 70’s and I was quite comfortable. Queen thought I was nuts. So what else is new?

Well, this is new!!
I just saw this on the Drudge report!!

KERRY POLL RANK LOWER THAN DUKAKIS, JESSE JACKSON, MARTHA STEWART, PUTIN

Tue Sep 14 2004 12:06:00 ET

In last week's WASHINGTONPOSTWABCNEWS Poll, John F. Kerry was viewed favorably by 36 percent of registered voters, down 18 points over the past six months.

But just how low Kerry's standing has fallen cannot be appreciated fully without comparing his standing with that of other household names in GALLUP polls over the years, the POST's Dana Milbank reported on Tuesday.

Kerry finds himself in a dead heat with Martha Stewart and Joseph McCarthy, and behind Herbert Hoover -- although he narrowly beats O.J. Simpson.

Michael Jordan: 83 (2000)

Tony Blair: 76 (2003)

Pope John Paul II: 73 (2003)

Democratic Party: 54 (2004)

John Ashcroft: 49 (2003)

Michael Dukakis: 47 (1988)

Prince Charles: 45 (2003)Herbert Hoover: 43 (1944)

Jesse Jackson: 38 (2003)

Vladimir Putin: 38 (2003)

John Kerry: 36 (2004)

Martha Stewart: 36 (2004)

Joseph McCarthy: 35 (1954)

END
Tonight for supper Queen had chicken tenders, noodles, and cauliflower, left over lima beans, cottage cheese and a big fresh tomato. Then a cup of coffee was plenty for me.

Wednesday, September 15, 2004 7:19 AM 57 deg at LVIA and 56.1 in the bus stop
This morning the blood glucose is 118 and my weight 195.It looks like a very nice day this morning but it is not supposed to last.

As I sat up in the park bench tent, I was chagrined to notice that the sun peaking through the maple tree is now showing me it’s early morning rays just over our front porch roof. From that vantage point it is about 35 degrees further south than the beginning of summer. <Sigh>

Butternut got Queen up early so we had an early breakfast. Now at 8:35 AM we shall be going for our walk shortly.

It certainly appeared to us as though folks were having a great time.

I said I would intersperse pictures from the festival all through this web page and here are some of them.

There is was a lot of work that goes into the planning and execution of those plans that make it work at all. Suzy Arner and Jane Straup, two of the festival’s prime movers, can be justly proud of their efforts. It's success is no fluke. A lot of planning and hard work was necessary for the whole thing to succeed. Suzy was quoted as saying that many of the charitable organizations that participate in it depend upon the festival for their prime income for the year. Apparently they are able to meet their goals though their business that they do here.

At 9:14 AM we are back from our walk. It went harder this morning. Here is an interesting site for those of you who like words and what one can do with them.

http://www.wordsmith.org/anagram/index.html

We will be heading downtown as soon as the mailman arrives. We were down and got some produce at the new grocery this morning. Then we stopped at IGA and the TN office and saw the folks there for a moment.

When we got home I called PMPA to see if I could get my swim. I got the go ahead from Larry and went up about 11 am. They are still awaiting winners of the Chinese auction to pick up their prizes. I noticed that at the entrance to the pool just off 3rd Street they put a large sign directing folks in the right direction to find the pool office.

I saw in the paper that Suzy is being honored by the Chamber of Commerce for her community service work. This is a direct quote from Joel Kern’s article in today’s Times News.

“Palmerton CC downtown improvement plans updated
By JOEL KERN
Yesterday was an eventful day for the Palmerton Area Chamber of Commerce.During the chamber's monthly luncheon meeting,
which was held at the Parkside Inn, those members in attendance were provided with both an update on the streetscape
improvement project proposed for Delaware Avenue and an advance glimpse of the chamber's choice for the 2004 business leader and citizen of the year

Chamber president Peter Kern informed those members in attendance at yesterday's meeting that the chamber's choice for business leader of the year is Raymond Tuthill
and that Susan Arner was the chamber's choice for citizen of the year

."This year we have two people who are equally well-known in the community and who have earned this award through many years of service in the Palmerton area," Kern said.
Tuthill is the owner of Blue Mountain Ski Area and a current member of the Palmerton Area School District's Board of Directors. Arner has chaired the Palmerton Community Festival
committee for the past 10 years and has coordinated the borough's annual Halloween parade for the past 13 years.

"Ray Tuthill clearly reflects the true spirit and the mission of the Palmerton Area Chamber of Commerce," Kern said.
"Sue has benefited the community through her personal example."

The two will be officially honored on Oct. 20 at the chamber's annual dinner meeting.

The meeting will be held at the Blue Ridge Country Club, 2230 Fireline Road, and will begin with a social hour at 6 p.m.
Dinner will be served at 7 p.m., followed by a ceremony honoring Tuthill and Arner.”

I saw her as I was leaving the pool after my swim and congratulated her with a big hug. She deserves the award very much. People like her need to be honored because the satisfaction of a job well done, far exceeds any financial remuneration.
Today had to be one of the best swims of the year for me. The swim was smooth as it could possibly be and so enjoyable. The sun was out and I could lie in the sun and take the chill off of me afterwards as I gazed up at the blue-sky and puffy clouds. It doesn’t get much better than that! I certainly thank the good lord for permitting me this great luxury. I suspect one has to be an avid swimmer to fully understand my feelings but I know there are several of my readers who feel much as I do about swimming at PMPA.

Now this is from Sharon Minnich. She is a gal with her head on straight!!

"A house becomes a home when you can write 'I love you' on the furniture.".
I can't tell you how many countless hours that I have spent CLEANING! .....I used to spend at least 8 hours every weekend making sure things were just perfect -- "in case someone came over." T
hen I.realized one day that no-one came over; they were all out living life and having fun! Now, when people visit, I find no need to explain the "condition" of my home.
They are more interested in hearing about the things I've been doing while I was away living life and having fun.
If you haven't figured this out yet, please heed this advice. Life is short. Enjoy it!
Dust if you must, but wouldn't it be better to paint a picture or write a letter, bake a cake or
plant a seed, ponder the difference between want and need? Dust if you must, but there's not much time,
with rivers to swim and Mountains to climb, music to hear and books to read, friends to cherish and life to lead.
Dust if you must, but the world's out there with the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair, a flutter of snow, a shower of rain.
This day will not come around again.
Dust if you must, but bear in mind, old age will come and it's not kind.
And when you go -- and go you must -- you, yourself will make more dust!

Share this with all the wonderful people in your life!
I JUST DID.
It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have live
My favorite slogan has always been - You may touch the dust, but please don't write in it.

Tonight for supper Queen had a two small steaks that we got on sale this morning at IGA. In addition she had stewed potatoes with onion, fresh green beans, a tomato from our garden, cottage cheese and sherbet/ice cream for dessert. A cup of coffee up in the tent finished the meal. It was excellent. I just got this from Russ Howell in Texas.

Subject: This is a Test This is based on U.S. and Canadian information so use both sides of your
brain. There are 27 questions about things we see every day or have known about
all our lives. How many can you get right? These simple questions are
harder than you think-- it just shows you how little we pay attention to
the commonplace things of life. Put your thinking caps on. No cheating!
No looking around! No getting out of your chair! No using anything on or
in your desk or computer! Write down your answers and check answers (on the bottom) after
completing all the questions.

1. On a standard traffic light, is the green on the top or bottom?
2. How many states are there? (Don't laugh, some people don't know)
3. In which hand is the Statue of Liberty's torch?
4. What six colors are on the classic Campbell's soup label?
5. What two numbers on the telephone dial don't have letters by them?
6. When you walk does your left arm swing with your right or left leg?
7. How many matches are in a standard pack?
8. On the United States flag is the top stripe red or white?
9. What is the lowest number on the FM dial?
10. Which way does water go down the drain, counter or clockwise?
11. Which way does a "no smoking" sign's slash run?
12. How many channels on a VHF TV dial?
13. On which side of a women's blouse are the buttons?
14. Which way do fans rotate?
15. What is on the back of a Canadian dime?
16. How many sides does a stop sign have?
17. Do books have even-numbered pages on the right or left side?
18. How many lug nuts are on a standard car wheel?
19. How many sides are there on a standard pencil?
20. Sleepy, Happy, Sneezy, Grumpy, Dopey, Doc. Who's missing?
21. How many hot dog buns are in a standard package?
22. On which playing card is the card maker's trademark?
23. On which side of a Venetian blind is the cord that adjusts the opening between the slats?
24. On the back of a Canadian $1 coin, what is in the center?
25. There are 12 buttons on a touch tone phone. What 2 symbols bear no digits?
26. How many curves are there in the standard paper clip?
27. Does a merry-go-round turn counter or clockwise?

**********************************************************
Don't look at answers below until you complete all the questions.

1. Bottom
2. 50 (please tell me you got this one!)
3. Right
4. Blue, red, white, yellow, black, &gold
5. 1, 0
6. Right
7. 20
8. Red
9. 88
10. Clockwise (north of the equator)
11. Towards bottom right
12. 12 (no #1)
13. Left
14. Clockwise as you look at it
15. The Bluenose
16. 8
17. Left
18. 5
19. 6
20. Bashful
21. 8
22. Ace of spades
23. Left
24. Loon
25. *, #
26. 3
27. Counter
(The average number right is 7!)

This evening Queen is going to make her Miller bloodmobile calls and I shall have to dry the dishes. She finished that and reported back to George Ashman her results.
One of her regular callers are the Herb Henrys. They always have a great time when she calls. They are nice folks.

sep

Thursday, September 16, 2004 7:14 AM 66 deg at LVIA and 66 deg in the bus stop.

This morning the glucose level is 123 and my weight 196. It must have rained last light because everything is wet outside this morning. Although things were dry up in the tent as I sat with my coffee.

This morning we plan to do our shopping before the weather goes to pot. The weather folks are still undecided how much of the remnants of Ivan we will receive. I have not given up hope for another swim.

Our shopping trip went well. It wasn’t crowded and the stores well stocked. I had to mail a package at the Post Office and then it was on to Aldi’s, Giant, back to Spillane’s, Country Harvest, and last I went in to Rite-Aid to get my prescription that Queen called in the other day. I was told that the computerized system that does that job was down and I would have to call the store direct. So it will be Saturday until I can get it. Sheez!!

The park is pretty well cleaned out with only a few display places still there.

The Historical Societies Covered Bridge was still there without the signs!

After we got home I called PMPA and went for my 20 lap swim. I suspect that Larry thinks I am nuts. I do know that Queen already does. It went very well. No rest needed. The water wasn’t too cold however the lack of sunshine made it a less than a sterling day for a swim.

As I left Suzy was still there also. I explained to them that these swims are for me like money in the health bank. They are my favorite form of exercise and I realize that they are coming to an end. Believe me I will need it this winter. She smiled but still I think she thought I was crazy. Our neighbor Mike brought over some more of his excellent corn and he too, inferred that I should be institutionalized! Hell they couldn’t afford to feed me! Ha!

Tonight for supper we had an ear of his corn each, a few “Freedom Fries”, Queen’s cole slaw, boneless salmon steaks, fresh tomatoes low fat cottage cheese and as a special request Queen made some brownies with raisins in them. They were excellent but did not contain enough raisins!! Hey they are good but she said next time make them yourself. I intend to do so!!

sep
Friday, September 17, 2004 7:01 AM 55 deg at LVIA and 63.5 in the bus stop

It looks like we are in for the rain from Ivan. It has been raining off and on for a good part of the morning. This morning the blood glucose was 124 and the weight 195. Both are staying in the good range I am sure because I am still swimming my 1/3 of a mile every day. I suspect that will be stopping very soon. I wish I could find a good alternative to swimming. The damn "Ironworks" is nothing but plain hard work and no fun at all. Yesterday to add insult to injury a brochure came in the mail from Endless Pools!! Sheez!!!

This morning I go to Dr. Nicholson’s office for my nurse check up. Then I think I shall go to the Miller bloodmobile and give them a pint of good stuff. Besides I get a free Cholesterol screening as well as a liver function test result.

<9:52 AM> I just got back from the Dr’s office and the report was good even if I did gain a fraction of a pound. <sigh> I showed Nurse Judy my blood glucose and weight chart. I have on it what we eat at night. She was pleased with it and said she thinks she would like to eat here also!!

Soon I will leave for the bloodmobile. I have to go to the bank as well as County Harvest.

<12:22 PM> I am back from the Miller Bloodmobile. It went very well. A young lady by the name of Stacy drew the blood and another young lady named Jean finished the process. Perma Snyder and Shirley Neff were assisting the nurses drawing the blood. Shirley was right there when the nurse needed something.

Jean Bechtoldt and Marylyn Ord were busy at the canteen and everyone was very nice and helpful to all of us donors. I had an egg salad sandwich, a ham salad sandwich, some cookies. pretzels and a coke. I guess you could say I had my lunch there! Ha!!

We must sit there for 10 minutes before we are allowed to leave. The man sitting across from me at the canteen is the man who drove the truck when the new house near us was delivered the other week. I didn’t realize that it was him but he seemed happy to hear the compliment that whoever it was who drove the truck was damn good!!

flower
This was seen growing in the park flowerbed

Well it is Friday afternoon and it is about time to print this and send it to the proofreader, spellchecker, and general all around good kid Queen.

Please love one another, Mom and Bob [Queen and Bobby]

Everything is funny," said Will Rogers, "as long as it is happening to someone else

Imagination is more important than knowledge...
Albert Einstein

Love is blind -- marriage is the eye-opener.
Pauline Thomason

Men have become the tools of their tools.
Henry David Thoreau

On Friday night and then on Saturday in his green shirt