HOLY SMOKE
I lost a childhood friend on Jan. 13. His name was Allen Shepard. Many of you may have met him since he was the paint expert at Connolly’s Do It Best Hardware on South Calhoun Street. And if you did
Author: Vince LaBarbera
SHOULD WE ‘BEWARE OF THE IDES OF MARCH’?
The month of March contains some events which to look forward, namely, St. Patrick’s Day on the 17th for those who enjoy being “Irish” for a day and the first full day of spring — the Vernal
CELEBRATE THE SPECIAL, WACKY DAYS OF FEBRUARY
February is the third and last month of the meteorological winter in the Northern Hemisphere. And, even though there are 29 days in the month because of leap year, February is the only month of the
WHAT’S IN STORE FOR US IN 2020?
It’s hard to believe we’re living in the year 2020 (MMXX)! It’s a leap year in the Gregorian calendar containing 366 days with February 29 as the extra day. It’s also an Olympic year with summer
HEY, SANTA, WHAT’S IN YOUR SACK FOR US OLDER FOLKS?
When we’re young – that is, before retirement – there seems to be plenty of goodies in Santa’s bag to satisfy even the pickiest present person.
For youngsters and teens, it’s any gizmo that’s
IS THANKSGIVING BECOMING A LOST HOLIDAY?
The New-England Boy’s Song about Thanksgiving Day,” also known as “Over the River and Through the Wood,” is a Thanksgiving poem by Lydia Maria Child, originally published in 1844 in Flowers
CARDBOARD CAPERS
Some say Halloween is for children. But they haven’t met my friend, Rod King.
You see, Rod is a cardboard craftsman. He can fashion about anything out of cellulose fiber. He’s made tunnels, hills,
IN SEARCH OF AN OPENING SONG OR … SOMETHING
Many years ago, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to see a show in Las Vegas starring the late comedian George Burns. The only disappointment about his appearance was that it didn’t include his wonderful wife, Gracie Allen, who died
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PHONE ‘SILENCE IS GOLDEN’
“Silence is golden” is a proverbial saying often used in circumstances where it is thought that saying nothing is preferable to speaking. That proverb could apply today for many cell-phone users.
When
STRIKE UP THE … CAMERA?
As the college football season approaches I think how Band Alumni of Notre Dame (B.A.N.D.) are invited about every four years to participate in a band reunion at a football game.
It’s a wonderful experience
IT’S A MAD, MAD…WORLD
Way back in 1963 there was an American epic comedy film titled “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” starring Spencer Tracy about the madcap pursuit of $350,000 in stolen cash by a diverse and colorful
A DOG GONE (BUT) GOOD STORY
Some sad stories have a relatively happy ending. That’s sort of the case for Ralph Knuth of Waynedale. On March 27 he reluctantly had to say good-bye to his dog, Spirit, a 10-year old Labrador retriever
IT JUST AIN’T FAIR!
When I was in graduate school at Northwestern University near Chicago, I took a photography course. What a revolting development my final project turned out to be.
We’re talking a long time ago when
FELICICHIA TO BE ORDAINED TO SACRED ORDER OF DEACON IN MAY
Stephen Felicichia, the son of Robert and Joan Felicichia, of Waynedale, will be ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacon in the Catholic Church on Saturday, May 18, at 11:00 a.m., in the Cathedral of
PATRICK WAS A SAINT, BUT I AIN’T
Most folks generally know that St. Patrick is a saint of the Catholic Church, and that his feast day is observed on March 17 (the day he died). And many may have heard about what made him a saint in
THE ‘UNOFFICIAL SAINT’
Most of us know our Nation observes the birthdays of Presidents George Washington (Feb. 22) and Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12) this month on President’s Day (Feb. 20).
Some folks commemorate Groundhog Day
A CHILDHOOD’S JOY LAND
One of my favorite songs is “Toyland.” Even well past the Christmas season, I find myself humming its melody from time to time. Actually, “Toyland” is not really a Christmas carol at all, but
I DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!
Well, obviously I do want to talk about it, or I wouldn’t be writing this article. But I’m just going to tell it once here and then I don’t want to discuss it any further.
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As you may know, if you read the article I wrote last month, we moved – again! A
HATS OFF, BUT NOT TO ME!
We know we said we wouldn’t, our children said we shouldn’t and our friends said we couldn’t, but we moved again anyway! This was number 13 in nearly 52 years of marriage. That’s an average of four years living in each apartment or house, which
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THE MAGNIFICENT EIGHT
The name of this month, of course, is October. It comes from the Latin, “octo,” for “eight,” because in the Roman Calendar this was the eighth month. But in the Gregorian Calendar, which we use, this is the tenth month.
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When we discover someth
GOOD TO THE LAST DROP!
Every once in a while, a gem comes along via e-mail that is worth keeping and repeating. Here’s such a jewel titled: “A mayonnaise jar and two cups of coffee.”
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A professor stood before his philosophy class with some items in front of him. When c
MEETING A FAMOUS PERSON
Who’s the most famous person you’ve met?
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Maybe it was a Hollywood celebrity, movie star or Broadway headliner. Perhaps it was a recording artist, television entertainer or sports star. Whoever it was, we’ll wager you were thrilled with th
APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS
The month of April, traditionally a rainy period, gives way to May, when flowers will bloom because of the water provided to them by the April rains. The proverb, “March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers,” was first recorded in
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FORWARD, MARCH!
Welcome to the third month of the year already. The name comes from Martius, the first month of the earliest Roman calendar. It was named after Mars, the Roman god of war, who also was regarded as a guardian of agriculture. The Old Saxon name fo
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