THE TWO-FACED ‘FROSTY MONTH’
The first month of the year is named after Janus, the two-faced Roman god of doorways. With one face he
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Author: Vince LaBarbera
OOOOHHH CHRISTMAS TREE!
“O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, how lovely are thy branches…” But when my wife and I hear those lyrics,
Read MoreMY APOLOGIES TO PRIVATE JOHNSON ON THIS UPCOMING VETERAN’S DAY
One of my most frightening experiences occurred when, as a new Army recruit, I was marched off for Basic Training.
Read MoreO WHAT A TANGLED WEB WE WEAVE…
…not only “when first we practice to deceive,” as Scottish Novelist and Poet Sir Walter Scott (1731-1832) said, but in
Read MoreIN GRADE SCHOOL, PEN WAS MIGHTY LIKE A SWORD & ALWAYS BUSY
The saying “The pen is mightier than the sword” was first written by novelist and playwright Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839,
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THOSE DELECTABLE COLLECTIBLES
Do you collect stuff, such as coins, comic books or even cars? When I was a youngster, I collected marbles
Read MoreA FEW FOURTH FUN FANTASTIC FACTS
It’s the most patriotic time of the year, which means it’s time to stock up on beer, hot dogs, fireworks
Read MoreSTOP THE WORLD, I WANT TO GET OFF
Perhaps you’ve heard of the musical making up the title. The 1962 show, set against a circus backdrop, focuses on
Read MoreSHOULDA WOULDA COULDA
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect the daily lives of us all, we may be asked to continue social
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THE WORK OF OUR HANDS
Look at your hands. What can you do with them? Maybe you’re adept at carpentry, quilting, playing a musical instrument,
Read MoreHOLY SMOKE
I lost a childhood friend on Jan. 13. His name was Allen Shepard. Many of you may have met him
Read MoreSHOULD 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
Read MoreCELEBRATE 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
Read MoreWHAT’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
Read MoreHEY, 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
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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
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CARDBOARD CAPERS
Some say Halloween is for children. But they haven’t met my friend, Rod King. You see, Rod is a cardboard
Read MoreIN 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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THE ‘UNOFFICIAL SAINT’
Most of us know our Nation observes the birthdays of Presidents George Washington (Feb. 22) and Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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