Category Archives: Uncategorized

   A gentle rain was falling when the first car pulled up to my driveway. The shower kept my golf clubs tucked in the garage, but it opened a window for piemaking, something my posse of retirees hadn’t undertaken in five months.    We don’t go out to breakfast, complain about politics, go shopping, orContinue reading “Simple Simon never met with my humorous piemen”

     Jed Dukett of Tupper Lake will be glued to the TV set this week, watching Aaron Judge and his beloved New York Yankees duel the Toronto Blue Jays for a chance to reach the American League Championship Series.     The author of “Jacks: The Most Incredible Home Run Seasons in MLB History,’’ makes aContinue reading “Tupper Lake researcher identifies true HR king”

     The charge was issued on the way home from Reading, Pa.    “You’ll dance with your granddaughter, and you’ll dance with Katie in Ireland, but you won’t dance with me,’’ complained my editor of 41 years.    “That’s not true,’’ I countered.     “Oh, really,’’ Mary said. “You’re good at making up BS excuses.’’Continue reading “My wife laments the tune ‘Dancing With Myself’”

   Dinner had ended when Katie Holleran’s hero leaned in and asked if she’d like to sing “Danny Boy.’’        “Oh my God, yes, completely yes,’’ Katie responded feverishly.        John Dady’s lilting voice started.     “Oh Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling.’’      John was on key; Katie was off key butContinue reading “My daughter realized a dream when Irish eyes were crying”

    It’s hard to be so unhip.    I wonder if the world is passing me by or that I’m not in tune with this generation. Or maybe as a retiree I just don’t care.   But I’ve learned from my friend Jim that “of course’’ is supplanting the traditional “you’re welcome.’’    He wasContinue reading “I need a course in language of politeness, of course”

   In this age and political climate, you can’t imagine the U.S. president riding in an open-air motorcade through the streets of Ogdensburg with the Canadian prime minister, both waving to well-wishers and celebrating the cooperation between their nations.     But that’s what happened the last time a sitting U.S. president visited our border cityContinue reading “Imagine U.S. president, Canadian PM riding together in an open-air motorcade”

   This was a trip I hadn’t made since sixth grade – I’m guessing 1968 – but the first sight was surprisingly familiar. Pulling up to the Eisenhower Lock outside Massena, I immediately noticed the highway passing under the shipping lane.    That tunnel near Barnhart Island hasn’t changed since the St. Lawrence Seaway openedContinue reading “The lore of St. Lawrence Seaway is preserved at Eisenhower Lock”

   I’m certain we can find a 14-point addiction program or a support group for my editor of 41 years. We can’t drive down a busy street or suburban road without Mary imagining some treasure nestled within the junk people have left at the curb.   The minivan stops, the treasure goes in, the garageContinue reading “Becoming the poster child for 1-800-GOT-JUNK?”

    When you enter the Morristown Gateway Museum, the diorama depicting village life in the early 1900s will stun you. You’ll find homes and businesses recreated in precise detail. A marching band moves down Main Street. Railroad cars are poised along the waterfront as if they await the next shipment of Dr. Morse’s Indian RootContinue reading “Trades teacher became builder of museum miniatures”

   The edict came down from my personal editor of 41 years.    “It’s time to retire that line.’’    “You mean the one about going to the Coldplay concert?’’    “No, the one about marriage.’’      I protested: “But it’s one of my favorite punchlines.’’     “It’s old, it needs to go, andContinue reading “Coldplay wisecrack was first punchline to be retired”