November 26th, 2007
Posted by Ellen Lyn at 8:45 am in Events | No Comments
As far as interior and exterior decorating goes, we are at an odd seasonal time. Not quite winter, but getting colder, still not yet cold enough for the snow to have stuck around. It’s after Thanksgiving, but not yet December. I didn’t want to put away the autumn decorations. I love looking at them. I think they look warm in their deep, rich shades of brown, orange and gold. The cornucopia on the dining room table has that peaceful kind of harvest feel that I’m not ready to give up just yet.
But, living here in the Northeast, you gotta do what you gotta do when it comes to the yard. There are only a few weekends to get the outside Christmas lights set up. If a weekend comes along where the temperature hovers in the mid-40’s and it isn’t raining, you almost have to set up the outside Christmas decorations, if you do that sort of thing. The Sunday after Thanksgiving was that sort of day. It bothered me this year to be stringing the lights at the same time my neighbor was raking his leaves. While I was setting up the spotlight, my husband was cutting the grass. It just felt all wrong, but I did it anyway so now it’s done.
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November 20th, 2007
Posted by Ellen Lyn at 4:01 pm in Events | No Comments
I vividly remember singing that song as a child on the way to my grandparent’s house for Thanksgiving dinner every year. I probably sang it over and over for the duration of the drive from West Nanticoke to Chase as we back-tracked the path of Harvey’s Creek. This singing probably drove my parents crazy. Maybe not.
Now I find that I’ve assumed role of hostess held by my dear grandmother who died almost 20 years ago. This year, I am especially fortunate to be setting a table (three, actually) for nineteen people! I think she’d be proud to know the role fell to me. I could never, ever be as gracious of a hostess as she was. In my mind’s eye, she was perfect.
Of all the holidays, I think I might like this one the most. It’s the grace for the gathering itself that is the focus. Not fireworks, or noisemakers or costumes. It’s a relief to be able to spend time with family and friends without any of the stresses of other holidays. I know lots of people living here who spend the day volunteering for the local churches and shelters. It’s a day for reaching out without any hustle or bustle.
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November 15th, 2007
Posted by Ellen Lyn at 8:26 am in Events | No Comments
Just when I think that people might have forgotten, I am pleasantly reminded that the public is keenly aware of the sacrifices made by those who so willingly served their country. Veterans Day has been set aside as a holiday on both the state and federal level in our country. The date was assigned because on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, World War I hostilities ended with the signing of the Armistice at this very time.
The Kingston/Wilkes-Barre Parade every year is one I enjoy watching for many reasons. First and foremost, I choke up every single time the soldiers of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines walk past. I look up and down the lines at young men and women, not old enough to legally consume alcohol, and marvel at their willingness to put their lives on the line to perform a duty for their country. Regardless of your party affiliation, you must agree that the hearts and souls of these brave young folks are a special kind of extraordinary.
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November 9th, 2007
Posted by Ellen Lyn at 8:59 am in Events | No Comments
Almost everyone living here has enjoyed the lovely, long stretch of warm weather that launched this autumn. Until two weeks ago, I hadn’t really thought of summer as “over”. But last week, it hit me. I finally cut down the last of the flower beds and brought the outside chairs inside. It’s bittersweet. I’m sad to see summer go, but enjoy the autumn and the romance of winter. People who live in the south miss all this.
I really hadn’t given much thought to the “closet shift” but Pennsylvanians know the wool eventually needs to “come out of the closet”. I just took my flip flops away from the front door (where they have been worn and cast off repeatedly for the past six months) and put them with the other summer clothes that haven’t made their way to the back of the closet yet. I think this might be the latest I have ever waited to do this chore. I don’t remember having any summer things “front and center” at Halloween. Nevertheless, the task is not done.
Candidly, I hate this chore. It’s a pain in the neck. After all, I’m juggling three wardrobe sizes now. I’m not naming any numbers, mind you, but my “bottom” is a different size than my “top” and I have a complete “lower size” group of clothing (that I’m sure I’m going to be fitting into any day now). While I’m in the middle of a season, I can gloss over the reality of this, but the truth stares me down when it’s time for the seasonal shift. I think the “size issue” is why I hate the chore. My dad says he knows what make clothes not fit right anymore. It’s the dark that makes them shrink. Nice, Dad.
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October 31st, 2007
Posted by Ellen Lyn at 3:35 pm in Events | No Comments
Fall is my favorite season in Northeastern Pennsylvania. I get anxious every year to see the leaves turn. This year has been especially wonderful. We have had so many clear days that we’ve been able to observe the gradual shift from green, yellow, orange, and red against the blue sky. Luzerne County is in its peak as I write this. The southern counties of Pennsylvania will peak this weekend.
Pennsylvania has so many scenic routes to take to enjoy the leaves. My personal favorites include Route 118 from Dallas to Williamsport, Route 115 through Bear Creek to the Poconos and Suscon Road in Pittston. (As a total aside, anyone living here knows to honk your horn near the bridge to hear the “screamer” - Happy Halloween!)
There are tour books and entire websites devoted to the scenic drives that you can take in Pennsylvania to enjoy the color. Some excellent choices “Wild & Scenic Pennsylvania”, “Pennsylvania Overlooks: A Guide for Sightseers and Outdoor People”, and “Back Roads of Pennsylvania” are some excellent choices.
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October 23rd, 2007
Posted by Ellen Lyn at 8:36 am in Landmarks | Comment (1)
The Luzerne County Historical Society is offering some cultivated ways to enjoy the theme of the season with a bit of education and local yore. Anyone can go to the dozens of “haunted house” and “horror hall” tours that have popped up everywhere. One can only see so much blood and gore. So if you wish to escape this mindlessness, call the Historical Society. There are two tours being offered: one is a downtown walking tour (which we did last year) and another is the Hollenback Cemetery Tour. Through word-of-mouth, we were told it’s not to be missed. So, we made our advance reservations for Sunday, October 21 and took the 1:00 tour. Even though the North End fire raged across the street, there was a full group ready to hear about this local landmark.
According to the Historical Society’s narrative, the Hollenback Cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in Northeast Pennsylvania, opening in 1855 and containing the remains of over 16,000 individuals in 25 acres. During the two-hour tour, we learned about the history of some of the founding and prominent families of the Wyoming Valley. We passed elaborate mausoleums and gravestones that “decorate” the cemetery.
The cemetery is endowed by the Hollenback Cemetery Association and the site is kept in immaculate condition and should not be confused with the cemetery next to it, the Wilkes-Barre City Cemetery. Sadly, it is no where near as meticulously maintained.
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October 19th, 2007
Posted by Ellen Lyn at 7:12 am in Landmarks | No Comments
This structure in Forty Fort has been standing for 200 years. In all my years living here, I must have passed it thousands of times. I even lived in Forty Fort for a while. As much as it embarrasses me to admit this: I never thought to check its hours or find out anything about it.
I noticed the press buzzing about this building in the summer. I learned that the building was to get a new, more secure foundation. The stones that held the building so firm for 200 years were being sold for $25 each as a clever fundraising idea. So I drove myself to the little house at the entrance to the cemetery and bought one. It is now sitting right in my garden (next to a Sterling Hotel brick).
I was surprised to learn about the history of the building. The early settlers in our region had lots to worry about: Indians, Yankee-Pennamite Wars, the American Revolution and the land disputes between Connecticut (Yes, Connecticut. I know. It’s a long story. If you haven’t lived here long you may not know it. I’ll tell it another time.) But they wanted a place to worship, other than some old, smelly fort. In the year 1806, Joseph Hitchcock (of Connecticut) laid out and framed the building in the New England style, uncommon to this area (but not Connecticut). Construction was completed in 1807.
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September 28th, 2007
Posted by Ellen Lyn at 5:46 am in Landmarks | No Comments
Did you know about this? Never in a million years would this have hit my radar. It’s the third in a series of computer games developed by Bungee, it’s also a series of books and rumored to become a movie.
I’ll try to describe the game as it was described to me: it’s a first-person shooter game exclusively for Xbox 360 (Microsoft). The “Halo” itself is some type of ring, about the size of a celestial body. The setting of the game is in the future, year 2552, with all kinds of military-ish fighting on the side of humanity against bad “things”. This guy, Master Chief (Spartan 117 - think “300″), is like the Chuck Norris of the day (only bigger than Chuck Norris, if you can believe that). Anyway, bad “things” like The Flood, the Covenant and Bruts need fighting. The Elites are allies. Gamers team up on a Red or Blue Team and, well, this is where I glazed over. They set up skirmishes, beat up banshees and drive warthogs. Sorry, but that’s all I got.
So, this new game, Halo 3 was released on September 25 to, uh, “finish the fight”. On the eve of, I spent the most interesting Monday night with my 16 year old son, at the Wyoming Valley Mall in Wilkes-Barre. In all my years living here, I have never been inside the mall after it closed, certainly never on a Monday night! I was not alone, nope, not in the least. I was among 200 humans (184 males, maybe 10 chicks and 3 moms and 3 dads) in a line to purchase Halo 3 at midnight (actually 12:05 am on 9/25/07).
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September 24th, 2007
Posted by Ellen Lyn at 1:26 pm in Landmarks | No Comments
I happened to spy an article in the Citizens Voice on Saturday morning regarding Luzerne’s 12th Annual Fall Festival. I don’t even know how I missed the eleven festivals they had before this, but hope I’m forgiven. I just love Luzerne’s downtown so I packed my wallet and took the five-minute drive.
What a lovely, pleasant surprise! Main Street was open to foot traffic only and parking was easy (and free). Luzerne perfectly captured the atmosphere of a festival. In addition to the colorful displays of the merchants and vendors, a horse-drawn carriage was prancing up and down the street giving wagon rides to the pleasure of the children passengers. I saw clowns, a petting zoo, food stands, face painting and balloons and streamers. I felt like I slipped back in time and was enjoying a good old fashioned street fair!
This was clearly-well organized. A kick-off parade began at noon. Luzerne’s Mayor James Keller provided opening remarks. Our State Representative Phyllis Mundy also attended (man, she’s terrific). There was also a presentation by the Boy Scouts as well as a presentation of a centennial plaque.
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September 17th, 2007
Posted by Ellen Lyn at 6:42 am in Landmarks, Sports | No Comments
Mark Twain said that.
I have only golfed four times in my life. My first time was during a drought. Everything was brown because watering was restricted. I didn’t like it. The second time was in a downpour. It started raining at the third hole and I was delighted because I was already bored anyway and was glad to advance directly to that 19th hole, but nobody even left the course! I felt stupid staying out there - getting soaked in the rain. I decided I really didn’t like it.
The last two times I golfed, though, is the way to go: captain & crew. The best ball shot in the foursome is the one used to move forward, so the game goes quicker and it tends to take the pressure off performance a little. This weekend, I was in a fundraising tournament. Here’s how I did: only one of my balls was used. It is both humbling and humiliating at the same time.
Applewood is course where the tournament was held. It is a lovely but hilly course in the back mountains of Pittston. Well-pruned apple trees are scattered throughout the course and each hole is named after an apple variety. (Even the restrooms stick with the theme: named “Adam” for the men and “Eve” for the women. Cute.) My friend (The Ringer) golfs in a weekly league on this course. She said that golfers pick the apples and eat them as they go through the course. Deer, too, are seen on the course eating right from the trees. We actually saw one and she was in no hurry to leave.
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