Is It Radio? No It is PA Live!!!!!!

Yesterday was my big day on live TV, a chance to cook on WBRE 28 (NBC) live variety show called PA Live.  I submitted a recipe received from a friend that was a very healthy version of turkey chilli.  I asked my good friend and fellow umpire Joe Bordell pictured above to accompany me on the trip to Wilkes-Barre.

Doing any kind of live show can be fun, but many times something can go wrong.  Through my years of working in radio, I lived by my 10 commandments.  Get there early and be prepared.  I repeat these commandments 5 times each for 10. 

Joe and I arrived at 3 pm and were led to the set by an intern from the the University of Scranton who looked no older than 16.  We got a quick wave from our hosts, Dave and Monica.  They looked a little busy to chit-chat and I thought it would be better to get prepared for the show.

We walked out onto the set and were showed where the cooking would be done.  The kitchen was modern and first class.  I got to talk to production staff that would help get the show on the air and through an hour without a glitch.  Many shared the same radio background as I.  We laughed about some of the things that go wrong technically but you manage somehow to get through. They also loved my jersey of the most famous high school player in America, Polk High's Al Bundy.

Cooking sometimes can be a chore, but working with a little timer in your head can be a little stressful.  My main objectives were to finish the meal by shows end, make sure preparations was done accordingly, and finally have the staff enjoy some healthy chilli.

Dave Kuharchik and Monica Madeja are great hosts.  I hope the show does take off and becomes an afternoon staple.  After a quarter century of the same talk, unreality based TV it is nice to find some variety going back to an earlier time.  Lost in my cooking, I didn't get to appreciate the work of singer Phil Mentor and the show on based on cultural diversity.

Here is a link to some of the video.

4 for the Price of 1?

Check this editorial by the Daily-Item.

Watch so you don't get trampled by the herd.

So Long Joe

Funeral services for Joseph Vincent Paterno will be held this afternoon.  Here is an article by Bob McKinnon who had dealing with the Paterno family outside of football.

Godspeed Joe.

Joseph Vincent Paterno, 1926 - 2012

There are two guarantees in life, death and taxes. In Pennsylvania, you could say we may have had three.  For most of us for the past 60 years, it was death, taxes, and Joseph Vincent Paterno.  Today, Joseph Vincent Paterno left this world at the age of 85.  His death was prematurely reported as early as 8:15 pm eastern time last night.

Besides the Los Angeles Dodgers and Greg Maresca, Brooklyn's most famous export set up residence in the middle of farm country in central Pennsylvania.  Over the next 60 years, Paterno through his leadership with the football program helped transform a agriculture, land-grant university into something of envy throughout the nation and the world.

Joe Paterno's football teams won on and off the field.  His players became doctors, lawyers, teachers, Hall of Fame football players, composers and who touched many people in every walk of life.  I would venture to say, 90 percent of any incoming freshman class were influenced in attending the university for what leadership they saw on and off the football field and the history behind it.

There are still some unresolved issues that will be written about the final legacy of JoePa.  Out of respect for the respose of the soul of JoePa and his family I will only offer my sympathy and prayers.

TO THE FANS

For the millions of fans of Joe Paterno and PSU football, Saturday afternoons will never be the same.  You have the last of an iconic college football coach who became the symbol of a state and a university.  Take pride in the fact that you also helped build PSU for what it has become today and it's influence around the world.  Time will heal and a time will come to honor JoePa.

TO THE ALUMNI

There are probably not many alumni who know PSU withough Joe Paterno. JoePa provided you with an example of leadership that you should continue in any endeavor you have chosen.  It is still a path if chosen to follow will provide you with rewards in the end.


TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

In the upcoming months there will be a trial.  There will be a time to come clean.  Remember, power and greed trips you up everytime.

TO THE PATERNO FAMILY

Grieve the loss of a husband, father, and grandfather.  Eventually time will heal.  Hopefully, the family will be able to find a new purpose in life beyond football.  Maybe on the horizon valuable influence could be spread among, cancer, child abuse and early childhood education.  These are problems the state and the country faces as our lives move forward.

God Bless the Paterno family, you will be in our prayers.

Edward Washuta

Etta James 1938-2012

This past Friday, legendary singer Etta James left this world.  Up until May of 2011, I really wasn't much of a blues or jazz fan.  By coincidence, I happened to go to a local blues festival with other artists where I met up with some old friends. 

Although a life filled with torment, James crossed over many musical boundaries.  In only to really getting to know her 9 months before her death, I would say the James was a true original.  I am glad through friends I got to learn and appreciate the talent that we may never see again.  In the above video, James sings Sunday Kind of Love. 

Turkey Chilli

I recently entered a Turkey Chilli recipe on the PAHomepage contest for the Super Bowl.  I could sure use the influence of Harold Jenkins and Michelle Hryvnak Davies.  I see my fellow bloggers on the show from time to time.

Calling all bloggers!!!!

Where Harper Was Found

This video takes a little close look at the area where the pit bull now affectionately called "Harper" was found.  Although a little out of the way, the area is easily accessed. 

Looking closely though, all that damage would not have been done to the pup if it simply rolled 20 feet down the hill.

PSU Hires O'Brien

In an event most of us haven't seen in our lifetime, Penn State has hired a new head football coach permanently replacing Joe Paterno.  Bill O'Brien at age 42 and also a Brown University graduate was named to the top job.

Some took the board's decision as good and some bad.  Many fans are torn between wins and losses and restoring integrity to the fabled program.  There are hurts on all levels for fans.  They are still hurting about the treatment Paterno received in being removed from the job.   They are also hurting about the way interim head coach Tom Bradley was treated by the board.

What fans have to understand is when the PA AG released it's findings in it's grand jury report and subsequent indictments the landscape of college football and the Penn State program was changed forever. Joe Paterno was the last man standing in an era of coaches like Bobby Bowden, Bear Bryant, Eddie Robinson and Woody Hayes.  Coaches who put their stamp on a program and that have become revered state symbols. There is only one chance in the world to do what Joe Paterno had done.  Any successor no matter under what circumstances they were hired are caretakers of what Paterno built.

There are some positives out of this hire and you may or may not agree:

 - O'Brien has little ties to the program and is good right now.

 - Larry Johnson is staying.

 - Other assistant coaches may have the same opportunity.

 - O'Brien isn't afraid to light someone up, check the video of the discussion with Mr. Brady.

 - State College is still a good place to raise a family and be an assistant coach.  O'Brien should be able to attract quality assistants.

- PSU fans have long been moaning and groaning about offense and pretty much the lack of quality over the past quarter century at the quarterback position with exception of a few.

-Although there is an active NCAA investigation going on, PSU still has their full compliment scholarships.  Winning in 2012 is not out of the realm of possibilities.

Good luck in 2012.

PSU National Champs......25 Years Ago Today!!!!!

With most of Northeast PA digging out from over a foot and half of snow, the Penn State Nittany Lions to the field in the desert in Arizon and upset the Miami Hurricanes 14-10.  The above is the SI cover from the game......not much ink, but here is the story.

Here is footage of the final 10 minutes of the game.  With PSU playing 3 times in the 80's up to that point for the national title, looking back some people now say that was the end of the "golden age."

Happy New Year Shamokin!!!!!

This PSU fan hopes for a better fate in 2012.