This blog is an attempt to cover some of my interests which are colon cancer, high school sports, and progressive politics. These subjects will vary in interest on any given day, week or month.
I have been working as a free lance journalist since 1988. This translation means stringer. I worked in the print media from 1988 to 1996, and have been working in radio from 1996 to present.
Around this great country of our, lottery fever is sweeping the nation. A chance for one individual to win over a half-billion dollars!!!! What would you do? What would I do with all that money? It has been well documented about the trials and tribulations of lottery winner over the years. Heartache come to most if they are not wise.
From my office, to out on the street, to social media, people have been putting their thoughts out there on how best to spend the money. It is really hard to say what I would do. I would not want to keep track of more than 2 vehicles. The same goes for homes. I could travel. Could I be a target for kidnapping? Hard to say.
I guess for anyone that wins. Try not to hurt anyone including yourself. It has been a fun week and it only cost a dollar to dream.
Although announced on Facebook over the weekend by President Dave Kaleta, the news hit the local paper on Wednesday.
The scope of the organization's work can be seen here:
Work done by HFW has earned considerable praise over the past dozen years. The group was responsible for planting more than 43,000 seedlings and 68 acres of food and cover plots, Kaleta said, and members, supported by local individuals and businesses, removed thousands of illegally dumped tires and hundreds of tons of trash from illegal dumpsites.
Well it's been 12+ years since the unofficial start of HFW and now, I'm saddened to say it's time we move on. Or more to the point it's time I move onto areas of the State where cleaning up illegal dumpsites, aspen regeneration, planting food plots/trees is welcomed and appreciated. I am now the Habitat coordinator for Woodcock Limited of Pennsylvania.
"Woodcock Limited of Pennsylvania, founded in February 2007, is a state chapter of Woodcock Limited, a 501 (c) (3) Non-Profit Organization. We are a Fraternity of Hunters dedicated to the welfare of the American woodcock. We work with local, state, and federal organizations to promote habitat and woodcock research, habitat management, and harvest management in Pennsylvania. WL of PA also engages in educational efforts to advance the public's knowledge of woodcock and its management needs." (http://www.wlofpa.org/)
While I will miss working on my local fields and woodlots - the backward thinking and anti-environmental actions and non-actions in eastern Northumberland County has made it impossible to continue work here.
All other HFW's officers have resigned as well. We fervently thank the hundreds if not thousands of volunteers, businesses and those whom have generously donated their time, effort, money, and most of all - friendship in helping to establish a cleaner and healthier environment. We greatly appreciate your participation.
Oh, I will still be poking around reporting illegal dumping and other illegal acts to the appropriate law enforcement agencies and hope you will be doing the same.
If you see a tall grey-bearded man walking behind a German Short-haired Pointer,stop and say hi.
David F. Kaleta
of the former
Habitat for Wildlife Inc.
Around 4 years ago, I was involved in the Central Susquehanna Colon Cancer Task Force. Our group was involved in advocacy and tried to promote one project per year toward advocacy and awareness of colon cancer screening. Bringing Papale to the Central Susquehanna Valley was on the drawing board for our group, but sponsorship was at a minimum. However, a phone call to me this past fall by the American Cancer Society indicated that there was interest in the project again. I gave ACS the information on contacting Papale and along with the Geisinger Medical Center, the project came to be this past weekend.
Papale, who spoke for an hour, was able to incorporate his life story and how it relates to cancer survival. Papale spoke about his fathers hauling "bootleg coal" from Mount Carmel in the 1930's and also mentioned local Super Bowl champion, Henry Hynoski twice in his speech.
A touching moment came when Papale talked about his mother who suffered from mental illness and treatment in that field was light years away from what it is now. Papale when talking about his mother and father and two coaches in his life, spoke clearly from his heart. From observing the interaction with his wife Janet, she is his rock.
After the talk and ensuing panel discussion, both Vince and Janet Papale were able to sign their book, Be Invincible for the crowd. While waiting in line, a woman told me that her 13-year old son lost his colon a day before due to ulcerative colitis. She said the Papale's visited and spent time with him in the Janet Weis Children's Hospital. Although I had an idea a few years ago which took the help of others to get done, I still have a smile on my face.
It is the one boy lying in hospital bed that a man and woman like Vince and Janet Papale could inspire to dream and give hope to...........Be Invincible!!!!!!!!!
Yesterday, Davy Jones of Monkees' fame passed away suddenly in Florida at the age of 66. Jones was a resident of Beavertown in Snyder County in central Pennsylvania for the past 22 years. From everyone who posted in social media and in newspaper articles, Jone was a very good neighbor and a good citizen of Beavertown.
Jones was famous throughout the world for his two-year official stint of being a member of the made for TV group. Unlike most people of fame and means, he chose to live as a regular person in the quiet Snyder County community. A Snyder County day in the life of Jones may have been sitting on a neighbor's porch, getting food at the local OIP or performing for the locals in Northumberland. Often recognized, he was cordial and would honor any autograph.
In 22 years, I seen Jones a total of 3 times in 22 years. I seen him at the Susquehanna Valley Mall, walking down the Market Street in Sunbury after doing some promotion work and in a concert at the Front Street Station in Northumberland. On stage, Jones could connect with an audience of any age like no other. He was probably most comfortable on stage. You could not help but like the guy.
Often we try to put celebrity death into some type of perspective. Most recently earlier in February with Whitney Houston. You remember where you were in life when they were at the top of their game. For most of us, we were kids watching reruns of the Monkees or seeing Jones on that famous Brady Bunch episode.
Many celebrity death is often met at the lowest ebb of the personal life. Looking back at Davy Jones, personal life and a good neighbor, he finished on top.
