History of Festivus

Enjoy!

Commonwealth Medical College, Good Work if You Can Get It.

The Commonwealth Medical College based in Scranton, PA recently handed out some hefty Christmas bonuses to their top people.  The start-up was funded with public money from the state and private money courtesy of insurance premiums of Northeast Blue Cross. 

Here is what Lulac had to say.

Here is what the Coal Region Voice said back in 2007.

Back in 2007, the surplus was 175 million.

That's a Wrap, the High School Football Season Ends In PA.

Southern Coaching Staff

                                                     

                                                                                    

The long Pennsylvania High School Football season came to an end with one local team making it all the way to Hershey.  Although Southern was an underdog, I thought they had the stuff it takes to win a game like this.  I knew Clairton was going to have a big play or two.  I think the limit was going to be three but 5 plays accounted for 300 yards. 

Lost in a 35-19 score was how tough Southern actually played.  17-10 in first down, nearly 31 out of 48 minutes possessing the ball and 70-39 in plays run.  The only one that does matter is the one on the scoreboard.  Clairton had enough speed to put points on the board.  They also had enough to keep points off the board and dug down deep when they were tired in the 4th quarter.  Tip your hat to the Bears.

All are local teams did well in respect to the season itself.  First of all, the weather was something we haven't seen for almost 40 years.  Due to flooding in the early season, practice and game schedules were turned upside down.  Then add the Halloween snowstorm.  Strange enough the bad weather held out most of November and December.

Southern, Mount Carmel, and Shamokin all have something in common.  They overcame adversity to win their respective district and almost win a state championship. Southern lost 2000 yards from the line of scrimmage in the first 10 minutes of double sessions.  Mount Carmel had to overcome negative press and player suspensions that could have torn a team apart.  Finally, Shamokin pulled itself up and made a strong playoff run which electrified a community. 

Even though these were the headlines that followed the teams most of the season, all three teams saw tremendous player and team improvement from week one until the season was over.  We often see wins, losses and championships as a measure of success.  You may want to add overcoming adversity to mix.

Who will win?

Southern plays Clairton this afternoon at Hersheypark Stadium at 1pm.  Who will win?  Well, Southern Columbia won there first trip to the state final back in 1994 in easy fashion over Western Beaver.  The Tigers then when on to lose six in a row.  The big problem was failure to overcome another team's advantage in the speed department.  Southern learned from those six losses. 

Last year Riverside went out to a 24-0 lead against Clairton, but got away from a power game and tried to play a school yard game.  Southern's coaching staff is much better than this.  If Southern could dominate the line of scrimmage, they can control the game.  The wind may be a factor kicking up to 25 mph affecting the deep pass. 

I like Southern, 35-27 with strength of schedule paying off in a dividend today.

The War is Over

Today the US Flag will come down for the last time and the troops will be leaving Iraq.  The costs were some 800 billion in money, nearly 4500 KIA, and over 32,000 US casualties.  History will judge if it was worth the cost. 

For the record, I was against the war.  If anyone cares to remember, we entered the war looking for weapons of mass destruction. 

What I will take from the conflict is how once again over a million troops volunteered to serve our country.  Your sacrifice can never be measured.  PA National Guardman, Sherwood Baker became the first PA guardsman killed in action since World War II.  Also, locally Captain Rober Scheetz and Sgt. Matthew Sandri were killed in action.  Jessica Lynch who served with honor will receive her teaching degree tomorrow.

For all the troops leaving Iraq and heading back to the USA, welcome home!!!!!!!