For the Record – May 15, 2014
by Barb Mastriania
Lost convenience …
I don’t know about anyone else, but I have gotten so used to the convenience of a laptop that I hardly every use my desk computer any more. As I write this I’m at the desk because the cord for the laptop needs replaced. The change doesn’t just involve moving from one spot to another. It means not being able to carry it from room to room and it means getting used to a different keyboard. It’s not difficult, just different.
Breaking tradition …
Tradition in many circumstances is a good thing, especially in families where following traditional patterns can be the thread that ties people together. But breaking away from tradition is not always a bad thing either. This year Wayne Stoltz, commandant of Bucktail Detachment 856 of the Marine Corps League is hoping break a pattern and hopefully start a new tradition, a community showing its pride and celebrating Flag Day on June 14. Wayne shares this with us: Traditionally the Western Clinton County Veterans Council (WCCVC), (comprised of Renovo’s VFW, American Legion and the Marine Corps League) held the Flag Day Ceremony at the Flaming Foliage Festival Lot near the bridge. This ceremony was sparsely attended by local citizens. This ceremony was solely the burning of unserviceable flags.
The Elks Club also has a Flag Day Ceremony that was performed at the Lodge and this was also sparsely attended. This ceremony is about 30 minutes long and entails the presentation of a series of flags that at once were the standard colors for our county. With the presentation of each flag there is a
patriotic song that captures that era and a short history of that particular flag. He talked with the WCCVC, Boy Scout Troop 137 and the Community Choir concerning a combination of the four organizations and each has agreed eye could merge in this year’s Flag Day Ceremony.
Participants will include the Elks, Paul (Flip) Mills, Renovo Boy Scouts, the Community Choir and Thomas Tarantella, Democratic Candidate for the 5th Congressional District who will give a patriotic address. The WCCVC will conduct the burning of the unserviceable flags.
The ceremony will take place on 14 June at 6:00 p.m. at the FFF Lot. Everybody is welcome and encouraged to come and participate in this patriotic event.
My crazy cardinal …
I have another crazy cardinal that comes and pecks by summer kitchen windows about every 40 minutes. A couple of years ago I had one that took a liking to my vehicle and he would sit and look at himself in the mirror and the windshield all day and evening. This year’s bird has chosen a house window. It doesn’t drive me crazy but sometimes it is pretty darn noisy as it keeps flying against the window pane. It sits on a branch of a bush and I thought maybe if I trimmed the bush back the cardinal would go somewhere else. But nearby neighbor Pete Rathmell tells me it won’t make a difference. Cardinals are apparently known for such antics and don’t take easily to changing their pattern.
Don’t forget to vote Tuesday …
Remember if you’re a registered voter Tuesday is election day and here in Clinton County we have a chance to vote for one of our own, Tom Tarantella of Renovo, Democratic Candidate for the 5th Congressional District.
