Monday, September 30, 2013

Fall TV

I found myself with a little extra time off last week, so that meant opportunity to sample some fall television.

Let me back up for a moment.  Other than "The Newsroom" and "The Big Bang Theory," I don't watch prime time TV.  It's not because I'm a TV snob.  I'm asleep during prime time, and nothing has sufficiently motivated me to hit the "On Demand" button or watch on-line.

I'm a big James Spader fan, so I had to tune in NBC's "The Blacklist."  It was very good.  Spader plays an excellent creepy villain.  There's a lot of action.  On the other hand, it's violent and bloody.  It's one of those shows where you have to play close attention to everything because of all the twists and turns, and snappy dialog.  You can't miss an episode, or you'll lose the story line.  I fear "The Blacklist" requires more attention than I'm willing to give.  I'll try for another episode this week.

I'm on the fence about ABC's "Trophy Wife."  The title says it all.  Middle aged man marries hot, young woman.  He has three kids and two ex wives.  Hilarity ensues.  Well...  "Trophy Wife" had its moments.  Many of the characters are hard to like.

GSN's "The Chase" premiered several weeks ago, and a new batch of episodes hits in early November.  Most of GSN's original productions have been low budget, at best.  Several fell far short of the mark.  "The Chase" is the exception.  The concept is simple:  answer more trivia questions than an expert, named "The Beast."  There are a few enhancements that make things interesting.  If you can get past Brooke Burns' annoying voice, you'll have a great time watching "The Chase."

I hadn't seen CBS's "2 Broke Girls" in more than a year.  Not much has changed.  This could be one of the crudest sitcoms on TV.  We were treated to sex organ and sex act jokes before the first commercial Monday night.  The show is good for a chuckle.  There's an old adage that when you go blue, you really don't have a lot on your plate.

Speaking of blue, CBS has a new sitcom called "Mom."  This ain't "Ozzie and Harriet."  The central character is a recovering alcoholic and pot smoker.  Her mother is a recovering alcoholic and drug user.  Her teenaged daughter is a drinker, a pot smoker, and she might be pregnant.  Her son't father is a weed dealer who's months behind on child support.  By the way, the main character, Christy, lives in a really nice house for a waitress with a deadbeat husband.  Did I mention that Christy dates her married boss?  Times have changed, and I've always believed media reflects society rather than influences it.  I suspect there are a lot of Christy's out there.  Is it funny?  A little.  Rudy the chef is a scene stealer.

Robin Williams is the main offering of a new CBS show called "The Crazy Ones."  Williams and his daughter run a Chicago advertising agency.  Other than Williams acting goofy, there doesn't appear to be much here, and a little Williams goes a long way.  Granted, this was only the first episode, and there's a good chance the show will take a few weeks to develop.

CBS ran two new "The Big Bang Theory" episodes back to back Thursday night.  I've often thought the Penny/Sheldon one on one scenes were the strongest over the years.  The two have a quirky chemistry together, and there were plenty of those this week.  The shows were nothing spectacular, but they were darned solid and delivered on the laughs.  This is the start of season 7.  Raj can talk to women now, and it will be interesting to see where the writers take the characters.  I hope they never lose the social awkwardness that made the show charming from the beginning.

I really wanted to like NBC's "The Michael J. Fox Show."  I didn't.  Fox plays a TV news anchor who quits because of Parkinson's Disease.  He eventually comes back to work.  Fox handles his illness with grace.  Unfortunately, the rest of the cast, including children, are exceptionally annoying.

The same goes for the new CBS sitcom "We Are Men."  It's about four guys, living in an apartment complex.  They all have one thing in common.  They're coming out of bad relationships.  This is one bad cliche after another, and there's nothing new here.  Tony Shalhoub ("Wings" and "Monk") got me to watch.  His talents are wasted, and "We Are Men" could be one of the first cancellations of the new fall season.

Will I watch every show, every week?  Not even close.  However, there are some early offerings that I may drop in to sample from time to time.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Andy's Angles: SSSD

Two more pictures from my visit to the old Scranton State School for the Deaf in Scranton, now known as the Marywood University South Campus.

I'll give Marywood credit for cleaning up the site, getting rid of some dead trees and improving the lighting.  To the best of my knowledge, the school hasn't announced what it will do here.  The buildings are old, and will need a lot of work.  Still, it's a great piece of property.
A lot of the old school remains-- like this garden behind gates.  As you can see in the center, there was something in writing here, but it's gone.

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Andy's Angles: The Oral School

It is one of our area's hidden gems, and I hope it has a bright future.

Above is one of the buildings at the former Scranton State School for the Deaf in the Green Ridge section of Scranton.  The state sold the school about four years ago.  Responsibilities were assumed by the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.  The campus was moved to the Abingtons.  Marywood University bought the property.

A lot of people say Marywood got a great deal from the state-- some prime property on the cheap.  I was okay with that because I believe Marywood will give the site the respect it deserves.  There's a lot of history here.
When I was growing up, this was called the Pennsylvania Oral School, as you can see from the stone in one of the buildings.  The property is surrounded with a big fence, and as a youngster, the site always reminded me of ivy covered castles, a mysterious place.

The school dates back to 1880.  Check the railing in front of the window.  One of the center piece buildings on the site dates back to 1892

Friday, September 27, 2013

Friday Scrapple

It's not even the end of September and I'm already tired of pumpkin flavored everything.  The truth be known:  I'm not a pumpkin fan.

And, while we're at it, enough with the zombies.

I enjoy "The Newsroom" and "The Big Bang Theory," so it was nice to learn Jeff Daniels and Jim parsons were awarded Emmys Sunday night.

Burger King has developed a reduced calorie french fry.  Really?  I read the numbers.  You're really not saving that much.  If you want to save calories, just cut back on the intake.  I wish BK spent all that research and development money on upgrading its stores and opening earlier in the morning.

I've been shopping for smartphones again, and I still haven't pulled the trigger.  Everyone recommends something different, and I have a hard time spending a lot of money on something I'll use only to make calls.

Saying the Steelers are in a "rebuilding year" sounds a lot better than the truth: it's not a good football team.

It's good to see the Pirates in the playoffs.

The NCAA seems to have fallen victim to Penn State's "football first" culture.

Miley, keep your tongue in your mouth.  Please.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Welcome Back

I've been trying to behave myself in recent months, so ice cream has become an exceptionally rare treat.

Still, I was thrilled with the news that Yuengling Ice Cream is coming back after a 30 year absence.  I remember it as a kid.  I don't recall that it was sold in the Scranton area, where I grew up, but there was a Yuengling Ice Cream store in the Wyoming Valley Mall.  How's this for a trip down memory lane?  I can still remember the location.  If you walked out of Pomeroy's and headed down the wing toward Zollinger's, the Yuengling shop was on the left side, about a quarter of a way down the wing.

A newspaper story says production is still months away, and it didn't mention plans for ice cream parlors.

Nonetheless, it's nice to know there will be a locally made treat in mini mark and supermarket freezers in a big part of the state.  I may slip off the healthy eating wagon to sample a quart (or two).  Mint chocolate chip is already on the list of flavors.  Yay!

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Forever a Mystery

I've lost track of the number of fatal fires I've covered over the last 33 years.  They're all sad and horrible.  Some raise the bar to new levels.

Three people died in the building you see above.  The fire broke out just before 2 AM Saturday on Chestnut Street in Dunmore.  Eight people made it out thanks to the police officers who were first on the scene.

I looked at the building Monday morning-- checking the lay out, the entrances and exits, windows, stairwells, etc.  You wonder how these things happen.  A State Police fire marshal will likely list the cause as "undetermined."  The three people who might be able to aid in the investigation aren't around to tell their stories.

Something new was revealed Monday.  The building didn't have working smoke alarms.  Little kids lived here.  We should be thankful they're still alive today.

Community resources are already stretched thin, but municipalities have to do a better job making sure people live in safe housing.

We've said it before.  Smoke alarms are inexpensive insurance, and if you can't afford one, call your local fire department.  They'll probably find one for you and even help install it.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Leahy Hall

Demolition of the University of Scranton's Leahy Hall started last week.  I took this picture Friday morning, from the intersection of Jefferson and Linden.
An excavator started gnawing away the building from the alley in the back.  It's oddly fascinating, yet sad to see the guts of the building ripped open like this.
As you can see, Leahy Hall, formerly the YWCA, was well built.  There's some serious masonry here, along with some massive beams.

The U of S will construct a new physical therapy building here.

There were a lot of reasons to save Leahy Hall.  On the other hand, there were more reasons to tear it down, and sometimes, that's just the way things work out.

Monday, September 23, 2013

You Don't Say


TOP TEN PHRASES YOU NEVER HEAR IN NEPA:

10.  "This area really needs more mini marts, dollar stores, frozen yogurt shops and faux Irish pubs."

9.  "Wow!  This interstate is really smooth."

8.  "Yes, I'd be happy to pay a drink tax, a commuter tax, and a sales tax to bail out a city that's bungled every financial decision for the last five decades."

7.  "I have to run out and buy a Quinto ticket."

6.  "I enjoy traveling through the Poconos on 80 and 611 because it's so stress and worry free."

5.  "I wonder when Steelers playoff tickets go on sale."

4.  "Why aren't more things named for Bob Mellow?"

3.  "I wish the University of Scranton would build something new."

2.  "We have a great track record of preserving old buildings and cherishing our past."

1.  "I really want Palumbo to post more."

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Andy's Angles: Big Horses

 
Horses fascinate me, though I've never had much desire to ride one or own one.
I've always found it interesting how something as huge as a race horse can be so fragile at the same time.  A lot of this country was built on the backs of work horses.  There's something special about the animals that allows us to use them for therapy for children and adults.
 
I caught this bunch hanging out in a field at Lithia Valley Farms near Factoryville earlier this month.  They were as curious about me as I was about them.

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Andy's Angles: Little Horses


I know nothing about horses, but I knew I had to stop and take some pictures when I saw these little creatures at Lithia Valley Farm near Factoryville earlier this month.  They were in an enclosure, and came running to see me when I approached.

One tried to get a closer look and sniff.  I wish I had an apple or something to give him.  I owe him.  He gave me a couple good pictures.

Friday, September 20, 2013

Sin Tax

The latest trial balloon floated to get Scranton out of its deep, deep financial hole is a drink tax.

You can guess how that's going over.

Gasoline is heavily taxed.  We still drive.  Cigarettes are heavily taxed.  We still smoke.  Alcohol is heavily taxed.  We still drink.

Our friends at the Times~Tribune talked with bar owners, who fear catastrophe if Scranton gets a drink tax.

Calm down.

I've never been overly concerned about sin taxes.  If smoking and drinking cost too much, just don't do it.  I'm amazed at the number of people who cry poverty, but who still plunk down more than $5 for a pack of cigarettes.

As for the bar owners, I'm sure you might see a decrease in business, but there are ways around that.  Offer food.  Sell better food.  Have better entertainment and atmosphere.  The good bars survive.  The bad ones won't.  Step up your game.

It's clear Scranton has to do something.  Things cannot continue as they are.  You have leaders who make bad decisions.  Band aids are applied to problems.  There are no long term plans.  Efforts to increase revenue were shot down by the courts because the city went into hearings with sloppy presentations.

A drink tax might be the first small sip from the well of common sense.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Media Notes

Guy Fieri is now doing commercials for an antacid.  Food Network "chefs" have to be the biggest group of "endorsers" in American broadcasting today.  Walk through the kitchen section of a store like Kohl's.  Their names are everywhere.

The Weather Channel people seem really disappointed the United States has yet to be whacked by a major tropical storm or hurricane this year.  Other than the local forecast on the 8's, there's really no reason to watch The Weather Channel.

I read where "The Big Bang Theory" stars are thinking of holding out, as a group, until they get $ 500,000 each per episode.  The show makes tons of money for the network.  There's no reason they shouldn't share in that.  on the other hand, the show will become very expensive to produce, and that paves the road to an early end.

Interesting stat from TVNewser.com:  FOX News Channel has changed its prime time line up five times in 17 years.  MSNBC and CNN have combined for 75 prime time changes.

New "Today" set:  Meh...  lots of orange, huge anchor desk.  It's better than what they had, but new furniture can't fix image and chemistry problems.

Charlie Gibson made a quick guest appearance on ABC's "Good Morning America" yesterday.  He's been off the anchor desk for several years now, and it was nice to see one of TV's classiest acts on the screen again.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

First Person: The Studio

It's time to peel back the curtain for a moment, and you'll get a chance to see what I see when I'm in the Newswatch 16 Studio on weekend mornings.
Our information technology person, Michelle, took this photo Sunday morning.  I'm looking straight ahead at a camera.  There are five in the studio.  The green screen on the left is where reporters often introduce their stories.  My view of the weather and the backyard is from the monitor on the far left.

At my side is a trash can and my drink.  In case you're wondering, I have a giant recycled Turkey Hill soda cup.  Inside is water mixed with one of those low calorie drink flavoring packets.  I think it was grape when the photo was taken.  I alternate with strawberry.

OK.  It's more than you probably wanted to know.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Season 2

Season two of HBO's "The Newsroom" wrapped up Sunday night, and today, a few thoughts...

I liked the second season a little better than the first.  The characters became better developed, and there was some real drama over the airing of an explosive story and the fallout that came next.

"The Newsroom" is the series where, last year, I kept saying "I'll give it one more episode."  Eventually, I got sucked in, and I eagerly awaited the new one on Sunday nights.  Some of it is realistic.  Most isn't.  It was all fairly entertaining.  It's typical Aaron Sorkin-- a little too talky, a little too preachy.  Jeff Daniels made it work, and I've become a big fan.

The season two finale was a little too perfect when it came to the story.  Everything wrapped up nicely.  It appeared to be one of those endings, written and shot before everyone knew if there would be a renewal.  As it turns out, HBO has green lighted a third season, so it will be interesting to see the direction next year.

There have been many shows, over the years, where I felt as if I wasted my time.  "The Newsroom" is not on that list.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Unfinished Monday

A lot of people have called the office on weekends to ask why the Penn State football show has disappeared from the Sunday morning schedule.  The way it was explained to me, the producers of the show changed the format.  It's now a PREview of the upcoming game, not a REview of the past game.  It has to air before Saturday, not after.  The Penn State football show has found a nice home, Thursday nights, on WNEP2.

I've been engaged in a friendly e-mail exchange with a local radio station over the length of a commercial break in an early morning syndicated news broadcast.  First, I thank them for looking in to it.  It sounded as if there were too many commercials in the break, and they would always come back in the middle of a news story.  The station says the problem has been caught and fixed.  I appreciate it.

It was an interesting weekend, an opportunity to knock off the rust after a week and a half off.  My body clock needed to be re-adjusted to being up all night.  I think I've figured it out.

I wasn't kidding during an on-air chat with Noreen Sunday morning.  I know people who have removed air conditioners from their windows.  Mine is still in, and it will stay there for at least another month.  First, we're due for more hot weather.  It always happens-- a warm spell in mid and late fall.  Second, my bedroom gets the afternoon sun, so it's always a little warmer than the rest of the house.

Bob Newhart received an Emmy last night for his guest shot as Professor Proton on "The Big Bang Theory."  It was among the better episodes of the past season, and I can't believe it's the first Emmy ever for Newhart.  Long overdue.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Andy's Angles: The Barn

I've photographed this barn in the Waverly area of Lackawanna County before.  Yet, is always looks a little different every time I pass by.

The water seemed to be picking up more of the blue sky when I was here a couple weeks ago, and the green algae is really popping.

I'll likely stop by again as the leaves turn.

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Andy's Angles: Horses

I spotted this scene as I made my way to Lackawanna State Park last week.  I saw two horses in a field, pulled up the driveway to Fairway Farm, and asked the owners if I could photograph their horses.  No problem.  They were obviously very proud of their animals.

This is as much a photo of the scene as well as the animals...sky, clouds, mountains, barns-- and two happy horses.

Friday, September 13, 2013

Semantics

This blog is two months away from its 9th birthday.  It's the start of the new fall season, and I return from a much needed vacation tonight.  It's time to freshen things up.
I was looking for a name for the "a day in the life" entries, and I received some really good suggestions, including "A Day in the Life."  I came very close to choosing "This Day."  It was designed as an homage to two of my favorites:  "This Week with David Brinkley" and "This Song" by George Harrison.  In case you were born after 1975, the "This Song" video is on You Tube, and Google the story behind it.  Great stuff.  "First Person" seemed to be the best fit.  After all, the blog is all about my perspective on things.

A really good suggestion came from co-worker Mindi Ramsey.  She stuck "Andy's Angles" into my head.  It was a close second to "First Person."  I didn't want to let it go.  A few people have said my weekend "Bad Photography" really isn't all that bad, so "Bad Photography" is being retired.  The weekend photos will now be called "Andy's Angles."
 
Yeah, it's the same old junk, except with new names.  Hey, it was time for something different.
 
And, before we close for the day, one more picture from Saturday morning's "Lift Like Leckey."
 
 Enjoy your Friday and your weekend.  I'll see you soon.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

9/11 + 1

For someone who hasn't written much about 9/11 in the past, I'm certainly making up for it this year.

A beam from Tower 1 of the World Trade Center is in Milford this week.  It's in a parking lot across from the fire hall on West Cathering Street.  When I read it was here, I just had to jump in the car to see it.

I've been to the 9/11 exhibit at the State Museum of New York in Albany.  It's worth the trip, even though what you will see is chilling-- huge hunks of metal, a crushed fire truck, a damaged police car, personal mementos found in the rubble that were never matched with the owners...

There's a story in Milford, and below is what has been placed on top of the beam.
 The Milford display is rather simple.  It's located at the site of a still under construction firefighters' memorial.
It's amazing how a hunk of rusting steel can evoke such emotion.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

9/11

I've avoided 9/11 entries during the nine year life of the blog.  There are others who can do it better, and I was told long ago that "unless you were buried under rubble, no one cares where you were on 9/11."

This year, an exception.

SGT Jan Argonish was killed in Afghanistan in August of 2007.  I've gotten to know his father during the last year.  We go to the same gym.  I was happy to stop by the annual motorcycle run in honor of SGT Argonish Sunday afternoon.
The start and finish were in Dalton, and this is what you saw when you entered the borough.  You knew this was no ordinary day.

The beginning and end were at the Dalton Fire Co. carnival grounds, and it was bikes just about as far as you could see.
They set off on their ride at noon-- slowly pulling out of the carnival grounds.
A cloudy and damp morning gave way to partly sunny skies, with a bit of a breeze.  The weather was just about perfect.
The route took riders through Lackawanna County.  I caught up with the group in Jessup.  Fire trucks from Dickson City and Blakely suspended a huge flag over Route 247, just off the Casey Highway.  Believe me, the picture doesn't do it justice.

The Argonish family has to be proud of Jan's service to his country, and honored so many people came out to make sure he is never forgotten.

 Money raised from the bike run will be used to build homes for soldiers wounded defending our freedom.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

I Do What I Can

Working weekends and overnights, I get a pass on attending most station events.  The people I work for understand that the odd hours wear you down.  There are many times I regret not being able to join in reindeer games.

This most recent Saturday was a rare exception.  I was on vacation.
Ryan Leckey was hosting "Lift Like Ryan" at Cross Fit on Wyoming Avenue in Scranton.  It's part of the "Ryan's Run" fundraiser for Allied Services.  Cross Fit is only a few miles from home, so I grabbed my camera and ventured out on a rare free Saturday morning.
I really didn't do much-- took pictures, shook hands, talked with old friends, showed a co-worker we appreciate what he does...
There's a ton of "Ryan's Run" information on air and on line.  Please, help if you can.  A lot of people will be grateful.

Monday, September 9, 2013

I Feel Better Already


I'm a flu shot fanatic. I'm guessing I've been getting poked for more than twenty years. Yes, the shot is not perfect. There has been a time or two when I've gotten the flu, but it wasn't severe and it passed quickly.

September entered last week, and it was time.

Remember my adventures in medicine a month or two ago?  My beloved and trusted doctor closed his practice a few years ago. I found another guy I could live with. He decided to affiliate with another group, a group that doesn't take our insurance. I found someone who did, and took an instant dislike to her. The practice was sloppy. The office was a mess. The staff was inattentive. There was a shocking lack of privacy and professionalism.  I sent a letter saying I was never going back. By the way, there was no apology for the poor treatment.

So, that left me at the start of flu season, without a doctor to give me a shot. There are alternatives-- the drug store. One big chain makes it easy. You schedule an appointment and do most of the paperwork on line. You walk in, get stuck, and you're out in ten minutes. Yay!

So, where does that leave my doctor search? I'm a little uncomfortable not having a personal doctor. Friends and co workers have made recommendations. It's not that easy. As you likely heard by now, WNEP is changing hands, and there will be a new insurance plan at the beginning of the year. I want to see the doctors on the list of the new insurance company before making any decisions. There are walk-in clinics if an emergency arises.

And I close by saying this: I'm thankful I have health care insurance. There are a lot of people out there who would be very happy to be in my shoes and I recognize that every day.

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Bad Photography Sunday: More LSP

Another photo from my Thursday afternoon trip to Lackawanna State Park...  The sky shows streaks of blue and white.  The trees have yet to reveal their fall colors, and the water was a bit choppy due to a light wind.

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Bad Photography Saturday: The Park

I'm on vacation, so I grabbed my camera Thursday afternoon and set out in search of serenity.  As always, I found it at Lackawanna State Park.  I understand there are some signs of fall color in the higher elevations of the Poconos and the northern tier.  As you can see from this photo from two days ago, Lackawanna State Park still has plenty of green.

Friday, September 6, 2013

Vacation

I take off four weekends a year, and this is number three.

As with previous 2013 vacations, there are no plans-- other than catching up on some sleep.

Bill Wadell fills in this weekend.

I'll likely be out playing with my camera or just doing some aimless wandering.

It looks like I'll miss a teachers' strike or two.  September is usually good for at least one tropical storm or hurricane.  It's a busy month, that usually drives me crazy when I'm away from the office.  There'll be more mayhem upon my return.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Finished Product

Last week, it was a look at a work in progress, the Coaches Corner set for a WNEP2 broadcast.  A lot of people worked hard to get it together for last week's season premiere.

This still doesn't do it justice.  The colors really pop when it's on TV.

Tune in if you get the chance.  You see and hear things you won't get anywhere else.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Thankful For My Blog

Someone finally gets it.

David Carr wrote a piece about political reporting for the New York Times.  He said there is no longer one narrative.  Thanks to instant and social media, there is just a snapshot of what it going on at the moment.

It's true.

For example, say I'm at a fire.  I'm snapping a picture for the web site and firing off a Tweet.  I'm then getting set up for a live hit for one of our many newscasts.  Facebook will likely be part of the effort eventually.  The station has a quite active site.  One of my own could be happening soon, and more about that later.  I'm not complaining.  That's life in 2013, and it's better to be too busy than not busy enough.  People demand information at nearly the speed of light, and we do our best to comply.

At the end of the day, I can sit at my keyboard and pound out a few thoughts and things I didn't have a chance to say elsewhere.  I guess my blog, nearly nine years old, is part of the media mix.

Now, back to Facebook.  I still don't have my own site.  I've found Twitter and the blog fill the need quite nicely, thank you.  On the other hand, several police departments here in our area are using Facebook as their way of communicating with the media.  I feel there are more efficient ways.  Evolution, market forces, and other factors have ways of deciding these things, even if the wisest choice doesn't win.

I might be forced into building a Facebook site, and I'll give the issue some contemplation while I'm on vacation.  I've often said any journalist who doesn't use all the tools available to him is a fool.  Still, something is holding me back.  I think I have some work arounds, and I'm testing their effectiveness.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

About the Cover


While most of the schools, colleges, and universities began their fall semesters last month, I always considered September to be THE back to school month, so for the September header, we have an educational theme.

This is one of our area's signature buildings-- Carver Hall on the campus of Bloomsburg University.  Below is a paragraph from the BU web site.

Carver Hall is the icon of Bloomsburg University and is included in the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1869, it has evolved over the years: the dome was added in 1900 to give the building an Independence Hall look, and the clock in the tower came as a result of a fund-raising project by students and faculty in 1911. It houses the offices of the president and the provost and vice president for academic affairs, as well as the Kenneth S. Gross Auditorium on the second floor.

Keen observers will note two things.  The first-- leaf-less trees.  I took the photo back in the spring, and I was waiting for the right time to place it here.  The second-- the building is photographed from the rear.  The front is beautiful, but the back gave me a better sun angle.

Monday, September 2, 2013

Labor Day

In the past, I've put a statue of John Mitchell, from Courthouse Square in Scranton, on the blog.  Today, something a little different.

I was trying to think of other monuments to American workers here in our area.  I guess there are no other formal monuments, but some structures come to mind-- the Huber Breaker in Ashley, the old Scranton Lace factory, the massive General Dynamics factory in Scranton...  It's a long list.  Some are still active.  Many aren't.

I'm not going into that "America doesn't make anything anymore" rant.  You've already seen it here and elsewhere.

This is a holiday for everybody who drags their butts out of bed every day to put food on the table, and it's also a day for all those looking for work.  There are too many of those these days.

Enjoy it.