So Long, CSU 1932-2024

 

It's long been established here that I didn't like high school, but I did enjoy college.  That's why I've always kept an eye on the higher education system in our area, the good and bad.  Visits to campuses always make me happy, if it's to do a news story, or simply wander and take photographs.  We have some great schools here in our area, especially my alma mater, Marywood.

The news that broke Monday afternoon was disturbing.  Clarks Summit University, formerly Baptist Bible College, is closing.  Money problems.

I was there a few times over the years.  Once was for a summer fluff story on a basketball camp.  The other occasions were to take in the beauty of the campus.  Believe, me, the pictures don't to it justice.  There is a lot of grass and trees.  The buildings scream "history."

The students will find new places to learn.  I hope the campus is put to good use.  It seems like a great place for apartments or a retirement village.  I hope the buildings aren't bulldozed to make room for one of those generic looking housing communities.

I'm sad because our area lost a treasured institution, but it's 2024 and the finances just didn't add up.

Tuesday Scrapple

 

Today's entry in the "you know the lyrics, even if you haven't heard the song in a long time" is "How Sweet It Is" by James Taylor.  Yes, I do know that is my second JT song in the last couple of weeks.

The Scranton Farmers Market, off Albright Avenue opens soon, and that is always a reason to rejoice.  Good stuff, and nice people.

Hot weather:  too much, too soon, too long.

Martin Mull always could make me laugh, especially "America 2 Night" in the late 70's, and he had a comedy album at the same time.  It was called "Sex and Violins."  Mull died last week.  He was 80.

Kudos to the ad agency that came up with the Spam commercials.  That stuff looks almost edible.  By the way, there was always a can or two in the house when I was a kid.

One of the local newspapers now has a daily single copy price of $ 3.00.  Really!

I'm glad to see fast food restaurants returning to value meals.

The rise and fall of Boeing will be studied and talked about for years.

I wonder if I'll run in to former Rep. George Santos in the Poconos this summer.

For some unexplained reason, my blog picture of the federal building in downtown Scranton had hits that went through the roof.

I know this is easy to say from a distance, but I've always enjoyed watching the tracks of hurricanes and tropical storms.

Enough about Bronny James!!!

The Fay's drug store chain is sorely missed.  It had everything!    

Follow Up Monday

 

We've been following the money problems at Keystone College.  Nearly thirty jobs were eliminated last week.  Some programs dropped.  That cannot be appealing to prospective students.  Keystone is not alone.  Many colleges and universities have been tightening their belts.  It's now a matter of adapt, or be left behind.

I took another look at the Jimmy Connors obituary I wrote for Newswatch 16 last week, and something hit me.  Many significant things happened during Connors' 12 years in office, and I was there for most of it.  It was history, and I'm fortunate to have been there to see it.

I made my first trip to the Scranton Giant supermarket in a few weeks.  Remember, this was the store damaged in an early morning fire in May.  The clean up crews did a great job.  I thought management would use the opportunity to freshen things up a bit.  The store looked exactly the same.  

The NFL got whacked with a huge judgement in the Sunday Ticket lawsuit, nearly $ 5 billion.  The league apparently forgot consumers these days have finite dollars to spend.  The rush to streaming is going to hurt.