My Fathers Words

MEMORIAL DAY MUNCH-A-THON PICNICKERS SNACK, FISH THEIR WAY THROUGHHOLIDAYAT STATE PARK

By JERRY LYNOTT; Times Leader Staff Writer

Tuesday, May 28, 1996 Page: 3A

KINGSTON TWP. -- The hot dogs and burgers got more bites than the fishermen on a lazy Memorial Day at Frances Slocum State Park. "I had a couple bites, that's all," Ralph Roos said as he worked two fishing poles from a lawn chair at the lake's edge. Neither the minnows nor the worms he used as bait caught the eye of his underwater prey. But that didn't seem to bother Roos, of Kingston. He was glad to be outdoors in the fresh air surrounded by water, green grass, boaters, other anglers and plenty of picnickers. Throughout the park, grills sizzled next to picnic tables heaped with covered dishes, bags of chips, soft drinks and paper plates laden with foods of the summer season. "It's better than sitting home watching the clock go 'round," Roos said. A few yards away, Albert Mecadon and his granddaughter, Tammy Mecadon, tried to lure fish to them. The two had a standing $5 bet on who would reel in the first catch. "She's not going to spend it today," boasted the grandfather. The catch of the day belonged to 11-year-old Philip Chromey. The Duryea boy landed an 8-inch bass. But, bass season doesn't begin until June 15. Chromey unhooked the fish, released it, and watched it swim away. The youngster took it in stride and headed back to doing what he enjoyed. "I could live on the lake," he said. It wasn't the fish that brought Audrey Waxmonsky of Plainsville, Plains Township, and approximately 40 others to the park. It was the holiday, the food and the chance to get together with other adults from the St. Nick's Sociable Singles and R.O.S.E. (Reach Out Singles Everywhere). "We have a couple of picnics a year," said Waxmonsky, of the Wilkes-Barre area groups. "One of them is here at the pavilion. The other is at Lake Jean (at Ricketts Glen State Park) on Labor Day." The outings keep the groups "organized and functioning," Waxmonsky said. At the upper end of the park, Tony Manzietti and his family had a picnic grove all to themselves. "I thought I could commandeer a little patch of grass for the family," said Manzietti of Kingston Township. He sat and watched his wife, Johnine and their children Angelica, Carl and Kevin play a game of volleyball. A fallen birch tree served as the net. "I think Memorial Day is a family thing," said Manzietti, a Vietnam veteran. "Of course you remember the deceased veterans, but it's a family day." Memorial Day picnickers set their tables in a grove at Frances Slocum State Park. Hundreds of people headed to the park in Kingston Township to begin the summer holiday season. TIMES LEADER PHOTOS/FRED ADAMS Children line up at the Oakdale Methodist Church Cemetery in Hunlock Creek on Monday to place flowers and flags on the graves of 68 veterans.

ENDING THE "ULTIMATE ARGUMENT" WITH PASCAL'S WAGER

There are two groups on this earth, the "Non-believers" and the "Believers". The non-believers are the those who do not believe in Jesus Christ and the Rapture and the believers are those who do believe. We all have heard this argument many times before because it is all over the world. There are wars about religion and mass suicides, we argue on if God is fact or fiction. There is a way to relieve this argument and make this planet a better habitat for all.

What if I said I can give everyone a logical choice to settle this absurd argument on religion? What if I can change a non-believer into a believer just by using a little bit of logical thinking?

We know about the end of the world. We have heard it multiple times on the radio and have seen it in the movies. Some call it the Apocalypse, or The Rapture, or just simply the End of the World. The Rapture is written in the bible under Revelations. It is written that Jesus Christ will rise again in the end times and the believers will be sent up to heaven to be with God, while the non-believers would be "left behind". The Rapture is said to be several years long and is going to be an absolute chaotic hell on earth. Then after some several years a new earth would be created. Remember, you have a choice.

First, let's say that Jesus Christ is not real and that the rapture is not going to happen. There are the non-believers that are happy because they were right. Then we have the believers that are confused but are also happy because everyone is safe.

Now, lets say that Jesus Christ is real and that the Rapture will happen. The non-believers will be left behind and very unhappy with all the chaos and devistation, while the believers are in heaven with God, safe and sound.

Lastly, this is where the logical thinking comes in. This is for everybody. You have two choices: to be a non-believer or to be a believer. I myself would have to choose to be a believer because either way, I would still be well and happy . A believer does not have to decide. On the other hand, if you choose to be the non-believer, then you have to decide if you really want to be on earth when it turns into a hell for several years or take that 1% chance of Jesus and the rapture being false and live happy.

If the non-believers would just use logical thinking, they would ask themselves, " What choice would be the most logical decision"? Would you take that chance? Here is my strategy to end this morbid fight.

• If you are a non-believer and Jesus and the rapture is true then you are bound for hell on earth.

• If you are a non-believer and Jesus and the rapture is false then you would be fine

• If you are a believer and Jesus and the rapture is true then you will be fine

• If you are a believer and Jesus and the rapture is false then you will be fine

Here it shows your chances. We all have a choice. I just feel that the choice of believing is most logical. The non-believer is always going to have that one chance on this subject being false, but why take that chance when it is more promising either way for the believer.

What are you?

"Global Climate Change" Activists and Skeptics

In the last ten or so years there has been a large increase of warm weather all over the world, used to be called Global Warming now called Global Climate Change. This elevated heat comes from "The Greenhouse Effect" which I will explain later. This effect occurs over many years of pollution.

We have all heard these remarks and saw the poster saying: "If people keep polluting the atmosphere, the world we live in will be no more" and "This planet will be destroyed" or "The destruction has been going on for years, If we do not stop, the end will come".

Pollution can be anything from top notch factory industries, mac trucks, to even something so small, as to littering. All these factors lead to large amounts of pollution in our breathing air.

The Earth's atmosphere is made up of Methane, Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, and Oxygen. Only certain amounts of these gases are essential for life on our planet. This is called "Photosynthesis" or Nature's Course. This is why deforestation is a big problem. The more we destroy the trees, the less we have of pure Oxygen.

The air we breath is polluted with debree, smoke, fuel gas, and other un-natural inhabitants. When there is an over load of pollution it causes those un-natural gases to build up in our Earth's atmosphere. This then causes "The Greenhouse Effect", as I mentioned earlier, where infared rays from the Sun get stuck in between the thick clouds of pollution and the Earth.

Not only is it deforestation and huge oil refinerys that cause this effect, but also the amount of electricity that we use. It is a very horrifying subject to talk about when I say this may cause world destruction. Here are 5 ways we can eliminate pollution:

1. Saving electricity ( Unplug anything not in use)

2. Plant trees ( Keep well oxygenated air )

3. Use less vehicle gasoline ( Ride a bike )

4. Use a garbage can ( Refrain from littering )

5. Recycle ( Keep plastics and other non-degradable products out of landfills)

Next, there are the "Activists" who care very much about the Earth's atmosphere and are aware of the Global Climate Change which they say, is destroying the Earth. Then there are the "Skeptics" who do not think that the Earth is being destroyed by pollution. Some say it is being destroyed by other factors. This always causes an uprise between people. Just as the same with religion. Everyone has their opinions on different subjects.

There is a way to stop this argument. Although I have written about this method in an earlier blog, it can be of use in this situation too. The world would be a much cleaner place if we would just do our part in keeping it clean. For the skeptics there is a risk that they will be taking if they did not decide to do there part in this clean up, if this were true. In most scientific journals, they say that if we all start doing our part, the Earth will be saved. If we keep doing what we are doing to this planet currently, it will be destroyed. So, the chart above will indicate where you think you might stand.

Lastly, my point being, is would you rather be a skeptic and take a risk, do nothing as the world deteriorates and have mass destruction of the Earth? Or would you rather be the activist willing to do anything to save the Earth and keep the Earth stable? If this destruction of the Earth were true, what would you do? Maybe this chart will change your mind on this situation.

In conclusion, I ask what are you? What are you going to do about this? Are you still a skeptic? Please feel free to comment.

CHART:

YES (Activists)

NO (Skeptics)

FALSE ( It is not going to happen)

TRUE ( It is going to happen)

"No Safe Haven for the Homeless" The Reach Program Closed

WILKES-BARRE, PA. - Friday was the last day for the Reach Program's many years of service to the homeless. Due to budget cuts, this wonderful "safe haven" for the less fortunate has been closed.

"The Reach", located at St. Stephens Church on S. Franklin st. was a day shelter for the homeless of Wilkes-barre and surrounding towns. Although this "safe haven" was open only for a few hours a day, it gave the homeless a place to shower, eat, and drink. Then after, watch some TV and relax. The Reach allowed the homeless to get out of the restless streets and into an environment where they can refresh.

The Reach Program was not only for freshening up, there were professional staff on duty. The staff had the resources for the homeless men and women such as shelter, food pantries, job agencies, and other organizations they would benefit.

Also, a clothing bank was open to the homeless community. Multiple racks of clothes for men, women, and children is what occupied the basement of St. Stephens Church.

The Reach Program held there own food pantry every Wednesday. The food, donated from many people, was the highlight of there week.

We counted on "The Reach". Yes, I said "we". The reason being is, I used to be homeless at one time. Suffering on the cold streets with nowhere to go. I was scared and to afraid and embarrassed to sleep outside on a bench. I would stay up all night and then head to "The Reach". I, as a homeless teen, depended on that program for a couple of years. They helped me get back on my feet. In my opinion, it is a shame they closed.

What are the homeless going to do now? Where can they get out of the heat or for that matter, the blistering cold when winter comes in only five months?

Unfortunatley, the homeless shelters in this area are sometimes packed and people have to be put on waiting lists.

I have compiled a list of what all was done for the homeless at The Reach Program.

1. Helped find housing

2. Food pantry

3. Clothing bank

4. Helped with job placement

5. Helped with budgeting

6. Helped with filling out applications

7. Counceling services

8. Support

9. Supplied showers

Most importantly,

10. Provided a "Safe Haven"

CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS

Have you ever made fun of a classmate or have known a classmate that was made fun of? I am talking about the classmate that was stinky, ugly, short, to tall, to fat, or just not a very sociable classmate. Well that is the kid that is more than likely the one that is being abused severely at home. If you were the classmate that made fun of the kid sitting by themselves at lunch, you were only making it worse for them.

Children in that situation always feel scared, nervous, and confused. The feeling of being scared comes from not knowing where they stand in the world. The feeling of nervousness comes from trying to always fit in and realizing that they are always failing. The feeling of being confused is that every where they go, it is not safe.

These kids have these feelings all day at school and then when they go "home".

What people do not understand is that abused children often are so afraid to go home due to there parents physical, emotional, verbal, and mental abuse. The kids that are unfortunate are always walking on eggshells.

I am introducing this subject so that people can stop the horror chain of child abuse. We all need to be aware of it because if we, as adults do teach our children the kind and correct way to treat others then this abuse will stop. It may take a long time but we will see success.

"So You Feel like You Don't Have a Soul"

Jun 29, 2011 by Angelica Manzietti

When someone feels like they do not have a soul, it can be a very traumatic experience every day of there lives. The soul, is the inner most part of one's body. We depend on our soul to take care of our feelings and attitude towards life in general. Of course the brain has a very huge part in how we think and act, but I am not talking about damage to the brain. I am speaking in regards to the destruction of one's soul.

This feeling of not having a soul does not happen over night. Our souls would have to take years of beatings, let downs, mistrusts, heartaches, terror, abuse, and much much more before it would eventually just vanish into thin air.

Those who really feel such a way, as myself, know that in the beginning we enjoyed life more often. We felt the feeling of love and joy. We had an understanding of people in general. If we happen to get upset, we learned to cope. We were happy and easy-going. I bet we all wish we can go back to those days when we were feeling good about life.

Although, our lives were not always fun loving and charming, was it? No, our childhood was a nightmare. Maybe you were physically abused like me or maybe you were molested. Whatever the case may be, those years of fright was the beginning of our lost souls. After those years have painfully past by, most try to forget about it. Not a good idea. It is always best to talk about it. So, we hold the past deep down inside our body's thinking it will be ok and while we were doing that, we are making friends, socializing, hanging out, and partying.

Now, this is the point of our lives where we fell into the relationships. Girl friends, boy friends, and best friends were a huge part of our lives. Then one day they do not want to be there with us any more. Friends move away or find new friends. We were left alone and abandoned.

Then we find a boyfriend or girlfriend that we were so in love with. We have all been there. "We are going to be with each other forever". Well, one heartache leads to another and then another till, eventually you feel worthless.

Most women and men do not develope the "lost soul" feeling. We develope the feeling when we are older. It can most deffinately happen when your younger too, but it is more likely to happen when you start to realize that your loved ones are dying off. Your father dies and then a few years later your mother. I believe when awfull events start to happen at a rapid pace and it is already hard to deal with the first stressfull situation, we just start to give up on life.

Now, instead of the happy, kind-hearted, and playful "person" we all used to be, we see our selves as monsters. We notice now, that almost everything bothers us. The aggitation alone would be enouph for people to not want to go near the wrath of not having a soul. We also start to notice we yell and scream instead of talking our quarrels through like normal. We have lost our souls and can take just as long to get them back as it did to lose them.

We are not like other people. We think differently now. We do not have many friends and have not made any friends. We have not socialized in many years so we forgot the way to make friends. We are lost souls wondering how to get back to the way we used to be. We struggle in life so much now that it is depressing. We feel there is just no way to get our souls back. "So You Feel Like You Don't Have a Soul".

You are not alone...........