by Mark Patterson Something of a scoundrel-albeit a charming one-my dad played the ponies throughout most of his adult life. Please consider that this was long before legalized sports-betting slapped a veneer of legitimacy on the sort of “financial speculation” that sometimes results in dining…
There are a lot of challenges ahead for Hancock County in 2026. At this point the most pressing challenge is rectifying the financial crisis in the Hancock County School system. …….Despite the meetings I’ve attended and the research I have done, I’m still baffled by…
by Mark Patterson We embarked with nervous excitement. A somewhat familiar 40-minute drive would take us 5 miles north to route 30, at which point a hard right would head through Clinton, with just several more minutes to our destination, the Pittsburgh International Airport. All…
……Christmas is all about memories. The magical ones live forever in our hearts. Unfortunately, death, tragedy and sickness observe no holiday and those memories also take up space in our memory bank emerging at unexpected moments. But time often softens the edges of the memories…
by Mark Patterson In the early 19th century, Washington Irving, who wrote such classics as The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Rip Van Winkle, set his fabled pen to Christmas, with a public service in mind: to call out the use of the holiday as an…
Let there be light The holiday season should be a time for reflection. We have much to be thankful for at this timeo f year. But sometimes we forget.First of all, I would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a prosperous…
Magic moments occur at Christmas. Our towns are lit like stars dropped out of the sky to welcome Santa. Numerous events make memories for our youngsters who still believe and those who are just now wondering about Santa and the elves. But, we all know…
by Mark Patterson Lifelong misers going charitable overnight, bumbling, big-hearted dads striving for a Norman Rockwell Christmas, department store Santas who are actually the real sleigh-jockey…three short summaries of holiday films pushed by cable tv as “beloved” fixtures in our yuletide firmament. Sweet. My family…
….As parents, we baby boomers are maligned quite frequently. Look at the profiles even today on Facebook about our relaxed manner of raising children. I was one of those mothers who trusted in everybody to watch out for my kids. After all, why live in…