A cautionary note to those who took up home canning

September 15, 2020

Plenty of people have taken on new hobbies this past spring and summer, spurred by uncertainties over the coronavirus pandemic. Backyard gardening became popular again, and the past month has seen the bounty of the season being harvested for meals and preservation. Evidence of that may be found in a shortage of home canning supplies on local store shelves — and on other store shelves nationwide, according to reports. We wonder, though, about the experience, or lack thereof, of those engaging in canning fruits and vegetables. There are risks involved in not preparing equipment ...

Prompt action will best insure mail-in ballots

September 14, 2020

Today is the first day in Pennsylvania for registered voters to apply for a mail-in ballot for the Nov. 3 general election. While we urge voters to go to the polls in person on Nov. 3, we also understand that there are reasons that may cause hesitation for some people, particularly during the ongoing public health crisis. Those people may choose to use mail-in ballots — but they need to realize the potential consequences. Indeed, concern over the use of mail-in ballots is building in many quarters. Critics of the process fall into two categories: Those who worry about voter ...

Help wanted; Help needed

September 12, 2020

How about rotating the Pedestrian Mall throughout targeted areas within the business district of the City of Lock Haven to help those businesses not on or along Main Street? Ask area farm markets the best day they can come downtown to sell their produce and wares— a day when their business is otherwise slow? Move outdoor concerts to other intersections in the city instead of just Main and Grove. Meet as frequently as reasonable with businesses through Downtown Lock Haven Inc. to keep the dialogue open and ideas flowing on how businesses can sustain and survive the slowdown due to ...

Sept. 11: On this day …

September 11, 2020

Nineteen years ago today our nation —our way of life — experienced the horrific attacks by radical Islamic terrorists. Today, let’s pray for peace. Let’s pray for that which calms us. And let’s pray that we continue to have learned a lesson in how better to protect ourselves against terrorism. Ah ... peace. Have we had any true peace since Sept. 11, 2001? Perhaps some, but how often have we again had to put up our guard? The world has changed greatly since that fateful day when the Islamic group, al-Qaeda, hijacked commercial airliners and flew them into the two towers ...

Make yourself count: Complete the 2020 Census

September 10, 2020

You count! That is, unless you don’t. That’s why we implore you to PLEASE fill out a 2020 Census form and get counted. It takes just minutes, it really does. The census is our nation’s long-standing method of knowing you’re around so it can help you. That is, to provide help in the form of disbursing money from the taxes you pay to your community and to you, and to disburse essential services. Indeed, official U.S. Census results shape the future of communities, as census data informs how billions of dollars in federal funds are distributed for health clinics, ...

We will do it again

September 8, 2020

Too many of our family members, friends, neighbors and in some cases, former co-workers are in trouble this Labor Day week for the holiday to be a time of carefree celebration. Plenty of room remains for pride in what working men and women accomplish, however. Reflecting upon it gives us reason for optimism, in fact. On Labor Day 2019, we Americans were riding on top of the world. The U.S. unemployment rate was just 4.8%. Nothing could stop us. Six months ago we received a rude awakening. COVID-19 not only nearly completely stopped us — it shoved us backward. At the ...