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Let’s reflect on true meaning of Thanksgiving

In 1789, when President George Washington declared Nov. 26 of that year a day of Thanksgiving to express gratitude for the creation of the United States of America, that declaration probably was overlooked or ignored by many, if not most, of his countrymen —– if those countrymen even had heard that a declaration had been issued. At that time, this new country was continuing its struggle for survival, and every day was a challenge. Meanwhile, the development of mass communication still was far in the future. It can be presumed that people were so caught up in the trials and ...

Regional road projects, sadly, still on hold

Some people old enough to remember the late 1960s and 1970s might recall a Pennsylvania highway funding “tidbit” of that time. The essence of it was that once the major highway projects in and around the state’s big cities were completed, construction attention would shift to places such as the six-county Southern Alleghenies region. The trouble was that when it was this part of the state’s turn to be accorded deserved attention, funding started to dry up, and much of the promised attention was put on hold until some future time. Fifty or more years later, it is difficult ...

It seems like annual race to Christmas

Even though Thanksgiving has not yet come and gone, with each passing day the Christmas holiday season already seems more entrenched than what it was the day before. Many “old-timers” 60 and above can recall when their family did not even begin to think about the end-of-the-year holidays until after Dec. 1. And, on Dec. 1 for those families who every year adorned their homes with a live Christmas tree, the thought of the upcoming “tree hunt” had not yet begun capturing their attention. But as virtually everyone now acknowledges, times have changed, and the upcoming ...

Lakemont vandalism disturbing

Many families are finding it hard to believe that Black Friday is less than two weeks away — Black Friday being the day when careful planning gives way to what usually is about four weeks of holiday shopping frenzy. But this year offers another kind of “gift” opportunity that hopefully Logan Township Police investigators and the Blair County court system — either the juvenile court system or adult court, or both — will be able to deliver. We’re referring to arrests of those responsible for the approximately $100,000 of vandalism inflicted on Lakemont Park in four ...

Aiding veterans truly a mission worth ‘sharing’

“Illuminating the spirit of Christmas” was the headline of last year’s Dec. 24-25 Mirror editorial. However, as more people here learn each year, illumination of that spirit actually begins in early November when the Mirror launches its annual Season of Sharing fundraising campaign on behalf of some worthy organization or cause. This year, Season of Sharing will benefit Sweat for Vets, a nonprofit organization started by local veterans nine years ago. As this weekend’s article about the launching of the campaign reminds this and surrounding communities, Sweat for Vets is ...

Don’t shelter important discussion

The Mirror’s Oct. 19 editorial dealing with a housing proposal for the former Keith Junior High School athletic field urged city officials to seek input from people residing near that property. The editorial emphasized “it is better for the proposal to be fully aired at some point before final decisions are forthcoming than to have misunderstanding and/or anger undermine what might be the best alternative available.” Even before that editorial had been published, two neighbors of the property in question had reached out to express concern and opposition regarding the proposal. ...