Lots to reasons to be thankful | Chatter Box

This week, I will say I’m especially thankful for our Daily News readers. We have been supported by the community for 100 years. It is hard to describe this level of gratitude. I’m thankful for everyone who picks up the newspaper. I don’t care if they buy it on the news stands one day a week or they have it delivered every day. I don’t care if they read one story or every single page. They’re keeping a 100-year tradition alive.

It doesn’t matter if it is constructive criticism or positive feedback, I love hearing from readers. Last week, a few people reached out to me to express gratitude for my shoutout to the first responders. Just knowing you’re reading this column means so much. It’s so much fun to hear about all the different ways people support fire departments. Jean Hampson from Three Springs reminded us that people come from all walks of the globe to support Three Springs Fire Co. turkey dinners. She says they have the best stuffing.

I’m also thankful for our Daily News staff that makes this “daily miracle” happen day in and day out. There are so many people who have a hand in that one product you read each day — from the circulation department to classified ads, composing, advertising, sports, and of course, news. And we can’t forget about the folks who print the paper and those who work in our mailroom, as well as the drivers who faithfully get newspapers to post offices and stores all across the county. Without even one of those departments, you wouldn’t be reading this column. Daily News employees work in every kind of weather and all kinds of situations.

It’s so nice to see holiday events returning after, in some cases, a two-year hiatus. It’s a busy time ahead of Christmas. If you’re looking to add some events to your list, here are a few: The 15th Street United Methodist Church will host its annual cookie walk beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. The cookies don’t last long, so you’ll want to get there early.

At 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 11, the church will host Come to the Stable. This event tells the story the Nativity.

Bob “Hum” Rodgers tells us this month what’s he’s thankful for, so without further ado:

Shiver me timbers, it is November; as Popeye the sailor man always said “Eat more spinach.” I had a nice letter to the mailbag from Myla Norris of Piney Ridge. Keep reading and thank you for your letter. Shout outs go to Janet Shugarts from Kistler and Dayton. Some disagreements occurred on the football field. Sometimes my perception of a play as a coach was different from that of the referee Shugarts. I am a great friend, and I wish I could visit him more often. Thanks for reading.

Thank you also to Larry Snyder, who was formerly from Mount Union, and for being an avid reader. Brian Rodgers was also told by Larry Snyder how much he loved working at the old institution for his brother Captain Rodgers. Larry was proud of his command and respect for his officers. Captain enjoyed telling stories about his tank driving for Gen. George Patton.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Veterans Day Parade Nov. 5. I was right across the street from the Washington Street Medicine Shoppe. My Republican committee had a float that was ridden by several veterans. Let me tell you, as my flag passed by I stood and crossed mine heart. As the veterans passed by, I stood and said, “Thank you, my heroes.”

Last night I was still sleeping and I began thanking God every day for His blessings. This happened at 4:30 AM. By 5 AM, my November story had been changed! I would like to comment on some of the bitter comments in the Opinion Line as well as Letters to Editor. We are blessed to have a local paper, with hard-working employees. They perform their duties without hesitation. These lies were not written by educated men, so I couldn’t print them.

My opinion is “Let’s take a positive look at this area.” I have often wondered just what visitors think about our town with all the negativity. The beauty of Raystown Lake has attracted many people to the county. It is a pleasure to meet campers and rent campsites for those who dream of moving here.

Mayor Tom Yoder deserves praise for his block advertisement that attracts attention. He outlines each month’s activities and projects in the borough. It’s a great addition to your paper with photos of events, e.g. Breakfast/coffee served by the mayor The Daily News should do something similar. We must now focus on the Thanksgiving season after the election is over.

With this in mind, I’d like to share some of the blessings I have and things I am grateful for. Remember the hymn, “Count Your Blessings, Name Them one By One”. Here goes…..

My Lord and Savior, without Him, I would be nothing.

My family: I have five kids: Shannon, Ashley and Hunter, Noah, and Stephanie, my wife. Each one of them is special to me! Brian is a successful entrepreneur, owns a semi-pro football team, and has his son Jesse as a business partner. Andy and Shannon are married. Shannon studied hard for her nursing degree in Altoona. Ashley is engaged to Dylan. She is a teacher aide for the Altoona school system. Hunter, 26, lives at home and works at Martin Appliance in Pinecroft. He is a PIAA referee and umpire. He was recently named the Calvary Christian Academy’s head basketball coach. Noah, 23 years old, lives at home and works at Huntingdon County Jail. Noah graduated from South Hills Business School. He is majoring in criminal Justice. He coaches the Mifflin County Tomahawks. Noah also loves collecting sports collectibles. Stephanie is a hardworking wife and mother. She does each with a lot of love. She is crazy about Hunter’s 6-month-old beagle pup named Duke. She is a huge fan of the dog that has transformed our lives. He is loved by all of us. She is our housekeeper and works two jobs. She works part time at The FARM in Alexandria — watch for the smoke when Jim is barbecuing. She also works at Westminster Woods. I don’t know her job title, but she works many long hours, very diligently, then returns home to three grown men and Duke. We are so grateful for you.

Greg Harven, my pastor and my church family at Emmanuel Bible Church. Pastor is a great preacher. Many trials have been a part of his life. Kim died young after giving birth to Mark, Mark’s seventh child. She had six children, who now live in Canada and the United States. Our congregation includes members of all ages: babies through to one person over 91, and possibly a couple over 90. Activities, hymn sings and monthly meals are all part of our program. We also have HCA plays, fruit baskets, and guest evangelists that always preach the Holy Bible.

My parents and siblings: Dad was one the true heroes of mine. He taught me fishing, hunting, trapping, and, our favorite, fishing. I’m attaching a picture of Dad leaving his work at 4 p.m. one day from J.C. Blair Co. (he is the dark shirt). Although he was the sole provider of his income, I was most proud that he believed in Christ as his Savior. Pastor Steve Crile, and I drove to Dad’s house. He knelt on the brown couch, and the pastor explained to him what to do. It was his first time that I had ever heard him pray, and it was through his tears. Vernon Allison was his friend and he loved to share the Gospel tracts.

I’d like to talk about Mum who was the best lady I had ever known. Dad and Mum were 8th-grade educated. However, they had four healthy children and survived the Great Depression. Mum worked night and day at her home. Dad had dug a well to provide water for the family’s laundry and cooking needs. Mum used all the water from her Maytag washer to fill it, and then she used that water to pump enough water to fill a large galvanized tub. The clothes were then washed in the clean water. Mum would then twist the garment into a wooded basket after it was thoroughly wrung. Once the basket was full, Mum would take it outside to dry on the clothesline. The drying process would move indoors if it was rainy. If so, clothes would be dried on old-fashioned drying racks. It was her job every Monday rain or shine. Tuesday was ironing day; she even ironed Dad’s big blue hankies (he always had one hanging out of his back pocket because he sweat summer or winter). There was also a baking day. She baked cinnamon rolls and bread. (Every loaf was butter-brushed, giving them a shiny look like a new Chevy), dinner rolls. Delicious meals were made from all the garden vegetables. Dad commented on how Mum could create a meal with nothing. Just a couple of our favorites: coffee soup over homemade bread, duke’s mixture (all of the leftovers mixed with scrambled eggs), and garden peas and new potatoes cooked together in cream and butter sauce. I’m beginning to drool; my tastebuds are creating the need for a bib.

I’m proud to say Mum asked Jesus to save her while a patient in J.C. Blair Hospital. Rev. Rev. Reed Rogers from CMA Huntingdon introduced her to God and encouraged her in going to church. It was a while before the lake moved us. Soon after we moved to 722 Warm Springs Ave. in 1972, she settled down there. Mum began going to Emmanuel Bible Church on Portland Avenue where used to be the high school. On the third floor, church was held. Mum and Dad were quickly reunited with Les McBride and Dorothy McBride. They sat together in a second pew on the left side of the church, facing the pulpit. I used to watch Mum and Dorothy kissing their cheeks and Les and Dad embracing at every service. Dad referred to Lester as a man’s man! I must move on: see the photo of Mum and Dad’s 50th wedding anniversary. It was Dec. 7 — easy to remember because we always honored our veterans on Pearl Harbor Day.

This story was about Charles Rodgers. He was a hero to my family. Attached is a photo I took of Mum and my siblings. Charles is wearing an army uniform. He brought his army skills with him to his job at the institution, where he was joined by several others who would later regret challenging him to fight. They didn’t know Charlie was a champion boxer at Fort Hood, Texas where he received army training. He graduated from football in 1941. JG Everard was his coach. He was a player with Walter Lott and Bob Cutshall, John Brown and Harold Hockenberry. That’s all that I remember from Charlie’s stories.

Hurrying on, I also had two wonderful sisters: Jean Grubb — she was a plain woman who never had much, never asked for much, and would give you anything you needed. She was a great cook specializing in potato salad and “Jean’s baked beans.” Each stop included black brewed coffee on a wood-fired cook stove and a piece of pie. The rest of my visits included stories about her family and every time I said goodbye, she would always reply “Come here, Sonny, ‘till I give you a kiss.” She loved her son, Gary, and daughter, Lois. Jean was cared for by Gary in her final years at his Entriken home. There are many things I could say about Jean’s funeral at Woodcock Valley Bible Church. Many valley residents showed their respect for Jean at the church, which was packed. Jean insisted that the Rev. Buddy Baird will preside at the service. Buddy is a friend I’ve known for 50+ years. One of his stories of Jean was his praise of her having the cleanest outhouse he’s ever seen. Thanks, Buddy! Buddy, I love you so much. Dorothy Brindle was my other sister. While she lived in Aitch, she raised five children: Connie Hoey and Bonnie Snare, Jim Brindle (deceased), John Brindle,and Pat Brindle. She worked in her 40s for Elco Corp. as a strip line setter for molded connectors. Dorothy was a talented baker and cook. Her homemade breads and rolls were glistening in butter melting. There were always cinnamon rolls with frosting and some without. Others with walnuts and icing. Her large family often required her to bake pies and cakes over a period of several days. Dorothy wasn’t extravagant, but she was more concerned about her family’s hair than anyone else.

Recent declines in her health have been a problem. She fell about a week ago, and was taken to Huntingdon hospital’s emergency department. I immediately went over to her and we had a private meeting, even though she was still on litter. I read the New Testament and was particularly struck by the story of God providing a mansion for her if she believed in Christ. She said “yes” — when she was in Broad Top City, her preacher showed her. She said that she wasn’t afraid. She is now 94 years old and waiting to be admitted to The Village in Martinsburg. As I pulled the curtains in the ER, I told her that I loved her and as always she answered, “I love you more.” I’m praying for you, Dottie.

I’m running out of space:

I’m blessed with grandchildren: I’m blessed with a miracle grandson, Max, who weighed 1 lb., 15 oz., at birth and could be held in your palm. I spent many hours praying for Max with my bended knees. Max is now three years old and as smart as he can be. All praise to God!

I’m blessed with good neighbors.

I’m blessed with many preacher friends: Leon Foote, Bob Maurer, Dan Hummel, Donnie Pollard, and John Leatherman.

I’m blessed with my best friends from college: Paul Perencevic, Grant Stiffler, Guy Feather, Woody Beaver, Charlie Stump, Terry Shoenback, and Jimmy Donley (who I helped put in a dryer at school — at least we kept it on low.)

I’m blessed with all my classmates from 1962. I’m blessed with good health. Every morning, I thank God when I see the sun.

As the Bible says: Count your blessings; I’ve only scratched the surface.

Next month we will feature a Christmas story with help from Eddie Hammers and Gary Snare. I will have pictures for my readers.

Readers, you’re all a blessing for this old man. I love each of you — I really do.

God bless you today and especially Thanksgiving, and soon Christmas.