Search
Polls
Latest Forum Posts
| Re:Football unclebuck 02-10-08 12:59 |
| Re:Football adr5ram4 26-09-08 00:41 |
| Re:Football unclebuck 18-09-08 17:51 |
Login Form
| Fast Talk |
|
|
| Written by Ron Swift / Fast Talk | |
| Friday, 25 July 2008 | |
|
Reading or not, here they come  Ron Swift / Fast Talk That’s what faced a group of local Boy Scouts the past couple of weeks when they were hosted in the homes of Scouting families in Reading, Mass., a community about 12 miles north of Boston. On paper, Reading is similar in size to Patterson — about 21,000 in population. It has a small-community feel and charm. Neighbors know neighbors, and their kids play together on the block and share backyard swimming pools. Families support their kids in the school band or on youth athletic teams, and ice hockey is a popular sport. But that’s where the similarity ends. Reading has a 360-year history, having been founded in 1644. It is hilly, and its trees are tall and lush, many of its residential streets winding and narrow. And while Patterson is surrounded by hills and farmland, Reading is surrounded by even more houses, making it seem much larger. Our Boy Scout host families, who took us into their homes for a week (we spent the other at an excellent Scout summer camp in New Hampshire), were very warm and hospitable. They fed us, transported us around on historical tours of their area, took us swimming in the ocean and accompanied us to a free Red Sox game at historic Fenway Park — tickets compliments of Dunkin’ Donuts, which has its corporate office in Boston. In short, we received the royal treatment. And we certainly have a much greater understanding of Paul Revere, having walked through his house. But the fun continues. Now begins the planning of next summer’s visit to Patterson by Reading BSA Troop 728. As for the full story of what we experienced, I’ll leave that for a future issue of the Irrigator, after reporter Maddy Houk talks with a few members of Patterson Troop 81. FOR THE SPORTS FAN Longtime Patterson resident and businessman Seth “Tex” Pace, who now lives in Turlock with his wife, Dorothy, turned 90 on Wednesday and was feted here by friends and relatives who gathered at Mil’s Bar and Grill. But what a 90! Tex doesn’t look it, act it, talk it or think it. In fact, he proudly boasts that he shot his age (89) not once, but twice this year on the golf course. It was a fun gathering, attended by two members of his former football officiating team, Ernie Nunes and Phil Breasher. No yellow flags were thrown, as everyone at the party stayed in line. AN ADMISSION I’ll come clean. I talked on a borrowed cell phone not once, but three times while on the Boston trip. That ups my cell phone usage to five calls, but I strongly resolve to keep it below half a dozen. AND FINALLY … Speaking of cell phones (we were, weren’t we?), I hope you read about the warning in the daily press. The head of a cancer research institute back east suggests limitation of cell phone usage because of possible cancer risk. While brain tumor studies are as yet inconclusive, he urges that young children use the OIDs (Obnoxious Intrusive Devices) only for emergencies. Now, just where have you previously read about the possibility of electromagnetic radiation? Need I say “I told you so”?
Set as favorite
Bookmark
Email This
Hits: 184 Comments
(0)
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed