November 2008

from The Editor : Autumn Thru a Child's Eyes
The annual October / November western Pennsylvania burst of beauty never fails to take my breath. A morning's drive to work is just a bit more glorious this time of year, a walk in the woods near to divine.

	October 2008

from The Editor : Give Honor Where Honor Is Due
Honor is one of my favorite "activities". I refer to honor as an activity because the practice of it requires a certain degree of effort and attitude. To give honor to someone or something such as an organization or business, it is first necessary to execute a measurement. The measurement process begins by taking what is considered normal or standard and then holding up the person or organization to that standard. If the person or organization goes above and beyond the norm or what is standard then a certain degree of honor is due.

from The Editor : Amazing Faith
Every Sunday morning across the Alle-Kiski Valley thousands upon thousands of men, women and children rise from their warm comfortable beds to attend local church services. They go to worship with their neighbors, their friends and family. Their faith, no matter how neglected by the media and modern society, is the very underpinning of our region. Their devotion to God and their faithful service to our communities are fundamental to the life we enjoy here in the valley.

	June 2008

from The Editor : Gratitude
I am endlessly amazed at the callous lack of gratitude we Americans can muster. I believe my amazement comes from my own realization of what a fool I am and yet still how much I have - just by being blessed to be born in this country. I mean - I can screw up any good thing that God decides to send my way. Really I can.

	May 2008

from The Editor : Pack-Ratters Take Hope!
One of my best friends once told me that he'd never met a man who could completely fill a four-car garage with junk until he met me. I'm not too sure it was a compliment. He's told me three times now. Once for every time he visited me in my garage. I've tried explaining to him that my garage is infested with very large packrats and that matter how many traps I set the junk just keeps piling up...

from The Editor : Generosity As A Way Of Life
If you've ever been to a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game at PNC Park you have likely been ushered to your seat by some kindly senior gentleman with an old rag to wipe off your seat. When they are done a tip is appropriate, buck or two for his kind gesture and the assurance that he will look out for you and your guests during the game. This past month my daughter took me to a ball game. We arrived very early to get a chance to see the teams warm up. Our seating section usher lead us to our seats with a big smile, wiped them down for us and helped us get situated. I gave him a couple bucks and he watched over us through the game. As I watched more folks file in I noticed to my great displeasure how many never even said thanks to the old fella. Where has our generosity gone?