Two weeks

The long two week period encompassing Christmas and New Year's was great.

My station work wrapped up on the 23rd (although it never does end). After the ice storm passed over on Christmas Eve, I went to York to visit friends and their families. To my surprise, I got fed well and a few gifts. Watching kids at my friends' grandparents' house passing around gifts was a trip back in time for me. The little ones ran around, and the adults sat near the tree awaiting their presents. Lotsa clothes, lotsa cards, and little Keegan got a toy combine to play in the dirt with. I wonder if Tonka also included a coupon for laundry detergent...

Up to my parents on Christmas Day. It was a busy day... went to church, exchanged gifts, took a 3 1/2 hour nap, then ate dinner.

Friday the 26th, we had 153 kids at our bowling tournament in Allentown.

I slept in on Saturday, and watched college bowling in Allentown, and reconnected with some good friends. Sunday morning was spent with Uncle Dave, at church and then for breakfast. It was 60 degrees that day, so I cleaned out my car while it was still warm. I am an incurable pack rat, so I did my best to do more cleaning in my old office at my parents' house.

I was here at the station Monday and Tuesday. Thank you for my birthday well wishes.

Wednesday, another tournament... 78 at Strike Zone Alleys here in town... then up to my buddy Matt's for New Year's Eve.

We watched Dick Clark at 11:30. I love the guy, and realize it's not New Year's Eve without him... his speech is still affected from his stroke four years ago. I imagine his brain is still sharp as a tack. However, I am not a Ryan Seacrest fan, so I paid more attention to the Monopoly game I lost, instead of TV.

New Year's Day was travel day to Pittsburgh. I listened to the first half of the Rose Bowl in the car... then was peeved when I couldn't pick up any station west of Ebensburg that carried PSU. Oh well, it was 31-7 USC at that point.

Friday was another successful tournament in Pittsburgh... 108 entries and over $1500 in scholarships awarded. Thanks to Rich at Nesbit's Lanes for putting my name on the marquee.

Saturday was my first trip to Nadine's in Pittsburgh. If you watch Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, Nadine's was featured on a recent episode. It's a neighboorhood bar (19 South 27th Street on the South Side of Pittsburgh)... if you go, they do allow smoking. I had the french toast, and it tastes just like my Mom's. I also had a taste of a meatball sub, and it was great. Nadine didn't make her pasta that day, but I will have some next time I go... and yes, all the specials are just $4.50.

I also ate a few meals at Kings Family Restaurants... home of the frownie. Yummy. The blackberry pie and mozzarella wedges were good, too.

Sunday meant more bowling in Lancaster. My one friend convinced me to go to the movies afterwards. I saw Jim Carrey's new movie, "Yes Man." I swear that I was looking my life story. I'm very hesitant to say yes to things I'm not sure of. Jim's character, Carl Allen, is worse. I won't spoil the plot, but it's funny, and there are plenty of parts featuring Carrey's trademark physical comedy. The co-star Zooey Deschanel was a good pick.

Before I headed home, I stopped by Stauffers of Kissel Hill... a local chain of grocery and garden stores in Lancaster County. OMG!! It's the Dutch Country version of Meijer! The bakery has sooo much stuff! I'm eating the baked oatmeal for lunch, and they have so many homemade foods. I'll be back before too long. They even carry Kerry Dowd's favorite, Vernor's Ginger Soda.

As much as I enjoyed the time off, I was kinda eager to get back to the station today. Time off is good, but I was ready to get back to my daily routine.

Talk with you at 6:00.

Buckle up,
TS

A Great Storyteller...

If you're a viewer of the morning newscasts on WGAL Channel 8, then you're used to hearing the calming, yet authoritative, voice of Dick Hoxworth. He retires tomorrow after a 40-year career at WGAL.

Channel 8 will air a special tribute to Hoxworth tonight at 7PM, then he'll anchor his last newscast tomorrow morning... 5AM-7AM.

Dick read one of my news stories that I submitted to the Associated Press back in 2001, when a jerk (I'm being nice) stole a cash envelope from a lady at a neighboring bank, then sought refuge in our garage. I'll share the whole story some other time, but I submitted the story to AP, and Dick read it the next day.

He's an outstanding journalist... watch some of his work on WGAL.com. Best of luck to Dick in retirement.

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I'm on air 2pm to 6pm today, then off til next Monday. Merry Christmas!

Buckle up,
TS

The Grinch stole my voice.

I'm in the midst of the 10-day cold. It sucks. With me, it doesn't go down to my throat... it starts it the back of my nose, stays there for about 4 days, then moves to the sinuses. Can't tell if its just a run-of-the-mill upper respiratory infection, or sinusitis. I'm on Cefdinir, Coldeeze, Cepacol, ibuprofen, and my third box of kleenex. Better now than next week... but this explains why you've hardly heard me all week. Sleeping has been an adventure, moreso than what we're expecting weatherwise.

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You can argue with me from here to Sans Souci about this... hands down, bar none, case closed, the best pro football player EVER was Slingin' Sammy Baugh... he passed away yesterday at age 94. He played for the Redskins from 1937-1952. In 1943, he led the NFL in passing, punting, and interceptions... he was the best of the 60-minute men. He won two NFL titles, in '37 and '42. He did coach for about a dozen years after he retired, but then spent the rest of his days on his West Texas farm. He never did return to Washington because it broke his one simple rule... be home by sundown.

His #33 is the only number the Redskins ever retired.

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Buckle up.
TS

December 1st

24 days til Jolly Old Saint Nick flies through the skies.

Thanksgiving was enjoyable... I split time with friends and family, and had great food at both places. My day off on Friday was just as good.

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I can understand why Plaxico Burress would carry a gun with him. Check out ESPN the Magazine's recent cover story on athlete safety.

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Radio, especially top 40 radio, lost a true pioneer. Bill Drake passed away over the weekend. Go to reelradio.com to find out how important he was to our industry in the 60s and 70s.

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Congratulations, Schuylkill Haven Hurricanes. Composure is key. Mount Carmel Area, great season. It's always fun watching your team.

Pack your patience if you go to Blue Mountain Friday night. Traffic will be a bear.

Buckle up,
TS

Football, horse racing, and bowling...

My three favorite sports... LOL.

Football first. I get to broadcast my first game at the Silver Bowl tomorrow, for the Mount Carmel Area/Montoursville game on T102radio.com. I can't wait. It's gonna be cold, but the place will be packed.

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Horse racing... Atlantic City Race Course stays open, thank goodness. I didn't get to go this year, but they'll have six days of racing next year... with plans to upgrade the old facility, and maybe get some more racing dates.

Maryland passed their slots bill back on Election Day. Slots will most likely be coming to Laurel Park and Ocean Downs. If Ocean Downs get slots, I hope they improve the grandstand. Get real chairs, instead of folding chairs... and a real place for the camera operators to be stationed.

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Bowling... if I sound tired on Monday, here's why... I'll be running one of my bowling tournaments on Sunday in Limerick. Over 170 bowlers are signed up, including yours truly. I may be in pain, considering it's been a while since I've bowled more than six games in a day.

Buckle up,
TS

It's been a while...

It's been a while since I've posted. A lot has happened and a lot has been going on.

Yes, I voted. #63 at the Norwegian Township precinct in Mar Lin. I have the sticker to prove it. The results and who I voted for ended up about 50-50. I was semi-miffed as to why Senator Obama was declared the winner right after the polls on the west coast closed, but I guess the pundits know more than I do.

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I've been getting up at 7AM ever since we changed the clocks back. I never did understand why we changed the clocks in the first place. I wouldn't mind an 8:30AM sunrise and 5:30PM sunset.

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Business Alert: I found out where my massage therapist and good buddy Kelly Salen went... she opened her own salon and spa in Orwigsburg. You'll hear commercials for it next week.

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I'll be at the Tri-Valley/Lourdes game on Friday night, doing play-by-play on T102. Saturday, I'll be at the rematch of Wilson/Bangor. They met three weeks ago, and the final was 50-40. I don't think the rain will allow that to happen again.

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The 2009 desktop calendar are almost ready to be shipped to the printer. Keep listening for how to get yours.

Buckle Up,
TS

Join me tonight...

I'll be at Maroons Sports Bar & Grille between 7pm-8pm, giving away Phillies goodies, stuff from Yuengling, and maybe an LCD HDTV!

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Phillies win tonight. Nobody in Philadelphia will work tomorrow.

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Courtney had a cold. Dave Smith has a cold. I hope I don't get one.

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My Seahawks are on a one-game winning streak.

I knew that new 49ers coach Mike Singletary was an intense guy. I'm glad he's brought that with him to the sidelines. He's exactly what that team needs... a kick in the you-know-where.

Buckle up,
TS