The LuLac Edition #4,298, May 21st, 2020

BILL BRACE’S LAST RIDE

When former Wilkes-Barre City official and Killer Bees founder Bill Brace passed away last week the general consensus, (after reflecting on his life and our loss) was that due to the current health pandemic his funeral wouldn’t do his memory justice. After all, Masses were suspended on March 16th by the Diocese.
My friend Ted Wampole said that Bill’s family and close friends were thinking of doing a car caravan to the cemetery on the day of the funeral. Ted and I figured then it would only be a handful of cars.
Today Bill Brace was laid to rest in Sacred Heart/St. Andre Bessette in Dallas. Former and current city employees and officials were on hand with friends and family. I saw former Mayor Tom Leighton there too along with Brace's successor Jim Ryan. At 10:30pm, as the church bells of St. Nick’s tolled, in my estimation, about 125 cars followed Bill to his final resting place from the McLaughlin funeral home.
As Bill would appreciate, it was a wild ride. My car followed retired Fire Captain John Ostrum and his wife Mickki’s vehicle. I figured with a firefighter, who used to drive truck, this would be calm and easy.
We processed down Washington Street and made a left on Wilkes-Barre Blvd. Our flashers and funeral car flags didn’t catch the notice of a few drivers but we navigated through that and headed to the North end of the city. A Wilkes-Barre police car was leading the hearse but our cars were far behind and we had to stay alert.
I thought that Bill:
a. Would have appreciated the outpouring of love and support.
b. Most likely be wildly amused by some of the driving skills being exhibited by former Killer Bees.
We got on The Cross Valley and things were going swimmingly well. That was until we got to the Luzerne exit area where one lane was closed. The merging began and despite my gesturing to the baby blue rig (yes a baby blue tractor trailer), that just moved in on us our caravan was interrupted.  Until the day I die you aren’t going to convince me that Brace didn’t have a cosmic hand in that one!
Despite my hand waving for the behemoth to stop, I lost Ostrum. I had about 15 cars behind me so I was careful not to sway into too many lanes to catch up. But God was good and when the Dallas traffic thinned, I finally caught up with Ostrum’s car.
We started up a winding hill and parked toward the top.
It was then I realized just how many cars were there. The service was brief but dignified. Due to social distancing it was live streamed on an App but there were momentary glitches. The presiding clergyman attributed that to Brace playing one last prank on all of us. In a nod to his military service, the bugler gave the final salute.
The people then headed back to their respective cars and we all pretty much lingered and shared thoughts and memories. Mrs. Ostrum in remarking on the number of cars said, “Could you imagine the number of people at the church in a normal time?”
Indeed.
On departure, as I was following the cars ahead of me well the pace wasn’t as hectic. As a matter of fact, it was downright peaceful. The vehicles stopped and started. The first time I stopped I spied two birds atop a tombstone. One was a cardinal and the other was a Baltimore oriole. I thought it ironic since Bill loved baseball so much.
At the next stop, I saw two bees flying by crossing my outer windshield.
Now I’m no bird watcher or nature buff but I can’t help but think that our friend Bill Brace’s spirit was just saying one last goodbye.
He will be missed.

TRUMP RAGES AGAINST FOX NEWS’ NEIL CAVUTO OVER ON-AIR HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE WARNING

Trump blows his stack again! (Photo: LuLac archives) 

President Donald Trump once again criticized his go-to network Fox News Monday night, this time after anchor Neil Cavuto warned against the use of hydroxychloroquine for anything other than malaria and lupus. Earlier Monday, the president claimed he was taking the drug to combat the coronavirus.
“@FoxNews is no longer the same. We miss the great Roger Ailes. You have more anti-Trump people, by far, than ever before. Looking for a new outlet!” Trump lamented after a follower on Twitter asked him about Cavuto.
In his on-air warning about hydroxychloroquine, Cavuto cited studies about the drug’s dangers and broke from the network’s primetime host/non-doctor Laura Ingraham — a proponent of the drug’s use in preventing and fighting the coronavirus.
Here's the thing folks. The attack on Fox News is just indicative of the state of mind that this President is in. He has demonstrated Mussolini like tendencies before but they were aimed at foes, not friends. His unreasonable behavior knows no bounds because nothing if off limits. 

CARTWRIGHT ANNOUNCES OVER $1.3 MILLION TO EXPAND CORONAVIRUS TESTING CAPACITY IN NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA

Congressman Matt Cartwright with your blog editor. (Photo: LuLac archives)

Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) today announced the release of $1,338,297 to three northeastern Pennsylvania health centers as part of the newly created Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Expanding Coronavirus Testing (ECT) Program.
The following centers in northeastern Pennsylvania have received awards:
Rural Health Corporation of Northeastern Pennsylvania - $304,054
Scranton Primary Health Care Center Inc. - $277,474
Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers - $756,769
These funds provide additional resources for the centers to continue to provide health services our communities need during this health crisis. Specifically, they may be used for necessary expenses to purchase, administer and expand capacity for testing to monitor and suppress COVID-19.
“Widespread testing is the key to bringing this virus under control and getting our economy back up and running,” said Rep. Cartwright, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “We’re not at the level we need to be yet, but this money for our local health centers is an important step in the right direction.”
These awards come from funding authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act (H.R. 748), which Cartwright helped enact on March 27. These resources, which will be distributed through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), can be used for coronavirus testing; diagnosing and treating COVID-19; and maintaining or increase health capacity and staffing levels to address this public health emergency. HRSA is making these investments available immediately, as they are critical to our health care response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

REGIONAL RECOVERY TASK FORCE ESTABLISHED FOR LACKAWANNA COUNTY

Senator John Blake (Photo: LuLac archives)

Across our region and around the globe, we are facing an unprecedented public health and economic crisis – the depth and complexities of which we’ve never seen and we’ve never known. COVID-19 has changed the way we live, the way we work and the way we communicate. It does not, however, diminish our resolve to come together to see our communities and our residents through this global pandemic.
Earlier this week, we announced the formation of a Regional Recovery Task Force (RRTF) to ensure we are ready for the eventual reopening of our economy and that we are positioned to aggressively pursue and obtain any additional state or federal funding that should be invested in our communities and our people. This bipartisan Task Force will be a unified and collective voice on behalf of Lackawanna County residents and businesses.
The Task Force will meet frequently and routinely, and we will be planning and setting forth near- and long-term goals. The health and safety of Lackawanna County residents will, however, remain our top priority. We will continue to monitor the guidelines and policy directives set forth by Governor Tom Wolf, the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Regional Recovery Task Force includes myself; State Representative Kyle Mullins, 112th District; State Representative Marty Flynn, 113th District; State Representative Bridget Kosierowski, 114th District; State Representative Karen Boback, 117th District; State Representative Mike Carroll, 118th District; Lackawanna County Commissioners Jerry Notarianni, Debi Domenick and Chris Chermak; Paige Cognetti, Mayor of Scranton; and Bob Durkin, President, Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. The Task Force will actively engage a number of other business leaders in our financial services and health care industries as well as public safety and community and economic development professionals.
The Regional Recovery Task Force will focus the attention of experts and stakeholders via six separate work groups to address critical and interrelated sectors of our economy. These work groups include: Public Health, Workforce, Business Assistance/Finance, Education, Strategic Planning and Marketing.
We look forward to working together on behalf of all residents of Lackawanna County to ensure that our region, our businesses and our residents are prepared to act when directives and guidelines for reopening are issued.
It will be a long road to recovery, but together, we will lead our communities and our people back to a place of health and prosperity.

CASEY INTRODUCES ‘FARMERS FEEDING FAMILIES ACT TO CONNECT FARMS AND FOOD BANKS

Senator Bob Casey (Photo: LuLac archives)

Senator Bob Casey  has introduced the Farmers Feeding Families – Coronavirus Response Act, which would provide much-needed additional funding to purchase goods from small and medium farmers and producers who are sitting on surplus crops and provide them to food banks and food assistance programs who are facing unprecedented demands. Representatives Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA-08) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-05) have introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. The bill builds on Senator Casey’s work to establish Farm to Food Bank projects in the 2018 Farm Bill to better connect surplus product with the families who need it.
“As farmers and communities across Pennsylvania and the country face the devastating realities of disrupted supply chains and growing food insecurity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we must do everything we can to bridge the gap between the farmers who have lost key markets and the families struggling to access the food they need,” said Senator Casey. “I am proud to introduce the Farmers Feeding Families – Coronavirus Response Act to support our farmers who are struggling with oversupply due to disrupted markets and our food banks who have been facing heightened demand in recent months. During this time of economic crisis, for farmers and for families, we need to further strengthen these connections and also give our states the funding and authority they need to work with the farmers who have lost key markets as a result of COVID-19.”
“Washington farmers help provide food security to Washington state and the world, but right now, they are struggling with oversupply due to the loss of food service and other markets,” said Representative McMorris Rodgers. “Local leaders are going to know best how to help our struggling farmers and meet an important need at our food banks. We need to direct food purchasing funding to the state so they can be strategic in these efforts, and that’s what this legislation will do.”
“Supply chains are disrupted, and our farmers and food producers are hurting. Small scale farms who supply food to local restaurants, farmers markets, and schools no longer have markets and food products have nowhere to go,” said Representative Schrier. “At the same time, food banks and food assistance programs across the country are having difficulty keeping up with new needs created by the coronavirus pandemic. It makes sense to bridge this divide and put these two together to make sure that we support our family farms while also feeding our communities.”
“This bill addresses two of our highest concerns, outside of protecting from COVID-19: curbing food insecurity and supporting our life-sustaining agriculture industry,” said Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding. “To nourish those in need, we must nourish the industry that provides. We’re grateful for Senator Casey’s acknowledgement of the connection between the charitable food system and our farmers.”
“Feeding America applauds Representatives Schrier and McMorris-Rogers, and Senator Casey for proposing creative solutions to help connect excess food from growers and producers with food banks and other nonprofits at the state and local level. This proposal would be a strong addition to the other food purchase programs USDA has announced and help states ensure food from farmers that may not be able to participate in USDA purchases can be connected with communities in need,” said Kate Leone, Chief Government Relations Officer of Feeding America.
“PASA thanks Senator Casey for the introduction of the Farmers Feeding Families-Coronavirus Response Act. Many small family farms that sell direct to consumers and restaurants are struggling to survive. Getting farmers the support they need quickly helps them get food to those who need it quickly,” said Hannah Smith Brubaker, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture.
The Farmers Feeding Families – Coronavirus Response Act would:
Use federal funding for targeted purchases to buy food from producers who rely on local agricultural markets—such as farmers’ markets, farm-to-table restaurants and farm-to-school programs;
Provide funding for state agencies and their food-bank partners to directly and immediately replenish their food stocks to meet increased demand; and
Allow states to support producers who may not normally participate in USDA’s national purchase programs by purchasing surplus perishable foods at risk of going to waste.

MEDIA MATTERS

WALN TV

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

On hiatus because of pandemic but when it's over tune in Sunday morning at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on 1400-The Game, NEPA's Fox .Sports Radio and 106.7 fm; and at 7:30 on 105 The River.

ECTV PREVIEW

Movie theaters were one of the first businesses forced to close due to the virus pandemic and they are likely to be among the last to open. PREVIEW host David DeCosmo welcomes movie writer/producer Chris Fetchko to the show during the week of May 25th to talk about the state of the movie industry now and into the future.
PREVIEW is seen 3 times daily on Comcast channel 19 and on the electric city television YouTube page.

BUDDY RUMCHEK

Want to hear some great parodies on the news? Tune in to WILK Radio at 6:20 and 8:20 AM on Mondays. As Ralph Cramden used to say, “It’s a laugh riot!”

BOBBY V’S DOO WOP SOCK HOP

SUNDAY NIGHTS!

1980

Our 1980 logo.

The United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW) was renamed the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in advance of the inauguration of the new U.S. Department of Education.  HEW Secretary Patricia Roberts Harris, who remained after U.S. Department of Education was created on May 4, continued as HHS Secretary…… West Germany's Olympic Committee joined the group of nations boycotting the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, after its delegates voted, 59 to 40, to punish the Soviet Union for its invasion of Afghanistan....
U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy, trailing in the delegate count in his campaign against President Carter for the Democratic Party nomination, offered to drop out of the race in Carter would agree to a nationally televised debate. Carter declined the challenge…......A U.S. federal court jury in Tampa, Florida, acquitted four members of the Miami-Dade Police Department of civil rights charges in the Miami killing Arthur McDuffie, an African-American insurance executive. The decision that led to three days of rioting in Miami that killed 19 people and injured 350.  The 12 member jury, composed of all white men, returned its verdict at 2:36 in the afternoon after deliberating for three hours. Less than four hours after the verdict was reported, an estimated 5,000 outraged black Miamians surrounded Miami's Metro Justice Center building and violence began. Three people were dead by midnight in the predominantly black Liberty City neighborhood. On December 17, McDuffie had been beaten by the four defendants, who had chased him after he had reportedly driven through a red traffic light on his motorcycle, and he died four days later. After their exoneration, the four police officers and another suspended policeman were restored to their jobs… The Mount St. Helens volcano in Washington erupted at 8:32 in the morning.

Fifty-seven people were killed; 250 homes, 47 bridges, 15 miles (24 km) of railways, and 185 miles (298 km) of highway were destroyed. A massive debris avalanche, triggered by an earthquake of magnitude 5.1 caused a lateral eruption that reduced the elevation of the mountain's summit from 9,677 ft (2,950 m) to 8,363 ft (2,549 m), leaving a 1 mile (1.6 km) wide horseshoe-shaped crater. The debris avalanche was up to 0.7 cubic miles (2.9 km3) in volume… The People's Republic of China successfully tested its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the DF-5 (Dongfeng 5). The Xinhua News Agency then announced, "China achieved complete success this morning in launching its first carrier rocket to the destined area in the Pacific Ocean." Believed by western analysts to have been launched from the Xinjiang province, the missile traveled 6,200 miles (10,000 km) to a target in the South Pacific. A U.S. Associated Press report commented that "A missile with that range could carry a nuclear warhead to anywhere in the Soviet Union or to the west coast of the United States…
Voters in Quebec rejected independence from Canada by a margin of 60% to 40%. The question on the ballot was whether to give the Canadian province "exclusive power to make its laws, levy its taxes and establish relations abroad — in other words, sovereignty — and at the same time to maintain with Canada an economic association including a common currency… The Empire Strikes Back, the long-awaited sequel to the 1977 blockbuster Star Wars, premiered in 126 cities in the United States and Canada in advance of Memorial Day weekend and would become the highest-grossing film of the year.

It had been unveiled on May 17 at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. Pac-Man, the highest-grossing arcade game of all time, was test-marketed by Namco in Japan at locations in the Shibuya section of Tokyo.

 It was invented by a team headed by Toru Iwatani and was originally branded as "Puck Man" when it was distributed in Japan in July and forty years ago the number one song in LuLac land and America was “Ride Like the Wind” by Christopher Cross.