The LuLac Edition #5, 614, March 29th, 2026

 

PAYING MORE

FOR CANDY

Shoppers should expect the cost of some essential Easter basket items, like a big chocolate bunny, to be higher this year, despite a dip in cocoa prices over the past several months.

Approximately 90% of all Easter baskets include chocolate, according to the National Confectioners Association. Although cocoa prices have cooled somewhat in recent months, the change hasn't reached store shelves yet.

David Branch, sector manager for the Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute, shared insights with ABC News about the pricey Easter basket staple.

Following last year's record cocoa shortages and price spikes, Branch said "the market is finally showing early signs of stabilizing, but not enough to deliver big price breaks for Easter shoppers."

Global supply has improved so far this year, but Branch noted that West Africa, which produces about 70% of the world's cocoa, continues to struggle with weather issues, disease and aging tree stock.

While the dramatic price surges of 2024 and 2025 have cooled, "retail relief will be slow and uneven for consumers in the first half of 2026," he said.

Despite drops from those historic high cocoa prices, candy makers purchase ingredients months in advance, Branch explained, so inventory on store shelves right now is still priced for those high levels.

"Most Easter chocolates were produced when cocoa was still extremely expensive, so shoppers should expect prices similar to or slightly above Valentine's Day levels," he said.

Candy prices -- including chocolate -- are up nearly 12% year over year, and prices have spiked dramatically over the last five years, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Despite this, the National Retail Federation says it expects consumers to spend $3.5 billion on Easter candy alone this year, with shoppers dropping an expected total of $24.9 billion on the holiday overall, surpassing previous spending records.

"Candy is the leading shopping category for Easter this year, with 92% of consumers planning to purchase sweets," the NRF said in a press release Tuesday. "Other top categories include food (90%), gifts (64%), decorations (53%) and clothing (51%)."

Putting a little hop in people's steps this Easter, the price of eggs is down 42% over the last year, according to BLS data, after hitting record highs during the shortage caused by the bird flu epidemic.

THE GREAT PEEP DEBATE

Okay, peeps are those marshmallow candy creations we’ve all enjoyed since we were kids. The flavors are now more diverse with even Dr. Pepper flavored versions.

Herre’s the debate. Do people enjoy them fresh and gooey or do people like me leave them out of the wrapping and let them get crunchy on the outside.

Someone should do a poll question on that.

 

TOP EASTER CANDIES

1.  Reese’s Pieces – According to a DoorDash survey, Reese’s Pieces Easter Candy Gift Bags are the most-ordered candy across the U.S., favored for filling plastic Easter eggs and their peanut butter flavor, even though they are not pastel-colored.

2.  Peeps – The classic marshmallow chicks remain a staple, with yellow Peeps being the most popular color. Peeps consistently dominate Easter searches and are widely used in baskets and recipes.

3.  Cadbury Eggs – Cadbury’s chocolate eggs have seen a surge in popularity, with search interest increasing nearly 49% from 2022 to 2025, making them a breakout favorite for Easter.

4.  Chocolate Bunnies – Iconic chocolate bunnies, including Lindt Gold Bunny and Russell Stover Solid Bunny, are perennial favorites, often appearing in Easter baskets and seasonal displays.

5.  M&M’s Easter Candy – M&M’s Easter Bunny Cane and pastel-colored M&M’s are popular for their chocolate variety and festive packaging.

6.  Jelly Beans – With billions consumed each season, jelly beans remain a classic Easter treat, often used for egg hunts and candy mixes.

Other Notable Candies – Reese’s Peanut Butter Creme Eggs, Oreo Chocolate Sandwich Cookies Easter Eggs, and niche candies like Bean Boozled and Dove eggs also maintain steady popularity.

 

THE LOCAL BRANDS

 

Then of course there are the local brands like Michael Mootz on the Sans Souci Highway, Jon Stopoay in Plains as well as Gertrude Hawk in NEPA and Victoria’s in Edwardsville and Hazleton.

LULAC favorites are Lindt, Peeps and Victoria’s nonpareils  dark and milk.

 

The LuLac Edition #5, 613, March 28th, 2026

 

GEORGE MASON

PASSIONATE VIRGINIAN

George Mason was an American planter, politician, Founding Father, and delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, one of three delegates who refused to sign the Constitution. His writings, including substantial portions of the Fairfax Resolves of 1774, the Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776, and his Objections to this Constitution of Government (1787) opposing ratification, have exercised a significant influence on American political thought and events. The Virginia Declaration of Rights, which Mason principally authored, served as a basis for the United States Bill of Rights, of which he has been deemed a father.

Mason prepared the first draft of the Virginia Declaration of Rights in 1776, and his words formed much of the text adopted by the final Revolutionary Virginia Convention. He also wrote a constitution for the state;   Thomas Jefferson and others sought to have the convention adopt their ideas, but Mason's version was nonetheless adopted. He served in the Delegates of the  Virginia Assembly, but to the irritation of Washington and others, he refused to serve in the  Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, citing health and family commitments.

In 1787, Mason was named one of his state's delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, his only lengthy trip outside Virginia. Many clauses in the Constitution were influenced by Mason's input, but he ultimately did not sign the final version, citing the lack of a bill of rights among his most prominent objections. He also wanted an immediate end to the slave trade and a supermajority requirement for navigation acts, fearing that restrictions on shipping might harm Virginia. He failed to attain these objectives in Philadelphia and later at the Virginia Ratifying Convention of 1788. His prominent fight for a bill of rights led fellow Virginian James Madison to introduce the same during the First Congress in 1789; these amendments were ratified in 1791, a year before Mason died. Obscure after his death, Mason later came to be recognized in the 20th and 21st centuries for his contributions to Virginia and the early United States.

In October 1792, Thomas Jefferson visited his fellow Virginian and found Mason, then suffering from gout, needing a crutch to walk, though still sound in mind and memory. Additional ailments, possibly pneumonia, set in. Less than a week after Jefferson's visit, on October 7, George Mason died at Gunston Hall, and was subsequently buried on his estate, within sight of the house he had built and of the Potomac River.

Although Mason's death attracted little notice, aside from a few mentions in local newspapers, Jefferson mourned "a great loss". Another future president, Monroe, stated that Mason's "patriotic virtues through the revolution will ever be remembered by the citizens of this country".

In 1957 George Mason University (GMU) was founded. It is a public research university in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. Located in Northern Virginia near Washington, D.C., the university is named in honor of George Mason, a Founding Father of the United States.

 

 

The LuLac Edition #5, 612, March 26th, 2026

 

 

JACK SMITH MEMO CONTAINS 'DAMNING EVIDENCE' ABOUT TRUMP'S HANDLING OF CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS, TOP DEMOCRAT SAYS

Megan Lebowitz reports that Former special counsel Jack Smith's team had evidence that President Donald Trump had classified documents, including materials relevant to business interests, after leaving office following his first term, according to a memo given to Congress by the Justice Department.

The memo, obtained by NBC News, provides a summary of what prosecutors were working on as of January 2023 related to investigation into Trump's alleged mishandling of classified documents.

Rick Trump had in his possession some highly sensitive documents — the type of documents that only presidents and officials with the most sensitive authority have,” the memo said. That included one document that was previously “accessible by only 6? people, including the president.”

“That document is one we will need,” prosecutors said in the memo.

Smith’s team also wrote, “Trump had many documents in his possession — so many and in so many different places that it is hard to fathom that he was not aware.”

In his letter to Bondi, Raskin accused the Justice Department of being "blinded by the frenzied search to find any scrap of evidence" to attack Smith, adding that the department has, "quite amazingly, missed the fact that some of the documents you provided include damning evidence about your boss’s conduct and may well violate the gag order your DOJ and Donald Trump demanded from Judge Aileen Cannon."

The Justice Department said in a post to X that Raskin, “much like Jack Smith, is blinded by hatred of President Trump. “He took the docs home and put them near a shitter. 

Finally, this. For a guy who doesn't read his daily security briefings, he takes documents to Florida? Do we think he was going  to read about arcane issues? NO! They were documents he would understand.  HIS BUSINESS DEALS MADE TO ENRICH HIMSELF IN OFFICE. Remember, he wasn't yet then guaranteed a second term. (NBC, LuLac) 

 

TRUMP PAYING THE PEOPLE

 HE DECLARED WAR

ON WITH BILLIONS

How would you like it if during World War II FDR reopened trade relations with Germany? How would you like it if during the Korean War Harry Truman sent money to Korea to buy goods from them?

Well that’s happening NOW. Trump by lifting sanctions is giving more billions to Iran than when Obama paid them as part of the deal he made with them that was at least a start of some sort of peace.

But that escaped the racist pig President who  opted out of the deal because it wasn’t his idea.

NBC reported this week that In a twist of wartime irony, the United States has moved to ease sanctions on Iranian oil to cool surging energy prices, a potential boon for Tehran as Washington scrambles to contain the economic shockwaves of its military campaign.

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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday the easing of sanctions, first imposed after Iran's 1979 revolution, would be “narrowly tailored” and only temporary, “permitting the sale of Iranian oil currently stranded at sea.”

Experts say his decision shines a light on a lack of strategic planning and warn that such measures are unlikely to make a difference to the wider economic pressures.

“The U.S. is funding a war against itself,” Danny Citrinowicz, a senior researcher on Iran at the Institute for National Security Studies, which is affiliated with Tel Aviv University in Israel, told NBC News.

What we are seeing is really a flawed campaign, not in terms of operational size, but from the strategic preparation for the campaign itself,” he said. “The oil price is becoming much more important than eliminating this regime in Iran.”

 

 RICK GAZENSKI

 

A former co worker of mine, who served in the administration of Tony George as his top aide passed away  Monday. Rick was a very good man who served his community very well. I’ll be sharing memories of Rick in a future edition but here’s his obit.

Rick Gazenski, 76, of Wilkes-Barre, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 23, 2026.

Rick was a 1968 graduate of G.A.R. Memorial High School, where he excelled in basketball. He attended King’s College before launching a highly successful career in the insurance industry, beginning with Aflac, then Metropolitan Life, and the Frantz and Benjamin Agency. He later partnered with Rob Hoban to expand a hundred-year-old insurance company, Hoban Insurance, to new heights, from which he retired after 30 years to become Administrator of the City of Wilkes-Barre.

Rick left a substantial impact on everyone he touched and will be greatly missed by the love of his life and wife of 41 years, Pat. He had a special place in his heart for his children, Lori Brittingham and her partner, Tim; Jay Bottger and his wife, Chris; Lynn Blazaskie and her husband, Mike. His grandchildren were the light of his life: Larry Brittingham and his wife, Brittany; Brandon Brittingham and partner, Jackie; Michael and Lauren Blazaskie; Sarah, Luke, Josh, and James Bottger; great-grandchildren, Nora, Corbin, Casen, and Harper; fur babies, Barley and Creed; and his many lifelong friends.

Rick was a man of tremendous generosity and kindness, which afforded him the opportunity to help those in need. He loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with so much pride and passion; he immensely enjoyed attending all their sporting events and family beach vacations at LBI. He valued his friends, many of whom were from high school and beyond. To know Rick was truly an honor; to be called his friend was extraordinary. His family was the recipient of his warmth, great humor, love, and support. He was truly one of a kind and taught his family courage, humility, strength, and most importantly, to always be themselves. His mantra: Be yourself- no one is better qualified.

Celebration of Rick’s Life begins Sunday, March 29, 2026, with visitation from 4 to 7 PM at McLaughlin’s, 142 South Washington Street in Wilkes-Barre. It continues there on Monday, March 30, 2026, with gathering at 9 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 AM in the Church of Exaltation of the Holy Cross, 420 Main Road, Buttonwood, Hanover Township.

Donations to Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge, https://bcfanimalrefuge.org/donate/, are preferred and will honor Rick's memory. 

Share memories and condolences with Rick’s family at mjmclaughlin.com

 

 

MEET RACHEL WALLACE

Rachel was born and raised in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and is a proud graduate of Pottsville Area High School.

She has spent her career in public service. She started out working for her Congressman, Tim Holden, and went on to serve in the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Senate, and the White House, where she was Chief of Staff for the Office of Management and Budget. So she knows how the federal government works – and how it doesn’t.

Rachel moved home after her mom was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease so she could be closer to her family, which has lived in Berks and Schuylkill counties for 10 generations, working as coal miners and farmers, union workers and small business owners, nurses and church leaders. The daughter of a pastor and a nurse, Rachel lives in southern Schuylkill County with her husband and their dog.

Rachel is focused on fixing our health care, lowering the cost of living, and keeping our promises to veterans and farmers. Her campaign will hold Dan Meuser accountable for his votes to take away health care from tens of thousands of district residents while doubling his own wealth since taking office.

Wallace has the experience as well as the political chops to take it to Dan Meuser. The registration is overwhelming in some cases but he and other GOP members like insurrectionist Scott Perry are running scared.

 

BRESNAHAN APPLAUDS FEMA REVERSAL ON BRIC PROGRAM FOLLOWING MONTHS OF ADVOCACY

U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08) applauded the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) decision to reinstate of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, following months of sustained advocacy to preserve critical disaster mitigation funding for communities across Northeastern Pennsylvania.

“This reversal is a direct result of sustained pressure from members of Congress who refused to let this program disappear,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “I’ve seen the detrimental long-term effect natural disasters can have on small towns and cities, and without the necessary resources, that effect only gets worse. From the moment FEMA announced BRIC’s cancellation, I made it clear that walking away from disaster mitigation was the wrong call. I pushed back, raised concerns directly with FEMA, and I introduced legislation to protect this program because communities in NEPA and across the country depend on it. This decision is a step in the right direction, and I will keep fighting to make sure these resources are delivered where they’re needed most.”

FEMA first announced the termination of the BRIC program on April 4, 2025. Five days later, on April 9, 2025, Rep. Bresnahan sent a letter to the then-acting FEMA Administrator voicing his opposition to FEMA’s cancellation of the program.

“In cases where communities cannot bear the full cost of property purchases, programs like BRIC are not wasteful, but well within the purview of federal coordination of disaster relief efforts,” wrote Rep. Bresnahan. “The BRIC program has, and can continue to, support communities like those in my district. I urge you in the strongest possible manner to revive this program."

Rep. Bresnahan later introduced the Save BRIC Act with Rep. Greg Stanton (AZ-04), legislation designed to ensure FEMA continues delivering BRIC funding to help states and local communities prepare for natural disasters and protect critical infrastructure.

Pennsylvania’s Eighth Congressional District has experienced numerous flooding events over the last two decades. In May 2025, the Borough of Honesdale was hit with flash flooding. In September 2023, Luzerne County was hit by floods that caused $25 Million in damages and destroyed 459 properties. During storms in September 2011, the Susquehanna River crested at a record 42.66 feet and nearly breeched the levees in Wilkes Barre. Additionally, in 1972, Hurricane Agnes brought record rainfall and flooding to Northeastern Pennsylvania. Tens of thousands of homes and businesses suffered an estimated $2 billion in damage from Hurricane Agnes.

FEMA and the BRIC Program operate under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which has been shut down since February 14, 2026.  

“It is unacceptable that critical agencies like FEMA remain stalled while communities are waiting on disaster relief and preparedness funding,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “For over a month, DHS employees have shown up to their jobs without the promise of a paycheck at the end of the week and agencies, like FEMA, lie dormant as they wait for a resurge in funding. Senate Democrats need to stop playing politics, reopen DHS immediately, and ensure these essential programs are fully operational."

Rep. Bresnahan’s office is ready and able to work with local communities to ensure they receive the funding they are rightfully due. To contact the office, call (570) 763-6120, or visit Bresnahan.house.gov.

 

SHAPIRO ADMINISTRATION INVESTS $6 MILLION OVER TWO YEARS TO PROVIDE FREE PERIOD PRODUCTS FOR PENNSYLVANIA STUDENTS, PROPOSES ANOTHER

Department of Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen highlights the $6 million invested by the Shapiro Administration over the past two years to support young women and keep them in the classroom by providing free period products to schools across Pennsylvania during a visit to Pittsburgh Public Schools...The funding enables schools to provide students with access to free period products, in line with the Shapiro Administration's efforts to improve health equity...Two years ago, the Shapiro Administration secured the first-ever investment of $3 million in funding for free period products for all schools. Another $3 million was invested in the current 2025-2026 state budget. The initiative can help many of the more than 650,000 girls in Pennsylvania schools...The Governor's 2026-2027 proposed budget builds on that commitment by allocating an additional $3 million to ensure students continue to have access to hygiene products to help them stay in school and focus on learning...Free period product funding has been distributed to more than 750 Pennsylvania school districts, intermediate units, career and technical centers, and brick-and-mortar charter schools since the program was established.⇣

Two years ago, the Shapiro Administration secured the first-ever investment in free period products for all Pennsylvania schools, and since then, has invested $6 million to help ensure that girls can focus on their schoolwork and remain in the classroom.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen visited Sterrett Classical Academy, in the Pittsburgh School District, to highlight how this historic investment is helping students across Pennsylvania.

"Free period products in schools help ensure that Pennsylvania's more than 650,000 girls have peace of mind - so they can focus on their education," said Dr. Bogen. "This is just the latest example of how the Shapiro Administration is ensuring students are prepared to learn without distractions or struggle. We heard firsthand just how essential this initiative has become over the last two years, and I am proud that Governor Shapiro continues to support its mission."

Free period product funding is being distributed to more than 750 Pennsylvania school districts, intermediate units, career and technical centers, and brick-and-mortar charter schools throughout the Commonwealth.

 

MEDIA MATTERS

WVIA FM  

WALN

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

You'll hear the program Sunday at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on 1400 am The Mothership and 7:30 am on 105 The River.

 

THE LAURIE CADDEN SHOW

Tune in every Saturday morning at 9am for The Laurie Cadden Show on WILK FM 103.1 and AM 980 and 910. Laurie’s program has been a northeastern Pennsylvania mainstay every Saturday. Tune in to hear her insights and take on local issues as well as entertaining and informative interviews.

 

BOBBY V’S DOO WOP SUNDAY NIGHT SOCK HOP

BEATLE EDD’S FAB FOUR MUSIC HOUR

Tune in every week to the Home of Rock and Roll for a jam packed, unpredictable hour starting at 9am Sundays. Host Edd Raineri gives you facts and great music from the immortal Fab Four on ROCK 107.

 

THE LULAC TIME MACHINE

RUSSIANS ARE MOONSTRUCK

March 1966

The Soviet Union launches Luna 10, which becomes the first space probe to enter orbit around the Moon. Lunik 10 was a 1966 Soviet lunar robotic spacecraft mission in the Luna program. It was the first artificial satellite of the Moon, and any other body other than Earth and the Sun (in heliocentric orbit).

Luna 10 conducted extensive research in lunar orbit, gathering important data on the strength of the Moon's magnetic field,[3] its radiation belts, and the nature of lunar rocks (which were found to be comparable to terrestrial basalt rocks),[4] cosmic radiation, and micrometeoroid density. Perhaps its most important finding was the first evidence of mass concentrations (called "mascons") — areas of denser material below the lunar surface that distort lunar orbital trajectory.

Luna 10 launched towards the Moon on 31 March 1966 at 10:48 GMT.

After a midcourse correction on 1 April, the spacecraft entered lunar orbit on 3 April 1966 and completed its first orbit 3 hours later (on 4 April Moscow time).[10] A 245-kilogram[9] instrument compartment separated from the main bus, which was in a 218 x 621 mile orbit inclined at 71.9° to the lunar equator.

Luna 10 operated for 460 lunar orbits and performed 219 active data transmissions before radio signals were discontinued on 30 May 1966. The spacecraft eventually crashed on the moon on an unknown date.

The spacecraft carried a set of solid-state oscillators that had been programmed to reproduce the notes of "The Internationale", so that it could be broadcast live to the 23rd Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. During a rehearsal on the night of 3 April, the playback went well, but the following morning, controllers discovered a missing note and played the previous night's tape to the assembled gathering at the Congress — claiming it was a live broadcast from the Moon.

The launch was a clear signal that Russia had the capability to still hold a lead in the space race. Earlier in the month the U.S. launched a Gemina program that was unmanned with orbits around the earth and this week in 1966 the number one song in LuLac land was “The Ballad of the Green Berets” by  Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler, U.S. Army Special Forces.