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Life advice from a wise old frog

When I hop to my computer each morning, I promise myself I won’t fritter away my time. Fuggedaboudit. I get some of my best ideas while frittering. On Monday, I didn’t have frittering time to spare. I was cleaning up some of my messier computer files when I stumbled across an article I copied last May from the Baltimore Sun newspaper. I had completely forgotten about it. Upon rereading, I knew why I kept it. It brought back a lot of fun memories. It is about one of my favorite people: Kermit the Frog, star of stage, screen, and swamp. Yes, Kermit acts like he is one of us. But ...

Erie Canal put state on path for prosperity

I recently read “The Mohawk” by Codman Hislop,  who taught American Civilization at Union College in Schenectady, New York. The book originally published in 1948 is the story of the Mohawk Valley and its river from prehistoric times up to the post-World War II period with a large section devoted to the history of the Erie Canal. Canals and their construction were common topics in the early history of our nation as a way of connecting the original states along the eastern seaboard to the Northwest Territory and the states being created there that would include Ohio, Indiana, ...

Irish eyes will be smiling next week

Recently, on a rare sunny morning, me friends and I were breaking bread at the Ann Street Deli in Little Falls, where one finds the best pancakes this side of heaven, when the subject of St. Patrick’s Day arose. What began as an innocent discussion of the annual parade in Utica devolved into a boisterous debate over how the day should be celebrated-as a strictly religious, solemn day of tribute to the patron saint or a secular remembrance of all that is Irish highlighted by toasts in the memories of those who contributed to the great Irish culture. Beads vs. beer. God vs. grog. Out ...

We should know wars are hard to end

It is easy to start a war, but very difficult to end one. That has always been the case and still is. If you are in doubt, just ask Vladamir Putin how things are going in the war he started in Ukraine four years ago. Think about the Iraq War. We invaded Iraq in 2003. Saddam Hussein was finally captured and eventually executed. But here we are in 2026, having lost 4,500 American lives and having spent a trillion dollars or more, with troops still in Iraq, a country with a weak government trying to rebuild itself. The war I was involved in, Vietnam, started in 1964—but, at least, it ...

Go slow on battery storage city site

An article in the OBSERVER and another in The Buffalo News has brought information about a battery storage facility meant for an area off Brigham Road across the street from the entire west side of Dunkirk. Less than a mile away sits the Dunkirk Junior-High School, and the School 5. I’m all for progress for the city. We all know we need development. But I am NOT in favor of desperate measures. Those of you unsure what such a facility is should Google it to get a clearer picture of what it entails. Let’s remind ourselves of other rushes to building — or tearing down. Without ...

Heaven is even better than you can imagine

Father Dan Walsh and Father Bob Owczarczak are the two best priests I have ever known. They are both huge Bills fans. So I will put it this way. Father Dan is like the Jim Kelly of priests. A wise, old, retired superstar. Father Bob is like Josh Allen. The new, young, dynamic superstar. Father Dan has helped me so many times during my life that I can’t thank him enough. Father Bob came on the scene locally during my last few years as the principal of Northern Chautauqua Catholic School. I have a hard time calling him Father since I am old enough to be his father. Father Bob has ...