REVIEW POTPOURRI: Editor Clifton Fadiman

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Clifton Fadiman

Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Clifton Fadiman

In his 1941 anthology Reading I’ve Liked, editor Clifton Fadiman (1904-1999) wrote why he felt that so many children’s books are terrible:

“The trouble with these juveniles is that their authors are greatly interested in children and not at all interested in themselves.”

Having enjoyed many of the Golden Books, basal readers, etc., between six and nine years old, I was particularly fascinated by picture storybooks depicting life on a farm with a variety of two- and four-legged creatures and vividly remember one such book from second grade entitled Farm for Sale – it dealt with a married couple fed up with city life who take a ride in the country, find a ready-made farm, purchase it and live happily ever after. The drawings of the animals, pond, pasture and the farmhouse, especially after nightfall, drew me into its spell and fed into this three-year enthrallment with farms in the Vassalboro of my childhood.

And I never stopped to notice whether these authors were interested in me or themselves.

Until sixth grade, the only other reading that interested me were books and magazines where the pictures outnumbered the words.

Such examples were a Classics Illustrated edition of Gene Stratton Porter’s Pollyanna with illustrations from the 1960 Walt Disney production starring Hayley Mills, Jane Wyman, Adolf Menjou, Agnes Moorehead, etc.; A Pictorial History of the American Presidents by John and Alice Durant; and issues of Life, Look, TV Guide and American Heritage magazines.

During sixth grade, my first novel without any pictures was Penny Nichols and the Knob Hill Mystery, which I read twice. But I don’t remember its author. And, again, I never noticed whether the authors were interested in children or in themselves, my only concern being to continue reading the books and magazines.

During seventh and eighth grade, I gradually discovered the joys of collecting books through the Scholastic Book Club and local outlets such as Waterville’s long gone Farrow’s Bookstore, later renamed Canaan House at Main and Temple Streets and devoured George Orwell’s Animal Farm, Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin, numerous Hardy Boys mysteries, Horatio Alger rags to riches novels and Reader’s Digest magazines and condensed books.

Now 60 years later (with a few thousand titles too numerous to mention during the intervening decades), I am reading Alfred Kazin’s Journals , Henry James’s The Spoils of Poynton, Joseph Conrad’s Letters and Michael Korda’s biography of Eisenhower while dipping into numerous other volumes.

Collecting both books and records have become lifelong addictive hobbies impossible to break. And, with reference to Fadiman’s comment, I still could care less whether the authors are interested in us adult children or in themselves, only that they are interesting.

For what it’s worth, I did slog through Fadiman’s anthology of more than 900 pages from April 22, 2000, to August 11, 2002, and its mix of classic writers with long forgotten ones, along with Editor Fadiman’s comments, proved a very interesting, at times long-winded, experience, along with at least five or six other books I had going at the same time.

The classic writers included Thomas Mann, W. Somerset Maugham, John Steinbeck, Ernest Hemingway, James Thurber, Maine’s own Sarah Orne Jewett, and E.B. White.

Fadiman himself was a judge for more than 50 years for the Book of the Month Club, reviewed books for such publications as the New Yorker, was the host of Information Please on radio and later television, and edited several additional anthologies, including The Lifetime Reading Plan.

FOR YOUR HEALTH: Ten foods that are healthy for your eyes

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While the Healthy Eating Pyramid is a good indicator of the types (and quantities) of foods we should eat to stay healthy, there are certain foods that are healthier than others when it comes to our eyes.

Do you remember being told as a child that carrots are good for your vision? Ever wondered why that is? Well, it’s because they are full of nutrients such as vitamin A and beta carotene (a plant pigment that helps our body synthesize vitamin A), both of which are essential for your eye health.

As well as carrots, there are lots of foods and different nutrients that are important for your vision. Here’s a list of the 10 best foods that will boost your intake of the above nutrients. Consider adding these foods to your diet to help avoid or delay eye conditions such as cataract, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.

1. LEAFY GREENS

Easy to digest, easy to include into every meal, and readily available, leafy greens are great not just for your eyes, but for your overall health. Also remember, the darker the green, the better they are for you. So things like kale, collard greens and spinach are excellent because of their high vitamin C levels.

2. LEAN MEAT

We have some good news for meat lovers. Protein from lean meats such as beef, poultry (chicken, turkey, duck, etc.) or pork can be very beneficial to your eyesight.

Beef is rich in vitamin A and zinc, both of which are beneficial to your cornea (the clear protective outer layer of the eye) and your retina. Poultry and pork are also good sources of zinc. 3. FISH Fish is a very good source of omega-3, which is an important nutrient for eye health. Omega-3 is a polyunsaturated fatty acid that is important for your retina. Oily fish such as salmon, trout, tuna, swordfish, sardines, anchovies and mackerel are all great options, and should be included in at least one or two meals every week, if possible.

4. LEGUMES & PULSES

Legumes are plants, pods and seeds that belong to the Fabaceae family. They refer to things like peas and beans (for example: green beans, broad beans, snake beans).

5. SEEDS

Seeds contain high levels of vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids, and they can help fight age-related eye health issues. These days chia seeds, pepitas, flaxseed, hemp seeds and sunflower seeds are all readily available in the health food section of your local supermarket.

6. NUTS

Nuts are also rich in vitamin E and omega 3 fatty acids. Almonds, cashews, peanuts, walnuts, pistachios and brazil nuts are all great for your eyesight.

7. CITRUS

During the cold and flu season, we all turn to oranges, mandarin, grapefruit, and lemon or lime to up our vitamin C intake. But did you know these zesty citrus fruits are also great for your eye health? 8. EGGS Whether you like them poached, boiled or scrambled, eggs are great for your eye health, which is eggscellent news!

9. CARROT

The hype is true, carrots are good for your eyes. These crunchy root vegetables are a great source of vitamin A, which is important for keeping your cornea clear.

Other foods rich in beta carotene include sweet potatoes, pumpkin, capsicum, mangoes, apricots and rockmelon (and any other bright yellow or orange fruits and veggies you can get your hands on).

10. WATER

Water may not be food per se but it makes an important part of a healthy diet.

When you don’t get enough water, your body suffers from dehydration. This also means your eyes. So if your eyes are feeling a bit dry, as well as applying eye drops to them, guzzle down a tall glass of water.

Sugary drinks should also be avoided because they lead to diabetes, and that can cause diabetic retinopathy, which can then lead to blindness.

CRITTER CHATTER: Even at a wildlife rehab facility, “It takes a village…

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by Jayne Winters

“It takes a village to raise a child” is an African proverb referencing the need for a community of people to provide and assure its children grow in a healthy, safe environment. It’s not limited to children, however, as evidenced by all that has happened at Duck Pond Wildlife Rehab Center since last month’s column.

As noted in our May article, Don was dealing with some health issues and not accepting any new wildlife admissions. We included contact information for Wilderness Miracles Wildlife Rehab, in Bowdoin, as well as the usual links for website listings of other rehabbers around the state. Don’s condition did not improve, but – no surprise to anyone who knows him – he refused to seek medical attention until long-term care for the animals at Duck Pond was finalized. And this is where “it takes a village…” comes in. In a matter of a few days, a wonderful network of family, friends, rehabbers and Inland Fish & Wildlife staff came to the rescue, literally.

Ducks and geese were released or rehomed, with six adults going to Avian Haven to serve as surrogate parents to current and future orphaned young waterfowl. Rehabbers transferred several young and adult red foxes, all of which were temporarily quarantined at their new facilities. The non-releasable adult deer were tranquilized by IF&W and taken to the Maine Wildlife Park, in Gray. Sadly, four elderly racoons had to be euthanized because they had parvo-related disabilities which prohibited their release or socializing with others. All in all, however, the critters were successfully released or relocated and Don finally agreed to see a doctor.

He was admitted to the hospital for about a week’s stay and is recovering at home with noticeable progress being made. His “village” continues to provide assistance with grocery shopping, rides to appointments and for errands, mowing and critter transfers. Although Don isn’t admitting wildlife for extended care, his decision to wait until this fall to reassess his situation has gone by the wayside (again, no surprise!). During the past couple of weeks, Duck Pond has been serving as a transfer site for small injured or abandoned wildlife, with other rehabbers coming by at least once a day to transport animals to their own facility for treatment and care. These include at least a dozen baby coons, a woodchuck, squirrels, and a weasel. A chipmunk and gray squirrel (both hit by cars) that Don has been caring for in his living room ‘nursery’ are doing very well and will be released in the near future.

Serving as a wildlife rehabber for over 50 years is a way of life for Don and although he won’t be assuming the 24/7 care of the past, being able to answer calls, make referrals, and provide initial care pending transfer to other rehabbers will keep him active in the career he continues to feel passionate about. As one of many of Don’s friends, I extend my personal thank-you to all those who have helped him during this recent emergency situation. It’s a nice reminder of another phrase, “What goes around, comes around.”

Don has been working primarily with the following wildlife rehabbers: Misfits Rehab, in Auburn (207-212-1039), Wilderness Miracles, in Bowdoin (207-720-0074), Bridget Green, in Wiscasset (207-631-0874), Critterville Wildlife, in Brooklin (845-549-2407), and Saco River Wildlife (207-702-1405). As you can imagine, they are inundated with their own rescue calls, especially for young animals which require extra feedings and care, so please check these websites for someone close to you: https://www.mainevetmed.org/wildlife-rehabilitation or https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/orphaned-injured-wildlife/index.html In addition, you can contact your local Animal Control Officer through your town office. –

Donald Cote operates Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center on Rte. 3 in Vassalboro. It is a non-profit state permitted rehab facility supported by his own resources & outside donations. Mailing address: 1787 North Belfast Ave., Vassalboro ME 04989 TEL: (207) 445-4326. EMAIL ADDRESS IS NOT BEING MONITORED AT THIS TIME.

VETERANS CORNER: Things at the VA are slowly changing

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Veterans Affairs Regional Benefit Office Togus, ME

by Gary Kennedy

Well, things at the VA are slowly changing. The Community Living Center which was supposed to be built four years ago has been started. However, for some reason that I haven’t been able to figure out, as of yet, construction has stopped again. Another construction site has begun in the rear of Building 205. The way things have been going is very strange. When I ask, people just say, “I don’t know”, no one wants to talk. The beautiful hospitality house that was gifted to we veterans and families continues to sink into the ground and nothing has be done. The hospitality houses parking lot has been turned into public parking.

Remember several years ago I complained about the house being built on wet land and land that is a wildlife habitat and has been for decades. I even filed a complaint with the state. They didn’t do anything, to my knowledge. We have both geese and different varieties of ducks that breed and habitat that area annually. It’s wonderful for our veterans, especially the inpatients to be able to watch the babies being born and taught by their parents the needs for making the trip south in the fall. I’ve watched them for 50 years and never tired of watching the never ending cycle of life.

We have dozens of deer and other animals that habitat the remaining 500 acres of federal land, the wildlife know what they are doing; it’s the humans that have a problem getting their act together.

We have some fantastic employees at Togus but we don’t have, nor can we keep, enough of them. The big question is why? Many departments are under a great deal of pressure. That is true not only on the medical side but also on the administrative side. A good example would be VBA. The pressure on the employees there is great. When I visit that area with a veteran I can tell the minute I walk in how things will be.

Seventy-five percent of the staff there are brand new and still learning. That is difficult for the veteran and difficult for the employee. Don’t take me wrong, they get the job done; it just takes more effort and more time. Also, recently there has been many retirements in the VA system. That means 20 plus years of knowledge and experience are lost. New eyes are good but those eyes have much to learn. Even the Veteran Service Officers (V.S.Os) of the independent organizations have much to do with it as those organizations are not highly paid.

Covid and government upset has really taken its toll and hurt the least of us the most. The medical side isn’t any better off. We are severely short on skilled doctors and practitioners. People are being moved around into areas that, in my opinion, they have no business in; it will affect overall veteran care and leave the employee in a very bad place. Some of our doctors need to retire and the need for replacement is great. I don’t believe administration knows how to fill the gaps.

Recently, as many veterans are aware, the gym privilege was taken from recovering veterans and rented out to employees. I believe that was done as an incentive for keeping young employees. In any case that is a slap in the face of veterans as that gym and pool were built almost a century ago for the welfare of veterans and anyone eliminating that right should not be working at the VA. My letters to Washington will one day be answered and soon I hope. The veterans deserve better than that. Administration in my opinion has forgotten who they are working for. The word “respect” has been lost and replaced with lip service.

Soon we will be having an election and I pray that everyone has been watching what is going on. Everyone out there needs to evaluate what they see and experience and vote. If you don’t vote then you will receive what you deserve. We are all Americans whether or not you put on the uniform in defense of our country. We are in this together and have our family and friends to protect. Ask any veteran, we are in a very bad and dangerous place at this time. We can’t stand idly by and allow our country to be taken over by the worst of us.

I had a woman call me today and tell me that her husband recently passed away and she asked the VA for help, and hasn’t heard anything yet. She is worried as she doesn’t have her husband’s pension anymore. He was a 100 percent Service Connected, Permanent and Total Vet; of course this lady is entitled to help. I explained D.I.C. to her, told her where to go and who to speak with. I also told her if she had a problem to call me back and I would accompany her to the proper destination and person.

This column has many viewers and I am pretty sure the person I am referring to is one of the readers. I know he will give this lady all the help she needs and deserves. There are so many veterans and/or their significant other that don’t use the system that was designed for them. That is a shame and not acceptable. We all need to help one another, even if only a referral.

If you know someone who is struggling then you should guide them to the VA. There are many of us who really love helping. The joy of another brought on by an act of kindness is in itself a great reward. Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another”. It doesn’t take much to assist others who are in need of guidance and/or direction.

As veterans we have an oath to one another. There are other organizations who share that, such as Masons, Knights of Rizal, Rotary, Kiwanis, etc. The motto is “Service Above Self”. We all know someone or some organization that can and are willing to help. We really need to get back on the American path.

Next time I will go over some of the questions I have gathered here on my desk. We will try to get your claims on the right path. Just remember to keep your doctor’s appointments and tell your PCP all that is going on so he/she can make the right referrals. That’s the nuts and bolts of a good claim.

Your VSO will write your case according to what is located in discovery. Your military story needs to be known to your doctor so he/she can place you on the path that you need to be on. Sometimes a case takes awhile to develop. Just be patient and don’t give up. The wheels are always turning. God bless and have a great week.

Give Us Your Best Shot! for Thursday, June 27, 2024

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To submit a photo for this section, please visit our contact page or email us at townline@townline.org!

GROWING UP: Jayne Winters, of South China, photographed this immature male rose breasted grosbeak.

IN SEASON: Gary and Margaret Mazoki, of Palermo, took this photo of lupines in season.

NO POT OF GOLD: Sheldon Goodine, of China, snapped this rainbow appearing to go into the back of his truck. He said there was no pot of gold.

 

REVIEW POTPOURRI: Richard Himber

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Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Richard Himber

Richard Himber

A two LP set, Richard Himber and his Ritz-Carlton Hotel Orchestra Featuring Joey Nash (RCA Bluebird, AXM-5520, released 1975) contains 32 recordings from the 1934-35 years of 78s that were originally released on the ten-inch discs of that decade by RCA Victor’s subsidiary 35 cent Bluebird label.

Prior to the establishment of this Orchestra, Richard Himber (1899-1966) had been a violinist for Sophie Tucker’s hotel jazz band and then in charge of bookings for Rudy Vallee (whose own megahit of the 1920s, Stein Song, helped put his alma mater, the University of Maine/Orono, on the nationwide map).

Joey Nash (?-2000) was Himber’s lead singer from 1933 to 1935. Himber also hired such musicians as Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and Bunny Berrigan for the Ritz engagements.

The records feature some very beautifully arranged performances in which sophisticated rhythms are blended with sweet melodic textures and solo instrumental details from the harp, strings, woodwinds, etc. Joey Nash had a consistently appealing tenor voice and knew how to put a song across. Himber’s Orchestra was basically hired by hotel management to play music for its patrons to dance to but many of them preferred to simply listen.

Some very fascinating liner notes were provided for the 1975 re-issue by Joey Nash on the trials and tribulations that he observed and personally experienced before the Orchestra hit paydirt.

A few details:

– Himber was a bit of a con man promoting pipe dreams of stardom, classy hotel bookings and nightly radio broadcasts nationwide , meanwhile paying nothing.
– Its first broadcasts from the Essex House had the players housed in a rancid basement storage room for old hotel furnishings and assorted trash.
– A saxophone player busted Himber’s nose in a moment of arrogance.
– Other musicians received summons for alimony.
– One violinist brought his German shepherd to work where it chewed up a songbook and howled on a nationwide duet with the clarinettist.
– A musician was attacked by the angry father of his pregnant girlfriend.
– When the Ritz broadcasts became a success, the orchestra was earning $4,000 weekly.

Among the Great American Songbook classics on the album are Stars Fell on Alabama, Tea for Two, What a Difference a Day Made, Avalon and Winter Wonderland.

In later years, Himber had a traveling band giving free outdoor concerts on a flatbed truck and got sponsorship from Pepsi Cola. During one of these concerts in 1966, he collapsed from a heart attack and died a few hours later at the age of 67.

Himber once stated, “Remember that vanity rules the world.”

The above recordings can be heard via YouTube.

FOR YOUR HEALTH: Don’t Let Your Dog Bite The Hand That Serves You

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(NAPSI)—Incidents involving dog attacks on Postal Service employees rose to more than 5,800 cases last year—but you can help get those numbers down and keep your own mail delivery up.

What’s Being Done

As part of the USPS 2024 National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign, the organization offers crucial information for dog owners on how to be good stewards for safe mail delivery and protect both their pets and their postal delivery person.

“Letter carriers are exposed to potential hazards every day, none more prevalent than a canine encounter. All it takes is one interaction for a letter carrier to possibly suffer an injury,” said Leeann Theriault, USPS Manager, Employee Safety and Health Awareness. “The U.S. Postal Service consistently encourages responsible pet ownership. The national dog bite campaign is an effort to promote dog bite awareness to keep our customers, their dogs, and letter carriers safe while delivering the mail.”

What Dog Owners Can Do

Letter carriers know all dogs can bite, even those perceived as nonaggressive. Dogs are generally protective of their turf and dog owners have an important responsibility to control them to ensure safe mail delivery.

Most people know the approximate time their letter carrier arrives every day. Securing your dog before the carrier approaches your property will minimize any potentially dangerous interactions.

When a letter carrier comes to your home, keep dogs inside the house or behind a fence, aAway from the door or in another room; or on a leash.

Pet owners also should remind children not to take mail directly from a letter carrier as the dog may view the carrier as a threat to the child.

Stay Informed, See the Mail Before It Arrives

By using Informed Delivery, a free USPS service, customers can digitally preview incoming mail and packages from a computer, tablet or mobile device. More than 52 million customers have enrolled since the service was launched in 2017. Sign-up is at informeddelivery.usps.com. This service can help dog owners anticipate when their carrier will arrive.

Consequences of a Dog Attack

According to the most recent information available from the Insurance Information Institute, the average cost per insurance claim for a dog bite is $64,555. When a postal worker suffers an injury, the owner could be responsible for medical bills, lost wages, uniform replacement costs, and pain and suffering for the employee.

Staying Focused on Delivering

Letter carriers are trained to observe an area where they know dogs may be present. They are taught to be alert for potentially dangerous conditions and to respect a dog’s territory.

If a dog attacks, carriers are also trained to stand their ground and protect their body by placing something – such as a mail satchel – between them and the dog and to use dog repellent, if necessary.

Even though a customer’s dog is friendly to most people, it can always have a bad day.

Letter carriers have tools to alert them to dogs on their routes. A dog alert feature on carriers’ handheld scanners can remind them of a possible dog hazard, and dog warning cards must be used during mail sorting to alert carriers to addresses where a dog may interfere with delivery.

Holding the Mail

When a carrier feels unsafe, mail service can be stopped. Until the carrier feels safe enough to restart delivery, the mail will have to be picked up at the dog owner’s local Post Office. If a carrier feels a house or neighborhood is unsafe to deliver the mail and there is no way to inform residents their mail service has been suspended, the residents would have to contact the supervisor at their local Post Office for more information. The residents would also have to pick up their mail at the Post Office until it is safe to resume delivery. If a dangerous dog issue is not resolved, owners can be required to rent a Post Office box to receive mail.

Post Office Facts

The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to 167 million addresses six, and often, seven days a week.

Learn More

For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com/dogbiteawareness.

PLATTER PERSPECTIVE – Composer: Leonard Bernstein

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Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Leonard Bernstein

Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper’s Maestro gave a somewhat superficial depiction of the marriage of Leonard and Felicia Bernstein while biographies of David Ewen, John Gruen and Joan Peyser filled in some facts and personal, at times biased observations, Gruen providing fascinating interviews as well.

I am going to provide a list of recommended recordings from the great man and leave biography and anecdotes for another day.

To begin:

1958 – Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet coupled with Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, his first studio recording with the New York Philharmonic, had an extraordinary combination of savage excitement, highly controlled discipline and exquisite beauty.

1962 – Beethoven’s 5th Symphony received a performance that, to this day, has been equalled by such conductors as Karel Ancerl, Wilhelm Furtwangler, Otto Klemperer, Fritz Reiner, Bruno Walter, Arturo Toscanini, Herbert von Karajan, Eugene Ormandy, Andre Cluytens and a few others but never surpassed for rehearings over the last 50 years and is, for me, the best record he ever did of any Beethoven Symphony, although the 1972 Boston Symphony youtube and the 1980 ones Bernstein conducted of the same composer’s Pastoral Symphony scored some very lovely points. Bernstein achieved in the 5th a breathing spaciousness and gripping intensity that was exquisitely forged.

1963 – Bernstein recorded Dvorak’s 7th Symphony, which is my favorite of all his 9 magnificent Symphonies, and gave a performance in which his wild, frantic, very sentimental side, qualities that ruined other recordings of various works, came off very well and during the past 60 years, I have worn out two or three copies of the LP.

1965 – Bernstein recorded Mahler’s intensely emotional 5th Symphony and mastered its manic/depressive moods to an extraordinary degree. It is my favorite of all his Mahler recordings, although his 1966 London Symphony set of the composer’s 8th with a thousand voices and huge orchestra is one always worth getting to know. Plus the New York Philharmonic Mahler 4th with soprano Reri Grist is a gem.

Finally the 1961 soundtrack of his musical West Side Story with Marni Nixon’s exquisite soprano dubbed in for Natalie Wood’s Maria and the vibrant ensemble work of others is, by a narrow margin over the original 1957 Broadway cast recording, an album that stands the test of time.

All the above are on YouTube.

Robert Patrick

Actor Robert Patrick portrayed a very convincing Homeland Security government agent of upright integrity and supportiveness on the 4 seasons of Scorpion and a deadly corrupt chief of security on the current 8 episode season of Reacher.

From Rumford native Tom Fallon’s poem Work Piece:

“Noise continuous: keep
the machine running:
what time is it:
what time is it
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
Noon, sandwiches. Eat.”

A very powerful depiction of the grueling paper mills of Maine’s industrial age.

ERIC’S TECH TALK: The new misinformation landscape

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by Eric W. Austin

In the lead-up to the 2024 elections, the problem of misinformation looms larger than ever before. The information landscape has changed drastically over recent decades, and many of us have not developed the tools to discern good information from bad quickly enough to keep pace with these changes. Let’s explore how things were in the past, how they have evolved, and what we can do to navigate this new terrain.

In the past, our information was filtered through a series of gatekeepers, such as teachers, librarians, publishers, newspapers, and the major news broadcasters. These gatekeepers, equipped with the skills to discern reliable information, ensured that the public received mostly accurate news and information. This system fostered a relatively unified understanding of the world, which was particularly valuable in times of crisis. However, it also meant that a small group decided which narratives were worthy of dissemination, limiting the diversity of perspectives.

The landscape began to shift in the late 1980s with the elimination of the Fairness Doctrine, a policy that required broadcasters to present contrasting viewpoints on controversial issues. Whether one views this as a positive change or not, its repeal allowed for the rise of ideologically driven news stations catering to specific segments of the population, leading to the ideological drift and “information bubbles” we see today.

The advent of the internet further transformed the information landscape. Traditional gatekeepers were bypassed, and information became ubiquitous and accessible to all. This democratization of information had its benefits, allowing for a greater diversity of viewpoints and giving voice to previously suppressed perspectives. However, it also meant that anyone, regardless of their expertise or intentions, could disseminate information widely. This led to a reliance on emotional responses and confirmation bias to determine the value of information rather than its truthfulness or societal benefit.

Social media platforms, particularly with the introduction of Facebook’s “Like” button in 2009, exacerbated the problem. These platforms reward content that generates engagement, often prioritizing sensational or misleading information. The lack of accountability for false or harmful content has allowed misinformation to flourish, with creators incentivized by the prospect of financial gain through ad revenue sharing on platforms like YouTube and Twitter (now X).

The influence of social media influencers has further complicated the landscape. Individuals can amass millions of followers based on content like pranks or lifestyle posts, and then leverage that influence to spread conspiracies or misinformation. This unchecked power can be exploited by political, criminal, or foreign entities for nefarious purposes.

New Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies have made the situation even more perilous. AI can create photorealistic images, simulate voices, and generate realistic videos, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between real and fake content. This technological advancement, combined with the breakdown of traditional gatekeeping, has created a breeding ground for misinformation.

So, what can we do about it? First, we must recognize the need to develop new skills for discerning good information from bad. Many of us overestimate our ability to identify reliable information. To counter this, we should seek out media literacy classes, read books on detecting fake information, and educate ourselves about common biases and fallacies. Media literacy education should also be integrated into school curriculums to prepare future generations for this new information environment.

Here are a few practical tips to navigate the current landscape:

• Find Trusted Sources: Identify credible sources from across the political spectrum. Research them thoroughly and use them as a benchmark to evaluate new information.
• Be Aware of Bias: Acknowledge your own biases and be cautious of information that confirms your preconceptions.
• Verify Information: Be skeptical of information from unknown sources, especially screenshots of articles or headlines shared on social media.
• Research Your Sources Thoroughly: Check the credibility of new sources using tools like AllSides, MediaBiasFactCheck, and Ground News. Scan a source’s Wikipedia page and do a Google search to identify any red flags. Also, look for funding transparency from websites and news organizations.

Ultimately, we must remain vigilant and humble. Overconfidence in our ability to discern truth from falsehood makes us more susceptible to deception. By staying informed and critically evaluating the information we consume, we can better navigate this complex information landscape and make informed decisions, especially as we approach the crucial 2024 elections.

MY POINT OF VIEW: A day to honor all fathers

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by Gary Kennedy

In the year 1966 President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first Presidential Proclamation honoring Fathers Day and designated the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day. The Bible gives us an intimate view of the relationship between Christ, the Son, and God the father. (Yahweh, Jehovah) Jesus, by example, showed the relationship between himself and his father. We all know what that relationship was/is. The love and respect was like no other. However, this example gave us something to strive for. Although we could never achieve the love and respect that emanated from this relationship but the example was easy to see and to reach for. It’s an example that will live in our hearts forever.

Father’s Day goes back to the middle ages. It actually began as a Catholic holiday, which was a celebration of fatherhood. This celebration goes back to the Catholic churches celebration of the feast of St. Joseph. Father’s Day has been observed for hundreds of years but was not celebrated in the USA until the 20th century and that was most likely because of Mothers Day.

A young lady by the name of Anne Jarvis began lobbying in the very early 1900s. She did this primarily because she felt it was unfair to have a Mothers Day while overlooking ones father who was an important parent as well. He played an extremely important role in the family.

A point of interest would be that both of these holidays had their official celebrations in West Virginia. Mothers Day was first celebrated in Grafton, West Virginia, and the first Father’s Day took place in Fairmont, West Virginia, on the 5th of July 1908. An important point brought father’s to the front by a mining disaster. The “Mononagh Mining Disaster”, which inspired Father’s Day, took the lives of 361 miners of which 250 were fathers. A woman named Grace Golden Clayton lost her father that day. It was taken very hard by this young lady. She spoke with her minister and asked if a special service could be held to honor all the fathers that lost their lives that day. Unfortunately, the first Father’s Day ceremony didn’t lead to the Father’s Day holiday. The reasons were the town was celebrating its Independence Day festival and the event was not advertised outside of the town. Communication in these times was very limited.

Three years later (1911), after the Fairmont tragedy, a Chicago social activist, Jane Addams sought recognition of Father’s Day but her attempt at this holiday failed as well.

The reality of Father’s Day eventually was founded by Sonora Smart Dodd on June 19, 1910, in Spokane, Washington. Sonora Dodd’s father was William Jackson Smart who raised six children and also fought in the Civil War. He was a single parent.

In 1972 President Richard Nixon signed into law a permanent recognition of Father’s Day. From this point on Father’s Day was a holiday which showed reverence to the father of the family. He would now be held at an even level with his significant other. It became as it should be, love and respect for one’s father. According to Hallmark, the premier in card production, the Father’s Day card sending even reached 72 million. In 2020 card sales exceeded $17 billion. That is one super sales event.

Long story short is Father’s Day, as with Mother’s Day, is about love and respect for ones parents. Parents spend their lives working and saving to afford us a better life. It seems with the birth of a child the purpose in life is no longer that new gun, fishing pole, vacation, cottage on the lake and other fanciful things that dreams are made of. With the advent of a new addition to the home the entire outlook gets turned off and a new game plan begins.

The new game plan is centered on the baby. Now father will take on more work, become very frugal and buy that life insurance policy, begin the educational plan for the entity he knows will be a genius. This takes many years, and loving sacrifices. Before he knows it, time has left him with gray hair and a wrinkled face. However, he probably has accomplished his goal. The child has reaped the benefit of a father’s hard work and love. All this was done with a loving heart. So this is a father that deserved to be celebrated at least once a year, don’t you agree? Happy Father’s Day Dad and God bless you.