Fun For The Whole Herd!

Jim Burton and I spent the day at the Bedford County Fair.  Even though the crowds didn’t start hoppin’ until later in the afternoon, we met a lot of people on the fairgrounds who really made us feel at home.

Our day started with the friendly fair board members and staff.  John, Jim and Terry made our jobs easy.   They’re just three of the dedicated people, who love and believe in the county fair.

Jim and I pulled up a seat for lunch at the Everett Lions Club food stand and couldn’t help but notice the signs of their “Famous Elk Burger”.  We gave it a try and I was surprised at how tasty it was.   I also highly recommend their sweet potato fries.

We then headed to the livestock barns and I had the pleasure of meeting the Stoltzfus family.  Karla is the proud mama of 4 dairy cattle and she had a good day in competition.  The 16-year-old Bedford High School Junior impressed me with her maturity and knowledge of the ag industry.   She has a promising future ahead of her.

I also spent some time of the rides along the midway.  Bill Swank of Swank’s Steel City Amusement explained what goes into his successful operation.  Although their fuel expenses have doubled, he says he runs a lean business and finds other ways to cut the fat from his budget.  Thanks Bill for stepping away from the candy apples to spend time with us.

The fair runs through Saturday and the weather is perfect to take the family down for a few hours.  I promise there’s fun to be found everywhere you go.

Baby Jack

Today is the second anniversary of our son’s passing.  Jack Nathan was only 3 months and 17 days old.  But in that short amount of time, he brought us endless joy, unconditional love, and renewed hope.  Last year’s anniversary was really tough.  This year is too, but I’m trying to mark this day with a celebration of his life.   

On the day he was born (the day before his Pap’s birthday) everyone remarked at how beautiful a baby he was.  He was a good size, 8 lbs, 4 oz.  JUST PERFECT.  A LITTLE MAN.  His eyes were so big and blue, they would just draw you in.  His hair was naturally parted and his little chin looked just like his daddy’s.  In fact, he looked a lot like his daddy’s newborn pictures.

Baby Jack rarely cried.  He was a wonderful laid back child.  He slept well through the night and he loved being with his family.  Baby Jack really enjoyed his daily tubbies and massages.  His birdie mobile and fish toys kept him happy.  Of course, he went no where without his binkie or Blabla sock monkey.   And we can never forget his little John Deer ballcap.  He couldn’t wait for his big brother Matt to read him more from “Sporting News”.  His 3 Furry Godmothers always kept him company.   

We all miss Baby Jack and wish he coud be here with us.  We wish we could have watched him grow and discover the wonders of our world.  We wish we could hold him, hug and kiss him one more time.  

Baby Jack may be gone, but he’s always with us in our hearts,  today and everyday.  I thank God for those 3 months and 17 days.  Keeping his memory alive reminds me of what’s important.  It comes down to this: family.   My favorite memory of Baby Jack is the first time I held him.  When I think of that moment, my heart is full of love and nothing, NOTHING can make me feel bad.  Not even today.  

 

Summer, Summer, Summertime!

So, summer is here.  Well, officially in 2 days on June 20th.   Even though we’re not kids anymore, and don’t have our summers off,  there’s something about summer that makes me feel more carefree.  Here’s a short list of what I like best about summer:

 Spending more downtime with my kids

 Being OUTDOORS!

 More Sunshine!  Fresh air!

 Blowing bubbles, smelling flowers, playing with the dogs, gardening, water balloons

 Laying in the hammock, campfires, & starry nights

 Drinking morning coffee on my front porch, fresh produce & herbs

 Hanging out laundry, shorts, tank tops & sandals

 Ice cream, barbecues & the beach, riding the go cart, sidewalk chalk

 Swimming, picnics, ballgames, outdoor concerts, festivals & drive in movies

 Windows open, warm breezes, the playground, popsicles

Wow, I could go on and on.   Did I mention fireflies and butterflies?  Well, even though summer is just getting started, our son Matt, says he already feels like his summer is flying by.  This summer, slow down.  Enjoy the season.   Remember what it’s like to feel like a kid again.

The Smart Car

I had a chance to learn more about the Smart Car from and owners of one, Thomas and Gloria Metroka of Johnstown.  WOW!  It’s something else.  The best part is the gas milage.  Right now, it takes about $32.00 to fill up the tank.  You’ll drive over 320 miles on those 8 gallons of gas. 

Surprisingly the car’s interior is roomy.  It is rear wheel drive and the engine is mounted in the back.  The car reportedly performs well in the snow because the majority of the weight is dispersed over the driven wheels resulting in better traction. 

I asked Thomas what he paid for his.  He told me the cars start at $12,000. and with all his extras plus shipping, he forked out about 17 grand for his model.  The catch is there’s a wait.  Right now, as long as 2 years from the date you order one. 

Thomas order his about a year ago, when his bad knees meant his motorcycle days were over.  He works in Berlin and says the car handles great on the road and is a lot of fun to drive.

You can find a lot more information, including safety ratings on their website: wwwsmartusa.com

On a side note,  Channel 6 has learned some vendors are pulling out of this year’s Central PA Fetsival of the Arts citing high gas prices..  We’ll have more on this tonight at 5!

Get Out the Vote!

Hi there!

Hope you all got out to vote on Primary Tuesday!  The democratic presidential candidates made quite a push here over the 6 weeks leading up to April 22nd.  Hillary Clinton finally made an appearance in the Alleghenies, just 2 days before, and I covered her stop in Johnstown at the high school gym.  While there, I talked with two ladies, who seemed to sum up what I’ve heard from many voters.  They want a candidate who will help turn around the economy,  find solutions for high fuel and food prices, and offer more affordable healthcare options.   Others want an end to the war in Iraq.

Kathy Lonchar and Georgia Kot never went to hear a candidate speak before.  But they were willing to stand in line on a cloudy, rainy day to hear what Hillary Clinton had to say during her Solutions for America Campaign.

I asked Kathy and Georgia to meet up with us after the rally to get their thoughts.  They said the time spent was well worth it and that they’d do it again. 

Decision 2008 promises to bring out more people,  just like Kathy and Georgia.  People, who realize how pivotal our elected officials can be in determining our future.   I’ve personally never been one for politics, but this year, I too am more involved than prior elections.   Whether Republican or Democrat, Libertarian or Green, or another 3rd party candidate, I applaud you for standing up for what you believe in.  This election year has reenergized the political process. 

Voter turnout for the Pennsylvania primary set a new state record.  While some ballots still have to be counted,  the unofficial returns show about 55% of our state’s 4.2 million registered democrats cast ballots.  That’s a slightly higher percentage than the voting record set 28 years ago, when Senator Edward Kennedy defeated President Jimy Carter in the primary election.

For those of you who didn’t vote on primary day, make sure your voice counts in November.  Be informed on the candidates and where they stand on the issues you care about. 

Get Out the Vote!

I’m Jen Johnson and I approve this message.

 

 

My Favorite Superbowl Ads

So I watched the Superbowl last night, while ordering my family some spring/summer clothes online. Wow, what a game, and yes, my favorite team won. And many of the superbowl ads had us laughing. Here’s my top three faves.. the ones that had me, my family and my co-workers talking today.

(1) 3rd Quarter: Coca Cola
When the parade floats Underdog and Stewie from Family Guy battled it off over a bottle of coke over New York City. And the best part? When the perennial “underdog” Charlie Brown.. floats up over the horizon and wins the prize!

(2) 2nd Quarter: Doritos
Who wasn’t laughing at this ad? Yes using a corner of a dorito chip as mouse bait is funny enough, but when a man sized mouse burst out of the wall, yes it made me smile.

(3) 3rd Quarter: Etrade
The baby sitting at a key board in his nursery talking about how easy it is to invest and cute. And then ultimate baby move: spit up

The one ad I thought was really gross.

2nd Quarter: Careerbuilder.com. Yuck! A woman’s heart pops out of her chest, walks into her boss’s office and quits. Sorry, for me, this was a turn off.

What about you? Which commercials did you enjoy on Superbowl Sunday?

Happy New Year!

Whew! Made it through the holidays! I remember thinking, Wow, I can’t wait until I’m not pregnant over Christmas. Boy, did I have a rude awakening! Adding an 11 month old to the mix didn’t make it any easier! But despite the last minute rush, we had a magical Christmas. Hope you did too!

Things I have learned:

(1) Don’t wait until the Christmas Eve to wrap gifts
(2) Send kids out of the house when you do wrap gifts
(3) Don’t try to do it all over the holidays. For example, buy cookies instead of baking them
(4) Secret Santa (exchange names)
(5) Order dinner out
(6) Use a squirt gun to keep cats away from the Christmas tree
(7) Shop early to avoid crowds
(8) Better yet, shop online
(9) Have family members bring side dishes for Christmas dinner
(10)And breathe. Always remember the real reason for the season.

Hello Winter!

Wow! It’s time to get back into the groove with winter weather. I love the snow. But yes, snow means less time for you and more time for Old Man Winter. This morning, Lyza and I were up before 6:30. While she enjoyed breakfast and the Disney Channel, mom shoveled the walks, cleared snow from the car, lugged in wood, and kept the wood burner blazing. Let the dogs out, mopped the wet, sticky floor, and then chugged a cup of joe, while getting the baby dressed for the day ahead. Then it was my turn. And two hours later, we were out the door. Whew!

Next Tuesday, several of us here at Channel 6 are ringing the bell for the Salvation Army’s Kettle Campaign. We’ll be at the Giant Eagle along Goucher Street from 10am to 6pm. The Salvation Army’s Kettle Campaign is traditionally their biggest fundraiser of the year. In Pennsylvania, this year’s campaign is almost 2 million dollars shy of its goal. And with less than 20 days until Christmas, they’re counting on your generousity more than ever. If your budget is tight, why not give some of your time? The Salvation Army is also having trouble finding enough people to volunteer to ring bells. If you’d like to help out, contact your local chapter of the Salvation Army. Even an hour of your time would be greatly appreciated.

Season of Miracles

Monday, November 19th, is the deadline to enter WJAC TV’s Season of Miracles. I’m told the station received over a thousand requests this year. Area businesses sponsor the program and only a handful of requests are chosen. There are so many people and families who are in need and are going through difficult times. Below are a handful of some of the requests that were selected in the past. Hopefully, it inspires you to remember to give this holiday season.

A man wrote to the station about his wife, who was in the hospital with terminal cancer. His wish? To celebrate Christmas with his wife and kids in the hospital, before December 25th, because her doctor did not believe she would live much longer. Even some of the nursing staff wrote to the station in support of his request. His family was struggling financially and he so wanted to create one last good memory together.

Then there was a letter from a 7 year old boy. He and his brother were writing to the station, not for themselves, but for their mom. He said they knew they wouldn’t receive any presents for Christmas, but they didn’t care. They were more concerned about their mom. They wanted to know if the Season of Miracles could give some money to their mom for their bills. They didn’t want her to have to worry over the holidays about how to make ends meet. Even if it meant they had nothing to open Christmas day.

Do you believe in Bigfoot?

Most everyone agrees, it’s furry and walks on all fours. Beyond that, the debate is on at my home, in our newsroom, and around the world: WHAT exactly did an area man capture in recent photos? Some believe it’s Sasquatch.

Click link to see photos!
http://www.wjactv.com/slideshow/news/14447006/detail.html?qs=1;s=1;p=news&dm=ss&tn=b

Rick Jacobs of Ridgway, Elk County says he got the pictures from a camera with a motion sensor and automatic trigger, that he fastened to a tree in the Allegheny National Forest. He was hoping to photograph a deer. On September 16th, the camera snapped photos of a bear cub. Then about a half hour later, a strange image appeared. Jacobs, an avid hunter, couldn’t figure out what it was.

The Bigfoot Research Organization, which pursues reports of the legendary creature, says it appears to be a primate like animal, possibly a juvenile Sasquatch.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission disagrees. Its conservation officers routinely trap bears to be tagged and often see animals that look like the photos. They are convinced it is a bear with a severe case of mange.

The photos are getting international attention. So much so, the exact location of the siting has not been revealed to keep people from flocking to the area.

What do you think? Is Bigfoot nothing more than a legend? A hoax? Or do you believe Sasquatch walks our forests?