FSU Falls to Chuck Amato's Wolkpack - 24-20

No chance of a national title - No chance of an ACC title - No chance of a BCS bowl - a much better chance of the first losing season in 30 years. FSU is 3-2. Why do I think I saw this movie already in Pennsylvania? People all over town wanting the coach's son's head. No joy in Crackerville.

You All Remember Ed Paperman

From the Times News -

Businessman Ed Paperman says Tamaqua is "definitely moving forward" and he's happy to be part of it. But he's also concerned about safety in the community.

In fact, safety worries prompted him to take action. He recently moved his family to Hometown after his wife expressed some fear about walking outside at night in their Mauch Chunk Street neighborhood. Paperman also decided to voice his concerns at a public meeting.

"This is only the second council meeting I've attended in my 60 years of life," he said at Tuesday's regular session at the Tamaqua Municipal Building.

"I no longer feel completely safe. I'm not knocking Chief Hartung and the police force. But they only have eight full-time police officers. In 1990, there were twelve," Paperman said.

Paperman commended the police and mayor, saying that Hartung "has done everything in his power."

Paperman is owner of We R Cigarettes, a business which traces roots back some 56 years to the days when his father, Jake Kaplan, first started serving the grocery needs of Tamaqua residents. Today, drugs are one of the main problems in the borough but other crimes have impacted his business, including stealing.

"Some have grabbed cigarettes and run. Now I'm getting hit with bad checks," he said, noting that one of his enterprises is a state-licensed check cashing business.

The local problems have not soured Paperman's view of his hometown, saying Tamaqua has been good to him.

"Tamaqua is my town," he said. "I want to remain in Tamaqua. Tamaqua is moving forward and I love it. But I'm a little worried about the future when it comes to my safety."

Chuck Shuck - Playing TAPS in the Desert

Dear friends and family,

About 2 hours ago, I sat through a memorial service for a 22 year young man named SPC Robert Webber. Even though I personally did not know this young soldier, I was once again reminded how precious life really is. A young soldier got up to speak about his Army "brother" and a lump sat in my throat the entire time because I realized that could be me speaking up there of one of my friends or worse yet, one of my soldiers. The song American soldier was also played at this service and if their is one song that truly shows what an American soldier is, that song is it. The traditional TAPS was played by a lone buglar and bagpipes followed. The final respect paid from one soldier to the soldier that gave his all is the salute. As I approached this soldiers weapon, boots, helmet and dogtags, and rendered the hand salute I had so many emotions going through me at once, but as I sit here know reminding eve rybody the cost of war, I know this young soldier left this world doing what we all love doing and doing something we wouldn't trade for any job in the world and that is serving the people of the United States of America. God Bless!

In other news from Iraq, the above pictures is from an obstacle course that some good friends built for our dogs. I painted because thats as crafy as I can get. As you can see the colors represent the Copperas Cove "BULLDAWGS" from back home in Texas. The weather here is really nice and we had a pretty good sandstorm last night. Please keep all soldiers in your nightly prayers and I know I email alot but this is what keeps me sane. I look forward to hearing from you all and say an extra prayers for SPC Webbers parents as he was an only child.

Chuck and Gabe

"On The Road Again" with the Vagabond Lovers

George and Joel Dawson - our neighbors - come home every now and then to cut the grass or go to Apple Club meetings. Then - off they go again.

In the last couple of months - they have been to Argentina - Antarctica - Peru - and Kentucky. Now today - I dropped them off at the airport for a trip to Colorado and New Mexico. They will be teaching at a workshop - then visiting friends - then going to a hot air balloon festival. After that they head to Louisville for the 50th anniversary of George's brother Joe.

While they are away - it is my job to house sit for them - take care of the van - and record their favorite TV shows. It is a tough job. They have an excellent house for a party.

Our Two Days in Disneyworld

Meeting Katherine Harris in the last weekend trip to Disney World before your one year pass runs out - $229


Buying the prettiest girl in the world a candy apple at the Farmer's Market in Disney/MGM Studios - $3


Guessing who "spewed junks" on the Space Mountain Ride at midnight - PRICELESS

Welcome to Dixie

You know you are in the Southland when you meet up with this little guy. We had stopped at a Sonny's barbecue on the way home from Gary's in Miami. Upon leaving the restaurant - this Armadillo was busy "grubbing" next to our love bug coated car - oblivious to us. Sonny's - armadillos - love bugs - palm trees - warm sand - I think the transformation from Coal Cracker to Florida Cracker is complete.

Matt Fredericks and Allison Collevecchio Visit Us in Miami South Beach

Matt Fredericks and Allison Collevecchio visited us on our trip to Miami last week. They were my students when I was a seventh grade teacher back in Pennsylvania. I am so proud to say they followed me into the profession of teaching. Matt teaches seventh grade math and Allison teaches second grade in Palm Beach County. They were a highlight of our trip to South Florida. Allison's mom - Gwynn - was one of my first students and also was a my fellow teacher at Panther Valley.

Our trip started last Wednesday when we drove to Orlando where Nancy met with candidates for her LEAD project. Then on Thursday we drove to Fort Lauderdale where Nancy met with another group of recruits. Nancy is recruiting 30 teachers to fill full scholarship positions in school library media.

At the end of the week - we spent 3 days with Gary Miller at his mansion in Plantation. Gary graduated from THS with me - and has retired from the clothing import business in NYC.

Finally - we spent Sunday and Monday in the Hilton in Walt Disney Village - they now call it Downtown Disney. Our yearly Disney pass is running out in 2 weeks - so we visited the Magic Kingdom - EPCOT - and Disney/MGM Studiios.

We drove home Monday evening - arriving home around 8:00 PM. The entire trip put 1250 miles on the car and millions of dead love bugs. Folks do not realize that one can put 1000 miles one way - by going from the west end of Florida to the south end.

Pictures - Allison and Matt - on South Beach.

Your Read About Her Here First - Morgan Miller

Morgan Miller - daughter of Tamaqua favorite son Gary Miller - will be the world's next famous clothes designer. She is opening up a very special shop on South Beach Miami next month. She has a very interesting idea - you go into her designer shop - select several different sandal design features - colors - textures - straps - fabrics - and they make the sandals for you on the spot.

There are dreams of a national franchise.

Gary graduated from THS with me in 1966. Gary retired from the fashion industry at age 50 in 1999. Gary E. Miller Productions have been featured in the New York Times - Playboy - Gentlemen's Quarterly - Vogue - and McCalls. Gary lives in a Mansion in Plantation - a few miles from Fort Lauderdale - and Morgan Miller in South Beach.

Fort Lauderdale Beach From Our Room at 7 AM

Nancy is already up and dressed and ready for her presentation to the Broward County teachers. She is recruiting 30 lucky teachers into her program to make them federal board certified media specialists.

It seems almost a waste of a good beach front hotel - when Nancy - the real beach - lover has to work.

This Car Looks Like It Needs A Shave - It Has LOVE Bugs

September and March bring out the Love Bugs in Florida - and they aren't called that because people love to see them coming. It is because the bugs fly around in pairs - batting their wings like two boat rowers - one bug is always flying backwards. Of course this makes the bugs slow going and they are the easy target of car bumpers. Probably because the female wants to go shopping and the male wants to stay home and watch TV.

The bugs are very sticky - and if left on your car too long - they mar the paint. One of the first purchases I made in Orlando was a bottle of Windex.

The Ant and The Grasshopper: How Nancy and Harry Did Orlando

They left home at 6AM and were in Orlando by 9:30. After a nice lunch - Nancy went to meetings about her grant at 2PM and she is still going strong at 9PM - the ant.

Harry went to Disneyworld's Magic Kingdom - the grasshopper.

Since our one year Disney passes are running out soon - I decided to go to The Magic Kingdom. Although it is only about 5 miles away - it took about an hour from when I left the hotel to the time I entered the park. I used the Disney bus system. Disneyworld was empty on this beautiful September Wednesday. I went into several rides w ith no waiting. I walked right onto the boat at the "Pirates of the Carribbean."

As I walked thru the park - I had a little bit of a sad feeling. I remember all the good times I have had there in the past - with Nancy - the boys - my students - friends and family. I have lost count of the number of times we have gone there - starting with the "summer of 72" trip when we went to Miami for the Democratic and the Republican National Conventions and stopping on the way home. I remember my Dad being my bus co-pilot. I remember my Mom liking to sit on a bench and watch all the different people in the park. I remember my students gathering in front of Cinderella's Castle for a nose count. I remember Drew with his coonskin Davy Crockett hat and Keith punching out Pinnochio on water skis. One can't forget all the camper trips to Fort Wilderness and driving all the busloads of kids down for 6-day Thanksgiving breaks. Then there were the plane and train trips where Nancy would bring 10 kids down by plane - and I would bring 10 kids down by train - and we would swap tickets so the kids could sample both forms of transportation. Also seeing the kids' eyes when they saw their first rocket launch at Cape Canaveral.

A Disney trip alone - reminds one that those times are gone forever and just a warm memory.

Our Orlando Hotel

Nancy and I will be spending a few nights in Fort Lauderdale and Orlando. While in Orlando - we will stay here. While we travel - George will house sit.

Click on title for more hotel pictures.

Bid on Vespa just like Mine - that Jay Leno Signed

Click on the title to see the auction. Jay Leno signed this Vespa for a charity. The auction is in Jessup Maryland.

Catch Tallahassee Ballet matinee today

The Tallahassee Ballet presents an evening of original choreography with live musical accompaniment when the annual "An Evening of Music and Dance" twirls onstage for an abbreviated performance at 2:30 p.m. today in Opperman Music Hall. Ticket prices range from $5 to $15. Call 644-6500.

Hob nob with theater folk in the Big Apple at the Neil Simon comedy "45 Seconds From Broadway" at a final held-over performance at 2 p.m. today at Tallahassee Little Theatre, 1861 Thomasville Road. Tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for senior citizens and students. Call 224-8474.

From the Democrat.

Florida State 55 Rice 7 - We Biked to the Game

It was a pretty day in Talllahassee - sunny and 90 with a breeze. Since the game was at 3:30 we decided to forgo our regular tailgate party. Instead Wayne and Shirley went with us to the game - by bicycle. Yes - we drove our bikes the 2 miles to the stadium via the backway - avoiding Capital Hill.

When we go to the stadium there were plenty of cheap tickets for sale. Since Doak Campbell Stadium has a sunny side and shady side - we decided we would take anything between sections 30 and 35 - with 4 tickets together. A nice young lady was holding up 4 tickets - I looked at the numbers - section 31 - row 66 - perfect. I offered her $5 each for the $30 face value tickets - and she was happy to get rid of them. So the 4 of us sat together for a total of $20.

We got to our seats in time to see the band - we were delighted to be in the shade of the press box on the 25 yard line.

At times FSU showed greatness - Xavier Lee - the backup quarterback got plenty of playing time. At other times - fumbles - dropped passes - penalties ruled the day.

The place holds 85,000 - I would say there were 60,000 people there - the sunny student side was markedly more bare than the shady side.

After the game - it was still daylight and we got home by 7 PM.

The Seminoles are 3-1 now. Folks are back on the band wagon. Do not let this score fool you - the Seminoles of old were nowhere near this field.

Florida State Beats Maryland in Volleyball

Nancy and I drove the scooter to the volleyball game. Florida State won three straight games to shut out UMD. Next game is this Sunday versus Boston College here at 1 PM.