Returning To The Baile –Ireland

Local resident Anne Johnson’s voice was full of joyful lilt as she recently shared her immigration story with us. She stated several times how much coming to America in 1954 meant to the McEntee kids, twin brother Patrick, brother Brendan, and sister Bridget. The family dreamed of coming to America, their mother’s country of birth. […] Read more »

Things That Go Bump…

…in the night. Jeff Belanger has been for many years curious about what lies beyond that thin invisible veil that separates the living from those not living. He has authored numerous books detailing legends and studying ghost stories now published in one of his many books. The author, actor, television director, producer, podcaster, expert of […] Read more »

Sleep Problems and How to Fix Them

To sleep…perchance to dream             Insomnia, dissatisfaction with sleep quality or duration, is a common problem. Some 10% of Americans have chronic insomnia and another 15-20% have occasional insomnia.             While scientists do not fully understand why we (and virtually all living animals) need to sleep, lack of sleep contributes to many problems, including interpersonal, […] Read more »

Lions, Tigers, Bears, Bunnies, and Cats

            If you read this column regularly you know that from time to time I rant on unelected bureaucrats at the state and federal level dictating what we can and cannot do in our own town. What I am about to tell you falls under “you ain’t seen nothing yet.”.             Let me introduce you […] Read more »

Run Charlie Run

One day many decades ago, a young executive found himself contemplating his future. He’d achieved so much in life already including securing a job with IBM and becoming a top sales earner – he was living the life others could only dream of. But in this moment of reflection, it all rang hollow. Charlie Bell […] Read more »

Mammograms Demystified

On October 7, Dr. Portia Silk of Southern New England Radiology was hosted to speak at the Joseph H. Plumb Memorial Library on the topic of mammograms. If you are a woman, you, like many others, dread the squishing and pulling that goes along with getting the best images possible. The importance of annual screening […] Read more »

Town of Marion Select Board Chair Receives Distinguished Service Award

Town Administrator Geoffrey Gorman is pleased to share that Marion Select Board Chair Norm Hills was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development District (SRPEDD) at the SRPEDD Annual Meeting on September 25. Hills serves as Marion’s Commissioner to the SRPEDD.             The Distinguished Service Award is given to […] Read more »

Medicare Advantage: Buyer Beware

Medicare was established in 1965, freeing older adults from the trap of unaffordable health care in their senior years. It has been a highly successful program.             Medicare Part A, free for over 65’s and those of any age with permanent disability or chronic kidney failure, covers hospital care. Part B, for which you pay […] Read more »

A Trip Back to the Future

I graduated from high school 60 years ago. It seems like only…60 years ago.             I’ve been thinking about my old alma mater since I read about a grand homecoming reunion celebrating the classes of 1964 through 2024. For reasons I can’t fathom, the classes of 1962 and 1963, the first two classes at the […] Read more »

Rochester Recognizes Lifesavers

            The Rochester Fire Department, together with the Rochester Police Department, recently recognized three civilian residents and 14 first responders with Lifesaver Awards in a ceremony at the Rochester Council on Aging.             The awards were based on two incidents, one in April and one in August, in which a victim suffered cardiac arrest. In […] Read more »