Through An 'Old Timer's' Eyes
By Howard 'Mac' McDonald

Main topic these days at Liars Corner in the Cabin Kitchen is the state buying the former Stoltz property on Sizerville Road and knocking down that nice building for an expanded parking lot at the Forestry Bureau. That seems like a pretty expensive project just to add a few parking spaces.

I am not only the correspondent for Liars Corner, but I am also privy to the discussions that are carried on at the breakfast table in the far west corner. This gathering convenes at 6 am and usually last for an hour. These faithful brethren debate the news of the day.

All of us have our assigned seats, with Mike O'Leary, George Harrier and Al Hertlein as the regulars. The seat next to me is not usually filled until Friday, when Matt Streich might come in. Paul Haviland or Steve Gillette sometimes beat Matt to that seat.

Al's seat gives him a direct view through the front door of the library, where he can't help but comment about a very pretty Christmas Tree that is still up and lit. For some unknown reason, that tree just about drives this man crazy.

Al's agitation gets worse every day and we are worrying he might commit some dastardly deed to erase it from the scenery. I have suggested that perhaps he should change seats so that the tree is no longer in his line of sight.

I see where the citizens in Potter County are grappling with the issue of giant wind turbines and what to do about a school bus contract. With all the things that those folks have been through, it would be nice to see them get some peace and quiet.

Sometimes the best-laid plans can go awry. Last weekend, I had a couple of major projects lined up around the house, but I was called to go to Benton and stay with my older brother. He is confined to a wheelchair because he lost the lower half of his right leg and he just had surgery on his left leg.

I cooked our meals, dressed the wound, fed and watered the dogs and dished up his medicine twice a day.

Turnabout is fair play. When I was six years old, I was laid up for almost a year. Big brother took good care of me. He brought me comic books, rigged up a telegraph system from my bedroom to the kitchen and taught me Morse Code so we could communicate. He was always there to cheer me up. I never dreamed that 73 years later I would be repaying the favor.

The ride down was very pleasant. The rugged hillsides that come down to the banks of the river between Emporium and Lock Haven provide a spectacular wilderness setting. Too bad the Game Commission has allowed so many deer to be slaughtered or they would have completed the scene.

Everyone is worried about the high price of gas these days. I heard about the one guy who stopped at the station and ask for five dollars worth of gas. The attendant strained, passed some gas, and gave the guy a receipt.