12/17/2020 Weirs TImes by The Weirs Publishing Company

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, December 17, 2020 —

VOLUME 29, NO. 51

THE WEIRS, LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE, N.H., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

COMPLIMENTARY

Wassail Fest At Burnt Timber

Stark Covered Bridge in Stark, NH. Photo courtesy of Robert Clifford. To see more of Rob’s terrific work go to Robert Clifford Photography at RobertClifford.com

Good Olde Christmas Memories It has been an unusual year for sure, and it looks like a different than normal Christmas season this year as well. So we thought we’d bring some Christmas cheer with a classic Christmas story by one of our favorite writers here at the Weirs Times. Ed Allard wrote the “Around The Cracker Barrel” column from 1992 until his passing

in 2000. We miss Ed, but his humor lives on. Enjoy this column from December 22, 1994. -ed. by Ed Allard

Weirs Times Columnist 1992-2000

I woke up in a cold sweat the other night, right on the threshold of a panic attack. In my nightmare I

had dreamed that it was Christmas Eve and I had not mailed out my Christmas cards. I get these same nightmares every year just a couple of weeks before the holidays. Once my jitters start to calm down and I get back to normal -normal for me, that is – I scrabble through my desk for my address list

and start burning the midnight oil. In a matter of hours my tongue has a quarter-inch coating of postage stamp glue and I am squirming with writer’s cramp. Even an infusion of Jim Beam doesn’t seem to help, nor does the news from the Scrooges of the Postal DeSee ALLARD on 24

WOLFEBORO - On Saturday, December 19 from 3 pm to 5 pm, Burnt Timber Brewing & Tavern will host Wassail Fest, which will feature warm mulled wassail, song and more. The festival is inspired from the now rarely practiced custom of wassailing, a Medieval Christmastide English drinking ritual meant to ensure a good cider apple harvest the following year. Ian Craveiro from Bartlett Tree Services will be at Burnt Timber providing attendees with free apple seedlings and the care instructions for apple trees. In addition to warm mulled wassail (cider), the event will feature a food special of pork schnitzel (breaded fried pork chops served with a lemon wedge) and apple sauce. “It’s going to be festive and fun -we need to spread as much cheer as possible this holiday season,” said Burnt Timber owner Eddie Michno. A family-friendly 24-seat brewpub in downtown Wolfeboro that features rotating beers and a full food menu, Burnt Timber Brewing & Tavern is located at 96 Lehner St., Wolfeboro. To learn more, visit burnttimbertavern.com. RE ONLINE FOR & SHA F RE D A E RE

THE

WEIRSTIMES.C

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, December 17, 2020 —

Thanks From Food Pantry To The Editor: Lakes Region Food Pantry wants to thank everyone for your generosity and support, making it possible for us to continue our mission of feeding families one bag at a time. The hardship experienced by so many due to the COVID-19 pandemic makes your giving even more significant. Throughout the year, and particularly during the holidays when need is so greatly felt, donations have supported programs for lakes region residents that provide monthly food vouchers enabling clients to purchase healthy, fresh foods, weekly food assistance, turkeys and grocery gift cards at Thanksgiving, Christmas gifts for children and grocery gift cards through the Moultonborough Public Library Santa Fund, cooking classes in partnership with UNH and Center Harbor Congregational Church, summer lunch program and back-toschool sneaker program for students, scholarship program for graduating lakes region high school students and adult learners pursuing higher education. LRFP and Thrift Shop is located at 977 Whittier Highway, Moultonborough, NH, phone number: 603-476-5400. Please visit us Wed, Thurs, Fri, 11 am - 4 pm or find out more on Facebook: Lakes Region Food Pantry & Thrift Shop or at lakesregionfoodpantry.org.

The family of Lakes Region Food Pantry wishes you all a wonderful holiday season and a healthy, happy new year. Cathy Baxter Lakes Region Food Pantry

Rewarding Points? To The Editor: The debate has started again as to whether the US Constitution should be amended in order to change the presidential election process. Some promote eliminating the Electoral College in favor of a direct popular vote for president while others believe the Electoral College should remain unchanged. Just as compromise solved the initial problems of the framers so it is that compromise can solve this problem. The solution is to change the electoral votes to electoral points and reward each candidate a percentage of points based on the percentage of popular votes received in each state. This would eliminate the “winner take all” system thus allowing for all the votes to count. A voter is more apt to believe their vote counted when a percentage of popular votes are taken into account rather than the “all or nothing” system currently in existence. Further, this new system would integrate the desire for a popular vote for president with the need for the individual states to determine who actu-

ally gets elected.For 2020 multiplying the percentage of votes each candidate received {in each state} times the number of electoral votes {in each state} results in the following: Biden 267.23 and Trump 252.33. Multiplying the percentage of popular votes each candidate received {nationwide} times the total number of electoral votes {538} results in the following: Biden 274.92 and Trump 253.40. Joe Bialek Cleveland, Ohio

Our Story

This newspaper was first published in 1883 by Mathew H. Calvert as Calvert’s Weirs Times and Tourists’ Gazette and continued until Mr. Calvert’s death in 1902. The new Weirs Times was reestablished in 1992 and strives to maintain the patriotic spirit of its predecessor as well as his devotion to the interests of Lake Winnipesaukee. Our newspaper’s masthead and the map of Lake Winnipesaukee in the center spread are elements in today’s paper which are taken from Calvert’s historic publication. Locally owned for over 20 years, this publication is devoted to printing the stories

of the people and places that make New Hampshire the best place in the world to live. No, none of the daily grind news will be found in these pages, just the good stuff. Published year round on Thursdays, we distribute 30,000 copies of the Weirs Times every week to the Lakes Region/Concord/ Seacoast area and the mountains and have an estimated 66,000 people reading this newspaper. To find out how your business or service can benefit from advertising with us please call 1-888-308-8463.

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Faithful Unto Death Katherine’s Christmas Eve Vow serious and admirable womanhood.” However that Christmas Eve vow meant that she would be a Miss, and not a Madam, all the days of her life. On that Christmas Eve as Katherine knelt at that chapel altar she pleaded to be shown the path she should take in life. Before she left that sacred place, satisfied that she had See SMITH on 26

by Robert Hanaford Smith, Sr. Contributing Writer

Sometime in the 1880’s William Clough wrote that he temporarily left a joyous and happy annual family gathering to visit the burial grounds of his deceased kindred in his native New England town. On leaving the cemetery he saw the inscription on a white marble marker that brought back the memory of an unusual lady whose story he decided to pass on to others. The woman in the story was unique and the story itself is not what you might call your traditional type of Christmas story, and like many of our life experiences it is bittersweet. Even with my condensed version, in order to do justice to the story, first published in 1889, I must give it to you in two parts. The marble gravestone in the town cemetery read, Katherine Pollock, 1838-1878, Faithful Unto Death. With some direct

On that Christmas Eve as Katherine knelt at that chapel altar she pleaded to be shown the path she should take in life. Painting by Hubert Salentin - Young Girl Praying. qoutes from Clough the legend follows: It was on a Christmas Eve that a young Katherine Pollock knelt at the altar of a chapel in a country town somewhere in the hills of New England and made the vow that determined the course of her life. “Her childhood and youth were full to overflowing with the light-hearted and merry joys that are the experience of the

youngest and petted member of the family. Nothing in reason was denied...” This child, who was the youngest and a recipient of the most attention by the rest of the family, did not become the selfish and demanding person we might have expected. On the contrary, her home influence and education were such “that she developed into the best type of

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, December 17, 2020 —

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES Last Night Wolfeboro Updates

Bolduc Park Open For X-Country Skiing Bolduc Park is now open for cross country skiing. Have some safe, affordable fun outdoors. Bolduc Park is on Gilford Avenue at the Laconia/Gilford Town line. The non-profit, all volunteer run Bolduc Park’s mission is to offer recreation to area residents. Cross Country Lessons will be offered to youth and adults beginning on Saturday, January 2 and will continue on January 9, 16 and 23. Lessons begin at 10am and rental skis may be picked up at 9am at Piche’s Ski shop. The cost for lessons is $80 per person including rental equipment or $40 per person if you have your own equipment. Register with the Gilford Parks and Recreation Department or at Bolduc Park. For more information call Bob or Pat at 524-2068.

A Very “Covid” Christmas On Saturday Dec. 19th The Garrison Players remote presentation of “A Very ‘CoVid” Christmas will take place at 7:30pm, featuring readings from beloved Holiday tales,…and a few new ones. Featuring: “Why the Chimes Rang: by Raymond Alden (Paul Barton) - “Christmas on the Prairie” by Laura Ingalls Wilder (Megan Davenport) - “Yes, Virginia...” (Tinka Finley) - “Spike Slotnik: Christmas Edition” by Kevin Collins (Ray Dudley, Pattiann Graham, Jerry Finley) - “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry (Carol Davenport - “Horrid Henry’s Christmas Play” by Frances Simon - (Mark Miller) The cost is free and all you have to do is register online at garrisonplayers.org, The Garrison Players Art Center is located at 449 Roberts Rd., Rollinsford, NH.

After months of planning Last Night Wolfeboro 2020 for December 31st, virtual games, music, magic and storytelling will take place, but fireworks have been cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns. The virtual celebration marking the end of 2020 is being finalized. Last Night Wolfeboro 2020 organizers are inviting people of all ages to enjoy an online New Year’s Eve day of interactive games, magic, music, stor ytelling and more. The Last Night Wo l fe b o r o scavenger hunt along the Main Street shopping area is also scheduled pending any final changes. Zoom links for Last Night Wolfeboro will be available @WolfeboroLastNight on Facebook a few days before December 31st. As the event schedule and plans are finalized, committee member Maria Found, a veteran Brewster instructor and tireless volunteer for many organizations in Wolfeboro will host live games and shows starting with a scavenger hunt on a Zoom channel arranged by Brewster. . Entertainers scheduled to appear on the Zoom channels include: String Equinox, featuring local musicians Beverly Woods and Shana Aisenberg who’ve performed throughout the Lakes Region and at the Wolfeboro Area Farmers Market. •Stacey Kelleher (top): singer, songwriter, musician from Ossipee, NH now living in Nashville, TN. •Simon Brooks (right): Renowned, awardwinning storyteller presenting an original story for the Last Night Wolfeboro audience (recommended for ages 8 and up). •Emma Jedow: New Hampshire resident and passionate singer, songwriter, musician, and mental health advocate. •Dan Chan and Company: an internationally renowned, award-winning magician. •Andrew Long – New Hampshirebased comedian •Yu Koriki (below): captivating magician and Brewster alumnus; now attending Northeastern University in Boston. Due to the ongoing pandemic, events may be subject to change and will be updated via social media and the Wolfeboro town web site.

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, December 17, 2020 —

F O O L NEW HAMPSHIRE A

in brendan@weirs.com

New Hampshire's Choice for Local & National News,Talk & Weather

Live Free or Die.

*A FLATLANDER’S OBSERVATIONS ON LIFE

Games For Christmas The world has changed a lot over the past decade or so, making it even harder to find the right Christmas gift for certain people. The hardest by Brendan Smith people to buy Weirs Times Editor for over the years has certainly been the “politically correct” crowd, which grows more demanding every year. What do you get for the discriminating Cancel Culture lover on your list? That’s never easy. Recently a slew of older classic games that we all used to play when we were younger and immune to the fact that most everything was offensive, have come out with new versions that should appeal to those who find nothing appealing. I know this is a little late, but if you act now you might just come up with that perfect gift for them to put under the tree. (Of course, they might find the tree offensive for some reason, but these gifts might help ease the pain.)

of hand sanitizer so each player can disinfect after rolling the dice.

MONOPOLY - This new version of the popular board game is played a bit differently. Each player is represented by an identical small, flat, grey stone, eliminating the superiority status one might feel being the race car as opposed to the thimble. (Yes, it is harder to keep track of whose piece is whose, but even if you move another player’s piece by mistake, that is fine, since all pieces are considered equal and belonging to the entire group.) There are no “Get Out Of Jail Free” cards in this new version since is no jail. The one with the most money at the end of the game is considered the loser and must sit in shame for twenty minutes. In compliance with COVID-19 restrictions, the game also comes with an ample supply

CANDYLAND – This game geared towards younger kids is simple to play. Draw a card and move your player to the appropriately colored square on the board. Players drawing a white card need to apologize first before moving ahead. A must to teach your children how to get ready to live in our new world.

LIFE – In this game players spin the spinner and take their journey through making real life decisions. For example, does a player skip college and take their chances or immediately take on a $40,000 student loan hoping that it will lead to a better career? Of course, in the 2020 version, many players quickly realize that taking on a huge debt to take such courses as “The Art Of Walking”, “Zombies in Popular Media” and “How To Talk Klingon” (yes, all actual college courses) may not have been a wise career move and will now support political candidates who will fight for their right not to have to pay it back. CLUE – No longer will it be Mrs. Green, Col. Mustard, Miss Scarlet, et al., who will be portrayed as possible suspects of murder, but all characters will have nondescript gender identities and be called by their proper pronoun so all players will feel as they are in a safe space as they try to figure out who bashed in Ze Mustard’s head with a candlestick in the study.

SCRABBLE – Yes, amazingly enough this old classic has a new twist to keep up with the times. It will still be played the same, but all tiles will be worth 1 point so that those with knowledge of a lesser vocabulary can still have a chance of winning. Did your opponent play “Apteryx”? Well, now you can play “Doggies” and stay right with them. Everyone is a winner with this version. (Also

comes with an updated dictionary where many undesirable words have been eliminated so challenges are easy to win.) TRIVIAL PURSUIT – A whole new list of topics are introduced in the 2021 version “Cancel Culture” version, So brush up on new categories such as “New Offensive Phrases”, “Terrible Caucasians Throughout History”, “Bad,Bad Statues” and “Classic Movies That Need To Be Destroyed” or you won’t have chance. MAD LIBS – The new, politically correct version of this old favorite has eliminated all adjectives as the creators of the game couldn’t find one that could be deemed non-offensive. Each book comes with a five-page list of acceptable nouns, verbs and even exclamations, plus an eighteen-page list of words that cannot be used under any circumstance. (It is also suggested that once all of the blank spaces have been filled in, it might be better not to read back the completed story on the outside chance that someone might still be offended by something.) There is some bad news on the game front, even though it wouldn’t have been a wise choice for the PC enthusiast on your list, It saddens me to let you know that the classic “Twister” has now been banned since there is no possible way to play it without actually touching someone. It not only does not meet COVID-19 regulations, but it has become a target for a slew of sexual harassment lawsuits against the company. Happy shopping! Brendan is the author of “The Flatlander Chronicles” and “Best Of A F.O.O.L. In New Hampshire” His latest book “I Only Did It For The Socks - Stories and Thoughts On Aging” will be published soon.

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The Flatlander Chronicles Weirs Times F.O.O.L columnist, Brendan Smith’s first book with over 30 of the best of his original Flatlander Columns. From learning to Rake The Roof to Going To The Dump to Buying Firewood for the first time and everything in between, Brendan recounts the humorous tales of his learning to fit into New Hampshire life as a Flatlander from New York.

Order your autographed copy today for $13.99 plus $3 for shipping. (Please include any inscription you would like the author to personalize your copy with.) Make out checks or money orders for $16.99 to Brendan Smith and mail to: The Flatlander Chronicles, c/o The Weirs Times, PO Box 5458, Weirs, NH 03247. Order online at www.BrendanTSmith.com (Pickup autographed copies at the Weirs Times)

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, December 17, 2020 —

COVIDGATE (Part 3): Attack on Informed Consent

Patient rights and bioethics are impossible without truly informed consent. This fundamental concept has vanished from public view faster than paper towels and toilet paper from your grocery shelves. Informed consent matters more than ever because we are entering the most coercive era of medical tyranny in human history. If the public health-industrial complex by Michelle Malkin gets its way, you may not be able to work, Syndicated Columnist travel, shop or go to school without proof of a COVID-19 vaccination. Who needs government to do the mandating when corporations, airlines and educational institutions will do all the dirty work for Big Brother? The unthinking surrender of our autonomy to global pandemic blackmailers is horrific. Can you really offer voluntary and thorough consent at “warp speed” with a figurative gun to your head? Fact: Our right to self-determination cannot be protected if doctors fail to disclose all risks of treatments. The same holds true in medical research. Ask yourselves this: In what sane world would we allow children as young as 11 to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine without parental approval -- as the Washington, D.C., council decreed last month -- while scientific experts are warning us that the adult subjects of COVID-19 vaccine trials were themselves inadequately told of the risks that the jabs “could worsen disease”? Yes, you read that right. A review of COVID-19 vaccine protocols published in the October issue of the International Journal of Clinical Practice determined that an alarming phenomenon called “antibody-dependent enhancement” -which could worsen COVID-19 -- “was obscured” by vaccine manufacturers. Timothy Cardozo of the New York University Langone Health and Ronald Veazey of the Tulane University School of Medicine concluded that the vaccine-enhanced disease risk “should have been prominently and independently disclosed to research subjects.” The reckless omission “obviate(ed) truly informed consent.” Indeed, vaccine researchers hid the ADE risk “last or next to last” in their clinical trial consent forms and downplayed the risk as “theoretical,” when evidence of the risk is in fact “non-theoretical” and “compelling.” Burying adverse effects in the fine print is standard See MALKIN on 28

Don’t Let COVID-19 Lockdowns Become A Permanent Power Grab

This week, as Los Angeles County announced it would lock down all outdoor dining, a video went viral. That video featured restaurant owner Angela Marsden, proprietor of the Pineapple Hill Saloon and Grill, decryby Ben Shapiro ing the lockdown policy Syndicated Columnist while pointing to the erection of production catering set up for a Hollywood shoot just a few feet away. “Everything I own is being taken away from me, and they set up a movie company right next to my outdoor patio,” Marsden said, adding that she has spent approximately $80,000 complying with the requirements of LA County, only to see it shut down her business completely. There is no scientific policy justifying LA County’s outdoor-dining shutdown. In fact, during a Board of Supervisors meeting, a community member quizzed LA County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis on the evidence to support such a ban. Muntu provided no such evidence, likely because there is none. But those who want to run their businesses in a safe and secure fashion are being targeted nonetheless by a political class incentivized to pursue tyranny rather than rational policy. LA Mayor Eric Garcetti -- who told police to stand down as rioters tore through his city during a pandemic -- said that his “heart goes out to Ms. Marsden” and then added, “No one likes these restrictions, but I do support them as our hospital ICU beds fill to capacity.” He explained, “We must stop this virus before it kills thousands of more Angelenos.” He did not explain why, if outdoor dining was so dangerous, Hollywood is still allowed to engage in it.

That’s no surprise. Throughout the pandemic, one set of rules has applied to America’s most ardent lockdown advocates, and another set of rules has applied to everyone else. LA County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl voted to ban outdoor dining ... and then went to an outdoor restaurant later that evening. California Gov. Gavin Newsom is currently locking down some 33 million citizens but had no problem eating indoors with members of the California Medical Association at The French Laundry. Mayor London Breed of San Francisco ate at that same posh restaurant the next day. Austin Mayor Steve Adler told his constituents, “stay home if you can” in a Facebook video filmed from his vacation timeshare in Cabo San Lucas, where he’d just headed with seven others after a wedding in Austin. Mayor Lori Lightfoot of Chicago got her hair cut and called it an “essential” business activity while promoting lockdown. Gov. Andrew Cuomo told everybody to stay home for Thanksgiving and then announced he would be getting together with his daughters and his 89-year-old mother, only to then reverse himself. The message is obvious: Our intellectual and moral betters in politics are free to make their own rational calculations on COVID-19 risk. The rest of us are to be locked in our homes until further notice. When these political actors suggest that we must act out of an abundance of caution, they mean that they ought to enjoy abundance while benefitting from our caution. You and your family are capable of making the same decisions Cuomo, Garcetti, Newsom, Lightfoot and Adler do. You should be careful; you should engage in social distancing, mask up when in close proximity with others and generally avoid social gatherings involving those with preexisting conditions. But you can do all of these things and still live See SHAPIRO on 27

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, December 17, 2020 —

Investment Con Want to make money and help the world, too? Wall Street says you can! If you invest in “socially responsible” funds, say big investment by John Stossel funds like BlackSyndicated Columnist Rock, Parnassus, TIAA-CREF, etc., then they’ll do good things for the world, and your retirement funds will grow. These funds obsess about what they call Environmental, Social and Governance factors. For example, Parnassus says it picks investments

based on “their environmental impact, how they treat their employees, the quality of their relationships with local communities.” People believe. More than $100 billion poured in just in the first half of this year. But I won’t invest. My new video explains why. One popular “socially responsible” fund, Generation Investments, is run by former Vice President Al Gore. His website claims they invest in “sustainable” companies that do things “consistent with a low-carbon, prosperous, equitable, healthy and safe society.” If you don’t invest, Gore warns,

you’ll miss out on “the single largest investment opportunity in all of history. He says, “Sustainability can actually enhance returns!” They do enhance his returns. The management fees help him pay for his many homes. ESG funds probably won’t do as much for you, if you invest. “I’ve had a lot of experience looking at these types of investments,” says Thomas Hogan, senior research fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research. “They don’t actually accomplish the goals of being environmentally or socially responsible.” Al Gore’s Generations Invest-

ments, for example. “They’re not really making socially conscious investments,” says Hogan. “Their No. 1 holding is Alphabet, parent company of Google. They’re just buying, basically, regular companies.” So, why do people invest? “It makes people feel good,” says Hogan. Some “green” investment funds did well lately because oil prices dropped. But most will give you lower returns because they charge higher fees. A Pacific Research Institute report found that their fees average 0.7% See STOSSEL on 29

The Road To Morocco In another stunning breakthrough for Middle East peace, the Kingdom of Morocco has recognized Israel. The latest diploby John J. Metzler matic deal was Syndicated Columnist o r c h e s t r a t e d i n the waning weeks of the Trump Administration but built upon September’s surprising Abraham Accords where three other Arab countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Sudan put long standing political enmity aside and recognized the state of Israel. But contrary to U.S. diplomacy with many other regional states, Donald’s Trump’s road to Morocco

is based on deeper shared history and friendships. As Secretary of State Mike Pompeo underscored, “In 1777, Morocco was the first country to grant diplomatic recognition to the United States of America. That same year, Morocco opened its ports to the ships of the new American republic, allowing us to engage in trade and commerce and supporting our fight for freedom. Our friendship has endured.” Few people are aware that the port city of Tangier hosts the oldest American diplomatic property in the world, and the only U.S. National Historic Landmark located outside the United States, the Tangier American Legation. Washington maintained historically good ties with Morocco which

were leveraged to complete one of the last pieces of the peace puzzle, Saudi Arabia notwithstanding. But as importantly and largely overlooked in the media, the United States has equally recognized Morocco’s disputed claims to the Western Sahara, a huge largely desolate territory, which remains in a political limbo awaiting a long sought UN referendum. Since 1991 the UN has maintained the MINURSO peacekeeping mission in the desolate region to administer a future referendum on its status. The U.S. decided to open a Consulate in the southern Atlantic port of Dakhla, which is deep inside Western Sahara, as a vote of confidence to regional development. Significantly, the USA maintains

a Free Trade agreement with Morocco, the only such agreement in Africa. Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita hailed U.S. recognition of Western Sahara’s “Moroccan identity” as a “historic diplomatic breakthrough.” King Mohammed VI’s declaration that he will normalize ties with Israel has “had the impact of a Tsunami” says the head of the Council of Jewish Communities in Morocco, was quoted in Israel Hayom newspaper. Indeed even skeptics of the MidEast peace process are surprisingly amazed by the speed of the American diplomatic breakthroughs in a region market by mistrust and static policy posi- See METZLER on 28

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, December 17, 2020 —

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Nice Guy Sportscasters by Mike Moffett Contributing Writer

A recent Sports Illustrated feature explained how famed sportscaster Jim Gray got his big break. In 1978 Gray was an 18year old intern editing videotapes at Denver’s KTBV Channel 9 when an assignment editor hurriedly asked him to jump in his car and race to the airport. Boxing champ Muhammed Ali was landing several hours early and no one else was available to go interview the most famous athlete in the world— who was also probably then the most famous person in the world. Ali laughed when he saw the young, disheveled “reporter” but Gray conducted a substantive interview and the two became lifelong friends. Gray’s career received a massive jumpstart and he later became a highlypaid sportscaster for several top networks. Ali’s very last interview would be with Jim Gray. As with most careers, timing and luck matter—along with talent and work ethic. Of course, if your dad owns a company then one might benefit from nepotism. But most are not so lucky. Successful sportscasters seem to share a “common denominator.” They’re just nice people. Jerks some-

Jim Gray. how get weeded out. (Sayonara, Keith Olbermann.) When I was Sports Information Director at Plymouth State College, many years ago, Channel 9’s sport segments were especially important in that pre-internet era. Sportscasters Jeff Bacon and Frank Mallicoat genuinely tried to mention PSC Panther sports items whenever they could. Bacon and Mallicoat work in California now. Jeff’s in the entertainment business and he graciously made time to meet with me and my actor/interpreter coauthor, Fahim Fazli when I recently was

in the Golden State. Frank now works for KTVU Channel 2 in San Francisco/Oakland. He invited Fahim and I on for a fun segment on that California station where he played some of Fahim’s movie clips before reminiscing about New Hampshire. Nice guys remember old friends. Current WMURChannel 9 sportscaster Jamie Staton also seems like a nice guy, whom we don’t mind joining us every evening in our living rooms—kind of like the late Celtics announcer Tom Heinsohn, or the late Jeopardy host Alex Trebek, or the

Douglas H. Greene, CPA/PFS

late ABC radio legend Paul Harvey, all of whom I was fortunate to have met. Nice guys. Ponder the wonderful local sportscasters we’ve been blessed with. Jim Jeannotte, who among many other things was the voice of UNH basketball. Dick Osborne, the voice of UNH ice hockey. Also Jim Rivers, Matt Murphy, Chris Ryan, Warren Bailey. Dave Haley, Jason King, and Charlie Sherman, among others. Ken Cail, the voice of the Manchester Monarchs, has been a fixture on local radio stations for many years. After a rollicking radio session with me and several of my legislative Beer Caucus colleagues, he invited us back on for a two-hour segment. He later had to rescind the offer when the radio station “retooled.” But he quickly invited us on See MOFFETT on 27

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, December 17, 2020 —

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, December 17, 2020 —

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by Tim Moore Contributing Writer

A system is a series of steps that work together to complete a task. In this year’s Ice Annual Magazine, I wrote about some techniques to give you an edge while ice fishing. I talked about how that edge doesn’t always come in the form of a new lure, although it might, but often comes in by way of several more subtle things that anglers don’t always attribute directly to their ice fishing success. Another way to find success is sometimes as simple as a different perspective. How do businesses, like manufacturing facilities, find their success? One way they speed up productivity is to develop a system. You can’t catch fish if you’re not actually fishing, so anything that helps you keep your line in the water more will most definitely result in more fish on the ice. You hear a lot about efficiency in ice fishing circles. Efficiency and system are somewhat synonymous with one another. My system starts off the ice in how I store my rods, tackle and other gear. I use a double-sided rod locker to store the bulk of my rods. I keep it in my snowmobile trailer. This allows me to grab as few or as many as I want for the day. When

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Moore’s attributes much of his success as an ice angler to his system. I’m traveling on the ice, I use a single-sided rod locker. The single-sided case takes up less space, but still protects my rods. Regardless of the case, every one of my rods has a rod slick on it. Nothing will cost me time like untangling rods that don’t have slicks on them, and I know exactly when they will be tangled the worst… when I need them the most. At least that’s how it feels when a huge school of feeding fish shows up under me. Time without my line in the water feels like slow motion. Tackle storage is equally as important to me, especially with

the evolution of tungsten. Tungsten is more expensive than lead. Loose jigs bouncing around the inside of a standard tackle box are likely to have the paint chip off or fall out, only to become stuck in other places and cost you time, or worse, lost and gone forever. Clam Outdoors makes it easier than ever to store tackle. They have a several different sizes of both jig and spoon boxes. You can do what I do and use a large jig box and the Deluxe Spoon Box to house the bulk of my tackle. I have a small jig box loaded with my most commonly-used jigs and space for a few

substitutes as needed. I do the same with my spoons. Leech Flutter Spoons and Blade Spoons are a staple for me. I keep the majority of my spoons in a Deluxe Spoon Box and when I’m not guiding, I take a small spoon box with my favorites for the day. Staying organized means less time searching for tackle and more tie fishing. I don’t appreciate organization as much as I do when I get to my fishing spot, but my system doesn’t end there. For years I had a habit of setting everything I thought I would use where it would be easily accessible. I See MOORE on 12

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, December 17, 2020 — MOORE from 11

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thought that by having everything ready, it would save me time if I needed it. It wasn’t until after I met Dave Genz that I began to look at efficiency from a different perspective. I realized I almost never needed many of the object I was getting read. By taking most of my gear out I was costing myself time and essentially anchoring myself to an area in order to avoid having to put everything away. News flash Tim, you have to put it away at some point. Today, when I arrive at a fishing spot, I put anything I’m not actually using at that moment back where it belongs. If a school if fish moves on and I want to go with it, or they never appear in the first place and I need to quickly change locations, I can do so much easier and faster if the majority of my

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, December 17, 2020 —

Wicked BREW Review

The

wickedbrews@weirs.com

Two Guinness Imperial Stouts

WHAT’S ON TAP IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?? A listing of some of the area’s beercentric watering holes where you can find old favorites on tap as well as some cutting edge seasonals.

ACKERLY’S JOHNSON’S GRILL & GALLEY TAPHOUSE 83 Main Street, Alton 603.875.3383 Akerlysgrillandgalleyrestaurant.com Smuttynose - Finest Kind 603- Winni Ale Tuckerman - Pale Ale Great Rhythm - Squeeze Stoneface IPA

by Jim MacMillan Contributing Writer

Tis the season for enjoying darker brews during cooler months. Winter lends itself to heartier liquids. It just feels right and works within so many applications of food pairing or just enjoying a rich and delicious drink. As I’ve mentioned before, it’s the ability to put on our winter coat. So we set our sights two great beers from one of the most recognized leaders in brewing, Guinness. Guinness has roots back to 1759 when Author Guinness signed a 9000 year lease on a piece of property known as St James’ Gate and set up a small ale brewery. Realizing the success of English porter beer, he decided to concentrate only on porters and forego the ale part of his brew business. In 1803, Author Guinness II developed what is now the famous Extra Stout recipe. By 1858, Guinness is being exported to America and as far away as New Zealand. And in 1868, the St James’ Gate family brewery doubles its size to handle demand for their stout. More and more advancements

COPPER KETTLE TAVERN grew Guinness but it wasn’t until 1959 that they became the first nitrogen-carbonated beer giving it the distinctive head and mouthfeel. In 1988, they developed the first nitro widget placed in the bottom of each can which, upon opening, charges the beer with nitrogen gas creating the same frothy head you would get from a tap beer. Throughout the decades, the Guinness name meant quality and legendary taste. In 2018, Guinness created Open Gate Brewery in Baltimore, Maryland with a decidedly Americanized view of serving adoring fans their favorite nitro beverage along with food in a uniquely industrial setting. Find out more about the origins at guinness.com and the newest endeavor at guinnessbrewerybaltimore.com First off, putting stout

into Kentucky bourbon barrels to age is a common and successful way of making sure your beer will taste like it has bourbon in it. Barrel aging imparts the previous liquid flavor into the current liquid. So why does barrel aging work so well with stouts? Because stouts begin as fuller flavor beers. They are robust, with coffee, vanilla, and other roasty tastes. So to add to a combination a bourbon or whiskey additive is just icing on the cake. When this Imperial Stout is poured into a snifter glass, you’ll find a thin mocha head on top of a jet black brew. Notes of bourbon hit you like a hammer as you approach. But the soothing mouthfeel of this luscious, malty stout take over on your first sips. Thick and chocolatey flavors with generous complexities swirl through your

senses with this amazing brew. With the Imperial Ginger Bread Spiced Stout, the hue is closer to dark amber and offwhite thin head. Ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon are most present before you are hit with malty bourbon. The medium body in this one probably matches the amber tone rather than its darker counterpart. Overall, a great holiday sipper. BeerAdvocate.com officially gave both of these beers an ‘Outstanding’ rating earning a 90 out of 100. You can pick up both in 11.2 oz four pack bottles of these wonderful creations at Case-nKeg, 5 Mill St, Meredith. Tradition and creativity meet when you open a Guinness brew.

At Hart’s Turkey Farm Restaurant 233 D.W. Hwy, Meredith 603.279.6212 hartsturkeyfarm.com Bud Light Stoneface IPA Moat Mtn - Blueberry Tuckerman - Pale Ale 603 - Winni Amber Ale ...+6 More On Tap

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At Funspot Family Entertainment Ctr. 579 Endicott St N., Weirs 603.366.4377 funspotnh.com Foundation - Flights of Fancy Victory - Merry Monkey Equilibrium - Wavelength Litherman’s - Midguided Angel Fore River - Timberhitch Gneiss - Nord ...+6 More On Tap

At Johnson’s Seafood & Steak 69 Rt 11, New Durham 603.859.7500 eatatjohnsons.com/ newdurham Southern Tier- Salted Caramel Lone Pine- Oh J! Woodstock- Frosty Goggles Foundation- Gobble Gobble UFO- Winter Blonde Muddy Road- Heads Up ...+30 More On Tap

PATRICK’S PUB 18 Weirs Rd., Gilford 603.293.0841 Patrickspub.com Patrick’s Slainte House Ale Sam Adams - Seasonal Guinness Tuckerman - Pale Ale 603 - Winni Amber Ale Shipyard - Pumpkin Ale Woodstock - Autumn Ale ...+8 More On Tap

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At The Craft Beer Xchange 59 Doe Ave., Weirs Beach 603.409.9344 FB @craftbeerxchange Smuttynose - Key Lime Pie Hobbs - One Arm Farmhouse Flanders - Holiday Red Ale Woodstock - Autumn Brew Woodland Farms - Big ‘Effin Porter Maine Beer Co. Mean Old Tom ...+30 More On Tap ** Tap listings subject to change!

RESTAURANT OR BAR OWNER?

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, December 17, 2020 —

OUT on the TOWN Great Food, Libations & Good Times!

Christmas Gift Of Faith & Food

by Angela Shelf Medearis

The Kitchen Diva

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My father, Howard, was in the Air Force and my mother, Angeline, was a homemaker. They didn’t have a lot of money to buy Christmas presents for my three siblings or me, but it never seemed to matter. They gave us lots of love, and faith in God, and in the future, no matter how bleak things might look in the present. The Bible says that faith is “a gift of God.” I believe that. It would take a God to create something as wonderful and as life-sustaining as faith. It takes

great faith to carry on during all the troubles we’ve all faced day in and day out his year. The wonderful thing about faith is that the more you use it, the more it grows. Unlike

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earthly things which become worn and depleted when used time after time, faith becomes even stronger and more abundant the more that you use it. I often hear about people “losing faith.” If you feel like that, all I can say is that lost things are often found in the most unexpected places at the most unexpected times. I’ve misplaced things, thinking that they were lost, only to find them when I was looking for something else. The

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thing I’d thought I’d lost was there all the time, waiting for me to discover it and use it again. Faith is like that, sometimes when you think you’ve reached the end of your ability to believe, something or someone comes along to shore you up so that you can continue. I have great faith in the future and the abilities of the American people to preserve in these difficult times. We must love and speak lovingly about our country. A thing that is not loved will not grow properly. We must have faith in our personal abilities and in our potential as a people to grow stronger together. We must never forget the faith of our forefathers and what this country was built on. While the holidays pose their own special set of personal and financial challenges, it’s also a time to appreciate and treasure the priceless things in our lives -- love, faith, family and friends. No matter what your circumstances, hold on to hope, preserve and cherish your family’s heritage, memories and recipes. And most importantly in these difficult times, keep the faith. While I have wonderful memories of the dishes that my mother made for Christmas, this year, I’ve decided See FOOD on 15

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, December 17, 2020 —

OUT on the TOWN Great Food, Libations & Good Times!

FOOD from 14 to start a holiday tradition of my own. I call this recipe Christmas Chicken because it’s a beautiful holiday dish with lots of colorful red tomatoes, white pasta and green basil or parsley. It’s also inexpensive, simple to make, and can be doubled to easily feed a crowd. I look forward to sharing it with my family and friends for years to come. Merry Christmas, and have a blessed holiday season! CHRISTMAS CHICKEN 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, chicken thighs or a combination of both 2 tablespoons poultry seasoning, divided 2 teaspoons salt, divided 2 teaspoons ground black pepper, divided 3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 cup all-purpose flour 8 ounces penne pasta 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 stick butter 1 large yellow onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 (28-ounce) can Cento or San Marzano crushed tomatoes 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves or nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon sugar 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley or basil, cut into ribbons 1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Romano

cheese 1.Cover chicken breasts with plastic wrap and pound each piece to an even thickness, about 1 inch in the thickest parts. Remove the plastic and sprinkle each piece of chicken on both sides with 1 tablespoon of the poultry season, 1 teaspoon each of the salt and 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon of the cayenne pepper. 2. To the flour, add 1/2 tablespoon of the poultry seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon of the black pepper, and mix well. Press the chicken into the flour on both sides, shake off the excess and set aside. 3. Make the pasta according to package directions. When the pasta is cooked, drain it but reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water to add to the sauce. 4. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil and butter in a large heavy skillet over medium heat until sizzling, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the

ks a e t • S ood a st af Pa Se

seasoned chicken and pan-fry for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until golden brown. 5. Place the chicken on a plate and set aside. Add the onions to the pan and cook for 2 minutes. Add in the garlic, tomatoes, the remaining 1/2 tablespoon poultry seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/2 tablespoon cayenne, and the cloves or nutmeg and sugar. Turn heat to simmer, and cook to a sauce-like mixture, about 5-7 minutes. Add the reserved pasta cooking water as needed if the sauce is too thick. 6. Cut the chicken into strips and add it to the sauce. Stir in half of the parsley or basil.

Top the drained pasta with the sauce and stir to combine over medium heat for about 1 to 2 minutes. To serve, sprinkle the pasta with the remaining parsley or basil and the grated cheese. Serves 4 to 6. Angela Shelf Medearis is an awardwinning children’s author, culinary historian and the author of seven cookbooks. Her new cookbook is “The Kitchen Diva’s Diabetic Cookbook.” Her website is www.divapro. com. To see how-to videos, recipes and much, much more, Like Angela Shelf Medearis, The Kitchen Diva! on Facebook. Recipes may not be reprinted without permission from Angela Shelf Medearis.

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, December 17, 2020 —

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Home -- Or Anywhere But Home -For The Holidays?

During the holidays, you may be seeking comfort, whether that’s the comfort of home -or anywhere but home.

With travel precautions making possibilities somewhat limited this year, you may not be able to take the exact trip you’ve been dreaming about. However, whether or not you leave home this holiday season, you can find the comfort you’re seeking in the following ways: • Revisit Fond Memories. If you can’t travel this holiday season, you can still take a trip down memory lane and safely relive your favorite trips and activities. Unearth your most prized travel mementos, such as pic-

tures, ticket stubs and playbills, and make a scrapbook. • Home Is Where The Food Is. Looking to conjure the aromas and

flavors of your childhood? Connect with family members and ask them for recipes. Craving the cuisine of a dream destination? Plan a themed cooking night. If you need a little assistance in expanding your culinary repertoire, consider a virtual cooking class or meal kit. Or, simply venture out for a meal. • Cultivate Culture. Like never before, the world is at our fingertips, from virtual experiences offering neverbefore-seen access to museums and cultural meccas to classes in literally everything. Let your fingers do the walking and immerse yourself in the culture, language, sights and sounds of your favorite destinations.

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• Plan Your Next Trip. Yes, really. Recent data from trivago

shows that consumers are already planning for next year’s holiday season, particularly during the week of Christmas. Planning now can make this holiday season seem a little brighter. And if you are not comfortable booking travel too far from home just yet, explore possibilities just a train ride or short drive from your home. Travel sites like trivago offer the ability to discover getaways that are still relatively close to home. To get inspired for your next trip, visit trivago.com. While you’re thinking of that dream trip, you don’t have to stay put. There is a whole world out there – whether it’s down the block, a short road trip away or accessed online -- that can be visited safely with proper planning and precautions.

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, December 17, 2020 —

BIRDS For The

New England’s Wild Birds & Their Habitats

Holiday Gifts For The Birder by Chris Bosak Contributing Writer

A spotting scope can bring closer birds like this northern pintail.

L a r g e r SI’llt o rbee !able

least they that price.) Spotting scopes run the gamut in price as well, starting at around $50 and going into the thousands of dollars. As a fan of duck watching, I will say a good spotting scope is an invaluable tool. With apps taking over everything these days, including field guides, it’s always a nice treat to unwrap a good bird book. There are tons of bird books out there, new and old, and all are worth reading. “Birdwatching in New Hampshire” by Eric Masterson is a good one to get for your Granite State birdwatcher.

years to put my own book on the list of must-have gifts. I just need to write it first. There are also tons of specialty field guides that focus on a particular family of birds, such as warblers, raptors or waterfowl. There are a few good birdwatching magazines out there. That’s a gift that will be repeated monthly throughout the year. I suggest Northern Woodlands, which is published in New Hampshire. Bird feeding has increased in popularity this year due to the pandemic-caused quarantine. Feeders are always a fun gift to receive — or buy for

CHRIS BOSAK PHOTO

yourself. There are other birding gifts, of course, such as apparel, tree ornaments, decoys and wildlife art. Be creative and have fun choosing the right gift. Your birder will love it. Happy holidays everyone.

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Last week I offered some suggestions on donating to conservation organizations to help out these important groups during this season of giving. Many of these organizations are hurting this year due to the cancellation of so many revenue-producing programs. This week, I’ll offer some tips on getting more traditional holiday gifts for your birder. A gift list for birdwatchers has to start with optics. Technically, no equipment is needed to go birdwatching. You can simply head to the woods or look out your window and look for birds. Realistically, however, you need a few essentials, namely binoculars and a field guide. If you have a budding birdwatcher on your list, an inexpensive pair will likely suffice. More experienced birders will appreciate better quality optics. With optics, as with most things, you get what you pay for. A $15 pair of binoculars will serve you just fine, but a $150 pair will seem like a different world. A really great pair of binoculars will set you back hundreds of dollars, but they will last forever. (At

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, December 17, 2020 —

Mill Street Meat Market

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, December 17, 2020 —

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, December 17, 2020 —

TRAMWAY ARTISANS

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, December 17, 2020 —

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, December 17, 2020 —

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ALLARD from 1 partment cheerfully announcing that the price of stamps will be going up come January. My heart goes out to them. Christmas has changed since I was a little tad who believed in Santa Claus and had sleepless December nights because I was worried about that list of good and bad little boys. I wondered how smart the old boy was and how much I could hide. By mid-December I was polishing my tarnished halo to a sparkling gleam and mother

kept asking me if I felt alright. This year I was still picking leftover turkey out of my teeth when the stores let loose with a barrage of Christmas advertising that startled me out of my postThanksgiving lethargy. Harried clerks were stringing up banners that proclaimed, “Merry Christmas”, “Joy To The World” and “Batteries Not Included.” My mailman dumped an avalanche of Christmas brochures and catalogs through my mail slot. Credit card companies

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trumpeted: “Charge now and suffer later.” Somehow it seems a long way from the quiet serenity of a village stable where a newborn baby cried softly and its adoring parents comforted it with love and tenderness. I have a feeling that the song sung by the angels was sweeter than the bombardment of Christmas carols and that our sparkling Christmas lights were outshone by a star that blazed in the east. Christmas is a time of memories and I cherish those that I have collected over the years. It is a time of remembering old times, old places, old friends and old pleasures. I remember, but I’ll save that one for another time. Mistletoes sales soar this time of year. Although it is a parasite

that clings to hardwood trees, spinsters and old maids speak kindly of it and are apt to block doorways where it is hung. Matilda Yizzle said that getting kissed under the mistletoe was more of a thrill than riding a roller coaster. The little green weed with its holiday berries has been known to have a terminal effect on office Christmas parties. Christmas was father’s favorite time of year and, although money was always scarce, he always invited our relatives to come and share Christmas dinner and the tree with us. There were 7-20-4 cigars for Gramp; Evening in Paris perfumes for Gram and Aunt Esther; ties for Uncle Fred and socks and mittens for assorted relatives. And always, See ALLARD on 25

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, December 17, 2020 —

ALLARD from 24 tucked away somewhere on the tree, there was a book for me. I remember Aunt Esther trying to sneak peeks at the name tags and Gram daringly trying to smoke a cigarette because Auntie had a sip of father’s Old Turkey. It would be nice to hear their voices and laughter again. I am grateful for the memories. I remember a Christmas when my small son watched me place a glass of milk and a saucer of cookies under the tree for Santa and how his eyes opened wide with wonder when he came down on Christmas morning and he spotted the empty glass and the cookie crumbs. It is a pleasant memory. There are other memories that linger. Perhaps they are better forgotten, but they are remembered. There was a year when Aunt Emma invited us all to their farm for Christmas Eve and talked Uncle Fred into climbing up on the roof to jangle sleigh bells down the chimney. He began his celebration early and by evening had developed a breath that could have blown up Bunker Hill if someone had lit a match. Aunt Emma tried to dissuade him, but he willed his eye into focus and assured her that he could get up on the roof and jingle bells with no problem. As he started to climb the ladder Aunt Emma crossed her fingers and went back inside. Uncle Fred made the ridge pole okay and bent over to dangle the bells down the fireplace chim-

ney. He later blamed it on a slight attack of vertigo which was apt to bother him at times. Whatever it was, he reeled, lost his balance and went sliding down the roof, arms whirling like windmill sails, bells jingling and clanking as he brayed like a moose sitting on a thistle. He soared over the eaves like a wounded penguin and plopped into a deep pile of snow beside the door. When the men folks stopped laughing, they dug him out and lugged him into the house where Aunt Emma waited. Her glare would have frozen hoot water. She looked at Uncle Fred as he dug snow out of his ears with a probing finger and began to giggle. It was contagious. The women shrieked and the men began to guffaw and slap Uncle Fred on the back. It was Christmas; a time to love and forgive. It was a time to remember, although Uncle Fred tried his darndest to forget.

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, December 17, 2020 —

SMITH from 3 received her answer, Katherine surrendered all of her desires for happiness as a wife and mother with the happiness provided by a family of her own and “dedicated herself to the service of others.” Her first call to duty was not long in coming because Katherine, as the youngest of the family, found herself at home alone with her parents as the last of her siblings had left the nest. By this time her parents were old and needed someone to provide sight for failing eyes and strength for hands which were weakening. The “path of duty” required young Katherine to forego the usual associations with other young people in order to care for father and mother day and night and to be the joy and sunshine of the home in “the Indian summer of their lives.” After her father and mother had died Katherine stayed alone in the old house for a few months and then left to go to the city to find employment. For three years she worked as a

A Civil War Hospital. saleslady, conducting herself in such a way that her associates saw in her the ideal in womanhood. These years seemed to consist of a maturing time for the young lady, preparing her for some difficult days ahead

when she would fulfill her vow to help others. The advent of the Civil War brought another call to duty. After some weeks of thought on her next move Katherine once again thought direction on a Christmas

Eve on her knees in a church. The message that came to her was that her country was calling her to serve and she must obey. So she obeyed the call to be faithful to death and go to bind up the battle wounds of the soldiers in the war camps and hospitals. The message was to bring consolation to those who were casualties of the war, and to be a mother, sister, counselor and friend to them. In return she was promised that she would experience an abiding peace that the world could not give her. So she went and ministered to the wounded for four years, not caring whether their uniforms were blue or gray. She was there trying to relieve their suffering, writing letters for them, and consoling them when they

were dying. When the war was over Katherine Pollock returned to her home town and the old house where she had spent her childhood and young adult years. At first, alone in the old homestead, she felt like things in the old town were just like they were when she had left it years before. It didn’t take long for her to realize that things were radically different. Everything and everybody in the neighborhood had undergone change. Children had grown up. Many of the young men were missing; some of them had died in the war. Girls had grown up, married, and moved away. Few of the townspeople knew anything about Katherine’s life since she had left town and all were curious as to why she had returned. Some looked upon her with suspicions and few offered their friendship. A fresh call to duty prompted Katherine to go from home to home in the New England town of her birth ministering to the sick and needy. Mr. Clough wrote: “She was a ministering angel to the poor and needy, a friend to every worthy cause, a wise and safe counselor to the young, and a sympathizing visitor to those who were burdened with domestic cares and worried about the future.” She gained the people’s confidence and they came to realize her worth. As time passed they came to the conclusion that as far as noble women were concerned that Katherine Pollock was “one in a thousand.” The vow to spend her life dedicated to help-

ing others while giving up her own ambitions was now benefiting the people she had known in her youth. Then something suddenly happened that shocked and sadly robbed the townspeople of the trust that they had placed in the woman who had come back home and had seem to have become the best among them. That trust and confidence quickly disappeared when “the tongue of scandal was loosened, and people talked little else besides the disgrace she had brought upon the good name of her honored parents.” The change happened one night when a stranger came to the door of Katherine’s house. Some who saw him thought he was intoxicated, and it seemed obvious that he was a tramp, shabbily dressed and sick. Katherine took him in and he stayed in the house for weeks and the rumors were numerous. Who was he? A criminal? An outlaw? A lover? Had Katherine secretly married? Though the doors were not closed to visitors, none came, except the Doctor who was summoned to help the sick visitor, and he would not talk about his patient. Miss Pollock offered no explanation for her visitor’s presence and why he stayed in her home, and the imaginations of the townspeople were not ones of goodwill. (Continued next week)

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, December 17, 2020 — SHAPIRO from 6

MOFFETT from 9

in a free society. Our politicians don’t believe that, because our politicians have seen how easily so many Americans were willing to indefinitely suspend their freedoms out of trust in our authorities. Until the incentive structures change, our freedoms will continue to be throttled by people who have no problem exercising their own. One need not be a COVID-19 skeptic in order to question whether the enthusiastic authoritarian streak revealed by those politicians can be curbed. The longer we tolerate it, the more our politicians will normalize their power grabs.

to his new show on a different station. Nice. Jack Heath is another radio voice who genuinely cares about the greater Granite State— especially the veterans community. All these folks seem to have achieved radio success largely by being pleasant to people. Perhaps genuine friendliness and good humor might lead to success in other fields as well—a possible life lesson from our successful sportscasters. You think? Baseball manager Leo Durocher famously claimed that “Nice guys finish last.” But the experiences and achievements of the aforementioned indicate otherwise. And they all succeeded without Muhammed Ali!

Ben Shapiro, 36, is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show” and editor-inchief of DailyWire.com. He is the author of the New York Times bestsellers “How to Destroy America in Three Easy Steps,” “The Right Side of History” and “Bullies.” To find out more about Ben Shapiro and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Sports Quiz Who was once voted most popular sportscaster and least popular sportscaster in the same fan poll? (Answer follows)

and American sportscaster Michele Tafoya (1964) Sports Quote “I hate the New York Mets more than I hate Communists. At least Communists don’t have off-season problems.” – Bill Murray Sports Quiz Answer Howard Cosell State Representative Mike Moffett was a Professor of Sports Management for Plymouth State University and NHTI-Concord. He co-authored the critically-acclaimed and award-winning “FAHIM SPEAKS: A Warrior-Actor’s Odyssey from Afghanistan to Hollywood and Back” which is available on Amazon.com. His email address is mimoffett@comcast.net.

Born Today That is to say sports standouts born on December 17 include former Orioles manager Cal Ripken Sr. (1935)

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, December 17, 2020 —

MALKIN from 6 operating procedure for Big Pharma. It’s exactly what they’ll do with the package inserts for the shots, too. Speaking of which, did you know that the FDA’s draft list of “adverse event outcomes” for COVID-19 vaccines includes: stroke, convulsions/seizures, transverse myelitis, encephalitis, narcolepsy and cataplexy; acute myocardial infarction; autoimmune disease; Kawasaki disease, Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in children, arthritis and joint pain; myocarditis/pericarditis, venous thromboembolism, other acute demyelinating diseases and death? I’m sure D.C. grade schoolers will understand all that and be able to fathom the impact of Big Pharma’s immunity from vaccine lawsuits. For true informed consent, they must also be made

aware of the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program’s payouts to the vaccineinjured of more than $4.4 billion since 1989, not to mention boning up on the 30 different genetic mutations of SARS-Cov-2 and the troubling “inflammatory component” identified as “intrinsic to all mRNA vaccines.” The kids also can’t be fully informed without knowledge of the adverse outcomes reported by trial volunteers on Facebook, where screenshots I obtained showed members complaining they were “unable to lift anything” after their jab, experienced arm pain for several weeks, felt like they were “beaten with a baseball bat” and endured hours-long vomiting. As the FDA prepares to meet Dec. 10 to consider emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine, I urge

free-thinking Americans to read two expert petitions calling for suspension of all COVID-19 clinical trials in both the U.S. and in Europe. One copetitioner, Dr. Michael Yeadon, happens to be a former vice president and chief scientific officer at Pfizer Global. He and his fellow signatories warn about the unreliability of rapid COVID-19 testing (RTqPCR). They also amplify points made in my previous “COVIDGATE” columns about how the clinical trial design does not measure whether the vaccine actually prevents virus transmission or reduction in severe illness or death. Wait, there’s more. Yeadon and his copetitioners raised red flags about two additives in Pfizer’s vaccine: polyethylene glycol (against which 70% of people produce antibodies that could pro-

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voke “allergic, potentially deadly reactions”) and mNeonGreen (a bioluminescent ingredient derived from a marine invertebrate “of unknown antigenicity”). They also warn of potential fertility-specific risks involving antibodies against “spike proteins” that could disrupt development of placenta in vaccinated women. It is “unclear,” Yeadon and his co-petitioners observed, “what if any instructions/information” that clinical trial subjects received regarding the risks of ADE, allergies, or infertility. Still more: In response to Part Two of my series on blabbermouth crusaders informally unblinding themselves online, Dr. Peter Doshi, associate editor of the British Medical Journal, told me he is “quite nervous” that zealous research volunteers who believe they got the placebo will engage in “formal unblinding” by bailing out of ongoing experiments to get the vaccine. Thus, “the trials will not contain a placebo arm for enough time to learn where the vaccines can reduce the risk of serious outcomes like ICU use or death - what any real life-saving vaccine should be able to demonstrate.” The more you know, the clearer the choice: Do not consent. Michelle Malkin’s email address is MichelleMalkinInvestigates@ protonmail.com. To find out more about Michelle Malkin and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

METZLER from 7 tions. The Trump team was able to offer a number of business incentives, political support on the long frozen Western Sahara dispute, to assuage the skepticism of many Moroccan politicians towards better ties with Israel at the alleged expense of the Palestinians. Morocco, Israel and the U.S. have long shared discreet security and intelligence cooperation. “There have been strong ties between Morocco and the Jewish people throughout the entire modern era,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. A former French protectorate, Morocco has been long hailed as a moderate Moslem country in North Africa’s Maghreb, contrary to places such as neighboring Algeria. Typically political rapprochement between Rabat and Paris works smoothly so we may assume that Washington’s bold initiative was not done behind anybody’s back or as a surprise to the French. While Morocco is overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim, the country hosts an small but ancient Jewish community numbering 4,000. Back during French rule the numbers stood near 250,000. Almost one million Israelis are of Moroccan descent. Morocco’s constitution states, “the country is a Muslim state, and Islam is the religion of the state…Religions other than Islam and Judaism are not recognized by the constitution or laws,” according to the State Department’s Report on International Religious Freedom. Morocco’s tiny Chris-

tian community is free to practice. The left wing nationalist Polisario movement, heavily depending on support from Algeria, has long opposed the Sahara’s incorporation into the Moroccan Kingdom; the Polisario runs bases and camps for tens of thousands of displaced militants and Sahrawi refugees. The largely exile Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, which Polisario proclaimed in 1976, claims the resourcerich region which was once under Spanish rule. Algeria’s Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad warned, “There are foreign maneuvers which aim to destabilize Algeria,” adding, “There is now a desire by the Zionist entity to come closer to our borders,” he told the news site France24. President Trump’s move caught Algeria off balance. It equally blindsided the Palestinian Authority who naturally sees the move as a grand sellout by Arab Morocco. Moreover Russia decried the landmark deal as illegal. Donald Trump has revitalized American ties in strategic Morocco and has significantly upgraded the American presence in this pivotal North African land. John J. Metzler is a United Nations correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He I the author of Divided Dynamism The Diplomacy of Separated Nations: Germany, Korea, China.

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, December 17, 2020 — STOSSEL from 7 per year, which meant, over 10 years, the “green” portfolio was worth about 40% less than what you would have gained had you bought an S&P 500 index fund. On top of that, what Wall Street calls “sustainable” or “social impact” investing is often just marketing. Parnassus’ brags that it owns US Foods and Clorox. What’s special about them? Parnassus says food and cleaning supplies help meet U.N. sustainability goals like “nutrition” and “sanitation.” Give me a break. US Foods and Clorox make good prod-

ucts, but there’s nothing uniquely responsible about them. The Boston Trust Walden ESG Impact Report brags about its activism, as if as lobbying for bigger government helped the world. They promote their lobbying for the Paris climate accord (See my video on why that’s a bad idea) and for tougher workplace regulations in Bangladesh. Do they not know that tougher regulations make employment more costly, leaving more people more desperate? BlackRock’s socially “aware” fund brags that it

gives you 2.62% more exposure to gender diverse boards. 2.6%? So what? Their “environmentally aware” fund also invests in Chevron and Exxon. I asked BlackRock about these examples, but they never got back to us with an answer. Worse, some of today’s “environmentally responsible” funds probably harm the environment. For example, most “green” funds wouldn’t invest in the Keystone pipeline, but pipelines are much better for the environment than the alternative: hauling oil by train

and truck. Some “green” investors oppose fracking, but the United States led all countries in reducing carbon emissions mostly because fracking’s natural gas reduces demand for coal and high carbon oil. The ugly truth is that most so-called responsible investment funds charge more to sell feel-good nonsense that accomplishes nothing. Instead, suggests Hogan, invest in any company that produces things people want. All those companies “(create) a lot of value for society.” They do.

I save money by investing in passive investments funds and exchange-traded funds that don’t charge fat fees. They grow our economy without misleading people about “sustainability” -- or enriching Al Gore. John Stossel is author of “Give Me a Break: How I Exposed Hucksters, Cheats, and Scam Artists and Became the Scourge of the Liberal Media.” For other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit www.creators.com.

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, December 17, 2020 —

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, December 17, 2020 —