Random Thoughts

Editor’s Note: This column by Linda Williams is running one week later than usual.

Number one on my list for this column is an apology to Mary Ellen Laird, whom I called Mary Ann Laird. It is Mary Ellen and her husband Colin who purchased the Methodist Church in Loysburg and are hopefully going to be having some dinner theaters in the near future.

So, my sincere apology to Mary Ellen. I had a senior moment.

Second is “congratulations” to Alan Frederick on being appointed Bedford County commissioner by Judge Travis Livengood. Frederick is a farmer and, if there is anything we need more of in politics, it is farmers. Only farmers understand the work, effort and gamble that goes into the production of our food. A lot of millennials today have no idea where the fillers for growling stomachs originate. Bedford County’s commissioners govern the south end of Morrisons Cove.

Green energy would be nice, but my first thought is where do the farmers, with already stretched budgets, get money to replace all of their equipment? I also wonder if those who think the price of gas should go up to force us into green energy realize that cost will also be seen in food prices. I grew up on a farm and this, I know for certain: farmers always get the short end of the stick. If it wasn’t for their total love for the land and what they do, we would all be hungry.

Thanks to Judge Livengood for his wisdom in choosing Alan Frederick, who for many years raised Jersey cows and is still a grain farmer. I have known Judge Travis since he was a very young lad, and his wisdom has always been impressive, so it is not surprising he made a good choice

I am always interested in commissioners, as my grandfather, Jay Teeter, served in that capacity for eight years. He won the primaries from a field of 13 candidates and did it by going door-to-door, making himself known. At that time, commissioners only met on Tuesdays instead of it being a full-time job.

Three, I am very thankful to be rather impatiently awaiting my second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. While looking at Facebook on a cold snowy day in January, I noticed an old friend who was working on the front lines and who has pre-existing conditions, had received his vaccine. I asked him, “Where?” He gave me the name of the pharmacy and told me to call to get on a list, which I promptly did.

A few days later, Pennsylvania announced that Group 1A had been expanded to include seniors, a category for which my husband and I both readily qualified. Two weeks later, we got a call asking if we wanted to get a vaccine shot and we had an hour to be there. We dropped our agendas and gratefully accepted. I had very mild symptoms such as a sore arm and feeling tired. But then, at 80, feeling tired isn’t unusual.

I think there is an effort being made for Pennsylvania to be more efficient in the administering of the vaccine. However, the last time I checked, we were still number 46, which doesn’t give us bragging rights. Here is hoping we can do better.

Last, I am going to take a hiatus from writing this column, as I am simply running out of ideas. I don’t want to be thought of as getting senile because I keep repeating myself.

I still consider getting older as a blessing because there are only two alternatives. I am thankful for each day, realizing that I have now passed my expiration date. My husband is more than a decade past his, so we are so grateful to be able to get up each day; to keep up the house and the lawn; and to keep doctor’s appointments to a minimum.

We both owe it to good genes and clean living.

My class of 1958 was the first class to graduate from Northern Bedford High School. As I have said before, they shipped the senior high off to the Smith building and the junior high went to Replogle. Looking back, I still wonder why, because the logistics must have been crazy.

Out of that Class of 1969, 47 are still living. COVID-19 contributed to several of the more recent deaths. The only couple to marry was Dorothy Snoeberger and Edward Morrison. After raising three fine sons, Ed suffered a debilitating disease that caused him to be trapped in his own body. He and Dorothy went to live in a Courtyard in Clearfield until his death this past summer. Dorothy is now living in an assisted living facility in Keene, New Hampshire. I talked to her recently and realized once more how fortunate one is to have good health. Dorothy and I were friends from the time we were toddlers.

Perhaps down the road, I will become inspired to again pick up my pen and write about more folks from the Cove. But until then, it’s been fun.