Opinion

The death of George Floyd in May is a painful reminder that this country still has a very very long way to go to achieve its goal of being a nation where we acknowledge everyone is created equal. And therefore treated as such.

We currently seem to living in a time where we each think our opinions mean something, I type away ironically doing the same thing here in this column. And our opinions do mean something, but they do not mean they are right and certainly don't mean they are the truth.

But what can we take from all of this? What good can we grow out of this tragedy and our selfishness of opinions?

Everyone comes into this life similarly but not with the same exact everything. We each have some sort of genetic defect or identifying something or other that will give us a different perspective than everyone else. And then we grow up learning from different people with different perspectives and it just goes on and on how different we are. How different, different circumstances make us from one another. It can be broken down beyond race, ethnicity or gender. We are each individual.
But this country gives us something not every country does - within our individuality we are all equal.

​What a concept that is is you really think about it.

Flotd's death was hard to take and it spurred the most prolonged protesting seen since the 60s and early 70s. Some were more than protest, they were meant to inform us of needed change and how we can go about that change. Some places are listening, some are holding their ground that the problem isn't in racist systemic problems, but societal ones. In either case we're at least talking about it.

​The nation began to wake up and it is showing us that it is pissed we haven't figured out some basic understandings yet that were laid out almost 250 years ago.

Floyd wasn't the only one to die senselessly this past year, but his helpless pleas for breath cannot be denied as a cruel, beyond contempt hate crime. Whether it was racial or not, those police officers hated that  man enough to not care about his life and used absolutely inappropriate disdainful force to end him.

Across the country people got up and forced us to take notice of Floyd's death and others. Forced us to look at a problem that is very deep and has not been taken care yet despite decade after decade of issues that never get resolved. Sustained protests and violent disruptions to everyday life were taking place all over the country. Even in small towns protestors held rallies, mostly peaceful, but not always. In Meadville, Franklin and Oil City we had rallies that were peaceful, but not without showing the issues we have with race in this country.

Because monuments in other parts of the country were vandalized a group of pretty heavily armed mostly white vigilante types decided to be a presence at the Franklin rally. Did they really think the Franklin police couldn't handle a Franklin size rally? This showed a great divide in how we see race in the area. There was little respect given to the protest organizers in this small town. Oganizers who are known community leaders in families who have long served the county with distinction. Yet the heavily armed gang stood sentry over the local monuments.

We have a long way to go to be perfect in this country. But we're at least talking.  We'll see if we can finally put some action behind these words for actual change.

Opinion

It's been a year that has made it hard to call ourselves The "United" States of America. We are so politically polarized that we have good neighbors shouting foul things over fences at one another for their differences.

But no matter how we disagree, the system still works.

​Some Americans were not happy with the current administration and did something that hasn't happened in over nearly 30 years, they voted out a sitting president.  It is the epitome of how America works. More Americans and the electoral college system voted for a change. Though, given the number of votes the sitting president also garnered, the new administration is going to have to prove itself worthy of America's nod or we may see Donald Trump do what only Grover Cleveland has done, come back to re-take the White House

In my next looking back column I'll explore that we're far from perfect still.

As in 2016, America proved that every vote, in every state, in every county and in every district was important. Then the country decided to either not care, or they wanted to change the status quo for presidential politics. And they did, voting in someone who has never held office in their life, a celebrity businessman who spoke to a very skeptical  and troubled America.

​America worked!

Though the presidency is the high ticket item and therefore the most noted, it is the local election results that affect us the most. Local policies determine our neighborhoods. State policies determine how we get about and live in a collective. National policies protect us so our local governments can help us thrive.

We forget this sometimes.

​America still works, though we seem to get angry about it more and more, maybe its because of social media where we hear voices we otherwise wouldn't?

This past year I managed to cover a few political events to gauge how we as a community think. There is no question that Venango and Crawford Counties are deep red and Trump loving counties.

I would attend Trump for president events and would feel very uncomfortable in the COVID-19 era. Hundreds attended and probably less than half donned masks or socially distanced.
​
Then I would attend Biden events and a few dozen people spread out and still wore masks.

Both sides were passionate.

But because I cover this area I know some of the people at one rally work closely and are friends with folks in the other rally. But, because we are neighbors and we have our community to take care of first and foremost, our differences cannot heed the progress of our communities.

We know we disagree, but tomorrow we still have to get the gears of surviving running smoothly despite our differences. Otherwise we're doomed to fail.

I made one photograph about this election that stood out above the rest for me. I was driving through Franklin one evening and saw a lone man in front of the courthouse with a Biden sign. I admit I chuckled and said, "there he is, there is the one democrat in the county." Knowing republicans far out number the democrats this is something I frequently joke about. And there it was illustrated before my eyes.

​Perfectly.

Now Ed Scurry is not the only democrat in Venango County, but he was the only one to show up this particular Friday to show support for the democrat candidate. I stopped to make a picture and tell a little tiny story.

This illustrated to me that we live together and because it is America, we can have the gumption to stand alone with our beliefs.

America still works.

It turns out more democrats showed up this election year than in 2016 in the county, or at least more signs, by far were put out. And though the county still overwhelmingly voted Trump, across the state of Pennsylvania every vote for Biden was needed to turn 2016's red state to blue. Each precinct'ss vote for Biden mattered, as did every precinct's vote for Trump or another candidate.(I wouldn't be surprised if a handful of write-ins came for Vince Witherup for President!)

But after it all is said and done, when the smoke cleared and recounts were finalized, it appears we have elected a new president. Only the 42nd time this has ever happened in this countries nearly 250 years.
Affter January 20 rolls around and a peaceful transition of power occurs we will once again see this very impressive idea idea illustrated. And we will move forward.

America still works!

Opinion

Boy did we learn a lot about human breath in 2020. And we keep learning more. Studies have expanded with fancy new videos showing just how much bodility fluids we share without even realizing it. Infared photos and videos show how much of ourself is left behind on every thing we touch and simple breath exhaled across a table can have particles that float several feet to where someone else is sitting and breathing.

COVID-19 showed us, out of necessity, something, that if we're paying attention, could possibly even help us one day have less seasonal flu or even the common cold. Learning about this could make us healthier in the future.

There is a lot of debate about loss of freedom and following scare tactics of others, but if we just take a few moments to just look at the science we can argue we should have had mask wearing and sanitizer obsessions years ago. Perhaps a part of our culture.

We grew up learning to respect each other by offering my hand in greeting. Our culture is basically a warm one. We touch and we share. But we're leaning the OCD germ-a-phobe ones perhaps knew something the rest of us didn't.

We can have kindness in our eyes withoout spreading germs through touch and close talking.

Perhaps we've learned that our future can be much safer if we adopt the use of masks when we're not feeling well so that we at least protect others from getting what we have. That perhaps touch-less greetings are actually more respectful than offering up a germ hand?

Masks are not perfect but they do two things very well, they do significantly slow the transfer of little air droplets leaving our body through our mouth and nose and they give warning to others that you are masked and therefor concerned about your health as well as mine.

​So we can now act socially responsible to the others needs and desires.

For those that say they do nothing other than show a compliance to those wishing to control us on some sick level, I say, look at the science from top rated institutions, not just somebody wearing a white lab coat infront of an impressive building. And consider the possibility that we can actually become healthier in the long run. If nothing else just look at the common sense, if you filter your breath at all it will slow the distance of the spread.

I hate wearing a mask, as a photographer who wears glasses it has made my job 50 times more difficult and frustrating. But I wear one because I have people I care about and if I have any little fraction of this deadly virus unknowingly in me, I do not want to spread it to anyone.

​And with this surge of cases we can never be sure we don't have this virus.

In May I was learning more about masks and how to make my own. These early ones were rough, but probably pretty effective because of the number of folded layers in each mask. I had fun with them to a certain point, though admittedly I thought we'd be long passed the need of them now. I made the one above and tried very hard to convince my friends and neighbors that we need to take this seriously and mask up.

Sadly, it has been a tough sell around these parts. We are seeing the numbers of positive cases and deaths grow. I covered dozens of events this year where masks were not heavily used. And though no one event in the area can be tied to this spread now, I cannot help but think that one event spread it to two people who then spread it to two peaple and then the next event spread it to two more and so on.

​Maybe by the end we'll know that masks are not taking away our civil liberties at all and instead insuring we can debate what liberty really stands for in a more healthy environment with less viruses being spread around someday.

​In May I posted my selfie above with the following based on making the mask with an old "Make A Difference Day" t-shirt.

Opinion

As 2020 approached we heard rumblings of a terrible virus killing and infecting thousands of people in Wuhan, China. Then in short order into the new year reports of the virus reaching the shores of the United States. At that point we had no idea that this virus would become our life.

By mid-March it had taken over everything and began to alter everyones life. Many of us lost our jobs. Many of us began to struggle with having to uproot our lives and replant ourselves somewhere else whether physically or just ideologically.

It has made us sit up and take notice of who we are and who we want to be.

2020 also tested us with a tumultuous presidential election. Again, we began to define who are and who we want to be. We entrenched ourselves in personal belief structures and debated, often loudly with each other, especially through the cowardly social media platforms where it became all to easy to put each other down in the most uncivil of ways.
At the end of the year I'm not sure we're any closer together, but we will begin 2021 with a new leader about to step in and see how we will move forward. And we will move forward.

Over the next week I will share some things I've learned about who are as northwest Pennsylvanians as we changed our lives in order to batten-down-the-hatches to weather this storm. I covered several stories of hope this year as well as the pain of loss. Check back this week for some recaps of stories and some of my favorite moments of the year.

And please share your stories and remembrances from this trying year. If you're so inclined please share your hopes for 2021 and things you'd like to do.

Merry Christmas everyone. Thank you for reading along with my adventures along Eight & 322.

Updated 1/18/2021
Eight & 322 received this message this morning from Jennifer Cisek:
​"Good morning!  I just wanted to tell you that we’re on our way to Precious Paws today to donate the $1615.65 that Will raised from his Extravaganza!"  

When we wrote this story a little less than a month ago Will had raised around a $1,000. The family decided to keep up the display past Christmas. The donations apparently just kept coming in.

"A lot of puppies and kitties will benefit from everyone’s generosity!" Jennifer also wrote.

Precious Paws Animal Rescue is located on Atlantic Avenue in Franklin. Will chose this organization in honor of his dog Scarlet who passed away last year.
​
Read about how he raised the money below.

Thank you Buffalo Street Lanes for sponsoring Eight & 322

Will Cisek's mom Jennifer admits that her son's first thought was to make a little business cash off his idea.  But she and her husband Bill had a better lesson to teach.

"We kinda tried to guide him more towards giving," Jennifer said.

Will and his folks devised a plan to create a fun alley full of holiday cheer with large blow-up Santas and grinches and virtually everything you can think of Christmas and picked Precious Paws as the beneficiary of donations left.

They lined the alley next to their Elk Street house that serves the Cisek's and their neighbors mostly. They opened up for drive through and a meander around on foot viewing winter wonderland on Light-up Night in Franklin.

And they have a lot of inflatables to view.
​
"35," young Will said after counting them one by one while walking the length of the alley.
​​

It costs nothing to look at the display, in fact many have just driven through slowly without stopping, but others walk and leave donations in a lock box They have collected over $1,000 that they will present to Precious Paws animal rescue in the new year.

Will lost his friend Scarlet, the family dog this past year. When the family heard about the Christmas Tree decorating in the Fountain Park for Light-Up Night this year they decided to decorate a tree in Scarlets memory.

"He has always thought Light-Up Night was for him," Jennifer joked about her son. Since they live across the street from the park, it was a logical conclusion.

The seven year old takes Christmas and this display very serious making sure it is turned on every night. He is also quite diligent keeping the "Crazy Santa," his favorite, from being knocked over in the wind.

He's pretty excited about the project which has had to change a bit as the holiday season drew on and certain older inflatables "passed on." During a recent social media post Jennifer let people know that even if they did swing by already there might be reason to do so agai.

The display was awarded the largest display award from the Franklin Retailers Association winning Will a cool $250 which he donated to the total for Precious Paws.
​
The family isn't going to let a silly thing like Christmas being over get in the way to help spread holiday cheer and raise money for a good cause. The display will be up through the New Years day.

St. Patrick School in Franklin shuttered its windows after over 120 years last spring, but the families still hold a special bond even though the students now attend St. Stephen or Sandy Creek or other schools.
What would've normally been a night for families to gather in the gymnasium for the annual Christmas Concert, they instead assembled in Fountain park for a few Caroles.
A couple dozen kids, parents and former teachers joined in song Wednesday night in front of the light up manger scene on the town's bandstand.
For about a half hour the sound of St. Pats was faintly heard again in Franklin.

Former players, colleagues, friends and family lined the drive around Saegertown High School to wish a sad and final goodbye to Coach Steve Scott who passed away Friday due to complications from COVID-19. Scott, 63, coach 35 years winning several district and region titles and was one win away from a state championship 20 years ago.

The quiet procession took Scott and his family passed a couple hundred mourners and the gymnasium that was named in his honor just last year. Scott's teams won over 600 games during his tenure.

His over 40 years working for the county came to an end last summer with his retirement as the maintenance superintendent. 
​Scott was laid to rest in Saegertown Cemetery.

Read a remembrance here at http://8and322.weebly.com/eight--322/wtf-no

And leave a remembrance at https://www.miznerfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Steven-E-Scott?obId=19350265

Cranberry Elementary staff, with the help of fun-loving state trooper, filmed
​ a short movie to bring cheer to their remote learning students this holiday season

Lights! Camera! ACTION!

Not typical instructions bellowed in a classroom. But for Bob "Martin Scorsese" Horner, principal turned director, his school is anything but typical.

In the after-hours of Cranberry Elementary School last week, Horner B. DeMille turned his cathedral of learning into a movie set.

His actors: a mischievous green suited grade-five teacher, an actual Pennsylvania State trooper, a dog named Milo expected to suddenly answer to Max, a couple wee-whos and a second-grader mini-me in a smaller furry green costume.

They were all part of a sinister plot to bring a little cheer to the Cranberry Elementary School kids who have had to deal with school shut-downs, social distancing and wearing masks all day long since COVID-19 reared its grinch-like head in March.

Horner Spielberg admitted he wasn't sure they'd do anything with the Grinch character this year even though it has been a bit of a tradition in recent years. But his actors had already been brewing up a storm including Trooper Matt Shiley, who has had to endure the Grinch's escaping his custody each year.

Shiley told Horner Kubrick he had an idea for this year, so the principal decided it was worth another shot. But with the shutdown the kids wouldn't be around for the usually during school drama, so they enlisted the help of Anna Wilson, a new teacher at the school with some film and editing experience to create a scripted and fully edited short film perhaps worthy of Cannes.

Scenes included the destruction of some very accommodating teachers decorated classrooms, crawling in windows, knocking over books and Christmas trees, riding around on a floor polishing zamboni-like machine, letting some mechanical mice loose in the cafeteria(rumor has it real mice were considered but the thought of a health department violation may have persuaded the safer, and easier to catch alternative), breaking into the freezer supply of chicken nuggets and several hallway chases. 

Mike Wood, who spent the night sweating profusely inside the Grinch's skin, seemed excited, though a bit apprehensive, about causing so much mayhem to some classrooms. Especially one teacher specifically known for order and perfection. 
​His apprehension only showed before and after the scenes however, as he bought into his character fully and let fly his inner Grinch.

Lilly and Corabel Shiley, the trooper's daughters, went all out recreating the little Who children the Grinch decorated and carried around the school. And Kannon Speerstra, a second grader,  got to be the hero of the show in the end, that is if you were rooting for the Grinch over poor trooper Shiley.

The film was edited by Wilson and released this morning on the school's website and social media.
It has been shared over 500 times and viewed more than 14,000 times in just 12 hours. And apparently was noticed down in the big city where they are looking for a good story after the Steelers have had a rough couple weeks. KDKA did a segment on the effort.

A little something for the Cranberry Elementary family to brighten the holiday season during a very difficult year. And something to perhaps brighten all over the world suffering from a viral contagion(bad) as this viral video(good) is shared and shared around.

​Below, some more photos from the making of the cranberry Christmas film.

"I really wanted to do something for customers locally," said Dustin Mattocks, owner of Village Auto on Rocky Grove Avenue.

Thinking about advertising differently - with a more grass roots goal - got him thinking about ways to be a part of and give back to the community. Using social media and cutting spending back on bigger advertising venues, he has changed the way he does business and it affords him the luxery of giving more back to the community.

About a year ago he and his wife, Becky, along with his staff came up with the idea to take care of the car payments for one year for one of their customers. After realizing some folks might only pay $250 and month versus another who might pay $500, they decided to change the idea to a flat sum that can be used anyway the customer wanted. When COVID-19 hit this seemed like a better idea to them anyway. 

The amount they decided on was $6,000

So anyone who purchased a vehicle from Village Auto in 2020 was put into a drawing. They had a fistful of names. One of which was Amy Proper.

"I've never won anything in my life, but I'll do it," said Proper back when she purchased her car earlier in the year.
On Tuesday Mattocks drew Proper's name from the box during a Facebook live stream. He tried to call her but didn't get an answer because Proper was at work. But word got to her through her family.

"I saw the text and went 'nut-uhh!" Proper said. "I basically forgot about it. I'm grateful and blessed."

She says she is still processing it and didn't know what she would do with the money. She said "God first, going to give some to the church." She also admitted some bills will likely be paid. 

And that is why Mattocks wanted to give sixty crisp $100 bills instead of just taking over car payments for a year.

"I'm overjoyed, I couldn't wait to do this, " Mattocks said after the drawing Tuesday afternoon live on Facebook. He said with COVID and the shutdown earlier in the year he wasn't sure he'd be able to do this, but he said he was blessed that things worked out.

"We have all battled a little depression this year," Mattocks said pointing to a sweatshirt he borrowed from his son. On it read "Happiness Project" and he wanted to wear that for the live stream.

"I think it is just awesome they are able to show such appreciation to the community this way," Proper said about Village Auto.

The dealership also collected names of everyone who referred someone who purchased a car in 2020. They also drew a name Tuesday to give that person, Mark Newhard, another thousand dollars.

Mattocks admitted he wouldn't have been able to do this in his first ten years of business, but by being in the community for so many years and having so many loyal customers he simply says, "I'm glad I can and want to do it now."

Franklin held it's Old Fashioned Christmas Saturday with activities throughout the downtown businesses for family fun. I dropped by but kept pretty socially distanced today. I can't wait for this pandemic to go away so I can feel comfortable finding little stories within stories to tell. Those can only be found by getting close and having conversations.

I will admit this has been interesting stepping back to observe life from afar too. I'm working on an end of the year piece looking at things we've learned this year that actually make our lives better in the long run. We know all the hard things we've had to endure, but what may be actual improvements that were found out of necessity?

​Anyone with tidbits they want to share about good things that have come from this, I'd love to hear them

Life is funny.

We are in the midst of a pandemic, yet we ..... well..... we want to live.

We want to have hope. 

For that I give kudos to Oil City for finding a 50 foot tree to stick smack dab in the middle of the city and find a way to celebrate!

Awesome!

I'll admit, I'm afraid to be out and about. I don't know what this COVID-19 crap is all abut. I chatted with Mike Dulaney tonight, a commissioner, and all I could say is..... even if scientists seem to change their mind.... they are still scientist and we are not.

We do not know the science! We are not smart!  We are not really in the know!

So who do we believe?

​The numbers are not fake. We are getting this virus and people are dying.

Crawford currently has reported over twenty-two hundred cases. Venago over eleven hundred. I'm not trying to put a damper on this with these thoughts. Just perspective.

​Tonight was a testament to the fortitde of he American ideal. We will overcome.

I was proud to witness this!

I'm afraid to go out, but I appreciate that we still celebrate.

Oil City has a place, right now in Town Square Park right under the Christmas tree, where you drop off a letter to Santa. It will be open until Dec. 22.  I was told these will be read! 

What an outstanding bit of hope is this?

I can write a letter to Santa and it will be heard. 
​
What a wonderful gift this is to a city. Santa will hear our needs!

"Don't tell me this town ain't got no heart, you just gotta poke around."

​I love that we care. I love that we won't stop.

I was told that the Christmas Past celebration got off to a slow start, Friday. The organizer admitted, when asked, that in this day and age it's hard to know if the lower numbers are actually a good thing or not. It is important that we live....but it is important that we LIVE!

Tonight I was proud to be involved in a movement of hope!

But lets still be careful out there!

Jerry Sowden had a great idea. We should have books about where we live. He created his own book that can be found in the Oil City Library titled "Images: Through a Journalistic Eye Volume 1."

After the success of that book, he then worked with area leaders on an idea of a second book, but this time he would recruit other area photographers and create a "Weekend in the Life of Venango County" style book.

​Awesome idea.

At the time I was working at The Meadville Tribune and Jerry asked if I'd be interested.

I told him I wasn't very familiar with Venango County, but I love the idea. He said he thought most of the photographers he had in mind were more familiar with the southern part of the county and he didn't have anyone to really explore the areas up north that skirt the edges of Crawford County.

I said OK.

I got to thinking about Charles Kuralt hitting the road in his motorhome in search of stories and though I was a tad scared, I went for it.

​I even took the weekend off from work so I could.

So I went down into that little tiny corner of Venango County that cuts into Route 27 and decided that would be where I would explore.

I went to church.

Now before I explain much more about my approach, Jerry and I talked months later and the idea for this book, according to the people he was talking to, was more of a scenic coffee table style pretty picture book.

Haha. I don't do that.

To me, planet earth is a beautiful place to live, but it is people who we, as journalists, communicate with and tell stories about. So my approach was people oriented.

So at this church I talked my way into their service and was welcomed. I told them about the project and they seemed excited to be included.

I tried to be a fly on the sanctuary wall and just observe.

Suddenly as the preacher, Glen Van Cise, asked people to pray for those who received some bad news I watched several hands reach out and touch Marylin Bossard as she broke down in tears.

She had been given bad news just a few days prior about an aggressive cancer that was attacking her.

I learned about the cancer later when I approached them and apologized for asking, but asking none-the-less, about what I witnessed. The pastor came by and gave her a hug and she opened up to me.

Sadly, it was only a few weeks later that she passed away. I felt honored that this might be in the book.

As I watched others around the church, I made a few more photos. A grandfather holding a grandchild asleep during the service, a teacher playing with a youngster over the pew and more snoozing. I was able to even stay for a prayer study and bible school.

Then I was told by multiple church members that I should talk to one of their members who wasn't at church that day. "He has one heck of a story," the pastor told me as he gave me his address.  Fred McMahon was a World War II prisoner of War for seven months.  I was able to connect with him and made a few portraits. His health was failing, but he agreed to chat with me. I had wished at this point I was Kuralt crafting better stories, because I found two great ones in a short amount of time. What he told me that day was amazing. 
​How these men survived that war and thrived after will always be amazing. 

I found life in Venango County isn'y much different than Crawford County. People out doing things people do. Like dad's hitting grounders to their sons.

Or a couple geese trying to answer the question the chickens have been asking for years.

I found a parade in in Franklin.

A guy who owns a motorcross track and apparently likes the sound of whining engines all-day long.

I met a guy who loves to make violins and he could really play one too. That was one of my favorite parts, listening to this guy pick up a violin he made with his own two hands and then play it beautifully. That was a real treat for me. Thank you Robert Gordon.

I even made a couple of scenic pictures just to play along.

I drove along and found a few patriotic displays but the one that caught my attention was a woman who put photos of deployed soldiers on a couple of boards on her front lawn. I remember having a nice chat with her and her dad, but they weren't quite sure what to make of me. I get that a lot.

But perhaps my favorite story from the entire experience came from stumbling on these two tending a grave.

Buck and Grace Kelley had been divorced for 15 years at this point. Grace had knee replacement surgery and required some help. She insisted she is a "do it myself kind of gal," but her mobility was not so hot.

I thought it was quite nice that her ex-husband was still so willing to help her and then I learned it was his parents grave she wanted to clean up around. But the oddest part came next, even though they were divorced, they still shared their house.
​
This story gave me a sense of hope in the human race.

And they were funny as hell.

Sadly, the book was never made. I've shared a few of these images over the years from this project, this is the first many have been shared. When I began working at The Derrick I thought I might meet up with some of the folks I met that weekend, but I haven't. I do know a couple of them have passed away, but I don't know about the rest. 

Anyone who knows anybody in these photos please let them know. I was sad that the project never came to fruition, but this project really helped me grow and step out of my comfort zone. Thank you Jerry Sowden for this..... perhaps we can try again someday for a book?