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Parents should remain calm during formula shortage

Parents and families of infants who rely on baby formula for their nutritional needs are scrambling due to the nationwide shortage. Ongoing supply chain issues from the pandemic, coupled with a recall on formula by Abbott Nutrition and the shuttering of their manufacturing plant in Michigan, have significantly impacted the scarcity. By talking to their pediatrician, parents can work to find solutions while production of formula increases in the coming weeks. Abbott reached an agreement with the FDA to reopen its plant and will start production in the next two weeks. The government has ...

The Legend of Bird Rock

A hike to Bird Rock, perched high above Route 322 in the Reedsville Narrows, is definitely on my bucket list. I am always envious when I see others post pictures standing by this majestic natural wonder, which is shaped like an ever-watching bird, though now a bit marred by graffiti. This unique rock formation located atop Jack’s Mountain has been a destination for many local adventurers. One such visit I have been told, included a first kiss for a young couple in love. This is quite apropos since the legend of Bird Rock involves young love. There have been many versions of this ...

Aging is just another word for living

According to the words of David Bowie, “Aging is an extraordinary process where you become the person you always should have been.” The older I become, the more I believe that to be true. We are the sum total of our life experiences. I once heard a motivational speaker who put it this way, “You will be the same person in five years that you are today, except for the books you read and the people you meet.” Even though many years have passed since I first heard that statement, I have never forgotten it. Everyone we meet along the way becomes part of who we are. I think that is ...

Some ‘sweet’ Easter memories

I recently spent an evening making pysanky, Polish-Ukrainian Easter eggs with some of my friends at an art workshop. These eggs are intricately decorated (mine not so much) by using wax. You draw the designs on the egg using melted beeswax and a stylus. The egg is then dipped in colored dye, repeating the process over and over. It was especially meaningful to experience this tradition due to the war in Ukraine. As I designed my egg with sunflowers and a symbol of peace, my thoughts went out those suffering. In the car on the way home from that workshop, the conversation quickly ...

CEO: Turnpike editorial wrong on transparency

The Sentinel’s April 2 editorial regarding Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission efforts to operate transparently was just plain wrong (Pennsylvania Turnpike needs more transparency from its officials). To insinuate that PA Turnpike leaders chose to be less than transparent is inaccurate as well as unfair. In fact, the Turnpike willingly complied with a 2021 request to provide revenue data — data which wasn’t previously available because the commission only just converted to All Electronic Tolling (AET) a year earlier. The decision to convert to AET was a measured one that began a ...

Celebrating the library this week

Today is the last day of National Library Week. National Library Week was first introduced in 1958 as a time to celebrate our libraries and the people who work in libraries. Yay us! It’s also a time for me to ask you to use and support the library. I have great news. Today is also the last day of our mini book sale. So I’m saying MINI as in tiny. It’s a tiny book sale, not the big book sale you are used to. It’s in the adult nonfiction area and covers about two tables as well as the normal mini book sale area with the children’s books and book bundles and the adult books ...