Maine-Endwell Captures Heart of America

This will be my first Android post on my blog.
The Annual Little League Series took place this week in Williamsport, PA at the Howard J. Lamade Stadium in front of 23,211 at the final game on Sunday.  Not too far from a small town, more known for being attached to Endicott, the history of Endicott-Johnson, and IBM, internationally!

In this small town, just like anywhere else in America, several young boys and girls dream of being the next champ, the next World Series Champ that is.

However, when most kids are out behind the house throwing with a friend, parent, or sibling, they are mindset on the Major League World Series with tens of thousands of fans cheering them on.

In Maine-Endwell, a coach, some kids, some parents, and eventually a city, an area, and a nation took on the concept of that same World Series Championship, but somewhere where the pressure and challenge far outweighs the Major Leagues.

In Williamsport, PA, nothing could have made a kid sweat more than seeing their own parents, family, friends, and coaches who only had to drive 2 hours, right in the same stadium, in the same field. Talk about pressure. I could hear Billy Joel swooning out his famous song, as each pitch was thrown, each bat hit a ball, and as each inning rolled into the next. Strike after strike, out after out, amazing timely hitting, and intense, conscientious kids playing some of the greatest Little League baseball this Country has ever seen. Let alone a NYS team going all the way.

The last NYS LL team to make the final was Staten Island. In 1964 they took the World Crown.

Well, Whether these M-E kids took a bus or drove with parents, they came as a TEAM! They played like a TEAM, and they won Like CHAMPIONS! Amazing pitching, despite odd strike zones by umpires, who apparently felt the box paint was the plate, on inside pitches. Huge timely hitting, great fielding, and incredible perseverance pushed these 2016 World Champs from the small parks of Maine-Endwell, NY to the big-time, nationally televised site of the annual Series!

The coaching staff showed calm, perseverance and connections with their players, and parents watched, cheered, or like Mrs. Abbadessa, prayed. Her son was a big star in the final two championships!

So now, forever listed in the annals of baseball lore, which whether these folks realize it or not, will be stored in our national vaults, in the mountains (yes, it actually exists for nuclear reasons), along with a recording of their accomplishments.

A team of kids won it all today, coaches, parents, a city, the east coast, the United States, all of us in need of a time of happiness, peace and self-celebration, can now rest on itself on the shoulders of the boys listed below, for at least a little while, before the madness of the world sets back in for all of us!!!

Congratulations:

Billy Dundon
Jude Abbadessa
Brody Raleigh
Michael Mancini (US World Champ Pitcher)
Jordan Owens
Connor Rush (Winning RBI's in World Championship)
Justin Ryan
Jack Hopko
James Fellows
Jayden Fanara
Ryan Harlost (World Series Pitching Champ and scored final run on pass ball)

Congrats to coaches Joe Hopkp, Joe Mancini and Scot Rush!

Congrats to the Little League WORLD CHAMPS - Maine-Endwell!!

Written by: Colin Bruce Munro Wood
08/28/2016 11:57PM ET

WHY HILLARY MUST REIGN

WHY HILLARY MUST REIGN

Written by: Colin B M Wood – 08/23/2016 – 2:58ET

So, we are all watching the great clown put on a new swath of makeup. For the umpteenth time, Donald J Trump is changing his persona, and trying to mold himself into more votes. At the same time he accuses Hillary Clinton of being a fake person, hiding behind controversy and lies.

Where might be the Donald Trump tax returns you ask? Could there be a reason for him to keep them private? History tells us that he is indeed hiding something.

Do you find yourself a Trump fan? Well, let us take a look at Mr. Trump, and what you support, and ask yourself why.

Warren Buffett, stood with Hillary Clinton at a rally and spoke loudly and clearly about how Trump does business, and how investing in his stocks is bad business. (http://money.cnn.com/2015/08/31/news/companies/donald-trump-bankruptcy/index.html)

Trump has 5 major bankruptcies since 1991starting with Trump Taj Mahal, followed by Trump Castle Associates in 1992, Trump Hotel and Casino Resorts in 2004, Trump Entertainment Resorts in 2009. He sold off many assets for these business bankruptcies, including the Trump Shuttle, and has taken profit at the risk of people's jobs, and banks' money, whom he calls “total killers”. Even recently in 2014, two more Atlantic City casinos with his name filed for bankruptcy. Trump has made millions upon millions off these business failings that have affected other people's lives negatively. When the wealthiest man in the world is telling you not to vote for Trump, it's probably a good idea to listen to him, because he is definitely making the right choices in life. Just look at Warren Buffet's recent movements in the market to protect himself from a possible Trump Presidency.

A trump presidency would mean higher energy stocks. Buffet has invested more in energy stocks heading into the 4^th quarter with and increase in Berkshire Hathaway of 26.5 million shares, or $395 million. He continues his energy buildup in Phillips 66 spending nearly 1.1 billion, up to 6 billion or a 14.2% stake in the company. He's added to his banking with Wells Fargo with a 9.2% stake, up 2%. With Deere & Co., he has increased shares at 5.7 million for a 7.2% stake. Warren believes a Trump Presidency will trigger an increase in energy prices. This being good for the investor, will be severe for the poor, and needy who can already barely afford energy prices. 

(http://money.cnn.com/2015/08/31/news/companies/donald-trump-bankruptcy/index.html)

Well known Right Wing Conservative Charles Krauthammer, as you've probably seen in Hillary Clinton's harsh campaign ad against Trump, talks down a Trump Presidency, making it out to be a dangerous choice for America. Saying that he would not want to see the nuclear codes in his hands “at this point”. Hard line Republicans have turned against Trump, and it seems the only support remaining for Trump in National and State polls is his backwoods buddies, who have come out of the wood works to support their Grand Wizard, I mean Presidential candidate.

So, what does Hillary bring to the table? How about something this country of ours has been begging for, for decades. A female President, whom has played the mother and wife. The two toughest positions anyone could ever hold in the Universe, if you ask me.

America has come to a crucial point, in which we need to ask ourselves, what kind of nation do we want to be right now? Do we want to be a beast that shuts out the world, builds walls, and eventually becomes self-dependent and isolated? Maybe, just maybe, it would be better to show the kind of love to the world, that only a mother and a wife can understand. Maybe it's time for someone with sanity, and control, and reserve to continue the respect that Obama showed for the greatest position in the land, the Presidency! Maybe it's time for our Country to be lead by not just a motherly love, but the strength and power, and calm that a woman who has spent her entire life helping others, and raising an amazing daughter among turmoil, and fame can only bring to the White House. A continuance of creating Global Unity across the globe, and helping to bring peace to the world, instead of hatred, racism, and judgment. A Lady and a President who remembers what our Constitution says, and what the Statue of Liberty stands for, and what our Country is so greatly and profoundly built upon.

Diversity!

Yes, Hillary has made mistakes. But I challenge most of you to look into your pasts, and dark closets and tell yourself, you've never made mistakes, or done things you knew might be wrong, or told little white lies for the betterment of the moment. This does not make a person a devious or rotten scoundrel. It makes us each human, and imperfect as we are. But Hillary is not a war monger, she is not a racist, she is not a hater, she is not a wall builder, she is not stupid, and she is not an egotistical megalomaniac such as the great and powerful Oz, Donald J Trump! Whom, with his golden wave of hair, and his schizophrenic personality, I see him as.

Yes, America, is time to stand up and elect the first woman to office. A woman who has worked hard for the people, and earned her way to the top, without kissing anyone's behind. Yes, she is known for being tough, and bossy. Well, if my President isn't tough and bossy, and demand what they know is best for the USA, then I don't want them in the White House to begin with. Right? We don't want a President that the DOD can walk all over, or that owes favors. If anything, in Clinton, we have a woman who is probably owed many and many favors, and that can end up being a benefit to our nation, and in conjunction with our newly elected Congress of Democrats!

I compare Chelsea to the Trump kids. Chelsea waves a banner of selflessness, a smile of pure happiness, and spends her time for others. The Trump clan wears smiles of ego, spend their time on wealth, and come across like rehearsed puppets. Who do you think spent more time with their child/children. Hillary or Donald? Tough question to answer I imagine, but I think I guess.

I urge you, those who still have heart for Trump to look deep inside your souls, and really listen to the lies, the innuendos, the hatred, the downright scary and inane things that have come from the mouth of Donald J Trump, and ask yourself if that's what you really, truly believe in. Do you hate so much? Do you really hate American and your lives so much, that you think America is in a terrible position? That we are no longer the greatest country in the world? Maybe you should ask your self if you'd rather live in another country, and go try it out. I've visited many, many countries around the world, and most states around the country, and I can tell you after living in some of them that the United States is unmeasured in it's freedoms, it's mixed culture, it's opportunities, and it's top of the line medicine, food, and more!

If Trump is President, I guarantee, all of what you have come to know as common life, may cease to exist, as he pushes more terrorism to enter our country by his challenges, and hatred, and as he pushes our world to the brink of WW3. I am not a biblical man anymore, after a lifetime of faith, and 9 years dedicated to the Word. I know my bible. I no longer look at it as the truth, but as a historical manuscript. However, If you are a Bible thumper, or someone of faith, and you need something to steer you away from Donald Trump, then just go back to Revelations and read it slowly, and take in what is saying, and then put Donald Trump into that role of the end of the world, if you believe in such a thing. Creationists are supporting Trump, so I give you Creationists a place to look for even you to have a reason to run as far from this man as you can!!!

I don't think man is coming to an end anytime soon. There are great things ahead for mankind and space, and frontiers beyond our present comprehension, but I do believe a Trump Presidency would bring us to, or past the brink of a major Holy War on and in America that would take on proportions that which our Country hasn't seen since the Civil War!

Vote Clinton in November, and save our Country, and protect our planet!

Wood News Agency, LLC Binghamton, NY

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#NEVERTRUMP

#IMWITHHER

1st Chapter of "The River Runs Red" by Munro Bruce!

THE RIVER RUNS RED
By Munro Bruce


Chapter I – The Spawning
1855 (Hills of Red Valley)
Brant Homestead




 Garrett came out the barn door, his head hanging, and Austin looked over at him while he was playing in the dirt.

 Garrett shuffled his feet along way to the house, and Ma popped into the front door opening, and leaned up against the door jam, drying a pot from mornin' breakfast.

 She glanced at Garrett as he approached, and then looked over to Austin, and shewn him a huge smile, bright as the morning sun that had just broken the crest of the hill behind home.

 Garrett brushed by Ma abruptly, as he walked into the house.  Ma didn't seem a bit phased by his attitude.  Guess there's things I just won't understand 'til I gets my first kid.

 Morning chores were winding down, and mom rang the bell for mornin' prayer.  I put away the strop, and left cut up parts of the pig hangin' to bleed out, and washed the knife in the bucket, and put it back on the wall of the shed.  Sure couldn't wait for prayer.  My favorite part of each day...when Pa would sit down and read real nice from the books in that bible he's always readin'. 

 I run from the barn, picked Austin out of the dirt, and dusted him off good.  I gave him a rub on the head, and we headed, hand in hand, into the kitchen.  Austin prolly don' understan' everythin' Pa says yet, but he sure gets a big smile, just listening to Pa's voice.... I do too!

Ma was sitting in her chair, with her eyes closed already praying over her Bible.

 Garrett, the oldest of us 3 kids, was standing in the bedroom door, wheedling a piece of wood into some kind of fashionable item.  He was quite good at that stuff.  

 Pa came in the front door, sat down and said to Garrett, “Sit down boy”.

 Garrett slowly came over to his chair next to Pa, and slumped into his chair.  Somethin' was really on his mind this morning.  I don't know what, but it sure got him upset.

 Pa reached for the bible, and was leafin' through it, til he stopped cold.  He looked over the page, and put down the book on the table.  He folded his hands, and put his head down, so to pray to God, she said with a bit of southern twang.

 “Mighty God....Please forgive this home, and those of us within its walls, and bring the blessing of Jesus Christ upon each of us for our sins. Some sins worse than others....”, he paused and Garrett shimmied in his chair.  “Please teach us to listen to your word we will hear this good morning, and learn all you have to shew us.  Thank you for your bountifulness you provide to this family, and may your judgment day come upon us all soon! In the good Christ's name....Amen”.  We all mumbled our Amen's around the table.
 Pa picked up the great book, and started reading, “Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; According to you loving kindness remember me, for your goodness' sake, O Lord”.....Pa, continued reading on, and Ma quietly got up and prepared breakfast while we all listened. Pa's rich golden voice would soar through the cabin, and no one would bat an eye.  Garrett, on the other hand, were sittin' with his head down today.  Maybe he was prayin' to the Lord today....


  -----------  -------------  -------------  

 Sheriff Oakley locked up the cell, and pocketed the key in his pants pocket.
 
 “Maybe a night in here will ease your drunken pain soldier...”, he said.

 An unshaven, dirt-covered, foul-smelling man dressed in soldier's garb from the North, drunkenly meandered to the bench hanging off the wall by old rusty chains.  He walked with a gimp, due to the ball he took just below his right knee in the war 6 years ago.  He lay himself on the wooden bench, curled up in a tight ball, and was snoring within minutes.

 The Sheriff sat in his chair with a leg up on the desk, gripping firmly onto a bottle of Buffalo Trace Whiskey.  Sitting in his lap, against the edge of the desk was his weekly copy of Harper's Weekly – A Journal of Civilization.  Oakley enjoyed catching up on the big city ordeals, even if it was a week behind, after taking its ride west on the newly established Transcontinental Railroad.  Sheriff Oakley knew that soon, town would be seeing an influx of men whom finished working on the railroad a couple weeks ago.  Once they reached town, things would be getting a little uppity with power struggles and the such.

 The door creaked open slowly, and tall, slender, but muscular black man, wearing a black cowboy hat, black button down with a black vest and pants, waltzed in with his Springfield in hand, swinging along by his left leg.  He picked up the barrel, as the Sheriff continued to read his Harper's Weekly, not paying any mind, and the man pointed it right between the eyes of the Sheriff.

 The Sheriff heard a loud click, and raised his eyebrow, as he looked up slowly at the man with the cocked rifle only about 2 feet in front of his desk.

 “I suppose I should be worried at this point”, asked the Sheriff.

 “Well, let's see...You gots a paper on your lap, and I gots a rifle aiming down at the bridge of your nose...you tell me”, mumbled the man with the rifle, chewing on a piece of tumbleweed.

 “Now that is a predicament.  But...I suppose if I were to pull this here trigger on my lap under my paper, that may or may not be there, you wouldn't mind losing them precious jewels?”

 They both stared at each other.  Their pupils widened.  An itchy trigger finger could end it abruptly.  With the intense night heat and humidity causing each of them to drip sweat, a loud snore came out from the cell next to them.

 The black man let out a huge hollering laugh, and said, “What the hell you got in their tonight Sheriff?  What the hell is he doing still wearing them Yankee clothes out here in this desert like atmosphere?”

 The Sheriff tossed his paper on the desk, showing he had no gun in his lap.

 “Well Jackson, when a man wanders into my jail, with a gun, skunked to all hell, I feel obliged to give him a place to stay for the night.  You drunk?”

 “Well, hell, not yet! Not until I take off this stinking badge.”  Jackson reached inside his vest and took off a deputies badge, and slammed it down on the desk.  “Did I scared ya at all?”

 “Not sure I know what that word...scared...even means Grant.  Anyway, I suppose with Jake coming in for the night shift, we can knock back a couple together here.  You earned it with that fight you cleared up in front of the bank earlier today.”

 “Those two younguns?  Hee hee....they were hardly any trouble at all.  Just throwing a few punches, after a few drinks was all.  Forgot what town they were in, I guess.  'But, I'll tell ya what's gonna be trouble....”

 “Yeah, yeah, I know. They'll all start arriving over the next few days.  How many you think we'll get? Besides the hometown boys?” Asked the Sheriff.

 “Sir, you got me. Could be 20, could be 50. That's why I'm scared.”  A sudden ruffle of clothing made them both jump, as the soldier in the cell flipped sides, scratched his head, and fell back to sleep.  “We gonna need more deputies sir.  Don't forget all them land contracts available along the train-line.  If there's more of them that want land, than available, I think It might get ugly 'round here.”

 “Ugly won't be the word for it Jackson.  Men are going to die, and I've been having nightmares about it for weeks now.  Jake thinks I'm too worried.  He never was the worrying type.”  The Sheriff, looked down at the bottle of whiskey, grabbed it, and handed it to Grant.  “Take a damn swig you worry wart!”  He patted Jackson on the back, and stepped over to check the lock on the cell, so that the man could find his way out in the morning when he woke up...in case Jake had fallen asleep, or was out on his morning walk.  Sheriff Jack Oakley didn't want to deal with a crazy man in the morning.

 “Well, have a couple more, and let my brother in on the soldier....Night Jackson,” said Sheriff Oakley.

 “Good night Sheriff.”

--------  -------  --------- ----------  -----------

 “Heath row!  This is our time. It's coming soon.  I'm hearing some talk 'bout town.  We gotta make known, we the only place in town for girls and drinks!  No competition!  You MUST speak with Town son, before they all hit! We gotta be ready mate!”  A thick Irish Brogue rolled off the tongue of Colin Leary.  Colin was the keeper, you might say, of the saloon and bodega. Baker's Spirits and Bed, was owned by Heath row Baker, a cur of an Englishman, who likes his liquor hard, and his fights harder.  Together Leary and Baker are the most cunning team of Red Valley.  They rule with wit, charm, brutality, and money! As long as they took care of everyone they needed to, business flowed surreptitiously.  
 
 “Colin, I am aware of the onslaught.  I am preparing.  You will be paid handsomely for new roles I will require of you, ole man....There is a man you will meet in a couple days.  You will be working with him as well.  Just keep that eagle eye on him, and watch your back.  Don't interfere with his doings.”

 Pauline entered the back room abruptly.  Her lipstick ran a circle around her lips, and filled them to the fullest.  Her freckles, uncovered, upon her cheek, lit up like the stars at night, and her smile shone brighter than the sun on a hundred degree day.  Red hair cascaded over her shoulders, and down her back, until it lay supply upon her round buttocks.  She was dressed in the finest of dresses west of the Mississippi.  Her emerald green eyes matched the coloring of the jewels upon her dress, and she flashed every sense of astuteness, pride, and witchery into one package, with every move of her lips, as she spoke with a pace only known to the quick talkers of big cities.

 “Business is picking up already Heath, we will need to hire more girls.  I will need to take the train east and do some shopping for the finest we can afford.  Possibly, I may obtain a new dress, shoes and hat!”  She pecked Heath row on the cheek, and just as abruptly as she entered, she disappeared.

 “Well, she certainly knows what she wants!”

 Heath row and Colin raised an eyebrow at each other.

---------  ---------- ---------- ---------- --------

 “OH TY! OH BABY! THAT'S IT!! GET IT HONEY!”, Heather moaned, as Ty slid in and out of her slowly.  He kissed her passionately, then gave one last hard thrust, and moved his hips round and round, until Heather shuddered, let out a little squeak, arched her back, and rode him a little longer, until they both collapsed on the bed.  “Gosh darn it Ty.  Why you gotta come in her and do that to me, while you know I gotta work, and get through a day...Damn, you turn me on baby!”

 “I'm telling ya honey, with all these railroad guys coming back, this towns gonna be hopping in more than one way, and Sheriff Oakley's gonna have to pay us better.  I'll be able to take care of ya, and you won't need to do this no more.  We can have that home and kid we talked about.”

 “Baby, I don't know.  You said that when the road came through.  Nothing happened.  Here I still am giving it to other guys....I mean, it's not terrible and all that, but it sure does get boring after a while, and it hurts sometimes.  I mean, Ty, you know I love you baby!  I just need to see it to believe it.  Talking' 'bout it ain't don' nothing' for me anymore. I'm over the dream. I need the reality baby!”

 “I know honey....I know.”  Ty drops his chin to his chest, as he buckles his holster around his thin waist.  He throws back his long blonde hair, looks up at Heather with his big baby brown's, and says, “It's coming this time! Our dream is coming!” 

 Ty sprung a quick, passionate, and wet kiss with Heather, then flew out the door, faster than an arrow chasing an apple.

 Heather sighed, and began to redress for her next client of the day.

FIGHT FOR LOVE BY Dani Cronce

FIGHT FOR LOVE 

Written by: Dani Cronce (Binghamton Councilwoman) 08/01/2016 07:10PMET 

Edted by: Colin BM Wood 

Today I wish to write to about the courage to choose love. Courage is needed at times when all else seems to be falling around us. Sometimes it is needed to stand up to those who are speaking lies or spreading corruption. It is not easy to stand on our own intuition and trust ourselves. But we are coming to a time that we need to stand up and  fight. 

I am the daughter of a mixed racial marriage. I grew up with the beauty of acceptance. I grew up with a home that had two loving parents who cared about me and my siblings. My parents loved each other very much, their love echoed through our house, our youth and our lives. Their love was strong. My father died when I was 20. It has been 17 years and my mother is still very much in love with him to this day. 

Love like this is a gift that should be valued and cherished. I was blessed enough to experience it first hand. 

This love developed me into the woman I am. This love is the gift I give to others. A way of life that I share freely with those around me. One thing my parents taught me was how to love each other through thick and thin. We never seen in color, but in waves of gratitude and warmth. 

This love that they shared gives me courage to speak about the hate speak that has been infiltrating our internet and communities. It is turning hearts cold to each other. I recently left a shared apartment due to being harassed because my skin was not dark enough. I was scared to go home. I was scared for my son who is very light skinned with blonde hair and blue eyes. It was a very hard time in my life. I was forced to pack up my things and I fled for safety. I lost a lot. I left my neighbors and friends, it broke my heart and crushed my soul. No one should be judged on things that they cannot change. 

Yet, I refuse to be bitter. I will stand up and continue to love everyone. Not because I have to, but because love is a choice. And I choose to love others. 

My friends, this happened in Binghamton. This happened to me in my home. I was hurt, I was scared, I forgave, I moved on. I am stronger and more determined to help bring peace into every home in my community. 

We need to put aside this ignorant talk about hate and finger pointing! We cannot change the color of our skin just like we cannot change the past of our nation. We should not be judged by our color. We all share this earth and our feet set upon the same ground. We must fight in love. Kindness is a great gift. Love can cure a multitude of pain. 

We are all one race. The human race! 

My friend, I love you. I reach out my hand to you in friendship. I will be here for you no matter what color, class, religion, gender affiliation, or disability you may posses. I will love you no matter what bad choices you have made. 

We are all one. One love, One heartbeat, one pulse that is felt through the universe we share.