Dear Customers, In August of 1966 I started the 7th grade at Smethport Area Jr. Sr. High School.  Being the lowest of the low, seventh graders kept to themselves and tried to remain invisible.  Especially when it was time for lunch.  As the bell rang, there was a literal stampede to get near the front…

Dear Customers, The wintriest month of the year is behind us!  Sure, we’ll have lots more snow and ice in the remaining months of winter and even into spring, but interspersed with the cold throughout February, March and even April will be some periods of thaw, sunshine and even some unseasonably warm temperatures.  You don’t…

Dear Customers, The month of January is generally slower in the grocery industry than, say November and/or December.  It’s probably due to several things, not the least of which is people cutting back after spending more than usual the previous couple of months.  January is also the month when those that are going to attempt…

Dear Customers, This morning, while driving down Water Street to work, I had one of those unbeckoned flashbacks from about 60 years ago.  The lot where Costa’s Supermarket sits was once the community ice skating rink.  It was surrounded by forest which is now occupied by the Emerald Isle trailer court.  From the first freeze…

Dear Customers, Perhaps you haven’t seen them yet due to the holidays.  But you will, inevitably become closer and more familiar with them in the near future.  I’m not referring to long lost friends or visiting relatives from afar, but rather the deluge of credit card bills which result from spending the month of December…

Dear Customers, Starting a new year is stressful, at least for me.  Instead of looking at it as a “clean slate” with endless possibilities, I seem to dwell on the negative aspects:  Writing “2022” has become automatic and now I’m pretty sure at some point I’m going to slip up and forget the ‘3’ at…

Dear Customers, There is an old fable about a young swineherd who accidentally burned down his family’s cottage killing the nine pigs trapped inside.  While trying to invent a plausible explanation, he became tempted by the delicious smell emanating from the burning rubble.  He had some difficulty getting his father to take a taste because…

Dear Customers, From the time I was a little boy, whenever I’d hear Christmas carols, I’d start getting really excited for the holiday!  It was probably because Christmas was right around the corner! Sixty years ago, you never heard Christmas music on the radio until December!  Now, kids are going door-to-door for Halloween and satellite…

Dear Customers, You’ve no doubt heard it said, “an elephant never forgets!”  Humans, however, are prone to forgetfulness.  We forget mercifully, habitually, and conveniently!   When my oldest son was born in 1975, I wasn’t allowed in the delivery room which was fine with me.  However, for births two through five I was expected to be…

Dear Customers, It seems hard to believe that over 90% of 2022 is history.  In fact, all that’s left is the month of December!  But the last month of the year promises to be chock full of so much festivity that it will sap your energy and try your patience. For the next three weeks…