Can I sue, do you think? I have been testing several drinks to quench the summer thirst and today Bob brought me a bottle of Turkey Hill Fruit Punch. A very pretty label with pears, cherries, pineapples and oranges made it taste good without even having tasted it. So I took a chance and it wasn’t bad to be honest. However, I read the fine print of ingredients as I frequently do and—what’s this? No cherry. Oranges, pears and pineapples in the “10% juice,” but no cherries . . . We were trying today to remember the name of the Chinese Restaurant which used to be on Walnut just off Second; we were all frustrated—it was on the tip of our tongues; we have to thank Larry Kirkhuff for telling us it was the Canton Inn . . . Gary O’Leary sent me this interesting link that connects to the National Jukebox at the Library of Congress. Recordings from the early 1900s have been preserved (sort of) so you can hear all the early opera stars and pop recordings of the day featuring the tunes of Irving Berlin and the voice of George M. Cohan among many others. Fascinating . . . http://loc.gov/jukebox/ . . .

Our uptown neighborhood had its first experience with the new 911 Police Dispatch System and found it sadly lacking last night. A group of friends had gathered for a chat on the Green Street sidewalk when they were approached by a boy/girl gang of black youths who had pulled up their shirts, presumably to cover their faces or to disguise the writing thereon. The arrival of additional neighbors caused the gang to move off across the street, and within a short time there was a commotion on adjacent Susquehanna Street with neighbors there yelling and giving chase. (Never learned what was done to elicit this response from the residents.) At that point one person with a cell phone reported to police and asked for help, but none was immediately forthcoming. The dispatcher engaged in a long-winded interrogation before eventually agreeing to send help; by that time the gang had dispersed, but could just as easily have perpetrated mayhem on the gathering . . . A Happy Birthday gift for a person of a certain age: Aging With Attitude: Better Than Dying With Dignity. Pithy observations on the older set, and only $9.95 . . . The TV show on the makeover of the Dodge City Restaurant will air July 6 at 10 p.m. That’s a Food Channel project, I think . . .

Dwight Dissinger e-mailed his thanks for the mention of his mom’s birthday although I had increased her age by two years . . . Had a nice but brief visit with Jean Gerhart while we sat waiting for our scans at Harrisburg Hospital this morning. Jean is now 85 and had a flower shop in the area of 13th and Market many years ago. The building has since been torn down. We recalled what a lovely neighborhood the area was fifty years ago . . . The Hill Market where farmers sold their produce and Winters’ Display House where I bought seasonal decorations for those early days of The Bare Wall. (As fate would have it the Winters’ daughter, Nan, was in my class at Juniata College—long before I ever contemplated a move to Harrisburg, let alone having a shop here.) There were many other shops near that intersection and the area thrived . . . My scan turned out to be highly unsatisfactory but inconclusive, so another more intense scan is called for . . . Was leaving the hospital when Bob and I encountered Irene Abele of Lemoyne in the lobby. She volunteers there every Tuesday morning. She and her late husband, Nick, have patronized the shop for years and years . . . Happy birthday to Chris Zeigler . . . One person e-mailed me to say that he knew the owner of Timber Trails but had never been there. Said he couldn’t believe that such a quiet lady had this secret side . . . I have mentioned the Stoney Creek Inn in Dauphin many times but, though filled with good intentions, Bob and I have never been there. So when Robert Murray posted this picture on his Facebook page I immediately snatched it for the blog. Hope Bob approves . . . Diane Neiper e-mailed to say that her father, who worked for a Scranton bakery, actually delivered cookies to the nudist resort in Palmerton when she was just a toddler. “He always had fun telling the stories of his experiences,” Diane writes . . .

Chris and Megan’s adventure at the clothing optional lodge in the Poconos reminds me that we once had a similar venue just up the pike from the city limits. Timber Trails was located across the road from the Blue Mountain Inn and Golf Course on Fishing Creek Road. The 122-acre estate featured a swimming pool, hiking trails, and a large club house. Unfortunately an explosion and fire destroyed the building and the operation folded soon after. (I cannot remember the year; if anyone can, please let me know.) I believe the property is now part of the Felicita complex. The accompanying picture is from 1990 . . . Having ultrasound scan at Harrisburg Hospital tomorrow morning but should be back in plenty of time for an eleven o’clock opening. Looking for blockage in the kidneys which might contribute to ever rising potassium levels; but a few friends have pointed out that I was drinking a lot of Vitamin Water which has been known to elevate such readings . . . Today’s shipment included some rattan caddies for cocktail and luncheon napkins; very nice and just the thing for your patio picnics. Pretty glass dishes intended for soaps (but good for numerous uses) are just $8.50 . . . Will try for some photos of these in the near future . . .

Daughter Jan Hallacher and son Dwight Dissinger feted their mom, Betty Immers, for her 89th birthday at the Stoney Creek Inn in Dauphin on Saturday . . . Megan and Chris Zeigler won fourth prize in the “Bouncing Buns” trail race at Sunny Rest Resort at Palmerton in the Poconos on Saturday. The resort is clothing optional and Chris did the run au naturel but Megan insisted on clothing . . . Bob’s neighbor Ed Zook led Sunday morning services on The Pride of the Susquehanna; Betty Holmboe attended and said the packed gathering got an extra-long ride thanks to the fact that the river is “up” . . . Harrisburg Art Association’s soiree on Verbeke Street last night attracted quite a number of locals and several paintings by Robert Hughes were sold . . . Dee Doud passes along her thanks to Bob Murray and Kevin Sheets for mulching the flower beds beneath the billboards at Second and Forster . . .

Tyler Simmons celebrates his birthday tomorrow . . . Bob attended a public sale in Millersburg today and returned with some nice wall art; spent a bit more than he had planned, however . . . I managed the store for much of the day but was ignored by the public so I didn’t get any great news for today’s blog. I even went back into the archives for two years, but late June must be a slow period in all of our lives; there was nothing worth repeating from back then . . . Laws enabling gay marriage have been enacted in New York state and that has captured all of today’s headlines . . .

OH, NO! My check-up with Dr. Dowling on Wednesday appeared fine, but once the blood work was processed it revealed an unexpected complication; so it is back to the hospital on Tuesday for more tests. Have to admit to being depressed after this news . . . Angela Lawson highly recommends Allenberry’s 18-hour escape: pool time, wine and cheese, dinner, a show, overnight accommodation and breakfast. Cheap. Even nicer if you go on line and print yourself a discount coupon . . . Today’s TripAdvisor couple was Debby and John from Lebanon—Lebanon, Pa., that is . . .