Jun 152026
 

Ham radio operators invite public to explore a hidden world of communication

The crew! T.A.R.C 2026

The crew! T.A.R.C. 2026

What happens when cell towers fail, power goes out and traditional communication systems are unavailable?

Local amateur radio operators will answer that question later this month as they invite the public to experience ARRL Field Day, the largest annual amateur radio event in North America.

The Thibodaux Amateur Radio Club and Bayou Region Amateur Radio Society will host the event from noon to 5 PM on Saturday, June 27, at the Coteau Fire Station, 2325 Coteau Road in Houma.

Often described as “Ham Radio’s Open House,” Field Day brings together licensed amateur radio operators from across the country to demonstrate how radio communications can be established and maintained during emergencies. More than 31,000 amateur radio operators are expected to participate throughout the United States and Canada this year.

During the event, local operators will set up temporary radio stations powered by generators, batteries and solar energy to simulate off-grid communications. Visitors will be able to watch operators make live contacts with stations across the country and around the world while learning how amateur radio supports emergency response efforts.

Organizers say the event highlights the important role amateur radio continues to play during hurricanes, severe weather events and other disasters when conventional communication systems become overloaded or unavailable.

In addition to demonstrations, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about licensing requirements, explore communications equipment and speak with local amateur radio enthusiasts about the hobby and its public service mission.

The 2026 ARRL Field Day theme is “Amateur Radio: A National Resource.”

Admission is free, and the event is open to the public. Families, students, scouts and anyone interested in technology, emergency preparedness or communications are encouraged to attend.

(Credit to the Times Online)

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Dec 182025
 

Eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York’s Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history’s most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps

The Editorial

DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says, ‘If you see it in THE SUN it’s so.’
Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

VIRGINIA O’HANLON.
115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET.

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

Nov 012025
 

Good Day eh? Well the holiday season kicks off soon so I’ll get right to it. (hint) Don’t eat too much candy!

Here is something that has become a tradition in our house. Sausage Cheese Balls! I make them on Thanksgiving and Christmas Morning. This is the original recipe from the Bisquick Cookbook. There are many recipes out there but this will get you started

Ingredients

  • 1 Pound uncooked bulk pork sausage (Jimmy Dean ® Premium Pork Roll Sausage You can use hot, or mild, your choice Or use your favorite instead of Jimmy Dean.)
  • 3 cup all-purpose baking mix (Bisquick ® )
  • 4 cups (16 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves

 

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix all ingredients in large bowl just until blended. Shape into (1-inch) balls.
  2. Place in lightly greased baking pans.
  3. Bake 20-25 minutes or until done (160°F). ( I find 18 minutes is perfect but ovens do vary
  4. Enjoy!

 

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