A quote by Quarles caught my eye: "Make use of Time if you love eternity; yesterday cannot be recalled; tomorrow cannot be assured, only today is yours, which if you procrastinate, you lose; and when lost, is lost forever. One today is worth two tomorrows."
Everyone is busy! We look for time to do the things we want to do and perhaps shun the things we should be doing! A song my dear friend, Elaine, sang on the golf course to her friendly foursome, "We are busy keeping busy all the day through, trying to find lots of things not to do". And then we ask ourselves, "why is there never enough time to do it right—but always enough time to do it over?
Bethany Borough Council lost time last week at their monthly meeting when it was interrupted by a severe storm that crashed a tree down on wires onto Court Street which stopped time for awhile on clocks, all electricity for 36 hours, and even closed the street for a day or two. Our only source of power at the meeting was a cell phone light. Even cell phone power to call out was interrupted. Thanks to our Emergency Management Coordinator, Ruth Bairstow and her husband Bill, who physically helped clean up Court street and the parsonage driveway, and load their pick up with the debris.
 They also helped expedite getting power restored, and checked on the residents often. They were sincere in their refusal to accept any thanks, saying, "they were just doing their job". A sincere letter from Pastor Val was sent to them with the words, " As Pastor of Bethany United Methodist Church and a Bethany resident, I speak for all of us as we commend you and thank you for your exceptional citizenship and service to the community."
Trees and limbs down were numerous. And the storms seem to keep coming. The Tree Service Men are now busy and some of us are waiting for suspicious trees to be taken down. So to speak, we are waiting for the “other shoe to fall.” I have a huge old Maple with limbs hanging over my 200 year old house. I am hoping I don't have to wait too long for it to be taken down "surgically" instead of by Mother Nature.
Bethany Library held a successful Pajama-rama for young children of the Library Saturday evening. Favorite books were read and milk and cookies served upstairs ended the fun evening. Not even the rain dampened the spirits of the children and volunteers. Bethany Library is fast becoming the "Bethany Blockbuster " of the Village with their vast assortment of movies to loan. And most of the best sellers are at the library waiting for you visit and take home a book or two to read in your spare time! Our days are identical suitcases—all the same size, but some people can pack more into them than others. Make the most of your time —so that we may grow in wisdom and travel to anywhere in the world and learn all sorts of wonderful ideas, just by sitting in our comfortable chair, or out in the garden on a swing just reading a book.
The Bethany Methodist Church will be featuring their delicious Chicken BBQ dinners at the Roots and Rhythm Festival in the Honesdale Park on Saturday. Come to listen to the music, mingle with the people and taste our dinners! We'll be looking for you!
How do you spend your time? Time is a performer. It flies, marches on, heals all wounds, runs out and will tell! Take time to be friendly, it is the road to happiness. Take time to laugh, it is the music of the soul. Take time to give, it is too short a day to be selfish. Take time to read, it is the fountain of wisdom. Take time to drive through Bethany and witness the lawns and gardens and homes of its residents. Sometimes it appears that "Time in a Bottle" is right here in Bethany. We have captured the essence of time standing still.,, it is preserved right here in the little village of Bethany.
- Margaret S. Freeman, mayor, Bethany, Pa.