WISE WORDS: Steven Hurd of Bradford has a cautionary tale,
particularly for online shoppers this holiday season.

“In July of this year, I was in an accident that involved my leg
being crushed by a forklift. Subsequently, since I am still unable
to stand or walk long periods of time, I have been doing ALL of my
Christmas shopping online,” Steven writes us.

“Since it’s impossible for me to walk around stores, I thought
it easier to have all items shipped directly to my apartment.

“Today, when I started looking at online tracking to see where
some of my gifts were, I was surprised to find several items
already delivered. They were left on my front porch – when no one
was available to sign for them.

“These items were then stolen off my porch while I was work.

“The Post Office, UPS, and FedEx all will leave parcels on your
front porch. I would advise those in this town that DO work to be
careful about their holiday deliveries. … I have had to contact
UPS, FedEx and the Post Office and place a hold on all package
deliveries to my apartment. I would suggest that everyone who lives
in this town do the same.

“If people in Bradford will steal from the handicapped, they’ll
steal from anyone,” Steven observes.

“I’ve had a couple hundred dollars of merchandise stolen in just
a couple days, and I don’t want this to happen to other people in
Bradford, so perhaps printing this letter will prevent anyone else
from having their Christmases ruined.”

JIM OWENS: A plea for information from Crystal Hushon of West
Warren Road: “My brother was going through his old baseballs and
came across two different ones of a man named Jim Owens. This man
was born in Jan. 16, 1934, and is from Gifford. He was a pitcher
for the Philadelphia Phillies and the Houston Astros from
1955-1965. We were curious as to what became of this man, if this
is when he stopped playing, or if anyone remembers him. This was
before our time, but it’s always a thrill to find success in our
community.”

Surely a reader out there can help?