ACT Blog

• Written while waiting for the Podiatrist, the Ophthalmologist, or was it the Dentist? By: Joe Ball, Publisher

  Published on November 21, 2011.

  I’m a senior citizen in age, not in activities.

  I think I’m one of those who fit the expression, “The senior citizens of today often are like the middle-aged of 20 years ago.”

  It’s good to think that. “Because I fit it.”

  My wife, Sandy, tells me, however, should I be asked “How old are you?,” to just say,” I don’t give my age.”

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• Remembering Gil Spencer Reporter, Editor, Character By: Joe Ball, Publisher

  Published on November 21, 2011.

  F. Gilman Spencer Jr. a former- -and possibly the most memorable- – editor of the Philadelphia Daily News, died June 24, 2011 at the New York University Hospital. He was 85.

  I was a copy boy with Gil Spencer over a seven year period, from 1947 to about 1954, at the Inquirer’s City Desk, on the fourth floor at 400 N. Broad St.

  In those days, the newsroom was an incubator for young people headed towards careers in communications- -especially with newspapers.

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• Be A Listener By: Joe Ball, Publisher

  Published on June 8, 2011.

  I’m a newspaper guy.
  I read them cover to cover.
  I’ve worked on them.
  I’ve owned them- -and still do.
  Early in my news career I learned that everyone has a story.

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• Lessons For Living By: Joe Ball, Publisher

  Published on April 14, 2011.

  Being in business over 50 years, and living 80 years, I have met a lot of people. I have learned from them, plus from my own experiences.
  Following are some of the remembered lessons:

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• My Three Sisters And Their Only Brother By: Joe Ball, Publisher

  Published on March 17, 2011.

  I have three younger sisters.
  “Much younger”, they would say.
  All have married names, but they’re known as “The Ball Sisters”.
  They live near each other. They are in touch with each other daily. They are clickish. Much so!
  For years they have asked me to do one of my essays about them.
  I’ve declined- -until now.

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• New Book on Nazi Germany Effects Reviewers Memories By: Joe Ball, Publisher

  Published on January 20, 2011.

  Purposes of a book review often are to recommend a good read, educate, or warn a potentia reader not to waste their time.
  In the case of a book I recently read there was another experience – – a personal catharsis .
  The book is “The Third Reich at War” (Penguin Press, NY Press contact is Sarah Hutson, 212-366-2826, Sarah.Hutson@us.penguingroup.com).

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• Pending Inq. Bldg. Sale Evokes Memories By: Joe Ball, Publisher

  Published on January 20, 2011.

  Memories…
  It’s a time, a personal time, to recollect memories of the building at 400 N. Broad st., home of The Philadelphia Inquirer, and in recent years, also home of the Daily News. The memories are being written now, as recent news reports reveal that the 400 N. Broad st. building has been listed for sale by the newspapers owners.

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• My 50th Wedding Anniversary By: Joe Ball, Publisher

  Published on January 20, 2011.

  I survived a lose-lose situation recently.
  To mark my 50th wedding anniversary, my wife, Sandy and I booked a 12-day Greece-Egypt-Turkey cruise.
  Changing airplanes at the Frankford Germany Airport, I tripped and fell.
  I landed on my knees and hands.
  I knew there was slight damage to my knees, as there was a trickle of blood.

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• A Near-Death Experience By: Joe Ball, Publisher

  Published on January 20, 2011.

  I think I know what death is. I had a “near-death” experience.
  It was nothing like the recollections of the people featured recently in the Inquirer by staff writer Faye Flan. Those people told of happy near-death experiences involving light, flowers, music and even a beautiful male angel. T’aint so, from one who knows (or so thinks).
  My experience came several days after an emergency gall bladder operation.

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• A Game To Forget / A Moment To Remember By: Joe Ball, Publisher

  Published on January 20, 2011.

  My soon-to-be 13 year-old grandson, Max Meyers, is big on ice hockey.
  He’s a player. More so, he is a Goalie.
  He is the starting goalie on an organized Montgomery County, Pa., team, “The Bulldogs”.
  It is within an established league: Uniforms, Practice, Scheduled Games and Play Offs.
  He is so into it.

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