Helping Provide Power

LightGramsJuly 28, 2022Volume 26, Number 24 The Newport (RI) Folk Festival features something new this year for its music concert: a “bike stage”. Five stationary bicycles are set up close to the stage. Fans take five-minute turns riding the bicycles, which are equipped to generate electricity as they are being pedaled. The amplifiers and speakers…

Failed Guarantees

LightGramsJuly 21, 2022Volume 26, Number 23 Kent Slaughter is angry at Bass Pro Shops. Over the last few years he has purchased several pairs of Redhead socks, advertised as “the last socks you’ll ever need”. Each pair came with a lifetime warranty that said Bass Pro would exchange worn-out socks with a new pair at…

She Won $45,000!

LightGramsJuly 14, 2022Volume 26, Number 22 A recent headline in our local news was sure to grab the attention of many: A woman had won a $45,000 jackpot at a newly-opened casino in our area. That news, I have no doubt, prompted many to plan a trip to the casino. Maybe they could win $45,000…

Skipping Out

LightGramsMay 20, 2021Volume 25, Number 19 Joshua Potvin did what many of have considered doing. The former Chief of Police of Fryeburg, Maine did not want to be in the February meeting of the Board of Selectmen, so he devised a scheme to dash out. He texted one of his officers to call him out…

Trying To Blend In

LightGramsMay 13, 2021Volume 25, Number 18 A woman was arrested on Monday after sneaking onto a high school campus in Miami, Florida. Though she is 28 years old, Audrey Francisquini was doing her best to look like other students there; she wore a backpack and was carrying a skateboard. Authorities with the school system are…

Just Like Clockwork

LightGramsMay 6, 2021Volume 25, Number 17 Any day now things should get noisier here where I live. It won’t be just in my community, but large sections of the U.S. will notice an evening chorus that cannot be missed. Brood X of cicadas will begin emerging from the soil as temperatures warm. This particular brood…

You Probably Won’t Finish

LightGramsApril 29, 2021Volume 25, Number 16 Running an ultramarathon is something I’ve never done, or would even plan to do. A marathon would be challenge enough, but this type of race is beyond tough. These are designed to test the limits of those whose passion is running and pushing themselves beyond normal human limits. I…

“Concealed Contraband”

LightGramsApril 21, 2021Volume 25, Number 15 A traveler passing through security at Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport was pulled aside. His luggage didn’t raise a red flag, but his breakfast burrito did. Once the alert was issued the burrito was scanned by Xray, and a small package with crystal meth was discovered inside. Needless the…

Pulled Out Of The Mire

LightGramsApril 15, 2021Volume 25, Number 14 Camille Coelho decided a walk on the beach was just the thing needed to relax. The intensive care nurse who lives in the Boston area often takes such strolls, looking for sea glass as she walks. On this stroll, however, she stepped into an area of mud that gave…