Dear Big Allan,

You have many interesting ideas.  However, I have returned to the Pawtucket Library to read books that I have wanted to read  in the past  30 years. 

 My two teenage sons, ages 18 and 16,  attend Die Hard Games in the Hope Artiste Village to play the card game called Yu-Gi-Oh.  On one recent Sunday afternoon, over 50 players attended. The entry fee is only $5 per player, and  the winning player gets store credit.  This game is an interesting social phenomenon.  Not all teens want to sit around the Internet all day.  I think there is  still a massive need for fellowship.

In the meantime, my lovely wife and her friends , ages 18 to 86 , likes to knit scarves and blankets for people in Pawtucket who need them.  She has a club that meets every first Saturday of the month at St.Matthew Trinity Lutheran, 690 Newport Avenue, Pawtucket.  Phone 401 728-1091.  By the way, the women will teach newcomers how to knit and crochet.  Sometimes the women will go out afterwards for lunch. The next session is Saturday, August 2 at 9 a.m.  Even if one does not knit, the club is also meant for friendly conversation.

When my boys were small, I would play a game of Q&A using money as an incentive.  The harder the question, the greater the money prize.  Pick a topic:  Math, Social Studies, English or Science.  This game works better when the children are younger.  Now with my boys  worldliness, the money does not interest them. 

Any suggestions on how to keep boys occupied in August?  Any neighbors help is appreciated on this issue.

Thank you for your patience, time, and consideration.

Respectfully,

Jim

How about a scavenger hunt with themes varied from sports fields, of historic places, or perhaps how many bags of trash and what is the most unique item found...but maybe others have better ideas like maybe developing a fun group with kids in the neighborhood to play ball or go to the zoo or the Blackstone Explorer...some of the passes are free at the Library...

"SUGGESTIONS FOR SUMMER"   With winter over and summer on its way, people are beginning
to plan exactly how they will spend the long, lazy days and
enjoy their favorite season. As usual, I have a few suggestions
for you:   EXERCISE:  This is easily accomplished without fuss while
mowing grass. Grass, as every one knows, grows one inch per
minute in the summer.  That means that if you run as fast as you
can while pushing the power mower in front of you, you can
finish the yard at least 30 minutes before it is tall enough to
mow again.   PICNICS:  Picnics are a wonderful way for the family to spend
time together in an unstructured manner.  If you do not have
time to prepare a picnic basket, feel free to stop at a fast food
place and grab a bag of burgers. Food just tastes better when
enjoyed in the fresh air.  The ants, bees, and flies also enjoy
eating outside where they can enjoy the food without hazardous
obstructions, and they don't eat very much.   PARKS:  Parks are a favorite way to enjoy the outdoors with a
variety of different activities.  There are often hiking trails
and playground equipment for the kids.  Be certain to pick up
a tube of lineament on the way home to ease the aches from
too much walking, band-aids for the kids knees, and some
ointment for mosquito bites.   VACATIONS:  Most people try to plan some time off work
during the summer season.  This gives a wonderful opportunity
to enjoy the traffic jams while trying to reach your destination.
Further more, you can spend a fortune to sleep and eat and see
numerous interesting sights, such as other tourists doing the
same thing. You will have an opportunity to visit destinations
far different than your home and to push, shove, and sweat with
strangers.   SWIMMING:  This is a favorite activity for summer because it
keeps you cool during the heat and provides healthy activity
at the same time. Water activities can be great exercise and you
can have fun in the sun while getting a healthy tan.  If you do
not have a tan to show off, cover those white legs with a towel
and wear a jacket and sun hat and maybe no one will notice.
If you do this correctly, only your ankles and the back of your
neck will be sunburned.   COOKOUTS:  Different foods are more readily available in the
summer months, and a variety of foods can be prepared out of
doors. Cooking over a charcoal fire gives food a taste not
obtained with other types of cooking.  Be sure to watch the
food carefully, and keep your cell phone handy to summon the
fire department if the deck catches on fire. Don't worry about
the charred and dry meat, just slop on the barbecue sauce and
eat it anyhow.   CAMPING:  Many families enjoy getting back to basics by spending
time living in the great outdoors and enjoying getting back to
basics.  Spending the night outside is far more enjoyable,
however,  if it is not raining.  In the event of rain, we
recommend moving to a motel.  While this is more expensive
than camping, it is also much more comfortable than soggy
sleeping bags and squishy tennis shoes, which tend to spoil
the outdoor experience in a hurry. It also helps immensely
with keeping the raccoons out of your food..   SPORTS:  There are many summer sports that can be enjoyed
by individuals or as team activities.  If tennis, golf and
organized team sports no longer hold your interest, try
some of the more extreme sports such as rubber rafting and
bungee jumping.  You will have an experience to remember
and the hospital bill will be worth every penny.   And there you have it, suggestions for fun ways to spend your
summer at home, on the road, or at far away locations. Have fun!
And be sure to remember to send a postcard so we can see what
we missed while setting in front of the TV under the air
conditioner complaining about the heat.

Still dropping but sure seems strange to think of a bargain at $3.50 when we were looking at less than 2 bucks not too long ago...Probably with a new president -we will see some results and not excuses for his bush Buds..