today’s news and information gleanings from here and there!

Quote for today… “We’re building a nation. We’ve got to suffer. No great trail was ever blazed without hardship. That’s life.” – John Wayne’s character, from the movie “The Big Trail.” – Reason.com

• Columbia Borough Police news release

• Sometimes … just shut up! Now Michael Douglas is backing away from his throat cancer claim – Fox43.com

• Buckeye chief “to retire” – really? But “this isn’t about those statements.” – Columbus Dispatch (OH)

• Step back in time with the National Watch & Clock Museum as we present an American Civil War Ball on June 22, 2013 from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM.

• Columbia’s treasures in today’s “letters to the editors” – Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era

• Lancaster city firefighters will train every day, “emphasizing a ‘back to basics approach’” – Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era
  [The editorial in today’s Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era fairly states, “The primary objective should be to train for the worst, so that on all occasions firefighters are prepared to protect residents and themselves in the most effective way. A post-fire report leaves no doubt that the Bureau of Fire mishandled the February blaze.]

Hip-Hop Sensation 4 Wheel City to perform at “Living Well With A Disability” Conference & Expo

• “Clark Meshey graduated recently from Kutztown University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in communications design with concentrations in advertising, interactive and graphic design. He also was named to the dean’s list for the spring semester. A 2009 graduate of Columbia High School, he is the son of John and Tammy Meshey.” – Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era

• “Lancaster County was the region’s winner in the Young Lungs at Play Community Challenge for having the most parks, playgrounds and day-care centers to adopt tobacco-free policies. In celebration of World No Tobacco Day, Lancaster County was honored by the Southeast Pennsylvania Tobacco Control Project and SET-Free Coalition at 11 a.m. Friday, May 31, at Lititz Springs Park, 18 N. Broad St., Lititz. Representatives from Pennsylvania Department of Health, Clean Air Council, Lancaster General Health and Tobacco-free Coalition of Lancaster County were present at the celebration. For more information, go to cleanair.org.” – Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era

• Columbia has a tobacco-free policy for its parks – “enforced through voluntary compliance” – Sounds like the old-style military chant, “smoke ’em if you got ’em.”