You sitting down? Good! Because what I'm about to write may make your ol' peepers jump right out of their sockets. So don't be surprised if you're told you need your glasses changed.

OKAY EVERYONE… students too. It's time for history lessons. Now before your teacher accuses me of being a few eggs shy of an omelet, I'll assure you the following is documented. It's just we've been taught the more popular renditions of these historical incidents, rather than what actually happened.

It is always the attempt of Page, Stage & Screen to not only keep readers abreast of the latest and greatest in free or nearly free fare available throughout the Stark and Summit county library systems and beyond, but to also keep you abreast of current events. OK, that is the attempt, at least. This week, however, the planets (frozen or otherwise) have certainly converged as we recommend a nature documentary in honor of Earth Day, a true-life secret service story in honor of… Columbia, I guess, and a book from an old favorite author so new it has yet to be released.

DON'T YOU JUST love the strange names of today's bands? The Hot Banana Cold Bandanna Chili Peppers. Or A Hole in the Right Rear of My Left Shoe. Or Flat Tires and Cracked Blockheads! I crack up every time I hear one of these. Can you imagine parents giving newborns those names? 

What ever happened to the Dave Clark Five, the Four Freshmen or Bill Allen and the Keynotes? There seems to be an unwritten rule. If the band's name isn't bizarre, make it so. Otherwise no one will ever follow you.

Are we traveling back in time? Is the year 1984? Much has been reported recently about companies asking potential employees for their social network passwords. On one hand there's the argument if you've nothing to hide, why worry. Submit your password. Chances are you'll get the job. Refuse, and you're likely to keep looking.

Come this October, the wife and I will be married 40 years. After all that time, you learn the loves and fears of your mate... or you should have. For example, while I hate snakes, Peggy's an arachnophob. For me to say, “Hold still, Sweety, while I brush that spider off your shoulder” would send her into hysterics… and probably make me a soon-to-be divorcee. I'd never have time to save her by saying, “April Fools!” 

First came the Rex family. Then there were the Thorntons. After that the Krugers arrived. William R. "Bill" Kruger, Jr. was part of that Kruger family who settled here in the Portage Lakes early in the 20th century. He was one of the very first persons I happened upon after moving here.

At least once a year, my daughter Maggie, asks: “Mom, when can I have a Facebook account?” My answer is always the same: “Facebook’s age requirement says you must be at least 13 years old to have a profile.” Her counter? “But, Mom, lots of my friends have profiles.” (She is 10, and many of her friends are on Facebook). With a sigh, I pull out the typical mom response, “Maggie, I am your parent, not theirs.  And, if I was their parent, I wouldn't let them have one either.” 

They say that small business drives the economy of this country.
It may also be said that small towns drive the country’s soul.

Big cities are nice. They offer so many things to do that they are where we go when we want to have a whirlwind time. If you’ve been to places like New York, Washington, D.C., Boston, Chicago or the like, you know that’s true.
But when our trip is done, we’re so happy to get back home to our small towns, the heart of our being.

With the always free, but often frustrating primary election season now behind us, a return to post-ballot box escapism of the free variety seems a fitting backdrop to this week’s Page Stage and Screen picks.  So here’s to our American political system, and the Stark and Summit County library systems, where each of these titles is available for checkout.

This week’s category, All-You-Can-Eat, has been added to my favorite spots for a good Lenten Fish Fry. It consists of both Commercial and Church/Charity Fish Fries. I've added it because more and more, restaurants and social clubs are joining church halls in offering AYCE fish.

Friday Lenten Fish dinners begin Feb 24. Those who know me know I love good fish. Among some of the best fish I've had, I've eaten at local churches, clubs and social organizations. Last week I covered the restaurant Lenten fish fries. This week it's the Church/Club/Social organizations' turn. Next week I'll focus on my favorite "All-You-Can-Eat" Lenten fish establishments. Keep in mind that while these are among my favorites, they're listed in no specific order. You decide which ones you prefer. This week we start with…

Could there be anything more messed up than the police situation in Lake Township and Uniontown?

The mistakes that were made were certainly not intentional, but the fact of the matter is, through the ineptness of people being paid lots and lots of money to make sure that things like this don’t happen, it has become a complete and utter fiasco.

Options to occupy your time will be at a plus one on Tuesday.

The Playstation Vita, the successor to the Playstation Portable, is being released. Or at least those who pre-ordered a bundle. The full American release date is one week later on Feb. 22.  Why? Who knows, Sony loves to make some odd decisions sometimes.

Anyway, unlike the last generation when the only competitor for the PSP was the Nintendo DS, the Vita will be battling it out with both the 3DS and mobile gaming.

Sixty-seven years ago on Feb. 19, 1945, the United States Marines landed on the tiny island of Iwo Jima. The bloodiest, most horrific battle in U.S. history. More Marines died that first day than died the first day at Normandy (D-Day).

Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, signals the start of Lent and that means Friday Lenten Fish Fries here in the Portage Lakes. Once again here are some of my favorite restaurants that serve good fish. Next week I'll cover Church/Social club fish fry establishments. The third week we'll look at those places serving All You Can Eat fish fries.

The news is good in Green. An Acme will be built along Massillon Road near the Interstate 77 interchange.

It’s just another sign of the tremendous growth – and the rosy outlook – of the community.

Outstanding. Green is worth three stores like that and, who knows, maybe more sometime in the future.

But meanwhile, the people in New Franklin are wondering, “What about us? Where’s our supermarket? We don’t have any.”

One does not amass a massive gaming collection without spending some money.

But it sure does help to buy games on sale to keep the hobby from being too expensive.

Over the years I have used several different methods to get as many games as I could with the little money I've had. Buying used before Gamestop made that not a cheap endevaor. eBay was great for years until they decided everything that is shipped will cost $8 or more, making that $5 item you just bought not seem so much of a steal.

Q: What 10-year-old little girl is worried about her thighs in a dance costume?

A: Apparently my daughter, to my great chagrin.

Dusting off the Wii.

It's a term used way too often on the Internet the last five years and probably didn't have true warrant until 2011. The idea there is nothing to play on a system is absurd. Sometimes you have to go back to games you missed buying the first time around. They're cheaper usually, and we can all appreciate that.