Historical 'Hysterical' Stories
Tioga Community Press
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The OG - HH “Hub” Brown wrote “Some Observations from the Hill”
The OG - HH “Hub” Brown wrote “Some Observations from the Hill”.
The stories were published by Fred J. Brown. Tioga Community Press is a free newspaper, published monthly, serving the Tioga County, New York, area Copyright 2009 Brown Enterprise and Marketing.
We have collected the stories!
We have collected the stories!
- 1997 (September) -2003 (March): Stories and Pictures captured in a Book (PDF). Many thanks to my cousin Kim!
- 2003 (April) - 2010 (January): When he wrote, they were published. Downloaded from the Website.
More Observations from The Hill Blog
Most Recent Post
Begin Again...
Begin Again
May 2025
May 2025
It was 119 years ago, in 1906, Herbert Holland Brown, aka “Hub” was born.
Grandpa Brown was remarkable. His wife, Agnes Victoria Mahar Brown was equally amazing. Together, they lived the life that HH Hub Brown wrote about in the Tioga Press titled, “Some Observations in the Hill”.
He typed his stories on an old IBM typewriter and eventually began typing on an electric typewriter.
He was always telling stories and writing valuable snip-it’s of his reflections during his 104 years on this earth. At Christmas time he would handwrite and eventually type a personal Christmas card to members of his family and dear friends. I am pretty sure he started writing them before the first frost to be able to mail them out for Christmas.
He has passed and we hope to continue to pass on all of his stories as, “Some Observations in the Hill” and in a joint family effort, create “Some More Observations in the Hill” as our tribute to our family farm.
We hope you enjoy!
Grandpa Brown was remarkable. His wife, Agnes Victoria Mahar Brown was equally amazing. Together, they lived the life that HH Hub Brown wrote about in the Tioga Press titled, “Some Observations in the Hill”.
He typed his stories on an old IBM typewriter and eventually began typing on an electric typewriter.
He was always telling stories and writing valuable snip-it’s of his reflections during his 104 years on this earth. At Christmas time he would handwrite and eventually type a personal Christmas card to members of his family and dear friends. I am pretty sure he started writing them before the first frost to be able to mail them out for Christmas.
He has passed and we hope to continue to pass on all of his stories as, “Some Observations in the Hill” and in a joint family effort, create “Some More Observations in the Hill” as our tribute to our family farm.
We hope you enjoy!
The Next Gen - Norine and her Mom, Cousins, Kids, Grand Kids, and Neighbors writing from memories and mindful current day life. “More Observations from the Hill”
Labrador Levity Blog
Most Recent Post
Once Upon a Time...
Labradors - Serious Addiction
May 2025
I decided years ago, I would only own Labradors. However, they each owned me. They are leaders and lovers.
I liken Labradors to Legos.
Only for those who are serious about play.
I have never had a meeting with my Lab Pups that was not about serious enthusiasm.
The purpose of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is to change “lean backward meetings” to “lean forward meetings” , where the result is more participation, more insights surfaced, more engagement and, ultimately, more commitment and faster implementations.
The LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method (LSP) is a facilitated thinking, communication and problem solving technique for use with organizations, teams and individuals. It draws on extensive research from the fields of business, organizational development, psychology and learning, and is based on the concept of “hand knowledge.”
The LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Method at a Glance #2
Now, once you understand the relationship between Legos and Labradors, here are 10 THINGS ONLY LABRADOR RETRIEVER PEOPLE UNDERSTAND
1. WHAT THE FETCH
Labrador retriever dogs were bred to fetch
Alright, so technically, fetch is a game – but to your Labrador Retriever, it’s much more than that. If you throw a stick or a ball, then you better know that pup is going to expect you to throw it again and again and again as they continue to return it to you. This shouldn’t be too shocking since the word retrieve is literally in their name. These canines were bred to retrieve all types of things, so for them – they’re just doing their job.
2. THEY'RE FULL OF ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM
Labrador Retrievers love the world and everything in it. They are the perfect fit for anyone with an active lifestyle. They are fast and known for their ability to sprint. They can hit 12 miles per hour in just three seconds. A lot of excitement and energy can be fun, but it also means an ample amount of exercise is needed to keep this dog happy and healthy. Adult Labs require a ton of physical and mental exercise, a minimum of 1-2 hours per day, to eliminate their pent-up energy. As stated before, Labradors were bred to be working dogs, so they needed to be high-energy to do their jobs successfully.
3. THEY'RE PEOPLE PLEASERS
The reason Labrador Retrievers are typically easy to train, when it comes to dog breeds, is due to their need to please. Whether your pupper is as bright as a button, or a bit of a dozy darling, you know he really wants to make you happy. They love working with you to learn new tricks and cues, and with their eager-to-please, intelligent demeanors, training classes can be a joy for dogs and parents alike. They just want to do whatever they can to bring that smile to your face! Additionally, this people-pleasing attitude has made them an excellent guide, therapy, and rescue dog.
4. THEY LOVE WATER AND ARE PRACTICALLY WATERPROOF ;)
Labrador Retrievers love the water
Labrador Retrievers are water dogs originally bred in Newfoundland from the St. John’s water dog, a breed used for waterfowling. Their coat, tail, and webbed feet all make it easier for them to swim. In addition, they have a double coat that insulates them from the water. They love being in the water and swimming so much; that you might even start to question if they are part amphibians.
5. THEY ARE REAL LIFESAVERS
Thanks to their powerful noses, some Labrador Retrievers have been trained to sniff out and identify early stages of cancer. Dogs can learn to smell the disease by working with cancer cell samples. They can make a diagnosis by smelling a patient’s breath, blood, or stool. For example, one of the most successful ways to screen for early stages of ovarian cancer is by letting a lab sniff the patient. Scientists believe the labs sniff out changes in volatile organic compounds that suggest cancer. Putting Superman to shame, they can detect when a person’s blood sugar levels are crashing and warn early about a diabetic episode. They can also tell when a person with epilepsy is about to have a seizure. And they can snap into action to calm down a person with PTSD that is having a flashback or panic attack.
6. THEY ARE NATURALLY KIND AND EXTREMELY FRIENDLY
Labrador Retrievers are good-tempered, friendly, highly social, and love interacting with people, dogs, and other pets, making them ideal for first-time pup parents. Your Labrador will lick your face to communicate affection and happiness, such as when you come home from work. When your pupper has been alone, your arrival is a cause for jubilation, and your dog will want to express his immense joy at your homecoming. They are great for families but also do well with a sole parent. In addition, they are patient and full of playfulness, which are excellent qualities for a dog to have if they’re going to be around children. In return, kids tend to draw to these dogs’ kind, loving personalities.
7. THEY ARE HOPELESS GUARD DOGS
labrador retriever guarding its home
Most Labs are happy to see everyone – including strangers! Of course, they’ll bark when someone comes to the door, but they’re not overly protective. They are a friendly, trusting breed and are more likely to lick an intruder to death! If an intruder has some food, they’ll probably show him where the safe is! Good guarding breeds tend to be those initially bred to protect livestock, whereas the Labrador’s job was to retrieve. They did not need to show aggression, hence their low aggressiveness and high level of friendliness. However, they can make good watchdogs if you train them correctly to alert you of any threat by barking, but most are unlikely to engage in the threat.
8. SHEDDING IS A THING, WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT
These doggos can’t help but leave a small part of themselves everywhere they go. This means that you, your furniture, and their toys tend to have Labrador hair. The Labrador Retriever has a thick, water-resistant double coat that molts – a lot! So you’ll have to brush at least 2-3 times a week when you own this breed. In addition to shedding year-round, they also “blow their coat” twice a year in the fall and spring. That means you’ll have daily brushing when your dog’s undercoat begins to shed while making way for his new coat to come through. On a positive note, they are easy to groom as their short, smooth coat is easy to care for. They only need to be bathed every 2-3 months, or if they get extra muddy or smelly!
9. THEY'LL PUT ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING IN THEIR MOUTH
If you have a Labrador Retriever or have ever had one, you probably know that they will put everything and anything into their mouths. But that’s because they were bred to use their mouths to fetch game birds and fish without damaging them when they helped with a hunt. Labrador Retrievers love to chew, so chew toys and treats are necessary if you want to maintain the state of your tennis shoes.
10. THEY ARE MORE THAN JUST AN ADORABLE FACE
yellow labrador retriever smiling
The world knows by now that Labrador Retrievers are clever dogs. With their sweet eyes and adorable face, you might assume they’re just excellent cuddle buddies, but they’re extremely intelligent and even experts at breaking free. Compared to other dog breeds, Labradors rank among the brightest. This means they learn behaviors and tricks much faster than the average dog and quickly pick up on routines. When they were working dogs, this focus and intelligence made them great at their jobs – now, it helps them even take orders from a toddler if told to sit or stay.
They are sweet, intelligent, energetic pups that would make a great addition to any household and deserve all the love.
* Various sources on Google mixed with my thought process.
May 2025
I decided years ago, I would only own Labradors. However, they each owned me. They are leaders and lovers.
I liken Labradors to Legos.
Only for those who are serious about play.
I have never had a meeting with my Lab Pups that was not about serious enthusiasm.
The LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method
- Deeper and broader in less time
- Faster and better decisions
- More effective meetings for everyone
The purpose
The purpose of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is to change “lean backward meetings” to “lean forward meetings” , where the result is more participation, more insights surfaced, more engagement and, ultimately, more commitment and faster implementations.The LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method (LSP) is a facilitated thinking, communication and problem solving technique for use with organizations, teams and individuals. It draws on extensive research from the fields of business, organizational development, psychology and learning, and is based on the concept of “hand knowledge.”
The LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Method at a Glance #2
The fundamentals
LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is based on a set of fundamental beliefs about leadership and organizations:- Leaders don’t have all the answers
- Their success is dependent on hearing all voices in the room
- People naturally want to contribute, be part of something bigger and take ownership
- All too often, teams work sub optimally leaving knowledge untapped in team members
- We live in a world which best can be described as complex and adaptive and allowing each member to contribute and speak out results in a more sustainable business
Now, once you understand the relationship between Legos and Labradors, here are 10 THINGS ONLY LABRADOR RETRIEVER PEOPLE UNDERSTAND
1. WHAT THE FETCH
Labrador retriever dogs were bred to fetch
Alright, so technically, fetch is a game – but to your Labrador Retriever, it’s much more than that. If you throw a stick or a ball, then you better know that pup is going to expect you to throw it again and again and again as they continue to return it to you. This shouldn’t be too shocking since the word retrieve is literally in their name. These canines were bred to retrieve all types of things, so for them – they’re just doing their job.
2. THEY'RE FULL OF ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM
Labrador Retrievers love the world and everything in it. They are the perfect fit for anyone with an active lifestyle. They are fast and known for their ability to sprint. They can hit 12 miles per hour in just three seconds. A lot of excitement and energy can be fun, but it also means an ample amount of exercise is needed to keep this dog happy and healthy. Adult Labs require a ton of physical and mental exercise, a minimum of 1-2 hours per day, to eliminate their pent-up energy. As stated before, Labradors were bred to be working dogs, so they needed to be high-energy to do their jobs successfully.
3. THEY'RE PEOPLE PLEASERS
The reason Labrador Retrievers are typically easy to train, when it comes to dog breeds, is due to their need to please. Whether your pupper is as bright as a button, or a bit of a dozy darling, you know he really wants to make you happy. They love working with you to learn new tricks and cues, and with their eager-to-please, intelligent demeanors, training classes can be a joy for dogs and parents alike. They just want to do whatever they can to bring that smile to your face! Additionally, this people-pleasing attitude has made them an excellent guide, therapy, and rescue dog.
4. THEY LOVE WATER AND ARE PRACTICALLY WATERPROOF ;)
Labrador Retrievers love the water
Labrador Retrievers are water dogs originally bred in Newfoundland from the St. John’s water dog, a breed used for waterfowling. Their coat, tail, and webbed feet all make it easier for them to swim. In addition, they have a double coat that insulates them from the water. They love being in the water and swimming so much; that you might even start to question if they are part amphibians.
5. THEY ARE REAL LIFESAVERS
Thanks to their powerful noses, some Labrador Retrievers have been trained to sniff out and identify early stages of cancer. Dogs can learn to smell the disease by working with cancer cell samples. They can make a diagnosis by smelling a patient’s breath, blood, or stool. For example, one of the most successful ways to screen for early stages of ovarian cancer is by letting a lab sniff the patient. Scientists believe the labs sniff out changes in volatile organic compounds that suggest cancer. Putting Superman to shame, they can detect when a person’s blood sugar levels are crashing and warn early about a diabetic episode. They can also tell when a person with epilepsy is about to have a seizure. And they can snap into action to calm down a person with PTSD that is having a flashback or panic attack.
6. THEY ARE NATURALLY KIND AND EXTREMELY FRIENDLY
Labrador Retrievers are good-tempered, friendly, highly social, and love interacting with people, dogs, and other pets, making them ideal for first-time pup parents. Your Labrador will lick your face to communicate affection and happiness, such as when you come home from work. When your pupper has been alone, your arrival is a cause for jubilation, and your dog will want to express his immense joy at your homecoming. They are great for families but also do well with a sole parent. In addition, they are patient and full of playfulness, which are excellent qualities for a dog to have if they’re going to be around children. In return, kids tend to draw to these dogs’ kind, loving personalities.
7. THEY ARE HOPELESS GUARD DOGS
labrador retriever guarding its home
Most Labs are happy to see everyone – including strangers! Of course, they’ll bark when someone comes to the door, but they’re not overly protective. They are a friendly, trusting breed and are more likely to lick an intruder to death! If an intruder has some food, they’ll probably show him where the safe is! Good guarding breeds tend to be those initially bred to protect livestock, whereas the Labrador’s job was to retrieve. They did not need to show aggression, hence their low aggressiveness and high level of friendliness. However, they can make good watchdogs if you train them correctly to alert you of any threat by barking, but most are unlikely to engage in the threat.
8. SHEDDING IS A THING, WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT
These doggos can’t help but leave a small part of themselves everywhere they go. This means that you, your furniture, and their toys tend to have Labrador hair. The Labrador Retriever has a thick, water-resistant double coat that molts – a lot! So you’ll have to brush at least 2-3 times a week when you own this breed. In addition to shedding year-round, they also “blow their coat” twice a year in the fall and spring. That means you’ll have daily brushing when your dog’s undercoat begins to shed while making way for his new coat to come through. On a positive note, they are easy to groom as their short, smooth coat is easy to care for. They only need to be bathed every 2-3 months, or if they get extra muddy or smelly!
9. THEY'LL PUT ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING IN THEIR MOUTH
If you have a Labrador Retriever or have ever had one, you probably know that they will put everything and anything into their mouths. But that’s because they were bred to use their mouths to fetch game birds and fish without damaging them when they helped with a hunt. Labrador Retrievers love to chew, so chew toys and treats are necessary if you want to maintain the state of your tennis shoes.
10. THEY ARE MORE THAN JUST AN ADORABLE FACE
yellow labrador retriever smiling
The world knows by now that Labrador Retrievers are clever dogs. With their sweet eyes and adorable face, you might assume they’re just excellent cuddle buddies, but they’re extremely intelligent and even experts at breaking free. Compared to other dog breeds, Labradors rank among the brightest. This means they learn behaviors and tricks much faster than the average dog and quickly pick up on routines. When they were working dogs, this focus and intelligence made them great at their jobs – now, it helps them even take orders from a toddler if told to sit or stay.
They are sweet, intelligent, energetic pups that would make a great addition to any household and deserve all the love.
* Various sources on Google mixed with my thought process.