Ron & Jen’s Great Escape, May 3, 2023 – Ron St. Pierre and Jen Brien

by Ron St. Pierre & Jen Brien, contributing writers, commentary

“PRINT IS DEAD”

Those are the famous words of Ghostbuster Egon Spengler. Wall Street Journal opinion columnist Peggy Noonan recently wrote a piece called REQUIEM FOR A NEWSROOM. In it, she bemoaned how things will “never be the same” when it comes to newspaper newsrooms. “Newsrooms were a crackling gaggle of gossip, jokes, anxiety, and oddball hilarious characters. Now we sit at home alone, staring at our computers. “What a drag,” the piece says. It goes on to say “I can’t think of a profession that relies more on osmosis and just being around other people. Well, I can. It’s the broadcasting profession. Will life ever return to these now eerie ghost ships? Highly doubtful in my eyes. – Ron

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NICKEL AND DIMING

While using the self-check-out lane at a local Stop & Shop this week, I was surprised to hear the automated voice ask me, “how many paper bags did you use?” Apparently, a new policy charges 10-cents per bag at Stop & Shop. If you use a check lane that has an actual cashier ringing you out (few and far between now) THEY KNOW how many paper bags you’re using. The self check area must rely mostly on the honor system as the workers assigned to those areas seem about as interested in their jobs as we were interested in high school algebra class. Do yourself a favor… invest in a few of those reusable babies and always keep a couple in your car to avoid getting chiseled.

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ISLANDS IN THE STREAM

Ever dream of owning your island? Getting away from everyone and everything? Well, a piece of Scotland is for sale at the low, low price of $188,000. It’s an isolated and uninhabited 25-acre strip located 6 miles from the closet town.  Barlocco Island doesn’t have a home on it… in fact it has NO structures on it. The island can’t be connected to the Scottish energy grid. The best you’ll be able to do is install solar panels. The island can actually be reached on foot during low tide, but a boat’s required when the water rises. The real estate agent with the Galbraith listing says “the pebble beach is a delight and the perfect base to explore the island, partake in some cold water swimming or to anchor a boat and enjoy a waterside picnic.” Sounds like a real handyman’s delight.

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THE LATEST VICTIM OF INFLATION

We’ve seem inflation impact just about everything and now we can add birdseed to the list of record setting prices. The cost of birdseed’s up 20% since last year. Some store owners say it’s the biggest hike they’ve seen in 25 years. Apparently, the war in Ukraine and 2021 drought has also contributed to the price hike.

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PETS ARE OUR BIGGEST SOURCES OF JOY

A new survey shows pets are THE source of joy for owners. It shows 8 out of 10 owners confirm this as a fact. How so?

-helping us become more mature

-teaching us patience (that’s for sure!)

-improving our overall mental health

-being our confidante

One of the favorite things the poll shows we like to do is cuddle our pets. So go ahead and give your fur baby a squeeze. It’s a great source of joy.

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Ron St. Pierre is a veteran broadcaster whose career has spanned over four decades. Ron has programmed, performed on and managed WHJJ, WPRO, WWRX, 790 The Score in Providence, as well as WBZT and WKGR in West Palm Beach and WABC in New York City. Ron also anchored sports on WPRI Ch 12 in Providence. He is a member of both the Rhode Island Radio and Television and the City of Pawtucket Halls of Fame. He was born and raised in Pawtucket.

Jen Brien has over 20 years of radio broadcast experience having hosted shows on WPRO and WHJJ with Ron as well as her own shows on WRKO and WBZ in Boston, WXTK on Cape Cod and WHAM in Rochester, New York. Jen was born and raised in Woonsocket and served six years in the Army MP Canine Unit.

Hazel, Ron’s dog, makes regular appearances.

“Ron and Jen’s Great Escape” podcast, a more lighthearted look at the events happening around us, can be found on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts, with new episodes premiering each Wednesday and listen to Ron and Jen’s Great Escape on NewsRadio 920 and 104-7 FM, Saturday morning, 7am!