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Articles by Pete Mitchell
IN AMERICA: Be all you can be!
“Hey hon, why are you waving at the TV set? You see a bug or something?” “No. My watch just reminded me I haven’t moved in a bit.” “You’re still not moving, you’re just waving your arm.” You know the saying, “If looks could kill?” Yeah well, I had a near-death experience right there on the couch in our living room.
IN AMERICA: Pete goes to the store!
“Excuse me, what do you think this word is?” “Um, hmmm, dunno, looks like it says mesquite? Maybe? Could be it says prosciutto. I can’t tell.” I’m working my way through Wegmans, gathering up nibbles and whatnot for the Bills game, when I run into a slight snag. One of the words Anne put on my shopping list is undecipherable — well, at least to me So, I start asking employees around the store to guess what they think Anne wanted me to buy.
IN AMERICA: What a difference a day makes
This is going to be a weird one folks, but stay with me. I guarantee you’ll find it interesting. I was born on March 16, which is of no importance to any of you, but it has something to do with this story. Being born that day means when I started kindergarten I was 105 days younger than the oldest kid in my grade. Conversely, that meant I was also 260 days older than the youngest kid in my grade.
IN AMERICA: Dishes I have known
“Pete, I hate to say it’s, but it’s time to toss this one out. The crack is almost all the way through, and I’m afraid it’s just going to fall apart on us one day.” Anne has just handed me a little white bowl she tried to wash and noticed what was a tiny crack a while ago now has become somewhat of a problem. She was a bit sad when I placed it in the trash because, well, it was one of her favorites. Me? I have no problem tossing well-used items away because, after all, they were well used.
IN AMERICA: Wait, what day is it?
“Hey Pete, what are you working on now? You’ve been on the phone all day.” “Sorry hon, I’m just setting up next week. I have to get all of this paperwork together for Tom so he can work on an IRS issue for me, and then I have to drop this letter at my attorney’s office so we can finally close on Mom’s house. I figure if these folks are going to go in and work Monday, I better have everything in order for them.” “Why?
IN AMERICA: Truth to power
I am now at the age where I have to get my daily steps in, and sometimes that’s an extremely boring proposition. I’ve found that I really need to have some form of distraction in order to achieve my daily goal of 10K steps, because if I don’t, I end up talking to myself, and it goes something like this: “Wait, I’ve been wandering around all morning, vacuuming and dusting and doing laundry and I’m only at 4,100 steps?
IN AMERICA: I wonder how you (really) are
When I was a young man, which would be around 50-some-odd years ago, a lot of the people that I graduated high school with moved away from this part of New York State to go off and do their thing. Maybe they went away to college, or perhaps joined the military, or maybe they just wanted to try their luck starting life over in another part of the world. Whatever the reason for my friends’ departure, there were many times that sometime years or decades would go by between us connecting again.
7 Best SSH Clients for Windows in 2026
Windows now ships with OpenSSH built in. But anyone managing more than a couple of servers knows the built-in option runs out of road fast. You end up with six PowerShell windows open, a spreadsheet of IP addresses, and no idea which tab is connected to production. One wrong command in the wrong window and you restart a production database instead of the staging app. Or you run rm -rf on a directory that turns out to be live customer uploads. The problem is not the terminal itself.
IN AMERICA: Yes, let's Make America Great Again
Here’s an idea that’s time has come. And while I imagine this particular idea may have been kicked around in some political focus groups, I’m thinking this is going to be the first time it’s been aired in public. Stay with me now. I think, no kidding folks, that “Make America Great Again” is the absolutely perfect slogan. I do. I think it rings a bell, makes a cool hat, and all-in-all hits that soft spot in the underbelly of a lot of Americans.
Bitwarden vs Proton Pass: Which Password Manager Is Better in 2026?
Bitwarden and Proton Pass are two of the best password managers for people who care about privacy, but they are not built around exactly the same priorities. Bitwarden focuses on traditional password management. It is affordable, highly configurable and gives users plenty of control over autofill, sharing, backups and even self-hosting. Proton Pass takes a broader approach by combining password storage with built-in email aliases, dark web monitoring and the wider Proton privacy ecosystem.
IN AMERICA: It cost HOW much!
I’m going to start this column by saying that at the age of 69 I’ve been fortunate to be relatively healthy most of my life, and I’ve only had the need to interact with the American health care system for routine maintenance. You know, colonoscopies, bee stings (I’m allergic), dental visits and checkups. Oh, and once when I was a kid I broke my leg. Other than that, I’ve never spent a night in a hospital.
IN AMERICA: The post-stroke article
I’m a silver-lining kind of guy. You know, every door that closes means one door opens? That kind of stuff. Having my stroke closed a lot of doors for me, physical-wise. I can’t pick up anything heavy, and I get tired easily. Those limitations will most likely go away in time, but still, they’re annoying as heck. So, while I’m still “Pete,” I’m now more like “Pete Lite.” You know, all the craziness, but half the energy? But it has had its positive sides. I’ve lost 21 pounds.
IN AMERICA: The Lawnmower Man
When we first moved to Geneva back in the early ’60s, our yard was mostly trees. Lots and lots of trees. Cherry, as I recall. Which made sense considering Slosson Lane at one time had cherry orchards on both sides of the road. Wanting a yard so his kids had somewhere to play, my old man hooked up a chain to the back of his ’59 olds with a rocket V-8 engine and pulled down tree after tree. Must have been 30 or more.
IN AMERICA: If Bill can smile, so can I
“Hi, how are you today? Can you tell me your name and date of birth?” “Bill H*******, and my birthday is Oct. 14, 1941.” “That’s great. And can you tell me the year, month and day?” “It’s, ah, 2026. And, ah, it’s, ah, Sunday, March 1.” “Very good. And can you tell me where you are?” “I’m on the fifth floor in the stroke ward of Sarasota (Fla.) hospital.” I’m lying in my hospital bed, listening to my roommate get quizzed by his nurse to check his mental acuity.
IN AMERICA: The tomato sandwich story
Growing up in a household with a German mom (and grandma) running the kitchen meant I had a diet that would be made up of things that would be very normal in Europe, but not so much here in America. Rhubarb pies and Popsicles, plum pizza, Schnitzel, warm potato salad with vinegar, and Mettwurst sandwiches, to name a few. For those that haven’t had Mettwurst, it’s made of finely diced raw pork, garlic, pepper, and caraway, and you spread it on a roll like you would liverwurst.
CtrlOps Review: AI-Powered Linux Server Management Tool (2026)
Managing Linux servers is one of those tasks that sounds straightforward until you are actually doing it at 2 AM with a production outage on your hands, five terminal windows open, and no idea which one is connected to which server. If you have been there, you know the problem. And CtrlOps was built specifically to fix it. This review covers what CtrlOps does, who it is built for, how each feature works in practice, and whether it is worth switching to from your current setup.
IN AMERICA: What’s in the box, Pete?
I am not a shopper. Mind you, I have nothing against the retail world, but driving to some giant parking lot an hour away and wandering through a mall for hours on end is my idea of a slow death. I’m assuming that’s why all the entrances at Eastview and Destiny Mall and others have little benches for guys like me to sit while our better halves go from store to store, looking for the great deals (everything must go!) that pop up from time to time.
IN AMERICA: Testing, testing, 123!
“Hey hon, I can’t believe I just finished that Sudoku puzzle right now. You know, the one that stumped me for hours last night?” “That’s great, Pete, taking a break sure does help, doesn’t it?” I love number puzzles. And, I must admit I have a particular fondness for Sudoku. You know, the one where you have to get the numbers 1 through 9 horizontally and vertically and also in each box?
IN AMERICA: The People have spoken!
“ ... the president achieved a resounding mandate … ” the people have spoken … ” — Karoline Leavitt, White house press secretary One of the more annoying statements that has popped up repeatedly since Trump took office is the one concerning his receiving a mandate from “The People.” Makes my skin crawl when I hear the word mandate. It almost sounds like an order. You know, like you’re mandated to do this, or you’re mandated to do that.
IN AMERICA: Rationalization overdrive!
“Well, I for one don’t mind paying a bit more for gas if that means Iranians can be free.” I’m looking at a friend’s Facebook page when I run across his latest post explaining his thoughts on the price of gas and what he feels the increase in the cost of fueling up is going toward. Lucky for me, I have a cast-iron stomach, because I almost lost my avocado toast with egg whites on rye topped with a mild salsa with lots of fresh cilantro. “It’s started,” I said to myself.
IN AMERICA: Let me outta here!
“And now we’re going to play a rousing version of “We wish you a merry Christmas! Ana one, ana two, ana three!” I’m sitting with Anne up in the nosebleed section of some opera house, squinting down at these tiny figures on stage who were billed as the greatest brass quintet of our time. These five folks were huffing and puffing their way through such rousing tunes as “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “Away in the Manger” while I was doing my best to stay awake and not drool on myself.
20+ Best YesMovies Alternatives (2026)
Although official streaming sites are the legal way to watch any film or series, their lack of content makes it hard to pay for plans and yet not be able to watch everything. This is why YesMovies was a public favorite for a long time, thanks to its wide collection. Unfortunately, due to its nature, the platform has to suffer from shutdowns and crashes. This is when knowing the best YesMovies alternatives will go a long way.
IN AMERICA: Why are you causing trouble?
“Pete, do you think your last message on your window was appropriate? I mean you really got some folks upset.” I looked at my friend, smiled, and said, ”That was the idea.” Then I went back to mopping my floors. Over 40 years ago I owned a tavern on Seneca Street in downtown Geneva that had a giant window in the front that I would use for a message board.
IN AMERICA: I love me a good irony
“ ... law enforcement officers are out there every day doing work to protect the American people ... ” — Kristi Noem, head of Homeland Security I love me a good irony. You know, like when someone who runs for office with the promise to clean up corruption gets caught taking bribes once they get in office? Yeah, that stuff cracks me up. It makes me wonder if folks like that think we’re stupid, or if they think we just won’t notice because of all the other stuff going on in the world.
10+ Best Free Cheaterbuster AI Alternative (2026)
In today’s day and age, cheating has unfortunately become common in relationships. With constant stories going around, partners are trying to find ways to catch any sort of infidelity before it’s too late. This has led to the rise of platforms like Cheaterbuster that can track online activities and conversations. But they come with a price, that is, hefty subscription fees. Today, we will show you the best free Cheaterbuster AI alternative to find out if your partner is faithful.
IN AMERICA: American History X
I was going to title this column “The crap we feed our children,” but I didn’t want folks to think I was taking a shot at school lunch programs. Although, to be fair, we feed our children other things besides food, don’t we? We feed them information. And the information we feed them is oh so very important to our country’s future, isn’t it? Which means the information needs to be accurate, unfettered from the personal whims of the presidential office. Oh yes, I’m going there.
20+ Best Softonic Alternatives
Real software geeks recognise Softonic as one of the internet’s oldest software download portals. For years, people relied on Softonic to find everything from essential utilities to obscure freeware tools they couldn’t locate elsewhere. But Softonic’s reputation has taken serious hits over time. From ads to misleading download buttons, not everyone trusts the platform anymore. This is when exploring the best Softonic alternatives becomes important to get any software on your device.
IN AMERICA: I used to know everybody!
“Hey Pete, who moved into the house across from the Gibbons’? I saw the moving van there the other day.” “That’s the Laise family, and they’ve got three kids!” I’m sitting at the dinner table sometime in the late 1960s, chatting with my dad about the family that just moved in down the street from us on Slosson Lane. Scouting out who was new in the neighborhood was an important job of being a youngster back then. I mean, really, you can’t have too many kids on a street now, can you?
IN AMERICA: Got an opinion? Step up.
In the Dec. 6 issue of the Finger Lakes Times, a letter to the editor was submitted lamenting the fact that there wasn’t a regular weekly or bimonthly conservative columnist to represent the viewpoints of that segment of the readership in the region. Since I have been writing regularly for the Times for 17 years, I must say I was a bit miffed.
IN AMERICA: I really want to want to!
“Hey Pete, what do you feel like doing for dinner tonight?” It’s about 9 a.m., and I’m doing paperwork while drinking a cup of peppermint tea when Anne pops the “what do you want to do tonight” question. It happens pretty much every day, and the conversation pretty much always goes like this: “Well, I’d like to go to that Mediterranean restaurant tonight we found some years ago, you know, the one up by the movie theater?
17 Best Anonymous Image Board Websites
One of the most distinctive subcultures on the internet is anonymous image boards. Most people share pictures and comments without making accounts or showing their identities. People love these platforms for having uncensored conversations, online memes, and groups. You might be curious about exploring more such corners of the internet to keep finding other best anonymous image board websites that go with your interests.
IN AMERICA: The man on the train
You remember that story, don’t you Pete? The one about how Mom was on a train during the war and the engineer stopped it in the woods in the middle of the night so it wouldn’t be seen?” I shook my head no. “Yes, so she got off the train — I don’t remember how late it was — and she carried her suitcase all the way back to Munich. She walked all night and it was very cold, and it was very scary.” “I can imagine it was,” I added.
Snapchat Best Friends List Explained
Although Snapchat is used for taking quick snaps, one of its most talked-about features is the best friends list. This ranking shows which friends you snap with most often and tracks your closest connections on the platform. But this also brings in lots of confusion around their workings and difficulty deciphering them. You might be curious about how the list actually works or how to see who made your top friends.
IN AMERICA: I need an update!
“Downloading the update file, 198 seconds left.” “Your Kindle software is updating, this can take a few minutes.” “An update is required to continue this operation.” “Pete, I thought you were excited to start playing your new game, didn’t you like it?” “I can’t start playing until my Playstation updates.” “And how long will that take?” I glance over at the screen to check the status and turn back to Anne.
IN AMERICA: Refrigerator blindness
Hey hon, do we have any of those sandwich dill pickles left? You know, the ones that I bought like two weeks ago? I could have sworn they were in here.” “They’re right in front of you. Second shelf, left-hand side, next to the olives I bought last week.” After rooting around for a bit, and may I say, much to my chagrin, I did indeed find the pickles exactly where Anne said they would be.
IN AMERICA: How many fingers am I holding up, Winston?
As I’ve mentioned in previous columns, I am fascinated by human behavior. What makes other folks tick has been a hobby of mine for as long as I can remember, and being in the restaurant business has been like having my own human behavioral science lab. I’ve watched folks do all sorts of interesting things that, in their minds, make sense. Quick example. I had a school teacher (not from Geneva) get caught on video stealing $75 off the bar during a Friday happy hour.
IN AMERICA: People really are people
(Ed. note: In light of the most recent school shooting in Minnesota, Pete Mitchell asked that we re-publish his “In America” that appeared in the Jan. 13, 2020, edition of the Times.) “How was your trip?” “Oh my, it was a blast! The food was amazing, the countryside was gorgeous, and the people were all so incredibly nice!” I’m talking to a friend who just came back from Ireland (I’ve never been) and they’re telling me how everything on their trip was absolutely wonderful.
Eloria: The Light That Reveals Truth for Others
Words carry power. Some are ancient, others newly coined to capture what the world hasn’t yet clearly defined – or what it often resists. Eloria is one such word. It draws from history, faith, and language, yet speaks freshly into today’s conversations. The name is formed from several linguistic streams: Eloria was coined by Pete Mitchell, an Australian who has worked across business and social enterprise. It’s more than a word.
IN AMERICA: My own private reunion, part 2
The first to arrive that Thursday was Dutton. He flew in from Georgia, and he was still as energetic and fun as I recalled from a decade ago. After Dutton came Tad. He rolled in from Philly, and he looked as youthful as ever, although it was odd to see some gray hair now creeping in to show the years. Close to dinner time Crash drove up. He had to cross the border from Toronto, and that added a bit of time to his trip.
IN AMERICA: What are you proud of?
I’m thinking I’m going to get a good amount of backlash for this column because, well, folks seem to be a tad touchy about things these days. But after you’ve read it, if you stop and think about it for a moment, you may find it an interesting look at human nature. Have you ever noticed that pride in being American seems to be a running theme through a large swath of life here in our country?
IN AMERICA: Welcome to America, no questions allowed
What’s the No. 1 job of a citizen? Some folks might say to be law-abiding. Others might argue that contributing to society should be at the top of the list. Me? I think questioning anything that a politician says is the most important job you can have. And, from my experience, the smarter a person is, the more well-rounded and more thoughtful that person is, and the more likely they are to analyze what someone says and then to ask questions.
IN AMERICA: A very special ‘In America’
I’m wandering around in the basement of the house I grew up in on Slosson Lane and having a bit of nostalgia settle over me. It’s 2011, and my mom has decided to move back to Germany and live with my sister, and I have the task of getting the house cleaned out. And what a task it was.
IN AMERICA: McCarthyism revisited
“Are you now or have you ever been a member of the communist party?” — Joseph McCarthy questioning citizens at Senate hearings in 1954 Back when America was terrified of the Soviet menace, an obscure senator from Wisconsin named Joe McCarthy claimed to have discovered a list of Americans who were communist agents that had infiltrated every level of American society. The fear that he generated caused people to question their neighbors and coworkers, and sent the entire country into a panic.
IN AMERICA: Justice Dunsel of the Supreme Court
I was watching a rerun of one of the original “Star Trek” shows some time ago when I heard a word that I thought was made up. You know, artistic license and all that jazz? The word was “dunsel,” and it was used during an episode where the Enterprise was part of an experiment to see if a program, powered by artificial intelligence, could run the ship in a combat situation. Timely, no?
IN AMERICA: So these two bigots walk into a bar …
“Did you know Michelle Obama was actually a guy? One of my friends’ kids worked at an event they were at and it was obvious.
IN AMERICA: Hey hon, have you seen my ah …
“Hey hon, have you seen my Kindle? I know I packed it when I left.” “Pete, I haven’t seen that since you got back from visiting your mom in Germany.” I’m rummaging around the house, looking for my Kindle so I can finish the latest Michael Connelly book I started when I went to see mom, and for the life of me I have no idea where the heck it could possibly be. I mean, I just got home last night and … Crap! “Hon, I know where it is. It’s in the airport lounge in Philly.
IN AMERICA: Smart on crime
Every election cycle, whether it be statewide, as in the Senate or Congress, or local, like a county judge or district attorney, regardless of who the candidates are, the topic of crime invariably arises. Usually, one candidate will point out how the other one is soft on crime because of one thing or another they did at some point in their career.
Review of Login to Hell: A Hacker’s Story by Alberto Daniel Hill
Login to Hell: A Hacker’s Story by Alberto Daniel Hill is a gripping, raw, and deeply personal memoir that chronicles the author’s harrowing experience as the first hacker imprisoned in Uruguay for a computer-related crime—a crime he claims he did not commit and one that may not have even occurred.
IN AMERICA: The history of drinks
“Hi, I’ll have a Tom Collins, and my friend will have an Amaretto sour.” It’s September of 1979, and I’m behind a bar for the first time in my life, waiting on my very first customers ever, and naturally they had to order something I had no clue how to make. Of course, I’d heard of those drinks before, because back in the ’70s you could go into pretty much any bar in town — and there were about 20 of them back then — and that’s what the folks were drinking.
IN AMERICA: One thing leads to another
Just for the sake of record keeping, this is the first article of my 17th year as a columnist for the paper. When I started writing, Anne bought me a little memory book to store articles. You know, one of those albums with little plastic sheets to cover pictures and postcards and whatnot? I think it had about 50 pages, and she only bought the one. After I’d filled about eight or so of those things, I asked Anne why they were all different, why hadn’t she bought a whole bunch that were the same?
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