Ray Hoffman

One minute there was I, empty rice pudding bowl in hand reaching for the top rack in the waiting Bosch.
Next moment (don’t really know how many minutes) there was I sprawled on the kitchen floor, opening my eyes on the bowl broken nearby, the bloody scrape on my right elbow and arm…and a smarting feeling on the right side of my head!

Main Line Banter: A funny thing happened on my way to the dishwasher!

June 18, 2024 at 10:22 a.m.

One minute there was I, empty rice pudding bowl in hand reaching for the top rack in the waiting Bosch. Next moment (don’t really know how many minutes) there was...

When Banter was “born,” its purpose was to shine a light on news and muse about people and things in and around Berwyn, ergo its natal name, Berwyn Banter. That was June 1997, yes, more than a quarter of a century ago!

Main Line Banter: A bit of Banter history as ‘the beat’ goes on…

May 21, 2024 at 12:58 p.m.

When Banter was “born,” its purpose was to shine a light on news and muse about people and things in and around Berwyn, ergo its natal name, Berwyn Banter. That...

For almost a quarter of a century, the Kiwanis Club of the Main Line has annually honored a Lower Merion Township Police Officer of the Year, so it was that earlier this month (during National Police Week) Officer Michael Pleasants, a 16-year veteran of the largest township police force on the Main Line, joined the list of outstanding officers who have earned the singular respect and distinction of his colleagues throughout those years and the ensuing Kiwanis recognition.

Main Line Banter: ‘Ahh, the policeman’s lot is not a happy one.’

May 14, 2024 at 11:24 a.m.

For almost a quarter of a century, the Kiwanis Club of the Main Line has annually honored a Lower Merion Township Police Officer of the Year, so it was that...

All those eyes will be focused on the enclosed, climate-controlled striped battlefield stadium where either a wagonload of gold-seeking Forty Niners from San Francisco or a pride of Lions from Detroit will suit up to challenge either an unkindness of clawing Ravens from Baltimore or a tribe of rampaging Chiefs (sorry, PC fans; that’s what they are!) from Kansas City and their head totem, Andy Reid, (formerly Cap’n Andy of an aerie of Philadelphia Eagles) for fame, fortune and the Lombardi Trophy.

Main Line Banter: Super Bowl LVIII and other February thoughts

January 23, 2024 at 12:35 p.m.

All those eyes will be focused on the enclosed, climate-controlled striped battlefield stadium where either a wagonload of gold-seeking Forty Niners from San Francisco or a pride of Lions from...

In the last couple of Banter columns, we looked back at the past year and made a few fearless forecasts for 2024.
That done, how about looking “way back” with me to some icons of yesteryear… then, stay tuned for a few local shortcuts?

Main Line Banter: Recalling icons of yesteryear and a few shortcuts around town

January 16, 2024 at 1:21 p.m.

In the last couple of Banter columns, we looked back at the past year and made a few fearless forecasts for 2024. That done, how about looking “way back” with...

Today we swing the gleam to highlights of the final six months of the year, repeat the accounting of our 2023 predictions and offer fearless forecasts for 2024 (in the event you missed reading last week.)

Main Line Banter: Final recap of 2023 highlights and forecasts … then moving ahead

January 9, 2024 at 12:51 p.m.

Today we swing the gleam to highlights of the final six months of the year, repeat the accounting of our 2023 predictions and offer fearless forecasts for 2024 (in the...

Although New Year 2024 officially birthed (or berthed, if you’re nautically inclined) a few days ago, there is still time to raise a pair of glasses to toast its arrival.
Neither goblets, nor flutes, but a pair of reflective prisms, one for looking back, the second for looking ahead.

Main Line Banter: Still time to raise a couple of glasses!

January 2, 2024 at 12:41 p.m.

Although New Year 2024 officially birthed (or berthed, if you’re nautically inclined) a few days ago, there is still time to raise a pair of glasses to toast its arrival....

The answer is that money has become the primary essential of the game.
When one baseball player, Shohei Ohtani, just became, thanks to free agency and the Los Angeles Dodgers, the highest paid player in the game’s history, at $700 Million for 10 years, or $70 Million per year (Bryce Harper earns "only" $30 million) baseball was bound to capture one’s thoughts … or at least the money has!

Main Line Banter: Thinking about baseball in December?

December 12, 2023 at 12:59 p.m.

The answer is that money has become the primary essential of the game. When one baseball player, Shohei Ohtani, just became, thanks to free agency and the Los Angeles Dodgers,...

Zak and his artistic colleagues at the Malvern regional theater have taken considerable creative license to breathe innovative sights and sounds into this Nineteenth Century (1843, to be eerily exact) “ghost story” on its Leonard C. Haas stage, ironically a former 18th Century stone barn.

Main Line Banter: ‘A Christmas Carol’ is anything but humbug

December 5, 2023 at 12:31 p.m.

Zak and his artistic colleagues at the Malvern regional theater have taken considerable creative license to breathe innovative sights and sounds into this Nineteenth Century (1843, to be eerily exact)...

Hanukkah (December7-15 this year) and Christmas trappings and preparations are joyfully underway, fireplaces are crackling, decorative lights are sparkling, and aromas of an assortment of goodies waft from bake ovens as the warmth of the season continues to radiate.
For fear of being labeled an icy Grinch, or a pre-enlightened Scrooge in the middle of all that warmth, please remember that there is no better time than during the holiday season to keep fire safety foremost in mind.

Main Line Banter: Don’t let fire destroy your holidays!

November 28, 2023 at 1:05 p.m.

Hanukkah (December7-15 this year) and Christmas trappings and preparations are joyfully underway, fireplaces are crackling, decorative lights are sparkling, and aromas of an assortment of goodies waft from bake ovens...

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