The "Memories of Stan" Story

It was an ordinary day. Googling a few things on my computer when I came across this article. Titled: "Does anyone remember Stan Lipman?" He did metal sculptures (junk metal) back in the mid sixties and into the seventies. He made the huge metal sculptures that were placed in the center of Park City when it was first built. It looks like we may now have another Artist working in his place. I would hope this one is favored and accepted better than Stan was among the community. Stan was a big singer and pounder when he was creating. He could be heard throughout the neighborhood. Good luck to the new artist. Yep, I remember Stan Lipman! Good friend. He created quite a bit of his artwork in the metal shop at Manheim Township High School. He was the Special Ed. teacher at the high school. I know it's not called Special Ed. now, but back in the 60s, 70s and 80s that was what it was called. And, his "kids" loved him. He would help get the students in his high school class jobs in the community that they could handle and keep for years. I coached rifle at the time and the rifle range was right next to his classroom in the high school. Many days I would be in the range during the day and stick my head into his room to say "Hi". Always invited in to see what they were doing for the day. Many times I was invited to have lunch with them. Stan set up a kitchen in his room and would go out and buy food so that he would teach his class how to cook. Always paid for it with his own money. And, boy was it great food. Often I would chip in a few bucks so he could get more food for another lesson for his class. And, naturally another invitation to dinner. He was teaching life skills to his students. Funny how one of his boys, Brian, ended up working as a cook and dishwasher for years after graduation from high school at the retirement facility where my wife worked for years. During his classes in the shop, he would melt aluminum in the kiln and pour it on sand he had spread over the floor. Showed the students how to pour it into shapes they would recognize. After cooling they would polish the metal and place hangers on it for their homes. He ended up selling some of them. Then he went to local junk yards where he would talk them out of scrap metal punchings and show the students how to weld. He was becoming quite a metal artist. So accomplished that some of his work was purchased by his friends in the entertainment business. Stan was commissioned to build the centerpiece for the newly finished Park City Shopping Center in Lancaster, PA. He made it out of copper and brass tubing and titled it "The Phoenix." And, another item I came across on Google while trying to find a photo of it:Question: Anyone have a photo of the old Park City Mall fountain? Comment: the fountain in the center of Park City Mall in the 70's? You know, the one that was lit with orange lights and kind of looked like a gateway to Hell? Obviously, it would have to be a scam. Guess everyone didn't like Stan's work. Wonder if they liked his pounding and singing as he made it. I still have and display a small garden sculpture that Stan made for me. Stan died almost 40 years ago of colon cancer. Spent time with him during his illness. An upbeat guy! He was a great friend and an even greater teacher to the children who had him for class. Matter of fact, he was their HERO! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.