The "A Memorable Birthday Greeting" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Opened my email and read my birthday greetings from my Facebook page.  Very nice to here from so many people whom I hadn't seen or talked with for years, but who still found time to send me a birthday greeting.  One such person, Greg High, was a student of mine years ago.  He was a very courteous and respectful student who I enjoyed having in class.  He was part of a Lancaster family that was involved in the steel industry in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  

High Steel as it appeared in 1931 on West Lemon Street.

His late grandfather started the family business in 1931 when he founded High Welding.  Greg's father stayed with the family business and was the catalyst for decades of diversifi- cation, growth and philan- thropy.  Greg though, has now chosen to take a different direction and will make his two-year-old consulting business, GH Family Business Consulting Group, his full-time job.  I'm sure he will still have some influence in the family welding and steel business, but in a different capacity.  

Former student of mine, Gregory High.

My reason for telling you about Greg is that today, after reading my birthday greetings, I turned on the History Channel's "Project Impossible" and began to watch a show titled "Engineering America."  The show talked about a bridge that was being constructed to replace the New York Tappan Zee Bridge which spans the Hudson River in Tarrytown, New York, north of New York City.  

The new Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge in New York.

High Steel LLC is featured in the show since it is supplying much of the steel in the $3.98 billion Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.  The contract for the new bridge is the company's largest to date having supplied more than 50,000 tons of steel girders, cross frames and other structural elements for the bridge.  High was one of there fabricators on the project.  

A second High Welding on West James Street in Lancaster.

The show was amazing and as I watched I thought about Greg and his family and how proud he must be to have his family part of this massive project that was featured in the first edition of the new show on The History Channel.  After watching the hour-long show I "Googled" High Steel and read that they recently shipped the final two "superload" girders from its Williamsport plant to the new bridge in New York.  

And yet another High Welding along the Old Harrisburg Pike.

Each girder was twelve feet deep and 120 feet long and weighed about 90 tons.  The girders were hauled by High Transit, High Steel's sister company.  Seems that High Steel had fabricated 190 of these girders for the project with fabrication taking place at the Williamsport and Lancaster plants.  Fabrication began in 2014 and only recently was completed.  Four years to make all the needed girders for the bridge.  The story said that the contract value was more than $120 million, the largest in High Steel's 86-year history.  

Placing a High Steel girder on the new New York bridge.

High Steel met every engineering and delivery milestone in the contract "with outstanding quality."  As I read the story online about High Steel I was amazed.  Their success stories include the production of steel framing members for athletic, museum and educational facilities, crane girders for industrial facilities, plate girders for train stations and power plants and box beams for an airport expansion.  For years I have driven past their factory off of the Route 30 Bypass, not realizing the magnitude of what the company can do.  This all started in 1931 when Sanford and Benjamin High purchased King Welding Company in Lancaster and changed the name to High Welding Company.  

Transporting one of their large steel beams.

In 1958 they purchased automated welding equipment. About ten years later they built a second plant.  In 1971 they changed their name to High Steel Structures, Inc.  Many other highlights are listed online with the final entry being in 2015 when the original founder, the late Sanford H. High was inducted into the ARTBA Foundations's Transportation Development Hall of Fame.  All this because he had a dream and bought the tiny business on West Lemon Street in downtown Lancaster, PA.  I'm sure Greg is proud of his heritage just as I am proud of what he has become in his life.  Getting a birthday greeting from such a fine young man made my birthday something special this year.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The "The Verdict Is In!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just beginning to read some of the comments that are being posted and emailed to me about the law suit that my friend Barbara and a friend of hers and his law group had filed against the government of Sint Maarten in reference to the burning public dump which is a short distance from Barbara's home as well as the law firm.  A few days ago I posted a story about what the law suit was about and the length of time that the dump fire has been burning in the middle of their capital city of Philipsburg.  A few of the comments today read:

from Irina came: Brilliant Ms Cannegieter!  So much double speak from government. A very good start. Congrats.

from tlcm110 came: Way to kick ass!  Proud of you.

from Fran came: So proud of you. Fran

then from Barbara came this note: morning.  thanks thanks thanks.  the judge did not play with their double speak. we were very pleased.

Barbara then sent a link to the story in the island's "The Daily Herald" which features a photograph of Barbara, her friend Camiel Koster and I assume another lawyer from the law firm Bergma Zwanikken Sow Essed (BZSE).  The story told of the hearing and an outcome that was a big lift for the plaintiffs.  

The constant fire that burns in Sint Maarten near Barbara's home.

The plaintiffs requested that the Court order the government and the dump operator to take effective measures to prevent the emission of smoke, gases and stench at the landfill within three months following a ruling.  They also called upon the Court to order government to have an official institution such as the Netherlands Institute for Public Health and the Environment RIVM in Bilthoven, the Netherlands, conduct measurements of the toxic fumes and to make these public.  In case of non-compliance, the Judge is requested to attach to the verdict daily penalties of US $5,000 with a minimum of $1 million.  At the end of the hearing, Barbara made an emotional plea to the Judge to finally tackle the problems at the dump.  "It is time to make a start.  That is why I'm here and started this procedure.  People are tired and sick of it," she said.  The Minister of VROMI made a statement in January in which he stated that the dump is his biggest concern.  "It is a monster.  I consider it a Giant Murderer," he said.  The Minister said in May that the dump-management agreement would be terminated and a waste-project manager would be appointed.  Still hasn't happened!  The plaintiffs said that nothing has happened and that promises were made 20 years ago, but nothing has come of these.  Yes, you read that correctly...20 YEARS AGO!  The plaintiffs also cited an expert who was hired to develop and advise the government on the fires, in hopes that the fires at the temporary "Irma" (last year's horrific hurricane) landfill could be stopped in five weeks and those at the larger dumpsite within five months.  The litigants, as well as many others, claim that government is acting unlawful in its failure to meet its constitutional obligation to promote public health and the livability of St. Maarten.  The Government responded saying the fires have been under control for some time now.  Now, if you read my blog on a regular basis, you will remember a few stories that featured violent fires burning in the past few months.  The Government also stated that should the plaintiffs win the suit, the Government shouldn't have to make any penalty payments.  Now for the outcome...At the end of the hearing, the Judge said he is expecting a road map with steps to prevent dump fires and the emission of smoke.  This road map should be landing at the Judge's desk by the end of next week, together with the results of air-quality measurements.  The Government's representatives said this may be difficult to achieve as minister Gitterson is currently off island. (my note: and why would he be off island when he knew of this hearing!)  Also, it was indicated that St. Maarten does not have any influence on the World Bank and its slow decision-making process.  To that the Judge recommended litigants and BZSE law office create a foundation to manage any penalty payments that may be imposed by him.  To prevent litigants from becoming "millionaires" the foundation in formation should serve a good cause aimed at better landfill management.  An actual Court decision in the injunction may follow at a later date.  So, it may not be a total win for Barbara and her team, but it is finally a start to the correction of a problem that has plagued the island for close to a quarter of a century.  And, as tlcm said, "Way to kick ass!"  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The happy litigants...Barbara and members of the law firm.

The "Artistic Squire Of Columbia" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading about an artist who lived in the small town of Columbia, Pennsylvania.  You may remember the town for being called Wright's Ferry or perhaps for the terminus of the Pennsylvania Canal or maybe the home of the Native American tribes, the Susquehannocks and the Shawnee.  

Lloyd Mifflin, artistic squire of Columbia, PA

Doesn't matter anyway, since I'm almost sure you have never heard of Lloyd Mifflin who has been described as the "artistic squire" of Columbia, Pennsylvania.  Lloyd was born on September 15, 1846.  His father had trained as a portraiture painter and in turn passed his training onto his son, Lloyd.  Lloyd later studied landscape painting and engraving under Thomas Moran in Philadelphia from 1866 to 1870.  Then in 1971 he descended the Susquehanna River from its source at Lake Otsego to the Chesapeake Bay, producing a large number of sketches along the way.  A year later he set out on a European tour, traveling with the famed art critic James Jackson Jarves as they traveled from Liverpool to Italy.  

Painting titled " Looking down Susquehanna below Columbia

A large collection of his work appears today at The State Museum of Pennsyl- vania and includes works such as "Rome Burning", "Castle at Sunset" and "Susquehanna Near Columbia".  During his career he also created hundreds of photographic glass plate negatives that served as photographic studies for his landscape paintings.  

Painting titled "Susquehanna near Columbia"

But, it was his childhood love of poetry that was first kindled by Lord Byron and refined by Keats, Tennyson, Shelley, Wordsworth, Longfellow and the Greek poets that made him famous.  In 1896 he offered his first book of poetry titled "The Hills" and consisted of sixteen verses that was illustrated by Thomas Moran.  The following year his second book, titled "At the Gates of Song" and contained 150 sonnets went through three printings.  Nine more books followed over the next fifteen years.  Lloyd suffered a stroke in 1915 while completing poems for his final book appropriately entitled "As Twilight Falls", resulting on an amazing output of more than 500 sonnets and at least 200 lyrics.  He died in July of 1921.  Before his death, he donated considerable land  for school use in Columbia, PA.  

Flowers sit in front of Mr. Lloyd Mifflin's grave.  Click to enlarge.

He was known as America's Greatest Sonneteer as well as "the most prolific writer of sonnets in the history of English and American poetry.  Quite a feat!  His home in Columbia, PA was known as Norwood which he greatly enlarged in 1902.  Upon his death the home descended to the three Minich sisters, Loretta R., Grace M. and Elizabeth who were teachers or administrators in the Columbia School District where Lloyd went to school as a child.  

The Mifflin family's tombstones stand
in a line with flowers in front of them.

When the sisters and Lloyd's brother, Dr. Houston Mifflin, tried to sell some of Lloyd's paintings in 1926 there was little interest by the public.  During this period Houston marked many of Lloyd's paintings with Lloyd Mifflin - Attest Houston Mifflin.  At the same time the Minich sisters cut up parts of some of Lloyd's larger canvases and gave the small pieces away to their students as rewards for perfect attendance or good grades.  Grace and Loretta eventually donated the rest of the collection to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission which held a Lloyd Mifflin retrospective soon after opening the new William Penn Memorial Museum in 1965.  Today I made a visit to Mifflin's grave at Bethel Cemetery off Locust Street in downtown Columbia.  I wanted to see what has become a tradition with the school children in Columbia.  When he died and donated land to the school district, he asked that the students in the Columbia School District commemorate his birthday every year by placing roses at his and his mother's graves.  This past September 14, a day early due to the 15th being a Saturday, students gathered at Mifflin's gravesite to carry out his wishes for the 98th time.   And, when I stopped today for a few photos, the roses were still by the graves and still bright red!  An amazing remembrance for an amazing artist and poet.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

A plaque telling about one of Columbia's most prominent citizens.

An enlarged reading of the plaque telling of Mr. Mifflin.

The "Odd Facts About Everything Under The Sun...And Sea" Story

It was an ordinary day.  "Surfing the Web," since that's about the only thing I can surf anymore, and found all types of odd and unusual facts; some interesting, some amazing and some just ridiculous.  Some sports facts, some medical facts, some animal facts and even a few facts about shrimp.  Follow along and I'll share a few with you that you can pass along to friends and co-workers to show just how well-educated you have become in the last few days.  So, here goes:

• There are over 2,000 different shrimp species from the tropics to the Antarctic Ocean.  Some of the most common found in the waters off the United States are the Gulf Brown Shrimp, Gulf Pink Shrimp and the Gulf White Shrimp.
• Shrimp come in all sizes from small size which are about 1/2" (from head to tail) to a larger variety that can grow to 12" or larger.  The Tiger shrimp, that is an invasive shrimp in the Gulf of Mexico, can grow to the size of an adult's forearm and has more tail meat that the average lobster.
• Shrimp can really motor in the ocean.  They can propel themselves backwards by flexing the muscles in their abdomen and tail as well as swim forward by using the appendages on the underside of their tail.
• Shrimp consume microscopic plant and animal matter by filtering the water around them.  Other varieties can eat small fish.
• Shrimp provide a source of food for not only humans, but crabs, fish, sea urchins, whales, dolphins and seabirds.  Other types of shrimp can clean parasites, bacteria and fungi off their host.
• Certain shrimp can make a noise louder that any other marine noise by hitting their large and small pincers together.  They make this noise to communicate and to stun their prey.
• Do you know that by making shrimp part of your diet, it may reduce your risk of developing cancer!  Seems shrimp contain selenium which is an antioxidant mineral that activates enzymes that fight the growth of cancer-causing free radicals.
• And, when you eat them, you might want to know that they are low in calories as well as high in protein.  
• In quite a few areas of the world shrimp are eaten with the head still on the body.  Supposedly the head has a rich flavor and a crunchy texture that some people love.  I'm not one of those people.

And, a few neat animal facts that you might not have known before are:

• An iguana can stay under water for almost a half-hour if it needs to do so.
• Penguins can jump over six feet into the air.
• ALL Polar bears are left-handed.
• The leg bones of a bat are so thin they can't walk.
• A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out.
• When an opossum is thought to be "playing dead", they aren't playing.  They actually pass out from sheer fear.
• You can lead a cow upstairs, but not downstairs.  
• Dolphins sleep with one eye open.
• A goldfish has a memory span of three seconds.
• A pig cannot physically look up into the sky.
• A snail can sleep for three years.
• A hippo can open its mouth wide enough to fit a four foot tall child inside.
• Some dogs can predict when a child will have an epileptic seizure and even protect the child from injury.  They're not trained to do this, they simply learn to respond after observing at least one attack.
• Only female mosquitoes bite.

Next are a few unusual sports facts:

• Babe Ruth wore a cabbage leaf under his baseball cap to keep his head cool.  He changed the leaf every two innings.
• The average lifespan of a major league baseball is 7 pitches.
• Retired professional basketball player Michael Jordan makes more money from endorsements a year from Nike that all the Nike factory workers in Malaysia combined. 
• Every year 56,000,000 people attend major league baseball games.
• There are 336 dimples on a regulation golf ball.
• Dueling is legal in Paraguay as long as both parties are registered blood donors.
• The Olympic flag rings are red, black, blue, green and yellow since at least of of these colors appears on the flag of every nation on the planet.
• In 1963 major league baseball pitcher Gaylord Perry said, "They'll put a man on the moon before I hit a home run."  On July 20, 1969, an hour after Neil Armstrong set foot on the surface of the moon, Gaylord hit his first, and only, home run while playing for the San Francisco Giants.

And, finally some odd facts about the human body are:

• It's physically impossible for you to lick your elbow.
• A sneeze travels out your mouth at over 100 m.p.h.
• Women blink twice as often as men.
• The longest bout of hiccups lasted nearly 69 years.
• Babies are born without kneecaps.  They appear between the ages of 2 and 6.
• Our eyes are always the same size from birth, but our nose and ears never stops growing.
• The average person falls asleep in seven minutes.
• If you sneeze too hard you can fracture a rib.  If you try to suppress a sneeze you can rupture a blood vessel in you head or neck and die.  If you keep your eyes open by force they can pop out.
• Almost everyone who reads this will try to lick their elbow!  

So, did you learn a thing or two or three?  And, did you really try to lick your elbow?  I can't do it!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "The Graven Image Law Suit!" Story

One of many photos I have taken making sure not to get their face.

 It was an ordinary day.  Cleaning my desktop of the many photographs I have used in the past for stories and will not need again.  Some are from the five-part story I wrote on the Amish who call Lancaster County home.  I have very few photographs that show the face of an Amish person that I have taken, even though I might have displayed more in my stories.  I can remember taking only two, perhaps three, photos that show the face of my Amish subject, since I know they frown upon having their photo taken.  The Old Order Amish believe that photographs that display their faces are "graven images" and are prohibited by the biblical Second Commandment.  

Barn raising from a distance.

The Lancaster Newspaper offered an article telling about an Amish couple who have sued over photos that their faith forbids.  Seems an Amish couple with 13 children are accusing officials of violating their constitutional rights by insisting that they provide a photograph of the wife since she wants to become a U.S. citizen and it is necessary to have a photo taken to do so.  The woman is from Canada and has requested to become a permanent U.S. resident.  They won't allow themselves to be photographed "for any reason" because of their Amish beliefs.  The couple live in Indiana and have filed their complaint in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis because they have been repeatedly told they need a photograph.  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services are named as the defendants.  Their complaint says that revealing their identity would force them to compromise their religious beliefs.  It was back in 2015 that the woman applied to become a U.S. citizen and she and her husband submitted all needed paperwork, shy of the photograph.  The only reason she would not be considered for citizenship was because she would not have a photograph taken.  

Young Amish family taken from the rear.

The couple and their attorneys tried to get congres- sional help, but to no avail.  All 13 children and the husband are U.S. citizens, but the wife is Canadian.  She could return to Canada and leave her family behind, but everyone knows that's not going to happen.  The lawsuit that their attorney filed contends that the federal government's refusal to accommodate the couple and their religious beliefs violates their First Amendment rights to free exercise of religion, free speech and the right to freedom of association, as well as their Fifth Amendment due process rights.  

Harvest season from a distance.

It seems there has never been a case such as this in the past.  But, does that mean the wife can't be a U.S. citizen?  The Old Order Amish have been a part of the history of the United States and it is well known they refuse to have their photo taken.  The Amish woman said she will provide fingerprint or iris scan, but not a full facial photograph.  She doesn't want to live the rest of her life with the fear of going to Hell because she had a graven image taken of her.  What do you think?  As for me...I know their fear of photography and think something else could be done to identify this poor woman.  I'm anxious to see what is decided!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Do The Right Thing...Just Once For Goodness Sake!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Tuesday, July 17th and I had just posted a story about the Atlantic Sunrise gas pipeline which I had taken photos of as it was being placed along its route in nearby Mount Joy, Pennsylvania.  Many people were upset about the pipeline coming across Lancaster County, but realized it was going to come through our area no matter what we did or how hard we protested.  Well, as posted in the newspaper today, there is suddenly a slight wrinkle in that pipeline that is almost totally completed in Lancaster County.  Seems that about three weeks ago Lancaster County experienced a remarkable storm that dropped 10 inches of rain in Mount Joy, home of the Pinehurst Manor mobile home park.  And as the local newspaper stated, a river of water rushed off the bare-earth Atlantic Sunrise gas pipeline site east of Mount Joy and barreled toward a community of two dozen mobile homes.  Seems that just before the storm struck, the pipeline company temporarily destroyed a storm water detention basin that had stopped the flood waters from Tropical Storm Agnes in 1972 and Tropical Storm Lee in 2011.  And, the mobile home park isn't even near a stream!  Williams Partners, owner and installer of the pipeline, had asked Rapho Township, where the mobile park is located, for approval to remove the storm-water barrier and were refused permission.  Didn't matter to Williams, who went over the heads of the local township and went to the state of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection who gave them permission to remove the storm water detention basin.  When the township saw what Williams had done, they requested Williams to redo the basin.  Twice they requested them to do so.  Then August 31 rolled around and the 10 inch storm arrived storm struck.  Two girls had be rescued from trailer windows by a human chain as water filled their mobile home.  Fire companies in boats had to help other escape the storm waters.  

My photo of the Mount Joy pipeline installation.

And the entire problem was created because they disobeyed the local township ruling and bulldozed the detention basin.  One good deed that Williams did do was to offer to pay for hotel rooms for the mobile-home owners made homeless.  Six homes were totally destroyed while 18 others were severely damaged.  Sounded to me like they realized what they had done and were trying to make amends!  But, they then said they were investigating  the incident and found the flooding wasn't because of their construction.  Give me a break!!  A mobile park community that for years had weathered storm after storm, plus two hurricanes, and was never remotely threatened by rising water due to their storm water detention basin all of a sudden being destroyed by the Atlantic Sunrise pipeline company, and the company, Williams Partners says they had nothing to do with the flooding.  But yet they felt the need to pay for rooming for those in the path of the storm?  Heavens, the place has been declared a federal disaster area!  Then one of the mobile home owners talked with a Williams representative who came to the park after the flood had resided.  The resident said Williams basically admitted they were at fault and were going to help out the ones whose homes were condemned first and then work on everybody else.  Whoops!!  Bet that guy did that on his own because he knew it was the correct thing to do.  Wait until Williams Partners finds out about that!  As of now the investigation  continues and all those mobile home owners are out of a home due to the fault of the company that was told by the local township not to remove the storm-water barrier, but went over their head and did it anyway.  Don't these people have insurance to cover the mistakes they must make all the time?  They have to know that the right thing to do is buy all these people new homes and furnishings.  Hey, we didn't want them here in the first place and they found a way to be here.  Guess they will find a way out of doing the right thing once again.  It will come back to haunt them someday.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Someone Has To Step Up And Be A Hero...Soon!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  And...they haven't given up the fight!  Good for them!!  It was back on Sunday, September 2 that I wrote about my friend Barbara Cannegieter and her fight to clear the air in the capital city of Philipsburg on the island of Sint Maarten.  Yes, actually clear the air of the toxic fumes and gases that are emitted from the nearby burning dump.  It has been going on for years and years and it seems that no one can do anything about it.  So, Barbara finally took a stand and took the local government to court over the constant fire that burns in the nearby dump.  

Now she and friend Camiel Koster, as well as the law firm Bergman Zwanikken Snow Essed (BZSE), will finally have their day in court; Thursday, September 27, 2018 at 3:00 PM to be exact.  The Court of First Instance confirmed that the parties involved in the injunction that was filed August 24 will be heard that day.  The plaintiffs request that the Court order the government and the dump operator to take effective measures to prevent the emission of smoke, gases and stench at the landfill within three months following a Court ruling.  The complainants also requested that the Court order the government to have an official institution such as the Netherlands Institute for Public Health and the Environment RIVM conduct measurements of the toxic fumes.  If these orders haven't been met in a timely manner, the Judge is asked to attach daily penalties of US $5,000, with a maximum of $1 million.  I should tell you that Sint Maarten is the Dutch side of the island known as Sint Maarten/St. Martin; half being Dutch and half being French.  The plaintiffs base their claim on legal protection they may invoke as citizens under environmental laws which are anchored in the Civil Code.  Article 5:37 of the Civil Code stipulates that the owner of a parcel of land may not cause hindrance such as or not limited to noise, smoke, gases, stench and tremors in a tortious manner to the owners of other parcels of land.  Barbara lives in Dutch Cul de Sac which is less that a mile from the dump.  Koster lives slightly over 3 miles from the dump, but works as an attorney at BZSE which is in the direct path of the smoke and fumes that are less than a mile from the business.  He and his co-workers have to put up with the dump on a daily basis at their work site.  

This is the view Barbara, Camiel and
the workers at the law office see
on a daily basis.  My question is...WHY?
Someone has to be held accountable!
Not later or in the future, but NOW!!
It is truly a matter or life or death for many.

We have visited with Barbara and her husband Dee on many of our visits to the island and the dump is easily visible from their home.  Having the smoke, stench and gases head in your direction day after day, month after month for years has to take a toll on your mental as well as physical condition.  It seems that the local government, as well as the dump owner, hasn't taken any visible action to prevent or reduce the problem.  And, this has been going on for many years.  Article 22 of the Nation's Constitution states that the government's constant concern is directed at the habitability of the country and the protection and improvement of the living environment.  So why isn't Country St. Maarten in violation of its constitutional obligation to promote public health and quality of life in the country?  THEY MUST  BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE!!  The lives and welfare of those who live in the country are at risk.  My question is:  How did it ever get this bad in the first place.  We have been traveling to the island for almost 20 years now and every year notice the smoke and stench that are emitted from the dump.  Why hasn't someone been held accountable before now?  That just isn't acceptable!!  The Court of First Instance must be the hero in this situation and make it right once and for all.  Do they have the fortitude to do the right thing?  I sure hope so or the many daily cruise ships that visit the Dutch port with their tourist's dollars they count on so heavily for their livelihood will be a thing of the past.  And, with that will go the welfare of those that live on Dutch Sint Maarten.  Ruling in favor of the plaintiffs is truly the only correct thing to do.  So, let it be now, on September 27 at 3:00 PM!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "The Most Notorious Criminals In Lancaster County's History" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading about the legend of the Buzzard Gang that terrorized the Welsh Mountains which rise about one thousand feet in eastern Lancaster County and lie between the current Pennsylvania Turnpike and old Route 30 which used to be referred to as the Pennsylvania Turnpike.  The alleged leader of the gang was a shady guy by the name of Abe Buzzard.  

Abe was born on Christmas Day, 1852 in a Welsh Mountain cabin, one of six boys raised by their mother, Mary Buzzard.  Abe's father was killed during the Civil War.  It was said that the family name was at one time Bowzard, but because of the family penchant for fowl play, it was changed to Buzzard.  Not sure if that is correct or not, but the Buzzard brothers sure got into plenty of trouble.  Although there were six brothers, it was primarily Abe, Isaac, John and Martin that got into trouble with the law.  At first their crimes were minor offenses such as stealing chickens, horses and jewels from the law-abiding folks of the Welsh Mountains.  But, their crimes became more than just petty crimes when the were accused of attempted murder and gunpoint robberies during a spree that lasted throughout the late 19th century.  Abe was the ringleader of the gang which also cracked safes and robbed bars, stores, homes, hotels and trains in Lancaster and Chester counties.  It was said that Abe hosted revival meetings to draw the neighbors while his brothers robbed the farms of those in attendance.  The entire gang spent many years of their lives in jail or prison.  One story saya that on one occasion, Abe trained a canary to carry messages to brother Ike's cell, by which they planned their escape.  In and out of prison for most of their lives, the brothers terrorized communities throughout the region with robberies, gun battles and a string of thefts too numerous to count.  In 1883 the Buzzard Boys organized the largest prison break in Lancaster County, taking advantage of lax security to free more than a dozen prisoners.  At times there were bounties out for Abe Buzzard that were larger than those offered for Western outlaw Jesse James.  

An artist's sketch of Abe, perhaps before
they had any actual photos of him.

In 1884, after a successful jewelry store robbery in nearby Bowmansville, the Horse Thieves Detective Association of Bowmansville-Goodville-Honeybrook formed a posse and vowed to take them dead or alive.  In 1924 there appeared a notice in a local newspaper that read:  42 Years in Jail - Abe Buzzard, known as the Welsh Mountain desperado, will be released from the Eastern Penitentiary today, being 72 years old.  Forty-two years of his life was spent behind prison doors.  At one time he lived with his wife on the ridge of hills near Ephrata.  Many nearby Lititz persons remember when Abe, as an evangelist, spoke in the United Brethren Church in Lititz.  In his hand bag, beside a Bible, he carried a revolver.  Following his visit here, he stole chickens that very night, walking backward in the snow as a trick to mislead anyone tracking him.  Abe eventually died in prison on St. Patrick's Day, 1935.  It was said that he and his brothers spent a total of 101 years in prison.  Their thievin' ways couldn't outrun the law though.  Abe is buried in a cemetery on the shoulder of Neversink Mountain and has a headstone that reads only "Beloved Husband".  It was said that Abe's family was concerned that revenge-seekers would desecrate his final resting place if they knew where it was.  Now, why hasn't anyone thought to make a movie about the Buzzard Boys.  The stories I have found about them are not only shocking, but downright horrible.  But, I would love to have a part in the film!!  Come on Hollywood.  I'm not getting any younger!  I could play Abe while in prison for the very last time.  All I need is a bit more hair and a mustache.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "See You In September!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading online recently about a song and musical group from my past that brought back many good memories.  It was the end of my freshman year in high school and I was trying to figure out how I could make some  money so I could buy a car when I turned 16.  I already had a profitable business raising guinea pigs and selling them for medical testing, but that was hardly enough to buy a car, insurance and gas.  My bank account had a fair amount of money in it, but I wanted to pad it a bit more.  I had friends that were into buying 45rpm records with hopes of collecting maybe that one big hit that would give them a big payout when they resold it.  So, I took a few dollars of my guinea pig savings and began to buy a record or two whenever I could.  Wasn't long before I turned 16 at the end of the summer and got a job at the neighborhood Grant's Department Store working in the sporting goods and record departments.  Had to keep the shelves stocked as well as help customers looking for items related to either department.  I could buy vinyl records at a great price and even got to know the salesman who would from time to time give me a few records for my growing collection.  One of those records, "Green Stamps" by the T-Birds got me a nice price when I sold it to a local collector a few years later.  But the one record that I remember the most was a song called "See You In September" which was sung by a group from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania called the Tempos.  The song peaked at #23 by the end of 1959.  I had two of the records and just hung on to them.  The song was written in June of that year in a day and a few days later was recorded by the Tempos in New York City.  The record was cut a few days later and heard on WNEW out of New York.  It rose quickly and then dropped just as quickly by the end of the year.  But, a funny thing happened with the song when a group by the name of the Happenings redid the song in the spring of 1966.  Their version eventually reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 list.  It eventually got the Happenings a Gold Disc for selling a million records.  The song also became a hit in Brazil where it reached #1 on the chart for Rio de Janeiro in early 1967.  I eventually sold my two records I had that were recorded by the original group, The Tempos, but probably didn't get as much for them as if they had been recorded by the Happenings.  In the early 1970s I sold my entire record collection to a young photographer who happened to be the yearbook photographer for the high school yearbook which I was responsible for doing where I taught at the time.  Funny how one or two songs from the past always bring back memories when their titles pop up from time to time.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

   

The "Stone Harbor, New Jersey Museum" Story

The new Stone Harbor Museum

It was an ordinary day.  Heading to the new Stone Harbor Museum with my brother Steve to see what they might have on display.  As we pulled  up in front of 9410 Second Avenue I instantly recognized the place.  About twenty years ago I brought a variety of my photography and stained glass to Stone Harbor when I came for a week-long vacation hoping to find a shop that would be willing to sell it for me.  I found that location when I visited the William Ris Gallery which was located at 9410 Second Avenue.  They were willing to take my work on consignment so I left all my work with them that year.  Wasn't long before I had to return with more work.  That went on for a few years and I did quite well except for the fact that my day trips grew too tiring and Carol and I decided to stay a night or two when we made visits with artwork.  Well, the cost of lodging and food for those two or three days were more than the pieces I was selling, so I eventually took my work back and gave up on the idea.  Today as I walked into the new Stone Harbor Museum it brought back memories as I headed to the window where my work was usually displayed.  The museum is presently just two large rooms, but does hold quite a few memories of Stone Harbor in years past.  The very first museum was opened in 1996 in an older Stone Harbor home that had been used by the Stone Harbor Elementary School for offices.  Today's new location is a big improvement from that home.  I did take a few photos to share with you of some of the displays they had to show the different periods of time in Stone Harbor.  Check out some of what my brother and I saw during our visit.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

This shows Stone Harbor when they had a Boardwalk which is dated 1917-1944. Click on images to enlarge them.

Old post card showing the boardwalk.

Photo showing the boardwalk after a hurricane hit the town in 1944.

On August 31, 1931 the largest sea plane to cross the Atlantic came by Stone Harbor on its way to New York City.  Known as the Dornier Do X from Germany.  It carried 100 passengers on three decks. 

A view as it is about to land.

Blimps were also competition for business such as the plane above.  This is a photo of the Hindenburg as it was passing Stone Harbor on its way to Lakehurst, New Jersey.  Shortly after this it burned.

You may be able to read the information on the photo telling you about the living room of this house being used as the Police Station.  Pictured is the family of Michael Lennon, the police chief.

Another photo of Michael and his family.

1943 Beach Patrol shirt

1930's women's wool bathing suit

1920's men's wool bathing suit

1930's men's wool bathing suit 

1918 lady's cotton bathing suit with leggings.

The "Life In The Sand Dunes" Story

It was an ordinary day.  The second day of vacation at Stone Harbor, New Jersey.  Carol and I arrived yesterday after driving through a blowing rain for a bit over three hours.  After we arrived we headed to our destination along Second Street near the south end of what is known as the Seven Mile Island which is comprised of both Avalon and Stone Harbor.  We are guests for a week with my brother Steve and sister-in-law Kathy as well as nephew Matt and his wife Katie and their one-year-old son John.  

Access to the beach has been restricted.

As we pulled into the driveway, which is about 100 yards from the beach, we could see that the beach had been barricaded and the sand dunes had been drastically changed due to a week of bad weather and the prospect of another bad week and possibly the arrival of a hurricane by the end of our stay.  We unpacked, ate lunch and tried to plan the rest of the day.  

When we were able to use the pathways you had to
walk through waist deep sand dunes.

Some decided to try and reach the beach to see what damage might have been done while I decided against it since I am still recovering from back surgery and am wearing a supporting harness.  From the second floor balcony I could see the sand dunes and the fact that they are doing exactly what they were meant to do...that being a narrow ribbon of sand that is nestled between the high-tide line of the beach and the landscaping of the beachfront homes that butt up against it.  

Here you can see the height of the dunes in the background.
The sand in the foreground was deposited there by the waves.
Here you can see the sea grasses that helped stop the sand and ocean.

The dunes of the Seven Mile Beach rise close to 14 feet with a few higher areas and in most places they form a single ridge.  Beaches automa- tically know the level of the sea and at times tend to move either landward or seaward.  In Avalon and Stone Harbor the Army Corp of Engineers, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Management and both boroughs spend millions of dollars annually to try and keep the beach to hold its same position.  The success of holding its position is dependent on the whims of Mother nature.  Having a healthy dune line and wide beach can change dependent on the time between storms.  

Another view showing the sand that was
washed into the dunes from the ocean.

The dunes are the first line of defense in a storm.  They have to sacrifice themselves to absorb the incoming wave attacks.  Following a storm the dune is cut back, leaving a steep cliff face to a beach that tends to be eroded.  Dunes are very fragile, yet resilient.  The plants are an important part of the dune.  American beach grass is the native grass and is adapted to life in harsh conditions.  The grass thrives in conditions of shifting sand, sand burial and high winds.  Their strong root system is the key to their survival.  The plants actually need the over wash of the ocean to deposit seaweed which supplies nutrients to feed the grass.  One of the few things that negatively affects dune grass is people walking on it.  That will kill the dune grass and harm the structure of the dunes.  Its imperative to use walkways designed to allow passage to the beach.  

Other plants bloom amongst the sea grasses.

There are also other plant species that live in the dunes.  One, known as Seaside goldenrod, shows its late summer and fall yellow flowers that draw monarch butterflies to them as they head to wintering grounds in Mexico.  Other birds and small mammals use the dunes for food, shelter and nesting.  On the beach-face dunes, Ghost crab burrows are always abundant.  When fall arrives mass groupings of tree swallows feed in the coastal dunes.  

The bulldozer cleared the pathways for beach traffic.

These birds consume close to 2,000 insects each day.  During migration they also feed on berries that grow in the dunes.  In the winter the snowy owl can be seen in the dunes as they move south from their northern homes.  The dunes that we witnessed during our week stay were dunes that definitely had protected the homes along the west side of the dunes.  Large piles of sand covered the dune fences which told us that the wind and waves had forced the sand from the ocean floor onto the dunes.  The plant life also helped save the homes from destruction as they helped stop the water from advancing.  

Here a Ghost crab is clearing his home of sand.

On our fourth day of vacation we were able to access the beach and bulldozers arrived to push the sand that had covered the pathways with close to five feet deep sand mounds.  The sea is a beautiful creature, but can be destructive.  The destruction can be halted if towns can prepare by planning their sand dunes accordingly.  We certainly witnessed that feat during our vacation.  The planning saved the homes along the shoreline and the beach plantings were a big part of that planning.  Congratulations to all involved in the constant restoration of the sand dunes along beaches all over the World.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Every day of vacation was as this one.  The sea mist kept you from seeing more than perhaps 100 yards and the sun was absent from our vacation this year.  Very few people frequented the beach.