The "A Visit To The E-Town Fair" Story

It was an ordinary day. My wife, Carol, and I had just picked up our friends Jeannie and Hal and were headed to the Elizabethtown Fair for something to eat and a chance to listen to one of our favorite Rock-N-Roll groups, Flamin' Dick & the Hot Rods.  

We pulled into the parking area at the fair and when the guy directing traffic saw my Handicap Placard hanging from my car mirror he directed us to a great parking space right next to the band shelter where the group would be playing.  Got out and walked to the front of the bandstand where we placed our chairs and headed toward the food vendors.  It was the first time Carol and I had ever been to the Elizabethtown Fair so we enjoyed looking at the many stands that held games of chance as well as displays of food items that had been judged by the fair's judges.  

Night view of Elizabethtown Fair

One area featured old farm equipment, another featured farm animals while the Ferris wheel, Merry-Go-Round and other rides held lines of young children all waiting their turn to scream as they rode in circles.   We eventually made our way to the food vendors where all four of us gathered our evening meal and headed back to our chairs to eat and wait for the concert to start.  It was dusk when the lights came on and the stage came alive with five great musicians playing the songs of the 50s and 60s.  Some were brave enough to gather in front of the stage and dance to the rhythm of the music a few feet behind them.  In no time the sweat was dripping from their brows and their skin glistened from the colored lights that flashed off of them from the stage.  Many around us joined the band by singing along to our favorite songs from the 50s and 60s.  After 90 minutes of Ricky, Elvis, The Everly Brothers et al, the group took a 30 minute break.  Half the crowd departed leaving the rest of us a better view of the band and dancers who by now were beginning to lift their feet a bit slower.  After another half-hour of great music, the band bid their farewell to the applause of those remaining in the audience.  It never ceases to amaze me that after hearing the same songs by the same musicians over and over again by different bands, we never get tired of hearing the songs that gave a generation of music lovers some of the best times of our lives.  Thank you Flamin' Dick & the Hot Rods for renewing our love of good 'ole rock & roll.  It will never die as long as those from my era can tap our feet to the beat, sway from side to side and sing along to the lyrics of some of the best music every created.  Thank you Elizabethtown Fair for a grand evening with music and friends.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - Check out some of the photos I managed to take during the evening.

Trying to win a gold fish to take home.

Free vaccine shots were offered to those who needed them.

A stand with just about anything for sale. 

Trying to knock the bottles off the shelf.

Having a good time!

One of many farm pieces of equipment on display.

Just in case!

Had to be at least two dozen food stands.

It's time for some good 'ole Rock & Roll.

Flamin' Dick in person!

A couple other members of his band.

The "When A Hot Dog & Drink Were 10 Cents" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading about a fellow by the name of Joey Chestnut who recently broke his own World's Record for eating hot dogs in a 10 minute time span.  He ate 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes to beat his old record by one hot dog.  Now...how gross is that!  People actually tune in to the contest on television to see him stuff himself with hot dog after hot dog after hot dog etc.  Do you realize the average adult consumes between 1,550 and 3,000 calories a day.  

Joey winning the contest.

Joey consumed nearly 1,500 grams of fat and 2,000 grams of carbohydrates, as well as 55,000 grams of sodium, and what must be one heck of a post-contest stomach ache.  Guy must be nuts!  Can you imagine the amount of cholesterol he consumed in that amount of time?  And what's just as bad is that he beat the second place contestant by 32 hot dogs.  That guy ate 44 hot dogs and buns!  And, to top off all of that...Michelle Lesco became the new woman's champ by eating 30 3/4 hot dogs.  The women's winner last year was Miki Sudo who happened to be pregnant this year and didn't compete.  What I read didn't say couldn't compete, but didn't compete.  People actually bet on who will win and how many they will eat.  Chestnut was considered a  2400-1 favorite by William Hill Sportsbook entering the day when the event was held.  First of all, I can't believe anyone would consider eating hot dogs a sporting event.  The contest is sponsored by Nathan's Hot Dog Stand in Coney Island, New York and began in 1916.  Nathan Handwerker started the business that year when he created the hot dog recipe that he used while Nathan's wife Ida used her grandmother's secret recipe for the spices on the hot dog.  Jewish immigrant Handwerker arrived in New York City in 1912 and soon opened a store on Coney Island, Brooklyn.  Nathan and his wife spent their life's savings to open the hot dog stand that year.

Nathan's first hot dog stand 

 When he first opened he charged 5 cents for a hot dog.  A second store was opened on Long Beach Road in 1959 while yet another one opened in Yonkers, New York in 1965.  The original stand still exists today.  He also sells fried frog legs.  There are now more than 1,400 stores in all 50 states, Guam, the District of Columbia and 17 foreign countries.  Legend has it that on July 4, 1916, four immigrants gathered at the very first hot dog stand on Coney Island and made eating hot dog history. The contest today is still much the same today with contestants seeing who is the most patriotic by eating the most hot dogs.  And, to top off all of that...ESPN broadcast the Nathan's Hot Dog Contest Eating Contest.  During the contest the hot dog can be separated from the bun and eaten separately.  Many contestants run the bun in water to make it easier to swallow.  You are allowed to take a drink as needed.  The winners were awarded $10,000 and the Mustard Belt, a WWE-like bedazzled championship belt with the Nathan's logo on it.  And, to top that off, Joey Chestnut has his own line of condiments.  Years ago I watched the contest a few times, but not anymore.  Today it just about makes me sick thinking about anyone stuffing themselves with that many hotdogs when there are hundreds of people living within a few blocks in New York who would love to have one of two hot dogs so they don't starve.  Wouldn't that be a great thing for Nathan's to do?  Take a hot dog truck around some of the poor New York neighborhoods and spread joy and happiness by giving away hundreds of hot dogs in a bun.  Never will happen though, since it wouldn't be broadcast on TV for all to see.  So sad!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The "Reliving The Best Musical Times Of Our Lives" Story

 It was an ordinary day.  Leaving the Mt. Gretna Open-Air Playhouse after watching our second concert of the week at the neat little playhouse in the hills of Mt. Gretna.  

This year six concerts offered shows that featured groups such as "The Jersey Beach Boys," "The Everly Brothers Experiences," and "Lennon Live Presents John with George in Concert."  Carol and I along with our friends Jeannie and Hal visited twice during the first week and saw the Beach Boys and Lennon Live shows.  The playhouse holds quite a few people, but both shows which we attended had plenty of empty seats due to the closeness of the chairs and COVID-19.  Some wore masks while others chose not to do so.  We have been attending the concerts for many years and have heard numerous concerts that displays musicians that are every bit as good as the performers whose songs they perform.  We actually did get to see Ricky Nelson's sons in concert a few years ago who performed all of his most famous records.  Seems that attending concerts at Mr. Gretna during the cicada Festival has become a staple for music lovers who are all close to the 50 age bracket and above.  

The Mt. Gretna Playhouse

Gives all of us the chance to relive the music when Rock & Roll was king and you could actually dance to the music.  Concerts such as these had their beginnings in churches and family homes and were born in jazz halls in the early 1900s.  The concerts that we have seen at Mt. Gretna over the past many years were fueled by the birth of rock and roll.  As Rock and Roll became more popular and musicians rose to celebrity status, demand for live shows took off.  Promoters saw the opportunity to make money and draw big crowds when they featured the big name artists.  Who could ever forget Woodstock that had over 40,000 attendees.  I believe that number was underestimated, but that's what is published. As for my wife and myself, on August 25, 2005 Carol and I attended a concert at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia that featured Jimmy Buffett.  Something that I will never forget!  

Advertisement for the music festival

Now, the groups that were featured this year, and during most years, at Mt. Gretna don't feature the original musician, but performers, both individual and groups, that sound and at times look like the original performers.  From our seats near the rear of the playhouse, John Lennon looked very similar to the real John Lennon, but "The Beach Boys" and "Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons" would have a tough time claiming they were the real musicians at an airport check-in.  

Faux John Lennon

Seems that every year Mt. Gretna Playhouse tries to bring shows that are affordable for their audience of old-timers as well as good entertainers who try their best to perform and look like the original performers, many of whom are no longer living.  

Faux George Harrison

At times the volume is a bit high, but for those in the audience that are totally hard of hearing, they can once again relive their good 'ole Rock & Roll days when music was actually music!  Hey...I know some of you disagree with that last statement, but you try to dance to some...no most...of the music today and see how you do.  Well, I'm still singing along in my head to a few of the songs we heard a little over a week ago.  Perhaps it's because the volumn of the musicians was so intense that it caused the leaves on the trees outside the playhouse to drop while they are still green.  But...the ringing I still have in my head does help me to sing along as I drive my car to the doctor to have my hearing checked.  Luckily the show ended close to 10:00 PM so everyone in the audience could head home to bed.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "My Job Is Now Complete!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just pulled out of the parking lot at Grebinger Gallery in Neffsville, Pennsylvania for perhaps the last time as an employee.  I have finally decided it was time to retire...for good!  After working for 65 years, my work meter has expired.  My first job began when I was 12 years old when my Grandpap took me to Roots Market, a farmer's market near East Petersburg, Pennsylvania.  We visited the small animal auction where he bid on a box of a dozen or so guinea pigs for me.  Being that he was the only bidder, I came home with the guinea pigs.  Mom and dad loved the fact that I was now gong to raise guinea pigs in the backyard...Not!  Well, over the years I made quite a bit of money while raising and selling the guinea pigs to pet stores as well neighborhood friends.  At the age of 16, I sold the business to my 70 year old next door neighbor and began a job at the local Acme grocery store stocking shelves and running the cash register.  Wasn't long before I bought my first car to be used as transportation to work, school and finally college.  Did quit the job in my Junior year of college when I got a job at a rental business for a year or so before I began my career in teaching.  Spent the next 33 years as an Industrial Arts teacher while doing a variety of jobs during the summer months when I wasn't teaching or going back to college to gain more credits.  After retiring from teaching in 1999 I began a job at Grebinger Gallery in nearby Neffsville, Pennsylvania.  The owner and operator of the framing gallery was Keith Grebinger whom I had as a student in my classes in high school.  I went the next 22 years working part-time at the gallery and recently, after multiple problems with my back, decided it was time to call it quits.  I figured after working 65 years, it was finally time to call it quits.  I can now spend more time with my wife and friends as well as perhaps resume my one-time hobby of stained glass once again.  

The final framed piece of artwork that I did for Keith (on left) at Grebinger Gallery

Also will give my wife and I more time for traveling to visit family as well as a few of our favorite islands in the Caribbean.  And, it will also give us a chance to prepare for moving to a smaller home or perhaps a move to a retirement community where we can live with people who also no longer work!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  

The "The Home For Friendless Children" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Sitting in St. Anthony of Padua Church in the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Beautiful church that is one of the oldest Catholic churches in Lancaster.  The parish was founded in 1870 with the dedication of the church coming in 1875.  The majority of the congregation at the time was German speaking with all Masses celebrated in Latin and the sermons preached in German.  When World War I ended, the German language was discontinued.  In the 1920s the population of the parish became Italian with the Mass celebrated in Italian.  

St. Anthony of Padua Church in Lancaster, PA

St. Anthony of Padua has always been known to welcome parishioners of varied ethnic backgrounds.  In 1987 the upper church was restored and the lower church was restored in 2019.  St. Anthony has helped Catholic immigrants by celebrating Mass in the lower church in several languages.  During the 1960s and 70s Mass was celebrated in Spanish and from 1986  to June of 2015 in Vietnamese.  Truly a welcoming church for all!  They say they are a continuation of the life of Christ in the lives of our parish members.  My visit in the 1960s was interesting and I could see many parts of the service that shared the same theology that my church, St. James Episcopal, shares with its members as well as visitors.  I recently read a short article that dealt with St. Anthony Church that was titled "Personal Moments in the History of The Home For Friendless Children, 1900-1941."  The article told about a group of 7th and 8th graders in the church who were working on a play they were going to perform about the history of the parish.  They were going to call the play "A Circle of Hands."  

The Title for the play.

The basic idea for the play told that the people who formed the parish used their hands to create a church that is our heritage, and that their spirits remain, watching over us, as we do the same for coming generations.  Research for the play took place in the church's archives and at that time they uncovered some interesting historical information about the Home for Friendless Children which was located at the corner of South Ann and East End Avenue.  Frank and Bernardine McClain lived in a duplex that still exists on the 400 block of E. King Street.  They were known to have walked to church as they harmonized their favorite melodies while walking to Mass at St. Anthony.  They had been married on Valentine's Day in 1888.  Bernardine was the niece of Monsignor Bernard Keenan, pastor of St. Mary's Church in Lancaster.  It was she who laid the groundwork for the establishment of St. Anthony's in 1870.  Their only child had died in infancy so they decided to dedicate their lives to the children of the Home for Friendless Children who were orphaned boys and girls from the ages of 4 to 12.  

The Home for Friendless Children in Lancaster, PA

Frank was known as "The Red Rose of Lancaster" since he always wore a red rose in his lapel.  He earned a Doctorate of Law from Villanova University and served as Mayor of Lancaster from 1910 to 1914.  He resigned that position so he could become Lieutenant Gov. of Pennsylvania from 1915 to 1919.  During his time in public service he proposed measures to give assistance to Homes for Friendless Children.  Mr. and Mrs. McClain contributed as much as they could of both their time and money.  They were both trustees of the home and Frank enjoyed his role as Santa Claus every Christmas by delivering gifts to all at the home.  He encouraged the citizens of Lancaster to donate to the cause.   The Home for Friendless Children was closed in 1941 and sold to the state in 1955.  It was then demolished and the Garden Spot apartments were built at that location.  The photo that I have included shows the home with the happy boys and girls standing in front of it.  

The Home for Friendless Children showing the children on the steps/

Everyone who knew Frank and Bernardine are hoping that the boys and girls are still with them now and joining in the never-ending Circle of Hands.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.   

The "Gathering The Light" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading about a photographic process that I at one time had my 1st level photography students try in order to understand the art of photography.  We made pin-hole cameras. We would take a piece of card stock, preferably a dark-colored card stock, and cut a one-inch hole in the center of it.  Over that we would tape a piece of aluminum foil.  On the foil we would place a pin hole made with a needle.  At this point we would test it by going outside and placing a second piece of white card stock on the ground with the piece of card stock that had the foil in it above it.  With the sun at your back, hold the card stock with the hole in it about a foot above the other piece and you should see an image on the bottom piece of card stock.  The closer you got to the bottom piece the smaller the projection of light would be on it.  If you shade the bottom piece you will see a more clearly defined circle projected on it from the top piece.  You can then make a series of holes on the top piece to see a more creative image on the bottom one.  You have created a pin-hole camera.  Early pinhole cameras were much the same with a dark box with a small hole in it that would allow the image to enter and create an inverted image on the opposite side.  The early pinhole cameras were made much the same, but the image was made permanent through the use of chemicals such as oil of lavender and bitumen of Judea along with a pewter plate to receive the image.  One day in the 1820s a French inventor by the name of Nicéphore Niépce applied a thin coating of Bitumen of Judea to a  pewter plate, placed it in his box camera  and took a photograph of parts of the buildings and surrounding countryside of his estate, producing what is usually described as the first photograph.  

The first photograph!

It is considered to be the oldest known surviving photograph made in a camera.  The plate was exposed in the camera for about eight hours.  The bitumen was hardened and made insoluble in the brightest areas of the image.  The unhardened part was then rinsed away with a solvent.  His objective was a photo-etching process since engraving required the intervention of a physical rather than chemical process and lithography involves a grease and water resistance process.  As for my photography class, the lesson was to show how much effort was put into what they were about to do with a 35mm camera and a roll of black and white film.  Their medium was to be light.  Some time ago I read an article in the local newspaper written by Doug Harper who described what I just did, but with one third the words.  He went on to tell of an assignment he had experienced were he went with a very old man, a female photographer and himself to a cemetery in the woods near Avondale, Pennsylvania.  He noticed how the photographer kept looking at the old man's eyes as they caught the reflected light of the scenes as they passed.  It was at that point that he realized the photographer was actually an artist.  He described the photographer as a journalist coldly waiting to pounce on the light with it's magic.  Photographers are bound by reality and rely on instinct to get that awe-inspiring photograph.  On one occasion a photographer arrived at my home for a photograph for a story they were doing on one of my blog stories.  He instantly checked the light in my living room and had me move to a different location.  Then, to create the effect he wanted to tell in my story, he had me move a few times as he searched and searched for just the right light.  Doug described it this way...writers chase words while photographers chase light.  The artist in the photographer is the part where they gather the light, mechanically or digitally.  Then they must chose the hour, spot and angle as well as frame the photo with the lens.  He is capable of altering that light to make it a piece of art.  It only becomes real when he clicks the camera lens.  Many say that the artist is far more superior than the photographer when it comes to gathering light.  Ask an artist what they think.  They can create the light they want with a brush, but the photographer has just an instant to do the same thing with their camera.  If they miss their opportunity, the photograph may never be the same while the artist has time to make changes to his masterpiece.  Now...I write this as a photographer and not an artist.  An artist friend of mine may write it entirely different.  It takes both of us to make it visible to the viewer.  And the viewer may rejoice in one rendition while the next viewer may have a different taste.  It's all in the eye of the beholder as someone very famous said one time.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy    

The "Are We Up For Another Sedition/Treason Trial?" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading a bit more about escaped slaves and several white people who aided their escape into Lancaster County, Pennsylvania back in the early 1850s.  They were charged with treason in 1851 for resisting U.S. Marshals who were trying to capture the slaves.  I have visited a few locations in the past where the events took place and written about them on this site.  Those involved and charged received acquittals after lawyers argued the resistance was not the same as "levying war" which was synonymous with treason.  I became interested in cases of sedition and treason after watching more and more stories about the storming of Capitol Hill on January 6 of this year.  Seems like cases involving sedition and treason are very rare with fewer than a dozen Americans convicted for treason in our nation's history.  The case I just listed, which took place in Christiana, Pennsylvania, a borough in Lancaster County, was one of a half-dozen or so that have occurred in American history.  The earliest one I found took place in 1807 when former Vice-President Aaron Burr was tried for treason for allegedly plotting to urge some states into leaving the Union as part of military adventures to seize land from Spain and Mexico.  To be tried for treason you have to levy war against the United States or give foreign enemies aid and comfort.  Since Burr didn't actually go to war, he was acquitted.  Other big names in U.S. history who have been charged with sedition and or treason are (1) Jefferson Davis who was the President of the Confederacy who was charged with treason.

Jefferson Davis

The charge was later dropped to help the North and South gain unity after the Civil War.  (2) Iva Toguri D'Aquino, also known as Tokyo Rose, who broadcast anti-American programs.  She was convicted in 1949 of giving aide and comfort to Japan and served 6 years of a 10 year sentence.  

Tokyo Rose

She was eventually pardoned by President Ford after it was proven that US authorities pressured witnesses to lie at trial.  She was also said to have smuggled food and medicine to our prisoners of war in Japan.  There were a few other US citizens of Japanese and German descent who were convicted of treason for giving aide to Imperial Japan and Nazi Germany.  (3) Yet, another American charged with treason against the US was Adam Gadahn who was known as Azzam the American.  

Adam Gadahn

He was said to have given al-Qaida aid and comfort, with intent to betray the United States.  He was killed by a US drone strike in Pakistan before being put on trial.  (4) Sheikh Amar Abdel-Atman was charged with seditious conspiracy in the 1990s.  He was an Egyptian cleric who plotted to bomb New York City landmarks.  He and nine followers were convicted in 1995 for a plot to blow up the United Nations, the FBI building and two tunnels and a bridge linking New York and New Jersey.  He died in federal prison in 2017.  In 2010 the Hutaree militia was charged with inciting an uprising against the government.  A judge ordered acquittals on the sedition charges in 2012 saying the hateful diatribes were protected by the First Amendment.   Another case in 1954 saw seditious conspiracy charges successfully brought in the storming of the Capitol Building.  Four Puerto Rican activists rushed the building and opened fire on the House floor, wounding several representatives.   The four, and another dozen others, were convicted.  Another leader of a Puerto Rican independence group, Oscar Lopez Rivera, initiated a bombing campaign that left dozens of people dead or maimed in the 1970's and 1980's.  He spent 35 years in prison before having his sentence commuted in 2017.  So, what will happen with our recent storming of the Capitol Building?  Will anyone be charged with sedition or treason?  Or...will it all be forgotten?  Will anyone at all be charged in the disgraceful display of violence on our Nation's Capitol Building?  If not...it will certainly encourage the same behavior in the future.  Someone had to be responsible for the actions on January 6.  Who were the guilty parties?  I'm sure each and everyone of us has their own beliefs as to he guilty parties.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Switching Places With A Former Student" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Opened the local "Merchandiser" newspaper and staring back at me from page 3 was a former student of mine, Art Reist.  Art and his twin brother Al were two of my favorite students while they were in high school.  They both loved the Industrial Arts curriculum and were very knowledgable students who lived and worked on their family farm on Eden Road in the Manheim Township School District in Lancaster, PA.  More than 30 years ago, Art went to auctioneer school in Mason City, Iowa.  One of his assignments in the course was to identify 100 items that were located in a pole barn full of antiques.  A newspaper story said that the professor boasted that no one had ever received a perfect grade on the test.  There was actually one item that the professor did not know.  That was a challenge to Art who identified every one of the items including the one that the professor did not know.  As I continued to read the article, I found out that Art was going to be at the local library that was a hop, skip and jump from my house.  Told my wife I was going to have to make a visit to see Art once again and see all the tools he was bringing along to share with those who came to see his collection of farming tools and artifacts.  Arrived at the library a few minutes before the presentation and immediately saw Art standing by his many tables of tools from his collection.  

Art Reist and his high school teacher.

We both had a big smile on our faces as I walked up to him and shook his hand.  We talked a few minutes as someone took our photo and it was time for him to begin his presentation.  Art had over 50 items he had brought with him with many not being familiar to me.  I sat and watched as he began his presentation with the help of his Mother and Father as well as his wife.  

One of many tables of tools

His items included tools relating to tobacco, Conestoga wagons and farming antiques.  His knowledge of farm equipment as well as Conestoga Wagon parts was amazing.  His explanations of the many pieces in front of him was impressive.  A few in the audience had questions for Al who answered everyone with a logical and easy to understand answer.  Al lives on the family farm along Eden Road and he told of a large painting of a Conestoga Wagon and horses on the side of the barn.  I hadn't been past his farm for a few years, so I took a drive on the way home past the barn and took a photograph of the painting to share with you.  

Painting on the Rest farm barn of a Conestoga wagon with horses. 

I had an enjoyable morning listening to one of my former students impress everyone in the room, including myself, with his knowledge of farming equipment and Conestoga wagons.  I'm going to have to pay a visit to Art to see his farm in person.  I'm sure he'll be a great host.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - A few tools follow..

Broad Axe

Rigging to hold horses in place on a Conestoga wagon.

Tool used to cut barley.

Bells placed on the horses on a Conestoga wagon.

Reist family farmhouse.

The "Truly A Field Of Dreams" Story

 It was an ordinary day.  Reading about a local father by the name of Josh who, along with his son Joe, made the trek to Iowa recently to watch the game played by the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees on what today is known as "The Field of Dreams."  "Field of Dreams" is a 1989 American sport's fantasy drama film based on a 1982 novel called "Shoeless Joe."  

Movie Poster

In the film, a farmer builds a baseball field in his cornfield that attracts the ghosts of baseball legends, among others, Shoeless Joe Jackson and the Chicago Black Sox.  The movie's plot tells the story of Ray Kinsella who lives with his wife and daughter on an Iowa corn farm.  John fears growing old without achieving anything so one evening, while walking through his cornfield, hears a voice that whispers to him saying, "If you build it, he will come."  He sees a vision of a baseball diamond in his cornfield with "Shoeless" Joe Jackson standing in the middle of it.  Ray tells his wife about the 1919 Black Sox Scandal who then agrees with her husband's dream.  The story plot goes on and on and would take me paragraphs to tell it, but I will tell you that the movie was fantastic, especially for someone such as myself who loves the sport of baseball and who coached both his sons and now has the chance to see his grandson play "America's Game."  The character of Ray Kinsella was played by Kevin Costner who was a perfect match for the movie character.  So real that to this day, Kevin to me is actually Ray Kinsella.  Filming for the original movie began on May 25, 1988 with scenes of the farm filmed on the farm of Don Lansing who lived in Dyersville, Iowa.  In 2019, Major League Baseball announced that it would hold a special neutral-site regular season game between the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees at the Dyersville site on August 13, 2020, playing on an 8000-seat field constructed adjacent to the original field, with a pathway connecting the two.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Major League Baseball announced that the game was postponed until 2021.  The game was finally held earlier this month between the White Sox and Yankees.  And, sitting in the stands was Josh and his son Joe who made the trip from Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  The Lancaster newspaper told Josh's story of playing baseball in his youth and how it has carried through into his fatherhood.  Josh graduated from nearby Warwick High School in 1998 and now has three children, with Joe being the youngest at age 11.  When Joe began playing, his coach was his dad Josh.  Over the years, the two have watched the movie "Field of Dreams" many times. 32 years after the movie debuted, the first Major League Baseball game was to be played in Iowa on the newly-constructed diamond adjacent to the original Field of Dreams.  Josh found out about the game days before it would happen, but hatched his plan of taking his son to see the game.  He approached his wife who told him to "Just do it!"  Before long Josh and son Joe were headed to Dyersville, Iowa, but had to stay in a hotel in Wisconsin due to a lack of rooms closer to the Iowa ballfield.  They arrived at the Field of Dreams baseball diamond about 2 p.m. and had a chance to play catch on the same baseball diamond as in the movie.  Josh said that he was rolling some ground balls to Joe at shortstop and they also got to walk into the corn.  

Josh and son Joe at the game.  Photo submitted to local newspaper.

The crowd of 8,000 got to see the players walk through the corn stalks in the outfield, just as in the original movie.  And, they also got to see a fantastic game with the Sox beating the Yankees with a walk-off homer.  Josh said that the game was overwhelming.  Josh got the love of the sport from his dad and is now passing it on to his son, Joe.  Josh actually took his dad's glove with him to the game.  He said, "I wanted to bring that glove to have that experience and that moment to reflect as far as what fatherhood means in relation to baseball.  This whole trip...baseball is just the connective tissue...I'm fortunate we were able to do this."  I am one generation older than Josh, but also would have felt the same way had I been in his place.  Having the love of baseball embedded in me by my dad as a child and having the chance to coach both my sons and now getting to revisit the game through my grandson...well, it's priceless!  You would really have to have lived it in my footsteps to feel the same feelings that I have for the game of baseball and my son-father-grandfather relationship.  I'm sure that Josh feels the same.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.     

  

The "'Commons', A Place For Fun & Celebration" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Cool, with a few drops of rain falling.  Not a great day for a picnic.  As a child I remember many a fun time while picnicking at Long's Park in the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  At the time (late 1940's to early 50's) Long's Park was our "Commons" area, the place to go to have fun.  Huge park with plenty of room for sports, a pond for fishing and a few big sliding boards.  Long's Park was a great place for all to have fun and a picnic lunch.  Another nearby town, Columbia, also had a "Commons" area along the Susquehanna River.  Great place for boating as well as games and a meal.  Years ago, Boston, Massachusetts had the oldest park, or "Commons" area in the nation.  Many other New England towns also had "Commons" areas that were owned by the public.  Lancaster actually had a "Commons" area  that was an open field opposite the Locomotive Works in Lancaster's Northeastern Ward.  In the Lancaster Daily Evening Express of April 27, 1870, it was said that Lancaster's "Commons" area operated from the early 1860's through the 1880's.  It was primarily a place where Lancaster residents gathered to view a variety of entertainment - from a turkey shoot in November, 1869 to Forepaugh's Menagerie and Circus in October of 1870.  A few years later houses began to be built on the fields where the "Commons" area was located.  It wasn't until the mid-1880's that the "Commons" was closed.  

Lancaster's Commons

One of the largest events ever held at the site was in the late April 1870 celebration of the ratification of the 15th Amendment to the Constitution, the amendment that enfranchised Black men.  Congress had ratified the 15th Amendment that February.  Two months later about 300 Black residents of Lancaster held a mass parade from Bethel AME Church, on East Strawberry Street, to the "Commons".  Several thousand residents, mostly white, met them there to celebrate.  The parade featured bands, riders on horseback and a wagon in which 20 Black girls dressed in white and waving miniature flags.  Mr. E. H. Rauch. local clerk of courts, a newspaper publisher and Civil War veteran,  gave a speech at the "Commons" and told of his involvement in the Underground Railroad.  It was the first time he acknowledged that he had been a white spy for U.S. Rep. Thaddeus Stevens in the 1840s and 50s.  The Rev. Robert Boston, pastor of Bethel AME and organizer of the parade and celebration, talked to the crowd and said that he had also helped Rauch by spying on the slave catchers in Lancaster.  This gathering was the first time that Black people had gathered for a political demonstration in Lancaster.  

A panorama of the area I suspect was Lancaster's Commons.

Today I tried to find the location of the "Commons."  After a few times around a series of different city streets, I believe I found an open area that maybe was the "Commons" at one time.  If not the exact location, it more than likely is close to the original location of Lancaster's Commons.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Happy World Photography Day" Story

It was an ordinary day.  So ordinary that I almost forgot to celebrate World Photography Day with you.  Two days ago, on August 19th, the world observed World Photography Day.  World Photography Day is a globally recognized celebration of photography and its history.  It happened to be on August 19 when we celebrated the invention of the Daguerrotype which was devised  by France's Louis-Jacques-Mandé Dagueerre in 1837.  His invention was sold to the French Academy of Sciences which they then gifted to the world on August 19, 1839.  But, we didn't begin to celebrate World Photography Day until 1991.  In 1988  Indian professional photographer OP Sharma got the idea to do so.  He approached  several world master photographers as well as the Photographic Society of America with the idea of celebrating the day, since August 19 was the recorded date that the French Government  announced the invention of the Daguerreotype process of photography as a "free gift to the world."  Three years later a decision was made by all involved and the world began celebrating World Photography Day.  Now, if you have never heard of Louis Daguerre, he was an artist and physicist who became a famous theatre designer.  He was a business partner with inventor Joseph Nicéphore Niépce whose heliography method is the forebearer of the photographic process.  Niépce's image "View From The Window At Le Gras," recorded on a polished sheet of pewter plate coated with light-sensitive bitumen in 1826 is the earliest surviving permanent image from nature.  Daguerre later developed his own unique process following Niépce's death in 1833.  He invented the Daguerreotype in 1837, which was a positive image recorded on a copper plate coated with silver iodide.  Latent images produced in a camera were developed by exposure to mercury vapor and then fixed by a strong salt solution.  

Mr. Louis Daguerre

Mr. Daguerre sold his invention to the French Academy of Sciences in exchange for an annual pension of 6,000 francs as well as an annual stipend of 4,000 francs to the Niépce estate.  The process was announced on January 7, 1839 with free, full details given to the world on August 19 of that year.  Each photograph was unique, since no negative was made in this process.  Daguerre's "View Of The Boulevard du Temple", taken from the window of his apartment in Paris in 1838, is a unique example of early street photography that includes the first known recorded image of a human being.  

View of the Boulevard du Temple

Since the exposure took close to 15 minutes to record, only the man getting a shoeshine stayed still enough to be recorded.  Finally, after all those years, World Photography Day had become reality.  I had my camera out taking photographs of my two cats this past Thursday, World Photography Day!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Snickerdoodle

The Gray Lady

 

The "This Isn't Something You Can Make Up!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading the local newspaper when I saw a familiar face staring back at me.  Under the mugshot was the name, Donald Meshey Jr.  Ah!  Then it hit me...he was the guy I bought my Mitsubishi from a few years ago at Lancaster Mitsubishi at the corner of North Prince and McGovern Ave.  As I began to read the story I couldn't believe that Mr. Meshey did what the article said he did.  Seems he admitted to stabbing what he said was a "cadaver doll" at his residence in the Cabbage Hill area in the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  The "cadaver doll" was actually his father, Donald Lawrence Meshey Sr. whom he stabbed with a knife until he was dead, cut off his head and placed it in the freezer of his kitchen.  A neighbor woman became concerned for the welfare of family members living at the Meshey house when Donald Jr. told her there was a body in a bed and a head in the freezer.  A Lancaster City Police officer was summoned by the woman who arrived at the home and spoke with Mr. Meshey who led the officer to the kitchen of the apartment and removed what appeared to be a human head from the freezer.  The officer immediately called for backup and secured the scene.  Soon after, investigators arrived and were told by Mr. Meshey that he had found what he described as a "cadaver doll" in his father's bedroom, which he said looked and sounded like his father.  

Mr. Donald Meshey, Jr. 

After stabbing the "doll", which he said took two to three minutes with a knife, he then dismembered the body.  Shortly after Mr. Meshey was arrested and charged with criminal homicide, abuse of a corpse and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.  He naturally is being held for arraignment.  So, what happened to this car salesman to turn him into a deranged murderer.  One acquaintance said he had a temper, but not in excess.  And, about a half-year ago he pushed a woman into some boxes causing her minor injuries that resulted in Mr. Meshey being charged with harassment and pleading guilty in front of a District Judge.   But, there were many people who were shocked when they heard about the accusations against Mr. Meshey.  A one-time girlfriend said she never knew him to have a temper and couldn't make sense of what had happened.  She also said that his dad was the sweetest guy.  She actually ran into both the father and son the weekend before the murder and nothing seemed unusual.  He lived with his parents at 202 W. Strawberry Street in the Cabbage Hill section of the city of Lancaster.  

202 W. Strawberry Street, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Seems that he was very frustrated during COVID and wasn't working much due to it.  He was very outspoken due to the restrictions and politics of COVID.  But, there must have been something that caused this guy to murder his father and behead and dismember him.  And, to show the police what he had done as if it were acceptable.  Some say he might have been crazy due to drugs.  I just can't imagine anyone doing what he did to his father.  Mr. Meshey Jr. has now been arrested and charged with criminal homicide, abuse of a corpse and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.  He is currently being held for arraignment.  The police are asking for any help that may give them information as to what really happened at 202 W. Strawberry Street.  Justice will be served, but what a sad day it was in Lancaster's Cabbage Hill.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The "Odds Of 300,000 - 1? No Way!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading about one of my all-time favorite baseball players who played for my Philadelphia Phillies.  Richie Ashburn, known to just about every Phillies fan, as "Whitey", was a fantastic ballplayer who joined the team in 1948 after serving in the U.S. Military.  In his very first season he played in 117 games, had a batting average over .333 as well as stealing 32 bases.  He was one of the "Whiz Kids" who made our Phillies one of the best teams in baseball.

Richie "Whitey" Ashburn

After ten years of playing for the Phillies he managed the best batting average in the National League, posting a .338 average in 1955 and a .350 average in his final year.  In his rookie year he was runner-up in batting average and two years later he batted .341 and finished second to Stan Musial who batted .355.  He led the National League in singles four times as well as leading the league in triples twice.  

Ashburn baseball card

In 1950 he won the triples crown with 14 and in 1958 with 13.  He had a knack of getting on base which was proven four times during his career when he led the league in on-base percentage; posting a .441 in 1954, .449 in 1955, .440 in 1958 and .415 in 1960 when he was playing for the Chicago Cubs.  He also led the league in walks in 1954, 1957, 1958 and 1960.  During his 2,189 games he had 234 stolen bases.  He led the league in plate appearances four times, games played twice and fewest errors six times.  He led my Phillies to the World Series in 1950, but couldn't take them to the championship which was won by the hated New York Yankees.  He provided me, as well as all Phillie fans, with many on-field memories.   But, one of the biggest memories took place in the stands when on August 17, 1957, when the Phillies were playing the New York Giants at Connie Mack Stadium.  Nearly 8,000 fans were in attendance when Richie fouled off a pitch.  It headed towards third base where it struck a lady by the name of Alice Roth, who was the wife of The Philadelphia Bulletin sports editor,  The foul ball struck her in the face and broke her nose.  Play was paused as medics tended to Alice who by now had blood all over the fans and seats near her.  The medics loaded Alice onto a stretcher and began to carry her from the area when Richie stepped back into the batter's box.  

Medics helping Alice Roth after being hit by Richie's foul ball.

The next pitch was fouled off and headed...yep... in the same direction where it hit Alice while she lay on the stretcher and broke a bone in her leg.  Now, what are the chances of that happening?  Can you imagine how bad Richie must have felt.  Alice never sat close to the field again.  Richie and Alice did become friends shortly after the occurrence and Richie later wrote for the Philadelphia Bulletin where Alice's husband worked.  The newspaper wrote that the odds of that happening to someone are 300,000 to 1.  My guess would have been a little higher than that!  At least the Phillies won the game 3-1 with Ashburn in his typical lead-off spot going 2-4 with a double. The electric "Whiz Kid" was one of my all-time favorite players in baseball. Came in a close second to my all-time favorite, Willie Mays.

My two favorites...Richie and Willie

But, whenever the Phils played the Giants, Richie was my "man."  And, I tried to mimic Richie when I played baseball as a young child and teenager.  Only problem was I was slow, had to wear glasses to see the ball, and couldn't run a "lick."  Hey, I knew there could only be one Richie, so I didn't feel bad when I came in second to him all the time!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.