The "Getting' Sentimental Again!" Story

It was an ordinary day. Just opened an email from an old time friend, Bill, who I went to elementary school with from 1950-1953. He lived a block from me and when his family moved to nearby Manheim, PA, I lost touch with him until high school when we both began working together at the Acme Supermarket along the Millersville Pike. He now lives in Arizona, but we still communicate via phone conversations and emails on a regular basis, he sending me right-wing emails while I return left-wing emails. At times we also exchange some emails that we know each other will enjoy and today I received one of those titled "Your life in old pictures." For those who may have grown up in the 40s, 50s and even 60s, you will appreciate the pictures while those who weren't even born during those eras … well, take a look and see all the neat things you missed in your life. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Another Dose Of Jimmy B" Story

It was an ordinary day.  The beach balls were flying, the colorful Hawaiian shirts were every- where, the palm trees were swaying and everyone had their hands in the air swaying to the left and then to the right as the Jimmy Buffett tribute band, Parrotbeach, blared out their rendition of "Fins."  

The Springettsbury Band Shell is full for the final free concert of their summer series.

There were close to a thousand fans in their beach chairs singing along to just about every song offered at the last of the summer concert series at Springettsbury Township, York, PA.  

Fins to the left, fins to the right.

Parrotbeach is a great Buffett tribute band which offers not only Buffet songs, but other Caribbean and raggae cover songs.  Well-known Buffet songs such as "Margaritaville", "Brown-Eyed Girl", "Cheeseburger in Paradise", "Volcano" and the ever popular "Fins" were the songs everyone sang along with as well as other Buffet hits such as "A Pirate Looks At 40", "One Particular Harbor" and my favorite "Come Monday".  

Band leader Remy St. Martin

The leader of this motley group is a guy known as Remy St. Martin who heads the band that also includes "Sunny D" on guitar, "Jah" on bass, "Hurricane Harris" on keyboards and "Spider Jon" on drums.  As the sun began to set to the west, the bandshell, which faces north-east, took on a different hue as the lights came on and the band stood out in the darkened crowd.  I grabbed my camera and headed to the front of the bandshell for a few photos of the group.  Just when I started across in front of the group, amidst a sea of swinging bodies, I passed one of the large speakers.  The sound, amplified through my hearing aides, was deafening.  

Many danced to the music.

I gathered a few dozen photos of the band as well as the crowd and headed back to my chair in the upper rows of the seating.  The crowd was included in many of the songs and it wasn't surprising that many in attendance knew the words to just about every song played tonight.  Well, for those, including Carol and myself as well as friends Jeannie and Hal, we thoroughly enjoyed the evening of music and fun and a chance to sing along to the songs of one of our favorite musicians.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Drummer "Spider Jon"

"Hurricane Harris" on keyboards

"Jah" on bass

"Sunny D" on guitar

     

The "Home Town Pride: Part II - The Caribbean" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Adding a few more towns to my story from yesterday which featured towns in the USA.  Today's story will feature a few home towns located in the Caribbean.  Carol and I have had the good fortune to travel to many of the Caribbean islands over the past fifteen or so years and during those visits traveled to quite a few towns on the islands.  Naturally hard to pick just a few home towns, but I have given it a try based on their traditions, achievements and beliefs which are part of the history of their town.  So, check out my picks for my favorite home towns in the Caribbean.

• Oistens, Barbados -  Neat little town on the southern portion of the parish of Christ Church.  
  
  The town, or village as they call themselves, is famous for their Friday Fish Fry.  A few shacks are found in a nearby strip mall, but the many stalls gathered together along the sand of this coastal town are the main attraction for the many visitors as well as locals who find their way to the tradition known as the Friday Fish Fry.
• Philipsburg, Sint Maarten -

  

  Philipsburg Court House

  This town is located on the southeastern side of the dual-country island of Sint Maarten/St. Martin.  The Dutch Capital is located between Great Bay and the Great Salt Pond.  The two main streets are Front and Back Streets with the majority of the tourist shopping located on Front Street.  Restaurants, gift shops and jewelry stores galore line both sides of Front Street which has cobblestone lining the street and palm trees that shade both sides of the street. 
• Nassau, Bahamas -

  

  Government Building in Nassau

  I know I may be stretching it a bit to call Nassau a town, but they still exude pride in their traditions and beliefs just as any other town would do.  Known today as a city, it was formerly known as Charles Town until it was burned by the Spanish in 1684 and then rebuilt and renamed Nassau in 1695 under governor Nicholas Trott in honour of the Dutch Stadtholder.  The Government Building, Straw Market, Pirates of Nassau Museum and Queen's Staircase are all great locations to visit as well as the many gift shops and art galleries that line the main street.
• Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas -  St. Thomas is one of the US Virgin Islands and Charlotte Amalie hosts the Legislature Building as well as the 17th-century Fort Christian, 99 steps staircase, Emancipation Garden, Market Square, Seven Arches Museum, St.
  
  Thomas Synagogue, Frederick Lutheran Church and the Weibel Museum. The streets of Charlotte Amalie are lined with duty-free jewelry shops, perfume vendors as well as many outdoor shopping plazas.  At times the vendors can be overbearing as they attempt to get you to visit their shops, but you quickly learn to ignore them.  We enjoy Charlotte Amalie, since it was one of the first towns we visited as we began our travels to the Caribbean.
• Old San Juan, Puerto Rico -

  

  El Morro

  This may really be more than a town, but to me it reminds me of what towns would have been like in the past.  The streets of Old San Juan are narrow with tall, colorful concrete buildings lining the stone streets.  To the north side of the town are twin forts that sit on either side of the city. The most historic is El Morro with its views to the west while La Fortaleza is called "The Fortress" because it was one of the settlement's early defensive structures. I enjoyed my visit to La Rogativa which is a sculpture next to the city gate and commemorates the town's religious fight against the British while outnumbered and facing defeat.  Another favorite visit was to the restaurant where the Pina Colada was allegedly invented.  There are many other fantastic historic sights to see, but way to many to list here.  Last October and November I did write a few stories of our visits to Old San Juan. 
• Orient Village, St. Martin -
  
  This may not qualify as a true town, due to it's small size, but nonetheless, it still is rich in tradition and draws tourists and town folks alike to the stores, shops, bars and many first-class restaurants.  Since Carol and I first discovered this small town/village back in the early 2000s, it has grown in size and draws patrons from all over the island.

Once again, I could continue to list many other small towns from all over the Caribbean, but each individual has their own favorites just as I do.  Perhaps my listings will give you an idea as to places to visit if you happen to decide to take a vacation or holiday to one of them.  It was another extraordinary day in the life if an ordinary guy.

The "Home Town Pride: Part I - The USA" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Sitting in the waiting room of my eye doctor, waiting until my eyes completely dilated in order for my doctor to examine me.  The room is softly lit, but bright enough that you can read the variety of magazines available in the room.  I picked up a copy of Susquehanna Life and began to leaf through it.  Stories about town after town along the Susquehanna River in southeastern Pennsylvania.  Got me thinking about all the small towns Carol and I have had the chance and honor to visit all over the globe and the pride each town has in its heritage.  Towns of all sizes are proud of their traditions, achievements and beliefs which are part of the history of their town.  Every town has stories to share with the visitors that may find their way to their town.  Some of my favorite towns in the USA which I have visited over my lifetime are:

• Still Pond, Maryland -  

  

  Doug Sassi Pottery

  Still Pond is located in Kent County and is a town that you have to keep your eyes open our you will miss it.  Some of my favorite locations in the town are a really neat old-town general store that displays photos of the town as it used to be and a small barn with a sign attached to it that reads "Pottery".  Stopped quite a few times to buy the beautiful pottery that potter Doug Sassi creates.  During our last trip to his barn we found that he has now started a touring business to Italy.
• Alexandria, Virginia -

  

  Scottish Walk Parade

  Alexandria is a town rich in history and beautifully preserved 18th and 19th century architecture. Located on the Potomac River with a view of nearby Washington, D.C.  Great restaurants line the downtown streets and create the backdrop for one of our favorite parades, the Scottish Walk Parade which is held the first week-end in December each year.  Plenty of Scottish bagpipes and Scottie dogs along with town dignitaries riding in classic cars make for a great time.  That evening we head to the river for the parade of boats along the Potomac River.  A final visit to The Torpedo Factory, an actual factory that at one time made torpedoes, the next day is a tradition to view all the artwork and crafts of the town's residents.
• State College, Pennsylvania -

  

  College Ave. and Allen Street

  Since our traveling friends, Jerry and Just Sue, have moved to State College, Carol and I have been making trips to their home to spend time with them and tour the small towns around State College.  But, State College, in Centre County, is truly a college town, dominated economically and demographically by the presence of Pennsylvania State University.  Carol and I always enjoy time with our friends and the chance to visit sections of the town, eat in one of the town's restaurants and travel along College Ave.  Truly a "Happy Valley."
• Chesapeake City, Maryland -

  

  Chesapeake City Bridge can be seen in the background.

  Perhaps my favorite town along the Chesapeake Bay and it's tributaries has some of my all-time favorite restaurants for food and relaxation along the C&D Canal.  Any season of the year is a great time for an hour drive to walk the old town streets and have a meal along the canal, hoping a large boat or barge will pass under the bridge that connects North and South Chesapeake Cities.
• Chestertown, Maryland -

  

  Chestertown waterfront.

  Another really neat little town along the Chester River which is a tributary that leads into the Chesapeake Bay.  The town was founded in 1706 and eventually became Maryland's second leading port behind Annapolis.  So many eclectic shops throughout the town with the little shop "Twigs and Teacups" our favorite.  Saturday morning farmer's market in the small park in the center of the town is also a fun stop.   
• Lititz, Pennsylvania -  

  

  Downtown Lititz, PA

  My final small town is no more than a few miles to the north of Lancaster.  I have recently written a series of stories about Lititz which garnered recognition two years ago when they were voted "Coolest Small Town in America."  So you see, it is popular all over the country.

My list could carry many more small towns whose pride makes it a great place to visit, but I would have to go on forever, listing at least another dozen or more favorites.  I have picked a few that are within driving distance from my hometown of Lancaster, PA.  Tomorrow I will give you some of my favorite home towns that are located outside the USA.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.