The "As The Crow Flies" Story

It was an ordinary day.  A very unusual day due to the high temperatures we have experienced in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania this winter.  Only twice this winter have I had to clean the snow off the wooden sidewalks and both times it was only about an inch deep.  I won't say I don't enjoy the fact that we haven't been inundated with the white stuff, but I know many people rely on snow to earn a living in the winter.  With Lancaster having a latitude of 40.044437 degrees, winter days in the 50s and even the low 60s are rare, but we have been blessed, in my estimation, with quite a few of those days this year.  

The sleek-looking black crow

Today has been one of those days, mild with a slight breeze coming from the west, and as I sat in my recliner at 7:38 pm watching "Jeopardy", I was startled by the loud "boom" outside my family room window.  "What was that?" I said to my wife.  Before she had a chance to respond, it happened again.  And then again. "I'll bet those are the cannons going off at Park City Mall," she said to me.  Every fall, one of our local shopping malls, Park City Center, fires miniature cannons to try to persuade the crow population, that happens to arrive every fall on their way to ... I haven't the faintest idea where, to leave the mall area where they bomb the customers and splatter their latest meal over the cars parked in the lot.  Usually they leave and find their way to ... my neighborhood which is about a mile from the the shopping center.  

Crows gather in my walnut trees next to my home.

The American crow is one of America's best known bird.  They are fairly large, compared to other local birds, and do make a mess on the driveway and at times on the siding of the house, but they are an interesting bird.  I love their sleek color, their call and find they are a fairly intelligent bird.  Read that they can count to three or four, are good at solving puzzles, have good memories and can associate various noises and symbols with food.  That explains why they gather on our barren walnut trees when they hear and see me fill up the bird feeders.  But they almost always disappear when the weather report indicates severe cold weather.  

At our local Manheim Township Public Library was
recently held the 3rd Annual "All-Crow" Community
Art Show.  This piece of art is titled "Poe" and
was nominated for "Best In Crow" award.

And, that is why they are still in the neighborhood.  I got to know crows very well when I went to see Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" in 1963.  Most everyone hated crows after that movie.  Well, Lancaster has been trying to coax the crows to move on by a variety of methods over the past couple of years.  Back in 2004 Lancaster's method of eliminating the crows was to poison them.  Four townships backed the move until they realized that the dead crows were ending up in elementary school playgrounds.  It was also the same time when bald eagles were making a comeback in Lancaster County and the eagles were eating the dead carcasses and dying.  

As part of the show, "Haiku", a traditional form of Japanese
poetry may be submitted.  Haiku poems consist of 3 lines.  The
first and last lines have 5 syllables while the middle line has
7 syllables.  The lines rarely rhyme.  In this case they deal with crows. 

Plus the fact that the poison was being spread on farmland which in turn went into the watershed which ended in our drinking water.  Eventually the Lancaster Crow Coalition formed and has slowly succeeded in the humane displacement of crows to less urban areas.  I must admit that over the past ten or more years I have learned so much about crows and their idiosyncrasies and nuances.  I really don't mind their noisy talk in my walnut trees or the white blotches on my driveway, since I know they are only passing through and will be gone as fast as they arrive.  All except this year when the weather has been extremely mild.  Hope global warming doesn't spoil my acceptance of the crows!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  

The "The Rather Unusual Traveling Art Gallery" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Sitting in the Bullfrog Brewery & Restaurant with my wife and friends Jerry and Just Sue waiting for our meals to arrive.  We had been driving around downtown Williamsport hunting for the Transportation Museum when we came upon the Bullfrog and thought it would be a good time to have our lunch.  While sitting at the table Carol mentioned that she and I saw a sign on the building next door that it was the museum we had been hunting for.  I told them I would take a quick look while they waited for our food.  As soon as I left the restaurant I turned right toward where we had seen the sign, and was met with one of the most unusual pieces of transportation I had ever seen.  

Old Chevrolet school bus with a
VW Bus welded on top of it.  

Naturally thought it was part of the musuem until I stuck my head inside the vehicle and asked the fellow inside about it.  It was at that moment that I met Leroy who was the extremely proud owner of the dual bus; a1959 Chevrolet School Bus and a 1963 VW Bus welded atop the '59 Chevy.  Yep, a 1959 school bus with a 1963 VW bus sitting atop it.  Never have seen anything like it.  Talked for a few minutes and told him I would return as soon as I finished by meal inside the Bullfrog.  Headed back to my table in the restaurant with the news of my discovery; telling everyone that the sign was part of a painted display on the building next to the Bullfrog as well as my discovery of the unique means of transportation sitting next to the restaurant.  After our forgettable meal, we headed outside where I once again met Leroy as well as his wife who was busy repainting a section of the bus.  

Leroy's wife doing some touchup to
the outside of her movable home.

He invited me inside where I found that he had made the interior into an art gallery for the day and was welcoming guests to view the paintings that his wife had done.  He told me about the bus that had a kitchen with stove and fridge, a small bathroom and a bed that hung from the top of the front part of the Chevy that had a hole cut into the roof where the VW Bus was located on the top.  Naturally the VW had been gutted and the floor of the vehicle had been removed.  Hanging from the ceiling of the Chevy was a panel that could be lowered for sleeping or as a table.  Very unique to say the least.  He had done all the transformation work and his wife had painted all the painting which graced the inside of the bus.  I had the chance to also meet his two children when I walked up the few steps into the bus.  Little one was having something to eat while his older daughter asked if she could try my camera.  Took it from in front of my face and asked her to take my photo.  

Another view of the movable art gallery disguised as a bus.

She had a great time taking a few photos while I looked around the inside of her movable home.  Leroy told me they are traveling around the United States trying to sell his wife's work.  Have been doing so for the past two years.  They were in the parking lot today since his wife has a few of her photos hanging inside the Bullfrog, trying to sell them.  I asked for my camera back and after snapping a few of my own, I exited the bus to return to my companions.  We took one more look at the unique bus and headed back to the car to once again try and find the museum.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an oridnary guy. 

Leroy's two young children who travel with their parents around the United States.

Leroy shows me his wife's artwork which is part of the art gallery for the day.  He is standing in his kitchen while the door to the rear is the lavatory.  Above him is a bed/table that is lowered to eat and sleep.  Very unique vehicle that I could not inhabit.  It takes a special family to accomplish what Leroy and his family are doing.  I wished the best of luck on his adventure.

The "Lancaster's Humble Star" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Ready for my next job at Grebinger Gallery where I work part-time matting photographs and artwork and then framing the results.  During my time at the gallery I get a chance to mat and frame just about anything you might imagine.  After finishing one job, I pull up the next job and begin on it.  Today my next job was a page that looked as if it might have come from a comic book or sports book of some sort.  It featured a few football drawings and a larger football player punting the football.  

Artwork brought to gallery featuring Tom Gilburg.

At the top was a box with the player's name in it: Tom Gilburg.  Tom Gilburg!!  I have known Tom Gilburg for years.  He and his family attended St. James Episcopal Church as did my family.  I coached his youngest son in little league baseball back in the mid-1980s when my youngest son was playing.  I then had his son in class at Manheim Township High School a few years later.  I knew his two older sons since they too were students and athletes at MTHS.  His daughter was a standout field hockey player as well as a student in my class.  Well, this doesn't tell you much about Tom, yet, but you may have heard of the Baltimore Colts and their famous Quarterback Johnny Unitas.  Tom was a teammate of Johnny when they both played for the Colts.  

#73, Tom Gilberg preparing to punt the ball.

Tom played for the Colts from 1961 to 1965.  He played college football for Syracuse University and was chosen in the 1961 NFL Draft as the 21st pick in the draft.  While at Syracuse he helped the Orangemen win the 1959 National Championship with a win over Texas in the Cotton Bowl.  During his stay at Syracuse he had the honor of blocking for star runner Ernie Davis who was the first black Heisman Trophy winner.  

Tom's football collectible trading card.

That year, the after bowl game banquet, held after the game, was a whites only event, so the entire Syracuse team elected not to attend.  Tom was also an All-American lacrosse player at Syracuse as well as football All-American and Syracuse's football MVP and school athlete of the year in 1960.  Great lineman, but a much better punter.  

Tom as coach at Franklin & Marshall College.

During his five years with the Colts he averaged 41.4 yards a kick, but had to retire due to a bad knee.  What made Tom so valuable to the Colts was that he was also an offensive tackle.  Being 6'5" and 260 pounds helped him as a lineman as well as punting.  He eventually became the head football coach at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania for 28 seasons from 1975 until 2002.  It was at this time I got to know Tom and his family.  During his reign as head coach at F&M, he won 160 games while losing only 112 with 2 ties and 4 Division III Conference Titles.  

Tom Gilburg, Lancaster's humble star!

His 160 victories at the academic-rich college are a record.  But, Tom is so much more than just an athlete.  A great family man and a good friend.  I never remember Tom talking about his athletic accomplishments until one time I made a visit to his home near my house and saw a photograph of Tom and Johnny Unitas.  It was then that I realized exactly how great an athlete I was standing next to.  Well, my assignment today was to frame this wonderful piece of work that a customer brought to the gallery.  If only all my jobs were as enjoyable as this particular one was.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Yesterday .... All My Troubles Seemed So Far Away! : Part VI - The Waiting Is Over!" Story

Foreword:  Previously I told of the day I found that I had prostate cancer.  I have decided to take you along with me on my journey to try and conquer the disease so that if you are a male or have a spouse or close friend who is a male, you may better understand what they are experiencing and can help your loved one with their journey through the disease.

It was an ordinary day.  Sitting in Dr. Seiber's office waiting for him to open the door and rush in with his face brightening the room.  On the wall is a rack which holds reading material on many topics; prostate cancer included.  I grabbed a pamphlet that screamed across the top of it: "ABOUT 1 IN EVERY 7 MEN WILL GET PROSTATE CANCER DURING HIS LIFETIME."  I had read that more than once before, but it still draws attention when you see it.  The pamphlet is telling you to get the facts and talk to your doctor about your risks.  Seems that your chances of getting prostate cancer are pretty great when you think of it.  Inside the cover are topics such as: What is the prostate?; What is cancer?; What role does testosterone play?; Who is at risk for prostate cancer?; What are the symptoms?; What is the survival rate?  Wow, that one really got my attention so I began to read it.  Seems that during the past 25 years, overall five-year survival rates for all stages of prostate cancer combined have increased from 68% to nearly 100%.  Also tells that a few of the reasons for this astonishing rate increase is due to increase in public awareness and early detection.  Hey, I'm giving you the public awareness part, now its your turn to do the early detection part.  There are two initial tests that help diagnose prostate cancer.  One is called the PSA while the other is a biopsy.  PSA stands for Prostate-specific antigen which is a substance made by cells in the prostate gland and is measured by a number.  Levels under 4 are usually considered safe while the chance of having prostate cancer increases as your level ascends.  If your level is too elevated, your doctor may have you get a biopsy in which a needle is used to remove a small amount of prostate tissue.  That tissue is examined to see if it has cancer cells in it.  If so, you have prostate cancer.  I had my biopsy, my second in about 10 years, in September and it told me I had cancer.  As you have read earlier, I chose to have Cryosurgery, or freezing my prostate, after talking with a radiologist, having a gene test and then discussing my options with my doctor, Dr. Seiber.  He gave me a phone number of a patient who had the surgery and I am certain I have chosen the correct procedure for me.  Before I entered his office today, I arrived early for a ultrasound of my prostate.  Well, the door swung open and in rushed Dr. Seiber.  Got right to the point and told me the Firmagon that I had been given by injection over the past two months has reduced the size of my prostate by 1/3. I am now ready for my procedure.  I must prepare by taking Dulcolax tablets and a Fleet enema to empty me of any food.  My procedure is scheduled for this afternoon and I took Cipro, an antibiotic, a few times on Sunday and then again this morning.  Light food last evening and liquids only on this morning.  I must be at the hospital at noon for a 2:00 PM procedure.  Originally it was scheduled for the morning, which I prefer since I could have gone home the same day, but was changed to the afternoon, requiring I stay the night.  I will leave with a catheter inserted which I will have for at least 10 days, since the freezing of the prostate will cause swelling and it will take time for the swelling to go down enough that I can urinate on my own.  All three of my back surgeries have been with a catheter due to the anesthesia, so I know what to expect.  Not happy about it, but I have no choice.  So for now I am anxious, and as you might imagine, thinking of all the things that may happen to me.  I always do that, and have always been surprised when nothing has happened.  Here's hoping the same is true this time.  Wish me luck and say a prayer for me.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "The Framing Of A True Hero" Story

The framed piece I recently finished which features Lt. Calvin J. Spann.
I apologize for the quality of the photo, but took it with my phone
instead of my camera and the reflections show in the photograph.

It was an ordinary day.  Just finished putting the dust cover and wire on the back of a job I had matted and framed when Keith laid something on the counter that would lead to a few comments as well as this story.  I have been working for my former student for 17 years now and from time to time come across very interesting photos or artwork.  What Keith put in front of me was both interesting as well as an honor to mat and frame.  

The different pieces of the job.  Double mat, medals and cards.

The two medals, two laminated cards and small metal plaque told the story of Calvin J. Spann, American hero.  Calvin was an original Tuskegee Airman and fighter pilot with the 100th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group in the United States Army Air Corps.  He served in Europe during World War II where he flew 26 combat missions before the end of the war in the European Theatre.  The small cards that I framed told this story:  

Lt. Calvin J. Spann

Calvin left Rutherford, New Jersey High School in 1943 to go into the Army Air Corps to start aviation cadet training.  He was sent to Keesler Field, Mississippi where he found that they didn't train Black cadets.  So, he was sent to Tuskegee, Alabama where he received his wings, graduating in class 44G.  Lt. Spann was sent to Italy as a replacement pilot and assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group, 100th Fighter Squadron commanded by Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.  He flew 26 combat missions and was separated from active duty in 1946.  He tried to gain employment with commercial airlines but was denied because he was Black.  

The front side of the card that was issued.

He remained in the Air Force Reserves until 1961 when he was honorably discharged.  He then spoke to schools, churches and organizations about the Tuskegee Airman experience and how they succeeded with excellence.  During his talks he tells how determined he was to succeed since he was told from the beginning that he couldn't learn.  He was fascinated by planes when seeing them flying at nearby Teterboro Airport and learned about the physics of flying while a student at Rutherford High School.  His Tuskegee Airmen were known as "Red Tails" for the distinctive markings on their planes.  In March of 1945 he flew a 1,600-mile round trip from Ramtelli, Italy to Berlin, Germany for what was considered the longest bomber escort mission of the 15th Air Force.  The heroic performance of the Tuskegee Airmen was a prime factor in President Harry Truman's decision in 1948 to abolish segregation in all branches of the U.S. military. He realized he was never going to get a commercial flying job so returned to school and landed a job in pharmaceutical sales in Englewood, N.J.  

Lt. Calvin J. Spann, war hero, as he appeared in later life.
I was honored to have the chance to mat and frame his work.

In 2006 he was inducted into the New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame at Teterboro Airport.  In 2007 he and his fellow Tuskegee Airmen were collectively given the Congress- ional Gold Medal by President George W. Bush.  He would later publish his recollections in a graphic novel titled "Boundless Sky: The Story of Lt. Calvin Spann."  He died September 6, 2015.  What I have in front of me on the work bench were two limited edition special medals or coins.  They were #51 and #52 of 90.  They were cast to celebrate the 90th birthday of Lt. Calvin J. Spann, a real American Treasure.  One side of the coin features Lt. Spann's plane while the other side features a likeness of him. The small plaque that I placed in the center of the job states: 1st Lt. Calvin J. Spann.  The person who was having it matted and framed loved it so much that he was going to tell someone associated with the Bush Presidential Library about it and I may get a chance to do another one for the Library.  It would be a true honor to mat and frame one for the Library.  I told Keith that I would have to sign the rear of the job when it was finished!  He agreed with me.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The "World Rare Disease Day" Story

Kennedy (left) and her step-sister Mia as seen on our kitchen table.

It was an ordinary day.  Catching up on the past week and realized that February 28th was World Rare Disease Day.  Doesn't mean a whole lot to many, but when you know someone who happens to be 1 of only 8 people on earth with a specific rare metabolic disorder, and that particular person refers to me as Tad's daddy, it is a big thing.  My youngest son Tad's best friend, Josh, is married to one of the most amazing young women, Donya, who happens to have a little girl named Kennedy.  That little girl was born with the rare metabolic disorder known as S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase deficiency, or AdoHcy for short.  The disorder affected Kennedy's brain development, muscles, nervous system and liver.  

Kennedy and Beatrix in a recent photograph.

Now, if you have read this blog for the past few years, you may recall that Kennedy had a liver transplant in the past and has improved tremendously.  I can still recall the day when Donya told me, while standing on my rear deck, that Kennedy's doctor told her that her daughter has been cured.  Well, from time to time Kennedy still has some minor problems with the acceptance of her new liver.  Kennedy recently made a return visit to the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, where she had a few tests and once again is back to her sassy self.  On World Rare Disease Day there were many photos and comments posted on Donya's Facebook page which featured photos of her daughter and one caught my eye.  

Liver donor MIke with Kennedy.

That was a photo of Kennedy and the Pennsyl- vania firefighter, Mike, who so generously donated part of his healthy liver to Kennedy in what was an experimen- tal try to cure her of her extremely rare disease.  Because of that special day when Mike became a hero to just about everyone, the little sweetheart which Carol and I have grown to know and love has become proof that Rare Disease Day really matters.  

Photo of superwoman and mother Donya
with her daughter Kennedy.

Today there are more than 30 children on the liver transplant waiting list at Children's Hospital and if this special day will help to publicize the need to the public for liver donors, than the day has been a success.  I had never heard of the day until a year or two ago, but hope that others will also hear of the day and will agree to donate part of their healthy liver so a child can live a fruitful life.  Many people sent notes to Donya on her Facebook page to celebrate the day and I have included a few of them so you can see how others feel about Kennedy and her family.  May World Rare Disease Day continue to help raise awareness for rare diseases and improve access to treatments and medical representation for individuals with rare diseases and their families.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  

A few comments from Facebook:

I love 💗Kennedy,growing so beautiful

She's definitely one of a kind!!💜Such a great picture too!

Love you Kennedy. Hugs and kisses from Grammy 

I liver this little girl and I am very blessed to know her

Wow! How big she's getting, and so cute! 

I love someone who is ext "rare" dinarily special! 

Wow! How big she's getting, and so cute!

So proud of Mike & Kennedy inspiring others ❤. Please consider donating and giving another family the incredible blessing Mike gave to us! Donya

The "No Soup For You!" Story

Carol is heating our Lobster Bisque made by The Original Soupman.

It was an ordinary day.  Having a bowl of Lobster Bisque for lunch.  Not just any bowl of soup, but a bowl of "The Original Soupman" Lobster Bisque made with 100% North Atlantic Lobster.  Happened past this free-standing display a week or two ago in the grocery store and as soon as I saw the face on the box, I just had to buy a box.  Many of you might not remember this guy or may not be old enough to remember "The Soup Nazi" episode on NBC's sitcom Seinfeld which was the sixth episode of the seventh season.  

The display at the supermarket.

It first aired in the United States on November 2, 1995.   For weeks everyone greeted one another with "No soup for you!"  Instantly, a New York City soup vendor was made famous.  Al Yeganeh was that soup vendor who inspired the show that Thursday night.  I can still remember hustling home from choir practice that night with my dad so I could watch my favorite TV show, "Seinfeld."  That night's show was inspired by Mr. Yeganeh who dished out soup in this place using very strick rules: "Pick the soup you want!  Have your money ready!  Move to the extreme left after ordering!"  If you did not stick to the rules: "No Soup for you!"  

Al Yeganeh in front of his store on West 55th Street in New York.

The episode on "Seinfeld" made Al a celebrity, but he detested the "Soup Nazi" label.  When Jerry Seinfeld and several members of his production team went to Soup Kitchen International for lunch weeks after "The Soup Nazi" aired, Yeganeh did a "triple take" and then went into a profanity-filled rant about the show had "ruined" his business and demanded an apology.  This was ironic, since whenever the re-run of the show ran, his normally long line would extend around the corner due to increased demand for his soups.  

A constant line in front of the soup kitchen.

Seinfeld was said to have given him an apology which was described as "the most insincere, sarcastic apology ever given."  Yeganeh yelled to him, "No soup for you!" and ejected them from the restaurant.  The Original Soup Man closed his Soup Kitchen International at 259-A West 55th Street in Midtown Manhattan in 2004 and began the Original Soup Man chain which eventually led to his re-opening of Soup Kitchen International.  

Larry Thomas played Al on the Seinfeld episode.  He
was nominated for an Emmy for his efforts.

Some of his famous soups, as you may recall if you watched that Seinfeld episode, were: lobster bisque, mulliga- tawny, crab bisque and lentil.  If you have never seen the "Soup Nazi" episode, check on your TV programming and see if it doesn't offer Seinfeld re-runs.  Watching it once isn't enough though.  You'll get hooked on the episode, as Carol and I have, and will watch it time and time again until you can repeat just about every line in the half-hour show.  As for our bowl of Lobster Bisque we bought at the grocery store ... the show was better than the soup!!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "The President Of The United States Worshiped Here" Story

Historical plaque which stands outside the
First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, PA.
President James Buchanan was a member here.

It was an ordinary day.  Having a good laugh with Barry, the sexton of the First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I was making a visit to another one of the historical churches in the city of Lancaster and after arriving, found an open door, made my way to the office, and was assigned Barry as my escort.  Quickly, the conversation turned to the bell tower of the church and Barry told me about the time when a photographer from the Lancaster newspaper arrived to take a photo of the church bell located in the tower of the church.  After making their way to the tower, the photographer asked Barry if he could push on the bell so he could see the clanger a little better.  Back and forth the bell went until the photographer had his photo.

Church as seen from the East Orange St.

The next day Barry saw his image on the front page of the paper, pushing the bell.  And then a friend called him and said they saw his photo in their paper in another town.  And, to top that off, his mother called him and said she just got her copy of People Magazine, and their was his picture, pushing the bell.  I asked him if he was up to going there today and he said, "Sure."  Then I realized I probably couldn't make it to the top so I asked if he could maybe just turn on the lights in the church for me.  Shortly Barry had turned on all the lights in the church and I entered the historical church sanctuary located on Lot No. 25 at the corner of Orange and Cherry Streets.  The earliest documentation the church has is documented in the minutes of the Donegal Presbytery meeting at Chestnut Level on June 16 1742.  

Plaques on the front of the church telling
of the historic background of the church.

It was in 1763 that Pennsylvania Governor James Hamilton granted Lot No. 19 on Orange Street to the Presbyterian congregation as an English Presbyterian burial ground.  Today that lot is the middle of three lots on which the present sanctuary and chapel now stand.  It was also the sight of the original house of worship.  That building was soon surrounded by the old cemetery which now rests beneath the present chapel.  The appearance of that first building came in 1844.  In a few years Robert Fulton Sr., father of Robert Fulton Jr. the inventor and artist, deeded lot No. 25 to the congregation and a new church was built, today's church, containing a central tower topped by what appears to be the same octagonal belfry that can be seen today.  Eventually every thing above the belfry was replaced in 1877 with a well-proportioned spire.  

Cornerstones from 1763 when the church was originally
established, 1850 when it was rebuilt, and 1877 when it
was remodeled. 

Then, along came Lancaster's renowned architect, C. Emlen Urban, who added changes which included the three marble doorways and the windows above them, as well as a round window on the next higher level and white painted cornices which emphasize the architectural line of the facade.  On the front of the church now are two plaques, one presented by the Lancaster County Historical Preservation Trust and another by the American Presbyterian and Reformed Historical Site No. 37 Registered by the Presbyterian Historical Society, Philadelphia, PA.  

Entering the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church.

Well, I walked in the center door of the sanctuary and was greeted by lovely organ music.  Took a couple photographs and headed to the front where the organist was practicing.  Suddenly Eileen stopped, turned and looked at me, and asked if she could help me.  I said she could help by continuing her lovely practice on the organ that was installed in 1947.  

Eileen practicing at the organ keyboard.

I told her why I was there and told her I sang several times in the church as part of a mixed choir from First Presbyterian and St. James Episcopal which is located across the street.  I told her that Reginald Lunt was choir master for her church and Frank McConnell was organist and choirmaster at my church, St. James. We combined to sing Handel's Messiah a few times with Mr. Lunt directing and Mr. McConnell on the organ.  She told me she knew both well as she turned back to her music and began practice.  I watched as she adeptly maneuvered the piston, tablet and pull knobs while not loosing a beat during her practice.  The organ she was performing on was built by the Aeolian-Skinner firm from Boston, Massachusetts in 1947.  It was designed and finished by G. Donald Harrison and is representative of the highest grade of tonal design and superb workmanship for which the firm is known.  There are 5,000 pipes with 75 sets of pipes covering a wide range of tonal range and is one of the finest organs in America.  I faded into the background and began taking a few more photos to share in my story. After wandering about for about fifteen minutes, I stopped back in the office, thanked them for their hospitality and exited through the door I had entered about forty-five minutes before.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Another view of the steeple.  Click on photos to enlarge.

"The Sower"  This window depicts a sower scattering the seeds.  Made by Tiffany Studios of New York City and installed in 1921.

"Jesus the Good Shepherd"  The window depicts Christ as the shepherd in green pastures beside the still waters.  Made by Tiffany Studios of New York City and presented in 1920.

"The Pilgrim"  This window shows a figure, a pilgrim, on life's rocky road looking toward the cross being borne by an angel.  It represents the promise of salvation for all mankind.  The shield at the top and the Greek letters Alpha and Omega at the sides symbolize the sustaining power of faith.  The window was made by the Nicola Goodwin D'Axcenzo Studios of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and installed in 1937.

The last remaining widow original to the present church when it was built in 1850.  It is located on the west side of the sanctuary balcony.

"The Woman at the Well"  One of three windows done by the D'Ascenzo Studios, this window is located in the west wall of the narthex.  It pictures Jesus at the well in Samaria.  It was installed in 1941.

The view of the sanctuary through the eye of a church mouse.

One side of the sanctuary is not exposed to the outside so lights have to illuminate the stained glass windows on that side of the church.

I found this painting near the church office while roaming the church.  It features small square canvas units, each painted and place together to form the whole.  It depicts Vincent Van Gogh's "Undergrowth with a couple - 1890. 

The church Chapel which sits on top of what at one time was their cemetery.  In 1889 the chapel was expanded over the cemetery and excavation dirt was piled on the cemetery, covering many of the gravestones and leaving only the tops of other in sight.  Taller stones had been removed and laid flat on the ground to make room for floor beams, joists, and steam pipes.  A few of the tombstones were installed in the walls of the church and hallways.

Hall leading from the offices, past the Chapel to the main church.

One of the tombstones I found in a wall in the hallway. 

The current Memorial Garden.  Church members can have their remains buried in this area and their names listed on a large  plaque near the Chapel.  

My final shot as I departed.

The "What's That Schmutz On Your Forehead" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Ash Wednesday to be exact; that is if you are Christian.  Today marks the beginning of Lent which is a period of 40 days that lasts through Holy Saturday - the day before Easter Sunday.  The word comes from the Anglo-Saxon word "lencten," or spring.  The  40 days (minus Sundays) symbolize the time Jesus spent in the wilderness.  It is supposed to be a time for reflection, fasting and repentance.  It is also supposed to be a unique time in the Christian calendar for each person to reflect on their life and relationship with God, as well as to join together as a community in offering worship and service to God.  

Its also the time when many churches and denominations offer ashes to be placed on the forehead of a worshiper to represent two main items in the Old Testament: death and repentance.  Ashes are equivalent to dust, and human flesh is composed of dust or clay, and when a human corpse decomposes, it returns to dust or ash.  I can remember when I had ashes applied to my head as a young man.  When I walked out of the church I could swear every person I walked past looked at me.  It's as if I had a big blob of dirt on my head and I expected someone to ask if I knew it was there.  I am a member of an Episcopal congregation so you can see that it is not only Catholics who apply ashes to the head.  We would form a line and as you reached the minister and he would take his thumb and mark the cross on the forehead with the ashes.  There really is no mention of Ash Wednesday or the placing of ashes on the forehead in the Bible.  The tradition of ashes on the forehead is a sign of penitence that predates Jesus.  It was in the 10th century that the monk Aelfric tied the practice to the period before Easter stating, "Now let us do this little at the beginning of our Lent that we strew ashes upon our heads to signify that we ought to repent of our sins during Lenten fast."  By the 11th century the practice was widespread throughout the church until Martin Luther threw out the practice in the 16th century since it wasn't biblically based.  There really is no Lent in the Bible, either, though many Christians see it as an imitation of the 40 days Jesus spent fasting and battling with Satan in the desert.  So, when I did get ashes on my forehead (wasn't more than a time or two) I wasn't sure when it was OK to wash them off.  

Palm fronds hanging in my house.  I believe
I will be blessed with good luck if I save them.

Wasn't sure if I was supposed to keep them on my forehead until Easter.  Finally mom yelled at me to wash my head so I wouldn't get sick from the stuff.  There really is no required time that you need to keep the ashes on your head and I suspect that many wipe them off before they go to work or school directly after the service.  I did enjoy the ashes on the forehead thing, but my favorite is Palm Sunday when the minister, or someone assigned to help him, would hand out palm fronds after the service.  Well, for those who will have ashes on their foreheads today, I promise I will look at you with reverence and the knowledge that you have been to church on this first day of Lent.  And, I won't think you don't know that you're walking around with schmutz all over your forehead.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.