The "So Who Are These People That Ride In Buggies? - Part II" Story

Photograph from my visit to an Amish buggy manufacturer.

It was an ordinary day.  A few years ago I made a visit to a shop in Lancaster County that makes Amish buggies.  I wrote a story about my visit, but to this day I still wonder why the Old Order Amish risk their lives every day driving their buggies along the roads of Lancaster County.  How can they control an animal, that is probably close to 2,000 pounds in weight, while driving amongst the cars and trucks that are speeding by them on county roads making noise and cutting them off at times?  

This buggy is not covered and usually used by unmarried Amish.

Do they really believe they need to drive a horse and buggy because of their religion?  At least the Menno- nites drive cars, be they totally black so they are un-noticed.  The majority of North American Mennonites seem to have accepted much of what we refer to as the "Modern" life with all its conveniences.  But, it seems that many are still troubled about accepting modern conveniences, thus painting all chrome on their cars so they don't shine as other cars might.  Many are still troubled with how far their brethren will go in accommodating modern progress.  

Amish farm their land with the use of animals.

It has been noticed that many seem to be returning to wood stoves, more time at home and a simpler life.  As far as the Old Order Amish, they still seem to be loyal to their religion as far as the use of modern conveniences such as owning an automobile, but they will still seek out means to make life easier without owning an automobile.  My wife's cousin drives a large van in which he transports Amish around Lancaster County to shop, run errands and even take them to medical appointments.  

In the distance are a large number of Amish buggies that
have arrived at this farm for Sunday Church.

Even though I have seen Amish horse and buggies at our local Costco Whole- sale Club, I have seen just as many Amish shopping at the store and leaving the store, loading their purchases into a vehicle that is driven by someone other than an Amish person.  And just how can I tell they are Amish?  They are easy to identify in their "plain" clothes.  The men and boys wear dark suit coats which have no lapels and fastened with hooks and eyes.  Pants are made in traditional broadfall pattern and usually held up with suspenders.  

Wash lines the Amish farm seen here.  These are primarily
women's and girl's clothing.  Some solid colors are shown here.

Shirts are made of solid colored fabric, which at times can be quite colorful. Shoes are black for dress and brown for work.  Broad-brimmed hats made of either straw or black felt are worn outdoors.   Men's hair is blunt cut and combed front in bangs with beards worn by older men, yet no mustaches are ever grown.  

I took this photo at a small market.  The photo
shows a young Amish family with traditional
clothes for males and females.

Women and girls wear dresses with full skirts of solid colors which at times can be bright colors, but many times black.  An apron usually is worn and a cape covers the bodice of the dress.  Shoes, usually black, and stockings are warn at times, but it isn't unusual to see Amish barefoot.  Women and girls don't cut their hair, but part it in the middle and combed back from the face.  They usually wear their long hair in a bun.  Head coverings of white, and sometimes black, are worn to conform to this passage in I Corinthians:  5 But every woman praying or prophesying with their head uncovered dishonors her - it is the same as if her head were shaven.  6  For if a woman will not be covered, then let her be shorn!  But since it is disgraceful for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.  

Another Amish family wait in line for food in the alleyway
behind Central Market in downtown Lancaster.

Jewelry is never worn.  Old Order Menno- nite men do not wear beards and have buttons on their clothing with hooks and eyes.  They also wear plain hats and coats without lapels and suspenders.  There have been a few times that Carol and I have visited beaches that are frequented by young Amish men and women and found that the girls would wear what we would call a full length "swim dress" while the guys would wear bathing trunks just like I wore.  If you live amongst the Old Order Amish as well as the Old Order Mennonites you tend to ignore their dress, since you are so accustomed to seeing it on a daily basis.  As for tourists to our area, they tend to stare at the dress that they find so different than their own.  In the end, who is correct in their dress?  Interesting, isn't it?  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "So Who Are These People That Ride In Buggies? - Part I" Story

A buggy parking lot similar to the lot at Costco.

It was an ordinary day.  Taking another couple to visit our local Costco which is referred to as a wholesale shopping warehouse.  Parked the car and as we walked toward the entrance, to the right we saw five Amish horse and buggies tied under a covered garage-type unit.  Not uncommon to see that sight in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  When Carol and I travel we are frequently questioned about the Amish when others find we are from an area of the United States that has a large population of Amish.  

Amish buggy on the roads of Lancaster County. 

So, for those who may never have seen an Amish buggy in the lane of traffic in front of you, or may not know the differences between the Amish and their brethren, the Mennonites, I will give you a brief look into both worlds.  When the Protestant Reformation began, Martin Luther led the way against the Roman Catholic Church in Europe.  At the same time, Ulrich Zwingli emerged as a religious reformer in Zurich.  Both men advocated a new Christian order.  

Martin Luther

They preached the Bible in a more common language so the peasants could understand the Bible and told that the grace of God and forgiveness of sins were available to all by faith alone.  Turmoil prevailed!  In the midst of this was a group who called themselves Brethren who formed a fellowship.  They were called Anabaptists which meant "rebaptizers".  They were subject to ill-treatment and hostility by the Catholic Church as well as the Reformers due to their beliefs. The Anabaptists believed in adult baptism upon confession of faith and like the early Christian church, separated from the world and the state.  Their movement spread quickly and soon their leaders, as well as many of the Anabaptists, were put to death.  

Jacob Amman

They were forced to meet at night or worship in secrecy.  The best known leader was Menno Simons who was a Catholic priest who joined the movement in 1536.  His leadership and prolific writings unified the Anabaptists and they soon were nicknamed "Mennonites".  Today there are Mennonites of many races and tongues in over 50 countries around the world.  Lancaster County is rich in Mennonite communities and churches.  But, they aren't the true Amish as you probably picture Amish.  In 1693 a young Swiss Mennonite elder who felt the church was losing purity broke with his brethren and formed a new Christian fellowship.  His name was Jacob Amman and his followers were nicknamed "Amish".  

Amish buggy on a local road.  Young Amish boys walk nearby.

Today most Amish groups consider themselves conserva- tive cousins of the Mennonites.  Most "Old Order" Amish live in the United States, but some can be found in Canada.  Both Amish and Mennonites are devoted to the Christian faith and life.  Contrary to the belief of many, neither are a cult!  Both the Amish and Mennonites beliefs are: (1) The one and only God has revealed Himself as existing eternally as Father, Son and Holy Spirit; (2) The Bible is the authoritative Word of God while the New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old Testament; (3) God has created and continues to sustain all things; (4) Humankind is sinful; (5) The church is the visible expression of those who voluntarily commit themselves to a life of holiness and love; and (6) Christ will personally return to judge the world, raise the dead and usher in the glorious future of the kingdom of God.  

Evening scene along a road in Lancaster County, PA.

There are other distinctive beliefs, but these vary with different groups such as: Bible-centered- ness pervades all of one's life and faith; there is a forgiving love in all of life which causes most groups to refuse to participate in war; they also believe in "nonconformity" which for some groups call for distinctive appearance (mode of dress) as well as mode of transportation (Amish buggy).  Amish groups tend to be more cautious on technology and involvement with the world than their Mennonite brethren.  

One of my hand-altered Polaroid prints made of a buggy.

Amish use horse-drawn buggies, dress "plain", refrain from the use of electricity and emphasize occupations close to the farm and home and forbid higher education.  Mennonites embrace education and technology, accept the stress which comes from modern life and encourages fellowship through worldwide missionary activities.  If you may remember, I wrote a two-part story on building Amish buggies where I told of most all employees of the Amish shop having cell phones.  That is different, I was told, than having a land-line phone, since they are not physically connected to the outside world through a wire.  During my next couple of posts I will give you more of a look at the Amish of Lancaster County as I see them.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The "String Em Up In Lancaster" Story

Gallow's Hill where people in Lancaster were at one time hanged.
It later became the campus of  Franklin & Marshall College.

It was an ordinary day.  Good day for a hanging!   And, in Lancaster, Pennsyl- vania that meant you headed to Gallow's Hill on the west side of the city.  Sitting on top of perhaps the highest point in the city was a gallows that was used for public hangings.  The site was 438 feet above sea level so those who gathered for hangings had a great view.  Thousands of spectators usually showed up for the hangings which lasted on that location until 1834.  

The jail as it appeared at N. Prince and W. King Streets.

At the time the County Jail, known as the Common Gaol, was a strong log house located on the sheriff's land at nearby Wrights Ferry, also known as Columbia.  It was in 1729 that the jail opened at that location.  Those that were hanged were brought by carriage to Gallow's Hill for hanging.  One woman was included among those that were hanged as well as three men who were accused of treason.  Eventually Gallow's Hill became our present day Franklin & Marshall College.  After 1834 the jail was moved to the corner of West King Street (at the time known as High Street) and North Prince Street in downtown Lancaster.  Another 23 Lancastrians were hanged in the jail yard at that location.  The jail yard was much smaller so spectators were limited to those that could fit into the jail yard as well as sit on nearby rooftops and walls.  Then in 1851 the jail moved to the current building on East King Street where viewing space was also limited within the jails walls.  The new jail was designed just like the Lancaster Castle in Lancaster, England.  

Lancaster's current jail on East King Street.

Then in 1912 the enter- tainment ended when the hangings ended and electro- cutions began at the state penitentiary at Rockview, Pennsyl- vania.  So why are people so intrigued with hangings?  I "Googled" that and found no response.  So, I'm not sure how to answer my own question. Seems that in the Colonial city of Lancaster, hangings were a way of life and at times, a social event.  Now, I can't end my story without telling you about a recent story published in the Lancaster Newspaper, written by Jack Brubaker, known to Lancastrians as the "Scribbler."  Story has to do with the last man who was executed by hanging in the county prison.  Seems that the man, whose weight was extremely high, broke the rope as he fell unconscious to the ground.  The date was May 23, 1912, and after he was hanged once without success, his half-strangled body was tied to a plank and a stronger rope was obtained.  He was finally hanged, but not until 16 minutes after it all began.  The Lancaster Newspaper told the story, in graphic detail, of his hanging as the first rope failed and had to be cut from his bleeding neck and as a second rope was placed around his neck as he made wheezing noises.  This botched attempt helped the state legislature make a decision to have all executions done at the state level.  Since that time, another eight Lancaster residents have been electrocuted by the state. Through all of this, the man who was hanged, twice, said he was innocent of the killing for which he was accused.  Didn't matter since no one believed him.  The rope which was used first was worn out from other hangings, but the jail wanted to get one more hanging out of it.  Didn't work!  The botched job makes for a great story, but certainly not for the man on the other end of that rope.  My guess is that's why they no longer hang, or at least try to hang, guilty parties.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "I Want To Be Like Leonardo" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Looking over the dozen or so stories I have saved which I began at one time or another and never finished.  Some of the stories are a few years old while one I began two weeks ago and abandoned.  

Leonardo da Vinci, self-portrait, 1512

But, as I read a recent story about Leonardo da Vinci, written by Tulane professor of history Walter Isaacson, I found I have some of the same qualities as him.  He had so many projects that he had started during his lifetime and never completed that they make him almost human.  Almost!  If only I could have accumulated some of the impressive projects he abandoned, I too would be a genius.  Maybe!  Of course, the things he did complete, such as the Mona Lisa, put him in a class that holds very few other human beings.  There are other people who were considered to be a genius, but they were a genius in a particular arena while Leonardo was a genius in many disciplines.  But, he was also very human and his life offers an abundance of lessons for all of us.  The following are a few bits of wisdom, as listed by Mr. Isaacson, that we can learn from Leonardo that may help us in our life as humble pions.

• Get distracted...it's OK to wander off on another tangent than what may have been you main intent, since it makes your mind richer in knowledge.
• Go down rabbit holes...in one of his many notebooks he recorded 730 findings about the flow of water and listed 67 words that describe different types of moving water.  Another notebook of his shows that he listed 169 attempts to square a circle.  He did these things for the pure joy of learning.
• Procrastinate...some of great intelligence and genius accomplish the most when they work the least.  While painting "The Last Supper" he would sometimes paint a stroke, put the brush down and return the next day to begin once more.  He liked to stop, gather all the facts and ideas and then return to his work.
• Make Lists...wow!  I have notebooks filled with lists of things I want to do someday. Now, Leonardo says to put odd things on your lists.  Leonardo's lists have been said to be the greatest testament to pure curiosity the world has ever seen.  Mine haven't been revealed...yet!
• Let the perfect be the enemy of the good...Leonardo abandoned a few of his paintings rather than produce work that was just average.
• Retain a childlike sense of  wonder...at a certain stage in our life we stop wondering about normal everyday things.  We look at the sky and no longer wonder why it is blue.  We should never outgrow our "wonder year" according to Leonardo. 
• Be open to mystery...on one of Leonardo's lists was found, "Describe the tongue of a woodpecker."  A woodpecker can extend his tongue three times the length of its bill.  When not in use it retreats back into the skull and wraps around the head and curves down to its nostrils.  Now there is absolutely no reason you need to know this, but now you do and are so the much better for it.
• Let your reach exceed your grasp...imagine, as he did, how you could divert a river or devise a perpetual-motion machine or square a circle using only a ruler and compass.  There are some problems we will never solve...but learn why.

Now, Mr. Isaacson listed quite a few more lessons that Leonardo found valuable, but I found the eight I just listed to be the most important to me and my quest to be a genius.  Maybe it will happen in my second lifetime. But, then again, it probably will never happen.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.   

The "Waiting For History To Catch Up With Reality" Story

Sign guiding us to the Chickies Rock County Park.
Click on photographs to enlarge.

It was an ordinary day.  Standing high above the mighty Susquehanna River at Breezyview Overlook in the Chickies Rock County Park taking photos of the river as it runs from the left at Columbia Crossing River Trails Center to the right where the river turns North-West toward Harrisburg.  What a majestic view from this area.  Lancaster County is on one side of the river while York County is on the other side of the river.  These two counties have bonded together and formed what they now call the Susquehanna National Heritage Area.  The Northwest Lancaster County River Trail sits on the east side of the river and runs fourteen miles starting at the Columbia Crossing River Trails Center and spreading north along the river.  

Looking from the park toward the bridge that spans the
Susquehanna between Lancaster and York Counties.

The Susque- hanna Heritage is seeking National Heritage Area designation of Lancaster and York Counties by the United States Congress.  Being declared a National Heritage Area would advance heritage and outdoor tourism in the area, create jobs and enhance our region's economy.  

A view looking North-West.

National recognition will boost visibility and visitation, bring more National Park Service support and further promote the majestic Susquehanna and its scenic river lands, vibrant river towns and special significance to our nation's history.  As of today there are 49 National Heritage Areas in the United States and we would like to be #50.  But, it takes FOREVER!  A study was started in 2008 to determine whether our region meets the criteria for Congressional designation as a National Heritage Center.  We did meet the criteria and have passed to the next step.  In February of 2017 our U.S. Senator introduced an act to designate Lancaster and York Counties as America's 50th National Heritage Area.  

This is the Columbia Crossing River Trails building near
the bridge that connects the two counties. 

Four months later the U.S. Represen- tatives from both counties introduced bills in the U.S. House to do the same.  Then on April 11, 2018 the Susque- hanna Heritage President joined our Congressmen and the town of Columbia's mayor in a U.S. House Federal Lands Subcommittee hearing on the bill.  On June 5th the U.S. House approved the bill.  Now everyone is waiting on our Senators to support the Susquehanna National Heritage Area.  

This really neat logo will broadcast the new Heritage Center.

It's been nearly 10 years to get this far.  Why?  My gosh, the Susque- hanna River is an historical part of our country's background.  It was part of the passageway towards the West.  Why can't it now carry the simple name of National Heritage Area.  I do realize that naming the area a National Heritage Area will give us $150,000 a year through the National Park Service, but only if matched through local funding.  Maybe, just maybe, I will get the chance to visit Chickies Rock County Park and see a Federal Plaque telling the story of the mighty Susquehanna and how it influenced our nation's history.  That is if Washington gets busy doing its job.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The beautiful park I visited today.

The "I Now Have A New Hero In My Life" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Talking with an old friend whom I taught school with for years.  We were talking about another good friend, Dennis Denenberg, who was an administrator in the Manheim Township School District for quite a few years.  Everyone loved Dennis and his upbeat personality and how he could relate to the children in the school district.  Then we talked about some of the special things that Dennis has done since leaving the school district.  

Dennis Denenberg's book on American Heroes.

I have written in my blog a few times about Dennis, but since my last story Dennis has added one more special note to his list of accomplishments.  You may recall that Dennis co-authored the book "50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet" as well as spoke to my grandson's elementary school class about being a hero.  Dennis also established the student lounge at Millersville University and dedicated the room to honor his Mom and Dad (Hilda and David Denenberg) who he said had kept their vow to never say an unkind word to one another in front of their children.  

Denny made a visit to my grandson Caden's elementary school
class to talk about being a Hero. LDub, Caden and Dennis.

Dr. Dennis Denenberg was a Professor of Elementary & Early Childhood Education after leaving Manheim Township in the late 1980s.  Well, something new popped up in the local paper about Dennis a few weeks ago.  Seems as a child he loved to play with toy soldiers and over 60 years ago received a set of Revolutionary War toy soldiers for a Christmas gift.  It was that one gift that sparked his lifetime interest in history.  

I purchased books for my three grandkids
and Dennis autographed each one for me.

I too received a similar set of toy soldiers for a Christmas gift, but my brother and the neighborhood kids made sure they didn't last as long as Denny's toy set did.  His collection was so pristine that he recently donated it to the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia in hopes of inspiring the same passion in future generations of children.  Dennis said that his parents were of average means and therefore he and his sister didn't get a lot of things so what you did get you took good care of it.  He also had a Western set of cowboys and Indians, a French Foreign Legion set and an outer space set that he played with.  Those three sets didn't last like his Revolutionary War set did.  He figured it would have gone for close to $1,000 if he had put it on sale at auction.  The set had about 75 molded plastic figures, including Continental soldiers and British Redcoats in various poses such as on horseback, kneeling with rifle drawn, waving a flag or playing a drum.  

This photo shows Dennis donating his toy soldier set to the
Museum of the American Revolution's registrar, Michelle
Moskal.  The set is in the box in front of them.
Photograph from the Museum of the American Revolution.

There was also a tin building and toy cannons.  As I read the article it all came back to me.  The exact same set I had!  He said when he played the Patriots usually won, but for me, they always won.  He figured he wasn't going to play with them anymore so he decided it best to gift it to the Museum of the American Revolution to keep it in Pennsylvania.  He said the staff at the museum were very gracious to receive such a gift.  And to make the gift even more memorable to the Museum, the vice-president of collections said he had been given the exact same set as Dennis had just donated.   Denny said he hoped his childhood toy set will someday kindle in children the same passion he has for the early days of America.  "Winning the Revolution War was a miracle," he said.  My only wish is that I had taken better care of my childhood toys so I could give them to my grandkids, but that's not ever going to happen.  What a great guy and friend.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Jack Of All Fruits!" Story

The Jackfruit.  My hand shows the size of it.

It was an ordinary day.  Standing in the grocery store with my iPhone in front of a huge chunk of fruit known as a Jackfruit.  I asked the clerk if they sell many and he surprisingly told me they sell a few dozen a week.  Wow!  He then told me he had a Jackfruit smoothie a couple of days ago and it was delicious.  I have never heard of the fruit or ever seen the fruit until today.  Just isn't something that is part of the food scene in Lancaster, Pennsylvania...or at least not that I am aware of.  Now, you must realize that I spent my entire life in Lancaster, the Garden Spot of America, as well as the home of the largest settlement of Amish farmers in the country.  I am familiar with peaches, strawberries, cherries, plums, apples, pears, nectarines and even a pluot or two, but have never set eyes on a Jackfruit.  Well, when I got home I had to "Google" it to see what it was all about.  Seems that it is a tropical fruit which can be anything from a main dish when green to a dessert when mature.  You can even make a sloppy joe from it and serve it on a bun.  As I read on I found you can shred the fruit and make tacos with it.  After taking a photograph of the fruit I went to pick it up.  My wife quickly stepped in and told me the thing has to be too heavy for me to pick up, since I'm not allowed to lift more than 5 pounds due to recent back surgery.  

How the Jackfruit grows.

OK, so I asked the clerk who told me that the average weigh is about 35 pounds and they recently had one that was close to 50 pounds.  While reading about the fruit I found that a recent Jackfruit in India weighed in at 144 pounds.  You can consume the Jackfruit at any stage of maturity.  When it is in its earliest stages it is very fibrous and meaty, the perfect time to shred for barbecue, tacos or even Jackfruit "crab" cakes.  When it is fully mature it's sweet and you can make custard from it, turn it into a parfait, make a smoothie using it or even make ice cream from it.  The seeds of the fruit can be boiled or roasted.  They are about the size of a small potato and you can make potato pancakes from them.  Each fruit has close to 500 seeds in it.   For those of you who are as old as me, and can remember when Juicy Fruit gum came on the market, it is said that the fruit was the inspiration for the gum flavor!  Naturally, the fruit isn't native to Lancaster County or I would be familiar with it.  It is grown in such places as India and Southeast Asia.  It is very popular with the Asian community.  

The interior of the fruit showing the large seeds.

My supermarket clerk told me that you can also buy it canned which means you can use it year round.  The fruit comes from the Moracae family and is related to the breadfruit.  The plant  attains heights of 80 feet with a straight trunk branching out from the base.   It is said that some grow in south Florida as well as Hawaii.  I guess, since you can eat them in any stage of development, they rarely ever rot.  I'm not sure if I'm willing to give the fruit a chance of not.  I have a favorite fruit right now for every season and Jack fruit isn't one of them.  Of course, if I bought one, it would probably last an entire season until I consumed the entire thing.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Blown To Pieces!!" Story

Foreword:  Between 1902 and 1906 the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) built a low-grade railroad line from Morrisville, Pensylvania to Colonia, New Jersey.  The Atglen and Susquehanna Branch was part of that system.  The branch was built by the PRR to relieve congestion on the Philadelphia to Harrisburg Main line as well as the railroad's Columbia & Port Deposit line.  The line was designed for freight service since it minimized the grade profile of the track.  My story today deals with the building of that line and the tragedy that happened one day during the construction of the low-grade line. It was one of the worst days in the history of Lancaster County.

It was an ordinary day.  That was until the newspaper headlines from all over the country screamed, "BLOWN TO PIECES"; "ELEVEN PERSONS BLOWN TO ATOMS"; "EXPLOSION KILLS ELEVEN".  

The dynamite factory that detonated killing eleven workers.

The date was June 10, 1906 and all this happened in southern Lancaster County, Pennsyl- vania the day before.  The accident happened a few minutes before 1:00 PM when a dynamite factory in Bausman's Hollow, near Shenk's Ferry, exploded.  The explosion was so loud that it could be heard 15 miles away in the town of Lancaster.  It broke windows about a mile away.  

Map of the area where the factory was located along the Susquehanna.

The accident was, and still remains to this day, one of he most horrible in the history of Lancaster County.  The victims were literally torn to pieces, spewing body parts throughout the trees over a hundred yards away.  For the next few days the search for body parts was carried out.  Two of the unidentified victims had just left the factory with a load of dynamite when the plant blew up in a great cloud of smoke.  When the smoke cleared there could be found little of the wagons, horses or men who worked at the factory.  

This photo shows the construction of the Low Grade line.

The plant consisted of twelve buildings and all were destroyed but a remote structure in which seven girls were at work. They survived!  The factory was owned by C.B. McAbee & Co. of Pittsburgh who manufactured explosives for use in the construction of the Pennsylvania Railroad Low Grade Line.  People living nearby attempted to search for workers, but there were few in the plant, or outside, that had not been blown to bits.  

This is the marker at the site which I was unable to locate.

The remains of these people they gathered and placed in soap boxes.  Trying to identify those killed was impossible. The one person who was identified was done so because of a scar on the severed wrist that was found.  Five men did survive, but were badly injured.  The factory was in the forest near where a new railroad line was being built.  In order to build the line they had to blast through tons of rock.  The factory was also supplying dynamite for a dam that was being built along the Susquehanna River.  

This monument is located in the Colemanville
Church cemetery.  Click to enlarge.

One survivor, John Gebhart, ended up wearing a metal plate in his head for the rest of his life.  His brother, Ben, was luckier.  He was supposed to be working that day, but took off to go fishing.  That was the best fishing trip he ever took.  Many of the men who were killed lived in nearby Colemanville in Conestoga Township.  All 11 killed were buried a couple of miles away from the site at the Colemanville United Methodist Church.  The body parts of ten of the men were placed in one common grave while the one man who was identified was buried in a separate grave.  There is no way anyone can tell for sure where the factory was located that fateful day, since there was no remaining trace of any of the main structures.  

I searched for the single headstone and this was the
 only one I could find that showed a 1906 burial date.
His age would be consistent with the others who died.

A local resident placed a sign, about 10 years ago, where he thought the site might have been.  That still remains today along with the markers at the church.  The reason for the explosion has remained a mystery to this day.  The headlines described the event in awful clarity.  Lancaster County will never forget those who died that terrible day over 100 years ago.  All that remains today are the two tombstones that do little to tell the tale of the lives of those who were killed that day.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Thank Goodness For Friends and Family" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Three weeks out from my recent back surgery.  I am still very sore and not allowed to drive.  This is totally different from the first three back surgeries when I felt great by the end of the second week and was able to go back to my part-time job at the frame shop.  I go to my surgeon next week to see if I have been healing properly and may get a chance to drive once again.  I find it extremely hard to sit around the house and do nothing.  Boring!  

Front of Etta's card she sent to me.

The only thing keeping me sane is being able to sit with my MacBook Air on my lap and type stories for my blog.  One thing that has been both rewarding and humbling has been the many "Get Well" cards and letters that I have received the past three weeks.  And, my favorites are the ones that are hand-made by friends and relatives.  

Inside of the card.

I got one such card from my daughter-in-law's mother, Etta, who actually makes packs of home-made cards for Christmas gifts.  The card featured an old jalopy on the front with "Heard you are in the shop for repairs!" on the front and "Overheated? Low on gas? Tired out? Get Well Soon" on the inside.  What a neat card!  Another card I got from my wife's friend Marg who is an artist.  

Front of card by Marg.

She drew a remarkable likeness of me on front of the card dressed in a Hawaiian shirt with a panel inside that read "You Need This Vitamin...It's Easy Just Go To .... and the final panel said "Stone Harbor", a location along the Jersey Shore that we enjoy.  Both cards brightened my day, but a few days later I was looking out the window and saw a van pull into our drive.  Before long the doorbell rang and Carol opened it.  A minute later she was bringing me a really neat planter.  The card on it read: Hope you are feeling better soon.  We are thinking of you!  MTHS Admin, Faculty & Staff.  What a surprise.  I taught school at Manheim Township for years and still work there during the summer in-house printing requests they have.  

Inside of Marg's card.

I've been retired for 19 years now, but still know many of the teachers (a few being former students of mine, office staff (one being my next-door neighbor as well as a former student of mine, principals (one was a former student of mine) and staff.  I worked there all summer and stopped three weeks ago when I headed for surgery.  It was really neat to see that they were thinking of me.  Sickness and injury are never fun to go through, but when you are lucky enough to have so many good friends, relatives and co-workers who are thinking of you, it makes the bad parts so much better.  My heartfelt thanks to all who took the time to send me a card, make a call or get flowers for me.  It is making my recovery so much easier.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Planter from my friends at MTHS.

The "A Citizen With An Urgent Cause!!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Checking Facebook and found a story in Sint Maarten's "The Daily Herald" that was published on the Facebook page known as SIMPLY SXM.  Seems my friend, Barbara Cannegieter, who lives on the island known as Sint Maarten, had shared the link with the world.  

My wife Carol with Dee and Barbara at their home in Sint Maarten.

She has finally taken a bold stand!  The newspaper reported that a local citizen has taken the government on the island to court over the constant fire that burns in the local dump.  The dump can be seen from her home high in the hills above the capital city of Philipsburg on the Dutch side of the island known as Sint Maarten/St. Martin.  One side of the dual government island is Dutch while the other is French.  Carol and I have been visiting the island for close to 20 years now to enjoy their beaches, food and culture.  Along the way we have been lucky enough to gain quite a few good friends on both sides of the island.  Two such friends are Barbara and her husband Diederick.  Barbara grew up in nearby Williamsport, Pennsylvania and after a few visits to the island years ago, met and married her husband, Dee.  She has called Sint Maarten home since that time.  She loves the island and does her part to keep it safe and healthy and to survive there as a resident.  

The dump burns off in the distance.

Back on February 6, 2018 she sent a letter on behalf of the Sint Maarten Pride Foundation for which she is the secretary, to "His Excellency Eugene Holiday", the Governor of Sint Maarten.  She told of her disgust with the frequent and violent landfill fires that have plagued their side of the island for years.  With the arrival of the deadly hurricane Irma, the fire had become even more worrisome and harmful to the residents who live near the dump.  From Barbara's home in the hills high above Philipsburg she can see the dump every day and can see the environmental damage that it is doing to her country.  

Another day of flames and smoke.

She and her group, Sint Maarten Pride, were appealing to the Governor for help in remedying the problem.  She told of having to wear face masks, closing windows in their homes and staying indoors due to the fires that spit our their toxic components.  She told the Governor that the people in the Dutch Kingdom are guaranteed clean air as stated in their constitution, but are having a hard time finding it on most days.  She ended her letter with a statement stating they trust he will take their appeal on the landfill issue seriously and immediately.  

Another day of burning.  It is daily, non-stop.

Well, that was over six months ago, and the FIRE IS STILL BURNING!!  So, she took it upon herself, along with a few others, to file an injunction against Country St. Maarten, the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI and current management company of the landfill Robelto and Son B.B. in Sucker Garden.  She and the other plaintiffs requested that the Court order the government and the dump operator to take effective measures to prevent the emission of smoke, gases and stench at the landfill within three months following a Court ruling.  They also requested that the Court order government to have an official Institution such as the Netherlands Institute for Public Health and the Environment conduct measurements of toxic fumes.  They based their claim on legal protection they may invoke under environmental laws which are anchored in the Civil Code.  They also argued that the government and dump operator can be held liable based on "tort" or an "unlawful act."  Article 5:37 of the Civil Code is at the core of the dispute, as this article stipulates that the owner of a parcel of land may not cause hindrance such as, but not limited to, noise, smoke and gases continuously.  

Would you live in conditions like this.  No one should have
to put up with this in a civilized world!  It looks like a war zone.

The winds in St. Maarten generally come in an Easterly direction and the plaintiffs who work and live west of the dump suffer weekly and sometimes daily, depending on the winds, the plaintiffs said in a press release.  Barbara's home is less than two kilometres from the dump and another plaintiff, Mr. Koster who is a lawyer, lives seven kilometres from the dump as well as works in an office two kilometres west of the dump.  They constantly have complained of the foul smell, stinging eyes, sore throats, lungs and nasal passages as well as constant headaches.  Mr. Koster also said that the employees of his law firm have gone home numerous times due to the conditions at the dump.  No one should have to live like that in a developed country such as Sint Maarten.  This is all due to a dump that is filled with all types of waste from household waste to appliances, vehicles, chemical waste and batteries.  A mountainous pile of waste creates all types of chemical processes to arise which leads to the fire, gases and smoke.  Not only that, but on certain days the smoke blows directly toward the ship dock where cruise ships land with patrons who expect to explore the shopping in Philipsburg without the smoke from the dump.  Barbara and the other plaintiffs state that Country St. Maarten is in violation of its constitutional obligation to promote public health and liability of the country.  It also knowingly allows the dump to be operated without the required permits and allows all types of waste, allegedly even from abroad, to be discharged on the dump.   According to the three plaintiffs, government has failed to take any visible action to prevent or reduce the inconvenience, whereas it is "a fact" that the dump is located on a parcel of land that belongs to the government and for which Country St. Maarten and the minister are legally responsible.  The dump nuisance is virtually continuous.  It effects the health of all the citizens in the path of the dump's smoke and fumes.  The plaintiffs demand that the government take all necessary measures to prevent the emission of smoke and odor as soon as possible, but in any event within three months of judgment.  Seems the government has been arguing for years that it is working on a solution.  So, why is the dump still active?  The plaintiffs also requested, in case of non-compliance, that the Judge attach to the verdict daily penalities of US $5,000 with a maximum of $1 million.  Hopefully the case will be heard by the end of next month.  Money always speaks loudly to elected officials.  Maybe, just maybe, Carol and I will be able to visit Barbara and Dee without having to wear a mask the next time we visit the island.  NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO LIVE LIKE THAT!!  Make the elected officials move into the homes in the path of the smoke and fumes and see what happens.  There is no way they would want to put up with the unsafe conditions!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The "Lancaster County's Historical Covered Bridges: Part II" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Carol had just dropped me off along Middle Creek Road to take a photo of the Keller's Mill Covered Bridge which transports vehicle traffic across the Cocalico Creek in Cocalico Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  It was originally built by Elias McMellen in 1873 for $2,075.  In 1891 it was re-built by Mr. McMellen after a devastating flood swept it away.  The bridge at one time was known as Rettew's Mill Bridge and then Guy Bard's Mill Bridge.  Seems the owner of the mill that sat next to the bridge had changed from time to time.  It is the only covered bridge in Lancaster County that is painted white.  

Keller's Mill Covered Bridge in Cocalico Township

All others are different shades of red.  As I walked toward the entrance to the bridge to take a few photos, a gentleman riding a lawn tractor pulled up next to me.  He introduced himself and told me if I wanted to get a good shot of the bridge I could stand on the porch of his home to get the photo.  He told me he rents the home for vacation rentals and lives nearby in another home.  Neat place decorated with red, white and blue banners.  He told me the home dates back to the mid-1800s.  I told him my mission and he offered a bit of information about the bridge.  

The home which sits along the water that my new friend
rents to vacationers who come to Lancaster, PA.

Keller's Mill Bridge is known officially as Cocalico No. 5 Bridge.  Years ago it was about two miles upstream from where it sits today, but traffic became so intense over the single-lane bridge that the county decided to disassemble the bridge in 2006 and build a larger concrete bridge in its place.  Then, in 2010 it was reassembled in its current location on Middle Creek Road.  The bridge is a single span, wooden, double Burr Arch Truss bridge with additional steel hanger rods.  

Interior of bridge with Burr Arch Truss construction.

The deck is made of oak planks and is the only bridge in the county painted white.  He then told me that somewhere on the other side of bridge, away from his home, was a plaque or sign that carried most of the information he had just given me.  He also told me that the recent storms had caused the county to close the bridge due to high water that just about came to the floor of the bridge.  Well, I thanked him for the information, stopped on his porch for a photo and headed back across the bridge to meet my wife who was waiting for me in the car.  

Part of the sign that looks to be destroyed, but
does tell the location of the bridge.

As I exited the bridge I looked for the signage telling about the structure and found that the sign had become dislodged due to the flooding and was covered with debris.  I did wipe most of the dirt from it and took a few photos of parts of the sign before taking a few more photos of the bridge and then hopping back in the car.  Looked at my wife and said, "You won't believe what I found out about the bridge from the guy who was mowing his lawn on the other side of the bride."  She smiled and said, "Only you would have been lucky enough to meet someone who knew everything there was to know about the photo you wanted to take."  She's always right, you know!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.