The "Be There, Be Loud, Be Red: Goin' After #100" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Sitting in the stands at the Damascus football field with my wife, daughter and granddaughters, right behind the Red Army.  Tonight my son-in-law, Dave Mencarini, is going after win #100 as a head coach for Quince Orchard High School in Montgomery County, MD.  Dave is in his 10th year as the head coach of a program that until his arrival was mediocre at best.  His worst year was his first, 2004, when he went 8-2.  Since then he has played for the State Championship three times, winning the 2007 4A State Title with a record of 14-0.  Another year he lost in overtime of the State Championship game.  You do the figuring ...... in his 10th year as head coach, third game of the year tonight, and he is going for win #100.  His players respect and love him!!  And they don't mind telling you they do. Coach Mac's success is unparalleled not only in wins 

Coach Dave Mencarini 

 and losses, but in the quality of the players he produces.  Many have gone on to major college football and are now coaches themselves, trying to emulate what their high school coach taught them.   Well, tonight we arrived real early to get great seats and we did, top row of the away team bleachers on the 50-yard line.  But, we didn't realize that all the rows in front of us would be filled with the Red Army, Quince Orchard's student cheering section.  The back of their t-shirts tells it all: Be There, Be Loud, Be Red.  And they were ..... all three!  Had to stand on the seat rather than sit on it in order to see over them.  But, I'll give them one thing ..... they sure do yell and make noise.  And, it's contagious.  Had to be disruptive to the opposing team who were trying to hear their quarterback calling the plays.  QO kicked off to start the game and held Damascus to a few yards before they punted.  Teams went back and forth a few rounds with the defenses dominating on both sides.  Then QO began a possession in their own territory, but in short order Damascus intercepted a pass and within a few plays their quarterback snuck in a 1-yard score late in the first quarter.  On the try for the point-after-touchdown, 6-foot-2, 235 pound Connor Tilton burst through the line and blocked the try.  Damascus kicked off and QO, with the help of a one-handed, 20-yard catch from receiver Elliott Davis made it to the Damascus 7-yard line where workhorse #5 Kevin Joppy took it the final 7 yards for the score.  Extra point by Troy Porter was good and QO led 7-6 as the quarter ended.  Well, the game remained the same with both defenses dominating, until Damascus began a drive with a few minutes left and with 47 seconds left on the clock and 4th down and long, decided to try a 44-yard field goal.  The snap, hold, and kick were off ....... and to the left!!  Coach Mac had win #100 as his Cougars ran out the clock!!  As usual, Dave was appreciative of the congrats, but said, "I've been around a lot of great kids.  The 100 wins certainly didn't come from Dave Mencarini.  They came from great players and the great coaches that we have."  I will agree with him except for one point ...... who does he think makes those players so great and coaches so great?  Non other than Dave Mencarini.  He leads by dedication, tireless effort, knowledge of the game, motivation, but most importantly, example!!  To his players he is their HERO, in capital letters!  After the game we shared an embrace and he was dripping wet, both from the dousing he took from the tank of water the players dumped on him, but also the sweat from the heat of the battle he just went through for the last two hours.  I'm so glad I was part of the historic occasion and wish him the best of luck as he heads towards #200.  Carol and I, as well as his family, couldn't be more proud of him.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - The game in photos follows (click on any photo to enlarge it):

The Quince Orchard Cougars enter the field.

The Red Army sitting in front of us.

Band gets the crowd in the mood for the game.

Defenses for both teams dominated.  Here the quarterback for Damascus is dumped.

After a Damascus score #72, Connor Tilton, a member of the "Special Forces Team", broke through and blocked the extra point.  You can see the ball above the second Damascus (green jersey) player from the right.  This blocked kick was the difference in the final score.

Quince Orchard comes right back with #1, Elliott Davis, making a one-handed catch for a 28 yard gain.  Photo by Geo. Smith/Gazette

#5, Kevin Joppy carries the final 7 yards into the end zone for the touchdown.  Photo from Washington Post staff.

#23, Troy Porter, puts the Cougars ahead 7-6.

Celebration after the Damascus 44-yard field goal was missed.

Coach Mac gets a wet congratulations!  Photo by Geo. Davis/Gazette

Teams congratulate each other at the end.  

Team celebrates after coach Mac addresses them.

Dave is greeted by Brynn and daughters Camille and Courtney.

Dave receives congratulations on his 100 win from his Principal, Carole Working, while Brynn looks on.

LDub gets a big hug from Terrence Stephens, one of Dave's former players who played for Stanford and then played in the pre-season games for the Bengals.  Kinda of makes me look like a little kid.

Dave being interviewed by the press.

Big sign greets Coach Mac on his return home after the game.  Brynn, Camille and Courtney are with him.

Dave presented the game ball to his father, Joe.  Joe has been one of his biggest supporters throughout his life as well as one of his assistant-coaches throughout the 100 wins.

Cupcakes that his wife Brynn has baked for him show the number of wins he has accumulated as a head coach since 2004.  With Dave are from the left, Barry Scott, Bob Glass, and his dad Joe.

Trophy given to Dave in honor of his 100 wins by Principal Working of Quince Orchard High School.

Goin'

The "The Death Of An SXM Icon" Story

"Andy"

It was an ordinary day.  Reading the online obituary for one of my favorite restaurateurs, Andrew J. Jr. Susko, known to all his friends as just "Andy."  For Carol and I, he made the best "Mussels a la Andy" in the Caribbean.  For some he was a big, lovable, plump, jovial guy, while for others he was an obnoxious buffoon.  His personality was hard to figure for some, but if you took the time to know him, I mean REALLY know him, he was a sincere and loyal friend.  Andy was born in 1941 in New York, NY.  He lived there for 23 years before moving to Garfield, NJ for 13, Saddle Brook, NJ for 17 and then finally settling in St. Martin some 30 years ago.  He first opened up shop in the little town of Grand Case, St. Martin which is known as the gourmet capital of the Caribbean.  Later moved to nearby Orient Beach where he opened a beach bar and grill known as "Baywatch".  

"Baywatch

It was here that Carol and I got to know Andy and his cooking.  First time we visited "Baywatch" we walked up the front couple of badly worn stairs of the place on the beach with the stars and stripes proudly flying from the pole out front and were greeted by one of the most eclectic restaurants we have ever visited.  

Carol in the foreground with
Andy talking to his customers.

Bright baby blue picnic tables and chairs with bright yellow trim and a ceiling painted in a pale-blue with license plates from every state in the union as well as some foreign countries hanging from every open space in the the rafters as well as posts that held the roof in place.  We knew we were in the Caribbean the moment we stepped foot in the place.  That is why we came to the Caribbean and fell in love with it.  But, the guy with the dirty apron, sweaty sleeveless t-shirt and gray ponytail protruding from the rear of his cap who wondered around the place was another story.  "He's the cook?" my wife said to me the first time we ate there.  Yep, he was the cook and when I tasted that "You're In Paradise Cheeseburger" for the first time I knew we were in for a lifetime of great meals while seated maybe fifty yards from the most beautifully colored aqua water and pure white sand in the world.  He sure knew how to make a burger!  

License plates adorn the ceiling beams.  The one in
the center "CAW-LWW" is the one I gave him.

Then we got to meet him on maybe our third or fourth visit and found him to be warm and contagious.  The good and nice kind of contagious.  Over the years I made some morning visits on my photo treks and talked with him as he had a cup of coffee.  Interesting guy who had a wealth of knowledge about the island he now called home.  

Cheryl and LDub

Also got to know Cheryl, one of the greeters and waitresses who eventually became Andy's wife.  After a few years of visiting "Baywatch", we heard that it had moved to a new larger nearby site and was renamed "Andy & Cheryl's Baywatch Bar &  Grill."  Same old staff, eye-catching colors, license plates on the ceiling beams and good old Andy and Cheryl.  About three or four years ago my wife ordered his special "Mussels a la Andy" and whooped the whole meal down in record time.  She told me how great it was.  

The new "Andy and Cheryl's Baywatch Bar & Grill

Wasn't long before we made a return trip that year and I also had the same meal.  The Prince Edward Island mussels which he prepared in the most fantastic sauce became our yearly ritual when we visited.  Our only fear, with the passing of our good friend and chef, is that our favorite meal will be no more.  

But our loss will be minute compared to the loss that will effect the entire Orient Beach clientele who knew Andy.  

Pix of Andy from one of my
early morning visits to Orient Beach

He will be sorely missed.  The kind of "missed" that can never be replaced by anyone.  We're hoping Cheryl will continue to operate the business that they shared and find someone who can prepare the same great meals with just a pinch of Andy as part of them.  We will certainly be back to patronize our favorite beach restaurant on St. Martin.  Here's hoping Andy will find his proper place in Heaven where he can continue to dress in his own unique style and enjoy making his famous "Mussels a la Andy."  RIP, Andy!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - check out a few more photos from Baywatch and our friend Andy.

View from "Baywatch" looking over Orient Beach and Bay. 

Busy day at "Baywatch."

Andy and Cheryl

"Specials of the Day"

Cover of a menu I bought as a souvenir 

Rear of the menu.  The "Ode to Baywatch" says it all!!  Click on the photo to make it easier to read.

 

The "Talking To Deaf Ears" Story

Garden behind our "Beach House."

It was an ordinary day.  Working on the deck behind my house and the garden that is next to it.  When we first moved to our "Beach House" in the mid-90s, we stripped the bank behind out deck of all the weeds and planted items that reminded us of the beach.  Grasses of many colors and varieties dominate the bank to go along with our pond and waterfall.  

The Chicago Harlequin variety.

 A few years ago Carol started planting Colocasia plants, which for me and most of you, are called Elephant-ears.  They seem to have taken over the garden this year and give the feeling of being on a Polynesian island.  Leaves are huge and seem to grow larger every day.  This year Carol added a few new species to her collection.  The last few years we only had the plain elephant-ear, as I call them.  They actually are known as the Chicago Harlequin variety which boasts tall green and cream striped stems and massive leaves that are marbled with lighter green and darker blotches of green.  The majority of the elephant-ears are of that variety.  

The Tea Cup variety.

 But, this year we have added what is known as the Tea Cup variety which was discovered in the wild of Indonesia.  These elephant-ears grow in clumps and are not quite as large as most varieties.  What makes them so neat and unusual  is the gorgeous cup-shaped glossy olive green leaves that are shaped like a tea cut and holds any water source that comes in contact with it.  

The Black-Stem variety.

 Rain water or just us watering the garden will fill the cup with water until it eventually evaporates.  Another variety that Carol added this year is the Black Stem variety that is a spectacular plant.  It has giant black-purplish stems and grows very tall.  The leaves are a dark olive green color and the leaf is shaped like a heart with a shiny, metallic sheen.  The last new variety she has added is probably my favorite in the garden.  The elephant-ear Mojito is a fairly new variety that is a cross-breed between the Burgundy Stem and the Black Marble.  The leaves are a striking green color with black flecks throughout the leaf.  

The elephant-ear Mojito variety is my favorite.

 Not very large this year, but Carol promised me it will grow larger next year.  Now this is where the problem arises for the two of us.  We have to dig out the bulb of every last one of the plants before we have frost.  Some of the bulbs are really large while others, such as probably the Mojito, will be smaller.  Each one will require its own cardboard box and storage space in our garage.  But, for the joy of looking at, and feeling as if we are on a Polynesian island, I guess I will enjoy the task of digging them from the ground.  Carol already has picked out a few new ones for next year, so I'll be reporting about the same time next year with photo samples of the new ones that occupy a space in the garden behind our "Beach House."  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Not Gettin' Your Money's Worth" Story

Foreword

Every grandparent loves to brag about their grandkids and I'm no different.  So, today's story is one of those times that I get a chance to brag a bit about my grandson.  This is his second year of playing organized baseball with one team during the summer and another one here in the fall.  His dad was a fantastic pitcher, earning a full scholarship (thank goodness) to pitch for Division I Villanova University.  Whether my grandson is as good remains to be seen, but it is obvious that he loves to play and tries his best every time he is on the field.  And, today he made himself proud as well as his Tampah.  So, here goes a little braggin' story that needs to be told.  Thanks for reading it. 

It was an ordinary day.  Sitting on the narrow aluminum bleachers behind home plate in the small town of anywhere USA.  Well, to most it may be anywhere, but to Carol and me, the town does have a name and the event is a fall evening of little league baseball, my favorite sport.  

Mountville VFW Memorial Field.  The yellow
VFW building can be seen in the background.

Mount- ville is definitely a small town located on the Lincoln Highway in the midst of Penn-

sylvania farmland.  My grandson, Caden, plays for the Mountville Gold team and tonight they take on their rivals the Gray team.  Age bracket for this game is 8 and under with some boys just slightly taller than the bats they are using.  Since this is an instructional league the coaches are allowed to walk around the baseball diamond to give encouragement and to make sure the players are paying attention to the game.  

Gray team's coach ties his pitchers shoe.

 Caden loves the venue.  LDub loves the venue.  The Mountville VFW Memorial Field has an outfield fence with adver- tisements, refreshment stand, lighted scoreboard that really works and best of all lights around the field for night games.  They really know how to do it right!  What more could a young boy wish for on a gorgeous fall evening.  

Game started at 6:00 PM and by the 3rd inning the lights were illuminating the field.  Mountville Gold held the Mountville Gray scoreless in the top of the 1st then proceeded to get two men on base with two outs in the bottom of the inning.  Caden stepped to the plate.  He had been spending extra time with his dad learning more about the art of hitting and this will be his first chance to see what he remembered from his dad's instructions.  

Gold team boys line the bench
while waiting their time at the plate.

 Only sad part about the entire evening is that Caden's dad had an evening work shift and is missing the game.  Gray pitcher releases his first pitch and in a few seconds you can hear the ding of the bat and watch as the ball sails over the rightfielders head.  DOUBLE for Caden as he slides safely into second base.  Score: Gold 2, Gray 0.  Score remains the same throughout the rest of the evening with some good pitching from both teams and a lot of encouragement from the crowd.  

Caden swinging and connecting with
the first pitch for a double.

 Bottom of the 4th arrives and I sneak behind the home team's bench and ask Caden when he will bat again.  He points to a few teammates and then tells me he will bat 5th, as long as they get that far.  By the time Caden stepped in the batter's box the score was 4-0 with a man on third.  Again, first pitch comes in high and the mighty swing sends the ball over the centerfielder's head.  

Caden crossing the plate with run
number 6 for the gold team.

 DOUBLE for Caden as he hustles into second base.  Score: Gold 5, Gray 0.  After one more out a line drive plates Caden with the final run of the evening for Mountville Gold.  Top of the 5th sees a few baserunners for the Gray team, but an inning-ending strikeout makes the final score: Gold 6, Gray 0.  

The game ending High-5 lineup.

 The boys run to line up for the traditional high-fives and then scurry to the outfield for the coaches thoughts on the game.  The field is then prepared for the second game of the twi-night doubleheader between two more Mountville teams.  As I greeted Caden I said to him, "You didn't get your money's worth tonight.  Only two swings in the whole game!"  He looked at me with a big smile.  He was a proud young man tonight and rightfully so!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "A Farm With An Amazing History" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Driving the winding roads on the west side of the Susquehanna River in York, PA that lead from Lauxmont Farms to Wrightsville.  Returning from a visit to the farm to take a few photos for today's story about the operation of the farm and the land it currently occupies.  It was back in 1000 A.D. that small villages began along the Susquehanna River.  Native Americans were the first farmers, growing corn, beans, squash and tobacco.  About 1575 the Susquehannock tribe took control of this area, but eventually in the late 1600s, after being dispersed by different enemies, the remaining members joined other tribes to eventually form the Conestoga Indians.  In 1690 Col. Thomas Dongan, Governor of New York while acting as an agent for William Penn, allegedly negotiated a land treaty with the Indian tribes of the Susquehanna river valley.  Some of the Indians refused to accept the treaty and were eventually annihilated by 1763.  Interesting rock carvings known as petroglyphs still dot the banks of the river from the town of Columbia, PA to Conowingo, MD.  I have heard of their existence, but have never been able to find any of them.  It was on the same banks of this river that the Continental Congress crossed on their journey to York, PA in 1777 and 1778.  They were driven out of Philadelphia by the British and chose York, because the Susquehanna River would slow the British troops had they tried to pursue them to York.  

Mr. S. Forry Laucks

In 1918 S. Forry Laucks, a York industrialist, bought a 100 acre farm for $18,000 on the York side of the Susquehanna River.  It was during his tenure as owner of the farm that he named it Lauxmont Farm (pronounced Lowmont).  Six years later he began adding acreage to his farm, started a dairy operation and eventually in 1927 hired an architectural firm to design a French chateau-style mansion on the bluff overlooking the river.  Three years later he added more farms until he owned approximately 2,000 acres.  In 1933 he established an automated dairy complex which included a "lounge" to sell ice cream and sandwiches.  

The farm where the dairy operation once was located.

In 1943, a year after Mr. Laucks died, Mr. Otto Civil and his wife Mina bought the farm.  Then, in 1945, Dr. George T. Pack of New York bought the farm.  Dr. Pack died in 1969 and two years later Ron Kohr, Sr. and his wife Laura bought Lauxmont Farm for $1 million.  Ron was a member of the family who ran Kohr Bros. Frozen Custard, but sold his interest in that business to buy the farm.  Laura, of native American decent, took the part of the farm that was thought to be an Indian burial ground and converted it to pasture and put the main farm in Ag Security.  

Some of the acres used for pasture for the Standard bred horses.

At first they raised cattle, but then in 1978 switched to Standard bred racehorses because Ron thought there was more profit in that market.  He convinced others to invest in his business, but in the mid-1980s, because of new government tax laws, the business slumped.  The investors eventually filed a class action law suit to try to recoup the $6 million they were owed.  In 1994 the Kohr's filed a plan to repay the monies by selling their land.  

Leon Haller, a trustee for the bankruptcy, sold $7.5 million worth of the 1,379 acres that the Kohr's still owned, some for $1 million dollar homes.  

Area on the farm where the stables are located.

Ron then died in 2000.  One of the buyers of the land, Mr. Peter Alecxih, bought a 79 acre parcel known as Highpoint.  He planned to build 51 homes on the property, but the York Co. commissioners stepped in and nixed the plans.  In 2002 Lower Windsor Township, where Lauxmont Farm is located, contemplated buying 825 acres of the Kohr farm to help them out of bankruptcy.  

Ron Jr. owns a wedding venue on the farm and garden areas.

The Kohr's rejected the offer and submitted plans to build 667 homes on their property.  Lawsuits were filed by both sides during the battle.  In 2004 the commissioners condemned 411 acres of the remaining acres that the Kohr's owned plus the 79 acres that Mr. Alecxih owned.  Then in 2005 Laura died and Ron Jr. and the remainder of the family took up the battle.  

This is the Garden part of the property where Ron Jr's family lives.

The commis- sioners claimed the 79 acres by eminent domain and used it for the Highpoint Scenic Vista & Recreation Area. They had plans to claim more land until the commissioners who wanted this done were voted out of office.  The new commissioners didn't pursue the plans so Mr. Haller got angry and sued York Co. to make them buy the land.  

Part of the garden property is also a wedding venue.
One of Ron's sisters lives in this house.

Well, eventually on May 12, 2007, Highpoint Park opened, the county bought most of the property except for the current Lauxmont Farm holdings.  The Kohr family also offered the historical American Indian burial site at Lakeside East to York Co. to York County which the County then purchased and placed the Kohr family on firm footing at last.  

Lauxmont Farms is peaceful as well as beautiful.

My visit to the farm today took me to two areas.  One features horse stables and pastures as well as a wedding venue, while the other area is where the Ron Jr. and his family live as well as another wedding venue.  Ron Jr. owns the wedding business while the entire family owns the horse and farm business.  While I was there they were preparing for an afternoon wedding.  Fantastic view of the river as well as the farm pastures in the distance.  Would also make a great place to renew someone's wedding vows!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.