20070429 Daily Photoblog Carroll Co MD Ag Center Tractor Pull

Daily Photoblog

April 29, 2007

Carroll County Maryland Ag Center Tractor Pull

20070427 Daily Photoblog “Big Baker Chapel”

Daily Photoblog “Big Baker Chapel”

April 27^th, 2007

“Big Baker Chapel” McDaniel College, Westminster, MD

20070423 What’s going on?

What’s going on?

April 23, 2007

I was a big Marvin Gaye fan when I was young and I always liked this song.

Go over to The Tentacle and read Derek Shackleford’s column:

"What's Going On?" by Derek Shackelford writing in The Tentacle:

Yesterday I was having a flashback and popped in my Marvin Gaye CD. Why I had decided to listen to Marvin Gaye on this particular occasion I could not answer. I think I just wanted to hear something with a nice beat.

One particular song caught my attention. It was "What's Going On." For some reason on this particular day, I listened with a more reflective consciousness.

As I surveyed the current landscape of the world and in my conversations with others, the question that is before all of is "What's Going On?" We really want to know that because - to a large degree - it appears we cannot make sense out of anything.

Marvin Gaye- What's Going On

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20070424 Ozzie and Harriet

"Ozzie and Harriet"

Posted April 24, 2007

The adventures of America’s favorite family, Ozzie, Harriet, David and Ricky Nelson.

I don’t know when this episode aired. The show “Ozzie and Harriet” appeared on ABC from 1952 to 1966.

This episode features a commercial for the Kodak Brownie Starmatic camera.

In this episode Dave, Ricky and Wally go horseback riding at the Lazy K Stables…

Check out the car as they leave the house to travel to the stable.

Wally rides a horse named Bertha. His mounting technique is well, unique…

And check out the riding instructor.

It would be luck that I would end up taking lessons from “Hank,’ the other riding instructor.

They decide that perhaps they need some additional horseback riding instructions… But not from George or Bill or Bob…

Well, watch the clip and smile broadly at era long since gone by.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MC8U_vlq-A

Yeah, for all my nieces and nephews who read the blog, this was TV when your uncle was growing up.

Of course, this is the other side of your uncle:

Ozzy Osbourne-Dreamer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbJqswLi3uE

For the lyrics, it’s my favorite Ozzie song…

####

20070424 The Washington Post Sleuth

The Sleuth - Mary Ann Akers

Compilation as of Tuesday, April 24^th, 2007

Posted at 2:15 PM ET, 04/24/2007

Kucinich Halts Impeachment Hunt Against Cheney

UPDATE, 3:45 p.m. ET: Kucinich now plans to hold his news conference announcing articles of impeachment against the vice president at 5 p.m. ET today. (Kucinich was in the Speaker's Lobby off the House chamber just moments ago personally handing out press releases announcing that the big event is back on.) Let's hope Cheney doesn't have a dental appointment or anything between now and then!...

Open Government, What Open Government?

UPDATE, 4:00 P.M. ET: After the letter circulated widely on the Internet, Rep. Obey changed his mind and will now allow cameras into the conference committee proceedings. Original Post: Radio and television reporters who cover the House aren't so pleased with Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (Calif.) notion of transparency. After the Democrats won control of the House, Pelosi promised to make Congress "the most open...Congress in...

Rich Little Bravely Answers Washington's Call

Most people who endured Rich Little's performance at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner Saturday night had the same reaction ... bless his heart. Rich Little brought his presidential voices to Washington on Saturday night. (Getty Images) Bless his heart for getting trapped in a time warp that won't let him escape 1981. (The man is still hinging his act on Richard "Tricky Dick" Nixon...

White House Dinner: Stomping Ground

Tomorrow's White House Correspondents' Association Dinner is shaping up to be a Republican presidential primary cattle show. The most bizarre cattle show ever, considering the side attractions include the singing, faux-hawked pop culture icon Sanjaya and oh-so-last century icons Jane Fonda and Rich Little, who's emceeing the event. While none of the major Democratic presidential contenders are taking a break from campaigning to attend the...

Congressman Hits on Actress Kerry Washington

Who knew that a Congressman's funding request for sewer projects in his district could be so... so sexy? When Rep. Artur Davis (D-Ala.) went before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Thursday, he found himself appealing instead for the affection of famed silver screen beauty Kerry Washington. Washington, who starred in "Ray" and "The Last King of Scotland" among other films,...

Rummy and Newt, War and (In)Fidelity

Donald Rumsfeld and Newt Gingrich have more in common than being out of power. They're both apparently fans of the legendary German composer Richard Wagner (that's pronounced VAHG-ner, while lifting your head and looking down your nose).

Rummy and Newt were spotted Tuesday night - separately - at the Kennedy Center enjoying Placido Domingo's stirring performance in Die Walkure, the second of four operas that make up Wagner's Ring cycle.

Brownback Wins This Week's Fundraising "Award"

Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner. Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) has won this week's Most Outrageous Fundraising Solicitation award. In an email to potential supporters today, Brownback, who is running for president, prays for the families of those killed in the Virginia Tech shooting tragedy, then segues to Tuesday's Supreme Court ruling on partial birth abortion, and then - you guessed it - to...

Romney: In the Bunker on Shooting Incident

It seems Mitt Romney, who's been working hard of late to establish his pro-gun bona fides, is the only major presidential candidate whose campaign web site does not prominently feature the candidate's reaction to the Virginia Tech massacre. Others have made the incident front and center on their web sites. Take, for example, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani. The very first thing you see...

Articles of Impeachment To Be Filed On Cheney

Looks like he's reached his boiling point.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), the most liberal of the Democratic presidential candidates in the primary field, declared in a letter sent to his Democratic House colleagues this morning that he plans to file articles of impeachment against Vice President Dick Cheney.

Kucinich has made ending the war in Iraq the central theme of his campaign. He has even taken aim at the leading Democratic presidential candidates in the field for their votes on authorizing the war.

Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution gives Congress the authority to impeach the president, vice president and "all civil Officers of the United States" for "treason, bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."

Bush Administration: Breakdown

Is this is a metaphor for something? Congressional oversight committees and reporters covering the U.S. attorneys firing scandal waited with bated breath Thursday night for yet another huge document drop revealing more details in the Bush administration's plan to fire eight U.S. attorneys. They waited, and waited. But the documents weren't delivered to the House and Senate Judiciary committees until this morning because -- no...

Flacking the Good Flack

Here's a good one: Guess who's giving crisis communications advice on how Don Imus should have spun his way out of the derogatory slur he made about the Rutgers women's basketball team? Answer: the former spokesman for ex-Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), whose racist and sexist gaffes contributed to his downfall in the 2006 mid-term elections. That's right, Burns' former press secretary, Matt Mackowiak, is dispensing...

The Imus Factor

Finally, a meaty issue that divides Democratic presidential candidates -- Don Imus. To shun or not to shun the embattled radio show host for uttering some demeaning remarks about the Rutgers women's basketball team, that is the question. Sen. Chris Dodd(D-Conn.), who announced his presidential candidacy on "Imus in the Morning" instead of some place in his home state, won't rule out going on Imus's...

Race for the Golden Gavel

Two freshman senators are locked in a tight race over who will be class geek. Both Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) want to be the very first among their class of nine senators to win the Golden Gavel Award, which was created in the 1960s as an incentive to get wide-eyed new senators to learn the rules and procedures of the snootier...

Edwards Campaign Modifies Online Fundraising Practice

John Edwards's presidential campaign has modified its online fundraising approach to give visitors an "opt-out" option if they are just trying to send a sympathy note to Elizabeth Edwards about her cancer recurrence. The change reflects an apparent attempt to separate the handling of Mrs. Edwards's illness from the incessant need for money to fund her husband's campaign for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination. The...

Biden Slams Sam Fox Recess Appointment

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joe Biden (D-Del.) finally weighed in today on the Bush administration's surprise recess appointment of Sam Fox to be ambassador to Belgium. Democrats are outraged, arguing it is illegal for President Bush to use a recess appointment to install someone whose nomination was no longer even pending before Congress. Biden, who is running for president and was stumping in Iowa...

April 22, 2007 - April 28, 2007
April 15, 2007 - April 21, 2007
April 08, 2007 - April 14, 2007
April 01, 2007 - April 07, 2007
March 25, 2007 - March 31, 2007
March 18, 2007 - March 24, 2007
March 11, 2007 - March 17, 2007
March 04, 2007 - March 10, 2007
February 25, 2007 - March 03, 2007
February 18, 2007 - February 24, 2007
February 11, 2007 - February 17, 2007
February 04, 2007 - February 10, 2007
January 28, 2007 - February 03, 2007
January 21, 2007 - January 27, 2007

20070423 Welcome to the Carnival of Maryland 5

Welcome to the Carnival of Maryland 5

April 23rd, 2007

Welcome to the Carnival of Maryland 5 or what I have come to perhaps understand as the bi-weekly Maryland Blogger Alliance magazine of the mind.

All the articles are great and we’re sure that you will enjoy the variety and talent in each piece.

Table of Contents:

Article No. 1: “Delmarva Shorebirds 2007 home opener,” by Michael Swartz writing on “Monoblogue,” Saturday, April 14^th, 2007

Article No. 2: “Three gentleman ducks” by The Ridger writing on “The Greenbelt,” Sunday, April 8^th, 2007.

And a bonus feature, a sequel from The Ridger’s article on Carnival Of Maryland 4 hosted by W. Crodhil on “Politics, Hon,” on April 8th, 2007: “The Redwings in the Park,” on April 2nd, 2007. The sequel is titled, “Nature Red in ... Beak and Shoulder?” which is dated April 11^th, 2007.

Article No. 3: “Baltimore's inner harbor” by Soccer Dad, writing on the web site, “Soccer Dad,” on Wednesday, April 18^th, 2007.

Article No. 4: “Guns guns guns…” by Robert C. Carter writing on the web site, “Escape from Pianosa,” on Saturday, April 21^st, 2007.

Article No. 5: “Maryland Voters Officially Irrelevant” by W. Crodhil, E.I.C. writing on “Politics, Hon,” on Wednesday, April 11, 2007.

Article No. 6: “20070422 Media Smackdown” by Kevin Dayhoff writing on “Kevin Dayhoff – Soundtrack Division of Old Silent Movies,” on Sunday, April 22^nd, 2007.

Sports Section:

Article No. 1: “Delmarva Shorebirds 2007 home opener,” by Michael Swartz writing on “Monoblogue,” Saturday, April 14^th, 2007

Mr. Swartz introduces the article by saying; “Just a slice of life on the Eastern Shore. Politics gets sort of boring after awhile, and I'm a big fan of my adopted hometown team!”

“… I had a good time watching the opener and getting back to baseball again. I also rectified an oversight from last year, now I’m a paid member of the Shorebirds Fan Club…”

Read the entire article here: Delmarva Shorebirds 2007 home opener. Enjoy the pictures and the enjoyable commentary…

Nature Section:

Article No. 2: “Three gentleman ducks” by The Ridger writing on “The Greenbelt,” Sunday, April 8^th, 2007.

And a bonus feature, a sequel from The Ridger’s article on Carnival Of Maryland 4 hosted by W. Crodhil on “Politics, Hon,” on April 8th, 2007: “The Redwings in the Park,” on April 2nd, 2007. The sequel is titled, “Nature Red in ... Beak and Shoulder?” which is dated April 11^th, 2007.

In the “Three gentleman ducks,” we’re introduced to three gentleman mallards, who are possible named Ping, Pong, and Po? “So here they are, Three Gentleman Mallards who hang out together in the park.”

One can only imagine what they were discussing?

See the pictures here: “Three gentleman ducks”

On April 2, we learned that “Last year there was a pair of redwings nesting in the cattails. This year - this past week - I've seen three males, chasing each other at times. Today, two of them were sitting in trees next to each other calling loudly, and the females were there…” In “Nature Red in ... Beak and Shoulder?” we learn that “the redwings have a winner ... he got the prime real estate ...”

The Ridger then introduces us to “a duel between cardinals.”

Catch the great pics here: “Nature Red in ... Beak and Shoulder?”

Travel Section:

Article No. 3: “Baltimore's inner harbor” by Soccer Dad, (“With something like a 10-60 record as coach of my children's soccer teams why do I do it? Because I'm Soccer Dad!” – He can coach my nieces and nephews anytime – Winning may or not be everything but values are forever…) writing on the web site, “Soccer Dad,” on Wednesday, April 18^th, 2007.

In his article he has posted a number of pics “of Baltimore's Inner Harbor” from a “recent trip to the Maryland Science Center…”

And for a bonus Soccer Dad threw in a Westminster image, in a Brechtian mode of ironic distance, which is of “Ansel Adams meets Rainer Werner Fassbinder” quality. It is a must see photo (scroll to the bottom of the post…) – although it may take a few sessions with the GEICO Cavemen’s therapist to understand it.

[My favorite recent post by Soccer Dad is here: “My blog as refrigerator.”]

Political Commentary section:

Article No. 4: “Guns guns guns…” by Robert C. Carter writing on the web site, “Escape from Pianosa,” on Saturday, April 21^st, 2007.

Mr. Carter writes, in part: “…in the wake of the horror at Virginia Tech this past week, I’ve been reading a lot about what people have to say about guns… A no-guns allowed policy doesn’t guarantee a killing spree, but it certainly makes it easier…”

Mr. Carter, a “a student, writer, satirist, webTV creator, photographer, athlete, thinker, traveler, blogger and improv comedian,” obviously put some time in his commentary…

Read his entire thought-provoking essay here: “Guns guns guns…”

Article No. 5: “Maryland Voters Officially Irrelevant” by W. Crodhil, E.I.C. writing on “Politics, Hon,” on Wednesday, April 11, 2007.

Mr. Crodhil laments “With the signing of the so-called "popular vote" bill this week, MD Governor Martin O’Malley has in essence, deemed the votes of every single Marylander completely, and totally, irrelevant on the national level.”

Read his thought-provoking explanation here: “Maryland Voters Officially Irrelevant” (And he calls to our attention that Pillage Idiot and Pubcrawler also have thoughts on this matter…)

Media Commentary section:

Article No. 6: “20070422 Media Smackdown” by Kevin Dayhoff writing on “Kevin Dayhoff – Soundtrack Division of Old Silent Movies,” on Sunday, April 22^nd, 2007.

Last week was a long and hard week for our nation and by the end of the week I had “had it” with the media coverage of the tragedy at Virginian Tech and I had been reduced to a NJ Turnpike toll collector stare.

As an uncle, I already have a Doctorate in Modern Anxiety with a minor in ennui… when it comes to being concerned for the next generation. I have three members of my family in college, two that just graduated, and two that will enter college shortly – all nieces and nephews.

I love talking with them as they are arguably some of the neatest folks on the planet. But the idea of some of the slobbering, feckless, pandering media-types interviewing the students at Virginia through the cracked mirror by which much of the media views its navel, got burdensome.

I was impressed that the Virginia Tech students consistently presented with poise and outclassed the media hacks.

Another thing for certain, in today’s obsessive media, last week proved once again, that the media certainly have been well trained to bark on cue…

The other day, I had but only minutes to stop for a moment and catch-up with the news and all I got were psychologically violent images of “the killer” and the media “interviewing the ghost.” Unhappy, I made, what turned out to be, one too many cups of coffee and turned to my local newspaper…

I opened the paper – “and lost it.”

“Why anyone would want to trivialize the tragedy at Virginia Tech by taking the opportunity to promote a political agenda is beyond comprehension.

Right now I have no time for folks who wish to ride their favorite political hobbyhorse on the back of what is otherwise an enormous human tragedy.

What we need right now is the steady glow of a prudent and human response and not a series of blinking lights.

Read the rest of my “media commentary” (rant) here: “20070422 Media Smackdown.”

Oh yes, I’m feeling a little better today. Thank you for asking.

_____

Thank you for joining us for Carnival of Maryland 5 – the Maryland Blogger Alliance bi-weekly magazine of the mind. It’s been a pleasure hosting this great event. For more information on the CoM, click here.

If you’re a MD blogger, and you’d like to join the Maryland Blogger Alliance (MBA), you can contact the Pillage Idiot’s Attlia at- pillageidiot -at- hotmail -dot- com.

If you have not had a chance to read our previous four Carnivals, please take this opportunity to review some of the best that the Maryland blogosphere has to offer:

Carnival of Maryland #1 - 2/25/2007 was hosted by Bruce Godfrey on “Crablaw Maryland Weekly” on February 25, 2007.

Carnival of Maryland - second edition hosted by Attila of the Pillage Idiot on March 11, 2007.

Carnival of Maryland #3 was hosted by The Ridger on “The Greenbelt” on March 26^th, 2007

Carnival Of Maryland 4 hosted by W. Crodhil on “Politics, Hon,” on April 8^th, 2007.

For more simply great reading, click on any of the following web sites that belong to the mid-Atlantic’s premier blogger collective:

Members of the Maryland Blogger Alliance are:

Pillage Idiot (Rockville)

Soccer Dad (Baltimore)

Maryland Conservatarian (Baltimore)

The Baltimore Reporter (Baltimore)

The Sun Lies (Baltimore Area)

The Not So Free State (Woodlawn)

monoblogue (Salisbury)

Crablaw (Reisterstown)

Kevin Dayhoff (Westminster)

Politics, Hon (Baltimore)

blogger1947 (Gwynn Oak)

Jousting for Justice (Owings Mills)

The Voltage Gate (Frostburg)

Howard County Md. Blog (Ellicott City)

The Hedgehog Report (Columbia)

Rockin' Catoctin (Frederick)

The Pubcrawler (Gaithersburg)

C. Dowd's Blog (Lansdowne)

Oriole Post (Silver Spring)

Escape from Pianosa (Baltimore)

Maryland Politics Today (Laurel)

The Greenbelt (Laurel)

Snail's Tales (Germantown)

Leviathan Montgomery (Silver Spring)

Going to the Mat (Frederick)

The AT Wire (Cumberland)

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20070422 A Jimi Hendrix guitar ...

Jimi Hendrix

April 22, 6:21 PM

“A guitar owned by Jimi Hendrix was sold for …”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nayarBrD6mk

jimi hendrix plays piano and violin rare footage 1967

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aUDVpHxw9c

Jimi Hendrix All Along The Watchtower

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20070420 This week in The Tentacle

This week in The Tentacle

April 20th, 2007

"...which governs least" Roy Meachum

Insanity and Common Sense Patricia A. Kelly

Frontier Justice Lingers On Edward Lulie III

The Crux of the Matter Tony Soltero

Congressman Roscoe Bartlett: One Who Listens Kevin E. Dayhoff

Crossing the Color Barrier Roy Meachum

General Assembly Journal 2007 - Volume 13 Richard B. Weldon Jr.

Looking To Retirement? Tom McLaughlin

Molly Ringwald as 'Charity Hope Valentine' Three for the Aisle Roy Meachum

Translations, Please! Chris Cavey

Helen Thomas: Press' Grand Dame Coming to McDaniel Kevin Dayhoff

_____

Friday, April 20, 2007

"...which governs least"

Roy Meachum

"You have vandalized my heart, raped my soul and torched my conscience. Thanks to you, I die like Jesus Christ to inspire generations of the weak and the defenseless people."

Insanity and Common Sense

Patricia A. Kelly

In 1982, I was living and working as a school nurse on a military base in the Philippines. I learned from a tearful, drunken teenaged boy that one of the most popular and visible sailors on our base was a sexual predator. He was targeting vulnerable boys, fondling and humiliating them.

Frontier Justice Lingers On

Edward Lulie III

Once in Texas if you stole a man's horse you could get hanged for it; and then, too, if you stole a man's wife you could get shot. Oddly enough things haven't changed all that much over the years; Texas is still clearly a state where marriage is treated very seriously. Compare that to Maryland where adultery, as a crime, is punishable by a fine of $10.

---

Thursday, April 19, 2007

The Crux of the Matter

Tony Soltero

One of the most common arguments that employers use to justify the hiring of illegal immigrants is that "you can't find an American citizen to do the work." This is repeated so often by those who game the system that it's retransmitted in the media without question. But it's a completely inaccurate statement as it stands - it's in need of a small adjustment.

---

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

One Who Listens

Kevin E. Dayhoff

Demonstrators recently gathered at Congressman Roscoe Bartlett's Frederick office to theatrically illustrate their unhappiness over his vote on the emergency Iraq and Afghanistan supplemental funding legislation.

---

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Crossing the Color Barrier

Roy Meachum

Branch Rickey competed with Eleanor Roosevelt as maybe the best subject I never wrote about; the material was there, in a Washington Post reporter's notebook. We had done the interviews.

---

Monday, April 16, 2007

General Assembly Journal 2007 - Volume 13

Richard B. Weldon Jr.

The 423rd Session of the Maryland General Assembly will be known more for what didn't get accomplished than for what did. In past years, I've suggested that sessions are often measured as much by the bad stuff that doesn't happen as the good stuff that does. Here's a twist on that idea.

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Sunday, April 15, 2007

Looking To Retirement?

Tom McLaughlin

Humor by Tom McLaughlin - Baby boomers are rapidly coming to retirement. I am glad I am at the tail end of this group because they will pave the way once they discover what their golden years are really like.

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Friday, April 13, 2007

Molly Ringwald as 'Charity Hope Valentine'

Three for the Aisle

Roy Meachum

We deal today with the bloody, bloody Bard, a movie's intellectual jokes and pranks, and the welcome return of a musical from Broadway's Bob Fosse-Golden age.

---

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Translations, Please!

Chris Cavey

Late Monday the 423rd session of the Maryland General Assembly adjourned Sine Die. In modern legal context, it means there is nothing left to do, so no date for further proceedings is set. It is the end of the session. Deo gratias! (thanks [be] to God!).

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Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Press' Grand Dame Coming to McDaniel

Kevin E. Dayhoff

A curmudgeon without peer, a celebrated author, a reporter who covered the White House through nine presidents, and now a columnist with the Hearst organization, Helen Thomas could easily be called the press' grand dame.

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20070418 The passion thrill and magic of April

Westminster Eagle

“The passion, thrill, and magic of April”

April 18, 2007 by Kevin Dayhoff

The American essayist, poet, and leader of the Transcendentalist movement in the early nineteenth century, Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The April winds are magical, and thrill our tuneful frames. The garden-walks are passional to bachelors and dames.”

Hopefully we won’t have an April this year as we had 110 years ago. The Democratic Advocate reported on April 24, 1897: “A blast from the North bore down on this section Monday night, sending down the mercury to 26 at 7 o'clock on Tuesday morning… This has been the coldest April for twenty years.”

To look back in Carroll County history, any given month of the year provides an historian with a cornucopia of thrilling stories to explore, but April has always been especially fascinating.

Perhaps one person in Carroll County history who may have opted for a less passionate month was the editor of the Western Maryland Democrat, Joseph Shaw.

Mr. Shaw was lynched in Westminster at the corner of Anchor and West Main Street for an editorial that he had published in the paper just days before President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 14^th 1865.

It might be important to mention at this point, that these days, murdering editors is on the disapproved behavior list in Westminster.

The mid-1970s was not a good time for planning reservoirs. It was in April 1973 that yet another proposed reservoir was on its way to being forced off the drawing board by public outcry. Remember, a $5 million reservoir proposed by Westminster on Big Pipe Creek in Union Mills was shot-down in September 1976.

The Carroll Record published an editorial on April 12, 1973: “Again—To the concern of many and to the dismay of hundreds more, in Carroll and Frederick Counties, the Sixes Bridge Dam and Lake Project (on the Monocacy River) is back on the front burner again… (A) new report entitled, Potomac River Basin Water Supply, coupled with vocal action by citizen groups… fearing a water shortage, has again alarmed area residents.” The proposed, but never built, $32 million reservoir was going to be paid for entirely by the federal government.

On another public safety and welfare note, the American Sentinel reported on April 11, 1896, the cornerstone for the new Westminster fire hall on Main Street was set with great pomp and ceremony by the Door to Virtue Lodge No. 40.

“The event had long been anticipated with interest, not only by the firemen, but by citizens generally, and drew to the scene a large assembly of people… It was preceded by a parade of the Westminster Band and the firemen, in full dress uniform… under charge of the marshal, Ex-Mayor Joseph D. Brooks; E. J. Lawyer, president and F. K. Herr, chief.”

Ten years later, on April 6, 1906, the fire company only to go next door to spring into action. According to the American Sentinel, a fire destroyed the “Palace livery stable and residence of Mr. Harry H. Harbaugh, on East Main Street, with nearly (all) their entire contents, consisting of 22 horses, 45 vehicles… The stable was a large frame structure… between the Firemen's Building and the residence of Mayor O. D. Gilbert… The rear of the stable bordered on St. John's Catholic Cemetery.”

On the bright side, the Democratic Advocate reported on April 2, 1948, that the American Legion in Westminster installed their first TV set. “Television is still in its infancy; however it is particularly well adapted to sports events. Each night a major sport is televised. This large television set was installed by J. Stoner Geiman.”

On another positive note, the Carroll Record reported on April 5, 1973, “Friday morning started grey and rainy, much to the dismay of local residents of the Union Bridge area. (It) was the day that Sergeant Peter Edward Drabic (finally returned) to his hometown after four and one half years of captivity in Vietnam.”

Hopefully Mother Nature has remembered to schedule spring this year. We’re overdue for “passional magic to thrill our tuneful frames.”

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr.org

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20070411 This week in the Westminster Eagle

This week in the Westminster Eagle

Posted Sunday, April 15^th, 2007

Local News

Resident hosts Climate Action Day
As an activist for a number of causes who says she's always looking for a petition to sign, Eldersburg resident Katie Sirk was excited about Step It Up 2007, a "Climate Awareness Day" being held this weekend at locations across the country.

But she was disappointed to find that the closest Step I...
[Read full story]

Sports Hall of Fame this Friday
The Rotary Club of Westminster has announced the inductees for the class of 2007 Carroll County Sports Hall of Fame.

This year's members of the hall will be honored at the annual Sports Hall of Fame Banquet on Friday, April 13, at Carroll Community College, beginning at 6 p.m.

There are currentl...
[Read full story]

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Carroll County News Briefs 04/11/07

Deadline next week for city council candidates

Next Monday, April 16, is the deadline for candidates to file if they want to run for the Westminster Common Council in the May 14 election……[…]

Man who held woman faces slew of charges

A Reisterstown man has been charged with beating, burning and forcibly tattooing a woman while holding her prisoner inside a Finksburg house for more than a month. […]

County Chamber honors Teachers of the Year

The Carroll County Chamber of Commerce last week hosted its 19th annual Outstanding Teacher Awards ceremony.

The event, held April 4 at Winters Mill High School, serves as a prelude for the Carroll County Teacher of the Year award, to be determined in May. The chamber's honorees become the eight finalists for that title. The following teachers received the chamber's Outstanding Teacher Awards:

*Antonina Wallace of Carrolltowne Elementary School;

*M. Lynn Earp of Winters Mill High School;

*Rebecca A. Miller of Cranberry Station Elementary School;

*Lori A. Hayman of Sandymount Elementary School;

*Timothy J. Durkin of Liberty High School;

*Richard W. Thompson of West Middle School;

*Ruth A. Mason of Freedom Elementary School; and

*Hanna S. McNett of North Carroll High School.

[…]

The Literacy Council of Carroll County Inc. will hold its fund-raising event, the "SPELIN BE," on Thursday, April 26, 6 p.m. at the Career & Technology Center in Westminster.

Teams of three adult spellers (plus an alternate), sponsored by a business or community group, compete against each other in a spelling contest.

Joe Cimino will be master of ceremonies, District Court Judge Ellinghouse-Jones will be the pronouncer and Carroll County Public Library director, Lynn Wheeler, will be the judge……[…]

Teens encouraged to 'Speak Out' on alcohol

An alcohol awareness program for teens and adults, "Speak Out", will be held Saturday, April 21, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Community Media Center, 1301 Washington Road, Westminster. […]

Roads cited as Carroll's 'high collision' routes

Carroll County Sheriff's Office said this week that according to 2006 traffic fatality statistics, the county experienced a 41 percent increase in fatal traffic collisions compared to 2005.

Finishing the year with 24 fatalities, Carroll experienced the ninth highest rate of fatal traffic collisions among Maryland's 23 counties, according to the data.

A release from the Sheriff's Office stated that patrol deputies are directing traffic enforcement efforts toward roadways identified by citizen complaints and through traffic collision and enforcement analysis.

The office has identified several of the county roadways as "High Collision Routes," including:

*Route 97 between Route 140 and Airport Drive/Magna Way;

*Route 26 (Liberty Road) between Route 32 and White Rock Road;

*Route 26 at Route 27;

*Route 140 from Tyrone Road to Market Street;

*Route 27 from Route 140 to Route 482;

*Buckhorn Road;

*Middleburg Road;

*Salem Bottom Road;

*Union Bridge Road;

*Uniontown Road; and

*Woodbine Road.

[…]

Carroll Lutheran touts humor as good medicine

Lois S. Walden, RN, will speak on "Humor & Health: A Lesson in Laughter," on April 16, 2 p.m., in the Krug Chapel Auditorium at Carroll Lutheran Village.

Research shows that laughter can raise pain thresholds, reduce stress and even boost immune-system function.

Participants sought to help fill 'Art in the Park'

The Carroll County Arts Council, 91 W. Main St., is inviting artists to submit their work for display and sale at this year's "Art in the Park" event, to be held at the Westminster City Hall Park on Saturday, June 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m……

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Cedarhurst puts faith in community

After acts of vandalism, church embraces 'rebirth'

Speaking publicly about a series of vandalism incidents last year was a difficult decision for the congregation at Cederhurst Unitarian Universalist Church in Finksburg.

But the decision to celebrate the congregation's renewal and rebirth was no...
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Gym focuses on mobility for disabled
Last Saturday, Mandy Kent raised her hands above her head and waved them.

For most people that would seem an effortless feat, but for Kent, it was affirmation that she can hope for a better future.

Kent, 30, was born with spina bifida, and was in a wheelchair by the time she was 15. She has been...
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Recreation

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South Carroll defeats weather and Westminster

Westminster and South Carroll have been baseball rivals for nearly 40 years.

Since the two oldest schools in the county began playing in 1968, it's doubtful that they had to compete in weather conditions as brutal as last Thursday's game at South Carroll.

With game-time temperatures in the high 30s and a strong wind making it feel much colder, the teams had to battle the elements as well as each other.

The pitching of South Carroll's Garrett Harrison and timely hitting were the difference, as the Cavaliers rolled to a 7-2 victory over the Owls in the teams' only meeting of ...
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Wolf at the Door

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Before calling all cars, Sheriff's Office should take to the air

I've answered all e-mail from readers Schlitzer, Partenope, O'Sullivan and Brougham. For you rail fans, Allen Brougham has a great Web site, www.bullsheet.com, which not only has the greatest address ever, but has great reading material for those of us who miss the golden age of rail travel.

Meanw...
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The Passing Parade

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Dropping a hot potato in the commissioner's laps

That's how I'd describe the dilemma the commissioners find themselves in, having to choose between expanding the airport's runway for the county's financial gain -- by being able to handle larger corporate jets and serve as a "reliever airport" for BWI (general aviation planes only) -- or adopting t...
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Kevin E. Dayhoff

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This 'Candy drive' benefits the East Middle School Bulldogs ... and the three Rs

Westminster East Middle School PTA president Candy Arnold is on a mission.

Ever since she took over the reins of the Parent Teacher Association, she has dreamed of having "an Art Deco-style marquee in front of our beautiful school."

East Middle School, which is located in the same building which...
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This "image" of Helen Thomas and Ari Fleischer at a happy time is from About Political Humor.com. To see it larger, go to http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/images/blpic-fleischerhelenthomas.htm

Helen Thomas to speak at McDaniel College

Like the ever-ready bunny, at age 86, the "The First Lady of the Press," Helen Thomas soldiers-on in what many understand to be her single-minded mission to save the nation, even if she needs to do it all by herself.

A celebrated author, member of the White House Pres Corps, former United Press International reporter, and currently a Hearst newspaper columnist, Helen Thomas is slated to lecture at McDaniel College in Westminster Thursday evening, April 12.

In an era when the challenges faced by our nation are debated 24 hours a day by partisan talking heads well tra...
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For Better or Worse

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Many happy returns, thanks to a few bags of M&Ms
With four days to go until tax returns are due, most Americans fall into one of four basic groups:

1) Those who have already received their refunds;

2) Those who can't find their W-2s (but know they put them somewhere safe);

3) Those who are almost finished filling out their tax forms (they st...
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Business Briefs

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Main Street Minute
Main Street celebrates local Latino culture

Main Street remains a reflection of the taste, culture and ever-changing preferences of our community.

From the restaurants offering international cuisine to the boutiques offering unique and interesting finds, downtown offers diversity in all five sen...
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Community Calendar

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Community Calendar
ARTS

> A free guitar clinic, featuring Will Ray of the Hellecasters, will be held Thursday, April 12, 7 p.m. at Coffey Music, 31 E. Main St., Westminster. Free and open to all; sponsored by Coffey Music and G&L Guitars. Call 410-876-1045 or 410-848-5003.

> Francis Scott Key High School will pr...
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Education Notes
East Middle is finalist in a test of character

The Character Education Partnership has selected East Middle School as a national finalist in its National Schools of Character awards program, and representatives will make a site visit to the school next Tuesday, April 17.

The National Schools of ...
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More Headlines

Consent order triggers new round of water review, planning

Cedarhurst puts faith in community

Annapolis session closes

[Local news archives]

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