Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art One-half Banana Stems

Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art One-half Banana Stems - www.kevindayhoff.com Address: PO Box 124, Westminster MD 21158 410-259-6403 kevindayhoff@gmail.com Runner, writer, artist, fire & police chaplain Mindless ramblings of a runner, journalist & artist: Travel, art, artists, authors, books, newspapers, media, writers and writing, journalists and journalism, reporters and reporting, technology, music, culture, opera... National & International politics www.kevindayhoff.net For community: www.kevindayhoff.org For art, technology, writing, & travel: www.kevindayhoff.com

Showing posts with label Animals flies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Animals flies. Show all posts

Friday, July 10, 2009

Westminster was all abuzz for the great fly roundup of 1914

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The trouble with flies
Westminster was all abuzz for the great fly roundup of 1914

The Carroll Eagle Archives column for Sunday, June 28, 2009 by Kevin Dayhoff

On Tuesday, June 16, President Barack Obama was interrupted by a pesky, deranged, and suicidal housefly during an interview with CNBC’s John Harwood.

The ensuing drama was captured on video in a life and death struggle befitting a History Channel segment pertaining to World War II. Moreover, it has since unfolded hundreds of thousands of times on YouTube.

One published account referred to the president as the “Obamazilla.” A Politico writer regaled that the “president has been getting lots of kudos for a lightning-fast, Mr. Miyagi-worthy swipe he employed to slay a pesky house fly that was buzzing him… ‘He stopped the interview to track and kill the fly,’ said talk show host Conan O’Brien.”

Politico wrote a play-by-play description of the president’s performance: “‘Get out of here,’ Obama said as the fly buzzed him during his interview. The pest persisted, and when it landed on his left forearm, Obama smacked it.

“‘Now, where were we?’ the president said without missing a beat. Pleased with himself, he added, ‘That was pretty impressive, wasn't it? I got the sucker.’

“Several observers in the room gave congratulatory shout-outs. Obama pointed to the floor and instructed an obliging cameraman to get a close-up of the corpse.”

“‘It’s like he’s got one of those fly Terminator targeting systems in his eyes,’ said an awed Jon Stewart.”

One published account reported: “He's a Harvard educated lawyer, leader of the free world and has the reflexes of a highly trained ninja. America's enemies, beware.”

Another noted: “Obama dispels claims that he is "soft," showing no mercy to a fly. World be warned!”

Many were impressed. That is, with the exception of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals – PETA.

PETA was less than amused. Politico reports that PETA called it an “execution,” and wants the commander-in-chief to show a little more compassion to even “the least sympathetic animals.”

Well, if PETA was alarmed over the president killing one fly, one can only wonder what that august organization would have thought of the 1914 “Swat the Fly” campaign in Westminster.

According to “Carroll County Maryland, A History 1837-1976,” by Nancy Warner, it all began with Westminster’s “first Civic League, organized in January 1913 with Mrs. Charles E. Stewart, president; Mrs. Frank Z. Miller, secretary; and Mrs. George K. Mather, treasurer.

“Some of the concrete accomplishments of the league included the placement of ‘No Spitting’ signs and public garbage cans on the streets, landscaping of school grounds, planting of flowers and trees, and swatting the fly.

“The Swat the Fly campaign sought to improve sanitation. Children were given ten cents for every hundred flies killed.

“The report for 1914 contained the figures of $159 paid and 1,500 movie tickets distributed in return for thirty-five twenty-pound candy buckets of flies. Grocers and butchers were encouraged to provide screens for their doors and windows and protective display cases for their meats.”

It all reminds me that it was Groucho Marx, who once said, “Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.”

When he is not swatting flies, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at kevindayhoff AT gmail.com or visit him at www.westminstermarylandonline.net.
20090628 sdosm KED SCE The trouble with flies

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For other recent columns in Explore Carroll by Kevin Dayhoff:

Bringing Corbit's Charge, and Douglass, back to Westminster
Published July 5, 2009 by Carroll Eagle http://tinyurl.com/mxbkjp
http://explorecarroll.com/community/3099/bringing-corbits-charge-douglass-back-westminster/

DAYHOFF: Margaret Mitchell wrote what she knew; the rest is gone with the wind
Published July 2, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
... And that is all I know for right now. Hope you and your family have a great Fourth of July weekend. Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. …visit him at www.westminstermarylandonline.net....

Westminster was all abuzz for the great fly roundup of 1914
Published June 28, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... reminds me that it was Groucho Marx who once said, "Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana." When he is not swatting flies, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at … or visit him at www.westminstermarylandonline.net....

DAYHOFF: Hoffa Field and the Sheathing of the Sword
Published June 23, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... . Lightner and the June 1922 American Sentinel newspaper article have left us with an extensive and fascinating account of the “The Sheathing of the Sword.” … visit him at www.westminstermarylandonline.net....

'Year without summer' killed crops ... and created a monster
Published June 21, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... village folk that it's not a bad idea to keep a torch handy on these cool summer nights. When he is not playing with laboratory-harnessed lightning, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at … or visit him at www.westminstermarylandonline.net. ...

Historic Blue Ridge College bell dedicated In Union Bridge
Published June 20, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
UNION BRIDGE — Several hundred folks braved threatening weather June 20 to witness the unveiling and dedication of the historic 1900 Blue Ridge College bell in Lehigh Square, the original site of the college which had thrived in Union Bridge from 1898 to ... ...

When city got 'sole' in the 1920s, it was cause for a celebration
Published June 14, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... be the guest speaker. There will be a retirement ceremony for worn flags. Guests may bring old flags for retirement. When he is not waving the flag, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at… or visit him at www.westminstermarylandonline.net....

Remember when you could walk to work in Westminster?
Published June 7, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... . When he's not on a "walk-about" in Westminster, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached …

Company H: from the Frizellburg greenhouses to the sands of Omaha Beach
Published June 3, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
… (have) come a long way from the old parade field in Frizellburg.” Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster.

Dayhoff: New councilmember tackles alleged hit and run driver
Published June 1, 2009 by Westminster Eagle, Carroll Eagle
... Westminster city police arrived and took control of the situation The accident is under investigation. All in a day’s work. Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster.

20090705 sdosm Recent columns in Explore Carroll by Kevin Dayhoff
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Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Recent columns in Explore Carroll by Kevin Dayhoff

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Recent columns in Explore Carroll by Kevin Dayhoff

Bringing Corbit's Charge, and Douglass, back to Westminster
Published July 5, 2009 by Carroll Eagle

In the picture above: From left to right: Westminster mayor Michael Baughman portrayed by Ron Kuehne, Mary LeGore, Col. Tom LeGore and Frederick Douglass portrayed by Michael Crutcher, Sr., pause for a photograph after Douglass’ 45-minute oration last Saturday at the 7th commemoration ceremonies of Corbit’s Charge in Westminster. Photo by Kevin Dayhoff 20090627-CChrgeFDGrp(3)asm.gif

Last weekend, the field across the street of the Carroll County Office Building in Westminster was transformed to the days of June 1863, during the Civil War.

Organized by the Corbit's Charge Commemoration Committee and the Pipe Creek Civil War Round Table, the gathering marked the 146th anniversary of the June 29, 1863, Battle of Westminster, also known as Corbit's Charge.

It was scene filled with tents, campfires and military equipment, as men and women representing both the Union and Confederate side of the conflict went about the business of presenting a living history of sights, sounds and smells of the Civil War.

The commemoration included a parade to the park beside the historic Court House where a wreath was placed at the monument for Corbit's Charge. That was followed by wreath laying ceremonies at the grave of Lt. Murray, who died in the June 1863 battle, and was buried in the Ascension Church cemetery.

It was on a sleepy summer day in June 1863, on Washington Road and East Main Street, in Westminster, that about 90 men of the Union First Delaware Cavalry, led by Capt. Charles Corbit, found themselves facing 5,000 rebel soldiers from a cavalry division of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia under Major Gen. J.E.B. Stuart.

Confederate forces routed the Delaware soldiers. Yet, the battle is considered by many to have been one of many contributing factors in the outcome of the war -- because the brief skirmish took place days before the fateful meeting of Union Gen. George G. Meade and Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, in Gettysburg, Pa, July 1-3.

Local historian Col. Tom LeGore says the skirmish delayed Stuart's ability to get to Gettysburg in time to significantly help Lee's forces and was a contributing factor in the eventual defeat of the Confederate army at Gettysburg. In those horrific three days, more than 160,000 soldiers fought, resulting in more than 50,000 casualties -- and a Union victory.

One of the highlights of last weekend's living history events was a 45-minute presentation by the famed orator Frederick Douglass, portrayed by Michael Crutcher Sr., of Kentucky.

"Douglass" was introduced to the audience by Ron Kuehne, outreach coordinator for the Pipe Creek Civil War Roundtable, in his role as Westminster mayor Michael Baughman, 1861-1864.

More than 100 folks gathered in the tent at the campground to hear the story of Douglass, born in 1818, in Talbot County, and his struggles as a slave, his escape from servitude and his subsequent rise to become a distinguished statesman, editor, author and diplomat.

... for his age," Crutcher responded that Douglass has "rested a lot" over the years.

Read the entire column here: Bringing Corbit's Charge, and Douglass, back to Westminster

When he's not traveling back in time to the 1800s, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at kevindayhoff AT gmail.com or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

DAYHOFF: Margaret Mitchell wrote what she knew; the rest is gone with the wind
Published July 2, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
... And that is all I know for right now. Hope you and your family have a great Fourth of July weekend. Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. …visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

Westminster was all abuzz for the great fly roundup of 1914
Published June 28, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... reminds me that it was Groucho Marx who once said, "Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana." When he is not swatting flies, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at … or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

DAYHOFF: Hoffa Field and the Sheathing of the Sword
Published June 23, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... . Lightner and the June 1922 American Sentinel newspaper article have left us with an extensive and fascinating account of the “The Sheathing of the Sword.” … visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

'Year without summer' killed crops ... and created a monster
Published June 21, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... village folk that it's not a bad idea to keep a torch handy on these cool summer nights. When he is not playing with laboratory-harnessed lightning, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at … or visit him at www.westminstermarylandonline.net. ...

Historic Blue Ridge College bell dedicated In Union Bridge
Published June 20, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
UNION BRIDGE — Several hundred folks braved threatening weather June 20 to witness the unveiling and dedication of the historic 1900 Blue Ridge College bell in Lehigh Square, the original site of the college which had thrived in Union Bridge from 1898 to ... ...

When city got 'sole' in the 1920s, it was cause for a celebration
Published June 14, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... be the guest speaker. There will be a retirement ceremony for worn flags. Guests may bring old flags for retirement. When he is not waving the flag, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at… or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

Remember when you could walk to work in Westminster?
Published June 7, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... . When he's not on a "walk-about" in Westminster, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached …

Company H: from the Frizellburg greenhouses to the sands of Omaha Beach
Published June 3, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
… (have) come a long way from the old parade field in Frizellburg.” Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster.

Dayhoff: New councilmember tackles alleged hit and run driver
Published June 1, 2009 by Westminster Eagle, Carroll Eagle
... Westminster city police arrived and took control of the situation The accident is under investigation. All in a day’s work. Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster.

20090705 sdosm Recent columns in Explore Carroll by Kevin Dayhoff

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Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Recent columns and articles by Kevin Dayhoff

Labels: , , , , , , ,

Recent columns and articles by Kevin Dayhoff

Westminster was all abuzz for the great fly roundup of 1914
Published June 28, 2009 by Carroll Eagle

On Tuesday, June 16, President Barack Obama was interrupted by a pesky, deranged and suicidal housefly during an interview with CNBC's John Harwood.

The drama was captured on video, with a life and death struggle befitting a History Channel segment pertaining to World War II.

It has since unfolded hundreds of thousands of times on YouTube.

One published account referred to the president as "Obamazilla." A writer for the Washington newspaper, Politico, regaled that the "president has been getting lots of kudos for a lightning-fast, Mr. Miyagi-worthy swipe he employed to slay a pesky house fly that was buzzing him ..."

Politico wrote a play-by-play description of the president's performance: " 'Get out of here,' Obama said as the fly buzzed him during his interview. The pest persisted, and when it landed on his left forearm, Obama smacked it. 'Now, where were we?' the president said without missing a beat. Pleased with himself, he added, 'That was pretty impressive, wasn't it? I got the sucker.' "

Many were impressed. That is, with the exception of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Politico reported that PETA called it an "execution," and wants the commander-in-chief to show a little more compassion to even "the least sympathetic animals."

It made me think that if PETA was alarmed over the president killing a fly, one can only wonder what that organization would have thought of the 1914 "Swat the Fly" campaign in Westminster.

[…]

... reminds me that it was Groucho Marx who once said, "Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana." When he is not swatting flies, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at … or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

DAYHOFF: Hoffa Field and the Sheathing of the Sword
Published June 23, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle

On Saturday, June 10, 1922, the formal dedication of the Hoffa athletic field took place on the campus of Western Maryland College — now McDaniel College.

Of course, many know the field as where the Baltimore Ravens hold their summer practices.

Others know the field for the great tradition of tailgating at McDaniel football games. The running track, which circles the field, is always a favorite spot for health conscious walkers and runners.

Today McDaniel College is accepted as presiding prominently in the center, more or less, of Westminster. However, this was not the case until around the 1970s when housing developments began to grow to the west of the campus.

In 1922, the campus was on the outer western edge of Westminster on the brink of a frontier of forest and farmland that stretched for ten miles until one arrived in Taneytown.

According to a definitive history of the college, “Fearless and Bold,” published just recently by Dr. James E. Lightner; the Geiman property, a 65-acre farm contiguously situated to the west of the campus became available to the college, in 1920, upon the death of W. H. Geiman.

[…]

... . Lightner and the June 1922 American Sentinel newspaper article have left us with an extensive and fascinating account of the “The Sheathing of the Sword.” Kevin Dayhoff may reached at … or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

'Year without summer' killed crops ... and created a monster
Published June 21, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle

It's halfway through June, and for those of us who love Maryland's melting heat and humidity, many are wondering — where is summer?

For me, though, thoughts turn to the birth of Frankenstein.

First things first. In 1816, there really was a "year without summer." Carol Lee, in her book, "Legacy of the Land," explains that the year without summer caused quite a bit of hardship in Carroll County. "Farmers in Maryland and elsewhere would remember 1816 as ... 'eighteen hundred and starve-to-death.' " According to Lee, there were freezing temperatures well into June.

What caused the year without summer? According to a July 2002 article in Smithsonian magazine, "Blast from the Past," by Robert Evans, the agricultural and economic catastrophe of 1816 was a volcanic winter, caused by the eruptions of Mount Tambora on the island of Sumbawa, in what we now know as Indonesia, April 5-15, 1815.

[…]

... village folk that it's not a bad idea to keep a torch handy on these cool summer nights. When he is not playing with laboratory-harnessed lightning, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at … or visit him at www.westminstermarylandonline.net. ...

Historic Blue Ridge College bell dedicated In Union Bridge
Published June 20, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
UNION BRIDGE — Several hundred folks braved threatening weather June 20 to witness the unveiling and dedication of the historic 1900 Blue Ridge College bell in Lehigh Square, the original site of the college which had thrived in Union Bridge from 1898 to ... ...

When city got 'sole' in the 1920s, it was cause for a celebration
Published June 14, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... be the guest speaker. There will be a retirement ceremony for worn flags. Guests may bring old flags for retirement. When he is not waving the flag, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at … or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

Remember when you could walk to work in Westminster?
Published June 7, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... . Think you know? If so, drop me a line at … and be sure to put Carroll Eagle in the subject line. Thank you. When he's not on a "walk-about" in Westminster,

Company H: from the Frizellburg greenhouses to the sands of Omaha Beach
Published June 3, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
... (have) come a long way from the old parade field in Frizellburg.” Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster.

Dayhoff: New councilmember tackles alleged hit and run driver
Published June 1, 2009 by Westminster Eagle, Carroll Eagle
... Westminster city police arrived and took control of the situation The accident is under investigation. All in a day’s work. Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster

In 1925, planting the seeds of employment, production
Published May 31, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
When he's not roaming the streets of historic Westminster looking for old factories,

Celebration of memory and change
Published May 26, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
This year’s Westminster Memorial Day ceremonies witnessed many changes over the past — although the solemn tradition of 142 years continued.On Memorial Day the normal hustle and bustle of downtown Westminster paused to remember fallen veterans, and ... ...

20090622 sdosm Recent columns and articles by Kevin Dayhoff


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