20070621 Westminster Eagle Week in Review

Westminster Eagle Week in Review

June 21^st, 2007

Local News

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News Briefs

By Kevin Dayhoff

City takes delivery of new diesel dump truck

Last Friday, instead of getting an early start on the weekend, many employees of the Westminster Street Department hung around the shop a few minutes after work.

They were waiting with anticipation for the expected delivery of a new, 2007 10-ton Inter...

[…]

The $125,400 truck replaces a vehicle that was 13 or 14 years old. The new truck was included in the fiscal year budget that will end June 30 and came-in $10,000 under budget, according to Larry Bloom, Westminster's superintendent of Parks, Buildings and Streets.

"We worked carefully with Bare Truck Center, used the state bidding contract, ordered it early, and saved the city money," said Bloom.

[…]

[Read full story]

Kevin E. Dayhoff

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Carroll working to save and share 'Our Barn'

I recently had the opportunity to visit Carroll County's historic Marlin K. Hoff log barn, which was built between 1785 and 1795.

Those accompanying me included Community Media Center videographers Joe Cimino and Rod Boudreaux, who are planning an educational video of the barn and its relocation t...

[…]

These two talented artists have completed a number of great documentaries, including recent videos on the work of the Westminster Municipal Band and the Carroll County Children's Chorus.

[…]

Who could deny the appeal of a dancing chorus line including Dave Roush, County Chief of Staff Steve Powell and Commissioner Dean Minnich singing "Our Barn" to the tune of Petula Clark's hit, "Downtown?"

[…]

[Read full story]

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Mom is the law

Prior to six months ago, Elizabeth Duvall of Westminster could be found driving her two sons around in her minivan.

While she still drives her family around in a minivan, Duvall's driving techniques have been "tweaked" a bit after attending the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission Academy in Sykesville.

Last Friday, Duvall graduated with the academy's latest class, and was recognized as the top driver of emergency vehicles.

"They would tease me that I probably don't drive my minivan the same way," Duvall laughed of her classmates' comments.

But she added ...
[Read full story]

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Airport groups vow to continue opposition
Despite last week's approval by the Carroll's Board of County Commissioners to expand the runway at Carroll County Regional Airport, citizen groups say they will continue to oppose the issue as it enters its next phase -- a two-year environmental study.

The results of the study could still halt th...
[Read full story]

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Family that plays, stays together

Ken, Stephanie and Ryan Koons have turned their love for music into a family affair.

The husband, wife and son trio, known as Wherligig, will perform traditional Celtic and Nordic music in celebration of the Summer Solstice this Thursday, June 21, at the Carroll Arts Center in Westminster.

Initially formed in 1985, Wherligig has evolved over the years in the type of music the group plays, the instruments they use and the members who play in the band.

Ken and Stephanie have been the core of the band since its inception, and several years ago son Ryan joined them to make it a...
[Read full story]

Business Briefs

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Main Street Minute
Turn up the heat for a new summer look

It's the first week of summer vacation and the transition from spring fashions to summer flip flops has begun.

If you're looking to add some pizzazz to your summer look without venturing too far from home, just take a walking, shopping tour of Downtown West...
[Read full story]

Recreation

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Sideline View

Athletes offered a banner year in Carroll County

It wasn't long ago that Carroll County was barely a factor when it came to state high school championships.

With the significant population boom of the past 15 years and the accompanying growth of youth feeder programs throughout the county, Carroll's high school teams started to become more competitive.

County programs took another huge step during the 2006 -07 school year, as five of seven Carroll high schools won state titles.

The run began in the fall, when the Francis Scott Key boys cross country team won the Class 2A...
[Read full story]

Opinion

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Familiar face at police barrack is benefit for Carroll County
Editorial

One of the first moves for the new Maryland State Police Superintendent Terrance Sheridan was a welcome one for Carroll County.

Last week Sheridan announced that he was reinstating longtime Westminster Barrack commander Lt. Dean Richardson to that post.

Richardson has been the comman...
[Read full story]

Wolf at the Door

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It's all over but the shouting, unless there's a legal battle
When Commissioner Michael Zimmer voted against the expansion of the Carroll County airport last week, my faith in human nature was renewed. I remember clearly who was holding up his signs on election day.

Now that the expansion has been included in the airport's master plan, there's still much to ...
[Read full story]

The Passing Parade

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There's a full house in the theater of the absurd ...
And it's little wonder, what with the series of absurdities that have dominated the media lately.

On center stage -- where I fear she'll remain until she's either carried off in a straight jacket or loses her girlish figure -- is that living Barbie doll, Paris Hilton, who was born into a fortune a...
[Read full story]

Healthy Recipe
Appealing taste comes from fresh bananas

This week's recipe focuses on the good health and taste of bananas, and is provided by JaDenna Jones, Health Educator and Cessation Coordinator for the Carroll County Health Department.

Discovered by Alexander the Great on his conquest of India in 327 B.C...
[Read full story]

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20070617 Happy Father’s Day

Happy Fathers Day

June 17^th, 2007

In case you missed it, the Carroll County Times ran a number of excellent articles today on Father’s Day.

One of the pieces is about a gentleman with whom I have worked very closely with for a number of years, Jimmy Bangerd.

When you look up in the dictionary, what it is to be a good husband, Dad and contributing member of the community, a picture of Jimmy Bangerd appears and although I was not aware that he would be one of the Dads featured today, I’m thrilled for the entire Bangerd family.

And yes, the Carroll County Times does not use permalinks. If you are accessing this at a later point in time and dealing with dead links, please call it to my attention… and e-mail me…

Dads' involvement varies throughout decades

The history of fatherhood over the last century is complicated and doesn't necessarily match conventional wisdom. In each generation, we hear a story that says the previous generation's men were distant, uninvolved in childrearing and absolutely neve…

Like father, like sons: Teenagers plan to pursue careers that they're well acquainted with

By Diane Reynolds

In the James Bangerd family of Westminster, both teenage sons are following in their father’s footsteps. All three are members of the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co., a volunteer organization, and like their father, the sons want to become…

Dad faces son going to war

He was a young hippie during the Vietnam War era, born too late for the draft. Instead, Michael Heimbach of Manchester became a Baltimore County police officer, a job he's held for 25 years. Now his son, Justin Heimbach, 18, is off to war, as part of…

Like best buddies: He's 68 and single with a 5-year-old son. but despite the age gap, Ernie Fredrikis says he and Jayson are 'Like best buddies'

Ernie Fredrikis of Littlestown, Pa., has been full-time dad to his 5-year-old son Jayson since the child was born. His story is a window into what fatherhood might look like if men were released from some of their traditional stresses. Fredrikis is 6…

A father faces his son’s deployment

He was a young hippie during the Vietnam War era, born too late for the draft. Instead, Michael Heimbach of Manchester became a Baltimore County police officer, a job he’s held for 25 years. Now his son, Justin Heimbach, 18, is off to war, as p…

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20070616 Petula Clark, Commissioner Minnich, Steve Powell, and Dave Roush sing “Our Barn.”

Petula Clark, Commissioner Minnich, Steve Powell, and Dave Roush sing “Our Barn.”

Saturday evening, June 16^th, 2007

I just filed my next Westminster Eagle column and in it Commissioner Dean Minnich, commissioners’ chief of staff Steve Powell, and Dave Roush are speculated as dancing in a chorus line singing “Our Barn” to the tune of Petula Clark’s November 1964 hit, “Downtown”

Hmmm.

Well, you should have read the first draft… Enough said.

This week’s column will be on the continuing efforts to relocate the historic Marlin K. Hoff log barn to the Carroll County Farm Museum.

Meanwhile, for the younger folks reading the blog, this is Petula Clark singing her November 1964 hit, “Downtown:”

Here – you can sing along with the lyrics:

bgcolor="0066CC">
DOWNTOWN lyrics

And for a bonus, here’s “Petula Clark - This Is My Song”

I had wanted to post “Don’t Sleep in the Subway Darling,” but came across this and liked the video better...

An intelligent comment noted, “this song was originally written for the feature film "A Countess From Hong Kong" (starring Sophia Loren & Marlon Brando), with music and lyrics by Charlie Chaplin, who produced and directed the movie as well [his final film]. This performance came from "THE HOLLYWOOD PALACE" around the time the film was first released, in January 1967.”

Oh what the heck… here’s Don’t Sleep in the Subway Darling

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20070613 Model Ts visiting Westminster on June 19

Model Ts visiting Westminster on June 19

June 14^th, 2007

Westminster Eagle…

I’m looking forward to June 19^th, 2007 when the Model Ts visit Westminster.

One of our spring projects has been to get the family’s 1929/1930 Model A out for a drive and get some maintenance accomplished.

As you can see from the picture above – I help my wife take care of work on the car

Anyway – writing for the Westminster Eagle last Wednesday, June 13^th, 2007, Kym Byrnes says:

On June 19, the streets of Westminster will be filled with more than 60 Model T Fords as the antique cars, and their owners, journey down Main Street as part of a weeklong summer tour hosted by the Blue & Grey Chapter of the Model T Ford Club of America (MTFCA).

Vernon Keeler of Keymar is a member of the Blue and Grey Chapter, and expects to be on hand with his family's 1926 Model T Roadster pickup.

According to Keeler, the chapter is based in Hagerstown, but has members throughout the region, including his wife, Dottie Keeler, who is the current president.

For the summer tour, though, Model T owners come from as far as Colorado, Arizona, Maine and Florida, and spend the week, June 17-22, traveling to different locales in Maryland.

On Tuesday, June 19, members will travel to Westminster to visit the Wheeler Automotive Museum on Railroad Avenue, arriving at an estimated time of about 10:30 a.m.

[…]

… Keeler, who said Model Ts move at about 35 miles per hour…

(Editor’s note: Which seems a bit slow but many folks are unaware that 35 mph was the national speed limit during World War II…)

For more information on the club, visit www.clubs.hemmings.com/clubsites/mdbluegrey

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20070614 Westminster Eagle Week in Review

Westminster Eagle Week in Review

June 14^th, 2007

Kevin E. Dayhoff

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Commissioners should start 'coffin' up cash on 144-year-old debt
On June 23 and 24, Westminster and the Pipe Creek Civil War Round Table will host a commemoration of the 144th anniversary of Corbit's Charge.

For those unaware of this piece of history:

On June 29, 1863, Capt. Charles Corbit led approximately 100 Union cavalrymen from the 1st Delaware Cavalry, ...
[Read full story]

Opinion

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Father's Day also keeps alive the memory of a local mother
EDITORIAL

As we all know by now -- and if you don't, there are still four days to shop -- Sunday is Father's Day.

It's ironic that in Carroll County, it's also become a day to remember a local wife and mother, Joanna Nicolay, a Finksburg woman who died in 2003 from complications of melanoma.

I...
[Read full story]

Community Calendar

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Community Calendar
ARTS

Coffey Music and Downtown Westminster are hosting the annual Friday Summer Concert Series on Locust Lane, every Friday in June, noon-1 p.m. The concerts are free. Call 410-848--5003 for details. The lineup is as follows:

*June 15, Ken Baldwin.

*June 22, Russ Reiter.

*June 29, Chasmo....
[Read full story]

Local News Friday, June 15 News Briefs
Bureau of Aging plans community meetings

The Carroll County Bureau of Aging will hold community meetings in June and July to discuss the agency's four-year plan for fiscal years 2008-11.

To comply with the federal Older Americans Act, the state Department of Aging requires each area to develop a...
[Read full story]

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Model T-ease

On June 19, the streets of Westminster will be filled with more than 60 Model T Fords as the antique cars, and their owners, journey down Main Street as part of a weeklong summer tour hosted by the Blue & Grey Chapter of the Model T Ford Club of America (MTFCA).

Vernon Keeler of Keymar is a member of the Blue and Grey Chapter, and expects to be on hand with his family's 1926 Model T Roadster pickup.

According to Keeler, the chapter is based in Hagerstown, but has members throughout the region, including his wife, Dottie Keeler, who is the current president.

For the summer tour, though, M...
[Read full story]

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Locust Lane earns park designation
Council vote designed to add rules for behavior

Locust Lane, the small courtyard on Westminster's Main Street across from the Westminster Branch Library, was officially designated as a "city park" at Monday's meeting of the Mayor and Common Council.

The vote is designed to impose park-like rules...
[Read full story]

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Library is scheduled for facelift
Renovation will upgrade interior, replace shelving

Two years ago, the Westminster Public Library celebrated 25 years of service, and in recognition of this milestone, the Board of County Commissioners gave the library a birthday "gift" -- money for new carpeting.

But while staff of the Carroll C...
[Read full story]

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Education Notes
FSK students go to bat for the Red Cross

Francis Scott Key High School was recently recognized by the American Red Cross for being one of the top 20 high schools in the region for blood donations.

The region includes Maryland, northern Virginia and southern Pennsylvania.

Francis Scott Key stud...
[Read full story]

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More Headlines County employees cited for cost-saving ideas

Commissioners approve expansion in airport plan

Business Briefs

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20070611 2007 Preservation Month Westminster Architectural Scavenger Hunt

2007 Preservation Month Westminster Architectural Scavenger Hunt

June 13^th, 2007

The winners for the 2007 Preservation Month Westminster Architectural Scavenger Hunt were announced at the Westminster Common Council meeting last Monday, June 11^th, 2007.

For additional posts about this year’s contest click on: History Westminster or Westminster Eagle.

Dean Camlin was kind enough to e-mail me some additional information and the winners:

The poster contest was initially proposed by HDC (Westminster Historic District Commission) member Laurie Walters.

Stan Ruchlewicz shot many of the pictures used on the poster, and Dean Camlin did an initial graphic layout.

Jerry Trescott wrote the contest clues, and Tim Rogers donated many hours of support.

The entry form ran in a full color center-spread in the Eagle May 2 & was also available at many downtown locations, including the Flower & Jazz Festival.

The Eagle provided graphic design layout and ran additional clues in subsequent weeks. All of this was free of charge, through the generous support of editor Jim Joiner.

Additional funding was provided through a Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area matching mini-grant.

The contest received uniform positive comments from the community. 57 entries were received by the May 31 deadline. Entrants received a commemorative poster (with the correct answers) and a CD of The Building of Westminster. The winners, selected from the correct entries at random, are listed below along with their prizes:

Bob Nangel - HSCC print framed by Gizmo's

Residents of Westminster Ridge - O'Lordans gift certificate

Katie & Wendy (mom) Raith - Thai Classic 3 gift certificate

Lauren Douzat - Rafael's gift certificate

David Taylor - Johansson's gift certificate

Mary Mullinix - Pour House gift certificate

Celene Steckel - Giulianova's Italian Deli gift certificate

The commemorative enlarged posters, with the correct addresses of the dozen buildings, were designed and printed by Kohn Creative. These are available at City Hall to the public.

20070611 Recent local newspaper coverage of the proposed airport expansion

A listing of recent local newspaper coverage of the proposed airport expansion

June 11^th, 2007

For more posts on “Soundtrack” about Carroll County Regional Airport go to: Carroll County Regional Airport

Kelsey Volkmann coverage in the Baltimore Examiner:

Airport’s night-light, fuel pump broken - 06/12/2007
Commissioners are scheduled to vote today on whether to lengthen the runway at Carroll County Regional Airport in Westminster. But a source familiar with airport operations questions whether an expansion is appropriate when it can’t seem to keep up with basic maintenance.
http://www.examiner.com/a-775756~Airport_s_night_light__fuel_pump_broken.html

Airport meeting disappoints - 06/08/2007
Residents opposed to the lengthening of the runway at the Carroll County Regional Airport said they were disappointed by their meeting with county commissioners Thursday.
http://www.examiner.com/a-770037~Airport_meeting_disappoints.html

Residents against expansion petition county lawmakers - 06/05/2007
It was a two-pronged attack.
http://www.examiner.com/a-763822~Residents_against_expansion_petition_county_lawmakers.html

Carrie Knauer coverage in the Carroll County Times:

Airport expansion: Impact of proposal examined

The much-debated airport expansion plan, which is part of the Carroll County Regional Airport Master Plan, includes a longer runway, new hangars and other amenities to attract more business to the airport and nearby business parks. But some residents... Jun. 11, 2007; scored 775.0

Residents share mixed feelings

On Tuesday, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to vote on the Carroll County Regional Airport master plan, which includes recommendations to build a new 6,400-foot runway north and west of the existing runway. While residents who ... Jun. 11, 2007; scored 775.0

More ire for airport

Protesters seek injunction against commissioners After failing to receive an injunction to prevent the Carroll County Board of Commissioners from voting on the airport master plan today, members of Concerned Citizens United took their protest from th... Jun. 12, 2007;

Runway in need of funds

Airport expansion opponents who met with Carroll County commissioners Thursday walked away from the table discouraged, saying they believe the commissioners have already made up their minds to go forward with the expansion. Ron Buczkowski, Cheri Grub... Jun. 8, 2007;

Westminster Eagle coverage of the airport expansion matter:

Neighbors decry impact of airport expansion 05/30/07 - By Katie V. Jones

The deterioration of quality of life -- whether by pollution, traffic or lack of security -- was the biggest concern presented last week to the Board of County Commissioners at a public hearing re...

Issues related to airport proposal need clear review

05/24/07 - Guest Opinion by Cindy Parr — Chief of Administrative Services for Carroll County Government In recent months, much has been written about the Carroll County Regional Airport's (CCRA) proposed expansion effort.

This letter is intended to serve as a clarification of the facts as they...

News Briefs 05/23/07 - CCPS cuts $8.9 million from requested budget

As the Board of County Commissioners wraps this year's budget process, the public school system acted last week to trim $8.9 million from its initial...

Letters 05/23/07 - Airport debate hasn't been as open as it should be

I appreciate The Westminster Eagle's attestation that the nuances of the proposed airport master plan may perhaps be too much to be adequately ...

Airport options face public

05/16/07 - By Jim Joyner

To build or not to build ... or maybe to build a little or a lot.

Those are the questions being posed for the future of the Carroll County Regional Airport, and they are also the subject of ...

Airport master plan needs to circle the field before landing 05/16/07 - EDITORIAL

Next week's budget hearing on the proposed master plan for Carroll County Regional Airport promises to be high-flying -- the options for upgrades at the airport already have a followin...

Letters 04/11/07 - Residents will see airport expansion impact in taxes

Raise your hand if you own a corporate jet. I rest my case -- so much for an expansion of the airport directly benefiting local citizens.

W...

Dropping a hot potato in the commissioner's laps

04/11/07 - By David Grand

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 ...

No happy landing for Sage study 04/05/07 - By Katie V. Jones

Local residents took the opportunity on Monday to sound off on a recent study on the economic impacts of a proposed expansion of the Carroll County Regional Airport.

Many in the large crowd that...

News Briefs 03/28/07 - Sage to present findings of county airport study

Anirban Basu of the Sage Policy Group will host a public meeting next Monday to discuss the findings of a study on the economic impact of Carroll...

20070606 “Haughty and nice” by Kelly McCormack “The Hill”

Haughty and nice

By Kelly McCormack The Hill

Posted January 11^th, 2007

I have found myself reading and re-reading this piece from The Hill – from last week. I just found it to be an interesting glimpse into the day-to-day interpersonal relationships of Capitol Hill.

As any of us who have served in elected office are aware – staff can make or break ya. And I have been on both ends of that paradigm.

The rule is that you accumulate enemies by just “being,” so don’t make any.

It also gave a glimpse at some aspects of intergenerational studies…

Always – ALWAYS be good to staff…

Haughty and nice

By Kelly McCormack

June 06, 2007

Though most interns are young, work for free and have grand ambitions to learn the ins and outs of Congress, they tend to be the most bothersome to service-sector employees on and around Capitol Hill.

They don’t tip well, ask annoying questions and tend to be the rudest people in the nation’s capital, many employees say.

[…]

The employee, who has worked on the Hill for more than 20 years, said she has “plenty” of favorite lawmakers. “They treat us just like their staff,” she remarked.

The cashier said interns were the worst-behaved in the cafeteria. “They don’t really know” how to act, she said.

[…]

“Members are not rude at all. I’ve never met a rude member,” the employee, who has been working on the Hill for 17 years, said. Specifically, she said, Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.) is very friendly: “That’s my girl.”

Interns are typically the rudest, not regular staff, the employee concurred.

She said her pet peeve is when interns point at food items and rudely inquire about them, though she noted that she has an old-fashioned standard for politeness that some young people do not abide by.

[…]

He said he regularly deals with staff members, many of whom are very friendly. Clyburn and Reps. Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.), Wayne Gilchrest (R-Md.) and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) are exceptionally nice, he said.

Read the entire article here: Haughty and nice

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20070606 through 20070101 Westminster Eagle Column Archives

Westminster Eagle Column Archives from January 1^st, 2007 through June 11^th, 2007

Posted June 11^th, 2007

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Wednesday, June 6^th, 2007

Dwight Dingle, 'Sgt. Pepper' and a bathtub band

By Kevin E. Dayhoff

It was 40 years ago last Saturday, June 2, 1967, when the Beatles released their eighth album, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."

Although musical taste can be fiercely debated, many music critics and publications consider this album to be one of the most influential of all time. Rolling Sto...

[Read full story]

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Wednesday, May 30^th, 2007 A 'thank you' for those who serve in public service

By Kevin E. Dayhoff

Recently, most of our local municipalities in Carroll County held elections for leadership positions.

We owe everyone who left the safety and security of their comfortable lives to stick their heads above the crowd and run for office, a debt of gratitude.

Every one of them is a winner -- regardl...

[Read full story]

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Wednesday, May 23^rd, 2007 The silence and service of Joseph W. Blickenstaff

By Kevin E. Dayhoff

Ever since May 28, 1990, the faces of 18 brave Carroll County sons have silently stood guard over our community from the vantage point of an 8-foot high, 4-foot wide and 1-foot thick solid black granite memorial.

Their faces are etched in time in what may be Carroll County's smallest -- but most s...

[Read full story]

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Wednesday, May 16^th, 2007 Hallowed ground of Union Meeting House

By Kevin E. Dayhoff

On Monday, May 28, Carroll County will gather for the 140th time to commemorate Memorial Day. Folks will congregate at the large urn, located on the knoll immediately in view as one enters the historic Westminster Cemetery from Church Street.

Carroll Post 31 of the American Legion is once again or...

[Read full story]

Wednesday, May 9^th, 2007 The legacy of Westminster's 'Singing Barber'

By Kevin E. Dayhoff

Wednesday, May 2^nd, 2007 Recalling Westminster's Disney World: Bobby's Hobby Lobby

By Kevin E. Dayhoff

Wednesday, April 25^th, 2007

Who was Kate Wagner, and why did she rule the road?

By Kevin E. Dayhoff

How many folks pass by Kate Wagner Road in Westminster and wonder to themselves, “Just who was Kate Wagner?”

I did not know myself until recently, when I happened to have a conversation with one of my Westminster High School class of 1971 classmates, Steve Sinnott.

... [Read full story]

Wednesday, April 18^th, 2007

20070418 The passion thrill and magic of April

By Kevin E. 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.

[…]

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.”

…[Read full story]

Wednesday, April 11 2007 This 'Candy drive' benefits the East Middle School Bulldogs ... and the three Rs

By Kevin E. Dayhoff

Thursday, April 05 2007 In the storied history of Carroll Hospital Center, Steve Bohn poised to take a 'SPIRIT'-ed place

By Kevin E. Dayhoff

Wednesday, March 28 2007 If you think school overcrowding is bad now, consider Westminster High School, circa 1920

By Kevin E. Dayhoff

Friday, March 23 2007 History of education, minus beheadings, in our state By Kevin E. Dayhoff

Wednesday, March 14 2007 The high cost of twin tragedies at Bowling Brook By Kevin E. Dayhoff

Wednesday, March 07 2007 History of slavery leaves many rivers yet to cross By Kevin E. Dayhoff

Wednesday, February 28 2007 Recalling when B's Coffee Shoppe was all abuzz By Kevin E. Dayhoff

Wednesday, February 21 2007 Frozen in time: The Great Sleet Storm of 1902 By Kevin E. Dayhoff

Thursday, February 15 2007 As we all know, winter is a four-letter word

By Kevin E. Dayhoff

Wednesday, February 07 2007 Westminster is great, even if it does get your goat By Kevin E. Dayhoff

Wednesday, January 31 2007 Westminster was built on the blessing of water By Kevin E. Dayhoff

Wednesday, January 24 2007 Phil Wampler and our own 'Greatest Generation' By Kevin E. Dayhoff

Friday, January 19 2007 Water issues in Carroll have always been ... fluid

Wednesday, January 10 2007 Monk Campbell: a man of law and order for Carroll By Kevin E. Dayhoff

Wednesday, January 03 2007 You can bank on it: More change coming in 2007 By Kevin E. Dayhoff

20070611 Follow-up on "20070610 The Last Train to Clarksville”

Follow-up on "20070610 The Last Train to Clarksville”

June 11^th, 2007 2:30 AM

UPDATE: I wanted to call to your attention the comment that Mr. Burns left… on "20070610 The Last Train to Clarksville" (I wish I could figure out a way to highlight comments better…)

Before I get to Mr. Burns’ comment, I want to say again, how much I appreciated his post that brought back so many memories of a time and place from a long time ago. Thanks.

For those who are not aware of Mr. Burn’s web site – Please check it out. It has become part of my necessary reading everyday. Find it here: Maryland Politics Today.

As far as Dwight Dingle and WTTR – these folks are simply super. Dwight and I had a great deal of fun with my Westminster Eagle column on aspects of 1967 last Wednesday, June 6th, 2007: Dwight Dingle, 'Sgt. Pepper' and a bathtub band . (I may need to republish it on “Soundtrack” as I have received questions from many folks as to where they may find it.

Meanwhile – some insight into the column can be found here: “20070606 Dwight Dingle and The Mamas and The Papas.”

Of course, it was the topic of on-air discussion the day it came out, June 6^th, 2007 and then the next evening, I talked about the column and other erratum on-air with Bruce Main…

Anyway:

P. Kenneth Burns has left a new comment on your post "20070610 The Last Train to Clarksville":

Believe me when I tell you this, it was more of a play on words than anything.

Little known fact, around the time when I was in the 2nd grade back in 198x, Nickelodeon and Nick and Nite picked up The Monkees television show. Then some years later, I come to find out that there is a Clarksville in Howard County.

As far as the Betamax reference, that was more irony than anything. If you are a regular YouTube user, feel free to look up user "videoholic2007," who was boasting about his Betamax collection.

BTW, Dwight Dingle and the folks at WTTR are a nice group. check out the pictures on my main site, www.kennyburns.com from my visit up there last year.

Thanks for the feedback. And oh, I saw The Monkees TV show when it was prime time TV… And Mr. Burns, the next time you are in town, please let me know. Lunch is on me.

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20070610 The Last Train to Clarksville

The Last Train to Clarksville

June 10^th, 2007

On June 10th, 2007 Maryland Politics Today had a post titled “The Last Money Train To Clarksville.”

As much as I appreciated P. Kenneth Burns calling to our attention the need of Baltimore mayor Dixon to go outside of the city for support for her re-election campaign, I was particularly intrigued with the reference to the “Last Train to Clarksville.”

And only Mr. Burns knows if he was referring to mayor Dixon’s trip to Howard County in the manner in which the 1966 Monkees’ meant it… Or if he was referring to mayor Dixon and “Betamax” metaphorically or if it is a coincidence…

But what a trip down memory lane that reference causes an aging Baby Boomer such as me. Although, I gotta tell ya, “The Monkees” were a little lame for my taste to put it mildly; it nevertheless brings back a time and place from many years ago.

And it comes on the heels of just writing a Westminster Eagle column on aspects of 1967 last Wednesday, June 6th, 2007: Dwight Dingle, 'Sgt. Pepper' and a bathtub band :

“It was 40 years ago last Saturday, June 2, 1967, when the Beatles released their eighth album, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." Although musical taste can be fiercely debated, many music critics and publications consider this album to be one of the most influential of all time. Rolling Sto...”

“The Last Train to Clarksville,” from 1966, may be considered to be a pop song and to be sure, it certainly has a bubblegum feel and sound to it. Nevertheless the song was about a serious dynamic in the lives of young men eligible for military duty.

The song, with its “pop flavor” and seemingly light-hearted approach is forever engrained in my head as a great example of cognitive dissonance…

Listen to the lyrics.[1]

The song is about a man who is trying to arrange one last date with his sweetheart because he has been drafted and he is about to be deployed to Vietnam. Listen for :

'Cause I'm leavin' in the morning

And I must see you again

We'll have one more night together

'Til the morning brings my train.

And I must go, oh, no, no, no!

Oh, no, no, no!

And I don't know if I'm ever coming home.

And the reference to “Betamax players [2] in home” was equally a hoot. Yes, I actually still have content on old “beta” tapes.” And I thought some of the data migration from my old columns and short stories in DOS-based “Word Perfect” was hard…

And I cannot imagine hardly any of our younger readers are aware of whar being “betamaxed” means… (“A superior technology that is overtaken by an inferior one.”)

Anyway, thanks a bunch for memory Mr. Burns…

Meanwhile if you are not reading Mr. Burn’s excellent work at Maryland Politics Today,” there is no better time than now…. Err, after ya watch, “The Last Train to Clarksville” by the Monkees:

Oh what the heck… Let’s hear more. This is a song that I did like:

“Valerie”

I liked this one too:

The Monkees - A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You

####

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[1] Last Train to Clarksville

Words and Music by

Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart

Take the last train to Clarksville,

And I'll meet you at the station.

You can be be there by four thirty,

'Cause I made your reservation.

Don't be slow, oh, no, no, no!

Oh, no, no, no!

'Cause I'm leavin' in the morning

And I must see you again

We'll have one more night together

'Til the morning brings my train.

And I must go, oh, no, no, no!

Oh, no, no, no!

And I don't know if I'm ever coming home.

Take the last train to Clarksville.

I'll be waiting at the station.

We'll have time for coffee flavored kisses

And a bit of conversation.

Oh... Oh, no, no, no!

Oh, no, no, no!

Take the last train to Clarksville,

Now I must hang up the phone.

I can't hear you in this noisy

Railroad station all alone.

I'm feelin' low. Oh, no, no, no!

Oh, no, no, no!

And I don't know if I'm ever coming home.

Take the last train to Clarksville,

Take the last train to Clarksville,

[repeat and fade]

[2] Betamax:

The first half-inch, analog videocassette recorder (VCR) format, introduced by Sony in 1975 and commonly known as "Beta." The first Betamax cassettes held only one hour of video, but the capacity was subsequently increased to hold an entire movie. Sony later introduced Beta Hi-fi, which improved audio quality, and SuperBeta, which offered a better image.

Beta Vs. VHS

One year after Beta was introduced, the VHS format came out with a slightly larger cassette that held a full movie from the start. VHS began to overtake Beta almost immediately, but for several years, both formats were widely used, and pre-packaged movies were offered in both Beta and VHS. By the late 1980s, Beta had been almost entirely eclipsed by VHS, although Betamax machines were still manufactured by Sony until 2002.

Betamaxed!

The Betamax technology was considered to have superior image quality over VHS, but was hardly noticeable on ordinary home equipment, especially if the recording was done off the air and not from a high-quality master tape. To this day however, "Betamaxed" refers to a superior technology that is overtaken by an inferior one. See VHS, helical scan, Beta/VHS debacle and Betacam.