Saturday, July 12, 2003
VPA FIREWORKS
Since January 28th of this year, I have expected to see a shower of special fireworks over Hampton Roads, Virginia, as the result of an article written by Jim Spencer for the Newport News DAILY PRESS.
It was an expose, and it was well-done. I put a copy of that story aside in my files to “watch” because I was sure it would cased accommodations and that there would be a real fight.
Here it is July the June items reminder has come up and been ignored for a week or so. Nothing, it seem – absolute zilch - has happened, it seems, relative to that story which released accounts of excessive spending of public funds by members of the Virginia Ports Authority on on a trip to the Paris Air Show in 2001.
I fact the Paris Air Show has gone by again while I have waited, and thus far I find no reference to the alleged charges. The VPA Secretary stayed at at $990 per night hotel suite, in spite of the fact that arrangements had already been made for a 200-per night facility in another hotel, which was no used at all. The Secretary rode in a $65.00 per day Mercedes limo.
The Promotions Director of the VPA stayed in a “more reasonable ale” room at $647.00 per night. And the Senior Marketing Director complained that “he had his staff had to eat our own money the last few months because we've been operating under the state's regulations.”
The Commonwealth of Virginia, it seems, has a state per-day scale concerning payment for meals in Paris at that time. It called for $92.00 per-day, per- person. Under “special circumstances” that figure could go as high as $138.99 per-day, per-person. The same scale showed New York eating at $46.00 up to $79.00 per-day, per-person.
I agreed with writer Jim Spencer's summation at the time that all of this appeared to be excessive.
Six months later, I find myself wondering how it can be that such revelations can go unnoticed. The charges set forth by the DAILY PRESS
article seemed to me to merit a public outcry.
Nothing like that has happened. The United States did not participate in this year's Paris Air Show because the American aircraft industry is not exactly “flying high”. I wonder if the Virginia Port Authority attended as usual. It would seem to be something too good to pass up.
Divergent opinions come to mind in such cases. Either the accusations are considered to be untrue or unprovable, that they are considered to be so common place that they can be overlooked to achieve
goals of unanimity and to support back-scratching arrangements.
A.L.M. July 10, 2003 [c473wds]
Friday, July 11, 2003
ENOUGH!
This past week in July of 2003, there seemed to be an ominous cloud of doom shifting to and fro in each day's news.
We all experience weeks such as that, I suppose, and we could do without them very well for the most part. They do serve to remind us of the unsteadiness, brevity, and possibilities of sudden change change in life's patterns which can, and do, change rather suddenly and sharply. This realization, which could stir us to increased activity, I'm sure, but they are, none the less disquieting.
I make no attempt to put them in proper order as to time, but a series of deaths of people who were important to me, fueled the basis misery of the rainy week. Bobby Hackett, Katherine Hepburn, Buddy Ebson ... three great entertainers – gone.
TV, radio, newspapers, on-line from all over the world - and even into space with news of the cause of the “Columbia” disaster- all seemed to directed toward excluding a great deal of trouble and strife everywhere. Flood waters came sweeping through some areas when drought have been the focus of news for months, an unusually strong tropical storm hit the Gulf and raged inland. There was shocking case of a disgruntled worker who turned up at his factory work site in Georgia; opened fire, at random, on fellow workers. Five dead, I think and that many, or more, injured. There was another unit of an entire family of mother and children found shot dead in their home. At Fayetteville, North Carolina, a child, left in a parked car, died and two others were hospitalized.
And, on-and-on it seemed to go.
We are not compelled to be a part of this montage of misery.
When we feel overcome by excessive violence, as we do so often these days in watching new TV shows,. There is an oasis for most people now and then , however, if one can escape the often self-constructed labyrinth of impeding walls, barriers and obstacles. One way, of course, is simply to ”give up” watching TV, or reading the papers. Or, exercise the keyboard less for a day or two.. Curiosity alone, draws us back, however ,and we have to admit we like living, with, among and close to other people.
Back in the days when I was an active newspaper reporter. I can remember believing strongly in the old news-gatherer's maxim which held that “things happen in threes.” I confess I was reminded of that during this past week or so as murder piled on murder and gore, upon gore and more gore.
I can recall covering two train wreaks and , then,waiting for the third one to happen. It did, and proved to be the most tragic of the series, the only one involving loss of lives.
We have, certainly, filled out our three-somes on TV and in the news in general, and it is time for a respite; time to concentrate on other, finer things. We sometime forget that good things happen to us “in threes”. You, as have many of us, have often complained, too, that “summertime TV is all repeats – all reruns!” What that indicates, however, TV people will tell you, is that you have been watching far too much TV during the winter months!
Take time today to select one good thing that has happened to you in recent weeks. Tradition among newspersons hold that you face two more such happy occasions.. Plan for them. Enjoy them.
A.L.M. July 10, 2003 [c634wds]
Thursday, July 10, 2003
FOR ME, AT LEAST
It's almost a sure thing...
I'll bet you know of a town or city which seems to be unpronounceable - sometimes even for the people who live there.
Staunton, Virginia is such a city.It is not STAUN-ton; it is not STAN-ton, it is not whatever sly twist you try to put on it.
I was born in Norfolk,Va , so I am sensitive to the manner in which people say it. Too often I hear “Narfick” or “”Naw-fick” and some people try to make sound as close to the original concept of the word: “North Folk”...as possible. I lived and worked in Staunton, Virginia long enough to be be irked a bit when people insist on saying it incorrectly, even after they know better.
It was originally, named “Beverley's Mill Place”, which was plain enough. It was on land owned by William Beverley. He got Thomas Lewis to do the surveying and to set aside 44 lots , mostly of one -half acres each, with three north-south, and three east-west streets. All six of which exist today. That was in 1748-49 and it marks the first mention of the name of the town. It was spelled Stanton in those early years. The new city did not get certified until many years later. The colonial officials in eastern Virginia approved the plan which would recognize Stanton as a town and allow them to hold fairs there. The entire application was “disallowed”, however, and declared to be “absolutely void and without.” Exactly why King George II disliked the idea is not clear but it was necessary to wait until a new, more liberal king came to power before asking again to be certified.
The Royal Governor of the Colony of Virginia in 1748 was William Gooch, and it is thought the new town was named after his wife's English family. That name was Staunton and we have no assurance as to the exact spelling of the family name. It was determined , at length, and we do not not know when of by whom, that particular English family name was properly spelled as “Staunton”. Choosing the name of the Royal Governor's wife's was a wise move a when seeking certification. The spelling caused conflict, as the years progressed, but it is not unusual in a country where the name “Wyndom” is spelled “Wymingham” Or, try the name Chumley, if you dare.
Some visitors tend to call the city “Staun-ton” largely because that's the way word is spelled in other areas is pronounced with the prominent “ u ” sound. Others wonder why we mis-spell Stanton, which is they way they are used to seeing it spelled and said in their locale. This use may seem good enough, but the purest among us insist that it is not exact enough. Lady Gooch said her family name with a distinct touch and that is the way the name of the city a named in their honor, should best be said. One is not to say “Stan-ton”.On “ Staun- ton.” It is not, you see, Stan-TON. It is, rather: Stant-ON. Not “ton”, but a soft “ on”. It comes out smoothly with a slight aspiration before the “on” as it is appended to the “stant”.
Well- known, Staunton radio voices of the past said it right. Fulton King, Robert Sterrett and others said it naturally. It came out smoothly as...”WTON, Stant-on.” Today? Some do; some do not, at rest stops I-81 or I-64, and at many area eating establishments , you can expect to hear “STAUGHN-TON!”
The proper name is a pretty one. It has character, softness, elegance, charm, an historical significance. It's a fine name for a community also known as “The Queen City”.
A.L.M. JULY 8, 2003 [c638wds]
Wednesday, July 09, 2003
ONE TIME ONLY
I did something this morning which I never plan to try again!
I purposely steeled myself to read the entire contents of an eight-page, printed letter, with cardboard insert, from the President of a nationally known and highly respected university.
As with most of this specific type of higher-class “junque” mail genre, the salutation is a wide, sweeping “Dear alumni and friends”. The “term” friends is a loosely equivalent to estimates of Earth's living as of this past week
This particular epistle started , as so many do, with an attempt to do with some folksy comments about the recent weather. Spring. All kinds of rain. That sort of exciting information. This WX section details the supposedly happy misery details of around 20-thousand individuals who huddled under umbrellas, bearing the school colors, of course, at this year's graduation ceremonies. Trash bags served as seating accouterments. Lines dwell on the stalwart graduates and “friends” who eagerly endure such conditions if they can, only, be together.
The next few paragraphs deal with the increasing cost of it all. That doesn't hit most readers as being unusual these days. In spite of all such opposition, he has, however, urges us not to let such such a record fade away. Details of a gift opportunities for specific projects give are cited here as not have done so well thus far.
After such minituae, we go to the world-wide values of the entire movement. Civilizations existence hangs on our success in the our drive for increased funds. Elongated Internet addresses are included at this point for those who want to whole load dumped in their front yard. The bottom of the page, and lapping over to the next one, the four projects are itemized both the “under construction” and “planning” stages. Their fund drive is an act of faith.
Whatever is given will be a temporary thing.
';' Lunging, now toward page eight, charts show which divisions within the composite educational unit will grow or die based on your giving through the stacks and see how the each is the focal of your generosity .It seems to be set on a decade-ial cycle.
Following: some quick credits to those who worked on the letter ...some names. Then , to end it all, do we go back a full eight pages to our 20-thousand friends at the soggy ceremonies. Brave souls!
Such letters are usually signed “Sincerely”
It all makes me wonder: How many people actually read such long-winded fund finder pieces and who ticks off the amounts suggested on the enclosed gift card - postage paid – according to what a lawyer and C.P.A. Might say they should give for tax purposes. Most of all, I wonder that a “modern university” with graduates heading up huge segments of management for our industrial wealth a center of business training and
considered to be in the forefront of business acumen - has not found a better means of raising funds than trite old direct mail,“Friends:”solicitation letters!
A.L.M. July 7, 2003 [c519wds]
Tuesday, July 08, 2003
ON THE EDGE OF GREATNESS
That which an individual does which gains fame for him or her is ,quite often, something they say.
We have entire volumes of quotations which contain quotes from people you .otherwise, have never heard of otherwise.
Abraham Lincoln is said to have scribbled a few words on the back of a used envelope and from it delivered the celebrated “Gettysburg Address”. There were poets at the time who could have created many special works with worthy meanings honoring the men who had died at Gettysburg. There was another speaker on the program. He was widely accepted at the time as being the nations' most outstanding orator. He was introduced to the assembled throng by the presentation of a special ode composed by Benjamin B. French and sung by the Baltimore Glee Club. The musical moments introduced the famed orator Edward Everett who began a speech which lasted for several hours.
We remember nothing of Ben French's “Ode” and less of what Edward Everett took three hours to say.
Everett has been much maligned over the years because of the length of his speech – which varies in different accounts from two or three hours - when it can be shown that he, as a professional orator, delivered well-organized and thorough evaluation of the memorial circumstance of the day. He should be revered much more than ridiculed, and that, in part, for me, at least, is borne out in the known fact that Edward Everett who's long speech followed Abraham Lincoln's short remarks. He actually wrote to Lincoln requested a copy of the “Gettysburg Address” and praised him for it's sincerity, clarity and brevity,
We might also recall that the cartaciture media representation of Lincoln at that time was not the most pleasant. How could one expect
anything of merit from an awkward country bumpkin,; an ignorant, shambling dummy his enemies made him out to be in those troubled times.
Imagine, the preparations which must have been made to set up the Gettysburg memorial event. Think of all the work involved to get things ready. Some difficult foot work had to be done by the committee in charge of the celebration, and they invited the leading professional orator of their day as being best qualified to do the main speech. They wisely invited President Lincoln and members of his cabinet to be present and the same officials decided the President might be asked to say a few Dedicatory words prior to the main address. Lincoln accepted and stayed within the slot assigned him . He himself has been said to feel that his words were a failure. Newspaper persons showed themselves to be unaware of the lines, and only a few of the more energetic among them reported his having spoken the words , save for the reporter for The Chicago “Tribune” who saw in them key to the occasion and a durable literary work. It is not reported by the members of the cabinet thought - those few who showed up.
This sort of thing happens so often. It happens today in our times. People are, often on the very edge of greatness and don't realize it.
There are always key people involved in civic projects ...ones we never even hear about. while other are lauded for their overt presence.
For example: ”Who was the reporter mentioned above as being from the Chicago “Tribune?.” He was one men we have left sanding on the edge of greatness.
A,L.M. July 7, 2003 [c654wds]
Monday, July 07, 2003
TIMBER! CLAYHILL#4
When he was eleven years of age, Melvin, the younger of the two Clayhill brothers, got signed-on to become a member of a logging crew working in the Appalachian Mountains to the east of what is now Craigsville, Virginia. in Augusta county.
His uncle Caleb lived near Madrid,Virginia - pronounced MAD-rid - and he, through acquaintances in the lumber business he had an the offer did not include Timothy, Melvin's older brother. The job opening called for a “runt” and Melvin met that criterion perfectly.
Telling about the experience, Melvin constantly referred to his brother. It was a the first time the two had ever been separated. His looks which said, better than words, how much he missed being away from Timothy. It was really only time they were ever apart.
The Clayhill brothers were a team, as a rule. They had always worked together and been on terms of being constant friendly-enemies, arguing with each other without end and loving every minute of it.
Melvin left for logging camp by himself. He took a train from Staunton to Craigsville, and, following instructions, walked up the mountain trail to the north side of the train tracks just beyond the station at the village. It was a lonely walk, but exciting in many ways, and Melvin was unaware of he dangers lurking in the forest about him. He had no trouble finding the trail and was soon walking with a man , a logger, who was headed to the same destination -.Kopler's Log Camp.
“Damn it, Sonny you got rough time ahead of you!” the new companion stated bluntly. You're too little fer loggin'. “Melvin explained his job as his uncle had outlined it.
“I'm to be Cooky's helper,” he explained “I'm to cut farwood, git things cook needs, cleanup after each mess o' eatin' and such like! Ain't no real log cuttin' fer me ....just help with the feeding of the crew. I kin do that!”
The tall companion was impressed with Melvin's straight - forward reply. “Aw-right! Sure as my name's Jeb Carson, I do believe you can do it,” He laughed., “But it ain't gonna be easy! You your're right in a rough bunch of men at any loggin'' camp.” He seemed to be impressed with the direct reply he got from his young fellow traveler. He turned serious for a moment and added: “I know. I'm 'bout the worst of 'em.”
He took a bottle of whiskey from his pack and sipped a bit.. “I been out fer supplies.” he confided” and halfway offered the flat bottle to Melvin, then quickly withdrew the offer. “You're still awful young fer the job,” He put the bottle in his pack with care, and they resumed their walk.
Within the hour, they arrived at the camp.
Carson indicated to Melvin. You best go t' the end of that long buildin'' - that shed at th' end where th' smoke is comin'' up. That's Cookie's area. His name is Swartz. He a fat German. You'll know him right off. Good luck, Sonny. I think you might just need all you can git, too!” They parted, but Carson turned around and said. “Be careful, too, Sonny. You got a friend in old Carson, here, if'n you kin find him sober - any time. Maybe best you 'tend not to know me, till later on...maybe” And, he was gone.
Melvin Clayhill turned to face his own future.
Sure enough, as Carson had said, he recognized the man who had to be Cookie as soon as he saw him. He worn a miss-matched coat and dark pants, heavy yellow leather shoes of ancient vintage, a not-at-all clean denim cloth apron around his generous belly and a funny little hat perched on his on his gray head.
“You must be the new boy?” His voice was thick and guttural. “Bout time, too. Lemme show you where you bunk “ and he led the way through a wide arch without a door. Just inside the room he turned and pointed to a crude box built against the wall. “Your stuff goes in the box. Don't leave it underfoot like the last boy did..” He pointed to a sapling shelf above the door ....long enough, maybe six feet across the top of the doorway to the mess hall and three-feet wide. A ladder of six rungs went up the log wall beside the storage box. “They's blankets in the box fer you. Stow your stuff now. We need to git some food ready fer the hogs. They come in when the light a'gins to fade.”
Gruff though he was, Melvin told me , “I, knowed I was a a-goin'' t' like Cookie when he first spoke “at” me, but a day or two later day he was talkin'' “to” and “with” me.
(Next “When the Hawgs Come In”
A.L.M. July 6, 2003 [c899wds]
Sunday, July 06, 2003
FIRST FIRST LADY'S CHURCH
The construction of St Peter's Parish Church in New Kent County, Virginia got started in 1702. The church had been established by the general court April 26, 1679. At that time, there were already two churches in the area and there seems to have been no immediate urge to start a new building.
One was near the town of Broaddus Flats on the Pamukey River. It was called “Newcastle” and has disappeared.
The second one, called the “lower church” because of its location “below” Broaddus Flats came to be known as the “broken back'd” church. It got that name, because it was a pole building built by what was called “The Earthfast Post ” system. The poles were set right in the soil with a block of wood as a base. They rotted quickly under in Tidewater soil conditions. It was a common type of building and we fed of several churches being ”reposted” after a few years of use.
On August 13, 1700 the Vestry met and stated: “Whereas the “lower church is very much out of Repair and Standeth very inconvenient for most of the inhabitants of the Parish it is ordered that as soon as it may be convenient a New Church of Brick ... sixty feet long, twenty fower feet wide in the cleer and fourteen feet pitch with a Gallery Sixteen feet long ....to be built and erected on the main Roade by the School House near Thomas Jacksons.”
Detailed records of all supplies were kept and we have many accounts of the actual construction. They contracted with Mr. Jackson, who donated one-acre of his land for the church, to make 100,000 bricks. The kiln adjoined the church property and it is thought today's parking lot covers portions of it. Jackson had the huge stacks of brick ready and waiting, but the Vestry demanded an outside inspection of the quality and dimensions of the brick before they paid him his alloted 25,000 pounds of sweet-scented tobacco. Records show it took the best part of 1701 April of 1702 before the inspection was so completed and the bricklayers got busy. The main portion of the church was finished in the course of a years, however, and covered 20,000 “good sound sipras shingles” each 18-inches long, 5 inches wide, no more less and ¼/ inch thick and no more then 3.4 inch. Henry Wyatt cut them in Chickahomney Swamp for a fee of 20,000 pounds of tobacco. All carpenter, joiners, and masons and so forth were well paid it seems, but for some reason “sawyers” - they received only a pound of tobacco for their work. And, we are left to wonder why.
It seems they had occasion to make use of the stocks, too with mentions of some “licentious and unseemly persons” who caused a scene in the congregation one Sabbath day.
This was the church Martha Custiss, wife of George Washington, must have talked about as being her home church . Think about that for a moment. We are re-living the same stories they, and others, shared when remembering old times.
A.L.M. July 2, 2003 [c569wds]
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