Westminster Maryland Memorial Day Pictures
According to the Historical Society of Carroll County:
“Miss (Mary Bostwick) Shellman began
From unattributed notes in my file, the origins of Memorial Day go back to:
Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of former Union soldiers and sailors - the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) - established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers.
Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared it should be May 30. The first large observance was held that year at
The cemetery already held the remains of 20,000 Union dead and several hundred Confederate dead.
Presided over by Gen. and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant and other
After speeches, children from the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphan Home and members of the GAR made their way through the cemetery, strewing flowers on both
Local Observances Claim To Be First
Local springtime tributes to the Civil War dead already had been held in various places.
One of the first occurred in
Today cities in the North and the South claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day in 1866. Both Macon and
A stone in a
Official Birthplace Declared
In 1966, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared
By the end of the 19th century, Memorial Day ceremonies were being held on May 30 throughout the nation.
State legislatures passed proclamations designating the day. The Army and Navy adopted regulations for proper observance at their facilities. It was not until after World War I, however, that the day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars.
In 1971 Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress, and designated as the last Monday in May.
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GENERAL JOHN A. LOGAN'S MEMORIAL DAY ORDER
General Order No. 11 - Headquarters, Grand Army of the Republic
May 5, 1868
I. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose, among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foe? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their death a tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the Nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and found mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of free and undivided republic.
If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us.
Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation's gratitude,--the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.
II. It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this Order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.
III. Department commanders will use every effort to make this order effective.
By command of:
JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief.
N. P. CHIPMAN,
Adjutant-General.
Disappointment with suburbs leads some back to small towns
By Diane Reynolds, Times Staff Writer Sunday, May 28, 2006
As Americans fled to the suburbs in the decades after World War II, small towns suffered, according to Linda Semu, associate professor of sociology at
As small towns became depopulated, many downtown retail stores closed, said Semu. Family-owned businesses were unable to compete with large chains that could buy products at deeper discounts and sell them at lower prices.
But some began to sour on the suburbs. As described by Andres Duany, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk and Jeff Speck in their book "Suburban Nation," the suburban dream for many turned out to be a nightmare.
Suburban migration continues, however. Much of it is now exurban migration as people move beyond suburbs ringing cities to suburbs on cornfields near towns far from major urban centers.
With a better understanding of the social costs of suburbanization, rising energy prices and a growing appreciation of the livability of small towns like Union Bridge, some residents express optimism that the coming wave of suburbanization can be managed in a way that will enhance life for everyone.
Sobering reality
Many sociologists and urban planners have taken a close look at the suburban building binge of the last half-century and found it wanting.
A scathing 1996 article by Karl Zinsmeister in The American
Individuals and families get isolated in cul-de-sac communities. People become dependent on cars, because there is nowhere to walk, no sidewalks to walk on, and no community to walk in. People don't see their neighbors.
Men began working far from their homes, and, Zinsmeister argued, mothers quickly fled the overwhelming isolation of the suburban lives - where they were trapped with the daunting task of raising children without the traditional supports of friends and family - to seek jobs where at least they interacted with other adults. As women left the home, children were increasingly farmed out to paid caretakers, and large suburban houses stood empty day after day.
Children suffered, too. With nowhere to walk, they became completely dependent on adults with cars to do the simplest things. They turned to television to experience the community that was missing from their lives, Zinsmeister argued.
"In this respect," quotes author Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, "families living in today's richest suburbs are barely better off than families living in the slums."
By 1996, a
But suburbanization had led to boarded-up main streets in the very small towns people decided they were longing for.
In the 1990s, new urbanism began to become more popular as planners discovered that houses on smaller lots, with big front porches and garages tucked behind homes, led to more neighborliness and interaction, improving people's quality of life, according to Philip Langdon, author of "A Better Place to Live: Reshaping the American Suburb."
Small-town alternative
Read the entire article here: Disappointment with suburbs leads some back to small towns
Governance Planning Sprawl Growth Development Strain
20060528 Disappointment with suburbs leads some back to small towns by Diane Reynolds Carroll County Times
According to the Historical Society of Carroll County:
“Miss (Mary Bostwick) Shellman began
From unattributed notes in my file, the origins of Memorial Day go back to:
Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of former Union soldiers and sailors - the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) - established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers.
Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared it should be May 30. The first large observance was held that year at
The cemetery already held the remains of 20,000 Union dead and several hundred Confederate dead.
Presided over by Gen. and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant and other
After speeches, children from the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphan Home and members of the GAR made their way through the cemetery, strewing flowers on both
Local Observances Claim To Be First
Local springtime tributes to the Civil War dead already had been held in various places.
One of the first occurred in
Today cities in the North and the South claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day in 1866. Both Macon and
A stone in a
Official Birthplace Declared
In 1966, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared
By the end of the 19th century, Memorial Day ceremonies were being held on May 30 throughout the nation.
State legislatures passed proclamations designating the day. The Army and Navy adopted regulations for proper observance at their facilities. It was not until after World War I, however, that the day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars.
In 1971 Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress, and designated as the last Monday in May.
####
Proud Preakness needs overhaul (Fauquier Times-Democrat, VA)
An interesting commentary on Barbaro’s injury at the Preakness in Baltimore at the second leg of Triple Crown on Saturday, May 20th, 2006 and on race day, the track facilities and Pimlico; by someone who seems to know a little about horses and horseracing.
Hat Tip: Maryland Department of Agriculture News Clippings
Proud Preakness needs overhaul (Fauquier Times-Democrat, VA)
By Jackie Burke - an author based near Orlean.
05/23/2006
Proud Preakness needs overhaul
Staff
Mede Cahaba Stable owner Mignon Smith was so inspired by Barbaro’s Kentucky Derby win that she ordered tickets and a bus so that 44 friends could attend the Preakness Stakes with her this past Saturday.
For a number of years I was employed by the Washington, D.C.-based Mede Cahaba, a large multi-state racing and breeding business, and before that I learned to post as one of Smith’s riding students at the original Mede Cahaba stable in my native
So I was offered two tickets to the big event and in turn I invited friend and new neighbor Julia Thieriot. As we boarded the bus Saturday, a perfect spring morning, I promised Julia a memorable time.
The bus rumbled north, carrying a congenial group with a general air of electric anticipation that only an event such as the Preakness Stakes can generate. Had I realized what a memorable and horrific day lay before us, I would have stayed in bed.
Read the rest of the story here: Proud Preakness needs overhaul (Fauquier Times-Democrat, VA)
Photo by Skip Lawrence. It was captioned in the article as: “Paul Garvison's Neighborhood Electric Vehicle can reach speeds of 30 mph and last about 15 miles before it must be recharged.”
With gas prices skyrocketing, one local driver has found a way to save a few dollars by riding a current trend
Published on May 27, 2006
Mr. Garvison owns a battery powered Neighborhood Electric Vehicle, which can reach speeds of 30 mph and lasts about 15 miles before it needs to be recharged. The car, white with a checkered stripe on the side, has four seats, but its narrow width allows for only one windshield wiper.
Known as IT, for Innovative Transportation, the Neighborhood Electric Vehicle is made by Dynasty Electric Car Corp. of
"It is perfect for around town use," Mr. Garvison said.
According to the Electric Auto Association, as many as 10,000 full sized electric cars are on
Read the rest of the story here: It's electric
The carnival season for the season kicks off for the summer with the Gamber and Union Bridge firefighters’ annual event and the St. John Catholic Church carnival. (The hyperlinks should take you to each carnival’s Web-page.)
Carrie Ann Knauer with the Carroll County Times has the story in the Saturday, May 27th, 2006 edition of the Carroll County Times.
The Carroll County Times does not use permalinks – please find their entire article pasted below:
_________________
Carnival season to begin early
By Carrie Ann Knauer, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, May 27, 2006
The
Carnivals are a major fundraising source for
Gamber's carnival has traditionally started on Memorial Day, but it has seemed like every year it got rained out one or two nights, he said. So when the carnival company told them this winter that they didn't have any bookings the week before Memorial Day, both parties agreed it would be a good idea to start the carnival on a Saturday this year. They hope the two extra days will be a buffer for any rained-out nights, Myers said.
While offering the two extra nights didn't cost the fire company any extra money up front, it has been more difficult to get volunteers to work the two extra days, he said.
"Carnival week is really hard for everyone," Myers said. "We're just keeping our fingers crossed for eight nights of [great] weather."
One small change for Sunday at the carnival is that there will be no gambling or games of chance, such as bingo or the gun jar, as is required by county law, Myers said. The fire company will still be able to sell raffle tickets, since the drawing won't be until the following Saturday, he said, and all of the carnival games, such as darts and basketball toss, will be carried on.
_________________
Along with the Gamber and Community fire company carnival, the
Dave Buffington, fire carnival chairman, said the fire company enjoys having the carnival start on Memorial Day. Many of the town residents attend the Memorial Day service organized by the Union Bridge VFW, which will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, and then come to the carnival for dinner, Buffington said.
"It kind of works hand in hand," Buffington said. "Memorial Day is always a big event."
What makes the
_________________
Scott said the theme of this year's carnival will be "A Christian Family Tradition." The church has a congregation of about 14,000 people, she said, so many of the members don't get to meet at the usual church events. The carnival, however, was an opportunity for all different sectors of the church to meet and interact, Scott said.
"We had lots of young families," Scott said, and will try to offer even more games for the very young children who come to the carnival.
Even in its first year, the carnival quickly became one of the biggest fundraisers for the church, Scott said. The money raised from the carnival will go toward the school and youth ministries, she said.
_________________
If you go:
Gamber Carnival Schedule
n Today: Entertainment by Iron Ridge (bluegrass)
n Sunday: Entertainment by Bob Plunkert and Real Country
n Monday: Fireworks at night, entertainment by Ten Cent Penny Band (classic country rock)
n Tuesday: Entertainment by Salem Bottom Boys (bluegrass)
n Wednesday: Entertainment by Big Cam and the Lifters (oldies)
n Thursday: Entertainment by Just Plain Country
n Friday: Entertainment by C.B. Pickers (bluegrass)
n June 3: Raffle drawings, entertainment by Poison Whiskey (good ol' classic southern rock)
Carnival opens 6 p.m. nightly, special ride prices on Tuesday and Thursday.
_________________
St. John Carnival Schedule
n Monday: Noon to 5 p.m. matinee rides after the Memorial Day Parade
n Tuesday: 6 to 10 p.m., entertainment by Big Cam & the Lifters
n Wednesday: 6 to 10 p.m., entertainment by Full Gospel Boogie Band
n Thursday: 6 to 10 p.m., Karaoke Night, "Your Idol Time"
n Friday: 6 to 11 p.m., entertainment by Satyr Hill Band
n Saturday: Matinee rides from noon to 4 p.m., entertainment by Aces Up
Discount tickets available in advance at St. John School; call 410-848-4744.
_________________
n Monday: 6 p.m. Memorial Day Service at
n Tuesday: Special Ride Night from 7 to 10 p.m., entertainment by Tall in the Saddle (country variety)
n Wednesday: Fireman's Parade at 7 p.m.
n Thursday: Special Ride Night from 7 to 10 p.m., entertainment by Bob Plunkert and Real Country
n Friday: Entertainment by No Alibi (country rock)
n Saturday: Raffle drawings, entertainment by No Xit Band (rock)
Lunches served 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday to Friday. Dinner platters served 4 to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday.
This series of photos, just in time for Memorial Day, was e-mailed me by my Tentacle editor, John Ashbury.
“… there is a huge rock near a gravel pit on Hwy.25 in rural
A few months back, the rock received its latest paint job, and since then it has been left completely undisturbed. It's quite an impressive sight. Be sure to scroll down and check out the multiple photos (all angles) of the rock. I thought the flag was draped over the rock, but it's not. It's actually painted on the rock too.”
The bottom picture is attributed to be “the artist Ray "Bubba" Sorensen.”
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This is interesting. This just in from an:
Article published May 23, 2006 in the
OC eyes use of electric mini-cars
OCEAN CITY -- Presenters for a 100 percent electric, zero emission, lightweight DaimlerChrysler vehicle showed up at last week's Police Commission meeting, and Mayor Jim Mathias' eyes lit up.
After Mathias took the doorless four-seat Global Electric Motorcar -- a vehicle that passes all federal safety regulations to be driven on roads 35 mph and less -- for a spin with Town Councilmen Jay Hancock and Jim Hall, he brimmed at the possible uses for the town.
"It's timely in nature because of all the gas price problems and energy rates. It really does fit in, and it's something for the future of this town," Mathias said. "I hope (City Manager Dennis Dare) can look at it."
CleanCities.com President Luis MacDonald and Daniel MacDonald presented options of the vehicle that ranged from two-seat to six-seat models that had a range of 35 to 40 miles, could be recharged in a regular outlet at home within a few hours and could carry a 1,200 pound payload in the back bed area.
The vehicle was recently approved for use on
For
Police commission members, however, discussed a much wider range of uses from hotels renting the vehicles to vacationers to use by the police force around the Boardwalk or use by town officials and maintenance people.
Police were not as excited about the GEMs, however, as Ofc. Hugh Bean cited safety issues because of the light vehicle weight, people driving the vehicle on high-speed roads and a likelihood operators wouldn't use their seat belts in the golf cart-like vehicles.
"Trying to get people to understand what they can and can't do would be an insurmountable feat, and we'd be the bad guys for busting people," Bean said.
Chief Bernadette DiPino also said she saw too much trouble to support wide commercial use of the vehicles or town use, but admitted the vehicles were legal and anyone could purchase and drive the $8,000-to-$12,000 vehicles provided they follow the rules.
Looking for a wider vision for the vehicles, Mathias told police, "I hope as we pursue this we can pursue it with a can-do attitude and not a can't-do attitude."
"I'm not advocating we do this overnight," he said, "but paying attention to where the world is going, this is somewhere we want to go."
About the cars
The Maryland General Assembly recently approved their use in the state. Similar vehicles are already used by the city of
Reach Jay Hodgkins at 410-213-9442 or jhodgkins@smgpo.gannett.com.
TOP 50 CONSERVATIVE SONGS
What a fun weekend quick read. Hat tip: Michelle Malkin calls our attention to a column by John J. Miller of the National Review Online in which he lists the top fifty all time best conservative rock songs.
TOP 50 CONSERVATIVE SONGS
By Michelle Malkin · May 26, 2006 09:21 AM
John Mellencamp? Sammy Hagar? Kid Rock? The Who? Yup, they're all on National Review's list.
Take a look--and bring your iPod.
_________________
The 50 greatest conservative rock songs.
May 26, 2006, 6:59 a.m.
Rockin' the Right
By John J. Miller
EDITOR’S NOTE: This week on NRO, we’ve been rolling out the first five and now all 50 songs from a list John J. Miller compiled that appears in the June 5 issue of National Review . Here’s a look at #1 and get the whole list—complete with purchasing links—here.
On first glance, rock ’n’ roll music isn’t very conservative. It doesn’t fare much better on second or third glance (or listen), either. Neil Young has a new song called “Let’s Impeach the President.” Last year, the Rolling Stones made news with “Sweet Neo Con,” another anti-Bush ditty. For conservatives who enjoy rock, it isn’t hard to agree with the opinion Johnny Cash expressed in “The One on the Right Is on the Left”: “Don’t go mixin’ politics with the folk songs of our land / Just work on harmony and diction / Play your banjo well / And if you have political convictions, keep them to yourself.” In other words: Shut up and sing.
But some rock songs really are conservative — and there are more of them than you might think. Last year, I asked readers of National Review Online to nominate conservative rock songs. Hundreds of suggestions poured in. I’ve sifted through them all, downloaded scores of mp3s, and puzzled over a lot of lyrics. What follows is a list of the 50 greatest conservative rock songs of all time, as determined by me and a few others. The result is of course arbitrary, though we did apply a handful of criteria.
What makes a great conservative rock song? The lyrics must convey a conservative idea or sentiment, such as skepticism of government or support for traditional values. And, to be sure, it must be a great rock song. We’re biased in favor of songs that are already popular, but have tossed in a few little-known gems. In several cases, the musicians are outspoken liberals. Others are notorious libertines. For the purposes of this list, however, we don’t hold any of this against them. Finally, it would have been easy to include half a dozen songs by both the Kinks and Rush, but we’ve made an effort to cast a wide net. Who ever said diversity isn’t a conservative principle?
So here are NR’s top 50 conservative rock songs of all time. Go ahead and quibble with the rankings, complain about what we put on, and send us outraged letters and e-mails about what we left off. In the end, though, we hope you’ll admit that it’s a pretty cool playlist for your iPod.
Thursday, May 25th, 2006
Thursday evening was the occasion of the Westminster Fire Department’s Big Money raffle. This is the major fund raising event of the year for the Fire Department.
“In 1840 the citizens petitioned the legislature to pass an act enabling them to hold a lottery to raise $5,000 to purchase a new fire engine, build a new engine-house, town hall and market-house, but nothing came of it.”
Kevin Dayhoff writes from
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Posted above is an undated picture, from my collection, of the intersection of Willis and
