March Snow, 2009

It's Doing It Again!!!

Delta Sightings

Having lived in many different parts of the country has been a rewarding experience.   We enjoy learning about the people and places wherever we live.  Each place is different, but has a unique offering if one will only take the time to discover it.

A Mule Barn

There isn't many of these left, and it's easy to understand why.   With modern day farm equipment mules are no longer needed or a place to keep them.  This old building is on the National Register of Historic Places.  

The Flying Interprise

A Tribute To Captain Kurt Carlsen

This is a true story of a sea captain named Kurt Carlsen.  In order to understand what happened, please read the link Captianstayput.   I was a ham radio operator and followed his story as it happened.   I later talked to Captain Carlsen who was then aboard The Flying Interprise II. and was off the coast of South America .

The photos are of a QSL card which hams exchanged to confirm the contact.  Note the postage at that time was 2 cents. ( It had gone up in price).

Spring is Coming

While driving though the Village I came upon this wonderful bed of daffodils, and I had to stop and get a quick picture.   I know Wordsworth says it better :

"I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host of golden daffodils;

Besides the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze."

St. Patrick's Day

Thanks to the Activity Group for the nice green decorations for St. Patty. The Ramey Center always reflects the current season, and your effort is greatly appreciated

Barry and the Activiy group planning more resident activities.   Come join in and contribute your ideas .  Everyone is welcome.

Clean Up

The ice storm left lot of limbs and debris and the snow a week later really slowed clean-up, but things are happening fast now.  It won't be long.

Newfondland Screech

From a Village neighbor  who is a native of Newfoundland, and some research on my own, I have learned many things about this wonderful place.  The people of Newfoundland, their unusual  lifestyle, history, and customs are unique to say the least.  Of all the stories I've heard the one I'm about to tell fascinates me the most, and it's the story of a native rum drink, it's origin and how it got it's name.  

Long ago salt fish was shipped to the West Indies in exchange for rum.  The fish became the national dish of Jamaicans and the rum became the traditional drink of Newfoundlanders.  When the government took control of alcohol  it began selling the rum in an unlabelled bottle.  The product might have remained permanently nameless except for the influx of American servicemen to Newfoundland during World War II

As the story goes, the commanding officer of the original American detachment was having his first taste of Newfoundland hospitality and , imitating the custom of his host, downed his drink in one gulp.  The officer's blood-curdling howl, when he regained his breath , brought the sympathetic and curious from miles around rushing to the house to find out what was going on.  The first to arrive was garrulous old American sergeant who pounded on the door and demanded , "What the cripes was that ungodly screech?"    

The Newfoundlander who answered the door replied simply, "The Screech? Tis the rum, me son."

So a legend was born.  Amercian servicemen adopted it as their favorite.