#emmitsburg

[michaelwriston]

Outside Emmitsburg, MD. 2023.

[eopederson]

Pyramid of pumpkins, Emmitsburg, Maryland, 2020.

[portraitsofsaints]

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

1774-1821

Feast day: January 4

Patronage: Catholic Schools

Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton was the first native-born citizen of the United States to be canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. She established the first Catholic school in the nation, at Emmitsburg, Maryland, where she founded the first American congregation of Religious Sisters, the Sisters of Charity.

Prints, plaques & holy cards available for purchase here: (website)

[silverwingwashere]

Battle of Gettysburg - Day 3

July 3

3:00 PM

The Confederate Attack Advances to Cemetery Ridge

The Confederates marched out in orderly lines, flags flying ahead of each regiment. For the Union troops atop Cemetery Ridge, it looked like the enemy was prepared to present themselves on the parade ground. However, this was not the parade ground. Soon the slaughter will begin.

Slowly, the Union and Confederate guns opposing one another began to slacken their fire. Eventually, there was a defeaning silence in the field. The bombardment was over, it was now time for the infantry to play its part.

Presenting himself before General Longstreet, Pickett asked inquired if he should advance his division and begin the assault on Cemetery Ridge. Longstreet remained silent. He still did not believe in the plan and knew that his troops would be slaughtered. Unable to say a word, Longstreet merely bowed his head is response.

With that the Confederates began their final preparations for the assault. Meanwhile, on Cemetery Ridge, Union troops dusted themselves off and, recovering themselves after the intense bombardment, readied themselves for the assault many knew would come.

Moving to his division as they prepared to advance, Pickett road along his line, shouting encouragements to his troops. "Charge the enemy, and remember old Virginia!" He told them.

Meanwhile, General Armistead, one of Pickett's brigade commanders, told his troops: "Men, remember your wives, your mothers, your sisters, and your sweethearts!"

All in all, the equivalent of six brigades and three small regiments, numbering around 10,500 Confederate troops, was to attack a ridge defended by just 5,750 Union troops.

At 3:00 in the afternoon the Confederate force advanced. Pickett's division, forming the right wing, stepped off south of Spangler's Woods. Meanwhile, Pettigrew's Brigades, with Trimble's Brigades behind them, formed the left flank and advanced north of Spangler's Woods. In their march, both Pettigrew and Trimble simply had to move east in order to read Cemetery Ridge. Pickett, however, was moving in a south-east direction and would continue to do so until his division reached the Emmitsburg Road, when his division would wheel and begin to move in a north-east direction.

As they advanced, the once concealed Confederate infantry soon came into view of the Union forces at Cemetery Ridge. "Here they come! Here come the Johnnies!" Was the call that rung along the Union position.

Almost immidiately upon coming into view, Union artillery at Little Round top and Cemetery Hill began opening up, firing long-range shots at them. This artillery fire struck the advancing Confederate lines and began to take down troops. It will only get worse as they got closer.

However, despite the long-range shots that were taking down a couple of troops, the overall casualties were still low. So far, the advance was going well. Despite this, Brockenbrough's Confederate Brigade, which formed the left-most line, was begining to faulter. As they continued their advance, the brigade encountered fire from the north, on its left flank. This was the 8th Ohio Regiment, which was advance of the Union line, acting as skirmishers. Instead of falling back, they decided to form up and hold their ground. Now their musketry was hitting Brockenbrough's left flank and when the 8th Ohio decided to charge, Brockenbrough's Confederate Brigade, which was suffering from low morale, broke and fell back.

Despite the loss of a brigade, the Confederate advance continued. However, as they got closer, they soon came into range of the Union artillery's canister shot. Canister shot essentially turned cannons into shotguns. Such fire were often devastating to compact formations - such as the ones the Confederates were in.

Firing canister, Union guns managed to tear holes upon the Confederate lines. Desperately, Confederate officers and NCOs tried to reorganize their troops. "Close up!" They would order. "Close up!"

Despite the devastating effect of the Union artillery, the Confederate lines continued to lurch forward. Meanwhile, Union infantry at Cemetery Ridge laid on the ground and held their fire. "Steady, boys! Hold your positions; don't fire till the word is given; keep cool; lie low until the order is given to fire!"

Kemper's Confederate Brigade, which was the right most brigade of Pickett's Division, was thew first to get close to the Union position at Cememtery Ridge. Once they got within range, the 13th, 14, and 16th Vermont Regiments got up and opned fire. "Make raedy, take good aim, fire low!" Their officers ordered. "Fire!"

The Vermont regiment's volley ripped through Kemper's Brigade. In reaction, the Confederates returned fire.

Meanwhile, Garnett Confederate Brigades was 250 yard from Union positions on the stone wall. At that moment, the troops from Gibbon's Union Division stood up and let loose against them. Firing heavy volleys, they struck the Confederate forces hard, as troops fell in waves. To add to the chaos, Union gunners continued to fire canister shot on them.

North of Garnett's Brigade, Archer's Confederate Brigade encountered an obstable. A post-and-plank fence blocked their way, forcing them to climb it - slowing them down as they too endured musket and canister fire. Farther north, Pettigrew and Davis' Confederates were also being slowed down by a fence, as canister fire riddled them as they approached.

Seeing the Confederates struggle, troops from the 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment began to taunt them. "Fredericksburg! Fredericksburg!" They cried out. During the battle of Fredericksburg the previous year, Union troops made a disastorous charge against Confederate forces behind a stone wall atop a ridge. Now the tables have turned and the 20th Massachusetts weren't afraid to tell this.

The Confederate advance had temporarily stalled. However, many of the brigades were concentrating in a portion of the Union line known as the Angle - as the stone wall, which ran from north to south, angled to a east to west direction at this point. At this portion of the line, Union troops were the weakest and the line was thin. A concentrated attack there may break the Union defense and ensure victory for the Confederates.

----------------------------------------

Featuring @nopony-ask-mclovin and @asktwilighteclipse as members of the 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, as they taunt the advancing Confederate forces.

[ettawritesnstudies]

St Elizabeth Seton?

She's one of the greatest educators of our time as far as I'm concerned!

She was married and moved with her husband from Scotland to New York City in 1758, and they were heavily involved in the local Episcopal charities. They had five children and took in six more children after her brother-in-law died, at which point they moved to Maryland. Tragically her husband passed away in 1803, and in the mourning period, his Italian business partners introduced her to Catholicism. She converted in 1805, and recieved her first sacraments from John Carroll - the only Catholic bishop in the US and one of the signers of the declaration of independence.

To support herself and her kids after her husband's death she founded the first Catholic girl's school in the country, but when her conversion story spread, people withdrew their students. She was about to move to Canada, but was approached by a visiting priest who needed help. His order had fled the Reign of Terror in France which was in the midst of the revolution, and so she took them in as refugees on the school property and helped to establish the first US seminary. She founded another girl's school there, with the help of financial aid from Mount Saint Mary's University which is still an operating school today! She also established a religious order - the Sisters of Charity - who were dedicated to taking care of the children of the poor, and they started the first parochial catholic school system in the country. She was called Mother Seton and spent the rest of her life teaching and traveling.

She's the first canonized American Saint, by 1830, the Sisters of Mercy ran orphanages and schools from Cincinnati to New Orleans, and established the first hospital west of the Mississippi River, and as an extra kick, she's part of the National Women's Hall of Fame. I especially love her because she's semi-local to where I grew up, and as a homeschooled kid, she was the unofficial patron of our educational community too. If you go to Emmitsburg, Maryland, there's a beautiful Marian shrine with hiking trails that have the Stations of the Cross and Decades of the Rosary, and she has a beautiful basilica in her honor!

[shiftythrifting]

1. My first monster truck

2. The cookie jar that judges your eating habits

3. “The sign only said ‘no shoes no service’”!

Found at the Emmitsburg Antique Mall of Emmitsburg, MD.

[thepastisalreadywritten]

SAINT OF THE DAY (January 4)

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton was the foundress and first superior of the Sisters of Charity in the United States. 

She was born to Episcopalian parents into New York City high society on 28 August 1774.

Her father, Dr. Richard Bayley, was the first professor of anatomy at Columbia College and praised for his work as the health officer of the Port of New York. 

Her mother, Catherine Charlton, daughter of an Anglican minister of Staten Island, New York, died when Elizabeth was three years old, leaving her and two other young daughters.

Elizabeth was married on 25 January 1794 in St. Paul's Episcopalian Church to William Magee Seton. 

When his father died, they took over custody of William's seven half brothers and sisters, as well as the family's importing business.

William fell into financial troubles. He later died of tuberculosis in December 1803 in Pisa, Italy, while attempting to get help from his business friends.

After getting to know the Catholic Church in Italy, Elizabeth fasted and prayed for light.

Finally, on Ash Wednesday, 14 March 1805, she was received into the Church.

Her conversion unleashed a storm among her Protestant relatives and friends, and made her financial strains even greater. 

In January 1806, Cecilia Seton, Elizabeth's young sister-in-law, became very ill and begged to see the ostracized convert and told her of her desire to become a Catholic.

When Cecilia's decision was known, threats were made to have Mrs. Seton expelled from the state by the Legislature. 

On her recovery, Cecilia fled to Elizabeth for refuge and was received into the Church.

Elizabeth moved to Baltimore in 1808, and with the help of a Catholic convert, a farm was purchased two miles from Mt. St. Mary's College.

Mrs. Seton took vows privately before Archbishop Carroll and her daughter Anna.

In 1810, Bishop Flaget was commissioned to obtain in France the rules of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.

The rule, with some modifications, was approved by Archbishop Carroll in January 1812 and adopted. 

Mrs. Seton was elected superior against her will and despite the fact that she also had to care of her children. 

Many joined the community, including Mother Seton's daughter, Anna, who died during her novitiate (12 March 1812) but had been permitted to pronounce her vows on her deathbed.

Mother Seton and eighteen sisters made their vows on 19 July 1813.

The third time she was elected superior in 1819, she protested that it was the "election of the dead," but she lived for two years more, finally succuming to a pulmonary infection. 

She died on 4 January 1821 in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

In 1880, Cardinal Gibbons (then Archbishop) urged the steps be taken toward her canonization.

She was beatified by Pope John XXIII on 17 March 1963. She was canonized by Pope Paul VI on 14 September 1975.

[portraits-of-unreal-america]

Where the Blueberries Roam

Author’s Note: This is an archived article from July 2022.

7:30 AM on a Saturday. On assignment for the Cheek Expositor.

Having just left that calamitous Fourth of July celebration in Emmitsburg, I journey across the border into Pennsylvania. Now in the Keystone State, I head east to Draycott Valley, where I am expected to cover their annual Blueberry Harvest Festival. A brochure at the visitors center describes the borough as a temporal gateway of sorts, ushering newcomers back in time and into the heart of Amish country. Little did I know, there are dark forces at work, doing their damndest to close those gates forever. Keeping outsiders out, sure enough, but also keeping insiders in.

Leaving my cozy room at the Stout House Bed & Breakfast, I met up with Elaine Mullins. Aside from teaching fourth grade mathematics and serving on the city council, Mullins is also a single mother of three, music director for her church, and the event manager for the harvest festival. If anyone deserves to be called a superhero, it’s the Mighty Ms. Mullins!

“The harvest festival is vital to our community,” says Mullins. “It brings folks together. It cuts across generational divides. It’s also the only time of year the Amish community gets involved.”

Indeed, the Amish community east of Draycott Valley is one of the most insular in the state. Despite the numerous road signs warning me to watch for their signature black buggies on my way into town, I never came across anyone. The festival is the only time of year they make their presence known, mostly to sell their handmade rugs, furniture, and blueberry delectables. Mullins shows me where they typically erect their old-timey market: East of the center stage, mirroring the regular food stands. She’s noticeably surprised not to see anyone from the Dutch Country present. Maybe they’re running late.

Elaine gives me a thorough tour of the festival grounds. Most of Draycott Valley is watching the parade, giving me unfettered access to the food vendors. I sample blueberry pancakes, muffins, and scones. Some younger vendors have trendier offerings, much to the dismay of old timers and traditionalists. I try their newfangled flatbread - which attempts to serve blueberries in a savory pizza-like context - and wash everything down with a bussin blueberry bubble tea.

I inquire about a pair of husky men who appear to be the only other festival goers not at the parade. Vendors tell me they are a father and son duo who traditionally bypass the procession entirely to focus on getting as much festival food as they can carry. They have several styrofoam coolers and tupperware containers balancing precariously in a rickety red wagon. Their sight is a welcome one. Much like Punxsutawney Phil on Groundhog Day, the “Tupper Boys” are an important portent for the profitability of the festival.

“If I see the Tupper Boys, I know it’s going to be a good payday,” says self-appointed Pancake Master Zack Hardy. “No one will admit it, but I’m sure there are more than a few stands here who orient their menus around them. Not mine, of course!”

But food is not the only attraction. There are several events to participate in, but the one that consistently draws the most attention is the blueberry cobbler contest. The blue ribbon winner gets a cash prize of $100 and - more importantly - bragging rights for a year. Until last year, those rights were exclusively held by local wedding planner Darlene Becker, who is celebrating her nineteenth consecutive 48th birthday next month. She was defeated in 2021 by Shawn Hopper, an apprentice electrician who picked up baking during the pandemic. Mrs. Becker took the loss in stride, but vowed that she would reclaim her title in this year’s rematch. Much speculation has been placed on who will win, with the community largely self-sorting based on age.

The contest, which usually has at least a dozen entries, only has five contestants this year. Four of the challengers, including Becker and Hopper, are regular faces, but this year also features the first Amish contestant: Nathaniel Stoltzfoos. Stoltzfoos, 24, describes himself as an “Amish Nationalist”. From beneath a wide-brimmed straw hat, he claims to want a “sovereign Amish enclave” in southeast Pennsylvania. There, he says, his people could live “uncomplicated lives unmolested by modern ways”. He tells me he entered the contest to bring awareness to his campaign.

Crowds gather as judges sample each entry. Anticipation grows as the judges quietly discuss their results. Family and friends discuss whether Becker or Hopper will win the blue ribbon. The contest is quickly being dubbed the “Showdown at the Fairgrounds”. Becker and Hopper wait patiently to hear the results. Stoltzfoos looks into the distance stoically, as if he already knows the results. The judges request more samples. Ten minutes pass, then fifteen. No winners declared yet. I speak to the Coffeys, a local family. Husband Rudy and wife Kara are certain Darlene will win. Their daughter, Eva, isn’t so sure.

“I graduated high school with Shawn. I’ve been watching his uploads on TikTok,” says Eva, “and I’ve watched how much he’s grown. I think he’s here to stay.”

Kara mentions their son had been a participant in years past, but his recent run-ins with the law left him at home grounded. We discuss the unlikely victory of the other contestants. On stage, it is clear that only Hopper and Becker are attentive to the judges’ movements. There’s light discussion in the audience as to whom they think will take third place.

After 23 minutes of deliberation, Head Judge (and Draycott Valley Mayor) Floyd Brown approaches the microphone to announce the winner. He goes through the complicated scoring system, highlighting categories such as presentation, crust texture, flavor, mouthfeel, and originality. Third place goes to familiar face Jenna Hockersmith. Second place goes to perennial competitor and local radio personality Bud Knight. This sends shockwaves through the crowd. Certainly Hopper or Becker should have placed second!?! Just as murmurs were reaching their zenith, Brown announces that the blue ribbon will be shared between Darlene and Shawn this year. Both winners look relieved. Stoltzfoos, however, is dismayed.

“I knew it!” screams Stoltzfoos. The young Amish man approaches the microphone and clears his throat. “This contest was rigged from the beginning! The judges were paid off!”

Mayor Brown shares a puzzled look at the other judges. They attempt to wrestle the microphone away from Stoltzfoos and usher him off the stage, but the curiosity of the crowd is palpable. All eyes turn to Stoltzfoos looking for an explanation.

“We’ve never had a tie for the winner! They orchestrated all of this for that journalist!” says the visibly angry Amish man, as he points accusingly at me. 

Elaine Mullins, my guide for most of the day’s events, takes to the stage to calm the crowd. She tries to reassure everyone that the outcomes of the contest are never known beforehand. Judges are selected randomly except for the Mayor, and all judging is done freely and fairly.

The festival goers begin discussing amongst themselves. Several dirty looks are thrown in my direction. The cobbler contestants remain on stage, too nervous to descend. Over the next few minutes two camps emerge. One, believing the contest to be rigged, begins to loudly question the integrity of the vote. The second, believing Stoltzfoos to be a sore loser, spend their time mocking the contest deniers as “loony”. Stoltzfoos continues to whip up the crowd.

As we approach the afternoon, it becomes clear that no one is going anywhere until one side prevails over the other. Discussions become arguments. Brother turns against brother. Some citizens begin comparing the contest to the last mayoral election, where Brown won a razor thin victory. Soon it devolves into talking points one might hear on cable news. The glares at me become more overt. I don’t think I’m welcome anymore.

I try to look at anything other than the folks around me. Looking west of the center stage I spot the Tupper Boys, munching happily on their victuals, unaware of the conflict that threatens to tear Draycott Valley in two. Looking east, I see a handful of horse-drawn wagons and black buggies. It appears as though the Amish have arrived. Elaine rushes off the stage to greet them.

All eyes turn to look at the new arrivals. The Amish begin unloading their goods and setting up their stands. Ms. Mullins attempts to introduce me to the Amish clan, but the crowd is far more vocal. The two camps are interested in their opinion of the contest results. Jonathan Stoltzfoos, an older gentleman with a long beard and wide-brimmed straw hat, tries to grapple with the timeline. He reminds Mayor Brown and Councilwoman Mullins that his group has just arrived. After some back and forth, I interject to ask why Nathaniel had arrived so much earlier than the rest of the family. Jonathan explains that Stoltzfoos is a common last name in the surrounding Amish community. He also states that no one named Nathaniel in their community had left ahead of them.

Attention immediately shifts to avowed Amish Nationalist Nathaniel Stoltzfoos, now sweating profusely. The previously vocal Nathaniel was tongue tied. Elaine asks where the Amish clan had been this whole time. Jonathan explains that a young man told them the festival was starting in the afternoon this year. Taking notice of Nathaniel, Jonathan says it was a boy that looked a lot like Nathaniel, but he was dressed in modern clothing.

“Okay, you caught me!” says Nathaniel. He removes his hat and (apparently fake) beard to reveal a round, sweaty, clean shaven face.

Nathaniel Stoltzfoos is none other than local prankster Troy Coffey. Rudy and Kara are red with embarrassment. Eva has pulled the hood of her jacket over her head. He explains that he waited until his family left before taking his bike to the festival. His entry was a store bought cobbler, which he thought would fare better (thanks to added sugar and preservatives) when compared to the homemade offerings of other contestants. The Amish costume would disguise his appearance. Once his cobbler won, he would reveal himself and embarrass everyone, showing once and for all that the contest isn’t worth anyone’s time.

The Coffeys apologize to the crowd and to the real Stoltzfooses. Troy is arrested for disorderly conduct. With all questions of cobbler contest integrity quashed, the crowd rejoices and congratulates Shawn and Darlene. The festival continues as planned, ending with a spectacular fireworks show.

As I pay the gas station attendant and refuel my car for the long trip back to Texas, I take note of the Tupper Boys waiting in line inside the convenience store to buy several rolls of antacid. I came to Draycott Valley in search of family fun and blueberries galore. So much attention and emotion is given to the cobbler baking contest, but I wonder if more people should be more like the Tupper Boys: Here for fun and nothing more! Who needs competition when you can eat your weight in blueberries? Just food for thought.

- Trapper St.Thomas

[wytfut]

A past life

Bruce Whitefoot circa 1993

I’d like to honor the memory of my friend and past fire chief Doug Lorenson to this episode. Doug lost his long battle with leukemia at the too young of age of 35, and survived by 2 young children, and his Wife. Doug got on this department barely out of high school.

 Thru the years, I’ve been a part of many organizations. Some of the day to day house keeping of these organizations was pure torture. Where as the main theme was glorious. I still support emotionally and spiritually at times the Fire Dept. But honestly, do not miss it. 

The above shot, is 1993, before our house burned down. I had attended the National Fire Academy twice. Been fire chief.  With some exciting stories to tell. Can of skoal in shirt pocket. National Fire Academy hat. And a huge fire/rescue belt buckle. 

I was hard core fire dept member from 1978 to 1994. Then asked to come back again in 1999. In 99, I was going to make an attempt to get 20 years under my belt. In 99, I just barely made it as a member/chief another year, and just had to get out. I just couldn’t do it any more.... note “burned out”. 

Initially, joined just after Luke was born. No idea what I was getting into. Didn’t know if I could handle fire fighting or rescue. But thought that I’d just give it a shot, and do the best I can.

The at that time the current, Dept. was poorly trained at best, and had the best of intentions of “surrounding and drowning” all fire incidents (good ol’ boy syndrome), which wasn’t all that uncommon with rural depts. across Nebraski. Some are still that way today.

 There was no Waverly Rescue then, .... we depended on Greenwood for rescue, and we would be first responders until they arrived. The “trauma” kit consisted of bandages from the early 60′s (free Civil Defense over stock), and a demand valve on a small tank. No one on the dept, had any medical training to speak of except for one member (Mike Danley), maybe others with a little first aid. Sorry but he couldn’t make every call.

Mike at this time was just starting to organize funding/approval for Waverly to start their own rescue squad. It was very early stages here. Mike had been on another rescue squad in the past, and saw the need. 

Greenwood rescue, over 48% of all of their medical calls were to Waverly at that time. So they were all about us getting our own too.

I had been on WFD for less than a year, when I joined up with the beginnings of the Rescue Squad and became a charter member. Helping promote funding, and starting training. Mike’s presence then was a beast. Ultimate respect for him. Big guy, with a huge sense of humor, and tons of knowledge. 

We got the rescue up and running. We were separate from Fire, not common, but you’d see it here and there. So I became a dual member. In some ways it was a rough go. Not all fire or rescue members got a long. BUT every call it appeared everyone was attempting the same goal.

The local Rural Fire, and the City Council had never ever spent so much money in budget before. That was a battle to convince them to make the plunge. Members of both groups wanted the rescue, but didn’t want to spend the money. Good folks made hard choices. 

Thru the years... experience flew in my itty bitty head, and a lot stuck/stayed there. I’ve done CPR 4 times, actual hands on, with 1 surviving, and 2 of them coming back for a short period. Several actual structural fires (we didn’t really have that many, but we were called by neighboring FD to assist [Mutual Aid]). Car accidents full of carnage.... nightmare fest. Chemical incidents. Hazardous matericals, law enforcement incidents, Etc. Etc.

Attended State Fire school  in Grand Island every year I could. Took a few classes a couple of times. 

Attended Rescue Schools in Kearney. 

Attended National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg Maryland twice.

I was Doug Lorensons Assistant Chief on the FD, when we found out thru the grapevine we were considered “the best” fire/rescue this end of the State, and in the top 5 of the whole state, for volunteer FD and Rescue.

We could rock it.... oh lordy were we something back then. We held open seminars to any Dept’s that wished to attend. We trained heavily. Went to National Fire Academy. 

A tiny fraction of our achievements:  First rescue to learn “shock trousers”. Awarded Rescue Dept. of the year. Farm equipment rescue seminar (Waverly sponsored). School bus rescue seminar (Waverly sponsored). Pump class sponsored. Fire Fighter 1 class sponsored. Free CPR classes for members and general public and groups. Emotional stability class sponsored. Jaws of life class sponsored. Air Bag rescue class sponsored. Mutual aid water hauling class sponsored. First in our area to sign on with Bryan Heart Team (they were pre paramedic). First volunteer dept, in this area with their own air compressor (LFD would come out to Waverly to fill tanks time to time)  .... Hi angle rescue training.  on and on, simply amazing 

Our money by this time (late 80′s) was rolling in from a Bingo Parlor sponsor. So our equipment was nothing short of top shelf. All the schooling a member could handle.

These were the days that employers would support employees that belonged to civil service groups. 

For example I worked at Lincoln Hoot and Hollar. I could be working anywhere, and if I got a fire/rescue call, they would get me there if needed, and they would pay me, no questions asked. 

LTT was not the only company that did this. It wasn’t uncommon. In this area now, you never hear of it, and folks would think you were nuts to even suggest it. 

Week day calls were tough back then, even worse now. Members who could make these calls were over worked and rarely appreciated. Never enough folks for support. Mutual Aid calls were common, just to get physical bodies to help. 

Calls as one can suspect, very unpredictable. Have a call everyday for months. Then go 6 months with nothing. Participated in days where we would have 5 in 1 day. 8 on a weekend. 

Often appeared on big holidays were almost a promise. My house fire is a prime example.... Xmas morning. 

One Xmas holiday we had 2 structure fires (2 mutual aid fatalities) and a frost bite call all within 24 hours.

Lots of blood and guts with I80 running thru our district. Upwards of 50% of our calls were on I80.  Those calls could be very interesting also. Some very tough. One had several of our members reevaluating “what are we doing?”. 

I won’t get into details here on these type of calls. They are not for open discussion to the public. More of a private conversation.... 

Still have some friends on the FD/rescue. But mostly I don’t know any of them. And I’d suspect they have never heard of me... especially since I’ve been gone since 1999. 

Chief 2 times for total 3 years. Held every office of both organizations at one time or another. And a member of a separate appointment by the city council to “emergency preparedness”. CPR and Red Cross Safety Instructor for over 10 years. I taught to private groups and at LTT.

I do miss it at times. Believe it to be the adrenaline side of it. Miss that rush. Plus the afterglow when we really did something cool. Don’t miss butting heads with the government, or pig headed people. 

President Reagan, did go out of his way to try and recognize and find money for the Volunteer Emergency Services of our country. At that time 85% of all emergency services were volunteer in our country. Other than being recognized I don’t think anything ever became of it. 

Don’t know those numbers how they apply to todays world here in Waverlyland. I do know that they suffer dramatically on weekday calls.... worse than back then. I’ve heard because of this issue, it has taken its toll on existing members attitudes. 

Find myself lucky to have survived all of this, and kept my head screwed on. Tough go at times.

Who knows what the future brings

[int0design]

eduardocontrerasdesignfile: Whitmore Farm in Emmitsburg, MD... https://georgianadesign.tumblr.com/post/703592632308367360

[whitepolaris]

I posted 10,759 times in 2022

That's 390 more posts than 2021!

1,979 posts created (18%)

8,780 posts reblogged (82%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@a-republican-mind

@international-network

@bighermie

@misguiding

@hug-slut

I tagged 8,962 of my posts in 2022

Only 17% of my posts had no tags

#stock - 1,846 posts

#interior - 1,237 posts

#truth - 975 posts

#fashion - 813 posts

#photography - 782 posts

#animal - 720 posts

#cat - 546 posts

#superman and lois - 409 posts

#jewelry - 368 posts

#gif - 366 posts

Longest Tag: 104 characters

#fun fact: toby was originally named socks because of his paws and it looked like he was wearing 'socks.'

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

I still love him. 

15 notes - Posted June 26, 2022

#4

THEN WHY THE HELL ARE YOU WEARING THE FUCKING DRESS, DIPSHIT?!

What a fucking retard!

19 notes - Posted July 10, 2022

#3

What Is the Snallygaster?

Spend enough time around north-central Maryland, and you’ll hear about the Snallygaster. He’s spoken of and written about in a cluster of towns in Frederick, Montgomery, and Carroll counties, most prominently in Middletown, Rockville, and Sykesville. The trouble is, he’s almost never described the same way twice. Sometimes he’s part reptile, part bird, with octopus tentacles. Sometimes he has razor-sharp teeth. Other times he has a shiny metallic beak. Sometimes the creature tears the flesh of its victims. Other times it sucks on the veins of its victims until they’ve bled white. And lately the term Snallygaster seems to be used interchangeably with Maryland sightings of Bigfoot. 

So where did the Snallygaster come from, and how did his name come to be applied to such radically different creatures? Ah, now there’s a story. The creature’s name comes from the German term schneller Geist-a fast-moving spirit or ghost whose rapid movement causes doors to slam and items to scatter. In north-central Maryland in the early eighteenth century, the German schneller Geist turned into the Snallygaster, a creature with overtones of European dragon lore and the thunderbird myths of Native Americans tribes. This monstrous bird of prey would whisk away chickens and small barnyard animals in the South Mountain region. 

Occasionally, a tale would surface of a child being carried off. One branch of local lore stated that the seven-sided hex patterns painted on houses and barns were a charm to ward off the beast. (Few of these still exist in Maryland, though hex signs are still prevalent a little farther north in the old German settlements in Pennsylvania.) And so the stories continued for more than a century, firmly rooted in local folklore. 

Written records of the creature don’t appear until 1909, when the Middletown Valley Register published an account from Ohio of a flying creature some twenty feet long, heading toward Maryland. A later issue described a similar creature in Maryland’s northern mountains, sleeping on a kiln. It woke with a horrible screech and flew off. 

Fired by these tales, more reports came in, with witnesses describing an eagle-winged but fur-clad creature snatching farm animals, or tearing them apart and drinking their blood. Tales from out of state-mostly West Virginia and Ohio-described children being dragged off in broad daylight. Reports that cannot now be verified appeared alleging that the Smithsonian Institution offered a substantial reward for the creature and that Teddy Roosevelt planned a hunting trip to find it. The whole story soon died down, with a final report from hunters in Emmitsburg who mortally wounded the beast and watched it disappear into the night. 

The authenticity of these tales is serious in question, especially because of the creature’s convenient disappearance-that is, until it suddenly reappeared two decades later during Prohibition. Stories began to circulate of thunderous explosions and loud screeching sounds from the mountain’s illegal stills, along with reports of a winged creature with huge tentacles. Hard to believe, but the monster carried people off who were getting too close to the mountain and left their bodies scorched and bled white. The Valley Register ran reports theorizing that the creature had probably hatched from an egg mentioned in the paper twenty years earlier. Sightings increased exponentially, and other newspapers including the Baltimore Sun began to cover the story. In some cases, the tales were intentionally ridiculous, featuring the Snallygaster swooping down from the clouds on an antique bicycle, wearing water wings and shouting, “Balance the budget!” More newspapers were trying to get coverage on it when the Valley Register reported the Snallygaster’s death by drowning in a vat of whiskey. The creature’s death probably had something to do with the fact that Prohibition was about to end and the moonshiners didn’t need the Snallygaster’s protection from prying revenue agents. 

Sightings of Snallygaster still occur. At some point, the Snallygaster appears to have become a generic term for the bogeyman and lost its teeth (or beak or tentacles) for good. Any reports of a bipedal mammal called Snallygaster should instantly be filed under Sasquatch. The Snallygaster himself has been killed twice over and should be respectfully laid to rest. 

21 notes - Posted April 20, 2022

#2

EMPRESS

23 notes - Posted February 17, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

It’s Toby’s birthday today! He turns eight. :) Can’t believe it’s been five years. 

@mostlycatsmostly​

190 notes - Posted April 30, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[michaelwriston]

Cait photographing Queen Anne's lace outside Emmitsburg, MD. 2023.

[eopederson]

Late autumn reverie, Emmitsburg, Maryland, 2020.

Taken on a rare outing during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

[portraitsofsaints]

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton 1774-1821 Feast day: January 4 Patronage: Catholic Schools

Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton was the first native-born citizen of the United States to be canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. She established the first Catholic school in the nation, at Emmitsburg, Maryland, where she founded the first American congregation of Religious Sisters, the Sisters of Charity.

{website}

[silverwingwashere]

The 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment during Pickett's Charge - Battle of Gettysburg - Day 3 - July 3, 1863

The 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment of the Federal Army of the Potomac was deployed along the Emmitsburg Road south of the town of Gettsburg on July 3, 1863. For most of the day the only action they encoutered were skirmish fire from the opposing rebel army.

However, at one o'clock in the afternoon, the preporatory bombarded of the Army of Northern Virginia flew over their heads, as the troops were forced to keep down as artillery from both sides zipped above. When the main rebel infantry assault began (Better known as Pickett's charge) the 8th Ohio found themselves as the most advance unit in the Army of the Potomac, far away from the main line behind them.

Despite their situation, the 8th Ohio decided to form their line and meet the on coming rebel infantry. As the brigades of Pettigrew and Trimble advanced against them, they let loose and withering fire and even charged their foe. This sudden and shocking charge caused many rebels to surrender, while others retreated.

However, the 8th Ohio did not stop at that. They then swung and conducted a left wheel until they reached a fence. From there they let out volleys againsts the left flank of Davis' advancing brigade.

By the end of the fighting the 8th Ohio has collected three rebel colors and 300 prisoners. However, the cost was high, as they suffered 50% casualties.

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Ah, the battle of Gettysburg. This is my favorite battle of all time and I have studied this for years. Heck, I'm still studying this and learning new things! I even wrote a paper on this and no I will not share it because it has to many personal information.

Anyways, as you can see in this piece we have FairChild ( @temper-temper ) and @ask-jetstream portraying members of the 8th Ohio, as they take up positions at the fence. They wear the U.S. Army blue wool coat and forage cap, which was the common uniform for volunteer infantry soldiers. On top of the forage cap are their branch insignia, with the bugle signifying infantry. The number "8" on top of the bugle means that they are the 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

FairChild is weilding the M1861 rifled musket, which was one of the most common long-arms used at the time. Along with that is the .58 caliber rifle musket cartridge box, with tanned leather straps.

JetStream is a member of the color guard carrying the regiment's national colors, with 8th O.V.I. (Ohio Volunteer Infantry) written on it.

[ettawritesnstudies]

#12/31

12. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

The first person born in the US to become a saint! Founder of the parochial school system! Champion of girl's education!

St. Elizabeth Ann Bayley was born in NYC to parents who were part of the Church of England and taught her the first lessons in charity and social ministry. She had a rough home life, losing two mothers - one to childbirth and the other to a messy divorce, but she was well educated and ended up marrying a wealthy buisnessman. They had five children together before their shipping company went bankrupt during the war of 1812 and her husband died of tuberculous. As a widow, she started a girls school, but soon after became Catholic, and a lot of her students withdrew. Facing money problems and a decaying social life, she accepted an invitation from Sulpician monks to move to Emmitsburg Maryland with her family, and found the first Catholic seminary in the united states. While she was living there, she also established St. Joseph's Academy for young girls, and a new convent called the Sisters of Charity, which founded hospitals as far west as Cincinnati. She was involved in education until she died, and her charitable work helped shape early America and touched the lives of countless students!

31. St. Thomas Moore

We all clown on King Henry the Eighth for being so horny and egotistical he splintered the church to divorce and murder five wives before finally kicking the bucket, but there's a lot more to the backstory than his own buffoonery.

St. Thomas Moore was the Lord High Chancellor under the king, as well as an accomplished scholar, philosopher, and good father who gave his daughters the same classical educations as his sons, which was uncommon at that time. This even set an example for other noble families. He refused to support King Henry when he decided to break from the Church, and wrote extensively against the protestant reformation, and his clash with the king eventually ended him in the Tower of London, and eventually his beheading as a martyr. His final statement was that he was "The king's good servant, but God's first." He's now the patron saint of lawyers, and there's a catholic society dedicated to him!

All Hallows Ask Game