tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255133757025970542024-03-08T06:34:02.288-05:00Tobaccoland.usA blog about anything that interests me in Maryland or the greater Mid-Atlantic area.William Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18297870766492113414noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25513375702597054.post-24156178632986367482022-07-02T11:03:00.000-04:002022-07-02T11:03:08.503-04:00The Gun Wielding Philanthropist and the Adventuress Socialite: The Charming and Eccentric Lives of Truxtun and Marie Beale, 1856 – 1956<p>I don't blog here nearly as often as I should, but I figured I would stop by (6 months late) to let everyone here know that my book about Truxtun Beale is finally out.</p><p>You can buy a copy of <a href="https://www.truxtunbeale.com" target="_blank">The Gun Wielding Philanthropist and the Adventuress Socialite: The Charming and Eccentric Lives of Truxtun and Marie Beale, 1856 – 1956</a> though most online book sellers, such as <a href="https://amzn.to/3ujC2F2">Amazon</a>. If you are in Annapolis, you can buy a signed copy from <a href="https://www.backcreekbooks.com/">Back Creek Books</a> on Main Street.</p><p>Who was Truxtun Beale? He was an American diplomat, adventurer, and philanthropist, among other things. He lived from 1856 until 1936, where he died near Annapolis, Maryland. His wife, Marie, lived until 1956, where she was a major player in the social scene in Washington, D.C.</p><p>Named after his great-grandfather, Thomas Truxtun, who commanded the USS Constellation in the Quasi-War, he was also the son of Edward Fitzgerald Beale, who served with distinction in the Mexican-American war and who Beale Air Force base is named after (among other places and things). Although Truxtun Beale never served in the military, as a young man he faced danger as a diplomat, especially as U.S. Minister to Persia (now Iran).</p><p>I became interested in Truxtun Beale after moving to Annapolis and spending time in Truxtun Park, which is named after Thomas Truxtun, but was donated to the city by Truxtun and Marie Beale. There were plenty of books out there about his father and great-grandfather, but no books published about him. So, I set out to gather together all I could find about him and put it in a book.</p><p>It is a relatively easy read and full of crazy adventures that he and his wife had. I also think there is much that we could learn from him that would be useful to us today.<br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AQhWrVOoxZUrGC0qNd2b8zR7EXDOixz3Fd-YsV6rAVq9vHZWSAJHBsHHDgHjII3kXSSpOelpF_blUocLFpOLLahmllDK-PC97EA1fgAWMhIKESDxPHo6Vcyn45YAgsnOVUZkAft6uA/s1600/70190656_10162363948180494_1982464016575889408_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AQhWrVOoxZUrGC0qNd2b8zR7EXDOixz3Fd-YsV6rAVq9vHZWSAJHBsHHDgHjII3kXSSpOelpF_blUocLFpOLLahmllDK-PC97EA1fgAWMhIKESDxPHo6Vcyn45YAgsnOVUZkAft6uA/s320/70190656_10162363948180494_1982464016575889408_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wayne and me, September 7, 2019, Annapolis</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have decided to unpublish my Wayne Simmons posts. I haven't been writing at all on here for a while and I may eventually take the whole site down. I ran into Wayne the other night in Annapolis and we had a nice conversation. He still insists that he was wronged. I told him I would be interested in seeing any evidence that he had. There has been plenty of reporting on him and his situation. As he is trying to reestablish himself, I didn't feel right about continuing to pile on. So Wayne, go make your case. If you can convince us, I'll apologize and support you. Otherwise, I'm just moving on. Will just leave it there. <div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqDO64IsM34yM40XKJT5Szt5TrIKSywJkyV1ep8MQ6gqywx08ZnwYPYuajI_gTduL6_b-u5ldLSTW_NiUqsjg74hQHif6j5R4qY4lIADP6-HCnfaBi2tlIhnXA_LHJ1PYQmV6zLUzrw/s1600/15541653_1181018161994006_3463964485408306844_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Criminal defense attorney Maryland" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqDO64IsM34yM40XKJT5Szt5TrIKSywJkyV1ep8MQ6gqywx08ZnwYPYuajI_gTduL6_b-u5ldLSTW_NiUqsjg74hQHif6j5R4qY4lIADP6-HCnfaBi2tlIhnXA_LHJ1PYQmV6zLUzrw/s320/15541653_1181018161994006_3463964485408306844_n.jpg" title="William Cooke Annapolis Attorney" width="320" /></a></div>
I started out my legal career working as an Assistant State's Attorney in Baltimore City, prosecuting cases. After doing that for nearly four years, I decided to switch things up and join the other side. For nearly 10 years, I worked as an Assistant Public Defender in Anne Arundel County. Both jobs were challenging, in different ways. Both were also great jobs, in different ways. I especially enjoyed being a public defender where I had the opportunity to help people directly, without having to worry about getting paid.<br />
<br />
Despite this, after much thought and reflection over the years, I came to the conclusion that I would be at my best in private practice. After investigating the practicalities of this and setting aside enough money to keep me afloat for a while, I resigned as a public defender and set up my office here in Annapolis.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLEOyzJe5g2Bf-uVmFaJNjLyC9d58U4FHjZOg6S4GcSrDyG10H0dJ_NDgYPwc1UhhOA1sVqa39J-5H7WzFbDCplIEayE_M0TS52P-9BVHQPxwJ-JlQVwsBAIowahUvao17Bcw6kJt4g/s1600/15723400_10157955745200494_2536241810221555803_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Annapolis lawyer William Cooke" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLEOyzJe5g2Bf-uVmFaJNjLyC9d58U4FHjZOg6S4GcSrDyG10H0dJ_NDgYPwc1UhhOA1sVqa39J-5H7WzFbDCplIEayE_M0TS52P-9BVHQPxwJ-JlQVwsBAIowahUvao17Bcw6kJt4g/s320/15723400_10157955745200494_2536241810221555803_o.jpg" title="William Cooke Maryland Attorney" width="176" /></a></div>
My focus is on criminal law, but I will take other cases. If I don't think I can help you, I can refer you to an attorney who can. While I am based in Annapolis, I am willing to take cases anywhere in the State of Maryland. The website for my firm is at <a href="http://www.williamcookelaw.com/">http://www.williamcookelaw.com</a>. My phone number is 410-905-2185. Please leave a message if I do not pick up. The initial consultation is free. My office is located at 150 South Street, Suite 207, Annapolis MD 21401. I do not recommend just stopping by without setting an appointment as I expect to be in court, and thus out of the office, often. I am happy to setup a weekend and evening appointments, if necessary. There is plenty of street parking around South Street, although you may need to walk a few feet.<br />
<br />
Please give me a call or send me an email if you or a loved one has any sort of legal problem. <div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<br />
I must have done a decent enough job, because when Alex's co-host decided to leave the show, I was asked to take his place. I was on the radio almost every Tuesday night discussing politics and the law with Alex and our guests.<br />
<br />
We recorded our last show on election night. Both Alex and I have moved onto to other pursuits, but might team up again in the future.<br />
<br />
You can listen to all of the episodes, which are now saved forever as podcasts at the <a href="https://baltimorebarristers.com/">Baltimore Barristers</a> website.<br />
<br />
I felt the highlight of the show as when we got to <a href="https://baltimorebarristers.com/2016/10/05/october-4-2016-show-dr-ron-paul-on-the-2016-presidential-election/">interview Ron Paul last October</a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsZEe8VreVoxaH5Lwrlop0OX77ytS1cV80GribYxdvrEfDTYgDqQRB77_aYV-TuEUTByBKsWceDJv3LSGacgu5cddlPIwugu-isj6uajle3isqtcfUwAFp3C-UQIdUhGZy_eCz3-DRQ/s1600/14446076_10157508446700494_6050979433257376370_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="William Cooke, Ron Paul, Alex Bush at Gettysburg" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsZEe8VreVoxaH5Lwrlop0OX77ytS1cV80GribYxdvrEfDTYgDqQRB77_aYV-TuEUTByBKsWceDJv3LSGacgu5cddlPIwugu-isj6uajle3isqtcfUwAFp3C-UQIdUhGZy_eCz3-DRQ/s320/14446076_10157508446700494_6050979433257376370_n.jpg" title="Attorney William Cooke and Ron Paul" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm wearing the t-shirt from the Annapolis Cigar Company</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I really admire Dr. Paul and it was great to meet and talk with him. At 81 years old he has plenty of energy. After meeting with us he spoke at Gettysburg College for over an hour and then spent about an hour taking photos with students. He was on his feet the entire time.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<br />
Not long after that, <a href="http://annapolispodcast.libsyn.com/wes-adams-the-anne-arundel-states-attorney">Scott interviewed Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Wes Adams</a>. Scott invoked my name in one of the questions, but Adams did not respond to any of my points directly.<br />
<br />
It is worth noting that over the last year or two, the Annapolis City Police and the Anne Arundel County Police have held several press conferences to announce their various successes in bringing down heroin drug rings. Regardless, it still seems to be freely available. And in 2016, <a href="http://www.wbaltv.com/article/annapolis-homicide-rates-soar-1/7148435">the City of Annapolis had more murders than in all of recorded history</a>.<br />
<br />
This was entirely predictable. In fact, I said as much would happen to friends over the last couple years. This was not some original thought. It has been well established that increased drug enforcement increases violent crime. As <a href="https://www.hri.global/files/2011/03/25/ICSDP_Violence_and_Enforcement_Report_March_2011.pdf">one study put it</a>:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The association between increased drug law enforcement funding and increased drug market violence may seem <span class="highlight selected">parado</span>xical. However, in many of the studies reviewed here, experts delineated certain causative mechanisms that may explain this association. Specifically, research has shown that by removing key players from the lucrative illegal drug market, drug law enforcement has the perverse effect of creating new financial opportunities for other individuals to fill this vacuum by entering the market. - Werb, D., et al. Effect of drug law enforcement on drug market violence: A systematic review. International Journal of Drug Policy (2011), doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2011.02.002</blockquote>
Will anyone listen or care? Or will people just continue to demand more drug arrests and reward the politicians who agree with them? Will we continue to waste taxpayer dollars enforcing unjust laws while simultaneously destroying our own community? For alternatives, people should consider what groups like <a href="http://www.leap.cc/">Law Enforcement Against Prohibition</a> have to say.<br />
<br />
In addition to the podcast interviews with me and the State's Attorney, Scott MacMullan also did other interviews that should be of interest to the legal community. I have linked to them below:<br />
<br />
<div class="copy-paste-block">
<a href="http://annapolispodcast.libsyn.com/the-anne-arundel-public-defender-on-poverty-drugs-and-mental-illness">The Anne Arundel Public Defender on Poverty, Drugs and Mental I</a><a href="http://annapolispodcast.libsyn.com/the-anne-arundel-public-defender-on-poverty-drugs-and-mental-illness">llness</a></div>
<div class="copy-paste-block">
<a href="http://annapolispodcast.libsyn.com/4-judges-strong">4 Judges Strong</a></div>
<div class="copy-paste-block">
<a href="http://annapolispodcast.libsyn.com/anne-arundel-judicial-candidate-claudia-barber">Anne Arundel Judicial Candidate Claudia Barber</a></div>
<div class="copy-paste-block">
<a href="http://annapolispodcast.libsyn.com/civil-rights-leader-carl-snowden">Civil Rights Leader Carl Snowden</a> </div>
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<br />
The Maryland flag is the only State flag to contain English heraldic<span class="st"> banners. The </span>top left and bottom right of the flag are inspired by Lord Baltimore's coat of arms. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Calvert,_1st_Baron_Baltimore">George Calvert</a>, considered the founder of Maryland which he envisioned as a home for English Catholics seeking refuge, was the first Lord Baltimore. According to Clayton Colman Hall in <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=kF0VAAAAYAAJ&dq=The+Lords+Baltimore+and+the+Maryland+Palatinate&source=gbs_navlinks_s"><i>The Lords Baltimore and the Maryland Palatinate</i></a>:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiI5vxGPnExlbN4kgU0WF0umsEKujPMuv7F_-vyLTsxej2_SldahZcg1B9qPZbUlijwGZqAPCLOxrhKgz0E_RhX-DRDjQMgUEWVGdQiB3Z7RAZFuAHdOdqeF8UULOgJCvRyDOoUCnmiA/s1600/calvertarms.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lord Baltimore" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiI5vxGPnExlbN4kgU0WF0umsEKujPMuv7F_-vyLTsxej2_SldahZcg1B9qPZbUlijwGZqAPCLOxrhKgz0E_RhX-DRDjQMgUEWVGdQiB3Z7RAZFuAHdOdqeF8UULOgJCvRyDOoUCnmiA/s1600/calvertarms.png" title="Calvert Arms" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calvert Family Arms</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
George Calvert, the first Lord Baltimore . . . was born at or near Kiplin in Yorkshire, England, about 1580. The exact date of his birth has not been ascertained. His father was Leonard Calvert, a country <br />
gentleman, who lived in the valley of the Swale in Yorkshire, and whose wife, the mother of George Calvert, was Alicia Crossland, a lady of gentle birth, belonging to a family of the same neighborhood.<br />
<br />
The origin of the Calvert family has never been successfully traced. There were Calverts in Yorkshire as early as the fourteenth century, and it has been generally assumed that the family was of Flemish origin. In the exemplification of arms issued in 1622 by Richard St. George, Norroy King of Arms, the original of which is now preserved in the collection of the Maryland Historical Society, it is stated on the authority of Verstegan, antiquary
and philologist, that "Sir George is descended of a noble and ancient
family of that surname in the earldom of Flanders, where they have lived
long in great honor." The fact of the Flemish origin is probably true,
but the date of the migration of Calvert's ancestors to England is
unknown, and the means of tracing the genealogy to the Flemish family
apparently did not exist; for instead of confirming to Sir George the
coat of <span class="gstxt_hlt">arms </span>belonging to that family, as
would probably have been the case if the identity had been
satisfactorily established, the bearing of another coat, of different
device, but composed of the same tinctures, was approved, with the crest
pertaining to the Flemish family added.</blockquote>
The same author also wrote in <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=PltKAAAAYAAJ&output=text&source=gbs_navlinks_s"><i>The Great Seal of Maryland</i></a>:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
According to the commentators upon heraldry<span class="gstxt_sup"></span> the six vertical pieces (or pales), into which the <span class="gstxt_hlt">Calvert </span>shield
is divided would represent palings or palisades, and constitute the
heraldic symbol of a stockade or fortification, which would be
appropriate to one who had fortified a town or successfully stormed a
hostile fort. The diagonal band, or bend, was held to represent either a
sword-belt or a scaling-ladder. Taken in connection with the pales the
latter meaning would more naturally be ascribed to it.<span class="gstxt_sup"></span> </blockquote>
The suggestion is that at some point in history, probably in Flanders, at least someone in the Calvert family was successful in storming a hostile fort and was rewarded with this coat of arms.<br />
<br />
The author also commented that:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
It has been suggested that the pales and bend of the <span class="gstxt_hlt">Calvert </span>arms
represented the warp and woof of a woven fabric, or a loom traversed by
a shuttle, in allusion to the Flemish industry of weaving. But<span class="gtxt_footnote">
this theory appears to be as difficult of substantiation as some of the
less prosaic interpretations derived from the mediaeval heralds.</span> </blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLxIKiM0BAbkAHhUIKwgicCVVDPOWPD4llpAA3TpKsxwwmUq-j6mavHtZ9KwAY67AQTRtaxuow-KuqstlpVUqyOgj3Ac__cludIBu-66v2GaQtVodZGdpyzPbhna41egKcDUiuJEkhg/s1600/2000px-Crossland_Banner.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="buy a Crossland Banner Flag" border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLxIKiM0BAbkAHhUIKwgicCVVDPOWPD4llpAA3TpKsxwwmUq-j6mavHtZ9KwAY67AQTRtaxuow-KuqstlpVUqyOgj3Ac__cludIBu-66v2GaQtVodZGdpyzPbhna41egKcDUiuJEkhg/s200/2000px-Crossland_Banner.svg.png" title="Crossland Banner" width="200" /></a></div>
The bottom right and top left part of the flag is referred to as the Crossland Banner. It was the coat of arms of Alicia Crossland or Crosland, the mother of George Calvert. Again the same author cited above wrote:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The Crossland arms present a cross upon a quarterly field. The relation
between name and arms is sufficiently obvious. A quarterly field was
said to represent a shield broken in battle, indicating that its <span style="font-style: italic;">budding </span>cross depicted upon these arms was said to represent the budding virtues of a youthful champion.<span class="gstxt_sup"></span>
The Crossland arms are generally described as bearing a fiery cross,
the ends of which are open and expanded like the upper half of a
fleur-de-lis. This form differs but little in appearance from the cross
bottony, and was described as representing in their full <span style="font-style: italic;">flower </span>and development those virtues which the latter indicated as being in their <span style="font-style: italic;">bud </span>and promise.</blockquote>
Cecilius Calvert, George Calvert's son and the 2nd Lord Baltimore, put these two symbols together in 1648. According to the author of <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=5coi_xk_MLAC&source=gbs_navlinks_s"><i>Maryland, Its Resources, Industries and Agricultural Condition, 1893</i></a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The new <span class="gstxt_hlt">seal </span>bore on one side the <span class="gstxt_hlt">Calvert arms, </span>quartered with those of <span class="gstxt_hlt">Crossland, </span>Alicia Crossland having been the wife of Leonard <span class="gstxt_hlt">Calvert, </span>Cecilius' grandfather. On this <span class="gstxt_hlt">seal, </span>which is the same as the present great <span class="gstxt_hlt">seal </span>of the State, the first and fourth quarterings are: for <span class="gstxt_hlt">Calvert, </span>six
pales or vertical bars, alternately gold and black, crossed by a
diagonal stripe or "bend" in which the colors are reversed. The second
and third quarterings are: for <span class="gstxt_hlt">Crossland </span>a
quartered field of red and white, charged with a Greek (or
equal-limbed) cross of the form called "botonny" or "budded;" the limbs
terminating in a trefoil. This cross is " counterchanged," as it is
termed, that is, it is red on the white part of the field and white on
the red. </blockquote>
During the Civil War, Maryland was divided between those who wished to remain in the Union and those who wished to join the Confederacy. The division did not just divide friends and families, but also the State Seal itself.<br />
<br />
Union troops decided to march under the Black and Gold of Lord Baltimore's arms. Confederate units adopted the Crossland Banner as their flag. It is not clear to my why this decision was made.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBa4rc4jc8a8Tl5eRvRVB5fFwIawg5aM2qtj4Q3n0trTbFco2mvW2Sd4KwHzM4Lq-DXJSK63WMXh5MXMDXvicVI9_Q5L94nvbY7BWHMTnOVovk9czuVtX4xbWecJ0TMgHkKZjOQHcmRw/s1600/Flag_of_Howard_County%252C_Maryland.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Crossland Banner" border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBa4rc4jc8a8Tl5eRvRVB5fFwIawg5aM2qtj4Q3n0trTbFco2mvW2Sd4KwHzM4Lq-DXJSK63WMXh5MXMDXvicVI9_Q5L94nvbY7BWHMTnOVovk9czuVtX4xbWecJ0TMgHkKZjOQHcmRw/s320/Flag_of_Howard_County%252C_Maryland.svg.png" title="Howard County Flag" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Howard County Flag </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It is interesting to point out that the Crossland Banner has not attracted the negative attention that other Confederate flags have. I believe that this is because the design was created centuries before the Civil War and should not even be considered a Confederate flag, on its own. Rather it was just one symbol that Confederates in Maryland adopted. Hate groups have not used the Crossland Banner, thankfully. Flying the Crossland is not seen as controversial as it has such a rich history and has a prominent place on our State flag. Indeed, ultra-liberal Howard County, uses the Crossland Banner on their county flag.<br />
<br />
After the war, as a sign of unity, the State seal was put back together and the State officially adopted its current flag in 1904.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpT8VNJ8grw51vN_v9Pg2D9TbMrbDdFsnEDdTaU0U6rNeGOIW201M8PWGhLqACFv0_tSWHHwikslvLCY6g8Vm-dmLrqG2-sk3z9_l_QcBaRruMLXeWH5ewGLWn62OW-7oQxNRSoWTriw/s1600/booksflags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Kensington Day of the Book" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpT8VNJ8grw51vN_v9Pg2D9TbMrbDdFsnEDdTaU0U6rNeGOIW201M8PWGhLqACFv0_tSWHHwikslvLCY6g8Vm-dmLrqG2-sk3z9_l_QcBaRruMLXeWH5ewGLWn62OW-7oQxNRSoWTriw/s320/booksflags.jpg" title="Witch Trials, Legends, and Lore of Maryland" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Used both at a book festival recently</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was curious if one could buy the Lord Baltimore's Arms and Crossland Banner separately anywhere. I went to a local flag shop that sold me both flags, but at a very high price. The Baltimore flag was in the $30s and the Crossland Banner was in the $50s, for just one flag.<br />
<br />
I looked online and found the <a href="http://amzn.to/2bqhTak">Lord Baltimore flag on Amazon</a> for just over $26. But I could not find a Crossland Banner flag.<br />
<br />
So rather than complain about it, I invested a good amount of money, had 1000 of them made, and mailed them to Amazon. If you look on the top right side of this blog, you will see a link to buy one for $14.99. Or you can <a href="http://amzn.to/2brrv39">just click here</a>.<br />
<br />
The flags were manufactured in China. My preference would have been for a local manufacturer, but I could not find one who could do the job and allow me to sell them at a reasonable price and still make a small profit. People may complain about China, but the people over there need to make a living too. Trade is generally beneficial anyway.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://amzn.to/2brrv39">So please buy a few flags</a>, for yourself, family, and friends. If they sell, I hope to expand and sell some more hard to find Maryland flags.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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</script></div>William Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18297870766492113414noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25513375702597054.post-28877921053573260062016-07-10T10:38:00.001-04:002016-07-10T10:39:25.292-04:00Frederick Douglass's Birthplace SignIf you have ever driven from Ocean City, Maryland, you have likely seen on Route 50 a sign near Easton telling you that Frederick Douglass's birthplace is 9 miles away to your right. If you are like me, you wondered what you would see if you took that turn, but never made it. A few weeks ago, I decided to see what was down that road and nine miles later, I found this sign:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqopvXB6_aZO1IyH6jnz4L7_jT3GQBxB-ID28JWckFFdL9oMmI2_OPOY6l09Oy-cNGBVdrzC0fAmOrx5-phhYZQ7D-Cds9VzdZcQFbVMsHhEkkRhtreMtfkSDQ7wcerwI0i6XtTQ-mXg/s1600/20160604_121215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqopvXB6_aZO1IyH6jnz4L7_jT3GQBxB-ID28JWckFFdL9oMmI2_OPOY6l09Oy-cNGBVdrzC0fAmOrx5-phhYZQ7D-Cds9VzdZcQFbVMsHhEkkRhtreMtfkSDQ7wcerwI0i6XtTQ-mXg/s320/20160604_121215.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm guessing from the language ("Negro Patriot") that the sign was put up more than a few years ago. There is nothing else of note to see there and <a href="http://www.easternshore.com/esguide/douglass_birthplace.html">according to The Eastern Shore Guide website, it isn't even at the right location</a>.<br />
<br />
I've saved you the trouble in case the next time you are on Rt 50 and are tempted to take that detour.<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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</script></div>William Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18297870766492113414noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25513375702597054.post-67027694564118490702016-06-05T16:56:00.002-04:002016-06-05T17:03:11.970-04:00Never Do Business with Power Home Remodeling Group (and other advice)<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgandZK9Y86A0JMn3tXu-qnWsxOOg2bjGlO24s-E37bJjlMzmyGVG9Q3W2HT4BrIxx6Rj17uOjIUXEKTMIMmnB85Kj7BKckwzva5FkYw7NuKlpDte7N4otgqT-jPLl9VRWxo8dTIlO_VQ/s1600/Power_Remodeling_Group.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Home improvement scams" border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgandZK9Y86A0JMn3tXu-qnWsxOOg2bjGlO24s-E37bJjlMzmyGVG9Q3W2HT4BrIxx6Rj17uOjIUXEKTMIMmnB85Kj7BKckwzva5FkYw7NuKlpDte7N4otgqT-jPLl9VRWxo8dTIlO_VQ/s320/Power_Remodeling_Group.png" title="Power Home Remodeling Group" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By 160 Over 90 (Power home Remodeling) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
First, if a person from <a href="https://www.powerhrg.com/" rel="nofollow">Power Home Remodeling Group</a> shows up at
your door and offers you a free estimate on home repair work, tell
him to leave and shut the door. If he doesn't leave, call the
police or take other appropriate action. If you already have a free
estimate scheduled, cancel it and tell them to never contact you
again. If they approach you in <a href="http://www.bjs.com/">BJ'S Wholesale Club</a> (which has some sort of relationship with the company) ignore them. Run,
do not walk, away.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Why? That's a longer
story. A few weeks ago, I was at my house when someone knocked on the door. He was working for Power Home, said they were in the area doing home improvement work for a neighbor, and that they were offering free estimates. I
bought my house from a bank after the bank foreclosed on the last owner
and while it wasn't in horrible condition, I have done work on
it over the years. I have two friends who have helped me with various
projects, but they are often busy with other jobs. So,
I thought, sure give me a free estimate. I do need to replace the
front bay window. I didn't know the age or condition of the roof and
the siding is very old. I asked for an estimate on those things. We
scheduled a later appointment, he took my name and contact
information, and left. He seemed like a nice enough guy, so I
thought, there was no harm in hearing what they had to say.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
On the day of the
appointment, I waited and waited, but no one showed up. It was
annoying. But I wrote it off as not a big deal. I would get someone
else to do the work. Later they called me on my phone at work and
scheduled another appointment. This time, they called me back on my
work number to confirm the appointment. (I have since found out that
they don't show unless they get a confirmation and I never got their
call before because I use Google Voice on my cell phone and Google
actually blocked their number as spam.)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Last Friday
afternoon, a young guy showed up at my house to do the
estimate. At first he was very nice and professional, but he kept
asking me a lot of personal questions, like he was or wanted to be my
friend. He asked me at least twice what I was doing this weekend and
I mentioned maybe going downtown to the bars and/or to the yearly
<a href="http://www.annapolisgreekfestival.org/">Greek Festival</a> to drink some Greek beer. We chatted a bit and I
assumed it was all harmless. He then went into his sales pitch where
he showed me on his Ipad a Powerpoint like presentation about how
great his company was. I rushed him through this, or at least
tried. I wasn't really interested in how great they were. I wanted a
quote and then I would do research and get another estimate.
This is what every homeowner should do.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So then he started
looking at my window, siding, and roof. Long story short, everything
was a complete disaster. My roof was, according to him, only one
storm away from failing. He said to me something like “I don't care
if you hire us or not, but someone needs to repair that roof.” That
statement shortly then turned out to be a complete lie.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I was able
to eventually get this guy to talk about pricing and he was running all sorts of
numbers on his Ipad and Iphone and quickly showing me what he said
would be industry pricing to do the work. (Oddly, he asked to use my
Wifi at this time, because he said he wasn't getting good reception.
I am going to have to change my password now it and update all my
devices, which is going to be a pain.) He never left me a copy
of what he wrote down on that paper, but did write, at my request, the cost for the roof and window on his business card. I guess this is what passes for as an estimate. $15,500
for the roof, $8,100 for the bow window, and about $22,000 for the
siding. And it was urgent that they do the work, really really urgent.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSoWNd9RCR-MUoXjP-u7vwZWoPUQ8IoJQH_Mjl9NBU8cq0bXbHr1AOCp71SpI70qDfwAdIKfUTXpvm-JoRdfGFGbDVrfCvxe6-pLPnzAySqDswfLx25H23FlJYMjU3dzcLWtqyQmohyg/s1600/20160605_114537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Power Home Remodeling Scam" border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSoWNd9RCR-MUoXjP-u7vwZWoPUQ8IoJQH_Mjl9NBU8cq0bXbHr1AOCp71SpI70qDfwAdIKfUTXpvm-JoRdfGFGbDVrfCvxe6-pLPnzAySqDswfLx25H23FlJYMjU3dzcLWtqyQmohyg/s320/20160605_114537.jpg" title="Miguel Valentine IV" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most unprofessional estimate I have ever received.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Needless to say, I
was not happy about the prospect of having to pay over
$40,000 for repairs on my home. At this point, I have to admit that I was
believing him. But I just don't have $40,000 sitting around and I am
not the type of person to spend that much money without doing my homework. Think of me what you will, but I am not a complete idiot! There was no way that I was going to agree to that without doing more research.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I told the guy that I
would have to talk to my bank about a refi. I would get the benefit
of a lower rate and could take out extra cash. “Well, how soon can
you talk to them?” He asked. You could hear the worry in his voice.
It was after 5pm on a Friday, so the bank was closed, I pointed out.
It would have to wait until at least Monday, I said.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
For a moment, he
looked dejected, but then quickly turned to his “today only” deal. He
also gave me how much it would cost per month (although I don't think
he listed the number of months), if I used their financing. In
addition, I didn't have to come up with any money that day and would
have time (I don't remember the exact amount), to go to my bank and
come up with the money. The prices were much less, about $30,000
total, so a “savings” of over $10,000, but only if I signed that
day. I asked him to break down each project. I don't remember the
exact prices, but it was about $10,000 for the roof.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He really turned up
the pressure on me. But what he didn't know is that while we were
talking, I was researching it on my phone and found out that to <a href="https://www.angieslist.com/articles/what-average-cost-replace-roof.htm">the average price to replace a roof my size (less than 1200 sqft) is between $4100 and $6000</a>. (A neighbor informed me yesterday he had his replaced last year, it was about the same size as mine, and paid $5500). I
was also texting my friend who works on my house who was texting me
back telling me to sign nothing and to get this guy out of my house.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This whole thing
went on for a while, well over 2 hours. He was playing mind games, or
at least trying. He would say things like, “Sure, I want to make a
sale, but I am also a human being. I can't leave your house like
this.” He would not take no for an answer. And when it got to the
point that it was obvious that I was not going to sign, he turned
into a complete dick. I had to ask him to leave, at least twice, and
thought I was going to have to call 911 or even, if necessary, get my
gun. Thankfully, it didn't come to that. At the front porch, you
could see the anger in his face, and he yelled to me something like,
“You don't care about your house. You just care about going out and
drinking beer tonight.” See how he used what I told him earlier about going to the Greek Festival against me? He was also trying to shame me in front of
the neighbors. Didn't work. It did make me wonder if he was also
lying when he said he was a human being.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Later my friend, who also happens to have a degree in engineering
and who also builds houses, came over and looked at my roof. He said
it had a few years left in it and then we went out drinking. My neighbor also told me that the last owners replaced the roof in 1999 and they typically last 20 years.<br />
<br />
Regarding my experience with the company, I
assumed that I just had a bad salesman.
But then I started to research the company. Now I know why he was so
desperate to get me to sign that day and got upset when I said I
wanted to do research online first.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Power Home
Remodeling Group claims an <a href="http://www.bbb.org/washington-dc-eastern-pa/business-reviews/windows-installation-and-service/power-home-remodeling-group-llc-in-chester-pa-80011989/">A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau</a>
and I'm sure that convinces many people that they are okay. But what
many, especially older, people don't understand is that the BBB grade
isn't worth much. It is an <a href="http://business.time.com/2013/03/19/why-the-better-business-bureau-should-give-itself-a-bad-grade/">increasingly
irrelevant organization</a>. The best source for information about a
company is probably Yelp.com, where they do a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/25/fake-yelp-reviews_n_3983564.html">good
job weeding out fake reviews</a>.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Power Home
Remodeling is based in Chester, PA, but according to their website
they operate in Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois,
Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New
York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, Washington D.C.
and Wisconsin. There are Yelp pages for many of these offices.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/power-home-remodeling-group-greenbelt">Maryland
office of Power Home has a Yelp Score of 1 Star</a>, the lowest
possible. What they did to me was not an isolated incident. Here are some
of the highlights from the Review page:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
We have about. 2500 sqft roof, the estimator was suggesting a $30k to
$40k job.... Absolutely insane.... I guess they work on commission,
but with a full removal, materials (architectural shingles) and
install, and accounting for the markup in Arlington, a very high end
estimate shouldn't be over $15k.<br />
<br />
These guys use high pressure
scare tactics to bully people into paying wayyy toooo much. Buyer
beware please and do your homework!</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Another person
wrote:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
I like how they have the gall to get on here and refute my review.
For anyone who's further interested in their lies, I've posted a pic
of the contracted amount with personal info blanked out. You can find
this on my profile. They also want to refute hole size. They don't
seem to understand, he showed me pictures of significant damage with
large holes, I don't need a ruler to measure them, because THERE ARE
NO HOLES IN MY ROOF. He fraudulently showed us pictures of someone
else's roof and said he just took them. You can call them whatever
size you want swindler, it's irrelevant considering there are no
holes in my attic at all. That's what your company is about. The HIGH
cost of replacing a roof is considered $13,000. They're crooks,
protect your friends and family from these depraved sleazy salesmen.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
You probably have
the point by now, but I just want to post one more review from the Maryland site:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
This company tried to swindle my 74 year old father. I came home at
the end of the salesman's 4 hour speech. He convinced my dad that our
roof has severe damage and could break through if you walked on it.
He explained how it has severe water damage and showed us pictures of
huge wet patches and holes in the plywood from the attic. After
hearing the $28,000 price tag I told my dad to rethink and get some
other quotes even though he had already signed up. I checked the
attic for myself and guess what, no holes and almost no water damage
in sight. He correctly assumed my dad was too feeble to climb up
there himself. Too bad I wasn't. He had showed us someone else's
pictures to convince us. They're liars and cheaters. After my dad
canceled they called and came back to offer a better deal, $8000 for
almost the same service. Really? Wow, all of sudden they can do the
work for so much less. They also tried to sell gutters for $4000.
Were they made out of gold? Nope, aluminum. Maybe they personally
make them out of soda cans or something, because $4000 is laughable.
They're crooks and I see plenty of poor reviews for their actual
work. Best look elsewhere before you get ripped off.<br />
<br /></div>
And the reviews on the other Yelp pages are just as bad. For example,in their hometown of Chester, PA, they somehow managed to set <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/power-home-remodeling-group-chester-2">an average 2.5 out of 5 star Yelp rating</a>.<br />
<br />
One person wrote:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Simply one of the worst companies I have come across when dealing with
remodeling companies. They use basic pressure tactics, employ people who
have either no experience or very little in actual trades/remodeling
who aren't qualified to give legit estimates let alone act as a building
inspector, and then are very aggressive the entire process once you
engage with them including during the sales quote. <br />
<br />
The most
hilarious part was when one of their sales reps tried to tell my uncle
(who has done general residential contracting for more than 35 years)
and one of his partners who is a licensed building inspector they had no
idea what they were talking about including questioning their price
estimates for the materials and time quoted for a basic roof repair.
Their interest rates for financing were also lousy when compared to
standard line of credits from a bank or credit union too. <br />
<br />
A
general building contractor should NEVER pressure anyone during the
sales or estimate process, stick to only what the client wants done or
expressed a wish to get an estimate on, and give them things they
request including other customer references without a hassle. </blockquote>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It wasn't just me.
These people are up to no good. I suspect that their main prey is the elderly. They might be sitting at home all day and bored. A nice young man who is well groomed, well spoken, and who seems like a real go-getter, shows up and gives them a great sales pitch. And then he scares the hell out of them and gets them thinking their house is falling apart. This is really sleazy. They are convincing and pressuring
people to pay for things they don't need and are charging them
ridiculous prices.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Please be careful
when dealing with anyone offering an estimate for home repair. While
most people in the field are honest, there are plenty of frauds. Make
sure your friends and family, especially elderly friends and relatives, are aware of this company and these types of tactics. Never agree
to anything on the spot. Always get a second estimate, at least. AND
NEVER NEVER NEVER DO BUSINESS WITH POWER HOME REMODLING GROUP!!!</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Also, please share
this post with your friends and family. They will appreciate it. I
don't want to see anyone lose their money to these people.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbbkFXGv6HQTdwwSmjecQUmVmrqs8lwdKJBTpCopq8I6QoR3CLR_yXxn7mpkTMhWA2k7vzZuIrQN3aYo0PBdevF8pZu5DXUnkDBmZcS8uFZzzosAij0pOkCrWC6wmWHV3Ul3hNt7feA/s1600/20160605_114620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbbkFXGv6HQTdwwSmjecQUmVmrqs8lwdKJBTpCopq8I6QoR3CLR_yXxn7mpkTMhWA2k7vzZuIrQN3aYo0PBdevF8pZu5DXUnkDBmZcS8uFZzzosAij0pOkCrWC6wmWHV3Ul3hNt7feA/s200/20160605_114620.jpg" width="112" /></a></div>
Also, to the guy who stopped by my house, you left one of your gloves on my back porch. I don't know if it was a mistake or part of an elaborate plan to get back into my house under the guise of getting your glove to continue a sales pitch. Either way, it is sitting on my front lawn under my mailbox. You can get it, but get one inch closer to my house and we are going to have a problem. You better get it before it blows away. <br />
<br />
Related external links:<br />
<a href="http://www.hackettstownlife.com/forum/491412">Hackettstown<b> </b>Life forum posts on Power Home </a><br />
<a href="http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/power-home-remodeling-group-power-hrg-say-039no-thank-you039-c613803.html">Complaints Board</a><br />
<a href="https://www.scambook.com/company/view/5384/Power-Home-Remodeling-Group">Scam Book</a><br />
<a href="https://www.scambook.com/company/view/5384/Power-Home-Remodeling-Group">RipoffReport</a><br />
<br /></div>
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</script></div>William Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18297870766492113414noreply@blogger.com70tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25513375702597054.post-51121808511706384122016-02-04T22:27:00.001-05:002016-02-04T22:34:10.002-05:00Guest Co-host on the Baltimore Barristers radio show <div dir="ltr">
At the last minute, I was asked to be a guest co-host for a radio show, The Baltimore Barristers. Here is the link:</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<a href="https://baltimorebarristersdotcom.wordpress.com/2016/02/05/february-2-2016-show-marijuana-laws-and-more-with-guest-co-host-william-cooke/">https://baltimorebarristersdotcom.wordpress.com/2016/02/05/february-2-2016-show-marijuana-laws-and-more-with-guest-co-host-william-cooke/</a></div>
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</script></div>William Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18297870766492113414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25513375702597054.post-17397656739347149492015-12-06T10:51:00.002-05:002017-01-02T15:06:55.626-05:00My interview with the Annapolis PodcastThe other day I had a chance to sit down with <a href="http://www.macmullanlaw.com/" marked="1">Scott MacMullan</a>, who runs a popular podcast called the Annapolis Podcast.<br />
<br />
Scott asked me about my work with <a href="http://www.leap.cc/" marked="1">Law Enforcement Against Prohibition</a>, my views on some local issues, and then quizzed me (unexpectedly) on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_B._Taney" marked="1">Roger B. Taney</a> and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dred_Scott_v._Sandford" marked="1">Dred Scott case</a>. I got a few of the details about the Scott case wrong (for example, it was a 7/2 decision, not 6/3 as I said), but I was close.<br />
<br />
I enjoyed talking to Scott and wish him good luck with his podcasting.<br />
<br />
You can listen to the show here:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://annapolispodcast.libsyn.com/drugs-and-dred-scott-in-annapolis/">Drugs and Dred Scott in Annapolis</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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</script></div>William Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18297870766492113414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25513375702597054.post-41883892540019264492015-12-06T10:25:00.002-05:002015-12-06T10:40:38.968-05:00The Exorcist StepsThere is plenty of real history in Washington, DC, but in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgetown_%28Washington,_D.C.%29" marked="1">Georgetown neighborhood</a>, there is movie history as well. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exorcist_steps">Exorcist Steps</a> are worth a quick visit. Everyone who has seen <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Exorcist_%28film%29" marked="1">The Exorcist</a>, remembers the scene where the priest fell out the window and down these steps.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Au-u9RWe0Jo" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26Bzscwrj7KW8yDE2E5G6I-W3W0oBpff0wLLqUmauJ1515fjmVHEVW8vkmow0RskSm59_fhrVd4Jm4S1xHq58ZlEP3qpPhBv6SOLKw75WoXrl3VGSNQarocSsgB7m6S9WMjIQsEWHAQ/s1600/20151122_111924.jpg" imageanchor="1" marked="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26Bzscwrj7KW8yDE2E5G6I-W3W0oBpff0wLLqUmauJ1515fjmVHEVW8vkmow0RskSm59_fhrVd4Jm4S1xHq58ZlEP3qpPhBv6SOLKw75WoXrl3VGSNQarocSsgB7m6S9WMjIQsEWHAQ/s320/20151122_111924.jpg" width="240" /></a>This tourist attraction is located at the corner of Prospect St NW and 36th St NW in Georgetown. It is not uncommon to find people exercising on the steps. When I visited, there were two people running up and down the stairs non-stop. Another woman was walking them as exercise. She seemed annoyed to be in one of my photos, but that's what you get for exercising on the Exorcist steps. It is a popular site and people love photographing them. People also love going up and down them. So good luck getting a decent photo without people on them.<br />
<br />
<i>The Exorcist</i> was based, somewhat, on an alleged case of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exorcism_of_Roland_Doe">possession of a boy in nearby Maryland</a>. Whether the boy was actually possessed, <a href="http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/real_story_behind_the_exorcist/">is a matter of debate</a>. Of course, this location has nothing to do with any real exorcism or haunting, but it is still pretty interesting to visit.
<span id="transmark"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2NgoHPIEzMRkD83ZaNdHIzvHtNIlQg5KzfpbacEVNtfwALnj84coY8BpteUAGGBjXl5w-19m_FtCHjAloFqAFtFAHHRpAOng3wehyphenhyphen_aCCn7LS4o9M-jXXENhVd0iO_QQsAxkd2bzZw/s1600/20151108_074403.jpg" imageanchor="1" marked="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2NgoHPIEzMRkD83ZaNdHIzvHtNIlQg5KzfpbacEVNtfwALnj84coY8BpteUAGGBjXl5w-19m_FtCHjAloFqAFtFAHHRpAOng3wehyphenhyphen_aCCn7LS4o9M-jXXENhVd0iO_QQsAxkd2bzZw/s320/20151108_074403.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pgyJUoHZEQBy79VbxN9uabN17nZzBIPsI_8Wt-jsyagkEEQ4sLynbha8trnqpVBBE2IKTKL0Au-kmlH829SH1EI76XQ_vEaWZRRlwrRmBe4RIxGw8-Nlqg0YOUzvJ4rT1x9opomDog/s1600/20151108_075202.jpg" imageanchor="1" marked="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pgyJUoHZEQBy79VbxN9uabN17nZzBIPsI_8Wt-jsyagkEEQ4sLynbha8trnqpVBBE2IKTKL0Au-kmlH829SH1EI76XQ_vEaWZRRlwrRmBe4RIxGw8-Nlqg0YOUzvJ4rT1x9opomDog/s320/20151108_075202.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://bridgerace.com/" marked="1">The Across the Bay10k</a> is a running race across the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesapeake_Bay_Bridge" marked="1">Chesapeake Bay Bridge</a>. Often called
on the <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2331679/Chesapeake-Bay-bridge-The-Maryland-bridge-terrifying-locals-pay-25-company-shuttle-car.html" marked="1">scariest bridges in the world</a>, the Bay Bridge can
be unnerving to drive across. Depending on who you are, the idea of
running across it can either be appealing or terrifying or both. It
is appealing to enough people that they have to limit registration to
20,000 people.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Regarding the race
itself, I paid $70, because I signed up late (I think it was $60
before a certain deadline) and then spent another $10 to park at the
<span style="font-style: normal;">Navy-</span><em><span style="font-style: normal;">Marine
Corps</span></em><span style="font-style: normal;"> Memorial </span><em><span style="font-style: normal;">Stadium
</span></em><em><span style="font-style: normal;">on the day of the
race. </span></em><em><span style="font-style: normal;">Most 10ks are
much cheaper than that. </span></em><em><span style="font-style: normal;">I
had to pick up my race number and t-shirt the day before the race at
the same stadium. Picking up my race number tag was tedious as it was
not organized by name and I had to wait in a line to look up my
number on a computer, so that I could go to the right table to get it.
I would have used my cell phone, but the battery was dead. At most
races, when you pick up your number, you also get your shirt. However,
they decided to make it more difficult. I had to walk all the way
over to the other end of the stadium and then up to the top of that
side just to get the race shirt. The purpose of this seemed to be to
force you to walk through their expo where vendors were selling
things. However, as it was at the end of a long day and a long week
and I was in my suit, I didn't appreciate having to go through the
extra effort.</span></em></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOB6hG0LFj6xX4vq3_6hG6oIJftMxvMoABx6fK3UNRAEDCRFCge_BGut8lPEu9MLVA6vYjgCEevua1bFs5qcqcG3KrOedOsFaWFMJmGJyv_AORukSIdSnD6ZStuFOi2QipMqtxFg-0g/s1600/20151108_075509.jpg" imageanchor="1" marked="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOB6hG0LFj6xX4vq3_6hG6oIJftMxvMoABx6fK3UNRAEDCRFCge_BGut8lPEu9MLVA6vYjgCEevua1bFs5qcqcG3KrOedOsFaWFMJmGJyv_AORukSIdSnD6ZStuFOi2QipMqtxFg-0g/s320/20151108_075509.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://bridgerace.com/parking-shuttle" marked="1"><br /></a>
</div>
<a href="http://bridgerace.com/parking-shuttle" marked="1">
</a><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://bridgerace.com/parking-shuttle" marked="1"><em><span style="font-style: normal;">I
parked at the stadium on the race day and got on a bus to head to the start at
the </span></em><em><span style="font-style: normal;">Northrop Grumman
</span></em></a><em><span style="font-style: normal;"><a href="http://bridgerace.com/parking-shuttle" marked="1">location near the bridge</a>. The run itself went well. During the first half I stopped
every five minutes to walk and take some pictures. During the second
half, which was mostly downhill, I didn't stop<span id="transmark"></span> at all. <a href="http://www.mtecresults.com/runner/show?race=3710&rid=10479" marked="1">I finished with a time of 58:11</a>, which I was satisfied with. After the race,
there was beer and food for sale. Buses were running all day to take
people back.</span></em></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZXqX5CBrIndtGsUnTePWV8EtvZigho52Sm5UAuws54r47uIEuj0ofD95vElgt7ebjC2Pj_mTsn-VXY1JsXoaWP4NSDj3WgDTr584tQUiCWNopFWwpv99EGta-sTI6A32xSk3AGAEaQ/s1600/20151108_083218.jpg" imageanchor="1" marked="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><em><span style="font-style: normal;">Overall,
I was happy with the race and, despite my complaints, plan on signing
up to run again next year. It is difficult to organize a race this
large, but they did a sufficient job.</span></em></div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpers_Ferry,_West_Virginia" marked="1">Harpers Ferry, West Virginia</a>, is a quick drive from most parts of Maryland. For example,
leaving from Annapolis, it takes less than an hour and a half,
assuming traffic is reasonable. Parking there can be a bit of a
challenge. You can try to park on the Maryland side near <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_Hook,_Maryland" marked="1">Sandy Hook</a>
and walk over the footbridge into the town, but there are few spots
at this location and they are almost always taken. There is some
parking in or near the town, but free spots are hard to come by.
Although it takes a few minutes longer, your best bet is to drive
through the town to the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/hafe/index.htm" marked="1">visitor's center</a>, which is about two miles
away. Parking is plentiful there, but it costs $10 (at the time of
this writing). The Park Service runs buses all day to bring people
into town. It costs nothing more to ride the bus. You can also
run/walk into town on a trail.
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As the name would
suggest, Harpers Ferry was first founded in 1734 by a man named
Harpers who later ran a ferry at the location. The town was
officially established and named by the Virginia Assembly in 1763.
Located on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_Trail" marked="1">Appalachian
Trail</a> between the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potomac_River" marked="1">Potomac</a>
and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenandoah_river" marked="1">Shenandoah
rivers</a>, the scenery is unmatched. Thomas Jefferson, when passing
through the area, remarked, in part, <a href="http://www.nps.gov/hafe/learn/historyculture/thomas-jefferson-at-harpers-ferry.htm" marked="1">“This scene is worth a voyage across the Atlantic.”</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9_AwanDPHyROMnbWUu4XvBvp-1i2fk0_rjPFLMxyBYTSwT4vtSt31mlp5QRAkiYGwexJx0ffVqj-bzOJy2BqySdltTLoC6_T5z1LcFaHLHRTMgY99mUIwfbRE5BVDkqjJnXMnPlpVQ/s320/20150907_130819.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stonesentinels.com/Harpers_Ferry/Heyward_Shepherd.php" marked="1">They couldn't put up a memorial like this today</a></td></tr>
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When most people
think of Harpers Ferry, they think of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Brown's_raid_on_Harpers_Ferry" marked="1">John Brown's ill-fated raid in 1859</a>. Before the Civil War, West Virginia was still part of Virginia
and part of the slave-holding south. Brown was a radical Christian
who was opposed to slavery. <a href="https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2011/spring/brown.html" marked="1">He could easily be called a terrorist</a>.
Brown and his followers attempted to seize the arsenal at Harpers and
then start a slave revolt. It was an insane plan that had no chance
of succeeding. It was a suicide mission for Brown and most of his 21
followers. Many died in the raid. Brown and the other survivors were
captured and most were later executed by the Commonwealth of
Virginia. Five men escaped and were never captured.</div>
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West Virginia succeeded f<span id="transmark"></span>rom Virginia after Virginia succeeded from
the Union. Nevertheless,
there were still mixed feelings in the area. <span lang="en-US">A historical marker there claimed that the Catholic Church in town, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Peter's_Roman_Catholic_Church_%28Harpers_Ferry,_West_Virginia%29" marked="1">St. Peter's</a>, which had an Irish
pastor, flew a Union Jack during the war to avoid
taking a side. Ireland, at the time was in union with Great Britain,
so that would have been the priest's national flag.</span></div>
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<span lang="en-US">Today
things are much more peaceful in Harpers Ferry. During the summer,
people enjoy tubing and boating in the area. In the town there are
living history exhibits. There are more than a few places to enjoy a
drink, including at <a href="http://www.thetownsinn.com/" marked="1">The Town's Inn</a>, where they have some local
microbrews on tap. There is also a ghost tour that runs at night. I would have taken more pictures, but I was enjoying the view too much to be bothered.</span></div>
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</script></div>William Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18297870766492113414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25513375702597054.post-64766739174678719702015-06-28T10:27:00.003-04:002015-06-28T11:13:34.321-04:00The Maryland Watermen's Monument<span id="transmark"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkGrI4NABpOFJP5jfrZoPIlkiBiznE_NGBAdDdycIkOa1H6ouvBxEyAWpLXKvowkkKF7Lu230E6_Trh4TQMi8xRO5Y9VsJWaoAhnmN1sJ3vfDR5S_V0xgA64lJNuDR9H9BDuTn7sZPA/s1600/20150610_173900.jpg" imageanchor="1" marked="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkGrI4NABpOFJP5jfrZoPIlkiBiznE_NGBAdDdycIkOa1H6ouvBxEyAWpLXKvowkkKF7Lu230E6_Trh4TQMi8xRO5Y9VsJWaoAhnmN1sJ3vfDR5S_V0xgA64lJNuDR9H9BDuTn7sZPA/s320/20150610_173900.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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If you have ever driven down Route 50 on Maryland's Eastern Shore, chances are you have seen the road sign for the Maryland Watermen's Monument. You probably glanced briefly at it and then continued without stopping to get to Ocean City or home. The other day, I happened to be in the area and stopped by to finally see what the memorial was about.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxeK_LE9oP7cJm_EYQXHt0je8p1YOH96Lu54LHUgTWMw5weq6XsCePnrMiFPu-HpFS0mFu9YVK3qSB_QtA5C9CJb4kv56I1kJfG8VQMI7JaOzPfKELHM7OpSFZwAOX3pEvqKihtMwmw/s1600/20150610_173923.jpg" imageanchor="1" marked="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxeK_LE9oP7cJm_EYQXHt0je8p1YOH96Lu54LHUgTWMw5weq6XsCePnrMiFPu-HpFS0mFu9YVK3qSB_QtA5C9CJb4kv56I1kJfG8VQMI7JaOzPfKELHM7OpSFZwAOX3pEvqKihtMwmw/s320/20150610_173923.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Located in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kent_Narrows" marked="1">Kent
Narrows</a>, this memorial was, according to the <a href="http://www.chesapeakequarterly.net/v02n4/side4/index.php" marked="1">Chesapeake Quarterly</a>, constructed in 2003 with private funds to honor those
who work as commercial fishermen, or Watermen, in Maryland.
Commercial fishing is considered <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/fishing/" marked="1">one of the most dangerous jobs</a> in the United States. In fact, it typically ranks <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/08/commercial_fishing_once_again.html" marked="1">as the most dangerous</a> every year.<br />
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Although being a waterman on the Chesapeake may not nearly as
dangerous as being an Alaskan fishermen, the job still carries
inherent risks. In addition, it is not as financially rewarding as it
used to be, thanks, in part, to government regulation. <a href="http://www.myeasternshoremd.com/news/queen_annes_county/article_089f459d-a352-589d-b4ec-482e91210ff5.html" marked="1">As State Senator Hershey said at the monument's rededication in 2013</a>, “[O]ne of
Maryland’s most traditional industries is under attack, from quotas
and harvest limits to increased fees and regulations.”<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0woj-11-RNhhb7kFsEr96PqEXSJkxD5EPx6aREVZqo_QK04Eu3Uxii8uoYZ0KidlVEFCqMx9JfqRa64qx5RTa8bmFtf3UWm6BeBvUyJQVR8ADpIE5Vw8qdPfnfoXS8Am4GosWd8g0Q/s1600/20150610_173959.jpg" imageanchor="1" marked="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0woj-11-RNhhb7kFsEr96PqEXSJkxD5EPx6aREVZqo_QK04Eu3Uxii8uoYZ0KidlVEFCqMx9JfqRa64qx5RTa8bmFtf3UWm6BeBvUyJQVR8ADpIE5Vw8qdPfnfoXS8Am4GosWd8g0Q/s320/20150610_173959.jpg" width="240" /></a>It is interesting to note that while there are no shortages of
public memorials to government employees and officials who perform
less dangerous and generally less important work and often for better
pay and benefits, the humble watermen who risk their lives to provide
us with food must be content with their own small, but dignified,
private monument. I suppose that is the way it has always been and always will be. Still if
you are driving through the area and have some extra time, stop and take a look at the monument and remember those in all sorts of jobs who work quietly every day, often in dangerous conditions, to keep you happy, healthy, and well-fed.<br />
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</script></div>William Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18297870766492113414noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25513375702597054.post-22757566853920313082015-06-19T21:02:00.002-04:002015-06-19T21:19:58.622-04:00The Annapolis PodcastMy friend, <a href="http://www.macmullanlaw.com/" marked="1">Annapolis DUI and Criminal defense attorney, Scott MacMullan</a>,has a new podcast out called the <a href="http://www.macmullanlaw.com/the-annapolis-podcast-episode-1/" marked="1">Annapolis Podcast</a>. In his first episode, he interviewed the head of <a href="http://www.annapolis.org/" marked="1">Historic Annapolis</a>.<br />
<br />
This is very interesting:<br />
<a href="http://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/3613771#5RRO2bP7MVhwtKcd.15" marked="1">Thomas Jefferson Would Say That Annapolis Looks The Same</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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</script></div>William Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18297870766492113414noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25513375702597054.post-11530455561440872742015-06-08T19:03:00.001-04:002015-06-09T18:06:23.104-04:00Boonsboro, MD and the real Washington Monument<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivO3hCJtre566fNbPIPH1XCbpPyg1obd7zDGrslPV7-vhYbRfPGi-BH7fg7syx0QmMhWg5VEzNaOqW5t8Bp2A5RUSa6i8XUCQgO93daDqz7_zVtiOKERJJ6oPkIC3qNfUhhwdl46wAOw/s1600/20150607_121806.jpg" imageanchor="1" marked="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivO3hCJtre566fNbPIPH1XCbpPyg1obd7zDGrslPV7-vhYbRfPGi-BH7fg7syx0QmMhWg5VEzNaOqW5t8Bp2A5RUSa6i8XUCQgO93daDqz7_zVtiOKERJJ6oPkIC3qNfUhhwdl46wAOw/s320/20150607_121806.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boonsboro,_Maryland" marked="1">Boonsboro</a> is a small town located in Washington County, Maryland, just off the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Mountain_%28Maryland_and_Pennsylvania%29" marked="1">South Mountain</a>. According to <a href="http://www.town.boonsboro.md.us/" marked="1">Boonsboro's official website</a>, the town was "[f]ounded in 1792 by George and William Boone, cousins of Daniel Boone . . ." With a population under 4,000, the town is fairly small. Nevertheless, it is <a href="http://www.town.boonsboro.md.us/index.asp?SEC=E4DE0ECB-A02E-4603-8279-BAF21E62BC37&Type=B_BASIC" marked="1">steeped in the history of the Revolution, the Civil War, and the culture of the South Mountain.</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinY3gm0VLwXEdbh4-MXQMz6t-10j8FldKerXHBJ7tojaD7Gi7TXATMGN5kI_n1My7znqkB3NvoB1ByevdoEeCq5YmWWnhfgjUemOTMdZFirX4gIBZFSeMulYYWKB3OSxR1Dk3RCdOdg/s1600/20150607_124511.jpg" imageanchor="1" marked="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinY3gm0VLwXEdbh4-MXQMz6t-10j8FldKerXHBJ7tojaD7Gi7TXATMGN5kI_n1My7znqkB3NvoB1ByevdoEeCq5YmWWnhfgjUemOTMdZFirX4gIBZFSeMulYYWKB3OSxR1Dk3RCdOdg/s320/20150607_124511.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Arriving over the weekend, the first place I visited was <a href="http://drnth.com/" marked="1">Dan's Restaurant and Tap House</a>, which boasts of having 24 craft beers on tap. I had a few of the beers, including their Dan's Gateway Gold Lager, which is brewed exclusively for them. The beer was great. So was the atmosphere. I had no complaints about the service or the food. The prices were about what you would typically expect from a craft beer bar. While there were other places around to eat, this appeared to be the popular watering hole.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4cm4mtvnLz_LYy5D_N8d1OWXXIN4LhE5kMunkoDvxtUjchHSeqWCOfCm9PmcSWzaHTSPHLrsUPC-6U82ab9lycPc-gNqAwgaTE92NS0PnwGzMzwPyeDv-TldNvW2njOGpc_HJ7xJ_g/s1600/20150607_131716.jpg" imageanchor="1" marked="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4cm4mtvnLz_LYy5D_N8d1OWXXIN4LhE5kMunkoDvxtUjchHSeqWCOfCm9PmcSWzaHTSPHLrsUPC-6U82ab9lycPc-gNqAwgaTE92NS0PnwGzMzwPyeDv-TldNvW2njOGpc_HJ7xJ_g/s320/20150607_131716.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Leaving the bar, I made my way over to the <a href="http://www.ttpbooks.com/" marked="1">Turn the Page Bookstore</a>. The bookstore is owned by the husband of best-selling novelist, <a href="http://noraroberts.com/" marked="1">Nora Roberts</a> and thus has a many copies of her books for sale. It also has a wide selection of books about Maryland history and folklore. I purchased a copies of <a href="http://amzn.to/1FMgI7v" marked="1">South Mountain Magic: Tales of Old Maryland</a> and <a href="http://amzn.to/1RZBMQn" marked="1">Haunted Ocean City and Berlin</a>. They also sell copies of my book, <a href="http://www.marylandwitches.com/" marked="1">Witch Trials, Legends, and Lore of Maryland</a>. I mail them copies a few times a year and they mail me back checks. They are nice to deal with. In addition to books, they also have, to quote their website, "jewelry, soy candles, handmade soaps, gifts and Organic Fair Trade coffee beverages" for sale.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWHUn-7FqPihN4xb-F3HOVP1VbX5507c_gLlDYW_JB1XYOcglhfLKcx3GIvC3c7yztiFy9sDcqwQNrWQz5TwyLR2fKWnqpMvg1cJf023bKz6d8gP2NBB2HEf0raPKYlVyzTJV4jr3_Q/s1600/20150607_131207.jpg" imageanchor="1" marked="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWHUn-7FqPihN4xb-F3HOVP1VbX5507c_gLlDYW_JB1XYOcglhfLKcx3GIvC3c7yztiFy9sDcqwQNrWQz5TwyLR2fKWnqpMvg1cJf023bKz6d8gP2NBB2HEf0raPKYlVyzTJV4jr3_Q/s320/20150607_131207.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They got everything covered.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEC0EebHIcsmWcXGaeb-QHancWdm5-iZVQGpOzuWIY402Dy-v8_OSnlH59iUjmw8bVy6AY5MNCESr6s8ShNb_y5fnO0cvjcbz1TKQx1EUhYCkboGZOOzkWdtFwCTxS6V_YWCe_x-AcDA/s1600/20150607_140732.jpg" imageanchor="1" marked="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEC0EebHIcsmWcXGaeb-QHancWdm5-iZVQGpOzuWIY402Dy-v8_OSnlH59iUjmw8bVy6AY5MNCESr6s8ShNb_y5fnO0cvjcbz1TKQx1EUhYCkboGZOOzkWdtFwCTxS6V_YWCe_x-AcDA/s320/20150607_140732.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug Bast, museum owner</td></tr>
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I would say that the main attraction in the town is <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://boonsboromuseum.com/" marked="1">The Boonsborough Museum of History</a>.</span> This private and free museum offers a unique collection that covers almost everything including mummified birds, religious relics, and weapons from ancient history to confiscated shivs from the State prison in nearby <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagerstown,_Maryland" marked="1">Hagerstown</a>. The owner, Doug Bast, will happily give you a free tour where he will proudly show you the items he has acquired over the years. Despite the fact that he is badly suffering from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson%27s_disease" marked="1">Parkinson's Disease</a>, he is extremely enthusiastic about his collection, especially his many macabre items, including a severed arm from the Civil War, children's coffins from the Victorian period, and a desk made out of wood from the scaffold <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Brown_%28abolitionist%29" marked="1">John Brown</a> was hanged on. Tours are generally given on Sundays, but you can call ahead to schedule one. Donations are greatly appreciated.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbFpd7jV-t0Gzifew5qxYLOjTx60YhFiUluZiEknzZB3HxxIiXt3aKfpemX0X1vpNQ-cT9qxm1W985R1_4gJKYTRvw98WMmaVILGZ3iOxsXyNvfoe20-_gQKJ5-xxTUFeX7RPJXIvOQ/s1600/20150607_150741.jpg" imageanchor="1" marked="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbFpd7jV-t0Gzifew5qxYLOjTx60YhFiUluZiEknzZB3HxxIiXt3aKfpemX0X1vpNQ-cT9qxm1W985R1_4gJKYTRvw98WMmaVILGZ3iOxsXyNvfoe20-_gQKJ5-xxTUFeX7RPJXIvOQ/s320/20150607_150741.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Size doesn't matter. It came first.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On your way out, or into, town, there is the real <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Monument_State_Park" marked="1">Washington Monument</a> just a few miles away. First completed in 1827, before <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Monument_%28Baltimore%29" marked="1">Baltimore's Washington Monument</a> was built and well before the one in DC was even conceived, this monument was allegedly built in one day on July 4, 1827, by the citizens of Boonsboro in a patriotic fever. Of course, the original structure had some problems and was worn down over time. In the 1930s, the structure was mostly rebuilt and that is what you see today. Located along the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_Trail" marked="1">Appalachian Trail</a>, on the South Mountain, it is only a very short hike from the parking lot. A few steps on the inside will get you to the top where you will have an amazing view of the surrounding area. This area is a State Park and there was a small admission fee based on the honor system, which most people appeared to happily ignore.<br />
<br />
There are other attractions in the area, such as the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Antietam" marked="1">Antietam Battlefield</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Mountain_State_Park" marked="1">South Mountain Battlefield</a>, and <a href="http://tobaccoland.blogspot.com/2015/01/gathland-state-park.html" marked="1">Gathland State Park</a>.<br />
<br />
Related:<br />
<a href="http://tobaccoland.blogspot.com/2015/01/gathland-state-park.html" marked="1">Gathland State Park</a><br />
<a href="http://tobaccoland.blogspot.com/2014/01/mysteries-and-lore-of-western-maryland.html" marked="1">Mysteries and Lore of Western Maryland - book review </a><br />
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I flew with <a href="http://www.tridentaircraft.com/">Trident Aircraft</a> in a Cessna. I was very happy with the flight and the professionalism of the pilot. <br />
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Watch below or <a href="https://youtu.be/-xZLU2JLJA0">click here</a>.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-xZLU2JLJA0" width="560"></iframe>
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<br />
Related:<br />
<a href="http://tobaccoland.blogspot.com/2009/06/youtube-flying-over-annapolis.html">YouTube - Flying over Annapolis </a><br />
<a href="http://tobaccoland.blogspot.com/2012/05/oxford-maryland.html">Oxford, Maryland</a><br />
<a href="http://tobaccoland.blogspot.com/2011/03/witchcraft-traditions-in-maryland.html">Witchcraft traditions in Maryland - Dorchester County </a><br />
<a href="http://tobaccoland.blogspot.com/2011/04/katie-coburn-witch-of-plain-dealing.html">Katie Coburn, witch of Plain Dealing Creek, Talbot County, Maryland</a> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjssNFO3bKTKmXKnnSA81GH0gz_XWHMeYYNRQB0SGzPWYBkIUA1tsiWAyA1WT8qYQmSmJ3ra2LpUrV4Y_YhA6r66oHXh0ZTgfD4mAm8JyBnuLRfFidsNQmx3ErWaJbAkRr8DE3WXnhMA/s1600/20150426_104700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjssNFO3bKTKmXKnnSA81GH0gz_XWHMeYYNRQB0SGzPWYBkIUA1tsiWAyA1WT8qYQmSmJ3ra2LpUrV4Y_YhA6r66oHXh0ZTgfD4mAm8JyBnuLRfFidsNQmx3ErWaJbAkRr8DE3WXnhMA/s320/20150426_104700.jpg" width="240" /></a>Mainly authors, book dealers, artists, and other vendors line the roads in Old Town Kensington to sell their products. I had a table where I sold copies of my books, including <a href="http://www.marylandwitches.com/">Witch Trials, Legends, and Lore of Maryland.</a><br />
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As you can see on my sign (if you click to enlarge it), I offered to accept payment in cash, by check, through paypal, and <a href="https://bitcoin.org/en/">Bitcoins</a>. I can accept Bitcoins through an app on my phone. Since I was in the "People's Republic of Montgomery County" home to the most pro-big government population this side of North Korea, I wasn't expecting many to be supportive of the decentralized electronic currency. One old guy felt it necessary to try to argue with me about why he thought Bitcoins are a scam. I just smiled and said I wasn't worried about losing a few dollars in Bitcoins if they are. Others seem amused by the concept and engaged me in conversation about it. It brought people to my table and maybe helped me sell a few books.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ORVpjFmo62XHSnezodwM7DxeFEZTx3QpGD8miBgQNWu71i67rDLuVpwUW6809OHhlEODTxIPOjXMWrgea1nKlc-Hs6nIss-6EG9Tvb6W4FBPjfI8WvDyyDnyJ_2BOmCED5-rcmspSA/s1600/20150426_104601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ORVpjFmo62XHSnezodwM7DxeFEZTx3QpGD8miBgQNWu71i67rDLuVpwUW6809OHhlEODTxIPOjXMWrgea1nKlc-Hs6nIss-6EG9Tvb6W4FBPjfI8WvDyyDnyJ_2BOmCED5-rcmspSA/s320/20150426_104601.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
The festival was well attended. The picture from the left is from right after the event started. Soon the street was filled with people and I was too pre-occupied with my table to take more pictures.<br />
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The event lasted from 11am to 4pm and thankfully this year we had good weather. About two years ago we had heavy rain all day and it ended early.<br />
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The festival is organized by <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="top"></a>Elisenda Sola-Sole, owner of the <a href="http://www.kensingtonrowbookshop.com/">Kensington Row Bookshop</a>. If you are ever around the area, be sure to visit her shop. It carries many unique books and other items. She has also been supportive of my books and always has signed copies of <i>Witch Trials, Legends, and Lore of Maryland </i>for sale<i>.</i><br />
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Selling at book fairs wouldn't pay my mortgage. Nevertheless, I always enjoy going to these events, especially as it gives me a chance to meet other writers. This year my table was between authors <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/J-D-Brayton-Author-Page/466761433468656">J.D. Brayton</a> and <a href="http://www.webadvertisingpro.com/mattkastel/">Matthew Kastel</a>. I also had a chance to speak to Susan Elnicki Wade, co-author of <a href="http://www.crabdecksandtikibars.com/"><em>Crab Decks & Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay.</em></a><em> </em>I<em> </em>encourage you to take a look at their work.<br />
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If you are an author and want to sell your books, you should consider signing up for a table at next year's event. If you enjoy reading books, you should visit next year. There is a wide selection of books for sale. Many are quite good ones that you may never see in Barnes & Noble or featured on Amazon. If nothing else, you will have a nice day walking around the area.<br />
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According to the <a href="http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/stagsere/se1/se5/018000/018900/018913/pdf/msa_se5_18913.pdf">State of Maryland</a>, "the site of the bridge has been used as a crossing since the mid-eighteenth century." The name, they speculate, may come from the fact that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Ogle">Governor Ogle</a>, in the mid 1700's, used a bridge that was previously at this spot to commute between his home in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowie,_Maryland">Bowie</a> and Annapolis. That bridge no longer exists.<br />
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The current metal truss bridge was built sometime between 1907 and 1912. It is a single lane bridge on a two lane road, so care must be taken when using it.<br />
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A simple unassuming little bridge like this really shouldn't attract much attention. Yet rumors about the supernatural have turned this structure into a local legend.<br />
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The mysterious Goatman of Prince George's County is said to inhabit the area. This half-man, half-goat beast is thought by many to live in the woods around the bridge. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AVZ2MW8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00AVZ2MW8&linkCode=as2&tag=underpress-20&linkId=GIN3LCO254L2H7JL">Jimmy Tupper VS The Goatman of Bowie</a> is a 2012 movie about this creature. It was shot in and around the area. You even see the bridge in at least one scene, although it is never mentioned by name. The movie was clearly inspired by the Blair Witch Project and was sort of slow at times. It got much better near the end. A sequel was hinted at and I hope it gets made.<br />
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There are also stories about it being haunted. <a href="http://offthebeatenpathdc.blogspot.com/2010/07/governors-bridge-haunted-maryland.html">Another blog</a> tells a popular story:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTAliSaRQe8fI85c-lRDbDv4QWlZwXJrzGCRD1sLNBex5j-Efh0e_S3XDBm53kqlc8Am-25llht_oRm9a1y9dPrsuHQ3zR1sFxrvi6soa-qZdfylCa_V9-UKmsvx7zujiLuxOho1LxQ/s1600/20150307_142031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTAliSaRQe8fI85c-lRDbDv4QWlZwXJrzGCRD1sLNBex5j-Efh0e_S3XDBm53kqlc8Am-25llht_oRm9a1y9dPrsuHQ3zR1sFxrvi6soa-qZdfylCa_V9-UKmsvx7zujiLuxOho1LxQ/s1600/20150307_142031.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
a young unmarried teen-aged girl that became
pregnant. Afraid to tell her parents, the girl took her newborn baby and
dropped it over the side of the bridge. Realizing what she had done,
the girl jumped from the bridge and fell to her own death. According to
many eyewitnesses, one can see the woman standing in the middle of the
bridge, frightening drivers. </blockquote>
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Of course, the biggest problem with this story is that while the baby would have drowned, the jump is not high enough to kill a person. I suppose the girl could have also drowned, if she didn't know how to swim. There is, however, no record that I can find of an incident like this ever taking place at the bridge. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crybaby_Bridge">Crybaby bridge</a> legends are fairly common all over the US and are not to be taken too seriously.<br />
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There are stories about terrible car accidents over the years at or near the bridge. It is a one lane bridge on a two lane road that is curvy and not well lit, so the fact that there have been accidents nearby is not surprising. Throw in the fact that teenagers and other young people are visiting the bridge, often at night and under the influence, and, of course, there are going to be deaths. People like to visit the bridge and post videos of it on Youtube. These people got out of their car and walked on the bridge, on a foggy night.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M-904gZVZKk" width="420"></iframe><br />
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One benefit of these types of adventures is that sooner or later some of the people involved are going to get killed. So if the bridge wasn't haunted before, it will soon be.<br />
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Of course, while it is quite reasonable to be concerned about homicidal satyrs and ghosts, there is another reason to be worried while travelling over Governor's Bridge. According the the <a href="http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/stagsere/se1/se5/018000/018900/018913/pdf/msa_se5_18913.pdf">Maryland Historical Trust</a>, <b>"When the bridge was surveyed in 1995, it was closed to traffic. However, it has since been re-opened, although no significant alterations are evident."</b> Well, maybe the Goatman fixed whatever was wrong.<br />
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Related:<br />
<a href="http://tobaccoland.blogspot.com/2012/12/maryland-folklore-book-review.html">Maryland Folklore - book review</a><br />
<a href="http://tobaccoland.blogspot.com/2014/03/in-search-of-anne-arundel-countys.html">In search of Anne Arundel County's "Midgetville"</a><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
LEAP speakers come from a wide divergence of political thought and
social conscience and recognize that in a post-prohibition world it will
take time to strike a proper regulatory balance, blending private,
public and medical models to best control and regulate “illicit drugs.”
LEAP speakers are free to advocate their view of better
post-prohibition stratagems without towing a LEAP “party line.”</blockquote>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nr1MWRg1cUs" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
Thanks to <span data-si="true"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ricksaffery2014/">Rick Saffery</a> for taking and sending me this video.</span><br />
<span data-si="true"><br /></span>
Related:<br />
<a href="http://tobaccoland.blogspot.com/2013/01/dr-dean-ahmad-islam-and-liberty-at-anne.html">Dr. Dean Ahmad, Islam and Liberty at the Anne Arundel County Campaign for Liberty meeting </a><br />
<a href="http://tobaccoland.blogspot.com/2013/01/graveside-service-for-hl-mencken.html">Graveside Service for H.L. Mencken</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLOBcDHkitahcaY6879CRKPq1cqF8MZCLDknME6jlhcoax7IuHjWvz4hQZkbsI9cc5VKDmSXueKkfjOJEgIntpAWeU2SAuWUtE2MlPhnYUx4q8e-d-ecx4Q7H0YKCHz1BSX0_a0AQXQ/s1600/1798487_10153773255550494_1165531679_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLOBcDHkitahcaY6879CRKPq1cqF8MZCLDknME6jlhcoax7IuHjWvz4hQZkbsI9cc5VKDmSXueKkfjOJEgIntpAWeU2SAuWUtE2MlPhnYUx4q8e-d-ecx4Q7H0YKCHz1BSX0_a0AQXQ/s1600/1798487_10153773255550494_1165531679_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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One of the things that I really enjoy is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everclear_%28alcohol%29">Everclear Grain Alcohol</a>. I don't drink it often, but I like to have it around for special events. It is a conversation starter. How many beverages do you know of that warn you to keep it away from open flames? And at 95% alcohol, they aren't joking. <br />
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<br />
Last year, a bunch of busy-bodies petitioned the State of Maryland to prohibit this drink because it is allegedly abused by some. According to the <a href="http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2014-06-30/news/bs-md-grain-alcohol-illegal-tuesday-20140630_1_grain-alcohol-estate-tax-income-tax-credit"><i>Baltimore Sun</i></a>:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The grain alcohol ban, backed by a group of university presidents as a
safety measure, comes amid a growing focus on rape and drinking to
excess on campus. Del. Charles Barkley, a Montgomery County Democrat,
said increased awareness of the risks associated with grain alcohol
bolstered support for the bill he sponsored.<br />
"Getting it off the
market will maybe reduce problems at the college level," Barkley said,
adding that students have used it to get "bombed out of their mind,"
putting themselves in danger. </blockquote>
<br />
In the 2014 Session of the Maryland General Assembly, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Madaleno">State Senator Richard S. Madaleno, Jr.</a> (Democrat, Montgomery County - of course) proposed SB0075 which stated:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
( A ) A PERSON MAY NOT SELL AT RETAIL AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE WITH AN ALCOHOL CONTENT BY VOLUME OF 95% (190 PROOF ) OR MORE .(B) A PERSON WHO VIOLATES THIS SECTION IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND ON CONVICTION IS SUBJECT TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $1,000.</blockquote>
<br />
A <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&stab=01&id=sb0075&tab=subject3&ys=2014RS">great deal of energy was expended by our legislators</a> in this debate. In the end, the bill was passed by both houses in the General Assembly and then Governor O'Malley signed it into law. I suppose that they were proud of their work and believed that they made the State a safer place.<br />
<br />
Of course, that is nonsense. I know from my training, knowledge, and experience, that it is easy to get piss drunk off of vodka, wine, or beer. Aside from thinking that the law was stupid and not likely to change anything, I resented it as an infringement on my freedom. I resolved to drive to Delaware, where it can still be legally purchased, to stock up on the banned substance. I was going to be a modern day boot-legger.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavm8XICZINkG4YPHx4erLNRCjzdU6KammB0f-mI0V6DrXtG3En2zfMd4UIyN15Yi9DFSXkasLyf1R4ItryaLVgLYu5ml4dA-QuPsdequtNybHfrUrAKpV_lEYfT27DHptemJzcJHcdA/s1600/20150218_174512" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavm8XICZINkG4YPHx4erLNRCjzdU6KammB0f-mI0V6DrXtG3En2zfMd4UIyN15Yi9DFSXkasLyf1R4ItryaLVgLYu5ml4dA-QuPsdequtNybHfrUrAKpV_lEYfT27DHptemJzcJHcdA/s1600/20150218_174512" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
All of those plans changed today. I was at <a href="http://bayridgewine.com/">Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits</a> and spotted a bottle of Everclear. I was surprised. I assumed it had to be a mistake. I picked up a bottle to purchase, thinking I was going to get away with it. Then I looked more closely. It wasn't 95% alcohol. It was 94.5%! I couldn't help but laugh. Here all those busy-bodies spent all that time during the legislative session thinking that they were doing something good. And by a mere half a percent, they were defeated. The free market won! Then I got angry. The time that they could have spent figuring out ways to fix the budget, or to improve education, or reduce crime, or extend freedom was wasted on trying to ban grain alcohol. And they ended up achieving nothing. Who cares about half a percent?<br />
<br />
To end on a positive note, I was happy to see that my State Senator, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Astle">John Astle</a> (D) and my Delegate, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_H._McMillan">Herb McMillan</a> (R), both voted against this law. I was happy to return the favor by voting for both of them in the last election. They both won re-election.<br />
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</script></div>William Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18297870766492113414noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25513375702597054.post-23823863320488651252015-02-15T16:16:00.000-05:002015-02-15T17:45:48.654-05:00DC Memorials on the Tidal BasinA memorial can often tell you more about the people who built it then it can<br />
about the person it is dedicated to. The other day I ventured into Washington, D.C. to visit three memorials near each other on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidal_Basin">Tidal Basin</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGH-NqRm6aBXx9E_yvytXmPMFUtStXgitryC97agIsc0r7asim6Kd7RjL2DfFQOnvByvQBZptrfGIM3U0uvVT1kP-CbSUBlcLneIn27ZM4bMmI3bBlaSohClENxAVW8wHVOjOyX-jjXg/s1600/20150214_154020" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGH-NqRm6aBXx9E_yvytXmPMFUtStXgitryC97agIsc0r7asim6Kd7RjL2DfFQOnvByvQBZptrfGIM3U0uvVT1kP-CbSUBlcLneIn27ZM4bMmI3bBlaSohClENxAVW8wHVOjOyX-jjXg/s1600/20150214_154020" height="320" width="240" /></a>Construction of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_Memorial">Jefferson Memorial</a> began in 1938. FDR laid the cornerstone. Well, not physically, but he is still given the credit. It may strike a reasonable person as odd that Roosevelt, a president who did more to undermine the Constitution and traditional American values than perhaps any other, would have even been associated with a memorial to a champion of individual freedom and limited government. But by linking Jefferson to himself, FDR could give legitimacy to his regime and ideas. Sure, he <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_Order_6102">confiscated people's gold</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judicial_Procedures_Reform_Bill_of_1937">threatened dramatic changes to the judicial branch when they refused to uphold his novel constitutional theories</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internment_of_Japanese_Americans">imprisoned citizens merely on account of their ethnic background</a>, but hey, he was just a modern day Thomas Jefferson.<br />
<br />
In fact, on the walls there are various quotes from Jefferson. One reads:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions,
but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the
human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new
discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions
change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also
to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear
still the coat which fitted him when a boy as a civilized society to
remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors.</i></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQikklq2DmHcsLeQYnC8R_nl8-S6dnnVhKymsBs0Sl38plVYHnkYd00BjKkudx0tZrgeO2DHnmUiJXdRu7y1GiBynRBaGhHndZO6SQSpkYX6Oj82G7uzN41H4vSIV68bGzivD8Fb_QpQ/s1600/20150214_151757" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQikklq2DmHcsLeQYnC8R_nl8-S6dnnVhKymsBs0Sl38plVYHnkYd00BjKkudx0tZrgeO2DHnmUiJXdRu7y1GiBynRBaGhHndZO6SQSpkYX6Oj82G7uzN41H4vSIV68bGzivD8Fb_QpQ/s1600/20150214_151757" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
In other words, what was appropriate for the people in Jefferson's time (limited government and individual rights) is not what we need in the modern world. We need this new socialist scheme called the New Deal and other restrictions on our freedom because the world is much more complex and dangerous. Jefferson was an intelligent man who knew what was best for his time and would understand what we are doing now is what is best today.<br />
<br />
I had a feeling of disappointment and despair as I explored this memorial as it was painfully obvious what the intent of the designers was. A simple farmer who fought for human freedom had been deified and his words and image had been taken to support an ideology and a leader he would have been appalled with. I was happy to find later that I was not the only one who felt this way. For example, the now late <a href="http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/mr-natural-rights/">Professor Ronald Hamowy wrote</a>:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Perhaps the most egregious examples of invoking Jefferson for purely
transient political purposes are the inscriptions on the Jefferson
Memorial in Washington, D.C. Planned and built during the administration
of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the walls of the memorial are adorned with
quotations from Jefferson’s writings, many of which suggest that
Jefferson advocated positions consistent with the aims of the New
Deal—with which he would, in fact, have had little sympathy. Thus,
Jefferson’s admonition that an educated electorate was essential if
liberty were to be preserved is transmuted into a call for universal
public education. And his caution that man, as he advances in his
understanding of the world, must accompany his greater enlightenment
with changes in his social institutions becomes a justification for a
new theory of government in keeping with the social-democratic
principles that animated the New Deal.</i></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnJbabPqpokCCqdAekjXzmGZYENTeM369FWTEnRLxrfdIbrXo0wLUbOtKICE5Mj-6VssdiJwMfvwTDZnUw-ovbUpuy_IBUMyz6inpqfXtSYDnOeU5dvwXMqr6hNefy4lzGP6wkNydGQ/s1600/20150214_151848" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnJbabPqpokCCqdAekjXzmGZYENTeM369FWTEnRLxrfdIbrXo0wLUbOtKICE5Mj-6VssdiJwMfvwTDZnUw-ovbUpuy_IBUMyz6inpqfXtSYDnOeU5dvwXMqr6hNefy4lzGP6wkNydGQ/s1600/20150214_151848" height="190" width="200" /></a>Of course, do not attempt to voice any objections in the memorial itself. Political discourse is forbidden.<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWeF6lwg4aY"> So is any artistic expression, no matter how quiet or undisturbing. Armed thugs who work for Federal government will assault and arrest you.</a> It is impossible to imagine that Jefferson would have approved of anything about this memorial. I suppose it is worth a visit just to say that you have been there. Tears over the fate of the nation are the price of admission. It is otherwise free.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6acRIasguCw876gRBi6Bi65S5QbubTWMGc9FfSlkvkYpH4fY8pye-_Ga2Sb3lyoUASlzJVoPss0wBOj8GqhgqSO5LeJc-A1QGGQ0mR4d1oEk0X8CtBzyMfDFSoYjhdcKS35zbQYlEuQ/s1600/20150214_153524" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6acRIasguCw876gRBi6Bi65S5QbubTWMGc9FfSlkvkYpH4fY8pye-_Ga2Sb3lyoUASlzJVoPss0wBOj8GqhgqSO5LeJc-A1QGGQ0mR4d1oEk0X8CtBzyMfDFSoYjhdcKS35zbQYlEuQ/s1600/20150214_153524" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
A short walk from the Jefferson Memorial is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_Delano_Roosevelt_Memorial">Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial</a>. It is a sprawling, confusing, and ugly display fitting to the memory of the leader who brought so much confusion to our constitutional order. Various quotes from FDR are inscribed on the walls. One ironic one reads, "We must scrupulously guard the civil rights and civil liberties of all
our citizens, whatever their background." Japanese Americans might wonder about that one.<br />
<br />
<br />
This memorial takes up way too much space. It is spread out over 7.5 acres. It is appropriate that it was constructed during the Bill Clinton regime as he was known for giving speeches that were way too long. Wasting people's time seems to have been part of the Zeitgeist.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfju81ADamz4kUX_f6TaOsmkDySewnhxic7DsnpOffnhqegJzUC5QOXR2Qxc0bCVjU7mXf9-OUpoPZh2e8RbSfMTWIRASw1-1eWXPD3QMG6HEt7i8nQ9vgDGVbIZ-lGHjdOome83CWg/s1600/20150214_150326" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfju81ADamz4kUX_f6TaOsmkDySewnhxic7DsnpOffnhqegJzUC5QOXR2Qxc0bCVjU7mXf9-OUpoPZh2e8RbSfMTWIRASw1-1eWXPD3QMG6HEt7i8nQ9vgDGVbIZ-lGHjdOome83CWg/s1600/20150214_150326" height="240" width="320" /></a>The final memorial I visited was to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Mason_Memorial">George Mason</a>, one of the founding fathers. <br />
Mason was an anti-Federalist who never signed the Constitution because he feared that it did not provide enough protections against the Federal government. In retrospect, he had a point, but the fault may not be with the Constitution itself, but with those charged with upholding it. Paper constitutions are of limited value.<br />
<br />
This memorial was completed in 2002. It is rather simple and small. The quotations on the walls have mostly faded, just as the memory of Mason and his ideas have all but faded from the consciousness of most Americans. Nevertheless, it stands as a tiny reminder of his life and work.<br />
<br />
All of these memorials are free and are located in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Potomac_Park">West Potomac Park</a>, which also has free parking. There were plenty of spots on the lot when I visited on a weekend. So even if you aren't excited to see these particular memorials, it is a good place to leave your car if you otherwise want to explore the city and don't mind a little bit of walking. <br />
<br />
<i></i> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgerSluPnLKGWPKGe40nvr5_mvD266-mgm7KDAG9Q7Hw35raNsjyg6rXrPztxyN63mPKZGxKBaS9nsx0IQVUxNBHgodKZZgYQqrq7ukuXjlUyi8Wl5l8aqdvMrs2DOaujTPQKY2hdXU3w/s1600/20140920_125454" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgerSluPnLKGWPKGe40nvr5_mvD266-mgm7KDAG9Q7Hw35raNsjyg6rXrPztxyN63mPKZGxKBaS9nsx0IQVUxNBHgodKZZgYQqrq7ukuXjlUyi8Wl5l8aqdvMrs2DOaujTPQKY2hdXU3w/s1600/20140920_125454" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
Out in western Maryland, just next to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burkittsville,_Maryland" title="Burkittsville, Maryland">Burkittsville, Maryland</a>, sits this little state park on the Appalachian Trail. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gathland_State_Park">Gathland State Park</a> opened to the public in 1949, but previously was the home of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Alfred_Townsend">George Alfred Townsend</a>, a noted war correspondent and novelist. Townsend was better known by his nickname "Gath", thus the name of the park.<br />
<br />
Gath was born in 1841 in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgetown,_Delaware">Georgetown, Delaware</a>. By 1861, he had already been working as a journalist when the Civil War broke out. After the war ended, he continued to work as a reporter and also authored several successful novels.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhlz1DAiabOIA1pwapja_4j0GuQhBnM2HT5-JWgt2fhJ6MertBT8N3Vkiycky86D-3Rmj1NzLUtZsCzA5CcuDqIBllU6qKeSjaJIgf8NwCCI8hFUbzLTgC54ENz9P4-9krjW50iEFeQ/s1600/20140920_111941" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhlz1DAiabOIA1pwapja_4j0GuQhBnM2HT5-JWgt2fhJ6MertBT8N3Vkiycky86D-3Rmj1NzLUtZsCzA5CcuDqIBllU6qKeSjaJIgf8NwCCI8hFUbzLTgC54ENz9P4-9krjW50iEFeQ/s1600/20140920_111941" height="200" width="150" /></a>In 1884, Gath bought property on the South Mountain in western Maryland, to build an estate. Among the various structures built, he constructed a memorial arch to all journalists who died in combat. Over fifty feet high, this impressive stone monument called the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_War_Correspondents_Memorial">National War Correspondents Memorial</a>, was the only such memorial until recent history. During the Civil War, the site was part of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Crampton%27s_Gap">Battle of Crampton's Gap</a>, thus making the location very appropriate. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcHeogtSE9DGKWq9ODPuw3VzrSPzPD-bjopcnwxkpGD9zg1-NE1D2tJ0_SQCPH38k-FkVUoq2zeDzG3l-js6TXO_t_-7X7OWT8vgQtJTwKWzlFYad2O1X-Eo6YRnHRAwUHgy5KRZsDQ/s1600/20140920_113000" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcHeogtSE9DGKWq9ODPuw3VzrSPzPD-bjopcnwxkpGD9zg1-NE1D2tJ0_SQCPH38k-FkVUoq2zeDzG3l-js6TXO_t_-7X7OWT8vgQtJTwKWzlFYad2O1X-Eo6YRnHRAwUHgy5KRZsDQ/s1600/20140920_113000" height="200" width="150" /></a>Another interesting fact about his estate is that it contains his empty tomb. No, Gath wasn't a vampire or a deity. In his later years, Gath moved from his estate to New York City, where he died in 1914. <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=12613560">He was buried in Philadelphia</a>. The tomb was never used. Despite this, Susan Fair, author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1626190240/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1626190240&linkCode=as2&tag=underpress-20&linkId=KZ6M2J4JADR5YYRH">Mysteries and Lore of Western Maryland</a>, suggested that Gath's ghost haunts his old home.<br />
<br />
Gathland State Park is free and open to the public. Details on visiting can be found at <a href="http://dnr2.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/western/gathland.aspx">the official park website</a>. In addition to seeing the memorial arch and surviving buildings, the spot is a good location to start a day hike on the Appalachian Trail.<br />
<br />
For additional information about Gath or the area, be sure to pick up <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1626190240/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1626190240&linkCode=as2&tag=underpress-20&linkId=KZ6M2J4JADR5YYRH">George Alfred Townsend and Gathland: A Journalist and His Western Maryland Estate</a> by Dianne Wiebe. Wiebe also happens to work at the museum on the property and can answer any of your questions about Gath or his property. The previously mentioned <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1626190240/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1626190240&linkCode=as2&tag=underpress-20&linkId=KZ6M2J4JADR5YYRH">Mysteries and Lore of Western Maryland</a>, by Susan Fair also provides alternative information about the property and other locations in western Maryland. Finally, you may view <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/105015156088165439797/albums/6100564369194259329">my photographs of the Gathland here</a>.<br />
<br />
Related:<br />
<a href="http://www.tobaccoland.blogspot.com/2014/01/mysteries-and-lore-of-western-maryland.html">Mysteries and Lore of Western Maryland - book review </a><br />
<a href="http://tobaccoland.blogspot.com/2012/12/maryland-folklore-book-review.html">Maryland Folklore - book review</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
A group of circus folk retired from the Big Tent and used their show business earnings to build a town to suit them. The houses were said to be perfectly proportioned but tiny. The streets were built to a small person's scale. While Midgetville is always located on the outskirts of a regular town, hidden so that the locals couldn't disturb them, someone always seems to know someone who's been there. And on a dull night, groups of people always decide they want to go there to check it out.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
But take caution. When you drive to the outskirts of the settlement, they say, a car (often described as a white or black pickup) will chase you and attempt to run you off the road. Or worse, crowds of tiny people armed with rocks and baseball bats and shotguns will come after you, hell-bent on doing you and your car some serious damage.</blockquote>
Lake reported a tale from a woman who claimed that in the 1980s a friend from Glen Burnie drove her out to such a location, but that she doesn't remember exactly where it is now.<br />
<br />
I was intrigued by the idea that somewhere hidden in Anne Arundel County there was a village full of angry little people and set out to find this so-called Midgetville.<br />
<br />
After asking various people who were from that part of town and more familiar with the local history, I was able to determine that Midgetville was located not in Glen Burnie, but nearby <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasadena,_Maryland" marked="1">Pasadena</a>. To be more exact, it was located near what is now <a href="http://www.talloaksdining.com/" marked="1">Tall Oaks restaurant</a> on Colony Road.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHC_ufnlH1391o0mqLNrWpOup-a3tRkT80TlHLAukS0KiN7JhvgXRQPhmR73rynAG4z7sgrcFOcquJQjRoScy2vcFwspBsZDgiuNYwyK39zfMpdx3g2dHAaIlEgth_NA3Efa6noyrUQ/s1600/conradtalloaks.jpg" imageanchor="1" marked="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHC_ufnlH1391o0mqLNrWpOup-a3tRkT80TlHLAukS0KiN7JhvgXRQPhmR73rynAG4z7sgrcFOcquJQjRoScy2vcFwspBsZDgiuNYwyK39zfMpdx3g2dHAaIlEgth_NA3Efa6noyrUQ/s1600/conradtalloaks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conrad looking for Midgetville</td></tr>
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I drove out there with my friend, <a href="http://www.cbladey.com/" marked="1">Conrad Bladey</a>, who is also a subject of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1402739060/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1402739060&linkCode=as2&tag=underpress-20" marked="1">Weird Maryland</a>,to check the area out. We ate at Tall Oaks restaurant where the waitress confirmed that Midgetville was once in the area, but the last of the little people left some time ago, perhaps around the late 1980s. She said that the last little house had survived until recently when it was torn down to make for a big gated community nearby.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVhOxTCpgvML5QHKLuEuMEh_vtVz1Xb-n6j8e3FSd3sc0q-0S0OFJx8nEP2Hf5wX6Yml0BxdosDJfZXIEWYRBjtX0yyIr1XpwjVc-fFH9nAbDubQOCO1Dj32pG2DkC1c5kJ91c-om7A/s1600/20140207_141413.jpg" imageanchor="1" marked="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVhOxTCpgvML5QHKLuEuMEh_vtVz1Xb-n6j8e3FSd3sc0q-0S0OFJx8nEP2Hf5wX6Yml0BxdosDJfZXIEWYRBjtX0yyIr1XpwjVc-fFH9nAbDubQOCO1Dj32pG2DkC1c5kJ91c-om7A/s1600/20140207_141413.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do angry midgets live here and chase away outsiders? Sadly, no.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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We ate our lunch and had a few beers before leaving. Driving around the neighborhood we still kept an eye out for small houses and people in the hope that she was mistaken about them all leaving. Sadly, she was not. There were no midgets to be found.<br />
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Nevertheless, I haven't lost all hope. According to Matt Lake, similar little towns may still exist in Cecil County, somewhere along the Potomac River west of DC, and either on the eastern shore or in Delaware. I will keep searching. If I mysteriously disappear, look in those places first.<br />
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<br /><b>Update - October 4, 2015 -</b></div>
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Searching the newspaper archives online, I found this classified ad from <i>The Capital</i> newspaper on April 2, 2003.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAnVmzpmrk1pY4Dj3mcJgPGhQes2-soZh-RfPPsVM2P0EzPK-4iKo986Hjq7v00wwl-Ss4zJ6p-LHm_R32HtLyaJRY3E-byzai-jXPstZShBnxI1myc12n6gw5Zb1FuQ1v1f_Fiq2GA/s1600/midgetville.png" imageanchor="1" marked="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAnVmzpmrk1pY4Dj3mcJgPGhQes2-soZh-RfPPsVM2P0EzPK-4iKo986Hjq7v00wwl-Ss4zJ6p-LHm_R32HtLyaJRY3E-byzai-jXPstZShBnxI1myc12n6gw5Zb1FuQ1v1f_Fiq2GA/s320/midgetville.png" width="155" /></a></div>
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This is additional confirmation that "Midgetville" once existed there, but no longer does.<span id="transmark"></span><br />
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