Car Thread

[sarge]

Ruf:

Much has changed over the period I've known G'burg; been in and out of Adams County over that same 40 years (and actually lived here for the last ten, as of this week it turns out) since the first time I lived in the DC area during the Bicentennial. Most of it was due to the residents' basic hard-working ethic and the NPS itself; precious little due to the various historical organisations and tourists.

NPS' making the battlefield a more fitting and understandable venue (in spite of the tree-huggers from DC and the preservationists who for some unknown reason thought the old visitor's centre was an architectural masterpiece) the transformation from a cap-gun kitsch tourist venue of the 50s and 60s mould selling souvenirs and sno-cones to today is breathtaking. No more motels on the park itself ("Rates by the week, night, or the hour" on one; no kidding!), the tourist kitsch now contained in a couple-block square area between Steinwehr and Baltimore Streets.

Meanwhile, the locals have restored the afore-mentioned Gettysburg Hotel, the Majestic Theatre has been (with a big hand from former Conrail chairman David LeVan and his late and lamented bride, God rest her) restored and taken it's place as a cultural and arts venue. There is theatre, decent dining well beyond corndogs and cotton candy, cultural pursuits, there is a community now that thrives beyond the tatty of forty years ago.

Sure, the local industries are suffering right now, and badly. A publishing house has suffered closure, more because of net-based publishing and the death of print-on-paper, and Schindler Elevator shut last winter. Property taxes are stiff here, Harrisburg is politically moribund, it ain't perfect here.

But, perspective: The DC area's local governments are just as much a collection of graft sucking machines as here, and some cases, like Montgomery County, far more so. Even with the tax structure here, I pay far less than I paid near DC; I couldn't have retired there even if I had wanted to. Schools here are better than Mont. Co., my kid has a much better social grounding, my wife has a life with friends not of the self-absorbed materialistic cougar culture.

What I see here for all its imperfection is much the same as what Ike must have seen back during WWI when he commanded Camp Colt. It was just over forty years later when he too packed it all in and moved here. It's a wonderful place, warts and all.

And the local B-roads! Gotta love 'em...

[healey36]

Rufus,

Agreed...the commercial interests are as ugly as ever (although there are fewer of them). it could only have been topped if the casino referendum had passed...

As Sarge pointed out, however, it and the surrounding countryside are lovely, especially this time of year.

If you're up here and have the time, take the tour of Eisenhower's farm...it's a very worthwhile visit. NPS has done a good job there. I was there a few years back and my wife and I were the only ones around...I half expected the old boy to walk into the room.

Healey

[healey36]

A publishing house has suffered closure, more because of net-based publishing and the death of print-on-paper...

Dagger...!!!

[Rufus T. Firefly]

.....Harrisburg is politically moribund.....

You are too polite,

But, perspective: The DC area's local governments are just as much a collection of graft sucking machines as here, and some cases, like Montgomery County, far more so. Even with the tax structure here, I pay far less than I paid near DC; I couldn't have retired there even if I had wanted to. Schools here are better than Mont. Co., my kid has a much better social grounding, my wife has a life with friends not of the self-absorbed materialistic cougar culture.

DC is nutz and Montgomery County is far worse.....and really makes me ever so glad to have chosen to live in VA 33 years ago (seems like just yesterday -- No, it doesn't, ). Don't open the sack of anacondas on schools....

As for taxes, you might be reminded that I too pay PA taxes albeit a county to the west of you and have done so now for 30+ years. My CFO cringes every year when those envelopes arrive - all 4 of them. It's not like I'm in need of all that much perspective. I know what property sells for in that area having a life-time connection there and even, dare I state, relatives there,

Back on the 26th I watched that little "farmette" about to fall down on it's 16+ acres on a good sloped hill sell for $144k......only ~2 miles from my place. I can hardly wait to see what my next assessment might be........

...the surrounding countryside are lovely, especially this time of year.

I have a passing familiarity with the surrounding countryside.......... Here's a look out in the morning across my front fields across the valley on a nice clear morning. Being on the East side of the valley the sun doesn't arrive until past mid-morning. Rt. 75 is right down there in front of those houses where it can't be seen. Come on up in Nov. and I can put you and Sarge to work cutting wood; several of the ash trees are on their last gasp and want cutting, and I need a stack of 5' long black locust (Nature's pressure treated wood) for my son's garden plot.

[healey36]

Cutting and splitting firewood was an activity I derived a lot of pleasure from over the years, but after last year's debacle I fear those days are behind me. There was something serenely therapeutic about it.

Not to totally destroy the car thread, but the curiosity is getting the better of me...what's killing the ash trees? Ash borers?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Cutting and splitting firewood was an activity I derived a lot of pleasure from over the years, but after last year's debacle I fear those days are behind me. There was something serenely therapeutic about it.

That's part of it for sure - something zen-like in the art of splitting wood. Of course, sitting around the fireplace with a cold drink works nicely, too.

You and Sarge are welcome to come on up/over and supervise / watch an old clown get a workout.

Not to totally destroy the car thread, but the curiosity is getting the better of me...what's killing the ash trees? Ash borers?

Yes. Drive on up - car thread car thread car thread car thread car thread car thread car thread car thread car thread car thread - and around PA and you'll find dead and dying ash trees.....

[sarge]

I can hardly wait to see what my next assessment might be........

Luckily they are not done on a regular basis up here.




Car thread Car thread Car thread Car thread Car thread Car thread- Grin!

[robert.]

I know it's a bad photo. This one is for sale in Warrington pa. If anybody would like i'll stop by latter in the week for better photos.

[healey36]

Even in that pic you can tell it's a late-model Midget. I'll defer to Sarge and Tony...they are actively trying to corner the market on the last few years' production.

[2railjon]

So, Jon me good mate. Tell me about these MGs in the family!

Sarge, I haven't travelled up to see them as of yet. I'm pretty sure one is a TD and not sure about the other. When I get to Louisville,MS to visit, I'll be sure to take pictures.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

...
Ash borers are killing the trees. Have you ever noticed the purple pinatas used to trap the borer.
http://clear.uconn.edu/info/CT_EAB_Flyer.pdf

Oooooohhhhh, so that's what they are for! I had noticed some contraptions like that along Rt.30 in PA quite some time ago, but figured they were signals to some sort of private club that travelers were on the right road and in the right direction for a meet-up. Thanx!

[robert.]

I'll change it to motorcycles for a post. For 5 years maybe longer i have been waiting for a 1927 Pa. license plate. Pennsylvania allows you to use a year of manufacture plate on antique vehicles. To do this you need a few things. It takes 3 license plates. You need a vanity plate with the numbers from the 1927 tag. You need an antique/historic motorcycle tag and the 1927 tag. Once you have all 3 Harrisburg can join them into their data system and your good to ride with the 1927 tag only.

[2railjon]

Robert, That's pretty cool on the motorcycle tag!!! What bike is it going on?

[sarge]

Ooooh! A TD...

That could be fun!

[2railjon]

Ooooh! A TD...

That could be fun!

Or a nightmare!!!! I have no idea the condition of either two. If they were bought and kept in the South it might not be too bad.
I know the 1971 TR-6 and the 1967 E-Type Jag I owned up North weren't worth the preservation effort due to the rust.
But I enjoyed them while I owned them.