Thursday, September 28, 2006
Autumn Flowers
There are other flowers beside mums that bloom in the fall. These blue flowers are always welcome in my yard as you can never have enough blue flowers.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
The Delmar Library
The Delmar Library
Originally housed in one room in what is now known as the Delmar Heritage Center and what was known in 1940 as the Marvel building on the corner of Grove and First street. It was open 6 hours a week. Later in 1970 the library was moved to a room in the "new" Saint Stephens Community Center. In 1982 this current library building was opened. Since Delmar is a Bi State community the library (altho in Sussex County) is also open to Delmar residents who live in Wicomico County. It is my understanding the library receive no financial support from Wicomico County altho about half the card holding members of the Delmar library are from Wicomico County.
An Example of The Traveling Lady solicitation letter. You can click on this photo to enlarge it and see the size of donations made.
The Delmar Library was a project of the Delmar New Century Club. In 1940 the Ladies of the club received a grant from the State of Delaware for $100 with the understanding they would match it with $300. They did this by soliciting donations from everyone. An example of a solicitation letter is above. As you can see in 1940 the donations were from 25 cents to a dollar. The Delmar library has been blessed with a couple of different bequest. Lyndal Hayman left a $320,000 trust fund. Grover Lecates in 1995 left the library $583,000. Today the library again wants to expand and is beginning another donation drive.
A better description of the library can be found at their website; Delmar Library
It's Emily's Birthday
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Pvt. Francis Lupo
There were many newspapers articles out on Private Francis Lupo, a missing action soldier from World War I. The best that I read is from the Washington Post
Private Lupo was killed in action July 20, 1918 in France. He had been in the army less than six months before he was killed. His body was found 3 years ago, along with another body, in an unidentified grave in France. Apparently he had been killed and quickly buried by his unit to await reburial later. He was reburied at Arlington National Cemetery 88 years later. He had no living relatives who remembered him when he was alive.
Private Lupo was killed in action July 20, 1918 in France. He had been in the army less than six months before he was killed. His body was found 3 years ago, along with another body, in an unidentified grave in France. Apparently he had been killed and quickly buried by his unit to await reburial later. He was reburied at Arlington National Cemetery 88 years later. He had no living relatives who remembered him when he was alive.
Linda Hamilton Birthday
Today is Salisbury's own Linda Hamilton's Birthday. Best known as Sarah Connor in the "Terminator" movies she is 50 today.
Reflections on my Father's death
My father died yesterday. If there was any thing I could say about his life it would be he deserved more out of life than what he got.
He was raised on a farm west of Delmar. His father died when he was 9 and his mother and brothers (all the brothers were under the age of 14) worked the farm until 1940 when it was sold for delinquent taxes. He worked pretty much his entire life. Until a couple of months ago, at 87, he still worked as a courier for a medical health company. Social security just does not pay the bills and he had his pride and was not going to accept money from his sons when he could work.
At 87 his eye sight was failing him and if I offered to drive the courier run for him he would refuse. I finally was able to drive it for him by asking him if he wanted some company on the courier run, he would than let me drive the van to deliver the medical supplies, but I was there as company not the doing his job.
He dropped out of school at an early age and went into the Civilian Conservation Corp. I think he said they gave him five dollars a month and the remaining pay for the month (about 25 dollars) was sent to his mother. After that he went into the Delaware National Guard until World War II when the guard was put into the regular army. Shortly after discharge he had a wife and than later three boys to raise so with a limited education he drove a truck for most of his life. The years of driving resulted in skin cancer on his left arm and face. Altho times were not flush with money we didn't starve and we didn't realize we were poor because no one else in our neighborhood had any money. Unlike many couples today he remained married to my mother for 65 years until his death on Monday.
About three months ago he developed a bump on his head and complained of headaches, he thought it was caused by hitting his head on something. Over the next couple of months he went to several different doctors about the bump. They all said the bump would go away on it's own. In his last month he went to the emergency room about four times. Each time, until the last time, they said the bump he had would go away and he was treated for the emphysema he had. About a week ago he was admitted to the hospital and this time they looked at the bump. On Thursday they told us it was the result of lung cancer and it had spread thru his body and his head so much they were unable to operate On Saturday they said he would be moved to hospice on Monday. He died Monday morning about 2:30AM, before being moved. There was no mention of lung cancer or any kind of cancer until that Thursday. Like I said he deserved better out of life than what he got. I think the medical treatment you receive when you are over 70 is different than what you receive when you are younger. Am I bitter toward the Doctors, yes I am.
He was raised on a farm west of Delmar. His father died when he was 9 and his mother and brothers (all the brothers were under the age of 14) worked the farm until 1940 when it was sold for delinquent taxes. He worked pretty much his entire life. Until a couple of months ago, at 87, he still worked as a courier for a medical health company. Social security just does not pay the bills and he had his pride and was not going to accept money from his sons when he could work.
At 87 his eye sight was failing him and if I offered to drive the courier run for him he would refuse. I finally was able to drive it for him by asking him if he wanted some company on the courier run, he would than let me drive the van to deliver the medical supplies, but I was there as company not the doing his job.
He dropped out of school at an early age and went into the Civilian Conservation Corp. I think he said they gave him five dollars a month and the remaining pay for the month (about 25 dollars) was sent to his mother. After that he went into the Delaware National Guard until World War II when the guard was put into the regular army. Shortly after discharge he had a wife and than later three boys to raise so with a limited education he drove a truck for most of his life. The years of driving resulted in skin cancer on his left arm and face. Altho times were not flush with money we didn't starve and we didn't realize we were poor because no one else in our neighborhood had any money. Unlike many couples today he remained married to my mother for 65 years until his death on Monday.
About three months ago he developed a bump on his head and complained of headaches, he thought it was caused by hitting his head on something. Over the next couple of months he went to several different doctors about the bump. They all said the bump would go away on it's own. In his last month he went to the emergency room about four times. Each time, until the last time, they said the bump he had would go away and he was treated for the emphysema he had. About a week ago he was admitted to the hospital and this time they looked at the bump. On Thursday they told us it was the result of lung cancer and it had spread thru his body and his head so much they were unable to operate On Saturday they said he would be moved to hospice on Monday. He died Monday morning about 2:30AM, before being moved. There was no mention of lung cancer or any kind of cancer until that Thursday. Like I said he deserved better out of life than what he got. I think the medical treatment you receive when you are over 70 is different than what you receive when you are younger. Am I bitter toward the Doctors, yes I am.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Mason Dixon Line
The Line Church markerThe Line Methodist Church Cemetery is in both States as the Mason-Dixon Line runs thru the middle of it. Line Road curves into Maryland completely at that point in order not to split the cemetery. In the Cemetery is a Mason Dixon Mile Marker. It is considered the marker for mile 20 (being 20 miles from Fenwick Island the beginning of the Transpeninsular line). As expected for it's age the marker is very worn. Part of the reason why line road is on the line, is when Mason and Dixon were shooting the line they had a team of woodcutters go in and clear a path ahead of them 9 yards wide. Since the path of already cleared it became a traveled road.
We all are familiar with the Mason-Dixon Line since it runs thru Delmar (Ok technically it is usually referred to as the Transpeninsular line, however Mason and Dixon did survey it). I recently read "Walkin' the Line" by William Ecenbarger which talks about his attempts to walk the entire Mason Dixon Line. I enjoyed the parts about the towns on the "line" but felt he wandered to far off the "line" in order to record stories in towns not on the "Line" that would he felt would make his book interesting or have more current appeal. Delmar, is of course, mention and Sam Bynum, one of our previous Mayors (father of the current Town Manager), is interviewed. Also Linda's Railroad cafe and the roundtable coffee group at Linda's are also mentioned.
At one time I worked for NCR in Millsboro and drove Line Road each day to work. Line road is split down the middle by the Maryland/Delaware State line and the maintenance for the road is also split between each state, and Wicomico and Sussex county. When there were heavy snows none of the entities worked together to clear the road. You might have the Maryland side plow their side in the morning and the State of Delaware would plow their section in the afternoon and Sussex County might wait until night before plowing their section. The result was everyone drove on what ever section of road that was clear, regardless rather it was driving the wrong way or not.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Artwork in Salisbury
For a month or so both of my parents have been ill with one thing or another and I have been making trips to the hospital in Salisbury. Salisbury must have an attraction for rusty metal sculptures. They have some kind of twisted metal sculpture in front of the entranceway at the hospital and in the parking lot by the courthouse they have those strange rusty metal shapes of birds etc. To me it is not appealing, it just looks like some kind of half finished artwork.
Delmar, however, has nothing in the way of Public artwork. I, however, for some time have been saving my wine and liquor bottles in order to make a bottle tree. I intend to put this "object de art" in my front yard for the cultural benefit of the citizens of Delmar. For those of you who have said my drinking was for my own pleasure, shame on you, for in truth it is a lofty goal for the betterment of culture in Delmar.
Delmar, however, has nothing in the way of Public artwork. I, however, for some time have been saving my wine and liquor bottles in order to make a bottle tree. I intend to put this "object de art" in my front yard for the cultural benefit of the citizens of Delmar. For those of you who have said my drinking was for my own pleasure, shame on you, for in truth it is a lofty goal for the betterment of culture in Delmar.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Who's In China
From a newsgroup
George (Bush): Condi! Nice to see you. What's happening?
Condi (Condolezza Rice): Sir, I have the report here about the new leader
of China.
George: Great. Lay it on me.
Condi: Hu is the new leader of China.
George: That's what I want to know.
Condi: That's what I'm telling you.
George: That's what I'm asking you. Who is the new leader of China?
Condi: Yes.
George: I mean the fellow's name.
Condi: Hu.
George: The guy in China.
Condi: Hu.
George: The new leader of China.
Condi: Hu.
George: The Chinaman!
Condi: Hu is leading China.
George: Now whaddya' asking me for?
Condi: I'm telling you Hu is leading China.
George: Well, I'm asking you. Who is leading China?
Condi: That's the man's name.
George: That's who's name?
Condi: Yes.
George: Will you or will you not tell me the name of the new leader of China?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir? Yassir Arafat is in China? I thought he was in the Middle East.
Condi: That's correct.
George: Then who is in China?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir is in China?
Condi: No, sir.
George: Then who is?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir?
Condi: No, sir.
George: Look, Condi. I need to know the name of the new leader of China.
Get me the Secretary General of the U.N. on the phone.
Condi: Kofi?
George: No, thanks.
Condi: You want Kofi?
George: No.
Condi: You don't want Kofi.
George: No. But now that you mention it, I could use a glass of milk. And
then get me the U.N.
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Not Yassir! The guy at the U.N.
Condi: Kofi?
George: Milk! Will you please make the call?
Condi: And call who?
George: Who is the guy at the U.N?
Condi: Hu is the guy in China.
George: Will you stay out of China?!
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: And stay out of the Middle East! Just get me the guy at the U.N.
Condi: Kofi.
George: All right! With cream and two sugars. Now get on the phone.
(Condi picks up the phone.)
Condi: Rice, here.
George: Rice? Good idea. And a couple of egg rolls, too. Maybe we should
send some to the guy in China. And the Middle East. Can you get Chinese
food in the Middle East?..........
George (Bush): Condi! Nice to see you. What's happening?
Condi (Condolezza Rice): Sir, I have the report here about the new leader
of China.
George: Great. Lay it on me.
Condi: Hu is the new leader of China.
George: That's what I want to know.
Condi: That's what I'm telling you.
George: That's what I'm asking you. Who is the new leader of China?
Condi: Yes.
George: I mean the fellow's name.
Condi: Hu.
George: The guy in China.
Condi: Hu.
George: The new leader of China.
Condi: Hu.
George: The Chinaman!
Condi: Hu is leading China.
George: Now whaddya' asking me for?
Condi: I'm telling you Hu is leading China.
George: Well, I'm asking you. Who is leading China?
Condi: That's the man's name.
George: That's who's name?
Condi: Yes.
George: Will you or will you not tell me the name of the new leader of China?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir? Yassir Arafat is in China? I thought he was in the Middle East.
Condi: That's correct.
George: Then who is in China?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir is in China?
Condi: No, sir.
George: Then who is?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir?
Condi: No, sir.
George: Look, Condi. I need to know the name of the new leader of China.
Get me the Secretary General of the U.N. on the phone.
Condi: Kofi?
George: No, thanks.
Condi: You want Kofi?
George: No.
Condi: You don't want Kofi.
George: No. But now that you mention it, I could use a glass of milk. And
then get me the U.N.
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Not Yassir! The guy at the U.N.
Condi: Kofi?
George: Milk! Will you please make the call?
Condi: And call who?
George: Who is the guy at the U.N?
Condi: Hu is the guy in China.
George: Will you stay out of China?!
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: And stay out of the Middle East! Just get me the guy at the U.N.
Condi: Kofi.
George: All right! With cream and two sugars. Now get on the phone.
(Condi picks up the phone.)
Condi: Rice, here.
George: Rice? Good idea. And a couple of egg rolls, too. Maybe we should
send some to the guy in China. And the Middle East. Can you get Chinese
food in the Middle East?..........
Belize 25th Independence Day
Today the country of Belize celebrates it's 25th Independence day. Belize is the only county in Central America where English is the official language. It also gives me a chance to put a picture of a half naked girl on my blog. For more on this celebration go to Belize Celebration
Planning and Zoning Meets Tonight
Tonight, at Town Hall, Planning and Zoning will meet at 7 PM.
Community Yard Sale
As a reminder, the Concerned Citizens are having a Community Yard Sale at State street park this Saturday.
Tomorrow is the Deadline
Tomorrow is the last day for voter registration in Delmar Delaware.
Happy Birthday Robert
Today my brother would have turned 60. Happy Birthday.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Taxes and Extreme Makeover
One of the shows my wife watches and I don't care for is "Extreme Makeover:Home Edition". I am sure you all have watched it. The thing I don't like is they take a family who are not financially well off and rebuilt their home into a mansion. I don't even think you can call it rebuilding as they seem to demolish the old house and build a new one in a short period of time. Altho it seems like a nice gesture if you give a family a house twice as large as the previous one with a ton of Sears appliances are you doing them a favor? Logic would say in a real estate market gone crazy the property tax is going up. I question the quality of houses built in a week, unlike Habitat For Humanity houses, these are large complex houses. The utility bill must also increase and what happens five years down the road when appliances start breaking and structure problems appear in the house built in a week? I don't see how that family will have the money to pay to have them repaired.
The other question is how do they pay the taxes to IRS on this improved home? In the US tax code there is a provision that allows individuals to rent their residences out for less than 15 days a year and they do not have to pay taxes on the rental income received. It is used frequently when there is some major event, as the Olympics, in your city. It is used over at the beach also. I understand that ABC uses this provision for the Home Makeover family. They send the family away and "rent" the house for two weeks. The building material, labor and appliances are then considered "rent" and as such are not taxable. I assume Extreme Home Makeover has been on the air long enough for the IRS to decide if they are going to accept that. It also explains why they are in such a rush to finish the house.
I understand some of families that have been on Extreme Home Makeover have complained of those exact things; cracked stucco, leaky bathroom, fancy appliances that don't work, increased property taxes. Unlike Habitat for Humanity that builds a simple, affordable house for its clients, Habitat also require the homeowner to put down a down payment, pay monthly mortgage payments plus provide "sweat equity". Maybe we need to have Extreme Home Makeover come in and redo the downtown section of Delmar. I have always thought Linda's Railroad Cafe could use a Jacuzzi in it so when you ate your scrapple and egg sandwich and drank your coffee you could relax in it. Maybe Extreme Home Makeover would provide it.
The other question is how do they pay the taxes to IRS on this improved home? In the US tax code there is a provision that allows individuals to rent their residences out for less than 15 days a year and they do not have to pay taxes on the rental income received. It is used frequently when there is some major event, as the Olympics, in your city. It is used over at the beach also. I understand that ABC uses this provision for the Home Makeover family. They send the family away and "rent" the house for two weeks. The building material, labor and appliances are then considered "rent" and as such are not taxable. I assume Extreme Home Makeover has been on the air long enough for the IRS to decide if they are going to accept that. It also explains why they are in such a rush to finish the house.
I understand some of families that have been on Extreme Home Makeover have complained of those exact things; cracked stucco, leaky bathroom, fancy appliances that don't work, increased property taxes. Unlike Habitat for Humanity that builds a simple, affordable house for its clients, Habitat also require the homeowner to put down a down payment, pay monthly mortgage payments plus provide "sweat equity". Maybe we need to have Extreme Home Makeover come in and redo the downtown section of Delmar. I have always thought Linda's Railroad Cafe could use a Jacuzzi in it so when you ate your scrapple and egg sandwich and drank your coffee you could relax in it. Maybe Extreme Home Makeover would provide it.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Delmar street Signs
Delmar Delaware Street Sign
Altho the two Towns of Delmar Maryland and Delaware share government resources, street signs are not one of the shared items. For the most part, Delmar, Maryland street signs are White with Black lettering and Delmar, Delaware street signs are green with white lettering. The difference in colors I think is due to where the signs are obtained and state or county regulations.
Delmar Maryland Street Sign
The streets signs in Delmar were donated to the Town by the Delmar Lions Club about 1947. The popular thought is that the Maryland/Delaware state line runs down the middle of State Street. If stopped by a State trooper from either state one can look at the color of the street sign to decide if you want to develop an attitude about being stopped by a state trooper who is on the wrong side of the line. This does not always work, as legally I don't think the state line is in the middle of State street for the entire length of State street. If you are stopped by a Town police officer give up, as they are certified in both states and have authority on both sides of town.
It Is Twiggy's Birthday
It is Twiggy's birthday. No, not Twiggy,the water skiing squirrel. This icon and super model of the 1960's was born in 1949 with the name of Leslie Hornby. Due to her wafer thin body her nickname was Twiggy. She works today as an actress.
This is Twiggy the water skiing squirrel I don't know her birthday.Monday, September 18, 2006
Monday Delmar Photo
Lori Ann Durham Is 40
Lori Ann has a birthday today. Happy Birthday Lori!!
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Anonymous 4
About ten years ago I had an operation and the end result of it was I lost the hearing in my left ear. With that loss of hearing I also lost my interest in recorded music. To use a dated comparison it was like going from Stero to HiFi. Only occasionally do I hear music on the radio that has any interest to me. Today while listening to "Saint Paul Sunday" on National Public Radio they had a four woman ensemble called Anonymous 4 that I found very pleasant to listen to. The four women; Marsha Genensky, Susan Hellauer, Jacqueline Horner and Johanna Maria Rose sang a program of 18th and 19th gospel music. It was similar to some of the music on the soundtrack in the movies "O Brother where are thou" and "Cold Mountain". For those who may want to listen they can go to Saint Paul Sunday
Characters in Delmar
Every town has it's assortment of "characters", some are eccentric, some are simple minded, some are drunks and some are addicts. They wander about town doing odd jobs, panhandle for money and cigarettes, stealing, etc. When I first moved to Delmar in the late 70's they had quite an assortment of characters. Josh, Drydock, and Cigarette Annie comes most readily to mind, but there has been several more after them. For the most part they were harmless, unless drunk, than they were a problem. Usually a quarter or so would buy them off and they would leave you alone for the rest of the day.
My parents, who grew up outside of Delmar, frequently speak of Lannie Wells. He was a person who went around in the 1930's with a sack over his back and would ask for castoffs etc from the farm people. I have been told he would go up to a farmhouse and say "got anything for my bag?". He was a figure every child was scared to death of. He use to tease the children by going up to them and telling them he was going to put them in his sack. Both of my parents said they would run as far as they could and hide until he went away.
Currently, and for the better, we seem to have a lack of characters in Delmar. I am sure it is just a dry spell and they will return.
My parents, who grew up outside of Delmar, frequently speak of Lannie Wells. He was a person who went around in the 1930's with a sack over his back and would ask for castoffs etc from the farm people. I have been told he would go up to a farmhouse and say "got anything for my bag?". He was a figure every child was scared to death of. He use to tease the children by going up to them and telling them he was going to put them in his sack. Both of my parents said they would run as far as they could and hide until he went away.
Currently, and for the better, we seem to have a lack of characters in Delmar. I am sure it is just a dry spell and they will return.
Hank Williams Birthday
Hank Williams and the Drifting CowboysToday in 1923, Hank Williams was born. He is the person you think of when you think of Honky Tonk Country Music. I think everyone has heard "Hay Good looking", "Your Cheating Heart", and "Jambalaya". He died at age 29, what could he have done if he continued to live? He is one of those people that you try to just admire their songs and talent and don't look at their personal life.
Probably the only good movie George Hamilton was in was "Your Cheating Heart" in which he played Hank Williams. Hank Williams Jr sang his father's songs in the movie.
Sue Phillips has a Birthday
Happy Birthday Sue. Actually I think it was yesterday but as old as she is she probably doesn't want anyone to know about it anyway. God! They shoot horses when they get that old.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Brown Recluse Spider
My neighbor, Shelly, was bitten on the ankle, over a week ago, by what was later identified as a brown recluse spider. She waited three days before going to Dr Burns in Salisbury to have it examined, by than her leg from the kneecap to the foot was swollen about three times normal size and she had a really ugly open lesion at the bit mark. I understand in some people the lesion can last up to three years and require skin grafts to cover it. It still is just about as ugly now as a week ago. If you have an unidentified bite I can only encourage you to go to the emergency room and don't wait. A site that talks about the brown recluse is Brown Recluse
Delmar Movie Theatre
The Delmar Movie theatre from the front (the good side). It is currently owned by Terra Corporation, 34662 St. Georges Road, Delmar, DE. I believe they have owned it for about 20 years, buying it at a tax sales for a little over $3,000. This ugly site in Delmar complements the LeCates Building on the corner. It is suppose to be made into apartments but I have seen houses stripped to a shell, remodeled and sold in the the time this building has been played with. There has been a number of tax abatements given to the owners in hope they will do something with the property. It an oddity in Delmar that if you keep your property up you get nothing in tax abatements, but you do get higher taxes, and if you own a piece of shit and keep it that way you can get tax abatements.The building itself was built by Seth Ellis about 1914. I believe he ran a confectionery store in the building. The theatre has gone by many names; Elcora, Delmar Theatre, The Avenue, now it is just known as eyesore. I think it stopped doing business as a movie theatre in the late 1960s or early 1970s. It had a number of owners and managers, some of whom were (in no particular order); Minnie Melson, Ralph Messick, Robert Holt, Norris Tingle, Lee Insley, Harlen Tull, etc. The building had a stage in it so many meetings and live shows were held in the building, besides just showing movies. The most consistent selling point in advertising I have seen for the theatre is that it was air conditioned. This, no doubt, was a big point in the 30s and 40s when no one had home air conditioners and in the 1950s and 1960s it was a good selling point against the Drive In Movie theatre which operated in the summer. It is now air conditioned by an enormous hole knocked in the rear wall. I think CMS Constructions uses this hole as a doorway so they can use the building as a storage shed for their trucks.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Ford motor Company
Ford Motor company recently hired a new Chief Executive Officer by the name of Alan Mulally. He is replacing Bill Ford, the great grandson of Henry Ford. Alan Mulally was with Boeing Company prior to coming to Ford. Ford Motor company has in it's stable of vehicles the names of Aston Martin, Ford, Jaquar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazada, Mercury, and Volvo.
Financially Ford Motor Company, like General Motors is a mess. It's Stock (F is the stock market symbol and also it's grade mark from me) is trading at $9.09 a share. It has been as low as $6 a share this year. Two years ago it was at $14, which is only good in comparison to $9 a share.
The point to this blog post is Alan Mulally was hired by Ford Motor company at a base salary of $2 million plus what amounts to an $18.5 million sign on bonus. So here is a company that is doing poorly and it pays it's CEO over $20 million in the first year. His first step will be to reduce the hourly workforce in the United States because they make to much money!! It is ridiculous the amounts CEO's are paid and it is ridiculous the difference between the hourly worker and the CEO pay. To the CEO pay you can usually add at least 50% for perks such as bodyguards, insurance, private jet, etc. Each year the difference between the poor and the rich in the United States become larger and larger.
Financially Ford Motor Company, like General Motors is a mess. It's Stock (F is the stock market symbol and also it's grade mark from me) is trading at $9.09 a share. It has been as low as $6 a share this year. Two years ago it was at $14, which is only good in comparison to $9 a share.
The point to this blog post is Alan Mulally was hired by Ford Motor company at a base salary of $2 million plus what amounts to an $18.5 million sign on bonus. So here is a company that is doing poorly and it pays it's CEO over $20 million in the first year. His first step will be to reduce the hourly workforce in the United States because they make to much money!! It is ridiculous the amounts CEO's are paid and it is ridiculous the difference between the hourly worker and the CEO pay. To the CEO pay you can usually add at least 50% for perks such as bodyguards, insurance, private jet, etc. Each year the difference between the poor and the rich in the United States become larger and larger.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Modern Day Geeks
When I went to High School back in the 1950's the person who was considered a Geek was the one with the slide rule in a carrying case attached to his belt. Usually a pocket protector was in his shirt pocket. Now I was never smart enough to work a slide ruler but I did have a pocket protector. Later in the 1970's a calculator attached to the belt replaced the slide rule. I have now noticed modern technology has increased the number of people who have become Geeks by a million fold. Almost everyone, except me, are carrying a cell phone. It is not uncommon to see people with a cell phone, pager, palm pilot, and jump drive (flash memory) attached to their belt. It also seem to be cool to have a jump drive stuck in the pocket protector of your shirt. Who would have thought so many people would want to be Geeks!
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Cornerstone Community Church Event
The Cornerstone Community Church is having a number of free skits on Wednesday and Friday night at 7PM. They have the New Life Drama Company do the acting. The Cornerstone is north of Stained Class Bridal.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Crabbing
The end results of the days crabbing - a few for picking and a large pot of an excellent cream of crab soup.
A blue crab that was legal size and that didn't get away
We went crabbing at Frenchtown today. The crabs were not as plentiful as usual but we caught enough for dinner. When you crab off a bridge I am afraid this is a sight you see - crabbing butt. It was a very nice day, not to hot, not to windy just a nice quiet day on the marsh. Always surprise me about the lack of bugs on the marsh compared to Delmar.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Day In The Park 2006
Delmar's own Diane Buckley, Delaware Councilperson, does some MCing and keeping things going.
Joey Rimkis parked a couple of nice looking cars from Saturn next to the bandstand. Of note Saturn was the largest donator of money to the "Day in The Park" this year.
Dan, the man, from Goodfellas was at "Day in the Park".
Kathy was doing a good business with her Avon sales.
The train is always popular with the kids.
A happy group riding.Thursday, September 07, 2006
Tree having a bad hair day
It's Mollie's Birthday!!!
Mollie turns ____ well I won't say but it is old. Happy Birthday Mollie...
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Tuesday Photo - One Room school House
This building is commonly known as Harry's Store in Melson. It started life as a one school house built in 1896. In the 1940's the school closed and Clarence Morris bought the building and converted it a store. Later he gave it to his brother Harry.
A scan from "Recollections; Wicomico One Room Schools". Melson school when it was school. Ruth Figgs was a teacher here in 1918.
Jesse James was born today
Jesse James was born today in 1847. He was shot by Bob Ford on April 13, 1882. He was an outlaw and the public of the time and today, seem to have made him a hero instead of the sorry ass crook that he was.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Ernesto in Delmar
A fallen tree on Grove Street
Ernesto came to Delmar yesterday and frankly it blew harder than I was expecting. Luckily, the ground was so dry not that many trees were uprooted. Most trees I saw fallen over simply snapped from the wind. There were a lot of yards with standing water, lots of leaves and limbs scatter around, the cemeteries had grave decorations blown around. Most of the walnuts on my walnut trees were blown off and the flowers and tomato plants were flatten. If my walnuts were blown off surely the same thing happened to the apples and peaches in the area. This porta potty didn't make out so well. I noticed some corn field had sections of corn stalks knocked down which will make it difficult to run the corn pickers thro them.
In the town of Delmar summer newsletter they stated; "BFI does not pickup leaves or any type of yard waste. Please call Town Hall to request the pick up of these items and for prices and/or requirements for disposals". After this wind and all the yard trash everyone has we will see how many people bother with that rule or ordinance come Tuesday, trash pickup day for Delmar, Delaware. Maybe I will ride by the Mayor and Council people houses Tuesday and take a photo of what they are throwing out for trash pickup. It will be interesting to see if they go by the same rule.
Ebright Azimuth, Delaware
Southern Living Magazine had an article on Fall foliage and the highest points to see the fall foliage in the states that are covered by their magazine. As you know Delaware is about as far north that "Southern Living" magazine covers.
A sampling of the heights in the 17 states given showed these highest points; Texas (Guadalupe Peak) at 8,749 feet, North Carolina (Mount Mitchell) at 6,684 feet, Tennessee (Clingmans dome) at 6,643 feet, and Delaware at 448 feet. We did beat out Florida at 345 feet. For those who do not know where Elbright Azimuth is, such as myself follow this link; Ebright Azimuth
A sampling of the heights in the 17 states given showed these highest points; Texas (Guadalupe Peak) at 8,749 feet, North Carolina (Mount Mitchell) at 6,684 feet, Tennessee (Clingmans dome) at 6,643 feet, and Delaware at 448 feet. We did beat out Florida at 345 feet. For those who do not know where Elbright Azimuth is, such as myself follow this link; Ebright Azimuth
Friday, September 01, 2006
Today's Photo - It's finally raining
We are finally getting some rain. We are also getting some wind. I was at Del Tech in Georgetown this morning and took this picture of Nursing students going between buildings in the rain.
This poor man was fighting rain and wind. Moments after the photo his umbrella was turned inside out.
Megan Goes Visiting
Megan leaves after work today to visit her friend Casie in South Carolina. Hurricanes and rain means nothing to some one who is young.