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"Short Notes" | will's weblog | current entries |

| 11-13 dec | 18-22 dec | christmas | 28 dec |

Holiday Greetings: the christmas tree adventure | winter arrives!

01-01-01 | The real Millenium begins |

Don't get me wrong! | I make no attempt to use this entry as some pseudo-profound review of either the past, of my life in the 20th Century, of events in that period; nor is this to make any serious predictions about the future, either (though I do make some guesses about the direction East Haddam may be headed). I just figure I gotta put something up for the first of the [Western] calendar year, so here's a hodgepodge of items. For starters, a pix I found that shows I had the same basic hairline when I was 12 as I do today.

Pleasant reconnections | Another photo found, is that of my brother Ken (right side of the pix) and my cousin Chuck Engleman. We hadn't been in touch for many a decade. But thanks to my brother, who has stayed in contact with Chuck, we have become reacquainted. This photo is from the get-together we had. Chuck works as a mechanic at a southeast Pennsylvania Harley Davidson dealer. When he's out east~ Ken and Chuck get a chance to go touring together. And yes, this pix is way overdue for being posted.

Where we've been, where we might be headed | The peaceful little town I live in is at a strange, exciting turning point in its history. The image on the right shows what is now known as the Gelston House, at the time (and now, once again) a restaurant and inn. Not in the image is the renowned Goodspeed Opera House which has been one of America's principle champions of that art form known as the Musical. Now the Goodspeed Foundation is looking to expand and build a second theatre, most likely on the other side of the Gelston House building. This shall change the face of the village dramatically. Hopefully to everyone's benefit. It's encouraging to see Michael Price and the Goodspeed Foundation working cooperatively with the village to do this.

But other changes don't come as amicably. For instance, when scion of the Mellon fortune, Timothy Mellon purchased the East Haddam airfield, just south of the Opera House, it seemed that he would not be doing much more than having a place to fly in and out of of local outings. But recently, Mr. Mellon went and had over five acres of 70 to 120 year old trees clear cut to the south end of the airfield. The land and the trees served as a protective natural buffer between a wilderness area known as Chapman's Pond and was owned by the Nature Conservancy. Mr. Mellon apparently felt that it is perfectly alright to do to other people's property what he pleases.

Then again, maybe he just wants to be able to fly his private Cessna jet into the airstrip from the south, lessening the risk of flying above both powerlines and the East Haddam Swing bridge. The Cessena, incidentally, is one he bought, had modified, and then demanded that Cessena maintain the craft, even though he was the 10th owner. He sued Cessena to be able to demand this of them. (see the US Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit decision for details) Interestingly, amongst the charges Mr. Mellon's suit raised against Cessna was "contempt." Curious indeed, considering how contemptably arrogant it is to go on to privately held land and clear cut hundred hear old trees. Wonder who got the check for the timber removed from the site. But I digress.

My point being, mainly, that the contemptible actions of new neighbors do not make for a good beginning between Mr. Mellon and the town.

Rosenblatt-Paziena match, Foxwoods Resort Match

Famous Boxing Matches | This isn't really mean to be an advertisement for Foxwoods Casino, (how can you miss the signage?) but a search request to help find a painted image of the famous Dempsey-Tunney fight in 1926.

You see, I'm trying to find a copy of a painting done [probably in the 1930s] of that famous boxing match between the working class hero Jack Dempsey and the "Shakespeare spouting" patrician Gene Tunney.

I've done some searching for the image but thus far have been unsuccessful in finding it. So I put the question out to you, the reader of this journal. Maybe someone else knows the painting image I'm looking for.

As for the photo used here, this is from a November 1999 bout between Dana Rosenblatt and Vinnie Pazienza. It was a rematch for the two of them. Held it Foxwoods Casino, in Ledyard, CT, Rosenblatt won the match in 12 rounds, taking the IBO super middleweight title as prize. The judges were not unanimous in their findings. Maye there was or will be another rematch.

For pictures of the Dempsey Tunney fight: 10 vintage photos. Harry Greb's site on boxing has this to say about Gene Tunney. And find out why Ring Lardner thought that fight was fixed.

Pleasing to Eye | part deux Some of the things we saw in Montreal this year had nothing to do with ancient buildings or the Cirque de Soleil. (though we went and saw those things as well, when we went to Montreal last September) Cirque de Soleil

Out fer now! ~Will Brady

current entries |

| 11-13 dec | 18-22 dec | christmas | 28 dec |

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about "Short Notes"

"Short Notes" was the title of a column I wrote while working for a newspaper in the Adirondack Mountains some years ago. The format was similar to what you'll find here, except augmented with pictures and maps. The subject matter shall sometimes be personal, at other times comments on events or situations of which I am aware. Comments, suggestions welcomed but not always acted upon.

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I hope you've found this site interesting, even thought provoking || Occasionally some images come from commercial sources and are reproduced here under fair use guidelines of US Copyright law || Please don't write to me about the content of other peoples' sites linked from here || On the other hand, please let me know of any inactive links || Constructive comments, suggested links to add, are welcome.

This website is maintained by Will Brady / wbrady@connix.com / Last update: see most recent entry

since 12 June 1999