cheval-de-frise

Monster Buck

Opening Day, out on the farm.

Tomorrow is the big the day for a million Pennsylvanians who will be off to the woods before sunrise for the first day of the rifle deer season. This day historically has been one of the highest participation days in all of sport here in Pennsylvania: kids are missing from class in huge numbers, with their parents looking the other way; nonessential workers are absent across the face of the work force; nonparticipating wives meet for lunch with other opening day widows; this is the first day realities that are engrained into the culture of our state.

There will be many first time hunters out there who be going to a school that teaches things not taught in the public classrooms. First and foremost, is how to become a sportsman ... a line that separates the true gentleman--protector of the wildlife and the environment, from the rude abuser and taker of such. The teacher then teaches by example: not to take more than you need; always leave enough game to maintain; leave the environment in better condition than you found it; carry out what you brought in; never take a shot that you may not make, and only take a shot that is humane; greet everyone one as a friend, and help everyone in need without being asked; maintain your awareness of your backdrop to ensure that any shot is absolutely safe before doing so; and never shoot at anything, any being, without absolute knowledge that it is harvestable and legal game. As a first time hunter the long-standing responsibility falls upon your honor to act safely, with dignity, and to do what is right. The sport’s very existence depends on it.

Good luck to all, and be safe out there. Nothing is as important as safe, courteous and gentlemanly behavior in our woodlands during the hunting seasons.

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Now that the holiday season is in full bloom, the Pennsylvania landscape is slowly becoming festive, and colorful … one household at a time. The fallen leaves have left the trees barren and naked until spring. The neighborhood is now filled with ladders, lights, and hard working folks doing their best to keep the tradition of decorating alive and well. As I motor about town, the radio plays Christmas songs to set the mood, almost as if on cue, with the newly posted decorations all around me. The kids seem to have more spring in their step, not so much for adult reasons, but for their own, as they can see the light at the end of the tunnel; school will be out, gifts will be abound, and parents are falling for their contrived conspiracies of material guilt. Yes, this is the special season!

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War News … “Revolutionary War News”

Incredible as this may sound, an artifact from the Revolutionary War has just been found … in pristine condition! Maritime archaeologist J. Lee Cox Jr. found a cheval-de-frise at the bottom of the Delaware River in Philadelphia Harbor. This iron tipped log was designed as part of a set placed in a special fixture, to damage and penetrate the hull of British Ships attempting to enter the harbor to re-supply their troops in the mid-1770’s. It was probably placed in 1775 by the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, under the command of Benjamin Franklin, who was in charge of the colony’s defense. It will be treated over the next year to preserve it, and then you will be able to see this lovely remnant of our past that has been under water for over two centuries, at the Independence Seaport Museum. All the while it lay with over 200 years of ship movements just above it … amazing!


When you think about how life has changed since this ancient war device was placed below, where it lay watching the changes just above and through the cohesion of the surface tension, it is totally incredible. The first ships to go over as it’s distorted refracted shape found a way to the bottom, were wooden Man of Wars; the last ships were nuclear powered aircraft carriers. Humans could not fly that first day under, but on the last day, humans were looking down upon it from the space station. The weapon of mass destruction of the soldiers then was the rifled barrel of the Pennsylvania Long rifle, now it is a nuclear device capable of destroying the whole city where the cheval-de-frise was handmade, and placed into it’s resting place. This is a wonderful find, a rare gem, and a link to our country before it was America.

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Sports Update:

The Steelers play tomorrow on Monday Night Football. Check back for the score.

Update: The weather played a significant factor in the game, on both sides of the ball. Pittsburgh was deluged with over 2” of rain; it did not help that the day before they installed new sod on the field. This made the field a spongy mud bowl at best. Both teams were held scoreless by defenses assisted by the worse field conditions that I have ever seen, until the last 20 seconds. The Steelers kicked a 24 field goal to win, 3 to 0!

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Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania

Thanksgiving Day

The arrival of Thanksgiving starts the best season of them all. For those out of harm’s way, such can be just another day in the blindness of taking so very much for granted … familiarity breed’s contempt … comes to mind.

To find yourself so far away from home with only remembrance as your only connection to those holiday scenes that play out everyday day, can be a lonely place. This place has found men standing there since wars began: with every Christmas song; with every Christmas card; with every Christmas cookie; with every dream of Christmas from before, and of those to come; pleasure and pain simultaneously rips through your heart.

You must know that you are not alone. You are in the thoughts of every free American, and that freedom is being paid for by your sacrifice, your loneliness. Christmas cards, cookies, and care packages are on the way from places all across America. These gifts to you are from the stranger at the barber shop, the women at the local church down the street, the kids who ran fundraising events at school, and even veterans who once stood where you do now.

Let the power of the love of so many give you the power to make it, to be here next Christmas, so that you can, in turn, give back.

On this Thanksgiving Day go with the wish for your safe return, and for the return of peace by your doing.

Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania

Small Town--Big City

Romantic Evening Under The Magic Spell Of Macy's Holiday Window

One of the Macy's Christmas Window Displays -- formerly Kaufman's Store.

Christmas Tree At Gateway Center

Macy's Window, a Homeless Man, both give scope to the reality of the season.

Pittsburgh on Light Up Night

Sunday, November 18

Last Thursday--November 17, was the annual Pittsburgh Light Up Night. The festivities started with the lighting of the Christmas tree in Gateway Center, and then came the arrival of Santa himself. Macy’s, the replacement company who is now trying to appease the local shoppers by keeping the very old tradition of the Kaufman’s Store holiday window display alive; they opened their window curtains on this night for the public’s first look at this year’s window art.

Pittsburgh has always been the small town--big city, in attitude, and in its mores. The act of kindness now in progress for a seriously disabled veteran, James Fair of Coraopolis, is beyond anyone’s expectations, including this highly appreciative fan. James Fair, who was stationed in Fallujah Iraq in 2003, fell victim to an enemy IED (Improvised Explosive Device), which wounded him severely, and he is now disabled for the rest of his life … I will not report the details of his injuries, as I find such reporting vile, and an unnecessary expose of Mr. Fair’s privacy.

Local Energy provider Duquesne Light Company set up the fundraising project, along with Homes for our Troops--a nonprofit, to build a house for Mr. Fair. The house is going to use special sensors to turn lights on and off, and to open doors and other needs as necessary to assist him in getting about the house. Local construction workers have volunteered their time, and their work to build a house for our local veteran who paid so much for those he left behind him, to protect them. Without reward, pay, or the spotlight, these men and women give back to a stranger, and to what they know is the right thing to do. This is Pittsburgh, the small town--big city.

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A local man from South Connellsville Pennsylvania, John Woodruff, a gold medal winner in the 800-meter run at the 1936 Olympic games in Berlin, has passed away. He brought back from the games an oak sapling, which was planted at Falcon Stadium where he ran for Connellsville High School. His memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. today under that sapling, that is now an old tree. The tree is now 71 years old, Mr. Woodruff was 92.

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This holiday season is already looking like a travel headache, as the Government is stepping in to help; historically their help turns into a major boondoggle, and this attempt should prove to be no different. If you are coming home for Christmas, plug into your plans, expectations of late flights, delays, and other surprises. US Airways has announced that it expects 1400 flights to depart late each day over the holidays.

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I must now announce that following my next report that YOU REMAIN CALM, but be prepared to adjust to any possible strange occurrences.

Although some may not believe it, or just DO NOT WANT TO BELIEVE IT, there have been sightings of a small patch of blue sky in Western Pennsylvania at this time of the year in the past. While odd looking, such happenings can lead to an even more serious--but strange--sighting. I was looking through records of the area that go back to the beginning of the last century, and I have found evidence it may appear at any time, so YOU MUST BE PREPARED to handle it. You must also TRAIN YOUR FAMILY, friends, and others on how to handle it!

These sightings that are part of the historical record, are of a BRIGHT BALL OF LIGHT in the sky, that sometimes peeks through the openings in the gray clouds along with the sightings of the blue sky. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO FEAR this bright light, similar to being under the covers with a 500-watt light bulb! IT WILL NOT HARM YOU! Witnesses have said that folks in Colorado have seen it numerous times, and no harm befell them. Please ORGANIZE NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCK GROUPS to take turns watching for this phenomenon, and please REPORT ANY SIGHTINGS to the proper authorities!

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Sports Update:

Steelers lose to the hapless New York Jets. A pathetic performance at best.

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Photos are stock images that I shot last year. Don't forget to CLICK to enlarge.

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Wherever this message may find you, wherever your heart is, wherever your thoughts are, I wish you the very best and happy Thanksgiving Day; may you be home for Christmas.

Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania

Veterans Day was a day to remember!

Veteran's Salute

JumboTron Walk

Big Ben, Big Arm.

Hand off

Pennsylvania is the place so many veterans have called, “Home,” in every war since before America was America. With so many of her children in Harm’s Way, it is no wonder that the day is celebrated here with such vigor, passion, and active participation. The events started on Saturday with the annual Veterans Day parade in downtown Pittsburgh, which culminated at the Vietnam War Memorial on the North Shore.

Today, I was a guest of the Pittsburgh Steelers organization. I brought along two veterans, one Pearl Harbor Survivor, and one Korean War veteran, to be a part of a group of veterans from World War Two to the Iraq War that the Steelers put together to be honored on the field for their service to their country. The group image in regard to this column goes from right to left: a Pearl Harbor Survivor, a World War Two veteran, a Korean War veteran, a Vietnam veteran, a Gulf War veteran, and an Iraq veteran. The men were guests of the Steelers and the pride of Pittsburgh on this day. After the ceremony they enjoyed the game, and found the fans very cordial, respectful, and appreciative that they served on their behalf, which truly humbled them as representatives of those who could not make the walk upon the green grass of the field.

To watch these men who know that time is but a blink of the eye, as they where showered with honor by those who they did not know, was absolutely moving. I could feel the burden of those feelings of being forgotten leaving their tortured souls, right then, right there. Knowing that they would no longer walk alone seemed to give them hope that all the sacrifice had meaning.

“This was unforgettable,” said retired Army 1st. Sgt. Julius Hill, the Korean War veteran honored today. “As we walked from the field through the stadium going to the suite, people everywhere we went came up to me, looked me square in the eye, took my hand to shake it, and sincerely thanked me for my service. This is what made this day so special to me.” Sgt. Hill’s grin told the tale before the words were spoken.

I would like to thank the Pittsburgh Steelers for their kindness, generosity, and their empathy of the veteran’s plight; not seeing what was gained for the cost so paid by these veterans. They provided a heated box suite for these veterans getting up there in life experience, and also provided warm food, and hot drinks. They did not have to do this, but they did it from the heart, and all the veterans expressed deep appreciation for their acts of kindness. Many people may not be aware of this, but one of the Rooney boys did serve in Iraq as a United States Marine; I meet him last year on Pearl Harbor day at the stadium, along with two Pearl Harbor survivors who were honored that day. He is not only a Marine, a member of the Rooney family, but also a Gentleman. A rare young Gentleman in these times, that knows, “That it takes a Gentleman to Approach another Gentleman.”

While most folks realize that the blood of veterans has always paid for the precious right of freedom; what most Willie-off-the-pickle-boat self-anointed arbiters of veteran affairs do not know is that you cannot buy or manufacture heroes, they rise out of the ashes of the Phoenix of necessity.

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Sports Update:

The Pittsburgh Steelers who were behind for most of the game, made an amazing comeback to defeat their divisional rival, the Cleveland Browns, 31 to 28.

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Local News:

In memory of Army Staff Sergeant Shawn Graham who was killed in Iraq two years ago, Grove City Pennsylvania dedicated a bridge in his honor.

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Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania

The Best Holiday of All!

The Greatest Show on Earth!

Circus Train, Tracks, and Childhood Dreams.

Pittsburgh Landscape shot today, Pink Fountain and all.

(Click on images to enlarge to full size)

This week had a myriad of happenings around western Pennsylvania. November by tradition brings many fall festivals, and such burst onto the holiday preseason landscape. It all started with many locals finding superheroes, ghosts, and other assorted characters on the other side of the door seeking treats. The weather was very good this year, as the “trick or treat” fans unabashedly filled their bags with everything sweet.

The Circus train chugged into town filled with the magic of youthful dreams. Mellon arena is now hosting the circus for the remainder of the weekend. The train itself is a symbol of times past meeting today—time now; the silver cars cross this great country of ours bringing a real world of active entertainment to foil the cyber world and extinction.

Downtown Pittsburgh is in a flux of changing colors, as the trees at the point brilliantly display leaves that offer what you cannot buy … natural beauty in all of it’s glory. The fountain at the point is also joining in to dazzle the eyes with the tall spout of water not of routine opacity, but in pink. Apparently the water has been turned pink as part of breast cancer awareness.

As we go into the holiday season I hope that folks that still have all the good stuff … such as food that is hot, steaks with marbled fat, beds that are soft, air conditioning, water that comes out of pipes, and girlfriends that smell good, remember those of you over there that do not. I want to extend my best wishes that all of you get to experience the best holiday of all for the soldier/devil dog with boots in the sand, “the day that you come home.”

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Critically injured war reporter to give speech tomorrow about her experiences:

My granddaddy always told me not to listen to anyone who doesn’t have a pony in the race. Through the years I have found this to be true. Media outlets are usually stepping all in it, as they opine from the outside of the experience. Sometimes it takes a hit to wake someone up; CBS reporter Kimberly Dozier was critically injured by a car bomb in Baghdad. She will be in town tomorrow to speak at Carlow University. Her experiences with the doctors who treat our men and women who were severely injured in the war, is one aspect of her speech. Now that she has a pony in the race, she speaks for others using her high profile perch to catch the attention of those too elitist to listen to combat troops who do not have a voice. Let us hope that she can pave the way for improved treatment for those who put it all on the line.

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Sports update:

The Steelers do not play today. They engage the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football. They have been promising all week to be more physical this year; this should prove to be an interesting affair, a real old-fashioned "Punch in the Mouth" football game.

The Pirates will name John Russell as the new manager on Monday.

Monday Night Sports Update:

The Steelers lived up to the hype and thumped the Ravens 38 to 7! This was an impressive physical game with the Ravens being punched in the mouth all night long... Most "Out of Towner’s" do not know that Pittsburgh fans strongly dislike the Cleveland Browns; well, the Baltimore Ravens are the old Cleveland Browns that slipped out of town at night like a thief in the dark. Thus the sour feelings towards them here, as they are to the Pittsburgh Fans--Cleveland Browns #2! The thrashing they received had them out of sorts all game long … never to recover.

Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania