Small town USA, Brownsville, PA.

Fill her up, check my oil, and wash my windshield

Working on the Railroad

Main Street, California Pennsylvania

Fiddles Confectionery ... Brownsville Pennsylvania

(Click on images to enlarge)

This weekend I traveled about to new places to which I have never been. Small town America, Western Pennsylvania, was the theme this weekend. I made a visit to California and Brownsville PA. Brownsville is known for the manufacture of large river barges, and California is home to California College. Both towns are in a blight due to the loss of work as companies folded during the switch from a World Manufacturing Pittsburgh-area-Powerhouse, to the new world of out sourced products. The population is older in these towns when the young working age men and women moved to where work was a current part of the landscape. Both of these towns and their counties are second countrywide to parts of Florida in the average age of its senior population.

This is wartime, and you over there need jobs upon your return home. You may find your small town not capable of providing jobs to support your needs. If you do, such life in small town America has its benefits; low crime that is commensurate with the age dynamics of the area, the price of housing prices is low, the lifestyle is less stressful than big city life, and it is a much safer place to raise your children on many levels.

I added a few pictures that I made today. They tell their own story about this area. Enjoy the photos, and keep small town America on your priority list when you finally plant your feet back on American soil! If you need any help with finding thriving small-town-America, give me a call!

1. In Brownsville the gas station attendant stills pumps gas for you! Small town service that is classic Americana in a big-hearted way.
2. Hard work stills goes on in some career fields. In this image men are working the rails.
3. Main Street, California Pennsylvania. When college is out for the year, the streets are void of youth. As you can see, the streets on this Sunday afternoon are void of just about everyone.
4. Brownsville, even during the hard times still supports You … The Troops! In this life style choice they beat out New York City hands down!

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Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania

WELCOME SUMMER 2008

An FA-18 at the point of take off

F-22 Raptor turning and burning

Murrysville Carnival

Daryl Hanna

(click on images to enlarge)

Summer has now become the official season as the solstice welcomes all comers. Prepared or not it has arrived, and done so in a big way. Many communities welcomed the season with carnivals and community day’s celebrations. Murrysville Fire Department sponsored its namesake carnival … a long time tradition. Plum put on its community days with the list going on and on.

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Pittsburgh has been hosting many movie production companies as of late, and now two more movies are being filmed right here in the ole hometown. One of the films stars Daryl Hanna; “Shannon’s Rainbow” is a film that tells the tale of a racehorse going through trails and tribulations of rehab, which of course has human stories evolving out of the ashes of the tales of woe. I have met Daryl Hanna. She is a lady full of love for humanity, a real very warm hearted woman who cares about many important issues facing us today. I shot the portrait of her in Colorado; she is holding a gift that I presented her for her kindness.

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Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania

Father's Day 2008

"The Old Man and the Boy"
Father teaching son the ways of the farm.

This is father’s day, so I will not take away from it with my normal story line or news … it has been a quiet day on the home front.

I wish all of you fathers so far away from your family the best day, and may I wish all the fathers’ left behind hope, for peace, and for your safe return.

Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania

Ride for the cure ... and a little stock car racing

(Click on images to enlarge)

"The Young dog and a boy" meet at the Waves of Thunder Rally

Ride for the Cure

Turn One

Race Winner, and a Trophy Lady of Note

Sprint Cars in Mechanic's Alley

Riding through the dense canopy of Cook’s Forest has a smell that is so earthy to me with its high density of oxygen; this byproduct of the trees nourishing themselves with CO2 during the photosynthesis process is so now. It is the perfect example of concentrating on the process, and not the outcome. This is one of my life skills, which I use to teach martial arts to my students with. The hundred bikes or more riding along with me were all on a ride For the Cure. It all started 100 miles before, back in Kittanning at the Waves of Thunder rally. Both events took place on Saturday.

Friday found me at the Lernerville Speedway for the races. This dirt track is one of our local gems for racing. I loved the sprints and the modified stock classes, which were filled with talent. The day had it all, sunburns, cute women, loud cars, and of course racetrack food … everything a growing boy needs.

This time of year finds a local festival every weekend now. You know Pennsylvania, any reason to shoot fireworks, eat and dance, is what it is all about … community at its finest. It is all waiting for you; see you there next year.

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When you are coming home, you may want to talk to someone who has walked before you about the adjustment back to the real world. The world where steaks still have marbled fat in them, women smell good, and water comes out of pipes without creatures or microorganisms riding along.

You may also find that after experiencing so much, you will find yourself at odds with friends at home who have not had to survive just to exist everyday. Your newfound worldliness, whether or not you choose to experience it, can be used against you in some corners. You know men, competition is everything. If they feel that they cannot top your stories, you may not be invited to the BBQ, or to the party. Some insecure folks relish the fact that they are the "King of Cool," whether it is true or not. They do not want anyone to diminish that fact with realities. You have changed, grown so much more than you think. Although it should be a plus, in some circles it may not be. Be prepared, and soon you will adjust to the non-adrenaline driven world where excitement is rolling down the boulevard in or on your machine of assorted types and styles ... and that is for adventurous folks believe it or not. The rest may not venture out into risk areas of life at all. It takes some adjustment to throw the switch from warrior to lawn boy, trust me on this.

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Photos:
1. A young pup beagle and a very young, barely walking boy meet! This was at the Waves of Thunder rally.
2. I shot this one from the saddle, while riding with the group. It is probably in Amish country somewhere during the ride.
3. Turn one of the track.
4. Winner and his trophy, with another beside him!
5. I was riding in the cab of a big rig, shooting the mechanic's row as we went past. The truck was out on the track doing laps with other trucks from sponsoring companies for the event. (I rode my Harley to the event though--not to worry!)

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Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania

Local soldier, recipient of the Medal of Honor

Ford Skyliner ... late 1950s convertible hard top

14 year-old boy inherits old MG from his maternal grandmother

A car buff with a different perspective

A local soldier, Ross McGinnis, will be awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously on Monday, June 2. He hails from Knox, which is 60 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. He was traveling in a Humvee in the gunner’s hatch when a grenade penetrated the interior where four of his comrades were located. Natural instincts and training would have taken him out of the vehicle instantly … Ross chose to dive on the grenade, saving his buddies. This cannot be taught, and is an act of love only those facing the same choice could possibly understand.

In previous generations recipients of the M.O.H. were treated like stars in our society. Heroes like Audie Murphy made many movies, and others were held up high. It is sad that today such is not the case most of the time. It was really great to see this soldier receiving the accolades he earned, albeit the ultimate path of extreme self sacrifice.

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Today, the first day of June, was a beautiful painting with the cobalt sky, and the golden rays dancing across the horizon. The area was abuzz with activities. I found myself at a classic car and motorcycle show in New Kensington, at the River Church. It was a great way to spend a warm Sunday. The peace was a break from the runaway culture of this pre-election time, just another manmade self generated Its-all-about-Me facade of importance. This local gathering brought back the Americana feel for at least this day.

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Keep your heads down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania