A Kentucky Church Mission

(That is Chain Rock above Pineville on the left).
Well, (My church, Sparta Presbyterian ... went to PINEVILLE, KY to help the LIGHTHOUSE MISSION there to get an old building refurbished to serve as a halfway house for addicts. All the time, going, coming and while there, I was thinking of my own kin serving God in these hills.... Rob and Bev Donnell in Whitesburg, KY (Pastor at Bible Baptist Church) and Waylon and Carol Jenkins in Kingsport, TN and their son, Allan ... music/youth pastor somewhere in the woods up (down) there. Wish I could have visited y'all but it was a challenging trip of mission work and we pretty much had to stay on task. (Alex (age 14 and Me and about 26 others). See the draft video from this trip HERE. The finished video is HERE.
I was a bit torn about whether to cancel and go to Pensacola (area) and help my "Eye of Dennis' Family of Hurricane Veterans" at http://www.chumuckla.com/and in Mulat, but we stuck with plan "A" and went to the Lighthouse Mission. They'd only had about a week to recover at this point and experience with Ivan (10 mos earlier) told me it was yet premature to come planning much repair help as power is not yet up ... still out in some areas as of this date ... I will be going in September for two weeks- wish for longer, but it is not in the cards this time). If you go too soon expecting to repair much, you find without power, it is not very efficient, and you wind up just one more mouth for the FEMA people to feed or house. Thank God, things were fairly stable within days of Dennis. People mostly are in homes and managing ok. However, let me say this about the decision: ... Seems the mission Alex and I went to in KY had helped out in FL when Ivan came through last year.
see below::::::::::::::::::::
This note is from WE CARE AMERICA ... "Group Plans Mission Trip to Florida » post date: 11/9/2004
PINEVILLE - A local faith-based group is taking initiative and making plans for a mission trip to storm-ravaged Florida. Lighthouse Mission and Kentucky Coal Mine Mission have joined together to collect money and goods to take to hurricane victims in Florida.
"We were in a flood in '77 and lost everything, so we know what it's like," said Sharon Teaney of Lighthouse Mission. "The Lord put it on my husband's heart, so we began planning for the trip."
James Teaney contacted some missions and service groups that the Teaneys had worked with before in order to help organize where the supplies and people would go. Two separate locations in Florida were chosen. The first location will be receiving food and cleaning supplies. At the second location, a mission group from the area will be taking building supplies to work on someone's home for about a week. "
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So ... You see, I have no problems now with my decision to go help out at Pineville on our church mission trip. Besides, Alex had a good time working with kids his age and learning to paint ... and we had a motel with air conditioning and a pool, unlike the probable housing we would have experienced in "Ivan/Dennis Country". The heat would not affect me, you understand, but Alex would have suffered.

A recent letter came from Frank Creech (who I taped singing and playing his guitar... and he IS a real performer)...to our church: See This. I'm going to put at least one of Frank's songs on This Blog which is a channel of Eggzono.tv (SOON, I hope). I hope to have a short video of our work in KY to post here soon as well. Will also add a performance by Leonard Luckadoo who has a music ministry for prisons and nursing homes. Nice country. Seems Daniel Boone liked it.

I also ran into a fellow NAVOCS graduate from Navy OCS at Newport RI while enroute to KY. This was Rev David C. Stancil, Ph.D. Pastor of Bristol, VA, First Baptist Church. I talked with him and his wife. We found it quite interesting that we were both Navy OCS grads from the same time period. I was class of 7108 and he was, I think 7206 - and was in his first half of the program in 71 when I was in my last half of NAVOCS. We both served in Tin Cans, He on East Coast, and I was West Coast. He struck up a conversation at a McDonald's where we stopped to eat. I was wearing my "NAVY VETERAN" cap that Alex gave me for Father's Day last year. Nice guy, for a Baptist. heh heh heh. I don’t' recall ever having run into another NAVOCS graduate since I left the Navy in 1974. I wondered if Carol and Waylon or if Alan might know him. Bristol VA is a short step from Kingsport, TN.

A Stump In Time

Lavern Howell of Chumuckla, Florida explains the history of timber in the area through the remains of a stump that is over 100 years old. Imagine! The tree that made it was probably well over a hundred when it was cut down, Maybe it was growing at the time of the Creek War and the War of 1812. Some of Skeeter's (Lavern) kids own and run the Farmer's Opry. You can learn more about the timber era in this region by watching short video lectures by Warren Weekes (now deceased). His lectures about the timber baron, Skinner and others is under the Santa Rosa County section at WBUZZ.

Spoof on Carl's Jr. Paris Hilton Ad

Now for some humor. This line (Accolo) will take you to a management recruiter's home page where the spoof of the Carl's Jr. Hamburger ad is posted. It is hilarious, especially if you have seen the actual Paris Hilton ad. For comparison, you can see the PH ad here. Some people find the Carl's Jr. ad offensive but basically it is just a hamburger ad with a sexy girl in a swimsuit. The outrage expressed over using such sex to sell an unrelated product like a hamburger has chewed up a great deal of press .... All to the benefit of Carl's Jr. Hamburgers! The lesson? Complain loudly about it and sure enough, you prove the adage that "sex" sells!

103 Year old Piano Player

Jimmy Woolsey was a fixture in Sussex County, NJ for many years. He played the piano at the Walpack Inn and then at the Bella Vita Restaurant. I met him when he was 85 years old and I was lost on my first trip into the Walpack Valley. This film was made when he was 103. He died later that year. More about him and how to get a DVD of him playing this session (and his interview) is available at Buzz Creek. In the interview on the DVD he explains he was an Army veteran of WWI and a Navy veteran of WWII. There are a dozen songs on the DVD. What a Life!

The Ninja Chipmunk

OREO, the cat vs the mighty chipmunk. This chipmunk was ferocious and ready to do battle with all that came its way. The little brown furball survived to fight another day. The cat actually prefers her Whiskas Temptations over chipmunk on most days.

Ninja Revised for more slo-motion is at EGGZONO TV. Another neat story? A NYC taxi ride with Pastor Phil.

Snowfall Video Goes Mass Market

Footage from my ever popular Snowfall Serenade was recently chosen by Drew's Famous Sights and Sounds, to include in the Turn Up The Music commercial offerings. It was re-edited and remastered in DVD with a selection of Music from TUTM. It will be in stores in time for the Christmas season! This version will be priced for the mass market! My original version continues to be marketed to the nursing home and hospital market in a bundle with relaxation visuals and music having titles relating to snow, country scenery and airplanes. The connection with TUTM came through another superb company that markets mood videos, called Video Naturals. I will earn royalties on all the TUTM sales of the Winter Wonderland video. That's a good thing! See comments.

Tripod Rock with Fred Space

Of all the colorful characters in the landscape of New Jersey, I expect few can hold a candle to Fred Space who, through years of life in the real world has developed a sense of nature that few can equal. As a matter of fact, the Fred Space model has been discontinued and they don't make them anymore.

Here, with his grandson, Hunter, Fred takes us on a little Spring tour near the Appalachian Trail, where an odd rock formation has stood for millenia. More explorations of woodland habitat will appear later. Keep coming back for more! Fred's daughter, Lori Day recently authored a book called "The Zookeeper's Daughter". Anyone reading her works will get a better appreciation for Fred and all the inside workings of a real family run zoo .... Space Farms!

Occupied Territory - 1779

The American Continenal Army had its problems with the locals as it set up its camps and forts throughout the colonies. In New Jersey, the Polish Allies, Pulaski's Legion, were, like the Continental Toops in general, a challenge to live with at times.

Here, Eric Olsen gives a fair understanding of the plight of the general public as they put up with the Colonial and Allied troops. The "coallition forces" if you will. More at Morristown National Historical Park.

Pulaski's Legion _ Rev War Interview

This interview with a trooper from Pulaski's Legion is quite informative of his life and and his death. Frankly, he should have remained in Walpack Valley, in New Jersey (near the Delaware River) where things were a bit quieter. Alas, he begged to leave and ended up in Savannah, Georgia.

For some info on the fort named for General Pulaski, see this Blog. Interesting travels are noted here. The Pulaski Skyway that crosses the Passaic river is also named for General Pulaski.

Preacher Phil's Taxi in NYC

"Philip Frabosilo is a minister in New York City. His church: a yellow cab, medallion number 3C49. Lovingly adorned with personal photographs, plastic flowers, and whimsical toys, Philip’s partition-less cab is designed for comfort and decorated to encourage conversation."
This is continued at the Brooklyn Museum website. Recently, on Nov 9 he was featured on NPR.
He is a star in the documentary film - Gotham Fish Tales. I have a copy. I recommend it to anyone interested in NYC or in real people or in fishing - fishing wherever. I understand "Rolling For Jesus" is a classic as well. Read more about Phil at Block Magazine and New York City Voices .
Uncle Vic was in NYC in May to work on some video for All Points Tours and this opportunity came up as one of those random events of everyday life. (TRT+10min)

War of The Worlds

Fyi: Grover's Mill, New Jersey is only about 40 miles South of here. Martians could be in Sparta, NJ within minutes of their landing should they choose the same location witnessed by Orson Wells in 1938. See what can happen at these War of The Worlds Previews. We predict a run on duct tape sometime in June.

A Cookbook fromJekyll Island

My cousin Dorothy Carswell wrote this cookbook. Her son, Ben, did the introduction. It raises money to help the Jekyll Isand Sea Turtle Project. It has some nice recipes as well as great artwork. Jekyll Isand is was once the resort for the super rich in America. See the hotel here. Here is what Dorothy said: "There have been several long articles in the Georgia papers and we have even had a book signing! Ben wrote the Naturalist section and our friend Richard Caton did the cover art and all the illustrations in the book, including the delightful dividers. We didn't have a committee, it was just me and my friend, Sandy, whom I gave the title of Inspiration/Steering Director because it was her idea to write a cookbook. I'm the Editor/Writer :-)" I've only met my cousin Dorothy online because of a website for my Mom's side of the famly that we began on MyFamily.com. I think cookbooks are a pretty standard way to raise money anymore. There are several publishers that specialize in this kind of thing.

I hope to finish an edit today on a short video I did with a cab driver in NYC a few weeks ago. Preacher Phil calls his cab a rolling ministry. He is featured in a film about fishing around NYC called "Gotham Fish Tales". Maybe cousin Dorothy's recipes will come in handy in NYC! Look for Preacher Phil's video on this blog soon.

USS Houston's last Battle

I have the most interesting friends. One, Don Kehn of Houston, Texas is a veritable encyclopedia of interesting facts about the Asiatic Fleet (destroyed early in WWII by the Japanese) and the USS Houston. He has given me a discussion board link that goes on and on about recent photo finds. He discovered, for instance, that a short captured Japanese film clip of a destroyer being blown out of the water and used in a Dutch film about the Pacific battles for Java (Battle of The Java Sea) is actually the last images of the USS Edsall which was lost without at trace. Now he has discovered on a discussion board, a link to an IJN (Imperial Japanese Navy) site where the command ship for Lt.Gen. IMAMURA is shown sunk in Banten Bay (a result of Houston and Perth's final fight). By the way, it was sunk by torpedoes. Houston and Perth had no torpedoes. There were over 70 torpedoes fired by the IJN that night. 4 took out the USS Houston. 4 took out the HMAS Perth. So there were plenty more torpedoes going around to hit other targets ... including the general's ship, the 'Shinshiu Maru'. From the BB I learned it was refloated and sunk again ... in 1945.
Here is my post on the BB: "Don Kehn keeps dragging me into the most fascinating things, this discussion among them! I am awed by the information here and know the USSHouston.org "family" and HMAS Perth "family" and the Asiatic Fleet folks will all be greatly enthralled to learn of all these facts and photos! Love the Nelson dialogue also. I have nearly finsihed "Dreadnought" by Massie. The book begins by telling of Nelson's Trafalgar and the 100 years subsequent Pax Britannica. Some of the notes here have added insight to Trafalgar. I continue to be amazed at the things Don Kehn falls into! It is good to have somebody with brains on point. For my part, I hope to have the film about USS Houston into DVD format by summer .. and include footage from recent dives, and reunions." Ref: Japanese Ships.

A USS Houston Reunion

You'll learn more at the website but the video below shows some aging heroes mostly talking about their navy careers *after* the war. Dutch Kooper, the first one who speaks, in the film "Death Becomes The Ghost" tells how after their final battle as shells exploded in the water around him - nearly rupturing his chest - he could see the Houston's flag go under the waves ... lighted by Japanese searchlights on surrounding cruisers and destroyers. He said it was a moment of pride he had relived many times. They gave their all and did not surrender the ship. Jack Feliz who speaks next, wrote a Book about his colorful navy career. Otto Schwarz, who was a 17 year old seaman at the time of the last battle, is blind now. He lost one eye to a steel sliver working as a slave repairing rails for the Japanese Army in Indochina. He lost the other a few years ago in a home accident. On this date .. only Otto remains alive. Their story is one for the anals of Naval history. Two videos are available from the Houston website. Several books are listed there for reference. "Fleet The Gods Forgot", "The Ghost That Died in Sunda Strait", and "The Last Battle Station" are classics. And for their Hell that followed, read "Prisoners of The Japanese". However a new book will be coming soon from James Hornfischer, award winning author of the book about Taffy 3 and the Battle of Leyte Gulf "The Last Stand of The Tin Can Sailors". That book covers another heroic time of the Pacific War some years after the Asiatic Fleet had been sacrificed to stall the Japanese advance. Look for his USS Houston story in 2006. The book is sure to include more about the Houston's valiant ally on its last mission, HMAS Perth. The other ships of the lost combined ABDA Fleet (American, British, Dutch and Australian) will surely receive a good accounting as well. Some were lost without a trace.

Sunk in 1942 - Cruiser Houston

Wheelchair Scooter Invention

250 year old film FOUND! 1756

The ancestors of the Buzz Creek people somehow managed to hide and preserve this reel of film that was only recently discovered in our archival vaults. The film is about 250 years old, and this being the 250th anniversary of the French and Indian War ... we felt the film would be an excellent gift to the people in our area. You can see more films about our area at Around the Area - The link is listed in the column to the right. Check the Frontier Guard for more about this history. You can even get scalp insurance!

NJ Frontier Guard - 1756

This film was made 250 years ago and was only recently rediscovered in the ancient files of EGGZONO Cable-TV archives. These New Jersey Frontier Guardsmen will protect you from marauding Indians and French Invaders. Look for more special histories on Channel 973 - Eggzono TV. This particular feature is found in the "May" archives in the sidebar index for Channel 973.

Lewis and Clark

I know this is jumping around history, but Alex (my son) and I were watching the National Geographic DVD of Lewis and Clark this afternoon. It was my reward for going to the new Target store with Karen and Alex this afternoon. Good Imax film, but Alex and I got into thinking how we would make OUR version. I think some of the Mandan Indians, in the Dakotas would be wearing war paint and masks similar to the masquarade party in The Phantom of The Opera. Only at least one of them would have a mask half covering his face that is a "happy face" . Part of the barter process with the Sioux would involve demands for Casino rights and land set asides for a Walmart Superstore. Instead of 6 weeks to cross the Cascades, the L&C Corpes of Discovery would rent a Winnebago (Indian tribe name by the way) from the Nez Pierce tribe to make the trip much easier and probably only a day and a half. I think there is humor to be had in history, if only we look for it. By the way, the movie glossed over a lot of the great miseries on this epic trek. They did not mention the buying of dogs for food to allow the corpes of discovery to survive the Sierra hike. And they glossed over the diet of almost 100% protein (elk meat, etc) that led to many ills, not the least of which was constant eruptions of boils on their skin. Just how far can you go on a low carb diet? Just think, the history noted below (around 1905-10) was a hundred years after L&C (who were doing this about the time of the Trafalgar Battle and Nelson (the Napoleonic Wars) ... and who were very much tied into the struggle between France and England at the time because ... think about it... Napoleon sold "Louisianna" to the USA for the price the USA expected to pay for just New Orleans ... all because Napoleaon wanted the USA to be a thorn in the backside of any North American aspirations by Great Britain. Look for a video on this website soon ... re the French and Indian Wars (1756). A fantastic book on the French and Indian War is "Crucible of War by Anderson. Interesting stuff.

An Historical Aside

Ever get your curiosity piqued? Happens to me all the time.

I was just searching for a definitive British movie about J.M. Barrie the author of Peter Pan. Strange little man. A recent movie "Finding Neverland" (we rented from Netflix ) glossed over some of the interesting biography of Barrie and the people who affected him. Found some good stuff on the web at the NEW YORKER WEBSITE, but the only source of the definitive British series on the topic "J.M. Barrie and The Lost Boys" seems to be high cost and from GB only....

I am reading "Dreadnaught" by Massie and keep getting intriqued further by the biographies of the European leaders of the time period. This is the 100 year period from Nelson's great victory at Trafalgar to to eve of WWI. The interrelationships of the leaders of the day are quite awesome. The logical follow up to this book would be "The Guns of August" by B. Tuchman (Pulitzer Prize). The first paragraph of Tuchman's book is a classic piece of the writing art. It sums up the entire feel of the end of one age and the beginning of another. Just got sidetracked with Winston Churchill and recalled a 1972 movie called "Young Winston" and went looking for it. Same problem... hard to find and seems only to be in British stores if at all.

Dreadnought - The Book from Amazon
First Page of "The Guns of August"

Sparta NJ Introduction

Welcome to Sparta NJ. This 10 minute film lets you get a feel for the town and its history. Use the "mail" icon below the post to send this link to people who may want to know more about this area or about Sparta. There are more videos about the area and its history in earlier posts on this blog.

Video Blog

This blog will contain regular video features, including histories, interviews and observations. Our friends at AROUNDTHEAREA.com host many of our regional prodcutions. Visit their site and select some of the features. You'll learn something and enjoy yourself too!

In Country

Here is your chance to get some insight on local and national issues that miss the mind shaping mantra of traditional media. IN COUNTRY WITH UNCLE VIC informs and entertains. Guests are invited to share their thoughts on local and national affairs. Sometimes we meet the most unusual people who contribute rich material to the broth of humanity. Sometimes we put history into the mix so our visitors can actually learn something. Guest contributors are encouraged to join in this eclectic tour of life.