Within the past year, I received news of the deaths of three of my first cousins. One was a man named Arnold Rosenberg. His Life and his legacy is recounted by his younger brother in the following Eulogy to Arnold*.
I believe it is a vivid and timely account of how much family and our country meant and means to all of us as well as those who are no longer here.
*With permission of Stanley Rosenberg
Eulogy to Arnold at Stanley Rosenberg <philly-fatz@hotmail.com
Friday, March 24, 2017
Sunday, March 19, 2017
PERRYVILLE MISSOURI RESPONDS TO TORNADO*
We heard the news first thing in the morning. A tornado had touched down in Perryville, Missouri, a quaint, town about 90 miles South of St. Louis.
The tornado tore through a path 15-miles long and one-half to three-quarters of a mile wide as it roared toward the Mississippi River. In its wake 115 mph winds destroyed a small subdivision of homes, leveling some, creating major damage to others and injuring people who did not take shelter.
A friend called a colleague in Perryville to ask if we could help. We were asked to bring some supplies even though we had been advised to stay away from the area.
We were detoured around the exact area of touch down and directed to go to a staging area where we found the temporary office for volunteers and first-responders. As we drove in, I noticed a number of women and children from neighboring communities carrying food dishes and other items.
The experience allowed us the privilege of supporting people from regions other than our own.
Most impressive was the well organized effort by volunteers as they recovered from what surely must have been a night of horror as they worked and walked into the following day's sunshine.
*The St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Report and overview of the destruction
can be found at: Ken Bell, kbelle@postdispatch.com
March 2, 2017 edition.
Sunday, March 12, 2017
FEBRUARY SKYWATCH*
VENUS DARLING OF THE SKY
ENTERTAINED US JUST A FEW DAYS AGO
DANCING CLOSE TO THE MOON IN CLEAR SKIES
HIDES NOW, AS DO WE BEFORE THE WINDS OF MARCH
RETREATING UNTIL SPRING COMES TO STAY.
*Every once in while we sum up the month's weather
and planetary movement. We do so believing weather
could be the unifying force for all regions of our country
if not the world.
ENTERTAINED US JUST A FEW DAYS AGO
DANCING CLOSE TO THE MOON IN CLEAR SKIES
HIDES NOW, AS DO WE BEFORE THE WINDS OF MARCH
RETREATING UNTIL SPRING COMES TO STAY.
*Every once in while we sum up the month's weather
and planetary movement. We do so believing weather
could be the unifying force for all regions of our country
if not the world.
Sunday, March 5, 2017
A BOY NAMED JACK
As the month of March got underway the cold winds were blowing when an elderly lady walked into the coffee shop were I sat. She was pushing a stroller with a small child in it. The child's eyes caught my attention.
I later learned the child's name was Jack. He was wearing a colorful turban-like head cover. The woman pushing him was his grandmother, she told me the child's name was Jack and he was two years old.
Jack had just had surgery to have a small plate implanted in his skull to help him regain his ability to hear. Jack was born without the ability to hear.
There are medical terms about the surgery Jack had as there are scientific ones about
the technology which is now a part of Jack. The small colorful head piece he wore covered a tiny switch which controlled volume on two hearing aids which he wears, not always with enthusiasm.
Later, a friend knowledgeable about the medical procedure told me it may have been the cochlear implant,
What intrigued me most about Jack was his eagerness to take in all about him and his grandmother's attention to him. His smile was infectious.
There was little time for all of us to talk but I did learn that Jack and his family were part of a government medical health research program that now incorporates technology.
With all the misinformation, with all the flaws we may or may not have about existing government health programs, for me Jack represented a good reason to look to dedicated public servants and research to help show us the way to the future.
I later learned the child's name was Jack. He was wearing a colorful turban-like head cover. The woman pushing him was his grandmother, she told me the child's name was Jack and he was two years old.
Jack had just had surgery to have a small plate implanted in his skull to help him regain his ability to hear. Jack was born without the ability to hear.
There are medical terms about the surgery Jack had as there are scientific ones about
the technology which is now a part of Jack. The small colorful head piece he wore covered a tiny switch which controlled volume on two hearing aids which he wears, not always with enthusiasm.
Later, a friend knowledgeable about the medical procedure told me it may have been the cochlear implant,
What intrigued me most about Jack was his eagerness to take in all about him and his grandmother's attention to him. His smile was infectious.
There was little time for all of us to talk but I did learn that Jack and his family were part of a government medical health research program that now incorporates technology.
With all the misinformation, with all the flaws we may or may not have about existing government health programs, for me Jack represented a good reason to look to dedicated public servants and research to help show us the way to the future.
Sunday, February 12, 2017
SAW MAN, MILK MAN, EGG MAN, MILLINER
Recently, I toured the W.D. Quinn Saw Company with a friend who needed a special blade for a wood working project.
The Company is unusual in that it was founded by the "saw man" who came to the United States from Europe in 1903. It is still maintained and run by the family and heirs of the original "saw man."
Through the years the business has known good and some times hard times. It has become one
of the few saw companies remaining that has survived the original hand-operations of its founder.
It is now automated. and serves customers throughout the globe.
The plant is housed in a small, modest shack-like building in an industrial section of St. Louis, Missouri. Our tour was conducted by the Company's President who took pride in the seven generations of family members who have built the company and still incorporate the standards
for product excellence and service of its founder.
The company sharpens blades of all sizes from very small ones to very large. The blades can cut through wood, plastic, steel and aluminum. They are used in making furniture, airplanes and car frames. Sharpening is largely accomplished by automation using robotic arms and small microphones and lasers to adjust the sharpening materials and to warn of malfunction when necessary.
The experience left me with a profound understanding of what the immigration debate is all about.
It reminded me of so many people who came to this country more than a century ago for the opportunities this country offered and still offers people of different beliefs and abilities.
It reminded me too of the men and women who brought skills and experience to this country to start anew and like the "saw man" or the "milk and egg man" or the "milliner" who once traveled from place to place by horse, now could led all of us toward the future through automation.
If you are at all interested in seeing where the future is leading us go to the W.D. Saw Co. at www.quinnsaw.com
The Company is unusual in that it was founded by the "saw man" who came to the United States from Europe in 1903. It is still maintained and run by the family and heirs of the original "saw man."
Through the years the business has known good and some times hard times. It has become one
of the few saw companies remaining that has survived the original hand-operations of its founder.
It is now automated. and serves customers throughout the globe.
The plant is housed in a small, modest shack-like building in an industrial section of St. Louis, Missouri. Our tour was conducted by the Company's President who took pride in the seven generations of family members who have built the company and still incorporate the standards
for product excellence and service of its founder.
The company sharpens blades of all sizes from very small ones to very large. The blades can cut through wood, plastic, steel and aluminum. They are used in making furniture, airplanes and car frames. Sharpening is largely accomplished by automation using robotic arms and small microphones and lasers to adjust the sharpening materials and to warn of malfunction when necessary.
The experience left me with a profound understanding of what the immigration debate is all about.
It reminded me of so many people who came to this country more than a century ago for the opportunities this country offered and still offers people of different beliefs and abilities.
It reminded me too of the men and women who brought skills and experience to this country to start anew and like the "saw man" or the "milk and egg man" or the "milliner" who once traveled from place to place by horse, now could led all of us toward the future through automation.
If you are at all interested in seeing where the future is leading us go to the W.D. Saw Co. at www.quinnsaw.com
Monday, January 30, 2017
HOW HIGH DOES THE EAGLE FLY?
On a cold, bleak day in early January, I was invited by a friend to go to Clarksville, Mo. considered the "Eagle Watching Capital of the Midwest." We took a road known as the Little
Dixie Highway which runs along the Mississippi.*
As we watched for eagles, we passed the River's rich bottom land, now converted into well kept farms, with a large sign proclaiming, "This is a Flood Plane. IT WILL FLOOD when the river does!"
Though I spotted a falcon perched high on a tree branch, unfortunately, we were either too early or late in the day to see the eagles. We did see the locks that catch debris, and ice before the river carries them into St. Louis.
We strolled through Clarksville as though it were a summer day. We visited a few shops that were opened. We found a restaurant and bar which was opened. We went inside. A few men were at the bar who appeared less than friendly to strangers.
I was intrigued by other people and children who were there. I wondered how much did they know about the creatures, the environment, the climate and the laws and regulations protecting them, their communities and the state of Missouri. It would not have surprised me that people who live such independent, isolated lives thought a weapon is a necessity.
The merchants whose shops we did visit were friendly and lived in Clarksville the year around. They appeared anxious to talk with us about some of the interesting things they had for sale.
During our most recent national election, I thought a lot about the people of Clarksville and the Eagles and how well they seem to be able overcome the harshness of their environment while working toward their survival.
Maybe as citizens we need to overcome our fear of each other and learn to work together toward the future as do the people and Eagles of Clarksville.
*More Information:
clarksvillemo,org/eagledays
Dixie Highway which runs along the Mississippi.*
As we watched for eagles, we passed the River's rich bottom land, now converted into well kept farms, with a large sign proclaiming, "This is a Flood Plane. IT WILL FLOOD when the river does!"
Though I spotted a falcon perched high on a tree branch, unfortunately, we were either too early or late in the day to see the eagles. We did see the locks that catch debris, and ice before the river carries them into St. Louis.
We strolled through Clarksville as though it were a summer day. We visited a few shops that were opened. We found a restaurant and bar which was opened. We went inside. A few men were at the bar who appeared less than friendly to strangers.
I was intrigued by other people and children who were there. I wondered how much did they know about the creatures, the environment, the climate and the laws and regulations protecting them, their communities and the state of Missouri. It would not have surprised me that people who live such independent, isolated lives thought a weapon is a necessity.
The merchants whose shops we did visit were friendly and lived in Clarksville the year around. They appeared anxious to talk with us about some of the interesting things they had for sale.
During our most recent national election, I thought a lot about the people of Clarksville and the Eagles and how well they seem to be able overcome the harshness of their environment while working toward their survival.
Maybe as citizens we need to overcome our fear of each other and learn to work together toward the future as do the people and Eagles of Clarksville.
*More Information:
clarksvillemo,org/eagledays
Thursday, January 12, 2017
JANUARY PLANET*
Earlier this week the planet closed out the day much too warm for January
Promising tomorrow will be more in keeping with the calendar.
While offering a preview of the next act
Behind props of snow and ice and rain
Spring awaits its cue.
*Every once in a while, we will sum up the weather here
and planetary movement in the sky believing that weather
may be the unifying force in all regions of our country.
Promising tomorrow will be more in keeping with the calendar.
While offering a preview of the next act
Behind props of snow and ice and rain
Spring awaits its cue.
*Every once in a while, we will sum up the weather here
and planetary movement in the sky believing that weather
may be the unifying force in all regions of our country.
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