A few CVRR pictures and some other related pictures....

[Rufus T. Firefly]

....and Savannahs old buildings are a tourist attraction.

Truly fortunate and even if it is simple re-purposing of a renovated restored structure, much gets saved. Savannah was doing well last I was there.

There are some things beyond repair that must be removed. There are also many things that can be saved if people cooperate to find the way.

Some are hazards and some just take finding a way. Yes.

[rogruth]

The Savannah College of Art and Design, SCAD, has become the major renovator in Savannah. They are also the largest college in town.
SCAD sponsors many events that bring people to the area. You will hear some comments about "those d*mn college kids riding their bikes everywhere"
but they are the ones that keep downtown Savannah going when the tourism slacks up. City politicians often complain because SCAD has removed so many buildings from the tax role and a few dollars have been lost to education. Of course the fact that many buildings have been saved and millions
spent for rehab is ignored. Oh yes. It is a for profit school.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

The Savannah College of Art and Design, SCAD, has become the major renovator in Savannah. They are also the largest college in town.
SCAD sponsors many events that bring people to the area. You will hear some comments about "those d*mn college kids riding their bikes everywhere"
but they are the ones that keep downtown Savannah going when the tourism slacks up. City politicians often complain because SCAD has removed so many buildings from the tax role and a few dollars have been lost to education. Of course the fact that many buildings have been saved and millions
spent for rehab is ignored. Oh yes. It is a for profit school.

Yup! All true. SCAD succeeds at doing what the politicians fail at which makes then look bad so they complain.....but doesn't SCAD pay taxes? Don't all those students spend money there?

[Tom Dempsey]

Politicians don't talk about real problems, only perceived problems. It's much easier to stir the masses about problems that don't exist than those that do. It's also much easier to show results for solving perceived problems than actually pay the political penalty for resolving a real one. That's why I'm a comfirmed monarchist, off with their heads.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

Here's a personal opinion. Some (many?) of you are not going to like this, but here goes...

It's very easy to criticize and complain (is it a "national sport"?) about "politicians"/those elected or appointed to office, and lordknwz there is plenty of fault to see. HOWEVER, how many of the whiners, criticizers and complainers ever have the courage and stamina to run for office themselves and to serve? Any of you?

To me, it's somewhat analogous to teachers. Everybody thinks that because they went to school, as students, they are automatically experts about what are proper and good educational practices, i.e. teaching. How many of them had the courage and stamina to go to college, even work their way through, financially, and then graduate and serve as a classroom teacher? Very many? (And I'm not posting any smiley-face emoticons here to soften the blow; I am dead-serious.) Try it sometime, try actually standing in front of a class, each student with a totaly unique personal history, abilities, and motivations, and possible psychological and/or social damage, and teaching them - not baby-sitting - nope, actual intellectual and social growth. Try it. I dare ya'.)
Murph

[rogruth]

Murph,
I agree. Today there are not enough that will even try. No one that ever tried to teach ever said it would be easy.
I had FUN. I found ways.
Teachers get paid for 190 work days in most cases. That is divided in many cases by 12 so that budgeting is easier.
There are NO paid holidays of any sort. Many have heard and made comments about teacher tenure. Most states
do not have tenure for teachers anymore. I taught 43 years full-time and never had tenure. Contracts were
always renewable. That can vary in school systems that have strong unions.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Here's a personal opinion. Some (many?) of you are not going to like this, but here goes...

It's very easy to criticize and complain (is it a "national sport"?) about "politicians"/those elected or appointed to office, and lordknwz there is plenty of fault to see. HOWEVER, how many of the whiners, criticizers and complainers ever have the courage and stamina to run for office themselves and to serve? Any of you?

Yes, it is but then they do seem to practice very hard at painting huge bull's eye's on their backs and those signs that say, "Kick me!".

Perhaps if more were to be seen actually doing positive constructive actions as opposed to those that are purely self-serving, or only serving the masters that paid for their elections, we could praise them.

Maybe after I retire and am old enough I could run for a local office.....but the only offices that I have held have been in professional societies, and others related to hobbies.

To me, it's somewhat analogous to teachers. Everybody thinks that because they went to school, as students, they are automatically experts about what are proper and good educational practices, i.e. teaching. How many of them had the courage and stamina to go to college, even work their way through, financially, and then graduate and serve as a classroom teacher? Very many? (And I'm not posting any smiley-face emoticons here to soften the blow; I am dead-serious.) Try it sometime, try actually standing in front of a class, each student with a totaly unique personal history, abilities, and motivations, and possible psychological and/or social damage, and teaching them - not baby-sitting - nope, actual intellectual and social growth. Try it. I dare ya'.)
Murph

I have had students (I'd have to look up the numbers over the past 25 years...) ranging from high school through to several years after being granted a PhD. I have given lectures (more than I can count) ranging from under a dozen in the room up to over 3000. Probably not equivalent in any sense yet provides a different perspective; try teaching a room full of PhD's where there's a pair of Nobel winners in the audience. That'll get you 2nd guessing every syllable that comes out of your mouth!

I had planned at one point to go back to a small college to teach - I may yet. They probably won't want me being "too old" and perceived as being "too senior" which equates to "too expensive". Maybe the local community college that's just a few miles away.

I have also had children (not given birth wise-a$$!). That gives you a little perspective regarding public school today. Try that. It'll change everything for you!

Teachers today are not what they were 30 years ago, but then very little is what it was 30 years ago. Hmmmm.....well, maybe politicians haven't changed all that much.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Back to Chambersburg....on E. Market St. in front of the Washington Hotel - a Blue Door establishment!

[rogruth]

Blue Door sounds like a AAA fore-runner.
The two standing in the street, waiting for the street car?
I can't tell if they are male or female from their clothing or hair. ????

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Blue Door sounds like a AAA fore-runner.
The two standing in the street, waiting for the street car?
I can't tell if they are male or female from their clothing or hair. ????

Pretty sure they are male - women wearing pants at the turn of the century seems unlikely.....

[J. S. Bach]

...snip... to run for office themselves [/u][/b]and to serve? Any of you?

I would try locally, but I am too honest.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

...snip... to run for office themselves [/u][/b]and to serve? Any of you?

I would try locally, but I am too honest.

Yet, a person with your professed level of honesty would benefit your whole community and, perhaps , send a positive, healing message to the larger diaspora . Never underestimate a good person's ability and potential to do good, sir.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

...snip... to run for office themselves [/u][/b]and to serve? Any of you?

I would try locally, but I am too honest.

I actually doubt that I could begin to financially afford to run even for a local office where I live in VA.

[John Webster]

Looking at the boats in that boat house picture it is hard to believe that beautiful hand made wooden boats like that were used as rental items.

Interesting that that 2-6-0 kept it's striping as late as 1920.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

While watching a movie, "Task Force," circa 1949, I noticed that aircraft carrier decks appeared to be made of wood. Does anybody know if this were true? Googling the question got me photos aplenty but no definitive statement.
Murph