DreamSoup Village

Help Break The 24/7 Chain

2012-02-28T07:34:00.000-08:00

Humanity's true moral test, its fundamental test, consists of its attitude toward those who are at its mercy: animals. And in this respect, human kind has suffered a fundamental debacle, a debacle so fundamental that all others stem from it.
-- Milan Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being

Members of the "Break The Chain Gang" will be collecting signatures to help support a humane chaining ordinance that stops the 24/7 chaining of dogs in the village of Wellsville.

Place: Save-A-Lot
Date: March 3rd
Time: 12 noon - 6:00pm

Paolo Ventura

2012-02-25T08:55:00.000-08:00

This is a fascinating tale from a fascinating artist.

Wellsville...The Gay Mecca?

2012-02-23T05:47:00.000-08:00

It was very friendly and "inclusive"of folks
to use the gay pride flag as a backdrop to praise the Lord.
What a great village!

Creating Public Space

2012-02-08T04:53:00.000-08:00

The marina could and should be a great public space for Wellsville residents. Another public space could be where the gazebo is on Main Street. All of the cement flower boxes should be taken out so that there is space for people to gather.

So Weary of You By Now

2012-02-03T04:15:00.000-08:00

I am so weary of you by now.
You should repent
for all the time you spend
eating your own religion and
scraping the bones of God
down to the bloody marrow.
Always destroying the things that matter.
I am so weary of you by now.
Goodness and mercy are never good enough.
The world must be plagued with
fire and fear on a one way street
while those who wait for a self-righteous grave
stare out from their stained glass windows
ecstatically enjoying the view.
I am so weary of you by now.
Demanding every soul be saved,
but only in a very fundamental way.
Only by the ticking of your private clock
and from deep inside your magic box.

C.C.

Clocktower

2012-01-29T07:43:00.001-08:00

Public Art

2012-01-22T08:44:00.000-08:00

When Sterling China was torn down there were old machines, walls, etc. that with a little imagination could have been used for public art installations. A wall could be made with the historic bricks of the former pottery and placed somewhere in a public or private space. An artist could paint it, it could be a kids art project or a myriad of other things. We would not only have art, but we would also have preserved a piece of Wellsville history.

Art Creates Community

2012-01-16T09:24:00.000-08:00

2012-01-13T05:18:00.000-08:00

"If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you to go on in spite of all. And so today I still have a dream".

~Martin Luther King~

Baby Its Cold Outside (Pets left Outside)

2012-01-04T07:21:00.000-08:00

Tips For Winter Pet Care

Now that the cold weather is slowly creeping into the valley, it is time to consider some cold weather tips for some of the unfortunate pets that are left outside regardless of the weather conditions. Dogs and cats face serious risks during extremely cold weather. Here is a list of winter pet care tips to consider.

1.) Outdoor pets need a clean, dry shelter. The structure should be elevated off the ground with a door that gives protection from the wind and other elements. Dry, clean bedding such as straw should be provided. The bedding should be replaced if it becomes damp or wet.

2.) Provide fresh, adequate food and water for your pet. Staying warm can require extra calories so your outside pet may need more food in their diet during winter months. You may want to consider investing in a heated water bowl.

3.) Always check your pets ears, tail and feet for frostbite. Frostbitten skin will appear red or gray. If you suspect frostbite, wrap the area in a blanket or towel to slowly warm them and call your veterinarian.

4.) Remember, anti-freeze is deadly. Clean up any spills immediately and always clean your pets paws after they have been exposed to sleet and ice. Pets may ingest anti-freeze, salt or other hazardous chemicals by licking their paws.

5.) Do not leave your pet alone in a car during cold weather. A car will hold in the cold and become a refrigerator, putting your pet at risk of freezing to death.

6.) Puppies will not tolerate the cold as well as a full grown dog. Senior dogs may also be more sensitive to cold weather.

7.) Outdoor cats will sleep under the hood of cars to stay warm. You might want to bang on your car hood to chase any cats away before you start the cars motor.

8.) Please do not have your pet shaved during the winter months. Longer hair will provide more warmth in the winter. Pay attention to weather alerts and bring your pet inside when conditions warrant.

9.) The best thing and the most humane thing you can do, is to bring your pet inside. It is unfortunate that there is no Ohio law prohibiting “outside dogs.” If you won’t bring your pet inside then you might want to consider giving it to someone who is willing to take better care of it. It deserves a better life.

Happy New Year!

2011-12-29T12:52:00.000-08:00

Walking With Mercy

2011-12-22T04:51:00.000-08:00

I have been studying the traits and dispositions of the "lower animals" (so called) and contrasting them with the traits and dispositions of man. I find the result humiliating to me.

MARK TWAIN, Letters from the Earth

A young dog was recently found stabbed and hanging from a tree in Salineville. It is almost impossible to understand how anyone could do something like this. How does this happen and who does this sort of brutality and how do we stop it? I guess we need to have an understanding of what motivates such cruelty in some people because they are not going away and people and animals are at their non-existent mercy.

Whoever did this has a deep seeded rage and is a danger to the community.They seem to be having their own little private war against all of us. This dog was meant to be found and it was meant to shock us. Why else would it be hanging in the breeze like a victory flag? But how many of us are truly shocked? I am disheartened, angry and sad, but not really shocked. The shock of animal abuse is a distant memory. The laws we have do not protect animals as much as they serve to protect those who abuse animals. If this person is found it is doubtful that they would even go to jail.

No matter who you are or what you have in life, you are entrusted with the well-being of any creature that is at your mercy. It is one of our most important jobs in life and a huge piece of what makes us a civilized society. If you practice patience and kindness with God's creatures it covers the earth like a soft blanket and every heart has the possibility of becoming a little warmer.

Christmas 1914

2011-12-17T06:22:00.000-08:00

This is a true story about the Christmas truce of 1914.
Dedicated to Wellsville native and WW1 veteran Clarence (Tally) Johnston

2011-12-07T08:52:00.000-08:00

Say What?... (When The Animals Speak)

There is an old and beautiful piece of folk lore that claims that at midnight on Christmas Eve all of the animals are given the gift of speech. If this were true, I don’t believe that we would like to hear what many of them would have to say. Let’s face it; some humans are not fit to have dominion over a kitchen chair, much less an animal. I think that the animals might have a list of grievances that they would howl, bay and screech into that enchanted midnight hour.

I think that the deer would be highly vocal about having their heads cut off and mounted on someone’s wall. I mean, is a head really a trophy? Some people say they do it because they are such beautiful animals, but we don’t cut the heads off of nice looking people and mount them on our wall when they die. Example: “Yes, this was my sister Alice, wasn’t she beautiful?” Go ahead and touch her hair, it’s really soft.” Well, you get my point.

The animals that are forced to perform in sideshows would surely be asking for the freedom to be in their natural environment. To actually be able to live like an elephant or a lion or a tiger should live, instead of being a slave for someone’s money making endeavors. It doesn’t matter how you try to justify it, it is a sad, unnatural and sorry existence for any animal unfortunate enough to be in that situation.

Closer to home or more on the domestic scene, I could imagine hearing a plethora of complaints. While many good people take wonderful care of their pets there are always those who are simply to mean and ignorant to be in charge of an animal’s life. You have to be a “special” kind of person to leave your dog chained to a box 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Dogs are pack animals, you are the pack leader and they want to be with you. If someone breaks into your house, what good is a dog tied outside to a box? These dogs also become very territorial of their space and are more apt to bite. I say, if you think it is an ok existence, then you should try it out for a few months and see how you like it. Everyone knows, even the owners, that if these dogs could speak for one minute, they would beg to be unchained.

Animals that are abandoned and left to fend for themselves would surely ask to be taken care of. They probably would just ask for what is essential to live…food and water. It seems more humane than a bullet in the head or a toss in the river. So flows the milk of human kindness. My friends, if the animals could speak at midnight on Christmas Eve, wouldn’t it be nice if they all could say, “Hey, thanks for taking such good care of us.”

C.C.

"Christmas for The Animals"

2011-12-06T09:03:00.000-08:00

The 4th annual "Christmas for The Animals will be December 11th at 12:00 noon. The give-away will be held at the gazebo on Main street in Wellsville. Everyone is invited to attend.

WRC CHRISTMAS AUCTION

2011-11-25T05:24:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T07:11:00.000-08:00

"The Artist"

2011-11-16T05:39:00.000-08:00

2011-11-16T05:33:00.000-08:00

For silent film buffs, The Artist is a movie that took it's sweet, long time getting here. It always seemed like a great idea to me. However, for the people who are actually putting up the money for such an endeavor, the belief in this sort of project had to outweigh the risk. That is why a silent movie has not been made in Hollywood since the 1935 movie titled, Dance of The Virgins. One could argue that the last silent film was Chaplin's 1936 masterpiece Modern Times which is still considered a silent film even though there is some talking and singing.

So why bother going to see a silent film? The technique is young and crude. The acting is outdated and the plots can be highly melodramatic and corny. The fascination for some might be because it is history unraveling before your eyes. We can't go back and watch the history of dance, the first opera, the first theater production or even the beginnings of minstrel and vaudeville. We can however watch the history of film from infancy to it's present day form. We can step back and see architecture, clothes, furniture, hairstyles, dance and even the social and political venues of another time. It is the closest thing we have to actually stepping into a time machine and cruising through the past.

The Artist is a valentine to silent movies and to the people who made them. We will not know the likes of a Buster Keaton, a Mary Pickford or a D.W. Griffith ever again. We have traveled way beyond the crude mechanics of early film making and thus they have been unceremoniously relegated to the dust-bin of nitrate dreams. But, once upon a time dear reader, the world was theirs, the dream was young and the magic was alive. Like every dream and every life, it was filled with triumph and tragedy and stories of rags and gold. These early pioneers of film gave the world a wonderful gift, it is only right that they never be forgotten. The Artist opens in theaters November 23rd.

Wellsville has the distinction of being the birth place of a pioneer in silent film. Burr McIntosh was an actor who had many silent film appearances to his credit. However, there is not even so much as a street or a back-alley named after him.

Nothing Gold Can Stay-Robert Frost

2011-11-11T05:35:00.000-08:00

Winter is on it's way. I don't really mind, in fact I look forward to it and hope that we have lots of snow. I don't mind that it gets dark so early and that you rarely see the sun. I might agree about the dreariness of sunless days and early nights, but I only agree because it always seems to be such an annoyance to others. I love the change.

Congratulations!

2011-11-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Mayor Elect Susan Haugh. It is my wish that you will have an exciting and prosperous four years. I stand solidly behind Mayor Elect Haugh and hope to see a more progressive and unified Wellsville under her watch.
Congratulations are also in order for our new council-people. I believe that together you can create the changes that we so desperately need. Congratulations to all and maybe, just maybe, it is a new morning in Wellsville.

2011-11-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

pick me up in your car.
take me for a ride.
show me everything you see.
show me the beauty in this beast.
show me art in every crack and crevice.
show me the flood, the light and the dream.
tell me about the ecstasy of the ride
and all of those hallelujah moments.
and after driving through the glitter
of all the hours that slide back where we start
show me the wheel you had to invent
for that awful longing in your heart.

C.C.

FYI

2011-10-29T06:43:00.000-07:00

Please be advised that I have removed the Meet the Candidates Night poster and comments. I am receiving some very nasty comments and I just don't want to deal with that sort of thing. This blog has an affiliation with the Wellsville Revitalization Committee. The committee does not support or endorse any candidate. let your feelings be known by going out and casting your vote and urging others to do the same.

Leonard Cohen..."If It Be Your Will"

2011-10-29T05:26:00.000-07:00

                              Welcome to my favorite church..The Church of Leonard

Rollin On The river and Sinking in Stupidity

2011-10-17T12:21:00.000-07:00

Does it really make sense to destroy where you live?

This bench from the boardwalk was thrown into the water like a piece of trash. It is a shame that whoever did this has so little pride. No pride in themselves and no pride in where they live. I realize that Wellsville is a hard scrabble place and that there is an eclectic mixture of beauty and trash, but it would serve us well to take care of the good things that we have.

There have been other incidents of vandalism by the murals. The lights that were placed in front of them to light them up at night were destroyed, a heavy trash can donated by McDonald's was tossed into the water and the weeds and bushes continue to grow and obstruct what could be a beautiful view as you drive past the wall. Why wouldn't you want to take care of something that is so unique and wonderful? I can't find the words.

Walk-A-Thon

2011-10-12T04:02:00.000-07:00

New Sidewalks

2011-10-11T05:58:00.000-07:00

Many thanks go out to Rick Williams for his efforts to get new sidewalks on Main Street. Rick truly deserves our appreciation and gratitude for a job well done. His tireless work on behalf of the village does not go unnoticed. Rick is a man whose heart is in the village and we are lucky to have him working in Wellsville because Rick is someone who steps up to the plate and gets things done. Thanks to Rick and to anyone else who was involved with getting our new sidewalks.

Instructional Video For The Poop Scooping Impaired

2011-10-05T07:26:00.000-07:00

Waiting

2011-10-03T09:13:00.000-07:00

They keep pieces of your skin

Tattooed in the back pages
To show the non-believers
How wonderful you use to be.
They laid out your past
In beautiful antique dresses,
Tintype photographs, arrow heads
And the forgotten toys of children
Who long ago, closed their eyes
And lay down to sleep.
The beautiful ghost
Of your grandfather’s dream
Dances behind the curtains
While the holy cadaver
Taps hopefully on the door,
Waiting to be let inside.

C.C.

Halloween Bash

2011-09-27T02:45:00.000-07:00

2011-09-19T08:33:00.000-07:00

Reviving a Dying Small Town

2011-09-13T06:53:00.000-07:00

When The Towers Fell

2011-09-10T06:36:00.000-07:00

Some with torn clothing, some bloodied,
some limping at top speed like children
in a three-legged race, some half dragged,
some intact in neat suits and dresses,
they straggle out of step up the avenues,
each dusted to a ghostly whiteness,
their eyes rubbed red as the eyes of a Zahoris,
who can see the dead under the ground.
And then by trying to transform them:
As each tower goes down, it concentrates
into itself, transforms itself
infinitely slowly into a black hole

infinitesimally small: mass
without space, where each light,
each life, put out, lies down within us.

~Galway Kinnell~

A Sense of Humor by Vachel Lindsay (1879-1931)

2011-09-06T07:26:00.000-07:00

NO man should stand before the moon
To make sweet song thereon,
With dandified importance,
His sense of humor gone.
Nay, let us don the motley cap,
The jester’s chastened mien,
If we would woo that looking-glass
And see what should be seen.
O mirror on fair Heaven’s wall,
We find there what we bring.
So, let us smile in honest part
And deck our souls and sing.
Yea, by the chastened jest alone
Will ghosts and terrors pass,
And fays, or suchlike friendly things,
Throw kisses through the glass.

~Vachel Lindsay~

Vachel Lindsay was not only a poet, he was a performance artist. He traveled the country reciting his poetry on street corners in exchange for food and money. His poetry readings were more like a vaudeville show. Lindsay shouted and stomped and even encouraged his audience to join in. Vachel Lindsay committed suicide in 1931 by drinking a bottle of Lysol. His wonderful poetry lives on.

2011-08-25T07:04:00.000-07:00

Anti Wal-Mart Commercial

2011-08-18T04:29:00.001-07:00

Dream Mayor

2011-08-11T09:01:00.000-07:00

Soon it will be time to cast your votes for a new administration. Now more than ever we need to think about voting for the best possible candidates. It is time for drastic changes and for people who are running for office to have the intestinal fortitude to make those changes. Does anyone have a real plan for the next four years? A plan that will rally and motivate the populace? A plan for a creative economy that engages investors and businesses? A plan for a downtown business landscape that is clean, vibrant and people friendly. A plan that will focus on reducing the eyesores and blight that perpetuate the mindset that no one really cares.

Who has the passion and the vision to take us on a new journey? Politics as usual will not bring the progress and growth that we need so desperately. We need to clean up and have incentives for new businesses to move here. Perhaps we need less of a mayor and more of a city planner. The problems here are deep-seeded. The whole picture is rarely observed, pondered or worked with. We need creative minds for creative solutions. We don't need clean-up days, we only need to clean-up the way things have been run for so many years. A fresh breath, a new start and big ideas. Good luck to everyone who has put themselves in this years race for mayor.

Tractor Supply Co. Helps Celebrate Pet Awareness Week

2011-08-07T05:35:00.000-07:00

A few photos from the Pet Awareness week celebration at the Tractor Supply Co. Saturday, Aug. 6.

Once Again...Spay & Neuter Your Pets

2011-08-03T09:36:00.000-07:00

I am sending out a plea to people in the village to please be responsible pet owners. While many are, there are many who are not and some have no business even having a pet. Its hot outside people so make sure your dog has water and shade. Having dogs chained up 24/7 is ridiculous and cruel but at least have the decency to make sure they are taken care of no matter what kind of weather we have.

The cat situation is so out of hand I don't know where to start. It is all about people not being responsible. Cats are not spayed or neutered and turned loose, cats are dumped, cats are abandoned, cats are poisoned, cats are tortured and cats are hated by many for the plight they find themselves in due to human behavior. There is nothing to say except..please spay and neuter your pets. You are the only family they need.

We started in May this year and have taken cats almost every week to be spayed or neutered. It seems like a drop in the bucket from the number of phone calls we receive. Alley Cat Aid Brigade is a spay and neuter program. We can not find homes for abandoned and unwanted cats...it is all supply and no demand. The goal is to cut down on the population by spaying and neutering. That is a job that must be done by everyone who takes on the responsibility of a pet.

2011-07-31T13:49:00.000-07:00

Moon River

2011-07-25T15:04:00.000-07:00

Final Closing Mass

2011-07-22T04:59:00.000-07:00

All parishoners are encouraged to attend ICC for the final closing mass on Saturday the 23rd at 4:30. Following the mass there will be a prayer service held outside on the sidewalk in front of the blessed mother shrine on Main Street. This will be a sad time for many folks in our village. Take heart that you are blessed with good thoughts and prayers from your friends and neighbors.

On Stealing a Piece of Rust

2011-07-14T12:46:00.000-07:00

It seemed as though the greatest fear
was that they all might disappear
beneath the rubble and the waste
beneath the cardboard, glue and paste
and oh the agony not to trust
that thieves might steal a piece of rust
or even worse some glue and string
to fix the throne and oust the king.
Oh horrid day and cursed plot
the blood rose up at such a thought
and as they searched for safety pins
the queen of dust came screeching in.
The spiders crawled, the flies were thick
and from her head there grew a stick.
In a cloud of dirt they heard her call,
give em an inch and they'll take it all,
it's been our roost for many years
and a spider drowned in the flow of tears.
It was the truth they always feared
kings of nothing stood and cheered
and vowed before that dusty dame
that everything would stay the same...
Take heart my friends, their world will shrink
their days are short, their boat will sink,
and better days will soon prevail
when you can let your dreams set sail.

Fansterlingchinatastic!

2011-07-08T12:52:00.000-07:00

Very happy to see the new plans for the old Sterling China property. It sounds fantastic and there certainly is enough land there to have a new fire station, banquet hall, outside amphitheater and playground. We need this sort of energy to keep the village going. Something like this can be a big game changer and I support it wholeheartedly and hope that everyone in our village will do whatever they can to help make it a reality.

I love that they are thinking BIG and that they have a vision that will benefit the whole village. It is a creative, innovative and unselfish plan and I applaud them for all of those things. We can all learn a lesson from them. It is about the village of Wellsville, making it grow and helping them to prosper while our citizens also benefit in many ways from their endeavors. I think that in the coming few years we will see many dreams begin to form and take shape. The fire dept, the theater and the next WRC project are probably just a few things that will be in full swing. Anyone can dream and anyone can make that dream a reality.

Please Spay and Neuter Your Pets

2011-07-06T15:59:00.001-07:00

Thanks Again

2011-06-30T05:22:00.000-07:00

It looks like June is the month to extend thanks. The WRC would like to give a huge thank you to the 1st Christian Church of Wellsville. Their clean-up efforts did not go unnoticed and were greatly appreciated by many people. Young and old worked together side by side picking up trash, pulling weeds, cutting, digging and sweeping. These people have shown what can be accomplished when everyone works together for the greater good of the community. They deserve the thanks of the entire community.

Paws- R- Riding On It

2011-06-27T11:34:00.000-07:00

A very huge thank you goes out to Marsha Mcginnis Trinkala and her husband Glenn for all their hard work and heart felt compassion for the animals. Their 1st annual Paws-R-Riding On It fund run was a huge success. They were able to raise money for a few local animal groups and a wonderful time was had by everyone who attended the festivities. Not enough good things can be said about a couple who worked tirelessly to help raise funds that will go towards helping abused and neglected animals. Most people are only to happy to let other people try to clean up the awful mess that is caused by human apathy and ignorance when it comes to animals. These folks are making a huge difference in the lives of many animals and for that we will always be grateful.

The Spirit of Creativity and Imagination

2011-06-21T12:36:00.000-07:00

.

Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast. ~Lewis Carroll

There is a whisper of it swirling around the village. There is a spirit of creativity that is alive and well and that can not be stopped. Regardless of which direction the political winds blow or of the number of people who try to keep it at bay, it can not be held back. It is a slow, painful and joyous process, as it is with any broken life that rises up to connect the spirit with the soul again. That is a handmade journey. A journey that unleashes the spirit of imagination and creativity. A journey of endless searching, glorious mistakes, beautiful dreams and infinite longing. Everything matters. The naysayers and the dirty tricksters teach us how to rise above and overcome adversity. The apathetic show us what can happen when we become numb to our circumstances and our environment. Those who want to control everything teach us that none of us can ever control anything. Everything matters. It is all woven into the tapestry that is being stitched hand by hand and breath by breath. And make no mistake about it....your fingers are holding the thread.

Thank You

2011-06-16T09:55:00.000-07:00

The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit."

~Nelson Henderson

On behalf of the WRC, I want to thank the annonymous donor who was so gracious and generous to our committee. It is a wonderful gift and we are very grateful. Sometimes, one begins to think that all you ever hear from are the naysayers and the mean-spirited and then something wonderful happens to renew your faith and refresh your spirit. And so it does, and so it does.

Jubilation Day

2011-06-14T08:31:00.000-07:00

Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, "Jubilation Day" from Moving Colour on Vimeo.

For Girl Without Glue

2011-06-09T09:17:00.000-07:00

I use to see you on the streets
running with the lost boys,
your face already showing
the small cracks of sorrow
and the uneven smiles of defeat.
I remember when they called you names
and I tried to put some salve
on that open wound,
but you fell backwards
into the shadow of the uneven smile
and we were both lost.
I had no words,
no dreams,
no lullaby's
to glue the broken core
that spills out
like beautiful dust
on sorrowful shoes
that leave without a sound.

CC

WYTV Shop Local Video

2011-06-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

Alley Cat Aid Brigade Yard Sale

2011-06-02T04:59:00.000-07:00

There will be a yard sale Friday the 3rd and Saturday the 4th at 306 10th Street in Wellsville. The sale will be a fund raiser for the Trap Neuter Release program for stray and feral cats. There will be a huge amount of items and tickets will be sold for a pet basket donated by the Columbiana County Humane Society. Information will be available on site regarding the benefits of TNR programs for cats and humans.
Sale will be from 9:00 - 4:00.

Sullivan Ballou Letter - Memorial Day Trilogy

2011-05-26T10:42:00.000-07:00

2011-05-26T10:39:00.000-07:00

Five days From Four and Ten (Civil War)

I were just five days from four and ten
when I joined me up with a group of men
and a ragtag lot of rebs was we
that marched thru Georgia and fought for lee.
A walkin the woods and roads I'll allow
we musta walked a hundred mile,
till the woods grew silent, bright and still
and a thousand Yanks poured over the hill.
A screamin and cursin they charged us around
till I felt warm and wet from my leg to the ground.
My fingers just froze while men fell and died
but I never did move, I just started to cry
and the woods was so thick, we all seemed the same
as I stood in the smoke that covered my shame.
I never did feel it, I just heared a soft sound
when the dust rose up and my knees hit the ground
and just for a moment the day was so clear
that I'll reckon that's why they buried me here.
I am below that hill and around the dirt bend
and that's where I joined me a small group of men
when I were five days from four and ten.
C.C.

TALLY’S DREAM (World War1)

I was a young man in the old world
content to stroll the red brick avenues
that led to dusty, gas lit parlors,
where shy and graceful girls might offer tea
with gentle, work worn hands that sometimes
almost casually, reached out to touch my knee.

I was a young man in the old world
when the Kaiser came calling my name,
scorching the earth with drumbeats
and filling the air with indignation and honor.
I would sail a lifetime away from my home
and perhaps I would forget all about her.

I was a young man in the old world
when I marched thru the mud of France,
the sharp smell of mustard gas filled the air
and the woods turned a deep crimson red.
I barely remembered someone that I knew
and at night I have slept with the dead.

I was an old man in the new world
still haunted by the bloody woods of France
and the ragged flowers that came every spring
whistling across the fields of dead,
always waiting for me to be young again
and to lie down in that glorious bed.
C.C.
Honoring Clarence (Tally) Johnston and all who served

Time To Come Home Now (World War 2)

It is time to come home now,
time to turn your back on all of the things
you were told you must do.
Regardless of how the winds might blow
the garden will need turned over
and the children will need tending to.
It is time to come home now,
for there are no parades as magnificent
as the world you have lost
and the sorrow we have all endured.
It is time to come home now,
for we have been waiting all these years
just to tell you about the garden
and the children who use to play there.
C.C.
Honoring Roy Carmichael and all who served

The Dogs Were Out

2011-05-21T14:26:00.000-07:00

The dogs were out
and thick as thieves
they hid beneath the rotting eaves
where the dirt flew high
and they barked and moaned
all for the sake of a little bone.
The fangs were bared
and the hair went wild,
I tell you dear reader, that was mild.
For they dug and they spit
and they bit and they growled,
and they circled each other and started to howl
and the air was filled
with such horrible sounds,
no one dared to muzzle the hounds
and it’s hard to believe
yet very well known,
that they fought to the death for a very small bone.

CC

In honor of Eugene Field's wonderful poem, The Duel

Mr. Longfellow's Appropriate Poem

2011-05-17T06:06:00.000-07:00

The Rainy Day

The day is cold, and dark, and dreary
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
The vine still clings to the mouldering wall,
But at every gust the dead leaves fall,
And the day is dark and dreary.

My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
My thoughts still cling to the mouldering Past,
But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast,
And the days are dark and dreary.

Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.

                          ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Time To Jump On!

2011-05-16T15:17:00.000-07:00

Check out our Shop Local billboard coming into town. The Wellsville Revitalization Committee would like to thank Joe Amaismeir for his continued support and endless contributions to the village of Wellsville.

The Good Fight

2011-05-10T12:29:00.000-07:00

The fight to save Immaculate Conception is a noble effort and one that pits the haves against the have nots. Wellsville being the have nots may soon become the have even less. I am not much for organized religion simply because of things like this. However, organized religion works for millions of people and I certainly understand and respect that. It just doesn't seem very christian to take away someones church. It will be a hardship for many of our elderly residents to attend in East Liverpool and many simply will not be able to make that trip.

Everyone in Wellsville has a dog in this fight. We don't need any more empty buildings, we don't need anyone tearing down historic landmarks and we don't need anyone taking more dollars out of our village. The church is here to help the poor and downtrodden, not to make their life more difficult. Yes, we are the poorest and have the least resources and people, so help lift us up, don't drag us down. Local restaurants are already feeling the pain of those dollars leaving the village.

I hope the church can be saved one way or another and that it will not share the same fate as some of these other poor buildings in town. If it sits empty it will simply deteriorate over time and that would truly be a sin. I hope that there is an agreement for at least one mass a week. If not, perhaps a senior or youth center could be established there. Could the church be donated to the parishioners? There are many questions still unanswered and many hopes riding on the effort to save Immaculate Conception. I hope that it happens.

Shop Local

2011-05-08T06:38:00.000-07:00

After joining Heritage Ohio the WRC decided to have a shop local campaign as a Main Street project and it was discussed at one of our town hall meetings. People liked and supported the idea of keeping dollars in Wellsville by shopping here first. We hope that people will respond by really trying to buy whatever goods and services they need and that are available in Wellsville first.

Shopping local can have an enormous impact on the community if everyone jumps on board and supports our local businesses. We realize that there are things that you have to leave town to purchase, but please buy what you can in Wellsville first. Lets all try to keep our dollars where we live and call home. We can all make an investment in the future of our village by shopping in Wellsville today.

Check out the 10 Reasons to Shop Local in the WRC page section of this blog.

GASLAND Trailer 2010

2011-05-06T06:25:00.000-07:00

http://www.gaslandthemovie.com/about-the-film/affirming-gasland

The Kiss (a vignette)

2011-04-28T13:15:00.000-07:00

It had been 102 years since he had been kissed and I couldn't say what possessed me to do it. I kissed the three fingers between my thumb and little finger and pressed them against his forehead. It felt warm from the April sun. He thought it was a cricket. This time I kissed my fingers and planted them firmly against his cheek. He smiled and the wind tickled the grass around his feet. The dust from an army of trees fell from gnarled branches, danced across the top of his head and slowly trickled down between the grooves in his name. I left him sitting in his bed above the river and below the sky, whistling through the dust and waiting for a kiss.

Your Name Here......

2011-04-26T05:45:00.000-07:00

On Easter

2011-04-16T13:34:00.000-07:00

"And what does anyone know about traitors, or why Judas did what he did? ~ Jean Rhys~

Easter teaches us some wonderful lessons about love and betrayal. The world plays out it's ancient lessons everyday in one form or another. Take what you can from what has been passed down through the ages and given to you. Everything is a gift. Even the deepest betrayals.

When It Rains It Could Pour

2011-04-08T07:01:00.000-07:00

Here are a few tips that can help people prepare in advance for a flood.

1. Make sure you stay informed about the risk of flooding. Listen for alerts on local TV or radio stations.

2. The National Weather Service issues various degrees of flood warnings and flood watches. Warnings mean that flooding will or already is occurring. Watch means the possibility of flooding.

3. Be prepared.
A. Buy flood insurance.
B. Make sure you have an updated disaster kit that includes food, water, medicine and first aid kit, flashlight, batteries, radio, extra clothes,etc.
C. Make sure you have identified areas that you can go to such as a hotel, shelter,etc.
D. Make sure that you or someone in your household knows how to shut off the utilities.

4. Move any valuables to the highest point in your home.

5. Be aware of the fastest routes to higher ground.

These are just a very few things you can do. You can get more information from the American Red Cross on their website: http://www.redcross.org/ or call 1-800-Red-Cross.

Considering the circumstances, perhaps the village will produce a fact sheet regarding flood preparation that can be made available to Wellsville residents.

Community Attachment

2011-04-04T12:17:00.000-07:00

The Knight Foundation teamed up with Gallup research and came up with a very interesting poll about community attachment. These are the things that make people want to live and stay in a community. These were the top three reasons garnered from a three year survey. The number one reason people feel an attachment to where they live is social offerings. This includes things like the availability of art and culture, social community events, places to meet and socialize and the feeling that people in the community care.

The number two reason was openness. This was defined as a welcoming community that is seen as good for elderly people, minorities, gay and lesbian people, families with young children, immigrants, etc. The third reason is aesthetics. This means the physical beauty and the availability of parks and open space.

The Scenic America Blog: Beauty Creates Strong Community Attachment: "Pittsburgh Skyline (photo by Flickr user jmd41280 creative commons license) While it seems intuitive that a community characterized by be..."

What Now?

2011-03-27T14:04:00.000-07:00

When I drive by the old Sterling site I always see something different there in my mind. I am intrigued by the silos and think that they could become something wonderful for the village. I wonder what other people visualize when they see that empty space. With a bit of ingenuity the empty Sterling lot could become a new space for a new beginning. That should be the goal.

If you are looking for investors, then something temporary can be installed. Something that engages the community and draws attention to the potential of the space with the possibility of becoming something permanent. A community rink or a skateboard and bike park might be nice. We also might benefit from an outside public events space with benches, art installations, planters, etc. With an outside public events space there could be a donation or investment in an inflatable movie screen and projector. Also, on certain weekends you could provide or rent out space for produce stalls, food carts, antiques and crafts.

The silos can be incorporated into whatever type of space the land eventually becomes. They are a unique piece of Wellsville history. Just throwing things against the wall and wondering what other ideas are out there.

Leonard Cohen - The Great Event

2011-03-25T12:37:00.000-07:00

In Perfect Pose

2011-03-22T10:25:00.000-07:00

all the troubles
and all the woes
were all the things
we always chose
even the voice
that finally froze
beneath the hem
of the emperor's clothes
who likes to stand
in perfect pose
while handing out
the poison rose
for here's the thing
he always knows
be it rival
friend or foes
he can't be harmed
by caustic prose
or those who shout
he has no clothes

cc
punctuation in memory of gertie gertie gertie stein stein stein

Transforming a Dying Texas Town Into an Arts Colony

2011-03-16T06:52:00.000-07:00

Transforming a Dying Texas Town – Into an Arts Colony

The Shrinking Village

2011-03-11T08:54:00.000-08:00

According to the 2010 census, Wellsville now has a population of 3,541 as opposed to 4,133 in the year 2000. I'd say we are heading toward GhostTownville if things don't change. People obviously do not want to move here and so I guess we need to figure out why and make some changes. This is just my opinion and I feel certain that many will disagree and that is fine because I would like to hear what they think are some needed changes.

Wellsville needs to make people take care of their property. Enforce codes and ordinances.

Use what little existing land we have in town for businesses that can generate dollars into our economy.

Set up a board or committee whose sole function is to research, brand, market and bring new business to the village.

Look at utilizing some of our empty buildings by making them functional.

Limit the number of tag days. It is good for businesses and the community at large when groups involve as many people as possible in a fund-raiser. A good example is Kat's Kitchen who will be hosting a fund raiser for CCHS this week.

Utilize and enhance the things we have. We have plenty of diamonds in the rough that could be wonderful attractions.

Think Different.

These are just some opinions, they are not judgements or condemnations. I believe that we need to look at new ways to deal with some of our problems and to seek creative solutions from people who understand and realize that our possibilities and our dreams can be our reality.

Famous Faces Could Create Famous Places

2011-03-05T09:36:00.000-08:00

We have plenty of buildings in Wellsville that could benefit from this kind of a paint job.It would be great to walk through town and see some famous folks on the sides of buildings. How about Ella Fitzgerald and "Cry Me A River" or Pete Seeger and "Freight Train" or John Mellencamp with "Small Town." We could utilize what we have and what is familiar to us with something different and unique.
Tina Turner and "Rollin on The River"...oh yeah!

Side of an old building with jazz great Billie Holiday painted on it.

Ohio River Bread Company

2011-03-02T11:00:00.000-08:00

The WRC is very proud that one of it's founding members has played a huge role in creating The Ohio River Bread Company. Candy Bangor, WRC president will be CEO and president of the new Wellsville company. There was a public hearing last night at village hall where council approved the request to change the zoning from residential to light industrial. It all went down very smoothly and professionally with a round of applause when all was said and done. Fiscal Officer Dale Davis informed everyone that letters had been sent to people who lived close to the impending bread company so that they could voice any objections or concerns. Mayor Surace cited two concerns that were deemed as non-issues. Channel 21 was there for the proceedings and Councilman Allmon welcomed some people to the village.

Artist Gina Hampson did a wonderful job with the company logo. The paddle boat and the river are an important part of branding the company and it really has that home town flavor. The WRC thanks everyone who was involved with getting this company started, with a special thanks to Henry Nemenz. It will be a great asset to our village. There are some exciting things happening in our little village right now. A new photography studio, new restaurant, theater restoration, bread company and plans for a river walk are all in the works. I can only say how wonderful it all is for Wellsville and give a big thank you to the folks who are helping to move us forward.

Americans Are Printing Their Own Money

2011-03-01T06:19:00.000-08:00

Amazing 3D Street Art

2011-02-24T14:07:00.000-08:00

Goodbye Sterling China

2011-02-19T12:38:00.000-08:00

Rollin On The River

2011-02-16T08:18:00.000-08:00

The Wellsville Revitalization Committee will be working on a plan for a riverwalk on Riverside Ave. At this point it is in the planning stage and work will commence after the sewer project is finished. This was an idea that the committee pursued almost six years ago. Back then we were going to include a boardwalk and new sidewalks, but current plans will not include those things and work will only be done on the river side of the street.

The committee has many ideas and at this point we are just brainstorming and sifting through them. There will be extreme care taken to ensure that nothing is done that would impede the wonderful view we all share of the river. This river is our greatest resource and the most beautiful attraction we have and we will earnestly try to live up to those standards.

As time goes on and plans are more concrete, we will share them with everyone. The goal here is to have a walking space that is attractive, interesting, inspirational and fun. We think that many people who come to see the walk will also drift up to Main Street for something to eat or drink or to just look around. I imagine this project will take a few years to complete and we look forward to input and ideas from the community as it moves along and becomes a reality that everyone can enjoy.

Pencil Fence

2011-02-15T10:23:00.000-08:00

A very creative way to spruce up an old fence. It's interesting, colorful and has a feel good quality about it.

The Drive Thru Dress

2011-02-14T06:03:00.000-08:00

Have you noticed how certain businesses in town have developed a certain flair for customer service?

Jeff serving customers at McGraw's Drive Thru

I suspect that Jeff lost a bet, but what a great way to greet customers. It was very funny and surprising to say the least and when you leave a place with such a good feeling you always want to come back. I think McGraw's has found a new marketing scheme here.

2011-02-12T12:54:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day

Braddock Pennsylvania

2011-02-11T06:53:00.000-08:00

Even though this is an old article, it is important because it shows what can be done when you think out of the box. It also points out how the arts can play an important role in revitalizing our dying towns.
Hands-on mayor determined to save dying mill town PoconoRecord.com

A LOVE LETTER FOR YOU - West Philadelphia Murals

2011-02-08T06:11:00.000-08:00

Starting The Fires

2011-02-06T07:08:00.000-08:00

I believe it is important for the WRC to keep starting the fires that can lead to the transformation of our village. Even though people get angry, sometimes they get angry enough to finally do something. That seems to be the case with the Liberty Theater. The WRC was the spark that put all of this in motion and I couldn't be happier about it. Seeing movement and activity around the old theater is like balm on the heart...it's a good thing.

It is important to keep setting fires because the theater is proof that you can get people stirred up enough to take action. It does not matter what motivates them to move forward it only matters that they do move forward. It doesn't always make you very popular or well liked when you keep fanning the flames, but you know what? Things get done. Things get done that should have been done years and years ago. Things get done that will enhance the village and bring more people into town and on to the streets.

As always, the WRC is busy working on other ideas and other fires. Of course we will offer any help we can to the theater project and we will be as involved as they want us to be. I am very encouraged that perhaps now we can start on a project that we have wanted to do since the WRC came into existence. In fact we laid some groundwork for this project before we started on the flood wall murals. I can't help but be excited because I feel that having all of these projects in our village is what we need to move us forward into more prosperous times for everyone.

Virtual Art Gallery Tours

2011-02-04T11:52:00.000-08:00

Young Woman Drawing Marie-Denise Villers

Google is now offering free art gallery tours using the Google Street View technology. Here is an affordable way to go to the National Gallery in London, the Freer Gallery of Art at the Smithsonian and a variety of other well known art galleries. A vehicle known as "the trolley" was used to take 360 degree images of selected galleries. Unfortunately, the Louvre in Paris is not yet available. http://www.googleartproject.com/

Keeping The Things That Matter

2011-02-03T09:11:00.000-08:00

The silos that will remain on the old Sterling China lot have the potential to be something wonderful. The mayor has already offered to give them to Homer Laughlin, but I think Wellsville could utilize the silos in a variety of different ways. In my opinion, the silos are a piece of Wellsville history and should stay in Wellsville and should be incorporated into any plans that the village has for that land.
Of course the thing you think of first is to put art on it. However silos have been transformed into restaurants, apartments and hotels. Apartments have even been built around them. There is even a silo that has an observation tower on top of it. It was a kind gesture to offer them to HLC, but maybe they could become a valuable resource for the village. They could be transformed into something unique to Wellsville. They could become a point of interest and could even generate dollars into the village
We should keep the things that matter and try to be more cognizant of what we are capable of doing with these things. Sterling China mattered, but now it is gone forever except for some photographs and memories. The silos are what remain. They could even be an art project for the history of Sterling or for all the potteries that have been in Wellsville or in this area for that matter. We will be missing a wonderful opportunity if we let them go. Let's keep the things that matter.

Change...It's a Good Thing

2011-02-02T06:09:00.000-08:00

You can never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete. - Buckminster Fuller

DreamSoup Village will now be the official blog for the Wellsville Revitalization Committee. We will follow all committee events and projects. Instead of creating a new blog we will incorporate the W.R.C. into the old one. That keeps me from suffering from separation anxiety. We will also focus on ideas that might benefit or enhance our village. If you have any ideas or thoughts that you would like to share, just throw it in the soup and we'll serve it up.

Plucking pennies

2011-01-30T06:31:00.001-08:00

Plucking pennies, originally uploaded by BUFFdiss.

Anything can be a canvas. Plucking pennies was done free-hand with masking tape by Australian street artist, Buffdiss. The great thing about this type of art is that it interacts with whatever surrounds it.

East Coast Turnaround Knockin' on 7's Door

2011-01-28T11:37:00.000-08:00

Your Back Against The Sun

2011-01-25T10:55:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I saw you bending over flowers
your back against the sun.
Were you thinking of rice paddies
and monsoon rains that washed away
the blood of some soldiers life?
Were you thinking about the child who passed
through this life in the blinking of an eye?
Were you thinking of your wife
and a life that was left unfinished?
Your house still stands against the sky
and those who know the story
keep it safely tucked inside,
but sometimes I see you
bending over flowers
your back against the sun.

C.C.

China Bans Animal Circuses

2011-01-21T07:14:00.000-08:00

China has taken a big step forward by banning all animal circuses and has issued warnings to zoos about many types of abuse. This is a big step forward even though China still has a very long way to go in regards to animal welfare. Still, it is movement in the right direction and anyone who supports animal welfare should be pleased about this new development. Perhaps the United States could take a similar step in that direction.

Animal circuses are a primitive and disgusting concept. These animals don't do tricks because they love to perform, they do it because they are afraid not to. That is how they are trained. Fear. They suffer from boredom, stress, lack of exercise, being caged or chained, inadequate housing and traveling. You are not seeing the full and magnificent essence of any animal when you go to a circus. You are only seeing the shell of what could have been. So, no matter how many times he asks you, don't let your dog run off to join the circus.
www.huffingtonpost.com/.../china-bans-animal-circuses_n_811664.html

Natural Gas Drilling: What We Don't know

2011-01-19T06:56:00.000-08:00

If you have concerns about the effects of natural gas drilling and the process known as fracking, a good source of information can be found at the website, Pro Publica-Journalism in the public interest. Check out the article by Abrahm Lustgarten. The Pittsburgh city council recently voted to ban natural gas drilling within the city limits. I applaud them for having the courage to stand up and do the right thing.

Pittsburgh Bans Natural Gas Drilling and Recognizes the Rights of Nature

http://www.propublica.org/article/natural-gas-drilling-what-we-dont-know-1231

Here We Go Steelers 2010-2011 Video

2011-01-19T04:47:00.000-08:00

2011-01-16T05:56:00.000-08:00

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
~Martin Luther King Jr.

Who's To Bless And Who's To Blame (Another American gun tragedy)

2011-01-10T14:32:00.000-08:00

All the finger pointing in the world will not help the victims of the recent Arizona tragedy. We can however try to prevent more of this senseless bloodshed by keeping guns out of the hands of unstable people and by enacting more reasonable gun control laws in this country. The second amendment to the constitution should not be an excuse to abandon good judgement and common sense. As our nation's leaders troop one by one in front of the cameras to express grief and outrage, I have heard little to nothing regarding the easy availability of guns in this country.

The 2004 congress let the assault weapons ban expire. That ban use to outlaw 19 different kinds of military style weapons. Of course there were so many loopholes that manufacturers were still able to keep many of those weapons on the market. Some of that was simply done by changing names or making alterations to the gun. Isn't it time for congress to pass some gun laws that mean something?

They need to stand up against the violence that our current gun laws perpetuate, regardless of how entrenched the NRA has become in the halls of congress. They need to quit placating those who are so fixated about being able to purchase any and every type of weapon in the name of the second amendment. Does anyone honestly think that the founding fathers could have ever imagined the type of technology we would be using today? Musket balls just don't translate the same as M16 assault rifles. We need laws that protect the citizenry against the constant gun violence that takes place everyday in this country.

I would have to place the blame on our law makers who have traded guns for votes. The laws that they have let stand have put too many guns into the hands of criminals. Anyone with half a brain should know that we can be a free society and still have stringent gun laws that protect the people. If congress can not stand up now against the gun industry and those who lobby for them in the people's house,then shame on them and God bless those who will suffer because of their cowardice.

Check out Matt Stewart's interesting post titled "Don't retreat, instead RELOAD" at: http://www.ohioriverlife.blogspot.com/

The House of Rags

2011-01-06T07:10:00.000-08:00

In the house of rags the old ones fell
no dreams for the future and nothing to tell
not one sweet secret or words that could heal
they just dined at the table with a fork and a wheel
In the house of rags they gorged and they lied
still claiming they sat on the holiest side
and throwing back some sacred wine
they summoned the ghost and drew the line
In the house of rags they brokered a deal
they signed it with ashes and claimed it was real
they honor themselves when things stay the same
and they have no vision and surely no shame
In the house of rags all hope runs thin
as they always go backwards to where they have been
and the walls crumble down and the roof falls in
when a house of rags lives under your skin

C.C.

If Every Begging Barrel Was a Business

2011-01-03T15:24:00.000-08:00

I know I've been down this old road more than once but, it really seems that the excessive tag days take a toll on the village. While no one seems overly concerned about safety issues or showing kids about alternative and creative ways to raise money, perhaps we could at least be more considerate to our local businesses. We should encourage groups that are seeking funds to work with our business people instead of standing next to a barrel.

Hosting a fundraiser at a local business not only creates community spirit and raises money, it also helps promote that business. If every barrel of every Saturday was a business, we would have more people out on our streets, more dollars circulating in the business district and the human interaction that helps a small town thrive. Some people will not even drive through our village during the hours that the barrels are out. How can that be good for any business?

I am not advocating doing away with all tag days, just the majority of them. Our veterans groups, the Lions, the Shriner's and a few more like this would be fine. I know we are very small and everyone knows everyone and no one wants people mad at them if they are denied the right to beg in our streets. I hope that someday, folks will look at the bigger picture and worry more about the negative effect it has on our village.

Dear 2011, Welcome To Wellsville!

2010-12-30T07:44:00.000-08:00

There is a crack in everything...
That's how the light gets in
That's how the light gets in

Anthem
The birds they sang
at the break of day
Start again
I heard them say
Don't dwell on what
has passed away
or what is yet to be.

Ah the wars they will
be fought again
The holy dove
She will be caught again
bought and sold
and bought again
the dove is never free.

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.

We asked for signs
the signs were sent:
the birth betrayed
the marriage spent
Yeah, the widowhood
of every government --
signs for all to see.

I can't run no more
with that lawless crowd
while the killers in high places
say their prayers out loud.
But they've summoned, they've summoned up
a thundercloud
and they're going to hear from me.

Ring the bells that still can ring ...
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.

You can add up the parts
but you won't have the sum
You can strike up the march,
there is no drum
Every heart, every heart
to love will come
but like a refugee.

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.

That's how the light gets in.

That's how the light gets in.

~Leonard Cohen

Vacation

2010-11-13T07:46:00.000-08:00

"There is a time for departure even when there is no certain place to go"

~Tennessee Williams

And that sounds like advice I could use myself, and so I shall. I am not really inspired to write about the state of Wellsville one more time or anything else for that matter. Maybe a vacation will help the fires of inspiration.

See you in January,

Blogdawg

On Liberty

2010-11-09T06:23:00.000-08:00

"There is a time for departure even when there's no certain place to go."
~Tennessee Williams

Thanks to Jo Ann Bobby-Gilbert for her coverage of the Liberty Theater restoration efforts. I have only a few things to say about it and I have no ill will towards any of the players in this drama. Life is to short and you really have to look at the bigger show that is being played out. I've said it before and I truly believe that it is never about the play, it is always about getting to the play.

The RC has stirred up all the renewed interest in the theater and it reminds me of a kid who loses interest in a toy until another kid wants to play with it. Then it is the favorite, most beloved toy in the toy box. Even though the theater has been neglected to almost beyond repair it is suddenly the focus of unadulterated love and passion. I guess I wonder why this energy was not created long ago by those who have had control over it's destiny.

If people are able to get the theater up and running it will be a wonderful thing and it will have my blessing. I believe that if you really love this theater it shouldn't matter who restores it as long as it gets done. As for any rules and stipulations that were written many years ago, sometimes things need to be changed to allow for growth. A drive by the theater more or less proves that point. It is unfortunate that a few people who dislike the RC will make it harder for the job to get done because their job will be to exclude the RC any way they can. I call it the spray paint syndrome. You put it out there whether it's true or not and try to paint yourself as a victim of that ruthless, dog kicking, mother raping, child stealing Revitalization Committee.

What else can I say...some things never change.

A Spark of Passion

2010-11-02T11:51:00.000-07:00

Where is the passion and the fire to change Wellsville into a thriving and beautiful little river town? Nothing changes without that contagious spark of passion. There does seem to be a lot of passion for bashing those who try to engineer some positive changes in this village. There is usually heated passion over who might get credit for doing anything short of cutting a blade of grass and the village gets lost in the rubble of mean-spirited and over-blown egos.

Can anyone see a Main Street with brick sidewalks, old fashion street lights, coffee shops, art galleries, movie theater, little specialty stores, a bowling alley, a place where the kids can have dances on Saturday nights, a beautiful marina where families can picnic and rent paddle boats. My God, that's just a normal town. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the streets are always deserted at night, there has never been a worthwhile and solid plan of action in case Baard does come here, the theater is falling away, the marina is a piece of crap that could be a jewel in Wellsville's crown, abandoned properties and slumlords are a plague, and people hold on to their square boxes until they fall into a pile of dust at their feet.

This one has to kiss this one's ass and this one has to fall in line to hate this one and then everyone can get in a big green pod and make sure business continues as usual in Wellsville. Well that feels better! I actually know that it takes many years to implement change. That you must take your licks, your kicks and your beating sticks and come back fighting for the change your heart desires. And that is exactly what we will keep doing. Just needed to shake out some frustration.