A) Y-E-S! It's time to, officially and fairly, figure out a method of having thousands of former and current Alum to choose names for ALL of our Campus trails! Talk it up, please....
B) And THIS school year, before next Spring Break...please!!!!
C) The only one I am familiar with, officially, is 'Matoaka Trail' behind the Rec Center, along Lake Matoaka, to Ukrop Way. Along that trail the name of 'Matoaka Trail' appears on a sign.
D) Just read on a local newspaper line that someone said, in reply to my need for having our W&M trails named, that "we" don't need to name the now 11+ miles of W&M trails....WRONG!!! That person, I believe, has NEVER been on ALL 11+ miles of trails, only a short distance for any one, and does not undersand one iota how unique they all are. That "argument", therefore, is tossed immediately.
E) Point: let's call a family's offspring simply "children", with NO names...no individuality. "Children, let's take a walk...." Better yet, Sarah, Justin and Ron...let's take a walk."
F)
Friday, September 3, 2010
14- HELP!...HELP!....THE 11+ MILES of CAMPUS TRAILS NEED HELP!!.....
A) The most obvious trouble spot is directly behind the Arts Studio Bldg. by Lake Matoaka. The trail there has vanished on the steep slope and dangerous! Much of that Matoaka Trail that begins directly behind our Rec Center and meanders behind some dorms to Ukrop Way has problems and for years. Also, much of it could use, gingerly, a sprinkling of fine cinders to protect the multitude of roots of all sizes...that's all. PLEASE don't ruin it by tearing up and out the roots that have been left to natrurally grow for many years!
B) The longest main trail, from Compton over to Monticello, needs much help (EROSION) closer to Jamestown Road...wait until you see it! BUT...as you climb up, or down that part of the trail, the erosion from earlier bikes and especially motorcycles has revealed fosils shells dating back to when the Tidewater region, up to the Blue Ridges, was under the sea! Observe closely.
C) The shorter trail, over to the back of the Amphitheatre on Lake Matoaka at 'Squirrel Point', is in relatively decent shape.
D) The 'north trails'....did you know about the scattering of trails in the Campus Woods ACROSS Monticello? The Military Science classes utilize them, and you didn't know about them 'cause there doesn't appear to be any pronounced ingress or egress entrances! On my list of near ADVENTURES is to park in New Town and cross the Ironbound intersetion to the edge of the Woods and do some explorin'!
E) The NEW Compton trail to the new Ed. bldg....will take hundreds of years to wear it down!
F) NAME THOSE 11+ miles of our W&M Campus trails!!!!...please. "WE" need an official organized group to set up the procedure, SOON!...thanks.
G)
B) The longest main trail, from Compton over to Monticello, needs much help (EROSION) closer to Jamestown Road...wait until you see it! BUT...as you climb up, or down that part of the trail, the erosion from earlier bikes and especially motorcycles has revealed fosils shells dating back to when the Tidewater region, up to the Blue Ridges, was under the sea! Observe closely.
C) The shorter trail, over to the back of the Amphitheatre on Lake Matoaka at 'Squirrel Point', is in relatively decent shape.
D) The 'north trails'....did you know about the scattering of trails in the Campus Woods ACROSS Monticello? The Military Science classes utilize them, and you didn't know about them 'cause there doesn't appear to be any pronounced ingress or egress entrances! On my list of near ADVENTURES is to park in New Town and cross the Ironbound intersetion to the edge of the Woods and do some explorin'!
E) The NEW Compton trail to the new Ed. bldg....will take hundreds of years to wear it down!
F) NAME THOSE 11+ miles of our W&M Campus trails!!!!...please. "WE" need an official organized group to set up the procedure, SOON!...thanks.
G)
14- HEY, HAPPY "COLLEGE COLORS DAY"!...September 3rd....
OK, did you 'member today and are you gonna PROUDLY wear those colors?...this guy will have to wear five different sets of COLORS!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
13- The NEW WOODLAND TRAIL On The W&M CAMPUS, FROM COMPTON DR. To The NEW ED. BLDG.!!....
A) I really like our new "Compton Trail!" and know you will, too! BUT, those footbridge planks are PLASTIC, not treated WOOD. And they were NOT cheaper. The planks were produced in Virginia. Someone showed me, this week, how easily they scar when tapped! Also, discovered, when a worker revealed to me, that each PLASTIC plank cost approx. $45.00. WOW! What a letdown for this naturalist-kinda guy. However, the beauty of the "Compton Trail" and usefulness far outweighs ANY plastic planks!...honest.
B) The new trail costs over a million $$ (now I know why someone inside the system tried to ignore my questions back in the spring), and the new trail is relatively short in length in comparison to the other 10+ miles of Campus trails, with some dating back to the '30s, with CCC help.
C) One entrance is clearly visible from Compton Dr. in the Camous woods near the back of the W&M Rec Center. When you're going out to Monticello Ave., it's on your right. That entrance is now clearly visible, with a new sidewalk extending past the Rec Center. If you drive up to the back of the new Ed. Bldg. (old location of town hospital), the other entrance is located at the back area across from from the courtyard area. And is an attractive addition for this new section of the Campus.
D) This new trail WILL, I PREDICT, be THE great positive talk of the Campus and town for some time! Nearly all of it is a raised, 532' (measured it myself, recently...walking trail from Compton Dr. is 397'). Plastic planked footbridge winds and meanders over the natural lay of the rugged woodland terrain. The highest section of the walkway is across the marshy creek area, providing terrific natural scenery, with woods and trees and shade and that tiny 'cre'k.' Most who walk on it will want to take their time to enjoy the serenity and flora. This local educator, researcher, author and photographer HAS taken along my trusty Nikon aready. I predict that, this coming winter, there will be a few SNOWY days this winter, perfect for exhilerating Nature walks.
E) PLEASE check out the new trail. It's completed. I did walk all the way through, especially on the 532' of raised footbridge walkway. WOW! LIKE IT.....
F) A new sidewalk, with lighted posts has been built along Compton behind the Rec Center to support this entrance that leads you through the 'wilderness' woodland over to the new Ed. Bldg. The 397' walkway path leading to the start of the footbridge includes lampposts from beginning to end, all the way through the winding, meandering walkway plus bridge. The W&M 'security stations' are now lighted blue, too! At the Compton entrance end is a new sidewalk, with a special crosswalk for walking across the busy Compton to the "Compton Trail" entrance, and the "new" older "Matoaka Trail" entrance is also there, going in the opposite direction, to Lake Matoaka!
G) AND THE FAUNA? Have, at times, seen deer and a WILD turkey or three on the trails. If you start on the older, longest trail off Compton Dr., behind the Rec Center (2nd one, not the 'Matoaka Trail'/1st one, that trail is long and about halfway through is a dip, with marsh and 'cre'k' but be quiet as you walk, to spot the fauna!
H) An added thought about our Campus trails? There are at least 10+ miles of woodland trails, dating back to the '30s, on Campus. Some portions of the trails are in dire need of restoration! Like other research commenteries, a PAPER has been composed and written, always a one-pager, on our W&M Campus trails andhas been shared with many, with anyone welcome to receive a copy.
H) One trail spot is gone, in dire trouble, and is on the older 'Matoaka Trail' (around the lake) directly behind the Art Studio Bldg. And that problem spot on the trail is DANGEROUS to navigate, being quite STEEP!
I) Get invoved, please, and speak out and up, often, about the need to restore our Campus trails for joggers' and hikers' safety, especially this small portion of the Matoaka Trail aroud the Lake. This particular trail, all the way through, is a bit rough to hike. It begins on Compton Dr., behind the Rec Center, and meanders by the Lake all the way over to the restored Amphitheatre by Lake Matoaka. Some of us remember, for years, how this amphitheatre was forgotten, in ruins. But today, with the help of a bold alumnus, the restoration is complete and NOW an active, bucolic setting!
I) ....more coming.....
B) The new trail costs over a million $$ (now I know why someone inside the system tried to ignore my questions back in the spring), and the new trail is relatively short in length in comparison to the other 10+ miles of Campus trails, with some dating back to the '30s, with CCC help.
C) One entrance is clearly visible from Compton Dr. in the Camous woods near the back of the W&M Rec Center. When you're going out to Monticello Ave., it's on your right. That entrance is now clearly visible, with a new sidewalk extending past the Rec Center. If you drive up to the back of the new Ed. Bldg. (old location of town hospital), the other entrance is located at the back area across from from the courtyard area. And is an attractive addition for this new section of the Campus.
D) This new trail WILL, I PREDICT, be THE great positive talk of the Campus and town for some time! Nearly all of it is a raised, 532' (measured it myself, recently...walking trail from Compton Dr. is 397'). Plastic planked footbridge winds and meanders over the natural lay of the rugged woodland terrain. The highest section of the walkway is across the marshy creek area, providing terrific natural scenery, with woods and trees and shade and that tiny 'cre'k.' Most who walk on it will want to take their time to enjoy the serenity and flora. This local educator, researcher, author and photographer HAS taken along my trusty Nikon aready. I predict that, this coming winter, there will be a few SNOWY days this winter, perfect for exhilerating Nature walks.
E) PLEASE check out the new trail. It's completed. I did walk all the way through, especially on the 532' of raised footbridge walkway. WOW! LIKE IT.....
F) A new sidewalk, with lighted posts has been built along Compton behind the Rec Center to support this entrance that leads you through the 'wilderness' woodland over to the new Ed. Bldg. The 397' walkway path leading to the start of the footbridge includes lampposts from beginning to end, all the way through the winding, meandering walkway plus bridge. The W&M 'security stations' are now lighted blue, too! At the Compton entrance end is a new sidewalk, with a special crosswalk for walking across the busy Compton to the "Compton Trail" entrance, and the "new" older "Matoaka Trail" entrance is also there, going in the opposite direction, to Lake Matoaka!
G) AND THE FAUNA? Have, at times, seen deer and a WILD turkey or three on the trails. If you start on the older, longest trail off Compton Dr., behind the Rec Center (2nd one, not the 'Matoaka Trail'/1st one, that trail is long and about halfway through is a dip, with marsh and 'cre'k' but be quiet as you walk, to spot the fauna!
H) An added thought about our Campus trails? There are at least 10+ miles of woodland trails, dating back to the '30s, on Campus. Some portions of the trails are in dire need of restoration! Like other research commenteries, a PAPER has been composed and written, always a one-pager, on our W&M Campus trails andhas been shared with many, with anyone welcome to receive a copy.
H) One trail spot is gone, in dire trouble, and is on the older 'Matoaka Trail' (around the lake) directly behind the Art Studio Bldg. And that problem spot on the trail is DANGEROUS to navigate, being quite STEEP!
I) Get invoved, please, and speak out and up, often, about the need to restore our Campus trails for joggers' and hikers' safety, especially this small portion of the Matoaka Trail aroud the Lake. This particular trail, all the way through, is a bit rough to hike. It begins on Compton Dr., behind the Rec Center, and meanders by the Lake all the way over to the restored Amphitheatre by Lake Matoaka. Some of us remember, for years, how this amphitheatre was forgotten, in ruins. But today, with the help of a bold alumnus, the restoration is complete and NOW an active, bucolic setting!
I) ....more coming.....
Thursday, August 5, 2010
12- H-E-L-P!...ANYONE WHO ATTENDED W&M During 1960-1979..AND REMEMBERS ANYTHING ABOUT THIS JAMESTOWN ROAD PEDESTRIAN TUNNEL!.....
*****For my expanded research on our underground Jamestown Road pedestrian passageway, open from fall 1960 to the late 1970s, PLEASE share any experience! Thanx!!
rsquire1@cox.net
My introductory description begins with the preceding blog!...#11.
rsquire1@cox.net
My introductory description begins with the preceding blog!...#11.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
11- WHERE is MY FAVE ART MUSEUM On The CAMPUS of WILLIAM and MARY?.....
A) It's there, but you cannot see it, entombed UNDER Jamestown Road!*****FLASH!!...my Va. Gazette essay describing this unique W&M "art museum" was published (August 11, 2010)!!
B) My research on this fabulous ART MUSEUM now hidden underground the Campus of William & Mary and Jamestown Road is NOW being shared by everyone, publicly, in America's oldest newspaper! And is dedicated to and for all of those unknown "graffiti artists" who, over the years, contributed to every inch of the subterranean, unique, one-of-a-kind, underground passageway tunnel under one of our most traveled streets! YES!...I dare say that very few of you have ever or even now know about this "graffiti ART MUSEUM."
It's nearly 50' in length...8'-2" by 8'-2" by 8'-2", with every square inch of the two walls covered with many COLORFUL drawings and even a message or nine for students for posterity.
This researcher would be 'cited to listen to handsful of W&M students from the '60s into the '70s who experienced this underground passageway(rsquire1@cox.net) Also, send an e-mail, mailing address, and will send you a "hard copy" of VG essay!
B) "Please respect our art!" This plea, on the pedestrian tunnel wall in a vivid BLUE, from 15 to 20 years ago, is still there down in my FAVE "graffiti ART MUSEUM!" Just wait until you read and see the research on this tunnel story and graffiti artwork that has been saved on film for that all-important posterity...history!
C) The underground walkway was built and opened without fanfare during the 1960 fall term, and is under Jamestown Road. The walkway allowed student foot traffic from the Historic Campus (near Wren Bldg.) over to the then new Campus Center.
Problems quickly developed with seepage of water through the walls of the pedestrian tunnel. Water would settle inside on the floor, even with a floor grate originally built to take away any water that accumulated. Also, the two entrances were built in such a way as to unknowingly channel rainwater down the 24 steps and curve into each tunnel entrance!
D) The walkway was finally closed in the '70s! I have searched in the local newspaper archives and in the Flat Hat (original W&M newspaper) looking for ANY articles on the tunnel...and found only a few mentions. Nothing, so far, on that exact closing date! Was told recently, by someone coming to town in 1973, with it open then, that they remember going thru the underground passageway as late as 1978(?)...will continue searching!
E) The "art museum", uncovered below in the undergroud walkway when the gate barriers were removed last year 2010), is under the very busy Jamestown Road. And this "grafitti art", covering every inch of the nearly 50' of walls on both sides of the tunnel, is what this summer alum and local historian considers THE local art treasure for our historic town!
F) Of my now 180+ V.G. essays composed and published over the years in America's first newspaper, THIS one is absolutely my fave, with colorful pics! This historian is fascinated with what is "down below" and right smackdab in the middle of the heavily traveled main street up above it!
G) Problem, though, with tiny tears, it HAS BEEN CLOSE off for good, squeezed for tunnel space with large water pipes connecting the across-the-street Campus Center area with the Historic Campus around Wren and the Sunken Garden area. AND COVERED OVER, FOREVER, ENTOMBED!! All of those grand graffiti student artworks ARE forever sealed, but NOT painted over on the walls, but portals sealed, filled with huge pipes using the passageway to traverse from one side of the old campus to the "old Campus"!
H) To be honest, the "OLD Campus" needed serious heating and water updating and for the "common good of the entire Campus." I admit that.
I) The entrance down to the tunnel portals on the Campus Center is now gone, covered over with a "roof" last (2010) summer. However, my fave "Graffiti Tunnel Art Museum" students' art remains SEALED, for good...FOREVER. This historian is making sure that this small historic segment of W&M's and Williamsburg's histories will live on with this photo essay and composition. Also, my collection of photos just on this Jamestown Road pedestrian tunnel "art museum" numbers more far than shown in the VG essay. Soon, will post a bunch up on a special website. As usual, like all of my many other PHOTO essays and researches on the W&M Campus, early historic town of Williamsburg and my native Virginia, will be a contribution to...local history and anyone who likes and honestly appreciates REAL HIStory!!
J)
B) My research on this fabulous ART MUSEUM now hidden underground the Campus of William & Mary and Jamestown Road is NOW being shared by everyone, publicly, in America's oldest newspaper! And is dedicated to and for all of those unknown "graffiti artists" who, over the years, contributed to every inch of the subterranean, unique, one-of-a-kind, underground passageway tunnel under one of our most traveled streets! YES!...I dare say that very few of you have ever or even now know about this "graffiti ART MUSEUM."
It's nearly 50' in length...8'-2" by 8'-2" by 8'-2", with every square inch of the two walls covered with many COLORFUL drawings and even a message or nine for students for posterity.
This researcher would be 'cited to listen to handsful of W&M students from the '60s into the '70s who experienced this underground passageway(rsquire1@cox.net) Also, send an e-mail, mailing address, and will send you a "hard copy" of VG essay!
B) "Please respect our art!" This plea, on the pedestrian tunnel wall in a vivid BLUE, from 15 to 20 years ago, is still there down in my FAVE "graffiti ART MUSEUM!" Just wait until you read and see the research on this tunnel story and graffiti artwork that has been saved on film for that all-important posterity...history!
C) The underground walkway was built and opened without fanfare during the 1960 fall term, and is under Jamestown Road. The walkway allowed student foot traffic from the Historic Campus (near Wren Bldg.) over to the then new Campus Center.
Problems quickly developed with seepage of water through the walls of the pedestrian tunnel. Water would settle inside on the floor, even with a floor grate originally built to take away any water that accumulated. Also, the two entrances were built in such a way as to unknowingly channel rainwater down the 24 steps and curve into each tunnel entrance!
D) The walkway was finally closed in the '70s! I have searched in the local newspaper archives and in the Flat Hat (original W&M newspaper) looking for ANY articles on the tunnel...and found only a few mentions. Nothing, so far, on that exact closing date! Was told recently, by someone coming to town in 1973, with it open then, that they remember going thru the underground passageway as late as 1978(?)...will continue searching!
E) The "art museum", uncovered below in the undergroud walkway when the gate barriers were removed last year 2010), is under the very busy Jamestown Road. And this "grafitti art", covering every inch of the nearly 50' of walls on both sides of the tunnel, is what this summer alum and local historian considers THE local art treasure for our historic town!
F) Of my now 180+ V.G. essays composed and published over the years in America's first newspaper, THIS one is absolutely my fave, with colorful pics! This historian is fascinated with what is "down below" and right smackdab in the middle of the heavily traveled main street up above it!
G) Problem, though, with tiny tears, it HAS BEEN CLOSE off for good, squeezed for tunnel space with large water pipes connecting the across-the-street Campus Center area with the Historic Campus around Wren and the Sunken Garden area. AND COVERED OVER, FOREVER, ENTOMBED!! All of those grand graffiti student artworks ARE forever sealed, but NOT painted over on the walls, but portals sealed, filled with huge pipes using the passageway to traverse from one side of the old campus to the "old Campus"!
H) To be honest, the "OLD Campus" needed serious heating and water updating and for the "common good of the entire Campus." I admit that.
I) The entrance down to the tunnel portals on the Campus Center is now gone, covered over with a "roof" last (2010) summer. However, my fave "Graffiti Tunnel Art Museum" students' art remains SEALED, for good...FOREVER. This historian is making sure that this small historic segment of W&M's and Williamsburg's histories will live on with this photo essay and composition. Also, my collection of photos just on this Jamestown Road pedestrian tunnel "art museum" numbers more far than shown in the VG essay. Soon, will post a bunch up on a special website. As usual, like all of my many other PHOTO essays and researches on the W&M Campus, early historic town of Williamsburg and my native Virginia, will be a contribution to...local history and anyone who likes and honestly appreciates REAL HIStory!!
J)
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
10- HOW TO BRING TOGETHER the WILLIAM and MARY STUDENTS AND WILLIAMSBURG LOCALS?.....
A) I like identifying and tackling, for a fair and balanced approach, social issues. And here is one that has been simmering below the surface for decades and decades in Williamsburg and every college town in our great America...that's the beginning thought.....
B) I did compose, the spring of 2010, a basic overview to begin this one huge simmering underlying problem in my historic town of Williamsburg, to introduce both the students and locals. Hundreds of students were given this one-page overview before they left last May a year ago, to contemplate. The local newspaper, America's oldest, did publish the overview. Now, when the students did come back in August a year ago, all of those interested had and opportunity to get together, in some form, and work out the next steps towards an open discussion and solutions!
C) Crossing Jamestown and Richmond roads is a dangerous chore at times and a must because the Old/Historic Campus also goes over to the early Campus Center and, in the other direction, to the Sororities Court area. Plus, add the "thousands" of tourists every day visiting. They normall like to walk across at "Confusion Corner" to the old Wren Courtyard. The pure numbers along those two streets creates a major problem for walkers and drivers, all mixed up together, with no stoplight. A few years ago a simple plan for the students and locals coming in contact was devised and printed also on one-page and shared, especially in the local newspaper for our biggest conumdrum of "confusion corner."
D) Students, or anyone walking in that area's crosswalks, have the rightaway WHEN they are IN the crosswalk and an auto approaches!
E) My additional point added that crossing students, must, out of restpectful courtesy, pause for a second or three before zooming out from the sidewalk edges or expecially from behind the old brick wall...that students also should briefly wave or even mouth a 'thanks' as they slowly cross.
F) Drivers, too, need to anticipate, ahead of time, and pay attention along Jamestown and Richmond roads, watching out for crossing students and walkers having the rightaway! Gosh, it's a dual, respectful meeting, momentarily, IN the street!!! And drivers also could even, briefly, wave a 'thank you' to the student, person, IN the crosswalk. A tiny smile could also do wonders to create a sincere appreciation for both locals and students...for months ahead!
G) This very old, historic intersection enigma continues to be ignored by our local "governing body" (city council) and allowed to fester and throw drivers, pedestrians and students into a learned habit of "who cares, anymore. 'I' just need to survive in getting across this freaking intersection...in one piece!"
H) And the solution.....? (coming)
B) I did compose, the spring of 2010, a basic overview to begin this one huge simmering underlying problem in my historic town of Williamsburg, to introduce both the students and locals. Hundreds of students were given this one-page overview before they left last May a year ago, to contemplate. The local newspaper, America's oldest, did publish the overview. Now, when the students did come back in August a year ago, all of those interested had and opportunity to get together, in some form, and work out the next steps towards an open discussion and solutions!
C) Crossing Jamestown and Richmond roads is a dangerous chore at times and a must because the Old/Historic Campus also goes over to the early Campus Center and, in the other direction, to the Sororities Court area. Plus, add the "thousands" of tourists every day visiting. They normall like to walk across at "Confusion Corner" to the old Wren Courtyard. The pure numbers along those two streets creates a major problem for walkers and drivers, all mixed up together, with no stoplight. A few years ago a simple plan for the students and locals coming in contact was devised and printed also on one-page and shared, especially in the local newspaper for our biggest conumdrum of "confusion corner."
D) Students, or anyone walking in that area's crosswalks, have the rightaway WHEN they are IN the crosswalk and an auto approaches!
E) My additional point added that crossing students, must, out of restpectful courtesy, pause for a second or three before zooming out from the sidewalk edges or expecially from behind the old brick wall...that students also should briefly wave or even mouth a 'thanks' as they slowly cross.
F) Drivers, too, need to anticipate, ahead of time, and pay attention along Jamestown and Richmond roads, watching out for crossing students and walkers having the rightaway! Gosh, it's a dual, respectful meeting, momentarily, IN the street!!! And drivers also could even, briefly, wave a 'thank you' to the student, person, IN the crosswalk. A tiny smile could also do wonders to create a sincere appreciation for both locals and students...for months ahead!
G) This very old, historic intersection enigma continues to be ignored by our local "governing body" (city council) and allowed to fester and throw drivers, pedestrians and students into a learned habit of "who cares, anymore. 'I' just need to survive in getting across this freaking intersection...in one piece!"
H) And the solution.....? (coming)
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
9- The WILLIAM And MARY "URBAN LEGEND" From The LAKE MATOAKA "Black Lagoon"........
A) After midnight.....
B) The story is told how a small covey of students, two coeds and two guys, planned and ventured out to the far reaches of some of the Lake's many inlets (fingers), AFTER MIDNIGHT a handful of years ago, to prove once and for all IF "POCA" really does exist!
C) "POCA" is the name of the "urban legend creature" circulated on the W&M Campus, America's 2nd oldest campus, for a number of years.
D) the foursome took cellphone cameras, one flashlight and, after midnight, started out past the Ampitheatre, under the Art Dept. bldg., with the deteriorating Lake bank and slowly, carefully followed the rough edges of Lake Matoaka with its many fingers....IN THE DARK, with that one light!
E) A gaggle of Canadian geese suddenly squawked and nosily flapped, taking off from along the opposite lake edge, creating quite a huge commotion, frightening the four adventurers. After settling down, all was quiet again on the western lake front for a time as they continued their adventure along the dense, rough edges of the lake in the dark. Without another warning, something splashed loudly in one of the lake fingers in front of the four and was long enough to undulate with a length much longer than the four person standing, shivering. The lone flashlight was barely able to follow "it." One of the coeds, carrying the notebook, jumped from fright, as well as the other three, and the notebook went flying into the dark water along the edge of the lake. The four, scared, had forgotten to snap a pic before "it" submerged and disappeared, not to be seen again that Friday night.
The four made a pact, friends confessed, to "forget" what happened that Friday night after midnight many years ago in the far reaches of Lake Matoaka fingers. They had decided that no one would believe them! And no one has ever, we're told, ventured out late searching again. Only during the daytime light are canoes paddled out and about...but not too far.
Someone, somewhere, still has a flashlight, maybe, that can prove "Poca's' existence?????
B) The story is told how a small covey of students, two coeds and two guys, planned and ventured out to the far reaches of some of the Lake's many inlets (fingers), AFTER MIDNIGHT a handful of years ago, to prove once and for all IF "POCA" really does exist!
C) "POCA" is the name of the "urban legend creature" circulated on the W&M Campus, America's 2nd oldest campus, for a number of years.
D) the foursome took cellphone cameras, one flashlight and, after midnight, started out past the Ampitheatre, under the Art Dept. bldg., with the deteriorating Lake bank and slowly, carefully followed the rough edges of Lake Matoaka with its many fingers....IN THE DARK, with that one light!
E) A gaggle of Canadian geese suddenly squawked and nosily flapped, taking off from along the opposite lake edge, creating quite a huge commotion, frightening the four adventurers. After settling down, all was quiet again on the western lake front for a time as they continued their adventure along the dense, rough edges of the lake in the dark. Without another warning, something splashed loudly in one of the lake fingers in front of the four and was long enough to undulate with a length much longer than the four person standing, shivering. The lone flashlight was barely able to follow "it." One of the coeds, carrying the notebook, jumped from fright, as well as the other three, and the notebook went flying into the dark water along the edge of the lake. The four, scared, had forgotten to snap a pic before "it" submerged and disappeared, not to be seen again that Friday night.
The four made a pact, friends confessed, to "forget" what happened that Friday night after midnight many years ago in the far reaches of Lake Matoaka fingers. They had decided that no one would believe them! And no one has ever, we're told, ventured out late searching again. Only during the daytime light are canoes paddled out and about...but not too far.
Someone, somewhere, still has a flashlight, maybe, that can prove "Poca's' existence?????
8- VIRGINIA TECH U....THREE NEARBY COVERED BRIDGES and ONE "DIRTY DANCING".....
Take a neat adventure to the three nearby Covered Bridges past Blacksburg and some of the filming of "Dirty Dancing" at Mountain Lake. ron rascal has said it for a looong time that adventures in life are extremely important to maintaining one's, uh, "mojoe."
A) Mountain Lake....take U.S. 460 from Blacksburg to Rte. 700, ending in the mts. at Mountain Lake. Many portions of "Dirty Dancing" were filmed at the once popular old mountain resort here! Problem....later, over time, a fissure developed below the lake and naturally drained much of the lake.
B) Three old covered bridges past Virginia Tech U. in Giles County....
-Link Farm Covered Bridge...sits beside Rte. 700 (Mountain Lake Road), just north of
U.S. 460, west of Blacksburg and close to the village of Newport...private property! (Giles
C.)
-Sinking Creek Bridge...stands beside Rte. 601. Need to follow U.S. 42 north, through
the village of Newport, past for 1/2 mi....turn west on Rte. 601...go 1/2 mi. (Giles C.)
-C.K. REYNOLDS FARM BRIDGE...on side side of U.S. 42...about on 1/2 mi. north of
Newport village. Private property. Rte. 42 will be up high...when you look to your right,
down into a small valley with mts. on over side, you'll have to adjust your eyes to see Sinking
Creek, the Reynols farm and the neat, small bridge. No longer used for car traffic, but is
for farm use! Neat abandoned "ghost farmhouse" across the stream. This covered bridge
is my fave!....the valley and mountain setting and "ghose farmhouse!" (Giles C.)
C) Your drive and exploration past Virginia Tech, on U.R. 460, through the
mountains is so worth your road trip!!!!
A) Mountain Lake....take U.S. 460 from Blacksburg to Rte. 700, ending in the mts. at Mountain Lake. Many portions of "Dirty Dancing" were filmed at the once popular old mountain resort here! Problem....later, over time, a fissure developed below the lake and naturally drained much of the lake.
B) Three old covered bridges past Virginia Tech U. in Giles County....
-Link Farm Covered Bridge...sits beside Rte. 700 (Mountain Lake Road), just north of
U.S. 460, west of Blacksburg and close to the village of Newport...private property! (Giles
C.)
-Sinking Creek Bridge...stands beside Rte. 601. Need to follow U.S. 42 north, through
the village of Newport, past for 1/2 mi....turn west on Rte. 601...go 1/2 mi. (Giles C.)
-C.K. REYNOLDS FARM BRIDGE...on side side of U.S. 42...about on 1/2 mi. north of
Newport village. Private property. Rte. 42 will be up high...when you look to your right,
down into a small valley with mts. on over side, you'll have to adjust your eyes to see Sinking
Creek, the Reynols farm and the neat, small bridge. No longer used for car traffic, but is
for farm use! Neat abandoned "ghost farmhouse" across the stream. This covered bridge
is my fave!....the valley and mountain setting and "ghose farmhouse!" (Giles C.)
C) Your drive and exploration past Virginia Tech, on U.R. 460, through the
mountains is so worth your road trip!!!!
7- MUCH MORE COLLEGE of WILLIAM And MARY HISTORY and STUFF CAN BE LOCATED AT.......
A) Click on to my very first blog...http: //thesquiresview.blogspot.com/....and then to #400! Made a list there of all of the neat W&M facts...stuff!
B) More Virginia colleges and universities neat stuff coming.......
C) Look "above" in this section to #11, also, for a one-of-a-kind collegiate fact on the heretofore unknow story of the W&M "Graffiti Art Museum" under Jamestown Road in Williamsburg!
D) ...more.....
B) More Virginia colleges and universities neat stuff coming.......
C) Look "above" in this section to #11, also, for a one-of-a-kind collegiate fact on the heretofore unknow story of the W&M "Graffiti Art Museum" under Jamestown Road in Williamsburg!
D) ...more.....
Friday, April 16, 2010
6- The "BEWARE" SIGN On The WILLIAM and MARY CAMPUS?....
A) And where is it located?
B) North end of the Sunken Garden, away from the Wren Bldg....see the patch of Crim Dell woods right there? The small, handmade sign is at the edge of the woods there...look up high. Have yet to uncover why and who nailed it up there! And please don't let anyone take it down. It's now a unique Campus tradition on a "uniquer" American university campus...the 2nd oldest in our America!!
B) North end of the Sunken Garden, away from the Wren Bldg....see the patch of Crim Dell woods right there? The small, handmade sign is at the edge of the woods there...look up high. Have yet to uncover why and who nailed it up there! And please don't let anyone take it down. It's now a unique Campus tradition on a "uniquer" American university campus...the 2nd oldest in our America!!
5- "HAM" and "JAM" On The MARY BALDWIN COLLEGE CAMPUS In STAUNTON!.....
A) Staunton...in the "Queen City of the Shenandoah Valley"
B) "Ham and Jam"....and who they were? Which MBC dorm is haunted and originally was a hospital, with one dorm room being the old operating room? Is there a secret natural cave tunnel from the campus to past the old railroad depot in downtown Staunton? And what did Julia Baldwin, founder, do during the Civil War when the Yankee soldiers invaded the campus?
C) "Ham and Ham" are the two large statues of dogs at the top of the steep stairs to Old Main. Tale is...they are supposed to bark whenever a coed virgin walks by. They have yet to bark...some say.
D) There is a dorm along Frederick Street in front of the main campus that originally was the town hospital, with the operating room converted to coed rooms. For years, stories have abounded of strange "suffering" sounds and even muffled screams coming from that area of the old dorm.
E) There IS a cave that runs from Sears Hill down under the RR tracks and up towards the College. I found the entrance up on Sears Hill and talked wth old-timers who shared their experiences, as children, of going into that tunnel on Sears Hill before it was sealed by the police! They also claimed that the tunnel extended over to an outcropping of rocks visible on the hillside Campus beside old Main and..."Ham and Jam."
F) An underground lake under the basin (Central Ave.) a block from MBC! FACT...in 1910 the lake drained and created a CAVE-IN, with one house disappearing, the town fireplace with a huge hole in front of it and three other deep holes. Have seen the pics of this 1910 cave-in! Also, did my research into 1910 Staunton newspapers about the calamity....that one guy hired a boy to take visitors around one hole, filled with water, for 10-cents, giving the boy a penny each. I did go down into a submerged small stream bed smackdab in that 1910 cave-in area and did find a waterfall and cliffs under the center of Staunton, Augusta and Beverley Streets hidden beneath the middle of town!!!
G) My research did uncover a story of Julia Baldwin, founder of Mary Baldwin College, having the coeds hide hams and food under their large skirts when a group of Yankees came onto the Campus during the Civil War, searching for food to steal!
H) When the very old and honored Staunton Military Academy (boys) closed, next to the MBC Campus, the College bought the land and bldgs. and extended the MBC Campus, up on the large S.M.A. original hill. By the way, there are MANY hills around Staunton...some say seven!
I) Colleges and universities abound with PRANK stories, and MBC has one or three. There is a steep lawn bank in front of the MBC Library, where a city street once existed. Once, some guys from a Valley school slipped into town late one winter night and carefully sprinkled potent fertilizer on that steep lawn bank. Months later, during early spring rains, the fetilizer took effect, "loudly" revealing the two, uh, naughty words for all to...see.
two HUGE naughty words, overnight, became quite visible
B) "Ham and Jam"....and who they were? Which MBC dorm is haunted and originally was a hospital, with one dorm room being the old operating room? Is there a secret natural cave tunnel from the campus to past the old railroad depot in downtown Staunton? And what did Julia Baldwin, founder, do during the Civil War when the Yankee soldiers invaded the campus?
C) "Ham and Ham" are the two large statues of dogs at the top of the steep stairs to Old Main. Tale is...they are supposed to bark whenever a coed virgin walks by. They have yet to bark...some say.
D) There is a dorm along Frederick Street in front of the main campus that originally was the town hospital, with the operating room converted to coed rooms. For years, stories have abounded of strange "suffering" sounds and even muffled screams coming from that area of the old dorm.
E) There IS a cave that runs from Sears Hill down under the RR tracks and up towards the College. I found the entrance up on Sears Hill and talked wth old-timers who shared their experiences, as children, of going into that tunnel on Sears Hill before it was sealed by the police! They also claimed that the tunnel extended over to an outcropping of rocks visible on the hillside Campus beside old Main and..."Ham and Jam."
F) An underground lake under the basin (Central Ave.) a block from MBC! FACT...in 1910 the lake drained and created a CAVE-IN, with one house disappearing, the town fireplace with a huge hole in front of it and three other deep holes. Have seen the pics of this 1910 cave-in! Also, did my research into 1910 Staunton newspapers about the calamity....that one guy hired a boy to take visitors around one hole, filled with water, for 10-cents, giving the boy a penny each. I did go down into a submerged small stream bed smackdab in that 1910 cave-in area and did find a waterfall and cliffs under the center of Staunton, Augusta and Beverley Streets hidden beneath the middle of town!!!
G) My research did uncover a story of Julia Baldwin, founder of Mary Baldwin College, having the coeds hide hams and food under their large skirts when a group of Yankees came onto the Campus during the Civil War, searching for food to steal!
H) When the very old and honored Staunton Military Academy (boys) closed, next to the MBC Campus, the College bought the land and bldgs. and extended the MBC Campus, up on the large S.M.A. original hill. By the way, there are MANY hills around Staunton...some say seven!
I) Colleges and universities abound with PRANK stories, and MBC has one or three. There is a steep lawn bank in front of the MBC Library, where a city street once existed. Once, some guys from a Valley school slipped into town late one winter night and carefully sprinkled potent fertilizer on that steep lawn bank. Months later, during early spring rains, the fetilizer took effect, "loudly" revealing the two, uh, naughty words for all to...see.
two HUGE naughty words, overnight, became quite visible
4- WASHINGTON & LEE U. and V.M.I.... the LIME KILM THEATRE!!....
a- A must to visit when in the Shenandoah Valley's Rockbridge County and Lexington area!
b- How to get there?...easy...go to the Main Street (Rte. 11) and turn WEST on Rte. 60...you're then headed for the Appalachian Mts. in the near distance! Right outside the town limits, to your left, is the entrance at the woods!
c- This quarry dates back to 19th century. The locals had an epiphany way back to turn the old abandoned quarry into a natural theatre, under the stars. And the scene was left, honest, in its natural state with few additions, like seats. You'll be seatdc "down" below the edges of the rock quarry above, making it naturally COOL during the spring and summer months. The experience is outdoor entertainment at its best!
This summer: "Stonewall Country" (7/1-3 and 9/11)..."Seldom Scene" and more. (Google and see list.)
This native Virginia historian, researcher and photographer has visited the Lime Kilm! Was introduced to Zydeco (original New Orleans Cajun music) that visit...loved it!
d- Both Virginia schools are side by side, with stately old W&L campus buildings, especially the famous chapel where Gen. Robert E. (Edward) Lee is interred. If you like history, this entire area around Lexington is worth the exploratory visit, scenery and the campuses of Washington and Lee U. and Virginia Military Academy. Viewing the cadets up on the grounds is quite an experience, too....
b- How to get there?...easy...go to the Main Street (Rte. 11) and turn WEST on Rte. 60...you're then headed for the Appalachian Mts. in the near distance! Right outside the town limits, to your left, is the entrance at the woods!
c- This quarry dates back to 19th century. The locals had an epiphany way back to turn the old abandoned quarry into a natural theatre, under the stars. And the scene was left, honest, in its natural state with few additions, like seats. You'll be seatdc "down" below the edges of the rock quarry above, making it naturally COOL during the spring and summer months. The experience is outdoor entertainment at its best!
This summer: "Stonewall Country" (7/1-3 and 9/11)..."Seldom Scene" and more. (Google and see list.)
This native Virginia historian, researcher and photographer has visited the Lime Kilm! Was introduced to Zydeco (original New Orleans Cajun music) that visit...loved it!
d- Both Virginia schools are side by side, with stately old W&L campus buildings, especially the famous chapel where Gen. Robert E. (Edward) Lee is interred. If you like history, this entire area around Lexington is worth the exploratory visit, scenery and the campuses of Washington and Lee U. and Virginia Military Academy. Viewing the cadets up on the grounds is quite an experience, too....
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
3- IS IT TRUE ABOUT GREEN M&Ms And....?
Do urban myths really exist? Who invented or created that very first aphrodisiac, Green M&Ms, on a campus? And has the origin of that very first campus "enhancer" been traced to a school of higher learning in Staunton...or C-Ville...or possibly Williamsburg or Blacksburg?
GREEN M&Ms.....someone(?), back a bit, came up with the "urband legend" on campuses that eating GREEN M&Ms would give a collegian an extra inhancer, aphrodisiac, like a Potion #9. And, of course, the word spread across American campuses quickly. Haven't heard that Green "urban legend" one out and about for some time, though.
I did hear another newer and more potent one, though, in late 2009: devouring three (3) DARK Chocolate Promises within 2 mintes would create an extra-extra powerful POTION #10!!!!!!
GREEN M&Ms.....someone(?), back a bit, came up with the "urband legend" on campuses that eating GREEN M&Ms would give a collegian an extra inhancer, aphrodisiac, like a Potion #9. And, of course, the word spread across American campuses quickly. Haven't heard that Green "urban legend" one out and about for some time, though.
I did hear another newer and more potent one, though, in late 2009: devouring three (3) DARK Chocolate Promises within 2 mintes would create an extra-extra powerful POTION #10!!!!!!
2- The UNIVERSITY Of VIRGINIA....The SERPENTINE WALLS In BACK!....
A) This guy has spent quality time during the summers studying at U.Va. and am proud to be a WAHOO! There was plenty of time to slowly explore the Lawn and the original Academic Village on the weekends, including those unique one-brick wide serpentine walls behind the old profs' residences on the Lawn and to discover the very old U.Va. cemetery. As a matter of fact, my first novel, The Serpentine Bond!, just possibly could resemble the C-Ville University Lawn. The Serpentine Bond!, 600+ pages, centers around 4 coeds and 3 collegians, SEVEN, who platonically bond. The plot centers around their outside-of-the-classroom"recess adventures" and enlivened confabs in their 'secret garden' behind a one-brick wide serpentine wall...hmmm.
B) Yes, there are gardens behind those U.Va. brick serpentine walls. And their "secret garden" does provide a great setting in TSB!
C)
B) Yes, there are gardens behind those U.Va. brick serpentine walls. And their "secret garden" does provide a great setting in TSB!
C)
1- SOCIAL COMMENTARIES From Around MY NATIVE VIRGINIA!...
A) Now, this blog, one of six, specializes in focusing on my Virginia's CAMPUSES! There will be NO, I repeat, NO pissant slams on any individual! Any "comments" will be removed! There will be social commentaries on what's right about a campus...honors...neat history stuff...suggestions...and memorials!
B) The very first squire blog---http: //thesquiresview.blogspot.com/---was created in December of 2007! A major news agency did pick it up, with this blog feeding all across America. And NOW it is read in 50+ countries around the world, from Albania to Venezeula to Romania. There are now six (6) blogs! http://TheSquiresPoliticalViews.blogspot.com/..http: //TheSquiresMtTales.blogspot.com/...
http: //TheVirginiaCollegiateScene.blogspot.com/...http: //thesquiresview.blogspot.com/...http: //SquiresPonderables.blogspot.com/...and http: //VisionarySurr-prises-Ephiphanies.blogspot.com/
C) This proud native Virginian, educator and author has a degree in Philosophy from Bridgewater College, with grad studies at U.Va, the College of William and Mary, Old Dominion U. and Montana State U.
D) Over 180+ newspaper essays have been published, me practicing writing in earnest, in America's oldest newspaper. Numerous national and regional magazine articles, too. Still remember, as a high school senior English class, the teacher reading aloud to the class something I had written. She noted, at the end, that this guy would never become a published author! Did, later, send her copies of published writings over the years....
E) And that first novel, The Serpentine Bond!, 637+ pages, has been completed and is being slowly and carefully tweaked, now. My first novel is dedicated to any collegian from the past, present and in the future! Yes, to ANYONE, too, who enjoys reading an epic look at college friendships and...ADVENTURES! Coeds ARE treated with respect from guys who remember what it's like to have caring moms and dads and a sister or three who MUST be respected!!
F) TSB! is about seven (7) university students who meet and form a unique bond while studying at a large, historic campus in the East. No campus title is ever revealed, for a bit of suspense. All of their activities over four years of bonding and studying, though, sound a bit like the University of Virginia.
Hmmm, one weekend the seven do venture off to a school east of their campus to help celebrate Winter Break exam week (that's Christmas!) There, that school's "Yule Log" merriment included, around America's oldest continuously used academic bldg., the reading of a tale about some nasty ole green guy, with the school's prez doing the reading, dressed up with a red outfit and white beard.
That very last night, before walking across the campus to grab the diploma, goes back in the 'secret garden', safe behind the aged brick serpentine walls. The bubbly is brought out...and another and another bottle. One of the seven, never named, begins to express their discontentment with American society's basic values going awry, even going into detail.
Ten years later? More and more events begin to come out, with that "plan" to make America "implode" inches out, publicly. Which one is doing the major damage? The "other" six don't know! The rush is on to stop the "plan", but who? And before our Amer-i-can society is brought to a standstill for a day.....?
G) Hold on...forgot to 'splain about that all-important chapter 2. Forshadowing...SIX persons are huddled, during an unrelenting snowstorm in a mountaintop cemetery, around a freshly dug grave down a piece from the dilapadated board and batten chapel.....
B) The very first squire blog---http: //thesquiresview.blogspot.com/---was created in December of 2007! A major news agency did pick it up, with this blog feeding all across America. And NOW it is read in 50+ countries around the world, from Albania to Venezeula to Romania. There are now six (6) blogs! http://TheSquiresPoliticalViews.blogspot.com/..http: //TheSquiresMtTales.blogspot.com/...
http: //TheVirginiaCollegiateScene.blogspot.com/...http: //thesquiresview.blogspot.com/...http: //SquiresPonderables.blogspot.com/...and http: //VisionarySurr-prises-Ephiphanies.blogspot.com/
C) This proud native Virginian, educator and author has a degree in Philosophy from Bridgewater College, with grad studies at U.Va, the College of William and Mary, Old Dominion U. and Montana State U.
D) Over 180+ newspaper essays have been published, me practicing writing in earnest, in America's oldest newspaper. Numerous national and regional magazine articles, too. Still remember, as a high school senior English class, the teacher reading aloud to the class something I had written. She noted, at the end, that this guy would never become a published author! Did, later, send her copies of published writings over the years....
E) And that first novel, The Serpentine Bond!, 637+ pages, has been completed and is being slowly and carefully tweaked, now. My first novel is dedicated to any collegian from the past, present and in the future! Yes, to ANYONE, too, who enjoys reading an epic look at college friendships and...ADVENTURES! Coeds ARE treated with respect from guys who remember what it's like to have caring moms and dads and a sister or three who MUST be respected!!
F) TSB! is about seven (7) university students who meet and form a unique bond while studying at a large, historic campus in the East. No campus title is ever revealed, for a bit of suspense. All of their activities over four years of bonding and studying, though, sound a bit like the University of Virginia.
Hmmm, one weekend the seven do venture off to a school east of their campus to help celebrate Winter Break exam week (that's Christmas!) There, that school's "Yule Log" merriment included, around America's oldest continuously used academic bldg., the reading of a tale about some nasty ole green guy, with the school's prez doing the reading, dressed up with a red outfit and white beard.
That very last night, before walking across the campus to grab the diploma, goes back in the 'secret garden', safe behind the aged brick serpentine walls. The bubbly is brought out...and another and another bottle. One of the seven, never named, begins to express their discontentment with American society's basic values going awry, even going into detail.
Ten years later? More and more events begin to come out, with that "plan" to make America "implode" inches out, publicly. Which one is doing the major damage? The "other" six don't know! The rush is on to stop the "plan", but who? And before our Amer-i-can society is brought to a standstill for a day.....?
G) Hold on...forgot to 'splain about that all-important chapter 2. Forshadowing...SIX persons are huddled, during an unrelenting snowstorm in a mountaintop cemetery, around a freshly dug grave down a piece from the dilapadated board and batten chapel.....
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