JUNE 9: The pool has been open for several days. Come and enjoy the recreation. For further information, see Amy O’Brien, Laurel Mountain Park president.

LAUREL MOUNTAIN BOROUGH ONLINE NEWSLETTER

OUT & ABOUT  MAY 2009

May 21, 2009—4:00 a.m.—The bear appeared in the Holland’s yard, and was later reported as being seen in the yards at Hemlock and Walnut Roads. It may have had cubs with it. The bear, though large, did not appear to be aggressive, but gently investigated bird feeders. The Holland’s one rhubarb plant received very minor damage, although the knocked-down empty bird feeder was hung above the rhubarb. Monte saw the bear, and Carolyn saw its back end as it passed by a window.

     The roadwork is just about complete, except for a culvert and the calcium chloride sealer, a dust depressant.

     The house at 27 Maple Road was sold to the Ross family, which includes a young teenage son.

     Just after this house was sold, the Adair house on Laurel and Maple Roads went on the market.

     The pool is being readied. It has new drain that meets current regulations, has been power-washed, and when the joints are sealed, it can be filled. However, it also needs a pump, which is in the process of being located.

     Congratulations to both Amy and Dan O’Brien, who successfully passed their lifeguard certification and will be available to fill in at the pool as needed. Other life guards from the Borough include Mary Jane (council member, fill-in lifeguard), Jesse, and John.

     Congratulations to Jesse Grasso, who graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a major in Linguistics. She is registered in the same university for grad school…Jesse was also among a generous group of Ligonier area persons who participated in the Pittsburgh marathon. Her time for the 26.2 mile run was 3 hours and 54 minutes. It is her second race at that distance.

     Carolyn Holland was notified that one of her photos will be on the Ligonier calendar in the October slot. She had the cover photo on the 2009 calendar…Several impromptu writing sessions, attended by Borough residents and members of the Beanery Writers Group, have occurred at Carolyn’s. Hopefully, this will occur on a regular basis as the nice weather hits. If you write, or would like to start writing, send Carolyn an E-mail: beanerywriters at yahoo.com.

     Might I add some seasonal reading:

Battling squirrels at bird feeders I: to fight or join them

Battling squirrels at bird feeders II: to fight or join them

Battling Squirrels at Bird Feeders III: Types of bird feeders

BEAR CONFRONTATIONS: SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

BEAR STORIES ACROSS THE NATION

BEAR CARNIVAL IN CONNELLSVILLE, PA.

OF FIREFLIES AND LIGHTNING BUGS

     Or some cautionary reading:

Found: Flash Drive. What should I do?

       These are located on Carolyn’s blog, www.carolyncholland.wordpress.com (except for the post on fireflies, written by Borough resident, child Jordan, which is located at: www.beanerywriters.wordpress.com )

LAUREL MOUNTAIN BORO

ONLINE NEWSLETTER

SPRING SEASON BRINGS SAFETY CONCERNS

     Phil Light, mayor of Laurel Mountain Borough, would like to remind the citizens of and visitors to the community, that along with the coming of the spring and summer seasons also comes the responsibility of remembering a few rules of common courtesy that will greatly enhance our ability to maintain a safe and enjoyable atmosphere in our beautiful and tranquil community.

     As the amount of foot and bicycle traffic increases on our tree-lined and narrow roads, we would ask that those of you who drive a vehicle through our community to make an extra effort by observing our stop signs while looking both ways before proceeding on your way and by being especially vigilant in regards to our children playing near or on any of the roads in our borough.

     We would ask that citizens and visitors, who own pets, to clean up after them if you use our roads to exercise your animals. We also ask that you keep your animals under your control at all times, for the health and safety of everyone in the borough, including your pets.

     Also, we would like to remind everyone that open burning of garbage is illegal in the borough, and that open burning is limited to yard waste and wood-related products. Please observe all applicable safety procedures if you must burn, including continuous surveillance of the fire until it is completely extinguished, and please respect any notices of a burning ban that may be posted by the Mayor or the DCNR during times of extreme dryness.

     Thank you for contributing to continued good health and safety in Laurel Mountain Borough.

LAUREL MOUNTAIN BOROUGH

ONLINE NEWSLETTER

2009 SWIMMING POOL

ADMISSIONS & RATES

SEASON RATES

Annual Family Membership: $50.00

New Family Membership Discount Rate: $40.00

Family Season Passes for Members: $100.00

DAILY RATES

Members: $2.00

Guests of Members: $3.00

Babies (2 and under): Free

SHELTER HOUSE RENTAL

 Without Pool: $25.00

Evening Rental (incl. life guard): $100.00 members

For further information, call Amy or Sue, or e-mail inquiry to: laurelmountainboro@yahoo.com with the word “POOL” in the subject line.

For pleasurable reading, click on:

www.carolyncholland.wordpress.com and

www.beanerywriters.wordpress.com

LAUREL MOUNTAIN BORO NEWSLETTER

DONNELL MEMOIR January 2009

I received the following letter in early February, and was given permission to post it. I invite anyone who had connections to Laurel Mountain Borough (aka Laurel Mountain Park) to share their experiences and remembrances on the Laurel Mountain Borough newsletter, www.laurelmountainboro.wordpress.com  Information can be emailed to laurelmountainboro@yahoo.com (please type Laurel Mt. Boro comments in the subject line) or snail-mailed to Carolyn C. Holland, P. O. Box 300, Laughlintown, PA, 15655. I will also take information over the telephone, 724/238-3493.

January 28, 2009
Mrs. Carolyn C. Holland

     Thank you for Laurelmountainboro’s blog—it brings back many good memories of my youth. I grew up at the Park. My parents built a cottage on Locust Road [pictures enclosed] in 1934 when I was about to enter first grade. It was expanded a few years later shortly before electricity became available. We lived at the cottage during the warmer five months plus several weekends on each side of the warm period. For 13 years my father and I commuted daily to work and school. When school was out, mornings typically were spent with friends getting acquainted with Laughlintown and the area’s woods, streams, sawmills, logging trails (opportunities fo radventure were limitless)—then swimming in the afternoon. For a couple of years (1942+/- a few) Don Turrill and I “helped” his father with morning chores (some related to Rolling Rock)—caring/raising pheasants, ducks, turkey, and dogs come to mind.
     The last time I visited the cottage was in 1951. I wanted my bride to see the area that meant so much to me. We spent a few days of our honeymoon there before going on to Niagara Falls.
     Although it is old news to current residents, developments over the past 60 years gleaned from you blog and the Tribune Review 06/15/97 Paul Peirce piece “Laughlintown: Two Centuries of Hospitality,” that caught my attention:
     —There is grass instead of blackberries near the eastern entrance pillar.
     —15 MPH!!! That speed would have damaged suspension systems 60 years ago.
     —Tennis courts disappeared. It was awesome to watch Steve Harwig and his challengers play—but court maintenance was hard, demanding work.
     —Gas is now available—leading to year-round residents. GREAT
     —The Borough has evolved from individual landowners to a municipality—from care by Harry Lohr to central planning/action by the mayor and council.
    Mrs. Holland, I have a request. Please advise if my parents’ cottage still exists—a one word email will suffice. It was located on the east side of Locust, a little over half way between White Oak and Hemlock. Incidentally, it was sold in 1953 for $11,000.
 Sincerely,  

Donnell

SITE LINKS:

www.beanerywriters.wordpress.com/

www.carolyncholland.wordpress.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carolyncholland/2810322370/    Ligonier Calendar front

www.laurelmountainboro.wordpress.com

www.ligonierliving.blogspot.com

ADDITIONAL READING:

THE WRITING LIFE: There’s a World Out There?

THE WRITING LIFE CONTINUES

PENNSYLVANIA WEDDING, (LAMOINE) MAINE ROOTS

PITTSBURGH STEELER FANS: THE YOUNGEST

ICE HARVESTING: BIG BUSINESS IN EARLY AMERICA

HOW TO HARVEST AND STORE ICE (ICE FARMING)

FERAL BIRDS: THE LATEST COMMUNITY HAZARD

REFLECTING ON MY WRITING LIFE IN 2008

USING A NEW CAMERA WHILE TRAVELING

OF FIREFLIES AND LIGHTNING BUGS

BEAR CONFRONTATIONS: SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

BEAR CONFRONTATIONS: SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL, WEATHER PROPHET EXTRAORDINARY

WHAT RIGHTS DO CATS HAVE, I ASK

PONDERING THE PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION PORTAPOTTY PROBLEM

CHILDREN LEFT HOME ALONE (or in cars alone)

WRITER’S CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS, COMPETITIONS & EVENTS: Feb. 5, 2009

Borough of Laurel Mountain Minutes

Regular Monthly Meeting Held January 16, 2008

Present:  Griffith, Snyder, Holland, Kinsey, Mayor Goughnour, Solicitor Miller

Absent:            N/A

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. with a quorum present.  The minutes of December 19, 2007 regular meeting and the January 7, 2008 reorganization meeting were approved with corrections.  The following reports were submitted to council:

Treasurer’s Report: Won’t post in report format. 

Public Comment:

Mrs. Light reported that the cat population is again increasing and questioned why the borough is not enforcing the Licensing Ordinance which was adopted in 2006.  Mr. Griffith noted that licensing has not taken place because the borough has not been able to find an Animal Control Office willing to take on this job.  Hoffman’s Kennel in Delmont never provided the borough with the requested information on this service.  

OLD BUSINESS:
Mayor’s Report:   No old business.

Municipal Services Committee:

Mrs. Kinsey reported that she with the assistance of Rob Cronour have submitted the grant application to the Westmoreland County Conservation District for a new drainage project, this application will be reviewed by a panel of three.  The project selected is for Locust the estimate cost, supplied by Mr. Cronour is $15,000, Mrs. Kinsey noted the borough does not have any funding for this project, if the full $15,000 is not received in the form of a grant the project cannot take place in 2008.

Mr. Cronour still wants the borough to do something to preserve the Beechwood project, reflector poles were suggested at the last meeting but Mr. Crounour would like to have large rocks placed in front of the ditch.  The borough was hesitant due to liability issues this might present.  Mr. Miller noted that if the rocks are large enough for drivers to see and off of the cart way, there should be no problem with liability.  Mrs. Kinsey will talk with Dave Berkey about the costs involved in moving some large rock to this area.  As long as the borough is certain the rocks are placed on the borough right of way there is no reason to seek permission from property owners in that area. 

Mr. Holland will purchase a trash can for anti skid material. 

Council approved the purchase of 6 tons of stone for use in filling potholes and making minor road repairs at a cost not to exceed $150.00 on a motion by Mr. Griffith, seconded by Mrs. Kinsey –carried.

Finance Committee:  No old business.

Solicitor’s Report:

Solicitor Miller reported that Ms. Kunkle has filed an appealed Judge Caruso’s ruling.  No action by the borough is necessary at this time.

Other:

Mr. Goughnour, acting as the vacancy board will appoint a replacement to council to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of John Miller.  This will take place at the February meeting. 

Two residents have agreed to serve on the Zoning Hearing Board; a motion was made by Mrs. Kinsey, seconded by Mr. Griffith to appoint Robert Appleby and John Miller to the Zoning Hearing Board –carried.

NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor’s Report:

Mayor Goughnour reported that during the month of December the police made 31 patrols and investigated two incidents.  Time spent on regular patrols in December was 5:43 time spent on emergency responses was 10 minutes for a total of 5:53.  The annual total was 74:14.  The police issued one stop sign violation during December.

Municipal Services Committee:  No new business

Finance Committee:  No new business

Solicitor’s Report:  No new business

Other:

Mrs. Kinsey noted that the borough may want to consider the adoption of an ordinance prohibiting the use of outdoor wood burning furnaces in the borough.  She noted that this type of heating system creates massive amounts of smoke and unlike a fireplace which has a chimney which is higher that the housetop these have a relatively short stack which discharges smoke at a much lower level.  Solicitor Miller will research this matter and provide council with information in February.

CONTINUING BUSINESS:
Mayor’s Report:  None

Municipal Services Committee:

1.      Rocks placed in area of Beechwood drainage project

2.      Spring Road Maintenance

3.      Grant – Westmoreland County Conservation District

Finance Committee:

Solicitor’s Report:

1.      Waterline Agreement

2.      Sewage Agreement

Other:

1.       Animal Ordinance

2.      Appointment to Miller Vacancy

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

George D. Shuman, author of the murder mystery “18 Seconds,” had his second book in the mystery series released August 7, 2007, and his third, “Lost Girls,” in August, 2008. Check your bookstores or local library to read these books. In honor of his work, the Beanery Writers Online Literary Magazine is reposting a two-part article on Shuman.
Shuman, a twenty-year veteran of the Washington D. C. Metropolitan Police Force, said he would have been a writer no matter what his career was.
“18 Seconds” is his first published book. He talked with members of the Beanery Writers Group at their first anniversary meeting March 9, 2007, about his books and his writing process.
Today’s post is on Shuman’s book, “18 Seconds.” Click on GEORGE D. SHUMAN: Author of “18 SECONDS” & “LAST BREATH” Part 1  to read Part 1 of this article, written about his Background and his Writing Process.

THE BOOK
He chose the boardwalk in Wildwood, New Jersey, as the “place” for “18 Seconds.”
“I was thinking about the boardwalk. I’ll never forget walking the boardwalk,” he said. “Where you’re beyond the noise, you can hear the hollow clip clop of your steps and see the white surf and it’s an ‘anything can happen’ type of place.”
Next he began to drop the characters into the scene. His villain, Earl Sykes, is a psychopath whose criminal career was interrupted by twenty-five years in jail. Thus he existed under the wire of law enforcement suspects.
“Although Sykes is indeed a horrible villain, I do not write gratuitous gore. Weall have minds. There is no need to spell out every act,” Shuman said.
Sykes is a loathsome character. He represents men in maximum security prisons everywhere, Shuman explained. There are hundreds out there like him, who, if they were to get out of jail, would return to crime.
“Sociopaths aren’t looking to have mid-life careers and to better themselves in society.”
The heroine of Shuman’s murder mystery is Sherry Moore, a blind psychic with an ability to “see” a victim’s final 18 seconds of life. She uses this ability to help police departments solve a series of murders committed by Sykes.
The great amount of time studying memory and researching how to create a character with psychic abilities led him to short-term memory, which lasts about 18 seconds.
“I thought, what if someone can see this RAM memory of human beings and not archives of something else? I tried it and played with it.”
Shuman himself never worked with psychics during his twenty years as a Washington, D. C., Metropolitan Police Force member, and isn’t a proponent of paranormals in police work.
“But the idea of psychics is exciting.”
Moore wasn’t meant to be the main character, according to Shuman.
“I liked the idea of the old weathered cop—he was my guy. And the idea of an underdog hero appeals to me.”
THE FINISHED BOOK
After writing a book Shuman said he sometimes looks back thinking he wouldn’t have guessed the way it turned out.
It took hard work, perseverance and many rejections before Simon & Shuster published “18 Seconds,” according to Shuman.
Although his book opening at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D. C., was followed by months of radio and television shows, Shuman prefers the solitude involved in the activity of writing.
“I think writers, typically, aren’t entertainers, nor do they want to be,” he said, noting he would rather “lay on the beach and write forever.”
Translation rights for his murder mystery were sold to seventeen countries, including Korea, Indonesia and Argentina.
On March 27,2007, “18 Seconds” was published as a Mass Market Pocketbook with Stephen King’s endorsement on the cover.
Shuman’s second book, “Last Breath,”and third, “Lost Girls,” are available at bookstores and libraries.

ADDITIONAL READING:

ALL SUMMER IN A DAY: The Use of Descriptive Language

GEORGE D. SHUMAN: Author of “18 SECONDS” & “LAST BREATH” Part 1

KILLED STRANGELY: A NEW ENGLAND MURDER STORY

SHOULD INFORMATION ON AN ALLEGED CHILD ABUSER BE PUBLICIZED?

DRESSING FOR BLESSING: GOD AND FASHION Part 2

FERAL BIRDS: THE LATEST COMMUNITY HAZARD

THE KILLER KITTEN

MY DOG

FLASHY MOON EXPLOSIONS

CHILDREN LEFT HOME ALONE (or in cars alone)

PARIS CAFE’s

ANOTHER HORRIFYING HEADLINE

THE YOUGHIOGHENY RIVER CRAWL

LAUREL MOUNTAIN BOROUGH NEWSLETTER

GEORGE D. SHUMAN: Author of “18 SECONDS” & “LAST BREATH”

Part 1

George D. Shuman, author of the murder mystery “18 Seconds,” had his second book in the mystery series released August 7, 2007. Check your bookstores for “Last Breath.” In honor of his work, the Beanery Writers Online Literary Magazine is reposting a two-part article on Shuman.
Shuman, a twenty-year veteran of the Washington D. C. Metropolitan Police Force, said he would have been a writer no matter what his career was.
“18 Seconds” is his first published book. “Lost Girls,” the third book, became available in August 2008.

SHUMAN’S BACKGROUND
As a high school and college student Shuman was not the stellar performer. For whatever reason, he found classes, even literature, tedious. His first jobs following school were in the steel mills in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He was laid off when the industry began to decline. Then he could only find work on the State Road Crew in Somerset County.
Like most youth, he needed to “get out of” his hometown. So he packed and drove to the nearest large city, Washington, D. C.
He worked for the police force there for twenty years before he retired as a lieutenant. For ten years after that he was an executive in the luxury resort industry in both Long Island, New York, and Nantucket, Massachusetts.
After 9/11 he returned to the area and started a security consulting business. He was awarded a certification in Industrial Security held by only 4500 members world wide. However, instead of marketing his business he kept finding himself dusting off old novels he’d written and sending them out to agents and publishers.
“I sat in the office and wrote and forgot all about consulting,” he said, noting writing is hard work but he likes the solitude of the work.
SHUMAN’S WRITING PROCESS
Shuman doesn’t think there is a right or wrong way to write. What works for him is constant “combing” and reediting, after which he has a writing that is in pretty good editorial shape.
When he finds something needing research he immediately goes on the Internet.
He noted that Stephen King said it best: Talent is as common as table salt. It’s hard work that gets the book written and published.
“There’s nothing truer. You have to get to the keyboard. I can’t imagine what writer’s block is…”
He said he finds it easy to determine how his characters behave and respond, noting everyone knows people whom they can sense what they would do or say or how they would react to things, while other people would react differently. He dares write in a woman’s voice, he said, because many issues cross the man-woman line.
When he writes he lets the characters lead him.
He considers it very important that a novel reads like it could happen.
“I once read this book with terrific dialogue, great setting and great characters. Three quarters of the way through I found the bad guy was a werewolf. I tossed the book aside immediately.
“I need plausible explanations for things. Even writing a psychic, I had to make her believable, and that was the crowning achievement of Sherry Moore. That, in the end, is what the publisher bought. I hope when you close the book you’ve found it was moving.”
He prefers to start with “place” when conceiving an idea for writing.

To read Part 2, the Book and The Finished Book, click on GEORGE D. SHUMAN: Author of Thriller Books Part 2

ADDITIONAL READING:

PROCOPE CAFÉ, PARIS Part 2

CHILD ABUSE DEFINITIONS

“DATING WHEN FIFTY-SOME:” A Guy’s Version

LEAF-PEEPING: Autumn Leaves

KEEPING PEACE IN SOUTH AFRICA Part 2

I HAVE A PERMIT TO CARRY…

www.peacepuzzle.blogspot.com

PROTECTING PRIVACY OF PERSONAL DATA ON YOUR COMPUTER

TRASH OR TREASURE: COMMUNITY TRASH PICKUP DAY

FROM THE BASTILLE TO CINDERELLA

VOICES OF WILDERNESS: PEACE MEETING

COLORING OUR CHILDREN