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The Castle hight of Indolence,
And its false Luxury;
Where for a little Time, alas!
We liv'd right jollity.
O mortal Man, who livest here by Toil,
Do not complain of this thy hard Estate;
That like an Emmet thou must ever moil,
Is a sad Sentence of an ancient Date:
And, certes, there is for it Reason great;
For, though sometimes it makes thee weep and wail,
And curse thy Star, and early drudge and late,
Withouten That would come an heavier Bale,
Loose Life, unruly Passions, and Diseases pale.
In lowly Dale, fast by a River's Side,
With woody Hill o'er Hill encompass'd round,
A most enchanting Wizard did abide,
Than whom a Fiend more fell is no where found.
It was, I ween, a lovely Spot of Ground;
And there a Season atween June and May,
Half prankt with Spring, with Summer half imbrown'd,
A listless Climate made, where, Sooth to say,
No living Wight could work, ne cared even for Play.
Was Nought around but Images of Rest:
Sleep-soothing Groves, and quiet Lawns between;
And flowery Beds that slumbrous Influence kest,
From Poppies breath'd; and Beds of pleasant Green,
Where never yet was creeping Creature seen.
Mean time unnumber'd glittering Streamlets play'd,
And hurled every-where their Waters sheen;
That, as they bicker'd through the sunny Glade,
Though restless still themselves, a lulling Murmur made.
Join'd to the Prattle of the purling Rills,
Were heard the lowing Herds along the Vale,
And Flocks loud-bleating from the distant Hills,
And vacant Shepherds piping in the Dale;
And now and then sweet Philomel would wail,
Or Stock-Doves plain amid the Forest deep,
That drowsy rustled to the sighing Gale;
And still a Coil the Grashopper did keep:
Yet all these Sounds yblent inclined all to Sleep.
Full in the Passage of the Vale, above,
A sable, silent, solemn Forest stood;
Where nought but shadowy Forms were seen to move,
As Idless fancy'd in her dreaming Mood.
And up the Hills, on either Side, a Wood
Of blackening Pines, ay waving to and fro,
Sent forth a sleepy Horror through the Blood;
And where this Valley winded out, below,
The murmuring Main was heard, and scarcely heard, to flow.
A pleasing Land of Drowsy-hed it was:
Of Dreams that wave before the half-shut Eye;
And of gay Castles in the Clouds that pass,
For ever flushing round a Summer-Sky:
There eke the soft Delights, that witchingly
Instil a wanton Sweetness through the Breast,
And the calm Pleasures always hover'd nigh;
But whate'er smack'd of Noyance, or Unrest,
Was far far off expell'd from this delicious Nest.
The Landskip such, inspiring perfect Ease,
Where INDOLENCE (for so the Wizard hight)
Close-hid his Castle mid embowering Trees,
That half shut out the Beams of Phoebus bright,
And made a Kind of checker'd Day and Night.
Mean while, unceasing at the massy Gate,
Beneath a spacious Palm, the wicked Wight
Was plac'd; and to his Lute, of cruel Fate,
And Labour harsh, complain'd, lamenting Man's Estate.
Thither continual Pilgrims crouded still,
From all the Roads of Earth that pass there by:
For, as they chaunc'd to breathe on neighbouring Hill,
The Freshness of this Valley smote their Eye,
And drew them ever and anon more nigh,
Till clustering round th' Enchanter false they hung,
Ymolten with his Syren Melody;
While o'er th' enfeebling Lute his Hand he flung,
And to the trembling Chords these tempting Verses sung:
"Behold! ye Pilgrims of this Earth, behold!
See all but Man with unearn'd Pleasure gay.
See her bright Robes the Butterfly unfold,
Broke from her wintry Tomb in Prime of May.
What youthful Bride can equal her Array?
Who can with Her for easy Pleasure vie?
From Mead to Mead with gentle Wing to stray,
From Flower to Flower on balmy Gales to fly,
Is all she has to do beneath the radiant Sky.
"Behold the merry Minstrels of the Morn,
The swarming Songsters of the careless Grove,
Ten thousand Throats! that, from the flowering Thorn,
Hymn their good GOD, and carol sweet of Love,
Such grateful kindly Raptures them emove:
They neither plough, nor sow; ne, fit for Flail,
E'er to the Barn the nodding Sheaves they drove;
Yet theirs each Harvest dancing in the Gale,
Whatever crowns the Hill, or smiles along the Vale.
"Outcast of Nature, Man! the wretched Thrall
Of bitter-dropping Sweat, of sweltry Pain,
Of Cares that eat away thy Heart with Gall,
And of the Vices, an inhuman Train,
That all proceed from savage Thirst of Gain:
For when hard-hearted Interest first began
To poison Earth, Astraea left the Plain;
Guile, Violence, and Murder seiz'd on Man;
And, for soft milky Streams, with Blood and Rivers ran.
"Come, ye, who still the cumbrous Load of Life
Push hard up Hill; but as the farthest Steep
You trust to gain, and put an End to Strife,
Down thunders back the Stone with mighty Sweep,
And hurls your Labours to the Valley deep,
For-ever vain: come, and, withouten Fee,
I in Oblivion will your Sorrows steep,
Your Cares, your Toils, will steep you in a Sea
Of full Delight: O come, ye weary Wights, to me!
"With me, you need not rise at early Dawn,
To pass the joyless Day in various Stounds:
Or, louting low, on upstart Fortune fawn,
And sell fair Honour for some paltry Pounds;
Or through the City take your dirty Rounds,
To cheat, and dun, and lye, and Visit pay,
Now flattering base, now giving secret Wounds;
Or proul in Courts of Law for human Prey,
In venal Senate thieve, or rob on broad High-way.
"No Cocks, with me, to rustic Labour call,
From Village on to Village sounding clear;
To tardy Swain no shrill-voic'd Matrons squall;
No Dogs, no Babes, no Wives, to stun your Ear;
No Hammers thump; no horrid Blacksmith sear,
Ne noisy Tradesman your sweet Slumbers start,
With Sounds that are a Misery to hear:
But all is calm, as would delight the Heart
Of Sybarite of old, all Nature, and all Art.
"Here nought but Candour reigns, indulgent Ease,
Good-natur'd Lounging, Sauntering up and down:
They who are pleas'd themselves must always please;
On Others' Ways they never squint a Frown,
Nor heed what haps in Hamlet or in Town.
Thus, from the Source of tender Indolence,
With milky Blood the Heart is overflown,
Is sooth'd and sweeten'd by the social Sense;
For Interest, Envy, Pride, and Strife are banish'd hence.
"What, what, is Virtue, but Repose of Mind?
A pure ethereal Calm! that knows no Storm;
Above the Reach of wild Ambition's Wind,
Above those Passions that this World deform,
And torture Man, a proud malignant Worm!
But here, instead, soft Gales of Passion play,
And gently stir the Heart, thereby to form
A quicker Sense of joy; as Breezes stray
Across th' enliven'd Skies, and make them still more gay.
"The Best of Men have ever lov'd Repose:
They hate to mingle in the filthy Fray;
Where the Soul sowrs, and gradual Rancour grows,
Imbitter'd more from peevish Day to Day.
Even Those whom Fame has lent her fairest Ray,
The most renown'd of worthy Wights of Yore,
From a base World at last have stolen away:
So SCIPIO, to the soft Cumaean Shore
Retiring, tasted joy he never knew before.
"But if a little Exercise you chuse,
Some Zest for Ease, 'tis not forbidden here.
Amid the Groves you may indulge the Muse,
Or tend the Blooms, and deck the vernal Year;
Or softly stealing, with your watry Gear,
Along the Brooks, the crimson-spotted Fry
You may delude: The whilst, amus'd, you hear
Now the hoarse Stream, and now the Zephyr's Sigh,
Attuned to the Birds, and woodland Melody.
"O grievious Folly! to heap up Estate,
Losing the Days you see beneath the Sun;
When, sudden, comes blind unrelenting Fate,
And gives th' untasted Portion you have won,
With ruthless Toil, and many a Wretch undone,
To Those who mock you gone to Pluto's Reign,
There with sad Ghosts to pine, and Shadows dun:
But sure it is of Vanities most vain,
To toil for what you here untoiling may obtain."
He ceas'd. But still their trembling Ears retain'd
The deep Vibrations of his witching Song;
That, by a Kind of Magic Power, constrain'd
To enter in, pell-mell, the listening Throng.
Heaps pour'd on Heaps, and yet they slip'd along
In silent Ease: as when beneath the Beam
Of Summer-Moons, the distant Woods among,
Or by some Flood all silver'd with the Gleam,
The soft-embodied Fays through airy Portal stream.
By the smooth Demon so it order'd was,
And here his baneful Bounty first began:
Though some there were who would not further pass,
And his alluring Baits suspected han.
The Wise distrust the too fair-spoken Man.
Yet through the Gate they cast a wishful Eye:
Not to move on, perdie, is all they can;
For do their very Best they cannot fly,
But often each Way look, and often sorely sigh.
When this the watchful wicked Wizard saw,
With sudden Spring he leap'd upon them strait;
And soon as touch'd by his unhallow'd Paw,
They found themselves within the cursed Gate;
Full hard to be repass'd, like That of Fate.
Not stronger were of old the Giant-Crew,
Who sought to pull high Jove from regal State;
Though feeble Wretch he seem'd, of sallow Hue:
Certes, who bides his Grasp, will that Encounter rue.
For whomsoe'er the Villain takes in Hand,
Their Joints unknit, their Sinews melt apace;
As lithe they grow as any Willow-Wand,
And of their vanish'd force remains no Trace:
So when a Maiden fair, of modest Grace,
In all her buxom blooming May of Charms,
Is seized in some Losel's hot Embrace,
She waxeth very weakly as she warms,
Then sighing yields Her up to Love's delicious Harms.
Wak'd by the Croud, slow from his Bench arose
A comely full-spred Porter, swoln with Sleep:
His calm, broad, thoughtless Aspect breath'd Repose;
And in sweet Torpor he was plunged deep,
Ne could himself from ceaseless Yawning keep;
While o'er his Eyes the drowsy Liquor ran,
Through which his half-wak'd Soul would faintly peep.
Then taking his black Staff he call'd his Man,
And rous'd himself as much as rouse himself he can.
The Lad leap'd lightly at his Master's Call.
He was, to weet, a little roguish Page,
Save Sleep and Play who minded nought at all,
Like most the untaught Striplings of his Age.
This Boy he kept each Band to disengage,
Garters and Buckles, Task for him unfit,
But ill-becoming his grave Personage,
And which his portly Paunch would not permit.
So this same limber Page to All performed It.
Mean time the Master-Porter wide display'd
Great Store of Caps, of Slippers, and of Gowns;
Wherewith he Those who enter'd in, array'd;
Loose, as the Breeze that plays along the Downs,
And waves the Summer-Woods when Evening frowns.
O fair Undress, best Dress! it checks no Vein,
But every flowing Limb in Pleasure drowns,
And heightens Ease with Grace. This done, right fain,
Sir Porter sat him down, and turn'd to Sleep again.
Thus easy-rob'd, they to the Fountain sped,
That in the Middle of the Court up-threw
A Stream, high-spouting from its liquid Bed,
And falling back again in drizzly Dew:
There Each deep Draughts, as deep he thirsted, drew.
It was a Fountain of Nepenthe rare:
Whence, as Dan HOMER sings, huge Pleasaunce grew,
And sweet Oblivion of vile earthly Care;
Fair gladsome waking Thoughts, and joyous Dreams more fair.
This Rite perform'd, All inly pleas'd and still,
Withouten Tromp, was Proclamation made.
"Ye Sons Of INDOLENCE, do what you will;
And wander where you list, through Hall or Glade:
Be no Man's Pleasure for another's staid;
Let Each as likes him best his Hours employ,
And curs'd be he who minds his Neighbour's Trade!
Here dwells kind Ease and unreproving joy:
He little merits Bliss who Others can annoy."
Strait of these endless Numbers, swarming round,
As thick as idle Motes in sunny Ray,
Not one eftsoons in View was to be found,
But every Man stroll'd off his own glad Way.
Wide o'er this ample Court's blank Area,
With all the Lodges that thereto pertain'd,
No living Creature could be seen to stray;
While Solitude, and perfect Silence reign'd:
So that to think you dreamt you almost was constrain'd.
As when a Shepherd of the Hebrid-Isles,
Plac'd far amid the melancholy Main,
(Whether it be lone Fancy him beguiles;
Or that aerial Beings sometimes deign
To stand, embodied, to our Senses plain)
Sees on the naked Hill, or Valley low,
The whilst in Ocean Phoebus dips his Wain,
A vast Assembly moving to and fro:
Then all at once in Air dissolves the wondrous Show.
Ye Gods of Quiet, and of Sleep profound!
Whose soft Dominion o'er this Castle sways,
And all the widely-silent Places round,
Forgive me, if my trembling Pen displays
What never yet was sung in mortal Lays.
But how shall I attempt such arduous String?
I who have spent my Nights and nightly Days,
In this Soul-deadening Place, loose-loitering?
Ah! how shall I for This uprear my moulted Wing?
Come on, my Muse, nor stoop to low Despair,
Thou Imp of Jove, touch'd by celestial Fire!
Thou yet shalt sing of War, and Actions fair,
Which the bold Sons of BRITAIN will inspire;
Of antient Bards thou yet shalt sweep the Lyre;
Thou yet shalt tread in Tragic Pall the Stage,
Paint Love's enchanting Woes, the Heroe's Ire,
The Sage's Calm, the Patriot's noble Rage,
Dashing Corruption down through every worthless Age.
The Doors, that knew no shrill alarming Bell,
Ne cursed Knocker ply'd by Villain's Hand,
Self-open'd into Halls, where, who can tell
What Elegance and Grandeur wide expand
The Pride of Turkey and of Persia Land?
Soft Quilts on Quilts, on Carpets Carpets spread,
And Couches stretch around in seemly Band;
And endless Pillows rise to prop the Head;
So that each spacious Room was one full-swelling Bed.
And every where huge cover'd Tables stood,
With Wines high-flavour'd and rich Viands crown'd;
Whatever sprightly juice or tasteful Food
On the green Bosom of this Earth are found,
And all old Ocean genders in his Round:
Some Hand unseen These silently display'd,
Even undemanded, by a Sign or Sound;
You need but wish, and, instantly obey'd,
Fair-rang'd the Dishes rose, and thick the Glasses play'd.
Here Freedom reign'd, without the least Alloy;
Nor Gossip's Tale, nor ancient Maiden's Gall,
Nor saintly Spleen durst murmur at our joy,
And with envenom'd Tongue our Pleasures pall.
For why? There was but One great Rule for All;
To wit, That each should work his own Desire,
And eat, drink, study, sleep, as it may fall,
Or melt the Time in Love, or wake the Lyre,
And carol what, unbid, the Muses might inspire.
The Rooms with costly Tapestry were hung,
Where was inwoven many a gentle Tale;
Such as of old the Rural Poets sung,
Or of Arcadian or Sicilian Vale:
Reclining Lovers, in the lonely Dale,
Pour'd forth at large the sweetly-tortur'd Heart;
Or, looking tender Passion, swell'd the Gale,
And taught charm'd Echo to resound their Smart;
While Flocks, Woods, Streams, around, Repose and Peace impart.
Those pleas'd the most, where, by a cunning Hand,
Depeinted was the Patriarchal Age;
What Time Dan Abraham left the Chaldee Land,
And pastur'd on from verdant Stage to Stage,
Where Fields and Fountains fresh could best engage.
Toil was not then. Of nothing took they Heed,
But with wild Beasts the silvan War to wage,
And o'er vast Plains their Herds and Flocks to feed:
Blest Sons of Nature they! True Golden Age indeed!
Sometimes the Pencil, in cool airy Halls,
Bade the gay Bloom of Vernal Landskips rise,
Or Autumn's vary'd Shades imbrown the Walls:
Now the black Tempest strikes the astonish'd Eyes;
Now down the Steep the flashing Torrent flies;
The trembling Sun now plays o'er Ocean blue,
And now rude Mountains frown amid the Skies;
Whate'er Lorrain light-touch'd with softening Hue,
Or savage Rosa dash'd, or learned Poussin drew.
Each Sound too here to Languishment inclin'd,
Lull'd the weak Bosom, and induced Ease.
Aereal Music in the warbling Wind,
At Distance rising oft, by small Degrees,
Nearer and nearer came, till o'er the Trees
It hung, and breath'd such Soul-dissolving Airs,
As did, alas! with soft Perdition please:
Entangled deep in its enchanting Snares,
The listening Heart forgot all Duties and all Cares.
A certain Music, never known before,
Here lull'd the pensive melancholy Mind;
Full easily obtain'd. Behoves no more,
But sidelong, to the gently-waving Wind,
To lay the well-tun'd Instrument reclin'd;
From which, with airy flying Fingers light,
Beyond each mortal Touch the most refin'd,
The God of Winds drew Sounds of deep Delight:
Whence, with just Cause, The Harp of Aeolus it hight.
Ah me! what Hand can touch the Strings so fine?
Who up the lofty Diapasan roll
Such sweet, such sad, such solemn Airs divine,
Then let them down again into the Soul?
Now rising Love they fan'd; now pleasing Dole
They breath'd, in tender Musings, through the Heart;
And now a graver sacred Strain they stole,
As when Seraphic Hands an Hymn impart:
Wild warbling Nature all, above the Reach of Art!
Such the gay Splendor, the luxurious State,
Of Caliphs old, who on the Tygris' Shore,
In mighty Bagdat, populous and great,
Held their bright Court, where was of Ladies store;
And Verse, Love, Music still the Garland wore:
When Sleep was coy, the Bard, in Waiting there,
Chear'd the lone Midnight with the Muse's Lore;
Composing Music bade his Dreams be fair,
And Music lent new Gladness to the Morning Air.
Near the Pavilions where we slept, still ran
Soft-tinkling Streams, and dashing Waters fell,
And sobbing Breezes sigh'd, and oft began
(So work'd the Wizard) wintry Storms to swell,
As Heaven and Earth they would together mell:
At Doors and Windows, threatening, seem'd to call
The Demons of the Tempest, growling fell,
Yet the least Entrance found they none at all;
Whence sweeter grew our Sleep, secure in massy Hall.
And hither Morpheus sent his kindest Dreams,
Raising a World of gayer Tinct and Grace;
O'er which were shadowy cast Elysian Gleams,
That play'd, in waving Lights, from Place to Place,
And shed a roseate Smile on Nature's Face.
Not Titian's Pencil e'er could so array,
So fleece with Clouds the pure Etherial Space;
Ne could it e'er such melting Forms display,
As loose on flowery Beds all languishingly lay.
No, fair Illusions! artful Phantoms, no!
My Muse will not attempt your Fairy-Land:
She has no Colours that like you can glow;
To catch your vivid Scenes too gross her Hand.
But sure it is, was ne'er a subtler Band
Than these same guileful Angel-seeming Sprights,
Who thus in Dreams, voluptuous, soft, and bland,
Pour'd all th' Arabian Heaven upon our Nights,
And bless'd them oft besides with more refin'd Delights.
They were in Sooth a most enchanting Train,
Even feigning Virtue; skilful to unite
With Evil Good, and strew with Pleasure Pain.
But for those Fiends, whom Blood and Broils delight;
Who hurl the Wretch, as if to Hell outright,
Down down black Gulphs, where sullen Waters sleep,
Or hold him clambering all the fearful Night
On beetling Cliffs, or pent in Ruins deep:
They, till due Time should serve, were bid far hence to keep.
Ye Guardian Spirits, to whom Man is dear,
From these foul Demons shield the Midnight Gloom!
Angels of Fancy and of Love, be near,
And o'er the Blank of Sleep diffuse a Bloom!
Evoke the sacred Shades of Greece and Rome,
And let them Virtue with a Look impart!
But chief, a while o lend us from the Tomb
Those long-lost Friends for whom in Love we smart,
And fill with pious Awe and joy-mixt Woe the Heart.
Or are you sportive — Bid the Morn of Youth
Rise to new Light, and beam afresh the Days
Of Innocence, Simplicity, and Truth;
To Cares estrang'd, and Manhood's thorny Ways.
What Transport! To retrace our boyish Plays,
Our easy Bliss, when each Thing joy supply'd:
The Woods, the Mountains, and the warbling Maze
Of the wild Brooks — But, fondly wandering wide,
My Muse, resume the Task that yet doth thee abide.
One great Amusement of our Houshold was,
In a huge crystal magic Globe to spy,
Still as you turn'd it, all Things that do pass
Upon this Ant-Hill Earth; where constantly
Of Idly-busy Men the restless Fry
Run bustling to and fro with foolish Haste,
In search of Pleasures vain that from them fly,
Or which obtain'd the Caitiffs dare not taste:
When nothing is enjoy'd, can there be greater Waste?
Of Vanity the Mirror This was call'd.
Here you a Muckworm of the Town might see,
At his dull Desk, amid his Legers stall'd,
Eat up with carking Care and Penurie;
Most like to Carcase parch'd on Gallow-Tree.
A Penny saved is a Penny got:
Firm to this scoundrel Maxim keepeth he,
Ne of its Rigour will he bate a jot,
Till it has quench'd his Fire, and banished his Pot.
Strait from the Filth of his low Grub, behold!
Comes fluttering forth a gaudy spendthrift Heir,
All glossy gay, enamel'd all with Gold,
The silly Tenant of the Summer-Air.
In Folly lost, of Nothing takes he Care;
Pimps, Lawyers, Stewards, Harlots, Flatterers vile,
And thieving Tradesmen him among them share:
His Father's Ghost from Limbo-Lake, the while,
Sees This, which more Damnation does upon him pile.
This Globe pourtray'd the Race of learned Men,
Still at their Books, and turning o'er the Page,
Backwards and forwards: oft they snatch the Pen,
As if inspir'd, and in a Thespian Rage;
Then write, and blot, as would your Ruth engage.
Why, Authors, all this Scrawl and Scribbling sore?
To lose the present, gain the future Age,
Praised to be when you can hear no more,
And much enrich'd with Fame when useless worldly Store.
Then would a splendid City rise to View,
With Carts, and Cars, and Coaches roaring all:
Wide-pour'd abroad behold the prowling Crew;
See! how they dash along from Wall to Wall;
At every Door, hark! how they thundering call.
Good Lord! what can this giddy Rout excite?
Why? On each other with fell Tooth to fall;
A Neighbour's Fortune, Fame, or Peace, to blight,
And make new tiresome Parties for the coming Night.
The puzzling Sons of Party next appear'd,
In dark Cabals and nightly Juntos met;
And now they whisper'd close, now shrugging rear'd
Th' important Shoulder; then, as if to get
New Light, their twinkling Eyes were inward set.
No sooner Lucifer recalls Affairs,
Than forth they various rush in mighty Fret;
When, lo! push'd up to Power, and crown'd their Cares,
In comes another Set, and kicketh them down Stairs.
But what most shew'd the Vanity of Life,
Was to behold the Nations all on Fire,
In cruel Broils engag'd, and deadly Strife;
Most Christian Kings, inflam'd by black Desire,
With Honourable Ruffians in their Hire,
Cause War to rage, and Blood around to pour:
Of this sad Work when Each begins to tire,
They sit them down just where they were before,
Till for new Scenes of Woe Peace shall their Force restore.
To number up the Thousands dwelling here,
An useless were, and eke an endless Task:
From Kings, and Those who at the Helm appear,
To Gipsies brown in Summer-Glades who bask.
Yea many a Man perdie I could unmask,
Whose Desk and Table make a solemn Show,
With Tape-ty'd Trash, and Suits of Fools that ask
For Place or Pension, laid in decent Row;
But These I passen by, with nameless Numbers moe.
Of all the gentle Tenants of the Place,
There was a Man of special grave Remark:
A certain tender Gloom o'erspred his Face,
Pensive not sad, in Thought involv'd not dark,
As soot this Man could sing as Morning-Lark,
And teach the noblest Morals of the Heart:
But These his Talents were ybury'd stark;
Of the fine Stores he Nothing would impart,
Which or boon Nature gave, or Nature-painting Art.
To Noontide Shades incontinent he ran,
Where purls the Brook with Sleep-inviting Sound;
Or when Dan Sol to slope his Wheels began,
Amid the Broom he bask'd him on the Ground,
Where the wild Thyme and Camomil are found:
There would he linger, till the latest Ray
Of Light sat trembling on the Welkin's Bound:
Then homeward through the twilight Shadows stray,
Sauntring and slow. So had he passed many a Day.
Yet not in thoughtless Slumber were they past:
For oft the heavenly Fire, that lay conceal'd
Beneath the sleeping Embers, mounted fast,
And all its native Light anew reveal'd;
Oft as he travers'd the Cerulean Field,
And mark'd the Clouds that drove before the Wind,
Ten thousand glorious Systems would he build,
Ten thousand great Ideas fill'd his Mind;
But with the Clouds they fled, and left no Tract behind.
With him was sometimes join'd, in silent Walk,
(Profoundly silent, for they never spoke)
One shyer still, who quite detested Talk:
Oft, stung by Spleen, at once away he broke,
To Groves of Pine, and broad o'ershadowing Oak;
There, inly thrill'd, he wander'd all alone,
And on himself his pensive Fury wroke,
Ne ever utter'd Word, save when first shone
The glittering Star of Eve — "Thank Heaven! the Day is done."
Here lurk'd a Wretch, who had not crept abroad
For forty Years, ne Face of Mortal seen;
In Chamber brooding like a loathly Toad,
And sure his Linen was not very clean;
Through secret Loop-hole, that had practis'd been
Near to his Bed, his Dinner vile he took;
Unkempt, and rough, of squalid Face and Mien,
Our Castle's Shame! whence, from his filthy Nook,
We drove the Villain out for fitter Lair to look.
One Day there chaunc'd into these Halls to rove
A joyous Youth, who took you at first Sight;
Him the wild Wave of Pleasure hither drove,
Before the sprightly Tempest tossing light:
Certes, he was a most engaging Wight,
Of social Glee, and Wit humane though keen,
Turning the Night to Day and Day to Night;
For him the merry Bells had rung, I ween,
If in this Nook of Quiet Bells had ever been.
But not even Pleasure to Excess is good,
What most elates then sinks the Soul as low;
When Spring-Tide joy pours in with copious Flood,
The higher still th' exulting Billows flow,
The farther back again they flagging go,
And leave us groveling on the dreary Shore:
Taught by this Son of joy, we found it so;
Who, whilst he staid, kept in a gay Uproar
Our madden'd Castle all, th' Abode of Sleep no more.
As when in Prime of June a burnish'd Fly,
Sprung from the Meads, o'er which he sweeps along,
Chear'd by the breathing Bloom and vital Sky,
Tunes up amid these airy Halls his Song,
Soothing at first the gay reposing Throng:
And oft he sips their Bowl; or nearly drown'd,
He, thence recovering, drives their Beds among,
And scares their tender Sleep, with Trump profound;
Then out again he flies, to wing his mazy Round.
Another Guest there was, of Sense refin'd,
Who felt each Worth, for every Worth he had;
Serene yet warm, humane yet firm his Mind,
As little touch'd as any Man's with Bad:
Him through their inmost Walks the Muses lad,
To him the sacred Love of Nature lent,
And sometimes would he make our Valley glad;
Whenas we found he would not here be pent,
To him the better Sort this friendly Message sent.
"Come, dwell with us! true Son of Virtue, come!
But if, alas! we cannot Three persuade,
To lie content beneath our peaceful Dome,
Ne ever more to quit our quiet Glade;
Yet when at last thy Toils, but ill apaid,
Shall dead thy Fire, and damp its Heavenly Spark,
Thou wilt be glad to seek the Rural Shade,
There to indulge the Muse, and Nature mark:
We then a Lodge for Thee will rear in HAGLEY-PARK."
Here whilom ligg'd th' ESOPUS of the Age;
But call'd by Fame, in Soul ypricked deep,
A noble Pride restor'd him to the Stage,
And rous'd him like a Gyant from his Sleep.
Even from his Slumbers we Advantage reap:
With double Force th' enliven'd Scene he wakes,
Yet quits not Nature's Bounds. He knows to keep
Each due Decorum: Now the Heart he shakes,
And now with well-urg'd Sense th' enlighten'd judgment takes.
A Bard here dwelt, more fat than Bard beseems;
Who void of Envy, Guile, and Lust of Gain,
On Virtue still, and Nature's pleasing Themes,
Pour'd forth his unpremeditated Strain,
The World forsaking with a calm Disdain:
Here laugh'd he careless in his easy Seat,
Here quaff'd encircled with the joyous Train;
Oft moralizing sage; his Ditty sweet
He loathed much to write, ne cared to repeat.
Full oft by Holy Feet our Ground was trod,
Of Clerks good Plenty here you mote espy.
A little, round, fat, oily Man of God,
Was one I chiefly mark'd among the Fry:
He had a roguish Twinkle in his Eye,
And shone all glittering with ungodly Dew,
If a tight Damsel chaunc'd to trippen by;
Which when observ'd, he shrunk into his Mew,
And strait would recollect his Piety anew.
Nor be forgot a Tribe, who minded Nought
(Old Inmates of the Place) but State-Affairs:
They look'd, perdie, as if they deeply thought;
And on their Brow sat every Nation's Cares.
The World by them is parcel'd out in Shares,
When in the Hall of Smoak they Congress hold,
And the sage Berry sun-burnt Mocha bears
Has clear'd their inward Eye: then, smoak-enroll'd,
Their Oracles break forth mysterious as of old.
Here languid Beauty kept her pale-fac'd Court:
Bevies of dainty Dames, of high Degree,
From every Quarter hither made Resort;
Where, from gross mortal Care and Business free,
They lay, pour'd out in Ease and Luxury.
Or should they a vain Shew of Work assume,
Alas! and well-a-day! what can it be?
To knot, to twist, to range the vernal Bloom;
But far is cast the Distaff, Spinning-Wheel, and Loom.
Their only Labour was to kill the Time;
And Labour dire it is, and weary Woe.
They sit, they loll, turn o'er some idle Rhyme;
Then, rising sudden, to the Glass they go,
Or saunter forth, with tottering Step and slow:
This soon too rude an Exercise they find;
Strait on the Couch their Limbs again they throw,
Where Hours on Hours they sighing lie reclin'd,
And court the vapoury God soft-breathing in the Wind.
Now must I mark the Villainy we found,
But ah! too late, as shall eftsoons be shewn.
A Place here was, deep, dreary, under Ground;
Where still our Inmates, when unpleasing grown,
Diseas'd, and loathsome, privily were thrown.
Far from the Light of Heaven, they languish'd there,
Unpity'd uttering many a bitter Groan;
For of these Wretches taken was no Care:
Fierce Fiends, and Hags of Hell, their only Nurses were.
Alas! the Change! from Scenes of joy and Rest,
To this dark Den, where Sickness toss'd alway.
Here Lethargy, with deadly Sleep opprest,
Stretch'd on his Back a mighty Lubbard lay,
Heaving his Sides, and snored Night and Day;
To stir him from his Traunce it was not eath,
And his half-open'd Eyne he shut strait way:
He led, I wot, the softest Way to Death,
And taught withouten Pain and Strife to yield the Breath.
Of Limbs enormous, but withal unsound,
Soft-swoln and pale. here lay the Hydropsy:
Unwieldly Man! with Belly monstrous round,
For ever fed with watery Supply;
For still he drank, and yet he still was dry.
And moping here did Hypochondria sit,
Mother of Spleen, in Robes of various Dye,
Who vexed was full oft with ugly Fit;
And some Her frantic deem'd, and some Her deem'd a Wit.
A Lady proud she was, of ancient Blood,
Yet oft her Fear her Pride made crouchen low:
She felt, or fancy'd in her fluttering Mood,
All the Diseases which the Spittles know,
And sought all Physic which the Shops bestow.
And still new Leaches and new Drugs would try,
Her Humour ever wavering to and fro;
For sometimes she would laugh, and sometimes cry,
Then sudden waxed wroth, and all she knew not why.
Fast by her Side a listless Maiden pin'd,
With aching Head, and squeamish Heart-Burnings;
Pale, bloated, cold, she seem'd to hate Mankind,
Yet lov'd in Secret all forbidden Things.
And here the Tertian shakes his chilling Wings;
The sleepless Gout here counts the crowing Cocks,
A Wolf now gnaws him, now a Serpent stings;
Whilst Apoplexy cramm'd Intemperance knocks
Down to the Ground at once, as Butcher felleth Ox.


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On Sunday afternoons, I generally try to relax with my family. That often includes watching some television or baking some desserts or breads to enjoy for the week. It means that my kids and I have spent some time together each week that is not schoolwork-, chore- or chauffeuring-related. It is usually just what we need to reset before another busy week begins.
This Sunday, it started off just as planned. Before church, I had mixed up the dough for molasses crinkle cookies and put it in the fridge to chill for a few hours. After dinner was well on the way, I called the kids to the kitchen to help roll the dough into cookies and drop it into a bowl of sugar before baking. While they gathered the pans and other tools, I preheated the oven.
A few minutes later, it all went wildly wrong. Suddenly, I could smell something horrible and smoke started pluming from the stove. For a moment, I couldn't grasp what was happening. We hadn't even put any cookies into the oven yet, so how could it be on fire?
I opened the oven door to peek. I could barely see through the dense smoke, but what I could see told me all I needed to know. Someone had put a large plastic container of muffins into the oven when they had done the dishes. I had failed to check before turning on the stove, and clearly, Ziploc storage containers are not oven safe.
A molten pool of red and clear plastic had formed under the heating element. More plastic dripped off the baking racks. The muffins were encased in plastic as though bronzed for future display. And smoke – a lot of smoke – poured into the kitchen.
We quickly opened the back door to draw it all out. I turned off the oven and pulled the racks out. I set them outside to cool, and then reached for a metal spatula. I began to scrape the gooey mess off the oven floor. It cooled quickly and came off the bottom with relative ease. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all.
The racks cooled even faster since they were outside, but they didn't clean up so easily. The plastic encircled each bar on the rack, and when it cooled, the plastic regained its former strength. It would not come off. We actually had to light it back on fire to get it soft enough to scrape off.
After nearly an hour, during which time no cookies were baked and half of my fingers were burned, we got the last of the plastic removed. After another half hour or so, during which time the back door and the front door had to be opened to remove the smoke, the oven finally returned to normal.
We finally got to eat dinner and bake the cookies, but the relaxation factor was gone. But, a little thing like a fire won't stop us from trying again next week.
It has, however, taught me to look inside the oven first.
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Shifter AccessoriesIf you're considering new Mustang shifter accessories, there are many aspects that you need to think about before you make your order. For example, what do you want the knob on your new Mustang shifter to look like? From the many styles of Mustang shifter accessories that CJ Pony Parts offers, you can see that there are dozens of different colors available, from standard black and white to factory color options, to some very unique color combinations. You can also get your Mustang Shifter Accessories in billet aluminum (perhaps paired with other Mustang billet accessories) or wrapped in leather, and in several different shapes. Other options include the shift pattern, an emblem or logo, or a rally stripe. Needless to say, since the combinations you can create for the new Mustang shifter accessories are practically endless, you can be assured it will make a difference in your Mustang interior.
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Look at it on a "flat" plane from the front. The tiara is flat on 'toon-Glimmer's face, so [deliberately mis]read the "helmet" as a flat tiara, and you end up with round-topped straight, loose hair.
[I didn't say it was identical, but given the toon's interpretation of the "Double Trouble tiara", a bad reference pic could lead to that conclusion...][/QUOTE]
Yeah, I can see that. It's weird though. Maybe they purposely combined the designs and got the Glimmer we saw in the cartoon?
She has no cape, black hair. It's just weird.
Anyway, here's the final Double Trouble toy. Her helmet is different from the prototype with an added necklace:
Concept art:


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(Based on data from the previous quarter.)
This bank is not owned by a holding company.
U.S. commercial banks are chartered under either federal or state jurisdiction for the purposes of accepting funds for deposit and extending loans to either individual or business borrowers. Banks are subject to credit, interest rate, and operational risk, and, because of both their public purpose and their importance to the nation's economy, banks become the object of intense regulatory scrutiny.
U.S. thrift institutions are chartered under either federal or state jurisdiction for the primary purpose of utilizing deposited funds to issue loans secured by real estate. Currently, real estate-backed loans account for approximately 42% of total thrift industry assets, and one-to-four family residential mortgages comprise nearly 59% of the industry's real estate loan portfolio. Thrift institutions are subject to credit, interest rate, and operational risk, and, during the last twenty years, thrifts have made great strides toward reducing historic mismatches between asset and liability maturities.
The Bankrate proprietary commercial bank rating model analyzes capitalization,
asset quality, earnings, and liquidity and produces composite and component
"Star" ratings that can be used as a measure of the rated entity's financial
safety and soundness. Additionally, early warning components of the model
highlight operating characteristics of immediate concern and recommended
follow-up actions. "The analyses are not adjusted for TARP funding and those
institutions receiving funds may receive ratings that would differ were the
TARP funds adjusted out of the analyses. You can check whether or not this
institution has received TARP funding and whether or not they have paid it
back at http://projects.propublica.org/bailout/list/index."
Bank profitability is critical to building capital, establishing adequate loss reserves, and providing dividends to shareholders.
Asset quality is a major determinant of the viability of any banking institution. Poor asset quality will have a very direct impact upon the other components and bank regulators invest substantial amounts of time and resources in gauging the quality of a bank's loans and investments.
Bank capitalization stands as a protection against loss for bank customers, creditors, shareholders, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Regulators place a high degree of importance upon assessments of capitalization and assign regulatory benchmarks as determinants of capital adequacy.
Liquidity provides funding for normal bank operations and represents a reserve for unanticipated disintermediation. Liquidity can be both an asset and a liability concept.
Early warning indicators identify areas of potential concern, which may lead to financial deterioration and thus, require inquiry or in-depth investigation.
For this bank we have noted:
OVERVIEW of Institution
Organized in 1917,
ANDERSON STATE BANK, which, as of
March 31,
reported $81.458 million in total assets.
At that date, loans and deposits held by the bank amounted to
$27.957 million and $69.456 million,
respectively. The bank's
March 31,
equity base of $11.83 million produced an Equity/Assets ratio of
14.52%, as of that date.
Bankrate believes that, as of
March 31,
this bank exhibited a sound condition, characterized by
lower than normal overall, sustainable profitability,
a very high measure of asset quality,
very strong capitalization and
seemingly ample liquidity.
For the twelve months ended
March 31,
the bank recorded net income
of $410 thousand. The bank experienced a return on average assets (ROA) of
0.51% over the latest four quarters. Year earlier
twelve month results amounted to a net income
of $311 thousand, or a
ROA over the most recent four quarters at that time. An ROA of at least 1.0% is deemed satisfactory in accordance with banking
industry standards, and the industry's annualized ROA for the twelve months
of 2016 was approximately 0.95% for commercial banks
and 1.25% for thrift institutions.
We have concluded that for the four quarters ending
March 31,
the bank achieved a below average
return on equity.
We deem net interest margin to have been substantially below average, and the reported percentage should cause inquiry into balance sheet composition, asset yields, and liability costs.
Noninterest income was substantially below normal, and management should be questioned as to the outlook for this source of revenue.
We also observed overhead ratios that were well below standard, a sign of strict expense control.
Importantly, net interest margins, noninterest income components, and overhead expense levels
represent operating factors that combine to impact overall operating results.
We have also noted that the bank's profitability improvement between the
twelve months ended
March 31
2015 and the
twelve months ended
March 31
2016 well exceeded
the banking industry peer comparison.
The bank revealed, as previously stated, a very high measure of
asset quality. Our conclusion with respect to asset quality incorporates our analysis
of data depicting regional economic conditions as well as our computations of
a relatively low
March 31,
2016 nonperforming asset ratio,
much better than normal
reserve coverage for nonperforming loans; and
apparently acceptable quality, or no greater than average,
holdings of commercial real estate and construction loans, two categories
that can intensify credit risk.
For the one year period ended
March 31,
2016, the bank reported
an approximately normal rate of growth in equity capital.
Balance sheet structural changes, through the one year period of time ended
March 31,
2016, have
the bank's capital position. Our analytical methodology does take into account the quantity,
quality, and durability of net worth, and, as set forth above, we have determined, based upon
our series of tests, that the bank demonstrates
very strong
capitalization. We have calculated the bank's
March 31,
Total Risk-Based Capital position, a computation used by industry regulators, and have concluded
that this bank substantially exceeded
the requirement, set by regulation, for this test.
As of
March 31,
2016, the bank displayed
Much Better Than Normal
balance sheet liquidity and a
No Greater Than Average Dependence
upon wholesale, or non-core liabilities, which include all borrowings, such as Federal Home
Loan Bank Advances, and CD's greater than $250,000.
Accounting principles require some securities to be categorized as "Available-for-Sale."
Changes in market value of these securities are reflected through the GAAP (Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles) net worth of the institution. Based upon the bank's
present balance sheet, changes in the value of the current level of securities reported
as "Available-for-Sale"
are very likely to have a substantial impact
upon future net worth of the bank.
This bank has been rated
Negative factors that impacted that rating follow:
Positive factors that impacted that rating follow:
As noted previously, early warning indicators, possibly requiring specific
investigation include:
As stated, we have determined a composite Star rating for this bank of
, indicative of a
financial condition. At times, financial conditions of banks change rapidly and significantly.
Hence, our Safe & Sound Star ratings should not be deemed predictive of likely future ratings.
However, in view of early warning indicators set forth within this report, in combination with
the institution's financial data, we believe that the Star rating for this institution is
unlikely to change
within the ensuing twelve month period.


text:
Here's the press release from UNC Asheville:
Luncheon held to raise scholarships while celebrating achievements of women and the 40th Anniversary of Title IX.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. -Former Olympian and WNBA player Marion Jones will tell her story of Olympic glory and subsequent personal redemption on Tuesday, April 9th at UNC Asheville's Wilma Sherrill Center. Jones will be the keynote speaker at the Our Turn to Play Luncheon presented by Wells Fargo from 11:30-1p.m. in the Sherrill Center.
The luncheon's primary goal is to raise scholarship funds for UNC Asheville's student athletes. The event will honor women as champions and leaders, as well as celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Title IX, the groundbreaking legislation that prohibited discrimination in education and athletics. WLOS TV-13's Tammy Watford will be the emcee.
Seating is available by purchasing a table or individual ticket to the luncheon. Corporate and Group Tables offer seating for six, and there will be a UNC Asheville coach or student athlete at each table. Corporate tables are $600 and include advertising in the event program, on-table, and on the Kimmel Arena video boards. Group Tables without advertising are $400. Individual tickets are $75.
For questions regarding the event or to purchase seating, contact Aaron Sanders, Director of Athletics Annual Giving at 828-250-3858 or firstname.lastname@example.com. You can purchase online at www.uncabulldogs.com/tickets.
WHO: Marion Jones
WHAT: Our Turn to Play Luncheon presented by Wells Fargo
WHERE: UNC Asheville-Sherrill Center, 227 Campus Drive, Asheville, NC 28804
WHEN: Tuesday, April 9th, 2013 11:30a.m. – 1p.m.
Media Contact: Mike Gore, Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs, 828-251-6923, firstname.lastname@example.com.
About UNC Asheville Bulldog Athletics
UNC Asheville is the dedicated Liberal Arts University in the UNC system. 189 student athletes compete in 15 sports in the Big South Conference and CCSA at the NCAA Division I level. As a North Carolina public university, UNC Asheville Athletics does not receive state funds and must rely on private giving, corporate partnerships, and ticket sales to fund scholarships for deserving students. The department's mission is to help develop Champions in Athletics and Leaders in Life. To learn more about the Bulldogs, visit www.uncabulldogs.com.
About Marion Jones
Marion Jones is a 1998 Graduate of the University of North Carolina, where she led the Tar Heels to the 1994 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship. She was a two-time gold medalist at the 1997 World Championships and won three Gold and two Bronze Medals at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.
In 2007, Marion admitted to lying to federal investigators regarding her use of performance-enhancing drugs. She was sentenced to six months in federal prison for her confession, and she voluntarily returned her five Olympic medals and publicly apologized. She has committed her life since her release to inspiring others who face life-challenging situations through public speaking and as an author.


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A Coraopolis woman, already facing trial in Allegheny County on child pornography and drug charges, has been charged with retail theft and conspiracy for allegedly stealing Apple iPads and iPods from Walmart, Trinity Point, South Strabane Township, earlier this month.
Pamela Marie Smallis, 49, along with Jeremy Stover, 24, and Olivia Elizabeth Domenick, 21, also of Coraopolis, are accused of stealing nine iPads and 23 iPods from the store in the early morning hours of Jan. 7.
According to police, the three are seen on surveillance video entering the store. Smallis and Domenick are seen going to the electronics department, where Smallis is shown reaching behind the counter, opening a drawer and removing a set of keys, police said. Domenick reportedly went behind the counter and used the keys to unlock display cases.
Domenick and Smallis are seen removing the iPads and iPods from the display and placing them in a shopping cart, before leaving the store and loading the items into a white van.
The three were identified by police officers from Moon and Harmony townships. One of those officers saw Domenick and Stover in Pittsburgh wearing the same clothing they reportedly were wearing during the theft. Police said the two sold several iPods at a store on Smithfield Street in Pittsburgh.
Detective Ken Torboli, who filed the charges against the trio, said they also had been spotted at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino. Torboli said the three are reportedly addicted to heroin.
Smallis was initially the subject of an undercover investigation into the alleged sale of illegal narcotics and prescription medication to minors, according to the state attorney general's office. Following her arrest on drug charges last April, the AG's Computer Forensics Unit said it examined a cellphone memory card and found a large amount of child pornography.
Stover, who was picked up by Moon police on a South Strabane warrant, was arraigned Friday on charges of retail theft and conspiracy before District Judge Jay Weller. He was placed in the Washington County jail on $10,000 bond. Warrants have been obtained for the arrests of Smallis and Domenick. Police said they are transients and have been staying in various motels. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call police at 724-225-8111.
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When you appeal a small claims judgment, you ask the superior court to change the small claims court judge's decision. You will have another court hearing and must present your case again.
A small claims appeal is a "trial de novo" or "new trial." This means that the case is decided by a new judge from the beginning so you have to present your case all over again. Because this case is in the civil division of the superior court (and NOT in small claims court), you (and the other side) are allowed to bring a lawyer to represent you in the new trial. Click for help finding a lawyer.
IMPORTANT! This is different from an appeal of a motion to vacate. If the defendant did not show up at the original trial, he or she has no right to ask for a new trial. Instead, the defendant can only file a motion to vacate the judgment. If the judge denies that motion, then the defendant can appeal the judge's denial of the motion to vacate.
Only a defendant can file an appeal of a small claims judgment. BUT if you are the plaintiff, and the defendant counter-sued you by filing a Defendant's Claim in response to your Plaintiff's Claim and you lose, you CAN appeal. Since a small claims appeal is a brand-new trial, the entire case is decided from scratch.
To file an appeal of a small claims judgment
In a small claims appeal, a new judge hears all the evidence again and makes a decision. That judge does not know what happened in the first trial, so this new judge looks at everything as if the case was being decided for the first time.
Either side can have an attorney represent him or her at the appeal. If you decide to hire a lawyer for the appeal, it is possible that the judge may award you $150 in attorney fees and up to $150 for your actual loss of earnings, expenses of transportation, and lodging incurred in connection with the appeal.
Also, if you or your lawyer (if you have one) can prove that the other side filed an appeal in bad faith with the intent to harass or delay you or to encourage to you drop your claim, it is possible that the judge may award reasonable and actual attorney fees of up to $1,000 and $1000 in actual losses in earnings or transportation/lodging expenses that you incurred due to the appeal (and that are reasonable costs).
If you want to ask for attorney fees and/or lost earnings and transportation and lodging costs, be sure to speak up during the hearing. You may be asked to prove your actual loss, so you may need paperwork (receipts, bills) showing the charges.
If you win the appeal
A judgment on appeal is final.
If you lose the appeal
If you lose, you will have to pay the original judgment. You may have to pay more if the judge decides you owe a larger amount.
You may be ordered to pay the plaintiff's court costs such as service and filing fees. Interest will also accrue at 10 percent for each year the judgment is not paid.
You may be ordered to pay up to $150 for attorney fees and an additional $150 for travel costs, loss of earnings, and lodging reasonably incurred in connection with the appeal.
And if the judge finds you filed your appeal in bad faith, the court may award up to $1,000 in attorney fees and also $1,000 for travel costs, loss of earnings, and lodging to the other side. Filing an appeal in bad faith means that:


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District Judge Valarie Costanzo Tuesday was the first person to announce that she will be running for one of two vacant seats on the Washington County Court of Common Pleas.
Costanzo, a resident of Cecil Township, said she has adjudicated more than 50,000 cases during her 14 years as magistrate, a post she was first appointed to by former Gov. Tom Ridge. As a district judge, she presides over criminal, civil, landlord/tenant, traffic, and summary cases and is responsible for issuing arrest warrants and search warrants.
"With a prolonged vacancy on the court and a backlog of cases, it's imperative that the county elects a qualified and experienced judge who doesn't need on-the-job training," Costanzo explained. "For the past 14 years, I've been in the courtroom on a daily basis, demonstrating my ability to closely listen to all parties, apply the law in an even-handed way, and render prompt decisions."
Costanzo won election to a full term in 1999, and again in 2005 and 2011.
A former county assistant district attorney who prosecuted more than 1,500 criminal cases, Costanzo said she was instrumental in the development and implementation the county's Fast Track Program, which saves taxpayer dollars by expediting a criminal case from the preliminary hearing stage to a final plea.
She has been an attorney in private practice for the past 18 years, handling a variety of civil matters.
A native of Washington County, Costanzo is a graduate of Canon-McMillan High School. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh in 1991, and obtained her law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School Of Law in 1994.
"As a lifelong resident of Washington County, I understand the issues and concerns of the community," Costanzo said. "I believe that my 18-year legal career, as both a judge and attorney, provides me with a solid foundation to be an efficient and effective judge."
Costanzo is a member of the Washington County Bar Association and Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania. In addition, she is vice president of the Washington County Special Court Judges Association and serves as chairwoman of its rules committee.
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The T0D212 subwoofer mimics its performance and design from our older Power Series brothers. Our T0 12" features dual 2-Ohm voice coils, 700 Watts RMS power handling, and includes a grille with integral trim ring.
NOTE: Views expressed by fanatics in our customer forum may not represent the views of Rockford Fosgate.
Contact the Authorized Rockford Fosgate Dealer you purchased this product from. If you need further assistance, call 1-800-669-9899 for Rockford Customer Service. You must obtain an RA# (Return Authorization number) to return any product to Rockford Fosgate. You are responsible for shipment of product to Rockford.
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This woofer is not recommended for Infinite Baffle; it is optimized for the design(s) above.
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As the electrification of transport increases so does the need for ever more refined simulation techniques to predict component and system performance. This electrification trend has been growing over recent years with vehicles now available including hybrid, plug-in Hybrid and fully electric vehicles from a variety of manufacturers.
Since CD-adapco and Battery Design LLC first released their flow, thermal and electrochemistry simulation tools 2 years ago, there has been significant product development driven by customer feedback and a desire to continue to lead this emerging field.
This online webcast highlights the latest features within CD-adapco's tool set and provide examples of their use, equipping the viewer with an understanding of the coverage of this comprehensive battery modeling solution.
Developments at different length scales will be presented including:


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Medium Cucumber Trellis
Item# 8587081 GR
Product Actions
Additional Information
Exclusive | Medium Cucumber Trellis Fits in 3' Raised Bed
- Trellising gives better quality cukes, easier harvesting and minimizes diseases
- Lean-to design maximizes garden space
- Use in raised beds or in-ground gardens
Misshapen, yellowed cucumbers will be a thing of the past when you use this space-saving trellis to support plants in your garden. The sturdy, powder-coated steel frame supports heavy loads and has big 4" grids for easy harvesting. Lean-to design gives you room to sow salad greens under the trellis for an extra crop before your cukes mature. Medium Cucumber Trellis is 32" W x 48" H and fits in a 3' raised bed.
Product Details
- Powder-coated steel
- 32" W x 48" H
- Easy assembly
- Folds flat for off-season storage
- Gardener's Supply Exclusive
How It Works
Product InstructionsDownload instructions for Medium Cucumber Trellis as a PDF


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As Official Airline we offer you a special discount on your flight to Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland.Save on your ticket and at the same time collect your frequent flyer points with EuroBonus or one of the Star Alliance airline's frequent flyer programs. The SAS Group conference and event discount is valid on routes operated by SAS and Widerøe.
Your benefits travelling with SAS:
Click here to book Star Alliance Conventions Plus


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Gun control conversation must continue
F or the second week in a row, headlines announcing local drug busts have dominated the front page of this newspaper. Last week, three were arrested on drug charges, prompting lock downs at Canon-McMillan High School and South Central Elementary School. Found in the vehicle were two bricks of heroin, Ecstasy pills and cocaine, with a total street value of $4,000.
On this week's front page is the story of a Canonsburg resident who was arrested at his home on College Street, a mere half block from Canonsburg Middle School, on charges of possession and possession with intent to deliver cocaine, possession of paraphernalia and persons not to possess a firearm. Because of a previous conviction of aggravated assault with a weapon in connection with a 1997 shooting, Joshua Thomas is not permitted to possess firearms. However, this didn't stop him from having a shotgun, .22-caliber rifle, .357-caliber handgun, assault rifle and Ruger and Glock handguns.
It is not currently known how Thomas came to obtain the weapons, but situations like these are exactly why tougher gun control laws are a must in the United States. There is no reason for any civilian to possess an assault rifle. For someone who is not supposed to possess any firearms whatsoever, it is heinous that Thomas had the arsenal that he did. And let us not forget his close proximity to the middle school – children walked by his house every day on their way to and from school.
As we have stated before, we realize that people are going to purchase guns and other weapons on the black market, but that doesn't mean laws and policies should not be put into place. It was extremely disappointing when the Senate voted down the expanded background check gun legislation last month, despite that the majority of U.S. citizens support the measure. At what point does the issue stop being a partisan one? At what point do government officials get out of bed with the NRA? And, at what point do we see clearly what really matters here – the safety of our children, citizens and officers of the law?
Following the arrest of Thomas, Canonsburg Mayor David Rhome said, "Ninety percent of crimes in our community goes back to drugs. If we get rid of the majority of the problem, then the rest goes away."
In this particular case, not only did one more drug dealer get removed from the streets, but a number of illegal weapons did, too. Hopefully, area police continue to make these type of arrests and clean up otherwise beautiful, pleasant communities. And in the process, hopefully the gun control issue does not die.


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South Hills rocked by floods
Torrential rains that fell throughout the South Hills and northern Washington County early July 10 resulted in road closures, ponding water on roadways and in yards, and flooded basements.
"In 13 years, I've never seen Route 19 flood like it did," said Peters Township police Officer John Bruce.
Along Washington Road, also known as Route 19, an unoccupied car parked at Marosz service station was lifted by the water cascading from a hill next to Moccasin Drive, and floated to the middle of Washington Road, Bruce said.
At Rex Glass, just south of Moccasin Drive, a car stalled in about two and a half feet of water with Bruce making the decision to close Washington Road both northbound and southbound to all traffic. The closure lasted between 30 minutes and an hour, bringing rush hour traffic to a standstill. When the flooding receded, Bruce said, public works crews cleared debris from the road before traffic was allowed to proceed.
Flooding also occurred farther north on Washington Road, closing Circle Drive near Beinhauer's Funeral Home, where Bruce estimated the depth of the water to be two and a half to three feet.
Several young students had to be evacuated from the Huntington Learning Center, 2848 Washington Road, by police and members of the Peters Township Volunteer Fire Department. No injuries were reported when about six inches of water entered the building.
Bruce said the flooding along Washington Road resulted when a small creek that runs parallel to the road overflowed.
Additional flooding in Peters Township resulted in the closure of Valley Brook Road between East McMurray Road and the site of construction on the new ramp to and from Washington Road. Some motorists opted to attempt a short cut when Route 19 was closed, and ended up driving through "road closed" signs on Thompsonville Road before becoming stranded in a construction area.
Bruce said about three or four residences reported flooded basements.
"I worked (the remnants of Ivan in 2004) and with this, there seems to be more flooding on the roadways," Bruce said.
Peters Township police Chief Harry Fruecht said he'd never seen flooding along the roads this intense in the 25 years he's been chief.
In neighboring Cecil Township, Chief Sean Bukovinsky said the heavy rains caused the closure of the intersection of Routes 50 and 980, and the railroad underpass at the bottom of Miner's Hill in Lawrence on Georgetown Road. In both instances, tow trucks were needed to remove vehicles stuck in the rising water. No drivers needed to be evacuated.
"Route 50 is always an issue for us," Bukovinsky said shortly after the water receded and the road was opened at about 12:15 p.m.
Electrical power to Southpointe was lost, but Bukovinsky said when he arrived at the scene, West Power Co. crews were switching circuits and the traffic lights were working and power was restored.
He said at least one house had water in the basement along Klinger Road. Flooded basements were also reported in the Lawrence area and in the Fleeher plan.
Portions of Cecil Park between Route 50 and Millers Run was underwater. Employees of the public works department, located adjacent to the park, placed sandbags around the building. However, Bukovinsky said, the water stopped short of entering the building.
Flooding was also reported in Upper St. Clair and South Fayette townships, as well as communities in the South Hills such as Bethel Park and Mt. Lebanon. Light Rail service between the South Hills and Pittsburgh was temporarily suspended because of debris blocking the tracks in several areas. Buses on the South Busway were detoured because of flooding and Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl encouraged employers to send workers home early.
Meteorologist John Darnley of the National Weather Service was keeping a close eye on the colliding high and low pressure systems that began to dump rain just before 8 a.m. His wife sent him a picture of the overflowing retention pond near his South Fayette Township residence, something that has not occurred since Ivan nearly 10 years ago.
Darnley said best estimates are that about two and a half inches of rain fell in a six-hour time period with the bulk falling around 8 a.m. – and more was predicted to hit the area later today (July 10).
Heavy rain was just part of the problem Wednesday morning, Fruecht said.
"The biggest problem is (drivers) don't look at the 'road closed' signs and they don't obey the signs and they drive through," Fruecht said. Even after officers parked police vehicles with flashing lights near the road closed signs, "people were still trying to go through."
"We're trying to prevent them from being trapped and then we'd spend more time rescuing them," Fruecht said.


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Simulation is widely applied in aeroacoustics to understand noise source mechanisms and sound propagation towards noise abatement in transportation.
In this webcast, presenters demonstrate the value of advanced simulation technology, focusing mainly on the automotive sector using several case studies performed on production vehicles for HVAC, external aerodynamics, engine powertrain, exhaust/aftertreatment transmission loss, fan cooling and sunroof/side-window buffeting.
Three main techniques are discussed:
Experts identify new challenges in simulation and how advanced toolsets like STAR-CCM+ are addressing these issues through ongoing development.


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Washington County Republicans could celebrate vote totals in Washington County in the presidential race, but in 2013, as in 2009, there is less than a full slate of GOP countywide candidates.
In the last election cycle, Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney outpolled President Barack Obama, a Democrat, by 11,952 votes and a margin of 13 percent. When Sen. John McCain in 2008 won Washington County by 4,467 votes over Obama, he was the first Republican to do so since Richard Nixon's 1972 landslide over Democrat George McGovern.
In the 2010 U.S. Senate election, the majority of Greene County voters chose Democrat Joe Sestak over Republican Pat Toomey, who carried Washington County and, in the end, Pennsylvania. By 2012, both counties were in Republican Tom Smith's column, although incumbent Republican Bob Casey Jr. prevailed statewide.
A statewide website shows Washington County with 75,850 Democrats, 48,575 Republicans and 14,939 independents and others as of May 13. Greene County has 13,845 Democrats and 6,444 Republicans.
Over the winter, the Republican Party actively recruited candidates at municipal, school district and county levels, but there is just one registered Republican in the Washington County judicial race where two are to be elected, and only one candidate filed for the three row offices on the ballot this year.
The three row offices are held by incumbent Democrats. GOP challenger Angela Carrier filed nominating petitions as a candidate for controller. Michael Namie is seeking his fourth four-year term. Namie four years ago captured both the Republican and Democratic nominations, besting a write-in GOP candidate.
No Republican filed for the recorder of deeds office where Debbie Bardella is seeking a fifth four-year term, but there is believed to be a write-candidacy afoot. Bardella said she will not be making a try to garner both nominations.
"It wasn't necessarily perfect timing for her," Washington County GOP Chairman William Merrell said of the unannounced candidate. "She decided a little bit after the petition signing. People have to make those decisions on their own time."
Republicans expressed interest in running for sheriff against Samuel Romano, who is seeking a third four-year term, but Merrell said, "We had some people come to us about the sheriff's position, but we suggested they needed more experience in management as well as police work. I appreciate all policemen, both full time and part time, but one needs years of experience to run an operation as large and meaningful as the sheriff's department is."
There are just two countywide offices on the primary ballot in Greene County – sheriff and coroner.
The incumbent sheriff, Richard Ketchem, chose not to seek another term, a decision that brought out three Democratic candidates to run for the seat. The candiates are Bryan Tennant, Erik Ketchem and William Lewis Jr. Greene County GOP Chairman Jim Minor, when asked why no Republican sought to run in the sheriff's primary, said, "No one filed any nominating petitions."
No Republican opted to challenge Gregory Rohanna, the Democratic coroner, either.
Of the eight candidates trying for two Washington County judgeships, just one, Lane Turturice, is a registered Republican and he, as recently as 2010, was a Democrat.
Merrell does not view this as a hindrance, noting that he himself was a Democrat up until 10 years ago.
"I was very liberal in my younger years. If John F. Kennedy were here today, he would be a Republican," the GOP chairman said.
The seven Democrats running for judge are Alan Benyak, Blane Black, Valarie Costanzo, Thomas Fallert, Charles Kurowski, Michael Lucas and Peter V. Marcoline III. All have cross-filed. Elections office records show Lucas registered independent in 2007 and 2008.
Merrell was pleased to see many Republicans filing for local offices.
"I would like to see every position contested," Merrell said. "We're going to get the conservative idea out in the community. We're starting to resonate more and more."
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Court decides in Cecil's favor in MarkWest dispute
Court decides in Cecil's favor in MarkWest dispute
Washington County Court has upheld a March 2011 decision by Cecil Township's zoning hearing board to deny a request by MarkWest Liberty Midstream & Resources to build a natural gas compressor station on Route 980 near Coleman Road.
An opinion issued on Jan. 21 by Judge John DiSalle said the court would have preferred to hold off on a decision until the Pennsylvania Supreme Court rules on the zoning provisions of Act 13, the state's law governing oil and gas drilling. However, "the uncertainty of the length of the delay makes further delay impractical."
The decision has not exhausted all of MarkWest's options, though; it also has a lawsuit on the compressor station pending in Commonwealth Court, and would be able to build the compressor station if the Supreme Court strikes down the Commonwealth Court decision on Act 13, which found that the law's uniform zoning standards unconstitutionally stripped communities of their land-use and planning rights. Cecil Township was a plaintiff in the suit, along with Robinson, Mt. Pleasant and Peters townships in Washington County and South Fayette Township in Allegheny County.
If Act 13's zoning provisions are reaffirmed by the Supreme Court, the compressor station would be a permitted use in industrial areas and a conditional use in residential areas.
The site on Route 980 is zoned for light industrial use. Amid opposition to the compressor station from nearby residents, the zoning hearing board decided that a compressor station was not appropriate for a site zoned for light industrial use and was not an essential service, like a public utility.
The decision states that the zoning hearing board "used sound discretion" in turning down MarkWest's request to build the compressor station. It also says that MarkWest did not prove that the compressor station would have the same impact, or even less impact, than other enterprises that would be allowed in areas zoned for light industrial use.
Neither Patricia McGrail, the solicitor for Cecil's zoning hearing board, nor Christopher Rimkus, an attorney representing MarkWest, could be reached for immediate comment.


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Westerly, R.I. Monday, October 23, 2017
Location: Laurie's Gallery & Art Learning Center
17C Railroad Ave., Westerly, Rhode Island 02891
Event Date: Thursday, March 20
From: 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Fall show with work by featured artist Gina Ebright, of Westerly. Includes watercolors, acrylics and colored pencils
along with several other artists including oils by Liz Goor, of Westerly. Exhibit will be open through October.


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I was very troubled to read that Range Resources wants to sue Robinson Township in order to push forward the drilling of two new well pads.
The reality of the matter is that Range's documents included sound studies that showed that the planned well pads exceeded Robinson Township's noise ordinances. There were also other questions that the township supervisors, as well as a number of residents, had about the projects. However, Range did not have a representative at the hearings held on Jan. 14, and so the questions remained unanswered.
Strangely, Range Resources' attorney, Shawn Gallagher, appeared prior to the meeting and sat among the residents, but stayed for only a few minutes then left before the hearing about the well pads even began.
As someone who did stay for the entirety of the Robinson Township hearings, I would have to say that the township supervisors proceeded in a very responsible way, raising the questions and issues that came up as they reviewed Range's documents, and even asking if there were any Range representatives present to answer the questions. The room was silent. Even any leaseholders who might have been there with interests in the projects also remained silent. The only people in the audience who spoke were those who had concerns about the proposed well pads, concerns about truck traffic, failure of the project to adhere to existing noise ordinances, air quality in the surrounding areas, and the like.
Robinson Township's supervisors acted in exemplary fashion throughout, and were very diligent in carrying out their responsibilities as elected officials. Range Resources, however, in apparent disregard for the process, failed to even appear either to advocate for their own interests or to respond to questions raised by the supervisors or area residents. It is entirely likely that if Range had deigned to attend this hearing, that the questions could have been answered, the concerns could have been resolved, and the project could have gone on without difficulty. Recognize that Robinson Township already has active Range sites within it, indicating that Robinson Township supervisors have a history of approving well pads which were in compliance with local ordinances, and for which full information was provided.
Instead, Range, as part of an apparent and long-standing pattern of disregard and disrespect for local government bodies, failed to attend the hearing, and emailed their comments about the meeting �– a meeting they did not even attend – to the Observer-Reporter. It would appear that instead of wanting to avoid a lawsuit, Range was actually trying to find an excuse to file a lawsuit. By providing the township with incomplete information and by providing sound studies that indicated that the projects were in violation of local ordinances, and then by failing to attend the meeting and respond to questions, it appears that Range knew that the Robinson Township supervisors, in the responsible execution of their duties, would not approve the pads without the appropriate questions answered. This then raises the question: Is this situation truly about the two well pads, or is it about attempting to punish a local governing body for being among the group of townships that took legal action in opposition to Act 13?
Dorothy Bassett


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Mt. Lebanon schools awarded for conservation
Mt. Lebanon School District saved some $5 million over the last 10 years through an energy conservation program that reduced utility usage across the district. Ross Kelly, regional president of Cenergistic, recognized the district's achievement by presenting an award at the Sept. 9 school board discussion meeting.
"Long before these economic crises, long before energy conservation was 'hip,' this district embarked on a program to reduce consumption," he said. "At the time the goal was to reduce long-term consumption by maybe 20 percent. You have not only achieved that but are now exceeding 30 percent."
Kelly said Mt. Lebanon was a top-ranked district not only in Pennsylvania but also across the entire United States in terms of energy conservation. He added that so far this year the district reduced usage nearly 50 percent compared to baseline costs.
The Cenergistic conservation program emphasizes realizing numerous small efficiencies to reduce utility consumption. These include measures such as installing motion-activated lights. According to Kelly, the program's goal is to achieve reductions without compromising the security, safety or comfort of staff and students.
The board also heard an update regarding the district's high school renovation project. According to project manager Tom Berkebile, the athletic building should be ready for use in early November. Contractors are currently installing flooring in the gymnasium and preparing to tile the swimming pool. In addition, the county and municipality have granted limited occupancy for the sixth floor of the B Building, so students are beginning to use the facility.
Berkebile said August also saw a larger number of project change orders, more than 20 items covering a range of issues and totaling over $304,000.
Board member Dale Ostergaard expressed concern regarding the amount of these change orders. "Should we expect lists of this magnitude in the future?" he asked.
Rick Marciniak, project manager for Mt. Lebanon School District, explained that the pace of work in the summer months caused certain change orders to pile up. He added that he and the administration conducted an extensive review of all the items on the list with contractors and construction manager PJ Dick.
According to Mr. Berkebile, about 55 percent of project costs have been billed to date, and around 45 percent of the budgeted contingency has been used.
School board member Mary Birks emphasized that contingency funds are included in the renovation's $109 million budget.
"I want people in the community to know this is not something extra," she said.


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Sony NEX-6 review – The logical CSC choice?By David Newton - Wednesday November 28 2012 Sensor Review
As expected, the Sony NEX-6 produces a strong performance, in its segment, on par with the other Sony models using the same sensor. The choice between the Sony NEX-6 and the NEX-5R will come down to budget and camera features rather than performance – if a built-in flash and electronic viewfinder is important to you, then the NEX-6 is the better choice. If not, then from a performance point of view, there is no perceptible difference between it and its cheaper brother the NEX-5R.
When comparing the NEX-6 to competitor cameras, the ability to now lower the ISO sensitivity to ISO 100 is the main reason for the performance gain.
Moving forwards, while Sony currently holds the performance high ground in the Compact System Camera arena, the Olympus OM-D and Pen models show that other manufacturers are catching up, even with the smaller 4:3 sensors that have traditionally performed less well.
Further readings for the Sony NEX-6 review – The logical CSC choice?
To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.
Announced in September 2012, the Sony NEX-6 creates a new range in the Sony line-up. It sits between the flagship Sony NEX-7 and the mid-range Sony NEX-5R offering features and performance benefits to beginner and advanced photographers alike. Providing a simplified user-interface than the NEX-7, the NEX-6 is none-the-less fully featured with a high-resolution OLED viewfinder, Full HD video recording and a tilt-adjustable screen for ease of use.
The Sony NEX-6 is a well-thought-out compact hybrid that, like the NEX-7, takes into account the needs of the expert amateur, but also considers the needs of beginning photographers as well.


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Q:A reader recently asked which of the following balance transfer offers was the best:
0% interest for 18 months, then going to 14%, or
0% interest for 12 months, then going to 10%?
She explained that the balance transfer fees are the same for both offers at three percent. And she wants to pay off $6,000 currently at 12%.
A: To start with, it's a great move to take advantage of a 0% credit card rather than to continue to pay 12%. At her current rate, simple interest on $6,000 is $720. While the actual interest paid will go down as the balance declines, transferring the debt to a zero rate card is without question the right move.
But which offer is the best? The answer depends on two considerations. First, how long will it take her to pay off the $6,000. And second, can she qualify for another 0% balance transfer offer when the first one expires. Let's take a quick look at each of these factors.
If she can pay off the $6,000 in full within 18 months, then the longer 0% offer is the best deal. She can enjoy no interest for the full 18 months making the minimum payment each month, and then pay off the remaining balance in full before the 14% rate kicks in.
On the other extreme, if she plans to make just the minimum payment until the debt is paid off, it will take her a whopping 324 months to retire the debt (actually, a tad less because of the 0% deal, but still a very long time). Under those circumstances, the higher rate on the first offer would eventually wipe out any savings she enjoyed with the longer balance transfer period.
Of course, making just the minimum payment is a really bad idea, so in most cases the longer balance transfer offer will be the best option. And that brings us to the second consideration.
When we were paying off our credit card debt, we used a string of balance transfer cards over a number of years. The result was that the only "interest" we paid was the balance transfer fee. So if she has a good credit score and employment history, she can continue to transfer her balance from one 0% card to the next until the debt is expired. In that case, the longer offer is obviously the best choice.
One word of caution. You generally cannot transfer a balance between two cards issued by the same bank. So if your debt is on a Citi credit card, for example, you won't be able to transfer it to another Citi card. The good news is that all the major credit card issuers offer 0% cards. We keep track of the best 0% transfer deals and update the list weekly.


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New beers from Boulevard, Samuel Adams, Stone tasted
Despite my recent travels and the large amount of beer I have purchased in the past week, I slipped in a few new brews to review this week.
First up is the new Boulevard Brewing Company's Reboot White IPA. It is a re-release of 2011 Collaboration Series No. 2.
I have not been a fan of the relatively new white IPA style. I just don't think the hoppy flavors of an IPA blend well with the spiciness found in Belgian-style wits. Most white IPAs have been disappointing.
However, I've a huge fan of Boulevard beers, so I figured if any brewery could turn me around on white IPAs it would be them.
Unfortunately, it's just not for me. There's nothing wrong with the beer, but the flavors don't blend for me. I can taste the sage and lemongrass and the subtle peppery flavors, but then it bashes into the fruity hops and the flavors are too contrasting.
If you like the style, this is probably a beer you'll like, but I don't think it'll change the opinion of anyone who is not a fan of white IPAs.
Next up is the new Samuel Adams Ruby Mild.
This 5.6 percent ABV mild ale is a sweet, malty beer. It tastes like caramel with subtle bready flavors in the background. There are almost no hops at all.
It feels creamy in your mouth, and it is an easy drinking beer. The head is fluffy, and it's a pretty beer to look at in your glass.
This is a perfect beer for those who prefer malty over hoppy and are looking for something that is not too high in alcohol. I enjoyed this beer a lot, and I'll drink more of it.
The final new beer this week is the new 10 Barrel/Bluejacket/Stone Suede Imperial Porter.
This collaboration porter is a big beer, coming in at a hefty 9.6 percent ABV. It pours like oil, but the aroma is fantastic – you get coffee and a sweet, honey like smell.
The Suede is brewed with jasmine, honey and calendula flowers.
You can taste the jasmine early on and the honey becomes more prominent as the beer warms, mixing with the flavors of smooth chocolate and coffee.
There was a sweetness that I couldn't identify that may have come from the calendula flowers, which I've never tried, but it was pleasant and was perfect with the other flavors.
Again, this was a thick, heavy beer. It was smooth, but it wasn't a quick drinking beer. It is definitely a sipper, but one that anyone who enjoys stouts and porters should love.


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HERSHEY – Before this tournament began, wrestling fans who witnessed it thought last year's 28-25 victory by Canon-McMillan over Central Dauphin in the PIAA Class AAA Team Tournament semifinals was the best dual meet wrestled in the 15-year history of this event.
It had all the drama anyone could ask for: the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in the state, great wrestlers on both sides of the mat, and a thrilling finish that could be the fodder for a Hollywood movie.
That was last year.
For those hardy enough to make the trip to Hershey for Saturday's rematch, they witnessed an even better match.
Canon-McMillan, the defending team champion but wrestling without two key starters, had its greatest moment in this program's illustrious history when the Big Macs rallied from 12 points down to defeat Central Dauphin, 34-31, at the Giant Center.
The match came down to the final bout – as it should – and Brendon Price won a one-point decision over Zach Elvin, 4-3, to assure a second trophy will keep the first one company in Canon-McMillan's trophy case.
This dual meet had the top two teams in the state again matching its great talent. Canon-McMillan is the No. 9 team in the country, according to Intermat, and defending PIAA champion Cody Wiercioch is the No. 2-ranked wrestler in the nation at 170 pounds. He is behind Chance Marsteller of Kennard-Dale, but Marsteller is expected to drop to 160 for the individual tournaments.
Central Dauphin appeared to have a better chance of winning this match. The Rams came in having won 121 of the past 122 dual meets and the last six District 3 titles. Canon-McMillan set a WPIAL record this season by becoming the first Class AAA team to win four straight team tournament titles.
The Big Macs did so without one of their best wrestlers in Solomon Chishko, who has not wrestled this season after fracturing his elbow in the a preseason tournament three months ago. Another starter, Malachi Krenzelak, did not wrestle because of an injury, and William Pihiou is just coming back from an injury.
That's what made this victory so special. Last year, the Big Macs were expected win. This year, they were were the underdogs.
Canon-McMillan's victory was forged on several key components, but none more important than the awesome display of dominance in the upperweights, where Wiercioch, Alex Campbell and Angelo Broglia provided so many bonus points. Wiercioch had three pins and a technical fall, Campbell pinned his way through the tournament and Broglia won three times by fall.
More impressive, this part of the lineup was key to come-from-behind victories over Spring Grove, Erie McDowell and Easton. Sealing the deal in these matches were equally strong performances by impressive lightweights Brendon Price, Dalton Macri and Connor Schram.
Price's 4-3 decision over Zach Elvin in the final bout of the Central Dauphin match not only earned him a free ride around the arena mat, first by head coach Chris Mary, then by his teammates, but assured his name always will be mentioned when Big Mac fans debate the greatest victories in the program's history.
Mary has cemented his spot in the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame after guiding the Big Macs to two straight team tournament titles and two other team championships awarded at the individual tournament. Yes, the PIAA awards two team trophies each season. The Big Macs will enter the individual tournament with a great chance of repeating, especially if Chishko is healthy enough to return.
With the bulk of this team graduating after this season – the Big Macs lose nearly all the upperweights and Schram – it will be difficult to achieve a three-peat.
So it's best to savor the great memories of this tournament, including Price overcome with emotion and crying in the arms of Mary after his win, because there is no guarantee this will happen again.
Assistant sports editor Joe Tuscano can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.
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