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[Pages 284-287]
By Yosef Warach
Lanowitz had a spiritual quality. It had all the elements needed for such an atmosphere: Learned men, two kosher butchers; Yoel & Yitzhak, a Kloizel, a Kloiz, a synagogue, a Beis Midrash and a small Shul. Each Shul had a Hazan [= leader in prayer], especially for the high holidays and for Passover, Shavuoth and Succoth. Most of the congregants were capable of leading the congregation in their prayer.
The Congregants were proud of the fact that their Hazan was an orthodox person, versed in writing Torah scrolls and was God fearing.
The high holidays were a time when each Jew reviewed his past behavior vs. his fellow men; it was time for reflection. Immediately after Yom Kippur a Succah was built to recall from whence we came. We recalled our long history: Egypt, the journey in the Sinai desert, and becoming an independent nation through sacrifices. The Jews of Lanowitz slept in their Succahs despite the inconvenience, to give meaning to their heritage. It was their way of commemorating being a people with a Torah that commands them to behave better than other nations.
On Simchat Torah, one felt the joyous atmosphere in the synagogue. Everyone was eager to carry one of the heavy Torahs, to circle the Bimah during Hakopos, to dance with the Torah to and fro. The word Simcha, meaning Joy in Hebrew, shows that dancing with the Torah scroll was an ancient tradition. It was with the Torah that Jews went to war.
The same can be said for days of mourning such as Tish'a Be'av [= 9th of Av]. The synagogue was illuminated with lanterns. The interior was dark. We lamented our destroyed Temple. Our hearts were heavy as we recalled that Jews of that era lost everything. We took off our shoes, sat on the floor and cried while reading the book of Eicha. It was a spiritual cry. Only spiritual people can cry over what happened in the past.
One sensed the spiritual atmosphere of the town throughout the year. It was a town that had its own Rabbi, R. A'haron Rabin. The Congregants sought his company, and were eager to hear his sermons. They sat at his table, not for the sake of the served food, but mainly to hear his Torah commentaries, to enjoy the singing, to feel a little closer to heaven. Periodically, other Rabbis came to visit our town to add learning, singing and spirituality to our community. I remember in particular, the Rabbis from Turysk, Ostrog, Vishnivitz and Shumsk who came to Lanowitz periodically. There were other Rabbis whose name I no longer remember. My father was not satisfied celebrating a Shabbat with one of the above-mentioned Rabbis. He also celebrated the anniversary of deceased famous Rabbis such as the one from Berdichev. He meant to commemorate them by this means and elevate the occasion to the same level as his daily economic effort. It symbolized what was important to him in his life - the Sabbath, and anniversaries.
Our youth sought alternate spiritual satisfactions. They rebelled against the old forms, but their ultimate aim was the same. The question they posed was how best to improve the community's cultural and spiritual life. They established a lending library, and promoted secular, technical and artistic literature. They also established a school where children, whose parents could not afford the tuition, attended classes. They created a Bikur Cholim [=visit the sick] society, whose members helped sick people as needed. The main thrust of their activity was to help create a feeling of brotherhood, to enrich one's self-esteem, and enhance the group's spirituality.
Lanowitz had a reputation as a center for good deeds. When Yehi'el Shemesh rose early in the morning, and went from house to house, knocking on windows, shouting: It is time to get up for morning worship, his message was symbolic; saying in effect: It is time to start the day's work. The body has rested enough, now it is time to nourish the soul. Worship consisted not only of prayer. It encompassed good deeds and charity, all in an effort to praise the Lord.
If a person does not have money to buy matzos on Passover, we are obligated to provide him matzos so he can fulfill the commandment to eat them on Pessach. Should a young man wish to marry, but does not have the means, we are obligated to help him financially. We had to encourage marriage to facilitate the growth of our community.
Inasmuch as Lanowitz was a border town, it had soldiers stationed in its barracks. There were Jewish soldiers among them. It was a mitzwa to invite them for the Sabbath and holidays, to let them enjoy a Kiddush, the synagogue and a meal; to reduce the frequency when they had no choice but to eat non-kosher food, or defile the Sabbath.
After many years and from across the Ocean, I see Lanowitz as a place buzzing with good deeds, charity and happiness. It was a laboratory for spirituality, warmth and communion between residents. Our Gentile neighbors did not understand this spirit. But, how could they understand us?
It was an unforgettable town. Now that we live among Gentiles, we can appreciate the spirit of Lanowitz all the more. It was a kind of spiritual mountain. Thanks to communities like Lanowitz, it is hoped that the Jewish state will be different than other nations. It is a community that should not be forgotten.
[Pages 288-301]
By Abraham Teichman
It is not easy for me to record my recollections of dear Jews who are no longer among the living because of the deeds of animals in human form.
I shall remember forever the various classes of Jews with their good values and their pride. They were loyal and good to everyone without exception. Wherever one met another, be it on the street in the Beis Midrash [= a prayer room attached to a synagogue], the bath house or at a joyous event, their wishes, after a drink, a piece of homemade Lekach, came from the bottom of their heart. If, heaven forbid, a person became ill, everyone felt the pain as if the ill person was part of his household. One could see the sorrow on each neighbor's face.
The whole town was like one large fan. A family's joyous occasion was an occasion for everyone, and heaven forbid, a misfortune was also felt by all, rich or poor.
I had the opportunity to visit many towns around the world. I did not meet Jews who were as warm-hearted, and good to one another as those in Lanowitz.
When Plenikes (Austrian prisoners of war) were stationed in Lanowitz, the (Jewish) soldiers among them were treated to a meal. Everyone knows, for instance, that Jews who sold quick lime were not wealthy, yet they hosted 5 Plenikes (P.O.W.s). I remember well that a Jew from Buchach Galicia with the name of Yidel Geltnar. He wrote his wife and children how well he was treated. We received a thank you letter from her. We never demanded a payment reward. This hospitality custom was part of Lanowitz's tradition.
Yekil Israel Wolff had a machine for baking Matzos. On a Pessach evening, I went over to use his machine. On that occasion I met a 15 year old lad, whose name I no longer remember. I noticed, as he moved, that he was only using one of his hands. The other was wrapped in rags. I asked him what the matter was with his hand. He replied that his hand had broken while he picked apples in the orchard of Eli Kuziel. He fell off a tree and broke his hand. I asked him if he had seen a Doctor. He replied that his hand was looked at by Bakshe, the Felsher [=Country Doctor]. I told the story to Yidel Kiskiwitzer, also known as Greenblat, who lost no time looking into this matter. Bashke, the Felsher said that it may be necessary to amputate the hand. When Asher Brilliant heard of the case, he took the lad to Lvov to try and save the hand. The injured hand was already black. In the end, the hand was saved and the lad recovered its use. When I visited him at home, I asked him if his family knew about the matter. He replied that he told no one. He had visited the Felsher only once; that Asher Brilliant had paid for his treatment in the Lvov hospital, also Asher visited him often to track his recovery. The community had no heroes, but it was its custom to help a needy person at all times and circumstances.
The Blessings of a Polish State
When Poland annexed the Eastern territories including Lanowitz, the local Jews did not benefit from the new regime. The Poles imported with them a hate of Jews. When the Polish Army entered Lanowitz, the three of us: Asher Brilliant, Israel Katz and I left the house of Hannah Atis and honored the entering army with bread and salt. I predicted then that we were likely to regret their arrival. To our sorrow, this was the case. The Polish occupiers of Lanowitz saved no time to spread their racial poison. They settled hooligans from the Warsaw area who were called Asadnikes in our area. One fine day (fine for the Poles, but not for us Jews) three Asadnikes stood on the streets of our town. One of them, named Ogurek, was from Napadowka (NW of Lanowitz). They stood across from Shmuel Moshe Lazar's house. As his son Taleh left the house, one of them, apparently Ogurek, called him over and slapped his face. The second Pole urged Taleh to hit him back. It was a taunt because everyone knew that we Jews were powerless.
A few days later, while in my shop, I was visited by Moshe Tepper from Iskowitz [Juskowcy-in PL, 4 km NE of L.]. He came to chat with me as was his custom. We discussed issues of the day. In came Uziel Hayim, son of Mordechai, known as Rabin. He asked me, Why are you so pensive today; Have your ships sunk? I replied that I do not trust our future with the current regime. I can only foresee what will be tomorrow; our new neighbors that have been transplanted to our region from the Warsaw and Poznan region are unlikely to improve our lives. He next asked what I had observed to lead me to this assessment. I told him what had happened to Taleh, Moshe Lazar's son, a few days ago. Uziel proceeded to tell us what had happened to him recently. He has, for a long time, had business relations with estate owner Laduniuk. Recently, he went to see him regarding a business matter. The latter owns four large dogs. One of the dogs attacked him. Fortunately, Uziel had a stick which he used to protect himself. When the owner came out of his house to greet him, he said, You are lucky that I don't have a gun on me, otherwise I would have shot you for hitting one of my dogs. It was under such social and political conditions that our community lived, believing in God and hoping for a better future.
The late Manish Riba Yosel, son of Moshe, was a decent young man, good looking and well mannered. He made a living buying eggs from farmers in the surrounding area and selling these in Zbarazh. He returned one evening, taking a route distant from the Soviet border so as to avoid being arrested by a Polish border patrol. Two criminals from a neighboring village murdered him as he returned that evening. It was not difficult to find out who the murderers were. A blood soaked garment was found on one of the murderers the next day. Jewish blood was expendable. The local authorities were not interested to indict the murderer. Instead, they encouraged the Gentile communities to distance themselves from Jews.
To travel after sundown to or from Shumsk, Kremenec or Vishnevitz to Lanowitz was dangerous. It was particularly dangerous in the winter period when transporting coal to warm our houses. The following happened to Yitzhak Barges, the son-in-law of Shmuel Karshenboim. He and a helper traveled to Shumsk to trade in flour as was his custom. On the way, his wagon broke down in the middle of a field. Because they could not reach Shumsk by nightfall, they decided to stay put in the field fearing Polish bullies. The night was cold and long. Due to this accident and exposure, Yitzhak died several weeks later, long before his time. The village Poles did not hesitate to maim innocent Jews on these cold nights.
Bentzi Gurwich, or as we called him, Bentzi Itzik son of Hirsh, was engaged to the daughter of A'haron Marchiches. As was our custom, the groom went to his in-laws' house to visit his bride on a Friday night. On Friday, one can stay a bit longer. As he left their house at 11 pm, he was attached by a group of Poles who beat him until he collapsed. Next, they placed him on a bench and cut his hair. Afterwards they smeared the hair with soap and forced him to eat the mixture while beating him further. After this torture, they led him to the village of Novosilkes. There, on a high hill which was used as a gravel pit, they threw him downhill while he was semi-conscious. He regained consciousness the next morning. A well was nearby known as LOITSHICH KRINITZI. A Christian woman went to this well to fetch some water. His luck was that she heard him moaning and saved him. This episode did not happen during the Nazi occupation, but before the war, at a time when one still hoped that we could live in peace with the Poles. We thought (mistakenly) that they would get used to us and we would learn to co-exist with them.
I once happened to visit my brother-in-law, Moshe Tepper, in his village, Iskowitz. A policeman by the name of TOMZIK positioned himself at Tepper's house door and proceeded to address the assembled crowd. The policeman implored them to no longer sell their produce to Jews. He added, Note that the Jew has a big belly. It is due to the butter and chickens you sell him. Afterwards he travels (annually) to a spa to reduce his excess weight. To carry out your hard labor you need a pair of boots. You go to a Jew and ask him to loan you a few zlotys to buy the boots. When you repay him, he overcharges you, and you are ignorant of the debt details, preferring to believe his accounting. He next alerted the crowd that there are Gentile buyers at the train station that will buy their grain, eggs and poultry.
Those Gentiles that persisted to sell their goods to Jewish merchants became afraid to leave their homes at night for fear of a beating. The anti-Semites among the Poles came to realize that such threats were an effective tool since almost no peasant had indoor toilets. Even many Jews did not have such a luxury. As a result of these threats, many Gentiles succumbed to these threats against their better judgment. Selling to a Jewish merchant normally fetched a better price because of the fierce competition amongst Jewish merchants. Jews shaved their profit in order to make a living.
Opposite our home lived Leib Melamed. His niece and her eight-year old son lived with them. She supported herself by selling quass [a carbonated drink] and sunflowers on Friday nights. When not working, she used to drop in to visit us. One night, after we had already retired for the night, she came in to our house with her child. She told us that the aforementioned policeman, TOMZIK, was on duty that night. Instead of patrolling the town, he chased her out of her bed and went to sleep. We kept her company for the night.
When the forces of Petlura's army (1917) bombarded Lanowitz, most of us fled. My late wife also fled with a child only several weeks old. She did not know where to flee to and I did not know where she fled to until it was over. I escaped from our town and hid in a Gentile cemetery. There I met a Pole from my town named Vaznikevich. He tried to console me, saying, Notice what hooligans these Ukrainians are. I don't understand what they have against Jews? I thought then that the Poles were our allies. However, as later events showed, once the Poles were in the saddle, they treated us with a whip in hand. I had the opportunity to visit a friend with my late brother-in-law, Eli. At the time, Eli had a tile business. He needed a fixture with which to mix lime. In those days, no one walked bareheaded. Eli and I went to this Pole's Smith shop located 30 meters down a path from his property's gate. We entered his property wearing our hats. The fact that we did not remove our hats, the Pole found insulting. As a result, he demanded a much higher price for the desired fixture than it would have cost in a Kremenec store. He remarked: Money is of no consequence for you. If it were not for your wealth, you would have removed your hat at my door and not dared to walk with your head covered until you approached me.
One day our district chief received a letter from the Warsaw magistrate to arrange a collection for poor Poles, probably not including any Jews. This collection was probably destined to support the very hooligans who used to stand in front of Jewish stores to shoo away potential customers. The locals that organized the collection were the district chief, the local Kommandant [Police Chief] and the local town physician, Dr. Litwak. All of us had to contribute. We knew from experience that to refuse would risk the ire of the local Kommandant who could easily concoct an infraction that would cost us dearly. The aforementioned three locals addressed our community. Dr. Litwak spoke for the committee of three explaining the purpose and importance of this collection. Attending the presentation were a few Asadnikes [=local Polish settlers], our new neighbors. One of them rose to complain in a loud voice asking why a Jew is speaking on behalf of our cause The district chief replied that he is a respected physician, implying a high local status. To this, the complainer retorted that he prefers to hear Mr. Stasik to the Doctor. Do you realize who Stasik was? He was a dirty drunkard who never earned a penny in his life, preferring to beg regularly.
Avraham Eliezer Graffen had a brother-in-law named Ya'acov Hazan, who was a poor man. He barely made a living from selling goods at the weekly fairs which he attended regularly, both in the summer heat and winter frost. He had no money to buy these goods so he depended on interest-free loans from such local benefactors as Mordechai Guverman, Kahat Kaufman, Eli Miratshnik, or Zelg Rofeh. One day, the late Hirsh, our Starosty [=district chief] came to Hazan's house warning him not to offer his goods for sale at the market temporarily because the Executor [=state-tax collector] is due to visit him soon. Such a warning by an official entails a potential loss of tax income to the Polish State, hence is subject to a significant fine. However, Hirsch had sympathy for the poor among his brethrens in such a case, hence was not deterred. The end of this story was that the tax collector came to Hazan's house but found nothing except for a small parcel of goods. In the following week, as Hazan prepared to attend the trade fair in Vishgorodek, the tax collector came to him again the same week and found the parcel of goods. He ordered Hazan to follow him to the Gmina [=Town Hall], in order to confiscate his goods. Hazan's wife, crying, asked the tax collector what he expected her to feed her children with. He replied: feed them stones. When Hazan's creditors heard about the confiscation, they provided him with funds to buy additional goods. Several locals contributed funds in addition to the original creditors: Shmuel Poliak, Asher Brilliant, Shlomo Kesil, Benzion Wohl, Eliezer Kiwess and others. We need to praise the good heart of Starosty Hirsch, also known as Hirsch Mailman.
Hirsh was afraid that this tax collector, this robber, wanted to repeat the above procedure. He, therefore, spoke to the tax collector and said, In my opinion, the man deserves to be free of tax. Come with me and I will show you what his family lives on, what they eat. While sitting in the Starosty's house, the tax collector told Hirsch; You are lucky that your daughter is present today. Otherwise I would have had you arrested and your daughter would have never seen you again. Hirsh Starosty, the son of Leah Hind, was a Mentsh that never failed to greet another person with a Good Morning. He shouldered the town's troubles and helped the locals of the community whenever possible.
One day Hirsh came with the Executor to Lipek's son-in-law to collect taxes. The son-in-law made his living collecting rags with the help of a wagon pulled by two old mares. When Hirsh and the Executor entered his home, they saw his wife trying to light her Pripitshek [=cooking stove] to boil some potatoes. The wood she used refused to ignite because it was wet. Dry wood was expensive hence not affordable. She tried to ignite the wood by blowing on the lit twigs. With each puff, her face reddened. When the two visitors arrived she asked Hirsh, the Starosty (probably in Yiddish)) what the Executor wanted. Hirsh replied that he came to collect taxes. She began to cry, pleading that she does not have enough funds to feed her children. The Executor yelled at her, asking her why she had such healthy-looking red cheeks.
He accused her of eating alone at the expense of her children. He added: I now realize that the state deficit is primarily due to the fact that Jewesses refuse to pay taxes. For this, you, Hirsh, are the primary culprit!
Michel Yekil Leider trained as a cobbler. However, he failed to get a job in his profession. He turned to Bumin Brimmer and Bentzi Reichman for help. These two bought him a horse and wagon to use for his livelihood. He was not lazy. He used his wagon under all weather conditions. Sometimes, when his horse could not pull the wagon's load, he acted as a second horse. One day, he traveled with his wagon to the village of Wolica (SW of Lanowitz). It was a cold autumn day. His wagon got stuck. No one in the village came out to help him; no one put on his boots to volunteer to assist him in pulling the wagon out of the mud. Michel hit his horse to urge it to attempt another pull-out, a Polish policeman, who saw him do it, showed up. The policeman slapped his face three times for hurting the horse. He could not stand seeing the horse being whipped by a Jew. The incident did not end here. This policeman reported Michel to the above-mentioned executor for avoiding payment of taxes. The executor asked the policeman for Michel's residence. The policeman replied that he did not know where Michel lived; that Hirsh the Starosty would know.
The executor called on Hirsh and asked: Do you know this man?
How does he support himself?
While he knew the answer already, he travels buying and selling needles, thread, finger protectors and old clothes. (It was the whole truth.)
When can I meet him at home?
At night.
Meet me at the evening hour so we both can go over to this tax shirker.
When Michel returned from his days travel, his wife met him, before he had an opportunity to enter his house, and told him what Hirsh, the Starosty related to her, that the authorities plan to confiscate his horse and wagon. Having heard the terrible news, Michel turned around, though he had not eaten all day, and left to hide in a nearby village for several weeks. In the end, he was caught; his horse and wagon confiscated, and auctioned off at the Lanowitz fair. His mother-in-law lived next to the bath house. With no job alternative, she helped him get a job as a bath attendant in that bath house.
The family Itzi Tsop, whose real name was Gersham, had 3 sons: Ya'acov, Moshe and Uziel. Theirs was a fine, honorable, family. Their livelihood was a leased flour mill in Gribova [3 km NE of Lanowitz]. The father, Yitzhak, preferred to pray in the Kloiz [=Hassidic Shul] located next to his house. It was his custom to sit and learn Gemarah until noontime. His eyesight was poor but he knew many Gemarah parts by heart. When he returned home from the Kloiz, his wife, having prepared his supper, greeted him by asking him to wash his hands. As he turned to wash, he suddenly remembered that the miller at his flourmill may not remember where the grain pail is located. He therefore, turned to this wife and said, You can serve my supper soon; I shall return shortly. She asked him, Where are you going? He replied, I need to go to Gribova, to our mill! He walked the 3 km and returned shortly thereafter. His soup was still warm.
On Rosh Hashonah, Reb Yitzhak (Tsop) used to recite the entire prayer by heart; likewise on Yom Kippur. His oldest son, Moshe, was a scholar. When one person sued another, he often acted as a mediator such that both parties felt satisfied. He showed an equal interest in each mediation case and helped the contesting parties whenever possible. The word impossible was not in his vocabulary. He intervened in difficult dilemmas, finding creative solutions for them. I became acquainted with his deeds because I lived in their house for a period of time.
The second son, nicknamed Yekil, was also a scholar, a learned man who excelled in learning Gemarah. He was never angry nor did he ever speak badly about others. He was a very respectable man. He spent the entire week at the Barsikawitzer Mill, a mill his family leased for many years, returning home for the Sabbath only. His wife Rachel was the daughter of the Lanowitz chief -Rabbi.
The third son, Uziel Tsop, was a learned and good man who officiated at weddings and funerals. He attended many weddings regardless of how closely he was related to the couple. His presence always added to the spirit of the celebration. He always brought a gift as was the local custom. He never had money in his pocket because the family income from the mills went to his brother Moshe. The latter distributed the mill's income in accordance with his brothers' needs. It was said that Moshe saw to it that when a family member's shoe was tight, i.e., he was squeezed financially, he loosened the shoe, his needs were taken care of. Moshe had high moral standards. With the demise of the Tsop family we lost a respectable component of our community.
* Kahat Kaufman, the son of Uziel, had a great sense of humor. His jokes made us forget temporarily our bitter fate. He often entertained us merchants: A'haron Marshak, Mordechai Guverman, Avraham Teichman and Akivah Leibishis, with humorous stories and questions. His first question one day was: When will Poland suffer a defeat? Whoever has the answer will receive from me a good piece of smaltz herring for 10 Groschen. [The herring actually sold for this price at the time.] Mordechai Guverman opined that Avraham Leizer, son of Khava, would likely be able to solve this riddle. At that moment Avraham Leizer arrived and we all had a good laugh. Puzzled, he asked: What are you laughing about? Kahat replied that we all wish to know when Poland will suffer a defeat. Avraham opined that when Jews can afford to make jokes at Poland's expense, it is a sign that our state is in decline, he is however afraid that the state will drag us down with it.
(In our town) there was a love (i.e. consideration) for the welfare of another person which had no bounds. When a person approached one of us (merchants) for a small interest-free short-term loan, we would ask one another who amongst us had some extra funds to lend for several days. (In one such instance) Gruverman replied that he could spare the funds for 8 days. He turned to us as he was about to go home to get these funds, and asked one of us to mind his store for a few minutes until his return. So it always was. Such loan-need episodes were an almost daily occurrence. When a creditor was not found at his home, one looked for him on the street or in the Beis Midrash [=small shul] or one visited him the next day early in the morning while the person was likely to still be in bed.
I remember one such episode when Eli Mitratshnik received a load of lime from Podwisoky. The factory's owner was Mr. Shmarak, now living in Israel. It was delivered on a Friday while Eli was short of funds. Eli needed to pay for the load before the Sabbath to avoid a 3 day fine, and to avoid possible theft of part of the load. Eli's mother hoped to receive an interest-free loan from Bunim Brimmer. She furthermore anticipated that Bunim's wife, Haya was likely to have arisen early that Friday morning to knead the Challah for the Sabbath meal. In order to lose no time, Eli's mother walked over towards the Brimmer house and met Haya carrying a pail of water into the house that she fetched from the community well located next to the synagogue. Eli's mother greeted Haya with a good morning as is the local custom, and asked her if her husband is already up. Haya replied that he is still in bed, that it is her job (to rise early) to knead the Challa on Friday mornings, not his. Haya (wise to such early visits) next asked her what Eli needed and how much. Bunim overheard the conversation between the two women from his bedroom. When his wife entered their bedroom, he told her to look for the needed money in his bedroom drawer, that its key she will find in his coat pocket. Bunim Brimmer was a tall, good looking, man with an expressive face. He never spoke idly; his sentences were thoughtful and measured when he spoke.
* When I first came to Lanowitz in 1912, I noticed the warm reception one received daily, either a Good morning or With God's help, regardless of one's professional or financial standing. I remember these warm feelings to this day. Such warm encounters were absent in other towns.
Moshe (Rinkewitzer) Gurvich was a Jew that once lived in the village of Rinkowitz. I once had the task, together with a colleague, to resolve a demand that came down from the Kremenec Starosty [=district executive]. It ordered the community bathhouse to be brought up to specific hygene standards within 6 weeks. Shalom Weisman [see story about him on p. 397] was the Kehilah president at the time. The usual procedure in such a case was to convene a meeting on the Sabbath at our Shul at which experts came up with an estimate of the upgrading costs, and other associated repairs. Next, several of us fanned out into the community to collect the needed funds. When I came to from Moshe Rinkewitzer he asked me: How much have you collected thus far? I replied: I have yet to collect from A&B. He then volunteered that at the end of our collection process he will match the highest single contribution. And so it was. He was not wealthy, but he was a Gentleman. The arrival of beggars in Lanowitz was an almost daily phenomenon. Besides the small change they received they also needed a meal. It was general knowledge that beggars could get a meal at the house of Moshe Rinkewitzer.
* David Leepeh (or Leepa) whose family name was Zabarsky, traded in horses and was a food purveyor. One day Leibzi Chaggal came to my shop. He lived next to Hayim Yisroel who processed barley. He told me that he recently transported Tobacco from Zbarazh to Lanowitz. Someone reported him to the police; thereupon they confiscated his merchandise. He was not wealthy, nor was he a beggar. He asked my advice as to what to do about the confiscated merchandise. I knew the police chief to be a big hooligan; I also knew that he loved to ride horses. Knowing that David Lipeh always had a few beautiful horses in his stable, I immediately left the shop to visit him. I did not visit David Leepeh often because I had no need for horses. Besides, my late brother-in-law also traded in horses. I arrived at his house as he was eating his noon meal, consisting of a nice-looking red borscht. When he saw me he said laconically: Your brother-in-law should live to 120. I thanked him for his good wishes. He next asked me to sit down and his wife immediately offered me some of the borscht soup she had prepared that day, to honor my visit. I thanked her and added that her offering is a wonderful addition to the purpose of my visit. I next told him why I came to see him. He replied that only an hour ago the chief of police came to him to borrow a horse to ride to Borsehkowitz [Borszczewka (Polish) NW of Lanowitz]. He agreed to speak to the police chief when he returns with the horse.
The same night David Leepeh returned my visit, and told me that the entire merchandise is now in his house. I knew that this favor, as were other such favors, came out of his pocket. David Leepeh never asked for any monetary compensation. He was a simple man, yet a good, brotherly person.
* In Iskowitz [Juskewice] lived a couple, Moshe and Hinda Tepper. Hinda used to drive to town with a red horse that was with her over 20 years. Day in and day out she used her wagon to transport potatoes, beans and barley to Lanowitz. Sometimes she added Challah and poultry for those beggars she knew personally who counted on her to bring them food for the Sabbath. Moshe Tepper's father lived in town. He was a good looking and respected person, intelligent and a particularly good accountant. He seldom made accounting mistakes because he addressed his work with great patience. He felt similarly that one should eat leisurely, that slow eating is like eating two meals. He was also proud of his ability to lead a congregation in prayer, but preferred not to accept the honor regularly except on his Yahrzeit day [=anniversary of a parent's death]. He also maintained that if others derive joy leading prayer, he preferred to let them do the job. He never insulted another person and was modest in all respects.
* Moshe Tepper's brother-in-law, Yizthak Tsop, whose wife was Hinda Tepper's sister, spent WWI in captivity as a Russian P.O.W. in Austria under difficult conditions. He and his wife moved to Lanowitz after the war and ran a store selling flour. Yitzhak always loved to polish his boots even when his destination included travel through the local swamp. He liked to lead a prayer and to do Mitzwoth [good deeds] such as providing an interest-free loan. He never refused such a request and his late wife, Tova, was duly proud of his good deeds.
* Yitzhak Melamed and his wife, were satisfied with their lot. He envied no one. He only strived to have enough money to be able to celebrate the Sabbath with a challah, wine and fish. He never envied others who had more or greater conveniences. His greatest striving was to provide his two daughters with an education.
* Leizer der Griener [see also story on p. 219]
Leizer knew no Gemarah, nor did he speak a decent Polish, yet he had a Jewish heart, never refusing to do a favor, either monetarily or to fulfill a task. When a person ran into difficulties with the authorities [the Komandant or the Inspector] they immediately asked Leizer for help.
(In his approach to the authorities) he was never flustered despite his limited language skills. He brought forth sentences that were a mixture of Polish, Ukrainian and even some Yiddish when speaking to the authorities. Those whom he had to persuade of his particular case somehow understood him because his arguments were succinct, the product of a sharp mind and profound thoughts. He was never at a loss for words. All those who let him handle their case with the authorities knew that he was not a trained lawyer, yet they appreciated his willingness (and relative success) to help others without expecting honors in return.
[Pages 302-303]
By Yosef Warach
After having lived for several years in America, my heart yearned for my dear home town, Lanowitz. I yearned for my family and my friends. In reality I wanted a little of the warm atmosphere of my former community.
I saved some money and traveled to Lanowitz in 1913. The trip left a deep impression on me that I remember to this day.
I arrived on a Thursday evening. The town was oddly quiet. The normal workday atmosphere had been replaced by solitude. The stores were manned by women. The men of the community were bathing, putting on their black clothes, preparing to go to the Beis Midrash [=a part of the synagogue] for the Mincha and Ma'ariv prayers. I stood in the middle of the street feeling like a stranger. After experiencing the hub-hub of New York, the quiet atmosphere of Lanowitz dulled my senses. I was at a loss, wondering what is more important for mankind, and particularly for Jews.
Before visiting my only sister, Toby Katz, and her dear husband, Leizer Kibes, I went to the Beis Midrash. When I arrived I was immediately surrounded from all sides by warm handshakes and greetings. Yoel, the Shokhet [=ritual slaughterer] was leading a hearty Mincha and Ma'ariv prayer. After the prayer session I contributed a bottle of hard liquor and a snack to celebrate my return visit. All those present drank a Le'Hayim and joined me at the Kiddush table. I was the guest of honor, a person who had not forgotten Lanowitz. Afterwards, I visited my sister and brother-in-law, Leizer Katz.
Before I left the Beis Midrash, I told the congregants that whoever wants to receive greetings from Lanowitz emigrants in America should come to Leizer Katz's house. At the time only a few Lanowitz young men had left their wives and children to seek work in America. I knew them all, for they all lived in the same New York neighborhood. On Friday and Sunday, my brother-in-law's house was full of visitors. People came to ask questions, to accept greetings, to find out how their relatives were doing health-wise and economically. They had a drink; they shed tears and hoped for a better future.
On the Sabbath, after the prayer session, the whole community came to my sister and brother-in-law's house for a Kiddush. Almost every family had delivered a Kugel to their house for the occasion. After the Kiddush, we sang Zmiroth and said grace. Later in the afternoon, I went to Shul for the Mincha and Ma'ariv prayer. At the completion of the Sabbath, the congregants and I went again to Leizer Katz's house for an evening of religious singing till the wee hours of the night. This was a great Sabbath, a joyous occasion that I remembered for years thereafter.
On Sunday, I was invited to the home of Rabbi A'haron Rabin. We had a wide-ranging discussion regarding Yiddishkeit in the U.S. I believe I gave him an accurate account of the matters of interest to him. Even simple folks of our community asked me not only about work opportunities, but also about the level of Yiddishkeit in New York.
From Lanowitz, I traveled to Zbarazh [near Tarnopil] to visit my parents. The whole community came out to say goodbye and wish me a good journey.
Many events happened in the world since then. Many terrible things have happened that have shaken me and distracted me. However, my days in Lanowitz during my 1913 visit have left a deep impression in my memory. I cannot and will not forget these warm-hearted Jews of my home town. They were the best example of a community that the world has created.
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Updated 25 Oct 2008 by LA


text:
|The Reds' Ryan Hanigan singles Sunday against St. Louis. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Major works in progress
Allison, Hanigan, Antonelli chasing baseball dreams
Baseball offers redemption in various forms. And that redemption can come in varying degrees. Seldom does it come all at once.
When Matt Antonelli was named to the International League All-Star team late last month, it was a measure of redemption for the Peabody native and what he has been through the last two seasons.
He appeared in just 60 games over the last two seasons, including just one rehab game in 2010, his professional baseball career sidetracked by a leg injury and a broken bone in his hand.
Selected by the Padres with the 17th overall pick in the 2006 draft, the 26-year-old Antonelli is now in his first season in the Nationals organization, after he was released by San Diego in December.
However, he started the season on the disabled list with a hamstring injury, and played four games in Double-A before moving up to Triple-A Syracuse. Playing second base, third base, shortstop, and even one game in left, the 6-foot, 200-pound Antonelli was batting .311 in 44 games when selected to the IL All-Star team for the matchup against the Pacific Coast All-Stars on July 13 in Salt Lake City.
"It definitely makes it special,'' said Antonelli, the state's Player of the Year in football and hockey (and runner-up in baseball) his senior year at St. John's Prep.
"There were points last year where I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to swing again, my hand was hurting me so bad at points. And I had the two surgeries. . . . My first goal was to be able to play again, and play without pain, and I was happy I was able to do that, and I've done decently well so far. So, I'm really happy.''
"Before the year I just wanted to go someplace where I could get some at-bats and show that I was healthy and could still be productive. I've been happy that I've been on the field playing, and that I've been able to do well.''
And playing multiple positions, he figures, can only help him.
"Not every team is going to need strictly a second baseman. Maybe they'll need a third baseman or someone that can fill in at shortstop or whatever it might be. . . . I only have a one-year contract here so there's a possibility I could be looking for a job with other places. The more positions, the easier I think it will make it to find a place to play.''
Jeff Allison, the No. 1 pick of the
His numbers working out of the bullpen at Double-A Jacksonville (3-2 record, 8.57 earned run average, 56 hits allowing in 34.2 innings) are not impressive, but the righthander feels that he is getting stronger and he is geared up for a solid second half.
Allison, 26, earned the win on July 3 in the Suns' 17-inning marathon against Birmingham, throwing three hitless innings. "Last year my second half was slow, and this year my second half, I'm getting stronger,'' said the 6-foot-2, 195-pound Allison. "My velocity is a lot better than it was last year. So, I feel like I'm locked in at this point and I'm a lot better pitcher than I used to be as far as pitching goes, not throwing but [pitching]. I actually feel really, really good as opposed to last year, physically especially.''
Substance abuse nearly ended his career (he says he has now been sober for nearly five years), but Allison remains optimistic about his future if can stay healthy the rest of the season.
"If can do that then I know for sure I'll put myself in the best possible position for next season and getting an opportunity, hopefully here but if not here, then somewhere else,'' said Allison, who will be a free agent at season's end.
"That's why you see scouts at every single game. . . . They know if someone's doing well, staying healthy, working hard, and they're consistent each outing. That's an opportunity for them to pick up on that particular player."
"So, that's all I want. I just want to stay healthy and stay consistent each outing as the season goes, and help our team win any way I can. For baseball, as far as that goes, I'd be content in my life if I stopped. But I feel like I won't stop until I do reach that ultimate goal [the majors].''
Off the field, he has been taking college courses (currently, personal finance and composition). He credits the Marlins for standing by him, and he hopes to stay with the organization next season. But right now, his focus is on this year, and just pitching.
"If [the Marlins] don't [sign me], then I'll shake all their hands and thank them for everything they've done and move on to the next organization, if that's what's in my future.''
Andover native Ryan Hanigan has a clearer picture of his future in Cincinnati. The 30-year-old catcher signed a three-year, $4 million contract with the Reds before the season. He has been subjected to the typical dings and dents this season that any backstop has to endure, including a nasty collision at the plate earlier this month with the Brewers' Nyjer Morgan.
It's all just part of the job, said Hanigan. The most important part of his job, though, is handling the pitching staff, which so far this season has included 20 pitchers.
Ask him how his first half went, and he'll talk about his team before he talks about himself.
"I think team-wise, we haven't gotten hot yet,'' said Hanigan, who is working a platoon behind the plate with Ramon Hernandez. At 47-49, the reigning National League Central champions were four games behind the Pirates on Tuesday morning.
"We haven't gone on the run we'd like to. We're still in the race, but I don't think anyone feels like we've played as well as we could have. And with that being said, the fact that we're still in the race is huge.
"I think we have too good of a team to not get hot and make a push. But at the same time, we've lost a lot of close games, and losing those games like that obviously puts us behind the eight ball,'' he said. "But I still think we're right there and if we can get it going, get on a little winning streak, we'll be right back in the mix.
"Personally, I've fought a few injuries and haven't been as happy with my numbers (.251 average, 3 home runs, 20 RBIs in 59 games) as I would have liked, but I feel like I'm working well with this pitching staff. There's been a lot of guys coming in and out, working with a lot of guys. So that's been a big part of my focus, trying to make sure I can keep these guys on track.
"Hopefully I can get a little more consistent with my swing. I feel pretty good but haven't had too many good breaks in between the lines. I feel like I'm doing all right but not as good as I could be.''
To remedy that, he was planning to tweak a few things over the All-Star break, putting himself and his team in the best position for the second half. "Our chemistry on this team, even with our struggles, it's still been very positive,'' he said.
"I like coming to work every day. There's a lot of guys I really get along with and even if we're struggling, we still have fun and we still work hard. You put all those things together, it doesn't make it as tough a push.''
Maureen Mullen can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
UNITED NATIONS, N.Y. (Sep. 30)
The first full-scale attack against Israel in this year's General Assembly was voiced at a plenary session of the body this morning by Abdul Monem Rifai of Jordan. Previously, Israel had been attacked on charges of "Zionist colonialism" by the diplomatic spokesmen of Libya, Tunisia and Yemen, but Mr. Rifai devoted a very large section of his address at the Assembly to what he called "the aggression in Palestine."
His intervention ran the gamut from the customary Arab characterization of Israel as "a foreign authority in an Arab environment illegally founded" to the Arab refugee question to a charge that Israel's efforts to divert the Jordan River waters would "endanger peace in our area."
He complained that Israel had "expropriated" Arab property which, he said, produces an income exceeding $1, 000, 000, 000 a year. Taking note of the fact that during the last two sessions of the Assembly, a sizable number of UN delegations had called for direct peace negotiations between Israel and the Arab states, he told the Assembly:
"While the Arabs yearn for the restoration of peace in the Holy Land, we must point out that a situation in which wrong was legalized and aggression tolerated is a situation which does not provide a suitable atmosphere for peace."


text: This is a birdhouse that I altered with patterned paper from Close to My Heart. The shape was a castle but I went a little off theme to make it more of a butterfly theme. The flowers are all handmades that I have received in various swaps. The butterflies are from Making Memories Paper Reverie line.


text:
The Russian government has drafted a budget for 2013-2015 proceeding from average oil prices in the past years, and the draft will be submitted to the lower house of parliament by October 1, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said in his video blog on Friday.
"The government has completed work on the budget draft for 2013 and for the period of 2014 and 2015. It will be submitted to the State Duma by October 1," Medvedev said, adding that the budget will be socially oriented.
The premier said the budget has a margin of safety.
"Now the volumes of government liabilities, long-term investment programs are not pegged to the current crude price," Medvedev said, adding that this would ensure stability.
The budget allocates 2.5 trillion rubles ($80.7 billion) to healthcare and 627 billion rubles ($20.2 billion) to education.
Over 400 billion rubles ($12.9 billion) has been reserved for subsidies to Russian regions, Medvedev said.


text:
THERE is one local group with everything to gain when the NBN goes live next Wednesday.
When the first active fibre is connected and commences delivering high speed broadband to the city Short Sharp Digital will be ready to seize the day.
According to co-chair of the not-for profit group, Christina Hyde, Short Sharp Digital (SSD) has been set up to provide a portal or conduit for all things and businesses digital on the Coffs Coast.
"Initially established as the Short Sharp Film Festival Inc in 2007 to support emerging and professional screen industry we've broadened our scope over the last couple of years to support those working in the rapidly expanding digital industry," Ms Hyde said.
"To better support the sector SSD has established a 2450+ Digital Business Directory to promote the diverse businesses active in this sector on the Coffs Coast.
"For $50 a year you get to promote your business and we'll promote the directory and make sure it is linked and promoted across the Coffs Coast and beyond."
Individuals working in the sector are also encouraged and invited to join SSD as members to enable SSD to continue to provide regular networking events and professional development workshops for programmers, web-developers, animators, digital educators and others working in this rapidly developing industry.
The first industry workshop for 2103 will be held on Saturday, February 23, on "Pocket Filmmaking" run by internationally awarded multi-platform creative Jason van Genderen, the Creative Director of Treehouse Media.
For more details visits the SSD website at http://www.shortsharpdigital.org.au/


text:
J.K.Rowling played by Aussie Poppy Montgomery in unofficial TV biopic
J.K.Rowling's rags-to-riches tale is to be the focus of a new TV biopic starring Australian actress Poppy Montgomery – but the Harry Potter author is having no input whatsoever into Magic Beyond Words.
The movie will look at the writer's early life and her struggles as a single mum before she decided to sit down and write the books that shot her to international stardom.
Though filming has already started in Vancouver, Canada – which will double up as Rowling's native Edinburgh where she wrote the books – it has emerged that Rowling has had no input into the TV film.
Poppy, who will play the author in the TV programme, is best known for her role as an FBI agent in Without A Trace.
Her Australian roots mean she'll have to work hard to ditch her Aussie accent to make sure she has a clean British one when she takes on the role of Rowling.
Poppy also made a name for herself by stripping down to her underwear for a number of saucy shoots – not quite what one might expect from a children's book author.
However, the keen actress is pulling out all the stops as in addition to her new accent, she's planning on wearing blue contact lenses to resemble Rowling's eyes.
Director Paul Kaufman is adamant the film will be a hit and will surprise even the most avid Potter fans who don't know everything about their favourite author: 'This is a woman who decided to persevere. She was on welfare and she really hit rock bottom.'
When Rowling was first approached to turn her debut Harry Potter novel into a film, she admitted she was 'wary' about doing so. The books have now sold over 400 million copies worldwide, having been translated in more than 67 languages.
It's probably a good job the TV movie is going ahead without input from Rowling though as speaking to Access Hollywood, Poppy said if she ever met her subject: 'I'd turn into a puddle of water.'
The eighth and final film of the Harry Potter series – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 – will be released this July.


text:
I would like to applaud Don Kennedy's opinion piece in the Feb. 1 edition of the AFN ("Don't allow history to repeat itself: Socialism can lead to dictatorship").
Kennedy says, in a much more rational manner than I could, what many of us already believe. This guest commentary should be required reading at some point for all, especially today's high school and college students.
Jim Thorne


text:
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text:
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text:
Abner has more than 30 years of news gathering experience Graduate: Lubbock High School Graduate: Texas Tech University As Managing Editor, Abner provides input in policy decisions and daily news coverage
Anchor/ Managing Editor
Anchor/Health Reporter
Anchor/Health Reporter
John is a fan of the great outdoors and when the skies aren't stormy you'll find John with fishing rod in hand, headed for his favorite spot to toss out a line. He and his family are avid campers as well.
Chief Meteorologist
Pete made a big decision in September 2004, leaving the top 5 market of Philadelphia to return to Lubbock and start a family. Pete returned to Lubbock after spending 7 years in the big city of Philadelphia.
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Born: Tacoma Park, Maryland Residences: Maryland, New Jersey, Texas Graduate: Lake Highlands High school- Dallas, TX Graduate: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas Sharon Maines anchors our #1 rated
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I guess you could say I was born to be a weatherman!! I was born in Kingsville, Texas shortly after Hurricane Beulah hit the South Texas coast spawning over 100 tornadoes. All in all, I've seen Texas
Anchor / Reporter
Anchor / Reporter


text:
Citrus Style
The Idea: Instead of flowers, try using fruit as the focal point of your centerpieces. At this late summer wedding in Napa, lemons and apples filled up a glass vase topped with ivy, eucalyptus, hydrangeas and yellow roses that decorated the guestbook table—lemonade was appropriately served to guests nearby.
Why We Love It: Unique and interesting, yes—but it's also less expensive than using extra flowers to enhance a centerpiece.
- Featured In: Trendspotting: Northern California


text:
If Halloween has an Ebenezer Scrooge, Shirley Nagel of Gross Pointe Farms, Michigan is it.
According to a recent AP story, Nagel denied candy to trick-or-treaters if they were Barack Obama supporters. She allegedly had a sign outside her house that said "No handouts for Obama supporters, liars, tricksters or kids of supporters."
When Detroit TV station WJBK asked her about her small children who were turned away empty-handed and crying, she said, "Oh well. Everybody has a choice." (Special thanks to fellow humor writer Amanda at ZupHo.com for the link.)
Look, I may not like a particular political candidate, but I surely would never discriminate against his or her supporters. And I certainly wouldn't make little kids cry about it. Nothing says "compassionate conservatism" quite like making little kids cry.
Nagel may have had an influence on undecided voters in this election. Only she may have just gotten people to vote for the other guy.
So when neighborhood teenagers practiced their choice with Shirley Nagel, did they egg or toilet paper her house? Everyone has a choice, right?
Like this column? Leave a comment, Digg it, or Stumble it.
Laughing Stalk is a weekly newspaper humor column about current events and personal observations. It's published in ten weekly newspapers and the world's first online alt newspaper, The American Reporter.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Halloween's Ebenezer Scrooge: Shirley Nagel of Gross Pointe Farms, Michigan
Posted by Erik Deckers at 07:26
Labels: barack obama, Halloween, John McCain, politics
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text: Just recently my phone's screen stopped displaying correctly. I was using it and the screen all of a sudden went black. It was still on though and I could only see the screen once the brightness was turned all the way up. I tried a hard reset and that didn't do anything. Any suggestions on what I can do to fix it myself before going somewhere to get it fixed? It's still under warranty to. The screen looks like it has a bunch of tiny gray horizontal lines going across it.


text:
Seems Lily Allen didn't waste any time getting to the altar.
On Tuesday -- just two weeks after news broke that she was engaged to her business owner beau Sam Cooper, 32 -- the British singer, 25, posted a picture of her freshly-manicured left hand on her blog.
Adorning her fourth finger? Her engagement sparkler, plus what appears to be a wedding ring.
Though Allen remained coy about possible nuptials, writing only, "A girl can't do Manhattan sans manicure," pals say she and Cooper are a perfect match.
Says the insider of the duo, who suffered a tragedy in November when a six-months pregnant Allen had a miscarriage, "Their painful loss only brought them closer together."


text:
Re: Red light cameras
Safety should trump profits
I find it distasteful that the democratic process can be hijacked by a dozen businessmen as it was last week in Brooksville. It seems a local businessman was able, with the support on other businessmen, to dominate the entire public comment period of the meeting to lobby their position. Squelching out the opposing views in support of the red light cameras.
They argued that ticketing people for running the lights somehow discourages people from frequenting their businesses. Even though records show that 97 percent of the tickets issued have gone to out-of-towners.
This argument perverts the pursuit of profits over the potential life-saving needs of public safety. I would hope the City Council will get its priorities in order.
Russ Chase, Spring Hill
Stricter laws mean safer roads
This is a sad day for Brooksville. Special interest groups and businesses got together and changed the vote to stop all traffic cameras. They say people won't come to shop and buy. Am I hearing right? If they can't come to Brooksville and go through red lights and make right-hand turns without stopping, they are not going to come? Good! Who needs these kind of drivers.
Where cameras were installed, accidents were down 35 percent. But, like Washington, D.C., money and special interest groups come before human lives. Here are some examples how money and special interest groups work: Text messaging and cell phones get people killed each year, yet no strict laws passed.
Years ago, when we had one-fourth of the vehicles on the road that we do today, we had stricter laws to protect the people. Before directional signals on cars, when making a turn, you used hand signals and got a ticket when you didn't. Now, with directional signals, very few people use them and no ticket is given.
For every 10 mph of speed you were traveling, you had to stay a car length behind other cars. Now, for even going the speed limit or a few miles over, you have some fool right on your bumper. Then trucks had to drive 5 mph below the speed limit. Now they pass you regardless of the speed limit.
How many lives are lost each year because of drunken drivers? Recently, a suspected drunken driver sped through a red light and killed a father and his three adult sons, leaving three women widowed and two children fatherless.
When are we going to put a stop to all this by having stricter laws?
Earl Trongeau, Brooksville
Tax hike could have helped us
Value added tax in Europe calls upon all constituents to pay their fair share in the purchase of goods and services to maintain government services and social programs that include health care for everyone. Our Hernando County budget director suggested a "slight millage increase" to salvage a budget gone wild with the depressed economy and housing valued at less than half the costs allowed in assessments two years ago. Conservatives on the board of commission turned down the opportunity, a missed opportunity.
Now, continued sacrifices are in store for the public in the closing of park services, recreational considerations and layoffs of skilled, talented government workers for private-sector labor offered no benefits, retirement or security. The proposed millage increase would cost just $20 a year on average to property owners. The cries against the millage increase were worded into rants screaming that households could not afford the increase even of $20 a year. However, buying Pepsi, popcorn, pastas and pizzas have their priorities without a blink of the eye.
Deron Mikal, Brooksville
County ignored cleanup firm
My firm, Creative Environmental Solutions Inc., was hired to complete the cleanup of the Department of Public Works facility in late 2005 after the combined efforts of previous consultants from Orlando and Tampa failed to satisfy the requirements of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Our first assignment, which we agreed to do for $76,000, included: Collecting additional samples at locations dictated by DEP; evaluating work conducted by the previous consultants; and identifying all potential sources of contamination on the property.
We found that most of the samples we collected were contaminated. We discovered that almost all of the testing and cleanup conducted previously, at a cost to the county of $1.5 million, was ineffective and so poorly documented that it would have to be done again. And most importantly, we identified 18 new areas of concern at which no testing had been conducted, including the locations of underground fuel tanks, chemical drum storage areas, and a septic tank which had been used for industrial waste disposal. Furthermore, we learned that previous consultants never collected a single sample in the residential areas surrounding the facility and never installed a single monitor well into the Floridan aquifer. DEP and the county agreed that extensive and immediate assessment, both on site and off site, was needed to address these shortcomings.
Contamination assessment is an iterative process, and it is impossible to know how long or how far an investigation will go before it can be deemed complete. If contamination is found in one sample, additional samples have to be collected to the north, south, east, west and below this sample, again and again, until clean soil and groundwater are found in all directions. This is the reason costs for assessment often escalate very quickly at sites with long and complex histories.
The local papers portrayed awards of funds for additional work as change orders, never failing to mention the initial $76,000 price. But the truth is that these funds were needed to collect samples required by DEP to complete the delineation to the state's satisfaction. We submitted the final site assessment report to DEP in February 2009, and it was officially approved one year later.
Our firm recently provided the county a remedial action plan which would allow the site to be used for recreational, commercial, and/or industrial purposes. The strategy, approved in advance by the county administrator and discussed at length with DEP, calls for treating solvents and petroleum in shallow soil and groundwater using In Situ Chemical Oxidation (ISCO); permanent encapsulation of other shallow contaminants using a layer of pavement; and natural attenuation monitoring of deeper Floridan aquifer contaminants. We gave the county a firm fixed-price proposal of $450,000 to conduct the cleanup, which included a "pay-for-performance" guarantee that the ISCO process would be successful.
The Board of County Commissioners publicly stated that all future cleanup work would be put out to bid. Now, without explanation, they have ignored our proposal, bypassed the bidding process, and awarded a contract worth $125,000 to Cardno TBE, an Australian company, to review our remedial plan and to develop new cleanup ideas.
The cost of $125,000 is more than 25 percent of the firm cost we provided the county to complete the entire cleanup. It makes no sense to change consultants this close to the end of a project that has been successfully prosecuted, unless the change will save money and/or time. Replacing CES with Cardno TBE will obviously do neither.
George K. Foster, Creative Environmental Solutions, Inc., Brooksville
Manatee zones need to change
I have been going to the Chassahowitzka for fishing, crabbing, and swimming since the late 1950s. In fact I moved close to this beautiful little river from Tampa to take advantage of this gem.
I wonder who decided where manatee zones should be and why. They are way off track as there are manatees in the river year round yet we allow boats to travel up to 25 mph along this relatively narrow river. After years of observation I have some suggestions as to where these zones should be and where they are not necessary.
From the state boat ramp all the way to the end of the narrow river to the area where the brackish water begins to take over and the river opens wide should be a slow speed zone. There are kayaks and canoes all over this section of river and motor boats should throw as small a wake as possible in this area as well.
Just last week I was waving boats to slow down as there were a pair of manatee swimming in the center of the freshwater section of the river. These animals are vital to the tourist industry in Citrus County. Let's protect them in areas they frequent.
Going west the river opens up. Boats should be allowed to travel at safe operating speeds until they get to the narrow outlet channel that leads to the islands and flats of Chassahowitzka Bay. There are signs in place for speed zones at this point.
The manatee zones that are in place now do not make any sense at all. They allow 25 mph in the freshwater river area all the way to the narrow channel that leads to gulf. At this point slow speed is in force for about 2 miles until signs across the channel from John's Island inform us that safe operating speed is now permitted. This slow speed zone is in force from April 1 to Aug. 31. Why go slow here during these times in this section and not in the freshwater river? I have never seen a manatee in this area in the center of the river. The manatees hang out along the edges where grassy areas cover the bottom.
Another look is needed concerning these speed zones to enhance the enjoyment for all boaters and for the protection of the manatee.
Michael Schick, Homosassa


text: Does anyone out there have a robust algorithm for finding all of the roots of a transcendental equation within a certain range of the independent variable. I wrote one myself that takes a vector of guesses that are used in optimize.newton. I am trying to use this algoritm as part of a root locus finding tool. Each initial guess would represent a branch of the locus and I was hoping to stay on the branch as a gain is slowly increased. For at least one of my branches this isn't going very well and newton converges to another nearby solution on some occassions. Any thoughts? Ryan


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Welch Family Cemetery
Catholic Cemetery
Red Springs, Section 26
On County Trunk G
Transcribed by Cathe Ziereis ©2009
These four are the same couple but the names on them is a little different. Cemetery is abandoned except for these graves. It is in very bad shape.
Walked Nov 25, 1973
Welch Esther 1880-1951 Mader Funeral Home Marker Welch John 1851-1934 Mader Funeral Home Marker Welch Isisha C 1851-1934 Stone marker Welch Esther 1880-1951 Stone marker


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Whatever Happened to Pepsi Girl Hallie Eisenberg?
Then: We all know Hallie Kate Eisenberg as the adorable "Pepsi Girl" from those '90s-era commercials. She charmed America with her signature dimples and that way of demanding a glass of her favorite beverage in the voices of Marlon Brando, Aretha Franklin and Joe Pesci.
It was this perfect mix of confidence and cuteness that got her roles in 'Paulie,' 'Beautiful,' 'Bicentennial Man' and many other movies.
Watch Hallie Eisenberg's 'Godfather' Pepsi Commercial
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Now: Eisenberg's most recent screen role was in the indie film 'Holy Rollers' opposite her older brother and 'The Social Network' star Jesse Eisenberg. Clearly this story of Hasidic Brooklyn teenagers trying to smuggle ecstasy is a far cry from her G-rated TV spots.
The now 19-year-old studied at East Brunswick High School in New Jersey and has relatively stayed away from the spotlight. Her last Tweet from 2010 reads, "Studying." We can only imagine that she's still doing just that. Follow her on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.