While her burial was incredibly simple, there has been a lot of work to even be allowed to do that in Pennsylvania. This is the history of how we as a nation are progressing by reverting to our roots.
The Ocean is on Fire
Recently, a fire broke out in the waters outside the Yucatan Peninsula. While news sources will get into specifics, “it was the Pemex oil company responding to a gas leak,” many were horrified at the mere idea of the ocean catching fire. Some compared the fire to the Cuyahoga River fire, and how we can fix it by working together.
Honestly, I’m not worried about these ‘big flashy problems.’ Like the Cuyahoga River fires, the solution is simple; stop polluting in a certain area. I’m more worried about the slow, gradual changes in the Climate Crisis. The question isn’t whether the crisis is here. The question is what are we going to do, since it has already arrived.
Carnegie and Unions
In December 2020 the employees of the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh voted to form a union. This marked an end to the six month campaign lead by the United Steel Workers and it also marked the beginning of a new era in the four museum network.
After the official formation of the United Museum Workers union, many of my friends and colleges said the same thing; “Andrew Carnegie must be rolling in his grave.”
Freedom House Ambulance Service
Old S***w Trail
Heritage
Early last Saturday morning I awoke before sunrise. Climbing out of my hanging tent, I took a peaceful walk through the woods to the stony shore of the Allegheny Reservoir. There is a clarity of thought that happens that early in the morning. Sun melted away the fog and my morning grogginess.
Unfortunately, large motor boats broke the still silence of the morning. Large and loud, they charged forward on the reservoir as I sat contemplating. My plan was to kayak early in the morning, but those boats were creating such large wakes that it would be unsafe to travel on the water.
Before starting my road trip back to Pittsburgh, I stopped to read this sign.
The Whiskey Rebellion by William Hogeland: Literature Appetizer
When I moved back to North Appalachia after three years journeying in other regions, I didn’t feel connected to Pittsburgh. Yes it was where my family was currently living, but we as a family didn’t discuss our personal connection with this area. It wasn’t until my father found a newspaper article titled “Family History: Reunited - Descendants of William Guffey Meet Sutersville, Westmoreland County, PA.”
The Guffey’s are my father’s, father’s, mother’s family. When my dad found this article and was reading it to me I was half paying attention. Most of it was “This person was the children of this person.” Very dry. But the part that stood out most to me was their canoe;
A Northern Appalachian's Journey
Recently I just finished Appalachia North by Matthew Ferrence. In it, he recounts the complex relationship he still has with the land as a Northern Appalachian. Typically when I finish a book I write a Literature Appetizer to get people a taste of what they will find. Since his book is such a personal journey, I would not do it justice by recounting his life.
Many of his experiences reflect my own experience growing up in Western PA. So instead of condensing his journey, I thought I would condense mine.
The Hero’s Journey is a common literary structure where the hero of the story departs home to do a great act, and then returns victorious. My Northern Appalachian Journey is a bit different, but has a similar structure of three parts; Living in Water, Succeeding by Leaving, and The Mountains are Calling.
Etymology of Appalachia
Recently my good friend Ethan got me back into brewing. Unfortunately, since brewing whiskey is still illegal on such a small scale, we went with the second best drink; cider. Since I work in a Makerspace, I knew I had to come up with a fun label. What would be a fun apple pun/label?
For many of the Pittsburghers reading this, you might be wondering, “but isn’t it pronounced apple-lay-sha?” How you pronounce this mountain range shows a lot about your personal ideology and history.
The Bridges Behind the Name: Three Sisters
Recently, I had a chance to go see the new Art of the Brick exhibit at the Carnegie Science Center. While it was all rather impressive, what really caught my eye was the piece inspired by one of the many things Pittsburgh is known for: bridges.
Some of the most iconic are the three sisters; three identical bridges that stand just before the Allegheny meets the Ohio. Unlike other bridges these are not only named for the streets they continue. Rather these are named after three icons to the area. Who are they, and what did they bring to Pittsburgh?