Grave of James "Jimmy" Dorsey A trip through Pennsylvania’s coal country found me in the small community of Shenandoah Heights, on the northern edge the town of Shenandoah. The narrow street was lined with row houses and I definitely felt like an outsider as every person seemed to turn and watch as I passed. As … Continue reading The Big Band Sound of Jimmy Dorsey
Category: Musician
Along the Way: George Rosenkrans
I parked at the entrance to Penfield Cemetery and stepped out of the vehicle into the shaded cemetery that the sun had yet to find. Looking at the steep hillside before me, I realized I should have brought climbing gear to ascend to the grave I sought. The graves were placed on narrow ledges cut … Continue reading Along the Way: George Rosenkrans
Along the Way: Ritchie Valens
While my mother had arrived in Los Angeles for work, my motivation was to escape the snowy, cold Pennsylvania winter. We arrived a couple days early to explore the region. Upon leaving the airport, we headed northward into the San Fernando Valley. The majority of the places I wanted to visit was in the Glendale … Continue reading Along the Way: Ritchie Valens
The Ashtabula Train Disaster
“Are you sure you know where you are going?” Zech asked as I parked at Cedarquist Park along the eastern bank of the Ashtabula River. “I know exactly where we need to go,” I spoke solemnly. “This isn’t the first time I’ve been here.” Though it had been a number of years since I had … Continue reading The Ashtabula Train Disaster
Philip Bliss: Hymn Writer
I’ve always wanted to visit Rome. And one cold April morning I arrived in the small community of Rome - that is - Rome, Pennsylvania. Located in the northern part of the state, the collection of houses is spread out along Route 187 and had it not been for the sign welcoming visitors to town, … Continue reading Philip Bliss: Hymn Writer
Along the Way: Gene Pitney
There is something about the region northeast of Hartford that amazed me. Despite the hustle and bustle around the city and on the interstates, once away from them, the region maintains a small town feeling. Arriving in Somers, Connecticut the community maintained a feeling of a small town New England. Happy couples pushing strollers or … Continue reading Along the Way: Gene Pitney