Poltrack Blog

The veil grows thin between the worlds as we approach Halloween, and I take some time to visit the older graveyards in the nearby towns. Unlike modern grave markers that only list names and dates, these stones contain poetry and in some cases a gruesome description of how the interred met their demise. I discovered this stone in Townsend Center Cemetery (Massachusetts). Poor Levi Gaschet, crushed by a tree, just one day after his 38th birthday. Surprising stroke; Would expect that hour the mortal wound; Yet did the Lord the tree direct to crush him to the ground. Watch ye that live, for ye don't know How near ye are to death or what may give the fatal blow to stop your fleeting breath, death is in all the paths we tread Mocks ev'ry art we try, outstrips our unavailing speedOr meets us as we fly Levi was crushed by a tree   www.poltrack.net

The   New Ipswich Center Village Historic District  was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1991. When I discovered that I could not find the Historical Society on Google Maps, I added it. Originally this building was a blacksmith shop, later it was a school and now is the New Ipswich Historical Society September 2017 - I added this photo to Google Maps Old millstone is used as a planter I wonder what this stencil was used for A antique pumper Many items to see Nat Ober built this model of the Barrett House as a school project. It is on display at the Historical Society The Old Town Hall is also part of the Village Historic District. Sadly it remains in disrepair with a bad foundation.   www.poltrack.net

I was reviewing some of my photos taken in New Ipswich and realized that the New Ipswich Congregational Church was a popular subject for me. Here are some of those photos. January 22, 2011 February 17, 2014 May 7, 2014 May 17, 2015 Interior September 23, 2017 September 23, 2017 - Organ September 23, 2017 - Pastor View September 23, 2017 - From Choir Loft September 23, 2017 - Driveway View September 23, 2017 - Front View September 23, 2017 - Side View Undated Postcard   www.poltrack.net

For several years Wendy & Bob Grippardi ran the White Elephant Sale at the Children's Fair. Sadly the Old Town Hall has been closed due to structural problems. The Fair committee decided to host the White Elephant sale as a standalone event which will be held on Church Grounds on September 23, 2017. You may drop items off at the church between the hours of 4:30 - 6 PM BEFORE the sale on Saturday. Here is a look back to 2009 as a homage to #ThrowbackThursday when Wendy and Bob ran the sale. Wendy makes a clean sweep of things Bob stands with some kerosene cans It's a family affair and Wendy's daughter Amy is called into service   www.poltrack.net

It wasn't a very good day for Gilman Spaulding  on September 19, 1842 as evidenced by this tombstone at location C141 in Central Cemetery. I've been unable to learn more about this crime except some anecdotal evidence that his brother died in an insane asylum in Massachusetts. Linda Bourgault offered this inventory of Gilman's Estate   www.poltrack.net

The Finnish folk music duo Vellamo returned to New Ipswich to perform a concert at the New Ipswich Library. Joni Tiala plays guitar for Vellamo Pia Leinonen songwriter and vocalist Appreciative Audience Ollie sighting    www.poltrack.net

In 2015 my cousins stayed at a rental in North Truro in Cape Cod. The owner had a connection with the some of the victims of the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001. He created a memorial to the victims at his home, Here are some photos of this memorial. "Okay, my name is Betty Ong. I'm [Flight Attendant] Number 3 on Flight 11. Our Number 1 got stabbed. Our  purser  is stabbed. Nobody knows who stabbed who and we can't even get up to business class right now because nobody can breathe. And we can't get to the cockpit, the door won't open." Flight attendant  Betty Ong to the American Airlines emergency line. [ Flight 11 originated in Boston John Ogonowski was the pilot Victims   www.poltrack.net