Larry A. Smail's Blog

You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out!

December 16, 2019 by larrysmailart

Ralphie didn’t like this Christmas present.

On of the sites we saw were the many ice sculptures near the Opryland Hotel. The theme for the sculptures was from the movie called, THE CHRISTMAS STORY. Most everyone seems to have had seen this movie sometime in their lives.

Laurie and I were in awe at the sight of these life-size works of art. The craftsmanship was superb and we didn’t realize the colors would be included within the ice until we saw the work. I am not sure if the colors were placed onto the ice or if the water was colored before being frozen. The temperature within this building is maintained at nine degrees.

Also, there were scenes from the Bible of Christ’s birth. All of these, too, were done in ice and lighting.

This ice angel is around twenty feet or more.

Santa just pushed Ralphie down the slide.

THE SLIDE. We actually slid on this slide. It was fun!

A team of ice sculptors from China completed this work.

It’s a major prize.

The Nativity

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Nashville-Grand Ole Opry (Part 1)

December 15, 2019 by larrysmailart

Headin’ for our seats.

Even as a boy, country music influence was all about. I have faint memories of my parents listening to the Grand ole Opry on Saturday evening while driving. My mother bought a lot of those long playing vinyl and 45 RPM records. I heard the likes of Buck Owens as a boy along with old Hank Williams and other singers of those times and before. So getting to finally go to the old Ryman Auditorium or the Grand Ole Opry was an exciting time for Laurie and I.

This past Friday evening we were privileged to see a lot of the big names of country music. We heard what is often labeled mountain music, modern country music and even some bluegrass music. The performers were excellent within those hallowed walls.

Ricky Skaggs

Some History Of the Ryman

The original building was erected in the latter eighteen hundreds as a faith-based building known as the Union Gospel Tabernacle. This was in 1892. The man most responsible was one Thomas G. Ryman. His money allowed for the construction to help Christianity in the area. Ministries were being held in huge tents in Nashville prior to this building. The name became the Ryman Auditorium after Thomas Ryman’s passing.

Many entertainers eventually began having time within the building. In these early years the names utilizing the building are many. Some names are: Charlie Chaplin; Mae West, Will Rogers; Harry Houdini; Bob Hope and many others. At this time many music genres used the hall.

Laurie and Bill Monroe

In 1925, the radio station of WSM was broadcasted at the Ryman.

Bluegrass legends Bill Monroe and earl Scruggs began here at the Ryman.

In 1963 the Ryman became the Grand Ole Opry. They had live TV and radio shows. In the later years of the Opry were names such as appeared here including: Elvis Presley; Hank Williams; Johnny Cash; Merle Haggard; Minnie Pearl, Roy Acuff; Patsy Cline; Neil Diamond; Doris Day and the Byrds… To see the many features visit: http://www.ryman.com

The building fell in hard times in the 1970 era and was repaired, but by 1974 the Grand Ole Opry was closed. It was an end of an era…sorta! Other events continued working here., but in 11999 the Grand Ole Opry returned becoming the Mother Church of Country Music.

Today, as we just witnessed, the Grand Ole Opry is back and strong.

Connie Smith

Riders In The Sky. These gentlemen do comedy and cowboy-style music.

John Conlee and his lead guitar player.

A FEW MORE GRAND OLE OPRY PICS

Kelsea Ballenni

Old Crow Medicine Show

Legendary stage and studio guitarist Jimmy Capps inn back. Gary Carter is on steel guitar. Bass player is unknown.

Luke Combs

The Whites. Sharon White on left is Ricky Skaggs’ wife.

Buck White still at it at 89.

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A Decision To Shoot

December 10, 2019 by larrysmailart

Deer hunting for me this year didn’t happen the first week of the 2019 Pennsylvania buck season. My step-father spent three days in the hospital and I felt I should be there for moral support to him and my mother. I attended two funerals of dear people to me. Five friends and acquaintances passed away in less than two weeks ago. This just “ain’t” right. Also, the family has been going through some difficult issues as of late, as well. regardless, I just either couldn’t hunt or simply I lacked the hunting mode mentality.

Today, I had a day to hunt and this was the only day to hunt this week. I could have hunted Monday, but the all-day rains kept me from the woods. I have commitments for the rest of the week.

I had planned to carry my flintlock “Old Jacob” this morning, but rain was seemingly going to hold on for a time. I wasn’t confident with the forecast. I carried my Remington Gamemaster in a 30:06 caliber.

I set some ground rules for this day’s hunt. One was that I wasn’t going to shoot any buck unless the rack was big enough to meet my brain’s criteria. A second plan was to just shoot a doe. I didn’t rule out taking a smaller deer because, as stated above, this would be the only day to hunt.

I spotted a bedded deer and soon realized the deer had a rack. The “horns” weren’t very big and I didn’t try to count the points to see if it was legal. I soon spotted a second deer . It was a doe, but I didn’t like the shot. It ended up five or six deer were bedded around the brush. I would see other deer off and on, but none offered any shots and many just couldn’t be positively identified. I still-hunted the entire morning. The light rains quit around ten, but the winds had been roaring at times. The temperatures dropped fast as well and by mid-morning I was feeling the chill.

Eventually I was approaching a hill’s flat top area and I decided to continue still hunting over the other side and whenever I reached the road and jeep I would call the hunt and stop and see how Mom and Bob are doing.

About forty yards out I saw a deer’s ear moving. This deer was feeding and moving from right to left. The deer worked into a slightly more open area and I prepared to shoot. Once I realized the deer wasn’t a big doe I hesitated. Thoughts began flowing across my brain waves. Should I shoot? I remembered thinking of the recent summons for the federal court in Pittsburgh for the first two weeks of the flintlock season. The decision was true at this point. I placed the crosshairs on the deer and BOOOOOM. The deer dropped immediately. A short prayer of thanks was offered for the clean and humane kill.

The deer will add some meat for the following year t help nourish our bodies.

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Celebrating My Mother’s Birthday (90)

December 7, 2019 by larrysmailart

Ruth “Smail” Miller

The years have flown away at a quick pace. My mother, Ruth “Smail” Miller turned ninety years old on December 6th. She was born on December 6, 1929 to my grandparents,: James Edward Yount and Mary Elizabeth Leightley. She was the third of a family of five children.

My mother was born on a farm. grandad always had cattle. Chickens weren’t uncommon either as chicken dinners were common as I grew up. Roast beef was, also, common.

My mother married, Allen Kenneth Smail on November 14th, 1953. I came along in 1955 and my sister, Ruthie in 1958. Another sister died in 1962. Her name was Glenna Mae.

Mom was always completely devoted to her family. She still is!

Bob Miller

My father died on June 2oth, 1999. That day was Father’s Day. Mom remarried in 2009 to Robert Lee Miller. He has been very good to the family and we certainly appreciate his presence. Currently, Bob is fighting a very aggressive cancer. We spent three days at the hospital this past week in regard to his condition and a surgery adding more quality of life.

On my mother’s birthday we celebrated in a simple manner with cake and ice cream and pizza at her home.

I know reality , but I am hoping for another ten years or more of birthdays for mom.

Sister Ruthi and mom

Not sure what this is???

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From A Proud Son

December 2, 2019 by larrysmailart

Allen K. Smail -Uniform

Allen Kenneth Smail (June 4, 1923 to June 20, 1999)

My dad was in a car setting at a gasoline pump at what was then Reedy’s Store just east of the Cherry Run intersection. He heard that the Japanese had attacked Pearl harbor. In 1942 he was off to basic training and England. He was D-Day 13 if I remember correctly. he would be in France, Belgium, Bavaria, and finally Germany. He returned to Kittanning in the fall of 1945 after riding a train out of Pittsburgh. He began the long walk home to Cherry Run, probably around eleven miles. However, by chance a family from nearby his home would pick him up.

My father took care of his mother for a long time as his father had asthma and was having a rough time. (He died in 1950 at 65 years of age.) He worked his entire life at the Schenley Distillery near Leechburg, Pennsylvania.

Earlier this year I came to an important decision. I believe it was time to donate my father’s World War 2 uniform and other things I had in possession from his time in Europe. This was a difficult action on my part, but I deemed it for the best. I have no children or grandchildren and I feared this precious, to me, uniform would simply be tossed out after my time.

Currently, the uniform is hanging within the Armstrong County Historical and genealogical Society Museum in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. I supplied a box of much paraphernalia. This box had documents and medals and books of his time in the European theater of the war. One such book with a map of Europe found pencil marks showing my father’s travels within the continent. All of such items are historical and deserve to be on display. I, also, donated a German 8mm Mauser action rifle that my dad had managed to send home.

I am so very proud of my father and his role in the Great War. This is my humble attempt on my part to honor him.

My father’s 1941 valedictorian speech from Elderton High School

Posted in Historical, My Family | 2 Comments »

Christmas At The Armstrong County Historical Museum

December 1, 2019 by larrysmailart

A dedicated group of volunteers quickly decide to have a Christmas Open House event at the Armstrong County Historical and Genealogical Society Museum in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. Technically, the museum is housed in an1842 building known as the McCain House. Members of the 62nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, 5th Corps Living Historian group along with some other volunteers did a great job with the planning and setting up for the event. (I am a proud honorary member of this group of Civil War historians.)

I, also, was present to take photos and spend time in the Native American Room which I am curator. I had hoped to spend more time mingling around the premises and taking additional photos, but I had many interested individuals wishing to discus and ask questions about the events involving the Lenni-Lenape Indians of Kittanning past. Believe me I enjoyed our discussions.

Many of the women-folk, including my wife, baked some cookies for the event. various drinks were available, as well. Local florists helped to make the museum festive. A Christmas tree was donated.

Below are additional photos from the Christmas event.

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Feather Art

November 25, 2019 by larrysmailart

I received a call from an individual wishing art on a turkey feather for her boyfriend. I told her I could do something and I had turkey feathers here at home.

Since the day was breezy and cool, I jumped onto the job and created the feather art depicted here.

However, I went a little farther with the feather and placed a couple of smaller feathers along the quill. Also, I took a cone with deer hair and beads and tied them all together to give the feather an “Indian” appearance. The feather has a loop on the end to hang, however, the lady suggested she may have it placed within a shadow-box frame. Upon completion I sprayed some semi-gloss varnish to help seal the feather’s barbules and painted image all together.

I surprised her when she learned the art was already completed the same day she contacted me.

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Pennsylvania Bear Season

November 24, 2019 by larrysmailart

Heavy frost looked like snow.

The first morning of Pennsylvania’s 2019 bear season would prove to be interesting. My friend, Terry W. and I left the jeep early and began the up hill trek to pursue the black bruin. We were approaching the top when two shots rang out in the general direction Terry had planned to go. We were surprised at the 6:45 A.M. shots since the dark grays of predawn were still engulfing the woodlands. I commented that bear must have been on the shooter’s lap.

While we pondering our next move a flock of turkeys began filtering from their roosting tree just ahead. Lots of noise!

We parted with our plans in mind and began to still hunt for bear. Terry was going to walk a grassy gas-line trail between two old highwalls. I went

Steep hollows

straight to another site. However, my plans were cut short when eight shots exploded from Terry’s direction. I began working the hillside towards Terry.

Another hunter had bagged a bear just ahead of Terry. The bear was a nice sized male approximately 230-250 pounds. The hunter said another bear went over the hill. However, Terry had seen a bear in the very thick Autumn Olive thickets prior to talking with the hunter. No shot was taken. The area and direction theses bear were, apparently, two different bear making for three separate bear in total.

We hunted until mid-afternoon before making plans for the next hunting day. It was an exciting morning.

Hickory hulls

Holder Run

Bittersweet

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Log Cabin Revival

November 21, 2019 by larrysmailart

The log cabin.

Many years ago this log cabin shown above was erected in Armstrong County. It is believed to have been originally built by Heinrich Schrecongost. The approximate size is eighteen by twenty-one feet. A friend has sated he remembered a second cabin at the same site, possibly of the dog-trot style of cabin.

At this time, I know the building was in existence in 1850. So when was this structure originally erected? I don’t know if that information will ever be discovered.

Fortunately, funds have been raised to dismantle the building and later reconstruct it in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. The new site is, hopefully, going to be on the property owned by the Armstrong County Historical and Genealogical Museum.

Re-erecting this building will prove to be a challenge for some of the logs are not in the best shape from years of weather and rain. Carpenter ants and/or termites, no doubt, have had a part in log destruction.

Any individual or group interested with helping with funding this dismantling and re-erection of this log cabin may do so by sending a check to:

Armstrong County Historical Museum

300 North McKean Street, Kittanning, PA 16201

(Checks can be made out to: ACHMGS

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Elk Were Everywhere!

November 20, 2019 by larrysmailart

My friend for years, Bob “Slim” Bowser, and I, needed to go to Potter County to retrieve some of the completed Wheatfield stones. (These stones are made at this county. The stones feature my painting called, The Wheatfield-Whirlpool Of Death. Prints of this painting are transferred to stones. They make a great addition to those interested in the Civil War.) We left in the dark hours to enjoy the trip and hopefully see some elk along the way. As per the title of this entry we were not disappointed for the Elk were everywhere! We estimated at least seventy elk were viewed, very possibly many more.

Deer were out and about everywhere as well.

We saw turkeys and many squirrels. We lucked out seeing two Black Squirrels.