Big Bang

“There was no booing . . .”

Roddy McCuish, Councilman from Oban, Scotland

Photo by Billy Hicks

On the evening of November 4th, townspeople from Oban, Scotland (population 8,120) gathered to watch a fireworks display in celebration of Guy Fawkes Day. Like thousands of people throughout the United Kingdom, they settled back and looked skyward, anticipating a 20-minute show of “rockets red glare” and “bombs bursting in air.” What they got were 50 seconds of the most intense fireworks since the Beijing Olympics. Because of a technical glitch, all £6,000 ($9,418 to you and me) worth of fireworks exploded at 20 times the normal speed. Although the fireworks were short-lived, the story of the small town’s big bang lives on. A video of the fireworks display hit the Internet and went viral—almost a million viewers so far. The fireworks company said there were no complaints after the abbreviated display, but they put on a second fireworks show for free—called “Obang”—during the town’s Winter Festival this last weekend. Hundreds of people showed up and were perhaps a little disappointed to see the display go off without a hitch.

To see the explosive Oban Fireworks video, watch the video below:

Oban Fireworks

History lesson: For those of us west of the Atlantic, Guy Fawkes Day is celebrated on November 5th to commemorate the failure of Guy Fawkes and other terrorists to blow up the British Houses of Parliament in 1605. On this day, people throughout the United Kingdom celebrate with bonfires and fireworks.

Read the article → Short but flashy fireworks show wins worldwide notice

Hop to It

“I just saw a kangaroo hop past my window.”

Call to Platte City, Missouri Police

Photo by Fayes4Art

Residents of Platte City, Missouri (population 4,947) glancing out their windows on Thanksgiving had to rub their eyes and look twice to figure out if what they were seeing was real, or a really elaborate hoax. A wallaby, which looks like a kangaroo and is more at home in the Australian Outback than in a Missouri backyard, was spotted hopping through their neighborhood. Police were called, and they cornered the wallaby on the grounds of a nearby nursing home. The mystery was solved when a local family came forward to claim their pet wallaby, named Noah. They were hoping to take Noah home, but he’s behind bars—at the Kansas City Zoo—while officials determine whether he’s an “exotic animal.” If he is, under Missouri law, Noah won’t be hopping home.

Read the article → Wayward wallaby startles Missouri residents

McSteamy

“From the looks of this crowd, you would think

we were paying homage to a rock star.”

Brian Adams, Tucson, Arizona

Photo by Chris Dabovich/News-Sun

A celebrity rolled through Arizona recently, stopping in towns small and large, and attracting throngs of fans wherever it went. The celebrity wasn’t a rock star or a movie mogul or a politician stumping for votes. It was a train. Locomotive No. 844, the last steam engine built for the Union Pacific Railroad in 1944, took a special journey through Arizona to help the state celebrate its 100th birthday.

Locomotive No. 844 was a big deal back in the day. It was a high-speed engine pulling top passenger trains like the Overland Limited and Portland Rose. But it got pushed off the tracks when diesel engines came along and was relegated to freight service in Nebraska from 1957 to 1959. The storied engine made a few appearances after that but was mothballed in 1989. In 2000, restoration began on the train, and it was returned to service in 2005 under the moniker “Living Legend.”

At a recent stop in Benson, Arizona (population 5,144), hundreds of people lined the tracks awaiting the train. Fans came from as far away as Tucson to spend a half hour with the Living Legend; several schools made it a class trip. Folks were awed by the size of the engine and surprised when the train blew its piercing whistle and sprayed steam on them. Too soon, the train was on its way to the next stop and the next throng of excited fans.

Small Trains, Big Deal

For a look at a different kind of train, check out the video below. It features the world’s largest model train layout. Called “Miniatur Wunderland,” the model railway is located in Hamburg, Germany and has attracted millions of visitors. When this video was made in 2009, the layout featured 6 miles of tracks; that number is expected to more than double to 13 when the layout is complete in 2014.

Miniatur Wunderland

Read the articles:

•  Old-time UPRR steam engine to stop in Benson

•  Blast from the past; Old-time steam engine stops in Benson

•  Toys for Boys–The world’s biggest train set

Thanksgiving Blessings

“. . . make sure the soldiers know they’re loved and appreciated.”

Latonia Stone, Staff sergeant & Iraq war vet

One of my favorite things about small towns is their traditions, and Morgan Mill, Texas (population 206) has a dandy. Every Thanksgiving for the last 20 years townspeople have gathered in the old rock gym at Morgan Mill School to eat turkey, enjoy each others’ company, and give thanks. Hundreds show up. A few years ago the townspeople started inviting soldiers from nearby Fort Hood to join them. They do it to say thanks and to make sure no soldier is alone during the holidays. In the army, where stress is second nature and the suicide rate is high, the small town welcome is a big-time blessing.

Read the article → Soldiers get a small-town Thanksgiving in Morgan Mill

Tofurky Time?

“I think it’s about the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”

Tom Sims, Turkey, Texas

Photo from HallCountyTexas.com

When a town goes by the name of Turkey, it expects to receive a bit of attention this time of year. But the folks from Turkey, Texas (population 445) were surprised when PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) recently set its sights on them. PETA sent a letter to the mayor calling on the town to change its name from Turkey to Tofurky for just one day: Thanksgiving. The animal rights group said that turkeys suffer every day of their lives, and if this small town would change its name to Tofurky, that would promote compassion for turkeys. The mayor, with the full support of the town, promptly responded, “Nope.” Not even PETA’s offer of a vegan feast swayed the townspeople. In fact, it ruffled a few feathers. One resident said he’s tempted to borrow from the Texas bumper sticker and post a sign that says “Don’t Mess with Turkey, Texas.”

Read the article → PETA seeking name change of tiny Texas town

Sign of the Times

“My philosophy is you can level the playing field by painting billboards.”

Jim O’Hara, Candidate for Montana governor

Photo by Jim O’Hara

What’s a guy to do if he wants to be governor but isn’t well known, doesn’t have a lot of cash, and is up against a packed field? If the guy is Jim O’Hara of Fort Benton, Montana (population 1,443), he tackles the problem with a paintbrush.

Mr. O’Hara, a county commissioner, is running for governor of Montana against 14 other candidates. To rise above the crowd, Mr. O’Hara, who studied art in college, painted billboards depicting the state’s 56 courthouses and is putting them up in all of the counties. This is not a short-term project. Mr. O’Hara started painting the billboards in his garage in the mid-2000s, put in the billboard posts in 2009, and has been erecting the signs this year. He plans to finish by early next year, weather permitting. Mr. O’Hara says his wife and family thought he was nuts when he started the project, but they’re on board now.

Read the article → Montana candidate for governor spreads name with paintbrush

Rock Super Star

“I don’t know any rich meteorite collectors.”

Randy Korotev, Geochemist

Photo from Popgive.com

One of the most rare extraterrestrial rocks fell from the sky and landed in a most down-to-earth place: Conception Junction, Missouri (population 197). A farmer found it in 2006 and knew he had something special when he sawed off the end and discovered green crystals sprinkled throughout. In 2009 the farmer sold the rock to a group of amateur meteorite collectors. The collectors took the rock to experts at Washington University in St. Louis and UCLA to find out what they had. Last week the experts announced the rock is a rare type of pallasite meteorite—1 of only 20 that have been found in the United States. The meteorite, named “Conception Junction” for the town where it was found, is valued at $30 to $50 a gram. At 37.5 pounds, the meteorite's total worth could top $850,000. But these collectors aren’t going to get rich. They’ve already donated most of the meteorite to universities and museums.

Read the article → Rock found by Missouri farmer is rare meteorite

Polar Bear Club

“It is relatively safe to walk around town during Bear Season . . .”

Churchill, Manitoba website

Photo by Mila Zinkova

It’s time for the annual gathering of the Polar Bear Club in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada (population 923). No, I don’t mean the goose-pimply people who plunge into icy waters. I mean real polar bears. A thousand of them gather around this small town to wait for the Hudson Bay to freeze so they can hunt seals. With the polar bears come thousands of tourists. Personally, bears scare the bejeezus out of me so I have no desire to see them up close, but I wouldn’t mind watching them from a safe distance. I’m in luck. This year, for the first time, the good people at Explore.org have set up two polar bear cams to provide live feeds from Churchill. The best time to see the polar bears is between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Central time. Check it out: http://explore.org (the website also offers direct links to each of the two webcams; see the Comments below for the direct links). It makes a nice addition to the raptor cam in Decorah, Iowa (see Empty Nest), and together the two make me grateful for technology and my toasty warm home.

The video below gives a good look at the polar bear experience in Churchill:

Churchill Polar Bears

Read the article → Watch the largest polar bear gathering in the world live via HD webcam

A Squirrel in Every Pot

“Right now, I have five squirrels in the Crock-Pot at home, cooking.”

Mark Enie, Old Saybrook, Connecticut

Photo by Stacey Wilhoit

When I see a squirrel scamper up a tree, I think “how cute.” When Mark Enie of Old Saybrook, Connecticut (population 10,545) sees one, he thinks “supper.” Mr. Enie and Brian Owens, both lifelong outdoor sportsmen, are putting on a Squirrel Safari for folks who are nuts about squirrels. This workshop is not for the squeamish: participants learn how to find and hunt, skin and gut, and cook squirrels. Because squirrels reproduce fast and get into just about everything, the state sets aside three hunting seasons per year and allows hunters to bag 40 squirrels per season. But it’s not easy: squirrels are skittish and quick, with good reason. They’re a delicacy for hawks and owls, foxes and coyotes, and people.

Read the article → Squirrel du jour—on this night, those critters found their way onto the menu

And the Winner Is . . .

“I wouldn't want to be anywhere but here.”

Jeremy Minnier, Mayor-elect of Aredale, Iowa

Last week was the time for local elections across the country, and now that the dust has settled, some interesting small town stories have popped up. Here are a few.

Write On

Last week I wrote about Elkhart, Iowa (population 476)—the town that had no candidates on the ballot for mayor (see Feast or Famine). As it turns out, that isn’t unusual for small towns. When it happens, townspeople simply write in the name of the person they want for the job. That’s how the current mayor of Elkhart got his job: 55 people wrote in his name while he was out of town. He agreed to serve two years, and now six years later he’s ready to step down. He said that if elected, he wouldn’t serve again. No fear: Elkhart has a new mayor. Brandon Snyder won with 24 write-in votes. Although Elkhart is a small town, being mayor isn’t a small job. The mayor is responsible for managing a budget of nearly $600,000, participating in city council and community betterment committees, and ushering in changes like a new website and improved fire protection. Best wishes to Mr. Snyder!

Read the article → Elkhart mayoral race lacks key ingredient: Candidates

(Nearly) Minor Mayor

The number 24 must be magical in Iowa. Like Mr. Snyder, Jeremy Minnier received 24 write-in votes to become mayor of Aredale, Iowa (population 76). For folks outside of Aredale, what makes this election amazing is that Mr. Minnier is only 18 years old and still in high school. For folks in Aredale, the election is special, but not surprising. Mr. Minnier is president of the local FFA chapter, writes for the school newspaper, plays in the band, and works part-time. On top of that, politics is in his blood: his dad was mayor and served on the city council. Mr. Minnier plans to attend community college close to home so he can fulfill his duties as mayor for the next four years, at least.

Read the article → Aredale elects 18-year-old mayor

Family Feud

The seat for city council of Bethany Park, Indiana (population 81) was hotly contested, and it’s not over yet. The election ended in a tie—7 votes for each of the two candidates vying for the position—but what’s really fanning the flames is the fact that the two candidates are brothers. Charles and Walt Worley went head to head in the election after Mr. Charles Worley moved into Mr. Walt Worley’s ward. Mr. Walt Worley is steaming mad and calling foul play. The brothers are waiting for the election results to be certified. If the tie holds, the city council has until December 31 to vote in one of the brothers. There are four members on the city council—if their vote ends up in a tie, it will be up to the town clerk treasurer to cast the deciding vote. She is the girlfriend of yet another Worley brother. Talk about being in the hot seat.

Read the article → Brothers tied for town council in tiny Morgan County town

Thank You Veterans

“That’s pretty special.”

Rick Higgins, Veteran from Creswell, Oregon

Joseph Ambrose, an 86-year-old World War I veteran,

attending the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

in 1982 and holding the flag that covered the casket of his son

who was killed in the Korean War

Today is Veterans Day—a day set aside to say thank you to the men and women who serve this country and sacrifice much so that we can live free. The folks at Mom’s Snak Shak in Creswell, Oregon (population 5,113) proudly display their appreciation, not just on Veterans Day but every day. Inside the diner, the walls are lined with photos of veterans living and dead—260 at last count and growing. For some families, it’s a place to gather and remember. For others, their stories are still unfolding—16 of the soldiers pictured are serving overseas. And the appreciation shown by Mom’s Snak Shak extends beyond its “wall of honor”; these folks put their money where their mouth is—or, rather, where the soldiers’ mouths are. Any service man or woman who comes into the diner in a uniform eats for free.

A video tribute to the men and women we honor on this day and all days:

Thank You Veterans

Read the article → Small town diner decor a daily tribute to veterans

Water Fall

“I thought a plane hit it.”

Mike Mielke, Resident of Goodland, Indiana

This is one of those bad news/good news/really good news kind of stories. 
The bad news is that the water tower in Goodland, Indiana (population 979) collapsed late Monday. Nobody knows why. The tower was about 50 years old, but it had been inspected every five years and no problems were apparent. The good news is that water was restored to the town within 10 hours. And the really good news is that the tower burst at night when no one was around. It was holding 250,000 gallons of water, and the force of the gushing water knocked down fences, moved garden sheds, and tore the siding off nearby homes. No one was hurt.

Read the article → NW Ind. town water tower collapses

Framed

“We are sorry to have to leave this tag.”

Parking ticket from 1954

Police departments like it when people pay overdue parking tickets. It puts a little money in the city coffers and tidies up the books. But a past-due parking ticket that was paid in York, Nebraska (population 7,638) recently gave the cops more of a chuckle than a chunk of cash.

A man, who never did give his name, walked into the York Police Department and said he wanted to make good on an overdue parking ticket issued to his mother. She’s now deceased, and the man found the ticket while going through her belongings. It was issued in 1954, and the amount due was 10 cents. The man placed the ticket, along with a dime, in an antique picture frame and presented it to police. This is one case where the police don’t mind hearing the word “framed.”

To put the 10 cent ticket into perspective, here are some average prices from 1954:

•  Car: $1,700

•  House: $10,250

•  Gallon of gas: 22 cents

•  Movie ticket: 70 cents

•  Postage stamp: 3 cents

•  Annual income: $3,960

Read the article (and see a photo of the framed ticket) → Fine paid on 1954 parking ticket

Feast or Famine

“It’s a labor of love, that’s for sure.”

Andrew Cory, Mayor of Elkhart, Iowa

Today’s election day. It’s not the Big One—when voters elect their president and congressional representatives—but for lots of small towns, it’s the Important One—when they elect their mayors.

In Helena, Ohio (population 224), voters are choosing from a smorgasbord of mayoral candidates: five of them. It’s hard to put a finger on why the position is so popular this year. Candidates are running on platforms ranging from minimizing sewer costs to improving community relations, and from spearheading change to maintaining status quo. One candidate simply says he’s running because a bunch of people were bugging him to do it.

In Elkhart, Iowa (population 476), voters got no choice, literally. There are no candidates on the ballot. And that has the current mayor Andrew Cory worried. He didn’t want the job to begin with: he was elected when 55 folks wrote in his name while he was out of town. At the time, Mr. Cory agreed to serve two years. Six years later and still serving, he says it’s time to step down and spend time with his family. Mr. Cory insists that if elected again, he won’t serve. But that’s not stopping at least one resident. Dick Hudson, mayor from 1970 to 1982, plans to write in Mr. Cory’s name. Mr. Hudson says he was persuaded more than once during his tenure to serve another term when he thought he was done.

Read the articles:

•  Five want to be mayor of Helena, population 224

•  Elkhart mayoral race lacks key ingredient: Candidates

Sneaker Attack

“People don’t throw sneakers on the power lines every day.”

Gail Rice, Spokeswoman for Central Maine Power

When a natural disaster strikes, it can wreak havoc with basic services like electricity. Just ask the 3 million folks in the Northeast who were left in the dark last week when blindsided by a pre-Halloween snow storm. When it comes to small towns, though, it can take a whole lot less to upset the apple cart. In Brunswick, Maine (population 15,370), all it took was a pair of sneakers.

The power company was alerted in mid-October when 3,775 customers were suddenly without power. Linesmen checked it out and found a pair of sneakers dangling from the power lines. They snagged the shoes and restored power within 40 minutes. To the 1.3 million blizzard victims still without power in the Northeast, that must sound like no small feat.

Read the article → Sneaker flip KOs power

Bargain Bridge

“An individual landowner might want a unique stream crossing

for his or her private driveway.”

Jeff Allen, Kentucky Department of Highways

Photo by Kentucky Department Highways

It’s November, and to a lot of people that means only one thing: let the Christmas shopping season begin. If you’re looking for a unique gift for that hard-to-buy-for someone on your list, Kentucky has a sweet deal for you: a 450-foot steel bridge, for free. The truss bridge, built in 1929 near Combs, Kentucky (population 170), is being replaced with a modern structure next year. Instead of demolishing the aging bridge, which is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, Kentucky and the Federal Highway Administration are looking for a good home for it. They’ll even deconstruct, pack up, and ship the bridge, but the recipient must promise to reconstruct the bridge and retain its original character. If interested, don’t dawdle. This offer is good only until December 20.

Read the article → Kentucky has a bridge for sale

Apple Pickin’ Problem

“I felt like an idiot.”

Mark Rosenthal, Lost in Honey Pot Orchard

Photo from mysouthborough.com

I don’t like to buy into stereotypes, but could it be that the residents of Massachusetts are directionally challenged? For the second time in a month, Massachusetters have had to be rescued from a day in the country. First there was the family in the corn maze (see A-Maze-ing) and now a couple in an apple orchard.

Police received a call for help from a couple at the Honey Pot Orchard in Stow, Massachusetts (population 6,671) last week. The husband insists he wasn’t lost; it was his wife’s poor sense of direction that got them into their predicament. As it turns out, it was his wife's good sense to call for help that got them out. The Honey Pot Orchard stretches over 200 acres, so this must happen fairly often, right? Nope. According to the owners, this is the first time they've lost a guest in 85 years.

Read the article → Couple gets lost in apple orchard, calls 911