Second Time Vendor – A Personal Story
by Kathy Riley I had moved to the Lumberton campus in February 2016, and in September I agreed to be a resident vendor at the Craft Fair without ever having … Read more
First Person Stories
Ernest Kaufman video, photo-essay & book
The Living History project of Armed Forces Heritage Museum afhmus.org/ has an hour-long video of Ernest Kaufman telling his story. The YouTube link is youtube.com/watch?v=6mOVSAnEDkk A photo-essay about Ernest is on the … Read more
How I Became a “Hummingbird Whisperer”
It all started this summer. But then again, in thinking about it, I suppose it really began last fall. It was a cold and rainy September morning as I sat … Read more
Is that what Shamrocks look like?
Astonished by the lovely row of plants on the window sill, I reached for my camera. The trifoliate leaves were three inches across! Had I been mistaken all my life thinking shamrock was clover? Of course I went to Google and — if you’re wondering too, read more.
Close Encounter
Previously Lumberton resident Pete McCord wrote about the Mockingbird on his roof. Now he writes about going mano a mano with a six-point buck. This morning on walking our woodland trails … Read more
A Six-Hour Vacation
by Maggie Heineman
John Speirs, the one man with 24 women, sent me words and pictures for a summary of the July 25 bus excursion to Historic Mt. Holly. John wrote: “Who knew so much history was so close to Medford Leas? I did not. On a perfect day for an outing, 24 residents left the main campus for the short ride. First stop was Burlington County Prison Museum designed by renowned architect Robert Mills whose later works included the Washington Monument. Completed in 1811, the building was in use until 1965.”The Mockingbird on My Roof
by Pete McCord
I suppose my antipathy toward thievery might have had its derivations in my professional career. As a prosecuting attorney I spent over 30 years locking up those who stole the property of others. And so, perhaps, even now in retirement, my appreciation of the gentler world of avian friends still gives little tolerance to those who would purloin the sounds and voices of others.Joe Costanza – World Series of Birding
World Series of Birding – The Rancocas Conservancy Brown Creekers
Text and images by Joe Costanza
The World Series of Birding requires a substantial amount of preparation; scouting various sites for resident species, seeking our “target” birds, and itinerary planning. During the two weeks before the event, as individuals, and sometime in pairs, we checked several locations in Burlington, Atlantic, Cumberland, and Cape May counties. Susan Setterberg, who had returned for the event from her new home in Washington State, carefully planned a detailed timed itinerary that would take us through a variety of birding habitats.
Being a notoriously late starter for a birder, I set my alarm for 3:00 AM, hoping that would give me enough time for a cup of coffee before our team rendezvoused in Tabernacle at 4:15.It was to be my 21st World Series of birding, and the weather forecast was not encouraging. The Kids’ Inheritance
by Dorothy Cebula
As a fortunate retiree with a decent savings, I had the flexibility to ponder two bumper stickers that were popular a few years ago. The first, an announcement that “We’re spending our kids’ inheritance” made me cringe when I considered the suggestion that selfishly and frivolously wasting money was chosen over preserving funds that could be used for other purposes. The second offered a taste of justice or revenge advising “Get even. Live long enough to be a burden to your children.” While this approach to life may be tempting for a nanosecond, it was certainly not a philosophy I could embrace or encourage.
Although humor was the intent for both statements, a serious issue is obvious.
Herb Heineman: Checking Out
Summary: Herb Heineman’s first person story, “Checking Out” appeared in the May, 2014 issue of the Lumberton Campus Chronicle.
It has to do with a monetary gift from a woman who “turns around and smiles (as women are wont to do when their gaze meets mine).”
