Famous Fictional Figure: Rip Van Winkle - Irvington, NY

Rip Van Winkle

Irvington, NY

N 41° 02.884 W 073° 51.679

Short Description: 

A relief sculpture of Rip Van Winkle is depicted as part of the Washington Irving Memorial at is located on the west side of Route 9 at Broadway and Sunnyside Lane in Irvington, NY.

Long Description:

Rip Van Winkle is one of the most famous characters created by American author Washington Irving. He appears in a collection of stories entitled The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. Idle and henpecked Rip Van Winkle falls asleep and wakes up 20 years later to find the world around him has changed so much that he doesn't recognize the place nor do the people recognize him. He is taken in by his daughter but soon reverts to his idle ways.

The Washington Irving Memorial was commissioned in 1926, sculpted by Daniel Chester French, the architect was Charles Platt Adams, it was cast at the Gorham Manufacturing Company, and fabricated by Piccirilli Brothers Marble Carving Studios. It was dedicated on June 27, 1927, rededicated June 27, 1977 and rededicated once again on October 25, 1998.

In the center of a curved pink granite wall a pedestal holds a 34 by 32 by 13 inch bronze bust of Washington Irving. On Irving's left side is a 6' high bronze relief sculpture of Rip Van Winkle. Rip Van Winkle is shown in 3/4 profile facing Irving. He is wearing a ragged long coat and wide-brimmed hat. He holds his aged and corroded rifle vertically by the barrel with his left hand. On Irving's right side is a relief of Boabdil the Last King of Granada which completes the composition.

Below relief on Rip Van Winkle is inscribed in bronze letters:

RIP VAN WINKLE

THE DREAMER OF THE KAATSKILLS

Last of Its Kind: Boabdil - The Last King of Granada - Irvington, NY

Boabdil

Last King of Granada

Irvington, NY

N 41° 02.884 W 073° 51.679

Quick Description: 

Boabdil, the Last King of Granada, is depicted in the Washington Irving Memorial located on the west side of Route 9 at Broadway and Sunnyside Lane in Irvington, NY.

Long Description:

Irving was well traveled. A large part of his life was spent in Europe. After visiting Spain he wrote about the fall of Granada and the reaction of King Muhammad XII of Granada, known to the Spanish as Boabdil, as he turned over the key of the city to Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella in 1491. Boabdil was the twenty-second and last Nasrid ruler of Granada.

The events were written in Irving's Tales of the Alhambra (1832). "Way to the exile, Boabdil did not dare to turn the glance towards Granada, and when it was to much distance, on the well-known hill by the Sigh of the Moor he stopped and observing for the last time his palace... he only sighed."

The Washington Irving Memorial was commissioned in 1926, sculpted by Daniel Chester French, the architect was Charles Platt Adams, it was cast at the Gorham Manufacturing Company, and fabricated by Piccirilli Brothers Marble Carving Studios. It was dedicated on June 27, 1927, rededicated June 27, 1977 and rededicated once again on October 25, 1998.

In the center of a curved pink granite wall a pedestal holds a 34 by 32 by 13 inch bronze bust of Washington Irving. On Irving's right side is a 6' high bronze relief sculpture of Boabdil on Irving's left side is a 6' high bronze relief sculpture of Rip Van Winkle.

Irving is depicted wearing a coat and an ascot tie. Boabdil shown in 3/4 profile facing Irving. He is wearing a long robed garment, boots and a pointed cap. He holds a sword which is hung from his left side. Rip Van Winkle is shown in 3/4 profile facing Irving. He is wearing a ragged long coat and wide-brimmed hat. He holds a rifle vertically by the barrel with his left hand.

Below the relief of Boabdil is inscribed in bronze letters:

BOABDIL

THE LAST KING OF GRANADA 

Literary Figure: Washington Irving Memorial - Irvington, NY

Washington Irving Memorial

Irvington, NY

N 41° 02.884 W 073° 51.679

Short Description: 

The Washington Irving Memorial is located on the west side of Route 9 at Broadway and Sunnyside Lane in Irvington, NY.

Long Description:

The Washington Irving Memorial was commissioned in 1926, sculpted by Daniel Chester French, the architect was Charles Platt Adams, it was cast at the Gorham Manufacturing Company, and fabricated by Piccirilli Brothers Marble Carving Studios. It was dedicated on June 27, 1927, rededicated June 27, 1977 and rededicated once again on October 25, 1998.

A bronze plaque at ground level is inscribed:

WASHINGTON IRVING MEMORIAL

WASHINGTON IRVING WAS THE FIRST OF EARLY AMERICA'S GREAT AUTHORS. THIS MONUMENT IS A TESTAMENT TO NOT ONLY TO IRVING, BUT ALSO TO THE IMAGINATION AND TENACITY OF JENNY PRINCE BLACK, A PROMINENT IRVINGTON CITIZEN, WHO WORKED FOR YEARS TO MAKE IT A REALITY. IT ALSO MANIFESTS THE ARTISTRY OF SCULPTOR DANIEL CHESTER FRENCH, THE CREATOR OF THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL. AMONG OTHER PROMINENT WORKS. THE ARCHITECT FOR THE IRVING MONUMENT WAS FRENCH'S LONGTIME COLLABORATOR, CHARLES PLATT ADAMS. THE LAND WAS DONATED BY HENRY GRAVES, JR. MRS. BLACK LED THE FUND-RAISING, WHICH RANGED FROM A GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION BY JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER, JR. TO PENNIES FROM SCHOOL CHILDREN.

THE MONUMENT WAS COMPLETED AND DEDICATED IN 1927. AFTER MORE THAN 50 YEARS OF CORROSION, THE MONUMENT WAS RESTORED BY IRVING LANDMARK PRESERVATION, INC., WITH SUPPORT FROM THE VILLAGE OF IRVINGTON AND FROM SAVE OUTDOOR SCULPTURE OF WASHINGTON D.C. THE MONUMENT WAS REDEDICATED IN A VILLAGE CEREMONY IN 1998. AS A MASTERPIECE OF DANIEL CHESTER FRENCH, IT IS LISTED ON THE NEW YORK STATE AND NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES.

IRVINGTON LANDMARK PRESERVATION, INC.

In the center of a curved pink granite wall a pedestal holds a 34 by 32 by 13 inch bronze bust of Washington Irving. On Irving's right side is a 6' high bronze relief sculpture of Boabdil on Irving's left side is a 6' high bronze relief sculpture of Rip Van Winkle.

Irving is depicted wearing a coat and an ascot tie. Boabdil shown in 3/4 profile facing Irving. He is wearing a long robed garment, boots and a pointed cap. He holds a sword which is hung from his left side. Rip Van Winkle is shown in 3/4 profile facing Irving. He is wearing a ragged long coat and wide-brimmed hat. He holds a rifle vertically by the barrel with his left hand.

On pedestal below the bust of Irving is the inscription in bronze letters:

WASHINGTON

IRVING

1783-1859

ESSAYIST POET

HISTORIAN TRAVELLER

DIPLOMATIST SOLDIER

THE FIRST AUTHOR OF

OUR REPUBLIC 

Below the relief of Boabdil is inscribed in bronze letters:

BOABDIL

THE LAST KING OF GRANADA 

Below relief on Rip Van Winkle is inscribed in bronze letters:

RIP VAN WINKLE

THE DREAMER OF THE KAATSKILLS

Chronological works of Washington Irving

Letters of Jonathan Oldstyle
Salmagundi
A History of New York (Satire)
The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.
Bracebridge Hall
Tales of a Traveller
A History of the Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus
Chronicle of the Conquest of Granada (History)
Voyages and Discoveries of the Companions of Columbus
Tales of the Alhambra
The Crayon Miscellany
Astoria
The Adventures of Captain Bonneville
The Life of Oliver Goldsmith
Biography and Poetical Remains
of the Late Margaret Miller Davidson
Lives of Mahomet and His Successors
Wolfert's Roost
Diedrich Knickerbocker
The Life of George Washington (5 volumes)

Insect Sculpture: Grasshopper - Boston, MA

Grasshopper

Boston, MA

N 42° 22.029 W 071° 04.252

Short Description: 

A 14' long grasshopper is the focal point of entomology exhibit at the Boston Museum of Science at Science Park, Boston, MA.

Long Description:

This 14' long grasshopper is 50 times larger than a normal grasshopper. It was originally created by the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC to show the detail of the insect's structure. It was then sold to the Boston Museum of Science where it has become a favorite attraction.

Roadside Attraction: World's Largest (Air Insulated) Van De Graff Generator - Boston, MA

World's Largest

(Air Insulated)

Van De Graff Generator

Boston, MA

N 42° 22.029 W 071° 04.252

Short Description: 

The World's Largest (Air Insulated) Van De Graff Generator is located inside the Boston Museum of Science at 1 Science Park, Boston, MA

Long Description:

The Boston Museum of Science maintains the world's largest air insulated Van De Graff Generator. Demonstrations are held daily in the Theater of Electricity. Each show is about 20 minutes long and seating is on a first come first served basis.

The Van De Graff Generator is capable of producing 1,000,000 volts of static electricity. When a sufficient charge is created lightning will leap from the domes of the generator to a Faraday Cage that is raised up close to the domes. The operator stays safely within the Faraday Cage.

The three story high generator was built in 1933 by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study the atom. In 1956 it was moved to the Museum of Science to demonstrate how high voltage electricity can produce artificial lightning.

Fountain: Hampton Court Fountain - Northampton, MA

Hampton Court Fountain

Northampton, MA

N 42° 19.086 W 072° 37.707

Short Description: 

Hampton Court Fountain is located in the courtyard of a apartment and business complex at the northeast corner of Hampton Avenue and Pleasant Street, US Route 5, in downtown Northampton,

Long Description:

Hampton Court Fountain is a massive rock fountain tucked away in the center of a Hampton Court Courtyard. It's barely visible from Hampton Avenue. A 10' central column of rocks is surrounded by large slaps of flat rocks and irregular boulders set in 25' square basin. A plume of water is ejected 10' into the air from the middle of the central column. Water falls back onto the rocks below and into the ground level basin.

Ghost/Haunting/Legend: The Grave of Midnight Mary - New Haven, CT

The Grave of Midnight Mary

New Haven, CT

N 41° 18.207 W 072° 56.718

Short Description: 

The grave of Midnight Mary is located in Evergreen Cemetery at 769 Ella T. Grasso Blvd in New Haven, CT.

Long Description:

Mary E. Hart died under unusual circumstances at midnight October 15, 1872. Her quick death and the large raised inscription on her grave marker has led to a great deal of speculation and created several urban myths. She has become known as Midnight Mary.

A large pink block of granite carries the inscription:

THE PEOPLE SHALL BE TROUBLED AT MIDNIGHT AND PASS AWAY. 

AT HIGH NOON

JUST FROM, AND ABOUT TO RENEW

HER DAILY WORK, IN HER FULL STRENGTH OF

BODY AND MIND

MARY E. HART

HAVING FALLEN PROSTRATE:

REMAINED UNCONSCIOUS, UNTIL SHE DIED AT MIDNIGHT,

OCTOBER 15, 1872

BORN DECEMBER 16, 1824

Three legends have arisen following the death of Midnight Mary.

1. She was accidentally buried alive. He body was exhumed and their was blood on her fingernails and the inside of her coffin was shredded.

2. Her restless spirit wanders the area around her home on Winthrop Avenue which is the eastern boundary of Evergreen Cemetery and close to her grave. A lady matching Mary's description would hitchhike rides to her home. Only later would the drivers realize the home was that of Midnight Mary and the lady was a spirit who had disappeared.

3. Some believe that Mary was a witch and the inscription was actually a curse. If anyone were to visit the grave at midnight she would rise from the grave. That person would later suffer a terrible death. Also, anyone who strikes her gravestone will die at midnight.

The legends probably arose from a misunderstanding of the the large, black, raised inscription: THE PEOPLE SHALL BE TROUBLED AT MIDNIGHT AND PASS AWAY is actually taken from a Bible verse from Job 34:20 (King James version): "In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand."

BUT! I only took pictures of the grave at about noon and the next day I was sick enough with severe bowel cramps to be sent home from my volunteer job at the library.

Roadside Attraction: Walk-Thru Outdoor Whale "Conny" - West Hartford, CT

Walk-Thru Outdoor Whale

"Conny"

West Hartford, CT

N 41° 45.717 W 072° 44.237

Quick Description: 

"Conny", the walk-thru whale, is located at the Connecticut Children's Museum at 950 Trout Brook Dr. in West Hartford, CT

Long Description:

"Conny" is a 60' long and 8' high accurate life-size replica of a sperm whale that is located outside the Connecticut Children's Museum in West Hartford, CT. The whale is named "Conny" since the sperm whale is Connecticut's state animal.

"Conny" is constructed of cement layered over a steel framework and is raised off the ground by two concrete supports. A walkway leads up to an entrance door on the right side of the dark blue-gray whale, just beyond the right eye. A few feet to the left is the exit door. You can walk up and down the whale in both directions.

There is no fee to visit the whale.

Roadside Attraction: Tree Carved Into Waving Ant Marlborough, MA

Tree Carved Into Waving Ant

Marlborough, MA

N 42° 20.486 W 071° 34.252

Quick Description: 

The ant woodcarving is located in front of Empire Pest Control at 453 Hosmer Street in Marlborough, MA.

Long Description:

What better way to advertise your pest control business than to have a giant ant greeting motorists as they travel along busy U.S. Route 20. The 12' high ant is standing upright on a tree stump, smiling, and waving with its upper right leg. A sign on the tree trunk is inscribed: "The Machine" Jesse Green

Grave of a Famous Person: John C. Garand - Springfield, MA

John C. Garand 

Springfield, MA

N 42° 07.725 W 072° 29.667

Quick Description: 

The grave of inventor, designer, and engineer, John C. Garand, is located in section D of Hillcrest Park Cemetery in Springfield, MA.

Long Description:

The grave of John C. Garand is marked by a horizontal granite, ground level headstone and an inscribed granite bench at the foot of the grave. He is interred along with his wife Nellie.
The headstone is inscribed:

GARAND

JOHN C.
JAN. 1, 1888
FEB. 16, 1974

and

NELLIE S.
AUG. 3, 1900
FEB. 25, 1986

The granite bench has the insignia of the Springfield Armory and the is inscription:

U.S. RIFLE                   JOHN C. GARAND
CAL. 30 M1      INVENTOR - DESIGNER - ENGINEER

Long Description: 

Jean (John) Cantius Garand was born in St. Rémi, Quebec, Canada on January 1, 1888. His father moved to the family to Jewett City, CT when their mother died in 1899. He became an accomplished machinist while working at the toolmaking company of Browne and Sharpe in Providence, Rl and in 1916 worked as a toolmaker in New York City. There he was able his pursue his life long interest in designing firearms.

In 1917 Garand's design for a light machine gun was selected by the War Department and Garand was given a position with the United States Bureau of Standards in Washington DC to perfecting the the machine gun. The first model was built in 1919, too late for the War effort. The Government then employed Garand as an engineer with the Springfield Armory in Springfield, MA. There he perfected his most acclaimed invention the mass-produced, self-loading M1 rifle. Not only did he invent the rifle but also the machines to enable its mass-production and the machines to make the production machines.

The M1 rifle was adopted by the United States military and used as standard small arm weapon throughout World War II. Lt. General George M. Patton said "In my opinion, the M1 Rifle is the greatest battle implement ever devised." The M1 rifle was the first semiautomatic rifle to be adopted by a major military power.

Statue of Historic Figure: John C. Garand - Springfield, MA

John C. Garand

Springfield, MA

N 42° 06.436 W 072° 34.884

Short Description: 

A statue of inventor, designer, and engineer John Garand is locate at the southeast part of the Springfield Armory Museum at 1 Armory Square in Springfield, MA.

Long Description:

A bronze life-size, head and upper body bust of John C. Garand is presented on a wooden pedestal that contains a bronze plaque. John C. Garand is wearing a suit jacket and tie. He is looking straight ahead. The sculpture was created by Richard Deane in 1994. The plaque on the pedestal is inscribed:

JOHN C. GARAND

1888 - 1974

A QUIET GENIUS WHO GAVE

HIS ADOPTED COUNTRY

"THE GREATEST BATTLE IMPLEMENT EVER DEVISED"

THE M-1 RIFLE

DONATED BY THE MEMBERSHIP

OF THE GARAND COLLECTORS ASSOCIATION

JUNE 6, 1994

Jean (John) Cantius Garand was born in St. Rémi, Quebec, Canada on January 1, 1888. His father moved to the family to Jewett City, CT when their mother died in 1899. He became an accomplished machinist while working at the toolmaking company of Browne and Sharpe in Providence, Rl and in 1916 worked as a toolmaker in New York City. There he was able his pursue his life long interest in designing firearms.

In 1917 Garand's design for a light machine gun was selected by the War Department and Garand was given a position with the United States Bureau of Standards in Washington DC to perfecting the the machine gun. The first model was built in 1919, too late for the War effort. The Government then employed Garand as an engineer with the Springfield Armory in Springfield, MA. There he perfected his most acclaimed invention the mass-produced, self-loading M1 rifle. Not only did he invent the rifle but also the machines to enable its mass-production and the machines to make the production machines.

The M1 rifle was adopted by the United States military and used as standard small arm weapon throughout World War II. Lt. General George M. Patton said "In my opinion, the M1 Rifle is the greatest battle implement ever devised." The M1 rifle was the first semiautomatic rifle to be adopted by a major military power.

The Springfield Armory Museum is open Wednesday - Sunday 9 am to 5 pm. Admission and parking is free.

Citizens Memorial: Eddie Shore - West Springfield, MA

Eddie Shore

West Springfield, MA

N 42° 05.501 W 072° 37.126

Short Description: 

A memorial plaque honoring hockey great Eddie Shore is located on the wall near the entrance to the Eastern States Exposition Coliseum in West Springfield, MA
Location: Massachusetts, United States

Long Description:

Eddie Shore was one of the greatest hockey players ever to play the game. After he retired from the National Hockey League he dedicated his life to advancing the sport of hockey. He owned and coached the Springfield Indians minor league franchise, organized amateur hockey leagues, and taught youngsters how to play the game. A laser etched aluminum plaque shows two pictures of Eddie Shore. One as a player with the Boston Bruins and the other instructing youngsters. It also contains a detailed biography of this hockey legend.

EDDIE SHORE

1902 - 1985

EDDIE SHORE WAS BORN IN CANADA , WHERE HE LEARNED TO SKATE AND PLAY HOCKEY AT A YOUNG AGE. IN 14 SEASONS AS A SKILLFUL DEFENSEMAN WITH THE BOSTON BRUINS, HE ESTABLISHED HIMSELF AS ONE OF THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE'S ALL-TIME GREAT PLAYERS. HE BECAME KNOWN AS "MR. HOCKEY" BECAUSE OF HIS CONTIBUTIONS TO THE GAME AS PLAYER, COACH, MANAGER, OWNER, BENEFACTOR AND TEACHER FOR SEVEN DECADES

HE IS REMEMBERED IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS AS THE SAVIOR OF HOCKEY, WHEN IN 1939 HE TOOK OVER THE BANKRUPT SPRINGFIELD FRANCHISE OF THE AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE, WHOSE HOME AT THAT TIME WAS THE EASTERN STATES EXPOSITION COLISEUM. THROUGH HIS EFFORTS, HE TURNED THE FRANCHISE INTO ONE OF THE GREATEST MINOR LEAGUE OPERATIONS IN

THE COUNTRY, AND THE COLISEUM INTO A PLACE FOR AREA YOUNGSTERS TO LEARN THE SPORT.

HE LED THE SPRINGFIELD INDIANS TO AN UNPRECEDENTED THREE CONSECUTIVE AHL CHAMPIONSHIPS IN WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE GOLDEN AGE OF HOCKEY, 1959 - 1962. MANY OF HIS PLAYERS MOVED ON TO BECOME NHL PLAYERS, COACHES AND GENERAL MANAGERS.

THE GREATER SPRINGFIELD JUNIOR AMATEUR HOCKEY LEAGUE, WHICH EDDIE SHORE OPERATED FREE OF CHARGE FOR BOYS IN THE 10-16 AGE GROUP, WAS A DREAM COME TRUE FOR ASPIRING YOUNG PLAYERS. THE SUPERIOR TRAINING THEY RECEIVED LED MANY OF THEM TO COLLEGE WITH HOCKEY SCHOLARSHIPS. EDDIE ALSO ORGANIZED FREE SKATING SESSIONS AT THE COLISEUM FOR BOYS AND GIRLS, TEACHING THEM THE TECHNIQUES OF PROPER SKATING.

AS A PERENNIAL ALL-STAR AND FOUR-TIME MOST VALUABLE PLAYER, HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE NHL HALL OF GAME IN 1947. HE WAS GIVEN THE LESTER PATRICK AWARD IN 1970 FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO HOCKEY IN THE UNITED STATES. IN 1996, HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE SPRINGFIELD HOCKEY HALL OF FAME DURING ITS FIRST ENSHRINEMENT. 

THIS IS ALSO A MEMORIAL TO THE YOUNGSTERS WHO WORKED AT THE 

EASTERN STATES EXPOSITION COLISEUM IN EXCHANGE FOR ICE TIME AND INSTRUCTION FROM EDDIE. THEY ARE AFFECTIONATELY REMEMBERED AS THE "RINK RATS".

EDDIE SHORE'S LEGACY TO HOCKEY LIVES ON AND HIS SPIRIT WILL

ALWAYS BE PRESENT IN THE COLISEUM.

DEDICATED NOVEMBER 3, 2004

Grave of a Famous Person: Edward "Eddie" William Shore - Springfield, MA

Edward "Eddie" William Shore

Springfield, MA

N 42° 07.782 W 072° 29.710

Short Description: 

The grave of Hall of Fame hockey legend Eddie Shore is located in the first row of section A of Hillcrest Park Cemetery in Springfield, MA.

Long Description:

The grave of Eddie Shore is marked by a granite stone set at ground level. The stone is inscribed:

EDWARD WILLIAM SHORE

#2 EDDIE {IMAGE OF CROSSED HOCKEY STICKS}

NOV. 25, 1902 {MASONIC INSIGNIA} MAR. 16, 1985

Eddie "The Edmonton Express" Shore was one of the greatest hockey players ever to play the game. He was born in Fort Qu'Appelle, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada on Novenber 25, 1902. He learned to skate and play hockey at a young age. He played at defenseman for the: Melville Millionaires (1923 to 1924), Regina Capitals (1924 to 1925), Edmonton Eskimos (1925 to 1926), Boston Bruins (1924 to 1940), Springfield Indians (1939 to 1942), and Buffalo Bisons (1943 to 1944). He also coached the: Springfield Indians from 1941 to 1942, Buffalo Bisons from 1942 to 1943, and Springfield Bisons from 1954 to 1955. He played on teams that won the Stanley Cup Championship in 1929 and 1939. He was awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy as the "player judged most valuable to his team" in 1932-1933, 1934-1935, 1935-1936, and 1937-1938 seasons. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1947.

After he retired from the National Hockey League he dedicated his life to advancing the sport of hockey. He owned and coached the Springfield Indians minor league franchise, organized amateur hockey leagues, and taught youngsters how to play the game. A laser etched aluminum plaque shows two pictures of Eddie Shore. One as a player with the Boston bruins and the other instructing youngsters. He died on March 16, 1985 in Springfield, MA and is interred in Hillcrest Park Cemetery in Springfield.

Beatlemania: John Lennon Mural - Springfield, MA

John Lennon Mural

Springfield, MA

N 42° 06.023 W 072° 35.295

Short Description: 

A mural of John Lennon base on the album covers designed by Andy Warhol is painted in niche of the historic Court Square Building at 13-31 Elm St., Springfield, MA.

Long Description:

Local artist John Simpson painted number of celebrities on wood panels of the One Court Square Building. This niche contains a 10' by 5' mural of one of the most famous images of John Lennon which was created by Andy Warhol and used on the albums Menlove Ave and Working Class Hero.

A black and white portrait depicts John Lennon from the neck up. Lennon facing forward and wearing round wire rimmed eyeglasses. The mural was created over several days in October 2014.

John Winston Lennon was born on October 9, 1940 in Liverpool, England, UK. He formed the group the Quarrymen in 1957 which in 1960 evolved into the Silver Beetles, the Silver Beatles and by August to the Beatles. The name is a tribute to Buddy Holly and his group the Crickets.

The Beatles became the most influential musical group of the 1960's. After the breakup of the Beatles in 1970, John Lennon embarked on a second musical career with his second wife Yoko Ono. John Lennon was shot and killed outside his Manhattan apartment on December 8, 1980 by Mark David Chapman. Both the Beatles and John Lennon have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Zippy the Pinhead Location: Sacred Heart Church - Vernon, CT

Sacred Heart Church

Vernon, CT

N 41° 49.925 W 072° 28.399

Short Description: 

Sacred Heart Church is a Roman Catholic church located at 550 Hartford Turnpike in Vernon, CT. In this 2001 comic strip Zippy makes a wry comment about the condemnation of the building.

Link to the Zippy Comic Strip

Long Description:

Sacred Heart Church's distinctive, pyramid-like, seven-story building was built in 1971. By 1980 concrete pieces began falling from the sloped walls and falling into the aisle and pews. The building was condemned in 1997 and church services were moved into nearby parish hall.

Specific Veteran Memorial: CMM Frank P. Wojtkiewicz - Agawam, MA

CMM Frank P. Wojtkiewicz

Agawam, MA

N 42° 02.667 W 072° 37.179

Short Description: 

The remains of Frank P. Wojtkiewicz were not recovered from the USS Arizona after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. A monument has been erected in his memory in the Massachusetts Veterans  Cemetery.

Long Description:

A cenotaph monument honoring the memory of Frank P. Wojtkiewicz is a 3' high granite marker, identical to the other grave markers found in the cemetery. It is inscribed:

IN MEMORY OF 

FRANK P

WOJTKIEWICZ

CMM

US NAVY

WORLD WAR II

DEC 4 1908

DEC 7 1941

KIA

The monument in memory of Frank P. Wojtkiewicz, is located in a special section of the Massachusetts Veterans Cemetery adjacent to Massachusetts Veterans Boulevard. A separate monument in the center of the section is inscribed with the dedication:

IN MEMORY OF ALL VETERANS WHOSE

REMAINS HAVE NOT BEEN RECOVERED OR

IDENTIFIED, BURIED AT SEA, OR WHOSE

CREMATED REMAINS HAVE BEEN 

SCATTERED ON LAND OR SEA

MERCY WARREN CHAPTER

DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN

REVOLUTION

2002

Frank P. Wojtkiewicz was born in Westfield, MA on December 4, 1908. He enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a Chief Machinist's Mate on the USS Arizona. On December 7, 1941 the battleship USS Arizona was anchored in Pearl Harbor, HI when it was bombed, exploded, and sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Chief Petty Officer Frank P. Wojtkiewicz was one of the 1,177 officers and crewmen of the USS Arizona that were killed that day. The wreck of the USS Arizona could still lies where it sunk at the bottom of Pearl Harbor.