Lee.org

Recently there has been tihs thnig giong arnoud aobut how the odrer of ltetres in a wrod hradly mrattes at all. This tinhg, sopupsedly from Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, syas that only the fsirt and lsat leteter has to be in plcae for anonye to be albe to raed the dcomuent. It’s an ientrstieng “aacdemic” ieda but I cna’t fnid any siold lgeitaimcy to it. Waht do you thnik?

Last night I went out with Dave B again on a Gluttonous adventure. I showed up at Pub 199 at 6, he was there a few minutes later. Right up at the top of the menu (I don’t know how we missed it last time) was the trypic of steamed clams special, steak special, and lobster special. I opened with 2 dozen steamed clams and a beer. We moved on to lobster and a potato…. and more beer. Then we had dinner: more beer (of course) grilled cheese, grilled cheese with tomato and another potato. My tummy hurts. Gluttony is good. :-)

I stole the color scheme from http://inipi.org/ today. What do you think? It’s the one with the dark brown background and yellow text. If you haven’t seen it yet, reload this page a couple times. It’s on a randomizer with 2 other color schemes.

PS. Mu ha ha!

I wrote to a friend today the following:

We were talking before about what the heck we should each do for a living… I wanted to give you hopeful news and say that I’ve been being “The Computer Guy” with moderate success for the last couple months. I go to people’s homes and help them with their computer problems. Little things and large things alike. And gosh darn it, I think I’m good at it! There’s a big teaching component to it, showing people how to do things and helping them help themselves. I think this could really be something.

I lifted this Shockwave movie from Slapdash.com. Click on the image for the movie

Thanks Melissa for pointing it out to me!

This weekend I went up to Boston… and then on to New Hampshire with Trav to go see the New Hampshire Gathering of Scottish Clans. It was great. All the clans had booths set up, there was some fantastic traditional and modern Scottish music and the food was good (we had haggis!). But the most important part of the day was seeing people throw things that shouldn’t be thrown.

The amateur contest was infinitely more fun to watch than the pros. First, because we got to stand much closer than on the grand parade grounds. Second, because it’s more fun to root for a local guy who is throwing stuff because it’s fun instead of a hired professional stuff-thrower. Third, and most importantly, when they were throwing the 28 lb weight, we were told to watch out; an errant throw could come our way and kill us. How cool is THAT?

Mike Z (from the Boston area) making one of his field-record-breaking throws.

The Crazy Lawsuit Contest! The contestants throw a 28 lb weight straight up into the air as high as possible over a bar. Of course, what goes up…
I figured that a tosser only loses his step 1 in 10 times after throwing… and the weight would only actually hit an unawares contestant 1 time in 10… So that’s only a 1 in a hundred chance of sqwish-age! I’m pretty sure Mike Z won this one too, throwing 17′! Imagine throwing a 5 gallon water bottle up onto your home’s 2nd story roof!!

Mike Z (again… the other contestants’ photos didn’t come out as well, sorry) throwing a 28 lb weight at us. He won this event too.

Trav and I just before getting our haggis puffs. Good times! The taste reminded me of cappaletti, actually; I think it was the allspice.

A month and a half ago, I called MCI and switched to a new phone plan, cutting our phone bill by about 1/3 and gaining Caller ID and 3-way calling. Only… it didn’t happen. We waited and waited and nothing happened. So I called them up and they said that there was a problem with verifying the service change. What the frig? I had spoken to the “independent third party verification” lady. I did my part but MCI neverbothered to tell me by mail or phone that there was a problem. I had to start all over. Hurumph. So I hurrumphed right over to Verizon on the 15th. After 25 minutes on the phone with them, I had them for local, regional and long distance, caller ID, 3-way, and speed dial. At Verizon’s recommendation, I called MCI back to tell them that I was switching my service away from them. The MCI lady didn’t know what to do with such information so we just left it at that. A day goes by and I see that our phone is now showing Caller ID info and we have voicemail :-). Of course, I don’t know how to access the voicemail… but we’re going to get a letter from Verizon real soon saying how to use this new fangled telephonic appliance, right? Well, this morning I got tired of all our calls falling into the black hole of voicemail so I called Verizon to ask what to do. (before I called, I scoured the Verizon web site for instructions, but they didn’t work). The nice lady at Verizon tells me that we don’t have voicemail. [furrow brow here]. “Huh? I left a message to myself just yesterday.” She looks further and finds out that we don’t have ANY Verizon services. All our services were switched to MCI yesterday. MCI slammed me! The most bothersome part about it being that our Verizon voicemail got shut off because of it, losing all those voicemails. Jerks.

So I switched to the Verizon Freedom plan and put a PIC freeze and local freeze on our provider. Unlimited calling anywhere in the US for $55/month (+$8 taxes). And I’m gonna use it. I’m gonna talk your ears off!

And in a related story, I was talking to my dad about low phone rates. He says that he’s seen the P&L sheets of all these phone companies and they can’t keep lowering phone rates or they’re going to (keep) going out of business. I argued that, as a consumer, that wasn’t my problem; It’s my duty to find the lowest rate with service I like. We’re both right.

I’ve been looking for items related to my grandfather’s businesses for a couple years now. I found the first item completely by happenstance. I did a search on eBay for “Ferranti” and BAM, there was a bottle! I wrote the following email to Brian at Brian’s Breweriana.com. Maybe posting this request to the internet will help. If you’ve got any info about such memorabilia, I’d love it if you contacted me!

Hi I just found your site at the recommendation of an acquaintance.

I’ve been searching high and low for breweriana from some of my grandfather’s companies. It would make me so happy if you came across anything of his. A few years ago, I found a glass bottle shaped like the old Coca-Cola bottle reading “Ferranti Bottling Company” and a promotional bottle opener reading the same thing.

I’m looking for anything from:
All companies were based in or around Scranton or Pittston, PA

Ferranti Brothers Bottling Company – some time after 1946
Yankee Brewing Co. of Pittston – owner from 1942 until at least 1946
Yankee Premium Pilsener (sic) Beer – Made by YBC
Old Stock Yankee Ale – Made by YBC
Lackawanna Beer and Ale Corp – owner 1935-1942
City Bottling Co. – owner 1923-1935
Ferranti Bros. Trucking Co. – owner 1930-1935

Here, let me show you an excerpt from the Italian Who’s Who in 1946 to give you a better idea.

Ferranti, Ernest
Brewer. Born in Jessup, Pa. June 11, 1907, the son of Mario and Regina (Becchetti) Ferranti, natives of Gubbio, Italy. Catholic. Democrat. Married Ida Weston, 1931. Three children: Dorothy, Marlene and Ernestine. Graduate of Jessup High School, 1923. President and owner since 1942, Yankee Brewing Co. of Pittston, manufacturers of Yankee Premium Pilsener Beer and Old Stock Yankee Ale. Production capacity, 150,000 barrels a year. Average production, 90,000 barrels a year. Past president, Lackawanna Beer and Ale Corp. (brewers), 1935-1942. Past owner, City Bottling Co., manufacturers of carbonated beverages 1923-1935 and of Ferranti Bros. Trucking Co., 1930-1935. Member Fox Hill Country Club; Scranton Club; Elks; Kiwanis; Scranton Chamber of Commerce; National Small Brewers Ass’n; etc. Home: 203 Grassy Ave., Jessup, Pa. Office: Main and New Streets, Pittston, Pa.

Have a great day!
Lee Sonko

Update 3-5-08
In 2003 I got an email from David Hagberg that might help anyone in their search for breweriana. Here it is:

Hi Lee,

David Hagberg here. I do not really collect items from Pennsylvania,
except for the Meyersdale Brewing Company (SW corner of the state in Somerset
County, near the Maryland border). I was just bidding on the tray to see
what it sold for and to maybe pick up a bargain. I mostly collect MD, DC,
VA, and WV items, along with the Meyersdale, as noted earlier.
There are a few other possible sources for you. I belong to several
clubs that may have someone who can help you. I recommend joining the first
two that I will list for you (ABA and ECBA) as they would be your best chance
at finding pieces and/or information/history. The third group that I will
list (NABA) is also good but mostly deals with advertising only, such as
lithos, calendars, signs, etc., and not as much with the smaller items such
as cans, bottles, matchbooks, and other give-away items the brewery may have
produced. Lastly, you may try the fourth group that I will list (BCCA) but
they deal mostly with cans only, though a lot of the members are branching
out into other areas of collecting. With each group that I list I will also
provide you with their website. Some are better than others, but check out
what information is provided and if there is a message board feel free to
post a message asking for information. The websites may also list other
groups (or chapters) that are local. If there is one in the area you are
talking about, ask them for information also. There may also be a listing of
upcoming shows to your area (or somewhere close). I highly recommend going
to the shows. Even if you do not see something that you want, some member
may have something at home or at least some information. You never know. I
will also list a website that has a contact for some people that do PA
brewery history. They may be able to help you. I have asked a few questions
from him before, and sometimes he does give me a good lead to contact. Next,
check out the local paper, especially the smaller, more “home-towny” ones.
They usually offer a “merchandise mart” section where people place
classifieds to buy and sell stuff, and some have a separate listing for
auctions that are in the area. I have found some neat items that, while not
my primary interest, I was able to pick up at a nice price and able to later
sell it for a profit. And lastly, check out the local antique stores.
Again, you may not find anything the first time, but you may find someone who
knows someone, or has some information. Good luck.

1). The American Breweriana Association (ABA): This club has great members,
several free sources for items (mostly new/micro) and has a wonderful lending
library with many books and a lot of good information. If you join, you also
get a members-only magazine 6 times a year.
http://www.americanbreweriana.org/

2). The Eastern Coast Breweriana Association (ECBA): This club, as you might
expect, deals primarily with breweries on the East coast. They put on a nice
convention in Frederick last year, and puts on a show in Somerset County (PA)
that I usually attend. There should be some members who can help you. If
you join there is a magazine that goes out to members four times a year and
is nice.
http://www.eastcoastbrew.com/

3.) The National Association of Breweriana Advertising (NABA): This club puts
out a nice magazine for members and has many wonderful members who are very
knowledgeable.
http://www.nababrew.org/

4.) Beer Can Collectors of America (BCCA): A good source for beer cans and
some members know a good bit about brewery history.
http://www.bcca.com/index.html

5.) Pennsylvania Brewery historians: This is the website with the member who
is nice, and answers questions to the best of his ability, or will point you
to someone who may be able to help.
http://pabreweryhistorians.tripod.com/

If yo have any further questions please feel free to ask.

Sincerely,

David Hagberg

American Breweriana Association member #6636
National Association of Breweriana Advertising member
Beer Can Collectors of America member #30956
Baltimore Antique Bottle Club member
Eastern Coast Breweriana Association member #2068

Here’s photos of Scott Perkins’ barrel turned lampshade. (see comments) What a find! He told me how (Scott, correct me if I’m wrong) he found it partially buried when he was 14 years old. Years later, he found the fourth ring that held it together. So in the photos 3 of the rings look different because they’ve been lacquered but the last one hasn’t been yet.

Scott writes

so far i know the keg was from between prob. 1935 to 1943 your Grandfather was pres. at that time. and the lion brewery which took over stegmier and is in wilkesbarre pa, in the old stegmier building, has a sales office in scranton. which I am told was the office of lackawanna beer and ale corp. so now ill have to trek off to see the building and mabe get some pics. but until then here is a full view of the lamp keg. pictures for your page so people can see the shade you mention.

Saturday I took my Technology Education test. I kicked its butt. The only questions I had any trouble at all with were things like, “What magazine is devoted to technology education teaching? A) Teachers Technology, B) The Education Teacher, C) Technology and Teachering Journal, or D) Technological Teaching and the Educational Teaching Paradigm Curriculum Journal for Professionals?” I took an educated guess that it wasn’t D.

The results come back in about 4 weeks. Now I’ve got to figure how I can parlay that into a job or entry into a master’s program. I’m hoping…

Here’s a little foray into evolutionary biology…

In a radio interview I heard recently, Julian Paul Keenan, the author of “The Face in the Mirror: The Search for the Origins of Consciousness” says that the main benefit of self-awareness from an evolutionary standpoint is deception. Having self-awareness allows you to deceive others. A secondary benefit is empathy but deception helps you get ahead a heck of a lot better than empathy does.

Think about that one for a while. The implications are sure to intrigue, disgust and stimulate you.