Black Squirrels

Joe,

Having been born, raised and educated in Salisbury many years ago, I read all the local blogs (daily and have done for months) with interest and I must say, with some sadness, for what Salisbury and Wicomico county have become.

I grew up in the City Park area and swam there near the bandstand and Beaverdam everyday, every summer, of my childhood. Those days I was in the park from 9AM till dinner time.

The Zoo was one of my daily visits. (used to be able to ride my bike through there then) I knew the names of every animal in the Zoo and everyone of the homeowners on both sides of the park. (Kids have a way of that you know) In the winter I used to ride my snow sled down the steps of the hill to "Picnic Island" and over the footbridge. (Never once got hurt) The park was so clean and well maintained. I still remember the city workers with their Gravely tractors cutting the grass on those hills.

Bamboo used to grow high on Picnic Island next to Beaverdam and the ducks would lay eggs in there. We would make up flour and water and fish for Sunfish around the waters of Picnic Island. (no license required)

In my teenage years I would walk from house near the park to Bethesda Methodist Church every Friday night (during school term) to a dance. It cost a dime to get in and the music was provided by a juke box that cost a nickel a song. No fear walking from home to the dance, Salisbury was a nice place.

When I married, my wife and I bought a house in Salisbury and lived there 4 years. As I look back I can fancy myself a visionary. I saw what was happening to the city and sold out (35 years ago) and moved to Worcester county.

I just wanted to say these things because I remember how nice the city used to be. All I really wanted to do was send these pictures of the black squirrels but a flood of memories rushed in and I couldn't resist. (I could go on for hours but who would believe that Salisbury was actually like that)

According to the info that I have these are grey squirrels but they are melanistic. For 35 years we have been enjoying them now you can enjoy them too. I have attached pix of my squirrels along with some support info below. We actually have more black ones that grey.

Loyal Reader
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanistic

Now Here's A Cool Story!

Remember back in the day, oh, let's say June 13th & 14th of 1996 when Cal Ripken was tying and then breaking the World Record for most consecutive games ever played in Baseball?

Considering those games in which he would tie and then break the World Record were not at home and were in fact being played in Kansas City it wasn't as exciting as if he was about to do so at home.

Nevertheless, I got this thought in my head, I wonder how sold out these games are? I made some phone calls and ultimately reached the Ball Park and asked what was available. They said, well, the first night is Family Night and those tickets are half price and there are plenty of tickets available. Hmmmmm, nice! The following night cost more but there are also plenty of tickets left over for that game as well. I responded, how many tickets are available? How many would you like Sir? All of them! Ha, ha, ha, ha, no, seriously Sir, how many would you like? ALL OF THEM!

Low and behold the manager gets on the phone and said, this is very unusual Sir, did you say you'd like ALL of the tickets to Friday Nights Game? Yes Sir, I would. I'd also like all of the available tickets to Thursday Nights Game. May I ask what this is for Sir? I replied, I'll tell you once I have the tickets in hand. This is my UPS Account Number and I'd like ALL of these tickets sent to me Next Day Air on my account. Yes Sir.

No one had thought of calling the Stadium and buying up whatever was available and when you look back to that Baseball Game for the rest of your life and you see the multiple empty seats throughout the Stadium, just know you know the guy that bought all those tickets and never attended the game. However, you'll also know who owns all those tickets that are easily worth $2,800.00 a piece several years ago. Who knows what they're worth now. One day I hope to work a deal with Cal to autograph each one of them and sell them at Auction.

I told you it was a cool story!

Today's Wildlife Photo

Once the Osprey Eagle got used to visiting my Pier in West Ocean City, seeing him with a regular catch of flounder was not unusual. However, they're easily spooked. I caught this shot as he left my Pier and headed over the the small Island just off Bruce Moore's home, next door to me. It's not as clear as I'd like but it certainly brings back great memories.

"National Night Out"

Although they were expecting around 1,000 people to show up for each event in Salisbury and Fruitland there were less than 200 at each location. However, the Politicians were there in full force.

Who Let The Dog Out, Rough, Rough, Rough, Rough!

Children And Politicians Were Out To Pop One And Others Bubble!

From Salisbury to Fruitland, adults and children were being entertained through "National Night Out" sponsored by local Police Departments. The Politicians were coming out of the wood work like there was no tomorrow.