I only hope the IRS doesn’t come a-knocking. Only a few places in this country understand that most taxpayers work on most Wednesdays. (Leave it to Johnstowners to schedule an event for convenience rather than symbolism – and that’s a good thing.) So, this sunny spring afternoon I moseyed on down to Johnstown’s Central Park to catch a whiff of civil non-disobedience from the gathered alienates. Taxes are taxes and will be with us always, but, as a practicing anarchist, I’ll empathize with anyone attempting to limit the scope of government, or even simply voicing their displeasure for government.

Being a photographer, and not a journalist, I’ve got no details for you. Besides, I don’t like listening to people talk. Here’s my take on the whole picture: left, right, up, down, inside out; the powers-that-be need to keep us at each others’ throats so we don’t notice them stuffing their pockets with goodies from the buffet table, most of those goodies being the covered dishes we brought from home, so I paid little attention to the rhetoric. If you’re looking for the play-by-play, you’ll have to catch the coverage in the local provincial rag. It turned out to be a well-behaved, enthusiastic and reasonably-sized crowd, and it’s always nice to see people downtown. I hung for a few, got my shots and headed home.

If you’re like me, though, and looking for the real skinny on the Tea Party, “down low and on the q-t,” I’m sure Straight Outta Johnstown will have something entertaining to say, as soon as they get over their obsession with VoraFest. Meanwhile, enjoy the pics.

This is Buttermilk Falls in Moxham, not to be confused with the falls in Indiana County or the town just below Idlewild Park. Either up from the bottom or down from the top, the climb is pretty much verticle, and don’t think it’s easy scrambling up or down while humping 30 pounds of photo equipment on your back (soon to become a recurring theme on LL). I’m planning to get back, though, when there’s more water running or snow falling. It’s worth the effort, especially if you enjoy the photos.

On a side note, there are 2 photos below of a Grandview statue that I refer to as the Lady in White (not to be confused with the White Lady of Beulah, or the White Lady of Ghost Town Trail, or the White Lady of Wapsononock Mountain). I know of 4 other identical statues across the Northeast and Midwest: one in the suburbs north of Boston, another in upstate New York, a third in Wisconsin or Michigan (everything was a blur) and, the one I’m most familiar with, a fourth in Lancaster, PA. As the statue in Lancaster is somewhat sheltered from the elements by trees and an urban setting, and not placed out in the open on top of a mountain; and, since she comes with a real, if not necessarily true ghost story, I’ve added a post and gallery on Lancaster’s Lady in White to illustrate the poignancy and craft of 19th century memorial sculptors.

Requiescat in pace.

Anyway, Stackhouse is a very cool place. It fits right in with the Congressman Koontz quote over to your right, and also with the basic concept of Laurelight. I hope you like the shots. I hope Laurie likes the shots. I hope this helps the Park. I can’t wait for the first snowfall.

When you’re finished looking at the photos, head over to the Stackhouse Park website. Check out some of the great things they’re doing with the place, and then become a member. I did, and it feels good.

Love and kisses,
the Balko