Mary Yonkers

Oil 150th Birthday

150 Candles

See other posts

• Where Was the First Oil Well Drilled?

• Birthplace of Oil Industry

• Happy 150th Birthday: Oil Industry

Having grown up in Northwestern Pennsylvania not far from the birthplace of the oil industry I have enjoyed writing this series of posts about the events leading up to Col Edwin Drake striking oil on August 27, 1859.

Lumber was the major industry in 1857.

Wood sold for $6.00 per thousand feet.

Edwin Drake was hired because he was a retired RR conductor & could ride the trains for free.

Drake's salary $1,000/year

Drake was given title of Colonel to impress the locals.

Drake's early efforts were labeled 'Drake's Folly'

Success came after he hired Uncle Billy Smith, an experienced saltwater driller from Pittsburgh area

www.oil150.com

www.oilregion.org

www.drakewell.org

Restore or Rust?

Should objects be restored to their former state or left to tell their story by the wear & tear of the ages?

Asbury Woods Nature Center--donated by Otto Behrend to Millcreek School District

Join me and a few friends as we walk about three miles along the banks of Walnut Creek.

During the winter this is a great place to cross country ski.

In spring and fall many birders watch for migrating birds.

Resource Center has Erie's only Green roof. I will write about that another day.

This section reminds me of a primeval forest with fog from Walnut Creek rising from below.

Just bring a good book & spend the day

Let's set a date to walk together

Join me as I walk a mile to Lake Erie. I took my new camera just to try it out and was lucky enough to capture a few wildlife photos, too.

One mile to Lake Erie (see small circle opening)

Million $$$$ View

Years ago I thought I wanted to own property on Lake Erie, but have become very content to enjoy my (almost daily) one mile walk to the lake. Today I saw two deer, three turkeys, a cedar wax wing, locust, snake and numerous mosquitoes including the one that bit me while waiting for perfect shot of deer. Enjoy the photos taken with my new Sony Cyber-shot.

If I lived on the lake I might not feel motivated to walk down the road. Not only would I miss the opportunity to feel energized by a walk, but I would miss seeing wildlife.

If I were 10 again I would climb this tree along with a good book and escape for the day.

Fun night at the Erie Seawolves game in front of Sold Out Crowd.

6,952 in attendence bought a record number of Smith's hot dogs, Erie's favorite hot dog. 6,800 Hot Dogs Sold

(Hot dogs $1.00 and I ate two!)

I love the antics of the sideline entertainers (stuffed wieners and the Seawolves' mascot) and the vendors wearing wiener hats.

Erie is not the major league, but we have fun. Many businesses, churches and families enjoy a great evening at reasonable cost.

Kid's Stampede

Seventh Inning Stretch

Unfortunately the Seawolves lost 3-1, but we will be back again in the ole' ball park next weekend.

"And we are off to the ole' ball game"

As a kid I remember my grandfather and my dad listening to baseball games on the radio on our front porch. Once each summer the two of them would go to a Pirates game in Pittsburgh with other men from church.

In the fall our teachers sometimes allowed us to listen to the World Series games at the end of the day. What a treat!

Now Tv ahs spoiled us with instant replays, but nothing beats a live game. Tonight we are off to the ball game with a groups of friends from church. Erie Seawolves

Weather conditions are perfect!