Thanks for the comments about fireworks in McLean and what you all did on Sunday night. But I still hope someone else reads the post about fireworks - I sure wish I knew where there were local McLean fireworks - we had to have had them....and parking on Dolly Madison and watching from there (other than DC and Wolf Trap) is all I remember.
On another note, it got so cold here in Blacksburg this evening that we ended up going to a bar to watch the *Hokie* football game vs Duke even though it was here in Lane Stadium. It was a sloppy game, a really sloppy game - and that may be kind, but a victory none the less.....The stats (except for fumbles) will make it sound a whole lot better than it was. But as I said - a win is a win in the BCS and ACC standings.
Anyway, we were sitting at the bar of the Rivermill on Draper Road in downtown Blacksburg and I met a Saxon....she just happened to be sitting next to me...a '92 LHS grad who lived in Great Falls - you know who you are and if you read this, I expect to hear from you...so you 90s grads - leave a comment. I'd like to hear from you...all though I initially said this blog was for those of us who grew up in the 50s - 70s, I would like to hear from you younger McLeaners. (I'm trying out some of the possible names for McLean residents.....)
I've been promising to get better at this blogging thing and so I'm going to try to add some pics - scans of postcards from Evans Farm Inn. So, you'll either see the pics or an apology. These vintage postcards could be yours.....I'm setting them aside for the contest prizes....dont lose out...go back to the contest postings and win one or more of these choice collectibles.
Thanks to you faithful readers for being here!!! But we need more.....the more folks out there reading and commenting, the more fun this will be, so please pass this along to your McLean friends - young and old!! Keep us going!!! I've got lots McLean balls to toss up in the air, but juggling with a partner is more fun!!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Redskins and What Did We Do On Sunday Night?
As I wait for the Redskins Game to start within the hour, I am sitting at my computer playing those mind-freeing games that only take a part of my attention and allow me think about other things. And, so I started contemplating what we would be doing on a McLean Sunday night. The first answer that came to mind was Watching Ed Sullivan, of course. But then I remembered Disney, 60 Minutes and Star Trek and the occasional channel-changing battles. So.....what did you do on Sunday night?
None of this is really about McLean as none of the things I remembered were home town specific, except the Redskins, but I'd still like to know. What did your family and friends do on those last hours of the weekend?
And, as the "fireworks" came up on my computer screen after my last (winning) game of Spider Solitaire, I thought about what we did on the 4th of July. I know the 4th is long past, but I'm going there anyway.
We usually had fireworks in the front yard. Dad would set of the big ones and I'd get to write my name with sparklers and light those black snakes that ran all over the front porch that I loved and he hated becasue they left their black trails for days. Then we'd have neighbors over and grill burgers - probably venison burgers if you were at our house.
I was trying to remember who put off town fireworks in McLean. I remember (I think) parking on Dolly Madison Blvd. and watching fireworks from the car. These were put off by some organization like the Lion's Club, Veterans, or somebody like that. Who was it? Do you remember? And were they where I thought they were? Where were they actually set up? Were there other local fireworks? Did your neighborhood have their own? The only other "local" ones I remember, in addition to the National ones in DC which I did go to occasionally, were the ones at Wolf Trap.
All I can say about fireworks at Wolf Trap is ....... July 4, 1974.
(Okay, it's not all I can say, but it's important.) I was there with friends and as we waited for the excitement to start, the fireman doused the trees at the back of the natural amphitheatre to the left of the stage. It was dark and we were sitting on a blanket - typical for any time you'd watch fireworks and typical for any concert night at Wolf Trap. But this not to be a typical night. Eventually, the colorful show started to the cheers of the crowd and lasted about 5 minutes before a spark came down and hit the unused fireworks on the ground.....and it was the most spectacular show I've ever seen!!
Everybody ran for a few seconds, then some began to stop and the much smaller crowd turned back toward the trees and watched in silence and awe. The remainder of the show, except the finale, was ignited in one moment, one spectacular moment....and 30+ minutes of fireworks went off straight from the ground like one giant Roman Candle.
A few sparks reached the left side of the hill and, if I remember correctly, a couple of people were hurt, but not too badly. Everyone was very lucky!!!! And, if you managed to stay and not run all the way to your car - you saw a show to remember for the rest of your life!! I can't even offer enough adjectives to explain the beauty and power of the few minutes it took to complete the show. Oh what a night!!!
So, on those two typical American Family nights, what did you do? What happened in your life on Sunday after 7pm and what did you do in McLean on the 4th of July? Examining minds want to know, and so do I.
None of this is really about McLean as none of the things I remembered were home town specific, except the Redskins, but I'd still like to know. What did your family and friends do on those last hours of the weekend?
And, as the "fireworks" came up on my computer screen after my last (winning) game of Spider Solitaire, I thought about what we did on the 4th of July. I know the 4th is long past, but I'm going there anyway.
We usually had fireworks in the front yard. Dad would set of the big ones and I'd get to write my name with sparklers and light those black snakes that ran all over the front porch that I loved and he hated becasue they left their black trails for days. Then we'd have neighbors over and grill burgers - probably venison burgers if you were at our house.
I was trying to remember who put off town fireworks in McLean. I remember (I think) parking on Dolly Madison Blvd. and watching fireworks from the car. These were put off by some organization like the Lion's Club, Veterans, or somebody like that. Who was it? Do you remember? And were they where I thought they were? Where were they actually set up? Were there other local fireworks? Did your neighborhood have their own? The only other "local" ones I remember, in addition to the National ones in DC which I did go to occasionally, were the ones at Wolf Trap.
All I can say about fireworks at Wolf Trap is ....... July 4, 1974.
(Okay, it's not all I can say, but it's important.) I was there with friends and as we waited for the excitement to start, the fireman doused the trees at the back of the natural amphitheatre to the left of the stage. It was dark and we were sitting on a blanket - typical for any time you'd watch fireworks and typical for any concert night at Wolf Trap. But this not to be a typical night. Eventually, the colorful show started to the cheers of the crowd and lasted about 5 minutes before a spark came down and hit the unused fireworks on the ground.....and it was the most spectacular show I've ever seen!!
Everybody ran for a few seconds, then some began to stop and the much smaller crowd turned back toward the trees and watched in silence and awe. The remainder of the show, except the finale, was ignited in one moment, one spectacular moment....and 30+ minutes of fireworks went off straight from the ground like one giant Roman Candle.
A few sparks reached the left side of the hill and, if I remember correctly, a couple of people were hurt, but not too badly. Everyone was very lucky!!!! And, if you managed to stay and not run all the way to your car - you saw a show to remember for the rest of your life!! I can't even offer enough adjectives to explain the beauty and power of the few minutes it took to complete the show. Oh what a night!!!
So, on those two typical American Family nights, what did you do? What happened in your life on Sunday after 7pm and what did you do in McLean on the 4th of July? Examining minds want to know, and so do I.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
McLean on Jeopardy and Cash Cab
Well, we made another game show this evening!!
Yesterday it was Alex Trebek and Jeopardy, and tonight it was Ben Bailey and Cash Cab. If you've never seen Cash Cab, you should check it out...quite funny!! It's a trivia game show in Ben's taxi in NYC. While he drives people to their destinations, he asks them questions, if they get them right , they earn money, but if they get three wrong, it's three strikes and he puts them out on the street where ever they are.
The question tonight was What is the name of the neighborhood in McLean, Virginia where the CIA is located? Let's think about that for a moment...anyone have a guess, an Educated guess? The passenger contestants had to shout out for help from a stranger on the street - who happened to know that it is Langley!! Yeah!! But I bet they didn't know that it is also the name of a high school in McLean, and an Air Force Base in Hampton, VA !!
I think I'll keep a running list of McLean's mention on game shows. If you hear of any more, let us know.
Since it is said that things come in threes, think we'll get another mention tomorrow??
Keep your ears on and have a good evening!!
Yesterday it was Alex Trebek and Jeopardy, and tonight it was Ben Bailey and Cash Cab. If you've never seen Cash Cab, you should check it out...quite funny!! It's a trivia game show in Ben's taxi in NYC. While he drives people to their destinations, he asks them questions, if they get them right , they earn money, but if they get three wrong, it's three strikes and he puts them out on the street where ever they are.
The question tonight was What is the name of the neighborhood in McLean, Virginia where the CIA is located? Let's think about that for a moment...anyone have a guess, an Educated guess? The passenger contestants had to shout out for help from a stranger on the street - who happened to know that it is Langley!! Yeah!! But I bet they didn't know that it is also the name of a high school in McLean, and an Air Force Base in Hampton, VA !!
I think I'll keep a running list of McLean's mention on game shows. If you hear of any more, let us know.
Since it is said that things come in threes, think we'll get another mention tomorrow??
Keep your ears on and have a good evening!!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Election Day - Go Vote ! !
GO VOTE ! !
Do we from McLean understand the responsibility and privilege of voting more than the general public? Did we grow up in an area so populated with various government employees, including Senators and Congressmen, that we're too casual about it? Or did it have an impact at all? What do you think?
I had (have) my favorite politician's kid - Mark Gibbons, if you're out there, please drop a line!!
I'm on my way to vote now and then I'm volunteering to be a Line Captain and help people waiting to vote. Not too bad here. Lines are about 10 minutes, so I've heard. But I want to do my part in this historic election.
Today, you know what to do, just do it!!!
GO VOTE ! !
I'm Carol Smith, and I approved this message.
Do we from McLean understand the responsibility and privilege of voting more than the general public? Did we grow up in an area so populated with various government employees, including Senators and Congressmen, that we're too casual about it? Or did it have an impact at all? What do you think?
I had (have) my favorite politician's kid - Mark Gibbons, if you're out there, please drop a line!!
I'm on my way to vote now and then I'm volunteering to be a Line Captain and help people waiting to vote. Not too bad here. Lines are about 10 minutes, so I've heard. But I want to do my part in this historic election.
Today, you know what to do, just do it!!!
GO VOTE ! !
I'm Carol Smith, and I approved this message.
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