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 When watching the evening news today, I saw an image of coal barges lined up at the docks at the USS Mon Valley Steel Plant.  Of course the news segment was about the White House blocking the sale of USS to Nippon Steel.  My mind wandered to to dad's career at the Robena Prep Plant.  I didn't think that it was still in operation but I searched for more information.  I found that the Robena deep mines closed in 1983, but plant continued to operate until 2017 processing coal from surface mining for Consol Mining.  It seems that reclamation of the site began many years before 2017, most likely mandated by local concerns about environmental damage from seepage from the three large slurry ponds and other surface contamination.  Dad took me out one Sunday afternoon to inspect the dikes and berms around the ponds.  We had to hop into one of the big company trucks to traverse the dirt roads around the site. I read a couple of articles about the ongoing l...
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 I purchased the Ford Explorer Sport Trac in 2002 for use in my business.  I retired the truck in 2012 and have since kept it to pull the boat to the nearby lake and to loan to anyone in the family that had a car in the shop.  Grandsons Miles and Sam turn 16 next week.  Sam has claimed his moms hand-me-down SUV.  Miles and his dad are 3 months into restoring a 1986 Toyota Landcruiser with about 3 more months to go. Since the boat would sit undercover all winter, I suggested that Miles could use the Sport Trac until his cool ride is ready,  This week I changed the oil, replaced the windshield, and purchased 4 new tires.  With a pretty good driveway detail, outside and in, it looks pretty good for a 22 year old truck with 236,000 miles.   
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Baby Needs New Shoes

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 The tires on the BMW had quite a bit of tread left when I purchased the car 18 months ago.  After 9,000 miles have passed, and a nail in the sidewall on one that could not be repaired, it was time for a new set.  As I only use this car to take Patch to park and run some errands, I looked into using entry level tires and an economical price.  Discount Tire stocked an import brand for $73 each that had the same speed, weight load, and tread wear ratings as the usual Michelins that are three times the price.  The car now has a much lighter steering feel and smoother ride, so I am pleased so far.
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ARTHUR SHUPE MECHLING 1877 - 1958

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ARTHUR SHUPE MECHLING 1877 - 1958   February 3 will be the 147th anniversary of Arthur Mechling's birth.  Great Grandfather Mechling was present in my young life, as the grandfather that stepped up to take care his daughter Josephine and her four little ones, abandoned by their father, John Kennison.   Arthur married on September 20,1900 in Westmoreland Co PA to Elta Lee FRICK (1873-1941)  Arthur and Elta had only one child, Josephine, born in 1901.  They lived in German Township PA for most of their lives.  We were frequent guests at their home in Ronco. Obituary Excerpt  Arthur S. MECHLING, 71, of Ronco, a native of Mt. Pleasant and employee of the Union Supply Company (USCO) for 52 yrs before retirement, died at 8:15 o'clock Friday morning. He was a member of Marion Lodge 562, F & A M of Scottdale, Lodge of Perfection of Uniontown & Pittsburgh Consistory, an honorary member & past president of the Masontown Rotary Club, and a founde...
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Kevin's Kids In The Current Era

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It was a special treat to have Stephanie, Aaron, and Kristopher at our home to celebrate the Kristopher's 45th birthday.  We also raised a toast to Greg on his birthday as well.
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The Phoenix Rising - Or Our Good Ole' XF

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The Jag just came back today from thirty days in the Auto Spa - aka the body shop.  Over the last 18 months a chunk of tire came up an busted the right front bumperette.  Then a stationary dozer blade jumped out and hit the back bumper on the street in front of our home, and finally a concrete lamp post reached out and scraped the right rear quarter panel at Kathy's work parking lot.  Time to get some cosmetic fixes.  I had the shop fix every little stone chip was well so it came back looking like new.  It's eight years young with 56,000 miles on the odometer and 20,000 miles on the warranty replacement engine.  We drove a BMW 430i hard top convertible rental for the last month.  It was great fun with the top down, but it had a unacceptably harsh ride and so much noise from the front suspension and tires on rough pavement.  BMW missed this one.  The twin turbo 4 had a little bit of punch but it pales compared to the 5.0 liter...
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Kennison Clan From The Perry Myers Collection

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I have been communicating with the "Carmichaels Area Historical Society" this evening and he came up with some photos from the Perry Myers Collection that they archive that we may not have seen before. I scanned the photo from 1960 where we are seated on the couch.  He sent me that photo without the wrinkles and crinkles evident in "our" print.  As I went back through my scans, I found one where we are all standing that I didn't remember.  The last one he sent is a "candid" family pose of us seated and looking at an art book.  I remember that we used to dress up every Sunday evening and gaze adoringly at Degas prints.  So much fun.
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