Old signs are cool! I love them in neon, porcelain, and vintage bakelite too. Baltimore still has some classics around, but unfortunately many have disappeared. Thankfully someone is rescuing and restoring these gems. Check out this link~   http://www.normanssigngarden.mysite.com./

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Duckpin bowling was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1900 and it was one of Babe Ruth’s favorite games! Because it was much harder to get strikes and spares, the rules were changed to allow three bowls on each turn but only counted as a score of ten if all ten pins were knocked down with the third ball. Duckpins became so popular that during the 1920’s duckpin bowling spread along the east coast, from New England to Georgia.

I grew up with Duckpin bowling. My brothers, sisters and I used to bowl at the old Vilma and Seidel alleys on Belair road. We were even in the after school leagues at the old Fair Lanes on Perring Parkway. It’s fun to see the reactions of people who have never experienced Duckpin bowling before. When my sister-in-law Kiki from Minnesota visited recently, my brother Mike suggested we go Duckpin bowling. We had a blast and she loved it!

For a brief history of how this game started~ the following excerpt is taken from The Book of Duckpin Bowling, by Henry Fankhauser and Frank Micalizzi:

The sport of duckpins was born at the old Diamond Alleys on Howard Street in Baltimore, Maryland. Diamond Alleys was owned by a couple of members of the old Baltimore Orioles minor league club — Uncle Wilbert Robinson and John McGraw (you may remember McGraw as manager of baseball’s New York Giants in the early 1900’s).

At the turn of the century, bowling leagues operated only during the winter months. In the summer, many centers closed down. However, a few centers (including Diamond Alleys) remained open for open play during the spring and summer. Diamond Alleys had some smaller six inch balls that were used for such off-the-wall games as cocked-hat (using only the 1, 7, and 10 pins) and five back (using the 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10 pins).

During one of these matches, Frank Van Sant, the manager at Diamond Alleys, was drawn into a conversation about the small balls. Someone suggested that a set of his old, battered tenpins could be made over into little pins to conform to the six inch ball. Several days later, an old set was sent to John Dettmar, a wood-turner in Baltimore. About ten days later, Van Sant gathered all his regulars and dumped the new little pins in front of them.

Within minutes, the little pins were set up on the tenpin spots and the first unofficial “small ball” game was underway. Only two balls were used, as in tenpins, and score was kept in the same way. When Robinson and McGraw (whose other hobby was duck hunting) saw the pins fly as the ball plowed into them, they remarked that the pins looked like a “flock of flying ducks.” Bill Clarke, a sportswriter for the Baltimore Morning Sun, wrote a story on the fascinating new game and christened them “duckpins.” The name has stuck ever since. 

Check out this link for Duckpin bowling locations  http://www.robinsweb.com/duckpin/duckpin-locations.html

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As children, my sister May and I were fascinated by our milk man. He worked for Cloverland Dairy and in the wee hours of the morning delivered milk and other goodies to our home. We’d hear his truck brakes screech behind our garage in the alley and watch as he checked his list and put the items that our mother ordered into a metal basket. Through the back gate, with flashlight in hand, he made his way through our yard and placed the items into a metal milk box by our back steps. In the morning, it was our job to retrieve the items and bring them into the house.

During the day, the milk man would return to the neighborhood and go door to door to collect money from his customers. Occasionally, he would let May and I go along for the ride. We decided early on that this was the coolest job in the world.

On school trips and other occasions, we got to visit the Cloverland Dairy Farm on Dulaney Valley Road in the Loch Raven watershed area. We saw the cows that produced our milk and even got to sample free ice cream at the end of the tour.

I miss the milk man, but I’m heartened to know that there are still local dairies that produce milk and sell it in glass bottles at local farmers markets and at their farms. One dairy (South Mountain Creamery) even delivers to select Baltimore neighborhoods. Very Cool! The above photos feature my vintage Cloverland Dairy milk box and the old Cloverland barn. The artwork of the vintage local dairy delivery trucks is by Baltimore artist Charlene Clark. Check out the links below.

Charlene Clark  http://www.charleneclarkstudio.com/     South Mountain Creamery  http://www.southmountaincreamery.com/home.php   Broom’s Bloom Dairy  http://www.bbdairy.com/

Founded in 1730 by William Fell, who was attracted by its beautiful deep water and proximity to agriculture and thick forests, Fell’s Point became a shipbuilding and commercial center. About 1763, William’s son Edward Fell laid out streets and began selling plots for homes. The town grew quickly, and eventually incorporated with Baltimore Town and Jones Town in 1797 to form the City of Baltimore. The area grew wealthy on the tobacco, flour, and coffee trades through the 18th and 19th centuries.

With its cobbled stone streets and its waterfront location, Historic Fells Point has long been a favorite attraction for young and old alike. An eclectic collection of stores and boutiques offering gifts, flowers, home and garden accessories, candles, antiques, clothing, home furnishings, jewelry, toys, souvenirs, and much more are scattered throughout.

Alongside these stores, you’ll find a charming selection of restaurants, night clubs and over 120 pubs. From casual to fine dining, and from sports to jazz, there’s always something for everyone’s taste.

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I love a good cup of joe…or in this case…Zeke’s! Lucky me! I happen to live near their northeast Baltimore roastery in Lauraville. Sometimes on early morning walks with my dogs, I can smell the beans roasting.

Founded by Tom Rhodes, Zeke’s Coffee of Baltimore is family owned and operated. They specialize in small batch, fresh roasted coffee using only the finest Arabica beans. This, my friend, is really good stuff! Zeke’s offers many different blends for every taste~ each with a funky, fun Baltimore theme. My in-laws who live on Cape Cod love it and look forward to receiving their monthly stash.

Perhaps you’ve tried their coffee. Zeke’s is all around town~ from farmer’s markets to specialty shops and restaurants. Tom Rhodes was gracious enough to allow us to snap some photos of the roasting process. Cool Beans!     Fran~    Check out Zeke’s online  http://www.zekescoffee.com/

Baltimore truly is a city of neighborhoods and one of my all time favorites is Mount Vernon Place. Located approximately 10 blocks north of the Inner Harbor, it is a National Historic District and serves as Baltimore’s cultural center. It is home to the Peabody Conservatory, The Walters Art Gallery, The Enoch Pratt Free Library, and many of the area’s finest restaurants.

Mount Vernon acquired its land and name during the 19th century when John Eager Howard and his heirs donated the highest part in Baltimore to become the site for the first memorial to George Washington.  The site of the Washington Monument in Mount Vernon Square is generally regarded as one of the most beautiful urban sites in the world. As a fan of 19th century architecture, I happen to agree.

 By the way…the house pictured in the upper left hand corner has been my “dream home” since I was a kid. It is the Graham-Hughes home built in 1888. I would love to explore its interior!   Fran~

After turning off the Nite Lite and saying goodnight to you, I have encountered a great deal of wildlife in our station’s parking lot. I have been greeted by Whitetail Deer, flocks of Canada Geese, Red Foxes, Raccoons, Possums, Rabbits, Feral Cats, and even Owls. 

Over the summer and into the fall, I have been startled by a loud screech that pierces the night time air. For the past few months, I have witnessed a most unusual nocturnal bird whose flying technique resembles that of a bat. Its wings banded with white stripes, it soars and flutters around the lights of our parking lot chasing insects. 

Last week I saw 2 of these birds on the ground. As I approached them, they awkwardly flew off making their ascent like some sort of upland game bird. A neighbor told me that these birds are called Nightjars. I did a little investigating and here’s what I found. 

This bird is a member of the Nightjar family and is called the Common Nighthawk. It can be seen flying its floppy flight in rural or urban areas. The Common Nighthawk’s white wing patches and erratic flight make it look like a bat with headlights, and it is known in some areas as the “bullbat.” 

The male Common Nighthawk has a dramatic booming display used during the breeding season. He flies around at a moderate height, and then dives straight toward the ground. Somewhere, just about two meters from the ground, he turns upward. At the bottom of the dive, he flexes his wings downward, and the air rushing through his wingtips makes a deep booming sound. The dives are directed at females, young nighthawks, intruders, and even people. 

These birds are truly magical and fun to watch. Seeing them is just another reason why I love working at night!  Click on audio to hear the sounds of the Common Nighthawk.  Fran~   common-nighthawk-final-edit.mp3