Identification of a “pit bull” is difficult enough; identification of a “pit bull” puppy is even more so. Dog warden Tom Skeldon apparently had no set criteria to identify “pit bulls,” as he could not produce this criteria when requested to do so by the Dog Warden Advisory Committee.

Previous alerts for Lucas County: http://stopbsl.com/?s=lucas+county

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091125/NEWS16/911250344/-1/NEWS04

Lucas County orders end to puppy euthanasia

Dog warden’s TV remarks draw ire

By TOM TROY
BLADE POLITICS WRITER
Article published November 25, 2009

The Lucas County commissioners voted yesterday to prohibit Lucas County Dog Warden Tom Skeldon from killing puppies at least through 3 months of age, including, for the first time in years, “pit bull” puppies.

And in a development that could threaten even the few weeks remaining in Mr. Skeldon’s tenure as dog warden, Commissioner Ben Konop called for his suspension for making allegedly false statements about the Toledo Area Humane Society in a television interview.

The commissioners adopted the recommendation of the Dog Warden’s Citizen Advisory Committee to end puppy euthanasia through the end of 2009. The only exception would be puppies that are ill, as determined by a veterinarian.

The advisory committee specifically included “pit bulls” in the moratorium for two reasons – because no 3-month-old puppy of any breed would be a threat to people and because it is too difficult to determine that such a young dog is a “pit bull.”

Mr. Konop made the motion to adopt the moratorium, although he initially proposed to make it indefinite. He voted against an amendment from President Pete Gerken to limit the moratorium to the current year. The amendment passed 2-1, with Mr. Gerken and

Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak voting in support.

“It would have made a lot more sense to do it on an indefinite basis,” Mr. Konop said. “Today there was actually some substantive change, and that’s better than the status quo.”

Mr. Skeldon did not return calls seeking comment.

Mr. Gerken said he agreed to the amended resolution because it did not conflict with the recommendations of the advisory committee.

Ms. Wozniak said the moratorium was unnecessary because the dog warden already established a policy of protecting puppies from euthanasia.

“That practice of taking care of puppies and getting puppies adopted already exists,” Ms. Wozniak said.

However, yesterday’s action was the first time that “pit bull” pups have been explicitly protected, at least until they are three months old.

“Pit bull” is a generic descriptive term for a dog trained to fight and may refer to multiple breeds, including the American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, and other mix breeds determined to be “pit bulls” by Lucas County Dog Warden Tom Skeldon.

One week ago, the dog warden announced a policy of no longer killing puppies other than “pit bulls” and sick puppies that would be euthanized for humane reasons.

The Dog Warden Advisory Committee recommended the temporary moratorium on Nov. 12. Its recommendation said that it had asked the dog warden for the criteria used to distinguish “pit bull” type dogs from others, but so far he had not done so.

“Pit bull” is a generic descriptive term for a dog trained to fight and may refer to multiple breeds, including the American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, and other mix breeds determined to be “pit bulls” by Mr. Skeldon.

[Text elided; more at article link]

A resident of East China Township, MI, has requested that the Board of Trustees consider implementing BSL similar to that of Mt. Clemens. The same resident is pushing St. Clair County to pass similar legislation.

East China, MI

Next East China Township board meeting: December 7 and December 21, 7:30 PM
Township Hall, 5111 River Road, East China, Mi., 48054
(810) 765-8879

Contact info per http://www.eastchinatownship.org/feedbk.html:
Township Supervisor John A. Randolph, jack@eastchinatownship.org
Township Clerk Gary Arnold, gary@eastchinatownship.org
Township Treasurer Donald K. Beaudua, cindon1978@comcast.net
Township Trustee Richard Bober, vajar@sbcglobal.net
Township Trustee Larry J. Simons, simonslj@hotmail.com
Township Trustee Angelo Patsalis, vajar@sbcglobal.net
Township Trustee Donald Horn (no email available)

St. Clair County, MI

Next Board of Commissioners Meeting: December 2, 6:00 PM
St. Clair County Administration Building, 2nd Floor – Board Room, 200 Grand River, Port Huron, MI 48060

Commissioners Office
200 Grand River, Suite 203, Port Huron, MI 48060
Phone: 810-989-6900
Fax: 810-985-3463

District 1 Steven L. Simasko
ssimasko@stclaircounty.org

District 2 Dennis M. Kearns
dkearns@stclaircounty.org

District 3 Howard Heidemann
hheidemann@stclaircounty.org

District 4 Patrick W. Quain
pquain@stclaircounty.org

District 5 Jeff Bohm
jbohm@stclaircounty.org

District 6 Wallace R. Evans
wevans@stclaircounty.org

District 7 Pamela Wall
pwall@stclaircounty.org

Link to the opinion article that prompted this alert: http://www.thetimesherald.com/article/20091124/OPINION03/911240325/-1/NEWSFRONT2/County-must-move-to-contain-pit-bull-threat

Notice of Overbidding Guidelines for FHA Financing

FHA guidelines will limit the underwriter to insuring the loan for the lower of two values; the offer price or the appraised value (displayed as the As-Is Value). If your offer price is higher than the appraised value, the FHA underwriter will require that your buyer(s) cover the overbid amount with a cash deposit. The buyer(s) will not be allowed to build the overbid amount into an FHA loan.

HUD’s mortgagee letter 2000-27 will require that the FHA UW use the appraisal obtained by PEMCO. This mortgagee letter instructs the FHA UW NOT to obtain a new appraisal; nor can the FHA UW request that new comps be pulled and the PEMCO appraisal updated.

If your offer price is higher than the appraised value and tentative acceptance is extended to you, the options available to you are:

1.       Proceed with contract execution. PEMCO will require that the selling broker verify that the cash reserves are available to cover the overbid amount before we execute the contract.

2.       Use cash or conventional financing. All of the guidelines outlined above apply to FHA financing only. A conventional lender will have their own set of guidelines not governed by HUD.

3.       Cancel prior to contract execution. If there is an acceptable backup, we will award tentative acceptance to the backup offer. If there are no acceptable backup offers, the property will be relisted.

 All of this information can be found at www.hudpemco.com.

To purchase a HUD owned FHA insured home contact Rick Duda, HUDREGOV Certified Agent and Specialist

This is a situation to keep an eye on. Effective non-breed-specific ordinances should be suggested to county commissioners.

Next County Commission meeting: December 14, 7:00 PM
BOCC Meeting Room, Pender County Admin. Building, 805 S. Walker St. Burgaw, NC 28425

Commissioners’ Contact Info:

Jimmy Tate – Chairman (5th District)
university@ec.rr.com
910-285-5444

George Brown – Vice Chairman (3rd District)
browng@pender-county.com
910-675-8653

David Williams, Jr. – Commissioner (1st District)
williamsd2@pender-county.com
Phone: 910-270-7757
Fax: 910-270-7757

Norwood Blanchard – Commissioner (2nd District)
blanchardn@pender-county.com
910-259-2003

F.D. Rivenbark – Commissioner (4th District)
rivenbarkf@pender-county.com
Phone: 910-259-2717
Fax: 910-259-7480

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20091123/ARTICLES/911239988/1004?tc=autorefresh

Neighbors push for stronger animal control in Pender County

By K.J. Williams
Citydesk@StarNewsOnline.Com
Published: Monday, November 23, 2009 at 11:44 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, November 23, 2009 at 11:44 a.m.

Several Pender County residents are taking a grassroots approach to combating dog attacks by asking for stronger animal control ordinances.

After an attack last week that caused the death of a dog in Rocky Point, the owners and a neighbor voiced their complaints at a Nov. 17 county health board meeting. Animal control is overseen by the health department.

Stephanie McLendon, whose family’s 6-month-old terrier mix, Daisy, died soon after the Nov. 16 attack, said she plans to start a petition drive to institute a leash law in Eagles Ridge, a Rocky Point subdivision.

“There are a lot of children around here,” she said of the need for more control over animals.

McLendon’s neighbor, Kristal Moore, said they plan to attend the Pender County Commissioners meeting at noon on Dec. 14 to ask commissioners to outline specific procedures on dealing with dangerous dogs.

In May, the county commissioners unanimously rejected revised animal control ordinances recommended by Health Director Jack Griffith at a meeting heavily attended by hunters who opposed requiring pet licenses and licenses for larger kennels.

The issue of animal control ordinances was first raised by Commissioners Chairman Jimmy Tate after resident Ella West spoke at a February meeting about a dog attack that killed her pet dog, Jet.

Griffith said Thursday that the defeated revisions wouldn’t have an impact on dog attack incidents because they mainly addressed problems with puppy mills and rabies control.

But Tate said Friday that the commissioners need to revisit the issue.

“We need to do something that will work with the hunters as well as the pet owners,” he said.

In June, the board decided to address understaffing at the animal control department by adding two officers.

Steve Throneburg, the county’s animal control supervisor, said that has improved response times. “That was the biggest need, because of the number of complaints and the number of officers,” he said.

[Rest of article continues at link above; not much additional info]

Suffolk is a county of wide open skies, outstanding coastline, rolling countryside and a range of quality destinations. It has managed to escape brash commercialism in favour of retaining a traditional and rural lifestyle, envied by many and fiercely protected by people in Suffolk.

Whether choosing Suffolk for the first time or for a return visit, there is always something new to discover and enjoy in this quintessentially English county. It is typified by its picture postcard villages with quaint pink thatched cottages and the many market towns that are full of hidden treats, including fantastic places to eat, quality boutiques, arts, crafts and a wealth of cultural experiences. The landscape that so inspired artists such as John Constable and Thomas Gainsborough is just one of the peaceful destinations ideal to explore on foot or bike on the quiet country roads.

Suffolk is simply brimming with attractions and as a visitor you will be spoilt for choice when planning a day out. Ancient and historic sites include the fabulous 12th Century Castle at Framlingham and the awe inspiring Sutton Hoo – a burial site of Anglo Saxon kings and the location of one of Britain’ most famous archaeological excavations.

Nature lovers can choose from literally hundreds of wildlife sites including National Nature Reserves at Walberswick and Redgrave and Lopham Fen – the Fen being one of the last remaining refuges of the enigmatic Great Raft Spider.

The fascinating story of Suffolk’s contribution to British aviation and military history is told at numerous sites throughout the countryside including Bawdsey Radar Station, which played such a crucial role in the Battle of Britain.

The Suffolk Wool Towns are a reminder of the prosperity of the cloth trade that flourished in the county in medieval times. Lavenham is arguably the jewel of these towns, a fascinating scene of crooked half-timbered buildings from the 14th and 15th Centuries. The peak of this perfection is the National Trusts’ Guildhall.

Located in the town is The Swan Hotel, a blend of 15th Century heritage and 21st century comfort. It makes the perfect touring base, boasting as it does a AA four star 81% rating and two AA Rosettes for its fine food. The Swan at Lavenham might be considered a hidden gem but it will reward any effort to discover all it has to offer the discerning visitor.

The Swan Hotel is in Lavenham, perhaps one of England’s most iconic hotels; it’s a wonderful place in which to celebrate a variety of special occasions including romantic weddings, christenings and family get-togethers. It is also a unique venue for seminars, where 15th century inspiration combines with 21st Century innovation. For further details for The Swan Hotel, Visit our website.

Original Antique Map of Sussex by Emanuel Bowen

From the Large English Atlas by Emanuel Bowen circa 1760. Very decorative and denotes valuable agricultural commercial and political details relating to Sussex.   Beautiful copy of this fascinating map.

See here for full details: 18th century map of the county Sussex by Emanuel Bowen

Condition: Good imprint, later hand colouring, tacked with tape in all corners to a backing board.

Biography:

Emanuel Bowen fl. 1714 -1767

An 18th century map and print seller, who worked in London from about 1714, producing some of the best and attractive maps of the century. A recurring feature of Bowen’s work, evident even on the early road maps, was his habit of filling every corner and space of the map with jottings and footnotes, both historical and topographical.

One of his earliest engraved works Britannia Depicta, published in 1720 contained over two hundred road maps together with a miniature county map of each of the counties of England and Wales. It was an unusual feature of the atlas that the maps were engraved on both sides of each page, and this resulted in a handier sized book.

He also issued with John Owen a book of road maps based, as was usual at the time, on Ogilby but again incorporating his own style of historical and heraldic detail.

Inspite of his royal appointments and apparent prosperity he died in poverty and his son, who carried on the business was no more fortunate and died in a Clerkenwell workhouse in 1790.
Other Works by Emanuel Bowen

Buckinghamshire is England’s loveliest inland county.

It is bound in the North by Northamptonshire, in the East by Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Middlesex, to the South by Middlesex and Berkshire and to the West by Oxfordshire.

It has an area of around 577151 acres and a population of 176323 approximately.

Intersected by the Chiltern Hills which extend North East from Oxfordshire to Bedfordshire, the highest point is Wendover Hill at 905 feet.

The countryside here has beautiful woods consisting chiefly of oak and beech and to the South it has lovely grazing farmland. The fertile ‘Vale of Aylesbury’ lies at the center of this county, verdant with rich meadows and pasturage. Further North the heavy arable land is now being brought into steam cultivation and with excellent crops of wheat, beans etc.

Farms generally speaking are of small size and are quite surprisingly leased on a yearly tenure. Pigs and calves are also commonly reared and a great number of ducks are also sent yearly to the London Metropolis from the neibourhood of Alyesbury for consumption .

The quantity of butter, besides cream cheese that are sent annually to market, average between 4,000,000 to 5,000,000 lbs.

There are a number of historical houses in Buckinghamshire, like Ascott House, Bletchley Park, National Trust, Stowe House and Waddesdon House.

Many battles like The battle of Aylesbury during the Civil War took place in Buckinghamshire.

Here if you go to the location of the county showground near the village of Weedon, the site takes Campers, many activities and also long stay carparking. Many activities like Circus Skills, African and Japanese Drums, Quad Bikes, Climbing Wall, Army Assault Course, Laser Shooting, Brass Rubbing, Face Painting, Kite Making, Birds of Prey, Archery, Shooting, Air Related Activities, Human Table Football, Velcro Football, Inflatable Twister and Aladdin’s Palace.

In this camp just taking part in it and you’ll be joining 50,000 Scouts across UK.

Buckinghamshire has a beautiful countryside, an excellent accommodation, fabulous food for everybody and exiting events and Buckinghamshire is very well connected by the motorway network. The A41 road links the heart of the county to central London in an hour approx.

Buckinghamshire is a home county and many say it is easily THE Loveliest – with its Chiltern Hills and Beech Woods , the beautiful River Thames and many rolling acres of Aylesbury Vale makes it a place for visitors to enjoy.

Lovers of historic houses are spoilt for choice. Selections include magnificent Rothschild Treasure House of Waddeston Manor, Benjamin Disraeli’s home at Hughenden Manor the 13th Century Chenies Manor and the stunning Cliveden Gardens high on the banks of the Thames.

Buckinghamshire is one of the most fortunate English counties as it has the highest number of National Trust properties open to the public.

Thousands of people in flood-hit Cumbria are facing travel chaos with 16 bridges out of action and at least 25 roads closed…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: last minute flights. The blog is also related to: discount flights.

Things are ramping up for the 2010 elections and the next legislative session which will be contentious because the tax increases passed this year will sunset in 2011. Revenues will probably be poor so cuts will need to be made and the first place to look will be salaries.

Before the elections and the next session a lot will be said and printed. State employee despisers will try to make their point that we are all worthless and overpaid. It is already starting.

To make my point, here are some recent comments I have lifted from the Internet about Nevada’s impending budget problems and state employees:

“… unsustainable wage and benefit increases for government workers …”
” … out-of-control spending on salaries and benefits …”
“… those salaries start to look obscene to today’s hard-working Nevadans…”
“The first cut to government and union pay should be 50% immediately and, if they don’t work a lot harder than they currently do for us,
then another 25% cut should be made within 6 months. These cuts should include both pay AND benefits.”
“… they’ll finally get serious about reducing the outrageous public employee salaries and benefits.”
“… union contracts can be nullified and we can start over with realistic wages being paid.”
“…but those salaries start to look obscene…”
“No, they ALWAYS looked obscene. And so did the benefits.”
“This is what we get when idiots vote and gov.unions take over our cities and states.It NEVER ends!”

The truth is Nevada state employees are not over paid and their average pay is about $44,000 a year and a fifth make less than $25,000.

“State Employee Pay for 2007 – less than you think! March 5, 2009

State employees have had benefits cut, salaries reduced through furloughs and have not seen any cost of living increases. They make less than a local government employee who belongs to a union. State employees do not have collective bargaining rights so they cannot negotiate salaries or work conditions.

Making up a deficit by reducing state employees salaries is impossible because it would mean a reduction of about 50 percent in the number off state employees to make it work.

————————-

References:

http://www.lvrj.com/opinion/pay-cuts-70780007.html

http://www.lvrj.com/opinion/stacked-deck-70779967.html

Brant County Museum

The Brant County Museum showcases the history both of Brantford and of all of Brant County. People, places and events which have shaped the area are showcased in its exhibits. It is run by the Brant Historical Society, which in 2008 celebrated its 100th anniversary. There are two locations for the Brant County Museum in Brantford: one on Charlotte Street and the other on the square. Admission to the Museum in the Square is always free.

Personal Computer Museum

Founded by local computer whiz Syd Bolton, the Personal Computer Museum is dedicated to the history of computers. The museum houses over 300 machines, with over 45 interactive displays where you can actually get hands on experience with computers from days past. Some of the machines included in interactive displays are IBM, Commodore, Apple, Atari and more. The museum is only open for special events or by private appointment. To set up a personal appointment or book a group tour, call (519) 753-8825 or check out their web site at www.pcmuseum.ca

Canadian Military Heritage Museum

Over the years many persons from Brant County and the surrounding area have contributed to Canada’s military heritage. The Canadian Military Heritage Museum was founded to honour these brave men and women. The museum houses over 10,000 artifacts spanning a history from the Loyalist Era all the way up to modern times. Some of its artifacts include weapons, uniforms, ceremonial objects, manuscripts and more.

Bell Homestead National Historic Site

The family home of Alexander Graham Bell in Brantford has been restored to appear as it did in the 1870’s. It was in this home in 1874 in which Bell first came up with the idea for the telephone. After that he spent several summers working on the telephone project in his laboratory right here on the homestead. Staff where authentic 19th century period costumes for tours, providing a realistic experience not only of what it was like for Alexander Graham Bell as he was inventing the telephone, but of life in general during the 1870’s.

Woodland Cultural Centre

The Woodland Cultural Centre, located on the Six Nations Reserve at Brantford, Ontario, is dedicated to teaching the history and culture of First Nations. Its member nations include the Wahta Mohawks, Six Nations of the Grand River and the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte. It houses over 35,000 artifacts spanning a timeline from the prehistory of the Iroquoian and Algonkian people to the modern day.

Myrtleville House

Originally built in 1831 by Allen and Eliza Good of Ireland, the Myrtleville House in Brantford reflects the life of early 19th century Canada, along with even older artifacts from their Irish home. Over the years the Goods came to be a prominent family in Brantford life, with over 600 acres of land and doing much to benefit the community. Their family home now stands as a monument to this important era of Canadian and Brantford history.

Copyright (c) 2008 Wes Fernley

Click here to see a rolling timeline of how unemployment has spread by county since January of 2007.  It ends in September 2009 with a national unemployment rate of just 8.5%, so it doesn’t even include October’s number of 10.2%.

Very sobering.

Thanks to commodore over at HotAir for putting up the link in one of their threads.

8. By 2015 Stevens County will be the first carbon neutral county in the world, demonstrating viable models for green housing, neighborhoods and public buildings.

We have word that the Russett Homeowners Association has released it’s official opposition to bill 81-09 via a signed letter to the Anne Arundel County Council.

Click the image below to view the letter (PDF format)

Lough Erne in County Fermanagh is at its highest level since records began in the 1950s and the waters are predicted to rise…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: water sea. For a different topic see here. The blog is also related to: ocean pictures.

Lucas County dog warden Tom Skeldon, who has pushed for and supported BSL not only in Ohio but across the U.S., and whose policies were very anti-animal and pro-killing, has resigned, effective January 31.

A lengthy article on Skeldon’s resignation and the next steps to fill the vacant position can be found here: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091119/NEWS16/911199999/-1/NEWS

Lucas County commissioner Ben Konop was the only county commissioner that wanted Skeldon out.

Please thank Commissioner Konop for standing up for the animals of Lucas County, and please encourage all of the commissioners to hire a new dog warden who is progressive, proactive, life-affirming, safety-conscious, and logical.

Commissioners’ Contact Info:
One Government Center, Suite 800, Toledo, OH 43604

Ben Konop
bkonop@co.lucas.oh.us
(419) 213-2155

Tina Skeldon Wozniak
(419) 213-4817
twozniak@co.lucas.oh.us

Pete Gerken
(419) 213-4084
pgerken@co.lucas.oh.us

Roads are closed and areas of farmland are under water after 32 consecutive days of rain in County Fermanagh…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: gulf of mexico water. The blog is also related to: ocean current.

Roads are closed and areas of farmland are under water after 32 consecutive days of rain in County Fermanagh…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: farm. The blog is also related to: farm.

So as everyone knows Christmas is coming up!! For all of you who get Christmas pictures
we’ve got a great deal for you. Our business of the week is CeeJay images, and starting today
you can contact them ceejayimages@yahoo.com of give them a call at 410-441-0523. As for a
special discount you can get 1/3 of the regular price with the promo code now posted on I Live In Cecil County! They will
come to you within 25 miles of Cecil County or you can head to their home studio. Hope some
of you take advantage of this great deal!

Thanks!

The setting was superb. Nothing would spoil the wedding breakfast.

One of the rules of NaNo is that one writes and DOES NOT EDIT until the required minimum wordcount of 50,000 words (or end of novel, if that adds up to more) is reached. But for your sake, dear Reader, I have edited a little. Corrected spelling and typos. Otherwise it is open to revision and redoing in December

This, therefore, for good or for ill, is an excerpt from my work-in-progress: or NaNo WIP.
I hope you enjoy. It’s a miracle to witness the continuing flow, I can tell you.

All had been made ready for the guests. The bride waited at the head of the stairs

Horses and carriages stood at the gates, a long line of opulence and conspicuous wealth, each waiting its turn to process down the shady lime avenue which heralded the last mile of approach to the house.

Not a family in Aberdeenshire had been ignored. Invitations sent in January by messenger, hand delivered to Clubs and castles throughout the shire ensured that the assembled gathering would be the greatest affair in the social calendar for a generation. John Ramsay Irvine was going to make sure his daughter’s marriage was witnessed by them all. Grooms and stablehands were lined up at the curved façade to help ladies down awkward steps as consorts and cousins and brothers assisted with the finery, petticoats and layers of taffeta and veils billowing in the slight breeze.

The day was glorious: mid June brilliance with a scent of abundance in the air.

A phalanx of footmen ushered ladies into the house to powder noses, while gentlemen were escorted to the gigantic marquée set on the lawn, hands charged with a glass of champagne immediately they stepped under the awning. Butlers and footmen manfully shouldered silver trays groaning under the weight of crystal brimming with bubbles. Chatter was loud but festive. The ladies would join them in a moment. For now the tent was dominated by menfolk catching up with colleagues, discussing the week’s affairs, arrangements for the shooting season in late summer, and whose house-party already had its quota of family and summertime guests.

When the first of the ladies emerged from downstairs boudoirs and stepped into the light of the terrace, a hush descended on the crowd. Every one of them, matron, maid, young miss was adorned in finery, as if they individually were to be the bride: tiaras appeared glinting in the sun: getting a summer airing from safes and velvet boxes they’d nestled in since Christmas or for parties at Hogmanay. Pearls and rubies shone and sapphire necklaces extracted from bank vaults for this special occasion reflected blue light from the lake.

Brother Hugh stood alone, apart from the jostling crowd, waiting for a signal from his mother’s window that Catherine would soon be ready to take his arm; for him to proceed with her to the little chapel across the lawn to the glade of trees down by the lake. But carriages were still appearing, stopping at the great entrance to unload more adorned maidens with doting brothers or fiancés, and trundling slowly off to the Home Farm where grooms and drivers would wait to be summoned again after it was all over. A long procession still stretched down the lime avenue as far as Hugh could see. There was no rush yet to summon Catherine and her maids.

In the upstairs chamber with its four-poster usually reserved for her mother, Catherine stood radiant. She was to wear Great-grandfather’s South Seas pearls and the ruby necklace brought with him from Russia when he was a successful merchant plying Baltic waters to Danzig. It was now family tradition that these, the first glittering evidence of John Ramsay’s fortune, should be worn by every bride since 1758, the year that the adventurer purchased the Straloch estate from the famous cartographer, Robert Gordon of Straloch. It had been Ramsay’s fortune which built the grand mansion in its grounds.

Today Catherine felt like a swan gazing in her mother’s long dress-mirror at the sparkling jewels round her white neck. There was something about these new continental gowns, the low ‘empire’ line made fashionable by the ladies of Napoleon’s court . The British may have defeated the dictator, but his ladies’ fashion sense lingered on. The high bosom and low neckline made her feel dizzy in the shafts of sunlight glancing through the gauze curtains. It danced and shifted, casting a pool of light at her feet. She allowed herself to peer over her sudden perky breasts at the pompom slippers of maroon silk which peeped out below the vanilla silk hem of her gown. Mother was right. This new line may be a little too daring for such a backwater as Aberdeenshire, but it was just the most beautiful creation she had ever seen and she was standing in it, allowing its long pointed sleeves to hug her delicate wrists, the tight waistband to nip her small frame even more closely than she ever would have dared at a normal party.

‘Everything is allowed for a wedding, my dear. Even daring narrow waists and low necklines.’ If her mother’s voice had a hint of disapproval, it was covered by laughter. Tones tinkled in pride at the sight of her daughter’s surprise.

“We may be of merchant stock, but Grandfather knew a jewel or two. And I must say they do add a je ne sais quoi to your already fabulous beauty.’ Her mother laughed again. ‘I may not be the one to say, but it does run in the family.’

She reached out her own silk-gloved hand to caress the folds at the rear of her daughter’s gown, smoothing an imaginary crease.

Bridesmaids in the ante room behind the pillar giggled and, seeing Catherine’s mother smile and beckon, fell into the room in a huddle of lace and satin and pink pumps.

‘Careful, girls. We don’t want any accidents.’

All four glanced at each other and then at their hostess and giggled again.

‘I wish it were all over. No, of course I don’t but Hugh said he’d start the procession at least by two. It must be close to three.’ Catherine’s small face crinkled in a fleeting frown, scanning her mother’s profile. One of the house maids popped her head round the door.

‘Carriages still coming, m’lady,’ she said, bobbing a hasty curtsey. ‘Master Hugh says another glass of champagne should settle the gentlemen. He wants to know if you would like some up here.’

‘Most certainly not. Thank you, Rose. Tell the Master we shall wait for his signal.’ The maid’s head disappeared again.

‘I can see the end of the carriages.’ A tiny gloved hand holding its regulation posy of roses dropped the long curtain at the window and one of the Burnett girls burst into a fit of giggles. Another grabbed the curtain and then she too dropped it with a guilty look. She turned to the other bridesmaids and whispered
‘It’ll be the bridegroom in the very last carriage.’

‘I heard that.’

Catherine was nervous as a kitten. The last thing she wanted to know was news that that her darling, handsome husband-to-be was the last to arrive. She swept the thought aside. Henry was like her brother Hugh: so strong and brave. Such a pity Father was no longer well enough to sit up, far less be wheeled to the ceremony. But until she became Henry’s, Hugh would be her rock. He would more than make up for her father’s infirmity.

Hugh had turned out like his grandfather: he’d continued the work begun by Great-grandfather in the 244 acre estate after he built the palladian mansion, just as father and grandfather had done. Nowadays there was talk in Society of how rash a move it had been, in the time of King George III, to pull down a 13th century building and put up a Georgian palace. But Great-grandfather was an innovator. He knew all the tricks and turns used by wealthy European royalty in his day and his palace was built to the scale and proportions of the great Italian architect, Palladio, whose style thereafter became the fashion.

Straloch had been revolutionary for its time. Now in the early 19th century, It was considered ‘all the rage.’ For a wedding ceremony and breakfast attended by all the County’s best families, its size and style were totally inkeeping. It had precisely the required number of public rooms, a grand ballroom, drawing room, morning room and a dining salon that none could rival. It had outlived its ‘foreignness’ and become a style which other families copied. Burnetts and Forbeses and Irvines all had since pulled down ancient towers and put up a palladian edifice in its place: at Colpy and Keig and Pittodrie, palaces were erected where cramped medieval towers had been. The Ramsay fashion had become the norm. And in Aberdeenshire, a county renowned for its conservatism, that was saying something.

Hugh was more like father in the way he cared for and tended the trees of the avenue, the stately park specimens getting most of his love and attention. And he had recently started a programme of planting the new fashion in trees: beech.

If you listened to Hugh on the endless variety of beeches one could plant… he could bore anyone to tears. It was enough to make her yawn just to think of it. Some day, of course all this would be Hugh’s. Catherine was just fortunate to be able to have such a beautiful backdrop for her Big Day. And as for father’s being an invalid and not really able to know what was going on, was something one just had to be philosophical about. He seemed more himself when she’d spoken to him this morning, wanting to share with him the excitement to come, the huge numbers who would attend. He looked at her through watery eyes, propped himself up on one elbow from the cushions on his daybed and whispered:

‘Be still in the candlelight, Darling.’

She had not the faintest idea what he meant, but she nodded her head and kissed him on the forehead.

Suddenly Annie Farquharson jumped up and down at the window, her pink slippers doing ballet turns.

‘It’s Hugh. He’s signalling to be ready. He’s pulling out his fob watch and pointing. I think he means it’s time.’

‘All right, all right, girls. No need to lose our heads. Now, we all remember the order. When Hugh comes to the door, you four go first. Ahead of him. Follow Catherine’s cousin Jamie to the head of the stairs and wait. Do you hear me? Wait until I get there.’

There came a chorus of ‘yes’.

‘He’s coming. He’s coming,’ Annie bobbed up and down more frantic than ever.

‘All right, Annie. Now into your special order, please girls. We do this as we practiced it. All right?’

Catherine felt remarkably calm. If Hugh was ready, it meant her dear beautiful wonderful sweet loving kind fiancé Henry was already down in the woodland glade by the lake; at this very moment entering the little chapel and waiting for her. The thought made her faint with pleasure. Annie’s sister June had the presence-of-mind to prop her up. She tut-tutted her support.

There was a knock at the door and Hugh was ushered in by a dressing maid. He whispered something in Mother’s ear and looked over at his sister:

‘Ready my sweet princess? I’ve never seen you more glorious than today. Really. And I’m not being brotherly. I really mean it. You could not look more perfect. I think you are right about these new styles. It’s going to be the wedding of the century.

That’s pretty bold, she thought. This is only 1822. Surely newer fashions will one day make all this seem out of date and from a different world. Again, she brushed the unruly thought aside like a wisp of stray hair in her eye, took a step towards him and grasped his outstretched hand.

‘Thank you my darling Hugh. I would not be able to do this without you.’
He smiled and led her to the door.

Each waited her turn to descend the Great Staircase

On cue, the piper at the front door thrummed up his bagpipes and began a low drone. Catherine could see outside sunlit faces turn from the awning towards the front door.

It was beginning.

She held Hugh’s arm in a tight grasp.

‘You’ll be wonderful,’ he whispered.

She smiled up at him, wishing she could say something in return, but her eyes filled with tears and she swallowed instead.

Six pages rushed past carrying golden candelabra from the drawing room to stand in two rows down the great staircase. As one of them came abreast of her and Hugh, he tripped and looked at her wildly as if to apologize for his clumsy nervousness. His companion bent over to help him fix one of the candles which was beginning to work itself loose from its holder, its flame still alight, but shaking. As one page righted himself, the other’s grasp on his own candlestick slipped.

Catherine and Hugh could only stand and watch. In slow motion, the triple glow of golden light wrapped in cherubs and foiled bacchanalian wreaths, began a downward curve towards the staircase. Hugh grabbed his sister tightly, starting to swing her torso out of the way of the falling light. For a moment all Catherine saw was light: a small flame, so tiny it could do no harm, its glow wanting so much to add to the perfection of her day. Its fall was broken by the solid mahogany ball-and-claw knob of the bannister at the head of the stairs. Instead of cascading flame-first down the stairwell into the abyss below stairs, the dislodged candle bounced back and – oh so excruciatingly slowly – turned its menacing beam on Catherine.

Bridesmaids leapt to left and right, each trying to avoid what must happen: the staircase was in disarray. Other candles started to shake and falter.

‘Hold your lights, there’. It was Hugh’s voice, so close to her ear, but it sounded a million miles away.

Her eyes were glued to the falling candle. Why was it taking so long? It should have landed by now. By now she should be able to jump sideways and out of harm’s way. But Hugh’s arm held her tight. She was immobilized. All she could do was watch, frozen in time as the dislodged candle made a soft thump – such a simple sound – and hit the top of the staircase. Candle wax spilled in all directions, some of it sparking with a flame. One tiny spark of wax fell on the hem of her gown and she stared – her eyes wide now, her mouth open in a silent scream of terror – as flames engulfed her vanilla silk underskirts.

One of the butlers held a tray. He stood crouching back by the open door of the room they had left a moment ago. Hugh let go her arm, made a couple of strides across the landing and grabbed two champagne glasses, throwing the contents at her. He missed and the liquid splashed her arm.

‘Bring me a carafe,’ he ordered, his voice sounding more like a general in Napoleon’s army than her own gentle brother.

He grabbed another two glasses and threw. This time they hit their mark, but in the few seconds’ delay, the fire had caught hold. It was burning her silk stockings. She felt heat sear her legs. It seemed to penetrate right through to the bone. Her tears couldn’t help her. Her brother’s champagne rescue was doing a little but not enough. The candle, so small and innocent a flame, was doing its worst.

Fire raged up the front of her skirt, smoke engulfing her face, her neck, the pearl and ruby necklace. A page stumbled towards Hugh carrying a bedroom ewer, its enormous weight of water slowing him down. Hugh grabbed the jug and poured its contents down her uncomplaining front. His left hand held her steady, in case she fell from the sudden mass of water. Nobody spoke. The other pages stood motionless, still in position lining the staircase. Of four bridesmaids, two were crying and two were holding gloved hands in anguish over their open mouths. Mother had stopped rigid in her tracks halfway down the staircase. She and the pages created a flimsy barrier between Catherine and the jostling crowd of onlookers beginning to push into the main entrance hall.

All could see now: she was the centre of attention: this tragic apparition, her faultless coiffure still crowning a face ravaged by tears, sleeves and gloved hands soaking wet but intact.

Rubies glittered as if they knew red was not only a colour but a flame.

And below the waist – nothing – it was all gone. She was naked except for two charred shivering legs, a vestige of maroon slippers looking like something from the Black Death. She collapsed to the floor just as Annie rushed to cover her nakedness with her vanilla stole. The last thing she heard was her mother’s voice:

‘Give her some air. Let her breathe.’

But it was father’s words which she heard in her mind:

‘Be still in the candlelight, Darling. Be still.’

Greater Greenville South Carolina Real Estate Market Conditions, Homes Sold, Listings and Homes for Sale – October 2009

In October 2009, there were a total of 596 residential single family homes including condo and townhouses sold in the Greater Greenville real estate market. This number is only one home less than the 597 homes that were sold in September 2009, but is 89 homes higher than the 507 homes sold in October 2008. Average price for these sold homes in October 2009 was $157,747, Median sold price was $137,000, and total sold price volume for October was $94,017,472. Average Days on Market(DOM) for October was 95 days, which is 7 days less than 105 days average DOM for September 2009. Greater Greenville includes Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Easley, Fountain Inn, Mauldin, Taylors, Travelers Rest, Piedmont, Landrum, Marietta, pelzer, some parts of Spartanburg County, Anderson County, Pickens County, Laurens County, and Oconee County).

Year to date from January 1st to October 31st 2009, there has been 5643 residential single family homes sold in the Greater Greenville real estate market. Average year-to-date sold price was $167,185, Median sold price was $140,000, and the total year-to-date sold volume was $943,423,701. Year-to-date DOM as of October 31st 2009 was 102 days.

As of November 10th 2009, 12 Month average units sold in Greater Greenville was 523 units. Average sold price was $168,633, Median sold price was $141,529, total sold volume was $88,183,958, and average DOM was 104 days.

There were a total of 6657 residential single family homes Actively for sale as of November 10th 2009. This is 88 homes less than the 6745 homes that were active as of October 10th 2009, which means that Greater Greenville inventory was reduced by 88 homes last month. Average list price for the active homes as of November 10th was $263,791, Median list price was $185,000, total list price volume was $1,756,057,797, and average DOM was 154 days.

The decrease in inventory, and average days on market can be attributed to the help $8,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit. This tax credit was supposed to expire on November 30th 2009, but has been extended April 30th 2010. The Home Buyer Tax Credit has also been expanded to move-up buyers who have occupied their home as a primary residence for at least five years. These move-up buyers will be eligible for a $6,500 tax credit.

Statistics shared in this post was gathered from the Greater Greenville Association of Realtors inc., and may not include certain sales like new construction and for sale by owners brokered by member firms.

Please Contact Victor Amadi at 864-525-0201 for your home’s value, and for all your Greater Greenville real estate needs.

Greenville County SC Real Estate and Homes for Sale

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Greater Greenville County SC MLS Real Estate – Homes for Sale in the Greenville Area of South Carolina. Here you have access to the following market segments: Greater Greenville Entry Level Homes, Greater Greenville Median Homes, Greater Greenville Upscale Homes, Greater Greenville Luxury Homes, Greater Greenville Million Dollar Homes, and Greater Greenville Lots, Homesites and Land for Sale in Greenville County SC. Surrounding towns and communities include: Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Easley, Fountain Inn, Mauldin, Taylors, Travelers Rest, Piedmont, Landrum and Marietta South Carolina. Also includes Greenville County, Spartanburg County, Anderson County, Pickens County, Laurens County, and Oconee County real estate and homes for sale. Call Victor Amadi at (864)525-0201. EXIT Upstate Realty! 

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