Well I have to relate one of his stories, before the next mystery in my life arrives. Many of Richard's stories have names that make you wonder, like- maybe that was Gus Morin's great aunt or . . .

But the one that got to me was about the Twin Pusher. In the 1920's and 30's, some kids made airplanes with sleek bamboo frames, oil soaked paper, and rubberband powered- handcarved spruce propellers. The craftsmanship of Richard's Twin Pusher sounded like it was extensive, but he admitted that it never flew very well.

This is the second Twin Pusher that I have heard about. The first one that I heard about was built to fly in a state-wide rubberband powered airplane competition at Boston Garden during the 1920's. The boy who built it had advanced from a previous competition at a county fair where his plane had caught a thermal and never came back. This set a record for time aloft. Even a policeman riding on his motorcycle was unable to catch it. At the Boston Garden, The boy's newly constructed Twin Pusher flew straight up into one of the speakers above the Celtics' basketball court. Technically, he once again set a record for time aloft, but the judges did not agree.

Life had different dimensions then.

Oh, that Richard Whitcomb! Yes, I have met him because they live in P'ville where the Stover's live.

Yes, Doris is Tom's Mom, they used to live in Perkinsville at the end of Quarry Road. My Mom lives at the beginning in Baltimore.........have been there over 35 years...........time sure does fly. I remember Cherry, Halley's sister (I think). She was in my violin class. We used to meet at Park Street School on Saturday's. Our teacher came over from Claremont, wow that was a LONG time ago. Does anyone know Tom's whereabouts? There are quite a few well-known names in Springfield..........would be interesting to look into..............I wonder who founded Springfield? Any ideas, anyone? I'm a late comer to Springfield, and lived out of town............

Yes, it does seem pretty amazing that there are that many Richard Whitcombs! Maybe you're all related and you don't know it.

That was Deke Whitcomb that was married to the music teacher. Richard Whitcomb lived over the hill near Spencer Hollow and just below Fergie's Pits. His daughter is Ann Germaine who took over the farm with her husband for the last 30+ years. Richard Whitcomb's first wife died and he re-married. He is now married to Doris (?) Stapleton. Is that Tom Stapleton's mother (yes it must be)?

But hey, Richard Whitcomb Stover, just how many Richard Whitcomb's are there????

Hey Richard, My husband's name is Richard Whitcomb Stover but we didn't get any memoirs! How do you rate????? HA HA! He has his mother's maiden name. Is this the Richard Whitcomb whose wife was the music teacher in Spfld. forever? Halley's dad? Just wondering.......

I am a true believer that things happen for a reason,,,,,,we are the ones that choose the outcome of some of the circumstances. I hope things work out for you Richard. I think Mr. Whitcomb wanted you to have his memoirs for a reason, he must have felt that you would appreciate them for what they are.

I really don't know why he sent it to me. It is a great gift. My only interaction ever with Richard Whitcomb was being introduced to him on a cub scout visit to his farm. It was mentioned that my middle name was Whitcomb. (I'll diagram this for you) That makes me Richard Whitcomb Loveless. It seems a little obscure that this would be why I get his memoirs 38 years later. I don't feel a deep need to understand it, I will write a note to thank him, and I may even post "unusual facts" that I find here, as well.

Watch out for ghosts in the corners everbody out there!!

How did Mr. Whitcomb's memoirs happen to come to you? That's a great gift, the history of our hometown. It really is quite a place. The times of struggle that have passed through there and still the town survives. In no small part I'm sure due to The Tavern, Polidors and places like that. I remember the nightthe Adna Brown Hotel burned down. We were living on Chester Rd at the time I think. My mom and Dad and I sat in the coffee shop across the way and watched. What a weird event for a family outing.

Thanks, you are all perceptive. There may be a natural progression. I received an inquiry today from a company that has some tough engineering problems that thay want a consultant to help with. They requested my resume. I sent it, so now I will now see if my mother taught me anything about writing (enough to get the call).

On another topic, I just received the memoirs of Richard Whitcomb, signed and dated. He was a longtime farmer in Springfield who has written about everything from Lindberg's visit to Springfield, to the utility of safety pins. It seems that safety pins were the backbone of the town until zippers and velcro came along. And I thought it was The Tavern that held Springfield together. I can't believe he sent it to me because I only met him once in 1964. Did anyone else receive this book?

Richard, My prayer for you is peace, and clarity of mind. I know great things are in store for you, but it's not our time, so the time spent waiting is very nerve wracking and draining. Miracles happen everyday, I pray for peace for you to wait for it, and the clarity of mind to see it when it comes.

Richard, I'm sorry about your job situation. I am in the process of looking for a new job down here. I have the luxury of waiting until I can find one that I want, though. have you ever thought of being a independant consultant? It sounds like you need to be your own boss........I'm not sure what you do, but it seems like there might be a need for someone like you to go in and solve their design problems.......

Thanks, I love this website!

Richard, it doesn't sound like they deserve a miracle!