Twenty years ago this month, the stinking, rotting, smoking and leaking symbol of industrial decay and folly that was Avtex Fibers in Front Royal was finally forced to shut down, leaving behind a toxic mess that has taken all of that time and a projected $150 million to clean up -- with much of that cost borne by FMC Corp., a former owner of the plant.
We're told to love thy neighbor, and that's always seemed like good advice. In fact, it's been pretty easy counsel to follow. No matter where I've lived over the years, I've been lucky to have wonderful people living just across the fence.
When the receptionist picked up the phone, she was laughing at some joke with a co-worker and took several seconds to compose herself before acknowledging the customer at the other end of the line.
It will soon be Halloween, a time to venture into the attic of the old house, preferably late at night when there are no sounds except perhaps the scraping of a branch against the roof or the low moan of the wind in the trees outside.
Several years ago, my wife and I decided to visit Ireland. For some reason -- probably the cost -- we decided to go to the Grand Canyon instead. For other reasons, the Grand Canyon trip didn't work out and we...
Everyone loves a happy ending. Lassie rescues Timmy from the bottom of the mine shaft. Alice wakes up, no worse for wear, on the right side of the looking glass. Dorothy and Toto miss their balloon ride but still make it home safely from Oz.
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