Just The Other Day
Lights! Camera! Action!
As the region began to dig itself out from underneath the heavy blanket of snow that fell in February of 2010, a group of young filmmakers from the Elizabeth Forward school district ventured out to work on a class project. The students' goal was to create a short film reminiscent of Hollywood's silent era for their history class. The group, led by cameraman Mike Keenist worked to depict the story of backwoods moonshiners during the Prohibition era. Aptly titled 'White Lightning Rundown', the film was set against the wintery backdrop of the Youghiogheny River Trail and the Dead Man's Hollow conservation area. As the film opens, the audience joins a conversation between two dim-witted moonshiners. Much like it was in the early days when bootleggers operated in Dead Man's Hollow, it didn't take long before law enforcement appeared. Once the film's bootleggers realized that their activities had been discovered, a comical chase through the woods ensued. The addition of a lighthearted musical score and a single snowball attack enhanced the humor of the pursuit. In the end, the students completed a film that captured an entertaining look at the rural life during the Roaring Twenties.
As the region began to dig itself out from underneath the heavy blanket of snow that fell in February of 2010, a group of young filmmakers from the Elizabeth Forward school district ventured out to work on a class project. The students' goal was to create a short film reminiscent of Hollywood's silent era for their history class. The group, led by cameraman Mike Keenist worked to depict the story of backwoods moonshiners during the Prohibition era. Aptly titled 'White Lightning Rundown', the film was set against the wintery backdrop of the Youghiogheny River Trail and the Dead Man's Hollow conservation area. As the film opens, the audience joins a conversation between two dim-witted moonshiners. Much like it was in the early days when bootleggers operated in Dead Man's Hollow, it didn't take long before law enforcement appeared. Once the film's bootleggers realized that their activities had been discovered, a comical chase through the woods ensued. The addition of a lighthearted musical score and a single snowball attack enhanced the humor of the pursuit. In the end, the students completed a film that captured an entertaining look at the rural life during the Roaring Twenties.
Human Remains?
The 'buzzing' sound of chain saws filled the crisp autumn air during the 2010 Dead Man's Hollow Restoration Project and 'Clean Up' day. On Saturday morning, October 16th, over thirty volunteers assembled to assist members of Allegheny Land Trust and the DMH Fellowship volunteer network with the event. For a few hours, volunteers roamed throughout the woods removing litter and cleaning the graffiti from the park benches. Some of the men and women formed small work groups and separated along the Witch Hazel Trail and Black Oak Trail. They set out to tackle the job of clearing downed trees from the hiking paths. The plan was to have two volunteers operate chain saws while the rest of the party carefully moved the cut debris to the sides of the trail. When the group working on the Black Oak Trail crossed the ridge leading to Liberty Borough, one of the volunteers spotted something that startled her. On the ground, nestled in a blanket of dried leaves, was an object that resembled... A human skull! The volunteer, who was familiar with some of the hollow's lore, immediately called her discovery to the attention of the others working beside her. All eyes focused on the round object that was bone white in color and appeared to have thin fractures and cavities across its top. For a brief moment, the work group believed that they had stumbled upon the remains of a human being. A closer inspection allowed the volunteers to breathe a sigh of relief. The unusual find was quickly identified as a wild mushroom. The group laughed amongst themselves and continued their clean up efforts. The story of the skull-shaped mushroom eventually made its way down to the other volunteers that were working along the Youghiogheny River Trail. The story added some amusement to the day and prompted a few jokes about how the plant life in Dead Man's Hollow even gave the area a 'haunted' feeling.
The 'buzzing' sound of chain saws filled the crisp autumn air during the 2010 Dead Man's Hollow Restoration Project and 'Clean Up' day. On Saturday morning, October 16th, over thirty volunteers assembled to assist members of Allegheny Land Trust and the DMH Fellowship volunteer network with the event. For a few hours, volunteers roamed throughout the woods removing litter and cleaning the graffiti from the park benches. Some of the men and women formed small work groups and separated along the Witch Hazel Trail and Black Oak Trail. They set out to tackle the job of clearing downed trees from the hiking paths. The plan was to have two volunteers operate chain saws while the rest of the party carefully moved the cut debris to the sides of the trail. When the group working on the Black Oak Trail crossed the ridge leading to Liberty Borough, one of the volunteers spotted something that startled her. On the ground, nestled in a blanket of dried leaves, was an object that resembled... A human skull! The volunteer, who was familiar with some of the hollow's lore, immediately called her discovery to the attention of the others working beside her. All eyes focused on the round object that was bone white in color and appeared to have thin fractures and cavities across its top. For a brief moment, the work group believed that they had stumbled upon the remains of a human being. A closer inspection allowed the volunteers to breathe a sigh of relief. The unusual find was quickly identified as a wild mushroom. The group laughed amongst themselves and continued their clean up efforts. The story of the skull-shaped mushroom eventually made its way down to the other volunteers that were working along the Youghiogheny River Trail. The story added some amusement to the day and prompted a few jokes about how the plant life in Dead Man's Hollow even gave the area a 'haunted' feeling.
A wild mushroom that was mistaken for a human skull.
Winter Storm Damage
It's not likely that the residents of Western Pennsylvania will forget the severe snow storm the occurred in February of 2010. The storm blanketed the region with nearly two feet of snow and caused weeklong power outages and mass property damage. When the snow clouds had passed, lengthy clean up efforts were taking place in every community and lasting for weeks. By the time that most of the snow had melted, the volunteer clean up crews were able to focus their attention on the Youghiogheny River Trail. For over a month, toppled trees and other debris had created an obstacle course for those who were using the trail. The photograph below was taken near the entrance to Dead Man's Hollow. This was just one of many trees that could not withstand the weight of the snow. Thankfully, it wasn't long before the volunteers made all the difference and restored the trail to a usable condition.
It's not likely that the residents of Western Pennsylvania will forget the severe snow storm the occurred in February of 2010. The storm blanketed the region with nearly two feet of snow and caused weeklong power outages and mass property damage. When the snow clouds had passed, lengthy clean up efforts were taking place in every community and lasting for weeks. By the time that most of the snow had melted, the volunteer clean up crews were able to focus their attention on the Youghiogheny River Trail. For over a month, toppled trees and other debris had created an obstacle course for those who were using the trail. The photograph below was taken near the entrance to Dead Man's Hollow. This was just one of many trees that could not withstand the weight of the snow. Thankfully, it wasn't long before the volunteers made all the difference and restored the trail to a usable condition.
Youghiogheny River Trail ( March 2010 )
An Extreme Rescue
On August 26th, 2009, Dead Man's Hollow made its way back into the spotlight by nearly adding another name to the list of those who have lost their lives within its boundaries. Shortly after nightfall, police and EMS crews were dispatched to Calhoun Road after receiving a report that a man had fallen into a ravine while hiking in the hollow earlier. According to the Elizabeth Township Area EMS Director, rescuers had difficulties traversing almost two miles of rugged terrain before reaching the trapped hiker. The Lincoln Borough Volunteer Fire Company, along with several neighboring fire stations, were called to the scene to provide lighting and to assist in clearing a path through the heavily wooded area. While operating a chainsaw to remove some of the undergrowth, a firefighter from Central fire station sustained an injury to his leg. The injured rescuer was rushed to a Pittsburgh hospital, where he received medical treatment and was released. After an estimated four hours of combined effort, rescue teams were finally able to extract the shaken hiker. Because of the diligence of all involved with the operation, the unidentified man was able to 'walk away' from his brush with death in Dead Man's Hollow.
On August 26th, 2009, Dead Man's Hollow made its way back into the spotlight by nearly adding another name to the list of those who have lost their lives within its boundaries. Shortly after nightfall, police and EMS crews were dispatched to Calhoun Road after receiving a report that a man had fallen into a ravine while hiking in the hollow earlier. According to the Elizabeth Township Area EMS Director, rescuers had difficulties traversing almost two miles of rugged terrain before reaching the trapped hiker. The Lincoln Borough Volunteer Fire Company, along with several neighboring fire stations, were called to the scene to provide lighting and to assist in clearing a path through the heavily wooded area. While operating a chainsaw to remove some of the undergrowth, a firefighter from Central fire station sustained an injury to his leg. The injured rescuer was rushed to a Pittsburgh hospital, where he received medical treatment and was released. After an estimated four hours of combined effort, rescue teams were finally able to extract the shaken hiker. Because of the diligence of all involved with the operation, the unidentified man was able to 'walk away' from his brush with death in Dead Man's Hollow.
Click on image for link to WTAE
Click on the photo for a link to the story featured on WTAE Channel 4 Action News.
What About The Book?
One question that is being asked frequently is about a book... A Dead Man's Hollow book. Many have wondered if such a thing even exists? The answer to that question is 'Yes'. The soft cover book is titled Dead Man's Hollow : An Oral History and More. It was written and self published by a former Lincoln Borough resident who just happened to stumble upon Dead Man's Hollow by accident. With a growing interest, the author began researching the hollow's history through old newspaper articles and by collecting the stories of former hollow residents as well as their old photos. In 2003, the much anticipated Dead Man's Hollow book made its debut with a limited quantity. It didn't take long before area residents bought up every available copy. Individuals who did not obtain the book would eventually find out that additional copies would never arrive. Still one local merchant has never lost hope of seeing the book make its return to his shelves. Unfortunately, his attempts to persuade the author into sending the book back into production have not been very successful.
One question that is being asked frequently is about a book... A Dead Man's Hollow book. Many have wondered if such a thing even exists? The answer to that question is 'Yes'. The soft cover book is titled Dead Man's Hollow : An Oral History and More. It was written and self published by a former Lincoln Borough resident who just happened to stumble upon Dead Man's Hollow by accident. With a growing interest, the author began researching the hollow's history through old newspaper articles and by collecting the stories of former hollow residents as well as their old photos. In 2003, the much anticipated Dead Man's Hollow book made its debut with a limited quantity. It didn't take long before area residents bought up every available copy. Individuals who did not obtain the book would eventually find out that additional copies would never arrive. Still one local merchant has never lost hope of seeing the book make its return to his shelves. Unfortunately, his attempts to persuade the author into sending the book back into production have not been very successful.
Dead Man's Hollow : An Oral History & More
Since the 2009 release of the DMH destination decals, interest in the Dead Man's Hollow book has increased again. Visitors at the Mckeesport Heritage Center in Renziehausen Park often inquire about the book when purchasing DMH decals. As it stands, the book seems as if it's going to remain as elusive as the ghost of Dead Man's Hollow itself.
A Halloween Treat
On October 31st, 2008, The Daily News treated its readers to a Halloween related story that pertained to Dead Man's Hollow. However, this time the story wasn't about any of the mishaps that have occurred in the hollow nor of the ghost that allegedly resides there. Instead, the front page of the newspaper featured an enjoyable story about a Lincoln Borough resident who incorporated a Dead Man's Hollow theme into his Halloween decorations. As costumed children and their parents made their along the sidewalk, a weather beaten sign welcomed them to Dead Man's Hollow. Along with the sign, the weary bones of a comical 'Dead Man' sat resting against a tree stump in the thicket. Surprisingly, the adults that were supervising the childrens' outing seemed to be enjoying the display the most. Some parents even lingered for a few extra minutes to share their memories of the hollow with the home owner. As for the reasoning behind the 'themed' decor, the resident stated that he wanted to spark interests and perhaps introduce Dead Man's Hollow to a whole new generation.
On October 31st, 2008, The Daily News treated its readers to a Halloween related story that pertained to Dead Man's Hollow. However, this time the story wasn't about any of the mishaps that have occurred in the hollow nor of the ghost that allegedly resides there. Instead, the front page of the newspaper featured an enjoyable story about a Lincoln Borough resident who incorporated a Dead Man's Hollow theme into his Halloween decorations. As costumed children and their parents made their along the sidewalk, a weather beaten sign welcomed them to Dead Man's Hollow. Along with the sign, the weary bones of a comical 'Dead Man' sat resting against a tree stump in the thicket. Surprisingly, the adults that were supervising the childrens' outing seemed to be enjoying the display the most. Some parents even lingered for a few extra minutes to share their memories of the hollow with the home owner. As for the reasoning behind the 'themed' decor, the resident stated that he wanted to spark interests and perhaps introduce Dead Man's Hollow to a whole new generation.
The Daily News - October 31st, 2008
The 'DMH' Decal Debut
On Tuesday, October 27th, 2009, the front page of The Daily News featured a story that could eventually become the next chapter in Dead Man's Hollow history. The article in the newspaper promoted the official release of the 'DMH' travel destination decal. The white oval bumper stickers were professionally printed by the Jamar Park group as a tribute to the late John Bendzuch of Liberty Borough. Just a short time after the evening edition hit the newsstands, area residents began to flock to the McKeesport Heritage Center to purchase this unusual item. Within two days, the center's gift shop reported that they had 'sold out' of the destination decals. Fortunately, additional supplies were quick to arrive. To date, the DMH decal has become a highly recognizable image in the region and a favorite among local residents as well as tourists. Its popularity has also been credited for rousing other local organizations to try and duplicate the decal's tree design and distinctive layout. However, none of the imitations have yet to achieve the same level of success of the original Dead Man's Hollow decal.
On Tuesday, October 27th, 2009, the front page of The Daily News featured a story that could eventually become the next chapter in Dead Man's Hollow history. The article in the newspaper promoted the official release of the 'DMH' travel destination decal. The white oval bumper stickers were professionally printed by the Jamar Park group as a tribute to the late John Bendzuch of Liberty Borough. Just a short time after the evening edition hit the newsstands, area residents began to flock to the McKeesport Heritage Center to purchase this unusual item. Within two days, the center's gift shop reported that they had 'sold out' of the destination decals. Fortunately, additional supplies were quick to arrive. To date, the DMH decal has become a highly recognizable image in the region and a favorite among local residents as well as tourists. Its popularity has also been credited for rousing other local organizations to try and duplicate the decal's tree design and distinctive layout. However, none of the imitations have yet to achieve the same level of success of the original Dead Man's Hollow decal.
The Daily News - October 27th, 2009
