Wednesday Potpourri - Halloween Story and Award

Tipper of Blind Pig and the Acorns is doing a Halloween series "Spooky October" which I am sharing a true story from my past. You can check out the stories at the above link.

The Green Man of Koppel, PA

There are local legends that don't die but what do you do when you come face to face with the legend. The Green Man of Koppel is now a legend but in my day he was a real person. Koppel is a crossroads town on route 18 between New Castle and Beaver Falls, PA. The story goes that the Green Man was cutting trees for the electric company with his brother and accidentally touched an electric line. That accident had blown off his face. He had no nose, lips or hair from the tragic accident so he did look grotesque. They wanted him to come to the theater in New Castle at Halloween time but he had said no. He walked the back roads so as not to be seen. The kids of that day would do him no harm, certainly a different age then today.

The road that went out into the countryside at the red light was a two lane that was always foggy when I went there. I guess the fog was there to make it possible for the Green Man to hide as cars approach. It was October and the Halloween spirit was starting to soar. I was old enough to drive and had told my future wife that we would drive my 56 Chevy down to see the Green Man. I thought it would be a fun trip and would be exciting for her. I had been there several times and had only seen him once in a fleeting way. I didn't have high hopes of an encounter but kids in a car out for a ride was something we did. Well we drove back the country road for several miles without seeing anything. We weaved back and forth getting further into the valley. We then turned around and started back. As we came around a bend, there he was on the side of the road. The headlights had given him an eerie glow as the Green Man faded into the underbrush. You couldn't make out any facial features but you knew you had seen him. It is now just a memory of the Green Man from my past. Did we really see him, why yes. I was there and had accomplished my mission to show him to my girl. It made some great Halloween stories later in that year. I had an encounter with the Green Man. He lived 20 more years and the legend still exist today. The kids of today will never get the thrill of coming around a bend and seeing the Green Man of Koppel, PA.

My Friend Pietro Brosio of Turin, Italy gave me an award. Pietro is an artist and produced this award himself. I am happy to get it and pass it on to a few of my friends. It is for people who are nice to you on your blog. All the people are so nice who come to my site but here are a few I'll list.

Mac from England - We share a special bond though separated by miles.

Tom from England - Friends for a while now and a mentor from SWF.

Joan from South Africa - Yes, that Bug Lady.

Craig from Florida - A really neat guy with a neat story running now.

Craver Vii from Illinois - Sometimes the funnest remarks on my site.

I could go on and on with the nice people that visit but I'll stop here.