Am I Supposed to Make a Resolution?

It’s the last day of 2008 and I know I’m supposed to blog something about last year vs. next year, but I’m still in Chesaning and it’s hard to think, what with the historic Parshallburg bridge in a ditch. When we got here there was 18 inches of snow on the ground and then it all melted in one day (due in no small part to my warm and sunny disposition, I’m sure) and the rising river and broken up ice chunks beat the hell out of the old bridge until it broke free from its foundation and tipped over. The bridge was moved from its historic location nine years ago and for nine years everybody in this town has said, “It’s too low; that river gets way higher’n that.” But engineers are the super smartiest and they said it would survive a 100 year flood. Let me tell you, this was no 100 year flood. The flood of ’86? Now that was a flood. I remember swimming in those flood waters in my front yard and other places which, incidentally, are not flooded right now. I’m no engineer. I’m just saying.

So, I guess I hope I have a better year than the Parshallburg. Happy New Year! And happy birthday to my historic mother who turns 60 tomorrow.

Parshallburg Bridge floats from its foundation in Chesaning

I found the video here.

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This entry was posted by Abby on December 31, 2008 at 10:08 am, and is filed under You've Never Heard of Chesaning. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0.You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.

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#1 written by dawn 3 years ago

That is just so nuts. Glad the engineers make the big money — maybe they should give it back so you guys can put the bridge back. Happy birthday to your mom! Now COME HOME!!

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#2 written by Lisa Greenfelder 3 years ago

Ha ha! Funny. That’s Joe’s brother Kent in the lower left…”It’s the St. Charles’ Bridge now.” I’ll have to send him the link, now that he’s infameous.

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#3 written by cherylc 3 years ago

You are really funny. I’m going to have to look up where Chesaning is.

Also, I have been thinking of more Pearl Jam stories I can tell you, so watch your comments! Although, I already told you the best stuff, I think. I have no Pearl Jam ephemera except my film crew name tag, and I’m keeping that. If I had known, back in the day, that I’d find someone who would want it, I’d have kept Eddie Vedder’s napkin or something.

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#4 written by kristen 3 years ago

Happy New Year! Now back to the regular Wed broadcast-papers, laundry, dishes… I need a potluck to look forward to! We can’t wait all the way until next week thursday or friday! What time will you be back Sunday?

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#5 written by Lisa Greenfelder 3 years ago

0h, update. That my Joe in the plaid jacket at the beginning. With his hood up I couldn’t tell. yeah, good times. At least we had something to watch while the cable, phones and internet was down. Think how dull the day would have been.

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#6 written by Abby 3 years ago

@cherylc Maybe you didn’t keep his napkin, but did you ever touch a napkin he used? Because I would pay to shake your hand.

@kristen and @dawn Potlucks will resume as soon as I’m back. I’m touched you haven’t been having them without me. I’m game for a Sunday potluck as long as it’s at a restaurant because I’m not going grocery shopping when I get home. Plan it.

@Lisa You can’t swing a dead cat around Chesaning without hitting a Greenfelder; I’m not surprised that 2 of them showed up in a random video. If I would’ve known Joe was in it, I wouldn’t have posted it. I don’t want him bringing down my rep. And you’re totally right about those 2 days without internet and cable. Thank God for dumb engineers or we probably would’ve had a rash of homicides from the dullness. It must have been God’s plan.

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#7 written by Tony 3 years ago

Abby.. what the hell? You get there 6 days ahead of us to melt the snow and trash the bridge??? Bee-atch
Dad got calls from channels 5, 12, the Citizen and the Argus Press while we were there. He had to explain that he had not been involved in the initial moving and setting of the bridge and blah blah blah.

Now, when he was talking to us, he was a bit derisive about why that bridge was set 3 feet lower than the M-57 bridge. If the traffic bridge 100 yards upriver was at a certain height, shouldn’t this one have been that high as well? Hopefully it will be… BUT…

When he was on the phone, he was very diplomatic (YES… Tom, diplomatic… I KNOW!!! I am still waiting for some cosmic event… be afraid). Anyway, also OF NOTE: Dad’s main contribution was the decking, the lighting and the commemoration plaques. You did note that, as the bridge lay in the river, all of the decking boards remained in place…
Also, that bridge was 1 of just 2 of its type known to still exist in the country

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