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#21
The Tailgate / Re: Possumal
Last post by weedwalker - August 27, 2025, 06:31:15 PMNastygunz, I talked to Possumal a couple weeks ago. He's 86 years old but still kicking.
#22
The Tailgate / Tody inn history 8-27
Last post by remrogers - August 27, 2025, 11:46:14 AM1883
August 27
Krakatoa explodes with massive force
One of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in recorded history occurs on Krakatoa (also called Krakatau), a small, uninhabited volcanic island east of Sumatra and west of Java, on August 27, 1883. Heard 3,000 miles away—and believed to have produced the loudest sounds in human history—the explosions threw five cubic miles of earth 50 miles into the air, created 120-foot tsunamis and killed 36,000 people.
Krakatoa exhibited its first stirrings in more than 200 years on May 20, 1883. A German warship passing by reported a seven-mile high cloud of ash and dust over Krakatoa. For the next two months, similar explosions would be witnessed by commercial liners and natives on nearby Java and Sumatra. With little to no idea of the impending catastrophe, the local inhabitants greeted the volcanic activity with festive excitement.
On August 26 and August 27, excitement turned to horror as Krakatoa literally blew itself apart, setting off a chain of natural disasters that would be felt around the world for years to come. An enormous blast on the afternoon of August 26 destroyed the northern two-thirds of the island; as it plunged into the Sunda Strait, between the Java Sea and Indian Ocean, the gushing mountain generated a series of pyroclastic flows (fast-moving fluid bodies of molten gas, ash and rock) and monstrous tsunamis that swept over nearby coastlines.
Four more eruptions beginning at 5:30 a.m. the following day proved cataclysmic. The explosions could be heard as far as 3,000 miles away, and ash was propelled to a height of 50 miles. Fine dust from the explosion drifted around the earth, causing spectacular sunsets and forming an atmospheric veil that lowered temperatures worldwide by several degrees.
Of the estimated 36,000 deaths resulting from the eruption, at least 31,000 were caused by the tsunamis created when much of the island fell into the water. The greatest of these waves measured 120 feet high, and washed over nearby islands, stripping away vegetation and carrying people out to sea. Another 4,500 people were scorched to death from the pyroclastic flows that rolled over the sea, stretching as far as 40 miles, according to some sources.
In addition to Krakatoa, which is still active, Indonesia has another 130 active volcanoes, the most of any country in the world.
August 27
Krakatoa explodes with massive force
One of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in recorded history occurs on Krakatoa (also called Krakatau), a small, uninhabited volcanic island east of Sumatra and west of Java, on August 27, 1883. Heard 3,000 miles away—and believed to have produced the loudest sounds in human history—the explosions threw five cubic miles of earth 50 miles into the air, created 120-foot tsunamis and killed 36,000 people.
Krakatoa exhibited its first stirrings in more than 200 years on May 20, 1883. A German warship passing by reported a seven-mile high cloud of ash and dust over Krakatoa. For the next two months, similar explosions would be witnessed by commercial liners and natives on nearby Java and Sumatra. With little to no idea of the impending catastrophe, the local inhabitants greeted the volcanic activity with festive excitement.
On August 26 and August 27, excitement turned to horror as Krakatoa literally blew itself apart, setting off a chain of natural disasters that would be felt around the world for years to come. An enormous blast on the afternoon of August 26 destroyed the northern two-thirds of the island; as it plunged into the Sunda Strait, between the Java Sea and Indian Ocean, the gushing mountain generated a series of pyroclastic flows (fast-moving fluid bodies of molten gas, ash and rock) and monstrous tsunamis that swept over nearby coastlines.
Four more eruptions beginning at 5:30 a.m. the following day proved cataclysmic. The explosions could be heard as far as 3,000 miles away, and ash was propelled to a height of 50 miles. Fine dust from the explosion drifted around the earth, causing spectacular sunsets and forming an atmospheric veil that lowered temperatures worldwide by several degrees.
Of the estimated 36,000 deaths resulting from the eruption, at least 31,000 were caused by the tsunamis created when much of the island fell into the water. The greatest of these waves measured 120 feet high, and washed over nearby islands, stripping away vegetation and carrying people out to sea. Another 4,500 people were scorched to death from the pyroclastic flows that rolled over the sea, stretching as far as 40 miles, according to some sources.
In addition to Krakatoa, which is still active, Indonesia has another 130 active volcanoes, the most of any country in the world.
#23
The Tailgate / Re: Possumal
Last post by nastygunz - August 27, 2025, 10:24:39 AMYeah I haven't heard from him for a long time.
#24
The Tailgate / Re: Possumal
Last post by KySongDog - August 27, 2025, 07:15:18 AMThe last I heard was Possumal had some health issues at age 86 and has slowed down. Weedwalker used to stay in contact with him. I'll see if he has any current update.
#25
The Tailgate / Today in history 8-26
Last post by remrogers - August 26, 2025, 09:33:59 AM1939
August 26
First televised MajorOn August 26, 1939, the first televised Major League baseball game is broadcast on station W2XBS, the station that was to become WNBC-TV. Announcer Red Barber called the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York.
At the time, television was still in its infancy. Regular programming did not yet exist, and very few people owned television sets—there were only about 400 in the New York area. Not until 1946 did regular network broadcasting catch on in the United States, and only in the mid-1950s did television sets become more common in the American household.
In 1939, the World's Fair—which was being held in New York—became the catalyst for the historic broadcast. The television was one of the fair's prize exhibits, and organizers believed that the Dodgers-Reds doubleheader on August 26 was the perfect event to showcase America's grasp on the new technology.
By today's standards, the video coverage was somewhat crude. There were only two stationary camera angles: The first was placed down the third base line to pick up infield throws to first, and the second was placed high above home plate to get an extensive view of the field. It was also difficult to capture fast-moving plays: Swinging bats looked like paper fans, and the ball was all but invisible during pitches and hits.
Nevertheless, the experiment was a success, driving interest in the development of television technology, particularly for sporting events. Though baseball owners were initially concerned that televising baseball would sap actual attendance, they soon warmed to the idea. In particular, they embraced the possibilities for revenue generation that came with increased exposure of the game, including the sale of rights to air certain teams or games and television advertising.
Today, televised sports is a multi-billion dollar industry, with technology that gives viewers an astounding amount of visual and audio detail. Cameras are now so precise that they can capture the way a ball changes shape when struck by a bat, and athletes are wired to pick up field-level and sideline conversation.
August 26
First televised MajorOn August 26, 1939, the first televised Major League baseball game is broadcast on station W2XBS, the station that was to become WNBC-TV. Announcer Red Barber called the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York.
At the time, television was still in its infancy. Regular programming did not yet exist, and very few people owned television sets—there were only about 400 in the New York area. Not until 1946 did regular network broadcasting catch on in the United States, and only in the mid-1950s did television sets become more common in the American household.
In 1939, the World's Fair—which was being held in New York—became the catalyst for the historic broadcast. The television was one of the fair's prize exhibits, and organizers believed that the Dodgers-Reds doubleheader on August 26 was the perfect event to showcase America's grasp on the new technology.
By today's standards, the video coverage was somewhat crude. There were only two stationary camera angles: The first was placed down the third base line to pick up infield throws to first, and the second was placed high above home plate to get an extensive view of the field. It was also difficult to capture fast-moving plays: Swinging bats looked like paper fans, and the ball was all but invisible during pitches and hits.
Nevertheless, the experiment was a success, driving interest in the development of television technology, particularly for sporting events. Though baseball owners were initially concerned that televising baseball would sap actual attendance, they soon warmed to the idea. In particular, they embraced the possibilities for revenue generation that came with increased exposure of the game, including the sale of rights to air certain teams or games and television advertising.
Today, televised sports is a multi-billion dollar industry, with technology that gives viewers an astounding amount of visual and audio detail. Cameras are now so precise that they can capture the way a ball changes shape when struck by a bat, and athletes are wired to pick up field-level and sideline conversation.
#26
The Tailgate / Re: USPS
Last post by Hawks Feather - August 26, 2025, 07:40:09 AMSeveral years ago the Detroit hub of USPS received almost all of our mail and then it was sent to Toledo and finally here. There were MANY complaints so my cousin (the Congressman) paid them a visit. He reported seeing small packages and envelopes lying no the floor and some along the wall beside machines. He asked if they were picked up and made ready for delivery each day and was told that they picked them up when they had time. Pick them up - probably another case of 'not my job'. They are probably still on the floor.
When I was president of the Fish and Game club I started selling once fired brass as a way of making a little bit of money for the club. The boxes would weigh about 25 to 30 pounds and I would get tracking. Sometimes they would go to Columbus or other routing hubs, but about half of them would go to Detroit. Of those, about 1/3 were lost in that building. I started paying for additional insurance (about double the actual selling price) and was then happy to see them go to Detroit since we made more that way. Can you imagine the USPS thief's surprise when they open a box and find it filled with brass?
When I was president of the Fish and Game club I started selling once fired brass as a way of making a little bit of money for the club. The boxes would weigh about 25 to 30 pounds and I would get tracking. Sometimes they would go to Columbus or other routing hubs, but about half of them would go to Detroit. Of those, about 1/3 were lost in that building. I started paying for additional insurance (about double the actual selling price) and was then happy to see them go to Detroit since we made more that way. Can you imagine the USPS thief's surprise when they open a box and find it filled with brass?
#27
The Tailgate / Re: Possumal
Last post by nastygunz - August 26, 2025, 07:03:33 AMI don't think they did catch and release back then 
#28
The Tailgate / Possumal
Last post by nastygunz - August 26, 2025, 07:01:49 AMAnybody remember Possumal ? He used to be on a bunch of hunting and fishing forums, anyway we became friends and used to have some good talks about hunting fishing and guns. I was digging through the archives and found some pictures he had sent me and thought I would share them as they are pretty interesting. He also sent me some really good coyote calling sounds that I have somewhere.
#29
The Tailgate / Re: USPS
Last post by nastygunz - August 26, 2025, 05:56:52 AMThat's about what I figured happened. I haven't found any of the carriers worth a spit. Pretty much every package I ever get is crushed and beat to death and looks like it's been through World War III. That's why I try to buy stuff in person now.
#30
The Tailgate / Re: USPS
Last post by FinsnFur - August 26, 2025, 05:30:44 AMUnfortunately, like a lot of other companies and industries, the whole USPS system is becoming tragically incompetent compared to what it used to be.
Today's workforce/generation lacks drive, work ethic, common sense, and absolutely zero sense of urgency.
With that said, I've always wondered what happens when mail gets lost stolen or damaged beyond. You see videos of shipping containers falling in the ocean or mail trucks accidents etc. Nobody's going to comb through records and contact senders and recipients to inform them of the catastrophe. They just clean it up and go on with life.
Your envelope with screws in it probably fell on the floor at some point and got kicked under something. I bet that happens a lot more than we know. 😂
Today's workforce/generation lacks drive, work ethic, common sense, and absolutely zero sense of urgency.
With that said, I've always wondered what happens when mail gets lost stolen or damaged beyond. You see videos of shipping containers falling in the ocean or mail trucks accidents etc. Nobody's going to comb through records and contact senders and recipients to inform them of the catastrophe. They just clean it up and go on with life.
Your envelope with screws in it probably fell on the floor at some point and got kicked under something. I bet that happens a lot more than we know. 😂