The Three Stooges last known performance
The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy team active from 1922 until 1970, best known for their 190 short subject films by Columbia Pictures that have been regularly airing on television since 1958. Their hallmark was physical farce and slapstick. Six Stooges appeared over the act's run (with only three active at any given time): Moe Howard (t/n Moses Horwitz) and Larry Fine (t/n Louis Feinberg) were mainstays throughout the ensemble's nearly 50-year run and the pivotal "third stooge" was played by (in order of appearance) Shemp Howard (t/n Samuel Horwitz), Curly Howard (t/n Jerome Horwitz), Shemp Howard again, Joe Besser and "Curly" Joe DeRita.
The act began in the early 1920s as part of a vaudeville comedy act billed as "Ted Healy and His Stooges", consisting originally of Healy and Moe Howard. Over time, they were joined by Moe's brother, Shemp Howard, and then Larry Fine. The four appeared in one feature film, Soup to Nuts, before Shemp left to pursue a solo career. He was replaced by his and Moe's younger brother, Jerome "Curly" Howard, in 1932. Two years later, after appearing in several movies, the trio left Healy and signed on to appear in their own short-subject comedies for Columbia Pictures, now billed as "The Three Stooges". From 1934 to 1946, Moe, Larry and Curly produced over 90 short films for Columbia. It was during this period that the three were at their peak popularity.
Curly suffered a debilitating stroke in May 1946, and Shemp returned, reconstituting the original lineup, until his death of a heart attack on November 22, 1955, three years after Curly’s death of a cerebral hemorrhage on January 18, 1952. Film actor Joe Palma was used as a stand-in to complete four Shemp-era shorts under contract. This procedure – disguising one actor for another outside of stunt shots – became known as the "fake Shemp". Columbia contract player Joe Besser joined as the third Stooge for two years (1956–57), departing in 1958 to nurse his ill wife after Columbia terminated its shorts division. The studio then released all the shorts via Screen Gems, Columbia's television studio and distribution unit. Screen Gems then syndicated the shorts to television, whereupon the Stooges became one of the most popular comedy acts of the early 1960s.
Comic actor Joe DeRita became "Curly Joe" in 1958, replacing Besser for a new series of full-length theatrical films. With intense television exposure, the act regained momentum throughout the 1960s as popular kids' fare, until Larry’s paralyzing stroke in the midst of filming a pilot for a Three Stooges TV series in January 1970. Larry Fine died in January 1975 after a further series of strokes. Unsuccessful attempts were made to revive the Stooges with longtime supporting actor Emil Sitka in Fine's role in 1970 and again in 1975, but this attempt was cut short by Moe Howard's death on May 4, 1975.
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Locust Heights & Western Railroad
A privately run railroad that typically runs on Wed evenings from June-Oct at 7pm & 7:30pm. Runs last approx 25 min.
where Clarksburg West Virginia
CLARKSBURG — For 43 years, the Locust Heights and Western Railroad’s steam locomotive has chugged along the homemade track behind Mason Machine Shop along U.S. 19 south of Clarksburg.
Family members and volunteers never charged a fee for a ride on the railroad, but they’re requesting that riders consider a donation this year to get the steam locomotive running again.
Besides the cost of insurance, paint and other supplies for the railroad, the steam locomotive’s boiler broke in August and requires about $6,000 in repairs, said Tammy Molina, daughter of the railroad’s owner, Jean Mason.
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Ghost Train adventures
Ghost Train adventures with ~ Bobby hemorrhoid ~
In Salem, West Virginia, sits an old railroad tunnel called Flinderation Tunnel. It's location is not far from the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum. The structure itself is about 1,000 ft in length and was built in the 1860s. There are many alleged reasons for its weight in paranormal activity.
One tragedy began with three men working on the tracks inside the tunnel in the 1800s or early 1900s. A train approached them at high speeds and very little warning. One man escaped to a cubbyhole unscathed. Another was supposedly cut in half by the train. And a third was dragged about 75 feet trapped under the train, causing it to derail. He didn't survive.
Another story associated with Flinderation, deals with the infamous KKK. Supposedly, in the mid 1900s, they brought many of their victims to the tunnel. It became a regular lynching spot for them. It was officially "shut down" and the tracks were torn up in the 1990s. Today, it's a part of the North Bend rail trail.
One last story involves the cemetery located on top of the tunnel. On Travel Channel's Ghost Stories, a claim was made that some of the coffins fell through the roof of the tunnel, causing it to be patched on more than one occasion. There were some insinuations that a body may have become caught between the repaired tunnel roof and the cemetery after their coffin fell through. Can't say for sure if there is any truth to it.
The reason for shutting down the tunnel involve people hearing phantom train whistles and seeing the ghost train that continues to "travel" through it. Other reports include unknown lights, phantom mists or fog, footsteps, orbs, growling, screeching,sobbing, sound of metal scraping against metal, voices and various apparitions including that of a little boy and girl who are also often heard talking and giggling.
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Fort New Salem Salem, WV
Fort New Salem is a frontier settlement of nineteenth century log structures located in Salem, Harrison County, West Virginia, United States, adjacent to Salem International University. Salem was originally settled in 1792 by a group of Seventh Day Baptist families from Shrewsbury, NJ. English, Welsh, Scotch-Irish and German farm culture shaped the traditions that dominated the region until the development of energy and mineral resources brought a wave of immigration into the area.[1] Fort New Salem is a living history outdoor museum interpreting the history, crafts and lifestyles of the area. Historically, among the numerous seasonal activities held at the fort is "The Spirit of Christmas in the Mountains". This nationally recognized event is a joyous celebration of the traditional folk-ways found in observance of Christmas in West Virginia.[2] Work on this village of over 18 relocated log structures began in 1971. The Fort opened to the public in 1974, as a part of Salem College (now known as Salem International University). The site is approximately eight acres, now owned by the Fort New Salem Foundation, Inc
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West Virginia wildlife center
The West Virginia State Wildlife Center is a zoological park in French Creek, West Virginia. Operated by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, the Wildlife Center displays many of West Virginia's wildlife, including both native and introduced species.
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Gunsmoke starring James Arness
For 20 years, and some 635 episodes, James Arness starred as Marshal Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke, still the longest run of any star in American prime-time television drama. In the era when westerns ruled the airwaves, Gunsmoke was the most popular of them all
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GUNSMOKE: 912 TO DODGE Western
GUNSMOKE 912 TO DODGE Western
For 20 years, and some 635 episodes, James Arness starred as Marshal Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke, still the longest run of any star in American prime-time television drama. In the era when westerns ruled the airwaves, Gunsmoke was the most popular of them all
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