Tuesday, January 31, 2023

8:35 PM

Today’s Weather: Cloudy, snow showers. Min. accumulation. High 34. 27 now.

I crashed hard and early last night. Didn’t even make it to 8:00 PM. The fatigue finally caught up to me and I had no choice but to rest and replenish my body. Twelve hours of sleep did a lot of good for me. When I woke up this morning I felt like a new man. And this new man has some catching up to do in his journal.

I’ll summarize Monday quickly first. Major Kowalonek and Task Force Lancaster’s leadership arrived here at 9:30 AM. Accompanying him was the task force commander, Colonel Mark Leyland and the unit’s senior NCO, Command Sergeant Major Jamel Sharpe. Dennis and I greeted them at the clubhouse and spent a short period of time discussing the reasons for their visit and how we could help. In short, Major Kowalonek has been singing our praises to his CO and anyone else who will listen. He was quite impressed with Windy Creek. We knew this already and it was reinforced by my trip to TF Lancaster’s HQ in the city last week.

Anyhow, the leadership decided to come and see for itself exactly how together our shit is here. I already had a feeling that was the intent behind the visit. Dennis sensed it very early on and from that moment he turned into a used car salesman. He exaggerated details and stories like you wouldn’t believe. Fortunately, the good officers had received the details of a lot of our experiences here from reliable third-party sources. So, they could separate the wheat from the chaff with relative ease.

 Next, we took the men on a tour of Windy Creek. By then, word had gotten out about what was going on. A good number of residents came out to greet Colonel Leyland, Major Kowalonek and CSM Sharpe. The Guardsmen introduced themselves and explained that they were here to pave the way for relief operations in our area of Manheim Township. Our residents were invigorated upon hearing this and peppered the men with questions. Colonel Leyland was kind enough to take a few but promised to return later this week to hold a townhall type of forum and give more detail on what will be coming next.

Through the rest of the tour, the men asked many questions about our methods, and practices since September. What worked, what failed, etc. By noon, the visit was over. Colonel Leyland thanked us for our time and then asked if he could come back Wednesday to conduct the townhall he’d promised and talk more with me about Windy Creek’s future role in relief operations. I was not certain exactly what that meant but agreed.

Today was a decent day. Food Committee is moving forward with plans to distribute copies of its recommendation list to all Windy Creek residents. Bob McDaniel and I went up to Lititz to see George Brubaker and ask him and his people if they would be interested in attending the next Windy Creek Trading Post on Saturday. There was considerable interest and I do believe we’ll see them all this weekend. Meagan is talking about offering to give clarinet or flute lessons to any young children in the development who might be interested. I’m all for it. Just so long as the lessons take place anywhere but here.

Monday, January 30, 2023

*NO JOURNAL ENTRY ON THIS DATE*

Sunday, January 29, 2023

10:10 PM

Today’s Weather: Cloudy with flurries. High 28. 22 now.

A very active Sunday in the development and the surrounding area. Charlie Snyder’s memorial service and interment went off without problem. Charlie has been laid to rest and we’ve all said our final goodbyes. These events are becoming too commonplace. The sad fact is that there will be more services like this in the near future. Probably more than expected, to be honest.

Firewood and hunting groups spent the afternoon doing their respective tasks. It seems that we’re running thin on trees in and around the development. Fred Taussig has suggested extending the firewood search out to include the woods near the Quarry to the west of Windy Creek. Sensible idea and we might as well get to those trees before somebody else does first. The hunting party came up empty….again. We’ll keep trying but unless we start coming across animals in the next two weeks I’m suspending the effort rather than continue on with nothing to show for it.

Lori’s surprise dinner was teriyaki chicken stir fry. She traded for teriyaki sauce and some canned vegetables at the trading post yesterday. This afternoon while Alex and I were out gathering firewood she set the wok up on the grill outside. Clever setup, really and the final product was delicious, even if the chicken was freeze dried.

Tomorrow morning, Major Kolwalonek and some other officers from Task Force Lancaster will be visiting Windy Creek. They’re coming to see how we are coping with daily life under the extraordinary circumstances of the last four months. When the major dropped by here a week and a half ago he was impressed by what he saw. Compared to other neighborhoods in Manheim Township and other parts of Lancaster County, Windy Creek apparently has its act together. If the National Guard relief operations here in Lancaster are going to have any shot at success, TF Lancaster needs to harness the successful traits of neighborhoods that are coping successfully and transfer the lessons to those neighborhoods still struggling. That was also the gist of the meeting I attended in Lancaster City last Monday. There’s still more I want to write down about that meeting but it will hold until tomorrow night.

Saturday, January 28, 2023

9:01 PM

Today’s Weather: Cloudy and cold. High 26. 21 now.

The dry run of the Windy Creek Trading Post was a success. Practically all of the residents showed up with goods and items they were looking to trade. A few poster boards were set up at the front of the event room. Residents would write their names, what they had to trade and what they wanted in return. A large quantity of food exchanged hands…fairly I should add. Canned goods, boxes of rice, and pasta, as well as other types of food. Deals were struck, there was some friendly haggling and I think everyone walked away satisfied. My wife was even there in the middle of the action. She traded some boxes of rice, salt and some items from the MREs for a variety of items in return.  Lori won’t clue me in on what she ended up with. All she will say is that she’s planning a special dinner for the family tomorrow. I can’t wait.

Charlie Snyder’s memorial service was pushed to tomorrow because of the trading post today. I talked to his son about it and apologized. He took it well and there are no hard feelings.

Friday, January 27, 2023

9:30 PM

Today’s Weather: Sunny and windy. High 36 (Felt much colder) 30 now.

It looks like everything is set for tomorrow’s dry run of the Windy Creek Trading Post. Word has gone around the development and interest appears to be high. The events room in the clubhouse is all set up and ready to go. Tables and some seating is out. There isn’t much we can do to generate heat safely in the room. Everyone is just going to have to deal with the cold, which will not be a major issue. We’re all used to doing that by now.

While some folks helped with the set up this afternoon, others were out on the golf course digging new graves. We are beginning to rely on the younger people here for more manual tasks. By younger I mean college and high school ages. I’m sure it will only be a matter of time before a parent complains that we are working their child like a slave, or bitch about child labor laws being violated. Even now, some neighbors and residents have not quite accepted the fact that things will never go back to the way they were in early September. Those days are gone. That life is gone and isn’t coming back no matter what. That reality is a bitter pill to swallow, I know.

Things are functioning well enough around here, all things considered. I’ve been in a leadership position here long enough to learn what problems need to be dealt with at once and what ones can wait. Another valuable skill I’m developing is the ability to look at the big picture as if it were a chessboard and try to keep three moves ahead of reality. I have not mastered it by any stretch, but I’m improving. That’s about all I can ask for.

Thursday, January 26, 2023

8:25 PM

Today’s Weather: Flurries. High 35. 28 now

I wanted to jot down a little bit about my meeting in Lancaster with the National Guard this past Monday. The week has turned hectic and I believe that’s probably going to be the norm for the coming weeks. So, before a lot of the details slip my mind, I’m going to record them.

Monday was my first trip into Lancaster city since all of this began back in September. The city has not lived a charmed life. Damage is still evident on buildings and in certain areas and some side streets remain jammed with cars. There are more people around, which is something that surprised me. Major Kowalonek explained that this wasn’t the case until Task Force Lancaster became established in the city and started operations against the gangs that had taken over the cit. Those gangs had ruled by terror, spreading out into nearby neighborhoods to rob, rape and pillage. From the way Kowalonek described it, the city sounded downright medieval. Most of the gang members are out of commission. Many were arrested and have been placed in a makeshift prison camp someplace else. Some were tried and executed, perfectly legal under martial law. Others are awaiting sentencing. The gangs also took heavy casualties when the Guard arrived. Fighting was rough for the first few nights, Kowalonek admitted. The gangs were dug in and knew the city well. Unfortunately for them, they were facing an opponent that had dealt with this kind of situation farther east and came out on top. It took a little time but Task Force Lancaster’s combat elements ran the gang remnants out of the city for good. Those remnants are apparently staked out in Mount Joy now. When reinforcements arrive, TF Lancaster plans to go in there and root them out for good.

Inside the city, TF Lancaster has two primary areas of operation: the train station and Central Market. Central Market is where food and other relief goods are sorted and distributed to the city’s population. That’s been the main mission since their arrival. Lancaster city’s government and police force either died trying to protect the city or headed for the hills early on. The citizens were left high and dry. Now, TF Lancaster is feeding them, providing water and medical care. Basically  helping them sustain life. Unfortunately, it is taking them away from the primary mission, which is to lay the groundwork for a county-wide relief operation come spring.

The Amtrak station has been secured since it will be the most vital cog of the relief operations in a few months. Trains will be delivering the majority of Lancaster County’s relief supplies. The trains will come in, supplies be placed on trucks and set to where it’s needed. The train lines will have to be secured and I suppose part of that will be taking Mount Joy back. For the time being, TF Lancaster has its headquarters set up at the station.

I’ll delve deeper into this subject over the weekend, as well as explain just what the Pennsylvania National Guard wanted with me. That’s a story within itself.

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

9:02 PM

Today’s Weather: Cloudy, brief snow showers. High 36. 29 now.

Two more Windy Creek residents passed away sometime in the last twenty-four hours. Both were over sixty and after four months of enduring these intractable conditions their bodies simply gave in. Mary Mueller, 63 and Vanessa Bosley 67. Mary left behind a husband and adult-aged daughter who had moved back home following a rather nasty divorce. Vanessa was a widower who had planned on retiring and moving to Florida before September.

It’s safe to say that we are in the midst of a die-off around here in Windy Creek. Charlie Snyder aside, our elderly residents are failing at an increasing rate and it will get worse before long. Windy Creek is not the only area dealing with this issue. It is becoming prevalent elsewhere. In fact, going by what information I picked up at Task Force Lancaster’s headquarters the other day, the entire county and state are barreling towards a major die-off, expected to arrive at the end of the month. The elderly and compromised people will make up the lion’s share of deaths in the coming weeks.

Here in the development, we’re taking what steps we can to deal with what’s coming. Like it or not, more graves have to be dug on the fairway. Weather conditions aren’t prime for digging, but it’s a necessity. All firewood and other work details are suspended as of tomorrow and everyone who can pick up a shovel and work will be doing so over the next two days. Myself included.

The Food Committee’s list of recommendations has generated much interest and conversation. Folks are trying to lay out meal plans with what they have remaining in their pantries and kitchens. The target is to try and maintain 2,000 calories per person each day. This is a difficult standard for some families to adhere to. 1,600-1,700 is more realistic. Food allergies and your run of the mill human pickiness are coming into play. Residents want to try and trade food items with anyone else who is willing.

With that in mind, I think it’s time to give the trading post idea a test run. Saturday morning we’ll set up the clubhouse . Residents can come in, mingle with their neighbors and barter or trade for food and other goods from 9 AM until 12. We’ll see how it works out and then go from there.

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

9:42 PM

Today’s Weather: Cloudy. High 37. 31 now.

Charlie Snyder passed away during the night. He went into shock from the blood loss not very long after we brought him to the hospital. The doctors stabilized him and for a few hours it looked like they had him stable. And then at some point around 3 AM, his condition worsened considerably. Charlie arrested and after an hour or so of CPR and other life-saving attempts, the doctor called it. Time of death: 4:21 AM. Robbie told us the story when he arrived back here later in the morning. He’s a mess right now and is staying with a neighbor. I’ll stop by and see how he’s doing tomorrow.

Later in the morning, I sent Fred Taussig and Sean Jameson over to the hospital to see about picking up the body. To their surprise, and later my own, the hospital workers informed them that Charlie’s body has already been ‘taken care of’ and the necessary documentation will follow at some point in the future. Sean and Fred weren’t too sure what all of that means but I told them it probably means they put Charlie’s body into a mass grave, or incinerated it. Part of me wants to go back to UPMC-Lititz tomorrow and demand a more detailed explanation. I know it would be pointless, given the circumstances. But dammit, Charlie and his son deserve better.

What was he doing out there after dark cutting wood? He knew better. I mean the entire reason for us establishing firewood groups was to minimize the chance of injuries. What will Robbie do now? He’s only 22. It was just him and his father.  Most importantly, how can we prevent something similar from happening again?

George Brubaker came by this afternoon and we solidified the deal. One seed vault kit for the agreed upon number of batteries and amount of gas. I asked George to come by again later this week if he’s able. I want to talk to him about some of the news I learned yesterday in Lancaster city. For that matter, I want to write down more about the discussions from yesterday in here as well. Before I start to forget the important details.

But not tonight. I really need to block out some time in the coming days to do that. Unfortunately, free time is becoming more difficult to find.

Monday, January 23, 2023

11:45 PM

Weather: Sunny for much of the day. Becoming colder. High 42. 30 now

Disaster late this afternoon immediately upon my return to Windy Creek. Major Kowalonek had a driver drop me back off here following our afternoon meeting at Task Force Lancaster’s temporary headquarters. I had just walked in the door of the house when Fred Taussig came rushing over with news that shook me to the core. Charlie Snyder was out chopping some firewood on his own and had an accident and was laying in the woods over near Fairway Drive minus a couple of fingers. Fortunately, Charlie had not been foolish enough to go out there alone. His adult son Robbie went with him and was at that point standing on Fred’s porch trying to pull himself together.

Anyhow, it’s late and I don’t want to spend the next hour writing a lengthy description of tonight’s events. Maybe later this week if possible. But to summarize, I gathered a group of guys together, we went out and found Charlie. One finger was entirely lopped off and another was hanging practically by a thread. Thank God some of the men who came out with me know basic first aid. They created and applied a tourniquet and we helped Charlie out of the woods. Fred Taussig was waiting on the street with his SUV. We put Charlie in, and took him over to UPMC Lititz. Because he was obviously a trauma they took him right in. He’s there now with Robbie. Fred and I left them there and promised to go over in the morning and see what the story is.

I can’t even make sense of everything right now. I am too wiped. I’ll try and write an update on Charlie in the morning or whenever we find out his condition.

Sunday, January 22, 2023

9:23 PM

Today’s Weather: Clouds and Sun. High 41. 35 now.

Mass at SNJ this morning was short, even by contemporary standards. Monsignor Hilliard appeared to be preoccupied by something during the service. He was going through the motions, with very little real emotion or feeling evident in the words he spoke. This does concern me because even through these dark times, Hillard has been a rock. What I saw from him today leads me to suspect something has shaken his steadfast pillars. I want to visit him at some point this week and see how he’s holding up. I’ve said before that the monsignor is one man this community cannot afford to lose. Not now.

News of a possible break-in was waiting for me upon my arrival back home. Sharon and Dave Witmer claim someone entered their house last night and raided the liquor cabinet in their basement level. Four bottles of top shelf bourbon and vodka were gone. The cabinet doors were left wide open. Dave noticed it when he went downstairs for something. Strangely enough, only four bottles were taken. The other ten bottles in there were left untouched. Was it a break in, or did Dave and Sharon’s teenage son swipe the bottles and forget to close the cabinet doors? He swears he was asleep all night…..naturally. I promised the Witmers that we’ll keep a close eye on their house at night during patrols.