About

Years ago I wrote a short story about baseball and life – my life as a boy, and growing up in Pennsylvania. I wanted my grandchildren to understand what part of my life as a boy was like. So “Batter-Up” was born. Later, a cousin asked me to describe what I remembered about his grandfather – my uncle. This was a grandfather he never met because a disease took him early in life. I was thirteen when he passed, therefore I interviewed his sister, my aunt, and based upon her memories plus a few of my own, another story was born. In the process of writing I stumbled upon a saying. “Grandfathers have silver in their hair and gold in their hearts.” That fits me – I love it. And so, “The Christmas Present” was my second story, published in time for the holiday. In October 2015, I decided to write some more and to kick it up a notch. My next project required a ton of research, therefore, I spent the next two and three-quarter years digging for historical material and writing the story, “Sindia, the Final Voyage.” The windjammer was built by Harland and Wolfe of Belfast, Ireland in 1878. Years later, they built an ocean-liner and named it Titanic. I understand there is a saying at H & W, “The ship was fine when it left our dock.” Back to Sindia – it’s the first ever researched historical novel about Ocean City’s (NJ), famous shipwreck, December 1901. My research partner, Angus McKinnon, from Scotland once informed me – “It’s a story that needed to be told.” And now it is. I took a breather – and for the next six months spent time searching for my next writing topic. And in October 2017, that’s when the bug bit – I began researching and writing my second historical novel. And it’s about another shipwreck, but this one is very different. The ship, Faithful Steward, left Londonderry, Ireland in 1785, and wrecked off the coast near Indian River Inlet, Delaware. There was a tremendous loss of life and suffering abounded, and the ship was carrying many wooden barrels filled with copper coins minted in England. Coins wash upon the shore, even today, so they call it “Coin Beach.” Why not. At this point I may have a niche going – it’s another story never researched and written. And it’s a story that needs to be told. It should be a very good one. Stay tuned!

And to wrap it up – I’m a native Pennsylvanian and live in the Indian Valley, a land that hundreds of years ago was the dwelling place of the Lenape (pronounced La-nah-pay). There will be a lot more to follow on this topic – that’s why I’ve added the page – Indian Valley Historical Society of Pennsylvania.