Lens and Pen Press

independent publishing firm focused on the human and natural history of the Ozarks and Midwest region.

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@DonaldTrumpJrQ2 E

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@linadreaamy Cell phone on table

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@saniyafatma1278 1

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@ElBeardsley Cool shot!

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Initially I thought Hogan’s reference to the “mouths (plural) of the Mississippi” was a typo. But when I saw the charts, it was clearly no mistake. At the "Head of Passes" three channels part to seek their own paths to the Gulf.
https://t.co/002qr1fgmv

[Lens and Pen Press @LensandPenPress]

Continuing saga of John Joseph Hogan's journey to America from #Ireland in 1848. I explored his route up the #MississippiRiver a few years ago.
https://t.co/pnqplCXQzr

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A spectacular view awaits at this overlook. The legend written into this tourist guide has a generic sound.
This is one (likely of many) that we didn't have in Lover's Leap Legends - so enjoy the view here!

https://t.co/AFv6lU94s3

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A mere 175 years ago, John Joseph Hogan started on his journey to America - a journey that had implications for Missouri history as well as the course of the Catholic Church in this country. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step....
https://t.co/uXOgC16bbi

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The Cemetery https://t.co/GulsqsF6Nq Interesting post about the rediscovering of the Black cemetery in #WestPlains, #Missouri

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Uniquely Kansas City | Bishop Hogan and the #IrishWilderness https://t.co/XZDE2vP6e2

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First Lead Mine in Missouri was on the James River. . #Schoolcraft mentioned the site. https://t.co/2oeSUoxKTF #history #Missouri

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Today in the park. Lovely afternoon

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@cwwhiteNCR @Jeopardy @iamCARITAS @AlistairDutton Trevi Fountain ("3 Coins in the Fountain")

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@SWiegenstein What was they’re story about? Or there story? Or …?

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extraordinary story

[Charlie Hub @TravelsCharlie]

On the morning of September 11, 2001, I was on board TWA flight 2, bound for Hawaii with a stop in St. Louis. The wheels of my plane left the runway of JFK airport at 08:45 AM. On the flight with me was my brother Jim at a window seat. Jim witnessed the plane crashing into the north tower of the World Trade Center moments after we were airborne.

About forty minutes into our flight, our plane slowed dramatically and lost altitude. The maneuver caused me to rise off my seat an inch or two and bump into the the back of the seat in front of me. Then the fasten seat belt sign came on. The Captain eventually announced we were being diverted to Dayton, Ohio due to a national emergency. That was the only announcement.

A somber flight attendant nodded her head yes in response to my question about whether our diversion was due to what we had witnessed taking off from New York. The flight attendant said she had no other information. Myself, my girlfriend Kate, and brother Jim concluded correctly there had been a terror attack. Now why were we being diverted?

Kate and Jim concluded all planes in flight must be landing - a notion I dismissed. I am a bit of a flight buff and knew there would be thousands of planes in flight early on a Tuesday morning. In fact, Jim and Kate were correct. It was a bold and courageous decision by Ben Sliney, the Federal Aviation Administration’s Operations Manager. And it was Ben’s first day on the job. Well done Ben!

However, I believed our plane must have some connection to the terrorist activity we witnessed upon take off. I thought very likely there could be a bomb on our plane. When Jim and Kate asked me what I thought was going on, I simply said I did not know. Sometimes the better part of valor is to remain quiet. I then sat quietly and reflected.

I was fifty-two. My two daughters were grown and successful. My affairs were in order: I had no debt, some money in the bank and life insurance. I had lived a very productive life full of adventure and contribution. My only option at that point was to care for the people I was with. I turned to Jim and Kate and made small talk. I was not happy, but I was at peace. It was an extraordinary experience I think about often.

After we landed in Dayton we discovered the reason for our dramatic maneuver while airborne was our pilot was avoiding a mid-air collision with flight 93, the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania that day. Flight 93 took off from Newark airport following an east to west air corridor. Our flight fell in behind flight 93 which turned back toward us after being hijacked.

The ultimate irony here is I had just ended my twenty year career as a Firefighter and Lieutenant with the New York City Fire Department. I had been an officer in charge of Engine Company 5 in Manhattan’s East Village and September 11, 2001 would have been my next work day had I not chosen to retire. The officer that replaced me was among my 343 colleagues killed that day.

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FolkLIVE Concerts: An Evening with the Ozark Mountain Daredevils https://t.co/IcaolQmlsG via @YouTube

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The Ozarks go to Washington:  How an international festival might broaden perceptions of our culturally rich region (even for ourselves!) https://t.co/ZgccAEuuKb

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Girl sings in a church with the most amazing acoustics https://t.co/tFCkFPtk3M via @YouTube

[Springfield Daily Citizen @sgfcitizen]

The “The Hillbilly Von Trapps,” a powerhouse collection of local talent, are uniting on stage with the @SprngfldSymph for "Power Ballads" Saturday night. @peachykeeny has a preview and info on how you can get tickets.

https://t.co/VHenfIb3uT

[Lens and Pen Press @LensandPenPress]

THE JAMES: TRANSFORMATION OF AN OZARK RIVER https://t.co/YPlRxcAEa0