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Easter in New England and Other Non-Existent Things - Patreon Preview!

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"For we must Consider that we shall be as a City upon a Hill, the eyes of all people are upon us; so that if we shall deal falsely with our god in this work we have undertaken and so cause him to withdraw his present help from us, we shall be made a story and a byword through the world, we shall open the mouths of enemies to speak evil of the ways of god and all professors for Gods sake" - John Winthrop, Puritan lawyer and former governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay. Easter in New England and Other Non-Existent Things - Patreon Preview! Allow me to introduce you to John Winthrop:  "Ladies."   This fine fellow served as the governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony from 1630-1634, 1637-1640, 1642-1644, and finally from 1646-1679. In that time, he would work, along with his people, to create a "city upon a hill" that would have the eyes of the world on it. That high city was Massachusetts Bay and the people creating it were the Puritans. This is the

Slightly Odd Fitchburg is on Patreon!

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  I think at this point, we all understand that I'm not above a little begging. That's why I'm taking the time to let everyone know that Slightly Odd Fitchburg is now on Patreon! Joseph Palmer never begged. I'm so ashamed . I've been trying to figure out a way to let the community become a real part of the site and I think this is it! That's why I've created different ways for you to get involved, and I'd love for you to consider them! This is how I imagine the community, for some reason . Coming up with posts is fun and all, but I really think that it could be better! I've set up several tiers where you can really become a part of Slightly Odd Fitchburg with your feedback and ideas! It doesn't matter if you want to suggest content, vote on what you think we should talk about next, or even write your own guest blog every month! It's all up to you and I'm excited to give you a voice here! This could be you! PLEASE consider supporting Slig

The Great Worcester Airship Hoax of 1909 – Part 2

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Greetings, chaps! It is once again I, Wallace E. Tillinghast! The Great Worcester Airship Hoax of 1909 – Part 2 Last time, ( you can read part 1 here ) we were talking about the explosion of airship sightings around the world, with a whole lot of them happening in the United States. There were some in Arkansas, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and many other places, with some of the reports being as simple as seeing a light high up in the sky and others being about as detailed as they can get. So, we have the world going crazy for flying machines and Wallace Tillinghast was the only person claiming responsibility. When the newspapers finally started looking for legitimate answers that didn’t involve Martians, guess who they contacted. "We'll see you again in the 50s, bro." Reporters showed up at Wallace’s door, only to be turned away by his wife. She just told them all that “[Wallace] knows his business. He will talk when the proper time comes.” She also may or

The Great Worcester Airship Hoax of 1909 - Part 1

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Excerpt from the Boston Herald – December 13, 1909 “WORCESTER, Dec. 12–Wallace E. Tillinghast of this city, vice-president of a manufacturing company here, made public a story today [that] he invented, built, and tested an aeroplane capable of carrying three passengers with a weight limit of 600 pounds, a distance of about 300 miles with a stop to replenish the supply of petrol, at a rate of 120 miles an hour. He refuses to say where his flying machine is as he wants to enter into Boston contests next year as a sure winner…” The Great Worcester Airship Hoax of 1909 The late 19 th and early 20 th centuries were a great time for UFO sightings. Not only was there nothing to do except stare up into the sky until TV was invented, but this was also when this newfangled thing called “aviation” was on everyone’s mind. The Wright brothers, two bicycle men out of Illinois, made their first sustained flight on December 17, 1903.   A few years before that, in 1895, a German guy by the na

The Fancy Ghost of Elijah Berry or Scooby Doo IRL

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Today we turn our attention to the far off land of Tolland, Massachusetts. Situated on the edge of Connecticut, it was, and still is, largely a farming community. With a total land mass of almost 33 square miles, its population sat at an astoundingly small 471 at the 2020 census. It’s the smallest town, by population, in Hampden County and still manages to govern itself with an open town meeting. It actually started its life as a part of Granville back in 1750. But by 1810, Tolland had enough of G-Ville and its big city ways and incorporated itself as the 169 household having, land working community that it is today. That’s why it’s so surprising that this sleepy town is also home to a scary ghost! Seriously, this is downtown Tolland, MA. The Fancy Ghost of Elijah Berry or Scooby Doo IRL Okay, so it’s not really that scary. It all began back on August 29th, 1884 when a well-off gentleman farmer by the name of Elijah H. Berry unexpectedly passed away. He was having a good time fishing