"La De Dah" and "Lucky Ladybug" were hit songs that were great.
Both recordings were released to the public in 1958.
These ditties had cute lyrics and a fine melody.
The artists were a duet by the name of Billy and Lillie.
Billy Ford hailed from Bloomfield, New Jersey.
Newburgh, New York, was Lillie Bryant's community.
Both songs were written by Bob Crewe and Frank Slay.
Unfortunately, in 1983, Billy Ford passed away.
However, Lillie Bryant is still around with us today.
I thank wikipedia.org for information I obtained to write this poem
I ride by it most every day- the ghost
that once stood real upon that lovely hill,
with winding creek, a sprawling velvet lawn
and pillared, wrap-around, fine spindled-porch
with wide front doors that led inside my home.
My home, where memories still fill my heart
of special times with family, all there.
The older loved ones, now long gone, also,
my childhood home, annexed, hacked down to be
the west ramp for the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge.
d opened in November 1963.
There Is A View
There is a view that haunts me so
and breaks my heart each time I pass.
Although it happened long ago,
strong memories of past amass.
This sacred place
I can't erase.
My childhood home stood there, I know;
our 'castle' on a hill of grass.
For a new bridge, torn down with woe,
our home we lost; State won, alas.
With grief, I sigh
when I ride by.
Sandra M. Haight
~1st Place~
Contest: Rhyme Me A Posie
Sponsor: Broken Wings
Judged: 03/11/2018
Note: The Newburgh-Beacon Bridge was completed and opened in
November 1963, after New York State, claimed our home via
eminent domain. Since I live close by, I constantly have to pass
the site where my childhood home stood.
I turned around...should not have looked;
they all were there and set to go.
The time was set, the day was booked;
today would be the final show.
A tear came flowing down my cheek...
I turned around...should not have looked.
My heart was pounding, legs were weak,
and yet somehow, my mind was hooked.
That arm with claws was soon unhooked
to swivel, reach up high and crash.
I turned around...should not have looked
to watch it make that painful gash.
With digs and pulls...they tore it down.
My childhood home they came and took
to build a bridge from town to town.
I turned around...should not have looked.
Sandra M. Haight
~6th Place~
Contest: I Should Not Have Looked
Sponsor: Mystic Rose
Judged: 06/14/2017
New York State claimed my childhood home
via eminent domain in 1960 and demolished it
to build the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge.
Hudson Valley, New York
Oh, Hudson Valley, place that I call home,
you hug the river from which came your name.
On fertile banks, the settlers came to roam
and stayed to prosper and your land proclaim.
Your winding Hudson River grew their dreams
with farmlands, orchards and new industries,
and lovely homes that languish in your scenes
atop green rolling hills with graceful trees.
And from my window, you present to me
the vision of your peaceful valleys and
the sparkling river waters that flow free
from north to south thru Hudson Valley land.
When weary from the stresses of each day...
I relish in the peace your views portray.
Sandra M. Haight
~2nd Place~
Contest: Sonnet About Where You Live
Sponsor: Silent One
Judged: 01/07/2017
Note: The Hudson River begins at Lake Tear of the Clouds in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. It flows to the tip of Manhattan in the southern part of the state.
My home is in Newburgh, a town along the Mid-Hudson Valley, sixty miles north of New York City.
Home is quiet Hudson Valley apple country just north of the bustling 'Big Apple'.
Newburgh, New York,
65 miles North of New York City
Sandra M. Haight
~2nd Place~
Contest: Where I Live One-Liner
Sponsor: Silent One
Judged: 10/04/2016
Oh, Balmville Tree, you were cut down.
So many years, you spread your gown
of limbs and branches that reached high
so large and stately neath our sky...
but doomed unsafe before our town.
Three hundred, sixteen years with crown...
a cottonwood of great renown;
George Washington near you rode by.
Oh, Balmville Tree.
Today, our sadness we can drown
in this new park, your stump, worn brown,
beset with benches, flowers nigh
in homage to your life's goodbye.
Yet on your stump, new leafy 'down'!
Oh, Balmville Tree.
Sandra M. Haight
~1st Place~
Contest: Give Me A Rondeau
Sponsor: Janice Canerdy
Judged: 11/20/2017
~5th Place~
Premiere Contest: Best Rondeau Poem
Sponsor: Laura Loo
Judged: 07/14/2016
Note: "It is a Methuselah among trees, a gnarled and furrowed
Cottonwood that has lived four times as long as its kind was
meant to live. George Washington rode past it on the way
to his Newburgh, New York headquarters..." NY Times, 09/20/2015
A living thing I was; I graced your land-
three hundred years and more, I stood with pride.
A focal point to meet with friends to stand,
or drive through intersecting roads beside
the wall that sheltered me, your age-old tree-
assumed long-standing for eternity.
The 'Heart of Balmville' often you called me;
so many grew up in my view's embrace,
and took for granted that my vision be
forever etched within this Balmville space.
Inside your small historic park, I stood
preserved for years in my dear ancient wood.
My statuesque magnificence, now gone-
your hearts are saddened, missing my great limbs.
But with my stump, may memories hold on-
while image of my leaves and branches dims.
May 'Heart of Balmville' live within your heart-
I, Balmville Tree, at last from you depart.
August 22, 2015
Premiere Contest: No 1183
Sponsor: Brian Strand
Note: "The Balmville Tree was Methuselah among trees, a gnarled
and furrowed Cottonwood that has lived four times as long as its
kind was meant to live. George Washington rode past it on the way
to his Newburgh, New York headquarters..." NY Times, 09/20/2015
The chapel stood with grace against the sky of blue,
in setting of lush grass and trees that framed it well.
Within those walls, dear Sisters prayed to God above;
with them, the spell of peace and faith engulfed my soul.
My years in Catholic grade school left me in awe
with feelings deep inside of being close to God;
advanced by gentleness of those who nurtured me
in classes where I learned and chapel where I prayed.
Though just a child, I somehow felt above my years,
transported to a realm outside of earthly ways.
So strong my love for God, I vowed someday I would
become a noble nun to live the life they chose.
I never felt as strong the meaning of true faith
as in those grade school days shared with those sacred nuns.
Such peace I felt within my heart during that time,
while praying openly when sense of God was near.
Sandra M. Haight
~1st Place~
Contest: Faith
Sponsor: Nayda Evette Negron
Judged: 05/05/2016
~4th Place~
Contest: Prayer Time Memories
Sponsor: Isaiah Zerbst
Judged: 06/19/2015
Childhood memories of my years at Casa San Jose, elementary school at
Mount Saint Mary, Newburgh, NY
Ralph
Widower, father, grandfather, friend
Brother of Bill, Bob, Ruthann, Joann
Lover of, golf, baseball, cruising
Thanks to great family and friends,
I feel gracious, appreciative, blessed
I fear loss of loved ones, poor health, snakes
Would like to see Australia, Hawaii, Grand Canyon
Resident of Newburgh, New York
Taylor
Sandra
Who is a poet, artist, retired business owner
Who is warm, giving, sensitive, creative, positive
Who is a loving wife of 56 years
Who is a loving mother of three and grandmother of five
Who is a loyal and loving friend
Who loves poetry, art, opera, animals
Who feels spiritual, inspired, devoted, needed
Who needs love, family, friends, security, order
Who gives love, help, advice, time
Who fears the world situation and future for next generations
Who would like to see peace in the world and a return to values and respect
Who shares artistic talents, leadership, organizational skills
Who is a resident of Newburgh, New York
Haight
Sandra M. Haight
~First Place~
Contest: Bio Poems
Sponsor: Regina Riddle
Contest Judged: 10/2014