all very interesting - I have read recently that the population in my area has just now reached what it was in 1846, during the shepherding boom. Of course this new population flows in and out like the tide over the seasons. I have also discovered that my town (Egremont Mass) was part of an area that was promoted as Olde Egremont some time in the 1920s Most people signed on and agreed to some joint marketing which apparently included never spelling old without an e on the end. The town of South Egremont is now designated a National Historic district. I wonder how much the original, sort of phony sounding scam,made what is here now possible? The question of how to preserve the good parts of what we have is more dependent on personal involvement than anything else. Much of the character of the houses in my small town derive from the changes the have gone through, and not from a major architectural firm design. Of course the hot new design up here imitates that built through the years look, but most of design is imitation and after all what is restoration? There is an undercurrent of fitting in, or being appropriate, that seems to keep things in line here. It's sort of like everyone has The Old Way of Seeing at the genetic level. I agree with mike that the hordes of people are scary, and this is nothing, look at India or similar. I think the tourist sites are somewhat of a shame because it tends to make people think that history isn't everywhere. Creighton Brown From: John Craib-Cox <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> Date: Thursday, February 25, 1999 3:49 PM Subject: Re: Conjunction >Perhaps it means that Elvis is still alive? >John Craib-Cox > >Pam Blythe wrote: > >> The last time I knew of them conjoining was a couple years ago when it was >> around Christmas and people were talking about it possibly being the same >> as when Christ was born (that extra bright star in the sky over Bethlehem >> thing). >> >> So, what's it supposed to mean? >> >> - Pam >> >> ------------ Previous Message from Ken Follett <[log in to unmask]> on >> 02/25/99 08:44:08 AM ---------- >> >> Please respond to "BP - Dwell time 5 minutes." >> <[log in to unmask]> >> >> To: [log in to unmask] >> cc: >> Subject: Conjunction >> >> Has anyone on BP, beside myself, been paying attention to the conjunction >> of >> Venus and Jupiter? >> >> ][<en >