Dear Loyal Followers,

Here we are again. As we prepare ourselves for the final moments of this year, there are a few things we may have forgotten about that we experienced this year. Please, get cozy, grab a cup of your beverage of choice, and let's take a look back on the year we call Chapter 2025.

Wanting to get a jump start on the new year, Savanna and I started a day early. We attended the birthday celebration ceremony at Laurel Hill Cemetery for Victor of the Battle of Gettysburg, General George Meade. Walking through the gates of the garden cemetery, we were transported back in time as we were greeted by a Civil War band. Reenactors were peppered throughout the crowd. The day included a march to his grave, speeches, and a 21-gun salute. It was so nice to see General Meade Society President, Andy Waskie, as well as meet with descendants of General George Meade.

When the Philadelphia Eagles sent the Washington Commanders packing to secure their spot in Super Bowl LIX, I knew there would be a party at Frankford & Cottmann. Thousands of fans of all ages packed the infamous intersection. Drinks were had, poles were climbed, and fireworks lit up the night sky. When one fan took it too far by shooting a gun into the air, it was the sign I needed to retire from covering sports celebrations.

Then came April. I had to have surgery on my back. After taking a few months off to recover, I slowly started back capturing this city that I love so much.

Because we had such a good time on the Graveyard Tour in the Fall, I returned to All Saints' Episcopal Church to cover their Summer Tour. It was interesting to hear the stories of some of their residents that I am not familiar with.

When Philadelphia's trash collection team went on strike in June, the bad seeds of the city didn't take long to take advantage of the situation and tarnish the city's reputation. I captured one particular dump scene that killed me. I grew up in this neigborhood, riding my bike up and down the same side streets that were now filled with illegally dumped material. Members from one union outside of the city came into the city to dump their office furniture. I covered the whole experience in my article "Dumpadelphia". First, I experienced the shooter during the Eagles Celebration, then this. The year was on a downslide.

Needing our spirits to be lifted, Savanna and I braved the heat, high humidity, and the rain to take a Ghostly Gallery Tour through Laurel Hill Cemetery hosted by Tom Keels. That man has one of the best voices I have ever heard. I could listen to him talk for hours. Tom told us about the Artists buried there as well as their customers. There is so much talent within those walls from both the living and the dead; it is astounding.

Three Monkeys Cafe celebrated its 20th anniversary with a block party filled with games, live music, and vendors as far as the eye could see. It was refreshing to run into old high school friends and meet some new friends. I can't believe it's only been 20 years. It feels like Three Monkeys has just always been there.

When All Saints' Episcopal Church planned its Halloween Graveyard Tour, they wanted to talk about Mary Cannell Peterson. Since I covered her story in "There's Something About Mary", Savnna was asked to bring her to life and tell her story. She killed it (<- Ya see what I did there? 😉).

The Philadelphia music scene suffered a couple of huge losses this year. The one most people will remember was the loss of Philadelphia's Rock N' Roll Mascot and the heart of WMMR, Pierre Robert. His passing was so unexpected that it will leave a lasting scar on the city.

Hitting closer to home was the loss of "Reverend Al" Kleinschmidt. He played with many bands over the years, including Rick Allen and The Upsetters alongside my Uncle Roy. It was in those years that I first met the man who would become what I consider an extended uncle. He, along with former Upsetters, Roy Fisher, Jeff Pancoast, and
Rick Toy, became founding members of The Road Dogs. Each time they played, it was not just a night out; it was a family reunion. I was heartbroken to have to write "Last Dance With Rev. Al".

After years of trying to coordinate my schedule, Savanna and I finally got to take a tour of the Andalusia Estate. The beauty in The Big House, as well as amongst the grounds, far exceeded our expectations. We look forward to visiting again.

Taking a few years off, I made my triumphant return to Fort Mifflin for Siege Weekend 2025. Being a former tour guide there, it always holds a special place in my heart. It's because of Fort Mifflin that I learned to seek out the lesser-told stories to tell. It was good to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. But my favorite thing in the world is when I get to introduce someone to something that means so much to me.

Having back surgery this year, I have not been able to go out on quite as many photo shoots as I'd like. I know I will get back there; it is just going to take time. It did, however, give me a chance to work on some photos that were in the chamber, ready to go.

While carefully touring through Mount Vernon Cemetery, I was able to capture a lone obelisk for the photo
"Feeling Small". Telling how something that once stood tall and proud became the victim of neglect and is surrounded by trees that were allowed to grow taller.

During one of our heavy Summer rainstorms that seemed to stop abruptly, I captured a rainbow that seemed to pierce through the clouds. In "Some Day We'll Find It", I told how the rainbow serves as a reminder that after we go through something bad, something beautiful reveals itself.

One of the most remarkable stories that happened to me this year is the story behind "Look Toward The Heavens". The family and I decided to discover all that Jim Thorpe, Pa has to offer. We were intrigued with all the history the town has to offer. We marveled at the beauty the landscape offered. As we walked down the steep streets, Savanna and I were talking. I wondered if there were any cemeteries close by. That night, Savanna ran into one... literally. On her nightly run, she found herself running through a cemetery directly behind our motel. I wasted no time and went for a sunrise shoot the following morning. I used it to remind people that we all get stressed out beyond belief. Sometimes, we need to ask for help and "Look Toward The Heavens".

Last year, as The Christmas Collection was on exhibit, I heard some new information about one of the pieces in the collection. In preparation for this year's run, I dug a little deeper and found the Laurel Hill Cemetery connection to "Away In a Manger". With a newly discovered addition to the already amazing story, I reissued it this year in time for the Christmas Season.

Speaking of Laurel Hill Cemetery, we met quite a few new residents this year, didn't we?

We started with the saint that I believe watches over us and our storytelling. That's right! "The Patron Saint Of Historical Preservation" takes us through the journey of the life of Frances Anne Wister (1874-1956). Starting with the founding of the Philadelphia Orchestra, she was involved in the saving and preservation of such historical sites as the Powel House, the original Franklin Institute building, Grumblethorpe, and Independence Hall. Her efforts prove a strong belief that we have here at the Phocs Phactory. Experiencing these places in person has a larger impact than simply reading about them in a book.

With the start of baseball Spring Training, we visited with an old friend of ours. Harry Kalas came into our lives and brought Philles baseball to life for 38 seasons with his baritone voice, and his ever-famous home run call "THAT BALL IS OUTTA HERE!!!!". Discovering his story from humble beginnings was eye-opening, but reliving the Phillies highlights was so heart-warmingly nostalgic. It reminded us that even in the low times, Harry always had "High Hopes".

We then ventured to the American Wild West through an unexpected route with a man from a very prominent family from the East. We traveled with eventual author Owen Wister to find out how his nervous breakdown caused him to kick the door open to a world that we still relive today as he became
“The Tenderfoot From Philadelphia”.

Finally, we met the man whose curiosity led him to be a pioneer in the industry of photography, creating the subgenre of portrait photography. Robert Cornelius was way ahead of his time when he took the very first selfie in 1839, more than a hundred years before the masses made it the new craze with cellphones, securing his title as “Father Of The Selfie”.

We may have hit a few bumps in the road in 2025, but it was not enough to keep us from having a memorable year. We are so grateful for your time accompanying us on this chapter in our journey. We hope that you had as much fun as we did. We hope to see you when we start Chapter 2026. We wish you a happy and healthy New Year! Now, let's go watch some Mummers!

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25-10-13 Last Dance With Rev Al Cover.jpg
25-10-25 Andalusia Estate.jpg
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