Incredible Man Reappears in Athens, GA. After 40-Years

Incredible Man Reappears in Athens, GA. After 40-Years 
July 20, 2014
Fontana Free Press
J. Glenn Eugster

Residents alerted the Athens, Georgia Police Department this morning after "The Incredible Man" reappeared on Pulaski Street after an absence of over 40 years.  The man, estimated to be nearly ten feet tall, had been seen on occasion decades ago chasing young children, chickens and sorority girls from the University of GA.  His reappearance shocked locals who had been led to believe that the bizarre man had either been incarcerated, hired by a carnival, or was attending an Ivy League college.  Although the man's smile and gestures seemed friendly his size, distorted proportions and wild hair caused deep concern among the typically sleepily and slow neighborhood residents.  When police arrived at the scene the man was gone.  Some area residents believe the man was looking for a house, once called "Tortilla Flat", which has since been removed.

Support Grows for Pinelands Fed from Philadelphia

Support Grows for Pinelands Fed from Philadelphia
J. Glenn Eugster
Fontana Free Press
October 30, 2012

News of the appointment of federal Pinelands Commissioner Joseph DiBello spread rapidly through the Pine Barrens recently.  Support for DiBello seemed to be swelling up and down the rivers and streams.  One group canoeing the Great Egg offered heart support for the life-long "Anti-Fed Fed".  "Joe's good. He's been around and treats people fairly.  You can count on him.  He's not like those other guys.  He has a good marriage and loves his family.  He knows how to talk with people.  Success follows him around like the Jersey Devil", said members of the group who asked not to be identified since they were "working" the day they were interviewed. 

Up a Tree

Up a Tree

J. Glenn Eugster

Fontana Free Press,

September 2, 2011

When I was a younger man living in Atlanta, married and with a daughter, I lost my job one year because I held out for a bigger raise.  My spouse wanted me to get more money and after being offered a nice raise she urged me to go in and ask for more--and tell my boss that unless I got more I would leave.   He said fine and I left unemployed.  So how was it for you dear?

 Looking for work I offered my landscaping services to people through a newspaper ad.  I got a call about cutting down a damaged tree and arranged to do the worked in a suburb of Atlanta.  I arrived to find a pine tree leaning over a split level home.  It was a job I hadn't performed before but we needed the money so I agreed to take it down even though I didn't have the skill or the insurance to cover the work. 

I looked it over, and over, and over, pondering my next move.  Then I remembered that my Uncle Joe knew how to cut trees.  I called him on the phone and told him of the situation.  He verbally walked me through what I needed to do to bring the tree down.  I tied the tree top, roped it around another tree, and pulled it back far enough so that when I cut it the tree would fall missing the house.  

Uncle Joe was clear on what I had to do and with my heart pounding I did what he told me.  I cut a little, pulled hard, and then cut some more.  I must have spent an hour pulling and cutting, pulling and cutting, being careful not to cut too much into the tree trunk so as to drop the tree on the house. 

I kept at it until it was about two or three feet from where it needed to fall.  With my hands now blistered and raw from cutting and pulling I cut the trunk far enough to be able to pull it hard enough to bring it down.  It missed the roof with about 18" to spare.  I was joyous and called Uncle Joe to tell him of the success I experienced.  Once I calmed down I cut-up the rest of the tree, got my check and headed home.

These days I negotiate my own salary and pay others to cut trees down.  Uncle Joe is in another place and I need to be careful what I say yes to.

Uncle Joe

Uncle Joe

October 2011

J. Glenn Eugster

Fontana Free Press

Joe Stazweski graduated from Roslyn High School, NY in 1941. He served as a

Corporal in the 592nd Army Air Force Base Unit from 1943 to 1946. While serving he

received a Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and American Service

Medal. After the military he worked for H.C. Bohack, and various landscape

maintenance companies planting and pruning trees and shrubs. In retirement he and his

look-time companion helped to raise funds for a Lutheran Church by collecting cans and

bottles for recycling. He remains famous at that same church for his clam chowder.

Joe enjoyed making homemade wine, singing songs of all kinds, fishing, rooting for the

NY Yankees, bowling, playing cards, betting on horses at the Roosevelt Racetrack, and

helping family, friends and neighbors. His sense of humor, generosity and straightforward

style endeared him to everyone. Every week be brought flowers home to his

companion. He enjoyed visiting friends and relatives on The East End of Long Island,

NY and enjoying cold beer.

He was my uncle and always had my back. He took me to my first western-musical movie,

gave me bottles of homemade Dandelion wine, taught me how to prune trees

and sing songs from Pittsburg, PA. and Germany. Uncle Joe passed over in 2011 but

he, and his memory, is survived by many.