Wheaty Attempts Runaway

Wheaty is in the headlines again.  I first told you about finding a Wheatland Pipe flag soaked through, hidden under a bridge of I-80, in Wheatland Pipe No Longer Hostage.  That was a happy story.

Yesterday at 6:03pm I passed my bay window overlooking old Beaver Creek and was thrown out of time and place.  Wheaty was not on duty and no where to be seen.  I can’t remember what I was intending to do before that moment.

I grabbed my camera and walked out on the deck.  If a crime had occurred I ment to have a record.  I found Wheaty crumpled against a deck post, not more than twelve feet from his work station.

As I started down the steps I took a second photo but I already felt there was no serious physical harm done.  When I got on the ground I took a third photo; but said nothing.

If a pipe flag has the will and pride to fight to go home, words against it will only be gratuitous humiliation.  For you GPS-addicted, he was headed due west.

Wheaty came from the west, Wheatland Pipe an old name for Wheatland Tube Company now married into the John Maneely Company allied with The Carlyle Group.  Names may change and mix; but home boys never forget.

Wheaty will go back to work in a couple of days.  Charles Marlin

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Wheatland Pipe No Longer Hostage

Early in the spring I found this Wheatland Pipe flag and brought it home.  Originally I thought I would hold it hostage until a ransom was paid to Clarion County Community Foundation.  It seemed like a good idea until I did a little research.

Wheatland Pipe is really Wheatland Tube Company, part of behemoth John Maneely Company majorly owned by The Carlyle Group.  I may be dumb and old but I am not sending a ransom note to a “group” that has its own seat at the United Nations.

Next I thought of contacting Barry Zekelman, Executive Chairman, but it appears he does not like to take prisoners.  A car dealer tried to stiff him on a purchase of a red ’09 Bugatti and he set his junkyard lawyer on the car dealer and the car company.  He has a beautiful new home in Arizona that people are whispering about.  The rumor is that Obama will make it his Western White House during the Federal occupation of Arizona.  I am not sending a ransom note to a man with those problems.

Next, I thought I would check out their new Chief Executive Officer Frank A. Riddick III.  The name looked approachable until I found out he is very in with World Wrestling Entertainment and may on occasion go in the ring.  Spooky.

So I have decided not to send any ransom notes.  Wheaty, yes last month I gave it a name.  Wheaty gets lots of fresh air and almost every morning waves as I first walk by.  The black bears leave him alone.

It is generally accepted scientific opinion that flags never evolve a personality, but that may not be true in this case.  On windy days he seems to respond.  If you want to send him a vacation postcard, address it to Wheaty c/o CCCF, Suite A, 21 North 6th Avenue, Clarion PA 16214.  Charles Marlin

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