Thanksgiving Day Hunt 2008 (Hunt Valley / Greenspring Valley, Maryland)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

A friend on line told me about the Thanksgiving hunt. It was amazing. After the hunt we were taking pictures of llama's and goats when we heard some horses galloping away. We jumped in our car to see where they were going and also so we could alert the police who could alert the owners. We never found out if the escaped horses were found and brought back to their home.

On Thanksgiving Day morning the entire hunt meet at St. Johns Church on Butler near Piney Grove Road for the most traditional blessing of the hounds, horses and riders. The riders horses and hounds are pristine and braided for this occasion. After the blessing the crowd parts and then the hounds run thru followed by horse and riders.

Some riders were wearing Scarlett (aka red) coats. This tradition has been going on for 115 years in America and several hundred in England/Ireland.

Watch all 3 parts.

Part 1



Part 2


Part 3

Road Trip to Williamsburg, NY (Brooklyn)

© (2008) Photograhs by Vicki Polin

I had to go to NYC to do a press event for Rabbi Nochem Rosenberg in hopes getting news media attention for him after there was attempt on his life because he advocates for sexually abused Jewish children in Williamsburg and Borough Park (Brooklyn).

I drove up the day before (from Baltimore) cutting through Pennsylvania, stopping in Bird-in-hand and Intercourse.

Click here for more information on Rabbi Rosenberg

Birkat HaGomel (Surviving Danger) - Road Trip to Gettysburg, PA

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Birkhat Ha‑Gomel is blessing (prayer) said after surviving illness, childbirth, or danger.

Blessing: "Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the Universe, who bestows good things on the unworthy, and has bestowed on me every goodness."

Congregational Response: "Amen. He Who has bestowed on you every goodness, may He continue to bestow on you every goodness. Selah."

A friend of mine and I were involved in a serious a car accident with earlier in the week on a highway in Maryland. As we were coming down an entrance ramp from the corner of my eye I noticed a car to my left spinning out of control. I slowed down enough so that my car wasn't hit, yet a second later the other car bounced off the guard railing and smashed into my car. B'H' no one was hurt seriously.

I really needed to get away for a few hours to focus on something other then insurance companies and medical care so I went on a day trip with a friend to capture the fall. We went out on Falls Rd. passing through Lineboro, Maryland, stopping at the Twin Springs Farm to take pictures of the Buffalo and then went on up to and around Gettysburg, PA.

It's amazing how beautiful the day was considering it was a grey and dreary day.

The first video is from Cockysville to Lineboro, MD. The second is from Lineboro to and around Gettysburg. Hope you enjoy the show.

The music in Part 1 is "What is it we fear" by "Get Smart".



The music in Part 2 is "Jerusalem" by Matisyahu.

Walking the NCR Trail Near Monkton, Maryland

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Right after these pictures were taken, a friend and I got back into my car and proceeded to go home.  As we were on the entrance ramp, a car spinning out of control at about 85 mph hit us.  It was a shocking experience after a picture perfect day.

Should Women Educate Men in the Jewish Orthodox World?