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anonymous messages, ap green

updated fri 26 dec 97

 

Autumn Downey on thu 25 dec 97

Those e-mails are disconcerting but not personal, I'm sure.

I get on average 4 get-rich-quick-hotbabes-you-name-it messages via e-mail
per day. I used to open up any junk mail and try the "remove" return
message and hoped to be off the mailing list. however I suspect I missed a
really important one of these and my address got sold to many more
companies. Anyway, it seems to be proliferating. I asked the server people
here what could be done. Apparently getting a new address (costs money and
is a bother) or having some more advanced software with filters, which I
don't understand... are solutions. So, am doing nothing, except hitting the
delete button when I see these messages in advance. The server folks told
me that by being on a list, these "anonymous people" are able to tap in to
our addresses.

Re: Mel's reference to AP Green, have been looking for an excuse to
publicize a neat place - the Claybank Brick Plant near Avonlea in Sask. It
was begun around 1912, as Saskatchewan Clay Products, then operated as
Dominion Firebrick (2 different owners) until 1972 when it was bought by AP
Green. It closed in 1989 and AP Green donated the site to the Saskatchewan
government. It has since been designated a National Historic Site.
Apparently most of the building went on in the teens and '20's and the
system was efficient enough that it was never materially upgraded to any
great extent. It mostly produced firebrick and building brick; there are
still large stacks of brick in their shed, Mel (including some wedge-shaped
arch bricks). There is a program now that if any buildings with Claybank
brick are being torn down, the bricks are returned to the plant and recycled
to other historic buildings made from this brick when they require repairs.

A potter friend and I visited there last fall - the plant is very complete
and the guide who had worked many years as a machinist gave us a great tour
around. The charm of the place is that it's in the "middle of nowhere"
which happens to be very beautiful. The Dirt Hill and the clay pits up
behind the site are wildlife lands and we had a wonderful hike up to the top.

So, if anyone is ever travelling that way, you might really enjoy this stop.
In summer, of course. But if you want any further info, would be glad to
send it along to you.

Merry Christmas!

Autumn Downey
downeya@internorth.com
Yellowknife, NWT, Canada