Duncannon, Pa: Here There Be Dragons

Back in the late 70s and early 80s televisions shows, movies or serial programs were often an event. You’d run your finger across the television listing in the newspaper turning the tip black with newsprint ink, looking for something special that was coming on. Shows were something that you looked forward to because you couldn’t have them on demand, couldn’t rewind, couldn’t watch them later. Some were only on yearly and for a little kid, that made them special. As I think back about those times, I am filled with nostalgia and almost of feeling of longing. I miss that innocence.

Some of the hallmark moments of my childhood were related to Charlie Brown holiday specials. Those were big for me. Along with something like “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” a few other things stand out as having carved a space in my childhood heart – The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe cartoon, Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park, one particular Toys R Us Christmas commercial and the Puff the Magic Dragon cartoonUgh. I still remember bawling my brains out over Puff.

“And now it’s time to be truly brave, to face growing up … and to go beyond childish fantasies such as dragons and not need them anymore. Unless absolutely necessary.”

-Puff The Magic Dragon, 1978

I never thought I would challenge the wisdom of that wise, old dragon. But I’m here to tell you, kids – you don’t need to move beyond your childish fantasies of dragons and such. As a matter of fact, you should hang on to them as long as your little fingers will allow. The world is a much brighter place when you can still see purple dragons.

The purple dragon of Duncannon, Pa:

This is a terrible picture but it give you some idea of the scale of the dragon. I want one 🙂

Fuzzygalore

Rachael is the whimsical writer behind the 20+ year old Girlie Motorcycle Blog. As a freelance blogger, she is on a mission to inspire laughter, self-examination, curiosity, and human connection. Girlie Motorcycle Blog can be found on several Best Motorcycle Blog lists.

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5 Responses

  1. David Masse says:

    Thank you! I was born in the year of the dragon. I have a dragon belt buckle, and a chinese ‘chop’ signature stamp with a dragon motif. I love dragons.

    One of my favorite dragon characters is one of the fictitious production staffers on the public radio show Car Talk: Erasmus B. Dragon (Head of Working Mother Support Group)

    • Ry Austin says:

      From one dragon to another: Burn bright, brother–burn bright! (You aren’t by chance an Aries too, are you?)

      Ha-haa! Erasmus B. Dragon… (I miss Click and Clack.)

  2. Hannah says:

    Thanks for the share, love reading your blog.

  3. Duncannon. Dragons. I’ve been through there dozens if not hundreds of times. Never saw a dragon. If I close my eyes and think about that place dragons would be the last thing I think of.

    You have far keener eyes than I do. I’m always on my way somewhere when I pass through the place. Better slow down next time…

  4. Tim says:

    Seems like that should be sitting on a par 3 hole next to an ice cream stand.

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