The " A Favorite Christmas Gift" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Going through the gifts I had received this year for Christmas.  I was lucky enough to have received a few wonderful gifts and was deciding which was my favorite.  Could it be the birdhouse that my son got for me or could it be the soft winter socks my wife bought for me?  How about the gift card for a few car washes from my oldest son or maybe it was the Polarizing filter I got for my camera.  Then I picked up the small black box and opened it once again.  This was perhaps my favorite this Christmas season.  Inside the box was an ornament depicting the gate of the Hamilton Watch Company in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  It is crafted in solid brass plated in 24-karat gold and was one of a limited edition made of the Hamilton Watch Company which is the eleventh in a series of ornaments made by LEADS (Lancaster's Economic Action for Downtown's Success) which is a non-profit organization of volunteers that try to make Downtown Lancaster a more attractive place to live, work and shop.  Other ornaments had featured the Watt & Shand Department Store, J.P. McCaskey High School in Lancaster, the Fulton Theatre and Lancaster's Central Market which is the oldest farmer's market in the United States.  It was back in 2000 that LEADS began their flower basket decorations on every lamppost in the downtown area.  They also deck the lampposts during the holiday season with lighted garland, wreaths and snowflakes.  The financing for these projects comes in part from the sale of the limited edition ornaments.  

Ornament of the Lancaster Train Station made in 2017.

I only found out about the ornaments last year when I purchased one of the ornaments of the Lancaster Train Station for my friend Jere and was given one by my wife for Christmas last year.  The ornaments have been a big hit and sell out quickly.  This year's ornament of the Hamilton Watch Company is special to me since my mother worked at the factory during WWII when they produced munitions for the war effort.  

This year's ornament features the gate of Hamilton Watch Co.

The building was completed in 1875 and became the head- quarters for Hamilton Watch from 1892 to 1980.  Today it is a luxury apartment complex.  The four-story building is topped with a mansard roof trimmed with copper and a clock with four faces.  It is shaped like the letter "E" with towers on the corners.  It was built in the Art Deco-style in brick and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.  The iconic gates are depicted in the ornament that my wife bought me.  It hangs in a prominent spot on our Christmas tree.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "The Dump Burns On!" Story

Foreword:  I wrote this story over a month ago, but never posted it until now hoping something would have been offered as a solution to the problem you are about to read about.  A solution has to come soon before lives are lost due to the problem.

 It was an ordinary day.  And, if you have been following my stories about the Sint Maarten landfill, known as "the dump" you might be interested in the latest news published in The Daily Herald.  Seems that the government, which is the defendant in a lawsuit brought by Barbara Cannegeiter, Camiel Koster and law firm Bergman Zwanikken Snow Essed (BZSE), is hiding the results from a recent test on the dump.  They are still waiting on a plan of action pertaining to the fires and the release of smoke, gases and foul smell at what is commonly known as the sanitary landfill on Pond Island.  How could anyone refer to this dump as a sanitary landfill.  My wife and I visited St. Maarten a few months ago and while on the island visited with Barbara and Dee Cannegeiter.  While walking through their beautiful garden we could see the billowing smoke as well as open flames burning a few miles from their house.  How many people have to die or develop respiratory problems before something is done?   For years Barbara has had to stay inside her home days at a time with the windows closed in order to escape the awful smoke and gases released from the dump.  Finally she and a friend and his law office filed a lawsuit against the government and the current management company of the landfill.  

Daily Herald photograph showing the magnitude of "the dump".

The government has known for years that the emission of smoke, smell and gases was a major problem.  The government did submit a road map to the Court on October 17, but said the road map has not yet been approved by the Council of Ministers, while signing of the World Bank grant agreement, which will give aid to the government, has been delayed.   The government estimated the cost of eliminating the smoke and fumes to be $6.1 million US dollars.  So why don't they do something.  The government was supposed to place on their website a tender for a new manager by October 31, but it never happened.  An expert on landfill fires advised the government that the landfill fires could be stopped within five months, but the government has not "finalized their report yet."  The litigants maintain their claim that an independent investigation into the exact harmfulness of the emission of smoke, gasses and odor has not been done or the results are being kept from them.  Any guess why they are withholding the results of the tests?  Duh!  The litigants then called on the Judge in this fiasco to schedule a Court hearing for November 23, when the second progress report is due.  They also will ask for a verdict in the case if the government were to announce more delays in the case.  All this is going on as more people are being effected by the smoke and gas.  If the defendants lived in the path of all the fume, smoke and gas, you better believe they would have done something years ago.  As far as all the tourists who have avoided the island due to the problem, it continues to grow.  And tourism is the lifeblood of Sint Maarten.  Elimination of "the dump" has to be a no-brainer for the government.  At least that's how I see it.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.   

The "A Gift For My Brother" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Getting ready to head to my brother's house for our annual after-Christmas party.  My brother Steve and his family, as well as my family, all gather annually at his daughter Kelly's home in Ephrata, Pennsylvania on the evening after Christmas day.  

Our Nannan with Steve (left) and me (right).

We usually celebrate with pizza, drinks and plenty of Christmas cookies.  We usually bypass Christmas gifts due to the 20 or so people.  But, this year I will have a special gift to give to my brother.  All began about a half-year ago when Steve gave me a small black and white photo of our Grandmother, whom we have called Nannan all our life.  Her real name was Grace Mae Woods.  Her husband, Joseph, died when killed in an accident at the local post office where he was employed.  

My brother (right) with cousins George (standing) and
Judy seated at Crystal Beach Manor in Maryland.

My dad was six years old at the time.  Our other grandmother, Anna Cochran, died when I was about 12 years old and Steve was 7, so we barely got to know her.  Nannan was the one who babysat for us when we were young and we always had a great time.  When Steve gave me the photo of her and the two of us, which was taken at Crystal Beach Manor, Maryland, I had the intention of making one for myself.  But, I thought Steve might want a slightly larger copy so I made two 5x7s and framed one for Steve for Christmas.  

Steve's framed Christmas present.

Steve and I always had a grand time with Nannan and she was a real treat for the two of us.  We learned how to swear from Nannan, since she did quite a bit of it when we played board games with her.  She always made us promise not to tell our mom and dad though.  We spent many a fun summer vacation at Crystal Beach with my mom and dad, Nannan, Aunt Lillian and her two children, our cousins, Judy and George.  The treasures we shared with Nannan were priceless and I know Steve will cherish the present.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Steve and me when we were about 5 and 10 years of age. 

Steve and me a year or two ago by his pool in Ephrata, PA.

Steve and me looking for Cape May diamonds a few years ago.

Steve and me dunking our Christmas cookies.

I had to add this photo since it is one of a very few where I am on the left side of the photo.
This was taken at his son's wedding.

The "Merry Grinchmas & Happy Who Year!" Story

The main entrance into RLPS Architect's office.

It was an ordinary day.  Standing inside the RLPS archi- tect's office in Lancaster, Pennsyl- vania looking at their 30th annual gingerbread display.  I have been taking you with me on the journey for the past few years and this year the theme for the display is "Merry Grinchmas and Happy Who Year."  

Decorations in the lobby area were beautiful

The display started in 1988 with a theme of Lakeside Village.  Themes have changed yearly, but the inspiration and design imagination has been top notch since the start.  Last year's Gretna Greeting," based on the nearby village of Mt. Gretna, was wonderful.  Architects, assistants, secretaries and anyone who works at the beautiful building in Manheim Township participate in the display.  

The floor to ceiling fireplace in the main room.

One of my former students in my graphic arts classes, Jim, participates every year, since he is an architect at the firm.  Every year the list of building rules is posted and then the building begins.  A few people are picked to set up the basic outline and within a few weeks the display is ready for viewing.  The RLPS office used to be in the Foxshire development where I live.  Their building was the talk of the neighborhood and we hated to lose them when they outgrew their neighborhood office.  A few days ago I found an invitation to this years gingerbread show which was just for the Foxshire neighborhood.  Arrived just as the sun was low in the sky and the decorations on the buildings were beautiful both inside and outside.  My wife loves to get ideas for our personal decorations from their interior designers.  Well, this year there were 18 gingerbread houses and 17 accessories that were judged by the firm as well as those visiting the display.  The winners were not posted, thus they may not have been made as of yet.  Follow along with my photos as I show you some of the beautiful work that is done every year.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Rules for this year's gingerbread display.  Click to enlarge images.

The very first display in 1988.

Display in 2004 showing downtown Lancaster, PA.

2016 display called Sweetscape.

Last year's display called Gretna Greetings.

Display titled "A Room for Every Zizzor Zazzor Zu." This is from this year's display.

The Orphanage.

Horton's Who.  

Next Stop Mount Crumpet.  Waiting for "The Whoville Express" along the railroad tracks.

Crescent Lodge.

All the Places You'll Go! Travel Company.

You Need A Christmas Thneed!

Chutes and Ladder.

Sam's Diner.

The Who Depot

The Sooper Dooper Whooville Looper.

The "No Tip!! Say It Ain't So!!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  My wife had just finished the first part of making her first batch of peanut butter cookies and had placed them on the ceramic counter-top.  Next comes the Hershey Kisses which she places on each one before returning them to the oven for two more minutes.  

I opened a few of the Hershey Kisses and found the tip missing!
Click on photos to enlarge them.

Opened the first of many Kisses we had just purchased when she noticed that the tip of each Kiss was missing.  "What happened to the Hershey Kisses?" she asked to anyone who may have be listening.  I took a look and saw that the tip of each Kiss was missing.  What gives?  She finished baking a few dozen of the cookies with the Kiss on top and put them on the counter to cool before placing them in a container and then the fridge to keep them cool so the Kisses wouldn't melt.  

The tips on Carol's cookies is missing!

She mentioned the tip missing on the Kisses to a few friends who had no idea either why they were missing.  Finally, a week later, in the Sunday newspaper, a story appeared with the answer to her question.  The story began with.....Ugly. Inferior.  Cocoa confection catastrophe.  Seems everyone from professional bakers to Christmas cookie makers was experiencing the same thing.  But, a spokesman for Hershey Company, which is about a 40 minute ride from my home in Lancaster, PA had no answer for why the traditional rounded conical peak had an unsightly jagged edge.  The spokesman said they make 70 million Kisses a day and they strive to have everyone of them looking as great as they taste.  The newspaper article told the story of one woman from Baltimore, Maryland who was making peanut butter blossoms for a holiday gathering when she noticed that the tips on the Kisses were gone.  She wanted an apology for being sold a defective product at top dollar.  

In 2007 the Hershey Kiss was offered as a postage stamp.

Seems that only the solid Kisses were affected and not the filled Kisses.  All the defective Kisses were made in Hershey, PA.  Kisses were first made in the early 1900s and in 2014 the Kiss was incorpor- ated into the company's logo.  Well, I just had to try a few of Carol's peanut butter cookies with the Hershey Kiss on each one to make sure they were edible.  Took me close to a dozen and a half of the things to pronounce them A-OK.  Told her that since she is known as a great cookie baker, I didn't want anyone complaining that the Hershey Kiss cookie was inferior.  And, I really didn't even mind that the tip wasn't there.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The "A Special Gift For The Holidays" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just finished a few Christmas tree ornaments for family members.  Over the years we have been given ornaments to hang on the Christmas tree that were purchased of made by friends and relatives.  They are some of the most cherished holiday gifts we have received during our marriage.  I'm sure you, too, have received special gifts during holiday seasons that you cherish as much or more than others.  From time to time we also make hand-made ornaments to give.  This year I made a special ornament for our youngest granddaughter as well as ornaments for my sister-in-law and our niece.  Thought I would share with you how I made them and what they look like after being finished.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

This was one of the field hockey balls that was used during the 1988 season that I made into a Christmas tree ornament for my daughter when she was a freshman goalie.  I show you this since I once again made an ornament much the same except for my granddaughter after finishing her freshman season as a goalie this year.

I also made one for my daughter after her senior year when she was still the goalie and whose team made it into the playoffs for the first time in many years.  

Granddaughter Camille was the goalie this year for the school's Junior Varsity team.  The team went undefeated and unscored upon throughout the season.  The first time ever for the school coach!

I made this stained glass ornament for my niece who will host a party this evening for the entire family.  We appreciate the time and effort she and her husband make for the family party so Carol and I thought she would like something for the Christmas tree.

My sister-in-law loves penguins so I made her a stained glass ornament to hang on her tree.  

The "Christmas Customs: Ringing The Bells" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Christmas Eve in the mid-1950s and I am seated in the choir stalls in St. James Episcopal Church in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Big deal for a young boy to be up that late surrounded by candlelight as I walked down the center church aisle singing the opening hymn as a few hundred parishioners watched.  The dark Christmas Star sat high above the altar surrounded by the stained glass windows that were illuminated from lights outside the church.  I can still feel the excitement as I passed pew after pew until it was time to turn right while my walking partner turned left into the waiting choir stalls.  

Choir boys with their fathers in the St. James choir.
My father, Paul, and I are in the back right.

After the 20 or so choir boys entered the choir stalls, the men, many being fathers of the choir boys, filed in behind us on both sides of the altar.  Mr. Frank McConnell, the choir organist and choirmaster, for what seemed like eternity to me, was gliding over the several level keyboard pipe organ with his white vestment's sleeves making him look like an angel in flight.  When the first hymn ended, Reverend Batchelder stood in front of the altar and addressed the congregation.  It was the start of St. James' Christmas Eve service.  I was in the boy's choir for perhaps half a dozen years until my voice changed and I will never forget any of those inspiring Christmas Eve services.  Brings tears to my eyes just thinking about those "good ole' times" as I punch the keys on my MacBook Air.  The Christmas Eve service seemed to be always timed so that when the clock struck midnight, the bells could chime and the final prayer would be offered and we would head back down the aisle, through the lit candles, to the rear of the church where we stood, singing, until the hymn ended and the final blessing was said by Rev. Batchelder.  There were so many exciting parts to that service for a young boy, actually for a person any age, that were neat, but for me it was always the bells that chimed when Rev. Batchelder said, at the stroke of midnight, "It's Christmas Morning, let the bells ring out!!"  

Mr. McConnell at the church organ.

And, boy did Mr. McConnell hit the keys on his organ!  He had a special button among what appeared to be a hundred buttons (found out years later they were called stops) that when he pulled it would make the organ sound like a bell.  After a few minutes of what appeared to be pushing every key on his multi-level keyboard, he would stop and the church service would continue with the blessing.  Bells traditionally have been associated with Christmas for many centuries.  At St. James, as is the same with many Anglican and Catholic churches, Christmas day begins at midnight when the bells are rung in celebration.  Bells go way back to the Victorian times when it was fashionable to go carol singing with small handbells to play the tune of the carol.  Handbell ringing still plays a big part in the service at many churches.  Perhaps the most famous Christmas bells are those in the song "Jingle Bells".  The song was originally known as "One Horse Open Sleigh" and was a Thanksgiving Day song, but soon became associated with Christmas because of its "snowy" lyrics and was sang more at Christmas that Thanksgiving.  And, Jingle Bells was the first song to be broadcast from space when in December of 1965 astronauts Stafford and Schirra called back to the USA that they had spotted a sleigh in space and began to play the song with a harmonica and sleigh bells that they had smuggled onto Gemini 6.  So, enjoy the bells this Christmas.  I know I will as I think back close to 70 years when those bells began Christmas at St. James.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Emmaus Creche Is Moved To Avoid Lawsuit" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Driving home from a visit with a few of my fellow retired teachers to the Cabella's store in Hamburg, PA.  While passing through the square in the town of Lititz and seeing the Christmas Nativity display in front of the Bank, I told my fellow travelers about a newspaper article I had read a few days ago.  Story about a nearby town in Pennsylvania with the Biblical name of Emmaus that was warned to remove a Christmas Nativity scene from their Public Library lawn five days before Christmas of 2017.  

The creche as seen in Emmaus, PA

The warning letter that was sent to the city's Mayor was sent by the Americans For Separation of Church and State which is a nonprofit group.  They did not threaten any legal battle, but did site a list of legal precedents showing why Christian Nativity scenes, that stand alone, without displays representing other faiths, violate the First Amendment's establishment clause.  The Mayor didn't want to create any problems so he agreed to abandon the yearly tradition starting this year.  The event upset many people, especially since the town is named Emmaus which in the book of Luke in the Bible and is the town through which Jesus and his disciples travelled to leave Jerusalem.  Some in town saw it as part of a broader way to exclude people of faith from the public square.  Well, this year the Borough Manager asked the Emmaus Moravian Church if they would like to have the display in front of their Church which is only a few blocks from the library.  Being that the church is the most prominent building in Emmaus, it was a perfect fit.  It was the perfect answer and suited just about everyone in town.  Now, the reason I mention all of this is because in the early 1990s the same thing happened in Lititz, PA.  The American Civil Liberties Union contacted the Mayor and told him to take down the creche which featured a stable with Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus.  

The creche in the square of Lititz, PA.

Shortly the creche was moved to the nearby Lititz Moravian Church.  But then it was determined that the small triangular piece of ground in front of the bank in the center or town actually belonged to the Moravian Church who settled and owned much of the town when they organized the town years ago.  Wasn't long before the creche was rededicated on the small piece of ground in the center of town.  Close to 3,000 people showed up for he ceremony.  So, not only all is well in Lititz, but it seems to be that way once again in Emmaus, PA.  Our country was built on freedom of religion for all and designed an amendment to help ensure that freedom.   Who would have thought lawsuits would have to be filed to keep that freedom.  Keeping church and state separate has been a constant job, but in most cases has been done by civil means.  There have been a few cases where religious displays, plaques or monuments have been ruled by the courts as admissible.  Just not in the little biblical town known as Emmaus.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "I'll Have A Head Of Lettuce With My 'Halleluyah Chorus'" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Had such a great time reminiscing with old friends while partici- pating in the Lancaster County "Hallelujah Flash Mob" in preparation for the upcoming Christmas Holiday.  Three years ago I had the privilege of singing in a "flash mob", which is an informal gathering of people who gather to sing and bring joy to others during the Christmas season.  

LDub on left and Eddie on the right.

Enjoyed it so much that I did it last year as well as this year.  The organizer of the "flash mob" is David who is a bundle of energy who loves to sing and talk with anyone willing to talk with him.  This year we had two practices which were attended by about 50 singers each evening.  During the second practice he told everyone in attendance that the local Fulton Opera House singers would join us as well as another Lancaster County music ensemble who also asked if they too could join with everyone to sing.  Saturday, December 22 arrived and my wife Carol and I headed to Lancaster Central Market in the center of town for our first performance.  Lancaster's Central Market is the oldest market house in the country.  

David directing the Halleluyah Chorus on the square in Lancaster

The place was filled with holiday shoppers and at 9:00 am the "Flash Mob" broke into song as the shoppers stood and enjoyed our group's A cappella rendition of Handel's Messiah's Hallelujah Chorus.  As a child I sang in St. James' Episcopal Church's boys choir.  There were about 20 boys who sang every Sunday during church as well as making visits to other locations to perform Christian music.  

On the square in downtown Lancaster, PA.  LDub and his
daughter-in-law's mother Etta (both with red hats on) sing along.

I have lost touch with most of those friends from the past, but this year I had the pleasure to reunite with two former choir members, Doug and Eddie.  I invited both to join me in the "Flash Mob".  Doug chose to come and listen while Eddie joined the group, just as he had done last year.  After our market performance we walked to the nearby Marriott Hotel on the square in Lancaster and sang once again.  

Friends Eddie (front row 2nd from left), Doug (front 4th from left) and LDub (next to minister on front right).  Photo from 1958.  Click on image to enlarge.

A third appearance was around the huge Lancaster's Christmas tree in the center of town.  A bit windy, but the music sounded great once again.  Under David's direction, the singers performed while cars slowed down to listen to the 3 minutes and 53 seconds of beautiful music.  

Photo of the boy's and men's choir of St. James.  Doug is 4th boy from left if front while LDub is the cute kid in the dead center-front with his hair falling on his forehead.  Eddie had missed the photo.

Eddie wished me a Merry Christmas as he had other commitments while Carol and I headed to Whole Foods supermarket for one more round of halleluyah's.  We arrived and there was Doug and his wife who came to listen to the final performance of the morning.  The produce department of the supermarket was filled with shoppers who all stopped their shopping at approximately 10:45 to listen to Handel's Halleluyah Chorus.  We sat with Doug and his wife and Carol's friend Marg and her husband as we enjoyed a muffin and beverage from the store.  The day was a true success and meeting some of my good friends from the 1950s made it that much more enjoyable.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

PS - Enjoy the Lancaster "Flash Mob" 

The "Are You A Tinsel Lover...Or Not?" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Late 1970s and Christmas was right around the corner.  Our oldest son was close to 10 years old and loved just about everything about the holidays.  We bought a live Christmas tree at the stand run by a fellow I taught school with and we placed the tree in the living room of our home on Janet Ave. in Lancaster, PA.  To make sure he, nor his two siblings nor our two cats we had, didn't knock over the tree, I fastened the tree stand to the floor with screws and fastened the top to the wall with wire.  We were ready for decorating.  Lights, balls, ornaments and of course the final touch.....tinsel.  

Tinsel to make your Christmas tree reflect light.

My wife just loved to dangle tinsel from just about every branch of the tree.  Very festive, so it was.  But, there was also one other member of the family that loved the tinsel, namely Ivy, our cat.  She would eat the tinsel and then poop it out.  A few times we had to help her since it would come part-way out and then just hang there.  Kids thought that was not only gross, but funny.  Well, that brings me to the theme of my story for the day, tinsel.  Was invented sometime in the early 1600s in Nuremberg, Germany, the same country that created the Christmas tree.  The word, tinsel, comes from the French "estincelle" which means "spark".  No one is quite sure why people decided to drape it on a Christmas tree.  One thing that is known is that tinsel used to be real silver which made beautiful tinsel sounds when the air caused it to be rustled while on the tree.  But, with real candles still in use as ornaments on a tree, the flame would tarnish the tinsel.  Eventually, due to the cost, tinsel was made from aluminum.  

A beautiful tree with tinsel.

If you do a search online you may still be able to find pure silver tinsel, but at a premium price.  Tinsel which we are used to seeing on Christmas trees during our lifetime was partially lead until 1972 when the FDA said that it was too harmful for children to be near and was taken off the market.  Tinsel you can buy today is probably made of plastic or mylar.  Just doesn't lay on the tree like it used to years ago.  One tinsel producer today has the name Brite-Star.  It is a Philadelphia based business that makes about 80% of the tinsel made in the USA.  It makes its tinsel 1/16th of an inch wide and 18 inches long.  The company claims to have made enough tinsel to reach the moon and back which is about 1.6 billion strands of the stuff.  One way or another, if you lived in LDubs house back in the late 70s to the mid 80s, the tree wasn't going anywhere and was strung with the shiny stuff to make it look gaudy.  That was until Ivy consumed so much that she began to glow in the dark.  That was the end of our use of tinsel.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.