The "Portraying Your Country To The Rest Of The World: Part I - The Betsy Ross" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Checking out the flags of a few countries that Carol and I have visited in the past 20 years after my retirement from teaching.  We have traveled to a few countries in Europe as well as quite a few islands in the Caribbean.  And, each country had one thing different than all he rest...it's own flag!  Flags are used by countries for portraying itself to the rest of the world.  But, before that, they were used for two main reasons: to rally troops in battle and to connect ancient people with a supernatural power (generally a god or deity).  Flags date back about 5,000 years, though I couldn't pin down exactly when the first flag was raised.  Could be because the first flags weren't flags at all, but vexilloids which were large, wooden staves engraved with an emblem.  In the past, locales such as Iran, Egypt and Rome had their armies gather behind such rallying posts.  In battle, vexilloids helped define where each side's territory began and ended, helping curb inadvertent friendly fire.  It wasn't until the 6th century that the vexilloids started to evolve into flags.  Probably had something to do with the distribution of silk from China. The Ottoman Empire was one of the first ancient civilizations to create what we'd recognize today as a flag.  Now, if you are not a resident of the United States of America, you may not know the story of our flag.  Story deals with the Philadelphia seamstress known as Betsy Ross.  

The "Betsy Ross" Flag

She was supposed to have designed our flag.  But, after I read a half-dozen stories, I find that might not be true.  It was a few weeks shy of our country celebrating it's one-year anniversary when the 2nd Continental Congress passed a resolution establishing an official flag for our nation.  Seems that the flag we use today is the 27th version of our national banner.  The first design seems to have been inspired by the British East India Company.  The first "official" flag was created in June 1775 and was known as the Continental Colors or the Grand Union Flag.  It had 13 red and white alternating stripes to represent the 13 original colonies.  But, that flag had a Union Jack in its corner which was a problem for a nation that was fighting to be independent from the British crown.  The Continental Colors were believed to have been raised on January 1, 1776 in Massachusetts at the request of George Washington.  But the Second Continental Congress wanted a flag different than the British one.  So on June 14, 1777 Congress settled on a flag with alternating red and white stripes and 13 white stars in a blue field.  No one really knows why those colors were chosen or why that pattern was chosen.  Anyway, the Stars and Stripes were finally flown for the first time in September 1777 during the Revolutionary War.  The idea that Betsy Ross made the flag came about when her grandson, William Canby, told the story to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in 1870.  Mr. Canby claimed his Grandma made the flag one day after Gen. George Washington, Revolutionary War financier Robert Morris and Col. George Ross stopped at her place for a meeting.  Col. Ross, the uncle of her dead husband, wasn't the only one she recognized, since she also knew the handsome Commander in Chief who had visited her shop both professionally as well as socially many time.  She was given instructions that the flag should bear 13 alternating red and white stripes, and should include 13 six-pointed white stars in a blue background.  She used most of the instructions, but changed the stars to five-pointed stars.  She designed and sewed the flag and Congress later approved it.  So, I guess you could say she made the First American flag!  At least according to her grandson.  It was also thought that Betsy's dead husband's uncle, George Ross, recommended her for the job.  And...she was a seamstress!  

Could this be proof that Betsy Ross made the first USA Flag!

Right!  But, the strongest piece of evidence that she made the first flag was the receipt of more than 14 pounds paid to her on May 29, 1777 by the Pennsylvania State Navy Board which said...for the materials for making "ships colors" - leaving any overwhelming proof to be desired.  Now, I could list a few other theories which I found...but, I don't like any of them as much as the one about Betsy making the flag.  Check back tomorrow to read about a new flag that was recently designed and made by a young girl named Roselle Richardson.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Putting Your Accidents On Display" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Searching the archives of our local newspaper when I came across a section of the newspaper from the mid 1900s that was titled "In The Hospital."  It wasn't a daily column, but it did appear a few times a week.  It listed the names of everyone who appeared at one of the two main local hospital Emergency Rooms, what happened to them and in some cases the treatment that was administered.  Can you imagine reading a column in your local newspaper today that might list why people had a need to use the emergency room and what type of treatment was administered!  Privacy laws evidently didn't exist way back when...  I guess back then people read the column and perhaps sent "Get Well" or "Hope You Are Feeling Better" cards to those they might have known whose names were listed.  What follows are the listings for two weeks from the evening newspaper in Lancaster, Pennsylvania:

Lancaster General Hospital listings:
   Fay Bowman, two, 105 Howard Ave., knocked out three front teeth in fall down steps;
   Andres Hartman, twenty-two, 747 Franklin Street, injured knee playing baseball;
   Irvin Hellihen, seventeen, 735 Bay Street, spike wound of foot suffered at Penn Relays;
   Charles Monteuth, twenty-four, 422 South Ann Street, stricken with epileptic attack;
   Lloyd Webb, eight, 314 North Arch Street, bruised finger playing with gun;
   Harry Whitcraft, twenty-two, 243 West Walnut Street, possible fractured nose and lacerated eye in              fight;
   Steven Benjay, twelve, acccidently shot in the chest with a .22 caliber rifle; was reported weaker in the Columbia hospital, according to attendants today;
   Wallace Bork, twenty, 603 South Lime Street, was admitted to the General Hospital yesterday to undergo an operation;
   Sylvester F. Browning, thirty-one, 128 East Walnut Street, was admitted to the General Hospital last evening. He will undergo an operation;
   Policeman Luke Shrom, of Ephrata, underwent an appendectomy at the General Hospital today.  He was admitted to the hospital Monday.
   Wiliam Dietz, fourteen, 610 East Marion Street, nail puncture wound of the foot.

St. Joseph Hospital listings:
   James Dickel, seven, 1025 Clark Street, lacerated lip in fall;
   Thomas Galvin, fifty-three, 22 1/2 East King Street, fractured rib;
   Schuyler Long, fifty, 130 North Water Street, dislocated shoulder in fall while fishing;
   Abe Stoltzfus, forty-three, 628 Frederick Street, cut thumb at work.
   Margaret Dochat, twenty-seven, 656 St. Joseph street, injured arm in fall; 
   Paul Wilson, twenty-five, 11 North Market Street, injured eye on thorn while working in garden;
   Walter Kottmeyer, two, 130 Nevin Street, injured arm in clothes wringer;
   Elva Strubel, thirty-three, Paradise R.D. 1, injured wrist in a fall down steps;
   Haines Finkbiner, fifty-seven, Florin, lacerated hand with chisel.

Lancaster eventually opened another hospital known as Lancaster Osteopathic Hospital.  I found no listings from that hospital.  Perhaps they stopped the practice of publishing hospital visits before this hospital opened.  Did you town or city do the same as the two hospitals in Lancaster, Pennsylvania did?  Fun to read, but I'm sure some of the names listed didn't appreciate having their name in the newspaper.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Memorials With Meaning: Part 2 - The Civil War" Story

Lancaster, Pennsylvania's monument on the square.  Very early photo - date unknown.

It was an ordinary day.  Reading a bit more about the Civil War Monument that stands in the center of Lancaster's Square in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  The statue features "The Genius of Liberty" in the center of the monument with sculptures of a Calvary Man, Artillery Man, Infantry Man and a Naval Man surrounding the central sculpture of the Genius of Liberty.  I have written about the monument in the past, but have never mentioned where the figures were made and of what material.  Jack Brubaker, known in Lancaster as "The Scribbler,"  writes a column in the local newspaper every Sunday and recently passed along some information about the statues.  

Artillery Man on North-East corner.

It was back in 1871, six years after the Civil War ended that the Lancaster County Monumental Association decided they should have a monument to honor those who fought in the Civil War.  It was finally decided that Batterson, Canfield and Co. from Hartford, Connecticut along with monument designer, Lewis Haldy, from Lancaster, would place the monument in the center of the square in Lancaster.  

Cavalry Man on South-West corner.

The monument would have a Greek Revival design with granite infantry, navy, artillery and cavalry men standing around a base and a Genius of Liberty standing with drawn sword at the top of a tall shaft.  The statues would look similar to monuments erected in other towns, since the granite companies, with many in New England and East Tennessee, were supplying figures to many other towns and cities.  

Navy man on South-East corner.

It was discovered that the Babcock-Smith Museum, located on Granite Street in Westerly, Rhode Island, had records from Lancaster showing that Batterson, etc. had an order book showing locations where their statues were shipped.  The monument's figures were carved in New England and Lewis Haldy set them into a rock-solid base in Penn Square.  The four military figures were more or less mass produced Civil War sculptures.  And, most of these statues could be ordered from catalogs.  

Infantryman on the North-West corner.

Records are hard to find as to whom may have produced the original sculpture.  The Genius of Liberty was alleged to have been made by Augustin Dumont.  It too was mass produced and can be found on many other monuments around the country.  As to whom may have worked on the monument in Lancaster's Square, names were never recorded and have been lost for eternity.  I still find myself taking photos of the monument just about everytime I walk around town looking for an interesting story.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

A more recent view of the monument.

    

The "Memorials With Meaning: Part I- Japanese Internment Camp Memorial" Story

 It was an ordinary day.  Searching for a photograph of the granite memorial that sits in the square of Lancaster, Pennsylvania when I came upon a rather unusual stone memorial in Poston, Arizona that is known as the Japanese Internment Camp Memorial.  The cylindrical round top stands almost as high as the few palm trees that stand near it.  

The Japanese Internment Camp Memorial

Around the base are plaques that more than likely tell the story of life in one of America's World War II concentration camps.  Almost 80 years ago, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 which authorized the Secretary of War or military commanders to establish "military areas" and excluding "there from any and all persons."  As a result of the order, all residents of Japanese descent along the Pacific Coast were forcibly removed to what were referred to as "War Relocation Camps."  This all came about due to the December 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor attack by the Japanese.  About two-thirds of those interned were American citizens.  That number could have been higher except that under existing law, Japanese immigrants couldn't become naturalized citizens.  Seems that the attitude at the highest levels of the military was that a Japanese was a Japanese and racial strains are undiluted.  If you are Japanese you are the enemy.  Those on the West Coast were regarded as potential displays who could engage in sabotage.  Seems that those not Japanese were so scared and terrified that the Japanese Army was going to march through California.  So, if you were of Japanese decent, you should be locked up.  Those in command used the excuse that the Japanese were being detained in the Internment Camps for their own protection.  Hard to believe when viewing newsreels and seeing the barbed wire facing inward and all the guards had their weapons pointed at those inside the camp.  As the war progressed, some were allowed to leave the camps if they found sponsors in the Midwest or the East.  Days after the Japanese bombed Hawaii, several California Buddhist Churches were burned to the ground.   At first, some Japanese Americans were jailed, and later taken to the interment camps.  

View of the Internment Camp

The only Americans who offered help in condemn- ing the camp were the Quakers who said placing the Japanese in interment camps was a blatant violation of constitutional rights.  It was said to be totally opposite of American ideals.  But, the propaganda newsreels showed people getting off buses like they were going to summer camp.  One Japanese person described the interment camp as a makeshift city of crudely and hastily built barracks in the heart of the Arizona desert.  Just about all who were detained lost property and many lost their jobs.  Today's Japanese marvel at their relatives attitude in the camp.  Most didn't show resentment or bitterness even thought they may have lost everything when they were released.  One person told that her father suffered a cerebral hemorrhage a month after being placed in the camp.  She was only 10 years old at the time.  Japanese knew the United States had been attacked by Japan, so most just kept quiet about their predicament.  Back then you didn't question anything.  Many thousand American lives were lost in the war, but there was no reason a loyal citizen, no matter what nationality they may have been, should have been locked up in an internment camp.  It was demoralizing and older people became ill more quickly while sick people didn't live long.  It was tough for the children, but not as bad as it was for the elderly.  Some said they didn't choose to be there, but they tried to make the most of it. When they were released they tried to begin their life over once again.  What seemed so strange was that there were many Japanese soldiers fighting for the United States while their relatives were imprisioned in internment camps.  Today, the Japanese-American Citizen's League is lobbying for American students to be taught more about the internment camps.  Seems that very few states teach about the Japanese internment camps.  I must admit I never knew about it until I began to research information for this story.   The Civil Liberties Act of 1988, passed by congress and signed by President Regan, provided for a presidential apology and $1.25 billion in reparations, or $20,000 to each individual who had been in the camps.  A small amount for the horrible damage that was done to most Japanese families.  One survivor told of her daughter writing about her mother being in a Japanese internment camp during WWII.  She turned in her paper and her teacher returned it with a big red "F" and a rebuke from the teacher which read: "You made this all up. This never happened!"  What is hard to believe is that the teacher probably never hear about the internment camps.  So sad that it has been kept from all of us for all these years. At least the memorial in Poston, Arizona spread the word about that part of our history.  PS - After finishing typing this story I talked to my wife about what I had just written.  She looked at me and said, "I can't believe you didn't learn that in high school.  I did!"  I looked at her and said, "I can't believe that either.  And I studied history in high school and college!"  To my readers...did you really know about this?  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "The House At 806 North Duke Street" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Sitting in my recliner watching the start of a football game as well as reviewing the photographs I had just loaded on my MacBook Air from my Nikon digital camera.  My mission earlier today was to take photographs of homes that illustrated a fenced in platform on the top of the roof of a home.  It is known as a widow's watch and was originally featured on 19th Century North American coastal homes, but today can be seen just about anywhere.  Called that since the wives of mariners would watch for their husband's return from the sea.  During that time in history, the ocean took the lives of many mariners, leaving many women widows.  Others called them a Captain's Walk, since they also topped the homes of Sea Captains and ship owners so they could search the horizon from the platform to search for ships due back in port.  I found such a home located on the corner of E. Clay Street and N. Duke Street in the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  The house was an illustration of Colonial or Georgian Revival architecture.  I did find out from local architect, Greg Scott, that the house was designed by British architect James H. Warner in 1895 when he was 30 years old.  He designed it for his personal attorney Eugene Montgomery.  The address listed on a door plaque was 802 North Duke Street. 

Notice the Widow's Watch on the top of 802 N. Duke St. - by LancasterHistory

Walked the perimeter of the mansion taking photos of the rooftop fence-enclosed platform and as I wandered slightly past the mansion, I saw a painting on an exterior wall of the home at 806 North Duke Street.  My guess is that it was done on a piece of 4' X 8' exterior plywood with paints that wouldn't weather if placed outside in harsh weather.  Approached it to take a closer photograph when I saw a small painted box that appeared to be a fire call-box in the front yard at 806 North Duke Street.

The "LittleFreeLibrary.org." box at 806 North Duke Street.

Wasn't long before I realized it was a public library box, perhaps established by the family living at 806 North Duke.  A small label on it read, "LittleFreeLibrary.org."  I just had to peak in to see if there were any books available for reading that I might enjoy.  Sure enough, there were several.  But, should I really take one or two from this library box?  What if they are watching from inside the house and see me take a book.  But, then I thought a bit more and realized that probably was the reason they put the box there and they might be pleased that someone thought enough to take a book from their library along the curb.  So...I took one, closed the door and walked away reading it.  Book was titled "Great People of the 20th Century" and was written by the editors of TIME magazine.  Book tells the story of 76 great people from all over the world whom lived in the 20th Century.  Looks like interesting reading and I may share some of it with you in the future.  I am so glad I took the time to look through the small library box and "borrow" a book from it.  I do plan to return it before long with a few of my books that others may appreciate as well.  I want to thank the family living at 806 North Duke Street for sponsoring the small library and hope that many others have also benefitted from it.  

The sign in front of 806 North Duke Street.

I then noticed a sign in the front yard of 806 North Duke that read "BE KIND".  The sign featured about a dozen words in a variety of languages which I assume also meant "BE KIND".  When I was a child, I lived about three blocks from 806 North Duke Street and passed this corner many times when I was a Cub Scout walking to Monday afternoon meetings.  I slightly remember the hugh house on the corner, but never took notice to the house at 806 North Duke Street.  

806 North Duke Street

Seems like the type of neighbors you would love to have.  I hopped back in my car and headed South on North Duke Street to take a few other photographs in downtown Lancaster.  As I returned home on Lititz Pike I passed the Manheim Township Parks & Recreation offices and the ages old mansion on the property caught my eye.  Ah, Ha!  One more Victorian Gothic building, known as Stauffer Mansion,  with the fenced platform on the roof.  Well, I have finished reviewing my photographs and am ready to write a story for you to peruse, which by the way, in case you were wondering, means "to read something in a relaxed way."  And, that's just how I plan to write my story today.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The cover of my new book.

The "Lititz Author Pens New Book For All Ages" Story

It was an ordinary day.  There on the front page of the "Living" section of our local newspaper was an article titled "L IS FOR 'LITITZ'".  Story about Mr. Bill Dussinger who has illustrated quite a few publications including graphic design work for several Lititz events, publications for Hershey Entertainment & Resorts as well as work for the National Football League's Oakland Raiders, now the Las Vegas Raiders.  

The cover of Bill Dussinger's new book.

But, this time he did more that illustrate or design graphics for a publication, he authored his own book titled "Lititz: From America's Coolest Town to Count Zinzendorf."  Bill is a "true blue" Lititz resident, being a relative of the first settlers of Lititz as well as the pretzel-making Stugis family.  So, he decided to author and illustrate a book that would be a great souvenir for tourists to the town of Lititz, a small town to the North of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  The book had to have just the right amount of illustrations as well as history to it to make visitors want to buy it.  

Bill Dussinger

Took him about four years  before he had finished his project.  As a resident of Lititz, Bill lived on Penny Lane and thus was a Beatles fan.  The name of his book reflects his love of the Beatles.  In the Lancaster Newspaper article he tells about making a list of ABCs and filling in all the letters with items and events from his hometown.  Did find it tough to find a word or illustration for a few letters in the alphabet, so he set his project aside for a while.  Then COVID-19 struck and Bill found he had quite a bit more leisure time, so he dug up the book idea again and finished it.  The book is meant to appeal to both adults and children; Lititz residents as well as visitors to his home town.  I have seen several other books which Bill has worked on, and this book really shows Bill's talent as an illustrator.  So, what do you do with letters such as the "Q"?  Well, Lititz is famous for it annual 4th of July celebration and it's naming a "Queen of the Cancles" for it's candlelit ceremony in the town's park.  Sound logical?  Woodstream Corporation manufactures pest control items and would be a perfect match for the "W".  But, wait!  He had already used the "W," so he placed it under "E" for "Eek! A Mouse!"  Every place and item in Lititz aren't illustrated, since he would have needed more than 26 letters for that.  But, he did get the main ones such as "P" for Stugis Pretzels and "C" for Chocolate made by Wilbur's in Lititz.  

Final page in the book.

Even thought he is a resident of Lititz, he still learned quite a bit about the town while working on his book.  The book is a "fun" book with a bit of trivia about Lititz added to it to make it interesting.  Bill's new book is not for sale in stores as of yet, but if you might be interested in a copy, you can contact him on Facebook or email him at bill@plgraphics.com.  Seems he has already sold quite a few copies and I suspect after the story in the local newspaper, he has sold more copies.  His final comment in the newspaper story says he has already begun work on a follow-up book about Lancaster County.  Can't wait for that one!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "United States History At It's Finest...But, With One Mistake!" Story

 It was an ordinary day.  My wife Carol and I am on a mission to find a stone plaque in Williamson Park in the south end of the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Actually, for me it is a mission, but for her it is a chance to get out of the house for an hour or so to relieve the total boredom that has been a big part of our lives for the past year.  

General Edward Hand

It was on Friday, September 20, 1912 that the city of Lancaster celebrated General Edward Hand with the unveiling of the General Hand Memorial Tablet on the face of the cliff known for many years as Indian Hill.  The site of Indian Hill is to the south of the city of Lancaster along the Conestoga River.  The plaque was placed close to General Hand's home known as "Rockford."  

Rockford

I have visited Rockford many times and posted a story or two about the beautiful home along the Conestoga River.  The Lancaster Historical Society conducted the celebration and one of General Hand's descendants was in attendance to see the unveiling of the stone plaque.  Speeches were made and someone carrying a Lancaster Red Rose led the way to the site.  Mr. W.U. Hensel delivered the presentation address and His Honor, the Mayor of Lancaster, Frank B. McClain, accepted the plaque for the city.  Covering the plaque was a large American flag which shielded the plaque, and on cue, a descendant of General Hand revealed the plaque to those in attendance.  Looked great...except for one minor problem.  Seems the person who chiseled the stone plaque made a slight mistake.  One little bit of absentmindedness resulted in a misspelled word on the granite plaque.  The plaque, in part, read:

AT "ROCKFORD" NEAR HERE, LIVED & DIED GENERAL EDWARD HAND, M.D., A SOLDIER OF THE REVOLUTION, ADJUTANT GENERAL & FRIEND OF WAHSINGTON, BORN IN CLYDRUFF, IRELAND, Etc., Etc. Etc.

Click to enlarge.

I can only imagine the gasps from the crowd when they read it for the first time and realized that George Washington's last name was misspelled!  Well, the craftsman who made the plaque was summoned and he attempted to correct his mistake.  He used his chisel and today when you examine the plaque, as Carol and I did today, you will easily see that the"H" has been made into an "S" and vice-versa.  

I have enlarged the plaque so you can see the mistake.

But, you know what?  Had that not happened back on that day in 1912, I doubt if I would be standing in front of the plaque today, taking a photograph of it.  What are the odds that someone with a chisel would make a mistake such as that and change history forever.  And, the main reason Carol and I drove to Williamson Park today to try and find the plaque was because of an article I came upon in a very old issue of Lancaster's newspaper.  The article was a one-column story that was set apart for the rest of the page with a black box around it.  It included a drawing of a Conestoga Wagon and was titled "The Conestogo Waggon".  

I still wonder if the article was misspelled  on purpose to give the readers notice of what was in the article.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "The 1st Inauguration Photograph Ever Taken" Story

 It was an ordinary day.  Reading about the recent Inauguration and looking at photograph after photograph of our county's most recent event.  Then I turned to page A9 of the local newspaper and there was a double-column wide, sepia-tone wet-plate collodion photograph of the Capitol building in Washington D.C. which at the time was still under construction. 

This sepia-tone photograph is the first ever taken at a Presidential Inauguration.
Taken March 4, 1851.

The stone yard, slightly visible in the foreground, is covered with wooden boards that served as the platform for the crowd.  The photograph was taken by Mr. John Wood who was the photographer for the Architect of the Capitol from 1856 to 1861.  The image seen here, as noted before, was taken using the wet-plate collodion method which is an early photographic technique invented by Englishman Frederick Scott Archer in 1851.  The process involved adding a soluble iodide to a solution of collodion (cellulose nitrate) and coating a glass plate with the mixture.  In the darkroom the plate was immersed in a solution of silver nitrate to form silver iodide.  The plate, still wet, was placed in the camera and exposed to light. or the scene being photographed.  It was then developed by pouring a solution of Pyrogallic acid over it and was fixed with a strong solution of sodium thiosulfate.  Immediate development and fixing was necessary because, after the collodion film had dried, it became waterproof and the reagent solutions could not penetrate it.  Other photographic styles of the time were the calotype, ambrotype and tintype.  Perhaps you have heard of one of these before.  The much earlier daguerrotype method of photography yielded only a positive and could not be reproduced as a photograph taken on glass which could act as a negative.  My guess is that Mr. Archer had a portable darkroom very close to where he took this photograph.  Mr. Wood's photograph is among a group of free-use archival images that have been made available by the Library of Congress for use by anyone, thus they carry no copyright.  What is rather interesting about the photograph displayed here from March 4, 1857 is the fact that it features Lancaster, Pennsylvania's own James Buchanan being sworn in as President of the United States.  He was the 15th President of the United States.  Luckily the weather was beautiful and the crowds were massive according to the local newspaper; The Lancaster Daily Evening Express.  I searched and searched the newspaper's archives, but was not able to find a photograph to go with the story  from March 4th.  My guess is that the photograph shown above was never posted in the Lancaster Newspaper.

This is a Presidential photo of Abraham Lincoln taken on Nov. 8, 1863.
You can see the big change in photographic technology from 1851 to 1863.

As far as President Buchanan, he would be the only bachelor in our nation's history.  His niece, Harriett Lane, served as his First Lady.  Two days after his  inauguration, the Supreme Court delivered the Dred Scott vs. Sanford decision, and in his final address before congress as President, Buchanan declared that the government could not legally prevent states from seceding from the Union.  It was that final act as President that influenced his poor historical standing.  No one knows if he could have prevented the Civil War had he ruled differently that day.  President Buchanan's home is a few miles from my home here in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and I have taken many trips through it in order to write a story or two about his home known as Wheatland.  Named so due to the fact that the fields around his house were at one time covered with wheat.  Many Lancasterians are now hoping that President Buchanan will move up a notch on the list of worst Presidents and no longer be voted the worst President we ever had.  Time will tell!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "The Murder Of John Lennon" Story

It was an ordinary day.  December 8, 1980; which is just a bit over 40 years ago.  It was on that date when a fellow named Mark David Chapman murdered Beatle member, guitarist John Lennon.  Sad day in our home, since Carol's favorite musical group was the "Beatles" whose members were Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon.

John Lennon

Never had the opportunity to see them in concert, but never missed a show when they were on television.  Mark was a Beatles fan who had traveled from Hawaii to New York with the purpose of killing John.  He was angered by Lennon's lifestyle and public statements, especially John's much publicized remark about the Beatles being "more popular than Jesus" and the lyrics of his songs "God" and "Imagine".  He had planned the murder for many months and was at John and his wife Ono's apartment in New York, waiting for him to return to "The Dakota" apartment complex.

Mark David Chapman

Earlier that evening he had met Lennon and had him sign a copy of the Beatles' album "Double Fantasy".  As John and Ono walked towards the entrance of the building, Chapman fired five hollow-point bullets from his .38 revolver.  Four of them struck Lennon in the back.  Lennon was rushed by the police to Roosevelt Hospital in a police car where he was pronounced dead-on-arrival.  John was 40 years old.  As far as Mr. Chapman, he remained at the scene reading "The Catcher in the Rye" until police arrested him for the murder.  Crowds gathered at The Dakota where they lit candles to remember John.  He was later cremated and buried at the Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York.  His ashes were given to his grieving wife.  She in turn requested that there not be a funeral, but that there be 10 minutes of silence around the world the following Sunday.  Those living in New York could come to nearby Central Park in New York.  Mark Chapman was sentenced to 20-years-to-life imprisonment in a New York prison.  His 20 years was up in 2000 but he has been denied parole 11 times since then.  It might be best he has been kept in prison, since I believe he might be murdered himself if he is ever released.  Beatles fans all over the world would be looking for him!  Three Beatles fans killed themselves after the murder leading to Ono making an full-page newspaper open letter appeal on January 18, 1981 asking mourners not to give in to despair.  The letter appeared in The New York Times as well as The Washington Post.  The letter was titled "In Gratitude" and expressed her thanks to those that mourned her husband.  

John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney and George Harrison

The last Beatles' album, "Double Fantasy," which was released a few weeks before John's murder, became a huge success and won the 1981 Album of the Year.  Later that year Ono released a solo album which featured Lennon's blood-spattered glasses on the cover.   One more note: Jay Hastings, The Dakota doorman who tried to help John, sold the shirt he was wearing that night, which carried John's blood, eight years later for $42,178.60 at auction.   I would love to be able to frame that for the owner.   It was on February 7, 1964 that the Beatles arrived at New York's John F. Kennedy Airport, greeted by scores of screaming fans who rushed to the gate to catch a glimpse of John, Paul, George and Ringo.  Two nights later they appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show."  

My wife and I watched both the arrival at the airport as well as their performance on national TV.  The British Invasion had just started!  In our living room we have a wall covered with record albums from both Carol's favorite artists as well as mine.  One of those albums, in near-perfect condition, is "Meet The BEATLES!" which was released January 10, 1964 in the United States.  I often wonder if I should take it down from the wall and take the record from the sleeve so we can play it.  Only problem would be...we don't have a record player anymore.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Father Of Caribbean Impressionism" Story

 It was an ordinary day.  Writing a story for the Christmas season when I came across some of the most interesting and beautiful photographs taken by Ryan Tackling and posted on the website WE ARE ST.MAARTEN ST.MARTIN.

Sir Roland Richardson as photographed by Ryan Tackling

I posted them on a recent story, but never had the chance to post perhaps his best photograph taken of one of the world's most famous living artists, known as the father of Caribbean Impressionism, Sir Roland Richardson.  I recently read an article about Sir Roland which was written by Sarah Mitchell who brought his artwork to the forefront of Caribbean impressionism.  My wife Carol and I have visited Roland's gallery at #6 Rue de la Republique in Marigot, St. Martin several times and just love the two-story home with a rear garden that fronts an old barracks that held French troops during several wars.  

#6 Rue de la Republique in Marigot, St. Martin

The two story house, which was his family's early settlement, also served at one time as Marigot's town hall.  You can't miss the house with the bright red shutters and whitewashed walls with a second story balcony with ornamental artwork and wooden railings.  

Sir Roland showing my wife his rear garden and barracks.

When we first met Sir Roland about ten years ago, we found we had many things in common being that we both share the same birth year and both loved working with etchings, engravings, woodcuts and drypoint prints.  The only difference was that he was professionally skilled in each while I only taught the skills, certainly not with the same talent that Roland possesses.  

Very seldom do you see Roland without his hat.
This is one of my favorite photos I have of his residence.

I have written quite a few stories about Sir Roland in the past, but never tire of reading more about his life and artwork.  As Ms. Mitchell wrote, the 19th-century art movement Impressionism began in Paris and was concentrated on conveying the immediate visual impression of the world, utilizing small but bold brush strokes, contrasts of color and ordinary or familiar subject matter.  First criticized for being a naive and trivial approach to art, it spread around the world and influenced the development of other forms of media.  Impresionists preferred free brush strokes over attention to specific details and definition and often painted 'en plein air' (outdoors), a technique that captured the true effects of the sunlight and environment.

Sir Roland painting 'en plein air'.  Painting is titled "Blue Agave".

Sir Roland Richardson is known for his 'en plein air' technique and can ofter be found working outdoors on either the Dutch or French side of the island.  In 2007 Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands knighted Roland, thus his title of Sir Roland.  He has also received a lifetime achievement award from the French government.  One day a few years ago we caught Roland in his studio as he was straightening out his tubes of paint and brushes.  

Sir Roland signing our print of "Blue Agave".

He generously took us on a tour of his gallery and his rear garden and explained the history of the barracks that stand behind his home.  We try to make visits each time we travel to St. Martin in hopes of getting to visit with him and see his latest pieces of artwork.  As Ms. Mitchell writes, he is the father of Cribbean Impressionism and even though his art is rooted in the Caribbean, art students around the world know him for his mastery of multiple mediums and his impressionistic landscape paintings of his homeland.  We love the pieces we have purchased from him and have placed them in prominent places in our home so others may also view them, but also so that everyday we have the chance to see them as we walk through our home.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  

Another favorite photograph I took of Sir Roland Richardson at his gallery in St. Martin.

The "The Hill We Climb!" Story

Preface:  It was over 10 years ago that I began this site.  As of yesterday I have posted 4,191 extraordinary stories for you to read.  My first few years I posted a story or two with a political theme to them and received several comments.  Decided I had more to tell than stories about politics that drew unwanted comments, so I discontinued political stories.  Today's story has to do with one five minute segment of the latest Presidential Inauguration, but with a different theme to it.  My story tells of a young woman who is the United States of America's first National Youth Poet Laureate.  Her poem she recited today at the Inauguration was amazing.  Told her story through poetry.  I only hope you had the chance to hear it.  If not, her rendition of it surely must be online somewhere.  Watch it if you can or read her poem at the end of my story.  You will love this young woman and her outlook on life.  It is more than political.  It is life, itself!  It is her vision of what she hopes the world in which she lives may be some day.  Read on...

It was an ordinary day.  Just got home from a half-day at Grebinger Gallery and sat down to watch a bit of the Presidential Inauguration.  A few seconds after I sat in my recliner, there stood this young girl dressed in a bright yellow dress.  She began to talk and before long I realized that she was reciting a poem that she wrote for the Inaugural.  She was amazing and perhaps the best speaker of those I had a chance to see.  Found out she is only 22 years old, but still impressed everyone who was watching her on TV and in the audience of the Inauguration.  

Amanda Gorman

Her name is Amanda Gorman and she is the United States of America's first National Youth Poet Laureate.  Amanda is a Los Angeles native who was raised by her mother, a teacher.  She has two siblings, one being her twin sister Gabrielle.  She attended New Roads, a private school in Santa Monica, for grades K-12, and then studied sociology at Harvard from where she graduated cum laude with a degree in sociology.  In 2013 she became a youth delegate for the United Nations after watching a speech by Pakistani Nobel Prize laureate, Malala Yousafzai, and feeling moved to help her country.  During her high school years she attended monthly creative writing workshops and was matched with mentors for one-on-one mentoring.  It was at this time that she was named the first ever  youth poet laureate of Los Angeles in 2014.  The following year she published her first poetry book, The One for Whom Food Is Not Enough.  In 2017 she became the first youth poet to open the literary season for the Library of Congress.  She has read her poetry on MTV.  Her list of achievements grows almost daily and she has now decided that she wants to run for President of The United States in 2036.  Her art and activism focus on issues of oppression, feminism, race and marginalization.  It was in 2107 that she was named the first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate of the United States.  Her Inaugural poem was called "The Hill We Climb" which encouraged unity and hope.  She was given five minutes to present her poem.  I had a bit of a problem understanding all of her poem, since she went so fast, but I was able to find the text of her poem which I have added at the end of my story.  Her poem is titled "The Hill We Climb" and she delivered it as a true pro.  Our country is in good hands knowing we have young people such as Amanda!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

"The Hill We Climb" by Amanda Gorman

When day comes, we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never-ending shade?

The loss we carry. A sea we must wade.

We braved the belly of the beast.

We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace, and the norms and notions of what “just” is isn’t always justice.

And yet the dawn is ours before we knew it.

Somehow we do it.

Somehow we weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken, but simply unfinished.

We, the successors of a country and a time where a skinny Black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president, only to find herself reciting for one.

And, yes, we are far from polished, far from pristine, but that doesn’t mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect.

We are striving to forge our union with purpose.

To compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters and conditions of man.

And so we lift our gaze, not to what stands between us, but what stands before us.

We close the divide because we know to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside.

We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another.

We seek harm to none and harmony for all.

Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true.

That even as we grieved, we grew.

That even as we hurt, we hoped.

That even as we tired, we tried.

That we’ll forever be tied together, victorious.

Not because we will never again know defeat, but because we will never again sow division.

Scripture tells us to envision that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid.

If we’re to live up to our own time, then victory won’t lie in the blade, but in all the bridges we’ve made.

That is the promise to glade, the hill we climb, if only we dare.

It’s because being American is more than a pride we inherit.

It’s the past we step into and how we repair it.

We’ve seen a force that would shatter our nation, rather than share it.

Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy.

And this effort very nearly succeeded.

But while democracy can be periodically delayed, it can never be permanently defeated.

In this truth, in this faith we trust, for while we have our eyes on the future, history has its eyes on us.

This is the era of just redemption.

We feared at its inception.

We did not feel prepared to be the heirs of such a terrifying hour.

But within it we found the power to author a new chapter, to offer hope and laughter to ourselves.

So, while once we asked, how could we possibly prevail over catastrophe, now we assert, how could catastrophe possibly prevail over us?

We will not march back to what was, but move to what shall be: a country that is bruised but whole, benevolent but bold, fierce and free.

We will not be turned around or interrupted by intimidation because we know our inaction and inertia will be the inheritance of the next generation, become the future.

Our blunders become their burdens.

But one thing is certain.

If we merge mercy with might, and might with right, then love becomes our legacy and change our children’s birthright.

So let us leave behind a country better than the one we were left.

Every breath from my bronze-pounded chest, we will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one.

We will rise from the golden hills of the West.

We will rise from the windswept Northeast where our forefathers first realized revolution.

We will rise from the lake-rimmed cities of the Midwestern states.

We will rise from the sun-baked South.

We will rebuild, reconcile, and recover.

And every known nook of our nation and every corner called our country, our people diverse and beautiful, will emerge battered and beautiful.

When day comes, we step out of the shade of flame and unafraid.

The new dawn balloons as we free it.

For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it.

If only we’re brave enough to be it.

The "Is It Snailmail, email...or whatever? Story

 It was an ordinary day.  Carol and I just purchased a birthday card for our sister-in-law at a local grocery store.  Neat card that we know she will enjoy receiving.  Her birthday is at the end of the week so we thought it best if we sign it, put it in the envelope, put a stamp and return address sticker on it and put it out in the mailbox so our mailman will pick it up by tomorrow.  

What you need to send a memory!

Seems we have been doing that for years and years, when in fact it has been years and years and more years.  It was in 1775 that Benjamin Franklin was appointed the first Postmaster General in the United States.  Wasn't until 1847 though that the first U.S. postage stamp was issued and eight years later you had to prepay for the stamps.  And, who knows how long it might have taken for that piece of mail to get to the addressee on the envelope.  Compare that to today when you can type a letter on your computer or iPhone, affix an address to the letter and in seconds or perhaps nanoseconds, that person will get the mail.  The advent of email makes this entire process go from days or months to seconds.  Email celebrates its 49th birthday this year.  When I first read that I found that unbelievable.  Did you know that email began in 1971?  Email actually predates the internet.  Email traversed the technological revolution virtually unscathed.  A few bits of history about email are: 

#1 - The first email was sent in 1971 by Ray Tomlinson who was a programmer working on applications for MIT's Arpanet project (what we today know as the internet). That first message probably was: "Test12".

#2 - The first email marketing blast was sent in 1978 when Gary Thuerk sent a promotional mailing to 400 customers which eventually ended up in $13 in sales.  That first promotional email is also know as the first spam message.

#3 -  In 1989, experts predicted that other types of technology would soon replace the simple email.  Never did!

#4 - Hotmail sparked the explosion of email marketing.  When the internet went live in 1991, email was used primarily by universities and corporations.  The general public saw it as a novelty and too expensive for everyday use.  On the 4th of July, 1996, Hotmail launched the first free-web-based email service.  Instantly opened a direct line of communication to about 20 million American internet users.

#5 -  Then in December of 1996 the "world's largest spam" happened when Xoom sent a marketing email to 6 million internet users to advertise their "Email Robot, which was an anti-spam filtering tool.  Actually, the campaign was meant to be a joke with the junk email telling you to get the free product so you could stop junk emails.  Just in case you might want to know what "Spam" means or stands for, it is a slang name for unsolicited commercial email.

#6 - Five years ago there were 2.6 billion email users worldwide with over half of the emails received being spam.  Hard to believe that that was an improvement over the the year 2008 when spam accounted for over 92% of total email traffic.  

Well, it's the end of my history lesson for today and I need to find a stamp and return address sticker to put on the birthday card so I can put it out tomorrow for the mailman to pick up and pass it along to our sister-in-law. 

Small chart I found to help you understand my story.