The "One Of Lancaster's Finest!" Story

 It was an ordinary day.  Reading about a young man by the name of Henry Augustus Hambright who was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on March 24, 1819.  The majority of what I read about Colonel Hambright was from Lancaster's Daily Evening Express newspapers which were dated September 7, 9, 10 and 11 of 1861.  In those newspapers were printed accounts of presentations to Colonel Hambright of presentations of a sword, officers' accouterments (outward forms of recognition) and a horse that showed the high esteem in which Lancaster's citizens held for the leader of the Lancaster County Regiment.  There had been other Union Army leaders who called Lancaster home and had achieved greater rank and glory than Colonel Henry A. Hambright, to the average Lancasterian he was the town's military leader.  He was a hero of the Mexican War and militia leader during the 1850s as well as leading the 79th Pennsylvania Army from when he raised it until it was mustered out in 1865.  His father and uncle were also officers in the War of 1812 and the Hambright name stands out as the pre-eminent name in Lancaster's nineteenth century military tradition.  

Colonel Henry Augustus Hambright

Colonel Hambright won acclaim as a strict disciplinarian and talented drillmaster, all the while gaining respect for showing deep concern for the welfare of the men he commanded.  Henry originally worked as a public works contractor, beginning as superintendent of grading on the Germantown & Norristown Railroad.  He fought valiantly in numerous battles of the Mexican War, serving as 1st Lieutenant of Co. G, Second Pennsylvania Infantry.  One of his official reports was published in the December 18, 1847 Intelligencer newspaper.  Later he succeeded his father as Captain of the militia organization, the Jackson Rifles, when he led during the Three Months Campaign of 1861 as Co. K, 1st Pennsylvania Volunteers.  At the war's outbreak, he was superintendent of the Pennsylvania Railroad's operations in Lancaster.  After the war ended he remained held various posts in the U.S. Army including posts in Texas and Louisiana.  He retired from the Army in 1879.  

Colonel Hambright's burial marker in Lancaster Cemetery.

He died on February 19, 1893 and was buried in Lancaster Cemetery on East Lemon Street.  I have made numerous visits to the cemetery to document other stories I have written.  While writing this story I found photographs of of his gravesite, but what took me by surprise was the entrance to the cemetery.  

The gatehouse leading into Lancaster Cemetery at one time.

I never knew that the entrance on E. Lemon Street once had a gate house at it's entrance.  It was designed by Isaac Hobbs who also designed many victorian mansions in Lancaster.  The driveway through the center was 15 feet wide so that carriages could go through it into the cemetery.  On the ground floor of the gate house were offices and a vault to hold coffins until burial.  The entire second floor was a chapel with a huge round stained glass window.  It eventually fell into disrepair and had to be removed for safety issues.  

The entrance today.

I have included photos of what the entrance to the cemetery used to look like and what it looks like today.  I have also posted a story printed in the local newspaper that told of a wound that Col. Hambright had suffered during one of his battles.  On this Memorial Day, Lancaster remembers one of our greatest military leaders in Col. Henry Augustus Hambright.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Remembering Our Heroes" Story

It was an ordinary day.  May 30, 1868 and by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, the first major Memorial Day observance was held to honor those who died "in defense of their country during the late rebellion."  At the time it was known to some as "Decoration Day," which honored the Civil War dead by decorating their graves with flowers.  On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Civil War soldiers buried in the cemetery.  It had been three years since the end of the Civil War and several cities had already begun to celebrate the end of the war.  Actually, several cities claim to be the birthplace of Decoration Day, including Columbus, Mississippi; Macon, Georgia; Richmond, Virginia; Boalsburg, Pennsylvania; and Carbondale, Illinois.  It wasn't until 1966 that the federal government, under the direction of President Lyndon B. Johnson, declared Waterloo New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day.  They chose Waterloo, which had first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866, because the town had made Memorial Day an annual, community-wide event, during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.  By the late 19th century, many communities across the country had begun to honor the dead of all of America's wars.  In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May. Today, Memorial Day is celebrated in Arlington National Cemetery with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave.  It is customary for the President and Vice-President to give a speech honoring the contributions of the dead and to lay a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  More than 5,000 people usually attend the ceremony and some Southern sates set aside a special day for honoring the Confederate dead which is usually called Confederate Memorial Day.  In my home town of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, residents will pause to honor all servicemen and women.  Others will honor conscientious objectors who performed alternative service.  Many will visit graves of ancestors to place decorations on their grave sites.  Lancaster marked its first Memorial Day, which at the time was still called Decoration Day, on May 30, 1868.  General John A. Logan formalized that date exclusively to honor Union soldiers who had died in the recent Civil War.  Union graves were decorated with flowers and eventually with small American flags.  Confederate Decoration Day in the South were different affairs with separate events for the Union and Confederate soldiers.  Lancaster's Decoration Day was first celebrated in May of 1869.  Post 84, Grand Army of the Republic, coordinated a parade of military units, local fire companies and the Junior Order of American Mechanics to five Lancaster cemeteries.  Both Lancaster residents, President James Buchanan and U.S. Rep. Thaddeus Stevens, had died the year before, but tombstones had not yet been erected over the gravesites.  Citizens visited their gravesites at Woodward Hill and Shreiner's Cemeteries and placed flowers on the mounds of earth that covered their gravesites.  At first Decoration Day was mostly to celebrate those who died in the Civil War, but in the early decades of the 20th Century, Lancaster celebrated Memorial Day as a major patriotic holiday for all who had served in wartime.  It wasn't until 1971 that President Richard Nixon declared Memorial Day a national holiday with emphasis on decorating deceased veteran's graves.  Perhaps this Memorial Day, those who died during the ongoing viral pandemic will be recognized along with our brave Veterans.  Are they not also worthy of our honor?  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "The Road Less Traveled...A Look At The Landisville Camp Meeting Grounds - Part I" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Walking around the grounds known at one time as "The Harrisburg District Camp Meeting Association of Landisville, PA."  For years I have driven past the beautifully enclosed grounds, not knowing exactly what I was passing.   Recently my wife and I have been attending baseball games at Hempfield High School which sits next to the meeting grounds.  

Our grandson played on the High School team and since the season has just come to a close, I decided it was time to visit the property that for the past few months had drawn my attention each and every evening there was a baseball game.  

Sign along Church Street

According to the sign posted on Church Street, the grounds are known as the Landisville Campmeeting Association Grounds.  Checking online I found that: "The Landisville Camp Meeting Association is a fellowship of Bible-believing Christians seeking to help win the unsaved to a life changing experience with Christ, sharing the transforming truths of God's saving and healing power, by word and deed, striving to learn and grow in Jesus Christ." As I continued on with my online reading it said: The Road Less Traveled.  Slow down the day.  Those of us who are residents or members of Landisville Camp Meeting have taken the road less traveled.  As you enter the gate to our beautiful community, there is no rush in life.  Remember to go for a walk outdoors and reconnect with the blessing of walking on consecrated ground.  Stop and listen to the birds that live in our many trees.  Take time to smell the beautiful flowers carefully planted by our residents.  Stop for a few minutes and just enjoy some quiet time with our Lord.  And, by all means, whip up an easy covered dish and join us for the Friday night meal at 5:30 pm in the Tea Room.  So, I turned the car into the circa 1870 camp meeting grounds and began my journey throughout the area for the next hour or so.  I first had to figure which road I was allowed to travel upon, since there were so many "One Way, Do Not Enter" signs throughout the property.

This is the Gatehouse, also known as the GateKeeper's House inside the entrance.

The road took me through a beautiful wooded area that seems to still have an ample amount of oak and hickory trees as described online.  There were beautiful houses, most small, that were spread throughout the camp-meeting grounds.  Eventually I saw what I guessed was the place where they worshiped.  

Beautiful entrance leading to the cottages.

At one time most everyone who came to the location were Methodists, but today the meetings are designed to promote everyone's interest in the Kingdom of Christ.  The original place of worship was a square-shaped auditorium which could seat about 4,000.  With straw on the grounds and plank seats, it resembled a large open tent.  Then in 1907 the present tabernacle was built which is rectangular and seats about 1,000 people.  I parked my car next to the tabernacle and looked in the windows.  

I assumed this was the latest Tabernacle.

Rows and rows of dark-colored seats stretched from close to the front to the back of the tabernacle.  Across the front was a sign reading "THAT I MAY KNOW HIM" with a smaller sign behind it on the far wall that read, "Jesus is The Joy of Living."

This photograph was taken through a windowpane of the Tabernacle's interior.

Light was shining in through the windows and made for a very intimate setting.  I could picture a filled congregation listening to the sermon on a warm summer Sunday.  As I turned around I saw the first person driving towards me in a car.  They welcomed me to the campgrounds and asked why I was there.  

A few of the wooden cottages on the property.

I explained I had seen the place hundreds of times and thought it was time for a visit and a few pictures.  I was told that the yellow house by the front gate was the gatehouse or caretaker's house and they could help answer my questions if I had any.  The gatehouse was built in 1913.  At first the grounds were used mostly by campers who set up tents on the property.  The first camp meeting was held in 1870 with campers living in tents arranged around the auditorium.  Their leader was Rev. C.T. Thompson, pastor of the Duke Street Methodist Church in Lancaster.  Religious camp meetings in the United States had their origin in Kentucky in 1799 and soon after the Methodist church took up the idea, thus the location where I am now standing.  On June 16, 1873, the name was changed to Landisville Camp Meeting Association.  

Another turn in the road yielded these cottages.

As I toured the property in my car, I noticed many beautiful cottages on the grounds.  I read that the first cottage was built facing the entrance of the tabernacle.  It was built by a Mr. Park and was known as the "White House" since he whitewashed the cottage every year.  The Centennial cottage near the tabernacle was brought to the campgrounds in 1877 from the Centennial Exhibition held in Philadelphia in 1876.  I'm sorry to say I had no way to identify either cottage in order to take photographs of them, since there were quite a few white cottages.

Most cottages were in fairly good condition, but there were a few that needed major work done to them to make them livable.  These cottages where all white in color.

I did notice that there were bathroom facilities outside the tabernacle.  So, who are the residents of these neat little homes and do they live her year-round?  Physicians, ministers, tradespeople, farmers, business owners and retirees call Landisville Camp Meeting their "Summer Home."  I do remember seeing some activity during the winter months as I passed the campgrounds, but it seems to have come to life when the weather began to warm for the spring and summer.  Follow along tomorrow when I show you more of the Campgrounds and a beautiful old log cabin nearby the Campgrounds.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "A Bit Of Humor To Add To Your Enjoyment" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just found a few really funny quotes that I knew most of you would enjoy, so I decided to add a second entry today and pass along the quotes for your entertainment and enjoyment.  None of the quotes are mine, but I'm sure I couldn't have done any better than the ones that I found and added to my entry.  Enjoy them!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Whether you’re looking for funny quotes just for a laugh, to give a toast, or to lighten the mood at a public speaking event, you’ve come to the right place. Read through these funny quotes and memorize a few to help lighten the mood when it’s needed. There’s nothing like a funny quote to relax an audience and make them receptive to hearing what you have to say.

Funny quote on fear “According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that seem right? That means to the average person, if you have to go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.” —Jerry Seinfeld

Funny quote on sharing in a marriage

“Not sure which is harder on a relationship: sharing a dresser for three years or sharing an iPhone charger for one day.” —Rhea Butcher

Funny quote on having kids

“I asked my brother-in-law, the father of four boys, ‘If you had it to do all over again, would you still have kids?’ ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘Just not these four.'” —Sheila Lee

Funny quote on adulthood

“I just realized that ‘Let me check my calendar’ is the adult version of ‘Let me ask my mom.'” —Noelle Chatham. 

Funny quote on basic furniture assembly

“Sometimes I am amazed that my wife and I created two human beings from scratch yet struggle to assemble the most basic of IKEA cabinets.” —@askdadblog (John Kinnear).

Funny quote on teenage kids

“When your children are teenagers, it’s important to have a dog so that someone in the house is happy to see you.” —Nora Ephron.

Funny quote on homework

“I recently asked a student where his homework was. He replied, ‘It’s still in my pencil.'” —Larry Timmons.

Funny quote on income

“Filling out a credit card application, my friend came upon this question: ‘What is your source of income?’ She wrote: ‘ATM.'” —Michael Mcrae 

Funny quote on running

“One of my biggest fears is that I’ll marry into a family that runs 5Ks on holidays.” —@xnatata (Natalia Skrodzki) 

Funny quote on directions

“Mapquest really needs to start its directions on number five. Pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.” —Aaron Karo

Funny quote on medical symptoms

“WebMD is updating its server because of a virus. Well, they think it was a virus, but it could also be malaria, kidney failure, a heart murmur, gallstones, or possibly appendicitis.” —Crystal Lowery 

Funny quote on yelling

“If you are not yelling at your kids, you are not spending enough time with them.” —Reese Witherspoon

Funny quote on being polite

“User: the word computer professionals use when they mean ‘idiot.'” —Dave Barry

Funny quote on worries

“Sometimes you lie in bed at night and you don’t have a single thing to worry about. That always worries me!” —Charlie Brown

Funny quote on TV versus books

“My father always said, ‘Never trust anyone whose TV is bigger than their bookshelf.'” —Emilia Clarke

Funny quote on technology frustrations

“I’m thinking of opening a firing range where all the targets are shaped like computers with screens full of pop-up ads.” —Dan Burt

Funny quote on opting out

“A note from a student’s mother: ‘Please excuse Chris from reading, because he doesn’t like it.'” —Roy Hartley

Funny quote on the Founding Fathers

“If our Founding Fathers wanted us to care about the rest of the world, they wouldn’t have declared their independence from it.” —Stephen Colbert

Funny quote on “intellectuals”

“My definition of an intellectual is someone who can listen to the William Tell Overture without thinking of the Lone Ranger.” —Billy Connolly, actor.

Funny quote on former lives

“I don’t believe in reincarnation, and I didn’t believe in it when I was a hamster.” —Shane Richie, British actor

Funny quote on relationships

“It’s really hard to maintain a one-on-one relationship if the other person is not going to allow me to be with other people.” —Axl Rose, lead singer of Guns N’ Roses. 

Funny quote on superstrength

A sports columnist recalled the story of a flight attendant who asked Muhammad Ali to fasten his seat belt. Ali replied, “Superman don’t need no seat belt.” The flight attendant’s retort: “Superman don’t need no airplane either.”

Funny quote on language

“You know there’s a problem when you realize that out of the three Rs, only one begins with an R.” —Dennis Miller, comedian

Funny quote on carelessness

“To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.” —Oscar Wilde

Funny quote on musical ineptitude

“He has Van Gogh’s ear for music.” —Billy Wilder, director

Funny quote on nature lovers

“She loves nature in spite of what it did to her.” —Bette Midler

Funny quote on a world without men

“Can you imagine a world without men? No crime and lots of happy fat women.” —Nicole Hollander, cartoonist.

Funny quote on persistence

“Start every day with a smile and get over it.” —W. C. Fields

Funny quote on wealth

“Want to know what God thinks of money? Look at the people he gave it to.” —Dorothy Parker, writer

Funny quote on fate

“I have noticed that even people who claim everything is pre­determined and that we can do nothing to change it look before they cross the road.” —Stephen Hawking, physicist

Funny quote on being narrow-minded

“He was so narrow-minded, he could see through a keyhole with both eyes.” —Molly Ivins, author

Funny quote on marriage and patience

“Before you marry a person, you should first make them use a computer with slow Internet service to see who they really are.” —Will Ferrell

Funny quote on spending foolishly

“Part of the $10 million went for gambling, horses, and women. The rest I spent foolishly.” —George Raft, film star

Funny quote on character

“I was going to sue for defamation of character, but then I realized I have no character.” —Charles Barkley, TV basketball analyst

Funny quote on giving up the good stuff

“I know a man who gave up smoking, drinking, sex, and rich food. He was healthy right up to the day he killed himself.” —Johnny Carson

Funny quote on saying nothing

“He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know.”  —Abraham Lincoln

Funny quote on know-it-alls

“People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.” —Isaac Asimov, science fiction writer

Funny quote on man’s best friend

“A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down.” —Robert Benchley, humorist

Funny quote on cats vs. dogs

“Cats are smarter than dogs. You can’t get eight cats to pull a sled through snow.” —Jeff Valdez, producer.

Funny quote on marriage and politics

“I’ve been married to one Marxist and one Fascist, and neither one would take the garbage out.” —Lee Grant, actress

Funny quote on marrying nothing

“The trouble with some women is that they get all excited about nothing, and then they marry him.” —Cher

Funny quote on health books

“Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.” —Mark Twain

Funny quote on pessimism 

“The nice part about being a pessimist is that you are constantly being either proven right or pleasantly surprised.” —George Will, columnist

Funny quote on false alarms

“The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” —Mark Twain

Funny quote on infinity

“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.” —Albert Einstein

Funny quote on stupidity

“If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can’t it get us out?” —Will Rogers

Funny quote on troublemakers

“The trouble with this country is that there are too many people going about saying, ‘The trouble with this country is …’” —Sinclair Lewis.

Funny quote on unexpected guests

“Nothing inspires cleanliness more than an unexpected guest.” —Radhika Mundra

Funny quote about prepositions

“From now on, ending a sentence with a preposition is something up with which I will not put.” —Winston Churchill

Funny quote about advice

“When your mother asks, ‘Do you want a piece of advice?’ it is a mere formality. It doesn’t matter if you answer yes or no. You’re going to get it anyway.”—Erma Bombeck

Funny quote about children with money

“I want my children to have all the things I couldn’t afford. Then I want to move in with them.” —Phyllis Diller

Funny quote about sunscreen

“I never feel more alone than when I’m trying to put sunscreen on my back.” —Jimmy Kimmel

Funny quote about errands

“I’m at a place in my life when errands are starting to count as going out.” —Anonymous

Funny quote about job interviews

“Here’s some advice: At a job interview, tell them you’re willing to give 110 percent. Unless the job is a statistician.” —Adam Gropman

Funny quote on sunshine

“A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.” —Steve Martin

The "I'll Be At The Front Of The Line!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Put my mask on and heading in the door for a visit with my urologist.  Had the appointment scheduled six months ago, during the height of the Covid-19 outbreak.  Since that time I have received both of my vaccine injections and feel fairly safe that I will not get the virus.  But, will everyone who has had their vaccinations need an annual booster such as the yearly flu vaccination we get every year?  An article I read a few days ago was titled "Why annual COVID-19 boosters may become the norm."  It begins by telling me that to keep the coronavirus in check and stay ahead of new variants, people may need yearly shots like they do for the flu.  Even though those who have been vaccinated already can feel a bit more safe than they did before the vaccination, it is debated whether one round of shots is enough, or if they'll need another yearly shot...and another...etc.  The protection that we received with the double dose of vaccine is said to prevent us from getting the virus, but just how long will that last?  Since the virus struck in late 2019, the virus has continued to mutate, yielding variants similar to versions of the virus, but with perhaps the potential to be more infectious, deadly and escape the antibody safeguards provided by the existing COVID-19 vaccine.  Medical scientists are trying to stay ahead of the evolution by creating new vaccine shots to beat back the variants.  That means we will need perhaps yearly routine COVID-19 shots for the rest of our lifetime.

Will you be ready for a booster shot, if necessary?

 So, exactly what is a booster?  It is a repeat shot similar to what we just got, but with a new virus-fighting antigen which is a molecule that prompts antibody production that creates a greater and more long lasting immune response.  Same thing as the shingles vaccine which is recommended for all healthy adults over the age of 50.  Both Carol and I have had shingles, mine being a large, still visible scar from my waist to my ankle on my right leg.  A story which I recently read said that the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines include an initial dose and a second shot three or four weeks later.  Recently Pfizer launched a study of a third dose to be given 12 months after the initial dose.  But, they are still not sure how long the initial dose will last.  How can you determine that fact?  Do you have to wait a year and see if people begin to get the virus once again?  Well, researchers believe the initial dose will last at least 6 months, but it may last much longer.  Maybe the vaccine will be like the tetanus vaccine that is given which is said to last about 10 years before you should get another one to maintain it's effectiveness.  And...do we need a new booster for each variant of the COVID-19?  So far, the existing vaccines have proven to provide protection against the variants, but it hasn't been that long ago that we got the shots.  A Georgetown University Medical Center specialist believes we will need additional shots to help boost immunity or target specific future variants.  Seems it's a constant battle of the scientific minds and our opponent is COVID-19.  If you had your first two shots will you be willing to get another shot in a year?  I certainly will!  With all the other things wrong with me, the last thing I need is for the virus to come back and enter my body and not be beaten to death by the vaccine.  Do you really want to chance not getting a shot and dying from it?  I'm not willing to give the virus a chance to do that to me and if the only way to stop it is through a yearly vaccine shot...I'm ready for the needle.  I know that some people have medical and religious reasons why they don't want a shot, but you can't go to church if you're dead!  If I am told I need a booster, I'll be in the front of the line!  Will you be there with me?  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "When You Care Enough To Chose The Very Best!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Giving our "go to" travel expert a call to make sure that all our reservations are in place for our next trip to the Caribbean.  We have been working with Karen for over 20 years and find she does a fantastic job of making our travel arrangements based on our needs as traveling senior citizens.  All began about 20 years ago when Carol and I decided that we would enjoy traveling with our friends Jere and Sue.  So, we all  headed to our local shopping mall and found the local Liberty Travel store.  Met with a young woman named Karen who ended up being more like a daughter than a travel agent to the four of us.  She helped us make all our plans for a few weeks to the Caribbean. Took care of airline flights,  hotel reservations on St. Thomas as well as St. Croix, and made sure all the little items we may not have thought about were planned for us.  We knew she was getting paid as well as the store was taking a fee, but the price seemed reasonable so we signed on the dotted line.  Over the years we have used Karen many times for traveling.  Then, about a half-dozen or so years ago we stopped at Liberty Travel once again and Karen was gone.  Geeze...now what are we going to do?  We asked about her and found she had left to begin her own business from her home.  Someone at Liberty was nice enough to give us her number and we made a call to her.  Sure...she would be glad to help us once again.  

Map of the Caribbean.  Click to enlarge.

We planned another trip to the Caribbean island of Antigua through her.  Price was right and all loose ends were taken care of by Karen.  How easy can it be?  Over time Carol and I began also traveling for a few weeks by ourselves as well as our annual trips with Jere and Sue.  Carol and I also chose Karen as our travel expert too help us with reservations.  Only thing we didn't need was the place to stay, since after traveling to St. Martin a few times over the previous couple of years, all arranged by Karen, we had found a young girl who lived in St. Martin who was able to make arrangements for us in the area where we enjoyed staying.  Magali knew what we liked and was able to find private residences that were open on the dates we had planned to travel.  We would make arrangements with her online and eventually were able to visit with her when we arrived on the island of St. Martin.  We now have the best of two worlds, being they are miles and miles apart.  While in Lancaster, Karen can keep a check on our flights, insurance and other minor details while Magali can see what homes in her neighborhood may want us as a visitor while they are also away on vacation.  It has worked out perfect for all concerned...at least it seems to work out perfect.  But, for those of you who have never traveled or do not have friends on your favorite location, I can give you a few tips, being we have traveled to exotic locations for over 20 years now.  First you need to find a trusted travel agent such as we have in Karen.  I'm sure she wouldn't mind if we give you her address which is KW Travel at PO Box 93, Millersville, PA 17551.  Send her a note and tell her what you might need help with and she will be glad to get in touch with you.  And if you plan to travel to the island of St. Martin, you can get in touch with Magali at Parc de la Base Orientale, St. Martin 97150.  As far as where you may want to travel...Carol and I have many places that we have loved such as Antigua, Barbados, Turks & Caicos, The Bahamas as well as Anguilla and St. Martin/Sint Maarten.  Check some of them out online and I'm sure you would enjoy just about any of the places listed.  When you have selected a person to help you with the preparations for the trip, make sure they know how much you plan to spend and if you want to travel 1st class or plan to eat out for every meal or take plenty of island tours while on the island of your choice.  Karen knows our tastes by now and she always plans accordingly.  And, when you do find a friend or travel agent you enjoy, make sure you continue to use them so they get to know you and your tastes.  Makes for a more pleasant travel experience.  At least that's how we feel.  Hey, I could tell you so many stories about our travels, but that would take a few more days to do so.  I will tell you that two years ago we arrived home from St. Martin and when I went to get in the car at the hotel we had used before we left on vacation, I found I had no car keys.  I had left them in the villa safe on St. Martin.  Gave Magali a quick call and she found them and mailed them to me.  We have great friends around the Caribbean!  So...plan way ahead if you want to have a stress-free trip and pick a few friends who can help you with the planning and car key retrieval after the trip is over.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  

The "The Tale Of The Unwanted Spotted Lanternfly" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Learned something today that I never knew until a few minutes ago.  Learned that the spotted lanternfly, that has become such a nusiance and are extremely destructive, may be even worst this year than they were last year, were introduced into the United States a bit over 35 miles from Lancaster County.  

A spotted lanternfly with it's wings closed

The spotted lanternflies were first discovered in nearby Berks County in 2014.  It is believed that the bugs arrived there by piggy-backing on a cargo shipment that originated somewhere in East Asia which is supposedly their native habitat.  The lanternflies are normally kept in check by natural predators, but these predators are not found in Lancaster or Berks County.  There is some hope that a change may be coming soon, since Penn State University researchers have been working on a natural predator and have found that preying mantises and chickens have been seen eating the destructive bugs.  I reported that information to my wife and she is now planning or a chicken coup in the back yard.  Not!  Lancaster County farmers, many of them being Amish farmers, fear they will lose their crops since the spotted lanterflies feed on plants.  But, Penn State is now working on a solution to help the farmers in Lancaster, as well as surrounding counties, find a way to eliminate the lanternflies.  Those farmers who have vineyards have been hit the hardest since the spotted lanternflies feed on the grape vines.  They also seem to gravitate toward woodlands, where they can find their preferred host plants - tree of heaven, black walnut and maple trees.  

The spotted lanternfly with it's wings extended.  It is a beautiful insect.

But, new pesticides are being formulated for the vineyards that will, or should I say may,  help control the pests.  The lanternflies were said to have survived the winter since the temperature didn't drop low enough for a long enough period of time to kill the lantern flies eggs.  The eggs began to hatch in May and live out their first few months as nymphs before reaching adulthood in midsummer when they would become destructive due to the fact that they only grow wings as adults.  They then would begin their excessive and destructive eating until they lay their eggs and complete their life cycle.  Some local scientists as well as farmers say they have found fewer egg masses this spring, but is that misleading?  Perhaps they are just high enough in the trees so they can't be seen.  

A young spotted lanternfly.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has announced an expansion of the quarantine zone to more counties in hope of confining the lanternflies.  The quarantine area now comprises 34 counties throughout the state.  Hopes are running high that Penn State researchers can help in the control of the destructive spotted lanternflies.  The longer they remain in the area, the more likely the scientists can find a way to control them if not eradicate them.  I hope the lanternflies can be eliminated in the near future, but do think they are a very interesting and colorful insect.  Too bad they have to be such a nusiance.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The spotted lanternflies are hard to find on trees.

 

The "An 89 Year Old Indian Woman Is Right On Target!" Story

 It was an ordinary day.  Reading a story about an Indian woman who was a sharpshooter.  As I began to read the story it brought back memories of my 1972 State Championship rifle team which had 3 teenaged girls on it.  The team had 17 members on it the year we won the state title with the 3 girls as part of the top 10 shooters on the team.  When we traveled to State College, Pennsylvania for the final meet for the title, my 3 girls were a big part of the team.  

Suzi Zipperlein was a sophomore but probably one of my top five shooters as was  Kristen Hill.  Kristen, a senior, would have been the top shooter on the team had it not been for a young man named Dave Ament who fired a perfect 100 in every rifle match we had that year.  He also fired a 200 in the finals at State College.  Mary Eckman had joined the team the year before, but during her second season she slowly won a spot in the meets where only the top 10 shooters on the team can compete.  That particular year the morning Lancaster Intelligencer picked my rifle team as the "Team of the Year" in Lancaster County.  So, perhaps you might see why, while reading the story in today's newspaper titled "Indian Woman, 89, right on target" I found the article very interesting.  The photograph that accompanied the story told about Chandro Tomar, 89, who was practicing with her air pistol at a range that was being built at her house in the village of Johri, India.  I realized that she is almost 75 years older than the girls on my team back in 1972, which made her story even more amazing.  She didn't pick up a gun until she was 65 which provoked derision and laughter among spectators and participants at the professional contests she entered.  Since her first meet she has won over 25 medals for her accuracy with her weapon in competition with mostly male competitors.  Made me instantly think of the guys on my team who competed years ago and how they must have felt when they saw the three girls on the team.  The biggest difference being then and now is we used live ammunition while Chandro uses pellets in her competitions.  And...she dresses quite a bit different being she wears a long dress and head scarf.   The article went on to say that she takes great pride in having paved the way for countless women to take part in an activity that can be a ticket to a better life through sports scholarships and job opportunities.  Wow...the same as it did for my girls years ago.  One day Chandro took her granddaughter to the range with her.  They were the only females at the range and her granddaughter Shefali, who was 12 years old, felt nervous handling the gun.  Chandro fired a few shots and before long her granddaughter felt more at ease shooting the gun.  But, Chandro feared that her family wouldn't approve of her granddaughter firing the gun.  In Indian society it is expected for girls to marry young and have children.  Shooting a gun wasn't part of that ritual when Chandro was young.  She married at 15 and spent the next 50 years raising her family, never having gone to school.  Her visits to the shooting range are now giving her a chance to do something that she could never do before.  Perhaps she is hoping her granddaughter will not have to wait until she is in her 80s before she too has a chance to try something different.  Oh how different life is in different countries with different cultures.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The "At Times I Amaze Myself!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just put my riding mower back in the garage, changed my shoes and put my hearing aides back in my ears.  The lawn looks great, but will need me to mow it once again by this time next week.   I have close to an acre of lawn to mow and it seems the older I get, the larger the lawn becomes.  Wasn't too many years ago that the lawn wasn't nearly that big, or so it seemed that way.  And, did you happen to notice how it seems to rain more and more and thus makes the grass grow faster and longer?   Or is that just me?  And what's the big deal if the grass does get longer and I don't mow it when I should.  Did we always have this love affair with our lawns or is that just me that feels that way?  Well, it wasn't until the industrial revolution that lawns became practical for most of us.  Lawns were seen as a luxury that only the wealthy could afford.  They could hire someone to take care of their big lawns.  Now, you must remember that back then there were no lawn mowers and lawns had to be trimmed with scythes. Either that or they had to use cattle or sheep to graze in the front yard to keep the grass at a manageable height.

Sheep were used at one time to keep the grass at the White House trimmed.

I recently read that President Woodrow Wilson used sheep to keep the White House lawn in good shape.  And, as an added benefit, the sheep could be sheared and the wool could be auctioned off with the money being given to the American Red Cross.  Actually, Presidents Washington and Jefferson used sheep to keep their home lawns at a manageable height.  Beautiful green, weed free, lawns, as we are used to seeing them today, never existed in America until the late 18th century.  At the same time, Englishmen had sweeping green lawns on their estates.  One of the big reasons was the fact that grasses that were native to England couldn't be purchased in America, thus our lawns didn't look as nice as those in England.  Then, by 1915, the U.S. Department o Agriculture worked with the U.S. Golf Association to find just the right grass that would be both durable and attractive.  They tried Bermuda grass from Africa, blue grass from Europe and a mix of Fescues and bent grass.  It took 15 years to finally discover different combinations that would work in different climates.  Then we had to find the best fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides that would protect the newly blended mix of grasses.  Then, homeowners had to make sure they could provide sufficient water for their new grass and find the best way to cut or trim their new grass.  Many still used livestock to trim their grass.  Eventually mechanical mowing became popular when an Englishman, Edwin Budding, developed a cylinder, or reel-type mower.  It was a series of blades arranged around a cylinder with a push handle patterned after a machine used in the cloth factory for shearing the nap on velvet.  By 1870, Elwood McGire of Richmond, Indiana designed a machine that brought push mowing to the masses.  By 1885, America was building about 50,000 lawnmowers a year and shipping them to every country on the globe.  Naturally, next came the garden hose and the rotary mower which made having a great lawn a possibility for most families.  Eventually new grass seeds became available and Americans had a great lawn on their property.  Then the American Garden Club convinced home owners that it was their civic duty to maintain a beautiful and healthy lawn.  

An early model Toro Lawnmower.

So, now I must have about an acre of green grass that grows a few inches each week and needs to be mowed on a regular basis.  Of course I could hire someone to mow and trim my grass if I didn't care to do it.  And...you know what...I just might do that.  Wouldn't have to take my hearing aides out of my ears, put by old shoes on and take the riding mower from the garage and mow the grass.  Oh yeah!  I also have a self-propelled walk-behind mower to do around the edges where the bigger mower can't reach.  Wouldn't it be so much easier if I just killed the grass and had the entire area covered with blacktop so I didn't need to mow the grass.  I could line the blacktop with parking spaces and charge to park in my front and back yard.  Now, why didn't I think of that until now?  So glad I typed this story.  Now I can keep my hearing aides in my ears all the time except for the evenings when I show movies on the new big screen I am going to put at the end of my new parking lot.  The sound may be too much for my ears if I leave the hearing aides in place!  Aren't you glad you're not my next-door neighbor?  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "I Never Tire Of Writing About & Eating Ice Cream Desserts" Story

 It was an ordinary day.  Sunday lunch was a sandwich, chips, peanut butter & honey crackers and a glass of cranberry juice.  My wife had the same thing, except she opted for a glass of iced tea instead of the cranberry juice.  After lunch we decided to head out for some ice cream.  Now...if you have been a loyal reader of this blog, you probably know of my love for ice cream.  One of my stories on this site told about my friend Jere and I ordering a banana split for lunch on the Caribbean island of Antigua while another story told about Jere and his wife Sue, as well as Carol and I,  heading to "The Creamery" in State College, Pennsylvania for a scoop of Peachy Paterno ice cream in a cup, while yet another story told of my visit with my grandson Caden to The Turkey Hill Experience in nearby Columbia, Pennsylvania where the two of us made our own special flavor of ice cream.  Caden called his "The Baseball Crusher" while I named my "LDub's Delight."  Now, this is just a sampling of stories, since there are many more, but I think you get the idea of my love of ice cream.  Well, today I opened my email and found a story sent to me by one of my local favorites, The Brickerville House Ice Cream Shop.  

Part of their email asked me if there is such a thing as too much of a good thing?  Bet you knew as soon as you read that last sentence that they meant ice cream!  What followed were four speciality ice cream desserts from other parts of the country.  And...you know I am about to share them with you, right?

The Humongous Banana Split

The first treat was a 9 pound Humongous Banana Split that is made in Fairmont, West Virginia.  The ingredients are: Nine 1 pound scoops of ice cream in vanilla, chocolate and strawberry on a whipped cream base, topped with chocolate, strawberry and pineapple sauces, more whipped cream, sprinkles, cherries, nuts and bananas.  The cost was $18.99.  

The King Kong Sundae

The second  speciality dessert was something called King Kong Sundae which was made in both Florida and Illinois and included 24 scoops of ice cream covered with hot fudge, caramel, strawberry sauce, sliced bananas with toasted marshmallows, Reese's Pieces, chocolate chip cookies, crushed waffle cones, Gummi Bears, white chocolate strawberry shavings, toasted walnuts, whipped cream, giant lollipops, and sparklers.  Please leave out the walnuts on mine!  The cost was $99.00.  

The Great Pyramid

The third dessert was called The Great Pyramid which was made in Newtonville, Maine.  It had more than 60 pints of hand-scooped ice cream, including scoops of coffee, Oreo, strawberry, cherry vanilla and chocolate with 12 quarts of toppings from about 40 choices, whipped cream, marshmallows, nuts and cherries.  It can serve up to 175 people.  The cost was $259.99.  

The 3 Golden Opulence Sundae

The fourth speciality dessert was called The Serendipity 3 Golden Opulence Sundae from New York City.  The ingredients were: 3 scoops of Tahitian and Madagascar vanilla ice cream, 23 carat gold leaves, chunks of rare Chuao chocolate, exotic candied fruits from Paris's Fauchon, chocolate truffles and a tiny bowl of Grande Passion caviar sweetened with passion fruit, orange and Armagnac.  This was topped with a gilded flower and sprinkled with pure 24-cart gold edible dust.  The cost....$1,000 which is in the Guiness Book of World Record's as the Most Expensive Sundae!  Think you could handle one of these desserts?  Now...I love ice cream, but not to the point that I get sick and after reading about these desserts, I'm not so sure I could eat one of them by myself.  Maybe not even with the help of my friend Jere.  Maybe not even with the help of my family!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.