The "Death Is Not The End Of The Story" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading a story in my latest AARP Magazine which is prefaced "A River of Souls" and is about a gentleman named Carl Koppleman.  Seems that Carl works with death on a daily basis and can recreate a person's features who has been dead for days and whose facial features look nothing like what they used to look like.  Carl is an accountant, but has the knack to recreate the features of those that have died.  He is self-taught, but has the reputation among detectives, medical examiners and fellow sleuths for his portraitures of the dead.  His portraitures are more than just a police mugshot for they are said to have a soulfulness to the eyes and a vivacity in the features, so that whatever death has done to them, he can make them look alive once again.  His skill is uncanny and phenomenal.  It took him years to hone his protraiture technique.  He usually begins his facial drawings using photo-editing software and makes use of software known as Corel Photo-Paint to recreate faces that have been totally changed and recently used the software to draw the face of a fellow who had drowned days before.  He studied the images of the drowned man and finished a portraiture that depicted a man with a glint in his eyes and a slight, thoughtful smile playing on his lips, wearing the beige t-shirt he'd been found in and backed by a beautiful summer sky.  The portraiture was posted on social media and before long a staff member at a homeless shelter called saying she recognizes the man from the shelter.  The man's family was notified and the deceased was identified.  After examination, no foul play was found.  Mr. Koppleman is a perfectionist and strives to use his god-given gift to create characterizations that can help identify faces that have been altered by time or other circumstances.  The nameless dead present an unending river of tragedy for families all over the world and someone such as Mr. Kollpeman can help solve many situations, whether they be crimes or accidents.  I'm sure that the torment that many face when not being able to find a loved one might be  comforted slightly by using Mr. Koppleman's skills which have helped in hundreds of cases.  

Scans of nameless people

He says that dealing with death is one thing, but dealing with a missing person is totally different.  Closure can make a big difference for many and someone like Carl Koppleman can be the key to the mystery.  He also realizes that the torment of never knowing what might have happened to a loved one is a special kind of hell.  I have read of case after case that he has helped to solve in the past.  His special skill is something that is hard to duplicate, but at least he strives to help as many as he can.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The "A Magical New Art Form" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Watching my granddaughter, Courtney, fill in the final pieces of one of the pages in her "Paint By Sticker" booklet.  The booklet is titled, "Paint By Sticker - A Magical New Art Form" and is much like a paint-by-number book that many of you might have tried in the past.  

Courtney is a sophomore at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia where she is majoring in nursing with a minor in health sciences.  She seems to always be busy with her studies and when she recently visited with us over the Thanksgiving Holidays, I noticed her working in a booklet, meticulously pasting these small, bright colored pieces in place.  Piece after piece taken off a page she had placed next to her as she sat on the sofa next to me.  I asked her what she was doing and she showed me something I had never seen before.  The procedure seemed simple, but the results are rather striking. Sheets of a heavier weight paper hold outlines titled goldfish, butterfly, cat, horse, etc.   Each item has numerous spaces that carry areas with numbers that are meant to match the numbers on the stickers that are all enclosed on another page.  

The pieces that are taken off the page and placed on the finished design.

Peel a colored piece and place it on the space with the same number. Then...repeat!  The "Introduction" page starts off by saying "It's fairly simple, actually."  Six tips are given. to get you started.  A few of the tips are: (1) The sticker sheets are assigned to each page by the thumbnail images in the top corners of the sticker sheet. (4) Place one corner of the sticker down and adjust from there.  Be careful, these stickers are not removable.  (5) For precision placement, use a toothpick or tweezers.  (6) After you complete an image, place a sheet of paper over it and press down with a flat surface, like a ruler or bone folder.  One of Lancaster, Pennsylvania's most famous artists, Chalres Demuth, has a unique painting that features the skyline of Lancaster showing water towers and rooflines of the industrial areas in Lancaster. 

Demuth painting looks very similar to this design Courtney did.

The design that Courtney completed looked very similar to the rooflines in the Demuth painting.  I'm sure that this new booklet is based on the paint-by-number booklets, but the designs seem to be more precise than the designs that require you paint inside the lines.  It does require precise cutting and placement, but anyone who enjoys taking their time could be successful.  Check out some of the designs and give it. Try it if you would like something different for a change.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The "The Miniature World Of Ants As Photographed By Eduard Florin Niga" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Going through my email when I came across an email sent to me from National Geographic.  It was titled "Seeing A Wondous Microworld Come To Life" which was presented by Whitney Johnson, Director of Visual and Immersive Experiences.  The email featured five photographic frames of unbelievable micro photographs.  Three of the frames featured two images.  The images are so fantastic that I thought I should share them with you.  I have loved the art of photography my entire life and even taught the art of photography in high school for over 30 years.  Not once did I think you could take photographs as interesting and dramatic as the photos I have included with my story. The lenses that are made today are so much more sophisticated than anything available when I taught photography.  I can imagine the cost of this technology and for most of us, if we don't take macro photographs as a living, the cost is more than likely prohibited.  The email went on to tell me that there's a world you cannot see, but photographer Eduard Florin Niga has dedicated himself to bringing it you us.  The photographs are of ants.  Yes, ants!  And after seeing his photographs about our world's microscopic wonders, you may not ever look at ants the same way again.  Amen!  In today's world, we think of ants as machine-like, unthinking workers and collaborate drones, but they show an amazing variety and distinctiveness which can be seen in the photographer's new book.  The Gigantiops destructor, the tough looking critter with the two claw-like antennae pictured here, lives in South America and has the largest eyes, relative to head size, of any known ant species.

 The photographer learned "how phenomenal their societies are and how much more sophisticated and interesting than ours."  Examine the above photograph and you will agree. 

 The following micro-photographs show the Diacamma Rugosum, (left) a native to Borneo which is one of the only ant species to lack a queen.  Instead, workers compete in long tournaments to determine who will be allowed to lay eggs.  On the right is the Saharan silver ant which is one of the fastest ants in the world and can move its small body nearly three feet a second.  

The image above left shows the Gnamptogenys bicolor, found in China and nearby countries.  It has irridescent pockmarks on its head that may help serve as a form of camouflage.  On the right is a leaf-cutter ant that farms fungus in underground chambers.

 The left side of the photograph above is a Maricopa harvester ant found abundantly in Arizona and nearby states.  These ants have potent venom, stronger than that of honeybees, which can cause intense pain.  On the top right is the Polyrhachis beccarii worker, naive to Southeast Asia, covered in golden hairs.

This guy is known as Darth Vader, the giant ant, Cepjhalotes stratus,  which sometimes is called "the Darth Vader of the ant world."  Its flat, broad head helps it glide between treetops in South American rainforests.  As you can see, the photography is amazing.  Would love to try using his macro lenses that he used to take these photographs.  I so much enjoy when I get my emails from National Geographic.  I never know what to expect, but am never disappointed.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Clean Up Dirt & Grime & Grease In Just A Minute!" Story

 It was an ordinary day.  Helping to clean the bathroom with a bottle of Mr. Clean.  Love the smell of the stuff even though it's probably not the best thing to continue to inhale all the time.  Was trying to sing along while I did the toilet, but forgot most of the words.  Naturally had to "Google" them to see what they were.  A few facts that I did find out about Mr. Clean said that it was created by Linwood Burton who was a marine ship cleaning businessman.  He and his friend Mathusan Chandramohan, who was a rich entrepreneur from Sri Lanka, created the product to help clean ships that might have been embedded with grease and grime.  At the time, most solvents that worked were very harmful to workers, so the two businessmen worked at finding a solution that was effective yet less caustic.  Burton, who had a fundamental knowledge in chemistry, developed Mr. Clean in an effort to clean ships without having to pay significant premiums in disability claims for his workers.  He eventually sold the product to Procter & Gamble in 1958.  It was in that year that we all began to see commercials on TV that featured Mr. Clean.  Wasn't long before it was the best-selling household cleaner on the market.  Just before they began their TV commercials, a fellow by the name of Harry Barnhart conceived the idea for Mr Clean.  He had a fellow by the name of Ernie Allen, who worked in the art department at the advertising agency Tatham-Lsird & Kudner in Chicago, help him draw Mr. Clean who was depicted as a muscular, tanned, bald man who cleans things very well.  They used a model who was a US Navy sailor from Florida.  Hey...they could have used me except for the fact that I'm not that muscular.  They made him look like a genie with an earring, folded arms and a tendency to appear magically at the appropriate time.  The design was given to animator Hal Mason who designed the commercials for TV.  

Remember this guy?

They also used an actor for some of the commercials whose name was House Peters Jr. (I didn't spell that wrong).  Mr. Clean was designed to be a strong, silent type though he did speak once in a few TV commercials.  Mr. Clean was played by Mark Dana in a suit and tie during the mid-1960s.  The Mr. Clean jingle has been around since the product first hit the market and was sung by Don Cherry and Betty Bryan.  Guy by the name of Thomas Scott Cadden wrote the jingle in the spring of 1957 and recorded it on a home tape recorder which was presented to Procter & Gamble.  In 1958 Cadden produced and wrote the first batch of TV commercials which were 9, one-minute commercials and 4, 20 second commercials.  These original commercials began to run on TV in August of 1958 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Today it is the longest running jingle ever made for a TV commercial.  If you care to try to sing it...here are the lyrics...

Mr. Clean will clean up dirt & grime & grease in just a minute!

Mr. Clean will clean your whole house & everything that's in it!

Floors, doors, walls, halls, white sidewall tires, and old golf balls!

Sinks, stoves, bathtubs he'll do, he'll even help with the laundry, too!

The song had to be changed somewhat when it was translated into Spanish, German, Polish, Russian, Chinese, etc.  In the UK and Ireland the product was sold under the name "Flash" since there already was a product known as Mr. Clean in those countries.  Well, I've taken enough time to write my story today.  I must get back to helping my wife clean the bathrooms with my jar of Mr. Clean.  She told me I could help if I didn't sing that jingle.  Did it anyway, just kept it soft and quiet.  Hey...the catchy tune is something you just can't get out of your head!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "The Candied Sweet Potatoes Debacle" Story

Foreword:  It was an ordinary day.  Reading a story written by Jane Matterness that was printed in the "I Know A Story" column of my local Sunday News this past Sunday.  She wrote... The story tells the tale of Thanksgiving Day from many years ago.  Brought back so many memories of past Thanksgiving dinners that I just had to share the story with you.  Perhaps it will bring back memories from Thanksgiving Day for you also.  So...sit back, read on and enjoy my tale of Thanksgiving Day.  

It was our mother's traditional candied sweet potatoes that almost caused a disaster that Thanksgiving.  My sister, Pat, lived in a large farmhouse and it was her turn to host our family dinner.  My job was to pick up our parents and Mom's special candied sweet potatoes and deliver them to the farm in time for dinner.  I carefully stowed the Crock-Pot safely in the trunk, making certain it was secure, and, in spite of the winding, bumpy roads, we arrived with plenty of time to spare.  Pat welcomed us as we got out of the car, and as everyone else walked to the house, I opened the trunk to retrieve the sweet potatoes.  I was horrified to discover the Crock-Pot had not only spilled but had unbelievably upended itself.  It was totally upside down with sweet, sticky syrup soaking into the carpeted floor.  By this time, Pat was laughing because that is how she deals with impossible situations, and I was trying to remain serious for I had no clue what to do next, as it was obviously up to me to come up with a solution.  Finally I instructed her, "Bring me a plate from the kitchen and don't let anyone see you - and most of all, DON'T TELL MOM."  I swiftly slid the plate under the upended Clock-Pot, flipped it upright, placed the lid on top and warned my sister to act as though nothing was out of the ordinary.  In the meantime, I found three barn cats, threw them into the trunk and watched as they happily cleaned up the sticky mess.  Then, I sneaked into the kitchen to my sister who was still trying to contain her giggles.  Luckily, everyone else was visiting and chattering in the living room and no one noticed us scheming in the kitchen.  "All the syrup leaked out," I said.  "We have to think of something."  

Candied Sweet Potatoes

After we made certain all visible trunk debris was skimmed off, we added an entire bottle of pancake syrup and dumped everything into a serving dish.  As the sweet potatoes were passed to me, like my sister, I politely declined.  I simply could not look at Pat throughout the meal, especially when my niece said, "Aunt Janie, you should try these...they are the best ones I ever ate". 

Hope your Thanksgiving is filled with special memories such as this one.  And, I promise that if you send me a story, such as this, to share on my blog with all who read this site, I won't tell where it came from...just in case!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Are You Ready For Your Thanksgiving Day Turkey Dinner?"

It was an ordinary day.  If you have been reading this blog site for any length of time, you probably realize by now that Lancaster County, Pennsylvania is home to many historical buildings and places, famous people and unusual or different businesses.  Well, today I will add one more business endeavor to the list of businesses.  It is a rather unusual business that is recognized more this time of year than any other time or season of the year.  Has to do with the Thanksgiving Day turkey!  Goes way back to 1858 when the Esbenshade Turkey Farm was founded in Lancaster County.  Today the farm is known as America's oldest turkey farm and is famous for it's moist and tender turkeys.  The patriarch of the Esbenshade family is Bob Esbenshade who died in December of 2020.  Even though he is no longer living, his legacy of award winning excellence lives on.  He won many Grand Champion Awards at the Pennsylvania State Farm Show.  Today the day-to-day operations of the farm are supported by the efforts of the 4th to 7th generations of the Esbenshade family.  Their farm is located in rural Paradise, Pennsylvania where they raise close to 8,000 Broad Breasted Whites each year.  That's a lot of family tables that are covered with an Esbenshade turkey on Thanksgiving Day.  Their cage-free turkeys are always free of growth hormones and fed an all-natural vegetarian diet mixture of corn and soy, growing to an average of 10 to 30 pounds.  The turkeys are sold fresh during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons with pick-up at their farm or at a pre-arranged drop-off time at locations in Lancaster County.

They also supply frozen turkeys throughout the rest of the year.  Now getting back to the Turkey farm...it predates the Civil War which is why it is the oldest turkey farm in the country.  Although Bob is no longer living, he was born on the farm as was his dad, his granddad, and his great granddad.  It is said that it first began as a dairy farm, but began raising turkeys soon after it began operations.  The family's grown turkey in houses for the past 40 years, but before that the birds were raised in the fields, with movable sheds for shelter.  Young Bob would haul the water and feed out to them.  His father hatched the eggs himself, incubating them in a garage and the stripping room of the tobacco cellar.  Today the birds are delivered as poults from a hatchery in Michigan.  Today, the turkeys live in well-lit wooden and cinder-block floor houses.  They flock to the door when it's opened, and they divert themselves with a rack of alfalfa hay.  The Turkey's feed comes from White Oak Mills in nearby Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.  Grain is also grown on the farm's 60 acres to help feed the turkeys.  The birds are grown to 10 to 30 pounds, killed in the fall, feathers are removed, the carcasses are drained of excess water in metal-grate wheelbarrows then the giblets are stuffed in and the birds are bagged.  A machine shrinks the wrapping around the bird which is weighed and put in an individual box.  The turkeys are stored in refrigerated trailers until it is time for delivery.  Perhaps you may have read one of my stories about the Strasburg Railroad in the past...well, the railroad cuts through the turkey farm.  The biggest seasons for turkeys is Thanksgiving and then Christmas.  What turkeys haven't been sold by the end of the year are frozen, so you can get a frozen Esbenshade turkey any time of the year.  I read one account telling that a customer from Illinois drives the entire way to Esbenshade's farm every year to buy his fresh turkey.  Now...that's a loyal customer who appreciates a good home-grown turkey.  One member of the Esbenshade family, Barbara Zerbe, is the fifth generation of the Esbenshade family that also raises and sells turkeys on her and her husband, Dave's farm in nearby Ronks, Pennsylvania.  They plan to sell about 6,000 Broad Breasted Whites this year also.

Members of the Esbenshade Family

Raising turkeys in Lancaster County has been a way of life for many families, but the most famous and oldest running family business is the Esbenshade family.  Perhaps you might want one of their turkeys sometime?  Google them and see how you too can have an Esbenshade turkey for Thanksgiving or Christmas.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The "The Next Generation Of Meals" Story

It was an ordinary day.  My wife Carol is talking to our niece Kelly's husband, Shawn about Thanksgiving dinner.  For about the past 50 years or so, Carol has had Thanksgiving dinner at our house.  First it was at 925 Janet Ave. in the Grandview Heights development, and then at our current home.  One Thanksgiving Day our next door neighbor on Janet Ave., Alice, arrived to share dinner with us.  Her husband had died a few months before and we knew she would be lonesome by herself.  Just as dinner was to be served Alice looked at me and told me that she had forgotten her false teeth.  "Could you go next door and get them for me?" she asked. 'They're in a glass on the kitchen table."  No problem!  Another Thanksgiving Day Carol invited her grandmother, MomMom, for Thanksgiving.  She was always nervous when she was around a large group of people and just as Carol was about to serve the meal, MomMom threw up on the dining room table.  No problem!  Now, I could add a few other stories, but those were probably the two best stories.   Carol's list of food items is usually Turkey with stuffing, masked potatoes, candied yams, asparagus bundles, baked corn, pumpkin bread, cranberry sauce and small rolls.  She begins the meal a week before when she takes the frozen turkey out of the freezer and places it in the fridge so it will begin thaw.  The rest of the week is spent setting the table, cleaning the house and preparing a list so she doesn't forget anything.  Sound familiar to most of you?  Well, this year will be slightly different being that Kelly and Shawn have asked if they could begin to take over the duties that Carol used to do so that she could begin to enjoy the holiday a bit more than she could when having to do all the work.  Tough to give up a tradition, but Carol was willing to allow someone else to take over the stress and host the Thanksgiving meal this year.  To do so, she was asked to come to their house to show Shaun how to make the candied yams, prepare the turkey for cooking and make the stuffing.  Now, if you are the person in the house who is responsible for the Thanksgiving meal, you can certainly appreciate having someone else take over the meal after close to 50 years of preparing the meal for a few generations of family and friends.  How will it all work out?  I'll let you know in a few days!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The "Beware! The Body Snatchers Are Nearby!" Story

 It was an ordinary day.  Good day for learning body snatching!  Got your attention yet?  In nearby Mountville, Pennsylvania lives a woman by the name of Erin Shelor who was an associate history professor for 17 years at nearby Millersville University where she was recently appointed head of the history department.  

1771 London image of grave diggers being disturbed by a donkey
as they dig up a grave in a cemetery.  

History was never one of my favorite courses in high school or college, but then again, I never knew they studied body snatching in history classes.  At least my high school never taught about it!  Might have passed American History had they studied body snatching when I was a student at Millersville University.  I was lucky that my advisor at Millersville liked me and managed to get me into a bowling class instead of having to take history over again.  Well...Erin Shelor included body snatching in her history courses.  She once said, "It was just too much fun not to pursue!"  She became fascinated with accounts of grave robbers, who are also known as body snatchers or tomb raiders, who were supplying medical institutions with bodies to analyze in Great Britain during the early 19th century.  Erin's fascination began when she was researching the professionalization of medicine for her Master's thesis.  She uncovered that before Parliament's passing of the anatomy Act of 1832, which reversed laws forbidding the dissection of human bodies, British doctors and anatomy instructors found themselves participating in one of the lower life examples of the economic law of supply and demand: the black market for bodies.  She eventually talked about this topic in her underclass lectures as well as a topic for current lectures to medical groups.  Made for a great topic recently during the Halloween season.  Who wouldn't enjoy a good talk about body snatching and grave robbing and all the gory stuff that it entails.  If only she had taught there when I was a student!  So, how did students learning how to become doctors learn about anatomy if it was illegal to dissect a human body.  For years it must have been tough since many religions objected to the practice as well as the fact that it was illegal.  Then along came the French Revolution and a period of time in France when many bodies went unclaimed in public hospitals.  Great source for studying anatomy in humans!  But, what about places like England or even Baltimore or Philadelphia or Lancaster?  There were plenty of medical students, but not enough of bodies!  Then in 1828 laws were interpreted a little bit differently to allow for more body disections.  They started to use those put to death for murder.  And the law changed somewhat for grave robbers.  If someone was caught with a body, it became a misdemeanor as long as the body didn't have clothing on it.  So when a grave robber dug up a body he, or she, had to take off the clothing and throw it back in the grave site.  If they were caught, it was only a misdemeanor and not a felony.  So, the new laws resulted in some people committing murders to get bodies to sell.  Two such duos, Burke and Hare in 1828 and Bishop and Williams in 1831 committed murders so they could get money for the dead bodies.  It was usually homeless people who would be offered a drink laced with laudanum and when the victims would pass out, the murderers would smother them and no marks would be found on the bodies.  As far as grave robbers...they would have to get bodies shortly after they were buried so they didn't begin to decompose and make them useless.  Seems that people attached to local churches would let the grave robbers know when there was going to be a burial and they would wait until everyone left the cemetery and then remove the body, minus the clothes.  It was also said that prostitutes would pose as mourners and show up at hospitals trying to claim bodies.  So exactly how do you rob a grave if you would want to try it?  You dig at the head of the grave and pile the dirt on the foot of the grave.  Make sure it is a fresh grave!  When you hit the coffin, use a crowbar as a hook to pull the body out.  Take the clothes off the dead person and throw them back in the coffin.  Put the coffin back in the gravesite and then cover it with the dirt.  Smooth the dirt!  Presto!  You are a grave robber.  After reading about body snatching and grave robbing, I will never enter another cemetery without wondering how many of the graves really have a person in the box under the tombstone!  And, as far as Erin Shelor goes...well she says..."We teach life skills here at Millersville!"  Now...I read of this stuff in a newspaper article and didn't make it up!  So, it must be true!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.   PS - And I still don't know where they get all the bodies needed to teach new doctors how to work on human bodies!  

The "Do You See What I See?" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading an article in my AARP Magazine which was titled "Look Out for Yourself!" in bold letters, in about 40 point type.  After reading the title, I usually try to figure out what the article might be about before reading any more of the article.  So...what would be your guess?  My first guess was that the article would be about being bullied.  So, I then read the sub-head that was in about 24 point italic type to see if I might be on the right trail.  The sub-head read...Are you at risk of losing your sight?  Here's a closer look at the real dangers.  The author's name of Jessica Migala followed in regular type.  Well, after the sub-head I knew right away that the story dealt with my eye-sight.

Did you also guess that?  Her first sentence was a great start to her story which read..."If you've been diagnosed with the early stage of an eye disease, count yourself lucky.  Went on to say that there are millions of Americans who might have one of the leading causes of blindness and don't know it, since they don't have a yearly dilated-eye exam which would allow their doctor to catch the disease and begin treatment for it.  The four most common eye diseases that can be treated if caught in time are glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts and Diabetic Retinopathy. (1) Glaucoma can be found in more than 3 million Americans, but only about half that number know they have it.  The disease can damage your optic nerve which collects visual information from the retina and transmits it to the brain.  An eye exam is the best way to detect glaucoma.  So, when should you get an eye exam to see if you have it?  Well, if there is a history of glaucoma in your family, you should be tested in your 30s or perhaps early 40s, but if there is no history of the disease, you should still have your eyes tested once before you reach the age of 50.  If you catch it early you can have it treated without any problems resulting from the disease.  If you don't check to see if you have it, when you do find out you have it you may end up with irreversible blindness.  Don't chance it since it is so easy to diagnose.  Now, the number 1 reason you may have cataracts is age.  When you reach the age of 50 you can usually start to see some changes in the transparency of the lens of your eye if you are getting a cataract.  Driving at night and noticing glare is a signal you may be getting cataracts.  Another sign may be trying to read fine print in the newspaper or on a menu and finding it hard to read.  If a doctor sees a cataract, it may still take 10 to 20 years before you will be bothered enough by it.  Treatment is surgery in which a new lens is inserted into the eye.  I had a cataract that I had removed and replaced with a new lens.  My right eye can see closeup without any trouble and that eye is in good shape.  So, my doctor took out the lens in my left eye and replaced it with a lens that helps me now see distance.  I wore glasses since I was 12 years old and now no longer need glasses since I have one eye for distance and one eye for close-up.  I asked my doctor why he didn't do the surgery years ago and he told me my insurance wouldn't pay for it until my vision became so bad it was blurry.  Not having to wear glasses anymore to see distance is unbelievable.  My only problem is forgetting to take sunglasses with me since my glasses were photo-gray lenses and turned dark when sun struck them.  I'll never complain though!  Age-related macular degeneration also comes with age.  This progressive disease causes damage to the macula, the part of the eye responsible for fine central vision...critical for face recognition, driving or close-up work.  It's the leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 50.  To help stop it you should stop smoking, exercise regularly, control your blood pressure, eat more fish and antioxidant-rich green vegetables, and take the dietary supplement AREDS2 which contains a specific mix of nutrients that have been shown to help.  If you don't treat the problem, you may notice distortion in your vision and straight lines may seem wavy.  My eye doctor has me taking AREDS2 which I take twice a day and buy at my local Walmart.  I can't say I notice a difference since I didn't notice distortion before I began to take them.  The final problem is Diabetic Retinopathy which if you have elevated blood sugar could damage the blood vessels in the retina which could cause leakage of fluid into into eye tissue.  About 40% of people with diabetes have some stage of DR.  DR is the top cause of blindness in working-age adults.  So, it is important to stay up-to-date with testing and keep control of your blood sugar.  Well, I hope I haven't scared you with my story today, but it is important that you take control of your eyesight.  There are a few other body parts that you may somewhat miss if they are no longer working, but your eyesight is one that is hard to lose.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.    

The "A Brief History Of My Hometown Of (LANK-iss-ter)" Story

 It was an ordinary day.  Today's story is meant to give the readers of this blog a brief history of the town in which I live in the United States.  In 1681 King Charles II of England granted land in America to William Penn in payment for a debt owed to Penn's father.  Many in England were glad to get rid of Mr. Penn since he had been kicked out of Oxford University, banished from his home and imprisioned for eight months in the Tower of London for his heretical beliefs.  Mr. Penn began a colony in America and was named governor of the colony, offering impartial liberty of conscience to all who were under religious oppression.  He had plans to name his new colony New Wales, but the king insisted he call it Pennsylvania (Penn's Woods).  Wasn't long before Mr. Penn expanded his colony by purchasing land from the Native Americans while meeting frequently with them to cultivate peace and friendship.  Then in 1729, Quaker settler, John Wright carved out of the western frontier a town called Lancaster, which is pronounced as LANK-iss-ter.  A year later the population of Lancaster was 15.  Construction of the first county courthouse was begun that year on land given by James Hamilton along with land for a market and a prison.  By 1734 Lancaster was laid out on land owned by Hamilton with the county courthouse in the center of town.  By 1742 Lancaster was incorporated as a borough and named by a Quaker settler, John Wright, for the city of Lancaster, England.  Hamilton sold lots to middle-class artisans, merchants and professionals.  The residents were expected to erect, within a year, a substantial dwelling house with dimensions of sixteen feet square, with a good chimney of stone or brick.  Innkeepers were known to acquire 15-20 acre lots for pasturing animals.  By the end of the year, Lancaster was one of the largest towns in the British Empire with 270 houses and 750 inhabitants.  During the Revolutionary War, Lancaster was the Capital of the colonies for one day when the Continental Congress fled Philadelphia.  Lancaster was the home of the Conestoga wagon and the birthplace of the Pennsylvania long rifle.  Famous residents include President James Buchanan, United States Representative Thaddeus Stevens, surveyor Andrew Elliott, artist Charles Demuth, retail mogul F.W. Woolworth and Milton S. Hershey, chocolatier.  Lancaster also was the site of the Treaty of 1744 which saw Indian chiefs from the six Iroquois nations come to Lancaster during the summer to meet with representatives of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia to resolve land disputes.  The star of the Lancaster Treaty of 1744 was Chief of the Onondaga Nation and prominent diplomat, Canassatego.  He recommended that the colonies adapt a form of government similar to the Iroquois by forming a confederacy.  He feared that the colonies lacked a strong coordinated policy to address the military threat of New France.  His words were published and read by colonial leaders such as Benjamin Franklin, and influenced the United States Constitution forty years later.  Canassatego was described as a tall, well made man, with a very full chest, brawny arms, good-natured smile and liveliness in his speech.  He could have been my twin brother!  At the time, hundreds of Indians from the six Iroquois nations, many traveling by canoe along the Susquehanna River, set up a large village of wigwams in Lancaster near the Courthouse.  Smoke from the fireplaces filled the summer air.   The event was very entertaining for the people of Lancaster as well as the Indians who checked out the town and the townspeople as they traded in the shops and marketplace.  The two-week meeting shaped our nation's history.  Discussions in the courthouse were lively and included much rum drinking.  In exchange for Indian land which was now part of Pennsylvania, the Indians laid claim to Maryland and Virginia.  The Treaty of 1744 created a strong alliance between the settlers and Indians, protecting Pennsylvania during the French and Indian War.  In the spirit of cooperation, the Indians advised colonial leaders on how to create a better form of government modeled after the Iroquois League of Nations.  Lancaster is also known for the birth of the Conestoga wagon which moved the freight that grew our nation.  They were pulled by a team of six or eight horses and could transport six tons on rough roads over rocky streams.  The wagons to and from Lancaster inspired the nation's first turnpike in 1794 from Lancaster to Philadelphia.  In 1834 the Philadelphia, Lancaster and Columbia Railroad was built with a station at North Queen and Chestnut Streets.  The late 18th century saw the growth of Lancaster and the birth of the nation.  Lancaster patriots played an important role in creating out new government, as Lancaster helped feed and supply our troops.  The patriots who called Lancaster home had names such as George Ross, William Henry, Edward Hand, Jasper Yeates and Edward Shippen.  If you have been a reader of this blog, you more than likely have read other stories I have told over the past few years of those who were famous Lancastrians and played a big role in the history of my home town, Lancaster (LANK-iss-ter).  Great place to live and raise a family!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "And...The Show Must...And Will...Go On! Story

It was an ordinary day.  Looking at the front page of the morning newspaper that featured a large photograph of a friend of mine along with his mother.  Guy by the name of Rob Broucht whom I have known since I was a young boy attending St. James Episcopal Church in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  His mother, Mary Lou, was the assistant minister at the church for many years and was in charge of the youth group which my three children were members of at the time.

Rev. Mary Lou and her son Rob

The newspaper photograph had a large headline under it which read "CURTAIN CLOSES."  Rob has been an entertainer all his life, but it wasn't until 1990 that he officially went into business when he opened "The Hole In The Wall Puppet Theatre" at 126 N. Water Street in downtown Lancaster, PA when he performed the show called "Shantilly Lake."  Rob's dad, Bob was also a big fan until he died in 2003 before Rob gained the success that he finally did.  I can still remember taking my grandchildren to the theatre to watch a few of Rob's productions.  I also visited with Rob quite a few times and wrote stories about his theatre as well as how he makes his marionettes and his stage scenery.  But, after years of performing and making dozens of marionettes, "The Hole In The Wall Puppet Theatre," now known as the "Lancaster Marionette Theatre" will be closing its doors for good.

The Hole In The Wall Puppet Theatre 

It will no longer be open to the public, but Rob will still continue his performances on the stage with performances on his YouTube channel, where he will write and perform new shows and updated versions of classics.  Rob's final performance was on March 7, 2020 and is showcased in the film about his life and theater, "Marionette Land" by former Lancaster-based documentarian Alexander Monelli.  The space in his theatre on N. Water Street that was once filled with seating is now filled with high-tech lighting, audio and video equipment.  At one time he had plans to perform for 50 years, but he now realizes that it will not all be in front of an audience.  

Indoor stage at the Puppet Theatre 

Rob intends to continue to keep his mother involved in myriad ways, but Rob will still continue to make the marionettes, write the scripts and record the musical scores for his own productions.  My wife Carol and I still remember years ago when Mary Lou was still the assistant minister at St. James Episcopal in downtown Lancaster and made arrangements for a trip to Italy to explore some of the old churches as well as the highlights of the county.  About two dozen church members and another dozen non-church members had the best time visiting Italy's highlights as well as celebrating Rob's birthday.  Rob will now concentrate on writing all the music for his new TV audience so as to avoid copyright rules.  He will also perform the music he writes using his dozens of instruments from trumpet to a glockenspiel to piano to...well you name it and he can probably play it.  Since "Marionette Land" first opened on the film festival circuit, Rob has quite a few followers on his "Lancaster Marionette Theatre" channel.  And his mom, known to all as "Nanny Lou," will still be part of his productions.  So as one part of Rob's life and career has ended, he will begin yet another part, but in the same location on the same set with the same instruments and many of the same marionettes that he used in the past.  Just a different audience.  And, I can hardly wait to see what he has up his sleeve!  Knowing Rob, it will be something amazing!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

This is "yours truly" at the box office at the puppet theatre

The "Preservation Of Our Country's Historical Documents" Story

 It was an ordinary day.  Reading more about some of America's most important historical documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.  It was on August 22, 1814, two days before British forces entered Washington, D.C. that Secretary of State James Monroe ordered government records removed to Virginia for safekeeping.  He told Stephen Pleasonton, a State Department clerk, to bring several coarse linen bags and fill them with all the Department's records.  Pleasonton filled several bags with all the Department's records which included the still unpublished secret journals of Congress, the commission and correspondence of George Washington, the Articles of Confederation, the United States Constitution and all the treaties, laws and correspondence of the Department made since 1789.  After all the documents were packed in the linen bags, they were taken to a grist mill which was two miles beyond Georgetown.  Before he had left, he noticed that the Declaration of Independence had been forgotten and was still hanging in its frame on the wall.  

56 people signed the Declaration Of Independence.

He grabbed that as he exited the location.  The following day Mr. Pleasonton began to worry that the British would destroy a nearby cannon foundry and possible even the grist mill if they were to come to Washington, so he found several wagons to take the material another thirty-five miles to Leesburg, Virginia, where they were secured at the Rokeby mansion in what was said to have been a brick vault.  

The Declaration of Independence

The documents that were in the linen bags remained there for several weeks until they were returned to Washington.  In the early 1800s, Secretary of State Daniel Webster framed and hung the Declaration to keep it safe and make it more visible to the American people.  Only problem was that he placed the frame in front of a window and the sun damaged the original parchment paper that the Declaration was printed upon.  Then in 1820, the Secretary of State, John Quincy Adams commissioned printer William J. Stone to make a full-size copperplate engraving of the Declaration of Independence.  This plate was used to print copies of the Declaration.  The 1823 Stone engraving is the most frequently reproduced version of the Declaration.  In April of 1952 Congress ordered the Library of Congress to transfer the Declaration of Independence and Constitution to the National Archives.

Archives of the United States of America in Washington, D.C.

 These two documents were to go on public display along with the Bill of Rights which was already at the Archives.  Exhibition Hall at the Archives was designed to display the documents, but didn't have a safe place to store the documents when they weren't on exhibit.  The National Archives contracted with the Mosler Safe Company to construct a vault beneath the exhibition hall's floor.

The Mosler Safe being installed

 The Archives officials announced they would unveil the Bill of Rights one day that year.  The vault was built in Hamilton, Ohio and transported to Washington, D.C. for installation.  The vault was made of steel and reinforced concrete.  It was placed 20 feet under the floor of the exhibition hall.  The vault was designed to be fireproof, shockproof and bombproof.  During visiting hours at the National Archives, the three documents were displayed in then state-of-the-arts cases.  Every night, with a push of a button,  the elevator gently lowered the documents in their cases through the floor into the 50-ton safe where they sat overnight.  Today, the National Archives no longer uses the Mosler vault to protect the Charters of Freedom.  In the early 2000s, a complete overhaul of the security system was done to keep the papers safe without using the vault.

The historical documents on display at the National Archives Building.

 Currently the Declaration of Independence is kept safe in a titanium case filled with argon gas.  This helps to prevent deterioration of the material.  The case also has a spsecialized, filtered glass to reduce the harmful effects of sunlight yet allow visitors to view the document.  The titanium case and argon gas were introduced in 2003.  Today the documents are displayed on a platform in a circular marble hall.  The Declaration of Independence stands upright, and the first and last pages of the constitution and the Bill of Rights are laid out before it.  

How we picture our Declaration of Independence.

The other two pages of the Constitution are also kept in helium-filled, sealed cases, but they are rarely displayed.  Almost 250 years ago our Founding Fathers may have been grilling hot dogs on the 4th of July, since the Declaration of Independence was actually adopted on July 9 of 1776.  Today, the document still has the yellowish color to it from the excess exposure years ago, but it has been viewed many times while it was on public display all those years.  

Visitors to the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

It is now maintained under the most exacting archival conditions possible and I wouldn't expect anything less than that from our country officials.  Our heritage and the documents that are associated with it are some of the most important items a country can be proud of and should make every effort to keep them safe and protected for future generations.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Lessons Of Botulism...But...What If?" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading about an outbreak of botulism about 100 years ago that was traced to canned food.  Botulism is the deadliest toxin on the planet according to many scientists.  And, one of the many ways you can come in contact with botulism is by purchasing canned foods that have been dented.  I can still remember my mother warning me to never buy anything that comes in a dented can, since I will surely die if I open the dented can and eat the product inside.  

BEWARE!

One of my jobs while working at the local Acme Super- market in the early 1960s was to remove any dented cans I see from the store's shelves and place them on a special shelf in the rear of the store.  People would actually search that shelf for items since they were reduced in price "For Quick Sale."  The canning of food began in the early 1800s in France and by the middle of the 1800s had reached America.  But, it wasn't until after the Civil War that the American consumer began accepting canned goods.  The war was responsible for exposing millions of soldiers to canned food and when the war ended they brought that taste home with them.  But, many didn't accept canned goods at first, since the long time that the food was boiled before being canned left the food mushy with an unattractive taste and texture to it.  Canned food was also hard to accept because the consumer couldn't smell and view the product before they bought it.  But, then along came industrialization and urbanization and the consumer slowly began to accept canned food.  Canners began to perfect machines that could make the cans and process the fruits and vegetables that filled the cans.  They also worked with farmers to grow crops better fit for canning.  The biggest problem with canning was spoilage.  

BEWARE!!

Canning killed existing bacteria and the vacuum seal kept bacteria from getting into the can, but nothing is totally foolproof.  Any slight dent might cause the food to spoil which could cause contamination of the contents.  In the late 1800s the canners embraced the new awareness of the microbial life that could create spoilage.  Before long they felt they had solved the problem.  Spoiled food was fairly obvious either when the can was damaged or the contents smelled or was visibly spoiled.  But, there was always the chance that bacteria wasn't harmless.  It may contain Clostridium Botulinum which is the deadliest toxin known to man and can't be detected by sight, smell or taste.  And, it thrives in oxygen-free environments such as inside a can of food.  Then in late 1919 and early 1920, the deadly botulism struck in Ohio, Michigan and New York, killing 18 people.  

BEWARE!!!

The deaths were detected in cans of black olives, a mainstay of hors d'oeuvre plates.  The deaths caused canned food to be suspect.  The canners launched an expensive research and inspection campaign.  After that olives had to be processed  for at least 40 minutes in 240 degree Fahrenheit liquid.  Scientists, canners and government officials worked together to develop new rules and laws for canning.  With all the new practices and safety regulations, even cans with dents were very unlikely to harbor botulism bacteria. But, it was those two words...very unlikely...that still led many customers to bypass the shelf with the dented cans on it at the Acme.  Today we trust canners and food processors to do the right thing in packaging, but what if...?  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - I still will never buy a can that displays a dent on it.  After all those years at the Acme, I just don't want to take a chance.

The "Greek Orthodox Church Celebrates 100 Years In Lancaster, Pennsylvania" Story

It was an ordinary day.  My story today goes back to the 1920s when a few families who'd immigrated from Greece hoped to find fellowship, family and a place to worship in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  In 1923 they established the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. which at the time had 185 men who identified themselves as members of the church.  

These "first-comers" settled in Lancaster hoping for opportunities and employment that they couldn't find in their home countries.  They worked hard, married, started families and excelled in their new home of Lancaster.  This year they are celebrating 100 years of their Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in the city of Lancaster.  Today, that small group of young men celebrate 100 years of parish life with a congregation of close to 550 families.  Today's church goers think back to the many relatives that originally came from Greece and started the church long ago.  The traditions and history of that church have kept the many families, as well as community, together today.  The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church has grown over the past 100 years and now has over 20 ethnicities which are represented in the church's parish.  Some of those locations that are represented in today's church are Russia, Romania, Serbia and Egypt with the main base being Greek immigrants.  The parish's Priest is Rev. Hector Firoglanis who states that the congregation's diversity has grown by gaining new members through marriage and conversion.  The church first opened in a building located at 215 S. Queen Street in the city of Lancaster and eventually moved to 64 Hershey Ave. in 1960 which its located on the west side of town.  

The original church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Ten years ago the congregation added an educational and social center to the current church.  The parish has had to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic while planning for their current 100th Anniversary.  Rev. Firoglanis told his parishioners that the Greek Orthodox people have been through many pandemics throughout it's 2,000 year history and if we can stay together, maintain our faith in Christ and our love for our neighbor, the pandemic is going to make us stronger with a more tightly knit community.  Today every service is live-streamed, but that really was begun before the pandemic arrived.  The church also livestreams Bible studies.  Many of today's churches are losing hope in the youth of America and the future, but the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church tells that it has amazing young people in their church.  Today there is a preschool program, a Sunday school program for students from 4 years old to seniors in high school as well as a college fellowship program with Millersville University and Franklin & Marshall College.  

Interior of the Greek Orthodox Church

All these experiences have been part of the church for many years.  Rev. Firoglanis says that "We want our kids to have the beautiful experiences we all had growing up.  It gives you really a sense of identity and character, because you can get lost in the world...but here, this is our foundation, it is our faith...we all realize how important it is for our children to have that." They are bringing back to life the warmth and sincerity that they once had when they first began their parish 100 years ago in the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Recent photograph of the Greek Orthodox Church

The "She'll Be Coming Round The Mountain!' Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading one of the many weekly columns that my local Sunday newspaper presents each week titled "LANCASTER WATCHDOG."  The title of this week's article read, "Family grows weary of loud train whistles."  Story was about a girl and her father who have lived within earshot of the Strasburg Rail Road all their lives.  For years and years the noise from the train was only background noise until recently when the train whistle seemed to be louder and higher-pitched than before.  Their home is about two miles from the train station, but now the whistle noise starts earlier in the morning and continues well into the evening.  Is this a bit too much?  The Strasburg Railroad was founded in 1832 and prides itself on being the oldest continuously operating railroad in the country.  

The oldest steam locomotive at the Strasburg Railroad.

In 1958 it was transitioned into a tourist destination that seems to have grown in size, and noise, with over 300,000 visitors a year.  Most close-by residents seem not to hear the noise with only the one recent complaint.  But, Dennis Groft, vice-chairman of the Paradise Township Board of Supervisors (yep...we have a township named Paradise) acknowledges that there is a new, unique whistle from the trains this year.  The sound sort of jumps out at you and  is different from the past.  It is quite noticeable to the neighbors.  The new whistle sound seems to have a harsher pitch to it.  Not long ago my wife and I traveled to a small cemetery along the Strasburg Railroad tracks to search for a tombstone.  While we were walking through the cemetery, we heard the train approaching the county road where the cemetery was located.

Photograph of the train tracks from the cemetery.

 Then the whistle blew and scared the crap out of us.  The whistle was a warning to drivers along the road to stop for the train.  It definitely was alarming and I could see why the whistle would be annoying if it is what they hear all the time.  But there are also rules that the train must follow.  Operators must sound their whistles at a crossing and the whistle must be a minimum of 96 decibels which is the equivalent of a chain saw from 3 feet away.  In 2005 local authorities were allowed to establish "quiet zones" where there could be a ban of routine whistles based on the safety risk at the intersection.  Pennsylvania has only three of these intersections...and none are in Lancaster County.    Well, the "LANCASTER WATCHDOG" spoke to Mr. Ziegler, the vice-president and chief mechanical officer of the Strasburg Rail Road about the recent complaints.  Seems that a few months ago the Norfolk & Western Class J611, a steam engine train from the 1950s, that carried passenger cars in its heyday, came for an extended visit to the Strasburg Railroad.  The noise it makes corresponds with the sound that the neighbors noticed.  Seems that the 611's whistle has a low pitch to it rather than a high one.  But, it was mentioned that from time to time the whistles on the engines are changed at the request of visitors to the Strasburg Railroad.  It is said that the Strasburg Railroad tries to provide a nostalgic railroad experience for its guests and will, at times, make a few changes for the guests. Plus, some of the engines on the Strasburg Line are steam-powered while others are diesel-powered, thus a change in the whistle sounds.   

A diesel-powered locomotive.

Perhaps when the Norfolk & Western engine moves on in the near future, the peace and quiet will once again return.  I can't imagine what it would be like living along railroad tracks and having to listen to the sound all the time.  But then again, my hearing is poor enough that all I would have to do is turn off my hearing aides and I wouldn't hear the train whistle, be it high or low pitched.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.   

The "How Did I Ever Miss This Beautiful Building?" Story

 It was an ordinary day.  Driving around Lancaster County's Central Park.  I had just passed Rock Ford, the Colonial mansion of Edward Hand, the Adjutant General of the Continental Army and notable Lancaster Physician who entertained President George Washington at his mansion in 1791.  As I continued to drive I passed yet another beautiful red-brick farmhouse with two-tone blue trim that carries an address of 1050 Rockford Road.  

1050 Rockford Road

As I found out a bit later, it was the Park's administrative office.  Really neat brick home that I can't believe I never saw before, being that I was born, raised and lived in Lancaster County all my life.  I even played Little League baseball at the ballfield that sits less than a mile from the brick house.  It wasn't long ago that I read an article in Lancaster Newspsaper's "The Scribbler's" column about the place.  

Historical sign telling about Rock Ford

Opened up the online column to read a few facts about the home that Jack Brubaker, aka "The Scribbler", had posted in response to a letter written to him about the beautiful brick house.  I read that the house was more than likely built between 1859 and 1862 on 40 acres of land that belonged to George D. Sprecher.  Mr. Sprecher had purchased the 40-acre property along the Conestoga River in 1859 for about $5,800.  He eventually built the red brick home and sold the property and house for about $7,465 in 1862.  Mr. Sprecher owned a hardware store at one time and also operated a slate business in Lancaster.  It was said that he built and owned quite a few houses in the city of Lancaster.  

Interior fireplace at 1050 Rockford Road

Eventually Miss Cathrine Bertha Lamparter, a Lancaster boot shop owner, bought the house and property in the late 1920s and lived there until she died in 1952.  Mr. Clarence E. Pontz bought the property in 1956 from the Lamparter estate and raised Black Angus steers, sheep and horses on the property.  That was about the same time that I began playing baseball nearby for the Schick Midget-Midget team.  The road next to the old farmhouse was recently renamed Pontz Drive.  

Beautiful stairwell leading to the second floor.

The old farmhouse was renovated in 1998 and today looks beautiful.  I stopped to take a few photographs of the old farmhouse and realized that the place is now the home to The Lancaster County Parks Office.  Went to the back door to see if I could take a few photographs inside the farmhouse, but found it was closed. Within a few minutes a van arrived and a uniformed fellow got out.  I walked over to him and told him that I wanted to write a story about my journey today, but had found that the place was closed.  He said they wouldn't be open for a few days, but he would let me inside for a few photographs If I wanted.  You bet!  

Another view of the old farmhouse at 1050 Rockford Road

So, the two of us walked through the old house and he did his best to describe a bit about the old farm house.  We both had an enjoyable half-hour and I actually managed to get a few interesting photographs to share with you.  One thing I did find out was that the old farmhouse underwent a renovation in 1998.  Today it looks amazing, but the interior has been changed quite a bit and no longer resembles a home, but an office which is exactly what it is today.  Today, thousands of county residents use the surrounding park for hiking, swimming in the nearby pool and enjoying the beautiful property near the red brick house.  I also had the chance to see a bit more of the area and will try to open my eyes and take in the beauty of Lancaster that I must have missed in the past.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The front of Rock Ford, the home of Gen. Edward Hand and his family.