The "How Others Work Through Their Fears & Frustrations" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just passed a very interesting piece of artwork on South Prince Street near Farnum Street.  I stopped to view it and found it had been painted by Adam Serrano who wrote that most of his murals involve the community in one way or another and this piece was no different.  The message that "my mask protects you, your mask protects me" was meant to be loud and translated in three other languages.  Being that it still didn't feel like enough of an impact, he made a Facebook post requesting selfies from anyone on the frontlines of the medical field in Lancaster, PA. He received nearly 200 images.  Perfect for his collage "rip and stick" style.  There are 10 such pieces of art now on display in the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania that are sponsored by Lancaster Public Art.  All 10 pieces are geared toward the current Coronavirus disaster as far as the message they convey.  The location for the art was identified utilizing a "vulnerability index" ranking median income, the population 65+ years old, the population living alone, and the following pre-existing conditions (COPD, High Blood Pressure, Asthma and Diabetes).  Locations and projects were additionally vetted by neighborhood leaders. All artists selected live or work in the city and represent a wide diversity of City perspectives.  Check out the artwork which follows and you will see the amount of diversity, art wise, that Lancaster offers.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - click on images to enlarge them.

Adam Serrano - South Prince Street near Farnum.

Annajane Dauphine - Rodney Park
This artwork is based on her own perspective, and because the viewers of her piece do not have her perspective, they will create their own.  "That is the best thing I could ask for, because it is impossible for me to see it from their perspective, and so values and lessons can be lost by forcing only my view point."

Chomingo & Esther Rivas Miller  - location unknown
The idea of the piece "Superheroes at Home" comes home from prevention and distance as it is being applied in various places.  We tried to create how we can be superheroes daily taking hygienic measures and being creative with our family and children.

Krissy Whiski - Penn Square
Creating this mural was exciting and I was happy to be chosen to do so because many of my close friends live and work in Lancaster and I want them to be safe.  When creating the mural I chose the notable Renaissance art futures David and Venus, because after the plague, came the Renaissance. The message is certain, wearing a mask is an act of solidarity and kindness to others, in that it can help to slow the spread and flatten the curve, which helps everyone, especially our healthcare workers on the front lines and who are most susceptible to catching the virus.

Maria Tomassetti - 6th Ward Park
When we talk about social distancing, we're not just talking about a physical boundary used to protect ourselves and others, although that is absolutely the intention.  If we truly love our neighbor, our friends and family, then we're going to take the highest and most appropriate action to achieve that protection. 

Loryn Spangler Jones - Corner of Mulberry & James
This has been a truly transforming experience for me, filling me with new life, optimism and stronger than ever sense of community.  My hope is some that bleeds through to the public...it feels like a big hug to every member of our community from my heart that has always been too big for my chest.

Katie Trainer - Corner of Mulberry & Vine
My piece "Together" is intended to have structure that comes from chaos, such as the world in relation to Covid-19.  The background is a blend of textures and colors.  The layering adds richness and structure of a nurse with a face mask.

Keisha Finnie - Ross Elementary School
Once receiving the call that I had been chosen as 1 of the 10 artists to do a PSA Temporary Mural, I already had in mind the idea and message I wanted to portray.  Being that I too am affected by a mental condition, I wanted to show the importance of taking care of your mental health, especially in these times when we are quarantined and forced to face ourselves more than usual.  

Salina Almanzar - Roberto Clemente Field
My piece is a self-portrait that uses elements from my heritage as a Puerto Rican and Dominician woman.  I wanted to use bright colors, Caribbean flowers and foliage, and elements the remind me of strong women in my community.  While we need reminders to maintain distance, wash our hands, and keep our masks on, we also must remember to take are of our mental health.  In creating this piece, I wanted to convey the fact that our minds are often the drivers of our feelings.  

Shaun Hogart - Reservoir Park
With this PSA mural, I was really hoping to bring a little color and a bit of hope to the wonderful people of Lancaster.  This has been, and continues to be, a really difficult time.  Its easy to get mired down, and feel alone, But, the really is that we really are, "All in this together.  We are all fighting the same fight, moving toward the same goal."

The "Farmer Herman And The Flooding Barn" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading a variety of things online and came across a children's book titled "Farmer Herman and the Flooding Barn" which was written by Jason Weber, the national director of foster care initiatives at Christian Alliance for Orphans, and was illustrated by 344 people!!  So, what's the story behind this book?  The story began in 1988 in a small Nebraska farm town known as Bruno.  Mr. Herman Ostry and his family had a barn that needed to be moved out of the way of flood waters.    

The barn on Mr. Ostry's property that was to be moved.

After obtaining quotes from various contrac- tors, he realized that moving the barn wasn't going to happen.  Then one night at supper he joked to his family, "I'll bet if we had enough people we could pick up that barn and carry it to higher ground."  His son Mike took the idea seriously and thought about what his dad wanted to do and came up with a plan.  He counted the boards and timber in the barn and estimated the barn's weight at 16,640 pounds.  Then he began welding a grid of steel tubing together which brought the total weight to almost ten tons.  

344 people moving the barn.

Mike's system provided a handhold for 344 people, which meant each person would be lifting about 55 pounds.  It just so happened that the little town of Bruno was planning its Centennial Celebration that same summer and the planning committee decided to make the moving of Herman Ostry's barn a part of the official celebration.  On July 30, 1988, local TV cameramen were on hand, along with 4,000 spectators.  344 volunteers lifted the barn in unison, walked the barn 115 feet to higher ground in three minutes and deposited it in a new location.  So how did that all happen?  Did Mike really figure in the full weight of the barn accurately including nails and hardware?  And, how about the metal pipe grid?  Wasn't there a group of people who wanted to try tractors and front-end loaders?  And, where did the 344 volunteers come from.  What if one of those people hurt themselves and sued Herman.  

Another photo showing the movers.

And what if some moved in the wrong direction.  But, Herman's barn got moved because Nebaskans know if one person is in need, everyone else will show up in a heartbeat to help out.  They don't argue, they don't complain.  They cheerfully get the job done and then they have a beer and gather at someone's house to play a few rounds of sheepshead, whatever that might be!  At times Nebraskan farmers look more like the church than the church does.  I guess the Bible verse 1 Peter 3:8 tells the story...Above all, be of one mind.  Be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.  So, where does this Jason Weber guy, the author of the children's book, come into the story?  Well, he was in Lincoln, Nebraska one day for a conference and decided to drive to Bruno to meet with the Ostry's and see the barn.  He wanted to ask them if he could turn their story into a book to raise money to help foster children.  

Herman autographs a copy of the book.

Herman said, "Go for it, and if it touches even a little bit and cheers children up, what more could you ask for?"  Weber also had the idea of having each of this 344 people who helped move the barn to draw one element - perhaps a cat, boot, goat, etc. - and have an illustrator use all those images in the book.  He asked Mrs. Ostry if she could draw a sun.  Weber than said to Mr. Ostry, "You know there's some people that think it's crazy to get 344 people to illustrate a book."  Mr Ostry replied, "Yeah, that's what they told me too.  but sometimes you have to do something a little bit crazy to get something done."  Chris Dorvak, Herman Ostry's married daughter, and two of her children contributed drawings as did "Duck Dynasty star John Luke Robertson and the Christian band, Jars of Clay.  So, for those reading my story today, just about anything is possible if you set your mind to it.  Just ask Mr. Ostry!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Hats Off To The Pair Of Good Samaritans & Police Officer" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Following online, as well as on local television, the story of a mother and her daughter who happened upon a female boxer dog along the side of a road in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania who looked to be in distress.  The sky was beginning to darken and upon farther examination, they found she was in labor and had already given birth to four young puppies next to the busy roadway.  They quickly called the local police department and shortly Officer McKernan of the West Hempfield Police Department arrived to assist the women and dogs.  He managed to put the female boxer in his cruiser and headed to Pet Pantry of Lancaster which was co-founded by Dr. Bryan Langlois who is the medical director of the shelter.  The mother and daughter loaded the newborns into their car and followed to Pet Pantry.  On the way to Pet Pantry, the female dog gave birth to her fifth puppy on the back seat of the cruiser.  

Mom and her new puppies.

Once at the shelter the mother dog carried her newborn in her mouth into the shelter where she was reunited with her other pups.  Before she was done, she had delivered a total of nine puppies.  One pup was stillborn while another didn't survive overnight.  The litter consists of five males and two females with all doing well, including the mother dog.  Dr. Langlois told the newspaper and television station that "Mom is a champ.  She knows just what to do, and that makes our job a whole lot easier here."  The mother dog and her puppies will soon be sent to a foster home until the pups mature and are ready for adoption.  Happy ending for a very stressful experience for all concerned.  Lancaster County has many stray animals that at times don't meet the same good samaritans as this lucky female boxer did.  At times there doesn't seem to be enough people to adopt all the strays in the county.  Many strays are caught and taken to shelters to be either spayed or neutered, but end up being released back into the community.  It is a problem that has been part of life for as long as I can remember and I doubt if it will ever change.  Hopefully the new brood and their mother will find people that will give them a loving home.  My wife, Carol, and I have adopted a few pets over the years and at present have two cats that found their way to our back door over a year ago.  They are so lovable and make our days full of joy and entertainment.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  

The "Keep The Table Set For Emily!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Beautiful summer day about 20 years ago when our daughter's in-laws, Joe and Linda, visited Lancaster County from Maryland and met Carol and myself for a meal at the Accomac Inn along the Susquehanna River on the York County side of the river.  

The Accomac Inn along the mighty Susquehanna River.

We all had a great time and loved the meal and the Inn.  Several other times we have visited the site to take photos and admire the beautiful Inn.  Then, this past October the Accomac Inn suddenly closed and the owners filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.  The Inn had already been for sale at the time since the owners, Doug and Charlene Campbell were going to retire and move out of the area.  

The ferry would take you from the small town of Marietta,
on the eastern side of the river, to the Accomac Inn on
the western side of the Susquehanna River.

The fine dining restaurant had been listed for sale for $1.4 million.  This beautiful building dates back to 1775 when it was a fisherman's pub.  Forty-six years ago the Inn was purchased by Doug Campbell and a partner who converted it into the fine dining establishment that everyone grew to know as an excellent place to eat.  Over the years it had received numerous awards for their meals and hospitality.  But, there is more to my story than just the love of the Inn.  Seems that in 1881 a young woman by the name of Emily Myers was allegedly murdered by a Mr. John Coyle close to the Inn.  

This stone is part of the foundation of the Accomac Inn.

Since that time it is said that the ghost of Emily makes visits to the Inn.  Due to the belief that she is still present in the area, a wall table stays set for her at the entrance to the Inn.  Emily's death and the trail to Mr. Coyle are recounted in the 2012 book "Across the River: Death at Accomac."  Now, up steps a Mennonite by the name of Henry Leon Shenk, who grew up in Lancaster County, but moved to Seattle and opened a seafood business known as Sleeping Giant Inc.  

Mr. Henry Leon Shenk, new owner of the Accomac Inn.

He happened to be visiting in Lancaster with family in October when he saw the headline in the newspaper telling that one of his favorite places to eat was for sale.  He remembered taking his parents to eat there a few years ago and thought that closing the place was just wrong.  So, while looking at the paper he held in his hand, he started to think.  He too knew the story of the hungry young woman who was murdered and decided he was going to buy the restaurant and keep the table set for her.  He bought the Accomac Inn for $1 million.  

A view fro the other side of the building, looking south.

He paid $600,000 for the real estate, $80,000 for the furniture, fixtures and restaurant equipment and $320,000 for the Pennsylvania liquor license.  Mr. Shenk hopes to open the restaurant once again, but also doesn't rule out other ideas such as a place for sustainable food service, recreation, education, bed and breakfast, yoga, stand up boarding and the arts and entertainment.  But, no matter what he decided to do in his new Accomac Inn, "the table will be set for Emily as long as I am the owner," Mr. Shenk said. "Her ghost haunts the Accomac because her killer is buried nearby, and he wants her to know that he respects her."  Will the table still be set?  I'm hoping so! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "The Hero From Sint Maarten: Part II" Story

Barbara and Anna

It was an ordinary day.  Looking at the Christmas email greeting from Barbara Cannegieter I just received from the island of Sint Maarten.  This past October my wife Carol and I visited the island and made a stop at the home of Barbara and Dee whom we got to know about five years ago.  During our visit we were greeted by a shrill voice that belonged to Anna.  Anna is a white cockatoo that had been gifted to the St. Maarten Zoo a few years ago.  Then in September of 2017 Hurricane Irma made a visit to the island and totally devastated the island as well as destroying the zoo.  Eventually Barbara was able to adopt Anna who is a wonderful greeter who constantly reminded us of her name by screaming "Anna".  Many years before the hurricane arrived in 2017, a young boy by the name of Drew Vogelsang volunteered at the Sint Marten Zoo.  At this point in my story I would like to insert a story sent to me by Barbara telling about a recent visitor she had to her home to see her as well as Anna.  The story was an email received by Barbara and was written by Rita Ennis.  Enjoy the story as I did and see just how compassionate we humans can be when the need occurs.

The email written by Rita Ennis to Barbara Cannegieter:

We are in Sint Maarten where the Vogelsang/Ennis/Evans families have spent 20+ Christmas seasons. "We" this time includes Ellie and her BFF Marina, Drew, Joanne (Bob's sister), her husband Randy and me.  We always have at least one activity while here that becomes a family legend. The first such activity this year is a visit Drew and I paid to Anna, a white cockatoo. There's a backstory here.  As I said, we've been here many times. Most years since he was 12, Drew skipped some of the beach activity and volunteered at the Sint Maarten Zoo. It was a very small, distinctive home to about 300 animals, a very low-key, easy to visit, almost shabby-but-lovely little park and kid's recreation area. Some of the animals were endangered. For such a small zoo, the collection was impressive. Some animals (peacocks, large turtles) roamed freely, giving the zoo a special accessible vibe. Each animal was named, known by many locals and greatly appreciated for its characteristics and personality.  One resident was Anna, a sweet or nasty (depending on whether she liked you or not) white cockatoo, who had been gifted to the zoo by her previous owner, a woman. Drew heard Anna liked women much better than men, but mostly didn't like people, and had bitten several visitor fingers over the years. Undaunted, Drew worked to make friends with her, and the relationship became mutual adoration. While he never entered her cage, Anna mashed her body up against her cage bars so Drew could rub her belly, under her wings and under her neck. 

Anna sitting on Drew's arm.

Anna clearly recognized Drew each year when he returned.  Bob and I visited Drew at the Zoo while he was working a few times and witnessed and photographed the love between these two. Some of you may remember photos we posted 4 and 6 years ago. Drew last saw Anna in 2014.  As most of you know, Sint Maarten was devastated by Hurricane Irma in September 2017. The Zoo was totally destroyed. Some animals escaped, some were stolen, some lost their lives to storm fright or the caiman who got loose. The animals that remained were moved to the Curacao Zoo or re-homed to zoo volunteers.  We were heartbroken about the condition of Sint Maarten and the Zoo. I tried but was unable to find out about Anna, and resigned myself to never knowing her fate.  Fast forward to last Thursday. While finalizing some vacation prep details, on a lark I googled "Sint Maarten Zoo Irma Anna" and up came a May 2018 blog post by a Sint Maarten resident, Barbara Cannegieter saying she had taken in Anna. I was thrilled to know Anna was safe and loved. Caribstorm is the blog, and I've read from it many times over the years as author Barbara commented on Sint Maarten and its weather, and occasional other topics. Though I didn't know her and had never had any exchanges through blog comments, I emailed Barbara explaining Drew's relationship to Anna and asked if he could visit Anna. Barbara replied with a gracious invitation.  Today we visited Anna, Barbara, and her husband Diederick. We had a lovely time getting acquainted, and Drew had a wonderful reunion. We can't say that Anna remembered Drew, but she liked him and recognized him as a gentle friend. She allowed him to enter her spacious cage, and climbed on his arm. It was a great visit -- meaningful to all of us. The whole thing seemed like a little miracle. And now we have new friends in Sint Maarten, friends we will surely visit again.

Carol visits with Dee and Barbara in Dee's garden.

As you can see, Barbara is a national treasure for the island of Sint Maarten.  Carol and I are so lucky to have met her a few years ago and to be able to make yearly visits with she and her husband Dee.  We look forward to our visit in 2019 and hope we can once again hear that shrill voice calling "Anna" to us as we ring the bell at the gate.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The "War To End All Wars Was A Misnomer: Part I - Lancaster's New Rememberance" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just got back from downtown Lancaster where I visited and photographed a new display of plaques at the Lancaster County Government Center located at the corner of West Chestnut and North Queen Street.  The new plaques were unveiled to celebrate the end of WWI also known as "The Great War" and the "war to end all wars".  The plaques also honored those who participated in the Civil War, World War II, the Korean War and the Viet Nam War.  An article appeared in the newspaper yesterday telling of the plaques and I thought I would visit and see what they might look like.  They were revealed recently due to the celebration of Armistice Day and Veterans Day on November 11.  It was on November 11, 1918 at 2:50 a.m. Eastern Time that the United States Department announced in a single sentence that the war would officially come to a close at 11:00 a.m. that same day.  On that day in history sirens blared and church bells chimed in the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania as well as many other cities around the world announcing the war's end.  The war was sparked by the June 1914 assassination of Austria-Hungary Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo, Bosnia.  National alliances led countries to mobilize with Russia, Serbia, Britain and France pulling together and being known as the Triple Entente while on the other side were Austria-Hungary, Germany and the Ottoman Empire which was known as the Triple Alliance.  By the time the war was declared over on November 11, 1918 an estimated nine million troops and seven million civilians died as a direct result of the war with about 50 to 100 million deaths worldwide contributed to the 1918 influenza pandemic that was said to have been caused by the war.  The war was one of the deadliest conflicts in history and led to major political changes in many of the nations involved.  Unresolved rivalries at the end of the conflict contributed to the start of World War II twenty years later.  Many treaties resulted from WWI as well as the formation of the League of Nations which was intended to prevent another world war which for various reasons failed to do so.  WWI was not a true religious war, but it was framed religiously.  Various religions were swept away as well as other formed.  Martin Luther was elevated to hero status during that period, nearly 400 years after the Reformation.  During the many battles soldiers saw themselves as martyrs on a Christian Crusade.  Protestants, Catholics, Muslims and Jews all fought for both sides.  By the time November 11, 1918 rolled around everyone, no matter what religion, was ready to call it quits.  Well, the plaques unveiled recently are to be a new symbol to commemorate the historic event in 1918.  Lancaster's Mayor Danene Sorace thanked the veterans who gathered to watch the unveiling for their service to "make this world a better place to remind us that Lady Justice really does stand for something.  As noted, the war to end all wars was not our last war so the plaques will help us remember those who fought in wars that came after.  I have added a photograph of each plaque to show you the fabulous job that was done to honor our veterans.  Tomorrow I will finish my story about WWI with a bit about how animals played a vital part in the war.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - click on photos to enlarge them. 

Plaque dedicated to WWII Merchant Marine Veterans

Plaque dedicated to all branches of Lancaster County Veterans

Plaque dedicated in honor and memory of Vietnam Veterans

Plaque dedicated in honor and memory of Civil War Veterans

Plaque dedicated in honor and memory of World War II Veterans

Plaque dedicated in honor and memory of Korean War Veterans

The "A Hero Named Lale" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading online about a young man by he name of Lale Labuko.  I'm sure most of you have never heard the name before.  If I hadn't been searching for the term "mingi" I probably would have never come across the young man's name.  Mingi is the traditional belief among the Omotic-speaking Karo and Hamar tribes in southern Ethiopia that children with physical abnormalities, those born out of wedlock, those whose top teeth come in before their bottom teeth and those whose married parents have not received the necessary three blessings by elders are ritually impure and ancient traditions dictate that grievous harm will come to the village unless the mingi dies.  Thus, they are murdered by pushing them off high cliffs, thrown in the river to drown or eaten by crocodiles.  It is estimated that these tribes kill almost 300 children a year.  As for the young man with the interesting name of Lale Labuko.....he came from the Kara tribe and grew up in the village of Dus which is by the Omo River in Ethiopia, Africa.  At the age of nine his father sent him to a boarding school run by Swedish missionaries.  His father was highly criticized for doing so, but it changed his life.  When he was 15 he witnessed the practice of Mingi.  Back in his village he saw elders grab a baby from her mother and take her to the river to drown her.  From that point forward he began working to save the Mingi children.  He currently runs a shelter for the so-called cursed children.  Three years ago he was featured in the movie "Omo Child: The River and the Bush" which followed him as he tries to end the practice of Mingi.  Together with film maker John Rowe, he founded the Omo Child Shelter whose mission is to provide a safe, nurturing home and quality education for rescued Mingi children living in the remote Omo Valley.  The hope of the shelter is that these children will become future leaders in their tribes and communities as well as raise awareness about the practice of Mingi and see its elimination in the tribes of the Omo Valley by the year 2030.  

Lale Labuko with natives from the Omo Valley.

I don't recall what I was searching for at the time I came upon the name Lale Labuko, but I will never forget finding his name.  Lale is now 30 and the heart behind OMO Child.  One thing that influenced him was the fact that he had two older sisters, both deemed Mingi, who were killed before he ever knew them.  Outlawing and stopping Mingi has become his life's mission.  His main objective now is to create Southwest Ethiopia's future leaders and help to end the practice of Mingi.  To be 30 and leading the fight to save his tribe is remarkable.  A true patriot and hero in my eyes.  In a country where we seem to have a daily national crisis created by members of all parties, wouldn't it be nice to find someone like Lale Labuko to lead the way?  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "I Now Have A New Hero In My Life" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Talking with an old friend whom I taught school with for years.  We were talking about another good friend, Dennis Denenberg, who was an administrator in the Manheim Township School District for quite a few years.  Everyone loved Dennis and his upbeat personality and how he could relate to the children in the school district.  Then we talked about some of the special things that Dennis has done since leaving the school district.  

Dennis Denenberg's book on American Heroes.

I have written in my blog a few times about Dennis, but since my last story Dennis has added one more special note to his list of accomplishments.  You may recall that Dennis co-authored the book "50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet" as well as spoke to my grandson's elementary school class about being a hero.  Dennis also established the student lounge at Millersville University and dedicated the room to honor his Mom and Dad (Hilda and David Denenberg) who he said had kept their vow to never say an unkind word to one another in front of their children.  

Denny made a visit to my grandson Caden's elementary school
class to talk about being a Hero. LDub, Caden and Dennis.

Dr. Dennis Denenberg was a Professor of Elementary & Early Childhood Education after leaving Manheim Township in the late 1980s.  Well, something new popped up in the local paper about Dennis a few weeks ago.  Seems as a child he loved to play with toy soldiers and over 60 years ago received a set of Revolutionary War toy soldiers for a Christmas gift.  It was that one gift that sparked his lifetime interest in history.  

I purchased books for my three grandkids
and Dennis autographed each one for me.

I too received a similar set of toy soldiers for a Christmas gift, but my brother and the neighborhood kids made sure they didn't last as long as Denny's toy set did.  His collection was so pristine that he recently donated it to the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia in hopes of inspiring the same passion in future generations of children.  Dennis said that his parents were of average means and therefore he and his sister didn't get a lot of things so what you did get you took good care of it.  He also had a Western set of cowboys and Indians, a French Foreign Legion set and an outer space set that he played with.  Those three sets didn't last like his Revolutionary War set did.  He figured it would have gone for close to $1,000 if he had put it on sale at auction.  The set had about 75 molded plastic figures, including Continental soldiers and British Redcoats in various poses such as on horseback, kneeling with rifle drawn, waving a flag or playing a drum.  

This photo shows Dennis donating his toy soldier set to the
Museum of the American Revolution's registrar, Michelle
Moskal.  The set is in the box in front of them.
Photograph from the Museum of the American Revolution.

There was also a tin building and toy cannons.  As I read the article it all came back to me.  The exact same set I had!  He said when he played the Patriots usually won, but for me, they always won.  He figured he wasn't going to play with them anymore so he decided it best to gift it to the Museum of the American Revolution to keep it in Pennsylvania.  He said the staff at the museum were very gracious to receive such a gift.  And to make the gift even more memorable to the Museum, the vice-president of collections said he had been given the exact same set as Dennis had just donated.   Denny said he hoped his childhood toy set will someday kindle in children the same passion he has for the early days of America.  "Winning the Revolution War was a miracle," he said.  My only wish is that I had taken better care of my childhood toys so I could give them to my grandkids, but that's not ever going to happen.  What a great guy and friend.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Thank Goodness For Friends and Family" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Three weeks out from my recent back surgery.  I am still very sore and not allowed to drive.  This is totally different from the first three back surgeries when I felt great by the end of the second week and was able to go back to my part-time job at the frame shop.  I go to my surgeon next week to see if I have been healing properly and may get a chance to drive once again.  I find it extremely hard to sit around the house and do nothing.  Boring!  

Front of Etta's card she sent to me.

The only thing keeping me sane is being able to sit with my MacBook Air on my lap and type stories for my blog.  One thing that has been both rewarding and humbling has been the many "Get Well" cards and letters that I have received the past three weeks.  And, my favorites are the ones that are hand-made by friends and relatives.  

Inside of the card.

I got one such card from my daughter-in-law's mother, Etta, who actually makes packs of home-made cards for Christmas gifts.  The card featured an old jalopy on the front with "Heard you are in the shop for repairs!" on the front and "Overheated? Low on gas? Tired out? Get Well Soon" on the inside.  What a neat card!  Another card I got from my wife's friend Marg who is an artist.  

Front of card by Marg.

She drew a remarkable likeness of me on front of the card dressed in a Hawaiian shirt with a panel inside that read "You Need This Vitamin...It's Easy Just Go To .... and the final panel said "Stone Harbor", a location along the Jersey Shore that we enjoy.  Both cards brightened my day, but a few days later I was looking out the window and saw a van pull into our drive.  Before long the doorbell rang and Carol opened it.  A minute later she was bringing me a really neat planter.  The card on it read: Hope you are feeling better soon.  We are thinking of you!  MTHS Admin, Faculty & Staff.  What a surprise.  I taught school at Manheim Township for years and still work there during the summer in-house printing requests they have.  

Inside of Marg's card.

I've been retired for 19 years now, but still know many of the teachers (a few being former students of mine, office staff (one being my next-door neighbor as well as a former student of mine, principals (one was a former student of mine) and staff.  I worked there all summer and stopped three weeks ago when I headed for surgery.  It was really neat to see that they were thinking of me.  Sickness and injury are never fun to go through, but when you are lucky enough to have so many good friends, relatives and co-workers who are thinking of you, it makes the bad parts so much better.  My heartfelt thanks to all who took the time to send me a card, make a call or get flowers for me.  It is making my recovery so much easier.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Planter from my friends at MTHS.

The "Breaking News: There Really Is A Santa, Megan!" Story

Letter Santa and Elf Shimmer sent to Megan
telling her of the loss of her letter this past
Christmas.  Please click on images to enlarge.

It was an ordinary day.  Just received an email from Megan which included a letter she had recently received from Santa and his elf Shimmer.  Story started back in December of 2017 when Megan sent a letter to Santa telling him what she would like to have for Christmas.  Seems that the letter must have been at the bottom of his immense mail bag and he never had the chance to read it before Christmas.  I'm not sure if Megan ever received all the gifts she was wishing for, but if she did she was lucky since Santa never found her letter until a few weeks ago.  I should tell you that Megan is 11 years old and is the oldest daughter of my niece Kelly and her husband Shawn who live in nearby Ephrata, Pennsylvania.  

I'm sure that when Megan's mom and dad gave her the unopened letter recently sent to her, from Santa and his elf, she was amazed.  What are the chances that Santa would do that almost half a year after the letter was written to him.  Even I know that Santa must be something special to take time to send a letter to this young girl almost half a year after Christmas.  Megan shared the letter with her parents and siblings and decided to write her own letter telling of her experience of receiving the letter and her thoughts of Santa.  Trying to figure what a very sensitive and respectful young girl is thinking can be tough, but I have included the letter telling of Megan's impression of Santa after finding out he had misplaced her letter.  Please read it and see for yourself what this young girl's feelings are after receiving Santa's letter explaining why he didn't deliver to her what she had been wishing for this past Christmas.  Megan found and felt the goodness and love of Santa even after he had lost her letter.  What a wonderful story to share with children all over the world.  Christmas is more than half a year away, but for Megan, well she already has the Christmas spirit in her heart!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Megan's thoughts after receiving the letter from Santa.

The "I Like You Just The Way You Are!" Story

I passed this sign on a sidewalk in Manheim, PA.

It was an ordinary day.  A beautiful day in the neighborhood as I walked pass a sign that wished Mr. Rogers a Happy Birthday.  Need I say anything more?  Well, just in case you didn't know, it was Mr. Rogers who always said, "Won't You Be My Neighbor?"  Mr. Rogers, for those who have never heard of him, was Fred McFeely Rogers who immediately after graduating from Rollins College in 1951 was hired by NBC television in New York as an assistant producer for The Voice of Firestone and later as floor director for The Lucky Strike Hit Parade, The Kate Smith Hour and the NBC Opera Theatre.  Mr. Rogers was born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, so in 1953, after being asked to return to  nearby Pittsburgh station WQED, which was the nation's first community-sponsored educational television station, he moved back to his home state of Pennsylvania.  

Mr. Fred Rogers in the late 1960s.

Mr. Rogers was asked to develop the first program schedule for the TV station.  Shortly after he produced "The Children's Corner" which was a daily, live, hour-long visit with music, puppets and host Josie Carey.  Rogers served as puppeteer, composer and organist.  Two years later his program won the Sylvania Award for the best locally produced children's program in the country.  It was on "The Children's Corner" that a few of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood regulars first made an appearance.  Anyone remember Daniel Striped Tiger, X the Owl, King Friday XIII, Henrietta Pussycat or Lady Elaine Fairchilde?  They would become regulars on his famous show, "Mr. Rogers Neighborhood."  

A shot from his TV set.  This was Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood.

During Mr. Rogers free time he attended Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Child Develop- ment.  In 1963 he became an ordained Presbyterian minister with a charge to continue his work with children and families through the mass media.  Later in 1963 he developed a children's program for CBC in Canada that was called MISTEROGERS.  He moved from behind the scenes to the show's on-camera host.  

Mr. Rogers Memorial Statue in Pittsburgh, PA.

He returned to Pittsburgh three years later with his wife and two sons to begin "Mister Rogers' Neighbor- hood" on National Educational Television and in 1968 on the Public Broad- casting Service (PBS).  A few years later my family discovered his show on PBS.  I actually enjoyed watching the show with all three of my children.  The show offered a safe haven for kids, not like many of the crazy cartoons and animated shows did.  His quiet demeanor presented him as an adult in a busy world with time for every child who viewed the show.  I can still remember my kids staring at the TV screen as he said, "I like you just the way you are!"  

Mr. Rogers' sweater now is in the Smithsonian Institution's
Musuem of American History in Washington, D.C.

The iconic sweater that he wore on just about every show is now on display in the Smithsonian Institution's Museum of American History.  He even has a memorial statue in Pittsburgh!  Mr. Fred McFeely Rogers died in 2003.  I also remember Jimmy Kimmel last year, after the mass shooting in Las Vegas, looking nervously at the TV camera and saying "look for the helpers."  Something that Mr. Rogers would say often.  

2018 is the celebration of the 50th anniversary of "Mister Rogers' Neighbor- hood."  A new Mr. Rogers documen- tary called "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" is scheduled to be released on June 8th.  I hope you will be able to watch it.  Also, this month the U.S. Postal Service is going to release a Mr. Rogers' Forever Stamp.  If only he could have lasted "Forever" to help influence generation after generation of children in this troubled world.  Maybe, just maybe, we really could have all been friends and neighbors.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  

The "Good People Really Do Exist" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Gas tank full and car packed, ready to head to Urbana, Maryland to visit our daughter Brynn, son-in-law Dave and granddaughters Courtney and Camille.  Our mission was a weekend visit to catch up on the lives of everyone south of the border and to take in one of Camille's basketball games.  She is in her final year of Middle School and will enter High School next year.  Her basketball team is undefeated and we wanted to see one of her final league games before the playoffs start.  Her game was scheduled for 5:30 pm so we decided to leave Lancaster, PA about 11:00 am for the two hour trip to Urbana, a small bedroom town near Frederick, MD.  There are a variety of routes we can take, but we enjoy traveling historic Route 30W for about an hour and then pick up Route 15S for the remainder of our trip.  Just before we end our Route 30 leg of the trip, there is a McDonald's restaurant where we enjoy stopping for a snack or an inexpensive meal.  Today was one of those meal days so I pulled into the Drive-thru lane and waited in place.  Naturally, the noon-time line is always longer, so we had a rather lengthy wait.  Finally the car in front us pulled to the order station and placed an order.  About a minute or so later the car pulled forward and we pulled to the speaker.  "Fish sandwich, cheeseburger, small fries and a vanilla milk shake," I called into the speaker.  Some static and then, "The milkshake machine isn't working today.  You want something else to drink?"  I replied, "Just a small coke."  By now the car in front of us was paying for their meal and preparing to pull to the service window.  I too pulled to the window and lowered the window to pay.  The young girl opened the window and said, " The woman in the car in front of you paid for your meal!"  I was dumbfounded!  "What?" I asked the clerk?"  She said, "The lady said today was 'Do a good deed day' and she wanted to treat the older couple in the car behind her to lunch."  Wow!! We pulled up behind her when she was getting her order and tooted the horn and waved to her.  She waved back and pulled forward and stopped.  After we got our meal we pulled next to her and realized she was about the same age as our daughter.  We thanked her for such a nice treat and told her her act of kindness had made our day something special.  With a big smile on her face she said we were welcome and glad she could treat us.  It truly did make our day, and perhaps her day also.  We often read in our local newspaper comments from those who have had a meal paid for them at a restaurant and often think we should do the same for a stranger.  Never thought someone would do that for us.  Once again, even thought the chances are extremely slim that the beautiful young woman may be reading this blog...thank you one more time for your wonderful gift you gave to us on February 17th.  It was most certainly appreciated and something we will never forget!  You truly were our hero for the day.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.