The "Seasons Of Farming In Lancaster County" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just finished snapping the final photo that is needed for my story today.  All began over two years  ago when I found a beautiful Lancaster County farm to the south of the city and took a photo of it during the fall when the corn stalks were at their fullest and pumpkins were scattered on another field.  Then I made another trip to the exact same farm in the winter and spring for more photos.  Loaded all the photos into a file in my iPhoto program and then ... presto, somehow all were deleted.  Thought it would make a neat story showing everyone the four seasons in Lancaster County farming,  but I decided to choose a farm closer to my home so I wouldn't have to drive close to an hour to take the photos once again.  Ten minutes away was the perfect farm and I began the photo assignment all over again.  Today I took the final seasonal photo and am ready to share them with you.  But first, a bit about Lancaster Co. farms and the seasons we go through during the year.  Lancaster, Pennsylvania has been called the "Garden Spot of America" and has some of the best farm land, rich in all minerals necessary for farming, in the United States.  And, quite a bit of that farmland is owned by the Pennsylvania Amish.  They don't believe in using modern technology, such as tractors, and thus they farm with methods used before technology existed.  Mule drawn farm equipment can be seen on just about any rural road in Lancaster, making it feel and seem as if we are living in another era in history.  But, the farms are beautiful and the farming methods, though from by-gone times, make the most of the land.  I chose a farm that was in a small valley to make it easier to photograph.  Made trips to the farm in the spring, summer, fall (autumn) and winter and attempted to take a photo from the same exact location.  Not sure I accomplished my goal, but I believe you will be able to get an idea of the seasons in Lancaster County farming.  Follow along, using the photographs as a guide for my story.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - click on photographs to enlarge.

Summer - In summer the farms in Lancaster County look like a patchwork quilt with fields of tobacco next to fields of corn, wheat or even soybeans.  Summer is traditionally very hot and humid with periods of rain making it perfect for good crop production.  Summer runs from the March Equinox to the June Equinox.  This photo was taken on Wiindy Tor Road which is directly off of Snake Hill Road.  If you notice, there are no electrical lines running to the farm, since it is an Amish farm and they do not believe in any form of technology that connects them to the outside world.  Fields of corn are beginning to show tassels which means the ears are developing.  The lower field in the foreground may be filled with soybean plants, but from my photo is hard to determine.  The farm has double silos which hold the feed for the livestock on the farm.  on the far right of the photo you can see a line of clothes drying in the summer air.  Amish usually have a pulley system for their washlines.

Fall - Leaves haven't changed yet in this photo, but the corn has been harvested by mule drawn equipment and stored in silos to be used for food for the livestock in the winter.  In fall, the weather becomes drier, with comfortable days stirred by cool breezes and nights that begin to get chilly.  Shorts and t-shirts are exchanged for jeans and long-sleeved shirts with a jacket or sweater.  Harvest festivals and winery activities are held throughout Lancaster County.  School is back in session and Friday Night football games dot the landscape.  Fall is called Autumn by many in Lancaster County and it runs from the September Equinox to the December Solstice.

Winter - Had some trouble getting this photo since roads in Lancaster County farmland areas were snow covered for quite some time.  The farmers rely on snow to irrigate the land during the winter.  Winter temperatures in Lancaster County are usually in the high 20s to low 30s during the day with temperatures in the teens or below during the night.  Cold spells can lower both day and night temperatures by 10 degrees or more.  Field farming drops off, but livestock still need to be cared for.  The Pennsylvania Farm Show is held in the winter in nearby Harrisburg which features farm animals and activities.  Farm chores still demand time and equipment maintenance needs to be done.  Mud sales begin in late winter and last into the spring season.  What is a mud sale you may ask.  Well, they are a Lancaster County phenonomon and are held to replentish the coffers of all the volunteer fire companies of Lancaster County.  Farmers lend a hand since they have more time available before spring planting begins. A mud sale is much like a garage or sidewalk sale where you might find just about anything for sale.  Call a "mud sale" since the ground where the sale is held usually gets very muddy and you may need a pair of boots to walk the grounds.  Amish children go to school in one-room school houses which line the country roads in Lancaster County.  Winter runs from the December Solstice to March Equinox. 

Spring - Springtime is a busy time around the farm.  The mud sales are just about over for the season, but quilt shows and home builders shows fill what spare time the farmers may have.  More events around the farm begin to move outdoors due to the warming temperatures.  The mule teams are busy tilling and planting the fields which no longer are covered with snow.  A rebirth of greenery can be seen throughout the landscape.  Evenings still are cool and a light jacket comes in handy.  Baseball games can be found in the fields on Sunday afternoons after Amish Church services have ended for the day.  Spring runs from the March Equinox to the June Solstice at which time everything starts all over again.  The cycle of seasons is a remarkable time in Lancaster County.  

The "Totally Gross Tattoo Preservation" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading about what I may be asked to mat and frame in the near future.  Since retiring from teaching in 1999, I have worked at Grebinger Gallery in Neffsville, PA matting and framing a variety of items; everything from historical documents and family portraitures to swim caps and sheep's wool.  Now it seems I may be asked to mat and frame ... you ready for this ... human tattoos.  Seems it all started back in 2014 when Peter van der Helm and Judith van Bezu began the foundation for the art and science of tattooing.  The foundation was based in Amsterdam and exists largely to preserve tattoos after a person dies.  These tattoos can be given to relatives or displayed in exhibits of tattoo art.  

Charles Hamm showing his NAPSA certificate

Not much more was heard about the procedure or how it was done, until recently when a Cleveland, Ohio accountant, 60 year old Charles Hamm, formed a new non-profit known as the National Association for the Preservation of Skin Art (NAPSA).  Mr. Hamm has developed a process by which tattoos and the skin surrounding them can be removed from your corpse and preserved, allowing your friends or relatives to literally keep a piece of you forever.  My youngest son has covered close to 75% of his body with skin art and some of it is beautiful.  I wrote a story a few years ago telling of my trip to the tattoo parlor with him to watch him get a tattoo on his leg in honor of his grandmother, my mom.  

My son Tad (left) and and tattoo artist Steve

The artist, Steve, was a former student of mine who was an extremely talented artist in high school.  Just as Steve finished, he handed me his tattoo tool and asked me to put the finishing dot on his work.  I was honored and did just that.  I'm not quite sure what my son would think of Mr. Hamm's idea, but if he chose to have one of his tattoos preserved and passed on to a friend or relative, he would first have to join NAPSA.  There is $115 fee to join NAPSA with yearly dues of $60.  

LDub working on the tattoo

If you have more than one tattoo you want to will to someone, the cost is $100 for each additional tattoo.  If you sign up when you are older, and perhaps your tattoos have begun to wrinkle, your $60 may not have to be paid too many years before you die.  But, for my son who is just over 40, it could cost him plenty for the yearly membership fee.  The beneficiary does get a stipend of $2,000 to defray the costs of preserving the tattoo.  Mr. Hamm, who has invested thousands of dollars on his tattoos, believes his foundation will allow people carrying tattoos on them to will their artwork to whomever they may wish.  So, just how does this procedure work.  Well, after paying your fee to join, and the yearly dues, you take photos of the willed tattoos and upload the images and story behind the tattoo to the NAPSA website.  

This is the framed piece of preserved skin.  Don't
count of me to do this for you.  Totally gross!

After death, your beneficiary contacts NAPSA who overnights a kit with instructions for removal within 60 hours; usually to the funeral home.  The tattooed skin is returned in a prepaid package and within six months the tattoo is returned to the beneficiary.  Now, it becomes my job to finish the job for you.  What color mat and what style frame do you want to display the dead friend or relative's skin?  Pretty gross, right?  And, I have to handle it!  Not sure what I will do when Keith, the owner of the shop and a former student of mine, tells me what I am framing.  Certainly will pull a pair of gloves over my hands.  And, what about the smell?  Does preserved, yet still dead, skin smell?  If so, does it smell like death?  And, exactly what does death smell like?  I'm beginning to freak myself out right now ... so this is the end of the story.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.      

The "Wow, Say It Ain't So, Jimmy" Story

A favorite, Jimmy Buffet.

It was an ordinary day.  Reading online about a fabulous idea that Jimmy William Buffet came up with.  You know who Jimmy Buffet is, right?  The guy who brings out all the parrot-heads for a concert.  The guy who is famous for "Cheeseburgers In Paradise."  And the guy who I love to sing along with every time I hop in the car for a trip to the store or even a trip that may take a few hours before I reach my destination.  Same guy that my wife says I don't know all his lyrics and seem to make up whatever I want the songs to say.  Well, it seems that he plans to open a chain of Margaritaville Funeral Homes in a 55-and-older retirement community in Daytona Beach.  Gonna call the place Latitude Margaritaville.  When he opens the first funeral home he will have a place where the parrot-heads can have a cradle-to-the-grave experience; all his fans will be able to die in 3/4 time.  It won't be long before the fad will spread all over the country as well as other parts of the world where Jimmy's fans are located.  A recent story online says that he is excited to bring the funeral experience the fun and escapism that Margaritaville has to offer.  The "Volcano Memorial Experience" will shoot your loved one's ashes into the air from a small model volcano.  

His new Logo!

Now, how cool can that be?  His "The Night (dad, grandpa, etc.) Painted The Sky" fireworks package will place the cremation ashes into a fireworks to be shot off at the memorial service.  You will also be able to have one of his many glassblowers make a large shot glass with some of the ashes inside it.  Each funeral home will have a "Buffett Tribute Band" to play your favorite Buffet songs during the service.  Now, I'll tell you, I don't usually don't get excited about funerals, especially my own, but this is a really neat idea.  I approached my wife about the idea, telling her I wanted our framed picture of Jimmy, and the tickets from the concert that we went to a few years ago, to be ignited along with me when I died.  After telling her all about the new idea that Jimmy Buffet has come up with, she smiled and looked at me saying, "Do you realize what day it is today?  April 1st!  Guess the joke's on you!" I said, "Ah, jeeze!  I really thought he had a great idea and I'll bet he would have made a fortune.  Wait a minute!  Why couldn't I do something like that?"  Carol said, "You don't even know the real lyrics to his songs!"  She's right, as usual.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Baseball Played The Right Way!" Story

Grandson Caden who just turned 12 last week.

It was an ordinary day.  Talking to my grandson, Caden, about how well he did in his pre-season game today.  Told me he played 3rd a couple of innings, SS a couple of innings, 1st for an inning and pitched an inning.  Said he struck out two batters, walked one and another hit the ball back to him and he threw him out.  Since I have been having some medical problems, I haven't been able to see any of his preseason games, but all that will change Tuesday evening when his league season begins and the weather is predicted to be mild.  My son, Derek, is coaching Caden's team for the 2nd year.  Had a fantastic season last year and with Caden leading the way on the mound this year, he hopes to have another good season.  I then asked Caden what he thought of the new rule change that has been initiated this year in the Major Leagues.  Rule states that instead of having to throw four pitches to intentionally walk a batter, you just have to declare you want to walk the batter and he just goes to first base.  The rule was changed to attempt to speed up the game.  Caden said he saw it called one time on TV in the pre-season, but not since the season has begun.   I told Caden I didn't think it was going to speed up the game more than a minute or two.  And, it may take the thrill out of walking the batter without making a mistake along the way.  I told Caden I remember a few years ago, while watching a Jr. Midget (ages 13-14) game at Mt. Joy's Kunkle Field with his uncle, and my other son Tad, the Manheim Township team filled the bases with two outs.  The team leader for MT came to the plate with his team behind by two runs.  Then, something happened that doesn't happen very often.  The manager for the other team told his pitcher to intentionally walk the batter, which would give MT a run, but stop the batter from getting a hit and scoring more than the one run.  The pitcher threw three balls far away from the batter, but on his final ball, threw a bit to close to the batter who swung his bat and hit the ball over the fence.  MT won the game.  So, announcing you want to walk the batter without pitching to him will take that slim chance away that something exciting may happen during an intentional walk.  I also remember a World Series game years ago when the manager walked to the mound to talk to his pitcher.  The batter had three balls and two strikes on him and when the manager left the mound it looked as if he was telling the pitcher to throw another ball and intentionally walk the batter.  So, the batter just stood there, waiting to walk to first.  Funny thing happened though when the pitcher threw it across the plate and struck the batter out.  Sort of a trick play, but not illegal.  So, am I in favor of the new rule?  Not at all!  May save 35 seconds during the game, as established by an baseball analyst, but takes away from the excitement of the intentional walk.  Caden agreed with me, but of course he is my grandson who would agree with anything his Tampah said.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.   

The "How Could They Have Done This?" Story

Colored chicks waiting to be sold.

It was an ordinary day.  Time of the year which I have fond memories of from my childhood.  The Easter Bunny leaving baskets of chocolate hidden around the house, Easter Sunday and my chance to wear the new suit to church that I got yearly at this time of the year and ... the colored  baby chicks that my parents bought for me to raise until just about full grown when we would take them to my Uncle's father's farm and release them.  

Advertisement from Lancaster County years ago.

Yep, I was one of those kids who had parents who would allow me to have just about any animal that I wanted, as long as I cared for it.  Anything from a parakeet to a horned toad to white mice and rats to a multitude of guinea pigs which I raised and then sold.  Made enough money selling them that I was able to buy my first car at the age of 16.  But, back then, I had no idea what those poor little chicks had to go through in order to be someone's pet at Easter.  

Baby rabbits were also colored.  I feel so bad for them!

Those colored chicks, or peeps as some call them, were dyed in one of two ways.  The dye is either injected in the incubating egg or sprayed on the hatchling while in a rotating drum.  Poultry farmers say it is harmless, but these are more than likely the same farmers who will eventually chop the heads off the chicken when it is fat enough to eat.  After Easter, many of the chicks will die since the children who receive them, and the parents who bought them, will tire of them and set them free in the neighborhood or just neglect them until they die.  

Magazine cartoon featuring a dyed chicken.

I must admit that I was never one of those kids and my parents were never one of those parents, but we must have been the exception, since half of the states in the United States now have laws against the practice of coloring chicks and quite a few municipalities, in those states that still allow it, now have laws against it.  The outcry from animal rights groups has been swift and continues to be.  Had my parents known what I now do, I'm hoping they would never had bought colored chicks for me when I was a child.  Actually, the candy and new suit were more than enough for any child to have received for Easter.  Soon time for all states to ban the practice, not only with chicks, but with the dyed baby bunnies that I still see from time to time this time of the year.  It really is an unnecessary as well as unacceptable practice which certainly teaches animal cruelty to young children at an age when they should be learning the proper care of pets.  Just my opinion, so it is!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Roslyn" Story

My recent photo showing the trimming of the trees on the property.

It was an ordinary day.  Standing at 1035 Marietta Ave. taking a few updated photos of the residence known as Roslyn.  A few years ago I wrote a series of stories telling about Lancaster architect C. (Cassius) Emlen Urban.  His work is well known in the Lancaster area as well as neighboring communities.  

An early photograph of "Roslyn".

Mr. Urban was regarded as Lancaster's most distin- guished architect from 1900-1932,  During those years he designed many commercial properties in downtown Lancaster such as the Central Market House, the Greist Building (Lancaster's only skyscraper until a few years ago), Lancaster Theological Seminary and Watt & Shand Building as well as the Hershey Theatre in Hershey, Pennsylvania.  He was also responsible for the Chateauesque style residence of Mr. James H. Watt at 1035 Marietta Ave. in the School Lane Hills (SLH) area of Lancaster.  

Photo I took a few years ago.

School Lane Hills, Inc. was formed in 1926 with four stock- holders; the most famous stockholder being James Hale Steinman, owner of the local newspaper and radio station.  The regulations of SLH stated: "Your investment in a home site in SLH is especially safeguarded by the high standard of development that is being maintained, but the unsurpassed location of the property and by the environment created by a selected group of purchasers and owners of homes in this distinctive community ... Plan to build at School Lane Hills." Building took place in SLH for about ten years.

Post leading into the property.

 One rule of SLH group was that no more than ten lots could be sold per year.  Being that Armstrong Cork Co. (Armstrong World Industries) and other Lancaster area companies executives wanted to build in SLH, the houses were spectacular, eventually being designed by architects as well-known as Urban.  Architecture involved the Colonial Revival, Dutch Colonial Revival, Georgian Revival and Tudor Revival and retains its status as a residential area for the affluent.  

Photo of the front door.

This area is now a Historic District to the west of the city of Lancaster.  Now, back to my photograph I wanted to take.  "Roslyn" was built in 1896 by Mr. Urban.  It was a baronial mansion designed for Peter T. Watt who was one of the co-founders of the Watt & Shand Department Store in center city Lancaster.  Mr. Watt presented the property to his wife, Laura, on her birthday and it remained in the Watt family for over 70 years.  

The Carriage House.

The residence has stepped gables, irregular bays, round turrets having dormers and conical roofs, six chimneys, balustraded portico with swag motif, porte cochere and interior stained glass by Rudy Brothers of Pittsburgh.  The home has 8 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, a library, a breakfast room, a formal dining room and the usual living room and kitchen.  

Interior stairwell as seen on the realtor's website.

The house had been owned since the 1970s by an Eshelman family.  Mrs. Eshelman recently died and the property is being readied for sale.  The Estate has been labeled level-1 high importance and is recognized by the Lancaster County Historic Site Registry and National Register of Historic Places.  Both the house "Roslyn" and the Carriage House have views of President James Buchanan's Wheatland residence on the opposing corner.  

Closer view of stained glass window on the landing.

The first floor of the Carriage House has the original horse stalls and the second floor has 2 bedrooms and one bathroom.  A private garden is included.  So, what do you think?  Interested in this property?  It has 9,320 sq. ft. of space on a corner lot which is 2 acres and includes the 4 car Carriage House.  A true gem.  I have tried to research a price and have come up with this:  Originally priced at $4,999,999, but now reduced to $2,999,999!  Interesting estate with lots of maintenance, but if you can afford the home, I'm sure you could afford the maintenance.  After all, it is one of Lancaster's premier houses. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Different view from outside the home.

Interior room.

Pond in front of the home. 

Another interior view showing impressive woodworking.

The doorbell system for the entire house.

The "A Huge Chocolate Hare" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Standing in the rear workshop at Miesse's Candies in Lancaster, Pennsylvania talking to Tracy who is the owner of one of Lancaster's oldest candy stores.  A little over two years ago my wife Carol and I made a visit to the downtown candy store and factory to visit and sample some of their famous candies.  At the time I wrote a two-part story telling of the history of the candy maker and how they produce their chocolate candies.  

The two-part mold that will eventually
be a 42", 32 pound chocolate rabbit.

While taking a tour of the factory, we saw an extremely large plastic mold that was used to create their biggest chocolate rabbit.  Shortly after, I saw one of the bunnies in their satellite store which is about a five-minute walk from my home.  The bunny stood 42" high, weighed 32 pounds and sold for over $500.  Well, today I talked my granddaughter Camille into visiting the downtown store with so I could take a photo of the mold and the resulting chocolate rabbit so that I could share one of the largest pieces of chocolate with you.  Tracy remembered me from my past trip and ushered Camille and me to the back workshop to view the large mold and one of the rabbits that had just hatched from the mold.  The mold has two parts to it which are each held in a plywood form.  Liquid chocolate is poured in one half of the mold, filling it.  

A recently poured chocolate rabbit.
Notice the excess chocolate where
the two halves were joined.  Click
on the image to enlarge it.

Then the other half of the mold is placed on top of it and bolts are used to tighten the two halves together.  Two workers slowly rotate the mold so the chocolate can enter the other side of the mold, making sure that the chocolate has fully covered the other half and there are no air pockets.  Then, every 15 minutes they flip the mold back over again to allow even coverage of the chocolate.  This procedure is completed every 15 minutes for two hours.  After that time the rabbit is allowed to fully harden overnight and then removed from the mold.  At that point they must scrap the excess chocolate from the area where the mold has been joined together.  Decorating and wrapping in plastic follow.  Tracy said they usually sell one of these 32 pound giants every year with one recently finding a home in a nearby town.  Tracy and her husband Bob recently named their latest 32 pound chocolate creation after their first grandchild, Brigham who is 2 years old.  Wonder how many 2 year olds might weigh as much as the chocolate Brigham.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  

Bunny Brigham for sale in Miesse's Candy Store.

The "Easter Bunny Visits Harrington Drive" Story

Foreword:  I wish all Christians a Happy Easter on this Easter Sunday.  Today's story is a prelude to a few stories on Easter.  Thanks for visiting with me!

It was an ordinary day.  Reading about how the rabbit, or hare, came to be associated with the Christian celebation of the resurrection of Jesus.  

The Easter Bunny wishes you a
joyous Easter Sunday.

On Easter Sunday the Easter bunny makes a visit to LDubs home on Harrington Drive in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  He, or she, traditionally brings chocolate eggs which are placed in the baskets of our grandchildren.  But, just how did the tradition or the legend of the Easter rabbit begin.  The name Easter was first appropriated by the Christian calendar.  First it was the pagan festival Ostara, celebrated on the vernal equinox, around March 21 in the Northern hemisphere.  Ostara was named for the pagan goddess of spring, Eostre.  And, the legend goes that she once saved a bird whose wings had frozen during the winter by turning it into a rabbit.  Because the rabbit had once been a bird, it could lay eggs.  Hence, it became the Easter Bunny.  The rabbit as a symbol for Easter is first mentioned in writings in 16th century Germany.  Pennsylvania Dutch settlers, many arriving in Lancaster County, brought the Easter bunny to America in the 1700s.  Their children used their hats and bonnets to make their nests and the "Oschter Haws", or Easter Hare, would fill their headgear with colored eggs.  

The Window of Three Hares as seen in Paderborn
Cathedral in Paderborn, Germany.

The first edible Easter bunnies, made of pastry and sugar, were also produced in Germany in the early 1800s.  Around that time, the Easter nests, which we make today in small baskets with plastic colored straw, began to be found in the spring gardens of children's homes to be filled during the night with brightly decorated eggs.  The Easter egg hunt still happens in houses in Lancaster County today much as they did years ago.  My three grandkids, even though one is a year away from getting her driver's license, still look forward to searching the grounds of our "Beach House" for the eggs left by the Easter Bunny.  And this year, to make it even more realistic, we have an actual rabbit that has found a home in the trees to the rear of our home on Harrington Drive.  Our own real "Oschter Haws" has arrived in time for Easter Sunday.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  

The "Holding An Historical Piece Of "The Black Art" In My Hand" Story

Small book printed in 1796 in Lancaster, PA

It was an ordinary day.  Standing in my brother Steve's garage in Ephrata, Pennsylvania looking at a large table full of ... stuff.  The stuff consists of a small box of old locks and keys, many old posters in frames, old books, rusted tools, a plastic envelope filled with old newspapers and a multitude of old books.  This ... stuff ... is part of an enormous batch of ... well, stuff ... that he bought from a person who is clearing out his business space so he can set up an office.  After looking through about half of the ... stuff ... Steve grabs one small book and tells me I might be interested in this.  Book is about 4"x7"x1/2" thick with a weathered brown leather cover on it that bears no title whatsoever.  

End sheet has the name of the original owner and the
first page tells the story of the book.  Click on to enlarge.

Since I taught graphic arts and printing for years, I knew I should handle this piece of "The Black Art" with care, so I opened it gently to find the title page read: THE New Teftament Of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, Newly Tranflated out of the ORIGINAL GREEK; And with the former TRANSLATIONS Diligently Compared and Revifed, LANCASTER, Printed by J. BAILEY and W. DICKSON, in Kingftreet, M,DCC,XCIII.  

Portraiture of Benjamin Franklin who opened
a shop in Lancaster in 1751.

Wow, now it has my undivided attention!  Lancaster County, Pennsyl- 
vania has a storied history of the "The Black Art" with Ben Franklin founding Lancaster City's first print shop in 1751 and for six years he and his partners tried to duplicate the success they had created in Philadelphia.  It happened to be at the same time as the famous Ephrata Cloisters was printing a newspaper as well as a multitude of publications, some in German and some in English.  Due to the immense competition from the Cloisters as well as many other upstart print shops, Franklin's print shop sort of fizzled out and he closed up shop in 1757.  

Historical sign in front of the Lancaster
Newspaper office in Lancaster.

Another Lancaster printer, Francis Bailey, learned the printing trade from Peter Miller at the Cloisters and opened his shop in downtown Lancaster in 1771 where he printed sermons and pamphlets supporting the Patriot cause as well as a variety of other works.  In 1776 he printed one of the earliest editions of Thomas Paine's Common Sense, calling for America independence.  Now, I searched and searched to find out why the book I was holding in my hand had J. Bailey instead of F. Bailey.  After several hours of searching various websites I found what I was after.  Mr. Jacob Bailey was a printer who arrived in Lancaster in 1784.  Happened to be the same year that Francis Bailey, a supposed but not documented relative, left the printing trade.  

Rear pages of the book look as if they were used  by
the owner of the book to practice his calligraphy.

In 1784 Jacob began his career in Lancaster by printing The New and Improved North American Almanac for 1785 which had for the previous nine years been printed by ... Francis Bailey.  He also printed a variety of religious books and manuscripts which makes me believe that it was he, Jacob, that was responsible for the book I am holding.  The books pages are rather tattered, being very yellowed.  A small section of the book seemed to be falling out until I realized it was another document altogether.  

These loose pages fell from the book.  They are hand-sewn
in white thread and are printed in both English and German.

This section of about 16 pages was hand-stitched with white thread and half in English and half in German.  It somehow had found a home inside the New Testament book.  I then began a search for the other printer, William Dickson.  He and his brother Robert opened their printing office in Lancaster in 1796, the same year the small book I have was printed, and became the best-known of Lancaster's publishers.  Three years later they founded the Lancaster Intelligencer which was published by them until William's death in 1823.  Interesting that my youngest son just so happens to work for the Lancaster Intelligencer Company (now called LNP Media Group).  So, I think I have finally found the identity of the printers who were responsible for the very interesting religious book that my brother has now given to me.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.    

The "Perhaps The Most Famous Engravings Ever" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Surfing through a few historical websites when I came across what has to be declared one of the most famous engraving in history.  While teaching high school graphic arts, one of the projects we attempted was making engravings.  At first we used copper plates and a metal stylus, but then shifted to plastic plates due to the cost of copper.  The procedure is known as "Intaglio" which means: a design incised or engraved into a material.  Intaglio is also said to be printing from a depressed surface.  Those students with some artistic ability usually enjoyed the project and were the most successful with the procedure.  

The Bloody Massacre Perpetrated in King Street by
Paul Revere dated 1770. Click to enlarge.

Well, as I was looking through the website I found an article about the Boston Massacre, known as the Incident on King Street.  Took place on March 5, 1770 in which British Army soldiers shot and killed people while under attack by what was said to be a mob of angry citizens.  To loyalists, this was not the Boston Massacre but "an unhappy disturbance."  It was depicted by others as a street fight between a "patriot mob, throwing snowballs, stones, and sticks and a squad of British soldiers.  Several colonists were killed by gunfire and this led to a campaign by speech-writers to rouse the ire of the citizenry.  

Parker Brown displaying the hand-copied engraving of Paul
Revere's famous rendering of the Boston Massacre.  As you
can see, it is engraved in a piece of copper plate.

The British troops weren't welcome in Boston and when British Captain Thomas Preston was attacked, additional soldiers were called into action and after being attacked again, fired into the mob, killing 3 on the spot (a black sailor named Crispus Attucks, rope maker Samuel Gray and mariner James Caldwell), and wounding 8 others, two of whom died later.  A town meeting was called demanding the removal of the British and the trial of Captain Preston and his men for murder.  Most were acquitted, but two soldiers were found guilty of manslaughter.  This fight, later called the Boston Massacre, was a signal event leading to the Revolutionary War.  This famous mob event was depicted in an engraving made by Paul Revere who had copied it from an engraving by Boston painter Henry Pelham.  It was hand-colored by Christian Remick and printed by Benjamin Edes. In the background of the engraving is Boston's Old State House.  Pelhem wrote to Revere accusing him of copying the work.  

Revere's pen and ink diagram plan
of King Street.

Revere did make a slight change when he added a fictional "Butcher's Hall" sign.  Paul Revere also presented an accurate view of the event in a pen-and-ink diagram plan of King Street.  At the time it was common for engravers to take designs wherever they found them without the original artist's permission.  Eventually the two settled their differences and Revere ended up making engravings for Pelham.  I realize that the main idea in the story on the site I was reading was the Boston Massacre, but for me, Revere's etching was just as important.  Without the etchings, history wouldn't have been the same.  As is today, a picture is worth a thousand words. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The Boston Massacre took place in front of The Old State House which is pictured here.  The building was the seat of British colonial Government from 1713 to 1776.

The Boston Massacre took place in front of the balcony, and the site is now marked by a cobblestone circle in the square.

The "Blood Curdling Tales From The Past" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Carol and I were watching "Wheel Of Fortune" and noticed that this week was V-8 Week with the veggie drink featured on each part of the show.  Then Carol said, "Do you remember years ago when I went to give blood at the hospital and took Tad with me?"  Well, before I go on, a little background is needed to help you understand what Carol was going to tell me.  Her blood type is type "O" and she would get frequent calls from the hospital asking for her to donate blood to their blood bank since her blood can be used by just about anyone.  She almost always made a donation and at times would take one or more of our children with her if I happened to be at work.  On one memorable day she had our youngest son, Tad, with her.  He was about 10 years old at the time and was used to his mom donating blood and knew what to expect from watching the procedure in the past.  But this time was slightly different.  After she had given her pint of blood, the nurse asked if she cared for something to drink such as ginger ale, water, or V-8.  She thought for a short time and asked for the V-8.  The nurse brought her the V-8 already poured in a glass and she began to drink it.  Tad, thinking it to be the blood she had just donated, felt ill after watching her drink it.  After a quick explanation that it was just like tomato juice he began to feel better.  On another occasion Carol had taken me to the hospital after I had cut my arm while working on building a porch on the side of our house.  In the emergency room they stitched the cut and for some reason said they wanted to draw some blood for a test.  I'm sure I must have had blood drawn before, but wasn't sure.  As the nurse placed the needle in my arm, I was amazed as the blood started flowing into the small test tube.  Then I realized it was my blood.  In no time at all the needle was removed, a bandaid placed over the spot on my arm and Carol and I began to walk toward the entrance.  And ... that's all I remembered until I awoke on the litter in the hallway.  And, since that day, I never, ever, watch when they draw blood from my arm.  Funny that when I cut myself working or even shaving, it doesn't affect me, but watching an entire tube of blood being taken from my arm is more than I can handle.  Whenever Carol is with me now when I have to have blood drawn, she always reminds me not to watch.  I learned that lesson many years ago I told her.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - I couldn't even make myself look for an illustration for this story!

The "Casino Needs 'Rules For Rules'" Story

Recent job I matted and framed for a customer.

It was an ordinary day. Reading the rules for the card game known as Casino.  My brother, Steve, gave me a call a short time ago asking if I could remember the name of the card game we used to play with our Nannan (Grandmother) years ago.  We would sit around the card table and laugh until the tears would stream down our cheeks or Nannan would begin to curse.  Now that was funny!  Seems that Steve wants to play the game with his three grandkids and have the same experience with them.  Tried to explain that he was the grown-up now and not one of the kids, but it didn't seem to bother him.  We talked and talked and finally I somehow pulled the name "Casino" from the depths of my inner mind.  Well, we hung up and I began my search to see if I was right.  Yep, while reading the rules it all came back to me along with the smiles and memories of my vision of my Nannan sitting across from us slapping a card down on the table and claiming she had won.  Check out the online rules for Casino and give it a try.  I'm sure the next time I get together with my brother I will be talked into a game of Casino.  And, I'm sure by then he will have changed the rules so they are in his favor.  But, rules are exactly that, rules!  They can be adhered to or they can be broken.  Its all part of life, isn't it?  Did you know there are rules for rules?  I know ... since I recently framed a large poster that was titled "Rules for Rules."  Across the top was the statement: He who would dispense God's discipline, must with equal fervor do His justice, Love mercy and evince His Wisdom.  Exactly what does that mean?  Well, the rules for making rules are these:
  
(1) Few - Every rule must have a specific function, a recognized and attainable purpose, and fill a compelling need.
(2) Firm - Every rule, once established, must be consistently and firmly enforced, but not stridently or intractably so, and punishment must be proportionate to the behavior, swift and certain.
(3) Fair - Each rule must be reasonable, have a solid and valid purpose, show proper understanding of normal human behavior, be enforced without malice or vendetta, and its application be even handed, with commensurate and consistent punishment.
(4) Announced and understood - All rules must be plainly published prior to effective date, adequately explained, and contain no surprise sanctions.
(5) Subject to review and change - Rules to be purposeful, relevant, and effective, must provide for adapting their requirements and prohibitions to changing goals, and unusual or unanticipated circumstances.

Rules to be effective must earn and command respect.  Rules for Rules are equally applicable to the home, the school, the Church, and civil authority.  The result is more important than the rule!

OK, now I get it!  I must make a large poster of these Rules for Rules to take along with me when I visit my brother so when he insists I play Casino, I'll be able to present him with the Rules for Rules before we begin.  Only way I will every be able to beat him.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "The Little Bottle That Meant So Much To So Many" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Turned on the TV and found a show on the Travel Channel that I find interesting.  Show called "Mysteries at the Museum" which takes you to museums around the United States and picks unusual items in the museum and tells a tale  about them.  

Front door of the National Museum Of Civil War Medicine
located in Frederick, Maryland I visited with my granddaughter.

One of the museums visited on the particular show I was watching was the National Civil War Museum of Medicine in Frederick, Maryland.  Same museum that my Granddaughter Camille and I visited this past summer when Carol and I made a weekend visit to see them in Urbana, Maryland.  Frederick is about fifteen minutes from Urbana and I talked Camille into making the visit with me.  

The little bottle that meant so much to so many.

On Wednesday, August 31 I posted a story about our journey to the museum and what we found interesting.  One item that I found interesting was the "Mystery" that was talked about on the TV show today.  The item was a minute bottle housed in a small display case that was highlighted with a spotlight. The bottle displayed an old label that read "Nitrate of Silver".  As I listened to the show, it told the story of the bottle and how it saved so many lives during the Civil War.  Not at all what I had imagined when the show started, but still rather interesting.  The story dealt with battles near the city of Nashville, Tennessee.  Seems that Nashville had legalized prostitution before the war and when the Union troops began to arrive they found their way to the infamous Smokey Row where more than 200 prostitutes were housed.

Major General William Rosecrans

In February of 1852 Major General William Rosecrans' army seized Nashville and the prostitutes rose to over 1,500.  And with that, so did the rise in "private diseases." Nearly one in ten Union soldiers contracted either syphilis or gonorrhea and many of them died.  Rosecrans enlisted the help of Union Lt. Col. George Spalding to help with the problem and he suggested they load all the prostitutes on a steamboat and take them upriver to Louisville, Kentucky.  The steamboat "Idahoe" was requisitioned and loaded with all the prostitutes much to the dismay of the boat Capt. John Newcomb.  The boat soon became known as the "Floating Whorehouse" and the boat's name seemed to fit it well (I-da-hoe).  

A license that was needed to practice prostitution.

Armed guards in Louisville, and later Cincinnati, refused to allow the passengers to disembark so they returned to Nashville.  Rosecrans once again asked Spalding for help and he suggested they license all the prostitutes and require them to have medical exams every week to make sure they were free of venereal diseases.  There would be a weekly fee of 50 cents and if they were healthy, they would be given a license to practice their trade.  

The field hospital that was built to help infected prostitutes.

With the money they collected they opened a field hospital and treated the infected women at no charge.  And, this is where the small bottle I saw at the museum comes into play.  The bottle contained Silver Nitrate which was used to treat venereal disease during the civil war by injection or intravenously.  Of the approximately 620,000 soldiers who died in the Civil War, two-thirds of those deaths were from disease.  Having already visited the Civil War Museum of Medicine made the story on "Mysteries at the Museum" seem more real.  And now I understand the reason why that small bottle with the light to attract your attention was so important.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.