The "Historic Nolt's Mill: A Lancaster County Historical Preservation Trust Landmark" Story

Nolt's Mill in Bird-In-Hand, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

It was an ordinary day.  Just pulled in the driveway of a beautiful sandstone former grist mill located at 2549 Old Philadelphia Pike in Bird-In-Hand, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  A remarkable building which at one time was an operating mill that produced a variety of different flours.  I parked the car, grabbed my DSLR Sony and headed to the main door of what is now the John Stevens Gallery at Nolt's Mill.  The gallery recently opened and features John's original watercolors as well as Sarah Gilligan's Folk Art.  

The main entrance at the rear of the mill.

I walked in the door at the rear of the building and back in history!  The old renovated mill is remarkable.  John's paintings are displayed throughout the gallery with soft lighting that brings out the realistic watercolor paintings he has created.  His work is noted for its uncommon attention to detail and his ability to draw the viewer into the painting.  Sarah's work also is located in the main gallery and features her painted folk art pieces which reminds one of Pennsylvania Dutch traditional artwork.  The artwork of both artists is beautiful, but for me the real beauty in front of me is 16th century grist mill that surrounds me.  The mill was built in 1770 by James and Deborah Gibbons and is located along Mill Creek which is a tributary of the Conestoga River.  

Water from a nearby creek is diverted
into the mill to power the mill.

It was originally a 1 1/2 story stone building, but was enlarged a story in 1812.  The mill operated from 1770 until 2006 when it closed.  It produced flour from a variety of different grains during the years of operation.  The property that John and Sarah purchased includes the 3000 square foot stone grist mill, a barn that was built in 1907 and a restored 1870 Miller's house which now serves as their home.  The water still flows through the structure by means of a waterway diverted from the nearby creek.  The water was used to power equipment for grinding the grain into flour.  The original mill had an office inside the door to the right with a corner fireplace and all other essential items needed to run the mill.   The office was eventually moved to the opposite side of the building sometime around the Civil War to allow for more room.  

The artwork of John is displayed on the walls of the mill.

Hanging on a post by the office was the original rack that held the time cards of the employees.  When the mill first began it was operated by using round millstones that would grind the grain between them.  The millstones were turned by the power of the water running through the mill.  Then in 1904 the mill installed Midget Marvel Mills which were self-contained metal roller mills that used water turbines.  

The original office, but is now display space.

Instead of using the heavy stone wheels to grind the grain, metal rollers where used which were more easily turned by the water turbines.  Eventually electricity was installed in the mill in the 1940s so when the water level was reduced by dry weather, electricity could turn the mills and make the process more reliable.  The mill went through a series of owners during its lifetime and at one time the Nolt family owned the mill.  

The office as it appears now.

The Nolt name was given to the mill at that time.  As John and I walked throughout the mill he explained to me what all the remaining mechanical parts were used for in the operation of making flour.  He showed me photos of the Midget Marvel Mills being removed from the property after he purchased it.  The renovation of the mill is now complete and the gallery is open for business.  

This was the miller's home and now serves as the home
of the owners.  It sets to the right of the mill.

If you can make a journey to the gallery you will be impressed with not only the artwork of these two special artists, but with the historic mill which at one time produced the food that more than likely fed some of America's statesmen and heroes.  Many famous people passed through Lancaster County, and the Old Philadelphia Pike, where the mill is located, was the main passageway to the west.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - click on photographs to enlarge them.

Cornerstone on the house telling when it was built.

Weathervane is a quill pen.

On one of the silos is this beautiful window with flowers.

Lancaster County marker near the Mill Creek. 

This is the rear of the building which is where the entrance to the art gallery is located.

The historical plaque on the building.

This is an opening in the floor inside the gallery.  Through it you can see the gears that powered the grist mill.  Running water can be seen running underneath the gears.

This device would turn as the water passed the rod that went from it to the device.  When the water slowed or ran too fast, the device would tell the operator by means of a rotating bells so they could adjust the water intake.

This photo shows where people placed their initials and the date.  Great way to tell whom might have owned the mill or perhaps worked there at any specific date.

A photo of the Midget Marvel Mill being removed during the renovation of the mill into a gallery. 

A photo of a worker actually running the Midget Marvel Mill when the plant was in action.

This mechanical device still stands where bags were filled with flour.

Plaque near the entrance telling of the date when the mill was built.

A 1907 barn at the rear of the mill.  The three vehicles, all VWs, are still in use.  One is for transporting artwork to shows throughout the region.

   

The "Do You Really Like Being Old?" Story

LDub and Bill

It was an ordinary day.  Reading an email sent to me by a childhood friend whom I don't get to see as much as I wish I could.  He lives on the other side of the country and we only get to visit every few years.  We sometimes talk as well as email one another as often as we can or if and when we remember.  He recently sent me a short paragraph about growing old titled "Do You Really Like Being Old?"  I read it ... and re-read it over and over and decided to share it with you, but only as my version.  So, with quite a few changes and additions, here is my version - the version of an old guy who loves life more than ever.

To my friend Bill ... "Do you really like being old?"

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world, too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging; aging in body, mind and soul.  So, whose business is it, if I choose to read, or play on the computer, until 4 AM, or sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50s, 60s & 70s, and sing along if I care to and not worry if I’m out of tune.  I will walk the beach with a limp, on a warm paradise island, and dive into the waves, with abandon, if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from others. They, too, will get old, someday.  I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And, eventually, I remember the important things ... usually ... I think.  Sure, over the years, my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break, when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when one's beloved pet dies?  If I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love, I will cry my heart out, unashamed, as much and as often as I desire, just because I can.  But broken hearts are what give us strength, understanding and compassion.  A heart never broken, is pristine, and sterile, and will never know the joy of being imperfect.  And tears shed from a broken heart tend to irrigate the soul.  And, who among us is perfect?  I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turn gray and disappear and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. Grooves that tell all I have lived a full and joyous life.  So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.  As you grow older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore.  I've even earned the right to be wrong.  And the pain I feel as I walk, talk and even sleep reminds me that I have lived a full life and used my God given body to the fullest.  So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting about what could have been, or worrying about what will be.  And I shall eat dessert after every meal ... every single day (if I feel like it).  I'll eat between meals and even spoil my appetite, just because I can.  And, I will visit my doctor, or doctors, as often as my Medicare will allow.  And lastly, I will tell those I love the most that I do, lest they forget it. May our friendship never cease, especially when we need each other the most ... and Thank You for your friendship!  SO BE IT!!

It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Oh Say Can You See!!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Sitting with my two sons at Kunkle Field in Mt. Joy, Pennsylvania preparing to watch Lancaster Newspaper's Jr. Midget baseball finals.  The newspaper has been sponsoring an end-of-the year baseball tournament for the best teams in three different age categories in Lancaster County.  The tournament began in 1944.  Players in the Midget-Midget category (ages 9-12 yrs. old), Junior-Midget category (ages 13-14) and Midget category (ages 15-16) battle it out to see which team is the best in the county.  Tonight's game pits the Manheim Township Streaks (a team I coached years ago) against the Mountville Angels.  My oldest son coaches in Mountville, PA and my grandson plays on my son's team, but my son also played for the Manheim Township team when he was growing up, so its tough watching the game and not knowing which team to cheer for.  I taught in the Manheim Township school district for years, but I went to all my grandson's games this year so I too am having a tough time deciding who to cheer for.  But, none of that matters to this story, since this story deals with something totally different.  Just before the game began, a young man, acting as the announcer for the game and sitting a few rows behind us in the bleachers, asked everyone to stand and remove their ball caps as a young woman sang our National Anthem.  And ... everyone stood and removed their caps as she sang.  I too sang along, since I have been doing that for years.  Not loud, but just loud enough so that I could hear it.  For you see, the anthem that we sing, or listen to, is the story of a flag that continued to wave throughout one of the most famous battles in American history.  

1918 World Series game and the
National Anthem is being sung.

On that day many years ago Francis Scott Key, who was better at writing lyrics than music, put his description of the battle of Fort McHenry to an old English tune that had a lot less to do with patriotism than it did with booze and women.  Its been almost 100 years since our National Anthem was first played at a sporting event that really meant anything.  Yes, the anthem had been played as far back as 1862 at a game or two, but didn't seem to mean as much as it did in the first game of 1918 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs when the song was played.  The date was September 5 and the newspapers were dominated with news from WWI.  The Cubs were hosting Babe Ruth and the Red Sox in Comiskey Park rather than newly opened Weegham Park (later called Wrigley Park) since Comiskey could hold more people.  Ruth was pitching a 1-0 shutout when in the 7th inning a band from the nearby Navy training station began to play "The Star-Spangled Banner."  This time something happened that was far different than any other time when the "Star Spangled Banner" was played.  Players took off their caps, as a 12-piece band played, and faced the flag in right field.  That was all the players except Red Sox infielder Fred Thomas.  He happened to be in the Navy at the time, but was given an exception to play in the World Series.  Fred didn't remove his cap, but gave a military salute to the flag instead.  A few fans began to sing along and by the time the song came to it's climax, the stadium was awash with patriotism.  The stadium exploded with thunderous applause.  The navy band leader at the time was John Philip Sousa, but he wasn't at the stadium that day.  He had recently arranged the version that the band played that day as well as the same tune that the young woman sang tonight at Kunkle Field.  It wasn't until 1931 that the song was officially designated our National Anthem by Congress and President Herbert Hoover.  When the series returned to Boston that year, it was played at their stadium also.  The Sox owner was so impressed with the way the song quieted the rowdy fans that the next season it was played at the opening game.  From then on it was played at all opening day games as well as the World Series games.  Then during WWII major league teams began to play it at all games.  Still sends a chill down my spine and I keep telling myself that I have to volunteer to sing it at a local baseball game before its too late.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The "My Monthly Surgery!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Staring at myself in the mirror, looking at my left eye and wondering if the pupil is supposed to be as large as it is.  The blackness in the center of my eye reaches the edge of the iris and, to tell you the truth, is scary looking.  I had just had cataract surgery two hours before at a local surgery center, done by my eye doctor.  He assured me I had a successful surgery to correct the blurriness and foggy condition I had experienced for the past year or so.  I know what I'm viewing in the mirror is probably exactly what it's supposed to look like, but it's still scary.  I have had surgery on many parts of my body, many during the past ten years, but to me surgery on my vision always worried me.  I had complete trust in my surgeon, Dr. Jones, whom I have been visiting since he entered the practice known as Eye Doctors of Lancaster.  I remembered him as a student at Manheim Township High School where I taught while he was a student there.  He knew I was very apprehensive and tried to tell me what I was to have done is a surgery that is performed thousands of times every year.  

LDub displaying his Ray Charles look after surgery.

A surgery that is fairly simple and one that has an extremely high success rate.  Told me not to worry about it since I would be able to see much better in a short time.  Well, what you have just read happened a few days ago and he was right.  My eye is beginning to look normal once again and I am definitely able to see better.  I no longer need the plastic shield over my eye at night which was a preventative measure to protect the eye.  I no longer have to wear the dark plastic glasses to protect my eye from the brilliant sunlight.  For those who are contemplating cataract surgery, I can tell you that I certainly didn't enjoy it, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  I am the kind of person who can't stand to touch my eyes, could never wear contacts due to having to put them in my eyes and even give myself eye drops if needed.  I'm lucky I have a wife who understands and helps me with drops when necessary.  The operation was very easy.  I didn't even have to change into a hospital gown.  I had an IV in my arm to give me medicine to calm me to help me remain still during the surgery.  

Parts of the eye.

I could see what was being done, and I'll tell you I was terrified before the surgery that I would freak out.  Didn't happen!  Dr. Jones spoke to me as he did the surgery and made sure I understood what was happening.  I felt very little; just a slight pressure during the surgery.  The surgery consisted of making a small incision in my cornea to remove my damaged lens by using ultasound waves to soften and break up the old lens and then suction it out of my eye. He then replaced my damaged lens with a new clear plastic lens (approximately 5mm in size) that had minute extensions on it that held it in place while the incision heals.  

I am holding a lens of the exact
size I had placed in my eye.  You
can see the extensions on it that are
necessary to hold it in place.

I now must have daily eye drops quite a few times a day.  One is an antibiotic solution while one is a steroid used to reduce swelling.  I am not supposed to bend over if possible so I don't place extra pressure on my eye.  Not to touch the eye or rub it or get anything in it for about eight weeks.  If I find it necessary to use a power saw while cutting framing at the gallery where I work, I should use goggles to keep the sawdust from getting in my eye.  As I type this the day after surgery I have no pain, but do have slightly blurry vision due to swelling in the eye.  I do notice that my vision is much better in the eye and wonder why I didn't do this long ago.  I even find that I can give myself drops if necessary.  I'm looking forward to a new pair of glasses with correction in my right eye only.  If you are reading this and have put off cataract surgery due to worry about what can happen, I can tell you I was one of you and find the procedure to be easy and with very, very little pain or problems. Go for it!!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Let The Bell Toll Once Again" Story

Photograph of the three miniature bells. Click to enlarge.

It was an ordinary day.  Standing inside the Moravian church's archives building in the small town of Lititz, Pennsyl- vania talking to Tom who is an extremely knowledgable historian for the Moravian congregation.  I asked if they happened to have any of the small bells that had been made after the nearby church burned in 1957.  

Clapper can be seen in this photograph.

Before long I was taking a photo of the three miniature bells that were made from the 600-pound bell that rang at one time in the belfry of the church that was severely damaged by the fire in 1957.  The fire was thought to have started from the spark of a painter's torch.  The 164-year-old-church was quickly engulfed with flames.  Shortly the roof and belfry collapsed into the sanctuary, but the walls remained standing due to their massive thickness.  When the bell fell through the roof of the burning building it hit the floor and cracked.  It was damaged so badly that it couldn't be repaired so the church's trustees agreed to melt the bell down and make smaller bells that could be sold to help finance the repairs of the church.  

Lititz Moravian Church in Lititz, Pennsylvania.

At first it was thought that they could get as many as 1,000 bells from the cracked bell, but it only yielded 250 miniature bells.  The bells look as if they were made from a combination of bronze and tin which is known as bell metal.  A walnut wood turned handle completes the bell.  

Firefighters battle the July 2, 1957 fire at the
Lititz Moravian Church.  The belfry can be seen
through the smoke, but shortly after collapsed.

Around the edge of the bell is a cast inscription which reads "Lititz Moravian Bell, 1787-1957.  The bells were originally sold for $5.00, but have become collector's items in the past and now go for as much as $500.00 at auctions around the local area as well as online.  Owning one of these bells means owning a piece of Moravian history.  I was grateful today that John was able to remove the three bells from their glass display case so I could get an unobstructed photograph of these historical pieces.  Just a beautiful piece of history for all who own one.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The "Learning To Be Successful In The Old Order Life" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Driving from the Pennsylvania town of Lititz to another small town known as Manheim when I took a wrong turn onto Fairview Road.

One-room school on Fairview Road.

Happened upon a one-room Amish school which was stark silent. Nothing unusual since school ended a few months ago when growing season began in the farming community of the Amish and Old Order Mennonites.  The school is one of more that 300 Plain schools that can be found on country roads in Lancaster County.  These schools began to dot the landscape in the 1930s and are all built by the families that use them.  They house students in grades 1 thru 8 in one classroom.  Lancaster's Amish community schooling stops with eighth grade when they are sent into the world with very little pomp and circumstance.  If they happen to graduate before the age of 15, they must go to what's known as a "three-hour school" until their 15th birthday.  The right to stop at eighth grade was won in the Supreme Court in 1972.  It was said that further schooling would take teens away from their culture and destroy the community for you see, the schools are more than just academic; they play an important part of their culture.  While in school they are taught what is needed to lead a successful Old Order way of life.  The objective of the schooling is to create a person who is an asset to the Plain community.  School is both a place for academic subjects as well lessons in cultivating the values and dispositions needed for having a successful Old Order life.  Competition in academic subjects is discouraged while cooperation is encouraged.  Bulletin boards show when a "group of students" has mastered a lesson rather than tracking the success of individual students.  Recess is a necessary part of school and the students are encouraged to form new teams every day so there aren't ongoing rivalries among the students.  The classroom environment is structured for formal religious texts like hymnals, prayer books and the Bible.  In 1950 an Old Order Book Society was founded which evaluates the books that are used in the schools.  Fathers of children in each individual school serve as the school board for that school.  They make the decisions on books, hiring teachers and pay.  The teachers are eight-grade graduates of Amish and Old Order Mennonite schools and usually women aged from 17-20.  When a woman marries and begins having children, they retire from teaching.  Very few male teachers exist, but there may be one from time to time.  Pay at present is anywhere from $50 to $75 daily.  Teachers from the different schools meet every six weeks to share ideas.  Some schools have written tests, like assessment tests, but they are not required to by the state.  School starts in mid-August and ends in mid-May with about the same amount of days as non-Amish schooling.  

Lavatory facilities and stalls to hold ponies.

Since there are so many Amish school around Lancaster County, students walk, ride their bike or scooter or get a ride with an older student who may have a pony cart.  The school I saw today on Fairview Road was in excellent condition with Boy's and Girl's outhouses and a small area to tie a pony if needed.  There were swings beside the school and two backstops for ball fields.  The grass had been recently cut, perhaps by a nearby farmer, and the school had been recently painted.  If only it could be this easy in our "English" way of life.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  

The "Daylilies Brightened My Day!" Story

Woodcrest Daylilies sign.  Click on photographs to enlarge.

It was an ordinary day.  Driving through Lancaster County's back roads, heading to Lititz, Pennsyl- vania to snap a few photographs for a story I am writing.  Have driven this road many times while my parents were both residents at Moravian Manor Retirement Home in Lititz.  Today I finally realized that the name of the road was Woodcrest Ave.  

Entrance into the gardens.

And, the reason I now know that is because I made a remarkable discovery today when I passed a home at 603 Woodcrest Ave.  In front of the home were flowers galore with a big sign attached to a fence that read "Woodcrest Daylilies".  Made a quick "U"-turn, parked along the curb and headed to the property that was ablaze in brilliant colors everywhere.  When Carol and I moved into our "Beach House" (aptly named, since it looks like a house at the shore) about 20 years ago, we planted the large bank along our driveway with daylilies.  

Daylily from the gardens at our "Beach House."

Daylilies, as their botanical name "Hermero- callis" implies, are a perennial that is beautiful for a day.  The blooms last one day but do have several stems that can average another dozen or so blooms that will allow the flower to have color for a week or more.  I knocked at the door of the adjacent home and after finding no one at home, walked through the pathways in the garden, snapping a few photographs.  

Breast Cancer Ribbon flower bed.

The place was amazing.  Flowerbed after flowerbed with different themes to them.  One such flowerbed was titled "Guardian Angel in the Breast Cancer Ribbon bed."  It was designed to honor, support and inspire friends or family members who have battled breast cancer.  All flowers in this bed were pink and gathered around the Guardian Angel in the middle of the flowers.  Another Guardian Angel nearby is surrounded by purple blooms in support of all the various types of cancer.  Their webpage for Woodcrest Daylilies tells that the co-owners and creators of the business are Michelle Bingham and Denise Freeman.  They sell their daylilies at local farmer's markets as well as online at www.WoodcrestDaylilies.com.  They have over 600 varieties in their six themed flower garden.  I noticed that a few of the beds were lined with rope lighting and found a photo online showing the garden at night.  The place is truly amazing.  Needless to say I couldn't photograph all 600 varieties, but I did select my favorites to share with you.  Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.  it was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Night scene of the gardens with lighting. (Photo by Melanie Hummer)

Web of Andromed

Thelma Douglas

Third Witch Reed

Carroll Wood Pink

Wings of Angels

Smuggler's Gold Doubloon

Druid's Chant

Tuscawilla Tigress 

Woodside Romance

Patricia Jojo 

Fooled Me

First Knight

Joan Senior

You Are My Sunshine

Rose Kennedy

Dallas Star