The "Martin's Country Market Goes Up In Flames!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just grabbed my newspaper from my front porch and sat on my lounge chair to begin reading it.  Then it hit me.  There on the front page of the paper was a photograph of what at one time was Martin's Country Market at 1717 W. Main Street in Ephrata, Pennsylvania.  Wait a minute!!!  I grabbed my phone and called my brother immediately...for you see...my brother, Steve, worked there in the frozen food section of the market.  Not only that...he lives about 100 yards from the rear of the store along Hoover Drive.  You can sit on his rear deck and see the entire rear of the store from his deck.  That is...used to be able to see the rear of the store.  It was this past Thursday that the grocery story burned pretty much to the ground.  Called my brother and he said he was able to watch the fire from his rear window.  Luckily, the wind was blowing in the opposite direction from his house or he probably would have had to evacuate his home along with all the other residents of his neighborhood.  More than 200 firefighters fought the blaze that was discovered before dawn when a worker at the market came to work.  A neighbor who lives across the street from the market was just leaving her house around 5:40 a.m. Shen she saw the flames drawing along the roofline of the store across the street from her home.  Thick black smoke was just beginning to clog the air in the neighborhood.  By that time, it was said that the fire must have been burning for more than two hours.  More than 200 firefighters from Ephrata and surrounding counties fought the blaze for several hours.  A state police marshal is investigating the blaze, which caused millions of dollars in damage and closed down the market indefinitely.  The grocery store, where my brother worked, will need to be totally rebuilt!  It is extremely devastating for not only those who worked at the store, but for all who counted on the store for their groceries.  After seeing the fire on my television, I quickly called my brother.  He was upset, since he had only been working at the place for a little over a year, after retiring from another job.  He enjoyed the management as well as all the other workers at the grocery store.  He had several positions during the last year and was recently put in charge of the frozen food section of the store.  Steve is a hard worker and made sure that everything is done. correctly and in time.  Any employer would love to have Steve working for them.  At first it was a part-time position, but more hours were added as Steve found he loved working at the store with the Martin family and their crew of workers.  The entire building will need to be demolished and a new one will have to be built.  I'm sure the Martin family is already making plans for a new store.  The store will be missed...until they are able to reopen once again.  Everyone was very lucky that the fire didn't cause any deaths!  I've talked with Steve a few times since the fire and he is trying to figure out what to do with his free time now.  For years he had a stand at the nearby Green Dragon Country Market which is open one day a week.  Steve is the type of guy who can't sit still and do nothing.  He has to be on the move and have something to do at all times.  It's in our blood line!!  I'm sure he will find something until the market is rebuilt and he can be back at work one more time at the grocery store.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of ordinary guy. 

PS - the following is from a news source that I found on my computer.  You may want to read what they have to say about the destruction that took place at the fire site.

The fire broke out just before 4 a.m. at the popular market located at 1717 West Main Street in Ephrata Township, according to Lancaster County Wide Communications. The fire shuttered Route 322 in both directions between Wood Corner and Robert roads, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation explained. It has since reopened but Hackman road remains closed as of 1:30 p.m. Salt trucks were also called to the scene to help prevent the water the firefighters were using from freezing into ice on the roadways. As the hydrant system was overwhelmed additional tanks were called. Over 200 firefighters from 45 companies from Lancaster, Lebanon, and Chester counties were called to the scene. Around 9 a.m. fire officials said the fire was a "multi-million dollar loss." This comes after a wall between the market and an adjoining appliance store fell around 7 a.m.; leading crews to evacuate as they feared a possible building collapse. The appliance store suffered water and smoke damage but the fire never entered that part of the building, Lincoln Fire Company Public Information Officer Randy Gockley said. One firefighter was injured, Gockley explained. The firefighter fell and broke or fractured his ankle/leg, Gockley details to the best of his knowledge of the man's injury. The cause of the fire is unknown, although Gockley noted an employee was in the building when a fire was spotted in a small back room. The community is already feeling the loss of this major business, sharing on social media.The fire was knocked down around 10:30 a.m., but fire officials believe it could take an additional 11 to 15 hours to knock out hotspots. Gockley estimated clearing the scene around 7 p.m. 

 

The "Are Youse An English "Freak" Or Just An English "Freek" Story!

It was an ordinary day.  Once again reading one of my favorite newspaper columns known as "The Scribbler" which features weekly stories by Jack Brubaker, aka..."The Scribbler."    Today's entry is "Yeah-yeah."  I've said that many, many times during my lifetime, but never gave it a thought that it just might bother someone when I said it.  Well, Dr. Scribblerscold began noticing "Yeah-yeah" about two or three months ago, which means it's probably much older than that. "Yeah-yeah" is uttered as one word, often by itself and sometimes at the beginning of a response to another speaker's comment.  You know...I say, "I saw a hugh blimp pass by yesterday." and you say "yeah-yeah". Well, the use of yeah-yeah is spreading quickly, as such trends tend to do.  If you are not saying it, congratulations.  You are talking against the tide.  Sometimes this sort of thing is called "verbal punctuation," as with "ah" or "uh" or even "um."  Dr. Scribblerscold's high school English teacher employed a unique form of verbal punctuation.  She said "awa" nearly every time she paused in her lectures.  For example: "William Wordsworth wrote- "awa" -The World is to Much with Us."  These expressions don't mean anything.  They are dropped into speech just as "you know" or "I mean" or "like" (as in, like, you know what I mean) generally used mindlessly and endlessly in colloquial speech.  "Yeah-yeah" differs a bit because it sometimes seems to mean something or perhaps you may hear "un-huh" as an indication of you agreeing with what has been said.  These phrases are known as "filler phrases" or "verbal litter" since they fill in parts of a sentence when the speaker can't figure what else to say.  These filler phrases are forms of "verbal punctuation" and should be treated the same as a comma or semicolon or other written punctuation marks when they are unnecessary or out of place.  When I was in 11th grade, my English  teacher, Mrs. Eisenhart, said that I would often use "filler phrases" so that my story I was supposed to tell to the class would take the necessary amount of time.  I only needed about two-thirds of a story as long as I could continue to add "filler phrases" throughout my story.  Got pretty good at it, but when my grade slipped to a "C-" I began to stop using the "filler phrases"...you know!  Another thing that Dr. Scribblescold wonders is why do so many people use "lay" when they mean "lie," as in "Go lay down and think about this problem until your head hurts."  Unlike saying "yeah-yeah," which is one of the more innocent irrelevancies to enter the language, confusing "lay" with "lie" is grammatical heresy.  People have been confusing "lay" and "lie" for centuries and that will NEVER change.  When you are tired...do you go and lay down or do you lie down?  As for me, if I'm tired I don't say anything, I just hit the sofa or bed.  Nevertheless, people have confused lay and lie for centuries and probably will continue to do so until their tongues are tied.  Do you know how much that hurts?  I couldn't speak for days after my tongue was tied.  The internet is crammed with sites explaning the difference between "lie" and "lay."  One site puts it very simply with "The key thing is lie does not take a direct object.  Lay always does."  But...who can understand what I just typed?  Well...you lie down on a bed while you lay a wreath on a grave.  Got that!  I could care less how you say it.  So....what do you think...is it OK to say 'lay' instead of 'lie'?  One might be technically correct, but who knows which one is correct?  Both mean the same to me!  And...if you're not writing it or typing it, what does it matter.  Actually...I think it is time to go and lay down a bit and rest my weary back....or should that be go and lie down a bit and rest my weary back.  Well, by the time you figure it out.....I'll probably be asleep on the sofa!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Training A Service Dog" Story

It was a ordinary day.  Reading a story in my local newspaper about raising a "service dog."  Maisie Dorwart, a 2019 graduate of local Manheim Central High School is studying at Temple University for her master's degree in speech pathology.  She recently received Cyprus, a retriever mix, this past October as an 8-week-old-puppy.  She picked Cyprus up at the Philadelphia airport, and since then he's been with her almost constantly.  He even goes to class with her, after receiving the approval of her professors ahead of the arrival of Cyprus.  Seems that Service dogs go hand-in-hand with speech pathology.  As a volunteer puppy raiser for Canine Companions, she will have her puppy for 18 months and then the black Lab/golden retriever mix will go to Canine Companion's Northeast Regional training center in Medford, NY were Cyprus will work with a professional, learning more than 40 commands that are useful to a person with disabilities.  He will learn to open doors, turn lights on and off, and retrieve dropped items.  After six months of professional training, he will be ready to be matched with an adult, child or veteran with a disability.  As a puppy raiser, Maisie says that her goal for/with Cyprus is socialization with both people and other animals.  She said that she is teaching him some basic commands.  One such command is "excitable greeting" so that he doesn't jump on people that want to pet him; he must remain seated while being petted.  Maisie said that when she is in Philadelphia, Cyprus goes to campus events and the grocery store across the street from the campus.  She reported that they also have ridden on a mass-transit bus.  When she returns home for visits, she takes him out in the community.  He loves people and all the attention he gets when he's wearing his future-service dog vest.  Everyone wants to meet him which is a great opportunity to tell people about being a puppy raiser.  Maisie takes her puppy to a class hosted by Canine Companions to learn basic commands.  Canine Companions was founded in 1975 and is a national organization that provides service dogs to adults, children and vets.  Maisie works closely with physical and occupational therapists and some of their clients have service dogs.  "I've been able to see, first hand, the difference a service dog can make in someone's life.  I can see that I'll be working with service dogs in my profession," she says.  Miss Dorwart graduated this mast May from Eastern University and began her graduate studies at Temple in the fall.  She says that as an undergraduate student she was living in a dorm, but that's not the case at Temple.  She said that she felt the time was right to be a puppy raiser since she no longer is living in a dorm.  She would recommend being a puppy raiser to anyone who can get on board.  She knows that she will miss Cyprus when he leaves her, but her time with him has been great!  Thinking of being a Canine Companion trainer?  They set you up with everything and give you constant guidance.  They pay for all the food and vet care, but you don't receive any funds as a trainer.  After Cyprus completes his training he will be matched with a person with a disability.  Maisie will be invited to Cyprus' graduation to pass his leash to his new partner.  I'm sure there will be plenty of tears from everyone...including Cyprus!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - check out Maisie and Cyprus below...

 

The "It's Sort Of Disgusting...But Evidently Delicious!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  There it was on the front page of my morning newspaper...two hands holding a very large Northern Snakehead...or as some call them...a snakefish.  Thing is ugly, I'm sorry to say, but evidently it tastes remarkable.  A couple of Southern Maryland lawmakers want to boost the catch and consumption of the Northern Snakehead, one of the Chesapeake Bay's more troublesome invasive fish, by giving it a new, less off-putting moniker; if that is possible.  How many of you, when you go out to eat, would order snakefish off the menu?  

Perhaps you might ask if the restaurant has a photograph of the snakefish before you order it.  And, if you do so...I promise you that you may turn sick to your stomach.  Which is really a shame, since those that have tasted  the fish report that it is delicious   Perhaps if I never had seen the fish and it was brought to me on a plate with all the fixings, I just might like it.  Seems that to make it taste better, a new name for the fish has been suggested by Maryland House Republicans.  They have suggested it be renamed the "Patuxent Fish"!  The fish is native to parts of Asia and Russia, but was discovered somehow in 2002 in a pond in Crofton, Maryland, not far from the Little Patient River.  Authorities promptly poisoned and drained their pond, but apparently too late to keep the fish from spreading.  Now, two years later, the fish turned up in the Potomac River near Woodbridge, Virginia. Since then, they have made their way throughout much of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including the Susquehanna River and the Eastern Shore.

Snakeheads already have a variety of nicknames, the most notorious being "Frankenfish," inspired by their toothy appearance, voracious appetites for other fish and crustaceans, and their somewhat exaggerated ability to survive out of water and "walk" over land.  Can you imagine a small child seeing one of these fish walking toward them while on the beach.  States that have snakefish in their waterways have been encouraging anglers for years to catch and eat or at least kill as many snakeheads as they cn, and they have placed no limit on the commercial harvests.  I must admit that they are very scary when you first see one.  Those long, pointy, sharp teeth that hang from the top and bottom of their mouth along with the shiny gray lips look very threatening.  And, the size of their head is even worst!   The fish has been known to cause ecological havoc!!  Patuxent Riverkeeper Fred Tutman, where the fish are said to have come from, began to circulate a petition warning that naming the snakehead for the river he's sworn to protect "potentially stigmatizes" it in the public's mind.  People might assume there's something wrong with the river or the other fish, crabs and oysters that come from it.  You know how hard it is to get someone to eat a fish as ugly as a fish called a snake. That's unfortunate since snakehead ranks just behind white perch as the best tasting fish in the Chesapeake Bay.  Betcha most of the restaurants don't call it a "snakefish" on their menu's.  Rachael Dean, secretary of the Calvert County Watermen's Asso., called the renaming bill in congress a "noble cause" but said naming it Patuxent Fish, which has been suggested, doesn't have a ring to it."  Some suggest it be called the "Bailey fish" after Maryland Senator Bailey.  She said, "I think we can get behind fried Bailey, baked Bailey, Bailey tacos, Bailey nuggets and Bailey bites."  Another official suggested naming it "Channa argus."  Pass the Channa argus fish, please!  Sound good?  Well, now they have amended the bill and will now "officially" call the fish the Chesapeake Channa.  Yeah, I could go for that in one of my Maryland restaurants my wife and I visit from time to time.

 Channa will reflect its native or scientific name.  Now watermen are happy, restauranteurs are also happy, and patrons are happy.  Just don't post a photograph of the fish anywhere in the restaurant or wear the above shirt when you enter the restaurant.  I'm absolutely sure that it won't go over very well!  But...wait!!  Rachel Jones, government affairs director for the Maryland Department of Agriculture, offered one more offbeat suggestion by naming it the "Joefish" after her boss, Joe Gillespie.  Seems Joe hooked a snakehead in a local pond more than two decades ago.  Nah...I have no idea what Joe looks like!   It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

  

The "And...A Happy Valentine's Day To You!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading about a fellow named E.M. Jackson who painted dozens of covers for The Saturday Evening Post in the 1920s and 1930s.  Many of the covers were romantic in nature, including his many Valentine's covers.  The following five covers were some of my favorites that he had painted for The Saturday Evening Post.   Hope you too enjoy them and have a Happy Valentine's Day, and don't forget to give your sweetheart a kiss!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The "At-Home Treatment for Vertigo" Story

PS - I have written stories about the medical occurrence known as vertigo twice in the past.  It has been 7 years since I last wrote about it, and perhaps you may have forgotten what to do if it strikes you or a friend.  So, it may help if you have recently read about it one more time.  Read on.....

It was an ordinary day.  Had just turned over a page in my latest Reader's Digest magazine when there it was!  A full page with the heading: At-Home Treatment.  I read...for the most common cause of vertigo, BPPV, your doctor may suggest the Epley Maneuver.  Perform each step in order, holding each position for 30 to 60 seconds.  Wow! did that page bring back memories from the past.  I instantly tore out the page and walked to the bedroom where my wife was watching TV with The Gray Lady, one of our cats.  "Here...put this in your pocketbook!" I told her as I handed her the page from the magazine.  We talked about the very first time that she had vertigo...when she was two months pregnant with our first child.  It was in the middle of the night when she woke up and kept looking to her right.  As she laid there, her dresser went above her, over the ceiling.  She immediately became sick to the stomach and dizzy.  I helped her to the bathroom, but that didn't help much.  She thought she was having a miscarriage and called Dr. Grant.  He was at the hospital at the time and recommended I take her to the hospital.  We went to the hospital where her doctor gave her pills to take if it came back again.  Shortly after, during a visit to our family doctor, Dr. Stengel showed her how to do the Epley maneuver.  Carol has experienced vertigo a few times since that scary night, but at least knows what to expect.  We have a paper that shows a series of steps to follow to relieve the dizziness.  And...those are the steps that I found when I turned the page in my Reader's Digest magazine a few minutes ago.  The following are the At-Home Treatment steps to follow if you too feel extremely dizzy and experience vertigo.

1. Sit on your bed.  Turn your head 45 degrees toward the affected ear.  (If you are dizzy when you roll your head to the right, it's likely your right ear.)

2. Keep your head turned, lie back so your head hangs off the bed.

3. Slowly turn your head 90 degrees toward the other side.

4. Roll onto your side in the direction you are looking, then turn your head so you're looking down.

5. Sit upright, keeping your head turned.

TIP:  If you can, have someone with you for support as you will likely be experiencing vertigo which is: a sensation of whirling and loss of balance, associated particularly with looking down from a great height, or caused by disease affecting the inner ear or the vestibular nerve; giddiness.

Carol has experienced vertigo several time since her initial bout with it.  A few times it has been while on vacation...and if that's not a bit scary!  She has a paper with the directions on it that she always carries and then I try and help her follow the directions when it hits her.  It still is scary, but at least she realizes what it is when it strikes her and she knows what to do to manage it.  You never know when it will hit you and if you ever experience something like what you just read about...make sure that you know where your directions may be to help you manage it.  Print out the following directions and keep then with you at all times.  Perhaps in your wallet if you are a man, or in your purse if a woman.  And...best of luck!  You will be very scared when it hits, but it won't last forever...if you can use the At-Home Treatment.  It was another ordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

And The Year Was...1959...Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading a "Do You Remember" column in my latest "Good Old Days" magazine.  The page was marked with a big green circle at the top with the word REWIND in it.  Page had a variety of items on it to bring back memories from the 1950s into the 1960s.  Television premieres included "Days of Our Lives", "Get Smart", "Green Acres", "Hogan's Heroes", "I Dream of Jeannie", and "Lost in Space."  Remember any, or all, of those shows.  I remembered all but "Lost in Space".  Not sure why my family didn't watch that show, but I have no idea what the show might have been about.  One show I do remember that was perhaps my favorite of that era was "Howdy Doody."  The show included a marionette named Howdy Doody and another one named Clarabell the Clown.  A big feature of the show was the Peanut Gallery where a couple dozen children would sit and sing the Howdy Doody theme song at the beginning of the show.  Boy, did I love doing that.  Began with ... "It's Howdy Doody Time...It's Howdy Doody Time...Bob Smith and Howdy Doo sing Howdy Doo too You!"  My Mom and I would sing the song each and every day the show was on TV.  A few of the popular songs from that era were: 1. "The Battle of New Orleans" by Johnny Horton,  2. "16 Candles" by The Crests, 3. "Mack the Knife" by Bobby Darin, 4. "Come Softly to Me" by The Fleetwoods, 5. "Donna" by Ritchie Valens, and 6. My Heart is An Open Book" by Carl Dobins.  A few new television shows that premiered in 1965 were Days of Our Lives, Get Smart, Green Acres, Hogan's Heroes, I Dream of Jeanie and Lost in Space.  And a final note was: Things My Parents Used to Say.... (1) "I will be home by suppertime, if the Lord is willing and the creek don't rise.  (2) "Never have two sets of table manners.  Always use the nice ones at home too."  and (3) "You tell 'em, my tongue's in my shoe!" Oh...for those "Good Ole Days!"  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Father Knows Best" Story

It was ordinary day.  Finally getting a chance to finish reading my magazine known as "GOOD*OLD*DAYS".  The latest 82 page magazine has so many interesting stories to read.  One such story was titled "Father Knows Best."  Remember when that show was on radio and then television?   "Father Knows Best" was originally a situation comedy on the radio with stories built around the Anderson family and life on Maple Street in the fictitious Midwestern town of Springfield.  Robert Young starred as Jim Anderson, head of the household and husband to Margaret whom was played by Jane Wyatt.  They had three children; Betty who was played by Elinor Donahue, Bud, who was played by Billy Gray, and Kathy played by Lauren Chapin.  I never listened to the show when it was only on radio, but when it went to TV, I watched the show every week.  The storylines were developed from the exploits of Young's own children as recounted by him to the show's scriptwriters.  The radio version of the show premiered in 1949 and lasted until 1954 when it made it's TV debut.  I personally never listened to it on radio, but loved the show when it came to TV.  Mr. Young claimed that he preferred the TV series to the older radio show, saying the radio sponsor put too much emphasis on generating laughs over portraying the human side of family life.  To Young, the TV version offered a more sympathetic, rather idealized picture of a family, one that pulled together to resolve problems.  My family watched the show every week while on TV.  Not sure anymore as to what night it appeared while on TV.  The show depicted a normal American family with all the same problems that any family might experience.  Loved to see if what happened at the end of the show was what might have happened at our house with the same problems.  The Anderson family was your traditional USA family with the same problems that every family experienced,   How they solved their problems was most interesting and perhaps a suggestion for American households as to handle their problems which might have been much the same as the Anderson's.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The "A GREAT BIG THANK YOU TO ALL WHO READ THIS BLOG!!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Saturday, February 10, 2024, and the weather is slightly overcast with a chance of a few snow showers in the near future.  I had just posted another story to my blog known as "Extraordinary Stories From An Ordinary Guy!"  As I read down over the page after posting my story titled "A Few Strange Things You May Not Know", I realized that there was a special number listed at the bottom of my story.  Number was 1,000,192!!  WOW!!!  My blog has reached 1,000,192 hits!  That's just amazing!  I began my blog on Wednesday, September 2, 2009 after my wife helped me set up the blog on my laptop computer.  She had suggested I start a blog to tell about all the unusual and crazy things that have happened to me in my lifetime.  At first I thought who would ever want to read about things that have happened to me, but it wasn't long before over 100 people had discovered the blog site.  My very first story told about the white rat that my Grandfather had bought for me at nearby Roots Country Market and Auction.  He was the highest bidder for the cardboard box of 7 white rats.  He knew my mom would just ......... well, you probably already read that story!  Well, today is Saturday, February 10, 2024 and the counter at the bottom of my blog is still moving forward!  Amazing!!  Who are all you people out there who have read what I have posted every day of my life since September 2, 2009?  I took up writing the blog after finding that I was becoming restless with nothing to do in the winter months.  I no longer was teaching high school and in the winter months was confined to the indoors quite a bit because of the cold weather.  When I first began the blog I had so many people telling me to write this story and that story.  They told me I had accomplished so many things in my life, many being rather crazy, that someone was bound to find interesting and read it.  Boy! were they right!!  I know that at times my stories tend to all blend together with the same theme to them, but that's just how my life is.  Winter months tend to be rather dull while the rest of the year tends to be exciting and breath-taking!  As I began to write my daily stories, my family had to remind me to write about this event and that happening.  I had a list with about 100 ideas on it at one time.  And, then it began to grow and grow.   Trips to this place and that place and then trips to this island and that island, and etc., etc., etc.  They all had a story about them that needed to be told!  My wife and I have finally settled down at Woodcrest Villas which is a retirement community to the West of Lancaster City.  We are beginning to "Take it Easy!" so we are!  But, I still haven't used up the big list of events and ideas that I had a few years ago.  I have enough of stories to tell that will last me for at least another 30 years or more.  And...what's funny is that the list keeps getting larger.  Sorry to say that I may not get to telling all of those stories!!  But...I'll do my best!!  It has been another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.   

"A Few Strange Things You May Not Know" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Looking through a variety of old books that carried a wealth of .... well, strange things.  Not sure that I believe all of what I read, but I'll let it up to you as to what you may believe!  Read on and see what you think...

1. Our current 50-star flag was designed as part of a high school project by 17-year-old Robert Heft.  It was 1958, and there were only 48 states at the time, but Heft had a hunch Hawaii and Alaska would soon be granted statehood.  His teacher gave him a B-, but went on to update the grade to an A after heft submitted his design to the White House, eventually leaving to a cll from President Eisenhower that it had been selected as the official U.S. flag.

2. A book believed to be the first-ever to be printed in America was Bay Psalm Book, published way back in 1640.  In 2013, one of the 11 copies known to be still in existence sold at auction for $14.2 million.  Needless to say, Bay Psalm Book is one of the most expensive books in the world.

3.  One of the things many people don't know about Independence Day is that Congress officially declared its independence from England on July 2, 1776.  We celebrate the holiday on the fourth of July because this is the day John Hancock became the first man to sign the Declaration of Independence.  

4. Did you know the word Pennsylvania is spelled wrong on the Liberty Bell?  Actually, "spelled wrong" is probably a bit harsh: In 1752 when the bell was made, "Pensylvania" was one of several acceptable spellings of the state name.  Our forefathers also made some glaring grammar mistakes in the Constitution.

5. Amelia Earhart has seized the hearts and imagination of the country for decades.  It seems every year a new conspiracy theory emerges about her disappearance.  Unfortunately, all this mystery and intrigue tend to overshadow her achievement.  Although it's well known that she was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, many people lose sight of the fact that she was the second person, male of female, to fly solo across the Atlantic, period, after Charles Lindbergh.

6.  The largest mammal in all of North America is the bison:  The males are up to 6 feet tall and weigh up to 2,000 pounds.  If you want to see bison in the wild, there are nearly 5,000 of them in Yellowstone National Park, which is the only place to serve as a continuous home to the bison since prehistoric times.  

7. Although George Washington chose the site of the White House in 1791, he never got to live in it.  John and Abigail Adams were the first President and First Lady to move into the White House, and it was still under construction at the time.  Since then, every president has resided in the White House while in office. 

8. There are perhaps no criminals in America history more notorious than Frank and Jesse James.  Popular folklore paints them as Robin Hood-like criminals who stole from the rich and gave to the poor, but there is no evidence this is true.  The truth is, the James Brothers committed their robberies for personal gain and, worse yet, sometimes murdered people in the process.  

9. Many people like to portray Rosa Parks as an ordinary woman who was simply too tired to give up her seat on the bus to a white peron in Alabama.  But, this narrative sells her short.  The truth is, in 1955, when Rosa parks refused to give up her seat on the bus, she was already a leader in the Civil Rights Movement who went on to help organize and plan the Montgomery Bus Boycott. 

 10. Ben Franklin was famously one of the Founding Fathers of our country, but he was also a revered inventor and scientist.  His inventions included bifocals, the Franklin stove, the urinary catheter and swimming fins.  He is also one of the people who signed the U.S. Constitution.

There are many more people whom I could write about, but I must stop at 10, since I have run out of room on my desktop.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "As Exchange Student...She Blazed A Trail In Agriculture" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Every Sunday, Lancaster's newspaper has a column known as "I Know A Story."  Story usually deals with a resident of Lancaster city or county.  Story from this past Sunday told about an exchange student, Kirsten Rosendal, now known as Kirsten Bishop (after marriage)  who blazed a trail in agriculture.  Her story reads as follows:  We were a city family in Denmark, until my father became enamored with the country life.  He bought a thatched-roof home with several out-buildings.  Across from the living quarters was a three-story block building; the basement level had egg-hatching machines.  The second level was egg-laying hens and a few happy roosters.  The third level was where the day-old chicks were raised to broilers.  My city mother donned overalls, and taught herself all the skills needed to run this chicken farm.  Our closest neighbor was a real farm with horses, cows, pigs and free-range chickens.  I played with farm daughter Betty Olsen, but also helped feed and dung out horse and cow barns as well as hoeing weeds in the sugar beet fields, which were feed for the farm animals.  In those days, corn was not raised in Denmark.  After several years in the country, our family returned to city life.  In the 11th grade, my school promoted the American Field Service youth exchange program. This was started by ambulance drivers from the Second World War who wanted to see peace and understanding in the world - not war.  Youth from all over Europe sailed from Rotterdam to New York, and American students spread all over Europe.  Mary Wentz, wife of Dr. Henry S. Wentz, volunteered for American Field Service, and checked on my welfare throughout the year.  No doubt, my application essay reflected our country life experience.  My host family here were dairy farmers.  Emory and Clarence Herr also raised cantaloupes, butchered, and made bologna.  Along with daughter Marian, now my American "sister," I attended the 12th grade at Lampeter-Strasburg High School during the year 1961-62.  When time came to chose courses, the agriculture program and typing seemed exciting, as these were two not offered in my Danish school, and I would repeat this year there.  I was called into a small room, across from the main office at L-S.  Here, ag teacher George Myers wondered about a girl signing up for a farm-boy class, but eventually allowed me the experience.  On a field trip to a local farm, I learned how to judge which cow had the best milk-producing udder, and won a Hoards Dairyman Trophy.  Shop was part of the curriculum, and I learned to wield a saw.  At that time, WGAL had a Saturday morning show, featuring local schools' ag classes putting on a program so I joined the farm boys and teacher Myers for our turn at the mic.  The station encouraged me to return in the future and apply for a job; later, they hired Kim Lemon.  I joined the boys for the FFA convention at Penn State.  A room was found for me in a woman's dorm.  Over the years, seven families from that ag class have met for an annual picnic.  Just this past fall, they told me that boys from other schools, attending the Penn State FFA gathering, were jealous that they had a girl along.  Now to the impetus motivating this story - the excitement at seeing so many girls at the recent Pennsylvania Farm Show, the vast amount of girls in ag classes, the top FFA officers being young women and numerous female ag teachers at some of our local schools.  I have a smile on my face reflecting on all of this.  PS - Kirsten's story seems to jump around a bit, but that is how it appeared  in the newspaper.  

The author lives in East Hempfield Township.  She initially came to Lancaster County as Kirsten Rosendal Jensen.  After studying physical therapy in Denmark, she returned to Lancaster County in the late 1960s to work as a physical therapist and make the county her home.  Welcome to Lancaster, Mrs. Kirsten R. Bishop.  Hope you have enjoyed your lifetime in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, best place on earth!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.   

The "Gettysburg's Stevens Museum" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading a bit more about the first museum that will be dedicated in Gettysburg, PA to Thaddeus Stevens, the great 19th-century civil rights advocate.  The date has been set for April 4, Stevens 232nd birthday.  April 4th is also the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Thaddeus Steven Society, the organization that has steadfastly boosted Stevens' reputation.  The new museum will explain how the Civil War and Reconstruction that followed created a much more equal society, particularly through the efforts of Stevens.  Following a successful fund drive, the society has leased 46 Chambersburg St. as its future office and Stevens museum. The site is about two blocks from Gettysburg's new statue of Stevens.  The museum is across the street from the site of Stevens' Gettysburg home which was demolished not long ago.  The next few weeks will be devoted to preparing the 815-square-foot space to accommodate the society's extensive collection of Stevens-related materials.  These include Steven's letters, period newpapers and stoves made at his iron mills.   Hundreds of books and documents will be available for research.  Stevens lived and practiced law in Gettysburg from 1816 to 1842 and served in the Pennsylvania Legislature.  He moved to Lancaster, where he was elected to Congress, from 1849 until his death in 1868.  He was father of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution (1868), which requires equal treatment under the law and extends civil rights to the state level.  LancasterHistory plans to open a considerably larger museum with more extensive exhibits next year.  The Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History & Democracy will be at Stevens's former home and law office at South Queen and Vine Streets.  It is presently being reconstructed.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Final Page for a Special Love" Story

It was an ordinary day.  The title for my story today, as you can see, is "Final Page for Special Love Story."  Story is about  one of the greatest interspecies love stories of our time that has finally come to an end.  Walnut, a white-naped crane and internet celebrity, has passed away at the age of 42. She is survived by eight chicks, shelving stuff at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, and by her human zookeeper, Chris Crowe, whom Walnut regarded as her mate for nearly 20 years.  Walnut was a unique individual with a vivacious personality who thought of her caretaker, Chris, as her companion.  The tale of Walnut and Chris has inspired internet fame and the occasional love song.  Story dates back to Walnut's arrival at the National Zoo in 2004 on the campus at Front Royal, Virginia.  She was the chick of two wild cranes who had been brought to the United States illegally and were later rescued by the International Crane Foundation.  So...Walnut was hand-raised by Chris, and other humans, at the zoo, thus her thinking that he was perhaps her father.  She was said to show no interest in breeding and even attacked male crane suitors.  White-naped cranes are considered vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.  Less than 5,300 remain in their native habitats in Mongolia, Siberia, Korea, Japan and China due to habitat loss, pollution, nest predation and poaching. Walnut was the offspring of two wild-caught cranes, so convincing Walnut to breed was regarded as a priority.  So, in stepped Chris who won her over by "observing and mimicking" the institute's male white-named cranes' actions during breeding season.  Crowe offered Walnut food as well as grass and leaves for nest-building materials.  When he flaps his arms in front of her, the tall majestic bird flaps excitedly in response and dances in a half-circle with her head bobbing.  Once Crowe had gained her trust, he was able to artificially inseminate her using sperm from a male crane.  The unique arrangement proved successful and Walnut has given birth to eight chicks.  The fertilized eggs were given to other white-napped crane pairs who tended to them as their own.  Of the eight white-napped cranes currently living at the institute, one is Walnut's chick and another is her grand-chick.  Walnut's relationship with Chris seems to have been beneficial for Her health; at 42, she nearly tripled the median life expectancy of 15 years for white-naped cranes in human care.  Walnut was born in Wisconsin in the summer of 1981.  She was named after a local restaurant's popular walnut pie dessert!  On the morning of January 2 keepers noticed that Walnut wasn't eating or drinking.  Treats of mice, peanuts and mealworms weren't even accepted.  Vets administered fluids and antibiotics and drew blood for analysis.  Her health continued to decline and Walnut was hospitalized.  She passed away peacefully, surrounded by an animal care team.  Death was due to renal failure.  Walnut was always confident in expressing herself, an eager and excellent dancer, and stoic in the face of life's challenges.  Her species' survival depends on humans' ability to protect wetland habitats and a few more "Chris" impersonators along the way.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

A pair of white-naped cranes

Chris and Walnut

  

The "Spells For Healing" Story

 It was an ordinary day.  Looking through a book titled "BOOK OF SPELLS", A History Of The Magical Art Form.  Book, or should I say, booklet, had 128 pages of...scary stuff.  My oldest son works at a printing company that evidently printed the booklet...or somehow had them on location and he dropped one off to show me the beautiful printing job that had been done on the book.  The 11 1/2" X 9" magazine or booklet was beautifully finished, but as I began to leaf through it...I just had to stop reading it.  Page after page of the history of the magical art form of "Spells".  I had a hard time reading quite a few pages of the magazine, but I did find a few of the "Spells" that I thought I would share with you.  These spells are for health and healing....

A Spell for "Maintaining Good Health:  Doing a spell to establish heath.  For this spell, all you need is a pink votive candle and an apple.  Start by lighting the candle.  Then cut the apple in half crosswise, exposing the pentagram in the middle.  Say, "By the power of the five elements, air, fire, water, earth and spirit, may my body be strong and vital, may my mind be clear and agile, may my spirit be whole."  You may then eat the apple.  Repeat this ritual daily for five days and each day meditate on one of the elements as it relates to your body: air (lungs, breath); fire (heart, digestion); water (blood, kidneys); earth (muscles, nutrient); spirit (beliefs, emotions).  Consider how to keep these elements balanced and healthy. 

A Spell for "Healing a Mild Ailment:  Magical spells are no substitute for medical care.  But sometimes the mental boost can help us to turn a corner or find some relief.  This is especially true if our ailment is stress-related, which can affect sleep, digestion and immune system function.  For this spell you will need a mirror, a cup of your favorite herbal tea, and a white votive candle.  Light the candle, and stand or sit comfortably.  Look into the mirror and say there times, "I am whole and healthy.  I practice healthy habits.  I care about my health."  In the coming days, add one healthy habit each day to your routine (such as practicing good sleep hygiene, drinking herbal tea, washing your hands frequently, getting some extra fresh air or eating healthy foods.

A Spell for "Healing the Earth:  The world's environmental and political problems seem insurmountable sometimes.  But prayer, activism and magic all play a part in inspiring people to make positive changes and to work together.  For this spell you need only yourself.  Stand or sit outside, where your feet can be in contact with the ground (You may want to have bare feet).  Close your eyes, and visualize your feet connecting to the Earth.  Feel the unbroken connection of your body to the Earth, as if your feet are the roots of a tree, reaching deep down into the soil.  Draw up the Earth's energy into your body, feeling its solidity and strength into the tips of your fingers and the top of your head.  Do this as often as possible, asking for guidance to inspire your work to help the Earth, your community and the world. 

Easy to do spells such as the three listed fill the magazine.  But, do they actually help?  According to the book they were printed in...they help!  As for me...I'm going to look for another book to read!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.   

The "Hero With A Friendly Bark" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading an article in my Lancaster Newspaper about a special dog named Zoltan.  Zoltan is a Police K9 who has been fighting cancer for over a year while still serving his time with the Lancaster City Bureau of Police.  But, his time as a police dog has finally come to an end.  He served his last shift this week.

  An announcement in the newspaper read: "With a heavy heart, we are announcing K9 Zoltan's final shift with the Lancaster City Police was yesterday, February 4, 2024, with B Platoon."  A post on the police department's Facebook page says..."As many of you know, Zoltan has been fighting cancer for over a year.  Although he had several months of remission, the B-cell lymphoma returned. Officer Hatfield has been supporting Zoltan through his second cancer treatment at PETS Hospital.  Zoltan is a 9-year-old German Shepherd who is cross-trained in patrol and narcotics detection.  Officer Hatfield and Zoltan have worked, and played, together for the past eight years.  "Zoltan has a successful track record of locating missing people and apprehending suspects involved in crimes - including 4 felons.  He has also been utilized 33 times to facilitate peaceful surrenders without incident," police said.  "Our community is safer and stronger thanks to Zoltan's commitment to duty, honor, and courage.  Thank You, Zoltan, for your outstanding service and for being an exemplary member of the Lancaster City Bureau of Police." I can remember many times, while walking the downtown streets of the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, seeing Zoltan walking with Officer Hatfield.  Made a few stops to talk with the officer as well as Zoltan.  He was extremely well trained, but was also just a dog who loved a bit of attention.  The city of Lancaster will surely miss Zoltan after his retirement from the police force.  I wish him the best in his retirement and hope that he will have a few more years of retirement.  He certainly deserves it.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Can One Person Be So Lucky!? Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading a small story written in my ARRP Magazine that was titled 'Turning 80-And Looking Ahead."  Fun little article that I thought I would rewrite for my blog, since it so appropriate! So...thanks to Judith Ruskay Rabinor...I post this story today.

EIGHTY! OH NO!  Colliding emotions rattle my brain as I approach my 80th birthday.  I am no longer getting older - I had arrived.  I knew I was privileged.  Reaching 80 in fairly good health will be a gift not granted to everyone.  I have much to be grateful for.  And, I anticipate more joy in my life.  Here's why.

PEOPLE - When a grandchild asks me an intriguing question, I am transported to my youth.  "Would you want to live even if you are in a wheelchair?" asks a grandson.  "Do you believe in God?" asks his brother.  Young minds enliven me.

WORK - My professional identity has been as an Industrial Arts teacher.  Loved every minute of it while teaching students how to set type by hand, place the type in a chase and run a printing press.  Also enjoyed teaching more modern methods of printing such as offset printing and even teaching classes in photography where we would take a roll of film, develop it, and make prints of all the negatives.  You can't imagine how exciting it is to see a print appear in front of you in a tray of developer!  Watching student's eyes on their first day in the darkroom is one never to be missed.  I also spent a few years working for a former student matting and framing artwork and photography.  Now, I still love writing.  I have almost reached 5,300 stories on this blog site with close to one million visits.  I might even have another story or two, or a hundred, or maybe even a thousand in me before I'm out of ideas, or perhaps my hands give-up striking the keyboard!

PLAY - In the words of one of my favorite quotes, "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing."  Making and taking time for play revitalizes wellness on all fronts - mind, body and spirit.  How true that statement is!  I still do enjoy many sports, but fear that my body was punished too much as I was growing up that it is now fighting back to leave it alone.  I still love the sport of pool, if you can call that a sport!  To watch the balls collide and head in the direction you had planned for them to go is an amazing sight.  And that fist bump is still a great ending, no matter what sport it may be.  

TAKING RISKS - My wife and I are trying to decide if we should renew our passports.  In this season of life, journeys such as perhaps a repeat trip to the island of  St. Martin/Sint Maarten, still intrigues my wife and myself.  We have been so lucky already in our lives to have traveled to such exciting and exotic places such as Hawaii, Florida, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, Italy, Turks & Caicos, Barbados, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Tortola, St. Croix, Antigua, British West Indies, various US states and the nearby Chesapeake Bay Area.  But...our favorite island location still remains St. Martin/Sint Maarten.  Have met so many interesting and beautiful people on those connecting island sites.  How lucky we both are to have this time to tap into dormant resources.  Who knows what new passions might emerge in the next decade...if we may be that lucky!  But...I do have to remember my body and the stress it can put on it with journeys to exotic places.  But, then again, maybe it may just want to see one or two such beautiful places!  I must do a bit more consulting!!   

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

The "5 Habits That Go A Long Way Toward Helping You Live Longer, Stronger and Happier" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading about five habits that can go a long way toward helping you live longer, stronger and happier.... Thought you might enjoy living a bit longer so here is a bit more help to get you there...

#1 - Volunteer once a month!  Soup kitchens and other community organizations need your help beyond the holidays, so make a goal of volunteering regularly thoughtout the year.  "The time between October and December is what is called the Super Bowl of volunteerism, but people are hungry all year long," says Rosie Drumgoole, CEO of Chicago Cares, an organization that helps people find service opportunities.  The positive gains of volunteering flow in both directions.  "The most powerful benefits come from the connections you make.  You get to have conversations with lots of different people, see things from someone else's perspective, and develop a true sense of empathy."  Research also shows that volunteering regularly is linked to improved self-esteem fewer depression symptoms, and better physical health.  Choose an organization that matches something you're passionate about.  That's what will keep you motivated and volunteering month after month.  Try the POINT app. which can inspire you by giving you a list of organizations to chose from and showing nearby events.  Also check out "volunteer match.com" for opportunities.

#2 - Schedule a weekly check-in with friends!  Seeing your friends can feel like a luxury- something to do if you have free time.....but, it should be more of a priority, both for the richness of your life and your health.  Having strong friendships is linked to a reduced risk for many chronic diseases, less anxiety and depression, and even a lower risk of dying prematurely.  It's no wonder the U.S. Surgeon General recently issued an advisory saying that social connection is essential to good health.  Janice McCabe, PhD, associate professor of sociology at Dartmouth College, says, "Being in connection with people has a real, positive impact on our mental and physical health, helping to release feel-good hormones that increase a sense of well-being."  So this year, purposefully set a goal for your friendships: Add connecting one-on-one with a friend at least once a week.  "I write it in my planner," McCabe says.  "Sometimes it's a conversation; sometimes it's a walk, or coffee, or something more involved.  It's a way for me to give friendships a little more intention.

#3 - Limit social media to 30 minutes a day!  Nonstop scrolling can actually harm your well-being.  Research shows that spending too much time on social media platforms can lead to symptoms of depression and anxiety.  "Social media often presents an idealized version of someone's life, and when we start to compare ourselves, that's when our self-esteem can take a hit," says Ella Faulhaber, PhD, a researcher with Iowa State University focusing on social media and health.  Although this might tempt you to delete the apps from your phone, you don't need to have an either-or approach.  Try limiting your time on social media to around half an hour a day; that's just enough to see what pics your college roommate posted or to check out the family and neighborhood goings-on.  For a nudge in cutting back on checking, turn off notifications and raise your awareness of how much time you're on social media (most phones have built-in trackers).  "I recommend what I call mindful scrolling," Faulhaber says.  "Before you open the app, pause for a second and ask why you're doing it.  Is it for connection?  Entertainment? Information? To not be bored? Answer this first so you can choose to use social media purposefully in a positive way or break your habits and engage in another activity." 

#4 - Meditate before bed, even for just a few minutes!  Sleep is so crucial to your health.  Getting enough (seven to nine hours a night) reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, improves immune function, and helps with cognitive decline, among many other benefits. "Sleep has an intimate connection to virtually every aspect of our waking success," says Rebecca Robbins, PhD, associate scientist at the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Brigham and Women's Hospital and an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School.  The holy grail for good sleep is quieting our mind.  That's why doing a short meditation can be so powerful.  Research backs this up, with mindful meditation being linked to improved sleep quality.  If you thing you're not the meditating type, rest assured there is no right way to do it.  A go-to method: Sit down, close your eyes, and focus on your breath going in and out.  When your mind wanders, gently return to your breathing.  That's it.  Try it for a few minutes between brushing your teeth and turning the light out.  If you prefer to go the guided route, try an app like Headspace or Calm; both have sessions specifically made for bedtime.  

#5 - Track your spending!  Feeling stressed about your finances may not seem directly linked to your health, but research shows money worries can raise your risk of mental health issues like depression.  It also can feel like there's no way to stop the stress- especiaslly with all the worry about inflation this year.  "If you want to feel more in control of your finances, start with pinpointing how you're using your money." says Sarah Asebedo, PhD, associate professor and school director in the School of Financial Planning at Texas Tech University.  This can give you some reassurance, and you can make informed decisions on where you might be able to cut back.  And the act of tracking your purchases can help you pause in the monent to consider whether you really want to spend the money or not.  You can track spending in many ways.  The key is to find a method that works for you, whether it's a notebook, a spreadsheet, or an app like Quicken Simplifi.  You can link your bank accounts and credit cards, and the app automatically syncs to show all your expenses and what category they fall into.  Once you have a clearer picture of your spending, you can decide if your habits match your priorities and make changes if the answer is no.  "Often, saving money can feel like you're depriving yourself, but it's actually that you're reallocating money to what's most necessary and meaningful to you."

The previous information was from an article by Alice Oglethorpe titled "thrive," feel good, look good, live well. It can be found in the Better Homes and Garden Magazine. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.                                                                                                           

The " A Very Happy Birthday To One Of My Millersville Professors" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading both online as well as my local newspaper about Dr. William B. McIlwaine who recently turned 100 years old.  Yes...you read that correctly...he turned 100!  What are the chances of that happening to me...or...you?  I often wonder if I will reach that age.  I have a little over 20 years to go before I can claim to be a centenarian.  Because life expectancies worldwide are well below 100, the term is invariably associated with longevity.  The United Nations in 2012 estimated that there were 316,600 living centenarians worldwide; at the most!  Yes, you read that correctly.....worldwide!  Well, when I opened my newspaper and began reading, I realized that I had Dr. McIlwaine as a teacher when I was a student at MIllersville State Teacher's College back in 1962-1966.  I had Professor McIlwaine as my Science teacher.  Back then he was a college professor while he later gained a Doctor of Education degree and today is known as Dr. McIlwaine.  I enjoyed his class, but must admit that I wasn't a very good student in any of my science classes that I had to take.  My field of study was Industrial Arts...or for some of you...shop!  I was happy to receive a "C" in Science classes and was ecstatic if I would happen to get a "B".  Never once did I get an "A" in any Science class, both in high school or college.  I read in several locations of Dr. McIlwaine reaching the 100 year plateau, age wise.  I too would like to congratulate  Dr. McIlwaine on his recent birthday.  I read that Bill graduated from high school in 1942, and enlisted in the armed forces the following year.  At that time, the U.S. had officially been fighting WWII and the conflict would continue to rage around the globe for another two years.  Bill was assigned to the United States Army 80th Infantry, where he saw combat in a few of the war's bloodiest battles.  During the Battle of the the Bulge in 1944, Bill was wounded by an artillery round and was later awarded the Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, a Combat Infantryman Badge and four Theatre of Operations stars for his rile in the fights.  After the war ended in 1945, Bill enrolled at Boston University to study geology and chemistry.  Bill married in 1950 to his sweetheart, Melva, and they had four children.  While Bill was taking college classes at Penn State in 1957, he heard about a small school known as Millersville State Teacher's College.  At the time  he didn't know it, but the school wold become an accredited University and the home of his long teaching career.  Bill and his young family moved to Millersville one year later where he earned a master's degree and a doctoral degree in the following years as he taught at Millersville State Teacher's College.  He eventually helped obtain more than $1 million in grant funding as Millersville University's director of grants and awards, and he personally testified before a House of Representatives committee to advocate for educational equipment programs.  Following his retirement from Millersville in 1991, he served on Millersville University's Board of Trustees for more than 20 years.  Two of Bill's children remained in Lancaster County; Deb Shenk in Willow Street and David of East Petersburg.  His other children are daughter Meredith Van Scherpenseel from Georgia and son Doug from Virginia.  Deb said that "when our dad was involved with something, he attended all the meetings and took his involvement seriously.  We grew up seeing that you do more than just your job.  We learned that when you commit to something, you give 100%.  I can still remember Mr. McIlwaine from my college days.  He expected you to try your best while in his class, and if he could see you were trying your hardest, he would treat you fairly.  I really did try my best, since I enjoyed Mr. McIlwaine as a teacher, but I struggled with science classes all through high school and college, and I was so glad to receive a "C" in his classes.  I think he knew I was giving it my best!  I always remember him as being a fair teacher and tried to be the same type of teacher throughout my 35+ years of teaching at Manheim Township High School...my high school Alma Mater.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - I may be a few weeks late...but I wish you...Dr. McIlwaine, a Happy and Healthy Birthday.  I loved all the stories that were recently written about you.  LDub

The "Exploring The Architect's Alphabet In Lancaster- 'B For Bows & Bays'" Story

Prelude:  Many months ago I wrote a story about The Architect's Alphabet and featured the letter "A" to begin my series of stories.  Well, I sort of forgot about my Architect's Alphabet until a few days ago.  So, I plan to add a new letter on a more regular basis...hopefully! 

It was an ordinary day.   Driving the streets of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania  searching for homes and businesses that illustrate the architectural letter "B" which stands for either bay or bow windows.  Both bay and bow windows project beyond the the face of the building, be it on a house in the city or county or a business in or around  the city of Lancaster.  Bay and bow windows date back to the early 17th century with Great Britain claiming credit for their architectural style.  The main reason they were developed in the first place was to give better views of the outdoors.....indoor without having to venture outside.  To be classified as a bay or bow window, the window must touch, or appear to touch, the ground and be supported by the foundation.  If the window is suspended above the ground it is known as an oriel window.  The biggest difference between a bay and a bow window is visual.  A bow window consists of four or more tall and segmented window panels with the middle panels being set parallel to the building plane.  The panels that sit on either side of the main window panel are usually set parallel to the building plane.  A bay or box window can increase daylight by 40%.  Residential properties use the bay and bow windows to expand views and window appeal.  Check out the following photographs to see what a home or business with bay or bow windows might look like.  Perhaps your home has windows such as this and you aren't aware of what they might be called.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.      

A Second-Empire style building on North Duke St. which
featured a three-story bay window.

The 1906 J. Calvin Shutte residence on Marietta Ave.
is an example of Edwardian Eclecticism which features
features two-story bay windows with crenellations.

This is the Chateauesque-style Elmer Stiegerwalt Mansion
on West Chestnut  Street on the West side of Lancaster.
It also happened to be the home of my Uncle Paul
and Aunt Doris at one time.  It has a two-story brick bay window. 

This house on North Charlotte Street was the home of
P. Harry Wohlsen and had a two-story box bay
window with multiple panes on the right.

The "Little Round Top To Open Once Again!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading about a famous historical landmark that has been closed since the summer of 2022 that will reopen in the near future.  Little Round Top, a rocky hill at Gettysburg National Park in Adams County, was the location where Confederate soldiers attempted to assault the Union on July 2, 1863, the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War.  Little Round Top was the scene of fierce fighting and was successfully defended by the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment, the 16th Michigan, and the 44th New York and the 83rd Pennsylvania.  The National Park Service said Little Round Top is expected to reopen in late spring or early summer this year.  The rehabilitation project was necessary, according to the National Park Service, to "address overwhelmed parking areas, poor accessibility and related safety hazards, significant erosion, and degraded vegetation."  "The scope of the project will re-restablish, preserve, and protect the features that make up this segment of the battlefield landscape.  This project will also enhance the visitor experience with improved interpretive signage, new assessable try alignments, and gathering areas."  "These improvements will allow visitors to better immerse themselves into the historic landscape that is essential to understanding the three-day Battle of Gettysburg."  The Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War was fought July 1-3, 1863.  The battle was a pivotal turning point in the Civil War.  If you get a chance to visit the Battlegrounds around Gettysburg, I'm sure you would enjoy the historic sites around Little Round Top at Gettysburg National Military Park in Adams County, Pennsylvania.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Chicken from Hell" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading an article in my daily newspaper titled "Chicken from Hell."  Seems like millions of years ago, that's before we were all born, a bird-like dinosaur, known  as the "chicken from hell,"  roamed the North American continent.  I would have loved to have seen one!  It supposedly weighed about 170 pounds and sported a toothless beak and was blanketed by a layer of feathers.  The previously unknown pre-historic creature was recently identified using fossilized bones found in South Dakota.  The bones, including a femur and tibia, were discovered in Meade Conti, which makes up part of the Hell Creek Formation, a swath of sedimentary rock littered with the remains of old plant and animal life.  Oklahoma State University researchers initially thought they might belong to a larger dinosaur called Anzu Wyliei.  However, the newfound creature is a type of oviraptorosaur, a family of human-sized theropods with slender limbs and grasping hands.  Characterized by their "unusual" skulls, they were found throughout North America and Asia during the Late Cretaceous period, which lasted from about 100 to 66 million years ago.  The new species was named Eoneophron infernal  which can be translated to "Pharaoh's dawn chicken from hell."  It would have stood about three feet high at the hip and had wings and a short tail.  "It's hard to tell its diet because of the toothless beak," Atkins-Weltman aded.  Both herbivorous and omnivorous oviraptorosaur species have been previously discovered.  The creature would have been social, employing an "avian-like brain organization," researchers said.  "Our new discovery suggests that this dinosaur group was not declining in diversity at the very end of the Cretaceous," researchers wrote in The Conversation.  The Cretaceous came to a sudden end 66 million years ago when an asteroid slammed into Earth.  Wouldn't you just know that would happen!  I would have loved to have found out a bit more about the "Chicken from Hell," but it wasn't to be.  Perhaps something similar will appear while we are still all alive and can view it.  It was another extraordinary day int the life of an ordinary guy.