The "They Found My Hat In Harriet Lane's Boudoir! - Part I" Story

The rear of James Buchanan's "Wheatland" (click to enlarge)

It was an ordinary day.  Standing on the rear porch of President James Buchanan's home known at "Wheatland" waiting for my hat.  Seems I was in Lady Harriet Lane's boudoir and somehow my hat slipped out of my pocket.  I was very careful to make sure that wouldn't happen, but ...  

Miss Nancy ushers me into "Wheatland"

Wasn't long before Nancy opened the rear door and handed me my hat.  "Feels like your going to need that today," she said as she closed the door behind her.  The day was sunny, but the chill in the air made the day a hat day, especially for someone who is bald.  My visit to "Wheatland", in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is part of my membership to the Lancaster Historical Society which Carol gave me as a Christmas gift this year.  I entered the Historical Society to check in at the desk and walked out the rear door, heading towards "Wheatland"; a short walk down the red brick pathway.  

A young James Buchanan

Before I take you with me on my tour, I should give you a bit of background information about James Buchanan.  Before his Presidency he served two years in the Pennsylvania Legislature, 22 years in the U.S. House and Senate, four years as Secretary of State and six years in Russia and Great Britain as a U.S. Foreign Diplomat.  In 1856 "Wheatland" served as his presidential campaign headquarters.  From 1857 to 1861 he struggled to calm the nation divided over slavery, states' rights and popular sovereignty.  His term ended with the secession of seven States after the election of Republican Abraham Lincoln.  My tour was to start at 2:00 P.M. so I sat on one of the large white benches by the rear door.  

The dining room table with setting

The house was built in 1828 by Mr. William Jenkins, a local lawyer, on 165 acres of wheat fields and thus the name "Wheat- land".  He used it as a summer home for a few years, then sold it to William Meredith in 1841.  Eventually it was sold to Mr. Buchanan in 1849.  James moved into in with his young niece Harriet Lane, his 7 year old nephew James Buchanan "Buck" Henry and his housekeeper, Esther "Miss Hetty" Parker.  

China displayed in the corner-cupboard.
The top three shelves hold china
that was used in the White House.

Harriet would later become his "First Lady" in the White House.  Their 20 year difference in age did not stop her from becoming her uncle's political consort as well as his personal confidante.  Well, shortly the door opened and out stepped Nancy, dressed in period dress.  I was the only guest today so we introduced ourselves, walked in through the rear door and headed toward the dining room.  The 13 foot ceilings of the brick Federal-style home made for an impressive entrance. Once inside the dining room, Nancy pointed out the corner-cupboard that held two sets of china.  One set was a gift from the French Ambassador in the 1840s and was used by James while at the White House.  Another cupboard held the china that Harriet purchased when she married two years before her uncle James died in 1868. The floor in this room bore the original wooden boards from 1828.     

The West Parlor

After admiring the table setting, we headed towards the West Parlor.  As we walked back toward the rear door, I asked about the flooring in the entrance.  Nancy told me it originally was was oilcloth, but was later replace with linoleum that Lancaster's Armstrong Cork Company made to match the same pattern as the oilcloth. 

Beautiful fireplace with portraiture
of James Buchanan above it.

In the West Parlor I admired the stone fireplace which I was told had been filled in and  a grate at the bottom allowed for heat to enter from a coal furnace in the cellar.  All rooms had fireplaces, but those on the first floor were opened to the cellar for heat from the furnace.  On the wall was Buchanan's portraiture that had been painted in 1856.  Stepping through the door we entered the vestibule of the front door.  Standing along one side was a tall coat rack that held a few of his black top hats.  Off to the East Parlor which I was told was James' inter sanctum.  On one end of the room stood a beautiful engraved desk that was given to him by an official in India.  The desk was transported to the White House while he was President.  

Entrance vestibule

To one side stood another smaller desk that was used by his nephew "Buck". On the other side of the room sat a table that had a bottle of James' favorite, a bottle of 1827 Red Seal Maderia bottled in 1832.  This bottle was found in the wine cellar a few years ago.  Well, I have taken you about half way through "Wheatland" with me.  Tomorrow I will take you upstairs with me to show you where I had misplaced my hat.  Shame on me!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Top hats held in place on the mirror.

The front door knob and lock.  Can you imagine how many dignataries placed their hand on the door knob during the last 190 plus years.  Would make a story by itself; if we only knew the answer.

Fireplace in the East Parlor

James Buchanan's desk in his study.  To the right is the desk used by his nephew "Buck".

The frayed armchairs are a testimony to the use of the desk.  The drink on his desk probably helped him make decisions.

An original letter on his desk.  Click to enlarge and you may be able to read some of the letter.  His penmanship is beautiful.  And, his aide is to the left of the letter.

A beautiful piano at one end of this study.

A favorite bottle.

A closer look.  This bottle has never been opened. It was found in the wine cellar of he home.

On our way back to the stairs to find treasures on the second floor.

The "Too Old To Be Young!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading an online article telling me that 60 is the new 40!  Well, I'm telling you I'm past 40, way past, as well as quite a bit past 60, and I can assure you that 60 certainly isn't the new 40.  I can slightly remember what it was like to be 40, both physically and mentally, and when I reached 60 I certainly didn't have the same physical or mental presence that I did when I was 40. Nah, I take that back since my mental capacity is much better now that I'm way past 60.  Just ask anyone who knows me.  As far as my physical capacity is concerned, I can't run the base paths as fast during softball games and couldn't throw the ball as hard as when I was 40.  Matter of fact, I didn't even think of playing softball when I reached 60 and when I do throw the ball, as when a ball is hit to be during my grandson's baseball games where I sit in the nearby bleachers, I throw it underhand.  Too many chances of tearing muscle tissue in my shoulder to try throwing overhand.  And, now that I'm nearing my mid-70s, I hand the ball to someone near me to throw it back onto the field.  When I was 40 I never even thought what it would be like when I was 60 or 70.  I guess that proves that I am gaining wisdom since I know what my strengths and weaknesses may be.  I still do things that I did back in my 40s such as quickly jog across the street if needed to avoid traffic, put my 40 foot extension ladder against the house so I can climb it and paint, lift 40 pound cases of paper while doing the in-house printing chores at the high school where I taught and drive fast like I used to; even at night!  I now have one bum foot due to shingles, scars all over my body from stuff being cut out of me from being out in the sun too much, a finger that bends in an unusual manner due to getting it stuck in the printing press over 40 years ago, ears that don't hear as well as they used to (even with hearing aides), and eyes that have these little things that float from top to bottom each time I close and open them.  

A very relaxed and older LDub contemplating the subject of age;
of course, with more wrinkles!  Photo by granddaughter Camille.

I have bones that make funny crunching noises when I move certain directions, funny noises that emanate from my stomach and other parts of my body on a frequent schedule, no need to go to the barber anymore and teeth that should have been fixed when I was a kid, but parents that couldn't afford that.  But hey ... I can still beat many younger than me at guessing the right prices on The Price is Right, knowing the questions on Jeopardy and guessing the puzzles on Wheel of Fortune.  And, Vanna was turning the letters when I was 40!  I can still run the vacuum, wash the floor on my hands and knees, do the dishes, clean the bathroom, do the windows inside and out, mow the grass, wash the car and shovel the driveway and walk.  I can still sing most of the songs from the era when songs actually had words you could understand; that is if da doo run run is language you can understand.  I can still shake, rattle and roll, literally.  But, I still have trouble with the hand jive, just as I always did.  And, I still think I'm pretty hip since I like shows such as The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, Life In Pieces, American Pickers and Dating Naked.  But none of them will ever top the reruns of Seinfeld.  Come to think of it I did watch Seinfeld when I was in my 40s.  I still look at life as a glass half full and still love smelling the roses and the variety of plants and flowers my wife raises in our lovely garden.  When it comes to love, I have the comfort of knowing I found the right one almost 50 years ago, but I knew that when I was 40; actually when I was 22. And spiritually, I talk to God through prayer as often as I can; that's what keeps me going right now.  You know, with all that's going on it the world today, I at times wouldn't want to be 40 again.  I'm worried what's going to happen in the next 4 years. Worried for my children and grandchildren. But you know, as Jack Benny once said (even thought I never heard him say it), "Age is strictly a case of mind over matter.  If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."  That and the fact that I am really only 22 years old ... in Celsius.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.    

The "A Wunderkammer: Part II - Collecting Life's Pieces In Snapshots" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Going to present a bit of a different angle today regarding my subject known as Wunderkammer, or "cabinet of curiosities."  Wrote yesterday that the 14th to 17th century European Renaissance's "cabinet of curiosities" were the beginnings of our modern day museums.  Displays of just about anything relevant to the eras could, and would, be displayed on shelves, in cases of any size or shape or in curio cabinets made predominantly of glass with a metal or wooden framework.  I also presented photographs of the two "cabinets of curiosity" that are in the high school where I taught at one time.  Well, today's story will show you that the European Renaissance "cabinet of curiosity" is still very much alive today in homes across the world.  This past weekend my wife, Carol, and I traveled to State College, Pennsylvania to visit our close friends and traveling companions, Jerry and Just Sue.  We enjoy our visits back and forth and spent this past weekend touring a museum in Williamsport as well as the Woolrich fabric and clothing store in Woolrich, PA.  

Sue's "cabinet of curiosity" located in her basement. A full
shelf plus another half shelf of snapshots if her family's life.
Click on photographs to enlarge them.

Interesting day, but one of the most interesting few hours of the weekend was looking and talking about what I will call, Sue's "cabinet of curiosity".  Sue loves to document her family's history and she does in by means of scrap books filled with snapshots and descriptions of those snapshots.  

Sue looking through one her many scrapbooks
that feature vacations from her and Jerry's past.

She has scrapbooks that feature every vacation she and her husband have taken; some by themselves, some with neighbors and the many vacations they have taken with us.  She has scrapbooks she has been making for each of her sons and their families.  But, the most interesting "cabinet of curiosity" is the one in their basement which fills an entire wall of their TV room.   Forty scrapbooks that carry she and Jerry's life, each filled with snapshots of an event in their lives that were important to them.  One of the scrapbooks is a glossary to help you navigate through the remaining 39 scrapbooks.  I had never looked at any of the scrapbooks until this weekend.  I was fascinated with page after page of the life of their family, from Album #1 (Nov '63-Dec '68) through Album #39 (2016-?/until full).  

Album #1, page one.  These snapshots
feature Jerry and Sue's wedding in November
of 1963 at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church.

I have known Jerry since we first stepped into Mrs. Good's 1st grade classroom at Brecht Elementary School in Manheim Township School District in 1949 and have known Just Sue (not Susan, but Just Sue) since she entered Manheim Township High School as a sophomore in 1959.  Needless to say, Jerry and Sue eventually married, raised a family and documented the entire journey in their own "cabinet of curiosity".  And, I love it!  As I sat there with Jerry in his basement, looking at Album #1, I told him how lucky he was to have all these neat photos to experience his entire married life over again any time he so desires.  We spent some time looking at a few of the scrapbooks ... then I told him we just had to share them with Carol.  

Jerry and Carol looking at one of the scrapbooks.

Wasn't long before we headed up his basement steps and were talking and laughing in the living room with both Carol and Sue.  All four of us often talk about what will ever become of our travel scrapbooks, which I too have made after each vacation Carol and I take.  But I never knew to what extent Sue had gone to collect all these neat pieces of her life over the past 52 plus years.  It is a remarkable feat that she has diligently worked on all her married life.  

October of 1967 features the first color snapshots.
Historical moment in photographic history when color
photography was available to the average person.

I'll bet there aren't many people in the entire world who have done what she has done, and with such loyal care and commit- ment.  Tell you the truth, I am jealous, since I don't have a family history in snapshots such as she and Jerry do.  Oh yeah, I have baby photos of special events and vacationsin the life of our children and extended family, but not EVERY day in their life.  As to what will eventually become of all the scrapbooks, well, they may be placed in a modern day museum, illustrating life in the lives of a twenty to twenty-first century family.  Why not?  I can't imagine they would ever be discarded. They are too much a part of modern day history for that to happen. Just wait and see. I know I'm right in this case!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The last entry into Album #39 features Jerry and one of his relatives. More snapshots will follow since there is plenty of room left in the album.

Part way through Album #39 features a snapshot of Jerry and me and the retired Industrial Arts teachers from Manheim Township School District.  Jerry and I are both in the front row; Jerry is second from left and I am on the far right.

    

The "A Wunderkammer: Part I - The Background And History" Story

An early illustration of a Cabinet of Curiosities.

It was an ordinary day.  Trying to learn a bit about the background of the modern day museum.  I have been to a variety of museums during my lifetime and will more than likely be spending quite a bit of time at the Lancaster Historical Society, which is much like a museum, since my wife gave me a subscription to the society as a Christmas gift.  Found that something known as a "cabinet of curiosities" became popular during the European Renaissance which was from the 14th to the 17th centuries.  

Another early Wunderkammer.

Also known as "wunder- kammer", the cabinet of curiosities seems to be no more than a an exhibit or wide variety of objects and artifacts, with a particular leaning towards the rare, eclectic and esoteric.  The selection of objects chosen told the story about the world and its history during those centuries.  The "cabinet of curiosities" seemed to play a role in the development of modern science, even though it wasn't always scientific in what was displayed.  Dragon blood, mythical animal skeletons, dried insects, shells, fossils and even works of art filled the "cabinet of curiosities" years ago.  

My own "cabinet of curiosities" made into a living room coffee table.

Then I got to thinking about my own personal "cabinet of curiosities" that I have in my home; a multitude of them, matter-of-fact.  I have a open faced cabinet in my office that features sands from all the islands my wife and I have visited held in miniature rum bottles; a cabinet shaped like a boat.  

Another of my Wunderkammers.

Think what the citizens who lived during the European Renaissance would have thought about that.  I have another "wunderkammer" in my living room filled with seashells, crustaceans and coral from the same trips where we collected the sand.  We have another cabinet with drawers which could be classified as a "cabinet of curiosities" in our family room that also houses a few hundred shells, mostly from the island of Sanibel in the state of Florida.  In my second floor landing stands an antique pie safe that is filled with curiosities such as old newspapers, baseball memoriabilia, antique type tools, type, letters and blocks, and old wooden and cardboard cigar boxes.  In total, they form a type of "wunderkammer".  I'm sure we all have collections which we could label a "cabinet of curiosities" in our home or place of business.  

One of two cabinets at Manheim Township High School
which feature collections from students all gathered
together in a "cabinet of curiosity." Click on photos to enlarge.

And these "cabinets of curiosities", my friends, are what led to our modern day museums.  In the past, "cabinets of curiosities" were collections which were frequently organized into about four categories (labeled in Latin) known as: (1) Artificialia - groups of objects created or modified by humans (antiques, works of art); (2) Naturalia - creatures and natural objects with an interest in monsters; (3) Erotica - including exotic plants and animals; (4) Scientifica - bringing together scientific instruments.  

In the showcase are a series of replicas of the earliest chemical
experimental photographs that were made in the early 1700s.
The photos were found by a few tourists in Europe while looking
where they were not supposed to be.  Lucky for the world that
they were found.  It eventually led to the discovery by Johann
Schulze that the darkening of silver salts is caused by light.  His
discovery helped provide the knowledge needed to develop photography. 

Well, my reason for trying to learn more about the modern day museum was due to a visit I recently made to the high school I graduat- ed from as well as taught in for over 30 years.  I was making a delivery of envelopes I had printed to the high school tech department and as I walked down the hallway past the library, I noticed, on either side of the doors leading into the media center (the library for those to old to know), two showcases which carried hand-made signs reading "Cabinet of Curiosities".  

This is the project showing how a magnet
will float forever.  All students in the class
were required to handwrite, in cursive, the
results of their work to go with their display
in the cabinet.  Many struggled since hand-
writing is no longer taught in school.  The
computer is great ... but!

In each showcase, cabinet if you must, were displays developed by sophomore students in an Advanced Placement world history course showing collections of objects and artifacts from the era when the "wunderkammer" was popular.  One student put together a miniature biology project based on the anatomical research of English physician William Harvey while another student collected and dried plants available in winter for a tiny herbarium.  This student's exhibit was based on the work of English botanist Thomas Johnson who died in 1644.  One student created a diamagnetic levitator based on the work of English physicist Michael Faraday.  In this case a small magnet is suspended between two larger diamagnetic blocks that repel it.  Trapped in the center, the magnet floats, moving with air currents.  It should stay there for 100 years or more, undisturbed.  The "cabinets of curiosities" are fantastic and took quite a bit of thought and preparation, much like the "cabinets of curiosities" from the 14th to 17th centuries; and, much like our ultra-modern museums of today might be.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "You Gotta Love That Face!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Staring at that boyish face once again.  I can't remember how many times I have seen the face of Sam Lazarowitz, chaw of tobacco in his left jaw, with that smile spread across his face as he tries to sell another Lancaster Newspaper in Penn Square.  It was back in 1967 that the Lancaster Sunday News asked its readers, "Whatever happened to Sam Lazarowitz?  Sam was one of Lancaster's most colorful characters, selling newspapers as a news dealer in Penn Square.  Worked every day of the week except on Christmas and during the Jewish New Year.  For over 48 years you could count on Sam to have his left arm over a pile of newspapers while holding up the current edition of the paper in his right hand.  Strapped on his belt was his familiar shiny metal coin changer.  He finally gave up his job of selling papers in 1958 so he could work at his Duke Street restaurant and store.  He later opened a grocery store on Church Street.  Sam's photo pictured here was taken by Marjory Collins in 1942 and is one of 25 photographs of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania that are included in the book "Times of Sorrow & Hope: Documenting Everyday Life in Pennsylvania During the Depression and World War II."  It appears that a few trolley cars are in the photo with Lancaster's only skyscraper, The Greist Building, in the background next to the steeple of Lancaster Central Market House, the oldest surviving market in the United States.  I'm sure I probably saw him a few times in my life before he gave up his post in Penn Square.  

Coin featuring Sam Lazarowitz

My father worked in downtown Lancaster and I can remember newspapers being sold on the square while being with with my dad.  As I searched Sam's name on the Internet, I came across aluminum coins that featured his name: Sam Lazarowitz - Newsdealer on one side and a number 3 on the other side.  The collectible coins were at one time worth 3 cents.  I found one for sale on ebay that had a bid of US $56.41.  Seems they are very collectible.  Also found a few of the coins for sale on a Jewish website.  Sam Lazarowitz was buried in Lancaster Jewish Cemetery on East Liberty Street off of N. Lime Street.  He was one of Lancaster's most colorful characters.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.   

The "Living Stress Reliever" Story

Help is on the way ... from Creamsicle the cat.

It was an ordinary day.  Sitting by my computer checking emails and preparing to write this story.  Sleeping next to my monitor is Creamsicle, my constant companion as I work my way around the house.  He falls asleep and his legs begin to move, as if he is chasing a chipmunk or squirrel across the desk.  Then he'll begin to snore and you can't help but laugh and love him.  And, it always makes me feel happy and puts a smile on my face no matter how I felt before I sat in my chair.  When I'm sitting in my recliner in the family room watching TV or reading the newspaper, he enjoys sitting on my lap.  Seems to be the same with Carol.  He sleeps next to her head at night on a pillow and awakes from time to time, nudges her awake so she will scratch him, and shortly after is purring in her ear.  She tells me it is soothing and puts her back to sleep.  Ever since we were married almost 50 years ago we have had pets.  I inherited her long-haired Chihuahua when we got married.  He was Carol's pet for many years and was one of her best friends.  Only problem was ... he didn't like me, since I was stealing his human friend.  I made several pieces of furniture for our first rental unit which "Buddy" found as a great place to lift his leg.  Buddy was rather old at the time and only lived a year or two before passing.  Wasn't long before we had a cat in the house.  Then two cats ... we haven't been without a cat for years.  We had  four dogs during our marriage who were all good companions, but never the same as a cat has been for us.  I can count on Creamsicle to be my companion as soon as I sit in my swivel chair in front of my desktop computer.  He used to be able to jump the desktop height himself, but now needs some assistance.  Instantly he needs some head-butting or human contact, and then he settles into some location in front of my computer.  If Carol and I are watching TV he will nestle in one of our laps, depending upon which one has had the more stressful day.  Funny how he can always sense which one of us needs to be consoled the most.  Pets can be there for you in ways people can't.  

Loves to be held like a baby.

They offer uncondi- tional love and companion- ship as well as comfortable silences.  They are great at keeping secrets and excellent snugglers.  Great stress reducers!!  It has been reported that talking with your spouse or a good friend about your problems helps, but still isn't as good as spending time with a pet.  Pets can stave off loneliness for those who have lost a loved one and they also can help to reduce blood pressure and heart rates better than medicine at times.  But, pets, be they cats or dogs, aren't for everyone.  Some may be allergic to animals as well as some just aren't cat or dog people.  And, others just don't want the hassle of taking care of a pet, since they do take additional work and responsibility as well as an added expense.  But, for those who do enjoy pets, they will be a supportive friend without expecting anything in return.  When my mother lived in a retirement/nursing home, dogs were occasionally brought in for the residents to pet, hold and even take short walks with to help them with with exercise, social support, and loneliness.  

Creamsicle can sit for hours like this.  What a life!
But, it does help relieve stress!!

Recently I read about a local high school that had a dog handy for students who were experiencing anxiety.  If a student arrived in the guidance office or nurse's office seeking help for depression, anxiety or even bullying, the "facility" dog, Maya, was taken to the room and she would "squish" or drape her body over you while you lay on the floor.  Seems students love it and it works for them.  More schools and institutions are getting "facility" dogs to help with mental health problems.  Animals seem to sense better than humans when others are distressed and know exactly what to do.  Of course these dogs are taught what to do, but its tough to teach a dog to know when they are needed, they just seem to know.  Well, I must get back to finishing my typing and hope I don't get too much help with this task.  Seems every now and then a foreign object, namely a cat foot, seems to appear on my keyboard and adds an extra letter or two to what I am typing.  But, that's OK for it makes for some interesting or humorous sentences.  If only I could train him to type.  Still love him anyway.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "The Dryer Sheet To My Heart" Story

It was an ordinary day. Being that Valentine's Day is upon us, I thought it might be neat to feature a story about something very romantic … like chocolate!  Isn't chocolate the most romantic item you can think of today?  Be it dark, light, white, filled with almonds or peanuts, or dripped over strawberries, it is fantastic!  I assume you know that milk and dark chocolate come from the cacao bean which grows on the cacao tree, an evergreen from the family Malvaceae.  Therefore it makes the most important part of the sweet treat a vegetable.  And, therefore one of the main food groups!  And, you need this food group daily!  White chocolate really isn't a chocolate since it doesn't contain cacoa solids or chocolate liquor, but does contain parts of the cacao bean; mainly cocoa butter.  Hey, that's find with me!  In both the early Mexican and Aztec cultures, cacao was brewed which yielded a bitter concoction that was often used for ceremonial occasions like weddings.  It is supposed to be the origin of our hot chocolate, only more refined and sweeter.  Love a cup of Quik for breakfast in the morning.  Gives me something to dunk my toast, cookies, cake or muffin into.  

And while I'm on the topic of hot chocolate, did you know that Marie Antoinette dipped her cake in hot chocolate.  Seems they served hot chocolate frequently at the Palace of Versailles and it went perfect with the cake she often had.  It also was believed to be an aphrodisiac; the hot chocolate that is - not the cake.  It wasn't until 1847 when a pair of British confectioners invented solid chocolate. The Fry and Sons confectionary concocted what they called "eating chocolate" by combining cocoa butter, sugar and chocolate liquor which made a grainy, solid form of treat very similar to our chocolate candy.  Actually cocao and cocoa are both the same thing.  Over time, people just switched the same letters around, but came up with the same item. Made for something like fake news, I guess.  I do that rather often you probably realize by now.  Getting back to French culture, did you know that Napoleon loved chocolate?  The French leader demanded that wine and chocolate be made available to him and his senior advisers even during intense military campaigns.  

Now, if you look in my wife's pantry, you will probably find something which is known as Baker's Chocolate which isn't just for baking.  She tells me that, but perhaps to keep me from eating it.  Doesn't work though!  Baker's Chocolate was actually developed by Dr. James Baler and John Hannon who founded a chocolate company which later became known as Walter Baker Chocolate in 1765.  It wasn't just meant to be for baking, but it sort of revolved into that since it carried the name baker on it.   Then along came Lancastrian Milton Hershey who was the real candy KING.  Built a caramel factory in downtown Lancaster on Church Street at the age of 30.  He later found that adding chocolate to his caramels made them sell faster.  He sold his caramel factory in Lancaster and built a plant in Hershey, Pennsylvania and the rest is history, as they say. Milk chocolate was actually invented in Switzerland in 1875 when Daniel Peter created a tasty treat after eight years of experimenting.  Would have loved to have worked for him in quality control.  

LDub has turned into chocolate while typiing this story!!

He finally found that condensed milk was the key ingredient in milk chocolate.  Also interesting to know that it takes 400 cacao beans to make a single pound of milk chocolate.  It was in 1842 that the Cadbury Company made the very first chocolate bar.  They still are one of my youngest sons favorites and we make sure he gets his Cadbury chocolate eggs every Easter on his dinner plate.  And finally, if you have ever put a candy bar in your pocket or under your baseball cap to keep someone from finding and eating it, you probably realized that it melts if it get too hot; 93 degrees to be exact.  That's just below the human body temperature.  And the reason for that is … so it can melt on your tongue!  Well, hope you bought some chocolate for your favorite sweetheart today, but if not, don't worry for I will be eating a few extra pieces just for you, since you realize that chocolate is the dryer sheet to my heart.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Like Father, Like Son" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Looking at the face staring back at me from the rear page of the Lancaster Newspaper.  Face belongs to a young man named Paul Weibel DMD who was a graduate of nearby Hempfield High School in Lancaster County.  According to the announcement in the paper, Paul studied at Villanova University and the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine and recently completed his orthodontic residency at Seton Hill University.  He is planning to join the practice known as Weibel Orthodontics located on Marietta Ave. in Lancaster, PA.  So far nothing out of line that would surprise you except for the fact that Paul isn't going to be the founder of the practice where he will work.  The person that did that was his father Steve who opened the practice many year ago.  Dr. Steve Weibel is not only skilled with dental tools, but also with a Remington 22 caliber rifle.  Steve was one of the members of my rifle team that won the Pennsylvania State Championship in 1972.  He along with nine other members of the rifle team annihilated the competition at State College by firing a perfect score that Saturday morning years ago.  The photo of Paul in the paper today is a spitting image of what Steve looked like when he was younger.  Actually haven't seen Steve for quite a few years; since he did orthodontic work on my youngest son.  As with most of the members of my rifle team, we talked about school, friends, and what they wanted to do in life.  Steve shared with me for quite a few years of his high school experience that he wanted to be a dentist; practicing in orthodontics.  

Dr. Steve Weibel is pictured standing next to me on the
far right of the photograph of the State Champion Rifle Team.

That's all he talked about.  One day close to the end of his senior year in 1973 I told him that if he ever became a dentist I would be sure to bring my children to him to have their orthodontic work done.  We made a pact that day that I would bring my children to him and he would give them the best teeth possible.  The deal was made and we both kept our part of the agreement.  My oldest two children luckily didn't need orthodontic work, but our youngest son did.  I can still remember the first visit to see Steve at his office.  I told his nurse that Steve was on my rifle team and was one of the best shots on the team.  She told me he talked about the team quite often and that it was nice to get to see his coach in person.  Steve entered and it was like we were still on the rifle range talking about life all over again.  He told my wife and I what he would do for our son and told us there would be no charge for his services.  Really appreciated the gesture, but told him he'll never stay in business that way.  Only way he was going to me my son's orthodontist was if my son was a paying patient.  We went back and forth a bit, but he finally agreed on a price; a slightly reduced rate for his services.  We made many visits to his office and found Steve to be as good with his dental tools and knowledge as he was with the Remington.  My visits to his office with my son were usually the highlight of the day.  Rehashing "the good ole times" as he worked on my son's teeth … well it was like those practice sessions every winter rifle season when my team members talked about what they would do after high school and wondering if their coach would every see then again.  I'm sorry to say that I have only keep in touch with a few of the members and the photo in the paper today gave me another reason to call and hash over those memories with one of them.  And, I loved it! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Could My Dad Have Gotten It Wrong? Story

Freedom display featuring Henry Norwood "Barney" Ewell.

It was an ordinary day.  My first day visiting The Lancaster County Historical Society as a new member.  My wife bought me the membership as a Christmas gift and I finally decided it was time for a visit.  Wanted to see the "Freedom" display that is in the main lobby for a few more months.  One of the displays was an entire wall filled with photos and memorabilia about Lancaster's own Barney Ewell who attended John Piersol McCaskey High School in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and who won a Gold Medal in the 1948 Olympics.  

Sprinter Barney Ewell

As I stood in front of the forty foot long display, reading the many accolades of Mr. Ewell, I wondered if my dad could have gotten it wrong.  Seems my dad went to school with Barney and told me more than once that Barnney borrowed money from him, as well as other classmates, and never repaid the debt.  "Happened more than once, until I figured I wasn't getting my money back and stopped giving him money.  Then he hit the next guy up for money until he also realized he wasn't getting repaid," dad told me.  Heard the story more than once and I began to dislkie the guy who became famous and never repaid his debts.  

Plaque awarded to Barney for McCaskey HS Hall of Fame

I looked at one photograph after another and read the literature on the wall in the Historical Society and wondered if this really was the guy who my dad had told me about.  Couldn't have been ... or could it?  Seems that Henry Norwood Ewell, known to his classmates as "Barney," was born into a poor family on February 25, 1918.  He became Pennsylvania's greatest high school sprinter and jumper in the mid-1930s.  

Another award from the state of Pennsylvania.

He attended high school with my dad and was a track and field star at the school.  In 1988, Barney entered the J.P. McCaskey Athletic Hall of Fame during the school's 50th Anniversary year.  After graduation he entered Pennsylvania State University, but dropped out in order to serve in the United States Army.  

His 1948 Olympic Gold Medal for the 4 x 100 race.

After his time in the Army, he returned to Penn State and received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1947.  While at Penn State, before he entered the service, he was a celebrated sprinter and jumper, running the 100 meter and 200 meter races and winning 12 gold medals between 1940 and 1942.  Since both the 1940 and 1944 Olympic Summer Games were canceled, he lost hope that he would ever be a celebrated Olympian.  

Receiving his Silver Medal for the 100 meter dash.

By the time the '48 Olympics came around, everyone thought Barney was past his prime and had missed his chance at a Gold Medal.  He surprised everyone by making the team, equaling the world record of 10.2 in the 100 meter dash at the 1948 AAU Championships, which served as the Olympic trials.  He ran the 100 meter dash at London and thought he had won the race, but it was awarded to teammate Harrison Dillard with Barney taking the Silver Medal.  In the 200 meter race he also took the Silver to teammate Mel Patton.  He was added to the 4 x 100 relay after teammate Ed Conwell became sick.  The U.S. team easily won the race, but were disqualified due to an "out of the zone" baton exchange between Ewell and Lorenzo Wright.  

This photo shows Jesse Owens (seated) talking with Barney
Ewell.  Both were World Class athletes in track and field.

After reviewing the film of the race the officials reversed the ruling and Barney was awarded the Gold Medal along with his team members.  Barney contributed to his community by encouraging young athletes to strive for excellence in every thing they did in life.  He eventually, in later life, had both his legs amputated due to diabetes.  Not sure what year that might have been, but dad never said a bad word about Barney after that happened.  I guess he figured Barney had paid the price.  Barney died on April 4, 1996 in Lancaster.  He will be remembered forever as one of Lancaster's most prolific athletes.  And, I still wonder if dad could have gotten it wrong!  Nah, dad was always right!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.