F
R
E
E
Serving Mifflin County and the surrounding area.
The Valley A free newspaper dedicated to agriculture, self-reliance, frugal living, and modern homesteading. Tomorrow’s Media - A Day Early Volume 3, No. 7
Complimentary
The Valley, July 2012
Homegrown Talent with a Sound Out of this World Local is Better for more than just where we procure our food. A little over a year ago during one of our mushroom forays I mentioned to Lynn and Colleen that I would take them out to dinner to thank them for all of their help making the day a success. Both girls worked hard to make sure everyone was fed and all the necessary supplies were on hand. Colleen mentioned Elk Creek Café for dinner, and I was fine with that, as Lynn and I had had lunch there when we went to Bierley’s Stove Shop to buy our woodstove. The food had been OUTSTANDING, so I was looking forward to dinner. Then she mentioned that the reason she wanted to go there was because a band she liked would be playing that night. Not knowing her taste for music, I was immediately concerned, after all, she was from “The Valley.” Then she mentioned the name, “Chicken Tractor Deluxe,” and at first I thought “cool” but the more I thought about it, the more I realized I was going to hate it. I mean, I was always an old school rocker, Pink Floyd, The Stones, as well as some Reggae mixed in for good measure. Bob Marley was always a huge favorite as well. I just knew this night would be awful. So reluctantly, I agreed to go. I knew the food would be good and I figured Lynn and I would leave quickly after eating. Well, I am happy to report, that I was wrong on all fronts, the food was fantastic! About the time we were finishing up dinner, the band took the stage and I was quickly formulating an excuse to leave,
(l to r) Jimmy James Baughman, Kai Shafft, and Nell Hanssen who make up 3/4s of the band Chicken Tractor Deluxe
but by the second verse of their first song it became obvious that although I wasn’t going to like them, everyone else seemed to be very much into Chicken Tractor Deluxe. Soon people were getting up from their tables and dancing in the aisles. By the second song I was tapping my feet and becoming a fan! Their music is “American Rural” and draws its roots from old 78rpm records, with a very strong link to Appalachia. I had always called it Hillbilly music, and I secretly loved it! Banjos, fiddle, and stand up bass were added to a bands regular instruments to bring out that realistic
mountain music sound. As the band really started warming up, they became more and more animated, they were really feeling the music and it was apparently very contagious as whoops and Yee Haws, were very noticeable from the crowd around us. The band was whipping the crowd into a frenzy and it was all good. We ended up staying late that night—I couldn’t get enough. Since that night we see them whenever we can, and in August, on the 18th to be exact, you too can become a fan and take in their unique sound at the Reedsville 4-H Youth Park at “ A Day of Community in The Valley” being
held from 11;30am – 8:00pm. Live Music all day from different musicians, and it is all FREE! Chicken Tractor Deluxe is comprised of Jimmy James Baughman, (upright bass and vocals), Nell Hanssen (guitar, trumpet and vocals), Kai Schafft (vocals, clawhammer banjo, and guitar), Gary Gyekis (drums), as well as many local musicians who may sit in with Chicken Tractor Deluxe at any given time. Frequently Dr. Dave Mudgett joins in with his pedal steel and electric guitar. So far every performance has been a little different, and all of them have been OUTSTANDING!
Lighting Brush Fires in People’s Minds
Although most of us nonmusicians have never heard of the people and bands that once performed these same songs like Dr. Humphrey Bates and his Possum Hunters, Lily Mae Ledford, Gram Parsons, Sarah, A.P. and Mother Maybelle, George Jones, the Louvin Brothers, Blind Willie Johnson, Walt Whitman, Carl Smith, Wade Ward, the Wringers, Eugene Chadbourne, Daniel A.I.U. Higgs, The MacGillicuddies, Gaither Carlton, Clarence Ashley, Charlie Poole, Frank Proffitt, Fred Cockerham, Charlie Feathers The Wayward Girls, Brother Claude Ely, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Uncle Dave Macon, Hazel Dickens, Hasil Adkins, Ola Belle Reed, and Arthur E. Brumley, everyone can relate to this uniquely American music. If you don’t shed your shoes and start dancing in the grass, check your pulse because you may well be dead! Chicken Tractor Deluxe’s first CD was entitled “Tin Can Holler” and remains my favorite with a fine balance of wild hard driving tunes and slower more melodic tunes where Nell Hanssen’s soft back up vocals blend perfectly with Kai Schafft’s more edgy lead vocals. Nell also does lead vocals on many tunes where her very unique and pleasing voice can shine. Jimmy James Baughman’s voice can be heard on several tunes and could make you really believe he may have been born 175 years too late; the songs and lyrics seem to come as natural to him as playing the upright bass. He could make one believe you were transported back in time, when music really did possess a
Continued on page 11
2
Editor’s Corner
The Valley, July 2012
Wayne Stottlar When did summer start? How did I get so far behind on everything that needs to be done? We have been doing a lot of “extra” activities as well as our normal duties here at the paper, so I guess that is part of it, and we did sneak away for a week of vacation up to NH, so that could have been a factor too. We also GREW the paper by another 4 pages this month and we are now double the size we started at just under two years ago. THANK YOU, readers, writers and of course, our life blood, our advertisers! Without all of us supporting these wonderful neighbors, we wouldn’t have a paper to publish. Community means all of us supporting each other. This one simple change would allow us to once again have local control of our own lives. Whenever you are in need of an item, stop and think about where you can get that locally from a member of our community. The huge big box, have everything stores will still survive. First off this month I need to correct an error I made in the front page story about Alexander Caverns. My old and feeble mind had a short circuit and I erroneously said our guide was Ernie Goss. Well, I am still not sure how I got that from his real name, which would be Wilson Goss Jr., so I will use one of my acquired “old age pass” cards and say, sorry
Wilson, and Thank You again for a great experience. Anyone wishing to be included on future tours should contact WILSON GOSS if you want to go, Ernie Goss doesn’t do “Cave Tours.” We just completed our first series of film screenings in partnership with the Mifflin County Library. We ran the films every Wednesday evening from 7:00 pm until about 10:00 or 10:15 pm. Lively discussion ensued after each film and judging by attendance, we are scheduled to show these films again in late summer in Belleville, as well as in Juniata County at the “Village Acres Food Shed.” Stay tuned for details on those screenings. We may also add to the current mix of films which are “Farmageddon,” “Food Inc.,” “Fresh,” “King Corn,” and “Queen of the Sun.” Planning for our “Day of Community in The Valley” continues. The event continues to grow as well. The Valley Newspaper plans to say THANK YOU to all of central PA for making us a successful paper. The event is FREE and will be held at the Reedsville 4-H Youth Park on August 18th from 11:30 am to 8:00 pm. Most of the writers from “The Valley” will be on hand for one-on-one conversation. Come meet your favorite columnist! Many of our wonderful
advertisers will be set up as well displaying their products or services, this is your chance to ask questions, or perhaps discover that just what you were looking for is available right here, from another member of this community. For those that missed one of the movies that we have shown at Mifflin County library, we plan to loop the films that day as well, so you can catch one you missed or watch it again. There will also be demos and some animals to excite the kids. Yes, BRING THE KIDS, this is a family event. The Mifflin-Juniata Arts Council will also hold a “Local Artists” exhibit in the “green Building” as part of the event, a great chance to see the talent that is present in our community. If all that wasn’t enough to coax you out, there will be FREE LIVE MUSIC at the outdoor stage all day long, so bring a chair, or blanket and plan on shedding your shoes and dancing in the grass. The entertainment will be local favorite Bernie Rich, who does that laid back style of James Taylor to a T. A lifetime friend of mine from the mountains of NH, Jackie Lee, will bring her Blues and Bluegrass music to central PA. Jackie cut her teeth on old
gospel and bluegrass music played constantly by her parents and close family members. Her roots were in place and she couldn’t help but pick up that backwoods rhythm. She is a New England favorite with a CD entitled simply, “Jackie Lee.” You may contact her through her website if you are interested: www.jackieleeproductions.net. Ending the day will be central PA’s own “Chicken Tractor Deluxe” from over the mountain in Millheim. If you have never heard CTD before, you are in for a real treat. Their “American Rural” music will have you hip slapping your way around the lawn in no time. Chicken Tractor Deluxe has produced two CDs and is a north central PA favorite. After this performance I think we will be seeing a LOT more of them on this side of Seven Mountains in the future. You can sample some of their music by visiting their website and following the links at www.chickentractordeluxe.com. There will be food vendors present so you will be able to stay all day and relax with your neighbors and listen to some great music! So mark your calenders for August 18th and plan to join us for “A Day of Community in The Valley.” Good old fashioned hometown fun. New this month in The Valley is the new column “Cave Echoes” authored by Marge Delozier-Noss and Nikki Santangelo. “Cave Echoes” will explore the testimonial healing properties of the Himalayan Salt Cave located at Curves in Burnham.
thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com
Contact Info Editor/Publisher Wayne Stottlar Ad Designer/Co-Publisher Lynn Persing Associate Editor Colleen Swetland The Valley PO Box 41 Yeagertown, PA 17099 (717) 363-1550 E-mail: thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com Web: www.thevalleynewspaper.com ©The Valley. All Rights Reserved.
Once again this month “Backwoods Home Magazine and Senior Editor John Silveira have given us permission to reprint one of John’s editorials. John and I share Libertarian values and principles and his honest hard hitting commentary is always a breath of fresh air for me. I hope you enjoy his perspective as much as I do. If you want more of John’s columns as well as a jam packed magazine of practical information, do give Backwoods Home Magazine a try. I have given gift subscriptions to my boys and they love them. You can get subscription information at www.backwoodshome.com or by calling 1-800-835-2418. The delightful staff will get you set right up. Also new this month, please join us in welcoming Heather Wasson, the Centre County Dairy
Continued on page 19
3
The Valley, July 2012
Competitive and Recreational Shooting in Juniata Valley by Bob White IDPA What is IDPA? IDPA stands for the “International Defensive Pistol Association.” The stated goal of IDPA is to provide a venue where people can utilize practical gear and guns in simulated self-defense scenarios. More information can be found at www. idpa.com. Lewistown Pistol Club hosts monthly IDPA matches on the last Sunday of the month from April through October. Registration opens at 9 am followed by a safety briefing at 9:45 with shooting getting underway by 10 am. Neither membership in the club nor in IDPA is required to compete at a club-level match, but both are encouraged if you are interested. The match fee is $10 for club members and $15 for nonmembers. A typical match will require the expenditure of some 100 rounds of ammunition or so, but extra ammunition is always recommended for the possibility of having to reshoot a stage due to some error or simply to make up misses incurred while shooting. If you are able to legally own a firearm, you are more than welcome to come shoot a match, clubs love seeing new shooters on the range. Men and women, young and old, all are welcome. Lewistown Pistol Club does require that shooters under 18 years of age be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The most important rules are the safety rules and the two most important are muzzle discipline and finger placement. IDPA often requires the shooter to move between shooting positions, as such, it is important the shooter keep his muzzle downrange when moving and also keep his finger off the trigger when not engaging targets. New shooters will often forget to do this and will leave their finger on the trigger when reloading or when moving between positions, but not shooting at targets. An appealing aspect of IDPA is that you don’t need to invest a lot of money to compete. In fact, you may already have everything you need: a strong side (shooting hand) holster, the capability to carry two magazines (or revolver speed loaders), three magazines total, a center fire pistol (or revolver) of 9mm caliber or larger, and some type of concealment garment such as a vest or baggy shirt, etc... The match director aims to be very accommodating
to new shooters and if you feel uncomfortable drawing from concealment, he will work around that requirement. Also, local law enforcement officers are encouraged to attend IDPA matches as well. No concealment is required for an LEO and you are allowed to wear your duty belt, but must wear your full rig on your belt. You may be asking yourself what to expect at a match. After the safety briefing, shooters break up into squads and proceed to different bays (shooting pits). The Safety Officer (SO) will conduct a walkthrough of the stage, describing the self-defense scenario you are finding yourself in and which targets you need to shoot, with how many rounds and from which position. When it is your turn, you will walk to the firing line and load your handgun under the direction of the SO. The SO will say, “If the shooter understands the course of fire, load and make ready.” At his time, you will load your pistol and carefully re-holster it. If you are uncertain of how to proceed, now is the time to ask questions (you may stop at any time if you are unsure of what to do, just remember to obey the safety rules.) The SO will then ask, “Are you ready?”If you indicate you are ready, the SO will say “Standby” and start a timer, when you hear the beep, you will draw and safely engage the targets as described in the course of fire. When it appears you are finished, the SO will say, “If you are finished, unload and show clear.” At that time, you will drop the magazine and empty the chamber of your pistol. The SO will say, “If you are clear, hammer down, holster.” At this point, with the muzzle safely pointed down range, you will drop the hammer on the empty chamber (a final verification that the pistol is indeed empty) and re-holster your empty pistol. When the range is called “Safe,” scoring will commence. There are some basic rules that apply to shooting an IDPA stage in regard to the use of cover when engaging targets, the order targets must be engaged in (based upon the level of threat they present.) and the reloading of the firearm during the course of fire. When available, the shooter should utilize cover when engaging the targets. Cover is often simulated with barrels, walls and other obstructions. In the real world, there
is a significant difference between cover (something which will stop a bullet) and concealment (something which obscures vision of your body) but in IDPA, such barriers are generically referred to as cover. Essentially, the entire lower half of the person’s body should be obscured from the line of sight of the target and as little as possible of the upper torso should be exposed. Targets are engaged in tactical priority or tactical sequence. Tactical priority has different meaning in different circumstances. If you are standing out in the open, tactical priority dictates you should engage targets from near to far. If you are standing behind cover, tactical priority dictates you should engage targets as they become visible from behind the cover, often referred to as “slicing the pie.” Basically, you start at the outside and work your way in. Tactical sequence is sometimes utilized when standing in the open and a number of targets are equidistant from you. In this case, you must engage each target with one shot before engaging it with the standard, second shot. The three main types of reloads in IDPA are reloading from slidelock (when your gun is empty), tactical reload, and reload with retention (when you still have ammunition in the magazine, but top the gun off before advancing.) In the former case, you can leave the empty magazine on the ground, in the latter cases; you must maintain possession of the partially loaded magazine before continuing. I will not detail the differences between the two latter types of reloads here. All IDPA approved reloads must begin and end from behind cover (an exception being if you are moving while engaging targets and run the gun empty.) While this may seem like a lot to remember, with a little bit of time and coaching, it will become second nature. The Safety Officer will gladly review these rules as needed, especially for new shooters. A final word should be mentioned on scoring. IDPA scoring is based on a “time plus” standard. Basically, low time wins, but speed is balanced with accuracy as inaccuracy adds penalty time to your score. The targets are a torso-shaped piece of cardboard with perforations outlining the scoring zones. Shots in the outer
Fifty Years Ago July 1962 A “Citizens Mountain Water Committee” was recently formed to press the local Municipal Water Authority to abandon its plan to supply city water drawn from the Juniata River. The group is lobbying instead for “pure mountain water” from a proposed impounding dam in the Seven Mountains. The committee announced a mass meeting to be held at Monument Square to rally support from the greater community. Lewistown’ mayor John J. Lawler closed the streets around the Square to accommodate the crowd. Two candidates for the General Assembly, Democrat W. Brady Hetrick and Republican Harry W. Price, Jr. delivered stem-winding speeches to the massive gathering.
The Fame Fire Company was offering a waffle sale Saturday afternoon and evening, July 6 from noon to 7 p.m. Price – 15c a dozen.
One Hundred Years ago July 1912 McMeen’s Department Store, Lewistown, offered a 4th of July special, selling “Old Glory” by the dozen. The store ad in local newspapers noted, “There will be more youngsters celebrating the Fourth this year in a sane manner with a good big flag than ever before.” Flags were sewed “double through, Colors absolutely fast to sun or rain.” 15 x 22 in. 10c each; 47 x 21 in. 15c each; 72 x 32 in. 25c each; and 90 x 36 in. 50c each.
Civil War Echoes July 1862 From the Lewistown Gazette: Thomas F. McCoy of Lewistown, Deputy Quartermaster General of Pennsylvania, writing from Harrisburg, thanked the Ladies Soldiers Aid association for a box of clothing, food and notions to be used by wounded soldiers. He reported that the goods had been distributed to wounded Pennsylvania volunteers in New York City. He noted that General E. W. Hale, formerly of Lewistown, and then Quartermaster of the state, was in New York City and was checking on the distribution. A letter to the editor revealed that Lewistown had a juvenile delinquency problem. The writer, signing simply “Z,” tells of the theft of cherries and the virtual destruction of the cherry tree on the property of Jacob Diggs, an “old and worthy colored citizen,” living at the foot of the ridge near the sand bank. The writer says: “It is time our law abiding citizens should look to it and take necessary measures to remove the stigma which has long attached to our town of having the worst set of boys anywhere to be found.”a
scoring zones, procedural errors, failures to neutralize a threat or hitting a non-threat target all add penalty points to your score. A word of caution, speed comes with practice time and experience, the focus of any shooter should be safety, followed by accuracy. Procedural errors arise from not following a direction as outlined in the stage description or not following the rules for target engagement or reloads. Non-threat targets are differentiated from the threat targets with open hands painted on them. It is a penalty to shoot these targets. A failure to neutralize penalty occurs when you do not score at least one hit in the “-1” scoring zone of a target. To find out more about IDPA, you may want to search some
videos on youtube to see what the sport is like, or better yet, come to a monthly match at Lewistown Pistol Club. I will address other shooting disciplines in future installments. You are more than welcome to come and watch a match and see if you are interested in shooting, just remember to bring eye and ear protection. If you do decide to come and shoot with us, we simply ask that you make safety your priority, from holstering and drawing a loaded gun to shooting on the move, remember the safety rules! If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me at president@ lewistownpistolclub.com. I would be more than happy to discuss this dynamic, action-pistol sport with you. a
www.thevalleynewspaper.com
The Valley, July 2012
4
PA Potato, Tomato Growers Hit by Late Blight, Should Remain Vigilant The following story re-printed with permission from Penn State Public Information, University Park PA UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Late blight, the same disease that caused Ireland’s potato famine in the 19th century, was confirmed in three Pennsylvania counties last week. Potatoes and tomatoes in commercial production fields in Blair, Franklin and Mifflin counties have been hit, according to Beth Gugino, assistant professor of plant pathology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. She added that while late blight has been found only in commercial fields so far, home gardeners should be vigilant for symptoms in their plants as well. Late blight affects potatoes and tomatoes, and its symptoms appear similar for both crops. Growers should watch for a pale green or water-soaked spot that becomes brown. Also, the underside of the leaf will have fuzzy growth and appear whitish
cides, and some copperdisease will not only affect their and manage the disease. based products can be crop, it potentially will affect The Commercial Vegetable other people’s gardens and comProduction Recommendations used in organic operamercial crops.” She pointed out Guide also provides information tions. However, Gugino that late blight outbreaks in 2009 on fungicides that are registered said that if severe late resulted in considerable losses for managing late blight. blight symptoms are present in a garden or for both home gardeners and The website http://usablight. commercial crop, afcommercial growers across the org provides information such as fected plants should be Northeast. locations of reported outbreaks destroyed so they are no Gugino said that researchand strategies for managing late longer a source of the ers are interested in obtaining blight. a pathogen. Fungicides samples of plants that are affected that are more specific for so that they can better understand A tomato plant showing early effects of late late blight also should blight. be used. grey, and the stems can have long, She noted that late chocolate-brown lesions. blight is difficult to manage and Recent weather conditions emphasized that communicahave been favorable for late tion is key in minimizing late blight, Gugino explained. The blight outbreaks. pathogen prefers cool, wet condi“If people suspect they are tions and thrives in temperatures seeing late blight, it’s really between 65 and 70 F with high important they communicate relative humidity. that to the appropriate people,” “Warm weather hopefully Gugino said. She suggested that will slow it down,” she said. “It suspected late blight can be rewon’t kill it, but the disease won’t ported to the nearest Penn State really progress when it gets warm Extension office, to the Penn and dry.” State Plant Disease Clinic or to To prevent late blight, growher at bkgugino@psu.edu. This potato plant is suffering from late blight and should be destroyed right ers can apply protectant fungi “If they don’t report it, this away and reported.
thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com
5
The Valley, July 2012
Looking out my Back Door Life on my Mifflin County Homestead by Mary Anna Chenoweth
Beyond Sustainable Agriculture: What’s in Your Closet ? Part Four: Weaving Into the Future “One woman, upon gaining access to commercial cloth demanded that her husband drag her loom to a nearby gully and heave it in.” - Quoted from a review printed in “Handwoven Magazine” of the book Hands to the Spindle: Texas Women and Home Textile Production 1822-1880 by Paula Mitchell Marks. Whoah! That was a woman who must have really hated her loom. Chopping it up for firewood would have been revenge enough, but letting it rot in a ditch – she REALLY must have hated that loom. Now, you’re probably asking yourselves, if the point of recent articles (knitting, spinning and weaving) is to encourage you to think about, and possibly em-
brace, some type of home textile production, why start this month’s installment with a quote like that? Well, of all of the textile arts, weaving is the most time consuming, mentally challenging, potentially expensive and physically demanding of the lot and IS NOT to be entered into lightly. This naturally begs the question, “Really? Like I need to add all of that to the mix, especially when I’m working, homesteading and raising a family?” The reply to which is, “Of course not, absolutely not; no, you DON‘T have to!” Weaving is most assuredly an extra, immensely useful, but an extra nonetheless. Unless of course you’re a born weaver – but more about that in a bit. While my usual annoying
mantra - “know HOW to do it in case you ever HAVE to do it” – may be a truism, it’s obviously open to modification and exceptions; brain surgery and rocket science spring to mind. Nobody is physically or mentally suited - nor gifted with the time - to do everything necessary to hold civilization together single handedly. This is one reason why humans tend to band together – so that everybody’s skill sets balance each other out. It’s unfortunate that the woman with the loom-chucking husband seems to have had a faulty support system (although, it IS lucky she knew HOW to weave, since she obviously HAD to weave – well, a truism is a truism for a reason, after all). The point is, YOU shouldn’t feel like you’ve GOT to do EVERY-
12 year old student weaver Elizabeth Fultz showing off her recently learned talents at the loom.
THING –at least not right off the bat. So, look hard before you leap. Even if you think you can fit it in, avoid running out to buy a loom with all the bells and whistles just ‘cause it looks like fun or sounds romantic. Should the idea of weaving appeal to you, spend some REAL time (when you’ve got some to spare) helping someone who does weave or go someplace, like the Mannings in East Berlin for instance (we’re so lucky to live in Pennsylvania!), and take a course to see if you’ll take to weaving. There’s this theory, you see,
www.thevalleynewspaper.com
that weavers are born not made (like knitting, weaving is not gender specific, so gentlemen, I’m talkin’ to you too!). It shouldn’t take long for you to figure out if you’re on the right track and if it’s a bad fit, you just move on to something you’re more suited to. At the very least you’ll have an appreciation for what it takes to clothe us (although I’m not backing down from the conviction that EVERYONE should know how to knit). But if you ARE a weaver, if the first time you sit down on the
Continued on page 19
The Valley, July 2012
6
Thots on...Genesis
A Bible Study for the Lay Christian by Lydia “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” [Genesis 12.3] Let’s talk a little about God’s omniscience and the way it concerns us personally. We measure time by the earth’s rotation and by its revolution around the sun. God created the In 2 Timothy 3.16, Paul tells us, “Every inspired scripture has its use for teaching the truth and refuting error, or for reformation of manners and discipline in right living…” [NEB*] *Unless otherwise noted, all Scriptures are quoted from the New International Version. Genesis 14.18-20 Then Melchizedek king of Salem [Jerusalem] brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram…. Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. On his way home after rescuing his nephew Lot, Abram had to pass by Jerusalem, for Hebron was farther south, and he was met by Melchizedek. There has been much discussion about exactly who Melchizedek was, whether he was Jesus or some other supernatural representation of God. For the sake of our discussion, let’s assume that Melchizedek was exactly who the Bible says he was: the king of Jerusalem and a priest of God Most High. From that, we perceive that others knew of the existence of the God who called Abram to Canaan. God is able to reveal himself in many ways. Paul writes in his letter to the Romans, “For since the creation of the world, God’s
invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” [Romans 1.20] So that men are without excuse. You know, when I was an atheist, I claimed to see no proof of God’s existence—yet that proof was all around me! We can see God’s hand in the details of a flower, the perfect design of a hummingbird, the artistic patterns in an animal’s fur. That’s not evolution; that’s God! The bread and wine mentioned in verse 18 are a foreshadowing of the sacraments of communion, which represent the sacrifice of the Son of God in atonement for our sins. Think about this: God is timeless, eternal and omniscient. He knows not only the past and present, but the future. Before He created man, He knew that man would disobey Him and that it would be necessary to provide a means to atone for that sin. Throughout the Old Testament, we see references to the Messiah, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The Messiah would be born of a descendant of Abram, which is the reason God told Abram, solar system by which we measure time but, as the Creator, He exists outside time and space. That’s why we’re reminded, “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” [2 Peter 3.8] You were created with a free will and are free to make your own
God Cares For Us by Pastor Pat Roller As I sit looking out my window at the colorful flowers and green mountains, I am very grateful that summer is here. Yes, it is hot. Yes, it is humid. But it is also a reminder that life continues even when we wonder if we will ever get out of those winter— rainy spring doldrums. This time of the year also reminds me of the passage in Matthew 6 that talks about the birds of the air. Last spring a mother
robin built a nest in the eave of my side porch. She actually had to build it three times. When the second nest blew away, I felt sorry for her and put strings, yarn and dog hair (I have an abundant supply of this.) on the steps for her to use. And she used it all. So, I have a bird nursery on my side porch. Watching the parent birds taking care of those babies is a wonder to behold. They were fed regularly and I didn’t have to
Rev. Dr. Henry G. Covert
choices. However, God your Creator, who exists outside time, knows what your decision is even before you make it and He directs your life accordingly. This is NOT the same as predestination. Predestination infers that your path has already been chosen for you and that you are powerless to change the course of your life. That’s not the case. You are free to choose the direction of your life; the omniscient God simply knows what those choices will be. Abram recognized that Melchizedek was a representative of God and gave him a tenth of everything he owned. This is the origin of tithing, which means giving a tenth of our income to God. The Word of God has quite a bit to say about giving. In Malachi 3.8-10, God told Israel they were robbing Him and said, “’Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this… and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit.’” (Now there’s real organic pest control!) Have you tested this promise? Have you faithfully given a tithe to the Lord, only to discover that your money stretches farther and, somehow, you have enough and to spare? If not, why don’t you try tithing and see what happens? Sadly, some of today’s televangelists have perverted this message. They exhort their listeners to give a “seed gift” and promise that, in return, God will make them rich or give them a new Cadillac. Suppose you decide to give that “seed gift”?
What is your motive? Are you giving to that ministry because you want to advance the kingdom of God or because you want a new car? Is the televangelist glorifying Jesus or has he redirected your focus away from God and toward money? I think we all know the answer. He’s appealing to your greed. God will not be manipulated like a genie in a bottle! Paul said that the love of money is the root of all evil [1 Timothy 6.10] and Jesus warned that we cannot serve both God and money. [Mat-
thew 6.24, Luke 16.13] If we are focused on the kingdom of God, do you think money will be even a blip on our radar? No. Our focus will be on pleasing God, not on trying to manipulate Him. In Matthew 6.33, Jesus taught us, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” a
help with that process. The babies got bigger and bigger—I took a picture every day to mark their progress. Unfortunately, I was not present when the babies took flight. I missed that momentous event. Fortunately, this year the robins returned and use the nest from last year to raise their family. Again, three babies were fed and kept warm and finally taught how to fly. I was privileged to see the last baby fly from the nest and to watch the parents come back with more food. This was truly and empty nest. The verses in Matthew 6 say, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will
wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” We are so much more important to God than the birds of the air. God has a plan for our lives. He protects us from dangers and provides for us when we have needs. Watching the birds are that cared for by God and through me and my boys helps me to live out the last verse in the Matthew 6 passage: “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Enjoy your summer. Rest in
the knowledge that God has a plan for your life and will help you discover and carry out that plan. Just as the parent birds took care of the babies until they could fly on their own, God cares for us. a
hgc7@verizon.net Dr. Henry Covert is an ordained minister with the United Church of Christ. After a tour of duty in the military, he worked in law enforcement for twenty years as both a patrol sergeant and county detective. Toward the end of that career he began his studies for the ministry. He has served several parishes, worked in therapeutic communities, was a state prison chaplain, and acquired adjunct faculty status in the criminal justice department at Penn State University. Dr. Covert was the chaplain for Pennsylvania’s first execution in thirty-three years. He has a doctorate from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and has authored six books. • Ministry to the Incarcerated (ISBN 0-8294-0860-6) International market -paperback • Discovering the Parables: An Inspirational Guide for Everyday Life (ISBN 978-0-313-34962-1 ) International market – hard cover & e-book • Spiritual Reflections: A Journey Through the Scriptures (ISBN 978-0-313-35901-9) International market - hardcover & e-book • Christian Beliefs and Prayers (ISBN 978-0-692-01101-0) International market – paperback, e-book & Amazon Kindle • The Crucifixion of Jesus (ISBN 978-0-9833359-0-0) International market – paperback, e-book & Amazon Kindle • The True Church of Jesus Christ (ISBN 978-0-9833359-4-8) International market – Paperback, e-book & Amazon Kindle Lowest Prices: bookfinder.com, bookfinder4U.com, alldiscountbooks.net, cheapbooks.com, Amazon.com Please Visit: https://sites.google.com/site/christianbooksbyhenrycovert
thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com
7
The Valley, July 2012
Adventures on Our Nourishing Journey by Sue Burns
Hot Diggity Dog – It is National Hot Dog Month Let’s be Frank About Nitrates- Are They Noxious or Nourishing?
“’Tis dogs’ delight to bark and bite,” Thus does the adage run. But I delight to bite the dog When placed inside a bun. - Poetry inspired from the lunch wagon at Yale University- October 1895 edition of the Yale Record If you are reading this edition hot off the press, your backyard grill is probably still a little warm from your recent 4th of July festivities. I am curious; were hot dogs on the menu? Ah, yes, just as I suspected. It is almost un-American not to serve them, right? According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council we consume seven billion hot dogs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Wow! I can’t even do the math on how many that is per capita but suffice it to say, we LOVE our hot dogs. In fact, as you saw at the beginning of this article, hot dogs were the beloved object of poetry back in 1895 at Yale University. But let me be frank. There is one big problem with hot dogs; many of us don’t love what is in them. Specifically for me that means sodium nitrate. For the purpose of this column I will use the term nitrate/nitrite interchangeably. If you are a chemist, please forgive me. In nature, nitrates are readily converted to nitrites and vice versa. Nitrates/nitrites are additive ingredients in curing food which is a preserving technique used mainly with meat and fish using salt, sugar or dehydration. The idea is to eliminate any bacterium that could cause food to spoil. Synthetic nitrites are a salt that not only eliminates the deadly bacteria from botulism but also allow the meat to retain its rosy pick color. So far, so good but if you were around in the 1970’s you probably remember the dietary scare about these nitrite curing additives being associated with many health risks, especially cancer.
Because of that information, hot dogs have not been on the menu at our house for years. Recently however I have started to see some “uncured”, “nitrite free”, hot dogs popping up in the local grocery stores. If you look closely at the food ingredient list on these alternative dogs you will discover that they are preserved with celery powder or salt. How wonderful. Sounds innocent enough, don’t you think? Do not be deceived dear readers by these sheep in wolves clothing. They may taste just like a chemically bathed hot dog because in reality they are! Here is what is really inside that bun. About a year ago the New York Times published an eye opening article written by William Neuman. I must admit I was shocked when I read this …. “If you actually surveyed consumers going out of their way to buy nonitrate products, they’d be very surprised to learn that there’s plenty of nitrates in there,” said Bruce Aidells, a chef and cookbook author. “It’s very misleading.” The current rules bizarrely require products that derive the preservatives from natural sources to prominently place the words “Uncured” and “No nitrates or nitrites added” on the label even though they are cured and do
contain the chemicals. Companies that label their products natural or organic must use natural sources of the preservatives. They usually employ celery powder or celery juice, which are high in nitrate. A bacterial culture is used to convert that to nitrite. The resulting chemicals are virtually identical to their synthetic cousins. When the products are packaged, both conventional and natural products contain residual amounts. A study published earlier this year in The Journal of Food Protection found that natural hot dogs had anywhere from one-half to 10 times the amount of nitrite that conventional hot dogs contained. Natural bacon had from about a third as
much nitrite as a conventional brand to more than twice as much. The current U.S.D.A. labeling rules require natural products to indicate there may be naturally occurring nitrate or nitrite, but it often appears in small print. Wait a minute- There are nitrates in the “no nitrate” hot dogs and the source comes from celery? That’s right. And according to Dr. Nathan Bryan of the University of Texas the nitrates in celery are exactly the same chemically as the nitrates in hot dogs. The only difference is the nitrates in fruits and vegetables are present naturally from their incorporation with the soil in which they grew (also know as the nitrogen cycle). He says our body sees the nitrates exactly the same in terms of metabolism whether
www.thevalleynewspaper.com
they are from vegetables or cured meats. Dr. Bryan adds that “this notion of “nitrate free” meats is a public deception since celery salt or powder is added instead of synthetic nitrate salts and celery salt is about 50% nitrate.” It appears that some in the meat industry have seized on these discoveries to dismiss as outdated the link between nitrates in processed meat and cancer. They insist processed meats
are safe. Some are even “natural” and healthy. A couple of months ago more fuel was added to this “nitrates are good for you because they can be found not only in hot dogs but are also in vegetables” way of thinking. It arrived in the form of a pop quiz that was posted on April 2nd on a Blog I sometimes follow (www.bare5.com). The persuasive proposition asked: “Which of the following has the highest levels of nitrites”? A. 467 hot dogs B. 1 serving of arugula C. 2 servings of butter lettuce D. 4 servings of celery of beets E. Your saliva The “surprising” answer is “E” your own saliva. Of course we are to be shocked. It is explained that in terms of food, “by far vegetables are the biggest dietary sources of nitrites.” The post goes on to remind us that nitrites have a tremendously valuable function in the body for they are the precursor to nitric oxide which play a beneficial role in immune and cardiovascular function by stimulating the blood vessel walls to relax, increasing blood flow. So let me get this straight. I can eat EITHER 467 hot dogs OR one arugula salad and get THE SAME amount of “health benefits” from the added or naturally occurring nitrates since they are
Continued on page 11
8
The Valley, July 2012
Julie Mac’s
Wisdom from the Kitchen, Home, and Garden Julie MacConnell
It Was Time To Live
I took the plunge. I am now a full time homesteader! Yes, I actually did it. I quit my job. After working for the Town of Falmouth for fifteen years, I made the decision to really live. That is the thought that Wayne gave me. It’s something that has stuck with me ever since he said it. I’ve never been so thrilled to make a new course in my life. Giving my 6week notice was about the scariest thing I have done in a long time. There were some tears—from me of course—I really like the people that I work with; it was just time for me to move on. I’m sure there will be more tears shed on my last day, but as my kids say “It’s all good.” Cameron is excited to have his Mother home, and that alone is worth it. Don’t worry, I won’t be on any “Housewives of Cape Cod” type show. I think I would bore the audience to tears. Today I charged down to the library and checked out several books. Three on homesteading and four more canning books that
I hadn’t seen in there before. I have all kind of projects planned in that area. I can’t wait to have some real time to can this summer—not the rushed Saturday morning projects that I used to fit in between cleaning, laundry and spending time with my little one. I bought some shelving over the winter so I have plenty of room for new batches of jam and other goodies. I planted a ton of potatoes this year so those will be canned up too! I also bought a new toy— an Excalibur dehydrator. I am already running batches of kale. I had an old Snackmaster that I used last year. The thing worked like a champ, but it wasn’t nearly large enough for my needs. The nine tray new baby roars through my heaps of vegetables with ease. I am also going to make fruit leathers for both Cameron and my niece. It should be fun to try all kinds of new projects this summer! Tomorrow I am getting a
finished nailing up chicken wire to the inside of our split rail fence so they have a new larger yard to free range in. I have been selling eggs lately to the people at work and everyone is enjoying them enough to want more. This will help step up the egg production. Well you know me by now, I also just want more chickens. I like adding to my menagerie. I like having lots of animals……what’s next???? Maybe dairy goats—but that won’t be until the fall. We have a lot more work to do on the other side of the property. It’s not even cleared of trees yet. YET. I don’t think I would ever be able to keep up with the Stryker family down in Florida, but I’m trying! Dave
delivery of pullets. They are six months old and already laying. I paid a little extra for them, but I didn’t mind because the lady is bringing them to the house. She is driving from a town close to Rhode Island so I figure her time plus gas was well worth it. They have also been vaccinated. They are brown and white sex links. I have some already and they lay large to extra My new nine tray Excalibur dehydrator large eggs. They are a gentle breed—one of my favorites and Ginger are a real inspiration for me. I would love to meet them of the girls that I already have. some day in person. I would love They never mind being handled to meet some of you this Sumby my little guy so that is a plus. mer at The Valley get together in Last weekend my husband and I August. Jim and I are planning to attend barring any hiccup here at the farm. I think it’s going to be a blast and I am hoping to learn a ton from the real experts out there. Hope to see you soon! a
thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com
Sweet Talk from page 31 6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth. 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. 10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. 11 By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. 14 May these words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. a
The Valley, July 2012
JULY
SAVINGS 21% off
18% off 304
P25219, P23218
Dairy Bomb 55 Insect Killer 25oz
Fast Orange Gallon Pumice & Smooth
reg $20.34
reg $10.99
1595
17% OFF
899
10% OFF In-stock Schaefer Fans 05935
650
Disposable Fly Trap reg $7.85
15% OFF
20% OFF 9266297
430
636
1175
Multi-function 8" Wire Stripper
Channellock 10" Joint Pliers
reg $7.95
reg $13.85
30% OFF Each or Box of 50 TS10
TS15
TS21
TS31
TS41
10" Tarp Strap
15" Tarp Strap
21" Tarp Strap
31" Tarp Strap
41" Tarp Strap
reg $1.39
reg $1.59
reg $1.89
reg $2.49
reg $3.49
.97 111 132 174 244 We now Ship UPS!
717.935.2131
4951 E. Main St, Belleville PA
More savings at
www.PaulBhardware.com/bville
www.thevalleynewspaper.com
9
The Valley, July 2012
10
The Horse Scoop by Traci Hanna Yoder
Helping Hooves I usually take days off work to spend time with my horses, whether it’s showing, roping or just relaxing. June 7th I took the day off from East Gate, to see how horses could help others. I went to volunteer for the Special Olympics Equestrian Events. The event was held June 7-June 9 at the Penn State Ag Arena. 67 athletes participated in a variety of events including Showmanship, Equitation, Trail, Dressage, Barrel Race, Relay Race and Pole Bending. Therapeutic Riding Programs from all over Pennsylvania were involved with the Special Olympics Equestrian Events, from such
counties as Northumberland/Snyder, Bucks, Chester, and Lycoming. Riders range in ability from supported, with a horse leader and side-walkers to independent, which is riding on their own. The athletes rode several different breeds of horses such as Quarter Horses, Thoroughbred, and Draft Crosses. The judges for the different events were Daria Pelick, Michelle Walters, Emily Fowler Simmons, and Mary Beth Wells. Therapeutic Riding is an EquineAssisted Therapy in which the use of a horse and equine-oriented activities help to achieve physical, mental, emotional and/or social goals. Equine-Assisted Therapies
can open up a world of opportunity for people with disabilities, as well as those around them. It can also help the families of the athlete, the program instructors/coordinators and the volunteers. Physical effects of Therapeutic Riding are greater agility and improved circulation, while also developing core muscle strength, improved balance, posture and coordination. Mentally riding increases concentration and improves thought process, as well as increasing selfesteem, confidence, and patience. Emotionally those involved in the program bond with horses, instructors and volunteers; helping to develop relationships and trust. Working with horses can help Phone (717) 667-6556 overcome emo141 Three Cent Lane Toll Free (888) 567-6556 Reedsville, PA 17084 tional distress as well as a sense of loneliness and helplessness. Social communicaMore than just a feed store tion skills are also improved. Riding games/ events can be
Sophia Leidy, 11 years old, is from Bucks County and this is her 4th Special Olympics. She was completely non-verbal until age 7. She has many development delays including fine and gross motor, as well as being learning disabled. Her only diagnosis so far is Ehlers- Danlos Syndrome which affects mainly her joints. Special Olympics has been “a life changer” for her and her family.” It is something they cherish every year. The independence the event gives her is an experience that they could never get anywhere else.” educational in teaching colors, numbers, and shapes. Hand-eye coordination, multitasking, left/right discernment and spacial awareness are improved by completing tasks for the instructor. Involvement in Equine-Assisted Therapy can help improve self-image and self-confidence. When mounted on a big horse, one can have the feeling of looking down on the world. Hope Bratton the Equestrian Event Coordinator for the Special Olympics has been involved in the program for over 5 years. She has a smile on her face when she talks about the sportsmanship and appreciation of these athletes. This is a great event to either volunteer or just go watch to see the joy that horses bring to these athletes. If you want to have a great time with horses and some incredible athletes, take a day off next year and volunteer. a
thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com
I SAW A CHILD
By John Anthony Davies I saw a child who could not walk Sit on a horse, laugh and talk. Then ride it through a field of daisies And yet he could not walk unaided. I saw a child, no legs below Sit on a horse and make it go Through woods of green And places he had never been To sit and stare Except from a chair. I saw a child who could only crawl Mount a horse and sit up tall. Then put it through degrees of paces And laugh at the wonder in our faces. I saw a child born into strife Take up and hold the reins of life And that same child was heard to say Thank God for showing me the way!...
11
The Valley, July 2012
LIbrary Lines Your Mifflin County Library
Sometimes I think the library’s summer reading program is the world’s best kept secret! For example, a mother called in to ask me if the library had always had a summer reading program because I had visited her child at Strodes Mills Elementary and talked about reading in the summer and sent home a little paper. And her child really wanted to participate. Well, yes! The library has always had a summer reading program! I still have my certificate from the Mifflin County Library when, in 1981, I was a child reading away the summer having countless adventures with Nancy Drew (whom I still adore!!) and the Boxcar Children. Wouldn’t it be cool to live in a boxcar? I’m so proud to be continuing with the summer reading program tradition. Now, children, as well as babies and teens and adults, can read books in the summer and win great prizes. Preschool and school-age kids should never spend the summer without books. I call it “dumber in the summer.” Teachers are nicer; they call it “the summer slide.” Quite simply, kids forget! No matter the age, if a person does not continue to practice a skill, he forgets it!
Reading is a skill. Young children especially will forget the word recognition they have learned this school year if they do not read this summer. Statistically, the number of future prison cells are based on the number of third graders who cannot read on a third grade level. One in three students in the fourth grade can read on a fourth grade level, but that means two out of those three can’t! Those students cannot comprehend what they are reading. Let’s change this! Please encourage your children to read, whether you are the parent, grandparent, aunt or neighbor. Our goal at the Mifflin County Library is to get our kids reading for practice as well as for pleasure. We want your child to LOVE reading! A child will get a prize no matter what he reads! Magazines, audio books, LEGO books, you name it, we probably have it. And if we don’t, we’ll get it! Babies will also get prizes. I realize a two-month-old is a “captive” audience but, hey! Get them “hooked on books” while they are young. I offer “Baby Story Time” each season. The summer session is underway but if you’d like to come, please call. In the summer
Chicken Tractor Deluxe from front page
see them perform, they are having fun! I think those good vibes filter out into the audience, for whoever hears their special style of American Rural music is bound to start tapping a foot singing along or letting their hair down and flat out boogying to this all-American sound. Chicken Tractor Deluxe is a regular at Elk Creek Cafe (another of our personal favorites for dining) in Milheim, their home town, but also have performed all over central PA and NY. Establishments such as the Red Horse Tavern (Pleasant Gap, PA), Selin’s Grove Brewing Company (Selinsgrove, PA), Zeno’s (State College, PA) The Farmageddon Festival (Newfield, NY), the Pourhouse (Trumansurg, NY), the Rongovian Embassy (Trumansburg, NY), The Bullfrog Brewery (Williamsport, PA), Castaways (Ithaca, NY), The Lost Dog (Ithaca, NY), Felicia’s Atomic Lounge (Ithaca, NY), The Smoked Country Jam Festival (Loganton, PA), The State College Arts Festival, The Mifflin-Juniata
soul. The band’s second CD, “Nightclub Jacks and Undertakers” was released in 2011 and was named CD of the week by Country Family Music blog. Nightclub Jacks and Undertakers is another fine mix of tunes, a personal favorite “The Cuckoo” features some of the tightest banjo playing anywhere, I challenge anyone to dislike it, pure genius! Both cds and digital downloads are available at Amazon. com and CD Baby. Hearing them live makes it that much better. Chicken Tractor Deluxe has a website, www.chickentractordeluxe.com where contact info and band bios and calenders are available, the band can also be reached via email at chickentractor@gmail.com on Facebook and Reverbnation under Chicken Tractor Deluxe. One thing will be abundantly clear if you are lucky enough to
reading program, older children can read to younger children. Younger children who cannot read can “pretend” to read to the dog and still count it on the book log! Moms and dads can read to their child and count those picture books on their adult book log too! Everyone should read this summer! Teens (students going into grade 6 through recent high school grads) read and earn prizes. When they read the maximum, their names will go into a drawing for one of three Kindles! The summer reading program is eight weeks long and there are various activities each week. So even if you have been away, it’s not too late to come in and grab a book log! Our activities are listed inside. The very last day to get a prize is August 10th. Keep track of your books now, and come in for a book log later. Make reading a part of your summer! And remember, just like all those years ago when I was a kid, children in elementary school still receive a certificate of participation in the summer reading program come September. Only now, the certificate is from me! For more information, visit any one of the five library locations: Lewistown, Milroy, Belleville, Allensville, and McVeytown. Or visit us at www.mifcolib.org. Susan Miriello Youth Services Librarian Mifflin County Library a Arts Festival, Heritage Days Festival (Turbotville, PA), The Lewisburg Arts Festival, and The Northumberland County Fair have all entertained their patrons with the sound of Chicken Tractor Deluxe. Check out their website for information on their next performance, mark August 18th on your calendar to see them in person at “A Day of Community in The Valley” or download or buy their CDs. Generally they have CDs for sale at fantastic prices at their gigs, and they make excellent gifts that will be enjoyed by anyone with a heartbeat and a pulse. Chicken Tractor Deluxe is locally born and raised and their music is all-American! a
Hot Diggity Dog from page 7 one in the same. Amazing! I am starting to think these bloggers brains are atrophying because they have in fact just eaten 467 hot dogs. Do they really believe we are going to fall for this fuzzy food propaganda? For what it’s worth, here is my take on this upside down thinking. It is my humble opinion that these “meat heads” have excluded one very important missing link,(pun intended) , in their hot diggity dog logic. First of all, Nitrites (NO2) and Nitrates (NO3) are compounds present in soil, water and food. Nitrate is a natural component of the human diet present in many fruits vegetables and grains, with the highest amounts found in celery, lettuce, spinach and red beets. Our saliva does have a high percentage of nitrite because, upon ingestion, about 5% of the nitrate taken in is immediately converted to nitrite by bacteria in our saliva. Further conversion happens inside our alimentary tract. How can nitrates be “good for us”? It is a little known fact that vegetables constitute a large amount of our nitrate intake. Keep in mind , vegetables naturally contain antioxidants that reduce or eliminate the formation of nitrosamines, (the real risk of nitrites) that may occur during the digestion process. This is how dietary nitrates from whole foods are good for us. They come to us in their perfect, protective, God given packages. It is true that nitrates from fruits and vegetables help to increase the amount of nitric oxide in the body thus relaxing blood vessels, inhibiting blood clot formation and providing anti-inflammatory activity. This antioxidant packaging is not present in a man made hot dog. Somehow the meat industry falls to mention this. So how are nitrates “not so good for us”? When they are part of cured meats because these meats contain both nitrates AND amines (proteins). When heated to high temperatures on a grill this combination produces nitrosamines or N-nitroso compounds which have been linked in thousands of studies (see www. pubmed.com, www.dukehealth. com and www.preventcancer.com ) to cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The meat industry hopes that we will not figure out this nitrate + protein + heat = nitrosamines equation. Instead, they hope that if we learn that there are nitrates in lettuce
www.thevalleynewspaper.com
and we know lettuce is good for us then we can conclude that the nitrates in hot dogs are good for us too. This is the same fuzzy logic that the corn industry uses to remind us that high fructose corn syrup is good for us because it comes from corn. Bottom line- Hot dogs are a highly processed “food” full of chemicals, salt, sugar and dyes. The food industry has its sights set on profit, not your health. If you want to obtain your protein from meat, make sure it is as fresh and free as possible. That would mean organic, grass fed and free range. Will you serve hot dogs at your next cook out? Ultimately, the choice is yours. How will you answer the question, are nitrates noxious or nutritious? For me, they are both. Noxious when eating them in “cured” meats (even naturally cured). Hot dogs still remain on my “do not eat” list. On the other hand, nitrates are nutritious when they come in the form of fresh organic plant foods surrounded in a delicious and protective antioxidant wrapper. If you do choose to occasionally imbibe in our nation’s most loveable food, make sure you eat foods high in vitamin C (tomatoes, oranges, and peppers) and vitamin E (nuts and olive oil) at the same time. The antioxidants from these foods will reduce the formation of nitrosamines thus negating the health risk. As hard as the meat industry is trying, I don’t believe you can teach an old “hot” dog a new trick. I would love to know your thoughts. Resources: http://www.hot-dog.org/ht/d/ sp/i/38579/pid/38579 www.factmonster.com/spot/hotdog1.html http://www.nytimes. com/2011/07/02/ business/02hotdog.html www.feedstuffsfoodlink.com/Media/.../nitrites_and_nitrates. foodnotproducts.blogspot. com/2012/02/lethal-hot-dog.htmlby Zsofia Zambo Sue is a holistic nutrition consultant and holistic health educator. Her office is located at 54 Chestnut Street in Lewistown. To learn more about her business go to www.mynourishingjourney. com She can be reached by email at sue@mynourishingjourney.com or give her a call at 2423132. a
The Valley, July 2012
12
Roads Less Traveled...
who are just starting to go grey, what do we have to lose? I’ve read that it takes about 3 months to start to see a change in your hair color. I will keep you posted on that! Now, if you are planning to run out and buy some (like me), then note that you are looking for “unsulphered” blackstrap molasses. Sulphur is used to process unripened green sugar cane to get it to your supermarket faster.
by Lynn Persing
My father’s wisdom
As I was leaving my parents house a few weeks ago, I was noting out loud that my Dad’s hair had turned much more grey since the last time I saw him. I’m sure he was thinking “that’s because I’ve been watching your bad dog for a week,” but he just smiled and said “well I know how to fix it! A teaspoon of blackstrap molasses in your coffee every day will reverse the grey.” I grinned in response thinking that my Dad might be completely off his rocker, but the little voice inside my head was saying “hmmmm, wonder if that’s true.” I’ve been noticing a lot of grey hair popping up on my own head recently, and so I thought, what’s the harm in checking this theory out? So, I did what I always do... went straight to Google. I was expecting to find this information as an old wive’s tale with no
merit, but to my surprise I found out a lot more about blackstrap molasses than I expected to. For instance, it’s actually very good for you. Who knew? My first bit of information came from Wikipedia, including the definition of what blackstrap molasses actually is. “Blackstrap molasses, or simply blackstrap, is the dark, viscous molasses remaining after maximum extraction of sugar from raw sugar cane. However, unlike refined sugars, it contains significant amounts of vitamin B6 and other minerals, including calcium, magnesium, iron, and manganese; one tablespoon provides up to 20% of the recommended daily value of each of those nutrients. Blackstrap is also a good source of potassium. Blackstrap has long been sold as a dietary supplement, being known as a “health food.”[1] It’s also a main ingredient in cattle feed and
used in the manufacture of ethyl alcohol for industry. In the processing of sugar cane, two products are produced. The first is refined sugar, which everyone is very familiar with. The second is the ‘waste product,’ a black goop called blackstrap molasses. “As mentioned above, blackstrap molasses is one of the healthiest ingredients we can put into our bodies, since it contains all the trace minerals that were removed from the sugar cane during processing.”[2] So in addition to all the vitamin and mineral benefits, what else can blackstrap do for you? For starters, it’s a natural laxative and it boosts your energy. According to a study in the February 15, 2005 issue of Biological Psychiatry, blackstrap is also good for treating depression, maybe even better than some antidepressant drugs! But what about my father’s claim that it will reverse grey hair? Well, according to a
Photo from Wikipedia.
few sources, yes, it should even return your hair to its natural color. Now, I suppose if your hair is pure white like Wayne’s, you’ve got little hope of ever having hair with color again (barring the use of hair dye). But, for those of us
thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com
That chemical sulphur is not good for humans to consume. However, sun-ripened sugar cane is processed without using any
Continued on page 14
13
The Valley, July 2012
Understanding the Constitution by David Molek
The Tea Party An American’s freedom is based on individual rights endowed by our Creator and secured by our Constitution. Our Constitution has endured for over 200 years. Today, Americans are once again at a crossroads with oppressive, centralized government. The Tea Party movement is concerned with recovering constitutional principles in government. Our group believes deeply in our nation’s history, promise and Constitution. The principles of individual freedom, fiscal responsibility and constitutionally limited government are what define the Tea Party ethos. The Mifflin County 912 Tea Party is one of many tea party groups throughout the United States. The 912 Tea Party is not a Republican or a Democratic group. It is a nonpartisan group that follows 12 values and 9 principles. The 12 values are honesty, hope, humility, sincerity, hard work, personal responsibility, reverence, thrift, charity, moderation, courage and gratitude.
The 9 principles are: (1) America is good; (2) I believe in God and He is the center of my life; (3) I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday; (4) The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government; (5) If you break the law, you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it; (6) I have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results; (7) I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable; (8) It is not unAmerican for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion; and (9) The government works for me. I do not answer to the government. The bottom line is that this movement is designed to bring us back to where we were on September 12, 2001 when we were united as Americans. We stood together to protect America and want everyone to have that com-
mitment to America again. `Few Tea Party members approve of how President Obama is doing his job. In fact, many of us view his positions as unacceptable socialist extremism. Helping his causes is a left-wing national “main-stream” media which is an echo chamber for his liberal policies. The Tea Party movement supports the premise that we need to quit spending the nation and our children into bankruptcy. We need to re-establish economic policies that history has proved lead to economic growth (i.e. Reagan). We need to do such things as lower taxes, cut government regulations, stop borrowing and printing money and get government off the back of businesses and out of the way of the American people. The simple message of the Tea Party is to restore America’s founding principles of fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government and free markets. Sadly, our President is ideologically and practically committed to essentially ignoring our entitlement crisis, increasing our massive debt and deficits,
reckless military cuts and class warfare-driven, growth-stifling tax policies. Many of us believe Obama’s efforts are sending this nation toward outright bankruptcy and, perhaps, collapse. Our President uses lofty rhetoric about fiscal realities and hard choices and then proceeds to give the green light to yet even more federal spending, higher taxes, more regulation and skyrocketing debt. His historic expansion of the federal government is absolutely without comparison. It is easy to see why the tea party movement has developed and is expanding. Our President refuses to confront difficult financial decisions. He is more interested in his re-election than he is in solving our nation’s problems. He has put us on a course of unsustainable deficits and debt. Obama even ignored the modest recommendations of his own deficit commission. The Tea Party came into existence for very good reasons. Today, the federal government has acquired an all but unquestioned dominance over virtually every area of American life. It acts without constitutional limits and with apparent agreement of the national media. This is a government that is unlimited by any organizing principle, increasingly undemocratic and damaging to self government by We the People.
www.thevalleynewspaper.com
The Democratically controlled Senate has not even passed a budget in more than 3 years. Congress has gotten in the habit with Obama of legislating, or regulating without legislating, without regard to any limits on their power. Congress passes massive pieces of legislation with little serious deliberation and sometimes even without reading. I could go on and on. The Tea Party movement could realistically become a lasting force in American politics. Though it is criticized as rooted in the past, the tea party movement may be a harbinger of the future. Our Constitution is in continued jeopardy. Too many people are not paying attention to what our federal government is doing to us in the name of doing things for us. Apathy abounds. We need to get the word out, help people learn and arrest the apathy. Read our Constitution and see for yourself how it is being ignored and criticized. Restore constitutional principles in our government. a
“Our lives, our fortunes, our sacred honor” Founding Fathers
The Valley, July 2012
14
The Importance of a small friend by Samuel Alexander Alexander’s Honey House Have you ever wondered why when you are driving through the Big Valley or visiting the farmers market. the fruits and vegetables seem bigger, taste better, or the roadside flowers seem brighter? The first thing that comes to my mind is the Honey-Bee. Without its ability to pollinate, we would not have many of these things. Every 1/3rd bite of food we eat comes from Honey-Bee pollination. They are most beneficial to the farmers and the fruit growers in the area. There are several dozen Bee-Keepers in the area; both Amish and English alike, who are keeping bees on their farms and for their gardens. Many only have one hive to get the job done. Most of us only think of honey when we think of the Honey-Bee; it is more than that, it is the only insect in the world which provides food for humans. The Honey-Bee
makes beeswax that is used in many products such as: cosmetics, furniture polish, or to preserve fruits for shipment all over the world. Honey-Bees also collect bee pollen from flowers that provide us with all the minerals and vitamins we would ever need. Honey-Bees create propolis or bee glue which seals up the gaps in their hives. Propolis is used by humans as a powerful brain food. It takes the Honey-Bee over two million flower blossoms to get enough nectar to make 1 pound of honey. The color and flavor of the honey depends on the type of blossom that is the source of the nectar. There are more than 300 kinds of honey in the United States. Clover is the one most sold in super markets. Local honey, for example, alfalfa, blueberry, buckwheat, clover, locust, white clover, and wild flower is sold at
farmers markets or by your local Bee Keeper. Light colored honey is mildly flavored, while dark colored honey is more robust. The value of Honey-Bees cannot be measured by their ability to produce honey alone – rather, it must include the work bees do for agricultural crops, home gardens and wildlife habitat. Without the Honey-Bee’s pollination work the quantity and quality of many crops would be reduced and some would not yield at all. Pollination is the first indispensible step in the production of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Without Honey-Bees, our food supply would be significantly reduced. So the next time you drive through our area, and see HoneyBees doing their work, thank the Lord above for his creation and read Proverbs 16:24…We all could learn from these wonderful hardworking Bees. a
Blackstrap continued from page 12 chemical sulphur. So, obviously, unsulphered molasses is a better choice. For those who are leery of sugar, it’s good to know that blackstrap molasses has a low glycemic index, which means the glucose and carbohydrates are metabolized slowly, thus requiring less insulin production and stabilizing blood sugar. The end result is less lipids or fats occurring in the blood. This all means that your chances of becoming diabetic while satisfying your sweet tooth is minimal with this product.[3] CAUTION though, if you are already diabetic (or borderline diabetic), consult your doctor before using this product. I am not a medical professional or nutritionist, so you should consult one before beginning any new regimen. I’m sure Sue Burns would be glad to weigh in on her knowledge of blackstrap molasses. Unsulphured blackstrap molasses can be incorporated with many food items as a sweetener
Often turn your ear toward a sound to better hear • Understand better when you look directly at people • Have ringing in your ears • Have more trouble hearing in noisy environments • Can hear but not understand conversations If you believe that you may be experiencing a hearing loss— make an appointment. The staff at Uhring’s will evaluate your hearing for tones and speech stimuli in both quiet and noisy environments. Hearing loss, if left untreated, may cause auditory deprivation. Someone who has hearing loss or impairment may be able to hear some sounds or nothing at all. People who experience hearing loss shouldn’t hesitate to see us for a hearing test. Elise North Uhring, Doctor of Audiology, is one of the best in the area. More so than others, she listens to the patients and helps them create solutions that fit their wants, needs, and lifestyle. Paying more money does not negate better hearing. Led by Doctor Elise Uhring, who has been published in profes-
sional journals regarding Auditory Processing Disorders, Uhring’s Hearing and Balance Center delivers the care you would expect from the very best Audiology Center. You’re sure to get worldclass care and the latest technology when you choose Uhring’s. Marie a patient’s mother stated, “I have been so impressed with Dr. Uhring’s detection of my child’s auditory processing disorder. She is providing auditory training at her office and oversees her auditory exercises at home & school. She also made excellent recommendations to the school to help facilitate her individual learning program. My daughter has made huge progress in her learning which will greatly impact her education. Keep in mind that Uhring’s offers a two week risk free trial on all hearing aids. They want you to be satisfied with your product and are confident that you will be, however if you’re not, you can return the product within 30 days without so much as a restocking free. With a goal to help you achieve the very best quality hear-
[2] http://www.naturalandorganicfoodtips.com/health-benefits-ofblackstrap-molasses/ [3] http://www.naturalnews. com/026296_molasses_health_ sugar.html#ixzz1yjbDuFpy a
3 cups of special K cereal 3/4 cup of honey 3/4 cup of peanut butter 1/2 cup sunflower seeds 1 teaspoon vanilla
Do you need uhring’s? •
REFERENCES: [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Blackstrap_molasses
Honey energy bars
What did you say? Since 1927, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association celebrates Better Hearing and Speech Month each May. Don’t miss the perfect opportunity to visit Uhring’s Hearing and Balance Center—a personalized treatment facility right around the corner. Uhring’s Hearing and Balance Center will go above and beyond your expectations with a friendly staff that works hard to improve your ability to hear. They offer services in: • Hearing evaluations for adults, children, and infants • Hearing aid evaluations, fittings, and repairs • Auditory processing evaluations and therapy • Evaluations for balance disorders This month of awareness is an especially good time to analyze your own hearing and determine if you are one of the estimated 32 million Americans who have a treatable hearing loss. You may have a hearing loss if you: • Frequently ask others to repeat what they’ve already said
despite its unique flavor. Add it to coffee, tea or hot cereals, put it on pancakes or waffles, or add it to desserts. Make a tonic with a teaspoon of blackstrap and some warm water or add a teaspoon to a glass of raw milk (YUM!). You can even use it as a glaze for cooking. It might be an acquired taste for you, but stick with it until your taste buds grow used to it. If you’ve been using artificial sweeteners or sugar for a while, it will take a little longer to acquire the taste. I’ll check in with you next month to let you know how my little blackstrap experiment is going. My Dad is one smart cookie isn’t he? Thanks Dad!
Bring honey and peanut butter to a boil. Add sunflower seeds and vanilla and cereal coat well and pack into ungreased cake pan.
ing and vestibular heath care possible, you can be sure to receive a caring and responsive consultations with certified and licensed audiologists at all times. Balance evaluations are available upon a medical referral. Dr. Elise Uhring has been an audiologist for over 20 years. She is a member of: • The American Academy of Audiology • The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association • The Educational Audiology Association • The Pennsylvania Academy of Audiology (past board member) Dr. Uhring completed her Undergraduate Degree in Deaf Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, her Masters Degree in Audiology from James Madison University and her Doctorate
thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com
degree from Salus University, Established by the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. She is board certified by the American Academy of Audiology. She maintains the highest level of knowledge and familiarization with hearing loss, new hearing aid technology, auditory processing and balance disorders. By attending state and national conventions and receiving continuing education credits, Dr. Uhring is familiar with the most up-to-date treatments and technology available. You can always count on service with kindness and a smile at Uhring’s which is conveniently located in two locations: the Wal-Mart Plaza, Huntingdon, PA and 611 University Drive, in State College. Call 814-237-3267 or 814-641-4327 in Huntingdon to make an appointment today. a
15
The Valley, July 2012
Our Environment Our Culture
Grass Is For The Birds by Kevin Morgan Environmental Program Director
Since human’s ancestors abandoned the trees in the African savanna and began residing more on the ground, a symbiotic relationship has evolved between humans and of the prairies of the world. The inhabitants of grasslands are ruminants. These grass consuming creatures possessed the special ability of converting cellulose matter into protein, something humans needed for their existence. Man developed the understanding to care for these grassy plains in order for the grazers to reside and thrive. Man’s naturalistic approach to the care of land allowed all the wildlife in these areas to flourish. However, as time has passed mankind has abandoned this structured template of success. Man no longer allows ruminants to move freely from one grassy pasture to the next, but instead hordes these animals together and feeds them corn that has been grown on land that was once the prairie itself or the land has also been over
grazed to the point where the native grasses are dying off. These techniques for the production of protein have lead mankind down a road of ruin that has caused a loss of wildlife habitat and tainted the waterways which supply life to all living things. Since grazing land represents 44% of all land in the continental United States, management of pasture lands have a huge impact of the overall well-being of natural wildlife ecosystems. Research has shown that the current models of Concentrated Animals Feeding Operations (CAFOs) and continuous grazing have adverse effects on the native wildlife and may not actually be the most productive use of the land in the first place. The saving grace for the wildlife populations of prairie communities and riparian areas could be the method of grazing referred to as Management-Intensive Grazing also called rotational grazing. This system has shown the ability to help increase grassland bird
populations of the areas where it has been used and also increase the sustainability of the ranching operation. Case studies have shown that certain management strategies for rotational grazing can increase the likelihood that grassland bird species will prosper and not affect the economic wellbeing of the ranch or farm. Rotational grazing, when optimally administered, can lead to healthy grasslands, efficient watersheds, increased areas of habitat, wildlife connectivity, and a profitable farm or ranch. Either way, something has to change because the deep-rooted methods of today are causing the demise of our natural resources and the loss of needed habitat for the wild animals that coexist with humans. Here is Pennsylvania the population of Ringed-neck Pheasants grew through the late 1960s and early 1970s, but has declined to a very low level today. During the middle of the 20th Century, farms consisted of a diverse landscape and diverse crop rotation. It would be common to drive by a farm and see hay, small grains, corn, pasture, and a small vegetable garden all on the property. The pheasants thrived in this environment. There were ample
nesting opportunities due to the diversity of the landscape. Then things changed annual commodity crops became the way to go and as time has gone on the rotation have become corn one year and soybeans the next on the entire farm. All of the nesting potential for the pheasant has literally disappeared. The pheasant was not the only bird to suffer Eastern Meadowlarks, Grasshopper Sparrows, Bobolink, and Horned Lark has also seen their numbers decrease. Over the last five years Community Partnerships RC&D and our sister organization to the south, Capital RC&D, have worked with farmers through state and federal programs to transition operations from continuous row crop production back into grazing. It is the hope that in the long run these bird species will find these environments much more conducive for nesting. Also by transitioning over from an annual crop to a perennial crop the
www.thevalleynewspaper.com
farmer can reduce some of his inputs which will increase his or her bottom line. Currently, monocultures of commodity crops and continuous grazed pastures are the existing models for supplying the needed food energy for ruminants and these methods cause loss of wildlife habitat and many other noteworthy predicaments. Ranch lands can take years to recuperate from improper grazing techniques and some will never recover. According to the article by Wild Farm Alliance, livestock grazing in America is guilty for the listing of 33% of the federal endangered plant species and 14% of the endangered animal species. However, CAFOs and poor pasture management does not only cause wildlife habitat concerns and natural resource depletion, but it is not as economically sound as it is portrayed. a
The Valley, July 2012
16
Splitting Hares by Julianne Cahill http://oakridgerabbitry.weebly.com
Share Your Story With The Valley!
When I started this column, I planned to talk about how to care for, raise, use and show rabbits. Plans usually change with time though, and I’ve decided to push aside my “planned” topic this month to share a story of a different kind. I was in early middle school when my family brought our first two rabbits home. One was tan with black ticking and fit comfortably in only one of my small, 14-year-old hands. As we traveled home, I ran through names in my head, knowing that I had to choose just the right one. After all, the “no more bunnies” rule was bound to follow this purchase. I called her Maggie Rylie and she settled in just fine. In fact, she
might have become a little too comfortable with the place. As she reached maturity, it seemed that Maggie had completely lost her mind. She would run wildly around our screened porch, jumping up on furniture and eating the legs of my mother’s wicker rocking chairs. She specifically scoped out and plowed through each spider web under every piece of furniture, dragging the remnants along by her whiskers. Getting her back into her cage at the end of the day was a near impossibility. Usually I just had to wait until she hopped back through the door on her own time. One day, I remember arriving home from the grocery store to
find my father and brother staring intently into the line of trees at the edge of the forest. If the large net they were carrying was any indication, Maggie was clearly to blame. Apparently (notice I did not say “surprisingly”), my brother and Maggie were on a relaxing stroll through the yard when someone wiggled out of their harness and dashed off into the wild unknown. I won’t name names. Luckily with a team of five behind her, Maggie’s romp through the woods was short lived. Maggie was also one of my first 4-H rabbits. She won a third place ribbon her very first year. As we returned to the rabbit area on the far side of the barn, I sat Maggie on top of her cage for a fraction of a second while I unhooked the latch on the door. When I reached up to get her, I got a handful of air and panic. Of course, she was happily prancing down the row of cages, saying hello to each of the bunnies along her way. There was no easy way to retrieve her at my age and height, so it probably looked like a not-so-graceful pounce and slide
Little did my fourteen year old mind know that Maggie was going to be the first in a long line and start a passion that still drives me.
under the lattice work that was holding our name cards. Luckily, I was able to grab her before we caused a scene…before we caused another scene. As she reached the age of three or four, Maggie finally started to calm down. We could sit in the yard peacefully without being tethered to each other and she spent more time enjoying attention than wiggling away as soon as possible. I still remember the first time she kicked her feet out and actually laid down beside me. Those moments became more frequent as time went on. No matter what was going on around her,
thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com
Maggie was content just being with her people. She loved having her head rubbed and would melt to the floor with her eyes closed. She also loved treats and would turn in circles or stand up on both feet for craisins. Maggie lived 10 ½ years before we lost her this spring. She will certainly be missed here at the rabbitry, but her memory holds the very beginning of my “rabbit days.” Much of what you have and will hear in this column are lessons I learned from my years with Maggie. Except for
Continued on page 30
17
The Valley, July 2012
Homeschooling And Life on the homestead with andy weller
B.I.G. It’s June in the desert. The college graduation I wrote of last month is a memory, my daughter is studying for state boards and applying for registered nurse blogs. My son and wife are finishing their last book, it’s math, and I think Monday my son will take the final test of the book. Along with the end of school comes the heat of summer in the Sonoran Desert. Today it’s about 103 where I live and hotter in other places nearby. With the heat comes plants maturing, fruit ripening and in this particular year, it is both political and economic heat. The political arena is really interesting right now, with the attorney general ruled as being in contempt of Congress, the presi-
dent issuing a presidential privilege letter for him and congress continuing the showdown on the documents they need. Who’s going to win? Will a balance of power continue to exist or will the one side fold giving the other more power than it should have? I recognize that one contested issue doesn’t throw off the balance of power, yet it does set a precedent and the executive branch has been known to overstep its bounds a time or two in the last three and a half years. In another part of our nation Wall street has had a horrible day today. The DOW dropped two hundred and fifty points. The news coming from the analysts look dreary and the reports such as the jobs report, the housing re-
ports, the credit reports and other economic indicators put out a picture of hard times for Americans in the near future. Europe and the economies of the Euro Zone are pulling our economy down according to news articles. Things are getting worse in Greece and other struggling countries, even though the ECB pumped a bunch of money in bail outs to them. With the political scene in Washington DC, and the economic scene of Wall Street we turn our eyes to industry. Manufacturing is down; exports from our nation are down because countries and people from other continents can’t afford to buy the items, so layoffs occur in our country. Steel manufacturing is a tenth of what it used to be, and foundries are shut
down. We import substandard steel from China and India then wonder why we are becoming a nation whose economy is by and large a service industry driven economy. You want fries with that burger? I hope you’ve gotten this far in your reading of the Doom ‘n’ Gloom Article. You see we have been talking about these items at my house. Jake and I have looked at the items above and discussed how B.I.G. affects our lives. B.I.G. stands for Business, Industry and Government, they are all big and they are all struggling. In Jake’s education I’m trying to teach him to be as independent as possible from these three items and show him that he can function and live an abundant life without reliance on any of them. Will they affect his life? Sure. However, in the future can he innovate and
www.thevalleynewspaper.com
be industrious on a mom and pop scale that will give him a good life when he’s grown? ABSOLUTELY!! Let me tell you though it’s tough to raise a child who is self reliant and independent. Society today teaches our kids that they need big business to run our banking and financial systems. Society today tells our kids they need big industry to supply the hottest car, latest handheld, or the best app. Society teaches us today that they need big government to protect them with laws, policies and rules. Now don’t get me wrong, in my day job I’m a systems analyst. I like the latest hardware, I like the high end apps, I enjoy the luxuries that we have today. Could people live without them? Yes! Tomorrow the luxuries could all be gone. Life would go on and our children would learn to go outside and enjoy the adventure that is nature. They would learn to use their imagination and play. I urge every parent to teach their child how to be independent, self reliant, and how to reason and think. You want your country back on track, then our children have to think. It’s your responsibility and privilege to teach them. a
The Valley, July 2012
18
Woods, Water and Wildlife by Wayne Stottlar
A Flower Blossoms into a Festival You mean to tell me you have never heard of the Lupine Festival in the White Mountains of New
Hampshire? Huh? Well don’t feel bad, I am from there, and I only remember brief mentions of it on
A wild Lupine field next to the Sugar Hill Sampler and Polly’s Pancake House.
local news back home. But this is the age of information, and social media sites for use in promoting an event or business. So because of some other businesses I associate with via Facebook, I found out early this year what this LOOOOPIN festival was all about. I was familiar with the flower that I had tried to grow without much luck in gardens back home and here. I remember every spring seeing small patches here and there along the roadside, especially around the town of Bethlehem, NH. The Lupine, pronounced Loopin, is a rather tall spindley plant with spikey blooms in purple, lavender, mauve, burgundy, pink, blue and white, with the purple seemingly the most abundant color. The colors of the lupines are so vibrant they appear to glow. Now imagine that kind of beauty, tightly crammed into the roadside pastures as far as the eye can see in some cases. Some of the bigger concentrations go on for acres. Although lupines aren’t the easiest plant to grow here in central PA, (it can be done with a lot of care) they grow wild in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The quaint two-laned country roads in the area mostly all support granite rock walls on either side and either woods or pasture over the walls. Wherever
Lynn walking amongst the Lupines, her smile was carried by many others on this beautiful day in the White Mountains
there is pasture the lupine will thrive if left alone. Farmers in the area, forego cutting hay along the road areas in order to let the lupines thrive and spread. This turns out to have been a wise decision on the part of those farmers and townspeople who decided to promote the flower. The first Lupine Festival held in the area was nineteen years ago. Since that time, the cooperation between the farmers, business owners and residents of the area has grown the festival into an economic boost for the area. Open air markets take place in different towns throughout the region
during the two week plus long event. Concerts are held on the town commons, and art exhibits featuring local artists spring up all across the region. There are now even wagon rides through the lupine fields and an annual photo contest sponsored by the Franconia Chamber of Commerce, as well as a program booklet that offers very nice discounts from participating area businesses. The Fields of Lupines Festival is a testament to what can happen when there is cooperation between property owners, the
Continued on page 35
MEAT. WILSON’S MEATS AND GROCERIES
Fresh Meats, Full Line of Groceries, and Produce
Open 7 Days! 7am - 9pm
thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com
A hometown grocer you can trust.
19
The Valley, July 2012 “Looking out my Back Door” from page 5 bench, put your feet on the treadles, and pick up the shuttle the feeling comes over you that part of you has always known how to do this – well then, welcome back to the water Ducky! Of course, you then have to train your body to catch up to all of those warm, fuzzy feelings. This will involve: 1. laughter (like when the shuttle flies out of your hand, bounces off the wall and lands in the fish tank), 2. teeth gritting frustration (you’ve gotten your warp threads threaded, sleyed and tied on only to find a dozen threading errors), and possibly 3.screaming hysterics (the family pet finds ‘hygienic’ uses for your threads, the kids discover that if they cut tight warp threads it will make cool popping sounds, someone needed a rag and found your stash of weaving samples). Life’s an adventure after all but, if you’re really a weaver, you take it – more or less – in stride. What’s actually involved in weaving? First you need a loom. Most of us opt for some variation of a foot-powered floor loom - these range from small, compact, fold up types that can be stored in a closet (think Volkswagen Beetle) to six foot high, five foot square jobbies with a built in bench that will dominate a room (think Cadillac). There are also space efficient vertical looms (though these are best mostly for rugs and tapestries), and the ultimate in portable, storable looms – the back strap loom, upon which you can weave most things, but perhaps not as efficiently (an added advantage to the backstrap is the fact that you can EASILY throw it together yourself with a few cords and some dowel rods). Still, if you want to be able to weave curtains AND rugs, towels, cloth for clothing, blankets, sheets, pillow cases AND the occasional tapestry, go with a good floor loom. Just make sure you’ve got a place for it to live. Then, you’ll be needing the other bits and bobs: a bench (not all looms come with one), shuttles and bobbins (and a bobbin winder to put the thread on the bobbins), a warping board or reel to measure the warp threads, a threading hook (to put the warp threads through the heddles), a sleying hook ( to pull the warp threads through the reed – which is a comb-like gadget that spaces the warp threads and then acts to beat home the weft threads laid in with the shuttle), a few good
books and/or DVDs (once you’re on your own it’s nice to have reference material close to hand) and thread. You’ll be needing lots and lots of thread. Speaking of thread, it’s an admirable ambition to spin the thread that you weave with. It probably won’t be happening very often, unless you’ve got a bunch of spinners in the family, but it’s admirable. Also, spinning and processing the thread that you weave with is a bit different from the yarn that you spin and process to knit or crochet with. Besides which, remember the old saying: it takes twelve sheep to keep one spinner spinning, twelve spinners to keep one weaver weaving and twelve weavers to keep one tailor sewing. Start sending for catalogs and sample cards and keep your eyes open at fiber shops. Oh, one more thing. Avoid “the stash”. It can creep up on you; one day you suddenly find yourself surrounded by more boxes and baskets and bags of spools and cones of thread, than you have lifetime to weave up. So avoid “the stash”! Let’s say weaving fits your lifestyle, you’ve gotten some training, the equipment and supplies and you’re ready for your first solo flight. You decide to do dish towels; most everyone starts with dishtowels since they’re easy to weave, useful and they make great gifts. Here we go. First you decide the pattern – tabby or perhaps some variation of twill, huck, or waffle weave – then the color way – thousands of possibilities here – and then the fiber – animal is pretty much out so that narrows it down a bit, cotton and linen are the usual standards. Now thread - a really fine 70/2 linen if you’re after fancy guest towels or perhaps a nice unmercerized 8/2 cotton for everyday use, lots of choices here as well. Hmmm… you finally decide on a blue and white striped 2/2 twill of 8/2 cotton – doesn’t that sound way too cool? That’s ‘weaving speak’ – yep, you’ll learn a new language, too! Since it takes little more time to put on a warp long enough to do ten towels as it does two, you’ll go for the long warp (Christmas presents!) so that’s let’s see – 600 threads, 7 yards long – that’s 4200 yards of thread (some white, some blue- depending) wound in groups of twenty on your warping board (or reel) then chained to keep the threads organized. Now you dress the loom: wind it onto the warp beam, thread the heddles, sley the reed,
tie it on, make sure that the treadles are correctly tied up to the lamms (which are tied up to the harnesses that hold the heddles), spread the warp with a few picks of heavy scrap yarn, wind the bobbins, put the bobbins into the shuttles and sit down to weave. Tread, throw, beat - tread, throw, beat – this is the really • Reliable Propane & Heating Oil Delivery fun part! What was • Budget Payment Plan Call today that? You thought to • 24/7 Emergency Service learn about our weaving was easy? NE w CustOmER Oh, well - it IS • Heating Equipment Service Plans easy once you sPECiAls! • Safety Trained Professionals know how and you’ve done it a • Over 80 Years Experience few times. Also, factor in that whole “knowledge is power” thing and the rush you Our Business is Customer Satisfaction get from creating something useful 717-248-5476 • 1-800-PROPANE (776-7263) and beautiful all at once - a ‘Shaker’ mind set, if you will. So with this knowledge in mind, Forget the easy part, you say. Editors Corner from page 2 we tried another local favorite in All of that time and energy – and Princess who will pen a column Warren NH while on vacation. thinking and planning - for a dish entitled “The Udder Truth.” All Once again, the organic menu towel; something you could buy of us here at The Valley fully supproved to be absolutely delicious. for a dollar or two at any store, port the Dairy Princess program, All food served at “The Greenyou say. You guys have GOT to their work with girls produces the house Restaurant” in Warren was be nuts! you say. women leaders of tomorrow. locally obtained, fresh, chemical Perhaps nowadays, in our Lynn and I really enjoy eating and antibiotic free food, that just culture, being a weaver does “good” food. We recently tried tastes good. mean we’re a little nuts. But, IF the “Village Acres Food Shed” in Judging by the way the little it should ever become necessary Cuba Mills, just north of Mifflin“house converted into a restaufor us to once again weave the town. Our meals were head and rant” became packed to the gills ‘fabrics of our lives’, the more shoulders above usual fare. Evewhile we were there, I would say nuts in the nut dish the better, I rything served at Village Acres the idea of locally obtained, nutrisay! Meantime, we born weavers is produced on the farm, and you ent dense food, is catching on, and will always find ways to fit the can really taste the difference. that is GOOD! a thinking, planning, laughter and frustration (and possible screaming hysterics) in, along with the family and the gardening and everything else. Remember our lady at the beginning of the article, the one with the loom chucking husband? Though she clothed her family, probably well, she was NOT a weaver. No weaver would EVER have destroyed their loom. They would have welcomed the commercial cloth and the time it freed up, but they would have kept the loom - just in case. Nope, of all the admirable things she surely must have been, may God bless her long departed soul, she just wasn’t a weaver. Are you? a
Expect More from Your Fuel Supplier!
www.thevalleynewspaper.com
Missed Opportunity? Your 3.5” X 3.5” Black and White ad could have been here for only $25
Don’t let another chance slip away
The Valley, July 2012
20
Dairy Princess Memories by Amanda Fisher Mifflin County Dairy Princess 2012-2013
Hi I’m Amanda Fisher the Mifflin County Dairy Princess. I am the daughter of Craig and Tammy Fisher. My sister is Macy Fisher the outgoing dairy princess. My family and I live on a farm in McVeytown and milk around sixty dairy cows. Family farms aren’t that hard to find around Mifflin County or around the United States. In fact, of the 56,000 dairy farms in America today, 98% percent of them are family owned and operated; working with your family is a blessing in disguise. We sometimes argue, but at the end of the day I know that I am truly lucky to be able to be so close to my family. One of the biggest arguments that my sister and I always have is what the best breed of dairy cow is. We have all different breeds because Macy and I like different breeds. We have Black and White Holsteins,
Red and White Holsteins, Jerseys and Ayrshires. I own the Red and White Holsteins and Ayrshires, so I always vouch for them. When I am not working with my family on the farm I attend school. I go to the Mount Union Area School. In school I am involved in different clubs such as: Renaissances, Square Fancing and FFA. In the FFA Chapter I am now currently holding the office of Vice President. I have been busy with promotions already since June was Dairy month. I was doing a variety of promotions, anywhere from building a giant sundae, recording PSAs, to doing a walk through at a big celebration and dipping ice cream at Penn State where the FFA members from all over the state of Pennsylvania gathered. Let me say that is a lot of kids! While I was at Penn State I competed in the Dairy Showmanship contest. I placed 11th out of 22 contestants. I was also in charge of our chapter scrapbook this past year. I put a lot of time and money into the scrapbook and it all paid off that week. My book won second out of all of the
books submitted. Anyway, some of you maybe wondering, what Dairy Showmanship is? Dairy Showmanship is where I get to show a dairy cow provided by Penn State and see if I handle the cow better than the other members showing against me. There are only twenty-four members that are chosen all over the state to compete in this contest. The first thing I had to do is fill out an application mail it in and hope that I got chosen. When I got the letter in the mail saying I got in, I hung it on the refrigerator like it was a test with an A+ on the top. It was a lot of fun showing over at Penn State—I cannot wait to see if I will get accepted next year too. The one thing that is cool about July is that it’s National Ice Cream month. So I want to give you some cool recipes for national ice cream month for you and your family to enjoy.
cookies Tail- black licorice Eyes and noses- 18 pieces of candy- coated chocolate candies Whiskers- 6 brown sprinkles per mouse Place 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream into each crust. Press cookie ears and tails into ice cream. Press eyes, nose, and whiskers in place. Serve Immediately. Do Not Freeze. Ice Cream Cookie Dessert 1 package of cream filled chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed and divided ¼ cup butter, melted ½ gallon vanilla ice cream, softened 1 jar hot fudge topping 1 carton frozen whipped topping, thawed In a large bowl combine 3 ¾ cups cookie crumbs and butter. Press into a greased 13x9 dish. Spread with ice cream; cover and freeze until it is set. Drizzle the fudge topping over the ice cream; cover and freeze until
Mice Creams 1 pint vanilla ice cream 1 (4oz) package Ready Crust mini graham cracker pie crust Ears- 12 Keebler Grasshopper
thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com
set. Spread with whipped topping; sprinkle the remaining cookie crumbs. Cover and freeze for two hour or until it is set. Remove from freezer and let sit for 10 minutes before serving. Ice Cream Sandwich Dessert 17 miniature ice cream sandwiches, divided 1 jar of caramel ice cream topping 1 container of frozen whipped topping, thawed ¼ cup chocolate syrup 1 Symphony candy bar, chopped Arrange 14 ice cream sandwiches in an ungreased pan 13x9 dish. Cut the remaining sandwiches in half length wise; fill in the spaces. Spread with caramel and whipped toppings. Drizzle with chocolate syrup. Sprinkle the chopped candy bar. Cover and freeze for at least 45 minutes. Cut into squares. a
Find us on The Valley Newspaper
21
The Valley, July 2012
Modern Energy and Alternative Heating
with Curt Bierly
Cooling Options It’s been hot and humid lately— tough to sleep at night, fans are noisy and only blow hot air, and window air conditioning units are noisy and drafty. Central air conditioning would be nice! Something cool and quiet! Oh yes, it must be very efficient because the cost of electricity is rising–and, it would be nice if it did some heating in the winter too. What’s
available and what’s best for my house? What you should purchase depends on two important items. Your budget and your house. You can spend anywhere from $2800 installed for a single head very quiet ductless air conditioner to $28,000 installed for a very quiet ducted central heat pump (HP) / air conditioning (AC) geothermal system. There are many very good choices in between. When considering a system, the house you live in helps to determine which system you should choose. If it is a simple ranch house with an unfinished basement, a standard ducted air to air heat pump system should be considered. A Mitsubishi ductless air conditioning system The indoor unit
is located as close to the center of the basement as possible and the main supply and return trunk will hang 10” below the basement ceiling joists; so it is best to have at least an 8’ basement ceiling height. Floor registers (usually 2-1/4” x 12”) are used to carry the conditioned air into each first floor room in the house. The outdoor unit needs to be located one foot from the outside wall of the house away from bedrooms if possible. The units today are quiet, but if it is located near a first floor bedroom window, you will hear it at night when you’re trying to sleep. If your budget permits, you can include a few nice options like an electronic filter and a steam humidifier. If you have a standard two story home with an unfinished basement and you purchase a heat pump, the system is installed in the basement the same as the one story. To condition the upstairs bedrooms a supply and return duct is run through a chase to the attic and from there, round ceiling
registers (usually 6” diameter) branch out to carry the conditioned air into each room on the second floor. The chase can be installed in a first and second floor closet (if one is above the other), or it can be installed in an offset in the wall. I can remember an installation in which we installed the supply trunk against the stairway ceiling; then, boxed it in and finished it with dry wall. Every two story house is a little different. It may take a little creative thinking but usually one can find a way to build a chase that will not “stick out like a sore thumb.” If the budget permits, you may
www.thevalleynewspaper.com
want to install zoning since there will be a difference in temperature between the upstairs and downstairs. With a zoning system you will be able to set the thermostat to the temperature you want on each floor. Because the attic is unairconditioned space, it is very important that you cover the ducting in the attic with additional insulation. The flexible ducting that is usually used in the attic has an R8.4 rating. I would suggest that you rent a machine that blows cellulose or fiber glass insulation and cover the ducting with another 12” of insulation which will bring the total insulation value to about R45. We’ll continue this discussion in the next issue. Curt Bierly is president of the bierly group incorporated of which Stanley C. Bierly is a division. He graduated from Penn State with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and is a member of the Penn College HVAC Advisory Board. You can contact him at cbierly@bierlygroup.com. a
A full ducted heat pump/air conditioning system
The Valley, July 2012
22
Recipes-Crafts-Gifts With Debra Kulp Blueberry Fancy Makes 12 servings Ideal Slow Cooker Size 5qt. 1 loaf Italian Bread, cubed, divided 1 pt. blueberries, divided. 8oz. cream cheese, cubed, divided 6 eggs 1 1/2 cups milk 1 tsp vamilla 1. Place half the bread cubes in the slow cooker. 2. Drop half of the blueberries over the top of the bread. 3. Sprinkle half the cream cheese cubes over the blueberries. 4. Repeat for three layers 5. In a mixing bowl, whicsk together eggs and milk, add 1 tsp vanilla. Pour over all ingredients, cover and cook on low until the dish is custardy and set. Serve with blueberry sauce Strawberry Cream Pie 8” pie serves 8 1 - 6oz Oreo pie crust 1 pkg (8oz.) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened 1 cup cold milk 1 pkg (3.4oz.) Jello vanilla flavor
instant pudding 1 1/2 cups whipped cream 20 Nilla wafers coarsley broken 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries 1/2 cup strawberry ice cream topping Make filling: Beat cream cheese in a large bowl with mixer until creamy. Gradually beat in milk. Add dry pudding mix beat 2 minutes. Stir in whipped cream, wafers and berries. Swirl in ice cream topping. Spoon filling into pie crust. Freeze until firm. Tutti Fruity Smoothie Makes 2 servings 1 banana, peeled and cut up 1/4 cup blueberries 1/4 cup sliced fresh strawberries 3/4 cup milk 1/2 cup pomegranate/blueberry juice, grape or cranberry juice, chilled 1/2 cup vanilla frozen yogurt or pineapple sherbet. In a blender container, combine banana, berries, milk, juice and yogurt. Cover and blend until smooth. Pour into glasses
Hostetler’s Produce
242 Salem Road Milroy 2nd place on the right past Armagh Elementary School
Open July thru October Featuring “In-Season” Local Produce Open Daylight Hours Mon thru Fri Open Saturday till 7oo pm Experience Fresh Produce from local farms!
thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com
23
The Valley, July 2012
Mail Pouch Books
illuminating information on more than 100 creepy, crawlies that you will most likely encounter. This is a well researched book!
by Carleen B. Grossman
The Urban Homestead : Your Guide to Self-Sufficient Living in the Heart of the City By Kelly Coyne Copyright 2008 Do you want to take a more active part in growing and preparing the food you eat? Then this is the book for you! Learn about gardening, foraging, preserving and other useful skills. [A Process Self-reliance Series] a
THE KING’S ORCHARD By Agnes S. Turnbull Copyright 1963 This classic novel is perfect for a July/holiday review since it paints a picture of what it was like to live in Pennsylvania during the times of the founding of our nation, when Pittsburgh, which was essentially Fort Pitt, was considered the frontier! This was also a time when General George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ethan Allen and Col. Benedict Arnold were all playing roles in the forming of the country through the Declaration of Independence. These were troubled times yet exciting times and this story takes you on that journey. It is based on the life of James O’Hara
(1752 -1819), an Irish-American industrialist, who later became Washington’s quartermaster during the war. It is a fictionalized biography and takes you to Western Pennsylvania during the early history of Pittsburgh. The frontier descriptions are so believable they make you feel like you are actually there having to worry about bears, cougars and the various Indian tribes along with many other issues the frontier people had to encounter. I was captivated by this story. It took me back in time when people were not only self-reliant but also to when they knew how to live sustainable lives! In a nutshell, it presents not only a fascination with a nation and its people but a love story of a couple coming to grips with changes.
TOMATOLAND By Barry Estabrook Copyright 2011 The tomato industry is a $5 billion dollar industry! This author follows the supermarket tomato from its origin in Peru to its tomato capital in the U.S. The chapters of this book book make it read like a mystery but in actuality it is an expose of today’s agribusiness systems. [A 2012 Award Winner in the Food Matters category.] WICKED BUGS: The Louse That Conquered Napoleon’s Army & Other Diabolical Insects By Amy Stewart Copyright 2011 What a strange cast of characters in this amazingly detailed book. The author concentrates on
www.thevalleynewspaper.com
Dairy Industry from page 30 “It’s one thing to have your market grow by 3 or 4 percent, but where are you going to find 20 percent more customers than you had last year?” he asked. “The world population is growing, and you can have some bad weather, but that’s too much to expect.” Another factor hurting the dairy industry is the recent strengthening of the U.S. dollar against some other currencies, which Dunn said hurts American exports. For example, compared to the euro, the value of the dollar is high, having increased by more than 10 percent in the last few months. The strong dollar negatively affects export sales because it drives up the prices for American goods. “If we have a strong dollar, we can buy other people’s stuff for a good price, and our stuff is expensive to them,” Dunn said, emphasizing that agriculture is driven largely by exports. He added that a number of farmers are thinking of concentrating on crops instead of dairy. “Ordinarily, land in Pennsylvania is not suitable to be really competitive in corn and soybeans -- too many small fields -- but when the prices of corn and soybeans are high enough, then that works.” a
24
The Valley, July 2012
WWT answers: 1. Colorado Rockies 2. a) 5280 ft. b) 3280.84 3. Sand Dune in North America
thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com
25
The Valley, July 2012 Rotavirus from page 33 Today, even though almost all US infants receive vaccines for rotavirus, and despite efforts to improve the management of childhood rotavirus-associated diarrhea, hospitalizations of children in the U.S. with the disease have not significantly declined in the past two decades: the CDC says rotavirus infection is still responsible for an estimated 400,000 doctor visits; more than 200,000 emergency room visits; and 55,000 to 70,000 hospitalizations in the US. The CDC also says that 20 to 60 infant deaths now die every year in the US due to rotavirus infection. The CDC says that children ages 6 months to 24 months old are most at risk for serious complications or death from rotavirus, when supportive treatment, or re-hydration, is not given during the illness. Two rotavirus vaccines have been approved for use in the US. These vaccines differ in how they are made and in the number of doses prescribed when they are given. Both are given orally and contain genetically engineered live attenuated human rotavirus strains or hybrid human-bovine reassortment rotavirus strains. They are Rota-Teq and Rotarix. NEWS ALERT: On May 7, 2010, the FDA announced that RotaTeq vaccine was contaminated with DNA from two porcine circoviruses: PCV1 and PCV2. To date the vaccine manufacturer, Merck, has not given any information regarding if, or when, PCV1 and PCV2 will be removed from this vaccine. Although PCV1 has not been associated with clinical disease in pigs, PCV2 is a lethal pig virus that causes immune suppression and a serious wasting disease in baby pigs that damages lungs, kidneys, the reproductive
system, brain and ultimately causes death. The FDA recommended temporary suspension of the use of Rotarix vaccine on March 22nd after DNA from PCV1 was identified in Rotarix, but did not call for suspension of the use of RotaTeq vaccine after PCV2 was found in RotaTeq. On June 1st, NVIC called on Merck to voluntarily withdraw RotaTeq from the market until PCV2, especially, is removed from the vaccine. RotaTeq vaccine is manufactured by Merck and was licensed by the FDA in 2006. Description: RotaTeq is a genetically engineered vaccine made of live, attenuated human-bovine hybridized reassortment rotaviruses. Other ingredients include sucrose, sodium citrate, sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate, sodium hydroxide, polysorbate 80, cell culture media, and trace amounts of fetal bovine serum. It does not contain preservatives. •Estimated Effectiveness: RotaTeq will not prevent diarrhea or vomiting caused by viruses other than rotavirus. Studies indicate RotaTeq will prevent about 74 percent of rotavirus cases, about 98 percent of severe cases, and about 96 percent of hospitalizations due to rotavirus. According to the vaccine package insert, RotaTeq may not protect all vaccine recipients against rotavirus. •Commonly Reported Reactions: Diarrhea, vomiting, irritability, otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear), nasopharyngitis (inflammation of the nasal passages and cold-like symptoms), and bronchospasm (asthma and bronchitis-like symptoms). •More Serious Reported Reactions: Intussusception (bowel blockage) and Kawasaki Disease (inflammation of the blood vessels)
Rotarix-NEWS ALERT: On March 22, 2010 the FDA announced that components of an extraneous virus have been found in Rotarix vaccine. The FDA stated that “FDA is recommending that healthcare practitioners temporarily suspend use” of Rotarix vaccine in the U.S. “while the agency learns more about components of an extraneous virus detected in the vaccine. There is no evidence at this time that this finding poses a safety risk. The agency recently became aware that an independent US academic research team, using a novel technique, has found DNA from porcine circovirus 1 (PCV1) in Rotarix. Rotarix vaccine manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, pledged to reformulate Rotarix and remove PCV1 DNA from the vaccine. On May 14th, the FDA withdrew the recommendation for suspension of the use of Rotarix vaccine. No date was given for when Rotarix will be free from contamination from PCV1 DNA. •Commonly Reported Reactions: temporary diarrhea, fussiness/irritability, cough/runny nose, fever, loss of appetite, and vomiting. •More Serious Reported Reactions: ear infection, pneumonia Also, according to the Rotarix package insert: Since FDA approval, reports of infants with intussusception have been received by Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Intussusception occurred days and sometimes weeks after vaccination. Some infants needed hospitalization, surgery on their
intestines, or a special enema to treat this problem. Death due to intussusception has occurred. Other reported side effects include: Kawasaki disease (a serious condition involving inflammation of the blood vessels that can affect the heart; symptoms may include fever, rash, red eyes, red mouth, swollen glands, swollen hands, and feet and, if not treated, death can occur). The Rotavirus Vaccine it is not mandated in any state – yet. However, some states have been adding this vaccine as a prerequisite to enrolling in infant childcare facilities. According to the CDC and the vaccine manufacturer package inserts, if a child has not had rotavirus vaccine by 32 months of age, then he/she should not get it at all. Also, according to the CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), vaccination should not be initiated on infants older than 12 weeks because of insufficient data on safety of the first dose of rotavirus vaccine in older infants. The decision to have your child vaccinated for Rotavirus is up to you, the parents. We chose
www.thevalleynewspaper.com
not to vaccinate either of our twins. The most common side effect of both types of Rotavirus vaccines is diarrhea. Wait, what? The vaccine is to protect against diarrhea and the most common side effect is diarrhea?? Really? Does that even make sense to anyone?? Most infants get some immunity from their moms via breast milk, another good reason to breastfeed. The biggest struggle is simply keeping your baby hydrated. If all else fails, take them to the ER or pediatrician for an IV of fluids. Why inject them with questionable chemicals that may result in diarrhea anyway? I hope this article at least will make you question the effectiveness and weigh the cost/benefit to make the best decision for YOUR child. Dr. Joseph Kauffman Kauffman-Hummel Chiropractic Clinic drjosephkauffman@comcast.net http://www.nvic.org/vaccines-anddiseases/Rotavirus.aspx http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/ parents/downloads/parent-ver-sch0-6yrs.pdf a
Free Live Music!!
Saturday August 18th Reedsville 4-H Youth Park 11;30am -8:00pm
The Valley, July 2012
26
thoughts from the Bunker by jared kauffman plete the restoration project. At the time, genuine military surplus was hard to find. This demand, not only from the Peffer’s, for genuine military surplus gear and parts for their vehicle, but by a huge don’t know, a Deuce-and-a-half military enthusiast subculture, is basically a six to ten wheeled, 16,000 pound behemoth of a truck eventually evolved into a thriving used by our military starting in the business venture. The Peffer’s saw the demand 1950’s. This truck was restored for military surplus and turned it and used mostly as a recreational vehicle. It makes for a very into a successful business. Using a building that they had already impressive All-Terrain Vehicle, owned, Harry and Deb opened the giving “off-road” an entirely new meaning! doors to H.D. Peffer’s Army Navy in February 1996. Their inventory With this purchase brought a purchases took them all over the demand for genuine military surstate of Pennsylvania and also to plus parts and equipment to comthe surrounding states. And when in the late 1990’s the Government started to downsize our military, the Peffer’s were approached by the same government contractors who did business with Uncle Sam, offering to provide them the same equipment used by our troops. This allowed a unique opportunity for Deb and her husband to provide the same tough-as-nails gear to not only enlisted personnel, but also to Police, Fire, Emergency Service departments, and the general public. Deb emphasizes that customer demand determines what merchandise is on the shelves.
H.D. Peffers Army Navy Surplus A few issues back I brought to your attention a great little business locally owned and operated by my friend Deb Peffer and her husband Harry. I’d like to use my allotted space this month to give you a background on how this business came to be. After owning and restoring several different military vehicles, the Peffer’s—back in 1995—purchased what is called a Deuceand-a-half. For those of you who
My friend Deb Peffer is ready to help you
Major events or the threat of such are also determining factors. Y2K, September 11, and now the Prepper movement—which is quickly gaining steam—have been major influences on the type of merchandise that is requested and available for sale. Taking a look around the store you will find merchandise from floor to ceiling, literally. There is a huge selection of backpacks, pouches, holsters, rifle cases, boots, and much, much more. You will find uniforms in a multitude of camo designs. Remember that most of this gear was designed for hard field use by our troops—this is top quality stuff! Take some time and stop in, if you don’t see what you’re looking for just ask, Deb is more than willing to take your special order. I asked Deb what some of her more popular and best-selling items were, and typical for an Army surplus store; flags, service branch ribbons, license plates, and backpacks top the list. Of course the seasons dictate what is in demand. In winter, it’s cold gear, such as polypropylene long underwear and M65 field jackets. With warmer weather brings the need for camping gear of all sorts. And of course, I need to mention that Deb has a great selection of gear for your emergency preparedness plan; backpacks of all sizes, Meals Ready to Eat (MRE’s) by the case or individually priced, a variety of storage containers such as the very popular and, ac-
Savvy Cents & Sensibility by JoAnn Wills MBA
Creating a Command Center Last month’s article focused on categorizing money (the 50/30/20 plan), and organizing spending. This month we will examine creating a “Command Center” as Liz Pulliam Weston calls it in her book Easy Money. It is important to have a designated space (our Command Center) from which to conduct our economic endeavors. Some households may reserve a home office or particular room space to conduct bill paying, checkbook reconciling, and anything else related to financial health. Other households may tackle such tasks from the living room recliner or dining room table
with a laptop of pen and paper. A few may tackle such financial feats with a fistful of receipts nestled in a shoebox. No matter where or what your current command center is, you probably can glean a hint or two for improvements from the following information. Before we move on, designate a space to pay bills from each month – and stick to it. First, gather or purchase a few office supplies such as paperclips, stapler (extra staples), paper, envelopes, stamps, pens & pencils, Post-it or sticky notes, and your checkbook. You may not require all of the supplies –
but choose the ones that will make the financial job easier. Second, create a “tickler file” or calendar. You may wish to use a plain manila file, a pretty pocketed file, or a simple monthly calendar. Once you have designated a tickler file, post bill due dates (if you chose a calendar) or place upcoming due bills within the file folder in the order that they are due. Next, designate storage space such as an accordion file, a lidded cardboard box, drawer, or filing cabinet. Within your chosen storage space, designate where each piece of information belongs – from pens & paper to filing
folders. Purchase a shredder. You can find inexpensive models that will easily serve the purpose for home use. As long as you’ve got private information on your paperwork – you need a shredder. If possible, invest in a shredder that has a cross-cutting capability. Create an alphabetical filing system rather than a monthly system. Do not leave your memory to chance what month you paid the xyz bill last year – alphabetize files for ease of access. You can divide your files however you wish, but Liz Weston made the following suggestions in her book Easy Money: autos, bank ac-
thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com
cording to Deb, very hard to keep in stock, all steel surplus ammo cans. She also has in stock 16 different colors of 550 Para-cord—a great addition to any gear bag! Deb herself has been a competitive shooter since 2002, which led to her involvement in two local shooting clubs: The Lewistown Pistol Club and the Mifflin County Sportsman’s Association. This experience has allowed her to gain the knowledge needed to help customers select the right kind of holster for their firearm and shooting style. She keeps a large selection of all types of holsters and at least 15 different targets in stock. H.D. Peffer’s Army Navy has always been located at 325 South Main Street in Lewistown, PA. Hours of operation are 9:30 am to 6:00 pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. They are a proud supporter of The Friends of The NRA and Wounded Warrior Project. Deb can be reached at (717) 2482080 or at peffersarmy@pa.net. And don’t forget to tell her you saw their ad in The Valley! a
counts, credit cards, employment, insurance, investments, residence, retirement accounts, school, and wills & estate plans. For your receipt system, Weston suggests labeling three envelops: long-term – receipts for tax purposes or large purchases; short-term – receipts to keep handy to satisfy the ‘just in case’ scenario; and action – receipts for business expenses or rebates. Once your command center and filing system is set up you will feel even more in control of your money. Take the necessary time to keep it up to date and organized well. . Pledge to briefly examine files on a weekly or biweekly basis dependent on your pay periods. A few minutes of your time will pay off well – and could prove to save you hours in the future! Create a command center, and take command of your financial health. a
27
The Valley, July 2012
Grosze Thal Nachbaren
(Big Valley Neighbors)
by Jeptha I. Yoder Ein Grusz in den Namen Unsers Gottes. Ei die zeit geht so schnell! Es ist schon die Liebe Sommer-zeit. Die Frucht-feldern sind an reif werden. Kirschen und Himbeeren sind reif. Von den Garten kommen Erbsen und viele andere Gemüse. Well vielleicht könnt Ich anfangen mit der sieben-zwanzigst Mai, Pfingst-Sonntag, waren Elisabeth und Ich in Kirchengasse Gemein ans Uria S. Hostetlers. Von McClur waren Salomon C. Zugen und Familie. Von andere gegenden waren Johannes Ms und Tochter Fräney, und Menno Rs und Familie, alle Hostetlern. Lang Leen West Gemein war ans Simeon J. Hostetlers. Manasse J. Yoders waren ans Mose Cs fürs mittag-essen. Am Pfingst-montag waren meine Eltern, Elisabeth und Ich in McClur ans Iddo M. Hostetlers fürs Mittag. Christia Z. Speichers waren in Penns Thal über die wochend. Es war noch mehr besuches und wanderes über dem Feiertag. Etliche gingen fischen. Der drit Juni, waren wir in der Gemein ans Johannes Y. Hostetlers. Von McClur waren Emanuel J. Hostetlers und Familie. Von andere Theilen waren
Sam N. Yoders und etliche Jungie. Gemein und singen in Ost Lang Leen war ans Jacob Z. Hostetlers. Nord Milroy war bei die (Daniel M.) Leah E. Zug. Ich war ans Joshua J. Hostetlers abends. Jonathan D. Hostetlers und Sohn Henner waren auch dort. Der Zeht war Kirchengasse Gemein ans Christ G. Yoders. Unckel Christ M. Yoders waren dort. Lang Leen West war ans Johannes J. Hostetlers. Meine Eltern waren ans Christian S. Hostetlers fürs Mittag-essen. Mose Cs, Michael Ns. und Uria Js und Familien und die (Jeff) Lydia R., alle Yodern, waren auch dort. Johannes E. Hostetlers waren ans Eli S. Zugen fürs Mittag. Spähter ging die Eki S. Zug Familie ans Unckel Reuben D. Hostetlers und nahmen ihr Abendessen um die Kätie ihr Geburtstag zu Feiern. Der Siebenzeht waren wir in der Gemein ans Mose R. Hostetlers. Von McClur waren Ben R. Hostetlers. Von Kirchengasse waren Joel M. Yoders und Familie. Singen war ans Mose Rs, Es waren auch etliche Junge dort fürs abendessen. Rudy C. Yoders waren ans Jesse S. Hostetlers. Ost Lang Leen Gemein war ans
Emanuel J. Yoders. Milroy Nord Gemein war ans Eli T. Yoders. So der Herr Will und wir leben bis nächstmol ist unser gemein ans Ruben D. Hostetlers. Am Samstag der sechs-zeht war die Jährlich Fenn-du an der Christ M. Zug Sr. Heimat. Christian greetings on a hot summer day. Now I am really tempted to think I don’t have time to write. But if it’s that bad then maybe I should relax and “unwind”. This can be done (to some extent) with pen in hand. Raspberries need to be picked regularly. I have black, red, and yellow ones. Cherries will soon be over. Hay is being put in and grain fields showing “harvest time” colors. Heard some 17-year locust this year. Some recent new arrivalsA dau. Bevly making first time parents of Ezra S. and Leah R. Hostetler of McClure. A dau. Lena M. joining two sisters and one brother to John H. and Rachel L. Hostetler. Grands are Abraham N. and Lena F. (Yoder) Hostetler; Eli Y. and Leah N. (Host.) Zook. A son Emanuel D. joining one brother and one sister to Jacob B. and Veronica N. Yoder. Grands
are David J. and Anna N. (Host.) Yoder; Samuel K. and Rhoda Z. (Speicher) Hostetler. Great-grand is widower Jacob B. Yoder. Both babies share June 6th as birthday. Joining one sister is a son Ephriam to John Z. and Mary E. Yoder. Grands are Bish. Hosea J. and Betsy S. (Zook) Yoder and the above Abraham Ns. Birthdate is June 12. Sat. June 9th a number of folks were to the barn raising in Port Royal of Enos and Malinda Yoder. J. Yost Hostetler Nancy (69) was in the hospital part of a week, receiving medication for an inflamed gall-bladder. Understand a stone was lodged somewhere worsening her condition. Was better but not O.K. yet. Address is 8107 East Back Mountain Road, Reedsville, PA 17084. She had been having back pain for a while already. Great Uncle Isaac S. Yoder (79) had a light stroke. Mail will reach them at 1065 Church Lane, Reedsville. Can walk with a cane but talking doesn’t go so good. A widows’ gathering is/was planned at Lydia K. Byler, up the valley, on Thurs. the 21st. Would wish all an enjoyable day. Samuel E. (4) son of Noah R. J. and Elizabeth B. Hostetler fell and broke his arm several weeks ago. Address is 1379 Siglerville Pike, Milroy, PA 17063. The grandparents are Rufus J. and Mary N. Hostetler; Christ M. Sr. and Barbara A. (Yoder) Zook. I would like to obtain some Cochin or Brahama banty eggs for hatching. If you have some to
Wholesome Gardening A Bi-Monthly Publication of Plain and Simple Sustainable Living For Subscription Information Write to: Wholesome Gardening 569 Schoolhouse Rd Genesee PA 16923 www.thevalleynewspaper.com
spare, drop me a line or stop by at 150 Red Lane, Milroy We are sorry to hear of the illness and passing of Gertie Yoder, an Observer correspondant writer of Beaver, Ohio and formerly of Belleville. Esther Y. Hostetler (47), wife of Moses J., of 8098 East Back Mountain Road, Reedsville, spent half a week in the hospital, having trouble with her leg, a phlebotic condition (if I am wording it right) which she was troubled with before. God’s Blessings wished to all. Remembering the sick and grieving. May a Higher Hand be with you, one day at a time. Jeptha I. Yoder a
“May a Higher Hand be with you, one day at a time” Jeptha I. Yoder
Central PA Metal Roof MFG BUY DIRECT! We Manufacture Metal Roofing and Siding You measure, we cut, on the inch. No Waste. We stock Coil Stock, Trims, Screws and Nails. Custom Sheet Metal 29 Gauge Painted #1 and Galvalume 98 Dusty Lane Reedsville, PA 17084 Stop by from 7am-8am 24 hour notice for orders Same Day pick-up possible with notice by 7am.
The Valley, July 2012
Enlargement of Marker
Answers in an ad in this issue
28
The "mile-high" marker on the 13th step of the Capitol Building in Denver, Colorado 1. What baseball team calls Denver's Coors Field home? 2. a. How many feet are in a mile? b. Feet In a kilometer? Quiz #
20035
Copyright Š 2012
3. Located in Colorado, over 700 ft. high, covering 19,000 acres, is the largest what?
The Valley
is published the first Thursday of every month. Deadlines for ads and submissions is the 15th of the preceding month for inclusion in following month’s issue.
thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com
The Valley, July 2012
29
The Chicken AND the Egg! by Mike Flanagan
Lawns (?) And Silkies You know what I think would be cool? I think it would be cool if this column actually had a purpose. I mean, sure, we can still do the “rambling mind of the old hippie thing” now and then, but I’d really like to address some of the questions or concerns you folks have. So feel free to drop me a line anytime. The e-mail address is leatherneckpa@comcast. net. I’d love to hear how these articles have helped you, what you are still confused about, or what problems you are having that
The small and docile Silkie can be a great addition to your flock.
maybe I can help with. In the meantime, the garden is coming along beautifully. Using Mel Bartholomew’s square foot gardening technique as a guide we have managed to squeeze over 200 square feet of plants into a space only 386 square feet in size. That’s over 50% in production. Take a look at a typical oldfashioned row garden and you’ll see a lot of wasted space, and a lot more work in upkeep. I tour my garden almost every day. I spend about 15 minutes walking through it, pulling the occasional weed, and snipping fresh Swiss Chard for dinner. I heartily recommend you take a look at what Mel has developed, either in his book or at the website; www.squarefootgardening.org. I have a younger brother who used to live in what the real estate marketers call an “estate development.” The smallest property
The only trees you’d see were in the development was 3 acres planted along property lines, and (that was Jack’s). And there were many that were 10 acres or so. So all these rich people (hey, it was northern VA, commutable to DC, they were all well-heeled) would plunk their McMansions down in the dead-center of their lot and have these fancy manicured and chemically maintained lawns The meat of the Silkie is dark blue, if you are in to such things, I can sell you Blue Potatoes to go sprawled all along with them. around them. Then they’d ings I ever saw were in neat little they weren’t fruit trees. Why? I go and buy $20,000 riding lawn 4’ rings around foundations or never did see a garden in all the mowers so they could mow that years I visited. The only plantexpanse in less than a weekend. Continued on page 30
www.thevalleynewspaper.com
The Valley, July 2012
30
Home-Grown! A Homeschooler’s Perspective By Mary Eck
Muse Much?
So, summer officially arrived a couple of weeks ago, and upcoming family vacations, summer camps and fun-filled cookouts have most of us super-excited for this most-tantalizing of the four seasons. The typical family (mine included), whether of the home-, private- or public-school variety, tends to celebrate a successful end to the school year with a triumphant gusto and dive headlong into entertaining ourselves. Mind-numbing hours in front of the “tube,” water-logged and sun-soaked pool-time, and thrillingly ride-ragged days spent at those fun-engineered theme parks that offer a smorgasbord of exhilarating attractions that blissfully overload our senses. Ah, the ingenuity of amusement! A funny word, though… amusement. The root, “muse” means “to think,” and the “–ment” suffix tells us the verb is “meant”
to be a noun here. The muses of Greek mythology were the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, the goddess of memory, and were credited with inspiring all advancement in the arts and sciences. They were venerated throughout Greece, and are the source of our English words, music and museum, and the like. Intellectual effort and activity, therefore, are essential elements of the meaning behind “muse.” But what about that itty bitty prefix, “a”? That innocent-looking little vowel conveys, “the opposite of,” which means a literal paraphrase translation of the word “amusement” could be, “that which does not require thinking.” Now, I am the first one to categorically assert the right—no, the need!—for brainwave down-time as a reward in itself, and sometimes just for sanity’s sake, earned or not. No doubt about it!
But, do we as a culture overdo it? Do we venerate the musing or the a-musing? Are my children more familiar with the lingo and leisure of mindless pursuits—like fixating on reality TV shenanigans or aimlessly browsing viral YouTube™ clips—than they are with the more cerebral ones—like pinpointing the pros and cons of pending healthcare legislation or besting a Sudoku™)? Would they rather lay around for hours on end with their precious IPOD™… or a good book? Would they opt for “electronic” alone time…or stimulating family game-time? Disney Channel™ marathon…or chess? Of course, there is no “right” answer to such questions, only revealing ones; the sort that makes one think. So, muse a little...or a lot. And if the young’uns should catch you mid-muse, all the better. Invite them to join you. You might both be amazed at how amusing musing can be! How’s that for an oxymoron?! a
Expansions in dairy industry lead to surplus, lows for milk prices Reprinted with permission. Penn State Public Informaiton UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- One source of income for Pennsylvania dairy farmers has hit its lowest point in three years, according to a dairy market expert in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. James Dunn, professor of agricultural economics, said that in May, milk margin per hundredweight -- the income portion left to pay dairy producers’ bills for inputs other than feed, such as electricity, equipment and labor -- hit its lowest point in Pennsylvania since September 2009. “This is starting to really eat up the farmers,” Dunn said. “The milk price is not historically low, but the feed price is so high that the amount that’s left is not good.” The 2012 Pennsylvania average milk price is estimated to be $2.14 per hundredweight lower than it was in 2011. Feed prices and difficulty with weather and crop harvests
have contributed to dairy producers’ struggles. Last year’s wet seasons hindered farmers’ ability to produce feed for their dairy herds. Dunn said some producers are running out of corn silage. Exports and the strength of the American dollar also have played a role in the fluctuating milk prices. With the amount of milk produced per cow increasing -creating more milk than the US population can consume -- dairyproduct exports must increase or cow numbers must shrink to balance supply and demand. Increased exports in the last year have meant the dairy industry could grow. In 2011, 14 percent of domestic milk production was exported, and prices were favorable. The exports were boosted by bad weather in Australia and New Zealand, leading to low milk production in those countries. Foodsafety concerns related to Chinese products also were a factor, as well as a then-weak U.S. dollar. Dairy producers used the favorable dairy prices to make largely
the same decisions. “The problem always in agriculture is everybody looks at the same information and reaches the same conclusions,” Dunn said. “And when producers saw really nice prices, everybody said, ‘I’m going to expand.’” With the expansions came 4 percent more milk production in January through March than the same months in 2011. However, sales of milk could not increase at the same rate. Now the industry is trying to figure out how to adjust surpluses. Dunn said that could happen in two ways: finding more customers for the milk, and encouraging the industry to expand more slowly. The latter is happening gradually, and the growth in milk production in April was lower than it was in March. Now, the dairy industry needs to increase its exports by 20 percent, an amount Dunn said is substantial.
Continued on page 23
Lawns and Silkies from page 29 in those silly little triangle beds alongside the driveway behind the split rail corner sections that weren’t connected to anything. What a waste. Personally, I have come to adopt the philosophy that the less I have to mow the better. This year we converted our entire front yard into some semblance of a cottage garden. It started when Cindy wanted to plant a tree in the middle of the yard. Not a fruit tree, just some ornamental tree. We compromised. I’d allow it, provided it was a productive tree. We agreed on planting four blueberry bushes. I built a big octagon box and filled it with good acidic soil for the blueberries and filled the empty space with strawberry plants. Then the rest of the yard started getting made over, and before we knew it the entire thing was quartered and planted. And again, it was a compromise. She got two sections for flowers and herbs. I got one section for a “Three Sisters” garden. Then we added some planter boxes that hold tomatoes and sweet potatoes, a few stray squash and watermelon plants, and whatever else Cindy could fit into the pattern. The point is, we are trying to make the most of what we’ve got. It’s a work in progress. So what’s up in the chicken world? Not much. The one hen that I had hoped was going broody sat on a nest for the better part of a week and then just abandoned it. That’s sort of a problem with modern breeds. In the quest for ever increasing production, it seems they have bred the desire to brood out of most modern hens. So I have ordered a bunch of replacement birds. I should have them about a week or so before you read this. Come Labor Day week, I’ll make an appointment with Eli and put all but 12 of the old girls in the freezer. Mmmm, I can taste the chicken and biscuits
Splitting Hares from page 16 the warning about buying Easter bunnies…I didn’t listen to that one either. In hindsight, I like to think that it worked out in the end. At any rate, the story of a young girl’s backyard bunny may not be Pulitzer Prize material, but it is one that many children share. Next month, area youth will gather to show off their projects at county fairs all over the state. In celebration of the centennial year of Pennsylvania 4-H, current 4-H
thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com
already! And that brings me to an unusual breed that you may wish to consider adding to your flock. I’m going to depart from my usual Heritage Breed conservation mode here. These birds are called Silkies, because their feathers are so fine and fluffy that’s how they feel. They almost look “furry.” And they have FIVE toes instead of the usual four. For those of us who consider the appearance of our flock to be just as important as it’s production, Silkies come in a variety of colors; red, gold, white, blue-gray, black, and partridge. Silkies are recognized to be some of the broodiest birds in the chicken world. They’ll sit on practically any nest you put them on. And they’ll raise all the chicks they hatch as if they were their own. The Silkie is a really docile and friendly bird, perfect for you folks with a 3-6 bird flock of “pets.” Small production types (like us) should note a couple of things. Silkies are not great producers, only 1 or 2 eggs a week average and rather small eggs at that. Because they are so docile, they are going to be at the bottom of the pecking order. So if you have a flock that already has one or two birds that sport bald rears from pecking, you can count on your Silkies being hassled and harried. Now, if you’ve got the room for a second run you could set up 2 or 3 Silkies in there and bring them fresh eggs from the other hens to hatch out. They only grow to around 2 pounds, so they aren’t going to fill your freezer easily. You should also note that Silkies have dark blue flesh. That might throw a few people off at the bbq, but imagine the fun of serving blue Silkie chickens alongside Yukon Gold potatoes and some grilled Painted Hills sweet corn. Now that would be a colorful plate! Until next month, remember, support your local economy. Buy local, eat local, and live well. a rabbit club members are invited to share special memories and stories of their rabbit projects. All stories will be reviewed and considered for publication in an upcoming issue of The Valley! Please submit stories (500 words or less) and photos to Julie at oakridgerabbits@gmail.com by August 1. Include your first and last name, age and county. I look forward to hearing from you! a
31
The Valley, July 2012
Sweet Talk by Sarah Hurlburt
Recently I have been reading a lot about honey and honeybees in an effort to educate myself on beekeeping. I am interested in beekeeping and even bought a bee box in hopes that I will one day be a beekeeper. I want to taste the sweet, smooth richness of my very own fresh honey dripping off a fresh piece of homemade bread. But I quickly realized beekeeping involves a lot more then buying a box and ordering some bees! It is an art and requires training and a deep understanding of honey bees and how they work. Check out some books at the library or do some online research and be totally amazed at how intricately the honey bees were designed and how intelligent these little creatures are. Of course check out Sam Alexander’s article “The Importance of a Small Friend” as well! Also, the benefits of honey are pretty numerous when it’s
fresh, local and raw! My study of bees and honey took me back to ancient times and really gave me a reminder of how lots of things that seem outdated or are deemed old ideas, such as using honey for all the different things you can use it for, always seem to be “rediscovered.” I thought about how true this is of God’s Word! It is never outdated, it is always miraculous at how it can be like soothing honey to a wound and bring healing to broken spirits, and how it can teach us who God is. Like honey, it can be totally life sustaining when it comes to our spiritual life! It also, like honey, has cleansing power in our lives. I love Psalm Chapter 19. I encourage you to read it carefully and think through just how much this chapter has to say. And don’t just read it once, read it every day for awhile; make it into a personal prayer and let it really sink in to your soul. The words really are as soothing as honey and provide comforting and much advice on how to be “well” in this life.
May the remaining days of your summer be as golden and sweet as honey! Psalm 19 For the director of music. A psalm of David. 1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work
of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. 3 They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. 4 Yet their voice[b] goes out into
www.thevalleynewspaper.com
all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. 5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
Continued on page 8
32
The Valley, July 2012
thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com
33
The Valley, July 2012
Back Talk by Dr. Joseph Kauffman
Rotavirus: A Vaccine for Diarrhea, Nausea & Vomiting The next vaccine that I am covering is one that is given usually together with other vaccines at two months, four months and again at six months. It is given along with DTaP, IPV, Hib and PCV at the same visit to the pediatrician usually on the same day when no questions are asked. RV is the vaccine that protects against Rotavirus. This vaccine is somewhat lesser known and not discussed nearly as often as the others and isn’t even questioned very often for possible danger or effectiveness. Usually, like most all vaccines given, it is administered without much objection or question by the parents. Why? Is the answer simply blind trust of the pediatrician or ignorance about the possible dangers? I hope that by reading my articles people will at least start thinking about the possible side effects and at least question what used to be just a given. I hope people start thinking for themselves and become educated in order to make the best decision concerning their own children. The Rotavirus Vaccine (RV) protects against Rotavirus, which is a disease spread through mouth and the symptoms include diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Disease complications include severe diarrhea and dehydration. “Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea among children worldwide. There are many different strains of rotavirus that can infect humans or animals, including monkeys, cows and sheep. There are five main strains that cause more than 90 percent of human rotavirus infections in developed countries, such as the U.S., but rotavirus strains are more diverse in developing countries. Infants younger than three months old may not develop diarrhea symptoms when they are infected with rotavirus because they have maternal antibodies transferred from their mother to protect them in the first few months of life, including through breastfeeding. By the age of five, most children have had several rotavirus infections and have developed natural antibodies that protect them from symptoms of diarrhea when they are re-infected as they get older.
In non-tropical climates like the U.S., rotavirus infections are more likely to occur in the colder winter months than in the summer. The incubation period (time period between infection and onset of symptoms) for rotavirus disease is approximately 2 days. Primary symptoms include vomiting and watery diarrhea for 3 to 8 days. Fever and abdominal pain occur frequently. Immunity after first infection is incomplete, but repeat infections tend to be less severe than the original infection. By age five, most healthy children do not exhibit symptoms of severe diarrhea when re-infected with rotavirus because each previous re-exposure to the disease has built a stronger immunity. Rotavirus is very contagious; it spreads when infants or young children come into contact with an infected person’s body fluids or feces, or items that have come in contact with the feces of an infected person. Most cases of rotavirus occur in children ages 3 months to 35 months old. The primary mode of transmission of rotavirus is the passage of the virus in stool to the mouth of another child, known as a fecal-oral route of transmission. The virus can live for hours on hands and even longer on hard surfaces. The CDC estimates that, by age 3, almost every US child has had a case of rotavirus. Once a child has been infected with
a strain of rotavirus, he or she develops antibodies and is either immune for life or has a milder case if infected with that same strain in the future. Most healthy children, who are infected with
several strains of rotavirus in the first few years of life, develop lifelong natural immunity to rotavirus infection. Symptoms include frequent vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy (child won’t focus on you, is less responsive to touch or words), less frequent urination, no tears when crying, dry, cool skin, fever, frequent, watery diarrhea (often foul-smelling, green or brown), dry or sticky mouth and extreme thirst. Frequent hand washing is an important way to cut down on transmission of rotavirus and other viral or bacterial infections. Normally rotavirus does not require special treatment. Rest and fluids to prevent dehydration work well. In more
www.thevalleynewspaper.com
serious cases, it is possible that hospitalization and intravenous re-hydration also may be necessary. In underdeveloped countries that lack sanitation and access to good medical care, including rehydration therapy for severely dehydrated children suffering with diarrhea, rotavirus infection can be fatal. According to the CDC in 1999, rotavirus was causing 20 to 40 infant deaths annually in the US when the first rotavirus vaccine, RotaShield, was introduced. It was estimated that about 50,000 hospitalizations occurred in the US because of severe diarrhea and dehydration.
Continued on page 25
The Valley, July 2012
34
Joanne Wills’ Contentment Quest Water or Weed ? Imagine a garden space… one that is untended and unwatered. The earth is hard and cracked. The only life springing forth in such as garden is tenacious weed tendrils and tangles of thorny barbs. Such a garden is one that has been neglected. Now imagine a garden space again… one that has been watered… but not weeded. Life springs forth. A bounty of flowers, fruits, and vegetables begin to take root and grow healthy and robust. This garden space is watered well yet it is not weeded. Over time, tenacious weed tendrils overcome the bounty until eventually the life is choked out of the bountiful flora. The garden becomes overrun with weeds, and it becomes hard to visualize the vegetation that once was healthy and hardy. The space becomes consumed with weeds and thorny tangles. One last time, imagine a garden... one that is watered and weeded with care. The flowers are vibrant. The fruits and vegetables are plentiful. The space is bursting with color and fragrance. All three gardens were formed with good intentions; however, two of the gardens were deserted. Their gardeners, for whatever reason, no longer provided care and attention to cultivate healthy flora. If our minds were gardens, and we were the gardeners, what would the garden space of our minds resemble? Would our space resemble the cracked earthen garden or the weeded tangle? Or could we honestly say that the space would resemble the lively, vibrant space of a healthy garden? Healthy gardens require specific care. An experienced gardener knows how to cultivate the soil and prepare it to receive seed. We must ask ourselves whether we are cultivating the soil of our minds and preparing it to receive seed or not. Are we preparing our minds for growth? Are we sowing seeds of bounty that will sprout up as victorious living and thinking? Joel Osteen has coined the phrase “Live a victorious life” which in a nutshell means to live with triumphant thoughts such as
I will overcome ________ or I am thankful for ________. Victorious living and thinking requires us to cultivate our minds to receive seeds of greatness and goodness – seeds that will sprout opportunity and develop insight. Victorious living is synonymous with a healthy garden of the mind. We must ask ourselves whether we are keeping the weeds at bay in our mind garden. We must be vigilant to recognize and distinguish weeds from flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Sometimes it can be difficult to discern the differences in the early stages of growth. Weeds that can choke out the bounty of our mind gardens can take the form friendly opposition. Encounters with passive aggressives, pessimists, and egocentrics can spread barbs and weeds in the healthy garden of our minds. Left unattended, such weeds will eventually choke out the provisions of a healthy garden. We as gardeners are responsible for tending such weeds so the fruits of our labor can flourish. We must fertilize the garden of our mind. We must feed it with a precise mixture of fertilizer that consists of healthy doses of personal development, gratitude, and open-mindedness. We must water our gardens with a flow of thankfulness, and provide due shade of compassion from a harsh environment. We must carefully tend the garden of our minds so that the fruits of a victorious life are evident to all. We can also apply the garden analogy to our physical bodies, our physical living spaces, and our thoughts. In past columns, I have touted the importance of speaking and living mindfully – and it is worth repeating. Our physical body can be likened to a garden in the same manner used for the mind. If we feed our bodies a diet mainly of junk and processed foods we cannot expect our bodies to function optimally. In such a case, we as gardeners would choose to abandon our gardens. But, if we mindfully elect to feed our bodies nutritious foods chosen as close to the original source as we can manage, then we are
performing like a caring gardener. We are tending our physical body garden in a manner that is synonymous with victorious living. What about our living spaces? Does our living space resemble a tranquil garden where one can retreat for serenity? Or, would our space speak or scream disheveled clutter? Do we have a nook in our living space that is our refuge? Can we retreat there to restore our body, mind, and spirit? If so, is it a small corner space, a closet, a bedroom, a porch, or (hopefully) an entire house? Such a space should produce feelings of comfort and refreshment – an oasis of sorts – synonymous to sitting alongside a water garden. If you do not currently have a “garden space” in your home create one. It can be as effortless as claiming a favorite chair to sip a refreshing beverage and read a page or two in a book. It can be as exceptional as an entire home replicating a restorative, nourishing garden appeal. What about our thoughts? Are we sowing seeds of compassion, kindness, love, respect, and support through our words? Or are we budding weeds and thorns when we speak? If our speech is ripe with weeds, we will most likely cast and deposit weed seeds in other’s lives as well. Have you ever noticed how fast and far flung weeds can take root? We must pay particular attention to our thoughts and words as both are most contagious. The words we speak can be deposited and planted in generations to come. The effects of our
words can outlive us. Sometimes the full effect of our words can take years to become visible. Words laced with selfishness, disrespect, and control can resemble infertile ground where there is little chance of a fruitful future to take root. But, words laced with support grow and develop individuals to their fullest potential. If our lives represented a garden what would the garden look like? What colors, scents, plants, and adornments would be present? Would the garden of our life be situated in full sun, shade, or a mix of both? Would our garden be expansive to feed many or would it be sized just for us? Would the garden that represented our life nourish, rejuvenate and restore all those who visited it? Would visitors leave a bit better than they came? If we currently do not have lives that represent a garden what steps do we need to take to create one? Do we need the time, space, and tools? If so, pledge to create a garden in your life – let it become evident through the manner in which you live. If you have an evident garden represented through your life, decide if it is time to rotate crops or change it up a bit – keep it at its optimum. Above all, remember the importance to water and weed well.
thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com
“A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust.” ~Gertrude Jekyll “A garden requires patient labor and attention. Plants do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions or to fulfill good intentions. They thrive because someone expended effort of them.” ~Liberty Hyde Bailey a
35
The Valley, July 2012
Life in the East End by Rebecca Harrop Everything is rolling right along in the East End. Everybody should know June is National Dairy Month, the month we celebrate all the good, healthy, and nutritious food products that come from milk. Milk is one of nature’s most perfect foods because it contains 9 essential nutrients needed to maintain a healthy body. Our local farmers work very hard to provide a safe and healthy product to the consumers. If you enjoyed that cold glass of milk, bowl of ice cream, slice of cheese on your burger, or any of the many products produced from milk, make sure you say “Thanks” to our local farmers. Dairy Month also means we crown a new Mifflin County Dairy Princess. On June 5 we crowned our new Dairy Princess and said goodbye to the old Princess. Amanda Fisher was crowned the 2012-2013 Mifflin County Dairy Princess. She was crowned by her sister Macy Fisher the 2011-2012 Princess. We know Amanda will do as good a job as her sister Macy. We wish Amanda luck for her year of promoting the dairy industry. We also introduce all our Little Miss’s, Dairy Miss’s and Dairy Maids. These girls all support and assist the Princess with her duties. We are very proud of all our girls and the work they do throughout the year. If you would like to schedule an appearance by our Princess, call Beth Laughlin at 717-348-0394. Moving into July brings us to one of my favorite National holidays, July 4th. Everybody loves all the picnics, fireworks, and all the fun activities that go on for the 4th. I do as well, but I also think of all the men and women who gave up limbs, eyesight, and their lives. From the revolutionary war where they fought for the very existence of this nation, through all the wars fought afterward, ordinary people became heroes by believing in something worth dying for. Most everyone has someone either past or current, who has stories to tell about their military experiences. My great Gram Pap Buchanan and some of Gram Goss’s uncles were in World War II. Gram always said her Dad wouldn’t talk about the war very much. For some it is very difficult to talk
about. Two of my Dad’s uncles served in World War 1. My Dad is named after them. They were both gassed with Mustard Gas. Dad says they didn’t live to be very old because of that. I think it would be really hard to have to leave not only your home, but your country to go fight in another country where you don’t know the language or any thing. When I think about all they went through it is very humbling. Being in a trench for days or weeks on end would be awful! You wouldn’t be able to take a bath, even brushing your teeth would be hard, and I’ll bet an outhouse would be a step up for what they had to deal with. I can’t even imagine all the hardships they must have endured. Hardest of all would be seeing your fellow soldiers die before your eyes. That’s something that you would never forget. War is something none of us wants to see, but there are times when they must be fought. Someone must make those sacrifices. Families must give up loved ones to a cause, be it freedom or support of others. I’m so proud of all those who have served and those who serve today. Just take some time and think about how differently the United States would be, or would it even exist? Things are moving right along on the farm. The crops are in and growing. We have made a couple cuttings of hay. We have some wild geese feasting on the corn fields. They gobble up the little corn plants as soon as they pop through the ground. A couple of geese don’t do much damage, but when you see 20-30 of them going across the field they can hurt the yield pretty bad. Maybe I can convince Dad to let me have a puppy if I promise to train him to chase the geese away. I’ve been trying for a couple years now. My animals for the fair are doing well. I’ve been busy working with my beef steer. In the beginning of June, I took my steer to get his hooves trimmed, and get him weighed. He weighed 1300 lbs. He’s the biggest one I’ve ever had. The fair will be next month, so there is lots to do. I will be helping Mom collect donations for the Open Show Auction. It’s August 11th at 6:00pm and
benefits the 4-H and Open show part of the fair. Till next month, that’s life in the East End. a
Lupine Festival from page 18 town and local business focused on the good of the local area. The Fields of Lupines Festival is also a dose of good old Yankee ingenuity. Using a naturally occurring event to attract people and business to a particular area is brilliant and by cultivating and helping along what nature was already doing, the area is assured of continued interest, because they have helped create something spectacular. As with any outdoor activity, weather is a key determining factor. The 19th annual Fields of Lupines Festival got picture perfect
The open air markets held on the town commons were a very popular gathering spot for festival goers.
weather with cool mornings and evenings, and brilliant sunshine during the day with temps in the
A purple carpet covers the floor of the White Mountains in late spring every year.
www.thevalleynewspaper.com
high 70s and low 80s with zero humidity. Perhaps this wonderous phenomenom in late spring every year is what drew poet Robert Frost to the area to write and settle in Franconia NH in 1916. Perhaps not, but I know he must have been a fan of the lupine, as they were growing all around the front of his house near his mailbox. a
The Valley, July 2012
36
Cave Echoes by Marge Delozier-Noss and Nikki Santangelo
Echoes From The Himalayan Salt Cave Why might you choose to just sit quietly on a lounge chair or lie down on a yoga mat and be surrounded by 7 tons of Himalayan Salt for 45 minutes? That seems too simplistic to be of any benefit surely! Are there health benefits to it…..or is it just for relaxation…or is it just a scam? We all know that when we have the pleasure of going to the beach that we feel so much better. We breathe that salty air and we feel refreshed and revived. In a Himalayan Salt Cave every breath of salty air you take, every precious microelement of salt you inhale in the cave, is a bit of an irreplaceable, natural therapy beneficial for many health conditions. So, when additional salt is generated into the cave we are able to recreate the very special healing microclimate of the ancient underground caves that have been so effective for hundreds of years.
Salt has the same fundamental importance for our life as water. We could not survive without either one of them. But there is a HUGE difference between salt in its original form, as it has crystallized in the Earth over millions of years, and our regular “table” salt. Wholesome natural Himalayan salt has been used as a holistic remedy for hundreds of years. Our table salt is nothing more than sodium chloride with additives, where as Himalayan salt has 84 mineral elements including iodine of which our bodies need. Our Himalayan Salt Cave has been open since Dec. 1st, 2011. Everyday we continue to thank GOD for the benefits that people receive in the cave and we are thankful that we trusted in this natural healing modality and brought it to central PA. Salt therapy (“halos” in Greek means salt) also called Halotherapy is a drug-free and completely natural therapy with no side effects. It takes place in a dry, sterile, and hermetic environment that
recreates the natural microclimate identical to the ancient salt caves and salt mines. Salt mines and their therapeutic properties have been noted since Hippocrates. Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union, and other countries have been offering salt treatments in old salt mines since the early 19th century. Have we become so scientific in this country that we have totally turned away from more natural means for actual HEALING? When did we become so trusting of all the drugs we are offered and so accepting of all of the side effects that they carry with them? Do those drugs actually “heal” us or just mask the symptoms? Are our bodies meant to assimilate various drugs and their combinations? Our passion at Simplyhealth Wellness Center is preventative health care. 65%-75% of all disease is PREVENTABLE….but we need to do what is necessary in order to prevent that 65-75%! Basically there are four things that we need to do: exercise, drink LOTS of good clean water, eat a healthy organic diet, and control our stress. We like to add one more, and that is to detoxify our bodies. We subject our bodies to way too many chemicals, additives, and other toxic ingredients that our parents and grandparents were never subjected to. Our bodies detoxify on their own, but we believe that at the rate we subject our body to the pollutants and chemicals in our air, water, and food; we need to help our bodies with that detoxifying process. While you are in the cave, you will be detoxing. After your session, you will be reminded of this
and it will be suggested that you drink lots of good-clean water the rest of the day to help continue the detoxing though out the day. As owners, we are writing this monthly article for The Valley so that we can keep you updated on what is happening in the Cave. Just when we think we have heard everything that the cave could possibly help….someone comes back for another session and tells us of their healing experiences. We like to pass those experiences on. In last month’s paper we wrote of many of our clients testimonials. This month it has been brought to our attention that we have quite a few clients finding comfort and relief from nausea and pain while going through their cancer treatments. One in particular comes after every chemo treatment and sits in the cave for a session. She has had no pain and has not been sick with her treatments. Just a few of our favorites are: DS: After many visits he has gotten rid of his rotator cuff problems. Happy to be pain free and avoiding surgery and drugs. DF: Had knee replacement and comes into the cave after each of her physical therapy sessions. Helps with the pain and the healing. CH: Has increased her lung capacity from 22% to 47%. Her oxygen levels are greatly increased as well. She is able to talk a lot better (her family is not sure of this benefit!?) and has so much more energy. SW: “Over 8 months ago I was diagnosed with arthritis in my spine. For months I have taken Tylenol and some Celebrex to help with the inflammation. Every morning before I could get started with my job, I would take Tylenol which just
Meet Millheim from page 44 will be live jazz vocal music at the Green Drake at 1:00, Mountain Minstrelsy will continue its Open House with a live recording session from 3-5:30, and noted singer-songwriter Eilen Jewell plays at Elk Creek at 6 p.m. Most merchants will have extended hours. A variety of street food will be available as well.
thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com
took the edge off my pain,. After hearing about the cave, I decided to try it. After the second week in the Cave, I noticed one morning that I truly did not have pain in my spine at all. Had stopped taking the Tylenol and then the Celebrex. No pain getting up and down in a chair, none getting out of bed or going up and down stairs. Every inflammatory problem in my body seems to have resolved itself.” Our yoga instructor got her sense of smell back (after 3 years) on her first visit into the cave. She teaches yoga in the cave every Monday and Wednesdays at 9:00AM and Tues and Thursday nights at 6:00PM. Combining the benefits of yoga with a cave experience is excellent. We are now offering massages in the cave every Tuesday morning as well as the first and third Saturday of each month in the afternoon. We have expanded our hours so you may come anytime Monday – Friday 7:00 am- 7:00 pm or Saturday from 9:00-12:00noon. We will also do other times for groups of 8 or more. This month we are celebrating our independence. What would it take for you to be pain free, have energy, and possibly be free of medications and their side effects? Halotherapy has been found to have beneficial effects with health conditions like: emphysema, allergies, sinus infections, sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, arthritis, cystic fibrosis ADHD, eczema, psoriasis, COPD and so much more. The cave is antiinflammatory so when we start to shrink the inflammation in our bodies (and we all have too much of it) we can live a much freer lifestyle. Do some research on your own of this natural healing modality. Google Himalayan Salt Caves and check out our website as well: www.simplyhealth-calm.com. Check back with us next month to learn more what you can do naturally, easily, and affordably. a Maps of the event’s participants will be available all over town. The MBC has arranged additional parking and routes to it will be clearly marked. For the latest list of events and activities, see the Meet Millheim Facebook page at http:// www.facebook.com/MeetMillheim. For more information, contact Lisa Marshall at 814-3495561 or lisa@smartworkco.com. a
37
The Valley, July 2012
Sojourner Perspectives by Mark Ostrowski
Anointed by History
In Israel, on the Golan Heights, is an olive grove. The grower there bottles his own olive oil for sale. His labels read: “Anointed by History.” This got me to thinking about the Israeli experience and how this catchy little slogan truly exemplifies the nation as a whole. Israel is the only country I’m aware of that is named after a man (although my son Chad may disagree with that), and the only country that has been conquered, subjugated, ceased to exist, and yet after 2000 years of extinction, is again pre-eminent among the nations of the Earth. Historically speaking, to understand Israel one must turn to scripture. Israel is Promised Land. The promised land grant is a gift from God to a man named Abraham, passed to his son Isaac and then to Isaac’s son Jacob. The title deed to this land is contained in the Bible. Everywhere one goes in Israel, you will see placards depicting biblical events with quotations from scripture
on the markers. For example, we walked a short portion of “The Biblical Trail in MT. Gilboa.”. This is where King Saul and his sons, including Jonathan, where killed in battle by the Philistines. The account is recorded for us in the first book of Samuel, chapter 31. It is upon this foundation that this thriving little country the size of New Jersey secures her right to exist. In summary, as exploration is made of often forgotten pages of history from the bible, we are introduced to a man who is called “the friend of God”; Abraham. God called Abraham to follow Him and to go to the land of promise. Once there, God promised all the land from the Nile River in Egypt to the Euphrates River in modern day Iraq to Abraham and his descendants forever. Abraham was a very wealthy man, but he had a problem: he was childless. He had no one to leave his great wealth to. In one of his encounters with God, he
The author on the MT. Gilboa Biblical Trail
complained, asking; “what good is all this wealth if I end up leaving it to my servant?” God responded, telling him, “this man will not be your heir; but one who will come from your own body.” Additionally, God promised him descendants too numerous to count. Miraculously, Abraham and his wife Sarah have the child of promise after they are too old to conceive children. Enter, Isaac. Isaac marries Rebekah and she too is barren until Isaac prays and God opens her womb. Instead of joy, Rebekah is troubled as there is something going on in her womb that isn’t right. She inquires of God and learns that she is pregnant with twins. She is told that two nations are in her womb, two peoples will be separated from her body and the older shall serve the younger. Thus enter Esau and Jacob. Jacob was born with his hand on his Brother Esau’s heel. Jacob in Hebrew is Ya’acov, which means “hand on heel.” Is it possible Esau was attempting to end this rivalry right then and there by stomping on his brother’s soft spot and Jacob was protecting himself? Evidently these two brothers, as the prophesy to Rebekah indicated, were like night and day. Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, but Jacob was a peaceful man, living in tents. This is where the narration gets really interesting. In ancient culture, the oldest son was accorded the birthright blessing, which entailed becoming the spiritual leader of the family, receiving a double portion of the father’s inheritance as well as being the kinsman redeemer. (Being the oldest child of five, I vote we go back to this system!) Here’s the point as it applies to the brothers at hand; Esau, being born first should have received this blessing, however we learn that he despised it and in fact sold it to Jacob one day for a bowl of soup! This happened unbeknownst to their father Isaac, and when Isaac was ready to give the blessing he called Esau into his tent and instructed him to kill some game
and prepare a meal for him, after which he would give him the blessing. Interestingly, Esau didn’t say to his dad; “hold on a minute, dad, I sold that a while back to my brother.” No, he allowed his father to continue in the belief that it was still rightfully his and went out acting on his father’s instruction. Mom, hearing what’s about to go down and no doubt remembering the prophesy she was given regarding the boys, quickly mobilizes Jacob to dress like his twin while she prepares “Anointed by History” Olive Oil the meal dad wants. That night he sent his wives and Jacob does not want to children off ahead of himself and go along with this, expressing was left alone. A man appeared concern that he would be seen as and wrestled with Jacob until daya deceiver in his father’s sight. break. When this man could not Mom essentially tells him that prevail against Jacob he touched she’ll take the rap if things go the socket of his thigh and dislobadly and so the plot unfolds as cated it. He told Jacob to let him planned and Jacob receives the go as dawn was breaking. Jacob birthright blessing in lieu of Esau. replied “I will not let you go unAs you might imagine this did not less you bless me.” The blessing sit well with Esau and he bore a Jacob received was a new name; grudge against Jacob, vowing to “Israel; for you have striven with kill him. I believe Isaac could God and with men and have prehave rescinded the blessing from vailed.” Thus Jacob whose name Jacob if he wanted to. Certainly in Hebrew literally meant hand if he had invariably given the on heel as we previously noted, blessing to one of his servants now bore a new identity with a who came into his tent instead of new name. Israel means one who Jacob, this no doubt would have prevails with God, an overcomer. been the case. Israel returns to the land of his fa Due to the sudden escalation thers and his twelve sons become of this sibling rivalry, Mom sends the patriarchs of the twelve tribes Jacob to live with her brother subduing what we recognize today Laban in a distant land. Before as the land of Israel. Anointed by he goes, Isaac called Jacob into history? Yes, however anointing his tent and ratified the blessing doesn’t mean easy. he had previously unknowingly So we see in this quick purgiven him. Exit Jacob. view of history that the country Twenty years elapses. Jacob of Israel takes its name from the is then called by God to return patriarch Jacob who had his name to his homeland. He has been changed to Israel by God, and blessed by the Lord becoming stakes its land claim on the promexceedingly prosperous with two ise of that same God as noted in wives, two handmaidens, eleven the bible. children, large flocks, male and Next time, we will look at Isfemale servants, camels and rael’s departure from the land and donkeys. He sets his face toward one tribe’s tenacity in returning. his homeland and sets out with For those interested, Capernaum all that is his. On his journey, he Vista Olive Farm is the place I receives word that Esau is coming referenced in the opening parato meet him with four hundred graph of this article. Check them men. Sounds like a wonderful out at www.oleaessence.net for welcome home party, doesn’t it? Jacob of course, is very distressed. delightful skincare and olive oil products. He divided his family and all who C. Mark Ostrowski is were with him along with his Founder and President of The flocks and herds into two compaStewardship Group in Belleville, nies, reasoning that if one is atPA. Along with his wife, Joann, tacked, then the other will escape. he spent three weeks in Israel last He sent several waves of livestock Fall. He can be reached at MOsand cattle ahead of them with his trowski@THeStewardshipGroup. servants to give to Esau as gifts. org a
www.thevalleynewspaper.com
The Valley, July 2012
38
Ed’s Railroading News by Ed Forsythe
Hello rail-fans. A great event is coming to the Rockhill Trolley Museum in July in Orbisonia/ Rockhill Furnace, Pa. The 4th Annual Central Pennsylvania Ragtime Festival will be held on July 20th to 22nd. There will be 3 different Ragtime/Jazz concerts beginning on Friday July 20th, at 7:00 p.m., Saturday the 21st at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m.--all featuring Adam Swanson, Frederick Hodges and Brian Wright on the piano. Also preforming Sunday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. will be Ragtime/Jazz vocalist Ms. Ann Gibson accompanied by Frederick Hodges in a concert of American favorites from the WW1 era. All of these concerts will be held at Orbisonia United Methodist Church on Cromwell Street. Here’s a little history relating to these events. Mr. Frederick Hodges hails from the San Francisco area and plays Ragtime
Bigger Than Ever! Four Concerts and Much More! tunes. Other fun filled events will be held on Friday and Saturday evenings after the concerts at the Iron Rail Bed and The Fourth Annual Breakfast in Rockhill Central Pennsylvania Ragtime Festival Furnace right behind July 20-22, 2012 :: Orbisonia/Rockhill Furnace, Pa. the East Broad Top Three Different Ragtime Piano Concerts! Railroad station. Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m., and Saturday evening at 7 p.m. Adam Swanson, Frederick Hodges & Bryan Wright There will be Ragtime and Jazz Vocalist Ann Gibson! Sunday at 4 p.m. Open House Ragtime Accompanied by Frederick Hodges in a concert of American favorites After Hours where Ragtime After Hours! Following Friday's concert, meet our you can enjoy good performers, relax, and enjoy watching them play at the Iron Rail B&B Tickets: $20 each for concerts, $5 for After Hours, or $80 for all events refreshments, relax, For information, contact David Brightbill, PO Box 272, Orbisonia, Pa. 17243 meet the performers (814) 447-3984 :: www.rockhillragtime.com and watch them play more music in the Iron Rail Bed and Breakfast parlor. lies and listening to great Ragtime For tickets or music. information please go to www. I wish to thank everyone who rockhillragtime.com or call David came on out to Ed’s Train Repairs Brightbill at 814-447-3984. These and Sales and entered the drawing events are very modestly priced for chances to win trolley tickets with great times to be had by all. to ride the Rockhill Trollies. Six Remember, this is only 45 lucky winners were drawn for minutes from Lewistown, South four free tickets to ride all day on Route 522 to the twin towns of anytime this summer and one Orbisonia/Rockhill Furnace. Real lucky winner will experience the easy to get to and real easy to find. thrill of driving a trolley from the Come on out, get involved and 1920s. Congratulations to all and enjoy history when riding the trolHappy Railroading. Ed a Adam Swanson
Stride piano, which is style of piano music from that era. Adam Swanson is only 19 years old and is a three-time World Champion Ragtime Pianist. He is only a three-time champion because winning three times is the maximum anyone is permitted to win this competition. Brian Wright will be preforming for his fouth year and comes to us from our neighboring state of Maryland. Now, I’ve talked about the various events that tickets are available for, and here’s the connection to the Rockhill Trolley Museum. On Saturday and Sunday afternoon there will be FREE performances on the Rockhill Trolley porch for anyone who wants to bring their chairs, sit back, listen and remember many great tunes from the Ragtime/ Jazz era. So, enjoy the music, ride the trollies back to yesteryear and remember when everyone rode trollies and enjoyed these great
Adam Swanson
Home Brew U
Adventures in Homebrewing by Kevin Morgan
Beers of our Fore Fathers
I have mentioned in some of my past articles how I love reading about the history of beer and brewing recipes of the past. Some of the stories that go along with the beers that I have come across are as unique as the flavor of the brew itself. My ancestry is half Irish and half Welsh, so I started looking into beers from these regions. One Christmas I brewed up an authentic Welsh Ale recipe I found. It contained ginger root and lemons. The recipe said it would be champagne-like. Well, I left a bottle for a Welsh coworker at his desk. He left it over the weekend in the heated office and due to over carbonation it exploded. To this day he kids me that I tried to kill him with a beer bomb. But of all time periods I have read about and brewed some of its recipes, my favorite would have to be early Colonial America. This period speaks to me of a simpler time when brewing took place in a community atmosphere.
In fact, one of the recipes I tried was the estate recipe of Thomas Jefferson, Monticello. The story went that it was brewed to 100 gallon batches twice a year— once in the fall and again in the spring. Many of the ingredients came from the estate or surrounding area. This massive brewing process was an all hands on deck procedure and, according to the journal entries, it was more of a
Frederick Hodges
celebration than a chore. These beers that were brewed on plantations were considered small beers. They would be the modern day equivalent to a soda pop. The overall alcohol content was fairly low, but the fermentation process allowed for the beverage to be stored longer. I have visions of leading men of that time having a secret meeting at Monticello just before the Revo-
Ann Gibson
Bryan Wright
Frederick Hodges
lutionary War began. Thomas Jefferson would break out his best batch of ale and as the night grew darker, the anger of the moment would mix with ale and “bam!”— a revolution erupted. It probably did not go down like that , but it should have. Here is one of the colonial recipes I made that had the most unique back story I have read so far, Baby Bath Ale. In early colonial times a “Groaning Ale” was prepared when it was learned that a woman on the manor was with child. Using only the finest ingredients, this high-gravity beer was made and allowed to age until the labor began. Then the midwives would tap the cask and allow the mother to sip the ale to help her through the ordeal. Legend has it that the baby would then be washed in the brew because it would have been more sanitary than the available water. This is a five gallon brew. • 10 pounds Light Malt Extract • 1 pound Crystal Malt • 3 pounds Clover Honey • ¾ pound Brown Sugar • 2 ounces Kent Goldings Hops • 1 ounce Fuggle Hops • 1 package Ale Yeast • 1 cup of Molasses Steep the crystal malt in 3 gallons of water at 155 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove grains. Add
thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com
malt extract, honey, brown sugar, and Kent Goldings hops. Boil for 1 hour, adding Fuggle hops for the last 15 minutes. Cool wort and add water to five gallon level. Pitch the yeast. Primary fermenter for 7 to 10 days then transfer to secondary for one month. Bottle using the molasses. Age in the bottle for at least 4 months or until birth. I made this brew with a brew buddy when both of our wives were expecting. I do have to say the aging of the beer in this case is very important. The molasses gives the beer a hard taste, but it does mellow with age. It was an interesting brew with even a better story and no, my wife would not let me bring a bottle to bath my little girl at the hospital. a
The Valley, July 2012
I gained 50 pounds ...and love it! www.families4kids.org 800-568-6449
foster parent or adopt...you’ll love it too!
www.thevalleynewspaper.com
39
40
The Valley, July 2012
The Road to Faster Recovery CHOOSE
Celebrating Top 10 Clinical Rank Among HealthSouth Hospitals – 2 Consecutive Years! Rehabilitation Worth the Drive
550 West College Avenue • Pleasant Gap PA 16823 • 814 359-3421
©2012 HealthSouth Corporation:517290-09
thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com
41
The Valley, July 2012
Notes Bariatric Surgery Support Group FHA Center for Weight Management and Nutrition will host its monthly bariatric surgery support group on Thursday, June 21, 2012, from 6-7pm at Lewistown Hospital in Classroom 4. The group meets every third Thursday of the month from 6-7pm. Sessions are moderated by Virginia M. Wray, DO, CNSP. For more information on the FHA Center for Weight Management and Nutrition, call (717) 242-7099, or log onto www.myfamilyhealthassociates.com
Lewistown Hospital Purchases Electric Avenue Property Lewistown Hospital recently purchased the Electric Avenue Medical Center located at 3rd & Electric Avenue, Lewistown, formerly owned by the Electric Avenue Limited Partnership led by Dr. Charles W. Everhart, Jr., MD. The two-story brick building is adjacent to the hospital and will continue to be maintained as a physician office building with the current tenants including: Ricardo T. Carter, MD, Oncology/Hematology Geisinger Lewistown Endoscopy Geisinger Lewistown Gastroenterology Lewistown Hospital Lab University of Orthopedics Vallemont Surgical Associates and Edward H. Ridings, DO, FACOS The purchase of the building was made through Lewistown Ambulatory Care Corporation, a subsidiary of the Lewistown Healthcare Foundation. For more information, call (717) 242-7365. a
Urban Archeology Metal Detecting with Steve White “There comes a time in every rightly constructed boy’s life when he has a raging desire to go somewhere and dig for hidden treasure” Mark Twain - The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Well said, isn’t it amazing that Mark Twain wrote that over a hundred years ago? It still holds true today, even if the boy is older. It must be an inherent trait to want to find things or discover a lost treasure. This leads me to this month’s article—finding your niche in metal detecting. As I talked about last month, there are many facets to this great hobby. Park hunting, woods hunting, beach hunting, it goes on and on. When you first start this hobby, there are many questions that arise. How do I set my detector, is that a coin or pull tab, should I dig this signal? Where do I go? Do I have permission or was this hunted before? How do I properly dig a hole? The questions are numerous. Lucky for us there are a host of resources. One of the best resources is the internet. We live in the information revolution and
savvy people use this information treasure chest daily. This applies to detectorists as well. One excellent resource are online metal detecting forums. Reading other people’s posts and information can take you to a level that would take years of trial and error to comprehend. Got a question? Just post it and you will be bombarded with good information from caring hobbyists all over. Going on vacation? Why not ask where a good spot in that area might be and someone will post a starting point for you. They might even invite you to go with them to their favorite spot. I met Wayne on one of the forums and after a few pm’s (private messages) we got together and have been having fun ever since. Having learned a few basic things about metal detecting, it is time to head out and do some hunting. There is nothing like putting on your headphones, turning on your machine and tuning out the world. It is a form of escape that nourishes the soul. Of course, we are not oblivious to our surroundings and always stay in contact with our whereabouts,
The Udder Truth by He ather Wasson Centre Count y Dair y Princess
Greetings from Centre County! Hi I am Heather Wasson the newly crowned Centre County Dairy Princess for 2012-2013. I am excited to start my new position as a dairy advocate. I have spent my whole life on my family’s fifth generation dairy farm in State College. I am proud to belong to a dairy family and proud to represent the dairy industry for the next year. I am joined this year by two alternates: Terren Lesher and Halee Wasson. My court consists of Jordan Anderson, Carly Gilliland, Rebeccah Harter, and Gretchen Little. Representing the dairy industry is very easy. Milk is nature’s
most nearly perfect food. It contains nine essential nutrients in building a healthy body. Milk’s powerful nutrient package of calcium plus other essential nutrients helps nourish your body not just your bones. June is National Dairy Month. With milk being our state’s official beverage, this is a great time to salute the dairy farmers of Pennsylvania. What better way to salute the dairy farmers of our state than to consume the product they work so hard to produce. I have included a great recipe below for the summer picnic season to do just that. Enjoy!
listening to what the machine is telling us about what lays beneath our feet. One of the first things a new hobbyist needs to do is learn his machine. Read the manual, learn from the forums. There are many people with the same unit you have. If you have a buddy, go with him. The key is to get out there and hunt. Experience is the best indicator of what you will eventually like to do the most hunting for. Some like to go to a park or tot lot and find clad (new money because of its composition). It is gratifying to find some change and maybe a ring or bracelet. The main thing is it builds confidence in yourself and your machine’s ability to find things. Wayne and I occasionally look for clad as a release when we are having a slow time. It keeps you in practice. Cellar holes. What is a cellar hole? It is the remnants of an old house or homestead. Before refrigerators, people kept their food in a place that was cool and a constant temperature, safe from animals. Often they were a dugout hole near the house or part of the house that was rock lined and had a doorway to enter. Many times this is all that is left from and old homestead and it is a great place to start hunting for relics. These require research or knowledge by word of mouth as to where they are located. Talking to seniors that remember places for picnic areas or reunions from the day help discover clues to begin our searches. Sunny freshwater beaches are another area that a detector-
ist can hunt. There is nothing easier than sifting through the sand to find some clad, or once in a great while, jewelry. Most of the modern jewelry that we find is the cheap type worn by teenagers, however, do not rule out a good find. I always look forward to our family vacation to the eastern shore and the time I can spend combing the beaches. The wind, the surf, the whole experience makes it most relaxing. An amusing story was when we were in Ocean City, MD one summer on our anniversary. My wife and son were soaking up the sun and surf and, of course, I was detecting, when all of the sudden I got a good signal and dug what appeared to be a ring. I quickly washed it off and saw that it was a valuable ring with three jewels. Being very excited since I was still new to this hobby, I rushed over to my wife and presented her with an anniversary present. She still wears it to this day. That is another perk to this hobby! Maybe your forte is research such as hunting old maps and doing modern day map overlays to find abandoned homesteads (cellar holes) or old train stations. In our area, there are old canal areas and abandoned log towns. Most of the winter months are spent researching when detecting is not possible due to frozen ground. There are a few places that we hunt that have a narrow window of time because of the green briars and heavy ground cover that prevents any summer searching. With this in mind, knowing where to go
www.thevalleynewspaper.com
DAIRY FRUIT SALAD 1 pkg. (3 oz.) jello (cherry, strawberry, or orange) 1 pt. cottage cheese 1 regular size container of extra creamy Cool Whip 1 can (11 oz.) mandarin oranges 1 can (8 oz.) crushed pineapple Combine jello (dry, no water), cottage cheese, and cool whip in a medium size bowl. Drain oranges and pineapple, and then add to the jello/cottage cheese/cool whip mixture. Chill and serve as salad or dessert. Serves 20. a and not wasting time is important. I think this aspect of the hobby keeps it lively in the off-season. Finding what suits you in this hobby is trial and error. Maybe you like beach hunting, perhaps it is coin shooting, or possible researching and digging old sites. The bottom line is to get a machine, learn it, and get out there and spend time hunting. It is great exercise, relaxing, and satisfying to find something. You will discover and develop what your favorite type of detecting will be. I like it all and change the type of hunting I do with the season. It keeps it interesting. Next month I will talk a little about the variety of detectors that are out there and how their use applies to the types of hunting. If you have questions or comments, please email “The Valley.” Wayne or I will get back to you. If you know of any old picnic areas, old homesteads, or places you think we would like to hunt, let us know. We often share our finds with the landowner and encourage them to be a part of our hunt. We can even share the experience with our readers if you would like. Many a good find are by word of mouth and recalling facts from people are one of the things that make this hobby great. Best Regards, Steve a
Some recent finds
The Valley, July 2012
42
POOR WILL’S VALLEY ALMANACK for July of 2012
Observe the daily circle of the sun, And the short year of each revolving moon: By them thou shalt foresee the following day, Nor shall a starry night thy hopes betray. --Virgil THE STARS Throughout the remaining months of summer, find the Milky Way in the eastern night sky. Cygnus the swan is there too, its formation a giant cross. Aquila, spreading like an eagle from its main star, Altair, lies below Cygnus. Almost directly above you, Vega is the brightest light in the heavens. Delphinus, the dolphin, is due south, and, if you stay up until midnight, you should see autumn’s Pleiades coming up over the eastern horizon. THE METEORS The Southern Delta Aquarid meteor shower begins on July 18 and continues through August 19. The meteors of this shower cross the sky at the rate of about 20 per hour. To find these shooting stars, look due south in the vicinity of Aquarius and Pisces after midnight. The dark moon should help you to find at least a few meteors. THE PLANETS Venus and Jupiter share the role of morning stars of Middle Summer, well up in the east before sunrise. Mars moves retrograde into Virgo and joins Saturn, continuing to glow during the evening in the western sky. THE SUN Aphelion, the point at which the earth is farthest from the sun, occurs at 11:00 p.m. on July 4. July’s solar declination shift means a loss of about 45 minutes
in the day’s length. In most of Pennsylvania, for example, the sun rises around 6:30 a.m. by the end of the month instead of near 6:00, and sunset takes place before 9:00 p.m. instead of after 9:00 p.m. Throughout the month, the sun moves steadily from its solstice declination of 23 degrees 26 minutes to a Late-Summer declination of 18 and a half degrees. That distance is approximately a fourth of the way towards autumn equinox. JULY - WEEK 1 THE SECOND WEEK OF MIDDLE SUMMER LUNAR PHASE AND LORE The Firefly Moon turns completely full at 1:52 p.m. on July 3, then wanes through its third quarter during the rest of the week. Rising in the evening and setting in the morning, this moon moves overhead after midnight. Nighttime fishing is favored by lunar position this week: schedule your time on the water for after dark (but avoid sweets at that time), especially as the barometer falls in advance of the Corn Tassel Rains than often arrive this week in the form of thunderstorms. Planting of autumn root crops is favored under the moon in Capricorn on July 2 - 4 and in Pisces on the 7 - 8. Full moon on the 3rd could make for a turbulent Independence Day. WEATHER PATTERNS Like the final front of June, the July 6 weather system is associated with the Corn Tassel Rains. Thunderstorms and overcast skies often precede this front especially close to full moon, spoiling fireworks displays, sometimes bringing hail. The 6th is one of the driest days of the July’s first two weeks, but some of the wettest days in July come between the 2nd and the 13th. Watch your livestock for foot disease that is often related to muddy pastures. After the 8th, there is a full 90
percent chance that afternoon highs will reach 80 or above. July 7th through the 9th are some of the worst Dog Days of the year, all three bringing a ten percent chance for heat above 100 degrees. JULY - WEEK 2 THE THIRD WEEK OF MIDDLE SUMMER LUNAR PHASE AND LORE The Firefly Moon wanes throughout the week, entering its last quarter on July 10 at 8:48 p.m. Rising at night and setting in the middle of the day, this moon is overhead early in the morning. Lunar position favors morning fishing (but troublesome dieting), most notably as the July 14 cool front pushes down the barometric pressure before its arrival. The moon’s passage through Taurus on the 11th through the 14th should help fall root crops to thrive in the hot months ahead, and, as the moon wanes, summer seasonal affective disorders should lighten up just a little. WEATHER PATTERNS The Corn Tassel Rains, which typically begin at the end of June, often continue through the period, and temperatures, which sometimes cool a little during the first days of July, begin to grow warmer. Nighttime lows typically remain in the 60s, but chilly 50s occur an average of 15 percent of the time. Once the July 14 weather system passes through, conditions are more likely to be dry than wet. Often, heat intensifies. Temperatures are in the 80s and 90s most of the time, and highs above 100 are more likely to occur on July 15 and 16 than any other days of the year. JULY- WEEK 3 THE FOURTH WEEK OF MIDDLE SUMMER LUNAR PHASE AND LORE The Firefly Moon, having brought out the majority of this year’s fire-
flies, now becomes the new Monarch Butterfly Moon on July 18 at 11:24 p.m. Rising in the morning and setting in the evening, this dark moon is lost in the brightness of the sun, overhead near midday. Dieting is expected to be hardest and fishing most productive with the moon above you at lunchtime, especially as the July 21 cool front arrives from the west. Planting of garden vegetables for late autumn as well flowers for greenhouse bloom during November and December is recommended as the moon waxes through Cancer on July 16 through 19. New moon on the 18th could increase problems for public service employees. The new moon is also likely to cause unsettled weather conditions and higher-than-average tides. WEATHER PATTERNS Once the high-pressure system that typically arrives around the 21st has moved east, showers often put an end to midsummer drought, and cooler temperatures sometimes make the 22nd and 23rd some of the most welcome days of the month. Although moderate nights do not stay for long, the front that ends July’s third week could be considered one of the first meteorological signs of deterioration in the power of summer. But it is a sign easily missed: subsequent nights are warm, and the days are hot. JULY - WEEK 4 THE FIFTH WEEK OF MIDDLE SUMMER LUNAR PHASE AND LORE The Monarch Butterfly Moon waxes throughout the end of July, entering its second quarter on the 26th at 3:56 p.m. Rising in the afternoon and setting in the middle of the night, this moon moves above the region throughout the evening, inciting fish (and dieters, too) to bite after supper. Biting is likely to occur even more as the barometer falls in advance the the July 28 weather system. Late-
thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com
season plantings of flowers and vegetables, as well as the setting in of shrubs, are favored under Scorpio between July 25 and 28, and the moon’s phase between new and full may contribute to improved behavior in children and elders. WEATHER PATTERNS Five years in ten, at least one cool afternoon in the 70s follows the late-July cool wave due in Pennsylvania on or about July 28. Evening lows in the 50s, unusual only two weeks ago, often occur after this front. And throughout the country, average high temperatures drop one degree on the 28th, their first drop since late January. Nevertheless, the Dog Days are not finished yet, and their power continues to hold for at least another two week A DAYBOOK FOR JULY July 1: Tidal and lunar influences have been shown to be greater at full moon and new moon times. You might expect more trouble with your pets, herd, spouse, parents or children, therefore, on or about July 3 and 18. July 2: Tornadoes, hurricanes, floods or prolonged periods of soggy pasture are most likely to occur within the weather windows of July 3 through 7, and July 18 through 23. Full moon on July 3, and new moon on July 18 may increase the chance of tornadoes in the South and Midwest and the landing of a hurricane in the Gulf region near those dates. July 3: Some studies suggests that full moon today may increase danger from minor surgery on your livestock, pets and you. July 4: Dig garlic and summer potatoes, cut the kraut cabbage, the pickle cucumbers and the main crop of green peppers when elderberry flowers start to fall. And it’s time to detassel the seed corn and prune suckers from the fruit trees when sycamore trees shed their bark, when the first
43
The Valley, July 2012 black walnuts fall and you see the first woolly bear caterpillars cross the road. July 5: July is thistle down month all across Pennsylvania. And white vervain, horseweed, germander, teasel and wild lettuce open. Black raspberries decline quickly; the best red mulberries have fallen, and elderberries are setting fruit. This year’s ducklings and goslings are nearly full grown. Rough-winged swallows move south, leading the fall migrations. July 6: Milkweed pods emerge; they burst their shells at the approach of Middle Fall, just 80 days from now. Some elm and black walnut leaves yellow in the heat. Pokeweed flowers turn to berries. Seed pods form on the trumpet creepers and the locusts. Catalpa beans are full and long. July 7: Cicadas chant full force. Fireflies are past their prime, fawns a third grown, blue jays suddenly quiet with all the fledglings on their own. July 8: The first katydids begin singing after dark. Woolly bear caterpillars and Japanese beetles become more common. July 9: Next year brings an early Roman Easter (March 31) but a late Orthodox Easter (May 5). That means breeding sheep and goats for the Easter market could begin next month and may require a little extra planning to accomodate both markets. July 10: Since the moon may exert less influence on ocean tides and on human and animal behavior when it comes into its 2nd and 4th quarters, it might make more sense to transport your animals or perform routine maintenance on your livestock on or about July 10 and 26. And these periods of lighter lunar force often make life easier for parents and public service workers. July 11: Pick blackberries when the ragweed pollen starts to make you sneeze. When goslings and ducklings are full grown, the potato leaf hoppers reach economic levels in the alfalfa. Top tobacco, set out autumn greens, and harvest peaches and summer apples when you see the wild cherries ripening, and the thimble plants are setting thimbles. July 12: Plant your autumn turnips when your hear the late field crickets start to sing. July 13: In forage pastures, clip alfalfa plants when blooms have just started; its energy will be directed back to making foliage instead of producing seeds. July 14: Plant hollyhock, sweet William and forget-me-not seeds for next year’s blossoms. Colum-
bines and delphiniums can also be sown this month. Prepare your autumn pansy beds now, and set out flowering kale for color from October through the winter. July 15: Count the frost free days remaining in your region, and calculate the estimated harvest and the fall garden schedule. Select varieties for midsummer planting which are able to grow well even as the days shorten. For frostsensitive vegetables like beans, try to use varieties that ripen quickly. Fall onions as well as late plantings of the fleetest sweet corn and squash can be sown, too. July 16: July is bug time in the trees. Watch for damage from bagworms in the arborvitae, euonymus, juniper, linden, maple, and fir. Mimosa webworms appear on locust trees. July 17: Now take cuttings from your geraniums, coleus and other plants you’d like to save indoors this winter. Keep gladiolus and dahlias watered in the mid-July drought. Include the mums in your summer care; give them a little food now for extra blossoms in September. July 18: Thistles which your goats did not eat now unravel in the Dog Day afternoons. Burdock and catchweed cause problems in the pasture– it’s getting to be burtime throughout Pennsylvania. New moon today may complicate working with your animals and family. July 19: Prune suckers from your fruit trees. Wysteria vines can also be cut back now. July 20: As the July Dog Days intensify, they will bring more Japanese beetles to the roses and leafhoppers to the potatoes, and aphids everywhere. Keep flowers and vegetables well watered and fed to help them resist the onslaught of the insects and weather. Iris can be divided and transplanted in July, but be sure to check the roots for rot and worm damage. July 21: Don’t cut the lawn too short while the summer is at its peak; let it rest a little longer than you would in June, and cut it high. July 22: Watch your animals after traveling long distances in the heat. Be sure they have plenty of attention, feed and water. July 24: Many plants that are toxic to cattle, including larkspur, leafy spurge, tansy ragwort and pine needles, do not harm sheep, which have a greater ability to neutralize the plant toxins. Grazing sheep over infested areas can reduce the risk of poisoning to cattle. July 25: Late July, when the day’s length has lost more than half an hour from its longest span,
is time for some ewes and does to show signs of estrus cycling. Hormonal patterns in humans may also be affected by the lengthening nights. July 26: By the last week of middle summer, the yellowing locust and buckeye leaves and the brown garlic mustard give a sense of fall to the woods. A few Judas maples and Virginia creeper leaves redden. Shiny spicebush, boxwood, greenbrier, and poison ivy berries have formed. July 27: July is a good time to gather aromatic plants such as thyme, mint and clover which are especially conducive to fecundity in mammals. July 28: Normal average temperatures start to fall (and frost season is only four to six weeks away) throughout most of the country as wild grapes ripen, the dry onion harvest starts, geese are getting restless, and the first Judas maple of the year turns a little red. July 29: Wild cherries darken. Buckeyes and black walnuts are fully developed. Now osage fruits are heavy enough to drop in a storm. Mallow, Asiatic lilies and day lilies disappear in the garden as red, white and purple phlox time unfolds. Lizard’s tail and wood nettle go to seed along the riverbanks. Blueweed, white vervain, motherwort and white sweet clover end their seasons. Petals of the hobblebush darken. Parsnip heads, honewort pods and sweet cicely pods are dry enough to split and spill their seeds. July 30: Late summer’s burdock and Jerusalem artichokes bloom now. Wild lettuce opens at nine o’clock in the morning facing the sun, closes by noon. Tall blue bellflowers, pale violet bouncing bets, gray coneflowers and pink germander color the waysides. Water hemlock, Joe Pye weed and arrowhead blossom in the swamps. Round galls swell on the goldenrod. The best morning chorus of birds is over for the year. The cardinals still greet the dawn, but they stop singing early. Swallows are beginning their fall migrations. When the mornings are cool, fog hangs in the hollows before dawn. July 31: Ragweed blooms as July comes to a close, and the yellowing locust leaves and brown May garlic mustard give a sense of fall to the woods. Osage fruits drop to the ground. Lizard’s tail goes to seed along the river banks. Tall bell flowers are aging. Pods of touch-me-not are splitting. TALKING MOSQUITO Sometimes in the mornings before sunrise, I am a shadow boxer. I
review my martial arts studies from years ago, and I play with the forms I once knew, imagining an enemy attacking from the shadows. Up until the other day, no one had ever tested my solitary skills. Now, as a child, I was a Boy Scout, and I spent many summers at camp, progressing through the various degrees of proficiency offered by that organization. At one point, I was inducted into the Order of the Arrow, a national Scouting honor society, and at the end of an initiation period, each of the chosen was given a special Native American name. At that ceremony, the older boys received their insignia and honorary names first. I remember a tall and muscular eighth grader being christened Running Buck. Another strapping young man was called Brave Bear. Someone else, a wiry, athletic kid, was given the title of Fierce Eagle. The elders approached me, shook my hand. Henceforth, I would be known as… Talking Mosquito. Talking Mosquito! My heart sank. I fought back tears. What kind of fearless warrior had a name like Talking Mosquito! Then the other morning, some fifty years or so after that summer, I was shadow boxing in the yard. The sun was still three quarters of an hour below the horizon, and the east was clear, the half moon up in the south. I was swaying slowly, almost ceremoniously in the twilight, following the scripts of my martial forms, when out of the dark trees came my opponent, obviously intent on drawing blood. I could see her outlined against the pale golden sky, and I heard her singing as she came – talking, actually, because she was a clearly a talking mosquito, and she was withholding no secrets, apparently aware I had lived in ignorance and disappointment for so long. And I moved quickly to engage her, but that was madness, for the nimble attacker simply rose into the air and stung me lightly on the back of my hand. I brushed her away, and this time she taught me to keep my interval and to watch my breathing. She trained me not to strike too quickly or she would disappear, not too slowly or she would take me. Back and forth we went, her slender body here then there, always telling, always teaching. Gently but relentlessly, the mosquito guided me through my basics: centering, blending, lead-
www.thevalleynewspaper.com
ing, timing, yielding, following, sticking, always sensing the other, never too hard, never too soft. Until the July sun rose bright over the trees and I walked away from her into the light where she was reluctant to follow. She remained behind in the shadows, but I, almost enlightened now, entered a world of more conventional but less elusive opponents, and of teachers far less wise. Listen to Bill Felker’s weekly “Poor Will’s Almanack” on podcast any time at www.wyso. org. And Bill’s website, www. poorwillsalmanack.com, contains weekly updates and a sizable bank of information about nature. His organization of weather patterns and phenology (what happens when in nature) offers a unique structure for understanding the repeating rhythms of the year. Bill lives with his wife in Yellow Springs, Ohio. They have two daughters, Jeni, who is a psychologist in Portland, Oregon, and Neysa, a photographer in Spoleto, Italy. POOR WILL ANNOUNCES THE LAST GREAT OUTHOUSE STORY CONTEST! Twenty years have passed since the first Almanack outhouse story contest, and people who have experienced the adventure of a real outdoor privy are not as plentiful as they used to be. So now is the time to talk to Granny and to Great-Uncle Leroy and get them to tell you the way it really was. Funny stories are best, and length should be less than 300 words. The grand prize winner will take home $50.00, and the top five runners up will receive $7.00 each. But hurry! This contest is only open through August 31. Send your outhouse tales to Poor Will, P.O. Box 431, Yellow Springs, OH 45387. Or email them to wlfelker@gmail.com. Selected stories will appear in Poor Will’s Almanack for 2013 and may appear in other Poor Will columns.
The Valley, July 2012
44
Newly Formed Millheim Business Community Announces “Meet Millheim” Event, July 20-22 Millheim, PA – June 22, 2012 by Karl Leitzel, Lisa Marshall, and Martha Hoffman Photos by Cyndy Engle If you haven’t visited Millheim, a half hour drive east of State College on Route 45, in recent years, it’s time you do. The Elk Creek Café & Aleworks kicked off the cultural renaissance several years ago and continues to provide good food, beer and live music. Since then, things have been moving fast. With the opening in the last year of new businesses such as the Green Drake Gallery and Arts Center, the Inglebean Coffee House, Triple Creek Lodge and the Penns Valley Outfitters & General Store, downtown Millheim is now a destination -- for a day, a night, or a weekend. With more new ventures on their way and several well established businesses that held the town together during its lean years, MBC thinks it’s time to come and explore. “Meet Millheim,” a town-wide event Friday evening, July 20 through Sunday evening, July 22,
is the perfect time to explore the town and beautiful east Penns Valley. A wide variety of interesting events for adults and children are scheduled. Kicking Main Street Millheim, take a journey back and enjoy a simpler time off the weekstarting at 8:00 pm, and a Music/ end, the Green Drake will be Multimedia Show and Open sponsoring renowned harpist Ann House at St. Luke’s Cultural CentSullivan and her “harp camp” er on Penn Street with Mountain students giving a harp concert on Minstrelsy/Marah. Doors open at Friday night at 7 pm. Seats will St. Luke’s at 7:00, with the show be limited, so be sure to get there starting at 8:00. a bit early and look around the On Saturday, the Millheim gallery! In addition, there will be an outdoor movie at the IngleBean Farmer’s Market at the American
Legion on Rt. 45, will be open from 10 am till 3 pm with its Learning Garden and many local producers of a wide range of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, breads, cheeses and flowers. For outdoor enthusiasts, the PV Outfitters will have well-known falconer, Mike Dupuy, giving a talk on falconry and introducing three of his birds on Saturday, July 21st at 4:00 p.m. on their porch. PV Outfitters will also be offering special deals on their new “Pedals to Paddles” packages – combination biking and kayaking experiences with transportation to and from the outdoor sites. For kids, Ecovents and Gary Gyekis will sponsor a rubber ducky race in Millheim’s mill race at 12 noon on Saturday. There will be kids crafts as well as artist demos at the Green Drake Arts
Center from 10 am til 2 pm, and a Puppet Show (and puppet making) at the IngleBean at 2:00. For music lovers, there will be live music at the gazebo on Main Street at 3 pm. Then the Green Drake will have “Singer/ Songwriters in the Round” at 4 pm, with the opportunity to hear original songs and the stories behind them. Finally, the Elk Creek Café will top off the evening with music starting at 8:00. For animal lovers, Dr. Joe of Penns Valley Veterinary Clinic will be having an open house in his newly renovated offices next to the IngleBean. There will also be an open house Friday evening and Saturday at the PASA (Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture) offices one block up North Street. Triple Creek Lodge, above the IngleBean, will have an open house and room specials. Many other businesses will be having specials for the weekend, including Penns Valley Jewelers and Cottage Rose Interiors, Good Scents Candle Company, the Wine Shop at Millheim, the Valley Showcase, and Millheim Small Engine and Hardware. On Sunday, the Elk Creek Café and Aleworks offers its wonderful Sunday brunches. There
Continued on page 36
Lewistown, PA
717-250-1726 Learn More At
jasonroyerhomes.com
thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com
45
The Valley, July 2012
Dave Wilson
Coins, Precious Metal and a Little of this and That The Case of the Missing Class Ring While I generally write about coins, coin collecting and precious metal investments, there are several other (somewhat interesting) aspects to the business I have been blessed to own and operate for the past two plus decades. Purchasing gold and silver jewelry from the public has grown from an interesting sideline into a very important part of our bottom line. When gold was priced at $300 an ounce, it was difficult to impress people with what you could pay for even broken and worn out items. However, at nearly $1600 an ounce, most customers are now THRILLED to find out just how much those old jewelry items are worth! Along with being an appreciated source of store revenue, buying jewelry from the public has also provided us with quite a few...shall we say...entertaining situations. Every business owner of any tenure has lots of interesting and
funny stories to tell, and we are no exception. Buying jewelry, as they say “Over-the-Counter” has generated many interesting stories. Being an enthusiastic history buff, I have always enjoyed listening to customers tell their jewelry buying tales. My most favorite story, however, involves the purchase of a Chief Logan class ring in the early 1990s. I will keep the owner and graduating year secret, as it would be imprudent for me to do otherwise. One morning a gentleman walked into our (old, North Main Street, Lewistown) store and inquired about selling a Chief Logan class ring that he had found nearly twenty years earlier while metal detecting at Greenwood Furnace State Park. We came to agreeable terms and purchased the ring. Being an avid local yearbook collector, (I have two bookcases stacked full) I took the ring
Caving Mifflin County with Todd Karschner Hello everyone! Here we are halfway through the year already. Wow! With warm weather, gardening, yardwork, and of course, caving, time is just zipping by. We have had some readers e-mail us about organizing a local grotto. I am happy to say that due to much interest, we will be doing just that. I apologise to those who sent e-mails and I answered them late. I’m not exactly a whiz at the computer. I am working on that. In the meantime, you can reach me by phone or text at 717-3486383. Please leave message. I will return your call in the evening. As numbers grow, we will be planning our first meeting. I will keep everyone posted in upcoming issues. This month we are back in Milroy. This one is very close to
the first highlighted cave that appeared in the valley back in April, Milroy 2. The name of this well known cave is, well, you guessed it, Milroy 1. It is located close to South Main Street and Lingle Creek. As always, all caves in Mifflin county are on private land. Please ask permission. As Wayne stated in last months cover story, the locations of most caves are kept quiet due to vandals either showing up with spray paint, or leaving with formations. Also, some caves are extremely dangerous to someone without experience, Milroy 1 doesn’t have many formations. It is, however, somewhat challenging. There’s lots of climbing on slippery surfaces. Just inside the small angled entrance
home that night to see if I could discover who it had belonged to. The initials on the inside of the ring matched up with a gentleman who had graduated in the 1960s. I made a few calls later that week (long before all the inhibiting privacy laws would have forbade my getting this type of information) and found the address of the gentleman in question. As luck would have it he still resided at the same address having taken over the family homestead. I telephoned him that evening. When he answered the phone, I introduced myself and asked if he had lost his Chief Logan class ring while swimming at Greenwood Furnace State Park in the Mid-1960s. He was surprised that I knew of his loss and asked why I was inquiring about it after all this time. I proceeded to tell him that a gentleman had found his ring at the park nearly twenty years earlier and had sold it to me is a large room which places you at the ceiling level. The floor is roughly 40 feet down. There is a small tunnel that leads off to the right. It’s mostly tight squeezes for a few yards. From here there are four other passages that lead off from the large entrance room. All of them are at the bottom. There are a few paths to use to reach the bottom. There is a passage that goes back under the entrance, one that twists and turns under the boulders on the floor, one that is choked full of debris and water, (entrance to another cave system), and one that continues under the south wall. The rest of this cave is through the tunnel under the wall. It is a bunch of crawling through cracks, over boulders and even a 10 foot drop. After all of that, you enter a large room called the rock room. 100 feet by 40 feet with loose rock covering the floor. There are a few small passages from this room; one of these has some mud sculptures, and another one goes into some small rooms and ending
earlier that week. I asked him if he would be interested in buying it back for what we had paid for it. The man hesitated then explained that I had certainly made some sort of mistake, as HIS ring was up in his jewelry box. In fact, he added, he had just seen it there several days earlier. Well you can understand our confusion. I again told him that there was no mistake and that I had the ring in my hand at that very moment. I described it in detail. The man started, once again, to say that it still could not have been his ring when he stopped COLD. There were several seconds of silence, then the man said “Oh my Gosh! “I don’t believe it.” Honestly, his tone sent chills traveling up and down my spine. The man proceeded to tell me his tale. About 3 weeks after receiving his class ring, he and several friends had gone swimming at Greenwood. As they were traveling home, he discovered that he had lost his ring. Naturally, he was extremely upset. When he got home, he told his mother about his loss and she did her best to console him. Two days later when he returned home from school, his mother greeted him with wonderful news. A man had called that morning and said that he had found the young man’s class ring in the sand while swimming with his family. He wouldn’t be able to get over the mountain for a few weeks
but had promised her that when he did he would stop and return the ring. As you can imagine, the young high school student was very happy. Several weeks later, he recalled, when he came home from school, his mother handed him his ring telling him that the nice man who had called had dropped it off that afternoon. Unfortunately, she said, she had forgotten to get his name and address to be able to send him a proper thank you note. The man then told me (what I had already suspected from his story) that his mother, obviously, had ordered him a brand new, identical ring and gave it to him like she did so he would not feel that he had caused her any financial hardship. She had never revealed the secret. “Incredible,” he said. “I just can’t believe it.” I asked him if his mother was still alive and he responded that NO, she has passed away seven years earlier. When I again asked if he was interested in his original ring he responded “No, thank you, the ring I have upstairs means so much more to me now that I know the true story about how I got it.” We spoke for another minute or two, the man expressed his sincere thanks for my call and we both hung up. I can only imagine that HE has enjoyed telling that story almost as many times as I have. a
in a 30+ foot deep pool. That ends the tour of Milroy 1. It’s not a very large cave, but because of the amount of climbing, the visit takes a bit of time. I am looking forward to meeting those of you who have sent
e-mails. There are trips to more local caves to plan, and we need help.
www.thevalleynewspaper.com
Cave safe, Todd K. a
46
The Valley, July 2012
thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com
47
The Valley, July 2012
GUEST EDITORIAL The Freest Country on Earth By John Silveira Senior Editor Backwoods Home Magazine Here’s a quiz: Which is the freest country on earth? The answer’s easy. It’s the United States. Ask anyone. And why are we the freest? Not because we’re the richest. Long before we became the world’s richest nation we still regarded ourselves as the freest, and millions flocked to our shores to enjoy that freedom. The reasons we are free are: First, because of the philosophical basis upon which this country was founded. It is assumed that individuals have rights, e.g., free speech, the right to bear arms, the right of a jury trial before our peers should the government try to imprison us, seize our property, or deprive us of our lives, etc. Second, we have a Constitution that limits the powers of a central government to intrude into our lives. And third, our rights have been enshrined in the First 10 Amendments to our Constitution. Many other countries, like England and Canada, also have their own Bill of Rights, but those rights are at the pleasure of the government. It says so right in their laws. So they are not “unalienable” rights. Only our country, in all of history, was founded on the assumption that the individual has rights that exist apart from the government and not at its pleasure. Then, in 1868, the Constitution was amended to say that even the states cannot violate our unalienable rights. Pretty powerful stuff. These things form the
basis of our freedom and are the reasons why the United States is the freest country on earth. So if we can identify the freest country, can we also identify that which is the least free? I’ve tried to find a qualitative way to make that determination, but it’s difficult, because no country has a constitution that guarantees tyranny. Even the constitutions of the old Soviet Union and the People’s Republic of China read as if those countries were free. You’d never have guessed that what happened under Stalin and Mao could have happened, just from reading those documents. (Of course, you’d never have guessed we once enslaved a huge portion of our own citizens or screwed the Indians out of a large portion of a continent by reading our Constitution. But that’s another story.) What I’m getting at is it’s hard to determine qualitatively which is the least free country on earth. So I decided to see if there is a quantitative way to measure it. I found two. First, the country with the most laws would be a candidate for that which is least free. Laws regulate people, so the country which is the least free would surely regulate its people the most. Second, the country with the greatest percentage of its population in jail would also be a candidate for the least free, for obvious reasons. And, if, by chance, some country not only had the most laws but also had
the largest percentage of its own population behind bars, we’d at least have a candidate for the least free country on the planet. So which country has the most laws regulating its citizenry? After looking high and low I discovered that the country with the most laws—not just today, but in all of history is...geez Louise, it’s the United States. We not only have the most laws in all of history, but we also turn out more new laws and regulations to manage our people every single year than most countries turn out in decades. How can it be that the world’s freest country needs more laws to tell its people what to do than the Soviet Union, Red China, Nazi Germany, or any two-bit banana republic dictatorship? And it’s not like we’ve always had so many laws. Most of them are new. In 1814, when President Madison and the Congress fled Washington, DC, ahead of the invading English troops bent on arson, they took the papers of the federal government with them. It was easy. They loaded all the laws and regulations into a few boxes and left. This was all the federal govern-
ment had generated to regulate us in the first 38 years of our existence. Today, Congress and anonymous bureaucrats generate more laws and regulations than that in minutes. Maybe we should consider the other criterion. Which country imprisons the highest percentage of its own citizens? Let’s see, Russia’s up there. And so is the Union of South Africa. And there are some little potentates as we see in Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan. Hmm, but who leads the list. On, no! Folks, you’re not going to like this. It’s...it’s...the United States, again, heading the list of least free countries. The prime reason is the War on Drugs, the war waged against our country’s own citizens “for their own good.”
www.thevalleynewspaper.com
When I presented my results to others, some said if you obey the laws, you have nothing to worry about and you’ll still be free. I pointed out that that’s the case in every country. Toe the line and you won’t get in trouble. If the women in Afghanistan wore their burkas and didn’t drive or get an education, then by that definition they could still be free. I also pointed out that Jews in Nazi Germany, blacks in the postbellum South, and many American Indians did toe the line and tried to be good citizens but they still got screwed. So obeying the law doesn’t guarantee freedom. Another said, despite all our laws, we have safeguards in that we have a jury system and that those laws are filtered through juries. I pointed out that more and more agencies regulate us without juries. E.g., the IRS, family courts, OSHA, the EPA, etc. don’t allow juries. And where juries are allowed the courts exclude people who realize they can nullify bad laws. This is hardly a recipe for freedom. So, somehow, I have arrived at a paradox. What, on paper, would appear to be the freest society in the world appears, in practice, to be among the most oppressive. Does this bother anyone besides me? a
48
The Valley, July 2012
thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com