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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 4, No. 9
by John Callahan
“In a life-or-death situation, you will not rise up to the occasion….. you will default to your highest level of mastery.” - Unknown One of the many great things about living in central PA is the strong gun ownership tradition and our shared hunting heritage. Most boys learn to hunt at an early age from their fathers, and even young girls are often found joining the family at the range sighting in their rifles or in the woods during deer season. These skills, like heirlooms, are passed down from generation to generation. However, beyond hunting, firearms training opportunities in central PA have been limited. For most, taking a shooting class was considered a luxury that often included days off from work, and an overnight stay in a hotel. A luxury that, like most things that cost time and money, was put off for another day. Not anymore! I recently started Badger Bay Firearms Instruction in the tri-county area (Blair, Centre, Mifflin) to offer affordable, NRA-certified firearms classes locally. Our classes are designed for every skill and comfort level, from first-time gun owners and new youth shooters, to advanced carry- a-concealedweapon (CCW) pistol classes. My goal with Badger Bay is, at
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The Valley, September 2013
the core, to teach responsible gun owners how to be safe and competent with firearms. For new shooters, this means focusing on the basic fundamentals and safety, in a controlled and non-threatening environment. For more experienced shooters, we will expand skill sets and improve marksmanship and speed. In addition to teaching the foundational firearms safety and
skills, Badger Bay’s primary courses will focus on firearms instruction for those who choose to own a firearm for self-defense, and CCW permit holders. In Defensive Handgun I & II, students will become highly proficient in the use of their handguns for self-defense, in the home or on the street. Defensive Handgun I, a fun and interactive 8–hour course,
students will learn the basic fundamental self-defense shooting skills. The class starts with a detailed safety briefing, and quickly progresses to shooting mechanics: grip, trigger pull, follow-through, and sight-alignment/sightpicture. By the end of the class, students are able to draw from concealment, successfully engage multiple targets while moving off the line-of-force, clear basic
A group of students practicing their new skills
Lighting Brush Fires in People’s Minds
malfunctions, conduct emergency reloads, and have had a discussion of the legal and moral implications of a self-defense shooting. In addition, the basics of CCW are explored, including firearm and holster selection, positions of carry, and etc. While designed for students with some basic firearms skills, responsible new shooters are also encouraged to take Defensive Handgun I. Defensive Handgun II, is an expansion of Defensive Handgun I, and continues to refine and advance student’s techniques. One-handed shooting, moving to/ shooting from cover, and nontraditional shooting positions are also explored. At the end of the Defensive Handgun courses, students will have the opportunity to display their skills by shooting a law enforcement agency firearm qualification course, and receive a course completion certificate. Women’s Defensive Handgun I & II, are also available. While the same course material is taught, the class is modified specifically for women shooters and the particulars of female CCW, ie purse concealment. My goal at Badger Bay is to provide the most effective and economical firearms training to responsible gun owners in our area. Being conscientious of your
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Editor’s Corner Wayne Stottlar The arrival of one of my favorite times of year, fall, can’t be far off now. Lynn and I got to see the “coming attractions” a couple weeks ago while on our vacation in New Hampshire. There is definitely something special about being from a place that people think of as a vacation destination. Our time spent there is always way too short, and seems to go by way too fast, and before you know it we are headed back to reality. On our drive up we noticed the trees on top of Hogback Mountain in Vermont already starting to get some color and it was only August 8th. But the bright, clear blue skies told us we were approaching “home,” and also reminded me that I left my sunglasses on the dash of the truck back in PA. We spent a couple days looking at buildings for a possible new business, got to see each of my two older boys, one daughterin-law, and the grandkids for a very short time, I was a little bummed about this, but I kept telling myself that the purpose of this trip was to make it possible to get back home soon. We also got to do a couple” touristy” activities while there, checked out our property to make sure everything was still good, donated a couple pints of blood to the local mosquitoes (it will be tough getting used
to that again), and my highlight for the trip—seeing the look on Lynn’s face when she finally came face-to-face with a moose! I have seen moose many, many times over the years up there, both on the hoof and on the meat pole after the yearly fall hunt. But try as I might, I didn’t seem to be able to find one for Lynn to see in person despite our many trips to NH over the years. All of that changed on the night of August 14th. We had made reservations with Pemi Valley Moose Tours in Lincoln, NH for the nightly Moose Tour. I won’t
go into detail as I am sure Lynn wants to write about her experience in next month’s issue, but let’s just say Lynn ended her moose drought in a HUGE way— the look on her face reminded me of that of a young child seeing the inside of a candy store for the first time. She was so excited it made the cost of the trip all worthwhile. We had beautiful weather the whole time we were there, but for 4-5 hours one morning. The temps were in the mid 70s and night
I can’t put into words how upsetting it was for me to come around a corner and be faced with this hideous sight. Formerly unblemished mountain tops destroyed by the hideous eyesore of marginally effective wind turbines.
time temps were downright chilly in the mid 40s—but it felt glorious! I did not get to swim in our lake this trip, but at some point I will be able to do that anytime I please, so I try to remember that. I was happy to note that Lynn was really noticing the joys of North Country living while we were there this time. I always felt she liked being there, but this time she took notice of how often it seemed you were the only one out on the roads. No one pasted to your bumper because you refuse to drive more than 10 miles per hour over the speed limit. No people pulling out in front of you at the last minute, no endless construction areas. It is peaceful, life as it should be. We both took notice of this on one particular day driving from White River Junction, Vermont to Woodsville, New Hampshire on Route 5 that runs along the Connecticut River. A gorgeous area complete with farms and colonial homes along a distance of 30 miles. While we did see about 10 cars coming in the opposite direction, we did not have one car behind us or in front of us for the entire trip! You actually have time to drive at a pace that allows you to take in the beauty of your surroundings. We stopped along the way to visit an old customer of mine in Fairlee Vermont, at Chapman’s Pharmacy. Her father, Lee Chapman used to come to their upstairs window when I arrived at the store and throw the key down to me, so I could go in and service their rack with live bait. Back in those days my Vermont route would start at their store. I usually got there around 5:30 -
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Contact Info Editor/Publisher Wayne Stottlar Graphic Artist/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.
6:00am, the store and pharmacy wouldn’t be open yet, but I was allowed access to the entire store un-escorted—that was the way New Englanders did business, we trusted each other and wouldn’t violate that trust for any reason— it is the way things should be. I would leave the key on the counter and exit the side door when I was finished, leaving that door unlocked so the Chapmans could enter when they came down to start the day. That seems eons ago now, but things are still done that way in the north country and I can’t wait to be back someday. I hope we can go away more often now that we found a fantastic house/dog sitter. Now that Murphy is too old to kennel as he is getting old and having trouble getting around, we usually try to leave him at Lynn’s parents house. But....now that they are
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The Valley, September 2013
Home Nursing Agency Foundation Announces 2013-2014 Mission Grants to Benefit Patients and Community By Kimberly Helsel The Home Nursing Agency Foundation, a community benefit, non-profit organization, recently awarded 28 Mission Grants totaling $141,700 to Agency programs and services. The grants will directly impact patient care and services that are provided in the home and in the community for the fiscal year 2013-2014. The Foundation’s mission is to provide financial support to create, improve, or enhance the Agency’s programs and services that ultimately results in a benefit to the individual, the family and the community. The Foundation uses individual and community contributions and proceeds from fundraising events, like Mercedes Moment, to annually award Mission Grants. Since 2005, the Foundation has awarded 201 grants totaling $1,000,703. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law and all dollars remain in the community—close to home within the cities, towns and boroughs served by the Agency. For more information about the Home Nursing Agency Foundation, how your support can make an impact, or to register for a tour of Agency community facilities that benefit from Foundation Mission Grants, please visit www.homenursingagency.com or contact Pam Seasoltz, Director of Development, (814) 946-5411, ext. 2565 or pseasoltz@homenursingagency.com. The following Agency programs and services were awarded Mission Grants for the 2013-2014 fiscal year: Hospice Emergency Fund – To help individuals who are facing a life-limiting illness with emergency one-time funding for utility or fuel costs, medications, air conditioners and other emergencies to ease the emotional and physical challenges occurring at the end of life. Hospice Bereavement – To purchase stationery items (cards, grief support literature) for the extended support mailings to bereaved families.
Hospice Veterans Program – To purchase U.S. flag lapel pins honoring veteran Hospice patients throughout the year who served our country in the Armed Forces. Healing Patch - Children’s Grief Center –To supplement overhead costs, including staff time/facility costs, craft/activity supplies and food. In addition, to cover expenses for staff to facilitate six-week in-school groups with children who would not otherwise have access to a center or grief resources. Hospice Volunteers – To provide funds to support the comfort and care of Hospice patients who need bed sheets, neck pillows, hospital gowns, baby monitors or reading materials. Hospice Emergency Ongoing Medications/Durable Medical Equipment Funding - To help cover ongoing expenses of medications, treatment, equipment and supplies that are not covered by the Medicare Hospice Benefit (the primary payer for these services) or because the patient does not have private or other insurance to cover expenses. AIDS Intervention Project – To assist individuals and families dealing with HIV/AIDS with personal care/hygiene items, cleaning supplies, vitamins and dietary supplements. Nurse-Family Partnership ® – To help with a required 10% match of a Department of Public Welfare Office of Child Development grant ($1 million). This is an evidence-based community health program that transforms the lives of first-time, low-income mothers in seven counties. Care is provided to 300+ families each year. Home Health Emergency Fund – To provide funds for Home Health patients and their families who have need beyond normal circumstances and need assistance to purchase life’s basic necessities, i.e. nutritional supplements, bathing/safety aides, bedding and emergency medications. Pediatric Home Connection –
(formerly Pediatric Private Duty) – To pay for additional shifts of nursing care, respite and social services support for children who are technology-dependent and suffer from chronic, life-limiting disabilities. Pediatric Home Connection – To purchase therapeutic items needed by children with chronic, life-limiting disabilities that will help to ensure/maintain the child’s comfort and provide education and stimulation. ACEL – Adult Center for Exceptional Learning – To support individuals with physical and mental disabilities who attend the day program but go over their funding allocation cap, as well as help those who have no funding available and cannot self-pay for services. ACEL – Adult Center for Exceptional Learning – To support the continuation of the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art (SAMA) Artists-In-Residence program that provides ACEL individuals the opportunity to experience art, painting, dancing and storytelling, which can improve their quality of life. Adult Day Services – To provide additional days of support to help families caring for a loved one who cannot remain safely at home alone. These families do not have access to insurance but need daytime services for their loved one, allowing them to work and have respite care. Adult Day Services - To support the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art (SAMA) Artists-In-Residence program that provides Adult Day Services individuals with art experiences, i.e. painting, dancing and storytelling to improve their quality of life. Tartaglio Home (Personal care home for adults receiving services from the Blair County Mental Health System). To purchase two wooden picnic tables, two benches and a patio set that will help promote socialization for residents and use of the outdoor space for daily and holiday events.
Blended Case Management/ Resource Coordination – (Behavioral Health Care for adults diagnosed with a mental illness) To be used for unexpected emergencies or when an individual has minimal income. Helps to fund household and personal hygiene products, clothes for employment/ school and bus passes for those starting employment. Blended Case Management/ Children and Adolescents – To purchase personal/hygiene products, cleaning products, food, seasonal clothing items and other daily living needs for children and adolescents in the Children’s Behavioral Health Program and to be used for start-up costs for community and school-based activities, i.e. intramural sports, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc. Adult Group Blair (Art Therapy) / Adult Partial Hospitalization – To support the art therapy program with supplies, i.e. paints, clay, paper products and easels and for planning and implementation of art therapy sessions. Center for Counseling – To assist in providing treatment to more than 300 children and 1,000 adults experiencing behavioral health issues who otherwise would not receive services due to having no insurance, high co-pays/deductibles or private insurances that will not pay for counseling services. Multi Systemic Therapy (MST) – MST is an intensive family and community-based treatment program that focuses on encompassing the environment of the chronic and violent juvenile offender. Funding to purchase gas for families to attend appointments (psychiatric, psychological, school and court hearings), seasonal clothing and basic household items, such as bedding, cleaning supplies, groceries, etc. Drug and Alcohol Adult Partial Hospitalization/Adult Outpatient – To help individuals seeking drug and alcohol treatment who otherwise would not receive services due to having no insurance, high co-pays/deductibles or
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private insurances that will not pay for D & A services. Adult Partial Hospitalization (Mental Health) - To help individuals who cannot afford co-payments related to insurance, county liabilities or financial difficulties. Children and Adolescents Partial Hospitalization (Blair & Centre counties) – To stock the “Rewards Store” for children and adolescents enrolled in the schoolbased behavioral health program that uses a therapeutic incentivebased model to change negative behaviors into positives ones with the use of a rewards system. Therapeutic Staff Support (TSS) (Provides therapeutic support to children with Bipolar Disorders and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders) - To assist with community activity fees for children receiving behavioral health services and to purchase therapeutic activities and games, pool passes to area pools, weighted vests, teddy bears for children who are experiencing sensory issues and a sensory table to be used at the Children’s Behavioral Health Center. Early Intervention - To purchase items that parents/families could borrow from a “developmental learning library” allowing them to have a parent/child play group that would include such items as language stimulation DVDs, physical therapy equipment including therapy balls and wedges, lap tables, booster seats, puzzles and building toys. WIC (Women, Infants and Children) - To provide incentive items to stock the “Stork Store” that encourages pregnant women to seek early, regular prenatal care. Through the Stork Store, women are rewarded for achieving positive behaviors that contribute to the delivery of healthy full-term infants. The items for the store are considered basic items needed by WIC families and include diapers, wipes, infant clothing, crib sheets, blankets, etc. a
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IMPROVISED CHEMLIGHT PEREMITER ALARM This month’s article will focus on ideas for construction and deployment of a silent perimeter alarm using readily available
materials. First off, I hope I didn’t scare too many of you off with last month’s article on caltrops. A few
A couple quick sprays with some camo spray paint and your alarm is almost ready to deploy.
readers were “intrigued” to say the least, and well, a few weren’t. One reader even said it was an apparent “exercise in paranoiaenhancement,” ha ha! Seriously, what do you expect from a column titled “Jared’s Bunker?” You’ll find no articles on puppies and bunnies here folks, unless, of course, it’s on eating them in a survival situation! Now the type of perimeter alarm I’ll be discussing will be constructed using an old-fashioned Victor brand rat trap, a cyalume chemical light stick, zip ties or wire, and military tripwire (or an improvised trip wire such as strong fishing line.) With those items you will also need pliers, a drill, and a knife or scissors. This type of alarm is activated by a tripwire and is strategi-
cally placed in a direct path to your position. Without an audible alarm, besides the “snap” of the trap, you should still be able to maintain the element of surprise and it will allow you to see the direction from which the intruder(s) are
of alarm is pretty simple and easy. There are two designs that I considered. The first design required removal of the bait plate and a slight modification of the catch rod assembly. The other design, the one I chose to use, keeps the entire trap intact, requires the drilling of 8 holes and the addition of two loops using either the zip ties or wire which will hold the chemlight in place, and also can be mounted vertically or horizontally. After these modifications were complete, a quick spray
coming. It is recommended that multiple alarms be deployed completely around the perimeter of your position in order to maximize its full potential as a security device. The Here is the alarm temporarily mounted to a tree. I used string to demonstrate the set alarm. In an actual deployglow of the ment, I would recommend the use of subdued tripwire. chemlight in paint job done in subdued OD and low-light to no-light and with a it’s complete. clear line-of-sight should be visible for over 100 yards. The construction of this type Continued on page 8
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The Valley, September 2013
Getting Down And Dirty! Adding Life To The Mix “Life on earth is based on the fragile top inches of the soil. There, unbeknownst to our eye, lie teeming trillions of bacteria and other microscopic flora [plants] and fauna [animals] that are the very engine of our existence. A half cup full of fertile soil contains more microorganisms than there are humans on the planet. Organic agriculture begins with the recognition that these microbes are what feed the soil, which feeds the plants (which feeds the animals), which feed our bellies. There is no chemical shortcut to this existential truth.” -- quoted from The Apple Grower: A Guide for the Organic Orchardist by Michael Phillips As we continue our discussion of Mother Earth, we now come to the living elements – the organic components - of the soil, and this is where things REALLY start to get interesting. In order to even begin to understand what grows on the earth, we must educate ourselves about what grows in the earth. Those “teeming trillions” of mostly unseen plants and animals are the essential interface between the inorganic soil – the minerals, water and air – and the organic soil – the humus derived from the decay of plants and animals. Without this dynamic web of underground life, the complex, interconnected system of life of which we are a part, cannot exist. Basically it all starts with the various bacteria, those microscopic plants that are found pretty much everywhere. When an organism dies, be it a leaf, a tree, a buffalo or a butterfly, certain bacteria are there from start to finish as the dead matter decomposes. Other types of bacteria take these raw materials and process them into humus – that amazing
substance that can store or supply nutrients, maintain water in the soil, hold various gases, make minerals available and, in short is what makes soil fertile. Still other bacteria perform other jobs. Farmers and gardeners are very familiar, for instance, with the bacteria that live on the roots of plants that are in the legume family – peas and such - and on the roots of alfalfa and clovers. These bacteria can take the nitrogen which exists as a gas in the air, and convert it into nitrogen compounds that play an important part in soil fertility for subsequent crops. And once all the different bacteria have completed their various jobs and die, their remains become part of the cycle that continues to produce fertility. While millions of bacteria continue the cycle of creating rich, nutritious soil, the fungi are busy making sure those nutrients get to where they are needed most, the roots of plants. We are most familiar with fungi in the form they take above ground – as mushrooms. In field and forest, on trees and rotting manure – pretty much everyone knows what a mushroom is. But the underground life cycle of mushrooms is much more important for them and for the soil – and consequently for us. In rich soil containing plenty of humus, threads of fungus, called mycelium have an interesting relationship with plant roots. Some of these threads will enter the cells of the roots while others will wrap themselves around the roots and between the cells. The fungi receive nutrients from the roots and in turn form a network that give the plant roots access to the nutrients, minerals, enzymes and other goodies that are being held in the soil by the humus.
And just as dead bacteria contributes to the fertility of the soil they help to create, the old mycelium are gradually used as food by the roots making way for the new. While bacteria, fungi and other plants and animals, may make up the unseen part of the soil workforce, let us not forget that there are some critters in the soil that we CAN see. Ants, termites, centipedes, moles, even snails or slugs are in there stirring things around, and adding their own contributions to soil fertility. But of all of the visible workers in organic soil, it is the notso-lowly earthworm that deserves our respect, our admiration and – most importantly – our care. The subterranean wanderings of burrowing earthworms open up the soil, bringing up minerals and carrying down organic matter, improve drainage, stirring things about and generally improving the texture of the soil. The innards of a worm are home for millions of microorganisms that exit with the worm castings helping to make it arguably the best and most usable fertilizer on – or in – the earth. The red wigglers found in leaf mold and well rotted manure are doing their bit to help to produce high quality soil amendments and are, by the way, the variety used in vermicomposting systems. There is yet another way in which worms aid us: they are a very good indicator of just how well we are doing in encouraging the health of our soil. From a back yard garden to the back forty, when we flip up a shovel full of soil, the presence of earthworms is a good indicator of soil health ‘cause these little fellows are going to go where the living is good, which means lots of humus, which means lots of the invisible soil builders at work. The more worms you turn up, the more likely it is that you are on your way to being a good steward of the soil. Lots of worms also means the chances are good that you
Red Wrigglers doing their thing in a Vermicompost System.
growing nutritious – and delicious – food. No worms – well maybe it’s time for you to revisit Mother Nature’s schoolroom where the first thing that you learn is that everything is connected to everything else and anything that you do ripples out to everything else and that includes us.
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So, having taken a look at soil, where it comes from and how it is formed and becomes a dynamic living whole, we hopefully have a better understanding of why it’s important not to take anything for granted when it comes to the soil. And why it’s so
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We are blessed to worship with a great group of folks in a log cabin church in Potters Mills. It’s a beautiful setting with rolling hills, ample wooded areas and peaceful Colyer Lake nearby. Some folks worship in larger churches and enjoy other wonders around them, but what is it about your church that stands out that truly matters? As you read the second and third chapter of Revelation, John records for us seven letters to seven specific congregations of his day. These letters are accurate assessments of what each group of believers were like then. I say accurate because the One authoring these letters is none other than the Lord! Some of the evaluations are not so flattering, some however, are very commendable, but none is off the mark. Let’s scan the first letter, the letter to the church at Ephesus (Rev.2:1-7), and be encouraged. The letter was to be sent to the
“angel” of this church. We are told just prior to this letter in chapter one that the “angels” of each church are also “stars:” “... the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches” [1:20] and this verse is critical to understanding the entire book for it tells us that symbols will be used throughout to refer to actual persons, etc. These angels though were the “pastors” or messengers of the Word to their churches as the Greek word is sometimes used for human beings and fits the context here. Did you know your pastor is a “star?” Ok, moving right along. The church in Ephesus had a storied history up to this point, being influenced by such great Christians as Paul, Timothy and John. A generation before it was said they had a “love unto all the saints,” [Eph.1:15] but where were they NOW? Where are YOU now? Even the best of believers can fall prey to subtle
enemies from time to time. We can be distracted from doing what God really wants us to do, or we can be busy as was Martha, but not in tune to His will, or like the Ephesians we can succumb to externalism. What do I mean? When things look fine on the outside, but inwardly something is amiss. So here are the encouragements in two areas to safeguard against that we see in this letter: (1) Don’t be fooled by doing good works, and (2) Don’t be forgetful to do the best works! Jesus said He knew what they had been doing: “I know thy works. . .” and His knowledge has no bounds, for the word “know” means He has known and continues to know. Nothing is hidden from Him that we do, from the hand in the proverbial cookie jar to the hand that helps another in secret. His ability to know all is an encouragement keeping us from doing wrong and urging
us to persist in right. We must, though, make sure that above all, the good we do is truly FOR Him. Other words such as “patience,” “labor,” etc. are used by Christ that speak of them as a church of grit and determination as they were busy and tireless in their efforts. But as you read these verses it’s obvious they’d gotten so caught up with the outward, they’d neglected the inward. Not that these “externals” were unimportant, but without Christ what good are they? There are nice people doing nice things through all kinds of churches, but God isn’t interested so much in niceness as He is in nearness! So don’t be fooled by your good works; the Bible says you can’t be saved by them [Eph.2:8-9], but you also can’t grow by them either. There’s no substitute for the inward change that comes by a right relationship with the Lord! Finally, we note this church’s problem was singular and simple: they’d “left their first love” [vs.4]. The word order in the original is interesting, “Your first love you have left.” The emphasis is on Him as their first love. By all outward appearances, their service looked fine but their intensity had dimmed—the honeymoon was over! Their solution was also basic yet powerful. You must “remember therefore from where
Editors Corner from page 2
tine scenery that the states tourist industry depended on. Now don’t get me wrong, I am a big believer in solar technology, and I think the more we can get people to use it, the further the technology will advance. These windmills, however, are an abomination and a crime against nature. In my mind’s eye, I see transmission lines strung through the mountains as much less obtrusive than seeing these hideous windmills scattered across our mountain tops. Add to that potential health risks involved to both humans AND anything flying around them, i.e. migratory birds. There is also evidence of health hazards to humans living around them. But most of all, it is a disgusting addition to otherwise pristine mountain ridges. Transmission lines for the hydro-electric project COULD have been buried, and run right beside the major north south freeway, but as we can now see, it wasn’t about protecting the pristine beauty of the mountains after all as these windmills are way more obtrusive than any tower could have been. There is much talk and an ongoing attempt to run these windmills along our ridges here in central PA, I hope that the citizens here
are quicker to react and stop this atrocity before it is too late. Stay tuned for more on this issue. We can NOT let foreign companies with American corporate allies destroy the beauty of our mountain tops in the name of alternative energy. There is already an answer and it is solar. Solar does not disrespect our scenery and create the health hazards that these wind turbines create. Lynn and I attended the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Burnham on Saturday. My heart was smiling at the sight of a massive crowd on a hot and sticky afternoon. It was extremely moving to hear the different speakers especially Denny Drass who is president of the local Vietnam Veterans of America chapter 791. To see this tough old soldier almost moved to tears as he relived some of his experiences, really brought home the sacrifices these men have endured and lived with all these years. I am glad I did not miss this opportunity to stand amongst these heros. There is still time to say thank you or to buy a brick to remember one of your own heros—just contact Erven Priest at 717-248-0934 or Charles Dicken at 717-363-3100
for further information. In closing, I will borrow a line from Denny’s speech, to all VietNam Vets, WELCOME HOME and THANK YOU! Lastly I want to tell you about how this issue almost didn’t happen. Usually, the last weekend of the month, or thereabouts, we have to meet deadline to get the files uploaded to the printer. We have had issues in the past on deadline day, but Lynn always figured out a way around the problem and got the job done. This month, as we entered the last week before upload, I noticed a few minor hiccups in our internet and cable service. I probably should have said something then, but as I am not one to try to fix something that isn’t broken, I always went and did something else until the internet came back up. Well, Saturday afternoon it went down for good. Lynn made the call to a service center Saturday night when it became apparent that it wasn’t going to come back. She was connected to someone who was more interested in selling an upgrade to our cable service than fixing the problem. Disappointed and trying to
Encouragement From The Book Of Revelation by Pastor J. C. Reese
both retired, it is hard to find them at home for longer than a day or two, so Lynn found someone to come stay at the house and care for Murphy. Kalli did a fantastic job, the house was just as we left it, and we could both tell by Murphy’s actions that he had been spoiled rotten while we were gone. Thank you Kalli, you will be getting called again soon. If anyone is looking for someone to watch your house as well as your pet, Kalli comes highly recommended by us. One huge disappointment for me while we were up home (in NH) was coming around a corner on Route 25 in Rumney and being shocked to see the former pristine mountain tops entering the White Mountain region littered with hideous, huge windmills as far as the eye can see. I had been closely following a fight taking place up there over a project called “Northern Pass.” The Canadian Province of Quebec is rich in hydro-electric power and was willing to sell it cheaply to New England. The alternative energy Nazi’s jumped into action immediately saying the power lines would ruin the pris-
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you have fallen, repent and do the deeds you did at first.” It wasn’t “two aspirins and call the doc in the morning,” but three “pills” of remember, repent and redo. Counseling can be good, but sometimes we complicate what we really need by complex remedies and miss the real heart of the matter. A Christian couple was always scrapping and the neighbors were always treated to the “fireworks” until one day the couple’s pastor was finally listened to and they saw their sins and confessed them to each other and to God and asked Him to create new hearts in them. A few days later one of the neighbors saw this pastor and remarked how these two had wonderfully changed, a tribute to the inner working of God in their hearts! They, like Mary in the gospels, had heeded the Lord’s advice and realized “one thing is needful”: Jesus ruling one’s heart ! We must recall where we got off the right path, repent and start doing what we should do with Him in charge of us. So let Jesus’ admonition to this church encourage you to look at where YOU are and enjoy the abundant life from the inside out ! Pastor J.C. Reese pastors Nittany Baptist Church in Potters Mills and the church’s website is nittanybaptist.org a figure out how much of an issue it would be to delay the release of the September issue, Lynn tried calling again Sunday morning. Even though we were both pretty resigned to the fact that we were going to miss our first deadline, the pleasant voice on the other end of the phone gave us a little hope after Lynn explained the problem to her. She said she was going to see what she could do about it and call us back, “I’ve heard that before, I thought.” Not 10 minutes later we got a call and she said a tech was on his way! I still wasn’t totally relieved, but someone was going to try! Adam Whitesel (hope that is the right spelling Adam) arrived and sprung into action after taking readings and several calls he met another tech and they traced the problem back to the source. This was probably the best experience I have ever had with a service tech. Adam was in the area working on the problem all afternoon, but when he left, just like he said when he arrived, the problem was resolved. If I had this guy as an employee, he would get a huge raise! He went above and beyond the call of duty to fix our problem! Thanks again Adam! a
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The Valley, September 2013
Adventures on Our Nourishing Journey by Sue Burns
It is Question and Answer Time Let’s Reach, Know, and Grow “Curiouser and curiouser!” Cried Alice (she was so much surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English). Excerpt taken from Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll I suspect that in the late 1860s, when Lewis Carroll was crafting his now well known adventure, Alice in Wonderland, the word ‘curious’ was used to describe something peculiar and intriguing. Alice uses the word ungrammatically, as she is so surprised by recent events in the story that she has forgotten how to use good English. My mother tells me I was a very curious child. In fact, my repetitive inquiries more than likely continually tried her patience on any given day. Fortunately, despite her frustration, she encouraged me to seek out new information on a regular basis; a quest that I eagerly continue. To this day, one of my most frequently used words is “why?” More years ago than I hate to admit, my college roommate once referred to me as ‘Lois Lane,” (remember, she was the well known reporter of the Adventure’s of Superman), because she quickly became fatigued with my journalistic style of communication. She said I often demanded to know the “who, what, when, where, why and how” of any given situation. That is probably one of the reasons that I am drawn to nutrition education. The tag line for my nutrition consulting business, Nourishing Journeys, is “Reach, Know, Grow.” Reaching out with questions, knowing something new, and rejoicing in the inevitable growth is an ongoing hunting and gathering adventure in food wonderland. What a wonderful and continuous cycle of learning. Of course, similar to Alice’s encounters, there are moments of confusion and controversy along this nourishing journey, but to be honest, that is what makes the search so compelling for me. When I am ‘curiouser and cu-
riouser,’ I dig more deeply, often unearthing new hidden treasures. I share with you several of my favorite quotes that speak to our curious nature. • “I think, at a child’s birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift should be curiosity.” —Eleanor Roosevelt • “Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning” —William Arthur Ward • We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” —Walt Disney In other words, Reach, Know, Grow. What about you, are you ‘curiouser and curiouser’ too? I hope so, because the official “season of inquiry” is back in session; also known as “Back to School” time. This is the perfect month for questions and answers so I am taking the liberty to introduce something new. Every so often, I thought it might be interesting to provide an opportunity for questions and answers between us. This month it is my turn to ask you some questions and then next month I will respond to your curiosities. Here is how it works. Listed below, I have prepared a few questions taken from some of my previous Valley articles. I provide the month from which they originate so should you desire, you can go back and check for yourself at www.thevalleynewspaper.com.
Yes, this is an open book quiz. Even if you are a bit rusty from the confines of a classroom you surely remember the “pop quiz” drill. Clear off your desk, find a pencil and number your paper from 1-5. Read over the questions and jot down the first thing that comes to your mind. Your answers may be expressed in ‘essay” form which allows for your own creative, interpretive expression. In other words, just about anything goes. When you are finished, email or “snail” mail me your responses. You will find my contact information at the end of this article. Next comes the really fun part because it will be your turn to do the asking. Do you have a compelling, confusing, or convoluted question about food and or nutrition? I have a feeling you do because I have seen your “curiouser” facial expressions sometimes when we are engaging in a discussion. Please understand, I certainly don’t profess to have all the answers, but I promise you my good old Lois Lane try. Then, in the November edition, I will print your questions and my response to them. (There won’t be enough time for you to get your questions to me to meet the deadline for the October edition). Hope-
fully this will give us an opportunity to communicate in a new way. Please don’t dispel your question as being too “common” or basic. Chances are, if you are curious about something most everyone else is too, they just don’t want to raise their hand. Quiz Time: Okay, do you have your pencil sharpened? Great, here we go: 1. Name two reasons why we should “Pop the Soda” habit. (March 2013) 2. Our body has numerous “built in detoxifiers,” list three of them. (April 2013) 3. Name three ‘traditional’ foods (May 2013) 4. From what plant does canola oil originate? (June 2013) 5. Our food choices are often dictated by three primary driving forces. Cost is one. Can you name the other two? Hint. They both begin with the letter “C”. (July 2013) Bonus: In my February 2013 article, I dispel some myths surrounding
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our fear of cholesterol. I suggest that it is s_ _ _ _, not cholesterol that is the culprit for feeding arterial inflammation and damage. Can you name this ever present carbohydrate? Reward Time: If you get two out of the five questions correct, I will send you a marvelous recipe for an ‘after school” snack that can be enjoyed by lifelong learners of any age. In addition, if you answer the bonus question correctly, you will also receive information on some simple and easy natural disinfectants, just in time for the cold and flu season! Please send your questions my way so we can all continue to reach, know and grow together. I look forward to receiving your inquiries. In the meantime just call me Lois! Sue is a holistic nutrition consultant and holistic health educator. Her office is located at 54 Chestnut Street in Lewistown, PA 17044. 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 242- 3132. a
The Valley, September 2013
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Heirlooms From The Heart I have always had a soft heart for heirlooms. Whether it be a special herb or flower, a seed for an old time vegetable variety, or other favorite things in the yard, such as a old statue or yard ornament. When most people think of heirloom plants they think of the open-pollinated old time varieties that our grandparents grew. The ones that you can save the seed year-after-year and still have the wonderful taste or color of the parent plant without it ever changing. Flowers, vegetables and other old species are becoming more
and more popular. The heirlooms I am speaking about might be these by chance, but I am talking about plants that have been passed down from generation to generation. Plants that are given to you by a long passed relative that you carefully tend in your garden each year. Or, a special decoration or yard ornament that you remember in your grandmother’s garden, that now sits proudly in the center of your perennial bed. These are things that tie you to your past and I am finding more and more people
who are sweetly hanging on to these memories. My mother has a few of these gems in her yard and I was reminded of my grandmother Wagner the other day. I was at my Mom’s house helping to pull out a field of unruly pachysandra when I glanced over at her garden and noticed a beautiful patch of orange tiger lilies. It’s something that you don’t see much of anymore, at least around here. Mom reminded me that those lilies came from grandma’s house. I quickly thought back and realized that grandma has been gone for 30 years. I remembered those lilies in her garden on Long Island as a child. For a brief moment it brought me back to those times at her house shelling peas on her picnic table out by the flower garden. It amazed me that these lilies were still as vibrant as ever. Now some of these plants might not be the seeds from the original, but the effect was the same. Looking out into the yard I also realized that my parent’s Linden trees also came
from grandma’s yard. Mere pip squeaks when they carefully transported them and planted so many years ago, but now the stately trees provide unusual but beautiful shade in the yard. It made me smile and think about all of the different plants that we have shared over the years; hostas, daylilies, and other perennials that will one day be passed down to my own children. Another instance that happened to me recently was when I was at one of my regular landscaping jobs and I was speaking to the homeowner. She and her husband are absolute gems. They are well traveled and he is a former professor. As I rounded the corner towards the back yard, she pointed out the mass of mint that was growing by her deck. She asked me to be careful of this plant because it was very precious. Apparently the seeds to this mint were given to her husband from relatives he has in Lebanon (not Lebanon, PA, Lebanon the country!) You can’t even find the variety in this country. As I examined the thriving patch, it occurred to me how very lovely and delicate the plant was. A strong smell of mint was present but it was different than what I had in my own yard. It almost smelled like the mint that they use in tea. It was rich and lovely. How
wonderful it was to have a piece of his family’s heritage growing in his own yard! My own property is brimming with these kinds of memories and I am so grateful that people both past and present were willing to share their own heirlooms with me. Along with the hundreds of plants, I have a large old stone urn planter on a pedestal that came from the Bed and Breakfast that I used to work at. Every year it was such a big deal to plan what was to be put in that planter. It was the centerpiece to the formal Victorian gardens that graced the inn. When the innkeeper, who became a treasured friend over the years, passed away I was given the urn. It is so special to me that they thought of me in this regard. I will forever remember my times there because of it. I am very lucky to have so memories in my yard. Perhaps you have your own where you are. If you are just starting out, plan to include some heirlooms if you can. In years to come it will touch your heart each time you see them or smell their sweet scent. Document them if you can so that future generations will know from where they came. One day your grandkids will look upon that peony and say, Gee I remember that in Grandma’s yard. a
Jared’s Bunker from page 4
facing your position. The trip line should be at least knee height in order to prevent small animals from activating the alarm. And unless zombies have recently learned to crawl, this height will allow the device to be more readily activated by intruders. This device, in conjunction with a few other surprises, will make a great addition to your property/homestead/bunker security preparations. Until next month, stay safe and prep on! a
A few considerations when deploying such a device: Will you have a direct line-of-sight to the device? Can the device be deployed without notice? Will the glow of the chemlight be visible from your position? The chemlight perimeter alarm can be permanently or temporarily mounted to a tree or similar object such as a fence post using wire, string, or screws. Obviously the device should be
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The Valley, September 2013 Seasonal Produce
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The Valley, September 2013
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The Donkey Lady of Reedsville Diane Ruth didn’t have a dream of having a pony when she was a little girl, but she dreamed of having a gray donkey named Lucy. When she moved into her current residence there was a barn. She called it her “Lucy Barn,” and began the search for her little gray donkey. When I first heard of Diane’s desire for a miniature donkey, it was through several customers coming into East Gate Feed & Grain. They would stop in and ask what they could purchase for a Donkey Baby Shower. Diane’s friends from the Garden Club were going to have a Donkey Baby Shower for her new arrivals. Most of her friends had no idea of what was involved in caring for a
donkey. However, everyone was excited for the day of the shower. Those who whispered about the
Donkey Baby Shower did so with a smile on their face. Diane had found her “Lucy”
ing? The Ruth family follows a at a miniature trend of naming their four-legged donkey farm in kids after tv show characters, Huntingdon. Diane such as their cats named Laverne, and her husband Shirley, and Squiggy. She also Abe met Bobbi Jo has George and Weezie (JefZboravan at the ferson), and a dog named Elly Huntingdon Fair May (Clampett). Ricky and Ethyl last year in August. (along with Ethyl’s mom for a Diane fell in love couple weeks) arrived at Diane’s with Bobbi Jo’s for the Donkey Baby Shower. donkeys and was Ricky was a bit more ornery put on a list for a than the girls and Diane soon donkey foal. Lucy realized she had her hands full. (then known as Diane found after she had all three Hope) had been of her babies at home, that she a bottle fed baby needed to learn much more about that had traveled donkey care. As she looks back, daily with Bobbi she stresses to anyone getting a Jo while she did her farrier work. The little gray donkey was content to ride in the truck with Bobbi Jo and make the rounds to customers and local stores. After Diane was able to bring Lucy home, she realized the donkey needed a friend. She then picked out a spotted baby at Bobbi Jo’s farm that would be Lucy’s companion. Diane arriving at East Gate in the Donkey Van/ This was Ethyl. As the donkey addiction new donkey foal that you should grew, Diane attended a donkey wait to wean them until they are auction in North Carolina to buy at least 4 months old. Foals that halters. That was where she found Ricky. Notice the pattern of namContinued on page 26
Abe and Diane with Lucy, Ricky, Ethyl and Elly May
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The Valley, September 2013
LIbrary Lines Your Mifflin County Library
When I was a child exploring the books in the children’s room of the Mifflin County Library, I discovered a wonderful book about heroism that captured my imagination and stayed with me my whole life. The book, Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan, is about a group of Norwegian children who smuggle the gold of Norway past Nazi soldiers. The children use their sleds to hide the gold and then slide down snowcovered hills to the awaiting ship where the gold is stored and used to help overcome the Nazi regime. There is always danger of capture, but the children are young and innocent. And sneaky. I loved this book and I dreamed of one day being a hero,
Mikayla Pecht
or defeating bad guys, and helping those less fortunate. From this book I learned that heroes come in all shapes and sizes. And heroes don’t need to defeat the evil villain to be heroic.
Take some young people that I know, for example. Several groups of children heard about the hard times that the library has been having this year and decided to be our hero and help us! First, Children of the Ark Child Care Center in Lewistown began a “piggy bank” to help the library. “Miss Children of the Ark Kelly” Rivera visits the site on a regular basis for story time. The children eagerly brought in their nickels and dimes knowing that every little bit would help. Then Coleman Children’s Center Head Starts 1 and 2 each made a tendollar donation to the library. Later, their Family Support Specialist came along and donated four board books to the library for circulation and inside the top book, there was an envelope with $60 in it! After school ended for the summer, the Children’s and Youth
Sunday School classes at the Church Hill United Methodist Church in Reedsville held a bake sale on Reedsville Community Day in order to raise money for the library. The kids did such a great job and raised $201. During Arts Fest in Lewistown, Noah Buffington, age 7 of Reedsville, set up a lemonade
stand to raise money for the library. And Mikayla Pecht, age 11 of Lewistown, had a bake sale during a family yard sale and donated $25 to the library. These children are life-long library users, many are graduates of preschool story time and use the library regularly and participate during the summer reading program. Mikayla will be a junior volunteer next summer! Each and every one of them is a hero to me. They were selfless and giving: the mark of a true hero. And I am so grateful to them for their devotion. Thank you to our young heroes! The Mifflin County Library is in your care and will be for many years to come. a
Ahel al-Kitab “People of the Book” from page 17 God has given us the answer to our dilemma in commanding us to observe this delightful eight day feast! Now WWJD? In John 7 & 8, we see Him observing this feast and if He observed this one, He no doubt observed the others as well, so why shouldn’t we do the same? The Feast of Tabernacles is known as “The season of our Joy,” which commemorates the 40-year journey of our ancestors in the wilderness. Throughout these holy days, one is to observe this time by building and dwelling in temporary shelters (sukkahs), just like the Hebrews did while wandering in the desert. This joyous celebration is a reminder of God’s protection, provision of food, water and shelter, and above all His faithfulness. During Sukkot, two important ceremonies took place—the Water Drawing Ceremony and the Illumination of the Temple. Of the Water Drawing Ceremony it is said: “He who has not seen the Water Drawing Ceremony has never seen joy in life.” Every morning at daybreak the Priests would draw water from the Pool of Siloam to pour water on the altar after the daily sacrifice. The priests would be joined by a crown of people who would accompany them through the Water Gate back to the Temple. Upon arrival, shofars would blast and the water would be poured out on the great altar as the priest would call upon the Lord to provide rain for the coming year’s crops. At a deeper level, the ceremony pointed to the Holy Spirit and the day when, according to the Prophet Joel, God would pour out His Spirit on Israel. This ceremony took on even greater significance when Jesus proclaimed while attending this festival that “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink and streams of living water will flow from within him.” Illuminating large candelabrum in the courtyard of the temple was conducted at the end of the first day of the feast. The light emanating from them was so bright that it is noted: “There was no courtyard in Jerusalem that was not lit up with the light”.
Church Hill UMC- Kenzie McCarter, Elijah Himes, Grady Fisher, Trent Shade, Maddie McCarter, Quinn Fisher and O’Hara Fisher
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The mood was very festive and people would dance and sing well into the night. The light symbolized the Glory of God that had once filled the temple. Again, Messiah Jesus gave this ceremony much greater meaning when while the torches were still burning He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” This feast is so rich and full. It is a pleasure to observe. Think about this; God commands his children to stop and celebrate and feast for a whole week! How burdensome is that? Truly the Lord’s yoke is easy! I think about the pagan Christmas holiday and how society clamors to start the season ever earlier with each passing year. Consider all the work that goes into a one day celebration, and just like that it’s over. It proves to be a false substitute for the real festival the Almighty wants us to revel in and celebrate with Him. In the Kingdom to come, this Feast will be celebrated worldwide as noted by the prophet Zechariah; “And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, Yahweh of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.” If this feast was very important to God in times of antiquity with Jesus Himself observing it, and we see that it will again be observed in the Kingdom era, then by connecting the dots, it makes sense that this feast is meant to be kept today. Ultimately, as People of the Book, both Christians and Jews, we need to get back to the Book and do what the Almighty tells us to do, not what man has devised for us to do. C. Mark Ostrowski, MSFS, is the Founder and President of The Stewardship Group in Belleville. His articles ponder various contemporary topics evaluating them from a political, economic and scriptural point of view. References and additional resources include: Israel Today Magazine, Aug/Sep 2013 issue; The Pendulum Swings in Egypt by Victor Mordecai. TheTalmud and The Mishna. Israel’s Feasts and their fullness by Batya Wooten. a
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The Bloomsburg Fair I was surprised by the many emails and text messages I received about the Vespa Tropica bee that I wrote about in last month’s article. It seems that these gigantic bees have been seen in this area for quite some time. Like me, everyone who wrote in could not imagine what it would feel like to be stung by a bee of this size. Let’s hope none of us ever find out! Now, I can’t mention bees without telling you that I was stung again. Oh yes, twice actually. I cannot blame these stings on Wayne’s “girls” though as I did not see my attackers. I was pulling weeds out of the flower beds in the front of the house and felt a few pinches on the underside of my upper arm. Next thing I knew it started to sting a bit and had that little achey feeling. Two little welts. I never
heard anything or saw anything, but they got me. Thankfully, I didn’t have the reaction that I had last time and so aside from about a week of itching, I escaped unscathed. I think I’ll be glad when winter gets here and those little buggers are snug in their nests for a while. Enough about bees. My article this month is about the Bloomsburg Fair! Bloomsburg, for those who don’t know, is about 70 miles northeast of Lewistown, PA. It’s a small college town just off of Interstate 80, although you can also get to it by taking the more scenic routes of 522 N to Rte. 11, or even 322 W to 45 E or 192 E. Although a little longer, the 45 or 192 routes are very picturesque. If you enjoy the Grange Fair in Centre Hall, then you will
be simply stunned by the size of the Bloomsburg Fair. I notice that they are now advertising the Bloomsburg Fair as the largest agricultural fair in Pennsylvania and also one of the largest on the east coast. This year’s Fair runs from September 21 - 28, 2013 and you can find all the details by visiting their website (what did we ever do before websites?) at www. bloomsburgfair.com. Fair admission this year is $8.00 (see special deals further down in this article), which is higher than it used to be a few years ago. Why so high, you ask? Well, you see, in September 2011 the town of Bloomsburg was devastated by severe flooding and since the fairgrounds are in close proximity to a large creek, the grounds were completely underwater. So they’ve raised admission prices a bit to try to recoup the high costs of cleanup and restoration. Several homes that border the fairgrounds on Rte. 11 (the main route through the town of Bloomsburg) were ripped right off their foundations and destroyed. These homes, which had been along that route for a very, very long time, were leveled, and now that area is just an
empty void that will probably be used for Fair parking this year. At least one big brick house remains at what used to be the main gate of the fair. This house was my Nana’s home when I was growing up. Even though Nana is no longer with us except in spirit and memory, her home will always be a source of happy memories for me. In fact, some of my fondest memories are the times I spent playing with my cousins in that big house. Oh those big wide stairs were so fun to slide down, and let’s not forget sending things down the laundry chute, which ran from the second floor to the basement! Stopping at Nana’s house before and after spending time at the Fair was a ritual. Fair was always a time when Nana had lots of company (free parking and entrance passes!) But I digress... back to the Fair! I noticed that this year’s Fair is also a week earlier than is typical. I recall that the Fair usually starts the last weekend in September and wraps up the first weekend in October. However, in reading a bit of Fair history, I learned that since about the 1930s, the Fair has always started the third weekend after Labor Day. Now, what do you need to know before you visit the Fair? If it’s a nice day, expect big crowds. You won’t get anywhere fast,
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so don’t plan to be in a hurry. Wear comfortable shoes! This is a BIG Fair. You WILL do lots and lots of walking. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, considering you will also do lots and lots of eating. You won’t be able to see the whole Fair in one day. If you really want to explore most everything, plan to spend at least two or three days. If you take small children, it’s always a good idea to set a “if you get lost, meet me here” spot as soon as you enter the Fair. Give small children a business card or put an ID tag on their shoelace. Or, buy one of those little tracking devices to clip to their clothing, especially if they are children who tend to wander off a lot! (StickNFind makes them for $50 for a two pack, although the range is only 100 feet). Better safe than sorry! The Lost Child Center is at the side of the Horticulture Building. Most of the walkways are paved, so the grounds are wheelchair and stroller friendly, however, due to the large crowds, expect lots of people to be bumping into you, stepping on your heels, and otherwise impeding your progress with a stroller or wheelchair. Wheelchairs are available for rent at the Fair.
continued on page 27 (bottom right corner)
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The Valley, September 2013
Understanding the Constitution by David Molek
Restoring Constitutional Government Limiting the federal government in the age of Obama is a very daunting task. It is a tall order both because of who is in the White House, but also because it requires limiting government in the age of the administrative state. Federalism requires a healthy balance between the federal and state governments. To restore fiscal sanity, we should restore federalism’s balance. We should respect the 10th Amendment, return power to the states and bring government closer to the people. Unfortunately, too many of our elected officials (both Democrat and Republican) think that respecting constitutional limits is not practical in today’s world. Federalism speaks to the concept of limited federal government and the preservation of individual liberty. Federalism, as it was intended, and as it is now, is nearly
unrecognizable. The powers of our states, once thought sovereign, have been undermined by a seemingly all-powerful federal government that appears to have virtually unlimited authority. The Obama administration is relentless. With federalism diminishing, our very country is at serious risk. The administrative state was created to overcome our Constitution bias in favor of limited government. What part of limited don’t they understand? We need to pursue cutting off the source of power to the administrative state. That means Congress needs to stop delegating its legislative powers to the agencies and bureaucracies. That would be a good start. This problem has both a regulatory and fiscal dimension. We need to encourage our elected federal representatives to
stand their ground on these issues and stop the spending and the regulating. If they continue to compromise, postpone and divert, the federal government just keeps acquiring more power and money control. Further, we need to continue developing the case for the correct meaning of our Constitution. We who are committed or resolved, broadly speaking, to a jurisprudence of original meaning can, do and should continue to explore such issues and advance such causes. Unfortunately, there are just not a great many people who care very much about our Constitution. Most politicians will not care about our Constitution unless and until enough people care about it to make a difference. Our Constitution has a limited constituency. The good news is that I see our local folks on an individual basis starting to put aside their apathy and seeing the light. With so many people dependent upon government for freebies, selfreliance and responsibility are non-existent for them. We need an attitude adjustment when it comes to the federal government. States often have a strange prejudice in favor of our federal government with grants, cooperative partnerships and quests for federal funding. That creates the mistaken impression that there is a vertical relationship between the federal government and state governments.
Anyone who has read the Federalist papers clearly knows that is not the case. Constitutionally, the relationship between the federal government and the states is in fact a horizontal relationship. Each is equal to the other in its own sphere of authority. States are separate and independent sovereigns. Many of us wish states would act like it (like Texas is doing). We need to make our US Senators accountable. We need to remind Senators Toomey and Casey that they represent the state. The direct election of those Senators under the 17th Amendment does not make our Senators any less representative of their states. Don’t they, like me, get tired groveling before the administrative state? Washington, DC has too much money and too much power. We need that resurgence of popular passion to preserve and extend personal liberty, to protect the rights of property and reduce taxation. We need to limit the commerce clause, limit the federal government to its enumerated powers, limit and challenge the executive orders and directives,
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limit unconstitutionally expansive interpretations of the treaty power, challenge wrongful, overextended regulations, enforce our enumerated individual rights in the Bill of Rights, push for more federalism including more 10th Amendment states’ rights federalism and take back our lives from government control. We need to discipline federal government, not help it grow. As I heard recently, our country has become the land of dependency and special interests. What happened to the land of the free and home of the brave? What happened to the few and defined powers of our federal government? What happened to true separation of powers? About 237 years ago, the leaders of our country gathered to form a new government. This land was meant to encourage freedom, fulfillment and the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These lofty goals have been turned around into the current administrative regime. That current regime uses distractions, lies, scandals and political posturing to advance its agenda. Constitutional limits are just being ignored. If that does not change or if we do not do something to change that, our great country is in jeopardy. We need to restore constitutional government before it is too late. a
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Poor Wills’ Valley Almanack from page 19
FRESH FROM THE FARM TOUR 8th Annual Farm Tour Results in over 2000 Visits to Area Farms On August 10, cars crisscrossed valleys and traversed the county from end to end as part of the 8th Annual Centre County Farm Tour. The day was bright and breezy, bringing over 400 people out to explore seventeen of the county’s farms. Coordinated by Buy Fresh Buy Local® (BFBL) Centre County Chapter, the Farm Tour is a highly anticipated event that lets consumers get a behind-the-barn-door look at farm life, talk with the farmers, and get up close with the agricultural bounty found right here in Centre County. No matter the level interest or previous knowledge that tour-takers brought with them, there was something for everyone to see, taste, and experience. From apples to zucchini, from petting sows to picking tomatoes, the Farm Tour gave visitors a well rounded and handson approach to the many facets and niches of small scale farming. With more farms than anyone could get to in one day, it was up to each party to decide what farms to visit and how long to stay there. No two farms are ever the same, and each farm took a unique approach to sharing their lifestyle with visitors: with farmer or self-guided tours, animals to feed, samples to savor, produce to pick, or demos to watch, each farm had something new and exciting to connect the guests with their products. Spring Bank Acres, an Amish family-run farm just outside of Millheim, received over 200 visitors of all ages eager to take a draft-horse-drawn wagon tour of the fields, learn about producing raw milk cheese, discover tips for keeping produce fresh and plentiful for markets, and cool off with homemade ice cream, root beer, or kombucha tea. Rising Spring Meat Company opened their doors to visitors interested in touring the newly renovated USDA Inspected slaughterhouse in Spring Mills. Production was stopped for the day so that visitors could walk through each step of the slaughtering, butchering, and packaging process while learning about the important role that a local, transparent company plays for both farmers and consumers. At Bear Meadows Farm, a 167-acre dairy farm tucked into the base of Tussey Mountain, the squeals of
enthralled youngsters rang across the fields as they received snuffly kisses from the gentle grass-fed Guernsey cows before sampling the farm’s “Udderly Delicious” milk that is sold unpasteurized, keeping it just as wholesome when you drink it as it is when the cow is milked. Tour-goers may have arrived empty handed, but all left with bags and coolers bulging with farm-fresh ingredients: eggs fresh from the chicken, creamy milk practically straight from the cow, fruit and produce picked from luscious tilth, raw-milk cheeses, butter, the juiciest of meat cuts, and baked-goods hot out of the oven. These delicacies aren’t just limited to Farm Tour visitors— many of the farms are regular vendors at the county’s many farmers markets or sell from their on-farm store, so be sure to stop by and stock up on the freshness. BFBL sends out its e-newsletter every other week highlighting what’s in season and what you can expect at area farmers markets - for those interested in being on that list, visit buylocalpa.org. Brian Futhey, owner and head cheesemaker of Stone Meadow Farm in Woodward, was extremely pleased with how the day went. Stone Meadow produces six types of cheese from milk from their herd of pasture-fed jersey cows. Despite being the farm furthest East of State College, he saw about 100 people come through, all excited to get a feel for farm life and learn about cheese making. “People were really curious and very appreciative that they can actually come onto a farm and see how things are done,” he says. “So many people [who go on the Farm Tour] have never been on a farm before, let alone a cheese plant, so they really get a lot out of it. Some had no idea how cows are fed or the difference of grass versus grain diets, and there was a lot of interest with both the cows and the cheesemaking process.” Ben Macneal, co-owner of Macneal Orchard & Sugarbush,
also had a great day showcasing his bumper apple crop. “It went as well as we hoped it would,” he happily reports. “We generated a lot of newfound interest, and had great maple syrup sales. We got quite a few new customers who had never bought apples from us before—they said they’ll be waiting by our roadside stand when we open on Labor Day weekend!” In its eighth year, the Farm Tour was once again a great success. Farmers got to show off what they do best while meeting new and established customers face to face, and consumers were able to spend the day in the sunshine and get their boots muddy in true farmer fashion. While farming isn’t for everyone, there’s nothing quite like seeing the faces and fields behind your food to really impact consumer decision to locally source their meals.
OUIHRLF HSKRFEAI WEJHSI typo prize will be awarded. If you HIRSHI happen to find a typo, however, HSIVAL you may simply skip that word OOIMRSH without penalty. Send your entries KWHAISH by postcard only to Poor Will’s KISHKONM Valley Almanack at P.O. Box 431, HSGPGII Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387. The UPRHISD names of the winners will appear UBLIPSH an upcoming issue of The Valley SINUPH Newspaper. Listen to Bill Felker’s LANDBHSID weekly “Poor Will’s Almanack” HSIUBL on podcast any time at www. INABHS wyso.org. And Bill’s website, YSHIYOB www.poorwillsalmanack.com, IIRBTHS contains weekly updates and INBURSH a sizable bank of information HBRSITU about nature. His organization BGGSHII of weather patterns and phenolOBORHSI ogy (what happens when in naEIHSMLB ture) offers a unique structure HSINAD for understanding the repeating HDIS rhythms of the year. ISHTEF LGNEISH Bill lives in Yellow Springs, Ohio. SIHNFI He has two daughters, Jeni, who KIARHS is a psychologist in Portland, Oregon, and Neysa, a photographer FYRACHIS MAISHF in Spoleto, Italy. a
About PASA Buy Fresh Buy Local(r) Centre County is coordinated by the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA). With over 6,000 members, PASA is one of the largest and most active sustainable agriculture organizations in the U.S. Through business support and regional marketing assistance for farmers, advocacy, and public education, PASA seeks to promote profitable farms that produce healthy food for all people while respecting • Reliable Propane & Heating Oil Delivery the natural environment. PASA’s • Budget Payment Plan Call today hallmark event, to • 24/7 Emergency Service le arn about our the Farming for NE w CustOmER the Future Confer• Heating Equipment Service Plans sPECiAls! ence, draws thou• Safety Trained Professionals sands of participants from more • Over 80 Years Experience than 30 states and six countries each February. For more information, visit www.pasafaOur Business is Customer Satisfaction rming.org a
Expect More from Your Fuel Supplier!
717-248-5476 • 1-800-PROPANE (776-7263) thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com
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The Valley, September 2013
Purple Lizard Maps has just released a new map of Bald Eagle State Forest, completing a trilogy of recreational maps that serve as key guides for the boom in outdoor recreation and adventure tourism that has been sweeping through the heart of Central PA. Purple Lizard’s Central PA Lizard Trilogy is the key to some of the best trail systems and wild areas in the Northeast. The Lizard Central PA Trilogy also includes Purple Lizard’s widely acclaimed Rothrock State Forest and Raystown Lake Maps. The Lizard Trilogy encompasses over 350,000 acres of beautiful public land and hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails and scenic back roads in the heart of Central PA. Central PA, once known primarily for its football and winding pastoral roads complete with Amish buggies, rolling valleys and beautiful farmland, is quickly becoming known among recreational enthusiasts as one of the hottest outdoor recreation destinations on the East Coast
The region lays claim to beautiful wild areas and streams, outstanding trail systems, and some of the most technically challenging trail systems for trail running and mountain biking in the nation, making it a prime destination for vacationers and adventure seekers alike. Purple Lizard Maps is an independent cartographic design firm that creates recreational maps for outdoor enthusiasts. Founder and lead cartographer, Michael Hermann, is an award winning map designer whose passion is making maps that are known for their excellence in design and function. Hermann explains his decision have Purple Lizard design and publish maps of Central PA, including the new map of Bald Eagle State Forest, “We get requests to map a lot of areas, and we do maps of many beautiful places, but Central Pennsylvania is a real jewel in the world of outdoor recreation.” Hermann, a Central PA resident himself, is proud to promote this area to the world. “I have lived in
a lot of places, including Maine, Colorado, Utah and Arizona, among others. I believe Central Pennsylvania has some of the best recreation anywhere.” As for why he published the Lizard Trilogy,
Purple Lizard Maps are heavyweight, coated, and known for their accuracy and ease of use. The third in a Trilogy that opens Central PA to explore like never before.
Hermann explains, “All of these beautiful places form one continuous recreational corridor. Purple Lizard maps have helped to open these forests up to visitors and help make Central PA a leading outdoor recreation destination, and we love being a part of that.” “Each map covers hundreds of miles of trails, streams and back roads through stunning natural beauty,” Hermann explains. Released just this month, the Bald Eagle State Forest Map was the final map in the trilogy because of its sheer size and scope. Bald Eagle State Forest is a popular destination for hikers, mountain bikers, and dual sport motorcyclists across Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic region. “Although it has some of the best recreation in the state, Bald Eagle State Forest can sometimes feel overwhelming. The Lizard Map will help change that and make it more accessible,” says Hermann. Less than an hour away, Rothrock State Forest boasts some of the best-known technical singletrack mountain bike trails
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on the East Coast. The Lizard Map of Rothrock State Forest was first published in 1997, and the 5th edition was released this spring. Hermann, who lives just around the corner from Rothrock, explains its attraction, “Rothrock State Forest provides some of the most technically challenging mountain biking and trail running anywhere in the US along with stunning views and rich wildlife habitats.” The Purple Lizard Map of Raystown Lake, in Huntington County, has also obtained national attention. “Raystown is home to the Allegrippis Trails, one of the most well designed machinecut trail systems in the country, making it a nationally-known mountain biking destination.” Dirt Rag’s annual Dirt Fest mountain bike festival has given the world a peek at what Central PA offers. “The Purple Lizard Raystown Map helps visitors get the big picture of this playground, offering a complete guide to the Allegrippis Trail system, the lake, the hiking trails, parks and surrounding communities,” says Hermann. Why are the maps called “Lizard Maps”? All Purple Lizard Maps have little purple lizards sprinkled throughout different areas on the map, and the Bald Eagle map is no different. Hermann explains, “The little lizards represent overlooks and special places. Purple Lizard Maps are all
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The Valley, September 2013
16 Badger Bay Firearms School from front page time and your training dollars, most Badger Bay courses are held on weekends, and the Defensive Handgun courses are available from $135/per class. In addition, I am fully aware that following
the tragedy in Sandy Hook, CT, there has been a huge demand for ammunition, making availability a limiting factor. For this reason, all courses have been designed to keep round-counts as low as possible, while still providing the maximum training experience. Badger Bay courses are developed
from years of experience cultivated from being an NRA-certified Instructor and training with top civilian, law enforcement and military instructors, as well as being a team member of the American Tactical Shooting Association and National Tactical Invitational. In addition to pistol courses,
Badger Bay Firearms School can accommodate most any situation or skill level.
Badger Bay will also soon be offering NRA rifle courses, as well as Defensive Rifle, and LongRange Precision courses taught by a former Marine firearms instructor and Private Security Contractor. Courses are taught locally at the Altoona Rifle and Pistol Club in Sinking Valley, or at the shooting range in Scotia Game Lands outside of State College. We are also in the process of securing range time in Mifflin County. However, we are always happy to come to your local club or range to hold a course or private customized lesson. As an additional value, Badger Bay Firearms Instruction has also teamed up with a local licensed FFL dealer in Altoona, Rick Schuh of Boyz Hydrographic Designs. Through Boyz, Badger Bay is able to facilitate gun and gear sales for students, making one of the most difficult choices for CCW, what and how to carry concealed, much easier. If you are unsure of your choice for a carry firearm, or don’t own one, rentals are also available for classes. Badger Bay Firearms Instruction is a proud member of the local community, and looks forward to helping you improve your firearm skills, or teaching you the skills for responsible concealed-
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carry. Don’t consider firearms training a luxury anymore! Give us a call. For more information: Badger Bay Firearms Instruction: www.badgerbayfirearms.com Boyz Hydrograpic Designs – FFL dealer, gun smith and customization: www.boyzhid.com Please like and share us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BadgerBayFirearmsInstruction www.facebook.com/boyzhid John Callahan – 814-954-2928 Domari Nolo – I will not be subjugated a
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The Valley, September 2013
Ahel al-Kitab “People of the Book”
Christians and Jews throughout the Islamic world are known in Arabic as Ahel al-Kitab, translated as the “People of the Book.” Jews and Christians are viewed as one people, not two. In the eyes of Islam, the only difference is that the Jews keep Sabbath on Saturday and the Christians on Sunday. Interesting, isn’t it? What do they see from the outside that we who are in either of these camps have a hard time seeing? Is it the fact that both Christians and Jews serve the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (who was renamed Israel by God), or is it because both Christians and Jews believe in a Redeemer and Messiah? I believe that since we are viewed as one people by a common adversary, (the Muslim battle
cry has been: “We kill Jews on Saturday and Christians on Sunday”) that this lends support to the argument I’ve previously put forth that the Almighty never abolished the law. Remember the phrase “our Judeo-Christian heritage?” You never hear that any more. Yet our roots are entwined together and so is our future. Consider that Messiah comes from the tribe of Judah and whether you are awaiting His initial advent or His second coming, to quote a Rabbi we heard speak in Israel: “Perhaps we are waiting for one and the same Messiah.” So, who has it right? Is Christian theology and understanding altogether correct and the Jews have it all wrong, or do the Jews have accurate doctrine and
it’s the Christians who are walking incorrectly? Instead of an either/or proposition, is it possible that these faith walks are actually two sides of the same coin? I believe it is. The one and only Messiah was and is a Jew. He physically lived and followed the customs and laws laid out in the Torah (Old Testament) where it is stated by The Almighty: “My covenant I will not violate, nor will I alter the utterance of my lips...” This Messiah, who is God, later stated that He did not come to abolish the Law. Where these two faith-walks merge is at the intersection of salvation by faith, not by works, and observance of the law as an act of obedience with grateful hearts. The challenge to each of us as I see it is to let go of our preconceived (and often denominationally birthed) ideas of scripture and allow God to reveal His truth to us as He so wills. Life outside religion the box, if you will. There
can be no greater spiritual assent than to lay aside the traditions of men and replace them with The Almighty’s ways as He reveals them. So, what part of the law should we follow? All that is within our means to follow! Let’s start with observance of the feasts of the Lord. The story of our redemption and the work of Messiah are highlighted in each feast. They are all shadow pictures of good things to come! In Leviticus chapter 23, where these feasts are laid out, God tells Moses that these celebrations are to be a perpetual statute between The Almighty and His people throughout the generations. Not just until Messiah comes! The first feast outlined is the Sabbath (Shabbat). We will gaze more intently at this special sanctified day of the week, next month. The focus for this article is the fall feasts as they are upon us! The first fall feast is Yom Teru’ah (the Day of Blowing Trumpets), when the shofar (ram’s horn) is blasted, calling God’s people to stop what they’re doing and get ready to meet the Lord. Are we not told that the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God? Is it possible there is some
connection between this feast and Messiah’s return? Next is Yom Kippur, which calls God’s people to repent and come into his presence to be washed and forgiven. Simply known as “The Day,” it is the highest, most holy, and solemn day of the year, Yom Kippur is also known as the Day of Atonements or Day of Coverings. This is the only festival where we are commanded to afflict our souls. Therefore it is a day of fasting. Yom Kippur points to a future day when Israel will individually and yet collectively look upon Him whom they have pierced; and mourn turning to full repentance and faith. This will truly be Israel’s day of independence! She will go through much travail before she gets there however. The last feast of the fall is Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths), the great days of celebration, which calls God’s people to be thankful and rejoice in His blessings. Sukkot is an incredibly wonderful feast. As I have previously stated, we should not observe Christmas because of its pagan origins. Yet realizing that there would be a gaping hole in our need for celebration, we see that
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MEAT. WILSON’S MEATS AND GROCERIES
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The Valley, September 2013
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POOR WILL’S VALLEY ALMANACK For September of 2013 by Bill Felker
The harvest moon is with us; and regardless of the calendar, the harvest moon is as autumnal as a corn shock. Given reasonably clear skies, we shall have four or five moonlit evenings in a row, for the harvest moon is not a hasty moon; it comes early and stays late. Hal Borland The Sun The sun moves toward fall at a little more than one degree every three days until it reaches equinox at 3:44 p.m. (EST) on September 22, entering the sign of Libra at the same moment. The Planets of September Jupiter continues in Gemini, rising before Mars after midnight and shining high in the east at sunup. Mars, moving retrograde into Leo this month, rises later than Jupiter and is visible lower along the eastern horizon in the early morning. Saturn is in conjunction with Venus on September 20, both planets low on the western horizon at sundown. The Stars Throughout the evening, the setting of the Corona Borealis and Hercules mark the closing of tomato season along the Canadian border. The Summer Triangle, just a little west of overhead complements the Harvest Moon, and it also turns leaves throughout the northern half of the United States. Far on the eastern horizon, the Pleiades are rising, promising full leaf-turn, then leaf-fall, then winter. The Shooting Stars The Alpha Aurigid meteors pass overhead between August 28 and September 5. The Piscid meteors fall through Pisces, in the south-
ern sky, on the night of September 21 Meteorology Weather history suggests that cold waves usually cross the Mississippi River on or about the following dates: September 2, 8, 12, 15, 20, 24 and 29. New moon on September 5 and full moon on September 19 increase the likelihood of a hurricane coming ashore along the East Coast or a strong frost-bearing cold wave moving into upper elevations of Pennsylvania around those dates. Frostwatch The following chart shows the approximate chances that frost will have occurred by the date indicated. Calculations are based on the typical frequency of freezing temperatures at average elevations along the 40th Parallel during the month of September. The data can be adjusted roughly by adding five percent for each 100 miles north or south that Parallel. Check your local frost history for greater detail. Date Light Frost Killing Frost 1: 5% 0% 10: 10% 1% 15: 15% 2% 20: 30% 3% 25: 55% 5% 30: 80% 10% SEPTEMBER - WEEK 1 THE FINAL WEEK OF LATE SUMMER Lunar Phase And Lore Although harvest of fruits and vegetables has been taking place all summer, the harvest of field corn is one of the major turning points in the farm year. Sweet corn from the South began to reach markets in April; now the entire northern half of the United States and Canada brings in corn for silage and grain as the Blackberry Moon becomes the new Harvest Moon at 6:36 a.m. on September 5.
Rising after midnight and setting in the evening, this moon is overhead (tempting fish and dieters to bite) in the middle of the day - especially as the cool front of September 8 approaches, pushing down the barometer. This lunar period is favourable for picking of all garden crops and for the start of harvest on the farm. And between September 8 and 12, lunar position in Scorpio encourages putting in the latest vegetables of the year. Weather Trends The likelihood of precipitation increases as the September 8 cool front comes through, bringing early fall, a month-long period of Judas maples, late goldenrod, and the encroachment of chillier nights. Temperatures, which began to cool at the pivot time of August 10th, decline more noticeably. Throughout the month ahead, normal highs drop about eight degrees, falling to the lower 70s. Average lows fall from the upper 50s to the upper 40s. SEPTEMBER - WEEK 2 THE FIRST WEEK OF EARLY FALL Lunar Phase And Lore The Harvest Moon waxes throughout the period, entering its second quarter on September 12 at 12:08 p.m. Rising in the middle of the day and setting well after dark, this moon is overhead, encouraging harvest, in the afternoon or early evening. Fishing should improve and dieting become more difficult with the moon above you after supper, especially as the barometer falls in advance of the September 12 and 15 cool fronts. Autumn planting of perennials, shrubs and trees when the moon lies in Capricorn, September 13 – 15 and then again in Pisces on the 17 – 19. Harvest when conditions are right. Weather Trends The 12th marks the beginning of
a decline in percentage of daily sunshine, a downward shift that continues through December (the year’s darkest month). Chances for a light freeze increase on the 13th and 14th as this third highpressure system of the month shows its full power. And as the September 15 cool front passes through, brisk afternoons in the 50s or 60s are four times as likely as during the first week of the month.
60s this week doubles over those odds last week. The chances of a light freeze become a minimum of ten percent per night until the first week of October—when odds quickly increase. On the positive side, pollen season declines quickly after the passage of this weather system.
SEPTEMBER - WEEK 3 THE SECOND WEEK OF EARLY FALL
Lunar Phase And Lore Even before the harvest is complete, the Harvest Moon enters its final quarter on September 26 at 10:56 p.m. Rising late in the evening and setting in the afternoon, this moon travels overhead in the morning. When it is above your fishing hole, it encourages fish to bite. If it is above your breakfast table, it will encourage you to bite – and especially as the potent September 29 cold front approaches (but not after the front passes through). The moon’s position in fertile Cancer between the 26th and 29th, encourages the planting of bulbs for spring. Also put in shrubs and trees as the moon wanes in Cancer. The dark waning moon of September’s final week also favors vaccinations, surgery, and general livestock care. Changes in the season bring weather extremes as well as stress, so you will be taking care of routine health care at the most important time of the year.
Lunar Phase And Lore The Harvest Moon waxes throughout the week, shining brightly in the dark above the harvest. On the 19th, it becomes completely full at 6:13 a.m. Rising around the same time in the evening and setting in the morning, this moon will be overhead near midnight, perfect for night-time work or hikes. Lunar position above the Lower Midwest encourages fish and dieters to eat, especially as the September 20 cold approaches. Weather Trends The fourth high of September usually strikes in the middle of the month and is followed by one the greatest shifts so far in the season. As the sun moves to within a few degrees of equinox, late summer’s grip grows measurably weaker. As this weather system moves along the 40th Parallel, brisk afternoons in the 50s or 60s are four times as likely as during the first week of the month. The mornings are chilly, and the possibility of a light freeze grows steadily. Although the day before the September 20 front is sometimes one of autumn’s warmest, when the front actually arrives, the likelihood of days in the 90s disappears all across the northern half of the nation. Even 80s will be gone there in only three weeks. The odds for an afternoon in the 50s or
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SEPTEMBER - WEEK 4 THE THIRD WEEK OF LATE SUMMER
Weather Trends Although the day before the September 29th front’s arrival is usually dry and mild, this final high of September is the first to bring real danger of a hard frost to the North and slight risk of tomato damage across the mid-Atlantic region and the East. Average temperatures now start to fall at the rate of four degrees per week. September 27 marks another pivot point for autumn: this is the first time since May 21 that there is a full 25 percent chance for highs
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The Valley, September 2013 only in the 50s. A DAYBOOK FOR SEPTEMBER September 1: In the last week of late summer, the final tier of wildflowers starts to open. White and violet asters, orange beggarticks, burr marigolds, tall goldenrod, zigzag goldenrod and Japanese knotweed come into bloom, blending with the brightest of the purple ironweed, yellow sundrops, blue chicory, golden touch-menots, showy coneflowers and great blue lobelia. In gardens, knotweed is flowering, as are September hostas, virgin’s bower, and late Heliopsis. September 2: The last fireflies are flickering as September begins. Red-headed woodpeckers, redwinged blackbirds, house wrens, scarlet tanagers, indigo buntings, eastern bluebirds and black ducks migrate. And today is Labor Day and it brings increased chances for marketing. Sell blackberries and late-summer vegetables at farmer’s markets and your roadside stand. September 3: The dark, waxing moon (starting the day after tomorrow) favors vaccinations and general livestock care. The moon’s position in the first two weeks of September creates an ideal lunar window for early fall planting and transplanting of shrubs, trees and perennials. Set out cabbage, kale and collard sets. Seed your late-autumn greens for October, November and December salads. September 4: New moon on September 5 and full moon on September 19 increase the likelihood of a hurricane coming ashore along the East Coast or a strong frost-bearing cold wave moving across the Plains around those dates. September 5: Today is the first day of the Harvest Moon. And Jewish New Year, Rash Hashanah is celebrated today and tomorrow, a good point in the year to explore marketing to the Jewish population in your area. That population is over five million in the United States. September 6: September 19 is Chuseok, the Harvest Moon Festival often observed by Korean Americans and others of Asian descent. Start marketing kids and lambs now for this market. In the chicken house, continue to cull poor layers as the fall progresses.
One sign of a good layer is a full, bright red wattle. September 7: People who suffer from pollen allergies have about two more weeks of serious irritation, thanks to ragweed coming down from the North and the last tier of wildflowers – including goldenrod – blooming throughout the South and Lower Midwest. By the middle of September, however, pollen counts typically are only about half of what they are today. September 8: Today is the average day of early fall, the first of autumn’s three seasons (early, middle and late fall). Temperatures, which began to cool at the pivot times of July 25 and August 10, decline more noticeably. September 9: Take advantage of early fall mornings to work with your bees. The insects will be slow and clumsy when the air is cold, and will be less able to sting you. You may also be less likely to disturb them by reacting to their stings. Chilly mornings or evenings are also recommended when ridding your property of wasps, carpenter bees and hornets. September 10: In town, the violet and white September crocuses have opened. In the fields, goldenrod is peaking, and New England asters are coming in. September 11: Sandhill cranes start to arrive in wetlands of the Midwest on their way to the Gulf coast. Doves usually stop calling in the morning until February. As lake and reservoir water temperatures drop into the lower 70s and 60s, bass and walleye become more active. September 12: Pickle and peach seasons are usually over by now. Grapes are about to come in, and elderberries are deep purple and sweet for picking. Half the commercial tomatoes have often been picked, and about a fourth of the nation’s potatoes have been dug. September 13: Many soybean fields are yellow and shedding, and some fields have lost all their leaves. Fall apples are sometimes half harvested. Sunflower fields are starting to blacken.
of wildflower season, as all of the major late-blooming plants gradually close their flowering cycle for the year. Katydids weaken in the cool nights, and black walnut, buckeye, and cottonwood leaf-fall seasons are often coming to an end in town just as winter wheat and barley planting seasons commence on the farm. September 16: Plan to renew some of your land by putting in an “antiseptic crop” of mustard, radishes, and turnips. September 17: Peonies and other perennials may be fertilized this month after full moon to encourage improved flowering next spring and summer. September 18: The full September moon and upcoming changes in the weather could have a negative influence on the joints of you and your mammals. September 19: Scattered in the pastures, the milkweed pods are full, straining, ready to open. Mullein stalks stand bare like withered cacti. In the perennial garden, varieties of late hostas, like the August Moon and the Royal Standard, discard their petals. Commercial tomatoes and potatoes are just about harvested. Sunflower fields are starting to blacken. September 20: In the woods, middle spring’s sedum is growing stronger. Henbit, mint, and catchweed revive as the canopy thins. Waterleaf has fresh shoots. Snow-on-the-mountain has recovered from its mid-summer slump and can be as thick and as beautiful as in early spring. Sometimes forsythia even responds as though it were April violet time instead of autumn violet time, whole bushes breaking into bloom. Preying mantises make egg cases for their eggs. September 21: The waning moon favors cutting corn for silage all across the nation’s midsection, and harvesting sugar beets, pears, cabbage and cauliflower in the Midwest.
September 14: The period between the 19th through the 25th of September and October historically brings an increased chance for dangerous weather: hurricanes and tornadoes.
September 22: Today is equinox, and that event is often accompanied by a brisk cool front. This year’s full Harvest Moon on the 19th, and the traditional passage of high pressure near the 20th signal a clear shift in weather conditions throughout the country.
September 15: The third week of September brings the conclusion
September 23: The sugar beet, pear, cabbage and cauliflower
harvests typically commence near this date in the Great Lakes region. A good percentage of the third cut of alfalfa has been brought in now in average years, and fall apples and grapes are getting close to a fourth picked. September 24: Japanese beetles can still be mating, but they are usually down to a fraction of their summer numbers. Chiggers have finally disappeared from the garden if the weather has been cold, but mosquitoes continue to breed. September 25: Flocks of starlings and grackles fly back and forth across the fields, cackling and chirping, drowning out the crickets. Milkweed pods start to open, another marker for the advance of the year. September 26: In the fields, aster, and goldenrod blossoms start to disappear; their departure parallels the leaf-fall, the end of the insect season, the end of the spider season, acceleration in bird migration, everything seeming to unravel at once. September 27: Water willows are yellow in the river shallows. In the sloughs, arrowhead is brittle. The wildflowers on stump habitats have disappeared. White bass bite more heavily as they follow chad up into the inlets of lakes and reservoirs now. September 28: Most tall goldenrod dying from the ground up. Insects seem frantic in the early fall flowers, more bees than in summer, the activity more intense. Milkweed pods are fully developed, most leaves gone from their stems. Touch-me-not pods are still brittle, still popping. Maples becoming more prominently red and orange. Along the Platte River in Nebraska, the cranes will soon gather by the thousands; they will fly off to their winter habitat after the leaves come down. September 29: Ash trees usually enter their peak color season now, and box elders are shedding. The toothed leaves of beggarticks darken purple overnight. Daddy longlegs disappear from the undergrowth. Bird migrations reach their peak throughout the region. September 30: Chances that a light frost will have brushed your garden reach 80 percent all across the Valley.
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Almanack Literature Harold, My Pet Mouse By Jon Louden, Thurman, OH
Several years ago, I had a half dozen little pastures (3 – 5 acres) around the township. I raised calves on these properties and I had bred cows, too. I had a raggedy old Toyota pick-up that I hauled 125 gallons of water with, along with five- gallon buckets of feed, and, in the winter, a bale or two of hay. I had 25 to 100 head spread around in various pastures. Cold weather arrived, and I noticed that once the truck warmed up, a squeak would start up. When I turned the heater fan to low, the squeak would speed up, at medium speed the squeaking would speed up, and when I’d turn the fan to high, the squeaking would stop. All winter, the same squeaking from the heater. Just before warm weather, the squeaking stopped and so did the heater fan. I took my truck to my mechanic to fix the fan. I took a seat in their waiting area on an old van seat. After about 15 minutes, Gary, the mechanic, came in to say he had fixed my heater fan and did I want my dead mouse? Gary said that often removing the dead mouse fixes a broken heater fan, I guess Harold – the mouse had been eating the spilled grain and sleeping in my truck. When I would start out on my rounds, Harold would head to the gymnasium or spa, that is, my heater. Harold talked or squeaked as he ran in his exercise machine until I hit high speed, then it was all he could do to run, so he’d shut up. Although Harold exercised every day, he may have eaten too much grain, got a little heavy, and the high speed finally gave Harold a heart attack. So remember that exercise may not be enough in order to stay healthy. You should watch your weight, too. WINNER OF THE AUGUST SCKRAMBLER Only one entry was received for that puzzle, and that person did not want any money! Go back and find your old August VALLEY, and try your luck! A RHYMING “SCKRAMBLER” FOR SEPTEMBER If you are the 2nd or the 5th person to respond with the correct answers, you’ll receive a $5.00 prize. There should by no typos in this puzzle, but if you do find one, you June skip the word without penalty. There should be no typos in this puzzle, and no
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Fifty Years Ago From the pages of The Sentinel (Lewistown, PA), founded in 1903: September 1963 9,121 students begin school in Mifflin County across the three county attendance areas of Lewistown-Granville-Rothrock, Chief Logan and Kishacoquillas. Total enrollment was up almost 400 student over the 1962 opening. Wolf Furniture on Market Street, Lewistown holds a raffle of daily prizes – TV sets, tables, lamps – but the Grand Prize to be drawn at the end of the promotion is a 1963 Ramble two-door coupe. 31,567 receive the Sabin oral polio vaccine, 477 less than received Type I in the spring. According to newspaper reports, there will be total of three vaccines given to ensure protection
from the dreaded disease. In local sports, Ray’s Bottle Shop wins softball playoff crown with 13-3 win over Junction; Lewistown drops season opener to Hollidaysburg, 28-6; Chief Logan cops grab opener by handing Captain Jack a 25-6 defeat. One Hundred Years Ago From the pages of the Democrat & Sentinel (Lewistown, PA), founded in 1832: September 1913 ATTENDANCE GROWS LARGER – First Day of School Term Sees Unusually Big Enrollment – MANY CHANGES AMONG TEACHERS – Figures for Comparison Showing Increase in Number of School Pupils – Only one school, Lewistown’s Sixth Ward, showed a decrease of 20 less girls and boys this year than last. This decrease may
be due to a smallpox alarm felt among residents there, due to parents not having children vaccinated as required by state law. School Superintendant T. Latimer Brooks was vaccinated before the start of school, as a precaution against spreading the disease as he visits all schools during the opening weeks.
Ard’s Ridge above Lewistown was perilously low. City fathers warned citizens to use less water, and waste nothing. In case of fires in town, authorities encouraged the two fire companies to make plans to connect all available hoses to reach the farthest parts of Lewistown. The conduct of the war and the draft were heated issues in the coming State election in October. A letter to the Gazette “To the Loyal Democrats of Mifflin County” was signed by “A Douglas Democrat” and urged support for Gov. Andrew Curtin for a second term as Pennsylvania governor. It claimed a secret understanding existed between Rebel leaders in the South and leaders of the Democratic North to build a slave oligarchy upon the ruins of the Republic.
Civil War Echoes – One Hundred Fifty Years Ago From the pages of the Lewistown Gazette (Lewistown, PA), founded in 1811 September 1863 The Lewistown Academy’s Female Department opened the first week of September. Tuition for courses for the term was $3 to $46. The Male Department opened September 21st with the same range of tuition. The water in the reservoir on
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The Logan Guards - The Civil War’s First Defenders from Mifflin County, Pennsylvania by author Forest K. Fisher tells the story of this Mifflin County militia company. $17.75 plus PA Sales Tax and $3 S&H - Available at these locations: Mifflin County Historical Society, 1 W. Market Street, Lewistown, PA 17044 or - Purchase with PayPal, visit our web site at www.mccoyhouse. com, click on STORE - Also the JVACC Gift Shop, Historic Courthouse, Lewistown, PA. For more information: Call MCHS Office at 717-242-1022 or info@mifflincountyhistoricalsociety.org a
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Modern Energy and Alternative Heating with Curt Bierly Are You Planning To Purchase A Wood Stove? It’s hard to believe but Grange Fair is over and Labor Day has passed so we know winter is around the corner. Possibly you are considering the purchase of a wood stove for the ambiance and to keep you nice and warm on those cold winter days. You may be looking for a stove to provide occasional heat as time permits – or – perhaps you will be using it daily to provide a large portion of the heat your home will require this winter and thus save you money on your heating bill. You may want a plain black stove or a more elegant one that will accent the current décor of your home. Whatever your reasons or objectives, to arrive at an installed cost for a wood stove system, there are
three important mechanical parts to consider – chimney, stove and accessories. You will save a substantial portion of the system cost if you currently have a good chimney (correctly installed and in good condition) available that isn’t being used by another heating appliance and is adjacent to the location you envision the unit being installed. The performance of any wood stove will depend heavily on the natural draft the chimney can create. The best chimney is a warm chimney – so – we would need to rate a good inside glue (chimney) the best and a good outside glu second best. For draft and safety reasons, a good inside masonry chimney should be lined
with a stainless steel liner that is sized to the outlet diameter of the wood stove (usually 6”). Keeping in mind we want a warm chimney for best draft, if the good masonry flu is outside, a stainless steel liner should be installed and insulating the liner with a ceramic wool blanket should be considered. In either case the chimney should be inspected before you install the liner to confirm that it is in good condition and correctly installed. If you don’t currently have an available chimney, a good insulated masonry or stainless steel chimney will need to be installed inside or outside. When choosing a wood stove, you need to consider the area you want to heat and whether you want the fire to last overnight/ Don’t be afraid to favor a larger size than needed, particularly if you are looking for an overnight burn, because you can always burn a small fire in a large stove, but you can’t put an overnight charge of wood in a small one. Also, do you want a steel or cast iron wood stove? As a general rule the steel stoves are less costly, have a plain exterior surface, aren’t available with an enamel finish (they can be painted with a high temperature paint) and are lined with firebrick which occasionally needs to be replaced
if broken. Cast Iron stoves generally need no firebrick, are offered with or without an enamel finish, and because they are cast, they are offered in many pleasing exterior designs. All new stoves today are equipped with an EPA approved Clean Burn Air Injection System that introduces fresh air to the hot gasses exiting the stove to continue the burn and thus reduce the emissions (i.e. smoke/creosote) and increase the unit efficiency. The air injection requires no fans or blowers. It works off the natural draft of the chimney. Beware - if you purchase a used wood stove it might not contain an EPA approved air injection system. Accessories you will need or might want to consider for safety and ease of operation are smoke pipe (single or double wall), wall protection, floor protection, a flu thermometer, a carbon monoxide detector, insulated gloves, a wood holder, fire extinguisher, fireplace tools (poker, tongs), ash can and sweeper. Wood stove manuals today
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are very detailed and contain a wealth of important information relative to the stove you chose – so – be sure to read it carefully and heed the advice therein. It will help you to have a good wood stove experience and enjoy your stove. We certainly enjoy ours! 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
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The Valley, September 2013
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The Valley, September 2013 book you can first clear the daily mental clutter, then keep stress at bay and achieve a joyful life. The quick solutions address such common problems as setting goals, regaining control, nurturing relationships, accepting mistakes, reducing debt, and organizing physical clutter. And, most importantly, every suggestion can be part of each day; this book is a must for learning how to live your life!
Mail Pouch Books by Carleen B. Grossman With our communities now back in the “school-mode,” I have selected the theme for this September’s Mail Pouch Books as that of LEARNING. The books below will provide you with a wealth of information. I hope you enjoy these books as much as I did—several of them are classics in the field—tried and true! UNDER COTTONWOODS By Stephen Grace Copyright 2004 Under Cottonwoods follows two young men as they come to terms with the lives they lead. One man is emotionally struggling with his marriage and reality while the other battles with his very existence and memory of what he used to be. These two broken men and a three legged dog become best of friends in this novel that takes you into the back country of Wyoming and on a fly fishing trip that will delight your senses even if you think you don’t like fishing of any kind! This story will teach you about life and the unexpected turns it can take. The book takes you on an outdoor adventure that involves mountain climbing, hiking, winter camping and eventually into the healing of the fly fishing experience. On this journey you will
follow the one young man whose face and brain are scarred as a result of a climbing accident that has left him partially paralyzed and mentally diminished. The other young man who sets out to befriend and help this challenged man, seems at first to be the stronger, admirably and compassionately lending a hand to an unfortunate friend, but it’s soon clear that each is giving the other something priceless: the insight and courage to challenge the odds, embrace reality, and find a way to flourish and grow. This is an excellent novel about the beauty of the Wyoming outdoors [Wyoming is my native state so I can tell you this book is extremely accurate in its outdoor
depictions]. The book blends humor and compassion. From reading this book, you will learn about how to truly live and enjoy life! UNCLUTTER YOUR MIND: 500 Ways to Focus On What’s Important Donna Smallin Copyright 2006
THE BACKYARD LUMBERJACK By Frank & Stephen Philbrick Copyright 2006 Learn exactly what is the best way to process your wood for the winter ahead! In this book you will find instructions and advice for splitting a cord of wood for your fireplace or for managing
This author has special solutions to all kinds of clutter problems! With the help of the
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acres of woodland. You will learn how to select equipment, fell, buck, split, stack and finally burn wood all in a safe and effective manner. FABRIC BY FABRIC: ONE YARD WONDERS By P. Hoskins & R. Yaker Copyright 2011 Here is an all-new collection of 101 sewing projects that each require just one yard of fabric! All the projects are organized by fabric type. Directions show how to make the most of each fabric’s unique characteristics. Each project is shown in a fullcolor photograph accompanied by detailed step-by-step instructions, illustrations, and a complete cutting layout. Have fun learning how to make many one yard wonders! a
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The Valley, September 2013
Find us on The Valley Newspaper
The Pen and Thread Custom Calligraphy and Weaving
Mary Anna Chenoweth Proprietor
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
717-248-6079 131 West Market Street Lewistown, Pennsylvania
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The Valley, September 2013
International Guests Join Locals To Bring Unique Pennsylvania Heritage To Life One year, a classical guitarist came from Spain just to play at this annual event. Another year, a couple came all the way from France to attend. Guests regularly attend from up and down the east coast and from as far away as California. But this isn’t some wellpublicized Penn State event that
is attracting so much international attention. Instead, it’s the Boalsburg Heritage Festival, a weekend celebrating many generations of American heritage in Boalsburg as well as a unique local connection with Christopher Columbus. And yet many local people are unaware of it. “In previous years, the Boalsburg Heritage weekend has competed with Penn State’s homecoming activities, but not so this year,” says Christopher Lee, President of the Boalsburg Village Conservancy, which is sponsoring the weekend. This year, event organizers are rescheduling to the weekend of October 5, when the Penn State football team is away, so locals are free to join the international guests. The weekend begins with the Columbus Ball at 7:30 pm on Saturday, October 5, at the Boal Mansion. “Those who attend have been raving about this event Christopher Columbus (left, portrayed by folklorist for decades, saying it’s Bruce Young of State College) will appear at the Columbus Ball and the Boalsburg Birthday Heri- the best party they’ve been to in their lives,” tage Festival in historic Boalsburg on Saturday and Sunday, October 5 and 6. Alan Boal of Pitts- says Lee. Guests sip burgh will portray his ancestor, the pioneer David Boal, who built his tavern in 1804 at the frontier champagne, encrossroads that became Boalsburg in 1809. joy abundant hors
d’oeuvres from local restaurants – enough to constitute dinner– and contra-dance to the music of Bruce Young’s combo, Smashing Windows. The evening event benefits historic preservation and celebrates Boalsburg’s unique-in-the-
nation connection with Christopher Columbus. The famous explorer is an ancestor of the Boal family and the Columbus Chapel, including the Admiral’s Desk that belonged to Columbus, were inherited by the Boal family and imported to Boalsburg from Spain in 1909. In the middle of the evening, chairs will be set up in the ballroom and a parade of historical characters will present the local heritage and its national and inter-
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national connections. “We think it’s important to make people aware of the community’s rich historical heritage,” says Lee. “BBC-TV came and filmed and broadcast the Boalsburg story throughout England. They thought it was interesting. We think local people should know about it too. The heritage gives our people a positive sense of community identity, something
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The Donkey Lady of Reedsville from page 10
PACleanways of Mifflin County Our volunteers could not have asked for any better weather then what we had for our River Cleanup on July 27th. We had 28 volunteers helping to remove 2.81 tons of tires and .25 tons of trash. We also got a number of metal objects including an old washer tub. We were fortunate this year to have funding provided by the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watershed and The Community Foundation for the Alleghenies. We want to thank Dan Dunmire from the Mifflin County Conservation District for working up the grant which will cover cleanups by four county Keep PA Beautiful affiliates in Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, and Huntingdon counties. All of the counties have done their cleanup now with Huntingdon being the latest at the end of August. We also will be doing a cleanup next year as well. We’d
like to thank William Finkenbinder for allowing us to use his access point to pull everything out and put into dumpsters provided by the Mifflin County Solid Waste Authority. If you would like to get involved next year, please check the Keep PA Beautiful (KPB) website. We will be having our annual Tire Recycle Challenge on September 21, 2013 at the Lewistown Borough Refuse Yard on Washington Avenue from 8 am to 12. Prices will vary by size. Juniata and Huntingdon will also have their challenge that day, and Perry will have theirs on September 14th. We will start our fall cleanups in October and you can go on the KPB website to find out how to get involved as a volunteer or contact Pam Sechrist at 899-6701 or by email at pammiff@verizon. net . a
Volunteers at the River Clean Up.
Purple Lizard Maps from page 15 about helping people get out and find their own lizards - find their own special places, and make their own adventures.” Based in rural Penns Valley, in the heart of Central Pennsylvania, Purple Lizard Maps works nationally on map design projects and has been publishing its own brand of trail maps since 1997. Purple Lizard’s Recreational Maps are available on
line at purplelizard.com and sold at local retailers. Sample maps and high resolution graphics are available to the media upon request. a
are younger require milk supplement, either from a bottle or pellets. This is often more daily responsibility than the average working person can take on. She was anxious to have her donkey “kids,” however she realizes now that Ethyl needed more time with her mother. Foals need to be with their mothers, not only for the milk requirement, but also to learn donkey social skills. It had never occurred to Diane that a young jack donkey would have some of the hormonal aggression issues that Ricky did. The bad boy jack donkey visited the vet for castration, which soon solved Ricky’s delinquent behavior. The Ruth’s donkeys easily became well socialized from being handled by Diane, Abe and their friends. When people see her donkeys and their demeanor, everyone wants a miniature donkey. Not every donkey will have the loving and well-mannered behavior of this threesome. Time spent with the donkeys has made them the companions that they are. Diane and Abe are in the pasture daily with Lucy, Ricky and Ethyl. As the donkeys settled in to their new home, Diane sat in the pasture with them thinking about her next step in her donkey plan. She wanted others to be able to experience her love of the donkeys. Diane had always been involved in community service programs and had volunteered at nursing homes. One day the light bulb went off in her head and she knew she could do this with the donkeys. She wanted to find a way to enjoy them and to have others share that enjoyment. First she needed a way to haul the donkeys. She purchased a mini-van and converted it by removing the center seats to be able to haul the donkeys. Lucy had already been driven around as a baby so she was comfortable jumping into a vehicle. Once Lucy was in, Ethyl and Ricky would easily follow. Diane began to haul the donkeys in their van to retirement homes, adult daycare centers and bible school. They have visited several places so far such as Ohesson Manor and Valley View. They also entertained the kids from the YMCA at East Gate. The donkeys enjoy visiting and meeting new people. They are always curious and may smell or lick people. Lucy enjoys trying to remove wheelchair brake handles. Once she even tried to jump in someone’s lap. The people do not seem to mind. Everyone is intrigued and
fascinated by the donkeys. Most of the retirement residences enjoy the small size, gentle manner and the love that the donkeys give back. Their size and willingness to meet new people has made it easy for the Ruth’s to take them into many different events. Ethyl can still be carried if needed. Because of the very cautious (not stubborn) nature of donkeys, Lucy will occasionally refuse to walk on a slick floor. Diane is already trying to find booties for the donkeys
so they can safely walk onto any floor. Diane and Abe enjoy sharing the entire donkey experience and are open to visiting organizations or events. Once you have met this little herd of donkeys, you will be hooked! You will definitely Love Lucy, Ricky & Ethyl. If you are interested in having a donkey visit, contact Diane Ruth at 717 994-5669 or email her at gardeninggal50@centurylink.net. a
The greeting you will receive at the Ruth home.
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The Valley, September 2013
Grosze Thal Nachbaren
(Big Valley Neighbors) by Jeptha I. Yoder Ein Grusz in unsers Schöpfers Namen. Jetzt iss es ein wenig kühler. Der Herbst ziemet unterweges zu sein. Die Krickets und andere Geziefer singen ihre Gesang des nachts. Am Ein und Zwanzigst Juli gingen meine Schwester und Mirian, Ruth, Naemi, und Lena Hostetler (Jesse S) in Lang Leen West Gemein ans Isaak Y. Hostetlers. Auch von ander Theil waren (Solomon) Mareily R., Christian S’s und M. Siebers und Familien, alle Hostetlern und Jonathan E. Yoder (Franey N.). Kirchengasse Gemein war ans Yost J. Hostetlers. Meine Eltern und Ich gingen ans Unkel Christs abends. Der Acht und Zwanzigst waren wir in der Gemein ans Eli S. Zugen. Von McClur waren Manasse N’s und Noah I’s, alle Yodern, und Familien, und Rhodä L. Zug (Christ R.). Von andere Theilen waren Eli Johannes Yodern und Yost J. Hostetlers. Etliche von die Jesse S. Hostetler Familie waren in Ost Lang Leen Gemein bei ihrem Bruder Isaak R. Hostetlers. Nieder Milroy war ans Joshua J. Hostetlers.
Meine Eltern waren ans Christian Z. Speichers fürs abendessen. Samuel K. Hostetlers waren auch dort nachdem sie in die Gemein in Holzland West waren ans Samuel E. Hostetler Jrs. Der Viert August war Kirchengasse Gemein ans Noah C. Speichers. West Lang Leen ans Menno R. Hostetlers. Eli Y. Zugen waren hier fürs abendessen, nachdem sie in die Gemein (Milroy Ost) waren ans Christ M. Zugen Jr. Rudy N. Hostetlers waren ans Mose C. Yoders fürs Mittagessen. Unkel Jesse S. Hostetlers und Töchtern waren in McClur bei ihre Tochter und Schwester, die Esra S. Hostetlers. Unkel Christ M. Yoders waren hier abends. Der Elft war die Gemein hier, Von andere Theilen waren Aunt (Salomon) Mareily R. Hostetler und Christian Z’s und Kindeskind Noah C. Jr., alle Speichern. Von McClur war Ruth L. Hostetler, welche kam mitts Eli S. Zugen und ging mitt ihre Groszeltern die Jesse S. Hostetlers, heim. Es waren ein wenig Junge hier fürs abendessen. Singen war hier abends. Die Aunt Mareily war
ans Unkel Christs fürs abendessen. Ost Lang Leen Gemein war ans Rudy N. Hostetlers. Nieder Milroy ans Abraham J. Hostetlers. Der Achtzeht war Kirchengasse Gemein ans Samuel N. Yoders. West Lang Leen ans Samuel I. Yoders. Ost Milroy ans Noah M. Zugen. Meine Eltern und Ich waren ans Jesse J. Hostetlers abends. Ihr ander Besuch auf diesen Tag waren; Jaesse S’s und Tochter Rebekah, Ruben D’s, Mose R’s und Familie, alle Hostetlern. Emanuel J’s und vier Kindern und Joel M’s und Jüngste, alle Yodern. Henry M. Speichers von Penns Thal waren in der gegend über die wochend und waren bei ihre eltern die Jacob S. Hostetlers am Sonntage. Christian greetings to all Valley readers and writers! Katydids and crickets remind us that fall is on the way. Weather is also more cool. Or do we just “think” it is cool after that really warm and hot spell in July? New arrivals are a daughter Lena E. on August 2nd, joining one sister, to Ezra S. and Leah R. Hostetler of McClure. Grands are Samuel J’s and Nancy R. Hostetler of McClure; Jesse S. and Nancy B. (Yoder) Hostetler, local. Joining one sister and two brothers is Alvin N. on July 23 to Henry S. and Mattie D. Hostetler. Grands are widow (Noah I.) Dena L. (Zook) Yoder; Samuel E. Jr. and Malinda F. (Yoder) Hostetler. Joining two brothers is Rhoda B., on August 9th, to Michael K. and Elizabeth L. Grands are Samuel K. and Rhoda Z. (Speicher) and widow (Yost E.) Lydia E. (Zook), all Hostetlers.
Old Fashioned 10 Gallon Tin Milk Cans For Sale $25 Each Contact: Isaac M. Yoder at 150 Red Lane Milroy, PA 17063.
Joining one sister is Sieber on August 14, to David S. and Naomi E. of McClure. Grands are (Solomon) Mary R. (Yoder), local; (Sam Y Jr.) Emma Y. of McClure. Great-grandmother is (Sam H.) Lydia A. (Yoder) of McClure, all Hostetlers and widows. On August 7, was the Vocational school meeting in Lawrence County, which several vanloads from the area attended. Some went along to visit my late Grandad Hostetler’s cousin Betsy. I was sorry to miss out. Maybe some other time. Mrs. Jonathan N. Hostetler (Sim Yonie) had hernia surgery. Sh is recuperating, but was lingering for several weeks and at one point was a sick woman. Their address is 1162 Coffee Run Road, Reedsville, PA 17084. Dads were up the road one day recently. Called at the widow (John A.) Barbara M. Hostetler, who remains a “shut-in,” but improving. She enjoys visitors. Mail would reach her at 7052 East Back Mountain Road, Reedsville. Several couples from western PA, of the late Joe I. Yoder family were in the area visiting his relatives recently. I sincerely apologize for having in my last writing of Noah Y. Speichers having a stillborn,
which I since learned is not true. Schoolhouse doors opened on August 19th. Since the rains have been less frequent recently, it makes it much easier to harvest the crops from both field and garden, which are growing and ripening in abundance. Being a seed saver, I found it challenging to get some seeds such as onion, carrot, spinach, etc., harvested at the right time. It is easy to forget. And in just a few days of continual wet environment a lot of damage is done, especially when high temperatures add to the woes. Isaac R. Hostetler of 8063 East Back Mountain Road, Reedsville hurt his foot in the woods and was using crutches. Yost I. Hostetler of 111 Krick Road, McClure, PA 17841 was hospitalized with internal bleeding after his carpenter crew (vehicle) had an accident on the road. Others involved had minor injuries. We wish everyone a speedy recovery. It is the busy canning and harvesting season. Work is waiting. We are indeed richly blessed! Auf Wiedershan!
Getting Down and Dirty from page 5
“God gave all men all earth to love, But since our hearts are small, Ordained for each, one spot should prove Belov`ed over all; That, as He watched Creation’s birth, So we, in godlike mood, May of our love create our earth And see that it is good.” a
important for ALL OF US – rural and urban alike - to care for this most important of natural resources – our living earth. To close out this month’s article, here are a few lines from the poem Sussex by Rudyard Kipling:
Bloomsburg Fair from page 12 I mentioned above that the Fair admission fee is $8.00 per person, but you can buy and print your entrance tickets in advance from www.bloomsburgfair.com for $7.00 per person. Or, better yet, buy eight admission tickets at once for $48 ($6.00 per ticket). Children 12 and under are admitted for free every day. Parking is $5 and Fair hours are 7am to 9pm. There is shuttle and tram service from the main parking area. Here are some special admission deals. Friday, September 20, 2013 - Preview Day - Admission at the gate $3.00 starting at 2:00pm. Monday, September 23, 2013 - Senior Citizens Day (65 years old and older admitted free with proof of age). Armed Services
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Jeptha I. Yoder a
Day (all veterans and active duty admitted free with ID). Tuesday, September 24, 2013 - Student Day (all high school students 18 and under admitted free). Friday, September 27, 2013 Student Day (all high school students 18 and under admitted free). Now, let’s talk about food and entertainment. Food first (unfortunately, food is always first for me). Where do I head FIRST when I enter the Fair? Grotto Pizza (3RD ST & 38) of course! You may have heard of Grotto Pizza as they are located in many beach locations throughout MD and DE.
continued on page 38 (sorry for all the jumping around)
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Savvy Cents & Sensibility by JoAnn Wills-Kline MBA
112 Days Till Christmas...!!! The Christmas holiday season will be here before you know it! And, alas so will be the end of another year. Every year, I have the best of intentions to enjoy a stress-free, well-planned, wellwithin budget, holiday season. Unfortunately, when the season is completed and the year-end is nigh, my efforts do not result in an A+. So, this coming holiday season, I intend to spark a new strategy system to make an A+ by “making the grade” with a well-planned, stress-free (ahem… nearly stress free), well-within budget (an absolute must!!!) holiday season. Starting this month, and moving through the December issue, I intend to share my 112 Day Holiday Strategy with you… feel free to join me or adapt and tweak my strategies to better meet your own needs. Each month goals, organization ideas, and frugal budgeting suggestions will be listed with recommended “accomplish by” dates. Healthy doses of inspiration and motivation will also be sprinkled into the articles. Let’s get started for September. September – Begin! It is important that you create a foundation for you planning. Set a goal to begin building your foundation and assemble your binder by September 14th. A three ring binder style notebook works terrific to serve as your “Holiday Planner.” Before purchasing a new one, scavenge for one that may be hiding in the house somewhere… possibly from a past school semester or long-past project. Once you locate your binder, you need to fill it with four each: • Tabbed separators – September, October, November, and December • Pocket folders – to place ideas, lists, sales flyers for upcoming purchases • Clear document sleeves – to place receipts, magazine or print ad pages for shopping • Several sheets of ruled paper (or if you like to play against the rules pick paper without lines) – to record “Aha!” moments helpful to your organization, list making, budget crunching. I like to use the pocket folders for gift ideas & lists for family/
friends. I have also placed sales flyers in my binder. If you prefer, you could beef-up your binder by adding more pocket folders and/ or plastic sleeves – like one for each week of the month to keep track of ideas, purchase receipts, and lists. The week of September 15th through 21st – announce to your family gift recipients that you would like a “wish list” from them by week’s end of items/services they would love to receive for Christmas. Now, I understand that the dates and goals seem a bit ridged; however, planning ahead is part of the strategy. Adapt as necessary to suit your personal situation. The key is to set a week window for your family to give you ideas (meaning your household members or close family members). If you have young children, complete the lists as a family activity together during a weekend or evening. During this week craft a “Holiday Gift Budget” and outline dollar amount limits to be spent within budget for each gift recipient – vow to stay within budget at ALL costs! Next create an overall holiday budget that includes the whole shebang: gift giving, meal prep, travel, décor, festive party attendance, and work related holiday commitments. Your budget should not make you feel as if you’ve been squeezed like a sponge, or run over by a bus. Your holiday budget should provide you with an accurate snapshot of the funds and resources you have to work with through a most joyous season. If you feel squeezed when you view your budgeted funds verses the whole shebang something is out of balance. Go back to the drawing board and pare down… maybe you skip a party or two… maybe you choose to host a simple potluck holiday party rather than a dazzling party. Maybe your budget is very limited this year and you have to be very, very conscientious of how every last dollar will be spent – because if you are not completely conscientious, the result could be devastating to your family long after the holiday is past. Maybe you have decided to forgo gift-giving altogether this holiday season; however, you can
still create a budget relevant to your “time.” So often we end up running to and fro throughout the holiday season that we become unconscious to the “worth” of our time. If this sounds familiar, budget your time in addition to, or instead of, a monetary budget. The key is to gain a clear picture of where you stand financially and what you have to work with to create a holiday season that is filled with peace – in your heart and in your mind. The week of September 22nd through 28th refine the lists so they are well within your budget, and begin gathering information of where and how to make the purchases. Outline the most efficient and effective method to get the shopping completed. Your outline should specify when (what pay period/date purchases could be made), where (local, Internet, out of town shopping). If shopping can be done locally, can you pick up items on your way home from work to save gas and time? Are you crafty? Can you create homemade gift items such as baked goods, jarred gifts, crocheted or knitted items, arts/ crafts? Place your outline information and ideas in your holiday planner and accomplish the tasks before September 30th to stay on track. If you happen to finish up your tasks prior to September 30th, then begin to contemplate holiday card ideas. Who will you send cards to? How many will you send? What’s your card budget? If sending cards, will you send family portrait cards? If so, begin planning and setting the process in motion. If you wish to craft homemade cards, begin gathering crafting supplies and card ideas to place in motion next month. October will be here before you know it… ushering in more ideas to create stress-less holiday strategies. a
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The Valley, September 2013
Hop Harvest
This time of the year is crazy on the homestead. If I am not harvesting tomatoes, beets, or peppers that I planted in the spring. I’m planting broccoli, turnips, or cabbage that I will harvest in the fall. My wife is busy fermenting, drying, canning, or freezing all the extras that we do not eat. Adding to the insanity, I recently purchased a small solar starter kit and have been designing and building scaffolding to install the panels on my garage. Also, my wife recently stated, “The house will be completely painted this year, right.” I hate painting, but I have been at it for three years. So I thought I was not going to be able to get an article into Wayne this month. But after I finally
finished painting the house on Saturday, my wife said it looks like your hops are ready. It hit me that there is my article right there, I don’t even have to do any research for it. So you fertilized your hops in the spring and watered them frequently, so now it’s the middle of August and your reward should be here. I have three different varieties on my property and it seems each year one variety does better than the other. Last year my Willamette and Brewer’s Gold hops did awesome, but this year it was my Cascade hops. My Willamette hops would have been nice, but I went away one weekend and tent caterpillars infested the tops of the trellis and did a number
on them. Anyways, I definitely recommend multiple varieties to hedge your bets. Different hops will grow better from one year to the next depending on the weather that summer. Also depending on variety, they will mature earlier or later in the summer. But how do you know when it is time to pick your hops and reap the rewards? It is best to determine the readiness for picking by feel and smell. If the cone is too green, it feels slightly damp to the touch. If you squeeze the cone, it will stay compressed in your hand. A ready cone will feel papery and light. It will feel drier than a green cone, and some varieties take a lighter tone as they mature. In fact, the cones that are more exposed to the sun will begin to brown on the edges. I like to periodically pick a cone of a vine and rub it in my hands vigorously. If your hands quickly take up the smell and are slightly sticky due to the yellow powdery
lupulin, that cone is ready for in a Ziplock bag, label them, and harvest. However if the cone does store them in a freezer. Try not not break apart and rolls up into a to thaw and refreeze them, it will ball it is not ready. Once I pick a cause them to lose their freshness cone that fits that ripe description, and lead to a spoiled batch of I wait for a few dry days in a row hops. to harvest the whole hop plant. So there you have it—harSome people think you should vesting your hops. There is nothpick multiple times, but I do not ing like waiting out the summer have time for that. and harvesting a crop. It can be Once you have harvested anything from corn to hops. But your hops you can use them fresh, there is something magical about but results can be very random. I knowing that you made it haprecommend drying them. You can pen. So until next time, may your use a dehydrator or your oven. If beer be plentiful and your hops be you use your oven, I recommend plentiful too. not exceeding a temperature of Update: The pea shell beer 150 degrees and propping open that I brewed a couple of months the door while you dry them. Dry ago is ready. I do not know how them for a few hours, but the to describe it. It has a very vegdehydrator works much better. I etable taste about it. It’s not bad, hate relying on electricity, so I but if I had my choice I would go use a screen window that I use to with a stinging nettle beer. It’s a dry my garlic harvest. I lay them much more flavorful brew. a out on the screen evenly and elevate the screen on each side to increase air flow. I place them in the garage to prevent the wind from blowing them away and leave them there for a week. The only thing I do is stir them with my hands every day. Once they have dried, you Yours truly with this years Hop harvest! should place them
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The Valley, September 2013
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Home-Grown! A Homeschooler’s Perspective By Mary Eck
A Lack Of Intelligent Design In Micek’s Opinion Column Aristotle gave us, in addition to his notable scientific legacy, the notoriously fallacious theory of spontaneous generation—the idea that living organisms can spontaneously form from non-living substances—which survived for two thousand years before it was decisively debunked. Ptolemy had everyone convinced his geocentric system theory, which stated the earth was at the center of the universe and everything revolved around it, was the correct one… until a Copernicus-inspired Galileo set us all straight with heliocentricity nearly 1600 years later. So, if Opinion Editor John L. Micek gets his way of denying educational discourse in the classroom, would evolution, which was famously described by U.S. Atomic Energy Commission founder Dr. Tahmisian as “the greatest hoax ever,” be well on its way to joining the infamous ranks of these false-yet-longevity-
boasting theories? Micek, whose journalistic niche has been state government politics, took over the Opinion Editor reigns at The Patriot-News eight months ago and, given the snooty diatribe of one Sunday’s column, seems surprisingly überopposed (or ignorant of, I know not which) to the dual nature of education, which is both the acquiring of knowledge AND the development of reasoning or critical thinking skills. His attack on Rep. Steve Bloom’s legislation to allow for healthy debate in the classroom concerning evolution and opposing ideas, such as biblical creation is as dogmatic as can be, and reeks of the very arrogance Galileo battled unsuccessfully until his death. For as much money as we as a state and nation spend on anti-bullying efforts, Micek is clearly immune to the concept and, honestly, seems worried
‘bout something. How such an idea of (gasp!) allowing ideas and assumptions to be questioned and explored in an academic setting could provoke such a snarky tone from Micek is bewildering. I mean, what IS the harm of pitting the oh-so-scientifically-formidable theory of evolution versus the supposedly ludicrous idea of biblical creation? Do tell! Evidence and reason should determine one’s conviction or skepticism, not the bullyish, insecure rants of Micek and others who just can’t stomach their religion of evolution (yes, I went there) being scientifically probed; which begs the question: Why? According to evolutionists, the science behind evolution is unequivocal and only religious fanatics deny it. But they fail to see that their very resistance to allowing the theory to be objectively investigated and debated according to the scientific method, and then compared alongside the “biblical creation myth,” as Micek calls it, is intellectually dishonest at the very least, and very much a form of academic intimidation and oppression. Seriously, what IS the big deal if a student does not toe the proverbial line and refuses to swallow your primordial soupto-Siberian Tiger evolutionary
theory? It certainly can’t be said that evolution-backing scientists have a lock on their trade. Kepler, Boyle, Newton, and Pasteur all believed in that durn biblical creation thing and, well, they were no slouches! So, what gives? If the science behind evolution is all that, what is Micek afraid of? You’d think that if it’s the evidentiary “slam dunk” they say it is, evolutionists would absolutely welcome any opportunity to humble and disgrace all challengers, particularly those embarrassing God fearin’ folks that cling to the Good Book, right? Touting all the organizations that are ganging up to ensure freedom of academic discourse is NOT part of our educational system, Micek was sure to include The National Center for Science Education’s (NSCE) plans to squelch Rep. Bloom’s legislation, and any other public servant—or private citizen, for that matter—who dares to be so bold as to want students to actually have the chance to use their brains and decide things for themselves. Nope, need to make sure the young’uns get it right and trust the old amoebas-to-man explanation or else…or else…dang-flabbit, what exactly is the dreadful consequence of not believing in evolution?!
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I’m sorry, but any “science” organization that has as its mission statement that it exists solely to keep “evolution and climate change in the science classroom, and to keeping creationism and climate change denial out…” does not even make my “long” list of respected groups. The NSCE is hell-bent on squashing theories that challenge evolution, which is outright unscientific of them. Regardless of whether their source is “religious” or not, why not just dismantle biblical creation and the like via the scientific method, sans all the vitriol? Let’s see, I remember the observation and hypothesis stages, even the experimentation, data collecting and theorizing stages; but I just cannot place where the harass-all-other-hypotheses stage goes...hmmm. Guess that’s a new one they’ve added since I was in school. But to actually allocate 100% of resources, as the NSCE does, to discrediting an idea so that your idea (sorry, theory) can enjoy its monopoly of indoctrination on a captive audience of minors? Sounds like overkill to me. If you evolutionists are so sure of the science, why not just say, “Bring it!”? Oh, I guess you would if you could, but… a
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The Valley, September 2013
The art of jam-making was passed down to me by my grandmother when I was very young, growing up in a small town in Perry County. As I grew older and moved to the big cities, I lost touch with the joy of jam-making and it was not until many years later that I rediscovered it. I spent many years in the bar and restaurant business and had developed a taste for finer foods, a very strong liking for it, in fact. Then as time passed, I notice a big decline in quality, pride and a respect for food within the food industry and with that I started
noticing many places beginning to close. With the genetically modified food craze to keep prices cheap and foods procured from unfavorable out of the area businesses, I could no longer work within an industry that cared more about money than giving their customers the best they had to offer. So, I moved into retail sales and became very successful in making money for other people. I still had the nagging in the back of my mind that someone needed to do something to better the food industry. Still with my love for foods, I felt a responsibility to not only bring back the pride of cooking, but the traditions of my past. So, I gave up on working for other people and making money for big corporations, and decided to start making a product that would not only Scott Keys surrounded by some of his creations that are be good for available at Dutch Pantry Gifts, ingredients are locally sourced, in this way we create our own economic develop- you, but taste wonderful. ment.
I started making my own jam in March of 2004. With my sixfoot table and jam, I headed out to the Belleville Farmers Market and several local festivals. Soon I began getting requests to sell it by June of that year. I make jam according to the philosophy that jam should taste like the fruit it is made of and all the other things in that jam should be for the sole purpose of supporting the fruit’s flavor. There is a lot more to making jam than just following a recipe. In my family there are important traditions that not only provide the best tasting jams, but also gives back to our community. My process goes a little something like this. I work directly with small family farms, seeking out heirloom and forgotten fruits, hoping to revive the tastes of our collective pasts, such as crabapples, quince, elderberries and many more. These fruits, once commonly grown and available, are now rare and almost extinct. Supporting the farmers who grow them helps to ensure that these varieties of fruit will not be lost. Following traditional methods of preserving, organically grown fruit is hand-cut and
stove-top cooked in small batches with the addition of a minimal amount of organic sugar and no commercial pectin. Each pot yields an average of 8-10 jars and is hand poured. Endeavoring to utilize the entire fruit, I use the seeds and membranes of citrus to make my own pectin for the jams. It is my belief that this close attention to detail on an extremely small scale, yields the best quality possible in a preserved fruit. All of the fruit I use is grown within the U.S., the majority from Mifflin County and it is grown organically by sustainable agricultural Mullberry, one of our rarer and most methods without the use of popular jams. synthetic chemicals, allowing the fullest flavors in the fruit can Farmer and offer a higher to develop. Capturing these tastes quality product to our customers. is the craft of this business. Also, I had the honor of meet In today’s world, some don’t ing Jan and Marv Brubaker, who know where their food really with their 18 + years in the gift comes from. I want people to shop business, decided to partner know I got my crabapples from with us on their third successful the Simonetti family in Burnham venture, which gave us the opor I got my black raspberries from portunity to offer the latest trends Dena Hostetler in Reedesville or in home décor. Jan and Marv have my rhubarb from Cloyd Barlow also found the most unique styles in Reedesville. I like the fact I in handmade jewelry so that we can tell my customers were I got can offer something different that all my ingredients and they can no one else has and at great prices. verify it. Part of my job involves Our newest partners, John and helping people understand the Diane Allison have really given importance in knowing where us the most unique touch to our their food comes from and the little artisan shop. Diane and John process that I go through in makhave an Alpaca farm in Belleville ing my jams. and send the fleece out to have It’s all in a day’s work. Dutch many items of clothing made, all Pantry has over 25 types of jams of which are available at our shop and by October will have over 50 The idea of an alternative to wool kinds to choose from. has been well received by the A jar of jam or jelly is a community. We have also partmemory brought back to life, nered with many local artisans on the satisfaction of dipping into a consignment basis to give them a fresh-tasting, delicious jar of a place to sell their most unique homemade jam is just one reason creations. to make homemade preserves. It’s I would like to take this also a great way to avoid artificial opportunity to thank The Valley ingredients found in store-bought readers, without your support we versions, to save money, and to would never have been able to present a special, homemade gift grow our business from a 6 foot to friends and family. table at a farmers’ market to a I really thought I was going 1500 square foot artisan gift shop. to be alone in this endeavour, It is your reception of the idea of but along the way I’ve met many buying local that keeps us and all people who I’ve partnered with small businesses going. that helped turn Dutch Pantry You will find some of Dutch into Dutch Pantry Gifts. Brian Pantry’s items at Extrava Market, Powers has been there from day Lewistown, Brushstrokes and one formulating the long term Blessings, Harrisburg and Troybusiness plan for the business, and ers Bulk Foods, Mifflintown. We who also found himself making are always open to whole selling all natural bath and body products our items to local businesses, so and his most popular products, if interested, please contact us at soy candles and tarts. He saw a 717-667-0310. Dutch Pantry Gifts way to make a wonderful product is located right off the Milroy Exit utilizing wax made from soy so across from Tom’s and next to that we could support the AmeriSubway. a
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RENTALS START AT ONLY $795 PER MONTH. Reed Commons is just 25 minutes south of State College in Brown Township at the entrance to Mifflin County’s beautiful Big Valley Amish Country. Our location is convenient for shopping, dining, cultural events, entertainment, top quality health care and much more!
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The Valley, September 2013
Back Talk by Dr. Joseph Kauffman
BACK to School It’s back to school time for all of our children whether they attend a public school, a private school, are home schooled, or are leaving for post-graduate education. I like to take this time to emphasize something that many parents may forget to think about—the backpack. Chiropractors have taught their patients for many years about the importance of backpack safety. Youths of all ages are affected by having to transport their books and schoolrelated materials throughout the school and back and forth from home. I was in some sort of education facility until I was 25. So, I remember times when it seemed like I lived in my backpack. Even though I don’t consider myself old, I remember having to lug many thick, heavy, hard-backed textbooks all over the school. I could have used some backpack safety myself. In the future, I believe that the load will lessen for my kids. I believe that eventu-
ally, luxuries like iPads and other computerized tablets will replace textbooks and our kids will be forced to buy Apps instead of books. While this will certainly lessen the load in the backpack, I can foresee books will become obsolete, much like encyclopedias and dictionaries. Until we technologically advance to that point, here is some information you will find helpful considering backpack safety. (Information taken from: http://www.acatoday.org/content_ css.cfm?CID=65) “Back pain is pervasive among American adults, but a new and disturbing trend is emerging. Young children are suffering from back pain much earlier than previous generations, and the use of overweight backpacks is a contributing factor, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that backpack-related injuries sent more than 7,000
people to the emergency room in 2001 alone. ‘In my own practice, I have noticed a marked increase in the number of young children who are complaining about back, neck and shoulder pain,’ said Dr. Scott Bautch, a member of the ACA’s Council on Occupational Health. “The first question I ask these patients is, ‘Do you carry a backpack to school?’ Almost always, the answer is ‘yes.’ This new back pain trend among youngsters isn’t surprising when you consider the disproportionate amounts of weight they carry in their backpacks - often slung over just one shoulder. According to Dr. Bautch, a recent study conducted in Italy found that the average child carries a backpack that would be the equivalent of a 39-pound burden for a 176-pound man or a 29-pound load for a 132-pound woman. Of those children carrying heavy backpacks to school, 60 percent had experienced back pain as a
result. This is what you can do: •Make sure your child’s backpack weighs no more than 5 to 10 percent of his or her body weight. A heavier backpack will cause your child to bend forward in an attempt to support the weight on his or her back, rather than on the shoulders, by the straps. •The backpack should never hang more than four inches below the waistline. A backpack that hangs too low increases the weight on the shoulders, causing your child to lean forward when walking. •A backpack with individualized compartments helps in positioning the contents most effectively. Make sure that pointy or bulky objects are packed away from the area that will rest on your child’s back. •Bigger is not necessarily better. The more room there is in a backpack, the more your child will carry-and the heavier the backpack will be. •Urge your child to wear both shoulder straps. Lugging the backpack around by one strap can cause the disproportionate shift of weight to one side, leading to neck and muscle spasms, as well as low-back pain. •Wide, padded straps are very important. Non-padded straps are
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uncomfortable, and can dig into your child’s shoulders. •The shoulder straps should be adjustable so the backpack can be fitted to your child’s body. Straps that are too loose can cause the backpack to dangle uncomfortably and cause spinal misalignment and pain. •If the backpack is still too heavy, talk to your child’s teacher. Ask if your child could leave the heaviest books at school, and bring home only lighter hand-out materials or workbooks. •Although the use of roller packs - or backpacks on wheels - has become popular in recent years, the ACA is now recommending that they be used cautiously and on a limited basis by only those students who are not physically able to carry a backpack. Some school districts have begun banning the use of roller packs because they clutter hallways, resulting in dangerous trips and falls. Chiropractic Care Can Help... If you or your child experiences any pain or discomfort resulting from backpack use, call your doctor of chiropractic. Doctors of chiropractic are licensed and trained to diagnose and treat patients of all ages and will use
Continued on page 36
The Valley, September 2013
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Joanne Wills-Kline Contentment Quest
Santosha
The ancient Indo-European language known as Sanskrit, which dates back to 1200 B.C., uses the word “Santosha” as the Sanskrit word meaning “contentment.” When I began writing this column many moons ago, I wanted to convey and share messages of hope and happiness experienced on life’s journey. I chose to name the column “Contentment Quest” because the definitions of both words were “spot-on” for my vision of the column. The definition of “contentment” is “a state of happiness and satisfaction” while the definition of “quest” is “a long or arduous search for something” (merriam-webster. com). For the most part, I believe I have done exactly that. I do believe though, that there is another message that must be conveyed if hope and happiness are to be maintained – creating and maintaining healthy boundaries. This month, I want to set the stage to spotlight three areas of life that most everyone experiences
discontentment with at one point or another in their lifetime – self, family/friends, and work. I have encountered boundary issues in all three areas over my lifetime, and in all likeliness, most everybody else has too! Over the years spent learning and growing, I have endeavored to take full responsibility and ownership for the trajectory of my life. The more I am exposed to great insights and practical wisdom, the more I am convinced that the concept of healthy boundaries can minimize the problems we face in life. Boundaries define everything…from the edge of this page I type – page boundaries… the end of my fingertips - body boundaries…the water’s edge – land/sea boundaries…to the lawful regulations of community/ state/nation – legal boundaries. Interestingly though, social culture seems to have lost the “edge” on boundaries. Our modern culture pretends that
boundaries in human relationships can be violated without any serious consequences – a most inaccurate assessment. Boundary violations result in far-reaching effects. Boundary violation in one’s personal life (such as self or family/friends) can and will affect performance at work. The same is true for boundary violations at work, as one’s personal life will eventually suffer the effects. Ultimately, boundary issues and violations end up eventually affecting households, organizations, and communities at large. Boundary issues and violations are certainly nothing to ignore or attempt to sweep under the rug. They must be acknowledged and proactively dealt with responsibly. Satisfaction with self, family/ friends, and the workplace cannot be achieved if healthy boundaries are not in place. Therefore, contentment cannot be achieved either because contentment is defined as “a state of happiness and satisfaction” (merriam-webster.com). I believe that we all could benefit from learning how
Progress At The Embassy by Patricia Lawson
Wow…have you seen the latest mural on the wall of Wilson’s Jewelry Store building in downtown Lewistown? It’s a homage to Lewistown’s theatre heritage to draw attention to the restoration of the Embassy Theatre.
We don’t have the space for the entire article, however, here are portions of a message from Paul T. Fagley the President, Friends of the Embassy Theatre, regarding this stunning accomplishment:
“First I want to say it has been a pleasure working with Dwight Kirkland and Lewistown Mayor Debbie Bargo in bringing this mural to life. Here is a brief run-down about the mural, from left to right. Roy Rogers and Trigger — they were one of the many popular western movie cowboy stars in the 30s and 40s. During that time, most all of the celebrities that visited here were the cowboy stars. Roy and Trigger represent the popularity of the westerns locally, and appeared on the Embassy stage on June 16, 1941. Others stars included
Gene Autry, who frequented the Pastime Theatre; Smiley Burnette, the froggy voiced comedian, at the Pastime and Embassy; and Tex Ritter, father of actor John Ritter, who also appeared at the Embassy. The Miller Theatre – The image is from a photo taken on opening night, March 31, 1949. In front of the Miller is Bob Hambright, longtime manager of the Miller. Bob’s career spanned 53 years, starting as an usher at the Embassy, and he also worked briefly at the Rialto. Bob passed away 10 years ago. The group in the middle was the original Embassy Theatre ushers, decked out in their classy uniforms. They were, front Charles Simms, Harold Bittinger, and Charles Hackenberry. In the rear are Francis Stumpf, Thomas Tomalson, Lawrence Joraskie, and
to create and maintain healthy boundaries in all aspects of our lives. I feel the topic of boundary issues is real food for thought in our current world and everyday life. With today’s technology, we can be accessible 24/7; therefore responsible limitations must be put in place if we wish to maintain optimal health and overall morale. Next month, in the October issue, we will dive deep into the subject of boundaries. The book Boundaries by Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend will be the springboard and research foundation from which my article will be built. It is my intent to provide nuggets of truth, and a supportive space within the article. May you take whatever suggestions
George Barnes. The Embassy Theatre, built in 1927, is an outstanding surviving small town theatre from the days of the Picture Palaces. It is currently being restored to its former glory to be an operating historic theatre. Next up – no, it’s not Elvis! – It’s Jean Acker. In the late teens and early 20s, she was a film star, but her most famous role was as the first wife of the “World’s Greatest Screen Lover,” Rudolph Valentino. Their marriage still holds the record in Hollywood for the shortest lived – a mere 6 hours! You won’t likely find this in her bio online, but during her childhood, she lived in Lewistown, and her father ran the Casino Bowling Alley. Above her head is the Rialto Theatre, which stood right where the parking area is in front of the mural. It opened in 1911 as the Orpheum Theatre, and was renamed the Rialto in 1920 and then closed in 1958. Finally, we have a true local “celebrity,” Edwin “Doc” Eby. He wasn’t a movie star, instead he was Lewistown’s Official Greeter. He came out to welcome anyone of
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will serve you well, and perhaps re-think boundaries in your life that are not serving your highest potential. Should you wish to peruse a copy of the book be sure to check your local library first before searching elsewhere. In closing, I leave you with a most fitting quote by Lao-tzu regarding contentment: “Be content with what you have, rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” ~Lao-tzu LOOKING AHEAD: As the end of the year nears, my Contentment Quest articles will place attention on the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. a
importance to town. When it was a cowboy star, he usually “dressed the part,” as seen here. Eby owned a drug store, and as common at the time, made many of his own potions. Eby’s potion was known as WISTO (named by dropping the first and last two letters in LeWISTOwn), and was a popular beverage.” Next month we’ll talk about the “masthead” logos on the bottom of the mural, but in the meantime, your donations are welcomed to help cover the costs of this mural and the restoration of The Embassy Theatre. Your donations are fully tax deductible and would be greatly appreciated. Please make your check payable to “The Friends Of The Embassy Theatre” and mail it to the Friends of The Embassy at PO Box 203, Burnham PA 17009. Hope you had a happy Labor Day! The Friends Of The Embassy Theatre! www.embassytheatre.org www.facebook.com/embassyltwn A Memory with a Future, a Future Full of Memories! a
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The Valley, September 2013
Life in the East End by Rebecca Harrop Well, September is here. The kids are back in school, and Labor Day is just around the corner. I guess summer is coming to a close. I don’t know about you, but I’m not sure where the summer has gone. I thought this summer would go slower since I wasn’t showing animals at the Fair, but no, it’s gone just as
My cabbage looks great this year, so there will be plenty of sauerkraut this fall.
fast. I was almost as busy at fair helping with the Open Show this year. I helped with the registration and judging this year, which I’ve never done before. It was a new experience. I helped the judge who judged the Youth, Needle Work, and Crafts departments. I learned a lot about what the judges look for and how they decide the placings. I told Mom that sometime I want to help Sara with the canned and baked goods. Sara has been the judge for those
departments for several years now. Mom and Gram Goss were helping her. They were laughing a lot and having a ton of fun. Mom says Sara makes the judging
process so interesting and fun. To be fair, my judge was pretty fun also. Maybe it’s just the possibility of getting a bite of CHOCOLATE FUDGE! I’ve been pretty busy on the farm, feeding calves, picking up supplies, and doing whatever I am needed to do. We had a pretty good crop of wheat. We are just finishing up our third cutting hay and combining oats. Dad said the oats weren’t that great. The corn and soybeans look really good. Hopefully this will be a good grain year everywhere so grain prices will back down some. High grain prices can make it hard for people to feed their animals. My garden is doing well also. Dad and I picked a bushel of yellow and green beans the other week. We gave some away and Mom froze the rest. That was the main crop, but we got some more later. We’ve had sugar peas and onions also. The tomatoes and eggplants are starting to produce. We raised the red potatoes in the potato patch and they did good. There is nothing like fried new potatoes, especially the little ones. We have to raise the whites ones soon. You should see the 57 cabbage plants we planted a couple weeks ago in the thunderstorm! They are doing great. We should have plenty of cabbage to make sauerkraut about the Middle of October. I still want to plant some turnips and lettuce this fall. I have to pull the onions yet so I have room. I’m really pleased with my garden this year. I entered some of my veggies at the Fair and my white sweet corn and white potatoes both got first place, and my stringbeans got second place. Not too bad. Our neighbors, Esh’s Orchard, have been picking peaches. I want to get some to make the Peach Jubilee that I made last year. It was really good and I only have a couple of jars left.
I know that because Dad brought a jar up from the cellar the other day. He made sure to tell me there were only a couple left. I’m pretty sure that was a hint. Mom wants to get a couple bushels to can also. I love peaches and ice cream, peach cobbler, and peach pie too, so we better make sure we get enough!
The Farm Bureau 3rd Grade Ag Tour is coming up Sept. 17th at Ron and Tim Goss’s farm in McClure. They have a hog operation. It is a really unique opportunity for the 3rd graders this year. It is the first time we won’t be at a Dairy farm. We will still have some dairy related information, but this will change the focus
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from strictly dairy. I haven’t seen the final plans for the different stations, so I’m not sure yet what all will be offered, but I know it will be a great learning opportunity for the kids and hopefully the teachers as well. I’m really excited to have the tour at Goss’s because
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The Valley, September 2013
36 Back to School from page 33 a gentler type of treatment for children. In addition, doctors of chiropractic can also prescribe exercises designed to help children develop strong muscles, along with instruction in good nutrition,
posture and sleeping habits.” I wanted to cater this month’s column to coincide with backto-school and backpack safety. I plan to get back to the vaccines in order to give you more information on the other side of the story. One thing that I want to take time to stress is that it is your job as the
parent to care for your child. It is YOUR job as the parent to discipline your child. A child respects discipline and will respect you more if you do it. Discipline is not beating on your child. A spank on the behind is not child abuse regardless of what organizations like the ACLU state. I remember getting spanked at home and at school. I didn’t have to go through years of therapy, either. I support discipline in the form of a tempercontrolled spank, done to discipline NOT out of anger or rage. If you are angry when you are doing it, you are doing it wrong. When the child is old enough, discipline may be grounding or taking away luxuries like cell phones, laptops, or iPads/iPods. It is not the teachers’/administration professionals’ responsibility to discipline your child or raise your child. If you trace most serial killers or serious criminal offenders, you most often find their issues started when they were children due to something they went through from their parents. The parental role is THE MOST IMPORTANT job you have. Also, getting back to vaccines, it is your job as the parent to know what is being done to your child. I had a patient tell me the other day that her child is a bit ill, probably due to cutting her teeth. I agreed that is very likely if she is cutting her teeth. But, then
she also told me that last week she got some shots. I asked her what she meant. She told me she went to her pediatrician and was given five different shots at the same visit. I asked her what she was inoculated with. She didn’t know. It is your role as the parent to know what is being injected into your child. We know that one of the five shots administered was DPT, (Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus). One shot with three different
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vaccines in it. I’m not picking on that patient, but emphasizing to everyone who reads this that it is your role as the parent to educate yourself in order to know how to properly care for your child. Dr. Joseph Kauffman drjosephkauffman@comcast.net www.assistinginnate.com a
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Caving Mifflin County with Todd Karschner
Indian Echo Caverns Hello valley readers! This month I am going to change things up a little bit. I will be taking you to a public show cave in Hummelstown, PA called Indian Echo Caverns. It was first opened to the public on May 16, 1929, and has been continually operated ever since. Indian Echo has been known about for at least 2 centuries prior to this date but not by that name. Swatara Cave, Hummelstown Cave and Echo Cave are some of the earlier names used. Some points of history are that sometime in the 1850’s, a farmer downstream from the cave found a jaw section from a very large animal. It was later identified as belonging to a Mastadon. There were also many Indian artifacts found near the cave, but unfortunately, there were no organized searches for relics inside the cave. There is a small cemetery on the property and one of the stones mark the grave of Jacob F. Eisenhower who died on October 21, 1852. He was an uncle of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. And probably the most popular
bit of history of Indian Echo is of William (Amos) Wilson, The Pennsylvania Hermit. He walked away from human society around 1802 after his sister was hung for murder (later she was found innocent). He came to Hummelstown searching for the cave to call it home. He spent the last 19 years of his life here. He had only a few possessions, which were a table and chair, a few cooking utensils and a straw bed. Time was spent making grindstones for local farmers, reflecting on his strong Christian beliefs, and writing in his journal that was unseen by anyone else until after his death in 1821. The cave tour starts beside the pavilion and a paved path leads to the top of 71 steps. At the bottom is the cave entrance and it’s not much more than 100 feet from Swatara Creek. Once through the doors you notice a temperature drop (Cave temp is 52° year round). This entrance room is wide with roughly a 10 foot high ceiling. Continuing on the right of this room, you pass some flowstone mounds and a
thick block of onyx. Gradually the passage opens up into the “Ball Room.” This is the largest room in the cave. The balcony is named “Hanging Gardens” and is high enough that treasure hunters from many, many years ago couldn’t reach them and as a result they remain intact. The middle of the room is a large pile of boulders that fell from the ceiling long ago. And on top of this pile is a large stalactite, the “Totem Pole.” From the Ball Room, there are two canyon passages. A large stalactite ten feet long and two feet wide in the eastern corner of the Ball Room named “Ear of Corn,” marks the entrance to the east canyon. Immediately above you is a natural bridge and beyond that is the “Blue Room” with a ceiling height of around 40’. This room gets its name from the bluish-colored ceiling that stands out from the grey limestone walls. The last room in this canyon was actually an old entrance at one time. It used to open up in the bottom of a sinkhole but was closed to keep animals from falling in. Back in the Ball Room, under the “Hanging Garden,” is the
Far back center is one of the Crystal Pools
entrance to the north canyon. This one is much longer and there are lots of formations to see as you make your way to the “Rainbow Room.” This room gets its name from all the colors of the formations. Deeper in the canyon in an upper level is “Mabel’s Room” with lots of onyx. In the spring of 1931, a new section was opened beyond this point. A large clay plug was removed and more passage was discovered that had never been seen before. In this section are clear, crystal lined pools with formations everywhere. A 50’ tunnel was cut through solid limestone to preserve this section by going around the first pool. Beyond this is a wooden bridge over more crystal clear pools with loads of
The Totem Pole
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formations above your head. Then back to the Ball Room. Once again, you have to make your way towards the entrance via steps that cross over the breakdown pile close to “Totem Pole.” On the other side of the pile is the room where Amos Wilson lived. You can still see the blackened ceiling from his campfires. Well, that about wraps up the cave tour. If the type of caving that I normally write about creeps you out, this would be a great alternative. They even have a virtual tour for those who wish to stay above ground. Check them out at www.indianechocaverns.com. CAVE SAFE TODD K. a
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Ed’s Railroading News by Ed Forsythe
Well now, school has restarted and it’s been quite an interesting summer season at the Rockhill Trolley Museum. We completed our 50th year in operation with a
really nice anniversary weekend. I’ve gotten to operate trolleys several times during the week for special tours. One of the tours was from the Harrisburg area and as
Bloomsburg Fair from page 27 They also have locations at Harvey’s Lake, Wilkes-Barre, and Edwardsville, PA. I’ve been to some of those locations, but in my opinion, the pizza at the Fair is the best— strange—I have no idea why. The line is often long at the Fair, especially at dinner time, but it moves very quickly and before you know it, you are enjoying a mouth watering slice (or two) of Grotto Pizza. Be careful not to burn the roof of your mouth. There’s lots more food to enjoy and you don’t want to ruin the experience! My second favorite Fair food are Marilyn’s Apple
we all talked about our lives, it was mentioned that I am retired from the State Prison at Camp Hill. Several of the people asked if I knew so and so who they knew worked there. Surprisingly I knew them all. A gentleman also asked if I knew his son who worked there and it turned out I had worked with him through all of my career. He informed me his son is now retired and enjoying life. Just goes to show us how
small this world really is and how we can all be intertwined in our daily lives. As a bonus to our 50th Anniversary, we received the following information from “Friends of Philadelphia Trolleys.” This will be a real big help with our goal of providing a quality trolley museum!
Dumplings (5TH ST & 38). She has yummy apple or peach dumplings complete with vanilla or cinnamon ice cream (if you want it). Ohhhh so good! Of course, there are other important foods, Eveland’s French Fries (E AVE & E 78) and Gunzey’s (many locations but one is 3RD ST & 56) or Hewlett’s Hot Sausage (many locations but one is 2ND ST & 12). You can even visit the Bloomsburg Fair’s Facebook page to read about everyone’s favorite food from the Bloomsburg Fair. I’ve heard lots of people like Vince’s Cheesesteaks too (E AVE & W 40). I know Sue Burns is reading this article right now with her eyeballs rolling. Moving on to entertainment. If you want to visit the Fair for entertainment, there are several concerts at the Grandstand such as Hunter Hayes, Lee Greenwood, Casting Crowns, Three Days Grace/Finger Eleven, Halestorm, Scott McCreery, Austin Mahone w/ Coco Jones, and the Dan and Galla Variety Show. (I’m ashamed to say that I have no idea who most of these artists are!) There’s also horse racing, a truck and tractor pull, a demolition derby, double figure eight racing, and a horse and pony pull. There are also dog agility trials, and big cat encounters. Way too many events and activities going on to mention them all. Something for everyone! The various buildings at the Fair also hold lots of exciting exhibits and booths to see. There are too many exhibits in the buildings to list them all, but there exhibits in the areas of gardening and agriculture, wood shop, canning and preserving, baked goods,
home economics, photography, art, and many more. You definitely need to spend some time in the exhibits and see the talent of some of the local students and residents. The buildings also house lots of vendor booths where you’ll find some “as seen on TV” type exhibits as well as local businesses who transport their operations to the Fair for the week. Now, I can’t mention the buildings without a mention of “under the grandstand” This is often a congested area, and you can go around the grandstand if you so choose. But, a trip in both directions under the grandstand is necessary for first time Fair go-ers. Lots of unique (and junky, if I must admit) items for sale under there! Be sure to check it out. The upper end of the fair, called the Midway, has some food vendors, but is mostly rides and games. Keep the kids away from that area unless you brought your money and want to spend some significant time! The stretch along the “track” after leaving the rides and games area is almost solid games. Get your food before entering this area as it’s a good place to stroll slowly and eat. Oh, who am I kidding, you can stroll slowly and eat anywhere at the Fair! Other items of interest are the dog exhibit, the rabbit exhibit, and of course the horse, cows, goats, lambs, pigs, etc. The Fair has a new attraction (just built a few years ago) and that’s the Sky Ride. Ride 25 feet above the ground from one end of the fair to the other for $5. $3 for a one-way trip. This is a good way for new Fair go-ers to get a bird’s eye view of the enormity of the Bloomsburg Fair. If they are calling for rain, take some cheap rain ponchos. Yes, you can even enjoy the Fair in the rain. Many do! This is a good time to visit the buildings, check out under the grandstand, and go visit the animal shows. Waterproof shoes or boots are also recommended for rainy weather. There are some muddy areas. Unfortunately, I have no
Happy Railroading, Ed a
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room to cover the history of the Fair, but know that this is the 158th Annual Fair (the first fair was in 1855) and there has only been one year in that time when Fair wasn’t held (that I’m aware of). That was two years ago when, as I mentioned earlier, the town of Bloomsburg was flooded just a few weeks before the Fair took place. My final advice is to go with some money (especially if you plan to eat, do rides, or play games) and keep your valuables secure and close to you. It’s never happened to me or anyone I know, but I’m sure it’s a pick-pocketers dreamland! Be smart! No room for pictures! How un-Fair (get it?) Visit the website. www.bloomsburgfair.com. a
The Valley, September 2013
I gained 50 pounds ...and love it! www.families4kids.org 800-568-6449
foster parent or adopt...you’ll love it too!
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The Valley, September 2013
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Milroy Resident’s Work Ethic Gets Him Through Rehab and Home Again Melvin Romig, 76, recently celebrated a one-year anniversary; a rehab anniversary, that is. Last July, Melvin walked out of HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital and headed home, using just a walker. That was practically a miracle, considering that 20 days prior, upon admission to HealthSouth, Melvin was in a wheelchair, unable to take care of himself. Melvin explains, “Last June, I had neck surgery at PinnacleHealth Hospital in Harrisburg, and a few days later I was in surgery again for a blood clot in my neck. After that, I couldn’t even lift my hands for three days. I wasn’t able to feed myself; I was in a bad way. After
eight days at PinnacleHealth Hospital, Melvin went to HealthSouth Nittany Valley in Pleasant Gap for inpatient rehabilitation. “My whole life, I was always working,” Melvin says. “I just wanted to be active again, and I knew that I needed help.” Melvin’s HealthSouth case manager, Michelle Heverly, describes his progress in rehab: “When Melvin came to HealthSouth, his biggest barriers included walking and self-care, such as bathing and dressing. When he was discharged, twenty days later, he was walking over 800 feet with a walker, and with no help from staff. And he was able to care for himself with the help and support
of his wife, Joan.” Heverly adds, “Melvin is an example of how the combination of a positive attitude, hard work from the patient and therapists, and family support can lead to success in rehabilitation.” Since retiring from Standard Steel, Melvin has continued working, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. “I helped to build all of the Habitat houses in Mifflin County, except for the last one,” he says. He also volunteers with the World Hunger Association, canning food for distribution to third world countries. That work ethic was part of what made Melvin’s rehabilitation successful. He adds, “In physical therapy, I needed a lot of help with walking
and getting coordinated. The therapists encouraged me, and pushed me to do more. And I kept up with the exercises, even in my room, doing them in bed when I could.” Melvin was discharged to home and continued with therapy at the HealthSouth Outpatient Clinic in Burnham. At a recent visit to HealthSouth, Melvin reconnected with employees who helped get him back on his feet and home again. “You are all angels,” he told them. For more information about HealthSouth, visit www.nittanyvalleyrehab.com, or call (814) 359-3421. To reach HealthSouth’s Outpatient Clinic in Burnham, call (717) 242-5400.
Milroy resident Melvin Romig (right) stopped by HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital to visit a friend, and catch up with staff who cared for him one year ago when he was a rehabilitation patient. Pictured with Melvin is Buddie Vanhart, Certified Rehabilitation RN, who helped care for Melvin during his stay. a
A Higher Level of
Care 550 West College Avenue Pleasant Gap, PA 16823 • 814 359-3421 Providing Outpatient Therapy in Three Convenient Locations Lewistown • 717 242-5400 Mifflintown • 717 436-8233 Pleasant Gap • 814 359-5630 NittanyValleyRehab.com
©2013:HealthSouth Corporation:522041-05
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The Valley, September 2013
Notes Family Health Associates Welcomes New General Surgeon Lewistown Hospital and Family Health Associates (FHA) welcome general surgeon, Emily J. Turzanski, DO. Dr. Turzanski earned her medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her surgical internship and residency at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA, having served has Chief Surgical Resident during her final year. Dr. Turzanski is accepting new patients at FHA Surgical Services, Lemed Building, in Lewistown. For more information, call 717-242-7981 or visit www.myfamilyhealthassoci- Dr. Emily J. Turzanski, DO. ates.com a
Lewistown Hospital Welcomes New Sleep Specialist
Lewistown Hospital and Family Health Associates (FHA) welcome Karina Henriquez, MD, sleep specialist for the Sleep Center at Lewistown Hospital. Dr. Henriquez specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders as well as sleep education. Dr. Henriquez earned her medical degree from Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Urena Medical School in the Dominican Republic. She completed her internal medicine internship and residency at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey and her fellowship training in Sleep Disorders at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. She is board eligible and a member of the American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, and Dominican College of Physicians. Dr. Henriquez is accepting new patients. For more information about the Sleep Center, call 717-242-7040 or visit www.lewistownhospital.org Dr. Karina Henriquez a
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Life In The East End from page 35 of all the bad publicity we always hear about this type of operation. Farm Bureau had our fall picnic at their farm last month. You always hear how bad these hog farms smell. I expected to smell a little, but I honestly didn’t smell a thing. It is very clean and neat. I get pretty upset by all the people who want to slam these types of operations. They claim the animals are mistreated, too closely confined and a whole host of other complaints. You know there was a time when some of that happened, but as in other industries, we learn things from experience such as animals crowded together don’t do as well. There is a higher risk of disease and other factors when animals are too crowded. Medications are very expensive so most farmers try to prevent illness and disease rather than spending a fortune on medicine that with proper management can be prevented. That means animals have plenty of fresh air, fresh, clean feed and water, and room to move around. I don’t care if you’re a “big” farmer or a “small” farmer, if your animals aren’t comfortable and healthy you won’t succeed. So try to remember that, when you hear all the propaganda put out by some of these groups who portray farms and farmers that way. We will probably start chopping corn silage by the end of September. I like to see them chopping corn silage. It is usually the beginning of the Fall harvest season. It’s the time of year you get to see all your hard work paying off. The silos will be full, the grain bins are full, the haymows are full and there is a good supply of straw. It’s always good heading into winter with full barns and storage bins. I know it is Dad’s favorite time of year. Of course hunting season will be starting soon, so that is another reason he loves Fall. I know one thing, there is a rabbit who has been visiting my garden and getting pretty fat. If he keeps eating my veggies I’m going to eat him come rabbit season! Now that we are moving into Fall, you will see more large farm trucks and equipment out on the roadways moving between fields and farms. Most equipment has very good lighting and signals, but if you aren’t paying attention to it, it won’t matter. Farm equipment moves slower than cars and is usually much larger, so please use caution when you are attempting to pass. It’s better to get where you’re going late and alive than not at all, so take extra care when you’re travelling on the roadways this Fall. a
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The Portrait Painting Looking Into The Soul
Over the years, I’ve painted a few portraits and I’ve generally been pretty happy with the results, but have always found it the most challenging subject to do well. I recently began concentrating on classically painted oil portraits and thought I’d share a little about both my philosophical approach and technique. The piece I’m using as an example is called “Marcy With the Pearl Earring.” Anyone familiar with Johannes Vermeer’s famous portrait, “Girl With a Pearl Earring” (or the movie loosely based on the artist and his work) will see the intentional likeness in pose, lighting, and even modern variation on clothes. My model for this piece, though, is actually a friend here in Penns Valley. I noticed the remarkable resemblance (you can see the original by searching online) and thought it would be an interesting project to paint Marcy in this way. Part of the reason for doing this is that I think Marcy’s personality may be something like that of the girl Vermeer painted, just judging from what he captured in his painting. That is one of the keys to a successful portrait – paint the subject in a moment that really reflects who they are. The clothing they are wearing, the lighting, the way they are feeling when you stop that moment in time (usually by means of a photograph or series of photos these days), will largely determine what the artist is able to accomplish on canvas. If, in the end, it seems that you’ve not only created a remarkable likeness, but also caught a glimpse into the person’s soul, you’ve succeeded as a portrait artist. Now, let’s look briefly at the steps involved in creating this portrait. When working from photographs, the best situation is to get
one photo that has just the pose, facial expression, and lighting you want in the painting. Additional photos are very helpful to confirm little details and what that person really looks like from various viewpoints. The best light for a portrait is usually at an angle from one side and maybe even with a bit of backlighting, but not entirely losing the details of the shadowed parts of the face. The subject needs to be helped to feel relaxed and good about the photo session. It’s no wonder the models for paintings like the Mona Lisa, who had to sit still in the artist’s studio for days on end, often look
bored out of their minds My technique, perhaps different from most artists, is to do a quick under-painting in thin
acrylics before working over that in oils. This lets me get approximately the right colors and contrasts as well as get reasonably close in the facial details. Before starting in with the paints, I make sure I have a very accurate sketch on the canvas in lightly applied
spray the painting with a protective semi-gloss picture varnish to even up the gloss and bring out a “freshly painted” richness. I hope this look into the art of portrait painting has been informative. Several of my recent portraits can be seen at the Green pencil. The oil painting step takes the longest and is done in layers to build up a rich, glowing look. I use alkyd oils, which are faster drying than linseed oil-based paints, allowing me to complete the painting in a shorter period of time. Many hours with the brush are needed, though, to get everything just right. I also paint with a limited palette, just two reds, two blues, two yellows, white, and black. All the browns and other subtle colors are mixed from these primary colors. This is a detail of the finished painting. Here is the complete finished painting. I lightly
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Drake Gallery in Millheim. I also teach an Open Studio class there most Wednesday afternoons. You can get in touch about a possible portrait commission at karlericleitzel@gmail.com or 814-4228461. a
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Coccidiosis
Coccidiosis is a dreadful disease that has wiped through many rabbitries, killing off many of their Jrs. Coccidiosis is a highly contagious sporzoal infection in rabbits. Adult rabbits can carry the disease without showing any signs. Younger rabbits are affected
released. After the spores enter the cells that line the intestinal wall, the spore starts to divide asexualy, and go off to infect more cells. The parasite then forms gametes, and start sexual reproduction. The oocysts are shed in the feces. The presence of the Coccidia
Kit that was affected, and died about 2 weeks after the photo was taken.
much more harshly because their immune systems are not strong enough to fight off the infection. The parasite has a life cycle that lasts from 4-14 days, starting after the oral ingestion of infected feed, or other contaminated objects. The wall of the parasite (called oocysts) breaks down in the stomach, and spores are
affects the host cell, some stop functioning, while others increase in size. The cells can no longer properly use nutrients, causing the animal to become malnourished, and in some cases, dehydrated. Coccidiosis can be brought into your home, or rabbitry, many ways. The most common one being when you take your rabbit
to a rabbit show, or other event in which they are interacting with other rabbits. You can also bring it home by bringing a new rabbit into your barn. When an adult rabbit has the disease, but is not showing signs, it is hard to tell that they even have it, and if this rabbit is bred, and has kits, the kits are at risk. The kits seem to start to show signs around six weeks of age. If one kit is affected and dies, you can be almost certain that the rest have it too. When a baby is affected by cocci, they will show symptoms such as weight loss, bloody feces or mucus in the feces. However, these signs are not necessary for the animal to be affected. A baby can go from looking normal, to dead in less than 15 minutes. The rabbit will start by losing balance, laying on its side, and stretching its head up, front legs forward, and back legs backward, in muscle spasms. They will stay in this stretched out state, and will have spasms (where they stretch out more) every 30 seconds or so. After 5-10 mins of this, they will start to open their mouths, and sometimes will let out a squeal and bite down on their tongue. All signs that the rabbit is in pain. They will die soon after. Once you have the coc-
cidiosis in your barn, it takes a lot of hard work, and persistent cleaning and treating to rid of it. Deep cleaning is a must to kill all bacteria that is breeding on the cages, on the floor, in trays, and in the feces. Using bleach is not very effective in killing cocci; using products such as household ammonia will be more effective. There are many different treatments, suggested by many different people. The best bet is to find out what type (or “strand�) of Coccidiosis you are being affected with, and decide on treatment based on that information. To find
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out what strand of Coccidiosis you have, Penn State suggests a full necropsy. You will usually receive results within 8-10 days of submission. If your rabbits have been exposed to (by another rabbit in your barn showing signs), or affected by Coccidiosis, it is advised that your rabbits go into quarantine. This means no rabbits entering the barn or leaving the barn for 4-6 weeks after the last death. This is so that other rabbitries will not be exposed unnecessary to the disease. a
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R. O. F. F.
Dairy Connection by Halee Wasson
Rescue Our Furry Friends by Patricia Lawson
Centre Count y Dair y Princess The school bell rings, reminding us that a new school year full of fun and learning has started. With the beginning of school comes the first Friday night football game. This is when the whole school and community come together as one, to support their team. A crowd of fans cheer loud with every touchdown and field goal scored. In that crowd you might find a doctor, lawyer, firefighter or a dairy farmer. Dairy farmers care about the health and well being of their community. They have been active members of their community for generations and create jobs that help sustain the local economy. I encourage you all to support your local sports teams and your community, while having fun in the process. Sporting events are a great way to encourage the
youth to stay healthy and active. Choosing dairy in your diet is a great way for all of us to maintain a healthy life. So let’s cheer and toast to our teams with a tall glass of cool milk. I have enclosed some recipes that can help make dairy a regular appearance in your diet for a healthy life. Stuffed Mushrooms 8oz. pkg. fresh whole mushrooms 2 carrots 1 tsp. BUTTER 1 shake salt and pepper 4oz CREAM CHEESE or ¼ C. SOUR CREAM ½ C. GRATED CHEESES (COLBY, MONTEREY JACK. Ect.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove stems from washed mushrooms. Place mushrooms upside down in baking dish. Cut mushroom stems into small pieces,
grate carrots and sauté both in BUTTER. Add salt and pepper. When soft (but not mushy), add either the CREAM CHEESE or SOUR CREAM and GRATED CHEESE. Stir into mixture until melted. Spoon CHEESE mixture into whole mushrooms. Place in oven for 10 minutes. Serve hot. Serves 6 to 12. Broccoli Cheddar Soup I large head broccoli ½ C. BUTTER ½ medium onion, chopped ½ C. celery, chopped ½ C. flour 2 C. MILK or 1 C. MILK and 1 C. CREAM 2 cans chicken broth 1C. grated CHEDDAR CHEESE Salt and pepper to taste Cook broccoli in water until tender. Drain off most of the liquid and set aside. Sauté onion in BUTTER until transparent. Stir in flour and cook about 5 minutes. Add MILK slowly, stirring constantly. Stir in grated CHEESE and blend until smooth. Slowly add chicken broth to sauce. Add broccoli; stir to blend well. Add salt and pepper to taste. Simmer about 15 minutes. Serves 4 to 6.
Oh my…R.O.F.F. is bulging with furry friends! Wouldn’t you love to help? ROFF Rescue is in need of Purina Dog Chow, Purina Beneful Healthy Weight Management, Purina Puppy Chow, Purina Kitten, Purina Cat Complete and Scoopable cat litter. These items can be dropped off at: 133 North Walnut Street in Burnham. We thank you in advance for your support! And, who doesn’t like pancakes? Mark your calendars– Saturday, September 14th from 6:30am – noon, there will be a ROFF Benefit Pancake Breakfast at the Burnham Firehouse. For only $6, you will get all you can eat pancakes, beverage and sausage links or patties. (Note: up to 2 links/patties per person with an additional charge for more). And, look at this – children under 3 eat FREE! There will also be a “Zap Pizza” order sale that will start September 5th ‘til September 27th—only $17 a box! Stock up for those last minute meals, especially now that the school season is upon us. Visit www.roff.cc for more details or Like us on Facebook, ROFF Rescue, to get the latest information on fund-raisers, events and rescues. Look at this unusual rescue! Meet Squeak, a 15 year old Green Cheek Conure. He is a special needs bird and will only be adopted into an experienced bird home. Poor Squeak was attacked by a dog in a pet store, and has a mangled wing and cannot fly. For this reason he can only be adopted
Squeak
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into a home with smaller dogs that can’t reach his cage. Please, if you have no prior bird experience, do not apply—he will not be a good “first bird.” Even though he’s little, he is quite a handful and already has had a home not work out. He will require a home willing to give him plenty of hands on time, attention and plenty out of cage time. He is very social and loves to hang out with his ‘person.’ He will come with his cage, stand and his adoption fee is $75. If interested in adopting Squeak, please fill out an on line application at www.roff.cc. And take a look at poor Fran—she was found eating out of a dumpster a few years ago. She was flea infested, had several wounds and was very thin, but she slowly recovered and is now healthy and looking for a forever home. Fran is about 3 years old, is spayed, negative FIV/Feluke and litter trained. If you’re looking for a loving companion, she will be very happy on your lap getting lots of attention. Fran is ok with other cats, but we believe that she would be best in a household where there are not a lot of pets. If interested in giving Fran a forever home, go to our web site www.roff.cc and fill out an online application or call 877-933-ROFF (7633). Please note: there is a $25 adoption application fee. And, since these articles are written several weeks prior to publication, Fran may already have a forever home. However, be sure to check out the other dogs and cats on our web site that would be a loving companion. a
Fran
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The Valley, September 2013
Dave Wilson
Coins, Precious Metal and a Little of this and That
Premiums On Everything
Naturally, you can then understand why the issuers of fiat money would be DELIGHTED by ANY substantial drop in the drop in prices. In mid April of this year, market price of real (tangible and the price of gold stood at nearly In a world of fiat currencies hard) “money,” like gold, silver, $1,700 an ounce, while silver (where paper money has no parplatinum, even palladium. was just under $32. Then, “IT” ticular value, other than what the Think about this, too. If there happened. Prices were smashed issuing countries SAY it “should” was a way, ANY way, for fiat curlower THREE times through have), GOLD and SILVER prices rency issuers to artificially control mid-July. Gold fell to $1,560, are seen as an indication of how the prices of gold and silver, to then to $1,380 and finally down to weak or strong these “fiat curmake their “paper” money look $1,175 an ounce. Silver dropped rencies” really are. If precious more desirable, do you think they from $32 to $26 in the first “hit,” metal prices are trending HIGH, would eagerly participate in such then to $22 in the second, finally then the market indication is that a gambit? Look at all the “confubottoming out at a low of about “paper money” is losing substan$18.50 in the third. Between tial value. Conversely, if gold and sion, trickery, deceit and gameplaying” going on in Washington drops, there were several weeks silver DROP, the alleged theory today and you can quickly reach where “product” (physical gold is that it shows that currencies are your own (probably correct and and silver) were not available for strong and everyone should feel obvious) answer. sale. Each time, just as supplies giddy and happy about having Years ago, these “maneuverwere, once again, becoming avail- all their accumulated wealth tied ings” were less drastic and largely able, the next drop was manufacup in paper type investments, i.e. went unnoticed. The need for tured. The same scenario accomStocks, Bonds, Bank Accounts, desperate, and gigantic “market panied the third (and so far, final) CD’s, etc. interventions” was simply not there, and such practices could remain largely covert as few people paid attention to these price controlling antics. Today, a much different story. The “dollar” is under serious 611 MRI•CT has high quality imaging attack and our and personal service at a realistic price! country is drown611 MRI performs ing in debt and Hospitals receive higher rates for imaging over 10,000 MRI unlikely to be services, resulting in higher costs for you! studies per year. able to honor its future financial obligations. The Your Your Cost Your Cost dollar’s status Procedure Deductible at a Hospital at 611 MRI-CT Difference as “THE” World MRI Knee $2,000 $1,064 - $1,827* $511 $553 - $1,316 Reserve Currency” is also being MRI Shoulder $2,000 $925 - $1,615 $510 $415 - $1,105 actively (and very CAT Scan Chest $2,000 $547 - $1,059 $281 $266 - $778 seriously) challenged. *Rates are for areas largest insurer. Check with your insurance company. Keeping a lid on precious metal prices works well, except for one iddy-biddy problem. For their State College 814-234-2600 • Altoona 814-946-8000 plans to succeed, www.611mri.com they must keep “physical” gold
Why Overpay for Quality Imaging?
and silver AVAILABLE at the new, lower prices or the game is up. That is quickly becoming the fly in the ointment. With each price smash-down, instead of panicking the public into DUMPING their physical metals, they have, instead, created a panic BUYING spree. Sales of US gold and silver (1-ounce) “Eagles” are at historic, almost unbelievable HIGHS. The mint MUST be operating 24/7 to keep pace. There is, however, a HUGE problem. Current gold and silver prices (as of mid-August, when this article was written) are well below miner’s production costs. As a result, many mines are shutting down. Selling “product” for 20-to-30% LESS than production costs really isn’t good business. As supplies dry up (which is happening now) PREMIUMS, for available merchandise, are increasing. 90% silver coins are VERY difficult to locate. They USED to sell for a slight discount. Now, dealers will sell out quickly at 15-to-25% over actual melt values.
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Morgan and Peace silver dollars are even HIGHER, with premiums for most circulated coins ranging from 15% (for damaged, ugly coins) to nearly 60% for better grade examples. War nickels and 40% silver half-dollars (1965-1970) are now selling for “slight” premiums to melt value, but were always (before) sold at large DISCOUNTS. As we write this, gold and silver have just enjoyed a full week of healthy (and overdue) price increases. So, by the time you read this, pretty much everything could have changed, but, not likely to the down side. One thing will NOT change. If the US Government, for whatever reason, elects to DISCONTINUE it’s silver and gold Eagle sales program (which, in our estimation, “could” happen), then the premiums for available physical gold and silver that we think are high today, will look laughingly cheap, as gold and silver supplies will become impossible to find and DEMAND will ROCKET to an adjacent universe. a
The Valley, September 2013
46 Boalsburg Heritage Festival from page 25
(1810-1891), a founder of Penn State and owner of the Centre Furnace Mansion. much needed locally these days.” Lee himself will narrate the And the heritage is extensive. pageant of historical characters Lee’s cousin Alan Boal, a reand portray his great-grandfather tired broadcaster from Pittsburgh, Theodore Davis Boal (1867will don pioneer garb to portray 1938), the founder of the Boal the pioneer David Boal (1764Troop and the 28th Division 1837) whose 1804 tavern served Shrine in the World War I era. as the nucleus for the village of Musician Bruce Young will don Boalsburg when it was founded in 15th century period dress to 1809. portray Christopher Columbus Another cousin, John Irvin (1451-1506). Thompson IV, a local keyboardist Other guests will portray a diverse array of historical characters included signer of the Declaration of Independence Richard Henry Lee (1732-1794) and beloved Boalsburg historian Ruth Corter (1907-1997). On Sunday, the characters will assemble again in the village Guests from France and from throughout America will sip champagne, dance and enjoy abundant hors square for the d’oeuvres at the October 5 Columbus Ball as part of free Boalsthe Heritage Weekend in Boalsburg. For details, visit burg Heritage http://boalmuseum.com or contact (814) 466-9266 or Festival between office@boalmuseum.com or the Facebook.com page Noon and 4 pm. “Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum”. Joining them known as JT Blues, will portray will be local musicians John “JT his ancestor Moses Thompson Blues” Thompson, harmonica
virtuoso Richard Sleigh and traditional American guitarist and violinist Bruce Young. A very popular feature of the Sunday festival is free wagon rides with a historical guide through the village and down to the Boal Mansion and Columbus Chapel. Sites along the route include the Boalsburg Heritage Museum, Boal Hall -- home of the Boalsburg Fire Company -- the Boalsburg Cemetery, birthplace of the national holiday of Memorial Day, and the Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum, where guided tours will be available starting at Noon. The Sunday afternoon festival will also include crafts booths and tables displaying local heritage. The weekend concludes Monday morning with a religious service in the Columbus Chapel served by the Knights of Columbus. Due to the limited space in the 16th century chapel, the religious service is by invitation, but persons interested in attending can contact the Boal Museum for information. For details on the weekend events, visit http://boalmuseum. com or contact (814) 466-9266 or office@boalmuseum.com or the Facebook.com page “Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum.”
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The Valley, September 2013
Every school in Mifflin County including Christian schools, home schooling, Cyber School, Mennonite and public schools will be required to teach Common Core if they want children to receive a diploma and continue on with secondary education. However, Common Core DOES NOT give children the necessary skills to go into a four year college. Instead, children will have only been taught enough skills to enter a community college. Common Core math would teach an experimental geometry created by a soviet mathematician in the 1950s that was deserted in K-12 because it failed. A math expert who worked to develop Common Core stated that Common Core failed to improve U.S.
mathematical achievement in K-12. Our children may graduate with a 7th grade reading level and by 8th grade, will follow other countries in math skills by 2 years. Cursive writing will be eliminated completely. Children will be taught from informational texts such as US political documents and technical manuals. Everything will be done on a computer, costing millions of dollars. We, as parents, along with our local school board, and state, will have NO input on curriculum. How’s that for supporting our US Constitution’s 10th amendment – Authority of State over education? Also, common core has never been implemented or tested, but is still being forced on our children. Common Core is ultimately striv-
ing to replace family with school and God with government. Common Core is all about money and power. That being said, the Federal government will require the State to maintain a data base on every child from Pre-K to the workforce. The information collected would compile over 400 points of information on each child and his/her family. Children would be forced to report private health and financial information on themselves and their families through
assessments and surveys, thus infringing more and more on our privacy. Please help us to get this stopped. You can help by calling your Governor’s office, your State Representative and/or your State Senator and telling them to help
put an end to Common Core. For more information on Common Core, visit www.nopacommoncore.com and www.fb.com/pages/ stop-common-core-in-mifflincounty/159830357510353. a
Save Jacks Mountain! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-Jacks-Mountain/401857016591293
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The Valley, September 2013
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