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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. Take a Break From the Mainstream Madness Volume 9, No. 1
By Mark Ostrowski There has been much upheaval regarding the United States recognition of Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel by President Trump. Since when do other nations get to decide which city is that country’s capital? If Canada said that they do not recognize Washington, DC as our capital and chose instead to place its embassy in Eagle River, Michigan, because it is closer to Canada, we would all laugh. Since its re-establishment as a nation in 1948, Israel has looked to Jerusalem as its capital city and Wikipedia notes that; “On 5 December 1949, Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, proclaimed Jerusalem as Israel’s ‘eternal’ and ‘sacred’ capital, and eight days later specified that only the war (of Independence) had ‘compelled’ the Israeli leadership ‘to establish the seat of Government in Tel Aviv,’ while ‘for the State of Israel there has always been and always will be one capital only — Jerusalem the Eternal.’ And that after the war, efforts had been ongoing for creating the conditions for ‘the Knesset... returning to Jerusalem.’ This indeed took place, and since the beginning of 1950, all branches of the Israeli government—legislative, judicial, and executive—have resided there.” This is in keeping
Complimentary
The Valley, January 2018
with the Jewish heart, which for 2000 years of dispersion, continually sought-after Jerusalem, as exemplified by the traditional closing of the Passover meal: “Next year, in Jerusalem!” The United States keeps diplomatic relations with many countries. When we establish an embassy in those countries, we do so in their capital cities. Makes sense. The seat of a nation’s government is where you will find the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government. Why would you want your diplomats any place else? It seems this logic holds true for any country other than Israel. All lucidity is turned on its head when it comes to dealing with the nation that bears the name of Abraham’s grandson. If you read the Bible this may not be breaking news to you. However, with the global response to the US announcement by President Trump that we are (finally) recognizing Jerusalem as the rightful capital of
Israel, you can easily figure that most are Biblically illiterate. Or, perhaps, there’s another agenda at work here, one that deprives Jerusalem of its rightful status as Israel’s capital city. But it will not succeed. The Almighty Himself has established the boundaries of Israel and proclaimed Jerusalem His holy city where He will dwell forever. Ultimately, there will be peace in the Middle East, but not as the nations understand it. Israel will possess all the land that The Almighty has designated for it. There will be land for peace, however, Israel will be on the receiving, and not the giving, end
of this deal. All the land from the Nile in Egypt to the Euphrates and everywhere in between will be sovereign Israeli territory. How do we know this? Because, The Almighty made a covenant with Abraham: “To your descendants I have given this land, from the
Veritas vos Liberabit
river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates.” That covenant was passed down to Isaac and then to Jacob, whom was renamed Israel, by the angel of the Lord. I think it wise to believe the Almighty rather than the nations. The nations instead choose to rage against The Almighty and conspire to wipe out Israel as a nation, that its name be remembered no more. Yet, it is The Lord who will draw all nations to war against Jerusalem, and when they gather against her, He will destroy them, and defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem. He will do this so that the nations will know that He is the Lord who sanctifies Israel as well as to recompense them for how they treated His people when they were scattered among the nations. Jerusalem is very important to The Almighty. Consider the following thoughts from the Holy Writ: If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her skill.
If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. For You have said oh Lord; that You will return unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the Lord of hosts the holy mountain. And Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the Lord; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of Yahweh, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imaginations of their evil hearts. For You Lord have chosen Zion; You have desired it for Your habitation. You have stated: “This is My rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.” Need we go any further? This world is at war with The Almighty and Jerusalem is at the center of this struggle. God, in His sovereignty, has declared the end from the beginning , thus shall it be. If you want to be on the right side of history, you will not buy into the lies and deceit the enemy sows in our day regarding Jerusalem. It truly will become
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Editor’s Corner Wayne Stottlar Another wonderful Christmas is in the books. Lynn and I had a VERY restful Christmas this year as we did all of our running around Christmas Eve having dinner and exchanging gifts with Lynn’s family in Bloomsburg. Christmas morning with no place to be, we lazed around not eating breakfast until 12:30pm and not opening gifts to each other until 2pm which made for an extremely restful day—more the way I think Christmas Day should be. As a person that by the nature of the business has deadlines of one sort or another daily, having a day like we did was welcome. A time to reflect without the pressure of “the next thing.” Oftentimes opportunities like this make you aware of how lucky you are. My good friend Jeptha Yoder, God rest his soul, once told me that, “you English have too many inputs taking place.” Input overload he called it.
He said, and rightfully so, that when you have time to think and reflect, you oftentimes are appreciative of what you have and make better decisions as well. Smart guy! Talking about reflection on how lucky one is, it only takes a crisis close to home to nail that idea home. Just before the holiday our longtime reader favorite JoAnn Wills-Kline informed me of such a situation. A stronger woman I do not know; over the last few years JoAnn has fought off cancer and several other medical issues, but once again she is going to be tested. Doctors found a rather large brain tumor and in the days leading up to the holidays, tests were preformed and thankfully the tumor is benign, but it’s rather large size is going to require some time, perhaps up to a full year, until recovery is complete. But knowing her, I have no
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doubt JoAnn will manuver this big speed bump with grace. Even though strong, I would appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers for JoAnn until she will once again be able to resume her columns. We are going to miss her contributions, but since she is a neighbor we will be able to keep apprised of her progress. As I am writing this, Pro Landscapes and Tree Service, Jason Kanagy, is taking some trees down in the back yard to make room for an expanded bee-yard this coming season. Jason has been an advertiser in The Valley since our beginnings and has done several tree jobs for us. You can’t go wrong with Pro Landscapes—intelligent, hard-working and conscientious attention makes every one of his jobs top notch. Great prices are an added bonus! If we decide to have a stone wall rebuilt this coming spring, Jason will be our guy for that as well. If you have any of this kind of work coming up, you would be doing II yourself a disservice if you didn’t get a quote from Pro Landscapes. In fact, as you page through The Valley, take notice of our advertisers, they are the best in their respective businesses in the area and we personally use them and know these people, they deserve your support. Happy New Year everyone, I have a good feeling about the coming year. a
Contact Info Editor/Publisher Wayne Stottlar Graphic Artist/ Co-Publisher Lynn Persing 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.
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The Valley, January 2018
January 10 may seem like an ordinary winter day, unless of course it was 1776. For it was on that very day that a young Quaker, having only set foot in this New World from his home in England 13 months before, printed a pamphlet that immediately became the seminal publication of the century, our nation’s very first best seller. That pamphlet, of course, is Common Sense by Thomas Paine. And never in the history of the world did 48 pages have so much impact. A little book that literally, with nothing more than common sense and reason, laid the foundation for the greatest nation of free people the world has ever known. One Man, One Pen, One Vision…and the world was forever changed. The pen truly is mightier than the sword and the book earned Paine the title “Father of the American Revolution.” The best epitaph, in the words of Joseph Lewis, being: “Go Forth Little Book, to Bring Consolation to the Distressed -- Knowledge and Wisdom to all who read -- and Peace and Happiness to All Mankind.” Common Sense was published to, well, bring some common sense to the populace bewildered in the complexities, lies and mistruths of the
day. Paine vividly recaptured his intense emotions upon arriving in Philadelphia “When my country, into which I had just set my foot, was set on fire about my ears, it was time to stir. It was time for every man to stir.” The plain truths of Common
Sense changed the consciousness of the people by clearly articulating a new identity for America, one of exceptional purpose and promise. So today, after decades of corruption, war-mongering and malfeasance that have nearly slaughtered the four sisters of Democracy – Liberty, Freedom, Justice and Equality – here and
abroad, we must do the same. America has not only lost its moral compass, but it is adrift far from the safe haven of the virtues on which it was founded. So it is time again for some Common Sense for all Americans, in fact the world. For as Paine so prophetically claimed on that winter day “We have it in our Power to begin the World over again.” Now that is a vision for CHANGE we can ALL believe in! These immortal words inspired the colonists to Declare Independence from that which they should not be dependent— to pursue Liberty, Freedom and Justice for ALL people. That inalienable rights can only be granted by God, that we all live under the same heaven, regardless of race, class or creed, and that no government, no group of all powerful men, should ever have the right to decide otherwise. I believe we will soon be at the daybreak of a new awakening, to forgotten truths. The spirit that originally defined America is slowly re-emerging, manifesting itself in so many ways. But only if we commit ourselves to understanding the true purpose of our country, under the divine providence of our creator, as so vividly illustrated by our founding fathers. Only when we begin to use some Common Sense to discern truth from fiction. It is always darkest before the dawn, as were those days, and it is still in the dead of night now. But if we espouse our virtues and despise our vices while pursuing our ideals with ceaseless passion, the future will once again be illuminated by the light of our souls.
The Truth Has No Agenda
Now that Christmas and New Years are over we hope that you recycled your paper and boxes, and the Christmas tree, if you had a real one. One way to recycle your tree is to put it outside and hang bird food on it. I put peanut butter on pine cones and roll them in bird seed for my feathered friends. If you don’t have a real tree, you can put them in your trees or in bushes around your home. In 2017 during the Great American cleanup of PA there were: • 7,280 Cleanup Events • 132,695 Invaluable Volunteers • 5,346,943 Pounds of Trash Disposed • 11,168 Miles of Roads, Shorelines, and Trails Cleaned • 16,437 Trees, Shrubs and Flowers Planted • 20,858 Tires Properly Disposed We will start planning this year’s cleanup during our February meeting the second Tuesday in February at the Downtown OIP at 12 noon. If you would like to get involved, come join us. The 2018 Great American Cleanup will begin March 1st and run through May 31st, and Pick It Up PA Days that offers free or reduced disposal costs at participating landfills for registered events, takes place from April 7 through April 30. If you would like to get involved, go online to www.keeppennsylvaniabeautiful.org and
you can contact your local county chapter to see how you can help. Special thanks to PennDot for supply distribution, PA Department of Environmental Protection and PA Waste Industries Association for Sponsoring Pick It Up PA Days and participating landfills for being such an integral part of the Great American Cleanup of PA. For over ten years, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has offered the Great American Cleanup of PA as a way to bring Pennsylvanians together to improve their communities by either doing cleanups of roadsides, or blighted properties in their neighborhoods, or by planting trees and flowers. If you would like to clean up a State road, or even adopt one, you can contact your local PennDot office. If you would like to do a Township road contact Stephanie Larson at Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful; she can help you adopt it as well. All that is required is that you clean it up twice a year if you adopt it. Let’s take pride in our communities this year and get everyone involved. This year’s collection effort realized over 13 million dollars saved or costs avoided through in-kind-services, donations, and volunteer time. Visit the KPB website for pictures and details on the 2017 spectacularly successful Great American C leanup of PA. Pam Sechrist Affiliate Coodinator a
January 10 should always be remembered as “Common Sense” Day…lest we forget.
Thomas Lee Meade tom@RoomDoctor.com a
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Goals or Resolutions? It’s New Year’s Eve day as I’m typing this and I’m trying to think of something, anything, to write about. I’ve been off work for over a week and that 5:20 am alarm on Tuesday morning is going to come as quite a shock to the system as I’ve been staying up to 12:30 am and sleeping in to at least 8:30 am every day. I think I will need to get up at 5:30 am tomorrow, even though I don’t have to, just to get my system acclimated to “back to work” mode and make sure I’m tired when I go to bed on Monday night. If this past week is what retirement is like, I definitely am going to enjoy it! I set a goal to clean out my closet over this extended Christmas break, but didn’t do it. I should know better than to set goals when I’m on vacation. I’m blaming a fresh cold that I contracted right before the holiday began as the reason for my lack of motivation, but truth be told, I just didn’t want to tackle
it. There’s always a long weekend to accomplish that goal I suppose. I don’t usually make New Year’s resolutions, because like most people, I keep them for about three days (if that). So instead of a New Year’s resolution, I’m going to try to make a goal or resolution each month (yes, I thought about each week, but I also want to be realistic in what I will achieve and stick to.) • January: Clean out the walkin closet. • February: Get back to the gym. • March: Drink less diet soda and up the water intake. • April: More walking--increase my “steps.” • May: Read one self-help book. • June: Try Yoga You get the idea, besides, I have until the end of June to come up with July! Are you seeing a theme here? Procrastination at it’s finest. I work best when pushed
by an imposing deadline, or so I tell myself. Here are some ideas for goals or “resolutions” for 2018 in case you’re also looking for a reason to get—and stay—motivated like me. The key is to keep them simple and fairly easy to accomplish. This list comes from: http://www. searchingforbetter.net/20-newyears-resolution-ideas-2018/. You can visit the link above for more insight on each of the bullet points below. A couple of them sound a little like advertisements to certain services (buy an Audible membership, for instance), but Audible is actually a great way to “read,” or rather listen, to a book, which might be one of the goals you are trying to accomplish—so I guess it works! •
Choose 1 positive mantra to practice everyday
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Create a grateful list
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Buy a water bottle to take around every day
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Choose 1 productivity habit to master in 2018
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Choose a new skill to learn
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Choose a workout program for yourself
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Commit to
10 minutes of reading a day •
Commit to 10 minutes of meditation a day
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Commit to a weekly life review
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Buy a journal and commit to 5 minutes a day of writing
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Create a priming routine to practice every morning or night.
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Commit to weekly “you” time
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Choose a charity to donate to monthly, weekly or annually
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Choose 1 course from udemy.com or lynda.com to complete
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Create a list of books to finish in 2018
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Create a goal for a new routine for your relationships (e.g. date night or game night)
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Look at one big struggle you currently have and commit to 1 way to resolve it (i.E. If you have debt, create a schedule to commit x amount of dollars per week)
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Create a savings plan to commit to
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Choose 2 or 3 podcasts to listen to this year
• •
Buy an audible membership a
Birdwatching in Mifflin County A Year in Review
Friday, January 19, 2017 7:00 p.m.
Locust Grove Mennonite Church 3358 W Main St., Belleville, PA 17004
2017 Mifflin County Birding Highlights with Jon Kauffman Jon will be sharing a short summary of Mifflin County birding highlights that occurred for the year 2017. His talk will include unusual sightings for the year along with photographs of various warblers, shorebirds, and agricultural birds. Jon Kauffman is a current employee at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center and has become highly engaged in birding Huntingdon and Mifflin counties. He is also the Mifflin County compiler for Pennsylvania Society of Ornithology.
In-flight Raptor Identification and Hawk Watch Summary with Nick Bolgiano Nick’s talk will include photographs of migrating raptors taken at local hawk watches and will present migration trends for various raptors. Nick Bolgiano is co-author of Birds of Central Pennsylvania, which is an ornithological history of the birds of Clinton, Centre, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Blair counties. A statistician, he has written articles on bird trends in Pennsylvania and eastern North America, commonly about how humans affect the landscape and thus bird densities. Nick has written about pheasants, bob-whites, winter finches, chickadees, Carolina wrens, red-tailed and sharp-shinned hawks. He writes an annual summary of the Christmas Bird Count for the journal Pennsylvania Birds.
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The Valley, January 2018
Owl Hootels
How cool would it be to have an owl family call your backyard home? Your mice certainly
wouldn’t like it. January is just the right time to extend the invitation by putting up an owl nest box.
Owl boxes come in a wide variety of price points, although pricier, these composite houses will last a lifetime—a serious consideration.
Eastern Screech-Owls are the most likely to take you up on the offer. You may have more around than you think as they camouflage very well. They’re happy wherever there are trees around—towns, forests, and more open woodlands. Screech-owls don’t get any bigger than 10” and don’t need boxes as big as other owls do. They should be roughly 14”x12”x10” with a 3” entrance hole and can be placed on trees or poles, 10-30 feet high, facing any direction. It’s nice if it can be placed on a tree/pole that’s as wide as the box. They nest from mid-February through July, but start looking for nesting sites in early to mid-Jan. Barred Owls also take to nest boxes readily. You can occasionally hear their “who cooks for you” call during the day. They’re a bit bigger, up to 20”, and their boxes need to be sized accord-
The Truth Has No Agenda
ingly—about 23”x13”x13”, with a much larger entrance hole, say 7”-8”. The only months they don’t nest are October and November, but mid-February starts their prime nesting time. Their boxes can go on trees or posts, 12-15 feet high, facing any direction, but need to be in a forest setting and optimally within 200’ of water. Barn Owls aren’t quite as common around here, and aren’t quite as big as Barred Owls, only up to 16” in length. These guys are strictly nocturnal, but you can tell they’re around by their eerie, raspy call, quite unlike the hoots
of other owls. There are multiple house designs out there, some taller, some wider, but they all have oblong entrance holes about 4.5” wide by 3.75” high. Barn Owls are known to nest year round but prime nesting time starts in midFebrurary. They like more open settings such as agricultural fields. Their boxes can be mounted on trees or poles from 8-25 feet high, facing any direction, and placed in barns, silos, grain elevators or church steeples. Those are the three owl types that are most likely to use a box
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My Percyving Eye
Life came from God: it is a gift from God. He gave man life! 3. As humans we are made in the image of God, and human blood is not to be shed by man.
by Percy R. Wilson, Jr. Evangelist, The Church of Christ at Milroy turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,” (Acts 14:15, NKJV)
God And life
January 22, 2018 marks the forty-fifth anniversary of one of the saddest days in our nation’s history. It was on this date in 1973 the Supreme Court of these United States legalized abortion across the country in the infamous Roe v. Wade decision.
• • •
The Consequences of Roe v. Wade: According to nrlc.org there have been 59,115,995 abortions from 1973-2016. The 2017 estimates are around 900,000 abortions. This means that over 60,000,000 babies have been
deprived of life in the past forty-five years due to abortion.
Since much has been written and said on the subject, I have a few thoughts to consider from God’s Word, the Bible. That book is a book about life: 1. God is a “living God!” There are thirty verses that refer to God as a “living God.” One of these spoken by Paul and Barnabas, “and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should
The God who created the universe is not dead, but has always been and always will be a God who is alive! He is a living God! 2. This living God created man giving him life. “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7, NKJV)
About Faith
We are not to take the life of an innocent human being. For that human was created in the image of God our creator! 4. The God who created man is a God of the living. Jesus confirmed this when He answered a question pertaining to the resurrection. “‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” (Matthew 22:32, NKJV) 5. The living God of the living desires all of mankind to have eternal life. “And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.” (1 John 2:25, NKJV)
by Rev. Robert Zorn, Visitation Minister, Lewistown Presbyterian Church Putting Christmas Away At this writing, it is the middle of January. Since Christmas, we have been reluctantly packing away the decorations and ornaments of the season. Gone is the wreath from the front door. The small, lighted stable has found its way hack to the cellar. Our angel collection (which was mentioned in an earlier issue of The Panorama) has been wrapped and put in a special box. Green garlands still top our windows and doors. We like them there, and they may remain up a while longer. Four empty stockings have been taken down from the beam of our loft, and all of the cookies are long gone. Our tree lasted well into the first week of the new year, and will soon provide a feeding station for flocks of wild birds. As the hundreds of ornaments were removed from the tree, we were reminded of the many
“Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man. And as for you, be fruitful and multiply; Bring forth abundantly in the earth And multiply in it.” (Genesis 9:6–7, NKJV)
past Christmas times when they have been displayed. Each one of the pieces we had hung, and have now been removed, brought special memories. Some have come from our parental families, and some have been made by our daughter, Laurel, who lives far away. Treasured are the ornaments made by all three of our children when they were in elementary school. Many have been given to us by parishioners of several churches and other friends. There are also many that we have made ourselves. So, even when these beloved mementos are put away for another year, the warm feelings they produce are not forgotten. Emily Dickinson has written a poem which contains a phrase appropriately defining the feeling: “The sweeping up the heart and putting love away.”
Jerusalem: Eternal Capital of The World from front page
We do not need the actual physical presence of the articles to confirm our Christmas joy and peace. As you have displayed and stored your memories of Christmases past, thoughts return of family and friends who have shared those days with you. As we enter a new year, it is essential to approach.each day with a treasury of precious memories to give us peace and joy. The “ornaments” of our faith are: the Cross, the Church, and Fellowship with other believers. But the strength of our faith is in our memories and in our hearts. “Teach me still to be thankful for life, And fortime’s olden memories that are good and sweet, And memories of things precious to the heart that once did hold them.” Robert L. Zorn Minister of Visitation a
the Eternal Capital of the world and The Almighty Himself will rule and reign from amidst this city, from atop the Holy Mountain, Mount Zion, which is in her midst. For as the prophet Isaiah says: In days to come, the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Unending peace and prosperity! What an amazing time this
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This eternal life that has been promised is from a living God who cannot lie! “in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,” (Titus 1:2, NKJV) 6. This eternal life promised by a living God is ours because of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ upon the cross. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:14–16, NKJV) Our living God has a focus on life in His written book, the Bible. Should we not have the same concern for all life as He has? After all we serve a living God, who is the God of the living! Percy R. Wilson, Jr. Evangelist, The church of Christ at Milroy preacherpercy@comcast.net 717-667-7346 My Percyving Eye a will be! And while peace and prosperity is our wish for you as we enter the new year, know that its ultimate fulfillment will occur when Jerusalem rightly becomes the Eternal Capital city of the World. Shalom! Founder and President of The Stewardship Group in Belleville, Mr. Ostrowski earned his Master of Science Degree in Financial Services from The American College in Bryn Mawr, Pa in 2007. He currently serves as Congregational Chairman and Lead Elder for Lev Y’shua Messianic Congregation. His articles ponder various contemporary topics evaluating them from a political, economic, and scriptural point of view. This article may also be viewed and shared online at www.levyshua.org Genesis 32 Psalm 132:13-17 & 135:21 Gen 15:18 Genesis 32 Psalm 2 & 83 Zechariah 12:2-3 & 9 Ezekiel 37:26-28 Jeremiah 30:16-17 Psalm 137:5-6, Zechariah 8:3, Jeremiah 3:17, Psalm 132:13-17 Isaiah 46:9-10 Isaiah 2:2-4 a
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The Valley, January 2018
Dave Wilson
Coins, Precious Metal and a Little of this and That
When Will It End
Gold and silver, without question, are the most controlled and price manipulated commodities on the planet. For decades, their prices have been quietly (and very secretly) controlled, as their values tend to be a very accurate report card on the health and true value of the US “Dollar.” Early on, these prices were relatively easy to keep in check. However, as the
reasons for higher gold and silver prices began to increase dramatically, efforts to keep prices suppressed also increased. Today, the continuous smash-down of gold and silver values have become a common, in-your-face, every day occurrence. Simply stated, the “powers-that-presently-are” refuse to allow precious metals to seek their natural (much, much higher) price levels.
Nature’s Remedy, Cinnamon from page 10
just masking the smell but simply getting rid of it for good.
two as it can be irritating to the skin. • Use 4 drops in one ounce of carrier oil (2 drops for elderly) for topical application. • Safe to diffuse throughout a room to kill airborne germs. Let’s take a close look at both!
Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil • Cinnamon bark essential oil is steam distilled from the bark of the Cinnamomum tree. • Contains more cinnamaldehyde, and has the stronger cinnamon aroma than leaf oil. • The higher levels of cinnamaldehyde increases its antimicrobial and antiviral properties. • Its healing properties are powerful against harmful microbes. • Also a great insecticide and fungicide for plants. We at Shade Mountain have a new essential oil blend: BOOST! It has lots of cinnamon bark essential oil in it. It was formulated to boost your immune system AND it makes your house smell amazing when diffused! Thank you for reading. Thank you for your support. Please come visit us on Jack’s Creek Road in Lewistown, or now at The Barn in Lemont (next door to Happy Valley Brewery). We love visitors at Shade Mountain and we LOVE to chat about essential oils, so if you have questions: bring them in! If you are interested in learning more about essential oils: we teach classes at both locations. Join us on Facebook to view our schedule and sign up, or give us a call at 717-248-8847. ~Tamela a
Cinnamon Leaf Essential Oil • Cinnamon leaf essential oil is steam distilled from the leaves of the Cinnamomum tree. • Less expensive than cinnamon bark • Cinnamon leaf has a higher eugenol content, which gives it an aroma more like clove with hints of citrus than the bark oil. • Eugenol is an antiseptic and anesthetic phenylpropene, making it ideal for aches and pains. Use it to make a topical application, but be sure to use a carrier oil as stated above. • It can also soothe away the weight of sorrow by lifting the mood and prompting cheer. • It is shockingly good at getting rid of powerful odors. Not
That control, however, has become exceedingly more difficult to continue. Two decades ago, a quick smack-down of metal’s prices would have had a major impact, and lasted for months, if not years. Today, price suppressing moves (even massive ones) by the manipulators have only a short term effect, and don’t really lower prices at all like they used to. In other words, their game is quickly
The Truth Has No Agenda
becoming impossible to continue. One might ask why China, Russia and Central Banks around the world have permitted such price actions in the metal’s market to continue, considering how much gold and silver they all own. After all, the higher the price, the more their holdings are worth. While that is absolutely true, there is another angle to consider. All these gold and silver accumulators want more. They understand that the present “backed-by-nothing” dollar standard will shortly end. Fiat currencies, historically, have an average life expectancy of about 27 years. Usually, every 30-to-40 years, fiat systems collapse and have to be replaced. The US-dollar is fiat money, and since it began in 1971, when the US Government withdrew it’s gold backing, we have enjoyed world reserve currency status for nearly 46 years. Since 1971,
nobody really knows exactly how much U.S. currency has been created. You can bet that far more has been created than we will ever be told about. Major buyers of gold and silver are delighted to be able to continue adding to their honest, tangible wealth at suppressed, near fire sale, prices. When very little metal remains to be purchased, the game will be over, and everyone will want their stockpiles of tangible commodities to be worth as much as possible. We are very close to this end-game scenario. When the switch is flipped, and a world full of intrinsically worthless fiat currency quickly sinks into financial oblivion, the real, honest (and decades long suppressed) prices of all the precious metals will rise so quickly and dramatically, that even the most avid gold and silver investors will be in massive disbelief. a
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Home at the Grange by Patricia L. Bird
The Heart of the Grange In my thoughts about what to write for my January article, I found that I was still trying to thaw out from our current Community Service Project for Centre County Pomona Grange #13 and my brain wasn’t sure it wanted to work. Then the idea came to me like a light bulb turned on. Why not tell you about our endeavor? Today, twenty-three members gave their time to ring the bells for the Salvation Army. Each of these members gave one hour of their time to help with this very worthwhile project. The two major projects that we did both provided much help for the local community. This, however, isn’t the idea that lit my brain up like a light bulb. Several years ago in June of 2015, a younger member of not only Centre County Pomona Grange #13 but also Walker Grange # 2007 was diagnosed with cancer. Justin Kline was
that insurance doesn’t cover all the expenses. This is where the Grange has stepped in. At the beginning of November, Walker Grange #2007 with the support of the Centre County Pomona Grange #13 submitted a petition to send out an appeal to all the Granges (both subordinate and Pomona) asking for any support they could extend to this family. Upon the approval of the PA State Grange and following their suggestions, the appeal was sent to all the Granges. As the treasurer of the Centre County Pomona Grange, all funds are being sent to me to dispense to
very active in Walker Grange and The loss of his wages along also represented Walker Grange with the sacrifices of his parents on the Centre County Grange have been devastating to their Encampment and Fair Committee. livelihood. This summer their Justin is also very active in the home fell victim to a break-in and community in which he lives. He theft. has served as a volunteer baseball I am sure that you are aware coach for the Keystone Little League team, has been the mayor of his hometown of Beech Creek, and gave his time freely for anything that was needed to make the community a better place. His diagnosis came out of the blue, first appearing as a typical cold. The disease has taken a toll on his life. While his mother was an excellent donor for a bone marrow transplant to fight the cancer, the cancer has taken a toll on his body. Sadly, he has lost his eyesight and the ability to walk, so he now uses a wheelchair to get around. He makes regular trips to Thomas Jefferson University Research Hospital in Philadelphia Meet Justin Kline, as a healthy spirited Little League coach before his illness. for his ongoing treatments.
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the family. In less than a month’s time, we have received donations from fifteen Granges from around the state. The total so far is over one thousand five hundred ($1,500) dollars, which was presented to Justin in December. As you can see, Granges and their members take appeals quite seriously. As of the date that I am writing this (December 9, 2017), I can honestly say that even in this short amount of time the generosity of everyone is overwhelming. It is my hope that the additional one hundred thirty plus Granges will be able and willing to give just a small amount to help out the Kline family. It is with sincerity that I extend my thank you to all PA Granges for your help with the appeal for Justin. I can’t wait for the mail everyday to see if more donations have been made. If this appeals to you, please consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society in the name of your favorite person who may or may not be battling this horrible disease. May the new year of 2018 be filled with lots of love, laughter and good health for all of you. All I ask is that you keep Justin and his family in your thoughts and prayers throughout this new year. a
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The Valley, January 2018
Understanding the Constitution by David Molek
Bad History and Worse Law Today, many Americans think that the First Amendment of our Constitution says “separation of church and state.” You may be surprised to learn that these words do not appear in the First Amendment or anywhere else in our Constitution. Here is what the First Amendment actually does say: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” No restrictions at all are placed on religion except, perhaps, that a religious denomination cannot become the state religion. The mainstream media will often refer to a ruling or decision as being in violation of the “separation of church and state.” This reinterpretation of the original intent of our Constitution has, in effect, become the law because of activist judges and the mainstream media. So where did the words come from? They can be traced back to a letter that Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1802. When you read the full letter to the Danbury Baptist
Association of Connecticut, you will understand that Jefferson was simply underscoring the First Amendment as a guardian of the peoples’ religious freedom from government interference. Jefferson simply quotes the First Amendment, then uses a metaphor, the “wall” to separate the government from interfering with religious practice. Notice that the First Amendment puts restrictions only on the government, not the people. The metaphor was used exclusively to keep the state out of the churches’ business, not to keep the churches out of the state’s business. For all practical purposes, courts have taken Jefferson’s words out of context and used them as a substitute for the First Amendment. Today, the government can stop us from praying in schools and at events, reading the Bible in school or having religious displays at Christmas. This is quite different from the wall Jefferson envisioned, protecting the people from government interference with religious practice.
At the very heart of Jefferson’s wall of separation is the notion that the government will not interfere with peoples’ right to worship God. The very fact that the government has ruled to regulate religious practices indicates that the government has crossed this wall of separation. Former Chief Justice William Rehnquist said, “The metaphor of a wall of separation is bad history and worse law. It has made a positive chaos out of court rulings. It should be explicitly abandoned.” Numerous Founding Fathers and early statesmen asserted that religious faith was the most important source of civil virtues. The general principles on which our Founders achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. In fact, the Bible was the principal source of sound morals in early America.
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The free exercise clause of the First Amendment state that the federal government will not interfere with the peoples’ freedom to worship God. When the Supreme Court makes rules about the practice of religion or prohibits worship, prayer or Bible reading, then they have violated the free exercise clause of the First Amendment. It seems that when the courts prohibit prayer or Bible reading, they act to establish a secular faith in our country; and in doing so, violate not only the free exercise clause, but also the establishment clause(both clauses in the First Amendment.) My reading of history indicates the religion provisions were added to the Constitution to protect religion and religious institutions from corrupting influence by the federal government and not to protect the government from the influence of religion. This wall has been used to silence people and communities of faith and to
exclude them from full participation in public life. Early Supreme Courts from the adoption of our Constitution until 1947 protected, advanced and promoted the role and influence of religion throughout society. In other words, they followed the original intent of our First Amendment. The simple fact today is these precedents of 150 years are ignored. The 1947 Supreme Court case of Everson was a complete abrogation of our First Amendment. It introduced for the first time the separation of church and state doctrine. Their interpretation required the federal government to remove religious expression from the public arena. In other words, the court interpreted the First Amendment not as a limitation on government interference, but rather as a limitation on religious expressions and principles. That court, unlike previous ones, did not reprint Jefferson’s letter (a very short letter), but cited only eight words from the letter (“ a wall of separation between church and state”). That court ignored prior precedent. Why should we care about this metaphor today? We should care because the wall is all too often used to separate religion from public life. This would have
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1/2 of a teaspoon a day of cinnamon is effective for normalizing blood sugar.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon: warm, cozy, spicy; the word alone brings memories! Cinnamon comes from the bark of evergreen trees of the genus cinnamomum. Today, we are going to dig into cinnamon the spice and then cinnamon the essential oil. There are actually differences in both that you need to consider.
Cinnamon: The Spice When cinnamon for spice is harvested, the bark is stripped and sun dried. As it dries, cinnamon curls into a well-known shape, called quills. If not ground, it is then sold as whole cinnamon or cinnamon sticks. Not only is it delicious, but its many health benefits are impressive. Below are just some of the ways I found in my research that cinnamon is being used. • Nutrients – One teaspoon of Cinnamon Powder has up to 16% of the U.S. recommended daily allowance for Manganese, 5% for fiber 3% for iron, and 3% for calcium. • Cinnamon is antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiparasitic. • Cinnamon can be used as a food preservative. Just a few drops of cinnamon essential oil to approximately 3 ounces of carrot broth inhibited the growth of the food-borne pathogenic Bacillus cereus for at least 60 days in the refrigerator. When the broth was refrigerated without the addition of cinnamon oil, the bacteria flourished. • Multiple studies have shown cinnamon’s effectiveness with a multitude of viruses including but not limited to HIV, herpes, and the adenovirus. Cinnamon even shows promise with cancer. • Cinnamon stabilizes blood sugar levels, which can help with weight loss, and can also prevent, and even help reverse, diabetes and hypoglycemia. Cinnamon actually slows the rate at which the stomach empties after meals, reducing the rise in blood sugar after eating. Cinnamon also stimulates insulin receptors and inhibits an enzyme that inactivates
insulin receptors while it enhances muscle cells’ insulin-signaling pathways, which increases the body’s ability to properly utilize glucose. • Cinnamon boosts the activity of the brain and removes nervous tension and memory loss. Researchers have proven that cinnamon improves cognitive abilities such as attention span, virtual recognition memory, working memory, and visual-motor response. Just the aroma or just the taste of cinnamon, can stimulate cognitive function. • Cinnamon consumption may delay the effects of, slow the effects of, and even reverse some of the effects of Alzheimer’s. In addition, some parents are using cinnamon to treat their children with ADHD. • Antibacterial properties of cinnamon remove harmful bacteria without damaging teeth or gums when used in toothpastes and mouth rinses. • Cinnamon is very effective for treating indigestion, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea and flatulence. Cinnamon eliminates excess gas from the stomach and intestines, removes acidity, kills pathogens and acts as a diuretic to stop diarrhea. It relieves irritable bowel syndrome, reduces morning sickness, and is often referred to as a digestive tonic. Cinnamon is cheap and widely available in most supermarkets. At least, one type is. Most people don’t realize there are actually two main types of this spice. Both of them are healthy, but one contains a toxin that is harmful if you eat too much of it. How do you know which you are buying? Well, you may not! In the United States, the American Spice Trade Association approves labeling for both cassia and true cinnamon bark as simply ‘cinnamon’ for use as a seasoning. Go figure… Make sure you buy from a company that has it identified. Because Cassia is much cheaper than Ceylon, and what is on your grocer’s shelves is more than likely Cassia. Let’s disscuss the two most widely used and sold types: Cassia and Ceylon.
Cassia Cinnamon • Cassia cinnamon comes from the Cinnamomum cassia tree, also called Cinnamomum aromaticum. • It originated in Southern China and is also known as Chinese cinnamon. However, there are several subspecies now widely grown across Eastern and Southern Asia. • dark brown-red color with thicker sticks and a rougher texture than Ceylon cinnamon. • Cassia cinnamon is considered lower quality than Ceylon. • It is very cheap and is the type most commonly found. • Roughly 95% of its oil is cinnamaldehyde, which gives Cassia a very strong, spicy flavor One study found Cassia cinnamon was almost twice as effective as the same amount of Ceylon cinnamon for controlling blood sugar. On the other hand, if you are concerned about coumarin consumption (read on), you could double your Ceylon cinnamon dosage and not even come close to the high Coumarin levels found in Cassia cinnamon. The general consensus is that approximately
Ceylon Cinnamon • Ceylon, or “true cinnamon,” is native to Sri Lanka and southern parts of India. • It’s made from the inner bark of the Cinnamomum verum tree. • Ceylon is tan-brown in color and contains many tight sticks with soft layers. • highly desirable quality and texture. • It’s less common and has long been prized as a cooking spice. • It is quite expensive compared to the more common Cassia variety, 3 to 4 times as much. • It’s described as having a delicate and mildly sweet flavor suitable for desserts. Is the cinnamon in your pantry old, stale, and of little potency? Stale cinnamon has reduced flavor and health benefits. It may be time to go cinnamon shopping! When choosing between Cassia and Ceylon Cinnamon consider this: Cassia contains Coumarin, which can be toxic! Coumarin is a compound found naturally in several plant species. It can be harmful in large doses. In rodents, coumarin is known to cause kidney, liver and lung damage. It may even cause cancer. In humans, there are isolated incidents of similar effects. In fact, the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) of coumarin used to be 0.2
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mg/lb of body weight. It has now been reduced to 0.05 mg/lb. Cassia cinnamon, but not Ceylon, is a very rich source of coumarin. Cassia contains approximately 1% coumarin, while Ceylon contains only 0.004%, or 250 times less. This is so low that it’s often undetectable. Exceeding the upper limit for coumarin is easily possible if you are consuming a lot of Cassia cinnamon. In many cases, just 1-2 teaspoons could bring someone over the daily limit. Therefore, if you regularly eat a lot of cinnamon or take a supplement that contains it, then it should be Ceylon and not Cassia! Cinnamon: the essential oil: The unique properties of Cinnamon come from its essential oils and compounds, particularly cinnamaldehyde. This compound gives cinnamon its flavor and aroma, and is also responsible for many of its health benefits. When shopping for cinnamon essential oil to use topically or diffuse, you will be faced with choosing between two: cinnamon leaf or cinnamon bark. Both are: • derived from the Cinnamomum tree, just from two different parts of the tree. • rich with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. • VERY potent: Cinnamon essential oil is 70 to 80% stronger than the cinnamon powder. • Do not use cinnamon essential oil topically on children under
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The Valley, January 2018
R. O. F. F.
Rescue Our Furry Friends by Patricia Lawson
by KrisAnne Hall, JD
All of us at ROFF wish everyone a very Happy New Year! And what makes most of us happy? Well, it’s a furry friend by our side. Let’s meet Pixie and Dusty who will make great companions.
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“Well ROFF really did come to our rescue. We were outside in a pen and some nights the cold temperatures were just too much even for fur covered girls like us. We’re only 1-year old yellow labs and we now have all our shots and are as healthy as can be. Now I hope you don’t mind but one of us, Pixie, has a stubby tail. Our momma chewed her tail off after she was born! Since we were outside we’re now being taught house training and crate training. We’re good students so we’re on the right track. You know what else? We just love those little humans, cats and other dogs. Since we have never been apart we are a ‘package deal’ so please find it in your heart and home to take us in.” Now it’s the felines turn. In case you didn’t get coal in your stocking, here is your chance to have a Coal! For more information and additional photos of all of ROFF’s
Three Lessons On Your Right To Keep And Bear Arms
“My name is Coal. I did have a home at one time, but I wasn’t wanted anymore. I just walked and walked until I luckily arrived at ROFF’s ‘Cattery’. I was already neutered, but now I have all my shots and I’m ready for my new forever home. I’m a 3-year-old lad and my caretakers say that I’m sweet, playful and I just love my roommates, all the other cats in rescue. I know that there are black cat lovers out there so come on over and meet me!”
animals up for adoption, just go to our web-site www.roffrescue.com or call 1-877-933-ROFF (7633). As always, your donations are crucial to our mission. The vet bills plus daily care for all our rescues are astronomical, so your contributions would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be made via PayPal or checks made payable to ROFF may be mailed to: 133 North Walnut Street, Burnham, PA 17009. Thank you! Until they all have homes… www.roffrescue.com; rescueourfurryfriends@yahoo.com; 1-877-933-ROFF (7633) a
What many citizens and legislators do not understand is that the federal government has no right to prevent any law-abiding citizen from owning or possessing any firearm. The entire argument for gun control is built upon a false premise. The Second Amendment is not about selfdefense from criminals. As unpleasant as it may be for this modern society to say out loud, historically and constitutionally speaking, the right of the people to keep and bear arms has always been a right to protect yourself from those in power who want to enslave you. If America wants to engage in a real factual debate on the right to keep and bear arms, then it must be approached from the proper perspective. The Constitution and its history is unequivocally clear on this. Here is a little Second Amendment history lesson so we can defend our Rights from becoming government bestowed privileges. Everything we need to know was explained by our founders in the years 17871788. Lesson one comes from George Mason, who along with James Madison, is referred to as the “Father of the Bill of Rights.” Seems to me a good person to listen to when it comes to any portion of the Bill of Rights is someone who is referred to as its “Father.” Mason first explains the reason we are to bear arms, and guess what? — it has nothing to do with hunting and skeet shooting…or fighting muggers. Lesson one: The militia explained “Forty years ago, when the resolution of enslaving America was formed in Great Britain, the British Parliament was advised by an artful man (Sir William Keith), who was governor of Pennsylvania, to disarm the people; that it was the best and most effectual way to enslave them; but that they should not do it openly, but weaken them, and let them sink
The Truth Has No Agenda
gradually, by totally disusing and neglecting the militia. [Here Mr. Mason quoted sundry passages to this effect.] Why should we not provide against the danger of having our militia, our real and natural strength, destroyed? The general government ought, at the same time, to have some such power. But we need not give them power to abolish our militia.” (George Mason, Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 14, 1788) In the words of the “Father,” we bear arms to keep from becoming enslaved by the federal government. But Mason doesn’t end his lesson there, he continues by making sure we know who the militia is and this is contrary to what most politicians profess. “Mr. Chairman, a worthy member has asked who are the militia, if they be not the people of this country, and if we are not to be protected from the fate of the Germans, Prussians, etc., by
krisannehall.com our representation? I ask, Who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people, except a few public officers. But I cannot say who will be the militia of the future day. If that paper on the table gets no alteration, the militia of the future day may not consist of all classes, high and low, and rich and poor…” (George Mason, Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 16, 1788) So Mason explains We The People are the militia who bear arms to keep from being enslaved by the federal government and to
protect ourselves from the tyranny of our representatives, whose dereliction would lead us to suffer the same fate as foreign nations. Lesson two: Who we need protection from This comes from the great patriot Noah Webster. Speaking on the threat of an overpowering central government, he further explains, with great clarity, the reason our founders intended the entire citizenry be armed. “Another source of power in government is a military force. But this, to be efficient, must be superior to any force that exists among the people, or which they can command: for otherwise this force would be annihilated, on the first exercise of acts of oppression. Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretense, raised in the United States. A military force, at the command of Congress, can execute no laws, but such as the people perceive to be just and constitutional; for they will possess the power, and jealousy will instantly inspire the inclination, to resist the execution of a law which appears to them unjust and oppressive.” (Noah Webster, An Examination into the Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution, 1787) There is no need for interpretation. These instructions are written in plain English. Why do we bear arms according to Noah Webster? • To prevent rule by a standing army; • To prevent Congress from executing unjust and unconstitutional laws; • To prevent the Federal Government from becoming
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Market Insights for 2018 by Kim Rickert What’s in store for the real estate market in 2018? While we don’t know for sure, experts analyze current trends to predict what may happen. Here are some insights from several sources compiled by Buffini & Company, a real estate coaching company. HOME PRICES AND VALUES EXPECTED TO RISE MODESTLY Home prices have been increasing around the country, with larger cities such as Dallas, Portland and Seattle experiencing the largest year-over-year price gains. While the National Association of Realtors anticipates 2018 home prices will rise by 3.5 percent, Freddie Mac predicts they will increase by 4.9 percent. The good news is that home values in 28 states have risen to above pre-crises peaks and are at an all-time high. Locally, the average sale price of a home in 2017 remained about the same as 2016 at $116,419 according to data from the Mifflin and Juniata counties MLS. EXISTING HOME SALES VS NEW HOME SALES While existing home sales have leveled off for now, experts believe that this will remain the same in 2018. Many believe this is due to the increase in interest rates in 2017 which may have reduced the purchasing power of many homebuyers. Home purchases are expected to rise a modest 2.8 percent in 2018 according
to NAR. However, patience may pay off for potential buyers. While the combination of economic recovery, comparatively low mortgage interest rates and job growth may have brought more buyers to the market, inventory has been tight over the last few years. In response, homebuilding has been up and new homes are expected to hit the market this year increasing inventory. Many experts are predicting 2019 will be a buyers’ market in many areas. While total home sales are expected to increase over two percent, new home sales are expected to increase eight percent, reaching 670,000 in sales nation wide according to NAR. WHAT ABOUT MORTGAGES? Mortgage rates have increased slightly over the last few years, but rates still remain at historically low levels. Freddie Mac, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, predicts an increase in the volume of mortgages, which follows other predictions that signal an increase in home sales. KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE LOCAL MARKET IS POWER Even if you are not currently in the market for a home, knowing what is going on in your local real estate market is important. Here is why you may want to talk with a local Realtor: 1. The health of the local market influences the value of your home. Simply stated, the
higher home prices in your local area mean that your home may also be worth more. A local Realtor can give you insight into home values better than Zillow since we know the market and have been in the houses! 2. Making the right decision if you’re thinking about buying or selling later in the year. Staying up to date on the local market will help you better understand if it’s the right time to buy or sell. 3. Get the full economic picture. It’s no secret that real estate plays an important role in the health of the overall economy, but national statistics only give you a portion of the story. Learning more about the local market will help you understand the economic and market trends we are experiencing here. We can tell you if we’re experiencing a buyers’ market or a sellers’ market, what local economic trends may impact future housing prices and how your home compares to similar homes in the area. Thinking about selling or buying in 2018? Be armed with local knowledge! Call one of the professionals at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Stone Arch Realty to talk! a
The 2018 Kishacoquillas Valley Historical Society Calendars are available!. They feature old photos of the Kish Valley and the events of 1909. The price is $5.50 and they are available at the following retailers: The Country Village Restaurant in Allensville; Whitehall Store, Peights, Total Life Care Pharmacy and the Thrift Store in Belleville; Ron’s Market and Honey Creek Inn in Reedsville; the Friendship Bookstore in Burnham and Big Valley Antiques in Milroy. You may order one by mailing a check for $7.00 along with your address to KVHS, P.O. Box 43, Allensville, PA 17002 and it will be mailed to you. Enjoy doing a little time traveling through 1909 and support our efforts to preserve the history of our beautiful valley.
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The Valley, January 2018
Around Town With Carole
by Carole Lokan Moore
Canning the Harvest My mom always kept the shoes she bought, even if the pointy toe was out and the wedge was in, so when they cleaned out the farmhouse three big plastic tubs remained. We donated them to the local theatre group who were thrilled. Mother’s attitude was that “All things old go round again,” and she wasn’t farm from wrong. Over her 50 years in the house, I’m sure she climbed into that tub whenever she needed a new pair of shoes, and believe it or not, they were still selling the old style in new shoe stores. “All things old become new again” in the world of food too. When grandmother found out that a “vitamin” pill had all the nutrition you needed, she stopped telling her children and grandchildren the old natural remedies...she concluded that penicillin and the vaccines available would make the “art of herbs” obsolete. When mother slaved over a
pot of boiling tomatoes fresh from the garden and added a tiny bit of onions, green peppers, and a pinch of salt, pepper, and sugar to make her world famous stewed tomatoes, she was relieved to discover that the new big grocery store down the block, which replaced her local dry goods store, suddenly had “just as good” stewed tomatoes for less than $.50 a can. Preparing for the canning job was a big part of the task—first you had to buy the jars. Fortunately for me, every time someone’s mother died and they were too lazy to do canning themselves, they gave me the jars. I suggest putting a notice on the local church bulletin board: “Old Canning Jars Wanted,” and I’m sure you’ll get a dozen or more. Once you have your jars, they must be checked for chips. Carefully, run your finger, gently (or you’ll get cut) across the top rim of the canning jar, to make
sure there are no “chips.” Just a small one, can make all your effort worthless, by not having the jar seal. You might not notice it and the product will have bacteria enter and spoil...wasting the good tomatoes and the time you spent slaving over a hot boiling kettle. Once your equipment is all assembled, the jars washed, and kept in a warm dishwasher, you must pick the fruit/vegetable. Don’t pick it the day before, because science has now told us that food looses 75% of it’s nutrition in the first day it’s picked. On our Willingboro farm, we ran down to the field and picked the dead ripe tomatoes, brought them back to the sink, washed them gently, and began the process. If they are truly red ripe, the skins will slip right off, but if not, then have a small pot of boiling water at the ready. Stick the tomato with a fork, and dip it quickly into scald the skin, and then into a cold water ice cube bath. Yep, the skin is on its way sliding down your fork, but the tomato is still fresh as can be. Cutting the core out of the tomato with a very sharp, small knife gets rid of any “white” hard parts, which depend on the variety and the season (too wet or too dry, etc.). Some times I don’t even have to
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do that step, cause it’s red to the stem. I line up six jars on a cookie sheet next to my pot, and once the core is out and the skin is slipped, I just drop them in a jar. Wide mouth jars are easiest if you have fruit or if the tomatoes are large in size, but if you only have “regular”-sized openings, just cut the tomato till it fits. Finish one jar at a time and put the flat lid and screw ring on as soon as the hot product goes into the jar. Fill only to 1” from the top, as the next step will cause everything to swell, and you want enough room. The hot water bath is used for everything I do. The jams and jellies I sell in my Organic Green Café, are all “processed” in that manner. As a girl I remember that neither my Nanny Pray nor my mom did a hot water bath process because they knew that sugar in the jams and jellies was a preservative....bacteria can’t live in a too sweet or too sour base. And if when we opened the jar some six months later in the dead of winter and there was a little gray mold, we just scooped it off with the spoon, and enjoyed the fresh flavors of last summer on our buttered toast bread. The stupidest thing I ever did
during all the decades of canning I’ve done was to readust the “ring,” after the bath. It unsealed each jar and I didn’t notice until the whole batch was spoiled a month later. You see, after the processing, when the heat kills all the bacteria and the jar pressure sucks in the flat round lid, it is sealed, but the ring seems loose, and in an effort to be efficient I picked up each wet jar, dried it, and when my hand felt the loose ring, I tightened it...thus disturbing the seal. The “ring” is actually not needed, once the jar is sealed, so if I am short rings, I don’t go buy more, I just remove what I need from an already canned product, and reuse the ring. When I sell the jams, jellies, applesauce, pear sauce, stews, soups, in my farm store, I put back a ring because if you only use half of the product, the flat lid won’t stay on when you put it in to the refrigerator for the next day’s use. In the bicentennial year, special “reproduction jars,” with the “Liberty Bell” raised in the glass were produced, I saved two cases in the basement, still in the original box, for my daughters...or
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OUR YESTERYEARS By Forest K. Fisher Mifflin County Historical Society “It doesn’t snow like it used to…” 1964 - The First Snowstorm It’s always fun to look back and remember the snowstorms of our childhood. We can probably recall an experience of going to bed to bare ground outside the window, only to wake next morning, peek out and view what Bing Crosby called a “Marshmallow World.” On such days the school bus arrived maybe a bit late, but was always heralded by the “ching, ching, ching” of tire chains and the sound of snow crunching under the duel-rear wheels at the bus stop. On weekends, such snows caused us to bundle up and dash out into the wonderful billows of snow, build snowmen, sled-ride and generally exhaust ourselves in the childhood joys of winter before returning indoors for a warm drink or even a bowl of tomato soup and a toasted cheese sandwich. It’s a time fondly remembered, usually followed in conversation with, “It doesn’t snow like it used to.” I have a friend and former teaching colleague who with her husband have two boys that just love the snow. The family lives near Siglerville in Armagh Township, and when the boys were in middle school and high school, both lamented that neither had experienced the kind of snowstorms that would drop feet of snow. Last year’s big snow storm came pretty close at 1 to 2 feet depending upon where you live around the county or where you placed your yardstick when measuring the snow fall. With that in mind, I recently delved into the archives at the Mifflin County Historical Society to find a memory-making snowstorm from the year 1964. The infant New Year was barely 12 hours old, according to a front-page article in the Lewistown Sentinel, dated January 1, 1964. The year was already unpopular with lots of folks due to the weather. The National Weather Service
posted heavy snowfall warnings for most of Pennsylvania with Central Pennsylvania expecting over 6 inches of new snow New Year’s Day. What resulted that day was a mixture of snow sleet and freezing rain that tied up traffic on many of Mifflin County’s roads. That bit of winter precipitation proved to be a mere prelude to what would happen in less than two weeks. Mifflin County was walloped with the biggest snowstorm experienced locally in quite a few years, commencing on a Sunday afternoon with effects still felt on Thursday of that week. Old man winter dumped from 14 to 36 inches of snow across Mifflin County until it was all said and done. The storm began on Sunday afternoon January 12, 1964. The Sentinel’s front page on Monday, January 13 left little to the imagination...banner headlines blared: SNOW PARALYZES THE AREA...SCHOOLS CLOSED … AUTO TRAFFIC AT A NEAR STANDSTILL. The innocent little flakes that started drifting lazily to earth Sunday afternoon at about 3 o’clock, developed into a fullscale snowstorm by early evening. The snowstorm raged unabated for a 28-hour period, turning Mifflin County into a virtual winter wonderland. Only the failure of predicted high winds averted a real blizzard. As it was, moderate winds with the light snow, created high drifts in the rural areas of the county. Final reports of snow amounts ranged from 17 inches at the American Viscose plant in Lewistown, 19 inches at the Department of Highways garage on W. 4th St., 24 inches were measured in the mountains above McVeytown, and the county record of 36 inches was recorded in New Lancaster Valley. This was a widespread event, all across the northeast, including much of Pennsylvania. The storm left the county economic lifelines gasping: traffic was almost at a standstill Sunday night through Monday. Schools everywhere, Mifflin, Juniata, Snyder counties, were closed, most for two, some
for 3 days... Stores might as well have remained closed because business was nonexistent. Drivers were unable to get out of their garages, or even away from the curb to travel snow-clogged roads. The bus terminal at the Hotel Coleman and the Pennsylvania Railroad Depot at Lewistown Junction reported buses and trains running from an hour to one hour and 20 minutes late the morning after the storm hit. Absenteeism at the American Viscose corporation plant was above normal, but was not excessive according to plant officials. A spokesman at Standard Steel Works said to the Sentinel “We are hurting.” He said a sizable number of men had reported off and were continuing to do so as they found travel very hazardous. It was expected that it would get worse as the day wore on if there snow continued. A photograph on the front page of the Sentinel that Monday showed a snow-choked Dorcas Street with an army of shovelers trying to clear the sidewalk. Owners of businesses and residents tried to dig out from under the snow Monday morning, reported the Sentinel, but found it a losing battle as heavy snow continued to fall. The photo described was taken from the steps of the Sentinel building, but an hour later, according to the editor, there was no evidence the shoveling work had been done at all! Another Sentinel photo showed Melvin Kinzer of Granville lying on his back beside his car in the middle of the snowy street struggling to attach tire chains on his car… this scene was often repeated today, according to the Sentinel, in many places and some of those who did not have tire chains just stayed home. In Lewistown Borough everything available was thrown into the fight against the elements. “We did everything we could do,” Lewistown Borough Manager Cowles Mallory told the Sentinel Tuesday morning. Mallory, who took a break about 5 AM after working through the night, complimented the borough crews. “We had our snowplows working 24 hours a day since the snowfall started,” Mallory said, “With crews working twelve hour shifts to clear streets.” The borough’s
MCHS Photo- Big Valley snow along 655, 1960s
own two trucks, were augmented by four more rented plow trucks. Tuesday morning Mallory reported that every available employee, including the parking meter repairman and the borough hall janitor, were shoveling snow! The Pennsylvania Department of Highways in Mifflin County threw everything they had at this storm. Carl W. Hopple, County superintendent of highways, said about 70 employees and 47 pieces of machinery have been working around-the-clock. But despite their efforts some secondary roads such as in Big Valley remain closed because of huge drifts. A bulldozer had to be employed to open roads in both Ferguson Valley and Kish Valley. Hopple said some of the drifts blocking country roads were too deep for the plows, so two giant snow-blowers were put into service to open those roads.
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Our Amish neighbors didn’t have it too bad as far as traveling goes. They where riding sleighs and bobsleds on the byways and over the wind swept fields of Big Valley, from Siglerville all the way to Allensville. Drifted roads presented few problems for Amish bob-sleds even in the early 1960’s, considering the traveling public had not yet demanded of government that snowy thoroughfares be scraped bare and dowsed with tons of salt and grit. The Lewistown Hospital reported treating a dozen storm related injuries ranging from falls on ice to overdoing it while shoveling. No deaths were reported from effects due to the storm. Although an estimate of cost of the clean-up was not immediately available, according to the Sentinel, it was expected to run into the thousands of dollars, bud-
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The Valley, January 2018 meal as they spend days rescuing people in need of emergency care—risking their own lives and health to ensure someone else’s. There are risks and consequences that go along with the job and Sam has faced them. Some of the injuries he has sustained during rescues have been minor and some have been so major that they will affect him the rest of his life. But he chooses to continue helping others. We all have gifts and can and should use those gifts in whatever way we can to change the world for the better. Whether it’s one
Sam You know that saying that we all wear many hats, well for Sam Alexander it’s more like coats. On any given day you might see Sam in his beekeeper’s jacket tending a hive only to receive a call on his pager that he is needed at the scene of an accident. So, a quick change into his EMT gear, and he is off to save a life. Sam grew up in a big family and learned to work hard at a young age. When he was only 11, Sam’s father began teaching him the art of beekeeping—how to handle the bees, how to build frames and boxes, waxing and wiring them. And of course, how to extract and package the honey in its raw form as to preserve all the wonderful benefits it has to offer. By the time Sam was 15, he was helping to transport over 400 hives to Florida to pollinate the orange groves then back to PA again to pollinate the apple trees in the spring. Beekeeping brings with it the sting of hard work, but pays in sweet rewards. Sam learned all about work ethic caring for bees. Things like how to market a product, how to study weather patterns, which directly affect the bees and knowledge of plants and trees. Beekeeping isn’t just a fun hobby, it’s a very worthy cause. We need honey bees in order to continue enjoying many of the delicious foods that we eat every day. Things like apples, berries, avocados and coffee, just to name a few. And I don’t know about you, but I do not want to live in a world without coffee. These little pollinators make our world a better place and if you think you might be interested in hosting some in your back yard, contact a local beekeeper and get in on the buzz. The honey bee population continues to decline, and we should do all we can to help them survive.
Learning how to work hard and care about our world as a child shaped Sam into a young man who wanted to do more. At age 17, Sam had an experience that changed his life. While at the park one day, Sam came upon a man who had collapsed and was unresponsive. He began to try to find someone to help, but there was no one. No cell phones and no 911 made it even more difficult to get help in those days, but at some point, someone did call and get an ambulance to come, but by the time they arrived it was too late. That experience drove Sam to want to get more educated about how to help in these situations and led him to take a first aid and CPR course. The instructor told Sam he had a gift and his caring and concern for others would make him an excellent EMT. There was a shortage of them at the time, so Sam went for it. After months of learning and studying, Sam passed the state exam and at 17 years old became an EMT. Since then he has found himself in all types of situations. He has had the amazing experience of delivering new life into this world and felt the sadness of comforting others as they leave it. Sam’s grandmother told him God gives us gifts and if we don’t use them, we will lose them. Sam decided to use his gifts of loving and caring to help others and has been doing so since 1982. His motto is “put your trust in your training and your faith in God.” No two calls are ever the same and a first responder never knows what they are getting into. Sam has also had the incredible experience of being part of several strike team deployments to other states. He was part of a deployment to New Jersey after superstorm Sandy. It’s during those times that first responders miss their families and even a hot
The Truth Has No Agenda
person at a time or one tiny honey bee at a time, find your gift and give it the world. a
Sam Alexander with two of the most important things in his life—his love for helping others as an EMT, and the other being a 3rd generation beekeeper and mentor to others interested in saving our honeybees. Alexander’s Honey is a well known local favorite.
The Valley, January 2018
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Story courtesy Penn State Public information. Here is something to toast about — Pennsylvania’s grape and wine industry pours an estimated $4.8 billion into the state’s economy through employment, wine sales, tourism, tax revenue and related avenues, according to the National Association of American Wineries. That impact is expected to grow as the industry continues to branch out — the number of instate wineries has increased from 64 in 2000 to 257 today, with more opening every year. Supporting this blossoming field is the Penn State Grape and Wine Team, a group of viticulturists, plant pathologists, entomologists, enologists, sensory scientists and marketing specialists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Penn State Extension. “We understand how challenging the wine business can be,” said Kathy Kelley, professor of horticultural marketing and business management. “There are many decisions that wineries have to make — from the fanciful name to the packaging to how they promote it — in order to appeal to wine consumers.” For the past decade, the team has been making those decisions easier through cutting-edge research and outreach that addresses grape and wine production and quality challenges, with particular emphasis on Pennsylvania and the eastern United States. Though the state ranks fifth in the nation when it comes to growing grapes, it unfortunately does not produce enough wine grapes to meet increasing local demand, according to Michela Centinari, assistant professor of viticulture. That shortage requires some of the state’s wineries to purchase grapes or grape juice from other states. “There are challenges when it comes to producing wine grapes in a sustainable and profitable way in the eastern U.S., most notably climatic features such as variable, but often excessive, precipitation during the growing season, and winter and late spring cold damage,” she said. Despite those
challenges, the wine industry is committed to producing highquality wines, Centinari pointed out. She said Penn State studies over the past several years have focused on grape variety trials; disease- and insect-management strategies; improving wine quality through cultural and winemaking practices; understanding consumer attitudes and behaviors; and effective marketing methods. Two projects underway examine frostavoidance techniques and crop management practices to decrease disease pressure and improve wine quality. Crop losses and delay in fruit ripening caused by post-bud-burst freeze damage represent an economic challenge for wine-grape producers in Pennsylvania. Complicating the problem is that most frost protection methods, such as deploying wind machines or helicopters, are too expensive for small-size vineyards to purchase, Centinari said. To address this issue, Centinari is evaluating and comparing affordable frost-avoidance technologies for delaying the
onset of bud burst. She also is collaborating with food scientists Ryan Elias and Helene Hopfer to examine whether a significant delay in bud burst and a shortening of the annual vine-growing cycle might negatively influence wine chemistry/quality and sensory perception in red and white winegrape cultivars. In another study, Centinari is working with Kelley and Bryan Hed, research technologist in plant pathology at Penn State’s Lake Erie Regional Grape Research and Extension Center, to compare different crop management practices such as cluster thinning, and manual and mechanical fruit-zone leaf removal. They want to know whether those practices improve fruit quality and reduce fruit sensitivity to fungal diseases such as bunch rot. Working side-by-side with researchers are undergraduate and graduate students, because, as Centinari noted, “We want to provide them with real-world experience so they have the knowledge they need to work in the industry. It is an eye-opening experience for many of them because grow-
ing and harvesting grapes, and then making wine, is labor intensive but it’s also rewarding.” Growing grapes, however, is only one step — successful wineries also need to know how to produce and sell quality wine. The Penn State’s Grape and Wine Team offer a number of education resources provided through the Penn State Extension. Videos, articles and other resources cover topics such as wine production, consumer behavior, and managing nutrients, diseases and insects in the vineyard. A blog, Facebook page and newsletter are a few of the tools the team uses to share real-time information with audiences around the world. “We reach viticulture and wine industry professionals well beyond the United
The mission of the Penn State Grape and Wine Team is to address grape and wine production and quality challenges in Pennsylvania and the eastern United States. Fero Vineyards and Winery in Lewisburg, shown, is one of the many producers the team has assisted. Image: Michela Centinari
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States — we have subscribers from Europe, Australia, China and more who want to keep up to date on what we are doing,” Kelley said. Other core members of Penn State’s Grape and Wine Team include Michael Campbell, professor of biology at Penn State Behrend and director of the Lake Erie Regional Grape Research and Extension Center; Jody Timer, research technologist in entomology at the Lake Erie center; Don Smith, research technologist in plant science; and Andy Muza, extension educator based in Erie County. Support for the group’s initiatives comes from the Pennsylvania Wine Marketing and Research Board, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture; the Specialty Crop Research Initiative of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture; the USDA Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program; the John and Timothy Crouch Program Support Endowment; and the New York Wine and Grape Foundation. Penn State recognizes that there is a growing interest in winemaking. To that end, interested individuals, age 21 and older, can enroll in an online program that will be offered spring 2018 through Penn State Berks. Participants will learn the ins and outs of winemaking — the grape growing, the chemistry, the equipment used, the actual winemaking process and final wine product, and bottling/packaging. Information on the winemaking certificate can be found on the Penn State Berks website or by emailing Elaine Berish at emb1@psu.edu. To subscribe to the team’s newsletter, send a blank message to WINEGRAPE-L-SUBSCRIBE-REQUEST@LISTS.PSU.EDU.a
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The Valley, January 2018
GMO Researchers Attacked, Evidence Denied, and a Population at Risk Biologist Arpad Pusztai had more than 300 articles and 12 books to his credit and was the world’s top expert in his field. But when he accidentally discovered that genetically modified (GM) foods are dangerous, he became the biotech industry’s bad-boy poster child, setting an example for other scientists thinking about blowing the whistle. In the early 1990s, Dr. Pusztai was awarded a $3 million grant by the UK government to design the system for safety-testing genetically modified organisms (GMOs). His team included more than 20 scientists working at three facilities, including the Rowett Institute in Aberdeen, Scotland, the top nutritional research lab in the UK, and his employer for the previous 35 years. The results of Pusztai’s work were supposed to become the required testing protocols for all of Europe. But when he fed supposedly harmless GM potatoes to rats, things didn’t go as planned. Within just 10 days, the animals developed potentially pre-cancerous cell growth, smaller brains, livers and testicles, partially atrophied livers, and damaged immune systems. Moreover, the cause was almost certainly side effects from the process of genetic engineering itself. In other words, the GM foods on the market, which are created from the same process, might have similar affects on humans. With permission from his director, Pusztai was interviewed on TV and expressed his concerns about GM foods. He became a hero at his institute - for two days. Then came the phone calls from the pro-GMO prime minister’s office to the institute’s director. The next morning, Pusztai was fired. He was silenced with threats of a lawsuit, his team was dismantled, and the protocols never implemented. His institute, the biotech industry, and the UK government, together launched a smear campaign to destroy Pusztai’s reputation. Eventually, an invitation to speak before Parliament lifted his gag order and his research
Arpad Pusztai, saw his career runied by big government and big agri-business because he told the truth about GM food.
was published in the prestigious Lancet. No similar in-depth studies have yet tested the GM foods eaten every day by Americans. Trail of Devastated, Silenced Scientists The treatment of Dr. Pusztai sent a chilling precedent around the world. By 2001, New Zealand Parliament member Sue Kedgley told the 2001 Royal Commission of Inquiry on Genetic Modification: “Personally I have been contacted by telephone and e-mail by a number of scientists who have serious concerns about aspects of the research that is taking place . . . and the increasingly close ties that are developing between science and commerce, but who are convinced that if they express these fears publicly, even at such a commission. . . or even if they asked the awkward and difficult questions, they will be eased out of their institution.” On September 2, 2009, the prestigious journal Nature acknowledged that the regular attacks on biotech researchers are orchestrated by a “large block of scientists who denigrate research by other legitimate scientists in a knee-jerk, partisan, emotional
Scientists involved in research on the effects of GMOs are being threatened and fired from their jobs.
way that is not helpful in advancing knowledge and is outside the ideals of scientific inquiry.” These attacks have all but stopped independent research into the health and environmental sideeffects of GMOs. According to University of California at Berkeley professor Ignacio Chapela, there is a de facto ban on scientists “asking certain questions and finding certain results.” He says, “It’s very hard for us to publish in this field. People are scared.” Dr. Charles Benbrook, former Executive Director of the Board on Agriculture of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, said he has personally spoken with dozens of scientists who “had to contend with this backlash and these counter attacks that the industry unleashes on scientists that they view as a threat. The majority of them get out of the field. The majority of them will not put themselves, or their families, or their career at that kind of risk again.” he said. Indian Supreme Court Uncovers Regulatory Scam In February 2008, the Indian Supreme Court asked renowned biologist P. M. Bhargava to evaluate the practices of the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC). Dr. Bhargava attended meetings, studied submissions, and consulted more than 600 scientific journals for his analysis. After 10 months he concluded that not only was the Indian approval system inadequate, but no GM crop in the world had ever been properly evaluated. In fact, of the 29 different categories of scientific research that he said should be conducted to protect the environment and public health, only 10% had been addressed. But these studies were industryfunded — designed so poorly that Dr. Bhargava deemed them worthless. He asked the Prime Minister and Health Minister to institute an immediate moratorium on GMOs until adequate tests could be completed. While attending the GEAC, whenever Dr. Bhargava presented
The Truth Has No Agenda
adverse findings about GMOs, the material was summarily dismissed with the statement, “That’s been discredited.” It didn’t matter what prominent journal or highly credentialed scientist had published the work, the response was automatic. When Dr. Bhargava submitted his own report on the GEAC, they tried to discredit him in the same way.
Dr Bhargava found that no GM crop in the world had ever been properly evaluated.
The GEAC attempted to portray him as anti-government, which was ludicrous. Dr. Bhargava had served on over 100 government committees, including the intelligence committee where he had unrestricted access to secret government documents. The GEAC also claimed that he had no experience publishing DNA or RNA research. In reality, Dr. Bhargava had published more relevant papers than all the GEAC members combined. Dirt Down Under Epidemiologist Judy Carman used to investigate outbreaks of disease for a state government in Australia. She knows that health problems associated with GM foods might be impossible to track or take decades to discover. Moreover, the superficial, short-term animal feeding studies usually do not evaluate biochemistry, immunology, tissue pathology, gut function, liver function, and kidney function, and are too short to test for cancer or reproductive or child health. Dr. Carman has critiqued the GMO approval process on behalf of the Public Health Association of Australia and speaks
openly about her concerns. As a result, she is repeatedly attacked. Pro-GMO scientists threatened disciplinary action through her Vice-Chancellor, and circulated a defamatory letter to government and university officials. Carman was awarded a grant by the Western Australia government to conduct some of the few long-term animal feeding studies on GMOs. Apparently concerned about what she might find, GMO advocates wrote letters to the government demanding that the grant be withdrawn. One scientist tried to convince the Western Australia Agriculture minister that sufficient safety research had been conducted and he should therefore cancel the grant. As his evidence, however, he presented a report summarizing only 60 GMO animal feeding studies - an infinitesimal amount of research to justify exposing the entire population to GM foods. A closer investigation, however, revealed that most of the 60 studies were not safety studies at all. They were production studies, measuring, for example, the animals’ carcass weight. Only 9 contained data applicable to human health. And 6 of the 9 showed adverse effects in animals that ate GM feed! Furthermore, there were several other studies with adverse findings that were mysteriously missing from the compilation. Carman points out that the report “does not support claims that GM crops are safe to eat. On the contrary, it provides evidence that GM crops may be harmful to health.” When the Western Government refused to withdraw the grant, opponents successfully interfered with Carman’s relationship with the university where she was to do the research. Double Standards Prominent Norwegian virologist Terje Traavik presented preliminary data at a February 2004 meeting at the UN Biosafety Protocol Conference, showing that: • Filipinos living next to a GM cornfield developed serious symptoms while the corn was pollinating; • Genetic material inserted into GM crops was transferred to rat organs after a single meal; • Key safety assumptions about genetically engineered viruses were overturned, calling into question the safety of using these viruses in vaccines. The biotech industry merci-
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The Valley, January 2018
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By: Jason Wivell
Transitioning Cows For Success
There is no other time in a cows life besides the day she is born, that her immune system is more compromised than the day she calves. So it is very important that we do everything we can to make sure she is well cared for so she calves well. Here are some things to check on to make sure cows transition well: Before freshening: • Provide a cool comfortable freshening pen providing shade, fans, even sprinklers in some cases • Do not crowd freshening pens, 150 square feet per animal • Fresh plentiful water, watch for boss cows in group settings guarding waterer’s during heat stress • Grazing is great, but watch for high potassium diets that can lead to more milk fever cases • If on pasture, watch for bunching in hot weather, mud holes equal high SSC and mastitis • Prevent sorting of feed! Use water in TMR if needed. Provide plenty of bunk space • If hay is free choice, it needs to be hay they want to eat • Don’t allow boss cows to eat too much corn silage, lots of energy increases chance for ketosis and edema • If using a DCAD balancing diet, monitoring urine ph can be helpful After freshening: • Monitor intake and temperature! 10 day protocol • Watch for and treat subclinical cases of milk fever and ketosis, remember, early treatment is more effective and will help prevent a chain reaction of other problems • Check for mastitis
As a nutrition consultant, I saved the best for last, make sure your transition cows have a properly balanced diet! There are many ways to feed dry cows/transition cows. How successful your program is really depends on you! Some of the most successful programs are TMR programs which reduce sorting and assure that each cow gets the right amount of fiber, energy, protein, and fortification. When a TMR is not possible, a dry cow/pre-fresh program can be very successful. In this case, the far off dry cow program might be some free choice hay, pasture, silage, and grain (not very easy to monitor who got what). Then the close up program tries to “correct” the imperfect far off diet by canceling out high potassium, and adjusts the rumen for the milk diet. Some farms just use a far off program for the entire dry period, which is by far the easiest to feed, but may leave more room for error. The key to success for all these programs is making sure the cows are eating what the ration calls for, which will increase the chance for success. Cows that transition well take less time to come up in milk, cost less to treat for metabolic diseases like ketosis, milk fever, retained placenta, displaced abomasum, or mastitis, and they will breed back easier. Talk with your consultant to see if you are doing everything you can to ensure a healthy transition. www.thevalleynewspaper.com
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The Valley, January 2018 GMO Researchers Attacked, Evidence Denied, and a Population at Risk from page 17 lessly attacked Dr. Traavik, using the pretense that he presented unpublished work. But presentation of preliminary data at professional conferences is a long tradition in science, something that the biotech industry itself relies on. Ironically, three years later, biotech proponents sharply criticized a peer-reviewed publication for not citing unpublished data that had been presented at a conference.
Birth Defects Courtesy of Monsanto’s Roundup Embryologist Andrés Carrasco is the director of the Laboratory of Molecular Embryology, University of Buenos Aires Medical School, and lead researcher of the National Council of Scientific and Technical Research. In 2010, he discovered that Roundup, the herbicide sold in conjunction with most GM crops, could cause defects in the brain, intestines, and hearts of amphibian fetuses. His results supported the reports of peasants who suffered birth defects after being sprayed by Roundup.
Monsanto’s ‘Roundup’ weed killer can cause defects in the brain, intestines, and hearts of amphibian fetuses.
The industry responded by ridiculing the research and even threatening him personally. Four men arrived unannounced at his laboratory and were extremely aggressive, attempting to interrogate Carrasco and search his premises. Later, a violent gang prevented Dr. Carrasco from giving a speech on his findings, beat up his colleagues, and for two hours attacked the car where Dr. Carrasco was holed up.
Threats to Family, Fake Attackers Ignacio Chapela is a microbial ecologist from UC Berkeley. In 2001, he discovered that the indigenous corn varieties in
Mexico - the source of the world’s genetic diversity for corn - had become contaminated through cross-pollination with GM varieties. The government had a ban against GM corn to prevent just this possibility, but apparently US corn imported for food had been planted nonetheless. Dr. Chapela submitted the finding to Nature, and as a courtesy that he later regretted, informed the Mexican government about the pending publication. He was called in to meet with a furious Director of the Commission of Biosafety and GMOs. Chapela’s confirmation of contamination would hinder introduction of GM corn. Therefore, the government’s top biotech man demanded that he withdraw his article. According to Chapela, the official intimidated and threatened him, even implying, “We know where your children go to school.” When a traumatized Chapela still did not back down, the Underminister for Agriculture later sent him a fax claiming that because of his scientific paper, Chapela would be held personally responsible for all damages caused to agriculture and to the economy in general.
Dr Chapela claims both he and his children were threatened by individuals in the pay of Monsanto.
The day Chapela’s paper was published, Mary Murphy and Andura Smetacek began posting messages to a biotechnology listserve called AgBioWorld, distributed to more than 3,000 scientists. They falsely claimed that Chapela was biased, that his paper had not been peer-reviewed, that Chapela was “first and foremost an activist,” and his research was published in collusion with environmentalists. Soon, hundreds of other messages appeared, repeating or embellishing the accusations. The listserv launched a petition and besieged Nature with a worldwide campaign demanding retraction. UC Berkeley also received letters from all over the world trying to convince them not to grant Chapela tenure. He had overwhelming support from his college and department, but the international biotech lobby was
too much. Chapela’s tenure was denied. After he filed a lawsuit, the university eventually reversed its decision. When investigators later analyzed the email characteristics sent by agitators Mary Murphy and Andura Smetacek, it turned out that the two were not the average citizens they claimed. According to the Guardian, both were fabricated names used by a public relations firm that worked for Monsanto. Some of Smetacek’s emails also had the internet protocol address of gatekeeper2.monsanto. com — the server owned by Monsanto.
reproductive disorders, organ damage, accelerated aging, gastrointestinal problems, and immune system dysfunction, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine now urges all doctors to prescribe non-GMO diets. Of course, following the doctors’ orders can be difficult, since the US is one of the only industrialized nations that do not require labeling of GMOs. That’s because the person in charge of GMO policy at the FDA was the former attorney for biotech giant Monsanto, and later their vice-president. Now he’s back at the FDA as US Food Safety Czar. His policy also ignored the overwhelming consenDenying Access to Seeds sus among FDA scientists, warning about potential Researchers have been denied access to GMO In addition to using dangers and urging caution threats and other attack strate- seeds for testing. and rigorous testing requiregies, the biotech industry has ments. Instead, the policy of limited independent research by the FDA does not require a single denying scientists access to their French Resistance safety test, and allows Monsanto patented seeds. For example: — the company that told us PCBs, When Ohio State University French Professor G. E. Agent Orange, and DDT were plant ecologist Allison Snow Seralini has conducted pivotal safe — to determine if it’s GMOs discovered problematic side efresearch that highlights adverse are safe. fects in GM sunflowers, Pioneer health effects from GM plants and Fortunately, there are thouHi-Bred International and Dow the associated herbicide Roundup, sands of products that are volunAgroSciences blocked further reincluding endocrine disruption, tarily labeled as non-GMO. You search by withholding GM seeds toxicity, and immune responses. can find them at NonGMOShopand genes. After Marc Lappé and He also identified unreported pingGuide.com. Britt Bailey found significant side-effects in Monsanto’s own Safe eating. reductions in cancer-fighting rat studies that were hidden in isoflavones in Monsanto’s GM the company’s dubious statistics. About the author: soybeans, the seed seller Hartz Seralini was, of course, attacked told them they could no longer by GMO advocates. But they Jeffrey M. Smith is the Founder provide samples. Research by a picked the wrong guy. He sued his of the Institute for Responsible plant geneticist at a leading US detractor last year for libel, and in Technology (www.responsiuniversity was also thwarted when January of this year was declared bletechnology.org) and the two companies refused him GM victorious by the French courts. international bestselling author corn. When a Japanese scientist of Seeds of Deception and Gewanted to conduct animal feedDoctor’s Orders netic Roulette. His organization ing studies on the GM soybeans has started the Campaign for under review in Japan, both In spite of the lack of indeHealthier Eating in America, the government and the bean’s pendent studies, there is already designed to create a tipping point maker DuPont refused to give significant evidence that GMOs of consumer rejection - to force him any samples. Hungarian are harmful. Citing results from GMOs out of the market. Professor Bela Darvas discovered animal feeding studies such as a that Monsanto’s GM corn hurt endangered species in his own times. country. Monsanto immediately Dave Molek from page 9 We need to make clear the shut off his supplies. Dr. Darvas separation of church and state is later gave a speech on his prelimi- alarmed the Founders because they viewed religion as an indisnot actually a law. It is a doctrine nary findings and discovered that pensable support for social order or legal concept that has been a false and incriminating report implemented by various courts about his research was circulating. and political prosperity. This wall is politically over the last 60 years. These He traced it to a Monsanto public divisive. Religion was believed courts have ruled in ways that relations employee, who claimed by our Founders to be vital to essentially guarantee the freedom that it mysteriously appeared on the success of our government. from religion, instead of freedom her desk — so she faxed it out. After all, our National Anthem of religion. Almost no independent studmentions God; the Liberty Bell Don’t you believe it is time to ies are conducted. According to has a Bible verse engraved on it; go back to imposing the constitua scathing opinion piece in an the Supreme Court Building has tional role of religion, faith comAugust 2009 Scientific American, munities and religious citizens in “Agritech companies have given carvings of Moses and the Ten Commandments; emblazoned public life? I do. It also appears themselves veto power over the over the Speaker of the House in President Trump believes in folwork of independent researchthe U.S. Capitol are the words, “In lowing our Constitution. Hopeers. . . . Only studies that the God We Trust,” and our nation’s fully, he will be able to fill two seed companies have approved birth certificate, the Declaration of more vacancies on the United ever see the light of a peerIndependence, mentions God four States Supreme Court. a reviewed journal.”
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A group of 26 insect scientists protested this restriction in a letter submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency. They warned that the inability to access GM seeds from biotech companies means there can be no truly independent research on the critical questions. The scientists, of course, withheld their identities for fear of reprisals from the companies.
The Valley, January 2018
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Greetings from Nittany Valley once again. I am so sorry to miss the last issue, but I did not have my ducks in a row and I forgot until the last minute. It is cold snowy weather up here, but it is fun for the young and the “young at heart.” On Thursday morning we had some great excitement around here. It was just daylight enough to see good, when here comes a calf trotting up the road. We were all just like, “Whoa, where did it come from?” It went trotting out behind the neighbors home and then we didn’t think much of it again until we saw a bunch of guys walking up the road looking for it. We told them where it went and we could see them running hither and yon trying to catch it— to no success! All of a sudden I saw our beef and milk cows run to the fence and I just knew something was there. Sure enough, there stood this huge longhorn mama looking for her calf. Oh no! Now what? The guys were all gone looking for the calf, so I went to call out to the Antiques Buildings where our son Samuel works and got some of those guys to come help get the mama in! But they even had a tough time getting her in and we have not heard if they got the baby or not; that thing was wild! Daughter Martha said, “Now that was an adventure,” ha! Another adventure is taking place here at our little farm, as we are getting ready to put 25 goats in to milk for John Esh that has a company called Goot Essa, which means good eating. Cheese, cheese and more cheese, oh my, delicious cheese! So he wants to make goat milk cheese, so here we go milking goats. Anyway, you should stop in at his place and sample some cheese and you can also send a basket to loved ones! The address is 351 Wise Rd. Howard PA 16841. (814)-3830180. In their baskets you will also find jams and amazing dips to dip cheese and crackers in. I love to go to their place, as they always serve cheese with dip and also crackers or pretzels—wow, delicious!
We all know the New Year is here and everybody makes their resolutions to be skinnier or healthier. That’s great, but it probably won’t help much if you don’t have a goal of how you are going to do it. What kind of foods will you eat? Will you drink plenty of water? Or are you just going to starve yourself and lose more muscle than fat? I know exactly how you feel,
because four years ago I did that. But here is the catch, I had the best products to support my body and I did not starve myself. Here is what I did. July 1st of 2013 I started taking a shake called Siselean, which is a vanilla, (absolutely no soy) shake. They also make a chocolate one now. But I took that every morning for my breakfast with my two pills called accelera-
tor, (which does the same to your body as a 20 minute workout). Then I again had a shake for early afternoon or supper. Then nothing after 5-6 o’clock except lots and lots or water. Then what I did eat was lots of vegetables, salads and white meats, turkey or chicken breasts or fish. I also did walking just to get my body in tone faster. The first three months of doing that schedule I lost 49 pounds and 8 inches! Was I ever excited, yes! I felt like a brand new person. So I continued for another three months and slowly added yogurts, cheese, meats and eggs. I lost another 27 lbs., but not as much inches. So guys and gals, it is possible. You need a goal and also great products to help support your body while it is healing itself. Have you ever thought about the first three letters of diet? DIE! And that is exactly what you
Regain Strength and Be Home for the Holidays
do when you starve your body of nutrients and supplements. If you are being healthy and doing what is good for you, the first four letters in healthy? HEAL, yes your body needs to heal after all the abuse you put it through. So if you try these products for a few weeks and they don’t seem to work, guess what? Your body is healing on the inside. Give it three months time, make a commitment and do what is best for you and your family. Don’t worry about the neighbor or close friend that does not know what you are going through. Here is a thought for you—how many of the people you know have made you healthy? No one! You have to do it yourself, and stick to it. Happy Healthy New Year to everyone, make it the best for you. SMILE! Tel: 814-933-7012 Anna a
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The Valley, January 2018
Modern Energy and Alternative Heating with Curt Bierly The Warmth and Economy Of Owning a Coal Stove It’s been very cold! The oil, gas and/or electric bills are pouring in and they are much higher then you expected. You promise yourself to do something about it. Your goal is to reduce the cost to heat your home and you want a quick return on your investment. What fuel will you choose? The answer is coal. Oh no you say, coal is too dirty. This is the number one concern I hear from perspective customers when I mention coal and it simply is not true. Coal is only as dirty as you make it. You choose the appliance to burn it, you choose where to store the coal, you load the coal in the stove, you remove the ashes and you decide where to dispose of the ashes. If you make the proper choices – coal is not dirty.
Coal goes back many years in people’s memory when they possibly grew up or had a friend or relative in a home that had a handfired coal burning furnace. When you fired the “beast,” you opened the feed door and shoveled in the coal. Usually there was an ash pit where you shoveled out the ashes. Coal was usually dumped into a corner of the basement. Ash was shoveled into galvanized bushel baskets for removal to the “ash pile.” Everything created dust. Many times soft coal (bituminous) was used in lieu of hard (anthracite) coal. Soft coal by nature created more dust than hard coal. Certainly one can understand why dust is the number one customer concern. Technology has changed. When you buy a coal stove, look
for those “anti-dust” features like hopper feed, internal ash pan, internal shaker. And to make burning coal a clean experience, practice an anti-dust procedure when you tend your stove. Let common sense prevail. If you choose a non-electric coal stove, it will provide a good emergency backup. And don’t forget to purchase a carbon monoxide detector as you would with any fossil fuel appliance. Coal requires a shaker system to move ashes to an ash pan. It burns at an even temperature for 12 to 16 hours between shaking so there is not a lot of tending involved. Three tons of coal requires a well constructed 8’ long x 4’ wide x 4’ high bin (32 cubic feet per ton) so storing coal doesn’t require much space. It is a stove so it doesn’t have a distribution system like your central heating system – so – you need to carefully select a central location to install it so the heat will flow evenly to all areas of your home. Ok fine, but will coal save me any money on my heating costs? In one ton of anthracite coal there is 25,000,000 btu’s of heat. Let’s assume the cost of a ton is $235.00 delivered and that your house requires 60,000,000 btu’s of heat per year. For the coal stove efficiency, we’ll assume a conservative 75%. Using these numbers the yearly cost to heat your house would be $752.00. There is no other fuel except natural gas that can compete with this! Ok fine, but what coal stove
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No other fuel except natural gas can compete with the economy of coal. Not everyone has natural gas available, but most can install a coal stove.
should I buy? Please visit our shop in Millheim and allow us to show you a Saey Coal Stove. We believe you will agree it is the best coal stove.
Curt Bierly is president of the bierly group incorporated
of which Stanley C. Bierly is a division. He is chair of the Penn College HVAC Advisory Board. You can contact him at his business in Millheim (814-349-3000, cbierly@bierlygroup.com). a
The Valley, January 2018
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KrisAnne Hall, Three Lessons on your Right To Keep And Bear Arms •
By Trish Forshey Oh the weather outside is frightful, but inside the Mifflin County Library, things are quite delightful! We hope all of our readers had a wonderful holiday season and wanted to take the time to thank you for helping to make our yearlong 175th anniversary celebration a success. We were a busy bunch in 2017!! Lots of programs for all ages, fun trivia questions (even some questions about yours truly!), lots of materials borrowed and services rendered. We started offering new services such as Notary Public, high school yearbooks on flash drives, disc resurfacing, and laminating. Who knows what 2018 has in store for us! I can tell you that we will be starting story time again in January and that this cycle offers a new type of story program. Starting Tuesday, January 16th at 6:00 p.m. the Lewistown Branch will be having Bedtime Story Time for Busy Families. This is a story time for children of all ages. Participants are invited to come dressed in their pj’s and to bring a bedtime snack to share. There will be a craft station set up based on
that week’s theme and of course a bedtime story. The program will run each Tuesday evening for six weeks, and while registration is encouraged, it’s okay to just drop in too. Of course, Miss Kelly and Miss K will still be offering all of the other favorite story time formats too. You can register by calling either branch of the library at (717) 242-2391 and (717) 9352880, or by visiting our website at mifcolib.org/kids and using the online sign up link. And just a reminder that Mifflin County Library follows the weather closing decisions of the Mifflin County School District pretty closely. If the schools are on a delay, so is the library. This can affect the story time schedules, so keep that in mind if you are signed up for your child to attend a program. Delays and closings can be found on our website miffcolib.org, Facebook, and local radio stations. When in doubt, call before you venture out to make sure that the library is open. It’s never a bad idea to stock up on an extra book or two when you come in to see us. We never know what Pennsylvania weather has in store for us! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow…and happy reading! a
jury nullification, (1982) A Jury’s knowing and deliberate rejection of the evidence or refusal to apply the law either because the jury wants to send a message about some social issue that is larger than the case itself or because the result dictated by law is contrary to the jury’s sense of justice, morality, or fairness,
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because you are not allowed to legally own a gun. Why? Because those people do not care about laws and they will always find a way to hurt and destroy, with or without gun laws. If society is honest and historically accurate, the only question that has any relevance to the gun control debate is: “Do you trust those in government, now and forever in the future, to not take your life, liberty, or property through the force of government?” If the answer to that question is “no,” the gun control debate is over.
Lesson three: Duty to bear arms This comes from a founder referred to in pseudonym as Letter from a Federal Farmer (most likely Richard Henry Lee, writer of the Resolution Declaring Independence). Lee explains, “[W]hereas, to preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, KrisAnne Hall is a former especially when young, how to biochemist, Russian linguist for use them; nor does it follow from the US Army, and former prosthis, that all promiscuously must ecutor for the State of Florida. go into actual service on every ocKrisAnne also practiced First casion. The mind that aims at a seAmendment Law for a prominent lect militia must be influenced by Florida non-profit Law firm. a truly anti-republican principle; KrisAnne now travels the country and when we see many men disteaching the foundational prinposed to practice upon it, whenciples of Liberty and our Conever they can prevail, no wonder stitutional Republic. KrisAnne true republicans are for carefully is the author of 6 books on the guarding against it.” (Letter from Constitution and Bill of Rights, the Federal Farmer #18, January she also has an internationally 25, 1788) popular radio and television Lee explains that it is our show and her books and classes duty to not simply bear arms, have been featured on C-SPAN but to always bear arms. Lee is TV. KrisAnne can be found at probably rolling over in his grave www.KrisAnneHall.com a at the idea that we have to ask permission of the government to carry a firearm. How about that directive that we also must teach our children to bear arms? Our final lessons today come from Patrick Henry, who was probably one of the most passionate champions of the citizen’s duty to bear arms. No one can break it down like Patrick Henry. “Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. • Reliable Propane & Heating Oil Delivery Suspect everyone who approaches • Budget Payment Plan Call today that jewel. Unforto • 24/7 Emergency Service le arn about our tunately, nothing NE w CustOmER will preserve it but • Heating Equipment Service Plans downright force. sPECiAls! • Safety Trained Professionals Whenever you give up that force, • Over 80 Years Experience you are inevitably ruined.” (Patrick Henry Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 5, 1788) Our Business is Customer Satisfaction “Oh, sir! we should have fine 717-248-5476 • 1-800-PROPANE (776-7263) times, indeed, if, to punish tyrants, it
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Every Juror’s Right
Goss on Permaculture from page 24
unjust and oppressive; The people bearing arms should be superior to an army controlled by Congress.
were only sufficient to assemble the people! Your arms, wherewith you could defend yourselves, are gone;…Did you ever read of any revolution in a nation, brought about by the punishment of those in power, inflicted by those who had no power at all? You read of a riot act in a country which is called one of the freest in the world, where a few neighbors can not assemble without the risk of being shot by a hired soldiery, the engines of despotism. We may see such an act in America.” (Patrick Henry Virginia Ratifying Convention June 5, 1788) Well, there you have it; a historical and truthful education on your Right to Keep and Bear Arms. The writings are easy to find and easy to read. Why are our politicians and media talking heads bent on disseminating miseducation and lies? Perhaps they repeat the lies because they intend on disarming the people, because they know, as our founders did, that an armed citizenry is the last line of defense against absolute tyranny. A proper debate on one’s right to keep and bear arms is not one that is framed in the terms of whether you can feel safe from wicked and depraved people, full of hate and malice, who want to hurt you. You will never feel safe from those people and those people will not cease to exist just
gradient can sometimes have an advantage over taller two story homes as the heat of nearby fires can pass above the structure. Finally, I am by no means an expert on this topic. I hope that the article has helped give you some food for thought. The most important thing, as usual, is to keep your eyes open and observe. a
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The Valley, January 2018
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The Valley, January 2018
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Fires and Sector Analyses We have all seen images and read the news reports of the massive wildfires lately. A common complaint has been that public lands have been mismanaged by local authorities. I’ve seen more than one Facebook battle and a heap of accusations on every political party’s responsibility in the matter. If the whigs still held a presence in our politics, I’m sure even they would have gotten a share of the blame from someone. While I’ll stay out of the politics of it all, it does bring up an important mission of permaculture. Permaculture is just as much about thoughtful design as it is environmental stewardship. In looking at some of the photos of the wildfires, it was clear that- at
least in some instances, the builders and landscapers of the areas impacted were woefully uninformed on how to design with the deflection of wildfires in mind. Now, before I start, please don’t misunderstand me. I am not implying that anyone who lost their homes was at fault or even negligent. I am also not asserting that wildfire damage can always be avoided. As a wildfire firefighter friend of mine in North Dakota would say: “All you can do is just prepare and pray.” We are fortunate here that this isn’t a huge problem, but as we saw last year in Tennessee, it can happen outside of the typical wildfire zones, too. It’s worth some consideration.
So, that being said, let’s look at how one might prepare their property for a wildfire situation. First, so much depends on what type of forest or prairie you live by, the slope both on your property and in the greater area, wind speed and direction, and the type of fire. What I’m offering here is an incredibly basic, general approach for evaluating your site for a more detailed and site specific permaculture design. To plan, you need to chart the most probable direction from which a fire would originate. That’s where a sector analysis comes in. Not all permaculture educators officially recognize the sector analysis as a definitive part of the design process. In my
opinion, that is a mistake. A sector analysis is simply a tool to evaluate from which directions certain design factors enter into a property. Directional “flows,” as Jessi Bloom calls them, such as these are some of the factors graphed. Also included are things such as prevailing winds and frost pockets; crime pathways, such as a poorly lit alley; noisy neighbors; odors; unsightly or pleasant views; and so on. Anything that moves through your site that will have an impact on your overall design should be considered. To find the fire path, you need to take a look at both your slope and the prevailing wind patterns as fire typically moves up slope and with the wind. Also consider nearby areas with high concentrations of flammable material. By charting those, you can get a
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good idea of where you need to place your fire prevention measures. Which measures you take will depend on the other factors mentioned above. A few points of consideration for your design are: - “Green Firebreaks”, or vegetation which is less flammable, can sometimes slow or stop certain fires. However, the radiant heat of particularly hot fires can dry and incinerate even fire resistant plantings. Some typical plants that resist fire are certain ice plants, French lavender, and coreopsis. Hardwood trees, of course, are preferable over softwoods, but the lower growing, the better. For this reason, many permaculturists advocate planting orchards with dwarf cherry trees as a green firebreak. The USDA keeps an online Fire Effects Information System (FEIS) that catalogues studies on various plants in wildfires. Though it is a bit tedious to read through case studies of different species in wildfires, it’s interesting. (At least it is to a plant geek!) - Stone and pavement make great hardscaping to deter small fires. - Swales and ponds are beneficial if placed in the fire
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Researchers to Develop Pest Controls for Organic Mushrooms
The Valley, January 2018
by Sara LaJeunesse
Story courstesy Penn State Public information Researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have received a three-year, $950,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, to develop a suite of organic management options for three of the most challenging mushroom pests. “Organic mushroom production is particularly susceptible to attack by fungal and bacterial diseases and by fly infestations,” said David Beyer, professor of plant pathology and principle investigator on the grant. “These pests cause reductions in yield, quality and shelf life of the crop and seriously affect the economic viability of organic mushroom production,” he said. “Our goal is to develop tools and strategies for adoption by organic growers that address these issues and increase profitability.” According to Beyer, mushroom growers in the United States produced more than 90 million pounds of certified organic mushrooms in 2016, a nearly 50 percent increase over the previous year. “This rapid growth in demand for organic mushrooms suggests that effective organic-approved production methods will be increasingly sought after,” he said. However, Beyer added, impeding progress in organic mushroom farming is the lack of effective integrated pest management, or IPM, practices against the most important pests of mushrooms — Lecanicillium and Trichoderma fungal diseases, phorid and sciarid flies, and bacterial blotch disease. Beyer and his colleagues — which include Maria Gorgo-Gourovitch, a Penn State Extension educator in Chester and Berks Counties — will conduct on-farm trials and research into management options for these pests and pathogens with a goal of developing innovative crop production strategies. Specifically, the team will investigate the role of anaerobic — low oxygen — compost on the growth of the fungus Trichoderma aggresivum.
“Our previous research has found that organic acids are formed under anaerobic conditions and that they stimulate the growth of T. aggressivum,” Beyer said. “We will investigate the concentration and timing of T. aggressivum spore infestation and the influence of anaerobic compost conditions on severity and disease development of the fungus. We also will evaluate compost characteristics, such as structure, moisture and nutrition, and their influence on T. aggressivum development.” The researchers will test the effectiveness of essential oils, along with a naturally occurring bacterium (Streptomyces griseoviridis), in managing T. aggressivum and other fungi. In addition to fungi, mushrooms are susceptible to two dipteran fly species — the sciarid fungus gnat (Lycoriella mali) and the mushroom phorid (Megaselia halterata). “Sciarid and mushroom phorid fly larvae not only cause direct damage to the mushroom crop, causing reductions in yield, but also act as vectors of mushroom pathogens, including T. aggressivum and Lecanicillium fungicola, spreading disease throughout the mushroom house,” said Beyer. “Mushroom flies are attracted to fungal pathogens, often selecting these areas for egg laying. Furthermore, L. fungicola have sticky spores that attach to adult flies, enabling their spread to uninfected mushrooms.” The researchers will address the lack of effective organicapproved pesticides to deter flies by screening a range of pesticide and biological-control products that are registered for use in other organic crops. Products demonstrating efficacy in the laboratory will be evaluated for efficacy under field conditions. Finally, the team will investigate
control mechanisms for bacterial blotch disease. “Organic growers frequently cite bacterial blotch of mushrooms as one of the most economically important production problems they face,” Beyer said. “This bacterial disease results in a rapid browning or blotching deterioration of healthy mushroom caps.” The researchers will manipulate the microbiome, or collection of interacting microbes, within the mushroom cap with a goal of introducing bacteriophages — viruses of bacteria — that specifically suppress blotch pathogens. In addition to conducting research, the team is planning several outreach initiatives. For example, the scientists will develop bilingual educational materials and short IPM videos for organic mushroom producers and employees for management of mushroom flies and diseases. They also will create a course-based undergraduate research experience curriculum around organic agriculture for undergraduate students. Currently, organic standards do not require the raw materials — such as wheat straw and grass hay — that are used for compost to be certified organic. However, there is pressure from the regulatory agencies to require that the raw materials used in compost be grown organically. “If the raw materials are
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25 required to be certified organic, current organic straw and hay production will not be able to meet the needs of the mushroom industry,” Beyer said. The researchers Mushrooms have higher quantities of two important antiplan to test oxidants that may help with anti-aging treatments and conventionstrategies. Image: Patrick Mansell ally produced wheat straw harvest to shipping. and grass hay to determine if any “Ultimately, our goal is to herbicides or fungicides used in help organic mushroom growers the production of these materiobtain increased yields, efficiency, als persist in the compost and productivity and economic reare subsequently taken up by the turns,” Beyer said. mushrooms. The idea for the team’s pro “Our project outcomes will posal came from a strategic planprovide organic growers with ning meeting at which industry tools, techniques and strategies leaders and Penn State researchers to increase production yield and from many disciplines discussed quality and to increase profitabilthe needs of the industry and what ity by reducing input and adminthey could do to answer those istration costs,” Beyer said. “Part needs. More information can be of our project also will include found on the Department of Plant evaluating the overall economic Pathology and Environmental benefits, including reduced input Microbiology website. a and administration costs, of our findings.” In addition, the team will develop an application for mobile devices such as smart phones to assist growers with the certification of crops and tracking of organic mushrooms from
The Valley, January 2018
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Last month, I reported that our ex-Roadmaster told everyone present during the Joint Meeting that my husband cost him “a lot of money” (in fines for incomplete paperwork). The minutes for that meeting have been approved and there is no mention of this discussion. Instead, the minutes state: “The Ethics Office gave the township time to get these forms amended and turned back into their office without applying any penalty to the individuals who incorrectly filled out their forms.” It is really interesting to compare meeting minutes to what actually happens at meetings. For example,
the October 2016 meeting minutes state that there was “no further discussion” regarding the 40% property tax increase when there was further discussion. Unfortunately, the township destroyed the recording of that meeting after a public records request was made for it. Now they don’t record their meetings; I do. The agenda for the December Board of Supervisors regular meeting included correspondence from our ex-Roadmaster regarding his interest in becoming Gregg Township’s SEO. I shared this in the Gregg Township Unofficial FB group. Just before the meeting,
it was scrubbed from the agenda and the correspondence was taken off the website. It will be brought up at the January meeting on the 2nd at 6:30. At the special meeting on December 20th, the 2018 budget was passed 2-1, with Supervisor Stover opposed. He said is not in support of 4% raises across the board. I personally contacted every municipality in Centre County and not one of them (that responded to me) is doing that. Supervisor Stover also asked a few questions about specific budget items, such as the secretary’s personal cell phone and a new laptop that will be purchased. I previously reported that I caught two supervisors having a secret meeting one year ago. I requested the footage of the hall from that meeting, which would only prove they were there. The township took the issue into the
court system after the Office of Open Records directed them to hand it over. I didn’t submit anything to the court because I had nothing to add. I let it ride. The Judge ruled in their favor based on their assertion that it would reveal information about the security system that is unknown to the public. It was a sloppy ruling, as the record already showed that the township previously released footage from the hall on multiple occasions. I appealed the ruling, which brings me to my final bit of Hanky Panky for this month: the Prothonotary’s office. I have noticed this problem
before but I have never said anything about it. For some reason, our Prothonotary’s office is not mailing time-sensitive material out quickly. On December 1st (a Friday), the Judge ordered me to provide a statement of errors within twenty-one days… the minimum time required by law for such an order. I was not actually given twenty-one days, however. Attached to the order is a notice that states the mail date was December 5th. But… the postage was not even printed on the envelope until the December 6th. I
Continued on page 30
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The Valley, January 2018
Mail Pouch Books by Carleen B. Grossman The Space Between Words By Michele Phoenix Copyright September 2017 360 pages We all require space in our lives. We need the space to grow, to be ourselves and to exercise our diversity. In short, space is a vital component in everyone’s life. Some need normal space, some need less, and some want a lot of space. In handwriting analysis, spacing between words shows how much distance you want to keep from the people around you,
“Coco” I cannot overemphasize how badly 2017 needed “Coco.” After 2016 saw no fewer than four animated films end up on my yearend Top 10 list, this year has been one of the worst in recent memory for animation. I barely have anything nice to say about “The Boss Baby,” “Despicable Me 3,” “The Lego Batman Movie,” or “Smurfs: The Lost Village.” Critics treated “The Emoji Movie” like a sign of the apocalypse and “Leap!” was even shoddier. Even Pixar, usually the shining example of consistent greatness, had a relative misfire with “Cars 3.” But not to worry, Pixar wasn’t content to let that cash-grab sequel be their sole offering this year. Enter
whereas spacing between letters indicates the extent of self-expression. The concept of needing space in one’s life is what this book is about. The book is a contemporary one, with some historical elements woven in. The main narrative revolves around events in 2015, with a small portion of the book jumping briefly back to a historical event that took place in the 17th century. The story takes place at the end of 2015, after the terrorist attack on the Bataclan concert hall in Paris, France. The main
“Coco,” a spectacle that’s worthy of the studio’s talents and should have no trouble winning the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. 12-year-old Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez) loves music even though his family is strongly opposed to it. His great-great grandfather walked out on his wife and daughter Coco to pursue a music career, and since then music has been strictly forbidden in the family. But Miguel has a burning passion for the art form, idolizing a singer from the 1940’s named Ernesto de la Cruz (Benjamin Bratt). Looking at an old family photo, Miguel spots de la Cruz’s signature guitar and deduces that he must be his long-lost relative. He’s got music in his blood, even if it skipped three generations. Against the orders of his family, who want him to be at home honoring late relatives on the Day of the Dead, Miguel runs off to enter a talent show. He runs into a problem when he needs a guitar and there isn’t one handy. De la Cruz was buried with his guitar, and his mausoleum is nearby, so Miguel figures it’s his birthright. Upon his act of grave robbery, Miguel finds himself whisked away to the Land of the Dead. The Land of the Dead is a beautiful place, and Miguel is glad to learn that his dead relatives are
character is a thirty-four-year-old woman who was in attendance at the concert along with one of her friends when gunfire erupted. The woman endured injuries during the shooting and even though she survived and was physically on the path to recovery, her emotional wounds were far from healed. She experiences the emotional trauma from her ordeal and is haunted by memories. Her first instinct is to flee
happy there, but he needs to get back to the Land of the Living by sunrise or he’ll be stuck there permanently as a skeleton. His greatgreat-grandmother Imelda (Alana Ubach) can send him back with a single blessing, but will only do so on the condition that he stay away from music forever. Miguel isn’t going to take that deal, so he sets out to get a blessing from de la Cruz. He teams up with a shady character named Hector (Gael Garcia Bernal) who claims to be an old friend of the singer, though that might just be something he says to get out of police custody after trying to sneak into the Land of the Living without a proper memorial in the form of a plate on his family’s ofrenda. Adventure, bonding, fallouts, reconciliations, twists, and music ensue. It’s actually a very tight, involving story, but I can’t go much further without hitting some spoilers. I believe this film features the largest family of any Disney movie ever, with five generations spread over two planes of existence. The film is at its strongest when it’s exploring the dynamic among family members. Interfamily conflict is so present onscreen that you won’t even notice how long the film goes without a proper villain. And yet the film never lets you forget that this is a
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France as soon as possible. However, her roommate and best friend encourages her to stay and continue with an antique-hunting trip that the two of them had planned prior to the attack. During the trip, she discovers an antique sewing box with old documents inside that date back to 1695 during a time when the Huguenots in Catholic France were being persecuted for their religious beliefs. She is drawn to this antique find and along with some new friends she meets during her trip, she sets out on a journey to find out about religious persecution in 17th century France. The complexities of the novel in taking on the Paris terrorist attack and its aftermath along with the historical time frame persecution make this a book very timely given the current situation not just in the U.S., but also around
the world. You will also enjoy the “mystery” element of the book! A book jacket photo is attached for you to view. a
loving family and everybody just wants what’s best for everybody else. It’s touching stuff. “Coco” is a delightful movie, another triumph from Pixar. The gags are funny (skeleton characters = guilt-free dismemberments!), but as always, the key to the film is its heartfelt moments. If the Academy wants to give an unprecedented Oscar nomination to a voiceover performance, Gael Garcia Bernal would be an excellent choice. Ironically the film is lacking in its music; it keeps pushing a song called “Remember Me” that isn’t nearly as catchy as the movie thinks it is. But overall the movie is terrific. With less than six weeks left to lose its lead, “Coco” is currently the best family movie of 2017.
2015’s “Room” never reached a wide enough audience to justify a review from me, but if it had, I would have absolutely gushed over the performance of then-7year-old actor Jacob Tremblay. It was the kind of breakout performance that instantly guarantees an actor a lifetime of work in Hollywood. Brie Larson, who played Tremblay’s mother in the film, won the Academy Award for Best Actress, and I’d argue that he acted circles around her. Not only should he have been nominated for an Oscar, but it should have been for Best Actor and not Best Supporting Actor, for which he was unfairly pushed even though he was definitely the main character and Larson spent a significant amount of time offscreen. “Wonder” is Tremblay’s first big mainstream follow-up movie, and I’m pleased to say it’s worthy of his talents. Tremblay stars (he’s relegated to third billing, but to me he’s the star) as Auggie Pullman, a boy with a litany of health problems, including facial disfigurement. He’s so different-looking that he usually wears a mask when he goes out in public, his favorite being an astronaut helmet. His mother (Julia Roberts) and father (Owen Wilson) decide that this is the year for Auggie to finally go to school with other children. He’s going to have to learn to navigate the social waters of fifth grade, which is hard enough without a genetic disorder that greatly affects his appearance. Auggie initially faces ostracism and bullying. The film sadly includes some clichéd examples
Grade: A“Coco” is rated PG for thematic elements. Its running time is 109 minutes.
“Wonder”
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Life in the East End by Rebecca Harrop Well, here we are starting a new year again. December has been a very eventful month. Weather wise, we’ve had everything from unseasonably warm days to bitter cold days, rain, ice and snow. The one constant has been a lot of wind. The bitter, cold, windy weather makes the barn work hard. We have to watch for frozen pipes and waterers for the cattle. The robotic milkers don’t like the bitter cold either. It can make walking around a little treacherous for the cows and for us. I’m not a big fan of the really cold weather. Dad makes fun of me because of all the coats I wear. He says I look like an Eskimo when I come out of the house. We’ve had a lot of calves born in December. The one week we had a whole bunch of calves born. We have 40 calf pens for
the little calves and they were all full and we were running out of room. We have sold a few of the bull calves, but normally we like to raise all our calves. The female calves are raised for replacement heifers and the male calves for bulls or steers. I love feeding calves, but that’s a lot of calves. I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Christmas and New Year. We had a great Christmas even with all the cold and calves. My nieces, Emily and Nicole sure make Christmas fun now. It’s so much fun watching them open their presents. When they came Christmas day, Emily saw some presents were wrapped in Mickey Mouse wrapping paper, and she wanted to know if they were for her and Nicole. Mom told her they might be, so she wanted to know if they could unwrap them. They were very patient while
Owl Hootels from page 5
do appreciate a 2”-4” layer of wood chips (not sawdust, it stays too soggy) on the bottom of the box. If tree mounted, you want to
in this neck of the woods. Owls don’t build traditional nests, but
we got everyone in the room to unwrap presents. They loved everything they got. Nicole kept saying it was the best Christmas ever. We had a Christmas Pageant at church this year and the girls were angels. During one song they were jumping up and down, and later they said they were trying to make their wings flap. On the way home, Nicole said she wanted to do it again, but Mom told her she would have to wait until next year. Well as I’m writing this we are a couple days from celebrating the New Year, so from the East End, I want to wish you all a very Happy New Year. May you have many blessings and find joy and peace in the coming year. a
Dairy - Good - Truth by Gretchen Little
As the new year approaches everyone begins to get into a new mindset. New year, new me and often resolutions of a new and healthy lifestyle. Whether this means a change in your diet or more exercise, it is important to remember the key role that dairy products play in the body to keep you strong and healthy. Dairy has a simple ingredient list, with no added sugars and is packed with nutrients. In fact, dairy products contain nine essential nutrients including calcium, protein, and vitamin D. These delicious products help to build strong teeth and bones. One eight ounce glass of milk contains as much calcium as eight glasses of almond beverage. With all the options of whole, 2%, 1%, skim, or even flavored chocolate or strawberry milk—you are sure to find the right choice for your family’s needs. Yogurt contains probiotics, which enhance the “good
(left) A box suitable for a Eastern Screech Owl which may be much more common than you presently think, and readily adaptable to different habitats; they should be fairly easy to attract to your yard. (right) Barred Owls, the most commonly heard, need a bigger box with a larger hole. They prefer a forest setting and should be within 200’ of water, perfect for someone living along a creek, as forage will be plentiful for them
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bacteria” in your stomach and help keep you healthy. Yogurt can be added to many dishes and since it comes in many flavors, it is great as an on-the-go snack. With these and many other dairy options, you won’t have to sacrifice taste or variety when including REAL dairy in your healthy diet. Wishing you a healthy, happy and DAIRY filled New Year! Blueberry Smoothie 1 cup Milk 1 cup Yogurt (plain, vanilla or blueberry) 1 1/2 cup Blueberries 1/2 Banana 1 tbsp Lemon Juice 1 cup Spinach In a blender, purée the ingredients to desired consistency. Enjoy immediately! a
make sure there are no branches or leaves blocking the entrance hole. As much as owls don’t seem to mind the clutter, it is nice to pull out old nest debris, owl pellets, squirrel nests, etc., between nesting cycles. Will having owls nesting in your backyard make you any wiser? You wouldn’t be able to prove it by talking to me, but watching them raise a family is very rewarding. Honey Creek Bill & Beak has six different models of owl boxes, ranging from $55.99 to $249.00. They’ll be happy to pay you back with a very effective rodent control program. a
The Valley, January 2018
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The Valley, January 2018
30 Our Yesteryears from page 14 gets of townships and boroughs in the county would take a serious hit. Arctic air moved in following the storm to whip up the wind and helped keep rural roads drifted. The American Viscose plant weather station reported 5 below zero Wednesday morning while residents in Milroy had minus 16. McVeytown reported minus 18, although Shindle reported the record low of minus 22. It was also Farm Show week that year in 1964. The highways all over the state were snow clogged and attendance on the opening day dropped to a mere 15,000 people, a 10th of what was expected. Pennsylvania Governor William Scranton opened the Farm Show with welcoming remarks to the small crowd. “I salute you,” Governor Scranton said, “you’re the most rugged citizens in Pennsylvania.” The January 1964 snowstorm had the greatest snowfall totals locally since a storm in January 1936. An earlier storm in 1928 with greater amounts of snow brought down power lines, cutting electricity across Mifflin County. There were earlier storms of much greater magnitude; the bliz-
Bob at the Movies from page 27 of both, like nobody sitting with Auggie in the lunchroom and him being singled out for peltings in dodgeball. In my experience, lunchrooms are too crowded for anyone to be able to sit by themselves, and gym teachers monitor activities way too closely for kids to gang up on “weak” players. The film does however get it right that kids will turn on their friends in a second if it makes them look cool in front of the popular kids. It’s also right about the way kids initially handle people that they don’t understand, but I think it’s off about how long it takes them to accept those people. I can see the other kids being uneasy around Auggie on Day 1, but realistically I see them warming up to him on Day 2, not a month later as seen here. Auggie is of course daunted at first and hurt throughout the film, but he has such a big heart and quick wit that eventually he wins everybody over and becomes one of the most popular kids in school. Even though the film is primarily Auggie’s story, it also takes time to make it clear that he’s not the center of the world. Time is given to develop his sister
zards of 1892 and 1895 dropped somewhere in the neighborhood of three feet of snow across the county accompanied by frigid cold and brutal winds. With all those records from history, it is interesting to look back and recall the memorable snows of our childhood. And it’s common to hear people say, “It doesn’t snow like it used to.” But maybe someday, those boys I mentioned at the beginning that live out in Siglerville, will experience their own memorable winter storm, when the snow is measured in feet. NEXT MONTH: As we move through 2018, I will visit some of Mifflin County’s early years. In the 1790’s, the county encompassed our present borders, but all of what would become Juniata, most of Centre, plus small portions of Union, Snyder and Huntingdon counties. In February, let’s go back to a time before the first European settlers came to the valleys of what would become Mifflin County. Native People inhabited the land and conflict was a part of life. Let’s explore the lore and legend of what history calls, The Grasshopper War. HISTORY IS OUR STORY PASS IT ON! a Via (Izabela Vidovic) and how she handles being marginalized by her parents in favor of her high-maintenance brother. The film even takes a step beyond Via to take a look at her friend Miranda (Danielle Rose Russell) and how she feels so guilty about exploiting Auggie that she can’t bring herself to enjoy Via’s friendship anymore. Elsewhere the film takes a break from Auggie to follow initiallyreluctant and eventually-fickle friend Jack Will (Noah Jupe) and bully Julian (Bryce Gheisar). For adults, “Wonder” is pretty much the uplifting weepie you’d expect it to be. For kids, hopefully it teaches them that everyone is special and everyone deserves love and respect and all the other lessons they’re supposed to learn from a movie like this. In either case, Jacob Tremblay gives a heart-wrenching, outstanding performance, proving that he’s more than just a one-hit “Wonder.” Grade: B“Wonder” is rated PG for thematic elements including bullying, and some mild language. Its running time is 113 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@ nyu.edu. a
Around Town with Carol from page 13 posterity, which ever may be the case. A month before Christmas, you can find in Walmart, and other stores, colored rings and flats. Over the years, I’ve tried to keep a set of each, but invariably, I “separated” the set, when I needed one or another in an emergency, so now I have just a few of the unique, limited edition colored flats, some with a Christmas design, others with fruit designs, but all unique. To a ‘canner’ like myself, they were different, making my burden just a little brighter along with the colors. But if you have no access to canning jars, it’s okay as well. Start saving your old pickle jars, or any lid which has a rubber ring in the lid. These can also be used with the same process as above, except instead of “heating in hot ...not boiling water” the flat dome, you would have to put the entire lid to be heated. Heating only makes the rubber gasket more pliable and easier to conform to the shape of the rim of the jar. Any jars with that rubbery ring can be used, so ask your neighbors to start saving them and before long your shelves will be filled with unique shaped, sized jars. Might not stack as well as the commercially purchased Ball canning jars, but when you put a colorful circle of fabric on the top, and secure it with a rubber band and ribbon, it will be quite cute as a Christmas gift. Remember to take some time and make a nifty label telling the date and the product inside and include “created by my loving hands,” or something as sweet. Editor’s note: although some of these ideas are not considered a safe practice by today’s standards, many seniors still do this as they always have and suffer no ill effects—a judgement call for sure. My Nanny had a basement in her house and Poppy Bob, her master carpenter husband, built her a special cabinet for her canned goods. It was on the inside wall, in a dark corner, so that the quality of the food would be preserved. Its triangle shelves fit into the wall nicely with a three-piece wooden door to close it off from light and warm air. My mom had a glass-fronted, room -dividing, white wood-shelved piece that she brought from our old house in Erlton, NJ. It was located in our basement at the farm house in Willingboro, just below the cellar stairs. It was away from the heater, and she kept a blanket over the top, which hung over the glass and made it a dark place for the canned goods.
I still have that white wood cabinet from the Post World War II housing where Daddy brought Mom and my older brother Dick and I (as the baby). But when little sister Darlene came along in 1950, we began building the new farm house. The wooden shelves are now located in my laundry room where I keep my canning supplies, empty jars, pectin, rings and “flats.” On the other wall is a similar piece brought from Bill’s mother’s kitchen so an “L’ shaped configuration puts everything I need for canning right at hand, and the white cabinets bring back memories for Bill and I of the homes we grew up in. Memories and canned goods....what could be better? An important factor to be considered when you’re canning is to make sure you don’t put the “hot jars,” down on a “cold surface.” In modern kitchens with marble counter tops which are pretty much indestructible you must heed this warning. I use a sided cookie tray, and lay a towel in it before I line up the “processed jars of food,” to cool. This tray does double duty. It allows you the “buffered surface” for the hot preserves, but it also gives you a nice way of transporting them to the cupboard for storage. Taking them to “storage” must not happen for about a half week, as you leave them sit in your kitchen and every now and then use the back of a tea spoon to tap them lightly on the “flat” surface of the lid. The “tone” will be melodious, as you “play your favorite song,” until you come to a “thud,” which is a jar that was not sealed. It’s a very obvious sound, so you can’t miss it. If it’s within a day of the cooking, you can re-heat it and try again, or just put the “thud jar” into the refrigerate and use it within a week. With all the time and effort you went through to get this far, the last thing you want to do is to throw out your product. Push come to shove, if it’s been too long and you fear it is spoiled, give it to the dog....dogs’ stomachs can handle a good meal a week late. The length of the food being ‘kept” in the cool, dark spot, can vary. Some cultures such as the Dutch, never eat “this year’s product,” but because of their Biblical belief and the history of the “7 year famine,” they always eat the oldest food they have. Now, don’t go getting squeamish on me. Do you realize that the date of the can, bag of chips, cookies, or crackers, indicates that the shelf life of food is 9-12 years. Yep, when you buy prepared food from the grocery store, the date you see
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on the label is not the date it was packaged, but the date it expires, after its “shelf life parameters for each individual product.” So when you think of the Dutch eating seven year old food, you must consider that today’s scientists are saying that food looses most vitamins and minerals if not consumed within the day picked. I don’t know how that relates to canned food. So you’ve cleaned the jars, checked for chips, left them sit hot in the dish washer, while you collected the fruit (yes, tomato’s are fruits, not vegetables), stood over hot pots of water to steam off the skins, stuffed the orbs into the glass container, screwed the ring around the flat “dome,” processed them, and yes, after that much work, you found out what your mother and grand mother knew. It’s cheaper to buy the can at the grocery store for $.75. But no, if you did that, you wouldn’t have the satisfaction in the accomplishment of serving your family nutritious food that you knew that no one sneezed in their food, no one forgot to wash their hands after they used the men’s room, or whatever toxins may have been used to line the inside of the can. Glass containers like Ball or other canning jars have been around for over a century and longer, when Egyptians first started the glass industry. When you put your product in glass, you can see its bright colored freshness and know first hand that it is the best you can possibly serve to your family. PS. Any questions about canning can be addressed to my email, whitebriarbb@hotmail.com. For more information about the author, check out her two television shows “Morning CoffeeAroundTownWithCarole,” and her children’s educational show (good for adults too) “Camp with Mrs. Whitebriar,” on live television www.radiovisionnetwork.com Carole Lokan Moore, television personality/host/writer 1101 Cooper St (Office), Edgewater Park, N.J. 08010 609-871-9555 or cell 609-4337979 anytime. a
Hanky Panky Report from page 26
received the letter December 8th. Do you see the problem? I hope I see you at the next Gregg Township Board of Supervisors meetings on January 2nd and February 8th. a
The Valley, January 2018
Find Of A Lifetime ? W. Stottlar a nondescript piece of woods that I knew through research was an area that saw human travel. Back then, that was either by horseback or stage coach, travel was slow through these rugged mountains and travelers had to stop often to rest and water their animals and themselves. If you know the approximate route, and then identify likely spots for people to stop, you have enough information to start a search. Finding some square nails and a metal flat button, I knew I was in an area where people had been and probably for some time or over time. When I got the signal for my eventual find, my heart was racing, it was a little jumpy, but was in the range of old One Cent coins or “large cents” as they are called. Minted between 1793-1857, they are a large, chunky copper coin larger than a quarter and only slightly smaller in diameter than a half dollar. They are always a welcome and somewhat common coin to find, although some years are rarer, and therefore, more valuable. When I dug the hole, I saw the green disc fall out of the mound of dirt and immediately felt the rush of excitement. Suppressing the urge to wipe the dirt from it (this can sometimes wipe off any detail on the coin making it unidentifiable), I quickly looked at the edge and thought to myself, it would at least be an early large cent as the rim was thin unlike the later large cents. I hunted the spot for another hour without finding anything else significant and headed for home with the coin resting in my cup holder and the truck heater running after a cold hunt. By the time I arrived home, the coin was totally dry and although still caked in mud and unable to make out any detail, I could now carefully dry brush the mud off of the surface without harming it. Some folks would just stick the coin under the faucet, which is also a bad idea. We always try to do the best we can cleaning with the least amount of The front of my 1786 Vermontensium Landscape Copper, the chunk missing was common for the era at additives, as even water will further private mints.
I am an avid Metal Detectorist and have alluded to finding some very nice items in the past eight or so years. I have been lucky, especially since we are a tad too west for colonial period artifacts; this was frontier and Indian territory in those days. With my roots being in New England, I have constantly been left salivating over Continental Army Pewter Buttons, George Washington Inaugural Buttons, and early colonial coinage found by my friends who live there. I’m just in the wrong area for that kind of stuff, and the further west you go the worse it is for that era. Conversely, we are just a tad too far north for Civil War relics (or so I thought), which is another specialty of many detectorists. Still, I made many amazing finds that keep me hooked, many coins from the late 1700s and throughout the 1800s, some very rare and in great condition. It is said there is more money in the ground than there is in circulation—believe it— the amount of coins I have found is beyond my wildest imagination. The more research involved, the better chance you give yourself of success. I basically will hunt anytime I am able to get into the ground. Public places have been hunted hard in the time since detectors became available. Private property or woods where a trained eye can pick out old foundations or potential cabin sites are where you have better chances of finding something historic. Such a chance finding happened for me right before freeze-up a couple weeks ago in
Vermont. The following year after setting up shop in an 18’ x 16’ clapboard shack, Reuben began minting coins with one side depicting the sun rising over the Green Mountains of Vermont with a plow in the foreground identifying Vermont’s #1 industry which was agriculture. The words VERMONTENSIUM RES PUBLICA circle the outer edge, Latin for The Republic above: the back of my 1786 Vermontensium with of Vermont. On the back was the “all seeing the “Eye of Providence” in the center. below: My friend Phil Mandalore who after finding his eye” in the very center Vermontensium last summer just had to make the surrounded by 13 Rays trip to Rupert Vermont to see where his coin had and Stars with the words been made
deteriorate some of the more fragile specimens. As I slowly brushed, I became more confused as none of the detail that was coming to light gave away the coins identity. Giving up temporarily on that side, I looked for clues by starting to clean the opposite surface and suddenly a large star with an eye in the middle appeared and I thought I had found one of my top three desired coins! But no, the opposite side didn’t match. As I kept brushing, a date was uncovered—1786! Wow! But it didn’t look like any US coin that I knew other than the one side looked somewhat like a Nova Constellatio—a coin struck in Britain for the colonies, but in 1783 and 1785 only. So that wasn’t it. About the same time I had a possibility of identification through my own research, a friend who lives and detects in Vermont identified the coin as a “Harmon Cent” or “Landscape Cent.” My friend Phil had also found one earlier this year and had done the leg work and filled me in on the history behind this rare coin. In 1785 the Republic of Vermont (Vermont did not become a state until 1791) granted Reuben Harmon the exclusive right to mint coins for The Republic of
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31 STELLA QUARTA DECIMA, which is Latin for The Fourteenth Star showing Vermont’s desire to become a state. Harmon’s Mint in Rupert, VT only operated for three years coining their last issue in 1788 due to unknown reasons as the United States as a country didn’t start minting coins until 1791. Whatever the reason, either nonprofitability or other, the mint had several varieties of this coin so that even further reduced the numbers produced per variety. At any rate I am thankful to have found it and have imagined how such a rare coin made it to Central Pennsylvania and was left for me to discover 231 years later, THAT is what keeps you going! a
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