Flat Stanley and his friend, Captain Abner Pinney

Hello, it's Friday and I'm here to tell you about my new friend, Captian Abner Pinney. I'm inbetween his old original stone (on the right), and his new marker and military marker. His old stone isn't in good shape, the information about my friend isn't readable any longer. He lived a long long time ago. Abner was born way back in 1750. If you want to know how long ago that was, grab a piece of paper and pencil and subtract 2010 (our current year), and 1750 (the year he was born). The answer you get tells you how long ago that was. Did you get 260? Whew, that really is a long time ago. Abner was an important man, a man I want to honor. He was born in Connecticut and was a drummer and served in The American Revolution.
Here's a close up of his modern day stone. He was a Captain and fought for our Independence from England. Because of Abner and brave men like him, we celebrate The 4th of July. He lived only a short time in Worthington, Ohio. He traveled all the way from Connecticut to Worthington, Ohio and was one of the original 38 members of The Scioto Company that took up land in this far away land after The Revolutionary War. He died on November 23, 1804. When he died his estate was valued at $452.51. He owned a pair of oxen, a wagon, harness with yolk. Those were very valuable to people who were trying to clear land and make a new home.

When you're having fun watching the fireworks, or picnicking or playing games with your friends and family on The 4th of July, please think of my friend Captain Abner Pinney. He's buried in a very historic church graveyard (St. John's) in Worthington, Ohio.

This is a great way to teach respect of those that came before us, that paved our way. Take the kids to a cemetery and look at a couple of older stones. Think about something that happend that connects with the dates. Do math, how old is the stone compared to them? Get a map find where people are from, use more math to calculate how many miles away it is. Make a drum, and pretend to be Capt. Pinney. Ask the kids why they think having an oxen would be valuable? Talk about the importance of a wagon. All kids have a wagon, what do they use it for? They put things in it, you put them in it to move around. Make the history of the story come alive and have meaning to them. Help them understand what the 4th of July is, why people ware red, white and blue. Talk about why people fly their flags on that special day. Make a word list that connect to what you've seen. Super way to learn new words.
Example:
Militia
Oxen
Revolution

Remember other good activities with kids, maps can be colored and all kids love to color. Flags of the states or the countries involved can also be fun things to color. If you missed it, pop back for Stanley's last adventure and you'll see a word puzzle; that's always something you can do as well with new words.

See you next Friday on the 14th of May. Until then, Flat Stanley out.

Flat Stanley's Previous Adventures:
First adventure, books and libraries
Second Adventure, Hero or Traitor

Traveling Safely in your Car

Travel season is upon use, many families will be hitting the roads for vacation when the kids get out of school for the summer. We sometimes take travel too lightly, we forget the dangers involved. Be safe, travel safe and you'll have more fun when you arrive at your destination. Practice car safety, you life may depend on it.

But before you go review this list, make sure you and your car are ready for a safe journey.

• Have you checked your tire pressure?
• Do you a full tank of gas?
• Have you filled up the window washer fluid? Sometimes its' a good idea to have extra in the trunk
• Do you a window scrapper (depending on when and where you're going, like the mountains even in summer you may need it)
• Do you have a flash light for emergencies?
• Do you have a cell phone charger that works in your car?
• Does someone have your license plate number and the route you plan to travel?
• Do take frequent breaks to stretch your legs and give your eyes a rest, change drivers if you're not alone.
• Do you have a map along with written directions/GPS in case you run into road blocks, construction or changes that sometimes happen?
• If you're alone, don't travel late at night.
• Take your purse and cell phone with you when you stop to go to the bathroom, you may need them should an emergency arise.
• Lock the car at all times, when you're in it and when you're not.
• Do you have an extra car key in your pocket/purse? Or does the person you're with have an extra key?
• Don't run on fumes because you don't want to stop for gas, fill up when you still have at least 1/4 of a tank. You never know when you may get in bad traffic, or exists are closed or you run into construction. Any number of things can happen. The gas may not be readily available in certain areas.
• Many states have laws prohibiting the use of cells phones while driving without it being hands free. I love my blue -tooth for travel. You're connected if you have to make a fast emergency call, but you don't have to take your eyes off the road to make it happen. With that being said, limit your calls to necessary calls. I know I've been behind people for miles and miles who are chatting totally unaware they're changing speeds, crossing the line, and in general paying more attention to the call then the importance of driving.
• Buckle up ALL THE TIME!
• Don't drive barefooted. How many of you have seen someone with a foot out the window? I have, even the driver on a few occasions. That's not safe, it's just plain stupid.
• Don't have music on so loud you can hear a siren or emergency vehicle
• Be aware of your surroundings. Look where you are, notice who's around you. Don't walk to the restroom with your head down texting or changing your music with your earphones in. People unaware are an easy mark.
• Don't leave valuables visible in the car, like your mp3 player, your video games, your cell phone, your purse, your GPS, your IPod, or laptop. Those are call out to would be thieves who are watching and waiting for their opportunity.

Now enjoy yourself, and happy traveling.