Friday, June 25, 2010

Stanley at the Masonic Museum

Masonic MuseumMason's have a long history of doing good, of helping people through a variety of different charities. This building was built back in 1820 which makes it almost 200 years old. This lodge is the oldest continuous lodge in existence in the State of Ohio; and the oldest lodge building west of The Allegheny.
New England Lodge SingHere's another view of the blue door with New England style sign indicting it's New England Lodge #4 F & AM, and that it was chartered way way back in 1803. That's the same year Ohio became a state. F & AM means Free and Accepted Masons. Their logo is a square and compass. Masons have 2 million members here in the United States with a total of 5 million members across England, Scotland, and Ireland. They are a fraternal group.

Most of you have probably attended a parade where Shriners wore what might appear to be funny hats and rode around in fun little cars. There is much more to the organization than that. One of the biggest charities supported by Shriners is the 22 Shriners Hospital's across the US. All Shriners must first be a Mason, and after they move up earn the right to be a Shriner. Not all Masons are Shriners however.

The special Olympics is another worthy charity supported by The Masons.

Activities to help the kids remember what they learned here would be purchase a compass and small plastic square. They could make pictures using it to color. Most drug stores and office supply stores have these items pretty reasonably priced. Take paper and make and decorate a Shriners Hat.

Until next Friday July 2, Flat Stanley Out.

Remember if you've missed any of the outings you can catch up here:



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Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Shook Cemetery, Port Clinton Ohio

Shook Cemetery on East harbor Road, on the north side of St. Ft #163 about 1 mile East of Chrisy Chapel Road. This pretty little historic cemetery is in Ottowa County in Port Clinton. A quick scan of the cemetery shows stones dating back as far as 1830.
We didn't spend much time at this little cemetery as it was getting dusk, it was starting to rain and the mosquitoes were out in force. But a quick look indicates the little cemetery is well cared for which always makes me feel good. It was mowed, and some of the stones had been repaired. No doubt in previous years the cemetery suffered as do many historic cemetery from time, the elements, and sadly vandalism. Some stones are quite readable, some only partially, and some not at all. This stone honor John Bennett who was in 1842 and died in 1863. How nice he has a GAR star and flag to honor his service in the Civil War.
Harriett M. wife of Jacob Brown born in July of 1807 and died in September of 1852. She was born a few years after Ohio became a state and died before The Civil War at the age of 45.
A general view with stones around a large tree gives you a feel for the serenity.
Mary French's stone really isn't readable, but through some research and process of elimination I believe this is her stone. A transcription of the little cemetery was located on line and this seems to match.

I often like to walk through an old cemetery to see how different the names are, to see how old the dates are and to formulate a story in my mind. Sometimes I'm able to do some research and sometimes not. Many of the stones here belong to the Shook Family, and so one would assume this land was probably their farm. Perhaps this cemetery grew from a family burial ground to a local one. Christy Chapel road is close by, perhaps this was at one time connected to an area church.

Even though when we travel we are tourist, we are touring where others live....where people made their mark. I enjoy seeing a bit of the real world, the day to day even while on vacation. I highly recommend you all give it a try.
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Sunday, June 20, 2010

Lyme Village, Ohio

poster of Victoria Christmas
On the way to Lake Erie my sisters and I were surprised to find Lyme Village on route 4. We looked to the side of the road and saw a cluster of log cabins and got pretty excited. We pulled in to see what we could see. Lyme Village at 5001 St Rt 4 is just outside Bellevue Ohio. It's a non profit strictly run by volunteers re-created village. (poster shows scenes from the village)

In the center of the village is a 2nd Empire Victoria Home (shown in the center of the above poster) built between 1880-1882. This mansion belonged to John Wright. There are barns, log houses, a Detteram Log Church, an 1836 Greek Rivival style house, and even a one room school house. I purchased a few items at the darling gift shop.sun bonnetsingle tea pot and cupI love these single tea pots that include a cup.
single tea pot set*my finger is showing where the pot sits on top of the cup.

The buildings all predict life in The Firelands from 1800 to early 1900's. You can take guided tour to learn what life was like for our early settlers. The tours cost $8.00 and run from 11 am to 4 pm Tuesday through Sat; and special summer Sunday hours from 12-4. There are many special events throughout the year such as Native American Days, Pioneer Days, Victorian Dinners during the Christmas Holidays and more.

I noticed this quote, "Preserving Yesterday for Tomorrow" found it to be very meaningful, and think it fits many of our countries treasures.

The Greek Rivival house belonged to John Seymour and was an important stop along the underground railroad for many escaped slaves as they made they way to Canada to freedom. The one room school house was built in the 1860's and was still being used until 1935 in Oxford township in Erie County Ohio. The school house was moved to the village in 1991.

Many of the buildings were dismantled and moved from other areas in the state to this village in order to preserve them.

Sadly our time was short and we were traveling on what we later learned was the edge of a tornado; so we did not get to take the tour. Though I do intend on returning when I'll be able to spend time and take the tour. I suggest you all put this on your list of things to do with the family. Something here for everyone.

And for fun, look carefully when you exist. The kids will enjoy this LARGE ceramic dog in the yard across the street.
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Friday, June 18, 2010

Breath Easy With Flat Stanley



Breathing is something everyone does, something we don't think about really. But, that was not always the case. Tuberculosis also called The White Plague killed 1 out of 9 people just in Columbus Ohio alone in the early 1900's. Think of 9 people you know, 1 in nine died because of a breathing problem.

Flat Stanley came across this Ohio State Historical Sign at 1520 Old Henderson. After reading both sides of the signs and researching further he learned what a remarkable woman Carrie Nelson Black was.

In 1898 Carrie started Instructive District Nurses Association, in 1911 she started Mother's Day in Ohio, in 1913 she help start an open air school on Neil Avenue. The open air school was open to children who lived in a home where one or more people were afflicted with TB. In 1921 she started the Countries first FREE Cancer Clinic!

She was a woman before her time, always caring for others, lobbying for better public health. She spent 30 years as President and CEO of The Breathing Society (formerly known as The TB Society) which she founded in 1906.

A Tuberculosis dispensary located at 40 S. Third Street in Columbus provided care for those without funds to care for themselves. She taught many that good medical care, proper nuitrition and clean air was a right that should be afforded to all.

Columbus became smoke free in 2005. Sadly, there are still areas in our country who've not yet caught up to that important step of protecting one's right to breath clean fresh air. There are still places in the country that allow smoking in public buildings.

The Breathing Association continues Carrie's legacy by providing education, and financial assistance to those in need to protect everyone's right of Public Health.

Carrie was the wife of Samuel L. Black a Probate Judge and Major of Columbus and mother of 3. Carrie and her husband Samuel Luccock Black are buried in Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio.

So Stanley has a message for all, stop smoking if you smoke and don't start the habit. Encourage all you love to stop and or not to start as well.

An activity to help explain the importance of breathing could be blowing bubbles. If one can't blow out due to a breathing problem, one can't enjoy the fun of blowing bubbles. Then get a whistle and let the kids blow. Blowing a whistle is also blowing out. Kids love to blow whistle and will remember this because of the activity. Depending on the age of your child have them chew gum (a cool minty type). Then remove the gum and have them suck in....the opposite of blowing out; but still shows the importance of breathing. When they suck in, they'll feel the coolness.

Do you have a child in sports? Talk about how differently they breath when exercising, when their heart is beating harder. Talk about how much harder it is to breath in certain weather conditions. These things are more visual and promote understanding.

Haven't left you with a word puzzle in a while, so here's one with 20 words related to what Stanley learned.

Breathing Words



X I G T Q I S X E J H G H S Q D H O R G
O E T I H W O I H N N K T L G P X E L Q
G R N B U N U I S I L Q L N R N H D P V
K E A Z E S W H H O M Q A C F T U C P U
R L C L Q R M T G I L S E R O C R L Z C
X C S I K R A O M J M U H M I I N P U K
Z O L G L E X F K O I C C D A Y Z I E I
N K G I R B G S K I M L Y R P I Y K W G
G I Y B N U U E L B N O R Z E Q F T C L
O Z Y K F I R P C L J G A I T B B K A A
Y Q O L N X C B A A L E S E B R U C R E
K Y R P Z A A P D C H I N M P Y I T R W
K I X T A Y Q R Z K Z T E Z M Q P B I E
A N V L W T R N X U L X P X U R V K E E
W H E E Z I N G K J C U S C A N C E R R
A R D I Y Q M V C J S E I E U G A L P F
D G I L F T C X R W M S D O O N K N Z S
X Z W J W M S E W J L V K R E C P F J E
N B A C S C L M R Y V S B C T Y R K V Y
A N D O C X E V F B T J D S O T U Q L I

AIR
BLACK
BREATHING
CANCER
CARRIE
CLINIC
DAY
DISPENSARY
FREE
HEALTH
LUNGS
MOTHER
NELSON
PLAGUE
PUBLIC
SMOKE
SMOKING
TUBERCULOSIS
WHEEZING
WHITE
You should be able to cut and paste the puzzle in order to print it. Until next time, Friday June 25th, Flat Stanley Out.

In case you've missed any of Stanley's Friday Fun, you can catch up here:



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Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Mon Ami Winery, Port Clinton Ohio

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Mon Ami winery has changed hands many times. It was originally Catawba Island Wine Company which was first organized way back in 1872 by a group of Islanders who grew grapes, though most principally the 3 families were: The Ellithorpe, Neals, and Laudy's. They made 130,000 gallons of wine. (pictured above Me, Julie, & Jan)

In 1937 the winery was purchased by Mon Ami Champagne Co. when they moved from Sandusky after the 18th amendment was repealed. At that time 55 men produced 400,000 to 500,.000 bottles of champagne and wine a year.
(picture from parking lot looking towards outside eating area)
overviewIn 1945, after a terrible fire gutted much of the winery the first floor restaurant was added.

In 1956 it once again changed hands. It was purchased by Norman Mantey, another Sandusky wine grower who's family had been in the business since the 1800's.
The Meier's Wine Cellars purchased Mon Ami in 1980, making it the largest producer in the state at 40-50-,000 gallons of wine.

Mon Ami menugreen birdgreen bird
(a couple brought their pet with them who let me get a photo)
Another purchase took place in 2000, when renovations of the main dining room, the chalet were done as well as a complete over haul of the kitchen. Additionally, a new gift shop was built. Throughout it's many changes of ownership it has maintained the name of Mon Ami.

outside bar Mon Amipicnic area Mon Ami(outside bar area and picnic area beyond)

Today Mon Ami attracts visitors from all over to it's wine tasting, tours, and restaurant. Wine tasting is offered at $1.00 a taste in a relax and fun tasting room that adjoins the gift shop. You can dine in or out; and be entertained on Friday and Sat with live performances. Happy hour runs from 4-7 pm Monday through Friday. A special Sunday Brunch is available. Banquets and weddings in this beautiful historic setting are also available.


Romania server at the wine tastinggirls tasting wine

We had a ball and enjoyed our lunch outside followed by wine tasting and I highly recommend it. .

bird on shouldersisters at lunch at Mon Ami



yummy brieWhen you go, the baked brie is a must!