Free Seats available, Worthington Ohio

Flat Stanleys here with another Fun Friday with Flat Stanley adventure. St. John's Church was formed way back on Feb. 6th 1804. Can someone please do the math and tell me how old this church is? It indicates it's the First Episcopal Church established in the Northwest Territory. The sign tells us the church was completed in 1831. And that the historic graveyard in it's backyard was established with the burial of Captain Abner Pinney. You might know him, since he's a friend Stanley talked about before HERE.
This is the flip side of the sign Flat Stanley is showing you. The alter was brought with the original settlers and is still in use inside this historic little church on the corner of High Street and State Route 161 in Worthington, Ohio. The graveyard has 317 documented burials of which 5 are Revolutionary War Veterans and 7 are veterans of The War of 1812.
The church is The Gothic Revival Style. I've attended a wedding in this beautiful little church. Stanley wanted to show you the sign here beside the door. SEATS FREE! Anyone ever seen that listed outside a church before?
The bell for the church was also brought here by the first settlers and served the community well since it was used for more then church; but school as well. That same bell is perched high across the street from the church in the bell tower of the community's school.

Flat Stanley suggest the kids look for corner stones, and signs at churches near them to see how they are. Do they have a bell in the bell tower? Does the church have a small cemetery associated with it? Have the kids draw a church, discuss why in years past a cemetery was often associated with the church. How the church was used for community events, community meetings and the center of the community.

Kids love blocks, maybe they could build a church with their blocks. As you look for churches you can walk or ride your bikes too point out the various architectural styles.

As always doing activities with kids helps them learn and remember a location or event. Math, coloring, block building and discussion can be done to enhance to experience with so many of Flat Stanley's adventures.

If you missed any, catch up here:

• April 23, 2010 Books and Parks (Upper Arlington, Ohio)
• April 30, 2010 Traitor or Hero (Worthington, Ohio)
• May 7, 2010 Flat Stanley and his friend Captain Pinney (Worthington, Ohio)
• May 14, 2010 First Flight and Flat Stanley (Worthington, Ohio)
• May 21, 2010 Up The Indian Mound with Flat Stanley (Columbus, Ohio)
• May 28, 2010 Flat Stanley goes to Camp (Upper Arlington, Ohio)
• May 31, 2010 Honoring Those who Served on Memorial Day (Upper Arlington, Ohio)
• June 12, 2010 Signs and Flat Stanley, (Worthington, Ohio)
• June 18, 2010 Breathe Easy with Flat Stanley (Columbus, Ohio)
• June 25, 2010 Stanley at The Masonic Museum (Worthington, Ohio)
• July 2, 2010 Special 4th of July with Flat Stanley (Worthington, Ohio)

Breckenridge, Colorado

The sponsorship of this post wasn't honored by Breckenridge Vacation Rentals and so was deleted. There will be multiple interesting posts about Breckenridge instead.

Special 4th of July with Flat Stanley

I can think of no better way to celebrate our Nations Birthday, The 4th of July then to honor a True American Hero. You often hear of a football player, or a golfer as being heroic from announcers on TV. They are not brave or heroic and I really dislike the misuse of the word.

Flat Stanley found this broken unreadable gravestone. Thankfully The DAR have done research and determined this gravestone marks the final resting place for Israel Case. Israel Case is a true American Hero, he fought for our Independence and that's heroic.

We all love an extra day off work to spend time with family and friends, to have a picnic or cook out; but....let us remember, let us teach what the true meaning of the day is. Find time to take the kids to one cemetery near you, help them find a true American Hero to honor. Take a small flag with you so the kids can leave one on a grave for someone who so nobly served. Look for The DAR marker and see if you can find a Revolutionary War Veteran to so honor.

Israel Case was born on November 14, 1757 and died April 27, 1818; at the age of 60. That might sound old to your children, but since I'll turn 60 myself this November it doesn't seem old to me. Help them understand how old 60 is. Give them 60 pennies to put in piles of 10. Have them pull out pennies to represent their age. Understanding the relationship of the number will help them remember and relate a bit.

The Revolutionary War was 8 years long, from 1775-1783. Do the kids understand how old Israel was when the war began? Use your pennies again. He was born in Simsbury, Connecticut and is buried in Worthington, Ohio. Help the kids find both locations on the map. Ask them why they think he lived in Worthington, Ohio; so far from Connecticut? Discuss how the soldiers were given land for their service, how some opted to sell their land, while others traveled great distances to an unknown wilderness to make a new life for their families.

He served under Captain Jon Humphrey in McClellan's Regiment, was one of the original 38 proprietors of The Scioto Company, and appeared on The Franklin County Tax list in 1806, just 3 years after Ohio became a state.

Grab a map and crayons. Help the kids find the 13 original colonies:
Connecticut
Delaware
New Hampshire
New Jersey
Rhode Island
Virginia
Georgia
Maryland
Massachusetts
New York
North Carolina
South Carolina
Pennsylvania

Help them draw a flag to color that has just 13 stars so they understand and remember those original 13. Have them count states on a current map so they can see the difference both in numbers and physical locations of the states in The United States of America.

Could I also suggest when you and the kids find your Rev. War Veteran that you mark on your calendar his birthday and or his date of death. When those date's roll around next year; take the kids again to leave a small flag for this person. I'm happy to help do a bit of research so they might learn something about the person's who's grave you find. Please leave his name, the name of the cemetery and location in a comment and I'll do my best to help obtain some personal information to make your American Hero come to life.

Happy Birthday America.

Be safe in your travels this holiday week-end. Until next Friday July 9th, Flat Stanley out.

If you missed any of Flat Stanleys previous adventures, no worries. You can catch up here:

• April 23, 2010 Books and Parks (Upper Arlington, Ohio)
• April 30, 2010 Traitor or Hero (Worthington, Ohio)
• May 7, 2010 Flat Stanley and his friend Captain Pinney (Worthington, Ohio)
• May 14, 2010 First Flight and Flat Stanley (Worthington, Ohio)
• May 21, 2010 Up The Indian Mound with Flat Stanley (Columbus, Ohio)
• May 28, 2010 Flat Stanley goes to Camp (Upper Arlington, Ohio)
• May 31, 2010 Honoring Those who Served on Memorial Day (Upper Arlington, Ohio)
• June 12, 2010 Signs and Flat Stanley, (Worthington, Ohio)
• June 18, 2010 Breathe Easy with Flat Stanley (Columbus, Ohio)
• June 25, 2010 Stanley at The Masonic Museum (Worthington, Ohio)

Furniture adds to comfort when Traveling

Do you notice furniture and decor when you travel? I do and find it interesting and sometimes actually educational. Hotels, condo's, suites all are a huge part of our travel expense. I like comfortable surroundings and assume you all do too. The lobby's at hotels are always pretty, with attractive furniture, floral arrangements, art and I take it all in. Good accommodations when traveling is about more then a bed. I also find it's a great way to get new ideas for furniture and decorating ideas for home.

I've been noticing quite a trend towards contemporary furniture in our travels. My home tends to be more traditional so it's fun to see interesting new designs, and color combination's. Some of the modern bedroom furniture I've seen is functional as well as being hip.

Bedroom, dining room, living room, office, even kids furniture by quality Italian and European Designers is available at eroomservice the largest modern furniture store in The US. You can search by designer, by the room you're wanting to decorate, or look for the individual peace of furniture. They also have a newsletter to keep you informed of special deals or news regarding new designs. Platform beds for adults and children in every color of the rainbow. What a great safety idea for young children not to be far from the floor.

Keep your eyes open and tell me what you see on your next trip, furniture wise. I've seen curved dressers that take less room, and reversible ottomans that can act as a table and a place to sit or place your legs and feet. Told you, when I travel I really do take it all in. Remember it not just about the destination, but the journey.

Golf, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Golf! Whether you live in or are traveling to Myrtle Beach this is a must. You really need to review this web page for EVERYTHING you need to know about golfing in the area. www.48hourteetimes.com is truly an amazing website. The alphabetical listing of golf courses is at your finger tips, each with a live link where you can read a description of the course, as well as pricing.

The ease of booking your Tee Times 24/7 at your finger tips with course maps. The information is very complete from who designed the course to whether it's tree lined, or straight and long. For fun and more information, tips to improve your game and or just to keep you informed read and enjoy the Golf Blog also available to you with the click of your mouse.

Are you needing to stick to a budget? Are you wanting a package deal of accommodations as well as golf times? Look no further, 48 Hour Tee Times is your source. You can book at the last minute, or plan ahead. Plug in information about when you plan to travel, how many golfers will be playing, even how much per golfer you want to pay and let them plan your day. AND it's FREE!! The only thing they don't do for you is pack your bag, so grab your suitcase. You pack and let them do the rest for you. Accommodations with golf, golf by itself and dinner recommendations truly one stop shopping.

Enjoy!

Stanley at the Masonic Museum

Mason'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.
Here'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:

• April 23, 2010 Books and Parks (Upper Arlington, Ohio)
• April 30, 2010 Traitor or Hero (Worthington, Ohio)
• May 7, 2010 Flat Stanley and his friend Captain Pinney (Worthington, Ohio)
• May 14, 2010 First Flight and Flat Stanley (Worthington, Ohio)
• May 21, 2010 Up The Indian Mound with Flat Stanley (Columbus, Ohio)
• May 28, 2010 Flat Stanley goes to Camp (Upper Arlington, Ohio)
• May 31, 2010 Honoring Those who Served on Memorial Day (Upper Arlington, Ohio)
• June 12, 2010 Signs and Flat Stanley, (Worthington, Ohio)
• June 18, 2010 Breathe Easy with Flat Stanley (Columbus, Ohio)
• June 25, 2010 Stanley at The Masonic Museum (Worthington, Ohio)

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.