Washington.. Adams.. Jefferson.. Madison.. Monroe..

A few weekends ago I was cleaning out the attic of an old garage for work when I came across this amazing piece of history. It’s a chart of the United States Presidents that was put out by Woman’s Day magazine in 1960. When I fist saw it I laughed. I wondered where it spent most of its days, in a school? Looks like something that came straight out of Grant Avenue Grammar School, or Mayfield High (Leave it to Beaver; I’m crazy, I know). Who made an effort to frame it? It’s just cardboard. It was framed by a company in Wheeling, interesting. AH… the mystery of it all! Anyway, I predicted that when sold at auction, my boss would group it with other items, but he didn’t. It was sold this past Thursday; of course I had class in Morgantown and couldn’t work at the sale. Luckily my awesome parents went to the auction and bought it for me for only $2.50!! That’s a steal for a history dork like myself! Lets see, $2.50… 34 presidents divided by… $2.50… that’s 13.6 cents per president, not bad! I think… I hate math. So I hope the Presidents enjoy their new home, it’s better than a garage. Hopefully I’ll be able to show it off in the classroom someday.
Celebrate the history of the presidency by viewing C-SPANS Presidential Library website. Take a peek at their archival material for presidential video clips.

Preserves - In One Form Or Another

Well, it’s that time of year again… football, school, sweaters (finally), haunted houses (ugh..), Indian corn, pumpkins, and don’t forget canning! Yes, that lost art of preserving goods grown in the family garden! Now, I’m one of the most selective eaters to ever walk this earth (some say picky, I prefer selective), and I’m not that into garden foods. Maybe some corn on the cob, and that’s about it. Although if you have some green beans, I’ll play with them, I make canoes out of the pod. Anyway, our garden is filled with tomatoes for the most part, eww. We also have a grape patch, which is highly ignored. As I would cruise by on the riding lawnmower, though, I noticed it seemed to be coming along rather nicely this year. Of course I don’t like grapes, but I thought my parents would be interested to know, and the next thing I know their stinking up our kitchen with grapes, steam, and what are they doing? Yeah, canning the grapes for grape juice. Why? Just go to super Wal-Mart and buy some Welches. In the kitchen I discovered the tools of trade. Then I went back to watching football.
With that said, anyone who takes on the task of canning should be admired. As I say, it’s a lost art form. Kids today know nothing of canning or how it’s done. And people defiantly don’t have time for a garden, or canning, so they think. What I find interesting, is the canning jars. Did you know that most early canning jars were made in nearby Washington P.A. by the Hazel Atlas Company? It’s true. Hazel Atlas headquarters were in Wheeling, West Virginia, and it’s also where a lot of the glass lids were made. Aside from canning jars they made a DELIGHTFUL assortment of glass containers that today are highly collectable. Most of these pieces are quite charming, Americana at it’s best. In 1956 Hazel Atlas was purchased by the Continental Can Company, and soon after that glass containers were history. The canning jars have also become collectibles. If you find one, and it has a certain blue tint to the glass, you’ve found a gem. When it comes to the blue tint jars, each has it’s own personality. The small bubbles and imperfections give them a certain aura. What’s even more important is they’re not being made anymore (at least ones with personalities!). Each one is a treasure! It’s also become popular to fill canning jars with buttons or marbles. That’s ok I guess. Buttons and marbles are cool too. Besides the jars, Hazel Atlas also produced miniature canning jars and sold them as banks. Quite cute. I’ll probably stay away from the grape juice when it’s opened, but I will admire the effort that was put into canning process. If you’re an avid reader of my page, you know that I help with the removal of estates. When we handle a house that’s been lived in for 70+ years, in the basement it’s always common to find a box of the family’s canning jars. If they’re not of the blue tint type, then they usually don’t even sell at our actions. Sadly, my short tempered boss doesn’t even try to sell the clear glass canning jars anymore. Most times they are taken to the dump and broken, not even recycled! Tragic! But that’s what canning has become to many people, a mere act of the past that’s unimportant in today’s world of Super Wal-Marts. Although canning seems to interfere with football season, and fruits & vegetables are gross, I will at least pay tribute to the jars that once helped feed families during the winter months.

West Virginia - 24 Hour Service

In 2004 West Virginia elected Joe Manchin (D) to be their new governor. Shortly after that election Joe decided the “Welcome to West Virginia” signs that one sees when they enter the state needed a makeover. The signs used to simply say, “Welcome to West Virginia” but were changed to, “Open for Business.” As you can imagine, there were many who were outraged by this change. Open for Business? What are we, a 24 hour gas station? There were also many who shrugged their shoulders, so what? Lacking an official state slogan, what were we to do other than write letters? Our license plates read, “Wild and Wonderful” which sums up West Virginia quite nicely, why not make that the state slogan? But now, almost four years later, Joe has decided to do away with the Open for Business signs. Has this advertisement worked? The unemployment rate has dropped about 1% (take it for what it’s worth) since Manchin has taken over, and jobs have increased, but most are low paying service type jobs which hardly generate enough income to support a family. I’m not sure if Manchin has deemed the sign a success, or he’s fed up with complaints, but now West Virginians can vote for a new state slogan. Wild and Wonderful, Almost Heaven (thanks John Denver), West Virginia – 2^nd most obese state, West Virginia – we’re really a state… what should the new slogan be, and should it be permanent? Many W.V. lawmakers are against making a permanent slogan, but agree that Open For Business must go. I thought this topic would be a great opportunity for students to investigate state slogans. How much do they really say about the state? Also, West Virginia students should be made aware that their vote counts and they should be allowed to come up with their own ideas. It’s a great topic because it covers quite a few of the national social studies standards (I.E. economics, social studies, civics, and geography). One must remember that in order for the new state slogan to take effect, the current signs must be changed, which will cost tax payers thousands of dollars. I think Joe and our goofy lawmakers should pay the bill myself, the sign was strictly their idea. The Open For Business signs have been quite a joke among travelers. Countless times I’ve seen people pull over the get a snap shot of the sign. Others point, does that really say, Open for Business? I snapped my photo (as a passenger, safety first!) heading eastbound on Interstate 70, right before crossing the Ohio River, the Fort Henry Bridge, and entering the Wheeling tunnels… oh wait, you can’t actually go through the eastbound tunnel, it’s been closed since April for construction, but that’s another story, another lesson. If you’re a West Virginia resident, cast your vote for a new slogan!

NFL = No Fun League?

The National Football League opens its season tonight at 8:30 p.m. in Indianapolis, Indiana. If I’m lucky I’ll just be just getting out of class, I emphasize lucky. Once I exit Allen Hall I will then walk as fast as possible to the PRT station, curse it (in my head) until one arrives, and take another brisk walk to my apartment. This will be the one time I actually know where my remote control is. As excited as I am for the NFL season to start, I’m also somewhat disappointed in what it has become. Like the NBA, it’s starting to get a reputation, possibly just a stereotype, as a “thug league.” Thug can mean a lot of different things; I even went to the Urban Dictionary to see. Mike Vick, Adam “Packman” Jones (ex-WVU player), Chris Henry (again, ex WVU player) Tank Johnson, and basically the entire Cincinnati Bengal’s team, have gotten into some type of mischief within the past year. Packman makes it “rain” in strips clubs, Vick kills dogs, Tank has enough ammo in his trunk to start a small militia… what’s going in the minds of these “professional” athletes? As I’ve heard a lot of these players apologizing and asking for forgiveness, I’ve heard them say something to the effect: “I’m a role model and I shouldn’t act this way.” Com’on, be a little modest about it. Yes people look up to you, but just say, “I’m a professional and I’ve used poor judgment.” Not, “I’m a role model” - as if people should bow down and forgive you because oh yes, you’re a role model! I make this argument because their actions have not been close to being anything that someone should imitate. Roger Goodel has just finished his first year as NFL commissioner, and in my opinion has been doing a fair job with a lot of suspensions and stiff fines. But, according to ESPN, out of the NFL’s 2,000 players, 50 have had trouble with the law in the past year. As a teacher, this is something to keep in mind. Children look up to athletes, and sometimes they may not understand someone’s actions as being wrong because of the pedestal they put that person on. Almost as if the role model and themselves are invincible. Last year while observing, I watched a student use a stapler as a gun, shooting stapes at other kids as if he were imitating a video game, or Tank Johnson for all I know. When I told him to stop, he replied “What are you going to do about it.” It was almost like he expected me to whip out my own weapon and fight him. Clearly the actions of television, sports, and video games have an effect on students, and it’s not always positive. I think it may be a wise idea to shed some light on this topic in class through a brief discussion. It’s important to remember that this type of bad behavior is not anything new in the NFL. Ray Lewis was almost defiantly involved in a murder about 10 years ago, but that was when most players didn’t get caught, there were lighter punishments, and where is Ray today? Still making millions. Paul Hornung of the Green Bay Packers, the NFL’s play boy of the 1960’s was constantly worrying Vince Lombardi. One night when the phone rang at Lombardi’s house, his first thought was Hornung. Lombardi’s wife reminded him that it could be their own children calling. Hornung was famous for sneaking out of his room and drinking before the game. He did ads for Miller Lite, Marlboro, and bathing suits. He was suspended a year for gambling. After this he almost gave up football for a acting career, Lombardi talked him out of it. And his nick name was the Golden Boy. Not exactly a role model, but his nickname gives him a certain aura of being a good ol’ American boy. The guy down the street that everyone one admires. Meanwhile he was at the corner store buying a 6 pack and driving away with two girls he just met. It’s amazing how he could do all of that, and still be one of the best players to ever play the game of football. What’s the difference between Hornung and today’s trouble makers? 1) Society has changed, we’re more permissive than we’ve ever been and 2) ESPN is there to cover it 24 hours a day. It’s impossible to tell people who they should admire, but teachers shouldn’t be afraid to talk about the contemporaries that influence the lives of children. One must remember not to necessarily stress their opinion, but instead present the facts, and let students develop their own ideas. That’s what social studies is all about. The key to these types of topics is communication. Although this may not seem like something for the social studies class, there’s homeroom, lunch, the bus line… you know, those duties that teachers dread. Let students know they can discuss anything with you.

Barns: Time Capsule’s

Aside from taking a few hours to visit the Fort Henry days, I spent most of my Labor Day weekend painting (technically we used stain, not paint) our barn… joy! Believe it or not, manual labor is something that I enjoy. There’s something about doing work, getting dirty, and in the end seeing something accomplished. It’s just plain good for you to get out and move around. As I dabbed my brush in the stain (my dad’s secret ingredient in the stain) to cover the 70 year old boards that cover the frame structure of our barn, I could not help but think about everything that barn has seen over the years. A dirt road became blacktopped, interstates, guardrails, the farm tools that hang on it’s wall sit in idleness, that cement floor has seen and heard so much, where are the animals? There are none to keep warm anymore. It’s where my grandparents made beer, its were they bottled it, and where do those tools used for the process sit? In the barn where they feel at home. I was doing some sanding on a wall, as the old paint came off, I could see where the old Mail Pouch tobacco thermometer used to hang. All I could do was laugh and shake my head. Sometimes I come across something new, a rusty gadget… ugh… Dad, what did you use this for? It’s where our old license plates hang. Dad, what car did that 1956 plate come off of? The barn was built in 1937, it’s first use was to serve as the main building to a poultry farm. Somehow my grandparents acquired the property and turned it into a average farm. Years would go by and my dad would inherit the land, build a new house, sell the old, but the barn always stayed with us. For a long time we raised a few cattle and a few lambs over the summer, then we would sell them in the fall; it was our amusement. Then that just became too much, so we gave it up for a fancy smancey tractor to cut the grass that animals once grazed over. Now the barn is the place where our cat goes when it feels curious, it’s where we keep the dog food, and now it keeps our tractor nice and cozy during the winter. It’s quite cluttered, but I like it that way. In the attic there’s an old rocking chair. Why? Don’t know. I’ve been meaning to ask my dad. In the attic is also where you’ll find my old sandbox, and… is that my wagon way in the back? Sure, it needs a little work, a little cleaning out, but the pleasant memories override all of that. As we were working I could see the passer byers slow up and look. They must wonder, why do all of that? It will probably be another 10-15 years before it needs another coat of tile red stain, but where will I be? My parents? The barn? I don’t know, so that’s why I remember this moment. A few years ago we asked a few “carpenters,” “What do we need to do to keep it structurally sound?” Most replied “tear it down, build a new garage.” You’ve got to be kidding me. Never.

Fort Henry’s 225th Anniversary

I took a break this weekend and journeyed out on a scenic drive to the famous Oglebay Park, located in the hills just outside of Wheeling, West Virginia. Out-of-towners cringe when they see the windy road that leads to the historic estate of a one time shipping tycoon who was from Cleveland OH, but built an elaborate summer home here in the latter part of the 19th century. I love those roads, even the weeds that grow along side that make me sneeze. Mr. Oglebay’s estate was later established into a park/resort for the social elite who golf, dine, and vacation in these hills. It’s open to ALL, however, sadly quite expensive, but the sublime view and walking trails are free. The main attraction this weekend was the Fort Henry Days. The Fort Henry Days take time to depict and reenact what life was like for the early settlers of the region. Fort Henry was a safe haven for early Wheeling residents because the area was susceptible to Indian attacks. Fort Henry is also famous because it was where the last battle of American Revolution occurred. It’s referred to as the 2^nd siege of Fort Henry, the first occurring in 1777; locals call it the year of the bloody sevens. Lord Dunmore, governor of Virginia, ordered the construction of a garrison near the Wheeling settlement, so in 1774 Fort Henry was built on the banks of the Ohio River. Fort Henry was defended by the local settlers who were responsible for the fort. On September 11, 1782 scouts located a mixed militia of Indians and Butlers Rangers (whatever they are) from Detroit across the Ohio River (on the Ohio side, Wheeling is obviously the W.V. side). By 3:00 p.m. 260 warriors and 40 Rangers had arrived at the Fort and demanded the immediate surrender of Fort Henry. Silas Zane, the forts leader refused and the enemy attacked. For the most part, the fort was well armed and even had in its possession a swivel gun. At midnight the Indians made an attempt to storm the fort, but they failed. Throughout the night and early morning the gun fire resumed, but Fort Henry was starting to run low on ammunition. Legend has it that 16 year old Betsy Zane made a heroic dash to a cabin located near the fort for more gun powder through enemy fire. Once in the cabin, her apron was loaded with gun powder and she made yet another dash back to the fort. The below photo shows what this moment may have looked like. This sounds too good to be true, and the locals love to glorify it, but from private journals and such, there appears to be truth to it. On the third day of the siege the enemy made one more attempt to take the fort, but failed. At about that time reinforcements had arrived at Fort Henry, but their help was not needed, the settlers had held off the enemy. Although forgotten by most, it was the last battle of the American Revolution. In November of 1882 an agreement was established between Britain and newly formed United States of America to end the Revolution.

The Fort Henry Days is mostly a family event for the kids. At the tents they can buy little wooden guns, swords, games; basically junk – all of which has little to do with what really happened in my opinion. I was bored by the war reeanactors tent’s, it was like a flee market. Once you’ve seen one reproduction of a wooden box, you’ve seen them all. The crowd was also filled with people who thought they knew everything about riffles, Betsy Zane, and the celebrated Fort Henry. Some did, and others were just “historians” for the day. As a future social studies teacher I found their conversations quite interesting. Some parents seemed to care about their children’s questions, while others made up anything that would get them quiet. Sometimes they even resorted to buying the overpriced food that was served to keep their bundles of joy hushed. This was the first time I’ve ever made any attempt to really investigate the numerous historical festivals that the Ohio Valley has to offer. Being the bachelor/lone ranger that I am, I ventured to the Fort Henry days alone. I got the annoying comments, “are you alone” – “What grade are you in?” – “Wow you’re 23, you look so young.” I must say, aside from the goofy looks that I got, (I’m not kidding about this, I thought I had a “kick me” sign on my back or something) the battle reenactment was spectacular. Yes, when the first gunshot was fired, I jumped. It took a little imagination, but I gave an extra round of applause for those who took place in the event. They deserve a lot of credit for devoting their weekend to the history of Wheeling. Even if it’s just for a day, I hope people looked past the stale pop corn and overpriced soft drinks to appreciate their towns past.