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Serving Ashland County
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NOW THEN For the mature reader
January 2017
Inside: Games & Puzzles Brunch Recipes: Tarts & Hummus
Seniors and Exercise: Tips to Avoid Injuries, Get Healthy
Part Two: The Townships of Our County
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CONTENTS
10
Now & Then
08
Health Column Seniors and Exercise: Tips to Avoid Injuries, Get Healthy
Now & Then
04 10 12 14 16
WELLNESS LIFESTYLE
Local Look Back The Townships of Our County, Part 2
My Daily Life Jean Myers: New London Connection Runs Deep
Tribute “Band of Sisters” United For Duty, Honor and Country
Shopping Black Friday: Outsmarting the System?
18
Did you Know?
Now & Then
06 07 09 19
INSIDE
Puzzle
Word Search
Puzzle
Crossword
Calendar of Events
Surrounding Areas Give You Something to Do
The Last Word
Recipes Serving Ashland County
We take pride in enhancing and enriching the lives of our residents and are pleased to share our DEFICIENCY-FREE annual survey.
now & then Spectrum Publications
OFFICE Spectrum Publications 212 E. Liberty St. • Wooster, OH 44691 330-264-1125 or 800-686-2958 editor@spectrumpubs.com A Division of Dix Communications ©Copyright Spectrum Publications 2017 Publisher • Andrew S. Dix Spectrum Manager • Kelly Gearhart Layout Designer • Kassandra Walter Content Coordinator • Emily Rumes To Advertise • 419-281-0581
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Now & Then • 2
Now & Then is a monthly magazine published mid-month and distributed at drop sites throughout Ashland County. It is meant to enlighten, entertain and encourage our mature readers. If you wish to submit an article or offer a suggestion, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you.
Fantastic Trips • Fantastic Value • Fantastic Memories GET AWAY TOURS 330–345–8573
2940 Armstrong Drive • Wooster, Ohio 44691 Upcoming 2017 Events June 26-30 “MACKINAC ISLAND” Bus, 4 nights lodging, Bronner’s Feb. 22
“ROGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S ‘THE KING & I’” - Bus, dinner, & show $132 pp
March 15
“Mamma Mia!” - Smash Hit Musical, Cleveland Playhouse Square, Bus, Dinner, and Show $125 pp. Pickups: Millersburg, Massillon, Wooster, Ashland.
March 19-25
“NEW ORLEANS” Bus, 6 motels, 10 meals, Tour French Quarter, WWII Museum, tour New Orleans, Riverboat on the Mississippi River. $699, Pp dbl.
March 19-25
“MALTA & SICILY EXPLORER” - Includes Airfare, bus, tour Director, 10 meals, Malta, Valetta, Mdina, Taorimina, Palermo & more. $3395 pp. dbl.
March 27- April 6 “HOLLAND TULIPS & RHINE RIVER CASTLES” Lucerne & Black Forest, Strasbourg, Speyer, & Cologne tours. 22 meals & airfare. $4895 pp. dbl. April 7
WO-10518206
April 21-24
“THE ALANTIC CITY BOYS” - Doo-Wop, Motown & Rock & Roll hits. $129 pp. Bus, Dinner & Show. Pickup: Mass, Woo, & Ash “WASHINGTON D.C.” - 4 days, 3 nights, bus, lodging, Arlington Cemetery, Memorials, Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Smithsonian, Air Space Museum, and much more. $529 pp. dbl.
April 23-28
“GREAT TRAINS & GRAND CANYONS” 5 NIGHTS in Sedona, Arizona, Inclds. Airfare, lodging, 8 meals, Grand Canyon RR, Verde Canyon RR,Oak Creek Canyon, Jerome, Scottsdale & Tour Guide only$2325. Pp dbl
April 26-28
“ARK ENCOUNTER & CREATION MUSEUM” Tour of Cincinnati, Riverboard cruise, 2 Nights lodging, 4 meals $499. Pp dbl
May 9
“SOMETHING ROTTEN” - is hilarious new Broadway smash! With singing, dancing, & most gut-busting laughs on Broadway. $135 pp, Bus, Dinner & show.
May 10-12
“NEW YORK CITY” - Bus, hotel, 4 meals Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, Empire State Bldg., 911 Memorial and Broadway Show & Museum. $619 Pp dbl.
May 14-19
“SAVANNAH, GA” Bus, 5 nights lodging, Savannah History Museum, Savannah’s River St District, Cruise, Guided tour of Historic Savannah, Lunch at Paula Deens and much more! $639 pp. dbl.
May 22-26
“NIAGARA FALLS & TORONTO” - Bus, lodging, 8 meals, Hornblower Niagara Cruise, Queen Victoria Park & Niagara on the Lake, Casa Loma Castle. $549. Pp dbl.
June 3-11
“MT. RUSHMORE, BADLANDS & BLACK HILLS” - Bus, motels, 14 meals, see Deadwood, Custer St. Park, Crazy Horse Museum $869 pp. dbl. occ.
June 15-23
“PACIFIC COAST ADVENTURE” - Inclds. Airfare, Bus, hotels, 11 meals, Tours of Seattle, Pike Place Market, Portland, Oregon Dunes & Buggy Tour, Crater Lake, Redwood Park, San Francisco & Fishermans Wharf. $2749. Pp dbl.
Christmas Wonderland, Carriage Tour, Grand Hotel, Tahquamenon Falls, Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, and much more! $679 pp. dbl.
June 28
“AN AMERICAN IN PARIS” - Broadway show, State Theatre, Cleveland, Bus, Dinner & show. $135.00. Pp
July 19
“SOUNDS OF MUSIC” -Playhouse Square, Cleveland, $125 Bus, dinner & show
August 3
“PHIL DIRT & THE DOZERS” - 50’s, 60’s &70’s Rock & Roll! Bus, dinner & Show. $98.50 Pp
August 11-21
“COLORADO ROCKIES BY RR” Roundtrip airfare, hotel, Tour Director, bus, Colorado Rockies, Two Rail Experiences, Rocky Mountain, Arches, Dead Horse, Canyonlands, Mesa Verde National Parks, Cliff Dwellings, and much more! $3350 pp. dbl.
August 16
“MOTOWN THE MUSICAL” - Bus, dinner & show. Playhouse Square $125 pp
August 27-30
“SMOKY MOUNTAIN ENTERTAINER TN” Bus, 3 nights lodging, 5 shows, Smoky Mountain tour, Gatlinburg, Old Mill Complex, Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine, and much more! $499 pp. dbl.
Sept. 10
“TEXAS TENORS” - Mentor, bus, dinner & show $125 pp.
Sept. 16-25
“CANADA & NEW ENGLAND” - Inclds. Bus, 2 nights hotel, 7 nights onboard Crown Princess, 25 meals, all shore excursions, all admission fees. *Passport Required - New York, Newport, Boston, Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park, Maine, St. John - New Brunswick, Halifax - Nova Scotia, and World Trade Center Memorial. Inside Stateroom: $2,499 Oceanview Stateroom: $2,999 and Balcony Stateroom: $3,399
Sept. 24-30
“CAPE COD” Bus, 6 nights lodging, Escorted tours of Provincetown, Chatham, Boston Market, Plymouth Rock, Historic Sandwich, Kennedy Memorial, and much more! $729 pp. dbl.
Oct. 4-17
“SOUTH AFRICA ADVENTURE” 13 Days *Passport Required - Inclds. Roundtrip Airfare -CLE and Int’l. Air, 19 Meals, Local Guides, 2 Nights Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Botswana, 3 Nights Cape Town, Table Mountain Gondola Ride, Chobe River Sunset Cruise, Five Game Drives/Safaris, Wine Country & Tasting, Cape of Good Hope, Mabula Game Reserve and Kirtenbosch Botanical Gardens. Reg. Rate $6,295 pp double.
Nov. 7-15
“CROATIA EXPLORER” - Roundtrip Airfare, 12 meals, Professional Tour Director, Motorcoach Transportation, featuring Zagreb, Split, & Dubrovnik. $3295 pp dbl occ.
Nov. 12-28
“BRANSON, MO” - Bus, motels, 8 shows, 14 meals, a museum, Fish Hatchery tour of Christmas Lights. $795 pp. Dbl. Occ. $905 Single occ.
December 4-6 “MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS” - Lancaster, PA, Bus, motels, 4 meals, plus American Music Theatre Home for theHolidays. $419 pp. dbl. occ. December 17
“SHOJI TABUCHI” - Mentor Performing Arts, Bus, dinner & show $120 pp.
We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape.
Now & Then • 3
Local Look Back
The Townships of Our County Part 2 Submitted by CHRISTINE HICKMAN BOX DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS ASHLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY
L
ast month we began our look into the fringes of Ashland County and explored a few historical facts about the townships, In this article you will learn about a few more of these small towns and villages and their humble beginnings. Loudonville. Loudonville was founded on August 6, 1814 by James Louden Priest. The area has always been a thriving community with numerous businesses lining Main Street. Adam Ullman was a very successful entrepreneur, owning and operating
Looking east on Loudonville Main Street in 1909.
Now & Then • 4
a variety of businesses in the Loudonville area. With his son A.C. Ullman, he started the Farmers Bank of Loudonville in 1882. In 1903, along with other members of the family, he built the Ullman Hotel. From 1913 to 1996, Loudonville was home to the Flxible Company, a manufacturer of motorcycle sidecars, hearses, ambulances, flower cars, intercity coaches, and city transit coaches. During World War II, Flxible interrupted its normal production to make a variety of war goods. There is a good chance that Loudonville inventor Charles F. Kettering rode a train out of the Pennsylvania Railroad depot in Loudonville when he took his first big job in Dayton at National Cash Register in 1904. From that point forward, Kettering established a name for himself, becoming the holder of more than 140 patents, including the automobile electric starter. Perrysville. Settlers came to the Perrysville area in 1810. Located in the southern part of Ashland County in Green Township, it was originally named Coulterville after its founder, Thomas Coulter.
The County of Ashland is comprised of fifteen townships in total, consisting of many villages or maybe simply a crossroad community. Resting on a dividing ridge between Lake Erie and the Ohio River, it is a relatively narrow county at 15 miles wide. It stretches north to south at just over 35 miles in length. At one time, all of Ashland County was covered by glaciers, making the terrain relatively level in the north and more rugged in the south. There are five natural lakes: Spring, Savannah, Round, Metcalf and Long Lake. The county has seen it’s share of changes and taken part in our nation’s history with stations from the Underground Railroad and even ties to Johnny Appleseed. The strength of Ashland County is evident in its communities both big and small, and in their histories. Each community is truly someplace special.
Congratulations to The Laurels of New London team on their DEFICIENCY-FREE 2016 State Survey!
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However, when area residents heard the news of the victory of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry in the Battle of Lake Erie, the village was named in Perry’s honor. John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed) was known to frequent the Perrysville area quite often during his travels, becoming close friends with area residents. The Pennsylvania Railroad made its way along the outskirts of Perrysville. The depot, commonly referred to as the Penn depot, was on the west side of Main Street (now Bridge Street) next to the grain elevator. The Perrysville Pottery was dedicated in 1907 and was a thriving business. The factory used clay found in Richland County, which was said to be equal to, if not superior to, any clay found in the country. In 1933, the Pottery was purchased by Mansfield Sanitary Pottery, and it later became the home of Mansfield Plumbing Products. Red Haw. Located in Perry Township, Red Haw was established in 1835 at the crossroads of SR302 and CR175. The area was originally known as Lafayette, but it is assumed that when an application was made for a post office, the name was changed because Ohio already had a town named Lafayette. The Red Haw name was chosen because of the overabundance of red hawthorn bushes in the area. Nankin. Located in Orange Township, Nankin was founded in 1828 by Amos Norris and John Chilcote at the crossroads of Routes 58 and 302. While the town was once known as Orange, early settlers made no mention of the reason for changing the name to Nankin. The interurban passed through the Nankin station on its way from Seville to Ashland, Mansfield, and Bucyrus. Sullivan. Sullivan was named after Gen. John Sullivan, a Revolutionary War hero. It was founded in 1817 by a group of settlers from Vermont who relocated here because their land had been burned and destroyed by the British during the Revolutionary War. As a way to settle the war debt, land in Ohio was given to New England residents. This territory was referred to as the Western Reserve, or the Firelands. The Sullivan region was on the southernmost border of the Western Reserve territory. The village itself could be known as the Firelands, as the community has suffered from several fires throughout its history.
“Creating a Legacy by Exceeding the Expectations of those we Serve, while Embracing The Laurel Way” – Van transportation services for guests – Inpatient and outpatient physical, occupational, speech and Parkinson’s therapy programs – Respite Care available Most major insurances accepted – including Medicare and Medicaid 204 West Main Street • New London, OH 44851 (419) 929-1563 | www.laurelsofnewlondon.com
Now & Then • 5
Find the words hidden vertically, horizontally & diagonally throughout the puzzle.
ACCUMULATION BLIZZARD CHILL COATING COLD DRIFTING DRIZZLE FLUFFY FLURRIES FREEZING FROST GLAZE Now & Then • 6
GRAUPEL GUSTS HAZARD HEAVY HYPOTHERMIA ICY INCHES PROTECTION SHELTER SHOWERS SLEET SLIPPERY
SNOW SQUALL STORM SUSTAINED TEMPERATURE TIMING VISIBILITY WARNING WATCH WET WHITEOUT WIND
C R O S S W O R D puzzle 15. Front of the eye 18. Kentucky town 41549 20. Extreme disgust 24. Not fast 26. Smelled bad 28. Portended 30. Leader 32. Comedian Noah 34. Course 35. Sloven 37. Perfect places 38. A vast desert in N. Africa 40. Monetary unit of Angola 42. Clerks 43. Canadian law enforcers 45. Without (French) CLUES ACROSS 1. Newts 5. Taxis 9. Ski down these 11. Solace 13. Thieves of the sea 15. Diacritical mark 16. Frost 17. Enmities 19. Furnace for baking 21. Founder of female institute 22. Eight 23. Earl Grey and chamomile are two 25. Messenger ribonucleic acid 26. Dull, unproductive pattern of behavior 27. A large and hurried swallow 29. Large nests 31. A way to choose 33. Grocery store 34. Drains 36. Hawaiian wreath 38. Where fish live 39. Get rid of 41. Beyond, transcending
43. Uncastrated male sheep 44. Asserts 46. Snoopy and Rin Tin Tin are two 48. Windy City footballer 52. Green veggie 53. Director 54. Conditioning 56. Spoke foolishly 57. Legislative body 58. Square measures 59. Cheek CLUES DOWN 1. Call forth 2. Front legs 3. Third-party access 4. Hairlike structure 5. Ghanaian money 6. Settled down 7. Ill-natured 8. Choose 9. Mountain in the Slovenian Alps 10. Samsung laptops 11. Inquire into 12. Not slow 14. Thailand
47. Having wisdom that comes with age 49. Delicacy (archaic) 50. Grows older 51. Bitterly regrets 55. It’s present in all living cells (abbr.)
Lunch & Learn January 17th, 2017 at Noon Located at the Kingston of Ashland 20 Amberwood Parkway Ashland, OH 44805
Are you struggling with Weight Loss? Join us for Lunch to Learn about Weight Loss and other treatment approaches with Dr. Melissa McRae. th, 2017 RSVP appreciated, but13 not required, RSVP by January
by January 16 , Fitch 2017 Contact Stephanie Kozak or Melanie at 419-289-3859 mfitch@kingstonhealthcare.com Contact Stephanie Kozak or Melanie Fitch th
at (419) 289-3859 mfitch@kingstonhealthcare.com
Now & Then • 7
Health
Seniors and Exercise: Tips to Avoid Injuries, Get Healthy
E
xercise is an important component of a healthy lifestyle. Daily exercise can improve mood, promote an active lifestyle and reduce a person’s risk for a host of ailments, including diabetes and heart disease. Despite the importance of exercise, many people live sedentary lifestyles into their golden years. Seniors who want to embrace a healthier way of life and get more physically active should first consult with their physicians before beginning an exercise regimen. Certain medications may limit just how far seniors can push themselves, while preexisting conditions may make specific types of exercise off limits. After discussing their limitations with their physicians and developing a safe exercise routine, seniors can heed the following tips to avoid injury but still get healthy. • Pick a partner. Whether it’s a spouse or a friend who is physically active or wants to be, try exercising with a partner, at least initially. Doing so can provide the motivation you need and partners can serve as safety nets should you need assistance completing an exercise or suffer an injury and require medical attention. Personal trainers can serve as your partner, and many gyms offer discounts to seniors on personal training services. • Start slowly. Seniors who have not been physically active for some time should take a
Now & Then • 8
gradual approach to exercise. Instead of heading right for the treadmill, exercise bike or elliptical machine, start walking every day. When it rains, find a treadmill you can walk on. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends seniors begin by determining how many steps they can take in a day and then gradually working toward 10,000 to 15,000 steps per day. Utilize step counting apps on your smartphone to track your progress. Apply the same slow approach to strength training exercises, lifting only very light weights at first before gradually increasing weight as your body acclimates to the exercises. • Stretch. Bodies that have been inactive for lengthy periods of time are inflexible, and lack of flexibility increases your risk for injury. The AAOS recommends that seniors warm up their bodies before stretching with five to 10 minutes of low-intensity activity such as walking. Then stretch gently, remembering to relax and breathe during each stretch. • Switch things up. When strength training, do not work the same muscle group two days in a row. Muscles need time to recover. If you prefer circuit strength training where you exercise various muscle groups in one day, do not strength train on back-to-back days, leaving at least one day in between strength training sessions so muscles have ample time to recover.
Calendar of Events
January 13-15 Mohican Winter Fest
When: 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Where: Downtown Loudonville Award-winning Aaron Costic and his crew from Elegant Ice Creations is back to make some truly inspired creations from ice. Stroll along Main Street to see over 25 elegant sculptures. Additional ice carving around Central Park fountain, fire spinning, Train Expo, and entertainment. For more information call 419-994-2519 or visit discovermohican.com
14 Bridal Showcase
When: 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Where: Myers Convocation Center 638 Jefferson Street, Ashland The Ashland University Bridal Showcase is the area’s ONLY interactive bridal show! The Bridal Showcase is a progressive format flowing you through each stage of the wedding
day - the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. The evening is complete with a gourmet sampling of nationally ranked catering, see premier vendor services LIVE, styling trends, latest fashion, prizes, and more! www.facebook.com/ events/840510639383851/
19 AU Art Department Faculty Exhibition When: 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Where: Coburn Art Gallery 401 College Avenue, Ashland www.ashland.edu/cas/artdepartment/coburn-gallery
February 10, 11, 12, 17, & 18 AU Theatre: Pippin
When: Feb. 10, 11, 17, 18 @ 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 @ 2 p.m. Where: Hugo Young Theatre 401 College Avenue, Ashland PIPPIN - Book by Roger O. Hirson | Music & Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz | directed by Robert Sean Parker Winner of the 2013 Tony
Award for Best Musical Revival, this hard-driving musical fable follows the young prince Pippin in search of the secret to true happiness and fulfillment. From the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh and the intrigues of political power, he finds that happiness lies not in extraordinary endeavors, but in the ordinary every day moments. WARNING: This production contains Adult Content - For REDUCED AU STUDENT ($2), CHILDREN ($5) and GROUP of 10 or more ($8) Tickets: Call Box Office, 419.289.5125.
Do you have a family friendly event in or near Ashland? Contact Now & Then Events at 212 E. Liberty St. Wooster, OH 44691 or email editor@ spectrumpubs.com. Please include the date, time, contact information and a brief summary.
Now & Then • 9
My Daily Life
Jean Myers
New London Connection Runs Deep
Story by ELLEN SIMMONS
ASHLAND TIMES-GAZETTE CORRESPONDENT
J
ean Myers was born on Ferry Road in Clarksfield Township in 1929 in the same house her father was born in, and she moved to New London around the age of 5 and has lived in the village
team of Rodney Lash, Clarence Gordy, Theodore Randleman and her brother Harold winning the competition to become the 1946 state Class B champs in the mile relay. She says that was a really exciting since. time for New London, and although she did not get to She recalls they moved to town because, “Mother see that competition, she and friends rode the train to decided my brother wasn’t going to ride a bus to Delaware to see the team compete in another relay. school.” They lived in After Jean graduated, she the house where the post went to work for the CE office now stands, which Ward robe company first as belonged to Jean’s father’s a switchboard operator and parents, Charles and Lena later as Lee Teet’s secretary. Haynes. Conveniently, this While Jean was keeping was less than a block from busy with all her activities, the school, so neither sibling her future husband, Harold ever had to ride the bus. Myers, was serving in the Jean and her brother Navy in the North Pacific Harold grew up during the during World War II on the Depression and World War USS Trenton. Jean said he II, and both started working chose the Navy over the at an early age at the News Army because it offered “a Centre, which was owned by dry bed, hot meals and he Jesse Davis. She remembers didn’t have to walk.” in order to be allowed to A graduate of Monroeville work at age 14, she had to High School, he and Jean have a work permit. met through friends and Although she was a busy married in October of 1949. girl, Jean found time for In 1951, Jean retired from extracurricular activities, working outside the home including singing in the glee to raise her family, which club and choir and playing eventually included son Tom Jean Myers holds a certificate she received for 70 drums in the marching band years of service with the Red Cross. and daughters Nancy, Mary and orchestra. She was also and Charlotte, who passed on the staff of the high school newspaper, the Tattler, away at the age of 14 in 1967. for four years and served as president of the student While Jean was home raising the family, Harold council. worked road construction, first for A.J. Baltes, the One of her fondest memories of those days was the company his father worked for. He started out carrying
Now & Then • 10
honored for 70 years of volunteer service with the American Red Cross. She serves as receptionist of the local Bloodmobile and has donated three units short of 16 gallons of blood during her lifetime.
She attends school events in New London, where two of her seven grandchildren are students. She also loves to read and is enjoying Eric Ebinger’s (also a New London High School graduate) new book, “How in the World Did I Make it through the Fourth Grade?” She is also a member of the New London Golden Agers, the Sally De Forest Chapter of the DAR, the Huron County Genealogical Society and the Althea chapter of the Eastern Star. Although Jean has lived through amazing developments in her life, she does not feel that life in general is better than it was in the past. She says, “Too many people are self-centered, and there is not enough interest in religion.” As to what she ascribes her long and healthy life, she says, “I thank God when I get up in the morning and read the obituaries and don’t find my name. I also Jean Myers holds a photo of her and her late husband thank Him at night for my day.” Harold.
water for the workers as a kid and later operated bulldozers. He eventually became foreman and then supervisor and was in charge of building a section of the turnpike near Birmingham in the 1950s. He later worked for Peirce Construction, from which he retired. Jean laughs and says they did not do the things many retired people do because Harold had spent so much time away from home on the job, “He didn’t want to travel or eat out because he’d had enough of it.” Instead, they spent a lot of time fishing on Lake Erie and kept a boat at Orchard Beach. Jean has always been active in the community and at one time taught Sunday school, led a Girl Scout troop and was the secretary of the Methodist Church. Today, she is an active member of and secretary of the New London Area Historical Society and was recently
“When you thank God, you don’t get uptight about much of anything.” -Jean Myers New London has been celebrating the 200th anniversary of its first settlement by John Corey in 1816, and Jean is related to him through her father’s side of the family. This summer she was one of the honored guests for the dedication of the sign at the south side of the village noting the anniversary and Corey’s role.
Now & Then • 11
Tribute
“Band of Sisters”
United For Duty, Honor and Country Story by JUDITH TOTH BIGHAM ASHLAND TIMES-GAZETTE CORRESPONDENT
W
hen we see and hear a military band perform, most of us experience a thrill that gives us goosebumps and makes our heart swell with pride and patriotism. The music unites us; we stand straighter and feel stronger. Military bands have been in existence for thousands of years. Originally, their purpose was communication, especially during battle, and psychological support of the troops (or intimidation of the enemy). Today, the function of military bands has evolved into support of “drill and ceremonies” at military installations throughout the world, entertainment of the troops and concert tours to educate and entertain the public in an effort to support and boost recruiting. Few people know that during World War II, each branch of the military had all-female bands. The U.S. Army fielded five such bands: the 400th WAC (Women’s Army Corps) ASF (Army Service Forces) Band, the 401st WAC ASF Band, the 402nd WAC ASF Band, the 403rd WAC ASF Band, the 40th WAC ASF Band (the only all-female, African American band in military history) and the 405th WAC ASF Band. When the war ended, all women’s military bands were deactivated except the 400th WAC ASF Band. The band was relocated to Fort Lee, Virginia, in 1949, then to its final and permanent home at Fort McClellan, Alabama. The 14th Army Band (fondly known as “The WAC Band”) was the only all-female band in the Armed Forces until its deactivation, along with the Women’s Army Corps, in 1976. Shorty after graduation from high school in 1968, I enlisted in the U.S. Army and traveled for basic training to Fort McClellan, Alabama, which, at the time, was the only place in the U.S. a woman could receive such training. During the first few weeks, recruits were subjected to a battery of physical and psychological tests, in addition to completing mountains of
Now & Then • 12
paperwork designed to help the military determine how best to use our “talents.” When it was discovered that I’d played a musical instrument (percussion) in my high school band, I was “ordered” to report to the 14th Army Band for an audition. Surprisingly (at least to me), I passed the audition and was given the option of staying in my chosen field (communications) or joining the band and staying at Fort McClellan — I joined the band. After graduation from WAC Basic Training on Nov. 1, 1968, I moved into the band building and the insanely rigorous training schedule my fellow band members had been enduring for many months in preparation for the band’s performance in the 1969 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. After traveling from Alabama to California in one of the Army’s C-130 cargo planes (I swear I’ll never board one again as long as I live!) and, despite several of us suffering from the Hong Kong flu, every one of the 72 women in the 14th Army Band made it through the parade route covering approximately 6 miles. That performance remains one of the highlights of the WAC Band history. I served in the band from Nov. 1, 1968 to Dec. 16, 1974, eventually attaining the rank of E-6 (staff sergeant) and serving as the percussion section leader. The band fulfilled its “multi-mission” as a post band, entertained the troops, and went on two, two-week recruiting tours each year. In the 14th Army Band, young girls grew into good women — patriotic, hardworking, fiercely loyal to our unit and each other, and with very high standards of appearance, behavior and performance. We were — and still are — a “Band of Sisters.” When the band was deactivated in 1976, many of its members chose to stay on active duty so they were reassigned to military bands throughout the U.S., as well as in Korea and Germany, becoming the first female musicians in formerly all-male military bands.
The integration of women into the “regular” Army had begun — The Women’s Army Corps (and its band) faded into history. After receiving an honorable discharge from the women’s Army Corps in December 1974 (because if I re-enlisted, I’d be sent to Korea and I didn’t want to go to Korea), I enlisted in the 313th Army Reserve Band. I served in that band (one of only two women in the unit) from January 1975 through December 1979, eventually attaining the rank of E-7 (sergeant, first class) and serving as the percussion section leader. When the 14th Army Band (now a fully-integrated military band with a male conductor) took its annual two-week “leave,” the 313th Army Reserve Band stepped in and performed the duties of the post band. I always felt like I’d come home ... Not long after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, some surviving members of the WAC Band started talking about having a reunion to celebrate each other and our unique history together. Such a reunion would be held at Fort McClellan and would include a public concert (or, as aging, out-of-practice, former band members called it — “A structured jam session”) at the WAC Chapel (where the band had performed for so many ceremonies and soldiers in its storied past). In October 2004, former WAC Band members gathered at Fort McClellan to reminisce and make music together again for the first time in almost 30 years. Despite age or infirmity, when we came together, we were, once again, The WAC Band — pride of the Women’s Army Corps! At that first reunion in 2004, it was decided to have a bi-annual reunion and, so we have — holding our most recent reunion in October 2016. Death and disability have obviously impacted the number of attendees, but, for those able to attend, the shared fun and fellowship is our “fountain of youth.” WAC Band members willing and able to perform are sent the music for the concert six months before the reunion. At the reunion, the band rehearses together only four or five times before presenting the concert in the WAC Chapel at Fort McClellan. Despite the passage of time, age and infirmity, the music we make together is marvelous. In 2005, spurred by the desire to honor veterans
suffering the physical and psychological “wounds of war,” Gail Belmont, a WAC Band trumpet player and Vietnam War-era veteran, began working with an organization providing quilts to service members touched by war. In 2010, Gail formed her own nonprofit organization called Quilts of Honor (www. quiltsofhonor.org). Since 2010, Gail and her group of dedicated volunteers have presented over 3,000 patriotic quilts to recipients throughout the U.S. My son, Eric (graduated from Mapleton High School in 2001), was awarded a beautiful quilt in 2013 after serving two tours of duty in Iraq, then receiving an honorable discharged and diagnosed with PTSD. I had the humbling privilege of presenting the quilt to him. The unexpected highlight of the 2016 WAC Band reunion was the awarding of a Quilt of Honor to each band member present by our “sister” Gail and two of her dedicated volunteers. Gail’s announcement came as a total surprise and caused the room filled with a bunch of boisterous “broads” to fall silent. We were stunned. Called to the front of the room by the name we had when we served in the WAC Band, and understanding the significance of the quilts, each of us accepted our one-of-akind quilt and Gail’s handshake with tears of gratitude and humility. We were so touched by the honor our WAC Band “sister” had bestowed on us that evening. I called my son that night to share the news that I, too, had a Quilt of Honor, now. The 14th Army Band (WAC) was the “treasure” of the Women’s Army Corps. It’s been said that the WAC Band was “... the glue that held the corps together.” Perhaps so — one of the selections that WAC Band always performs is “Duty, Honor, Country.” It’s a powerful poignant piece of music dedicated to those who have served and those who are serving our great nation today. The members of the WAC Band are testament to those words — a “Band of Sisters.” To learn more about the 14th Army Band (WAC), check out the DVD, “The Beat of a Different Drummer — The Story of America’s Last All-Female Military Band” at Ashland Public Library. Also, Ashland Historical Society has a display of some WAC Band artifacts, old newspaper and magazine articles about the band and old photos. Judith Toth Bigham is a resident of the Nova area.
Now & Then • 13
Shopping
Outsmarting the System? Then there are the other stores that must have great pep rallies in the morning because they attack you in every aisle. They’ll walk you to your car and even go to lunch with you. ell, I talked myself into going shopping At this particular Kolh’s, this shopping day, we had to go up to the second floor for curtains. We found on Black Friday. Gayle and I were up in the Rocky River area by my mom’s the section just fine but the ones we wanted only house and I decided to check on some had three on the rack. We have four windows to cover. curtains at Kohl’s. We asked the clerk for more, maybe, in the back The store located at the Westgate shopping center room? Her answer was no, but we could go to the is larger than the one in Ontario with two floors. kiosk and order more and they would be shipped to I learned my lesson years ago to stay away from shopping on this, “oh so special” day, but I thought I the home free of charge. Woopee! That sounded exciting to me, except I could beat the crowd with just one stop. was already lost when she said the word kiosk. Now, being a guy, I have this thing about driving I asked where this kiosk was and she pointed and asking directions when I am lost. I also don’t toward the service area, so off we went. like shopping because I don’t like to ask for help Gayle had more of an idea of what to look for, as when trying to find an item. Men will often wander she has shopped before with our granddaughter. into a store and walk rather quickly down the isles, In the dictionary, a kiosk is described as a small so as not to attract attention from store clerks. physical structure that often includes a computer We walk like we’re on a mission that makes us and display screen with information at retail look like we know what we’re doing. I also know establishments. that at this time of year the stores will hire in What we found looked more like a vending Christmas help that doesn’t know where anything is, machine or an arcade Pac-Man game. so then the two of us roam around lost. I let Gayle go to work on it and gave in quickly, Some stores are undermanned and no one is as I saw a button to push for help. Another clerk around, so I suspect they are in a back room appeared from out of nowhere to help us. If it watching you on camera and laughing. wasn’t for her, I’d still be standing there today.
DAVE MIKLA Local Columnist
W
Now & Then • 14
I did learn what a kiosk is. I don’t ever want to use one again. I now know why there are benches in Wal-Mart and the malls. It’s for men to sit on while the ladies do the shopping. When we finally got home, there was a package at the front door. The curtains had already been delivered. (Not really). Merry Christmas. Dave Mikla is an Ashland resident. He can be reached at mikla51@zoominternet.net.
Fun Fact
Online purchases on Black Friday have surged over the past few years with total internet sales topping the $3 billion mark for Black Friday in 2016.* *Data from cnbc.com - according to a report by Adobe
“They are the best you can get.” - Joyce D.
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We had to put in every bit of information about us, including the name of our first-born, just to get another set of curtains. When finished, we thanked the clerk and went happily on our way. I no more than got twenty steps away when I noticed I was holding single curtains. Therefore, I was only holding a set and a half of curtains, so back to the kiosk we ran. I flagged the clerk lady over again and we ordered another five. Things were now better with the curtain crisis solved and we went down to the first floor to check out and purchase our three single curtains. We went up to the counters and found out the line was nowhere close. So we walked a quarter of a mile around the aisles to find the end of the line. Our line left the main aisles and snaked through the housewares and men’s clothing. People kept pointing for us, guiding us to keep going. Then another in line told us to look for a guy holding up a sign. I saw him down another aisle. There was a guy with a 10-foot stick that had a big sign attached to it that read, “END OF LINE STARTS HERE!” He was an expert at waving the sign up and down, over to the left then the right. (I think he was an, out-ofwork, Republican convention attendant). It seemed that Black Friday shopping had conquered us after all. We stood in line for half an hour. I figured it would be quicker to just go back up to the kiosk and order another three curtains and put these back on the rack. I left Gayle and went back upstairs. Two ladies were in front of me at the machine. They, too, were having trouble. I reached between them and pushed the help button. When they turned to look at me, I saw one of them was the helper. I was there for 15 minutes watching them try to get an email address to go into the machine. I gave up and went back down to Gayle. I was upset to say the least. Gayle, in the meantime, was having a great time talking and getting to know all the people around her. I was defeated. I had lost what Christmas spirit I had in me. This is why men don’t shop. We can’t outsmart the system. We should just stay home.
“We could not have gotten any better service and it was done quickly and efficiently.” - Mr. & Mrs. George P
Now & Then • 15
Recipes A Tailor-Made Tart for Brunch
Brunch is a great way to enjoy a lazy weekend morning and early afternoon. Unlike the hustle and bustle of weekdays, weekend mornings can often be enjoyed at a more leisurely pace. Restaurants make substantial sums of money on weekend brunch specials, but home cooks can make brunch in the comforts of their own kitchens as well. This “Grape Tomato and Blue Cheese Tart” from Betty Rosbottom and Susie Cushner’s “Sunday Brunch” (Chronicle Books) makes the perfect flaky food to serve at brunch.
Grape Tomato & Blue Cheese Tart Ingredients:
Directions:
sprinkle with salt. Place the tart on a baking sheet to catch any 1. Arrange a rack at a center drippings and return to the oven Serves 6 position and preheat the oven to and bake until the cheese has 375 F. Have ready a 9-inch tart Crust melted and the tomatoes are hot, pan with a removable bottom. 10 to 12 minutes. 1 cup all-purpose flour 2. For the crust: Place the flour, 4. Cool the tart for 5 to 10 minutes cream cheese, butter, salt, and 4 ounces cream cheese, chilled and then remove the sides of the cayenne in a food processor; and cut into 1⁄2-inch pieces tart pan. (The tart can be made 3 pulse until the mixture resembles hours ahead. Leave the tart cool 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, coarse meal. Remove and knead at room temperature and reheat chilled and cut into 1⁄2-inch pieces the mixture into a smooth mass in a preheated 350 F oven until and then press it with your fingers warmed through, 8 to 10 minutes.) 1⁄4 teaspoon salt in an even layer into the bottom 5. Mix together the parsley and (not up the sides) of the tart pan. 1⁄8 teaspoon cayenne pepper green onions, and sprinkle over Smooth the dough with the back the tart. Cut the tart into 6 wedges Topping of a spoon. Freeze the tart shell and serve. for 15 minutes to firm, and then 4 ounces creamy blue cheese, Note: Small grape tomatoes, which bake the crust until golden brown, finely crumbled have a sweet flavor, work better 30 minutes. Remove the tart than larger cherry tomatoes in 2 cups grape tomatoes, halved shell from the oven and cool for this recipe and can be used yearlength-wise (see note) about 5 minutes but retain oven round. However, in the summer, temperature. feel free to try the tart with one of 2 teaspoons olive oil 3. For the topping: Sprinkle the your favorite varieties. Sweet ones cheese evenly over the crust. 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar that are on the small side work Arrange the tomatoes in a circular best. Kosher salt pattern and in a single layer over 1 1⁄2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf the cheese, cut-sides up. You may not need to use all of the parsley tomatoes. Whisk together the 2 green onions, chopped to olive oil and vinegar and drizzle include 2 inches of the green parts over the tomatoes, and then
Now & Then • 16
Homemade Hummus With Truly Unique Taste
Hummus provides a delicious and healthy alternative to less nutritional dips. Versatile and available in various flavors, hummus can be whipped up at home for those who prefer to make their own dips. The following recipe for “Garbanzo-Carrot Hummus with Grilled Yogurt Flatbread” from James Campbell Caruso’s “España: Explore the Flavors of Spain” (Gibbs Smith) includes some Moroccan flavors that give this easy-toprepare recipe a truly unique taste.
Garbanzo-Carrot Hummus with Grilled Yogurt Flatbread
Ingredients: Hummus Makes 2 cups 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped Salt 1 cup cooked garbanzo beans, drained 4 teaspoons chopped cilantro plus 1 teaspoon for garnish 2 tablespoons chopped red onion 2 1⁄2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 1⁄2 teaspoons ground coriander seeds 2 tablespoons lemon juice 4 teaspoons olive oil 2 teaspoons chile flakes 2 teaspoons Moroccan Spice Blend (see below) Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 batch Yogurt Flatbread (see below) Moroccan Spice Blend Makes about 2 tablespoons 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon saffron threads 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground smoked paprika 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel Yogurt Flatbread Serves 4 1 cup all-purpose flour 1⁄4 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon coarse salt 2 1⁄2 cups plain yogurt Olive oil
Directions:
Hummus 1. In a medium saucepan, combine the carrots with 2 quarts water and 2 teaspoons salt. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce the heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, until the carrots are tender. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the carrots to drain and cool in a colander. 2. Combine carrots and remaining ingredients, except for Yogurt Flatbread, in the work bowl of a food processor and puree until
smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper and garnish with the remaining cilantro. Serve with fresh, hot Yogurt Flatbread cut in wedges. Moroccan Spice Blend 1. In a small resealable glass or plastic container, combine all of the ingredients. Yogurt Flatbread 1. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into the work bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Add the yogurt and mix on low speed for 2 minutes. Cover the work bowl and allow the dough to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. 2. Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium. Scrape the dough from the work bowl and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into a long log and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and use a rolling pin or tortilla press to flatten it into a 1⁄4-inch-thick tortilla shape. Brush each “tortilla” lightly with olive oil. Grill each for about 40 seconds then turn and cook another 40 seconds.
Now & Then • 17
Did You Know?
C
arbohydrates are seen as the enemy by many people looking to lose weight, but that reputation is ill-deserved for certain types of carbs. Carbohydrates referred to as “smart carbs” can boost energy and mood and help people, even dieters, maintain healthy weights. Smart carbs, which can be found in fruits, vegetables, minimally processed whole grain products such as brown rice and quinoa, and whole wheat bread among other foods, contain vital nutrients and fiber. The body takes longer
to absorb whole grains than it does processed carbohydrates, stabilizing blood sugar and energy levels as a result. Because the body takes longer to absorb whole grains, feelings of satiety and fullness are extended. That reduces the likelihood of being hungry again shortly after eating, thereby helping people maintain healthy weights. Those who want to avoid carbohydrates should avoid products made with white flour, such as white bread, non-whole grain pastas, potato chips, and breakfast cereals with high amounts of sugar.
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Now & Then • 18
THE LAST WORD
Word Search
Answers
’’
Now there is frost upon the hill And no leaf stirring in the wood; The little streams are cold and still; Never so still has winter stood.’’
C R O S S W O R D Answers
- George O’Neil, Where It Is Winter
Now & Then • 19
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